0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to Escape To The Country. Now, by way of a tease
0:00:04 > 0:00:07as to where we are for today's show, what do you think of this?
0:00:07 > 0:00:09This rather fetching hat.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11It's thought to be one of the earliest examples of
0:00:11 > 0:00:15army issue uniform, but for whom was it made and where was it invented?
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Today, a pair of globetrotting expats are travelling
0:00:38 > 0:00:42over 4,500 miles in search of a very British country retreat.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Oh, wow.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46It's a shed with a difference.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- It's a posh shed, isn't it? - It's a really posh shed.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52'And they've brought the good weather with them.'
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Look, even the sun's coming out! It's all meant to be.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- You can't say any better than that. - It's all meant to be.- You can't.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Well, today, we are in the Welsh county of Monmouthshire,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05and this is otherwise known as the Monmouth cap. It's believed
0:01:05 > 0:01:08these were worn in large numbers by legendary Welsh longbowmen,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11to protect them from the elements whilst out on campaign.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Now, if you remember anything at all about your medieval history,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17you may recall that Henry V was born in Monmouth.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20He, of course, scored a spectacular victory against the French,
0:01:20 > 0:01:24at Agincourt, back in 1415, a victory helped in no small part
0:01:24 > 0:01:27by a strong contingent of Welsh archers.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Now, the story of the Welsh longbow is a long and illustrious on.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Later on in the programme,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35I'll be finding out a little more of the history of this
0:01:35 > 0:01:39extraordinary, yet simple weapon, and trying my hand at some archery.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45The County of Monmouthshire is located in south-east Wales
0:01:45 > 0:01:47and borders the English counties of Herefordshire
0:01:47 > 0:01:51and Gloucestershire to the east, and four Welsh counties to the west.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55The region is one of huge geographical diversity,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59where agricultural land falls in peaks and troughs.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Dotted around Monmouthshire are historic towns
0:02:02 > 0:02:06and villages like Usk in the south, with its Norman castle
0:02:06 > 0:02:08and a prison, built in 1842.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14And the border town of Monmouth, birthplace of King Henry V,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18is an excellent centre for shopping, dining out and culture.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21So, with its blend of splendid landscapes
0:02:21 > 0:02:22and buildings steeped in history,
0:02:22 > 0:02:26many bearing battle scars from long-fought wars,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Monmouthshire is a rich and vibrant place
0:02:28 > 0:02:31for escapees looking for somewhere rather special.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Well, there is no easy way of saying this -
0:02:38 > 0:02:39when it comes to house prices,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Monmouthshire is the third most expensive county in Wales.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Currently, the average price of a detached property here
0:02:45 > 0:02:50is around about £258,000. but when you compare it to prices
0:02:50 > 0:02:52across England AND Wales,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55well, happily, it's 9% below the national figure,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58which means you get beautiful border country
0:02:58 > 0:03:00with excellent transport links to the rest of the UK.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05So, why have today's buyers elected to make this place their new home?
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Civil servants Jane and Andrew met at work 19 years ago,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13and were married four years later.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16They're currently in the UK for just one week,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20staying in a hotel whilst house-hunting for a new family home.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Because, for the past 12 years, they've been living the expat life,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28but now they're ready to come back home with their young family.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31We've got two girls, Amelia and Katie,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35and a rescue dog, and we live in a compound in Abu Dhabi
0:03:35 > 0:03:38in the middle of the city, in a walled compound
0:03:38 > 0:03:43- with about 150 houses?- Yeah. - Something like that.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47We have a small garden and it's not really grass.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50It's concrete and tiles, and things like that.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54So, it's, er... not the most comfortable...
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- No.- ..outside space, is it, really?
0:03:56 > 0:03:59The house is modern. It's probably about ten years old.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Quite spacious, but very different to the sort of house
0:04:02 > 0:04:04that we're looking for in the UK.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06And it's rural Monmouthshire in south Wales
0:04:06 > 0:04:08they've set their sights on.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12I was brought up in South Wales, in Cwmbran.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16My mum is still there and we're looking to move, um,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20on to the Welsh borders, because it's a beautiful part of the world.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22We're hoping to find somewhere in Monmouth,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24or in the area around Monmouth.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27It's a beautiful part of the world.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30It's really historic and I think it's good value for money, as well.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32When they do find their dream home,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Jane and Andrew can't wait to put their stamp on it.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37We've lived in four different countries
0:04:37 > 0:04:41and the houses have been very nice, but they've not been our houses,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43whereas now, we get to choose, not only our own house,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46but our own furniture, which is going to be really exciting.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49And when they move home, Andrew will continue working,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52but Jane is hoping to take on a new project for herself.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56One of the things that we're hoping to be able to do is
0:04:56 > 0:04:59to run a kind of self-catering, holiday let business.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02So, that's self-employment for the first time.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06So, the whole thing is a big change.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10It's a lifestyle that we've never really had, so it's quite exciting.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13So, the race is on to find their new country home.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16We've been back in the UK for about three days.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18The priority is to do the house-hunting.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20We've got a week and, hopefully at the end of the week,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22we'll have a house. That's the plan.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Jane and Andrew need to find somewhere within the catchment area
0:05:26 > 0:05:28of a school in Monmouth itself.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31So, that's where we're concentrating our search.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34But before the clock starts on our whirlwind trip around the county,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36I'm meeting them to get the lowdown.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- Well, hello.- Hi.- Hello. - Very nice to see you.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- Jane, Andrew, welcome to Escape To The Country.- Thank you.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44And to Monmouthshire!
0:05:44 > 0:05:47So, you've decided to make the big move back home.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Now, give us an idea of the kind of property
0:05:49 > 0:05:51you've been dreaming about, Jane?
