0:00:02 > 0:00:05With a name that translates as beautiful view,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08this stunning hilltop castle has
0:00:08 > 0:00:11panoramas that stretch out over three counties.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15But where am I, and who's lucky enough to call this place home?
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Find out in just a moment.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Today, I'm with a characterful couple
0:00:36 > 0:00:39on a quest for a better quality-of-life.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41It looks beautiful. I feel I should have
0:00:41 > 0:00:44a crinoline on and walk with my Victorian parasol.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Well, it's actually Edwardian...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48I don't know what half of that means, but I'll do the same!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50- You probably don't want to.- No.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54And as the search progresses, our buyers really open up.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Oh, my bi-fold doors.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59The bi-fold doors!
0:00:59 > 0:01:01I'm going to adopt you, Alistair, I really am.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02- You see?- I love bi-fold.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Today, we're in Leicestershire and this is Belvoir Castle,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12which has amazing views over Leicestershire,
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15Despite its location,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19it's actually the ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24This stately version was built in the early 1800s by James Wyatt
0:01:24 > 0:01:26for the fifth Duke and Duchess,
0:01:26 > 0:01:30and they used Lancelot Capability Brown to design the gardens,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33although he died before the plans could be completed.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35But later in the show, I'll be talking to
0:01:35 > 0:01:39the present Duchess about how she rediscovered those plans
0:01:39 > 0:01:43and used them to inspire her vision for the future of the estate.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Landlocked Leicestershire sits in the centre of England,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50forming part of the East Midlands.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Its varied scenery is a mix of agricultural land, country parks,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56pretty villages and market towns.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59All of these features can be explored
0:01:59 > 0:02:02on the 100-mile Leicestershire round walk
0:02:02 > 0:02:04or by taking advantage of the excellent network
0:02:04 > 0:02:07of meandering waterways on board a narrow boat.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12To the west of the county, a monument made of
0:02:12 > 0:02:14a railway sleeper in a field in Fenny Drayton,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18indicates the exact geographical centre of England,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22as calculated by Ordnance Survey in 2002.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Six miles away lies the site of the Battle of Bosworth,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29where Richard III was defeated by Henry Tudor in 1485.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31As well as the battlefield,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33visitors will find a memorial
0:02:33 > 0:02:35marking the well from which the king was
0:02:35 > 0:02:37said to have taken his last drink before he died.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Those who wish to follow his story will end up at the cathedral in the
0:02:42 > 0:02:46city of Leicester, where his recently rediscovered remains were
0:02:46 > 0:02:49ceremonially reinterred in 2015.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Also steeped in history are the county's ancient market towns,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57like Melton Mowbray, where you can absorb the town's
0:02:57 > 0:02:591,000-year history on a Heritage Trail
0:02:59 > 0:03:04and sample its famous Stilton cheese or a traditionally made pork pie.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07It's no wonder the town has earned the enviable nickname,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09the rural capital of food.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14So with a reputation for fine produce, tranquil, open countryside
0:03:14 > 0:03:17and historic cathedrals and canals,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Leicestershire has plenty to offer those
0:03:19 > 0:03:22looking for an escape from city life.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Here's another interesting fact about Leicestershire -
0:03:26 > 0:03:28it was the birthplace of package tourism,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32when a young man named Thomas Cook organised a day trip on the railways
0:03:32 > 0:03:34from Loughborough to Leicester,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38and charged only one shilling for it in 1841.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41But if you're planning a more permanent stay in the county,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44you might be interested to know that the average price
0:03:44 > 0:03:47for a detached house is £251,000.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51That's £48,000 less than the national figure.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54So with that in mind, let's meet today's house-buyers
0:03:54 > 0:03:56and find out about their hopes and dreams
0:03:56 > 0:03:58about moving to Leicestershire.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Retired police officer Tim and library assistant Jackie
0:04:02 > 0:04:07were brought together 31 years ago by an unusual chance encounter.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09As a young police officer,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11I was posted to Hammersmith in west London.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14And I seem to recall there was a dispute
0:04:14 > 0:04:17involving a motorist being issued a parking ticket.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21So I went along to see if I could help and the person
0:04:21 > 0:04:23trying to issue the ticket was the young Jackie,
0:04:23 > 0:04:25who was then a traffic warden.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I don't recall too much about the incident,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29because my eyes were obviously drawn
0:04:29 > 0:04:31to this attractive young traffic warden.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33For the last 19 years, they've lived in this
0:04:33 > 0:04:36five-bedroom semidetached home in Guildford, Surrey,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39but with their children now in their 20s and moving on,
0:04:39 > 0:04:43it's just them and Labrador Amber left at home,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45so they're after a new challenge.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48We've worked very hard in our jobs
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and doing things for the children and
0:04:51 > 0:04:52we now feel it's our time.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55We had some cousins, cousins on Tim's side,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59who moved up to Leicestershire to the Melton Mowbray area.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03They have such a fantastic quality of life.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06They can travel everywhere nice and quickly.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08The properties up there are just phenomenal.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11The countryside is gorgeous and that was it. We were just hooked.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Their daughter works in Coventry
0:05:13 > 0:05:15and their son is at university in Leeds,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17so the central county of Leicestershire,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21between both of them, seems the ideal search ground.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23For Tim, there's one other benefit.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26I'm a huge Leeds supporter and Jackie...
