Cornwall Escape to the Country

Welcome to Escape To The Country.

Now, it is often said that an Englishman's home is his castle,

but if that is indeed the case, who do you suppose built this one,

where and why?

Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.

On today's show, a husband and wife

challenge us to find a new home for them

and his elderly mother, but from early on, we stumble over style.

I would never want this kitchen.

Wow. This week's going to be more challenging than I thought.

But later, some modern decor gets a big thumbs up.

-This is more like it.

-Yay! Brilliant.

Well, today we are in Cornwall,

and this is the rather pretty St Mawes Castle,

constructed high on the cliffs overlooking the Fal estuary,

and it was built by Henry VIII.

He was expecting an invasion from the French and the Spanish

following his divorce from Catherine of Aragon

and his break with the Catholic Church,

but this wasn't just about the defence of the realm for Henry,

this was also an assertion of his power.

His coat of arms, still above the doorway, bears the inscription,

"Henry by honour and praises will remain forever."

Now, of course, Henry has long gone,

but thankfully, this castle does remain

as one of the best-preserved Tudor landmarks on the Cornish coast.

Today's search takes us to the county

at the far western tip of Great Britain, bordering Devon.

Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean,

Cornwall is almost completely surrounded by sea

and has some 300 miles of spectacular coastline.

From sea to shore,

the craggy cliffs give way to vast swathes of moorland and heath

and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Scarred with remnants of its industrial past,

tin and copper mining peaked here in the early 19th century

when the county boasted nearly 2,000 mines.

Long-abandoned, stark chimneys remain as reminders

looking out across the water which sweeps along

to picturesque harbours like Mousehole,

described by poet Dylan Thomas as the loveliest village in the UK,

the narrow streets and stone fishermen's cottages

huddle around the quay.

It also inspired an award-winning children's story

called The Mousehole Cat, about a cat which calms the sea.

And it's these turquoise waters meeting dramatic skies

with an overall climate more in keeping with the Continent

that attracts so many people wanting to call Cornwall home.

Well, with so much to inspire you in this county,

it's great to know that property prices are equally as captivating.

Currently the average price of a detached property in Cornwall

is £273,000, that's 11,000 below the natural figure and, of course,

you can make your budget go that little bit further

by getting away from the coast

and those tantalising and expensive sea views and heading inland

to towns like St Austell and Redruth.

There, you could save yourself a further 50%.

So, if you're here to property hunt,

clearly the door to Cornwall is wide open.

So, let's meet today's buyers

and find out what's attracted them to this glorious part

of the South West.

Recent retirees David and Jenny from the village of Woodham Ferrers

in Essex have lived in their current five-bedroom house

for the last three decades.

They first met when David was working as a photographer

at a busy local fair where Jenny was the jewel in the crown.

I was Chelmsford Carnival Queen in 1974.

Well, I was there just taking some photographs

of everything that was going on.

There were the three of you, weren't there?

You were the queen and there were two princesses from Chelmsford

and that was it.

And I invited them all to the dance in the evening,

and I picked the queen, of course.

Married for 38 years,

they have two children who have now grown up and moved away.

So, they feel the time is right to make a break from the busy built-up

streets of their local town to go in search of something more serene.

At the moment, we're in a very residential area,

we're looking out at houses.

And we want space now.

We want to be somewhere where our back garden,

we don't look out and see roofs.

We want to look out and see trees.

And it would be lovely to see the sea.

We like Cornwall because it's a variation everywhere.

There can be beaches, coves, cliffs, fields and hills as well.

You know, you can drive for ten minutes

and get a different outlook completely.

Joining them on the move will be David's mother, Dolly,

who's lived with them for the last 20 years.

At the grand age of 86,

navigating their current home is no longer easy for her,

so a downstairs bedroom is a must.

What we'd like to do is get her on the ground floor level,

which we can't do practically in this house,

so she's got access to the kitchen easily

and also hopefully go outside.

You know, if we're on one level,

if she feels like coming and being sociable and having a chat,

she can toddle in and see us.

Since retiring, David has had more time to spend

on his beloved model railway,

so a space for his hobby would be just the ticket.

I was obviously into trains all my life, and my son is as well.

And here we've actually had a garden railway, which is now dismantled,

unfortunately, for the move.

It would be nice wherever we go that I can have a rather nice shed

in the garden or somewhere in the house.

The bottom of the garden.

Where I can have my train shed.

And with all signs pointing in the right direction,

packing has already begun.

We've put the house on the market about four,

five weeks ago now, and we had a few people round, and last weekend we

actually got an offer on it. So...

-Yay.

-We're ready to go, we're ready to go.

David and Jenny want to move to the north Cornwall coast near St Ives,

so we're going to concentrate our search around this area.

I'm meeting up with them in the county to find out more

about the priorities on their property wish list.

Jenny, David, welcome to Cornwall. Look at this.

-It's beautiful, isn't it?

-Couldn't be better.

-I wish I could sell you that view.

-That one will do.

-That one will do.

I know you do want a house with a view,

but you're also bringing your mum, Dolly, with you, David?

Yes, Dolly's coming with us. Yeah, yeah.

She's been with us for about 20 years now, since she retired.

Now, in terms of the properties that you've all been thinking about,

I know there's a slight difference of opinion in the camp. Jenny?

Yes, well, I like modern houses and I like modern architecture,

and David likes more cutesy-looking houses.

-Shall we say traditional?

-Yeah, traditional...traditional houses.

Give us an idea of what it needs to have to really work for you.

Well, it's got to be a modern interior.

I like a nice large kitchen, as the hub of the home.

-It can be open plan, can't it?

-It can be, yes.

And I also want a downstairs bedroom

and shower room for my mother-in-law.

And I think, really and truly, as long as it's modern inside,

perhaps David can have his...

Traditional exterior?

Absolutely. I've got a traditional exterior, so...

That would be a happy compromise, wouldn't it?

-It would.

-Yes, it would.

-So, downstairs bedroom, a must for mum.

Upstairs - two, three bed?

Three beds would be nice, cos we've got, you know,

if the children come and stay and bring the little dots,

when we get them, that would be nice as well.

You also need space in this house for your hobby, David.

-Come on, tell us more about it.

-Indeed, yes,

I'm a keen model railway modeller.

So, yeah, I need a room for my trains.

And in terms of outdoor space, I mean, are you keen gardeners?

Would you produce something like this?

-No.

-No.

-I can grow grass, that's it.

We have Astroturf, let's be honest, David.

Yeah, we've got Astroturf at the front.

That kind of tells me all I need to know.

Now, your house is under offer, which is good news.

So, what's the budget?

450,000.

We've got three, I think, very interesting,

very different properties lined up for you today.

We've got £450,000 for a house for you two and, of course,

Dolly and the trains.

-We've got a lot to do. Let's go.

-Thank you.

With a budget of £450,000,

David and Jenny are looking for a three to four bedroom house with a

ground floor room that's accessible for David's mother.

A large kitchen diner is a must for Jenny and an inside or outside space

for David's train set would be ideal.

And whilst they don't agree on house style, they do agree on location,

both wanting far-reaching views.

We've found three fantastic properties to tempt them with,

but at each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price

at the end of the tour.

Our final stop will be our Mystery House,

which I hope will challenge them to go the extra distance.

What about hobbies that you can do together, Jenny?

I mean, you know, Cornwall and its coast must be

a great allure for you?

It is, and we thought we might get ourselves a little boat,

like a picnic boat, that we can go out on in the daytime and, you know,

pop around the coast a little bit.

-That would be nice, wouldn't it?

-Not on the high seas, I might add.

I want your life. I think it sounds ideal. It's great.

We're starting off our search exactly where our buyers want to be,

in the seaside town of St Ives.

This historic seafaring town once thrived

on its prosperity from pilchard fishing,

but a decline in stock and the arrival

of the Great Western Railway in the late 1800s changed all that.

St Ives soon became a popular holiday destination,

attracting an artistic crowd, and remains so to this day.

It's surrounded by five award-winning beaches

of white surf and golden sand which sifts between the toes

of thousands of visitors each year.

Attracted not only by the stunning coastal scenery,

but also the quaint cobbled streets of the old town

known as Downalong, it caters for both tourists and locals alike.

Just a mile from the seafront,

on the outskirts of the town and at the end of a gravel track,

we find our first property.

-DAVID LAUGHS

-My traditional one.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-I reserve judgment.

-It's solid, it looks really solid.

You're not sure yet, but I'm confident that this one

could work for you, because it's in the right location,

it's got the right amount of space,

it's certainly got lots of flexible accommodation.

Right.

And it's the first one on the list.

Well, we'll look at it, yeah.

You will look at it, yeah, follow me.

Dating back to the 19th century,

this handsome house was formerly a farm building.

Built out of granite, it has the traditional facade David was after,

even if Jenny isn't yet convinced.

However, it does have a modern extension

as well as far-reaching country views.

But what will she make of the rustic decor?

This, I think, is the best place to start, Jenny.

-Yes.

-You can see you like it.

-Yes, it's OK.

-DAVID AND JENNY LAUGH

It's OK?

I mean, it's very cute and traditional.

But for years, I've lived with a brick fireplace

in my lounge, and I've always wanted to rip it out.

It's very lovely, but it's not a Jenny kitchen.

-David, help me out.

-It's a modern kitchen made with old materials.

I would never want this kitchen.

Wow. This week's going to be more challenging than I thought.

Let's go next door. Come on.

Across the hall, accessed through a lovely dining room,

we come to the newly extended sitting room.

Now, this is a room that I love,

but I'm beginning to wonder that because I might like it,

you probably won't, Jenny.

-What do you reckon?

-Now, I like this, this is...

-It's modern, isn't it?

-I like the fireplace, it's very interesting.

Yeah, it links a modern room with an old house. Very good, yeah.

Now, just across the hallway there is the downstairs shower room.

-Right.

-So, your mum, David, could potentially have this

and access to the downstairs shower across there.

-Yeah.

-So, it might have the options we're after.

Yeah, possibly, yeah.

-It's just style.

-It's just style.

With the living room earmarked for David's mother and an additional

utility room to boot,

we need to find a living space for the whole family, and the way the

current owner has reassigned the four upstairs rooms

is an excellent solution.

Down a long corridor,

the first room is already presented as a lounge and takes full advantage

of the rural surroundings.

-Wow.

-Wow. I love the view. Very amazing view.

DAVID LAUGHS

This, I think, ordinarily, would be the master bedroom.

Right. The view's great, there's still a very old feeling

in the house.

And it's a beautiful house, it's just not me.

Also on this floor, off the hallway, is a large family bathroom,

a separate shower room and two further bedrooms,

both large enough to fit a double bed.

That leaves just one last bedroom to see.

So, currently, there are three bedrooms here -

they're all the same sort of size -

any one of which could be your master bedroom, really.

Yeah. It's interesting.

-Still not convinced.

-And there's more brick.

-More stone.

-More stone.

-Stone.

If you're going to knock it, get it right.

It's stone, it's not brick.

-Stone.

-Yeah.

-Brilliant.

-Come on.

-Yes.

-What are we going to do with you?

I think I may have underestimated Jenny's desire

for a modern interior,

but hopefully the incredible setting outside might help her fall for this

charming farmhouse.

So, David,

I'm thinking outdoor railway now.

Garden railway in three quarters of an acre, which is what this plot is.

I can see what you mean, absolutely.

Yeah, it's a big garden railway.

But consider, if you will, the views,

because it's what everybody wants,

but it's not what everybody can afford.

It's beautiful.

So, who's going to make me an offer first?

Well, I think this is about 425.

Oh, straight in with 425.

-OK, David?

-I'd go for 435.

-435. You're right to creep up the scale somewhat.

-Yeah.

This is currently on the market for offers in excess of 450.

-Right.

-Right.

-That's the weight of St Ives

just bumping those numbers up.

I like it and I'm confident this could be a grower.

Go on, off you go. Go and have another look around.

I'm not going to take no for an answer.

On the market for offers

over £450,000,

this former farmhouse,

set in a beautiful location,

could offer the flexibility

our buyers are after.

Though the traditional style

may not be to Jenny's taste,

the layout does offer ground floor

living that would be ideal

for David's mother,

leaving our couple the run

of the upstairs,

including its three bedrooms

and lounge with views,

and it's all topped off

with a great garden.

-This is large.

-Train room.

-Big.

-It's nice and long as well. Yeah, that'll work.

My feelings of house one are it's a very comfortable house,

it's a sweet-looking house. It's real chocolate box on the outside,

it really is. The garden's lovely as well,

it's been very well looked after.

David's mother would like this house.

She would love the double doors onto the garden,

she would enjoy the scenery, cos the views are amazing.

Come on, Jenny. Running out the door, can't wait to move on.

David, that loft space, perfect for more railway?

Absolutely, it's just the right size.

It is indeed. And I've got the garden.

And you've got the garden as well, I mean, you know.

We just need to find a house that you both enjoy.

-We do.

-Right then, two more to come.

Let's crack on.

Just beyond Falmouth,

the ragged rocks of South Cornwall's coastline give way

to the sheltered muddy waterways and wildlife haven,

that is the Helford River.

This flooded valley was once an important trading point

where ships brought rum, tobacco and lace back from the Continent.

Nowadays, many people choose to explore the creeks by boat.

And with David and Jenny keen to buy one,

we've arranged for them to meet Hetty Wildblood,

who's made a living out of her love of the area.

-Welcome to Cornwall.

-Thank you very much.

It's lovely. How long have you been in Cornwall?

We've been down here for four years.

We were holidaying in Cornwall and seeing friends and family,

and then we just fell in love with the beaches and the coastline

and the lifestyle,

so we decided to move down here from Harrogate.

-Oh, wow.

-That's a long way.

-So, a real change. Yeah.

-Absolutely.

But then we set up the water sports,

we set up a kayaking company and we also do Helford River cruises.

-Lovely.

-So, enjoying the wildlife and the outdoors.

Today's trip launches from a small quayside on a boat

called the Hannah Molly.

19ft long, she's built of wood and is similar to the traditional

Cornish cove boats used for centuries to ferry fishermen around.

These days, tourists are the more popular catch who come to see

the abundant wildlife that lives along the river.

Sadly hidden from view today,

it's not uncommon to spot kingfishers and herons

along the water's edge and even the occasional dolphin at play.

We would like to, possibly, if we move down here,

buy a boat and start, you know, really using the facilities.

So, do you have any advice for the sorts of boats

that we could get on this river?

Well, there's a lovely boat yard up at Gweek, actually,

and they actually make boats from scratch,

so you can go in there and actually describe what kind of boat.

You can buy a selection of second-hand boats.

People tend to sell them at the end of the season.

-Oh, right.

-So, it's quite a good time to buy a second-hand boat.

What's this, where we are now, called?

We're on Frenchman's Creek now.

Why was it called Frenchman's Creek then?

Apparently, this was a smokehouse just over here,

and it was used to smoke the fish.

So, the French would smoke their fish here before the age of fridges,

and they'd smoke it and then set sail back to France.

-Clever, yes.

-And the Cornish nicknamed it Frenchman's Creek.

The creek has inspired thousands of people over the years.

Daphne du Maurier, who, obviously,

came on holiday here with her family in 1927.

And then by 1932, she came down here with her husband, Tommy,

on their honeymoon, and they moored up and she absolutely loved it here.

Set on these still and soundless waters,

Du Maurier went on to write the classic novel of the same name.

It was also on these banks that local resident

and 20th-century maritime artist Percy Thurburn left his mark.

He was a bit naughty. He was 17 years old,

he ran off and joined the navy.

He ended up coming along with his boat, the Iron Duke,

which you can see behind you.

He moored up here and he went and he went and asked a farmer

if he could go and build a house on the land.

And he built a house up there, which you can see...

-Wow.

-Do you think we'd get away with that now?

You never know. You never know.

And then in 1940, he gave it to the National Trust.

No trip on the river would be complete without stopping for tea.

And the Ferryboat Inn, dating back to the 16th century,

makes an excellent spot.

It's lovely down here, isn't it?

-It's beautiful. It's really lovely.

-Really good.

That was a fantastic trip on the river as well.

-It was.

-Really made me think, "Yeah, a little boat, absolutely ideal."

So now you're going to be buying lots of boating magazines

-to choose a boat.

-Absolutely right, yeah, yeah. From trains to boats.

So, with David and Jenny fully refreshed,

it's back to the house hunt.

For our second property,

we're moving up the coast to the village of Goonhavern,

three miles from the small seaside resort of Perranporth.

Popular for the Atlantic swell that brings surfers to the shore,

in the fifth century, the waters also washed up

an extremely important figure to the county -

St Piran, one of the patron saints of Cornwall,

who set about building a small chapel in the sand.

These days, people flock here not only to celebrate St Piran's Day,

which happens on the 5th of March,

but also to enjoy some three miles of golden sands that stretch either

side of the historic bay.

Just a short drive away back to Goonhavern

is where we find our next house.

Now, my thinking on this one is that this morning

-we started with old for you, David...

-Yes.

This afternoon, we're going new for you, Jenny.

-What do you think?

-Um, yeah, it's modern, er...

-Stylistically, I'm hoping, Jenny...

-It's modern, yeah.

..this is going to be more of the thing,

-and I think you'll like it as well.

-OK.

And I'm going to convince you that this could be

-the property for both of you.

-Right.

-Are we all agreed?

-We're very agreed.

-Right, come on.

-Let's go see it.

Finding a house to cater for two generations and that hits the mark

decor-wise was always going to be a tall order,

but I think this modern house built in the 1980s does just that.

It comes with a double garage and is immaculately decorated throughout.

We're starting off in the kitchen.

Now, is this or is this not more like it?

This is more like it.

Yay! Brilliant.

Yes, there's lots of cupboard space. Yeah, it's very nice.

Very nice. I mean, look how slick it is.

You've got a fabulous range there with, I have to confess,

the funkiest extractor that I have ever seen.

-It's lovely. Very nice.

-Yeah.

-Very nicely done.

Very spacious as well.

The clever thing is they've extended it, right?

This little doorway here was a set of patio doors going out

-to quite a dark little courtyard.

-Yes.

But they've extended it,

creating this fabulous kind of family-space dining room.

-It is very good.

-Yeah. That's lovely.

-I like the space.

And that it all flows through in this lovely open-plan way

into your main, sort of, family living room.

Really nice wood burner built in there,

very kind of contemporary.

And then through that wall there,

they've done something rather clever,

leaving these little pillars there, which are part glazed,

-separating the room, but also kind of connecting it.

-Yeah, yeah.

I like it because it's interesting.

There are some very interesting design features in the house,

which suit it very well.

And let's spare a thought for Dolly, actually.

Because we have got a dedicated downstairs bedroom

and shower room next door.

And that means that she's on this level,

and then she can share this space with you.

Yeah, that would be nice.

And also she'd be able to move around well,

-cos you could open the doors...

-Big double doors.

-..and she can get with her frame and...

-Yes.

It would be nice to sit in the family room outside there,

looking out on the garden.

Right then, let's go upstairs.

You will not be disappointed with what's on offer.

With David's mother's room sorted,

I hope the upstairs will suit them just as well.

A fresh, modern bathroom featuring a free-standing bath

serves two bright and light-filled bedrooms.

Then last of all is the impressive master with a decked terrace

to maximise the superb views.

There.

Yeah. I like the ceiling joists being left.

It's also got a walk-in wardrobe there.

And through that door, you've got quite a small shower en suite.

-And, of course, you've got the balcony.

-Oh, look at the view.

-The view's great.

-The views are incredible.

Well, let's get outside and talk about the money, shall we?

-And see where we go from there.

-OK.

With some good vibes from David and Jenny,

I feel we're heading in the right direction.

The garden, which wraps around the side of the property, is decked to

provide a great place for alfresco entertaining.

Isn't that view lovely?

That's beautiful, really is.

-It's really nice.

-It's sort of nicely framed as it were,

but it does set the whole property off.

-Not as big a garden as we had at number one...

-No.

..but in a way I'm not bothered,

cos I don't think you really wanted that much land.

-No.

-No, need easy-to-upkeep-ers.

And flat enough for the railway tracks?

It is very nice and flat.

Yeah. So, there you go, that's what's on offer.

Is it going to work for you financially?

That's the big question.

So, David?

Hm.

I would say...375.

-OK.

-Well, I was going to say it's bang on budget.

-Yeah.

-Might even be 455.

This is bang on budget at £450,000.

Right, OK. It has a lot of elements that I'm looking for.

Good, well, I'm delighted that you got the money right.

I think we've all enjoyed seeing this one, it's a really,

-really good option for the pair of you.

-It is, it's a lovely house.

-It's a fabulous house.

-Yeah.

On the market for £450,000,

this price tag gives them a property

that's definitely worth considering.

Of the four bedrooms,

one is downstairs,

ideal for David's mother.

It has the modern style

that Jenny was looking for,

along with plenty of sunlit rooms.

And the garden has

a large deck terrace

to watch the sunset

over the meadows.

When I walked inside and saw the layout,

I thought, "It's got a beautiful flow to it,

"the rooms connect, it's got some architectural details.

"The rooms are light and airy, the ceilings are high."

It had every ingredient that I like in a house.

I think house number two would be suitable for Mum.

The bedroom downstairs is a good size and there's the shower room,

just outside the bedroom,

which would be perfectly adequate for her.

And also, the inside of the house is all on one level.

Well, that's it for today.

Has it been a good one? A useful one?

It has, yeah, you've given us something old.

And you've given us something new!

It's all good, isn't it?

And tomorrow, that's going to remain a mystery.

Ahh, come on.

It's the start of day two in Cornwall with Jenny and David

from Essex who have a budget of £450,000 to spend on a home

with far-reaching views to house both themselves

and David's mother, Dolly.

Still to come, I offer them a cheeky solution to solve a problem.

I think it might be just a bit too small.

It's tiny.

Bunk beds?

Bunk beds, what a great idea!

And I dig deep into Cornwall's pottery past.

-JULES LAUGHS

-That's not too bad.

This is harder than it looks, isn't it?

It's so much harder than it looks.

Well, it's not uncommon to meet a couple

who have differences of opinion

as to the style of property they're after,

but rarely have I seen those differences

so sharply articulated as they were yesterday as we viewed,

let's face it, two very contrasting properties.

So, what about our final offering?

Well, we're going to switch tack

from Cornwall's north coast to its south.

But where? Well, that is the mystery.

For our final property destination,

we're travelling to the port of Falmouth,

down in the south of the county.

Steeped in history, this port's importance

stretches back to Tudor times,

when Henry VIII built the coastal fortress of Pendennis Castle here.

In a strategic location overlooking the natural harbour,

it made the perfect place to fend off foreign invasion.

Today, Falmouth attracts boating enthusiasts on vessels

of all shapes and sizes and the harbourside

is home to Cornwall's National Maritime Museum,

which opened in 2003.

What's more, the town was recently ranked in the top five best places

to live in Britain, all the more reason to consider this area

for our buyers.

On the outskirts of the town,

we come to our final house,

which I think will offer them both what they're looking for.

Right, guys, come in to this corner of the garden,

cos I think this gives you the best aspect to really appreciate

what our Mystery House offers you.

Wow. It looks very, very traditional.

I mean, I don't suppose you probably would've considered Falmouth?

-No.

-But we've chucked it in the mix because of what it gives you

and, in particular, Dolly. And the way the house is appointed is -

you'll see when we get inside -

I think it would really suit Dolly very well.

-OK.

-OK.

-Thank you.

-It sounds good. Sounds interesting.

Good. Right, let's see what you think.

Dating back to the 1930s,

this is the youngest property of the lot.

And although out of their search area,

it has an ideal layout for multi-generational living,

with roomy proportions throughout.

In you come. Look at this.

Nice hallway for you.

-Yeah.

-And then in here,

-I guess, probably, arguably, the main event, really.

-Yes.

Central living room. The fireplace is, obviously, the focal point.

-Fireplace, yeah.

-Yeah, it's amazing.

-Very nice.

-That's lovely, isn't it?

-It is lovely.

-Nice, big room.

-It's a beautiful room.

-Yeah. And it's got that sense

of character, but, I hope, a sense of new.

It's still modern, yes. Yeah.

Let's have a look at the kitchen, that's right through here.

There you go.

-Really good, isn't it?

-It's nice and light, yeah, yeah.

-Very nice kitchen.

-It's got skylights.

Something of a kind of kitchen diner as well.

Yeah, it could make a nice breakfast room here, isn't it?

Lot of light coming in.

-It's a nice kitchen.

-It's a nice kitchen.

-Are we scoring some points?

-Yeah, the kitchen's nice.

-You've got a few back.

-Yeah, all right.

And I hope to improve on that score in the next room.

It's perfect for David's mother

and is easily accessible just across the hall.

There. Would this be big enough for Dolly's needs, do you think?

-Think so.

-Yes. Single bed would give her a lot more space.

Room for a dressing table, comfy chair maybe, as well.

-And there's the wet room.

-Oh.

Which is really simple, you know, really straightforward.

-Straight into it.

-Yeah.

But let's think about you two. Let's get upstairs.

-You've got three bedrooms up there as well.

-OK.

With David's mother well catered for on the ground floor,

it's time to check out the three further bedrooms upstairs.

One is a neutrally-toned double and the second,

a single used as a playroom.

There's also a well-appointed family bathroom

and then the master bedroom.

-There we go.

-It might be a bit small for the bed.

-Yeah.

-It's nice and light, very big windows, nice, white floors.

I like what they've done with that,

-but I think it might be just a bit too small.

-It's tiny.

-Bunk beds?

-Bunk beds? What a great idea.

-Oi.

-Could be the future, you never know.

I'll go at the top.

We're here to find solutions. It's what we do.

So, whilst the downstairs layout could work for David's mother,

upstairs they are clearly feeling the pinch.

So, let's hope the garden makes up for it.

It does surround the property, which is nice,

so it's completely detached.

There's a little sort of workshop-cum-store shed,

as it were, that way.

-OK.

-And then, of course, you've got the summerhouse here as well.

But, yeah, I'm glad we've come here.

I think it's a really interesting option to throw into the mix.

It's very interesting.

Traditional, got everything we want inside.

-Very good Dolly space, isn't it?

-Yeah, yeah.

Well, let's consider the price, shall we?

Our final price guess of the week, Jenny?

Well, because of the location, I'm going to say 465.

465? So, over budget.

David?

I'm going to go for 435.

This is on the market for £400,000.

-Oh.

-Wow.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Right then, off you go, take your time.

Soak up the atmosphere here.

I will come and find you a little bit later,

when they figure out what to do with that £50,000 of change.

Comfortably under budget at £400,000,

our Mystery House gives David and Jenny much to consider.

It has three bedrooms,

plus a ground floor en suite and comes with a mix

of contemporary and character

that might just suit them both.

And although it's set in an unexpected location,

it does offer a great set-up for two generations to live happily together

within easy reach of key amenities.

When you step through the front door of the house,

you get a very modern feel.

I'm quite surprised, very spacious.

They've brought some of the 1930s details into the fireplace

in some of the rooms, which I really enjoyed.

I think coming and seeing the Mystery House,

we've learnt a lot that Falmouth is well worth considering,

and the Mystery House gave us a positive outlook on this area.

-All done?

-Yeah, all done.

So, we gave you three properties, that was the deal.

Have we sealed the deal?

We need to think about it.

I think you do. Right then, after you. Off you go.

Let's get you somewhere where you can think about it.

Drawn by the breathtaking scenery and quality of light,

Cornwall has long been a popular destination

for creatives, and nowhere more so than St Ives,

which is widely renowned as an artistic hub.

In recognition of its contribution to abstract art,

the Tate St Ives opened in 1993 and has attracted some four million

visitors through its doors.

Also of interest is what's considered to be the birthplace

of British studio pottery.

Pioneered by the late Bernard Leach in the 1920s.

I've come along to the studio to meet director Julia Twomlow

to find out about its enduring legacy.

This is wonderful.

I wasn't expecting to find something so evocative.

I mean, I do feel like I've stepped back into the 1920s.

Yeah, it's a very special place indeed.

Now, I have to confess,

I'm not hugely familiar with Bernard Leach or indeed his work.

Tell us a bit more about him.

Well, I don't think that's unusual in itself, cos, actually,

although he's a famous name in the pottery world,

he isn't generally on everybody's lips in the UK.

He's much more famous in Japan.

But why is he so well known in the Far East?

I think that's because that's where he established himself,

and he really made himself an important reputation there.

He became involved with other Japanese artists,

and they invited him to go to what's called a raku firing, a party.

And a raku firing is, like, a low-temperature firing.

The pots are made, they're decorated and then they're fired

up to about 900 degrees, I believe it is,

and they have a rapid cooling process.

It was the magic of these parties that inspired Leach

to become a potter and where he met the much revered Shoji Hamada.

When he returned to Britain in the 1920s,

they came back together and built traditional Japanese kilns

that fired many of their original designs.

So, for anybody wanting to identify a classic piece,

what would they be looking for from the examples behind you?

So, if I just show you... If you take that piece a moment.

A lovely-looking tankard.

Yes, if you look at that, you can see, I think,

the Western influence in there in the design.

And within this, you can see, hopefully,

you've got the more Eastern kind of form there with the bamboo handle.

-Yeah.

-And, again, the glazes

are reminiscent of Eastern glazes as well.

Well, I'm certainly impressed with this fusion of pottery styles

and the Oriental influences behind them.

So, to find out how you'd follow in such a master's footsteps,

I'm going to see one of the current employees, Roelof Uys.

-Roelof.

-Hello.

-Hello, mate, nice to see you.

-What are you doing?

-I'm just applying some wax to these pots,

getting them ready for glazing later.

But the pottery seems to attract potters from all over the world,

how many have you got working here now?

At the moment, there's seven potters,

including myself, working here.

Are you copying those early designs or are you able to reinterpret

the Leach philosophy?

What we do here, really, is to reinterpret that.

We don't copy.

So, for example, if you look at the mugs from the old pottery,

the shape has changed.

Although there's echoes of that shape in it,

it's smaller and the lines are just softer and adapted for modern needs.

I'm very happy to get my hands dirty today.

So, can you show me the process?

Yeah, of course. Let's go down to the old pottery.

It's clear it takes a lot of skill to make these beautiful pieces,

made all the more special by using local clay from nearby St Agnes.

Whilst it can take three years of training to perfect a pot,

I'm being thrown the challenge of making one myself,

although a mere amateur.

So, you're going to centre it for me?

Yeah, I'll start you off and then see how you get on.

-Then I can make a real hash of it, yeah.

-OK.

It's learning to use all the muscles in your body to do this.

That's the hard part. It's... You know.

You can have a go from here if you want.

-Come on, I'll have a go from there.

-Yeah, go on.

-OK.

-And you want it to go...

-That way.

-Yeah.

That way. Oh, right, OK.

-So...

-Anticlockwise, yeah.

So just nice, steady.

Firstly I take both thumbs and press them into the centre.

Oh, that's already going slightly out of kilter.

OK, well, let me help you just get that back under control

and we'll take it from there.

I love the idea that you're getting it back under control.

It has a mind of its own, doesn't it?

Next, with a clenched hand in a fist,

I gently press my curled finger against the clay.

And with my other hand inside, I slowly draw the clay upwards.

-Oh, hang on.

-Keep going. Keep going.

-Ohh.

-That's not too bad.

This is harder than it looks, isn't it?

-It's so much harder than it looks.

-That's not bad.

It's almost a bowl, perhaps a flowerpot.

I love the idea that it's almost something.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-You're welcome.

Undoubtedly, it will take a while to hone my pottery skills,

but it's been a delight to witness master crafters

ensuring that Leach's design philosophy stays relevant

to this day.

Well, when we left our mystery property,

David and Jenny were very clear that we've given them plenty to consider

this week. But despite all the relative merits

of the properties we've been able to show them,

if I'm really honest, I'm still none the wiser

as to whether or not this search has actually been successful.

So, let's go and find them and see what happens next.

So, this week then, on your house search, how do you think it's gone?

I think it's gone very well,

cos it's sort of brought more into focus

what we do want and what we don't want.

So, have we opened your eyes to new areas of Cornwall that you

hadn't previously considered?

Because your initial focus was that northern coast, and that's certainly

where we started with our first two properties.

I think you have, definitely.

I mean, looking at the Falmouth area and around there,

although we hadn't really considered it before,

it's got so many plus points and it's such a lovely area.

I think you've given us ideas maybe to widen the net.

Now, I don't get the feeling that we've sold you a property this week,

but just humour me.

If you had to pick one of the three, which one would it be, Jenny?

Well, for me, on layout, it would be property number two,

cos I love the open-planness of it all.

I like the view from the back window, that was very good.

-David?

-I think I'd have property number two,

but exactly where property number one was.

That is such a common refrain.

If only we could pick them up and move them,

we'd sell more properties,

that is for sure, but it's just not possible.

In looking ahead at your search, which I'm sure will now continue,

have your criteria changed at all?

From my point of view, I think we might have to

put more money into the pot to buy a house

to get exactly what we want.

I think that's made me think a little bit more,

"What will I get for another hundred grand?"

So, I think I need to really think carefully

about the spend on the property.

What happens next?

I guess whatever it is, it's going to be fast?

I think what we're going to have to do... Obviously,

our property is as good as sold now

and we need to be out in about five or six weeks.

So, it looks like we'll be looking for somewhere to rent

in the meantime and keep looking hard around this area.

We wish you all the very best of luck, guys. It's been a lot of fun.

And I look forward to hearing, I hope very soon,

that you've finally moved to Cornwall.

-BOTH:

-Thank you very much.

It has been a lot of fun and we've learnt a lot.

Thank you, Jules.

You know, the phrase less is more is one I've often relied upon

throughout my life to try and find simple solutions

to complex problems, but my experiences this week

with David and with Jenny may yet have turned

that simple rule of thumb on its head.

When we met them, they were very clear they wanted a home

with less rooms, but as it's turned out,

they may end up paying an awful lot more for it.

But when it comes to house-hunting, well,

sometimes that's just how it goes.

I'll see you next time.

As a result of encouraging David and Jenny

to look on the south coast,

they quickly found a property in Looe,

and I'm pleased to say they've had their offer accepted.

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