0:00:02 > 0:00:03At almost 1,800 feet above sea level,
0:00:03 > 0:00:07this was once the site of the highest coalfield in the country.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10And boasts incredible views of the surrounding countryside.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14But where have I come to experience such a breathtaking vista?
0:00:14 > 0:00:16We'll find out in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38Today, an escapee is taking her best friend along to help her find a
0:00:38 > 0:00:42great British country pad, where she can create some great British bakes.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Actually, Yolanda won't have to do anything in this kitchen.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48I think she could just move straight in here.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52And the sweet smell of success just gets better and better.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55I think it's a home rather than a house that I'm viewing.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- That's right.- And I think that's what I was looking for.
0:00:58 > 0:00:59It's certainly very strong.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Today, I'm in Shropshire, in the Clee Hills.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08I'm standing on top of the twin-topped Brown Clee Hill,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10which boasts two summits -
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Abdon Burf and Clee Burf.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17A rich mineral source, having been mined for coal, lime and iron ore
0:01:17 > 0:01:20since Roman times, these hills have also been
0:01:20 > 0:01:25a source of inspiration for numerous writers and poets.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28With sweeping views on a clear day like today, you can actually
0:01:28 > 0:01:32see the Welsh mountains to the west, and the Cotswolds to the south.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37In fact, the vista is a real reward for anyone who is prepared to
0:01:37 > 0:01:38make the journey up.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Landlocked Shropshire is one of England's largest counties.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47And borders Wales to the west, as well as Herefordshire
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and Worcestershire on the English side.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Around a quarter of the county is given over to the
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59where the undulating land features tree-top peaks
0:01:59 > 0:02:01and agricultural troughs.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Sitting in a valley amongst these hills and close to Wales
0:02:04 > 0:02:06lies the small town of Clun.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Here, tightly-packed cottages spill onto narrow lanes.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12And the 15th-century stone packhorse bridge, which the
0:02:12 > 0:02:16town was built around, arches gracefully over the River Clun.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20The Norman St George's Church displays a squat tower,
0:02:20 > 0:02:21typical of border churches.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24With a design that would have no doubt
0:02:24 > 0:02:26allowed for defence in times of trouble.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30In architectural contrast, and just outside the Shropshire Hills,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33is the medieval market town of Ludlow.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38Described by poet Sir John Betjeman as "the loveliest town in England."
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The whitewash buildings with decorative timber beams
0:02:41 > 0:02:44and leaded windows give the town its distinctive character.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49There's many an artisan shop to be found behind the attractive facades.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Ludlow has a reputation for fine food and drink.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57And top-grade local produce can be found in the farmers' markets here.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58So with all that on offer,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02from stunning rural backdrops to beautiful and elaborate
0:03:02 > 0:03:06architecture, both old and new, Shropshire is well worth the trip.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Whether a short visit or a lifetime stay.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17Despite its attractive rural reputation, Shropshire can be
0:03:17 > 0:03:20a real bargain for those looking to move to the country.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22With the average detached house price
0:03:22 > 0:03:27coming in at around £34,000 below the national figure.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28East of the county tends
0:03:28 > 0:03:31to be more expensive the closer you get to Birmingham.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34So, if you want your money to go that little bit further,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36head towards the Welsh border.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Attractive country villages like Newcastle
0:03:39 > 0:03:42and Clun in the southwest are particularly good value for money.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47Considering their location within the picturesque Shropshire Hills.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51So which part of this gorgeous county has today's buyer
0:03:51 > 0:03:54set her heart on? Well, let's meet her and find out.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59When health care management consultant and former nurse Yolanda,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03from London, decided to take on the challenge of moving up north,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06she knew just the person to help her find her dream home.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Her lifelong friend, Joy.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12We start off with being family friends, in the sense of my
0:04:12 > 0:04:14parents and Joy's parents
0:04:14 > 0:04:17knowing each other in Nairobi, in Kenya, East Africa.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Her mum and my mother were very, very good friends.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22We always say Joy is like a sister.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Yolanda's a very caring person.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Always putting other people in front.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30She's always actually there to help me.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Yolanda has lived in England for 40 years
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and after recently slowing down her working life, plus family
0:04:36 > 0:04:40losses last year, she now wants to spread her wings and move on.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42I feel I'm at that stage in my life
0:04:42 > 0:04:45when it's come together quite nicely.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47I'm reaching my retirement.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I'm getting over the loss of my parents.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Now is the time for me to say what's important for me.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55And, hey, go for it.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59So, after 30 years in her three-bedroom Victorian
0:04:59 > 0:05:02terrace in Enfield, Yolanda is now looking ahead to this new
0:05:02 > 0:05:06chapter in her life. But when it comes to the move north,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10her knowledge of her chosen location is rather limited.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14I would like to move to Shropshire. Particularly Ludlow.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Quite a few years ago, I actually went for a weekend course there.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23It was such a lovely town. You know, everything appealed to me.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Since I've become interested to move to Shropshire,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29I bought a book to read about Shropshire generally.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32So I can see that it's quite an interesting county.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36I know it's known for its beauty and views, things like that.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39As well as taking in the scenery,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Yolanda is also hoping to expand on her love of cooking when she moves.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47She may even try her hand at selling her home-baked goods and preserves.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I became interested in baking accidentally.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Just trying to bake a loaf of bread.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54That grew from there.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59I actually then went on to do a course. Then I just got hooked.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01I want it to be a way of life.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03And if I can make money out of it, hey, I'm happy.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07She also wants to put her skills to worthwhile causes.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08It's almost like,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11"How can I contribute to the community with what I do?"
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Even if it is doing something voluntary.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16You know, baking for, say, elderly people,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19working with children in that way...
0:06:19 > 0:06:20But more in the creative way.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25It's obvious which room in her new house is going to
0:06:25 > 0:06:27be at the centre of her new life.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30The kitchen is so important to her, cos she loves cooking.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33And she needs this kitchen
0:06:33 > 0:06:37where she can experiment and just have a good time.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40'I would love to be able to grow herbs and have, like,
0:06:40 > 0:06:41'a kitchen garden.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44'My little dream would be that my kitchen doors open onto
0:06:44 > 0:06:45'a little garden.'
0:06:45 > 0:06:50So, with her work winding down, a buyer secured for her house,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52and a pocketful of dreams for her country escape,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Yolanda is looking forward to a happy future.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00It's nice to be able to be part of a new community and tell a new story.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02I came across this lovely postcard, I've got it somewhere,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05where it says, "You're the author of your own story."
0:07:05 > 0:07:09So I think the time has come for me to tell myself my own new story.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- I think I'm bringing my heart... - Yes.- ..and head.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14I'm hoping two heads will help.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Yolanda loves the market town of Ludlow in the south of the county.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26But to give her the country life
0:07:26 > 0:07:28she's after, we're concentrating
0:07:28 > 0:07:30our quest away from the town and in
0:07:30 > 0:07:32the neighbouring rural villages.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Before we start the search for Yolanda's foodie haven,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37I'm meeting her and Joy in the county,
0:07:37 > 0:07:41to make sure I'm across her exact property requirements.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Well, Yolanda and Joy. Hello, ladies. And welcome to Shropshire.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46- BOTH:- Thank you.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Now, Yolanda, you've brought Joy with you,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50who's one of your dearest friends.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- So are you more like sisters than friends?- We are. I think.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56A sister's job is also to be honest, isn't it, Joy?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Oh, yes. That's why I'm here.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Tell me about the actual property itself.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02What does it look like to you?
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Quite basic...in the sense of requirements.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08But my non-compromise was my kitchen.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- You want a decent kitchen?- Yeah.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14And it's not so much the decent kitchen,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16but it's the layout of the kitchen,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18in the sense I would love it to open onto a little garden.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Because I love growing herbs and stuff like that.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I'm looking really for a minimum of two bedrooms.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27My lounge I would love to maybe be slightly open-plan.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30I'm looking for some contemporary inside, with light.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Are you prepared to take on a little bit of work?
0:08:32 > 0:08:36I think as long as it's something interior, I would be open to that.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37But not necessarily structural.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Joy, final question to you.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42How honest are you going to be with this house hunt?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45I have told Yolanda that I am going to be very honest.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- Head and heart. - That's correct.- Perfect.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Right, so remind us of your budget for this move.
0:08:51 > 0:08:52It's £300,000.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Well, we do have some splendid properties lined up
0:08:55 > 0:08:58to show the two of you. So, shall we get started, ladies?
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- That'd be lovely. Thank you. - If you want to follow me.- Thank you.
0:09:01 > 0:09:07For a budget of £300,000, Yolanda is open to the style of property,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10as long as it's bright with a contemporary feel inside.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12She wants the kitchen to be the star,
0:09:12 > 0:09:16with a door opening onto what will become her kitchen garden.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19And the house should have a minimum of two bedrooms.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21A shed and garage would be a bonus,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and easy access to local
0:09:23 > 0:09:25amenities and foodies' paradise
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Ludlow is a must.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31We've selected an enticing mix of beautiful properties to consider.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35But I'll only reveal the attached prices after we've toured each one.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38The third and final visit to the Mystery House will require
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Yolanda to think big.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44And if she does, she could be presented with a dream come true.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53We're beginning our tour of Shropshire in the rural
0:09:53 > 0:09:56hamlet of Lower Down. It's around half an hour from Ludlow
0:09:56 > 0:09:59and a short drive from the small village of Lydbury North,
0:09:59 > 0:10:04where amenities include a shop, a church, a 17th-century pub,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06and a village hall.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10A mile outside the village is the splendid 18th-century
0:10:10 > 0:10:14Walcot Hall, a fabulous example of Georgian architecture.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Ten minutes away, and surrounded by beautiful countryside,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19is our first property.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21This characterful terraced cottage
0:10:21 > 0:10:24that once belonged to the Walcot estate.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26There's actually four properties in total here.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29And the middle section is yours.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30OK.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33And this little bit of land, this parcel of land is also yours, here.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Oh.- A-ha.- What do you think? It is the first house that you've seen.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Mm-hm. I like it as a house, yeah.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42And I would love to see inside, because for me,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45the home, you know, the house to the home.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- Shall we start our tour?- Yes, thank you.- That would be lovely.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49Through the gate.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52The row of houses here were originally
0:10:52 > 0:10:55farm labourers' cottages, built in the mid-19th century.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58This one started life as two stone cottages
0:10:58 > 0:11:01but was converted into one in the 1980s.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03It's full of charm, even though
0:11:03 > 0:11:06it could benefit from a lick of paint in places.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09I'm taking Yolanda straight to what's the most important
0:11:09 > 0:11:11room in the house for her.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12So, quite a good hallway.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Downstairs cloakroom.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19But this is the room that I really wanted you to see.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Wow.- Is this what you had in mind?
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Certainly not what I had in mind, but it would work for me
0:11:24 > 0:11:26in the sense of size, layout.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29And the fact that it opens onto the garden.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33If it's possible to open that door and window to the garden,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35I think that would work quite well.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Great idea.- Yes. - Do you get that warm feeling?
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Does this say it's worth the, what, 200-mile journey from London?
0:11:42 > 0:11:44YOLANDA LAUGHS
0:11:44 > 0:11:47I'd like to see what else the house offers.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49But I certainly could work with the kitchen.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51So far, so good. With a few tweaks.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55So let's see what you make of the sitting room next door.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Now, I'm calling this our sitting room.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Or shall we rename it the snug?
0:12:01 > 0:12:04I'd agree. It looks very comfortable.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08And welcoming. It's got that nice, homely, comfortable feel.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11And there's the fact that it's got a burner as well, which is nice.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- It's big enough...- Absolutely, yeah. - ..for one person, isn't it?
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- I think you could squeeze a few friends in.- Yes, exactly.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- If Joy and the family came to stay. - Sofa bed.- Yeah.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22We're going to head upstairs.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Let's see how many friends and family members you'll be
0:12:25 > 0:12:27allowed to invite, whether we can squeeze them in.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32'A stairway in the kitchen leads to the first floor, where there's
0:12:32 > 0:12:36'a family bathroom with an oak parquet floor, and three bedrooms.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39'There's one that could be used as a double at the front,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42'another in use as a study and guest room at the back of the house,
0:12:42 > 0:12:46'and also at the back is the master.'
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- How does it fare?- Size wise, as a bedroom, it's fine for me.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53It's just one of the things I'm noticing is storage space.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56So I would need to see whether I'd need to use another room.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Exactly, have your own bedroom... - Dressing rooms.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01For your dressing room, absolutely, Joy.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04I think it's a very good-sized bedroom, really.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07And the fact that it overlooks the garden is nice.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10I didn't mention that they've converted the attic.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11- Oh, have they?- Yes.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- Wow.- So you have a fourth bedroom up there.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- So we're not lacking upstairs either, are we, on space?- No.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- In fact, there's probably more space upstairs.- Yes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Outside is not lacking either.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26There's a garage which has been turned into an art studio
0:13:26 > 0:13:28with an adjoining workshop.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Then there's the pretty front garden.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33And the small plot of land opposite we saw earlier
0:13:33 > 0:13:34with its stunning views.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Which just leaves the back.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39So, the final piece of this house hunt,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42which has to be the kitchen garden.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- Yes. Perfect size.- Yeah?
0:13:46 > 0:13:47Definitely, isn't it?
0:13:47 > 0:13:52Because it's not too big and it already has its vegetable plots.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- You could just build on that, couldn't you?- Mm.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57I think it's perfect.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Yeah. Definitely. I wouldn't want anything bigger than this.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04So, we've got to try and put a figure on our very first property.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Joy, what do you think this is on the market for?
0:14:07 > 0:14:10I think this property is on the market for 225.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- OK.- I would say a bit higher. 235.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16OK, well, it's slightly above your estimate.
0:14:16 > 0:14:23The asking price is £245,000. It has come down slightly.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26By a few thousand. It's been on the market for about ten months.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30So I think now you two should have a little look on your own this time.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31- Yep.- Fully explore and
0:14:31 > 0:14:33I'll catch up with you at the front when you're ready.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- That's lovely.- Thank you. - Thanks, ladies. Off you go.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40This 19th-century stone cottage
0:14:40 > 0:14:41is on the market
0:14:41 > 0:14:44£55,000 under Yolanda's budget.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46It gives her a kitchen ideal to
0:14:46 > 0:14:47make the heart of her home.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49And it has direct access
0:14:49 > 0:14:50to the garden.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51There are double the number
0:14:51 > 0:14:53of required bedrooms.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54And outside is already set up
0:14:54 > 0:14:56as a little kitchen garden.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Plus there's the bonus of a garage,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00currently arranged as an art studio.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06This is a nice room. What would you do with this room, Yolanda?
0:15:06 > 0:15:10It would be lovely to convert into a quiet room for meditation
0:15:10 > 0:15:11and yoga or something.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- Yes, that's a good idea. - Really nice.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17This property surprised me. Because it kind of fitted in
0:15:17 > 0:15:20with what I had a vision for a country cottage.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22I also like the little kitchen garden.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24But for me, it would be a project.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28I would need to do quite a bit to put my own mark on it.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I think she could live in the house, cos it's perfectly liveable in.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34But the first thing she should do with it
0:15:34 > 0:15:36would be to redesign the kitchen
0:15:36 > 0:15:39to make it into her dream space.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43I could see myself living in this particular cottage.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46But one of the things I'd need to think about is
0:15:46 > 0:15:48how remote it is for me.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53Particularly as I'm on my own as well. So, yeah.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- Have we seen enough?- Yes. - Yes, come on down.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Right, Joy, you close the door.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02That's it. Our first property.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Little bit of a project, it'd be fair to say.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- Yes.- Absolutely. - Got you thinking?- Definitely.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Right, I've still got more to show you. Shall we hit the road?
0:16:10 > 0:16:11Thank you.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Yolanda and Joy are keen to broaden their somewhat limited
0:16:20 > 0:16:22experience of Shropshire.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25And a good place to start is the county town of Shrewsbury,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28which has some 660 listed buildings,
0:16:28 > 0:16:33including the striking red sandstone 11th-century Shrewsbury Castle.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37To the east of the town is another historic marvel, Weston Park,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40which was built in 1671.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44It was a family home until 1986, when it was gifted to the nation.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49The grand house and its estate has changed hands numerous times.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52And our ladies are meeting chief executive Colin Sweeney
0:16:52 > 0:16:55to get a potted history of its past.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59This house itself was the inspiration of Elizabeth Wilbraham,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03who drew her inspiration from Palladio's Books Of Architecture.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07So you have quite a classic Renaissance style
0:17:07 > 0:17:08facade to the house.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Elizabeth Wilbraham was a member of the English aristocracy.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16And is now commemorated as the first female architect.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19She designed Weston Park for her family,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22but in her day, women were barred from architecture.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25And so she became known as the mystery designer
0:17:25 > 0:17:29behind some 400 buildings attributed to her.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Are there any unique features to the house?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35The house is quite an unusual design.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38The south side of the house actually was the original front of the house.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41So I think this is quite unique in that context,
0:17:41 > 0:17:46cos as you can see now, we have a Victorian terraced garden here.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And it was in the 1860s that the family decided
0:17:49 > 0:17:52they wanted a different type of entrance to the house.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55And it was shifted onto the east side,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58where there's this wonderful porte-cochere.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59What's that?
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Porte-cochere meant that it was this sort of
0:18:02 > 0:18:04flat colonnaded section that
0:18:04 > 0:18:08comes out so that carriages could come and sweep in underneath.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10It's almost like a porch, really.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13And people could get out of the carriage without rain
0:18:13 > 0:18:14coming down on them.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22The estate covers 1,000 acres and is surrounded by a five-mile wall.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Behind the walls of the main house are fabulous
0:18:25 > 0:18:26collections of furniture.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Including Chippendale pieces as well as fine art.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Amongst other treasures is a collection
0:18:32 > 0:18:35by 17th-century Flemish Baroque artist Van Dyck.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39What a beautiful room.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- I like the chandeliers. - Lovely table.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48Look at those beautiful paintings. They're by Van Dyck.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Outside, the formal grounds include the Pleasure Gardens,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55which were designed in 1765, during the Georgian period,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59by the celebrated landscape architect Capability Brown.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Yolanda and Joy have come to learn more from head gardener, Martin Gee.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05They're meeting in the Walled Garden,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08part of the four-and-a-half acre kitchen garden.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12What's growing in this particular garden?
0:19:12 > 0:19:15We've got two orchards. This one behind me is a mixed orchard.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18With damsons, plums, pears, greengages and quinces.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21On that side of the pathway, we have apple varieties.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23What we call heritage varieties of fruit trees.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Which have been known to grow here at Weston
0:19:26 > 0:19:28or in the Staffordshire, Shropshire area
0:19:28 > 0:19:29over 100 years ago.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34One of the heritage varieties here is the Top Hill pear,
0:19:34 > 0:19:38which Yolanda and Joy are picking to take to head chef, Guy Day.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40He uses them to make a sweet and savoury tart
0:19:40 > 0:19:42for the estate restaurant,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45housed in the 18th-century granary barn.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- Hello there.- Hi.- I'm Yolanda. - Hi, Yolanda.- I'm Joy.- Hi, Joy.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- I'll take those.- We brought you some pears from the orchard.- Thanks.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Puff pastries topped with poached pears and fresh thyme.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00The tart is then popped in the oven for around ten to 12 minutes,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03before it's sprinkled with blue cheese.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08It goes back into the oven for a minute or so to melt the cheese.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10A handful of rocket and it's ready for tasting.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Mm. That's delicious.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Very nice. The thyme is a nice touch.- Yeah.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Thank you very much.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Armed with some fresh culinary inspiration using
0:20:23 > 0:20:25locally-sourced ingredients,
0:20:25 > 0:20:29it's time to return to our house hunt to find Yolanda her own
0:20:29 > 0:20:32country pad, where she can perfect her own country dishes.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39For our second offering, we're hopping just over the border
0:20:39 > 0:20:42and travelling south into Herefordshire.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44We're heading to the village of Yarpole, which is
0:20:44 > 0:20:47only a quarter-of-an-hour's drive from Ludlow.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50The leafy village is dissected by country lanes lined with charming
0:20:50 > 0:20:55cottages, and there's also a village hall and gastro pub in its midst.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58I've brought Yolanda and Joy to the heart of the village
0:20:58 > 0:21:02to St Leonard's Church, which has one of the oldest wooden-frame
0:21:02 > 0:21:04bell towers in the country.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08So we have crossed the border, just, into Herefordshire.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10The good new is, there's a bus service through this village
0:21:10 > 0:21:13to Leominster and also to Ludlow.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14About 15, 20 minutes away.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Do you mind stepping over the border?
0:21:16 > 0:21:19The border is flexible as long as I can get access to
0:21:19 > 0:21:20places like Ludlow.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- Yeah.- Yeah.- Also, this church - it's quite unique, I think -
0:21:23 > 0:21:25has a community shop in it.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Open seven days a week.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30I'm sure they're always looking for volunteers.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33All the produce comes from the surrounding areas.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35So you'll have this on your doorstep.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37That sounds good.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Just a few minutes' walk from the church
0:21:39 > 0:21:42and we're in this quiet cul-de-sac.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47And here is our second property.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Wow.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Oh, it's beautiful.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Yes, lost for words. Wasn't expecting that at all.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Really?- Yeah.- Mm-hm.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- Definitely.- Really lovely. - It's done up beautifully.- Yes.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Before we step inside, I'll just add one more little thought for you.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Because we know you might be keen to catch the bus.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07You've got parking and you've also got a garage.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- Oh, wow.- Oh.- There, you see?
0:22:09 > 0:22:12I think we should step inside, ladies. Don't you?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- I think so.- Of course I do.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17This house is full of character.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20And believe it or not, it's a mere youngster.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22It was built in 1993.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26So, let's start off with perhaps the most important room in the house.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Certainly for Yolanda.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- The kitchen.- Wow. Oh, this is lovely.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- I can see you in here.- Definitely.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Now, yes and definitely is much better than
0:22:36 > 0:22:38I got on our first house.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- Well, we didn't feel it... - No?- ..in the first house, really.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47- Whereas as soon as we saw this one, we felt...- It's connecting.- Yeah.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- You know, don't you?- Yes.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53And actually, Yolanda won't have to do anything in this kitchen.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55I think she could just move straight in here.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00The most important, I can see going into what looks like a conservatory.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- And then the luxury of a garden through.- Oh, yes.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- A very positive start.- Yeah.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Let's hope it continues.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I think it might.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13'Just across the hallway is a cosy sitting room.'
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- Wow.- Perfect.- Perfect.- Perfect room.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I think this space is absolutely fine for Yolanda.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Cos at the end of the day, I always feel that the space
0:23:25 > 0:23:29downstairs is more important than upstairs.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- Because you live downstairs, not in the bedroom.- So true.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34And the warmth, I think it's a home
0:23:34 > 0:23:36rather than a house that I'm viewing.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- That's right.- And I think that's what I was looking for.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41That connection of being a home.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44And it's certainly very strong.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47That's delightful news. Let's go upstairs, shall we?
0:23:47 > 0:23:48Thank you.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52'The ground floor has certainly lived up to Yolanda's dreams,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56'and I hope the first floor keeps up the good work.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01'Off a small landing, there's a family bathroom and two bedrooms.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03'One is a double with its own shower room.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05'And opposite that is the master.'
0:24:05 > 0:24:09- Ah.- Nice.- I think it's a good-sized bedroom.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- And it's something that's welcoming.- Yes.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- I'd like saying, "Ah, I'm going to bed now." It's nice.- Yeah.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17And even though the windows are small and it's a dull day,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19- it's a bright room. - Yes.- Isn't it?- Yeah.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- I'm really excited.- Are you?
0:24:21 > 0:24:24And I haven't even shown you everything yet.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27So, how are we doing, in all honesty, so far?
0:24:27 > 0:24:30If you were to score out of ten, from what I've seen,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32I'd be quite happy to give it an eight for now.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36- Oh.- Yes.- I think I might be able to improve that.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- I'm going to try and get it up to a nine. Shall we step outside?- Yes.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Sweet dreams all round so far,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45we just need the outdoor space to deliver
0:24:45 > 0:24:47in order to up our score.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Outside, there's a delightful garden,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53where a paved terrace leads up to a fair-sized lawn.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Bordered by flowerbeds and sheltered by trees.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Behind it all are views across a neighbouring field.
0:25:00 > 0:25:01But that's not all.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05There's a workshop and wood store and a vegetable garden,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09which is probably more glad about the rain than we are.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12We have just brought you slightly over the border,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14but only by a smidgen.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Was it a journey worth making, I wonder?
0:25:16 > 0:25:17For me, definitely.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Right, well, the final part has to be the price now.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- Making me nervous. Yes. - Which could be the tricky part.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Let's see how you get on.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28How much do you think this is on the market for?
0:25:28 > 0:25:32I want to stay optimistic but also recognise that it is a really
0:25:32 > 0:25:36good property that ticks more than the boxes I wanted.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39So I would go 295.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41OK. Joy?
0:25:41 > 0:25:44I think I shall go...
0:25:44 > 0:25:45285.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50OK. Well, you are the closest, Joy.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53The asking price is £275,000.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Ah! Oh.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Very good.- Oh, I wish I'd taken a photograph of that face.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01THEY LAUGH
0:26:01 > 0:26:02- Very good.- Yes.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Before I let you go in, you mentioned upstairs eight out of ten
0:26:06 > 0:26:08and I said I wanted to crank that up a little bit.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10- Mm.- How have we done?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Oh, for me, it's now a ten out of ten.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14- Well done!- Oh!
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I'm not going to say anything. I'm going to send you off.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20I think you deserve another look around for that.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
0:26:22 > 0:26:24and this 22-year-old character
0:26:24 > 0:26:26property not only scores top
0:26:26 > 0:26:28marks from Yolanda for its looks,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30but it's also priced a cool
0:26:30 > 0:26:33£25,000 below her budget.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35It comes complete with her dream
0:26:35 > 0:26:37kitchen and a bonus conservatory,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39plus the number of
0:26:39 > 0:26:40bedrooms she wants.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41Outside, the charming garden
0:26:41 > 0:26:43will allow her to create
0:26:43 > 0:26:45her own veggie paradise.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47And the nearby bus means Ludlow
0:26:47 > 0:26:49is just a short hop away.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54As soon as we approached the house, I genuinely felt a raise in energy.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57It was a good energy. So that was really nice.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00And the other immediate thing I noticed was it was more of
0:27:00 > 0:27:03a community set up, which is something I'm looking for.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I think this house will suit her very well.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08This gives her a good kitchen,
0:27:08 > 0:27:13a good living space in her sitting room, and it has a very nice garden.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- Seen enough?- I think so.- Yes.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18I'm just going to remind you of a little quote that you made.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23- Ten out of ten.- Yes.- We're going to leave on a high.- I think so.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31It's the second leg of our Shropshire search for a house
0:27:31 > 0:27:35with a fabulous kitchen for Yolanda from North London to call home.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37She's supported by her childhood friend
0:27:37 > 0:27:43and has £300,000 in her pocket to try and secure her baker's paradise.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47We've still got a Mystery House with a rather sociable past to come.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50We know there's been a pub here for about 600 years.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54It's a lovely room. It's totally warm and cosy.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56And I'll be winging it
0:27:56 > 0:27:59when I discover Shropshire's underground treasures.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- That's it. You're flying. - I'm doing it.- You're flying.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03This is amazing.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10For Yolanda, this move to Shropshire represents giving her more
0:28:10 > 0:28:13time for herself, and also living the country dream.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16With her best friend, Joy, by her side,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18we showed our ladies two properties yesterday.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21The first one left them a little daunted.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24But the second certainly worked on all levels.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28In fact, it scored an impressive ten out of ten.
0:28:28 > 0:28:29So we finished on a high.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Today, well, it is a new day.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34New house. And of course, it's mystery property time.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Now, this beautiful home does need some tweaking
0:28:38 > 0:28:41when it comes to the dream kitchen that Yolanda so desires.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43She says she doesn't want a project.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46I wonder if I can convince her otherwise.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53For our last visit, we're travelling to our Mystery House
0:28:53 > 0:28:55and we're border-hopping again.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57This time south east into Worcestershire,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59to the village of Frith Common,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02which is just under half an hour from Ludlow.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04The hilly village has a mix of property styles,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07as well as apple orchards producing local cider.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10A bus leaves from Frith Common every two hours
0:29:10 > 0:29:11to destination, Ludlow.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13But here it's rural, peaceful
0:29:13 > 0:29:16and home to our ultimate destination.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22Now, our final property is, of course, our Mystery House.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25And it is the cottage in front of us.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- It certainly looks... - Beautiful garden.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31- ..a nice cottage. - Isn't it welcoming?
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Yes, well maintained.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37Any idea why this might be our Mystery House? Why did we select it?
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Modern kitchen?
0:29:40 > 0:29:43I think kitchen is a good place to start.
0:29:43 > 0:29:44Modern, yes.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Might need a little bit of work doing on it.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50- Mm-hm.- But all will be revealed. But that's why.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Because you were reticent about taking on a project.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Before we step inside, just behind us, you can see
0:29:56 > 0:29:59you've got parking for three cars, at least.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01And you've also got storage as well.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- That's good.- Yeah.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07- Shall we start the tour? - Yes, that would be great. Thank you.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Our Mystery House is semidetached to the left.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14It dates back to the early 1900s and, around a decade ago,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16the cottage was extended.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18A path to the front door runs down the centre
0:30:18 > 0:30:20of a beautifully kept garden.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24And once inside, we're headed straight for the sitting room.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29- Now, outside, the cottage looks pretty modern, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31But inside, I mean, it's at least 100 years old.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34And we know there's been a pub here for about 600 years.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- Wow.- So parts of the property could date back that far.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39Wow. It's a lovely room.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42It's totally warm and cosy.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- It's not just a room. - It's got character.- Yeah.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Behind the sitting room and down a couple of stairs
0:30:49 > 0:30:52is the dining room with double doors to the garden.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Also on the ground floor on the other side of the house is a neat
0:30:55 > 0:31:00double bedroom, a room currently used for storage and a shower room.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04But I know there's one room Yolanda's itching to see.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08And here it's going to take an open mind and creative vision to
0:31:08 > 0:31:12imagine how our Mystery House could be transformed into her dream home.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17You want to have a quick look in there.
0:31:17 > 0:31:22This isn't the luxury kitchen, Yolanda, that you were after, is it?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- Not necessarily. - But I do have an answer for you.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27So let's take a look.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30And I'm hoping that answer lies in the conservatory next to the
0:31:30 > 0:31:33dining room at the back of the house.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36The kitchen is just behind us.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39So you could leave that as it is, as a utility room.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43But actually, completely change this into the most wonderful
0:31:43 > 0:31:44kitchen/garden room.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46That would be a good solution.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50- But it does bring up the P word. The project.- Project.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53So that's why it's our Mystery House, because the merits
0:31:53 > 0:31:58of having that wonderful view, beautiful vista of the hills.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01All of that. But the one thing you'd want to change is the kitchen.
0:32:01 > 0:32:02The kitchen, yeah.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04But it is a really stunning view.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07I'm going to drag you away from that super view.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10We're going to go upstairs now.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13The first floor sits above the dining and sitting room,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16proving a master bedroom suite in the eaves.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18So, look at that fabulous view.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20It's beautiful.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23It's actually a really nice room. Quirky.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26It is. It's unusual. They've maximised the most of this cottage.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I think as a space it works quite nicely.
0:32:29 > 0:32:30Let's head back downstairs.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Cos, for the last time, we're going to talk money.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37The doors from the dining room lead to a pretty shingled garden, where
0:32:37 > 0:32:41the attractive rear of the house can be appreciated in all its glory.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45And this is the sort of size garden ideally you were after, is it?
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Oh, absolutely. Perfect size for me.- OK.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52Let's see if the price makes any difference.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56Try and work out what this cottage costs.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Well, although there is a project, I think it's above budget.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02And I'd go for 310.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05I'm going to go for 295.
0:33:05 > 0:33:06The asking price is...
0:33:08 > 0:33:10You're going to be pleasantly surprised.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13..£245,000.
0:33:13 > 0:33:14- Wow.- Really?- Yes.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19- My gosh.- I think it's worth another little look around.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21- Mm.- Would you like to? - Definitely.- Yes.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Thank you.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Our striking Mystery House is priced
0:33:27 > 0:33:29£55,000 below Yolanda's budget.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31Leaving plenty of cash
0:33:31 > 0:33:32in the kitty to create a fabulous
0:33:32 > 0:33:34kitchen for our keen cook,
0:33:34 > 0:33:36subject to the right approval.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38There's also the open-plan
0:33:38 > 0:33:39living space she wants.
0:33:39 > 0:33:40And just the right
0:33:40 > 0:33:41number of bedrooms.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43Outside provides a manageable
0:33:43 > 0:33:46garden with spectacular views.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48I really liked the Mystery House.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51The location is wonderful.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54The view from the back of the house is really beautiful.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58I really like the sort of bijou cottage approach to the house.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00The other thing I loved is the contained garden.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04And although inside, when I first saw the kitchen, it was quite small,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07having discovered the price, it allows me
0:34:07 > 0:34:11to take on that little mini project. Which is great.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Beautiful. Right, talking of beauty, here are my ladies.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19- Have you seen enough?- Yes, definitely.- Yes, we have, thank you.
0:34:19 > 0:34:24Three houses down and we've got a really good idea of what's
0:34:24 > 0:34:25available in the area.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Excellent. You've got some thinking to do now, haven't you?
0:34:28 > 0:34:29We have a lot of thinking to do.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- And you two have probably got quite a lot of chatting to do.- Yes.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35So let's take you somewhere where you can have a chat on your own.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Then, Yolanda, you can tell me what the outcome's going to be.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39- That's fine.- Thank you.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Shropshire is known as the birthplace
0:34:49 > 0:34:50of the Industrial Revolution.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54But many centuries before that, below the surface of the
0:34:54 > 0:34:58region's rolling hills, men were hard at work mining underground.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02Countrywide, a vast number of mining heritage sites exist,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05including Snailbeach Mine, near Shrewsbury.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08Here a team of volunteers make sure the memory of Shropshire's
0:35:08 > 0:35:11industrial past is kept alive.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Specialist mining bookseller Mike Moore,
0:35:13 > 0:35:18a director of the Shropshire Mines Trust, is one such volunteer.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21The building over there was the earliest building on site,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25which dates back to 1790. Which is a pumping engine house.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29- For pumping water out of the mine. - And this building in front of us?
0:35:29 > 0:35:31This one dates to 1872.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33It was actually a winding house
0:35:33 > 0:35:37for allowing the cage to be lowered down into the workings.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39- So what was actually mined here? - Lead ore.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44Lead was used very particularly for drains, for guttering,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48for sealing roofs and probably military uses as well.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52And do we know how much lead was actually produced here?
0:35:52 > 0:35:55We understand from records that it was 10%
0:35:55 > 0:35:58of all lead produced in the UK at that time.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00That's a huge amount.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04It was described as the richest mine per acre of ground in Europe
0:36:04 > 0:36:05at that time.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Today, Shropshire Council is responsible for this site.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11And money has been spent on restoring
0:36:11 > 0:36:12and preserving the buildings
0:36:12 > 0:36:15so visitors can learn about the mine's history.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19I'm kitted out and I'm getting the chance to see the mine myself.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22We're entering via a tunnel known as Day Level.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26If you look up, you can see the shaft and daylight above us.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28About 90ft up there.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30- Is that how high it is? - It is that high.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35This was an access tunnel to get into this part of the mine,
0:36:35 > 0:36:36where the men were loading cages.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39And because they got to about 1,600ft,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41it was a long way in and out of the mine.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44So, if you were assigned this as a job, I'm taking it might
0:36:44 > 0:36:48be slightly easier than the miners who were even further below ground?
0:36:48 > 0:36:52To say it's easier, bear in mind one of these trucks full of iron
0:36:52 > 0:36:54ore would be incredibly heavy.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58So it might be younger people whose job would be to push trucks out
0:36:58 > 0:37:01rather than actually working, labouring,
0:37:01 > 0:37:06operating the machinery, hand-drilling and all that.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08At its height, this mine
0:37:08 > 0:37:12was producing around 3,000 tonnes of lead ore a year.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14And it wasn't easy extracting it.
0:37:14 > 0:37:19Up until 1881, they would have used chisels like this.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20And basically,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23they would've been driving these into the rock with a sledgehammer.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- Everything done by hand? - But done by hand.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30After 1881, they went on to use drills such as the one over there,
0:37:30 > 0:37:34to actually drill into the rock in order to set their explosives.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38What does it actually look like, lead, when it comes out?
0:37:38 > 0:37:42Lead ore, or galena is...
0:37:42 > 0:37:47This is galena in its raw state. There you go. It's very heavy.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Gosh. I mean, look at the colour of it. It's exquisite.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52I wasn't expecting it to look like this.
0:37:52 > 0:37:53And it is very heavy.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56'Now I've seen the beautiful raw product,
0:37:56 > 0:37:59'my next stop is to go further into the mine
0:37:59 > 0:38:01'to a former working area.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04'Back outside, I've had a quick change of gear and another
0:38:04 > 0:38:09'volunteer, Mike Worsfold, a mine explorer, is going to be my guide.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13'We're going to another level of the mine known as Roberts Level.'
0:38:13 > 0:38:17We can go down about 500ft from here to the water.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21The water is about, well, it's well over 1,000ft deep.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23If you're up to it, we'll teach you how to descend on a rope,
0:38:23 > 0:38:27at least to start to go and explore further down.
0:38:27 > 0:38:28You've got all the gear on.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30How far will I be going down?
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Not very far the first time.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Years ago, not only were miners risking their lives every day,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38they were working by candlelight too.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42Without a harness, they would have used steep wooden ladders to
0:38:42 > 0:38:44go further down to extract the lead ore.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48But today, mine explorers use safety ropes to abseil down
0:38:48 > 0:38:51and investigate where the miners used to work.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Exactly what I'm about to do.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- Are you ready?- Right. Go through?
0:38:56 > 0:38:57Yep, go through there.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01Face down or face up. Whichever suits you.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02'Easier said than done.'
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Now, just lower yourself
0:39:04 > 0:39:07until you're actually sitting in your harness.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Take your feet off the rail now.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14And just hang there and be comfortable.
0:39:14 > 0:39:15Woo! Right.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- And that's it, you're flying. - My goodness. I'm doing it.
0:39:17 > 0:39:18You're flying.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20This is amazing.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- It does feel controlled. - That's the main thing.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28But I'm not going fast. These rock faces are wet.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Keep going down a bit more.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34'Well, what a treat it's been meeting volunteers dedicated
0:39:34 > 0:39:38'to keeping an integral part of the country's industrial heritage alive.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42'And with such an exhilarating, dynamic twist.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45'And all this hidden from view deep under ground.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49'So, if I don't make it back to the surface, you know where to find me.'
0:39:52 > 0:39:55So, it's decision time for Yolanda here in Shropshire.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59But has she been tempted by any of our properties?
0:39:59 > 0:40:00Let's find out.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Well, Yolanda and Joy,
0:40:05 > 0:40:09it seems like London's a long way away from us here in Shropshire.
0:40:09 > 0:40:10Let's cut to the chase
0:40:10 > 0:40:14and actually talk about the three properties that we showed you.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Have we got close with any of them?
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Yes, there were three interesting properties.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22The second one, the house won me over.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25And then of course today, when I saw the mystery property,
0:40:25 > 0:40:29I was quite taken aback because I thought, "Really nice."
0:40:29 > 0:40:32But I was also surprised by my own response of not having
0:40:32 > 0:40:37the ideal kitchen but not being phased by it.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41Because I think I like the whole set up even more than house two,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43- I think.- Do you?- Yes, definitely.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48If I could only move this and take it a bit closer to Ludlow.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52So, for me, I've become acutely aware that the location
0:40:52 > 0:40:55nearer to Ludlow is important to me.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58I think that reality has kicked in, in the sense
0:40:58 > 0:41:01some of the things I've noticed is the driving on the country lanes.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04And also the fact that there's no street lighting,
0:41:04 > 0:41:06and what that means actually living here long term.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10So suddenly the location has also become equally important,
0:41:10 > 0:41:12as much as the property.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14It's such a valid point, isn't it?
0:41:14 > 0:41:17If you're travelling around country lanes at night
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- and you're not used to that, it does make a difference.- Yeah.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Joy, did it surprise you that all the properties were way under
0:41:24 > 0:41:25Yolanda's budget?
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Yes, it did surprise me. And I was, I think,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31most surprised by the Mystery House.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Leaving aside the kitchen,
0:41:33 > 0:41:37I really did think it would have been more than the asking price.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40And I think that's probably my favourite.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42So what is the conclusion?
0:41:42 > 0:41:45This experience has been extremely valuable for me.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49To confirm that yes, I'm ready to move out of London.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53But two, it's what is that halfway house for me to be comfortable
0:41:53 > 0:41:55and start a new life.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00So I need to either up my budget and move towards Ludlow, or maybe
0:42:00 > 0:42:04settle for less, that would allow me that sort of access to Ludlow.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07I do want to say a big thank you to the both of you.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Cos it has been such a wonderful few days.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12And I'm glad we've got you, I think,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14quite a few steps closer to that home.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- Thank you very much. - Thank you. Thanks a lot.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Even though we haven't secured a house sale here in Shropshire,
0:42:23 > 0:42:28I think the last few days have proved invaluable for Yolanda.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Since viewing our three properties in their different,
0:42:30 > 0:42:32various locations,
0:42:32 > 0:42:36she now realises what she wants is to be in or near a market town.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40And Ludlow certainly has stolen her heart.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43There, she's going to have all the comforts of living within a thriving
0:42:43 > 0:42:48community but still have the glorious Shropshire countryside
0:42:48 > 0:42:50right on her doorstep.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54So, that's it from me. And I'll see you again on Escape To The Country.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00If you would like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Scotland, Wales or England and need our help, please apply online at...