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- I like to watch live football. - She likes to watch live football.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31So we felt, why don't we move to somewhere
0:05:31 > 0:05:33where it's not too much of a hardship to go
0:05:33 > 0:05:35and watch them play?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37We're not going too far north to live,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41but it certainly makes travelling to the football far more accessible.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44When he's not up and down the country supporting his team,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Tim can often be found on the tennis court,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50a hobby he is keen to continue when they move,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53while Jackie is more at home in the kitchen.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57I love cooking, love doing dinner parties.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59We're very good entertainers, we do love it, don't we?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- Very much so, yes. - I'm really quite happy
0:06:01 > 0:06:05mucking about in my kitchen, with my utensils to hand.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07like a mad scientist, creating.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10With their house under offer,
0:06:10 > 0:06:11the reality of the move is setting in
0:06:11 > 0:06:13and Tim and Jackie are filled with
0:06:13 > 0:06:17mixed emotions. Sad to leave their present home behind,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20but excited for what the future holds.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22It'll be an emotional wrench to leave this house for many reasons.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25It's been a very, very happy home and a real party home as well.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29We're leaving for the right reasons and the right time for us now.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31But there will always be emotions involved
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- because we like what we've got and what we've had here.- Yes.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- Very much so.- But it is a new chapter in life's big book.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Tim and Jackie know and like the market town of Melton Mowbray,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46where they have family,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48so we are focusing our search in and around
0:06:48 > 0:06:51the towns and villages to the north of the county.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55I'm meeting up with them to find out what kind of property they're after.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Good morning.- Good morning. - Welcome to lovely Leicestershire.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Thank you for bringing us here. It's not often we come here.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02It's a really lovely county.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I know, the heart of rural England as well.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06What is it that you're looking for in the property itself?
0:07:06 > 0:07:11We need a minimum of four bedrooms. I would love a separate dining room.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14We've had a big eat-in kitchen and I really would like
0:07:14 > 0:07:17a formal dining room for those special occasions,
0:07:17 > 0:07:18Christmas, what have you.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20We want to improve on what we've got now,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23so we'd like a nice detached property with a big garden,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26and I'd like to have some chickens. I was on a farm as a child,
0:07:26 > 0:07:27so I would like some chickens.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Any other kind of like rooms?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31You've been a bit quiet on the room front.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Yes, I have. Um... If possible, I'd quite like a man cave.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37A man cave.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Can you give me a bit of spec about that?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Of course I can.
0:07:41 > 0:07:42Snooker table, pool table.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- A proper man cave.- Darts.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48And, for me, I don't mind a conservatory.
0:07:48 > 0:07:54I've never had a conservatory and, again, it's something to experience.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- You pulled the most exquisite face there.- I hate conservatories.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I just can't stand them.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01They're awful. I want bi-fold doors,
0:08:01 > 0:08:03I want the continuation from
0:08:03 > 0:08:06the inside to the outside, the garden room.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08And are you keen on being in a community,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10or would you like to be out in the countryside?
0:08:10 > 0:08:12We'd like to be on the edge of a village,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14but we would like to be quite near a nice pub.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16We do like a nice pub in the evening.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- Pubs are important. - Pubs are very important.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- That's a way of meeting people, for sure.- They certainly are.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22How much have we got to play with? What's your top budget?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25The top budget is around 480.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27We've got three lovely properties lined up for you.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- I hope one of them is going to be the one.- Yes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30So let's get in the car and
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- go and find them. - Definitely.- Let's do that.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37With a maximum budget of £480,000,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39we are looking for a four-bedroom property
0:08:39 > 0:08:41that has a large kitchen for Jackie,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44preferably with a separate dining room,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48a man cave for Tim and a large garden to keep some chickens.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52They'd ideally like the property to be at the edge of a village.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55We've got three great houses to tempt them with,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59all very different in style, but equally full of character.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00At each one, I'll be asking them
0:09:00 > 0:09:02to guess the price tag before I reveal it.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05And finally, we'll be turning our search on its head
0:09:05 > 0:09:07with our mystery house,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10a property offering an exciting mix of old and new.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Our search begins in the village of Eastwell in the Vale of Belvoir.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Just 15 minutes in the car from Melton Mowbray, this attractive,
0:09:23 > 0:09:27quiet village centres on the ancient church and village hall.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31There's a farm, producing award-winning local cheese and milk,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33but for further produce and amenities,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35residents travel a mile to Stratham,
0:09:35 > 0:09:40where there's a butchers and bakers and a couple of country pubs.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Our first property is on the edge of Eastwell, set back from the road.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Come on in. House number one.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It looks really cute.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51It's really pretty. It's quite, sort of, chocolate box-y, quite cute.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53And it's got chickens as well.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- Chickens.- I'm impressed with the initial setting
0:09:56 > 0:09:59and I think it's incredible we've seen chickens already.
0:09:59 > 0:10:00So, this is the downside,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03because this is actually your garden at the front.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05So, quite a small garden.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- Yes.- The back is all open fields, but they just don't belong to you.
0:10:09 > 0:10:10- Right.- Oh, right.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- Let's have a look inside.- Yes.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16This 1990 self-build has a mix of modern living space
0:10:16 > 0:10:20with some interesting, period-style character features.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22A good test for our first house, I think.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26So, let's start in the living room.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28That is just adorable.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29It's super snug in here.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Even though it's only from the '90s,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34they went for the kind of cottage look.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- Yes, they have.- And then you've got, not quite bi-fold doors,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39but French doors out into the back.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Yes.- The views out over the field.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44I'll get the mallet out. I can knock those through, no problem.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47It's calm. It's got a very calm feel to it.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Yes. I like... Very nice decorating, as well.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Very nice. Very much to our taste.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Let's continue the tour and look at the all-important kitchen.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54Definitely.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00Also off the main hall, there's a good-sized study, downstairs toilet,
0:11:00 > 0:11:02and a lovely, bright dining room,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06perfect for when Jackie and Tim host their dinner parties.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Lots to explore, but let's look at the kitchen first.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11How does this meet with your approval?
