0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to a misty start to today's Escape To The Country.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Now, behind me
0:00:06 > 0:00:09is a small glimpse of what is widely regarded as one of the most
0:00:09 > 0:00:12important English landscape gardens, not just in the UK,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16but also renowned the world over. So, where have we come to?
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Today, we're helping a couple of newlyweds who hope to kick off
0:00:39 > 0:00:43their married life in a new home, with dreams of running a B&B.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45What about this for your guests, then?
0:00:45 > 0:00:47I don't know, I would quite like it for myself!
0:00:47 > 0:00:49LAUGHTER
0:00:49 > 0:00:52But one of our properties leaves them lost for words.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- My goodness! - I don't know what to say.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Well, today we are on the Welsh Borders, and these are the
0:00:59 > 0:01:04beautiful surroundings of Hawkstone Park Follies in Shropshire.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07They are widely regarded as perhaps one of the best examples
0:01:07 > 0:01:11of the English landscape garden, dating back to the 18th century.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16They contain a fantastic mix of caves, cliffs, follies and woodland.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20What sets this place apart is that it bucked the trend of the day
0:01:20 > 0:01:24for more classical, symmetrical gardens and instead embraced
0:01:24 > 0:01:26an imitated nature.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28It was restored 20 years ago,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31and now visitors revel in its surroundings.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32From up here, you can
0:01:32 > 0:01:36see right across the border to the mountains of Wales.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37On a clear day.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42The land straddling the length of the border between England
0:01:42 > 0:01:46and Wales is traditionally known as the Welsh Marches, and includes
0:01:46 > 0:01:50parts of Powys on the Welsh side and Shropshire in England.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53This northern section of the Marches is a region of enduring beauty,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57characterised by classic unspoiled hilly countryside,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59and striking field patterns.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02The borderlands were fiercely contested for hundreds of years,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04and contain the highest concentration
0:02:04 > 0:02:07of motte-and-bailey castles in the country.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Chirk Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress
0:02:09 > 0:02:14completed in the 14th century, is a particularly fine example.
0:02:14 > 0:02:15On the English side,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18the historic town of Ludlow in Shropshire is a renowned
0:02:18 > 0:02:23gastro hot spot, home to a whole host of eateries and cafes.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26So, with its mix of scenery and historic architecture,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28the Welsh Borders is an escapee's paradise,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32and somewhere it really is possible to get away from it all.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36As well as stunning countryside,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39property prices here are also very attractive.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42In Shropshire, the average cost of an detached property is currently
0:02:42 > 0:02:48£245,000 - that's £32,000 below the national figure.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49And it gets even better
0:02:49 > 0:02:52if you head further west over the border into Wales and Powys.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56There, the same sort of thing could cost you £80,000 less.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00So, time now to meet today's buyers, and find out
0:03:00 > 0:03:02which side of the border they want to be on.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Steve and Allie, who live near the town of Devizes in Wiltshire,
0:03:05 > 0:03:10met each other through an online dating site just 18 months ago.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12A whirlwind romance led to a speedy proposal,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14and they have been married for just a month.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18So, now they want to kick start this next exciting chapter
0:03:18 > 0:03:20in a new country home.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Steve proposed to me when we went to Sri Lanka last year.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26It was towards the end of the holiday.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Walked out onto the beach with her in the evening,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32held her in my arms and said, "Would you marry me?"
0:03:32 > 0:03:36We both lost our partners some years ago.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39We are now looking to create a life together,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43rather than staying in the jobs that we've currently got.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Steve works in IT and Allie in sales,
0:03:47 > 0:03:49but the highly pressured corporate world has
0:03:49 > 0:03:51taken its toll on Steve.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56I commute almost three hours, three-and-a-half hours a day, so our
0:03:56 > 0:04:01escape is more than just escaping into a more rural environment,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04it's escaping from that whole work environment.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Steve and Allie both have two grown-up children
0:04:08 > 0:04:11from their previous relationships, but they've left home,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13and the couple currently live in a four bedroom property
0:04:13 > 0:04:15that Steve bought before meeting Allie.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I chose this house when I was single,
0:04:19 > 0:04:20that the children can come home to.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25Since we met, it's obvious that the house doesn't meet our requirements.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28We'd like to choose somewhere which is ours.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30And they've chosen the Welsh Border country
0:04:30 > 0:04:32for their first shared home together.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37We have experience of Wales and the Welsh Borders, and...
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- It's a lovely area, isn't it? - It's a beautiful area,
0:04:40 > 0:04:45and fortunately, it's still within the price bracket that we have.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47But Steve and Allie don't just want a new home,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50a joint business venture is in the pipeline.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51When we were courting,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55I said to you I'd like to own a bed and breakfast,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- and you said, "That's what I'd like to do," didn't you?- Exactly.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01We want to get to a point where we can retire
0:05:01 > 0:05:06and just look after the B&B and some letting units
0:05:06 > 0:05:09and have a life.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11And when they're not busy with the B&B,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13they should have more time for their passions,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16which include baking and cake-making for Allie,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19whereas Steve hopes his modelling will take off.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22I took up flying model aircraft about eight years ago,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25just as something to really de-stress with.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27It's become a bit of an obsession.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I've got something like 25 aircraft.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Gives me great pleasure picking one of those up, taking that up
0:05:33 > 0:05:37onto the hill and throwing it off and actually flying it.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38It's great fun.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42But their rural dream isn't just a flight of fancy.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45They are under no illusions that this is a big move, though it is
0:05:45 > 0:05:49a chance for the newlyweds to spend some quality time with each other.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51I'm well aware that running a B&B isn't going to be
0:05:51 > 0:05:55without its stresses and without its early mornings.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- But it's doing something that we both enjoy.- Absolutely.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Steve and Allie want to find a property in the northern
0:06:03 > 0:06:06section of the English/Welsh border, but don't mind which country
0:06:06 > 0:06:09they live in, so we will be looking both in Shropshire
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and Wales for their new home.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13I'm meeting up with them in Shropshire
0:06:13 > 0:06:16to learn more about their planned move.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- Well, good morning.- Good morning. - Morning.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22Steve and Allison, welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:06:22 > 0:06:23This is all quite exciting!
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Am I right in saying that you only got married six weeks ago?
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- We did. - So, is this your honeymoon?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Well, we had a honeymoon in New England,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33but this is pretty close, yes.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Allison, what are you hoping to achieve with this move?
0:06:36 > 0:06:40We are hoping to open a bed and breakfast with some letting units.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44We want about three bedrooms and three letting units,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47both of us giving up our full-time jobs.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Have you ever done anything like it before?- I have.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- I've run pubs and restaurants, but you haven't.- No, I haven't.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56I've been in the IT industry for 30-plus years,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58so it's going to be a major change for me,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02but I'm a practical person, so I'll be doing the hands-on stuff.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Why have you settled on the northern end of the Welsh Borders?
0:07:05 > 0:07:09We like this area, the countryside, the hills.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11There's some lovely country houses.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14We feel that there is a lot to draw people to this area.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17What would your ideal home look like?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Perhaps an old farmhouse,
0:07:20 > 0:07:25a rectory, five, six bedrooms... Um...
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Perhaps a barn that needs converting, or some outbuildings that we
0:07:29 > 0:07:31could turn into letting units.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34How much of a project would you take on?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37If we started off with three rooms that we could let, that would
0:07:37 > 0:07:42give us enough income to start with, and then if there were a barn
0:07:42 > 0:07:44conversion, stable conversion or something like that,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46we would do over time.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- England or Wales, quite happy to border hop?- Quite happy, yes.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- Brilliant.- And also, perhaps a little bit of land as well.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Oh! What's going to happen on that?
