Dorset Escape to the Country


Dorset

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The rock found below the surface of this southern isle is arguably more

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famous across the world than the beauty of the rugged scenery above.

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So, where am I, and what lies beneath?

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I'll tell you in just a moment.

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Today, I'm with a couple who are selling up in suburbia,

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in search of a better quality of life in the countryside.

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I'm struggling to think of something in this room

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that I'm not in love with.

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-Ooh!

-Yep.

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And, with time of the essence, they're not messing about.

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-Wow.

-Seriously, get your chequebook out now!

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Today, I'm in Dorset, and this is the Isle of Portland,

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at the southernmost point of the county.

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Now, the island's unique limestone bedrock,

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known as Portland Stone, was first quarried back in Roman times,

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but has since been used to construct some of the world's

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most iconic buildings, from St Paul's Cathedral in London,

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to the United Nations headquarters in New York.

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Now, later on, I'll be back on Portland,

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getting up close and personal,

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and experiencing this world-famous stone, but first,

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let's take a look at what else this wonderful county has to offer.

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The county of Dorset, lies in the south-west of England,

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with the English Channel lying off its southern shore.

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Known as the Jurassic Coast, the 95 miles of rugged coastline,

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stretching from Swanage into the neighbouring county

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of East Devon, is England's first World Heritage Site.

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These layers of sedimentary rock reveal 185 million years

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of the Earth's history.

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At the Dorset/Devon border sits the port town of Lime Regis.

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Nicknamed the Pearl of Dorset,

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it's a popular starting point for sailing, diving,

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and fossil-finding trips, its cliffs crumbling into the Jurassic seas.

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Further along the Dorset coast, in a sheltered bay,

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Georgian houses line the beachfront at the seaside town of Weymouth.

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The golden sands and shallow waters here make it an ideal spot

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for families seeking a traditional seaside getaway.

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And it was a favourite of King George III, who holidayed here

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for nearly 15 years at the turn of the 19th century.

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Those more interested in history than beach life might prefer

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to visit the romantic ruins of Corfe Castle.

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Standing over a gap in the Purbeck Hills, the former royal palace

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and fortress was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror.

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So, with a mix of dramatic coastline and picturesque towns and villages,

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and unspoiled countryside with not a motorway in sight,

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Dorset really is the perfect place

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for those looking for a countryside escape.

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Well, there are no two ways about it -

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buying here in Dorset comes with a hefty price tag.

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The average cost of a detached home here is around £357,000.

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Now, that's about £57,000 above the national figure.

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Buyers, it seems, are willing to pay a premium for the beauty of

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Dorset's stunning coastline and countryside,

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a landscape that has been an inspiration to

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some of our greatest authors, from Thomas Hardy to Jane Austen.

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So, as one of today's buyers is a would-be writer,

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they're certainly going to find themselves in good company.

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Two years ago, Chris and Kate bought their first home as a couple -

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a four-bedroom semi in Reigate, Surrey,

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but their adventure together started long before.

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We first met through mutual friends,

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when Kate was at university in Birmingham.

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He was a very slow mover in terms of making his move, so ten years after

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we met, I think he finally plucked up the courage to ask me out.

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-Ten years of groundwork.

-Yeah!

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Chris grew up in close proximity to the countryside in North Wales

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and Cheshire, whilst Kate, born and bred in Reigate,

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is used to more suburban surroundings.

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When I grew up here, it was a lovely,

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very community-driven sort of town,

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and I think over the last 30 years, more and more people have moved here

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who commute into London, so it's sort of lost its sense of community,

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and it's incredibly busy, it's got bigger.

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Not too far from Kate's family and friends in Surrey,

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they've decided Dorset is the perfect place for them to

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set up home, and, although Kate is looking to slow things down,

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Chris will be taking his fast-paced job with him.

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So, I'm a paramedic.

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I've been in the ambulance service for about seven years now.

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You know, it can certainly be a challenging job, but you know,

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it's very rewarding at the same time.

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I originally started working for London, so, you know, driving round

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the big city, lots of traffic, and people everywhere,

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and then the move out to Surrey was a big change already,

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so I think the move to Dorset won't be quite as big a shock.

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You know, certainly you have to be more wary of, you know, other road

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users, in terms of, like, horses, foxes, badgers, I don't know.

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Kate's hoping that the change of scenery will also offer

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inspiration for her hobby.

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I'm a sort of secret writer.

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I've always wanted to be a writer, and then I don't really have a lot

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of confidence in it,

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so, for me, this gives me an opportunity to hopefully be able to

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carve out some time for me to write in a quiet and peaceful environment.

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With their house on the market, and Chris' new job due to start

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in just six weeks, they're well on their way to making the big move.

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Although they'll be leaving Kate's family behind,

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their pet Labrador, Dolly, will definitely be coming with them.

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I think a lot of this move is also about Dolly,

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so we want to be somewhere where we can fling the door open and

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go straight out into the countryside, or, you know,

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hopefully, for me, near the seaside.

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I'd love to be able to just jump in the car and be five minutes

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away from the beach, and just walk her there in the mornings.

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That would be amazing.

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As Chris' job will be based in Dorset,

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we're keeping our search within the county borders.

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Ideally, he and Kate would like to be near the sea,

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but they're happy to look anywhere.

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I'm catching up with them

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to find out exactly what's on their property wish-list.

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Well, Chris and Kate, here we are, in a very sunny Dorset today.

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But why did you decide this was the part of the country that

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you wanted to move to?

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I was very keen to live by the coast - I always have been -

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and I think when we started to look at the south coast,

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this was perhaps more affordable than a lot of the counties towards

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the east of here, so we're hoping to get a bit more for our money here.

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Let's talk about the actual property itself. What are you after?

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We're really flexible about it, actually.

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I mean, there's only the two of us and our dog,

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so we're happy to look at anything from two bedrooms upwards.

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I'd like an area to be able to work in,

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but I'm just as happy if that's a summerhouse in the garden,

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but parking is quite an important one, because Chris obviously does

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shift work, as a paramedic,

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and so we really don't want him having to park two or three

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roads away if it's two o'clock in the morning,

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-so that's sort of a key want for us, isn't it?

