0:00:02 > 0:00:03This impressive mansion was once
0:00:03 > 0:00:06the longest-surviving monastery in the country.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10That was until the King donated it to the keeper of his wine cellar.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Find out the identity and the location
0:00:12 > 0:00:16of this rather extravagant gift in just a few moments.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37On today's show, our rural properties are initially met
0:00:37 > 0:00:40with some quietly positive reactions.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- You're smiling, so I'm smiling, really.- Yes. No, this is lovely. - This has hit the spot.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49And as we progress, our house-hunting couple's enthusiasm increases.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- BOTH:- Wow! - Two wows!
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Today, I'm in Devon, right in the far north-west of the county,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01at Hartland Point, and this is Hartland Abbey.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Built in the 12th century,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07the original building that stood here was used as a monastery
0:01:07 > 0:01:09by Augustine monks until 1539.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13And it was the very last monastery in the country to be abolished under
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Henry VIII's religious purge,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19when the building was gifted to the rather aptly named William Abbott.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Now, William was the head of Henry's wine cellar, and although these
0:01:23 > 0:01:27days the much evolved Hartland Abbey is open to the public,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30the descendants of Abbott still live here.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34And there's plenty more to raise a glass to in this stunning part
0:01:34 > 0:01:36of the West Country.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Devon is located to the south-west of England
0:01:41 > 0:01:45and shares its borders with Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49The north of the county is distinguished by its rocky coastline,
0:01:49 > 0:01:55with a mix of stony and sandy beaches running along the shore.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Close to the coast, the hills of the Exmoor National Park
0:01:59 > 0:02:00shape the countryside, which is home
0:02:00 > 0:02:04to wild Exmoor ponies, the oldest British pony,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08a listed rare breed with less than 1000 left worldwide.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Within the park are the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18At sea-level, Lynmouth's coastal home sits staggered on the hillside,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22overlooking the pebbly beach and harbour, with a 19th century
0:02:22 > 0:02:25funicular railway leading up to Lynton.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Here, the narrow lanes are brimming
0:02:27 > 0:02:30with artisan shops and places to eat.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Moving west, the coastal footprint changes.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36There is the town of Croyde,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39with its long stretches of golden sands and grassy dunes,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41as well as Woolacombe,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44which provides a sheltered bay for surfers.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46With a blend of land and sea
0:02:46 > 0:02:49both offering captivating natural scenery,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52along with towns and villages full of character and charm,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56North Devon is a real treat in England's rural landscape.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02At the moment, the average price of a detached house in Devon is
0:03:02 > 0:03:09just over £310,000 - that's around 25,000 above the national figure.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12However, here in the more rural northern part of the county,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15you will get more bricks and mortar for your property pound,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18when compared to the south. That being said,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22those sea views in desirable coastal towns like Croyde and Woolacombe
0:03:22 > 0:03:25will command a premium. So, let's meet today's buyers
0:03:25 > 0:03:29and find out why they're set on finding their very own patch
0:03:29 > 0:03:32of this stunning Devonshire scenery.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36It wasn't exactly love at first sight for beauty therapist Jackie
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and her semi-retired maths tutor husband, Barry.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42They live in Camberley in Surrey.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45We met in a wine bar in Kew.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- She was drunk and I wasn't! - SHE LAUGHS
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Six months later, we were at the same wine bar,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52both of us were at the same wine bar.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56She tried to avoid my gaze for about three hours, but eventually,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00I nabbed her at the bar and the rest is history.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04That was 26 years ago and they've been happily married for 24 years,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06even though they have their differences.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11He's the steady influence in the relationship.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13Jackie is very lively,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17unpredictable, very sociable, vivacious,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19I think most people would describe her.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21The opposite of me, of course.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27The couple have lived in their five-bedroom 1930s home
0:04:27 > 0:04:29with their two daughters for ten years.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34But things are set to change, as they've decided to head west.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Well, the move's come at quite a good time,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42because our elder daughter is moving off to London.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Lara, our youngest daughter,
0:04:44 > 0:04:50is about to go to university, so now seemed a good time to actually
0:04:50 > 0:04:52make a move such as this,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55when we don't have to consider schools or jobs.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58I think another feature that we probably could do without now
0:04:58 > 0:05:01is the house is a little bit big for us, really.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05You know, the maintenance of it and we don't need as many rooms,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07so we can downsize a bit.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11And they've chosen Devon as the place they'd like to settle.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Well, we had several holidays in the West Country over the past few years
0:05:14 > 0:05:18and we've fallen in love with North Devon, really.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22We just love the beaches and the people are just very friendly
0:05:22 > 0:05:24and of course, the countryside's great.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28And it's just breathtaking, it takes your breath away.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29To have that on your doorstep,
0:05:29 > 0:05:33what can be better, to wake up to that every morning?
