0:00:02 > 0:00:03This grand, Grade I listed manor house
0:00:03 > 0:00:06was home to the same family for more than five centuries,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09spawning a line that would go on to change
0:00:09 > 0:00:11the very re-fabric of English history.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13So where exactly am I?
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Find out, in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36'Today's house-hunters are looking to return to
0:00:36 > 0:00:39'childhood roots to raise their family.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43'We surprise them with the scale of one of our properties.'
0:00:43 > 0:00:48- It's amazing. It's huge! Isn't it? - Is it the whole thing?
0:00:48 > 0:00:50It looks massive, it looks like it's two, I think.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54'Either way, it seems to be having the desired effect.'
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- I'm starting to feel slightly excited.- Yes, so are we.- Yeah.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Hey! All three of us, that's good.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Today, we are in Wiltshire and this is Lydiard Park,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10home to the St John family for more than 500 years,
0:01:10 > 0:01:14following the marriage of Oliver St John to one Margaret Beauchamp
0:01:14 > 0:01:16early in the 15th century.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Now, Margaret inherited this magnificent house,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22but she was also to become the great-grandmother
0:01:22 > 0:01:26of King Henry VIII, the man who famously rejected
0:01:26 > 0:01:31the Roman Catholic faith, altering the course of English history forever.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36Today, this beautifully restored house and garden is open to the public
0:01:36 > 0:01:40and remains just one of the gems in this county's rich heritage.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Lying in the south of England, Wiltshire is surrounded
0:01:45 > 0:01:50by six other counties, including Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Its rich and varied countryside showcases both classic rural landscapes
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and international heritage sites alike,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00including the Neolithic stone circles at Avebury,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04as well as Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Little is known about how this iconic prehistoric monument
0:02:08 > 0:02:10was created, but it's this fascinating mystique that
0:02:10 > 0:02:14makes it one of the most visited sites in the country.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18The county's rolling hills give way to downland at Salisbury Plain,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22which spreads across 300 square miles and whose grassland
0:02:22 > 0:02:25is home to unique flora and fauna.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Built mainly on chalk, Wiltshire is home to
0:02:27 > 0:02:30three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:02:30 > 0:02:35and set within this backdrop, is the cathedral city of Salisbury.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Described as "the city in the country", its 13th century cathedral
0:02:38 > 0:02:42is a leading example of English Gothic architecture.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44While the village of Castle Combe,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47featuring a range of buildings made from honey-coloured Bath stone,
0:02:47 > 0:02:51has been voted the prettiest village in England.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54The county's impressive array of historical marvels explains
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Wiltshire's enduring appeal for visitors,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00as well as those seeking a more permanent rural escape.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05The average price of a detached property in Wiltshire is
0:03:05 > 0:03:12just over £318,000, around £36,000 above the national figure.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Now, that may sound expensive,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18but there are still bargains to be had if you know where to look.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Market towns like Devizes in the centre of the county
0:03:22 > 0:03:24or Warminster in the south-west,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27can offer better value for money than the popular villages
0:03:27 > 0:03:32in the commuter bubble, closer to the Hampshire border, towards the east.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36So what is it about Wiltshire that has so attracted today's buyers?
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Louisa and Chris met after an introduction from a mutual friend,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and love quickly blossomed.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49We met in Fresher's Week at university, at Oxford Brookes.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52I think we were introduced while Chris was living
0:03:52 > 0:03:57with a friend of mine, so I went down to see him in halls, and...met you.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Yeah, he turned out to be my best man,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02at my wedding, so he introduced us, and, yeah...
0:04:02 > 0:04:04It went on from there.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06'After leaving university,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09'they tied the knot and moved to the leafy suburbs of the capital.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12'But the appeal of suburban life is starting to fade for them
0:04:12 > 0:04:15'and so the time feels right for a change.'
0:04:15 > 0:04:18So we currently live in a cottage in East Molesey,
0:04:18 > 0:04:19two-bed,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and it's been great as a starter home.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25We had our little girl here, who is now two.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27But...we've kind of outgrown it.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32It's been brilliant, but we need to move on to the next thing, now.
0:04:32 > 0:04:33'But with this next move,
0:04:33 > 0:04:37'they will still need to consider Chris's work in terms of location.'
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Well, currently I work in construction
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and have been for about seven years.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42I...
0:04:42 > 0:04:44My head office is based in Guildford
0:04:44 > 0:04:48so...we're looking to - at the moment -
0:04:48 > 0:04:49still maintain that set-up.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I will commute to work and then the rest of the week
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I'll be travelling back to wherever our new
0:04:55 > 0:04:57humble abode will be.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00'Becoming parents has completely changed their lives
0:05:00 > 0:05:03'and now much of their attention and time is focused
0:05:03 > 0:05:04'on a certain little person.'
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Evie is our two-year-old daughter,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10who only turned two very recently,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12and is very much a troublemaker,
0:05:12 > 0:05:16a very excitable young lady.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19She's definitely the focus of our lives.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21A lot of energy.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22Yes, since she was born
0:05:22 > 0:05:25she's been the person that everything revolves around now.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27So, yes, life's geared up for her.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- Keeps us very busy. - That's why moving to the country,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33for her especially, it's going to be...
0:05:33 > 0:05:35it's going to be amazing.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37'And after leaving the city,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40'Louisa and Chris plan to return to their roots.'
0:05:40 > 0:05:44So...we're looking to move back to the West Country,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46which is where Louisa's parents are from.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49She grew up there for about 25 years
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and I went to school in Wiltshire,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56so that part of the world is somewhere that is quite close to our hearts.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01We're looking to move back to in and around the Bradford on Avon region
0:06:01 > 0:06:02and be not too far from Bath.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07'For Evie, country life will be just the ticket.'
0:06:07 > 0:06:09I know not all children are,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11but Evie is definitely an outdoorsy child.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13She's her most happiest
0:06:13 > 0:06:16when she's jumping in a puddle or just getting filthy,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18so I think, for her,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21it's just going to be completely perfect.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25'And perhaps Evie will also have a new brother or sister to play with
0:06:25 > 0:06:26'once they all relocate west.'
0:06:28 > 0:06:31When we are down in Bath or the surrounding area,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34we want to extend the family,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36because we haven't got enough room here.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39When we are in a new location and a bigger house,
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- that's definitely something we... - Absolutely.- ..want to do.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- With dogs!- With dogs.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- And babies.- Oh, yes.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49And more babies, that's it.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Since we've come from uni it's really been a case of, you know,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55just quite rapidly moving out of places and moving further out of London.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57So this is the BIG MOVE,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01the big move back to a long-term settlement plan, I think.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06'When our buyers move to Wiltshire,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09'they're hoping to settle within striking distance of Bath
0:07:09 > 0:07:11'to be close to friends and family
0:07:11 > 0:07:13'and also near good commuter routes for Chris.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18'So we're concentrating our search on the villages found to the west of the county
0:07:18 > 0:07:21'and we're all meeting up so I can get a better understanding
0:07:21 > 0:07:23'of exactly what they're after.'
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- Well, Louisa and Chris, welcome to wonderful Wiltshire.- Thank you.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30We're just on the edge of the West Country here, but why Wiltshire?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Why do you two want to move?
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Well, I think it's been a while coming
0:07:34 > 0:07:36since we've been in London for around six years now.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39We're looking to make the move back for our family
0:07:39 > 0:07:42and heading back to our roots, really.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44I think it's now cos Evie, she's two,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46she's going to be starting school in a few years.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50So we want to come back, be settled before she starts school.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53So you've obviously thought long and hard about this move.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56What does the perfect property look like in your minds?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I think the key is going to be space.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04Moving out of London, we're looking to maximise what we can get for our money in terms of space.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07It's quite cramped at the moment with the little one.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- So, yeah, looking for more bedrooms. - How many bedrooms?
