0:00:02 > 0:00:05From a distance, this lovely little church could look like any other in the country.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08But get up close and it tells a very different story.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12I'll tell you why and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Today's couple are longing to settle
0:00:30 > 0:00:33and start a new life in the countryside.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36We may have hit the ground running with our properties.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Wow.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38- Oh, wow.- Wow.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- Wow.- Wow.- That's a good size.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43I can just hear the wows coming in behind me.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47And their model country pad could be right in front of their eyes.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50This is everything that I could have imagined with a house.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54And the view from there is just breathtaking.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Today I'm in Herefordshire, and behind me
0:00:56 > 0:01:01is the church of St Mary and St David in the village of Kilpeck.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Now, what makes it unique is it looks almost identical now to how
0:01:04 > 0:01:07it did when it was built over 870 years ago.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10And a closer inspection reveals that it contains one of the finest
0:01:10 > 0:01:15collections of ancient Romanesque sculptures in all of England.
0:01:15 > 0:01:21It's a remarkable building in a truly remarkable county.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Often described as England's most rural county,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27landlocked Herefordshire sits on the border with Powys
0:01:27 > 0:01:30in Wales to its west and Shropshire to the North.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Worcestershire to its east and Gloucestershire to the south.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Herefordshire really is an unspoiled county.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Rolling green countryside is an often used term,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44however the saying could and should have been coined here.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46It is and always has been an agricultural county,
0:01:46 > 0:01:51famed for its apple orchards and Hereford cattle.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55For centuries its rich natural environment has stood little changed,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58with picturesque towns and villages,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02black timbered houses dotting the landscape.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04At its heart sits Hereford,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08with its majestic cathedral dominating the skyline.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11However, the peaceful countryside and quiet pace of life belie
0:02:11 > 0:02:14the often turbulent history of the region.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Herefordshire is littered with locations reflecting
0:02:17 > 0:02:19hundreds of years of conflict.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Through the county flows the River Wye -
0:02:22 > 0:02:25it's one of the cleanest rivers in the UK - thought of as one of the
0:02:25 > 0:02:29best for salmon fishing, and it's also a special area of conservation.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36If you're thinking of escaping to the West Midlands then you should
0:02:36 > 0:02:40seriously consider house-hunting here in Herefordshire.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Quite simply, there are some excellent homes that,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45broadly speaking, offer really good value for money.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50The average cost of a detached house here is £264,000,
0:02:50 > 0:02:55which compares to £278,000 across the rest of England and Wales.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58So, it's a wonderful county with some lovely homes.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02I need a couple to show them to, so let's meet them.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Jo and Pete have been married for 31 years.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07They met in a bar in Hereford in 1979
0:03:07 > 0:03:12when Jo was training to be a nurse and Pete a new soldier.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I thought that he was something special then.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18And I thought Jo was a wow, and still do.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Pete's the eternal optimist.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22He's the one that comes up with the good ideas.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24I would class Jo as my rock.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26She keeps my feet very firmly on the ground.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29She keeps my aspirations attainable and achievable.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34After 37 years, army officer Pete has just retired
0:03:34 > 0:03:39from international service, where he and Jo have moved house 19 times.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Having returned to the UK for good and with their children grown-up,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47now is the right time for them to move to the countryside.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50My military career has involved me in postings
0:03:50 > 0:03:55in the UK, America, Germany, Saudi Arabia and lastly, Italy,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59where we've been given a house that we haven't chosen,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01we've been told that will be our house.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Now I've got the choice of where we live, I think I'd like to go
0:04:04 > 0:04:07and live in the country. I just love the open air.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09I'm an outdoor fanatic, I love walking, cycling, running,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11being out in it.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16With Pete now a home-based consultant,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18they're currently renting in Wiltshire,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21while they search for the house of their dreams in Herefordshire,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24in which they spent the early part of their marriage and where their son was born.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27We have existing family and friends there from our previous
0:04:27 > 0:04:29service there and we've got some
0:04:29 > 0:04:32very, very happy memories as a family from there of following the tractors
0:04:32 > 0:04:35loaded with apples driving around the country lanes.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38I particularly like Herefordshire for its greenness,
0:04:38 > 0:04:43its variety in terrain - it's a very rural county - and the pace of life.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46To go back to Herefordshire, for me, feels like going home.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Living for over three decades in a permanent state of transition,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Jo can't wait to unpack the many boxes they've been
0:04:53 > 0:04:55hauling around the world with them.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Mostly, the boxes actually contain the memories of the children
0:04:59 > 0:05:01as they've gone through the years.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05I look forward to actually finding a property that we can actually empty those boxes into,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08and decide that they're actually not going to go any further.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12And longing to finally settle into rural living, they're also hoping
0:05:12 > 0:05:17to cement new friendships that they can build upon into the future.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19I'm very excited at the fact of actually putting some
0:05:19 > 0:05:23roots down and actually finding a community that we can
0:05:23 > 0:05:28actually then belong to, rather than feel that you're transiting through.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31One of the nicest things is that I'll actually be able to
0:05:31 > 0:05:35join clubs and societies and actually become a full member of those.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38After so many years of living in army accommodation,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Jo and Pete are keen to begin their search to find
0:05:41 > 0:05:44their quintessential English country abode.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47The one thing that we're most looking forward to is finding
0:05:47 > 0:05:52the property that we've aspired to live in for 31 years of married life.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55We don't know what it looks like, but we are quite confident that
0:05:55 > 0:05:58when we see it we'll know it's the one for us.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00It would be so nice just to start afresh,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03and that's what we're really looking forward to think, isn't it?
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Both of us.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12With Jo and Pete keen to rekindle their happy Herefordshire memories,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15they're fairly open to living anywhere in the county,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17as long as it's not too rural
0:06:17 > 0:06:21and has good motorway connections for Pete's consultancy business.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I'm meeting up with them
0:06:23 > 0:06:26to pinpoint exactly what they're after, in terms of what
0:06:26 > 0:06:30they want from their new home and new life in the UK countryside.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34- Hello, you two.- Hi.- Hello.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37So how does it feel being back in Herefordshire?
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- It feels like being at home again, doesn't it?- It does, yes.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41When did you last live here?
0:06:41 > 0:06:45We last lived here in 2003,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49but we actually met in Herefordshire when we were much younger.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53We've still got some family. We've got lots of friends, which is nice.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55We've been catching up with them again, like a coat -
0:06:55 > 0:06:57just put it back on and your friendship's still there.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00So you've got good memories of the place, which is always a great way
0:07:00 > 0:07:02to start a search. Now, what about this house?
0:07:02 > 0:07:06What do you imagine it's going to look like when you pull up outside your dream home?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09It's going to have that feel-good factor about it, I think.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Something that we can make into a nice home for us for the future.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14So what's on the wish list for it?
0:07:14 > 0:07:16A study because I work from home.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Yeah, I'd like an open-plan kitchen.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- And what about the style of the property?- A bit of character.- Yes.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23It could be new, it could be old.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25A good sized garden, at least half an acre.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28We're quite keen to have some sheep, chickens, things like that.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Are there any no-nos?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Is there anything that you really don't want me to show you?
0:07:32 > 0:07:34We're open-minded.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39I think the location is as important as the actual house
0:07:39 > 0:07:43because you can change a house slightly,
0:07:43 > 0:07:44so we're flexible.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47What about doing work on the property, is that something you'd welcome?
