0:00:02 > 0:00:05This grand Grade I listed manor house was home to the same family
0:00:05 > 0:00:07for more than five centuries, spawning a line
0:00:07 > 0:00:10that would go on to change the very fabric of English history.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13So, where exactly am I?
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Find out in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Today's house-hunters are looking to return to childhood roots
0:00:37 > 0:00:39to raise their family.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42We surprise them with the scale of one of our properties.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45It's amazing.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47It's huge! Isn't it?
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Is it the whole thing? It looks like it's two, I think.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53'Either way, it seems to be having the desired effect.'
0:00:53 > 0:00:56I'm starting to feel slightly excited.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- Yeah, so are we. - All three of us, that's good.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Today, we're in Wiltshire, and this is Lydiard Park -
0:01:06 > 0:01:10home to the St John family for more than 500 years,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12following the marriage of Oliver St John
0:01:12 > 0:01:16to one Margaret Beauchamp early in the 15th century.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Now, Margaret inherited this magnificent house, but she was also
0:01:19 > 0:01:23to become the great-grandmother of King Henry VIII,
0:01:23 > 0:01:28the man who famously rejected the Roman Catholic faith,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31altering the course of English history for ever.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Today, this beautifully restored house and garden
0:01:34 > 0:01:36is open to the public
0:01:36 > 0:01:40and remain just one of the gems in this county's rich heritage.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43Lying in the south of England,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Wiltshire is surrounded by six other counties, including Dorset,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Somerset and Hampshire.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Its rich and varied countryside
0:01:52 > 0:01:54showcases both classic rural landscapes
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and international heritage sites alike,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00including the Neolithic stone circles at Avebury,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04as well as Stonehenge, a Unesco World Heritage site.
0:02:04 > 0:02:05Little is known about
0:02:05 > 0:02:08how this iconic prehistoric monument was created,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10but it's this fascinating mystique
0:02:10 > 0:02:14that makes it one of the most visited sites in the country.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18The county's rolling hills give way to downland at Salisbury Plain,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22which spreads across 300 square miles and whose grassland is home to
0:02:22 > 0:02:25unique flora and fauna.
0:02:25 > 0:02:26Built mainly on chalk,
0:02:26 > 0:02:31Wiltshire is home to three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and set
0:02:31 > 0:02:34within this backdrop is the cathedral city of Salisbury.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Described as "the city in the country",
0:02:37 > 0:02:40its 13th century cathedral is a leading example
0:02:40 > 0:02:41of English Gothic architecture.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45The county's impressive array of historic marvels explains
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Wiltshire's enduring appeal for visitors,
0:02:47 > 0:02:51as well as those seeking a more permanent rural escape.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55The average price of a detached property in Wiltshire
0:02:55 > 0:03:03is just over £318,000, around £36,000 above the national figure.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Now, that may sound expensive,
0:03:05 > 0:03:09but there are still bargains to be had if you know where to look.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Market towns like Devizes in the centre of the county
0:03:12 > 0:03:16or Warminster in the southwest can offer better value for money
0:03:16 > 0:03:19than the popular villages in the commuter bubble,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22close to the Hampshire border, towards the east.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26So, what is it about Wiltshire that has so attracted today's buyers?
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Louisa and Chris met after an introduction from a mutual friend,
0:03:33 > 0:03:34and love quickly blossomed.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39We met in freshers' week at university, at Oxford Brookes.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45I think we were introduced through Chris living with a friend of mine.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47I went down to see him in halls.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Yeah, who turned out to be my best man at our wedding.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55He introduced us. Yeah, went on from there.
0:03:55 > 0:03:56After leaving university,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00they tied the knot and moved to the leafy suburbs of the capital.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03But the appeal of suburban life is starting to fade for them,
0:04:03 > 0:04:05and so the time feels right for a change.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09So, we currently live in a cottage in East Molesey, two-bed.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12And it's been great as a starter home.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15We had our little girl here, who's now two.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17But we've kind of outgrown it.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22It's been brilliant, but we need to move on to the next thing now.
0:04:22 > 0:04:23But with this next move,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27they will still need to consider Chris's work in terms of location.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Currently, I work in construction.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32I have been for about seven years.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35My head office is based at Guildford.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39So, we're looking to, at the moment, still maintain that set-up.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42I would commute to work and then the rest of the week I'll be travelling
0:04:42 > 0:04:47back to wherever our new humble abode will be.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Becoming parents has completely changed their lives.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53And now much of their attention and time is focused
0:04:53 > 0:04:55on a certain little person.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00Evie is our two-year-old daughter, who only turned two very recently,
0:05:00 > 0:05:06and is very much a troublemaker, a very excitable young lady.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09She's definitely the focus of our lives.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10- A lot of energy.- Yes.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Since she was born,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15she's been the person everything revolves around now.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18So life's geared up for her, keeps us very busy.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23That's why moving to the country, for her especially,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25it's going to be amazing.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27And after leaving the city,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Louisa and Chris planned to return to their roots.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34So, we're looking to move back to the West Country,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37which is where Louise's parents are from.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40She grew up there for about 25 years.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43And I went to school in Wiltshire, so that part of the world
0:05:43 > 0:05:46is somewhere that's quite close to our hearts.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48So, we're looking to move back to
0:05:48 > 0:05:52in and around the Bradford-on-Avon region.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53And be not too far from Bath.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59And perhaps Evie will also have a new brother or sister to play with
0:05:59 > 0:06:01once they all relocate west.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05When we are down in Bath, the surrounding area,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08we want to extend the family.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11We haven't got enough room here, so when we are in a new location,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14a bigger house, that's definitely something that we...
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Absolutely. With dogs?
0:06:16 > 0:06:18With dogs. And babies!
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Oh, yeah. And more babies, that's it.
