0:00:01 > 0:00:03I'm stood at the very ground where some of the rules
0:00:03 > 0:00:05of modern day cricket were founded.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07But what county am I in
0:00:07 > 0:00:11and which club played such a huge part in our sporting heritage?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Find out at the end of the over.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Today, a newlywed couple's search for their first joint home
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- finds us in a tight spot. - It's too small.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38So now we need a living room big enough
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- for pretty much a rugby team.- Maybe.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Thankfully, later, the rooms measure up to expectations.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49- Oh, that's much better.- You look relieved as much as anything else.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51"Oh, yes, thank goodness."
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Today, I'm in Hampshire, at the original home of
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Hambledon Cricket Club on Broadhalfpenny Down.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Thought to date back to the mid-1700s,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Hambledon became the most powerful cricket club in the country,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07taking on the responsibility
0:01:07 > 0:01:10for developing the laws of modern day cricket.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13It was here that the bowling length and style was standardised,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15along with the width of the bat,
0:01:15 > 0:01:17plus the middle stump was added here, too.
0:01:17 > 0:01:18Later on that century,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21responsibility for the laws of cricket was passed on
0:01:21 > 0:01:25to Marylebone Cricket Club, or the MCC, at Lord's up in London.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28And Hambledon then became a village club.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Today, Hambledon Cricket Club still play just down the road,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34but it's great to see, some centuries later,
0:01:34 > 0:01:39you can come up here, watch, even enjoy, the fantastic game of cricket
0:01:39 > 0:01:43and listen out for that unmistakable sound of leather on willow,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46or "How's that?" and this beautiful location.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51As one of the southern counties of England, Hampshire has
0:01:51 > 0:01:55a coastline looking out over the English Channel and shares borders
0:01:55 > 0:02:00with five other counties, including Dorset, Wiltshire and Surrey.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04It's an area rich in beautiful countryside with almost half
0:02:04 > 0:02:06being made up of the two national parks -
0:02:06 > 0:02:08the South Downs and the New Forest,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12the former royal hunting ground created for William the Conqueror.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15It's now a popular tourist destination,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17where picturesque driving routes
0:02:17 > 0:02:21offer sightings of wild ponies in Europe's largest surviving
0:02:21 > 0:02:23area of ancient pasture woodland.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28The county town of Winchester was once the capital city of England.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Set among its medieval streets, the cathedral features
0:02:31 > 0:02:34architecture from the 11th to the early 16th century.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39The valley of the River Test extends for 40 miles
0:02:39 > 0:02:41through rolling chalk hills,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44tranquil meadows and a scattering of thatched cottages,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48finally meandering out to sea at Southampton.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51And it's here that the waters of the Solent also prove a draw
0:02:51 > 0:02:55to sailors, who can enjoy the county's rich maritime history
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and world-class sailing conditions.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02It's not surprising that Hampshire's historic ports,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05towns and villages, combined with its natural features,
0:03:05 > 0:03:09make this county such a popular country escape.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12With all that on offer, it may come as no surprise to learn,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14when it comes to buying property here in Hampshire,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16it's far from cheap.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19As it stands, the average price of a detached house in the county
0:03:19 > 0:03:23comes in at an incredible £398,000 -
0:03:23 > 0:03:26that's 40% above the national figure.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And the bad news is prices increase further
0:03:29 > 0:03:32if you go towards the Test Valley - it's picturesque there -
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and if you want to have access into Winchester.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37So, for more affordable property,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40you need to head towards Southampton or Portsmouth.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Your pound will stretch much further in towns like Waterlooville
0:03:43 > 0:03:45and Fareham.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48So, what's attracting today's buyers to this beautiful,
0:03:48 > 0:03:53if not rather expensive, part of the world? Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Newlyweds Phil and Sadie from Guildford in Surrey
0:03:56 > 0:03:59have spent the last two years living in Zurich, Switzerland
0:03:59 > 0:04:01for Phil's work. But now they're back home
0:04:01 > 0:04:05and ready to begin their property search in the UK.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The couple have been together for 11 years.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10So, we met by putting ads
0:04:10 > 0:04:14independently in a national newspaper.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17My ad was, "The lively, vibrant female from Brighton."
0:04:17 > 0:04:18And his was...
0:04:18 > 0:04:22"The underwater lover" because I was into scuba-diving at that time!
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Phil and Sadie married in 2014
0:04:24 > 0:04:27and have four grown-up children between them
0:04:27 > 0:04:29from previous relationships.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33With the kids no longer at home, and Phil's finance job in Zurich
0:04:33 > 0:04:37coming to an end, the couple feel the time is right for a fresh start.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39There's a good opportunity for us
0:04:39 > 0:04:44to move into a slightly different lifestyle, and the next stage in
0:04:44 > 0:04:48our lives, and maybe take up second careers, and take that opportunity.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51But the lifestyle they want in the UK has been
0:04:51 > 0:04:54influenced by their time abroad.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57We both like the outdoors. So, being in Switzerland, you've got
0:04:57 > 0:05:02the mountains, the lakes, we both enjoy skiing and we like cycling.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06And we want to replicate that as far as we can in England.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Although the couple own a two-bedroom house in Guildford,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11they're looking further afield
0:05:11 > 0:05:14to fulfil their dream of an outdoor life.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18We're looking for something that gives us a little bit more space,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20so maybe a bigger garden.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Probably just get away from the really intense
0:05:23 > 0:05:26busyness of central Guildford.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29And we've chosen Hampshire because it sort of almost replicates
0:05:29 > 0:05:32a little bit of the scenery that we've got used to
0:05:32 > 0:05:36in Switzerland, the lovely rolling hills.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Sadie has also been offered a part-time job
0:05:38 > 0:05:40at Winchester University,
0:05:40 > 0:05:45which she'll juggle alongside studying for a PhD in education.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Phil, on the other hand, would like a career change.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I'm quite interested in gardening,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52so whether there's something on that front.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55I want to do some more studying around gardening.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57He's a man that collects gardening tools,
0:05:57 > 0:06:02so we have a tool for every single job, including a chainsaw.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05When they're not working or studying,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09the couple are looking forward to spending more time on their hobbies.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12I enjoy baking, cake making, when I get the opportunity.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17Well, I want to have a dog and I've already decided what he's called!
0:06:17 > 0:06:21So, I'm looking forward to getting a little dog called Henry.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24That's my first thing, and I think Phil likes his motorbike.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28I wanted to take the bike out to Switzerland,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30but that hasn't been possible.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34So, coming back here, I think we'll be able to use it more.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36After a fast-paced career in finance,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Phil is looking forward to life in a slower gear
0:06:39 > 0:06:42while Sadie recognises the significance of the move.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48This will be, technically, our first married house together, won't it?
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Which is...which is what's really special about it.- Definitely.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Phil and Sadie have asked us
0:06:58 > 0:07:01to concentrate our search around a 45-minute drive radius
0:07:01 > 0:07:04of Winchester for Sadie's new job.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06But before we start looking at potential homes,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08I'm meeting up with them on Hampshire
0:07:08 > 0:07:12soil to find out a little bit more about what they're hoping for.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16So, Phil, Sadie, why Hampshire?
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Well, it's got the rolling countryside,
0:07:18 > 0:07:22lots of outdoor activities and it's also very near to the coast.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24I did sailing years and years ago,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26and I think it's something we'd like to get back into.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30It gives us an opportunity to enjoy the more rural lifestyle.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33And, yeah, something we're definitely both looking forward to.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36So, let's talk about the house, then. What does it look like?
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Detached. Something within its own grounds, maybe.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- So, we want our own space. - Yes, a little bit of space.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Something with a bit of character that stands out a bit.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47The downstairs space is really important,
0:07:47 > 0:07:51something that's maybe flexible, so we can entertain.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54With a good-sized kitchen. Definitely a good-sized kitchen.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Where do people stay when they come to visit?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Are you going to pack them off to a B&B,
0:07:59 > 0:08:00or do you want loads of bedrooms?
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- No, we'd like, certainly, four bedrooms.- Any other rooms?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Your home office, hobby rooms, or music rooms or anything like that?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Certainly a study room would be good,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12a nice space to put my books and enjoy my study.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Somewhere where I could paint.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17I like doing contemporary art, so I make a lot of mess,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19a lot of splashing around with paints.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21A lot of people say that is contemporary art.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I'm very proud of it!
0:08:23 > 0:08:26What else do we want from this house, then?
0:08:26 > 0:08:27I want a reasonable-sized garden.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29It doesn't have to be acres and acres,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32but, you know, a nice-sized garden. A garage would be good.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36I've got a motorbike, which I like to keep out of the elements.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- OK, it's a good-sized house.- Yes.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Where would you like this house to be situated?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Somewhere within walking distance of a good pub.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- That's country living in my opinion. - You've got to have that.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51It has to come within a budget, so let's talk about that.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Yeah, our budget for the property is 700,000.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55That's a good budget.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00That's a lot of money, but then we're in Hampshire, which is...
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- a pretty pricey place to look for property, isn't it?- Yes.
0:09:03 > 0:09:04It's all about how a property makes you feel.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07That moment you walk through the door, the atmosphere, if you like,
0:09:07 > 0:09:08so it's up to you guys now.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- You have to tell me what you like and what you don't like.- OK?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Ready to go?- Absolutely. Fantastic.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20With their budget of £700,000, our couple are after
0:09:20 > 0:09:25a characterful four-bedroom country home with large entertaining areas
0:09:25 > 0:09:28and a good-sized kitchen for big family get-togethers.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Sadie would also like a study and art room, whilst Phil hopes for
0:09:32 > 0:09:36a decent garden as well as garaging for his much-loved motorbike.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39And they'd both like to be walking distance to a pub.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43We've lined up three great homes to show them
0:09:43 > 0:09:47and I'll be asking them to guess the price of each before I reveal it.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49The last one is the Mystery House,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52which holds a rather unique combination of features.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55But, first, we're heading to property number one.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Our first house is located in the village of Timsbury,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07just over a 25-minute-drive from Winchester for Sadie's work
0:10:07 > 0:10:10and three miles from the amenities of Romsey.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Part of the Test Valley, the market town of Romsey
0:10:13 > 0:10:17has a historic abbey and plenty of shops around its marketplace.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21A short drive away in Timsbury is the detached cottage
0:10:21 > 0:10:24I want to show them, located right in the middle of the village.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30So, our first house is this detached number.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31What's your thoughts?
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- It's quite a modern house, I think. - Built in 2002.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39You've got elements of the traditional way of building here,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41with the flint features, and what have you,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45but, essentially, it is a fairly recently built property.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- Two garages.- Yes, two garages.- So, we've got the garages, that's good.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Yes. Probably, as an entrance, I'm not sure
0:10:52 > 0:10:57whether I think garages are what I would want as a welcoming door.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58No, I know what you mean.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01It's secondary to what you're looking at, isn't it, really?
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Yeah, but it could be very interesting inside, so...
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- Come on in, I'll show you. - Fantastic.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13So, some initial reservations to the exterior style of our first house.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17However, it is set in a private well-established plot and,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20as they'll see, mixes traditional and contemporary features.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24The current owners have refurbished the interior to create a modern
0:11:24 > 0:11:28family home, which, hopefully, gives them the space they're after.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Now, then, I know you said you wanted an open-plan
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- configuration for the kitchen area...- Yeah.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- Tell me, does this work for you? - Yes. Nice.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Got a good size to it, hasn't it? And fairly light and airy.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45I'm just trying to think whether we could get, sort of,
0:11:45 > 0:11:5010 or 12 of us around a table, if this is the only area for dining.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55- Well, how about you shifted this into the conservatory area?- OK.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58It's got underfloor heating in there. You can make more of that.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01It's a nice, wide, deep conservatory.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05And this would be a breakfast area, and that's your dining area.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Yes, yes, that would work. - That's a possibility.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11As well as using the conservatory space for entertaining the family,
0:12:11 > 0:12:13there's also a separate dining room,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16and the kitchen benefits from a utility room with space
0:12:16 > 0:12:17for the white goods.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20As we cross to the other side of the entrance hall, to the right,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23there's an office for Sadie to study in,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26and, ahead of us, the sitting-room.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Right, then, this is your living room.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Once you've fed and watered your guests, this is where you can relax.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- It's too small.- Too small? - Too small.
0:12:36 > 0:12:43Too small for a family of, you know, eight, ten, 14 of us.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Hold on, 14 now?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49About half an hour ago, you had a few sons and daughters.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50Now there's 14 of you.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Those sons and daughters have friends and boyfriends,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- and girlfriends...- I don't care about them!- Well, we do.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58They're part of the family.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01OK. A living room big enough for, pretty much, a rugby team.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03OK. Right.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05There are some good features in here.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- I mean, the fireplace is nice, you've got the wood burner.- Yes.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- I like a wood burner.- I'm getting the fact you want a lot bigger.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Let's go upstairs, see what you think of the bedrooms. Come on.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21Clearly, having huge entertaining spaces is vital for Phil and Sadie,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25even though they'll be spending most of the time here as they couple.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Upstairs gives them the four bedrooms they asked for.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31There's a guest double with built-in wardrobe,
0:13:31 > 0:13:33which also has an en suite shower room,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36another double-sized room,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39and a small single with an attractive window.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43They all make use of a family bathroom with a window seat feature,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46so that just leaves the master.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48OK, so you wanted bright and airy.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- I think it's bright and airy in here.- Yes, very nice.- It is, yes.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Maybe, for us, it would be nice to have something a little bit bigger
0:13:55 > 0:13:58but it has got all of this area for clothes.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02It sounds like you want a slightly bigger house,
0:14:02 > 0:14:03I've got to tell you.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05With maybe a bit more character.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09This is a very safe house, I think. It's very conventional, very safe...
0:14:09 > 0:14:12All right, then, Mr and Mrs Danger, let me take you to the garden.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- Come with me.- OK.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19It's clear the size and character of the interior hasn't hit the mark.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Outside, as well as a sweeping driveway to the front,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26there's a lawned garden to the rear, which is enclosed and comprises
0:14:26 > 0:14:28a patio space for entertaining,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30along with well-stocked borders and trees.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33It's a very pretty garden,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- a bit on the smaller side than we're looking for.- OK.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- How much bigger do you think you'd want?- At least twice the size.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- At least.- Right. OK.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Your first foray with me looking around properties in Hampshire,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48how much do you think this house on the market is for?
0:14:48 > 0:14:51I'd go for 650 on this one.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Um... I'd go for...
0:14:55 > 0:14:56625?
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Right, well, you'd be surprised to hear that this place
0:14:59 > 0:15:03is on the market for £699,950.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Right.- It underlines how expensive the area is.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Look, you're less than half an hour from Winchester here.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12You're close to sailing territory.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15But what you should do now is go back in here,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17remind yourselves of what does work,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20what you'd prefer to see in another house,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23but also really get a feel for what you get for your money here,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26cos I think that's quite a shock to you as well.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- You guessed quite a lot lower. - Yep.- Yes, I did!
0:15:28 > 0:15:29LAUGHTER
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- I'll catch you later on. See you in a mo.- OK, thank you.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39The price of our first property, at just a whisker below
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Phil and Sadie's budget, comes as a bit of a reality check.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47As a relatively new build, it's set up as a spacious family home
0:15:47 > 0:15:50combining traditional and contemporary features.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52The downstairs accommodation includes a large kitchen
0:15:52 > 0:15:55and breakfast room with adjoining conservatory,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58and there are four bedrooms upstairs.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02The garden is manageable and there's a double garage for Phil's bike.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07Coming into the kitchen area and the conservatory area,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10it was lovely and bright, got some natural plants
0:16:10 > 0:16:13in the conservatory, and there's some really nice features,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15with the open brick.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19That felt, sort of, in a way, a little bit characterful.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22In the sitting room, there was a good feature with the fireplace,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25a nice wood burner, which is something I quite like.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29From that point of view, you know, it's a...it's a nice property.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31It's fairly conventional.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33It hasn't got the level of character
0:16:33 > 0:16:36that I think we're really looking for.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- I think that's kind of...close the door on that one.- Yup.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42You closed the door on that one physically,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45and mentally, did I just hear that right?
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Well, for me, I think I've learned quite a bit about what you're after.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Has this cemented in your minds what you're after?
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Or what we're not after.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55I think it's shown what we don't want, quite clearly.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58It's a shame cos it's a nice house, but just not for you.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- It is, but not for us. - Onward and upward.- Fantastic.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10As well as all it has to offer inland, Hampshire's coast is
0:17:10 > 0:17:15home to historic ports, attractive moorings and rivers to explore.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18This makes it the most popular sailing destination
0:17:18 > 0:17:20in the country, and Phil and Sadie are keen to pursue
0:17:20 > 0:17:23some nautical interests once they've moved.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26To find out more, they're meeting with Brian Hinde,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29current Vice Commodore of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32who's agreed to show them the ropes.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34This is quite a prestigious club, I understand.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40We have been around for a long time. We started back in the 1870s
0:17:40 > 0:17:43and gained our royal charter 1877,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and we've been active ever since.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- And, to belong to the club, do you have to own a boat?- Good Lord, no!
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Like many of the yacht clubs and sailing clubs,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55we are a RYA accredited teaching centre.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59The RYA being the official body for yachting in this country.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03And we have members who are qualified professional
0:18:03 > 0:18:07sailing instructors and you can complete courses with them.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12The RYA, or Royal Yachting Association,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15is the accrediting body for many sailing courses
0:18:15 > 0:18:19and it's wise to pass one before taking to the water.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Brian, a qualified yacht master, is introducing Phil and Sadie
0:18:22 > 0:18:26to some simple shore-based skills.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27So, if I say to you "warps and fenders",
0:18:27 > 0:18:30what does that mean to you? Does that mean anything at all?
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- Haven't got a clue.- Right.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Well, the warps are the lines which are tying the boat up.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37- Right.- Right, OK.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39And this is a fender.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43And what it does is it's designed to protect the topsides
0:18:43 > 0:18:48and to stop them rubbing against the woodwork.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- So, what are you like at knots? - Not too good.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Not too good either.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56My favourite is the slip clove hitch,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58which I've put onto this fender here.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00So if I show you how that one's done, and then you can have a go,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- you'll then be partly trained crew. - Experts!
0:19:05 > 0:19:06I put the fender in.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11- Pull that round.- Round. Feed that back up.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- Would you like to have a go? - Let's have a go.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18SHE LAUGHS
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- Don't know if I've done this right. - I think that's right, is it?
0:19:21 > 0:19:24That one's good. That's it. Good.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29With all hitches successfully overcome,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32their nautical lesson continues out on the open water,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36where Brian is happy to let Sadie take the helm.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Where am I heading to? That big gap in the middle?
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Big gap in the middle. Is there anything?
0:19:41 > 0:19:44I can't see anything down ahead of us.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Southampton's waters are relatively sheltered from the elements,
0:19:48 > 0:19:49but its role as a busy seaport
0:19:49 > 0:19:52can still make it a challenge for novices.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56We'll look down there first of all, we can see a tug coming up here.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- Yes.- Ah! Red funnel coming out over there.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- Oh, a ferry as well! - A ferry as well.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- Oh, my God!- Busy shipping lane, isn't it?
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- And you've got the barge behind you. - SHE LAUGHS
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Oh, it's getting windy as well. Yes.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- You've got to keep your wits about you.- Sailing in. OK.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17It's quite choppy here, isn't it?
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Oh, no. No, this is actually very flat and calm.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22LAUGHTER
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Buoyed by their introduction to sailing,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Phil and Sadie are keener than ever to lay anchor in the area.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31We're looking forward to learning a bit more in the future,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- so thank you very much. - No, thank you for coming.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Good luck with the house search and we hope to see you again sometime.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41- Thank you very much.- Really enjoyed it. It's been a great day.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48For our second property,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51we're hopping just over the county board into Wiltshire,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53around a 35-minute-drive from Winchester
0:20:53 > 0:20:55to the village of Redlynch.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Set on the northern boundary of the new Forest National Park,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03the village forms part of a parish that features three pretty churches.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06And, mindful of their wish to be near a pub,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10the King's Head, originally built in the 1700s as a cider house,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13is just a short stroll from the detached property
0:21:13 > 0:21:14I want to show them.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20I think, for this second property, all your misgivings about the lack
0:21:20 > 0:21:23of proportions and dimensions of the first house will be
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- more than satisfied here.- Yes.- OK. - What do you think, Sadie?
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- What's going through your mind? - I love this.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32I like the fact that it's not on one flat level,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35so you've got different gradients.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39So, for you, Philip, we've got a big double garage with power.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Look, I'm setting myself up for a fall but I am
0:21:42 > 0:21:45more than confident that the dimensions and proportions
0:21:45 > 0:21:47inside will be suitable for you.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52To me, it looks like it's a sort of two-bedroomed bungalow.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Well, you know what? It started life as a two-bed bungalow,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58but it's been vastly extended.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59- Come with me.- OK.- OK.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05The property has a TARDIS-like quality inside,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08where a hallway leads us into the heart of the home,
0:22:08 > 0:22:10a good-sized kitchen and breakfast room.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16Now, I'm hoping to hear much better reactions in this kitchen.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- Definitely.- This is a good-sized kitchen, yeah, very nice.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- Nicely done.- Very nice.- And it leads into the dining area as well.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26And, look, beautiful view out there -
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- right onto the field.- Perfect.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- Cracking, isn't it?- It's lovely. - You've just got bags of space.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37Yes, and this sort of central working area for communal cooking.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41It looks really nice and our table would fit in there.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- It would look perfect there. - Yes, it would.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49The ground floor here also provides a utility space off the kitchen
0:22:49 > 0:22:53and a separate dining room leading into a conservatory.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56There are also two rooms large enough to be double bedrooms,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59one currently used as a study, and an office,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01plus a downstairs bathroom.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05But it's the very generously proportioned sitting room,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08with its own dining area, that I really hope will wow
0:23:08 > 0:23:10these great entertainers.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- Now, you wanted big. - Oh, yes.- Oh, yes.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19- That's much better.- You look relieved as much as anything else.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21"Oh, yes, thank goodness."
0:23:21 > 0:23:26Well, it's just that I know we've got three sofas to accommodate.
0:23:26 > 0:23:27SHE LAUGHS
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- A lot of plus points.- Definitely. - So, this is good so far?- Lovely.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- Very good.- Let's go upstairs and show you the bedrooms.- OK.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39So, lots of positive signals for the ground floor.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42The stairs lead up to the landing, off which is a clean,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45bright family bathroom.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48There's a double bedroom with two skylight windows,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51a smaller double with the skylight looking out over great views,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55and the fifth and final bedroom here is the master en suite.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00The master, being this end of the building,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- gives you that lovely view again. - Yeah, it's lovely.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07And got the window in the ceiling there, it looks really nice.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Nice, nice and open.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- Yeah, light and airy, it's very nice.- Yes, it's lovely.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- Good-sized room.- Yeah. - These are positive reactions.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Oh, yeah.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Could you make this into a home for you guys? That's the big thing.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- Yeah, that's what we need to think about.- Yep.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Outside, the thoughtfully planned garden offers
0:24:24 > 0:24:28a range of seating areas, with gorgeous countryside views.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32There's a paved patio, ideal for alfresco entertaining,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36a conservatory and a good-sized lawn with a range of planted beds.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43So, I mean, size-wise, this house seems to work.
0:24:43 > 0:24:44- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Location-wise.- Mm-hm. Very nice. - Yes, it does.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- Looks like you quite liked the house.- Yes.- Mhm.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Well, maybe your guesses of how much this place is on the market for
0:24:54 > 0:24:56will reflect what you think about it.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58- So who's going first? - Me.- All right.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01I'm going first. I'm going for 690.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04All right. Phil?
0:25:04 > 0:25:05I think something very similar as well.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10I think it probably comes close to our budget, so I'll go for 700.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15Well, good guesses. It's on for £685,000.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- Oh!- OK.- So I was very close?
0:25:17 > 0:25:18- Yes.- You were.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23It's a good thing to measure on for something that we've found.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- We like the location.- It's definitely something to think about.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28You should go back into the house,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30remind yourselves of what you've seen,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- but also, knowing the price, knowing you can afford this place...- Yeah.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36..have a think about what changes you could make to make this special,
0:25:36 > 0:25:37- maybe to make this reflect you. - Yeah.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- All right, and I'll catch you whenever you're done.- OK, thank you.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- See you tomorrow. - All right, thank you.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50At £15,000 below their budget,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52this detached New Forest house
0:25:52 > 0:25:55offers everything Phil and Sadie have asked for.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57With a total of five potential bedrooms,
0:25:57 > 0:26:02there's lots of flexibility for a study, an art room and guests.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05The large open-plan kitchen and massive lounge
0:26:05 > 0:26:08is ideal for big family gatherings.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Outside, there's lots of potential for Phil
0:26:10 > 0:26:12to rekindle his gardening skills,
0:26:12 > 0:26:16as well as a well-appointed garage for his beloved motorbike.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Oh, yes, that's really nice.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26It would make a nice area for just when you and I are on our own.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28I can watch you doing the gardening...
0:26:28 > 0:26:29LAUGHTER
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- ..while I'm sitting having my glass of wine.- Yeah, you could.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34I can see the whole house
0:26:34 > 0:26:37would function very well for either Phil and I,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39or when we have a whole family
0:26:39 > 0:26:42all sitting around the table together...
0:26:42 > 0:26:47chatting while we're cooking, and the lounge area works really well.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51What I liked in particular, I think, is the kitchen area
0:26:51 > 0:26:55and the way it leads into the dining and living area.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00The location's...it's fantastic, on the edge of New Forest.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02The village, you know, is a nice village.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04You've got a pub down the road.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09The more I've spent time in this house, the more I like it
0:27:09 > 0:27:13and the more I can see it would work very well.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Now, I hope you've given this house some serious consideration.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21- We have.- Definitely.- We've had a really good look round.- Yep.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Something to think about tonight, maybe over dinner.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25- Yes.- Tomorrow, we've only got one more.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27- OK.- Let's go.- All right, thank you.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39It's day two of our Hampshire house-hunt,
0:27:39 > 0:27:41helping newlyweds Phil and Sadie
0:27:41 > 0:27:43escape from Central Guildford in Surrey
0:27:43 > 0:27:45for more rural surroundings.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50Armed with £700,000, they're seeking a large home to act as a hub
0:27:50 > 0:27:53for lots of visiting family and friends.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Coming up, we have the Mystery House to show them,
0:27:55 > 0:27:59which could well put a different spin on their expectations.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- It has got a sort of a modern, contemporary feel about it.- Yeah.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04You've still got the tradition.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07And I'll be meeting a man who is reviving a great British crop,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09right here in Hampshire.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11This is a lot stronger flavour than your spearmint.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14LAUGHTER That is strong.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17I'm going to have fresh breath for the rest of the year.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Well, I think we certainly learned yesterday that, for Sadie and Phil,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24they're after a house that really gives them this hub,
0:28:24 > 0:28:26this entertainment space.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28But for those two properties,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31whilst I think they're perfectly good houses,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33I think, for them, there was something missing
0:28:33 > 0:28:34and it was this character.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Sadie and Phil's idea of character, if you like,
0:28:38 > 0:28:39is old world charm, I reckon.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42So, for today's Mystery House, we're going to deliver that.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Internally, it's got some of those features
0:28:45 > 0:28:47that I think they'll really like.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Externally, well, it's got that kerb appeal.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52Some people don't like thatch properties,
0:28:52 > 0:28:54some people absolutely love them.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Well, this suits both of those parties.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00On the one hand, this property is thatched, on the other...
0:29:00 > 0:29:01well, it's not.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06For the Mystery House, we're heading back
0:29:06 > 0:29:07to the heart of Hampshire,
0:29:07 > 0:29:10around a 25-minute-drive northwest of Winchester,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14to the historic mill town of Andover.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Andover developed along the banks of the River Anton,
0:29:16 > 0:29:20a location which today provides a haven for waterfowl,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23but was formerly a centre for water milling.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27The Domesday Book of 1086 records six working mills here
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and that legacy can still be seen in the buildings,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32which have since been converted.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36It's also woven into the history of our mystery proposition,
0:29:36 > 0:29:40located by a tributary to the main river in a quiet cul-de-sac.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45So, for the Mystery Property, we are going to be looking around...
0:29:45 > 0:29:46this thatched cottage.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Oh, wow. OK.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- Pretty, isn't it?- Yes. - Very pretty house.- It's beautiful.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- Have you thought about living in a thatched house before? - We have considered it.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- We wouldn't rule it out. - You wouldn't rule it out? Good.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Well, you're half thatched. That bit's thatched, that bit isn't.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- So, that's part of the property as well, OK.- This is a new extension.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07- OK.- Parts of this property are around 300 years old.- Wow.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10So, it's got the character we're looking for, I think.
0:30:10 > 0:30:11- Yes, it has the history.- Yeah.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Want to look inside?
0:30:13 > 0:30:15- I think we'd love to look inside. - Come on.- Good.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18This home is a tale of two halves.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21The older property, built for mill workers in the 16th century,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24houses the living room, snug and kitchen,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27whilst the extension has its own entrance hall
0:30:27 > 0:30:29to two further rooms and a shower room.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33But we're entering through a porch on the old part of the building,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36which leads into a large living area
0:30:36 > 0:30:38with original beams and supports.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- You're hit almost by the history of the place.- Wow, yeah.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- Yeah, it's a tree trunk. - LAUGHTER
0:30:44 > 0:30:45This timber work here,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- I mean, this is hundreds and hundreds of years old.- Yeah.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- It's got real character.- It has. - Some fireplace as well.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53- Isn't it just?- Beautiful.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55It's not a bad size, actually.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- That's a good-size room, there. - Yes, it is.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01And, then, you can see your dining area is just there.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03- That's probably a snug...- Yes.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- ..or you can do something else with it.- No, it's nice.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10Are you surprised to see this sort of layout, here in this house?
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- It has got a sort of a modern, contemporary feel about it.- Yeah.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16You've still got the tradition, as well.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Opening it up has helped it a lot
0:31:18 > 0:31:20because, if it wasn't opened up,
0:31:20 > 0:31:22it'd probably be a lot darker, actually.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Let's keep walking around, mind your step there.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26Let's walk round this way.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32So, light, bright, airy.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35- Yeah.- Yes, yes.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38- Almost farmhouse, actually, isn't it?- It is, isn't it? Yeah.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Good dining area you've got there, as well.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Now, Phil, you're the cook.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44- Yeah.- Could you work in here?
0:31:44 > 0:31:48It's a bit broken up, with the sink over there.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51It feels that the kitchen's very tiny
0:31:51 > 0:31:55and this is obviously the area that you would be sitting in.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57The kitchen is a bit of an afterthought, isn't it?
0:31:57 > 0:31:59It feels like it, yeah.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02- Let's see what you think of upstairs, come with me.- OK.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05The old part of the Mystery House
0:32:05 > 0:32:07may not offer them their dream kitchen,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09but the extended section of the ground floor
0:32:09 > 0:32:12does provide an additional reception room,
0:32:12 > 0:32:14with French doors out onto the rear garden.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17There's also a downstairs shower with WC
0:32:17 > 0:32:22and a room to the front that could be Sadie's study or art studio.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24A staircase from the living room takes us
0:32:24 > 0:32:27upstairs to where there are five bedrooms.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29A double with en suite,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32another good-sized double with fitted wardrobes,
0:32:32 > 0:32:34a smaller double
0:32:34 > 0:32:38and a spare bedroom that could make a great study space.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41These are all served by a family bathroom
0:32:41 > 0:32:44and then there is the master en suite.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48So, right in the modern part,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51- the new extension now.- OK.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- And they've managed to open it right up, haven't they?- Yeah.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- Now, you've got a big walk-in wardrobe there.- OK.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58En suite, there.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Quite light up here as well, actually.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- Yeah, very nice.- Nice and light and airy. It's been done nicely.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Let's go outside, have a look at the gardens
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- and then start thinking about price. - OK.- Yes.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- I bet you get nowhere near it. - It's going to be difficult.
0:33:12 > 0:33:13LAUGHTER
0:33:15 > 0:33:18The inside of the Mystery House doesn't seem to have won them over,
0:33:18 > 0:33:22but there's a lot more they'll like in the third-of-an-acre garden.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26A pretty pergola provides a great outlook, whatever the weather,
0:33:26 > 0:33:29whilst the gravel drive leading to a garage
0:33:29 > 0:33:31should put a smile on Phil's face.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35And, to top it all, a secluded decked area at the bottom
0:33:35 > 0:33:39of the garden overlooks its very own tranquil oasis.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41This is quite a different kind of garden, isn't it?
0:33:41 > 0:33:43You've got a small river at the back of it.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- Yeah.- Very pretty. - There's an actual spring there.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49It just adds to that sort of peace and tranquillity, doesn't it?
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- It is, it's very tranquil.- They've done a lot of work in the garden.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- Pretty garden.- Very pretty.- I think it's time to guess the price.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59How much do you think this Mystery Property is on the market for?
0:33:59 > 0:34:00Come on, Sadie, hit me with it.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05I think it's around 620, well under our budget.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06OK.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09I think it may be slightly higher than that, actually.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11I'll go 640 on it.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Well, you may be pleasantly surprised to hear
0:34:14 > 0:34:19that the Mystery House is on the market for offers around £579,950.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- Right.- Right.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Go back in the house briefly, just remind yourself
0:34:23 > 0:34:27- of what you get for your money on the edge of a market town.- Yes.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29- See you in a mo.- Thank you.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35Under budget, our Mystery Property, with five bedrooms, would leave them
0:34:35 > 0:34:39a sizable £120,000 in the pot.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Period details include
0:34:41 > 0:34:42an open fireplace,
0:34:42 > 0:34:44plus a choice of rooms means
0:34:44 > 0:34:45Sadie could have her study
0:34:45 > 0:34:47and an art room.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49Outside, there's a garage for Phil
0:34:49 > 0:34:51and, whilst it may not be
0:34:51 > 0:34:52the detached home they hoped for,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54the beautifully designed garden,
0:34:54 > 0:34:56with its own natural water features,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59provides plenty of rural seclusion
0:34:59 > 0:35:01on their doorstep.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05What you really have is a chocolate box type of property.
0:35:05 > 0:35:06Roses around the door.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09You know, it's got some of the character features
0:35:09 > 0:35:12and the period features I think we were hoping to find,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15so you've got the lovely fireplace
0:35:15 > 0:35:16and I can imagine sitting there
0:35:16 > 0:35:19in the winter with a good, roaring fire going.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21The kitchen itself, I felt, was a bit...
0:35:21 > 0:35:24maybe a little bit dysfunctional in the way it had been set up
0:35:24 > 0:35:28and I think you would need to make changes to that
0:35:28 > 0:35:30if you were going to take this property on.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32The extension part, for me,
0:35:32 > 0:35:37doesn't flow with the older part of the building.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39The two don't go together.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42I feel as if it's almost two very separate properties.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45Hello. How are we?
0:35:45 > 0:35:47- OK, thank you.- Yeah, we're good.
0:35:47 > 0:35:48- All done?- Yes.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Well, I'm afraid that's all three properties now.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54There's no more. So, what I'd like to do is maybe find you
0:35:54 > 0:35:55somewhere to have a sit down
0:35:55 > 0:35:58and chat things through, and then we'll catch up after that.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- How's that?- Sounds like a plan. - OK, come with me.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09There's a long history of farming in Hampshire,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12but, as with other parts of the country, the second
0:36:12 > 0:36:16half of the 20th century saw the sector go into steep decline
0:36:16 > 0:36:19and less than 1.5% of the county's population is now
0:36:19 > 0:36:21employed in agriculture.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Despite this, a few brave souls persist.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Hampshire farmer Sir Michael Colman and family
0:36:27 > 0:36:30are better known for the eponymous mustard.
0:36:30 > 0:36:31His latest mission, though,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34is putting English mint back on the map.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38So, Michael, I understand I'm talking to the person responsible
0:36:38 > 0:36:41for bringing peppermint back to its rightful place here in England.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46Yes, well, that's what we've been working at for quite a few years.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Now, going back to the start of the 20th century,
0:36:49 > 0:36:52British peppermint was deemed the best in the world.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Why did it decline?
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Well, what happened is we've had two World Wars
0:36:58 > 0:37:01and this country, it got quite close
0:37:01 > 0:37:03to running out of food.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07And every acre had to be devoted to growing foodstuffs,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10but I don't have to tell you peppermint is a lovely product...
0:37:10 > 0:37:11It's a luxury item, isn't it?
0:37:11 > 0:37:15..but it isn't actually going to stave off your hunger pangs.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20The Greeks and Romans wore garlands of mint at feasts,
0:37:20 > 0:37:24but, in wartime Britain, it was an unaffordable luxury.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26The popular English mint stock found a new home
0:37:26 > 0:37:28on the west coast of America,
0:37:28 > 0:37:32where it flourished using efficient growing techniques.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Now, Sir Michael has brought the English variety,
0:37:35 > 0:37:39Black Mitcham, back from the US, where his farm manager Ian Margetts
0:37:39 > 0:37:42has also had to relearn much of the expertise.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47It takes around an acre of crop to produce 23 litres of oil,
0:37:47 > 0:37:49but the yield is dependent on the weather
0:37:49 > 0:37:52and, so far, this year has not been kind.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56This crop, we would expect it to be taller than it is.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- It would normally come up to our waists.- All right, OK.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02We've had a lot of cold weather, we've had a lot of dry weather.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05And this particular crop, it cannot chase moisture.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- Moisture has to come to it.- Right.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11We don't irrigate, so we rely on the rain that comes down to feed it.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15- Very, very natural process going on. - Very much so indeed.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19The mint may be on the short side, but it still packs a punch.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22What's the difference between this
0:38:22 > 0:38:24and the mint we grow back at home?
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Well, what you're growing in your garden is actually spearmint.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29You'll see a totally different shape of leaf,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31different colour, much paler,
0:38:31 > 0:38:33and also the flavour is totally different.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36This is a lot stronger flavour than your spearmint.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41LAUGHTER
0:38:41 > 0:38:42Very strong.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46Goodness me, I'm going to have fresh breath for the rest of the year.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- It's an intense mint flavour. - It truly is, yeah.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54The key to success is extracting the intensely flavoured
0:38:54 > 0:38:56oil from the leaves.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00And it's here that Ian's trips to the States are really in evidence.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04In the early days, I did not know what I was doing.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07We had a much smaller plant, we didn't have such shiny equipment,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10so we brought it all over from America and installed it here,
0:39:10 > 0:39:12and we use it like the Americans do.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15The American way is to bring the harvested crop
0:39:15 > 0:39:18directly from the fields in trailers called cooker tubs
0:39:18 > 0:39:21to this unit, where it's exposed to high pressure steam
0:39:21 > 0:39:25at about 167 degrees Celsius.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Oil capsules in the leaves break down into a resulting vapour,
0:39:28 > 0:39:32which is carried up to an overhead pipe.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35This then cools to around 40 degrees Celsius
0:39:35 > 0:39:37and enters a distillation unit,
0:39:37 > 0:39:40where the oil naturally floats to the surface,
0:39:40 > 0:39:41separating out any water.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45It's a highly pure product that's a far cry from the stuff
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Ian struggled to make under his own steam.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52You started this from scratch. What were your first few batches like?
0:39:52 > 0:39:53They weren't particularly good.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55We were making this gloop in the bottom of like a beaker
0:39:55 > 0:39:57that frankly was unsalable,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00so it was a steep learning curve and it's taken me probably
0:40:00 > 0:40:01ten years to get where we are now.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03So, can I have a taste of that?
0:40:03 > 0:40:06You wouldn't want to taste that, Johnny, it is far too powerful. It's pure.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09I'll tell you what, I've got a boiled sweet here, try one of those.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14It is basically glucose, sugar and our peppermint oil.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16- Oh, yeah, that is good.- Isn't it?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20I can taste that same flavour of peppermint from that
0:40:20 > 0:40:24plant in this sweet, even though now it's surrounded by sugar.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28- The proof of the pudding's in the eating, isn't it?- Absolutely.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31It looks like mint growing has provided a breath of fresh air
0:40:31 > 0:40:33to farming in the county.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Well, I'm not convinced we found Sadie and Phil
0:40:37 > 0:40:41their new home here in Hampshire, but let's find
0:40:41 > 0:40:44out their thoughts on the three properties we've shown them.
0:40:45 > 0:40:51But he's still smiling, although I get a sense of mild disappointment.
0:40:51 > 0:40:52So, what would you say,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55of the three properties we showed you, came the closest?
0:40:55 > 0:40:58I think probably the second one.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01- Yeah.- Because it was in a village location,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04it had a nice garden,
0:41:04 > 0:41:08and it had a lot of floor space downstairs.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Yeah, for me, I saw the best reactions from you there.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14But for your taste, Phil, there seemed to be just something missing.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16That something that tips you over the edge.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19I think what was missing was...
0:41:19 > 0:41:22- period features.- Yeah. - That's what the house didn't have.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23It was modern extensions.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27It was and I think that's the bit that we don't want to take on board.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30So, what's next for you?
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Well, I certainly think, in the next...
0:41:32 > 0:41:35today and the next few days, we're going to stay here
0:41:35 > 0:41:39and have a little look around the area, maybe go and visit
0:41:39 > 0:41:43some of the estate agents and have a chat with them.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45And, hopefully, see a few more properties.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Good. I think that's just the right thing to do -
0:41:47 > 0:41:48immerse yourself in the area.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51I mean, the great thing about these last couple of days is,
0:41:51 > 0:41:53hopefully, we've shown you new areas.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55I think if you can shrink the house's size,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58certainly upstairs, it will probably open up lots more
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- choice in this pretty expensive part of the world.- That's good advice.
0:42:02 > 0:42:03Well, I wish you the best of luck.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Hopefully something new will come on the market
0:42:05 > 0:42:08and you'll snap it up when it does. Please let us know what you decide,
0:42:08 > 0:42:10- whatever it is...- We will, definitely.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- ..and where you move to. - Absolutely. We'd love to.
0:42:13 > 0:42:14- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20Well, I've got to say,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23when you're surrounded by these beautiful Hampshire views,
0:42:23 > 0:42:25it's a real shame that we haven't found Phil and Sadie
0:42:25 > 0:42:29a property here. But the positive is that they seem to have really
0:42:29 > 0:42:31focused on what's important to them.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33I wish them the best of luck for these next couple of days
0:42:33 > 0:42:36and I'm sure they'll find what they're after.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Phil and Sadie continued their property search afterwards
0:42:40 > 0:42:42and found themselves a detached house on the outskirts
0:42:42 > 0:42:44of their initial search area,
0:42:44 > 0:42:48which they're in the process of now buying.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51If you would like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Northern Ireland, or England
0:42:53 > 0:42:59and need our help, please apply online at: