0:00:02 > 0:00:04Today I'm stood in what proudly claims to be the oldest
0:00:04 > 0:00:06continuously inhabited street in the whole of Europe.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10But where am I and who lives here? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31Today's youthful couple are searching for a perfect country pad
0:00:31 > 0:00:34just three weeks before they tie the knot.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36But other plans are already being made.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39OK, so I would want to rip out all these cupboards,
0:00:39 > 0:00:41get rid of them completely and have drawers.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Luckily, I've brought my magic wand along with me for this search.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49- You're a magician.- I don't know why more people don't live here.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- Shh, don't tell them.- Keep quiet. Don't tell them where we are.
0:00:54 > 0:00:59Today, I'm in Somerset in England's smallest city, Wells.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04Behind me is the beautiful gothic cathedral but this is Vicars' Close.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09Completed in 1363, it was built to individually house
0:01:09 > 0:01:12each of the 42 clergymen who sang in the choir.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Thought to be Europe's oldest continuously inhabited street,
0:01:16 > 0:01:18it remains largely unchanged
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and the cottages are still home to members of the choir and staff,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25a tradition that's survived for over 700 years.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28But as you're about to see, it's not the only landmark
0:01:28 > 0:01:32in this beautiful county that's worth singing about.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Located in the heart of the West Country,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Somerset is bordered by Devon and Dorset to the south
0:01:38 > 0:01:40and Wiltshire to the east.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Somerset's varied landscape gently spreads from coast to country,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46encapsulating some of the most eye-catching scenery
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Britain has to offer.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Running from east to west,
0:01:50 > 0:01:52the Mendips cover an area of 77 square miles
0:01:52 > 0:01:57and offers picturesque scenes of rich green pasture and farmland,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00laid over undulating slopes and rolling hills,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04crisscrossed by an array of popular bridleways and footpaths.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08This tranquil setting is only interrupted by deep and rocky chasms
0:02:08 > 0:02:10like Cheddar Gorge, whose rugged ravines
0:02:10 > 0:02:14create a permanent and striking scar on the landscape.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16The popular Kennet and Avon Canal meanders
0:02:16 > 0:02:20through Somerset's peaceful valleys and past historic buildings,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22such as the Pumping Station at Claverton.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25At the heart of the county lie the Somerset Levels,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27a rich and beautiful area of lowland,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31whose skyline is dominated by the iconic Glastonbury Tor.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34With its rich and diverse landscapes,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37it's easy to see why Somerset has such enduring appeal
0:02:37 > 0:02:39for those looking to escape to the country.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44The average price of a detached house in Somerset
0:02:44 > 0:02:48currently stands at £276,000,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52which is a very attractive £6,000 below the national figure.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56However, the bad news is, if you head to the north-east of the county,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00and Bath in particular, you can expect to pay a hefty premium
0:03:00 > 0:03:03of around £100,000 above the national figure.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05This is due, in no small part,
0:03:05 > 0:03:09to the popularity of the beautiful Georgian architecture
0:03:09 > 0:03:12and good rail links to Bristol in one direction
0:03:12 > 0:03:14and London in the other, which, funnily enough,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16are also some of the same reasons
0:03:16 > 0:03:19attracting today's buyers to the area, so let's meet them.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Consultant Paul and lawyer Amber met three years ago at work
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and last year, whilst on holiday in South Africa,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Paul popped the big question, much to Amber's astonishment.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32There is a story to our proposal.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36It was on the beach in front of my house where I grew up.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39I had no idea. It was a complete surprise.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42First thing Amber said was, "No." Three times!
0:03:42 > 0:03:43Well, I was quite shocked,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46so it wasn't like a "No, I don't want to marry you,"
0:03:46 > 0:03:49it was more like a "Oh, my God, no, not now! Do it another time."
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- When I was ready. - And then she did say, "Yes."
0:03:52 > 0:03:53- I did say, "Yes."- Thankfully.- Yeah.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Just over a year later,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59those wedding bells are starting to sound that much louder
0:03:59 > 0:04:02as the big day comes ever closer.
0:04:02 > 0:04:03Amber is South African,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06so we're going out to South Africa for the ceremony.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07It's going to be terrific.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10It's going to be lovely and warm and we're really excited.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Now's an important time to move because we're going to get married
0:04:14 > 0:04:17and I really don't want to come back and live in a rented house.
0:04:17 > 0:04:18I want to provide a home for my new family.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Since getting together,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Amber and Paul have been living in the London borough of Wandsworth.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27However, living in the city certainly has its pros and cons.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32The main downside to where we are now is probably the space.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35We have a sitting room in the kitchen
0:04:35 > 0:04:38which is in the dining room and Amber is a very good chef.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43She cooks often but that does mean we're in the same room all the time.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46With the bright lights of the capital fading fast,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Amber and Paul have already started making plans to move west.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51We'd like to move to Somerset.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55It's obviously near Bath cos it's a really beautiful city
0:04:55 > 0:04:57and Paul has a job there.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00We're looking for a place that is outside of the city
0:05:00 > 0:05:04because there's no point leaving a city to move into another city,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06so we're looking for a village feel just outside of Bath.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10And after years of living in rented accommodation, for Amber,
0:05:10 > 0:05:15the move will finally enable her to throw down some much-needed roots.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18I'm most excited about having a home.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22It's been so long since I can remember having my own place
0:05:22 > 0:05:25where I feel like it's mine, I'm secure,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28no-one's going to tell me to leave, where we can hang pictures
0:05:28 > 0:05:30and know that they're going to stay for a couple of years,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32where we can buy furniture and not think,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34"How are we going to move this again?"
