0:00:03 > 0:00:06When it comes to wedding gifts, most people would be happy with
0:00:06 > 0:00:08a set of crockery, maybe a donation towards the honeymoon,
0:00:08 > 0:00:10or perhaps just a toaster.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13So how would you feel if you got a castle?
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Find out who received this lavish gift and exactly where I am
0:00:17 > 0:00:18in just a moment.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Today's house-hunters are trading in their London home for the space that
0:00:38 > 0:00:41comes with country life, both outside and in.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44I don't know if you have that sort of facility at home.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Wow!Oh, look - his and hers sink.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50And plenty of cupboard space for all my clothes.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52So...
0:00:52 > 0:00:54No comment.Yes, quite.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'And one half of our couple can't quite take in everything
0:00:57 > 0:00:59'that's on offer.' I'm actually blown away.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07Today, I'm in North Yorkshire
0:01:07 > 0:01:11and this is the magnificent Ripley Castle close to the Yorkshire Dales.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13It's home to the Inglebys,
0:01:13 > 0:01:17and has been in the very same family name since 1309,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20when Sir Thomas Ingleby married heiress Edwina Thwenge
0:01:20 > 0:01:23and received this castle as a dowry.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Now, for over 700 years, the family have endured civil wars,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29religious unrest, recessions
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and even plague, and have still managed to keep hold of
0:01:32 > 0:01:34this historical landmark.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37A truly magnificent wedding present
0:01:37 > 0:01:39that really has stood the test of time.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45North Yorkshire, covering an area of over 3,300 square miles,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49virtually spans coast-to-coast across the neck of England.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51A staggering 40% of the county
0:01:51 > 0:01:54is made up of beautiful national parks, and, to the south,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57lies the market town of Skipton.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Its castle, built in 1090,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02is unmissable, with six impressive drum towers.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06It was the only royalist stronghold in the north of England,
0:02:06 > 0:02:10finally surrendering to Cromwell in 1645.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Lying in the wooded dale of Rye
0:02:12 > 0:02:15lie the haunting remains of Rievaulx Abbey.
0:02:15 > 0:02:16With its towering arches and pillars,
0:02:16 > 0:02:21it was a 12th century powerhouse for the Cistercian Order of monks.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Their desire was to follow a strict life of prayer with little contact
0:02:24 > 0:02:25from the outside world,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28so the abbey's remote location was well-suited.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32To the east, lies the North Yorkshire Moors Railway,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36planned by the renowned engineer George Stephenson in 1836,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38today, this steam heritage line
0:02:38 > 0:02:43carries over 350,000 passengers a year on its 18 miles of track.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46So, with North Yorkshire's national heritage,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49staggering open countryside, and historic towns,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51it's probably not surprising
0:02:51 > 0:02:52that it's full steam ahead
0:02:52 > 0:02:55when it comes to attracting would-be escapees.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59The average price of a detached house here in North Yorkshire
0:02:59 > 0:03:02comes in at just under £280,000,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05which is around 20,000 below the national figure.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09But it's not just the attractive prices and housing stock
0:03:09 > 0:03:11that's pulling people to this area.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Well-regarded local schools and great rail links
0:03:14 > 0:03:17means that people are flocking here from as far afield
0:03:17 > 0:03:20as London. And it's from the capital that today's buyers
0:03:20 > 0:03:22are looking to escape.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27Company accounts manager Chris and his events coordinator wife Kat
0:03:27 > 0:03:29currently live in the London suburb of North Finchley with their
0:03:29 > 0:03:34two sons, seven-year-old Sam, and Oliver, who's six.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36We've been in Finchley for eight years and together,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40we've been in London for close to 19 years.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42We're getting to that stage now where we want to move out
0:03:42 > 0:03:45into the country, just to have that next stage
0:03:45 > 0:03:46for the boys to enjoy the outdoors,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49and London doesn't really give us that.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Our couple's five-bed terraced Finchley home
0:03:52 > 0:03:56is located within a great community and close to amenities.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59But, as Chris and Kat both have country roots,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01they now feel they need more room
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and a rural outlook for their growing family.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10We've chosen to move to Yorkshire, because it's closer to my family.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13We wanted to move out of London and try and find a bigger place
0:04:13 > 0:04:16to enjoy the countryside, and we figured, actually,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20moving north would be the obvious choice for financial reasons,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24and close to the bigger cities where we can both work.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I grew up in a really rural village.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Well, it wasn't even a village, it was more of a hamlet.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34And, so, that way of life really appeals to me.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37And North Yorkshire is just stunning.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43Creating more family time is a major driver for this move and relocating
0:04:43 > 0:04:45to North Yorkshire will give them all a chance
0:04:45 > 0:04:47to expand on their hobbies.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50We're a pretty active family and, at the weekends,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53as well as getting out on our bike and going for walks,
0:04:53 > 0:04:57we also enjoy playing tennis, the boys like playing football.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01When I grew up in the countryside, I loved horse riding.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04And so that's something I'd really dearly like to pick up again when
0:05:04 > 0:05:07moving to North Yorkshire, is to get back into riding.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10So, all in all, this escape seems to be shaping up
0:05:10 > 0:05:13to be a really positive move for everyone -
0:05:13 > 0:05:15and I mean everyone!
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Friends up north are looking forward to having us back,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and friends in London are just happy that we're making this move,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26and they're really looking forward to coming to see us.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Chris and Kat would like to focus their search within
0:05:32 > 0:05:35the golden triangle of Harrogate, York and Leeds.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38And are happy to cross the border into West Yorkshire.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I'm catching up with them to find out a little bit more about
0:05:41 > 0:05:44what they're looking for from their ideal country property.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Welcome, both, to North Yorkshire.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Now, this is a big, bold move, isn't it?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I mean, you're living in a very comfortable part of north London,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56where people seem to have the best of both worlds.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57Yes, it's a big upheaval.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Really exciting, but I must admit,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01it's been really difficult
0:06:01 > 0:06:05telling people and the boys were initially kind of a bit nervous
0:06:05 > 0:06:07and apprehensive but also really excited.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10This is the golden triangle, we're talking about. You know,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Harrogate, Leeds, and York. Very popular part of the world.Yes.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15For all the reasons you probably love it as well, isn't it?
0:06:15 > 0:06:17It's beautiful. You've got access to the Dales as well.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20But this work thing, how long are you prepared to be in the car?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Going to and from work?
0:06:22 > 0:06:24I'd say maximum an hour.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25I'm doing an hour in London at the minute.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28You know, an hour would be fine, but any shorter would be fantastic.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31OK, let's go through your shopping list, then.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36So, four bedrooms. Lovely, big kitchen, for entertaining.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Possibly an outbuilding, maybe something that, you know,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41would be great to be able to have friends to stay,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43and if there was somewhere with a bit of outside space
0:06:43 > 0:06:45that had an outbuilding, where there was an annexe.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47We'd like something with a bit of history behind it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Right.Something not too modern.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52What kind of environment are you looking for?
0:06:52 > 0:06:54So, it would be nice to be in a community.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58A village community, or just out of town but somewhere that's got
0:06:58 > 0:07:01a nice pub, a village hall, a school, you know,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04somewhere where there's things going on that we can get involved in.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Everybody wants to be on the edge of a village.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Yeah.They want a bit of land.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10The one acre to two acres.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Is that a deal-breaker?No.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15I mean, if it was around countryside that wasn't owned by us,
0:07:15 > 0:07:16then that's lovely, you know.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Looking out to fields, that's wonderful.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21What budget have you given yourselves to achieve this?
0:07:21 > 0:07:25We've got a budget of 800,000, max £850,000.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28OK, well, we've got some cracking properties lined up.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Yeah.Let's see if we can find the right one for you.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31Come with me.Exciting! Thank you.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36With a maximum budget of £850,000,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Chris and Kat wanted a detached character home,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42a large kitchen/diner, four bedrooms,
0:07:42 > 0:07:47land with outbuildings, and that all-important village location.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50We've found some fantastic properties to tempt them with,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52and, at each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price
0:07:52 > 0:07:54before I reveal it.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56And one will be our Mystery House,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59which may have our couple praying for divine intervention
0:07:59 > 0:08:02to help them make the right choice.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Of course, this big move up here,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09it's about the kids and giving them a better quality of life.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11A different way of life, if you like.Yeah.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Have you tried to bribe your boys with potential pets,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16or anything like that? Yes! You said it!
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Have you really? It didn't take much bribery, though.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23No, they were talking about it anyway, so we realised that was
0:08:23 > 0:08:24a good carrot to dangle.Yeah.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27So, a puppy is on the cards, I think.Oh, wow!
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Our first property is located just over the West Yorkshire border
0:08:34 > 0:08:36in the village of Walton,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39just three miles from the market town of Wetherby.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40With its narrow streets,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43many flanked with honey-coloured, York stone buildings,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Wetherby can trace its roots back to 1086.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50It has a great range of shops, including a post office,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54coffee bars, restaurants, pubs and numerous general stores.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57The town even has World War II connections
0:08:57 > 0:08:58with Hollywood glamour
0:08:58 > 0:09:01as silver screen heart-throb Clark Gable was stationed
0:09:01 > 0:09:04at nearby RAF Marston Moor.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Let's hope we can bring a little bit of Tinseltown excitement with our
0:09:08 > 0:09:10first house back in Walton.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14Now, come right in. Because...
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I'm hoping you'll get... Wow! Oh, wow!
0:09:16 > 0:09:19..a really nice view of this substantial pile of stone.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Yeah, it's fantastic!
0:09:21 > 0:09:22Lovely garden as well.
0:09:22 > 0:09:23Stunning from the outside.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Lovely.You've got local pub...
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Yes.Right...you've got a local cricket club.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Ooh! Tick.OK. Good for the boys.Yes.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Now, you've got an Ofsted-rated good school...OK.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36..within about a mile. But you've got Wetherby
0:09:36 > 0:09:39just a couple of miles up the road. Fantastic.Let's go inside.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Built in 1870, this beautiful detached stone farmhouse
0:09:45 > 0:09:47was fully refurbished a few years back
0:09:47 > 0:09:50to provide up-to-date 21st-century living.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Yet it retains many 19th-century character features.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57We're heading straight to the expansive living room.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Oh, it's lovely. Really light, lovely, big windows.
0:10:01 > 0:10:02Yeah. Nice high ceilings.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Well, you pointed out those windows from outside.Yeah, yeah.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Well, sometimes in houses that have got lots of character,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10you get the smaller windows and it seems a bit dark inside,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12but you can't say the same for this property.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15It's lovely.Back home, are you kitchen dwellers?