-Yeah, I think so.

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That makes sense. Chris, what are you looking for, with this home?

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-I'm even more flexible, really!

-Are you?

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If I can have a wood burner, I'll be happy, so...

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Little bit of a garden for the dog? Not too big?

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Yeah, just somewhere that she can go out.

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What does your actually look like? What's its style?

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I like something with a bit of character.

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If it's sort of quirky or unusual, I'm going to be really interested.

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-I think if it's like a conversion...

-Absolutely. I would love that.

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How important is it for you two to be close to neighbours,

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and have a community next to you, or is the idea that, actually,

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you want to be a little bit more remote?

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We'd like to be close to other people, really,

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again, particularly because I work shifts, and you could...

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Also makes it a bit easier to meet people if you're in

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a smaller community or in a town, and I think that's one of the

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-things we're really keen to make sure we do straightaway.

-Yes.

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So, let's remind ourselves of your top budget,

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and, ideally, what you want to spend.

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-Top budget would be £350,000.

-Yep.

-And ideally?

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I think we'd prefer to stay around 325 if we can.

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It just gives us a little bit more flexibility.

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-And a little bit left over.

-Absolutely.

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Well, I think we should get a move on.

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Jump in the car,

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because we have some fantastic properties to show you.

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-Brilliant.

-Shall we?

-Thank you.

-Yes.

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Chris and Kate are hoping their budget of £350,000

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will buy them their perfect home in an area of the country they love.

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They like the idea of a quirky, character property,

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but one which has enough head height for all six foot six of Chris.

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They would need two or more bedrooms,

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a garden for Dolly the dog, and space for Chris to park outside.

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They'd also prefer to be in a village setting,

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where they can meet other locals.

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I'll be taking them to see the best properties Dorset

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has to offer them for their budget, but before I reveal the price

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of each, I'll be asking them to take a guess at first.

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Our final stop will be our Mystery House, a property steeped in history

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and overflowing with character,

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which I'm hoping will really inspire them.

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Our first property is in the village of Cattistock in West Dorset.

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A character village with a lively, active community, it has a

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village hall attached to the church, a shop, and an award-winning pub.

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The village also plays host to the famous Dorset Knob Throwing

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and Frome Valley Food Festival,

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attracting thousands of visitors every year.

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The property we're seeing

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is situated right in the heart of the village.

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Well, I'm looking forward to showing you around some of our properties.

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Let's kick off with this one, our first.

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-It is a chapel.

-Indeed.

-Fabulous.

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-This is... I have a real soft spot for converted chapels, so...

-Do you?

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I have to admit, I may have looked at this one on the internet, Nicki.

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-Oh, OK! So that hasn't put you off?

-No, no.

-Not at all.

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-We'd be very excited to go in here. And it's a beautiful village.

-Yeah.

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Well, let's step inside and see what you make of our first property.

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Fantastic. Thank you.

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This Methodist chapel was built around 1870 to serve the village.

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It was sympathetically converted into a home about 20 years ago,

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retaining some fabulous character features.

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Right, let me welcome you to your converted chapel.

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-Wow.

-Lovely.

-Very nice.

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You do have the character of the chapel, although, actually, if you

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take your eye away from the doors, this just looks like

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-a very pleasant sitting room/dining room, doesn't it?

-It does.

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You want the character, but you don't want too much character,

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and so, for me, this is actually kind of about the right level.

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It's really nice.

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-What about you, Chris?

-Love it.

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-Well, it's got the wood burner.

-Tick.

-What more do I need?

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-In the centre of the village.

-Exactly, exactly.

-Yeah.

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Let's walk into the kitchen, through, again,

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-these marvellous doors.

-Interesting.

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It's like the big reveal, going through these doorframes.

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-Beautiful.

-Very theatrical.

-Yeah. Very theatrical.

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-Wow.

-Your kitchen. Now, you could class this as a galley kitchen...

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-Yep. It's quite a wide galley kitchen.

-It's generous, isn't it?

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Yeah. I mean, you've got a wonderful range, I love the Belfast sink.

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-It's perfectly big enough for us, isn't it?

-More than enough space.

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And if you were entertaining, it's still big enough.

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How is this working now you're actually physically in the house,

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compared to what you saw online?

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-Erm, this seems bigger...

-Yeah.

-..than we expected.

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-The kitchen, certainly.

-Well, I'm looking forward to the invite!

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-Always welcome.

-Right, let's keep going.

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'Well, we're certainly off to a good start with this property.

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'Kate and Chris seem to like the character and the space on offer

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'so far, so I'm pretty confident the upstairs won't disappoint, either.'

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-Now, how is this for an unusual feature?

-That's fantastic.

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The original lamppost and light from the village itself.

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Wow. That's a really, really nice feature.

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Now, with our chapel,

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we've actually given you more bedrooms than you asked for.

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The largest is the master.

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There's two further single bedrooms, a study, and the family bathroom.

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Oh, that's fabulous.

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-So I could have a writing room inside the house.

-You could.

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-Now, I can't promise you a view, sadly.

-Nope.

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But what I can give you is the small dressing room here,

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-on top of your wardrobes.

-That would be very useful,

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because Chris often goes to work at four or five in the morning,

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so if he's not in here getting changed,

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then it would be slightly quieter,

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and I'm more likely to stay asleep if he's in there.

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It's like this chapel has been designed for the two of you.

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-Yeah, possibly.

-Yeah.

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Well, let's go outside, to look at the space there.

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Quite an unusual set-up.

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I wonder how much you remember when you looked at those

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cheeky details online. We'll see.

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Chris, I'm going to ask you to lead the way. Thank you.

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'To the side of the property, there's a small, south-facing

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'enclosed garden, with a decked area accessed from the living room.

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'The property's also being sold with a separate piece of land,

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'which is a seven-minute walk away at the edge of the village.

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'If they wanted,

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'it could provide Kate and Chris with rental income as pasture land,

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'but, with its peaceful elevated position offering views like this,

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'I think they might be tempted to keep it for themselves.'

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So, unusually, our chapel has this parcel of land.

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So you come up the bridle path, which is looked after by the farmer,

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but you've got access into here, and it's nearly two acres.

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-Wow. I think Dolly would enjoy that.

-Yes!

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So I'm now going to ask you to put a price on this property, but, Kate,

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how good was your memory when you perused the internet and you saw it?

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I can't remember exactly what it was, but I know it came up

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under our top budget, so I would guess it was maybe about 340.

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Right. Chris?

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-Maybe my memory was a little bit better, then.

-Oh.

-But I would...

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I seem to remember it being 325.

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Well, your memory is right.

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The asking price for the chapel,

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-with the nearly two acres of land, is £325,000.

-That's fantastic.

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If you wanted to buy the chapel on its own, without this land,

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they would be happy to sell that as well,

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and the asking price for the chapel on its own is £295,000.

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-Gosh. That's something to think about.

-Yeah.

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But they have had some serious offers on this land,

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and ideally, they want to sell the two together.

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-Do you two want to have a little explore on your own?

-Yes, please.

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-Yeah, I think so.

-Quite a bit.

-Yeah.

-Go on up there.

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You'll get an even better view. I'll hang around,

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and then we can walk back to the village when you're ready.

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-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Off you go.

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Coming in well under budget, even with the additional land,

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this converted chapel has the character features

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and village location that Kate and Chris were after.

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There's also three bedrooms, a separate study,

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and outside space for Dolly.

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What's up here, then? Does it go to this border?

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-I think it goes all the way over there.

-Yeah.

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And then right up to the top, there.

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It's not a massive house, but it's got everything that we need,

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and I love the position right in the middle of the village.

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Perhaps upstairs, you know, it's a little bit short on head height,

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but, you know, that's my fault, really, more than anybody else's.

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Erm, but, you know, it's only really upstairs. The downstairs is great.

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This plot is amazing, and I think I would just be blown away if I

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actually owned a piece of land. I think that would be fantastic.

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Well, I think that's a good start here in Dorset.

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-Little bit of a walk now. We'll amble back into the village.

-OK.

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With its awe-inspiring coastline,

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rolling chalk hills, and river valleys,

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Dorset is a haven for hikers, ramblers, and dog walkers alike.

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It offers 2,000 miles of footpaths, bridle ways,

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and byways to choose from.

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However, although the windy cliff tops and dense woodlands are

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attractive for holiday-makers, they also have the potential to be

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treacherous terrain if you get lost or injured.

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The Dorset Search Dogs charity was established in 2006

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to help rescue missing persons in the area.

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With Chris' own experiences of helping those in need,

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and his and Kate's ambition to explore the Dorset countryside

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with their dog, Dolly, we've arranged for them

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to meet chairman, Matt Cooke, to find out more about the charity.

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Dorset Search Dogs was set up to find missing people,

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vulnerable missing people, throughout Dorset

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and neighbouring counties, and anybody who wants us, really.

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And how does it work, then? Who actually calls you out?

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We get called out by the police, coastguard,

0:17:350:17:38

or neighbouring search and rescue teams. You can't call us directly.

0:17:380:17:41

It has to be coordinated by police or coastguard.

0:17:410:17:45

How often do you find you get called out?

0:17:450:17:48

We get called out about 40 to 50 times per year.

0:17:480:17:51

We're available 24/7.

0:17:510:17:54

We're all volunteers, so it may not mean that we can attend all

0:17:540:17:57

the callouts, but between us, we do try and get to as many as we can.

0:17:570:18:00

And how do you go about training the dogs?

0:18:000:18:02

Well, we've got two of our guys here, with two of their dogs.

0:18:020:18:05

-We can go and have a look, if you want.

-Great.

-Yeah.

0:18:050:18:08

On average, it takes between 12 and 18 months to train a search dog.

0:18:100:18:15

For the dogs, it's like a big game of hide and seek,

0:18:150:18:18

starting off with the squeaky toy used as a reward.

0:18:180:18:21

-This is Wendy, with her search dog, Hattie.

-Hi, there.

-Hello.

0:18:210:18:24

Hattie's a trainee search dog at the moment,

0:18:240:18:27

but what we do is we wind the dogs up with a squeaky toy,

0:18:270:18:30

run off behind the nearest tree or nearest bush, and the dog goes in.

0:18:300:18:34

Wendy, if you want to give me your search toy.

0:18:340:18:36

This is where Hattie will start getting wound up.

0:18:360:18:39

TOY SQUEAKS DOG BARKS

0:18:400:18:44

Successful search dogs need to have a high play drive and be agile,

0:18:470:18:51

with plenty of stamina.

0:18:510:18:54

Although any dog could be trained as a search dog, they tend to be

0:18:540:18:57

larger, working breeds, like Hattie, who's a Giant Schnauzer.

0:18:570:19:01

There are also Springer Spaniels, Labradors,

0:19:030:19:05

and Border Collies in the team.

0:19:050:19:07

Woohoo! Good girl!

0:19:070:19:10

The charity has a number of volunteers,

0:19:120:19:14

who help out on training sessions.

0:19:140:19:16

Called dogsbodies,

0:19:160:19:18

they play the role of a missing person for the dogs to find.

0:19:180:19:21

OK, so we've set up a bit of a scenario here.

0:19:210:19:24

We've got Sue, one of our volunteers.

0:19:240:19:26

She's sat on a log, felt unwell, fallen over,

0:19:260:19:30

and she's banged her head. We wouldn't get that full scenario.

0:19:300:19:34

All we would get is a call from a relative,

0:19:340:19:36

saying that somebody hasn't turned up.

0:19:360:19:38

So, Steve would go out as a handler, with search dog, Oscar.

0:19:380:19:42

Oscar is one of our more experienced dogs.

0:19:420:19:44

So, Steve, show us how it's done.

0:19:440:19:46

Are you going to go find? You going to go find?

0:19:480:19:50

Go find!

0:19:500:19:51

Most search dogs are air scenters, which means,

0:19:530:19:56

rather than tracking a scent like a police dog,

0:19:560:19:58

they pick up the scent of a human being in the air.

0:19:580:20:02

With a sense of smell thousands of times stronger than that of

0:20:020:20:05

a human, some of the Dorset search dogs can detect human scent

0:20:050:20:09

from 500-800 yards away.

0:20:090:20:13

Once the dog finds their missing person,

0:20:130:20:16

they return to the handler to indicate their find.

0:20:160:20:19

-Good boy!

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hello, I'm Steve. You all right?

0:20:190:20:22

-Hello, I'm fine, thank you.

-What's your name?

0:20:220:20:25

-Sue.

-Sue. You all right?

-I'm fine here.

-Good. This is Matt.

0:20:250:20:28

He'll sort you out.

0:20:280:20:30

OK, that's the end of the scenario, then. Well done.

0:20:300:20:33

Good boy!

0:20:330:20:36

Now that Chris and Kate have seen the techniques,

0:20:360:20:38

perhaps they'll be tempted to try out training with Dolly

0:20:380:20:42

when they make the move to Dorset.

0:20:420:20:43

We're heading towards the coast for our next property -

0:20:470:20:51

to the market town of Bridport.

0:20:510:20:52

Historically recognised as one of the leading rope-producing towns

0:20:530:20:56

in England, today Bridport is known for its vibrant

0:20:560:21:00

local arts scene, playing host to a range of events and exhibitions.

0:21:000:21:04

There's an array of independent shops and a popular cinema.

0:21:040:21:08

I think the culture on offer here would really appeal

0:21:080:21:11

to Kate and Chris.

0:21:110:21:12

The house I'm showing them is just under two miles from the

0:21:120:21:15

centre of Bridport, in the neighbouring village of Bradpole.

0:21:150:21:18

So you said, ideally, you'd like to be close to the sea.

0:21:190:21:22

Well, we're about five or ten minutes away.

0:21:220:21:25

Well, that would be lovely.

0:21:250:21:28

We try and show our couples different varieties of properties.

0:21:280:21:31

This one is an old cottage with a thatched porch.

0:21:310:21:34

-Beautiful.

-Very nice.

0:21:340:21:36

-The good news is the roof is quite new!

-Yeah.

0:21:360:21:40

-It's definitely got some kerb appeal, hasn't it?

-Hasn't it just?

0:21:410:21:44

We are right on the edge of Bridport so you've got all that

0:21:440:21:47

community there, lots going on.

0:21:470:21:50

-That would been nice for me, I think.

-Yeah.

0:21:500:21:52

They have lots of festivals and things to get involved in.

0:21:520:21:54

So first impressions...?

0:21:540:21:56

Great roof.

0:21:560:21:58

I love the little bit of thatch, so you've got a bit of character.

0:21:580:22:00

-I'm really looking forward to going in.

-Good.

0:22:000:22:02

On that note, we will. Come on.

0:22:020:22:04

'This property dates back to the 1880s.

0:22:060:22:09

'Originally it would have been a worker's cottage

0:22:090:22:11

'for the surrounding land.

0:22:110:22:13

'Despite showing its age on the outside,

0:22:130:22:15

'I think the interior might surprise them.'

0:22:150:22:18

So we all love this delightful porch.

0:22:190:22:21

-Fantastic.

-You could call it a boot room, or a little dog room.

0:22:210:22:24

It leads us straight into the kitchen/diner.

0:22:240:22:27

I love it.

0:22:280:22:31

-Yeah.

-It's really nice.

0:22:310:22:33

I'm struggling to think of something in this room

0:22:330:22:36

that I'm not in love with.

0:22:360:22:38

-Woo.

-Yeah, it's great.

0:22:380:22:40

-It's been done really well.

-Yeah.

0:22:400:22:43

-It's very much our taste, as well.

-Yeah, very much.

0:22:430:22:46

The current owners have had it about 6-7 years.

0:22:460:22:49

They've done all the work on it.

0:22:490:22:51

-They actually live next-door.

-Oh.

0:22:510:22:53

-This is a holiday let.

-Ah, OK.

0:22:530:22:56

The whole property, apart from that conservatory at the back,

0:22:560:23:00

or utility room, in actual fact, is probably a better word for it.

0:23:000:23:03

It's got a downstairs cloakroom - basic but functional.

0:23:030:23:06

A log store and there's water out there.

0:23:060:23:08

If you're ever going to think of a project,

0:23:080:23:11

and perhaps extending slightly, you've already got the footprint.

0:23:110:23:15

You'd need to get the right planning permission but you could extend

0:23:150:23:18

a little bit further out if you wanted to have a bit more space.

0:23:180:23:21

Lovely.

0:23:210:23:23

It sounds like you could both certainly live in this room.

0:23:230:23:26

Let's see what you make of next-door,

0:23:260:23:28

if I can squeeze past you.

0:23:280:23:29

Thank you.

0:23:290:23:31

Right, reactions for our sitting room, please?

0:23:310:23:35

I still love it.

0:23:360:23:37

THEY LAUGH

0:23:370:23:39

I love the wooden floorboards that have been painted white.

0:23:390:23:42

I mean, it's beautifully done out.

0:23:420:23:45

It's really charming.

0:23:450:23:47

How are the ceilings?

0:23:470:23:49

Fabulous.

0:23:490:23:50

-I wouldn't even think to notice them, really.

-Yeah.

0:23:500:23:54

I think from the outside I was a wee bit,

0:23:540:23:56

"Oh, are we going to have a ceiling-related problem?"

0:23:560:23:59

But, actually, it's like a normal-sized house.

0:23:590:24:02

I wonder if they might be slightly lower upstairs.

0:24:020:24:05

I like that, a ceiling-related problem.

0:24:050:24:08

That's good. I'm going to use that one again.

0:24:080:24:11

-Let's go upstairs and see if we do have any issues.

-OK.