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Because with a rented property,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39there's always that threat hanging over you, that you have to move.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43But the couple's move west won't just mean a new life for Amber and Paul.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Plans to expand their family are also at the front of their minds.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Another big thing for us about moving to the country
0:05:49 > 0:05:52is that we'll finally be able to start our plans,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56or put our plans in motion, to start a family.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59We're quite keen to get on that bandwagon.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- Bandwagon! - AMBER LAUGHS
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I think the moment we get out to the country and we have the space
0:06:05 > 0:06:08and we have our own home, we'll finally feel secure enough to say,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12"Now we're quite set up and we can actually think about having a baby."
0:06:12 > 0:06:16We really want to have our forever home, so right now,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20we think we're at the time that it's right for us to make this move.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Our couple dream of living within commuting distance to Bath
0:06:26 > 0:06:28and within touching distance of rail links
0:06:28 > 0:06:30back to London for Amber's work.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32So, we'll be concentrating our efforts
0:06:32 > 0:06:34in the north-east of Somerset.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36But in order to gain a better understanding
0:06:36 > 0:06:38of what Amber and Paul are actually looking for,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40it's time I met up with them.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43So, welcome to Somerset. Now, congratulations, apparently.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- You're about to get married. - Correct, yes.- Yeah.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48You look worried and you should be.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50It's literally a couple of weeks away, isn't it?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- Three weeks. Less than three weeks. - Less than three weeks.- Yeah.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- And now you want to move house. - That's right.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59We're also thinking about starting a family, so I want to get out here.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- You agree with that, Amber?- Yeah, I grew up in a really small town
0:07:02 > 0:07:05and I've never really enjoyed living in a city,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07so for me it was a no-brainer, really.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11So, talk to me about the environment that you want to move to,
0:07:11 > 0:07:12maybe even bring up your family in.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Definitely not in the middle of nowhere. Initially...
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- He wants to live in the middle of nowhere.- Blokes always do.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23But for me... Initially, I was sold on the idea
0:07:23 > 0:07:28and then I realised it can be quite isolating, so definitely compromised
0:07:28 > 0:07:30and living in a village, close enough to Bath
0:07:30 > 0:07:32so that we still feel like we're still young
0:07:32 > 0:07:34and there's people around us and a community.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38So, let's talk about this house. How big is it?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Four, three to four bedrooms.- OK.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- Yeah.- All right, so it's a big house.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46How important is a kitchen to you both?
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- Yeah, to me, it's really important. - Outside space?
0:07:49 > 0:07:50- Manageable.- Manageable garden.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54We don't have a lot of time to sit and mow acres and acres of land.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Well, it's a big move from the Big Smoke, surrounded by people,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01so are you prepared to be flexible in the style of house?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03I really want a detached place cos otherwise,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06we may as well just move into a suburb outside of London.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10If we're moving to the country, then I want a detached house
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- and I'm not going to...settle.- Can you hear those? Can you hear those?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16They're alarm bells! LAUGHTER
0:08:16 > 0:08:19OK, there will be compromises along the way.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Compromises are normally driven by how much money we've got to spend.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28- So, let's remind ourselves of the budget.- £500,000.- Yeah, £500,000.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Can we push you? Is there any more coins in the piggy bank?
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- 5...20, utter, utter top.- Yeah?
0:08:36 > 0:08:40So, we've got quite an extensive wish list,
0:08:40 > 0:08:42but the great thing about your position
0:08:42 > 0:08:45is you've got nothing to sell
0:08:45 > 0:08:47and you're getting married in a couple of weeks,
0:08:47 > 0:08:48so we'd better get on with it.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50And we need to move in by June, so no pressure!
0:08:50 > 0:08:52AMBER LAUGHS
0:08:52 > 0:08:54That's... That's just around the corner!
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Yeah, that's why we've put all our eggs in your basket.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I'll carry the basket very carefully
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- but very quickly to the first house. - OK.- Come on.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11With £500,000 to spend, Amber and Paul have a decent budget.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14However, they also have a very defined wish list.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16They're looking for a detached property
0:09:16 > 0:09:18that blends modern and contemporary interiors
0:09:18 > 0:09:20with old-world charm and character,
0:09:20 > 0:09:25along with space inside and out to accommodate their future family.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Location is key, so a village community
0:09:27 > 0:09:30within striking distance of Bath is essential.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34We have a varied mix of country properties to show our house hunters
0:09:34 > 0:09:37but price tags will remain secret until after the viewings,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41whilst our final visit to the Mystery House will attempt to shake up
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and challenge Amber and Paul's priorities for their new house.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47And with wedding bells just around the corner,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50there's no time to lose in finding that perfect first home.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53So, you've gone over to South Africa quite a few times,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- you're into your food...- Yeah.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Have you taken them on with any barbecuing, Paul?
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- They're very proud barbecuers in South Africa, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05So, one of my, what I assume was a test
0:10:05 > 0:10:07to see whether I was welcome into the family or not,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- was to braai for her father... - He says, "Braai."
0:10:10 > 0:10:13..and her two uncles and cousin.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18- Braai is just being a bloke, barbecuing.- Yeah.- Basically, yeah.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21We're starting our property tour of north-east Somerset
0:10:21 > 0:10:24in the small, rural village of Whatley,
0:10:24 > 0:10:2520 miles from the centre of Bath
0:10:25 > 0:10:29and two miles from the lively village of Mells.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Famous for its rustic architecture and timeless streets,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35the village of Mells was once home to Jack Horner
0:10:35 > 0:10:38who was forever immortalised in the popular nursery rhyme.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Today, Mells offers residents a village shop and cafe,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45along with an award-winning pub and Grade I listed church.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Back in Whatley, our first house is this converted barn,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52located in a private courtyard development.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Now, don't get too excited.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57We're not going to be showing you ALL of this property.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- We're going to look at that bit there.- OK.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02What do you think of the house?
