0:00:02 > 0:00:05This humble-looking structure may look like a hermit's shelter
0:00:05 > 0:00:07but 300 years ago, it was literally firing up the economy
0:00:07 > 0:00:10of the county I'm visiting today.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Find out what was made there and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Today, we're helping a married couple fulfil a lifelong dream.
0:00:34 > 0:00:40- Oh, crikey.- Wow!- That's fantastic. - I could see myself in this.- Yes.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44And our property search brings out the full spectrum of reactions.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48I do like that, it's just all my worst nightmares.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Today, I'm in Devon, near Bideford,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and this is one of the many remaining lime kilns
0:00:54 > 0:00:57scattered across the north Devon coast and estuaries.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Before the advent of cement,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02quicklime was used as a building material
0:01:02 > 0:01:05but also as a soil fertiliser and to make paint
0:01:05 > 0:01:08and it's manufactured by taking raw limestone,
0:01:08 > 0:01:12transported often as far away as south Wales here,
0:01:12 > 0:01:14and then burnt in the kilns.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17So, these little relics of our industrial past
0:01:17 > 0:01:21are not the only fascinating thing about this stunning county.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Devon sits in the southwest of England,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28with land borders to its west and east
0:01:28 > 0:01:30and the Bristol Channel to its north
0:01:30 > 0:01:32and the English Channel to its south.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37The northern coastline features rugged, rocky outcrops and cliffs,
0:01:37 > 0:01:41as well as natural harbours, such as the one at Ilfracombe.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Such geographic features encouraged maritime trade,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48as well as providing strategic start points for several invasions,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51notably to Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland
0:01:51 > 0:01:52in the 13th century.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Smaller coves dot this coastline.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Combe Martin, located in an area of outstanding natural beauty,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05features a sandy beach, flanked by natural rock pools.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Other seaside resorts include Lynmouth and Lynton,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11a twin town, separated by a 700-foot gorge
0:02:11 > 0:02:15and joined by a water-powered funicular railway,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17opened in late Victorian times.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23Devon has provided inspiration for an array of writers and artists.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27Damien Hirst has recently made his home and his mark here,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30whilst the 19th-century novelist RD Blackmore
0:02:30 > 0:02:33set the historical romance Lorna Doone
0:02:33 > 0:02:35around Exmoor National park.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38In the village of Malmsmead,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40the packhorse bridge featured in the story
0:02:40 > 0:02:43can still be seen crossing the river.
0:02:43 > 0:02:44With so much on offer,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48it's no surprise that the county proves popular with those seeking
0:02:48 > 0:02:51a temporary or more permanent escape to the country.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58As you've just seen, Devon is a particularly desirable place to live
0:02:58 > 0:03:00and that's reflected in the prices.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04The average price for a detached property here is around £310,000,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08which is £25,000 above the national figure.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11And, as you might expect, in the north of the county,
0:03:11 > 0:03:15it's properties near the coast that command a particular premium.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Villages like Croyde or Georgeham, just south of Ilfracombe,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22are very desirable because of their proximity to stunning beaches
0:03:22 > 0:03:23and great surfing.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27But the plethora of property in the town of Ilfracombe itself
0:03:27 > 0:03:29means that you can pick up bargains there.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32So, what's attracted our buyers to this lovely part of the world?
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39Tony and Sheila were born and raised in the same Midlands city,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41but it wasn't until their teenage years
0:03:41 > 0:03:43that their paths first crossed.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47We met in Derby at a youth club.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- We were 16 at the time. - We were both 16, yeah.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53We've been married 50 years next April.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Soon after their marriage, Tony found work in Oxford
0:03:57 > 0:04:01as a professional photographer and the couple relocated to the city.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05But Sheila never lost sight of a lifelong dream.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08I always was promised, when we moved to Oxford,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10I was going to get a cottage,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14but it didn't work out like that, so I'm still looking for my cottage.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Tony finally retired a few years ago.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24The time was right to relocate to the peace of the countryside.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26They bought what appeared to be Sheila's dream cottage
0:04:26 > 0:04:31next to a disused airfield, but it soon turned out to be a nightmare.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Four years ago,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36we thought we'd found the ideal place in the country.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40It was a converted cowshed, very, very nice.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43The day we moved in, however, it got very noisy.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46There were aircraft and then the military moved in as well,
0:04:46 > 0:04:47so we decided this wasn't for us.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50We wanted a quiet, nice place to live in the country
0:04:50 > 0:04:52and it didn't work out.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56The couple decided to sell up
0:04:56 > 0:04:59but are now left living in a one-bedroom flat
0:04:59 > 0:05:03above their daughter's garages, with all their belongings in storage.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06It's a far cry from what they wanted from retirement.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10My daughter doesn't want us, really, to go.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13She'd like us living here for a long while,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17but I don't want to be a geriatric and not having done anything.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I've still got life in me yet.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22I've got multiple sclerosis.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26I've had MS for quite a long while and I will not be beaten.
0:05:26 > 0:05:27I am stubborn.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Life IS short and we need to get on with what we want to do.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34And after the last one, we've got to get it right.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Putting health concerns and false starts behind them,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42the couple are keen to make their second attempt at moving a success.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45And this time, they have their sights set on the seaside
0:05:45 > 0:05:46and north Devon.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50The area we like the best is on that north coast.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52It's not quite so commercial.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55They say the coast is best for you - the fresh air,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58just away from all that traffic, having sea air.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Just walking along cliffs in the open air, really.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07After their move, Sheila would like to spend more time on her art,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10whilst Tony would like to continue with his role
0:06:10 > 0:06:12as a voluntary first responder.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13But, most of all,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17they want to make the most of every day they have together.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23I want to go out there and do my own thing and live my life, you know,
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- not through what everybody else wants me to do - what- I- want to do.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30If I live to 80, I want to enjoy the next ten years.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33We need to be in a place we can enjoy
0:06:33 > 0:06:35and be accepted as part of a community.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38I do hope that we can find a nice place now.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- We have been trying for two years. - Yes.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43And we're quite picky, I have to admit.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Tony and Sheila have asked us
0:06:48 > 0:06:50to concentrate our search in north Devon,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54with its easier access to and from their friends and family in Oxford.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58They admit they're picky, but I'm about to find out how true that is,
0:06:58 > 0:07:03as we meet up in the county to learn more about the home they're after.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- Good morning, guys. - Good morning.- Good morning.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08What attracts you to this area? It's a beautiful part of the country.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12I like the views, the coast and I like the ruggedness.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- You know this area quite well, don't you?- Yes, we do.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16We've been looking for a house for two years.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18You've been looking for a while.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20What's put you off the properties you've seen?
0:07:20 > 0:07:23It's always just little bits that's not quite right.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25We also have had certain instances
0:07:25 > 0:07:29where we've arrived outside the house and then phoned the agent
0:07:29 > 0:07:30to say don't bother coming over.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32We know when we look at a place
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- whether it's going to be right or not.- OK, you can't do that today.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36- No, OK.- We won't do that.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Just be polite and go round, cos we have selected some nice ones.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40Tell me about the location.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Do you want to be way out in the countryside?
0:07:42 > 0:07:44I don't mind being out in the countryside,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47so we're quite adaptable to where we'd like to be.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51Want to be able to sit outside in the evening and look out over views.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Want somewhere quiet, really, that's the main thing.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- Not a main road, no wind turbines, no industry.- And no airfields.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- And no airfields. - Definitely no airfields.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06- Remind us how much money you've got to play with.- £300,000 to £325,000.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- £325,000. We always like the highest figure.- Yes, I thought you might.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Obviously, the coast does command premium prices.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Well, yes, we're prepared for that.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18So, what would you compromise on, if you had to compromise?
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- Er, two bedrooms.- Two bedrooms. - And then cut out one bedroom.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25We don't mind a place that needs a bit of renovation,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27so if we can go in at a lower price
0:08:27 > 0:08:29and then add to it, that wouldn't be a problem.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32You don't mind rolling up your sleeves and doing a bit of DIY?
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- No.- Absolutely.- And what about the style of the house?
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- Are you fussed about modern or old? - An old property.- Old?- Old, yes.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42So you have a bit of flexibility, but you also are quite picky.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Yes, I suppose, yeah. I always wanted a cottage.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48So you know your mind, that's good.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- We've got three lovely properties lined up, all quite different.- Yeah.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55So we're hoping you won't walk off before you actually go in them,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- but while the weather's nice, we should start.- OK.- OK.- Follow me.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04With a maximum budget of £325,000,
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Sheila and Tony are looking to finally fulfil
0:09:08 > 0:09:10that dream of living in a cottage.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11They'd like an old property
0:09:11 > 0:09:14with a minimum of two, but preferably three, bedrooms.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18They don't mind getting stuck in and doing some work themselves
0:09:18 > 0:09:22and they're flexible about location, as long as it is peaceful.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26They're also keen to have some countryside views.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28We've lined up three great homes to show them
0:09:28 > 0:09:33and I'll be asking them to guess the price of each before I reveal it.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36The last one is the Mystery Property, which has lots to offer,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39although it's not exactly what they've asked for.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42First though, we're heading to house number one.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- You guys have been married 50 years, is that right?- 50 years in April.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Wow.- Mmm.- So, presumably, that means you're on the same wavelength.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- You must be to be together that long.- I think we are, aren't we?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- We are, really. - We like similar things.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- Is that true of house-buying as well?- Yes.- Very much so.- Yeah.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04So, do you want to put down roots here
0:10:04 > 0:10:07or do you see there will be a few more moves after this one?
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Oh, no I don't see a lot more, cos we're 70 now,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12so you don't want to keep moving.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- Which is why this has got to be the right one.- Yeah.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21Our first foray into north Devon is a three-mile drive
0:10:21 > 0:10:22from the market town of Barnstaple
0:10:22 > 0:10:25and about ten miles from the north Devon coast,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27in the village of Goodleigh.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Poised to ring out across the rolling hills,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33the bell tower of Goodleigh's gothic-style St Gregory's church
0:10:33 > 0:10:36dates back to the turn of the 15th century,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40although the rest was largely rebuilt in Victorian times.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Nearby, a former Methodist church now houses a preschool.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47With a pub, hall and plenty of pastoral scenery,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49this location is far enough away
0:10:49 > 0:10:52from the county's busy tourist hotspots
0:10:52 > 0:10:56to offer all the peace and quiet Sheila and Tony have asked for.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59The detached home I want to show them
0:10:59 > 0:11:01is situated at the edge of the village.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- Here we have our first offering. - Mmm, it's quite quaint, isn't it?
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- It's quite sweet, isn't it?- It's in a very quiet place.- Very quiet.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- No airfields.- I know, no noise. - It's super-quiet.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- You can hear the birds singing. - It's nice.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14You are right on the edge of the village.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17You've got these lovely views over the open fields.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20It looks as if there's a lot of houses into the back garden though.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Looks as if it's probably blocked in a bit.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I quite like the look of it at first,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27but we'll have to see the inside.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- Let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32This house was only built in 2003
0:11:32 > 0:11:36and has been already refurbished throughout by the current owners.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38'We're turning right from the central hall,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41'into what is now a generously-proportioned space.'
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Come into the kitchen.
0:11:43 > 0:11:44This used to be the garage
0:11:44 > 0:11:47and the present owner converted this into a big kitchen-diner
0:11:47 > 0:11:50and what was the kitchen is now a big utility room
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- on the other side of the hall.- Yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- It's nicely done. I love the colours.- Quite spacious, isn't it?
0:11:55 > 0:12:00It is spacious. And nicely laid-out, isn't it? This is our style, yes.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- The Belfast sink as well, that's our style.- Definitely.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- Is it plucking at your heartstrings though?- The kitchen is.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- Kitchen certainly is. - But I'll wait and see the rest.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Let's continue the tour. I'll show you the main living space.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21'Located behind the kitchen-diner, to the rear of the property,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23'is the main reception room.'
0:12:23 > 0:12:26The sitting room runs the opposite direction.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29The kitchen comes in north-south and this is east-west,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- with the doors through into the garden.- It's a nice room.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- It is, isn't it?- It just seems a little room though, doesn't it?
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- It's a bit small for you, is it?- Er, a little. We've got two big settees.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- It's modern-looking.- It is too modern, I think.- Too modern?
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- I think so. - You don't have a beam anywhere.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49There's not a beam in sight.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54You normally get some kind of a beam showing in a real old property.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57You've got a nice log burner there, so for winter nights,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59you can keep nice and warm,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- but maybe not quite the right historic tone.- Yeah.- Mmm.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05The ground floor also features a downstairs shower
0:13:05 > 0:13:07and separate cloakroom.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11So far, the lack of period features here have met with disappointment
0:13:11 > 0:13:13from Sheila and Tony.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15'Still, there's more to see upstairs,
0:13:15 > 0:13:19'where a landing, set out as a study area with a skylight,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21'could be used for arts and crafts.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27'A well-appointed family bathroom serves three good-sized bedrooms -
0:13:27 > 0:13:32'a guest double, a generous single, with pretty views to fields,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34'and finally, their master bedroom.'
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- This is the biggest of the three. - Right.- It's not en suite.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40There's a walk-in wardrobe, though, in the eaves.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45- Room for lots of shoes and handbags. - It's got quite a lot of windows in.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Makes them very light rooms, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- In terms of space upstairs, is this what you're looking for?- Oh, yes.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53- Mmm.- Definitely.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56The whole house has got virtually the right amount of rooms.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00But if you'd got a bit more land, you could put a conservatory on,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03which opens it up quite considerably.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07'Well, let's see if the outside of this house offers the potential
0:14:07 > 0:14:09'to extend that Sheila is looking for.'
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Double wooden gates give access to parking for two cars,
0:14:13 > 0:14:18while fruit trees and flower beds frame a small lawned area,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21ornamental pond and patio seating.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26There's also a log store and shed, along with stunning country views.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29But it's not the largest of spaces.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31In terms of the size, is it too small?
0:14:31 > 0:14:36Um, there's nowhere I could put a conservatory on, if need be.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38You wouldn't even need an electric mower on this, would you?
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- You could do it by hand. - Pair of scissors.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44What about the proximity of neighbours?
0:14:44 > 0:14:48I'd rather just have fields there, if I could.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51If I sit here, I'd feel as if I'm being nosy
0:14:51 > 0:14:53and I can't look out
0:14:53 > 0:14:56because you look as if you're looking into somebody's house.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58So, what price tag would you put on this property?
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- Er...- You go first.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- 295?- I'd go 302.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Very fast and efficient.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09And almost exactly right. In between the two, you'd be spot-on.
0:15:09 > 0:15:15- It's on at £299,950.- Right, so we were quite close, weren't we?
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Not far off.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I'm going to let you go inside and explore a bit more,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- then I will meet you at the front. - OK, thank you.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26£25,000 below their top budget,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30this three-bedroom house provides the quiet location
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Sheila and Tony are after.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34As well as being detached,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38it has well-proportioned accommodation on both floors.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42There are lovely views inside and out and there is private parking.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45This is quite nice. Just enough for a single bed.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- We'd want one single bedroom, wouldn't we?- Yeah.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- They've got a dresser in as well. - Yes, ample space.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53The insides are fantastic.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Bedrooms are nice, the views are good
0:15:56 > 0:15:59and, if it was an old property, we would say this is the one.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02This house is just too modern for us, basically.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06We could discuss it and, perhaps, we might change our minds,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09but we don't know yet, until we've seen the other houses.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12I think the location of this house is quite good, actually.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16I think it's a very quiet village and you've got views over the back.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Overall, the size is not too bad.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22The garden's a little too small for us.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25A bit more, then you could have put a conservatory on
0:16:25 > 0:16:28and that would have allowed the house to be that bit bigger.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31If you close the door behind you,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- we're all ready for the next property. Follow me.- OK.- OK.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45There are signs of creative endeavour all over north Devon.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49One small coastal cabin in the village of Bucks Mills
0:16:49 > 0:16:51is now maintained by the National Trust,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55just as it was left by long-term resident artists
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards in 1971.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Mindful of Sheila's passion for art, we've lined up a meeting
0:17:04 > 0:17:07with another local artist 20 miles along the coast.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Caroline Baxter is keen to share her love
0:17:09 > 0:17:12for this very beautiful part of the world
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and show Tony and Sheila how she expresses it.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I brought you up here because this is a very special place for me.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20It's known as the Ilfracombe Torrs.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Locally, it's know as Little Switzerland
0:17:22 > 0:17:24because of all the hills.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Art-wise, it is just an artist's dream.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31It is wild, it's free, it's forever changing.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34In spring, it's bright green, in autumn, it's golden.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37What sort of artist are you? What materials do you use?
0:17:37 > 0:17:40I paint with wool. I'm a felt artist.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42I call them woolly watercolours.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Caroline includes local wool in her materials,
0:17:45 > 0:17:50much of which she dyes herself, using foraged natural products.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51She's cooking up her latest batch
0:17:51 > 0:17:54with a common kitchen-cupboard ingredient.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59I stewed up a load of onion skins and that's what we've got.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02What we're going to do is put the wool in here.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Caroline has used a solution
0:18:05 > 0:18:08to remove the natural oils from the wool
0:18:08 > 0:18:10and prepare it for the dye.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13She places it in a pan of cold water with the onion mixture,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16increasing the heat very slowly to prevent shrinkage.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19We'll simmer it for up to an hour and then it will be golden brown.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- It's just beginning to bubble now. - Yes, just beginning to bubble.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25What other things can you use to dye with?
0:18:25 > 0:18:27There's lots of things that I can forage locally -
0:18:27 > 0:18:31elder leaves, bark, berries, bracken and brambles.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Round here there's lots of things you can use.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36They're all those natural colours,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- especially of the moors and the cliff tops.- Right.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41You can already see that it's beginning to pick up
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- a lovely yellow colour.- Yeah.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46The next stage is to use the dyed wool
0:18:46 > 0:18:48to recreate Devon's scenic beauty.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Is that where we were this morning?
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Yeah, that's where we were this morning.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Caroline shows Sheila and Tony how to separate the fibres
0:18:55 > 0:18:57and mix them together like paint.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02The mixed colours are then placed onto a white background
0:19:02 > 0:19:04to build up a picture.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- There's a bit for you.- That's very blue. I think that's a bit TOO blue.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- Nice bit of sea.- That's not sea colour.- Well, it's a sunny day.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13All right. He's not very good at colours.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- Don't forget to put the sheep in. - You can make those.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Would you like to put some in, darling?
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- I think I'll leave the creativity to you, darling.- Typical man.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26You're doing so well and if I did it, it wouldn't be right.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28He's good at woodwork,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30so I suppose you can't be good at everything, can you?
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Now, to set the scene in place.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36We just warm it with our hands a bit, very gentle like that.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39The warmth of your hand and that gentle movement
0:19:39 > 0:19:42starts the felting process, very gently.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46You put this piece of netting over it to protect it
0:19:46 > 0:19:48and then we add soapy water.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- Mmm.- Basically, we're going to go across and wet our picture.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54We want all the fibres wet
0:19:54 > 0:19:59and you just press it down until it's all wet and flat.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02If we carefully take the netting off, we'll be able to see.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03- Oh, my gosh.- Brilliant.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06It's already beginning to look a bit more like a picture.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09So, we are now ready to felt.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Wool fibres are covered in microscopic hooklike scales.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19Wetting then rolling causes these to attach and bond together.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21This process of felting is similar
0:20:21 > 0:20:24to shrinking your jumper in the washing machine.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28After about 400 rolls and a rinse to get the soap out,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Sheila and Tony's creation is ready.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- So there's your felt picture. - Thank you very, very much.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38And please take it with and put it in pride of place in your new home.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- I will, actually. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45The next property is further inland,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48around a 45-minute drive to either the north or south coasts
0:20:48 > 0:20:52and just a couple of miles from the small market town of North Tawton
0:20:52 > 0:20:55in the village of Bondleigh.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Lying over the river, in the upper Taw Valley,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Bondleigh includes a church with some surviving Norman features
0:21:02 > 0:21:06and several pathways, such as the Tarka Trail, the fictional route
0:21:06 > 0:21:10taken by the well-known literary otter of the same name.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Facilities located three miles away in Winkleigh
0:21:13 > 0:21:17include a post office, butcher's shop and a choice of pubs.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21But back on the outskirts of Bondleigh,
0:21:21 > 0:21:25this inland location could give them the character bones they are after.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Look at our second offering.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- It is attached.- Oh.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35It's two-thirds of this building but it is old, it is historic,
0:21:35 > 0:21:39at least 200 years old. What are your first impressions?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42We've always said no to a semi.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- We once lived in a semi and it was disastrous.- Right.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- What about you, Tony? - I feel exactly the same,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51but let's have a look inside and see how it goes.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- You never know.- You do never know. Let's have a look.- OK.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00'Originally this property was a two-storey farm building,
0:22:00 > 0:22:01'known as a linney.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05'But it has a long-standing history of residential use,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07'as they'll see from the features inside.'
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- Come on in to the new and improved...- Oh, that's nice.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17- ..agricultural shed. - That's a "wow", yes.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19This would have been a building,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21typically, where you kept carriages and carts.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24This would have been the whole building, this space here,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27and these beams would have separated out different compartments.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30It's been extended over hundreds of years.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- You've got the lovely inglenook. - And the bread oven. That's lovely.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- It's a surprise, isn't it? - It is a surprise. Very surprised.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39It's a nice big lounge.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I like they way they've done the inset bits on the beams as well.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- It works really well. - Yeah, it's nice.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Come through to the kitchen cos I think you'll really like this.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- I think this is where the house really excels.- Wow. Oh, yes.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- That's fantastic!- That's lovely.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Another burner as well. - Yeah. Isn't that cute?
0:22:58 > 0:23:01This would have been the back wall of the original building,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04so this extension was put on before the present owners moved in.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- It's really lovely to have this long, open space.- It is.- It is.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- They've got a walk-in larder. - Yeah, wow.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12You've got space for a big dresser.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16We have a long sideboard which it would take. Lovely.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20And a wonderful, proper conservatory, with a brick base.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- A proper wood one.- Yeah. - I do love the kitchen.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- What do you think, Tony? - I like it. I like it very much.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- I could see myself in this.- Yes.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Ah, that's a good sign of approval after a slightly wobbly start.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- Yeah.- Yes, it was a wobbly start.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39- Let's look upstairs cos there are three bedrooms here.- Three?
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- That's good.- That's good.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44The character features inside this period property
0:23:44 > 0:23:46have clearly won over Sheila and Tony.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51'Stairs from the living room take us up to the first floor,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55'which I think offers them all the accommodation they want.'
0:23:55 > 0:23:58To the front and south-facing part of the home,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00there are two good-sized double bedrooms
0:24:00 > 0:24:04that could be for visitors or used as hobby rooms.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Both are served by a large family bathroom,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09with free-standing roll-top bath,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12whilst on the other side of the landing,
0:24:12 > 0:24:16we find the bedroom which could be theirs.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- This is the master bedroom. - That's a nice room. That's lovely.
0:24:20 > 0:24:26- Look at the fireplace.- This used to be a sloping attic space.- Oh, right.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30- They lifted it and took...- You can see the ceiling going down.- Yeah.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- It's sweet, cos that fireplace is actually a cupboard.- Is it?
0:24:34 > 0:24:37It swings open and there's space behind it in the eaves for storage.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- Very clever.- That's amazing. - It's a big space, isn't it?- It is.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43And the en suite is really also very spacious.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47- Slate floor and a shower room. - That's good.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52- So, has the inside grown on you? - Yes, definitely.- Definitely.- Yeah.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55I can see your eyes darting around. Rrr-rrr-rrr.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57I'm trying to take everything in.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00I'll let you explore in more detail afterwards
0:25:00 > 0:25:02- but I want to show you the garden cos it's very special.- Lovely.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07'So far, so good for the interior here.'
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Outside, the driveway is shared
0:25:09 > 0:25:12but there's a great deal of seclusion to enjoy
0:25:12 > 0:25:14in this third-of-an-acre plot.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19The outbuildings provide a potting shed, tool store,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21greenhouse and wood store,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24whilst the garden itself has raised beds for home-grown veg,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27fruit trees and well-stocked borders,
0:25:27 > 0:25:31plus one feature that's a little more unusual.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34There's an outside toilet there. You see this cream building?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- That's amazing. - A little outside dunny.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- Do you like the garden? - Yes, I do.- Yeah.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42I like the way it's been treated.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45If it was just all flat, it would look nothing,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47but they've given it a bit of character.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50The only thing that lets it down, for me,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53is that does look a bit of a hotchpotch.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Where they've lifted the roof?
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Probably, yes, where they've lifted it, I think.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00What do you see in terms of a price tag?
0:26:00 > 0:26:05I think £325,000...I would say.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- I think about 312.- 312.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Well, in this instance, Tony, you should listen to your wife.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14It's on at exactly what she said, £325,000.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I'm never going to hear the end of this.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Go in and explore and I'll see you out the front.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- OK.- Lovely, thank you.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Bang on budget, this period cottage has lots of the character features
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Sheila and Tony have asked for,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35including an inglenook fireplace and exposed beams.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Downstairs, there's a large country-style kitchen-diner
0:26:39 > 0:26:43and upstairs, the three bedrooms provide plenty of accommodation,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45both for themselves and guests.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Out in the garden, the manageable plot is thoughtfully laid-out
0:26:49 > 0:26:51and has plenty of storage.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Plus, importantly for them,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56it's quietly located at the edge of a village.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- This is a nice bright room isn't it? - It is.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03- It's on the south-facing side. - Mmm.- It's ideal.
0:27:03 > 0:27:09When Alistair said it was a semi, um, my heart sank a bit.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12But then when we came inside, it was amazing.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14The sitting room area is beautifully done,
0:27:14 > 0:27:18with the beams and the log burner, and the kitchen is to die for.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20There are one or two drawbacks.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23One is there isn't a view from the back garden,
0:27:23 > 0:27:24which is what we wanted,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28and we wanted detached, and this is, basically, a semidetached.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32There's just a few bits that I'm trying to get my head round.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34If there's one thing I could do to it,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37is take the roof off and redo it.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44- Ah, all done. That is this house tour over.- It's beautiful, really.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48- Has it won you over a little bit? - Yes, it has.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52The lounge and the kitchen are perfect.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Come on, let's have a little rest.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- We're done for today. - Right, thank you.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Husband and wife Tony and Sheila, from the city of Oxford,
0:28:11 > 0:28:17'have £325,000 to fulfil their lifelong dream of country living.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20'So far, it's been a struggle to match their wish list
0:28:20 > 0:28:22'to their budget.'
0:28:22 > 0:28:26Coming up, the Mystery Property goes out on a limb
0:28:26 > 0:28:28to give them a whole new perspective.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30You all right with heights?
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Yes, I used to climb when I was younger.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36'And I'll be making my creative mark with a unique local pigment.'
0:28:36 > 0:28:39It's really satisfying and enormously black.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Back at the beginning of this search,
0:28:44 > 0:28:46when we were talking to Tony and Sheila in Oxford,
0:28:46 > 0:28:48they did say they were very picky
0:28:48 > 0:28:50and that everything had to be perfect for this move
0:28:50 > 0:28:52and that's completely understandable
0:28:52 > 0:28:56when we remember what happened to their "aerodrome" house.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59And it seems we haven't hit the mark with the first two properties.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Even that lovely house yesterday afternoon
0:29:01 > 0:29:04seemed a bit too far from the sea for them.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08So, the Mystery House is, as ever, a complete wildcard
0:29:08 > 0:29:11and it's definitely close to the sea and it HAS got amazing views,
0:29:11 > 0:29:15but whether it will tickle their fancy remains to be seen.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Tony and Sheila said they wanted to be near the sea
0:29:22 > 0:29:25and the Mystery Property is located right on the coast
0:29:25 > 0:29:28in the seaside resort of Ilfracombe.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Spooling forward from its Iron Age origins,
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Ilfracombe developed both fishing and farming communities,
0:29:35 > 0:29:40its natural harbour making it a safe port and key location
0:29:40 > 0:29:43for the shipping of coal and lime from Wales.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Its heyday as a tourist hotspot was in the 1950s,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50but it remains a popular destination,
0:29:50 > 0:29:53retaining much of its traditional appeal.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Have you guys been to Ilfracombe before?
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- Yes, we brought our grandchildren two or three years ago.- Ah.- Yeah.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02I think it's a fantastic old Victorian seaside resort.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05It's kept its character, hasn't it?
0:30:05 > 0:30:07It famously has this Damien Hirst statue,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10fabulously controversial, as always. He's a resident here,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13so I think he's done a lot to bring up the interest in the area.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- Is it something you'd like to live close to?- Oh, yes.- It certainly is.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- It's our ideal, really. - I like the north coast.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23It's rugged and it's not all too commercial here.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25I might even buy a boat as well. Temptation.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29We have thought about it, haven't we? Depends how close we are.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33Well, actually, the Mystery House is very close indeed.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36- Is it?- Sounds good.- Follow me.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41In fact, today's Mystery Property is located up on a hill above us,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43in one of the most commanding positions
0:30:43 > 0:30:45on the north Devon coastlines.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47So, a few more steps,
0:30:47 > 0:30:51because this is the property we've brought you to see.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- Oh, good God.- Ah, different.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57So, the flat we're going to view is the one right at the top.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- Hmm, not impressed. - It's not our ideal property.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04The location's perfect but it's not what we would have chosen initially.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08We'll be prepared to have a look and see what it's like.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Well, I like the fact you're game,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13so we're going to go round and catch the lift.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16'We're heading to one of 14 apartments
0:31:16 > 0:31:21'in an historic building originally opened as a hotel in 1891,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24'and designed to look like a French chateau.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28'Outside, there is allocated parking in a shared lot.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32'The mystery proposition is accessed via stairs or lift.'
0:31:32 > 0:31:36- LIFT:- 'Doors closing.' - That was a nightmare.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Then, once inside the private hall, stairs lead up
0:31:39 > 0:31:43to an impressive multifunctional open-plan living space.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48Come through. I want to bring you to the main event, which is this space.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- That's great.- That's incredible, isn't it?- It is, actually.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54- Really is. - There's windows everywhere
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- to make the most of the view. - It's gorgeous.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59So, you've got the two turret spaces.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01One's like an observatory over the sea
0:32:01 > 0:32:04and another one over the town and, of course, the big balcony.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08- So, what do you think of the actual space?- The space is great.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12I do like that, it's just all my worst nightmares.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- The lift...- A flat.- A flat.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18It was always a gamble bringing you here but...
0:32:18 > 0:32:22It's a modern-style conversion, a modern open-plan kitchen.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26- It's great.- It's beautiful. But it's not us, I think.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Beautiful but not you. Come and look at the dining space.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32You do get lovely views over the town.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34You certainly do. It's gorgeous.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37These are the Jubilee Gardens, so these were the epicentre
0:32:37 > 0:32:40of the Victorian pleasure gardens in Ilfracombe.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44It used to have a very long and elaborate theatre and ballroom
0:32:44 > 0:32:48and it was burnt down in the '80s and they built, in the '90s,
0:32:48 > 0:32:52this slightly striking-looking theatre complex.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- Effectively, those are your gardens. - And we don't have to mow them.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Exactly. Let's have a peek at the master bedroom.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02There's no doubt the stunning views and prime coastal location
0:33:02 > 0:33:05'are huge pluses for the Mystery Property.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08'There are two bedrooms here -
0:33:08 > 0:33:11'a double, served by its own separate bathroom,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14'and then there is the master, which has its own en suite.'
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- Lovely sea view here. - That's lovely.- That's beautiful.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Waking up to that in the morning's great, isn't it?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23- It's quite a thing, isn't it?- It is.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Regardless of what you feel about flats, being this high up
0:33:26 > 0:33:29- and having this view. - It is amazing, actually.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31The sort of place you need binoculars
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- to look at the ships, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37I can see it would be quite nice if I was OK with lifts.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42- I'm not. And also...- If you were OK with flats, which you're not.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Which I'm not. But the views are to die for.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Let's go onto the balcony, cos that's a really nice view
0:33:49 > 0:33:51- and we can talk about the price.- OK.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57This is why we brought you here.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- Wow, gorgeous.- The views.- Wow.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- Amazing, isn't it? - Are you all right with heights?
0:34:03 > 0:34:07- Yes, I used to climb when I was younger.- It is special, isn't it?
0:34:07 > 0:34:09- It is, actually.- It is.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12And the sun rises there so you get the sunrise over the cliffs.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- Fantastic.- What do you think this little slice of Ilfracombe is worth?
0:34:16 > 0:34:20I would say over our budget, so I would say 340.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- I'd go for 335. - You two are really good!
0:34:25 > 0:34:27- Actually, this time, Tony's spot-on.- Oh, right.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30It's actually on the market for £335,000.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Wow, you really have been looking around
0:34:33 > 0:34:36- the property in this area, haven't you?- We have.- We know it quite well.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Go back in and have a little...
0:34:38 > 0:34:40There's another bedroom and the other bathroom
0:34:40 > 0:34:42and I'll see you downstairs.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Slightly above budget, at £335,000,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53our mystery proposition
0:34:53 > 0:34:54does offer Sheila and Tony
0:34:54 > 0:34:56the two bedrooms they asked for,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58as well as incredible views
0:34:58 > 0:35:00and proximity to the coast.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02As it's an apartment, ground rent
0:35:02 > 0:35:05and service charges are payable annually,
0:35:05 > 0:35:07but it does offer secure
0:35:07 > 0:35:09private parking and a long lease.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13- This is one of the turrets, isn't it?- Yeah, it is.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16Get a beautiful view of the sea there, don't you?
0:35:16 > 0:35:18- They're quaint, aren't they?- Yes.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20The Mystery House was a shock at first.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24A flat is one of my nightmares and plus a lift -
0:35:24 > 0:35:27that's the other nightmare.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31We don't want flats, we want a detached house.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34It's got one of the criteria that we asked for and that's views,
0:35:34 > 0:35:36views you couldn't beat anywhere.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38In every room, you could see a different view,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42because you go to all the windows and you've got something different.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44It's beautiful.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Before the rain sets in, we should find a place
0:35:48 > 0:35:50to have a cup of tea and talk through the week.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52- That's a good idea.- That's good.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59As well as being the birthplace of many famous artists,
0:35:59 > 0:36:01including Sir Joshua Reynolds,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Devon's unique beauty has been the crucible
0:36:03 > 0:36:06for much creativity over the centuries.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10But not only has the landscape served as an inspiration,
0:36:10 > 0:36:13it's also a rich source of natural materials.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15Today, I'm meeting local illustrator,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17painter and sculptor Peter Ward,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20who has offered to show me how he makes art,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22literally, from the Earth itself.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27Good morning, Peter. Now, north Devon coast, you're an artist.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29What drew you to this particular spot?
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Basically because there's a very special earth pigment
0:36:33 > 0:36:36that can be gathered here and, in particular,
0:36:36 > 0:36:42a pigment that was mined in Bideford until 1969 called Bideford Black.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46This is where the seam of Bideford Black actually reaches the coast.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48So it's a seam of what?
0:36:48 > 0:36:51It's a clay that runs along the side of a seam of anthracite,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53which is a very hard coal.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58Around 350 million years ago, during the Carboniferous era,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01temperate forest, flanked by high mountains,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04covered lowlands in this area of Devon.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06As the mountains moved,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09the heartwood from tree ferns became buried
0:37:09 > 0:37:11up to five miles below the earth,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14where massive pressure worked to form
0:37:14 > 0:37:18the black claylike seam in evidence today.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23There's an area across north Devon where there's been mining activity.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27There is a lot of excavations between here and Umberleigh,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31about 12 miles inland, but the main concentration was in Bideford.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34It would be quite interesting to see it actually in situ.
0:37:34 > 0:37:35- Can we actually go and spot it? - Yeah.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40'The Bideford Black, or Biddiblack, pigment was historically used
0:37:40 > 0:37:44'as a natural antifoul on the bottom of wooden boats
0:37:44 > 0:37:46'to prevent barnacle and weed formation,
0:37:46 > 0:37:50'but it's also been used as a tank camouflage in the Second World War
0:37:50 > 0:37:52'and even in mascara.'
0:37:52 > 0:37:56This is the seam of Bideford Black here, running vertically.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Down here, at the bottom, you can see a mine adit,
0:37:59 > 0:38:01which is basically a drainage ditch.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04The mines that were dug on the top of the cliffs
0:38:04 > 0:38:06would have filled up with water.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11The miners went down, they'd walk about half an hour underground
0:38:11 > 0:38:14and they would work there for an eight-hour day.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18The pay was very good but it was hard, dirty work.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22This is up until 1969. Very little health and safety going on here.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27'Fortunately for me, today's task of foraging for pieces on the beach
0:38:27 > 0:38:29'is far less arduous or dangerous.'
0:38:29 > 0:38:33Here's a bit of the lovely clay stuff that's fallen down.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36So this looks like you could almost paint with this immediately.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39You can. It's very, very simple stuff to paint with.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42You come here, you collect this, you make your own paint.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45To me, it's a statement about north Devon,
0:38:45 > 0:38:47it's something about this place.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50- So, you have to bow before the geography.- Absolutely, absolutely.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54- Nature is boss. - So, how do you process it?
0:38:54 > 0:38:56How do you actually turn it into art material?
0:38:56 > 0:38:59You can draw with it like that, but to make it into paint,
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- the simplest way is to just mix this with water.- Mmm.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04You're making suspensions.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06You're not dissolving anything, there's no chemistry involved.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09It's just a suspension within water.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12'There's something primal
0:39:12 > 0:39:15'about painting with the very landscape around us
0:39:15 > 0:39:17'and I can't resist having a go,
0:39:17 > 0:39:21'first mixing our lump from the beach with some water in a bowl...'
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- How are you getting on there?- It's kind of lumpy but it's very black.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27'..and then letting the muse take me.'
0:39:27 > 0:39:30It's... It's really black.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Mmm. When it dries, it's a kind of dull black.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38- It's really satisfying.- Yeah. - And enormously black.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41It's a very, very liberating material,
0:39:41 > 0:39:44possibly because you're not paying for it,
0:39:44 > 0:39:47possibly because soil has something within it
0:39:47 > 0:39:50which makes us happy that it connects us to something else.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53I'm very taken. There is something really special about the fact
0:39:53 > 0:39:55that it's just come out of the cliff there.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57We'll just leave you there, Alistair.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Yes, you can leave me three hours later. It's a snail, do you see?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Yeah, yeah.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06It's a Bideford Black snail. I love it! It's wonderful!
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Well, we were under no illusions
0:40:13 > 0:40:16that Sheila and Tony had a very specific wish list.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18They called themselves picky.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21But even I can't put a positive spin
0:40:21 > 0:40:24on Sheila calling the Mystery House her "worst nightmare".
0:40:24 > 0:40:27But you never know, on the drive back from Ilfracombe,
0:40:27 > 0:40:30they may have changed their mind. Or not! Let's go and find out.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37A nice cup of tea gives us a chance to reflect on the week and houses.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Has anything come into focus for you?
0:40:39 > 0:40:41I know we didn't probably find the one that you wanted.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45I would say the second property would fit the bill
0:40:45 > 0:40:49more than any of them. I loved the downstairs.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52It was just a few things that was not quite right with it.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55It's been very interesting seeing some good ideas,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58because the kitchen was beautifully designed and laid out
0:40:58 > 0:41:02and if we do find a house that needs a bit of renovation,
0:41:02 > 0:41:04we will bear the design of that in mind, I'm sure.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08The flat gave us food for thought afterwards.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09- Really?- It certainly did.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Cos I wouldn't have thought I would have ever liked a flat
0:41:12 > 0:41:14and it was so quiet while you were up there
0:41:14 > 0:41:19and I thought, "That's amazing." I would say now, looking at a flat,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22if it wasn't so many storeys up,
0:41:22 > 0:41:24probably might even look at that, I don't know.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26It would still have to be a top-floor one.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28It would have to be a top-floor
0:41:28 > 0:41:31cos I couldn't stand people running around on top up there.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35- Do you think you'll ever find the house that you want?- Yes.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38If we haven't got one in ten years, we're going to give up.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41- What's the next step for you guys? - Start house-hunting again, I think.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43We'll be contacting the agents,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46we'll be looking at the various websites
0:41:46 > 0:41:49and putting a list together and coming down again.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52I'm going to be a bit more focussed on everything we need.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- So you're going to be narrower, tighter?- Yes.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Well, I hope it goes well. It's been great fun.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00I'm sorry we didn't find you your dream home but, hopefully,
0:42:00 > 0:42:02you'll find somewhere close to Ilfracombe or the sea.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- Thank you very much.- Thank you. It's been great fun.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07- We've enjoyed it. - Our pleasure.- Thank you.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Usually, the one thing you can certainly say on this show
0:42:13 > 0:42:15is that people come on and they leave
0:42:15 > 0:42:17with at least their criteria a little wider,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20they've been to see properties they wouldn't have considered,
0:42:20 > 0:42:22and they're a bit more open-hearted
0:42:22 > 0:42:24to different properties on the market.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26But in Sheila and Tony's case,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28the opposite seems to have been the case
0:42:28 > 0:42:30and actually, seeing the properties we've shown them,
0:42:30 > 0:42:32seems to have narrowed their focus somewhat.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35But good for them, because they can afford to be picky.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39They don't have to move, they want this house to be the perfect house
0:42:39 > 0:42:42and it's out there somewhere, so we wish them all the best.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46I hope that you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51If you would like to escape to the country in England, Wales, Scotland
0:42:51 > 0:42:55or Northern Ireland and need our help, please apply online at...