0:06:22 > 0:06:23Since we've come from uni,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25it's really been a case of just quite rapidly
0:06:25 > 0:06:28moving out of places and moving further out of London.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31So this is sort of the big move back
0:06:31 > 0:06:35to a long-term settlement plan, I think.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39When our buyers move to Wiltshire,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41they're hoping to settle within striking distance of Bath,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43to be close to friends and family
0:06:43 > 0:06:46and also near good commuter routes for Chris.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48So, we're concentrating our search
0:06:48 > 0:06:50on the villages found to the west of the county,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54and we're all meeting up so I can get a better understanding
0:06:54 > 0:06:56of exactly what they're after.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Well, Louisa and Chris, welcome to wonderful Wiltshire.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02We're just on the edge of the West Country here. Why Wiltshire?
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Why do you two want to move?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06I think it's been a while coming,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09since we've been in London for about six years now.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12We're looking to make the move back for our family.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15So, just sort of back to our roots, really.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17I think it's now because Evie, she's two,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19she's going to be starting school in a few years.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23We want to come back, be settled before she starts school.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25So, you've obviously thought long and hard about this move.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28What does the perfect property look like in your minds?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32I think key is probably going to be space.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Moving out of London, we're looking to maximise
0:07:34 > 0:07:37what we can get for our money in terms of space.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40It's quite cramped at the moment, with the little one.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42So, yeah, looking for more bedrooms.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43How many bedrooms?
0:07:43 > 0:07:44Probably four bedrooms.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- Ideally four?- Yeah.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49And then, I think, one of the key things for us
0:07:49 > 0:07:50is going to be a big kitchen.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52At the heart of the home.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Yeah, a big area where you can eat,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56cook, and kids can play, that kind of thing.
0:07:56 > 0:07:57That's the idea.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59So, four bedrooms, a good-sized kitchen.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01What else are you after?
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I think we want a good garden.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06We don't feel like we need anything enormous.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Gardening is not your - or my - favourite thing.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11What about location?
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Do you want to be in the community? Would you like to be more rural?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19I think for us, we definitely want a few local shops nearby,
0:08:19 > 0:08:23just so you can pop out get some milk, newspaper, that kind of thing.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25And the big thing about location is schools.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27I'm a primary school teacher,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30so at some point I'd like to go back to work.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34A local primary school, for a little girl, hopefully maybe me,
0:08:34 > 0:08:35would be perfect for us.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Well, let's look at money, then.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Remind us what we've got to spend here in Wiltshire.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44We've got a maximum budget of 575.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45£575,000.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Do you think that's a realistic budget for what you're after?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50I think it is, yes. I think it's pretty realistic.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I will let you know, it is a very popular county,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56because of where it is, the countryside,
0:08:56 > 0:08:58and also relatively close to London as well.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02But, having said that, we do have some splendid properties lined up to
0:09:02 > 0:09:06show you. And, of course, one is going to be the Mystery House.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- Shall we get started? - Yes.- Come on, then.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17With £575,000 to spend,
0:09:17 > 0:09:22Louisa and Chris have a healthy budget for their country property.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Central to their search is finding enough space
0:09:25 > 0:09:27for them to grow as a family.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31So, a generous kitchen is important, as are enough bedrooms.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Besides a manageable garden, they need access to good schools,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39commuter links for Chris and to be close to family in Bath.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45And we've got some great Wiltshire properties to tempt our couple
0:09:45 > 0:09:46away from the city.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49But I won't be revealing the prices until the end of each tour.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53Then, to finish up, we will reveal our Mystery House,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55which should really challenge their preconceptions
0:09:55 > 0:09:58of what that preferred country home should be.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07We're kicking off our Wiltshire property search in the village
0:10:07 > 0:10:10of Winterslow, 20 minutes from the cathedral city of Salisbury.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Originally three separate settlements called West,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Middle and East Winterslow,
0:10:16 > 0:10:20they now collectively form the parish of Winterslow.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Here, modern properties mix with thatched country cottages,
0:10:22 > 0:10:26and local residents are well catered for, with a village shop providing
0:10:26 > 0:10:29essentials, along with four churches,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32a village hall, a primary school and two pubs.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34And just to the north of the village,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38located in a private courtyard, is the house we've lined up.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Let me introduce you to our very first property.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Wow. It's amazing.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48It's huge! Isn't it?
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Is it the whole thing? It looks like it's two, really.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53I hate to disappoint you.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- I was going to say, it's enormous! - Yeah.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- It's actually three properties. - OK.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01It's an old granary. It's about 100 years old.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04It's not listed. This part, this is our house.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06This is the one we're going to be looking at.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09First impressions, what do we think?
0:11:09 > 0:11:10I think it's beautiful.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Yeah, it's really sweet. Very cute.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Welcoming?- Yeah.- It does look very welcoming. Definitely.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Well, that's a strong start.
0:11:17 > 0:11:18Let's see what you make inside.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19Come on.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25'Dating back to the 1800s, this old granary was converted in 2002.'
0:11:25 > 0:11:29Its historic external aesthetic seems to have won our couple over.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32So, I'm hoping the inside will have the same effect.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34We're starting tour with the most important room
0:11:34 > 0:11:36in the house for Louise and Chris.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41I thought we'd start the tour coming through the side door,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43and it brings us straight into the kitchen.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Yeah, I love it. When I first came in,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47the first thing I noticed was the range.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50That's great. Great bit of kit.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51Very country, very homely.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53It is, yeah. Very nice.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55What about the actual kitchen itself?
0:11:55 > 0:11:56Really like the style.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Yeah, it's really nice. Very country.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01It's been done very, very nicely.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05Potentially, for me, maybe a dash more in terms of being what we're
0:12:05 > 0:12:09looking for in terms of an overall family kitchen.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Is it the kitchen itself? Because, to me, this is a good-sized kitchen.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Are you thinking perhaps a family room on top of it?
