Somerset Escape to the Country

This magnificent viaduct

with its 27 arches that reflect in the water behind me

makes a striking backdrop to some rather restorative gardens.

But where have I come to for this picturesque setting?

Find out in just a moment.

Today's buyer has dreams of the good life

and has brought her best buddy along for the ride.

They are both impressed by our characterful

collection of cottages.

-Oh, this is a pretty little room, isn't it?

-It's very nice, yes.

-And at one of our houses she clearly feels at home.

-It's gorgeous.

-Love it.

-You're beginning to go, aren't you?

-Yeah, she is.

-The dream is a step closer.

-Yes.

Today, I am in Somerset

and this is the grade II listed Charlton Viaduct.

Built in 1874,

it stands an impressive 15 metres above the River Sheppey

and was the longest of seven viaducts that were

built along the 26-mile stretch of the Somerset and Dorset Railway.

Now no longer in use,

the viaduct makes a statuesque feature to the public gardens

here at Kilver Court in Shepton Mallet.

And later on in the show

I'll be back to find out more about the history of these gardens,

but in the meantime, there is plenty more on offer

in this beautiful western county.

In the heart of the West Country, Somerset is England's

seventh largest county and shares its border with Devon

and Dorset in the south, and Wiltshire to the east.

It is a county with a range of contrasting landscapes

from dramatic rocky shorelines

to gently rolling countryside.

As well as craggy cliffs,

the coast of the Bristol Channel is made up of long sandy beaches

such as the resort of Burnham-On-Sea, home to two wooden lighthouses

perched high on stilts.

Inland, the Mendip Hills cover an area of 120 square miles.

Popular with hikers, it's also home to one of the most famous

limestone gorges in the world at Cheddar.

Pretty villages include Norton St Philip

with its 15th century pub

which some would say is the oldest tavern in Britain.

With the added draw of the Quantock Hills,

a rolling landscape of patchwork fields,

this is a county for those seeking an authentic slice of rural Britain.

If you pick Somerset as your county of choice, you will find that

prices hang tantalisingly below the national average.

Currently, the average price for a detached house in England

and Wales is around £282,000,

but in Somerset as a whole

you will be making a saving of around £5,000 from that figure.

However, in the far north of the county you may expect to pay

a little bit more due to the swift transport links

between Bristol and London.

So, how will this glorious county provide the perfect

environment for today's buyer?

Well, let's meet her and find out.

Today's house hunter is Gina from Bristol

who has lived in this three-bedroomed cottage on the outskirts of the city

for 18 years.

Supporting her on the move is Claire, Gina's best friend.

Claire and I met about 30 years ago, wasn't it,

in Northamptonshire where we both lived.

-And we got chatting.

-Yeah.

-We just instantly liked each other.

-Yep. Clicked, didn't we?

We've religiously kept in contact.

At minimum, we have a long conversation once a week

and, really, our friendship has just been like that

-all the way through.

-Absolutely.

Although Gina's spent nearly two decades in her beautifully

renovated and much-loved home, she now feels it's time to move on.

Bristol generally is a very busy area.

I think if you could pick up this house, actually,

and move it into the country you would be really happy.

I would, yeah.

But since Gina's two adult sons still live in Bristol,

she doesn't want to venture too far,

so, the Somerset countryside is the happy medium.

Somerset is an ideal location for me.

It's got good motorway access back to Bristol,

but then again, you are out in the beautiful countryside

and I particularly love waking up in the morning, hearing the birds.

It just feels right to me,

if you can understand that, it's a feeling.

And in her spare time

Gina plans to pursue a more

self-sufficient way of life.

I think you're going to love living in the countryside.

You're going to have a bit of outside space,

-you'll be able to grow your vegetables.

-Absolutely.

-Have more animals.

-Yeah, keep a dog.

As well as her friendship, when it comes to rule endeavours,

Claire speaks from experience.

I've done a similar move to the country.

I escaped five years ago, so I do know the ins and outs

of living in the country and hopefully

I can point out some of the possible pitfalls, if there are any.

Until she retired, Gina worked as an office manager

for a construction company, so now the keen animal lover has more

time to devote to her two cats

as well as caring full-time for her elderly mother,

Anita, who lives with her.

Mum is obviously a big part of this move.

She can see the benefits and it would make life much easier for her.

Despite a big change in lifestyle for Gina,

her good friend Claire has no doubt this is the best thing for her.

This move is only going to be positive for Gina.

You'll have peace of mind that your mum is in suitable accommodation.

-Yep.

-So that's all good and you'll have such a better quality-of-life.

I think so too.

Gina wants to be within an hour's drive from her sons in Bristol

so our Somerset search will bear that in mind.

I'm meeting up with the two friends

to hear more about Gina's planned move.

Well, Gina and Claire, lovely to meet you.

-And welcome to Somerset.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

So, what exactly, then, are we looking for? Just remind me.

OK, yeah. A minimum of three bedrooms.

I need one bedroom to be downstairs with a shower room for my mum.

I'd quite like a big kitchen-diner.

I would like a character property

and I would like a nice big back garden

where I can have a little veggie plot, fruit trees,

chickens, and if there was space for more animals, that would be lovely.

So, I would like a big animal-safe garden, really.

-Yes, the larger, the better.

-Yes, I think so.

And, Gina, you've recently become your mother's carer, haven't you?

And she's moved in with you. How does she feel about this move?

I think she appreciates that with the facilities that she

will have to a downstairs shower room, bedroom, it'll be a good move.

-So she's looking forward to it, is she?

-Yes.

Now, Claire, you know Gina so well. Anything that she wouldn't like?

Any no-nos?

I think anything that is too remote, she may like,

but I don't think is going to be practical for her and her mum.

-Definitely.

-And remind us of your budget.

It is 375,000.

And do you think that is realistic for this part of the country?

I think so, yes.

It's the land that is going to be the interesting one, isn't it?

Well, let's just see what you've got for me, Nicki.

Are you feeling flexible?

Yes, I'm just open to looking at anything.

Really excited about it.

We do have some splendid properties to show you.

Claire, pressure is on you as well as me with this search.

We've got to find that perfect home for the two of them.

Absolutely, we have.

-Shall we get started, ladies?

-That would be lovely.

-Come on then.

-Thank you, Nicki.

-Thank you.

With a top budget of £375,000,

Gina would like a character property with a minimum of three bedrooms

with one on the ground floor for her mother Anita.

Gina would like a range in her kitchen

and a large enough garden to keep

chickens and grow her own produce.

We've scoured the property market

and come up with a fine selection of Somerset homes

to entice Gina and Claire,

but they won't be furnished with the price until the end of our viewings.

At our last contender, the Mystery House, we will see just how

far Gina is willing to compromise on her home to get the land she's after.

To kick off the house search, we are heading to the hamlet of Parbrook

which is just a few miles from Baltonsborough.

Here, there are basic amenities including a public house and a large

village hall, hosting a range of events and clubs

for the local community. Back in Parbrook,

the house we're viewing is in the middle of the hamlet

where there is an array of pretty stone cottages

which will hopefully provide Gina

with the kind of character she's after.

So, let me show you our property.

It's very nice, isn't it?

It's a Victorian property and dates back to about 1870s.

-I like the look of it.

-Do you?

-I do as well, yes.

Do you two know where we are within Somerset?

-No idea, really.

-Haven't got a clue.

We are about six miles from Glastonbury

-and about seven miles from Wells.

-Right, OK.

But there's a village three miles away

that has everything that you need day-to-day,

but we're actually in Parbrook

and it is a hamlet so there aren't any amenities, just,

as you can see, wonderful properties.

-Yes.

-Very pretty.

I'm glad you're loving the outside.

Hopefully you're going to be just as impressed with what's inside.

-Shall we?

-Yes, let's.

-Yes, please.

The former farm cottage is actually semidetached,

although from this angle it's hard to tell.

At the front, there is a single garage, handy for storage, which

sits in front of an L-shaped cottage.

The house is a two-storey building attached to a single-storey

extension built seven years ago,

which is where we are starting our tour.

Come on in, ladies. I'm going to start off with Mum.

We were actually thinking downstairs bedroom.

Oh, right, yes.

-Yes.

-Yes, it would make a bedroom, wouldn't it?

I like the beams.

-Feeling of space with the beams.

-Yes.

-And then just off the hallway is a downstairs toilet.

-Oh.

So that, you could extend all the way along to this wall

to make it a downstairs shower room.

So you've got the plumbing already, but you wanted a little

-bit of character?

-Yes.

-Certainly got that, haven't we?

-Definitely.

-So this could be for Mum.

-OK.

-Let's see what you make of the rest of the downstairs.

-Yes.

-There's a small step.

-Yep.

Got your dining room here,

and then you've got, in a way, like an L-shaped kitchen.

-Quite good size.

-Yes.

-The size is workable, isn't it?

Because you've got dining.

-The table would fit there.

-Very nice.

I would say, I don't think the style of the units is

exactly your style, but that is irrelevant, really, isn't it?

Because it's a good shape.

Could you work with this?

I could work with it, absolutely. Yes.

