0:00:02 > 0:00:04200 years ago, a humble craftsman undertook restoration work
0:00:04 > 0:00:07on this magnificent manor house.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10And his son went on to carve out an infamous name for himself
0:00:10 > 0:00:12in English literature.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Find out where I am and who that famous writer was
0:00:15 > 0:00:16in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Today, a pair of active retirees
0:00:36 > 0:00:38are keen to leave the Big Smoke behind them
0:00:38 > 0:00:41and move to their dream country hideaway.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- Isn't that stunning? - It really is lovely.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Especially on a beautiful, sunny day like today.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47But it's not just great views and good weather
0:00:47 > 0:00:50that gets our house-hunters excited.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- Cook up a storm in here. - I'm liking that. I'm liking that.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Today, I'm in Dorset and this is Athelhampton House and Gardens,
0:01:01 > 0:01:03built over 500 years ago.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Now, early in the 19th century,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09a stonemason called Thomas Hardy helped with renovations here
0:01:09 > 0:01:13and his son, also called Thomas, was so enamoured with this place
0:01:13 > 0:01:16that, later on, he used it as the backdrop
0:01:16 > 0:01:19to one of his poems, The Dame Of Athelhall,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22where Hardy's heroine is drawn back here
0:01:22 > 0:01:24rather than run away with her lover.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It certainly is an inspiring setting
0:01:27 > 0:01:31and one of many that this stunning county is home to.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Dorset is located on the south coast of England
0:01:35 > 0:01:39between Hampshire and Devon and borders two other counties.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41Around half of the region
0:01:41 > 0:01:44is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:01:44 > 0:01:46where swathes of hills and valleys
0:01:46 > 0:01:49are dissected by winding country lanes and hedgerows
0:01:49 > 0:01:52that roll down towards the area's striking Jurassic Coast,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55England's first World Heritage Site.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59In the centre of Dorset's coastline is the Isle of Portland,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01a limestone peninsula joined to the mainland
0:02:01 > 0:02:04by the 17-mile Chesil Beach.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Portland has been quarried for its stone since the Roman period
0:02:07 > 0:02:09and used to construct famous buildings
0:02:09 > 0:02:12such as St Paul's Cathedral.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13Inland is Wimborne Minster,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16once home to the novelist Thomas Hardy,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19where a 12th-century church towers over the town
0:02:19 > 0:02:22and shelters its historic chained library.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Founded in 1686,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27the library's valuable books were secured in this way
0:02:27 > 0:02:30to keep them safe yet still accessible to the public.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33So, with its gorgeous countryside
0:02:33 > 0:02:37and mix of architecture that ranges from beach-side Regency villas
0:02:37 > 0:02:39to classic thatched cottages,
0:02:39 > 0:02:44Dorset really is a popular choice for life away from the city.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Dorset's desirable coastal location
0:02:49 > 0:02:53means you'll have to pay a premium if you want to live there,
0:02:53 > 0:02:58with the average price of a detached house costing around £333,000.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Now, that's just over £50,000 above the national figure.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Properties in the east of the county tend to be more expensive
0:03:07 > 0:03:09with better access to the New Forest and London,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12but if you want your money to go just that little bit further,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16head westwards towards Shaftesbury and Dorchester.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19So, what is it about this lovely county
0:03:19 > 0:03:21that has attracted today's buyers?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29Retired nurse Sarah and her retired chartered surveyor husband John
0:03:29 > 0:03:32were working abroad when their paths first crossed.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36We met in 1984 in Dubai.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40We lived out there until 1989 and been travelling ever since.
0:03:40 > 0:03:47We've lived in Saudi Arabia, Cape Town, back in UK several times.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49That's how our relationship started.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52I would say it was love at first sight.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54We hit it off instantly.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57The start of all love affairs has to be a fantastic friendship
0:03:57 > 0:03:59and I think we had that right from the outset.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Yeah, we did.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03They married four years later
0:04:03 > 0:04:06and since settling back in the UK some 15 years ago,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09home had been a two-bedroom flat with communal gardens
0:04:09 > 0:04:11in Putney, southwest London.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12We've sold our property
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and we're kind of living a pretty nomadic existence.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18It's really quite tough doing that at the moment.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Sarah and John are an active pair
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and have loved their life in the Big Smoke,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26but it's not where they want to spend their retirement.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27Putney's changed over the years
0:04:27 > 0:04:30and more particularly, over the last five years,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32where there's been a lot of high-rise development.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36The traffic is really very heavy and it's got worse and worse and worse
0:04:36 > 0:04:39and now it can take 30 minutes to get down the hill
0:04:39 > 0:04:41onto the high street if you drive the car.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44They're now ready to move on to pastures new.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47I used to spend a lot of time in the countryside at my grandparents'.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50It was a very carefree sort of life and I really enjoyed that
0:04:50 > 0:04:53and I kind of aspire to having that sort of life.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Country life is at a different pace and people have time for you
0:04:57 > 0:05:00and that, you won't find in a big city.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04After researching potential country spots for their new life,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06they've decided on Dorset.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08It's somewhere they've visited and loved
0:05:08 > 0:05:12that's not too far from family in London, Leicester and Wales,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14who they hope will come and visit.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17We've decided that we're going to move down to the coast
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and have a quieter, simpler life.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22John has three grown-up children
0:05:22 > 0:05:25and three grandchildren from a previous relationship
0:05:25 > 0:05:27and both he and Sarah are looking forward
0:05:27 > 0:05:29to getting to know the country with them.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32We're really excited about finding places
0:05:32 > 0:05:35to take John's children and grandchildren.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37That's really important to us. We love the coast
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and we understand there's a lot to do inland as well,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43so we're really looking forward to exploring Dorset.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45So, with their flat already sold
0:05:45 > 0:05:48and a desire to be living in the country,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51the hunt is on to find the couple a new Dorset dwelling.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Our life going forward is going to be quite different
0:05:53 > 0:05:56because we've only just stopped working,
0:05:56 > 0:06:01so it's a double whammy of being retired and living in a new place.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- Mm-hm.- But we're up for it.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12John and Sarah love the area around the town of Wimborne Minster,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16so they've asked us to concentrate our search to the east of the county.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19And before we embark on our property journey,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I'm meeting them in Dorset to hear more about what they're looking for.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Well, John and Sarah, welcome. Lovely to meet you both.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Are you looking forward to the next few days?
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- We really are, yes. - Good.- Very much so.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Well, I have to say, Dorset is one of my favourite counties.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38I probably shouldn't say that. I can see why you want to live here.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41But why is it going to work so well for you as your new home?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Well, Dorset seems to offer everything that we want.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47It has market towns, beautiful countryside
0:06:47 > 0:06:50and it's within easy striking distance of London and our family.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53What are you looking for with your property?
0:06:53 > 0:06:55We're looking for three to four bedrooms,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58a large kitchen so we can entertain family and friends,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- a garage for John.- Yes.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Um, a garden. Not too big, but something we can manage.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06An absolute must is an en-suite bathroom.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08We've lived in a small flat for so long
0:07:08 > 0:07:11that we absolutely have to have our own bathroom.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- So, non-negotiable.- Non-negotiable.
0:07:13 > 0:07:14And if it doesn't have an en-suite
0:07:14 > 0:07:16but there's enough space to put one in,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19would you be prepared to take on a little bit of a project?
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Provided it wasn't too major, we could do something, yes.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Is there anything that you really don't want to see
0:07:25 > 0:07:27when it comes to perhaps architectural styles
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- or periods of property? - Chalet-style houses.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- Anything else?- Thatch.- Yeah.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Remind us again of your budget for this move.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38£650,000.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Well, we do have some splendid properties lined up to show you.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- Shall we get started?- Great.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- If you'd like to follow me. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Sarah and John's budget of £650,000 is a generous one for the area
0:07:53 > 0:07:56so it's a great starting point for our search.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58They're after a three to four-bedroom house
0:07:58 > 0:08:02with an en-suite master and a large, sociable kitchen.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Outside, they want a garage that doubles up as a workshop for John,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07along with a manageable garden.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09And it should all be in a location
0:08:09 > 0:08:10close to amenities.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13We've gathered a variety of properties
0:08:13 > 0:08:15for Sarah and John to view,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18but they'll only discover the price after they've toured each house.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20And the final visit to the Mystery House
0:08:20 > 0:08:22will present them with a challenge.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23But, if they can rise to it,
0:08:23 > 0:08:27I think they'll be more than pleasantly surprised.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34What is this new adventure going to be like, then?
0:08:34 > 0:08:36This new life. Time on your hands.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37Have you got lots of projects
0:08:37 > 0:08:39in the back of your mind that you want to do?
0:08:39 > 0:08:43I think we both want to just have time to wind down,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45but I'd really like to get involved with the community a little bit.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Just kind of give something back.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50And, John, tell me more about this shed.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Is it a shed or is it going to be a workshop?
0:08:52 > 0:08:56A garage, but with enough space that I can set up a bench
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and play with some tools that I haven't had out of the box in years.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- Is it woodwork that you're into? - Yes, mostly,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04with a speciality of making children's go-karts.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07I'm guessing that these three to four bedrooms that you're after
0:09:07 > 0:09:09will be so there's enough room for the family
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- and the grandchildren to come to stay.- Very much so, yes.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18We're kicking off our tour round Dorset in the hamlet of East Stoke,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21which is 20 miles southwest of Wimborne.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23It's about five miles from the coast
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and three miles from the market town of Wareham.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28A real draw for locals and visitors,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Wareham is home to an assortment of shops and eateries,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35plus a cinema and a museum charting the town's history
0:09:35 > 0:09:38from prehistoric times to the present day.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41There's also the 1,000-year-old St Martin's Church,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43which is the oldest in Dorset
0:09:43 > 0:09:47and famous for its priceless effigy of Lawrence of Arabia.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51A five-minute drive takes us to tranquil East Stoke
0:09:51 > 0:09:53where we find the first house.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59So, let me introduce you to our very first property.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- It's lovely. It's very neat. - Absolutely beautifully kept.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03I spy some chalets.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- The good news is it's not a chalet home.- OK.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09However, it was a single-storey property
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- when it was first built in 1930...- OK.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15..and then, 15 years ago, been completely extended,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19so the upstairs was added using the original tiles.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21I think it looks really nice. It's very well presented.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- It's a nice-looking house. It has kerb appeal.- I second that.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28I think it's got lovely features and a beautiful entrance.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Well, let's see what you make of the inside.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34This house was built in the 1930s
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and shows no sign of its former life as a bungalow.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40We're heading straight for the largest reception room,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43which is triple-aspect and runs the entire length of the house
0:10:43 > 0:10:45from front to back.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Here is your living room.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50The room itself is quite large. I think the way it's laid out...
0:10:50 > 0:10:53They've put this sofa here so it makes it a bit smaller.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56If you look behind you, you see you've also got all of this space.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Yes.- Look at that outside.- Stunning. - That really is beautiful.- Great.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01All right, well, we'll continue through
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- because we've got to show you the all-important kitchen.- OK.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Across the hallway, the kitchen is sandwiched
0:11:08 > 0:11:10between a downstairs bathroom,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13a sizeable utility room and the dining room.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Now, you've emphasised you want a large kitchen.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Well, it's a fine kitchen in terms of its space
0:11:21 > 0:11:24and it's got enough area for a table and chairs
0:11:24 > 0:11:26so you can use it as a kitchen/diner.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- But here's my expert on kitchens. - SHE LAUGHS
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- Right, expert, what's the opinion? - It's a great size.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I mean, compared to what we had, it's fantastic, really.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37But I kind of envisaged something a little bit bigger
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and it's a little bit dark for me.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Well, you have the conservatory next door
0:11:43 > 0:11:45and that probably does make this room a little bit darker
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- because that would have been an exterior wall originally.- Yes.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Let's head upstairs.- OK. - If you'd like to follow me.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Up on the first floor, there's plenty of space too.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58The staircase leads up to a landing,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00which is almost a room in its own right,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02and four bedrooms.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03There's a large double en-suite
0:12:03 > 0:12:06with windows on two sides at the front of the house.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Then, at the back, there's another dual-aspect double
0:12:09 > 0:12:13as well as a smaller bedroom or study.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15And lying directly above the sitting room
0:12:15 > 0:12:17is the largest of the bedrooms.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22This is the master, which has the en-suite.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Now, size.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28Size-wise, it's good, but I do have a real problem with that chalet.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Is that giving you the feeling of chalet?- Yeah.- Yes.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33The dormer window and the sloping roof.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- That's something that we really don't desire.- Right.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41I've got one more thing to show you, which...it might change your mind.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- Let's see how we get on.- OK.- OK.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48After sharing their garden in London,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51I'm sure our buyers will be delighted to see the grounds here.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54They extend to around a third of an acre
0:12:54 > 0:12:56with pretty flowerbeds and mature trees.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- So, we do have a rather beautiful garden here.- Stunning, yes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05It's absolutely beautiful. It's really well maintained.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Now, John, I can see your eyes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Obviously, you're looking at me, but I can see, really,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- you're taken with the building behind me, aren't you?- Yes.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Because you've got a double garage
0:13:14 > 0:13:16and above, there's a mezzanine floor.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21Now, they use it as a gym, but plenty of space up there for your workshop.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24You've also got a greenhouse, potting shed.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- He's going to be happy out here, isn't he?- Very happy.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30How much would you say our first property is on the market for?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33I think about 580.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- OK. John?- I think a little more. About 595.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- This property's on the market for £565,000.- Gosh!- Really?
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Yeah. Have an explore on your own this time.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46I'll catch up with you when you're ready.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47- OK.- Thank you.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52This really is a beautiful home.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56I know they've got some reservations about the chalet type upstairs etc,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00but at that price in this part of Dorset,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03I think it's worth reconsidering, myself.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09This detached house comes in at an unbelievable £85,000
0:14:09 > 0:14:11under Sarah and John's budget.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14It provides them with a conservatory adjoining the kitchen
0:14:14 > 0:14:17that gives them a great space to entertain in.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19They get the number of bedrooms they're after,
0:14:19 > 0:14:20which is perfect for visiting family,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22plus an en-suite with the master
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and great workshop options for John.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27As we went through the property,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30I felt that the chalet style really is a problem for me
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and I was a bit disappointed with the kitchen.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36The space was fantastic, but it was just a bit dark.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39The features of the house that I really liked were the garden.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42It's fantastic and just a really lovely,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44comfortable, relaxing garden to be in.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- Oh, wow.- Oh, this is excellent. I could just see myself in here.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52A window and a bench. It's got everything.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Well, the garage, if there is such a thing as a garageometer,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59would be right up there. A full...
0:15:00 > 0:15:04A full ten points there. Well done. Yes, that was really excellent.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- Have you seen enough?- We have, yes, thank you.- Good.- Yes, thank you.
0:15:10 > 0:15:11I know there's a few reservations,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14but, hopefully, a second viewing on your own
0:15:14 > 0:15:16softened a few of those concerns, I'm hoping.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Um, a little.- Yeah? Well, only our first property.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- We've got more to show you, so shall we hit the road?- Yeah.- Let's go.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35The Dorset market town of Wimborne Minster
0:15:35 > 0:15:37that has captured Sarah and John's interest
0:15:37 > 0:15:40is full of real historic character
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and its streets are teeming with local wares and produce.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47We've arranged for them to visit a rural bakery just north of the town
0:15:47 > 0:15:49to meet bakery founder Jamie Campbell.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52He took on a second job 15 years ago,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55providing the area with his lovingly created version
0:15:55 > 0:15:58of a culinary staple - bread.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00And what brought you to Dorset, Jamie?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Cos your accent tells me you're not local.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05No, I'm Canadian. I'm from Toronto.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09I came to Dorset in about 1983. I love Dorset.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- I'm very happy here. - Has this always been a bakery?
0:16:11 > 0:16:14No, this building started life as a stables.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16When we came here, it was pretty much derelict,
0:16:16 > 0:16:18but we were looking for some use for it.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21We couldn't find good bread in the area, so we thought
0:16:21 > 0:16:23something which would be personally interesting for us
0:16:23 > 0:16:25would be to turn it into a bakery.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26And were you always a baker?
0:16:26 > 0:16:29No, I'm an architect, in fact. That's my training.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33We had no experience in baking, no experience in running a bakery,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35no experience of the food business at all.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37So, we were complete novices.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- So, there's some hope for us, then. - There's some hope for everybody.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43If we can do it, there's hope for everybody.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Jamie didn't want to open a bakery.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49He wanted to open an artisan one, making his bread as pure as possible
0:16:49 > 0:16:53by using traditional methods and the best ingredients.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56He believes what he produces is tastier and healthier
0:16:56 > 0:16:57than mass-produced bread,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01which is usually made at speed which can compromise the flavour.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04There are other artisan producers in Dorset.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06I think there are a few unique points about us, though.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10We are organic and we bake everything in a wood-fired oven.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13We do as much as possible by hand.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14The other thing is
0:17:14 > 0:17:17using as much time as possible for the dough to ferment.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21We give a lot of time for the dough to prove.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22How long does it take?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25One of our breads is called long-fermentation bread.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27It takes about 24 hours and the longer you give it,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30the longer it has to develop a fantastic flavour.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Jamie makes 14 varieties of bread here
0:17:32 > 0:17:35and also runs bread-making classes.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Today, Sarah and John are going to have a crash course
0:17:37 > 0:17:39to see exactly what goes into producing
0:17:39 > 0:17:44one of his basic white loaves, made using just four key ingredients.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46This is a white dough,
0:17:46 > 0:17:52which is made of white flour, yeast, salt and water.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53There you go, John.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55First, they flatten the dough.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59The next step is to think of 12 o'clock.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Grab the dough at that point
0:18:02 > 0:18:06and pull it across right in the centre and press down,
0:18:06 > 0:18:07so you're making a fold.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10All the edges are folded in to make a parcel.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Now, the next thing is to think of your arms as being like pistons
0:18:14 > 0:18:18and you start to squeeze and lift the dough.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- How's that feeling? - It's really therapeutic, actually.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26So, how many loaves would you make in a day?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Well, it varies, of course, according to the orders,
0:18:28 > 0:18:33but we generally make around 550, 650, 700 loaves a day.
0:18:33 > 0:18:34So, how long would that take?
0:18:34 > 0:18:37That's about one and a half eight-hour shifts,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40so that's going to take about 12 hours.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Jamie and his team of four artisan bakers
0:18:43 > 0:18:45produce a quarter of a million loaves a year,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48which end up in his own shop and other outlets,
0:18:48 > 0:18:52including farmers' markets, local shops and supermarkets.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55I guess bread-making is actually very scientific, isn't it?
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Patisserie is like chemistry.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Bread-making is biology because you're dealing with a living thing.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- And look at that.- Perfect. - I'm delighted.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- You're hired. - SHE LAUGHS
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- You're hired and I'm fired. - THEY LAUGH
0:19:08 > 0:19:10The loaves are placed on a couche -
0:19:10 > 0:19:13linen from France - which is ideal for proving bread.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15It folds easily,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18allowing the dough to prove without sticking to its neighbour.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20I'll put these in the proving cupboard.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24The loaves will rest in the cupboard for 45 minutes to an hour,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26allowing them to rise.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29After they've rested, they're scored, which also helps them rise,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31and then placed in the wood-fired oven
0:19:31 > 0:19:36for around 45 minutes to bake at 270 degrees centigrade.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38And while the bread magic is happening,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Sarah and John are in for a treat.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- How's our bread doing? - It's doing well. It's doing well.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46That'll be some loaves for you to take away later,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48but in the meantime, we can taste some of this bread.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50So, what have we got here, then?
0:19:50 > 0:19:54We have a 100% rye, wholemeal, sourdough bread.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57A true flavour of Dorset.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- That's delicious. - That's absolutely fantastic.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Thank you so much for having us here today
0:20:05 > 0:20:08and giving us the benefit of your knowledge
0:20:08 > 0:20:10and the fantastic things that you do here.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- Thank you so much.- Thanks for all your hard work.- Thank you.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17So, after enjoying a taste of Dorset produce,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19it's time to serve up our next property.
0:20:23 > 0:20:24For our second offering,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27we're travelling north to the village of Sutton Waldron,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30which is around 17 miles northwest of Wimborne
0:20:30 > 0:20:34and less than a mile from the larger village of Fontmell Magna.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Here, a variety of country houses sit against a rural backdrop
0:20:37 > 0:20:41with all the necessary amenities close to hand.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44A three-minute drive and we're in Sutton Waldron,
0:20:44 > 0:20:48with a village hall allowing locals to get stuck into community life
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and the attractive St Bartholomew's Church,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54once described by the poet Sir John Betjeman
0:20:54 > 0:20:58as one of the best and most lovely examples of Victorian architecture.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01The village's quiet country lanes are flanked by a diverse range
0:21:01 > 0:21:05of attractive architectural styles, including our next house.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- It looks really interesting. - Really interesting, yeah.- Yeah.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12I don't see a garage.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- OK. Well, I can fix that one straightaway...- OK.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- ..because you've got a double carport...- OK.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- ..and a garage.- Oh, really? - Yeah.- That's great.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Don't worry, John. We thought of you with the garage.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Not going to let you down. - No, you didn't. Well done.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28And hopefully, we're not going to let you down with our second house.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- I can't wait to go in. - Come on, then. Let's see.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35This beautiful-looking house built from brick and stone
0:21:35 > 0:21:37is thought to date back to the 1860s.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40It's believed that it started life as a farm building
0:21:40 > 0:21:42and later became a home,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46which it no longer is today as the owners have already moved out.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47It's part furnished,
0:21:47 > 0:21:51so Sarah and John will need to use a little imagination.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53We're entering via the side door
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and going past the utility room straight to the kitchen.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- Ah.- It's got a range.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I like the size of it. I like the cabinets.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Again, it's a bit dark.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Two windows there and then one behind us.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07What you could do - the second window,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09you could actually make that into a door.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11That would change it a lot.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- Yeah, I don't think it would be a big job either.- No.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I like the feel of it. I could definitely do something with it.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- Cook up a storm in here. - I'm liking that. I'm liking that.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25All the rooms on this floor flow off a long corridor.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29So, the geography - you've got access outside,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32really large dining room there.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Again, another reception room.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36They use that as a study, but it's really large.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39A little, very small toilet.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41And then right at the end of the hallway,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- you've got your sitting room. - This is a nice ending to it.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45People are not going to pass through it.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- You have to come here for a reason. - Yeah.- And it's a lovely space.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50It's not massive.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52It's small, but I can see us sitting here in the winter months.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Nice and cosy. It's a really cosy room.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Well, the good news is we can all see the potential in the ground floor.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- Let's see what you think of upstairs.- OK.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Upstairs, there's a small family bathroom
0:23:06 > 0:23:08and four bedrooms all in the eaves.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12There's a dual-aspect double with an en-suite,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15two further doubles overlooking the front of the house...
0:23:16 > 0:23:19..and over the sitting room is the biggest of them all.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22So, this is our master bedroom and the good news is,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24although it might need a little bit of love and care,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- it does have an en-suite. - Which is good.- Size-wise?
0:23:28 > 0:23:32- Feels a little bit cosy for me. - SHE LAUGHS
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- You're scared to say the S word, aren't you?- I am.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37It does feel a little bit small to me.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- Maybe it's the low ceilings. - Well, it's a four-bedroom house.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- Yeah.- So, it has the opportunity to have a dressing room.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- OK, so, that's an opportunity too. - Yeah.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- Needs a little bit of love and care, I think, on this floor as well.- Yes.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Got to consider that as a little bit of a project.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Let's head back downstairs, take a look at the garden.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Space definitely seems high on Sarah's list of priorities
0:24:01 > 0:24:04and I don't think she'll have a problem with the grounds here.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07There's an expansive lawn with pretty borders
0:24:07 > 0:24:10and a patio area perfect for enjoying summer evenings.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Now...looking at the property from here...
0:24:15 > 0:24:17I mean, we liked it from the front, didn't we?
0:24:17 > 0:24:19We thought it had kerb appeal.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- It's got garden appeal too. - Fantastic.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23- This is lovely. - Absolutely beautiful.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Well, let's hear what we think about the price.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27How much do we think it's on the market for?
0:24:27 > 0:24:30I think we're probably looking around 550,000.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- OK. Sarah?- 560.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34The asking price is...
0:24:35 > 0:24:40- ..£625,000.- Oh.- Whoa. You do surprise me.
0:24:40 > 0:24:41Yes, that surprises me,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44but I suppose it has to do with location
0:24:44 > 0:24:48and perhaps that's what the market can take in this part of the county.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- We've been honest. It does need a little bit of work.- Yes, it does.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55- You still have money in your budget, but it's up there, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Well, take another look around.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59I'll meet you out the front when you're ready.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00- OK.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07This 19th-century farmhouse is full of character
0:25:07 > 0:25:09and would still manage to leave our buyers
0:25:09 > 0:25:12with £25,000 change from their budget,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14which is good news as there's the opportunity here
0:25:14 > 0:25:17for them to bring the house into the 21st century
0:25:17 > 0:25:19and put their stamp on it.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22It's got a good-sized kitchen with the option to let more light in,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25just the number of bedrooms they want,
0:25:25 > 0:25:30including not one, but two en-suites and John gets his garage.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33My initial impression, when we came along the lane,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35was one of intrigue.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38It's got definite kerb appeal and I was quite excited
0:25:38 > 0:25:41by the prospect of getting to know this property.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44When we came into the kitchen, I liked the feel of the kitchen
0:25:44 > 0:25:46and I could see that you could make some changes
0:25:46 > 0:25:48to make it more to our taste.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53The garage. It has electricity, some light.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- New build. - Would that work for you?- Yes.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59As we progressed through the house, I then started to feel
0:25:59 > 0:26:02that it wasn't really living up to our expectations
0:26:02 > 0:26:05and there was a lot more work to do than I think we want to do.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07The word project kept coming up
0:26:07 > 0:26:11and I've been involved in projects all my working life
0:26:11 > 0:26:14and I think this might be one project too far.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20So, that's it. You've seen our properties today.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21You can relax now.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- Let's hit the road. - Look forward to it.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33It's the second day of our Dorset property hunt
0:26:33 > 0:26:37and with a healthy budget of £650,000 in their pockets,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39we're on a quest to find Sarah and John
0:26:39 > 0:26:43from Putney, southwest London, a country home to retire to.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Coming up, there's a big reveal in store with our Mystery House...
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- Yeah, that is a surprise. - Yeah?- Yeah.- Well done.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53..and I'll be following in the steps of the dinosaurs
0:26:53 > 0:26:56with a visit to the county's Jurassic Coast.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Do we have any idea how long it's going to last?
0:26:59 > 0:27:01It could be a few hundred years, a few thousand years.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04We just don't know. Very much depends on the weather.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Yesterday, we showed John and Sarah two properties here in Dorset.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15The first, which was very close to the sea,
0:27:15 > 0:27:19was a four-bedroom family home with a gorgeous garden,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22but the feedback we got was it was a little on the small side,
0:27:22 > 0:27:23especially from Sarah.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Our second home, which was north of the region -
0:27:26 > 0:27:29beautiful property, great grounds.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34Again, the rooms were felt to be a little bit too small in places.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Today, well, it's Mystery House time.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39The sun's shining. It's a beautiful day here in Dorset.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42I'm feeling quietly confident because this time,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44we're going to take them further west.
0:27:44 > 0:27:45We're going to show them a house that,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48well, it does have one element they could struggle with,
0:27:48 > 0:27:51but the merits, hopefully, are going to outweigh that.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52Let's see how we get on.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59So, we're driving to our Mystery House.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Have you given it any thought, what we might be taking you to see?
0:28:03 > 0:28:05We were discussing it this morning, weren't we?
0:28:05 > 0:28:07We're convinced it's going to be a thatch.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10And how would you feel if it was a thatch?
0:28:10 > 0:28:12I think you have to keep an open mind about these things.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14- Just have a look and... - You do with our Mystery.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16- SARAH LAUGHS - Yes.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19I think it's nice to look outside the box anyway,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21so I'm sure we're going to enjoy
0:28:21 > 0:28:23whatever it is you're going to show us.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Well, we've got a little bit of a drive. Let's see how we get on.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31For our Mystery House,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33we're journeying over towards the west of the county
0:28:33 > 0:28:35just three miles past Dorchester
0:28:35 > 0:28:37to the village of Bradford Peverell.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41The village, which sits in the Frome Valley,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44has a busy village hall uniting the local community.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47There's a handsome show of houses, many built of brick and stone,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50all surrounded by farmland and country walks.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55The 16-mile Frome Valley Trail, which follows the River Frome,
0:28:55 > 0:28:57meanders through Bradford Peverell,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59taking in the local scenery and wildlife.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02On the edge of the village is our final offering.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05And today, I'm hoping it might raise the roof.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11So, here is our final property, the Mystery House.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13And why is it the mystery property?
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- Because it's a thatch. - THEY LAUGH
0:29:16 > 0:29:18You guessed right when I asked you in the car.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19But what are we thinking?
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Because obviously, you have reservations and I understand those.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24- It's a very pretty cottage. - It is.- Yeah.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- It is really chocolate-box. - It does look very nice, yes.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30It was built in 1996, so, relatively new.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33The actual ridge at the top was replaced this year.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36It's been dressed - that's the official term for it -
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- and the thatcher says that's got a good ten years still to go.- OK.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41What's going through your minds?
0:29:41 > 0:29:44It's not kind of what I was hoping for.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45However, it does look very nice
0:29:45 > 0:29:48and I'd just like to have a look inside to see what it's like.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- Well, I think, on that note, we should.- OK.- Let's have a look.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55This charming cottage built from brick and flint
0:29:55 > 0:29:57may have youth on its side,
0:29:57 > 0:30:01but it's also got the character typical of a historic country pad.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Once we cross the threshold,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06the Mystery House's thatched roof is all but forgotten.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08So, do come on in.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- Let's start off with the kitchen. - That's unexpected.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14- It's nice and bright. - Plenty of light.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- Mm.- Lovely.- Look at that window.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- Isn't that stunning? - It really is lovely.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Especially on a beautiful, sunny day like today.
0:30:22 > 0:30:23Rather than have a dining table,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26they've decided to have a couple of sofas
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- and a little table and use that as a coffee area.- Right.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30That would easily take a small dining table.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- Yeah, it lends itself to that. - It does, doesn't it?- Yes.- It does.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- Well, that is a surprise.- Yeah? - Yeah.- Well done.- We're smiling.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40THEY LAUGH That's good. I'll smile, then.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- I particularly love the butcher's block.- Yes, that is nice.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Although this house is relatively new,
0:30:45 > 0:30:46it's got bags of character.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Yes, it's built very sympathetically.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50There's exposed brickwork,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53some lovely, old beams that they've recovered and used here.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55It's authentic.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58- Is this more what you had in mind? - Absolutely.- Excellent.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Let's see what you make of next door.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05The kitchen runs from the front to the back of the house
0:31:05 > 0:31:07and has a small utility room off it.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Then, across the hallway, we find the sitting room.
0:31:10 > 0:31:16So, here's your first reception room with access to the garden.
0:31:16 > 0:31:23But then, next door, you've got a second green oak garden room here.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Gosh. That's really unexpected.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27- So, this has been added more recently.- Mm-hm.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28This is actually an extension.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31And I think, looking at the size of that reception room,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34it really benefits from having a second one next door.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35- Yes.- Yes, absolutely.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38So, you've got doors opening onto your garden.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40And, again, the way it's been designed,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43it does maximise this elevated position
0:31:43 > 0:31:46that we have on the hill overlooking that countryside.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- It's phenomenal.- It is.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51Little addition for you. Either of you wine connoisseurs?
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- A connoisseur, no.- No.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55- Passionate about wine, then? - Yes.- Yes.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- THEY LAUGH - You got me there.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00- You have your own wine cellar. - Really?- Oh, no!- Yeah. It's carpeted.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04Really cool temperature. It's been beautifully done.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- Really?- I'll let you explore that on your own.- OK.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- Shall we continue upstairs? - Yeah, absolutely.- Yes, please.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18The central stairway leads up to the first floor and four bedrooms,
0:32:18 > 0:32:20one in each corner of the house.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23There's a small double with a fitted wardrobe,
0:32:23 > 0:32:25another in use as a study...
0:32:26 > 0:32:28..and there's a bright, dual-aspect room
0:32:28 > 0:32:30all served by a family bathroom.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33But we're heading to the largest of the four.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38- Now, this is our master bedroom.- OK.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41- It has the en-suite.- Right.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45- Perhaps not the largest of master bedrooms.- No.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48But take a look out at that view of the window.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- Yes, it's magnificent. - I love the timber flooring.- Yeah.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54That's good and it's got an en-suite, which is great.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- Yes.- Yeah. - Time to head back downstairs.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59We've got to talk how much the Mystery House is on the market for.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01- All right.- OK.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06Our Mystery House's thatched roof may have shocked Sarah and John,
0:33:06 > 0:33:10but it seems its interior is surprising them in a good way.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14And the surprises continue outside in the landscaped garden,
0:33:14 > 0:33:18complete with a raised patio and a far-reaching vista.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21From here, there's also a fabulous view of the back of the house,
0:33:21 > 0:33:26where the garden room can be fully appreciated in all its glory.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28So, looking at the property, it looks like...
0:33:28 > 0:33:31In a way, it looks like a doll's house to me, standing here.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- It does. It's beautiful, actually. Very attractive.- Yeah.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Behind us, you've got your vegetable patch,
0:33:37 > 0:33:38which has been raised,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40and there's a little shed at the bottom.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Don't want John to feel too neglected.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46You have a double garage. It has electricity.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Good enough to park a car and have a little bit of a workshop there.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50Excellent.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53So, how are we feeling about guessing the price
0:33:53 > 0:33:57for the final time with our splendid Mystery House?
0:33:57 > 0:34:01I'm going to be at £640,000.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- Right.- OK.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05I think the downstairs was beautiful,
0:34:05 > 0:34:09but upstairs was a bit smaller than I would have expected
0:34:09 > 0:34:11for a property like this.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14So, I'm going to say 590.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19The asking price is offers over £500,000.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- SHE GASPS - I won!
0:34:21 > 0:34:23THEY LAUGH I want you to be delighted
0:34:23 > 0:34:25- on the price.- Fantastic.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- That is amazing.- Yeah. - That IS amazing.
0:34:28 > 0:34:29Does change things somewhat, doesn't it?
0:34:29 > 0:34:31- It does.- Completely. - Yeah.- Absolutely.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35- Take your time. Please do.- OK. - See you later.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40This 19-year-old cottage has come in
0:34:40 > 0:34:46at a remarkable £150,000 under Sarah and John's budget.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Now, our Mystery House may have the thatched roof they didn't want,
0:34:49 > 0:34:53but there's no denying this country home has charmed them both
0:34:53 > 0:34:55with its great space indoors.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58There's a delightful garden and just what John ordered -
0:34:58 > 0:35:02a double garage with plenty of room for his workshop.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06Take a look in here. Look at that beautiful cellar.
0:35:06 > 0:35:07There's plenty of room in there.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- I think you'd get hundreds of bottles in here.- Yeah.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- Well, I think you would.- Yeah. - SHE LAUGHS
0:35:12 > 0:35:16When I first saw this house, I was impressed. I liked the facade.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18It looked really good. It had kerb appeal.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21This is nice and bright and airy.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- I mean, you could get a double bed in there easily.- Yeah.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Yeah, that would be OK. It would be a bit tight, but it would be OK.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29When we heard the price of the property, it was quite a shock.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33I really didn't expect it to be £500,000.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35It does make you look at it a little bit differently,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37but it's something we would have to think about.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Right, you've seen all our properties now.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46And, of course, the Mystery House was a little bit of a curve ball
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- with that price... - It certainly was.- ..in a good way.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52So, I think we should go somewhere, have a seat, have a chat,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- find out what your next move's going to be.- OK.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06To the south of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:36:06 > 0:36:08is the privately-owned Lulworth Estate
0:36:08 > 0:36:10with its resplendent castle
0:36:10 > 0:36:13and over 12,000 acres of beautiful countryside
0:36:13 > 0:36:16as well as five miles of Jurassic coastline.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Enjoyed by around 500,000 visitors a year,
0:36:19 > 0:36:24the estate's land and seascapes give a great economic boost to the area.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28I've come to meet Kirsten Light, who's one of the estate rangers.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Kirsten, what does an estate ranger actually have to do?
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Our role really includes environmental land management,
0:36:34 > 0:36:36so the landscape that you see around you,
0:36:36 > 0:36:40rights of way, so all the footpaths, gates, stiles, signs.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43We run an education service down at the Heritage Centre
0:36:43 > 0:36:45where we teach lots of geography school trips.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Also monitoring the wildlife on the landscape,
0:36:47 > 0:36:49so a real mixture of jobs.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52This really is the most beautiful spot, isn't it?
0:36:52 > 0:36:54It is absolutely lovely.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56We've got Durdle Door arch in front of us there.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Big, iconic arch.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01I can see the door, but what does durdle actually mean?
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Durdle means pierced or through and the door is the arch.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06It's an old Anglo-Saxon name.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- And we talk about the Jurassic Coast.- Mm-hm.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11I have visions of a rather famous film.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- What does Jurassic actually mean?- Yeah.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15So, Jurassic is a period of time
0:37:15 > 0:37:17and we have rocks on the Jurassic Coast
0:37:17 > 0:37:19that date back to that time period.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24So, roughly between 150 and 147 million years.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28This amazing feat of nature was formed around 10,000 years ago
0:37:28 > 0:37:30during the last ice age.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32As the ice melted and the sea levels rose,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35the coastline and rocks eroded.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Over time, this continued, creating caves
0:37:37 > 0:37:41and spectacular rock formations, such as Durdle Door.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43And what about the actual rocks that we can see
0:37:43 > 0:37:45poking through from the sea itself?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Yeah, so, again, remnants of obviously the coastline,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50so where the coastline used to be before the sea broke through.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53The first one's called The Bull. Then we've got The Blind Cow,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55which you can just see white water crashing over.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59And The Cow and The Calf is the last one in line with Bat's Head.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03It all looks pretty awe-inspiring from up here,
0:38:03 > 0:38:05but I want to take a closer look.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07The steps leading down to the beach
0:38:07 > 0:38:10have also borne the brunt of the weather and footfall
0:38:10 > 0:38:11and started to erode,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14so these new ones were recently completed.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18We can see Durdle Door right behind us now in all its magnificence.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Is that limestone? Is that chalk?
0:38:21 > 0:38:24So, it's limestone. So, the arch is Portland limestone.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26We also have Purbeck limestone,
0:38:26 > 0:38:28where you can see these stripy layers here.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30It's very decorative building material
0:38:30 > 0:38:33and a lot of our buildings in surrounding villages
0:38:33 > 0:38:34are made of Purbeck limestone.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Do we have any idea how long it's going to last?
0:38:37 > 0:38:40It could be a few hundred years, a few thousand years.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42We just don't know. Very much depends on the weather.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Well, here we are on the coastline.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46I can see it's an ongoing thing, looking...
0:38:46 > 0:38:48I've got loads of tourists here today
0:38:48 > 0:38:50- and we're not even in the peak season.- No.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52But you also work the countryside as well, don't you?
0:38:52 > 0:38:55That's right, yeah. So, coast and inland a little bit more.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58The busiest part of Lulworth Estate is on the coast here.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01You'll go four miles inland and it's very, very quiet,
0:39:01 > 0:39:04so we're very varied on the Lulworth Estate, really.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13Around a 15-minute walk inland, the landscape is just as spectacular.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15It's in a conservation area with chalky soil
0:39:15 > 0:39:18typical of this coastal region,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21attracting many plants and wildlife not found elsewhere.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25Now, that's quite a climb up from the cliffs, isn't it?
0:39:25 > 0:39:28But here we are surrounded by countryside.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32- I can see the cows happily grazing behind us.- Yes.
0:39:32 > 0:39:33- Is this all part of the estate?- Yes.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35You can see over there, some of our sites.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Some really nice, rare, chalk down habitat.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41So, part of preserving that habitat is some ongoing management
0:39:41 > 0:39:44and the cows are an important part of that management.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45They're acting like lawnmowers.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47They're keeping that grass fairly short.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49When it starts to get a bit longer,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51you start to get some of the undesirable things growing up.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54So, we can see some remnants of some gorse and some scrub
0:39:54 > 0:39:56that encroaches on the landscape,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58shading out and encroaching on some of the desirable plants
0:39:58 > 0:40:00that we want to encourage up there.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02The gorse needs to be kept at bay
0:40:02 > 0:40:05to allow plants like horseshoe vetch to grow.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07The beautiful Adonis blue butterfly
0:40:07 > 0:40:09only lays its eggs on horseshoe vetch,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12so it's important that it's allowed to bloom.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16And is there a fine balance of managing an estate of this size,
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- but also having half a million or so tourists coming every year?- Yes.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22- I mean, are tourist numbers up? - Yeah, tourist numbers are up
0:40:22 > 0:40:25and it's really about balancing tourism with conservation.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27So, the two have to go hand-in-hand.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Well, thank you so much for sharing your time with us today.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32- It's been wonderful. - Thank you very much.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Well, as John and Sarah have already sold their home,
0:40:40 > 0:40:44we really wanted to find them that perfect property here in Dorset.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48But let's be honest, we have struggled over the last few days.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Let's hear what they've got to say.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00I wonder whether we've managed to find you a new home here in Dorset.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03I wonder how close we've got.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Probably property three was the nearest to it.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09We liked the downstairs of the property. It was really nice.
0:41:09 > 0:41:10The views were just to die for,
0:41:10 > 0:41:14- so I think property three would be our favourite.- Yes, very much so.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16The price of the property was fantastic at 500,000.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20However, I don't know how you could make that any better upstairs
0:41:20 > 0:41:22without major refurbishment
0:41:22 > 0:41:24and that's really not what we want to get into.
0:41:24 > 0:41:25No. Fair enough.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27What do you think you've learnt
0:41:27 > 0:41:30or you can take away from this whole experience?
0:41:31 > 0:41:33I think it's broadened our horizons.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36We've seen a different part of Dorset
0:41:36 > 0:41:38and places that we wouldn't have considered going to,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40so that's really helped us.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42And I think we will branch out a bit more.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45We've been a bit sort of confined in where we've been looking,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47but I think we will look further afield now.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50I think what we will do in the short term
0:41:50 > 0:41:52is probably look to take a rental property
0:41:52 > 0:41:55so that we're here in place and we can react quickly
0:41:55 > 0:41:59and move around constantly in our quest to find a home.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Positive things to take away,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03even though we didn't manage to find you...
0:42:03 > 0:42:05- Absolutely.- ..the right home?
0:42:05 > 0:42:08It's been a really good experience and it really has helped us
0:42:08 > 0:42:10to kind of pinpoint exactly what we want to do.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Well, enjoy your new lives in Dorset.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15It's been our pleasure to show you around this county.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17- Thank you.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22Well, there you have it.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25John and Sarah liked our properties,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28but didn't love any of them enough for a second viewing.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Now, in theory and on paper,
0:42:30 > 0:42:34we gave them everything that they asked for and within budget,
0:42:34 > 0:42:38but in practice, what they crave is actually space -
0:42:38 > 0:42:40much more of it within the houses themselves.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43The good news is they've decided to rent down here
0:42:43 > 0:42:47and continue their search, so we wish them all the very best
0:42:47 > 0:42:51with their new retired lives here in Dorset.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54See you again on Escape To The Country.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58If you would like to escape to the country
0:42:58 > 0:43:00in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England
0:43:00 > 0:43:03and need our help, please apply online at...