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Yeah, possibly, on the kitchen itself, we are needing more space.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19But having a room attached,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21that's sort of then utilised by everyone
0:12:21 > 0:12:25so everyone's in one big space, really. Possibly it's lacking that.
0:12:25 > 0:12:26This is only the first room.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Let's continue and see what you make of the others.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34'Down a small flight of stairs, we find the next room.'
0:12:36 > 0:12:37So, next up is...
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Well, I was going to call it the sitting room.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41I'm actually going to rename it the family room.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- Yeah, definitely. It's beautiful.- Very homely.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Good. I mean, that's important, isn't it?
0:12:47 > 0:12:49It's the first house that you've seen.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51And as you walk through the door, you want it to feel like a home.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54I know that is a priority for you.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59Definitely. It does, it feels cosy and it feels warm, and just lovely.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Really nicely done.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02So, so far, so good.
0:13:02 > 0:13:03Yes, absolutely.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Let's hope it continues upstairs.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Also on the ground floor is a dining room with doors leading outside,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14a compact study and a utility room.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Then upstairs we find four good-sized double bedrooms
0:13:18 > 0:13:19and a tiled bathroom.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22We're showing Louisa and Chris the largest of the rooms.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26So, you've got a good-sized landing.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27This would be the master.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- That's nice.- Good size.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Lovely size. I love the really high ceilings.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33That's the wonderful thing.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- This is the master because it has an en-suite.- Brilliant.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- You don't have one of those at home, do you?- No.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40Oh!
0:13:40 > 0:13:44You're never going to go back! You're never, ever going to go back.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47So, this is a house with the four bedrooms that you've asked for, but,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51in actual fact, you could grow into it as well, if you wanted to.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Absolutely. And that's what we're looking for.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56This is our house that we want to be in,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59in our next house, for a good time.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01'So far, our buyers seem more than happy with the house,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04'and I'm hoping those smiles will continue
0:14:04 > 0:14:05'as we move outside into the garden.'
0:14:08 > 0:14:11So, you've got this patio paved area
0:14:11 > 0:14:14which leads to a very long and secure garden.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- And then just look at that view. - I know. It's amazing.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Come on, let's try and put a figure on our very first property.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Ladies first.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26525?
0:14:26 > 0:14:28I'm going to say slightly over our budget.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30I'm going to say about 585.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33The asking price is right on your budget.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35£575,000.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Way below. I completely got that wrong.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Why don't you take another look at our first property on your own?
0:14:41 > 0:14:43This is certainly a house you can grow into, that's for sure.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Yeah, there's a lot of possibility, isn't there?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47A lot of potential there.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Great. Be my guest.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Bang on budget, this converted
0:14:54 > 0:14:56granary provides everything
0:14:56 > 0:14:57Louisa and Chris asked for
0:14:57 > 0:14:59in their country property.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00With four bedrooms
0:15:00 > 0:15:01and two reception rooms,
0:15:01 > 0:15:02there's plenty of space
0:15:02 > 0:15:04to accommodate an expanding family.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06And what's more,
0:15:06 > 0:15:07it is ideally located
0:15:07 > 0:15:09to some great commuter links for Chris.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12I think my initial reaction, when I saw the property,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14was, yes, a bit of surprise.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16It was really nice. The courtyard area was lovely.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19A really nice area, that enclosed the various houses around.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21I really like the timber cladding as well.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23I thought it was nice to see a converted barn,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26which wasn't something that I was expecting to see.
0:15:26 > 0:15:27That was very nice.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29There's many things I like about this property,
0:15:29 > 0:15:35because it feels so homely and cosy. I love the high ceilings, the beams.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36The garden's beautiful,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40really nice size, safe, very child-friendly.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43And just generally, the feel of the place, I think it's lovely.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44Really nice.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Are you happy? Have you seen enough?
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- Yeah, I think so. Very happy. - Had a good browse around.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Good. Hard to believe a former granary, isn't it?
0:15:53 > 0:15:55I know, it's been done so beautifully.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56Massive transformation.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59And that's only our first property, because we do have more to show you.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00- Excited.- Let's make a move.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12It's fair to say that the landscapes of Wiltshire are steeped in history
0:16:12 > 0:16:15and the county offers more byways than anywhere else in the UK.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20So, what better way to explore the countryside than by bike?
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Chris and Louisa are meeting with David Evans of Heritage Cycle Tours,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27who's guiding them on an expedition to learn a little bit more about
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Wiltshire's most famous landmarks.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- Hello.- Hi.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Dave.- Hi, Louisa.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- Chris.- Hi, Chris, nice to meet you.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37Welcome to sunny Old Sarum.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Old Sarum the original place for Salisbury.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Sarum being the old English name for Salisbury.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46William the Conqueror decided he liked it so much that he'd build
0:16:46 > 0:16:48a castle, a motte-and-bailey castle here,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51which is what we can see the ruins of behind us.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54And also a cathedral. That was the original Salisbury Cathedral.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57It was up here, 400-and-something years.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00So, why did Salisbury Cathedral move down into the valley?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03There are two reasons. I believe the bishop fell out with the Crown.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07It was also very crowded up here. I think something like
0:17:07 > 0:17:093,000 or 4,000 people lived up here in the village
0:17:09 > 0:17:11and it was really cramped.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13OK, guys. So, now you've seen Old Sarum,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16it's time to press on and it's all downhill from here.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- Shall we go?- Brilliant.- Yes, please.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22This way, to the right.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Winding north of Salisbury along the Avon Valley,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30this cycle route passes through some of Wiltshire's most fascinating
0:17:30 > 0:17:33scenery. Scattered throughout the landscape
0:17:33 > 0:17:35are a number of ancient man-made mounds.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Right. Are you OK?