And then, of course, next door to this

-you've got your sitting-room, just through here.

-OK.

-Oh, this is a pretty little room, isn't it?

-It's very nice, yes.

I like it. Very, very nice, yeah. Nice features.

Quite a big window looking out on, hopefully, your garden!

That is, that's a good view. You're absolutely right, Claire.

There is a garden.

-Now, you two are instantly animated walking into this room.

-Yes.

-First time.

-I like it.

-Yeah, I could tell.

-It's got a nice feel to it.

-It has.

It has, it has.

-Could you see yourself here with your mum?

-Yes.

Oh, yes, I could see her in here. Yes, in here, yes.

-Would you change anything in this room, do you think?

-No, it's fine.

I'll take that. I'll be asking you upstairs. Let's have a look.

So both our ladies seem happy with what the downstairs has to

offer, although Gina may need to make a few alterations to make it

work for her and her mother.

Upstairs is a little smaller, not benefitting from the ground

floor extension, but does have a bath and shower room and three

good-sized, neutrally decorated double bedrooms, including a master.

-It's a nice shape, isn't it?

-Not a bad size, is it?

-No. Not at all.

-Nice, light room. I like it.

-It's not wowing you, is it?

It's just because I think I would change certain things.

-It's probably about feeling, isn't it?

-It is.

And whilst I've got a feeling it's a nice house,

I'm not exactly getting that 100% feeling for myself.

Well, there are three important elements to this move,

getting it right for Anita, your mum, getting you the right property,

-but also finding you the right garden.

-Yes.

-So let's have a look at the final part of that jigsaw.

-Yes, thank you.

Although she is quite hard to read,

I can't help but think Gina was expecting a bit more from this house.

Hopefully, the garden will impress

as it gives her space to grow her own vegetables

and maybe even keep an animal or two.

The garden's ideal. It's a nice shape, enclosed, private.

-Chickens up the corner.

-Ooh, I couldn't have put it better myself!

-It's really nice.

-You like it, Claire?

-I love the garden, yes.

-I think it's perfect.

-So, ladies, what are we thinking?

Can we put price on this property?

I'm thinking maybe 345.

OK. Gina?

Um... It is difficult.

And it is a guess, I'll say 350.

-You two are so good at this and in a healthy way.

-No!

Because the asking price is £350,000.

-In all seriousness, it means you've got £25,000 left.

-Yes, of course.

If you want to change anything.

So knowing the price, does that change anything?

-No, I don't think so.

-OK.

No, I still think it's about the feel and I do like it very much,

but I'm just not getting that absolute feel at the moment.

Not straight away. Fair enough. Well, why do you go back in, both of you?

Get reacquainted with it. And then give me a shout when you're ready.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Under budget by £25,000, this extended former farm worker's

cottage gives Gina the character she was after.

For her mother, there is a sizeable bedroom downstairs

and three upstairs.

Although the practical kitchen isn't to her taste, there would be

capital left over to remodel and perhaps even install a range.

It has a pretty large garden and is set in a peaceful hamlet.

I really like this property, but I don't know

if maybe I liked it a little bit more than Gina.

Gina likes it, but I'm not sure she loves it.

My heart, I suppose, is about the feeling

and my head is the practicalities and I'm trying, really, to be very

practical about it because there's not just me to consider.

-We've had a good day, haven't we, today?

-We have.

-Very good.

This is a beautiful spot. I'm not sure if we have cracked it,

but the good news is we've got more to show you tomorrow.

-I shall look forward to that.

-Thank you.

Situated in the rolling Somerset landscape of the Blackdown Hills

is the Ferne Animal Sanctuary, which has been providing

refuge for unwanted animals since the Second World War.

As a charity, it relies entirely on donations

and members of the public to help look after its 300 or so residents.

Gina's passion for animals is clear, but she's also expressed

an interest in volunteering when she moves

so we have arranged for her and Claire to visit the shelter

where they are meeting director, Jenny Wheadon.

So how did it all start then, Jenny?

There's a lovely story behind the beginnings of the sanctuary,

actually. Back at the beginning of the Second World War,

there was a lady called Nina, who was the Duchess of Hamilton.

She recognised that there were men and women going off to fight

for their country who wouldn't have anyone to look after their pets

and she went to the BBC and asked if she could use the medium of radio

to broadcast that to the nation.

And legend has it that by the time she got back to her London home,

there were 40 cats and dogs and a parrot waiting for her!

So you can imagine that was a huge task for her to look after.

And she shipped them all down to her country estate,

which was near Shaftesbury in Dorset

and was called Ferne, hence the name.