0:05:33 > 0:05:35As well as taking their dog, Rufus, for country walks,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39our buyers are also looking forward to some downtime with a bit of work
0:05:39 > 0:05:41thrown in for good measure.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I think it would be good to spend more time doing what we want
0:05:44 > 0:05:47to do for once, rather than what we need to do as a family.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51At the moment, I work as a mobile beauty therapist
0:05:51 > 0:05:57and it's something I can take with me wherever we land up living.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00So, with their girls on the cusp of flying the nest and their house
0:06:00 > 0:06:04on the market, it's the moment for Jackie and Barry
0:06:04 > 0:06:08to say goodbye to Surrey and look to a new life in Devon.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11I just feel now is the right time, you know,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15we're young enough to go off and start a new adventure,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19the girls are going off on theirs and then they'll be able to come and
0:06:19 > 0:06:21stay and visit whenever.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22We'll look forward to seeing them,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25you know, we'll get a place that's big enough
0:06:25 > 0:06:27to entertain them when they want to come
0:06:27 > 0:06:29and I think it will be a win-win, really.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Jackie and Barry have asked us to concentrate our search
0:06:35 > 0:06:38in areas which give them access to the coast,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41particularly the beaches of Woolacombe and Croyde,
0:06:41 > 0:06:42which they love.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44And before we kick-start our search,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46I'm meeting them in the county to make sure I know
0:06:46 > 0:06:49exactly what's on their property wish list.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- Welcome to Devon...- Thank you. - ..Jackie and Barry.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54So, tell me about the house that you're looking for.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58We'd like a character property, so, something older.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03We're not fixed on what type of age, whether it's Victorian or '30s,
0:07:03 > 0:07:04but just as long as you look at it
0:07:04 > 0:07:07and you can see it's a character property.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Let's move inside - what must it have?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Four bedrooms,
0:07:12 > 0:07:18a lovely kitchen/dining area with plenty of space to entertain,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20and a utility room.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Somehow, a cosy feel about it.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Something will tell us, you know,
0:07:25 > 0:07:27we belong there. I'd like an en-suite.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28- OK.- Because as a child,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I spent ages waiting for my three sisters to finish
0:07:31 > 0:07:34in the bathroom. Yeah, and a space for parking.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37We want parking for, maybe three or four cars would be great.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39What about location?
0:07:39 > 0:07:44Um, ideally it would be lovely if there was a few shops there,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46but at the bare minimum, a local pub.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50It sounds like you're both quite flexible about what you want.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54We are quite open-minded, cos, hopefully, we won't move again.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56We've lived in lots of different places,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59so, you know, you learn to be flexible.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01And remind me of your budget.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07We're looking, um, up to about 600,000.
0:08:07 > 0:08:13If you found us something really special, then we could go up to 650.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Which means, you know, I'm only listening to the 650, by the way?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- Yeah.- You know, which is a nice-sized budget.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- We've got three properties lined up for you.- Great!
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Let's not waste any time. - Excellent.- Let's go.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29For their top budget of £650,000,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33our buyers are hoping for an older property full of character,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35with a great kitchen-diner,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39offering fantastic entertaining space, plus a utility room.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42They'd like four bedrooms and Barry's dreaming of an en-suite.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Outside, they want a pleasant garden and they'd like to be close to
0:08:46 > 0:08:49amenities, not too far from the coast.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53We've selected a trio of properties for Jackie and Barry to visit
0:08:53 > 0:08:57and only after they've completed a tour of each house
0:08:57 > 0:08:58will they discover its price.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03The final visit to the Mystery House will give them a unique opportunity
0:09:03 > 0:09:06to experience a very British rural retreat.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15For our first house, we're heading to the village of Bratton Fleming.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17It's around half an hour's drive
0:09:17 > 0:09:20from the beaches of Woolacombe and Croyde.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Set on a hillside just south-west of Exmoor National Park,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26there's a good chance to become part of the local community here.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30There is a village hall, a sports club and St Peter's Church,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32which was built in the mid-1800s
0:09:32 > 0:09:35on the site of an older place of worship.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Locals are also served by a village store and a traditional pub,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42all just a stone's throw from our first property,
0:09:42 > 0:09:44on the edge of the village.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46And at the end of a private no-through lane
0:09:46 > 0:09:48is house number one.
0:09:49 > 0:09:50- Wow!- Very impressive.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- Don't you think?- And it's old. Lots of character.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Plenty of parking.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- That's taken care of. - Yeah.- Absolutely.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01The house is certainly old, it dates back 200 years.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04It's a converted barn. And I'm hoping the location,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06which is of course the one thing we can't change...
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- Yeah.- ..is spot on for you, because while it looks really rural,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13it's only 300 metres from your local village.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Yeah, best of both worlds, I think.- Absolutely.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- Exactly.- Let's see inside.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- We're dying to see what's... - You just want to get in, don't you?
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- Yeah!- We do, yeah.- All right.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- I think it's a good match. - Let's just get in.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27This attractive stone barn was once part of a farm.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29We are entering through a small porch
0:10:29 > 0:10:32and starting our tour in the kitchen.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- Lovely.- Get your approval? - Kitchen-diner.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36In that case, it's fine by me.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Yes, the kitchen is the thing you asked for?
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- Yes. Well, I've spotted a washing machine.- Mmm.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Which means, you know, there's no utility room.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- Ah, right.- Ah-ha! - But it's not a deal-breaker.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Good. Let's go forwards.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Next door to the kitchen-diner is a separate dining room
0:10:55 > 0:10:58and off that, a more recent addition to the property -
0:10:58 > 0:11:03added just 15 years ago is a large sitting room with a wood burner.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06This room also has a mezzanine level, used as a study,
0:11:06 > 0:11:10with double doors out to steps that lead down to the garden.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- BOTH:- Wow! - Two wows!
