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This farm is the fictional setting for a classic children's novel about a horse and its owner, | 0:00:02 | 0:00:06 | |
which went on to be adapted with huge success for the stage and the big screen. | 0:00:06 | 0:00:10 | |
And if you are chomping at the bit to find out where it is, | 0:00:10 | 0:00:13 | |
then wait just a little longer. | 0:00:13 | 0:00:15 | |
Today's house-hunters are hoping to say farewell to arduous commuting, | 0:00:32 | 0:00:36 | |
to live and work under one roof in the countryside. | 0:00:36 | 0:00:39 | |
We get off to a flying start. | 0:00:39 | 0:00:41 | |
Tempted to say I'll get my chequebook out right now. | 0:00:41 | 0:00:44 | |
And our properties come with enticing business plans. | 0:00:44 | 0:00:47 | |
If I came here on a holiday I would be chuffed to pieces. | 0:00:47 | 0:00:50 | |
Me too. | 0:00:50 | 0:00:53 | |
Today I'm in Devon and this is Parsonage Farm, | 0:00:53 | 0:00:55 | |
which local author Michael Morpurgo used as the inspiration for the | 0:00:55 | 0:00:59 | |
beginning of his novel, War Horse, the story of a farm boy, Albert, | 0:00:59 | 0:01:02 | |
who's befriended by a horse called Joey, | 0:01:02 | 0:01:05 | |
and then they're both sent to the trenches in World War I. | 0:01:05 | 0:01:08 | |
The novel really put the suffering of working animals in warfare on the | 0:01:08 | 0:01:11 | |
map and it also put this farm on the map, | 0:01:11 | 0:01:14 | |
although this is not the only cultural highlight you can canter to | 0:01:14 | 0:01:17 | |
in this wonderful county. Set on England's south-west peninsula, | 0:01:17 | 0:01:22 | |
Devon is bordered by Cornwall as well as Somerset and Dorset. | 0:01:22 | 0:01:26 | |
North Devon, where we are focusing our search today, | 0:01:26 | 0:01:29 | |
is home to its own Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. | 0:01:29 | 0:01:33 | |
Covering over 65 square miles, | 0:01:33 | 0:01:35 | |
the region is framed by a rugged Atlantic coastline, | 0:01:35 | 0:01:39 | |
a dramatic highlight being Hartland Point. | 0:01:39 | 0:01:42 | |
These imposing jagged rocks rear up above sea level, but catch them on a | 0:01:42 | 0:01:46 | |
clear day and there are far-reaching views out towards the Isle of Lundy, | 0:01:46 | 0:01:51 | |
a Site of Special Scientific Interest. | 0:01:51 | 0:01:54 | |
A mile inland, in the village of Stoke, is St Nectan's Church, | 0:01:54 | 0:01:57 | |
often referred to as the Cathedral of North Devon. | 0:01:57 | 0:02:00 | |
With most of the surviving remains dating back some 600 years, | 0:02:00 | 0:02:04 | |
it was a coastal landmark for sailors | 0:02:04 | 0:02:07 | |
before a lighthouse was built. | 0:02:07 | 0:02:09 | |
Heading deeper into the county, | 0:02:09 | 0:02:11 | |
Roadford Lake is the largest watersports reservoir in the south-west. | 0:02:11 | 0:02:16 | |
On its shores sit a contemporary six-metre stainless steel sundial | 0:02:16 | 0:02:21 | |
which was Devon's gift to the Queen to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee. | 0:02:21 | 0:02:26 | |
With close access to the expanse of Dartmoor National Park, | 0:02:26 | 0:02:29 | |
where granite hilltops meet undulating heathland, | 0:02:29 | 0:02:32 | |
North Devon really does offer a desirable combination | 0:02:32 | 0:02:35 | |
of coast and countryside. | 0:02:35 | 0:02:37 | |
Buying property in Devon ain't particularly cheap. | 0:02:39 | 0:02:42 | |
The average price for a detached house here is £310,000, | 0:02:42 | 0:02:46 | |
which is about £27,000 above the national figure. | 0:02:46 | 0:02:49 | |
And if you've ever driven to Devon, you'll know that the one and only | 0:02:49 | 0:02:52 | |
motorway, the M5, that goes through the county, | 0:02:52 | 0:02:54 | |
stops about halfway through in Exeter, | 0:02:54 | 0:02:57 | |
which means that those good connections in the east drive up prices and | 0:02:57 | 0:03:01 | |
things are a little bit more affordable in the west of the county. | 0:03:01 | 0:03:04 | |
If you go inland, however, towards Dartmoor - to places like Okehampton | 0:03:04 | 0:03:09 | |
or Tavistock, prices tumble even further. | 0:03:09 | 0:03:12 | |
But our buyers are looking to be in the north of the county, so let's | 0:03:12 | 0:03:16 | |
meet them and find out what drew them to that place. | 0:03:16 | 0:03:18 | |
Medical correspondent Chris and communications director Mary, from Brighton | 0:03:20 | 0:03:24 | |
met through work as health journalists. | 0:03:24 | 0:03:28 | |
However, romance only blossomed after Chris spent a year sweet-talking | 0:03:28 | 0:03:31 | |
Mary into writing for him. | 0:03:31 | 0:03:33 | |
They have now been married for eight years. | 0:03:33 | 0:03:36 | |
Chris is a great guy. I wouldn't have married him otherwise. | 0:03:36 | 0:03:39 | |
He's not a great breakfast man. | 0:03:39 | 0:03:41 | |
He tends to come alive at night. | 0:03:41 | 0:03:43 | |
Mary's a natural optimist. She likes animals. | 0:03:43 | 0:03:47 | |
We have two dogs. | 0:03:47 | 0:03:49 | |
Two cats. Two snakes... | 0:03:49 | 0:03:51 | |
..and a gecko at the last count. | 0:03:51 | 0:03:54 | |
Mary has loved being based in Brighton since she was a student. | 0:03:54 | 0:03:57 | |
However, she's had enough of her five-hour commute to and from London. | 0:03:57 | 0:04:01 | |
Both feel it's time to change gear. | 0:04:01 | 0:04:04 | |
It's a great, interesting, wacky, fun place to live. | 0:04:04 | 0:04:07 | |
But it's loud, it's noisy, | 0:04:07 | 0:04:10 | |
it's busy, and we just want to have some peace and quiet | 0:04:10 | 0:04:14 | |
to be able to do other things. | 0:04:14 | 0:04:16 | |
Another motivation for their move is that the eco-house they commissioned | 0:04:16 | 0:04:20 | |
two years ago doesn't provide them with enough space to branch out in the future. | 0:04:20 | 0:04:24 | |
It's not as rural as we'd like. We don't have land. | 0:04:24 | 0:04:28 | |
There's no room to grow vegetables. | 0:04:28 | 0:04:30 | |
There is no room for animals. | 0:04:30 | 0:04:31 | |
What we'd be looking for is somewhere with the opportunity to provide us with | 0:04:31 | 0:04:36 | |
an income, be it holiday lets, be it a converted barn, | 0:04:36 | 0:04:40 | |
something like that or something that we could even build to, | 0:04:40 | 0:04:44 | |
you know, create that. | 0:04:44 | 0:04:45 | |
And besides running a holiday-let business, | 0:04:47 | 0:04:49 | |
our couple have developed a personal connection to the dramatic | 0:04:49 | 0:04:52 | |
windswept shores of the West Country. | 0:04:52 | 0:04:55 | |
In North Devon, we just love that wild Atlantic coast. | 0:04:55 | 0:04:58 | |
It's just so beautiful. | 0:04:58 | 0:05:01 | |
The cliffs and the pristine beaches. | 0:05:01 | 0:05:03 | |
The most fantastically rugged, jagged cliffs and amazing seas, | 0:05:03 | 0:05:08 | |
and then you have the moors. | 0:05:08 | 0:05:10 | |
Although it's kind of bleak, it's also very beautiful. | 0:05:10 | 0:05:14 | |
But although Mary is more than ready to get out of town and head to the countryside, | 0:05:14 | 0:05:17 | |
Chris admits that he's only recently come round to the idea. | 0:05:17 | 0:05:21 | |
She's always wanted to live in the country. | 0:05:21 | 0:05:24 | |
I think, secretly, she's a frustrated farmer's wife. | 0:05:24 | 0:05:27 | |
I'm a bit anxious about living in the country, | 0:05:27 | 0:05:30 | |
with tractors and birds and grass and stuff, | 0:05:30 | 0:05:33 | |
but we want a different kind of life, so this is an adventure for us. | 0:05:33 | 0:05:37 | |
There's so, so much that we'd like to do. | 0:05:37 | 0:05:40 | |
Would love to learn how to dive in cold water. | 0:05:40 | 0:05:44 | |
Fishing. Growing things. | 0:05:44 | 0:05:47 | |
Walking the dogs. We'd like to get more active. | 0:05:47 | 0:05:51 | |
Although Chris and Mary have been together for 15 years, | 0:05:51 | 0:05:54 | |
they're looking forward to finally buying a home that's purely for the two of them, | 0:05:54 | 0:05:59 | |
where the focus isn't their three offspring. | 0:05:59 | 0:06:02 | |
We should mention the children. | 0:06:02 | 0:06:04 | |
They're gone, or they're going, and we'll be free and clear of children! | 0:06:04 | 0:06:09 | |
It will be so nice that Mary and I can be a couple and not a kind of | 0:06:09 | 0:06:14 | |
life-support system. | 0:06:14 | 0:06:16 | |
Is that fair? | 0:06:16 | 0:06:17 | |
SHE LAUGHS | 0:06:17 | 0:06:19 | |
So the chance that we could be together 24 hours a day, | 0:06:19 | 0:06:24 | |
seven days a week, I think would be a fantastic treat. | 0:06:24 | 0:06:28 | |
Although their sights are firmly set on North Devon, | 0:06:32 | 0:06:35 | |
Mary and Chris are flexible about where in that area they live. | 0:06:35 | 0:06:38 | |
I'm meeting up with them to find out exactly what's on the wish list for | 0:06:38 | 0:06:42 | |
their dream country home. | 0:06:42 | 0:06:44 | |
-Welcome to Devon, you two. -Thank you. -The north is a bit more remote. | 0:06:44 | 0:06:48 | |
Is that what you're looking for? | 0:06:48 | 0:06:50 | |
Well, we came up one weekend | 0:06:50 | 0:06:53 | |
and we were just so blown away by the landscape. | 0:06:53 | 0:06:55 | |
-And we just fell in love with it. -We hadn't seen that part of the country before. | 0:06:55 | 0:06:59 | |
And we thought, well, if we are ever going to retire, this might be the place. | 0:06:59 | 0:07:02 | |
And what exactly are you looking for in terms of the spec of the house? | 0:07:02 | 0:07:06 | |
We just wanted something with a bit more character that, you know, | 0:07:06 | 0:07:10 | |
makes your spirits rise when you come home. | 0:07:10 | 0:07:13 | |
So character, with beams and sort of olde worlde? | 0:07:13 | 0:07:16 | |
-I'm afraid all the cliches, yes. -Definitely. | 0:07:16 | 0:07:19 | |
We will want perhaps a former farmhouse, inglenook fires, land, | 0:07:19 | 0:07:25 | |
you can look out and see hills and trees. | 0:07:25 | 0:07:27 | |
In terms of size, how many bedrooms? | 0:07:27 | 0:07:30 | |
We were thinking about three, four. | 0:07:30 | 0:07:32 | |
OK, so to have, you've got kids... | 0:07:32 | 0:07:35 | |
We've got kids and relatives and also space to | 0:07:35 | 0:07:38 | |
-spread out ourselves. -You want a traditional kitchen. | 0:07:38 | 0:07:43 | |
I'd love a big kitchen. We're both really keen cooks. | 0:07:43 | 0:07:46 | |
The idea that the kitchen is the heart of the home, we'd like that. | 0:07:46 | 0:07:49 | |
And outside, because you want to diversify into a business, | 0:07:49 | 0:07:53 | |
-is that right? -We would love to have some holiday lets in the grounds. | 0:07:53 | 0:07:58 | |
Something small, something modest, that we can really, | 0:07:58 | 0:08:01 | |
you know, make something of. | 0:08:01 | 0:08:03 | |
It'll be an adventure. It will be a source of income. | 0:08:03 | 0:08:06 | |
We just want to give it a go. | 0:08:06 | 0:08:08 | |
So would you do any conversion work? | 0:08:08 | 0:08:10 | |
Would you change things around? | 0:08:10 | 0:08:12 | |
Yes, up to a point, as the saying has it. | 0:08:12 | 0:08:15 | |
I mean, if everything's perfect and up and running | 0:08:15 | 0:08:18 | |
and ready to go immediately, we would pay more for it. | 0:08:18 | 0:08:23 | |
I don't mind a bit of physical labour as long as I don't have to | 0:08:23 | 0:08:26 | |
build the walls and put the slates on the roof. | 0:08:26 | 0:08:28 | |
So what's the very top end of your budget? | 0:08:28 | 0:08:31 | |
I think, with all the work done, the very top would be about 700,000. | 0:08:31 | 0:08:35 | |
Great! Well, we've got lovely properties lined up. | 0:08:35 | 0:08:38 | |
All you have to do is love them, fall in love with them, | 0:08:38 | 0:08:40 | |
and buy them and then we will be very happy. | 0:08:40 | 0:08:42 | |
-We're really excited. -We're looking forward to doing our bit. | 0:08:42 | 0:08:45 | |
Well, you don't have to look forward. You can do it now. Come with me. | 0:08:45 | 0:08:51 | |
With a sizeable £700,000 budget to spend, | 0:08:51 | 0:08:55 | |
our couple would like a character property with four bedrooms. | 0:08:55 | 0:08:58 | |
They'd both like a large kitchen to indulge their love of cooking, | 0:08:58 | 0:09:01 | |
and a house that provides them with the potential to run holiday lets. | 0:09:01 | 0:09:06 | |
We've lined up some top-notch Devon properties to show them both, | 0:09:06 | 0:09:10 | |
but they won't be informed of the price tag | 0:09:10 | 0:09:12 | |
until after each house tour is over. | 0:09:12 | 0:09:15 | |
Our final offering is our Mystery House, | 0:09:15 | 0:09:17 | |
where character overload will challenge our couple to rethink | 0:09:17 | 0:09:21 | |
their business plans. | 0:09:21 | 0:09:22 | |
We're kick-starting our property search inland and westwards, in the | 0:09:29 | 0:09:32 | |
tiny hamlet of Virginstow. | 0:09:32 | 0:09:34 | |
The nearest amenities are three miles away in the small village of Ashwater. | 0:09:34 | 0:09:39 | |
Set back from the attractive village green is the 13th-century | 0:09:39 | 0:09:43 | |
church of St Peter. The village was renowned for its cattle fairs in the early 1800s. | 0:09:43 | 0:09:49 | |
And today the centre retains a strong sense of community | 0:09:49 | 0:09:52 | |
and is home to a local store and pub. | 0:09:52 | 0:09:55 | |
On a clear day, in the distance, | 0:09:55 | 0:09:57 | |
both Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor are visible over the surrounding countryside. | 0:09:57 | 0:10:01 | |
Back in Virginstow, | 0:10:01 | 0:10:03 | |
and located just on the outskirts, is our first property. | 0:10:03 | 0:10:08 | |
-It's so pretty! -Isn't it? -It's stunning. | 0:10:08 | 0:10:11 | |
This is a fantastic property. I'm very excited to show this to you. It dates back to the 1800s. | 0:10:11 | 0:10:16 | |
You've got the kind of old farm buildings which have been beautifully, | 0:10:16 | 0:10:20 | |
beautifully renovated and then you've got a new wing here, | 0:10:20 | 0:10:22 | |
the West Wing, yes, | 0:10:22 | 0:10:25 | |
which has been added, including this beautiful sunroom. | 0:10:25 | 0:10:27 | |
I think we'll have it! It's stunning. | 0:10:27 | 0:10:29 | |
-Absolutely stunning. -Looks good already. I can't wait to get inside. | 0:10:29 | 0:10:33 | |
-I'm almost lost for words. -I don't think that happens very often! | 0:10:33 | 0:10:36 | |
-Hardly ever! -LAUGHTER | 0:10:36 | 0:10:38 | |
It's fantastic to see delighted reactions so early on. | 0:10:38 | 0:10:41 | |
Hopefully that positive energy will continue when we see inside. | 0:10:41 | 0:10:47 | |
Converted during the 1980s and extended in 2011, | 0:10:47 | 0:10:50 | |
the property was refurbished in the style of a French farmhouse, | 0:10:50 | 0:10:54 | |
especially in the heart of the home. | 0:10:54 | 0:10:56 | |
-Wow! -It's stunning! | 0:10:58 | 0:11:00 | |
-And a range. -A range cooker. | 0:11:00 | 0:11:03 | |
And a very kind of French-style freestanding kitchen. | 0:11:03 | 0:11:06 | |
I can really imagine us, can't you, cooking? | 0:11:06 | 0:11:09 | |
It makes you want to get your knives and pots and pans. | 0:11:09 | 0:11:11 | |
-It does. -Already, doesn't it? | 0:11:11 | 0:11:13 | |
And then out into the sunroom there. That's got underfloor heating, actually. | 0:11:13 | 0:11:17 | |
All of this side of the house has underfloor heating. | 0:11:17 | 0:11:20 | |
-Wow! -I love the beams and the flagstones. | 0:11:20 | 0:11:22 | |
-I think it's amazing. -The space continues through here. There's a huge dining room. | 0:11:22 | 0:11:26 | |
Oh, my! Oh, my word! | 0:11:26 | 0:11:28 | |
-Huge, high ceilings. -Oh, my goodness. -Wow! | 0:11:28 | 0:11:31 | |
-A great log burner with a great stone lintel. -Oh, yes. -Fantastic. | 0:11:31 | 0:11:36 | |
Moving out of the barn, | 0:11:36 | 0:11:38 | |
we're making our way into what previously would have been a cottage | 0:11:38 | 0:11:41 | |
but is now used as a snug or winter sitting-room. | 0:11:41 | 0:11:44 | |
Beautiful. I love the windows. | 0:11:44 | 0:11:46 | |
And the configuration. | 0:11:46 | 0:11:48 | |
It's just really, really interesting. There's a great feel about it. | 0:11:48 | 0:11:51 | |
-Chris, what are your feelings? -I think it's amazing. | 0:11:51 | 0:11:54 | |
Tempted to say I'll get my chequebook out right now. | 0:11:54 | 0:11:56 | |
We haven't even seen the half of it. | 0:11:56 | 0:11:58 | |
-No, we haven't. It's true. -Most attractive building. | 0:11:58 | 0:12:01 | |
Full of character. | 0:12:01 | 0:12:03 | |
-Could you imagine the two of you living here? -Definitely. -Very much. | 0:12:03 | 0:12:06 | |
I can see us certainly sitting in here in the winter. | 0:12:06 | 0:12:09 | |
It's perfect! | 0:12:09 | 0:12:10 | |
First impressions don't really get much better than this, | 0:12:10 | 0:12:13 | |
but there's still plenty more to explore. | 0:12:13 | 0:12:16 | |
The sleeping quarters amount to five bedrooms and are scattered across | 0:12:16 | 0:12:20 | |
all levels of the property. On the first floor above the snug, | 0:12:20 | 0:12:24 | |
there's a cosy double and a single, which share a bathroom. | 0:12:24 | 0:12:28 | |
At the opposite end of the house and within the new extension, | 0:12:28 | 0:12:31 | |
there's a well-presented double as well as a good-sized twin. | 0:12:31 | 0:12:36 | |
As both make use of a modern shower room, | 0:12:36 | 0:12:38 | |
this self-contained sleeping accommodation could provide our | 0:12:38 | 0:12:42 | |
buyers with a B&B guest suite. | 0:12:42 | 0:12:44 | |
But we're making our way to the master, which is in the central barn, | 0:12:44 | 0:12:48 | |
up on a mezzanine level above the kitchen. | 0:12:48 | 0:12:51 | |
-Oh, wow! -This is different. -It is, very different. | 0:12:53 | 0:12:57 | |
As you can see, it has a rather splendid freestanding egg bath. | 0:12:57 | 0:13:00 | |
-Oh, wow. -And lovely views down over the... | 0:13:00 | 0:13:03 | |
-The garden. -I think this would work very well. | 0:13:03 | 0:13:06 | |
I just love the way they've done it. | 0:13:06 | 0:13:09 | |
They've used the space so ingeniously. | 0:13:09 | 0:13:12 | |
And yet, you know, retained this sort of sophistication with quite rough woodwork. | 0:13:12 | 0:13:17 | |
-I think it's fabulous. -Hmm. | 0:13:17 | 0:13:21 | |
Outside the property there are three traditional barns which, | 0:13:21 | 0:13:24 | |
subject to approval, | 0:13:24 | 0:13:26 | |
have huge potential to be run as prospective holiday lets. | 0:13:26 | 0:13:30 | |
Wrapping around the property, the grounds total almost 2.5 acres. | 0:13:30 | 0:13:34 | |
Mostly laid to lawn, interspersed with mature borders, | 0:13:34 | 0:13:38 | |
the garden features a variety of fruit trees and a vegetable patch. | 0:13:38 | 0:13:42 | |
There's also a separate paddock and an open-fronted shelter which would | 0:13:42 | 0:13:46 | |
be ideal for homing our house-hunters' proposed new animals. | 0:13:46 | 0:13:51 | |
Backing on to open farmland, | 0:13:51 | 0:13:53 | |
there is the further possibility of purchasing an additional five acres. | 0:13:53 | 0:13:57 | |
With the faultless feedback so far, | 0:13:57 | 0:13:59 | |
I wonder if what's on offer out here might just seal the deal. | 0:13:59 | 0:14:02 | |
It's absolutely stunning. | 0:14:02 | 0:14:05 | |
I'm actually lost for words, like you. | 0:14:05 | 0:14:08 | |
What do you think it's on the market for? | 0:14:08 | 0:14:10 | |
I think it's way beyond our budget. | 0:14:10 | 0:14:12 | |
It just has to be. I'm going to go for 750. | 0:14:12 | 0:14:16 | |
-Christopher? -It hasn't got the barns done | 0:14:16 | 0:14:20 | |
and that would cost us money. | 0:14:20 | 0:14:22 | |
I think I'd go in at 700. | 0:14:22 | 0:14:24 | |
OK, in this instance you're both wrong. | 0:14:24 | 0:14:27 | |
This property is on the market for £645,000. | 0:14:27 | 0:14:32 | |
Ooh, good gracious me! | 0:14:32 | 0:14:35 | |
Gosh, that's a surprise. | 0:14:35 | 0:14:37 | |
-That's splendid. -Made my day. | 0:14:37 | 0:14:40 | |
Where do we sign?! | 0:14:40 | 0:14:42 | |
-LAUGHTER -I don't know what else you've got to show us, | 0:14:42 | 0:14:45 | |
but it's going to have to work hard to top this. | 0:14:45 | 0:14:47 | |
I would like you to wander around, | 0:14:47 | 0:14:49 | |
soak it all up and I'll meet you probably under the magnolia. | 0:14:49 | 0:14:52 | |
-See you a bit later, then. -See you shortly. Thanks. | 0:14:52 | 0:14:56 | |
A healthy £55,000 under their top budget, | 0:15:00 | 0:15:03 | |
this character property would leave our buyers with money | 0:15:03 | 0:15:06 | |
in their pockets to plough into their future business plans. | 0:15:06 | 0:15:10 | |
With five bedrooms, two more than they needed, | 0:15:10 | 0:15:13 | |
there's more than enough space to accommodate their visiting children. | 0:15:13 | 0:15:16 | |
With 2.5 acres of land and outbuildings | 0:15:16 | 0:15:19 | |
ripe for conversion into holiday lets, | 0:15:19 | 0:15:21 | |
it's situated in a delightful rural location. | 0:15:21 | 0:15:25 | |
I thought this house was absolutely amazing. | 0:15:25 | 0:15:28 | |
It actually blew me away. | 0:15:28 | 0:15:29 | |
I could definitely see ourselves living here. | 0:15:29 | 0:15:32 | |
-Ooh! This is sweet. I do like this. -Look at the window seat. | 0:15:32 | 0:15:35 | |
We could have this as our bedroom. | 0:15:35 | 0:15:38 | |
-We could. -We could. -I thought it was a wonderful place. | 0:15:38 | 0:15:41 | |
Beautifully done. I loved the gardens. I loved the little orchard. | 0:15:41 | 0:15:44 | |
-Oh, wow, look at this. -Always wanted an orchard. -Yeah. | 0:15:44 | 0:15:47 | |
-Oh, look. -Ready-made chicken run. | 0:15:47 | 0:15:50 | |
And they do have chickens. | 0:15:50 | 0:15:51 | |
That's amazing. Oh, I love it. | 0:15:51 | 0:15:54 | |
There's a huge possibility for income generation here. | 0:15:54 | 0:15:58 | |
I think maybe one downside is that the barns aren't up and running already. | 0:15:58 | 0:16:02 | |
In terms of Mary's reaction to this place, | 0:16:02 | 0:16:04 | |
I think she's fallen in love. | 0:16:04 | 0:16:07 | |
I think it was love at first sight. | 0:16:07 | 0:16:09 | |
I think, left to her, she would buy this place immediately. | 0:16:09 | 0:16:12 | |
-I get the feeling you like it. Is that true? -We love it. | 0:16:12 | 0:16:15 | |
-I love it. -Don't get too carried away, | 0:16:15 | 0:16:17 | |
-because we've got another one lined up for you straightaway. -OK. | 0:16:17 | 0:16:20 | |
With two stunning coastlines, | 0:16:22 | 0:16:24 | |
it's no surprise that Devon attracts over 4.5 million visitors each year. | 0:16:24 | 0:16:29 | |
The north is characterised by expansive beaches and steep cliffs, | 0:16:29 | 0:16:33 | |
whereas the south is indented with coves and estuaries. | 0:16:33 | 0:16:37 | |
But for sculptor Heather Jansch, | 0:16:37 | 0:16:39 | |
there is a greater attraction to visiting Devon's shoreline. | 0:16:39 | 0:16:43 | |
Using driftwood collected from the beach, she's well-known for creating | 0:16:43 | 0:16:46 | |
impressive and often life-sized sculptures. | 0:16:46 | 0:16:50 | |
We've sent Chris and Mary to Dawlish beach to lend a hand with some | 0:16:50 | 0:16:53 | |
beachcombing and gain an insight into why wood washed up by the sea | 0:16:53 | 0:16:57 | |
is such an inspiring art material. | 0:16:57 | 0:17:00 | |
Why do you collect driftwood? It seems rather an unusual hobby. | 0:17:00 | 0:17:04 | |
Well, it's something I started doing about 30 years ago. | 0:17:04 | 0:17:06 | |
At that point, I lived on the west coast of Wales, | 0:17:06 | 0:17:09 | |
where a lot was thrown up by the tide. | 0:17:09 | 0:17:11 | |
I started to make sculpture with it. | 0:17:11 | 0:17:13 | |
The curvilinear shapes of it and the way it fits together allow for there | 0:17:13 | 0:17:17 | |
to be plenty of spaces. | 0:17:17 | 0:17:19 | |
And it's those spaces in between the wood that enliven the sculpture. | 0:17:19 | 0:17:25 | |
The ideal time of year to beachcomb for driftwood is during the winter months | 0:17:25 | 0:17:29 | |
when high tides and rough waters ferry debris floating out at sea | 0:17:29 | 0:17:32 | |
to the shoreline. | 0:17:32 | 0:17:34 | |
The thing is to just enjoy the hunt, really. | 0:17:35 | 0:17:37 | |
And the joy of beachcombing is that you don't know what you're going to find. | 0:17:37 | 0:17:42 | |
It's legal to pick up items from the beach, | 0:17:42 | 0:17:44 | |
with the exception of large stones, which form natural sea defences. | 0:17:44 | 0:17:48 | |
Often the most interesting pieces are those that have been exposed to | 0:17:48 | 0:17:52 | |
the water and elements over a long period of time | 0:17:52 | 0:17:55 | |
and are therefore worn and distressed in appearance. | 0:17:55 | 0:17:59 | |
-Oh, this is beautiful, look. -Oh, that's gorgeous. | 0:17:59 | 0:18:03 | |
Lovely. Can I swap? | 0:18:03 | 0:18:05 | |
You win the prize! I think that's too big. | 0:18:05 | 0:18:08 | |
-You think that's too big? -You take back what do you think you'd like. | 0:18:08 | 0:18:10 | |
All right, I'll take that one. | 0:18:10 | 0:18:12 | |
Shall we head back now, then? | 0:18:12 | 0:18:14 | |
-If you've got a good haul. -Sounds like a plan. | 0:18:14 | 0:18:17 | |
Heather originally painted portraits of horses before she expanded her | 0:18:17 | 0:18:22 | |
craft to make life-size creations of these animals from driftwood. | 0:18:22 | 0:18:26 | |
28 of her beautiful works live in her garden at home. | 0:18:26 | 0:18:30 | |
Your foals that you've done, they just have this spring to them. | 0:18:30 | 0:18:34 | |
What I look for in a sculpture of this nature is something that | 0:18:34 | 0:18:38 | |
provides us with a sense of imminent movement. | 0:18:38 | 0:18:41 | |
You are guided by the material. | 0:18:41 | 0:18:43 | |
You have to just let it take its form. | 0:18:43 | 0:18:46 | |
And so that's why they can take up to five years. | 0:18:46 | 0:18:50 | |
Driftwood only has a shelf life of six to seven years, | 0:18:50 | 0:18:54 | |
after which time it weakens due to the wood contracting and expanding. | 0:18:54 | 0:18:59 | |
Heather casts her sculptures in bronze so that they endure for longer. | 0:18:59 | 0:19:04 | |
Now that our couple have been given a taste of what you can achieve with driftwood, | 0:19:04 | 0:19:07 | |
it's time for them to attempt their own masterpiece and | 0:19:07 | 0:19:11 | |
create a three-dimensional relief | 0:19:11 | 0:19:13 | |
from the items they sourced from the beach. | 0:19:13 | 0:19:15 | |
-That's a horse's head. -You can just lay it out. | 0:19:17 | 0:19:20 | |
And then reposition it until you're happy with it. | 0:19:20 | 0:19:23 | |
-Body. -It looks awfully like a dinosaur, I'm afraid. | 0:19:23 | 0:19:28 | |
Chris frames the piece with rope whilst Mary uses netting to shape the | 0:19:28 | 0:19:32 | |
horse's body. However, Heather still feels the need to step in. | 0:19:32 | 0:19:36 | |
By switching the rope for small stones, | 0:19:36 | 0:19:38 | |
the silhouette has more definition. | 0:19:38 | 0:19:40 | |
-Do you think this needs to come...? -It's not great, is it? | 0:19:40 | 0:19:43 | |
-Are you saying I don't know what a horse's front leg looks like? -Oh, no, dear! -Probably. | 0:19:43 | 0:19:47 | |
THEY LAUGH | 0:19:47 | 0:19:48 | |
As well as using her discoveries from the beach, | 0:19:48 | 0:19:52 | |
Heather often receives donations of unwanted household items such as | 0:19:52 | 0:19:55 | |
old nutcrackers from members of the public, | 0:19:55 | 0:19:58 | |
which add a strong look to her art. | 0:19:58 | 0:20:00 | |
-I tell you, I want to try something. Can I try something? -Please. | 0:20:00 | 0:20:03 | |
I just want to try this. | 0:20:03 | 0:20:05 | |
-Oh, yes. -Look at that. | 0:20:08 | 0:20:10 | |
You definitely have got a horse there. | 0:20:10 | 0:20:13 | |
-We've had a lovely day. Thank you so much. -Lovely to see you. | 0:20:13 | 0:20:15 | |
After being inspired by the creative qualities of the local Devon landscape, | 0:20:15 | 0:20:19 | |
it's time to return to our mission of finding Chris and Mary a | 0:20:19 | 0:20:24 | |
country home that captivates them. | 0:20:24 | 0:20:26 | |
Our property search continues over the border into north Cornwall, | 0:20:31 | 0:20:35 | |
in the rural village of Week St Mary. | 0:20:35 | 0:20:38 | |
Constructed in 1643 on a site previously occupied by a Norman castle, | 0:20:38 | 0:20:43 | |
the church of St Mary benefits from its elevated position looking out | 0:20:43 | 0:20:47 | |
over rolling farmland. | 0:20:47 | 0:20:50 | |
The village is made up of a number of pretty stone cottages, | 0:20:50 | 0:20:53 | |
a pub and a post office. | 0:20:53 | 0:20:56 | |
Just outside of the village and located in a glorious, tranquil setting, | 0:20:56 | 0:21:00 | |
is house number two. | 0:21:00 | 0:21:03 | |
This is our second offering. Very different. | 0:21:03 | 0:21:06 | |
And we've brought you here because this property offers you an | 0:21:06 | 0:21:09 | |
up-and-running holiday let. | 0:21:09 | 0:21:12 | |
-Oh, yes. -Excellent! -What an amazing location. | 0:21:12 | 0:21:15 | |
-It's quite remote. -Superb views. | 0:21:15 | 0:21:17 | |
I'm very OK with it being remote. | 0:21:17 | 0:21:19 | |
-What about you, Chris? -I'll have to give that some thought. | 0:21:19 | 0:21:22 | |
-We are very much in the country here. -Mm-hm. | 0:21:22 | 0:21:25 | |
Dating back to 1660, this former farmhouse, built of local stone, | 0:21:25 | 0:21:30 | |
has a rendered exterior. | 0:21:30 | 0:21:31 | |
The location seems to have impressed Mary, | 0:21:31 | 0:21:34 | |
but perhaps Chris needs a little more time to get his head round the | 0:21:34 | 0:21:37 | |
remoteness of the house. | 0:21:37 | 0:21:39 | |
Let's see if the interior can work its magic. | 0:21:39 | 0:21:42 | |
Come into the kitchen. | 0:21:42 | 0:21:44 | |
Oh, I say. | 0:21:45 | 0:21:47 | |
That's all you could ask for for a range, isn't it? | 0:21:47 | 0:21:49 | |
-It is. -You could roast an ox in there if you wanted. | 0:21:49 | 0:21:51 | |
-You could, couldn't you? -Which of course we do all the time! | 0:21:51 | 0:21:54 | |
So what's your vibe when you come into this one? | 0:21:54 | 0:21:56 | |
It's not as visually exciting. | 0:21:56 | 0:21:59 | |
It obviously is an older house. | 0:21:59 | 0:22:02 | |
I think we would want to spend a little money modernising it, perhaps. | 0:22:02 | 0:22:05 | |
Well, we like something that we can put our mark on. | 0:22:05 | 0:22:08 | |
You know, it's obviously been lived in and loved. | 0:22:08 | 0:22:10 | |
And I think that comes across. | 0:22:10 | 0:22:13 | |
Next stop is the sitting room. | 0:22:13 | 0:22:16 | |
That view is to absolutely to die for, isn't it? | 0:22:16 | 0:22:21 | |
I'm very taken with the fireplace. | 0:22:21 | 0:22:22 | |
-It's enormous! -Huge. | 0:22:22 | 0:22:25 | |
And through there is a very nice little sunroom. | 0:22:25 | 0:22:27 | |
A conservatory that they added as well, which takes you out into the garden. | 0:22:27 | 0:22:30 | |
-Chris, is the remoteness growing on you? -The views are lovely. | 0:22:30 | 0:22:34 | |
I'm beginning to think it might be a tad TOO remote. | 0:22:34 | 0:22:37 | |
But I would love to see the rest of the house. | 0:22:37 | 0:22:40 | |
Also on the ground floor, there is a separate dining room. | 0:22:40 | 0:22:43 | |
A bright, spruce shower room and a large study. | 0:22:43 | 0:22:47 | |
The sleeping accommodation is split over two floors and comprises | 0:22:47 | 0:22:50 | |
seven bedrooms in total. On the first floor, there is an extremely generous double | 0:22:50 | 0:22:56 | |
and two smaller doubles, one of which has an en-suite. | 0:22:56 | 0:23:00 | |
There's also a spacious four-piece family bathroom, | 0:23:00 | 0:23:02 | |
and a compact space used as a snug, which leads through to a cosy twin. | 0:23:02 | 0:23:07 | |
On the second floor, there are a further two twin bedrooms, | 0:23:07 | 0:23:11 | |
a WC and an additional space in the eaves which could be a double. | 0:23:11 | 0:23:16 | |
Outside, and with its very own entrance, is the detached holiday let. | 0:23:16 | 0:23:21 | |
Rented out for around six months of the year, | 0:23:21 | 0:23:23 | |
the current owners' annual income is around £12,000. | 0:23:23 | 0:23:28 | |
This property has clearly captured Mary's imagination. | 0:23:28 | 0:23:30 | |
However, fireplaces aside, | 0:23:30 | 0:23:32 | |
Chris still doesn't seem to be warming up to what's on offer. | 0:23:32 | 0:23:36 | |
Perhaps the business potential of this property | 0:23:36 | 0:23:39 | |
might just win him over. | 0:23:39 | 0:23:42 | |
-It's huge. -I know. -Good heavens. | 0:23:42 | 0:23:43 | |
You've actually got a huge kitchen. | 0:23:43 | 0:23:46 | |
Big kitchen. So this is really why it brings in so much money. | 0:23:46 | 0:23:48 | |
You've got three double bedrooms and space for a big family. | 0:23:48 | 0:23:53 | |
Good. If I came here on a holiday, I would be chuffed to pieces. | 0:23:53 | 0:23:57 | |
-Me too. -I think it's gorgeous. | 0:23:57 | 0:24:00 | |
What do you think, Chris? | 0:24:00 | 0:24:02 | |
I've lived in worse HOUSES, | 0:24:02 | 0:24:05 | |
let alone a holiday let. | 0:24:05 | 0:24:08 | |
I do think it's extremely well done. | 0:24:08 | 0:24:10 | |
Let's go outside and talk about the land. | 0:24:10 | 0:24:12 | |
-OK. -Thank you. | 0:24:12 | 0:24:13 | |
Outside, the land extends to around two acres, | 0:24:15 | 0:24:18 | |
which includes an outbuilding used for storage, as well as a | 0:24:18 | 0:24:22 | |
disused barn which, with the right planning consent, | 0:24:22 | 0:24:25 | |
could be converted into another holiday let. | 0:24:25 | 0:24:28 | |
The lawned gardens backing on to open countryside, provide the most | 0:24:28 | 0:24:32 | |
breathtaking views. | 0:24:32 | 0:24:34 | |
Not as much land with this property, | 0:24:34 | 0:24:37 | |
but what's nice is that you have this private garden and then your | 0:24:37 | 0:24:40 | |
holiday let-ers have their own garden too. | 0:24:40 | 0:24:42 | |
We like the fact that the holiday let is so independent and so separate. | 0:24:42 | 0:24:47 | |
I think it's nice for holiday-makers too. | 0:24:47 | 0:24:49 | |
You can also see that, just beyond the holiday-let garden, | 0:24:49 | 0:24:51 | |
there's another paddock that goes to that sort of link fence there. | 0:24:51 | 0:24:55 | |
-That's yours as well. -Oh, right. | 0:24:55 | 0:24:56 | |
So you could use that either as a campsite or | 0:24:56 | 0:24:59 | |
you could have it as more garden or to keep some kind of animal creatures. | 0:24:59 | 0:25:03 | |
Livestock! That's good, isn't it? | 0:25:03 | 0:25:07 | |
Something to think about, definitely. | 0:25:07 | 0:25:09 | |
What do you think this is on the market for? | 0:25:09 | 0:25:11 | |
I think 650. | 0:25:11 | 0:25:12 | |
I would go for about 625. | 0:25:12 | 0:25:16 | |
Interesting, because this property is on at £695,000. | 0:25:16 | 0:25:22 | |
-Oh, we got it wrong, then. -So it's right at the top of your budget. | 0:25:22 | 0:25:25 | |
-Ah! -And that's largely to do with the fact that that's an | 0:25:25 | 0:25:29 | |
-up-and-running business. -Yes. -Interesting. | 0:25:29 | 0:25:31 | |
So, stroll around and I'll see you out front. | 0:25:31 | 0:25:34 | |
Right, goody. | 0:25:34 | 0:25:35 | |
Just £5,000 shy of their very top budget, | 0:25:39 | 0:25:42 | |
this former farmhouse with seven bedrooms and fully operational holiday let, | 0:25:42 | 0:25:46 | |
offers our couple the business income they wanted. | 0:25:46 | 0:25:50 | |
With two acres of land and set within a very private location, | 0:25:50 | 0:25:53 | |
it benefits from the most magnificent views. | 0:25:53 | 0:25:57 | |
I love the fact that there is something very traditional about this house, | 0:25:57 | 0:26:01 | |
and I would love to be able to really make it ours. | 0:26:01 | 0:26:05 | |
I think it would definitely need tender loving care, | 0:26:05 | 0:26:09 | |
but it's got an enormous amount of potential. | 0:26:09 | 0:26:12 | |
This is a good size, isn't it? | 0:26:12 | 0:26:14 | |
It's almost got a Georgian feel, somehow. | 0:26:14 | 0:26:15 | |
-Yeah. I love the fireplace, look. -Very nice. | 0:26:15 | 0:26:19 | |
-Yeah. -It's got the holiday let up and running. | 0:26:19 | 0:26:22 | |
We could let it out tomorrow, which is very attractive. | 0:26:22 | 0:26:24 | |
-Oh, this is nice. -Three bedrooms. | 0:26:24 | 0:26:27 | |
They've even got their own little self-contained garden. | 0:26:27 | 0:26:30 | |
This is nice, isn't it? | 0:26:30 | 0:26:32 | |
That's all your houses seen for the day. | 0:26:32 | 0:26:35 | |
-Well, we've really enjoyed it. -And a lot to think about. | 0:26:35 | 0:26:37 | |
Good. Let's find you somewhere where you can think about it in peace. | 0:26:37 | 0:26:40 | |
OK. | 0:26:40 | 0:26:42 | |
It's very interesting after our first day of property shopping here in North Devon, | 0:26:47 | 0:26:51 | |
because it seems like Mary is more business-minded than Chris. | 0:26:51 | 0:26:55 | |
Even though they both loved that first house in a very kind of passionate, | 0:26:55 | 0:26:58 | |
"Oh, we could really live here," sort of way, Mary was, like, | 0:26:58 | 0:27:01 | |
much more cold-headed and rational about the fact that the second house | 0:27:01 | 0:27:04 | |
would bring them more money. | 0:27:04 | 0:27:06 | |
So the Mystery House is going to be interesting because, in many ways, | 0:27:06 | 0:27:09 | |
the Mystery House doesn't give them so much business potential, but, oh, | 0:27:09 | 0:27:12 | |
it's going to tug on their heartstrings. | 0:27:12 | 0:27:15 | |
And maybe it might make them think about finding a house that's just good | 0:27:15 | 0:27:18 | |
for THEM, not for their bank balance. | 0:27:18 | 0:27:21 | |
For our final offering, we're heading back into Devon to | 0:27:25 | 0:27:28 | |
the rural hamlet of Thrushelton. | 0:27:28 | 0:27:31 | |
A mile away is the nearby village of Lewdown, | 0:27:31 | 0:27:34 | |
which is home to a store with a post office as well as a pub. | 0:27:34 | 0:27:38 | |
The local landscape is one of softly rolling hills and on the outskirts | 0:27:38 | 0:27:42 | |
is the architectural highlight of Lewtrenchard Manor. | 0:27:42 | 0:27:46 | |
Originally mentioned in the Domesday Book, | 0:27:46 | 0:27:48 | |
this impressive Jacobean mansion is currently a family-run hotel. | 0:27:48 | 0:27:53 | |
Back in Thrushelton and hidden away down its own private driveway is our | 0:27:53 | 0:27:56 | |
rather special mystery option. | 0:27:56 | 0:27:59 | |
Up until now, the focus for our couple has been on the future | 0:27:59 | 0:28:03 | |
business potential for their property. | 0:28:03 | 0:28:05 | |
However, with this move comes the opportunity for them to purchase | 0:28:05 | 0:28:08 | |
their first house together, so I wanted to show them something | 0:28:08 | 0:28:11 | |
which might appeal much more to | 0:28:11 | 0:28:14 | |
their hearts than their heads. | 0:28:14 | 0:28:15 | |
It's so pretty! | 0:28:17 | 0:28:18 | |
It's picture-perfect, isn't it? | 0:28:18 | 0:28:21 | |
-Gorgeous. -It could be on a tin of Devon clotted cream almost. -Amazing. | 0:28:21 | 0:28:26 | |
It's a classic Devon thatched cottage. | 0:28:26 | 0:28:30 | |
A really delightful find in many ways because, historically, | 0:28:30 | 0:28:33 | |
this is about the 1600s. | 0:28:33 | 0:28:36 | |
-It's really gorgeous. What can I say? -Let's have a look inside. | 0:28:36 | 0:28:40 | |
A derelict shell until the 1970s, | 0:28:40 | 0:28:43 | |
this 17th-century chocolate-box thatch has been completely refurbished | 0:28:43 | 0:28:47 | |
and extended. Retaining much of its original stone and cob structure, | 0:28:47 | 0:28:52 | |
the interior has been completed to a stylish high-spec throughout | 0:28:52 | 0:28:57 | |
and still retains some of its original timbers. | 0:28:57 | 0:29:00 | |
This is a great country kitchen. | 0:29:00 | 0:29:01 | |
Beautiful slate floor. | 0:29:01 | 0:29:03 | |
It's amazing. What do you think? | 0:29:03 | 0:29:05 | |
It's got beams. | 0:29:05 | 0:29:06 | |
It's got big old oak beams. | 0:29:06 | 0:29:09 | |
-Beams! -Range, dear. | 0:29:09 | 0:29:11 | |
-It's gorgeous. -Everything you ever wanted in a country kitchen in one room! | 0:29:11 | 0:29:15 | |
LAUGHTER | 0:29:15 | 0:29:17 | |
-Dreamy, isn't it? -Is it plucking on your heartstrings? | 0:29:17 | 0:29:20 | |
I'm having some slight stirrings, I must admit. | 0:29:20 | 0:29:23 | |
Stoke it up. Let's see if the rest of the house can stoke it into | 0:29:23 | 0:29:27 | |
-a coal fire. -Show us it, then. | 0:29:27 | 0:29:30 | |
Leading off the kitchen is a modest conservatory, | 0:29:30 | 0:29:33 | |
a large utility room and a generous study. | 0:29:33 | 0:29:37 | |
There's also a dining area with an inglenook fireplace. | 0:29:37 | 0:29:41 | |
Next on our list, however, is the living room. | 0:29:41 | 0:29:45 | |
-Isn't it lovely? -This probably would have been a later addition in the history of the house. | 0:29:45 | 0:29:49 | |
You can see it's got these much more manicured beams. | 0:29:49 | 0:29:52 | |
It's definitely surprising in terms of the amount of space that there | 0:29:52 | 0:29:55 | |
-appears to be. -I wonder if you've just noticed, Mary, | 0:29:55 | 0:29:58 | |
-what's in the corner. -I have. | 0:29:58 | 0:30:00 | |
-It's a piano. It's a piano! -We were wondering where to put the piano. | 0:30:00 | 0:30:03 | |
And that's the dilemma solved. | 0:30:03 | 0:30:06 | |
You really have confused us, you know. | 0:30:06 | 0:30:08 | |
-Good, I'm glad. -It is throwing a spanner in the works, isn't it? | 0:30:08 | 0:30:11 | |
-It has a bit. -A big spanner. Mm-hm. | 0:30:11 | 0:30:14 | |
So, flummoxed but positive. | 0:30:14 | 0:30:16 | |
It's onwards and upstairs to explore the four bedrooms. | 0:30:16 | 0:30:20 | |
There are two well-decorated doubles with exposed beams, | 0:30:20 | 0:30:23 | |
which is also a feature in the single. | 0:30:23 | 0:30:26 | |
Not only is there a light, bright family bathroom, | 0:30:26 | 0:30:29 | |
but a separate shower room as well. | 0:30:29 | 0:30:31 | |
We're making our way to explore the master which has its own dressing area. | 0:30:31 | 0:30:36 | |
Blimey, this is fantastic, isn't it? | 0:30:36 | 0:30:39 | |
Very unusual in these sort of thatched cottages to have really high ceilings | 0:30:39 | 0:30:42 | |
like this. They've taken all the loft space out. | 0:30:42 | 0:30:45 | |
-I like the way they've exposed the beams. -It's quite deceptive, isn't it, | 0:30:45 | 0:30:48 | |
because outside you imagine it to be very small and compact and actually it's big and airy. | 0:30:48 | 0:30:53 | |
-Let's go into the garden, because it's really magical. -Thank you. | 0:30:53 | 0:30:57 | |
Well, for the moment at least, | 0:30:57 | 0:30:59 | |
our mystery cottage has put all thoughts of holiday lets out of their minds. | 0:30:59 | 0:31:04 | |
Outside, the large garden amounts to three quarters of an acre and is made up of | 0:31:04 | 0:31:07 | |
lawned areas framed by mature plants. | 0:31:07 | 0:31:12 | |
There's also a separate orchard and vegetable patch along with a workshop. | 0:31:12 | 0:31:16 | |
The size of this plot allows them to keep animals or set up a couple of | 0:31:16 | 0:31:20 | |
shepherd's huts, which could generate up to £600 a week each. | 0:31:20 | 0:31:24 | |
The shepherd's hut, like, a really self-contained one, | 0:31:24 | 0:31:27 | |
that has cooking facilities in it, it's about £20,000. | 0:31:27 | 0:31:29 | |
Something we hadn't really thought of. | 0:31:29 | 0:31:32 | |
But you've really opened our eyes. | 0:31:32 | 0:31:34 | |
My head and my heart are warring now. | 0:31:34 | 0:31:36 | |
I think if we were to live here on our own and didn't need a business, | 0:31:36 | 0:31:41 | |
I think I would buy this on the spot. | 0:31:41 | 0:31:43 | |
But you've given us a lot to think about again. | 0:31:43 | 0:31:45 | |
-The one thing I haven't given you is the price. -Yes. | 0:31:45 | 0:31:47 | |
So what do you think the price of this little slice of Devonian heaven is? | 0:31:47 | 0:31:52 | |
Because it's so, so pretty and perfect, | 0:31:52 | 0:31:55 | |
I'm going to say it's 700,000. | 0:31:55 | 0:31:58 | |
-At least. -Chris? | 0:31:58 | 0:32:01 | |
I think it's probably worth more than Mary suggested. | 0:32:01 | 0:32:03 | |
I'm going for 725. | 0:32:03 | 0:32:05 | |
Well, in this instance, you're both wrong. | 0:32:05 | 0:32:07 | |
And you're wrong in the wrong direction. | 0:32:07 | 0:32:10 | |
Because this is actually on the market for - hold your horses - | 0:32:10 | 0:32:15 | |
£539,500. | 0:32:15 | 0:32:18 | |
-You are joking. -I am not joking. -You're making that up. -I'm not making that up. That is the truth. | 0:32:18 | 0:32:24 | |
Well, that's an amazing price. | 0:32:24 | 0:32:25 | |
That is, I think you've made our day again. | 0:32:25 | 0:32:29 | |
-Good stuff. -Now you've given us a difficult dilemma. | 0:32:29 | 0:32:32 | |
But I must say it's a wonderful one to have to wrestle with. | 0:32:32 | 0:32:35 | |
Exactly. I'd like you to wrestle in the grounds. | 0:32:35 | 0:32:37 | |
Wrestle wherever you like and I'll see you out the front. | 0:32:37 | 0:32:40 | |
That's great. Thank you. | 0:32:40 | 0:32:43 | |
Aww. It's great when the Mystery House does that, | 0:32:44 | 0:32:46 | |
when it does exactly what it's meant to do, | 0:32:46 | 0:32:48 | |
it puts a cat amongst the pigeons and makes people think differently | 0:32:48 | 0:32:51 | |
about what this move could mean to them. | 0:32:51 | 0:32:54 | |
A staggering £160,000 under budget, our mystery thatch, | 0:32:57 | 0:33:01 | |
brimming with character features and four bedrooms, has completely | 0:33:01 | 0:33:04 | |
surprised our couple. | 0:33:04 | 0:33:07 | |
Located within a hamlet, | 0:33:07 | 0:33:09 | |
it has a large cottage garden | 0:33:09 | 0:33:10 | |
and the orchard could accommodate shepherds' huts, | 0:33:10 | 0:33:13 | |
but really this mystery proposition | 0:33:13 | 0:33:15 | |
is all about the two of them. | 0:33:15 | 0:33:18 | |
I loved the Mystery House. | 0:33:18 | 0:33:20 | |
I'm absolutely lost for words. | 0:33:20 | 0:33:22 | |
And it's been a house of absolute surprises. | 0:33:22 | 0:33:26 | |
Look at this. This is a proper functioning garden. | 0:33:26 | 0:33:29 | |
Really olde worlde, like the Secret Garden. | 0:33:29 | 0:33:31 | |
-It is, isn't it? -I think we would enjoy this. | 0:33:31 | 0:33:34 | |
I think we would too. I thought we'd made a decision and now I'm not | 0:33:34 | 0:33:39 | |
quite sure that we have. | 0:33:39 | 0:33:40 | |
I think the Mystery House is amazing. | 0:33:40 | 0:33:43 | |
I don't think this property really allows us to have a business, | 0:33:43 | 0:33:46 | |
but that doesn't matter. | 0:33:46 | 0:33:48 | |
If we could keep that capital, | 0:33:48 | 0:33:50 | |
we could invest it somewhere else | 0:33:50 | 0:33:51 | |
and just use this as our own perfect house. | 0:33:51 | 0:33:55 | |
Whoo! Had to really tear you away from this one. | 0:33:57 | 0:34:01 | |
I'd like to find a spot where you can think about all three houses | 0:34:01 | 0:34:05 | |
without being swayed, so follow me... | 0:34:05 | 0:34:08 | |
I think the Mystery House has added an element of finance into this | 0:34:11 | 0:34:15 | |
house search that wasn't there before. | 0:34:15 | 0:34:18 | |
Because I think if Chris and Mary can save £160,000 on the price tag, | 0:34:18 | 0:34:22 | |
that's going to give them some breathing space where they can kick back | 0:34:22 | 0:34:25 | |
and really enjoy the property as a home rather than thinking of it as | 0:34:25 | 0:34:28 | |
an asset that needs to make money. | 0:34:28 | 0:34:31 | |
So I'll be very interested to see what that's done to their | 0:34:31 | 0:34:34 | |
thought processes. Let's find out. | 0:34:34 | 0:34:36 | |
Hello. How are you doing with all this? | 0:34:39 | 0:34:42 | |
It's interesting. Often when I sit down at this table, | 0:34:42 | 0:34:44 | |
I have a pretty good idea of which one people like, but with you | 0:34:44 | 0:34:47 | |
-I think you like them all. -It's come down to between house number one | 0:34:47 | 0:34:52 | |
and the Mystery House. | 0:34:52 | 0:34:54 | |
We weren't expecting to fall in love with two beautiful houses. | 0:34:54 | 0:34:58 | |
It's going to be hard to decide between them. | 0:34:58 | 0:35:01 | |
-What do you think? -I think it will be hard to decide. | 0:35:01 | 0:35:04 | |
You came with a big wish list and hopes for a business, | 0:35:04 | 0:35:07 | |
hopes for a lovely house. | 0:35:07 | 0:35:09 | |
What do you think's come into focus during this process? | 0:35:09 | 0:35:12 | |
We did come with a plan that the house should | 0:35:12 | 0:35:14 | |
generate an income, and increasingly, as we've gone on, | 0:35:14 | 0:35:18 | |
I've begun to think that perhaps we just want a house that we love, | 0:35:18 | 0:35:21 | |
that we want to live in for ourselves and we'll look for | 0:35:21 | 0:35:25 | |
business opportunities elsewhere. And especially the Mystery House, | 0:35:25 | 0:35:28 | |
the lovely thatched cottage, would allow us to do that, | 0:35:28 | 0:35:31 | |
because it was so much cheaper than we were anticipating. | 0:35:31 | 0:35:34 | |
I've heard you mention the Mystery House twice - | 0:35:34 | 0:35:36 | |
does that mean that's edging to the front of the pack? | 0:35:36 | 0:35:38 | |
I think it has to be, for me, the Mystery House. | 0:35:38 | 0:35:43 | |
I'd like to have one more cool, calm, collected look | 0:35:43 | 0:35:47 | |
at house number one, | 0:35:47 | 0:35:49 | |
simply because that potentially could bring us some income. | 0:35:49 | 0:35:52 | |
And what happens now? What is the next step? | 0:35:52 | 0:35:54 | |
We'd very much like to go and have a look at | 0:35:54 | 0:35:57 | |
both house number one and three again, | 0:35:57 | 0:36:00 | |
just to make sure that we're making the right decision. | 0:36:00 | 0:36:03 | |
I think we will go for one of them. | 0:36:03 | 0:36:06 | |
Yay! I'm waving a little flag of joy! LAUGHTER | 0:36:06 | 0:36:09 | |
That's great. I think you'll be happy here, so make it happen. | 0:36:09 | 0:36:12 | |
Thank you very much. We've really enjoyed ourselves. | 0:36:12 | 0:36:14 | |
It's been a pleasure. Thank you. | 0:36:14 | 0:36:16 | |
Those three houses in North Devon are almost proof that you can have | 0:36:20 | 0:36:24 | |
too much of a good thing, because poor Mary and Chris's minds were | 0:36:24 | 0:36:28 | |
slightly addled by just the richness of the properties that their budget could buy. | 0:36:28 | 0:36:32 | |
Perhaps they were used to kind of Brighton prices. | 0:36:32 | 0:36:35 | |
Because here their money goes a little bit further and, almost, | 0:36:35 | 0:36:38 | |
they can afford to kick back and enjoy the property, rather than have | 0:36:38 | 0:36:41 | |
to have a business to support their lifestyle. | 0:36:41 | 0:36:44 | |
Inspiring stuff and I hope that you'll be inspired enough to | 0:36:44 | 0:36:47 | |
join us next time for more Escape To The Country. | 0:36:47 | 0:36:51 | |
Following our search, Chris and Mary made an offer on the French-style | 0:36:51 | 0:36:55 | |
first property in Virginstow, which was accepted, | 0:36:55 | 0:36:59 | |
so they are due to exchange very soon. | 0:36:59 | 0:37:03 | |
If you would like to escape to the country in England, Scotland, | 0:37:03 | 0:37:06 | |
Wales or Northern Ireland, and need our help, please apply online at... | 0:37:06 | 0:37:10 |