0:07:55 > 0:07:56ALLIE LAUGHS
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Well...- Some animals.- Yes, yes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03I've always had a love of the countryside, and to have
0:08:03 > 0:08:08some land, I'd ideally like some pasture and also woodland.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12You really are painting a picture of the ideal country life.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14I mean, you know, this is all very good.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- It is going to be hard work as well, though.- It really is.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20B&Bs are not an easy wicket.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23How are you going to make your business that little bit different
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- to all of the others to get that trade?- I think we're going to go
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- for luxury B&B.- We are. We are aiming at the luxury end.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34So, Allison, how much are you planning to spend on all of this?
0:08:34 > 0:08:36750,000.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- Three-quarters-of-a-million, Steve?- That's right, yes.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- That's a lot of money! - Scary, isn't it?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44But this is an area where I think you can get very good
0:08:44 > 0:08:47value for money. We've got some really interesting properties
0:08:47 > 0:08:50to show you. I hope they will inspire you to create a vision
0:08:50 > 0:08:52of what this business could look like.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Shall we go?- Absolutely. Let's do it.- Drink up.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02With a budget of £750,000, Steve and Allie are after a traditional
0:09:02 > 0:09:05older property with character.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06In an ideal world,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08they'd like a five bedroom house that would allow them
0:09:08 > 0:09:11to let out three rooms as bed and breakfast units,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14but with the potential to develop up to three self-catering holiday
0:09:14 > 0:09:18lets around it. Steve would like some land to fulfil his smallholding
0:09:18 > 0:09:22ambitions, and a bonus would be some private woodland in their grounds.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24We've lined up a selection of classic Border Country
0:09:24 > 0:09:28contenders for our house-hunting newlyweds to consider,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30but the honeymoon might be over when I reveal
0:09:30 > 0:09:33the price at the end of the property tours. And of course, we've got
0:09:33 > 0:09:37a Mystery House that might well challenge Steve and Allie on age,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41but it does give them more than they bargained for elsewhere.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Our first property is located outside the village of Gobowen
0:09:46 > 0:09:50in Shropshire - just four miles from the border with Wales.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51The village grew up around the railway
0:09:51 > 0:09:55when the mainline between Chester and Shrewsbury was diverted through
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Gobowen, after permission was refused to route the track
0:09:58 > 0:10:00through the nearby historic town of Oswestry.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Today, the village has three churches,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05with both Anglican and Methodist places of worship,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09as well as a range of shops and services.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Our first house is located a good two miles outside of the village
0:10:12 > 0:10:17and sits in Border countryside, with just livestock for neighbours.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- Look at that for a view.- Fantastic.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24And this, needless to say, is property number one.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Wow.- I like!
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Yeah?- Yeah, I do.- You did hint towards a barn conversion,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31and that's what we've got for you.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34It was converted about nine years ago from a pretty grotty
0:10:34 > 0:10:38cattle shed into what is now a really beautiful family home,
0:10:38 > 0:10:43and it also comes with that - a ready-to-go holiday let.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Wow. That's great.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- Let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51Renovated to a high standard, this characterful barn conversion
0:10:51 > 0:10:54has a rustic feel with a lovely, open-plan layout.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- There you go, Allison.- Oh, wow!
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I'm looking at the kitchen down there.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Well, we're going to look at that
0:11:03 > 0:11:05in just a little while but, needless to say,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- this is their kind of dining area at the moment.- Yeah. Very nice.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12The oak is gorgeous. This was a really mucky barn.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15So it's got a nice mix of old timbers and the necessary new ones.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Absolutely, yeah.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20There's another really gorgeous living room through there,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23complete with wood burner, which I think sort of sets the cosy scene.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Well, you glimpsed at the kitchen earlier.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Do you want to take a closer look? - We'd love to.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31I think you've got plenty of space in here...
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Ooh, it's nice, isn't it?
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- ..for cooking and preparing. - Yes, I think so.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38It's great. I mean, the island, needless to say, is terrific,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40and you can engage with your guests through the...
0:11:40 > 0:11:41- The hatch.- Yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- ..through the wall, as it were. - Through the wall.- Yeah.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46They've got some of the utility goods in here,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48but there is a utility room behind me through this door,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50which you could move all that into if you wanted to.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Let's have a look upstairs and see what you think of the bedrooms then.
0:11:54 > 0:11:55OK.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58As well as the rooms we've seen, the downstairs also has a study,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01which houses the property's oil-fired boiler.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Upstairs, there are four bedrooms.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07At one end of the barn are two bedrooms - a double
0:12:07 > 0:12:10and a large single, both with exposed beams, as well as the
0:12:10 > 0:12:14family bathroom, offering immediate bed and breakfast potential.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17At the opposite end is another single bedroom as well
0:12:17 > 0:12:20as what could be Steve and Allie's spacious master suite.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22There you go.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Oh!
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- Huge room!- Massive, isn't it?- Yes. - This is yours.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30You also get the en suite shower room in there too.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Bags of room for a huge double bed in here,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36and I think a nice bit of, sort of, dressing area space
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- and what have you.- Yeah. - So that's the main house...- OK.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41..with your four bedrooms up here.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44The only bit left, of course, is the holiday let.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- Looking forward to seeing that. - You see, that...
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- That's the thing, isn't it? That's the business end of it.- It is, yeah.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- And that's your future.- It is.- OK.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Let's have a look at that, and you might want to start thinking about
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- what this one is worth.- OK.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59As well as the potential bed and breakfast accommodation inside
0:12:59 > 0:13:03the main barn, across the gravelled courtyard, a separate cottage offers
0:13:03 > 0:13:07similar quality furnishings as an up-and-running one-bedroom holiday let.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Look at this.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11Oh!
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Lovely.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14That's good, yes.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15- Lots more oak.- Yeah.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20Really nice modern kitchen, and then this is the living room for the let.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Oh, that's nice.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- The bedroom above is basically this size.- OK.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Very generous shower and bathroom as well,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30so again they haven't skimped on the space here.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33This is really good. It's up to a high standard, so...
0:13:33 > 0:13:37The finishes are brilliant. I love the use of the oak. Oak windows.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39There's nothing to paint. It just weathers nicely.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44And if you were in the market for entertaining dogs with your guests,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46there is a huge market for that.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48I talk to holiday let guys all the time,
0:13:48 > 0:13:53and they reckon 60% of their business comes from just having
0:13:53 > 0:13:54"dogs welcome" on the door.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- My goodness. That's good. - It's really worth thinking about.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59I think we've given Steve
0:13:59 > 0:14:03and Allie lots of possibilities with the barn and separate cottage,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05but Steve also wanted some land for animals,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08and here he's got five acres to play with.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11This includes ample parking space for guests,
0:14:11 > 0:14:13a large paddock suitable for keeping livestock,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15or even land for a luxury camping business.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20And finally, a steel and timber stock shed for shelter or storage.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23All this land makes for doggie heaven too,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25as Meg will no doubt testify.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26This is Meg.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Hello, Meg. Hello, Meg. She doesn't come with it.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30What a shame.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32And look, there's your five acres,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and in the distance is the Shropshire Union Canal.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37So there we are. That's what's on offer.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41So let's think about your three-quarters-of-a-million pounds, then.
0:14:41 > 0:14:42750 grand
0:14:42 > 0:14:44that you might want to spend on this endeavour.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47What's this one worth, do you think, Allison?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49I think 630.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51630? OK. Interesting.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54I'm going to go a little higher than that. Er,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- 'round 650?- 650.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00I would have probably estimated this at 650,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02to be perfectly frank with you.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06However, it's not 650. I'm afraid this is on the market for
0:15:06 > 0:15:07570.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Wow!
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- That's a pleasant surprise. - That gives a different view.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Doesn't it, just? That's £180,000 that you don't have to spend.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18And I think it gives you three really interesting options.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20One - you just have a home
0:15:20 > 0:15:23and what would be quite a profitable holiday let,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25given that you're only servicing £570,000 rather than
0:15:25 > 0:15:27three-quarters-of-a-million.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Option two - you can do that
0:15:30 > 0:15:32and develop this into more of a glamping business,
0:15:32 > 0:15:36or three - you take the £180,000 that's left over
0:15:36 > 0:15:39and you buy a separate holiday cottage somewhere else.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42So if you finally decide that you've had enough of holiday lets,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- you don't have to sell your home to change your life.- Very true.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Off you go.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Go and have a closer look at that holiday let, particularly
0:15:49 > 0:15:52upstairs, and I will come and find you a little bit later on.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- OK.- OK. Thank you very much. - Off you go.- Thank you.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Come here! Come here. Now, then.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59She's been listening in to all of this.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02I think that was a pretty good sell. It's a great property.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I know you don't want to move,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07but they could be the right people to take it on.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Freeing up a tiny £180,000 from
0:16:09 > 0:16:12their budget gives Steve
0:16:12 > 0:16:13and Allie lots of options with this
0:16:13 > 0:16:15handsome barn conversion,
0:16:15 > 0:16:16and a chance to plough the extra
0:16:16 > 0:16:18cash into the business.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19As well as their own high-spec
0:16:19 > 0:16:21living space, the barn has two
0:16:21 > 0:16:23bedrooms for B&B guests,
0:16:23 > 0:16:24and a separate one-bedroom
0:16:24 > 0:16:26cottage for self-catering couples.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28The five acres of land could be
0:16:28 > 0:16:30glamped up with a luxury
0:16:30 > 0:16:31campsite to boost their income.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Oh, this is lovely! What a neat little cottage.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- Easy to maintain.- Yeah.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- Which is what we need.- Yeah, not too much work for you to do.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42For me!
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I think this is a beautiful house.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47It's been really well converted.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51The holiday let is nice, the land is nice,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55but unfortunately the house isn't large enough for what we want.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Allie is very much a home bird.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01She wouldn't want people intruding in her space, as such.
0:17:01 > 0:17:07I think the home shared with B&Bs directly may not suit her.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Well, you were expecting a fairly straightforward house tour,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15but maybe we've redesigned
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- your plan for the future with this one.- I think so.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19It's certainly added some options.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- I think some really interesting options.- Beautiful house.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26It really is, but it's not the only one we're going to show you.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27Come on. Let's go.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Steve and Allie have asked that their new property includes
0:17:35 > 0:17:37some private woodland.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40They're keen on using wood from their land for fuel.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43But more than half of the UK's small woodlands are in decline.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Over the last 20 years, one third have disappeared due to poor
0:17:47 > 0:17:49management and countryside development.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Smallwoods is an organisation designed to maintain
0:17:53 > 0:17:58and protect the 400,000 hectares of small woods in the UK.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01To find out more about sustainable woodland management,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03they're meeting chief executive Mike Bentley.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08What size of woodland should we be looking at to have
0:18:08 > 0:18:11something which is sustainable and would help us with the heating?
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- For self-supply of wood fuel?- Yes.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Erm, you don't actually need that large an area
0:18:17 > 0:18:22quite surprisingly. About one hectare of mixed broadleaf woodland.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27You would be able to produce a sustainable yield of say four
0:18:27 > 0:18:30cubic metres or four tonnes of firewood per year, which would
0:18:30 > 0:18:36normally be enough to heat a wood fuel stove in a medium-size cottage.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Assuming that we do get some woodland,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42what type of trees should we be looking for?
0:18:42 > 0:18:46I would probably advise you to go for a woodland with
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- mixed species.- Right.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50There are a couple of nasty pests
0:18:50 > 0:18:52and diseases going around at the moment,
0:18:52 > 0:18:56particularly affecting ash. You've obviously heard of ash dieback.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Yes, we've seen it in the area.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01And also there's a fungus that's affecting
0:19:01 > 0:19:05larch trees. So a woodland that was
0:19:05 > 0:19:09purely larch or purely ash may be one to avoid.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13The most traditional method of woodland management is
0:19:13 > 0:19:15coppicing, the ancient practise of cutting
0:19:15 > 0:19:20a tree off at its stump to encourage rapid regrowth of buds and shoots.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22By opening up the tree canopy to let in light,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25you're also promoting greater biodiversity.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28The extra light reaching the ground encourages wild flowers
0:19:28 > 0:19:31and plants, attracting butterflies and other insects.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34The whole eco-system benefits.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36To learn a little more about maintenance of woodland
0:19:36 > 0:19:38through coppicing, Steve
0:19:38 > 0:19:40and Allie are meeting Richard Thomason in the woods.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41- Hi.- Hi.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- Nice to meet you.- Steve. This is Allie.- Hello, hello.- Hello.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Mike sent us up and said you'd be able to tell us
0:19:47 > 0:19:48a little bit about coppicing.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52Well, coppicing is a traditional form of management, as Mike may have
0:19:52 > 0:19:55already said, going back thousands of years and it's the first,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57really, the first form of woodland management
0:19:57 > 0:19:59we've done in this country.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Mainly because it's small diameter material that we're working
0:20:02 > 0:20:05with, so if you've got a stone axe,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08it's far easier to use a stone axe and cut a small branch down
0:20:08 > 0:20:12and turn it into something - a house or some implement you need -
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- than a great big sort of oak tree.- Yes.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17So we've been coppicing a long time in this country.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21A lot of our coppice woodlands have become derelict.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23That's a really shame because hazel, especially,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26has got about a 70 to 80-year life expectancy
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- if you stop coppicing. You know, it just grows up, matures and dies.- OK.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32If you keep coppicing, if you keep cutting it back,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36it will last for centuries after centuries after centuries.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38As well as benefiting the eco-system,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40coppicing has an added advantage.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42You're left with freshly-cut wood,
0:20:42 > 0:20:45from which you can create useful everyday objects.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48The practice known as green woodworking also employs
0:20:48 > 0:20:51traditional, handmade tools.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Steve is going to try his hand at making a spatula,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57and Allie, a rolling pin, using freshly-felled ash.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02The first step is to split the log of ash into a workable piece.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Again through the middle there.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05OK.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Now stick it in the grains.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- Wa-hey! Whoa-ho!- It went.- Well done.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Meanwhile, Allie is shaping her rolling pin using an age-old
0:21:17 > 0:21:20shave horse and a draw knife to create a rounded,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24cylindrical shape by continually turning the object.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It looks really dangerous, I know, but in fact it's not really.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30I mean, it's really hard to actually bring the knife far enough
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- back to cause you any damage, so just keep going.- I will.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Keep turning it, and I'll come back and see how you're getting on.- OK.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Thank you.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Steve has now drawn the outline of a spatula onto his piece of wood
0:21:40 > 0:21:43and begins shaping the utensil with a side axe.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- OK, you still got your fingers, then?- Absolutely. All five.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Good, good, good. Hey, actually, that's looking good.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53He then joins Allie on the shave horse to smooth off the edges.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- So what we're going to try and do is reduce it down even more now.- OK.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59OK, using the draw knife.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03If you want to know what to do, just ask her. She's an expert now.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08But here you go, have a go. So nice, strong...
0:22:08 > 0:22:10There we go.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- It's quite satisfying, isn't it?- Mm.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16Allie's rolling pin is also gradually taking shape.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20The final step for Steve is to round off the spatula with a knife.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Hey, first attempt, I think you should be proud of that. Very good.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26How about you? How's the rolling pin coming along?
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- I think a few more hours yet. - A few more hours needed.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30It's more round than when we started.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Well, guys, you've done really well. It's your first attempt.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- They look fantastic.- Thank you.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- You should be really proud of it. - It's been really enjoyable.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- Good, that's the main thing. - Thank you very much.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Well, Steve and Allie now have some handy tips on managing woodland
0:22:43 > 0:22:47and working with green wood, but we still need to find them a home.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49So it's back to the house-hunt.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53For our next offering, we're crossing over the border
0:22:53 > 0:22:56into Wales, and heading to the popular market town of Llangollen.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00An ancient Welsh settlement situated on the banks of the River Dee,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04it takes its name from its founding seventh-century saint.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Today, it's a thriving tourist centre,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09and probably best known for hosting the international musical
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Eisteddfod every summer, which attracts over 100,000 people.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Located within walking distance of Llangollen, our next house is
0:23:17 > 0:23:20set at a quiet, elevated position overlooking the town.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- Well, we've crossed the border into Wales. There we are, guys.- Ooh, wow!
0:23:24 > 0:23:25This is different.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I don't know what to say! It's lovely.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30It's certainly going to be big enough,
0:23:30 > 0:23:31or it looks like it is from here.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33The garden looks nice.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36That lot there
0:23:36 > 0:23:39is a six-bedroom property,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- five of which are en suite. - Fantastic.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44The current owners have lived here 30-odd years
0:23:44 > 0:23:48and they have run it as a B&B in the past, hence the en-suite bedrooms.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50That might look like a double garage.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54When the door is open, you can get six cars in there,
0:23:54 > 0:23:56and it's also plumbed and wired.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00You could potentially turn that into another letting opportunity.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04And to the left, that building there is also with it,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07and that is a two-bedroom cottage.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09My goodness.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- That's incredible.- Let's see what you think. There's plenty to see.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16There's a lot to take in at this handsome,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Tudor-style Victorian residence,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21with its separate two-bedroom holiday let set in a separate
0:24:21 > 0:24:24coach house, which earns around £8,000 a year.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Unfortunately, the let has guests staying in it at the moment,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30so I can't show it to Steve and Allie, but the main house,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34which has its entrance around the corner, should keep us busy.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36What do you think of this, then, Allison?
0:24:36 > 0:24:38- Oh-ho, that's lovely!- Beautiful, isn't it?
0:24:38 > 0:24:39Isn't it?
0:24:39 > 0:24:41What a nicely-proportioned room.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Love the windows looking out on the garden.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49We're thinking this should be quite a useful guest dining space,
0:24:49 > 0:24:54and then the whole room itself could act as a guest
0:24:54 > 0:24:57wing, if you like, because it opens up in to this.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58Have a look at this end.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- Oh!- So you've got, sort of, guest sitting room...
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Come on over, come on over! This is the best view, I think, from here.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05Oh, it's lovely.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Because you can see all of that and all of this.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- What a beautiful house.- I love the archway.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14I mean, bearing in mind it was built in 1900, it's not quite arts
0:25:14 > 0:25:17and crafts but you can see what they were getting at,
0:25:17 > 0:25:19an allusion to some of these kind of Victorian details
0:25:19 > 0:25:21that you might expect.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23What about this for your guests, then?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I don't know. I'd quite like it for myself.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Ha-ha, thought so!
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Allie needn't worry.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Her and Steve's accommodation is pretty good as well.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36A door from the guest dining room leads onto another
0:25:36 > 0:25:38equally-impressive reception room.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- There. This is what we think would be your bit.- Oh, wow!
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- Open-mouthed and open-eyed, Allison. - It's nice, yeah.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- That's plenty big enough for us as a living room.- Yeah.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Right, come and have a look at the kitchen. You'll like this.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Dying to see the kitchen.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Oh, that's a nice kitchen! That's lovely.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- I think you could spoil your guests...- I do.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08- ..in a kitchen like this.- I do. I think I'd have every gadget, as well.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10There's loads of cupboards and drawers.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- Yeah, it's not short on storage.- No.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15You've got the range over there within the fireplace, which is
0:26:15 > 0:26:19quite nice. Through that door is a huge utility room-cum-laundry room,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21I would suggest.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23And another little storage area too.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26And also you've got a cellar here as well.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27- Seriously?- Yeah.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30If you're into your wine...
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- ..trust me.- I am.- You've got a wine cellar too.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35There's currently a quarter-size snooker
0:26:35 > 0:26:36table in there at the minute.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Like a pool table. So actually that's how big it is.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41It's lovely. Absolutely lovely.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46Now, I did say to you on the outside that we had six bedrooms to explore.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Yes.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Upstairs might take a little bit of time. Come and have a look.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Not surprisingly,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56our buyers like the space they get with this substantial property
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and the ground floor room arrangement gives them
0:26:59 > 0:27:00privacy from their guests.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Of the six bedrooms in the property, five are on the first floor.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05They're all generous,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09and four of those have en suite bath or shower rooms.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12There's also a family bathroom you could easily get lost in.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15And up on the second floor, there's an attic games room,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18but I'm showing Steve and Allie the largest bedroom on the first
0:27:18 > 0:27:21floor, which I've earmarked as their master.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22- Wow.- This is yours.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Although, to be perfectly honest, any one of those en suite
0:27:25 > 0:27:29bedrooms would pass as a very comfortable master bedroom.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30I love the ceiling.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33This is lovely. Absolutely amazing.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37- Now you're going to like this.- Huge proportions.- His and hers storage.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- You're kidding.- Nope.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42No, it's his-hers and his.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44- Or hers, probably.- Well, you can take your pick.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Bags of built-in storage with this one, and a really
0:27:48 > 0:27:49nicely proportioned... En suite.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52..en suite through there, as you would expect.
0:27:52 > 0:27:53Yeah.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56I think it's... Yeah, it's still raining,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- shall we brave it?- I think so.- Let's have a quick look at the garden.
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Come on.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03The sixth bedroom is back downstairs as part of a small,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05separate annexe arrangement.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08It comes with an en-suite bathroom as well as lounge and kitchenette,
0:28:08 > 0:28:12and provides excellent self-catering letting opportunities,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15currently bringing in around £4,000 a year.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Outside, extensive landscape gardens fan out from the back of the
0:28:19 > 0:28:22property, with a lovely backdrop of the Berwyn hills,
0:28:22 > 0:28:27and Dinas Bran Castell, which today is shrouded in misty rain.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Ah. Well.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32It's raining a bit more than I thought.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Can you admire the garden from here?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- I think so, yes.- It is about two acres, all in.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40The only thing you haven't seen is the two-bed cottage,
0:28:40 > 0:28:42which has got residents in,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44but I'm sure if you were keen enough to want to come
0:28:44 > 0:28:46back for a second viewing,
0:28:46 > 0:28:50you would get to have a good look around if that was of interest.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52- Definitely. - How much is it going to cost you,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55because this could be the slightly tricky bit?
0:28:55 > 0:28:57You go first.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01Er, I think it's right at the top end of our budget of 750.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05£750,000. Three-quarter-of-a-million, says your brand-new husband.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07- I knew he was going to say that. - You can agree!
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- No.- It works well.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13That's a good omen for the future, isn't it?
0:29:13 > 0:29:17I'm going to go £775,000.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20This could be yours for
0:29:20 > 0:29:25£650,000.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26Seriously?
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Really? Gosh.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31A hundred thousand left over to make any little tweaks that you
0:29:31 > 0:29:33would want to.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Gracious.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Can we buy it?
0:29:37 > 0:29:38I'd love you to buy it.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40It's such a lovely property.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Well, look, go and explore. Rediscover this property,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46try and work out the grand plan, try and cement it into your minds,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49because there's a lot to take on with this one,
0:29:49 > 0:29:51and I will catch you later on, somewhere.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- Off you go.- Thanks.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56£100,000 below budget,
0:29:56 > 0:29:59the price of our Tudor-style mansion
0:29:59 > 0:30:01comes as a pleasant surprise, as it
0:30:01 > 0:30:03leaves Steve and Allie some of their
0:30:03 > 0:30:05budget to put their stamp on it.
0:30:05 > 0:30:06Offering separate accommodation
0:30:06 > 0:30:08from their guests, there are six
0:30:08 > 0:30:09bedrooms in the main house.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11One of those six is part of an
0:30:11 > 0:30:13annexe joining the main property,
0:30:13 > 0:30:14and there's also a separate
0:30:14 > 0:30:16two-bedroom coach house across
0:30:16 > 0:30:17the driveway, unlocking bags
0:30:17 > 0:30:19of business potential.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- Oh, wow!- What a bathroom.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27So much space. I don't think I've seen one as large as this.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33The land, seen from where we saw it, looks stunning,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36so very, very impressed with this property.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38I really, really like it.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41It's got everything that we wanted -
0:30:41 > 0:30:44lovely large kitchen with a range, there's six bedrooms,
0:30:44 > 0:30:49five with en suite, so we would be able to let them.
0:30:49 > 0:30:50All of them if we wanted to.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Hey! How are we doing?- Very well. - Yeah?
0:30:53 > 0:30:57- Am I standing outside your new home? - I hope so!
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Well, you can certainly afford it, and wow,
0:30:59 > 0:31:01what an exciting proposition.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03- Yes.- Absolutely stunning property.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04Good.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Now let's not celebrate just yet,
0:31:06 > 0:31:09but I do think a glass of wine might be in the offing.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11- Come on.- Sounds good. - That's a good idea.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20It's the second day of our B&B property search along the
0:31:20 > 0:31:24English-Welsh border with newly-weds Steve and Allie from Wiltshire.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28With their £750,000 budget, we're hoping to find them
0:31:28 > 0:31:31a property that separates their home from their guests.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Coming up - our Mystery House pulls out all the stops for the business.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38I think people would be stunned when they came in here.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41And I meet the men of steel whose artwork could save
0:31:41 > 0:31:43lives on our streets.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49Well, short autumn days mean it's a pretty early start
0:31:49 > 0:31:50here on Escape To The Country,
0:31:50 > 0:31:54and we've got plenty to fit in on our final day of house-hunting.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Now, yesterday I thought went really well.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59That house in Llangollen, I think, offered Steven
0:31:59 > 0:32:01and Allison a brilliant opportunity,
0:32:01 > 0:32:03and if we showed them nothing else, well,
0:32:03 > 0:32:05maybe our work would be done, but of course,
0:32:05 > 0:32:06we have got more to see,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08but building on the theme of yesterday,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11we're going to head back into Wales to try and find them
0:32:11 > 0:32:14yet more value for money, and of course it's Mystery House day.
0:32:16 > 0:32:17For our next offering,
0:32:17 > 0:32:22we're venturing deeper into mid-Wales, to the hamlet of Penrhos.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24This is classic border country.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Rolling fields criss-crossed by lines of hedgerows,
0:32:27 > 0:32:30with hillside vistas stretching far into the distance.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33The nearest neighbour to our next house is a pretty church,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36and these spiritual connections are a clue to the property's
0:32:36 > 0:32:39former life, but will it enlighten our buyers?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- Oh, you're joking! Look at this!- Oh!
0:32:43 > 0:32:47- Come this way, Allison. - Chickens!- Chickens!
0:32:47 > 0:32:51- Nice bit of planting, lovely views of mid-Wales.- Yes, oh!- And there.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53What is it?
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- It's a rectory.- It's a rectory, yeah, exactly.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59It's the sort of thing that I think is the archetypal country home.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03Set within its own plot, as this one is, lovely mature gardens,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- about a couple of acres here. - Oh, that's gorgeous.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09It's been renovated extensively over the last 11 years or
0:33:09 > 0:33:10so by the current owners.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14Young family, and they've given it a really fun, contemporary twist.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Inside, but as you would expect, it's pretty cavernous,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19with an interesting range of outbuildings too,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22which could be developed further into more holiday let potential.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24That's what we're thinking.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25- Lovely.- Come on.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Built in the late 19th century,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31the former vicarage has been remodelled by the current owners,
0:33:31 > 0:33:35- who've given an old building a stylishly-modern twist.- Oh, gosh.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Isn't this fun?
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- Someone's had some great fun decorating this.- Wow.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43- You see what I mean? It's quite contemporary.- It is, isn't it?
0:33:43 > 0:33:46The red floor is pretty bold,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48but you've got the traditional fireplace, which is lovely.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50These gorgeous windows, they're original,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53as are the shutters. Rather cleverly, they've removed
0:33:53 > 0:33:56the walls either side of this fireplace to let the whole
0:33:56 > 0:33:59thing flow around it.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03So it's dining room or sitting room or whatever you want it to be.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06But it all flows rather nicely. Have a look at this.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09So removing this wall was a really good idea, I think,
0:34:09 > 0:34:14- and again, it gets you into this. - Oh, this is nice. It's lovely.
0:34:14 > 0:34:15- It's a lovely room.- Good size.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18It's quite an original re-thinking of a very traditional building.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21As a guest
0:34:21 > 0:34:24suite of rooms, if you like, for dining and relaxing,
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- works a treat.- Plenty of room.- Yeah.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29And it gives you that division between the dining end
0:34:29 > 0:34:31and something else.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33- Come and have a look at the kitchen. - Thank you.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35The striking decor of the old rectory has
0:34:35 > 0:34:37made its mark on Steve and Allie.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41To the rear of the house, there's also a spacious office, somewhere
0:34:41 > 0:34:45to run the business from, but next, we're appraising the kitchen.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47There.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50- Oh, wow!- That's great, isn't it?
0:34:50 > 0:34:52That's a lovely catering kitchen.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56It certainly has that industrial, utilitarian feel to it,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- all the stainless steel...- I think it's really good.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01I actually like the stainless steel kitchen.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03- Allison?- I like the range.
0:35:03 > 0:35:04I like the taps.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08- I like the window looking out onto that beautiful view.- Yeah.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10There's plenty of room for food preparation in here,
0:35:10 > 0:35:13and easy to keep clean as well, you know. It's ideal.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16And it opens up round here to give you your own dining end,
0:35:16 > 0:35:20I suppose, or kind of living room if you wanted it.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Oh, gosh, what a huge room!
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- Well, quite a lot of walls have been removed to create this effect.- Yes.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28There's another door to the right, which leads back into the
0:35:28 > 0:35:33hallway, and next to that a door to a very, very extensive cellar,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35which is pretty much original.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40- I could imagine having a sofa in that part of the room there.- Yeah.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43We could actually have that as ours, couldn't we?
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- You could have this whole bit. - Yes, exactly.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49So now we've cleverly divided up the ground floor,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52we need to turn our attention to the sleeping arrangements.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Upstairs, there are five bedrooms, including a venerable master
0:35:55 > 0:35:59suite with high ceiling and a stylish en suite wet room.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02There are three other bedrooms on the first floor, including
0:36:02 > 0:36:06two big guest doubles, a smaller single, and a large family bathroom.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09There's a further bedroom on the top floor of the roof space,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11serviced by its own bathroom.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13Ideal for B&B guests.
0:36:13 > 0:36:14But I want to show Steve
0:36:14 > 0:36:17and Allie my plan for their self-catering holiday visitors.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19An outbuilding at the back,
0:36:19 > 0:36:23which could be converted into at least one letting unit.
0:36:23 > 0:36:24There.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Currently used as a studio,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- formerly a chicken shed. - A large area, though.
0:36:30 > 0:36:31It's really good.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Those double doors go out to a pretty elaborate
0:36:34 > 0:36:37greenhouse-cum-garden room-cum- conservatory,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41which would make a great addition to a holiday let if you were able
0:36:41 > 0:36:43and minded to do something with this.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45There's a little wood burner there.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48There's also a loo through there, so the plumbing's all there.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51When we first discussed your plans, we did talk about the idea of you
0:36:51 > 0:36:53starting with a B&B
0:36:53 > 0:36:57and then looking to develop up to a couple of holiday lets.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00This gives you the possibility of doing that,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03but of course it's all going to come down to price.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06- It is.- Because you are going to have to spend some money on this one.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- Yes.- Yeah, agreed.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10Right. Come on. Let's go out to the garden.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14The house and outbuildings sit in two acres of private grounds,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17with a mainly lawned, well-established garden.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21- Lovely view, isn't it?- Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Looking south there,
0:37:23 > 0:37:24over towards the rest of
0:37:24 > 0:37:25mid-Wales,
0:37:25 > 0:37:27as we get to the difficult bit,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29which of course is the price.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31What's it on the market for, madam?
0:37:31 > 0:37:33640?
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Oh! No hesitation there, 640. OK.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37I'd go 620.
0:37:37 > 0:37:38620.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41A bit of optimism is creeping into your price guesses,
0:37:41 > 0:37:43and I don't blame you for being optimistic,
0:37:43 > 0:37:48this was on the market for £750,000.
0:37:48 > 0:37:54- But the exciting thing is that it has been reduced to £650,000.- No!
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- So you weren't far off.- It's got real potential at that price.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Well, look, guys, go and have a look around.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01In particular, have a look upstairs,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03think about those B&B bedrooms for now,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- and I will come and find you a little bit later on.- Will do.- OK.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- Thank you.- Enjoy.
0:38:09 > 0:38:10Under budget by £100,000,
0:38:10 > 0:38:12this former rectory has been
0:38:12 > 0:38:15beautifully converted to create
0:38:15 > 0:38:16a contemporary family home.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18The open-plan reception room
0:38:18 > 0:38:19gives our buyers a space to
0:38:19 > 0:38:21accommodate bed and breakfast guests,
0:38:21 > 0:38:23and there are at least three letting
0:38:23 > 0:38:25bedrooms in the main house.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27There's also potential and money
0:38:27 > 0:38:28left over to develop a letting unit
0:38:28 > 0:38:30in a separate outbuilding.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Right, so this is the master bedroom.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Yeah. It's a great size, isn't it?
0:38:34 > 0:38:38Lovely windows. There are a lot of high ceilings here.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Might be an en-suite in there.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Oh, yeah.- Ooh, it's a shower room. - It's great, isn't it?
0:38:44 > 0:38:46Yeah. Perfect, perfect.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50I was really excited to see that it was an old rectory.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52The five bedrooms...
0:38:52 > 0:38:55I'm not sure whether we would be able to use it as a bed
0:38:55 > 0:38:58and breakfast, but perhaps we would be able to use
0:38:58 > 0:39:02some of the outbuildings for the letting purpose.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04As far as the location of this house,
0:39:04 > 0:39:05it's brilliant.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09Great views, fantastic grounds, couldn't ask for more.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13Looking at it from a business point of view,
0:39:13 > 0:39:17it doesn't instantly match our requirements for bed
0:39:17 > 0:39:22and breakfast and for the letting units without some development work.
0:39:22 > 0:39:23Are you tempted?
0:39:23 > 0:39:25I think I could be.
0:39:25 > 0:39:26It's certainly an option, yes, yes.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29I think you should be, but we have one more to come.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Mystery House is coming up soon. Come on.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38For our final choice, we're heading deeper into Wales to the
0:39:38 > 0:39:41small town of Llanfair Caereinion.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Perched on the banks of the river Banwy,
0:39:44 > 0:39:47the charming town has a peaceful feel, with a distinctive
0:39:47 > 0:39:51architectural style, hosting a range of shops and pubs.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Nestled into the south-facing hills around a mile from the town
0:39:54 > 0:39:56is our Mystery House.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58Now, Steve and Allie wanted some land.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Our Mystery House has it in spades,
0:40:00 > 0:40:03but our buyers also wanted a traditional home, and although this
0:40:03 > 0:40:09one has a classic Welsh pedigree, inside it's much more contemporary.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13You may well chuckle, because this is our Mystery House.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16Come over here and take it all in.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18It's really unusual, isn't it?
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Effectively, in the middle was a small, traditional cottage.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25It's then been extended either side.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Initially, in the 1990s, over here,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31to create something which is a bit more traditional.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Then in 2005, this entire wing was added,
0:40:34 > 0:40:38which, as you can probably tell, has a much more contemporary feel.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41It has 5/6 bedrooms on offer.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44It has two staircases.
0:40:44 > 0:40:45That's very good.
0:40:45 > 0:40:51So, what we're thinking is owners' wing over here,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- and B&B wing over there.- OK.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58You also get that huge barn up there.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00We thought that was another house!
0:41:00 > 0:41:01No. That's all yours.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Belonging to somebody else.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06The whole lot sits within, wait for it,
0:41:06 > 0:41:0819 acres.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14And those acres go behind the property up onto the hill.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Lovely amount of woodland, which I know is of interest to you.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Then it extends below us here.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Where do we start with this enormous property?
0:41:22 > 0:41:24We have one front door, of course.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27We can either go left and look at the owners' accommodation,
0:41:27 > 0:41:30or we could go right and look at the B&B.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32What do you want to do?
0:41:32 > 0:41:33- The business side. - The B&B, yeah.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Let's do the business end first
0:41:35 > 0:41:39and then we will spoil you with your bit. Come on!
0:41:39 > 0:41:42The original stone long house dates to the 18th century
0:41:42 > 0:41:44but the addition of the two extensions has more than doubled
0:41:44 > 0:41:48the property's size, giving Steve and Allie lots of options
0:41:48 > 0:41:49for paying guests.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52And the 19 acres of land gives them
0:41:52 > 0:41:55bags of room for a luxury camping business.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Imagine a door there, separating you from this.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- This would be guest accommodation. - A beautiful room.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04- Original fireplace there. - Loads and loads of character.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Loads but come in this way.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Very funky staircase.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Oh, that's lovely.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17Now this, anywhere else, would be a fabulous family living room,
0:42:17 > 0:42:21but this, because of the two wings, could be your guest sitting room.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24And a luxury one at that. Absolutely.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27I don't know what to say, it's just so nice.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Come and have a look next-door because this is really,
0:42:30 > 0:42:32really interesting.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37- Now they've got this set up as a hobby/craft room.,- I love the red.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42Have in your minds that this could be given over to a guest kitchen,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45which would mean the main kitchen would be just for you.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Right, which is what we wanted really.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50We just need to put in a slightly larger kitchen.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54- Let's have a look at a guest master, if you like.- OK.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58Our mystery package is drawing our buyers in,
0:42:58 > 0:43:01and they've yet to see their own wing of this place.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05Upstairs in the contemporary guest quarters, there are two decent
0:43:05 > 0:43:09sized bedrooms which are both served by a sizeable shower room.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Now, I'm thinking you could market this
0:43:12 > 0:43:15as a premium suite for your guests.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20- What a beautiful room? - Huge, isn't it?- Fantastic views.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24I think people would be stunned when they came here.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28The only thing is, the bedrooms here don't really have an en suite
0:43:28 > 0:43:30at this side of the property.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33However, they do share that rather nice shower room across the hallway.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36I think you could nobody get away with that actually.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39- Because it's so nice?- Because of the quality of the rest of it.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42Let's have a look at your bit, let's start with the kitchen.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44Come and look at this.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47The main house can be accessed either from the upstairs landing
0:43:47 > 0:43:50or through a small boot room on the ground floor
0:43:50 > 0:43:54and gives our buyers the separation they wanted from the business.
0:43:54 > 0:43:58Now this sort of boot room come service corridor connects
0:43:58 > 0:44:02the guest wing and the guest kitchen, as it might be,
0:44:02 > 0:44:04with your kitchen.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10- Oh, wow! Look at the range! - Look at the range, yes?
0:44:10 > 0:44:12That is beautiful.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15- It's absolutely amazing.- You've also got this dining area too.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19- Easily more than we need.- We haven't quite finished. Have a look at this.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23So it's a circular route this.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25This is the hallway, there's the front door,
0:44:25 > 0:44:28imagine a door there, separating you from the guests.
0:44:28 > 0:44:33- This is your living room.- This is nice.- You also get this garden room.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Oh, that's nice.
0:44:35 > 0:44:40You pointed us towards the better end but this is as good.
0:44:40 > 0:44:41This has a very different feel.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43That is contemporary, this is more traditional.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46Although it is effectively a new build, let's face it.
0:44:46 > 0:44:52There's the staircase that gets you up to your accommodation up there.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54And that is comprised of three good-sized bedrooms
0:44:54 > 0:44:56in this wing of the house alone,
0:44:56 > 0:44:59including a spacious master with a washing area
0:44:59 > 0:45:03and a single room in the eaves which leads on to a cosy twin room.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06They all share a family bath and shower room.
0:45:06 > 0:45:08Unlike our other properties,
0:45:08 > 0:45:10there are no outbuildings as such for letting units.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14You would be hard pushed to do much with a timber clad barn.
0:45:14 > 0:45:18But they do have that 19 acres to play with
0:45:18 > 0:45:20if they wanted to develop a luxury campsite
0:45:20 > 0:45:24and that includes two large paddocks and some private woodland.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29- Just wondering if we can afford it. - Well, let's deal with that.
0:45:29 > 0:45:34You went first last time, so let's have your guess.
0:45:34 > 0:45:37- £750,000, you have. - Yes.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41- Is it going to be enough? - I'm not sure that it is for this.
0:45:41 > 0:45:47So I'd value it at something like £780,000.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49- 740.- 740?- Yes.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53Hopefully coming in just under budget.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56I have to confess, I think it should be that sort figure,
0:45:56 > 0:45:59but today is your lucky day.
0:45:59 > 0:46:05This is on the market at 675.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Oh gosh! What do we do?
0:46:11 > 0:46:14What do you do? That's a very good question.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16I think the first thing you should do
0:46:16 > 0:46:17is go and explore it at your leisure.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20We whizzed around on the tour but go and spend a bit more time,
0:46:20 > 0:46:24- soak it up, and I will find you later on.- Fantastic.- Thank you.
0:46:24 > 0:46:26Go on, then.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29Under budget by £75,000,
0:46:29 > 0:46:32our Mystery House is an extended Welsh long house
0:46:32 > 0:46:36with contemporary additions and finished to a very high standard.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39It features a separate modern guest wing with two bedrooms
0:46:39 > 0:46:43as well as three in the main house and the 19 acres of land
0:46:43 > 0:46:47gives Steve and Allie the option of developing a glamping business.
0:46:47 > 0:46:53Oh, wow! The master suite. This is lovely. What's behind here?
0:46:54 > 0:46:57Cupboard space. Wow!
0:46:57 > 0:47:00You could just about get all your clothes in there!
0:47:00 > 0:47:02The Mystery House has taken us both by surprise.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05We never expected to find a property of this quality
0:47:05 > 0:47:08and of this size at this price.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11I really like the Mystery House.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15I like it particularly because we would be able to run the
0:47:15 > 0:47:20business from here and also Steve and I would be able to have our own home.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22There's quite a lot of land with it
0:47:22 > 0:47:26and also some woodland which is what Steve was asking for.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33Out you come! There we are, that's it, our house tours are over.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37Now, I've just made a little bet with myself as to which one
0:47:37 > 0:47:41of our fabulous properties might be your favourite. Go on, then.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44You can tell me if I'm right a little bit later on.
0:47:44 > 0:47:45Come on, let's go.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53The borderland between Wales and England is an area
0:47:53 > 0:47:58of unforgettable beauty, blessed with plentiful natural resources.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02Thanks to the abundance of coal, towns like Ironbridge in Shropshire
0:48:02 > 0:48:04became important centres of industry.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07It was here in the 18th century that cast iron was first
0:48:07 > 0:48:11produced on a large scale by using coal to smelt iron.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14The world's first cast iron bridge is an enduring legacy.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19Today, the region's iron working heritage is being kept alive
0:48:19 > 0:48:22and well at the family run British Ironwork Centre
0:48:22 > 0:48:24just outside Oswestry.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27It showcases and champions metalwork as an art form.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30I've come to meet one of its founders, Clive Knowles,
0:48:30 > 0:48:32in the centre's sculpture garden.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36It seems only fitting that the Iron Works Centre should be here.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38How did it come about?
0:48:38 > 0:48:42It came about approximately 12 years ago now.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46We came across this wonderful 90 acre farm and the idea was that we would
0:48:46 > 0:48:49eventually make it the Mecca of metalworking
0:48:49 > 0:48:52here on the outskirts of Oswestry.
0:48:52 > 0:48:56And that we would celebrate all the different metalworking talents,
0:48:56 > 0:49:00coppersmithing, tinsmithing, blacksmithing, silversmithing,
0:49:00 > 0:49:04and we've got all these artists here for the public to come and see.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07We're surrounded by some wonderful examples of recent work.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09I do feel as if I am standing in a farmyard actually!
0:49:09 > 0:49:12We've got some classic examples of more functional ironwork
0:49:12 > 0:49:14in the ploughs and what have you.
0:49:14 > 0:49:18We want to genuinely put the glamour back into metalworking,
0:49:18 > 0:49:22to make it fashionable again, to realise how creative it can be
0:49:22 > 0:49:24and how enjoyable it can be.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29The centre's eclectic collection of animal sculptures include
0:49:29 > 0:49:32the familiar from the farmyard, as well as the more exotic.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34Clive is taking me to see a recent commission,
0:49:34 > 0:49:38a giant silverback gorilla made from thousands of spoons.
0:49:39 > 0:49:41Wow!
0:49:41 > 0:49:43It's bigger than I was expecting.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46This is the Great British Spoon Gorilla.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50It's made from 40,000 spoons from primary schools all over
0:49:50 > 0:49:52the country and all over the world.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56It took six months of welding and about a year or 18 months
0:49:56 > 0:49:58of collecting spoons.
0:49:58 > 0:49:59What was the idea behind it then?
0:49:59 > 0:50:04Well, it originated with a challenge from Uri Geller to do something spectacular.
0:50:04 > 0:50:08We decided upon a gorilla and then we were on the road to creating it.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11Well, can we take a closer look at it?
0:50:11 > 0:50:14The cage is quite a symbolic feature, isn't it, in a way?
0:50:14 > 0:50:17Well, the cage was deliberate.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20It was for transportation, more than anything.
0:50:20 > 0:50:25It's going to be doing a tour of UK children's hospitals and hospices
0:50:25 > 0:50:27and it will be residing in each of those
0:50:27 > 0:50:31destinations for a number of months and it's there to inspire
0:50:31 > 0:50:36poorly children, because it was created from children that were well.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40The gorilla sculpture was crafted by one of the centres resident sculptors -
0:50:40 > 0:50:42Alfie Bradley - whose current project
0:50:42 > 0:50:45is in the early stages of development.
0:50:45 > 0:50:49An aim of the centre is to create artistic pieces that raise
0:50:49 > 0:50:51awareness of issues affecting the country.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Alfie is building a statue of an angel made of knives,
0:50:54 > 0:50:58many of them collected by the police, which he hopes will
0:50:58 > 0:51:00highlight the tragedy of knife crime.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03This is the knife angel.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07It'll stand probably 24, 25 feet in the ear.
0:51:07 > 0:51:11This is just the spine and the wings of the angel.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15What, this huge chunk of steel here is the framework, is it, Alfie?
0:51:15 > 0:51:19Well, what I'm going to do is I'm going to create a frame around
0:51:19 > 0:51:24the spine that I'm going to weld all these knives sideways, like this.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27- Wow, so they'll almost look like feathers.- Exactly, yeah.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30And all of these have come from where?
0:51:30 > 0:51:34Well, these particular knives have all come from Lancashire police forces.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38We've got 900 from a knife amnesty that they've recently undertaken.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41This is a very different idea to the gorilla.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43This is tackling a very challenging
0:51:43 > 0:51:46and pernicious issue for us all, isn't it?
0:51:46 > 0:51:51This is addressing street violence, the carrying of weapons.
0:51:51 > 0:51:56Every knife taken off the streets of the UK is potentially a life saved
0:51:56 > 0:52:00and we are inviting any of the youths that are involved in gang violence
0:52:00 > 0:52:03or street violence or want to just come here
0:52:03 > 0:52:07and donate their own knife, symbolically,
0:52:07 > 0:52:10and weld it on themselves, they're being invited here to do that.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14And since I'm here at the workshop, Clive and Alfie have given me
0:52:14 > 0:52:17the honour of being the first member of the public to
0:52:17 > 0:52:18contribute to the sculpture.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22I know that you're a big fan of military history,
0:52:22 > 0:52:25so I've managed to find this in all the pile.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27You're joking. That...
0:52:27 > 0:52:29- I think it's... It looks military, anyway.- It absolutely is.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32That is a Second World War bayonet.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35I think it's a great choice. Thanks, mate, I appreciate it.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38- If you put yours right in the middle.- Like that?- Yeah.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40Then eventually this sheet presumably will be
0:52:40 > 0:52:43- taken off of this frame and then bent around the body?- Yeah.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46- So all the knives will sort of flare out.- Absolutely.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49- Here's a pair of gloves that you will be needing.- Thank you very much.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52Now, it's a while since I've done any welding, you're going
0:52:52 > 0:52:54to have to judge my work at the end of it.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56We will and we'll be very critical.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59- Everybody got their helmets ready to go?- Brilliant.- Here we go.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02- What do you think, start at the top?- Yeah.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05With over 100,000 knives needed to complete the sculpture,
0:53:05 > 0:53:09the centre is hoping to reenergise knife amnesties, and that more
0:53:09 > 0:53:13weapons will be handed in to the police over the next few months.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15- Well, lads, how did we do? - Well done.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17It's not going anywhere, is it?
0:53:17 > 0:53:19No, it isn't. That's rock solid.
0:53:19 > 0:53:23Well, I must confess, I am really, really flattered to have had,
0:53:23 > 0:53:26as I say, a small part to play in creating what will be
0:53:26 > 0:53:29a beautiful sculpture. And I think it's rather telling
0:53:29 > 0:53:34that welding this weapon of war that is now being attached to
0:53:34 > 0:53:38a symbol of peace, I think it's quite profound. It's a brilliant idea.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40It is profound, yeah.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44Alfie's aiming to complete the knife angel by the end of 2015,
0:53:44 > 0:53:47when it will go on public show at the Ironwork Centre and,
0:53:47 > 0:53:49hopefully, will tour the rest of the country,
0:53:49 > 0:53:52helping to continue the metal working tradition which
0:53:52 > 0:53:55originates from this historic region.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57Well, with the budget we've had this week,
0:53:57 > 0:54:00trying to decide which is the best property we've been able to
0:54:00 > 0:54:03show our buyers has been a pretty difficult task.
0:54:03 > 0:54:06I have my favourite and I'm fairly sure that by now
0:54:06 > 0:54:08Stephen and Allison have theirs.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10But are we all thinking the same thing?
0:54:10 > 0:54:12Well, let's go and find out.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18I said to you as we left our Mystery House that I thought
0:54:18 > 0:54:19I had a favourite in mind.
0:54:19 > 0:54:23But, is my favourite the same as you favourite, I wonder.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25We've given you some brilliant options, I think.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27All of them viable, all very different,
0:54:27 > 0:54:30different prices to boot as well.
0:54:30 > 0:54:31So which one is it?
0:54:31 > 0:54:33Which one is your favourite?
0:54:33 > 0:54:35Our favourite is the Mystery House.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38- Is it?- Yes. - Why the Mystery House then?
0:54:38 > 0:54:43The Mystery House allows us to take that wonderful property,
0:54:43 > 0:54:49let it as a B&B for a number of years and then potentially
0:54:49 > 0:54:53divide it in two and let half of it
0:54:53 > 0:54:56as a high quality holiday let.
0:54:56 > 0:55:00My money was on the house in Llangollen.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03The six-bedder with the separate two-bedroom holiday let.
0:55:03 > 0:55:05A beautiful house.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08Not just because of the size it offered you, but because it was in
0:55:08 > 0:55:12Llangollen, which markets itself, let's face it, as a tourist destination.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15- And you were very keen on buying that.- Yes, very much.
0:55:15 > 0:55:17So what changed?
0:55:17 > 0:55:21I think it's a beautiful house but, with the Mystery House,
0:55:21 > 0:55:25Steve and I would be able to have our own separate home
0:55:25 > 0:55:28which is very important to both of us.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31And, of course, the Mystery House comes with 19 acres,
0:55:31 > 0:55:34- which you've got all sorts of opportunities with.- That's right.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36What about the area?
0:55:36 > 0:55:39Well, we'd still need to do some research on that
0:55:39 > 0:55:43because it's not an area we know that well.
0:55:43 > 0:55:47So, our intention is to do some research on that, go back
0:55:47 > 0:55:53and have a second viewing and, if all goes well, then put in an offer.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56- Wow. What a few weeks you've had. - I know.
0:55:56 > 0:55:58You've got married, you've gone on honeymoon,
0:55:58 > 0:56:01you've come on Escape To The Country and now, maybe,
0:56:01 > 0:56:05you're heading off to a whole new life in the rural Wales.
0:56:05 > 0:56:06Fantastic.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10You need to catch your breath at some point, I would suggest.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13Good. Well, guys, it's been a lot of fun.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15I'm delighted at what we've been able to show you.
0:56:15 > 0:56:19I am even more pleased that one of them, at least, has captured
0:56:19 > 0:56:23your hearts and your imagination and given you a vision for the future.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25And thank you very much for your help.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28It's been really great, thank you.
0:56:29 > 0:56:31Well, let's be honest,
0:56:31 > 0:56:35if you are a buyer that's lucky enough to have three quarters of a million pounds
0:56:35 > 0:56:38in your back pocket, you are in a very enviable position.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41When we started this house search with Stephen and Allison,
0:56:41 > 0:56:44they did approach it with some pretty lofty ambitions, but I'm
0:56:44 > 0:56:47pleased to say that the property market here has not let them down.
0:56:47 > 0:56:50If anything, it's left them spoiled for choice
0:56:50 > 0:56:53and, at long last, I think they do now have a vision as to what their
0:56:53 > 0:56:55life here and their future may indeed look like.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59And, as for me, well, I have loved seeing property, frankly,
0:56:59 > 0:57:03that is amongst the best that the Borders has to offer.
0:57:03 > 0:57:04I'll see you next time.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08If you'd like to Escape To The Country in either
0:57:08 > 0:57:10England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland
0:57:10 > 0:57:14and would like our help, then please apply online at...