0:00:02 > 0:00:04Back in the Victorian era, these giant rock stacks
0:00:04 > 0:00:07inspired locals to come up with a tall story
0:00:07 > 0:00:09to help lure tourists here.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13So which county lays claim to this dramatic coastline?
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Find out in just a moment.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Today's buyer has already sold her house
0:00:34 > 0:00:36and has brought along her friend
0:00:36 > 0:00:40to help her find the perfect country property for the whole family.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42It's a huge living space.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44- Very family-orientated.- Yes.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46And as we get closer to what she's after,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49it's clear there's a lot resting on this move.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Wow, I love it.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Oh, don't. Don't, don't, don't.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Today I'm in Cornwall.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00And these stacks of rocks are the Bedruthan Steps,
0:01:00 > 0:01:05located just near Newquay on the northern shore of the county.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07These have been a popular tourist destination
0:01:07 > 0:01:09ever since Victorian times,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12when, in order to increase popularity of the area,
0:01:12 > 0:01:16they told stories of a Cornish giant named Bedruthan,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19who built these steps in order to get across the bay.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Now, of course, shipwrecks are also part of
0:01:22 > 0:01:24this treacherous coastline's history.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26And in 1846
0:01:26 > 0:01:29a cargo ship was wrecked against one of these stacks,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32leaving the enterprising locals to benefit
0:01:32 > 0:01:36by salvaging some of the cargo of luxury fabrics.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38So, whether fact or fiction,
0:01:38 > 0:01:42it's this wonderful shoreline that provides the kind of natural drama
0:01:42 > 0:01:46you can find right across this stunning county.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Cornwall is Britain's most southerly county.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Surrounded predominantly by the sea,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54it shares its only land border with Devon.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57With a coastline stretching over 400 miles,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59it's the longest of any county,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01with spectacular scenery including
0:02:01 > 0:02:05the glistening expanse of sandy beach just outside Bude.
0:02:05 > 0:02:06Peppered along the shoreline
0:02:06 > 0:02:09are picture-postcard villages such as Mevagissey,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11with its unspoiled harbour,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14which was once the centre of Cornwall's pilchard-fishing industry
0:02:14 > 0:02:17and is still home to a number of working boats.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Inland, Cornwall bears the scars of the heavy industry that once thrived
0:02:22 > 0:02:26here in the 19th century, when tin and copper mining was at its peak.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30One of the county's most famous landmarks is St Michael's Mount,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33a rocky island capped by a castle and medieval church
0:02:33 > 0:02:35dating back to the 12th century.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41And at the heart of the region lies the wild terrain of Bodmin Moor.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Archaeologists have found evidence of human activity here
0:02:44 > 0:02:47stretching back some 4,000 years.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50It's this rich variety of landscape that makes Cornwall such a popular
0:02:50 > 0:02:55destination for those seeking a quieter, rural way of life.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Bearing in mind such beauty and history,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05the Cornish property market still delivers pretty good value.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08The average price of a detached house here
0:03:08 > 0:03:11comes in at around £269,000.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14That's around £13,000 below the national figure.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16But, perhaps unsurprisingly,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18the closer you get to its stunning coastline,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21the more expensive the property gets,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25particularly in towns like Padstow and right here in Fowey.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27But travel inland, and in particular to the west,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30then your budget will stretch further.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34And by that, try out the historic mining towns of Camborne and Redruth.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38So what's attracting today's buyer to this beautiful county?
0:03:38 > 0:03:39Let's meet her and find out.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Today's property shopper is Sharon,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45who has asked her best friend, Jill,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47along for moral support during the house search.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49For the last 18 years,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Sharon has lived in Banbury in Oxfordshire,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and the two ladies first met when they were neighbours.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56We have children roughly the same age.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00So when they started going to school, and we were kind of, "Ah."
0:04:00 > 0:04:04About one o'clock, I'd be like... "Mmm...I'll just go and see Jill."
0:04:04 > 0:04:06And it's just carried on from there.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08And Jill has horses, and I have horses,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11and we both love animals, and it's just kind of snowballed,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13and now she's my bestie.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Home is currently a five-bedroom property on the edge of town.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19But since moving to Banbury nearly two decades ago
0:04:19 > 0:04:22with her former husband, Sharon has noticed a change.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26When we first moved here, Banbury was quite a small market town.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Unfortunately, as time's gone on,
0:04:28 > 0:04:33Banbury has probably expanded to double its size.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37So, you kind of lose a little bit of that small-town,
0:04:37 > 0:04:39"everybody knows everybody" feel.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43And that was what attracted me to live here in the first place.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Sharon has four children between the ages of 10 and 23.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50She has a busy time juggling night work at a supermarket with
0:04:50 > 0:04:54looking after the kids. They'll all be joining her on the move,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and she's aware it's a big step for the whole family.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01When I moved here with my then husband,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and we made the decision together,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08but now this move is me, this is my decision.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12And it's quite hard to make sure that I'm making the right decision
0:05:12 > 0:05:14for me and the children. The pressure's on.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Fortunately, friend Jill is on hand to help Sharon make the right call.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21If there's something that I really think is not going to work for her
0:05:21 > 0:05:24but she's looking at it through rose-tinted glasses,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27then I am quite brutally honest and I will give her the truth
0:05:27 > 0:05:30and try and steer her in a different direction.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32But this move isn't a total leap of faith,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35as Sharon has chosen a region very close to her heart.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38We've looked at Cornwall because I have many memories
0:05:38 > 0:05:40of holidaying there with my grandparents.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45And my daughter Megan is at university down there at the moment.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48And she's already said that's where she wants to make her home,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51so it's just trying to have a re-evaluation of family,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54how to spend more time together as time goes on.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56And as well as spending more time with her children,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00animal lover Sharon hopes the move will help her bond with her horses.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03I have two horses. I have Burt and Nico.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05They're a huge part of the move.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Because we've had them at livery yards, we've rented fields,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13the move is partly so that we can have them much closer to home,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16so we have more time to do things with them.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21After 18 years in Banbury, Sharon will be leaving many friends behind,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24not least long-standing buddy Jill.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26I'm gutted, because she is my best friend.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30But I can completely see why she needs to move
0:06:30 > 0:06:33and why she wants to go somewhere else. But...
0:06:33 > 0:06:36I haven't told her I'm taking her in my suitcase yet!
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- I'll be there. I'll be coming to visit.- She's coming with me. She's coming with me all the way.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Sharon wants a house within a reasonable distance
0:06:48 > 0:06:51of major urban centres such as Truro and Plymouth in Devon
0:06:51 > 0:06:55so her children can find work and socialise with friends.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57I'm meeting up with the two ladies in Cornwall
0:06:57 > 0:07:00to run over Sharon's property wish list.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03So here we are in this beautiful county
0:07:03 > 0:07:06that lots of people come on holiday to.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- You want to make that a full-time move.- Yes.- OK.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11If I don't do it now, I'm never going to do it.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13I hear that quite a lot. Why do you say that, then?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Due to a relationship break-up I have to sell my house now.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19So now is the time to do it. Either I stay where I am
0:07:19 > 0:07:23or I make a completely different chapter in my life,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26move forward, new challenges, new adventures.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28You're very brave, striking out on your own,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32coming hundreds of miles from where you currently live to a new place.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- Are you filled with anticipation? Are you nervous?- I'm very nervous.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38This is...
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- This is my life.- It's a big decision for you.- Huge decision.
0:07:41 > 0:07:42Let's talk about the house itself.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44How many bedrooms are we looking for?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- Ideally four.- Right.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Kitchen/diner. Small garden. You know, doesn't need to be massive.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Not fussed about year of the house.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I've lived in everything from an 1880s cottage
0:07:55 > 0:07:56through to a 1960s house.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Now, Jill, as best mate,
0:07:59 > 0:08:00you tell me, what do you think
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Sharon really wants in her new house here?
0:08:03 > 0:08:04Plenty of space and light.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- Right.- And nice, light and airy rooms.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10If you put her in somewhere where it's dark, she'll hate it.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14What would be something you saw in a house that makes you think, "Cor,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17"this is for me, I absolutely love this"?
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- Location more than anything. - Really?- Yeah.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22You're going to have, obviously, your children living at home.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Do you want to be close to a big town,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27or within striking distance of a small town or village?
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- What's the most important thing to you?- Ideally, for me...
0:08:30 > 0:08:31- Yeah?- Middle of nowhere.- Ha, yeah.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Ideally for children,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36they need to be somewhere near a much bigger community
0:08:36 > 0:08:38so they can have lives, so they can go out,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40so they can meet friends, get jobs.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42OK. Let's talk budget.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45As a cash buyer, 425,000.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- Right.- Um, probably go a little bit more with a small mortgage.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53You can maybe push that budget to what?
0:08:53 > 0:08:54- Comfortably?- 450?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Well, as cash buyers you should be in a decent position
0:08:57 > 0:08:59to negotiate at the very least. Let's go.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00- Come with me.- Lovely. OK.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Ideally, Sharon would like to spend £425,000,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09but for the right property
0:09:09 > 0:09:14could, with a small mortgage, go up to £450,000.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17For that, she'd like a four-bedroom property for her family.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Although she's not fussed about age or style,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21she'd like it to have space and light,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24and a kitchen/diner would be desirable.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27The garden doesn't need to be too big, but she'd like at least
0:09:27 > 0:09:29three acres of accessible land for her two horses.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31And she'd like to be close
0:09:31 > 0:09:33to a town for schools.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35We've got three wonderful Cornish homes lined up
0:09:35 > 0:09:37to captivate Sharon and Jill.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41At each one they'll have to guess the price at the end of the tour.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43With our final choice, the mystery property,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46it's less about what's inside than out.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56We're kicking off our property search in the hamlet of Draynes,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59around a 50-minute drive from Truro and Plymouth.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01The closest village for amenities is St Neot,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03around two and a half miles away.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Situated on the edge of Bodmin Moor,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10the village is named after a ninth-century monk and has a vibrant
0:10:10 > 0:10:15community spirit with a social club serving as a venue for local bands,
0:10:15 > 0:10:20a post office which doubles up as a shop, as well as a pub and a church.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23There's also a primary school for Sharon's youngest son.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Many of the pretty cottages dotted around the village are built from
0:10:26 > 0:10:29locally quarried granite stone.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Back in the hamlet of Draynes,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33house number one is a semidetached cottage,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35located on a quiet country lane.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Now then, ladies, house number one.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Okey-cokey.- What's the first thing you think when you see this?
0:10:44 > 0:10:46The trees are quite close to the house, aren't they?
0:10:46 > 0:10:49They are, actually, and they don't help with the house's light.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51So that might be something you want to think about in the future.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52Parts of it date back,
0:10:52 > 0:10:57local historians reckon, to the 16th century.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58- This bit...- Yeah.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01That was added around 1995.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- Right, OK.- So, Jill, come on, you're best mate,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07what's going through your mind?
0:11:07 > 0:11:10I don't think she'll like the fact that it's semidetached.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Right. You didn't express the need or desire for a detached house.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- Not specifically.- But...
0:11:16 > 0:11:18But...I have a detached house at the moment.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23Right, OK. So what I'll say is let's approach this with fresh eyes.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Come at this house with an open mind. All right?- Yeah, OK.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Please. Come on.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34A somewhat measured response to the outside of what was once
0:11:34 > 0:11:38a former farmhouse, built of local granite but now partially rendered.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39Inside for starters,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43there's a dining room with double doors out onto the back garden.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46But since Sharon expressly asked for an eat-in kitchen,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48we're heading straight there.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Now then, typical farmhouse kitchen.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- I quite like it, actually. - Good.- Yes.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57I like the low ceilings.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- What about the fittings here? I mean, this is...- Units are lovely.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02It's bespoke. Made by a local joiner.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05They're very much in keeping with the period of the house.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- Yeah.- Country feel. - So far...? Come on.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Pleasantly surprised with the inside of the house, I would say.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Let's hope you keep that way next-door. Come on.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17You'll notice you get a bit more ceiling height in here.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- I like the fireplace.- Very snug. If that wood burner was on...- Yep.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26..this would be a really, really warm, cosy, very intimate space.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29I think this house gets better as you keep looking through it.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Let's take you to the bedrooms and see what you think.- OK.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36In addition to the farmhouse kitchen and sitting room,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39in the extended part of the house there's a further reception room,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41a cosy snug or study.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45The ground floor also includes a utility room located in an outhouse
0:12:45 > 0:12:48which is accessed from the front driveway.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Upstairs, there are four bedrooms.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56These include a sizeable double with an en-suite shower room,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59a single which overlooks the front of the house,
0:12:59 > 0:13:00and another spacious double,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03large enough for a four-poster bed
0:13:03 > 0:13:06as well as a fully tiled family bathroom.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08With Sharon's eldest daughter at university,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10there should be enough sleeping options
0:13:10 > 0:13:12for her three other children.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Now, you'll be pleased to hear you get four bedrooms on this level.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21But this is easily my favourite.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23I like this. It's quite a large room.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- Mm-hm.- Double-aspect windows.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27It has an en suite as well.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29I have a much smaller en suite.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30So that's a bonus.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Space-wise, there possibly is enough room in the bedrooms.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Probably more than I was expecting.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- All right.- On this house.- Is there a "but" here, or...? You don't...
0:13:38 > 0:13:41No, there's not a "but". It's just...
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- I have to get my head around how things...can work.- Mm-hm.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49And how it all fits in with my family.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Let's go outside. Let's take a look at the garden and the land, yeah?
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- OK.- Come with me.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Sharon seems to be warming to this deceptively large property.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02But let's not forget she also wanted land for her two horses.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06The garden extends to the back and, as well as a generous stone patio,
0:14:06 > 0:14:07is largely laid to lawn
0:14:07 > 0:14:10and sheltered by mature trees and shrubs.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13The land extends to five acres
0:14:13 > 0:14:16and is divided into fruit and vegetable plots,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18a chicken run,
0:14:18 > 0:14:19a sloping paddock,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22as well as a more-level orchard with its own access,
0:14:22 > 0:14:24a potential home for Sharon's horses.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29This land has been laid fallow for a couple of years now.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32But you can see it's got some pretty good keep for horses.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34I think this is a decent gradient.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36You could have horses here, couldn't you?
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- It's a bit flatter down there, isn't it?- Yeah.- It's not quite as steep.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41You've got five acres here. You've got another field just
0:14:41 > 0:14:44the other side of these brambles, these...overgrown hedge, really.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47The whole land needs pulling into shape again.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- It does.- Especially for horses. - It does need some work.- Yeah.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51So let's have a go at guessing the price.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55For the amount of land, four bedrooms...
0:14:55 > 0:14:58taking into account it needs some work,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00erm, I'd still say...415?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Jill?- I'd say 395.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08Good guess. The asking price for this property is actually £399,950.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- Little bit more tempting now. - OK, good.- It's under 400.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15And remember, it is only an asking price.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Why don't you go back into the house,
0:15:16 > 0:15:18get a feel for this place now, OK?
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- And then I'll meet you whenever you're done.- OK.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- See you in a mo, ladies.- All right, thank you.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Priced at just under £400,000,
0:15:29 > 0:15:31our first house is a semidetached
0:15:31 > 0:15:32extended stone cottage,
0:15:32 > 0:15:33benefiting from
0:15:33 > 0:15:36some fine period details.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37It offers Sharon
0:15:37 > 0:15:39the eat-in kitchen she asked for,
0:15:39 > 0:15:41four bedrooms as well as a potential
0:15:41 > 0:15:43extra one in the downstairs snug.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45In addition to the secluded garden,
0:15:45 > 0:15:46there's enough land
0:15:46 > 0:15:47for her two horses,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49which can be made fit for purpose
0:15:49 > 0:15:51with the money she has left over.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53The house is a bit of a TARDIS on the inside.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56It's much larger than it appears from the outside.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59You have some really family-friendly spaces.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02You can imagine it being warm and snug during winter.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05The land needs quite a lot of work to get it friendly for the horses,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08in terms of chopping down trees and fencing.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Sharon, I think, is quite nervous about the move anyway,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14because, obviously, she has to make sure she makes the right decision.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16So therefore it's very important for her
0:16:16 > 0:16:18to make sure she has the right house.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21So I think there's a bit of trepidation
0:16:21 > 0:16:22and a little bit of anxiety
0:16:22 > 0:16:25going on in her head at the moment.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- All done?- All done.- How do you feel now, about the house?
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Much better than first impressions.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Good. Sometimes these things take time, don't they,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- to get to know a property, certainly?- Yeah.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Well, that's only one down. Two more to go. Come with me.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49In the south of the county, around St Austell,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53the towering peaks known as the Cornish Alps are a visual reminder
0:16:53 > 0:16:56of the region's association with china clay.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58250 years ago,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01a local apothecary discovered an element found in granite
0:17:01 > 0:17:04could be used in the porcelain-making process,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07and the china-clay industry was born.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08By the 19th century,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11the St Austell deposits were the largest in the world,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and china clay was exported from
0:17:13 > 0:17:16thriving maritime ports such as Charlestown.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20The discovery of china clay inspired generations of artists
0:17:20 > 0:17:22to turn their hand to making porcelain pottery.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24One such potter is Chris Prindl,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28who's been working with ceramics for 27 years.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Since Sharon is keen to learn more about the region's history,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34we sent her and Jill to find out more about this remarkable
0:17:34 > 0:17:36naturally occurring material.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Chris, do you specialise in your use of a particular material in your pottery?
0:17:40 > 0:17:42I've worked in lots of different ways,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45but more and more I'm working in porcelain, made out of china clay.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49It's the most wonderful, pure, white, translucent substance.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51I've got a little pot I made here, so you can see.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54And what's amazing about it is if I hold that up to the sun,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57you can just see light shining through it.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00And it's just... It's a very beautiful, white,
0:18:00 > 0:18:01very pure substance.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05You can make pots much finer than in any other material.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08I can actually make pots in clay as fine as this,
0:18:08 > 0:18:09but they don't feel right.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11They feel too thin.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Whereas this, getting to eggshell thinness, it just feels lovely.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18The china clay used in Chris's porcelain
0:18:18 > 0:18:21comes from within a five-mile radius of his workshop.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24The raw material is a very fine powder.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26So, if you feel that...
0:18:26 > 0:18:28That's very, very fine.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33- It feels...- Like flour, almost, but finer.- Yeah. It's amazingly light.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37You take kaolin, or china clay, like this and there's different recipes,
0:18:37 > 0:18:41but most porcelains are about 50% china clay.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45And then we add other things like quartz or flint or feldspar,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47to make up the body that you can actually use
0:18:47 > 0:18:50that we can fire properly and make the pots with.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52And this is the porcelain.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55So if you feel that, you're going to feel it's quite different.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58That's very, very heavy. Very dense and...
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Very cold.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Turning the powder into a dense porcelain takes a lot of work.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06So Chris buys his porcelain ready-mixed.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08He's going to show them how to make a small bowl.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The first step is to throw the clay.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13It's called throwing
0:19:13 > 0:19:17because the first thing you do is you get your lump of clay
0:19:17 > 0:19:19and you...you can throw it if you want to,
0:19:19 > 0:19:23but you bang it in the middle of the wheel head.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31The first thing we're going to do is try to get control of the porcelain.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34My right hand's on top, my left hand tucked in here.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36So can you see that's wobbling around like...
0:19:36 > 0:19:38not crazy, but wobbling around?
0:19:38 > 0:19:40I'm going to try and stop it wobbling.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43This is called centring. I'm going to show you what I mean.
0:19:43 > 0:19:49Come round the front here, and the amount of pressure you want...
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- Ooh, whoops, it came off. - LAUGHTER
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Stop the wheel. That's fine. That happens quite often.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56You didn't bang it down hard enough.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59After a couple of minutes, Sharon gets the hang of centring.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- So you've got that feeling that it's not wobbling around too much?- Yeah.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06If you watch me again, I'm going to put my hands either side,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09and I'm going to go straight down the middle.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Every time you touch it, you want to come off gently.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13Having done that,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17you're going to go to the bottom of the hole that you've made
0:20:17 > 0:20:21and you're going to gently widen it, pulling towards you.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22That's it.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27The final stage is to open out the cylinder into the form of a bowl.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28Coming up.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31As you get to the top, you think, "Oh, what's going to happen?"
0:20:31 > 0:20:33And then I come off.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37With a little help from Chris, both of their bowls begin to take shape.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38Come off really gently.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Good.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42The final step is to use a plastic rib
0:20:42 > 0:20:45to finesse the shape of the final piece.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48That's lovely. I think that's very good.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51The bowls will then be left to dry for a day or two before being fired
0:20:51 > 0:20:54twice in the kiln at around 1,000 degrees Celsius.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Well, today has been absolutely amazing.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- I've really enjoyed this. - Good.- It's been great fun.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- So have I. Thank you very much. - It's been very nice to meet you.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- And best of luck with your house search.- Thank you.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15For our second offering, we're heading around 40 miles south-west
0:21:15 > 0:21:17to the hamlet of Crofthandy.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20The nearest settlement for services is the village of St Day,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23which was the thriving centre for the copper-mining industry
0:21:23 > 0:21:26from the 16th century right up until the 1830s.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28In the 19th century,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30cheaper copper deposits were discovered in South America,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34and the Cornish mines could no longer compete.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Today, the village and surrounding former mining area is protected
0:21:37 > 0:21:39as a World Heritage Site.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40And landmarks include a clock tower,
0:21:40 > 0:21:45built in 1832 and recently restored by the local community.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49House number two is situated just outside St Day
0:21:49 > 0:21:51in the hamlet of Crofthandy,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55in a secluded rural setting with views across the valley.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57So, we're detached.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- It is.- What's your thought?
0:21:59 > 0:22:00- Looks big.- Looks very big.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03It is a lot bigger than the last place.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06And in my opinion it's probably a lot more user-friendly
0:22:06 > 0:22:08for you and your horses.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- OK.- You look like you've got a reasonable view.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Amazing, isn't it? That's a World Heritage Site now.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Is it an old tin mine?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Yeah. This used to be the richest square mile in the world,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20apparently, when this was all operational.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23And this property was the counting house for the mine.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Brilliant.- Happy?- Happy.- Yes. - Come with me.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30This handsome half-slate-hung property
0:22:30 > 0:22:33is set within four acres of land with up-and-running
0:22:33 > 0:22:36equestrian facilities, which we'll explore later.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39The house itself has a quirky upside-down layout
0:22:39 > 0:22:41with the bedrooms on the ground floor
0:22:41 > 0:22:43and the living accommodation upstairs.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47We're starting on the ground floor with the bedrooms.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- OK.- This is your master. I mean, it's an upside-down house.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- Some people feel a bit weird.- I wasn't expecting an upside-down...
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- No.- ..house.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- I was expecting to walk this way and go, "Oh, it's a living room."- No.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00But it makes sense, because of the views, doesn't it?
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- Yeah. Big, isn't it?- It is big.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- (Wow.)- With a big en suite. Did I see a "wow" being mouthed?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Yes. It's very large.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Double windows again.- Yeah.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11I like the floor. Yeah, this bedroom is a good size.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14There's a reason why the living accommodation is upstairs,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and I think they've done a really good job. Let me show you.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21There are four other bedrooms on the ground floor,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24one for each of Sharon's children.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Two of those, both doubles, overlook the front of the house.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32And there are two at the rear, one of which is dual-aspect.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35All four bedrooms are served by a family bathroom.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Now then, you'll see things get... a lot more open-plan up here.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44What's going through your mind?
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- Do you like it?- Yes. - It's a huge living space.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Very family-orientated.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50Yes, exactly that.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- It is.- This would be the hub of the home, wouldn't it?
0:23:52 > 0:23:56- Absolutely, yes.- And the views, look at the views.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Now, one thing you said, Jill,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01that you thought Sharon would want was light, airy rooms.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Yes.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- It is a nice, big, light, airy room. - Going well, isn't it?- Yes.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10Kitchen next. I can see you peering round. Might as well show you.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12It's...a nice square size.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Obviously, you don't need a dining space
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- because it just flows naturally in. - This is just for preparing.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Everything's just being used. It's a very good use of space.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I'm just interested in seeing more.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25When you like a house, you want to race through it and see everything.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26- Yeah.- And then go back and visit it.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Let's stick with that. Let me show you outside. Come with me.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33There's a lot to take in at this vast property.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36A small hallway at the top of the staircase
0:24:36 > 0:24:37leads to two further rooms,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41a large games room that could possibly make a sixth bedroom
0:24:41 > 0:24:44for when Jill comes to stay, and a smaller office space.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47The kitchen benefits from a separate utility room,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50allowing storage for the white goods, and beyond that
0:24:50 > 0:24:52there's also a shower room.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Outside, the feeling of space continues.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Immediately to the rear of the kitchen, there's a raised decking,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00ideal for entertaining in the summer.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03To the side of the house there's a large area of flat lawn
0:25:03 > 0:25:07and a static caravan, included in the sale.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09And at the back, a raised terrace laid to grass
0:25:09 > 0:25:12with a timber climbing frame for the kids.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15For the horses, there's an established stable block and
0:25:15 > 0:25:18a gently sloping enclosed paddock with views across the valley.
0:25:22 > 0:25:27Now then, this land is all included.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- How much land is there? - About four acres.- OK.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32I think this bit is a bit steep.
0:25:32 > 0:25:33I know we've got a flat piece there.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36But if you're bringing them in, that is quite steep.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39This is a horse paddock. There's loads of flat areas there and there.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- Come on, it's being used as a horse paddock.- Yeah.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- It is, yeah.- OK, now you've seen the house and the land,
0:25:44 > 0:25:45have a go at guessing the price.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49I'm going to go in with 435.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50OK.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52- Jill?- I'm going to say 420.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58This place is on the market for offers around £445,000.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00And I've spoken to the owner directly
0:26:00 > 0:26:03and he's hoping to get as close to that as humanly possible.
0:26:03 > 0:26:04Yeah. I can see why.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07So, what's your thoughts now you know the price, Sharon?
0:26:07 > 0:26:11- I'd like to go and have another look at the house.- OK. Do just that.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13I'll catch you later. See you in a bit.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17Priced at £5,000
0:26:17 > 0:26:20under Sharon's maximum budget,
0:26:20 > 0:26:21the second property offers her
0:26:21 > 0:26:23the choice of a vast house
0:26:23 > 0:26:24with an up-and-running facility
0:26:24 > 0:26:26for the horses.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27A former counting house
0:26:27 > 0:26:28for the local mine,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30its upside-down configuration offers
0:26:30 > 0:26:32up five bedrooms on the ground floor
0:26:32 > 0:26:34and a spacious open-plan
0:26:34 > 0:26:36layout upstairs.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37The four acres of land
0:26:37 > 0:26:39has been divided into a garden
0:26:39 > 0:26:41and a paddock for two horses
0:26:41 > 0:26:42with stabling options.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46The house was very large inside, very airy.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49The family accommodation upstairs has a good
0:26:49 > 0:26:52sitting room, dining room, kitchen flow through it,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54so you could have the children doing their homework,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57could be watching TV, entertaining, anything you want,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00and everyone wouldn't be treading on everyone's toes.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03It has got a lot going for it. It's got a huge amount of space.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04My real concern, I think,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07is there is quite a steep slope for the first paddock.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10I'm thinking about the winter months, when it's snowing and icy,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12and you have to bring your horses in.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15That might be a little bit tricky, I think.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16Now then, ladies, is it something
0:27:16 > 0:27:18worth consideration over dinner tonight?
0:27:18 > 0:27:21- Definitely.- Good. - Have a talk about it later.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22Perfect. Let's go.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32It's the second day of our property search in Cornwall,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35with Sharon and her friend Jill from Banbury.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Armed with a maximum budget of £450,000,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Sharon wants a home for her family and enough land for two horses.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Coming up, at the mystery property,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48it's less about the house and more about the horse.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51This is the sort of thing that you move mountains for.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55And I ride the waves on one of Cornwall's classic sailing crafts.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58- How's about?- This is brilliant, Martin. Absolutely amazing.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Whilst I think we looked at two decent property options yesterday,
0:28:06 > 0:28:11I don't think Sharon was particularly taken with the land at either.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15So today at the Mystery House we're going to focus on just that.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17The mystery property offers up,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19well, in my opinion, the equestrian dream.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21But being the Mystery House,
0:28:21 > 0:28:23of course it comes with a couple of compromises.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27And those will be in the house itself.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Let's see how we get on.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Now you've seen two houses down here...
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- Yeah.- ..how do you feel about what your budget can get you?
0:28:36 > 0:28:40I still feel like my budget can get me something reasonable.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- Still positive about the move? - Still positive.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46Yeah? You sound like you're saying the words, you don't sound like you mean them particularly.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48No, I am still positive about it.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52It's just...I am realising that in five weeks
0:28:52 > 0:28:55the place that I now call home is no longer going to be mine.
0:28:55 > 0:28:56It's going to be somebody else's home.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Yeah, this is bringing it all to the fore, isn't it?
0:28:59 > 0:29:02- This is the real pressure, the real crunch time.- Yeah, of course it is.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06For our mystery property,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09we're staying within the Cornish mining World Heritage Site and
0:29:09 > 0:29:12travelling to the hamlet of North Carnmarth,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14just outside the town of Redruth.
0:29:14 > 0:29:15At one time a small market town,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18in the 19th century it became the urban centre
0:29:18 > 0:29:21of the richest metal-mining area in the country.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25And there are remnants of its industrial past all around you,
0:29:25 > 0:29:27from imposing hillside relics
0:29:27 > 0:29:29to the grand architecture lining its streets.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Notable buildings include the Mining Exchange,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35where copper and tin auctions took place.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Redruth has both primary and secondary schools,
0:29:38 > 0:29:40and the train station runs regular services
0:29:40 > 0:29:43directly into London Paddington.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Our mystery option is located in a rural position,
0:29:45 > 0:29:47just outside the town,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50with fantastic views across the North Cornish coast.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52It's an idyllic location,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55but Sharon may have to compromise on the actual house
0:29:55 > 0:29:57to get the land she wants for her horses.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01So, the Mystery House.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05We've certainly gone on your request for a bit of peace and quiet.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- What do we think?- I love it. - Wow. View's amazing.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12I kind of want to talk about the house,
0:30:12 > 0:30:14- but you can't ignore this, can you?- No.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- Stunning, isn't it? - It is.- It's beautiful.
0:30:17 > 0:30:18Let's talk about the house.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Well maintained, looks bright, looks airy.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- Could you make this your home, Sharon? This sort of location?- Yes.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27- Is this what you had in mind?- Yeah. - I just want to have a look now.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29- Let's go inside.- Yeah.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33Set within a five-acre plot,
0:30:33 > 0:30:35the farmhouse retains a wealth of character
0:30:35 > 0:30:37and views from its many windows.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41To the side of the sweeping driveway is a detached garage block,
0:30:41 > 0:30:44which also includes a shower room at the back.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47To get our tour under way we're heading straight into the kitchen.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Right then, ladies, first impressions.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Good or bad, let me know.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Stunning views from this window.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Not a huge kitchen, but it's...nice.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00It's very light, it's very airy with double aspect.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03This is a kitchen that you could... live with,
0:31:03 > 0:31:06and then, if you wanted to change a style or a design,
0:31:06 > 0:31:08as time went on, then you would do it then.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11But it's perfect. You could come in now and use it straight as it is.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Stick with it, then. Come with me.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Just off the kitchen there's a long, double-aspect dining room,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20with exposed original beams.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22And that leads into the living room.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26So as you can see, one of two reception areas.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28- What say you?- I think that's a good size.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29Very, very light.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Very bright. Stunning views over our shoulder.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34Look out that window. Brilliant.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37It just has a warmth to it that makes it feel like a family home.
0:31:37 > 0:31:42Yeah. Now, outside, you look at it, you think, "Oh, it's a bungalow."
0:31:42 > 0:31:44But actually you've got three bedrooms upstairs.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46- Right.- One of the bedrooms is downstairs,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49but I think you've got room here. Let me show you.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54The downstairs bedroom is a good-size double
0:31:54 > 0:31:56and is served by a family bathroom.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59But this is the only bathroom in the property,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02and that's one of the compromises Sharon and her family
0:32:02 > 0:32:05will have to make, as there are no washing facilities upstairs.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Of the three first-floor bedrooms, there's a small double
0:32:09 > 0:32:12and a single with a dormer window overlooking the driveway,
0:32:12 > 0:32:15which just leaves Sharon's potential master.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- Right then.- It's a very bright little room.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23You weren't expecting it to be as big?
0:32:23 > 0:32:25I wasn't expecting it to be this big, no.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27I like the low ceilings.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- You LIKE the low ceilings?- I do like the low ceilings. It's cosy.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Three bedrooms up here, one bedroom downstairs.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34- There's your four bedrooms.- Yeah.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- So you're happy with the size of this house?- Yeah.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Well, in that case, any compromises I thought you might have
0:32:40 > 0:32:44have been competently nullified, because outside it just gets better.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- Come with me.- Outstanding.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50By far the best reactions we've had so far to a property,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53and it's the smallest one we've shown Sharon and Jill.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57Outside, though, there's no shortage of space.
0:32:57 > 0:32:58The well-maintained formal garden
0:32:58 > 0:33:02wraps itself around the farmhouse, with views towards the coast.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05And there's both a patio area for entertaining
0:33:05 > 0:33:07and a separate vegetable patch.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11The outbuildings include a spacious barn measuring 90 square metres,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14and a summerhouse with power and plumbing inside.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19But Sharon's two horses will be truly spoiled here,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22because not only is there a sand school for exercising the horses,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25but there's also a generous block of five stables
0:33:25 > 0:33:27and three separate paddocks.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Now, land-wise,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35you've got a flat paddock there - see it?
0:33:35 > 0:33:36Yeah.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40A paddock the other side of that barn we've just walked past
0:33:40 > 0:33:41and those stables.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43And then here, look,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47all in all, five acres of flat pasture land.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- That's more like it.- Wow, I love it.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Oh, don't. Don't, don't, don't.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58I do, I love it.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03You've got lots here to make this brilliant for ever for you guys.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06This is the sort of thing that you move mountains for.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08So, time to guess the price.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11How much do you think this mystery property is on the market for?
0:34:11 > 0:34:13I think this is over my budget.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14I'm going to go 460.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Jill, you're folding your arms. That doesn't bode well.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19I'm going to say 455.
0:34:19 > 0:34:20Not bad guesses.
0:34:20 > 0:34:25This place is on the market for offers around 449,950.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28It's great. It's fantastic.
0:34:28 > 0:34:29- Happy, happy.- Happy, happy.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Good. You didn't seem happy in the car this morning.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34These are two different ladies.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Anticipation, I think.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38- Yeah?- Yeah. - Well, look, fill your boots.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Have a good look at it. All right? See you later on.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45Well, I've got to say,
0:34:45 > 0:34:47it's a relief as much as anything else.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50I know just how important this big move down here to Cornwall
0:34:50 > 0:34:53is for Sharon, and...
0:34:53 > 0:34:54with a following wind,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57I think we might have found just the place for her.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Coming in a whisker under Sharon's maximum budget,
0:35:03 > 0:35:04our Mystery House
0:35:04 > 0:35:06is a detached Cornish farmhouse
0:35:06 > 0:35:08packed with character.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Although compact inside,
0:35:10 > 0:35:11a generous amount of windows
0:35:11 > 0:35:13allows for a light living space.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15And there are four bedrooms,
0:35:15 > 0:35:17three of which are upstairs.
0:35:17 > 0:35:18Set in five acres of land,
0:35:18 > 0:35:21with stabling and paddocks for Sharon's horses,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25the whole plot takes in the stunning vista of the North Cornish coast.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29The Mystery House is just amazing.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33It's light, it's bright, it's very family-orientated.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35There's enough space in the house,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37but the outside space is just fantastic.
0:35:37 > 0:35:38This is a top contender.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41This is everything I was looking for in coming to Cornwall.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44'It was really good seeing her reaction to this property.'
0:35:44 > 0:35:48The more she saw, the happier and the bubblier she got.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49She loves it.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56So, are we happy?
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- Happy.- Yeah?- Very happy.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Very happy. Good. Well, look, I think we are ending on a high.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Things seem to have got better as we've got on.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07But let's find you somewhere to have a bit of a sit-down
0:36:07 > 0:36:10and talk everything through. It's a big decision for you, isn't it?
0:36:10 > 0:36:12- Huge decision. - We'll catch up later on.
0:36:12 > 0:36:13Come on, then.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Along with Cornwall's rich industrial heritage,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27the county has a strong tradition of sailing,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30with over 400 miles of magnificent coastline
0:36:30 > 0:36:32from sheltered fishing harbours
0:36:32 > 0:36:34to spectacular beaches.
0:36:34 > 0:36:39Historically, each seaside town had its own unique sailing boat,
0:36:39 > 0:36:43specifically designed for the local environment and conditions.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46I've come to the seaport of Fowey, on Cornwall's south coast.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47A natural harbour,
0:36:47 > 0:36:51the town stretches a mile along the west bank of the Fowey Estuary.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54I'm meeting boat-builder Marcus Lewis
0:36:54 > 0:36:57to learn more about the town's home-grown sailing yacht,
0:36:57 > 0:36:58the Troy class.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03What makes these boats unique?
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Well, when the boat-builder designed them,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09he obviously had in mind the fact of the steep-sided valley
0:37:09 > 0:37:11that we've got here in Fowey
0:37:11 > 0:37:13and so you tend to get more wind higher up.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15So, it's got a very tall mast.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18It's 31 feet tall from the deck of the boat.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20She's only 18 foot long.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22If that was a dinghy,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24you'd need six or eight people sitting on the side
0:37:24 > 0:37:27to keep it upright, and then they wouldn't manage it.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- OK.- Because it's a keelboat,
0:37:30 > 0:37:32it's got a draught of four foot.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36- Right.- And the lower foot of that is 16 hundredweight of lead,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39which is nearly 700 kilos, I think.
0:37:39 > 0:37:40Goodness me.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Only 28 Troy class were built in the decades following 1928,
0:37:45 > 0:37:50when local boat-builder Archie Watty first came up with his novel design.
0:37:50 > 0:37:5325 survive in sailing condition,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56but the class has experienced a recent rise in popularity,
0:37:56 > 0:38:00and Marcus is a currently working on a new boat in his workshop.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04So this is the skeletal form of a Troy.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Similar to what we've just seen, then?
0:38:06 > 0:38:07That's right.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11There are strict rules governing Troy-class boat-building.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Each one must be built by hand using wood
0:38:13 > 0:38:15and within the Fowey Estuary itself.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17That is the backbone of the boat.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21That's all oak. All shaped and bolted together.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23When we looked up at the Troy,
0:38:23 > 0:38:25there was a huge... a really tall mast.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27You mentioned a lead weight on the bottom.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29That's right. That's the lead keel down there.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31- It doesn't look much, does it?- No.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33It's quite a bit if you try and pick it up.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Yeah.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37It takes Marcus around 1,000 man hours to build a Troy,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40and they cost around £40,000 to commission.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42- Martin.- Hello, Jonnie.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Permission to come aboard, sir?
0:38:44 > 0:38:45- Certainly.- Thank you very much.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48'Having seen what it looks like under construction,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51'I'm keen to see how a Troy class takes to the water.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54'So I'm joining experienced mariner Martin Croll,
0:38:54 > 0:38:57'who's been racing the same boat for 30 years.'
0:38:57 > 0:39:00As far as sailing boats go, are these easy to operate?
0:39:00 > 0:39:02- Are they harder?- They...
0:39:02 > 0:39:05They can be a bit of a handful in certain conditions.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Just little small movements on the tiller will send the boat
0:39:08 > 0:39:10whichever direction you want to go.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18And it's not long before Martin shows me what she can do, as,
0:39:18 > 0:39:22while working the jib, I sail a bit too close to the wind.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Speaking to Marcus, who builds these,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28he was telling me about the amount of weight
0:39:28 > 0:39:29at the bottom of this boat.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31It fills me with a bit more confidence,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34bearing in mind I feel like I'm going to go in.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35HE LAUGHS
0:39:35 > 0:39:37- You won't go in. - It feels like I might.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39You won't go in.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Now, I know this might come across as a bit cheeky,
0:39:44 > 0:39:46but any chance I could have a go?
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Certainly you can. Right, get yourself comfortable.
0:39:49 > 0:39:50That's it.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54This is the life, isn't it?
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Now, what we'll do now is go right around.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59So tiller right towards me.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Look at that.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Even more towards me.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11Lets the sail off a bit.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14And then you point down the river
0:40:14 > 0:40:16and you have a little bit of a run now.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21- This is fantastic.- How's that?
0:40:21 > 0:40:24This is brilliant, Martin. Absolutely amazing.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29You really wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now, would you?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33You know this town very well, don't you?
0:40:33 > 0:40:34Pretty much.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37So you probably know where a good pub is to sail up to, don't you?
0:40:37 > 0:40:39I could mention a pub or two, yes.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41- Shall we go there later? - Yeah, why not?
0:40:41 > 0:40:42That'll be brilliant.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53Well, it's clear to see that the mystery property
0:40:53 > 0:40:54is a firm favourite.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58But this is a huge move for Sharon and her entire family.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00So let's find out what she wants to do next.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10Now, I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to work out which of the
0:41:10 > 0:41:11three properties is your favourite.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- The Mystery House. - Definitely the Mystery House.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Now, when we were at the property, you got very emotional.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20- Yeah.- Jill, have you seen her like that in a good way in recent years?
0:41:20 > 0:41:22She doesn't get emotional very often.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Right. - I think it was a bit of relief.
0:41:25 > 0:41:26- Yeah.- You know.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27That there was somewhere
0:41:27 > 0:41:30that actually she could see that she could call home.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Now, having seen the property and talked about the house amongst
0:41:33 > 0:41:36yourselves, what are you feeling?
0:41:36 > 0:41:42Much calmer. Much more reassured that I wasn't going barking mad,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45that I am making a good, wise decision.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- Yeah.- For our family. That we can move forward.
0:41:48 > 0:41:49You can see what you can get.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52What's next, then? You like the mystery property so much,
0:41:52 > 0:41:53what are you going to do now?
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- Interested in going and having a second look.- You are?
0:41:56 > 0:41:57Yeah. Make calls to home.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59See if I can get the kids down this weekend.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Right. That's a good idea.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- Will they all come down, the whole tribe?- Yeah.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Just go and collect them. Get them down here for the weekend.
0:42:06 > 0:42:07Find out some more about the area.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Make a few phone calls to the schools.
0:42:09 > 0:42:10After your second viewing,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12after you've done a bit more recceing about the area,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14let us know what you decide, won't you?
0:42:14 > 0:42:16- Yeah. Will do.- Good for you.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- Good luck.- Thank you.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Let's face it, the mystery property wasn't without its compromises.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28But it also offered Sharon and her family so much - well,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31you saw it yourselves - it reduced her to tears.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35So I'm buoyed to hear they are going back as a family to have a look at
0:42:35 > 0:42:37that property once again.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41And if that goes well and all of her research with the schools
0:42:41 > 0:42:42go according to plan,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45it wouldn't surprise me if Cornwall doesn't have a few new residents
0:42:45 > 0:42:47sooner rather than later.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49I wish them all the very best of luck.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Sharon returned to our Mystery House and, I'm delighted to say,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57put in an offer that's been accepted.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01So we wish her and the children well with their forthcoming move.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Wales,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Northern Ireland or Scotland and need our help,
0:43:07 > 0:43:09please apply online at...