0:00:06 > 0:00:09Can you believe that these perfectly-crafted little buildings
0:00:09 > 0:00:14are so rare, and were made with such love, that they are in fact listed?
0:00:14 > 0:00:16So find out what the story behind them is
0:00:16 > 0:00:20and into which village I have very carefully stepped in just a moment.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Coming up on today's show - a married couple want to find calm
0:00:41 > 0:00:45in the countryside, as well as separate sanctuary from one another,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47but all under one roof.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Our properties work hard to achieve exactly the right vision
0:00:50 > 0:00:51for one half...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54How it stacks together to create two living spaces at the moment,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- I cannot... I cannot compute. - Yeah.- Yet.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01..but it's full steam ahead for the other half of the duo.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- What do you think?- It looks great. - Wonderful. Come on, let's go.
0:01:05 > 0:01:06I can't wait to get inside.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10Today, I'm in the Cotswolds
0:01:10 > 0:01:13and this is the model village of Bourton-on-the-Water.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16A one-ninth replica of the real Cotswold village,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19which is just on the other side of that hedge.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22It was the brainchild of a local pub landlord who opened it to the public
0:01:22 > 0:01:26in 1937, to bring more tourists into the village.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28And it took five years to build.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Five years, because this is the work of master craftsmen,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33using limestone from the region,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37and the famous stone tiles that are so typical of the Cotswolds.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40It's a real delight for all of us who grew up with Gulliver's Travels
0:01:40 > 0:01:41and Alice In Wonderland,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44and it also distils so much that is charming
0:01:44 > 0:01:45about this part of the world.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The Cotswolds is an 800-square-mile area
0:01:50 > 0:01:53that covers parts of five different counties,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57including significant sections of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01The largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04the Cotswolds landscape is characterised by rolling hills
0:02:04 > 0:02:08and farmland, framed within networks of dry stone walls.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11All in all, they run for some 4,000 miles,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15which is the equivalent in length to the Great Wall of China.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Unrestricted by county boundaries,
0:02:17 > 0:02:21the Cotswolds can claim not only the finest landscape of the region
0:02:21 > 0:02:24but also the architecture, too.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Styles that vary from Georgian splendour in Cheltenham,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29the most complete Regency town in the country,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32to distinctive ochre limestone buildings
0:02:32 > 0:02:35that have lined the streets of villages like Stanton
0:02:35 > 0:02:38since the 16th and 17th centuries.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Painting the perfect picture of rural England with its properties
0:02:41 > 0:02:46and scenery, the region attracts well over 30 million visitors a year
0:02:46 > 0:02:50and is a huge draw for those looking for a stylish slice of country life
0:02:50 > 0:02:52on a more permanent basis.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Let's be under no illusions - buying property in the Cotswolds
0:03:02 > 0:03:04is an expensive business.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06When you think that the average price for a property
0:03:06 > 0:03:08across the country is around £283,000 -
0:03:08 > 0:03:11well, if you want something similar in this region,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13then you're going to have to add
0:03:13 > 0:03:16an almost £200,000 hike to the price tag.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Although if you go a little further out to the periphery,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20to places like Dursley or Stroud,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22away from the hot spots nearer to London,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25you can get a lot more for your money.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27So, bearing that in mind, let's meet today's buyers and find out
0:03:27 > 0:03:31what drew them to this lovely part of the world.
0:03:31 > 0:03:32For the past two decades,
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Gill and Andy have lived in Kew, South West London.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Until their recent retirement, they both worked in education.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41They've been married for 40 years
0:03:41 > 0:03:45and have three grown-up children and eight grandchildren.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47We met 40-odd years ago,
0:03:47 > 0:03:52when we were both students studying theology in Chelsea.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55And here we are, 40 years on.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59We-we married while we were students and we had our first baby
0:03:59 > 0:04:01while we were students.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Their current property is a semidetached 1930s house
0:04:05 > 0:04:08but it's fair to say their living arrangement
0:04:08 > 0:04:10is somewhat unconventional.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13We live in the one house, but we've arranged it
0:04:13 > 0:04:16so that we've got separate, independent living areas,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18but access to one another.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22And that came about because 25 years into our marriage,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26we found that we were singing from different hymn sheets...
0:04:27 > 0:04:31..but neither of us wanted to set up home permanently
0:04:31 > 0:04:35with another partner, and we both felt very strongly
0:04:35 > 0:04:37that we wanted to keep the family unit intact.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- So our marriage is like our house - semidetached.- Yeah!
0:04:41 > 0:04:44The arrangement has worked well for them both over the years,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46so it's a property configuration
0:04:46 > 0:04:48they want to keep in their new home together.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52As a family, we've learnt a lot about what love is.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54You know, it's about giving one another
0:04:54 > 0:04:56the freedom to be who they are.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Despite enjoying their time living in Kew,
0:04:59 > 0:05:01they now feel it's time for a change.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02When people come and visit,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06they're very aware of the flight path to Heathrow.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Sometimes it feels a bit hectic,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10being in London with all the traffic.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15It would be nice to have a slower pace sometimes.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18And they've chosen the calming Cotswolds in which to unwind.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21There's a certain line I cross when we are travelling to the Cotswolds,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- and I feel... - SHE SIGHS HAPPILY
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- "I've come home."- What we love about the countryside, I think,
0:05:27 > 0:05:31is the fact that it's peaceful, it's beautiful,
0:05:31 > 0:05:36there are large skies and it just makes your soul sing.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41As well as being closer to one of their sons in Birmingham,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45they hope to have more time to invest in their respective hobbies.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49I paint, I do quite a lot of craft work - knitting and sewing.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53I love listening to music and going to concerts.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Playing the piano is something
0:05:55 > 0:05:59that has always been a panacea to the soul for me
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and hopefully, if I've got more time in the Cotswolds,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I might play a bit more than I do
0:06:05 > 0:06:08and be able to play some of the pieces that I struggle with now.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Although Andy in particular
0:06:11 > 0:06:13will miss the buzz of the capital on his doorstep,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16they are both looking forward to their next adventure.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19I think it's the excitement of...
0:06:21 > 0:06:23..putting together another home.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28We are more settled in what we're doing and where we are, I think.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- And ready for a challenge. - And ready for a challenge.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32A last challenge, probably.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Speak for yourself!
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Our buyers want to focus their search
0:06:45 > 0:06:47in the Gloucestershire portion of the Cotswolds,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49around the centres of Moreton-in-Marsh
0:06:49 > 0:06:51and Bourton-on-the-Water.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54So we're all meeting up to nail the specifics of their move.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- Good morning.- Good morning.- Good morning.- Welcome to the Cotswolds.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Thank you.- Thank you. - We've found you a little house.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- THEY LAUGH - I wish!- Maybe slightly over budget.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07But isn't it beautiful? The Cotswolds are so exquisite.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- That stone is magical.- Yes, it is. - It is.- Beautiful.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Have you been on the ground?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Have you done lots of house searches here?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16We have. We've actually been looking for about three years, so...
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- Oh, really?- Yes, yes. We've looked at lots of floor plans,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22but only actually physically visited a few houses,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24but we are looking for something rather unusual.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26You are indeed. We're all quite excited about this
0:07:26 > 0:07:28because I think it's the first time
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- I've ever had to look for two houses in one.- Yes, yes.- Yes.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34Are you aware that there aren't that many split houses on the market?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Yes, we are.- Yes, we are. And the issue has been
0:07:37 > 0:07:40that where they have been split, there's not parity of space.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43You know, there's a large house and then there's a small granny flat
0:07:43 > 0:07:46on the side of it, so it's about finding something
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- that gives us an equal amount of space, really.- Mmm.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Andy, in Kew, you've got the upstairs
0:07:51 > 0:07:52and, Gill, you're downstairs.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Are you looking to replicate that, or do you want to swap?
0:07:55 > 0:07:56I like being on the ground level.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- And you're happy with the..? - I'm happy being upstairs, yes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01He'll put a stairlift in!
0:08:01 > 0:08:04When I get old and feeble, yes, I'll put a stairlift in.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Obviously, we haven't found you a property that's already split
0:08:07 > 0:08:10in this way, so what sort of compromises are you willing to make
0:08:10 > 0:08:12in terms of, sort of, work or realignment?
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- We really don't want a big project. - No.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18We're quite happy to do some reconfiguration work.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20But I mean, obviously, knocking a few walls down
0:08:20 > 0:08:21or reconfiguring a staircase...
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- Or adding a bit on, even... - Or adding a bit on...
0:08:23 > 0:08:25..which is what we have done to our...
0:08:25 > 0:08:26..is not out of the question.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29How big is the house going to be overall? How many bedrooms?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31We'd like somewhere with two bedrooms each,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34if possible, so that when the family comes to stay,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36there's room for them.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39And what about location? Do you want to be in the middle of a town
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- or out in the sticks?- Not remote.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43We want... As we grow older,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47we'd like access to amenities and proximity to a bit of buzz.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50A bit of life and a feel of community.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Remind us of your budget.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- 900,000, top...- Yeah.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55..because that would include any renovation,
0:08:55 > 0:08:56any reconfiguration work.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Gosh, you've been looking for three years.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00That sort of fills us with dread!
0:09:00 > 0:09:01But we have found three lovely properties,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03which I think will offer you something,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06so I'll be keen to see what you think. Let's go and look.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13For a maximum budget of £900,000, including any renovation work,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Andy and Gill want to create two homes in one.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18The challenge is to find them somewhere
0:09:18 > 0:09:21that offers private living spaces - ideally of equal size -
0:09:21 > 0:09:24and preferably with Gill downstairs.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26They'd like two bedrooms each, for visiting family,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29as well as their own living room and kitchen.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31After a vibrant life in London,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34they're both keen to be part of an active community.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37We've found three contrasting Cotswold homes
0:09:37 > 0:09:38which we hope will give them
0:09:38 > 0:09:41the versatility and harmony they're after.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44But I'll keep them guessing as to what the houses are worth
0:09:44 > 0:09:46until the end of each tour.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Then for last orders, we'll be opening not one, but two doors,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52when we reveal our remodelled Mystery House.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02We're kicking off our property search in Gloucestershire,
0:10:02 > 0:10:04eight miles north of Moreton-in-Marsh,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07and 14 miles north of Bourton-on-the-Water.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11In one of the area's most elegant market towns, Chipping Campden.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14In the Middle Ages,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17this town prospered from a lucrative wool trade
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and the many grand, honey-coloured limestone buildings
0:10:20 > 0:10:23are still a feature along the high street to this day.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28The arched market hall, dating from the early 17th century,
0:10:28 > 0:10:29is an elegant centrepiece.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33The property I want to show Gill and Andy is on the edge of town,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36just a short stroll from all the local amenities.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Here is our first offering.- Right.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45The house dates back to 1963,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48as the whole estate was built in the '60s, using the Cotswold stone.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- What are your impressions from the outside?- I like it.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Yes, it's a pleasant-looking house.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Probably bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Obviously, we're immediately thinking about separating it out
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- for you guys.- Mm-hm.- In this one,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- we're thinking of splitting it upstairs and downstairs.- Mm-hm.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05That's fine. It's looks from the outside as though it would be
0:11:05 > 0:11:08perfectly feasible as an upstairs-downstairs division.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- Shall we look inside? - Ooh, yes, let's.
0:11:12 > 0:11:13Built in the early 1960s,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17this detached Cotswold stone house has been extended twice,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20most recently to the side.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23There are number of options for Andy and Gill to divide this house,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25starting with two separate entrances,
0:11:25 > 0:11:30one directly into the kitchen, and the other into the central hallway,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33which I'm taking them through to start the tour.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Let's have a look. So we're going to be looking at the ground floor
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- first, because you said you prefer the ground floor.- OK.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- I do, yes.- They've extended out over into the kitchen here
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- and they have extended back... - Mm-hm.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- ..here, so they've made themselves a lot more space.- Mm-hm.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51It's got the nice, light, airy, spacious look that you like.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53It's got the light, airy feel. I like the size of the space.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- The kitchen/living space is good. - Come over here and you can see...
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- See, this is an extension that they put on in the '90s...- Yes.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02..to give them some space at the side.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03That's a good door for me.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- Yeah, so you've got another... - My own entrance.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Exactly, so you've got an entrance here,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- cos we went through the hallway. - Yes.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10It's a nice, light hallway,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14but I think we'd have to reconfigure the stairwell.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- We thought you'd have to turn the stairs one more time...- Yes.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- ..so the front door would be yours...- Yes.- Yes.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22..so you could come in the front door and just go straight upstairs.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24And then there would be a wall, so you'd have the back door
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- and this door.- Yes, yes. Good.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29With the utility space off the kitchen,
0:12:29 > 0:12:33this floor also offers a snug, dining area,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36separate study, downstairs cloakroom,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39and a large living room just across the hallway.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Come in. I'm liking your thinking on the hoof. That's very good.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- So this is the living room at the moment...- Yes.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47..but, the speed at which you're kind of redesigning this,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49it may be something else. THEY LAUGH
0:12:49 > 0:12:51It's light. The size is just about right.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54If we're thinking about reconfiguring, which we have to,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56for me, this would have to be the bedroom.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Next door, where you've got the toilet,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01which could become the shower room, cos you could extend that...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Do you agree? - Well, well, I had been thinking,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06if I kept this as a bedroom,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09because the current kitchen and living space is a nice size
0:13:09 > 0:13:13of living space for me, then the little bit...
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- The snug.- The snug at the back could become my studio.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18It could do, yeah. That would be a really good thing.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I'm loving it. It's a lot of thinking and you've obviously done
0:13:20 > 0:13:22this before. You're way ahead of me
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- but I'm quite interested to see what you think of upstairs...- OK.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27..cos he's quite animated about your floor.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29I don't know what he's going to be like upstairs!
0:13:29 > 0:13:31You can expect fireworks up there!
0:13:31 > 0:13:33It's great that they already have plans
0:13:33 > 0:13:37for how they might reconfigure this space to make it work for Gill,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40turning the living room into a main bedroom,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42adding a shower to the cloakroom
0:13:42 > 0:13:45and making the snug into a possible art studio.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49But what will Andy make of the two further upstairs floors
0:13:49 > 0:13:51that could form his part of the house?
0:13:52 > 0:13:56A top floor currently provides two small bedrooms in the eaves,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58one of which is en suite,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00whilst the middle floor offers two double bedrooms,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02served by a family bathroom,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06as well as what is currently the large master bedroom.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Right. This is the master,
0:14:09 > 0:14:11with its own en suite going over the extension.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Well, this is a nice room. It's a nice size.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Kitchen? Possible kitchen?
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Yeah, I mean, this would make a possible...
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Well, the only kitchen/living area, really.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22With the bathroom. And then the other two bedrooms
0:14:22 > 0:14:27would have to be knocked together to make one living space.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- Living space?- Well, yeah, because I've got to put the piano somewhere.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Oh, yeah.- So it would have to go, if anywhere, it would go there.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Essentially, here, you've got five bedrooms.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37All of those are stud walls,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40so you can knock around everything on this floor and upstairs as well,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44if you wish. But let's go outside and talk about the outside
0:14:44 > 0:14:46and the price.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49So they could create a self-contained home for Andy
0:14:49 > 0:14:52by turning the middle floor here into a kitchen and living area,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55keeping the top floor as sleeping quarters.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59But I'm sensing that they aren't entirely convinced.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02At least the outside space is less problematic,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04as they're happy to share a garden,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06which in this case, is secluded
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and offers mature beds and paved areas.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Tuck ourselves in the corner here. It's not a huge garden.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Well, that's OK. We don't want a huge garden.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18In fact, it's a nice-size garden for us.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21I like the little vegetable garden. That's nice.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23OK, so I know there are issues upstairs but what do you think
0:15:23 > 0:15:27a five-bed bedroom property in the Cotswolds costs?
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It's probably about £795,000.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- Andy?- Well, I don't think it's that much.- OK.- I think it's 750.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Well, in this instance, you're both wrong.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37It's actually cheaper.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- It's on the market for £675,000. - Oh.- Oh, right.
0:15:41 > 0:15:42Well, that gives a lot of scope.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45So we showed you this cos it would give you a big pot of money
0:15:45 > 0:15:46- to do whatever you wanted to. - Yeah, OK.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Good, well, go in and have another look around, just to sort of get,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- sort of, your bearings...- OK. - ..and to have a little chat
0:15:52 > 0:15:54and then I'll meet you out the front and we can go onto the next one.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56OK. Thank you.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03Under budget by £225,000,
0:16:03 > 0:16:08this detached extended 1960s house would leave plenty for Andy and Gill
0:16:08 > 0:16:11to make alterations to divide the space.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Currently offering a large kitchen/diner,
0:16:14 > 0:16:15three additional reception rooms
0:16:15 > 0:16:18and five bedrooms spread over three floors,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22the property is located on the edge of a popular Cotswold market town
0:16:22 > 0:16:24with excellent facilities.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I like the house. I like the garden.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31I can see how, with a bit of tweaking, the downstairs space,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35which would be my part of the house, would work well for me.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Downstairs obviously works for Gill.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39The problems in this house lie upstairs.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43I cannot see the upstairs being reconfigured to my specifications
0:16:43 > 0:16:47and that's got to be important, making such a big move.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- Good. All done with your deliberations?- Yep.- Yes.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- Time for another house, then. - Yes, good, OK.- Good.- Follow me.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Gentle countryside and pretty stone towns and villages
0:17:06 > 0:17:09have drawn Gill and Andy to the Cotswolds, but today,
0:17:09 > 0:17:13they're going to discover some of the area's royal heritage
0:17:13 > 0:17:15with a visit to a 15th-century castle.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Set in an estate of 1,200 acres,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22including nine stunning landscaped gardens,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26Sudeley Castle is the private home to Lady Ashcombe
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and the final resting place of a 16th-century queen -
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Henry VIII's sixth wife, Catherine Parr.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Hello, I'm Andy. Very pleased to meet you.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- Hello, I'm Gill. - Welcome to Sudeley Castle.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Though best known for her royal marriage,
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Catherine Parr was a great intellect and a keen scholar.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Her ability is evident in the numerous documents
0:17:48 > 0:17:50housed in the castle's collection,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and guide Derek Maddock has offered to tell their story.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Well, everybody assumes that Catherine Parr
0:17:56 > 0:17:58is just the sixth wife of Henry VIII.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00She's much more important than that.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03She was intellectual, very gifted.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07She even ruled the country for a short time when Henry was in France
0:18:07 > 0:18:08and she wrote books.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12This is the first queen to write and publish books.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15So here we have her Prayers And Meditation,
0:18:15 > 0:18:16written while Henry was alive.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Lamentations Of A Sinner in 1547,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Fascinating sort of document and it says at the bottom,
0:18:22 > 0:18:26"Katherine the Queen, KP", which is how she liked to sign herself.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Soon after the death of her husband, King Henry VIII,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Catherine remarried in secret.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38This elopement was a love match with Thomas Seymour,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41brother of Henry's late Queen, Jane Seymour.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44She wanted to marry Thomas Seymour before Henry intervened,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46but you don't argue with the king.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50We also have a love letter she wrote to Thomas Seymour,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54so for instance, down here, we've got, "For as truly as God is good,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58"my mind was fully bent the other time I was at liberty to marry you
0:18:58 > 0:18:59"before any man I know."
0:18:59 > 0:19:03She sees this man as the love of her life and possibly he was.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08But the love marriage was short-lived.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Within a year, she died, aged 36,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14most likely from complications during the birth of her only child,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17a daughter, and was buried in the grounds.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23There are, of course, rumoured sightings of a wandering ghost,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27but in the castle chapel, her tomb is very much on full view.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30This is not the original tomb.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34The church and the castle were both slighted after the Civil War
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and, effectively, the body disappeared
0:19:37 > 0:19:41and then some tourists hired a tenant farmer to dig for it
0:19:41 > 0:19:43and they found a bit of an alabaster tomb,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45and on top of the alabaster tomb was a little plaque saying,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47"Here lieth Queen Catherine".
0:19:47 > 0:19:51And eventually, when the Dent family bought the church,
0:19:51 > 0:19:56they decided to rebuild this completely and build a proper tomb,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58like this wonderful thing that we have in front
0:19:58 > 0:20:00to commemorate Queen Catherine.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05The castle also houses some curious historical exhibits,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08which will put Gill and Andy's ingenuity to the test.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- So what do you think of that? - Well, I think it's a bed warmer.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13It's obviously for warming something,
0:20:13 > 0:20:18because you have to unscrew that, but you can also hold it like that.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20You're on the right tracks but it's not a bed warmer.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- It would be quite heavy to carry. It's not a bed warmer?- No.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- Is it a lap warmer? A hand warmer? - Go down a bit.- Oh, a feet warmer.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Foot warmer for in a coach. A foot warmer in a coach.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- Oh, wow!- Now this one is possibly the weirdest.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33It's very ornate, isn't it?
0:20:33 > 0:20:35It's quite heavy, so I'll keep holding it.
0:20:35 > 0:20:36I've got no idea what this is.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Is it for winding wool?
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Not for winding wool, but think of something we would consider
0:20:40 > 0:20:44quite ordinary inside there, the way you need it to turn.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- It's not an hourglass, is it? - An hourglass, yes.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51This bizarre thing was designed to keep a sermon short.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- In here, once the hourglass had run out, the priest had to be quiet.- Oh!
0:20:56 > 0:20:59After a fascinating insight into Sudeley's impressive heritage,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03it's definitely time to return to finding Gill and Andy
0:21:03 > 0:21:05their own splendid residence.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15For our second property,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17we're travelling less than a mile from Chipping Campden
0:21:17 > 0:21:19to the hamlet of Broad Campden.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Here, locals can enjoy the atmosphere
0:21:22 > 0:21:24of the 17th-century country pub.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Cotswold stone cottages are surrounded by rolling farmland,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33largely given over to sheep and accessed via a network of bridleways
0:21:33 > 0:21:36and footpaths, including the Heart of England Way.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39We're heading to the edge of the hamlet,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42where the four-bedroomed detached house I want to show them
0:21:42 > 0:21:43is located.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- This is a very different offering. - Yes, it is, isn't it?- Yes, it is.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- So this is an altogether more spacious...- OK.- ..affair.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58This started off as a 1950s bungalow and then it's been extended,
0:21:58 > 0:22:00actually quite recently, in the last ten years or so,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03up into the roof and there's little bits and bobs like the porch.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05I like the approach to the house.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07I like the frontage, the garden, it's lovely.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10We couldn't decide how you would split it, so we're not going to,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12you know, chase you in one direction or the other,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- but you could go left-right. You could go up and down.- OK.- OK.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- Shall we take a look inside? - Oh, yes.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22First impressions are encouraging and I hope this option
0:22:22 > 0:22:26has more of the flexibility Gill and Andy are looking for.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27Come in. Beautiful parquet floor...
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Yes, lovely. Noticed that straight away.- ..throughout.- Yes.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Yes, this is a nice space.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Obviously, this is their living room with these beautiful French doors.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Lovely. - Out into a very expansive garden.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40And what happened is that this was a separate bedroom
0:22:40 > 0:22:42and they've knocked this through, so officially,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45you have another room with another set of French doors.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- OK.- Cos, of course, you could go upstairs-downstairs.- Mm, mm.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50But this has, unlike the other one,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52offers the possibility of going left and right.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55The fact that you have the potential to either go up, down
0:22:55 > 0:22:57or left and right is really interesting,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00but it's the logistics, then, of how you do that.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04Good. Well, let's continue the tour, cos it will become clearer.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Here's the kitchen. Lovely range.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- Lovely units.- Very nice, yes. I like the style of the units.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- Nice and airy again.- It is.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15And it kind of flows through into this...
0:23:15 > 0:23:18This is an extension that they put on, but a very charming one.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- There's lots of double windows out into the garden.- There are.- Yeah.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24In between the window and the door, there was a door,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- so it would be easy to reinstate it. - Right.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28It might be possible to put a staircase at this end of the house.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30It might. Yes.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31So the ground floor, I mean,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- it's essentially a great big, long suite of rooms...- Mm.
0:23:34 > 0:23:35..which you could easily divide in two
0:23:35 > 0:23:37but you could have this as your floor,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- in which case we need to look at the top floor.- Yep.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44The ground floor also has two bedrooms,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46one currently used as a study,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49and both share a Jack and Jill bathroom.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53There is a cloakroom, a utility area and a double garage.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55As these are mainly stud walls, with some expert advice,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58it would be fairly easy to reconfigure the layout,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02but could living side by side work for Gill and Andy
0:24:02 > 0:24:05or would they prefer to keep an upstairs-downstairs arrangement,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07once they see the upper floor?
0:24:07 > 0:24:09So what we've got upstairs, really,
0:24:09 > 0:24:14- is all the loft space taken out and skylights all along...- OK.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17..from one end, all the way to the other.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19Then they have it set up so there's three bedrooms.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- This is the master suite. - Yes.- I love the whole...
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- Yes.- ..feeling of light and space across the top of the building,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30which makes me think that, you know, the up-down...
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- Might be better?- ..might be better.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- Yeah.- If we were to keep it as an up-down,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37then I would keep this as the bedroom at the end.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41It would be a shame to spoil this, cos it is a beautiful, light, airy,
0:24:41 > 0:24:43large bedroom with plenty of storage.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45This house, I think, has a lot more flexibility.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- Yes, it has.- Much more so than the last but we have always said
0:24:48 > 0:24:51we need a garden that's easy to maintain.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53We've got to be careful not to get carried away.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- Let's look at the garden and talk about that, then.- OK.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01So far, it seems that this property has something for both of them,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03so it just remains to see if the generous garden,
0:25:03 > 0:25:07with its heated plunge pool, will be more than they bargained for.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- It is a big garden. - It is a big garden.
0:25:13 > 0:25:14Very beautiful.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17It is about three quarters of an acre, which is a big plot.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- Yes. It would take a lot of maintenance.- Yes.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22But once we know the price,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25and what we'd need to spend on the house,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28there might be room to have somebody come in and look after the garden
0:25:28 > 0:25:30- for us.- Well, it's on the market for...
0:25:30 > 0:25:31Oh! You're trying to trick me!
0:25:31 > 0:25:34But that's your job. What do you think the price is?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37I think it's got to be much nearer the top of our budget. 850,000?
0:25:37 > 0:25:39No, it's less than that.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41It's about 800,000, I would say.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44It's actually just a shade under what you said.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46It's on at £798,000.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Wow, that's good. - That's a good price.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50That gives us a bit to play with.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Do have a walk around, cos this is a property where you do need to
0:25:53 > 0:25:55kind of have another look, and I'll see you at the front.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57- OK.- Thank you.- OK, thank you.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Phew! I think we are much closer to the mark with this one.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04It's a tricky challenge to find this property
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and if the big garden is the main bone of contention,
0:26:07 > 0:26:08I think we did pretty well.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14£102,000 below budget,
0:26:14 > 0:26:17this extended property would leave a healthy sum
0:26:17 > 0:26:21for our semidetached couple to create separate living spaces
0:26:21 > 0:26:24side-by-side or on different floors.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26With three reception rooms, a kitchen,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28and two bedrooms on the ground floor,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32as well as a further four rooms split into two suites upstairs,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35the house could provide a real balance of accommodation.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38And although the garden is larger than they hoped for,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42there should be enough left over to pay for a gardener.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45I don't think there's a huge amount of work to be done in this place
0:26:45 > 0:26:48to make it suitable for me and Andy. Certainly downstairs,
0:26:48 > 0:26:52from my point of view, the changes would because cosmetic.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55I love this long, open, galleried feel to this.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59This space is very much what you've always hankered after.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- Yeah, I love the loft...- The loft look.- ..the loft look, yeah.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- I think it would be fantastic.- Hmm.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Having looked at it, the up-down solution is the better one,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11because it gives both of us the space we require
0:27:11 > 0:27:15without really damaging the intrinsic architecture
0:27:15 > 0:27:16of the building too much.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- Hello.- Hello.- Hello.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20- All done?- All done. - Yeah, I think so.- Excellent. Good,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22So that's our last house for the day.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- Let's go and find a little place to rest and relax.- Good idea.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Morning has broken on the second day of our fascinating house search
0:27:35 > 0:27:38with married couple Gill and Andy.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40With their 900,000 budget,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43they want to swap the cramped chaos of London
0:27:43 > 0:27:45for the charm of the Cotswolds.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49But the aspiration is for completely independent living
0:27:49 > 0:27:50under one roof.
0:27:50 > 0:27:51Still to come -
0:27:51 > 0:27:54the Mystery House has us positively bursting with excitement.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56I've got to contain myself.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59No, don't. Let it go. Let it all out!
0:27:59 > 0:28:01And I learn how to transform the local harvest
0:28:01 > 0:28:03into a brand-new scent.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Wonderful. We'll take it straight into production.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Conquer the world with Eau d'Appleton!
0:28:09 > 0:28:12It's the second day of our property hunt here in the Cotswolds
0:28:12 > 0:28:16and one thing became clear to me yesterday is that Andy and Gill,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19they are the experts when it comes to putting all the pieces
0:28:19 > 0:28:22of this particular property puzzle together.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25So the Mystery House gives them lots of pieces,
0:28:25 > 0:28:29but without the big garden piece and the out-in-the-countryside piece,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33but how on earth they are going to configure them, I don't really know.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35But watch this space.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Where do you think we might be going for the Mystery House?
0:28:40 > 0:28:45You've shown us two - in Cotswolds terms - relatively recent builds.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50I think the Mystery House might be an older, more traditional house.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53I don't think you'd be cruel enough to show us a plot of land
0:28:53 > 0:28:55on which to build, although you might!
0:28:58 > 0:28:59For our Mystery House,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02we're heading 12 miles east of Moreton-in-Marsh
0:29:02 > 0:29:05into the Oxfordshire section of the Cotswolds
0:29:05 > 0:29:07and the village of Hook Norton.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10The village is home to a famous local brewery,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13housed in a grand, late Victorian building,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16producing the renowned Hooky cask ales.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19There's also a museum telling its brewing history.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21But the village is no museum,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24as community spirit is alive and well here,
0:29:24 > 0:29:27with many amenities to hand, including a post office, shops
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and a choice of three public houses.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32Right in the centre of the village,
0:29:32 > 0:29:36a former pub has been transformed into this substantial property -
0:29:36 > 0:29:38our seven-bedroom Mystery House.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Hopefully it will fulfil our couple's quest
0:29:41 > 0:29:43to create two homes in one.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Ooh! It's the Mystery House.
0:29:49 > 0:29:50I'm very excited about this one.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52- Yes, I am, too!- You are, too?
0:29:52 > 0:29:55I am. Look, see! I love the immediate environment.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Beautiful. And I love the outside.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59That's the look I had in mind.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02It's an exceptional building - quite excited to show you around,
0:30:02 > 0:30:04largely because it's got two front doors.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06I see that, yes.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- Go, go!- We were like, "It's got two front doors!
0:30:08 > 0:30:10"Show it to them, show it to them!" What do you think?
0:30:10 > 0:30:11- It looks great.- Wonderful.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14- Come on, let's go! - Can't wait to get inside.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Dating back to the 17th century,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20the mystery property was a pub until 2012,
0:30:20 > 0:30:24when it was bought and converted into a luxury home.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26And the unique pedigree of the building is such
0:30:26 > 0:30:29that it has been given a Grade II listing.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Woohoo! Here we come.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35Wow!
0:30:37 > 0:30:41Oh, it's beautiful, isn't it? I've got to contain myself.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44No, don't. Let it go, let it all out!
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- You've got these amazing Yorkstone flagstones.- Yes, yes.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48And an incredible fire.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50The fabric of the building is listed,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- so that means things like the fireplace, the beams...- Yes.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56..you have to work hand-in-glove with the planning officers,
0:30:56 > 0:30:58so you can do things, but you'd have to get them on board.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01- Yeah, yeah.- OK. - Well, you ain't seen nothing yet.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03It gets better and better. Follow me.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Here you go.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13This is beautiful.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16- Absolutely. Oh, look! - A well.- A well.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18This is absolutely beautiful.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- It's beautiful, isn't it?- It is. - I just hope...
0:31:22 > 0:31:25..we can create equal space for you.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28This is, if you like, the sort of atrium of the house.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Watch the kitchen, the snug, lots of storage comes off.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- Be still, my beating heart! - THEY LAUGH
0:31:35 > 0:31:36Let's have a peek in the kitchen.
0:31:39 > 0:31:40Come in.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43More of the quarry tiles.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- Wow!- And more beams.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48I've really got to rein myself in.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50- I know. - Is this pressing all the buttons?
0:31:50 > 0:31:52Oh!
0:31:52 > 0:31:54Yeah.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Well, there's nothing more you can say, really, is there?
0:31:56 > 0:31:58It's just stunningly beautiful.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- Yeah.- As we've discovered with the two properties yesterday,
0:32:01 > 0:32:05it's the upstairs that often gives the difficulty.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08Well, the upstairs is rather special, so let's have a look.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14The ground floor also includes a dining room with an open fire,
0:32:14 > 0:32:16a cosy snug, a study,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18a walk-in pantry
0:32:18 > 0:32:21and a utility room with WC.
0:32:21 > 0:32:26But with accommodation that spans around 3,500 square feet,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29there's plenty more to house Andy on the two upper floors,
0:32:29 > 0:32:33which were once the living quarters for the publican.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35- Mind your head.- OK.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36This is the master bedroom.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- It's a lovely room, isn't it? Lovely view of the garden.- Yeah.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43And right next-door is the sort of the master en suite,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46but, actually, that was at some point an upstairs kitchenette.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48- Right.- So it has all the plumbing for that.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53So this could be your living space, kitchen/dining area.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Yes, if that were to be put back to a kitchen,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57it's going to be a very small kitchen.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59That's not an issue.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03I can see the beauty of the whole house but how it stacks together
0:33:03 > 0:33:05to create two living spaces at the moment, I cannot...
0:33:05 > 0:33:07I cannot compute.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09- Yeah.- Yet.- Yet.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14On the other side of the master bedroom,
0:33:14 > 0:33:18another good-sized bathroom serves three further bedrooms.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22One, a bright double, another currently set up as a twin,
0:33:22 > 0:33:24and the last, also a large double,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26with an impressive feature fireplace.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- OK. I know this is all probably a bit overwhelming.- Yeah.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33What are your thoughts?
0:33:33 > 0:33:37It's obviously got lots of potential and it's all been beautifully done.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39I just think it's beautiful.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42But I know it's got to be right for Andy, too.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45There are two staircases up to the top floor.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49The first of these leads to two further bedrooms and a bathroom,
0:33:49 > 0:33:53whilst the second staircase serves yet another double bedroom.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57This makes a total of seven bedrooms and three bathrooms
0:33:57 > 0:33:59on the upper two floors.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02By using the second doorway from the street
0:34:02 > 0:34:04and blocking off a couple of rooms from the stairs,
0:34:04 > 0:34:08Andy could have private access to these two upper floors
0:34:08 > 0:34:11that would then form his part of the house.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14They could also reinstall a kitchen to create a large living space
0:34:14 > 0:34:18on the middle floor, although this plan does give Andy more floor space
0:34:18 > 0:34:21than Gill, but if the house is a conundrum,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23outside is more straightforward,
0:34:23 > 0:34:27where an enclosed, easy-to-maintain plot has a wall running through it.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31So this garden is a bit more manageable.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- Yes.- Yes, it certainly is. - Much better.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35A big smile!
0:34:35 > 0:34:39OK, the big question is, can you afford it? What is the price?
0:34:39 > 0:34:42I'm going to be really hopeful that it's...
0:34:42 > 0:34:43£5 under our top budget.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46I think it's at the top of our budget.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48I think it's slightly over at 910.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Well, in this instance, we're not that nasty.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54It is on the market for...
0:34:54 > 0:34:57£895,000.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Right, OK.- And the owner said she would be open to offers.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- You would still have to do some knocking around.- Yes, yes.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05So go in and have a good old look around
0:35:05 > 0:35:07- and I'll see you at the front.- OK.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14£5,000 below budget and open to offers,
0:35:14 > 0:35:16this listed Mystery House has the space
0:35:16 > 0:35:21to give them two good-sized homes, subject to planning consent.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24It has seven bedrooms, four reception rooms,
0:35:24 > 0:35:26a kitchen/breakfast room
0:35:26 > 0:35:29and plumbing for a second kitchen on the middle floor.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Plus, there's a low-maintenance walled garden
0:35:31 > 0:35:35and it all lies in the heart of a popular Cotswold village.
0:35:36 > 0:35:41I'm having to rein myself in because I love this property.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43The space that would be mine is practically perfect -
0:35:43 > 0:35:45I don't think I could improve on it.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47It's just...
0:35:47 > 0:35:49perfect.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53When I first saw the Mystery House, I was really quite excited.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56It immediately created an emotional response.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00I cannot say whether I feel it is a house
0:36:00 > 0:36:02that could serve both Gill and I
0:36:02 > 0:36:05because the upstairs is much more complex,
0:36:05 > 0:36:08in terms of how you would reconfigure it.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Ah! Look at that.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Double doors. It's all coming together.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- How are you feeling?- Oh, great!
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- Yes, it's a stunning house but a complex problem.- Beautiful.
0:36:22 > 0:36:23It is, isn't it?
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- Well, let's go and find somewhere to think about it.- OK.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Much of the Cotswold landscape -
0:36:33 > 0:36:35from dry stone walls to pretty market towns -
0:36:35 > 0:36:37is a legacy from the Middle Ages,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41when the area was at the centre of the wool trade.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44But changing demands over the centuries have led farmers
0:36:44 > 0:36:47to find new ways to make a living from the land.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51I'm meeting Charlie Bird, who is a third-generation farmer
0:36:51 > 0:36:53and who is championing one of the most recent additions
0:36:53 > 0:36:55to the rolling Cotswold fields,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59something perhaps more commonly associated with the south of France,
0:36:59 > 0:37:00lavender.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05So, how long have you been growing lavender? When did you start?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07We started growing lavender in 2000,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09so it's still a relatively new crop in some ways for us.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12And was that a departure from what you did before?
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Yeah, we were then and still are arable farmers but lavender started
0:37:16 > 0:37:18as a little bit of a diversification on the farm and now it's become
0:37:18 > 0:37:21the most important crop on the farm, and the rest of the farm
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- is now a bit of a sideline.- So talk me through the kind of seasons.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Yeah, full bloom will be in about a week's time.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29We'll start harvesting in the last week of July
0:37:29 > 0:37:32and it'll take us about two weeks to complete harvest.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Cos it's the oil you're looking for. That's the kind of key ingredient?
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Yeah, the oil's a very important thing for us, yes.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Lavender produces oil as a reaction to drought stress,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43so what we're after are really hot, dry conditions before harvest.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Worst case scenario is very heavy rain
0:37:46 > 0:37:48and we have had total crop failures.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50For example, this field here,
0:37:50 > 0:37:52we had five inches of rain the day before we were going to harvest
0:37:52 > 0:37:56a few years back, and that just knocked all the flowers off completely.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- The whole thing lost? - Yeah, no harvest whatsoever.- Yikes.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Despite the vagaries of the English weather,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08the farm now grows three different varieties of lavender.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12Half a million plants set out over 70 miles of rows
0:38:12 > 0:38:16yield up to 1,500 litres of oil a year.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Each plant will produce about 1.5ml of oil,
0:38:19 > 0:38:23so there's 10ml of oil there. That'll come from around six plants.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26So what happens to the oil? Where are your main kind of outlets?
0:38:26 > 0:38:28We use about 20% of oil that we produce ourselves,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31through the farm here. We have a shop on site.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35We also sell off-site to soap-makers, candle-makers,
0:38:35 > 0:38:37perfumers and people like that.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40So we're going to go and visit the perfumier in Bourton-on-the-Water,
0:38:40 > 0:38:42just around the corner. So do you supply to them?
0:38:42 > 0:38:43We do supply them, yeah.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46They use our lavender in some of the products that they make.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Excellent, so we will see your oil at work.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49- Great.- Very nice to meet you.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Good luck with the harvest. I hope it doesn't get washed away.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Thank you very much.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Ten miles from the lavender fields
0:38:56 > 0:38:59is the perfumery in Bourton-on-the-Water.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- Hello, John.- Morning.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04It was founded in the 1960s by the father of John Stephen,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07the current nose behind the family business,
0:39:07 > 0:39:11who sends his products as far afield as Russia and the Middle East.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14So, Charlie's oil is world-class oil, is it?
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Well, English lavender oil is unique
0:39:16 > 0:39:19and it's very, very different from any other lavender in the world
0:39:19 > 0:39:22and very highly prized in perfumery.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26John is going to demonstrate the qualities of this local lavender oil
0:39:26 > 0:39:29by creating a new scent for men.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31First of all, we would plan out the fragrance,
0:39:31 > 0:39:35decide what oils you're going to put in the fragrance,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38decide on the amounts and then mix it together.
0:39:38 > 0:39:39We'd normally start with a base.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Base notes evaporate very slowly.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44If you have a lot of high proportion of base notes,
0:39:44 > 0:39:47your perfume will last a long time but it's going to be rather heady.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Doesn't everybody want their perfume to last a long time?
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Ideally, but, you know,
0:39:52 > 0:39:55everybody wants a loaf of bread to stay fresh for a month
0:39:55 > 0:39:57- but it doesn't.- Good... Good analogy!
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Vetiver, that's my favourite scent.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Yes, very nice. I always get the Vetiver from Haiti.
0:40:03 > 0:40:04Wow.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07We'd better put Charlie's oil now, hadn't we? So, it's that one.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11A good middle note to go with your lavender fragrance
0:40:11 > 0:40:13would be the solvent-extracted lavender,
0:40:13 > 0:40:15which is a lavender absolute.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18And then we could do with some bergamot, as a top note,
0:40:18 > 0:40:21because that lightens and freshens it and brings it through.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25Well, we could put five drops of each, and 20 of the bergamot...
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- Cool.- ..and see how it goes.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28With the scents selected,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31the drops of essential oil are mixed together with ethanol
0:40:31 > 0:40:33to create a 10% solution.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37- Have a smell of that. - I can smell a lot of bergamot.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39It goes very well with the lavender, though, doesn't it?
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Wonderful. We'll take it straight into production.
0:40:42 > 0:40:43Conquer the world with Eau d'Appleton!
0:40:43 > 0:40:47- Thank you, John, a real pleasure. Have a good, smelly day.- OK!
0:40:51 > 0:40:53It feels like the Mystery House
0:40:53 > 0:40:56has really brought this double pot to the boil.
0:40:56 > 0:40:57Particularly Andy, I think,
0:40:57 > 0:40:59is exhausted after all that re-sketching
0:40:59 > 0:41:01and replanning where everything is going to go,
0:41:01 > 0:41:03so it'll be interesting to see what they have to say
0:41:03 > 0:41:06now they've had a moment to sit down and rest.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- This is very nice, isn't it? - It certainly is.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16What's your status right now? How are you feeling about the houses?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19House number two, initially, I was very sceptical about,
0:41:19 > 0:41:21because it looks like a bungalow,
0:41:21 > 0:41:24but actually, inside, the potential is fantastic
0:41:24 > 0:41:27because you would have to do very little downstairs
0:41:27 > 0:41:30to create a separate living space
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and certainly, upstairs, I liked that galleried feel of that
0:41:33 > 0:41:37and that again would take very little configuration.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39The biggest drawback on property number two
0:41:39 > 0:41:41was the size of the garden, which was, for us,
0:41:41 > 0:41:44would have been unmanageable and just a burden.
0:41:44 > 0:41:45What about the Mystery House?
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Oh, I fell in love with the Mystery House.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Typical Cotswold feel.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52It was exceptionally beautiful
0:41:52 > 0:41:54and would have worked well as a family house.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57The upstairs, which is kind of higgledy-piggledy,
0:41:57 > 0:41:59is less easy to rearrange,
0:41:59 > 0:42:03so there are lots of things that we need to take into consideration.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07Although I think, both our hearts are saying, "Buy me! Buy me!"
0:42:07 > 0:42:08So what happens right now,
0:42:08 > 0:42:11now that we've seen all the houses and the dust has settled?
0:42:11 > 0:42:12What's the next step?
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Have a careful look at the floor plan of the Mystery House
0:42:16 > 0:42:18and then move forward from there.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Thank you so much for coming on the show,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23cos it's been a really fascinating project to work through with you
0:42:23 > 0:42:25and do let us know if you manage to square the circle
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- and find this place.- Oh, we will, we will. And thank you so much.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30- Thank you very much. - It's been a joy.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35What an intriguing house search,
0:42:35 > 0:42:38and what an intriguing dynamic there between Andy and Gill.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41I wonder whether they'd ever find a house that completely resolved
0:42:41 > 0:42:43what they were looking for in one building.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Though I have to say, we did very well. We found two,
0:42:46 > 0:42:48I think, that offered them great new ways
0:42:48 > 0:42:51of thinking about that particular compromise.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54I hope you enjoyed the show and I hope you'll join us next time
0:42:54 > 0:42:56for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00If you would like to escape to the country in England, Scotland,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Wales or Northern Ireland and need our help,
0:43:03 > 0:43:05please apply online at...