-Hence the name, yeah.

-And, of course, at the end of the war,

many of the owners didn't return so that was how the sanctuary started,

when she's tried to find permanent homes for all the animals

that she had collected through the war.

Oh, that's a nice story. How many animals have you got here?

Well, we have around 300 animals here at any one time.

All various species

from horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep, pigs,

goats, cats and dogs, and all the small furry pets as well.

300 animals may sound a lot, but it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Every year, over 7.5 million arrive at animal shelters across the UK.

The vast majority, cats and dogs

either abandoned by their owners or found roaming Britain's streets.

As well as providing refuge, the Somerset sanctuary

tries to find loving new homes for as many of its animals as possible.

Some horses and ponies are available for permanent loan.

Gina used to ride herself

and she is keen to meet one of the shelter's new arrivals.

So, Gina and Claire, this is our latest resident, as yet unnamed.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-How gorgeous.

-She's just two weeks old today.

Aw, so what's Mum's story? How did she get rescued?

Well, the mum is called Sydney and she had been abandoned

with 14 other ponies, in spite of the fact that she was pregnant.

And she came here and very soon delivered her baby.

-So will the foal be adopted?

-Hopefully, when she's old enough.

And Mum as well.

It would be lovely if the two of them could go together.

-Look at that foal.

-Look at that little foal. It is gorgeous.

Charities like the Ferne Animal Sanctuary could not function

without the help of volunteers.

Around 150 of them work across the 51-acre site,

including current volunteer Bernie

and her two companions, Molly and Rosie.

I'll leave you in Bernie's capable hands.

-It's been lovely meeting you both.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you, Jenny.

-Bye-bye.

-Thank you.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye-bye.

-Hello.

Dogs and cats are available for re-homing within a 40 mile

radius of the shelter.

With up to 250 dogs waiting to be adopted,

one of the tasks is to help exercise and socialise these animals.

So, Bernie, how long have you worked here?

Well, I've volunteered here for the past two years.

-I started when I retired from work.

-Oh, what a nice thing to do.

-Yeah, it is.

-What made you decide to do that?

Well, I retired and I wanted to do something voluntary

and I had worked all my life with children

-so I decided I'd rather work with animals for a change!

-Yeah!

Is it sort of a nine-to-five job, you have to be available all day?

No. Really, the volunteer is in charge of the hours they work

or the days and you can help on a regular basis.

I work in the cattery, for example.

You can walk dogs, you can help in the office or in our charity shops,

because, obviously, fundraising is a major thing that we do.

So all that kind of fundraising activity, shops,

they all need people to help.

The Somerset countryside is not only a haven for animals, but could

also offer Gina sanctuary to pursue her hobbies.

As we still need to find our buyer some territory of her own,

our house hunt will continue in the morning.

It's the second day of our Somerset house hunt with Gina,

who is accompanied by her friend Claire.

On a £375,000 budget,

Gina wants a country home which suits both her and her elderly mother too.

Still to come, the Mystery House reveals its surprise.

-Well, I can see why it is the Mystery House.

-Yes.

-It's just gorgeous, isn't it?

-It really is lovely.

And I meet the green-fingered fashion guru

whose colourful garden is setting a trend.

All I could see was lines of corporation roses - orange, yellow,

pink, orange, yellow, pink.

So I thought, "Well, they've got to go."

Yesterday was a beautiful day weather-wise, but little gloomy

on the property front, so today, I am hoping for some role reversal.

Now, this search hasn't been easy.

Trying to find that characterful home with a large garden

that marries up both Gina and her mum Anita's requirements

with very little adjustments.

So what I'm showing them today, well, I hope it's going to give Gina

that feeling that she so craves.

The next home we're showing Gina is in the village of Burtle,

around nine miles inland from the coast.

Nearby Wedmore is a larger village situated on a ridge of land

rising out from the Somerset Levels.

A prosperous focal point for the area,

its amenities include a range of independent shops, cafes and pubs.

Wedmore is steeped in history.

In Saxon times, it was under the control of the Kings of Wessex

and in 878 AD, King Alfred the Great declared peace with the Danes nearby.

Today, its architecture gives the village are real charm

which shines through whatever the weather.

From late-Georgian townhouses...

to an example built in the Italianate style.

Just south of Wedmore is the smaller village of Burtle,

where our next house is located.

Right, it might be raining, but it's not going to deter us

-because this is our next property.

-Oh, wow.

-Oh, I like this.

-Oh, wow.

-This is lovely.

-I'm liking it too well, even in the rain.

-Is that the whole house?

-It's the whole house.

-The whole house!

