0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Today, I'm in a county that has more prehistoric landmarks in it
0:00:06 > 0:00:08than any other, including this one.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10But what is it, and where is it?
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32On today's show, a couple who long to escape city life
0:00:32 > 0:00:34and bring up their two small children
0:00:34 > 0:00:37in the quiet of the countryside.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38But we hit a stumbling block with style...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40We're a bit more traditional.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- We are, yeah. We're a bit more fuddy-duddies than you think. - THEY LAUGH
0:00:44 > 0:00:47..although another of our properties really gets their imagination going.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49I can imagine us cooking, the kids playing,
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Jamie's doing all the hard work,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- I'm sitting at the table with a glass of wine... - SHE LAUGHS
0:00:57 > 0:01:02Well, today we are in Wiltshire and this is the Neolithic chamber tomb
0:01:02 > 0:01:04otherwise known as West Kennet Long Barrow.
0:01:04 > 0:01:05It is, without doubt,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09one of the finest examples of its type anywhere in Britain.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14I first came here 25 years ago as a young archaeology student.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17It was a mystery then and, to be honest, it's still a mystery now.
0:01:17 > 0:01:22But we do believe it was built around about 3650 BC,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26making it over 5,500 years old.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31It was in use for probably 1,000 years until, for some unknown reason,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35the entrance to the tomb itself was blocked up with those huge sarsen boulders.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Now, why it fell into disuse is, of course, a mystery,
0:01:39 > 0:01:41but it is just one of the wonders of this landscape that, for me,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43make Wiltshire so fascinating.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Known as the gateway to the West Country,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51landlocked Wiltshire is bordered by counties
0:01:51 > 0:01:55including Somerset to the west and Berkshire and Hampshire to the east.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Agriculture, and a rich history dating back thousands of years,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03has shaped and left an indelible mark on this county's landscape,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06which is characterised by its rolling chalky hills
0:02:06 > 0:02:08and fertile valleys.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Its unrivalled collection of prehistoric monuments
0:02:11 > 0:02:14include the largest stone circle in the world at Avebury,
0:02:14 > 0:02:16dating to around 5,000 years ago.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21The county is also famous for its collection of white horses
0:02:21 > 0:02:23carved out of the chalky hills.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25The vast majority, including this one at Westbury,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28aren't ancient creations, but date to the 18th century.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Wiltshire also has its fair share of attractive market towns,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37including Marlborough, with its wide Georgian high street,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and pretty thatched villages such as Alton Barnes,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42overlooked by the Pewsey Downs.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46With such a wealth of awe-inspiring architecture
0:02:46 > 0:02:48set in a timeless landscape,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52it's easy to see why many want to make Wiltshire their new home.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Well, it probably comes as no great surprise to learn that there is
0:03:01 > 0:03:05a premium for wanting to live in this, let's face it, glorious county.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Here, the average price of a detached property
0:03:07 > 0:03:11is currently £323,000.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14That's some £41,000 above the national figure,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18but fear not, there are some bargains to be had,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21particularly if you get away from the busy M4 corridor
0:03:21 > 0:03:24and popular commuter towns like Malmesbury and Marlborough.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27If you head west over towards Westbury and Trowbridge,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31here you could save yourself up to 45%, a saving well worth having.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34So, let's meet today's buyers and find out why they think
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Wiltshire is for them.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Jamie and Sabrina currently live in London's East Dulwich,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44in a three-bedroom Victorian terrace with their two young sons,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47three-year-old Reuben and one-year-old Theo.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50We met when we were in the Philippines, about...
0:03:50 > 0:03:52five or six years ago.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54We were doing a marine conservation course.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Jamie really liked the algae
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- because you were allowed to touch that.- That's right.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00I really liked the fact that
0:04:00 > 0:04:02you were as excited to be there as I was,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06and I liked that you had been...
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- doing all these things... - These are all nice things you've never said to me before!
0:04:10 > 0:04:13After that aquatic introduction came children,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15and the couple were married just over a year ago.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17But having lived in London for a number of years,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Jamie and Sabrina now feel the time is right to leave the capital.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23We both grew up in the countryside,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26and so I think, essentially, the main reason we want to move is that
0:04:26 > 0:04:29we're not really convinced we want to raise our kids in a big city.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Jamie works long hours as a lawyer in Central London,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36whilst Sabrina has put her writing career on hold
0:04:36 > 0:04:37to look after the children.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41For him, the move is a chance to reassess his work-life balance.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43It's not just about the kids,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45it's also about, kind of, our quality of life.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- For you to not spend lots of time commuting.- Yeah.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Spend more time at home and have more free time
0:04:51 > 0:04:54to do some of the things that we would like to do.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56The couple have set their sights on Wiltshire,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00as it offers them countryside living within easy reach of Bristol,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02where Jamie hopes to find work.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03We're looking for somewhere
0:05:03 > 0:05:05where we can kind of have the best of both worlds,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08where you get the rurality of having...
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- That's not a word. - You can have rural life
0:05:11 > 0:05:14with woodlands and outdoors and things like that,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- but also have...- Yeah. - ..access and availability to...
