Dorset Escape to the Country

At first glance, it's hard to believe this

picture-perfect village, with all these thatched cottages,

was built just a couple of centuries ago when a whole community

was uprooted and moved here.

Find out why and where I am in just a moment.

Today's property search is all about having the right outlook.

That's what this house is about.

Yes. That picture.

We asked for a sea view and we didn't think you would find it,

but how you did it, I don't know.

But will we be able to find our home hunters

the dream location for a country retirement?

I feel quite emotional about it.

It's really, really fabulous.

It's a great start.

Today I'm in Dorset and this is the village of Milton Abbas.

It was built in the 1770s by the Earl of Dorchester,

who brought on board the famous landscape designer

Lancelot "Capability" Brown and architect Sir William Chambers.

But this was no great philanthropic mission.

The Earl actually moved the village here from its original spot nearby

because it was spoiling the view from his newly built mansion,

so he completely demolished it and created this village here

over the hill and out of sight.

That said, the end result certainly possesses that authentic

Dorset character that you will find in many places across the county.

Dorset is found on the south coast of England and is bordered

by Hampshire to the east, Wiltshire to the north

and Somerset and Devon to the west.

Its 95 miles of coastline offer striking geological features

such as Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch,

thought to be named from the old English word, thirl,

meaning to pierce or bore.

Man-made coastal landmarks include the Cobb at Lyme Regis,

a curved stone pier which has formed a harbour since at least 1313.

Close to the town of Bridport, a near-conical sandstone hill

is eye-catchingly topped by a smattering of pine trees.

Indeed, hills are very much a feature of the landscape here,

where fertile pastures have made an ideal sheep farming location,

providing trade in both wool and meat.

Dorset is also rich in ecclesiastical buildings,

although its religious history is rather more turbulent

than the serenity of the resultant architecture.

The village of Chideock was once known for

clandestine Catholic worship after the Civil War.

In the late 16th century, four local Catholics,

now known as the Chideock Martyrs,

were tried in the village and consequently executed in the county.

The Weld Memorial Chapel is an important landmark in the story

of Catholic emancipation.

So whether it's picture-postcard towns and villages,

wild coastlines or local history, Dorset really does offer

a great choice for those seeking a country escape.

All of this beauty and history does of course come at a price.

The average cost of a detached home here in Dorset is around ?321,000 -

that's about 55,000 above the national figure.

That does include the super-expensive Sandbanks

near Poole, where price tags are routinely in their millions.

As a general rule of thumb, if you move away from coastal hotspots,

your money will go that little bit further,

especially if you move towards the north of the county.

So which part of Dorset are today's buyers inspired to move to?

Let's meet them and find out.

Life has been an adventure for Diana and Jonathan,

from Burgess Hill, Sussex,

since they first got together over three decades ago.

We met when Jonathan was in the police force

and I was a stewardess.

After knowing each other for ten days, we decided to get married

and that was 33 years ago.

Yes.

I think excitement sums up our relationship and our life together.

We are quite impulsive, very impulsive.

As well as packing in plenty of round-the-world travel,

Diana and Jonathan also had two sons.

Now the couple are in their mid-60s and their kids have moved away

to have families of their own.

But life hasn't stopped with retirement,

particularly for former police officer Jonathan

who has become a published author.

My writing, I started about five years ago.

Crime thriller, based using my experience.

I'm on my third book at the moment.

But that's not all Diana and Jonathan are seeking -

they're also looking for more new experiences and want to move away

from their hometown of 23 years to start a new life

in more rural surroundings.

We are enclosed on the edge of an estate

with a main road 50 yards away.

There is a constant noise, a constant traffic jam,

there is building going on.

Every day, there is someone nearby drilling,

cutting down a tree or hedge-cutting.

We would like somewhere that had just that little bit of extra space,

a little bit quieter, a little bit more of a view.

And there's one part of the country in particular that is calling them.

An area that we really do like and we have visited

and travelled through quite a bit is west Dorset.

I think it's a very pretty area,

it's got fascinating history,

the coastline is quite dramatic.

Even during the summer, out on the headlands,

it's got that little bit of wildness about it.

What is drawing me to west Dorset is the relaxed pace of life.

I like the scenery,

I like the fact that the sea is there.

I think there's a lot of energy going on there - it's becoming

an interesting, lively place as well as a peaceful place.

I feel quite at home in that area,

I think I could settle down there.

Of course, settling down for this energetic duo doesn't really mean

putting their feet up.

I want to take up sailing,

maybe get a small boat to go up and down rivers or that type of thing.

I want to meet new people.

Perhaps running a sewing group there.

I think we'll turn out to be very busy.

I think so too.

Although the move means leaving behind the location of many happy

memories, they know there are plenty of new ones to look forward to.

It will be sad because we have been happy and we've got lots of friends,

but they'll have to come and visit us.

Diana and Jonathan want to concentrate their search

in the south-west of the county, close to the coast between Bridport

and the Devon border.

But before we start our house hunt,

I want to know more about the type of home they are hoping to find.

Diana and Jonathan, welcome to Dorset.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Is it those fabulous sea views that are attracting you to this county?

The sea views, the countryside, the way of life, yes.

It really does have a little bit of everything.

It's got everything and it's just so peaceful yet there is that vibrancy

that you get next to the sea.

What do you want from the house itself?

We're looking for somewhere bright and airy.

We'd probably like three bedrooms and we would like a room

where I could do my sewing and you could perhaps do your writing.

That's really quite important.

The view's most important to us and the location.

So, location-wise, what sort of setting would you like?

I'd like a view,

proximity to the sea,

and not too far away from a town.

Is there anything you both don't want?

I think from experience, a thatched cottage.

Yes, I agree, really.

That's probably, as we say, a thatch, we don't want a thatch.

Remind me of your budget.

Go ahead.

Well, our budget is ?500,000. OK.

We could just go a little bit above that if we needed to.

I like hearing that because it is a popular county, of course,

so it's always nice to know that you might have a little bit extra.

Yes.

And we have got some fantastic properties already waiting for you.

Lovely. So, let's get going.

Lovely, thank you very much.

For a budget of ?500,000,

but some leeway if necessary,

Diana and Jonathan are looking for

a bright and airy property with

a minimum of three bedrooms.

They'd like a sewing room for Diana

as well as a separate space

for Jonathan to write.

The location is important and should

offer them views as well as

proximity to the coast and a town.

While they are flexible over style,

neither of them is keen

on thatched houses.

We have an exciting variety of homes to present, and at each one,

I will be asking them to guess the price before I reveal it.

Our final property will be the Mystery House which may be

a naughty choice, but could turn out to be surprisingly nice.

But before that, we're off to view house number one.

Our property search is kicking off just a five-minute drive

from Charmouth Beach, in the small village of Morcombelake.

With its outlook across rolling fields to the sea,

it's a great starting point for several walks.

The village is home to the savoury Dorset knob biscuit,

made here since late Victorian times.

Amenities include a post office and store as well as a farm shop.

Our first house is idyllically located

just a five-minute walk away.

This is our first property, the house on the hill.

Wow. It's just lovely. Isn't it gorgeous?

Absolutely gorgeous, the trees...

This is the location you were looking for? Am I right?

Yes, lovely, it really is lovely.

Do we need to go in?

Look, the house is ideal already.

It's ticking a lot of boxes already.

It's lovely, yes, really nice.

Let's see if the inside charms you.

OK. Yes, lovely.

This hillside home was originally built in the 1930s,

but has been fully renovated by the current owners over the past decade.

The property is accessed via a decked frontage with French doors

that lead straight into the large country kitchen.

Come in. Wow.

It's a really good-sized kitchen, nice and light.

You come straight in, so the balcony is part of the kitchen?

Absolutely, so you can throw open the doors

and that's your little champagne balcony.

Yes.

Oh, I think it's gorgeous.

It's lovely, isn't it? Beautiful.

Really lovely. You've got a conservatory just through there,

which again makes use of the views. Yes.

You've got a really lovely-sized utility room,

so this isn't where everything is.

Even as you're washing up in the utility room or doing the laundry,

you've got the views.

Fantastic. Lovely.

Also off the kitchen is a ground floor family bathroom,

and on the other side, the main reception,

once again with charming country features

including a log-burning stove.

Again, in here, the owners have really made use of the setting.

A really nice-sized room, a door that goes outside.

And you've still got the view and it is so light and bright.

It's got a lovely feel to it.

So you can imagine yourself relaxing in here?

Absolutely. I can, actually.

I can, actually, it is really nice.

The two doors that you can see there are bedrooms.

Oh. So they are matching bedrooms,

they've each got a working fireplace in each of the bedrooms.

Both can fit double beds in so really, those are your guest rooms.

Yes, lovely. Let me show you your bedroom, though.

Thank you.

A really heartening reaction to the welcoming spaces on offer

in this beautifully located home.

But there is even more to impress Jonathan and Diana upstairs,

where the converted loft space is entirely devoted to the master accommodation

with its own dressing room and en suite featuring a modern bathtub

and separate shower.

Up here you've got your own private suite, really.

Wow. I like the lightness, it's really bright.

Look at the views across there.

You could wake up to that view.

Wow.

That is like a picture, it's absolutely lovely.

This floor is your own, not really for guests, unless in the future

you chose to stay in the bedrooms on the ground floor.

It's a perfect house for a couple.

It is, yes. Perfect.

I like the way they have shaped the ceiling to get the light in.

Beautifully done. It's been done very nicely.

Great. Let's go and see what else is in store.

Exciting. Lead us back out to the garden.

Well, the interior has delivered everything Diana and Jonathan

had hoped for, and I don't think the outside will disappoint.

Extensive gardens boast many mature shrubs and trees,

plus outbuildings including a former housekeeper's annexe

with recently lapsed planning permission.

Subject to a fresh application,

it could be turned into extra guest accommodation,

or they could use it as a writing or sewing space.

There's also a large paddock,

currently kept in check by the owner's small flock of sheep.

So you've got three quarters of an acre, really.

That's a joy. I like gardening,

I like working outside.

So, what would this beautiful house cost you?

Well, I would say certainly top-end,

so I would say...525.

I'm not going to argue too much with that.

I will be optimistic and go 520.

It's actually on the market for just under your budget,

?499,950.

Good gracious. Unbelievable.

It's just absolutely gorgeous.

I feel quite emotional about it.

It's really, really fabulous.

It's a great start. Go and have another look around,

now that you know the price. OK.

I will meet you out front in a bit.

Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

Coming in slightly under budget,

this hillside property has

everything our buyers want from

their new home in the country.

The three double bedrooms include

a master suite on the entire upper

floor. Plus there is a large kitchen

diner and spacious sitting room,

as well as wonderful countryside views

from almost every room.

The large plot gives keen gardener

Jonathan plenty to work with

and an annexe offers potential

as a writing or sewing room.

Nice, isn't it? Yes, really.

Again, it is an extension of the house into the garden.

Everything is joined up. It's really lovely.

Yes, gorgeous.

The house inside - lovely open plan, beautifully done,

nice soft wood everywhere.

I wouldn't want to change anything, I think it's really gorgeous.

I think that views were our number one priority and it is

beautifully situated. The rooms are so nicely done.

It feels as though the outside and inside are almost joined together.

Beaming smiles, that's what I like to see.

I don't think we could have asked for a better start to our house hunt.

No, no.

It really does tick all the boxes.

It's lovely. It really is lovely.

Great, I can't ask for more than that.

Let's go. Thank you.

The fertile lands of Dorset have a long tradition of food production,

but historically, they were also an important source of clothing.

Arable and livestock farming supported the making of lace

and wool, whilst the county's sheep also provided discs of horn

to be turned into early cloth-covered buttons.

In the 17th century,

button making really took off here when an English soldier,

returning from battles in Europe,

realised the growing popularity of buttoned clothing and set up

a commercial makers in the town of Shaftesbury.

And that's where we are sending Jonathan and keen seamstress Diana -

they are meeting local button maker and historian Anna McDowell

to find out about this Dorset form of haberdashery.

Hello and welcome to Shaftesbury.

Thank you very much. You are now visiting the birthplace

of the Dorset button industry.

So, I understand you are a sewer? I am indeed.

Why don't we go into the Gold Hill Museum and have a look?

We'd love to. Thank you very much.

With women typically able to earn more from making buttons

from home than from working on the land,

it was a popular endeavour that supported many families

for around 200 years.

Gold Hill Museum has several examples of the different designs

produced over that time.

As you can imagine, there are a lot of other people making buttons,

especially thread buttons, which is basically what a Dorset button is.

Up in Macclesfield you had the silk buttons,

you had button makers in London, but here in Dorset, we're unique,

because our buttons are actually made originally with linen,

linen fabric and also the natural sheep's horn.

But the original buttons were the high tops and the Dorset knobs

which you can see a little Dorset knob in here with a flatter button

they say was more undergarments.

Was it just the women at home that made the buttons?

No, the children would have been involved.

These buttons here are made from a wire ring and small boys were used

to dip the wire to seal them.

There would have been the men -

they were agents and used to sell the buttons.

It was actually a very well organised industry or business.

These handmade thread buttons were to provide a viable income

for many Dorset families until the middle of the 19th century

when machines capable of doing the job much faster and more cheaply

cut the cottage industry dead.

But just a short distance from the museum, Anna is bringing

the old-fashioned techniques back to life in her workshop.

I thought we would have a go at just doing something simple,

a larger version of one of these.

You call that a simple one, do you?

Yes, that is a simple cartwheel button.

Lovely.

As there are no written records of how the original buttons

were made, Anna has had to work the methods out for herself,

starting with measuring out the thread.

Three lengths like that.

Yes.

Is this the old-fashioned yard?

It is the old-fashioned yard.

Next, the thread is used to cover

a small metal ring with a series of blanket stitches.

Throw the thread over the back of your hand and you form a loop.

Right? You're going to put the needle through that loop.

The most difficult thing is, it keeps getting tangled up,

or is it just me?

Go through the loop,

the centre of the ring and pull it tight.

It's not as easy as it looks. No, it's not.

It now takes Anna around 40 minutes to make a single button

but in the 1730s,

women workers were earning around two shillings a day

with averages of six or seven dozen buttons.

I was told that a local farmer, at harvest time,

said he couldn't get the women to help harvest because they could

actually earn more making buttons than they could on the land.

Once the ring is tightly covered with the blanket stitching,

Anna creates an effect like the spokes of a wheel

by taking turns around the entire button.

Sometimes I put more spokes,

sometimes I put in less spokes.

And then draws these all together with a crossed stitch at the centre.

Watch this. Oh.

How clever.

Finally, a back stitch is used over each of the spokes

to cover the gaps.

Eventually, you will fill up the button.

Right, we're nearly there,

and you've got something like that.

Good gracious. It looks really lovely.

It's fabulous. It looks like a really intricate spider's web.

There you have it, a Dorset button.

It's lovely, thank you very much indeed, it's really lovely.

Why don't you take that home?

That's fabulous.

Take those two you have been working on and finish them off.

Thank you very much for showing us. Good luck.

It has been wonderful to see a cottage craft being revived

in its original surroundings, but for now we will have to wait to get

our buyers' property search all sewn up when we continue

with the house hunt tomorrow.

Diana and Jonathan from Burgess Hill, West Sussex,

have a budget of ?500,000 to find their dream home

near the coast of west Dorset.

We've already shown them some tantalising property,

but there's still more to look at and our Mystery House

may just confound expectations.

What a surprise. I take it all back, it's really bright.

Plus, I get back to basics with a pair of printmakers

who left London life for the rural delights of Dorset.

It is caveman technology, it's not that difficult, really.

We have two more properties to view today -

later on, we'll be visiting our Mystery House which gives me

the opportunity to show Diana and Jonathan something

they would never have gone to see themselves.

But first, we have another house to look at

and this one really makes the most of being by the coast.

For our next house, we are walking distance from the sea

in the historic market town of Bridport.

Used as the basis for Port Bredy in Thomas Hardy's fictional Wessex,

it has a lively arts scene as well as a broad selection

of shops and services.

Within the town's boundary,

West Bay features spectacular cliff walks and sandy beaches.

The next house enjoys this magnificent coastal outlook

from less than a mile away. We're starting our tour at the rear

of the property, where the seaside setting is really maximised.

Now, as you both do want to live by the coast,

here is a house by the sea.

Bringing you in this way, you really get to appreciate the views

which is what you're after and what you have requested. Yes.

What do you think about the house itself?

A good size, nice windows.

Immediately I see those big glass doors,

which is showing us the view again and making the most of it.

Let's go in. Lovely, thank you.

Built in 1936,

this seaside home was given a two-storey extension to the front

by the current owners in 2013.

A conservatory entrance to the side of the property takes us through

to this newer section of the home and the large kitchen-diner.

A really good size.

Really nice.

Bright. I like the fixtures and fittings.

They look good. Loads of colours.

It has been nicely done.

Would this kind of space work for you in the way you live?

Yes. Yes, definitely.

This is the front of the house -

let's go to the view side of the house. Lovely.

Back at the rear of the property,

past a useful downstairs cloakroom, the spacious reception room

has sliding patio doors to soak up the setting.

This used to be two rooms.

It works well as a big room, really.

A really good-sized room, log-burning stove.

It's lovely, isn't it?

Nice, bright, and the views are really gorgeous.

Huge, huge doors.

It feels like a lovely Dorset picture, doesn't it? Yes.

Let's go higher because of course that sea view can only get better.

Jonathan and Diana barely dared to wish for a view of the sea

but the one on offer from this immaculate detached home

is certainly winning them over.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms -

the two smallest rooms are located in the top floor

of the front extension, both with single beds.

Then, to the rear of the property,

a large double enjoys that coastal outlook.

The family bathroom provides a roll-top bath and separate shower.

And then, also to the rear of the property,

bedroom number four is the master en suite.

You could have next door as a master

but this had the space for the en suite.

Yes, and you've got the view.

It's lovely.

That's what this house is about -

that picture. Yes.

And lovely big windows to show it off.

If that's what you want, this is the place to go for.

We asked for a sea view but didn't think you would find it.

How you did it, I don't know.

And you've got the hills as well, so you've got everything.

Nicely decorated. I like the colours and it means no decorating.

Yes. I'm really impressed.

It's lovely. Really, really lovely.

Yes.

The appeal of this home seems to be growing stronger and stronger.

Outside to the front of the property is a block-paved driveway

with parking for several cars.

A garage is found at the rear and is reached via a service road.

What's more, it has planning permission to be redeveloped,

so could provide options for their creative pastimes.

There's also a greenhouse and small vegetable patch

as well as a raised terrace and an ample lawn

from which to enjoy the views across to the bay.

I think this garden is a bit of a blank canvas for you.

Absolutely, and actually, not a bad place to be working, is it?

No. It needs work doing but we've got the location of course which is

again, what we asked for.

Close to West Bay, so...

How much is this property on the market for?

How much is that sea view going to cost you?

Again, it's going to be top-end.

An optimistic 515. OK.

Still some gardening to be done -

I'm going to be really optimistic

and go for 495.

You both are being very optimistic.

It is actually on the market for ?540,000.

Is it really?

I know I've been naughty by going over budget but you did say that you

might have a little bit extra over the half a million,

and there is always room to negotiate -

540 is the guide price.

OK, yes. Go and have another look around.

Lovely, thank you very much.

The asking price of this detached coastal home may be over budget

but it does fulfil that dream of a sea view.

There's a total of four bedrooms, that is one more than requested

so plenty of scope for hobby rooms. The property has a large

kitchen-diner as well as a good-sized reception room with space

to entertain the whole family. The gardens give Jonathan options

for a project and the garage could potentially

be turned into a writer's den.

The first impression was a nice, big, bright, light, airy house.

Really attractive. South-facing, walking distance to the sea.

Location - absolutely lovely.

The views, out southwards really does take the eye.

I would hope there would be room for negotiation because

I am definitely interested, yeah.

It's definitely up there. You've made life difficult for us.

I'm afraid I will need to drag you both away from the gorgeous view

as we still have the Mystery House to go.

OK. Our property hunt is not over.

Thank you very much. Let's see what else you've got up your sleeve.

Dorset's beautiful land and seascapes have long been a source

of artistic inspiration. Turner was a frequent visitor,

painting several sunsets at Poole Harbour, while the brush

of Constable captured rain clouds over Weymouth Bay

along with many pastoral scenes.

It is a draw that continues to this day.

A decade ago, creative couple Cameron Short and Janet Tristram

chucked in their London lives and careers in advertising and retail

to move to the county and pursue more artistic paths.

Settling in Thorncombe,

they turned abandoned premises into a home and studio for themselves

and their three young daughters.

Now working as handmade printmakers,

they are building a reputation for uniquely captivating work

inspired by their Dorset setting and local folklore.

I want to find out about the appeal of the area...

Hello. Hello, Sonali.

..and why it is such an attractive location for those

seeking creative fulfilment.

What persuaded you to move away from London?

Many people wanting to get into this business would have been tempted

to stay there. What made you come to Dorset?

Yeah, well, I got to a stage in my career, as a copywriter,

where I'd just kind of had enough.

So I'd be carving away, whittling at night, thinking about designs.

And we found our way, through trial and error, but the things

that we do as a family, naturally, are imbued into the imagery.

So it might be the walks we do, the animals we see in the area.

All that stuff does lend itself beautifully to creating imagery.

Our life in the countryside now does influence our work.

There's a lot that I get stirred by, even now,

and the pace of life suits us, it's very relaxed,

people are very friendly,

so we feel very much at home here.

Janet and Cameron now create designs that they work onto cushions,

lampshades, wallpaper and furniture, as well as limited edition prints.

But it's about more than simply creating

aesthetically pleasing objects -

there's a depth of statement contained within.

Tell me about this one.

Ode To The Ash. Well, that particular print...

I heard about the crisis with ash dieback,

and I wanted to do something that celebrated the tree,

and maybe educated people when they looked at it,

about how important the tree had been in our history and our culture.

Cameron's really using storytelling,

and there's certain vignettes within the overall design,

so you can kind of lose yourself in what is a repeat pattern.

For instance, if it was in a child's room,

they can daydream away looking at the little bits and pieces

within the image.

The process starts by carving away the parts of the design

that will remain ink-free into a lino-covered wood block.

It's caveman technology, it's not that difficult, really.

A tacky, linseed-based ink is applied to a plain glass surface

and rolled out until it's the texture of suede.

Just push the ink.

Really nice.

There's something very therapeutic about this.

Next, the ink is transferred from the glass to the carved wood block with the roller.

It's a manual process that creates natural imperfections.

You know that it's been done by hand,

because each print is going to be unique, not totally perfect,

but that's what gives it its life.

Now for Cameron and Janet's early 20th century proofing press

to be put into action. You've got the handle here,

which will move the cylinder across the bed of the press and apply the

pressure, and this thing here that you can alter the pressures.

The paper is carefully laid over the inked block.

Once it's down, you can't move it, don't even breathe.

And protective felts are put on top before adjusting the pressure.

About there should do it.

Then the cylinder is brought across the design,

a little like a mechanical rolling pin.

Just roll it across gently, like this. Give it some welly! Yeah.

We probably did that a bit quickly, but it's not going to matter.

Sorry. That's OK. Finally the felts and paper are peeled back,

revealing the image.

There we go. Oh, my gosh.

You see nightjars, moths and a lantern.

My gosh, I want to take that home and frame it.

You can.

Of course you can, yes. Thank you.

What a wonderful memento of the natural details true artists

like Cameron and Janet observe in their surroundings.

Stepping into their world has given me a fresh insight

into the creative energy that Dorset has to offer.

What do you think I have up my sleeve for the mystery property?

Oh... I really don't know. You've surprised us so far.

I can only think, although we said we would prefer not to,

perhaps you've got a thatched property...

So, remind me why you don't like thatched.

We didn't want the upkeep of a thatched.

And normally they're very small and not light and airy.

You might end up loving the mystery!

The mystery offering takes us back to Morcombelake,

just a short drive from the seaside village of Charmouth.

Known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast,

there's a gently shelving beach below striking cliffs,

often yielding fossils.

Amenities include cafes and eateries, medical services,

a post office and a traditional butcher's.

Our Mystery House nestles in the surrounding countryside

of Morcombelake, a couple of miles away.

LAUGHTER

How did we know?!

How pretty is that?

And you did know, didn't you?

Yeah. So, I'm afraid my Mystery House wasn't as much of a mystery

as it should've been, because you completely guessed.

Oh... But how pretty is that?

And what a lovely setting.

Wow. Actually, it looks really nice.

It's a really nice house. I know you said no thatched. Yeah.

I wanted you to give this a chance,

because those fears you have about a thatched, being perhaps pokey...

Yeah, yeah. It doesn't really apply.

Yeah. It looks so lovely. Yeah, it does.

I love the round bits on the end.

Oh, it's gorgeous, let's give it a go.

Shall we? Yeah, absolutely.

You're up for trying it? BOTH: Absolutely.

That's all I wanted to know.

A great reaction to the exterior of our rather cheeky mystery proposition.

Built in the 17th century from cob stone and brick,

the porched front door of this Grade II listed thatched cottage,

takes us via a hallway into a decidedly spacious reception room.

This is the main living room.

Very light and bright. Very!

What a pleasant surprise. I take it all back, it's really bright, yeah.

Higher ceilings, I think, than usual on a cottage. Yes.

And I like the way they're painted in, rather than left dark.

It brightens it up.

Good-sized windows, so that you can see the sun's really coming in.

Was it what you expected?

From a thatched place, no.

No. It's much brighter, much lighter.

This is the older part of the house, let's take you through into the newer part. OK.

"New" is a comparative concept in this charming period property.

Extended in 1949,

in order to provide a plumbed kitchen and WC,

the space has been sympathetically refitted by the current owners.

This is the relatively newer part of the house, the kitchen.

Oh, isn't that lovely? It's really light.

So many windows, you couldn't ever call this dark and dingy, could you?

No. It's a good size, a good-sized table in here.

Really, really surprised, really pleasantly surprised.

It hasn't got straw falling off everywhere!

No. And the floor's all nicely done.

It's a lovely country kitchen.

I'm causing problems, aren't I? Yes. Giving you too many choices.

You are, you're definitely causing us problems.

Shall we go and explore the upstairs?

Lovely. Oh, yes, please.

Despite Diana and Jonathan's professed wariness of thatched cottages,

the proportions of our charming mystery offering are persuading them

that "period" doesn't have to mean "pokey".

Off the kitchen there is also a utility and cloakroom,

as well as a snug with cast iron stove.

An original curved, elm staircase takes us up to

the three-bedroom accommodation.

A good-sized double is set under the eaves,

as is a similarly characterful twin room.

There's also a family bathroom,

and then the third and largest of the bedrooms.

This is the master. Ah-ha.

Gosh, it's all so nice.

It's bright. Yes. You can lie in bed and look out at the lovely view.

And this room has a wet room.

Oh, I thought it was just wardrobe space, how nicely done.

It's totally different from my experiences

of thatched cottages, you know,

which have always had small windows

and everywhere's dark inside the house.

It's really, really different.

Mmm. Mmm.

Crumbs!

Let's go back downstairs and outside. OK.

Because we need to discuss the price. OK, right. Lovely.

I'm glad to have confounded their expectations of thatched cottages

with this bright and spacious Mystery House.

And outside there's a lot more to show them,

with a third of an acre of mainly south-facing, secluded grounds,

surrounded by countryside.

There's a rotating summerhouse, and a well appointed timber cabin,

perhaps offering a peaceful spot to sit sewing or writing that latest

crime thriller.

How could we not see a Dorset thatched when we're in Dorset?

And it's beautiful, it's such a pretty house,

and inside does not disappoint.

So it's charmed you both?

It has. Yeah, it has. Absolutely, absolutely.

So how much is this charming property on the market for?

Oh, dear...

I'm going to go for...

520.

OK... I can't believe it's anywhere near our price range.

Again, top end, but I'd say 525.

You've hit the nail on the head.

Oh, well done.

It is on the market for ?525,000.

The good news is, if you are interested,

the owners are willing to take offers, so I think it's attainable,

it's achievable. Yeah, yeah. Have another look around.

OK, lovely. OK, lovely.

Talk about it and have a think about whether this kind of

country-style property is you.

Lovely, thank you very much. Thank you.

I'll meet you in a bit. Thank you. Thank you.

With an asking price somewhat above budget, but room for negotiation,

this thatched Grade II listed cottage

has unexpectedly fulfilled Diana and Jonathan's property wish list.

Packed with original features, such as fireplaces

and a timber staircase,

there are three bedrooms, including an en suite.

The large grounds are set in beautiful countryside,

and there's a choice of versatile outbuildings.

I think you're far more open now, in my views of thatches,

of thatched houses.

Because of inside, some of the old timbers

really are just so beautiful.

A nice, big garden.

Set in countryside, really surprised, pleasantly surprised.

It was really pretty.

Unexpectedly so.

So, yeah, really pleased with it.

It's really given us something to think about.

We've seen some fabulous properties, all very different,

all meeting what we asked for,

so we've now got to make a decision of which one.

We better get going, because we have so much to discuss.

Yeah. Where are you both going to live?

Choices, choices, choices.

It's time to find out if Jonathan and Diana have been able to make a

decision about which property to go for.

I'm pretty confident at least one of them is still in the running.

Hello. Hello. Hello.

I thought it would be lovely to have our chat here on Charmouth Beach,

as this could be one of your local beaches.

Yes. I'd say it's been a successful house hunt, wouldn't you?

Absolutely. Definitely, definitely.

All of our properties had pretty much everything on your wish list,

so now it's just down to just a feeling perhaps.

What do we do now, what do you do now?

What we've decided is that we'd like to make an offer

on the house by the sea. Yeah.

And if the offer isn't accepted,

then we'd go for the house on the hill.

Wow, that sounds like a grand plan.

Yes, yes. We phoned the estate agent about our house

and we've reduced the price and we said we need it gone, because...

You want to be in a position to move quickly.

Yes, we said reduce the price, just do it.

Well, I'm just so pleased for you.

Two houses that you would be very happy in.

Yeah, yeah. That's brilliant news.

We couldn't have asked for more and we're just delighted.

We had high hopes, but they were met over and above.

I'm so pleased for you both. So thank you. Thank you.

I can't wait to hear what happens.

Thank you very much.

So, the very best of luck. Thank you very much. Thank you.

I do love it when a plan comes together,

and this plan has a backup plan.

How lovely that Jonathan and Diana absolutely love

not just one, but two of our properties,

and I'm so looking forward to hearing the end of this story

and finding out where they'll be starting their new life here in

Dorset. See you next time on Escape To The Country.

Jonathan and Diana put in their offer on the house by the sea,

and it was accepted.

They're all packed up and ready to fulfil their dream

of living near the Dorset coast in the very near future.

If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Scotland,

Northern Ireland or Wales and need our help,

please apply online at...

Good morning, this is BBC Breakfast. Morning, Dan.

Morning, Jenny!

In the sports news, we have the latest on the Welsh rugby team,

Poppy's sports day, and news on Andy Murray.

The headlines coming up, but our next guest is really quite special.