0:11:11 > 0:11:13It meets very well.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16I've already noticed that you've got a range, and I love a range.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Yeah, you've got a great double range there.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19Absolutely love that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22I like the fact you've got an everyday table over there,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26so, obviously, save the dining room for special occasions.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- And a garage as well.- Oh, yes.- Yes.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Now, this is where your man den could be.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- Right.- Originally, the garage was separate,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36but they put on a big utility room, on the other side of this red wall.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41- Right.- And it links the garage back into the rest of the house.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- Brilliant.- And while they were doing that,
0:11:43 > 0:11:47they also added on top of the garage a big bedroom with an en-suite.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Oh, man cave.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51So this could be your man cave.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- Yes.- I don't know quite how you'd get pool table up there,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- but I'm sure you could. - Oh, minor detail.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56- We'll just pay someone. - Minor detail.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Let's take a look at the sleeping quarters,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- see what you think of those.- Yes.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Positive reactions to the downstairs space.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09The three bedrooms on the first floor vary in size, but would all be
0:12:09 > 0:12:13workable doubles, sharing the use of a smart family bathroom.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Come in. This is the master bedroom, so the biggest of the rooms
0:12:18 > 0:12:21in this upstairs section of bedrooms.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22It's lovely. It's really cosy.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- Nice size.- What would you use all the bedrooms for?
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Well, the two children do come home.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30So we'll let them fight over the room sizes.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- I don't really mind. - Yeah, we will do.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Put them in a really tiny, cramped room.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36A deterrent, that's it!
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- I like your thinking.- Yeah.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Let's go out to the back, because we can talk about the views and the
0:12:41 > 0:12:43shared access and stuff.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- And the price.- Yeah. - Yes.- Definitely.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51To the rear of the property is a shared driveway,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54leading to a large parking area and the garage.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56The real highlight of the outside space is
0:12:56 > 0:12:59undoubtedly the views across the surrounding fields.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06So, this is the joy, but also, this is the setback.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08So, you've got all these lovely views,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11but this is really the full extent of your back yard.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15But you could put some decking down, you can plant it out.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17There are some options there though.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19There are some options there, there are.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Now, what do you think all this is on the market for?
0:13:22 > 0:13:26I'd probably go for about 440.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Tim?
0:13:28 > 0:13:32I would have said slightly higher, I think around about the 450.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36OK, so, this is on the market for...
0:13:36 > 0:13:37Brace yourself.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39£385,000.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Oh, my goodness gravy.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44That's a real surprise.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45A big, big, big surprise.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Have a look around and I'll meet you
0:13:47 > 0:13:49out the front and then we can go on to the next house.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50Brilliant, thank you, Alistair.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56This detached modern home delivers
0:13:56 > 0:14:00almost everything on Jackie and Tim's wish list
0:14:00 > 0:14:03for nearly £100,000 less than their budget.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05It has the four bedrooms they asked for,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08one of which would make an excellent man cave for Tim,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10and Jackie would get her large kitchen,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12as well as a separate dining room.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15It's near to their family in Melton Mowbray
0:14:15 > 0:14:19and in a lovely village setting, plus it's already got chickens.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I think this has got potential for the man cave.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I thought you'd say that. It has, it's nice and big.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29You can easily put your snooker table up here, and your dartboard.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31And it's a bit out of the way from the main house.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Yeah, and we can just shut the door and leave you in here.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- No reason why it can't be a man cave.- Definitely.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38I think the house gives off a lovely vibe.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40It seems to be a very happy place.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Looking at the decor, it's beautifully done.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45There would be very little to do here.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46The downside is that we are
0:14:46 > 0:14:52quite keen gardeners and the garden space is a bit limited and the two
0:14:52 > 0:14:55bedrooms upstairs are quite small for our needs.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I think to get a quality house like this for
0:14:58 > 0:15:00the price that it is actually on for
0:15:00 > 0:15:05is extremely positive and bodes well for the rest of our tour.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06- Hello, guys.- Hello there.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- All done?- Yes, thank you.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- Excellent. Now, let's head off to the next house.- Definitely.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19As Tim and Jackie plan on doing lots of entertaining
0:15:19 > 0:15:21when they move to Leicestershire,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25they'll be on the lookout for some local fare to serve their guests.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29So, we're sending them to an award-winning family butcher
0:15:29 > 0:15:32just outside Melton Mowbray and one of a small number
0:15:32 > 0:15:35of producers of the famous Melton Mowbray pork pie.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Established in 1905, the business is now run
0:15:39 > 0:15:41by the founder's grandson, Scott Bailey.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Welcome to Bailey's in Broughton.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Thank you very much. How long have you worked here?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50I've worked here since I left school,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52so a good 20 years, unfortunately.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Why would Melton Mowbray be a famous place to make pork pies?
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Well, traditionally, it was quite an agricultural area, so for a start,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03cheese was at the forefront of the food.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Whey, then, the waste product,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08came in, so they fed the pigs, so pigs therefore led to...
0:16:08 > 0:16:10There was plenty of pork.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12That led to pork pies being made,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15which the workers took onto the land.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17The lady is just making them, so if you want to come and have a look,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19I'll introduce you and you can have a go.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- That'll be lovely, thank you. - Follow me.- Thank you.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Originating from the late 1700,
0:16:23 > 0:16:27pork pies were traditionally baked in a clay pot,
0:16:27 > 0:16:28covered with a rough pastry,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31before evolving into what resembled
0:16:31 > 0:16:33a parcel of pastry with a pork filling.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37A popular lunch for agricultural workers, grooms and hunt servants,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40this allowed them to be carried without getting damaged.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45The pastry case would be discarded before eating, unlike today.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Pie maker Chris Catling is showing Tim and Jackie how they are made.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Right, so the start of the procedure,
0:16:52 > 0:16:54from my end, anyway, is the pastry.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Would you like to have a go at that?
0:16:56 > 0:16:57- Yes.- Soften it up.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59A little bit of flour.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Yes. So, how many pounds of this do you make a day?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06We work twice a week, so we're looking at about 12-13 stone.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- Good Lord!- I think you might be at the consistency
0:17:09 > 0:17:11where we can put it through the roller now.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13You'd like to get it to about this thickness.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16To about that thickness, right.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Chris has worked at the bakery for eight years
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and is one of four in the pie-making team.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24Coming in five different sizes, up to five pounds in weight,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27today they're making the one pound pie.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31They sell several hundred a week, making it their most popular.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Do you always use the same recipe or do you ever tinker?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36No, no. Traditional recipe.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Coarsely minced pork and just seasoning.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- Right.- Right then, Tim.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42I think it's time you did some work then.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- OK, Chris.- After you.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- Right.- We've got the pies raised, Jackie's made the lids.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Now we've got to fill them.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55Each pie is filled with 265g of pork rolled into a ball and
0:17:55 > 0:17:58pressed down into the case.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- This is one tray.- How many of these would you do?
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Probably about 12. A lot of pies.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- I'll be here a long time. - You will, yes.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06The pie lids are moistened with water
0:18:06 > 0:18:09to help them stick. and then laid on top.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11So, shall we have a go at hand crimping these?
0:18:11 > 0:18:13We normally put them on the machine,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16but just for you today, you can have a go.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Thank you, Chris. So, is there something special
0:18:19 > 0:18:21about how you would crimp a Melton Mowbray pie?
0:18:21 > 0:18:22Is there a tradition to them?
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Well, I think most of them are hand-crimped to look like that.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29And the idea of the traditional Melton Mowbray pie
0:18:29 > 0:18:31is when they are baked,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- they are baked and they have the bow shaped sides.- Yes.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37We put ours in with a hoop to retain their shape to start with,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39and then after about half an hour,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42the rings are taken off, and when the pies come out,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44they've got their little bow sides.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Their shapes.- Two fingers, a finger and a thumb.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49I mean, you know how to do this.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Yes, I do that at home.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Would you like to have a go at that, Tim?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55I can see a new career for you, Tim.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Definitely a one-off, there, Tim.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58I know.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01As well as its distinctive bow-shaped sides,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03the Melton Mowbray pie can be recognised
0:19:03 > 0:19:07by its fresh pork filling that turns a greyer colour when cooked,
0:19:07 > 0:19:12compared to the pinker cured pork of other mass-produced pies.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15They're cooked for an hour and a half and then left to cool,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19after which a bone-stock jelly is injected through holes in the lid.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21This will hold the pie together
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and also ensures that the meat stays fresh.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Just for your benefit today, we're going to let you try a hot one.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- That's good. I've never tried a hot pie before.- Never tried a hot pie.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34Nice texture of the meat.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- Beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. - There you go.- Thank you very much.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39- Thank you.- Right, cheers.- Cheers.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Oh, yes.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46- Nice?- You've converted me.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Oh, they're so good.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Chris, thank you so much for your time this morning.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52These are absolutely gorgeous.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- Enjoy your pie.- We will do.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I'm glad Tim and Jackie have had a chance to refuel,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02because they will be needing energy as we return to our house search.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Our next stop is in the village of Scalford,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13less than five miles from house number one.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Scalford's quiet roads are surrounded
0:20:15 > 0:20:16by picturesque open countryside,
0:20:16 > 0:20:20making it a popular stop-off for walkers and cyclists.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23For locals, there are a range of events
0:20:23 > 0:20:26hosted by the pub and the modern village hall.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29So, Scalford's a nice village. It's really nice. Got a great pub.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- That's a good start.- It's also got the Jubilee Way,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34which is a great footpath that goes from Melton Mowbray all the way to
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Belvoir Castle. Good for the dogs.
0:20:36 > 0:20:37- Yes.- Good for the dog.- That's good.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41The parish church of St Egelwin is believed to be
0:20:41 > 0:20:44the only one in England named after the saint.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47It sits on a hill in the centre of the village.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52Just next door, our property occupies an attractive corner plot.
0:20:55 > 0:20:56House number two.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- It's a goodie. - It looks absolutely handsome.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02- Wow!- Gorgeous.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- Bit more of a garden.- Lovely garden.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- Lovely shrubs. Fantastic. - Yes.- So far, it looks beautiful.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10I feel I should have a crinoline on and
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- sort of walk with my Victorian parasol.- Yeah.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Well, it's actually Edwardian...
0:21:14 > 0:21:16I don't know what half of that means but I'll do the same!
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- You probably don't want to. - No.- Shall we go in?- Let's go in.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23Built in 1905,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26this beautiful three-floor Edwardian home
0:21:26 > 0:21:28occupies over 2,000 square feet.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31We're entering through the back door the property.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Come on in. You've got a boot room there,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37and then through into the kitchen.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Nice square kitchen.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Wow! It's got character.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42It's got character as well.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44You've gone a bit quiet, Jackie.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- Are you deep in thought? - I'm deep in thought.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Probably I might just change the kitchen slightly.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54It's not my personal sort of taste, but I like the squareness of it.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55It's certainly got an awful lot of potential.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57It's a fairly square standard layout,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00but you will see that the living space goes from
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- the front to the back of the house. - Yes.- Let's have a look.- Yeah.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09At the back of the house is a useful utility space with a WC,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12off the main hall at the front, there's a small study,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15a sitting room which could be used for formal dining,
0:22:15 > 0:22:19as well as a large dual-aspect living room.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21This is their main living space.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- Wow!- Wow!
0:22:23 > 0:22:24So you can see, it would have been two rooms.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26It has been knocked through.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- Yes.- And they have a dining table here because they entertain here.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31Open the doors...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- Inside out, no conservatory. - No conservatory.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- We knocked it down especially for you.- Thank you very much.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- Good job.- The size of the room as impressive as well.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- It is impressive. They've got quite a bit of furniture in here.- Yes.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44It doesn't feel cluttered at all.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46And there's lots of space upstairs as well,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48because there's five bedrooms in this property.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49Let's go and explore those.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50Yes, definitely.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55The bedrooms occupy the top two floors,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58with two up in the eaves giving Tim options
0:22:58 > 0:23:00for his all-important man cave.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Three equal-sized bedrooms lie on the first floor
0:23:03 > 0:23:04off a central hall,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08all served by a family bathroom and an additional shower room.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15This is the one they're using as their master bedroom.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18You see you've got beautiful views over the undulating hills.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- Yes.- Yeah.- A nice square room.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22It's nice and big.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24What are your thoughts upstairs?
0:23:24 > 0:23:27The decor in this one is not to our taste.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32But the layout, the extra headroom, the age of the property...
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- The windows.- And the options, again are really, really impressive.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Let's step back into the garden.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I want to talk about a few added extras and, of course, the price.
0:23:41 > 0:23:42Definitely.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49I think the outside space is a real selling point of this property.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51There's a large lawned back garden,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55a charming smaller area to the front with well maintained beds,
0:23:55 > 0:23:56and the added extras are
0:23:56 > 0:24:00two separate areas for the chickens and veggies.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03There's also a garage with a car port.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05- We love the garden. - Really, really impressive.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09And lovely options on the sun positions as well.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Yeah, there's always a spot where you can get some sun.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- Yes.- A delight for people who are coming to stay and entertaining.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18- Yes.- A great space to have a party. - Definitely. Oh, yeah.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21What do you think the cost of this property is?
0:24:21 > 0:24:26I think this one is going to be more around...
0:24:26 > 0:24:28460.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34I'm going to go a bit lower, I'm going to say 450.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Right. OK, so,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38this property is on the market for 500,000.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- Right. - So, it's a bit above your budget,
0:24:41 > 0:24:43but we've spoken to the vendors
0:24:43 > 0:24:45and they are open to offers around the top
0:24:45 > 0:24:48of your budget. Have a look around inside.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- We will do.- I'll probably be sunning myself.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51- Lovely. OK.- See you later.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- Thank you.- Enjoy yourselves.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59This large detached Edwardian house has five bedrooms,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02giving plenty of space for when the kids come home,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04as well as options for Tim's man cave.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07The downstairs offers great entertaining space
0:25:07 > 0:25:10with the possibility of a separate dining room.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13And there's a large garden, with chickens.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15All this in a lovely village location.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19I do like the chicken area.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Yeah, there's certainly enough space.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24This would make an ideal vegetable plot, too, wouldn't it?
0:25:24 > 0:25:25Yeah. Greenhouse.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27It just seems to go on and on.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30I know. It's been segmented very, very well.
0:25:30 > 0:25:31I do like that.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34I like the house from the outside.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36It's got real character.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38It really, really does look nice.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Theoretically, we could see ourselves living here.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Again, we'd have to do the maths
0:25:42 > 0:25:46and see how much a kitchen and doing some of the cosmetic work
0:25:46 > 0:25:47that we would want to do,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50just a little bit of spec to make it personal for us.
0:25:51 > 0:25:52This property...
0:25:54 > 0:25:57..I'm not quite feeling that, that...
0:25:57 > 0:25:59People say when you know something is absolutely right,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02but there are some very good aspects to it.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- Hello.- Hello.- Hello there. - Had a good look around?
0:26:04 > 0:26:07- Yes, thank you.- A very good look around, thank you.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Let's go and find somewhere to rest and chew over today's property
0:26:10 > 0:26:12and then we can think afresh tomorrow.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14- Absolutely.- A great idea.- Thank you.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27It's day two of our search with Tim and Jackie,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30who, with a budget of £480,000,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33want to swap their Surrey home of 19 years
0:26:33 > 0:26:36for a quieter life in the Leicestershire countryside.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Still to come, Jackie makes plans in our mystery home.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Do you think your stuff would fit in here?
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Yeah. It would tone the place down a bit, but...
0:26:45 > 0:26:47No, we'd have new, dear.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- Oh, I was afraid of that.- Yes. Yeah.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52And I find out what the future holds
0:26:52 > 0:26:55for this spectacular 19th-century castle.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57It's great to see it, after all those plans,
0:26:57 > 0:26:59to see it kind of come alive.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00It's amazing.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Tim and Jackie's property hunt in Leicestershire is proving, well,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08a bit surprising because I thought they would love the second house
0:27:08 > 0:27:11yesterday and be a bit indifferent about the first,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13but actually, it turned out to be the other way round.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15They really, really loved the
0:27:15 > 0:27:18interiors of the first house and were a bit, meh,
0:27:18 > 0:27:19about the second one.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23So the mystery house is a bit of a shot in the dark,
0:27:23 > 0:27:27partly because it is not in the area they originally stipulated,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29and also it doesn't have a huge garden,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32but one thing I have learnt about Tim and Jackie
0:27:32 > 0:27:33is they are party animals.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37They love to socialise and throw a party and this house
0:27:37 > 0:27:41is a great social space, and it's in a very sociable village.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48For our mystery house, we're heading to South Leicestershire.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Our destination is the village of Husbands Bosworth.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55A large village six miles west of market Harborough
0:27:55 > 0:27:57and surrounded by open countryside,
0:27:57 > 0:28:02Husbands Bosworth has a thriving community of around 1,000.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06They are well served by a number of shops, a post office, school,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09a 13th-century church and, of course, a pub.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12There's also a tennis club, which should be of interest to Tim.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Known for its countless footpath and bridleways,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18there's lots of opportunity for dog walking, too.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22The property we're seeing is in a quiet road just off the high street.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25I've been biting my nails about this,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27because this is quite a mystery house.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29You know, we throw you a curveball.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31- Yes.- It's very unusual.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33It looks very unusual.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36It's a converted stables to this building,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39which is the oldest building in the village.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40One of the oldest buildings.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42It is the farmhouse and this was the stable block.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45The compromise is that, obviously, the house is slightly hemmed in
0:28:45 > 0:28:48with these other properties, but we are hoping
0:28:48 > 0:28:50that the interiors are going to wow you. Let's take a look.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52- Let's take a look.- Definitely.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Tim and Jackie did say they were open
0:28:54 > 0:28:56to seeing all kinds of property,
0:28:56 > 0:28:58which is always helpful on a search.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00This one's a bit of a risk.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Going by their positive response
0:29:02 > 0:29:05to the modern interior of the first house, it might pay off.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10The 19th-century stables have been imaginatively converted
0:29:10 > 0:29:12into a modern upside-down house,
0:29:12 > 0:29:16with three ensuite bedrooms all located on the ground floor.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19This means the kitchen and living areas are on the first floor,
0:29:19 > 0:29:23accessed by a beautiful double-height entrance hall.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27So, we thought, "This is going to be a kitchen that Jackie would love."
0:29:27 > 0:29:29- Oh, my God! I'm seduced. - It's beautiful.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- It's gorgeous. - It's absolutely beautiful.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33I know the kids would like this as well.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35They're very trendy, our two children.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37And they just would absolutely love it.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40Is there a separate dining room or is this the main...?
0:29:40 > 0:29:42There isn't a separate dining room at the moment.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44- Right. OK.- Mind you, that's still
0:29:44 > 0:29:48sort of closed off a wee bit from the main kitchen.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Let's have a look at the living space,
0:29:50 > 0:29:52which is back over this lovely hallway.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00I think the luxury continues through into this space.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- Doesn't it just?- Beautiful.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Beautifully finished. Lovely wooden floors.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- Fantastic solid fuel burner. - I know!- Mm.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11But stripping out all the furniture, do you think your stuff
0:30:11 > 0:30:13- would fit in here?- Yeah, it would tone the place down a little bit!
0:30:13 > 0:30:19- But, yeah, it would fit in here, yes.- No, we'd have new, dear.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- Oh, I was afraid of that. - Yes.- Yeah.- Let's continue the tour.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26- It's a bit topsy-turvy, the house. - Yes.- Yes.- Follow closely.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30It does take a while to get your head around the layout
0:30:30 > 0:30:32of this property, although it's deceptively spacious.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36There are little surprises at every turn.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38This one's for you, Jackie.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- Oh, my bi-fold door. - There is the bi-fold doors.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44I'm going to adopt you, Alistair, I really am.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- You see?- I love a bi-fold.
0:30:47 > 0:30:48Golly gosh.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52This is lovely to have breakfast in, out from that kitchen area.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55- Very pleasant. - So, there's a spiral staircase
0:30:55 > 0:30:58that goes down into an office. It could be a bedroom.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01But the main bedrooms are back where we came in
0:31:01 > 0:31:03on the ground floor. So, let's take a look at those.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04Absolutely.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08Heading downstairs, the bedrooms are all good-sized doubles,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12with plenty of built-in storage and their own bath or shower room.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16This is your en-suite, back there, and your dressing area
0:31:16 > 0:31:20- and then this is the main bedroom. - This is a good size. It's lovely.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23How do you feel about the upside-down living,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25- having your bedrooms downstairs? - I don't mind it.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27- Really don't mind. - His cousin in America has got it
0:31:27 > 0:31:29and I've got Danish friends and they have it.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33- So, it's not an alien concept to us. - And we've lived in a bungalow
0:31:33 > 0:31:36- for 19 years.- That's totally weird, downstairs bedroom living.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40- It's all going very well so far. - Yes, very.- Just absolutely buoyant.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45- OK, now we're going to go outside!- OK.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50The outside of this property is a slightly more complicated
0:31:50 > 0:31:54situation and, I have to say, I'm feeling somewhat nervous.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59Deep breath. I know the garden is not very big.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03- Mm-hm.- OK.- So before you, kind of, start crying...
0:32:04 > 0:32:08- Too late.- It's a lovely sun trap. but this red-brick building here
0:32:08 > 0:32:13is also yours. Now, this is a huge, kind of, another bit
0:32:13 > 0:32:16of farm housing and this has plans for development.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19One of the things you could do with it is you could knock
0:32:19 > 0:32:23- half of it down...- Mm-hm.- Right. - ..and increase your garden size.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25On the other side, you've got an enormous double garage,
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- which you could also develop or knock down.- Yes.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32- If that all feels like too much work which, frankly, it is...- Yes.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- There is also an allotment going spare in the village.- Yeah.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37What are your thoughts about the space?
0:32:39 > 0:32:42I think we would like an area of green, so I think we'd have to
0:32:42 > 0:32:45really have a look at the measure of that area and have a real,
0:32:45 > 0:32:49sort of, think about putting some turf down.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52It just demonstrates you just can't have everything.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55It's the most stunning house.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59- What about the price? - I think it's going to be top whack.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03I do. I'm going to go for 470.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07I'll go for...475.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09You are getting much better at this!
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Because, sadly, this is right at the top of your budget.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15- 480, it is on the market for.- Right. - It's been on the market for a while.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18I think the owners would probably be open to a bit of negotiation.
0:33:18 > 0:33:23- Yes.- Stroll down the garden path. - Yes.- I will catch you later on.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26- Lovely, thank you. - See you later.- We will do.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Thank goodness. That was so nerve-racking.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34I thought it was going to be a disaster.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36It's a lovely property. Why was I afraid?
0:33:36 > 0:33:40These fantastic converted stables offer Tim and Jackie
0:33:40 > 0:33:44three bedrooms, with an option to create another, and a modern layout,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47providing excellent entertaining space.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50The open-plan kitchen has a dedicated dining area,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53making up for the lack of a separate room.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56The garden could be extended into the workshop or garage space,
0:33:56 > 0:33:58with some careful planning.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01And it is set right in the heart of a lovely village.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03It's a big space.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- Wow! That gives us some... - I know.- A lot of options.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11I think I would turn it back into a garden.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13- All of it or just some of it? - Just this section
0:34:13 > 0:34:17and against that wall, I'd have to put some nice climbers.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19I think the mystery house is absolutely stunning.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22I think it has confirmed now that we are leaning towards
0:34:22 > 0:34:26more of a contemporary design in our house search.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30I have some reservations about the outside and the actual
0:34:30 > 0:34:33siting of the property. And it's easy to, kind of, overlook that,
0:34:33 > 0:34:37simply because the inside is just so stunningly done.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40This is a lovely sun spot.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44Could be a nice garden, actually, if they knocked down that garage.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45- Hello.- Hello.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Just topping up my tan, while you finished your tour.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52- It's a very nice sunspot here, too. - Indeed. So let's find a spot for you
0:34:52 > 0:34:55to gather your thoughts and see what you think about the houses.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56Thank you. Good idea.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03In the north of the county, the beautiful Vale of Belvoir
0:35:03 > 0:35:07is overlooked by the magnificent regency era Belvoir Castle.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10Set in 16,000 acres and featuring some 300 rooms,
0:35:10 > 0:35:14the castle has been the ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland
0:35:14 > 0:35:16for almost 1,000 years.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19The land was originally a gift from William the Conqueror
0:35:19 > 0:35:24to Robert de Todeni, the baron that bore William's standard
0:35:24 > 0:35:26during the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30The castle we see here today was completed in 1832
0:35:30 > 0:35:33and is the fourth iteration to stand on the site.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37I've come to meet the current Duchess of Rutland,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41to take a look around and find out more about a rather
0:35:41 > 0:35:44exciting recent discovery on the estate.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46- Good morning, Emma.- Hi!
0:35:46 > 0:35:50This is possibly the grandest place I've met someone in quite some time.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54Really? Well, this is called the Elizabeth Saloon
0:35:54 > 0:35:56and it is named after my mentor over here.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Elizabeth was the instigator of this castle and arrived here from
0:36:00 > 0:36:05Castle Howard and thought the Charles II building was very dull.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09And so, on her honeymoon, at 18 years of age,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12she instructed James Wyatt, with her husband's agreement,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16obviously, to come and build this castle.
0:36:16 > 0:36:22- So, she instigated this iteration? - Yes. And it took 25 years to build
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and, during the building of it, in 1816, there was
0:36:25 > 0:36:28an enormous fire and, so, half of it was destroyed.
0:36:28 > 0:36:33- And so, Elizabeth, sadly, never got to see this room.- Oh, no.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36And in some ways, there is a parallel with Elizabeth,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39because when you came, the estate was struggling and you've, sort of,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41by all accounts, pulled it up by its bootstraps.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Yes. You know, I just feel... I think when you're involved
0:36:45 > 0:36:49with heritage, you feel a great, great responsibility
0:36:49 > 0:36:53to just improve it and then hand it over.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56And we've had this extraordinary finding,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58which I'd love to show you, in our library,
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- of the Capability Brown plans. - Wonderful. Can I have a peek?- Yeah.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Definitely. Come with me.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09In 1780, landscape architect Lancelot Capability Brown
0:37:09 > 0:37:12drew up plans for Belvoir Castle's grounds
0:37:12 > 0:37:16for the fourth Duke of Rutland. But they were only ever
0:37:16 > 0:37:17partially implemented.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22Having rediscovered Brown's plans in the castle archives,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24the Duchess has been inspired to complete much
0:37:24 > 0:37:26of the unfinished work.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29How did you come across such an enormous plan?
0:37:29 > 0:37:33One day, eight years ago, our archivist came into my office
0:37:33 > 0:37:37and said, "Your Grace, I don't think you realise what you've got here.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40"We've got this extraordinary plan
0:37:40 > 0:37:44"drawn by Mr Brown for the Belvoir landscape."