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- BOTH:- ..a bit of culture.- Exactly.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22As well as spending quality time with the children,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25this creative couple are hoping to develop their repertoire of hobbies,
0:05:25 > 0:05:27including knitting and woodwork.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I'd really like to get back to doing a bit more, kind of,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34carpentry and artistic carpentry and things like that.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Whereas Sabrina is doing a course in garden design
0:05:37 > 0:05:39and hopes her new Wiltshire home
0:05:39 > 0:05:42will give her an inspiring blank canvas to work on.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Certainly, where we are in London, the gardens are quite small
0:05:44 > 0:05:47and everyone just wants a bit of grass for the kids to play on,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49so it'd be really nice for us to have a bigger garden
0:05:49 > 0:05:51that I could experiment with as well,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and maybe set aside certain areas for different things.
0:05:54 > 0:05:55And, as well as their hobbies,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59they also have aspirations to live the good life.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- We're dying to have alpacas, and you want goats.- Goats.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Both of us are quite keen on being a bit more self-sufficient.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10I like growing food and Jamie would quite like to look after some animals, that sort of thing.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13With eldest son Reuben soon to start primary school,
0:06:13 > 0:06:18the race is on to find Jamie and Sabrina a home and community they can settle down in.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20This is more of a life adventure because this is
0:06:20 > 0:06:23taking the next step and...
0:06:23 > 0:06:24erm, it's...
0:06:24 > 0:06:27it's about our future rather than about our present.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Our buyers would like to be within close proximity to the M4 motorway,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41for easy access into Bristol and London,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44so we're concentrating our property search in the north of the county.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46I'm meeting up with them in Wiltshire,
0:06:46 > 0:06:47to go over their wish list.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- Well, good morning. Hi, Sabrina, very nice see you.- Hi.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53- Hi, Jamie.- Hi.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Welcome to Wiltshire on a beautiful day -
0:06:56 > 0:06:59you've certainly brought the weather with you from London.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- Why here?- Well, we're both really fond of the South West.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I was at uni in Bristol for four years,
0:07:04 > 0:07:06and Jamie's got family who live in Somerset,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09so this is a great location that we know and we're fond of.
0:07:09 > 0:07:16Now, this move is littered with some really interesting lifestyle ideas and ambitions.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Just run through the list, Jamie.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24So, one of the things we'd really like to be able to do is use the land to make a bit of money,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27so we're thinking of having some kind of holiday let,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31whether that's a cottage or yurts on the land or something like that.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34But, at the same time, I would maintain working,
0:07:34 > 0:07:36which is why we want to be accessible to Bristol.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39We want to have a bit of land for us to have some animals to keep on,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43give our kids the opportunity to grow up in the country,
0:07:43 > 0:07:44experience a bit of country life.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Let's talk about the alpacas.
0:07:46 > 0:07:47We'd like to have them as pets,
0:07:47 > 0:07:51but, also, I think there's loads of exciting other things we could do
0:07:51 > 0:07:54in terms of using their wool or maybe breeding them,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56and our kids really love them as well.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58In terms of property specifics,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02you've had some time to envisage what your new house may look like.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Jamie, what's in your mind?
0:08:04 > 0:08:09So, I like, kind of, a country cottage or farmhouse-style building,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13whereas I think Sabrina's more after something on the Georgian-manor style,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16with high ceilings, big windows, that sort of stuff.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17A lady to the manor, is that it?
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Something a bit more regal?
0:08:19 > 0:08:20Not regal, necessarily,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23but I'm quite a fan of, you know, big windows and high ceilings.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24And, in terms of...
0:08:25 > 0:08:30..specifics, I mean, you know, bedrooms and all the rest of it, I mean, where are we on that?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32I think we'd like four bedrooms as a minimum,
0:08:32 > 0:08:37because it would be really great to be able to have family to come and stay, erm...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40nephews and nieces to be able to come and spend some time with us,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and then I'd really like a nice, kind of, safe garden that the kids can just play in.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46I know you are very keen on gardening and you are undertaking
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- a course in garden design at the moment.- I am, yeah.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52But, also, outside space, I mean, the alpacas are going to need some acres.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Have you thought about, you know, numbers there?
0:08:54 > 0:08:58I think we'd like to have, sort of, five to ten acres.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02So, I think I know what you want, but where do you want it?
0:09:02 > 0:09:04I mean, location is all-important.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06The most important thing is access to a good primary school,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09but ideally, we'd love to be, say, on the edge of a village
0:09:09 > 0:09:12or walkable to a village with a nice pub, a shop.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13Wow, it's quite a list, isn't it?
0:09:13 > 0:09:15It is quite a list.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19But, let's see if the budget can match those aspirations.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20How much are you going to spend?
0:09:20 > 0:09:25Our budget is 900, up to a maximum of 950 for the perfect property.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Weather's good. We've got three, I think,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29really interesting properties to show you,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31including, of course, our Mystery House.
0:09:31 > 0:09:32- So, ready to go?- Great, yep.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Come on, then, follow me.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41With a top budget of £950,000,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Jamie and Sabrina differ slightly on architectural style,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46but they'd like a character house with four bedrooms,
0:09:46 > 0:09:50a large kitchen/diner and a separate sitting room.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Outside, they want between five to ten acres of land to fulfil their
0:09:54 > 0:09:57smallholding ambitions, and to allow for a holiday enterprise
0:09:57 > 0:09:59at some point in the future.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01And the property should be situated on the edge of a village,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03close to schools for their two boys.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09We've lined up an assortment of wonderful Wiltshire houses for them to consider,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13but I won't be revealing the price tags until the end of each tour.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17Finally, our Mystery House will tempt them with the outside space,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19but they may want to put their stamp on the inside.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28We're kicking off our property search in the village of Little Somerford,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31around six miles from the town of Malmesbury, in the north of the county.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Situated on the southern fringes of the Cotswolds,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38the village's architecture features the golden-coloured limestone
0:10:38 > 0:10:40the region is known for,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44and amenities include a popular public house and convenience store
0:10:44 > 0:10:46in nearby Great Somerford.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49There's also a Church of England primary school for their sons
0:10:49 > 0:10:50with an Ofsted rating of "good".
0:10:52 > 0:10:53Back in Little Somerford,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57our first house is located right next door to the 14th-century church
0:10:57 > 0:10:58on the edge of the village.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Feast your eyes on this!
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Our first property of the week - there we go.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06What do you reckon to that, then?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08That's beautiful.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Now, from what you were saying earlier, Jamie, I think this really is one for you.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Sabrina, it's not a great big Georgian pile,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17but do you think this is the sort of property you could agree on?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Yeah, definitely. I think it looks really beautiful.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Living the dream?- Yeah.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Let's have a look inside, come on. - Thank you.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Set in a secluded spot, surrounded by a pretty garden,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31our first house is believed to date back to the 1750s,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35and is an attractive, timber-framed property, built from red brick.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39The thatched roof, made from reed, has recently been re-ridged.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41The interior has also been refurbished
0:11:41 > 0:11:44and the original house extended to the back and side,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46opening up the accommodation.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51There we go, starting with the kitchen is always a good bet
0:11:51 > 0:11:54cos it's a real scene-setter, I think.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57It's lovely. Two windows and the garden doors is just perfect.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I can imagine us cooking, you know, the kids playing...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Lovely to have a separate bit of space that they can play in,
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- or the doors open to the garden and they're kicking a football around outside.- Yeah.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08Jamie's doing all the hard work,
0:12:08 > 0:12:12I'm sitting at the table with a glass of wine...
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- It'd be perfect.- It's lovely.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Yeah, I can see it as being a really nice sort of space just to have
0:12:18 > 0:12:21a little informal dinner and things, as well. It's beautiful.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22Look at your face!
0:12:22 > 0:12:25This is exactly what you were thinking about, isn't it?
0:12:25 > 0:12:26Come on.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29This is the dining room and this links the kitchen
0:12:29 > 0:12:32to the reception rooms throughout the rest of the house.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Wow!- It's really atmospheric, actually.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- It's quite intimate.- Yeah?
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- But reception rooms are this way. - Lovely.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42One of the two remaining reception rooms is a cosy snug
0:12:42 > 0:12:45with exposed beams and a wood-burning stove,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48part of the newer extension at the back.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50But we're heading for the larger sitting room.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54There we go. You have got two reception rooms here,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56but this is the biggest, I would say.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Lovely. Doors on to the garden again...- Yeah.- ..which is so nice,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03but the, kind of, low beams and the low ceilings...
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Yeah, it's not so much my style as Jamie's,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07but it's a really, really beautiful house.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Good. Right, then, shall we go upstairs?
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Let's see what you make of the bedrooms.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15We've got some positive responses
0:13:15 > 0:13:18to the ground-floor layout of our first house.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Upstairs, Jamie and Sabrina get the four bedrooms they've asked for.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23They're all good-sized doubles,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25offering plenty of options for the children,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28and there are two family bathrooms to choose from -
0:13:28 > 0:13:31one of which has a large corner bath.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32And that just leaves the master.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38So, this is the one we've got earmarked for you two.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39That's beautiful.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40- The window?- The window, yeah.
0:13:40 > 0:13:46- Really lovely.- This room, in particular, is so light. It feels very, very welcoming.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47It feels very restful.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49In terms of the accommodation up here,
0:13:49 > 0:13:51what about the boys and guests?
0:13:51 > 0:13:53You wanted four bedrooms - it's got four.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56The other room about the same size as this would this work for Reuben,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58or, potentially, Reuben and Theo together.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00We could have the smaller room, could be just a bit of
0:14:00 > 0:14:02an upstairs playroom for them, with some toys in.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07And then the guest room overlooking that beautiful view out the back would be perfect, wouldn't it?
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Yeah, absolutely.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12So, the house gets a general thumbs-up,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16even though the cosy character isn't entirely to Sabrina's taste.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Outside, though, she gets the garden she wanted,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22with its pretty lawn and paved terrace.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25To the rear of the garden are two separate outbuildings.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28The first includes a bright and sunny garden room,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31a huge games room with a small en-suite shower
0:14:31 > 0:14:34and then, at the back, a double garage.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36The building could be converted into a holiday let in the future,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39subject to planning permission.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42A second, smaller outbuilding is currently being used as a gym.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Now, whilst the land, which amounts to 2/3 of an acre,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48might not be suitable for a smallholding,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51there are other options for keeping animals nearby.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54So, there we go - that's it.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57That's the package. Our tour is pretty much done.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00One of the key elements you were looking for was this idea of land and space.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02We haven't got acres.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06However, the farmer who owns all the land around here, some 400 acres,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09is very keen to rent land out,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13at roughly about £100 an acre per year.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Well, let's get down to the tricky bit - the money.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19You've got 900 to 950, Sabrina.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Where do you think property number one comes, when set against that?
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I'd say maybe something like 830,000.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28830?
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- I'll give you a clue - that's a very optimistic 830.- OK.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Jamie, come on.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Maybe we're looking at more like 850?
0:15:35 > 0:15:41- This is on the market for £875,000. - OK.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45However, I don't think 850 is probably out of range, really.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46So, happy?
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- Very happy.- We'll give you a little bit more time.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Go and explore the house at your leisure,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53and I will catch up with you a little bit later. Off you go.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Lovely, thank you.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04So, priced at £75,000 below our top budget, our first house
0:16:04 > 0:16:07is a handsome, 18th-century brick-and-thatch character property,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11which was extended and remodelled around 12 years ago.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Part of the extension includes an open-plan kitchen,
0:16:14 > 0:16:18and the four bedrooms provide plenty of space for the children.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Outside, there's an outbuilding which is ripe for development
0:16:21 > 0:16:22and, in addition to the pretty garden,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25there are options nearby to rent land for animals.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29I think it was a really, really great start.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31I love the location, the gardens,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33the outbuildings and the potential for you could do with that.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36The inside was definitely lighter than I was expecting
0:16:36 > 0:16:39but, in some of the rooms, like the sitting-room and the dining room,
0:16:39 > 0:16:40They're very beautiful old beams,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43but they can feel a little bit oppressive hanging over your head.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46People always talk about having this gut reaction to,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48"Yeah, this is the house for me."
0:16:48 > 0:16:50I'm not sure I got that.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51The kitchen I absolutely loved,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54but, actually, as we continued through the house,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57I think that feeling probably lessened slightly.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59How are we doing, then?
0:16:59 > 0:17:00- Good.- That was perfect timing.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- Seen enough?- Yeah, yeah.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05So, one down, two more to come tomorrow,
0:17:05 > 0:17:07including our Mystery House.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Maybe we've kept the best till last.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10Who knows? Come on, let's go.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15As the day draws to a close,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17it's a chance for our buyers
0:17:17 > 0:17:19to reflect on their property journey so far.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27It's the second day of our property search
0:17:27 > 0:17:29with Sabrina and Jamie from south London.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32With their generous £950,000 budget,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35we're looking for a Wiltshire country home
0:17:35 > 0:17:37with land for them and their two young children.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Coming up, two more houses...
0:17:39 > 0:17:41I think if we brought the boys to all of the houses,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- this would be the one they'd choose. - Oh, absolutely!
0:17:43 > 0:17:48..and I get to grips with some handy regal attire.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- So, give us a date on that one. - This is about 1559.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52That's astonishing.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Our first offering this morning, house number two,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59I think, could really work.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01And then, of course, we finish up with our Mystery House.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Now, that will be interesting to see what they make of that one.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06With a bit of TLC, who knows?
0:18:06 > 0:18:08It may just give them a little bit too much.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14But, before that, our second offering,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18and we're heading towards the market town of Malmesbury.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20This historic hilltop settlement
0:18:20 > 0:18:23is said to be the oldest continually inhabited town in England,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and notable landmarks include Malmesbury Abbey,
0:18:26 > 0:18:27founded in the 7th century,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29and the 15th-century market cross,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33one of the best-preserved in the country.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36The attractive high street is lined with an array of independent shops,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40and there are a number of primary schools in the area to choose from.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44House number two is situated just outside the popular town,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47with views over open countryside towards the abbey.
0:18:51 > 0:18:52Well, what about this lot?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Wow! The whole thing?!
0:18:55 > 0:18:57The whole thing. JAMIE AND SABRINA LAUGH
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Now, you wanted edge of village.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- Yeah. - We've got you edge of Malmesbury.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- Oh, wow! - ALL LAUGH
0:19:06 > 0:19:07- Wow!- Look at that!
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- That's incredible!- That is amazing!
0:19:09 > 0:19:11And then, of course, there's the house itself.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Clearly, it had some agricultural origins,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16but it's been much embellished over the years.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18The most recent addition is that wing, there.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22This, I think, is more for you, this one. It's...
0:19:22 > 0:19:25really contemporary, very funky inside,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- has lots of character, but of a more modern sort.- OK.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30A different proposition to number one.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Jamie, what do you reckon? - I think it's beautiful.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35I absolutely love it. The, kind of, the farmhouse style is lovely.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Let's see what you think, come on.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42The original part of our second house dates to the 19th century
0:19:42 > 0:19:44and was believed to be a barn.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46During its conversion five years ago,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49it was made energy-efficient with solar panels,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52and renovated with modern living in mind.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55The focal point of this house is an open-plan kitchen/diner,
0:19:55 > 0:20:00which I'm hoping will be right up Sabrina's street.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Now, how funky is this, Sabrina? SABRINA LAUGHS
0:20:04 > 0:20:06This is the place to start, I think.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- BOTH:- Wow! - The style's not quite our style.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10It's a little bit more contemporary.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14I thought that you'd go for this kind of fresh, contemporary look, actually.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- I think we're a bit more traditional.- We are, yeah.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- We're a bit more fuddy-duddies than you think. - THEY LAUGH
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Fuddy-duddy's OK. That's probably me, too.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25But what I like about it, the way they've furnished it,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28you've got a nice mixture of the really contemporary units
0:20:28 > 0:20:30and then some nice, you know, characterful pieces of furniture.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Absolutely. I think the space would work.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- Yeah.- It would work really well.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36You know, I could be cooking the boys' lunch,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38they could be just playing in the same room.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- It's exactly what we're looking for, isn't it?- Yeah, absolutely.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45I'd never have thought this kitchen would be too modern,
0:20:45 > 0:20:49but at least they're imagining how family life could play out
0:20:49 > 0:20:50in this vast living space.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Just off the entrance hallway
0:20:54 > 0:20:57is a spacious utility room and a downstairs washroom,
0:20:57 > 0:21:01with the sitting room located in a recent extension.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Now, this, to me, is where the whole thing gets a lot cosier -
0:21:04 > 0:21:08these lovely beams, you know, engineered oak floor.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Beautiful. Another absolutely amazing view, as well.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- Yeah.- There's one thing we'd always said,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16that it would be amazing to have a brook running alongside the prop...
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- you know, a house, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- It's probably only thing that wasn't on your huge wish list. - Absolutely.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24I know. Well, we didn't mention it but, yeah, that was a secret dream.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Yeah, so that's really amazing.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Of the four bedrooms here, two are on the ground floor,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32at either end of the lounge,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35and both feature a continuation of the large-window design
0:21:35 > 0:21:37overlooking the brook.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Each has its own dedicated en-suite bathroom,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42so either would make an excellent guest room.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Beyond the kitchen/diner is an additional room
0:21:45 > 0:21:48currently being used as a children's play area.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52But the remaining two bedrooms
0:21:52 > 0:21:54are upstairs, in the original part of the house,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56and include a single bedroom,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59which is served by a stylish family bathroom, as well as the master.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Now, this is the oldest part of the building.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05This would have been the old agricultural bit.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- So, you can see these lovely beams coming through, which is rather nice.- Beautiful.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Bit more, sort of, history and character here.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- This is the master.- Mm-hm.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15It's not en suite like the others are,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17but it has this fantastic bathroom next door
0:22:17 > 0:22:19with a kind of freestanding bath in it,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21really nice double shower,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24and, at the other end of the corridor, the smallest room,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26which may be for the children at the moment.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27So they'd be next to you.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Yeah, I mean, I think that would work really well, certainly now, while the kids are little.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Erm, we could be a bit tucked away up here, closer to them,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- and then, perhaps, as they got bigger we might want to move downstairs, I think.- Yeah.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39So, outside space -
0:22:39 > 0:22:40let's see what you think of this.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47I think Jamie and Sabrina are really warming to our second offering
0:22:47 > 0:22:49and the options it gives them.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Outside, at the front of the house, there's a further outbuilding.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54As well as providing garage space,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57on the first floor there's an annexe which is open-plan,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01with a separate kitchen and shower room that could make a potential holiday let.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02At the rear of the house,
0:23:02 > 0:23:06the land fans out from a terraced patio area and includes
0:23:06 > 0:23:10a well-maintained lawn, a vegetable patch with raised beds,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13a greenhouse and an area of garden for the children.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Beyond the fence bordering the lawn is a decent paddock for alpacas.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21All in all, there's one and three-quarter acres of land with this place.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29There we go. I love this view of the property, I have to say.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- Yeah.- It's fantastic, isn't it?
0:23:32 > 0:23:36So, have I either of you got an idea as to what this may cost you?
0:23:36 > 0:23:39You've got 900 to 950. Go on, then.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41I think I would say 950.
0:23:41 > 0:23:42Jamie?
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Maybe I can be optimistic and go for 935.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Another bit of optimism, from you this time. OK.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Well, I'm not going to labour it or keep you in suspense,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55it is £950,000.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56It's an incredible house.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58- It is.- Incredible. - Have a quick whizz around,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00and I'll catch up with you shortly.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- Go that way.- Thank you. - See you later.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08At the very top end of their budget,
0:24:08 > 0:24:09our second house,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11a former 19th-century barn,
0:24:11 > 0:24:12has been stylishly remodelled
0:24:12 > 0:24:13in recent years,
0:24:13 > 0:24:14providing contemporary
0:24:14 > 0:24:16living spaces inside.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18As well as a large kitchen/diner,
0:24:18 > 0:24:19the property comes
0:24:19 > 0:24:20with four bedrooms,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22two of those on the ground floor,
0:24:22 > 0:24:24overlooking a brook.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25The 1.75 acre plot
0:24:25 > 0:24:27includes a paddock for animals,
0:24:27 > 0:24:28but the real bonus is that
0:24:28 > 0:24:30the property lies within
0:24:30 > 0:24:31walking distance of Malmesbury,
0:24:31 > 0:24:32which has schooling options
0:24:32 > 0:24:34for the children.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36The house definitely has the whole package
0:24:36 > 0:24:39for everything we were looking for. The land is amazing.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42We were talking...we might do a bit of glamping with a yurt or something,
0:24:42 > 0:24:43and it's such a beautiful spot,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45I think people would love to stay here.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47House number two is a beautiful house.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Inside, the modern look of it isn't, necessarily, mine or Sabrina's taste
0:24:51 > 0:24:55but you could look past that, see the potential in the rooms...
0:24:55 > 0:24:58It was very interesting, sort of, the layout,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00how the rooms flowed off each other.
0:25:00 > 0:25:01It was great.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Ah! How are we doing, chaps?
0:25:06 > 0:25:08- Good.- Good. - What do you think of that, then?
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Yeah, it's a great space, loads of potential. Really beautiful.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Good. One on the list, I think, for you to really think about.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16And look at that view, come on.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17So, one more property to come.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- Where to next, then?- The Mystery.
0:25:19 > 0:25:20Yes, come on!
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Well, guys, are you happy with what we've been able to show you so far
0:25:28 > 0:25:30with only one property left to see?
0:25:30 > 0:25:32The houses we've seen so far were really beautiful,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34but they were both very much finished,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36so it would be quite exciting to see something
0:25:36 > 0:25:38where we could make our mark a little bit more.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Well, our Mystery House certainly allows you to do that
0:25:42 > 0:25:44and, I think, it doesn't lose sight
0:25:44 > 0:25:47of your ambitions to become smallholders.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Yeah, that sounds great. Can't wait to see it.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53But will it be too much of an undertaking?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56It's the closest of our houses to Bath,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58and is located in the village of Colerne.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Affectionately known as "the village on the hill",
0:26:01 > 0:26:05due to its elevated position at 545 feet above sea level,
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Colerne is within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:26:09 > 0:26:14and enjoys stunning panoramic views over Wiltshire's Box Valley.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Today, it is well served with local amenities,
0:26:16 > 0:26:17including a grocery store,
0:26:17 > 0:26:22public house, and a primary school with a good rating from Ofsted.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Our Mystery House is located on the fringes of the village,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27at the end of a long driveway,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29and offers our couple the land they wanted
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and the chance to put their personal stamp on their new home.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38So, at last, we can reveal the Mystery House.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40There you go. What do you think of that, then?
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- Wow, it's huge! - SABRINA LAUGHS
0:26:43 > 0:26:44Impressive.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46The reason it's the Mystery House
0:26:46 > 0:26:49is because I'm hoping it will combine
0:26:49 > 0:26:52the best of what we now think you both want.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54So, it's got a slightly cottagey aspect,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56with these lovely borders and the setting,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59but it also has something of the grand about it.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01The way it's been converted and furnished,
0:27:01 > 0:27:03it has this sort of manorial feel.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06The other thing to point out about what we're looking at here
0:27:06 > 0:27:08is that this, actually, is the back.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10- OK.- The front's even prettier.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Come and have a look at this.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Around 150 years old,
0:27:15 > 0:27:19the stone-built barn was converted into a home in the early 1990s,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22and is nestled between two sections of pretty garden.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24The rear is particularly well thought out -
0:27:24 > 0:27:26a garden designer's dream.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31There we are. Come over here.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34If you get back from it a bit,
0:27:34 > 0:27:36you get an even better view.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38SABRINA LAUGHS
0:27:38 > 0:27:39Still those big proportions.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- That's true, isn't it? Yeah.- Amazing.- Yeah.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45I love the fact that it's kind of nestled down in this valley.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Feels very sheltered and secluded.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50- Absolutely.- I can't wait to see the inside.- Absolutely.
0:27:50 > 0:27:51Come on, then.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Whilst the Mystery House certainly delivers on land,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Jamie and Sabrina may have to think laterally
0:27:58 > 0:28:00about its internal arrangements.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03So, through the hallway...
0:28:04 > 0:28:05..into here.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09I thought we'd start with the, kind of, manorial living room
0:28:09 > 0:28:12- with this slightly, sort of, Georgian twist, perhaps.- Yeah.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14With those very imposing beams,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17but, still, it's got the really high ceilings.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- I do love a bit of ceiling height. - Yeah, you do.- Yeah, I do.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22You just get such a feeling of space, and I think, for us,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25this would, literally, just be a question of redecorating,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27which should be quite an easy job, really.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30And the whole thing flows. You've got the hallway there. Front door, obviously.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33You come through those double doors into the living room,
0:28:33 > 0:28:35and then, through here, you've got the dining room, there.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Again, with lovely doors out to the garden where we started.
0:28:38 > 0:28:39Yeah, it's lovely.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42All that light coming in through those doors is fantastic.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45But this is handy, because it leads right onto the kitchen.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Now, the kitchen itself is curious, cos you sort of step up...into it.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51It's a great space.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Yeah, it's nice. I can kind of see, maybe with a bit of modernisation,
0:28:54 > 0:28:56maybe a little bit of reconfiguration,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59I think this could, actually, be a really nice kitchen.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- You're not convinced.- I'm not...
0:29:01 > 0:29:02I'm not quite as convinced as Jamie,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05I think just because I do more of the day-to-day cooking
0:29:05 > 0:29:07when the kids are around, lunches and things.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09So, having these steps here, you know, that's a bit of a hazard
0:29:09 > 0:29:11and if they're going to be playing in the...
0:29:11 > 0:29:13you know, in the main reception room,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15that's on the other side of the house from here.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19In terms of how we'd practically use it, it doesn't work as well.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22So, Sabrina has concerns about the ground-floor configuration,
0:29:22 > 0:29:26which also includes a utility room just off the kitchen.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Upstairs, it provides our buyers with four bedrooms
0:29:29 > 0:29:31arranged off a central landing.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33These include a good-sized double,
0:29:33 > 0:29:35a single with built-in cupboards and a twin,
0:29:35 > 0:29:38so lots of options for their sons.
0:29:38 > 0:29:43There's also a separate study and a large family bath and shower room.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Which leaves the final piece of the puzzle up here for them.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48There we go. This is your bit,
0:29:48 > 0:29:53and that's because you get the dressing room, here... SABRINA LAUGHS
0:29:53 > 0:29:54You can share it.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57And also the en-suite bath and shower room, over there.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58That's a really good size.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01Of all the master bedrooms we've seen in the three houses,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04this is definitely the biggest and feels the most masterful.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06Could you see yourselves in this one,
0:30:06 > 0:30:08in this particular building, do you think?
0:30:08 > 0:30:11I like the building, but I think, maybe...
0:30:11 > 0:30:14the layout - we'd have to work that out.
0:30:14 > 0:30:15So, better reactions to the upstairs
0:30:15 > 0:30:17and, while Jamie and Sabrina
0:30:17 > 0:30:20may have to work out the ground-floor layout,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22I think the land here may sugar the pill,
0:30:22 > 0:30:26as, outside, there are seven acres to play with.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29In addition to the two sections of garden we've already seen,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33there's a large gravel driveway and a separate garage block,
0:30:33 > 0:30:34and just uphill from that
0:30:34 > 0:30:38is a huge sloping paddock, making up most of the land,
0:30:38 > 0:30:41providing shelter and space for possible alpacas.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Now, believe me, it's worth the climb...
0:30:46 > 0:30:50cos the view of the house and your land is just wonderful.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52The house itself is set down a bit,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55but there's a real feeling of open space, here, I think.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Yeah, absolutely. This is kind of the best view of the house.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01You can really see what it's about when you get up here.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05So, for the final time of asking this week,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08you've got £900,000 - £950,000 - what do you think
0:31:08 > 0:31:11our Mystery House is on the market for, Jamie?
0:31:11 > 0:31:12I'm going to go with 895.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14895, yeah. Sabrina?
0:31:14 > 0:31:17I was thinking maybe something like 900, as well.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19£900,000.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21You're both, I'm afraid, being
0:31:21 > 0:31:25a little bit too optimistic, once again. This is on the market...
0:31:25 > 0:31:29- for £950,000...- OK.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32..but, having spoken to the agent, I think...
0:31:32 > 0:31:33you know, they're not going to give it away,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35but there is a conversation to be had.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37I think provided it starts with a nine,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39you might be in with a fighting chance.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41OK. Yeah, interesting.
0:31:41 > 0:31:42Well, look, take some time.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44Go and have another look at the property
0:31:44 > 0:31:47and I will come and catch up with you a little bit later.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49- Off you go. - Brilliant, thanks very much.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55At the top end of their budget,
0:31:55 > 0:31:59the Mystery House is a converted barn, built around 150 years ago
0:31:59 > 0:32:03and refurbished in the '90s, with four good-sized bedrooms.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05With a high ceiling in the living room,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07but a cosy cottagey feel throughout,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12it appeals to Jamie and Sabrina's different preferences on style.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15And although they may want to put their own stamp on the place,
0:32:15 > 0:32:19seven acres of land gives them lots of outside options.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21The house has got so much potential. It needs...
0:32:21 > 0:32:23I think we'd probably want to do quite a lot of work to it.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25I could imagine really stripping it back,
0:32:25 > 0:32:27but it's quite exciting, actually,
0:32:27 > 0:32:29thinking about everything you could do here.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31In terms of the land that we were thinking of,
0:32:31 > 0:32:32I think this house definitely gives us
0:32:32 > 0:32:34the closest to what we were imagining.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36You could do so many different things - have the alpacas,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39some yurts and caravans, all sorts of things we could do out here.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42I don't think it's quite there yet,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44but it's absolutely got the potential
0:32:44 > 0:32:46to be something that could work so well for our family.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49With a bit more imagination, I think this could be an amazing house.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56We've given you some cracking properties this week.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58- Time to think about them, I guess. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Then get your chequebook. Come on.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07In the Wiltshire town of Warminster
0:33:07 > 0:33:12is the headquarters of one of the UK's leading glove manufacturers.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Established in the late 18th century,
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Dents have been making gloves for the rich, the famous and royalty
0:33:18 > 0:33:20for over 230 years.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22It's just one of a handful of companies
0:33:22 > 0:33:26still manufacturing leather gloves using time-honoured techniques.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28I've come to the firm's museum to find out more
0:33:28 > 0:33:31about the county's rich history of glove-making.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33I'm meeting CEO Deborah Moore.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37- You've been making gloves for a very long time, haven't you?- 1777.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39The company started in Worcester.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43John Dent, who eventually brought his sons, William and John, into the business.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47And why did the factory move from Worcestershire to Wiltshire in the West Country?
0:33:47 > 0:33:49I think we followed the tanneries.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51The tanneries came down to Yeovil
0:33:51 > 0:33:53and many of the glove companies actually followed.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Now, you've got your own museum here,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58which contains many items, many gloves.
0:33:58 > 0:33:59My eye has been caught by
0:33:59 > 0:34:02the gold that is glittering off the table next to us, here.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04What have you got out for us today?
0:34:04 > 0:34:05We've got two gloves here.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08First of all, we've got Queen Elizabeth I's glove.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10That's astonishing. So, give us a date on that one.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12This is about 1559.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14- 1559!- This is her coronation glove.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Look how slender the fingers are.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18And you would see very long fingers,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21but they would have stuffed the ends of the fingers, here.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Her fingers would not actually have been that shape?
0:34:23 > 0:34:24No, they wouldn't.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27These gloves were, of course, acquired for the museum's collection,
0:34:27 > 0:34:32but, in 1953, the company was asked to produce a similar set of gloves
0:34:32 > 0:34:34for the coronation of our present Queen.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Part of the coronation ceremony is that the monarch is given a glove,
0:34:38 > 0:34:42and it's the right-handed glove in this case, and she touches it...
0:34:42 > 0:34:45- Can I pick it up?- You can, yes - obviously with gloves.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46Obviously with other gloves on.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48I suppose, never really worn.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49No, they haven't been.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52But these look like they have been through the wars, as it were.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53Two left-handed gloves.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56These were Lord Nelson's gloves.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59No! He famously lost his right arm, didn't he?
0:34:59 > 0:35:01So, two left-hand gloves.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Today, gloves here are still made
0:35:06 > 0:35:09just as they were over 100 years ago.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Each pair in their Heritage Collection is handmade from leather,
0:35:13 > 0:35:18and there around 70 people working to produce 50,000 pairs each year.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Now, you're busy stitching together these 24 components.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23I am, yeah. I've already put the thumb in...
0:35:24 > 0:35:26..and now I'm measuring up the fourchettes.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29The fourchettes are the bits that go in between the finger,
0:35:29 > 0:35:30that actually make it fit your finger,
0:35:30 > 0:35:33and if you look at the top, where we bend it back,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35you get a very small little V.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39And if you don't get the V, then you haven't done it right.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41It requires years of practice,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44but Sally is very kindly allowing me to have a go
0:35:44 > 0:35:46on the 80-year-old sewing machine.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Just put your fingers there, and just hold there...
0:35:49 > 0:35:51- Hold that straight.- You can see where the needle is going to go.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- Yeah.- Go up on the edge, and you'll be fine.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58Now, Sally can put it all together in half an hour, but me,
0:35:58 > 0:36:00I'm taking a little longer.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- We'll have to have you here to do a few. - HE LAUGHS
0:36:03 > 0:36:08Somehow I think it would take me a little bit longer than half an hour!
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Having been given an inside look into the production process,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14it's been interesting to see how these historic gloves
0:36:14 > 0:36:17are still being made in such a time-honoured way,
0:36:17 > 0:36:19keeping those handcrafted skills alive.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Well, this week, we have shown Jamie and Sabrina
0:36:26 > 0:36:27three fabulous properties,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29with a combined asking price
0:36:29 > 0:36:33of £2,775,000.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35And despite their fabulous budget,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38they can, of course, afford to buy only one of them.
0:36:38 > 0:36:39But which one?
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Well, let's go and ask them,
0:36:41 > 0:36:43and have some tea and scones while we're about it.
0:36:46 > 0:36:52Well, look at you in this lovely, rather regal setting.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55It's the moment we've all been waiting for. It's decision time.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Have you had a chance to think about it all?
0:36:57 > 0:37:01- Yeah, we have. - Had a bit of a chat, bit of a mull.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02A bit of a mull.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05We did give you three, I think, really interesting options.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09So, which one, if any of them, have you alighted upon?
0:37:09 > 0:37:12I think we'd probably like to have another look at two of them.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Firstly, house number two.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17That setting with that walk over the fields into Malmesbury
0:37:17 > 0:37:20was just spectacular, and the beautiful land behind,
0:37:20 > 0:37:22so we'd definitely like to go back and take a second look there.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26But you also liked property number three, our Mystery House, of course.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28We did. I think we'd like to come back and have a think about that
0:37:28 > 0:37:30with costings and how that would work financially.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Looking at particularly the Mystery House
0:37:33 > 0:37:36and seeing what that offers in terms of scale of land -
0:37:36 > 0:37:38that really has confirmed to me
0:37:38 > 0:37:41that having a bit more land is an exciting prospect.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45So, potentially, two more revisits, as it were.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47When's it going to happen?
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Well, I think we'll probably try and come back in the next weekend or so.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Maybe stay in Malmesbury, have a chance
0:37:52 > 0:37:54to properly look around there and get to know that area.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Best of luck. Let us know how you get on.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Oh, thank you very much, and thank you so much
0:37:58 > 0:38:01for showing us, you know, three such unique properties.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03It's given us a lot to think about, as well.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07Well, it's been a week of wonderful properties,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10high numbers and even loftier ambitions.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12And now, with any luck, Jamie and Sabrina
0:38:12 > 0:38:15are that little bit closer to realising some,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17if not all, of theirs.
0:38:17 > 0:38:18I'll see you next time.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Jamie and Sabrina revisited our second house
0:38:24 > 0:38:26and are still considering their options.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28If you'd like to Escape To The Country,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31in either England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland,
0:38:31 > 0:38:32and would like our help,
0:38:32 > 0:38:37then please apply online at...