0:00:02 > 0:00:05Welcome to Escape To The Country. Now, how about this lot for a rural
0:00:05 > 0:00:07des res? Now, although
0:00:07 > 0:00:09stripped of its roof and robbed of its treasures,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12these dramatic ruins have been here for well
0:00:12 > 0:00:15over 800 years. But where are we, and how
0:00:15 > 0:00:18have they managed to stand the test of time?
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41'Today's challenge is to please two parties
0:00:41 > 0:00:42'with one property.'
0:00:42 > 0:00:44I can see this is an easy sell
0:00:44 > 0:00:47to your husband. I think we are going to have
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- to work a little harder on you. - You're going to have to work a little bit harder.- Yeah.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- That's fair enough.- Come round to my way of thinking eventually.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'So will our search reach a happy compromise?'
0:00:57 > 0:00:58I love it, it just gets better
0:00:58 > 0:01:01and better. Yeah, it's my dream.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Well, today we are on the Welsh borders, and these are
0:01:08 > 0:01:10the spectacular remains of Tintern Abbey in
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Monmouthshire, on the banks of the River Wye.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Sadly, the fate that befell Tintern was like
0:01:16 > 0:01:19so many of the other great monastic houses,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21and it came during the dissolution of the
0:01:21 > 0:01:24monasteries in the 16th century at the hands, of
0:01:24 > 0:01:26course, of Henry VIII. But over more recent
0:01:26 > 0:01:29centuries, well, these ruins have inspired
0:01:29 > 0:01:31great writers and artists, amongst them
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Wordsworth and Turner. It is without a doubt
0:01:34 > 0:01:36one of my favourite parts of the Borders.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Today, we're in the southern section of the
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Welsh borders, taking in the English counties of
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, along
0:01:48 > 0:01:52with the Welsh county of Monmouthshire.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55As with many of the castles of the Borders, the ruins
0:01:55 > 0:01:57at Monmouth tell a tale of invasion, conquest
0:01:57 > 0:02:02and rule by the Normans from 1066 onwards.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04But whilst the history of the region may be filled
0:02:04 > 0:02:07with battles over territory, there's no dispute
0:02:07 > 0:02:09over the beauty of the place.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is a 43 square mile
0:02:14 > 0:02:17area of ancient woodland. Replete with
0:02:17 > 0:02:20fertile, gentle hills, the terrain of
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Herefordshire is suited to both crop growing and
0:02:23 > 0:02:25grazing, although the lack of a good road
0:02:25 > 0:02:28system limited exports for farmers.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Instead, the River Wye, running from the Welsh mountains
0:02:31 > 0:02:33to the Severn Estuary, was often used to send
0:02:33 > 0:02:37goods to Chepstow. The river also gave rise to
0:02:37 > 0:02:40the birthplace of British tourism. In the
0:02:40 > 0:02:4318th century, a rector from Ross-on-Wye began
0:02:43 > 0:02:46giving boat tours to showcase the waterways'
0:02:46 > 0:02:50idyllic views. So from battle strewn histories
0:02:50 > 0:02:53to beauteous vistas, the Welsh borders really are
0:02:53 > 0:02:56somewhere that an Englishman's, or even a
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Welshman's, home is his castle.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Well, this is the summit of Garway Hill, and it's the perfect
0:03:04 > 0:03:07place to show you just what this southern
0:03:07 > 0:03:09portion of the Welsh borders has to offer.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Now, when it comes to property prices, the
0:03:12 > 0:03:14average cost of a detached property in
0:03:14 > 0:03:16England and Wales is currently just under
0:03:16 > 0:03:20£299,000. But if you fancy a slice of
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Gloucestershire, over there to the east behind
0:03:22 > 0:03:25me, there you could spend an extra 30,000
0:03:25 > 0:03:28on that figure. However, if you come this way,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31past the Malverns over towards Herefordshire in
0:03:31 > 0:03:33the north, well, there, the same thing could
0:03:33 > 0:03:37save you £23,000. If you head west over towards
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Brecon and the black mountains, well, there,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42you get even more bang for your buck.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44And of course, Monmouthshire to the south, well, there,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47the choices are endless. So, what about today's
0:03:47 > 0:03:50buyers? Where in this glorious landscape do
0:03:50 > 0:03:53they want to be? Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57Pete and Sandy first met at a park in
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Oxford four years ago. Now married and living
0:04:00 > 0:04:03in a rented house outside the city, they
0:04:03 > 0:04:06also work together in a shared home business.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09We run a business from home. It's basically
0:04:09 > 0:04:11importing bottling machinery. Anything that
0:04:11 > 0:04:14comes in a bottle, whether it's beer or
0:04:14 > 0:04:17horse shampoo, then we can bottle it, label it
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- and cap it.- Always with each other, sort of
0:04:19 > 0:04:2124/7, but it's worked out really lovely.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- I think we enjoy each other's company.- Yeah, so we tend to work long days, but then we have lots of
0:04:25 > 0:04:26time off as well.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32But something's casting a shadow over their otherwise perfect set-up.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34We've got a pylon right next door. It's a
0:04:34 > 0:04:38massive blot on our landscape. Didcot Power Station's
0:04:38 > 0:04:40in the background, we see that.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- It's just there.- There's three big new estates
0:04:43 > 0:04:47being built within sight of our current home.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50It's losing that sort of village outlook, isn't it?
0:04:50 > 0:04:53The master plan is, we can run this business from anywhere in the world that's got an
0:04:53 > 0:04:57internet connection and a phone. So I guess we
0:04:57 > 0:05:00can escape to wherever we want in the country!
0:05:00 > 0:05:02But whereas country-loving Pete longs for
0:05:02 > 0:05:06rural life, things are more complicated for Sandy,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08who was born and raised in the city of Oxford.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12I've been used to just being in the city,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- seeing lots of different people.- I'd be very
0:05:14 > 0:05:16happy living in the middle of nowhere.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20You're more of a city girl, really, and I'm a country boy. But we can compromise by
0:05:20 > 0:05:22getting somewhere that's within reach of the
0:05:22 > 0:05:25city, but also within reach of the hills and
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- rivers.- Best of both worlds, basically,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29that's what we're looking for.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31And there's one region they think might offer them just
0:05:31 > 0:05:36- that.- Looked at the area along the Welsh borders,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39and we both like the countryside there
0:05:39 > 0:05:43very much. It's got some gentle hills, some really
0:05:43 > 0:05:45nice little towns and villages. Lots of
0:05:45 > 0:05:50rivers. I'm quite keen on canoeing, quite like
0:05:50 > 0:05:53the Wye because you get a lot of lovely scenery
0:05:53 > 0:05:56on the way. And just very tranquil, so I
0:05:56 > 0:05:58look forward to having that on my doorstep.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00So despite their differences, Sandy is
0:06:00 > 0:06:02committed to the move and is in the process of
0:06:02 > 0:06:05selling her property in Oxford, ready to take on
0:06:05 > 0:06:07their first house purchased together.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10We both know the house of our dreams.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- I think we've discussed it long enough.- And I'll bring
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Sandy around to my way of thinking if not!
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Sandy and Pete want to concentrate their search
0:06:22 > 0:06:25on the southern counties of the Welsh borders,
0:06:25 > 0:06:29around the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to road links back to
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Oxford. But before we get going with our house
0:06:32 > 0:06:35tours, I'm meeting up with them in the region
0:06:35 > 0:06:37to find out more about their plans.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Pete, Sandy, welcome to the Welsh borders on a
0:06:40 > 0:06:42beautiful day. Now then, this move has a little
0:06:42 > 0:06:45more urgency about it because have you sold
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- your house already?- It's in the process of getting sold. It's in the family, so we're on
0:06:49 > 0:06:50- our way.- I gather you've been thinking about
0:06:50 > 0:06:52moving to the countryside for some
0:06:52 > 0:06:55time, Pete, and you've managed to persuade
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- Sandy to come with you? - She's more of a city
0:06:57 > 0:07:00girl, but, yeah, we've set our hearts on it now
0:07:00 > 0:07:02and looking forward to seeing some properties.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Pete's taking me here a few times, just getting
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- me used to the village life.- But let's talk a little more about, then, the sort of property
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- that you are after. - Location wise, villagey.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Town should be handy to get to. Inside the
0:07:15 > 0:07:18house, we'd like a kitchen-cum-diner, minimum
0:07:18 > 0:07:21three bedrooms, period cottage, lots of
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- features.- Just something with a little bit of
0:07:23 > 0:07:26character, I think, is what we're after.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28With a modern twist, I think. We're looking forward to
0:07:28 > 0:07:31a much tighter feel of the community, somewhere we
0:07:31 > 0:07:33can go out and talk to people, say hello and
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- just have that sort of feeling.- OK, so let's
0:07:36 > 0:07:40talk about the budget, shall we? You've sold your house, as we said. How much are you going
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- to spend on this little lot, then?- I think we've
0:07:44 > 0:07:47settled on about 365 that we could go to.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- So £365,000, then. Good budget, I think.- Yeah.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- We've got some wonderful weather. Right, then. Let's go.- Thank you.
0:07:58 > 0:08:04So, with a budget of up to £365,000, Sandy and Pete want a decent sized
0:08:04 > 0:08:07kitchen diner and three bedrooms. And they need
0:08:07 > 0:08:10to be able to run their business from home.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Sandy would like to be part of a village
0:08:12 > 0:08:17community, and they'd like a character house with a modern twist.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20We've found three wonderful but very different properties all
0:08:20 > 0:08:22with their wish list in mind, and at each
0:08:22 > 0:08:24they'll be guessing the price before I reveal
0:08:24 > 0:08:25it.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28The last one is our Mystery House, which
0:08:28 > 0:08:31could end up being something of a shock for everybody.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Our house-hunt begins in Whitchurch, Herefordshire. Until the
0:08:41 > 0:08:44ninth century, this Wye Valley village lay in
0:08:44 > 0:08:47the Welsh kingdom of Ergyng, and Welsh was
0:08:47 > 0:08:50spoken here long after it was claimed by the English.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52The Gwillim family held sway as lords and
0:08:52 > 0:08:55minor kings of this long-disputed territory on
0:08:55 > 0:08:59the shifting border between England and Wales, and their ancestral home is now
0:08:59 > 0:09:03The Old Court Hotel. Other facilities include
0:09:03 > 0:09:06a village store with delicatessen and cafe.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11And a church located on the banks of the River Wye that even has its own landing stage for
0:09:11 > 0:09:15access to the river. And nearby is the character
0:09:15 > 0:09:17stone cottage we've come to see.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Right, then. This is property number one.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- Wow.- All of it?- All of it! I love this sprung arch over that great big
0:09:26 > 0:09:30window there. It's obviously been something of a sort of coach house or something.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- Interesting.- In the past. But, yeah, you get the whole thing!- Yeah, I thought it was two
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- houses!- On top of the Wye, so we're thinking
0:09:35 > 0:09:38about the canoe. But we should not perhaps skate
0:09:38 > 0:09:40over the issue of the road, and the A40, which is
0:09:40 > 0:09:43just down there. What do we think about that,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- Pete?- Yeah, it's not too intrusive, I think, so
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- we could probably live with that. - It's a road to home, so I don't mind.- A road to home,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52there you go! Location-wise, we're happy.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- Initially, we're happy. - Yeah.- Let's see if that
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- continues as we get in. Come on.- Thank you.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Thought to date to the 1830s, and extended in
0:10:01 > 0:10:04the 1970s, an entrance at the far end of the
0:10:04 > 0:10:06cottage leads through a lobby into the main
0:10:06 > 0:10:09reception room.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- Well, Sandy. Is this the sort of...- Oh, gosh.- ..historic gem you were thinking
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- about?- Wow. Most definitely. Wow, look at
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- the staircase.- I like it.- It's sweet, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- Wood burner.- Good exercise for you,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- chopping the logs.- Get someone to do it for
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- you, like him!- I love that, actually.- What do you think, Pete?
0:10:30 > 0:10:34Yes, I like it very much. Yeah, first impressions count, and first impressions
0:10:34 > 0:10:39are very good. Yeah. It's certainly characterful. We have the beams, they're nice
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- and high, so...- Yeah, you're not ducking! You're not ducking at all. Let's go through to
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- the kitchen diner, because I think you might like this.- OK, good stuff.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49'To one side of the sitting room is a ground floor shower room
0:10:49 > 0:10:52'with WC, whilst the opposite end has the
0:10:52 > 0:10:55'large country kitchen they've asked for.'
0:10:55 > 0:10:57I really love the way they've done this.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Kitchen diner, new units, new tops, the
0:10:59 > 0:11:01whole thing recently refurbished, as you can
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- tell.- Very tastefully done, too.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Very tasteful.- Yeah, it is.- I mean, lots of character,
0:11:07 > 0:11:11lots of features, too. It's almost a sort of galley arrangement, but you've got the diner as
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- well.- They've packed a fair bit into a small space.- They have.- You've got enough room there to
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- sit down at the table. - If you wanted. Old and
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- the new!- Excellent.- Very happy.- Now, you did say
0:11:19 > 0:11:22three bedrooms ideally. Yeah? Let's have a look
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- upstairs.- OK.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30'I'm not surprised Sandy is pleased. This stone cottage combines period
0:11:30 > 0:11:33'character with the modern twists she likes,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36'all in a well-connected location.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39'Completing this floor, a boot room and store with space for
0:11:39 > 0:11:41'a washing machine sits off the far end of the
0:11:41 > 0:11:44'kitchen. Then upstairs, there's all the
0:11:44 > 0:11:47'accommodation they need. Over the kitchen end
0:11:47 > 0:11:49'lies a family bathroom and a double guest
0:11:49 > 0:11:51'bedroom, whilst at the other end of the
0:11:51 > 0:11:53'property is a smaller spare room which, like
0:11:53 > 0:11:56'the current owners, Pete and Sandy could use as a
0:11:56 > 0:11:59'home office. That just leaves the largest
0:11:59 > 0:12:02'bedroom tucked away in the centre.'
0:12:02 > 0:12:05And then finally, this is what the current owners use
0:12:05 > 0:12:08as their master. This one has got more
0:12:08 > 0:12:10character, with the stone wall revealed
0:12:10 > 0:12:13there. Lots of built-in storage, as you can see.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15I do like the stone feature, that's one of
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- my favourites, so yes. - You weren't expecting it
0:12:18 > 0:12:19- above the bed, though, were you?- No!
0:12:19 > 0:12:22And actually, the height of the ceilings up here are
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- quite surprising, to be honest.- Yeah, it gives
0:12:24 > 0:12:27the impression of space. It's not a huge room,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- but big enough.- I mean, given this is your first
0:12:29 > 0:12:32home together, I mean, it's a nice opportunity
0:12:32 > 0:12:34for you to make a fresh start. Is this the sort
0:12:34 > 0:12:37of building that would allow you to do that?
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- With me, definitely, yes.- Yes, I think the same.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44We've yet to look outside, but I'd be interested to see what garden there is.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Right, then. Terrace and garden next, then. Follow me.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51'So, a big thumbs up for this village located
0:12:51 > 0:12:54'cottage from self-confessed city girl Sandy.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56'But I'm sensing hesitation from Pete,
0:12:56 > 0:13:01'who admits he longs for real rural isolation.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03'The outside space to the kitchen side of the
0:13:03 > 0:13:06'cottage is modest, with a raised south facing
0:13:06 > 0:13:08'courtyard and decked terrace, from which there
0:13:08 > 0:13:10'are lovely views of the surrounding hills.'
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Now, I know, Sandy, you wanted a manageable garden.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18I'm afraid this is it, OK? So I think this is
0:13:18 > 0:13:22probably more container gardening, rather than
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- large-scale vegetable gardening.- Bit of a
0:13:25 > 0:13:27shock to the system maybe, from what we had
0:13:27 > 0:13:30in mind, a cottage in its own grounds. But I'm
0:13:30 > 0:13:33not writing it off. Yeah, certainly could be
0:13:33 > 0:13:36low-maintenance and it's actually very well
0:13:36 > 0:13:38screened, I think, for what it is, a little sun
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- trap.- Well, it's quirky, and I like it.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- It's containable, so...- I mean, you've got, you
0:13:42 > 0:13:45know, the Wye Valley at your disposal and all
0:13:45 > 0:13:48the walks and outdoor activities that this
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- area is so famous for. - Yeah, there's plenty of
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- open spaces around.- So let's think about the
0:13:52 > 0:13:57price, then. You have £365,000 to spend.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Sandy, make us an offer for property number one.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05- Hard. I would say, 370. - 370?! Oh, over budget.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Yeah.- OK.- Little steep, I think. I'm going to
0:14:08 > 0:14:10hazard a guess at 330.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13330. Interesting. If it was 330, would you
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- think about it?- Yes.- Most definitely.- You see, that look just
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- said it all, didn't it? OK, think about this then.- OK. - This is on the market
0:14:21 > 0:14:23for...
0:14:23 > 0:14:26£298,000.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- You're joking me.- I'm not. - Interesting.- Right, then. Off you go, go and have a look around.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- And then I'll come and find you a little bit later on. Go on, off you go.- Thank you very much.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35- Take your time.- OK. - Just think about it,
0:14:35 > 0:14:39yeah, 298, not bad, is it, really? I think it's pretty good.
0:14:41 > 0:14:47Leaving £67,000 to spare, this stone cottage combines old and new.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50With a feature fireplace, a good-sized kitchen
0:14:50 > 0:14:53diner, three bedrooms with scope for a home office,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56two bathrooms and a village location
0:14:56 > 0:14:59providing amenities, community and road links.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01First impressions, it was the
0:15:01 > 0:15:04wow factor, it looked huge on the outside.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06I thought it was two houses. I love the
0:15:06 > 0:15:09sitting room, it's my dream sitting room,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- I think.- I liked it instantly. Really nice
0:15:13 > 0:15:16stonework, a really good quality and a very
0:15:16 > 0:15:19individual layout, but it would work for us, I
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- think.- I like it. We've got another two houses
0:15:22 > 0:15:25to look at, but first property, fantastic,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27I'm happy.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29After you, Sandy.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33Well, if that was the... DOOR SQUEAKS
0:15:33 > 0:15:35..last property we had to show you, complete with
0:15:35 > 0:15:38squeaky door, I think we'd be in a good place,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40but there is more to come, so can we better
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- this one?- Maybe.- Yeah, hope so.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- It's still sunny, come on, let's go.- Thank you.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57The Wye Valley is an iconic natural feature of the Welsh borders.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Once a busy waterway filled with commercial
0:15:59 > 0:16:02cargo, the industrial vessels of the
0:16:02 > 0:16:0519th century have now made way for watersports
0:16:05 > 0:16:08enthusiasts. Pete is a professed fan of this
0:16:08 > 0:16:11popular canoeing destination, and as he's
0:16:11 > 0:16:13keen for Sandy to join him, we've arranged a
0:16:13 > 0:16:15trip for them on one of the most stunning
0:16:15 > 0:16:18sections of the Wye. Guiding them today is
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Peter Murphy.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21So, today we're going to be
0:16:21 > 0:16:23paddling down the River Wye. Do you have any
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- experience of paddling? - I have very little.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- Pete, you have more than me, don't you?- I've done
0:16:28 > 0:16:31a fair bit, not professionally, but I
0:16:31 > 0:16:32- enjoy it.- So, Peter, how long have you been
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- paddling for?- Well, I started in Scouts when I
0:16:35 > 0:16:41was about 11. I started getting my qualifications at 19, and that was a fair
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- few years ago! - THEY LAUGH
0:16:43 > 0:16:48- Probably about 21 years in total. Let me just get you some paddles.- Thank you.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Hiring a canoe for half a day costs around £38,
0:16:53 > 0:16:55including transport to the start point,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58buoyancy aids and a 60 litre dry bag for any
0:16:58 > 0:17:01possessions. Most people don't take a guide, but
0:17:01 > 0:17:04one can be arranged for an extra fee.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Nice and easy, give yourselves like a little push off.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09You might have to put your paddle on the bank.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11There we go.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And then we're off.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Pete and Sandy are canoeing one of the most popular
0:17:17 > 0:17:19sections of the river, from Kerne Bridge to
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Symonds Yat. As well as taking in well-known
0:17:22 > 0:17:24viewpoints, this stretch is suitable for complete
0:17:24 > 0:17:27novices, as it's rated grade one, meaning there
0:17:27 > 0:17:31are no technical difficulties or dangerous obstacles.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Oh, that's nice, away from
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- the hustle and bustle of city life.- This is where
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- it comes, the nice part. - So, Peter, you can sort
0:17:39 > 0:17:42of see why the Wye is attractive.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- What do you like about it the most? - I think it's because
0:17:45 > 0:17:48it's such a nice river. It's genuinely really
0:17:48 > 0:17:52friendly. It's a nice, gentle paddle.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Canoeing is the greatest way to see it.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00The 135 mile long River Wye starts its journey high up in
0:18:00 > 0:18:02the Welsh mountains, making its way to the
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Severn Estuary near Chepstow. Largely rural,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07it's home to large numbers of birds and
0:18:07 > 0:18:11mammals, as well as 30 species of fish, but the
0:18:11 > 0:18:13gentle current leaves plenty of time for
0:18:13 > 0:18:15paddlers to hone their manoeuvres between
0:18:15 > 0:18:18wildlife spotting.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19OK, so what we're going to
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- do now is try and zigzag across the river.- OK.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25So if you wanted to switch over to the other side,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27that makes it easier for you, there you go.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Just do a big old sweep stroke, that will bring your back end round.
0:18:31 > 0:18:32And, Sandy, you do a little
0:18:32 > 0:18:35pulling stroke, it's called a draw stroke.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40That's it. Pull it straight in and then whip it out again. That's that.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44That will turn you around. To turn the other way, you're
0:18:44 > 0:18:48just going to swap sides and do exactly the opposite.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51Why are you turning, Pete?
0:18:53 > 0:18:56This particular stretch of the river, offering glimpses of verdant
0:18:56 > 0:18:59landscape dotted with spring lambs,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02is where the Reverend Gilpin, an Anglican cleric and artist,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05was first inspired to introduce the term "picturesque"
0:19:05 > 0:19:07into the English language.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- This is so tranquil, isn't it?- Yeah, isn't it the
0:19:10 > 0:19:14whole idea of us moving to the country, though?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17I can feel the stress leaving my body.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20The views are absolutely amazing.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24You just keep paddling a little bit and I'll have a snooze!
0:19:24 > 0:19:26SHE LAUGHS
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Well, their trip downstream may have put
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Pete and Sandy in the frame of mind to go with
0:19:31 > 0:19:34the flow, but it's time to see what they'll make
0:19:34 > 0:19:37of our next property here in the Welsh borders.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48Our search is taking us to the very rural location of Garway Hill.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52Nearest facilities are a four and a half mile drive away in the
0:19:52 > 0:19:57village of Ewyas Harold, which offers a couple of pubs, tea rooms,
0:19:57 > 0:20:03a post office with shop, dentists, butchers and even fish and chips.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07But back on Garway Hill, I've got a lovely country escape to show them.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12It's a registered smallholding located down a quiet country lane.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- So how about this, then, guys? - Different.- Very different.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17It looks tremendous.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20You're probably thinking, "You've brought me to the middle of nowhere."
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- You're not as remote as you might think.- Thank you, you're helping me there.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25THEY LAUGH
0:20:25 > 0:20:29Well, I think, for you, this is probably more you than the first one.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- My dream, yeah.- And look at that view.- What an eyesore!
0:20:32 > 0:20:34THEY LAUGH
0:20:34 > 0:20:38We're looking right across to the Cotswolds, almost as far as Oxford.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- Hello, Mum. - THEY LAUGH
0:20:40 > 0:20:43As you can see, they've made much of it with this new edition of
0:20:43 > 0:20:45this fully specced up garden room.
0:20:45 > 0:20:51- It even has its own loo, etc. - This looks fantastic.- Brilliant.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- Shall we have a look?- Can't wait. - Yeah.- Come on.- Thank you.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Originally a simple stone cottage built in the 1860s,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04it was extended to create an L-shaped home in the 1960s,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06with a further addition in the 1990s.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10A front door in the newer part leads into an open plan kitchen and
0:21:10 > 0:21:11dining room.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14There we are.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- Oh, OK.- It wasn't a "wow", what's going through your mind?- Um...
0:21:21 > 0:21:24No, just taken aback by how small it is, the kitchen.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Narrow.- Yes, yes.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29But I wasn't thinking small, I think it's larger than the last one,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32it's extended into the dining area there.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Could you make it work, that's the question?- I'm saying a "yes".
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Yes, definitely, yes.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Well, that was an unequivocal "yes". I'll take two "yeses", that's great.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Come on, then.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47'And then to the property's oldest section, the reception room.'
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Try and cast your imaginations back to the 1860s, when it was a one up,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55one down, with a little fireplace there, that would have been cosy.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56Yes.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Cosy's the word that comes to mind, that's what you want in the winter.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04I think it's a little bit small for me, a bit too cosy.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07I can see this is an easy sell to your husband.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- Mm.- I think we are going to have to work a little harder on you.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- You're going to have to work a little bit harder.- Yeah, well, that's fair enough.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Come round to my way of thinking!
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I mean, it's got to work for both of you. Come on, let's have a look upstairs.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23'So, some clear division of opinion on this detached rural
0:22:23 > 0:22:25'smallholding so far.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29'Let's see if the upstairs will find some common ground.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32'There's a family bathroom, serving two double bedrooms,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35'one of which would make a good guest room, and the master is
0:22:35 > 0:22:40'accessed via a storage space that would make a useful dressing room.'
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Potential dressing area here,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- or even en suite if you wanted it to be.- OK.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50And this is the latest addition to this property.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- 1990s extension. This, I think, is the nicest bedroom.- Yes.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- It's a beautiful room, yeah.- Yes, it is.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Out of the two bedrooms, this would be the main bedroom for me.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Now the sort of pieces are starting to fall into place with this one.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03What do you reckon?
0:23:03 > 0:23:06For me, it is just a tiny bit too small.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09I like a bit more room for me to breathe.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13As far as space goes, yes, we don't have as much space inside,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17but then we still have the garden, and the space outside just,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19well, there's no comparison.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Could your arm be twisted?
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- It would have to be a big twist for me.- Whoa!
0:23:25 > 0:23:28There's a challenge, mate! Yes, come on, then.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29HE CHUCKLES
0:23:31 > 0:23:34'Oh, dear, this property really has thrown down the gauntlet,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37'and outside, there's even more to persuade country loving Pete
0:23:37 > 0:23:40'to twist city girl Sandy's arm.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43'As well as that garden room, this smallholding comes with four
0:23:43 > 0:23:47'sheds and a greenhouse, and our couple's bottling business
0:23:47 > 0:23:50'could find a new lease of life with an established cider apple
0:23:50 > 0:23:55'orchard, all in one acre of ground overlooking the valley.'
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Look at that.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59If you'd asked for this view, we'd never have found
0:23:59 > 0:24:02a property with it, and look, there it is as a bonus.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Not a pylon in sight, or a power station.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Really, I think the ball is in your court, Sandy.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10I'm going to be really truthful with you. It's a nice house,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13but it's just a bit too cosy for me, it really, really is.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18And, location-wise, I don't think it's for me.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23Is it your inability from here to walk to stuff, is that the problem?
0:24:23 > 0:24:27To walk and just to see a bit more people walking around and, you know...
0:24:27 > 0:24:30We have to take a walk up and down the road, we haven't done that,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33and also we can negotiate around dogs and things like that.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37- Oh, we're coming around to a dog now, are we?- Maybe, maybe, I'm not committing myself just yet.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39THEY LAUGH
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Let's leave the future to one side for
0:24:41 > 0:24:43a moment, let's talk about the here and now.
0:24:43 > 0:24:48- 365 is your budget. What's this on the market for?- 349.- 349?!
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- You've obviously thought about that, that was very direct.- Off-the-cuff.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56- OK.- I think it's got bit more land, I'd say...
0:24:56 > 0:24:59I'd say 365.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01365, interesting.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Oh, keeping us in suspense again!
0:25:06 > 0:25:10- 350.- Oh!- Well done. Yeah, 350.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14- Keep your mind open.- I will.- Now you know what it's worth,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- and I will come and find you a little bit later on.- OK.- Go on, then.- Thank you.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Do a bit more arm-twisting. SHE LAUGHS
0:25:19 > 0:25:21He might have to! HE CHUCKLES
0:25:22 > 0:25:27£15,000 shy of their budget, this detached rural smallholding
0:25:27 > 0:25:30comes with an open plan kitchen and dining room,
0:25:30 > 0:25:34two double bedrooms and a separate well-appointed garden room.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38What's more, there's also an acre of land and beautiful valley views.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- Oh, yes, that is beautiful, isn't it?- It is, it's spectacular.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I can't knock the view, it is breathtaking.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- This is how I imagined it. - It is. It COULD be.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54I instantly liked the location.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56I walked in and I thought, "Oh, fantastic,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59"this is my dream sort of house", to be honest.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03If I could take the first property, plonk it here,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06a bit more people as well, it would be smashing, it would be lovely.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10It's still top of my list, and we'll see.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12- All done?- Yes.- I think so.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14- What a lovely view again. - I know.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17There's only one thing missing here, and that is a gin and tonic.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22- Good idea.- I know just the place. Go on, after you.- Thank you.- Up the hill.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41We're on the Welsh borders with a budget of £365,000 to find
0:26:41 > 0:26:44a country home for Sandy and Pete,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47who are relocating from near the city of Oxford.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50So far we've found property to please them both,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53but unfortunately, not in the same location.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55But our Mystery House is still to come,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59but it could be more of a surprise than they'd bargained for.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Pete's eyes! HE LAUGHS
0:27:01 > 0:27:05It was a mystery, and then it's been unravelled.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Plus, I find one of my favourite Welsh border building styles
0:27:08 > 0:27:10still going strong.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- So this is where all the action happens.- Look at that!
0:27:16 > 0:27:19So, what can we come up with for our Mystery House?
0:27:19 > 0:27:20Well, here's the trick.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Sandy did say she fancied something with a bit of character,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24but with a modern twist.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27That is exactly what it does, but moreover,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31it's just a short drive from one of my favourite market towns.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35In short, we are trying to please everybody, as usual.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42What do you think we might have lined up for you?
0:27:42 > 0:27:43We really have no idea.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47We haven't seen too many windmills round this area, so I don't know about that.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49No, it's not a windmill.
0:27:49 > 0:27:55- It's not a windmill, but it did have a former life.- Oh, OK, even better!
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Ah, you see, it combines a bit of the old and a bit of the new.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02- OK. Which we wanted.- Which is what you said you wanted, yeah.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05So, let's see what you think of it, but it is our last roll of the dice.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07- I hope it works.- Me too!
0:28:07 > 0:28:09THEY LAUGH
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Our mystery offering is taking us to the Welsh community of
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Llangybi in Monmouthshire.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20Located four miles away is the market town of Usk.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Straddled over the river from where it gets its name,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25there is a good selection of amenities here,
0:28:25 > 0:28:31including pubs, restaurants, coffee shops and a post office.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34The town's clock tower was erected in 1887
0:28:34 > 0:28:37to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40And history buffs can step even further back in time at
0:28:40 > 0:28:44either the National Roman Legion Museum, located in a former
0:28:44 > 0:28:49Roman fortress, or at Usk Castle, that dates back to the 12th century.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Meanwhile, in the countryside around Llangybi,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55our final property comes with some history of its own, too.
0:28:56 > 0:29:01So, at last I can reveal to you our Mystery House. There it is, guys.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Lovely converted barn. What do you think of that, Sandy?
0:29:03 > 0:29:08I like the stonework. It looks light and airy, so yeah.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13I know you've preferred a bit more of this over Sandy's desire
0:29:13 > 0:29:17to be more in a conventional village.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- Always room to compromise. - Well, this is the compromise.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22And as you can see, there are a number of other buildings
0:29:22 > 0:29:24being redeveloped here on this old farm complex.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26- There will be seven. - Yeah, I noticed, yeah.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- OK, so we'll have quite a few neighbours.- You will have some neighbours,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31so it will be a little sort of hamlet, if you like.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35And, as you can tell, it's got this lovely sense of texture about
0:29:35 > 0:29:39it, but with this lovely, very modern twist.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- I don't think you will be... - Disappointed.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45But would that kind of compromise work for the pair of you?
0:29:45 > 0:29:47For me, yes, I will say so, yes.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51I mean, are you feeling a bit anxious about this open space?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- No, I like it, I do like open space. - Are you happy with all this?
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Er, there are no negative points whatsoever I wish to make at
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- this stage. - THEY LAUGH
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Right, sir. Let's go inside.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07By combining 18th-century agricultural origins with the
0:30:07 > 0:30:10up-to-date take of a modern build,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13this barn conversion could just be the surprise twist that
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Pete and Sandy need on their search.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20The bones of the building may be 300 years old, but the brand-new
0:30:20 > 0:30:24bifolding doors take us into a very contemporary kitchen-diner.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28- Well, Sandy, How about this?- Oh, yes.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30- Now you're talking.- Yes!
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- Look at it. It is kind of modern loft living but with a nice, kind of rural twist.- Yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36It's funky or what?
0:30:36 > 0:30:38You've got all this lovely texture coming through.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40The stain of the bar, these new oak beams.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44So it's got a real identity, but all this is very slick,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46very modern, as you can tell.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52- Pete's eyes.- It was a mystery and then it's been unravelled.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55It is a lovely mystery. I'm very pleased.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56Would this, then, Sandy,
0:30:56 > 0:31:00persuade you to take the leap
0:31:00 > 0:31:04from urban Oxford to rural Monmouthshire, in this case?
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Most definitely.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- Would it?- Yes.- Oh. Now, you should be taking this with both hands,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12mate, cos this is all good. This is a bit of you and a bit of Sandy.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- Yeah.- So, what do you think of this one, Pete?
0:31:14 > 0:31:18- I love it, too. - There you are. You see?- Yeah.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Off the kitchen, there is also a snug, a ground-floor wet room,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25and a utility room.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Then completing this floor is a large lounge.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31We thought from the outside, it's not that big,
0:31:31 > 0:31:33but it just seems huge now you're inside.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37What it does offer you, I think, is a truly flexible amount
0:31:37 > 0:31:40of space and that's where it scores.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42That's right. It's light, it's airy, it's...
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Yeah, I think it's ticking all boxes.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47- Pete?- Agree. Agree.
0:31:47 > 0:31:48For me, it's very rural.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Though you've got this prospect of the other houses
0:31:52 > 0:31:56going up in the same area, so a little community.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- It could well be the compromise we're looking for.- Yeah.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02Well, our mystery offering
0:32:02 > 0:32:05seems to be serving up Pete's slice of country life,
0:32:05 > 0:32:08as well as sating Sandy's contemporary tastes
0:32:08 > 0:32:10and community spirit.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12Upstairs there is another wet room
0:32:12 > 0:32:14alongside two similarly sized doubles,
0:32:14 > 0:32:16one of which could be kept for guests
0:32:16 > 0:32:21whilst Pete and Sandy use the other as their master.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Both the bedrooms up here are pretty much identical, really.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- And again, views out.- Exactly, yeah. You can lay in bed, can't you,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30- and look outside?- Yeah. You know, it's a very easy one to explain,
0:32:30 > 0:32:34this property, to be honest. It will sell itself to someone.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38The question is will it be you two?
0:32:38 > 0:32:39We'll let you know.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43Well, I need to let you know about the price, don't I? Come on.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47The location and accommodation
0:32:47 > 0:32:51so far seem to be the compromise Pete and Sandy are after.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Outside, their business could also find a new home
0:32:55 > 0:32:59in a double garage, plus the good-sized garden has swathes of
0:32:59 > 0:33:01decking and a lawn which, although overlooked,
0:33:01 > 0:33:04well, it's only by the local sheep.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- You get all this... - Just gets better.- ..lawn,
0:33:07 > 0:33:11and there you can see the rest of the complex taking shape.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14I love it. It just gets better and better. It's... Yeah.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16It's my dream.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- Oh, is it?- Yeah.- Is it? I was really nervous about
0:33:19 > 0:33:21- bringing you up here. I thought...- Me too.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23I thought, "Oh, this is a bit too far.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25"She's not going to like this much."
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- But actually, the house has done it.- I'm sold.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Excellent. Music to your ears, I think.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35It is indeed, but now I'm starting to get worried, you see,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38because I've got to look at the cold, hard facts.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42- Can we afford it?- Well. Yes, indeed.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Let's talk about those facts.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46You love it so much, you can go first on this one.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Right. I'm going over budget.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51- I'm going to say 375. - 375? Pete?
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Yeah, it's almost impossible.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58I'm going to show solidarity with my wife and say 375.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00- It is on at £375,000.- Really?
0:34:02 > 0:34:07You see? We've brought you together at last in more ways than one.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10Not just in the property but also in the numbers.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13So it is 375. Having said that, of course, over budget.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15The owners know your budget.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- OK.- And we are cash buyers, more or less.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22Absolutely, yeah. So I think your budget would do the trick.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- We may have to have a discussion. - I would.- Quite soon.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- I would. Are you happy now? - Very happy.- Good.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Right, then. Off you go. Enjoy it. Indulge yourself
0:34:31 > 0:34:34in this amazing space and we'll come and find you a little bit later on.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40This modern conversion of an 18th-century barn
0:34:40 > 0:34:43is a winning combination of old and new.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53It is all set in a lovely countryside location.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56To be honest, I thought, "Another windy road to drive up,"
0:34:56 > 0:35:00I just thought, "Gosh, I don't know what to do."
0:35:00 > 0:35:02When I went inside, I just thought, "Wow."
0:35:02 > 0:35:05It is lovely, beautiful. The views, the house,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08the way it's built, the quality of the build.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10It's spectacular.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12It was breathtaking.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Interior's so well done.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18It's just... The attention to detail and
0:35:18 > 0:35:19lots of little quirky bits.
0:35:19 > 0:35:24It's not the kind of property we imagined at all, I don't think.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Sometimes you need someone to give your imagination a bit
0:35:27 > 0:35:30of a kick and you've certainly done that.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34It's a yes. I think we're going to put an offer in.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- Fancy a dog in the future?- Maybe. - Does it come with the deal?
0:35:37 > 0:35:40You can't have him. No. You can't have him. Good boy, Alfie.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Right, then. You've got a lot to think about.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- Yes, we have.- Yeah, yeah. - Let's go. No time like the present.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47- OK.- Good boy. Come on.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Peppered amongst the varied natural landscapes
0:35:57 > 0:35:59of the Welsh borders is a vernacular architecture
0:35:59 > 0:36:02that I particularly love.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04Oak timber framing.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08It's one of the oldest construction methods known to man.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Spectacular examples are found all over the region.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Centuries-old, the well-known black-and-white buildings
0:36:14 > 0:36:17of Herefordshire and the Welsh borders
0:36:17 > 0:36:20were originally the colour of natural oak and soil.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23The most ornate examples come thanks to the dissolution
0:36:23 > 0:36:25of the monasteries under Henry VIII,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28which freed up monastic woodland for construction.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32By the Victorian era, wood was in high demand for shipbuilding
0:36:32 > 0:36:35and timber-framed homes fell out of favour.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Then, in the 1970s, there was something of a revival
0:36:39 > 0:36:43due in part to planners insisting on authentic methods
0:36:43 > 0:36:45to extend historic examples.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48One such project was taken up by John Green.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52It led to a business and today John's son-in-law, Ben Albright,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55is going to show me their continued work.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Ben, I've long been a huge fan of oak-framed buildings.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01You are in the business of recreating
0:37:01 > 0:37:04the look of the past and you've been doing it for quite some time.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Yeah, that's right. We've been going about 35 years now.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09And, yeah, we've built all round the world.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11We're turning out a lot of houses now.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Now, Herefordshire is famous for its oak-framed buildings, the
0:37:14 > 0:37:18black-and-whites. Did they inspire the origins of the company?
0:37:18 > 0:37:21Yeah, absolutely. So, my father-in-law, John,
0:37:21 > 0:37:25bought an old oak-framed barn off a farmer, to erect for his house,
0:37:25 > 0:37:28but the planners said, "If you want to do a proper house, you're
0:37:28 > 0:37:30"going to have to add an extension on in oak framing."
0:37:30 > 0:37:33No-one did it, so him and his brother-in-law, who was a joiner,
0:37:33 > 0:37:37got together, did the extension and then it had so much interest,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40they thought, "This could be a goer."
0:37:40 > 0:37:4535 years in and the company now produces around 75 houses a year.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49Although the oak now comes from France, much of the process
0:37:49 > 0:37:51is as it was in medieval times.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55The timber frames are crafted and assembled in a large workshop before
0:37:55 > 0:37:58they're dismantled and re-erected in situ.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- This is where all the action happens.- Look at that.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05This is a typical framing. You can see this frame here.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- And then we've got this lovely truss on here.- It's really interesting,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11the way that you assemble it and then disassemble it
0:38:11 > 0:38:13and take it to site. And that's a technique that's
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- never really changed, I suppose. - No. Absolutely, yes.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Back in the late Middle Ages,
0:38:18 > 0:38:21the raising of the frame was called framing day.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25The get-together was a celebration of the soon-to-be-completed home.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28But, in a time before cranes, it also provided the manpower
0:38:28 > 0:38:30to lift the frame itself.
0:38:30 > 0:38:31Nowadays it's slightly different.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33We've got cranes and telehandlers,
0:38:33 > 0:38:35health and safety and all the rest of it but,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38yeah, there's still a joy in that, particularly when we're building
0:38:38 > 0:38:40a house for clients and it's their own home.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43You know, it's really exciting for them when the frame goes up.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Time is of the essence.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47This green oak will continue to dry
0:38:47 > 0:38:51for several months, if not years, to come.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53That means it must be reassembled as swiftly as possible
0:38:53 > 0:38:56after leaving the workshop.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Nearby, there's a timber frame that's in the process of
0:38:59 > 0:39:00becoming a finished home.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05So, this is a house we're building for a client.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08We started about six months ago.
0:39:08 > 0:39:09We've got another four, five months to go.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11It's quite a large property.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15- It's like a medieval manor. Come on. Let's have a look inside.- Yeah.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21So, this is the kitchen of this property.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24I love that door, very Tudor.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- Yeah.- The outline.- Absolutely, that's where we're mixing
0:39:27 > 0:39:29the traditional details and craftsmanship with
0:39:29 > 0:39:31modern building material.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33And then, through here, what's this bit?
0:39:33 > 0:39:35This is the Sips panel walls
0:39:35 > 0:39:38which is the super-insulated timber walls.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41And then this material on the outside here
0:39:41 > 0:39:45is the breathable membrane to make the building really airtight.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49Isn't that lovely? Your carpenter's marks there,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51and I love the fact that
0:39:51 > 0:39:54these buttons and pegs are still left proud.
0:39:54 > 0:39:55It's a nice way of celebrating
0:39:55 > 0:39:58the material and the technique, isn't it?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Absolutely. That's what we're all about,
0:40:00 > 0:40:03celebrating the craftsmanship and keeping that going.
0:40:03 > 0:40:04I wish you all the best of luck, Ben.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- And thank you for a fascinating insight...- No problem at all.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10..into the world of modern, oak-framed buildings.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18Our task this week was to try and find Pete and Sandy their
0:40:18 > 0:40:19first home together.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Have we managed to do it?
0:40:21 > 0:40:23Well, we might have.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Well, guys, how are we doing?
0:40:28 > 0:40:29- Very well, thank you.- Yeah, fine.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Now, this all looks rather encouraging. A bit of bubbly.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Do you think we're going to be celebrating at the end
0:40:35 > 0:40:36of this conversation, Sandy?
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Hopefully, we will be. Fingers crossed, though.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Well, let's see what we might be celebrating, then.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45We gave you a slice of village life in Whitchurch,
0:40:45 > 0:40:49in that very charming little cottage that you absolutely loved, Sandy.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53- I did.- And then, Pete, we took you to something that offered you
0:40:53 > 0:40:56a little more rural isolation, perched on the side of Garway Hill
0:40:56 > 0:40:58with those lovely views and so on.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01We couldn't quite get you both to join the dots,
0:41:01 > 0:41:05which is where our Mystery House came in.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Although it's rural, I didn't feel isolated, so...
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- it worked for me. - It ticked all the boxes.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14It had everything we were looking for, even though we didn't kind of
0:41:14 > 0:41:16know what we were looking for!
0:41:16 > 0:41:20So, we found a house - what happens next?
0:41:20 > 0:41:23We've spoken to the vendor. A while ago, yes.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Have you? You've been busy while I've been away!
0:41:27 > 0:41:30So you've spoken to the owner, and what did she say?
0:41:30 > 0:41:35We're going to have a chat with them next week and go on from there.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38How exciting! I'm delighted. You must be quite relieved, Pete,
0:41:38 > 0:41:39to think that, finally,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Sandy is going to join you in this rural endeavour.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43It's been a roller-coaster ride.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47A roller-coaster ride. Pete, I think you've absolutely summed it up.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50We wish you all the very best of luck.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52And let us know how you get on.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54We hope to be inviting you over quite soon.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Well, I'm not far away.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58We better have a toast. There we are.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- Here's to you... and the Mystery House.- Cheers.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Fingers crossed toast.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Well, you know, having a difference of opinion is all very well,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12but if you take that idea into a house search,
0:42:12 > 0:42:15well, you could have a disaster on your hands.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18There were certainly times this week when I thought that
0:42:18 > 0:42:22both Pete and Sandy's very different ideas as to what sort of house
0:42:22 > 0:42:25would really work for them would mean that, eventually, we wouldn't
0:42:25 > 0:42:27get anywhere near it, but, lo and behold,
0:42:27 > 0:42:29our Mystery House has delivered.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33It's combined all their hopes and aspirations under one roof
0:42:33 > 0:42:36in the right place and, I hope, at the right price.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39So, all in all, it's turned out pretty well.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41I'll see you next time.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Well, Sandy and Pete put in an offer on the Mystery House
0:42:45 > 0:42:47and I'm delighted to say that it was accepted.
0:42:47 > 0:42:53They're looking forward to a new life in the Welsh borders very soon.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55If you would like to escape to the country
0:42:55 > 0:42:56in England, Wales, Scotland
0:42:56 > 0:42:58or Northern Ireland, and need our help,
0:42:58 > 0:43:02you can apply online at...