0:11:14 > 0:11:16This is where you can see that this is a barn conversion.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19No, it's quirky, but it's a nice quirky.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Mmm.- You've got the original beam.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25No, it's really inviting and warm.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- It's lovely.- So, on this floor, there are also two bedrooms.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Right. OK.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34And then the master is actually downstairs rather than upstairs,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- so...- Oh, OK. Upside down. - That's where we'll head.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43The two bedrooms on this ground floor level
0:11:43 > 0:11:46include a pretty single room and a bright double.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Then downstairs we find a shower room
0:11:49 > 0:11:51that serves another double bedroom.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54The fourth and final room is the master.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- I think it's a good size. - Yeah. Yeah, that's big enough.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03And Barry, have you spotted...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- the- en-suite? No, I haven't, no.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10I couldn't sort the utility but I've looked after you with this property.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- OK, great.- Preferential treatment!
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- There is an en-suite. - Excellent. No, this is good.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17And this goes straight out onto a courtyard
0:12:17 > 0:12:18on the other side of the house,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21so you have your own private sunbathing area or...
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- Yeah, well, we like to sit out and...- Have a morning coffee.- Yeah.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Well, let's go and see the rest of the outside space
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- that the property has to offer.- OK.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33And that'll give you a little bit more time to think, I think.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Yeah. Yeah. Great.- Let's go.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Back outside, there's the terrace we've already seen,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42which takes us to a lovely large garden
0:12:42 > 0:12:45surrounded by mature trees and bushes.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- It's beautiful, isn't it? - It is very good, yes.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Hidden behind all of there is a little vegetable patch.
0:12:51 > 0:12:57Next to the courtyard is the garage and a sizeable outbuilding
0:12:57 > 0:13:00that's currently being used as a gym, a store,
0:13:00 > 0:13:04but is fully plumbed-up, so you could, with a few adaptations,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07use it for something else. Could you make use of that?
0:13:07 > 0:13:11I could use that to work from home in my beauty work,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14or maybe holiday let or something like that.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18And you also have 1.75 acres of land
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- on the other side of the road. - Oh!
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Great for the dog.- Yeah.- Oh, yeah.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24You've got your own private park.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- We've got our own little area! - That belongs to you.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Well, not a little area, big area.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- Quite a big area. - It's beautiful.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33What is this property on the market for?
0:13:33 > 0:13:36I think it might be somewhere near the top of our budget, really.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- The top of our top budget. Erm...- Of course.- I don't know. I'll say 650.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- I really don't know.- OK. - I'd go for 625.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48It is at the top of your budget.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49It's actually on the market
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- for £660,000.- Oh.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- Ouch!- And I'm led to believe an offer...- You'd hope that would be negotiable.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Exactly - would be all right. - It's a contender.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- On the list.- All right.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- Have another look around.- Thank you. - And I'll meet you in a bit.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12This striking converted barn may be £10,000 over
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Jackie and Barry's top budget,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16but a deal could be struck
0:14:16 > 0:14:18and the property doesn't need any work.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Dating to the 1800s,
0:14:21 > 0:14:22it has all the character they're looking for
0:14:22 > 0:14:24and the requested kitchen-diner.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Although there may not be a utility room,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29there are the four bedrooms they want
0:14:29 > 0:14:31as well as an en-suite with the master.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Outside, the fabulous grounds
0:14:33 > 0:14:36include an option for Jackie to work from home
0:14:36 > 0:14:38and the village location is ideal.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- Oh, this is a nice room. - Yeah, good size.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Yeah. I can see one of the girls liking this.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Straight off, house one oozed character, it was full of it.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55You almost didn't know which way to look, because each way you did look,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57there was something that caught your eye.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00This house is nice, flowing feel to it.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02The rooms link well together.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I think it'd be a good place to live in.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07The quirkiness of it was exactly what we're looking for.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11The upside down aspect of the house, I think, is really nice.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15It's not anything we've ever thought about or lived in
0:15:15 > 0:15:20and it just adds to its charm.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- Is it still on the list? - Definitely, yeah.- Absolutely.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28But you're keen to see more, aren't you?
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- Of course.- Yes. - "Of course!"- But great start.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32Let's go!
0:15:42 > 0:15:46Devon's open countryside and rugged northern coastline has long provided
0:15:46 > 0:15:50inspiration for writers such as Coleridge, Charles Kingsley
0:15:50 > 0:15:53and, more recently, Henry Williamson.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56A soldier, farmer and writer,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Williamson penned over 50 books in the last century,
0:15:59 > 0:16:03including the celebrated Tarka The Otter, set in North Devon.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06To learn about how the landscape inspired his literature,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Jackie and Barry have come to meet Tony Evans,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12a long-standing member of the Henry Williamson Society,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16at the author's house in the village of Georgeham.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Williamson produced his work on the grounds here in this rather modest
0:16:20 > 0:16:22writing hut, which owes its origins
0:16:22 > 0:16:25to the success of his most famous novel.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Now, in 1927,
0:16:29 > 0:16:35Tarka The Otter was published and with that he won a prize of £100,
0:16:35 > 0:16:41which enabled him to pay the £125 that the local butcher required
0:16:41 > 0:16:48for this field, and in 1929, this wonderful writing hut was built.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51And what happened after he died?