0:24:110:24:13

'The upstairs of the property has a family bathroom and two bedrooms,

0:24:160:24:20

'a good-sized double for guests and the master bedroom.'

0:24:200:24:24

So downstairs has been a bit of a success story.

0:24:240:24:28

I'm hoping this will be the same upstairs.

0:24:300:24:33

I think we should just buy it now, really.

0:24:330:24:36

It's fabulous.

0:24:360:24:38

I wouldn't have thought outside that the inside would look like this.

0:24:380:24:41

I think you get all the character and the age outside and

0:24:410:24:44

then something quite modern and stylish inside.

0:24:440:24:46

-No ceiling issues?

-None.

-No ceiling issues.

0:24:460:24:50

So far, it's just perfect for what we were looking for.

0:24:500:24:54

Oh, my goodness, I'm so happy.

0:24:540:24:56

But...

0:24:560:24:58

It's all word of caution because we are quite close to

0:24:580:25:01

Bridport and we've got to decide how much it's on the market for

0:25:010:25:04

-before we get too excited.

-Don't break our hearts, Nicki.

0:25:040:25:07

No, but we're going to head outside and we're going to talk money.

0:25:070:25:11

So...

0:25:110:25:12

Be my guest, off you go.

0:25:120:25:14

'Internally this property has a high standard of finish,

0:25:140:25:17

' but outside the paved back garden is the low-maintenance space you'd

0:25:170:25:21

'expect from a rental property and could benefit from some work.

0:25:210:25:25

'Nonetheless, fully enclosed and with side access,

0:25:250:25:28

'it would make an adequate space for Dolly.'

0:25:280:25:32

Now at the moment it's practical, isn't it?

0:25:320:25:34

You could put down a little bit of lawn here and you'll get the sun

0:25:340:25:37

not in the evenings, but certainly during the day.

0:25:370:25:40

-Again, just somewhere for the dog.

-Absolutely.

-Mmm.

0:25:400:25:42

This is workable because there's no doubt plenty of walks on the

0:25:420:25:45

-doorstep because we're in that part of the country.

-Yeah.

0:25:450:25:48

-The tour of the cottage has gone exceedingly well.

-Yeah.

0:25:480:25:52

The final part, obviously, is to try and put a price on it.

0:25:520:25:56

I think, I would say

0:25:560:26:00

this is on for 320.

0:26:000:26:03

I'm going to say a little bit higher,

0:26:050:26:08

I'm going to say 335.

0:26:080:26:09

OK.

0:26:110:26:12

I'm going to give you two a completely different figure

0:26:120:26:15

-to either of those.

-OK.

0:26:150:26:17

Asking price, £275,000.

0:26:170:26:21

-Wow!

-Seriously, get your chequebook out now.

0:26:220:26:25

Fabulous, thank you for showing it to us. It's wonderful.

0:26:260:26:30

I'm guessing, on your own this time,

0:26:300:26:31

you'd like to take a second look.

0:26:310:26:33

-Yes, please.

-Thank you.

-Off you go.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:26:330:26:36

It is a wonderful property

0:26:380:26:40

and you know what they say when you step through the door

0:26:400:26:43

and it feels like home.

0:26:430:26:44

Well, for our couple, they certainly got that feeling.

0:26:440:26:47

'For a staggering £75,000 under budget,

0:26:470:26:51

'this updated character cottage offers Kate and Chris the two

0:26:510:26:55

'bedrooms they need and potential to extend in the future.

0:26:550:26:59

'It's close to Bridport town centre and less than

0:26:590:27:02

'a ten-minute drive to the sea.'

0:27:020:27:04

The way it's decorated, the furniture, the kitchen,

0:27:040:27:08

everything is almost to our taste, really.

0:27:080:27:11

Down to the paint on the walls, probably.

0:27:110:27:14

The real highlight for me with this place would be

0:27:140:27:17

proximity to the beach.

0:27:170:27:18

You know, it's always been a dream that we would be able to walk

0:27:180:27:21

Dolly on the beach and actually here it's completely feasible

0:27:210:27:24

that we could do that.

0:27:240:27:25

That's a really big thing to think about.

0:27:250:27:28

-That was successful.

-It was.

0:27:280:27:31

You looked very at home. All I need is my camera.

0:27:310:27:34

-That's it. Let's hit the road, shall we?

-Definitely.

0:27:340:27:37

'It's the second day of our search with Chris and Kate who,

0:27:480:27:50

'with a budget of £350,000,

0:27:500:27:53

'are looking to swap their four-bedroomed semi

0:27:530:27:56

'in Reigate, Surrey, for a character home down in Dorset.

0:27:560:27:59

'With Chris's new job starting in just six weeks

0:27:590:28:02

'there's no time to lose.

0:28:020:28:04

'Still to come,

0:28:040:28:06

'it looks like our Mystery House might be working its magic.'

0:28:060:28:09

I'm a little bit emotional.

0:28:090:28:11

-Are you?

-Mmm, a little bit.

0:28:110:28:13

'And I'll be reaching new heights on the Isle Portland.'

0:28:150:28:18

Go on, all your weight through that leg. Go on, push, push, push.

0:28:190:28:22

My heart, Will, is racing!

0:28:220:28:24

NICKI CHUCKLES

0:28:240:28:26

With Chris starting a new job in literally a matter of weeks,

0:28:270:28:31

both he and Kate are after a new life, as well as a new home.

0:28:310:28:36

I think yesterday's house-hunt was pretty successful.

0:28:360:28:39

Today is all about our mystery property.

0:28:390:28:43

Now this house is going to offer them over 1,000 years of

0:28:430:28:47

history and potentially everything they want.

0:28:470:28:50

So, where's the catch?

0:28:500:28:53

I'm going to be using every penny of their budget.

0:28:530:28:56

Let's see how we get on.

0:28:560:28:57

'Our last stop is Maiden Newton,

0:29:020:29:04

'just two miles down the road from where our search began.

0:29:040:29:07

'The large village lies on the confluence of the rivers

0:29:070:29:10

'Frome and Hook, surrounded by the chalk hills of the Dorset Downs.

0:29:100:29:15

'The village centre, marked by the remains of a 15th century

0:29:150:29:18

'market cross, has a selection of local shops and places to eat

0:29:180:29:22

'and is served by a train station with routes to London and Weymouth.

0:29:220:29:26

'The buildings are a mix of old and new,

0:29:260:29:28

'some dating back to the 17th century.

0:29:280:29:31

'The village church is said to have the oldest original

0:29:310:29:34

'wooden church door in England.

0:29:340:29:36

'Just a two-minute walk around the corner,

0:29:360:29:39

'our Mystery House sits on the banks of the River Frome

0:29:390:29:42

'on a rather notable site.'

0:29:420:29:44

Now it's not every day I can show our couples

0:29:480:29:52

a property that is right next to 1,000-year-old mill.

0:29:520:29:56

Mentioned in the Domesday Book,

0:29:570:29:58

-that is how old this whole area is.

-Wow!

0:29:580:30:01

The good news is your property isn't 1,000 years old.

0:30:010:30:05

It's only about 100 years old.

0:30:050:30:07

I'm in love.

0:30:070:30:09

-It's beautiful, isn't it?

-Lovely.

0:30:090:30:11

Ready for the mystery tour?

0:30:110:30:13

-Absolutely.

-Happy, Chris?

-Yes.

0:30:130:30:15

'This impressive three-storey terraced building is the largest

0:30:170:30:21

'property we've seen so far.

0:30:210:30:24

'The current owners have spent 18 months renovating the house,

0:30:240:30:27

'as well as restoring the neighbouring mill

0:30:270:30:29

'to its former glory.'

0:30:290:30:30

Come out of the rain.

0:30:300:30:33

Leave our umbrellas behind.

0:30:330:30:35

-Crikey!

-You've got your kitchen here,

0:30:370:30:39

you've got your wood burner,

0:30:390:30:41

-which we've got to get out of the way for Chris.

-Yeah.

0:30:410:30:44

Dining area and then we've got our sitting room too.

0:30:440:30:48

It's lovely. It's really nice.

0:30:480:30:50

I love the floor, the tiles on the floor.

0:30:500:30:53

I love the open-plan living.

0:30:530:30:56

I think that really works for kind of our lifestyle.

0:30:560:30:58

Fantastic kitchen.

0:30:580:31:00

It is Grade 2 listed, but by association, because of the

0:31:000:31:03

old mill because that has so much history and heritage.

0:31:030:31:07

We all love downstairs, let's see what we make of the next floor.

0:31:070:31:10

'Just off the open-plan dining area, is a useful utility room with

0:31:120:31:16

'downstairs toilet, completing the accommodation on the ground floor.

0:31:160:31:20

'This being our Mystery House,

0:31:200:31:22

'it does have a slightly unconventional layout.

0:31:220:31:26

'There's a further sitting room and a bathroom on the first floor,

0:31:260:31:29

'which is where we're heading next.'

0:31:290:31:31

Right, pleasing start to our house tour.

0:31:320:31:35

I'm feeling confident on the next floor.

0:31:350:31:37

I love the look.

0:31:410:31:43

I'm a little bit emotional.

0:31:430:31:45

-Are you?

-Mmm, a little bit.

0:31:450:31:47

This is like everything we would ever want.

0:31:510:31:53

You're making me go now.

0:31:530:31:55

That's not the whole point! I'm meant to be taking you around.

0:31:550:31:57

Could you see yourselves living somewhere like this?

0:31:580:32:02

-We are already seeing ourselves.

-THEY LAUGH

0:32:020:32:04

In our wildest dreams, I think. Yeah.

0:32:040:32:07

-Oh!

-OK.

0:32:070:32:09

I'm going to take you upstairs and show you what else there is.

0:32:090:32:12

-Are you ready for this?

-Yeah.

0:32:120:32:14

Can we improve on that reaction upstairs?

0:32:140:32:17

You've got some work to do. Right, let's see.

0:32:170:32:20

'I'm not sure this viewing could get any better,

0:32:230:32:26

'at least not where Kate is concerned.

0:32:260:32:29

'Also, on the first floor is the family bathroom.

0:32:290:32:32

'Heading up to the top floor,

0:32:320:32:34

'there's an additional shower room and three sizeable bedrooms,

0:32:340:32:37

'all with gorgeous exposed beams and high vaulted ceilings.

0:32:370:32:41

'I'm confident we won't have any ceiling-related problems with

0:32:410:32:45

'six foot six Chris here.'

0:32:450:32:47

So...

0:32:480:32:49

On our second floor now,

0:32:500:32:52

we can't just do, you know, the normal layout, can we?

0:32:520:32:55

This is a fantastic sized room.

0:32:550:32:57

Absolutely enormous.

0:32:570:32:59

There's a great feeling of space through the whole house.

0:32:590:33:01

Even just coming up the stairs and the landings.

0:33:010:33:04

I love the beams.

0:33:040:33:06

Chris likes the high ceilings, I guess.

0:33:060:33:08

No, my head is not going to be bashing those in a hurry.

0:33:080:33:12

The weather is a little inclement, but I think it is worth going

0:33:120:33:15

outside just to have a look at that garden and that outside space.

0:33:150:33:18

-Yeah.

-Right, we'll head back.

-Thank you.

0:33:180:33:21

'Back on the ground floor, there's a garage to the front of the

0:33:240:33:27

'property offering a fantastic double height space.

0:33:270:33:30

'Then there's a generous lawned back garden.'

0:33:300:33:33

Right...

0:33:330:33:34

We can cheat a little bit out here,

0:33:350:33:38

because if you don't want to, we don't need to go out in the rain.

0:33:380:33:41

We can stand under this canopy

0:33:410:33:43

and see the full effect of your garden.

0:33:430:33:46

There's a few things I've always wanted in a dream house.

0:33:460:33:49

One is a door in the middle, which this has.

0:33:490:33:51

The other is a walled garden.

0:33:510:33:53

Oh...

0:33:530:33:54

It's like we knew.

0:33:540:33:56

So we're going to have to now try and put a final price

0:33:560:34:00

on our Mystery House.

0:34:000:34:02

-It's got to be 350 plus.

-Mm-hmm.

0:34:040:34:06

I think, I'm really hoping not

0:34:060:34:09

but I think it might be slightly over our budget

0:34:090:34:12

and you're pushing us a wee bit.

0:34:120:34:14

I'm going to say 375.

0:34:140:34:16

OK, well the asking price is...

0:34:160:34:20

for offers over £350,000.

0:34:200:34:24

-We need to save more money.

-We can really see it.

0:34:260:34:29

They are looking for offers just over.

0:34:290:34:31

-I think it's down to your negotiation skills.

-Yeah.

0:34:310:34:34

This could be the perfect home.

0:34:340:34:36

Yes, why don't you have another look and decide if it is?

0:34:360:34:39

Because it is a lot of money, I do appreciate that.

0:34:390:34:42

I'm going to join you because I'm not staying out here in the rain

0:34:420:34:46

however beautiful this garden is.

0:34:460:34:48

-Off you go.

-Thank you.

0:34:480:34:50

'Taking their budget to the limit, this fantastic character

0:34:500:34:54

'property satisfies everything on Kate and Chris's wish list and more.

0:34:540:34:58

'There's an extra bedroom that Kate could use for a writing room,

0:34:580:35:01

'the living space is practical and modern but with period features

0:35:010:35:05

'and there's a private enclosed garden,

0:35:050:35:08

'all within walking distance to the village centre.'

0:35:080:35:12

From outside it looked fantastic, already.

0:35:120:35:14

But as you come through the door and just open out into this fantastic,

0:35:140:35:19

open-plan living space.

0:35:190:35:21

Yeah, I think we both really kind of got that feeling.

0:35:220:35:26

I got a bit emotional when we came upstairs

0:35:260:35:28

and I think that's because this is sort of the house

0:35:280:35:32

that you always dream that you might have

0:35:320:35:34

and I'm not sure that I thought that was

0:35:340:35:37

something that would be achievable on our budget.

0:35:370:35:39

I think we would do anything we could do probably buy this house.

0:35:390:35:43

Well, I think we've finished our tour of Dorset,

0:35:440:35:47

on a high with our Mystery House.

0:35:470:35:49

-Definitely.

-Very successful.

0:35:490:35:52

What are you going to do next, I wonder? Let's make a move.

0:35:520:35:54

Chris, you grab the door, we're going to duck this way and let's go.

0:35:540:35:58

'The Isle of Portland has long been renowned for its durable

0:36:040:36:08

'and hardy limestone bedrock,

0:36:080:36:09

'used for building across the UK and abroad for centuries.

0:36:090:36:13

'But, in recent years, it's also become popular

0:36:130:36:16

'in the world of outdoor pursuits.

0:36:160:36:18

Today, Portland is known as one of the UK's top spots

0:36:180:36:21

'for rock climbing.

0:36:210:36:23

'With four miles of almost unbroken cliffs,

0:36:230:36:26

'there are over 1,000 climbing routes to choose from

0:36:260:36:29

'and with breathtaking views of the English Channel,

0:36:290:36:32

'it's the perfect location to don a harness for a lesson

0:36:320:36:36

'from local climbing instructor, Will Moy.'

0:36:360:36:39

Will, this is a truly remarkable spot here.

0:36:390:36:42

I mean, that rock face is something else.

0:36:420:36:45

-It's amazing, isn't it?

-Tell me about the geology of it?

0:36:450:36:48

So this is Portland stone and so it's a sedimentary rock,

0:36:480:36:51

which has been formed by layers and layers of tiny crustaceans

0:36:510:36:54

over a long period of time that's been squeezed together

0:36:540:36:57

and now it's been pushed up and created this island

0:36:570:37:01

-and left this amazing rock for us to climb on.

-It is...

0:37:010:37:03

Amazing is a good word for it because just standing here,

0:37:030:37:06

you can see just so many layers.

0:37:060:37:09

-Is that where it's been compressed?

-Yeah, absolutely.

0:37:090:37:12

So that's why it's really great for us to rock climb on.

0:37:120:37:14

It means that we've got lots of handholds to climb on,

0:37:140:37:17

and lots of little edges to put our feet on.

0:37:170:37:19

So who could attempt to climb a rock face of that size

0:37:190:37:22

and stature, if you like?

0:37:220:37:23

Well, that's the great thing about Portland, really.

0:37:230:37:26

There's a grade for everybody.

0:37:260:37:27

So starting from really young, so maybe five, six, seven years old,

0:37:270:37:31

all the way up to 70s and 80s can get up there,

0:37:310:37:33

if they're fit and willing.

0:37:330:37:35

-Really?

-Yeah.

0:37:350:37:37

-I'm nervous but I'm looking forward to it.

-Great.

0:37:370:37:40

-We'll give it a good go.

-Thank you.

0:37:400:37:42

'The seam of limestone I'm going to be climbing

0:37:420:37:45

'is around 50 foot high.

0:37:450:37:47

'It sounds daunting but Will assures me it's a good distance

0:37:470:37:50

'for a beginner like myself.'

0:37:500:37:53

-So we've got the harness on.

-Yeah.

0:37:530:37:55

-Helmet on.

-Helmet on. What next?

0:37:550:37:58

-So this is the rope here that you're going to be climbing on.

-Yeah.

0:37:580:38:01

The rope's here just to safeguard you.

0:38:010:38:03

The idea is we need to tie you in. All right.

0:38:030:38:06

-I'm going to be controlling this end of the rope.

-Yeah.

0:38:060:38:09

As you climb up, my job is to take the rope in.

0:38:090:38:11

All right, so it's always there ready to catch you.

0:38:110:38:14

I know I'm in good hands, Will.

0:38:140:38:16

-It looks an awful long way up.

-OK.

0:38:160:38:18

So the idea, obviously, you've got lots of handholds and footholds

0:38:180:38:22

to place your hands on. Sometimes it's difficult to find your way.

0:38:220:38:25

-You have to feel around sometimes to find the best place.

-Yeah.

0:38:250:38:28

So the first tricky move is getting your feet up to this one,

0:38:280:38:32

-then across to here.

-OK.

0:38:320:38:33

You've got an excellent handhold up here.

0:38:330:38:35

-As soon as you can get your hand up to here, the better.

-OK.

0:38:350:38:38

So...

0:38:380:38:40

-This is where my first foot goes.

-Yeah.

0:38:400:38:42

Can you reach right up?

0:38:420:38:44

That's it. Bend your knee a bit that way. Perfect.

0:38:440:38:47

Right.

0:38:470:38:48

'Climbing is a great full body workout.

0:38:500:38:52

'Using both the upper and lower body,

0:38:520:38:55

'you work your abdominals and leg muscles,

0:38:550:38:58

'whilst all the reaching and stretching for holds

0:38:580:39:00

'improves flexibility and agility at the same time.'

0:39:000:39:04

Will, the fact that you've got that rope is so reassuring,

0:39:040:39:06

I can't tell you.

0:39:060:39:08

Right, Will, next bit?

0:39:080:39:09

OK, so I would go out to the right a little bit.

0:39:090:39:13

-Can you see those ledges you've got?

-Yeah.

0:39:130:39:15

Well done.

0:39:160:39:17

My heart, Will, is racing!

0:39:170:39:19

-OK. You're almost to the top now.

-Yeah.

0:39:220:39:25

So if you can climb a few more steps.

0:39:250:39:27

'The popularity of climbing in the UK is currently on the increase.

0:39:290:39:33

'Membership with the British Mountaineering Council

0:39:330:39:35

'has more than doubled in the last 15 years.'

0:39:350:39:39

Go on, all your weight through that leg. Go on, push, push, push.

0:39:390:39:42

Well done.

0:39:420:39:43

I can't believe I'm practically at the top.

0:39:430:39:46

And, turning around,

0:39:460:39:48

having the confidence just to look at that spectacular view...

0:39:480:39:53

it's worth it.

0:39:530:39:55

Right, I better get down now.

0:39:550:39:58

'I can see why people get addicted to climbing.

0:39:580:40:00

'The feeling of reaching the top is just exhilarating.'

0:40:000:40:04

And little steps down on the rock now, then.

0:40:040:40:06

-Just smaller steps, yeah.

-Yeah, little steps.

0:40:060:40:09

'With sport climbing on the up, it's been shortlisted

0:40:090:40:12

'for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.'

0:40:120:40:15

NICKI SIGHS Terra firma!

0:40:160:40:18

Woo!

0:40:180:40:20

I can't believe I did it.

0:40:200:40:21

Yay!

0:40:220:40:25

'But, when it comes to my climbing career,

0:40:260:40:28

'I think it's best I leave it to the experts and stick to house-hunting.'

0:40:280:40:32

Well, we've certainly had a very pleasant few days here in Dorset

0:40:350:40:38

with Chris and Kate.

0:40:380:40:40

Now we know our couple need to move quickly,

0:40:400:40:42

the big question is,

0:40:420:40:43

are they going to move into one of our properties?

0:40:430:40:46

Let's find out.

0:40:460:40:47

Well, Chris and Kate, what a delightful few days

0:40:540:40:57

we have spent with you driving around Dorset.

0:40:570:41:00

It's been great, hasn't it?

0:41:000:41:02

-It's been fantastic.

-Yeah. Really wonderful.

0:41:020:41:05

At what point do you think as you were looking around the properties

0:41:050:41:07

did you suddenly think, "This is it, this could be our new home?"

0:41:070:41:10

FIRE CRACKLES

0:41:100:41:11

Excuse the fireworks going off in the background.

0:41:110:41:13

I think it happened in possibly two of the houses.

0:41:140:41:18

Definitely the Mystery House.

0:41:180:41:20

Um, and possibly the cottage that we saw in Bradpole,

0:41:200:41:23

as well, was something that we would definitely consider.

0:41:230:41:27

Why the Mystery House? Why does that one work for the both of you?

0:41:270:41:30

I think just the proportions were certainly one of the things

0:41:300:41:35

that really had that wow factor, definitely.

0:41:350:41:38

That's exactly it, wow factor.

0:41:380:41:40

I think that house had it.

0:41:400:41:42

Where are you going to go next?

0:41:420:41:43

We're definitely going to do a second viewing,

0:41:430:41:46

as soon as we can and then it's the check on the finances,

0:41:460:41:49

conversation with the owner because I think we need to understand

0:41:490:41:52

what they're looking for when it says, in excess of.

0:41:520:41:55

-Yeah.

-Um, and then, you know, take it from there.

0:41:550:41:58

Oh...

0:41:580:41:59

This is all sounding really promising.

0:41:590:42:03

I think in our entire lives, it's probably the nicest house

0:42:030:42:07

we've ever walked around.

0:42:070:42:09

I can so see you two in that property.

0:42:090:42:12

You just seem to fit.

0:42:120:42:14

You really do.

0:42:140:42:15

It's been our pleasure, thank you,

0:42:150:42:17

and, well, enjoy the rest of your lives here in Dorset.

0:42:170:42:20

-Thank you very much, it's been brilliant fun.

-Thank you.

0:42:200:42:23

Well, I've loved showing Chris and Kate around Dorset.

0:42:300:42:33

Such a different collection of homes

0:42:330:42:36

and only one of them at the top of their budget.

0:42:360:42:39

That house, our mystery property,

0:42:390:42:41

well, it certainly brought tears to Kate's eyes.

0:42:410:42:45

Hearing those reactions and seeing that emotion,

0:42:450:42:48

I'm feeling quietly confident.

0:42:480:42:51

So that's it from, well, at least a rather rainy Dorset today,

0:42:510:42:54

and I'll see you again in another part of the country soon.

0:42:540:42:58

If you would like to escape to the country

0:43:010:43:03

in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland and need our help,

0:43:030:43:06

you can apply online at...

0:43:060:43:09

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