0:07:47 > 0:07:50That would have to be factored into the budget that we have,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52so we wouldn't go above that budget for the renovation,
0:07:52 > 0:07:54it'd have to be included into the price.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56OK, let's talk about the budget. What are we working with?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58£450,000.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03However, should we find a property with holiday let type potential, then we could go above that.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08Maybe a holiday let would be a nice thing to...get my teeth into.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Well, that's a healthy sum, particularly for this part of the country, and, of course,
0:08:11 > 0:08:13you're in the great position of being cash buyers.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16I've got some very interesting properties to show you.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- Shall we go and look?- I can't wait. - Excellent, can't wait.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Jo and Pete are willing to stretch their maximum budget of up
0:08:24 > 0:08:27to £500,000 for the perfect property.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31They're after a three-bedroom detached quirky character home.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Ideally, with a large open-plan kitchen and a study.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36They're after a sizeable garden
0:08:36 > 0:08:40with easy access to the heart of the community in a village setting.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41And they're also hoping for a
0:08:41 > 0:08:44property with holiday let potential.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46We've got some stunning properties lined up, which hark
0:08:46 > 0:08:50back to the history of Herefordshire that Jo and Pete love.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Along with the land and future project opportunities
0:08:53 > 0:08:57they're hoping for from their new life back in the UK.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59And it's not until the end of each house tour that I'll be
0:08:59 > 0:09:02asking them to guess the price of each.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Our final stop is the Mystery House, providing an alternative option
0:09:06 > 0:09:10which may make them reconsider elements of their wish list.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Jo, what's it been like being an army wife? I'm fascinated.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19It's been a fantastic experience, actually.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I mean, I've done so many different things
0:09:22 > 0:09:25that I would never have done before. It's taken us all over the world.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29I mean, it has made me very, very adaptable
0:09:29 > 0:09:33and I'll have a go at anything now.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35And now it's quite strange to have stopped, really.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39To now think, "Oh, suddenly we've got to start a different type of life now."
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- It strikes me that you're quite looking forward to some new challenges?- I am.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46We've lived in many, many, many houses and we've always had,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48sort of, two years there,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51so everything we've done there, it's been a case of making do.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54We've not done improvements to houses.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Every house we've had, we've tried to make a home of,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00but this time it's going to be
0:10:00 > 0:10:03so nice to be able to choose the house, for a start,
0:10:03 > 0:10:08choose the colour schemes and just put our own little mark on it, I think.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11And I think that's probably what I'm looking forward to most.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14I just want to have a nice garden, really, as well.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I want to, sort of, develop the outdoor side of things.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20We've just spent 31 years of marriage trying to cultivate
0:10:20 > 0:10:21the military's gardens.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24We have returned, as we say, back to Hereford occasionally
0:10:24 > 0:10:26and you see some of the houses we lived in
0:10:26 > 0:10:28and you see the gardens growing and you think, "Well, Jo grew that
0:10:28 > 0:10:32"but she hasn't been able to actually enjoy it as it reaches fruition."
0:10:32 > 0:10:37So it will be nice to actually have a garden that develops over time.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40I'm looking forward to being a homemaker again, I think.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Making a nice place for the family to visit, friends to visit and things.
0:10:47 > 0:10:53We're starting our search north of the county, in the hamlet of Lucton.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58Nearby is Yarpole, known for its thriving community who, since 2005,
0:10:58 > 0:11:03have run the first full-time shop from a church in the UK.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Donating to many local projects, this is the first shop
0:11:06 > 0:11:10of its kind to receive the Queen's award for voluntary service.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Also offering a pub, amateur dramatic society and book clubs,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16this centre would be ideal for Jo and Pete,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20and it's just a five-minute drive to the property we're going to view.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- Wow.- That's a good reaction.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- Yes, that's fantastic. - I love the angles.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31That's a really good feature, isn't it?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Something quirky, something different.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35It looks, actually, quite stunning, doesn't it?
0:11:35 > 0:11:39Yes, it's got that different look about it that interests us, I think.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42The circular tower is because this was a grain store
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- so it's got all the character that you were after.- Definitely.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48One of the unusual things that this offers is upside-down living,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51so you've got your living space at the top and the bedrooms underneath.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I know you lived in lots of different houses, have you ever tried that before?
0:11:54 > 0:11:59We haven't, but Jo's sister has a house in France that does that.
0:11:59 > 0:12:00It's quite quirky.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02It's nice cos you often get the views from upstairs
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- that you don't get from down below.- What about the location?
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Because we're north of Hereford here.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10I'm looking for access to motorways, but,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13if the compromise I have to make is that I have an extra 10 or 15-minute drive,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16so be it, cos it's the house that we're buying.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Having been, sort of, within the military community for so long
0:12:19 > 0:12:22and been part of communities, we would like to get involved again.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25We'd be really keen to get immersed into that aspect of life.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29I love the aspect of the stairs to go up and all the pots on the stairs.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31That looks fantastic.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32Well, let's take a look.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Because it's an upside-down house,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36we're going to have to go up the stairs to get into it.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Fantastic.- It is lovely, isn't it?
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Dating back to the mid-17th century, this former barn
0:12:43 > 0:12:46made from local stone with a Welsh slate roof was originally
0:12:46 > 0:12:50a granary and grain store, before it was converted in the 1900s.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Now...
0:12:54 > 0:12:57You said you were quite interested in seeing open-plan living,
0:12:57 > 0:12:58this is open-plan living.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03We do quite like that whole one large room where a lot of life takes place.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Yeah, it's all got little areas as well, hasn't it?
0:13:06 > 0:13:08You could actually all be in and doing different things
0:13:08 > 0:13:10but you're not on top of one another.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13I think the stairs just, sort of, give you that bit of segregation.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Yes.- What do you feel about the space in the kitchen, Jo?
0:13:16 > 0:13:20There's not a terrific amount of work space there.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21You could actually adapt it
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and have a big butcher's block or something like that.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27The interesting thing about the range is it's an electric range,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30and I don't know if you were beady eyed enough to notice the
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- solar panels on the roof... - Yes, we did.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34We noticed that as we came through.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37That actually helps to reduce their electricity bill by half.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- Wow, that's interesting.- Wow. It's attractive to look at.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44The different materials, the colours, the beams,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46they work together quite well.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49Now, I know that a home office is important to you.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50There's a couple of options.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53We've got the mezzanine up here just above us,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56so you're really in the heart of the living space.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57Now, I know you mentioned quirky,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- and there's quite a nice little quirky room that I'm going to show you.- OK.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Let's go through into here.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Ah, so you're actually in the...
0:14:09 > 0:14:11In the actual grain store.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14So you do have the option of the mezzanine office,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17but I wonder how this would work for you as an office, Pete.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23It could work, but I think this would be a particularly nice snug,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27where you've got this lovely, quirky circular room.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It could be a very pleasant area that you could withdraw to for
0:14:30 > 0:14:32a little bit of peace and quiet.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35You'd enjoy that and it'd be a place to listen to music and things like that.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38You get this lovely cosiness where the walls wrap around you, but yet,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41with the grey roof and it's angular,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43you actually get that sense of space as well.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45I'm going to show you the master bedroom and, of course,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- because it's an upside-down house, we've got to go downstairs.- OK.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Jo and Pete asked for three bedrooms and there's one extra here,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58which could prove to be useful for visiting friends and family.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02On the ground floor there are two double bedrooms, one single,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04a bathroom and a utility room.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- So here we have the master bedroom. - Oh, wow.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12How do you feel about the size of the bedroom?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15We're not desperate for a huge massive room at all.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- It works, doesn't it? - I love the doors.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Yeah, there's a lot of original features in the house which
0:15:20 > 0:15:23gives it that unusual quirky quality that I know you were looking for.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24- Yes.- You've also...
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Something a bit more modern in there.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- You've got a little en suite, which is very handy.- Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?