0:17:37 > 0:17:38- How's it going?- Yeah, good.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- You enjoying this? - Yeah, it's lovely.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43We've just arrived in a place called Wilsford-cum-Lake
0:17:43 > 0:17:46which is the kind of greater area of Stonehenge.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48We're going to see a lot of these mounds.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50They're burial mounds, and they're called barrows.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53So, what group of people were actually buried in the barrows?
0:17:53 > 0:17:54It was English folk, we think.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57But there is evidence that several of the people that are buried around
0:17:57 > 0:18:00here, a lot of people buried come from further afield.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01They found people from the Alps,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04people from Spain, from the Mediterranean.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06So, it was probably quite a well-known site
0:18:06 > 0:18:07for people around Europe.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09And why are the mounds so big?
0:18:09 > 0:18:12So, it's possible that the significance of the size
0:18:12 > 0:18:14of the barrows was to actually show people
0:18:14 > 0:18:17that these very important people are sitting here on the hillside.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21When they would have been made, they wouldn't have had turf on them.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22They would have been white.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26So they would have been quite visible to people in the area.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Time to get back in the saddle and continue the tour.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Wiltshire has the highest concentration
0:18:31 > 0:18:35of prehistoric sites in Europe, so there's plenty to see.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37And the final stop of the excursion is at
0:18:37 > 0:18:39the county's most celebrated landmark.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- This is the last stop on the tour. - OK.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44This is Stonehenge and its surrounding landscape.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48What you see now is actually the last version of Stonehenge.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50They had three attempts at building it.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52So, do you think they're used manual labour
0:18:52 > 0:18:53to actually get the stones up?
0:18:53 > 0:18:54There are two major theories.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57One of them would be they dug holes to puts the stones into the hole,
0:18:57 > 0:19:01to get it upright, and then built an earth bank alongside it,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03to put the link along.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06The other one is that they used timber structures, like A-frames,
0:19:06 > 0:19:10tied together with ropes, and then pulled the stone on top.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13So, do you have any idea about how long it took them to complete it?
0:19:13 > 0:19:15If you don't know how they constructed it,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18it's very difficult to determine how long it would take.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22It certainly must have taken them years, I would have thought.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Well, have you enjoyed your tour? Has it been fun?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Yeah, it's been great. Learned lots.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- Well, I think you've earned yourself a cup of tea, don't you? - Yes, please.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30- Shall we go and get one? - Thank you. Cheers.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36That's it for our couple's historic sightseeing tour,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39and with the day drawing to a close, it's time to head home.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49It's the second day of our property search in the Wiltshire countryside,
0:19:49 > 0:19:50and we're on the hunt for a family home
0:19:50 > 0:19:54for Louisa and Chris from Greater London,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58who have a budget of £575,000.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02But what will I be revealing to them as our Mystery House?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05A little bit of a surprise round the corner.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Yeah, I think so. Definitely.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08It's like a giant ship.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10THEY LAUGH
0:20:10 > 0:20:13And I'll also be discovering the classic British artwork
0:20:13 > 0:20:16that adorns towns and villages across the country.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18So, as I walked through the door,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20in a way it's like coming to a mini art gallery.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27So, it's the second day of our house-hunt here in Wiltshire
0:20:27 > 0:20:29with Louisa and Chris.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Two more properties to show them.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32Let's see how we get on.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35The first one is in a family-friendly village.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39But the last house that I have up my sleeve, it is, of course,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41our mystery property.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Now, they're very aware of the family,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45they want to be near a community.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49And with this house, I'm hoping it's got everything that they want.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53It might need just a little bit of work along the way.
0:20:53 > 0:20:54Let's see how we get on.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59The next house in our Wiltshire property search
0:20:59 > 0:21:02lies just under an hour from Bath in the village of Hilmarton.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Hilmarton is a classic English village,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09featuring honey-coloured limestone properties
0:21:09 > 0:21:12alongside picture-postcard thatched cottages.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Its Grade I listed church dates back to the 12th century
0:21:16 > 0:21:20and apparently owns one of only 200 original King James Bibles
0:21:20 > 0:21:22that still exist today.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Our next offering brings us to the present day,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and for this one, I've got high hopes.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32So, we're going to show you
0:21:32 > 0:21:37- a little bit more of a modern property for our next house.- OK.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- I like it.- Yeah?
0:21:39 > 0:21:40Yeah.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42What works for you, Chris?
0:21:42 > 0:21:44I like the wooden porch.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45It's a nice feature.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Maybe, for me, not as pretty as perhaps I'd like.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It's a bit dark. The front is a bit dark for me.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54We obviously have completely different tastes!
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Well, it's quite brown.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Also, there isn't any shrubbery, there isn't any greenery here.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01It's a practical home, isn't it?
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Low-maintenance, isn't it? What we like!
0:22:05 > 0:22:06Yes, that's what I like!
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- So, shall we step inside? - Yeah, absolutely.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13'Externally, this property may not have made
0:22:13 > 0:22:15'a great impression on Louisa.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18'However, Chris seems more than happy with its kerb appeal.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20'Although the camp is divided,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23'I'm confident the sheer space this house offers internally
0:22:23 > 0:22:25'will impress them both.'
0:22:27 > 0:22:31So, off the hallway, we have our sitting-room.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Very spacious.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Yeah, it's nice. Big, nice windows.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40This is kind of our taste, isn't it?
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Quite clean and bright, and fresh.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Absolutely, yeah. It's a massive room, isn't it?
0:22:46 > 0:22:47Huge. Really nice.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49So, a strong start, do we think, to the tour?
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Just off the hallway, there is a downstairs cloakroom.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57An awful lot more to show you, in actual fact.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Louisa seems happier with the house, which is great.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Let's hope the property keeps up the good work
0:23:02 > 0:23:04with what's on offer the kitchen.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09See, I think this house is deceiving.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Yeah, it is. It kind of feels a lot...
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Yeah, it's confusing.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- There's a lot more space than I thought there would be.- It's nice.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22In your mind, you think this is the kitchen, and that'll be it.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25It's a good-sized kitchen, fully integrated,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27plenty of space.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29And then you realise, in actual fact,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32because it's been extended relatively recently,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35to the left you've got a laundry and utility room
0:23:35 > 0:23:38and then you've got that massive dining room at the back.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39That's brilliant.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Huge doors, opens out onto the garden.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44That's nice, isn't it?
0:23:44 > 0:23:47It's lovely I love it. And again, bright, airy, clean.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Just...to our tastes.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50To our tastes?
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Yeah, I do like it.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57If you can get over the outside of this property,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59as you walk through the door, both of you are united.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- Yeah.- Definitely, it's lovely.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- I'm starting to feel slightly excited.- Yeah, so are we.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Yay! All three of us! That's good.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Well, let's hope it continues upstairs.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14The scale of this house has won our couple over.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17And so far, each and every room has delivered.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19As we move upstairs,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I'm hoping the magic continues in the largest of the bedrooms.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28So upstairs, the staircase splits into two.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30So you've got bedrooms on one side, if you like,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32and these bedrooms on the other.
0:24:32 > 0:24:33This is the master.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37- It's a really nice size, isn't it? - Good size. Yeah, it's big.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40So how many bedrooms has this house got?
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- Three double bedrooms, which are all en-suite.- Oh, wow!
0:24:44 > 0:24:47The nursery, plus an additional double bedroom
0:24:47 > 0:24:49so you've got five in total.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51- My goodness.- Really? - Sure this is in our budget?!
0:24:51 > 0:24:53NIKKI LAUGHS
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Starting to doubt it!
0:24:55 > 0:24:56It's impressive, isn't it?
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Yeah, definitely. I think everything, well, personally,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02has been impressive so far.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04There's a little touch to this room
0:25:04 > 0:25:06that you can explore on your own a bit later on,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09because there's also a dressing room of a generous size...
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Oh, really? Nice! - ..and a wonderful en-suite bathroom.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14- Really?- Fantastic. - Yeah. With the master.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16It's been done beautifully. It really has.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17I don't know why would they want to move!
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- So, got one more thing up my sleeve to show you.- OK.- OK.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23A little bit different outside.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- All right.- Let's see what you think.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28With five bedrooms, there's ample room here
0:25:28 > 0:25:31to accommodate our couple's growing family.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34But I've a feeling that the garden may once again split opinion.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40So we have a spacious house
0:25:40 > 0:25:43but it has an additional pool in the garden.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Yes. Wasn't expecting that.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Definitely not.- Bit of a surprise. - Absolutely.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Yeah. Not often I can offer people a pool!
0:25:50 > 0:25:52You've got quite a large garden here.
0:25:52 > 0:25:53Most of it, as you can see, is paved.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56But we also have an additional garden
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- on the other side of the house.- OK.- It's divided up.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Yeah, brilliant.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Can you see yourself using the pool?
0:26:02 > 0:26:03- Definitely.- Yeah?- I can.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05I think personally,
0:26:05 > 0:26:10I would have a think about filling it in, maybe.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12- Kids would love the pool, though. - It'd be amazing!
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- Do you know what I'd do? - We'd only use it, like, three weeks of the year.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- You know what I would do, personally? I'd keep it for a year and see...- If you use it.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Because if Evie loves it, then it'll change your opinion.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Breaking the ice out just to make a point.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28- Christmas Day! - I want to go swimming!
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- It would be fair to say that you both like this property.- Yeah.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35- You're going to have to put a price on it now.- Yeah.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39I would say 585, 590.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41OK.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45I'm going to say lower. 560?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48OK. Wow! Chris, you're very good at this.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52- Really?- Because the asking price is £562,000.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Amazing. Wow! OK.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56- Have a think.- Yeah, definitely.
0:26:56 > 0:26:57Have another look around,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01because I think this could be the family home you're looking for.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Saying that, fingers crossed.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Surprisingly, this expansive
0:27:11 > 0:27:14five-bedroom detached house falls
0:27:14 > 0:27:15£13,000 below Louisa
0:27:15 > 0:27:16and Chris's budget
0:27:16 > 0:27:19yet it provides them with everything
0:27:19 > 0:27:20they wanted in a home and more.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21With five bedrooms,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23the property delivers on space
0:27:23 > 0:27:25and is also ideally located
0:27:25 > 0:27:26within a lively village
0:27:26 > 0:27:27as well as close
0:27:27 > 0:27:29to good commuter links.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Wow! Look at this.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35- His and hers sink.- Yeah, brilliant.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- Love the bath.- White room. White room.- Really nice.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39It's big, isn't it?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- Yeah. Lovely.- Yeah, great.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44When I first saw the house,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47my reaction was, it was definitely positive,
0:27:47 > 0:27:48not negative in any way.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53To be honest, from room to room, I was just really, really impressed.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Probably the only thing I can think negative,
0:27:56 > 0:28:00for me, perhaps the swimming pool would need a slight think about,
0:28:00 > 0:28:04just in terms of children's safety and just whether we'd use it.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06I think if we were to stay there,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08I think we definitely would use the pool.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11I think, throughout the various summers, you get long periods
0:28:11 > 0:28:13of hot weather and I think you'd definitely get a lot
0:28:13 > 0:28:15of use out of it from the family and friends.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18How are we feeling?
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- Excited.- Yeah?- Excited. Yeah.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Yeah, definitely. It's a good property.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24It's given us lots to think about.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27You seem to be in agreement with this one.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- I think the first one that we're in agreement.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32We're going to leave on a high note. Come on, then.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41The final stop on our property journey is, of course,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44the Mystery House which takes us back down to the south of the county
0:28:44 > 0:28:48to the village of Codford, a 40-minute drive from Bath.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49Codford has strong links
0:28:49 > 0:28:52with Australian and New Zealand Anzac soldiers
0:28:52 > 0:28:54as it was during the First World War
0:28:54 > 0:28:55that the village became
0:28:55 > 0:28:57a staging camp for Allied troops,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59a legacy kept alive by the Anzac badge
0:28:59 > 0:29:03which is carved into the chalky hillside above Codford.
0:29:03 > 0:29:08The nearby Anzac War Cemetery is the second-largest in the UK.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10To the west of the village, up a private road,
0:29:10 > 0:29:11we find our Mystery House.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Wow!
0:29:17 > 0:29:18CHRIS LAUGHS
0:29:18 > 0:29:20- It's a converted stables.- Yeah.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23A little bit of a surprise as we round the corner.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25Yeah, I think so. Definitely.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26It's like a giant ship.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28THEY LAUGH
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- No, it's pretty. It is. - It's very pretty.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32It's aesthetically pleasing, for sure.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33- Yeah.- Yeah, definitely.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36Any idea why it's our Mystery House?
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- Erm...- Stables?
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Made for a horse. Yeah.
0:29:42 > 0:29:43Give it away a little bit.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45The clue is in the four legs, isn't it?
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- It does need a little bit of work doing inside.- OK.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50So perhaps a little bit more of a project
0:29:50 > 0:29:51then we'd looked at in the past.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Yeah. And it has land.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- We hadn't really talked about Evie's passion for horses...- No.
0:29:56 > 0:29:57- ..and horse riding.- Yeah.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- Should you want to...- Yeah.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02..when she is a little bit older, you could have your own pony.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06So on first impressions, what's going through your minds?
0:30:06 > 0:30:09It's really pretty. Lovely. Lovely looking.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- Chris? - Yeah, it's very quaint, very cute.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16I'm not sure if a bungalow is exactly my thing.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18But wait and see.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- Have a look inside, yeah.- Well, the good news is there is an upstairs.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- Ah.- OK.- So let's take a look and all will be revealed.- OK.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32'The property dates back almost 200 years and was originally a stable
0:30:32 > 0:30:34'block for the local manor house.'
0:30:36 > 0:30:37'As we move inside,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40'I'm hoping our couple will appreciate its unique character
0:30:40 > 0:30:42'combined with its generous proportions.'
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Let's start our Mystery House tour with our kitchen,
0:30:48 > 0:30:50or should I say country kitchen.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Yeah, it's lovely.- Absolutely. Very nice country kitchen, isn't it?
0:30:53 > 0:30:56It does feel... Screams country.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- With the range.- That's huge.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02- No, it is a nice kitchen. - A very homely feel to it.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05- Yeah.- Definitely.- Hasn't quite got the wow factor that we've had in
0:31:05 > 0:31:07previous properties, has it?
0:31:07 > 0:31:10The way it's been done, I think, yes, but perhaps the size,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- not so much.- Yeah. I think it's probably...mmm...
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Yeah, probably one of the nicest ones we've seen,
0:31:15 > 0:31:16but just in terms of size,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19- it probably doesn't quite tick that box.- Yeah, I agree.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23OK, well, let's continue, cos you might like what's next door.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Great.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Although the dimensions of the kitchen don't seem to be hitting
0:31:28 > 0:31:33the mark, I'm certain the sitting room will more than make up for it.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35THEY LAUGH
0:31:35 > 0:31:37- Now what is this?- Wow.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41- A ginormous room.- I think this is the biggest room I've ever seen.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43The largest sitting room you will ever see.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- Yeah.- Crikey.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49That is... You almost think it's kind of too big!
0:31:49 > 0:31:50THEY LAUGH
0:31:50 > 0:31:52What sort of sense are you getting from this house?
0:31:52 > 0:31:54It is the mystery.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Silence, well, I think that says it all, in a way.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01It's nice. It's...
0:32:01 > 0:32:06For me, it's perhaps not as nice as some of the other things we've seen.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08I didn't walk in and go, "Wow."
0:32:08 > 0:32:12So I think we've got a question mark for the downstairs, haven't we?
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- Yeah.- Let's see if we fare any better upstairs.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22This converted barn also has a spacious utility room as well as two
0:32:22 > 0:32:24double bedrooms down on the ground floor,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26both of which are served by a bathroom.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28There are two flights of stairs in the property,
0:32:28 > 0:32:31each leading to a first-floor bedroom.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33On one side is a double with exposed beams
0:32:33 > 0:32:35and on the other is the master.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Now, the upstairs of the stable block is... It's unusual.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43I'm not going to lie.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45The way it's set up, there's two staircases.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50- Yeah.- You're on one side, there's a further bedroom on the other side.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52So Evie would be... You'd have to go down and then back up.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- Yeah.- This is the master bedroom...
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- OK.- ..with walk-in wardrobe.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59You've got a huge en-suite, which is always lovely to have.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01- Absolutely.- What do you think?
0:33:01 > 0:33:03What's your gut feel as you come up here?
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- It doesn't seem particularly practical, in terms of...- No.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09You know, for what we want to use it for, in terms of a family home,
0:33:09 > 0:33:10doesn't seem that it would probably
0:33:10 > 0:33:13sort of fit in with how we'd kind of live, I think.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Well, let's see, cos I've still got one more thing to show you,
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- which is outside.- OK.- And then we can talk money as well.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19- Sure.- A price. Thank you.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26Sadly, this unique home doesn't seem to be working for Chris and Louisa.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29But maybe over an acre of land will swing it.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35I think, when it comes to country living,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37the Mystery House has to win.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Not only are you looking at wide-open fields with woodland
0:33:40 > 0:33:43at the back, but you have your own paddock.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45- Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it? - Amazing, it really is.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47- Rather fantastic. - I don't want to scare you too much,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50cos you don't have to have a horse or pony.
0:33:50 > 0:33:51THEY LAUGH Evie, when she's a bit older
0:33:51 > 0:33:54- might...- She might demand one. - Yeah, she might twist your arm.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56So for the final time,
0:33:56 > 0:34:00we've got to try and put a price on the Mystery House with the land.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05- What are you thinking?- I'm going to go for definitely the top end of our
0:34:05 > 0:34:09budget, so 575, 580.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Which one?
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Er...575.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- OK.- I think it's going to be a little lower than that.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19So I'm going to say around the 560 mark again.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23The asking price is £575,000,
0:34:23 > 0:34:28- so right on your budget, and Louisa on the money.- One for me.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Well, I guess for the final time, I'm going to send you two off.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- All right.- Think of poor Evie!
0:34:34 > 0:34:35We know she loves her horses.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39- She might not!- I'll meet you round the front when you're ready.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40- All right, great.- Thank you.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46Right on budget, our Mystery House
0:34:46 > 0:34:49on paper offers everything Louisa
0:34:49 > 0:34:50and Chris were looking for
0:34:50 > 0:34:52in their country home.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54It blends character and space,
0:34:54 > 0:34:56has four double bedrooms,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58large living areas and outside
0:34:58 > 0:35:00there's plenty to entertain
0:35:00 > 0:35:01their daughter Evie.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04It's also 45 minutes from Bath, but
0:35:04 > 0:35:05I'm just not sure it's a winner for
0:35:05 > 0:35:07our couple.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09The style on the outside of the building was quite unique.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11It was really nice, sort of very pretty and obviously old
0:35:11 > 0:35:15200-year-old barn that had been converted so, yeah, no,
0:35:15 > 0:35:18it was very beautiful and it had a lot of land as well to go with it,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20so it was a very nice-looking property.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23So, when I came into the house, I was slightly taken aback.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I thought it was going to be slightly more modern, perhaps,
0:35:26 > 0:35:31so my first impression was slightly, "Oh, hang on a second, you know,
0:35:31 > 0:35:35"what have we got here?" Kind of intriguing, but maybe not quite what
0:35:35 > 0:35:36I was expecting.
0:35:38 > 0:35:39All right? So that's it.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41That's our final property.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Tour of the Mystery House over.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Let's go somewhere quiet and we can have a proper chat,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48find out what your next move is going to be.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49- OK.- Let's do it.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01There is nothing quite as British as the traditional country pub and,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05like most counties, the villages of Wiltshire are full of them.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08It was the Romans who introduced the idea of a pub sign to Britain,
0:36:08 > 0:36:12and these colourful and descriptive works of art were often used as an
0:36:12 > 0:36:14early form of marketing.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Today, the art of traditional signmaking is a dwindling one,
0:36:18 > 0:36:22so I've come to a sign-writing workshop at a brewery in Devizes
0:36:22 > 0:36:25to meet pictorial artist Dave Young.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28He's been painting pub and inn signs for over 20 years
0:36:28 > 0:36:31and has agreed to take me through the history of the pub sign
0:36:31 > 0:36:34and also give me an insight to his unique craft.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35- Hi, Dave.- Hi, Nikki.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37- Good to meet you. - Welcome to the sign shop.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41Well, thank you. I mean, you're calling it a sign shop, but for me,
0:36:41 > 0:36:43as I walked through the door, in a way, it's like coming into
0:36:43 > 0:36:44a mini art gallery.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48As you drive along country roads and in towns and villages throughout the
0:36:48 > 0:36:51UK, we see these signs and, in a way,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53would it be fair to say we take them for granted?
0:36:53 > 0:36:55But how did it all start?
0:36:55 > 0:36:57It's a tradition that the British took on cos, obviously,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00a lot of the population were illiterate in those days,
0:37:00 > 0:37:04couldn't read or write, so a visual image, you know, basically,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07"We sell beer, we give accommodation,"
0:37:07 > 0:37:10was obviously very useful to the population of the time.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Was ever there a law passed that you had to have a sign on a public
0:37:13 > 0:37:16- house?- I think it was 1393,
0:37:16 > 0:37:21King Richard II brought in an act whereby every inn had to display
0:37:21 > 0:37:25a sign outside. I think it was mainly for tax purposes, really.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Well, I've got a wonderful opportunity of getting up close
0:37:27 > 0:37:29and personal with some of your artwork.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31- Can I have a bit of a tour? - Yeah, no problem.- OK.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37Pubs have a vast range of names and their origins are influenced by many
0:37:37 > 0:37:42different themes, including myths, legends, local trades,
0:37:42 > 0:37:43politics and religion,
0:37:43 > 0:37:46which are also featured in the imagery of each sign.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52So, Dave, so many different names and titles of pubs and inns.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56Quite a few I recognise, but what's the most popular in the UK?
0:37:56 > 0:37:59I think The Red Lion is the most popular, actually.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02James I of England, who was James VI of Scotland,
0:38:02 > 0:38:04when he acceded to the throne,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07he basically wanted the population to know he was the boss,
0:38:07 > 0:38:12so all the establishments and mainly the pubs had to
0:38:12 > 0:38:16show a sign of allegiance to him, and that was the red lion.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Any chance you've got a sign which is work in progress that I could
0:38:19 > 0:38:21- have a go at?- Yes, certainly have.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23- If you'd like to come this way. - Thank you.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25The signs are made from external marine ply,
0:38:25 > 0:38:28using durable exterior-grade oil paints.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31They have a shelf life of around 10-12 years before they need to be
0:38:31 > 0:38:34replaced or restored and, of course,
0:38:34 > 0:38:38the artwork has to be duplicated perfectly onto both sides.
0:38:38 > 0:38:43Now, this sign looks far more imposing, more regal, if you like.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45This is beautiful, but this isn't the only thing
0:38:45 > 0:38:47that you're working on at the moment, is it?
0:38:47 > 0:38:49No, that's right, Nikki. At the moment,
0:38:49 > 0:38:53I'm working on a sign for the Chelsea Flower Show.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Ah, now, the famous RHS.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58This is basically a mock-up sign.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00And what's the whole idea behind it?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03I think it's mainly like a play on words, but it's obviously
0:39:03 > 0:39:06the hop cycle, which is to do with the brewing process,
0:39:06 > 0:39:08and I think they're having a garden there
0:39:08 > 0:39:11with various different hops that they're growing.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14So, what part can I have a go at?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- You can have a little go at the eyes, perhaps.- Yeah?
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Excellent, right, well, I'd better take my coat off
0:39:20 > 0:39:22while you mix the paints.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27There are over 50,000 pubs in the UK and the modern tradition is to
0:39:27 > 0:39:31replace the old classics with more quirky and striking titles
0:39:31 > 0:39:34such as The Goat and Tricycle or The Hairy Lemon.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39So this is keeping your hand steady.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41That's right, yes.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43I must admit, I'll be feeling the pressure when I have to do
0:39:43 > 0:39:45my bit as well.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50So after a quick tutorial from the expert, it's my turn.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52And how long would it take in total?
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Erm. Round about two weeks, really, altogether.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57And do you ever have a preferred side?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00I do usually at the end of it.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02You know, one I'll prefer and one I'll take photographs of.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06- Yeah.- But they are usually pretty identical, really.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10'For a novice, I like to think I'm doing OK.'
0:40:10 > 0:40:11Yeah, that looks fine, doesn't it?
0:40:11 > 0:40:13That's not too bad. Now yours is sort of...
0:40:13 > 0:40:17Mine's round and yours is more oval.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20I think the bunny looks like he's been sampling the brew.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22SHE LAUGHS
0:40:22 > 0:40:26If you need an apprentice, you know where I am!
0:40:26 > 0:40:28- Start Monday morning! - SHE LAUGHS
0:40:28 > 0:40:30- Thanks very much.- Cheers.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Well, we've travelled the length and breadth of Wiltshire trying to find
0:40:37 > 0:40:43Chris and Louisa that perfect family home but have we been successful?
0:40:43 > 0:40:45I'm not sure. Let's find out.
0:40:52 > 0:40:53Well, you two.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56We have travelled. We've seen a lot of Wiltshire over the last few days,
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- haven't we?- We definitely have. - Yeah.- So, tell me,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01is there one property out of everything that we've shown you that
0:41:01 > 0:41:03has got close or perhaps even hit the mark?
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- Yes.- I think it's the house with the pool.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- The swimming pool house.- But not to put too much emphasis on the pool.
0:41:09 > 0:41:10I don't think that was probably
0:41:10 > 0:41:13the primary factor in the house, we just think...
0:41:13 > 0:41:15I mean, inside it had five bedrooms, you know, which is brilliant.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17- It's more than we were looking for. - Loads of space.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21You know, lots of living room space downstairs and then the core areas,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23the big kitchen/dining room area.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26That's a massive plus, really, cos that's what we're looking for
0:41:26 > 0:41:29in terms of a place to spend a lot of time as a family.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32And did you like the location? Cos I know that is really important for
0:41:32 > 0:41:34you, this move to the country.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36It hit the mark in terms of it's definitely rural,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38but we'd need to do definitely some more research
0:41:38 > 0:41:41in terms of how far would it be to work,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43to getting towards Guildford.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- Second viewing?- Yeah.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Yeah, I think so, yeah. I think that would be the case, yeah.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Just to reaffirm in our minds, you know, what it was.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55And will Evie-Grace be with you when you have that second viewing?
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- Yeah.- Yeah, no, I'd want her to see it.- On reins!- Even though I don't
0:41:58 > 0:42:02think she'll have much of an input, but I think, you know,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- see if she gets excited by it. - She'd love it.- I think so.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07I wonder which bedroom she's going to pick.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- The swimming pool?- She's got a lot to choose from, hasn't she?
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- Five bedrooms.- But whatever happens, keep in touch,
0:42:13 > 0:42:14but thank you so much.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16We've really enjoyed showing you Wiltshire.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- Yeah, thank you very much. Fantastic.- Thank you for helping us.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20It's been a great experience.
0:42:24 > 0:42:25Well, that's it, the end of our week
0:42:25 > 0:42:29here in beautiful Wiltshire with Chris and Louisa.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33And I must admit there were times as we were going around our properties
0:42:33 > 0:42:37I did have my doubts, but it seemed at the end, we got really,
0:42:37 > 0:42:40really close, so I hope over the next few months
0:42:40 > 0:42:44everything works out and they can make this wonderful county their new
0:42:44 > 0:42:48home. I'll see you again soon on Escape To The Country.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Chris and Louisa returned to the house with the pool
0:42:52 > 0:42:54and decided to put in an offer.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57I'm happy to say it was accepted and we wish them all the very
0:42:57 > 0:42:59best for their new life in Wiltshire.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04If you would like to escape to the country in either Scotland, England,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Wales or Northern Ireland and would like our help,
0:43:07 > 0:43:09please apply online at...