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Something with some character, because a lot of what we've lived in
0:05:55 > 0:05:58has been lovely, don't get me wrong, but not my forever home.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01So, just remind us of your budget.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Either up to 400,000, or if...
0:06:04 > 0:06:07One thing we're interested in is maybe the potential
0:06:07 > 0:06:09for a self-catering holiday let on the property
0:06:09 > 0:06:11and, in which case, it would be up to 450.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14How important is the holiday let in terms of the viability
0:06:14 > 0:06:17of this move, of the income it might bring in?
0:06:17 > 0:06:21Well, ideally, I would like not to carry on working...
0:06:21 > 0:06:23in the job I'm doing at the moment.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26So, it would be an income for that.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28It's not crucial, because, obviously,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31I can carry on working, but ideally,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34I'd like to be able not to do that and to have my own business,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37it would be my business and we'd be able to
0:06:37 > 0:06:40have that second income from that.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43And I know that your mum may come and live with you in the future?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Well, yes, if she'd like to.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48I mean, the holiday let has two kind of objectives.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54One, for an income, and also for Mum when and if she feels
0:06:54 > 0:06:58that she wants to leave her house and move in with us.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01So, in terms of the spec,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04the basic spec of what we're after, in terms of bedrooms
0:07:04 > 0:07:07and reception rooms and all the rest of it, what's in your mind?
0:07:07 > 0:07:12Three or four bedrooms and just a nice living space, really.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15With character. That's really important.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18The amount of land, not really critical. A garden.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Extra land, fine, but it's by no means a deal-breaker.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24And it needs to be in the catchment area for Monmouth School.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Good. Well, we've got some really interesting properties
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- lined up for you this week. - Fantastic.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33It isn't 45 degrees out there, I'm afraid,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35as you're probably used to.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38It's somewhat less than that and it's a little bit grey and drizzly.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Don't let it put you off. You know what it's like here!
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- Yeah.- The girls are in for a shock, though!
0:07:42 > 0:07:44BOTH: They are! THEY LAUGH
0:07:44 > 0:07:48Good, right, then, let's see what we can find you, come on.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Jane and Andrew's maximum budget of £450,000
0:07:53 > 0:07:55is a healthy one for the region.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57So I'm hopeful we might get them
0:07:57 > 0:08:00fixed before they have to fly back to the Middle East.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02They're looking for a country pad with character
0:08:02 > 0:08:06and 3-4 bedrooms and the potential for a holiday let would be
0:08:06 > 0:08:11ideal to keep Jane occupied, plus any extra income generated,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14would really help if the house is at the top end of their budget.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18They'd also love a good outdoor space and a house in the
0:08:18 > 0:08:21catchment area for their preferred school in Monmouth is a must.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24We've gathered a fantastic range of properties
0:08:24 > 0:08:27to make Jane and Andrew's voyage across the world a worthwhile one.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29And the price tag of each house
0:08:29 > 0:08:32will only be revealed after the home has been toured.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Our last stop, our Mystery House,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37will give them a little shock at first, but once they see
0:08:37 > 0:08:40what's on offer, it should be an easy shock to swallow.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49We're starting our search in the rural hamlet of Brynderi.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51It's ten miles from Monmouth
0:08:51 > 0:08:54and just under 5½ miles from the village of Grosmont.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Grosmont, close to the English border,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59is steeped in history with its Norman church and castle,
0:08:59 > 0:09:03plus there's stunning scenery all around.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05It has a small selection of amenities,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07including the Angel Inn pub,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11which, until a few years ago, was owned by a group of local residents.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Just under a 15-minute drive away, and we're in Brynderi.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Here we find rolling fields and our first house, which sits
0:09:19 > 0:09:23in the shadow of the historic White Castle and the Black Mountains.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- Not bad.- It's really pretty.- It's a classic country cottage.- It is.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31As you can probably tell, the only thing it's lacking, really,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34are some roses around the door. It's a really lovely spot.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- It has been extended, as you can probably tell...- Mm-hm.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40..in more recent times, giving you quite a useful addition to the
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- kitchen area, giving you a kind of kitchen-diner.- Lovely.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44And in terms of views, I mean...
0:09:44 > 0:09:46It's not desert, it's green and beautiful.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49It's certainly different to Abu Dhabi, isn't it?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Very. - THEY LAUGH
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- Wetter.- A bit wetter, but that's all part of...- Part of the experience!
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Exactly, yeah! What do you think the girls would make of this one?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Oh, they'd love it, I think. Yeah. Very pretty.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Good, right then, well, let's get out of the weather
0:10:03 > 0:10:05before it rains again, come on. SHE LAUGHS
0:10:05 > 0:10:08This character cottage dates back to the mid-1800s
0:10:08 > 0:10:10and was originally a one-up one-down.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14We're starting off our tour in its country kitchen.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Oh, nice and warm in here. In you come.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18Grab the door, Andrew.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21There we are. That's what greets you.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- That's lovely, isn't it? - It's a lovely kitchen.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27There is one thing missing in here. Any ideas?
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- A cooker?- The cooker! Yeah, exactly. THEY LAUGH
0:10:30 > 0:10:32That's through here.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35There it is.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Lovely oil-fired range for you
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- and lovely views out there towards the Black Mountains.- Beautiful.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Well, you've got this room of course and the kitchen,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46but also two further reception rooms through here,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48including the living room and a really nice little snug.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Have a look at this.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55'And I'm pretty sure you don't get many of these in Abu Dhabi.'
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Nice and cosy.- Lovely. Very nice.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- I like that.- What a lovely room.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- It's got a real cottagey feel, but it's light.- That's the thing.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Yes, it is light, isn't it?
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Now, those double doors, they lead onto an additional snug... Oh, OK.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- ..so you could have a kind of girl's room.- Yeah.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Now, you wanted three bedrooms.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Let's have a look upstairs and see what we've got for you.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17'The stairway, sandwiched between the sitting room
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'and the snug, leads to a long, narrow landing
0:11:20 > 0:11:23'and to the three bedrooms Jane and Andrew have requested.'
0:11:23 > 0:11:27Now you've got a single there.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- A sweet little child's room at the moment in there.- Oh, yeah.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34The family bathroom is this one.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36OK.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38'And, at the end of the hallway above the kitchen,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40'is the triple-aspect master.'
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- What do you think?- Yeah, it's really pretty, isn't it? I love it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- And I love the way it's decorated. - It's pretty.- I love this room.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- The views across there. - Stunning.- Amazing.- Just gorgeous.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- It's got curtains but to be honest, you don't really need them.- No.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- You're not going to be overlooked, are you?- You're not.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57No, only by the cows and the sheep!
0:11:57 > 0:11:58LAUGHTER
0:12:00 > 0:12:03'Well, this charming cottage does seem to be charming both Jane
0:12:03 > 0:12:08'and Andrew, but as we leave the sleeping quarters, there's more.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10'At the bottom of the garden is a one-bedroom studio,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13'which could provide a useful business opportunity.'
0:12:17 > 0:12:22Now... Ha-ha! ..talk about the shed at the end of the garden!
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- SHE LAUGHS:- Oh, wow!
0:12:24 > 0:12:28It has a shower room in there with a loo and all the rest of it.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- Fantastic. - A crazy little mezzanine up there.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- I suppose, ideal if you've got young kids who are...- Certainly!
0:12:33 > 0:12:38- ..visiting and, of course, plenty of space for all of that.- Yeah.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- It's good. It's really quirky. - It's amazing.- I like it.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46It's a great extra... holiday let potential?
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Yeah, it could have, but as an extra bedroom, this really fits the bill.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54So, shall we test your in-depth knowledge of the property market
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- and get you to guess the price? - Oh, my goodness!
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Come on, let's go outside, you might need some fresh air for that!
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Right, then, it's really tough on you, actually, isn't it?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- It's really hard.- To be fair, all the way from Abu Dhabi
0:13:10 > 0:13:15to pitch you into the pricing of this one here in Monmouthshire,
0:13:15 > 0:13:20but go on, you go first, what do you think this is on the market for?
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Well, as you've given us nearly everything we wanted, I would say
0:13:23 > 0:13:27it's at the top end of our budget, so I'm going to say 440.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29440? Yeah.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- I'm going to go 415.- 415? Straight in there, no nonsense.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39- This could be yours for 375. - Wow!- Wow!
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- What do you think about that? - That's pretty good.- Yeah?
0:13:42 > 0:13:44- Impressive.- That's really good.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Look, even the sun's coming out. You see, it's all meant to be!
0:13:46 > 0:13:48You can't say any better than that.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- It's all meant to be. - That's wonderful.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Right, off you go, have a wander round.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- Thank you.- I'll catch up with you a little bit later.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Not only does this cottage deliver on all fronts,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06it also leaves Jane and Andrew a cool £75,000 to spare.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09There's all the character they want here,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12with a lovely living space and just the right amount of bedrooms.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15The garden studio offers the potential for a holiday let
0:14:15 > 0:14:18and it's all set in a stunning location
0:14:18 > 0:14:21that's in the right catchment area for the school in Monmouth.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I like the house, I really do.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26It's an amazing setting, it's beautiful.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30I love the downstairs space and the posh shed.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33I think this is really pretty.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36It's in a perfect location, the views are beautiful.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40My only concern would be the amount of storage space, in particular
0:14:40 > 0:14:42upstairs, but I think that that could be rectified
0:14:42 > 0:14:44with a little bit of imagination.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Nice, isn't it?- It is.- It is, it's lovely. It's really nice.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51I think a really good start. And this is just such a pretty view
0:14:51 > 0:14:54to keep with you in your memories, as we continue our house search.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- Yes.- It is.- But a really nice one to begin with.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00It is, I mean, this is number one, it's great.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Who's hungry?- Me.- Come on.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11To the west of Monmouthshire
0:15:11 > 0:15:14lies the Blaenavon World Heritage site, where the footprint
0:15:14 > 0:15:18of Wales' industrial landscape is still visible in its valleys.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23during the 19th century, the Blaenavon Ironworks was
0:15:23 > 0:15:27one of the largest producers of iron and steel in the world.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32The local colliery provided the coal to produce iron and steel,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35but in 1980, it was closed, as it had become
0:15:35 > 0:15:37uneconomical to continue mining.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42The mine is named Big Pit and is now preserved as a museum.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44History enthusiasts Jane and Andrew
0:15:44 > 0:15:48have come to meet Ceri Thompson, ex-miner and curator of the museum,
0:15:48 > 0:15:53to get an insight's into the industrial heritage of Wales.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56It's hard to imagine now the early industrialist's coming up here,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58transporting their big machinery up here,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01transporting workers up here, you know.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03And, of course, people working in the ironworks,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05it's quite dangerous.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09With hot molten metals around the place, all the work going on.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11And then with the coal mines, of course,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14you're actually working underground.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16For a start, working in the dark is a danger on its own,
0:16:16 > 0:16:18that's without the roof falling in,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22the dangers of gases, which cause explosions, of course.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24So, it's not a very pleasant place to work.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27How many men would have worked here at the height of production?
0:16:27 > 0:16:29By 1980, when the pit shut down,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32there was about 300 men working here, by the time it closed down.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35But, in the century before that, of course, there was
0:16:35 > 0:16:38up to 1,000 men just working in this one pit alone.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42To get a better understanding of what life as a coal miner might
0:16:42 > 0:16:46have been like, Jane and Andrew are going down into the old mine itself.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47En route,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51they're meeting electrician Richard Philip's in the old lamp room,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53to find out how our feathered friends
0:16:53 > 0:16:56and a clever invention helped overcome the real dangers the miners
0:16:56 > 0:17:00faced each and every day, in the darkness of the pit.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02This is a lamp room, this is where
0:17:02 > 0:17:05the miners would have picked up their lamps to go underground.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Here, we've got the miner's safety lamp.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Which was a piece of engineering that was developed
0:17:11 > 0:17:15into coal mining and saved thousands and thousands of lives.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Deep in the mines, there was the danger that methane gas,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21found in coal, could escape into the air and, if it did,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25when it met the naked flames of the miners' oil lamps or candles,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28it could cause potentially lethal explosions.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31But, over 200 years ago, Cornish entrepreneur Humphry Davy
0:17:31 > 0:17:35came up with the solution known today as the Davy lamp.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38They put in a gauze over the top of the frame, it would
0:17:38 > 0:17:41keep the flame alight, cos it allows oxygen to pass in,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43but it prevents the methane igniting the gas.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46This was the gauze.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49If we hold the gauze directly over the frame, as you can see,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52the flame doesn't pass through the gauze.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55But even though the addition of the gauze was a life-saver,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59it wasn't popular, as it reduced the lamp's light by a quarter.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02It wasn't until about 30 years later that somebody
0:18:02 > 0:18:07came up with the idea of separating the flame with a glass.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12But it's probably the most important invention
0:18:12 > 0:18:14ever to come into coal mining.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17But there was also another more unusual tactic
0:18:17 > 0:18:20employed to keep the miners safe.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- You can probably hear the canaries in the background.- Yes.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28The canaries were used underground, because, after we have an explosion,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30we have carbon monoxide given off.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34The canaries would go underground with the safety teams after
0:18:34 > 0:18:37the explosion. They could detect the carbon monoxide.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39The way they detected carbon monoxide is that
0:18:39 > 0:18:42they breathe quicker than us.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Less than half a percent of carbon monoxide in the area underground
0:18:46 > 0:18:49will kill you in less than 15 minutes.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54If the canaries appeared distressed, it was a sign the gas was present.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57So, the miners would retreat and ventilate the area,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59to clear the gas.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Now, it's Jane and Andrew's turn to get kitted out and go underground.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Paul Green is going to be their guide.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13He was a miner for 22 years. He started in 1972,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15when he was just a teenager.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18The cage will take them down to the pit bottom.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22The shaft we're going down is 90 metres deep, 300 feet.
0:19:22 > 0:19:2590 metres is very shallow for a mine in Wales.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29The cage is descending at a speed of just two metres per second,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32but when it was a working mine, it would travel at double that speed.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35And the sound of the men at work would be deafening.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Today, though, it's eerily silent.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Watch your step, guys.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43This is what we call a stall area, guys.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46A man and boy would work together, father and son.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48You see the coal in the background there?
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Their job would be to take the coal off and load the drams.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54It was the boy's job to load the dram.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57Coal was traditionally extracted by hand and then, of course,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00as mechanisation and time went on, it all came to big machinery.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Big coal cutters and machinery taking it away.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06And what about your mining experiences?
0:20:06 > 0:20:09At that time, in the 1970s, every village within Wales
0:20:09 > 0:20:12had a coal mine. It was well paid.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17So, I started as a 15-year-old and my first wage was £11.50.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19And I had to pay £6 board and lodge.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22So, I didn't have a lot left out of it.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26If the mines hadn't closed, I'll be truthful,
0:20:26 > 0:20:27I would still be working in them.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30And you'd probably go to 80% or 90% of the miners
0:20:30 > 0:20:32and they would say exactly the same.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34OK, guys, shall we make our way back to the surface?
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- Great.- Yeah.- Follow me along.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43It was clearly a harsh life underground,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45hidden from life above on the surface.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53It's the second day of our jaunt around Monmouthshire in Wales,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56where Jane and Andrew, who've been living in Abu Dhabi, have up
0:20:56 > 0:21:01to £450,000 to spend on their first home in Britain for 12 years.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04And there's still our mystery house to come.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- But this is the main event. - Oh, lovely.- Wow.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13And I'll be testing my aim, when I'm handed a very Welsh bow and arrow.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16So, I'm really going to have to put some effort into this, aren't I?
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Absolutely smash it.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Oh, keeping the arrow on the thing is a trick, isn't it?
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Well, our final day of house-hunting has, thankfully started,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31with clearer skies. Which is just as well,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34because we've got plenty left to show Jane and Andrew.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Now, over breakfast, they let slip that their daughters have
0:21:37 > 0:21:40an ambition to keep alpacas. Talk about moving the goalposts.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44But, hey, no-one ever said that house-hunting was going to be easy.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Now, coming up, we will, at the end of the day,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48be revealing our mystery house.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51To find that, we are going to have to head into another country.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54But first, our penultimate property.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57I think it's got bags of character and bags of space, plenty of room
0:21:57 > 0:22:01for a family whose collection of animals might just keep growing.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Our next visit takes us to the hamlet of Kingcoed.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It's just over ten miles from Monmouth
0:22:09 > 0:22:12and under two and a half miles from the village of Raglan.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Here, along with attractive stone cottages,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18are all the necessary amenities, including a post office, chemist,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21family butchers, as well as a choice of pubs.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25There is also the spectacular 15th-century Raglan Castle,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27which was originally built for show, not battle
0:22:27 > 0:22:30and has featured in a magical TV drama.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33A five-minute drive takes us to the rural beauty of Kingcoed,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36with its endless views and our next property -
0:22:36 > 0:22:39this L-shaped, whitewashed cottage,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42that's hiding a bit of a surprise on the inside.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- There you go, what about that one? - Oh, it's beautiful.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- I like it.- Really pretty. - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49You probably can see that little carved stone on the wall.
