0:00:02 > 0:00:04Would you believe that it was a civil engineer,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06more famous for building canals and bridges,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08that turned some old fortress ruins
0:00:08 > 0:00:12into this splendid castle residence some 230 years ago?
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Find out who that great talent was, and where I am, in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Today we are given the challenge of finding a pair of house-hunting
0:00:37 > 0:00:41fiances a rural retreat before they walk down the aisle.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43We could get married here.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Yes, yes, cancel, cancel the venue and just do it here.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49And emotions are certainly running high.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51I'm getting choked up, actually.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54SHE LAUGHS
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Today we're in Shropshire
0:00:57 > 0:00:59and this is Shrewsbury Castle
0:00:59 > 0:01:03that was redesigned in 1790 by the great engineer Thomas Telford
0:01:03 > 0:01:06as a luxury dwelling for the town's MP.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Telford showed off his architectural prowess by building this folly,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Laura's Tower, and this rooftop terrace
0:01:13 > 0:01:15with amazing panoramic views over the county.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17And his brilliance was rewarded by him
0:01:17 > 0:01:21becoming the surveyor of public works for Shropshire.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24And many of his engineering feats are now much-loved
0:01:24 > 0:01:27and iconic landmarks in this impressive county.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Landlocked Shropshire is one of England's largest counties
0:01:32 > 0:01:35and borders Wales to the west and four English counties.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40The River Severn, the country's longest river at 220 miles,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43meanders from the Welsh mountains through beautiful Shropshire
0:01:43 > 0:01:48countryside, finally ending its journey at the Severn Estuary.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52In Shropshire, this great river passes through the county town of Shrewsbury,
0:01:52 > 0:01:57birthplace of Charles Darwin, famous for his theory of evolution.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Shrewsbury displays some of the finest preserved
0:02:00 > 0:02:04examples of Tudor architecture in the country, along with tall
0:02:04 > 0:02:08red townhouses and attractive shopping streets.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11In contrast, Whittington Castle near Oswestry
0:02:11 > 0:02:14fell into disrepair after the Civil War,
0:02:14 > 0:02:16but its remains are now on the restoration map.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21The more rural landscape in the region is home to hilly terrain,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25including the Long Mynd, meaning long mountain.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27A heathland plateau in the Shropshire Hills,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30which forms an ancient natural border with Wales.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35So, with its mix of architectural heritage, rich history
0:02:35 > 0:02:39and striking rural scenery, Shropshire is a compelling option
0:02:39 > 0:02:42for escapees looking for a change of lifestyle.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Shropshire is one of England's least populated counties,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51which is great news if you're a rural property shopper.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54It also has a good effect on the prices, ie downward,
0:02:54 > 0:02:59because the average price for a detached house in the county is £247,000 -
0:02:59 > 0:03:03that's £35,000 less than the national figure.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05What's more, if you go north of Shrewsbury
0:03:05 > 0:03:08and west over to Wales, your money goes even further.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10You get more property for your pound.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13That's exactly what has attracted our buyers here today,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15so let's meet them.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19HR manager Nikki and her security manager fiance Carl, from the town
0:03:19 > 0:03:22of Farnborough in Hampshire, met over a decade ago.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27We've probably known each other 12 years, I suppose,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29because we met at work.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32And relationship, 10.5 years, something like that.
0:03:32 > 0:03:33Yeah, it'll be 11 years in October.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38- We're going to get married in about four months' time.- Yes.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Yes, Nikki and Carl have decided to take on two of the biggest
0:03:41 > 0:03:45challenges anyone can face, both at the same time.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47This is what's been amazing for us is, you know,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50we made the decision to move, put the house on the market,
0:03:50 > 0:03:51and it sold so quickly.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55We were looking at wedding venues, found the perfect venue.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Carl's been a bit kind of, "Oh, this is moving a bit too fast."
0:03:58 > 0:04:00And I think, "It'll be fine, it'll be fine."
0:04:00 > 0:04:03And I'm like, "OK, OK. Can we get married now?"
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Once they've tied the knot,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09they've decided to say farewell to Farnborough and head north.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13I'm not sort of moving because I don't like the area,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16but it's getting more and more built up.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I mean, I was born in Farnborough and I've lived here for 40 years,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21so I've seen it change quite a lot,
0:04:21 > 0:04:26and there's just no real outdoor space that can be yours
0:04:26 > 0:04:30if you want your own outdoor space more than a small garden.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33And they have found just the spot to live the good life.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36We're looking to move close to Oswestry up in Shropshire,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38just outside of the Shropshire Hills,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40very close to the Welsh border.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43We've gone up a couple of times, had a look around and it's really
0:04:43 > 0:04:46cemented in our minds that that's the area we want to go and live in.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Once we started looking and realised how beautiful it is up there,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52it really did make our minds up that's where we want to go.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56Carl has three grown-up children who won't be making the move,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59but he and Nikki are not planning on living alone.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02I spent a lot of my earlier years living in country,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04so I'm very horsey.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I want to get a horse again, so I'll be out riding.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09We've got a few chickens now, so we want to get a few more,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and Carl wants to get some pigs,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14so the outdoor space is really important.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- Yeah, five acres...- Options. - ..is kind of a minimum.- Yeah.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23To complete their country dream, they're also excited about having
0:05:23 > 0:05:25a kitchen garden just a few steps away,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29so keen cook Carl can make the most of freshly grown produce.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I have an allotment,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34but it's inconvenient sometimes to have to drive there and it's not the
0:05:34 > 0:05:39same as sort of wandering out and thinking, "Oh, what should we have for dinner?" And picking something.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42That's why I'm... We're looking forward to.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45To have it outside the door, you can literally, on that day,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47go outside and say, "We'll have this."
0:05:47 > 0:05:51With their house sold and a firm plan about what happens next,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55the race is on to find them their first home as future husband and wife.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57As I said, I've lived in Farnborough all my life.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59My children are here, so it's going to be a big change
0:05:59 > 0:06:03that I'm not going to be living somewhere where I can see them quite readily.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06I think that side of it has always kept us here as well,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09wanting to be close to them, but I feel like it's the right time.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13They've grown up now, so they've got the ability to come and visit.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15You know, I grew up in the countryside,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18so I just want to find that experience again.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Nikki and Carl are keen on rural areas around the town
0:06:24 > 0:06:26of Oswestry, close to the Welsh border,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30but are open to viewing properties elsewhere in Shropshire,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32so the county's our oyster.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Before we begin hunting for their country home,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38I'm meeting them to discuss exactly what it is they're looking for.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Welcome to Shropshire, you two. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43You're living in lovely Hampshire. Why the move to Shropshire?
0:06:43 > 0:06:46The lovely countryside, it's so peaceful up here.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- We want some land, so... - I know you do, five acres.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- Five acres. - Well, yes, that would be ideal.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53What are you going to use that for?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Yeah, we'd like to be a little bit more sustainable.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58So what are you looking for in the house?
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I'm looking for quite a large kitchen area,
0:07:01 > 0:07:03so I could do some entertaining in there.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06If you are cooking, people could be in there with you.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- What about the bedrooms? - Ideally, three.- Three.- Yeah.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11But, I'm going to be working home,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14so I need...either a home office or a fourth bedroom.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17And what about the location? Are you fussed about where you live?
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Um, we're not too fussed, really.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21There's some really lovely locations in Shropshire.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23So you want to be kind of remote on your own,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25not in the village or...?
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- No, we...- No. - We don't need to be near people.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30It will be nice to know that there's people out there,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32but, you know, we don't want to be able to reach out
0:07:32 > 0:07:34and touch them like we do at the moment.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Remind us, how much money have you got to play with?
0:07:36 > 0:07:41We've got a budget of £475,000, roughly, less the wedding.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Oh, you're going to take the wedding out of that?
0:07:44 > 0:07:45- Well...- Maybe.- Could be.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Well, depends what the house you show us is like.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- And then you get married in a sort of service station?- Yeah! Could be.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Could be.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56So you want five acres, which is a big plot of land,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58which tends to bring a big house with it,
0:07:58 > 0:08:00so...that kind of pushes the price up.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Would there be a compromise there?
0:08:02 > 0:08:05We understand that maybe, to get what we want, we'll have the
0:08:05 > 0:08:08big work or something, which we're willing to do.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- So it's land first, house second?- We say that.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- Yeah, we say that now, but... - We say that now.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Until we show you a lovely house?
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Until you show us a lovely house that needs no work.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Well, of course, being our show, we do have lovely houses lined up,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- so let's go and look at them. - All right, thank you.- Thank you.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31Our buyers' budget of £475,000 is a substantial one for this area,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33but the less the house costs,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35the more cash they'll have for the wedding.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40They want a large kitchen-diner and three bedrooms, plus a study.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43And outside they're looking for five acres of land,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46so they can be self-sufficient in a location that's rural
0:08:46 > 0:08:48with no near neighbours.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52We've picked out a wonderful variety of properties for them to visit,
0:08:52 > 0:08:57but they'll only find out the price of each one after the tour.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Our final visit will be to the mystery house,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01which throws a couple of surprises into the mix,
0:09:01 > 0:09:05but gives them the chance to live the country life in style.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11For our first property, we're off to the village of
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Ellerdine Heath in the northeast of Shropshire.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17It's a couple of miles away from the village of Waters Upton.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Here, all the essentials are to be found, including a post office
0:09:20 > 0:09:25and store, a dining pub, and a handsome red sandstone church,
0:09:25 > 0:09:30all serving residents both near and a little further afield.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32A five-minute drive takes us to rural Ellerdine Heath
0:09:32 > 0:09:37and our first property, which majors on rural seclusion and land.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- What do you think?- It's a bungalow.- It is a bungalow.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Yes, it's a... Yes, built in the 1980s, or in 1980 in fact,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48and then the present owner's been here 17 years.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52They've completely remodelled and they added this huge outbuilding.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54There's also a lot of land.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58So, you know, you did say you wanted land, not necessarily the house.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Yes, well, I don't mind a bungalow.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03It just looks a bit small from the front.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Have you got the extra buildings there because it's small inside?
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Let's have a look and see if we can win you over.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12This property may only be on one level,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15but there's certainly plenty of space here.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17The front door leads to a long hallway that divides
0:10:17 > 0:10:19the property in half.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21We're heading straight for the lounge-diner,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25which runs from the front to the back of the property.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29You pop your self here, then you can see both sides.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31You've got this big sitting room here, with a log burner,
0:10:31 > 0:10:35and then a big dining room with the double doors out into the gardens.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37It's nice and very much our style.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- That's good because you were kind of wrinkling your nose outside.- I know.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Bungalow.- Bungalow! Pleasantly surprised, yes.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- I'm excited to see more. - Come through and look here.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51OK, Carl, this is your domain. What do you think of the kitchen?
0:10:51 > 0:10:52It's very nice.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55A little bit smaller than we were looking for,
0:10:55 > 0:10:56but it's a very nice layout.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It's got everything you need. There's plenty of space to work in.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02And it does go through here. You've got a utility room through here.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06And also, behind us, there is a double garage,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08so you could eventually knock through that
0:11:08 > 0:11:13and make this one huge kind of kitchen, dining, breakfast room.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14Yeah, it's definitely an idea.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17It'd be a really good solution to getting that large
0:11:17 > 0:11:19space for entertaining.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21This is definitely a house where it benefits from, like, exploring
0:11:21 > 0:11:23and looking around at all the possibilities,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26but I want to take you through to the sleeping quarters.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31Across the hall are four bedrooms, all off another long hallway.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33There are two that could be used as doubles,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35one at the back and one at the front,
0:11:35 > 0:11:38along with a larger one, currently used as a study,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40with doors to the garden.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43These are served by a smart family bathroom,
0:11:43 > 0:11:47but we're heading to the master bedroom, which overlooks the front.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49It's interesting because the house is much bigger
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- inside than you think.- Yes.