0:16:51 > 0:16:54The Henry Williamson Society was formed.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56With the support of the Williamson family,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59money was raised to restore the hut
0:16:59 > 0:17:02to its former glory, as you might say.
0:17:02 > 0:17:08My son and I have looked after the hut until it was sold last year.
0:17:08 > 0:17:09And the chap who bought it,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12he's hoping to make it into a writer's refuge,
0:17:12 > 0:17:17and also last year, it was granted Grade II listed status.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19This writing hut is one of the smallest
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Grade II listed buildings in the UK.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23It's not open to the public,
0:17:23 > 0:17:27but can be enjoyed by members of the society.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31This is the very table that Henry Williamson wrote Tarka The Otter,
0:17:31 > 0:17:36which he had down in the village, and after he built his writing hut,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39he brought it up here, and this lovely old chair.
0:17:39 > 0:17:40This wonderful view,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44this is what Henry fell in love with and on a clear day you can see
0:17:44 > 0:17:50the hills of Exmoor over to the north and the tors of Dartmoor.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55Williamson's fictional otter, Tarka, grew up in the nearby River Taw
0:17:55 > 0:18:00and in 1992, a 163-mile walking and cycling trail was opened,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04taking in some of the local scenery the writer so loved.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07It was given the name the Tarka Trail.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09After visiting the author's historic hut,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13the next stop for our couple is to join the trail between the towns of
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Braunton and Barnstaple, where they can take in some of its highlights.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21The trail sits in North Devon's biosphere reserve,
0:18:21 > 0:18:27one of 651 sustainable reserves worldwide designated by Unesco.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Aiming to connect people and nature,
0:18:29 > 0:18:34this one was the first of only four such sites in the UK.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38Jackie and Barry have stopped off at the reserve's wildlife wetlands
0:18:38 > 0:18:43to learn more from biosphere coordinator Matt Edworthy.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45What are the wetlands?
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Well, they're owned by the Environment Agency
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and were created in 1996 as part of a flood defence scheme.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54And they took material from this site and then the water came in,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57filled the hole to create the lake behind us.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00And since then, it's been colonised by a whole variety of wildlife.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03There's ducks and swans that you can see around here.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Erm, but there are coots as well, and moorhens,
0:19:06 > 0:19:10and if we are lucky, and if we were very quiet and stayed out
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- of sight, we could even see a heron. - Will we get to see any otters?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Well, they have been seen here, but the best place to see them
0:19:16 > 0:19:18is further down the trail where it crosses and recrosses
0:19:18 > 0:19:20the River Torridge, near Torrington.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24Our buyers had better not spend too long otter-hunting,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26for we've still got the small matter
0:19:26 > 0:19:28of finding them a new home to attend to.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32For our second property stop,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36we're travelling to the coastal village of Combe Martin.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38The village sits in a valley on the edge of Exmoor
0:19:38 > 0:19:41and is great dog-walking territory.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44There's an award-winning beach in a sheltered cove
0:19:44 > 0:19:46overlooked by stunning scenery.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49It also lays claim to having the longest main street of any
0:19:49 > 0:19:53village in the country, stretching over two miles in length.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57In a tranquil spot, the village's 13th-century church
0:19:57 > 0:20:00sits against a beautiful Devonshire backdrop.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05Just outside the village centre, we find our second offering.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07This attractive house, which was converted
0:20:07 > 0:20:10to its current layout in 1916.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14How do you feel about being more coastal?
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Didn't expect to get this close.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- Definitely a cottage. - Yeah.- So, full of character.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Aside from the house itself, you can't miss this huge double garage.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27I've been in, you could fit more than two cars in it and it's also
0:20:27 > 0:20:30got a workshop at the back, so it's a really...
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Yeah, that's a big plus, yes. - Really nice storage space.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35The other space that comes with this, this cabin,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38which was built for the daughter's sleepovers.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41It's fully plumbed-in, it's got a bathroom that's almost finished -
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- just things need to be put in place, so...- Perfect.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47..could work if you wanted to keep up the beauty business.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Yep. It's not grabbing me like the first house,
0:20:51 > 0:20:56where the rustic charm, really, you could see it.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00I think more of that charm, hopefully, will be on the inside.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06This whitewashed house has solid stone walls
0:21:06 > 0:21:08around 60 centimetres thick.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10We're entering through the porch,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13which leads to a utility room especially for Jackie.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15That takes us through to a large kitchen-diner
0:21:15 > 0:21:17with an adjoining pantry.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Most of the units have been carved from a 150-year-old boat.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28- Ah!- Yeah, this is nice. - Didn't expect this.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- You're smiling, so I'm smiling, really.- Yes.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- This has hit the spot. - No, this is lovely. Really lovely.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Very homely, cottagey, yes.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39So, this is what you want?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- Yes.- Yeah.- I wouldn't change anything.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- Perfect room.- Shall we see more? - Please.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52Just on the other side of the staircase is the sitting room.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Lovely, yes. Very cosy.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58You can imagine winter evenings in here.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00I like the fireplace very much.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02This feels like the winter lounge,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05because what they've done is their patio area,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07they've turned into a summer room,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and that's because that's south-facing.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12But I think this is really captivating on the inside,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16whereas outside, I didn't get that vibe
0:22:16 > 0:22:19until we walked in and it was, "Wow!"
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Yeah, I agree with that, yeah.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- Let's go and see if you're as captivated with the upstairs.- OK.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Also on the ground floor, overlooking the garden,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31is a dual aspect double bedroom
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and at the front of the house is a fully tiled shower room.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39Then, as we move upstairs, there are three further bedrooms, all of which
0:22:39 > 0:22:42make use of a bright family bathroom.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45There's a spacious double bedroom,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48a smaller room in use as a study,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51and we're headed to the room where Jackie and Barry would sleep.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Welcome to the master. - Whoa! Big room.- Wow!
0:22:55 > 0:22:58And I can't provide you with an en-suite...
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- HE LAUGHS - That's OK.- ..but there's a sink.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- That's fine.- But it's a really good size, isn't it?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Really light and airy.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08- Look at the views.- Yeah.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- Brilliant views.- Well, let's go and see outside.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Before that, though, we'll also go and see that annexe, the cabin.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16Oh, right.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Not even the rain can obscure the wonderful grounds here -
0:23:21 > 0:23:24extending to around half an acre,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27they wrap all around the house with a fabulous outlook.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31The self-contained cabin is just at the top of the garden.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33It's currently used as guest accommodation,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36but could easily become a beauty therapy sanctuary
0:23:36 > 0:23:38if Jackie decides to work from home.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Come in!
0:23:42 > 0:23:46- Welcome to the den.- Wow! - The cabin.- Wow! It's really nice.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50So, this is the main space and then there are two...
0:23:50 > 0:23:52bedrooms, really, they've got bunk beds in
0:23:52 > 0:23:55which you could use, I thought, as therapy rooms,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58and then a bathroom that you just need to plumb in.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- God, it's big, isn't it? - Yeah. Very unexpected.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- We could have a his and hers house. - Oh, it's not for the...
0:24:05 > 0:24:10- You're...you're out here now, Barry! What have you done?- I am, aren't I?
0:24:10 > 0:24:14I'm, yeah, exiled to here. That wouldn't be a bad thing.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18Well, listen, I don't think the rain is going to hold off so let's just
0:24:18 > 0:24:20head outside, see what outside space there is.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24And then you can tell me how much you think this house is worth.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- Ah.- Get thinking. - The tricky bit.- Right.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29Let's brave it.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33The plot sits on a slope and down at the bottom of the garden there's a
0:24:33 > 0:24:38great view of the back of the house, where we turn our thoughts to money.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44How much is this property on the market for?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- You first?- Yes, erm...
0:24:47 > 0:24:50I would say about 600.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- OK.- Probably 625.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56It's actually on the market for...
0:24:56 > 0:25:00offers in excess of 500,000.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03- Oh!- Well, that makes it... - So, half a million.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Oh, that makes it different.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09You can have another look around and I'll meet you out the other side.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10- OK.- OK.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21This detached house could leave our couple a huge £150,000
0:25:21 > 0:25:25in their pockets if they decide they'd like to call it home.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27It gives Jackie her all-important kitchen-diner,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29complete with a utility room,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32and although Barry doesn't get his en-suite here,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35the master bedroom does come with a vanity unit.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39The fully powered cabin could be ideal for Jackie to work from home,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42and the location, near to amenities as well as the coast,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44just couldn't be better.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Oh, the cabin undoubtedly was a real plus.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51I really didn't expect to see that
0:25:51 > 0:25:53on the inside when we walked through.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54I think house two is a very nice house,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57it's got a lot of good features in it,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00but it didn't give me the wow factor that I was looking for.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03But it is at a good price, I think.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Being close to the coast is a real plus point.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12But this particular location isn't quite right for us.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16I'd prefer a more sandy beach
0:26:16 > 0:26:21and it's more rugged round this coastline just here.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27Penny for your thoughts?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29There's a lot of them,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31as there's such a big difference with the price.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- Lot to ponder on, really. - Yeah, bit of a dilemma.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37It's the end of house-hunting for today at least, though.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Let's hit the road.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52It's the second day of our trip around North Devon,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55searching out a country home for Jackie and Barry
0:26:55 > 0:26:59from Camberley in Surrey to live out their Devonshire dream.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Armed with a budget of £650,000,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05we're looking for a property with the kind of character
0:27:05 > 0:27:08that comes with age.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12'We've still got a Mystery House in a rather special location...'
0:27:12 > 0:27:18So, your back garden is 2,300 acres, basically.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22'..and I'll be going bottoms-up whilst feeling the burn.'
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- Well...- Ah!
0:27:24 > 0:27:26You OK?
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Yesterday was interesting.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Barry and Jackie liked house number one, but weren't bowled over by
0:27:33 > 0:27:36property two, even though they loved its character.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40Today, we show them our Mystery House and I think it has the charm
0:27:40 > 0:27:42that they're looking for, inside and out.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45The test will come with its location.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Just how important is that factor for the both of them?
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Let's see how we get on.
0:27:52 > 0:27:53For our Mystery House,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56we're travelling to the hamlet of Arlington,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59the most remote location of all our properties.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Just over two miles away from Arlington
0:28:01 > 0:28:03is the rural village of East Down.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Here, there is a pub and a village hall,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09along with fantastic terrain for dog walking.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12A few minutes' drive away is the Arlington Estate,
0:28:12 > 0:28:14owned by the National Trust.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Here, dense woodland leads to our third and final property,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20which is lucky enough to call the estate home,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23and I hope this prestigious address
0:28:23 > 0:28:25will make up for its remote location.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Welcome to the Mystery House.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34- Wow!- Wow! That is different.- Lovely.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Are you wondering what the mystery is?
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Well, its location, perhaps.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44Spot on. So, what you have here is this beautiful cottage,
0:28:44 > 0:28:48which dates back to the 1690s.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50It's in its own grounds,
0:28:50 > 0:28:54but it's also set within the Arlington Estate,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57which belongs to the National Trust.
0:28:57 > 0:29:03So, your back garden is 2,300 acres, basically.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05What about the house itself?
0:29:05 > 0:29:08Big house, certainly, and it's got lots of character.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10- Yeah.- It's certainly unique.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12- Let's go inside.- Great.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17This beautiful cottage may date back to the 17th century,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20but it's had later additions in the Victorian and Edwardian eras,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23as well as more recently.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25It was originally topped with a thatched roof.
0:29:28 > 0:29:29Come in.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- Wow!- Gosh, that is different.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- Beautiful, isn't it? Yeah.- I love it.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39And what you can see through there
0:29:39 > 0:29:42is the most recent addition to the building. Ten years ago,
0:29:42 > 0:29:46the current owners built what they call a garden room but it's actually
0:29:46 > 0:29:50got a slate roof on it and it's been so tastefully done.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Yeah, it looks light and airy from here.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54It takes your breath away, it's very unusual.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57I'm glad you like it so far. Let's go and see the kitchen.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02'Just next door and down a couple of steps,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05'I wonder what Jackie's going to make of the kitchen's style.'
0:30:05 > 0:30:09That's an original range, one of the first...
0:30:09 > 0:30:13- Does it still work?- Yes, it does. Yeah.- Yeah? Great.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- No utility room. - No utility room.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20But perhaps you could erect something here.
0:30:20 > 0:30:21Something, yeah, in this space.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Yeah, it's pretty... There's a lot of space there.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26You've got really nice views onto your garden here.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Yeah, I was just thinking that.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30I can't imagine there's many kitchens in England
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- that have got a view like that. - Yeah, it's really nice.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36It's not quite to my taste,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39but space-wise, that's not a problem at all.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Good. Let's go upstairs.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46But before we head up,
0:30:46 > 0:30:48down on this floor, there's also a cloakroom
0:30:48 > 0:30:52and another large reception room with doors to the garden.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Moving upstairs, off a long, narrow hallway,
0:30:55 > 0:30:59there's a family bathroom featuring a roll-top bath.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Of the four double bedrooms,
0:31:01 > 0:31:04one has a feature fireplace and a large sash window,
0:31:04 > 0:31:09another is up in the eaves, a third enjoys the views and, lastly,
0:31:09 > 0:31:13there's a rather spectacular master bedroom.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17- Oh, wow!- What a room!- Beautiful!
0:31:17 > 0:31:20It's so lovely and light and airy.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24- Another fireplace. - Have you spotted the en-suite?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Oh, this is the en-suite? Oh, extra... Extra bonus.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30- I'm looking after you, Barry. - Lovely, thank you.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32- Brilliant.- But in many ways,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34it's exactly what you asked for, is it not?
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Well, it's more than we asked for, actually, yeah.
0:31:37 > 0:31:38Cos I didn't expect anything this big.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Well, let's go and see outside,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43because you to have your own set of grounds.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47- As well as the other...- Exactly, as well as the other 2,000 acres!
0:31:49 > 0:31:52'Our Mystery House just keeps on giving.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56'Outside, there's a double garage, plus plenty of room for parking.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58'There's also a stone outbuilding
0:31:58 > 0:32:03'and over half an acre of land with a stream running through it.'
0:32:03 > 0:32:05- You're overwhelmed, aren't you? - I am. I am.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08It's so different than anything I've ever seen before, really,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10let alone expected today.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13That's why they call it the Mystery House.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18- Yep.- How much would set you back? - This is so unusual, it's so hard.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20I'll just say 600.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- OK.- I'll say...575?
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Jackie's really pulled it back, she's spot on.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- Wow.- It's on the market for £575,000.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32- Well done, Jackie.- Mmm!
0:32:32 > 0:32:36- Yeah.- We've got to really think about this one, I think.- Absolutely.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Have a think inside and I'll meet you at the front.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50Our Mystery House has rung in £75,000 below the top budget.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Despite this, it's managed to go above and beyond
0:32:53 > 0:32:55our buyers' expectations
0:32:55 > 0:32:58and really offers a unique living experience.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01The character here is undeniable
0:33:01 > 0:33:03and there's also a great choice of living spaces,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06perfect for entertaining guests.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08There are just the number of bedrooms they want,
0:33:08 > 0:33:10plus Barry gets his en-suite.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14Outside, the extensive grounds sit within an exclusive estate,
0:33:14 > 0:33:16and although the house is remote,
0:33:16 > 0:33:18it's not too far from the nearest town
0:33:18 > 0:33:21or the much sought-after beaches.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24Oh, this is lovely.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- Isn't it?- Cor, how bright is this?
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Look at the view in the garden.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35And you can go out, sit out there - winter sun, as well.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38During the winter time, you'd probably sit out here.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42The moment we walked through, there was lots of wood, the beams,
0:33:42 > 0:33:47two fireplaces and it just had that lovely cosy feeling.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52I could imagine a winter evening sat in front of the wood log burner,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55you know, hot fire going.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57I was really surprised by this property.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00When we walked in, the rooms were all much bigger than we thought -
0:34:00 > 0:34:02positively. Erm...
0:34:02 > 0:34:07The kitchen was large, the lounge area was large, bedrooms were large,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10it just went on and on. So much to think about, in a positive way.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16Well, Sonali, you've really given us food for thought.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Shall we go and find somewhere
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- and have a cup of tea so we can have a good chat about...- Mmm.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23- Yeah.- ..all three houses?
0:34:31 > 0:34:35The county of Devon has an historic connection with the sea -
0:34:35 > 0:34:37maritime explorers Sir Walter Raleigh
0:34:37 > 0:34:39and Sir Francis Drake were both born here
0:34:39 > 0:34:41and the water still forms
0:34:41 > 0:34:43an important element in Devonshire life.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45But today, it's more likely
0:34:45 > 0:34:48to be enjoyed for sport and leisure activities.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51The small fishing village of Appledore in North Devon
0:34:51 > 0:34:53holds an annual regatta,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56a maritime celebration which centres on the beautiful coastline,
0:34:56 > 0:35:00and I'm lucky enough to be here during the week of the event.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03'I've come to meet regatta secretary Peter Reveley,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06'to find out more about this historic feature
0:35:06 > 0:35:08'which has been running for 130 years.'
0:35:08 > 0:35:11How did it start?
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Er, it was a big sea-faring port
0:35:13 > 0:35:15with a large home port of sailing vessels
0:35:15 > 0:35:19and it was just the fun from the... the sailors having, you know,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23- like a busman's holiday, I suppose. - Who takes part in the regatta here?
0:35:23 > 0:35:27Well, regatta day, the main event, is principally, er, rowing,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30sliding seat rowing, like, similar to the Olympic rowing.
0:35:30 > 0:35:35Er, that and sailing. And we have clubs from all over the South West.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39The regatta takes place every summer and includes all kinds of events,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41both traditional and contemporary -
0:35:41 > 0:35:45from pilot gig boat races to the world championship crab competition
0:35:45 > 0:35:48and even walking the greasy pole.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49So, what's happening today?
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Well, today is a pilot gig estuary race.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Er, it's about two miles out and two miles back.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- OK.- It's an endurance race.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01They'll start from over here and go to one of the estuary buoys
0:36:01 > 0:36:04called Middle Ridge Buoy, which is the next to last one
0:36:04 > 0:36:06before you get to the sea.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10A pilot gig is traditionally a 32 foot long boat
0:36:10 > 0:36:12that's five foot wide and made of Cornish elm.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15They were first built as working boats,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18with reports of rescues dating back to the 17th century.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Originally, they were built to take the pilots
0:36:21 > 0:36:24out to sea, to the sailing ships that were coming up
0:36:24 > 0:36:28either the Bristol Channel or the English Channel,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31and there used to be several pilots in a port and the first one to
0:36:31 > 0:36:34- get out there would get the job, so they would earn the money.- Wow.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37The traditional name for these boats is a gig,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41but these are called pilot gigs because they transported the pilots.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44They were skilled local men who knew the lay of the water,
0:36:44 > 0:36:49so could advise the captain how to steer the ship safely into harbour.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52There'll be some novices as well as experienced people,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55and we have a handicap system that sort of tries to level it all out
0:36:55 > 0:36:58so that we get a fair result in the end.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00- Thank you very much, Peter. - OK, thank you.
0:37:00 > 0:37:01Nice to hear about the regatta.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05- I'll go and meet some of the racers. - OK.- See you.- Thank you. Bye.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08'There are six clubs competing in today's race,
0:37:08 > 0:37:10'including two local rivals -
0:37:10 > 0:37:13'Appledore Gig Club and Torridge Gig Club.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16'I'm meeting Jeff Sharp, one of the founders of Team Torridge.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19'He's been pilot gig racing for nine years.'
0:37:19 > 0:37:22How did you get into gig racing?
0:37:22 > 0:37:25I got into it really just by wandering around on the quay here
0:37:25 > 0:37:27and seeing some boats going out and thinking,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30"Yeah, that looks good. I can try that."
0:37:30 > 0:37:32- And this is your boat for tonight? - This is our boat for tonight.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34- She's called Will-to-Win. - Will-to-Win, yeah.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36- I hope you've got that.- Absolutely.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Yeah, we have. We hopefully will win.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40I have won this race once before, but, er...
0:37:40 > 0:37:42- Have you?- But it's tough.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44- Good luck for today. - Thanks very much, Sonali.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46I'll be cheering you on, don't worry.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Good, thank you, bye-bye.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51'The race takes place at 6:30pm,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54'when the tide is just starting to flood in.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56'And I've got a ringside seat aboard Peter's safety boat,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58'from where he's going to umpire.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02'Not only that, I've been given the honour of kicking it all off.'
0:38:02 > 0:38:06- They all lined up?- Yeah, yeah. - Let's get this race started!
0:38:06 > 0:38:09'Eight boats are competing in the race.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12'Each boat has six crew aboard, along with one coxswain.'
0:38:12 > 0:38:15And how is the handicap going to work?
0:38:15 > 0:38:19If you're over 40, then you get a 51 second handicap to your advantage.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20Yeah, exactly.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22And if there are ladies in the boat,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25they get a 25 second handicap over the men.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27But there's some healthy rivalry, isn't there?
0:38:27 > 0:38:28Very much so, yeah.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Come on, Will-to-Win!
0:38:34 > 0:38:36You're halfway!
0:38:38 > 0:38:39Because it's a staggered start,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42it's a little difficult to tell how they're doing,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46but it looks like Jeff and his team in Will-to-Win have done well.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- Well done! How do you think it went? - Well, we came second overall.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- Yeah.- But it was a great race, yeah, really good.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- We're going out for a cooldown, do you fancy coming out with us? - Of course.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59- Always up for some action.- OK. We're going to climb in the boat then.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- All right, let's go.- Make way, guys!
0:39:01 > 0:39:04And ready to row.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- Nice and slow, guys.- OK.- And row!
0:39:08 > 0:39:13And forwards, out and in. That's it, that's good!
0:39:13 > 0:39:15OK, OK, I've got the rhythm.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- You've got the rhythm? That's you. - OK. Bit better.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19- Well, we're following you. - Oh, are you?
0:39:19 > 0:39:21I don't know how I suddenly became the leader.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23That's number six's job.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26I know, I really thought number six would be the last person.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28- Well, that's all right. - I forgot, I forgot! How am I doing?
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Try and keep your arms straight when you hit the plougher.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34Use your legs and your body. That's it, whoa!
0:39:34 > 0:39:37- Ha-ha-ha!- Keep going... Sorry guys, I went...
0:39:37 > 0:39:41You keep rowing in time. You got it? Well done. Well recovered.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43'I've just caught a crab -
0:39:43 > 0:39:46'that's the sporting term for when you lose control of the oar blade,
0:39:46 > 0:39:49'a common rookie rower's error.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52'This might be a cooldown for Jeff and his team,
0:39:52 > 0:39:54'but it's certainly a workout for me.'
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Seriously, these guys make it look way too easy.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00It is not easy!
0:40:00 > 0:40:04- Well, I did...- Aah!- Oh...you OK?
0:40:04 > 0:40:06Whoo!
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- Oh, you've got mine.- Oh, I think I'm just going to stay here.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- That was great.- Number six is out, people!
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Right, well done, I think that's great.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22'Maybe I'll just stick to house-hunting.'
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Well, that's the end of our property search with Barry and Jackie.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30We've shown them three charming houses
0:40:30 > 0:40:32in three very different locations.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35But did any of them hit the exact spot?
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Time to find out.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45- Hello.- Hello.- Hi. - So, what are you thinking?
0:40:45 > 0:40:49I'm confused. You've shown us three good properties,
0:40:49 > 0:40:51nice in different ways,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53and you've helped us to identify things
0:40:53 > 0:40:56that we didn't realise we needed.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59For example, location is more important
0:40:59 > 0:41:00than we thought when we started.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04Whilst we did say maybe just a village shop and a pub,
0:41:04 > 0:41:07I think we've realised that we want maybe more than that.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10So, you need a more thriving village, in a way.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13Yeah, possibly, and I think that's an area
0:41:13 > 0:41:15you've helped as identify with.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18If location's moved up, has anything else in your list gone down or,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21actually, is it now all up there and you're just more focused?
0:41:21 > 0:41:24We still want the cosy, the character,
0:41:24 > 0:41:29but just, it's important it's in the right location for us.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Even if you're not going to buy
0:41:31 > 0:41:35one of the three properties we've shown you, did you have a favourite?
0:41:35 > 0:41:38I think, yes, it was the Mystery House.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Yeah, I think that was just different.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42It was so old and such character.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44It's so unique.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47So, if I could take the Mystery House
0:41:47 > 0:41:49and put it in another location,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52do you think you would have gone for it?
0:41:52 > 0:41:56- Definitely.- So, what happens now? - We keep looking.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Erm, you helped as identify that we prefer it
0:42:00 > 0:42:04nearer to the sandier beaches along this coast,
0:42:04 > 0:42:08so that's helped us focus on a particular area.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Well, it's been a great couple of days.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Well, it was great for us, too.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15And good luck with the search and let us know how you get on.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- We will.- And thank you for all your help.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- No worries at all.- Thank you.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27It turns out Barry and Jackie liked elements of all three
0:42:27 > 0:42:31of our properties, but none of them individually quite hit the spot,
0:42:31 > 0:42:33and that was really down to location.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Their hesitation is understandable - this is a major move for them.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Their nest is emptying and this is the very first time
0:42:40 > 0:42:42they've had to find a house for just the two of them.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44So, their search continues.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46And fingers crossed, it won't be too long
0:42:46 > 0:42:49before they've found their new home in Devon.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52See you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55If you'd like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Scotland, Wales or England and need our help,
0:42:58 > 0:43:03please apply online at: