0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Now, these rather fine looking red and white cattle behind me,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08gently grazing underneath that tree,
0:00:08 > 0:00:10are one of the UK's oldest beef breeds,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13but you can also find them in South America and Japan.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16But what's more, they take their name from this glorious landscape.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17So, where are we?
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40Today's buyers are looking forward to escaping the commuter rat race
0:00:40 > 0:00:43and enjoying the rich pickings of rural living.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Our properties work hard to create the right
0:00:45 > 0:00:47vision of our couple's perfect pad.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49On paper, it certainly works for you.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- You can keep trying. - Yeah, I'm going to, that's my job.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I have to keep trying.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58But perhaps they'll need to rethink their future business plans.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01So how much of this do you want to share with your B&B guests?
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- I don't. - HE LAUGHS
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Well, today we are in Herefordshire,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11and these are of course Hereford cattle.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Now, the breed has been around for some 350 years,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17but since 1870, its pedigree has been maintained by the
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Hereford Cattle Society, whose first patron
0:01:20 > 0:01:22was none other than Queen Victoria.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25These days, globally, the Hereford herd is thriving.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27It's thought that there are some 5 million animals
0:01:27 > 0:01:30now in 50 countries around the world.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34This, to me, is a quintessential picture of the English countryside.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37No surprise then, that for many people, Herefordshire
0:01:37 > 0:01:39is one of the prettiest counties in Britain.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Covering an area of some 800 square miles,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Herefordshire is situated on England's border with Wales
0:01:49 > 0:01:51and is sandwiched between the counties of
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Worcestershire and Powys.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57The county is home to two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty -
0:01:57 > 0:02:00the rolling Malvern Hills to the east and the
0:02:00 > 0:02:02tranquil Wye Valley to the south,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05home to some of the most beautiful lowland scenery in Britain.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10The region's fertile landscape provides the bedrock to the
0:02:10 > 0:02:12county's strong agricultural heritage.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15With 85% of land dedicated
0:02:15 > 0:02:18to farming, the generous clay soils have proved particularly
0:02:18 > 0:02:21suited to cultivating apples.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26Producing cider since the 1600s, today the area boasts more
0:02:26 > 0:02:28cider orchards than any other county in England.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Towards the west is the undulating Golden Valley
0:02:33 > 0:02:35and the town of Hay-on-Wye.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38With over 30 antique and second-hand bookshops,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41it plays host to the annual Hay Festival, one of the most
0:02:41 > 0:02:46highly regarded events in the international literary calendar.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50So, steeped in culture, agricultural history and food heritage,
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Herefordshire provides a rich and picturesque setting for those
0:02:54 > 0:02:56seeking a generous slice of country life.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Now, when it comes to property prices, Herefordshire represents
0:03:02 > 0:03:04pretty good value for money.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Here, the average price of a detached home is currently
0:03:07 > 0:03:11just over £269,000, that's some 12 and a half grand
0:03:11 > 0:03:12below the national figure.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Now, to be fair, the east of the county around Hereford
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and Ledbury is a little bit more expensive, but that's because of
0:03:19 > 0:03:20the great rail and road networks
0:03:20 > 0:03:22that lead off of it to the rest of the UK.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26So if you want your budget to go that little bit further,
0:03:26 > 0:03:27my advice, as always,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30is to head west, over towards the border with Wales.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33There, you will get a little bit more bang for your buck.
0:03:33 > 0:03:34So what about today's buyers?
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Why Herefordshire and where in this glorious county do they want to be?
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Josie and Colin first laid eyes on
0:03:44 > 0:03:46one another at work four decades ago, but
0:03:46 > 0:03:51it wasn't particularly love at first sight for one half of this couple.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54He was my immediate superior.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57And I didn't like him at first
0:03:57 > 0:04:00because he thought he knew my job better than his,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02but of course he didn't.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04I was attracted to her straightaway,
0:04:04 > 0:04:09and our relationship developed fairly quickly from there.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12For the last 22 years,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15home has been Chorleywood, in the Hertfordshire commuter belt.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19But over that time, the area has become busier and more populated.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22So they've sold up the family property
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and are temporarily renting nearby.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27We love living there, however, it's attracted more and more people
0:04:27 > 0:04:30and now it has got very busy.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31I think for my last home and to
0:04:31 > 0:04:34what we're looking for is a more quieter location.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Retirement for both kitchen designer Colin and training manager Josie
0:04:39 > 0:04:43has prompted the idea to break ties with Chorleywood.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Because they're no longer tied to the area for work,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48they can put down new roots anywhere.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50In fact, they've spent a year researching their preferred
0:04:50 > 0:04:53location and have successfully nailed it.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56We're looking to move to Hereford.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01We have been there before in terms of sort of like short holidays,
0:05:01 > 0:05:05and we love the countryside, the fantastic views.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09You have access to interesting places such as Worcester,
0:05:09 > 0:05:14Gloucester, Hereford itself and very easily to the Wye Valley.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Although they're winding down their current careers,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Josie and Colin aren't looking to slow down any time soon
0:05:20 > 0:05:23as they plan to open their new house to paying guests.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25We both have a work ethic.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Although we've never sort of run a B&B before,
0:05:28 > 0:05:33we do keep a nice home and Colin is very sociable.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40Not that I'm not, of course. And it just seems a natural progression.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44And with previous experience in catering, this foodie couple
0:05:44 > 0:05:47are excited about putting their culinary skills to good
0:05:47 > 0:05:50practice when they enter the world of hospitality.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I love to cook when I get the time.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59I can manage quite a few types of food,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03nothing like as extravagant or as ambitious as Josie,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06but breakfast, I think, will be my domain.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Besides the B&B idea, they're accomplished gardeners
0:06:10 > 0:06:14and after a sizeable plot where they can also create a smallholding
0:06:14 > 0:06:17to realise their grand ambition of keeping animals.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21Our dream property would be
0:06:21 > 0:06:24somewhere with a decent
0:06:24 > 0:06:25plot of land.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29We would like to keep a few chickens,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31possibly look into beekeeping.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36With many of their possessions boxed up whilst they rent, Josie and Colin
0:06:36 > 0:06:38can't wait to unpack and properly settle into
0:06:38 > 0:06:40the next phase of their lives.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45This move, in terms of changing our life, will give us a nice,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49quieter, more peaceful, more enjoyable life.
0:06:49 > 0:06:55It will provide the opportunities for us to achieve the style of
0:06:55 > 0:06:59life that we are looking to follow for the rest of our lives now.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Josie and Colin are open-minded about where they set up home.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08But ideally, they want to be well-connected to the
0:07:08 > 0:07:11cultural hotspots of Hereford and Ross-on-Wye
0:07:11 > 0:07:13to attract paying guests.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16I'm catching up with them to get a better idea of what they're after
0:07:16 > 0:07:18from their new country retreat.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- Good morning.- Good morning. - How are we?- Fine, thank you.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Very nice to see you, Colin and Josie. Welcome to Herefordshire.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30You talk about enjoying your retirement, it sounds
0:07:30 > 0:07:33like it's all going to be fairly hectic with animals, holiday lets...
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Well, we only expect to have one or two bed and breakfast
0:07:37 > 0:07:40or holiday let just to keep the interest going, meeting new people,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43purpose of getting out of bed in the morning,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46and the animals is just to recreate some of
0:07:46 > 0:07:47what we've had and a bit more.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50And in terms of the property, what are you imagining now?
0:07:50 > 0:07:57A nice, detached house in about two or even up to three acres
0:07:57 > 0:07:59of space around it
0:07:59 > 0:08:03and I would love to see spectacular views from the kitchen or lounge.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I gather that you don't really want beams,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09you'd quite like modern, you do want an open fire,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11but you don't like dust.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13THEY LAUGH
0:08:13 > 0:08:15I do like to have a nice, clean and tidy home.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18I don't mind the odd feature beam,
0:08:18 > 0:08:24but I couldn't deal with beams, you know, the whole of the room
0:08:24 > 0:08:28because it brings the ceiling down, claustrophobic and dark.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32And what about style, though? Open plan? More traditional?
0:08:32 > 0:08:35A kitchen diner would be appreciated, or maybe it's
0:08:35 > 0:08:38something that we could create, but other rooms, yes,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40with some definition so you have your own space.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43How much work are you prepared to put into a property?
0:08:43 > 0:08:48Well, we're quite happy to put in a new kitchen or a new bathroom,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51but what we don't want to do is start knocking down walls.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Now let's talk about how much you're going to spend on this
0:08:54 > 0:08:57because you have just sold your property in Chorleywood.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Our budget for this move is for £650,000.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Well, we've got some really interesting properties lined up
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- for you, so let's go and spend some money, shall we?- Yeah.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06Right, come on.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13With a sizeable budget of £650,000, our buyers are after
0:09:13 > 0:09:16a modernised character property.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20They'd like enough bedrooms or an annexe to run a B&B or holiday let
0:09:20 > 0:09:24and a large kitchen/diner to cater for guests.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Two to three acres of land would be ideal to accommodate
0:09:26 > 0:09:27a range of animals.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30And they also want a peaceful, rural location,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32but one which is well connected
0:09:32 > 0:09:34to attract potential clients.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38We've combed the Herefordshire countryside and found
0:09:38 > 0:09:42a selection of top-notch properties which I hope will meet the mark.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45However, I'll hold back on revealing the price tag
0:09:45 > 0:09:47until the end of each tour.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49And lastly, we've got an alternative package
0:09:49 > 0:09:51to offer at the Mystery House which could
0:09:51 > 0:09:54provide a rather different business opportunity
0:09:54 > 0:09:56for our animal-loving couple.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Our property search begins in the hamlet of Bullinghope,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07just two miles outside of Hereford.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Set on the banks of the River Wye, Hereford is the county's only
0:10:12 > 0:10:14city located on this river
0:10:14 > 0:10:18and so has been the focal point of agricultural trade for centuries.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21The majestic cathedral towers over the high street where
0:10:21 > 0:10:23black and white timbered architecture
0:10:23 > 0:10:27houses a range of amenities as well as a wealth of pubs and restaurants.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Our first offering is a five-minute drive away,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33located in a small, private close.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- Wow.- Wow.- It's an enormous property.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- Gosh.- How about this? Number one.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Yes, a lot to take in. - Yeah, interesting.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48It's also got that, which is a dedicated one-bed holiday let.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52I think this is the sort of place that people visiting the city would
0:10:52 > 0:10:56probably really go for because it's so close to all those amenities.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- It looks fairly modern. Looking forward to seeing it.- Great, lovely.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Come on, then. Let's see what you think.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Built in 1992, this extensive redbrick property offers
0:11:08 > 0:11:12the spacious modern proportions that Josie and Colin are after.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15And although it may be a somewhat subdued start outside,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17I'm hoping that our couple will warm to it
0:11:17 > 0:11:20when they're presented with the potential inside.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23First stop is the kitchen.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25There we go.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28It's a usable space cos it being square,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- we would probably modernise it in terms of...- Yeah, not my cup of tea.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- But then you are married to a kitchen designer.- Yeah.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37So, get your pencil out, mate. THEY LAUGH
0:11:37 > 0:11:38But you're absolutely right.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41They've got a very small, modest table in here.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42You could have something much bigger.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44You could have an island, of course.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47But you've also got a separate dining room in there.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- That's good, plenty of room.- Yes. - Am I pushing uphill?
0:11:50 > 0:11:56- I'll hold judgment until we've seen the whole of the house.- OK.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Living room, come on, let's have a look at that.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Also on the ground floor, just beyond the kitchen,
0:12:01 > 0:12:05lies a large utility room and a compact gym.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Then off the grand entrance hall, there's a good-sized study.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- And it also comes with a spacious living room.- Again, good size.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- Looking through into the conservatory, very nice.- Yes.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18And it projects right out into the garden, so you can enjoy that.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- On paper, it certainly works for you.- You can keep trying.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Yeah, I'm going to, that's my job. I have to keep trying.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29- Right, let's go upstairs.- OK. - Follow me.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Josie seems to be playing her cards close to her chest,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36but there's still plenty to see.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40Up on the first floor, there are a total of four bedrooms.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44One comfortable double has fitted wardrobes and its own en suite.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47There's a further two generous double rooms which have
0:12:47 > 0:12:48built-in storage.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Both share the use of a family bathroom, but I'm taking them
0:12:51 > 0:12:54to explore the spacious master bedroom.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01Well, we have saved the biggest until last. This would be your bit.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04This sort of little dressing area is quite nice.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07You've got lovely views out these two windows as well.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13But it also affords you this suite of extra space -
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- huge dressing area with loads of storage...- I like this.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- ..dedicated en-suite bathroom. - Very nice.- OK.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25And tours out to your own little balcony which overlooks Hereford.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- You can see the cathedral from there.- That's very unusual.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- I think I could live with that. - It's nice, isn't it?- Yes.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32I think, in the meantime, we should finish off,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36go downstairs to the garden and have a think about the price...
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- OK.- OK.- ..cos it may all make sense then.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44At last, this house has captured their interest.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Attached to the main property and located above the double garage
0:13:48 > 0:13:50and workshop is the annexe,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53which could generate upwards of £40 a night.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Here, there is a compact but fully fitted kitchen
0:13:57 > 0:13:59and a cosy living and dining area.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03There's also a small double bedroom and a bathroom.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Outside, the private grounds that sweep around this house
0:14:08 > 0:14:11amount to just over half an acre, mostly lawn.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15The gently sloping plot is framed by established borders
0:14:15 > 0:14:17with mature trees.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Here we are. So, another aspect to it altogether.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25In some ways, I think this is prettier than the front.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26- I agree.- And me.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30It hasn't got acres, OK, but nonetheless, I think this
0:14:30 > 0:14:34garden would still afford you plenty of room for chickens and so on.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Ideally, we would have perhaps liked a little bit bigger
0:14:37 > 0:14:41but with the views and potential here, yes. It's workable.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Shall we talk about the price, then?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Who's got an idea as to what property one is on the market for?
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Well, I would hope it would be
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- somewhere in the region of 575. - Yeah?
0:14:54 > 0:14:56I'd properly go a little bit less.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Let's say 560, 565.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03This is on the market for five hundred...
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- ..and forty-five thousand pounds. - Wow.- That's good news.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Now, there is one more bit you need to see, of course.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13That is the annexe. Let's see what you might do with it
0:15:13 > 0:15:15and I will catch up with you a little bit later.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16- OK.- Off you go.- Thank you.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25At a massive £105,000 under
0:15:25 > 0:15:27their top budget, this spacious
0:15:27 > 0:15:29modern property with four bedrooms
0:15:29 > 0:15:31seems to offer our couple
0:15:31 > 0:15:33their preferred layout throughout.
0:15:33 > 0:15:34It has the added bonus of an
0:15:34 > 0:15:36attached holiday let option
0:15:36 > 0:15:37and is set in a semirural
0:15:37 > 0:15:40location with views towards Hereford.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- Wow, this is a...- Decent sized room. - ..good size, yes.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- Bigger than I thought it would be, actually.- Yeah, me too.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53- Good kitchen, nice bedroom through there. This could work.- Good.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57The interior, on the whole, has potential.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00A little bit of reconfiguring, but nothing major.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03We'd need to put our own stamp on it.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08What I liked about this property was the spaciousness of all
0:16:08 > 0:16:11the rooms and to have
0:16:11 > 0:16:15defined areas in the house, which is what we like.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19The location and the setting of this property is very good,
0:16:19 > 0:16:24but we would like a slightly larger garden plot.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Ah, so, what did you think of that, then?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- Well, I thought the annexe was very good.- It's really good.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31It's a huge size.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- And I think you could let that pretty easily, actually.- Yeah.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- Yes. Definitely.- So property number one is done.- Yes.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- It has potential.- Yes.- I think.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44I think you're more on my side too, aren't you, really?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- But we've got two more to show you. Come on, let's go.- OK, great.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Today, over a billion apples help to make Herefordshire
0:16:59 > 0:17:03one of the largest producers of cider in the country.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Insect pollination is the key to a fruitful yield,
0:17:06 > 0:17:07and for this reason,
0:17:07 > 0:17:12bees play a vital role in supporting the productivity of these orchards.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Colin and Josie are keen to find out about the smaller scale
0:17:16 > 0:17:18benefits of domestic beekeeping when they move.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20And near the market town of Leominster
0:17:20 > 0:17:22is an impressive four-acre garden
0:17:22 > 0:17:27that perfectly demonstrates the importance of bees in the ecosystem.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Stockton Bury Gardens has been owned by the same family since 1850,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and our buyers are meeting current custodian Tamsin Westhorpe.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Over the last 30 years, my uncle and his partner have created
0:17:39 > 0:17:43a plantsman's garden, so there's lots of very unusual plants here.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47It's part of, in the heart of, a Herefordshire working farm
0:17:47 > 0:17:51as well, so we're surrounded by cider orchards.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54And they do produce great crops of apples every year.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58And obviously, having bees is beneficial to our cider crop.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01So what sort of plants do the bees favour?
0:18:01 > 0:18:03You need to offer them single flowers,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07flowers that are easy for them to access the pollen and nectar,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10so things like single dog-roses, hardy geraniums,
0:18:10 > 0:18:13the lovely alliums with the big purple heads.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And for bees, you're looking at having plants in flower
0:18:16 > 0:18:20from March to September to keep them in your plot.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Pollination is crucial in the life cycle of plants.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Insects, birds and even the wind can pollinate by transporting
0:18:28 > 0:18:30pollen between the flowers of similar species
0:18:30 > 0:18:33and enabling fertilisation and reproduction.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35There are three hives at the garden here,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38and it's Nick Shepherd who's responsible for looking after them.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41And here we've got a super.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- It's called a super because it's superior, it sits on top.- Right.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49The modern hive is based on a design that dates back to 1851.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52It features an internal framework that mimics
0:18:52 > 0:18:56a natural nest from which honeycomb can be simply extracted.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- And there...is honey.- Ah.- Yeah.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04And how long does it take the bees to sort of like fill all that up?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07One bee only makes, in its lifetime,
0:19:07 > 0:19:09about a third of a teaspoonful of honey.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- Oh, wow.- Gosh.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15When layers of the hive are removed, it's essential that the queen bee
0:19:15 > 0:19:18isn't disturbed as she could swarm and leave the nest.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22The queen excluder is a perforated barrier which prevents
0:19:22 > 0:19:24her from laying eggs in the honey.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28And now we've got to the brood chamber.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- That's a joyous sight, look at that. That is, that's brood.- Right.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Beautiful pattern, and everything's going well.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Absolutely fascinating, isn't it?
0:19:37 > 0:19:42As extremely hard workers, bees are thought to travel to between 50
0:19:42 > 0:19:45and 100 flowers in one journey to collect pollen.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46At the height of summer,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50there can be 60,000 to 80,000 bees in any one hive.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54What would be an approximate cost of setting up a beehive?
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Roughly, you can buy a pack, something like this,
0:19:58 > 0:20:03- for round about 150 quid. - And to get your first bees?
0:20:03 > 0:20:07The first thing to do is join your local beekeeping association,
0:20:07 > 0:20:11because once you've joined that, you'll probably find that
0:20:11 > 0:20:15somebody can find you a swarm, so there's no cost to that.
0:20:15 > 0:20:20And once set up, the hive only requires inspection once a week.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22So how do you feel about beekeeping after that?
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- Very interesting and just a little bit frightening.- Good.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26No, nothing to be frightened about.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Always remember, bees don't want to sting you.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32How long do you have to keep bees before you get honey?
0:20:32 > 0:20:3512 months. It all depends on the weather
0:20:35 > 0:20:37and what they've got to forage on.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- What can we do to encourage more bees?- Don't be a tidy gardener.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44In the autumn time, they need places to hibernate.
0:20:44 > 0:20:50And always provide water - so a saucer, a plant pot saucer.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53And they actually like dirty water as well,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56so some soil or something in it.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59So with our buyers eager to create a hive of activity
0:20:59 > 0:21:03at their new home, it's time we got back to the property search.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Now our house hunt continues further south in the rural hamlet
0:21:11 > 0:21:15of Pontshill, just over three miles from Ross-on-Wye.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Set high on a sandstone cliff,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20the local landmark of St Mary's church looks down on the river.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23The attractive town of Ross-on-Wye is hailed
0:21:23 > 0:21:25as the birthplace of modern tourism.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29And today, the busy high street is lined with all the essential
0:21:29 > 0:21:31amenities as well as many independent stores.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33A ten-minute drive away
0:21:33 > 0:21:37and situated in an secluded spot is property number two.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39This is what I would like you to
0:21:39 > 0:21:45- feast your eyes on, cos this, I think, is a real treat.- Wow.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46- Looks lovely.- Looks big.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49It certainly allows you the opportunity, I think,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52to do some really nice kind of high spec B&B too.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54First impressions, it looks lovely
0:21:54 > 0:21:57and the garden that we can see looks great.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- Can't wait to get in and have a look.- Happy?- Yes.- Yes, definitely.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Good, right. Come and have a look.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04And there aren't many beams either, you'll be pleased to know.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06THEY LAUGH
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Dating back to around 1850, this property spent its former years
0:22:10 > 0:22:15as a mill complex when it produced paper, ground corn and bottled beer.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Production stopped 100 years ago and it was then
0:22:18 > 0:22:20converted into a home in the year 2000.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25Externally, it's attracting positive vibes so far,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28and I'm hoping that enthusiasm will continue as we move inside.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Now, unusually, we're going to start in the dining room.
0:22:33 > 0:22:39- What do you think?- I like it very much.- Yes?- Yes. And I love the fire.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Yes, lovely, isn't it?
0:22:41 > 0:22:44There are a few wood burners tucked away in this property.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47It feels very homely, it feels very comfortable.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- It's the thick walls, the deep windowsills, very attractive.- Yeah.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Good. So you wanted your separate zones.
0:22:54 > 0:22:55You've got the dining room here.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Behind us is a really sweet little snug,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00actually, great sort of family room.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02But let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03You're going to like this. This way.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08There we are, Josie.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- That's pretty good. - I'm amazed at the height.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- Sudden change of height of ceiling. - I love the windows.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Lovely, isn't it? I mean, come on, you're the kitchen designer.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23Yes, it's contemporary, it's got character and, yeah,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- it's very well finished. - Very, very nice indeed.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Is that it?
0:23:28 > 0:23:29It is a wow,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32which I maybe should have said beforehand.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I'm not going to twist your arm, Josie.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- It's just taking it all in.- Yeah.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- The living room is this way.- OK.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Well, two rooms down with one to go on the ground floor.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48So far, it all seems to be going rather well.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50So let's see if we can build on that.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- I like.- Yes.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Big contrast, isn't it? And the floor, very unusual.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Yeah, good size.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00So how much of this do you want to share with your B&B guests?
0:24:00 > 0:24:02- I don't. - THEY LAUGH
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- You see? Good. You want it all for yourselves.- Yes.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08This is our space, yes.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10I couldn't have asked for better reactions from our couple,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13but I am beginning to wonder whether they would actually open
0:24:13 > 0:24:16this beautiful house to paying B&B guests.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19If they could, then there's a dedicated en suite ground floor
0:24:19 > 0:24:21bedroom that would be ideal.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Next, we're heading upstairs where there are three more bedrooms
0:24:25 > 0:24:27split between two separate wings.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30In one wing, there's a good-sized double and a compact bathroom.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33And then in the other, there's a more stylish bathroom featuring a
0:24:33 > 0:24:37freestanding tub and a small single, currently used as a dressing room.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41And lastly, we come to the largest of the lot.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Very impressive. Beautifully done, again.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46- Now, this could be for guests.- No.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- Don't think so. - See, I knew that was coming.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51I'm going to take the pressure off a bit and just relax
0:24:51 > 0:24:54and enjoy this conversation because it is nice, isn't it?
0:24:54 > 0:24:58It's very nice. It's a lovely-sized room, very bright, airy.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02- It's very much our taste.- Yes.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Right then, let's go out and talk about the price, shall we?
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Don't look so worried. Or maybe you should.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11If Josie and Colin can't really bear
0:25:11 > 0:25:13to welcome guests into their home,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17then attached to the property is a separate self-contained
0:25:17 > 0:25:20annexe which they could convert into a holiday let instead.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22It's used by the current owners for storage
0:25:22 > 0:25:26but has potential to generate at least £50 a night.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Outside, the sprawling gardens here total four acres, which include
0:25:29 > 0:25:31a large, paved area with a
0:25:31 > 0:25:34well-maintained lawn and some woodland.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36And with so much land, our couple could even
0:25:36 > 0:25:40extend their business plans to include camping and/or glamping.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44But of course, this all depends on the price.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47So, Josie, what do you think
0:25:47 > 0:25:50property number two is on the market for?
0:25:50 > 0:25:54- I'm going to go maybe 665. - I will be optimistic.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57I think nearer 625.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00This will consume all of your budget
0:26:00 > 0:26:04because it's on the market for £650,000.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Good.- Happy?- Yes.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11I'd be quite happy to walk in there and start living the dream.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Right, then. Get your cheque-book out, mate.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15THEY LAUGH
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Right, off you go. Go and have a wander around,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19soak it all up and I'll catch up with you a little bit later.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21OK, thank you.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Bang on the maximum budget,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28this lovingly renovated former mill with
0:26:28 > 0:26:31four bedrooms offers Josie and Colin
0:26:31 > 0:26:34a beautiful country home, as well as business potential
0:26:34 > 0:26:38with its self-contained annexe and four acres of land.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Set in a tranquil location, this one
0:26:40 > 0:26:42really does seem to have struck a chord.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- Oh, this is very sweet.- It is.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- And the decor is very nice too, nice kitchen.- Yes, the kitchen's nice.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54- All flows. Bathroom there. - It works, that's good.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00My first impression when we arrived with Jules was, "Wow."
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I think this property is a lovely house,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06not far off idyllic.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08The thing I like about this house is the flow.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11My overall impression of this house is a thumbs up,
0:27:11 > 0:27:15and we will be giving it further consideration, I think.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18- How are you two?- Hi. Good.- OK.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19Seen enough? How was the annexe?
0:27:19 > 0:27:21- Very good.- Very good, yes.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- Much bigger than we thought. - Ah, you see.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Now then, our house tours today are over,
0:27:26 > 0:27:28so I have one final question for you.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Have you tried a pint of the local brew yet?
0:27:30 > 0:27:32- No, but if you're buying... - Come on, then.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46It's the second day of our property search with Josie and Colin
0:27:46 > 0:27:49from Chorleywood, in Hertfordshire, who are ready
0:27:49 > 0:27:51to turn their backs on suburban life
0:27:51 > 0:27:53by relocating to rural Herefordshire.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Coming up, our mystery property provides a business
0:27:56 > 0:27:58proposal that's off the scale.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02- That's very nice.- Happy?- Very happy.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06And it looks like I might be misfiring as I try my hand
0:28:06 > 0:28:08at an age-old craft.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10HE LAUGHS
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- It's not supposed to look like that, is it? Not really.- No!- No.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Well, look at this -
0:28:17 > 0:28:20blue skies and warm sunshine to herald the start of our
0:28:20 > 0:28:22final day of house-hunting here in Herefordshire
0:28:22 > 0:28:24with Colin and with Josie.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27We've seen two, but let's be honest, we haven't quite cracked it yet.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Although clearly, our second property gave us
0:28:29 > 0:28:33a clearer idea of the sort of style that our buyers are after.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36But the key thing, I think, in this search is finding them
0:28:36 > 0:28:40a home that can offer some sort of income potential for the future.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Now, we've looked very closely at the whole holiday let idea,
0:28:43 > 0:28:46but maybe for our Mystery House, we'll try something different -
0:28:46 > 0:28:51a very different kind of living in a very different kind of property.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Let's see if they like it.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55For our final property stop,
0:28:55 > 0:28:56we're heading north,
0:28:56 > 0:28:58to the hamlet of Hatfield.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Close by is the market town of Tenbury Wells
0:29:01 > 0:29:03in the beautiful Teme Valley.
0:29:03 > 0:29:08Tenbury had the wells added to its name in the mid-19th century to help
0:29:08 > 0:29:11promote the mineral water springs found in the town.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15And by 1862, the popularity of the fine water
0:29:15 > 0:29:16resulted in the construction
0:29:16 > 0:29:20of the now restored Tenbury Spa or Pump Rooms.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Much of the attractive preserved architecture along the
0:29:22 > 0:29:26high street reflects its historic trades and also offers a good
0:29:26 > 0:29:29range of present-day amenities.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Located just over six miles away from the town,
0:29:31 > 0:29:36against a backdrop of striking rural scenery, is our Mystery House.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38With our ambitious couple keen to immerse
0:29:38 > 0:29:40themselves in the world of hospitality,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42we couldn't resist showing them
0:29:42 > 0:29:45something with the potential for an alternative business plan,
0:29:45 > 0:29:49and one which caters towards four-legged guests rather than two.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52There we go. What do you think of that then?
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- I like that, I like the stone. - Lovely, really nice.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57It's a lovely setting.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59It started out life in 1875,
0:29:59 > 0:30:04and then, I guess in the 1970s and the '90s,
0:30:04 > 0:30:06it was extended.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10But the key thing about this one, it's not really about B&B.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Think of it as your home, because the business end of it
0:30:13 > 0:30:18- is all wrapped up in the 6.7 acres that it comes with.- Gosh.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20And it's all about horses, this one.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24But how do we feel about that change in tack, as it were?
0:30:24 > 0:30:27I'd have to think about it. I hadn't thought about that before.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Right. Go on, let's get inside.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34Formerly a one up, one down stone built farmhouse with an attached
0:30:34 > 0:30:37barn, the extensions added over the last 40 years have been
0:30:37 > 0:30:40sympathetic to the original build.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Happily, Josie and Colin do seem intrigued
0:30:43 > 0:30:46by the possibilities here, so we're starting off
0:30:46 > 0:30:49in the beautifully presented heart of this building.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54- Oh, wow, that's really nice. - Gorgeous, isn't it?- It's got beams.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57I know, do you know, I'm over the beams.
0:30:57 > 0:30:58We'll paint them white for you.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03Beams like this are good. It's when they're down here, it's difficult.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07- Oh, I like this.- Now you have got a choice of living rooms here too.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11There are two - one is new and one is old.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13- Let's go and look at the old one...- OK.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17- ..and its fireplace, here we go. - That's lovely.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19- Real character, isn't it? - Very cosy room.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23- I could see us sitting here in the winter with the fire going.- Good.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25You see, this is the first time you have actually started to
0:31:25 > 0:31:28paint a picture of what your life might look like.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30I like this link through here, to the conservatory.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Yeah, with the doors open, you can watch the seasons come and go.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- Good.- Great.- Hurrah.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Also on the ground floor is a compact shower room
0:31:40 > 0:31:44as well as a second, more modern sitting-room.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Making our way up to the first floor, we find the bedrooms,
0:31:47 > 0:31:49which are all situated off a long landing.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52And there are five of them in total - three good-sized,
0:31:52 > 0:31:57neutrally decorated doubles and one single currently used for storage,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00all making use of the four-piece family bathroom.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02But let's see what our couple make of the bedroom
0:32:02 > 0:32:04I've earmarked for them.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07And this is the biggest of the lot.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- Yes, good size. - Lovely good size, isn't it?
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- Yeah, I could see our things here. - Yeah.- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Storage space is good, light is good.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18I think the best is yet to come because the real selling point
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- of this property is what's going on outside.- Great.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26You wanted space, and we have got you space. Come and look at this.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Outside, the gardens wrap around the house.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34To one side, there's a terraced area ideal for entertaining which
0:32:34 > 0:32:37overlooks a small lawned area with a fish pond.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41But to the rear, as we make our way across another neatly kept lawn,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44the garden reveals itself in all its glory.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Oh, wow.
0:32:46 > 0:32:47All south facing.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51The amount of land on offer here totals just under seven acres,
0:32:51 > 0:32:53which includes four paddocks,
0:32:53 > 0:32:58a sizeable barn, as well as a range of outbuildings and stabling.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01As keen animal lovers, this mystery property could present
0:33:01 > 0:33:04our couple with a very exciting new business venture
0:33:04 > 0:33:08for it could be marketed as a livery yard, charging around £100
0:33:08 > 0:33:09a horse per week.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15- There you go.- Wow. That's very nice.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19- Yeah?- Yeah, what a lovely view.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21The land is brilliant, well-drained,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25drains down nicely into a huge water feature.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27- Oh, wow.- Happy?- Very happy.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Right then, well, let's get down to it.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32What do you think it's on the market for, madam?
0:33:32 > 0:33:34I'll say 625, hopefully.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Shall I be more realistic?
0:33:36 > 0:33:39I would say 675.
0:33:39 > 0:33:45This is on the market for 639,500.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49That's a pleasant surprise.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Off you go, and I will find you somewhere in this rambling estate.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Under budget, this farmhouse has five bedrooms and offers
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Josie and Colin a magnificent mystery package.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04With the layout and space they've requested inside,
0:34:04 > 0:34:06it also has the land
0:34:06 > 0:34:08they've always longed for outside.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Also impressed by the business potential
0:34:10 > 0:34:12and peaceful rural setting of the property,
0:34:12 > 0:34:14it looks as if this option could be
0:34:14 > 0:34:17the first past the post for our couple.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20The mystery property is a revelation.
0:34:20 > 0:34:25It's all that we were looking for in terms of the house,
0:34:25 > 0:34:30the gardens, the land and the setting.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35What we have here is a different type of income potential with
0:34:35 > 0:34:37letting out equestrian property.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40This has exceeded what I was looking for, so,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42yes, very interesting.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Love the stone of the house.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48It's got lots of rooms, got lots of space inside,
0:34:48 > 0:34:51plenty of scope for us to put our own mark on it.
0:34:51 > 0:34:56The rural location is what we were looking for. It's very peaceful.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Couldn't ask for anything better, really.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01This could actually be a contender.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Have you seen enough?
0:35:03 > 0:35:06- For now, yes, thank you.- My guess is you might be coming back here.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- Possibly.- Possibly. - I think more than possibly.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12There's an awful lot more to see and many questions to ask.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- You've got a lot to talk about, haven't you?- Yeah.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15Right then, after you.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18This could be your new home, how about that?
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Just south of Hereford
0:35:28 > 0:35:31and overlooking the River Wye lies the village of Holme Lacy,
0:35:31 > 0:35:35which is home to part of the Herefordshire and Ludlow College.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39This specialist agricultural campus features over 600 acres of
0:35:39 > 0:35:44mixed organic farmland, attracting students from all over the country,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46many of whom come here to learn and practise
0:35:46 > 0:35:50specialised skills at the on-site rural craft centre.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53I've come to meet tutor and expert craftsman Adrian Legge
0:35:53 > 0:35:55to find out more.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59- Nice to see you, mate. - Good to see you, too.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Now, I'm ashamed to say that despite living in Herefordshire,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- I had no idea how much went on here. - Best kept secret.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08We do welding, fabrication, blacksmithing and farriery.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Now, I gather that you are a blacksmith, Adrian?
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Well, I'm a blacksmith and a farrier.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Now, that's interesting because many people would think
0:36:15 > 0:36:16a blacksmith is a farrier.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18- Yeah, we get a lot of that. - HE LAUGHS
0:36:18 > 0:36:22Blacksmiths make things like railings, gates, lamps,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26they can fix things, whereas farrier's shoe horses, that's it.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28But very much a vocation, I would say.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Oh, yes, you've got to be daft to do it.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32I can't wait to get my hands dirty, as you know.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- You're going to make a splat on a stick, mate.- Splat on a stick?
0:36:35 > 0:36:38I've heard about this. I've got no idea what it's going to involve.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Neither have I, quite, but we'll work it out between us, shall we?
0:36:41 > 0:36:43Over the last 50 years, the college has been
0:36:43 > 0:36:47recognised as a leading national centre for blacksmith training.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Uncertain of just what it is I'm about to make,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53I do know it all revolves around the forge, which is fired up
0:36:53 > 0:36:57to around 3,000 degrees before it's hot enough to work a steel rod.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02So, if we hit it, puts a point on one side, turn it 90 degrees, point.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05After a demonstration from the professional,
0:37:05 > 0:37:06I'm ready to get hands on.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08You see, you made it look so easy.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- I know, I'm good. - THEY LAUGH
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- That's it, perfect, that'll do. - So that's it?
0:37:13 > 0:37:17- Yeah, it's easy.- All right. - Easy peasy lemon squeezy.- OK.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21There's only four processes in blacksmithing - forging,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- that's longer, thinner, shorter, fatter, basically.- Yeah.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Forming, that's bending twisting and dishing.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Cutting, that's punching and splitting.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32And joining.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Before every stage, the rod has to be reheated
0:37:35 > 0:37:40so that it can be shaped. HE LAUGHS
0:37:40 > 0:37:43It's not supposed to look like that, is it?
0:37:43 > 0:37:44- Not really.- No!- No.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47The anvil is used to support and shape the metal,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50but I'm still not clear what I'm making.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- Right, there you are...- OK, so... - ..but don't hit the lump on the end
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- cos you want to keep that bit. - Right, OK.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Just work your way up and down it. That's it. Not too far.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Give it some. That's it.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Next, the aim is to round off the square corners of the rod.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08It's just touching it, that's it.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10So you're pushing it against the anvil.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- The anvil is doing half your work, you see.- How's that?- That's perfect.
0:38:13 > 0:38:14Actually, that is pretty good, mate.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17So now to create a lump at the end of it.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- Right, OK, so, here's my splat. - Here's your splat.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23By hitting it against the square or hardy hole of the anvil,
0:38:23 > 0:38:24the lump is flattened.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27That's it. That'll do. Perfect.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31A further few strikes finally shapes the splat before large
0:38:31 > 0:38:34metal pliers are used to break it off.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36And the broken end is then
0:38:36 > 0:38:39vigorously smoothed, flattened and shaped.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41And bring it up a bit.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Yes, yes. Up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Whoa, whoa, whoa, that'll do you.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- Ah, that ain't bad. - Still, I've no idea what it is.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53THEY LAUGH
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Next, I'm advised it's time for the detail.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59- Look at that. That's nice. - Not too bad, is it?
0:38:59 > 0:39:01Why am I sounding surprised?
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Then it's back to the splat end,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06which is carefully bent back on itself.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10I seem to have created a loop which is then polished.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Go on, it's better than you thought it would be, isn't it?
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Do you know what? You're right.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17THEY LAUGH
0:39:17 > 0:39:20It's then cooled off and beeswax applied to prevent
0:39:20 > 0:39:21the metal from rusting.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- That's a splat on a stick.- Right.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- Right, ready for this?- Yeah.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34LAUGHS: No! Oh, you're joking.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38That is perfect. It's a bottle opener. Well, here's to you, mate.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Well done. That is fantastic.
0:39:42 > 0:39:43Oh, local cider too.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47- You deserve some of that as well. - Cheers, my friend.
0:39:47 > 0:39:48Absolutely brilliant.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52What a great insight into the world of blacksmithing.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55With a focus on the crafting of bespoke and decorative
0:39:55 > 0:39:57artisan products, it's been a real treat
0:39:57 > 0:40:00to have been taught by a master craftsman,
0:40:00 > 0:40:03dedicated to passing on his time-honoured skills
0:40:03 > 0:40:04to future generations.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Well, as you may well have gathered,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12this has been a slightly tricky house search. But I do think
0:40:12 > 0:40:14that along the way, we've managed to
0:40:14 > 0:40:18sow a few tiny seeds in the minds of Josie and Colin
0:40:18 > 0:40:21as to what their future here may eventually look like.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24So, let's see if any of them have taken root.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32- Well, hello.- Hi.- Hello. - How have you found this week?
0:40:32 > 0:40:33It's been exciting.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Very interesting.
0:40:35 > 0:40:41You were very clear on the notion of having lots of land around you,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43which is why for our Mystery House we took you
0:40:43 > 0:40:46to our equestrian option.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51Well, that mystery was a definite wow. Something very different.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Loved the look of the house, loved the garden...
0:40:54 > 0:40:58And then we had the three or four paddocks
0:40:58 > 0:41:00and horses there to boot as well.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02So what happens next?
0:41:02 > 0:41:03We'll contact the agent,
0:41:03 > 0:41:07and then we'd like to have a visit with the owners,
0:41:07 > 0:41:12and that will help us make our mind up
0:41:12 > 0:41:14if that's the right place for us.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16But I don't think your research is going to stop there
0:41:16 > 0:41:20because you are going to have to learn a fair bit about
0:41:20 > 0:41:24the world of horses because your guests will have four legs, not two.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28It is a challenge, but we do love animals, all animals,
0:41:28 > 0:41:31so it's something that would be very interesting to find out.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35How exciting! Well, you came here looking for a holiday let business,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38and now, look, you're going to be horsemen and women.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41- At your time of life! I mean, you know...- Hang on.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44But, you know, you've got it all to play for. Isn't that exciting?
0:41:44 > 0:41:48- It really does mark a whole new chapter.- Yes, absolutely.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51It will be a different way of life, and that's what we were seeking.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53I am delighted, guys. It's been a lot of fun.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Keep us in the loop, as they say.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59We will, and thank you very much for a very enjoyable week
0:41:59 > 0:42:01and some great advice.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Well, you know over many years working on Escape To The Country,
0:42:06 > 0:42:09I've met dozens of buyers who've come out here
0:42:09 > 0:42:11looking for a home with holiday lets attached.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15But it is a notoriously difficult thing to get right, and that's
0:42:15 > 0:42:18because of the pressures on the budget - trying to get
0:42:18 > 0:42:22a viable home on the one hand and a successful business on the other.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24It can be a very frustrating process.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27But to get it right, you do need flexibility. And that, of course,
0:42:27 > 0:42:30is exactly what Colin and Josie have brought
0:42:30 > 0:42:33to their search this week. And, who knows?
0:42:33 > 0:42:35If they do buy our Mystery House, well, their guests may
0:42:35 > 0:42:38arrive in a very different form of transport and
0:42:38 > 0:42:42take a very different form. But if any of them need new shoes,
0:42:42 > 0:42:43I know just the place to go.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45I'll see you next time.
0:42:46 > 0:42:47Since our house hunt,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Josie and Colin have come to the conclusion that
0:42:50 > 0:42:52although they love the business opportunity
0:42:52 > 0:42:55offered at the Mystery House, the layout just wasn't right for them.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Their house hunt continues.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00If you'd like to escape to the country
0:43:00 > 0:43:03in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or England
0:43:03 > 0:43:06and would like our help, then please apply online at...