0:11:51 > 0:11:52- It's a good size.- Yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- Quite easily fit our bed. - Yeah, and lots of cupboards.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- Lots of cupboards and a little en suite shower here.- Oh, fantastic!
0:11:59 > 0:12:00Sweet.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- I'm really surprised, actually, yeah.- It's very nice.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04- Very, really good size as well. - Yeah.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Is it growing on you, this house? - It is, very much, yes.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09So, don't take the quiet as not liking it,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12it's surprise, I think, more than anything.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13It is surprised, yes.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16So the monolayered dwelling doesn't bother you?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19No! I'm...warming to it.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Most of the bungalows we've seen in the past are in towns
0:12:22 > 0:12:24and so on, so this is...
0:12:24 > 0:12:25And small.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27There's nothing small here,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30and especially not outside, where the land's the star.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34There's a huge front lawn with mature borders and trees.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Round at the back, there is also a great garden with numerous
0:12:37 > 0:12:40outbuildings and fields beyond.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42So, a big plot of land. You've got five acres in total,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44probably a bit more including the house,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46and this whole field here is yours.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48And then you also have this paddock
0:12:48 > 0:12:50and all of these agricultural buildings,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53so the Dutch barn, this workshop,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- and then that's the new bit here. - OK.- Wow.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Yeah, it's a lot. It's good though. It's...- Enough?- Yeah! Good land.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- Yes, definitely good land.- Yeah.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Yes, I'm liking it a lot. - I'm liking it.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07The only missing part of the puzzle is of course the price.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09So what do you think this is on the market for?
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Oh, over budget, definitely over budget because of the outbuildings.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16I'm going to say it's on at £485,000.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20I'm going to go a little bit lower than that,
0:13:20 > 0:13:24but say right at the top of our budget, £475,000, hopefully.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Well, in this instance, Nikki is uncannily correct.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- It's actually on the market for £485,000.- Oh!
0:13:34 > 0:13:36But it has been on the market for a while
0:13:36 > 0:13:38and they did reduce it to that price,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41so, you know, there could be leeway to get it down to your budget.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Go and explore the outbuildings, since they're a real special part of this property.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- And then, when you're done, take your time and I'll see you at the front.- OK, thank you.- Thank you.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55This expansive farm property may be £10,000 over budget,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58but it would be worth seeing where a sensible offer would get them
0:13:58 > 0:14:01as it gives them just about everything they've asked for.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03There are options to turn the kitchen into a great
0:14:03 > 0:14:08entertaining space and they get their three bedrooms, plus a study.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10The land on offer, with the outbuildings, gives them
0:14:10 > 0:14:14the opportunity to have plenty of animals, including horses, so
0:14:14 > 0:14:18there's real scope for them to lead the good life they're dreaming of.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- This is really good size, isn't it?- I like this.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22It's good hay storage for you.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- Duck house.- Oh, yeah.- Oh, chicken house!
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Chicken house. Yeah, it's good.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- Yeah, you could have the pigs in here.- Yeah, definitely.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Wasn't what I was expecting.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34I saw the outbuildings as we walked in and thought they're great,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37but the property, a bit worried because it was a bungalow.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41But once we walked inside and I could see the layout of the place,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45really good space, really nice, light, airy, lots of windows.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49Yeah, it really kind of alleviated any fears I might have had.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52The land is perfect, really. It's a good-sized plot.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55And the garden, well, it's just a blank canvas, really.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58We could do so much here - put in a veggie plot.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03Yeah, it's exciting. It's making me...yes.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- Hello.- Hello.- Hello.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Good, OK. Well, that his house number one,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11so don't be too excited/disheartened because of the price...
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- because I've got another one to show you.- OK, thank you.- Excellent.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24A prominent landmark in the East Shropshire landscape, which
0:15:24 > 0:15:28has also garnered World Heritage status, is the Ironbridge Gorge,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31birthplace of Britain's industrial heritage,
0:15:31 > 0:15:32which was kick-started
0:15:32 > 0:15:35by iron factory owner Abraham Darby in the 1700s.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Darby's factory, called the Coalbrookdale Foundry,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42is still in use today.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46It started life producing pots and pans for sale to locals.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Nikki and Carl have come to meet foundry manager Eddie Lindsay,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52who's been with the company for almost 40 years,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55to find out more about the foundry's history.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Why is this place so important?
0:15:58 > 0:16:01The bridge that we see there was the first major structure
0:16:01 > 0:16:03that was produced in cast iron
0:16:03 > 0:16:06and the discovery of cast iron was really the spark that ignited
0:16:06 > 0:16:08the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10And what is the connection to the area?
0:16:10 > 0:16:13The Coalbrookdale Foundry was where Abraham Darby discovered
0:16:13 > 0:16:18the process of smelting iron - cast iron - using coke
0:16:18 > 0:16:21and producing castings that were able to be mass-produced,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25and that was where we took the leap into the Industrial Revolution.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28And how were the materials sourced?
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Darby was very lucky that he was sitting on top of the Shropshire coalfield
0:16:31 > 0:16:34and in those days, where there was coal,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36there was also iron stone, or iron ore,
0:16:36 > 0:16:40and the limestone was actually quarried just across the river.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43So all the basic materials were very close.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Did Darby's creation lead to the construction
0:16:46 > 0:16:48of the bridge we see here today?
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Darby himself wasn't responsible for the building of the bridge,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55but his grandson was running the foundry,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58so Coalbrookdale Foundry made all the cast components that were
0:16:58 > 0:17:03ferried down on horse and cart and then constructed over the river.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07The last Darby in charge of the company died in 1920.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Now, it's owned by Aga.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Today, the Coalbrookdale Foundry has expanded
0:17:12 > 0:17:15on Abraham Darby's first ventures and makes parts for range cookers
0:17:15 > 0:17:19and stoves, a central feature in many a country kitchen.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Although the process is largely mechanised,
0:17:21 > 0:17:26much of the work is done by skilled workers, using the manual techniques
0:17:26 > 0:17:30employed in the 1700s and handed down over the course of generations.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35The huge melting furnace is where the molten iron is created.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39A mixture of scrap iron, limestone, and coke,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41a product derived from coal,
0:17:41 > 0:17:46is heated to over 1,500 degrees centigrade before being poured
0:17:46 > 0:17:50into a transfer ladle, which holds up to 800 kilos of the molten iron.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54This liquid metal is then taken to the casting factory
0:17:54 > 0:17:59next door, where the range cooker parts are cast from moulds.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01These parts then travel to the enamel shop six miles away,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04where production manager Dave Thorpe is going to show
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Nikki and Carl the next step in a range cooker's creation.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11This is the colour part of the process,
0:18:11 > 0:18:16where the cast iron is having the coloured enamel added to it.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Why is it that you enamel the product?
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Enamel is basically like, for aesthetic reasons,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24obviously giving the cooker its colour,
0:18:24 > 0:18:29and also giving it a very hard gloss surface...which is very durable.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31And how does the enamel actually work?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34We actually take the mixture of clay,
0:18:34 > 0:18:38a pigment to give its colour and glass to give it its durability -
0:18:38 > 0:18:40we mix that together.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43It's then sprayed onto the surface of the cast iron.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45It is melted onto the surface at a high temperature,
0:18:45 > 0:18:50cooled down, and that gives you the actual finish of the enamel process.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53Now there's an opportunity to get up close to the process.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Carl's going to try his hand at enamelling a door himself.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01He's using a hand-held spray gun to evenly distribute the enamel
0:19:01 > 0:19:04onto the door to give it a cream finish.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Each part is given three coats, so it can take several days to
0:19:08 > 0:19:11finish before it's ready for assembly.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Having got up close to Shropshire's industrial past,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15it's time to put our best foot forward
0:19:15 > 0:19:19and return to our house hunt in the beautiful countryside.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24For our second stop, we're travelling around 40 miles west
0:19:24 > 0:19:27and hopping just across the border into Wales,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30to the village of Meifod in the County of Powys.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33It's five miles from the market town of Welshpool.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Meifod is a pretty village, where charming stone
0:19:36 > 0:19:39cottages are surrounded by tree-topped hills.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Conveniently, there is a store, a pub and a church in its centre,
0:19:43 > 0:19:47and the scenic River Vyrnwy flows through it.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Just on the outskirts of the village, we find our second house.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51Now we may have crossed borders,
0:19:51 > 0:19:56but it means we can balance that equation of spacious house and land.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Take a look at that killer view. - That is a lovely view.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- Yes, it certainly is. - And all of this is yours.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Those fields there, with the horses, that's yours.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07There's two more fields that go down, all the way down to the road.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10This beautiful garden. The vegetable garden.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13You've got a massive barn here, and a lovely stable block,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15and the chicken house.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Right behind the property is Forestry Commission woodland and, you see,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21you can get on your horse and you can ride straight off into the woods.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- Oh, fantastic.- It's got it all going on outside.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- It has.- It certainly has, yes.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30It's nice, it's broken up as well. It's...kind of works that way.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34At the top of the garden is the house itself.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Feast your eyes on this!
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- A very different offering. - It's very different.- It...yes!
0:20:39 > 0:20:42The thing about this property is the house,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- I think, will need a bit of work. - OK.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Originally you've got to imagine a two up, two down
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- late Georgian cottage.- OK.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52And everything else that you see, kind of,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54spreading that way out are extensions.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Right.- OK.- OK.- What are your first thoughts from the outside?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I think, coming up the drive, you see the side of the house.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01I was thinking, "Oh, God. It's going to be a small cottage."
0:21:01 > 0:21:04But, actually, you can see that it's extended out.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Once you get round this side, you see the full scope of it.
0:21:07 > 0:21:08Quite surprised once we get round here.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- We are, of course, over into Wales. - Yes.- How do you feel about that?
0:21:12 > 0:21:15That's fine. We've been over this way a little bit before.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I have a little bit of Welsh heritage as well - my granddad's Welsh.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19Was Welsh.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Coming home.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22Yes, yes! Just about.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27There's little sign of the humble abode this property began life as.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29It's thought to have been extended twice,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32once in the 1950s and later in the '80s.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35We're heading straight to the kitchen and breakfast room.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Right...
0:21:37 > 0:21:41OK, so this is the oldest part of the house, where you're standing.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Behind you there, Carl, is the original full extent of the cottage,
0:21:45 > 0:21:46so this would have been the back wall.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47Down there, where we came in,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50that would have been the staircases - that's now a boot room.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53And then, on the other side, there's a big walk-in larder.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55So you can see it's a bit sort of higgledy piggledy in here.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- It needs a bit of love.- Yeah.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Yes, but it's still a good size.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01The rooms aren't too small.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Sometimes you get, with the older buildings, and the rooms
0:22:04 > 0:22:06sometimes feel a bit claustrophobic,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08but you don't get that in here, which is good.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11I think there's definitely potential. Definitely.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Well, I'll let you see the rest of the house
0:22:13 > 0:22:15- because there's a lot of space elsewhere.- OK.- OK.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Moving from the oldest part of the house towards the extensions,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21which have more than doubled the footprint of the property,
0:22:21 > 0:22:26there's a square hallway leading to a large dual aspect sitting room.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30It's a change of pace when you come into this part of the house.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35Yeah, you can see that it's not the same building, if that makes sense.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- Yeah, it's nice.- It's a good-sized room though.- Yeah.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38It's really bright.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41It's difficult coming from the bungalow
0:22:41 > 0:22:44because it was so nicely done, and this is a little bit dated.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45But in some ways that's nice
0:22:45 > 0:22:47because you'll be able to put your own stamp on it...
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- Yeah.- ..if it's in the budget.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- Yes, obviously...- You worried me now that you've said that. - I don't want to jump the gun.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Come through the back here and then you can get an idea of the rest of the layout.
0:22:57 > 0:22:58I just want to stop here
0:22:58 > 0:23:00because this will give us a bit of bearings.
0:23:00 > 0:23:06There's this fantastically light and bright room here. Huge volume.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- My initial thought was, "That will make a lovely kitchen."- Yes.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- It's big. - There's an island in the middle.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Oh, yeah. I like your thinking there. Yes.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18And then you've got this massive sort of hallway with a huge landing.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- Wow.- Yeah! Wow, indeed.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Shall we just have a peek upstairs and see the one of the bedrooms?
0:23:23 > 0:23:25On the first floor, there are three bedrooms,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28all back in the original part of the house.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32There are two bright doubles, both serviced by a neat family bathroom,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34and then the largest of the bedrooms is the master,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37which overlooks the front of the house.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40It's got nice views out over the valley...
0:23:40 > 0:23:43and it does have a little shower room en suite.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- OK.- OK. It's a good space, again.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- Good size, yeah.- Again, definitely...
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- Needs updating a little bit. - Yeah, definitely potential.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54The reason we brought you here is not because of the house, although the house has amazing potential.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55- Yeah.- It was because of the land.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58The property may need a little TLC and creative thinking,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00but the land and outbuildings here
0:24:00 > 0:24:03couldn't be more suited to what they've asked for.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05The house is a bit of more of a conundrum.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06- Yeah.- I take that on board.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09- Yes, but... - Potential, lots of potential.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- Yeah, potential and that view is... - That keyword again.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13- That view is winning.- Yeah. - It really is.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17OK, now... What do you think this property,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20with the view and the land, is worth?
0:24:20 > 0:24:25- Oh, you can go first this time. - Oh...it's a difficult one, this.
0:24:25 > 0:24:31I'm going to go four... 400...and...
0:24:31 > 0:24:3240 thousand.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36I think it would be 400 and...
0:24:36 > 0:24:3720. 430,000.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Well, in this instance, you're both pretty close.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43But if you split the difference, you'd be spot on.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47- It's on at £435,000.- Oh! Hey, that's a good price.- It is a good price.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Well, I want to urge you to go and explore
0:24:49 > 0:24:50because there's lots to see.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Go have a look in that barn, it's incredible.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55It might take some time, but that's fine. It's a lovely day.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- I'll be sitting, waiting for you. In you go.- Thank you.- OK, thank you.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01This is a real head scratcher, isn't it?
0:25:01 > 0:25:04I can see that this one really does come up trumps on the land,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07but it's a bit more problematic with the house,
0:25:07 > 0:25:09but they do have more money to spend,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12so I wouldn't like to make that decision.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17This smallholding has come in a generous £40,000
0:25:17 > 0:25:20below Nikki and Carl's budget, leaving them plenty of spare
0:25:20 > 0:25:24change to bring it up to date if they choose it as their new home.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28There's already a dining kitchen and the potential for an even
0:25:28 > 0:25:32bigger space, with a little thought and reorganisation.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35There are the three bedrooms they want and, outside,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39the six acres of land and outbuildings are just the job
0:25:39 > 0:25:41to give Nikki and Carl that idyllic country life.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- Big enough for you?- Yeah. Oh, yeah.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49It's huge. Buy a little tractor, ride-on mower,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53we could all live in here. That'd be great.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54This is a really...
0:25:54 > 0:25:57unusual house. It's a fantastic house,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59but it's going to take some work, I think,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01to get it to what we would want it to be,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04but it's definitely got the potential there.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07This house has sort of thrown me a little bit because it's
0:26:07 > 0:26:09so much different to the bungalow.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11You know, it needs a bit of TLC,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13some modernising.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16As an overall package though, with the view, the land,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19the outbuildings, I'm certainly struggling not to just keep
0:26:19 > 0:26:23looking out the windows because of the views and everything.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Oh, the outbuildings are amazing.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Everything's set up for having a horse already,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29so you could literally just bring two horses in
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and ride off into the woods. That's amazing.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35It's really quite exciting.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37I want to buy it.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40And we can afford it, it's in budget! Even better!
0:26:41 > 0:26:45- I think I may have found you all a G&T spot.- This is lovely.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47HE LAUGHS
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- The only thing is - you have to buy this house.- Hmm.- Yes.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- That may be an option.- May be an option?- May be an option.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57I know it's difficult, but don't worry because we've got the mystery house tomorrow,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- just to confuse you even more. - Just what I need(!)- Come with me.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11It's the second day of our Shropshire search for a remote
0:27:11 > 0:27:14retreat for Nikki and Carl from Farnborough in Hampshire.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17They're armed with a healthy budget of £475,000
0:27:17 > 0:27:21to spend on a house where they can begin married life
0:27:21 > 0:27:22and live off the land.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25We've still got a splendid mystery house to unveil.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27We weren't expecting that!
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I think we're a little bit speechless, actually, yeah!
0:27:29 > 0:27:33And I'll be finding out how a grain from a faraway continent has
0:27:33 > 0:27:36made its home over here. I like the fact it grows in Shropshire.
0:27:36 > 0:27:37It's a bit unusual, I suppose,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41but under our climate in the UK it's absolutely perfect.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45I think we may have jammed Nikki and Carl's property brains yesterday with those two houses
0:27:45 > 0:27:49because they like them so much for different reasons, and I was particularly happy that
0:27:49 > 0:27:53they were willing to rise to the challenge of doing up the house, yesterday afternoon,
0:27:53 > 0:27:55in order to get those lovely Welsh views.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58But the mystery house is a different challenge because here
0:27:58 > 0:28:01we're testing whether they would give up their dream of land
0:28:01 > 0:28:03for a really beautiful property.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09So what are you thoughts about the mystery house?
0:28:09 > 0:28:12- What you think we might serve to you next?- I think this might be...
0:28:15 > 0:28:18- ..a really nice house, but maybe not so much land.- Oh.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21We're sat here and we can't work out, between us,
0:28:21 > 0:28:22what it's going to be.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- Right. Well, good jobs it's a mystery then.- Oh.- Mmm.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30For our last stop, the mystery house takes us
0:28:30 > 0:28:33nearly 40 miles northeast and back over into Shropshire
0:28:33 > 0:28:37to the hamlet of Ash, just outside the town of Whitchurch.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41Historic Whitchurch is the county's most northerly market town.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44It's vibrant with an eclectic mix of architecture,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47from grand redbrick townhouses to whitewashed,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49beamed and decorative facades.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54It houses a good selection of independent shops and eateries,
0:28:54 > 0:28:58and the Grade 1 listed neo-classical St Alkmund's Church
0:28:58 > 0:29:00overlooks the town.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03A couple of miles away in Ash is our mystery property,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05standing resplendent in the sun.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07- Ooh!- Ah-ha!
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- This is a good mystery house.- Wow.
0:29:10 > 0:29:11We weren't expecting that!
0:29:11 > 0:29:14I think we're a little bit speechless, actually, yeah!
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- It's not the whole house.- Oh.- Aww.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22But it is this whole front portion and all of this is yours.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26So the mystery about it is - one, that it's attached.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29It's a big, old 1850s house and now it's split into three,
0:29:29 > 0:29:34so there's two houses at the back, but it's completely private.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36The other part of the mystery is -
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- you were right, you don't get as much land.- Right. OK.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40So it's all about the house here.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43You do have land, there's an acre's garden,
0:29:43 > 0:29:44which is including that woodland,
0:29:44 > 0:29:46and then you've got an acre's paddock
0:29:46 > 0:29:49and an orchard down right back to the drive that we drove up.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52What you think of the house though?
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- Wow.- Yes, it's stunning. - Yeah. Looks amazing.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58- It's a special house. - It is.- It is, yes.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01Yeah, I can't wait to see inside, actually.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Well, it's all about the house, so let's get inside.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08This gorgeous mid-19th-century house has been refurbished by the
0:30:08 > 0:30:12current owners with many features in keeping with the era it was built.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15In the past, it's been a hotel, a children's home
0:30:15 > 0:30:17and the summer residence of a Lord.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22- Carl, this might be your...- Ooh!
0:30:22 > 0:30:24- Big kitchen, diner.- Wow.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- OK, sold. - LAUGHTER
0:30:28 > 0:30:29This is fantastic.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Yes, this is exactly what I had in mind.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33There's amazing views.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35More of the sort of mid-Shropshire...
0:30:35 > 0:30:37- I'm a little choked up, actually. - Are you?- Yeah!- Oh!
0:30:37 > 0:30:42I just... Yeah, not going to be able to afford it.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44We've only seen one room? We can maybe compromise on the land.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47We've only seen the hallway and the kitchen,
0:30:47 > 0:30:48- and already blown away.- Yeah.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51And what's lovely is they've re-established...
0:30:51 > 0:30:52The conservatory was knocked down,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55but the owners re-established it according to the plans,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58the original plans, so it's an exact replica of what was there.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00- It's quite overwhelming, actually. - It is.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04But then the more grand part of the house is this way.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10The rest of the grand floor leads off a very impressive hallway.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12- Oh!- Oh, wow!
0:31:15 > 0:31:22- This is the living room. - Wow!- Yes, wow.- Too small(!)- Wow.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- That view is amazing.- It's all about the views with this house.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- Oh, we've moved in.- Ah.- Don't really know what to say.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- That's the third house you've moved into.- I know.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34You've done a bit too well.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36What's lovely about it is all these original features,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40you've got the deep windows. All the walls are about 18 inches thick.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42And through there you can see the archway, it takes
0:31:42 > 0:31:46you into a similarly sized dining room with similarly fantastic views.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48We could get married here.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51Yes, yes, cancel, cancel the venue and just do it here.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53LAUGHTER
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Also on this floor of our magnificent mystery house is
0:31:56 > 0:32:00a utility room, a cloakroom and a study.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03And because of the thick walls, there's no hint of the neighbours.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07The winding staircase takes us up to the sleeping quarters.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09Wow!
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Servicing the bedrooms, there's a rather grand bathroom
0:32:12 > 0:32:16and an additional shower room, both at the rear of the house.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Then there are four bedrooms, all at the front.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23There's a decent-sized double, another in use as a twin,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26and another large double with a sloping ceiling,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28but we're heading to the smartest of the four.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Well, here we are in the master bedroom.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- Wow!- Wow!
0:32:36 > 0:32:39It really is a master bedroom, isn't it? It's huge!
0:32:40 > 0:32:42- And the great view.- Yes.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44So the house is top marks?
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- Yes.- Oh, yes, top marks.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49So let's see what we can do with a comprise about the land.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Now, the grounds here may not extend to five acres,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55but they are pretty breathtaking.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59There's a perfectly manicured lawn with established flowerbeds,
0:32:59 > 0:33:00a raised patio,
0:33:00 > 0:33:04plus a paddock behind with views across fields.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06There's also a vegetable garden
0:33:06 > 0:33:08and a double garage.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Oh, that is such a great view!
0:33:11 > 0:33:14- And there really is all that... - So is that one!- Yeah, it's true.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16That's pretty good as well, isn't it?
0:33:16 > 0:33:18You've got very lovely features,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21a beautiful kind of old Victorian greenhouse,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24a stable block right at the end here, and a cellar.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26You've got a wine cellar.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27What do you think of the outside?
0:33:27 > 0:33:29I mean, is it a deal-breaker?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32For me, it isn't. I love it.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34That was always going to be our point of compromise,
0:33:34 > 0:33:36wasn't it, land versus house?
0:33:36 > 0:33:39I'm really battling with this one.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Well, I guess we need to know how much it costs.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43What do you think this is on the market for?
0:33:43 > 0:33:45I think it's on budget.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47I think it's 475,000.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51I think it might be over budget.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53I think about 490.
0:33:53 > 0:33:54OK, brace yourself.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58The house has only been on the market for two or three weeks
0:33:58 > 0:34:01and it is marketed at
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- £500,000.- OK.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06But the vendor has said he will sell it to you
0:34:06 > 0:34:08for your top budget of £475,000.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10- HE LAUGHS - Oh!
0:34:10 > 0:34:12You've shown us three houses now.
0:34:12 > 0:34:13How do you choose?
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- Lots to think about.- Yeah.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Why don't you go and have an explore and chat?
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- OK.- OK.- Thank you.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25This mystery mansion may be on the market
0:34:25 > 0:34:27for £25,000 over their budget but,
0:34:27 > 0:34:29as there's room for negotiation,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31this house and all its splendour
0:34:31 > 0:34:32could be theirs.
0:34:33 > 0:34:34The cook's kitchen is
0:34:34 > 0:34:36perfect for chef, Carl,
0:34:36 > 0:34:37and there's plenty more
0:34:37 > 0:34:39space downstairs to entertain,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42including the superb conservatory.
0:34:42 > 0:34:43Here, they get four bedrooms
0:34:43 > 0:34:45for when Carl's children visit.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Outside, although there's less land
0:34:47 > 0:34:48than they had hoped for,
0:34:48 > 0:34:51there's around two beautiful acres,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53ample scope to be self-sufficient.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55When we walked around the corner and saw the house,
0:34:55 > 0:34:59I couldn't believe that this was the mystery house
0:34:59 > 0:35:01and just the whole grandeur of the place.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03I didn't think it'd be anywhere close to our budget.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Carl is so in love with this house.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09It's going to be a really difficult decision.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18I feel that you're going to be discussing this for quite some time.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- It's going to be an interesting car journey.- Yes, the journey home.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Some long discussions.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Well, before you go home, let's find a little place to get a cup of tea
0:35:25 > 0:35:27and talk about what you've seen.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Shropshire's rural landscape has a rich farming heritage
0:35:37 > 0:35:42and, today, around 85% of the county is used for agriculture,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45but a new kid on the block is quinoa, a protein rich grain
0:35:45 > 0:35:49traditionally grown in South America for thousands of years.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51It's gluten-free and has become increasingly
0:35:51 > 0:35:55popular in Britain as a rice or pasta substitute.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Steve Jones's family owns a 700-acre farm
0:35:59 > 0:36:03and produces around 700 tonnes of wheat a year.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05But ten years ago, he wanted to diversify
0:36:05 > 0:36:08and decided to try his hand at growing quinoa.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10- Steve, good morning. - Good morning, hello.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13- How are you?- I'm very well, thank you very much. - It's a proper grain mountain.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17Absolutely, it's a big pile of wheat, but what we're looking at today is our quinoa
0:36:17 > 0:36:18that we've been growing on the farm.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20I was just opening a bag up here,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22just to take a look at what we produced last year.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25I'm already a little confused because you are saying kwin-noah.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28Yes, I say kwin-noah. It's a throwback from when I first started producing the crop,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31when most people didn't know how to pronounce it properly.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34So I suppose that the proper pronunciation is the keen-wah
0:36:34 > 0:36:39but, for me, I stick with kwin-noah. It's the more Anglicised version.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Well, Steve says quinoa and I say quinoa,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44but however you say it, I'm very excited that
0:36:44 > 0:36:47one of my favourite grains has made it over to British soil,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50meaning zero air miles to get his great health
0:36:50 > 0:36:53food from the field onto my plate.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Steve produced 80 tonnes of quinoa last year
0:36:55 > 0:36:59and is expecting to grow around 200 tonnes this year.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03This nutritious grain is certainly making its name known here.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06I like the fact it grows in Shropshire, that's a very unlikely combination.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Absolutely. It's a bit unusual, I suppose, but...
0:37:08 > 0:37:10under our climate in the UK,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13it seems like the fact that we don't get too hot,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15we don't get too cold and it's got just to do with the right
0:37:15 > 0:37:19amount of rain for it, so it's absolutely perfect.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Steve's got 230 acres of quinoa growing on his farm,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26with most of it sold to food retailers who cook it and add it
0:37:26 > 0:37:28to their own salad ranges.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31We're visiting a 50-acre field that's got the crop growing
0:37:31 > 0:37:34as far as the eye can see.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37The quinoa fields of Shropshire, I'm quite excited.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Absolutely. This is one of our larger fields
0:37:40 > 0:37:42and this crop here is looking, at the moment, to be really healthy.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47I'm very pleased with this and you should be able to see that the crop is now starting to get a lot taller
0:37:47 > 0:37:51and, when it comes to harvest, it should be about bellybutton height.
0:37:51 > 0:37:52Hopefully, in about a month's time,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55we'll start to see the crop flowering, which is the period
0:37:55 > 0:37:59from after which we start to see the actual grains forming in the head.
0:37:59 > 0:38:00Once those grains are formed,
0:38:00 > 0:38:04the plants will start to mature and this is what we end up with.
0:38:04 > 0:38:05These are the heads of the plant,
0:38:05 > 0:38:07which has the seed already formed in.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09If you gently rub one of the flowers,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12- you'll find that the grains come out fairly easily.- Wonderful.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Um, let's skip ahead to the eating bits, to the bit where you've
0:38:15 > 0:38:18harvested...presumably you're interested in that part as well.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21We can go back and make a little quinoa grain salad...
0:38:21 > 0:38:23with grain that we grew last year,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26but first what we might do is take a few little leaves from the crop
0:38:26 > 0:38:29to put in the salad because the leaves are fantastic for eating as well.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31So if we pick a couple, we can throw those in
0:38:31 > 0:38:33and they taste absolutely fantastic.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36It should be, almost, a bit like pea shoots crossed with spinach.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Oh, yes, nice.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Nice nutty flavour to it.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43And back at the farmhouse, we're ready to get cooking.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Ah, from the fields to the kitchen.
0:38:45 > 0:38:46- Absolutely.- Nice.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49So what we have here is a small spread to help us
0:38:49 > 0:38:51create something with plenty of flavour in it.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54A cup of quinoa and a cup and a half of water go into the pan,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56which is then heated.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59After around ten minutes, the water has been absorbed.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01So it's still quite firm,
0:39:01 > 0:39:03so, if you want, pop that all into the bowl
0:39:03 > 0:39:05and we can mix it up with a few other ingredients.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07In go the quinoa leaves,
0:39:07 > 0:39:11some chopped cucumber, tomato, pepper and sweetcorn.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13A squeeze of lime and a quick stir,
0:39:13 > 0:39:15and all that's left is the salad dressing.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16So what have you been doing here?
0:39:16 > 0:39:18This is a bit of sauce I've made for the salad,
0:39:18 > 0:39:19a bit of creme friache in it,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22some smoked paprika and some chipotle paste.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24So I hope this should really have
0:39:24 > 0:39:26some pretty good, strong flavours in there.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27In it goes
0:39:27 > 0:39:30and we're ready to give Steve's Shropshire quinoa a taste test.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32So it should be a very nice, healthy salad and,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34with all different flavours we've got in there as well,
0:39:34 > 0:39:36it should have some really good taste.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39You're preaching to the converted because I love quinoa.
0:39:39 > 0:39:40You're a fan already, that's brilliant.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42People are certainly finding it's
0:39:42 > 0:39:45one of the ingredients they're really turning to instead of rice.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48- It's good because it's protein. - Absolutely, plenty of protein.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49This seems like a super successful idea
0:39:49 > 0:39:51that's kind of come to fruition in a very short time.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Hopefully, onwards into the future, we should carry on well
0:39:54 > 0:39:56and produce a whole load more quinoa for people.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58That is a good thing.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- Perfect.- Thank you very much, Steve. - You're very welcome.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- I'm going to have some more.- Dig in.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10I have to say, usually when everyone likes the houses, it's good news,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13but I spot a little bit of tension between Carl and Nikki
0:40:13 > 0:40:16because he loves the mystery house, she loves Wales.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18What's going to happen?
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- Nice spot you've found.- Yes. - Yes, lovely.- Very nice.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26OK. So usually, at this point, it's very obvious to me
0:40:26 > 0:40:28which house you're going to go for,
0:40:28 > 0:40:29but I'm sort of in the dark
0:40:29 > 0:40:32because you've kind of loved them all.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Yes, it's been a bit of a challenge for us.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Well, you've got a definite favourite, haven't you?
0:40:38 > 0:40:39I have now, after the mystery house.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41That's my favourite. It really is.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Am I smelling a little bit of kind of division here?
0:40:44 > 0:40:47I think there's going to be a really big, long argument coming up.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- Discussion. - Discussion! We'll have a discussion!
0:40:50 > 0:40:52OK, so, Nicky, tell me about the Welsh house.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Well, that's my favourite.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55I...that's got so much potential.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57The location was fantastic,
0:40:57 > 0:40:58the views were amazing,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01it's got the acreage we were looking for,
0:41:01 > 0:41:03it's got the outbuildings,
0:41:03 > 0:41:05and the garden was amazing.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07And, Carl, what about the mystery house?
0:41:07 > 0:41:10I still can't believe it's within our budget.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14It's just such a grand house and the space within the house is amazing.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16But, you know, I appreciate what Nikki wants as well,
0:41:16 > 0:41:18with the outside space,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21so, you know, it's making that work
0:41:21 > 0:41:24and finding how we can find the balance for both of us.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27For me, what was missing was the land for the horses.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Um, it's definitely a lot to think about.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31I think the properties warrant a second visit.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34So you look terribly troubled.
0:41:34 > 0:41:35I feel like we've...
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- It's good troubled.- Oh, good.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39You know, you've definitely opened our eyes to
0:41:39 > 0:41:43some other prospects that we maybe wouldn't have seen before.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47- Right. OK.- Yeah, I think the wedding might be off.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Oh, no! Don't say that! That's the last thing we want to happen.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Well, I hope you do go and you find a house in Shropshire,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54- preferably one of ours.- Yes.- Yes.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- Because we kind of came up trumps with all three, so...- You did.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- You certainly did. - You too did good a job.- Yeah.
0:42:00 > 0:42:01Thank you.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07It's pretty rare on our show
0:42:07 > 0:42:11that the buyers like all three properties in equal measure,
0:42:11 > 0:42:13and usually that would be a cause for rejoicing,
0:42:13 > 0:42:15but in this instance I'm a bit worried that it's
0:42:15 > 0:42:18set Carl and Nikki at loggerheads because they can't decide
0:42:18 > 0:42:20which property in Shropshire they want to move to.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24I mean, you can understand it's a very magnetically beautiful county,
0:42:24 > 0:42:26but I do hope it ends peacefully
0:42:26 > 0:42:30and I do hope that you join us again for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34Nikki and Carl revisited both
0:42:34 > 0:42:36our second property and the mystery house.
0:42:36 > 0:42:37And the good news is,
0:42:37 > 0:42:40they've had their offer accepted on the second house
0:42:40 > 0:42:43and are looking forward to their upcoming big day and moving into
0:42:43 > 0:42:46their new home as husband and wife.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51If you would like to escape to the country in Wales, England, Scotland or Northern Ireland
0:42:51 > 0:42:58and need our help, please apply online at BBC.co.uk/beonashow.