0:10:15 > 0:10:18It's probably the kitchen, yeah. Yeah.Somewhere where
0:10:18 > 0:10:20we can all meet.Let's keep looking around.OK.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23The heart of the home, as in most people's houses, is the kitchen.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28Oh, lovely. Nice, big kitchen and, you know, sociable as well,
0:10:28 > 0:10:32so when you're cooking and preparing the food, you can chat to people.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Glass of wine. Yeah, looks good.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Now, for when you do your Hyacinth Bouquet bits,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40you've got a formal dining room at the top end of the house.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Oh, OK.And a snug, but it will be a decent-sized living room
0:10:43 > 0:10:44in most other people's houses.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Yeah.Just behind me here, you've got a utility room.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Excellent.Really good-sized utility room, which means you get
0:10:50 > 0:10:52all the white goods you don't normally use out of the kitchen.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54That would be a real benefit.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55Upstairs, next. Let me squeeze through.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57After you.Thank you very much.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59From the kitchen, we make our way to the main hallway,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03where the staircase leads up to the first floor.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Doors from a spacious landing open to reveal four bright
0:11:06 > 0:11:09and airy bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite shower.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12There's also a very large modern family bathroom
0:11:12 > 0:11:14with separate shower area,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17and we're making our way into the largest of the bedrooms.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19This is your master.Right.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21OK?Lovely size.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Yeah.Lovely features as well, with the fireplace.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Really pretty.You've got a walk-through wardrobe
0:11:26 > 0:11:30with an en-suite, if you want to take a quick peek.Right, OK.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33I don't know if you have that sort of facility at home.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35No. Look.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37His and hers sink!
0:11:37 > 0:11:41And plenty of cupboard space for all my clothes, so...
0:11:41 > 0:11:43No comment.Yes, quite.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46So, four bedrooms.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Yeah.The other with an en-suite, which, you know,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50you want your guests to be comfortable,
0:11:50 > 0:11:51not having to use the family bathrooms.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54So, you've got three bathrooms in total on this floor.Wow! Really?
0:11:54 > 0:11:56It's big, isn't it?It's big, yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58You both sound very positive.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01But I want to show you something that you'll get in this house
0:12:01 > 0:12:04that, well, you just can't get in London.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Follow me.OK. I'm intrigued!
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Back out onto the hallway, and up a second staircase,
0:12:11 > 0:12:16we find a surprising bonus space hidden away at the top of the house.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Now, of course, you probably could get this in London,
0:12:18 > 0:12:20if you were a Premiership footballer!
0:12:20 > 0:12:22LAUGHTER
0:12:22 > 0:12:23Oh, wow!
0:12:23 > 0:12:25This is amazing.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Yeah.This is clearly my space! I'm genuinely blown away.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's lad space, isn't it? OK, lad space.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Yeah, it's fantastic.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35And, actually, our eldest plays the guitar and the youngest would
0:12:35 > 0:12:38definitely want to play the drums, cos he's that sort of personality.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40So you like what you see. Yeah, definitely.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Let's walk through the house out to the garden,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45and then start thinking about price. Oh, gosh!
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I'm getting the feeling Kat and Chris can really see
0:12:52 > 0:12:55the positives that come with this house and I'm confident
0:12:55 > 0:12:58they'll be impressed with what's on offer outside.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03So, quite a private area here for your barbecues,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05but something a bit different here.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Wow!Wow!Wow!
0:13:07 > 0:13:10This field is leased.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12OK.Oh, OK.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14It was initially a 15-year lease.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16There's five years unexpired.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20So, if you buy this house, you have this field for five more years.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25OK.And in that time, you've got time to negotiate or maybe even see
0:13:25 > 0:13:28if you can buy it. It's a really nice surprise.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Unexpected.Now, then, difficult thing is pricing it.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37OK? I shall go in with around £800,000.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38OK.Yeah, yeah.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41I was thinking just below but not far off.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44This house is on the market at £850,000.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47OK.OK.And that's come down just shy of...
0:13:47 > 0:13:49well, just under £900,000.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51OK.So they've given it a substantial price reduction.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55OK.But you've got a lot of property here. Your job now is to go back
0:13:55 > 0:13:57into the house and have a good think about it,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and I'll meet you outside whenever you're done. All right?
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Great.Thank you very much.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06At £850,000,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09this beautifully renovated 19th century farmhouse
0:14:09 > 0:14:11is at the top of Kat and Chris's budget.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14But it does give them a fantastic living space
0:14:14 > 0:14:18which includes a great kitchen/diner, four double bedrooms,
0:14:18 > 0:14:22lots of land, and that all-important village location.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24The house is fantastic. I really like it.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29From the outside, lovely garden, lovely grounds.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31When you came inside,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34all the rooms were really good sizes and, actually,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37you could move straight in. There's nothing that you need to do
0:14:37 > 0:14:39to the property. I think this house is lovely.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41It's got a lot of potential.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Certainly a few surprises in there.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46The attic, certainly, we didn't see that one coming.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49And this paddock certainly gives us something to think about.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51So, your first viewing.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Yeah. Yeah.How is it feeling? Is the dream getting closer?
0:14:55 > 0:14:57It's a great start. Yeah?Really positive.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Yeah.Hopefully something to compare the other two with.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00Come with me.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Yorkshire's open moorland and dales have long been
0:15:10 > 0:15:12associated with farming.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15But how many of us would have guessed that a little bit of Spain
0:15:15 > 0:15:18has landed right here in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside?
0:15:18 > 0:15:21With Kat and Chris longing for a rural escape,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24we thought we'd send them to meet farmer and butcher Chris Wildman
0:15:24 > 0:15:27to find out more about this continental invader.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29So, what kind of food products do you make here?
0:15:29 > 0:15:33So we make a traditional butchery, so pork, beef, lamb.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36But then we've kind of diversified those products into
0:15:36 > 0:15:40doing more cured products, so Italian salami and also, obviously,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42the Spanish Yorkshire chorizo.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45And that was kind of because we had to.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Normal, fresh meat just wasn't really selling as well as I'd hoped,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50so I diversified into doing more cured products
0:15:50 > 0:15:53which has got a longer shelf life and, also,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56they were getting quite trendy and people really liked the idea.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58We can just go down to the butchery and have a look.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59It's just down here. Shall we go?
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Brilliant.Great.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04The traditional Spanish chorizo can be eaten cooked or,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07as many like it, after a few weeks' curing.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10To get an idea of how this sausage delicacy is made,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Kat and Chris are getting a crash course
0:16:12 > 0:16:15in Chris's chorizo preparation area.