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- Probably four bedrooms. - Ideally four, yes.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17And I think one of the key things for us is going to be a big kitchen.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- Um...- Heart of the home.- Yes.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23That's going to be a big area where you can eat and cook and kids can play.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25That kind of thing, that's the idea.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28So four bedrooms, a good-sized kitchen, what else are you after?
0:08:28 > 0:08:30I think we want a good garden.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33We don't feel like we need anything enormous,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36cos gardening is not your - or my - favourite thing!
0:08:38 > 0:08:41So nothing enormous, but a good garden, again, for running around,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43and just...playing.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- You'd quite like some kind of study...- Yeah...
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- ..for you to work at home. - I'd need either an outbuilding
0:08:49 > 0:08:51where there's a little office space
0:08:51 > 0:08:53or a study for when I am working at home.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55That would be a useful attribute, definitely.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57What about location?
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Do you want to be within a community?
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Would you like to be more rural?
0:09:01 > 0:09:05I think, for us, we definitely want a few local shops nearby,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09just so you can pop out, get the milk and newspaper, that kind of thing.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11The big thing about location is schools.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I'm a primary school teacher so, at some point,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I'd like to go back to work
0:09:16 > 0:09:18and a local primary school
0:09:18 > 0:09:21for a little girl and, hopefully, maybe me would be perfect for us.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Well, let's look at money, then.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Just remind us what we've got to spend here in Wiltshire.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29We have got a maximum budget of 575,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31£575,000.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Do you think that is a realistic budget for what you're after?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36I think it is, yes. I think it's pretty realistic.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- Well, I will let you know it is a very popular county...- Yep.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42..because of where it is, the countryside and, also,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45relatively close to London, as well.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Having said that, we do have some splendid properties lined up to show you
0:09:48 > 0:09:52and, of course, one is going to be the mystery house.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53Shall we get started?
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- Yes.- Let's do it.- Come on, then.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03'With £575,000 to spend,
0:10:03 > 0:10:08'Louisa and Chris have a healthy budget for their country property.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09'Central to their search
0:10:09 > 0:10:12'is finding enough space for them to grow as a family,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14'so a generous kitchen is important,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17'as are enough bedrooms.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18'Besides a manageable garden,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21'they need access to good schools,
0:10:21 > 0:10:22'commuter links for Chris
0:10:22 > 0:10:24'and to be close to family in Bath.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31'And we've got some great Wiltshire properties to tempt our couple
0:10:31 > 0:10:32'away from the city,
0:10:32 > 0:10:36'but I won't be revealing the prices until the end of each tour.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39'Then, to finish up, we will reveal our mystery house,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'which should really challenge their preconceptions
0:10:42 > 0:10:44'of what that preferred country home should be.'
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Well, let's talk about hobbies.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Anything that you can't do at the moment where you live,
0:10:51 > 0:10:53but you're hoping to do when you move?
0:10:53 > 0:10:54I think horse riding's a big thing.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57There's nowhere, really, around where we are that we could...
0:10:57 > 0:10:59That's for Evie Grace.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00Again, that's for Evie Grace.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02For us...
0:11:02 > 0:11:04There's nothing specifically new,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- but it's probably being able to do things more easily.- Easily.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Walking's one of the main things, go on a nice family long walk,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12having that more on your doorstep
0:11:12 > 0:11:15than around London, where it's normally just simply the parks.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18And we'd love to get a dog, wouldn't we?
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- Yes.- So, I think...- Which we can't do where we are now.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- No.- It wouldn't be fair, I don't think.- Yeah.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29'We're kicking off our Wiltshire property search
0:11:29 > 0:11:31'in the village of Winterslow,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33'20 minutes from the cathedral city of Salisbury.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37'Originally three separate settlements called West,
0:11:37 > 0:11:39'Middle and East Winterslow,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42'they now collectively form the parish of Winterslow.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45'Here modern properties mix with thatched country cottages
0:11:45 > 0:11:50'and local residents are well catered for with a village shop providing essentials
0:11:50 > 0:11:53'along with four churches, a village hall,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55'a primary school and two pubs.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58'And just to the north of the village,
0:11:58 > 0:11:59'located in a private courtyard,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01'is the house we've lined up.'
0:12:03 > 0:12:07So let me introduce you to our very first property.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Wow! It's amazing.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12It's huge...isn't it?
0:12:12 > 0:12:13- Is it the whole thing?- Well...
0:12:13 > 0:12:16- It looks like it's two, I think. - I hate to disappoint you...
0:12:16 > 0:12:18I was going to say, it's enormous.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- It's actually three properties. - BOTH: OK.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24It's an old granary, it's about 100 years old.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27It's not listed and this part, this is our house.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29This is the one we're going to be looking at.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31First impressions? What do we think?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I think it's beautiful.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Yes, it's really sweet, very cute.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- I love it.- Welcoming?- Yes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- It does look very welcoming. - Definitely.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Well, that's a strong start.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Let's see what you make inside, come on.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45'Dating back to the 1800s,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48'this old granary was converted in 2002.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51'It's historic external aesthetic seems to have won our couple over,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55'so I'm hoping the inside will have the same effect.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59'We're starting our tour with the most important room in the house for Louisa and Chris...'
0:13:00 > 0:13:04So I thought we'd start the tour coming through the side door...
0:13:04 > 0:13:06and it brings us straight into the kitchen.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07Yes, I love it.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10When I first came in, the first thing I noticed was the range.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Yeah, that's great. Great bit of kit.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Very country, very homely...- It is. - It's very nice.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18What about the actual kitchen itself?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Really like the style.- It's really nice. It's a very country feel.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It's been done very, very nicely.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Potentially, for me, maybe a dash small
0:13:26 > 0:13:31in being what we are looking for in terms of an overall family kitchen.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32In terms of size...
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Is it the kitchen itself? Because, to me, this is a good-sized kitchen.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Are you thinking, perhaps, a family room on top of it?
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Yes, possibly. For the kitchen itself, we wouldn't need more space.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45But having a room attached, it's then utilised by everyone,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48so everyone's in one big space. I think it's possibly lacking that.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49Well, this is only the first room.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- Let's continue and see what you make of the others.- Yes, brilliant.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Down a small flight of stairs, we find the next room.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02So next stop is... Well, I was going to call it the sitting room,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05but I'm actually going to rename it the family room.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- Definitely.- It is really lovely. - It's really beautiful.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- It feels very homely. - Good. I mean, that's important.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12It's the first house that you've seen,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14and as you walk through the door you want it to feel like a home.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- I know that is a priority for you. - Yes, definitely. And it does.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20It feels cosy, it feels warm
0:14:20 > 0:14:23and just lovely. Yes, really nicely done.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Is this the type of thing that you are after?
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Yes, at the moment we are all in one room, dining room,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31you know, we feel cramped.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32- But this is a separate room.- Yeah.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36I just wonder how child friendly it is...
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- The corners.- We can make it child friendly, I guess.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- So...so far, so good.- Yes, definitely.- Yes, absolutely.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Excellent, let's hope it continues upstairs.- Great.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48'Also on the ground floor is a dining room with doors leading outside,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52'a compact study and a utility room.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55'Then, upstairs, we find four good-sized double bedrooms
0:14:55 > 0:14:57'and a tiled bathroom.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00'We're showing Louisa and Chris the largest of the rooms.'
0:15:00 > 0:15:03So you've got a good-sized landing.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- OK.- This would be the master.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- Yes, it's nice.- Good size. - This is a lovely size.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- I love the really high ceilings. - That's the wonderful thing.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- I mean, this is the master because it has- an en-suite. OK, brilliant.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- And you don't have one of those home, do you?- No.- Ooh!
0:15:17 > 0:15:19You're never going to go back!
0:15:19 > 0:15:21You're never, ever going to go back!
0:15:21 > 0:15:24So this is a house that...for four bedrooms that you've asked for,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28but, in actual fact, you could grow into it, as well, if you wanted to.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Yes, absolutely, and that's what we are looking for.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32This is our house
0:15:32 > 0:15:36and we want to be here in our next house for a good time.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39So far our buyers seen more than happy with the house
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and I'm hoping those smiles will continue as we move outside into the garden...
0:15:45 > 0:15:48So you've got this patio paved area,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52which leads to a very long and secure garden...
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- And then just look at that view.- I know, it's amazing. It is amazing.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- It's very rural, it's lovely. - Beautiful.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- Nice, low-maintenance garden, as well.- It's absolutely beautiful.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- Yes, a low-maintenance garden and secure.- Yes.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09I can't see too many places for little ones to escape.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- Or dogs.- Or dogs!- And as you can see it's been sectioned,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15because there's actually a double vegetable patch at the bottom.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18You've got a greenhouse and a shed and a little swing seat here.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- That's slightly more maintenance. That will go!- So you could just leave it, yeah!
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Come on, let's try and put a figure on our very first property.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- I'm not going to... - Ladies first.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- HESITANTLY: 525? 530?- OK.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35I'm going to say slightly over our budget, I'm going to say about 585.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38The asking price is right on your budget,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40£575,000.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Way below, I completely got that one wrong.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44You thought slightly over.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47In actual fact, Chris, it's been on since the autumn
0:16:47 > 0:16:49so it has recently come down in price to 575.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- Well, why don't you take another look at our first property on your own.- Absolutely.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55This is certainly a house that you can grow into, that's for sure.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- There's a lot of possibility... - A lot of potential on top of what's already there.- Great.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Be my guest.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Bang on budget, this converted granary provides everything
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Louisa and Chris asked for in their country property.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13With four bedrooms and two reception rooms,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16there's plenty of space to accommodate an expanding family.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18What's more, it's ideally located
0:17:18 > 0:17:21to some great commuter links for Chris.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24It's a nice little dining room.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Yes, good size. Could be...could be a playroom, couldn't it? Possibly...
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- Yes, that's what I was thinking. - Yes, definitely.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Shut the door, all the toys.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- Yes, make a good-sized playroom. - Yes, good.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37I think my initial reaction when I saw the property was,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39yes, bit of a surprise, it was really nice.
0:17:39 > 0:17:40The courtyard area was lovely.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43It was a really nice area, sort of enclosed the various houses around.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45And I really like the timber cladding, as well.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48I thought it was nice to see a converted barn,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52which wasn't something I was expecting to see, so it was very nice.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55There's many things I like about this property, because it just feels so homely and cosy.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Love the high ceilings and the beams.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02The garden's beautiful, really nice size, safe,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04very child friendly.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07And just generally the feel of the place, I think. It's lovely.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08Really nice.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- Are you happy? Have you seen enough? - Yes, I think so. Very happy, yes.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- Yes, had a good browse around.- Good.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17It's hard to believe it's a former granary, isn't it?
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- I know, it's been done so beautifully. It's lovely. - Massive transformation.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23And that's only our first property, because we do have more to show you.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- I'm excited.- Let's make a move. - Brilliant.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36It's fair to say that the landscapes of Wiltshire are steeped in history
0:18:36 > 0:18:40and the county offers more byways than anywhere else in the UK.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44So what better way to explore the countryside than by bike?
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Chris and Louisa are meeting with Dave Evans of Heritage Cycle Tours,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50who's guiding them on an expedition
0:18:50 > 0:18:53to learn a little more about Wiltshire's most famous landmarks.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- Hello.- Hi.- Hi.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Dave. - Nice to meet you, I'm Louisa.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- Hello, Louisa.- I'm Chris. - Hi, Chris. Nice to meet you.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- Well, welcome to sunny Old Sarum. - BOTH: Thank you.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Old Sarum's the original place for Salisbury,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Sarum being the Old English name for Salisbury.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10William the Conqueror decided that he liked it so much
0:19:10 > 0:19:13that he'd build a castle, a motte and bailey castle here,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15which is what we can see the ruins of behind us...
0:19:15 > 0:19:16and also a cathedral.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19That was the original Salisbury Cathedral.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- It was up for 100 and something years.- OK.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24So why did Salisbury Cathedral move down into the valley?
0:19:24 > 0:19:25There were two reasons.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28I believe the bishop fell out with the crown
0:19:28 > 0:19:30and it was also very crowded up here.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33There were something like 3,000 or 4,000 people who lived up here in a village.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35It was really cramped.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38There's an old legend that says they fired an arrow from here
0:19:38 > 0:19:42and where the arrow landed was where they were going to build the new cathedral.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44But you can see it's quite some shot
0:19:44 > 0:19:46and I think it probably had a following wind,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48because that must be two miles away!
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- But it's a lovely legend. I like the sound of that.- Yes.- OK, then, guys.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54So you've seen Old Sarum, it's time to go and press on
0:19:54 > 0:19:56and it's all downhill from here.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Shall we go?- Great.- Brilliant. - Yes, please.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02This way to the right.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Winding north of Salisbury along the Avon Valley,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09this cycle route passes through some of Wiltshire's
0:20:09 > 0:20:11most fascinating scenery.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Scattered throughout the landscape are a number of ancient man-made mounds.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Right, are you OK?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- How is it going?- Yes, good.- Good.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- Are you enjoying this? - Yes, it's lovely.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23So we've just arrived in a place called Wilsford cum Lake,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26which is, kind of, the greater area of Stonehenge
0:20:26 > 0:20:28and we're going to see a lot of these mounds.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30They're burial mounds and they're called barrows.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- So what group of people were actually buried in the barrows? - It was English folk, we think,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37but there is evidence that several of the people buried around here -
0:20:37 > 0:20:40a lot of the people buried here - came from further afield.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44They've found people from the Alps, people from Spain, from the Mediterranean.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47So it was probably quite a well-known site for people around Europe.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49And why are the mounds so big?
0:20:49 > 0:20:53It's possible that the significance of the size of the barrows
0:20:53 > 0:20:56was to actually show people that these very important people
0:20:56 > 0:20:58are sitting here on the hillside.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02When they would have been made, they wouldn't have had turf on them, they would have been white...
0:21:02 > 0:21:06So they would have been quite visible to people in the area.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09'Time to get back in the saddle and continue the tour.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13'Wiltshire has the highest concentration of prehistoric sites in Europe,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15'so there's plenty to see
0:21:15 > 0:21:17'and the final stop of the excursion
0:21:17 > 0:21:20'is at the county's most celebrated landmark.'
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- Well, this is the last stop on the tour.- OK.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25This is Stonehenge and its surrounding landscape.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28What you see now is actually the last version of Stonehenge.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30They had three attempts at building it.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Do you know why the stones are aligned like that?
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Older versions had an alignment with the sun
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and there was always some connection with the rising sun
0:21:39 > 0:21:41and Midsummer's Day.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Do you think they used manual labour to get the stones up?
0:21:44 > 0:21:45There are two major theories.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49One would be they dug holes to put the stones into the hole to get it upright
0:21:49 > 0:21:52and then built an earth bank alongside it
0:21:52 > 0:21:53to then put the lintel on.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56The other one is that they used timber structures like A-frames,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59tied together with ropes
0:21:59 > 0:22:01and then pulled the stone on top.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Do you have any idea about how long it took for them to complete it?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06If you don't know how they constructed it,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09it's very difficult to determine how long it would take.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12It certainly must have taken them years, I would have thought.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Well, have you enjoyed your tour? Has it been fun?
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- Yeah, it's been great.- Absolutely. - I've learnt lots.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Well, I think you've earnt yourself a cup of tea, don't you?
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Oh, yes, please.- Shall we go and get one?- Let's go!- Cheers.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26'That's it for our couple's historic sightseeing tour.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29'So it's high time we cracked on with their house search.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35'For our second property we're heading north west
0:22:35 > 0:22:36'to the village of Seend,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40'which is a 40-minute drive to Louisa's home town of Bath.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43'A rural location with far reaching country views,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46'Seend also lies on the Kennet and Avon Canal
0:22:46 > 0:22:49'and surrounded by rich agricultural farmland.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52'Many buildings within the village date back to the 15th century,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55'including the parish church.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59'More modern amenities within the village include a community centre,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02'a post office and local store,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04'two pubs and a school.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07'Our second house lies to the north of the village.'
0:23:08 > 0:23:12So we like to show our buyers quite a broad range of properties
0:23:12 > 0:23:14and this...
0:23:14 > 0:23:16is the house we want to show you.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- Yeah, I love it.- It's cute.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20I love the look of it.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- Yeah?- I really do, yeah.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24This is...when I think of, you know,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27when you drive past houses and you say, "Oh, I like the look..."
0:23:27 > 0:23:29This is, kind of, always what I think I like.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- I like the cornerstones.- Yep. - Nice little feature.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Well, I've got an "I love it!" and "I like the cornerstone!"
0:23:34 > 0:23:37So you might have to work a bit harder than that, Chris!
0:23:37 > 0:23:40I'm just reserving judgment until I see the whole thing, I think.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- I'm looking at it holistically. - Handsome property?- Yes.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45I think so, yes.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46- Very interesting.- Yeah?
0:23:46 > 0:23:49- Bet you're keen, now, to get inside. - Yeah, I want to get inside.- Come on!
0:23:51 > 0:23:55This attractive family home was built in 1988
0:23:55 > 0:23:58and its modern exterior has attracted a positive response from Louisa,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01but I'm not sure Chris is convinced.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Hopefully there's enough going on inside to persuade him.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Now, unusually for a house in the country, I've brought you through
0:24:10 > 0:24:14the front door, because normally people use the side.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Really we have to start off with the most important room for...
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- Well, I was going to say the two of you but it's the three of you, isn't it, with your daughter?- Yeah.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26- Crazy cat.- What are we thinking? - Yeah.- Yeah, spacious. Yeah, it's big, isn't it?
0:24:26 > 0:24:27This is what you wanted?
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Yeah, this is what I envisaged when I thought of a big family kitchen.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34I can see us having family meals, socialising.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36So, yeah, this has hit the mark for me.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Not style exactly but on size, it's, you know, it's big.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42You might want to change it but...
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I think anything we did change would just be superficial though,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47painting, maybe tiles.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Well, Louisa, you gave the house love outside,
0:24:49 > 0:24:51you're loving the kitchen.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Chris, I think you might be warming up somewhat.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55I'm getting a bit warmer, yes.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Yeah, I'm wondering if this house can win you over.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Let's see what Evie might like through here.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02It's a definite thumbs up for the kitchen,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06let's see how the rest fares.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09So this property actually has two sitting rooms, we've just walked
0:25:09 > 0:25:13through one, which we are thinking could be Evie's room.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- And then this room, for the two of you.- Yeah, it's lovely.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- Yeah, it's a good size for a family living room.- Definitely.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- It's a handsome house, isn't it? - The core, the shell is there.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24The classic style isn't really my thing, my cup of tea
0:25:24 > 0:25:27but you can see through that, see through the decor and...
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- And of course you've got your wood burner...- Yeah, very nice.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- ..with Bath stone surround.- That is beautiful, yeah, it's lovely.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36So, we're getting a positive reaction on the downstairs,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- let's see what you make of upstairs. - Yes, please.- Let's look.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41The generous proportions of the ground floor,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43which also includes the study,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47seem to be hitting the right notes for Louisa and Chris
0:25:47 > 0:25:50and with four large double bedrooms, all served by a good-sized
0:25:50 > 0:25:54family bathroom, I'm confident upstairs will also impress.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00So here is our master bedroom.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02It's a really good size, isn't it?
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- Yeah, it is, definitely. Yeah, a nice big room.- Put your dream emperor bed in here.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Yeah, could definitely fit a big bed in here, which is nice.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11You could fit an enormous bed in here, couldn't you?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13And still have room to spare.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Chris has dreams of having us all, kids, everyone in bed together.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21- Oh, Sunday morning...- Christmas Day. - Lovely. I can see that.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24I think we'd probably do a few things to the decor but other than that...
0:26:24 > 0:26:27So do you like the house? Is it working its magic on you?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Come on, Chris. You can be honest.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33- It doesn't have the same kind of character as the other one did.- No.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35It doesn't jump out at me quite as much.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38The other one, yes, character, but I feel this is more practical for us.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Fitted wardrobes in there.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- You've also got a really good sized en suite.- Brilliant.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47- Could you see yourself here in five years' time?- Yeah, I could.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Right, that's interesting. Right, we're going wander outside and
0:26:50 > 0:26:54- obviously you two have got to start thinking money.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Inside the house has delivered on Chris and Louisa's wish list,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00so it's time we got out into the garden to see whether
0:27:00 > 0:27:04the outside space will also match up to our buyers' vision.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07So we've got a good-sized property
0:27:07 > 0:27:09with a good-sized garden to match.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13- Could see her running around like a madman.- Can you?- Yeah.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Absolutely, it's a lot of space. It's a good size.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19- Now, are you gardeners?- Definitely not.- No, OK.- Absolutely not.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22All right, then. Well, ideas for this garden,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24how could you make it work for you?
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Nice lawn just across there, get rid of flowers.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30A big expanse of grass would be much more practical than anything.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Yeah, I think you have to be honest, don't you?
0:27:32 > 0:27:34You know, young family, time sensitive,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38- make the garden work for you rather than you work for the garden. - Absolutely.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42- I mean, you have that wonderful expanse of countryside right at the bottom.- That is beautiful.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45So it's a large property, what price are we going to put on it?
0:27:45 > 0:27:48I reckon about 560,000 is my estimate.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52I reckon around 555,000, or a bit lower.
0:27:52 > 0:27:53- OK.- Slightly lower I'd say.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Well, your budget is £575,000.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00This large property is under your budget.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04- OK.- The asking price is £550,000.- OK.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07I wasn't expecting it to be that low.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11- Interesting.- That is interesting, something to think about. - Absolutely...
0:28:11 > 0:28:14So, Chris, you were really close on that one.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Yep, another victory for me.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20I like that. But the best news is, £25,000 under your budget.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Have a look with that price in your mind and what this house
0:28:23 > 0:28:25could deliver for the two of you, well, for the three of you.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28- Let's not forget...- There may be more.- ..the little one.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31- Off you go.- Thank you.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34This modern detached property is priced at a healthy
0:28:34 > 0:28:36£25,000 below our couple's budget.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39The house offers...
0:28:48 > 0:28:53When we first saw the house, I loved it. It's my taste, my style.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- So I was excited about seeing inside. - Yeah, I'd probably agree, to be fair.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00I think the first impression was, you know, it looked quite smart.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03It was something we'd be happy to live in
0:29:03 > 0:29:06from first glances, definitely.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08I think first impressions when we walked in the house were
0:29:08 > 0:29:12obviously there is a certain decade theme going on.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16So there's some cosmetic elements that would, obviously, from our particular taste,
0:29:16 > 0:29:18would need to be altered and changed.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21But the actual kitchen itself, that we went into, is a fantastic size.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24The kitchen is really important to us because when I grew up it
0:29:24 > 0:29:27was where we did everything, we socialised, we did homework,
0:29:27 > 0:29:32we had family meals, it was the hub of the home, the heart of the house.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- Ah, right, how are we feeling?- Good.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Have we given you plenty of food for thought today?
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- Yes, absolutely, a lot to consider. - Lots to think about.- Good.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- In a positive way? - Yes, definitely, just options.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Lovely, let's hit the road.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00It's the second day of our property search in the Wiltshire countryside
0:30:00 > 0:30:03and we're on the hunt for a family home for Louisa and Chris
0:30:03 > 0:30:10from Greater London, who have a budget of £575,000.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14But what will I be revealing to them as our Mystery House?
0:30:14 > 0:30:17A little bit of a surprise as we walk around the corner.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22- Yeah, I think so, definitely. - It's like a giant ship.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25And I'll also be discovering the classic British art work
0:30:25 > 0:30:28that adorns towns and villages across the country.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30For me, as I walk through the door,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33in a way it's like coming to a mini art gallery.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39So, it's the second day of our house-hunt here in Wiltshire
0:30:39 > 0:30:41with Louisa and Chris.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Two more properties to show them, let's see how we get on.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47The first one is in a family-friendly village
0:30:47 > 0:30:49but the last house that
0:30:49 > 0:30:53I have up my sleeve, it is of course our mystery property.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Now, they are very aware of the family, they want to be near a community
0:30:57 > 0:31:01and with this house, I'm hoping it's got everything that they want.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05It might need just a little bit of work along the way.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Let's see how we get on.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12The next house on our Wiltshire property search lies just
0:31:12 > 0:31:16under an hour from Bath in the village of Hilmarton.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20Hilmarton is a classic English village featuring honey-coloured
0:31:20 > 0:31:24limestone properties alongside picture postcard thatched cottages.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Its grade I listed church dates back to the 12th century
0:31:27 > 0:31:32and apparently owns one of only 200 original King James Bibles
0:31:32 > 0:31:34that still exist today.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Our next offering brings us to the present day
0:31:37 > 0:31:39and for this one, I've got high hopes.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46So we're going to show you a little bit more of a modern property
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- for our next house.- OK.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- I like it.- Yeah?- I do, yeah.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54What works for you, Chris?
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I like the big wooden porch, it's a nice feature.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00It's maybe for me not as pretty as perhaps I'd like.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03It's a bit dark, the front is a bit dark for me.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07- But we obviously have different tastes.- Yeah. Well, it's quite brown.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Also, there isn't any shrubbery, there isn't any greenery here,
0:32:11 > 0:32:15- it's a practical home, isn't it? - It's low-maintenance, isn't it?
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- What we like.- That's why I like it possibly.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23- So shall we step inside?- Yes, please.- Yes, absolutely.- Come on.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Externally, this property may not have made a great impression
0:32:26 > 0:32:30on Louisa, however, Chris seems more than happy with its kerb appeal.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Although the camp is divided, I'm confident the sheer space
0:32:34 > 0:32:37this house offers internally will impress them both.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43So, off the hallway we have our sitting room.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- It's really spacious.- Massive.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48- Yeah.- Yeah, it's nice.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50And again, big, nice windows.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55This is kind of our taste, isn't it? Quite clean and bright and fresh.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Yeah, absolutely, yeah. It's a massive room, isn't it? It's huge.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03- Really nice.- Now originally it would have been divided up into two, you can see from the beams.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07- If you wanted to, you could always put doors in there if you wanted to divide it.- Yeah.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10- So a strong start, do we think, to the tour?- Yeah.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11- I think so, yeah.- Yeah.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14I think this is the first house that we're actually in agreement on.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16- Yeah, I think so.- Ah!
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Well, just off the hallway there's a downstairs cloakroom
0:33:19 > 0:33:22but an awful lot more to show you, in actual fact.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Louisa seems happier with the house, which is great.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Let's hope the property keeps up the good work with
0:33:28 > 0:33:30what's on offer in the kitchen.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36- You see, I think this house is deceiving.- Yeah, it is.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41- It kind of feels a lot... Well, yeah, it's confusing.- Yeah.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- There's a lot more space than I thought there'd be.- Yeah, it's nice.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48In your mind, you think, "This is the kitchen and that'll be it."
0:33:48 > 0:33:52It's a good-sized kitchen, fully integrated, plenty of space
0:33:52 > 0:33:55and then, you're right, you realise, in actual fact,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58because it's been extended relatively recently,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01to the left you've got a laundry and utility room and then you've got
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- that massive dining room at the back.- Yeah, that's lovely.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07- That's brilliant.- Yeah.- Huge doors, opens out onto the garden.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09- It's really nice. - Very good, isn't it?
0:34:09 > 0:34:13It's lovely, I love it and again bright, airy, clean,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16just to our taste. To our taste?
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Yeah, I like it. I do, I do like it.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22But I didn't want to give too much away in the sitting room
0:34:22 > 0:34:24but in actual fact now you see
0:34:24 > 0:34:26you've also got all of this as well.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28This is lovely.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32Yeah, because each time we've looked at something, there's been elements that you've loved,
0:34:32 > 0:34:36there's been elements that you've loved but we haven't quite got it right for both of you.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40- No.- If you can get over the outside of this property,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43as you walked through the door, both of you were united.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- Definitely.- Yeah.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- It's lovely.- I'm starting to feel slightly excited.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51- Yeah, so are we.- Yeah. - Yeah, all three of us, that's good.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- Well, let's hope it continues upstairs.- Yes.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59'The scale of this house has won our couple over and so far
0:34:59 > 0:35:02'each and every room has delivered.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05'As we move upstairs, I'm hoping the magic continues
0:35:05 > 0:35:08'in the largest of the bedrooms.'
0:35:08 > 0:35:12So upstairs, the staircase splits into two.
0:35:12 > 0:35:13So you've got bedrooms on one side,
0:35:13 > 0:35:16if you like, and these bedrooms on the other.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18This is the master.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- It's a really nice size, isn't it? - Yeah, good size, it's big.
0:35:20 > 0:35:26Yeah, and again lots of windows, big windows, lots of natural light, beautiful views.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29- Yeah.- Yeah, really nice. - Yes, no, it's nice.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31- A really good-sized bedroom, definitely.- Yeah.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35So how many bedrooms has this house got?
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- Three double bedrooms, which are all en suite.- Oh, wow.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42The nursery, plus an additional double bedroom.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- So you've got five in total. - My goodness.
0:35:45 > 0:35:50Are you sure this is within our budget? I'm starting to doubt it.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52- It's impressive, isn't it? - Yeah, definitely.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57I think everything, well, personally, has been impressive so far.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59There's a little touch to this room that you can explore
0:35:59 > 0:36:02on your own a bit later on because there is also
0:36:02 > 0:36:04- a dressing room of a generous size...- Oh, really?
0:36:04 > 0:36:07..and a wonderful en-suite bathroom.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- Really? Fantastic.- Yep, with a master.- It's been done beautifully, it really has.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13I don't know, why did they want to move?
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- So I've got one more thing up my sleeve to show you.- OK.- OK.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21A little bit different outside. Let's see what you think.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23With five bedrooms, there's ample room here to
0:36:23 > 0:36:26accommodate our couple's growing family.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30But I've a feeling that the garden may, once again, split opinion.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35So we have a spacious house
0:36:35 > 0:36:40- but it has an additional pool in the garden.- Yeah! Wasn't expecting that.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- No, definitely not. - Bit of a surprise?- Yeah, absolutely.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Not often I can offer people a pool.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49You've got quite a large garden here, most of it you can see is paved
0:36:49 > 0:36:53- but we also have an additional garden on the other side of the house.- OK.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- It's divided up.- Yeah, brilliant. - Can you see yourself using the pool?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- Definitely.- Yeah?- I can.
0:36:59 > 0:37:05I think, personally, I would have a think about filling it in maybe.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08- The kids would love the pool, though.- It would be amazing.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- You would use it for three weeks of the year.- Do you know what I would do, personally?
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- I would keep it for a year and see...- If you use it.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16..because if Evie loves it then it would change your opinion.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Breaking the ice out just to make a point.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23- Christmas Day.- It's OK, it's nice. - I want to go swimming.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26- I think it would be fair to say that you both like this property.- Yeah.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29You're going to have to put a price on it now.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34- Yeah. I would say 585,000, 590,000.- OK.
0:37:36 > 0:37:41- I'm going to go slightly lower at 560,000.- OK, wow.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43- Chris, you're very good at this. - Really?
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Because the asking price is £562,000.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49That's amazing. Wow, OK.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51- Have a think.- Yeah, definitely.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54Have another look around because I think this could be the
0:37:54 > 0:37:56family home you're looking for.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- I'm saying that, fingers crossed. - Yeah, thank you.- Thank you.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07Surprisingly, this expansive, five-bedroom detached house
0:38:07 > 0:38:10falls £13,000 below Louisa and Chris's budget yet it
0:38:10 > 0:38:15provides them with everything they wanted in a home and more.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18With five bedrooms, the property delivers on space
0:38:18 > 0:38:21but is also ideally located within a lively village
0:38:21 > 0:38:23as well as close to good commuter links.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Wow, look at this.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31- His and her sink. - Yeah, brilliant.- Lovely bath.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35- Wet room.- This is really nice.- It's big, isn't it?- Yeah, lovely.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Yeah, great.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41I think when I first saw the house my reaction was definitely
0:38:41 > 0:38:44positive, not negative in any way.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47It gave me a good feeling in terms of wanting to look inside.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51To be honest, from room to room I was just really, really impressed.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Probably the only thing I can think negative is,
0:38:55 > 0:38:59for me perhaps the swimming pool would need a slight think about
0:38:59 > 0:39:03just in terms of children's safety and whether we'd use it.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07I think if we were to stay here I think we definitely would use the pool.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10I think throughout various summers you get long periods of
0:39:10 > 0:39:14hot weather and I think we'd definitely get a lot of use out of it from family and friends.
0:39:14 > 0:39:20- How are we feeling?- Excited.- Yeah? - Excited, yeah.- Definitely.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- Yeah, no, it's a good property. - It's given us lots to think about.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25You seem to be in agreement with this one.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- I think the first one that we are in agreement with.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- Right, I think we're going to leave on a high note.- Exciting. - Come on, then.
0:39:37 > 0:39:43- So we're on our way now to our Mystery House.- Yeah.- Absolutely.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Trepidation, excitement, what's going through your minds?
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Excitement, but I have absolutely no idea what kind of curveball
0:39:50 > 0:39:52you could throw in there.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54We've seen quite a lot of variation thus far
0:39:54 > 0:39:57so it would be interesting to see what else is thrown into the mix.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Yeah, I think we've really stretched you in actual fact with all the
0:40:00 > 0:40:03different styles architecturally, areas we've shown you.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- Yeah, definitely. - It's given us a lot to think about.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09What could we really throw you with though if I showed you...
0:40:09 > 0:40:11If we pulled up and you saw X,
0:40:11 > 0:40:16what would make your heart sing or perhaps your heart sink?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20I think if you showed us a plot of land, we'd be slightly overwhelmed, wouldn't we?
0:40:20 > 0:40:25Yeah, or a shack, you know, which is a derelict barn or something.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30I think we're not in a position to pick up a project like that.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33We're travelling 30 miles south to our final stop on our property tour
0:40:33 > 0:40:37and our destination is the village of Codford.
0:40:37 > 0:40:42Codford has strong links with Australian and New Zealander Anzac soldiers,
0:40:42 > 0:40:44as it was during the First World War that the village became
0:40:44 > 0:40:47a staging camp for Allied troops, a legacy kept alive by the
0:40:47 > 0:40:52Anzac badge which is carved into the chalky hillside above Codford.
0:40:52 > 0:40:57The nearby Anzac War Cemetery is the second largest in the UK.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59To the west of the village, up a private road,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01we find our Mystery House.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09- Wow.- It's a converted stable.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12A little bit of a surprise as we walk around the corner.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Yeah, I think so, definitely. - It's like a giant ship.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- No, it's pretty.- It is pretty.- It's aesthetically pleasing, for sure.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25- Yeah, definitely.- Any idea why it's our Mystery House?
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- Em...- Does it have stables?
0:41:28 > 0:41:30THEY LAUGH
0:41:30 > 0:41:32A horse, gave it away little bit.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34The clue is in the four legs, isn't it?
0:41:34 > 0:41:36- It does need a little bit of work doing inside.- OK.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41- So perhaps more of a project then we've looked at in the past...- Yep.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42..and it has land.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- We haven't really talked about Evie's passion for horses...- No.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50- ..and horse riding.- Yeah. - Should you want to, when she's a little bit older,
0:41:50 > 0:41:51you could have your own pony.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55So on first impressions, what's going through your minds?
0:41:55 > 0:41:59- Really pretty, lovely, lovely looking.- Chris?
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Yeah, it's very quaint, very cute.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04I'm not sure if a bungalow is exactly my thing
0:42:04 > 0:42:07but let's wait and see, have a look inside.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11- Well, the good news is there's an upstairs.- OK.- Ah.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- So let's take a look and all will be revealed.- OK.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20'The property dates back almost 200 years
0:42:20 > 0:42:25'and was originally a stable block for the local manor house.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28'As we move inside, I'm hoping our couple will appreciate
0:42:28 > 0:42:31'its unique character combined with its generous proportions.'
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Let's start our Mystery House tour with our kitchen,
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- or should I say, country kitchen. - Yeah, it's lovely.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Yeah. It's a very nice country kitchen, isn't it?
0:42:43 > 0:42:47- It does feel, screams country, with the range.- That's huge.
0:42:47 > 0:42:52- It is a nice kitchen.- It's got a very homely feel to it, definitely.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Hasn't quite got the wow factor that we've had in previous properties, has it?
0:42:56 > 0:42:59The way it's been done, I think, yes, but perhaps the size not so much.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03I think it's probably one of the nicest ones we've seen
0:43:03 > 0:43:07but just in terms of size it probably doesn't quite tick that box.
0:43:07 > 0:43:08Yeah, I agree.
0:43:08 > 0:43:14- Well, let's continue because you might like what's next-door.- Great.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18'Although the dimensions of the kitchen don't seem to be hitting the mark,
0:43:18 > 0:43:21'I'm certain the sitting room will more than make up for it.'
0:43:24 > 0:43:27- Now, what is this?- A ginormous room.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30I think this is the biggest room I've ever seen.
0:43:30 > 0:43:35- The largest sitting room you will ever see.- Crikey.- That is...
0:43:35 > 0:43:39You almost think, "It's kind of too big."
0:43:39 > 0:43:42Really, the way the room has been laid out is that it maximises
0:43:42 > 0:43:46that view over the paddock and the woodland as well.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Yeah, it's really pretty.
0:43:48 > 0:43:52What sort of sense are you getting from this house, it is the mystery?
0:43:54 > 0:43:59- Silence. Well, I think that says it all in a way.- It's not...
0:43:59 > 0:44:03For me, perhaps, I think it's not as nice as some of the other things we've seen.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06- I didn't walk in and go, "Wow." - Yep.
0:44:06 > 0:44:12I love the kitchen but I just think there's quite a lot of things
0:44:12 > 0:44:14we'd have to do to make it our own.
0:44:14 > 0:44:18It doesn't seem quite as practical for what we're looking for from a house.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21Right. So I think we've got a question mark
0:44:21 > 0:44:23- for the downstairs, haven't we? - Yeah.- A little bit.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26- Let's see if we fare any better upstairs.- OK.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32'This converted barn also has a spacious utility room,
0:44:32 > 0:44:34'as well as two double bedrooms down on the ground floor,
0:44:34 > 0:44:37'both of which are served by a bathroom.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39'There are two flights of stairs in the property,
0:44:39 > 0:44:41'each leading to a first-floor bedroom.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44'On one side is a double with exposed beams
0:44:44 > 0:44:46'and on the other is the master.'
0:44:47 > 0:44:50Now, the upstairs of the stable block is...
0:44:50 > 0:44:53It's unusual, I'm not going to lie.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56- The way it's set up, there are two staircases...- Yep.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00..you're on one side, there's a further bedroom on the other side.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03- So Evie would be... You'd have to go down and then back up.- Yep.
0:45:03 > 0:45:07This is the master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe.
0:45:07 > 0:45:11- You've got a huge en suite, which is always lovely to have.- Absolutely.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14What do you think, what's your gut feel as you come up here?
0:45:14 > 0:45:20It's a good-sized room. I mean, again, it doesn't make me say, "Oh, wow."
0:45:20 > 0:45:22It's nice and I like the skylights and things.
0:45:22 > 0:45:27It doesn't seem particularly practical in terms of what
0:45:27 > 0:45:30we want to use it for, in terms of a family home.
0:45:30 > 0:45:32It doesn't seem that it would probably fit in with how
0:45:32 > 0:45:34we, kind of, live, I think.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36Well, let's see because I've still got one more thing to show you
0:45:36 > 0:45:40- which is outside and then we can talk money as well, the price.- Sure.
0:45:40 > 0:45:41Thank you.
0:45:42 > 0:45:47'Sadly, this unique home doesn't seem to be working for Chris and Louisa
0:45:47 > 0:45:50'but maybe over an acre of land will swing it.'
0:45:52 > 0:45:55I think when it comes to country living,
0:45:55 > 0:45:58the Mystery House has to win.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01Not only are you looking at wide-open fields
0:46:01 > 0:46:04with woodland at the back, but you have your own paddock.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07- Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it? - It is.- It is rather fantastic.
0:46:07 > 0:46:08I don't want to scare you too much
0:46:08 > 0:46:12because you don't have to have a horse or a pony. Evie, when she's a bit older might...
0:46:12 > 0:46:15- She might demand one. - Yeah, she might twist your arm.
0:46:15 > 0:46:19The land is amazing and just looking out onto it is just beautiful.
0:46:19 > 0:46:23- I agree that this feels country. - Yeah, definitely.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25Listening to the birds singing, yeah.
0:46:25 > 0:46:26The chickens and the horse definitely help.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29So for the final time we've got to try
0:46:29 > 0:46:32and put a price on the Mystery House with the land.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34What are you thinking?
0:46:34 > 0:46:38I'm going to go for definitely the top end of our budget
0:46:38 > 0:46:41so 575,000, 580,000.
0:46:41 > 0:46:42Which one?
0:46:44 > 0:46:46- 575,000.- OK.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48I think it's going to be a little lower than that,
0:46:48 > 0:46:51so I'm going to say around the 560,000 mark again.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54The asking price is
0:46:54 > 0:46:58£575,000, so right on your budget
0:46:58 > 0:46:59and Louisa, on the money.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01One for me.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04- Well, I guess for the final time I'm going to send you two off. - All right.
0:47:04 > 0:47:08Think of poor Evie, we know she loves her horses.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10Yeah, she might not...
0:47:10 > 0:47:14- I'll meet you out the front when you're ready.- All right, great. - Thank you.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19Right on budget, our Mystery House
0:47:19 > 0:47:21on paper offers everything
0:47:21 > 0:47:23Louisa and Chris were looking for
0:47:23 > 0:47:24in their country home...
0:47:35 > 0:47:37But I'm just not sure
0:47:37 > 0:47:39it's a winner for our couple.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42The style on the outside of the building was quite unique,
0:47:42 > 0:47:46it was really nice, very pretty and obviously old, a 200-year-old barn that had been converted.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49Yeah, it was very beautiful and it had a lot of land as well to
0:47:49 > 0:47:53go with it, so it was a very nice-looking property.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56When I came into the house I was slightly taken aback, I thought
0:47:56 > 0:47:58it was going to be slightly more modern perhaps.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01So my first impression was slightly,
0:48:01 > 0:48:05"Oh, hang on a second, you know, what have we got here?"
0:48:05 > 0:48:09Intriguing but maybe not quite what I was expecting.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12I think this property, in comparison to the others, it has a lot of
0:48:12 > 0:48:17great features in terms of its age and existing beams and wood fires.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19However, I don't think it has the layout
0:48:19 > 0:48:23and the functionality that some of the other properties have had.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27All right, so that's it, that's our final property.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30The tour of the Mystery House over, let's go somewhere quiet
0:48:30 > 0:48:34and have a proper chat, find out what your next move is going to be.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36- OK.- Let's do it.
0:48:44 > 0:48:48There is nothing quite as British as the traditional country pub
0:48:48 > 0:48:51and like most counties, the villages of Wiltshire are full of them.
0:48:51 > 0:48:55It was the Romans who introduced the idea of a pub sign to Britain
0:48:55 > 0:48:58and these colourful and descriptive works of art were often
0:48:58 > 0:49:00used as an early form of marketing.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04Today, the art of traditional sign making is a dwindling one.
0:49:04 > 0:49:08I've come to a sign writing workshop at a brewery in Devizes
0:49:08 > 0:49:11to meet pictorial artist Dave Young.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14He's been painting pub and inn signs for over 20 years
0:49:14 > 0:49:17and has agreed to take me through the history of the pub sign
0:49:17 > 0:49:20and also give me an insight to his unique craft.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24- Hi, Dave.- Hi, Nicki.- Good to meet you.- Welcome to the sign shop.
0:49:24 > 0:49:26Well, thank you. You're calling it a sign shop
0:49:26 > 0:49:29but for me, as I walked through the door,
0:49:29 > 0:49:31in a way it's like coming to a mini art gallery.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34As you drive along country roads and in towns and villages throughout
0:49:34 > 0:49:37the UK, we see these signs and in a way,
0:49:37 > 0:49:39would it be fair to say we take them for granted?
0:49:39 > 0:49:41But how did it all start?
0:49:41 > 0:49:44It's a tradition that the British took on because obviously
0:49:44 > 0:49:46a lot of the population were illiterate in those days,
0:49:46 > 0:49:48couldn't read or write,
0:49:48 > 0:49:51so the visual image basically,
0:49:51 > 0:49:53"We sell beer, we give accommodation,"
0:49:53 > 0:49:57was obviously very useful to the population of the time.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01Was ever there a law passed that you had to have a sign on a public house?
0:50:01 > 0:50:05I think it was 1393 and King Richard II brought in an act
0:50:05 > 0:50:09whereby every inn had to display a sign outside.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11I think it was mainly for tax purposes, really.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15- It is quintessentially British, isn't it?- That's right, yeah.
0:50:15 > 0:50:17It is quite a unique thing to Britain.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20Well, I've got a wonderful opportunity of getting
0:50:20 > 0:50:22up close and personal with some of your artwork.
0:50:22 > 0:50:25- Can I have a bit of a tour? - Yeah, no problem.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29Pubs have a vast range of names
0:50:29 > 0:50:32and their origins are influenced by many different themes
0:50:32 > 0:50:37including myths, legends, local trades, politics and religion,
0:50:37 > 0:50:40which are also featured in the imagery of each sign.
0:50:41 > 0:50:46So, Dave, so many different names and titles of pubs and inns,
0:50:46 > 0:50:50quite a few I recognise but what's the most popular in the UK?
0:50:50 > 0:50:53I think the Red Lion is the most popular, actually.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56James I of England, who was James VI of Scotland,
0:50:56 > 0:50:59when he acceded to the throne basically wanted
0:50:59 > 0:51:01the population to know he was the boss
0:51:01 > 0:51:04and so all the establishments, and mainly the pubs,
0:51:04 > 0:51:09had to show a sign of allegiance to him and that was the Red Lion.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12The one behind us, the Trouble House, I get that
0:51:12 > 0:51:17but I'm not quite sure what else is going on. Perhaps you could explain.
0:51:17 > 0:51:18Well, as you can see, Nicki,
0:51:18 > 0:51:22this sign depicts quite a lot of history, really.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24You had a skirmish in the Civil War
0:51:24 > 0:51:27between the Cavaliers and the Roundheads,
0:51:27 > 0:51:31one of the landlords drowned, another landlord hung himself and
0:51:31 > 0:51:36a few years later there was a Luddite Rebellion outside the premises.
0:51:36 > 0:51:38So a real snapshot of the history of the pub
0:51:38 > 0:51:41- and what it's seen over the years. - Well, that's right, yeah.
0:51:41 > 0:51:44Any chance you've got a sign which is work in progress that I could have a go at?
0:51:44 > 0:51:47- Certainly have. If you'd like to come this way.- Thank you.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50'The signs are made from external marine ply
0:51:50 > 0:51:53'using durable exterior-grade oil paints.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56'They have a shelf life of around ten to 12 years before they need
0:51:56 > 0:51:58'to be replaced or restored.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01'And, of course, the artwork has to be duplicated perfectly
0:52:01 > 0:52:03'onto both sides.'
0:52:03 > 0:52:07Now, this sign looks far more imposing, more regal, if you like.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09This is beautiful
0:52:09 > 0:52:12but this isn't the only thing you're working on at the moment, is it?
0:52:12 > 0:52:15No, that's right, Nicki. At the moment I'm working on a sign
0:52:15 > 0:52:17for the Chelsea Flower Show.
0:52:17 > 0:52:22- Ah, now the famous RHS. - This is basically a mock-up sign.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24And what's the whole idea behind it?
0:52:24 > 0:52:26I think it's mainly a play on words
0:52:26 > 0:52:29but it's obviously the hop cycle, which is to do with
0:52:29 > 0:52:32the brewing process and I think they're having a garden there
0:52:32 > 0:52:36with various different hops that they're growing.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38So what part can I have a go at?
0:52:38 > 0:52:41- Well, you can help me have a little go at the eyes, perhaps.- Yeah.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43Excellent, right, well,
0:52:43 > 0:52:46I'd better take my coat off while you mix the paints.
0:52:48 > 0:52:50There are over 50,000 pubs in the UK
0:52:50 > 0:52:53and the modern tradition is to replace the old classics with
0:52:53 > 0:52:57more quirky and striking titles, such as the Goat And Tricycle
0:52:57 > 0:53:00or The Hairy Lemon.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05- So this is keeping your hands steady?- That's right, yeah.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07I must admit I'll be feeling the pressure
0:53:07 > 0:53:10when I have to do my bit as well.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14'So, after a quick tutorial from the expert, it's my turn.'
0:53:14 > 0:53:17And how long would it take in total?
0:53:17 > 0:53:19Around about two weeks really altogether.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22And do you ever have a preferred side?
0:53:22 > 0:53:26I do usually at the end of it, you know, one I'll prefer and one
0:53:26 > 0:53:31I'll take photographs of but they are usually pretty identical, really.
0:53:31 > 0:53:34'For a novice, I like to think I'm doing OK.'
0:53:34 > 0:53:36Yeah, that looks fine, doesn't it?
0:53:36 > 0:53:38That's not too bad. Now, yours is sort of...
0:53:38 > 0:53:41Mine is round and yours is more oval.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45I think the bunny looks like he's been sampling the brew, doesn't he?
0:53:47 > 0:53:50If you need an apprentice, you know where I am.
0:53:50 > 0:53:51You start Monday morning.
0:53:51 > 0:53:53SHE LAUGHS
0:53:53 > 0:53:55- Thanks very much.- Cheers.
0:53:58 > 0:54:00Well, we've travelled the length
0:54:00 > 0:54:03and breadth of Wiltshire, trying to find Chris and Louisa that
0:54:03 > 0:54:08perfect family home but have we been successful?
0:54:08 > 0:54:11I'm not sure. Let's find out.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19Well, you two, we have travelled, we've seen a lot of Wiltshire
0:54:19 > 0:54:22- over the last few days, haven't we? - We definitely have.- Yeah.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25But Chris, Louisa, have we found you your new home?
0:54:25 > 0:54:27It's certainly made us think
0:54:27 > 0:54:30and one thing it's illustrated
0:54:30 > 0:54:35is the differences of what we want, between me and Chris.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38- Has that surprised you? - Yeah, it has.- It has a bit, yeah.
0:54:38 > 0:54:40Just realising that we look at different properties
0:54:40 > 0:54:43in different ways and probably have different...
0:54:43 > 0:54:45- Different styles and different tastes.- Yeah.
0:54:45 > 0:54:47So tell me is there one property out of everything that we've
0:54:47 > 0:54:51shown you that has got close or perhaps even hit the mark?
0:54:51 > 0:54:54- Yes.- I think it's the house with the pool.- Swimming pool house.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57Not to put too much emphasis on the pool, I don't think that was
0:54:57 > 0:55:00the primary factor in the house, I just think...
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Inside it had five bedrooms which is brilliant,
0:55:02 > 0:55:04- more than we ever thought.- Loads of space.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08Lots of living room space downstairs and then the core areas,
0:55:08 > 0:55:10the big kitchen, dining room area,
0:55:10 > 0:55:13that's a massive plus really because that's what we're looking for
0:55:13 > 0:55:16in terms of a place to spend a lot of time as a family.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18And did you like the location?
0:55:18 > 0:55:21Because I know that was really important for you, this move to the country.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23I think the location definitely hit the marker
0:55:23 > 0:55:26probably more than some of the other properties.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29I think it's... It hit the mark in terms that it's definitely rural
0:55:29 > 0:55:32but we'd need to do...
0:55:32 > 0:55:35I'd need to do anyway, definitely some more research in terms of how
0:55:35 > 0:55:38far would it be to work, to getting towards Guildford?
0:55:38 > 0:55:41And how close would it be towards various projects?
0:55:41 > 0:55:44And other things that are going on in the local area, really.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47So it definitely needs some consideration in terms
0:55:47 > 0:55:48of its geography and location.
0:55:48 > 0:55:52- But I think it's something that we're going to pursue.- A second viewing?
0:55:52 > 0:55:55- Yeah.- I think so, yeah, I think that will be the case.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58Yeah, just to reaffirm in our minds what it was.
0:55:58 > 0:56:03And will Evie-Grace be with you when you have that second viewing?
0:56:03 > 0:56:05- I'd want her to see it...- On reins.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08..even though I don't think she'll have much of an input but I think,
0:56:08 > 0:56:11- you know, to see if she gets excited by it.- She'd love it.- I think so.
0:56:11 > 0:56:16- I wonder which bedroom she's going to pick.- The swimming pool.
0:56:16 > 0:56:18- She's got a lot to choose from, hasn't she?- Five bedrooms.
0:56:18 > 0:56:20But whatever happens, keep in touch.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Thank you so much, we've really enjoyed showing you Wiltshire.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25- Yeah, thank you very much. - Thank you for helping us.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27It's been a great experience.
0:56:30 > 0:56:34Well, that's it, the end of our week here
0:56:34 > 0:56:36in beautiful Wiltshire with Chris and Louisa.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39And I must admit, there were times as we were going around
0:56:39 > 0:56:42our properties, I did have my doubts.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46But it seems at the end we got really, really close.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49So I hope over the next few months everything works out
0:56:49 > 0:56:53and they can make this wonderful county their new home.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56I'll see you again soon on Escape To The Country.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59Chris and Louisa returned to the house with the pool
0:56:59 > 0:57:01and decided to put in an offer.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04I'm happy to say it was accepted and we wish them
0:57:04 > 0:57:08all the very best for their new life in Wiltshire.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10If you would like to escape to the country in either
0:57:10 > 0:57:13Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland
0:57:13 > 0:57:15and would like our help, please apply online at...