0:37:44 > 0:37:48So, tell me a bit about the history. So, who was the Duke at the time
0:37:48 > 0:37:49and he commissioned Brown to do this?
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Yes, the fourth Duke, who was Elizabeth's father-in-law.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56He was a great art collector, the fourth Duke, and he showed him
0:37:56 > 0:38:00a picture that he had bought, by Claude Lorrain,
0:38:00 > 0:38:04and he said, "I want my landscape to look like that."
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Amazing. Brown had died by the time this landscape was put out,
0:38:07 > 0:38:11but we know that Spires, who was the engineer,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14he was laying it out exactly to Brown's specifications.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17What are the major changes that he was suggesting?
0:38:17 > 0:38:21I think, most probably, you see the boundary of this
0:38:21 > 0:38:26- whole landscape...- The woodland. - ..being lined in trees.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31And then, he expanded the stream that ran through the bottom,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35so it looks like a river. And there's another wood
0:38:35 > 0:38:40that was never put in by anyone, so I put a nine-acre wood
0:38:40 > 0:38:42in last year, to celebrate the tercentenary.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Known as England's master of garden design,
0:38:46 > 0:38:50Brown's nickname arose from his tendency to describe landscapes
0:38:50 > 0:38:52as "having capabilities." Rejecting the formal geometric
0:38:52 > 0:38:56French style of gardening, his designs focused on echoing
0:38:56 > 0:39:00the natural undulations of the English landscape.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Since the plans came to light, the Duchess has been working hard
0:39:03 > 0:39:06at Belvoir, to bring much of his vision for its landscape
0:39:06 > 0:39:07to fruition.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11It's great to see it, after all those plans,
0:39:11 > 0:39:13to see it, like, kind of, come alive.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16It's amazing. And if you can see the lake from here,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19you can see exactly what he did.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23So, it looks as if it is a river running down through the valley.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28And the last memorial lake, that I've just put in at the far end,
0:39:28 > 0:39:33is making it meander to the eye, around the corner.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37- But it's not actually the river. - No. They are all separate lakes.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39It's all smoke and mirrors.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41So, it's a, sort of, work in progress?
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- You still have ideas, still being inspired by this?- Oh, all the time.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48It's so inspiring and it's really lovely to have your eyes,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51- because you have brought it to life for me.- It's a pleasure.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54When Belvoir Castle first opened to the public,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57after the Second World War, the Duchess' father-in-law
0:39:57 > 0:40:01opened the doors to a queue of an incredible 7,000 people.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Over the years, visitor interest declined,
0:40:05 > 0:40:09but with the Duchess' restoration project underway,
0:40:09 > 0:40:11this year marks a new beginning for Belvoir.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15Hopefully future generations will be able to share in its history and
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Brown's legacy for years to come.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24That was a hair-raising mystery house for me because I had no idea
0:40:24 > 0:40:27whether they were going to totally hate it or totally love it.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30I think it was probably more towards the love end of the spectrum but
0:40:30 > 0:40:33I still don't really know whether they were sold on it.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36So let's go and find out what they think.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Look at this, very nice.
0:40:44 > 0:40:45Leicestershire spoils us.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48It certainly does.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Well, what's the sort of lasting impact of the week for you?
0:40:51 > 0:40:54The week has been a fantastic experience.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56It's really been sort of food for thought for us.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59It's focused us and confirmed to us
0:40:59 > 0:41:03that this is most definitely the right area we want to move to
0:41:03 > 0:41:07and whilst we felt before that we would be open to
0:41:07 > 0:41:09almost any type of house,
0:41:09 > 0:41:11most definitely that has changed
0:41:11 > 0:41:14and we both like contemporary interior design.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16What about the mystery house?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- Did that leave you with any thoughts?- Fantastic.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Absolutely loved the mystery house but we've been sort of
0:41:22 > 0:41:24thinking it down and mulling it over
0:41:24 > 0:41:26and we have got a ten-and-a-half-year-old Labrador
0:41:26 > 0:41:30and because the house is upside down living,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32we don't know whether that would suit her needs,
0:41:32 > 0:41:34but a beautiful house,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37just something we never in 100 years would have thought to look at.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40We just loved it. Pinched loads of ideas.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41- But we've loved it.- And for me,
0:41:41 > 0:41:45that's the nicest house I've ever seen inside.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47So, what happens next with your buyers presumably
0:41:47 > 0:41:50breathing down your neck to move in? What are you going to do?
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Just have another...
0:41:52 > 0:41:54sort of continue our search and see what comes up.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56But the mystery house was just amazing.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59But I'm not sure whether we can sort of count that in.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Having said that,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04who is to say if we don't find anything better than
0:42:04 > 0:42:08what we've seen with the three houses you've shown us,
0:42:08 > 0:42:12the mystery house may still come back as a contender?
0:42:12 > 0:42:14- A contender. - Go. Go forth, hunt and find.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15We will go forth, we will hunt
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- and we will find and we will let you know.- Do.- We will do.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26This is how it should have gone.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Jackie and Tim sold their home, came on the show,
0:42:29 > 0:42:32we found them their dream home in Leicestershire, the end.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34However, you and I know that property buying
0:42:34 > 0:42:35is a little more complicated than that.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39And although we didn't get them their dream home and the dream
0:42:39 > 0:42:42garden in one property, they did love the mystery house
0:42:42 > 0:42:46and I think it's crystallised their search quite considerably.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50So, fingers crossed, they will find something in this lovely county.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55And I hope that you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59If you'd like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Scotland, Wales or England and need our help
0:43:01 > 0:43:04you can apply online at: