0:00:02 > 0:00:05If I told you this beautiful river inspired the writing of a fishing manual,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07it wouldn't come as much of a surprise.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10But this book was written 350 years ago.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14It's still in print and it's sold more copies than the Bible.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17If that's hooked you in, I'll tell you more about this infamous book,
0:00:17 > 0:00:19and where I am, in just a moment.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41On today's show, a couple who are hoping to escape urban life and
0:00:41 > 0:00:43return to their rural roots.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46From the outset, they have a clear vision of what they want.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48- I can't stop looking at the view. - Yeah.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51If you buy this house, you won't have to.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53True.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56And then things begin to heat up even more.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58She's getting excited.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Yes. I think you'd better watch out.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Today, I'm in Derbyshire, and it's the River Dove, here,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09in the Peak District, that gains many a mention in one of the
0:01:09 > 0:01:12greatest books in sporting literature.
0:01:12 > 0:01:13The Compleat Angler.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Author Izaak Walton used to fish here in the 1650s.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Three and a half centuries later,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22his book is still hailed as a pioneering work,
0:01:22 > 0:01:27being more than just a how-to guide, by describing riverside habitats,
0:01:27 > 0:01:32promoting conservation and celebrating the countryside at large,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35all messages that clearly resonate in the present day.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Derbyshire sits in the East Midlands region of England,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44and borders counties including Staffordshire and South Yorkshire.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47It has a long and distinguished history.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The Romans made use of the natural geological resources here,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53such as the lead ore in the limestone hills
0:01:53 > 0:01:56and the thermal springs around Buxton.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59From the late 18th century,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02the town thrived as a fashionable spa destination,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06and its fine array of Georgian architecture includes an impressive,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09sweeping crescent modelled on that in Bath.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Today, the town hosts an annual music and literary festival,
0:02:13 > 0:02:19centred on the opera house, built in 1903 and designed by Frank Matcham,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22the same architect behind the London Palladium.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Around a third of Derbyshire is taken up by the Peak District National Park.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Roughly the size of Greater London,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33its appealing landscape of dramatic rolling hills and escarpments
0:02:33 > 0:02:37attracts around ten million visitors each year.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41It's also an enticing destination for those looking to trade an urban
0:02:41 > 0:02:43existence for the countryside.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49The latest stats show the average price of a detached property here in
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Derbyshire is £210,000.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56That's 55,000 below the national figure.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00However, the picture changes dramatically as you move towards
0:03:00 > 0:03:02the central peaks region around Buxton.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07There, you could pay £150,000 more for an equivalent property,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10as restricted supply keeps prices at a premium.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12The good news is, though,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14that even a couple of miles outside the national park borders,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17around the market towns of Ashbourne and Matlock,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19you do get value for money.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21So, where are today's buyers looking,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23in this beautiful and diverse county?
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31Paul and Sue have been married for 40 years and spent their early life
0:03:31 > 0:03:32in the Derbyshire countryside.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36They currently live in a modern detached property in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40But having retired two years ago and with their three grown-up
0:03:40 > 0:03:42children no longer at home,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46they now have the chance to escape the hectic pace of working urban life.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49The house that we live in at the moment has been absolutely brilliant,
0:03:49 > 0:03:54for the last 20 years, and is very practical for a family with children.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59The downside is the fact that it is just so busy, and quite noisy, so,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03we decided years ago, that when I finished work,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07we'd think about moving back to where we were in Derbyshire,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10and that's what we're planning to do.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11Until they retired,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Sue was a midwife and Paul worked for an airline at Heathrow Airport.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17For him, this flight north,
0:04:17 > 0:04:22along with their dog Cassie, is about rekindling childhood memories.
0:04:22 > 0:04:23I was born in Derbyshire,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27and spent the first ten years in the Peak District
0:04:27 > 0:04:31and spent all my time either walking, or in those days,
0:04:31 > 0:04:36playing in the brooks and things, and loved it.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Their decision to move now was cemented by a recent,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42memorable visit to the region.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46About six months ago, we went back to stay with friends
0:04:46 > 0:04:49in a little village just outside Derby.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52You woke up in the morning, and the sun was streaming through,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56and you could see the hills, and it was just idyllic.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00And I said to Paul, "This is really quiet here.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03"How do you feel about moving back to the quiet?"
0:05:03 > 0:05:05And he said, "I love it," so I said, "Great.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07"Because I do too, so that's what we're going to do."
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Their new property will have to cater for their diverse hobbies,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14not least a decent-sized garden for Sue,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17who also rents an allotment close to her home.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21I started gardening when my son got to about 15,
0:05:21 > 0:05:26and it was a great relaxation from a busy day at work.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30And that has just continued and now I'd like to spend all my time
0:05:30 > 0:05:34in the garden, outside and on the allotment.
0:05:35 > 0:05:36But Paul will be in their garage,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39tinkering with his much-loved classic car.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45The MG we've had since 1980.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49It is in fact the deposit on our first house,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53because the bank took too long to get the mortgage sorted out.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55We spent the money on the car.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58And we've never had the heart to sell it.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Although they've retired,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Sue and Paul aren't putting their feet up just yet.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Having completely remodelled their current home over the years,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09they're keen to take on another property project.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12I'm really excited about the fact that we,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15when we've bought houses in the past,
0:06:15 > 0:06:20then it's been actually planning and getting that house to the state
0:06:20 > 0:06:21that you like it.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25That's another reason to move on, the thought of doing it again,
0:06:25 > 0:06:29it's time to move and do something new.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Paul and Sue would ideally like to live between Chesterfield and Derby,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39where their family and friends are based.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43I'm meeting up with them in the county's famous Peak District to see
0:06:43 > 0:06:45what's on their property wish list.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46Welcome to Derbyshire.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50What in particular attracts you both to this area?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Well, we used to live in Derbyshire in our 20s,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57so it was always our plan to come back to Derbyshire.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00We have family here and we've also got lots of friends
0:07:00 > 0:07:03from when we were working in Derby.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- So, it will be like coming back home.- Yeah.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07What sort of property are you both looking for?
0:07:07 > 0:07:13Probably a nice, four-bedroomed detached, preferably stone.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15A nice, big lounge.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18We do quite a lot of entertaining, so we'd like a nice, big kitchen,
0:07:18 > 0:07:22maybe a kitchen/diner, or a decent-sized dining room.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- The outside space is very important...- Yep.- ..because I do a lot of gardening,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29so a nice garden, or space to make a nice garden.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31And also, we need a double garage,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34and space for a couple of cars to park, as well.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39What about location? Would you like to be in the community?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Near a village?
0:07:41 > 0:07:47Near a village, probably, rather than right in the centre of the village.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50A reasonable sized village, so there's plenty of amenities,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54like a cricket club, and a tennis club would be great.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56And remind me of your budget?
0:07:56 > 0:08:00We can go max 750.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02OK. Let's not waste any time.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Let's go.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11Armed with a sizeable budget of £750,000,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14our buyers would like a traditional, detached property,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16ideally built from local stone.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17As they like to entertain,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21it should feature a big kitchen/living area for socialising,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25and four bedrooms for when their grown-up children come to stay.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Outside space is important for Sue, who likes gardening,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30and Paul needs somewhere for his classic car.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Location-wise, they'd like to be close to a thriving village.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38We've lined up a delightful selection of Derbyshire properties to draw
0:08:38 > 0:08:41them back to this beautiful county,
0:08:41 > 0:08:45but I won't be revealing the price of each house until the end of the tour.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49The Mystery House could challenge them on location and space,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52but in other ways, more than makes up for it.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58How much difference is there in what you each want?
0:08:58 > 0:09:02I'd like a character property, with a bit of a cosy feel to it,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04whereas Paul quite likes large rooms.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06I'd like a big lounge.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08You want more spacious-looking?
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Spacious.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14And somewhere to entertain, so a nice, well-appointed kitchen.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18And either a kitchen/diner, or a nice dining room.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22We are starting our property search in the hamlet of Uppertown,
0:09:22 > 0:09:27in the north of the county, bordering the Peak District National Park.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29The closest village for services is Ashover.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Situated in the beautiful Amber Valley
0:09:32 > 0:09:36and surrounded by sloping woodland, it's one of Derbyshire's prettiest villages.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40It has a long history as an industrial centre,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42with gritstone quarrying, and lead mining
0:09:42 > 0:09:44dating back to the Roman times.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48Its 14th century church suffered structural damage during the skirmishes
0:09:48 > 0:09:50of the English Civil War.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54The village centre provides a range of amenities, including a post office,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57convenience store and a couple of pubs.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02House number one is just over two miles away, situated in a peaceful,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06rural hamlet, and benefits from some far-reaching views across
0:10:06 > 0:10:07the Derbyshire countryside.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Oh. Wow! Oh, wow!
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Yeah!
0:10:13 > 0:10:16"Wow, wow!" was exactly the reaction I was looking for.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Yes.- This is what sells house number one.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It's everything around it.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21Yeah, yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23You are well and truly in the countryside.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Yes. Lovely.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27I can't stop looking at the view.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- That's right.- If you buy this house, you won't have to.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- True.- It was built in the 1960s.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36A stone house, which I know you like.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38And it was extended ten years ago,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40so it's quite a decent-sized family home.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Right.- Right. - Yeah, it looks really nice.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46And it's lovely and quiet, isn't it?
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- Big smiles already. - Yeah, lovely.- OK.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Shall we get in?- Yes, please. - Let's have a look.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Great reactions to the view.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Let's hope this detached, stone property lives up to expectations.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03So, there is not really a hallway with this house.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05It's just a beautiful sunroom instead.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06- Wow!- It's lovely, isn't it?
0:11:07 > 0:11:11The sunny garden room leads on to a corridor, and off to one side,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14there's a sizeable downstairs bathroom, and to the other,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17something that's definitely on Paul and Sue's radar.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Check out this kitchen.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Oh, that's wonderful.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Yeah, that's nicely done, isn't it? - It's got a range.- Yeah.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24- All-burning.- Oh.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Yeah, very nice.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Now, that's nice with space for a table, as well.- Exactly.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- So, you can eat in here if you need to.- Yeah.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34What do you think about the size of it?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Is it enough, cos you said you loved entertaining?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40This is just big enough, I would say.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Great. And, rather conveniently, right next door to the kitchen...
0:11:46 > 0:11:47..it's the lounge.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50So, the main lounge is here.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51- Oh, yeah.- That's a nice size, isn't it?
0:11:51 > 0:11:52And double aspect.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Yeah, you'd definitely feel cosy.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Well, that's what I was thinking, cos you wanted cosy,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Paul wanted spacious, and in a way, this is both.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Yes. Yes.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04And you've got the view to the side, as well.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Oh, yeah. It's not just at the front.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08Off the other end of the garden room,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11there are two further reception rooms.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13There's a terracotta tiled dining room,
0:12:13 > 0:12:18and a cosy snug for relaxing in or it could make an extra bedroom.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Upstairs, there are three bedrooms accessed via a well-lit landing
0:12:22 > 0:12:24with polished oak flooring.
0:12:24 > 0:12:25They are all good sized doubles,
0:12:25 > 0:12:30and make a feature of the heavy oak beam that runs across the length of the property.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32And there is plenty of space in the half-tiled family bathroom
0:12:32 > 0:12:37for his and hers washbasins, and a roll-top, cast iron bath,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39which just leaves the master.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44There are three bedrooms up here.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45- Oh, right.- This is the master.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- Oh, lovely.- Yes, a nice size.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50And they've made the best of the beams.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- And you got an en suite here, as well.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57So, now you've seen most of the inside,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59what do you think? Could you see yourselves living here?
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Yeah.- Yeah, we could live here, yeah.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05I mean, the views are tremendous, aren't they?
0:13:05 > 0:13:06We need to have a look at the outside space.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08That's really important to me.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Let's go outside, and start thinking about the price.
0:13:11 > 0:13:12All right.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Some reserved responses from Paul and Sue,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20but the house has delivered the rooms they wanted.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23The property sits in a well-maintained garden.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Lying to the front of the property is a large lawn,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28bordered by well-stocked beds.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32To one side, the raised decking takes advantage of the southerly aspect
0:13:32 > 0:13:36and adjacent to the driveway, there's a trio of outbuildings,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39comprising a garage, for Paul's classic car, a carport,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42and workshop for all his tools.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47So, this is the garden.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51It wraps around the side of the house, so just below the decking.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53So, there's not a huge amount to maintain.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- No.- So, is this enough garden for you?
0:13:56 > 0:13:59It might be a bit small.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- Well, you could also rent some of the land there...- Yes, true, that's true!
0:14:03 > 0:14:04..which is an option with this house,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06if you really wanted a little bit more,
0:14:06 > 0:14:07if this wasn't enough.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Not too far to walk the dog, either.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- Yeah.- It's time to guess the price.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12Who'd like to go first?
0:14:12 > 0:14:13I'll go first.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I think 625.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18I think it's a little bit less than that.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19595?
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- You're both out.- Yeah.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28It's on the market for £675,000, and actually,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31that's been recently reduced from 725.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Right.- Yeah. I thought a little bit less,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36because it's quite rural and it's three-bedroom.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38But you wouldn't have to do anything...
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- No.- ..for a while.- Now that you do know the price,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44do have another look around, and discuss it.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- Yeah, sure.- Keep an open mind.- Yes.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- Then I'll meet you at the front door.- OK.- Lovely. Thank you.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Under budget by £75,000,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57our first house is a spacious family home built of local stone.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Finished to a high standard, with oak flooring and beams,
0:15:00 > 0:15:04it features a large enough kitchen for entertaining and four bedrooms
0:15:04 > 0:15:06if you include the downstairs snug.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09The garden is well maintained and manageable,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11and there's parking for Paul's classic car.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15What's more, the house is set in a stunning rural location.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19I think it's a really lovely house,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22really nicely done inside and outside.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26The main thing for me, I think, is not having the fourth bedroom.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28The three bedrooms that are done are beautiful.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Really nicely done, and the bathroom is lovely.
0:15:30 > 0:15:36I'm just a bit concerned if we had our three children, and families,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38it's not quite big enough for us.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41I think, really, this property is all about two halves
0:15:41 > 0:15:46and I'm loving the front half of the property, looking out over those views.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Unfortunately, the back half of the property doesn't really match up to the front.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53So, is it still a contender, this house?
0:15:53 > 0:15:56I think it's on the back burner, really.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Because it feels like a bit of a downsize for us.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03I think it's just how much were we willing to pay for a view?
0:16:03 > 0:16:04All right. Well, have a think.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- In the meantime, let's hit the road. - OK.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Derbyshire's unspoiled rivers are a defining feature of its countryside,
0:16:14 > 0:16:18with some being notoriously fantastic places to fish.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20The 17th-century fishing guide
0:16:20 > 0:16:23The Compleat Angler described the Lathkill River here
0:16:23 > 0:16:28on the Haddon estate, near Bakewell, as "the clearest stream in England",
0:16:28 > 0:16:31with "the reddest trout you will ever see".
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Today, the river is awash with both wild brown trout and rainbow trout,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38but until recently, that wasn't the case.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Since Paul and Sue are keen to get involved in outdoor pursuits,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46we've arranged for them to meet angler Richard Ward to find out more.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49So, the fish weren't always wild here?
0:16:49 > 0:16:53No, what happened was, in the Victorian times,
0:16:53 > 0:16:58the river had weirs put into it, to make the river wider.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02It was a fashion. It made the river look bigger than it actually was.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05The problem with that is, the fish couldn't move up down easily.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10The silt would fill up the pools between the weirs,
0:17:10 > 0:17:14and block the gravel so the fish could no longer spawn.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17So the Victorians said, "Well, that's all right.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19"We'll farm them, and we'll put farmed fish in."
0:17:19 > 0:17:22And that continued for 140 years.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25So, what were the effects of having farmed fish in the river?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Well, it made it even harder for the wild fish.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31All of a sudden, there's a fresh, young fish that's twice your size,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33that's been plopped in the water next to you,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36and comes and shoves you out the way.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Farmed fish stopped being introduced to the river in 2003,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43and the wild trout recovered in amazing numbers.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45In one short section of a tributary,
0:17:45 > 0:17:50they grew from just a handful to 66 in just two years.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Was it a difficult transition, then,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55for the wild fish to be in the river on their own?
0:17:55 > 0:17:56Yes, it was.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01It required a lot of very hard work from the river keepers.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04We'll go down-river and I'll show you some of the work that's been done.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06OK. Great.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10To restore the natural ecosystem and encourage the wild trout to thrive,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12river keepers removed all the larger weirs
0:18:12 > 0:18:15to allow them to move more freely.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17You see with this style of weir...
0:18:18 > 0:18:20..the fish can pass on that easily.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Then they focused on habitat management,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27by reviving the river banks and water plants.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29That...
0:18:29 > 0:18:31What this was for, originally,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35the Victorians put them in so they could put boards in and make weirs
0:18:35 > 0:18:38made of wooden boards, planks across the river.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So, the first thing to do was take out the boards.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43This has been turned to an advantage,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45because having that willow round there,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47can you see all those little gaps?
0:18:47 > 0:18:51- Yeah.- Well, there's places for little fish to be able to dart into and hide
0:18:51 > 0:18:56when they're being chased, either by a big fish, or by a bird,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58like a goosander, or a cormorant.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Paul and Sue are keen to catch a glimpse of the often elusive wild trout.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05So Richard finds a quiet location along the bank,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08and it's not long before he hooks a rainbow trout.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12There we are.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- Jeepers!- Look at that.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- Look at that.- Isn't that beautiful? - Oh, wow!
0:19:19 > 0:19:22What do you reckon to that, then? See how beautiful it is?
0:19:22 > 0:19:24The Haddon Estate's policy of re-wilding its rivers,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28which includes throwing all the caught fish back into the water,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31is now being adopted by other states.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34But we still need to reel in a property for Paul and Sue,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36so it's time to get back to the house hunt.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45For our second offering, we're just outside the national park border,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48and travelling a short distance to the hamlet of Handley,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50under a 15-minute drive from Ashover,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53the town nearest to our first house.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57Handley is a stone's throw from the Ogston Reservoir which provides many
0:19:57 > 0:20:00leisure activities, including sailing and trout fishing,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03as well as supplying water for the area.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Local amenities can be found nearby
0:20:05 > 0:20:08in the old coal-mining town of Clay Cross.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Back in the quiet hamlet of Handley,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14house two is surrounded by open grazing land and far-reaching views.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20House number two, as you can see, is a barn conversion.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- Oh, right.- Yes, that's lovely, isn't it?
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Yeah, it looks very nice.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27The original stone barn was built in the 17th century,
0:20:27 > 0:20:31and then the current owners bought the barn with planning permission
0:20:31 > 0:20:34about 20 years ago, and then did it all themselves.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- It looks big.- It is big, and what is also evident
0:20:39 > 0:20:42is how much more land this property comes with.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- How far does it go?- The big tree at the back.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- Oh, right!- So you have a couple of stables...- The garden and the field?
0:20:48 > 0:20:49..and then all those fields beyond.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Right.- Until the big trees.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Yes.- And there's also the double garage that you wanted.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- Yes.- With a room on top that can be used as an extra bedroom.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Right. Like a studio?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Exactly.- Yeah.- Anything you want it to be.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- Yes.- A place for your mother.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09I'll leave that between you two.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- Or yours.- There's a lot more inside. - Yes.- OK.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Let's go.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19Set in two and a quarter acres, the L-shaped, stone-built barn
0:21:19 > 0:21:21has been sympathetically converted,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24and since Paul and Sue enjoy entertaining family and friends,
0:21:24 > 0:21:28I'm sure they'll be impressed with the spacious accommodation on offer inside.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31And it's straight into this beautiful kitchen.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- Lovely.- Lovely size, and I love the beams.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Yeah. Very nice.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38We spend a lot of time in the kitchen,
0:21:38 > 0:21:40so it's nice to have something of a nice size.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Too many "nices", Paul. - THEY LAUGH
0:21:43 > 0:21:45It's all right. Nice is a good word.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46So, happy so far?
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- Yes.- Yes. Really good start.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- OK. Let me take you through to the lounge.- Great.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56The kitchen leads down to a grand entrance dining hall,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59with natural flagstone tiling.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01I love the floor. It's lovely.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Into the lounge.- Wow.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06Yeah. That's really nice.
0:22:06 > 0:22:07That's really nice.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- Yeah. That's just what I imagine. - We've got another inglenook after 40 years.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Yes. That was lovely.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16We really missed having that.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- Wow.- Would this fit both of your requirements?
0:22:18 > 0:22:20The cosy, yet light and airy?
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Yeah.- Yeah.- It is cosy, isn't it?
0:22:23 > 0:22:25But it's big enough for Paul.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26This is really nice.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30She's getting excited.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31You'd better watch out.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35As well as the rooms we've seen,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39there are three further rooms on the ground floor in a separate wing of
0:22:39 > 0:22:41the property which are accessed via the kitchen.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Plenty of scope for Paul and Sue's grown-up children when they come to stay.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48A family room, with windows on two sides,
0:22:48 > 0:22:53has a separate spiral staircase leading to one of the bedrooms upstairs.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55There is an additional dining room and, finally,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59a quarry-tiled utility room with Belfast sink.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00Upstairs, there are four bedrooms.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03One of those is the bedroom with its own staircase.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05There is also a bathroom and a dressing area,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09so this entire wing can be shut off from the rest of the house.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13The remaining bedrooms includes another large double,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and a smaller double with exposed beams,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18and they are serviced by an additional bathroom,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20which just leaves the master.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25This is the master bedroom to the house.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- Oh, right.- Lovely.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28Really nice.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32- No wardrobes.- No, there aren't.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34And if I were you, I would use the guest bedroom,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36which is just the other side of the bathroom there,
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- and just have a separate area... - Yes.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40..and just keep this quite neat.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- Yes.- That'll be a comedown for you,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45as you use every bedroom at the minute.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Sorry, you can use every bedroom.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50All four bedrooms, if you wanted.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51But look at the view.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55That's the best view, out of the master bedroom.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57On this side, you see your front garden.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59- Yes.- And on this side, your back garden,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01which I know you've been trying to peek at.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04But let me just take you to the back,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06rather than you trying to cheat!
0:24:06 > 0:24:07Yeah. No, it's fine.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Let's go outside.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16So the house gets the thumbs up and we already know that Sue is
0:24:16 > 0:24:20impressed with the garden at the front and the enclosed paddock.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22In addition to the double garage and stables,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26there is a further outbuilding which could make an excellent study
0:24:26 > 0:24:28or showroom for a classic car, perhaps?
0:24:28 > 0:24:31And at the rear of the barn, there is more outside space -
0:24:31 > 0:24:35a gravelled courtyard, with raised beds used for growing vegetables.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42A ready-made allotment just for you. Right!
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Yes.- That would save me building raised beds.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Yeah, yeah. We might have to move them to the other side.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53But this would be a nice sitting area, with a nice table and some chairs here.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Even when I give her an allotment, she wants to move it.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59But there is enough space the other side, isn't there?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02There is, and, actually, this is where you get some of your views,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04as well, so you are right.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- It would make a lovely... just a courtyard.- Yeah, yeah.- Yeah.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09But how much is it going to cost you?
0:25:09 > 0:25:13I'd like to think we'd got some spare cash at the end to do a few things.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- But I guess...- Oh, everyone would like to think that!- I know! Yes!
0:25:17 > 0:25:19I think it's going to be 750.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24- OK.- OK, and I would go a little bit less than that.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25710.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30Well, the owner, thankfully for you, has decided to go in the middle.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34It's now on the market for £725,000.
0:25:34 > 0:25:35So, it's doable, isn't it?
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Oh, for sure. It's good.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Yeah. I think it's probably worth all of that.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- Do you want to have another look around, now that you know the price? - Yes.- Yeah, sure do.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- I'll meet you on the other side. - OK.- Thank you.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51I think we may have a winner.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Fingers crossed.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Under budget by £25,000,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01our second property is a characterful converted stone barn,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04with lots of potential for entertaining.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07It comes with a large farmhouse-style dining/kitchen
0:26:07 > 0:26:11and a spacious sitting room as well as three further reception rooms.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15The four bedrooms offer plenty of space for visiting family, and outside,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19there is much to keep Sue busy, and Paul gets his garage.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- Oh, right.- Oh.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26This is an interesting room.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Well, this is almost self-contained, isn't it?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30You could use this
0:26:30 > 0:26:32when my mum comes.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I thought the property from the outside looked quite surprising,
0:26:35 > 0:26:39because you can't see the front of it until you go round the corner,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43And then realise it's a really big barn conversion, with lots of land,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45which is just lovely.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47It's really spectacular.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49I think they've done a really good job as a barn conversion
0:26:49 > 0:26:51and made the best of the features that were there.
0:26:51 > 0:26:58Outside, plenty of space for Sue to really make her mark on the garden.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00I think it really works.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I actually can't think of anything missing from this property
0:27:03 > 0:27:05off their request list.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Could this be the one?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Could be. Could be.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Yeah, we could do some projects here to make it our own, but, yeah,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- it's really good.- Nice to see two very happy people.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Let's go and get a drink, eh?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31It's the second day of our property search with married couple Paul and
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Sue from Maidenhead in Berkshire.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38With a generous budget of £750,000,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41they are looking for a rural home to retire to, in Derbyshire.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Coming up, the selling point of the Mystery House becomes clear.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Wow! Another one with a view, then.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55And I set foot in one of Derbyshire's thriving heritage industries.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59Wow! I cannot tell you how excited I am to be in a boot factory.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Well, yesterday was a success, especially with house number two,
0:28:05 > 0:28:06which they both love.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Sue was certainly enamoured.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11But I know Paul wants to reserve judgment until he sees what we have
0:28:11 > 0:28:13up our sleeves with the Mystery House.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Well, the mystery is all about geography
0:28:16 > 0:28:18and I'm hoping it will pique their interest.
0:28:20 > 0:28:21For our Mystery House,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24we are heading away from Paul and Sue's ideal search area.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Our destination is the village of Hayfield,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30on the fringes of the Peak District National Park.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Hayfield is a picture-perfect Peak District village,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37sitting at the foot of Kinder Scout, the region's highest peak,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41and the scene of a mass protest in 1932,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44which kick-started the right to roam movement.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Once a staging post along the Pennines packhorse route,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50much of the village's distinctive architecture
0:28:50 > 0:28:52dates to the Industrial Revolution,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55when it was a prosperous centre for cotton production.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57The River Sett runs through the village,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59which is served by a number of eateries and pubs.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Our Mystery House, a mile outside Hayfield,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05is the most remote offering yet,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and could challenge Paul and Sue when it comes to space,
0:29:08 > 0:29:12but the stunning setting, just inside the Peak District National Park,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14more than makes up for it.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Wow! Another one with a view, then.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Absolutely. Welcome to your Mystery House.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26And the mystery is where we are.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30- We are further north than you wanted to be, ideally, initially.- Right.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33- Give it a thought.- Mm-hm.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35You've got these amazing views,
0:29:35 > 0:29:39but you are a 15-minute walk from your local village.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43I think my initial thoughts are it's a lovely house.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45It's a lovely view.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49The big thing to think forward is how we get the location to work.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52The house itself, inside, is stunning.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54- Right.- So, let's go in.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56- OK.- I could do stunning.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Our mystery property was a derelict barn until 17 years ago,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05when the current owners completely renovated the interior.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09It shares access with the neighbouring farmhouse at the end of the driveway
0:30:09 > 0:30:13but opposite the barn there's a stone outbuilding and garage
0:30:13 > 0:30:15which is part of the package.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17The accommodation is spread across four levels,
0:30:17 > 0:30:21and combines contemporary styling with rustic charm.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24So, with this entrance, we come straight into the kitchen, but
0:30:24 > 0:30:27you don't have to use this entrance.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29You could use the lower door to the property...
0:30:29 > 0:30:31- Right.- Mm-hm.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33..which would bring you down there.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35- But here's the kitchen. - Yes, it's lovely.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37You couldn't use it as a kitchen/diner, really, could you?
0:30:37 > 0:30:40No. It's big enough, though, to work in.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42And what's nice about this kitchen,
0:30:42 > 0:30:46it's got huge double doors which go straight into the main part of the house.
0:30:46 > 0:30:47- OK.- Let's go into there.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Before we tackle the main living space on this level,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55there are two other rooms on the lower ground floor
0:30:55 > 0:30:56next to the alternative entrance.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00A sitting room, or cosy snug, and a smaller dining room.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- Oh, wow.- You can see why I've brought you to this corner,
0:31:06 > 0:31:11because this is where you can fully appreciate that it used to be a barn.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Would this be enough space for you as a lounge?
0:31:13 > 0:31:17It's quite snug for the two of us but if we've got friends,
0:31:17 > 0:31:20then there's not enough seating, really.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21Let's talk about bedrooms.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25The property has four bedrooms and the reason that I'm telling you that
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- here is because you can see lot of them from here.- Right.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32So, this would be a guest room for you,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35and it's got an en-suite shower already in there.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38- Right.- So it's sort of ready... And it's got this lovely balcony.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41You could sing to Sue from there.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- Yes.- Or she could wait for you up there.
0:31:44 > 0:31:45That's been a long time.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47The other two bedrooms are just there and there,
0:31:47 > 0:31:49and there is a bathroom that they share.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Right.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Of these two bedrooms, one is a double,
0:31:53 > 0:31:57making a feature of the exposed stone, and the other is a single
0:31:57 > 0:31:58with oak beams.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02The half-tiled family bathroom has two feature keyhole windows,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04and more exposed stonework.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06That just leaves Paul and Sue's master,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09which is at the top of the stairs off an upper landing.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15So, the master is on the second floor...
0:32:15 > 0:32:16Right.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19..which gives you that extra level of privacy.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22- En suite.- OK.- And, for you, Sue,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25a walk-in wardrobe cos you are too tall, Paul.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Yes.- Your clothes will have to be somewhere else.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Yeah, because you've probably not got any loft space.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- We are in the loft, really.- Yeah. That's right.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I'm a little surprised this room's not bigger
0:32:36 > 0:32:38for the size of the barn from the outside.
0:32:38 > 0:32:39It's all about the flow,
0:32:39 > 0:32:43and the flow of the rooms and how do they work together,
0:32:43 > 0:32:47and I think there's a few things in here where the flow doesn't quite work.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51Well, let's go outside. I'll show you the options that you have.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Lovely.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Even though Paul and Sue seem smitten by the setting,
0:32:58 > 0:33:02I think they're struggling with the mystery property's quirky layout.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06The outside space could challenge them, too. Paul gets his garage,
0:33:06 > 0:33:10which is housed in the outbuilding just across the driveway from the barn,
0:33:10 > 0:33:11and which also includes a utility room.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16But the garden is smaller than our previous properties,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19and comprises an informal lawn space.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21So, I've brought you up here,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25because this is where you get a full appreciation of the house,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28and the land that it sits in.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31It's all of this, so it goes up to this first post here,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- and the dry stone wall.- Right.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37So the whole path is yours, but it's a public footpath.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- Even this bit is yours. - Yeah.- So, I was kind of thinking,
0:33:40 > 0:33:43could you do a vegetable patch on the gravelled area here?
0:33:43 > 0:33:47- Yeah, this side... with the little railing there. - Or just there?- Yeah.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48Right. Let's talk money.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Oh, gosh. Right.
0:33:50 > 0:33:51OK, I'm going to...
0:33:53 > 0:33:56..plump for 615.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00Let's go for hope over expectation, I think 675?
0:34:00 > 0:34:01I like your optimism.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- Yes.- But that's not going to buy you this house.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09- No. Right.- It's on the market for the top of your budget, £750,000.
0:34:09 > 0:34:10- Gosh!- Yeah.
0:34:10 > 0:34:16You will always pay a hefty premium for being inside the national park.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Anyway, now that you know the price, have another look around.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Discuss it amongst yourselves and then I will meet you at the front.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24OK, thank you very much.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32Bang on budget, our mystery barn conversion challenges Paul and Sue
0:34:32 > 0:34:36with an unconventional layout, but suits them on many levels.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Laid out over four floors,
0:34:38 > 0:34:42it fuses contemporary design with original features.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45The highlight is a full-height, vaulted living room,
0:34:45 > 0:34:47off which are four distinctive bedrooms.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Outside, there is an outbuilding for Paul's car,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52and although the garden might be a bit small for Sue,
0:34:52 > 0:34:55she'd be rewarded with stunning panoramic views
0:34:55 > 0:34:57of the Peak District.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59I think the inside of the property
0:34:59 > 0:35:02is a little bit smaller than I was expecting, room-wise.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06The kitchen and the lounge, although they flow through together is nice,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09but each of those are a little bit small.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12And it's quite a walk up the stairs to the master bedroom.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15The views are stunning,
0:35:15 > 0:35:20but I don't think I'd be willing to pay the premium for being in the park.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23I don't think Sue and I are on the same page with this property.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I could see myself living here for the views.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29And we don't spend a lot of time in the house, anyway.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31But I think Sue will feel hemmed in.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37So, is it worth paying a premium to be inside a national park?
0:35:37 > 0:35:38For me, yes.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40If it's the right property.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44- Sue?- No. For me, I'd be just as happy outside the park.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Well, we've seen three lovely properties.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47It's the end of our search.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49I'd love to know your thoughts. Let's get a cup of tea.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01Derbyshire's dramatic Peak District is made up of a limestone upland plateau
0:36:01 > 0:36:03known as the High Peak, and the White Peak,
0:36:03 > 0:36:07the lower valleys where the greyish rock is more exposed.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Since Roman times, limestone has been quarried here,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12for building and to produce lime and lead,
0:36:12 > 0:36:17but it really took off in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20The local workforce needed sturdy footwear,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24and a number of bootmakers sprung up in villages such as Middleton Stoney.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Today, just one company from that era remains.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32William Lennon & Co was established in 1899, and is the sole surviving
0:36:32 > 0:36:37heavy-duty bootmaker in the UK still using traditional methods.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41It's very much a family business, and I've come to meet Libs Slattery,
0:36:41 > 0:36:45the great-granddaughter of the company's founder.
0:36:45 > 0:36:46Hi, Libs.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Hello. Pleased to meet you.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Wow, I cannot tell you how excited I am to be in a boot factory.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54And this is your life, isn't it?
0:36:54 > 0:36:59This is my life and four generations before as a family, yes.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Bootmaking, has that been throughout the county of Derbyshire or is it
0:37:02 > 0:37:03just in this area?
0:37:03 > 0:37:08Predominantly up round here because we're a limestone area so in the days
0:37:08 > 0:37:12of the quarrying, boot repairs were necessary
0:37:12 > 0:37:18and little cottage industries set up and we continued from there on.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20What makes your boots, though, so unique?
0:37:20 > 0:37:25The uniqueness of our boots is to do with that machine in the corner.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28There are only two in the world that we know are working.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30The other one is in New Zealand.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32And it attaches the soles of the boots to the uppers,
0:37:32 > 0:37:36using brass screwing wire in a certain way that nobody else can.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38So this is where they end up.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Yes, they're on the latter stages of their production in here.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- Would you like to see where they start?- Of course.- Come on.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49From just three antique shoe-shaped lasts, or models,
0:37:49 > 0:37:54the company's skilled employees can create up to 15 different styles of
0:37:54 > 0:37:55leather shoe and boot.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00Using machines over 100 years old, bootmaking is a labour-intensive,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02traditional manufacturing process.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Without the aid of modern technology, everything is done by eye,
0:38:06 > 0:38:10and the whole process can take four days, start to finish.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12So this is where it all starts.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15That's right. We're up on the top floor or, as we know it,
0:38:15 > 0:38:19the closing room, where the rolls of leather come in and they leave here
0:38:19 > 0:38:21looking a little bit like a boot.
0:38:21 > 0:38:22So how do you start making a boot?
0:38:22 > 0:38:24OK, three processes in here.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26We've got Phil.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28He uses all these knives, collects the right patterns
0:38:28 > 0:38:32and cuts them out of leather with his clicking press.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35- Like a cookie cutter, but...? - A little bit like a glorified...
0:38:35 > 0:38:37- A bit more serious. - A bit more heavy.
0:38:37 > 0:38:42There you go. Then the leather, because of the thickness of the leather,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45it has to be prepared to be stitched, or closed, as it's called,
0:38:45 > 0:38:49so Lou operates what's called the skiving machine to thin the leather
0:38:49 > 0:38:51down, ready for sewing.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56Finally, Pat uses various sewing machines to
0:38:56 > 0:38:59close the upper or stitch it all together,
0:38:59 > 0:39:02and by the time those presses have happened, the boot - or,
0:39:02 > 0:39:04should I say,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06upper - looks like that.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12The upper is then taken downstairs where another machine is used to shape it
0:39:12 > 0:39:16into the form of a boot before the brass screw wire machine fires
0:39:16 > 0:39:21lengths of twisted wire metal into the sole, fusing the layers together.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24So, your finished boot.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26A good, old-fashioned working boot.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27Yeah, absolutely.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29It's like a work of art.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Over the years, the design of the work boot has changed little,
0:39:32 > 0:39:36but a recent addition to the range is the vintage cycle shoe.
0:39:36 > 0:39:41Becoming more and more popular is this vintage retro look,
0:39:41 > 0:39:43and we have to have the shoes to match,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45and they are all-leather cycle shoes,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49but they're made on our wide-fitting last for English wide feet.
0:39:49 > 0:39:50Do we have wider feet?
0:39:50 > 0:39:53We do, in general, have wider feet.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Thank you so much for showing me around.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57- It's been brilliant.- You're more than welcome.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00What a fantastic family business.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03With the firm's boots featuring in popular TV dramas
0:40:03 > 0:40:05and being worn by mountain explorers,
0:40:05 > 0:40:09it's good to see that traditional bootmaking is alive and kicking.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15I think it's clear from our property search with Sue and Paul that house
0:40:15 > 0:40:18number two is the only one still in the running,
0:40:18 > 0:40:20but just how serious are they about it?
0:40:20 > 0:40:21Time to find out.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31I don't think we need to talk about house one and the Mystery House.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36House two, do you still feel as enthusiastic about it?
0:40:36 > 0:40:37Yes, definitely, yes.
0:40:37 > 0:40:43That house ticked nearly all the boxes of things that we wanted.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45We just need to go and have a look round a bit more,
0:40:45 > 0:40:47do a bit more research of the area
0:40:47 > 0:40:51and see if the facilities that we want
0:40:51 > 0:40:52are available.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55- Paul? - I think the other thing for me was,
0:40:55 > 0:40:59it had the potential - there are things that we would like to do
0:40:59 > 0:41:01and there's room to do that.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04One of the things we will have to have a think about is that
0:41:04 > 0:41:07there are more things there than we actually need.
0:41:07 > 0:41:14The room over the garage is an extra and the outside office-cum-flatlet
0:41:14 > 0:41:19we don't really need, but generally, more is better than less, so...
0:41:20 > 0:41:26If you like the area, is it a house that you'd put an offer in on soon?
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Yes, I think it is. We need to sell our house,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32but we're hoping to get on with that quite quickly and then,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35once that happens, then we'd be looking to make an offer.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38How much, in your heads, have you moved in already?
0:41:38 > 0:41:39Or are you quite cautious as a couple?
0:41:39 > 0:41:43Well, we are quite cautious cos we've bought and sold before so it's never
0:41:43 > 0:41:46a done deal, really, until you exchange contracts,
0:41:46 > 0:41:51so I am naturally cautious about getting my hopes up to be dashed down,
0:41:51 > 0:41:54so I keep cautious until we're at the contract stage.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Well, I'm so glad you found a property that you liked.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Fingers crossed you like the area,
0:41:59 > 0:42:02and perhaps the next time we hear from you, you may have already moved in.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- Yes.- Mmm.- So please keep me updated on the progress.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07- OK.- OK.- Good luck.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09- Thank you.- Thank you very much. - Thank you.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17This search is a big deal for Paul and Sue.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Moving to Derbyshire will be them coming back home.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24They entered the search hoping just to hone down on what was important
0:42:24 > 0:42:27to them when it came to finding a retirement property.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29I'm so pleased we were able to help with that,
0:42:29 > 0:42:32and find them somewhere that they both absolutely loved.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Let's hope they'll be calling this stunning county home very soon.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39See you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Paul and Sue's interest in our second house continues as they wait
0:42:44 > 0:42:46for their Maidenhead home to sell.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48If you'd like to escape to the country
0:42:48 > 0:42:52in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and need our help,
0:42:52 > 0:42:54then please apply online at...