0:00:02 > 0:00:05Welcome to a somewhat misty start to today's Escape To The Country.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09Now, behind me is a small glimpse of what is widely regarded
0:00:09 > 0:00:11as one of the most important English landscape gardens,
0:00:11 > 0:00:15not just in the UK, but also renowned the world over.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16So, where have we come to?
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Today, we're helping a couple of newlyweds who hope to kick off
0:00:39 > 0:00:42their married life in a new home, with dreams of running a B & B.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- What about this for your guests, then?- I don't know.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47I would quite like it for myself!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52But one of our properties leaves them lost for words.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53My goodness.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54I don't know what to say.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Well, today we are on the Welsh Borders
0:00:59 > 0:01:01and these are the beautiful surroundings
0:01:01 > 0:01:04of Hawkstone Park Follies in Shropshire.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07They are widely regarded as perhaps one of the best examples
0:01:07 > 0:01:11of the English landscape garden, dating back to the 18th century.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16They contain a fantastic mix of caves, cliffs, follies and woodland.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20What sets this place apart is that it bucked the trend of the day
0:01:20 > 0:01:23for more classical, symmetrical gardens
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and instead embraced an imitative nature.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31It was restored 20 years ago and now visitors revel in its surroundings.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34From up here, you can see right across the border
0:01:34 > 0:01:36to the mountains of Wales.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37On a clear day.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41The land straddling the length of the border
0:01:41 > 0:01:44between England and Wales is traditionally known
0:01:44 > 0:01:48as the Welsh Marches and includes parts of Powys on the Welsh side
0:01:48 > 0:01:50and Shropshire in England.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54This northern section of the Marches is a region of enduring beauty,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57characterised by classic, unspoilt, hilly countryside
0:01:57 > 0:01:59and striking field patterns.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02The Borderlands were fiercely contested for hundreds of years
0:02:02 > 0:02:04and contain the highest concentration
0:02:04 > 0:02:07of motte-and-bailey castles in the country.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Chirk Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress
0:02:09 > 0:02:14completed in the 14th century, is a particularly fine example.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17On the English side, the historic town of Ludlow in Shropshire
0:02:17 > 0:02:20is a renowned gastro hot spot,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23home to a whole host of eateries and cafes.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26So, with its mix of scenery and historic architecture,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29the Welsh Borders is an escapee's paradise
0:02:29 > 0:02:31and somewhere it really is possible to get away from it all.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36As well as stunning countryside,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39property prices here are also very attractive.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42In Shropshire, the average cost of a detached property
0:02:42 > 0:02:45is currently £245,000.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48That's 32,000 below the national figure.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50And it gets even better if you head further west,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53over the border into Wales and Powys.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57There, the same sort of thing could cost you £80,000 less.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59So, time now to meet today's buyers
0:02:59 > 0:03:02and find out which side of the border they want to be on.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Steve and Ali, who live near the town of Devizes in Wiltshire,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08met each other through an online dating site
0:03:08 > 0:03:10just 18 months ago.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12A whirlwind romance led to a speedy proposal
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and they've been married for just a month.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18So, now they want to kick-start this next exciting chapter
0:03:18 > 0:03:20in a new country home.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Steve proposed to me when we went to Sri Lanka last year.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26It was towards the end of the holiday.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29I walked out onto the beach with her in the evening,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32held her in my arms and said, "Would you marry me?"
0:03:32 > 0:03:36We both lost our partners some years ago.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39We're now looking to create a life together
0:03:39 > 0:03:43rather than staying in the jobs that we've currently got.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Steve works in IT and Ali in sales,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51but the highly pressured corporate world has taken its toll on Steve.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55I commute almost three hours, three and a half hours a day,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58so our escape is more than just
0:03:58 > 0:04:01escaping into a more rural environment.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04It's escaping from that whole work environment.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Steve and Ali both have two grown-up children
0:04:08 > 0:04:10from their previous relationships,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13but they've left home and the couple currently live
0:04:13 > 0:04:16in a four-bedroom property that Steve bought before meeting Ali.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I chose this house when I was single,
0:04:19 > 0:04:20that the children can come home to.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26Since we met, it's obvious that the house doesn't meet our requirements.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28We'd like to choose somewhere which is ours.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31And they've chosen the Welsh Border country
0:04:31 > 0:04:32for their first shared home together.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- It's a lovely area, isn't it? - It's beautiful.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Beautiful area.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40And fortunately, it's still within the price bracket that we have.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43But Steve and Ali don't just want a new home,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45a joint business venture is in the pipeline.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48When we were courting, I said to you I'd like to own
0:04:48 > 0:04:50a bed and breakfast and you said,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53"That's what I'd like to do", didn't you?
0:04:53 > 0:04:54Exactly.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57We want to get to a point where we can retire
0:04:57 > 0:05:03and just look after the B & B and some letting units and have a life.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07And when they're not busy with the B & B,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09they should have more time for their passions,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11which include baking and cake making for Ali,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14whereas Steve hopes his modelling will take off.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18I took up flying model aircraft about eight years ago
0:05:18 > 0:05:21just as something to really de-stress with.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26It's become a bit of an obsession. I've got something like 25 aircraft.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28It gives me great pleasure picking one of those up,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31taking it up onto the hill and throwing it off.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34But their rural dream isn't just a flight of fancy.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37They're under no illusions that this is a big move,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39though it is a chance for the newlyweds
0:05:39 > 0:05:41to spend some quality time with each other.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43I'm well aware that running a B & B isn't going to be
0:05:43 > 0:05:47without its stresses and without its early mornings.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- But it's doing something that we both enjoy.- Absolutely.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Steve and Ali want to find a property in the northern section
0:05:57 > 0:05:59of the English-Welsh border,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01but don't mind which country they live in.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03So, we'll be looking both in Shropshire
0:06:03 > 0:06:05and Wales for their new home.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06I'm meeting up with them
0:06:06 > 0:06:10in Shropshire to learn more about their planned move.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Well, Steve and Allison, welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15This is all quite exciting.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- Am I right in saying that you only got married six weeks ago?- We did.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21So, Allison, what are you hoping to achieve with this move?
0:06:21 > 0:06:26We are hoping to open an bed and breakfast with some letting units.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29We want about three bedrooms and three letting units.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Both of us are giving up our full-time jobs.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- Have you ever done anything like it before?- I have.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39I've run pubs and restaurants, but you haven't, have you, Steve?
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- No, I haven't.- Why have you settled on the northern end
0:06:41 > 0:06:43of the Welsh Borders?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45We like this area.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48The countryside, the hills, there's some lovely country houses.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51We feel that there's a lot to draw people to this area.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55What would your ideal home look like?
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Perhaps an old farmhouse, a rectory.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Perhaps a barn that needs converting,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05or some outbuildings that we could turn into letting units.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08How much of a project would you take on?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10If we started off with three rooms that we could let,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13that would give us enough income to start with.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17And then, if there were a barn conversion, stable conversion,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19something like that, we would do it over time.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23And also perhaps a little bit of land, as well.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Ah. What's going to happen on that?
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- Well...- Some animals.- Yes, yes.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33I'd ideally like some pasture and also woodland.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36You really are painting a picture of the ideal country life,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38I mean, you know, this is all very good.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- It is going to be hard work as well, though.- It really is.- Yeah.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44B & Bs are not an easy wicket.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47How are you going to make your business that little bit different
0:07:47 > 0:07:49to all of the others to get that trade?
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- I think we're going to go for luxury B & B.- We are.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55We are aiming at the luxury end.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58So, Allison, how much are you planning to spend on all this?
0:07:58 > 0:08:00750,000.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Three quarters of a million, Steve.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- That's right, yes.- It's a lot of money.- Scary, isn't it?
0:08:06 > 0:08:07But this is an area where I think
0:08:07 > 0:08:09you can get very good value for money.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11We've got some really interesting properties to show you.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I hope they will inspire you to create a vision
0:08:14 > 0:08:17of what this business could look like. Shall we go?
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Absolutely. Let's do it. - All right. Drink up.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26With a budget of £750,000, Steve and Ali are after a traditional,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29older property with character.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32In an ideal world they'd like a five-bedroom house,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34that would allow them to let out three rooms
0:08:34 > 0:08:35as bed and breakfast units,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38but with the potential to develop up to three self-catering
0:08:38 > 0:08:40holiday lets around it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Steve would like some land to fulfil his smallholding ambitions
0:08:43 > 0:08:46and a bonus would be some private woodland in their grounds.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We've lined up a selection of classic border-country
0:08:49 > 0:08:52contenders for our house hunting newlyweds to consider.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53But the honeymoon might be over
0:08:53 > 0:08:57when I reveal the price at the end of the property tours.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59And of course, we've got a Mystery House
0:08:59 > 0:09:01that might well challenge Steve and Ali on age,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04but it does give them more than they bargained for elsewhere.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Our first offering is situated in the popular Welsh market town
0:09:10 > 0:09:12of Llangollen.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16An ancient Welsh settlement situated on the banks of the River Dee,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19it takes its name from its founding 7th century saint.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Today, it's a thriving tourist centre
0:09:22 > 0:09:25and probably best known for hosting the international musical Eisteddfod
0:09:25 > 0:09:28every summer, which attracts over 100,000 people.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Located within walking distance of Llangollen,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35our first house is set in a quiet, elevated position
0:09:35 > 0:09:37overlooking the town.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Well, we've crossed the border into Wales. There we are, guys.- Oh, wow.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42This is different.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44I don't know what to say. It's lovely.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46It's certainly going to be big enough,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49or it looks like it is from here. The garden looks nice.
0:09:49 > 0:09:55That lot there is a six-bedroom property.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- Five of which are en suite. - Fantastic.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01The current owners have lived here 30-odd years,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03and they have run it as a B & B in the past,
0:10:03 > 0:10:04- hence the en-suite bedrooms. - Yep, yep.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08And to the left, that building there is also with it
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and that is a two-bedroom cottage.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14My goodness. That's incredible.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Let's see what you think. There's plenty to see.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18'There's a lot to take
0:10:18 > 0:10:22'in at this handsome, Tudor-style Victorian residence.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24'With its separate, two-bedroom holiday let set
0:10:24 > 0:10:28'in a separate coach house which earns around £8,000 a year.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31'Unfortunately, the let has guests staying in it at the moment,
0:10:31 > 0:10:32'so I can't show it to Steve and Ali.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36'But the main house, which has its entrance around the corner,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38'should keep us busy.'
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- What do you think of this then, Allison?- Oh, that's lovely.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- That's beautiful, isn't it?- Isn't it?- What a nicely proportioned room.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50The whole room itself could act as a guest wing,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53if you like, because it opens up into this, have a look at this end.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Oh!
0:10:55 > 0:10:58So, you've got sort of guest sitting room... Come on over, come on over.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- This is the best view, I think, from here.- Oh, it's lovely.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- Because you can see all of that and all of this.- Yeah, yeah.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- What a beautiful house.- What about this for your guests, then?
0:11:06 > 0:11:07I don't know.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10I would quite like it for myself!
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Thought so!
0:11:12 > 0:11:13'Ali needn't worry.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17'Her and Steve's accommodation is pretty good, as well.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'A door from the guest dining room leads on to another equally
0:11:20 > 0:11:22'impressive reception room.'
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- There. This is what we think would be your bit.- Oh, wow!
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- Open-mouthed and open-eyed, Allison.- It's nice. It's nice. - Yes, that's lovely.- Yeah.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- That's plenty big enough for us as a living room.- Yeah.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- Right, come and have a look at the kitchen.- OK, yeah.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- You'll like this. - Dying to see the kitchen.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Oh, that's a nice kitchen. That's lovely.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- I think you could spoil your guests.- I do.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Through that door is a huge utility room-cum-laundry room,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55I would suggest. And another little storage area, too.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- And also, you've got a cellar here, as well.- Seriously?- Yeah.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01If you're into your wine, trust me.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- I am.- There you go, look.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05You've got a wine cellar, too.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07There's currently a quarter-size snooker table
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- in there at the minute. Like, a pool table.- Right.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- So, actually, that's how big it is. - It's lovely. Absolutely lovely.
0:12:12 > 0:12:18Now, I did say to you on the outside that we had six bedrooms to explore.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19Yes.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- Upstairs might take a little bit of time.- Oh, dear.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Come and have a look.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26'Not surprisingly, our buyers like the space they get
0:12:26 > 0:12:28'with this substantial property.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30'And the ground floor room arrangement gives them
0:12:30 > 0:12:31'privacy from their guests.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33'Of the six bedrooms in the property,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35'five are on the first floor.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36'They're all generous
0:12:36 > 0:12:40'and four of those have en-suite bath or shower rooms.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43'There's also a family bathroom you could easily get lost in.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46'And up on the second floor, there's an attic games room,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50'but I'm showing Steve and Ali the largest bedroom on the first floor,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53'which I've earmarked as their master.'
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- Wow.- This is yours, although to be perfectly honest, any one of those
0:12:56 > 0:13:00en-suite bedrooms would pass as a very comfortable master bedroom.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- I love the ceiling. - This is lovely. Absolutely amazing.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- Now, you're going to like this... - Huge proportions.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10- ..his and hers storage. - You're kidding?- Nope.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12No, that's his, hers and his.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Or hers, probably.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Well, you take your pick. Bags of built-in storage with this one.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22And a really nicely proportioned en suite through there,
0:13:22 > 0:13:24- as you would expect.- OK.- Yeah.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27I think... Yeah, it's still raining.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- Shall we brave it?- Yes.- I think so.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Let's have a quick look at the garden, come on.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34The sixth bedroom is back downstairs as part of a small,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36separate annexe arrangement.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38It comes with an en-suite bathroom,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40as well as lounge and kitchenette
0:13:40 > 0:13:43and provides excellent self-catering letting opportunities,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46currently bringing in around £4,000 a year.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Outside, extensive landscape gardens fan out from the back
0:13:50 > 0:13:53of the property, with a lovely backdrop of the Berwyn Hills
0:13:53 > 0:13:58and Dinas Bran Castle, which today is shrouded in misty rain.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Ah. Well, it's raining a bit more than I thought.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- Can you admire the garden from here? - I think so, yes.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09It is about two acres, all in.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11How much is it going to cost you?
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Cos this could be the slightly tricky bit.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16You go first.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I think it's right up the top end of our budget, the 750.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21£750,000?
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Three quarters of a million, says your brand-new husband.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25And I was going to say that.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- You can agree.- No.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- It works well.- That's a good omen for the future, isn't it? OK.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Erm, I'm going to go 775.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37This could be yours for...
0:14:39 > 0:14:44..£650,000.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Seriously?- Really? Gosh.- That's amazing.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51100,000 left over to make any little tweaks that you would want to.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- Gracious. That's...- Can we buy it?
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- I'd love you to buy it.- It's such a lovely property.- Well, look.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Go and explore. Rediscover this property.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Try and work out the ground plan, try and cement it into your minds
0:15:05 > 0:15:07cos there's a lot to take on with this one.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- And I will catch you later on, somewhere. Off you go.- Thanks.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15£100,000 below budget,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19the price of our Tudor-style mansion comes as a pleasant surprise
0:15:19 > 0:15:21as it leaves Steve and Ali some of their budget
0:15:21 > 0:15:23to put their stamp on it.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Offering separate accommodation from their guests,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28there are six bedrooms in the main house.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31One of those six is part of an annexe joining the main property
0:15:31 > 0:15:34and there's also a separate two-bedroom coach house
0:15:34 > 0:15:37across the driveway, unlocking bags of business potential.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41The land, seen from where we saw it, looks stunning.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44So, very, very impressed with this property.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I really, really like it.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51It's got everything that we wanted. Lovely large kitchen with a range.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54There's six bedrooms, five with en suite,
0:15:54 > 0:15:58so we would be able to let them. All of them, if we wanted to.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- Hey! How we doing?- Very well.- Yeah.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Am I standing outside your new home?
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- I hope so.- Well, you can certainly afford it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- And, wow, what an exciting proposition.- Yes.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Absolutely stunning property.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Steve and Ali have asked that their new property includes
0:16:18 > 0:16:19some private woodland.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22They're keen on using wood from their land for fuel.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25But more than half of the UK's small woodlands are in decline.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Over the last 20 years, one third have disappeared
0:16:28 > 0:16:32due to poor management and countryside development.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Small Woods is an organisation designed to maintain and protect
0:16:36 > 0:16:40the 400,000 hectares of small woods in the UK.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43To find out more about sustainable woodland management,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46they're meeting chief executive Mike Bentley.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50What size of woodland should we be looking at
0:16:50 > 0:16:52to have something which is sustainable and would help
0:16:52 > 0:16:54us with the heating?
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- For self-supplier wood fuel? - Yes, yes.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00You don't actually need that large an area, quite surprisingly.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03About one hectare of mixed, broadleaf woodland,
0:17:03 > 0:17:08you would be able to produce a sustainable yield
0:17:08 > 0:17:12of, say, four cubic metres, or four tonnes of firewood per year.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Which would normally be enough to heat a wood fuel stove
0:17:16 > 0:17:18in a medium-size cottage.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Assuming that we do get some woodland,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23what type of trees should we be looking for?
0:17:23 > 0:17:29I would probably advise you to go for a woodland with mixed species.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30Right.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32There are a couple of nasty pests
0:17:32 > 0:17:37and diseases going around at the moment, particularly affecting ash.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- You've obviously heard of ash dieback.- We have, yes.
0:17:39 > 0:17:40Yes, we've seen it in our area.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44And also there's a fungus that's affecting larch trees.
0:17:44 > 0:17:52So, a woodland that was purely larch or purely ash may be one to avoid.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54The most traditional method of woodland management is
0:17:54 > 0:17:58coppicing, the ancient practice of cutting a tree off at its stump
0:17:58 > 0:18:01to encourage rapid re-growth of buds and shoots.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Opening up the tree canopy to let in light
0:18:04 > 0:18:06also promotes greater biodiversity.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09The extra light reaching the ground encourages wild flowers
0:18:09 > 0:18:13and plants, attracting butterflies and other insects.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15As well as benefitting the ecosystem,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17coppicing has an added advantage.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20You're left with freshly cut wood from which you can create
0:18:20 > 0:18:24useful, everyday objects. The practice known as green woodworking
0:18:24 > 0:18:28also employs traditional handmade tools.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Steve is going to try his hand at making a spatula
0:18:30 > 0:18:34and Ali a rolling pin, using freshly felled ash.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36You're going through the middle, there.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37OK.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40Then stick it in the brace.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- So leave a... Whey!- Whoa! - Whoa-ho, well done.- It went.- It did.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Well done.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Meanwhile, Ali is shaping her rolling pin,
0:18:47 > 0:18:51using an age-old shave horse and a draw knife to create a rounded,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55cylindrical shape by continually turning the object.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- It looks really dangerous, I know.- It does.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- But, in fact, it's not, really.- No.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02I mean, it's really hard to actually bring the knife far enough back
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- to cause you any damage.- OK. - So just keep going.- I will.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- Keep turning it and I'll come back and see how you get on.- OK.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08- All right, OK.- Thank you.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12Steve has now drawn the outline of a spatula onto his piece of wood
0:19:12 > 0:19:14and begins shaping the utensil with a side axe.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- Yeah, you still got your fingers, then? Yep.- Absolutely, all five.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Good, good, good. Hey, actually, that's looking good.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24He then joins Ali on the shave horse to smooth off the edges.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- So, what we're going to try and do is reduce it even more now.- OK.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31OK, using the draw knife.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Yeah, if you want to know what to do just ask her. She's an expert now.
0:19:34 > 0:19:40- OK, so here you go. Have a go.- OK. - So, nice, strong...
0:19:40 > 0:19:41There we go.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- It's quite satisfying, isn't it?- Mm.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Ali's rolling pin is also gradually taking shape.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52The final step for Steve is to round off the spatula with a knife.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Hey, first attempt, I think you should be proud of that. Very good.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- How about you? How's the rolling pin coming along?- I think a few more hours yet.- A few more hours needed.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- Yeah, I think so.- It's more round than when we started.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- Well, guys, you've done really well. It's your first attempt. They look fantastic.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- Yeah, you should be really proud of it.- It's been really enjoyable. - Good, that's the main thing.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Well, Steve and Ali now have some handy tips on managing woodland
0:20:15 > 0:20:17and working with green wood.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20As the day draws to a close, it's a chance for them to reflect
0:20:20 > 0:20:21on the property hunt so far.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27It's the second day of our B & B property search,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29along the English-Welsh border,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32with newlyweds, Steve and Ali, from Wiltshire.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34With their £750,000 budget,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37we're hoping to find them a property that separates their home
0:20:37 > 0:20:39from their guests.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Coming up, our Mystery House pulls out all the stops for the business.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46I think people would be stunned when they came in here.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47And I meet the men of steel,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50whose artwork could save lives on our streets.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Well, short, autumn days mean some pretty early starts
0:20:56 > 0:20:58here on Escape To The Country
0:20:58 > 0:21:00and we've got plenty to fit in
0:21:00 > 0:21:01on our final day of house hunting.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Now, yesterday, I thought went really well.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06That house in Llangollen I think offered Steve and Allison
0:21:06 > 0:21:08a brilliant opportunity.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11And if we showed them nothing else, well, maybe our work would be done,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14but, of course, we have got more to see.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16But building on the theme of yesterday,
0:21:16 > 0:21:17we're going to head back into Wales
0:21:17 > 0:21:20to try and find them yet more value for money.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22And of course, it's Mystery House day.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25For our next offering,
0:21:25 > 0:21:29we're venturing deeper into Mid Wales, to the hamlet of Penrhos.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31This is classic border country,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34rolling fields criss-crossed by lines of hedgerows,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38with hillside vistas stretching far into the distance.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41The nearest neighbour to our next house is a pretty church.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44And these spiritual connections are a clue to the property's
0:21:44 > 0:21:45former life.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47But will it enlighten our buyers?
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Oh, you're joking. Look at this.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- Ah!- Come this way, Allison. - Chickens!- Chickens.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54We'll keep those.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59- Nice bit of planting, lovely views of Mid Wales.- Yes. Oh.- And there.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- What is it?- It's a rectory. - It's a rectory! Yeah, exactly.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07It's the sort of thing that I think is the archetypal country home.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Set within its own plot, as this one is.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Lovely mature gardens, about a couple of acres here.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13Oh, that's gorgeous.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16It's been renovated extensively over the last 11 years or so
0:22:16 > 0:22:17by the current owners.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Young family and they've given it a really fun,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22contemporary twist inside.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24But as you would expect,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27it's pretty cavernous with an interesting range of outbuildings too,
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- which could be developed further into more holiday let potential.- OK.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- That's what we're thinking. - Lovely.- Come on.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Built in the late 19th century,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39the former vicarage has been remodelled by the current owners,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41who've given an old building a stylishly modern twist.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Oh, gosh.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Isn't this fun?
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Someone's had some great fun decorating this. Wow.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- Do you see what I mean? It's quite contemporary.- It is, isn't it?
0:22:51 > 0:22:53The red floor is pretty bold.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56But you've got the traditional fireplace, which is lovely.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59These gorgeous windows, they're original, as are the shutters.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03Rather cleverly, they've removed the walls either side of this fireplace
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- to let the whole thing flow around it.- OK.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Have a look at this.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10So, removing this wall was a really good idea, I think.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- And it gets you into...- Gosh. - Oh, this is nice.- ..this.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Lovely.- Yeah, this is a lovely room.- That's nice.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20It's quite an original rethinking of a very traditional building.
0:23:20 > 0:23:26As a guest suite of rooms, if you like, for dining and relaxing...
0:23:26 > 0:23:27- Plenty of room.- Works a treat.- Yeah.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31And it gives you that division between the dining end
0:23:31 > 0:23:32and something else.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Come and have a look at the kitchen.- Thank you.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37The striking decor of the old rectory
0:23:37 > 0:23:39has made its mark on Steve and Ali.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42To the rear of the house, there's also a spacious office.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Somewhere to run the business from.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46But next, we're appraising the kitchen.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48There.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Oh, wow!
0:23:50 > 0:23:51That's great, isn't it?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54That's a lovely catering kitchen.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57It certainly has that industrial, utilitarian feel to it.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59All the stainless steel.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02That is really good, I actually like the stainless steel kitchen.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- Allison?- I like the range. I like the taps.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10- I like the window looking out on to that beautiful view.- Yep.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14And it opens up round here, to give you your own dining end, I suppose.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18- Or kind of living room if you wanted it.- Oh, gosh. What a huge room.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22- Well, quite a lot of walls have been removed to create this effect.- Yes.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25There's another door to the right which leads back into the hallway.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29And next-door to that, a door to a very, very extensive cellar
0:24:29 > 0:24:31which is pretty much original.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- I could imagine having a sofa in that part of the room there.- Yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37That would be a nice sort of relaxation area.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- We could actually have that as ours, couldn't we?- Yes.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- You could have this whole bit. - Yes, exactly.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45So, now we've cleverly divided up the ground floor,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48we need to turn our attention to the sleeping arrangements.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Upstairs there are five bedrooms,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52including a venerable master suite
0:24:52 > 0:24:55with high ceiling and a stylish en-suite wet room.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58There are three other bedrooms on the first floor,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00including two big guest doubles,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03a smaller single and a large family bathroom.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06There's a further bedroom on the top floor of the roof space,
0:25:06 > 0:25:10serviced by its own bathroom. Ideal for B & B guests.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12But I want to show Steve and Ali my plan
0:25:12 > 0:25:14for their self-catering holiday visitors,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16an outbuilding at the back which could be converted into
0:25:16 > 0:25:19at least one letting unit.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21There.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Currently used as a studio, formerly a chicken shed.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27- A large area, though. - It's really good.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Those double doors go out to a pretty elaborate
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- greenhouse-cum-garden room-cum- conservatory.- Mm.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Which would make a great addition to a holiday let,
0:25:36 > 0:25:40if you were able and minded to do something with this.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- But of course, it's all going to come down to price.- It is.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46- Cos you are going to have to spend some money on this one.- Yes.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Yeah, agreed.- Right.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Come on, let's go out to the garden.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53'The house and outbuilding sit in two acres of private grounds
0:25:53 > 0:25:57'with a mainly lawned, well-established garden.'
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- Lovely view, isn't it? - Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Looking south there,
0:26:02 > 0:26:06over towards the rest of Mid Wales as we get to the difficult bit,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09which of course is the price.
0:26:09 > 0:26:10What's it on the market for, madam?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12640.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Oh! No hesitation there, 640. OK.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16I'd go 620.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18620.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21A bit of optimism is creeping into your price guesses.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23I don't blame you for being optimistic.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27This was on the market for £750,000.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32- But the exciting thing is that it has been reduced to £650,000.- No.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37- So, you weren't far off.- It's got real potential at that price.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Well, look, guys, go and have a look around.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40In particular, have a look upstairs.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Think about those B & B bedrooms for now
0:26:43 > 0:26:45and I will come and find you a little bit later on.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48- We'll do that.- OK, thank you.- Enjoy.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Under budget by £100,000, this former rectory has been beautifully
0:26:52 > 0:26:56converted to create a contemporary family home.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58The open-plan reception room gives our buyers a space to
0:26:58 > 0:27:01accommodate bed and breakfast guests
0:27:01 > 0:27:04and there are at least three letting bedrooms in the main house.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07There's also potential and money left over to develop
0:27:07 > 0:27:09a letting unit in a separate outbuilding.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13I was really excited to see that it was an old rectory.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16The five bedrooms, I'm not sure whether we would be able
0:27:16 > 0:27:18to use it as a bed and breakfast,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22but perhaps we would be able to use some of the outbuildings
0:27:22 > 0:27:25for the letting purpose.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28As far as the location of this house, it's brilliant.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Great views, fantastic grounds, couldn't ask for more.
0:27:32 > 0:27:38Looking at it from a business point of view, it doesn't instantly
0:27:38 > 0:27:41match our requirements for bed and breakfast
0:27:41 > 0:27:45and for the letting units, without some development work.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47- Are you tempted?- I think I could be.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49It's certainly an option, yes.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52I think you should be. But, we have one more to come.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Mystery House is coming up soon. Come on.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01For our final choice, we're heading deeper into Wales,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04to the small town of Llanfair Caereinion.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Perched on the banks of the River Banwy,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08the charming town has a peaceful feel
0:28:08 > 0:28:11with a distinctive architectural style,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13hosting a range of shops and pubs.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Nestled into the south-facing hills,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19around a mile from the town, is our Mystery House.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Now, Steve and Ali wanted some land.
0:28:21 > 0:28:22Our Mystery House has it in spades,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25but our buyers also wanted a traditional home
0:28:25 > 0:28:28and although this one has a classic Welsh pedigree,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30inside it's much more contemporary.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36You may well chuckle, cos this is our Mystery House.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Come over here and take it all in.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40It's really unusual, isn't it?
0:28:40 > 0:28:45Effectively, in the middle was a small, traditional cottage.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47It's then been extended either side.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Initially in the 1990s over here,
0:28:50 > 0:28:53to create something which is, I guess, a bit more traditional
0:28:53 > 0:28:57and then in 2005, this entire wing was added
0:28:57 > 0:29:01which, as you can probably tell, has a much more contemporary feel.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- It has five/six bedrooms on offer.- Right, right.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06It has two staircases.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08That's very good.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13So, what we're thinking is owner's wing over here
0:29:13 > 0:29:15and B & B wing...
0:29:15 > 0:29:17- Over there.- ..over here.- OK.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20You also get that huge barn up there.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- Oh! We thought that was another house.- Nope, that's all yours.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27- Belonging to somebody else. - The whole lot sits within...
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Wait for it.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- ..19 acres.- Oh!
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- And those acres go behind the property up onto the hill.- Mm-hm.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- Lovely amount of woodland. - Fantastic.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- Which I know is of interest to you.- Right.
0:29:41 > 0:29:42And then it extends below us here.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45So, where do we start with this enormous property?
0:29:45 > 0:29:46We have one front door, of course.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49We could either go left and look at the owner's accommodation
0:29:49 > 0:29:52or we could go right and look at the B & B.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54What do you want to do?
0:29:54 > 0:29:56- I think the...- B & B. - ..business side, yeah.- Yeah.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Let's do the business end first
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- and then we will spoil you with your bit. Come on.- OK.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04'The original stone longhouse dates to the 18th century,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'but the addition of the two extensions has more than doubled
0:30:07 > 0:30:10'the property's size, giving Steve and Ali lots of options
0:30:10 > 0:30:12'for paying guests.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15'And the 19 acres of land gives them bags of room
0:30:15 > 0:30:17'for a luxury camping business.'
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Now, imagine a door there separating you from this,
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- this would be guest accommodation. - What a beautiful room.- Yes.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27- Original fireplace there. - Yeah, loads and loads of character.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Loads, but come on this way.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- Very funky staircase. - Oh, that's lovely.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39But, now, this anywhere else would be a fabulous family living room,
0:30:39 > 0:30:44but this, because of the two wings, could be your guest sitting room.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47And a luxury one, at that. Absolutely.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49I don't know what to say, it's just so nice.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Come and have a look next door,
0:30:51 > 0:30:54because this is really, really interesting.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58Now, they've got this set up as a kind of hobby/craft room.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Oh, I love the red.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Have in your minds that this could be given over
0:31:03 > 0:31:07to a guest kitchen, which would mean the main kitchen
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- would be just for you.- Right, which is what we wanted, really.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12We'd just need to put in a slightly larger kitchen, stove and...
0:31:12 > 0:31:16- Exactly. Let's have a look at a guest master, if you like.- OK.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Come and see this.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Our mystery package is drawing our buyers in
0:31:21 > 0:31:24and they've yet to see their own wing of this place.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Upstairs in the contemporary guest quarters,
0:31:27 > 0:31:29there are two decent-size bedrooms which are both served
0:31:29 > 0:31:31by a sizable shower room.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Now, I'm thinking you could market this as a premium suite
0:31:36 > 0:31:37for your guests.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- What a beautiful room. - Huge, isn't it?
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- Fantastic views.- Yeah. - Fantastic views from here.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47I think people would be stunned when they came in here.
0:31:47 > 0:31:48Let's have a look at your bit.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50- Let's start with the kitchen, come and look at this.- OK.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54'The main house can be accessed either from the upstairs landing
0:31:54 > 0:31:56'or through a small boot room on the ground floor
0:31:56 > 0:31:59'and gives our buyers the separation they wanted from the business.'
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Now, this sort of boot room-cum-service corridor
0:32:04 > 0:32:07connects the guest wing and the guest kitchen, as it might be...
0:32:07 > 0:32:08Right.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11..with your kitchen.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15- Oh, wow!- Look at the range.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- Look at the range, yes! - That's beautiful.
0:32:18 > 0:32:19That's absolutely amazing.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22But you've also got this dining area, too.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Easily more than we need.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26We haven't quite finished. Have a look at this.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29So, it's a sort of circular route, this.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32This is the hallway, there's the front door, imagine a door there
0:32:32 > 0:32:34- separating you from the guests. - Yeah.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39- And then this is your living room. - This is nice.- You also get this.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- A garden room.- Oh, that's nice. - Oh, that's nice.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- You sort of pointed us towards the better end, but this is...- As nice.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- ..as good.- Yep.- Yeah. - This has a very different feel.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50- It does.- That's contemporary, this is more traditional.- Yes.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- Although, it's effectively a new-build, let's face it.- Yeah.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55There's the other staircase that gets you up to
0:32:55 > 0:32:58your accommodation up there.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01And that is comprised of three good-sized bedrooms in this wing
0:33:01 > 0:33:05of the house alone, including a spacious master
0:33:05 > 0:33:07with a washing area and a single room in the eaves,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10which leads on to a cosy twin room.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13And they all share a family bath and shower room.
0:33:13 > 0:33:14'Unlike our other properties,
0:33:14 > 0:33:17'there are no outbuildings as such for letting units.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20'You'd be hard pushed to do much with the timber-clad barn.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24'But, they do have that 19 acres to play with,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26'if they wanted to develop a luxury campsite
0:33:26 > 0:33:29'and that includes two large paddocks
0:33:29 > 0:33:31'and some private woodland.'
0:33:31 > 0:33:34I'm just wondering if we can afford it.
0:33:34 > 0:33:35Well, let's deal with that.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40You went first last time, so let's have your guess, sir.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- Three quarters of a million pounds, you have.- Yes.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- Is it going to be enough? - I'm not sure that it is for this.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49So...
0:33:49 > 0:33:52I'd value it at something like 780.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54740.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56- 740?- Yes.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00Hopefully coming in just under budget.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03I have to confess, I think it should be that sort of figure,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05but today is your lucky day.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08This is on the market
0:34:08 > 0:34:11at 675.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12Oh, God!
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Oh, gosh. What do we do?
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Ha-ha-ha! What do you do?! That is a very good question.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23I think the first thing you should do is go and explore it
0:34:23 > 0:34:24at your leisure.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- We've whizzed round on the tour, but go and spend a bit more time.- OK.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- Soak it up and I'll find you later on.- OK.- Fantastic.- Thank you.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33- Go on, then.- What a surprise.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Under budget by £75,000,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38our Mystery House is an extended Welsh longhouse,
0:34:38 > 0:34:42with contemporary additions and finished to a very high standard.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46It features a separate, modern guest wing with two bedrooms
0:34:46 > 0:34:49as well as three in the main house and the 19 acres of land
0:34:49 > 0:34:53give Steve and Ali the option of developing a glamping business.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56The Mystery House has taken us both by surprise.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59We never expected to find a property of this quality
0:34:59 > 0:35:03and of this size at this price.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Really like the Mystery House.
0:35:05 > 0:35:06I like it particularly
0:35:06 > 0:35:10because we would be able to run a business from here
0:35:10 > 0:35:13and also Steve and I would be able to have our own home.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21Out you come. There we are. That's it. Our house tours are over.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Now, I've just made a little bet with myself as to which one
0:35:24 > 0:35:26of our fabulous properties might be your favourite.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Go on, then.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31You can tell me if I'm right a little bit later on.
0:35:31 > 0:35:32Come on, let's go.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42The Borderland between Wales and England is an area
0:35:42 > 0:35:46of unforgettable beauty, blessed with plentiful natural resources.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Thanks to the abundance of coal,
0:35:48 > 0:35:50towns like Ironbridge in Shropshire
0:35:50 > 0:35:53became important centres of industry.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56It was here in the 18th century that cast iron was first produced
0:35:56 > 0:35:59on a large scale, by using coal to smelt iron.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04The world's first cast-iron bridge is an enduring legacy.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06Today, the region's ironworking heritage
0:36:06 > 0:36:11is being kept alive and well at the family-run British Ironwork Centre
0:36:11 > 0:36:13just outside Oswestry.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16It showcases and champions metalwork as an art form.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18I've come to meet one of it's founders,
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Clive Knowles, in the centre's sculpture garden.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25It seems only fitting that the Ironwork Centre should be here.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27How did it come about?
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Well, it came about approximately 12 years ago now.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34And we came across this wonderful 90-acre farm
0:36:34 > 0:36:37and the idea was that we would eventually make it
0:36:37 > 0:36:40the Mecca of metalworking here on the outskirts of Oswestry.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42And that we were going to celebrate
0:36:42 > 0:36:45all the different metalworking talents.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48Coppersmithing, tinsmithing, blacksmithing, silversmithing.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53And we've got all these artists here for the public to come and see.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57'The centre's eclectic collection of animal sculptures include
0:36:57 > 0:37:00'the familiar from the farmyard, as well as the more exotic.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03'Clive is taking me to see a recent commission,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06'a giant silverback gorilla made from thousands of spoons.'
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Wow. It's bigger than I was expecting.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14This is the great British spoon gorilla.
0:37:14 > 0:37:19It's made from 40,000 spoons from primary schools all over the country
0:37:19 > 0:37:20and all over the world.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23It took six months of welding and about a year,
0:37:23 > 0:37:2618 months of collecting spoons.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30'The gorilla sculpture was crafted by one of the centre's
0:37:30 > 0:37:32'resident sculptors, Alfie Bradley, whose current project
0:37:32 > 0:37:35'is in the early stages of development.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39'An aim of the centre is to create artistic pieces that
0:37:39 > 0:37:42'raise awareness of issues affecting the country.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45'Alfie is building a statue of an angel made of knives,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47'many of them collected by the police,
0:37:47 > 0:37:52'which he hopes will help highlight the tragedy of knife crime.'
0:37:52 > 0:37:54This is the knife angel.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57It'll stand probably 24, 25 feet in the air.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01This is just the spine and the wings of the angel.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05What, this huge chunk of steel here is the framework, is it, Alfie?
0:38:05 > 0:38:07Well, what I'm going to do is,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10I'm going to create a frame around the spine.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Then I'm going to weld all these knives sideways, like this.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- Wow. So, they'll almost look like feathers?- Exactly, yeah.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20This is a very different idea to the gorilla.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24This is tackling a very challenging and pernicious issue
0:38:24 > 0:38:25for us all, isn't it?
0:38:25 > 0:38:28This is addressing street violence.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30The carrying of weapons.
0:38:30 > 0:38:36Every knife taken off the streets of the UK is potentially a life saved.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38And we are inviting any of the youths
0:38:38 > 0:38:41that are involved in gang violence or street violence
0:38:41 > 0:38:46who want to just come here and donate their own knife symbolically
0:38:46 > 0:38:50and weld it on themselves, they're being invited here to do that.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53And since I'm here at the workshop, Clive and Alfie have given me
0:38:53 > 0:38:55the honour of being the first member of the public
0:38:55 > 0:38:58to contribute to the sculpture.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I know that you're a big fan of military history,
0:39:01 > 0:39:05so I managed to find this in all the pile.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06You're joking! That...
0:39:06 > 0:39:08I think... It looks military, anyway.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11It absolutely is, that is a Second World War bayonet.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14I think it's a great choice, thanks, mate. I appreciate that.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- Oh, well, if you put yours right in the middle.- Like that.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20- Here's a pair of gloves that you'll be needing.- Thank you very much.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22- Now, it's a while since I've done any welding.- Yeah.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24You're going to have to judge my work at the end of it.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26We will, we'll be very critical.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Everybody got their helmets ready to go? Brilliant. Here. Here we go.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- What do you think, start at the top?- Yeah.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35'With over 100,000 knives needed to complete the sculpture,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38'the centre is hoping to reenergise knife amnesties
0:39:38 > 0:39:41'and that more weapons will be handed in to the police
0:39:41 > 0:39:42'over the next few months.'
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- Well, lads, how did we do? - Well done.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48- It's not going anywhere, is it? - No, it isn't. It isn't.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49That's rock solid.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53Well, I must confess, I am really, really flattered to have had,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56as I say, a small part to play in creating what will be
0:39:56 > 0:39:58a beautiful sculpture.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02And I think it's rather telling that welding this weapon of war
0:40:02 > 0:40:07- that's now being attached to a symbol of peace...- Mm.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09..I think it's quite profound. It's a brilliant idea.
0:40:09 > 0:40:10It is profound, yeah.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14Alfie's aiming to complete the knife angel by the end of 2015,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17when it will go on public show at the Ironworks Centre
0:40:17 > 0:40:20and hopefully will tour the rest of the country,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23helping to continue the metalworking tradition which originates
0:40:23 > 0:40:25from this historic region.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Well, with the budget we've had this week,
0:40:27 > 0:40:29trying to decide which is the best property
0:40:29 > 0:40:33we've been able to show our buyers has been a pretty difficult task.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36I have my favourite and I'm fairly sure that by now
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Steven and Allison have theirs,
0:40:38 > 0:40:41but are we all thinking the same thing?
0:40:41 > 0:40:42Well, let's go and find out.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48We've given you some brilliant options, I think.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51All of them viable. All very different.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Different prices to boot, as well.
0:40:53 > 0:40:54So, which one is it?
0:40:54 > 0:40:56Which one is your favourite?
0:40:56 > 0:40:58Our favourite is the Mystery House.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- Is it?- Yes.- Ah.
0:41:00 > 0:41:01Why the Mystery House, then?
0:41:01 > 0:41:06Mystery House allows us to take that wonderful property,
0:41:06 > 0:41:10let it as B & B for a number of years
0:41:10 > 0:41:14and then, potentially, divide it in two
0:41:14 > 0:41:19and let half of it as a high-quality holiday let.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23- My money was on the house in Llangollen.- Yes.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26The six-bedder with the separate two-bedroom holiday let.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Beautiful house.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- And you were very keen on buying that.- Yes, very much.
0:41:31 > 0:41:32So, what changed?
0:41:32 > 0:41:36I think it's a beautiful house, but with the Mystery House,
0:41:36 > 0:41:40Steve and I would be able to have our own separate home,
0:41:40 > 0:41:43which is very important to both of us.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45What about the area?
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Well, our intention is to do some research on that,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50go back and have a second viewing
0:41:50 > 0:41:55and if all goes well then put in an offer.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Good. Well, guys, it's been a lot of fun.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00I'm delighted at what we've been able to show you.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03I am even more pleased that one of them at least
0:42:03 > 0:42:05has captured your hearts and your imagination
0:42:05 > 0:42:08and given you a vision for the future.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10And thank you very much for your help.
0:42:10 > 0:42:11It's been really great, thank you.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Well, let's be honest.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18If you are a buyer that's lucky enough to have
0:42:18 > 0:42:20three quarters of a million pounds in your back pocket,
0:42:20 > 0:42:22you are in a very enviable position.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25When we started this house search with Steven and Allison,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28they did approach it with some pretty lofty ambitions.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31But I'm pleased to say that the property market here
0:42:31 > 0:42:34has not let them down. If anything, it's left them spoilt for choice.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37And at long last, I think they do now have a vision
0:42:37 > 0:42:40as to what their life here and their future may indeed look like.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43And as for me, well, I have loved seeing property,
0:42:43 > 0:42:47frankly, that is amongst the best that the borders has to offer.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49I'll see you next time.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52If you'd like to escape to the country in either
0:42:52 > 0:42:54England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland
0:42:54 > 0:42:57and would like our help, then please apply online at...