0:11:02 > 0:11:06So, obviously we wanted detached, but this is quite good.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09They're not living on top of us, so it is, in a way, detached.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- It's very quiet, very peaceful. - Yeah, it is very quiet, I must say.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- This is actually quite nice, you feel secure.- Good.- Like, safe.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17That's the thing, isn't it?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- It's a big, big move, moving from the city.- Yeah.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23And I think this would probably be a slightly smaller step
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- and a more doable one.- Not isolating, cos that was my biggest fear.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27- Let's look inside.- Yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Converted 20 years ago, the barn is a complete contrast
0:11:32 > 0:11:35to Amber and Paul's current living arrangements back in London.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37And through the oak-fronted porch,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40there is one obvious room to kick off our tour in.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- So, let's start with this nice open-plan kitchen.- Very nice, big.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- Yeah, it's a really nice size. - That's the thing about this kitchen.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Beforehand, it would have just come to this wall here
0:11:51 > 0:11:53and the current owners extended this
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- and it makes all the difference, doesn't it?- Totally.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59If you didn't want the kitchen table in the middle,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- you can have that as a dining area or breakfast area.- Yeah.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06And also the light coming in is so lovely. It feels so warm and homely.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10It needs some work but it is definitely a really nice size.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12If you want to change it, what do you want to do to it then?
0:12:12 > 0:12:15OK, so I would want to rip out all these cupboards,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18get rid of them completely and have drawers
0:12:18 > 0:12:20and then they push back and they click very nicely.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Oh, and that whole sink thing's got to go.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24I want one of those country sinks.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26You probably do want to do a major refurbishment here
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- cos you've got nothing else to do this year(!)- Well...
0:12:29 > 0:12:32No, you've got two new jobs, starting a family and getting married!
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Good! Follow me.- OK.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36So, with the kitchen totally redesigned,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39it's time we moved across the hall to our next room
0:12:39 > 0:12:42to see how that fares under Amber's keen eye.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- Righto then, tell me what you think of this living room.- Hey.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- This is nice, really light. - Again, very homely, very welcoming.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- It's a fine balance, but look at that.- Hey!- Yeah.- Wood burner.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- Yeah.- Excellent, that's really good. I like that.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01That's beautiful, that's open onto the garden and it's really light.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Is this house...? I mean, you've seen the entirety of the ground floor,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- so is this house big enough?- Yeah, this is...- Yeah, it's a family home.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- It's got a family feel to it. - Mmm.- Great.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Let's go and take a look upstairs. Follow me.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14So far, so good.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Downstairs certainly seems to have made a good impression on our couple.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19So, it's onwards and upwards
0:13:19 > 0:13:22to see if the bedrooms pass Amber and Paul's tests.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Now, this master bedroom...
0:13:24 > 0:13:28It's the master because actually it's the biggest bedroom
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- and it's en suite.- OK.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- They've managed to get four bedrooms out of this first floor.- Oh, wow.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- Which is what you're after, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39I know you said you would love to have a big master bedroom.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Big this ain't, is it? But could you cope with it?
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Could we knock that wall down and take out one of the bedrooms?
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Yeah, you could do. You'd have a three-bedroom property
0:13:50 > 0:13:55but then you'd have a really nice big master suite.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- Yeah, this is a touch on the small side.- Yeah.- OK.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00If it was just a bit bigger.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03So, the upstairs seems to be letting the side down.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Nonetheless, in addition to the master,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07it comprises of three additional rooms,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09along with a good size bathroom,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13creating enough space here for Amber and Paul's future needs.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Outside, I'm hoping the generous stone-walled garden
0:14:16 > 0:14:17is going to be large enough.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21OK, so, the garden is, well, what you can see.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Yep.- What are you thoughts? - It's manageable.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- This is kind of what I would be comfortable with.- Nice size lawn.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- You could play a game of cricket in here.- Yeah.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31So, a good amount of outside space.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34How much do you think this property's on the market for?
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- I'm hoping not more than £490,000. - OK.- Yeah?
0:14:37 > 0:14:40All right. Paul?
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- Probably £480,000. - Oh, right, even lower.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46OK, well, this house is on the market
0:14:46 > 0:14:49for offers around £550,000.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54- Ooh.- Yeah, OK. - Now, that is an asking price.- Yeah.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57It's just come onto the market.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- According to the agent, the owner is negotiable.- Yeah.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Why don't you go back into the house, have a good look around upstairs,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07tap some walls, think about what you would like to do,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- maybe turn it into from a four-bedder into a three-bedder, OK?- Yeah.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- And I'll meet you back outside. - OK.- See you in a mo.- Thank you.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Our first property is £50,000 over budget
0:15:22 > 0:15:24but it certainly provides, on paper,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28everything our couple are looking for in their new abode.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Four bedrooms, a large kitchen
0:15:30 > 0:15:31and a manageable garden,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33all combined with a rural charm
0:15:33 > 0:15:35and a light, modern finish.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Plus, lying just 20 miles from the centre of Bath,
0:15:38 > 0:15:42the property offers a reasonable commute for both Amber and Paul.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44OK, so this would be the room that we would lose
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- if we were to knock that wall down. - OK.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50That's quite sweet. It would be sad to lose that but...
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- That's quite cute.- And I don't know what we'd do with it spacewise.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- Er, walk-in wardrobe?- Yeah. That would be good.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01So, honestly, I love the downstairs.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Downstairs really does it for me. Kitchen is amazing.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Good space, really light.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10In fact, the whole house is really light, so I love that.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13If the upstairs had been slightly bigger,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15then I think this would be the perfect house for us.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18I think with the distance to Bath
0:16:18 > 0:16:20and particularly the distance to the train station for Amber,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23there's a bit too many compromises to make.
0:16:23 > 0:16:24It's a lovely house,
0:16:24 > 0:16:28but I think there's just one too many things we'd have to do.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33So, have you knocked all those walls down upstairs in your head?
0:16:33 > 0:16:37- Is there anything up right now?- No. The whole thing's flat.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40It sounds like it was going that way!
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- Is this something to think about, Paul?- Certainly.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- It's really got us mulling over some options.- Perfect. Let's keep going.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55With such rich and fertile landscapes,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57it's no surprise that Somerset
0:16:57 > 0:17:01boasts the highest number of food producers of any UK county.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04We've sent Amber and Paul to one pioneering farm
0:17:04 > 0:17:07whose unique philosophy of pasture to plate
0:17:07 > 0:17:10aims to educate almost 10,000 children and adults a year
0:17:10 > 0:17:12about the countryside
0:17:12 > 0:17:15through sustainable and responsible farming and eating.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Our buyers are meeting Nick Baker
0:17:17 > 0:17:19to learn a little bit more about the farm's values.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- Hi, I'm Amber.- Hello, Amber.- Nice to meet you.- I'm Nick.- Nick, Hi, Paul.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- Hello, Paul. Welcome. - So, what type of farm is this?
0:17:26 > 0:17:31- This is a dairy farm. 1,500 cows. - Wow.- It's about 4,500 acres.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Somerset is a really terrific place for farming,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36for dairy farming especially,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40because we grow some really good sweet grass and that's what we want.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43So, what is pasture to plate?
0:17:43 > 0:17:47The idea is to connect, reconnecting people with the countryside,
0:17:47 > 0:17:49whether it's children or adults.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52The pasture to plate was an idea we had some years ago
0:17:52 > 0:17:57about getting kids to produce their food, grow their vegetables,
0:17:57 > 0:18:01harvest them, take them to the kitchen and cook them.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Putting the pasture to plate philosophy into practice,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Nick's son, Andy, has set up his own gourmet business
0:18:08 > 0:18:11using locally bred pork. He specialises in making charcuterie
0:18:11 > 0:18:15which is a French method of drying meats for food preservation.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19But Nick's products have a distinct West Country twist.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Amber and Paul are jumping straight in
0:18:21 > 0:18:23to help produce some spicy chorizo pokers,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27made from regional ingredients including local cider...
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- That's a lot of garlic. - ..fresh garlic, local Cheddar
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and one final secret element.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37- A few other secret ingredients. - That you can't tell us.- Yeah, no.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41The meat comes from locally reared Old Spot and Saddleback pigs.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Once the ingredients are kneaded together,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46it's time to create the poker sausages.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50We've put the mix in here for the spicy cider chorizo pokers,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52so that's ready to go.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56This is sheep intestine which we're going to fill the mixture into,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- so shall we make a start? - Yeah.- Yeah, OK.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01After a demonstration from the expert...
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Oh.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07..it's Amber's turn.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Let it go. Yeah, go on.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Keep feeding it out.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Pull it with your left hand
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- if you need to. That's it.- Oh, Oh!
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- Keep going.- Oh, my God!
0:19:18 > 0:19:22So, a bit more practice needed there. Let's see how Paul does.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Brilliant.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Oh, he's going to get a job.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28Once pumped into the casing,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32the sausages need to be twisted into links.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34That'll be great. A good snack size.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39The raw sausages are hung for five to six weeks in a curing room
0:19:39 > 0:19:42where the temperature is set to 17 degrees Celsius
0:19:42 > 0:19:44and the humidity to 70%.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46The sausages are then slowly dried
0:19:46 > 0:19:49until they've lost 30% of their moisture.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51But it's not just chorizo on the menu,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54so everyone is meeting back up with Nick
0:19:54 > 0:19:56to sample some of his other creations.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- OK, guys, want to try some now? - Yeah, I'd love to.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02OK, so we've got some coppa here which is the eye of the shoulder,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05some lonza, which is the eye of the loin.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09This is a blue cheese and red wine salami and some olives and bread.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Yummy!
0:20:11 > 0:20:13You guys must eat like this all the time.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Yeah, this is what we do every day at this time.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- NICK:- Mmm, absolutely every day!
0:20:17 > 0:20:19This local charcuterie business
0:20:19 > 0:20:23has really given Amber and Paul an insight into French cooking,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25along with a definite taste of Somerset.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32For our second property of the day,
0:20:32 > 0:20:35we're heading out of Somerset to the Wiltshire village of Bratton,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38whilst remaining within a 40-minute drive of Bath.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Once a hub of industry, Bratton is a charming and historic village
0:20:42 > 0:20:46where thatched cottages lie among attractive new builds.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Its 13th-century church lies away from its centre
0:20:49 > 0:20:50and also on the edge of the village
0:20:50 > 0:20:53is one of Wiltshire's oldest and most famous hill figures,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56the Westbury Horse.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00I'm hoping our next property's sheer size and village location
0:21:00 > 0:21:02will impress Amber and Paul.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09Now then, you wanted something maybe with some more space
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- and I think this house is going to give you just that.- Oh, wow!
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- That looks big. I like it. - That looks big.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19Now, this place is only nine years old. But it looks good, doesn't it?
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- Wooden windows, well-maintained and, by the looks of it, well-built.- Yeah!
0:21:23 > 0:21:25It looks brilliant. I like this. I'm impressed.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28This village has got everything you asked for.
0:21:28 > 0:21:29You've got two churches,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32a shop with a post office that stays open till 8 o'clock at night,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35a good pub, a primary school, a preschool, a toddler group,
0:21:35 > 0:21:40- an amateur dramatic society...- Now we're talking!- A doctor's surgery...
