0:00:02 > 0:00:04This extraordinary 18th-century building was inspired
0:00:04 > 0:00:06by a Byzantine church in Italy
0:00:06 > 0:00:10and is the only 16-sided house in the whole of the country.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13But who would build such a place and where?
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Let's find out in just a moment.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38Today, our house-hunting couple are keen to relive their childhood
0:00:38 > 0:00:39memories of the countryside.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43And it seems there is only one word to describe our properties.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45- Lovely.- Lovely.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46- Lovely.- That's lovely.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- SHE CHUCKLES - Wow, this is lovely.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51But later on, things step up a notch.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I'm not going to say that word any more.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56- What word was that? - The perfect word.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- The P word.- Yes.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01And the good vibe is contagious.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Ken, I nearly did a little dance then.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- You were both speechless.- Yeah.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07Today, I'm in Devon.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09And this is A La Ronde,
0:01:09 > 0:01:14the eccentric Georgian home of cousins Jane and Mary Parminter.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17They built it to house the massive artefacts and souvenirs
0:01:17 > 0:01:20they collected whilst travelling around Europe for ten years.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22And as you can see with the design,
0:01:22 > 0:01:24there's lots of windows,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27allowing the sunlight to flood in throughout the day.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Crammed full of hidden doors and escape routes,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34the property has over 470 keys.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36And it took four years for the National Trust,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38who look after this property,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41to match each key with the right lock.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45It's certainly an unusual and intriguing building
0:01:45 > 0:01:49and hints at the many fascinating sights this county is home to.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52Devon sits in the southwest
0:01:52 > 0:01:54of England
0:01:54 > 0:01:55and borders three other counties,
0:01:55 > 0:01:56with the Bristol Channel
0:01:56 > 0:01:57to its north
0:01:57 > 0:01:59and the English Channel
0:01:59 > 0:02:00to its south.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Inland is Dartmoor National Park,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06with its deep wooded valleys and a panorama of pastureland,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09concealing the largest area of granite in England.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14Director Steven Spielberg filmed the epic drama War Horse in the park and
0:02:14 > 0:02:18said he had never been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty
0:02:18 > 0:02:22before. Also within the park is the ancient village of Horrabridge,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25sitting on the banks of the River Walkham.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Here, a 13th-century bridge, one of the oldest in Devon,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30arches over the water.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33The river is famed for trout and salmon fishing,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36which explains the name of one of the two friendly locals.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Further south is the small village of East Budleigh,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43decked with archetypal Devon thatched cottages.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Sir Walter Raleigh was born nearby and lends his name
0:02:46 > 0:02:48to the 16th-century dining pub here,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52and his parents are buried in the All Saints churchyard
0:02:52 > 0:02:53within the village.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56The neighbouring coastal town of Budleigh Salterton
0:02:56 > 0:02:59is part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Its sheer, red cliff face and two-mile pebble beach also lie
0:03:02 > 0:03:06on the route of the 630-mile South West Coast Path.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11So, with its unrivalled natural beauty and charming architecture,
0:03:11 > 0:03:12Devon is the perfect choice
0:03:12 > 0:03:15for escapees yearning for a slice of it all.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24The average price of a detached property here in Devon
0:03:24 > 0:03:28comes in at around £309,000,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31which is £22,000 above the national figure.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Remember, though, this is driven by the high prices in sought-after
0:03:35 > 0:03:38South Hams, one of the most expensive areas
0:03:38 > 0:03:40in the country for buying property.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42The good news is
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Devon is a large county with more affordable options.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49For a seaside location, head to the North Coast,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51in or around Ilfracombe.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55If you fancy living more inland, Okehampton and Tavistock
0:03:55 > 0:03:57will give you more for your money.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58So bearing that in mind,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01let's find out where today's buyers want to settle.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Retired sales advisor Lynn and her charity advisor husband Ken
0:04:07 > 0:04:10have always been big softies at heart.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- We met at a teddy bear fair, didn't we?- Yeah, we did.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- About 18 years ago?- Yeah, I was asked to go along by my friend,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20because his wife was going
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and he didn't want to be the only male there.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25So I went along to back him up, you know.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- And I like teddy bears, anyway. So...- So that was it.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- That was it. - The bears were to blame.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- And then...- Yeah.- ..married 12 years ago now.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Home is a three-bedroom bungalow in Caterham, Surrey,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40where they've lived for 12 years.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43But after being in the area for around three decades,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45they feel it is not the place it once was.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49There has been a lot more development.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51It used to be more of a village-y atmosphere.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54But I think with the development and the extra traffic,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56it really has changed a lot.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59So with Ken's retirement fast approaching,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03they've invested quite a bit of time planning their next move.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05We just feel that we want something
0:05:05 > 0:05:07a bit more rural, a bit more countrified.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09I grew up sort of not far from here
0:05:09 > 0:05:12and worked on a farm as a child.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16And although Ken has always dreamed of living in the countryside,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20it's only recently that this move has become a real possibility.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25I had a motorcycle accident 43 years ago
0:05:25 > 0:05:28which left me paralysed from the waist down.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33And in those days, places weren't so wheelchair accessible.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37So this gives us the opportunity now because we can go places.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41And I want to see things that I wasn't able to see
0:05:41 > 0:05:45because of working, changing my lifestyle because of my accident.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49They've decided it's in Devon where they'd love to settle.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Lynn's sister lives in the county
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and Lynn also has many happy memories of visiting
0:05:54 > 0:05:56her grandmother there.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57When she introduced Ken to the area,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00it didn't take him long to fall for it too.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Devon, to me, is a lovely childhood.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08It is somewhere that I have personally always wanted to live.
0:06:08 > 0:06:09I didn't actually think
0:06:09 > 0:06:11it would come true at this stage of our lives,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14but hopefully it might do now.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16It's just everything to me, really.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19It's got... Everything that I love about life is in Devon.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22And when I drive down there for the first time,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24it just had that feeling I was going home.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26And I just fell in love with it.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28When they make their move,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31our couple are looking forward to integrating themselves
0:06:31 > 0:06:33into the local community
0:06:33 > 0:06:35as well as spending time on their many hobbies.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40Ken will get more time to do some wood carving.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41I like my garden.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I like needlework, quilting and cross-stitching,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47and a little bit of painting.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49So, with their home on the market and their cat, Mary,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53part of the move, it's clear this is the start of a new adventure.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56It is exciting, yeah.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57- WHISPERS:- Scary,
0:06:57 > 0:06:58but exciting.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Lynn and Ken are pretty open about where they live in Devon
0:07:06 > 0:07:08but don't want to be too far from Lynn's sister
0:07:08 > 0:07:10in the south of the county.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11And before we start our search,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13I'm meeting them to get to the bottom
0:07:13 > 0:07:15of their property wish list.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Ken and Lynn, welcome to gorgeous, gorgeous Devon.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Starting off, what does this move mean to the two of you?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25A whole new start, really, isn't it?
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Everything, really. It's what we've just always wanted to do,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30ever since we've been together.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33How much research have you managed to do already,
0:07:33 > 0:07:34looking for this new property?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37We reckon we can write a good... Yeah.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39A good guide to Devon at the moment.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- THEY LAUGH - We are looking for areas that,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45as I'm getting older,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48are still not going to be too much of a problem for me in a wheelchair.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51So what is it you are looking for?
0:07:51 > 0:07:54In a property, I think we are... Obviously, everybody wants something
0:07:54 > 0:07:56with a little bit of character.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Ideally, single-storey, for obvious reasons.
0:07:59 > 0:08:05It's space, because the wheelchair does require space.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09Yes, three bedrooms would be really nice.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Two bathrooms.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Because of my disability, I take a long time in the bathroom.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16And you'd like a workshop.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- Yeah, a workshop. - Or a garage or workshop.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Somewhere I can do my wood carving.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23And a nice garden, a nice, safe garden.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24We've got a cat that we adore.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27So, do you want to be near a community,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29do want to be quite rural?
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Edge of a village would be lovely, with an ACTIVE community.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36Let's remind ourselves of how much we've got to spend on this new
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- property.- OK. Well, our budget was sort of 350 to 400.
0:08:41 > 0:08:47For the absolute right property that doesn't need too much spent on it,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50we could go to 425, but that would be it.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51That's the top ceiling.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- That is the top.- Yeah, that would be the top.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55All right. Well, we do have
0:08:55 > 0:08:57some rather lovely properties to show you.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- So, shall we finish our tea and then get going?- Lovely.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- Sounds fabulous.- Good, here's to the next few days.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- BOTH:- Thank you.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12For a top budget of £425,000,
0:09:12 > 0:09:13Lynn and Ken want a single-storey
0:09:13 > 0:09:15property with character,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18space and a well-considered layout.
0:09:18 > 0:09:19They'd like three bedrooms,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21two bathrooms and a secure garden
0:09:21 > 0:09:23for their cat, Mary.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24And Ken would like a garage
0:09:24 > 0:09:25or workshop so he can continue
0:09:25 > 0:09:27his wood carving.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29As far as location goes,
0:09:29 > 0:09:30they'd ideally like to be on the
0:09:30 > 0:09:32edge of a village so they can get
0:09:32 > 0:09:35stuck into the local community.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38We've chosen three fabulous properties for Lynn and Ken to view.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42And it will only be after they have toured each one that I'll reveal the
0:09:42 > 0:09:46price. The final visit will be to the Mystery Property,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48which with just a little bit of creative thinking,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50could provide the perfect home for them.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57For our first visit, we're travelling to South Devon,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00to Brimley, on the edge of Bovey Tracey.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Perched on the edge of Dartmoor,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05the pretty cob- and granite-built market town is known as
0:10:05 > 0:10:07the Gateway to the Moor.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10The local church is Grade II listed and the neighbouring hall is
0:10:10 > 0:10:13the centre of a thriving community.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15There's a good selection of local shops and eateries,
0:10:15 > 0:10:20including The Cromwell Arms, a reminder of the town's involvement
0:10:20 > 0:10:23in a major battle during the English Civil War.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Back in Brimley, residents are served by a post office
0:10:25 > 0:10:27and general store.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32A short walk away is our first offering, a whitewashed bungalow.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- Wow.- Lovely.- Lovely, yeah.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36As you noticed, as we came down this little drive,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- you do have quite a large Victorian pile behind us. BOTH:- Yes.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42So, in a way, we're part of the estate
0:10:42 > 0:10:44even though you're independent.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48This house dates back only to about 1980s.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- OK, OK.- So it is relatively modern.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- I can't wait to see it.- Well, if you'd like to come with me,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- let's take a look. - Fabulous, thank you.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01This 30-year-old property is laid out on one level
0:11:01 > 0:11:03and has been recently renovated.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06We're beginning our tour in the large sitting room to the left
0:11:06 > 0:11:08of the front door.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- So you've got quite a nice, wide hallway, which is...- Lovely.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- ..important, isn't it?- It is.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- This is a lovely, square room, thank goodness.- It's a nice room.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- We like a square room.- Do you? - Yes. And it's nice and light.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- Yep. And looks out onto the garden. - Lovely.- Does it feel like a home?
0:11:24 > 0:11:25- Yes, it does actually.- It does.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28The kitchen is not quite so square but beautifully done,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- let's see what you think. - OK, lovely, thank you.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35The kitchen also leads off the main entrance hall.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41So, we have a brand-new kitchen.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- Wow.- It's lovely.- You've also got a small utility room...
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- Lovely.- ..with plumbing for washing machine, dryer, and access as well.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Lovely.- So this works?
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- Yes, perfect for us.- Yes.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57If you wouldn't mind leading the way to the left, we'll take a look at
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- the bedrooms and the bathroom.- OK.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05The bungalow is laid out in a T-shape
0:12:05 > 0:12:08with the sleeping quarters running along the top of the T.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10We're heading to the bathroom,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12which serves two of the three bedrooms.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Now, I know it's important that you both have a bathroom.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Cos we were thinking this probably would be your bathroom.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- Yes. Yeah.- But we're not going to forget Lynn.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- Thank you.- So we're going down this hallway and see what
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- we've got in store for you. - OK, good, thank you.- That's great.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Beyond the bathroom are three bedrooms.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35There's a double next door.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Along from that is a single.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41And that just leaves the room we have earmarked for Lynn and Ken.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46So at the end of the hallway, we have our master bedroom.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- Lovely.- OK.- It's a nice size.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- With an en suite.- All right. - The all-important en suite.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53Yes, lovely.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55That's lovely. And it is a square bedroom.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Yes, we like square, you've gathered that.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59Yeah, it's important.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Is it exciting you, though, as a home?
0:13:02 > 0:13:03Because we have talked practical.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- I'm not sure exciting is quite the word.- OK.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- Not sure, but...- But we have two heads, Ken and I.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15We have our dreamers' heads and we have our practical heads,
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- so somewhere in the middle, we have to meet.- Good team.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- This is good so far.- This is good.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24I'd like to show you the garden next.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26There's something else I'm going to mention.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28I don't want to give too much away.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- So let's head back outside, shall we?- Fabulous. Thank you.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36The garden is behind the house and totally enclosed,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39so it could be perfect for Lynn and Ken's pet cat.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- So from here, it looks a large home, doesn't it?- It does, it does.- Yeah.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- And it does have quite a large, generous garden.- Yes.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50If you like it as it is, it is pretty low maintenance.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- You've got the option, do what you want with it.- Blank canvas.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55So you have this rather lovely garden.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58And the final part is it does have its own garage.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Good size garage/workshop, should you want it to be.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- Lovely.- That sounds lovely. That sounds really good for me, yeah.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08So we now have to get to the serious bit, don't we?
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Where do we think our first property sits?
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- Shall I go first?- Deep breath. - Yeah, you go first, Lynn.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- 385?- OK.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Yeah, maybe 385, 390.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24OK. Well, you are both very close to the asking price.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26It has recently come down.
0:14:26 > 0:14:32- It is £379,950.- OK. - So that is well within our budget.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34That is well within our budget.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38And allows us a little bit extra to do the modifications.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- For the wheelchair.- Absolutely. Positive start.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Well, I think you two should go and have another look.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45So, I'm going to leave you to it.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- OK, thank you.- Explore, take your time.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- We will.- I'll catch up with you in a little bit.- Thank you very much.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- That sounds fabulous. Thank you so much.- We'll go this way.
0:14:53 > 0:14:59This recently renovated bungalow comes in at around £45,000 below the
0:14:59 > 0:15:03top budget. The property is well laid out and has the space our
0:15:03 > 0:15:06buyers are after with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09There is also a pleasant, secure garden
0:15:09 > 0:15:11and a garage-cum-workshop for Ken.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15First impressions when we came round the drive,
0:15:15 > 0:15:20I looked at it and thought it was a very pretty-looking bungalow.
0:15:20 > 0:15:21It had a cottage look to it,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23which I really liked.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25The garden is fantastic.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29There's a lot of fors and not that much against,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32but a few little things that
0:15:32 > 0:15:34we probably need to just chat about,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38just to sort of see how we would manage with a couple of issues.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43Overall, the property is pretty much what we are looking for, I think.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47I love the prettiness of it and I can see how I can perhaps make it
0:15:47 > 0:15:50even more so in my own style.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52I thought I might find you here.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57So, our first property, just outside Bovey Tracey, how are we feeling?
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- Very optimistic.- Yeah.- Yeah? - Yeah.- Very good start.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- Good.- A really good start.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- And we've got more to show you. - Wow.- Lovely.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- Shall we hit the road?- Yes. - Sounds good. Fabulous, thank you.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16Devon's climate,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19which is milder and wetter than other regions in England,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22helps provide a rich, fertile terrain
0:16:22 > 0:16:25which benefits not only farming but horticulture too.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Between Exmoor and Dartmoor, in the county's small market town
0:16:29 > 0:16:32of Great Torrington, is Rosemoor Garden.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Once home to the Fifth Earl of Orford,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37the house and garden were left to his wife and his daughter,
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Lady Anne Palmer, following his death in 1931.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Lady Anne gifted Rosemoor to the Royal Horticultural Society
0:16:45 > 0:16:46in 1988.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The garden was developed and, two years later, opened to the public.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55It's 65 acres, home to 4,000 plants from all over the world,
0:16:55 > 0:17:01attracts 175,000 visitors a year who marvel at the blooms and trees.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Nature lovers Lynn and Ken have come for a guided tour with gardener
0:17:04 > 0:17:05Bridget Ibbs.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Welcome to Rosemoor Gardens.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Thank you very much. We've always wanted to be here.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13It's just such a lovely day to come and see it.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16I know, we're lucky with the sunshine, aren't we?
0:17:16 > 0:17:17Fabulous weather, yeah.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20What was the garden like when you took it over?
0:17:20 > 0:17:21When we first arrived,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24apart from Lady Anne's house and a small garden on the other side
0:17:24 > 0:17:27of the road, this was all pastureland.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30To do the landscaping, it was an incredible job.
0:17:30 > 0:17:31They actually had to move,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34I think it was, 13,000 tonnes of soil
0:17:34 > 0:17:37from the entrance area to level out the formal garden.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- Goodness.- Wow.- So it's been an incredible journey for us here
0:17:41 > 0:17:43over that time.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47The garden changes throughout the year with the seasons.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49And in the autumn, it is the colour-blocked hot garden
0:17:49 > 0:17:52that's the star, which is where they are headed next.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Why is it actually called a hot garden?
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Well, it's called a hot garden because of the amazing colour scheme
0:17:59 > 0:18:03here. We have this wonderful, vibrant display of purples,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05oranges and yellows.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07All these really deep, rich colours.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10And you can see that these purple flowers,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12they're actually covered in all our honeybees.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17- It's absolutely amazing.- The bees really love that deep purple flower,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21so that's a wonderful thing to plant in your garden for the bees.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24While the bees are hard at work collecting pollen,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27next stop is the kitchen garden, which is also flourishing.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30It's absolutely amazing.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33I'm so surprised at the size and the beauty of it.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Well, this is a walled kitchen garden, so we're really lucky.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38We've got a lovely space to grow in.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So we've got lots of espaliered and trained fruit trees.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Apples and pears and peaches.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47We also have a greenhouse with our tomatoes in.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50At the moment, we are cropping our runner beans and sweetcorn.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53So we grow pretty much everything here that you could grow at home.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Ken enjoys his garden and Bridget has a suggestion to make gardening
0:18:57 > 0:18:59more accessible to him.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01We've also got raised beds, actually,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03which I think are a really good idea,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05so you have them at waist height.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07And it means that you could do everything,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10you can grow everything on your raised bed and garden,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12just as you would actually on the ground.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- That sounds perfect.- Yeah.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16At one of the raised beds,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19sweet peppers are growing alongside chilli peppers.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22This lovely sweet pepper here, actually, this is called redskin.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23That's a really tiny one.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27But here, this one is called long green buddha.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28We've also got chilli peppers here.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31That one is called vampire, that deep purple one there.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32Oh, yeah, cos...
0:19:32 > 0:19:35It takes around six months for the peppers and chillies
0:19:35 > 0:19:38to grow from seed before they are ready to pick.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40Wow, fabulous.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42A nice red pepper.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45These raised beds are made of oak,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48but they are something that could easily be assembled
0:19:48 > 0:19:51using old offcuts of wood if they fancy living the good life
0:19:51 > 0:19:53in their new Devonshire home.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56The good thing about raised beds as well is, you know,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58you've got really good soil in there,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01so especially a lot of your root crops really love it.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03You'll get really huge carrots from a bed like this,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05because they will be able to just easily go down
0:20:05 > 0:20:07through that lovely soil.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- Yeah.- Well, Bridget, thank you so much.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11We've had the most wonderful time here.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- Thank you for your time.- And we've learnt! We've learnt so much.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16It's been lovely to meet you both.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- Thank you.- And good luck with your house hunting.- Yeah, thank you.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- Thank you.- Thank you.- OK.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27For our second property,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29we're travelling deeper inland,
0:20:29 > 0:20:31near to the border with Somerset,
0:20:31 > 0:20:32destined for the village
0:20:32 > 0:20:33of Holcombe Rogus.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37This tranquil village is home to quaint country cottages,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40a mixture of stone-built and pastel-painted facades.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44The most notable building here is a privately owned Grade I listed
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Tudor manor house, Holcombe Court.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50There is a village shop and a post office in the local garage.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54There is also a village hall and a traditional 17th-century pub.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58And all this, surrounded by a classic Devon backdrop.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Just south of the village is our second property.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03It's lovely. It's really lovely.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05It is gorgeous, yeah.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Now, this is an unusual cottage, because in actual fact,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12it started off life as a house. Built around the 1900s,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16we believe it was a thatched house and there was a huge fire and they
0:21:16 > 0:21:19managed to salvage the bottom.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22So it does have the feeling of a house inside it,
0:21:22 > 0:21:23but it is just one storey.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Right. That's interesting.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26It's just lovely.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- It is.- Just what I sort of imagined.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- Shall we take a look?- Yeah. - Yes, please.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- Go on then.- Brilliant, thank you.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Not only did this single-level property gain a new roof,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39it has also been recently refurbished
0:21:39 > 0:21:41to an extremely high standard.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44We are entering from the side of the property via the utility room
0:21:44 > 0:21:46and going straight into the kitchen.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- I am just...- Amazed. - ..in awe of it at the moment.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Yes.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55I love it. I wouldn't change a thing.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Other than... Possibly take out the middle bit, if it is freestanding,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03which would then make it 100% perfect for us.
0:22:03 > 0:22:04See, these are the faces that I wanted.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- I'm feeling it.- Yeah.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Let's see if I can make you fall in love with the sitting room.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Just through there, please, Lynn.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- So we're going to follow you. - All right.- Thanks, Ken.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18The sitting room is just next door.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Wow! Wow, this is lovely.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Wow.- I said I wouldn't say wow. - NICKI AND LYNN LAUGH
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Listen, I'm at the back, and that is music to my ears.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- I'm loving this.- This is lovely.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- Absolutely, yeah, amazing. Amazing.- It is.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38I've heard the word wow, amazing, perfect...
0:22:38 > 0:22:43If I can get really good on this side of the property, I'll be happy.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44- Lovely.- So will we.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46So I'm going to get you to turn around.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Thank you.- And we're going to just head up this hallway.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54The entire left-hand side of the property comprises
0:22:54 > 0:22:55the sleeping quarters,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58with a smart bathroom serving three bedrooms.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04So if you'd like to poke your head, just have a little peak there
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- at the bathroom. - Wow. That's a bathroom.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- That is a big bathroom.- Yeah.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14- But where are you going to sleep? - Right.- Follow me.- Thank you.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Next door to the bathroom is a small double bedroom.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21And at the front of the house is a larger square double.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Next to that is the master.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25- Yes, it's lovely.- Lovely.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Ideally, you did want the two bathrooms.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32You might need to give up a bedroom to do that.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- That would be OK. - Oh, I'm so pleased!
0:23:36 > 0:23:38I'm not going to say that word any more.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- What word was that? - The perfect word.
0:23:41 > 0:23:42- The P word.- Yes.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45The best we've ever seen.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Which makes me wonder even if we can even afford it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- But there we are. - Let's go back outside,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- and then we will get to that...- Yep. - ..that bit, I'm afraid,
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- the guess the price.- Yes. No problem. Thank you.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I'm not sure things could get much better here,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04but outside it's just as lovely with fabulous views from the enclosed
0:24:04 > 0:24:07garden, perfect for Mary, their beloved cat.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11So we do have to discuss the garden.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13It is quite a large lawn.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- Yeah.- It's high.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20But this could be a fantastic spot to put in a slightly elevated
0:24:20 > 0:24:23sort of ramp, shall we say, going up, landscaped into the garden.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27- Yes.- So you have access, full access to it.- Yeah.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30You also get the beautiful garden you want at the same time.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- Exactly.- Was there one more thing that you wanted, though,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- with this property? - Yes, there was, actually. Yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- Workshop.- There is parking on the front.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- Yes, lovely.- And there is a garage at the side of the property as well.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- I did notice that. - Garage-cum-workshop?
0:24:46 > 0:24:48- Wow. Yep. - It has all been very positive.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51We know you might need to spend a little bit of money.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- Yes, of course.- The question is,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57do you have that money left over in your budget?
0:24:57 > 0:24:58Well...
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I say it's got to be 410.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06I'd go a bit higher, I'd say 420.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09I want you both to take a deep breath
0:25:09 > 0:25:12because the asking price is...
0:25:12 > 0:25:16£339, 950.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- No!- You're joking!
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- (Wow.)- Yay!
0:25:26 > 0:25:27In answer to your question,
0:25:27 > 0:25:31we would definitely have some money, enough to do the tweaking.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Ken, I nearly did a little dance then. You were both speechless.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36- Yeah.- Honestly, your faces...
0:25:36 > 0:25:37Do you want a second viewing?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- That would be lovely.- I think so. - That would be lovely.- Be my guests.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- Thank you, Nicki, we will. - Thank YOU.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- Thank you, Nicki, thank you. - Thank you.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51This beautifully refurbished bungalow has rung in at £85,000
0:25:51 > 0:25:54below Lynn and Ken's budget.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57It's got the character they want and the space and layout
0:25:57 > 0:25:59seems to suit them down to the ground.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02The property gives them both the scope and the money left over to
0:26:02 > 0:26:05turn a bedroom into a second bathroom.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Outside, the garden with its splendid views
0:26:07 > 0:26:09could be adapted for Ken.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13I loved it. Looked at the kitchen and just thought,
0:26:13 > 0:26:15"Lynn must love this."
0:26:15 > 0:26:18It's just a real fabulous kitchen.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19This has just got everything.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23It's the single-storey and it's got character and it looks like a
0:26:23 > 0:26:26cottage. Perfect.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29You often think... There's always something that you go...
0:26:29 > 0:26:32"Yeah, maybe." Er...
0:26:32 > 0:26:38But no. With this, I just thought, "OK, I can change that.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42"That's adaptable." It just looked like everything could be adapted.
0:26:42 > 0:26:43I love it.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Well, what a way to finish our day.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49- That was quite a house tour. - Absolutely amazing.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- Yeah, absolutely.- Thank you. Wonderful.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Yeah, just amazing, amazing.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I think we're going to finish on a high note. And guess what?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I've got one more house to show you tomorrow.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01- I'm not sure how you can top this one, but we will wait and see.- No.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- No.- We will try. Right, let's go.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- BOTH:- Thank you.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15It's day two of our journey around Devon,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18looking for a bungalow for Lynn and Ken from Surrey
0:27:18 > 0:27:20to live out their rural dream.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24And with a top budget of £425,000,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26they want somewhere that is accessible for Ken
0:27:26 > 0:27:29with a safe garden for their pet cat Mary.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33We've still got a challenge to come with our Mystery House.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37It is an open book, and you are about to write the next chapter.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Oh, get me today with the Mystery House!
0:27:40 > 0:27:45And I'll be seeing what goes underfoot in our rural households.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48We actually have a number of carpets being woven for high-profile
0:27:48 > 0:27:51clients, one of which happens to be Buckingham Palace.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58I'm feeling pretty positive, because yesterday seemed to go so well.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Our first house, on paper, gave them everything they asked for.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Although, I think it didn't quite capture their heart.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09But the second, it seemed like a true love affair
0:28:09 > 0:28:13with minimum tweaking and maximum impact.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Now, we know our couple love character and they love charm.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18And today, with our Mystery House,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21they're going to get plenty of both and more besides.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Why? Well, it is called a project.
0:28:26 > 0:28:27For our Mystery House,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29we're travelling to the village
0:28:29 > 0:28:32of Spreyton, located in mid-Devon.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34The rural village is just north of Dartmoor
0:28:34 > 0:28:37with far-reaching views across the park.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42It's full of chocolate-box cottages with whitewash and thatches aplenty.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46There is a village shop here and a village hall, the hub of local life.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50The pub is named after a supposed forefather of the village,
0:28:50 > 0:28:51Uncle Tom Cobley,
0:28:51 > 0:28:55who was immortalised in the Devon folk song Widecombe Fair.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59He's said to be buried in the church here in an unmarked grave.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03Just a minute's walk from the pub is our third and final offering,
0:29:03 > 0:29:04the Mystery House.
0:29:06 > 0:29:07Oh, that's lovely.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09- It's gorgeous.- Looks lovely as well.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11- Yeah.- Gosh.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12They call it a colonial house.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14I can see why, actually, standing here.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- Yeah.- I love it, yeah. - Very, very nice.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21It is an old building, 100 years old, so it is going to need that
0:29:21 > 0:29:24creative thought process as we go around.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26- OK.- Good.- That's good.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- We like that.- Good. It's an open book,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31and you are about to write the next chapter.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Oh, get me today with the Mystery House!
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Right, let's take a look.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38- BOTH:- Thank you.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45This smart whitewashed bungalow was built in 1919 and later extended.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48We're entering the property through the side door into the extension.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51Straight into our kitchen.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53- Wow.- It's lovely.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Lovely size kitchen. - Square.- Really nice size kitchen.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- Is it calling you, Lynn?- It is.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03It is got a lovely homely feel to this.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- We love the outside of the property. - Yes, definitely.- Kitchen...
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- has got a big thumbs-up.- Yes.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- All right, let's continue through. - Lovely.- Thank you.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Next door to the kitchen is a half-tiled shower room.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19And adjacent to that, a large utility room.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Moving on, a few steps leads us up
0:30:22 > 0:30:25into the original part of the bungalow.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30- So, we do have those stairs, which we we'll discuss in a minute.- OK.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- But just come on in here for now. - What a lovely room.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36- Fabulous fireplace. - The fireplace is gorgeous.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Lovely room. - This is absolutely our cup of tea.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41It's got that real feel, yes.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46- The fly in the ointment are the four steps, aren't they?- Yes.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50- Because this house is on a slightly different level.- Yes, yeah.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54There may be a way round that, which we can have a look at.
0:30:54 > 0:30:55Keep an open mind still.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Show you the whole of the property, because you know better than
0:30:58 > 0:31:01anybody what is achievable and what is not realistic.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05- But it is a fabulous Mystery House, isn't it?- It is.- Oh, it is.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08On the other side of the hallway is the sitting room, which is
0:31:08 > 0:31:11bright, square and airy.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14Then continuing down the hallway are three double bedrooms,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17all looking out to the front of the property.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21There are two doubles, and at the end of the corridor is the master.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26Oh. This is a lovely room. Lovely.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Look at the sun coming through, it's gorgeous.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- Lovely, square room. - It is, gorgeous.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36- There is a hidden extra, you might notice. There is an en suite.- Oh.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39- So that could be my bathroom.- Yeah. - SHE GIGGLES
0:31:39 > 0:31:41It's got everything that you would want.
0:31:41 > 0:31:42That we would want.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44- Yeah.- Well, we've still got the back garden to see.- OK.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46- You fell in love with the front. - I did.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51- And then of course, for the final time, guess the price.- Yeah.- OK.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- OK.- Right, let's head back. - All right, thank you.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Lynn and Ken seem blown away with this property,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01and I'm blown away by their reactions.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05Let's hope they continue as we move outside to the secure, level garden.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12So here is our property, with this beautifully, well-maintained
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- and well-loved garden, I think.- It's lovely,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- you can see that. - You don't have a garage,
0:32:18 > 0:32:20but I must remind you of that huge utility room
0:32:20 > 0:32:22at the side of the property, cos that could make
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- a fantastic workshop.- Yeah.- Yes.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Let's talk about the financial side.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29What price are we going to put on it?
0:32:29 > 0:32:34- I think 410. - Yeah, I'd say... Well, I'd say four.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35OK.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38You've got money to do some work on this property
0:32:38 > 0:32:41because the asking price is £350,000.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44- No!- No, you're joking.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47THEY CHUCKLE
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Uh-oh.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54Now, we made just one enquiry,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57but to put in a lift to help
0:32:57 > 0:33:01with those stairs, it would cost between £7,000 and £15,000.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- OK.- That's very good.- Yeah.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06I'm guessing you'd like to go and have another look,
0:33:06 > 0:33:07- wouldn't you?- I'd love to, yes.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11- Do take your time. - Lovely. OK.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20Our Mystery Property has come in a generous £75,000 under the top
0:33:20 > 0:33:24budget, so there is money in the pot to make any practical adjustments.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26It has the square rooms they love and need
0:33:26 > 0:33:29and just the number of bedrooms they've asked for.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32There are also the two requested bathrooms.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35And outside, the garden is pretty and secure.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39So if Lynn and Ken are willing to accept the challenge of overcoming
0:33:39 > 0:33:42the four steps, they might just have found their dream home.
0:33:44 > 0:33:45The house is just fabulous.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49The steel fence around the front of it looks gorgeous.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53My thoughts on the Mystery House... When we first saw it,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55I just lost my heart immediately.
0:33:55 > 0:34:01At the gate, I knew it was the place for us. It's exactly the style.
0:34:01 > 0:34:06The garden, the location... Everything was perfect.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10Obviously, the only issue really is the kitchen is on the lower level.
0:34:10 > 0:34:16But as Nicki has mentioned, the cost of a stairlift to be installed...
0:34:16 > 0:34:20So it's something to think on, something seriously to think on,
0:34:20 > 0:34:21because we love it.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25I can't fault the house other than four steps.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27That's my only fault with the property.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30But maybe we can overcome that.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34- I think I've had all the emotions today.- Yes.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- I wasn't quite expecting that, but in a good way.- It was.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40- Yes, definitely.- So we're going to have to go somewhere.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45- I think I should leave you two alone to discuss all the options.- OK.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46- Yeah.- OK.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Have a bit of time and then catch up with you and find out
0:34:49 > 0:34:51what your next move is going to be.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55- Yeah, OK.- Sounds good?- Yeah, it does.- Sounds really good, thank you.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04The town of Axminster in the east of Devon has long been
0:35:04 > 0:35:07known for carpet manufacturing.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10And although the trade has had a bit of a bumpy ride through history,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12it's still going strong today.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15I've come to meet Josh Dutfield in his family's carpet factory
0:35:15 > 0:35:18to learn more about his its beginnings.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20Now the commercial director,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23he is the grandson of the man who resurrected the industry.
0:35:23 > 0:35:29It goes back over two centuries, back to 1755, and that was
0:35:29 > 0:35:33the time in which the first ever Axminster carpet was made.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36And it's a special type of weave which they named after the town.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39And, actually, the first one they paraded throughout the whole
0:35:39 > 0:35:42town with church bells, etc, to celebrate the first ever
0:35:42 > 0:35:44production of a carpet.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45My goodness.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Carpet making in Axminster was born when a local clothmaker named
0:35:49 > 0:35:54Thomas Whitty visited London and saw some carpets imported from Turkey.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57He was so impressed that he was determined to re-create
0:35:57 > 0:35:59the colourful patterns himself.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01What Thomas Whitty did exceptionally well
0:36:01 > 0:36:03was that he effectively invented a weave
0:36:03 > 0:36:06which gave him the ability to make a very high-quality product,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09but with a different weave structure which allowed him
0:36:09 > 0:36:11to make beautiful designs.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13Axminster was chosen because of the wool trade,
0:36:13 > 0:36:17and the southwest is synonymous with high-quality wool.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20So Thomas Whitty's hard work, coupled with British wool,
0:36:20 > 0:36:23created a very successful business.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27Unfortunately, it was short-lived, as disaster struck in 1835
0:36:27 > 0:36:30when fire swept through the factory.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35Just over 100 years later, in 1937, Josh's grandfather,
0:36:35 > 0:36:40carpet designer Harry Dutfield, resurrected Axminster carpets
0:36:40 > 0:36:42after learning the industry had all but died.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45The site where we are now was actually originally
0:36:45 > 0:36:46a vegetable patch.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48It was my great-grandfather's, grandfather
0:36:48 > 0:36:50and the other founding directors
0:36:50 > 0:36:54who hand built the many parts of the factory you see today.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Now the factory employs 160 staff
0:36:57 > 0:37:02and produces 300,000 square metres of woven carpet a year.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05It's still woven in the same way it was done in Whitty's time,
0:37:05 > 0:37:09with British wool, including wool from Devon.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12The carpets are commissioned for customers from all over the world,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14as well as some closer to home.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17So here we are producing for a commercial client,
0:37:17 > 0:37:21- which is the Great Western Railway. - I thought it looked familiar.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25Yeah, it's one of our local railways to the area.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28This carpet must go in situ on a train with all the trolleys
0:37:28 > 0:37:30and people walking up and down
0:37:30 > 0:37:31and last over eight years.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33But I must say, it is
0:37:33 > 0:37:36the more high-end clientele that really excites me.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40We actually have a number of carpets being woven for high-profile
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- clients.- Go on.- One of which...
0:37:43 > 0:37:45One of which happens to be Buckingham Palace.
0:37:45 > 0:37:52Sadly, I can't show you it, but we are royal warrant holders here
0:37:52 > 0:37:56- and very lucky to produce carpets. - For the Queen!- Absolutely.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59You can't show me, Josh, but you can't stop me from looking.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02I am going to be keeping my eyes peeled as we walk around.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05There are 30 looms here, some like the one
0:38:05 > 0:38:09we have just seen that date back as far as the 18th century.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12We are heading to one built in the 1960s.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15This loom weaves a top-quality product,
0:38:15 > 0:38:19and it takes around an hour to produce one square metre of carpet.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21This is what I recognise.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24This is what you think of when you think of your carpets.
0:38:24 > 0:38:25This one is actually
0:38:25 > 0:38:28for a high-profile boutique hotel in Paris.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Do you think your grandfather, if he was sitting here today, would be
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- proud of you?- Oh, I would hope so.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36I hope he'd be proud of everyone working here.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Once completed, the woven carpets are lightly brushed, then gently
0:38:40 > 0:38:43steamed before being sheared to create a smooth and even finish.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47So, Josh, what is going on here?
0:38:47 > 0:38:51So, here we have one of the final quality inspection areas.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55And this is where every single woven carpet is hand-inspected
0:38:55 > 0:38:56and hand-repaired.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01What you'll see over here is Emma then identifying a potential
0:39:01 > 0:39:03repair and effectively hand stitching
0:39:03 > 0:39:06back in where the grippers haven't taken the yarn correctly.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09- She's so quick, isn't she? - Oh, it takes an extraordinary
0:39:09 > 0:39:12amount of skill both to spot the fault in the first place
0:39:12 > 0:39:15and then actually be able to know how to repair it.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Josh, this has been so fascinating.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20And I have to say, next time I am in someone's house - which,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22let's be honest, is quite often -
0:39:22 > 0:39:24I'm going to be looking at the carpet.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27I'm going to be checking out the quality under my feet.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Thank you so, so much for the tour.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32No problems. It's been an absolute pleasure.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39I must admit, I was quietly confident that we had found Ken
0:39:39 > 0:39:42and Lynn their dream home with our second property.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45We then introduced the Mystery House into the mix.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47And guess what, I'm now not so sure.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51They seem to adore both those houses,
0:39:51 > 0:39:53but is there one in particular that is a favourite,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56a favourite enough for them to put an offer on?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Well, I've given them some time to mull things over,
0:39:59 > 0:40:01let's see what they've got to say.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07So, put me out of my misery,
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- how have we done? - You've done very well, actually.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11- Have we?- Yes.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15The second house - which, as you know, we loved - there were
0:40:15 > 0:40:19a couple of little issues about the garden, mainly, I think,
0:40:19 > 0:40:22and relocation of a second bathroom.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24We're going to make a few more
0:40:24 > 0:40:29enquiries about the...around the locality - services,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31things like that that are in the area
0:40:31 > 0:40:32which we don't know anything about.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- Oh, looking very positive, though.- Yes.- Possibly.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39So, I've put the welcome to your new home card in that pocket,
0:40:39 > 0:40:41but in this pocket, I wasn't sure
0:40:41 > 0:40:45whether I had another welcome to a new home, a new mystery home.
0:40:45 > 0:40:46Hm.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50It is just so amazing. It is just... There are just those few...
0:40:50 > 0:40:53Which are sort of silly, but are sort of quite important issues.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55- I don't think they're silly. - You know.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- Let's clarify, we're talking about those steps, aren't we?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03That house, actually... I told you at the time.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06It did steal my heart.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07And I think I would have...
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Well, maybe not written the cheque out there and then, but almost,
0:41:11 > 0:41:13if I hadn't seen those four steps.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17When I saw the steps and I thought, "Oh, there's an upstairs."
0:41:17 > 0:41:21And then I noticed that actually the house was on that level,
0:41:21 > 0:41:24there was a little bit of a drop in the heart.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27It's whether, day-to-day, having to go up and down on a lift...
0:41:27 > 0:41:28And only you can really answer that,
0:41:28 > 0:41:30whether you could learn to live with it.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34And that is such a personal decision. So it sounds like...
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- You want to go back and see both of them again?- We do, actually.- Yes.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40We really would love to hear from you again.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41- Yes, we will.- Yes, you will.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45If it is not one of our homes, if it is another, please let us
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- know how you get on.- Yes, we will. - Thank you both so much.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- Thank you.- Thank you so very, very much.- It has been such fun.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Yes, it has.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- We've really enjoyed ourselves, so thank you.- Absolutely loved it,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- thank you.- Thank you. - Thank you so much.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06It's been such a smashing week with Ken and Lynn.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09They genuinely seemed impressed with the quality
0:42:09 > 0:42:11and character of the homes we've shown them.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16And all of them came in under budget. Now, understandably,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19they need to do a little bit more research before they're prepared
0:42:19 > 0:42:23to commit to a new home, but we have left them in no doubt that they
0:42:23 > 0:42:28can and will find a wonderful place to live here in Devon.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32They truly are the most lovely, lovely couple.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36And we wish them all the best. I'll see you soon.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41Lynn and Ken have since decided that although they loved
0:42:41 > 0:42:44two of our properties, neither one was completely right for them.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46So their search continues.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50If you would like to escape to the country in
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England and need our help,
0:42:54 > 0:42:55please apply online at...