0:15:30 > 0:15:31That's perfect, yeah.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Again, that mixture of modern and old looks very good.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37There are already chickens in the garden.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39I just don't know if you're going to be able to squeeze any sheep in.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- Right.- But I'll see what you both think.- OK.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46So far, Jo and Pete have warmed to this property,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49and can picture themselves potentially living here.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53But I wonder what they'll make of the cottage-style garden.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- Nice chickens.- Yeah, they are. - This is it, this is the garden. What you see is what you get.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00It is smaller than what, perhaps, I was initially thinking about,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03but it's got lots of other lovely features about it.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- There's that little nice snuggy area for having a glass of wine. - Yes, we saw.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10And the owners were telling me that just up there, on the top of the steps where you
0:16:10 > 0:16:13go into the house, is their evening glass of wine spot because it gets
0:16:13 > 0:16:17the sunsets and it gets the sun, so they sit there, they have a glass of wine, they unwind.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- Right, come on, let's guess the price. Ladies first.- Erm...
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Well, I think, because it hasn't actually got the land that we're
0:16:24 > 0:16:29looking for, I think it's going to be below 400,000.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32I think it's going to be about 385.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34I'd go for 375.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36It is on the market for less than budget.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Not quite as low as the two of you were saying though,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41it's on the market for £395,000.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44It would leave you, actually, with quite a healthy amount left over.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Does that change your thoughts on the house at all?
0:16:47 > 0:16:50It's reassuring to know that if we wanted to do some work to it,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53that you have the funding in our budget to do that.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55It's sounding really positive to me,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58but why don't you to go back inside, explore the rooms that you haven't seen,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01take a look around and I'll catch up with you in a little while.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Oh, thank you.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11A sizeable £105,000 under budget,
0:17:11 > 0:17:14this former grain store barn offers up four bedrooms,
0:17:14 > 0:17:19large sociable open-plan living area and a prime central village location
0:17:19 > 0:17:23within the heart of the community, which Jo and Pete were longing for.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27I just love this area.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Walking into the open-plan space, my immediate thought was,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31yet again, "Wow."
0:17:31 > 0:17:34It has that cosiness that we're looking for,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36with the characterfulness of the beams.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38It's got some lovely features about it too,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42and I can already see how we would make it ours.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44There was a definite wow factor
0:17:44 > 0:17:46when you look at the property for the first time, I think.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49It's lovely and I could see us personalising it
0:17:49 > 0:17:51and making it a home.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53It's got that real cosy feeling about it.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57It's got lots of potential for us to put our mark on the property.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00The house is just amazing, I like it.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02I really feel we could make a home of it.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05It would certainly be a challenge to make it a new home for us.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09From my perspective, the garden isn't a nonstarter, however,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13it's the distance that I will have to travel down to get to the
0:18:13 > 0:18:16motorways is a compromise that I'd have to think about.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19For me, personally, the garden is the stumbling block.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22I'd like to see something with a bigger garden.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26So we went in the upstairs and you're coming out in the downstairs door.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- I think there's a television programme in that, personally. - You're probably right, yes.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- Interesting property?- Very. - Very interesting.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- But there's more to see, so come on.- OK.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Mention the county of Herefordshire and most people
0:18:44 > 0:18:48think of the illustrious Hereford breed of cattle.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52And whilst the county continues to farm the breed to which it gave its
0:18:52 > 0:18:57name, there is now another notable, if diminutive, animal in residence.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02Just outside Leominster are 17 of the smallest sheep in the world.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06Ouessant sheep are small in stature, but big in character.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Hoping to have enough land to keep a few sheep,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10Pete and Jo are meeting Carolyn Southern,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14who has been breeding these little gems for 13 years.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Hi, Pete, Jo, welcome to the smallholding.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21So, Carolyn, how big do this breed actually grow?
0:19:21 > 0:19:26Well, the breed standard is 48 centimetres for an adult ram
0:19:26 > 0:19:28and 45 centimetres for an adult ewe.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30So they stay quite small?
0:19:30 > 0:19:31Yes, they're very tiny.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33So if we were to have three sheep, Carolyn,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35what sized plot would you recommend that we would have?
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Ideally, I would say about half an acre.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41About ten animals to the acre is the maximum.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43And in winter, do you have to provide them
0:19:43 > 0:19:45with shelter or do they stay outside?
0:19:45 > 0:19:49They will stay outside, generally. They're really hardy.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52But, if it's really heavy rain, they'll want to just run in.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56They also need the shelter to get out of the strong sun as well.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00So would they be a breed that you would recommend as a first-time sheep owner?
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Yes, well, I'd never had sheep before I had these
0:20:03 > 0:20:06and once I looked into it, they just seemed ideal.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10They're very easy to keep. I've got some more stock over here,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12- I'll show you those.- OK.- Thank you.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Ouessant sheep were to be found solely on the French isle of Ouessant
0:20:16 > 0:20:20until the start of the 20th century when they were saved from extinction
0:20:20 > 0:20:22by a group of aristocrats
0:20:22 > 0:20:25who brought them over to mainland France.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Having only arrived on British shores around 15 years ago,
0:20:28 > 0:20:30today there are thought to be around 2,000 in the UK.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34These are this year's lambs.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36So, what are we feeding them here today, then, Caroline?
0:20:36 > 0:20:38This is actually a bit like muesli.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42It's called ruminant mix and it's a mixture of grains.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45And what else do they eat other than that?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Primarily, they'll eat the grass but they do also eat the hedges
0:20:49 > 0:20:54and the bark off the trees of any low branches on the trees.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56In the winter, if the grass is very sparse,
0:20:56 > 0:20:57you can give them hay, as well.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01OK. Is there anything in particular that they shouldn't eat?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- What's dangerous for them? - Well, when you've got...
0:21:03 > 0:21:06When you have your plot, you've got to make sure there's nothing
0:21:06 > 0:21:08that's poisonous in...
0:21:08 > 0:21:10That they can reach.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- The obvious ones - yew and laurel and rhododendron...- OK.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17..that are really quite nasty.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Are there any legal requirements we have to have or be aware of
0:21:21 > 0:21:22if we were to buy sheep?
0:21:22 > 0:21:26I recommend that you only buy your animals from a registered breeder.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31You need to have a holding number which Defra will provide you with.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33How do you recognise a healthy sheep?
0:21:33 > 0:21:38As you can see, these are pretty lively and bright eyed.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40If you check that they haven't got any runny eyes,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44they're not limping, you know, lame.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47If their fleece is very solid, it's a soft fleece.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51You don't want anything with different patches of different
0:21:51 > 0:21:54colours in because that wouldn't conform to the breed standard.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56We are going to move some sheep today,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58so if you want to give us a hand, that would be fabulous.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- That'd be great.- We'd love to.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03They're so friendly, it's gorgeous. Aren't you?
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Surprisingly low-maintenance, these sheep are shorn once a year
0:22:10 > 0:22:12and have the most wool per weight of any breed.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Come on! Sheep!
0:22:15 > 0:22:17RUSTLING
0:22:17 > 0:22:18- Here they come.- Here they come.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24By splitting the plot of land and rotating them every six-eight weeks,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27it not only rests the ground but keeps the sheep healthy.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Have you got any tips for what we should be doing
0:22:31 > 0:22:32and how we should help you do this?
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Well, they're difficult to catch unless you do pen them first.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39And then what we've done is we've put a race of hurdles
0:22:39 > 0:22:43in to sort of channel them down into the next field.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- They're off.- They're off, aren't they?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- They know where they're going, don't they, Caroline?- Yes.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- They're moving really fast, aren't they?- They can run very fast, yes.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00They're off on their hols now!
0:23:01 > 0:23:03With three registered breeders in Herefordshire,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06it looks like Jo and Pete will be flocking to buy some of these
0:23:06 > 0:23:09little beauties before too long.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Aw. Yeah, I've fallen in love with them already, I have.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15I hope you decide to keep this breed cos they're very special.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Well, thanks for showing us your sheep,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- it's been absolutely fascinating. - You're very welcome.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Yeah, thank you. We've thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23It's been great.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Our house-hunt continues in the village of Garway.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Hovering outside the Herefordshire/Welsh border,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37the pub is the heart of the community
0:23:37 > 0:23:41and is a hive of weekly activities, hosting cinema and book clubs.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44With monthly music gigs held at the village hall
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and regular farmers' markets, there's plenty of opportunity for Jo
0:23:47 > 0:23:51and Pete to involve themselves in this tightknit social scene.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53The nearest local amenities are a mile away
0:23:53 > 0:23:56and the property we're visiting is just a short stroll from all
0:23:56 > 0:23:58the action at the edge of the village.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- So, this is the property I want to show you.- That's gorgeous.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Really very pretty, isn't it? It looks very nice.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06- Picture perfect, actually.- Yes.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It's how you imagine a little cottage to be and it looks like
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- it's got potential for lots of views. - It has.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13On a day better than today, you can see right out over
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- the Black Mountains.- Yes. - Oh, really?
0:24:15 > 0:24:17So, the views over there are stunning.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20There's an old store just over there which is currently
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- used as an art studio... - Yes.- ..which is of a decent size.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26- There's also a stone barn... - Oh, wow.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29..that needs completely converting.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32One thing this property offers you is the potential for a holiday annexe.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- Exciting.- Shall we go and take a look?- Excellent, yes, we'd love to.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38- Hello!- Hi.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45Originally constructed in the 18th century, this attractive
0:24:45 > 0:24:48stone cottage was sympathetically renovated in the 1970s
0:24:48 > 0:24:52to form an endearing characterful house packed with original details.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Come on in. Let's move over here.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01So, we're standing, actually, inside a 1970s addition to the property
0:25:01 > 0:25:04which I think, externally, has been done really sympathetically.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06- Really?!- Yeah.- And internally, as well.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08- I wouldn't have believed this was 1970s.- Yeah, it is.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Now, this property doesn't offer you the open-plan living that
0:25:12 > 0:25:15I know we talked about at one point.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18But it does have quite a nice flow to it. So, you come into this
0:25:18 > 0:25:20first entrance room, they've got it set up as a dining room,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23I think you could use it for lots of different purposes.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24What are your initial thoughts?
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Potentially, you're right next to the kitchen, aren't you?
0:25:27 > 0:25:30So, you know, depends on how big the kitchen is
0:25:30 > 0:25:33but this looks as though it could be a through room, anyway.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37Well, it carries on the warm quaintness of the initial
0:25:37 > 0:25:39view as you walk in straight away.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42I think the best way to see this house is just to have a wander round
0:25:42 > 0:25:45downstairs cos it does have a very interesting flow to it.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- So, let me show you another room. - OK.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Oh, wow. I just keep coming out with wows, don't I?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- This is stunning. - Yeah, this is cosy.- A lovely room.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58This is, obviously, the original part of the cottage.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00- That's an inglenook fireplace, isn't it?- It is.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It's got the lovely feature of the original bread oven.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Sadly, it doesn't work any more but it looks nice.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09It's definitely quite a big room. With the three windows in it, it's...
0:26:09 > 0:26:10Very bright and airy.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Yes, for a cottage, this is a really good-sized living room.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- Breathtaking, I have to say.- Yes. - It takes your breath away.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19It's very interesting when you see the staircase up there as well.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21It just adds to it, doesn't it? It adds to the feel of the place.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23I was going to come to the staircases
0:26:23 > 0:26:26because there are two staircases that lead upstairs.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28I'm not going to take you there just yet though.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31You've already spotted the kitchen from the entrance or dining room
0:26:31 > 0:26:32but there's another way into the kitchen,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35- so follow me and all will become clear.- Excellent. Lovely.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39'On the ground floor there is also a conservatory and a study-cum-library,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43'which may be useful for Pete's home-based consulting,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45'which leads through to the kitchen.'
0:26:45 > 0:26:47That a good size, isn't it?
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Again, nice and light with double aspect window.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53And you've got lots of working surfaces.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56What about the style of the kitchen? Is it your style?
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Erm, it may be.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02I mean, there's always room for potential, isn't there?
0:27:02 > 0:27:04It's certainly something I could live with.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07I think what you could do with this kitchen
0:27:07 > 0:27:09is potentially knock that wall down.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12You could end up with a really lovely free-flowing space
0:27:12 > 0:27:15that gives you a bit of that open-plan feeling that you wanted.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18I think that would really be something that I'd be interested in doing.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Then you could put an island on here
0:27:20 > 0:27:22because you've got more room around.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25And if you did go for the big open-plan look then you've got
0:27:25 > 0:27:27a separate utility room out there, which is very handy.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32- I think it's time we went to investigate those two staircases. - OK.- Follow me.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35'Due to the cottage having undergone previous extensions,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37'one staircase leads to two doubles
0:27:37 > 0:27:42'and one single bedroom, as well as a bathroom on the first floor.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44'And the other staircase leads to another double bedroom
0:27:44 > 0:27:46'with its own shower room.'
0:27:46 > 0:27:50So I've brought you up the staircase that leads you through
0:27:50 > 0:27:52to the master bedroom.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Oh, wow, very airy and spacious, isn't it?
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Oh, fantastic views as well. Can you imagine?
0:27:58 > 0:28:00To wake up and see those views must be wonderful.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03And again, because this is in the newer part of the house,
0:28:03 > 0:28:04you've got the high ceiling height,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06so you don't have those low cottagey ceilings.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09It's quite nice in a bedroom.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11- Could you see yourself in here?- Yes.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15- This is, er, definite, definite...- Very nice.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Definitely nice. A good size as well, isn't it?
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- It's not a small bedroom at all. - Let me show you the outside.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Jo and Pete seemed to be making all the right noises
0:28:25 > 0:28:27when it comes to the interior of the house
0:28:27 > 0:28:30so I'm hoping they'll be impressed with the bigger garden here,
0:28:30 > 0:28:32which amounts to two-thirds of an acre.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39It's certainly got the type of garden I would look for.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- It would definitely keep me busy, wouldn't it?- It certainly would.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Well, let's see if guessing the price can bring back some of those wows.
0:28:45 > 0:28:46What you think, Jo?
0:28:46 > 0:28:47I think, looking at it,
0:28:47 > 0:28:52the garden and the potential with the two outbuildings, I think £445,000.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- OK. Pete?- I'm going to go a little bit lower. I'm going to go £425,000.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Wow. I think there's a bit of wishful thinking
0:28:59 > 0:29:00going on with you two at the moment.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03You're way off the mark, both of you.
0:29:03 > 0:29:08- This property is on the market for £500,000.- OK.
0:29:08 > 0:29:09What do you think now you know that?
0:29:09 > 0:29:12That's at the very, very top of our bracket,
0:29:12 > 0:29:15which would leave us nothing to actually do any development work
0:29:15 > 0:29:17and there's quite a lot of development that would be needed
0:29:17 > 0:29:19to create that holiday let there.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Well, you still haven't seen all of it properly yet
0:29:22 > 0:29:26and you haven't investigated the annexe and also that barn.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28So, why don't you go and have a good look around?
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- OK, thank you. - OK, thanks.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34At the very top of their budget,
0:29:34 > 0:29:38this pretty stone cottage with four bedrooms, bags of character
0:29:38 > 0:29:40and a large garden has huge potential to convert
0:29:40 > 0:29:44the outbuildings into self-contained holiday lets.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Based in an excellent edge-of-village location,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49it would be close but far away enough for Jo and Pete
0:29:49 > 0:29:53to immerse themselves in as little or as much as they want.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57The flow downstairs is great. I definitely liked the lounge area.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02This is a nice little room. Could you see yourself in here as a study?