0:22:49 > 0:22:521812, that's when this part of the property dates from.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55We think it was probably a barn originally.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57But then, through the '60s and '70s, it's been extended into this
0:22:57 > 0:23:00L-shape, to create a really substantial family home.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- It's lovely.- Now, the thing that is
0:23:02 > 0:23:06unusual about it is that, it's completely unfurnished.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09So, let's get our thinking caps on, use some imagination, let's see
0:23:09 > 0:23:13what you might do that with this one and how you might occupy it.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14- Lovely.- OK.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18'This 19th-century cottage might be a blank canvas,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20'but its age means its period character is
0:23:20 > 0:23:23'there to see as soon as you walk through the door,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26'married beautifully with a contemporary style.'
0:23:26 > 0:23:27Right, then.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30I think we'll start in here, which is the kitchen.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- There we go.- Oh, wow.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Nice little kitchen.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40We're getting these little cottagey details, you know,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42the beams are exposed, which is quite nice.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45You've got these double-glazed, but leaded-look windows,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49which break up these panes, which is quite nice.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- Yes, excellent.- Yes.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54OK, let's go through to this living room.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57You've got a couple to choose from, but we'll start with this one.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00And it's going to need some creative thinking to imagine it as
0:24:00 > 0:24:03a cosy family room or perhaps a dining room.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Yeah, it's a nice-sized room.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08So, I think this could be a nice intimate space, actually.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10I think so, yeah.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13The other living area is across the hallway from the living room,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15in the original part of the house.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Again, I think a very similar size to next door,
0:24:19 > 0:24:23but this, to me, feels much more like your family living room space.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24Yes, definitely.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25And you've got the decking there
0:24:25 > 0:24:27and the French windows, it's really nice.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30You have. Normally I'd be taking you upstairs now, but I'll treat you.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Have a look, cos it's worth exploring, whilst we're down here.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Let's go out and give you a real feel for it.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39- There we are.- Wow. It's beautiful. The views are amazing.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- It's lovely.- Look at this, bright sunshine to greet us.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44It's fabulous.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- I do want to take you upstairs and show you the bedrooms.- OK.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- You wanted three, we've got you four.- Fantastic.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Up on the first floor, there is also a modern family bathroom,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01as well as a compact shower room.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03The sleeping quarters consist of a large,
0:25:03 > 0:25:07square, double bedroom overlooking the garden, a smaller double,
0:25:07 > 0:25:12also at the back of the house, and next to it, a dual-aspect room.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15But we're headed to the best of the bunch.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19So, no surprise, this is the one we've earmarked for a you.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- Oh, it's beautiful.- Yes. - It's beautiful.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26- That's got that real cottagey feel, hasn't it?- Oh, isn't that lovely?
0:25:26 > 0:25:28- The beams are great.- Yeah, really sweet.- Really beautiful.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- And you've got that.- Oh, yeah. - Put your heads round the corner.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Well, to have an en-suite in a property like this is great,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- isn't it?- It's unusual. - It really is, yeah.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39OK, well, we teased you with the garden before.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Come on, let's go back outside and enjoy the weather.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Now, our buyers have already had a sneak preview of
0:25:47 > 0:25:50the outside space, but to really appreciate this house,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53you need to see it from the bottom of the garden.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55This is gorgeous, especially in the sunlight.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57I love this view of the property.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Sitting up there in a very elevated position,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02- it really sets it off a treat. - It does.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05So, we've pretty much seen it all.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09There is one part we haven't seen and that is through that gate,
0:26:09 > 0:26:11what we're describing as a bit of a paddock.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13It's a bit overgrown at the moment,
0:26:13 > 0:26:19but it might give you space for creating your animal kingdom
0:26:19 > 0:26:22that I suspect might be coming, if your daughters get their way
0:26:22 > 0:26:23- and they get their alpacas.- Yes.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26So, when we're done here, I'm going to send you off down there
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- and you can explore that on your own.- OK.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31But, suffice to say, I think we've seen pretty much all of it.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Certainly enough to give you an idea of what it might be worth.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37- Yes.- Who's going to guess first? Andrew.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- 435.- 435, yeah.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45I think it's a little bit more than that, I would say it's 445.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48445? This is on the market for £399,000.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51- Wow.- You're joking? - I'm not.- That's amazing.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53HE LAUGHS
0:26:53 > 0:26:58That's an incredible price. I'm really surprised.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01And you don't need to worry about any kind of business angle,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04because, at that price, I don't think you need to
0:27:04 > 0:27:07worry about holiday lets or B&B and all the rest of it.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- No, no.- You've got plenty of room here, plenty of room for Mum,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12if she wants to come, with that fourth bedroom.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14- Yes, absolutely. - A serious contender, I think.- Yeah.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Now, the paddock is a bit of bonus.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- Go and have a look at it, see what you might do with it.- Right.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22And I will come and find you somewhere a little bit later on.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- Lovely.- Great, thank you. - Thank you.- Off you go.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32This lovely, rural cottage seems to have the perfect combination
0:27:32 > 0:27:36of both character and space, plus it comes in at
0:27:36 > 0:27:39£51,000 under Jane and Andrew's budget.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42The downstairs living area is great for a young family
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and upstairs is, too.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47And the garden, with its views, is superb,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50featuring a bonus paddock, which could become home to a
0:27:50 > 0:27:54herd of alpacas, if our buyers let their daughters' dreams come true.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- What a beautiful little bit of space.- Beautiful.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00As soon as we walked round the corner, I loved the house.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02It's exactly what we looking for.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04And it's perfect, it's got the cottagey feel,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06but it's got the space inside.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09I was impressed when I walked in and my only worry, really,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11was what the price would be, would it be too high?