0:16:15 > 0:16:21The ingredients consist of minced pork, salt, paprika, pepper,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24and a top-secret spicy addition.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26With this already prepared,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29they're ready to begin making the chorizo sausage.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32So, I'll get some pepper in there.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Some salt.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Straight in here, and then we'll do some mixing.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41And we'll just literally mix it in.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44How long do you need to leave it, to cure it,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46before we can actually try it?
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Three to five weeks is the standard time, really,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51for the full curing process.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54We're looking to lose about 30% in weight.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56And then that means it's going to be a fully-cured chorizo.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Chris makes around 100 sausages a week using
0:17:01 > 0:17:02this tried and tested recipe.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Once thoroughly mixed, we're ready for the next stage.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Right, so this is where the sausages are made?
0:17:08 > 0:17:11It is. So, we're literally going to put the meat
0:17:11 > 0:17:15into this nice, old filler.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Just need to make sure we get the air out of here.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24So, all we're going to do is push the meat...
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Yeah...into the skins,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31and then you just control the speed with your left hand,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34so we're not overfilling, but we're not underfilling.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37That's it. Do you want to have a go? Go on, then. Well, you go, Chris.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39There you go.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41So, just gently on there.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43And then wind away.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44Need to have quite a long reach.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46That's great.Great?Yeah, super.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48I'll have a go as well, yeah.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Definitely. So it's not as easy as it looks,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53you've got to have quite a lot of control over the handle.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54Ooh!
0:17:54 > 0:17:56That's great, and stop.Oh, gosh.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00The secret to a good chorizo is in the curing.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02It's vital the filled skins are hung
0:18:02 > 0:18:05in a humidity and temperature-controlled environment,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07allowing the meat to dry out slowly.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13And, once it's ready, our couple can sample this full-of-flavour sausage.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Here we go.Fantastic. We've got the samples to try.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Yeah, what we've been looking forward to.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24So, what we've got here, we've got your Yorkshire chorizo?
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Yeah, so this is the original Yorkshire chorizo.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Yeah.So have a little piece of that one first.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Actually, no, you can really get the picante...
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Yeah, you get it a few seconds after.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35What would you recommend eating this with?
0:18:35 > 0:18:37It's great with white fish.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Scallops. On some pasta, kids love it, usually.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Let's hope we can conjure up our own appealing delight
0:18:43 > 0:18:46as we head back to our property search.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Our second house is located in the North Yorkshire
0:18:51 > 0:18:54village of Branton Green, around four miles south
0:18:54 > 0:18:56of the small town of Boroughbridge.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00This quaint market town offers everything Kat and Chris could want
0:19:00 > 0:19:02from their new life in the country.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06A butchers supplying locally-farmed meats, great cafes and bars,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09all wrapped up in an attractive high street.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Back in Branton Green, there's a post office and stores,
0:19:12 > 0:19:13as well as a church.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16And, hopefully, the house we've come to see will live up
0:19:16 > 0:19:18to our buyers' expectations.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23In a lot of ways, what you've asked for is a stereotypical
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Escape To The Country home.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28So we found you one.Yes. Wisteria around the front door.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31She's gorgeous, isn't she?Wow. Absolutely stunning.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Yeah, beautiful. I love the wisteria.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Well, this village is Branton Green. It almost forms part
0:19:36 > 0:19:38of Great Ouseburn, they're right next-door to each other.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Right.And, so, just a walk from your front door,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43you've got the local post office and shop.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46It all looked a short walk away. We drove past a cricket pitch
0:19:46 > 0:19:47as well, and an amazing sports centre.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51The cricket club has a really good junior section to it, as well.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Oh, right.The first thing the owner of this house said to me
0:19:53 > 0:19:56"Oh, have they got boys?" They like their cricket here.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Oh, fantastic. Now, then, the property itself.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Built in the late 1800s.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Wow. It is really pretty.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04It looks pretty big as well.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Yeah.I'm interested to know how many bedrooms it's got.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I'm almost running out of fingers, let me show you.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11Really? Oh, wow.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17This Grade II listed, double-fronted Victorian property
0:20:17 > 0:20:19is split over three floors.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21On the ground floor, there's no shortage of space,
0:20:21 > 0:20:26with three separate reception rooms and a large farmhouse kitchen.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28We're starting off our tour in the living room
0:20:28 > 0:20:29at the front of the house.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Now, there's a few living rooms to draw upon.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Oh, this is really cosy. This is my favourite.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Love that fireplace.It's amazing.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Well, these are normally on the tick list of people that are
0:20:42 > 0:20:44living out in the big city, aren't they?Yeah, absolutely.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47I think anybody that moves in will probably have to put
0:20:47 > 0:20:48their own touch on this place.Yeah.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51You know, try to maybe think about lighting the rooms
0:20:51 > 0:20:55in a more modern way.Yeah. But you've got this room,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57which is bigger than the other reception room
0:20:57 > 0:21:00at the other side of the main entrance.Yeah.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03You can imagine nice, warm winter evenings in here with the fire on.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05It's lovely, really nice and cosy.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Yeah, really nice.Let's go to the kitchen.OK, follow you.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13You've got the downstairs loo just through there.Right.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15The kitchen is the modern part of the property.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Oh, wow, yeah.Totally different.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19Yeah.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22But it works.No, completely works, and it's really homely as well.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26I wasn't expecting it.And a great space to have off the kitchen,
0:21:26 > 0:21:27cosy for the family.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Really bright, and the windows are the full length of the property.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Yeah.They just look out onto your land and gardens.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37There's also a small room through there,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39that's a third separate reception room.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Oh, OK.So all their stuff is out of the way.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Yeah. No, it's fantastic.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45Really light.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47I'm looking forward to seeing outside as well.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Well, I bet you are. Before we do that, though,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53let's go and take a look at the bedrooms this house gives you.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57This property has six bedrooms
0:21:57 > 0:21:59split over the first and second floors.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03They're overflowing with warmth and character and have a real cosy feel.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06There's also two modern family bathrooms.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10And, next, we're heading for the biggest of the six bedrooms.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14I think we're all right, head height.
0:22:14 > 0:22:15Yeah, definitely, we're fine.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17But bags of character.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Yeah. Oh, this is fantastic.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Lovely room. And an en-suite.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Really big windows as well, so plenty of light.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28I know you're very positive walking around the first house,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31but you look more comfortable in this one.
0:22:31 > 0:22:32I feel really positive about it.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36This has a character that we're after.Yeah. It reminds me,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38some of the features remind me of, sort of, growing up
0:22:38 > 0:22:41in the family homes I was around. Definitely.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43You have loads of rooms to look around.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Yes.Including a lovely space above us.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48I'm dying to show you what's outside, so, come with me.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49OK, yeah, I can't wait.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53The property stands in a one-acre plot,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57with an additional rented 3.5 acre paddock attached.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01To the rear, there's a large lawned area complete with a shepherd's hut.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Which is bound to appeal to their two sons.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06And, for Chris and Kat,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09this place has more outbuildings than you could shake a stick at.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Stables, a workshop,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14a car port, and this,
0:23:14 > 0:23:19a fantastic stone barn which is overflowing with possibilities.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23So, you'll be pleased to hear that this building
0:23:23 > 0:23:26is contained within the property. Right.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29OK? It actually predates the house we've been looking at.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Yes, you can tell.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34So, you've got plenty of space for residential accommodation.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38It's got electricity supply to it, it's got chickens inside it,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40you can hear at the moment. But it's also got water as well.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42OK.Yeah.It's primed and ready.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44This is an amazing project,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47but it's something you never have to do if you don't want to.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51No.There's a wonderful workshop in there, there's a tack store.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52Because you want the tack
0:23:52 > 0:23:55for the horses you keep in your one-acre paddock.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Oh, my word.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59BOTH:Wow.For a first-time equestrian property,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01if you know what I mean,
0:24:01 > 0:24:03this is it. I'm absolutely blown away.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05I'm in tears.Ticking a lot of the wish list, isn't it?
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Yeah, definitely. I'm actually blown away.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10Look at you.I know.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15Oh!
0:24:17 > 0:24:21These are the emotions, the reactions, I was hoping I'd get.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Just as long as you're not allergic to chickens.Can't speak.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24Yeah, no, it's absolutely lovely.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28It really reminds me of lots of things.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30I'm completely blown away.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32It's really sweet. It's got everything.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34How much would you pay for it?
0:24:34 > 0:24:36I think it's going to be more than 850,000.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39I'm going to go for 875.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Right.What do you think?
0:24:41 > 0:24:44I'm going to go for over 900.
0:24:44 > 0:24:45915?
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Good guessing.Really? My eyes are still watering.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52I'm afraid it is over budget, on the market at £875,000.
0:24:52 > 0:24:53Oh, wow.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Spot on.Spot on.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59And we've spoken to the owner, and, because they know your position,
0:24:59 > 0:25:04they said they would entertain offers of around £850,000.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Oh, my goodness. So you could get this on budget.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Incredible.That would be unbelievable.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13I'm... I'm completely, well, I'm speechless. It's amazing.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15There's so much to the property, isn't there?
0:25:15 > 0:25:17It's...There's so much you haven't even seen yet.Yeah.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21And I feel like, yeah, there is. So, have a refresh.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Go back and have a look at everything on your own.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26I'll catch up with you in mo. Thank you.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Well, fantastic reactions to, well, quite clearly a fantastic property.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36It gives them everything they wanted in their location, the village,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38in a beautiful property, but, also,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40people like to have something else that we haven't thought out.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44And this property here gives them just that.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Something for Chris to get involved in in the future.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50I'm really pleased how this has gone.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54At £875,00, but with room to negotiate,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58this Grade II listed character house seems a perfect fit
0:25:58 > 0:26:01for our couple. It features a large kitchen/diner,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04six bedrooms, masses of outside space,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07a partly-converted barn,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11stables, and it's all in a great edge-of-village location.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Wow. Wow!
0:26:13 > 0:26:15THEY LAUGH
0:26:15 > 0:26:16Oh, my goodness.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Oh, my word, I think I've fallen in love with this house.
0:26:19 > 0:26:20Absolutely love it.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24We've got a ready-made play area.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26I can't believe it.I could get a table tennis table in here.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Yeah, you could.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30My head and heart are both aligned, I would say.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32This looks like an amazing investment.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36The property ticks a lot of the wish list that we set out
0:26:36 > 0:26:40at the beginning. And it really has everything we've asked for.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42I can't believe the space, and this is the driveway.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44You could drive in here.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Yes, a few tears.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49I think it was just bringing back a lot of memories,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51a lot of nostalgia,
0:26:51 > 0:26:53things from my childhood that actually I'm looking
0:26:53 > 0:26:56to recreate with my family and my children.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01You have to get used to that door, don't you?I know.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05A substantial door. So, substantial house and property?
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Yeah.You like this, don't you? Yeah, we really like it.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Well, that's all we're going to look at today.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Hopefully, something really good to think on tonight.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Definitely.Should we go? BOTH:Yeah.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Chris and Kat, along with their two young sons,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32are looking to leave the busy North London suburb of Finchley
0:27:32 > 0:27:37to set up home in North Yorkshire with a budget of £850,000.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Still to come, we've got the Mystery House,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43which could be blessing our two buyers
0:27:43 > 0:27:46with their perfect escape to the country.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48SHE LAUGHS
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Right?Oh, my word.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53I would say Holy Moley, but, you know.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56And I'll be getting a bit of extra support to help me
0:27:56 > 0:27:59on all of my house-hunting travels.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Look at that, the detail on it is amazing.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Well, I'm pleased to report there seems to be a bit of a buzz
0:28:07 > 0:28:09around the Escape To The Country camp this morning
0:28:09 > 0:28:12because I think we all feel we've got two great properties
0:28:12 > 0:28:14already in the bag. And, with that in mind,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16and because we're going to see the Mystery House,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18we're prepared to take a bit of a gamble.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Now, Kat has already alluded to the fact that she's prepared
0:28:21 > 0:28:24to compromise on that outside space.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28And if she's prepared to sacrifice that land, well,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30all my prayers could well be answered.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Our Mystery House is in the village of Clifford,
0:28:35 > 0:28:39back across the county border into West Yorkshire.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43And only 1.5 miles to the north are the varied amenities of Boston Spa.
0:28:45 > 0:28:46As its name suggests,
0:28:46 > 0:28:49this spa town gained its spurs in 1744
0:28:49 > 0:28:52when John Shires discovered sulphur springs
0:28:52 > 0:28:54in the surrounding magnesium limestone hills.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56But, within decades,
0:28:56 > 0:29:00the town's nurturing waters had lost out to nearby Harrogate.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04Today, Boston Spa's retail therapy is more appealing,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07boasting two public houses, a host of eateries,
0:29:07 > 0:29:09a general store and post office.
0:29:10 > 0:29:11And, back in Clifford,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14this small village is not without its attractions either.
0:29:14 > 0:29:19Now, this village, two churches, outnumbered by three pubs.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22That's all right, isn't it? Sounds good. Good start.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Perfect start.That's two you can get banned from
0:29:24 > 0:29:26and still have friends in the village. I don't know why
0:29:26 > 0:29:29I'm looking at you. Do you like it here?It's very pretty.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Yeah, it's lovely, yeah, really nice. Very pretty.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34But there was at least one other place of worship
0:29:34 > 0:29:37in the village which has now been converted into our Mystery House.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41In we come. Something a little bit different.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Very different.
0:29:43 > 0:29:44What is it, a church?
0:29:46 > 0:29:49What would you say if I was to say it ended life
0:29:49 > 0:29:51as a converted nunnery?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54OK. Oh, yes, you can see the cross above the door.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Yeah. Keep an open mind, it's something very different.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00It's very pretty.We think we've got two very good options in the bag...
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Yeah...so we've really mixed it up with the Mystery House.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Yeah, no, why not?OK? Let's go.Absolutely.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09This Grade II listed former nunnery dates back to 1847.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12And still has its chapel within the grounds.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15The house itself has been beautifully renovated,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18while still retaining a host of period features.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Let's start with one of the two reception rooms
0:30:21 > 0:30:23on this raised ground floor.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Very nice.Yeah, really big.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Really big. Windows both sides as well, makes it incredibly bright.
0:30:29 > 0:30:30Yeah, it's really light.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33And it's a great size, and it's enormous, really, isn't it?
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Yeah, it is. And this house is slightly different in the way
0:30:36 > 0:30:39it's laid out. You've got this reception here.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41You can just sneak a peek through there to more of a snug,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43or a music room. Yeah. Still pretty big.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Yeah. And then downstairs,
0:30:45 > 0:30:47as we'll see, you've got the cooking area.
0:30:47 > 0:30:48Oh, right, OK.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Let's keep walking around.OK. See if you can adapt to...
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Yeah...a very different kind of house. Come with me.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56Heading out of the living room,
0:30:56 > 0:30:59we descend the main staircase to the lower ground floor.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03So, on the lower ground floor, we've got a really good-sized kitchen.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Lovely.Yeah.Yeah. Really lovely kitten.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Downstairs, but actually really light and airy.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Great for...They've done a good job on the conservatory here.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Big, isn't it?Yeah.It is big.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Really well done.Now, you've got a room next door.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19OK, it serves at the moment as a spare bedroom,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21but I thought, you know,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24if you were to come downstairs to do your cooking,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27you'd either have that as a little TV room,
0:31:27 > 0:31:29or just as a formal diving room. Now, let's have a peek
0:31:29 > 0:31:31at one of the bedrooms, just so you see the dimensions,
0:31:31 > 0:31:33and then we'll go outside. Yeah.OK? Come with me.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37That concludes the living accommodation
0:31:37 > 0:31:40on the lower and ground floors. Up on the first floor,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42there are three double bedrooms,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44which all have their own particular style.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48They're served by a beautiful, modern family bathroom.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51And we're making our way to the largest of the three bedrooms,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53complete with its own en-suite.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58The master bedroom has all the character.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Oh, yeah, lovely bedroom.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03The developer was made to keep as much of this as possible.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04It's Grade II listed, this building is.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07OK, yes.Look at it, it's beautiful, isn't it?
0:32:07 > 0:32:08Yeah, they've done a great job.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10Three bedrooms on this floor.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15Right.OK.Which means you might have to sacrifice the dining room.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Oh, OK.On the lower floor.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20The one that they've got as a bedroom is the fourth?
0:32:20 > 0:32:24Or your guests would sleep in their very own chapel.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Yes, I've been wondering what's over there.Come with me.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Despite there being a lot of accommodation on offer,
0:32:34 > 0:32:38Kat's suspicions are correct. There's even more to explore.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43As we head outside, I'm hoping the next self-contained portion
0:32:43 > 0:32:44of this house won't fail to impress.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Now, I distinctly remember you saying on your shopping list
0:32:49 > 0:32:50you wanted a chapel.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52THEY LAUGH
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Right?Oh, my word.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I was going to say Holy Moley, but you know.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59I don't know what to say.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Unbelievable. Unbelievable, isn't it?
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Well, we won't have to go far on Sunday morning, will I?
0:33:03 > 0:33:05I bet even you'd still be late for this.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Or is it party Saturday night, and you get very irreverent?
0:33:10 > 0:33:12Yeah, probably more likely.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14But what would you use it for? It'd be games room, wouldn't it?
0:33:14 > 0:33:17A party room, absolutely. Yeah.Couldn't be anything else.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Must take quite a lot to heat it. You've got underfloor heating.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21OK.Oh, wow.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Thought of everything. Yeah, well, it's handy, isn't it?
0:33:24 > 0:33:26It's stunning. It's stunning.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28And, but, for me, I was saying to Chris,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32it's a little bit like city living in the countryside, isn't it?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35It's still not right. Let's go outside.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Yeah.So you can start having a bit of a guess towards the price.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Oh, goodness me.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44The mystery twist to this proposition is the garden,
0:33:44 > 0:33:48as our couple will have to compromise on their initial vision.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50What we do have are lawned areas
0:33:50 > 0:33:53with raised borders stocked with mature plants and shrubs.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57So, has this extraordinary property done enough to win them over?
0:33:59 > 0:34:02You can actually see the size of this property now.Yeah, no, it's...
0:34:02 > 0:34:03It's not small, is it? It's not small at all.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Maybe not for you. But...
0:34:06 > 0:34:09No.As an exercise in comparing it with the other properties,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11let's have a go at guessing the price.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13750.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16Chris, have a go?I say...
0:34:16 > 0:34:18£751,000.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21And, you know what, it serves you right, because she's spot on.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24At 750.Oh, wow.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Well done, Kat.Well done, me. It's a quirky property.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30It's been fabulous to walk around it. I'm sure you'll agree. Absolutely.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33I think now is a good time for you to just have a scoot around
0:34:33 > 0:34:35this place on your own, and then I'll meet you at the front,
0:34:35 > 0:34:37how's that?OK.OK?Thanks. See you in a moment.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39Thank you.Thank you.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43At £750,000,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46this impressive Grade II listed house would offer the right person
0:34:46 > 0:34:48a wealth of features.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51With its great kitchen/diner, four bedrooms,
0:34:51 > 0:34:55that extraordinary party room in what was once the chapel,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57and a central village location.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59It has a lot of character,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03it has this amazing second building attached to it,
0:35:03 > 0:35:05which is something we were after.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08But, at the same time, there's other downsides,
0:35:08 > 0:35:10in that it doesn't have the extra land.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13And, you know, we can't really put our stamp on the property.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15I mean, when you walk into that chapel, it's unbelievable,
0:35:15 > 0:35:17the mosaic features.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19The mosaics are beautiful.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22And you're sort of searching for the positives,
0:35:22 > 0:35:24of which there are plenty, but just not for us.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28And, deep down, I know that it's not our dream home.
0:35:31 > 0:35:32Well, that's it, guys.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34No more houses.I know, sad.
0:35:34 > 0:35:39Well, also time, though, for you to sit down and have a chat.
0:35:39 > 0:35:40Maybe this will help make your mind up
0:35:40 > 0:35:44about the other two properties we saw.Yeah.Absolutely.Should we go?
0:35:50 > 0:35:54Yorkshire's stunning landscape has long been a magnet
0:35:54 > 0:35:55for tourists worldwide.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Its near 1,500 miles of pathways are renowned
0:35:58 > 0:36:03with ramblers and walkers. Many of them sporting a stick or cane.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06Canes became popular in the mid-1600s,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09and a middle-class gentleman would often have two -
0:36:09 > 0:36:12a rustic one for walks in the country,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15and a decorative cane to show off their wealth.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Today, one man is keeping this legacy alive.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Keith Pickering, affectionately known as the Stick Man,
0:36:22 > 0:36:27has spent over 30 years making canes at his North York Moors workshop.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29And I've come to see just what is involved.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Keith. Are you the Stick Man?
0:36:32 > 0:36:35That's me.What a title. Lovely to meet you.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Nice to meet you.I would like to know how on earth
0:36:37 > 0:36:40you got into making these lovely sticks.
0:36:40 > 0:36:41It started off as a hobby.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44My wife bought me this little fella.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Oh, right?She bought that at a dog show, and I absolutely loved it.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50And I thought I'd have a go.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Each time I made one, it actually got better than the previous one.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56If you look at that, that was the old one, 30 years ago.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59And this is the sort of thing I do nowadays.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Wow. Yeah, I mean, it's a transformation, isn't it?
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Look at that, the detail on it is amazing.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05This, the head, is it the same material?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Is it the same piece of wood, or...?
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Not on that one. On the old original, yeah,
0:37:09 > 0:37:12that was the side branch growing off the one piece.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Right.But nowadays, I do it like this.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16That's another pheasant that I'm doing.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18So I start off with a blank piece of wood...
0:37:18 > 0:37:23Yeah...and I carve it roughly to shape, and then I put the face on.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Keith produces a wide range of cane styles,
0:37:27 > 0:37:28from ornate to rustic.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31But they all start life in the same way.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33And to get that perfect finish,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36it's crucial to select the right piece of wood for the job.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39So, what would you normally be looking for,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42for the right stick, then, Keith? On a hazel bush like this,
0:37:42 > 0:37:44we're looking for what you call the sun sticks,
0:37:44 > 0:37:46which are the ones that grow straight up
0:37:46 > 0:37:48and they're heading for the sun.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51And come often from the bottom, and they'll grow straight up.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54We can get a nice four-foot length out of that one.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Once it's trimmed off, it will look quite nice.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59And when it's dried, it'll make a good walking stick.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Because of its lightness and abundance,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06hazel is Keith's wood of choice when it comes to making canes.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10But as straight as they may look to you and I,
0:38:10 > 0:38:14in the world of walking sticks, they're not quite straight enough.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Back at his workshop, though,
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Keith has a cunning plan to iron out those pesky curves.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23And he's letting me loose on one of his precious samples.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27As you rotate it, you're looking for the biggest bend there.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29I can see one here. So turn that around until
0:38:29 > 0:38:31it's touching the table.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Yeah.And then just get the piece of chalk and mark it there,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37where it touches the table.
0:38:37 > 0:38:38A small chalk mark pinpoints
0:38:38 > 0:38:41the section of wood that needs straightening.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42Switch that on.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43Next, a gentle bit of heat
0:38:43 > 0:38:46softens the wood fibres so they become pliable
0:38:46 > 0:38:48and easier to move.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49Right, that should do.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51And so... That was the...
0:38:51 > 0:38:54So we want to bend it the other way? Chalk side away from you.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Don't be frightened of it.
0:38:56 > 0:38:57Just leave it there.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00It does look like it's bent double, in a way, doesn't it?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Well, yeah, it's virtually gone the opposite from what it was.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Off now.It stays malleable for a while, doesn't it?
0:39:06 > 0:39:10Oh, crikey.Well, we've just gone a little bit too far.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12But it's so flexible now, just watch.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Oh, wow.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19If you fancy one of the sticks, you might have a bit of a wait.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Keith and his wife Jackie have a packed order book
0:39:22 > 0:39:25from clients of all ages.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28And I've got 42 sticks of my own to make,
0:39:28 > 0:39:30and Jackie's got a few of hers to do as well.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35Goodness me.I've got at least six months in front of me.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Keith might well have a few more orders to add to the list
0:39:38 > 0:39:41when our couple make the move to North Yorkshire.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44But it remains to be seen whether it will be into any of the houses
0:39:44 > 0:39:46we've shown them.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Well, it doesn't look like the gamble of the Mystery House
0:39:50 > 0:39:52has paid off. But, for my mind,
0:39:52 > 0:39:54there is still one clear favourite property.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Time to find out from Chris and Kat what they want to do next.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03So, time to tell me your favourite property.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Pretty sure I know which one it is, but put me out of my misery.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Toot-toot-toot - number two! It was, though, wasn't it?
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Yeah, number two.Absolutely.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14For both of you, though, I know you were very emotional at the time.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Chris?Yeah, it was an outright winner.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Definitely.You seemed pretty much on board from the get go.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22Yeah. I loved it from the outside.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25The setting, it was a beautiful property, lovely wisteria,
0:40:25 > 0:40:29and I think it's got features that you just can't find
0:40:29 > 0:40:34in a more modern property.Yeah. And that it's just got, yeah,
0:40:34 > 0:40:37timeless features that are really beautiful,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40and made it really nostalgic for me as well.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41It's a lovely property.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Well, let's talk about tear-gate.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Why did it draw out such emotion in you, then, Kat?
0:40:47 > 0:40:49I don't know, it just, yeah...
0:40:49 > 0:40:51I just had memories of my childhood, and... Even though
0:40:51 > 0:40:53it was a totally different property,
0:40:53 > 0:40:56there was just a few things that reminded me of my childhood.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58And I think when, you know, when you have children,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01you sort of want to have elements of that again for your children...
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Yeah...even though they maybe seem a bit unrealistic.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08But I have had now the benefit of 24 hours, but I still really like it,
0:41:08 > 0:41:10and I think we'll try and get another viewing to get back
0:41:10 > 0:41:13and see it.You will, will you? Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16It wasn't just about the house, we had to find the right location.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20And I think property number two did get that balance right, didn't it?
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Yeah, certainly, we're moving out of London,
0:41:22 > 0:41:23where we've already got a community,
0:41:23 > 0:41:27and lots of friends and family there. So we really need to put
0:41:27 > 0:41:30the kids and the children in somewhere straightaway.Yeah.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Where they can get friends from school,
0:41:32 > 0:41:33and also in the local village.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36And it had that sports field, with the cricket pitch right there,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39we can really see our children getting involved in this
0:41:39 > 0:41:42from an early stage. But, good luck, you know?
0:41:42 > 0:41:43You've had the emotional viewing.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46Yeah.Now's the time to sort of dot the Is cross the Ts.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Yeah, be a bit sensible about it. Well, thank you very much.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50It's been an experience. We've really enjoyed it.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Absolutely, thanks.It's been great fun showing you round
0:41:52 > 0:41:55the houses, but I wish you the best of luck, and, hopefully,
0:41:55 > 0:41:57this is the first stage in this move up here.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58Good luck with it. Thank you.Thank you.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04Well, it's not often we find a house that gives our buyers absolutely
0:42:04 > 0:42:07everything they said they were after.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09But house number two did exactly that.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12And I think Kat's emotional reactions to it says it all.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16But, now, I suppose it is time to remove the emotion
0:42:16 > 0:42:18from the equation. Now is the time to go about
0:42:18 > 0:42:21with a slightly colder heart for that second viewing.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25But also to consider the family and the area as a whole.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28But I do hope they do that soon, because to me, well,
0:42:28 > 0:42:32that property suited them and their family right down to the ground.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35I wish them all the very best of luck.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Chris and Kat did go back to that second viewing, and made an offer,
0:42:40 > 0:42:44which I'm happy to say was accepted. We wish them well
0:42:44 > 0:42:48with their new life in the beautiful county of North Yorkshire.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51If you would like to escape to the country in England,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland, and need our help,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57you can apply online at...