0:30:02 > 0:30:05When I want to work, I want to lock the rest of the family off
0:30:05 > 0:30:06and get on with work
0:30:06 > 0:30:09and I think sitting right next to the kitchen
0:30:09 > 0:30:10is just a little bit too close for me.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14I like the fact that the garden is big and there is potential.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18In the studio we are in here, there is some potential
0:30:18 > 0:30:20but it's not enough.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23Whether that potential is what we would want to achieve from it, I don't know.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26The house itself is very pretty.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30The work that needs to be done is quite substantial
0:30:30 > 0:30:32and that would take it well over our budget.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35I think this is a lovely house,
0:30:35 > 0:30:37but I can't see myself in it.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40It doesn't actually feel like I could make it my home.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Well, that's the final one for today.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- Has it been a good day for you both? - It's been a fabulous day.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Yes, it's been very interesting.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52It has, and it's been rewarding and it's actually enabled us
0:30:52 > 0:30:56to sort of refine a bit more what we do want
0:30:56 > 0:30:57and also we don't want
0:30:57 > 0:31:00and what's more important and what isn't important.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02I think you should think about that this evening
0:31:02 > 0:31:05because I've got some very interesting things to show you tomorrow.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Excellent.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16It's the second day of our property search in Herefordshire
0:31:16 > 0:31:19with Jo and Pete, who have just returned to the UK
0:31:19 > 0:31:21from international army service.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24With a budget of up to £500,000,
0:31:24 > 0:31:26they're ready to begin the next chapter of their lives
0:31:26 > 0:31:29in the countryside they know and love.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Coming up, our house-hunt offers more history than they could have hoped for.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37That is absolutely stunning. I just love the height.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40The colours are very enchanting.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42And I find out how traditional Herefordshire
0:31:42 > 0:31:45is keeping up with modern day tastes.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Oh, it's a lovely mellow, fruity flavour that's very smooth.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53There were elements in both of yesterday's houses
0:31:53 > 0:31:55that really appealed to the lifestyle that Pete and Jo
0:31:55 > 0:31:57are looking to lead here in Herefordshire.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00But it's a new day and there are two new properties to show them,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02including the Mystery House,
0:32:02 > 0:32:07which could make them reassess exactly what it is they are looking for.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Let's find out just how open-minded Pete and Jo are prepared to be.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15But before the mystery property, our search is taking us
0:32:15 > 0:32:18to the village of Bishops Frome.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Located on the border where Herefordshire meets Worcestershire,
0:32:21 > 0:32:23this idyllic and very active village
0:32:23 > 0:32:26has a community-run shop with two pubs.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Half a mile away is the Hop Pocket Shopping Village
0:32:29 > 0:32:32spread over a number of old agricultural buildings,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36which offers a cafe, wine centre and butchers with fine local produce.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Just outside the village,
0:32:39 > 0:32:42our next property can be found down a quiet, country lane.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46Now, in our conversations we've talked a lot
0:32:46 > 0:32:48about how you like old, but you like new.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Wow. I'm back to wows again now.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53You are back to wows. I like that.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- That looks impressive. - That's stunning. That is actually very stunning.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58From the first impression, it looks good.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00It looks like it blends in very well.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- It makes you want to actually go in and view it.- Exciting.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- Let's go and investigate. - Great.- Can't wait.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Built in 1650, this former barn
0:33:10 > 0:33:12of traditional oak timber frame construction
0:33:12 > 0:33:15originally belonged to the house next door
0:33:15 > 0:33:17until it was converted in the 1980s.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20Two years ago an annexe was added to the rear.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24The front door leads to a hallway and the main sitting room,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27but because there's so much of this house to see,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30we're heading straight through it to the kitchen.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32- Double wow.- A double wow.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37- This is stunning. Absolutely stunning.- It's so nice to see you two smiling like this.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40This is obviously the older part of the house.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42- It's got the beams that you wanted, hasn't it?- Yeah.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44There's lots of character here.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47I've got a warm, cosy, homely feeling
0:33:47 > 0:33:50that we had in the upside-down house yesterday
0:33:50 > 0:33:52but there is space around.
0:33:52 > 0:33:53It's interesting for me
0:33:53 > 0:33:55because you really did like open-plan
0:33:55 > 0:33:58and this technically isn't open-plan
0:33:58 > 0:33:59- but it's appealing to you.- Yeah.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01It flows very naturally
0:34:01 > 0:34:03and, actually, whilst there is only doorways,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05not huge open-plan,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08I think it adopts a more modern feel to open-plan.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10What's welcome is the utility room just over there
0:34:10 > 0:34:13- so you can keep everything out of the way.- Very useful.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16I don't know how keen your ears were when we were outside looking at the property.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19- Did you hear the tinkling?- I did. - Did you?- I did hear that.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Let me just give you a glass of that just to try. You can have one each.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24There you go.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26You've got your very own stream.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Well, it's a spring and the water for the property
0:34:29 > 0:34:32is fed from the spring so you don't pay any water rates on this property.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- So cheers to that.- Cheers. - Cheers to that.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Apparently it tastes very good. I haven't tried it yet.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39- That's nice, isn't it? - Jo loves water.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41That's very, very clean and fresh.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44So, yes, the spring is up right at the top of the garden.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45My gosh, that's amazing too, isn't it?
0:34:45 > 0:34:50- I'd like you to take a closer look at the dining hall because that's really interesting.- OK.- OK.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Also on the ground floor there's a double bedroom with en suite
0:34:54 > 0:34:56and in the eaves of the dining hall there's a mezzanine,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59both of which could provide great office space for Pete.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07- Ooh, it looks good.- Oh, wow. That is absolutely stunning.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09I think we can add a couple more wows into here.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Yeah, I was going to say, your wow quota is building for this property.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15I mean, I just love the height.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- Isn't that fantastic?- Absolutely stunning. Just absolutely stunning.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20What a feature though, this bit is.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23You get the sense that this was, of course, a beautiful barn.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25You've got the old beams in here.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29You really get the feeling of what it once was back in the day, don't you?
0:35:29 > 0:35:33Yes, you do. I love the exposed stonework.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37The colours are very enchanting.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39- Can you imagine the family in here at Christmas?- I could.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42I could imagine a Christmas tree in here, a full height Christmas tree.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Let's just talk, then, about the annexe.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47The doorway here leads through to the modern part.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50- Would you like to have a look? - Certainly.- Let's go.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57The self-contained annexe space here is the real selling point of this property.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Completed to a very high spec,
0:35:59 > 0:36:01with its own double bedroom and shower room,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03it meets all modern eco-requirements
0:36:03 > 0:36:05and is just what our buyers are after.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09- Wow.- Oh, goodness.- Goodness me. - The wows.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12I can just hear the wows coming in behind me.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15I'm just... My breath is just taken away.
0:36:15 > 0:36:16Absolutely taken away.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- But how different it is though. - What a complete contrast.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22You've gone from the 17th century to the 21st century.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25I'm not sure I want to let this be a holiday let, actually.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28It's just so nice. I'd want to live here myself.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Everything is ready for a kitchen to go in across here.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34They haven't put one in, but it's got water, it's got all the points that you need.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35It's even got the extractor fan.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39So you might notice it's very lovely cosy and here from the underfloor heating
0:36:39 > 0:36:44and it's free in this house because it's got a state-of-the-art wood pellet boiler.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46So that, combined with the solar panels,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49means that this house has a zero carbon footprint.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52There is no gas bill. There is no electricity bill.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54And you actually make money on the property.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56You're just ticking every box. Absolutely every box.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59This is something that Pete and I, Pete was looking at
0:36:59 > 0:37:02when we first started looking at houses saying,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04I want an eco-friendly house.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07This is just... I'm just blown away.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09This is everything I could ever have imagined in a house.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13And the view from there, those trees, just changing colour,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15is just absolutely breathtaking.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Does the prospect of closing off that area
0:37:18 > 0:37:21and having this is a holiday let, does that appeal to you?
0:37:21 > 0:37:25- It certainly...- It does actually because I think it would work.
0:37:25 > 0:37:26I think you could do it.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28And there's still so much more to show you
0:37:28 > 0:37:32because we have to go back into the old part so I can show you the master bedroom.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34Aside from the two bedrooms downstairs,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37on the first floor there is a bathroom and two further bedrooms,
0:37:37 > 0:37:39a single and the master.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43So this is the master bedroom.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46You've got fantastic views across the Fromes Hill.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48- Stunning.- You've actually got the size of the room
0:37:48 > 0:37:51- without the beams taking away that view.- It's breathtaking.
0:37:51 > 0:37:52I seem to be getting a really positive vibe
0:37:52 > 0:37:55from both of you about this house. What is it that you like about it?
0:37:55 > 0:38:00You've got the warmth and the cosiness of the 17th century.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04It is old but this part, because it's been so nicely renovated,
0:38:04 > 0:38:06it actually has a new feeling about it too.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08It belies how old it is.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11It's quite exciting as well because I still get to show you the outside.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- Yes.- And there are some really good things to tell you
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- when we get out there. - Excellent.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Jo and Pete are obviously wowed by the property,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23and with the rear garden set in just over an acre,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26plus an extra paddock of a third of an acre,
0:38:26 > 0:38:31I suspect that the outside space here might just be the icing on the cake.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34So, up here, this is where your sheep can live
0:38:34 > 0:38:36and the really hard work in the garden has been done.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38All the real legwork.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41What it needs now is just that work of landscaping.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Personalisation. - Is it too big for you?
0:38:44 > 0:38:45- No.- No.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48It's that time for you to guess the price.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Because it's in the east of Herefordshire,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53it's got good communication links, I'm going to say £575,000.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Because I think it's a lovely house,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59I do think it's going to be over our budget.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01I'm going to go for £525,000.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03You will probably be very pleased
0:39:03 > 0:39:08when I tell you that it's on the market for offers over £500,000.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11However, I've had a conversation with the owners
0:39:11 > 0:39:13and they've made it clear to me that they would accept
0:39:13 > 0:39:17an offer of under 500,000, only just,
0:39:17 > 0:39:18from buyers in your position.
0:39:20 > 0:39:25That is amazing. That is utterly amazing. Where do I sign?
0:39:25 > 0:39:27- Really?- Seriously.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Well, I'd like you to go back inside and really look around the property.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32I know it's got a lot to offer and there's a lot you haven't seen,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34so take your time, explore and I'll come and find you.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- OK, thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41At the top of their budget,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45this former barn with an eclectic mix of original character features
0:39:45 > 0:39:47and modern eco-specifications
0:39:47 > 0:39:51meets all of Jo and Pete's wish list and more.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Having an almost ready to go holiday let opportunity,
0:39:54 > 0:39:58it's set in an ideal village location and has fantastic views.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02This property ticks every single box that we could think of.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04It's the right location.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06It's got the views,
0:40:06 > 0:40:09the opportunity to develop the garden.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11This room is amazing, isn't it?
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Look at the way the carving is up on the minstrel's gallery.
0:40:13 > 0:40:18I just love the double height, the space, the light...the history.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20I'm feeling really excited
0:40:20 > 0:40:23because I think there's an opportunity for me, here definitely,
0:40:23 > 0:40:24to do a holiday let.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28I can see myself here at home and also entertaining the family here.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33This is just absolutely amazing. It's everything we want in a house.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36It's a combination of old, new, quirky, characterful...
0:40:38 > 0:40:39..eco-friendly.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41I'm going to interrupt you. I know you love this house
0:40:41 > 0:40:44but there is still one more to go and it's the Mystery House.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46- Come on.- I'm very excited.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57What about the Mystery House?
0:40:57 > 0:40:59What do you think I'm going to show you there?
0:40:59 > 0:41:03I think you're going to go something quirky, new, today because I think
0:41:03 > 0:41:06that just is totally opposite to what we've
0:41:06 > 0:41:08- put out in our brief, really, I think.- Do you?
0:41:08 > 0:41:12I think it's going to be a chapel conversion or something like that.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Yes.- My lips are sealed, of course, at this point. All will be revealed.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21You kind of feel, I think, like you have a good idea of what you want,
0:41:21 > 0:41:25but from my perspective, I don't know if you actually do.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27I think you're probably quite right.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31It's the first time we've actually been looking inside and around
0:41:31 > 0:41:36a house as a potential purchase.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41But we've also found it very interesting
0:41:41 > 0:41:46refining down what we do like but also what we don't want,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49and what's more important than we previously thought,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52and what is less important. Such as, I actually picked up yesterday,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55at the first house, that actually, views are quite important.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Because if I'm going to be in the country, I want to be able to see it.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02Another aspect for me, of course, is that the study is important.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04And, Jo, what about you?
0:42:04 > 0:42:06I do want a reasonable-sized garden that
0:42:06 > 0:42:10I can actually spend a lot of time in.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15I probably want a smaller house than I first anticipated
0:42:15 > 0:42:18because I think it would be more cosy.
0:42:18 > 0:42:23And probably, I don't want one that's too remote.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26We've always been part of a community
0:42:26 > 0:42:30and as much as we quite like being on the edge of a community,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33I think we like being able to join in as and when we wish.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35I'm quite excited about the mystery property.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39So the pressure's on to find you a property that knocks both your socks off.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40Not at all, not at all.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42I'm sure you'll rise to the challenge, Ginny.
0:42:48 > 0:42:49For our mystery property,
0:42:49 > 0:42:53we're heading to the small village of Wormelow Tump.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57South of Herefordshire, the tump itself was a mound,
0:42:57 > 0:43:01which local tradition claims was the burial place of King Arthur's son,
0:43:01 > 0:43:05having been flattened to widen the road in 1896.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08There's a local garage and a pub here.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10With the greater amenities of Hereford nearby,
0:43:10 > 0:43:13it's just a short drive to our next property,
0:43:13 > 0:43:15which is blessed with a stunning setting.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20- It's not so much a Mystery House... - Oh, my goodness.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22..as a Mystery Mansion.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25- Wow.- Wow. Goodness me. - It is stunning, isn't it?
0:43:25 > 0:43:28It's been bought by developers and it's being turned into 12
0:43:28 > 0:43:32extremely high-end, luxury apartments and two houses.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34I know you've lived in properties all over the world,
0:43:34 > 0:43:36- different kinds of properties... - Never a stately home.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40- Have you come across a stately home on your travels?- No, we haven't.- No.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44- A few officers' messes like stately homes...- Yes.- ..but never actually lived in one.- No.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47It's communal living. It's very different.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49I know you had these ideas about the lifestyle you were going to have
0:43:49 > 0:43:51in Herefordshire, and I just thought,
0:43:51 > 0:43:54- "Why not challenge that?"- Yes. - It's very beautiful,
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- you have a view...- Yes. - A fantastic view.
0:43:57 > 0:44:01- ..and it's a different thing to consider.- It is.- I quite agree.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05In the scheme of things, it is something we should consider
0:44:05 > 0:44:12- cos it's...one avenue... - It challenges our thoughts.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14- We would probably never have looked at something like this.- No.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17I guessed not, somehow. But it's inside this house
0:44:17 > 0:44:20that you really get the feeling for how stunning it is...
0:44:20 > 0:44:22- Yes.- ..so I think we should go in and take a look.
0:44:23 > 0:44:28This Victorian gothic manor house was constructed in the 1860s
0:44:28 > 0:44:29by Sir James Rankin,
0:44:29 > 0:44:33whose family made their money through timber and shipbuilding.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37Steeped in history, it also spent former years as a factory
0:44:37 > 0:44:40and prisoner of war hospital during the Second World War.
0:44:41 > 0:44:45So, I just thought I'd bring you into the entrance hall, you know.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47Look at the chandeliers up there.
0:44:47 > 0:44:51- I mean, it's gothic architecture at its finest.- Look at the fireplace.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53- It's beautiful. - How does this style appeal to you?
0:44:53 > 0:44:56It's a different period of architecture
0:44:56 > 0:45:00but it has that immenseness of it that I'm not overawed by it,
0:45:00 > 0:45:05I'm actually drawn into it. I think it's stunning.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07So, how do you think it would be welcoming your friends
0:45:07 > 0:45:09and your family into this entrance hall.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13Well, you can just imagine walking through that huge gothic door
0:45:13 > 0:45:16and saying, "Please come into our house,"
0:45:16 > 0:45:19coming through, walking up those stairs...
0:45:19 > 0:45:21It just blows people's minds, doesn't it?
0:45:21 > 0:45:24Luckily, the apartment I'm going to show you, is on the first floor.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27It's the only one ready at the moment and it's fantastic
0:45:27 > 0:45:30cos we get to take advantage of going up that lovely staircase.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35The show home here mirrors the style
0:45:35 > 0:45:39and layout of the apartment Jo and Pete would be able to buy.
0:45:39 > 0:45:40So...
0:45:43 > 0:45:48- ..come on in.- Oh, goodness. - Very clean. Oh, goodness me.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50- High ceilings.- Yes.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53So, you've got the beautiful original features, those lovely,
0:45:53 > 0:45:56tall windows, the original doors but then you have
0:45:56 > 0:45:58the modern touches as well that I know appeal to you both.
0:45:58 > 0:46:03The height and the spaciousness and the clean, uncluttered lines it's...
0:46:03 > 0:46:06- Yeah.- And the doors are absolutely stunning, aren't they?
0:46:06 > 0:46:09I really wanted to challenge your perceptions of what your journey
0:46:09 > 0:46:12could be like, of what your escape to the country could be for you.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15You're impressing us. You're making our decision hard.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18I might be about to make that decision harder because, Joanna,
0:46:18 > 0:46:20the kitchen really matters to you
0:46:20 > 0:46:23- and I know you're going to like this kitchen.- Oh, OK.
0:46:28 > 0:46:32- There we go.- Wow. That's a really good, open kitchen, isn't it?
0:46:32 > 0:46:36- It's a lovely space, isn't it? And it's the ceiling heights.- Yes.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39- The door heights are half the height of the room.- Yeah.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41And look at the view out the kitchen. Sheep.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45THEY LAUGH Yeah, we could watch sheep even if we couldn't have our own, couldn't we?
0:46:45 > 0:46:48Is it too modern for you? Do you think it compliments the property?
0:46:48 > 0:46:51I think it does, yes. It's that new and old again.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54Could you imagine a family get-together and a meal in here?
0:46:54 > 0:46:57Lots of working space, lots of good working space.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00- I'd really like to show you the master bedroom and its view.- Wow.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05With two double bedrooms, a second bathroom,
0:47:05 > 0:47:10and an office on offer in this spacious, single-level apartment,
0:47:10 > 0:47:14it's the aspect from the master that's hard to beat.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17- SHE GASPS Oh, yes.- Wow.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20Yeah, that'd be nice to wake up to, isn't it?
0:47:20 > 0:47:21It's a lovely sized bedroom.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24You've got a beautifully finished en suite bathroom.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26Do you think you'd have a good night's sleep in a room like this?
0:47:26 > 0:47:29Oh, I think so. You'd almost want to wake up early
0:47:29 > 0:47:34- to see the view.- Yeah.- And, again, it's the stunning high windows.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36It's letting so much light into the room.
0:47:36 > 0:47:40- But can you both imagine living here?- I could.- I'm not so sure.
0:47:40 > 0:47:45I know we're not getting any younger but I'm not quite ready for this.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49Ten years down the line, I think it would be fantastic.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53I've still got that little bit inside me that wants to try
0:47:53 > 0:47:56and make my garden and make my home.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59I am still keen to show you the gardens cos, as you can imagine,
0:47:59 > 0:48:01they're as stunning as the house.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05The immaculate communal gardens elegantly sweep
0:48:05 > 0:48:09around the mansion and, along with the upkeep of the main building,
0:48:09 > 0:48:12have maintenance charges of £2,000 a year.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17So, these will form part of the communal gardens
0:48:17 > 0:48:20and you'll have a veggie plot to grow your own vegetables in.
0:48:20 > 0:48:25It's a fantastic place. Scenery and setting but not just yet.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28I can imagine myself here, but maybe not at this time in my life.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31Well, let's price the show property that I've shown you.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34It's a two bedroom property, it's got a generous living space,
0:48:34 > 0:48:37it's got access to the communal gardens. Who wants to go first?
0:48:37 > 0:48:41- I'll say budget. 450,000.- I'm going to say more.
0:48:41 > 0:48:46- I'm going to say 475,000. - OK, that's quite interesting.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48- The two of you are way off the mark, actually...- Aw, again?
0:48:48 > 0:48:54Completely, cos it's massively under your budget at £359,000.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Wow. That sort of price, that's good value, I think.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00- I'm impressed at the price. - Yes, I am. That's a good price.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03- Go and have a poke around, have a look...- Yes.
0:49:03 > 0:49:05..cos it's a really interesting place to explore so go on.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08- I'll catch up with you. - Thanks very much.- Thank you.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11At £141,000 under budget,
0:49:11 > 0:49:15this gothic style apartment with uninterrupted, stunning views
0:49:15 > 0:49:17offers an alternative modern and characterful home
0:49:17 > 0:49:21in the style that Jo and Pete are fond of.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23It's a very impressive structure.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25As you look at the building it...takes your breath away.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29Oh, this is another nice-sized room, isn't it? Good size for a spare room.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32- Lovely views.- It's the heights, the view... Stunning.
0:49:32 > 0:49:36- I don't think it's really wowing me as a house.- I am tempted by this.
0:49:36 > 0:49:42This is low-maintenance living where we could come in and do very little.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45Yeah, it's been a great opportunity to see a different style.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48- Something very, very different. - But unfortunately...
0:49:48 > 0:49:50- Not for us.- ..I'm not ready for it yet.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53The mystery apartment, it has got some nice features about it,
0:49:53 > 0:49:55but I can't see it becoming a home.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57We've challenged you with this property.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01- I just don't know if it's the right point in your lives.- You're correct.- I think so too.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05But I do think we have a lot of talking to do so let's go and get a cup of tea.
0:50:05 > 0:50:06Yeah, I think so.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12With its agricultural heritage,
0:50:12 > 0:50:15it'll come as no surprise that Herefordshire is full of farms
0:50:15 > 0:50:20yielding a wide range of wonderful, and sometimes exotic produce.
0:50:20 > 0:50:23Having bought a cider-making farm in 2007,
0:50:23 > 0:50:26and with the need to broaden the spectrum of his produce,
0:50:26 > 0:50:29William Chase decided to make a slightly less traditional
0:50:29 > 0:50:31product from potatoes.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35I'm meeting his son and third-generation potato farmer
0:50:35 > 0:50:38James Chase to get more of a flavour on what's become
0:50:38 > 0:50:41of your average spud.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45- Hi, James.- Hi, how're you doing? - So, what about the potatoes? Where do they come in?
0:50:45 > 0:50:48All of our vodkas are distilled from potatoes,
0:50:48 > 0:50:50and that award-winning vodka has gone on to be
0:50:50 > 0:50:53supplied into about 32 countries around the world.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56Don't tell me you send it to Russia cos I will love it if you do.
0:50:56 > 0:50:57Well, it's really funny you say that.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00Two weeks ago, we signed our first distribution agreement to Russia.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03So now the English are selling vodka back to the Russians.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05You've diversified, I hear, as well.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08You're now using fruit for making different kinds of vodkas.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11About four years ago, we released a marmalade flavoured vodka.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15I'd love to see how marmalade vodka is made. That sounds fascinating.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18Well, why don't you head on up the path? Go and meet our master distiller, Jamie.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22- Fantastic. Hopefully I'll get to try some too.- See you later.- Bye.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25The potatoes are grown on the farm here before they're
0:51:25 > 0:51:29peeled, mashed, fermented and distilled to form vodka,
0:51:29 > 0:51:32in a process that takes ten days.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34Using the finest oranges from Seville,
0:51:34 > 0:51:38the farm extracts the most intense flavour from the top of the oranges,
0:51:38 > 0:51:41where the fruit has absorbed the greatest sunshine.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43The essential oils released
0:51:43 > 0:51:47are used to form the basis of a thick-cut and juicy marmalade,
0:51:47 > 0:51:50which is redistilled with their potato vodka.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54- Hi, Jamie. That looks intriguing. - Oh, hi, Ginny.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56So, what have we got going on in here, then?
0:51:56 > 0:51:57Once we've made the vodka,
0:51:57 > 0:52:01we then move it into a vacuum chamber where we heat it up
0:52:01 > 0:52:04under pressure with the addition of real marmalade
0:52:04 > 0:52:09and some Seville orange peel. A little bit of colour from these kibbles, or peels,
0:52:09 > 0:52:13- will then macerate out into the finished product.- OK.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16- Shall we do that now? - Let's do it. Absolutely.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18Yeah, we just need a piece to hang it down into the liquid.
0:52:18 > 0:52:21How long does it have to be in there for?
0:52:21 > 0:52:24Well, it depends on the time of year. When it's nice and warm in the summer,
0:52:24 > 0:52:27it happens quite quickly, so anywhere up to 48 hours
0:52:27 > 0:52:30but in the winter it can be as long as 72 hours.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33- And you're just tasting all the time?- Every three hours we taste it.- Lovely.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36- So all we do, we suspend it in here. - SHE GASPS
0:52:36 > 0:52:37That smell is amazing.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39This smells really fruity. It's like being in an orchard.
0:52:39 > 0:52:44What we're trying to create here is layer and layer of natural flavour so it stays with you on the palate.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47Makes you feel like you've had marmalade on toast.
0:52:47 > 0:52:48We've got some here if you want to try some.
0:52:48 > 0:52:52- You've twisted my arm. Go on, then. - OK, follow me, then.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57Passed through a filter before it's ready to drink, 1,000 bottles
0:52:57 > 0:53:00of marmalade vodka are being produced today.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03Due to its popularity, the farm are now diversifying their products,
0:53:03 > 0:53:07infusing vodka with blackcurrants and rhubarb.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11Well, I don't know much about the art of distillery
0:53:11 > 0:53:14but I'm guessing this is everybody's favourite part of the process.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16It certainly is. Everybody likes a taste.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18First of all, have a really good smell.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22Oh, it's a lovely, mellow, fruity flavour.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26There's none of that harsh hit that almost makes your eyes water.
0:53:26 > 0:53:27Let's try this.
0:53:31 > 0:53:33Wow, it's very smooth.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35I'm getting a lovely kick of sweetness
0:53:35 > 0:53:37actually that's just starting to come through.
0:53:37 > 0:53:41I would love to stay here and work my way through a whole range of them,
0:53:41 > 0:53:45but sadly, and it breaks my heart to say this, I've got to go.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48- OK.- Thank you.- No problem. Thank you very much.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54Well, Pete and Jo have seen all the properties we had to offer
0:53:54 > 0:53:57and it's obvious, isn't it? There's a clear favourite.
0:53:57 > 0:54:01What I need to find out now is what they're going to do about it.
0:54:13 > 0:54:14Well, Pete and Jo,
0:54:14 > 0:54:16I think it was apparent that there was one house that got quite
0:54:16 > 0:54:19- a lot of wows over our search. - Yes.- Definitely.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22What was it about that 17th-century house with the modern annexe
0:54:22 > 0:54:25- that really appealed to you both? - It was that mix of old and new.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30It ticked every box that we had for a property,
0:54:30 > 0:54:34and actually ticked even more that we hadn't asked you to find.
0:54:34 > 0:54:38The eco side of it, etc, etc. It just left us overawed.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41So, there were things that you hadn't mentioned to us
0:54:41 > 0:54:43- that you found in that property? - That's right, yes.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47We'd discussed beforehand about having an eco-friendly house
0:54:47 > 0:54:50and that was something Pete was looking for,
0:54:50 > 0:54:52so he was really pleased to have seen that today.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55It also seemed to offer you the potential for the lifestyle
0:54:55 > 0:54:57that you want to lead when you move here to Herefordshire.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00Yes, it's good access through Ledbury, to the M50.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02I can get a train to London, should I have to,
0:55:02 > 0:55:03through Ledbury train station.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07It then has easy access to friends and family who are in
0:55:07 > 0:55:10that area of Herefordshire, and it ticks all the property bits.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14The village aspect of it seems very nice too. The location is fantastic.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16Then, it's going to be a challenge for me to develop
0:55:16 > 0:55:19the potential of the garden and our house as a holiday let.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23There was a little sense that I got though, as we were looking round,
0:55:23 > 0:55:26that you were definitely enthused by the house.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29I felt a bit more reticence from you. Is that fair to say?
0:55:29 > 0:55:32Probably, cos I'm always the one that has to be slightly
0:55:32 > 0:55:38swayed by Pete in decisions, I think. I think things through, perhaps more.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42But eventually, if it's the right decision, I'm quite happy with it.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45Well, then, I've got to ask. What are you going to do about it?
0:55:45 > 0:55:48We'll definitely be going for a second viewing with our children,
0:55:48 > 0:55:51- and then we'll be putting an offer in.- That's great news.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54I'm not surprised but I'm thrilled to hear it, and I do hope
0:55:54 > 0:55:57we've managed to find you the home that you were looking for.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00- I think you have.- You have, yeah. I'm sure we'll be very happy there.
0:56:00 > 0:56:04- Yeah, you've done a fantastic job for us and we're very grateful. - Thank you very much.
0:56:04 > 0:56:06I'm so thrilled to hear you both say that
0:56:06 > 0:56:09and I'm so excited that this move back to the UK
0:56:09 > 0:56:12after your travels around the world has such a potentially happy ending.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15- Yes. We can't wait to start. - We can't wait to start.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23I'm delighted that Pete and Jo
0:56:23 > 0:56:25have decided to take their family back for a second viewing
0:56:25 > 0:56:30of that fabulous 17th-century property with the modern annexe.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Let's face it, it's got their name written all over it.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36If I was a betting woman, my money would be on them
0:56:36 > 0:56:38calling it home before too long.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41I've got my fingers crossed for them. I'll see you next time.
0:56:43 > 0:56:47After a second viewing of the barn conversion, Jo and Pete decided that
0:56:47 > 0:56:51the older part of the house required just a bit too much work for them.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53On the plus side, they've since found
0:56:53 > 0:56:57and fallen in love with a cottage in Herefordshire and having
0:56:57 > 0:57:01put in an offer which was accepted, they're due to exchange shortly.
0:57:01 > 0:57:05If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Scotland, Wales
0:57:05 > 0:57:09or Northern Ireland and would like our help, you can apply online.