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- You're a magician.- I don't know why more people don't live here!- Shh!
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Just keep quiet. Don't tell them where we are.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- So, it's good, isn't it? - Yeah, this is good.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- I'm dying to see the inside. - Let's go.- OK.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Constructed in 2006,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00this modern house has a country aesthetic exterior
0:22:00 > 0:22:02whilst also providing all the convenience and benefits
0:22:02 > 0:22:04of a contemporary interior -
0:22:04 > 0:22:08something I know Amber and Paul were particularly keen on.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12So, through the font door, we're kicking off in the sitting room.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- Wow, look at the size of this room! - Hey!- That's big.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22So, how could you make this yours? What's going to make it more...?
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Furniture. Literally, a lick of paint and furniture, that's it.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28The fundamentals are there, so the walls are in the right space
0:22:28 > 0:22:31and the garden is just off the side of the room.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Yeah, this is a brilliant room. - Good!
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Let's keep walking through cos there's a couple of doorways
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- I just want to poke our heads around. - OK.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- Now, I know you want to work from home, Amber.- Yeah.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- That is made for you there, look. - Hey!- Yeah, perfect.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Remember this. I know you like open-plan,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- but you've got a dining room there at the moment.- Yeah.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Keep that in mind when you see the kitchen.- OK.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02- OK!- Hey!- Island.- Island, exactly what we want.- Nice, yeah.
0:23:02 > 0:23:08- Really modern finish. OK, we've got a gas hob, that's good.- Yeah.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12Your dining room is just next door, so would you keep it as is?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- No, I would probably break it through.- Thought you'd say that.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Yeah, and then you've got your diner and your kitchen together.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- It's all here, isn't it?- It is. - A fully functioning modern kitchen.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25This is... Yeah. It's got the drawers that I like.
0:23:25 > 0:23:26- Oh, I know you like your drawers! - Mmm.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- Thank goodness it had them! - Yeah, my mum will be happy.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Oh, good, as long as your mum's happy that you've got drawers.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35She's always said never get a house that doesn't have these drawers.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Wise words, Amber's mum.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- So, we're happy so far, aren't we? - Yes, it's good.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43I know you're dying to get outside and look at the back garden,
0:23:43 > 0:23:44but in the last house,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47it was the bedrooms that you fell out of love with, wasn't it?
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- Yes, it was the only thing.- Let's go an inspect those first.- Yeah.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Luckily, the generous proportions of this property
0:23:53 > 0:23:55allow for plenty of space upstairs too.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59With four large double bedrooms, two being en suite,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01there's more than enough room
0:24:01 > 0:24:03to accommodate Amber and Paul's future plans.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05There's also a family bathroom
0:24:05 > 0:24:07and I'm showing them the largest of the bedrooms.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09- Now then.- Yeah.
0:24:09 > 0:24:15Master bedroom, I'm hoping, is a lot more to your liking sizewise.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- Oh, wow.- Oh, yeah, a lot bigger. - This is good.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22- So, is this big enough?- Yes. - Yeah. Is it en suite?
0:24:22 > 0:24:27En suite. So, you've got fitted wardrobes here, there.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29So we've got a his and hers like now.
0:24:29 > 0:24:35I think a house like this in a village like this,
0:24:35 > 0:24:39close to facilities that you have in nearby towns like Westbury,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43- this is the logical leap for you guys, I think.- Yeah.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Yeah, thin end of the wedge. - Correct.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49So, the final piece of the jigsaw for you guys is the outside space.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51- Yeah.- Let's go and take a peek.- OK.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55So, the house certainly seems to have sold itself to Amber and Paul.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Now it's the garden's turn to win them over.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Now then, gardening.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05- How green are your fingers, Paul? - Red.- Yeah!
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- I'm thinking lawn. This is a garden.- Yeah.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- South-facing.- Oh, yeah? That's good.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13- So, do you like it?- Love it!
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Yeah, it's growing on me, it's growing on me.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20- I think I'm more fussy than he is. - Really?!
0:25:20 > 0:25:23But I'm starting to realise I'm going to have to compromise.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Yeah, you know what? This is actually a perfect house.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32So, how much would you pay for the perfect house in this position?
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Oh, do we have to do this?
0:25:35 > 0:25:39- I'm going to hope, fingers crossed, that this is at £500,000.- OK.
0:25:39 > 0:25:45- I'm going to go £515,000. - OK, getting closer.- Oh.
0:25:45 > 0:25:51- The asking price for this house is £525,000.- OK.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Now, we've spoken to the owners
0:25:53 > 0:25:58and the owners are prepared to negotiate as they know your budget.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- A smile! Look at this!- Yeah. - Yeah, I'm excited.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06You should be because, looking at everything you wanted on paper,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10marrying that against an area, these two things have come together.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Where am I going to put my range?
0:26:12 > 0:26:14I've got an idea! THEY LAUGH
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Why don't you go and have a look around the house,
0:26:17 > 0:26:18go and look at the bedrooms
0:26:18 > 0:26:21- and I will meet you at the front whenever you're done.- Sure.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Our second house is just £25,000 over budget.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34But with four bedrooms, a large sitting room,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36a generous kitchen and a study,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39this spacious and modern home certainly gives Amber and Paul
0:26:39 > 0:26:42everything they wish for in their new property.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44It's an ideal first home,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47offering plenty of space inside and out,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49with real potential to grow into.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- Oh, my God, this is huge. - It's another big one.- Yeah.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53This is amazing.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I don't know what we'd do with all the space, to be honest.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01- Start having a family.- Yeah, but they've got to grow quickly!
0:27:01 > 0:27:04I'm very comfortable with the style and the age of this house.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06We're not wedded to a very old house,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09so this one, I think, fits a nice balance.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12If this house was eight miles from Bath,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15we would be waiting for the owners to come home now
0:27:15 > 0:27:17to say, "How much do you want?
0:27:17 > 0:27:19"How much will you take for it?" Definitely.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21There's going to be a compromise
0:27:21 > 0:27:23between what we want and what we can afford.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Where those compromises fall, I don't know.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27That will be a conversation Amber and I have later.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30It's suddenly dawned on me that, maybe,
0:27:30 > 0:27:34I don't know if I'm yet up for this massive move
0:27:34 > 0:27:39away from everything and everyone I know.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Maybe it's just fear. I just need to just do it, jump in with both feet.
0:27:43 > 0:27:48- So, I take it this house is on top at the moment?- Yeah, definitely.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- Is this a potential?- Yes.- Perfect.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Something to think about tonight then maybe.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06It's the second day of our house-hunt in Somerset
0:28:06 > 0:28:08and with half a million pounds to spend,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11we're looking to find Paul and Amber, who are engaged,
0:28:11 > 0:28:15a perfect marital home just weeks before their big day.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19But will I have to carry them over the threshold of our Mystery House?
0:28:19 > 0:28:21What's going through your mind?
0:28:22 > 0:28:24- Honestly?- Yeah.
0:28:24 > 0:28:29And I'll be poking around underground in a very deep hole. Oh!
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Well, I think it's fair to say we had a clear winner
0:28:35 > 0:28:37out of yesterday's two properties.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40But I'm starting to get the inkling that Amber, in particular,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43might be getting cold feet, in regards to this big move
0:28:43 > 0:28:45from London out to the Somerset countryside.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48So, to that end, I'd like to show them a property
0:28:48 > 0:28:50closer to their target city of Bath.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52But, as we've discussed already,
0:28:52 > 0:28:56the further north in the county you go, the less you get for your money.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00And I think today's Mystery House will flush out what they really want.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04Essentially, it might just come down to a question of location
0:29:04 > 0:29:08versus the big house and, dare I say it, the dreaded compromise.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12For the last house on our property tour,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14we're heading to within seven miles
0:29:14 > 0:29:16of Amber and Paul's dream city of Bath
0:29:16 > 0:29:18to the village of Norton St Phillip.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Nestled between the delightful Cotswolds
0:29:20 > 0:29:22and the rugged Mendips,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25the village of Norton St Phillip is surrounded by lush countryside
0:29:25 > 0:29:28and is characterised by its limestone buildings
0:29:28 > 0:29:31with their mullioned windows, stone-tiled roofs
0:29:31 > 0:29:34and billowing chimney pots.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Along with a school and a farm shop,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39the village is also home to one of Britain's oldest pubs.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Built originally as a wool store, the building is around 700 years old
0:29:42 > 0:29:45and is now Grade I listed.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Staggering distance from the pub, just down from the high street,
0:29:48 > 0:29:51lies our third and final house.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55OK, so the Mystery House is this property here.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58- OK.- OK.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- Go on.- Spot the compromise. - Terraced.- Yeah.
0:30:05 > 0:30:11- But...that's because we're only seven miles from Bath.- Only seven miles?
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Only seven miles from Bath. Come on, what's going through your mind?
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- Honestly?- Yeah.- It's all right. I guess I'll have to see the inside.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22This is it.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26If you want to live this close to Bath, things will have to shrink.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- So...- Yeah.- Let's go inside.- OK.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34From the outside, Amber and Paul don't seem particularly taken
0:30:34 > 0:30:36with our Grade II listed terraced property.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39But I'm more than confident there is plenty going on inside
0:30:39 > 0:30:40to win them over.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43So, first room, the front room.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Do you like the idea of a snug that you shut away
0:30:46 > 0:30:48from the rest of the house and put the fire on or...?
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- Yeah, it's lovely.- It's very cosy. - Yeah.- It's really nice.- Good.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54I wanted you to see this first, then you can decide
0:30:54 > 0:30:56what you'd do with the middle reception.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57Let me just squeeze through there.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- OK, so the middle room.- Yeah.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05What's going through your mind?
0:31:05 > 0:31:08I think this is really nice, this area.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10- I think it's very cute.- Very cute.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13I wonder if there's any outside space, that's a question we have.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16- You'll have to trust me on this one.- OK.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Come and have a look at the kitchen.
0:31:21 > 0:31:22Now, when you see the kitchen,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25you can see that the dining table there works
0:31:25 > 0:31:27cos you spill from one to the other, don't you?
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Yeah, really well. It's a lovely kitchen.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34It's got the range and the sunken sink that I really like.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35This living accommodation -
0:31:35 > 0:31:39I know it's probably smaller than you had hoped for. It's not my fault.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- I know.- I'm not beating you over the head with this,
0:31:42 > 0:31:46- but I'm showing you the facts really. - Yeah.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49At the moment, I'm trying to show you two polar opposites.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- Property two - bags of space, further out of Bath.- Yeah.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- Close to Bath, phtt, we shrink a little bit.- True. OK.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57So, bedroom accommodation next
0:31:57 > 0:32:01and then I'm going to show you the garden, if there is one.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Course there is one!
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Upstairs, the property's spread over two floors
0:32:07 > 0:32:11and consists of three bedrooms, a good size family bathroom and a study
0:32:11 > 0:32:15that could easily be transformed into a nursery or even a fourth room.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18But I'm going to continue selling the positives of this house
0:32:18 > 0:32:20in the master bedroom.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Just mind the step on the way up.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- Now, are you a fan of baths in bedrooms?- I've never seen one before!
0:32:26 > 0:32:28LAUGHTER
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Well, you've got an en suite through there with a separate shower.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- Yeah, this is different.- This is a real surprise.- Lovely beams.- Yeah.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37A very nice room, this. Wasn't expecting this.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39What you have to take forward from this
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- is don't judge a book by its cover. Give a house a chance.- Yeah.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46- Get in the front door and that's so important, it really is.- Yeah.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49It can grow on you, you can see past the furniture.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- Look at the square footage of this room.- Yeah, it's huge.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55So, that last bit of advice, who should I have been directing it to?
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- Um, both of us really.- Ooh... - THEY LAUGH
0:33:00 > 0:33:03It's not like you're Mr I'm-Good-With-A-Surprise!
0:33:03 > 0:33:05I go with more of an open mind, I think, than you do.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09Now, let's go outside and have a look at the garden,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- see if that meets with your approval. - OK.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15So, inside hasn't blown my couple away
0:33:15 > 0:33:18and I just feel that it's the property's terraced position
0:33:18 > 0:33:21that's proving to be a hurdle for Amber and Paul.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23But I do have one more surprise up my sleeve
0:33:23 > 0:33:27that I'm hoping will convince them of the merits of this house.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- Oh, wow.- OK, that is a surprise.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32The big question is,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35what are you going to do with all this garden then?
0:33:35 > 0:33:40Move the whole house and make it, like, twice the size.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Look at you! Behave yourself!
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Now look, I'm now showing you a house with a big enough garden.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- Yeah, this is amazing.- Your face, when we pulled up to the house
0:33:49 > 0:33:55and you looked at the terrace, would cut glass. Now look at it.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58- Yeah, this is lovely.- You wouldn't have looked at this house, would you?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Never, no, not in a million years.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- Now, up there, you've got fantastic views.- That's incredible.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09- Sunbathing for Paul.- Correct. - Clothing optional.- Correct.- Yeah.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12It continues the theme of this house of, the more you explore,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15- the more you find. - Have a go at guessing the price.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17I'm going to say what I would pay for this,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20rather than what I think it's valued at.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22I'm going to say £450,000.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25OK.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30- Right, Paul? - I'm going to go for £510,000.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33OK. Better guess.
0:34:33 > 0:34:39- This house is on the market for offers around £495,000.- OK.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Why don't you both go back into the house.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Maybe the best thing to do is compare this
0:34:44 > 0:34:47with the property we saw yesterday afternoon,
0:34:47 > 0:34:51- in terms of location and size.- OK. - See you in a bit.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56On the market for £5,000 under budget,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59this charming and historic stone cottage offers our couple
0:34:59 > 0:35:03a bespoke modern kitchen, a separate dining room and a family lounge,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06plus three good size bedrooms upstairs
0:35:06 > 0:35:08and an expansive garden to the rear.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12And while it might not provide the largest internal living space,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14being located just seven miles from Bath,
0:35:14 > 0:35:19this property is exactly where Amber and Paul said they wanted to be.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Oh, goodness me, look at this.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24That's big. It's really big.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Look at these beams. That's beautiful.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Didn't expect to see a room of this size.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36It's like the majority of the house. A good space.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38From the outside, I was pretty concerned
0:35:38 > 0:35:41that it was going to be a terraced house - the kind of thing
0:35:41 > 0:35:43we're trying to get away from in London, but out here.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47However, the more rooms that we saw, the more garden that we saw,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50it kind of changed my perception entirely.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55It's fair to say that I'm not sure it's the house for me,
0:35:55 > 0:35:57but I don't want...
0:35:57 > 0:35:59I think everybody might be thinking
0:35:59 > 0:36:01that I've got this great idea of what I want.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04I think I'm like everyone else. I've got an idea of what I want
0:36:04 > 0:36:07and I know that I probably will find that.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11- So, all done?- Yeah.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16So, decision time looms and lucky for you, there's a cracking local pub.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- Awesome.- Excellent. - I'll take you there.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Lying to the north of Somerset,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30the Mendip Hills are a remarkable limestone landscape
0:36:30 > 0:36:33of dramatic deep gorges and ancient woodland,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35whilst hidden beneath is a labyrinth of caves,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38making it one of the best areas in Britain
0:36:38 > 0:36:40for a particular adventure sport.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42I've come to the north of the Mendips
0:36:42 > 0:36:44to meet Graham Price from a local caving club
0:36:44 > 0:36:46who's going to take me on an underground tour
0:36:46 > 0:36:50of one of the Mendips' lesser-known gems, Goatchurch Cavern.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53So, Graham, I'm very excited to be here.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Before we get inside, how were the caves formed?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59This particular cave we're going to be going in
0:36:59 > 0:37:01was formed actually under water, totally.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05But currently, most of the major main cave systems on Mendip
0:37:05 > 0:37:08are formed with water running off the top of the hill,
0:37:08 > 0:37:09finding a way underground
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and gradually enlarging passageways and then coming out at the bottom.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Why are we here at Goatchurch Cavern?
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Is it because I'm a complete novice and you don't want to scare me?
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- I'm hoping that's the case. - We might scare you anyway,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23but this is generally a very good beginners' cave.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26It has a lot of variation in it. It has some very easy bits,
0:37:26 > 0:37:28something that's a bit more difficult if you want to do it.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32So, let's get all fixed up and you lead the way
0:37:32 > 0:37:35and then I'll follow - timidly.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39'Though an exciting sport, caving can be dangerous
0:37:39 > 0:37:42'and should only be attempted with a qualified guide or group
0:37:42 > 0:37:44'whilst wearing the correct protective clothing.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46'During the early 1900s,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49'an unsuccessful attempt was made to transform Goatchurch Cavern
0:37:49 > 0:37:51'into a spectacular show cave
0:37:51 > 0:37:54'and as we descend deep into the cavern,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57'evidence of these efforts are still visible today.'
0:37:58 > 0:38:02- She's a bit slippy, isn't she? - Yeah, you can see here on the floor
0:38:02 > 0:38:06the remains of the steps which they cut, the Victorians cut.
0:38:06 > 0:38:07So, this is all man-made then?
0:38:07 > 0:38:09These steps here were actually cut out
0:38:09 > 0:38:11and they form part of the show cave.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15As we come down this next section, take very great care
0:38:15 > 0:38:17because it does get very, very slippery.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19I'll be using the Victorian handrails.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22'As we descend ever deeper into the cavern,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25'some of the cave's natural creations start to become visible.'
0:38:25 > 0:38:27So, here, Graham, we're starting to see
0:38:27 > 0:38:29some formations already, aren't we?
0:38:29 > 0:38:32The start of stalactites, I take it?
0:38:32 > 0:38:35These are tiny, narrow, little things
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- and you can see there's a drip of water on the end of them.- Yeah.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39That's how they're formed.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43The water has obviously got a high content of calcium carbonate
0:38:43 > 0:38:49and it actually deposits the calcium carbonate to form the formation.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53I get you. So far, we've come down a relatively gentle slope.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- What lies ahead? - Well, not very far down here now,
0:38:56 > 0:39:00we can drop down into a completely different sort of passageway.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03It starts to get smaller, it starts to get a bit more vertical
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- and it's called the Giant's Staircase.- Let's get down there.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11I might use the well-documented Irwin 5-point traverse.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15- Your backside, sit on it.- Yeah! THEY LAUGH
0:39:15 > 0:39:17'Well, so far, so good.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19'But things are starting to get a little tighter
0:39:19 > 0:39:22'as we begin to make our way down in order to find a way out.'
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- This is where it starts to get a bit more interesting.- All right.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28If you sit on the edge and keep your hands out
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- so you don't go shooting off down too quickly.- All right, OK.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Once more into the abyss.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39'Created over three million years ago,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42'Goatchurch Cavern extends to a length of 1,300 metres
0:39:42 > 0:39:45'and reaches a depth of 59 metres.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49'A maze of short climbs and passages with colourful names,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51'including Bloody Tight and the Drainpipe,
0:39:51 > 0:39:55'the underground system was first discovered in the 19th century
0:39:55 > 0:39:57'and is popular with cavers today.
0:39:57 > 0:40:02'I have to admit, the subterranean landscape is certainly impressive.'
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Oh, daylight!
0:40:04 > 0:40:06'And so, with my adventures underground over,
0:40:06 > 0:40:09'it's a big thanks to Graham and his team.'
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Of the three properties we've shown Amber and Paul,
0:40:15 > 0:40:18I reckon the second house is certainly the most suitable,
0:40:18 > 0:40:20but the big question is
0:40:20 > 0:40:23are they ready to make that big move to the countryside?
0:40:23 > 0:40:24Time to find out.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36- Now then, ready to move to rural Somerset?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- I think we're more informed to make the big move.- OK.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44So, do you have a favourite house out of the three that we showed you?
0:40:44 > 0:40:46I think the second property definitely had everything
0:40:46 > 0:40:51that we'd asked for and in terms of practicality and sensible...
0:40:51 > 0:40:54It was a sensible house, that's how I would view it,
0:40:54 > 0:40:58- and it's definitely by far the best of the three we've seen.- Uh-huh.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03But I think the problem with that one was still location
0:41:03 > 0:41:06cos we still want to be closer to Bath
0:41:06 > 0:41:10than where that property is located. So that was the only...
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- That was the big... - That was the compromise, wasn't it?
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- That was the compromise. - Yeah, for us.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16You know what I'm getting at. I'm going to talk to you
0:41:16 > 0:41:19about what compromise you're going to be able to make.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21We, for example, don't need four bedrooms.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23We'd be happy to take a three.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25And that would take some money off maybe a property
0:41:25 > 0:41:28that was closer to Bath. We'd take a smaller garden
0:41:28 > 0:41:31because we know we can't really manage a massive garden.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34So it's things like that which would be not massive compromises for us.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36I think it's great
0:41:36 > 0:41:39that you're trimming off bits and bobs in your mind now.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43Four bedrooms down to three, bigger garden to a smaller garden.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46I think you'll need to do that, you really will,
0:41:46 > 0:41:48and maybe bide your time.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Maybe your first escape to the country isn't that,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- it's escape from London.- That's true. - Yeah.- Smaller steps.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- 2015 is a big enough year as is. - Yeah.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00You've got a lot on?! THEY LAUGH
0:42:00 > 0:42:02You're moving in the right direction toward greenery.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06- Good luck with it and let us know what happens in the future.- We will.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- And good luck in a couple of weeks. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19Make no mistake, £500,000 is a good budget.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21But I'm afraid it falls somewhat short
0:42:21 > 0:42:23against Amber and Paul's aspirations.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25But I'm pleased to hear
0:42:25 > 0:42:30they're coming round to the idea, at least, of compromise.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34But what next? Well, it wouldn't surprise me if we found them,
0:42:34 > 0:42:39certainly in the short term, living inside Bath rather than outside it.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41I wish them both the very best of luck.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44After a wonderful wedding in South Africa,
0:42:44 > 0:42:48Amber and Paul have decided to start their West Country adventure
0:42:48 > 0:42:51by renting in Bath and exploring the local villages
0:42:51 > 0:42:53before purchasing their new home.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Scotland,
0:42:57 > 0:43:01Wales or Northern Ireland and would like our help, you can apply online.