-Oh, look at the door.

-Is this an extension?

-Yep.

The original part was 19th century.

One extension was done in the 1970s

and the other was done in the 1990s, so pretty substantial.

It looks fabulous.

-So, because of the rain, let's head straight inside, yeah?

-Please.

Despite the downpour, there are upbeat reactions from both Gina

and Claire to this detached country cottage.

We are bypassing the porch and using the French doors, going

through a lobby to reveal one of the reception rooms in the property.

The good news is it's nice and dry in here, ladies.

-Ooh! Very nice.

-I like it.

-Look behind you, Gina.

-Oh, that's beautiful.

-Going to keep you toasty in the winter, isn't it?

-Actually could do with it today.

-Yes. Absolutely.

-And this, I like this.

That's beautiful.

Now, the current owners have done an awful lot of work on this property.

Where they have,

they've tried to take it back to how it perhaps looked 150, 200 years ago.

-They've used as much as they can.

-Absolutely.

It's a beautiful bressummer beam there, isn't it?

-It certainly is.

-Lovely.

-I'm just getting that good feeling at the moment. Definitely.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, it's looking good. I like it.

-Do you like the beams?

-Yes.

-It's a lovely room.

-Yeah?

-So, this is a wooden floor?

-This is reclaimed parquet flooring.

-Oh, OK.

-You mentioned character and charm. Are you feeling that?

-Yes, yes.

-Bucketfuls, I think.

-Yes, it's lovely.

Early days, but could you see Gina here so far?

This is a Gina house. So far, yes. So far, so good.

We will continue the Gina tour then, shall we?

Well, Claire clearly thinks this house works for her friend,

but knowing how important the feel of the place is for Gina,

I'm hoping the kitchen gives her the same sense.

-Love it.

-It's not massive but it's gorgeous.

-Love it.

-Fabulous cooker.

-You are beginning to go, aren't you?

-Yeah, she is.

-Yep.

-Aww.

Oh, wow, that's amazing. I love the wooden worktops.

Look at the floor.

-You've actually got underfloor heating. It's electric.

-Oh, OK.

-Great, that's really good with these type of tiles.

-Yeah.

-So it's not cold on your feet first thing in the morning.

-No.

-And if you've got a cat, they're going to love it.

-I've got two.

So far, it is working for me, yeah.

-It's working, isn't it?

-It is.

-Look at the smile.

-I saw...

Claire, I saw a little moist eye earlier on.

-This is just so Gina, it's lovely.

-It's lovely.

-Beautiful, I love it too.

-The dream is a step closer.

-Yes.

OK, well, still one more thing to show you on this level,

and also to mention there is a utility room.

Because the house has been extended,

they couldn't put the utility room on this side,

they've actually put on the other,

-but you got additional storage space, washer and dryer, room for that.

-OK.

Right, let's see what you make of the final thing on the ground floor.

So, with both ladies falling for our country cottage,

we just need to deal with mum Anita's living space and I've set

aside the second reception room as her downstairs bedroom.

Now, we can't forget Anita, can we?

-Gasp!

-All-important Mummy.

-I don't believe this, it just gets better.

-Oh, I don't believe it!

That is amazing.

-Look at that stone fireplace.

-It's beautiful.

-Lovely and light and bright.

-This is the way I actually brought you in.

There's two entrances to the cottage.

This one is a little bit wider, so perhaps if ever your mum did

need a wheelchair or easier access, you could bring her straight in here.

You've got this wonderful room which seems like a day room

-rather than a bedroom.

-Yes.

Potentially, if you wanted to change things around a little bit,

-you've got your utility room next-door.

-Oh, right.

You can make that into a bathroom.

-I think we could do that.

-Yes!

-I'm happy, Claire.

-Suddenly...

-I'm happy.

-A bit easier to do that.

I might have sulked if she said no.

You might be wondering about the staircase. So, this is the extension.

Upstairs, you've got a really large, generous double bedroom.

Next to that, you've got the family bathroom,

single bedroom with walk-in wardrobes.

-But there's another staircase with further bedrooms.

-Goodness.

-Right.

As well as the two upstairs bedrooms in this wing of the property,

there are two more in the older part.

Both bedrooms are served by a beautiful family bathroom.

One could make an excellent guest room for

when Claire comes to stay and the other, Gina's master.

-It is lovely room, another lovely room.

-Absolutely.

-It's just hitting the spot, I think.

-I love it.

Yeah? Getting a big thumbs-up?

Yes, definitely. Couldn't be better. I hate to think what it costs.

Well, we are going to have to touch on that.

It doesn't look as if it's raining quite as much as earlier on, but

the garden is so beautiful, I think it's worth getting a little bit damp.

-Definitely.

-Absolutely.

-Let's take a look.

The enclosed garden is south-facing and laid to lawn

with a paved patio area at the front of the house.

The level land provides space to keep animals

and there's easily room for a greenhouse or vegetable patch.

-Now you can see the garden in all its splendour.

-It's really lovely.

It's a lovely garden. Lots of nooks and crannies.

Shrubs and trees, just what I wanted. And I even see chickens

-and a chicken run.

-Yes.

You can negotiate, actually, keeping those on.

But, what do we think about the price?

I think it's over my budget.

I think I'm going to go for 385.

£385,000.

That's exactly what I was going to say.

I do think that and hope they take an offer.

I like that, the optimism.

-So, you both think £10,000 over the your top budget?

-Yes.

The asking price is...

£359,950.

-No!

-15,000 under your budget.

-Oh, my goodness.

-I don't believe that. Do you?

-Oh, I'm so excited about it.

Should we do a rain dance?

THEY LAUGH

So why don't you go back in the warm?

Have a look at the garden through that window at the top

and all catch up with you when you're ready.

-BOTH:

-Thank you.

The price of this extended country cottage comes as a nice surprise,

as it's £15,000 under budget.

Dating back to the 19th century,

it's been recently remodelled

and includes

a farmhouse-style kitchen,

two large reception rooms,

one of which could be turned

into a bedroom,

and four further bedrooms upstairs.

The south-facing plot provides

ample garden space for animals

and vegetables.

I definitely got the feeling with this property from the moment

we actually came through the gate and saw it and saw the garden.

I just think it's made for her.

It's her style, it's got the character,

it's got the wood burner.

And it's perfect for her mum as well.

-Now, that was a good house tour, wasn't it?

-Certainly was.

Your faces say it all. Let's go.

For our final house, we are hopping over the border into Devon

and travelling to the hamlet of Staple Cross.

Two miles away is Holcombe Rogus, which was the centre of chair-making

for 400 years until the last artisan shop closed in 1919.

The village's most notable landmark

is the privately-owned Holcombe Court,

one of the finest Tudor houses in England.

There's also a thriving pub

and a garage which doubles up as a post office.

There's an interesting mix of architecture with many houses

built from cob or stone dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

And the 500-strong community is served by a freshwater spring.

Our Mystery House is in the smaller settlement of Staple Cross.

By venturing into Devon, we are

lengthening Gina's journey time back to Bristol, but we are

going on a charm offensive, plus there is a surprise in store.

So...

Our final property, of course, is your Mystery House.

-It's cute, isn't it?

-Very sweet. Very cute, yes.

I think it's going to be full of character, hopefully.

So, we've had a little bit of a drive, not too far, to get here.

Any idea why we brought you here, why this is our Mystery House?

No, not a clue at the moment.

Is it because we are no longer in Somerset?

On the money. Totally. We are only half a mile across the border.

-Not far, but we are actually in Devon.

-OK.

And this property is very different because it's part of a terrace.

It dates back to the 17th century.

It was actually the stables for the horses that worked for the pub.

-Right, OK.

-And I think it was in the 1970s it was converted in to a house.

-Hopefully you are going to get the character that you are after.

-OK.

-Yeah?

-Yeah!

-Let's start.

'Although it looks small from the front, the cottage has been extended

'to the rear, offering deceptively spacious accommodation inside.'

-So, up off the hallway we have our sitting room.

-This is a nice room.

-This is very cosy, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-A nice inglenook fireplace with a wood burner.

-It oozes character.

It does ooze character.

I thought it was going to be really quite small but it goes back,

-doesn't it?

-It is a warm, very friendly property.

And it does keep giving and giving as you are going to see.

So, you have a beautiful dining room which leads out onto the patio area.

Then next-door...we have our kitchen.

That's nice, isn't it?

Very characterful. And a range cooker which is on my wish list.

-And this is a kind of an L shape, is it?

-Yes.

So going down the little alleyway here,

you have a larder at the back, a little area and you also

have got a door which leads into a downstairs toilet and a utility room.

-Oh, OK.

-I really like it.

-Mm.

Would you change anything in here?

Um, I don't think so, no.

Mystery House is working so far.

But, of course, there's another person we'd like to keep happy,

-so were going to go back through the dining room.

-OK.

'It seems that Gina and Claire

'are both captivated by the charms of this mystery cottage.

'The downstairs room we've set aside for Gina's mum is currently'

being used as a study.

I know it's tight, but I'm hoping it could accommodate her needs.

Upstairs, the historic tone continues.

There are three bedrooms in total, all good-sized doubles

and a family bathroom with corner bath.

So, here is just one of the three bedrooms.

Oh, isn't that sweet.

-This is lovely.

-Isn't it lovely?

-I love the beams.

-That's beautiful.

It has been beautifully done, hasn't it?

Oh, I really like this room, yeah.

-It looks very nice.

-Is that a cupboard there?

-That is a really good size en suite. Shall we?

-En suite?!

-Yep.

-This is...

-This is your room.

-Yes.

This is bigger than what you imagine, isn't it, from the outside.

-This is a lovely room.

-It's a lovely room.

I mean, when you first see the cottage,

you think perhaps a generous two up, two down, don't you?

-You do really, yes.

-And you step in and in actual fact,

what we are looking at is a family home.

-Absolutely.

-Yes, it's lovely.

-And that's quite a surprise, isn't it?

If you'd like to follow me,

I've still got something else up my sleeve to show you.

Ooh!

The surprise I mentioned earlier is outside

and it's not the fully enclosed courtyard garden with steps

leading up to the landscape raised lawn area.

The space I want to show Gina

and Claire is further along the lane from the house.

It's a private woodland garden offering Gina the chance to

fulfil her dreams of self-sufficiency.

-All right?

-Think so.

The mystery continues up here.

-This is your land.

-No!

-Yes.

-That is amazing!

-0.8 of an acre.

So, this is the final part of the Mystery House.

Well, it is a mystery, yeah!

Has it been worth crossing the border into Devon?

-It's lovely, really lovely.

-Certainly has.

So, let's guess the price.

It's really difficult. I have no idea.

-I'm just going to say £360,000.

-OK.

Erm... 370.

Ooh!

What about if we went in between the two of you, cos it's on for £365,000.

-Wow. That's amazing, isn't it?

-Under budget.

So why don't you head gently back, have a little look,

and I'll see you when you are ready.

-OK.

-Mind those stairs.

-Thank you.

Below budget by £10,000, our mystery property

is a terrace stone cottage

dating to the 17th century

that boasts a wealth of old features.

It has a farmhouse-style kitchen

and a downstairs study

that could make a bedroom for Mum.

Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms

and, as well as a courtyard garden,

there is almost an acre

of private woodland just up the lane.

From pulling up outside, it just had a very small frontage,

and the cottage just kept giving and giving.

And then, to be brought up here

to this parcel of land, it's absolutely lovely.

So, yes, the Mystery House hit the mark as well. Very nice.

-Oh, this is another lovely room, isn't it?

-This is pretty, yes.

-I like the beams.

-It's a good size too, isn't it?

It is, actually, because you've got two singles there.

-You know, you could easily fit a king-size bed.

-Absolutely.

I can see Gina living in this house. It's very much her type of house.

It had a lot of character. I think her mum would like it as well.

I'm not sure that the accommodation for Anita was perfect.

I do have a lot to think about, but, to be honest with you,

there's a clear winner in my mind.

Right, well, you've seen our properties in Somerset.

We've crossed the border into Devon for the Mystery House. That's it.

-So, I guess you want some time to have a chat?

-I think so.

-We'll have a think about it.

-Absolutely.

-Find out what your next move is going to be.

-OK.

-Come on, then.

During the late medieval period,

the Somerset countryside was home to a thriving cottage textile industry.

The market town of Shepton Mallet close to the Mendip Hills,

was a major wool trading centre.

And by the 17th century,

a number of mills had sprung up along the River Sheppey.

Fast forward to the 1990s when fashion entrepreneur Roger Saul

bought Kilver Court, a former Victorian mill complex

and ran his successful leather handbag company from the estate.

But after selling the fashion business in 2004,

he opened up the site to the public.

I've come to meet him to find

out more about the history of the mill and its gardens.

-Hi, Roger. Lovely to meet you.

-Welcome.

-Thank you very much.

Beautiful spot here.

And I understand this site has a fascinating history.

Can you tell us a little bit about its background?

Yeah, it started really, I suppose, back in probably Roman times

when they first made textiles here.

There would have been sheep up on the Mendips

and down in Shepton with the river coming through, it would

have been where they milled all of the wool from the Mendips.

By 1500, Somerset was probably a bigger wool producer than Yorkshire.

-Was it really?

-One of the biggest in the country.

So you could say that was a sort of fashion beginning.

West of England cloth came from here,

Queen Victoria's dress was made here.

So a whole sort of succession of really strong

entrepreneurial, industrial history.

The earliest mill at Kilver Court was established in the 1500s.

The present buildings date to the 19th century when businessman

Ernest Jardine ran a lace-making factory on the 3.5 acre site.

Jardine was a progressive industrialist who

wanted to keep his workforce happy, so he created fabulous gardens

and a lake for his employees to relax in.

All entrepreneurs that understood that

if they wanted to grow their businesses successfully

in those really successful Victorian times,

they had to have a workforce that was motivated.

So, at that stage, he would have rebuilt the buildings,

he would have redone some of the cottages

and made it a much more amenable place to work in.

And also, he built the gardens.

So he's really was thinking about how he could give them

the freedom to have leisure as well as work.

So, investing in the grounds

but also investing in his workforce at the same time.

Yeah, absolutely.

Jardine's factory eventually closed in the 1920s.

But Kilver Court found a new lease of life in the 1950s

when the Showering family began producing

a well-known sparkling perry from the site.

Francis Showering remodelled much of the gardens in the '60s

using the gold medal-winning design he'd seen

at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Are there any elements of the garden that exist from

when it was created back in Jardine's day?

The lake would have been here for the water power.

The viaduct, I think, first went up in about 1860, 1870.

Today, Roger keeps the gardens in the same style

developed in the mid-20th century.

The centrepiece is a rockery surrounded by upright junipers

and yew trees.

But being a cutting-edge creative himself, Roger couldn't resist making

his own fashion statement,

influenced by a garden design in Paris.

So, here we are. My favourite bit of the garden.

And has it changed, then, in recent times?

In '96, I bought the whole site.

So you looked out from the amazing director suite into the garden.

And all I could see was lines of corporation roses -

orange, yellow, pink, orange, yellow, pink.

And very, very '60s, if you like.

So I thought, "Well, they've got to go."

So we ripped them all out.

And there's a wonderful museum in des Invalides

and it's got shapes like these box,

which are like shells or missiles.

So I took that idea and created a parterre here in the middle

and put roses and lavender and so on in it.

You certainly have got a wonderful spot here, Roger.

-Thank you very much.

-It's been my pleasure.

In gardening terms, Kilver Court is largely considered to be a classic

'60s design, but Roger has ensured that the gardens continue to

evolve to be enjoyed by future generations.

So that's it.

We've shown Gina and her best friend Claire our properties

here in Somerset and,

of course, just over the border in Devon for our Mystery House.

Now, I must admit - I don't think we started off in the strongest

of fashions, but it got better as time went on.

And, well, I'm feeling quietly confident.

But let's hear what Gina has got to say.

So, how well did we do, then?

Go on. Please let me know.

Well, I think you did very well.

The beautiful white property with the lovely big garden

is the clear winner in my book.

I think it just fits the bill for Mum, myself and for any visitors.

The accommodation, which would be for Mum, I think she'll really like.

It was just light and airy and the only thing, obviously,

it didn't have was the shower room.

But, actually, that wouldn't be a problem.

It'd just, I think, go probably where the utility room is.

-So it's a clear winner.

-Oh! Delighted.

Well, we are talking about a clear winner, how far we going to take it?

-Cos your house is currently on the market, isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

And the next step, I think, is to talk to Mum

and book a second viewing and take her to see it.

Lovely. Claire, you know Gina

and her mum Anita probably better than nearly anyone.

What difference do you think that property is going to make

to their lives if Gina's mum Anita likes it just as much?

I think life will be easier all round.

Gina will be happier because she's got her animals.

It's got chickens in situ.

Yes, we've heard all about the chickens.

And also you can relax a little bit with your mum as well, can't you,

-knowing that she's safe, that she's happy, that she's independent.

-Yes.

-And let's hope she loves it as much as you do.

-Yes.

-I think she will.

So, I've got to ask you one last question.

You've wanted this for years.

What's the first animal you're going to buy

-when you move into your new home?

-Well, if the chickens

are already there - that would be crossed off the list -

probably a dog.

Well, let us know how you get on.

We've really wanted to try and find you that perfect home

-and I think in the end we got there, didn't we?

-Yes.

-Let's hope all the rest falls into place.

-Thank you.

Well, I don't mind admitting, it is

tricky trying to find the right house for two people with individual needs.

And Gina was adamant there was no room for compromise.

She wanted the perfect house for them both.

And guess what,

when we showed her that stunning property with the large garden,

no compromise went out the window

and she's happy to make those tweaks so it's perfect for Anita.

And, if her mum loves it as much as Gina does,

and their offer is accepted, well,

they could be moving in very soon and make Somerset their new home.

I really hope it works out for them

and we wish them the very best of luck.

And I'll see you again on Escape To The Country.

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