0:28:11 > 0:28:13But now I've heard what the price is,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16we're going to have to give it some really serious thought, I think.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20Isn't this lovely? Early summer in Monmouthshire.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22You know, showing a house that's empty can be a bit of a gamble,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25but, today, I think it's all gone rather well, hasn't it?
0:28:25 > 0:28:28- It has, it's amazing.- Definitely.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Well, hold that thought, because we have one more to show you.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Come on.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Yes, our final trip to the mystery house has taken us a whisker
0:28:43 > 0:28:45over the Welsh border into England
0:28:45 > 0:28:48and the village of Newland, in Gloucestershire.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Which is still only around four miles from the school in Monmouth.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Newland is a pretty village, surrounded by hills
0:28:54 > 0:28:58and stunning scenery and an eclectic mix of architecture,
0:28:58 > 0:29:03including grand houses, stone cottages and old arms houses.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Just outside Newland, with far-reaching views,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07we find our mystery house.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10And if Jane and Andrew engaged some flexible thinking,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13they might find exactly what they're looking for right here.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Well, finally, the waiting is over. Here we are,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19at our mystery house location.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Well, kind of, mystery complex, I should say.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23What we've got you is this extraordinary
0:29:23 > 0:29:25development of eight properties,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28built around an old series of existing,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31beautiful farm buildings.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34That's what I want you to think about. All of that.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- Wow.- That's quite something.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40Now, why is it our mystery house? We know that you are used to
0:29:40 > 0:29:43living in complexes around the world.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45The good news about this one is that it's in Britain,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48but also, of course, it's single-storey.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51We are in England, of course, and I know you'll be thinking,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53"Oh, schools! What about the catchment area?"
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Monmouth itself is only four miles away.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57It is technically outside of the catchment,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00but there are children who live here who go to the comprehensive
0:30:00 > 0:30:02that you're thinking about.
0:30:02 > 0:30:03OK, well, that's good news.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06What I am keen to do, though, is to show you a building that I think
0:30:06 > 0:30:09- is a really lovely family home. - OK.- Shall we have a look?
0:30:09 > 0:30:11- Yes, let's.- Let me show you around.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15The original barn is around 300 years old,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18made from local stone, with a slate roof.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22But all the fixtures and fittings are contemporary and top-notch,
0:30:22 > 0:30:26making our mystery house well worth the trip over the border.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28We're going straight into an L-shaped entrance hall.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- There we are. Look at this. - Lovely.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- You get the idea, don't you? - You certainly do.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Now, this central corridor really is the spine of the building
0:30:37 > 0:30:40and you've got bedrooms and bathrooms leading off of it.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45- But this is the main event. - Oh, lovely.- Wow.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- Very nice, yeah.- It's impressive.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51The thing with this building, it's all orientated,
0:30:51 > 0:30:54not that way to the drive, but this way.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57The kitchen really makes use of the views. There you go.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Oh, that's beautiful. Yeah, there's the view.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02It's got the view and what a great kitchen.
0:31:02 > 0:31:03A great kitchen.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06It's also got really generous utility room through there,
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- with another door out.- OK. - I mean, that view out the back,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- you wouldn't think you were in a complex.- Absolutely.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- No.- You must think you were just on your own.- Yes, definitely.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19A location just with one cottage. So, that's quite impressive.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Right, then, let's explore. Come with me, down the corridor.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26'Next to the entrance hall is a neutral family bathroom and
0:31:26 > 0:31:30'next to that is a bright, square, double bedroom, currently used
0:31:30 > 0:31:34'as a den, overlooking the courtyard at the front of the property.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38'Opposite is another double with doors to the garden.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42'And on the other side of the hall is a cosy double,
0:31:42 > 0:31:45'with stairs to a mezzanine office above. Then, tucked into
0:31:45 > 0:31:49'the back left-hand corner of the house, is the master.'
0:31:49 > 0:31:51So, this is your bit.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Lovely.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55I've just seen the bathroom.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58That did take your breath away, didn't it?
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- Yeah, go and have a look. It's gorgeous, isn't it?- You like that?
0:32:02 > 0:32:05It's really generous, this one.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Yes, it definitely is. - A wonderful bathroom.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12And you've got those two door, which open out onto the terrace.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14It works, doesn't it?
0:32:14 > 0:32:17It does, it works very, very well. It's a lovely bedroom.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Right, well, let's make use of those doors and explore the garden.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22Come and look at this.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27'Outside, although there's no income potential,
0:32:27 > 0:32:30'what you do get is a spectacular, south-facing garden,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32'complete with a pretty pond.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35'I think it's fair to say our English mystery house is
0:32:35 > 0:32:38'working very hard to impress.'
0:32:38 > 0:32:43- Hmm, beautiful.- So, final guess of the week, madam?- I would say 410.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45410?
0:32:45 > 0:32:48I'm going to go for 425.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Oh! Very close.
0:32:51 > 0:32:52Not bad at all.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57This is currently on the market at £429,000.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00429.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Now, I have spoken to the owners.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05They are moving to France and they are really keen to go.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07It has been on the market a while
0:33:07 > 0:33:10and they are open to some sensible offers.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13I think, provided it begins with a four,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- it would be a conversation you could have.- OK, that's interesting.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20- Yeah, I think the girls would love it.- OK.- OK.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- You can tell me if I'm right later on. Off you go.- Thank you.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Our mystery house straddles three centuries
0:33:29 > 0:33:33and has a perfect blend of character and cutting-edge style to prove it.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38Yet, it's still £29,000 under Jane and Andrew's budget.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41It may be single-storey, but it's spacious, with four
0:33:41 > 0:33:46good-sized bedrooms giving plenty of options for visitors and Jane's mum.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49The garden and the views are fantastic.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51And, although it's not in the official catchment area
0:33:51 > 0:33:55for the school in Monmouth, a place there isn't out of the question.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58So, Jane and Andrew could have a lot to write home about here.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03- Oh, wow. Look at this. - Oh, I like it.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05- Oh, that's fabulous. - I like the house.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08I wasn't so impressed when we were on the outside.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11I guess, because it's part of a complex.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13And I thought, "Oh, I don't really know
0:34:13 > 0:34:16"if I want to be in that close a proximity to my neighbours."
0:34:16 > 0:34:19But, inside, it's really impressive and at the back as well, the garden.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21I really like the garden and the view.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Once we got inside, I thought it was beautiful.
0:34:24 > 0:34:25I love the kitchen.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29I love the way it looks out over the garden at the back.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32You forget that you are in a complex when you look outside.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35Being over the border into England isn't a problem in itself.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38I'm English, so I'm quite happy to live in England.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39We're still close to Jane's family
0:34:39 > 0:34:41and we're really in the same neighbourhood.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45So, that's not an issue, it's just the school place risk.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48It's something we'd have to think about very carefully.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51- It all rather lovely, isn't it? - It is, very nice.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55- Well, I think we spoiled you this week.- You have. Too much choice.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59Yes, there's definitely some potential in the offing,
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- isn't there? This is a move you've really got to make soon.- Yes.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- To get back from Abu Dhabi.- Yes.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Right, then, let's have a nice old-fashioned pint of beer.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Monmouthshire has been known for its skilled archers
0:35:17 > 0:35:19for hundreds of years. They were instrumental
0:35:19 > 0:35:23in many of Wales' and England's greatest military victories,
0:35:23 > 0:35:27including the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30So awe-inspiring were the Welsh bowmen,
0:35:30 > 0:35:34that the English Army replaced their crossbows with longbows.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38Jeremy Spencer makes period military longbows with historic materials.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42I've come to meet him at Wye Valley Archery.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Look, I've remembered my cap.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47A very simple affair, but it's a great way into a fascinating story.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49The Monmouth cap and Welsh archers.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51What is it about this part of the world
0:35:51 > 0:35:54that really lends itself to the history of archery?
0:35:54 > 0:35:58The thing about Monmouth is its history goes back in archery
0:35:58 > 0:36:00- a long, long time. - But how did originate?
0:36:00 > 0:36:03I mean, presumably, it was just an everyday hunting tool.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06Absolutely. There's nothing particularly special about it.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08It's just a bent stick.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12The special thing about it is, being brought up in the bow,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15when you shoot a bow, you master it.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18You're given a larger bow by your father and you get bigger
0:36:18 > 0:36:22and stronger. You can't do that sort of thing overnight.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Now, aside from the bow, of course, the key bit is the arrow.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29Absolutely. It's very interesting to look at the history of arrows,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31because they echo the history of armour.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33You can look at an arrowhead
0:36:33 > 0:36:36and it will date the period it comes from.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38'Arrows were the bullets of their day.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41'But almost works of art in their own right.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44'Jeremy is going to show me some he's crafted himself.'
0:36:44 > 0:36:46Fantastic. They are beautiful things, aren't they?
0:36:46 > 0:36:49I know they're weapons of war, but there is something
0:36:49 > 0:36:52beautiful about the way they're made and that kind of artisanship.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Yeah, they have a certain aesthetic, don't they?
0:36:54 > 0:36:57That one doesn't look as if it's going to do an awful lot of damage.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01Granted, it looks quite friendly, but, believe me, it's not.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03It would be like getting hit by a rubber bullet,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05but it is actually a practice head.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Something you'd be allowed to shoot in the forest.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12If you shot something like this, which is a hunting arrowhead,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15you're only up to one thing. And that could lose you your hand.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20If you look at something like this, a fairly early arrowhead,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23that's a needle bodkin.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27That would find its way through a mail link, even before it
0:37:27 > 0:37:29meets any resistance.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33'Arrowheads were typically made from iron, and chain mail was armour
0:37:33 > 0:37:38'designed to try to protect the body against sharp weapons, like this.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40'At the other end of the arrow are the fletches,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43'the feathers which stabilise it in flight.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45'And, on this one, they're from a swan.'
0:37:45 > 0:37:48So, what we'll do is...
0:37:48 > 0:37:50With your medieval scissors.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53With my medieval scissors, we'll cut that down.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58- Gosh, it's like silk, isn't it? - It is, it's lovely.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00- Amazing. - You've got to do it confidently.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02So, something like that.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05I think you should have a go, try it out yourself.
0:38:05 > 0:38:06Who'd have thought it?
0:38:06 > 0:38:09I never appreciated the value of a swan feather.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Next time I'm wandering along the river bank
0:38:11 > 0:38:12and I see some, I might pick a couple up.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16Of course, you only get two decent ones per wing as well.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20- Is that right?- Yeah.- I'm not sure I've gone straight enough there.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23No, that was pretty good.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- There we are. How's that? - Great, great.- OK.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30'The fletches, fastened with glue,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33'are then secured by binding them with silk.'
0:38:33 > 0:38:35I do love making things.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37It is lovely to just get a hand on something that really is
0:38:37 > 0:38:39- a time-honoured tradition.- Sure.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Well, I could be here all day, to be perfectly honest.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46What I'm really keen to do, though, is to see just how effective
0:38:46 > 0:38:48- these arrows are against some targets.- Sure.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50We've got a rig up for you, if you'd like to see it.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52And I think we should get you to wear your Monmouth cap
0:38:52 > 0:38:54and get you to have a go.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Absolutely, I've been carrying this thing around all day.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59- Right, there we go.- Much better.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02It's a good look for you. Come on. Let's go and have a go.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Ah, I see. A French knight over there.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09We've got monsieur there. He's wearing plate armour.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11So, we've got some beautifully fletched arrows
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- that you made earlier.- Sure. - What's on the end of these?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- Oh, look at that.- Bodkin points.
0:39:17 > 0:39:22With got machined bodkin and we've got handmade bodkins as well,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24made by a master arrowsmith.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27'Bodkin points are military arrowheads
0:39:27 > 0:39:29'designed to penetrate armour.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32'In the hands of a professional longbowman, one of these can
0:39:32 > 0:39:37'travel at around 120mph, with up to 12 arrows shot a minute.'
0:39:37 > 0:39:38Right, let's give it a go.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- You hit it.- Absolutely. - Didn't quite go through, though.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Well, actually, if we look at that, it's gone in and bounced out.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52If we go over and look at that, you'll see it probably got
0:39:52 > 0:39:54about that much penetration, which is potentially lethal.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56I'm not sure I'm even going to hit the target,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58so I don't know why I'm laughing at you.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01You've got to make sure that, if you hold the bow there,
0:40:01 > 0:40:05we get the cock feather sticking out, otherwise you have a cock-up.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07- So, hence the phrase. - Ah! I love these old phrases.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09There's loads of them.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13So, I'm really going to have to put some effort into this, aren't I?
0:40:13 > 0:40:14Absolutely smash it.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Keeping the arrow on the thing is a trick, isn't it?
0:40:18 > 0:40:20THEY LAUGH
0:40:20 > 0:40:21Bravo, very good.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24What are the chances of that? I've only just clipped it.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27I think our knight would've kept coming.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28I think so, I think so.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31- Jeremy, it's been an absolute pleasure.- You're very welcome.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34- Thanks very much, mate. - Brilliant. Thank you.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Now, that wasn't as easy as it looks.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41But I wonder if finding a house in Monmouthshire was easier or
0:40:41 > 0:40:44harder than our buyers thought it would be.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Well, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure
0:40:47 > 0:40:50how successful our house-hunting has been this week,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52but I did promise Andrew a pint.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54So, this is the perfect place to find out.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02- Ah, how are you?- Yeah, good thanks. - Is that from me?- It is.- Yeah.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- Well, guys, it's been quite a week, this, hasn't it?- It's been great.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Have we whetted your appetite for life here, Andrew?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10You definitely have.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12I didn't know this area particularly well. It's amazing.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15I'm really looking forward to coming and living here.
0:41:15 > 0:41:16We've got to get a house here, definitely.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Well, have we managed to get you one?
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- That's the million-dollar question.- Well, there are certainly
0:41:21 > 0:41:24some serious contenders between the two cottages that we've seen.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28- Number one was gorgeous, wasn't it? - Absolutely beautiful.- What a spot.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32- The views were amazing.- Mm-hm. And the other little white cottage,
0:41:32 > 0:41:36with that very sweet garden dropping away below and the views beyond.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40With potential room for, dare I say it, these alpacas. Who knows?
0:41:40 > 0:41:42- Yes.- Oh, dear.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- Yes, you've got to be careful what you wish for.- We have, indeed.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48No, the girls would be delighted with that one, I'm sure.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50It's not really a definite, is it?
0:41:50 > 0:41:54Two contenders, clearly, you've got to go back soon, of course.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56That's going to make further investigation a little harder
0:41:56 > 0:41:59than it might be, if you were based here in the UK.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Well, I am home in a few weeks.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03So, we can have a good conversation about it.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05And, hopefully, if they're still on the market,
0:42:05 > 0:42:07I can go back and have a look.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11Well, you've got a lot to think about. All that remains for me to do
0:42:11 > 0:42:14is to wish you a very safe trip back to the sun.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Although, let's face it, it hasn't turned out that badly today,
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- has it?- Not bad at all. - It's very nice.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22- But, cheers. Cheers to you. - Thank you.- Cheers.- Best of luck.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26You know, on a day like this,
0:42:26 > 0:42:29with views like that, the merits of living in this beautiful
0:42:29 > 0:42:32border region I think really speak for themselves.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Andrew and Jane are now packing up,
0:42:35 > 0:42:38heading off to the airport, ready to fly back to Abu Dhabi.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40We have given them plenty to consider.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Now, of course, they've got a nice long plane ride on which to do so.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47But there is a danger that everything we've shown them,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50over the last few days, could, in the weeks to come,
0:42:50 > 0:42:53become nothing more than a distant memory.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56But, having immersed themselves in this glorious countryside,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59somehow, I don't think it will. I'll see you next time.
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0:43:04 > 0:43:06Northern Ireland or England
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