Gloucestershire

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:02 > 0:00:03Soaring to a height of 148 feet,

0:00:03 > 0:00:06this is the tallest Norman church tower in existence.

0:00:06 > 0:00:08But where is it? Find out in just a moment.

0:00:25 > 0:00:28Today's couple have spent the majority of their married life

0:00:28 > 0:00:32living overseas and have decided it's time to come home.

0:00:32 > 0:00:36So it's all hands on deck to try and find the perfect house.

0:00:36 > 0:00:39- It's certainly got the factor that you wanted.- It has.

0:00:39 > 0:00:41- Quirky.- Quirky!

0:00:41 > 0:00:44'And we don't disappoint with the selection on offer.'

0:00:44 > 0:00:47- It's cute.- Cute. Is that good or bad?

0:00:47 > 0:00:49- That's very good.- Good. - That's very good.

0:00:50 > 0:00:53Today we're in Gloucestershire and this is Tewkesbury Abbey,

0:00:53 > 0:00:56which began life as a Benedictine monastery at the beginning

0:00:56 > 0:00:59of the 12th century and then was nearly pulled to the ground

0:00:59 > 0:01:03during the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539.

0:01:03 > 0:01:05In fact, it was only saved by the generosity of the people

0:01:05 > 0:01:07of Tewkesbury who clubbed together

0:01:07 > 0:01:11and paid the crown the princely sum of £453,

0:01:11 > 0:01:14which was a fortune considering that the annual wage was

0:01:14 > 0:01:17just £13 back then.

0:01:17 > 0:01:20But civic generosity and ecclesiastical magnificence

0:01:20 > 0:01:24are not the only things that stand out in Gloucestershire.

0:01:25 > 0:01:28Lying in a region which was once the wealthiest in Roman Britain,

0:01:28 > 0:01:30the historic county of Gloucestershire

0:01:30 > 0:01:34borders Oxfordshire to the east and Wales to the west.

0:01:34 > 0:01:38The county's landscape covers more than 1,000 square miles of diverse

0:01:38 > 0:01:42terrain and more than half of Gloucestershire has been recognised

0:01:42 > 0:01:44as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

0:01:44 > 0:01:47One of these areas is the magnificent Wye Valley

0:01:47 > 0:01:51on the border between England and Wales, where the River Wye

0:01:51 > 0:01:55makes its way through the picturesque village of Symonds Yat.

0:01:55 > 0:01:59The ancient Forest of Dean used to be a royal hunting reserve

0:01:59 > 0:02:04and was designated a National Forest Park in 1938,

0:02:04 > 0:02:09providing Gloucestershire with 27,000 acres of accessible woodland.

0:02:09 > 0:02:12It's thought to have inspired authors such as Tolkien

0:02:12 > 0:02:16and JK Rowling, who had been drawn to its mystical beauty.

0:02:16 > 0:02:19Head east and you'll pass through the undulating hills, valleys

0:02:19 > 0:02:22and countryside of the idyllic Cotswolds.

0:02:22 > 0:02:26The area is renowned for its honey-coloured limestone villages

0:02:26 > 0:02:30such as Northleach, with market towns being among some of the most

0:02:30 > 0:02:33desirable places to buy property in the UK.

0:02:33 > 0:02:36It's no wonder then that this county is popular with buyers looking

0:02:36 > 0:02:41to trade their busy city lives in exchange for some rural peace.

0:02:45 > 0:02:49Unsurprisingly, you do have to pay a premium for all this

0:02:49 > 0:02:51Gloucestershire gorgeousness.

0:02:51 > 0:02:54The average price for a detached house here in the county

0:02:54 > 0:02:59is £313,000, which is 10% above the national figure.

0:02:59 > 0:03:01Of course, there is regional shading.

0:03:01 > 0:03:04Over in the west around the Forest of Dean,

0:03:04 > 0:03:06that's where you get the most value for your money.

0:03:06 > 0:03:09And over in the east into the ever popular Cotswolds,

0:03:09 > 0:03:13there you can pay double the county figure for the same property.

0:03:13 > 0:03:17So which corner of Gloucestershire is luring our buyers today?

0:03:17 > 0:03:19Let's meet them and find out.

0:03:20 > 0:03:24Husband and wife Julie and Guy are temporarily renting

0:03:24 > 0:03:27a Cotswold cottage for their house-hunting in Gloucestershire.

0:03:27 > 0:03:30They've been married for over three decades and were introduced

0:03:30 > 0:03:33by a mutual friend whilst working in the hotel industry.

0:03:33 > 0:03:37Julie and I met on a boat on the Thames which was moored just

0:03:37 > 0:03:39opposite the Savoy, where I used to work as a chef.

0:03:39 > 0:03:44And funnily enough, the boat sank a few years later and we broke up.

0:03:44 > 0:03:48When the boat was put back again, we got back together again.

0:03:48 > 0:03:51There's still a boat outside the Savoy floating.

0:03:51 > 0:03:53Well, it's made 31 years

0:03:53 > 0:03:57so hopefully it will go on for a few more years yet!

0:03:57 > 0:04:00Not long after they eventually tied the knot, our couple began

0:04:00 > 0:04:05an adventurous expat existence still involved in the tourist business.

0:04:05 > 0:04:08They have lived in countries such as Bahrain, Kenya

0:04:08 > 0:04:11and for the past four years, Abu Dhabi.

0:04:11 > 0:04:17You get to the point in expat life where your friends that you've known

0:04:17 > 0:04:19when you've been living abroad have moved back.

0:04:19 > 0:04:23So most of our friends now have moved back.

0:04:23 > 0:04:27And that, coupled with the fact that our family are here,

0:04:27 > 0:04:30you know, it's time for us to move back and, you know,

0:04:30 > 0:04:33retire gracefully over here.

0:04:33 > 0:04:35Julie and Guy have three children

0:04:35 > 0:04:39and recently celebrated the arrival of their first grandchild.

0:04:39 > 0:04:44Our beautiful granddaughter Aeida is a huge pull for us to come back.

0:04:44 > 0:04:48For me, I really want to spend as much time around her

0:04:48 > 0:04:50and future grandchildren as well.

0:04:50 > 0:04:54In their childhoods, Julie was a farmer's daughter who grew up

0:04:54 > 0:04:57in Hampshire and Guy went to boarding school in Somerset.

0:04:57 > 0:04:59And now they're planning to start

0:04:59 > 0:05:03- afresh in the green and pleasant pastures of Gloucestershire.- Peace.

0:05:03 > 0:05:06One of the things of this wonderful cottage that we rented

0:05:06 > 0:05:08is that it's so quiet.

0:05:08 > 0:05:13Just listing to the blackbirds in the evening, it's just so beautiful.

0:05:13 > 0:05:14Missed that.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17The couple want to be close to the Cotswolds - an area that would

0:05:17 > 0:05:20make the perfect base for them to retire to

0:05:20 > 0:05:21and pursue their interests.

0:05:21 > 0:05:24Generally, I think we will be enjoying the culture

0:05:24 > 0:05:28and also the history of the UK, which I find fascinating.

0:05:28 > 0:05:32For me, it's time. I want to set up my own place

0:05:32 > 0:05:35and have a lovely garden.

0:05:35 > 0:05:37Over the years, Guy and Julie have rented homes in the various

0:05:37 > 0:05:39countries they've lived in.

0:05:39 > 0:05:41The couple did invest in a London property

0:05:41 > 0:05:44when they were first married, which they recently sold,

0:05:44 > 0:05:47so now they're in a financial position to plan ahead.

0:05:47 > 0:05:50It's the next phase of our life and it really is the future.

0:05:50 > 0:05:54The possibility to settle in to our own house with our own things.

0:05:54 > 0:05:58To be able to have family who come down for the weekend

0:05:58 > 0:05:59or for Christmas.

0:05:59 > 0:06:01Yeah, I think we think it's time to come home,

0:06:01 > 0:06:02that's a no-brainer, isn't it?

0:06:02 > 0:06:04That's absolutely right.

0:06:11 > 0:06:13Guy and Julie love the theatre and festivals

0:06:13 > 0:06:17so in an ideal world they would like to be within half an hour's drive

0:06:17 > 0:06:21of cultural connections in Cheltenham, Gloucester or Stroud

0:06:21 > 0:06:25but based somewhere rural enough for the lifestyle they want.

0:06:25 > 0:06:27Before we start, I'm meeting up with them

0:06:27 > 0:06:30in a rather picturesque spot within the county to get a fuller

0:06:30 > 0:06:32picture of what it is they're after.

0:06:33 > 0:06:35A very warm welcome to the Gloucestershire countryside.

0:06:35 > 0:06:37It's not quite as warm as Abu Dhabi.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40It's definitely not as warm as Abu Dhabi, which is about 45 degrees

0:06:40 > 0:06:42at the moment.

0:06:42 > 0:06:45- Ooh!- That's only a midday. - Only midday!

0:06:45 > 0:06:47Is it nice to come back? Is this what you've been dreaming of?

0:06:47 > 0:06:49Yes. It's fantastic.

0:06:49 > 0:06:53I mean, just look around at the countryside here is amazing,

0:06:53 > 0:06:56hear the birdsong and see the vibrant colours,

0:06:56 > 0:06:57it's just so beautiful.

0:06:57 > 0:06:59And tell me about the house that you're looking for.

0:06:59 > 0:07:01What sort of spec is it going to have?

0:07:01 > 0:07:07We'd love, I think, four bedrooms, a nice family kitchen and a garden.

0:07:07 > 0:07:11A good garden, not huge but I love gardening and I love flowers so

0:07:11 > 0:07:14- that's quite important for me as well.- And what about the location?

0:07:14 > 0:07:18- Where do you want to live? - Probably just outside a village.

0:07:18 > 0:07:23We'd like to be near major city, town that has got theatres

0:07:23 > 0:07:27cos we both love theatre so that's quite important to us.

0:07:27 > 0:07:30What about the architectural style of the house and the age?

0:07:30 > 0:07:34I don't mind if it's quirky but inside I'd like the balance

0:07:34 > 0:07:38between old and modern, so nice sort of modern finishes.

0:07:38 > 0:07:42- And it's got lots of wisteria on the wall.- Right, OK.

0:07:42 > 0:07:46And this, in some ways, really is our dream property

0:07:46 > 0:07:49because we've always lived in other people's houses.

0:07:49 > 0:07:52We've always had to rent by nature of the job.

0:07:52 > 0:07:56- So, we've moved house, is it 11 times?- Yes.

0:07:56 > 0:07:57I think this will be the 12th.

0:07:57 > 0:08:00- BOTH:- And we want this to be the last.

0:08:00 > 0:08:03I can understand that. Well, remind me again of your budget.

0:08:03 > 0:08:06It's between 500 and 700.

0:08:06 > 0:08:09OK. And when was the last time you bought property in the UK?

0:08:09 > 0:08:11- 27 years ago.- Gosh, 1987.

0:08:12 > 0:08:14So have you been keeping an eye on the prices?

0:08:14 > 0:08:18- Do you know how much things cost these days?- We do roughly, yes.

0:08:18 > 0:08:22We've got a rough idea. I think top end will be 700,000.

0:08:22 > 0:08:24We're ready to show you some houses. We've got some lovely houses.

0:08:24 > 0:08:27- Actually, your budget is very healthy round here.- Good.

0:08:27 > 0:08:29So the only thing is you have to like them.

0:08:29 > 0:08:31- So come with me and see if you do. - Great.

0:08:33 > 0:08:36With a maximum budget of £700,000, our couple want a characterful

0:08:36 > 0:08:38property with a modern finish.

0:08:38 > 0:08:42Preferably, it should have four bedrooms and a large kitchen

0:08:42 > 0:08:44to accommodate visiting family.

0:08:44 > 0:08:46As well as a manageable garden

0:08:46 > 0:08:48with colourful country views.

0:08:49 > 0:08:52We've selected some real gems to tempt both our buyers

0:08:52 > 0:08:55but neither of them will find out how much each property

0:08:55 > 0:08:58is on the market for until they've completed their tour.

0:08:59 > 0:09:02Finally, we'll be powering our way towards the Mystery House,

0:09:02 > 0:09:07which might turn our couple's heads and grind out a fantastic result.

0:09:13 > 0:09:16What is the timescale if we find you somewhere and you fall in love?

0:09:16 > 0:09:19We're seeing it as a phased move.

0:09:19 > 0:09:22We'd like to get the house and do it up, furnish it, etc.

0:09:22 > 0:09:26- Probably between a year to two years, I would say.- OK.

0:09:26 > 0:09:27So a sort of staggered return.

0:09:27 > 0:09:30If we find it sooner than later,

0:09:30 > 0:09:33- it will be a great base for me to come back...- Right.

0:09:33 > 0:09:37..to visit family while Guy is still earning our salary.

0:09:39 > 0:09:42We're starting the house-hunt in the village of Ashleworth,

0:09:42 > 0:09:45which is within a 30-minute drive of the large town of Cheltenham

0:09:45 > 0:09:47as well as the city of Gloucester.

0:09:47 > 0:09:52Ashleworth is a quaint civil parish surrounded by wonderful countryside

0:09:52 > 0:09:56and located on the banks of the River Severn.

0:09:56 > 0:09:59History-loving Guy may be interested to know that the village is

0:09:59 > 0:10:02mentioned in the Domesday Book and was held by the

0:10:02 > 0:10:05Earls of Berkeley after the Norman conquest.

0:10:05 > 0:10:10Today, amenities include a post office and some award-winning pubs.

0:10:10 > 0:10:13The property we've lined up is a short walk from the village centre

0:10:13 > 0:10:16and I'm confident it has the character our couple

0:10:16 > 0:10:17are looking for.

0:10:19 > 0:10:24- Here's our first offering. - Wow. Very attractive.

0:10:24 > 0:10:29- It looks very old. I'm thinking it's probably listed.- Well, it is old.

0:10:29 > 0:10:31It's a set of two Tudor cottages.

0:10:31 > 0:10:33Actually, the first front half with

0:10:33 > 0:10:36a barn at the back that's been incorporated.

0:10:36 > 0:10:40And then some 20th-century additions here at the front and the very back.

0:10:40 > 0:10:44- But it's not listed.- Is it not? OK. It looks great.

0:10:44 > 0:10:47- It's certainly different, isn't it? - Is it what you imagined?- Yes.

0:10:47 > 0:10:51I've always wanted something that's full of character.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54- And that certainly looks like it is.- It's got character.

0:10:54 > 0:10:57I was thinking more Cotswold brick, that sort of thing

0:10:57 > 0:11:00- so very different to what I was thinking.- Hmm.

0:11:00 > 0:11:04I'm open-minded because it's a really attractive looking cottage

0:11:04 > 0:11:08- and that could be very nice. - We're intrigued about the inside.

0:11:08 > 0:11:10Good. Let's go inside, then.

0:11:10 > 0:11:13'Guy and Julie like quirky older properties but

0:11:13 > 0:11:14'with the modern finish.

0:11:14 > 0:11:16'And over the past seven years

0:11:16 > 0:11:18'the current owners have renovated throughout.

0:11:18 > 0:11:21'We're passing through the entrance hall straight to the heart

0:11:21 > 0:11:25'of the house that could be perfect for family gatherings.'

0:11:25 > 0:11:26Mind your head.

0:11:28 > 0:11:31- Ah!- It's just all right. It's just all right.- Lovely.

0:11:31 > 0:11:33- Beautiful kitchen.- A Tudor kitchen.

0:11:33 > 0:11:36A Tudor kitchen. Then you have a lovely sunroom here.

0:11:36 > 0:11:39- Gosh, that's lovely to be able to sit out there.- Hmm.

0:11:39 > 0:11:42- This is beautifully done, isn't it? - It's a gorgeous kitchen.

0:11:42 > 0:11:44And lots and lots and lots of storage.

0:11:44 > 0:11:46Underfloor heating also, which is a really nice touch.

0:11:46 > 0:11:49- And beautiful flagstones as well. - Yeah.

0:11:49 > 0:11:51And that island is gorgeous,

0:11:51 > 0:11:54the way they've done that with the timbers.

0:11:54 > 0:11:55Really, really nice, eh?

0:11:55 > 0:11:58This is exactly the sort of kitchen that I would be really happy with.

0:11:58 > 0:12:01It's gorgeous. Yeah, I mean, great.

0:12:01 > 0:12:05- It's better than we imagined. - Yes, it is.- And a range.- Yes.

0:12:05 > 0:12:08A range. Always fancied cooking on one of those.

0:12:08 > 0:12:10In this wing of the house the

0:12:10 > 0:12:11rest of the ground floor comprises

0:12:11 > 0:12:13a handy utility room,

0:12:13 > 0:12:15a study with garden views,

0:12:15 > 0:12:16a family bathroom and

0:12:16 > 0:12:18a sitting room.

0:12:18 > 0:12:21This is a cosy living room with an open fire

0:12:21 > 0:12:24and aspect to the front of the property,

0:12:24 > 0:12:27but I want to take them to the other downstairs area.

0:12:27 > 0:12:28The cottage has been extended

0:12:28 > 0:12:30into an old outbuilding

0:12:30 > 0:12:31connected by the original

0:12:31 > 0:12:32entrance hall.

0:12:32 > 0:12:34In this part of the house,

0:12:34 > 0:12:35there's a ground-floor bedroom

0:12:35 > 0:12:38and even more living space.

0:12:38 > 0:12:42Well, it's a really useful space, isn't it, to have.

0:12:42 > 0:12:44And you could probably convert this into a sitting room.

0:12:44 > 0:12:47It would have that potential, wouldn't it?

0:12:47 > 0:12:51- I see it as a nice comfortable sitting room-cum-dining.- Yeah.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54And very different. It's certainly got the factor that you wanted.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57- It has.- Quirky.- Quirky! - It's definitely quirky.

0:12:57 > 0:13:01The quirky look. It is, it's very different.

0:13:01 > 0:13:03- Shall we have a look upstairs? - Yes. Great.

0:13:05 > 0:13:07'There are two levels on the first floor.

0:13:07 > 0:13:10'The lower part has a shower room that is shared by two doubles,

0:13:10 > 0:13:14'both presented as twin bedrooms, which could be handy in the future

0:13:14 > 0:13:16'for accommodating more grandchildren.

0:13:17 > 0:13:21'Then at the end of a corridor is a small staircase leading up to

0:13:21 > 0:13:24'a space that could be perfect for Guy and Julie.'

0:13:24 > 0:13:25This is the master bedroom.

0:13:25 > 0:13:28It's very attractive again, isn't it?

0:13:28 > 0:13:30Really, this bit's nice too.

0:13:30 > 0:13:34You've got some walk-in wardrobes here and then a clever en suite.

0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Oh, I say!- A shower room.- Fantastic.

0:13:37 > 0:13:41For us it would be perfect to have a master bedroom with en suite.

0:13:41 > 0:13:45It's got a very beautiful view over to what they call Caterpillar Hill.

0:13:45 > 0:13:48It's a nice outlook from just looking outside onto

0:13:48 > 0:13:50the grass and the field there.

0:13:50 > 0:13:54- Quite different.- It is. And I love the colours they've used as well.

0:13:54 > 0:13:56It's just so tastefully done. It's beautiful.

0:13:56 > 0:13:59It's gorgeous. I love this room particularly. It's really nice.

0:14:02 > 0:14:05This detached property has a south-facing terrace to one side,

0:14:05 > 0:14:08with sensational views over the local countryside.

0:14:08 > 0:14:12At the back is a garden laid to lawn with mature shrubs and borders,

0:14:12 > 0:14:14as well as walnut and fruit trees.

0:14:16 > 0:14:18- Is this about the right size? - Yes, it is.- It's perfect.

0:14:18 > 0:14:21It's perfect and it's nice and secluded.

0:14:21 > 0:14:23I think this side is very nicely done.

0:14:23 > 0:14:26I think the other side would need a little bit of work.

0:14:26 > 0:14:29- The front of the house, yes. - Just to brighten it up a bit.

0:14:29 > 0:14:33I'd probably put a few flowerbeds in to put my own mark on it.

0:14:33 > 0:14:36The big question is, how much is it on the market for?

0:14:36 > 0:14:38What do you think the market value for this one is?

0:14:38 > 0:14:44I would say for this house, would be on the market for £600,000.

0:14:45 > 0:14:49- Yeah, I think it's going to be more than that. I think it's 650.- 650?

0:14:49 > 0:14:52You're very determined, I like it. Straight in there with the figures.

0:14:52 > 0:14:57- It's actually midway between the two. It's on at 615.- 615, uh-huh.

0:14:57 > 0:14:59So a bit lower than you thought.

0:14:59 > 0:15:03That leaves money to do it up a bit more.

0:15:03 > 0:15:04A little bit left to spend.

0:15:04 > 0:15:06So go back inside and explore

0:15:06 > 0:15:09because we kind of whizzed round it, just to get your bearings

0:15:09 > 0:15:11a bit inside and have a little root around.

0:15:11 > 0:15:14And I'll see you out the front and we can go on to the next house.

0:15:14 > 0:15:16- Excellent, thanks.- Thank you. - Head on in.

0:15:18 > 0:15:19Very good first house.

0:15:19 > 0:15:22I would sort of thinking that coming from Abu Dhabi

0:15:22 > 0:15:26they'd be guessing like it was £150,000, like 1987 prices

0:15:26 > 0:15:29but they're very professional so that's good.

0:15:29 > 0:15:32I wonder whether if they've fallen in love with it,

0:15:32 > 0:15:35that's the real question, here.

0:15:38 > 0:15:41£85,000 under Guy and Julie's top budget,

0:15:41 > 0:15:45the property fulfils a lot of their requirements.

0:15:45 > 0:15:48It's an interesting mix of character and mod cons

0:15:48 > 0:15:51with enough bedrooms and living space

0:15:51 > 0:15:53to accommodate their family,

0:15:53 > 0:15:56as well as a manageable garden in a rural setting,

0:15:56 > 0:15:59which is less than 25-minute drive to Cheltenham.

0:16:00 > 0:16:04The inside of the property is quite quirky.

0:16:04 > 0:16:11It's definitely something that I wanted. The kitchen is fabulous.

0:16:14 > 0:16:19So really spacious actually for twins, for twin beds. A good space.

0:16:19 > 0:16:23You've got nice views outside. Look at that. That's gorgeous, look.

0:16:23 > 0:16:26- That's an incredible view.- Wow.

0:16:26 > 0:16:28What a beautiful view.

0:16:28 > 0:16:29It's a very good start

0:16:29 > 0:16:31and certainly the sort of thing that we're looking for.

0:16:31 > 0:16:35So, marks out of ten? Seven.

0:16:36 > 0:16:39- Think you'd be right to brighten the front up here.- Yeah.

0:16:39 > 0:16:41- It's a bit of a car park at the moment, isn't it?- It is.

0:16:41 > 0:16:44It's sort of not really a garage area and it's not really a garden

0:16:44 > 0:16:46so it needs a lot more pots and...

0:16:46 > 0:16:48- You do need some projects. - Yes, absolutely.

0:16:48 > 0:16:51- This property certainly has legs. - It has.- Good.

0:16:51 > 0:16:53It's been beautifully restored.

0:16:53 > 0:16:54Good, so have we and we've got to

0:16:54 > 0:16:57use them to get to the next property, so follow me.

0:17:04 > 0:17:07In midwest Gloucestershire near the banks of the River Severn

0:17:07 > 0:17:12is Westbury Court - one of the only remaining examples of a Dutch garden

0:17:12 > 0:17:13to be found in the UK.

0:17:14 > 0:17:18Guy and Judy have limited outside space in their Abu Dhabi townhouse

0:17:18 > 0:17:23and so look forward to having their own dedicated garden to tend to.

0:17:23 > 0:17:25They've come to meet head gardener Jerry Green

0:17:25 > 0:17:27to get a little inspiration.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31- Hi.- Hello, I'm Jerry. - Hello. Nice to meet you.

0:17:31 > 0:17:35For over 300 years, Westbury Court belonged to the Colchester family,

0:17:35 > 0:17:37who were landed gentry,

0:17:37 > 0:17:42and the garden was designed by Maynard Colchester I in 1696.

0:17:42 > 0:17:45What's the story of the Dutch inspiration?

0:17:45 > 0:17:49In the late 1600s, we had a king and queen called William and Mary

0:17:49 > 0:17:51that moved over from the Netherlands, Hampton Court,

0:17:51 > 0:17:53and laid out a beautiful garden there

0:17:53 > 0:17:56and all the minor royals and ladies and gents of the country

0:17:56 > 0:17:58decided because they supported them,

0:17:58 > 0:18:01they would redesign their gardens in the Dutch style.

0:18:01 > 0:18:04What makes a Dutch garden Dutch?

0:18:04 > 0:18:08It was what the English thought a Dutch garden should look like.

0:18:08 > 0:18:10For example, we've got two canals in the garden.

0:18:10 > 0:18:12They would never have that in Holland.

0:18:12 > 0:18:13They're too short of land really.

0:18:13 > 0:18:17They would have water features like pools and fountains but this

0:18:17 > 0:18:20was how the English thought a Dutch garden should look like.

0:18:20 > 0:18:23But it's mainly the utilitarianism of the garden.

0:18:23 > 0:18:26It's got to be mixed with fruit, flowers, vegetables and meat.

0:18:26 > 0:18:30The fish in the canals were to be eaten, we have a vegetable garden

0:18:30 > 0:18:34mixed in with the fruit and flowers so it's the whole thing as one.

0:18:34 > 0:18:38In the 1960s, the Colchester family sold Westbury Court Manor

0:18:38 > 0:18:40to developers.

0:18:40 > 0:18:42The plan was to build new houses on the site

0:18:42 > 0:18:45and the garden became neglected.

0:18:45 > 0:18:49Thankfully, in 1967, the local council and National Trust

0:18:49 > 0:18:52joined forces and purchased the land.

0:18:52 > 0:18:55The trust quickly set about a restoration project

0:18:55 > 0:19:00and used an engraving from 1712 by Dutch artist Johannes Kip

0:19:00 > 0:19:03to keep it as authentic as possible.

0:19:04 > 0:19:08Well, these are our vegetable plots showing what was available

0:19:08 > 0:19:10and grown in the 1700s.

0:19:10 > 0:19:14Here we have asparagus, there is artichokes, globe artichokes

0:19:14 > 0:19:17and a very near relative called a cardoon.

0:19:17 > 0:19:20But all these were only sort of grown by the wealthy.

0:19:20 > 0:19:24A poor man could use the land that this takes up to feed

0:19:24 > 0:19:26his whole family for the year.

0:19:26 > 0:19:28Whereas artichokes, asparagus and cardoons

0:19:28 > 0:19:32only have about a five or six week period that you can crop them

0:19:32 > 0:19:37so it locks up a lot of useful land for very small return.

0:19:37 > 0:19:40During the 17th century, it was widely believed that it was

0:19:40 > 0:19:42man who controlled nature

0:19:42 > 0:19:45and this was particularly symbolised in the use of topiary - which was

0:19:45 > 0:19:49the practice of clipping trees and shrubs into ornamental shapes.

0:19:49 > 0:19:52Jerry has 225 pieces that need attention

0:19:52 > 0:19:56and he's enlisted the help of our couple today.

0:19:56 > 0:19:58You can use the shears on both sides.

0:19:58 > 0:20:01Turning them upside down you can go round a curve much easier

0:20:01 > 0:20:03than if they're that way on the flat.

0:20:03 > 0:20:06You just follow the line of growth from last year.

0:20:06 > 0:20:10You can see last year's growth is a bit darker so you know when to stop.

0:20:10 > 0:20:15- Yeah.- Julie, do you want to tackle the top?- Yeah, I'll have a go.

0:20:15 > 0:20:18- That looks like a bit of a challenge there.- This is not a good idea.

0:20:18 > 0:20:20- It's probably best to do it this way up, isn't it?- Yes.

0:20:20 > 0:20:22- OK.- Get the curve on it.

0:20:22 > 0:20:23To structure the shapes,

0:20:23 > 0:20:27Jerry uses canes that also help provide a guide to work to.

0:20:27 > 0:20:29- How does that look? - That's looking really good.

0:20:29 > 0:20:31SHE CHUCKLES

0:20:31 > 0:20:33Here you are, Guy, you need the practice.

0:20:33 > 0:20:37- What you mean, when we have our own? - Exactly.

0:20:37 > 0:20:40It usually takes a couple of years for the shapes and shrubs

0:20:40 > 0:20:44to establish, at which point Jerry removes the canes.

0:20:44 > 0:20:46Yes, not too bad for a beginner.

0:20:46 > 0:20:50If I have my glasses on I'd probably be able to do it better.

0:20:50 > 0:20:53- There you go. What do you think of that?- Well done.

0:20:53 > 0:20:56Well, hopefully this visit has shaped Julie and Guy's ideas

0:20:56 > 0:20:57for their new garden.

0:20:57 > 0:20:59But now it's time to get back to the house-hunt

0:20:59 > 0:21:03and find them a property that's a cut above the rest.

0:21:07 > 0:21:10For our next stop, we're heading to an archetypal Cotswolds village

0:21:10 > 0:21:11called Bussage,

0:21:11 > 0:21:15which is just a 10-minute drive from the town of Stroud.

0:21:15 > 0:21:18It's located on the fringes of Frith Wood

0:21:18 > 0:21:21and is full of the honey-coloured Cotswold limestone buildings

0:21:21 > 0:21:24that Guy particularly likes.

0:21:24 > 0:21:26The area should strike a chord with Julie too,

0:21:26 > 0:21:29as there are many livestock paddocks here

0:21:29 > 0:21:32which may remind her of her rural upbringing.

0:21:32 > 0:21:36Amenities in Bussage include a public house and a village hall.

0:21:36 > 0:21:38The historic church is a local landmark

0:21:38 > 0:21:43and was consecrated in 1846 after being founded by Thomas Keble,

0:21:43 > 0:21:47a well-known 19th-century Gloucestershire clergyman.

0:21:47 > 0:21:50I've got a good feeling about the next house we're going to see

0:21:50 > 0:21:52as I think it may have the wow factor

0:21:52 > 0:21:54our couple are looking for.

0:21:54 > 0:21:57We're approaching this attractive house via a gravelled driveway

0:21:57 > 0:21:59that runs down the side of the property.

0:22:00 > 0:22:04As you can see, Guy, I've managed to find you a Cotswolds stone cottage.

0:22:04 > 0:22:06- Impressive.- It is. It's gorgeous,

0:22:06 > 0:22:08and I love the look of it from the outside.

0:22:08 > 0:22:11- It's the cottage feel...- It is, and that's exactly what I wanted.

0:22:11 > 0:22:12It's super.

0:22:12 > 0:22:13So, this is 1830s,

0:22:13 > 0:22:16so it's, like, right at the beginning of the Victorian period,

0:22:16 > 0:22:17- end of the Georgian period.- Mm-hm.

0:22:17 > 0:22:21It's a quarryman's cottage originally, cos this was a quarry.

0:22:21 > 0:22:24- Just in the middle there, you see the stone starts to change.- Yep.

0:22:24 > 0:22:27So, that is actually only 30 years old, this extension.

0:22:27 > 0:22:30It was originally a one-up, one-down cottage.

0:22:30 > 0:22:32So, is this more in keeping of what you imagined?

0:22:32 > 0:22:34Yes, it is. It looks fabulous.

0:22:34 > 0:22:38It's very much the sort of outside look that I'd hoped for.

0:22:38 > 0:22:41- That's a...is that of a Virginia creeper there?- It is.

0:22:41 > 0:22:44- But if you look... - Is there a bit of wisteria?- Exactly.

0:22:44 > 0:22:48- Woven...- Exactly what I was going... - Wisteria!- Where is it?

0:22:48 > 0:22:50- You see those, like, slightly...? - Those bits at the bottom.

0:22:50 > 0:22:53- Yes, the other leaf.- Yeah. - That's wisteria. Done deal.

0:22:53 > 0:22:55Do you need to go inside or shall we just sign the cheque now?

0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Yeah, let's just go for it now. - THEY CHUCKLE

0:22:58 > 0:22:59Oh, go on, let's have a look.

0:23:00 > 0:23:03Once again, this home has been tastefully renovated

0:23:03 > 0:23:07and incorporates old period features with a slick, modern finish.

0:23:07 > 0:23:10We're entering through the double doors of the old cottage

0:23:10 > 0:23:11and making our way across

0:23:11 > 0:23:14the original exposed floorboards of the entrance hall

0:23:14 > 0:23:17to an important space for Guy and Julie.

0:23:17 > 0:23:21Step in...to a super-duper country kitchen.

0:23:21 > 0:23:23- Wow.- Oh, hey. Super.

0:23:23 > 0:23:25Love the colour too.

0:23:25 > 0:23:28- And another range. - And another range.

0:23:28 > 0:23:31That looks like a proper old-fashioned one, doesn't it?

0:23:31 > 0:23:33But what's good is that you also have a regular hob

0:23:33 > 0:23:35- and a conventional oven as well. - And a conventional oven.

0:23:35 > 0:23:38I think it's perfect. I mean, the size is good...

0:23:38 > 0:23:40- And the right colours. - The right colours.

0:23:40 > 0:23:42I love the layout.

0:23:42 > 0:23:45Yeah, it's suites my taste completely, actually.

0:23:45 > 0:23:47Really nice.

0:23:47 > 0:23:48I'd like to show you the sitting room,

0:23:48 > 0:23:50- which is very charming.- Great.

0:23:50 > 0:23:52'Off the kitchen is the original dining room,

0:23:52 > 0:23:55'which at the moment is being used as a playroom.

0:23:55 > 0:23:58'Adjacent to this is a handy cloakroom,

0:23:58 > 0:24:00'and as I'm leading them to the sitting room,

0:24:00 > 0:24:02'I'm interested to know if they think this cottage provides

0:24:02 > 0:24:04'enough space for all the family.'

0:24:04 > 0:24:07You've got one, two, three, four, five.

0:24:07 > 0:24:09You'd get five or six to seat.

0:24:09 > 0:24:11It's fine for a sitting room.

0:24:11 > 0:24:13And it's decorated in a way...

0:24:13 > 0:24:15Probably we would look at similar sort of decorations.

0:24:15 > 0:24:17Yes, very much, again, to our taste.

0:24:17 > 0:24:19- Again, it's very tasteful. - It's lovely.

0:24:19 > 0:24:21It'd be a great place at Christmas, wouldn't it?

0:24:21 > 0:24:23It's got that lovely feel.

0:24:23 > 0:24:25Cottage-y and lots of nice decorations.

0:24:25 > 0:24:26Well, I can see that kitchen

0:24:26 > 0:24:28- working for Christmas, definitely. - Yeah, I know.

0:24:28 > 0:24:30Well, talking of Christmas guests,

0:24:30 > 0:24:32you'd have to put them to bed somewhere,

0:24:32 > 0:24:34and this house has five bedrooms.

0:24:34 > 0:24:35- Oh, wow.- Ah!

0:24:37 > 0:24:40'I thought the number of bedrooms might get a positive response,

0:24:40 > 0:24:42'so we're heading upstairs to take a look.

0:24:42 > 0:24:46'There are currently three that have been kitted out for children -

0:24:46 > 0:24:49'a compact single and two decent doubles

0:24:49 > 0:24:51'that would be great for any grandchildren.

0:24:52 > 0:24:55'They all share a family bathroom,

0:24:55 > 0:24:56'but on top of this,

0:24:56 > 0:25:00'there is also a tastefully decorated en suite guest bedroom,

0:25:00 > 0:25:03'and lastly, the one I'm showing them.'

0:25:03 > 0:25:05So, this is being used as the master bedroom.

0:25:05 > 0:25:09- Oh, my goodness.- Lovely. - What a beautiful room.

0:25:09 > 0:25:11I love the wallpaper in here.

0:25:11 > 0:25:13Just fits perfectly with it.

0:25:13 > 0:25:16- I mean, the curtains matching, it just...- And...

0:25:16 > 0:25:19Yeah, and that view. Oh, my. It's so pretty.

0:25:19 > 0:25:21I mean, it's not a conventional view,

0:25:21 > 0:25:25- but it's just really different... - Yeah.- ..and very attractive.

0:25:25 > 0:25:27- The thing about this house is that it's in a quarry.- Yes.

0:25:27 > 0:25:30So, actually, you don't get any commanding views of the landscape.

0:25:30 > 0:25:32No, but they're different.

0:25:32 > 0:25:34- But that is balanced by privacy. - Yes.- Quite.

0:25:34 > 0:25:37- So I think it's...it's worth it.- Yeah.

0:25:37 > 0:25:39And then you've got a little en suite shower room as well.

0:25:39 > 0:25:42- They really have used the space... - They really have.

0:25:42 > 0:25:43- ..exceptionally well.- Yes.

0:25:43 > 0:25:44Surprising, cos from the outside,

0:25:44 > 0:25:47you don't expect it to be as big inside.

0:25:47 > 0:25:49- Very nice. Yeah.- It's cute.

0:25:49 > 0:25:51Cute? Is that good or bad?

0:25:51 > 0:25:53- That's very good. - That's very good.- Excellent.

0:25:53 > 0:25:55- It's exceptionally good.- Great.

0:25:55 > 0:25:57But let's go out into the garden and talk about price.

0:25:59 > 0:26:01Despite its perceived cuteness,

0:26:01 > 0:26:05this house comes with over a third of an acre of outside space

0:26:05 > 0:26:10which includes a garage, mature plants and established trees

0:26:10 > 0:26:13and a large lawn which is enclosed by a Cotswold stone wall

0:26:13 > 0:26:16that gives it a sense of privacy.

0:26:16 > 0:26:19So, what do you think it's on the market for?

0:26:19 > 0:26:22I think it's the high-end of our budget,

0:26:22 > 0:26:28so I would say probably £705,000.

0:26:28 > 0:26:30I think it might even be slightly more than that.

0:26:30 > 0:26:33- It's probably 710, something like that.- OK.

0:26:33 > 0:26:36In this instance, you're both a little pessimistic.

0:26:36 > 0:26:38This is on the market just under your top budget,

0:26:38 > 0:26:40so this is on at 695.

0:26:40 > 0:26:43- Ah! Ah.- That is perfect. - That is... Yes.

0:26:43 > 0:26:45- OK, where do we sign? - Very encouraging.

0:26:45 > 0:26:47THEY LAUGH That's what we love to hear.

0:26:47 > 0:26:51Go and explore inside, and then I'll meet you out the front.

0:26:51 > 0:26:52- Will do.- Perfect. Thanks.- Thank you.

0:26:53 > 0:26:55Ching!

0:26:56 > 0:26:58At £5,000 under budget,

0:26:58 > 0:27:01I thought this house, with an interesting mix of

0:27:01 > 0:27:03period features and a contemporary finish

0:27:03 > 0:27:05would excite Julie and Guy,

0:27:05 > 0:27:06and I wasn't wrong.

0:27:06 > 0:27:09They really liked the spacious kitchen,

0:27:09 > 0:27:11five bedrooms for accommodating visiting family

0:27:11 > 0:27:13and the secluded quarry garden.

0:27:13 > 0:27:16The bonus is that Stroud and its cultural hot spots

0:27:16 > 0:27:19are just a 10-minute drive away.

0:27:19 > 0:27:22It's a fascinating property because it looks like it's a tiny cottage,

0:27:22 > 0:27:25and it's actually quite a large cottage once you get inside.

0:27:25 > 0:27:29There's no views, which is something that we would've preferred,

0:27:29 > 0:27:32but, actually, what you've got is an area which is totally protected

0:27:32 > 0:27:35and very little possibility of people overlooking your property.

0:27:35 > 0:27:37It's quite a plus, I think.

0:27:37 > 0:27:39Ah!

0:27:39 > 0:27:42- Ah! So, this is...- So, this is... - ..the old dining room.

0:27:42 > 0:27:44Ah. It's really nice.

0:27:44 > 0:27:47- This could easily be made into a dining room again.- Mm.

0:27:47 > 0:27:51And lovely looking out at that wall outside.

0:27:51 > 0:27:53Very pretty.

0:27:53 > 0:27:54It really is very nice.

0:27:54 > 0:27:57I think that we'll have to think very carefully about this one.

0:27:57 > 0:28:00It'd certainly be the sort of place I could see us living in

0:28:00 > 0:28:02and the family coming to visit.

0:28:02 > 0:28:05Do you know, there's quite a big wisteria under here.

0:28:05 > 0:28:07It's being rather smothered by this the Virginia creeper.

0:28:07 > 0:28:10You know, I think you could actually restore this wisteria

0:28:10 > 0:28:11in quite a nice way

0:28:11 > 0:28:13cos it's got this Virginia creeper growing over it.

0:28:13 > 0:28:16- That could be your life's work. - Yes, it could,

0:28:16 > 0:28:18cos if I could get wisteria all over the front,

0:28:18 > 0:28:20yes, that would be a dream come true.

0:28:20 > 0:28:22- It would just finish off the whole job.- It would.

0:28:22 > 0:28:23That's what we like to hear.

0:28:23 > 0:28:25But don't give up on the Mystery House -

0:28:25 > 0:28:27- we've still got that to see tomorrow.- Great.

0:28:34 > 0:28:36Dawn has broken on day two of

0:28:36 > 0:28:38our property search in Gloucestershire.

0:28:38 > 0:28:40With a maximum budget of £700,000,

0:28:40 > 0:28:43married couple Guy and Julie have decided to leave

0:28:43 > 0:28:46their expat life of 30 years behind

0:28:46 > 0:28:50and return to the UK to be closer to their growing family.

0:28:50 > 0:28:52Still to come, we've got a Mystery House

0:28:52 > 0:28:55that certainly delivers on character...

0:28:55 > 0:28:57- Do think it cracks nuts? - THEY CHUCKLE

0:28:57 > 0:28:59Yes...

0:28:59 > 0:29:01..and I waddle my way to a nature reserve

0:29:01 > 0:29:04whose residents may melt my heart.

0:29:04 > 0:29:06These are the maximum cuteness here.

0:29:08 > 0:29:10We're all very excited this morning

0:29:10 > 0:29:13because last night we overheard Guy and Julie talking about

0:29:13 > 0:29:14how they must go to the estate agent

0:29:14 > 0:29:17and put an offer in the house they saw yesterday afternoon

0:29:17 > 0:29:18before it gets snapped up

0:29:18 > 0:29:20which is a very positive sign,

0:29:20 > 0:29:22particularly cos we all thought that

0:29:22 > 0:29:23they might like the Mystery House most.

0:29:23 > 0:29:25Well, they haven't seen it yet,

0:29:25 > 0:29:29but whatever it is, this is not a run-of-the-mill property.

0:29:29 > 0:29:31Or maybe it is a run-of-the-mill property.

0:29:33 > 0:29:35Whichever one it may be,

0:29:35 > 0:29:37what is for certain is the location of our Mystery House.

0:29:37 > 0:29:40It lies in a village called Boddington,

0:29:40 > 0:29:42which is around five miles from the town of Cheltenham.

0:29:43 > 0:29:46Boddington is a small, peaceful village

0:29:46 > 0:29:48with a local pub and plenty of cattle grazing

0:29:48 > 0:29:50on the surrounding farmland.

0:29:50 > 0:29:51I imagine it's the type of place

0:29:51 > 0:29:55that might make Julie feel like she's coming home.

0:29:55 > 0:29:57We're offering up something different with our Mystery House

0:29:57 > 0:30:01and pitching it towards Guy's passion for history -

0:30:01 > 0:30:04an old mill that dates back five centuries

0:30:04 > 0:30:06and has been developed over the years

0:30:06 > 0:30:08into a very interesting residence.

0:30:09 > 0:30:13- Here's the mystery. - A millhouse.- Indeed.

0:30:13 > 0:30:15So, the original Tudor millhouse

0:30:15 > 0:30:18is sort of hidden inside this Victorian shell.

0:30:18 > 0:30:19And so you can see all this brickwork

0:30:19 > 0:30:23and the slate and everything goes back to about 150, 200 years,

0:30:23 > 0:30:26but the actual kind of mill inside is Tudor.

0:30:26 > 0:30:28What's that wheel? Is that some...?

0:30:28 > 0:30:31So, these are the workings. The workings of the original mill

0:30:31 > 0:30:33are kind of scattered through the house - you'll see inside.

0:30:33 > 0:30:36But the actual mill was closed down sort of around the war,

0:30:36 > 0:30:38but then was left derelict for about 40, 50 years.

0:30:38 > 0:30:41It was remodelled in the 1980s.

0:30:41 > 0:30:43- Fascinating.- Mm. It's a nice-coloured brick too, that.

0:30:43 > 0:30:45- Well, you've hit the nail on the head.- Yeah.

0:30:45 > 0:30:48- So, a thumbs up from the outside? - I think so. So far, yeah.

0:30:48 > 0:30:50- Mm-hm. Interested? - It looks very interesting.

0:30:50 > 0:30:51Let's go in.

0:30:52 > 0:30:54The property's spread over three floors.

0:30:54 > 0:30:58We're accessing it via steps that led down to the front door

0:30:58 > 0:31:00and into an entrance hall.

0:31:00 > 0:31:05On this lower ground floor there is a study and a spacious drawing room.

0:31:05 > 0:31:08Come on through into a little slice of...

0:31:08 > 0:31:10- Oh, my goodness.- ..history. THEY CHUCKLE

0:31:10 > 0:31:14- Amazing.- The working... Well, the wheel that was.

0:31:14 > 0:31:17- Do you think it cracks nuts? - THEY CHUCKLE

0:31:17 > 0:31:20- Yeah...- It's a very interesting and unusual room,

0:31:20 > 0:31:22- and it'll always be a talking point.- Mm.

0:31:22 > 0:31:24You will never be short of conversation

0:31:24 > 0:31:26when you invite people round for dinner.

0:31:26 > 0:31:29Is it the sort of place you could imagine living, though?

0:31:29 > 0:31:30- Not sure.- Not sure yet.

0:31:30 > 0:31:33- We'll see how it opens up as we go through.- Yeah.

0:31:33 > 0:31:35- I think we need to see more of the property.- Yeah.

0:31:35 > 0:31:37- Let's continue upstairs then.- Yeah.

0:31:37 > 0:31:40'Steps take us up to the dining area,

0:31:40 > 0:31:42'which is actually on the ground level,

0:31:42 > 0:31:45'but we're continuing up to the first floor.'

0:31:45 > 0:31:48There's a lovely seating area here which is probably more

0:31:48 > 0:31:50- where you'd spend most of your time. - That's nice. Yes.

0:31:50 > 0:31:52And then the kitchen adjoining.

0:31:52 > 0:31:54Gosh. Yes.

0:31:54 > 0:31:57- "Gosh."- Well, it's quite a small kitchen, isn't it? Yes.

0:31:57 > 0:32:00But functional. I mean, it's got everything in here.

0:32:00 > 0:32:02I see it as a perfect restaurant.

0:32:02 > 0:32:04- A restaurant!- Yeah.

0:32:04 > 0:32:06Where will you live? THEY CHUCKLE

0:32:06 > 0:32:08Well, we could live nearby and have this as a restaurant -

0:32:08 > 0:32:10make a fortune.

0:32:10 > 0:32:14We'll see if you can turn the bedrooms into dining rooms too.

0:32:14 > 0:32:16Sadly, this unusual historic home

0:32:16 > 0:32:18is struggling to win over Julie and Guy,

0:32:18 > 0:32:21but we're not grinding to a halt just yet

0:32:21 > 0:32:23as I want them to see the first floor.

0:32:23 > 0:32:25Here there's a family bathroom

0:32:25 > 0:32:28with a rather unique period feature toilet

0:32:28 > 0:32:29and two bedrooms.

0:32:29 > 0:32:32One is dual aspect and being used as a twin

0:32:32 > 0:32:35and the other one is the en-suite master.

0:32:37 > 0:32:39This is the main bedroom.

0:32:39 > 0:32:41- Wow.- Amazing bath.- Nice bath.

0:32:43 > 0:32:46- Very nice bedroom.- It is. It's very nice indeed.

0:32:46 > 0:32:48But quite a muted response from the two of you.

0:32:48 > 0:32:53Yeah, it's...just not quite the sort of family feel.

0:32:53 > 0:32:55I don't know. It's a bit sort of...

0:32:55 > 0:32:57It's quite different, isn't it?

0:32:57 > 0:32:59I'm quite shocked, really.

0:32:59 > 0:33:05It's...it's...it's something so far removed from what I would go for,

0:33:05 > 0:33:07what I would choose in a family home.

0:33:07 > 0:33:10- Guy?- I'm speechless.- I'm trying to think of something to say.

0:33:10 > 0:33:12- THEY CHUCKLE - I'm speechless.

0:33:12 > 0:33:14- It just doesn't match.- Right.

0:33:14 > 0:33:16Let's go into the garden, and I'll be interested to hear

0:33:16 > 0:33:18- how much you think this property's worth.- Yes.

0:33:18 > 0:33:20Yes, that will be a difficult one, I think.

0:33:22 > 0:33:24This detached property sits on a plot

0:33:24 > 0:33:28that is roughly a third of an acre and is mostly laid to lawn.

0:33:28 > 0:33:32The original millpond, which makes a wonderful habitat for wildlife,

0:33:32 > 0:33:35sits in a corner surrounded by reeds.

0:33:36 > 0:33:37Purely academically, then,

0:33:37 > 0:33:39what do you think this is on the market for?

0:33:39 > 0:33:44I would say £515,000.

0:33:44 > 0:33:47I think I'd go the same way as Julie. 500,000.

0:33:47 > 0:33:50This is actually the most expensive property we're showing you.

0:33:50 > 0:33:54- Oh.- This is on at £699,500.

0:33:54 > 0:33:57- Oh, gosh. Goodness.- Amazing.

0:33:57 > 0:34:00There must be some secret bedrooms we've not seen.

0:34:00 > 0:34:02THEY CHUCKLE Yes.

0:34:02 > 0:34:05Nonetheless, why don't you have a nose around inside,

0:34:05 > 0:34:07and I'll come and catch up with you later on.

0:34:07 > 0:34:09- Great.- OK. Thanks.- Thank you.

0:34:10 > 0:34:13That is quite a...underestimate.

0:34:13 > 0:34:15£200,000 - I think that's probably

0:34:15 > 0:34:17the biggest I've ever had on the show.

0:34:17 > 0:34:19Erm... Hm...

0:34:19 > 0:34:22I guess it's a sign that they didn't really like it.

0:34:25 > 0:34:27Our Mystery House was always going to be a gamble

0:34:27 > 0:34:29but I think it was worth showing

0:34:29 > 0:34:31history-loving Guy and Julie this old mill

0:34:31 > 0:34:36as it's on the market for £500 less than the top end of their budget.

0:34:36 > 0:34:38It offers age, character,

0:34:38 > 0:34:40a manageable garden with an old millpond,

0:34:40 > 0:34:43and it's just a 15-minute drive from Cheltenham.

0:34:43 > 0:34:45It's a fascinating property.

0:34:45 > 0:34:47It's full of history, full of character.

0:34:47 > 0:34:51Ah. Well, quite a nice-sized room again, actually, isn't it?

0:34:51 > 0:34:53They're large single beds, aren't they?

0:34:53 > 0:34:56- It'll keep two kids apart perfectly. - Yes, it will.

0:34:56 > 0:34:58It's in a beautiful setting

0:34:58 > 0:35:02which I think is, for me, it's one of the strongest features.

0:35:02 > 0:35:07It's just it's not really the family house I was hoping for.

0:35:09 > 0:35:11Well, one thing I've learnt working on the show

0:35:11 > 0:35:14that I can't sell you all the houses that I show you,

0:35:14 > 0:35:16- so, erm, this one's maybe not a winner.- No.

0:35:16 > 0:35:19- Well, it's not for us, but I think somebody will really love it.- Good.

0:35:19 > 0:35:22Let's find somewhere to talk about all the houses we've seen

0:35:22 > 0:35:23and see what happens next.

0:35:28 > 0:35:31Not far from the Severn Estuary in the south-west of the county

0:35:31 > 0:35:36is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Slimbridge Centre.

0:35:36 > 0:35:37The nature reserve is home to

0:35:37 > 0:35:41over 800 acres of internationally protected wetlands

0:35:41 > 0:35:47that act as a haven for around 100 different species of waterfowl.

0:35:47 > 0:35:49There is a scientific programme in place

0:35:49 > 0:35:53that aims to breed mostly non-native and endangered species

0:35:53 > 0:35:56that migrate to Britain but fail to reproduce here.

0:35:58 > 0:35:59I'm heading to an aviary

0:35:59 > 0:36:03where duckling expert Phoebe Young is going to tell me more.

0:36:03 > 0:36:05This is one of our three breeding aviaries

0:36:05 > 0:36:08specifically set up to incorporate different species

0:36:08 > 0:36:10breeding all alongside one another,

0:36:10 > 0:36:11and these birds have been brought here

0:36:11 > 0:36:14specifically because they're in the prime of their life,

0:36:14 > 0:36:17and hopefully, they're very heavily in love with their other half.

0:36:17 > 0:36:19So, this is a sort of love pond, I mean, in the sense that

0:36:19 > 0:36:21you're trying to get them to breed with each other.

0:36:21 > 0:36:23Yes, that is the aim.

0:36:23 > 0:36:25How many of those actually breed in situ here

0:36:25 > 0:36:27and how many do you have to look after?

0:36:27 > 0:36:29It's based on the quality of the parenting,

0:36:29 > 0:36:30but as a general rule,

0:36:30 > 0:36:33the geese, the swans, and the flamingos are excellent parents

0:36:33 > 0:36:36because they're monogamous parents that pair for life,

0:36:36 > 0:36:38and so they work together 100% of the year

0:36:38 > 0:36:39to look after their offspring.

0:36:39 > 0:36:41So when they're defending the nest,

0:36:41 > 0:36:44the female has some backup, and that's a really lovely thing.

0:36:44 > 0:36:45Some of these other species, however,

0:36:45 > 0:36:48that have come from very tropical parts of the world,

0:36:48 > 0:36:50we simply can't provide them with a natural habitat.

0:36:50 > 0:36:54So, unfortunately, when we know that there'll be a 100% loss

0:36:54 > 0:36:57if we do it naturally with a parent,

0:36:57 > 0:37:00we do feel the responsibility to take those eggs into captivity

0:37:00 > 0:37:02and to hand-rear them securely.

0:37:02 > 0:37:03Doing the hand-rearing method,

0:37:03 > 0:37:08we can almost guarantee a 90% to 95% success rate for a fertile egg.

0:37:08 > 0:37:10- For more ducks.- Yeah.

0:37:10 > 0:37:11So, this is a good time to see

0:37:11 > 0:37:13the eggs in sort of near hatching stage.

0:37:13 > 0:37:15- This is prime time, yeah.- Ah.

0:37:15 > 0:37:18- So can we go and have a look? - We can. Of course. OK.- Great.

0:37:18 > 0:37:22The staff at Slimbridge can handle up to 3,000 eggs a year.

0:37:22 > 0:37:25Phoebe's taking me to the centre's incubation room

0:37:25 > 0:37:28where the heat and humidity each egg needs in order to hatch

0:37:28 > 0:37:30are artificially controlled.

0:37:30 > 0:37:32Phoebe, this is a change of...er...location

0:37:32 > 0:37:33from all that lovely wetland.

0:37:33 > 0:37:35Now we're in a quite scientific space.

0:37:35 > 0:37:38This is where we do all of our in-house incubating

0:37:38 > 0:37:40where a parent is unable to do so.

0:37:40 > 0:37:42These allow us to be more precise

0:37:42 > 0:37:44and do a really good job with some of the species

0:37:44 > 0:37:46that are unable to breed here naturally in the Severn Valley.

0:37:46 > 0:37:50So, what can we actually see or hear in the incubator?

0:37:50 > 0:37:51- What's going on?- An awful lot.

0:37:51 > 0:37:54- I'm going to dim the lights now, if that's OK...- Exciting.

0:37:54 > 0:37:55..down to completely pitch-black

0:37:55 > 0:37:57so that we can age and assess the contents

0:37:57 > 0:37:59and hopefully see something that's coming up to hatch.

0:37:59 > 0:38:01- Right.- So...

0:38:02 > 0:38:04In order to observe the progress of the embryos,

0:38:04 > 0:38:08Phoebe uses an illumination technique called candling

0:38:08 > 0:38:11which provides instant results.

0:38:11 > 0:38:12It's a lovely egg.

0:38:12 > 0:38:13- Is that his little beak? - I don't know.

0:38:13 > 0:38:15I think he's possibly a little early,

0:38:15 > 0:38:19- but it's definitely his little torso.- Wow.- Yeah.

0:38:19 > 0:38:21So, shall we have another look at a couple more?

0:38:21 > 0:38:23So...I wonder what these ones are doing.

0:38:25 > 0:38:27Oh, my gosh. We've actually got one ready to hatch,

0:38:27 > 0:38:31and he's actually got one foot up in the incubating space as well,

0:38:31 > 0:38:32and that's his little beak.

0:38:32 > 0:38:35At this stage, an egg that's close to hatching

0:38:35 > 0:38:37is moved to larger incubators

0:38:37 > 0:38:40to prepare for life outside the shell.

0:38:40 > 0:38:42If an egg is just coming up to hatch

0:38:42 > 0:38:44and it looks like it's a little bit arid,

0:38:44 > 0:38:46we'll pop it into this airspace incubator.

0:38:46 > 0:38:48In here we have a very high humidity,

0:38:48 > 0:38:50and it will allow them to moisten up just in advance of hatching.

0:38:50 > 0:38:52And once they do pop up into the airspace,

0:38:52 > 0:38:55they'll come straight into one of these hatches

0:38:55 > 0:38:56according to the size that they are.

0:38:56 > 0:38:59So, I'm going to lift the lid off and over to the side,

0:38:59 > 0:39:00and we'll have a little look.

0:39:01 > 0:39:04- So...- Aw!- ..there he is.

0:39:04 > 0:39:08- So, I'm going to lift him up and make him safe in my palm.- Oh...

0:39:08 > 0:39:10- So, there he is.- Oh!

0:39:10 > 0:39:13So, this, to me, looks to be a little Mandarin duck,

0:39:13 > 0:39:14but we never see them like this.

0:39:14 > 0:39:16So, you can still see he's very moist indeed,

0:39:16 > 0:39:19but he's desperately trying to fluff up.

0:39:19 > 0:39:22Once hatched, the birds are moved to heated coops

0:39:22 > 0:39:25where different breeds huddle up together for solidarity

0:39:25 > 0:39:27and are hand-reared by the staff.

0:39:27 > 0:39:31SHE GIGGLES These are the maximum cuteness here.

0:39:31 > 0:39:34'The majority of ducklings come from captive stock,

0:39:34 > 0:39:36'and the centre will not introduce them back to the wild

0:39:36 > 0:39:39'because their chances of survival would be too low.'

0:39:39 > 0:39:41What about people who'll be watching at home -

0:39:41 > 0:39:43is there any sort of useful information,

0:39:43 > 0:39:46for example, if they found a stray duckling or an egg or...?

0:39:46 > 0:39:49We would often encourage, you know, to be wary

0:39:49 > 0:39:51and to leave and not touch the bird as long as possible.

0:39:51 > 0:39:55So, contact a relevant authority like ourselves or the RSPCA

0:39:55 > 0:39:58before acting, and get some advice in advance.

0:39:59 > 0:40:01Well, thanks to the breeding programme

0:40:01 > 0:40:03and dedicated team at Slimbridge,

0:40:03 > 0:40:05the Gloucestershire landscape is safeguarding

0:40:05 > 0:40:08the future of exotic birds and endangered species

0:40:08 > 0:40:09from around the world.

0:40:12 > 0:40:14The English countryside and this beautiful summery weather

0:40:14 > 0:40:17has really been playing to our strong points with the properties,

0:40:17 > 0:40:21though I do think that the house in the quarry is a clear contender.

0:40:21 > 0:40:25So all that remains to see is what happens next

0:40:25 > 0:40:27with our lovely couple from Abu Dhabi.

0:40:27 > 0:40:29Will they buy? Let's find out.

0:40:33 > 0:40:35Abu Dhabi to Gloucestershire. How have we done?

0:40:35 > 0:40:38Have we been successful in house-hunting for you?

0:40:38 > 0:40:41- I think you may well have been. - Excellent news.

0:40:41 > 0:40:44We've had a fantastic few days getting to know the area,

0:40:44 > 0:40:49and the house that we saw in the quarry was almost perfect.

0:40:49 > 0:40:53So I think that we may go a bit further with that one.

0:40:53 > 0:40:54Absolutely.

0:40:54 > 0:40:56It had almost everything right -

0:40:56 > 0:40:58the garden was the right size,

0:40:58 > 0:41:02the kitchen was exactly what I was hoping to find

0:41:02 > 0:41:05and a nice selection of bedrooms.

0:41:05 > 0:41:10Often you get 85% of what you want or 75% of what you want -

0:41:10 > 0:41:12this had 95%.

0:41:12 > 0:41:13So what happens next?

0:41:13 > 0:41:15When you say, "Go a bit further," what do you actually mean?

0:41:15 > 0:41:19We're going to go and see the estate agent in about half an hour.

0:41:19 > 0:41:22- Really?- Try and have a look at the house again...

0:41:22 > 0:41:23and put an offer in.

0:41:23 > 0:41:26- Wow! That is fantastic.- Yeah.

0:41:26 > 0:41:28I think we want to just have a little bit of a look

0:41:28 > 0:41:29around the area as well.

0:41:29 > 0:41:31We'll try and do that this afternoon,

0:41:31 > 0:41:32and if we think it's right,

0:41:32 > 0:41:36we'd prefer to strike while the iron's hot

0:41:36 > 0:41:37rather than wait and see somebody snap up

0:41:37 > 0:41:40something that we've actually found is almost perfect.

0:41:40 > 0:41:43- Sure.- Mm. - So, that kind of sets in motion

0:41:43 > 0:41:45a whole kind of grand return to the UK -

0:41:45 > 0:41:47how do you feel about that?

0:41:47 > 0:41:48Well, I'm very excited about that.

0:41:48 > 0:41:51It's something I've been looking forward to for a very long time,

0:41:51 > 0:41:54so, yeah, that can't come soon enough.

0:41:54 > 0:41:56Hmm. Yes, it's true, actually.

0:41:56 > 0:41:58As we've been going around, I've seen you face light up

0:41:58 > 0:42:01- when you see the flowers...- I know. - ..and the English gardens.- Yeah.

0:42:01 > 0:42:03Well, we sincerely wish you all the best,

0:42:03 > 0:42:06and it's just wonderful if you move back, and into that property.

0:42:06 > 0:42:08It really would. I know. I really hope so.

0:42:08 > 0:42:11Fingers crossed that it comes off. Thank you.

0:42:13 > 0:42:15It suddenly occurs to me that, actually,

0:42:15 > 0:42:18I don't know what the landscape in Abu Dhabi looks like -

0:42:18 > 0:42:21desert, palm trees and skyscrapers, I assume.

0:42:21 > 0:42:25But it's definitely not like this, so I think we did a good thing -

0:42:25 > 0:42:29getting Guy and Julie back into this beautiful corner of England.

0:42:29 > 0:42:30And I really hope they buy that house,

0:42:30 > 0:42:32cos it fitted them hand in glove,

0:42:32 > 0:42:35and I also hope that you join us next time

0:42:35 > 0:42:38for another equally successful Escape To The Country.

0:42:40 > 0:42:44Guy and Julie went for that second viewing and made an offer,

0:42:44 > 0:42:47but couldn't negotiate a price that worked for both parties,

0:42:47 > 0:42:49so their house-hunt continues.

0:42:49 > 0:42:51If you'd like to escape to the country

0:42:51 > 0:42:53in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland,

0:42:53 > 0:42:55and would like our help, you can apply at...