Devon

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0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today, I'm in a county whose landscape is so rich in history,

0:00:05 > 0:00:07it even has its own geological period named after it.

0:00:07 > 0:00:10So if you can guess the era, then you'll get the county.

0:00:10 > 0:00:14Give it some thought and I'll reveal all in just a few moments.

0:00:31 > 0:00:34'Coming up, finding a couple who have moved 15 times

0:00:34 > 0:00:37'a forever home could be a tough call.'

0:00:38 > 0:00:42It fits the brief, but something is missing

0:00:42 > 0:00:46and I can't explain to you what's missing in this house for me.

0:00:46 > 0:00:50'So, will one of our properties prove to be the missing link?'

0:00:50 > 0:00:52- The house you live in at the moment is how many bedrooms?- Two.

0:00:52 > 0:00:55Two bedrooms. So you're going to have to go and buy more beds.

0:00:55 > 0:00:57- SARAH CHUCKLES - That's a very good point.

0:00:59 > 0:01:00Today, I'm in Devon.

0:01:00 > 0:01:03And this colourful stretch of coastline

0:01:03 > 0:01:07is a mere slice in the timeline of its rich history.

0:01:07 > 0:01:12Parts of the county date back over 400 million years,

0:01:12 > 0:01:17lending its name to a geological era known as the Devonian period,

0:01:17 > 0:01:19when the county was actually under the sea.

0:01:19 > 0:01:24Today, obviously, the Devon landscape is very much above water,

0:01:24 > 0:01:28meaning we can fully appreciate the bedrock of this beautiful county.

0:01:29 > 0:01:32The county of Devon is located in the southwest of England

0:01:32 > 0:01:35and is bordered by Dorset and Somerset to the east

0:01:35 > 0:01:38and Cornwall to the west.

0:01:38 > 0:01:41The county is famous for its spectacular coastlines.

0:01:41 > 0:01:45And down on the southern shore, it's a travel through time,

0:01:45 > 0:01:49where the oldest cliffs feature red rock millions of years in the making.

0:01:49 > 0:01:51Whilst erosion has caused a dramatic

0:01:51 > 0:01:54and fascinating geological backdrop to the beaches.

0:01:57 > 0:02:00Inland is rich in architectural and agricultural history,

0:02:00 > 0:02:04with thatched stone cottages dating back to medieval times

0:02:04 > 0:02:06and villages such as Broadbury,

0:02:06 > 0:02:10located in the Blackdown Hills' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

0:02:12 > 0:02:15Back on the coast, the ancient fishing village of Beer,

0:02:15 > 0:02:18named after the old English word for woodland,

0:02:18 > 0:02:22rather than the drink, now offers quintessential British seaside,

0:02:22 > 0:02:26with deckchairs and beach huts looking out to the sea.

0:02:26 > 0:02:29But in 1778, it was the birthplace

0:02:29 > 0:02:33of the county's most notorious smuggler, Jack Rattenbury.

0:02:34 > 0:02:39The eclectic mix of architecture here includes 18th- and 19th-century

0:02:39 > 0:02:42flint cottages with original and period reconstruction features,

0:02:42 > 0:02:45from stone-tiled roofs to leadlight windows.

0:02:47 > 0:02:50So, with pastoral countryside, striking coast

0:02:50 > 0:02:53and picturesque historic villages,

0:02:53 > 0:02:56Devon really does deserve all the attention it receives

0:02:56 > 0:02:59from holidaymakers and escapees alike.

0:03:02 > 0:03:04So with all that on offer, it might not come as a surprise

0:03:04 > 0:03:08to learn that Devon is not the cheapest place to buy a house.

0:03:08 > 0:03:11The average price of a detached home in the county

0:03:11 > 0:03:14comes in at around £310,000.

0:03:14 > 0:03:16That's 10% above the national figure.

0:03:16 > 0:03:20Now, obviously, coastal locations like this and, in particular,

0:03:20 > 0:03:22sea views, do attract hefty premiums.

0:03:22 > 0:03:25So if you want your budget to stretch that much further,

0:03:25 > 0:03:29try looking inland, especially the towns of Honiton and Tiverton,

0:03:29 > 0:03:31as they also have rail links.

0:03:31 > 0:03:33So, what is it about this beautiful county

0:03:33 > 0:03:35that's attracting today's buyers?

0:03:35 > 0:03:37Let's meet them and find out.

0:03:37 > 0:03:41Sarah and her brewery consultant husband Ian met as students

0:03:41 > 0:03:43almost 40 years ago.

0:03:43 > 0:03:50We met in 1976 and started going out together in '77.

0:03:50 > 0:03:55We met the first week of university, in freshers' week

0:03:55 > 0:03:58and pretty much been together ever since.

0:03:58 > 0:04:02We'll have been married 34 years next month.

0:04:02 > 0:04:04They might not always see eye to eye,

0:04:04 > 0:04:07but they certainly have a strong relationship.

0:04:07 > 0:04:11We don't agree on very much, but we look after each other

0:04:11 > 0:04:15and support each other and we're a pretty good team.

0:04:15 > 0:04:19- We're quite different, so I think we balance each other out.- Yes.

0:04:19 > 0:04:22It's about understanding what each other want out of life.

0:04:22 > 0:04:26Sarah is very loving, thoughtful, very kind.

0:04:26 > 0:04:30Loves mothering me and our two daughters.

0:04:30 > 0:04:34Ian is much more adventurous than me.

0:04:34 > 0:04:37He likes excitement, challenges.

0:04:37 > 0:04:42Doesn't like being bored. More outgoing than I am.

0:04:42 > 0:04:46This loving pair have decided they want to move to pastures green,

0:04:46 > 0:04:48but upping sticks isn't new to them.

0:04:48 > 0:04:52We have moved a lot. This will be our 15th move.

0:04:52 > 0:04:55We've moved all over the country with Ian's work.

0:04:55 > 0:05:00We started off in Birmingham, we've lived in Cheshire, Cambridge,

0:05:00 > 0:05:03Nottingham, Bath twice.

0:05:03 > 0:05:08So we feel it's about time that we found somewhere

0:05:08 > 0:05:11that we'd probably quite like to stay.

0:05:11 > 0:05:15The last house that Ian and Sarah owned was in Wales.

0:05:15 > 0:05:18But when Ian secured a work contract in Sussex, they sold up

0:05:18 > 0:05:22and are currently renting a two-bedroom house on the outskirts of Brighton.

0:05:22 > 0:05:25Yet another urban location.

0:05:25 > 0:05:28Now that Ian's contract is coming to an end and their two daughters

0:05:28 > 0:05:31are grown up and living in the west of the country, they've decided

0:05:31 > 0:05:36it's time for one more move to the peaceful countryside of Devon.

0:05:36 > 0:05:38It's a county they know and love,

0:05:38 > 0:05:40so one where they'd like to set down roots.

0:05:40 > 0:05:42The countryside is lovely.

0:05:42 > 0:05:45I'm desperately keen to be close to the sea and be able to

0:05:45 > 0:05:48walk along the beach, whether it's raining or in the sunshine.

0:05:48 > 0:05:52Ian's hoping less time working will leave more time for him

0:05:52 > 0:05:55and Sarah to spend together enjoying their new home.

0:05:57 > 0:05:59We're doers. We've done houses up in the past.

0:05:59 > 0:06:01I'm not saying we want a huge project,

0:06:01 > 0:06:07but we have done houses up and we're quite practical people.

0:06:07 > 0:06:11I'd love to have some chickens and have our own eggs.

0:06:11 > 0:06:14- I like pigs, as well.- Oh, OK.

0:06:14 > 0:06:16My love is gardening.

0:06:16 > 0:06:18I like my sewing and my knitting.

0:06:18 > 0:06:22So with their Welsh house sold and cash in the bank,

0:06:22 > 0:06:23plus Ian's soon to complete his contract,

0:06:23 > 0:06:26they're ready to start their house-hunt

0:06:26 > 0:06:28and find what they hope to be their country home.

0:06:28 > 0:06:32I am excited. I want to be somewhere that I can stay

0:06:32 > 0:06:33and hopefully make friends

0:06:33 > 0:06:38- and keep these friends and, um...build on that, I feel.- Mm.

0:06:38 > 0:06:41We've had so many houses in the past,

0:06:41 > 0:06:45and generally, they've worked reasonably well.

0:06:45 > 0:06:48And I want this one to be spot-on.

0:06:48 > 0:06:51I would love for this to be the house that is our last move.

0:06:51 > 0:06:54The challenge of actually making a house into a home,

0:06:54 > 0:06:57um...I can't wait for that.

0:07:03 > 0:07:07Sarah and Ian would love to live within striking distance of the sea

0:07:07 > 0:07:09and have asked us to concentrate our search

0:07:09 > 0:07:14along Devon's southeast coast, not far from the border with Dorset.

0:07:14 > 0:07:18Before we begin the search for their 16th home, I'm meeting them

0:07:18 > 0:07:20in the county to find out the exact credentials

0:07:20 > 0:07:22that will help them make their final move.

0:07:24 > 0:07:26- So welcome to Devon, then. - Thank you very much.

0:07:26 > 0:07:28- Nice to be here?- Lovely.- Lovely.

0:07:28 > 0:07:30Now, you guys are in a funny position,

0:07:30 > 0:07:33because you're now a bit more footloose and fancy-free.

0:07:33 > 0:07:37- Grown-up children.- That's correct. - You can live anywhere.- Yep.

0:07:37 > 0:07:38Why the Southwest?

0:07:38 > 0:07:42I think we like the countryside, we like the views.

0:07:42 > 0:07:46It's just a more leisurely pace of life.

0:07:46 > 0:07:49But it must have been tricky making your minds up.

0:07:49 > 0:07:52- I mean, you've moved house how many times?- 15 times.

0:07:52 > 0:07:54You should have wheels on the bottom of your houses!

0:07:54 > 0:07:56We haven't unpacked all the boxes yet.

0:07:56 > 0:07:58You probably never got a chance!

0:07:58 > 0:08:01Has it been a difficult decision moving here?

0:08:02 > 0:08:06No. I think this is the area we like the most.

0:08:06 > 0:08:08Having lived in lots of places,

0:08:08 > 0:08:12you sort of start to get a feel of where your favourite places are.

0:08:12 > 0:08:15- Yeah, yeah. You've got more experience, haven't you?- Yeah.

0:08:15 > 0:08:17Well, let's talk about what you're after.

0:08:17 > 0:08:20First of all, the environment, the location.

0:08:20 > 0:08:23I've always wanted to live close to the coast.

0:08:23 > 0:08:25I mean, my ideal would be walk out

0:08:25 > 0:08:28of the bedroom French windows, straight on to the beach.

0:08:28 > 0:08:31Ideally, walking distance or a very short drive to a beach?

0:08:31 > 0:08:35- Maybe 5-10 miles. - 5-10 miles would be comfortable.

0:08:35 > 0:08:40And I think also, we're looking at maybe retiring a little bit,

0:08:40 > 0:08:41so we don't want to be too isolated

0:08:41 > 0:08:44because that will give us problems later on.

0:08:44 > 0:08:47What about the house itself? Let's talk about size first of all.

0:08:47 > 0:08:50Well, I keep saying two bedrooms. So it's a minimum of two bedrooms.

0:08:50 > 0:08:52I think we should have at least three.

0:08:52 > 0:08:54We're not going to have an argument, but...

0:08:54 > 0:08:57- JONNIE LAUGHS - Two to three bedrooms.

0:08:57 > 0:09:01- Or four at the most.- And I have to have two toilets.- OK. What else?

0:09:01 > 0:09:05- A lovely, big, open kitchen. - Do you like cooking?- Ian cooks.

0:09:05 > 0:09:07- I love cooking. - You do?- He does the cooking.

0:09:07 > 0:09:09What about outside space?

0:09:09 > 0:09:15- Don't really want to be overlooked, so fairly decent-sized garden.- OK.

0:09:15 > 0:09:19- What about style of house? - I don't think it matters.

0:09:19 > 0:09:21I like character.

0:09:21 > 0:09:23This is going to be fun, these next couple of days,

0:09:23 > 0:09:25because you've got slightly differing opinions.

0:09:25 > 0:09:27- We don't agree on anything. - Well, good.

0:09:27 > 0:09:30But having bought 15 homes in the past,

0:09:30 > 0:09:33you must come to a resolution fairly easily.

0:09:33 > 0:09:35Well, that's partly because we alternate.

0:09:35 > 0:09:37We have one I like, then one Sarah likes.

0:09:37 > 0:09:40- So, whose turn is it to choose this time?- Sarah's.- It's mine.

0:09:40 > 0:09:43Right, OK. But you want the bigger house. Oh!

0:09:43 > 0:09:46Right, let's talk about budget.

0:09:46 > 0:09:50Maximum, really, should be £500,000.

0:09:50 > 0:09:54- OK.- However, I like bargains.

0:09:54 > 0:09:56Well, all right. How soon can you move?

0:09:56 > 0:09:58- Tomorrow.- Yeah.- Really?- Yep.

0:09:58 > 0:10:02- We're in rented accommodation, we're cash buyers.- Ideal. OK.

0:10:02 > 0:10:05- Let's get going, then. This way.- Thank you.

0:10:05 > 0:10:08Sarah and Ian have a budget of £500,000.

0:10:08 > 0:10:10And for that, they would like a character property

0:10:10 > 0:10:14with a large open-plan kitchen providing a social hub in the home.

0:10:14 > 0:10:17Sarah wants the house to have at least two toilets.

0:10:17 > 0:10:22There should be between two and four bedrooms, a good-sized garden

0:10:22 > 0:10:26and they want privacy without being too isolated.

0:10:26 > 0:10:28They'd also love to be close to the coast.

0:10:30 > 0:10:33We've chosen a fantastic selection of properties for our buyers to view,

0:10:33 > 0:10:37but the all-important price tag will only be revealed

0:10:37 > 0:10:40after they've completed a tour of each one.

0:10:40 > 0:10:43And the final visit will be to the Mystery House,

0:10:43 > 0:10:45which may be going out on a limb,

0:10:45 > 0:10:47but if our house-hunters are prepared to do the same,

0:10:47 > 0:10:51their search for house number 16 could be over.

0:10:57 > 0:10:59We're kicking off our tour of southeast Devon in the village

0:10:59 > 0:11:02of Uplyme, close to the border with Dorset

0:11:02 > 0:11:06and just under two miles from Dorset's historic seaside town of Lyme Regis.

0:11:06 > 0:11:10Here, the pretty resort sits at the foot of a hill,

0:11:10 > 0:11:12surrounded by majestic cliffs

0:11:12 > 0:11:15looking down on Lyme Bay and the English Channel.

0:11:15 > 0:11:18There are steep, winding streets to explore

0:11:18 > 0:11:21and plenty of ways to make the most of the water.

0:11:21 > 0:11:23A five-minute drive takes us back into Devon

0:11:23 > 0:11:26and the village of Uplyme, where there's a shop,

0:11:26 > 0:11:30a village hall and a pub, all local to our first property,

0:11:30 > 0:11:34a detached mid-19th-century house with modern additions.

0:11:34 > 0:11:39OK, then, team, property number one. First impressions?

0:11:39 > 0:11:42- It looks lovely.- Interesting. - Interesting. Well, that's good.

0:11:42 > 0:11:47- That's a good start.- It looks a nice size. It's a comfortable size.

0:11:47 > 0:11:51- It's got character.- I think it's quite attractive.- Ian?- Yes, I agree.

0:11:51 > 0:11:55- It has a nice feel to it.- Ready to go inside?- Yes.- Lovely.- Let's go.

0:11:55 > 0:11:57'With a large gravel driveway,

0:11:57 > 0:12:01'this detached period house comes with a single garage to the side.

0:12:01 > 0:12:05'The property was extended and updated around eight years ago.

0:12:05 > 0:12:08'All the rooms on the ground floor lead off from the central hallway.'

0:12:08 > 0:12:10You've got a small study area there.

0:12:10 > 0:12:13You said you liked the idea of a decent-sized kitchen/diner.

0:12:13 > 0:12:17- What do you think of this one?- Nice size, good size.- Ideal size.- Yeah.

0:12:17 > 0:12:20- Fantastic views out of the windows. - Oh, beaut... Wow!

0:12:20 > 0:12:22Right over the valley there. That is splendid, isn't it?

0:12:22 > 0:12:26- That is stunning. Really stunning. - Yep. That's very good.

0:12:26 > 0:12:29- You do the cooking, don't you?- I do.

0:12:29 > 0:12:33- So, you tell me. - Well, it's not ideal.

0:12:33 > 0:12:35I mean, I don't like the dark surfaces,

0:12:35 > 0:12:38- but there's nothing here that can't be changed.- No.

0:12:38 > 0:12:42- The size, the orientation of it is ideal.- Yeah.

0:12:42 > 0:12:45Right, let's see where you'll be sitting down waiting for your tea. Come with me.

0:12:47 > 0:12:49'Next door and at the back of the house is a large rectangular

0:12:49 > 0:12:53'living room with views and access to a stunning garden.

0:12:53 > 0:12:55'This room is in the original part of the property

0:12:55 > 0:12:58'and so over 150 years old.'

0:12:58 > 0:13:01- It's a nice size. - It is a very good size.

0:13:01 > 0:13:03- It's a good size.- I like it. Lots of light.

0:13:03 > 0:13:06- Yeah.- I didn't realise that garden was there.

0:13:06 > 0:13:08- You're surrounded by your own gardens here.- Yeah.

0:13:08 > 0:13:12- You're not overlooked, which is something you said was important. - Absolutely.

0:13:12 > 0:13:14Would you be tempted to have a dining table in here,

0:13:14 > 0:13:16or would you keep it just as a living room?

0:13:16 > 0:13:18It doesn't matter. It's a room to live in, isn't it?

0:13:18 > 0:13:20The important thing is to set it up

0:13:20 > 0:13:23- so that we actually want to come into it.- Yep.

0:13:23 > 0:13:27So, you don't want to be necessarily connected into your kitchen/diner?

0:13:27 > 0:13:28You like that separation, do you?

0:13:28 > 0:13:31- I'd be happy for it all to be one room.- Yeah.

0:13:31 > 0:13:34I can see if we're not careful, we'll always be in the kitchen.

0:13:34 > 0:13:38- The only positive is it's got a fire.- Right.

0:13:38 > 0:13:41- That might draw us in in the winter.- Mm-hm.

0:13:41 > 0:13:43But I think come summer and the spring,

0:13:43 > 0:13:45I'm not sure we'd come in here much.

0:13:47 > 0:13:49'It looks like the downstairs layout

0:13:49 > 0:13:51'may be failing to win Sarah and Ian over.

0:13:51 > 0:13:54'But the ground floor does offer one of the two essential toilets

0:13:54 > 0:13:59'Sarah has asked for and upstairs, there's not one, but two more.

0:13:59 > 0:14:01'Up here, there's a neutral family bathroom

0:14:01 > 0:14:04'that serves two of the four bedrooms.

0:14:04 > 0:14:07'The smallest is currently in use as a twin.

0:14:07 > 0:14:09'And a double that has an aspect to the rear,

0:14:09 > 0:14:13'then there's another bright double with its own en-suite shower room,

0:14:13 > 0:14:16'which just leaves the largest of all the bedrooms,

0:14:16 > 0:14:17'again, with its own en-suite,

0:14:17 > 0:14:21'providing this home with its toilet number three.'

0:14:21 > 0:14:24- What do you think about this for a master?- Very good.

0:14:24 > 0:14:26I like having two windows.

0:14:26 > 0:14:28Nice views. Very light.

0:14:28 > 0:14:31- The house you live in at the moment is how many bedrooms?- Two.

0:14:31 > 0:14:34Two bedrooms. So you're going to have to go and buy more beds.

0:14:34 > 0:14:36- SARAH CHUCKLES - That's a very good point.

0:14:36 > 0:14:41- Yeah.- So, would you like to live in a home with that sort of view?- Yes.

0:14:41 > 0:14:45I think, um...there are things we would change,

0:14:45 > 0:14:47but nothing, nothing major.

0:14:47 > 0:14:51- You know, repaint it, that'd be it, it'd be fine.- OK.

0:14:51 > 0:14:54Well, look, the less you do in the house, I think, the better.

0:14:54 > 0:14:59- Because outside, you might be getting busy.- OK.- Come with me.

0:15:00 > 0:15:03'The outdoors is somewhere both our buyers enjoy.

0:15:03 > 0:15:06'And whilst they differ on their requirements for inside,

0:15:06 > 0:15:08'neither of them should be disappointed here.

0:15:08 > 0:15:11'For this is an immaculately-kept garden

0:15:11 > 0:15:15'that comes with a veggie patch, a greenhouse and a potting shed.'

0:15:17 > 0:15:21- This, surely, is a gardener's paradise!- Absolutely.

0:15:21 > 0:15:26- And it goes down, over that bank a little further into a pond.- Wow!

0:15:26 > 0:15:30- All in all, the plot size is around a third of an acre.- Fantastic!

0:15:30 > 0:15:31Absolutely beautiful.

0:15:31 > 0:15:33So, my question to you is,

0:15:33 > 0:15:36how much do you think this house is on the market for?

0:15:36 > 0:15:38After you, dear.

0:15:38 > 0:15:41Um...£510,000.

0:15:41 > 0:15:43- OK. Ian?- Yeah, £500,000.- Right.

0:15:43 > 0:15:47That was easy, wasn't it? Well, good guess.

0:15:47 > 0:15:53This place is on the market with a guide price of £499,500.

0:15:53 > 0:15:56- Yep. - So you're both there or thereabouts.

0:15:56 > 0:15:58- I think that's quite a lot of house for the money.- I do.

0:15:58 > 0:16:00- I think that's good value.- Good.

0:16:00 > 0:16:03Go back into the house, refresh yourselves of what you've seen

0:16:03 > 0:16:05and I'll meet you when you're done. All right?

0:16:05 > 0:16:07- Lovely. Thank you.- Go right in.

0:16:07 > 0:16:10This delightful detached house has crept in just under

0:16:10 > 0:16:12Sarah and Ian's budget

0:16:12 > 0:16:14and it still manages to offer them

0:16:14 > 0:16:16over and above what they've asked for.

0:16:16 > 0:16:21There's a large, sociable kitchen/diner for cook Ian to get busy in,

0:16:21 > 0:16:25four bedrooms and no fewer than three toilets to choose from.

0:16:25 > 0:16:27Outside is a gardener's paradise,

0:16:27 > 0:16:29giving plenty for them to potter about in

0:16:29 > 0:16:32as they head into retirement.

0:16:32 > 0:16:37I was pleasantly surprised. It's a very attractive house.

0:16:37 > 0:16:40Much bigger than it looks from the outside.

0:16:40 > 0:16:44What I think would work really well for us is the large kitchen/diner.

0:16:44 > 0:16:47The sitting room was superb.

0:16:47 > 0:16:49The garden is spectacular.

0:16:49 > 0:16:52It would require quite a bit of maintenance,

0:16:52 > 0:16:55but not impossible to sort out.

0:16:55 > 0:16:58Generally, I was very impressed.

0:16:59 > 0:17:02So that's your first formal viewing of a house in the Southwest.

0:17:02 > 0:17:06- How did it go?- Very good. - Yeah?- Yeah.

0:17:06 > 0:17:08Well, it's only one of three, so let's keep going.

0:17:13 > 0:17:16Devon's stunning scenery, beautiful beaches

0:17:16 > 0:17:19and temperate climate are a real draw to the county.

0:17:19 > 0:17:22And, three miles inland from the world-famous Jurassic Coast

0:17:22 > 0:17:25lies the Bicton Park Botanical Gardens,

0:17:25 > 0:17:28which attract over 50,000 visitors a year.

0:17:29 > 0:17:33These historic gardens form part of an estate that Lord John Rolle,

0:17:33 > 0:17:36an MP and the largest landowner in Devon,

0:17:36 > 0:17:39inherited at the end of the 18th century.

0:17:39 > 0:17:43He created this botanical paradise for his wife, Lady Louisa.

0:17:43 > 0:17:46Today, the house is an agricultural college

0:17:46 > 0:17:49and the gardens are now owned by Valerie Lister and her partner,

0:17:49 > 0:17:51who took over the grounds in 1998.

0:17:51 > 0:17:55Keen gardeners Sarah and Ian have come to meet Valerie

0:17:55 > 0:17:57to get some inspiration.

0:17:57 > 0:18:00So, Val, which garden is this, please?

0:18:00 > 0:18:03We are stood in the Italian garden at the moment.

0:18:03 > 0:18:05And this was laid out in the 1730s

0:18:05 > 0:18:08and hasn't changed a lot since it was laid out.

0:18:08 > 0:18:12So, what types of garden have you got here and how big is it?

0:18:12 > 0:18:15The gardens itself are 64 acres,

0:18:15 > 0:18:18but they are divided into smaller areas.

0:18:18 > 0:18:20How long does it take to cut the grass?

0:18:20 > 0:18:23The gardeners cut the grass with hand mowers and it takes them

0:18:23 > 0:18:25from 7:00 in the morning until 10:00.

0:18:25 > 0:18:28- So they try and do it before we open to the public.- Gosh!

0:18:29 > 0:18:33Next stop for our couple is the architecturally-awesome Palm House,

0:18:33 > 0:18:37home to around 15 species of palm trees from all over the world.

0:18:37 > 0:18:40It's the second-largest structure of its kind in Britain

0:18:40 > 0:18:43and it was renovated in 1985.

0:18:46 > 0:18:49- Oh, it's amazing, isn't it?- Yeah. - So this is the Palm House.

0:18:49 > 0:18:51This was built in the 1820s.

0:18:51 > 0:18:55- And as you'll see, it's got 18,000 panes of glass.- Amazing!

0:18:55 > 0:18:58And it was built by Lord Rolle for Lady Rolle as a love token.

0:18:58 > 0:18:59It's an amazing building.

0:18:59 > 0:19:02It must have been quite a feat of engineering in those days.

0:19:02 > 0:19:05I think it was. And you'll notice that the panes of glass are curved.

0:19:05 > 0:19:08And that's so that the rain runs down the centre of the glass

0:19:08 > 0:19:10as not to rot the ironwork.

0:19:10 > 0:19:12And that's how the rain cleans the glass,

0:19:12 > 0:19:16- so that saves us a little job. - So, how does the building work?

0:19:16 > 0:19:18The building itself has underfloor heating,

0:19:18 > 0:19:20which we use in the winter.

0:19:20 > 0:19:23But in the summer, as you can feel now, we're melting in here.

0:19:23 > 0:19:27But we have vents which are operated by good old-fashioned string,

0:19:27 > 0:19:29so we get a good airflow through the building.

0:19:31 > 0:19:34The Palm House is one of four glasshouses in the gardens

0:19:34 > 0:19:37and was the inspiration behind the larger glasshouse

0:19:37 > 0:19:39of the same name at Kew Gardens.

0:19:40 > 0:19:42There's so much to take in here

0:19:42 > 0:19:45and the best way to see it all in one visit is by train.

0:19:45 > 0:19:47We're going to be going off in this carriage,

0:19:47 > 0:19:49but, Ian, we have a surprise for you.

0:19:49 > 0:19:53- How would you feel about driving the train?- I'd love to. Thank you.

0:19:53 > 0:19:55If you'd like to go to there and, Sarah,

0:19:55 > 0:19:58if you'd like to go into the carriage and I'll follow you in.

0:19:58 > 0:20:01This train, called the Sir Walter Raleigh,

0:20:01 > 0:20:04was hand-built especially for the gardens around 10 years ago.

0:20:04 > 0:20:06TOOT-TOOT!

0:20:06 > 0:20:08- He's beeping the horn! - That's fun, isn't it?

0:20:08 > 0:20:11The track is a mile and a half long

0:20:11 > 0:20:15and it takes a leisurely 25 minutes to do a full circuit of the park.

0:20:16 > 0:20:18How many times do you go around a day?

0:20:18 > 0:20:22About four during the week, five at weekends.

0:20:22 > 0:20:24You'd never get bored of this, would you?

0:20:30 > 0:20:33Full of inspiration for their new country garden,

0:20:33 > 0:20:37it's time for Sarah and Ian to continue the search for it.

0:20:41 > 0:20:42For our second property,

0:20:42 > 0:20:45we're journeying just under nine miles west

0:20:45 > 0:20:48along the coast to the seaside resort of Seaton.

0:20:48 > 0:20:51The pretty town sits on the 95-mile-long Jurassic Coast,

0:20:51 > 0:20:55with the South West Coastal Path passing through it.

0:20:55 > 0:20:58Here, the Axe Valley meets the sea and the sheer cliff face

0:20:58 > 0:21:01overlooks an endless stretch of shingle beach.

0:21:01 > 0:21:05The town's narrow streets are teeming with shops and eateries

0:21:05 > 0:21:07and it's easy to while away the hours here

0:21:07 > 0:21:09relaxing and admiring the scenery,

0:21:09 > 0:21:12taking a gentle seaside stroll along the promenade,

0:21:12 > 0:21:14or getting a different perspective

0:21:14 > 0:21:18along the three-mile tramway first operated in the 1970s.

0:21:20 > 0:21:21Just a 10-minute walk from the action,

0:21:21 > 0:21:25we find our second offering with a birds'-eye view of the town.

0:21:27 > 0:21:32So, first impressions, probably the best spot to get them is from here.

0:21:32 > 0:21:33What do you think?

0:21:33 > 0:21:35- Nice.- Yeah, I like that.

0:21:35 > 0:21:37- Pretty!- Isn't it just!- Very pretty!

0:21:37 > 0:21:39- Nice wisteria.- Yep.

0:21:39 > 0:21:42- Now, look behind you. - Oh!- Oh, the sea!

0:21:42 > 0:21:46- View of the sea!- Yeah. - Ooo! Absolutely beautiful.

0:21:46 > 0:21:48Yeah. Very nice.

0:21:48 > 0:21:51So the property, it was built 18 years ago.

0:21:51 > 0:21:55- Now, what do you think of the style of the house?- It's very attractive.

0:21:55 > 0:21:57- Looks quite neat, tidy.- Yeah.

0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Well-presented, isn't it? - Yeah.- Good. Let's go inside.

0:22:02 > 0:22:06'This modern two-tone house was built in 1997.

0:22:06 > 0:22:08'It may be young, but its tiled facade gives it character

0:22:08 > 0:22:12'and no-one can dispute its outstanding outlook.

0:22:12 > 0:22:15'Hopefully, what it has to offer behind closed doors

0:22:15 > 0:22:17'will be just as well received.

0:22:17 > 0:22:19'The front door leads to a long, narrow hallway

0:22:19 > 0:22:21'running down the middle of the house.'

0:22:21 > 0:22:23All right, let's start with Ian's favourite room.

0:22:23 > 0:22:25- Bit smaller this time.- Yeah.

0:22:25 > 0:22:29I'd prefer it a bit bigger, but lovely views out of the window.

0:22:29 > 0:22:32- Yeah.- Nice and light. There's things we can do with it.

0:22:32 > 0:22:33There are things you can do with it.

0:22:33 > 0:22:37You've got a room behind you there, that's a proper brick wall,

0:22:37 > 0:22:40but my thoughts were, just put a doorway through there,

0:22:40 > 0:22:42- that becomes a utility.- Yep.

0:22:42 > 0:22:44Remember when you looked at the front of the house,

0:22:44 > 0:22:48- there's was a lean-to conservatory? Push that kitchen that way.- Yep.

0:22:48 > 0:22:51It would make a fantastic dining kitchen.

0:22:51 > 0:22:54- It needs opening up.- It does, yeah. - Without a shadow of a doubt.- Yeah.

0:22:54 > 0:22:58What's the feeling you get when you walk through the door here?

0:22:58 > 0:23:02It's a bit like...going to a holiday cottage.

0:23:02 > 0:23:06- Yes, you feel that? - It's a lovely, nice house.

0:23:06 > 0:23:11But it's not giving me a wow feel inside at the moment.

0:23:11 > 0:23:14Let's keep looking through. Let me squeeze past you there, mate.

0:23:17 > 0:23:21Right then. It opens up here into the living and dining room.

0:23:21 > 0:23:25- Yes. Good space.- Isn't it? - Nice space.

0:23:25 > 0:23:29- It's nice and light.- It is, yes. And you've got the views again.- Yes.

0:23:29 > 0:23:31It's still not wowing me at the moment,

0:23:31 > 0:23:35but there is a lot I think we could do to make it feel

0:23:35 > 0:23:38more in keeping with the way we like to live.

0:23:38 > 0:23:42I mean, it could be a single room downstairs almost, couldn't it?

0:23:42 > 0:23:44There is a lot of work to do that,

0:23:44 > 0:23:47but an open plan with then bringing the garden into you.

0:23:47 > 0:23:49OK. Upstairs.

0:23:51 > 0:23:54'A winding stairway takes us up to the first floor where the

0:23:54 > 0:23:57'family bathroom comes complete with a corner bath.

0:23:57 > 0:23:59'Plus there are four bedrooms.

0:23:59 > 0:24:03'There is a narrow single and two doubles with one in use as a twin.

0:24:03 > 0:24:06'But I have reserved the very best for Sarah and Ian.'

0:24:06 > 0:24:11- Your master bedroom, I think, could be fantastic.- Yes.- It could be.

0:24:11 > 0:24:14- It could be.- Waking up to a sea view.- It is a beautiful view.

0:24:14 > 0:24:17But you can't see it from where you are in bed.

0:24:17 > 0:24:20- Do you understand what I say? - Shuffle down the bed a bit.

0:24:20 > 0:24:23Why don't you put your head that end and your feet that end

0:24:23 > 0:24:26- and then you could see out to the sea?- Agreed.

0:24:26 > 0:24:28- You've got an en-suite behind you. - OK.- Right.

0:24:28 > 0:24:32- And what about the bedroom?- It's the right size.- It fits the brief.

0:24:32 > 0:24:38But something is missing and I can't explain to you what's missing,

0:24:38 > 0:24:40but something is missing in this house for me.

0:24:40 > 0:24:44The highlight for me is the view.

0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Let's go and take a better look at it. You've got a balcony here. - Yes.- Come with me.

0:24:53 > 0:24:56So it's not just a sea view. Look at that.

0:24:56 > 0:24:59- It's beautiful.- Stunning. - Absolutely beautiful.

0:24:59 > 0:25:02Let's go down to the garden and start thinking about price.

0:25:02 > 0:25:03- After you.- Thank you.

0:25:03 > 0:25:07Outside, there is a terrace garden at the rear of the property

0:25:07 > 0:25:08with a patio at the summit.

0:25:08 > 0:25:11Then everything else is at the front of the house.

0:25:11 > 0:25:14There is a detached garage and plenty of parking space,

0:25:14 > 0:25:17leading up to a lawn and of course the stunning vista.

0:25:17 > 0:25:21- The house, the views, the garden.- Beautiful.

0:25:21 > 0:25:24- Let's guess the price of this house. - Right.

0:25:24 > 0:25:28I would reckon this is on the market for 465,000.

0:25:29 > 0:25:31OK. Sarah?

0:25:31 > 0:25:36I am going to go below. I think it's £455,000.

0:25:36 > 0:25:40The asking price for this house is £475,000.

0:25:41 > 0:25:45If you could get it towards your guesses, would that interest you?

0:25:45 > 0:25:47Yes. That would be fair.

0:25:49 > 0:25:51This house with a view has rung in

0:25:51 > 0:25:55at a generous £25,000 under Sarah and Ian's budget,

0:25:55 > 0:25:58meaning they can make the most of the fabulous location and outlook

0:25:58 > 0:26:02and still have cash to spend on creating the home they want.

0:26:02 > 0:26:05There's already the potential to create a really good size kitchen diner,

0:26:05 > 0:26:08which would complement the existing living space.

0:26:08 > 0:26:11The property also features four bedrooms,

0:26:11 > 0:26:14so there's plenty of room for visiting guests.

0:26:14 > 0:26:17And let's not forget the wonderful views

0:26:17 > 0:26:19which look out towards the nearby coast.

0:26:19 > 0:26:25My initial reaction when we walked up to the house was excitement.

0:26:25 > 0:26:30I loved the location. The view was stunning. The house is attractive.

0:26:30 > 0:26:33So first impressions were great.

0:26:34 > 0:26:37- It's a good size.- Oh, yes. It's lovely.- Plenty of storage.

0:26:37 > 0:26:39Yes, very good.

0:26:39 > 0:26:45This house is a bit of a conundrum because it seems to give us lots of what we want,

0:26:45 > 0:26:48but it doesn't give me the feeling that I could make it into a home

0:26:48 > 0:26:51and I still haven't quite worked out why that is.

0:26:51 > 0:26:54I think we're going to have to go and have a beer and think about it a bit more.

0:26:55 > 0:26:59- All done?- Yes.- You know what? You got through that house nice and quick.

0:26:59 > 0:27:02There might be time for a dip in the sea on the way home.

0:27:02 > 0:27:04- Excellent.- Fancy that? Let's go.

0:27:12 > 0:27:14It's the second day of our tour of southeast Devon,

0:27:14 > 0:27:18searching out a characterful home for Sussex-based

0:27:18 > 0:27:21Sarah and Ian with a budget of £500,000.

0:27:21 > 0:27:24We've still got the Mystery House, which could well offer

0:27:24 > 0:27:26the fresh perspective their house search needs.

0:27:26 > 0:27:28- I think it's lovely.- I like it.

0:27:28 > 0:27:31And you can see the views out of the bed.

0:27:31 > 0:27:34And I'll be serving the Devonshire locals

0:27:34 > 0:27:36as I learn about an eco-friendly tipple.

0:27:36 > 0:27:39Look how much they love that!

0:27:41 > 0:27:45I'm happy that both of the houses worked well yesterday on paper, but

0:27:45 > 0:27:46according to Sarah and Ian,

0:27:46 > 0:27:49there was something special missing from them.

0:27:49 > 0:27:52But they couldn't really put into words exactly what that was,

0:27:52 > 0:27:55so I'm hoping to flush that out with the Mystery House today.

0:27:55 > 0:27:59Now, in terms of location, it's the most rural out of all three properties.

0:27:59 > 0:28:01Maybe too much so.

0:28:01 > 0:28:02And in terms of style, well,

0:28:02 > 0:28:05it's the kind of house that will have some people

0:28:05 > 0:28:07running for the hills at first sight,

0:28:07 > 0:28:10but others maybe falling in love with it at first glance.

0:28:10 > 0:28:12Obviously, I'm hoping for the latter.

0:28:14 > 0:28:16You know you're going to see the mystery property,

0:28:16 > 0:28:19how do you think we are going to challenge you with this house?

0:28:19 > 0:28:23I suspect it might have or could have a lot of land possibly.

0:28:23 > 0:28:27I think there may be a bit of work to do to it.

0:28:27 > 0:28:30- Yes, I think there might be a project.- The P word.

0:28:30 > 0:28:34- It could be a two-bed apartment overlooking the sea.- We'll see!

0:28:36 > 0:28:38For our Mystery House,

0:28:38 > 0:28:42we're travelling west down the coast to the village of Branscombe.

0:28:42 > 0:28:44Located just inland, the village is known

0:28:44 > 0:28:48for its charming display of cottages and thatched roofs.

0:28:48 > 0:28:51It's like stepping back in time here as it is still possible

0:28:51 > 0:28:55to see the last surviving working thatched forge in the country,

0:28:55 > 0:28:57which was originally built in the 16th century,

0:28:57 > 0:29:02as well as a fully restored watermill, now owned by the National Trust.

0:29:03 > 0:29:06A short walk from the village leads to the rural setting

0:29:06 > 0:29:09of this semi-detached thatched cottage, our Mystery House.

0:29:09 > 0:29:13Perhaps a little more out of the way than Sarah and Ian had hoped,

0:29:13 > 0:29:16but I think they will agree its seclusion is worth it.

0:29:19 > 0:29:23Now, if you are after a house with personality,

0:29:23 > 0:29:25I think we might have just found it.

0:29:25 > 0:29:28- My word!- That is fantastic, isn't it?

0:29:28 > 0:29:31Now, there are many reasons why we chose this property for you.

0:29:31 > 0:29:35Obviously, the look of it, the character it gives you.

0:29:35 > 0:29:38And look at that view. That's a sea view as well.

0:29:38 > 0:29:40- Fantastic.- That is a lovely view.

0:29:40 > 0:29:45- It's so peaceful.- Yes. - Really peaceful.

0:29:45 > 0:29:49This is much more in line with the peace and quiet

0:29:49 > 0:29:51that I think we prefer.

0:29:51 > 0:29:53Yes, absolutely. I agree.

0:29:53 > 0:29:56It is more rural than ideal but...

0:29:56 > 0:29:59Yes, but I think we are probably more comfortable with this.

0:29:59 > 0:30:04You will be surprised to hear it was built in 1952.

0:30:04 > 0:30:08- 1952. Wow.- It's beautiful.- It is, isn't it?- The setting is fantastic.

0:30:08 > 0:30:10- Yes.- Let's look inside.

0:30:11 > 0:30:15'Because this picture perfect cottage is relatively youthful,

0:30:15 > 0:30:18'it benefits from many mod cons not found in an older property.'

0:30:19 > 0:30:22Let's start in the kitchen.

0:30:25 > 0:30:29- This is much more our style.- It's lovely.- Yes, it's a beautiful size.

0:30:29 > 0:30:32I can see myself being in here. It feels comfortable.

0:30:32 > 0:30:36- It feels homely, doesn't it? - Yes.- Yes, very good.

0:30:36 > 0:30:37This is actually a holiday home.

0:30:39 > 0:30:41- Gosh!- Yes, but the way you're reacting,

0:30:41 > 0:30:45you're probably getting a nicer feeling here than you've seen so far with the properties.

0:30:45 > 0:30:47- Yes.- Because it's more neutral.

0:30:47 > 0:30:49Yes, maybe. Next door is a full-time home.

0:30:49 > 0:30:52Everything else is full-time so don't think you're going

0:30:52 > 0:30:55to be living in the middle of nowhere on your own. You won't.

0:30:55 > 0:30:57Around the side you've got the rest of the kitchen.

0:30:57 > 0:31:01- Beyond you've got a utility and then a downstairs loo.- Lovely layout.

0:31:01 > 0:31:03- Very simple.- Good. I'm glad you are liking it.

0:31:03 > 0:31:07I think you will be impressed with these other rooms through here. Let me show you.

0:31:07 > 0:31:10'Across the hallway and on the other side of the front door is

0:31:10 > 0:31:13'an elegant dining room, roughly the same size as the kitchen.

0:31:13 > 0:31:16'And beyond that is a characterful sitting room.'

0:31:16 > 0:31:18- Lovely.- Isn't this cosy?

0:31:18 > 0:31:22- It's cosy but because you've got that middle room you've got space, haven't you?- Yes.

0:31:22 > 0:31:25- Are you surprised in how you are reacting to this house? - No.- No.- Not at all.

0:31:25 > 0:31:30Is this in the back of your minds what you thought you might be looking for but didn't know it?

0:31:30 > 0:31:33This is more the sort of thing we would go for.

0:31:33 > 0:31:36But we didn't want to admit it.

0:31:36 > 0:31:40- We like this style.- It's quirky, isn't it? It's that personality coming through.

0:31:40 > 0:31:42Let's see what you make of the bedrooms. Come with me.

0:31:42 > 0:31:46'I couldn't have hoped for a better response from Sarah and Ian.

0:31:46 > 0:31:49'This marvellous Mystery House is certainly selling itself.

0:31:49 > 0:31:53'But it remains to be seen whether it could become their home number 16.

0:31:53 > 0:31:57'A central stairway leads us upstairs where there is a neat, white family bathroom

0:31:57 > 0:32:00'with an adjacent toilet and three bedrooms.

0:32:00 > 0:32:03'There's a single at the back and two doubles at the front.

0:32:03 > 0:32:08'One in use as a twin and another, which is a similar size, has an added bonus.'

0:32:10 > 0:32:13Now, master bedroom because you've got

0:32:13 > 0:32:17a little walk-through closet area going into an en-suite at the end.

0:32:18 > 0:32:22- And you can see the views out of the bed.- Out of the Juliet balcony.

0:32:24 > 0:32:30- This isn't a huge room, but... - It's big enough.- It's comfortable.

0:32:30 > 0:32:31- I think it's lovely.- I like it.

0:32:31 > 0:32:37You have seen reactions from each other in 15 successful purchases.

0:32:37 > 0:32:40How do you gauge each other's reaction at the moment?

0:32:40 > 0:32:42I think Sarah is falling in love with the house.

0:32:42 > 0:32:47- How do you think Ian is reacting? What is going through his mind? - I think he really likes it.

0:32:47 > 0:32:49Let's talk through the whole package when we get outside,

0:32:49 > 0:32:53but also start getting your head around how much this property might be.

0:32:53 > 0:32:55It seems this home-hopping pair

0:32:55 > 0:32:58are both keen on the accommodation on offer here.

0:32:58 > 0:33:01I just hope the garden matches up to the house.

0:33:01 > 0:33:05It's raised above the property and makes the most of its remote location

0:33:05 > 0:33:07with fantastic views towards the sea.

0:33:07 > 0:33:09On a clearer day!

0:33:09 > 0:33:12Up here we get a vantage point for a couple of things.

0:33:12 > 0:33:14The amazing view obviously,

0:33:14 > 0:33:17but also we are right on top of a double bay garage

0:33:17 > 0:33:21that comes with the property and on top there is a little summerhouse.

0:33:21 > 0:33:24Guests have been known to sleep in there of an evening.

0:33:24 > 0:33:27- Pretty cool, isn't it? - That's fantastic. - That would be really useful.

0:33:27 > 0:33:30You also get to see all of your garden. What do you think?

0:33:30 > 0:33:32How on earth do you cut the grass?

0:33:32 > 0:33:35Well, as you can see, it is cut on levels.

0:33:35 > 0:33:38- I think you could do more with this. - Yes, agreed.

0:33:38 > 0:33:41It's pretty low-maintenance at the moment.

0:33:41 > 0:33:45- Could you see yourselves living here?- Definitely. I think so, yes.

0:33:45 > 0:33:48- Yes.- Can you afford it? Guess the price.

0:33:48 > 0:33:53So I am going to say 525,000.

0:33:53 > 0:33:56I think it's above budget.

0:33:56 > 0:33:59- I'll go for 515.- OK.

0:34:01 > 0:34:05The asking price of this Mystery House

0:34:05 > 0:34:08is offers around £465,000.

0:34:08 > 0:34:09Gosh.

0:34:11 > 0:34:15- I think you were swayed by the fact you liked it.- Yes.

0:34:15 > 0:34:18And I was swayed by you!

0:34:20 > 0:34:23So, go inside the property and I will see you in a bit.

0:34:25 > 0:34:28This chocolate-box mystery cottage is on the market

0:34:28 > 0:34:31for £35,000 under our buyers' budget.

0:34:31 > 0:34:35It may be remote, but being semi-detached, it has neighbours,

0:34:35 > 0:34:37so it's not too isolated.

0:34:37 > 0:34:40The large farmhouse kitchen gives plenty of room for entertaining,

0:34:40 > 0:34:44plus there are three bedrooms on offer upstairs.

0:34:44 > 0:34:47Outside, the elevated garden gives incredible views as well

0:34:47 > 0:34:51as a place to rest and enjoy them in a pretty thatched summerhouse.

0:34:52 > 0:34:54I was pleasantly surprised

0:34:54 > 0:34:58when we turned up at this delightful thatched cottage.

0:34:58 > 0:35:01It is so pretty.

0:35:01 > 0:35:03It's lovely. I can see Sarah and I living here.

0:35:06 > 0:35:11- That's big as well.- That's bigger than I expected.- It is. Lovely.

0:35:12 > 0:35:15My only concern about the Mystery House,

0:35:15 > 0:35:19it is really in the middle of nowhere.

0:35:19 > 0:35:23I need to sit down and have a look at a map just to get my bearings

0:35:23 > 0:35:26as to exactly where its location is, I think.

0:35:27 > 0:35:30So, have you enjoyed looking round this Mystery House?

0:35:30 > 0:35:32- Yes, very much.- Yes. Very good.

0:35:32 > 0:35:35That's the last thing we are seeing, so soak it all up,

0:35:35 > 0:35:38get it in your head and we will sit down later on and go through it all.

0:35:38 > 0:35:39- OK.- Great.

0:35:44 > 0:35:49Devon's rich landscape of rolling hills tumble down to deep valleys

0:35:49 > 0:35:53which have some of the finest rivers in the country running through them.

0:35:53 > 0:35:56And the fantastically fresh water that flows here

0:35:56 > 0:35:58has one rather appetising use.

0:35:58 > 0:36:01It's perfect to turn into local Devon beer.

0:36:01 > 0:36:04I've come to the Otter Valley in the Blackdown Hills

0:36:04 > 0:36:08Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to meet Patrick McCaig,

0:36:08 > 0:36:11a fifth-generation brewer whose father established

0:36:11 > 0:36:14an eco-brewery here 25 years ago.

0:36:14 > 0:36:17It's won multiple awards, not only for its beer,

0:36:17 > 0:36:19but also its eco-friendly credentials.

0:36:21 > 0:36:24I was very excited to hear I was going to be looking around a brewery,

0:36:24 > 0:36:27yet you have asked me to meet you by a pond.

0:36:27 > 0:36:29It's no ordinary pond, really.

0:36:29 > 0:36:31This is a place where we manage to recycle

0:36:31 > 0:36:34a third of the water that we use to brew with.

0:36:34 > 0:36:37We actually use this wonderful system called willow beds

0:36:37 > 0:36:39to actually deal with it and clean it up.

0:36:39 > 0:36:41How much water are we talking about?

0:36:41 > 0:36:44For every pint, you probably get about three pints waste.

0:36:44 > 0:36:46So there is a phenomenal amount of water to deal with.

0:36:46 > 0:36:50Solid matter is removed from the waste from the brewery

0:36:50 > 0:36:53and the water then flows around 30 metres via an underground pipe

0:36:53 > 0:36:57to a series of ponds which act as water filters.

0:36:57 > 0:37:01The roots of the surrounding trees provide oxygen to the water,

0:37:01 > 0:37:04which helps bacteria and bugs flourish.

0:37:04 > 0:37:07They in turn purify the water by eating the impurities in it

0:37:07 > 0:37:09before it flows back into the River Otter,

0:37:09 > 0:37:11where it was sourced from originally.

0:37:11 > 0:37:14Now, this is probably not a new method.

0:37:14 > 0:37:18- No, this goes back to medieval times.- How much would you be saving?

0:37:18 > 0:37:21We would be saving about £60,000 worth of haulage a year.

0:37:21 > 0:37:23Do you recycle anything else?

0:37:23 > 0:37:25We recycle our hops, which go for leaf mulching.

0:37:25 > 0:37:27We have yeast which goes to the pigs

0:37:27 > 0:37:29and then we have our brewers' grains.

0:37:29 > 0:37:33That is our biggest lump of stuff that needs to be got rid of and that gets taken to cattle.

0:37:33 > 0:37:36- I can show you some of those in a minute.- Lead the way. - Brilliant. This way.

0:37:36 > 0:37:40Just a couple of fields away is the brewery where Patrick produces

0:37:40 > 0:37:42over seven million pints of beer a year,

0:37:42 > 0:37:45sold mainly in the southwest of England.

0:37:45 > 0:37:48I must say, I wasn't expecting to see this.

0:37:48 > 0:37:51I've been to a few breweries in my time.

0:37:51 > 0:37:53This looks like a space station. It's pretty impressive.

0:37:53 > 0:37:56- So what have we got going on here, then?- This is brewers' grains.

0:37:56 > 0:38:00They are the grains that have come out of the back end of the brewing process

0:38:00 > 0:38:04and we have taken a load of sugar out to make the wort which is turned into beer.

0:38:04 > 0:38:07- So you have taken sugar out of this? - Yes, exactly.

0:38:07 > 0:38:11Basically, when the grains come in from our maltsters,

0:38:11 > 0:38:13it's full of a lovely malted sugar.

0:38:13 > 0:38:16We extract the simple sugars and we leave the complex sugars behind

0:38:16 > 0:38:18and we don't want those in the beer.

0:38:18 > 0:38:21- So they're great for cows. - You can eat this?- Yes.

0:38:21 > 0:38:24It's almost like porridge. Not quite as nutritious, I don't think.

0:38:24 > 0:38:26But the cows love it.

0:38:26 > 0:38:29Patrick sells his unwanted brewer's grain to local farmers and today

0:38:29 > 0:38:33we are taking it to a dairy farm a couple of miles down the valley.

0:38:33 > 0:38:35So here are our lovely ladies.

0:38:35 > 0:38:38How much of this do you give to this farm here?

0:38:38 > 0:38:40I should imagine about 20 tonnes a week comes here.

0:38:40 > 0:38:42Look how much they love that!

0:38:42 > 0:38:47So if you didn't provide this foodstuff to this farm, where would they be getting it from?

0:38:47 > 0:38:52They would get a similar product but from up country and that involves trucks and moving stuff around.

0:38:52 > 0:38:57- It's the environmental impact again, isn't it?- Yes. It also ties in with working with the community.

0:38:57 > 0:39:01Let's get rid of this foodstuff because all this talk about beer is making me rather thirsty.

0:39:01 > 0:39:05Patrick's lovingly brewed Devonshire beer is back in the brewery waiting for us in his cellar

0:39:05 > 0:39:09with its grass-topped roof, continuing the eco-friendly theme.

0:39:09 > 0:39:14It attracts local wildlife to the brewery, as well as providing insulation for the cellar.

0:39:15 > 0:39:18Not only that, two-thirds of the cellar has been built underground,

0:39:18 > 0:39:21providing a perfect cool climate for the beer,

0:39:21 > 0:39:24meaning no need for electrical chilling machines.

0:39:25 > 0:39:27Now, what we've got here, talk me through it.

0:39:27 > 0:39:31- This one is the Otter Amber which is actually... There we go.- Thank you.

0:39:31 > 0:39:36The Otter Amber is actually one of the newest beers we have done

0:39:36 > 0:39:39and it's got a lovely fruity hopness to it.

0:39:39 > 0:39:41First of all you can smell the hops in this.

0:39:41 > 0:39:44- It's almost got the touch of a summer ale to it.- Exactly.

0:39:44 > 0:39:46I could see you quaffing this in a beer garden.

0:39:46 > 0:39:49I think that's actually why it goes really well during the summer.

0:39:49 > 0:39:52How many of these do you produce, then, a week?

0:39:52 > 0:39:55During the summer time, over 2,000 of these go out every week.

0:39:55 > 0:39:57I'm sure you're going to go far and wide with this beer,

0:39:57 > 0:40:00- so we wish you the very best of luck for the future.- Cheers.

0:40:00 > 0:40:03'The cows have been fed and I've been watered.

0:40:03 > 0:40:05'Now it's time to see if Ian and Sarah have fallen

0:40:05 > 0:40:08'for any of our Devonshire properties.'

0:40:09 > 0:40:13From where I was standing, we saw the best reactions overall in the Mystery House.

0:40:13 > 0:40:18But I'm not sure whether it's a case of Ian and Sarah keeping their cards close to their chest,

0:40:18 > 0:40:21or after having bought 15 houses previously,

0:40:21 > 0:40:24they're not getting wildly excited about buying house number 16.

0:40:24 > 0:40:27Let's find out their thoughts.

0:40:30 > 0:40:31So.

0:40:31 > 0:40:34You've had a bit of time to chat things through.

0:40:34 > 0:40:37I think it's fair to say the Mystery House was your favourite.

0:40:37 > 0:40:40I certainly saw the best reactions there. Is that the case?

0:40:40 > 0:40:43But it did have challenges to it, so what are your thoughts?

0:40:43 > 0:40:45I was a bit worried

0:40:45 > 0:40:49when we started going deeper and deeper into the countryside

0:40:49 > 0:40:53and then we arrived and I was pleasantly surprised

0:40:53 > 0:40:59at the very, very picturesque setting of the thatched cottage.

0:40:59 > 0:41:02Do you think the fact that you saw other homes nearby

0:41:02 > 0:41:05maybe sort of allayed any fears of isolation?

0:41:05 > 0:41:07- Yes, certainly.- Yes.

0:41:08 > 0:41:12And there was nothing wrong at all with the first two houses.

0:41:12 > 0:41:17They gave us what we had asked for, but there was just something

0:41:17 > 0:41:20which didn't make us go, "Oooh! We really love it."

0:41:20 > 0:41:22So what's next for you?

0:41:22 > 0:41:24We're certainly going to put an offer in on it.

0:41:24 > 0:41:28- Just like that. We've seen it and we'll put an offer in on it.- Yes.

0:41:28 > 0:41:30If we like somewhere, we never do second viewings.

0:41:30 > 0:41:32We just... That's it.

0:41:32 > 0:41:35Because if that is your initial reaction and you like somewhere

0:41:35 > 0:41:38and you think, "I can live there", then you just put an offer in.

0:41:38 > 0:41:40That's brilliant news.

0:41:40 > 0:41:45OK, I'm surprised. 15 houses in, this is your next house? Who knows?

0:41:45 > 0:41:48And actually, it is a different house.

0:41:48 > 0:41:50It's another one to add to the list, isn't it?

0:41:50 > 0:41:53We have never lived in a thatched house before.

0:41:53 > 0:41:56So it's another one to add to the list.

0:41:56 > 0:41:58It's great news.

0:41:58 > 0:42:01I have certainly enjoyed showing you these three very different houses.

0:42:01 > 0:42:06- Good luck at the estate agents. - Thank you very much.- Let us know how you get on.- Thank you.

0:42:09 > 0:42:13We see it so many times that in looking at houses

0:42:13 > 0:42:17sometimes all it takes is the X-factor, something special,

0:42:17 > 0:42:21call it what you will, but sometimes a house has to give our buyers

0:42:21 > 0:42:24a special feeling in order to tip them over the edge.

0:42:24 > 0:42:28And today it looks like our Mystery House has done just that.

0:42:28 > 0:42:31So much so that I think we could well be looking

0:42:31 > 0:42:34at Ian and Sarah's house number 16.

0:42:34 > 0:42:38I certainly hope so. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. See you next time.

0:42:40 > 0:42:43Ian and Sarah put in an offer on the Mystery House,

0:42:43 > 0:42:45but unfortunately it wasn't accepted.

0:42:45 > 0:42:48So their hunt for a Devonshire home continues.

0:42:50 > 0:42:53If you'd like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,

0:42:53 > 0:42:57Scotland, Wales or England and need our help, please apply online at -