South Somerset Escape to the Country


South Somerset

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This atmospheric landscape shares its name with the isle made famous in the legends of King Arthur.

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There's not much chance of me spotting the Lady of the Lake today,

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but people do come here from far and wide in the hope of catching

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a glimpse of something special.

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Find out where I am in just a few moments.

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Today's property search is all about shifting priorities.

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You've always got to compromise when buying a place.

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I can't believe how much I love it when I hear people say that you've always got to compromise.

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It's the kind of guy I am. And you have!

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So, will any of our properties fulfil our house-hunters' dreams?

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Nice views. Yes. Good-sized garden. Nice views. Good garden.

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Yeah, plenty of space.

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Could you imagine living here?

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I think so.

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Today I'm in Somerset and these are the Avalon Marshes near Glastonbury.

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Over 100 species of birds have been spotted here,

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including the elusive bittern,

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and they are also home to one of the largest reed beds in the country.

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As well as being a thriving wildlife habitat,

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this place is also embedded in the story of our past.

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Prehistoric settlements dating back 6,500 years have been found here,

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and these captivating wetlands aren't the only gem

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that this county has to offer.

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Somerset is a county in the south-west of England

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with boundaries little altered since the Middle Ages.

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Its coastline faces Wales across the Bristol Channel,

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whilst it borders five counties, including Devon and Dorset.

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The diverse coastline includes the seaside resort of Burnham-on-Sea,

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popular during Victorian times due to its sandy beach.

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But the shifting banks and flats here are less popular with sailors

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and there are said to have been many shipwrecks,

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particularly at Gore Sands.

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Interesting geological features continue inland,

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with Britain's biggest gorge at Cheddar,

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where the cliffs rise up to 450 feet above sea level.

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Along with its natural landscapes,

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the county also features historic architecture.

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The ruins of the Abbey at Glastonbury date to medieval times,

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whilst the nearby St Michael's tower atop Glastonbury Tor is all that

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survives of the 14th-century church,

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demolished during the 16th-century dissolution of the monasteries.

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The area is even considered to be the legendary site

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of King Arthur's tomb.

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So, with its combination of stunning geography,

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wonderful wildlife and legendary landscapes,

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it's no surprise that Somerset is a popular county to plan an escape to.

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Broadly speaking, the average price of a detached property here in

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Somerset reflects the national figure of ?290,000.

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However, the northern parts of the county do tend to be more expensive,

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because they're closer to cities like Bath and Bristol,

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and have good access to the coast, and also the rest of the country.

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If you want more for your money, then head south,

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towards the borders of Dorset and Devon.

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The larger, more sought-after villages will carry a small premium,

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but smaller ones are more affordable and still close to everything you

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need. So where are today's couple looking to call home?

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Let's meet them and find out.

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Today's house-hunters are Mark and Sue,

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a husband and wife from Bow in London's East End.

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Mark has recently retired from banking and Sue is slowly scaling

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back her insurance job in the city.

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But it was in the school playground, more than 30 years ago,

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where they first got together.

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We actually met in the sixth form at school.

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We were mates for a while before we started going out.

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I think the turning point was, one day,

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we were playing football in the playground and I sprained my ankle.

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Yeah. I came to her rescue.

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Yeah.

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Our eyes met across a crowded football pitch.

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Home for the last 18 years has been a two-bedroom flat in a converted

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match factory. It's somewhere that has strong connections

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for these born and bred East Enders.

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We both had families that worked in the match factory

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when it was a match factory back in the early 1900s.

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My family were all from around here as well.

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But despite their roots in the area,

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the couple feel the time is right to move on.

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I didn't think either of us would move out of East London,

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let alone London. Since we got the Olympics awarded,

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it's now become such a trendy place to live, it's changed enormously.

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The amount of building work that's going on is unbelievable.

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Each month that goes by,

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I think we find more reasons to want to move than to want to stay.

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And when it comes to making the move to more rural surroundings,

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Mark and Sue have got one particular place in mind.

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Where we're looking to move is around south Somerset,

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on the border of north Dorset and east Devon.

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There are more rural areas there than there are elsewhere,

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which is obviously what we're after. Yeah.

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Just because of the open space.

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Also looking at, sort of, the neighbouring areas.

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The... They seem to be a better value for money in that part

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of the country, in South Somerset.

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When we move out, we'll have more time so you can start looking

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at other hobbies, whether it be cider-making, beer-making...

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Jam-making. Jam-making.

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Chutneys.

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One of the things I really feel like I need is a garden.

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We might even end up getting some chickens,

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so we'll have, sort of, fresh eggs all the time.

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Start growing your own vegetables.

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But, most of all, it's about leaving behind the busy city streets for the

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peace of a countrified backdrop.

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We just both want a quieter lifestyle.

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And just spend more time exploring the countryside.

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And just sitting outside looking at the stars and things like that

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that you can't do in the city.

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Mark and Sue are looking to move to the south of the county of Somerset,

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anywhere below Yeovil,

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but would also consider neighbouring regions of Dorset or Devon.

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But before I show them some of the properties on offer,

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I'm meeting them in their Somerset search area

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to hear more about the country home they're hoping to find.

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Morning, you two. Morning. Morning. Welcome to Somerset.

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Thank you. Thank you.

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What are you looking for from your home down here?

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Sort of, three-bedroom detached,

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quiet village with a little pub and a local shop, hopefully.

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A bigger kitchen and bigger garden.

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Yeah. A reasonable-sized garden cos, I think,

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not having had one for 18 years, we'd like to get into it and maybe,

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you know, have a few fruit trees and grow a bit of veg,

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that type of thing. What about when you pull up outside the house?

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What do you envisage seeing? What do you want it to look like?

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It'd be nice to have somewhere when you do get there

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you look and you think, "Oh, that's lovely."

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But whether it's because it's really old or it's just a bit quirky or,

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you know, just different, I don't know.

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We're not really too fixated on any specific style or anything.

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No. Something with a bit of character would be nice.

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We're quite open to it being thatched or not thatched.

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We really don't mind either, so...

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It's good. You're giving me a lot to work with!

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So you're open to things, which is fantastic.

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Yeah. So it's about the house feeling right.

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Less than what it looks like, or even where it is,

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it's just about it feeling right for you two.

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Yeah, yeah. It's more about the location, actually,

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as in the feel of the village.

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And the...the setting of the house.

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You know, if we could have something with nice views,

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that would be fantastic. And, obviously, you're stuck with the views and you're stuck with the

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village - the house, you can play around with.

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Now, remind me of the budget that we've got for this search.

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Our budget's 450,000, top limit.

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I mean, ideally, we'd like to spend a little bit less.

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Around 400,000. About 400. We don't have a deadline.

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We're not panic-buying.

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We're just going to wait until we get the thing we really want.

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I'm pleased to say we've got some exciting properties to show you.

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Good. Excellent. Are you ready? Yes. Yeah. Definitely.

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Come on. Let's go.

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For a maximum budget of ?450,000,

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Mark and Sue would like a detached property with three bedrooms.

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They're open to new or old houses

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but would like something with character.

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Location is key and should offer a village community and country views.

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And, after 18 years without one, they'd really like a garden.

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We've got a great selection of properties to tempt them with, and,

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at each, I'll be asking them to guess the price before I reveal it.

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The final offering, of course, is our Mystery House,

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where our couple's search may take a surprising turn.

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Our property search is taking us to the outskirts of the market town of

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Yeovil and a five-minute drive from the large village of West Coker.

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Facilities in West Coker include a butchers and post office,

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and a garage with a shop.

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There's a choice of places to eat and drink,

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with two inns, a wine bar,

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and a hotel bar and brasserie.

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Many of the picturesque houses in the village are built from hamstone,

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a local Jurassic limestone with a distinctive honey colour.

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Our property is located a short drive from here

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in a quiet cul-de-sac on the western edges of Yeovil.

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What's your first thoughts?

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Impressed. Yeah, it's a nice-looking house.

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It looks lovely, yeah. It looks lovely.

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It does. It looks like it's got a lot of character. Yeah.

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It's... It's all really done really nicely. Yeah.

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And it's done really nicely inside.

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So let's take a look and just see the space that's on offer.

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Yeah, OK. It's something that'll appeal to the two of you,

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coming from a two-bedroom flat in London. Yeah!

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Come on.

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This L-shaped, detached home

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was built in 1975, using reconstituted stone,

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and has character features like mullion windows.

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The front door leads into the hallway,

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from which all the rooms fan off.

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So, straight into a good-sized entrance hall.

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And then, as you'd expect from those impressions you got outside,

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a nice, big kitchen. That's lovely.

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Yeah. It really is. Yeah. It's lovely. Very nice.

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It's got some lovely old touches.

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How does it compare for size with your current kitchen?

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It is about six times as big.

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It's made even bigger, of course, by this extension out the back,

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so let's go and take a look at that.

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It's a lovely space.

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So this was added on just to really open up the kitchen space.

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With that lovely high ceiling, and it looks out all the way,

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on three sides, round onto the garden.

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It's really lovely.

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I can imagine, you know, sitting in here and...

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That's what we want, really.

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Somewhere where we can do different things but be in the same room.

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That kitchen and this area.

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It flows nice... We'd be in here the whole time, wouldn't we? Yeah.

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But this actually isn't the only living space.

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There's another cosy sitting room, so follow me.

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A great reaction to the kitchen and dining space,

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to the side of which we also find a downstairs cloakroom

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and useful utility room.

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Then that additional reception room

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lies at the front of the property and is triple aspect.

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Now, I know you're fans of open-plan living. Mm-hmm.

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But this is a lovely alternative for those cold, winter's nights,

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isn't it? It's a lovely fireplace.

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Yeah, it has got that really cosy feel.

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Yeah, yeah.

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It's nice cos it's got windows on three sides,

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which makes it light and airy. Yeah.

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And it's got the beams which give it the character. The beams. Yeah.

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It's a really nice room.

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Well, this is one of the reasons we wanted to show you this property.

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Because it's a modern house, the rooms do have those really

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good proportions that I know you're used to,

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certainly, from your living space in London. Yeah.

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Now, when it comes to bedrooms, you said you'd be happy with three.

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We've managed to get four on this. So, shall we take a wander up?

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Thank you. Thank you.

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The space on offer in this extensive detached home

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is making an impression on Mark and Sue so far.

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Let's see what they make of upstairs,

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where a landing snakes past four double bedrooms.

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Two lie to the front of the house, above the sitting room,

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one for guests and the other a study.

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The family bathroom is at the rear,

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sandwiched between the other two bedrooms.

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There's a large twin with its own en suite,

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and that just leaves the fourth and final bedroom,

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which Mark and Sue could choose to use as their master.

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And this is just one of the rooms I thought was really pretty.

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A good-sized en suite in there.

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I don't think this has got the...

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The personalisation that it's got downstairs.

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This is like walking into a, sort of, hotel room.

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It's just a nice, plain room.

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It seems... It seems a bit small as well.

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But I think downstairs was so impressive and very big...

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And, yes, you haven't got as much character up here,

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but it's about balancing off, isn't it, what matters?

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No, definitely, yeah.

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I know a good-sized garden was on the wish list,

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so let's head down and explore this one,

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and I need you also to start thinking about the price.

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OK.

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Despite having one more bedroom than they asked for,

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as well as three bathrooms,

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Mark and Sue's enthusiasm seems to have dipped.

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Outside, there is an integral garage to look at,

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as well as gardens to the front, the rear and the side,

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featuring areas of lawn alongside flowerbeds

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and mature shrubs and trees.

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There's also a large deck seating area

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just off the downstairs extension.

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What do you think? Is this about the size of garden you had in mind?

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It's perhaps a tad on the small side.

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I'd say a bit more than a tad, actually.

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Quite a lot. Yeah, I think we're probably looking for...

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Yeah. A reasonable amount more than this, don't you?

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Yeah, we could, sort of, put our own stamp on it, perhaps.

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Obviously, the extension has eaten into quite a lot of the garden space.

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Yeah, yeah. I just don't think it's big enough for what we were after.

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I wasn't sure, if you were going from nothing...

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I thought, you know, maybe you didn't want to go too much!

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No, if you're going to go for it, go for it properly.

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So, how much do you think this property is on the market for?

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425. OK.

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Erm, I reckon perhaps a little bit less than that.

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Maybe 410, 420.

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You're both under cos it's on the market bang on budget - ?450,000.

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All right. The downstairs is really good.

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Oh, that's perfect. We really like the downstairs.

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If you could pop that in a, you know, another house,

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in a bigger garden, it's...

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That's lovely. Listen, don't write it off.

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Go inside. Take another look around and just, you know,

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see if you could imagine yourself there, and I'll come and find you.

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Okey doke. Thanks.

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Right on budget, this generous detached stone property

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has many of the things our buyers have asked for.

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The large kitchen with additional living space in the

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extension offers the open-plan living that they love,

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whilst upstairs there's plenty of accommodation.

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There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

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There's also a single garage, plus gardens to three sides,

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and the peaceful location gives easy access to both countryside and all

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the amenities they could wish for.

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As we walked up, I thought the house looked absolutely fantastic.

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The downstairs, I think, is really great.

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It's almost perfect.

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The kitchen and the through dining room is ideal.

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The garden just wasn't big enough for, for us, really.

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On the whole, a very nice place,

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but I don't think it's going to be right for us.

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Have you seen enough? Yeah, I think so.

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We've got more to see. Come on.

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From Cheddar cheese to cider, Somerset has a reputation for good,

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honest fare made from local produce.

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As Mark and Sue are keen to grow their own here

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as well as explore some new culinary skills,

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we've lined up a lesson in chutney-making,

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but first they have to source their key ingredient.

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Chris Seager, who farms strawberries and pumpkins near Cheddar,

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may be just the man to help them out.

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Pumpkins and strawberries seems an unusual combination.

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How come did you come up with that idea?

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Well, me... Me granny, she used to grow strawberries years ago when the war was on.

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And then, in the '80s, me dad kept growing the strawberries,

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and decided to put some pumpkins in as well.

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Pumpkins are thought to originate from the American continent and

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Christopher Columbus is believed to have carried seeds with him back to

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Europe. This Chris grows a couple of different varieties on his Somerset

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farm, but Mark and Sue are picking out a large orange jack-o'-lantern,

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which can be used both for carving at Halloween and also for eating.

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What are you doing with this pumpkin?

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We're going to make some chutney. Ah, right. I see, right.

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Well, we've got one here. He's a bit green on one side.

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But you give that one a tap.

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Does that sound hollow?

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Yeah, I think so.

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Yeah, that one would be a good one, then, to make some chutney out of.

0:17:470:17:50

Cor, yeah. She's... You make it a lot...

0:17:500:17:53

a lot of chutney out of that one. Excellent.

0:17:530:17:56

With a gourd that's good to go,

0:17:570:17:59

they're now heading to a cookery school in South Petherton,

0:17:590:18:02

where teacher Angela Langford is ready to meet them.

0:18:020:18:05

Hello. Hello. Hi.

0:18:070:18:09

Hello, Angela. Hi. Just picked this pumpkin fresh this morning and we'd

0:18:090:18:12

like you to show us how to make some chutney.

0:18:120:18:14

I'd love to show you. It's a mighty pumpkin.

0:18:140:18:17

It certainly is.

0:18:170:18:19

Angela starts by getting them to chop some onion.

0:18:190:18:22

This is put into a bowl, along with crushed garlic,

0:18:220:18:24

finely chopped ginger,

0:18:240:18:27

and fresh red chilli,

0:18:270:18:29

as well as some crushed cardamom pods.

0:18:310:18:34

Lovely. That's probably enough cos it's quite a strong spice.

0:18:340:18:38

OK, so, then, we've got apples to go in it.

0:18:380:18:40

As we're in Somerset, we must have apples.

0:18:400:18:46

And then to prepare their star ingredient.

0:18:460:18:49

Right... How do we tackle that?

0:18:490:18:51

How do we tackle that? Just take a big...

0:18:510:18:54

..a nice, big slice out.

0:18:540:18:56

The pumpkin is then cubed.

0:18:560:18:58

It's really easy to cut that.

0:18:580:19:01

Some spices are toasted in a griddle pan,

0:19:010:19:03

including black and yellow mustard seeds,

0:19:030:19:06

cinnamon, bay leaves,

0:19:060:19:08

star anise and cumin seeds.

0:19:080:19:11

Can you start to smell, they're releasing their flavours?

0:19:140:19:19

Then the chopped onion mixture is fried off in a large, deep pan,

0:19:190:19:22

with some vegetable oil,

0:19:220:19:24

along with the toasted spices and some ground turmeric.

0:19:240:19:27

That's going to give it a bit of flavour but also a lovely colour.

0:19:280:19:33

Then in goes the cubed apple and pumpkin

0:19:330:19:36

and a good helping of brown sugar.

0:19:360:19:38

So this is cider vinegar.

0:19:380:19:41

Because, obviously, you want to keep it...

0:19:410:19:44

Local. Local.

0:19:440:19:45

Finally, it's seasoned with salt and pepper,

0:19:470:19:50

before bringing to the boil

0:19:500:19:51

and leaving to simmer for around 40 minutes.

0:19:510:19:54

OK, I think that looks about ready.

0:19:550:19:56

And, of course, the ideal way to enjoy locally-grown,

0:19:580:20:01

home-cooked chutney is with some cheddar cheese and biscuits.

0:20:010:20:05

Yeah, it's got a really, lovely kick to it.

0:20:050:20:07

It's really lovely. Really good. Quite sweet as well, isn't it?

0:20:070:20:11

It is, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A good job.

0:20:110:20:13

You'll have to take some back to London with you.

0:20:130:20:15

Mmm. Thank you. Good luck with your search.

0:20:150:20:18

Thank you very much.

0:20:180:20:20

With a new local recipe under their belt,

0:20:200:20:22

it's time to take stock of the Somerset journey so far,

0:20:220:20:26

before our buyers' property search gears up again tomorrow.

0:20:260:20:29

Mark and Sue from Bow in London's East End

0:20:360:20:40

have up to ?450,000 to fulfil their dream of countryside living

0:20:400:20:45

in or around Somerset.

0:20:450:20:46

So far, they've liked what we've offered them inside

0:20:470:20:50

but they're still looking for their dream country garden.

0:20:500:20:53

But there's more to see, and the Mystery House

0:20:530:20:56

could well put a twist in the tale.

0:20:560:20:59

You look quite taken aback.

0:20:590:21:00

Yeah, I was just stunned, really.

0:21:000:21:02

It just wasn't what I was expecting at all.

0:21:020:21:05

And I'll be visiting a 14th-century barn

0:21:050:21:07

and discovering what was all the rage in late Medieval flooring.

0:21:070:21:11

The mucus in the manure is really what helps get it all

0:21:130:21:15

gluing together.

0:21:150:21:16

How charming! It is.

0:21:160:21:18

It's the second day of our house hunt here in Somerset

0:21:210:21:23

and our couple are definitely open to the style of property

0:21:230:21:26

they're looking for.

0:21:260:21:27

In fact, after yesterday, I now think the garden

0:21:270:21:30

is more important to them than the house itself.

0:21:300:21:33

So I have high hopes for today's two houses.

0:21:330:21:36

They both have good-sized gardens.

0:21:360:21:38

They're very different in character and I think our couple may think the

0:21:380:21:42

Mystery House is a home from home.

0:21:420:21:44

Our house hunt is venturing 13 miles west of Yeovil

0:21:480:21:51

to a pair of south Somerset villages known as the Seavingtons.

0:21:510:21:56

The collected facilities at the villages of Seavington St Michael

0:21:560:21:59

and Seavington St Mary

0:21:590:22:01

include a shop and cafe run by local volunteers

0:22:010:22:04

and a pub which brews its own beer.

0:22:040:22:07

There's a church in each village,

0:22:070:22:09

although the Grade II listed St Michaels

0:22:090:22:11

is the only one that remains active.

0:22:110:22:14

We're in the middle of the sister village of St Mary,

0:22:150:22:18

where I have a rather picturesque proposition

0:22:180:22:21

that Mark and Sue may find hard to resist.

0:22:210:22:24

Oh. Oh, yeah!

0:22:260:22:28

Oh, that's lovely.

0:22:280:22:30

Is that your cup of tea? Yeah, definitely. Yeah, definitely.

0:22:300:22:33

It's exactly what we'd expect to see in a village like this.

0:22:330:22:36

It's really nice. It's your picture postcard cottage, isn't it?

0:22:360:22:39

So it's lovely. Do you want to have a look inside? Really promising.

0:22:390:22:42

Shall we bother? Shall we? Come on, let's go and take a look.

0:22:420:22:45

Might as well while we're here.

0:22:450:22:46

This largely 17th-century, Grade II listed,

0:22:480:22:51

semidetached cottage was built from local hamstone.

0:22:510:22:56

Recently renovated throughout, it's currently presented unfurnished.

0:22:560:22:59

The front door, below a thatched porch, takes us into a long hall,

0:23:010:23:05

where the original features are immediately apparent.

0:23:050:23:08

Oh...

0:23:090:23:10

Yeah, you come straight through into this lovely entrance hall,

0:23:110:23:15

packed with character and then this original oak panelling,

0:23:150:23:18

which has got the old maker's marks down at the bottom, down there.

0:23:180:23:21

Oh. Yeah.

0:23:210:23:22

And all that character and the original features

0:23:220:23:25

carry on in here in the living room.

0:23:250:23:27

You can see the renovation has been done incredibly

0:23:270:23:31

sympathetically, hasn't it? Yeah, yeah.

0:23:310:23:33

The only thing would be the beams and the height of the ceiling.

0:23:330:23:36

The fact is, it is a character property.

0:23:360:23:38

It's got all those lovely features that you love,

0:23:380:23:41

but with that comes things like lower ceilings.

0:23:410:23:44

Shall we take a look at the kitchen? Yeah, OK. Thanks.

0:23:440:23:47

The kitchen is housed in a later rear extension,

0:23:490:23:52

and is large enough for a table and chairs.

0:23:520:23:55

So, in contrast, the kitchen is very bright and light.

0:23:570:24:00

A good ceiling height. Yeah, yeah.

0:24:000:24:03

A good contrast. Yeah.

0:24:030:24:05

This is nice, isn't it? Yeah, yeah. It is nice and bright.

0:24:050:24:08

Nice views looking outside. Yeah. Plenty of windows.

0:24:080:24:11

And it's got so much character, it's amazing.

0:24:110:24:13

I didn't think we'd see something with this amount of character.

0:24:130:24:16

That's great. Let's go upstairs and take a look at the bedrooms

0:24:160:24:19

upstairs and see if this good vibe continues.

0:24:190:24:22

A resounding vote of approval for this quintessentially quirky cottage,

0:24:230:24:29

and the character and calm just continue as we head upstairs to the

0:24:290:24:32

two-bedroomed, one-bathroom accommodation.

0:24:320:24:35

Again, the original oak beams.

0:24:360:24:38

Round into...

0:24:400:24:41

..the bathroom. Oh, wow. That's just recently been done,

0:24:430:24:46

with its roll-top bath. I thought that would get an, "Oh, wow".

0:24:460:24:49

The two double bedrooms are located to the front of the cottage,

0:24:500:24:53

with the smallest, again, boasting a bounty of character features.

0:24:530:24:58

And then there is the largest of the bedrooms.

0:24:580:25:01

And in here, into the master bedroom.

0:25:010:25:03

Oh. With its original panelling, its original beams.

0:25:030:25:06

Those lovely, deep windows. Yeah, this is nice, isn't it?

0:25:060:25:09

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it's really good.

0:25:090:25:11

And I like the grain on the beams and the height of the ceilings.

0:25:110:25:15

I know that, ideally, you were looking for three rooms.

0:25:150:25:19

How do you feel now you know that it's a two-bedroom house?

0:25:190:25:21

The only thing I'm wondering is about storage up here.

0:25:210:25:25

Because you've always got to compromise when buying a place,

0:25:250:25:28

so if it's two bedrooms, then we might have to live with that.

0:25:280:25:31

You can't believe how much I love it when I hear people say

0:25:310:25:34

you've always got to compromise.

0:25:340:25:36

It's the kind of guy I am. And you have!

0:25:360:25:38

Let's go and explore outside and just see what's going on out there.

0:25:390:25:43

Yeah.

0:25:430:25:44

Outside, Mark and Sue may find they don't have to compromise as much as

0:25:460:25:50

they may think, but there's also a converted stone stable on offer.

0:25:500:25:54

Divided into a WC and another larger room,

0:25:540:25:58

it's a versatile bonus that could be converted

0:25:580:26:00

and used for guest accommodation.

0:26:000:26:02

The enclosed front garden is full of country colour,

0:26:030:26:06

whilst the rear garden backs onto open countryside

0:26:060:26:09

and includes a patio area plus a small orchard.

0:26:090:26:13

There's also a former carthouse that provides a triple carport

0:26:130:26:18

and I'm hoping all the elements and space up for grabs here

0:26:180:26:21

will be enough.

0:26:210:26:22

How's the garden for size?

0:26:240:26:26

Better. Yeah, it's nice and I think, as well,

0:26:270:26:29

because you've got the fields at the back,

0:26:290:26:31

you feel like you've got a huge garden.

0:26:310:26:33

What do you think about the idea of having your own mini orchard?

0:26:330:26:36

That's brilliant. I love that.

0:26:360:26:38

Lots of apple pies! Oh, yes, apple pies.

0:26:380:26:41

Well, you can't come and live in Somerset and not have an apple tree or two, can you?

0:26:410:26:44

I think there's probably something written in the local law about that. I'm sure.

0:26:440:26:48

So I need you to guess the price.

0:26:480:26:49

What do you think this is on the market for?

0:26:490:26:51

I think it's going to be quite expensive, so I'm going to go 445.

0:26:510:26:56

445? Yeah.

0:26:560:26:57

430. 430.

0:26:570:26:59

OK. That's interesting.

0:26:590:27:01

You're both off the mark.

0:27:010:27:03

It's on the market for ?375,000.

0:27:030:27:06

Cor!

0:27:060:27:08

Now... I'm amazed at that.

0:27:080:27:11

Yeah.

0:27:110:27:12

OK, well, that's good. I can tell...

0:27:120:27:14

I can see, now, your minds are just whirring over.

0:27:140:27:17

Yeah, you can hear it ticking.

0:27:170:27:18

So, go in take a really good look around

0:27:180:27:21

and just think about how you'd use the space and what the potential is.

0:27:210:27:24

OK. Righty-oh. Fantastic.

0:27:240:27:26

The asking price of this Grade II listed, fully-renovated,

0:27:300:27:33

thatched cottage would leave Mark and Sue a generous ?75,000

0:27:330:27:38

to create their perfect home.

0:27:380:27:40

The original features, including beams and an inglenook fireplace,

0:27:400:27:44

ooze country charm,

0:27:440:27:46

whilst the new kitchen offers stylish, modern convenience.

0:27:460:27:50

There are outbuildings that could potentially be converted,

0:27:500:27:54

as well as a good-sized garden,

0:27:540:27:56

and it's all located in a thriving village.

0:27:560:27:59

But all this, I mean, we wouldn't really need all this as car parking,

0:28:020:28:05

because we've only got the one car.

0:28:050:28:07

Yeah. Well, you can block this off.

0:28:070:28:09

It's a bit overwhelming, really.

0:28:090:28:11

This part of it. Yeah, there's a lot we can do.

0:28:110:28:13

I think it's lovely. From the first time we see it outside with the

0:28:150:28:18

thatched roof and the little country garden in front,

0:28:180:28:22

it just looks gorgeous.

0:28:220:28:23

And then you walk in and all the wood and the big fireplace

0:28:230:28:26

and the window seats and the really nice kitchen.

0:28:260:28:30

It's absolutely brilliant. It's got so much character.

0:28:300:28:33

The budget surprised both of us.

0:28:340:28:36

And that will give us money, then,

0:28:360:28:38

to perhaps do something with the outside building.

0:28:380:28:40

And perhaps have a third bedroom or a games room.

0:28:400:28:43

The outside... The outside looks really good.

0:28:430:28:45

I mean, the views from the back of the garden,

0:28:450:28:48

with your own trees in there...

0:28:480:28:50

It's one of those houses that you feel like you just,

0:28:500:28:53

immediately, want to say yes.

0:28:530:28:55

It's definitely one that we're going to think about, yeah.

0:28:550:28:59

I was just, sort of, thinking how chocolate-box pretty all of this is.

0:29:000:29:03

It is. You couldn't get anything nicer, could you?

0:29:030:29:05

No. This has given us a lot to think about.

0:29:050:29:07

Yeah. How are you both feeling?

0:29:070:29:10

Oh, confused.

0:29:100:29:11

OK. And we've still...

0:29:110:29:13

Excited. And we've still got the Mystery House to come,

0:29:130:29:15

so the confusion could increase. Who knows? It will.

0:29:150:29:18

Somerset is a county steeped in rural history,

0:29:240:29:27

but, as with the rest of England,

0:29:270:29:28

the ownership and management of its landscape has a turbulent history.

0:29:280:29:32

During the Middle Ages,

0:29:320:29:34

almost half of all English land was owned by the King and nobility,

0:29:340:29:38

or bishops and abbots who shared noble status.

0:29:380:29:42

In the 14th century, the abbey at Glastonbury was one such estate,

0:29:420:29:46

and the second wealthiest in the country.

0:29:460:29:49

That was all to change a couple of centuries later,

0:29:490:29:51

when King Henry VIII seized lands for the Crown,

0:29:510:29:54

or sold them off to fund his military campaigns.

0:29:540:29:58

Fast-forward to the 1970s, the estate had become a dairy farm,

0:29:580:30:02

and it's striking 14th-century former abbey barn,

0:30:020:30:05

donated to Somerset County Council,

0:30:050:30:08

who developed it into a museum celebrating rural life.

0:30:080:30:11

It's currently undergoing major renovation and Tom Mayberry,

0:30:110:30:16

from the South West Heritage Trust, is in charge of the project.

0:30:160:30:20

I've come to meet him in the farm's courtyard.

0:30:200:30:22

So, just tell me about the plans for what's happening around us and what

0:30:230:30:27

it's all going to look like in a couple of years' time.

0:30:270:30:29

On one side of us is the abbey barn from the middle of the 14th century.

0:30:290:30:33

Then there are the cow sheds around us, here, from the 19th century.

0:30:330:30:37

All those spaces are being reinvented so that we can tell Somerset's farming story.

0:30:370:30:43

Chiefly from Victorian times up to, more or less, the modern day.

0:30:430:30:47

So, working with a building like the abbey barn

0:30:470:30:49

must present some huge challenges for you.

0:30:490:30:52

We're very lucky in the South West Heritage Trust

0:30:520:30:54

to have our own conservation team, so we do have the skills.

0:30:540:30:57

But you're quite right, there are all kinds of protections on a building like that,

0:30:570:31:01

and so we have to make sure that we do the right thing.

0:31:010:31:03

And, of course, there are our permanent guests here,

0:31:030:31:06

like the bats in the roof space of the abbey barn.

0:31:060:31:08

We've got to make sure that we treat them properly

0:31:080:31:11

and according to the law as well.

0:31:110:31:13

We've got our conservation team working on a solution

0:31:130:31:15

for how we make a more durable floor in there,

0:31:150:31:18

but pay tribute to the ancient qualities of the building,

0:31:180:31:21

so perhaps you'd like to go and take a look.

0:31:210:31:23

Sounds fantastic. I look forward to it.

0:31:230:31:25

Thanks so much for talking to me. Right. Bye.

0:31:250:31:27

Back in the 14th century, this Grade I listed barn

0:31:280:31:32

was used to store the abbey's estate harvest and fresh grain.

0:31:320:31:36

It was also an opportunity for the abbot to show off his wealth

0:31:360:31:39

by ordering the finest craftsmanship of the time.

0:31:390:31:42

So, how does Nic Wall, the Senior Conservation Officer,

0:31:420:31:45

plan to make an authentic floor that will withstand thousands of

0:31:450:31:49

modern-day visiting feet

0:31:490:31:51

but also stays true to the centuries-old building methods?

0:31:510:31:55

How do you know what would have been used and what materials would have

0:31:550:31:59

been used on it? We are largely using archaeological investigations,

0:31:590:32:02

studying the building itself,

0:32:020:32:05

and also looking at other buildings around a similar period.

0:32:050:32:08

And we want to put back a threshing floor and earth floors

0:32:080:32:12

in the nave part.

0:32:120:32:14

Having studied floors elsewhere, we know that's the kind of floor

0:32:140:32:17

that a barn of this status and use would have had.

0:32:170:32:20

So, here, we are doing a lime-ash floor.

0:32:200:32:23

The main filler material is natural clay,

0:32:230:32:25

to which lime and ash are added.

0:32:250:32:27

And to keep it authentic, a good helping of manure.

0:32:270:32:30

The mucus in the manure is really what helps get it all

0:32:310:32:34

gluing together. How charming! Yes.

0:32:340:32:37

The mucus and the lime.

0:32:370:32:39

We've got some little extras, as well.

0:32:390:32:41

This is some milk gone off, nice and sour, and we have some eggs.

0:32:410:32:46

Let me look.

0:32:460:32:48

So, they're going to... again, be another bonder... OK.

0:32:480:32:51

And make the mix more workable.

0:32:510:32:53

Here goes. Just chuck them in?

0:32:530:32:55

Just chuck them in. Nice. Oh, they're not smashing.

0:32:550:32:58

That's better. Nice.

0:32:580:33:00

That looks really sour, doesn't it?

0:33:000:33:02

Sour and thick and nasty.

0:33:020:33:04

After a good stir in the traditional mixing mill,

0:33:040:33:07

our organic foundation layer is ready for use.

0:33:070:33:10

Yes, we'll pour this in now and then we just need to squish it in place,

0:33:100:33:14

and this will be the first layer that goes in. OK.

0:33:140:33:16

Shall we chuck it in?

0:33:160:33:18

There we go. Oh. OK.

0:33:180:33:20

After pouring, the next stage is to spread and tamper it into place.

0:33:200:33:25

We want a nice, dry mix,

0:33:250:33:27

but it does mean you've got to keep going until it clumps together nicely.

0:33:270:33:30

You've given a big chunk of your life to this project.

0:33:300:33:33

What it's going to be like when you see it filled with people?

0:33:330:33:35

Oh, it'll be lovely. The people will really enjoy it for a long

0:33:350:33:38

time and come away with loving memories of the building.

0:33:380:33:41

It's going to be really special and this is a building that...

0:33:410:33:43

It definitely needs to be celebrated, doesn't it?

0:33:430:33:45

Oh, it definitely does.

0:33:450:33:47

From wealthy beginnings through turbulent times,

0:33:470:33:50

it's heartening to know that this Medieval gem

0:33:500:33:53

will soon be enjoying a new lease of life

0:33:530:33:55

for all to appreciate, here in the Somerset countryside.

0:33:550:33:58

How do you feel about making the move here from London now,

0:34:040:34:07

now we've spent some time here and started to look at some properties?

0:34:070:34:10

I think it's convinced us even more that we are doing the right thing.

0:34:100:34:14

The whole place is just lovely.

0:34:140:34:16

You know, it's...

0:34:160:34:19

You don't really go through anywhere that doesn't have

0:34:190:34:21

stunning scenery and the villages are lovely.

0:34:210:34:24

I just can't wait, really.

0:34:240:34:25

We've just got to find you a house.

0:34:250:34:27

Exactly. Let's hope the mystery house is the one, hey?

0:34:270:34:31

I hope so.

0:34:310:34:33

Our mystery house strays out of our search area,

0:34:350:34:37

taking us into the depths of Dorset,

0:34:370:34:40

within two miles of the Jurassic Coast, to the village of Portesham.

0:34:400:34:45

Located in an area rich in prehistoric remains,

0:34:450:34:48

this lovely village features a pub with dining and accommodation,

0:34:480:34:52

a village hall,

0:34:520:34:54

a doctors' surgery,

0:34:540:34:57

and a Medieval church.

0:34:570:34:59

The small stream runs by pretty, mainly limestone, cottages.

0:34:590:35:03

One of which, during the 18th century,

0:35:030:35:05

was home to Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy,

0:35:050:35:08

a commander under Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.

0:35:080:35:11

Like many other local residents,

0:35:120:35:14

he affectionately referred to the village as Possum.

0:35:140:35:17

Wrapped within this historic village,

0:35:170:35:20

the unexpected character of our mystery proposition

0:35:200:35:23

is cloaked from view.

0:35:230:35:25

What do you think you're going to find beyond that gate?

0:35:250:35:28

A town. I don't know. A town?

0:35:280:35:30

We can do better than a town. A nice, old, stone-built house, I don't know.

0:35:300:35:34

OK. Are you intrigued?

0:35:340:35:35

Yeah. Yeah. Let's go and get that gate open and see what we can see.

0:35:350:35:39

So, let's push open this big gate and in we come.

0:35:410:35:44

That's different. Cor. It's different, isn't it?

0:35:460:35:49

Yeah. You've got this, kind of, secret courtyard garden,

0:35:490:35:52

and then this very modern property,

0:35:520:35:54

built in a horseshoe shape all around it.

0:35:540:35:57

Oh, right.

0:35:570:35:58

What do you think? Yeah, it's really different, isn't it?

0:35:580:36:01

Yeah, yeah.

0:36:010:36:02

Different in a good way? Oh, yeah. Definitely.

0:36:020:36:05

So, you are... You're keen for me to open the door

0:36:050:36:07

and let you look inside? Let's go and have a look.

0:36:070:36:09

Built in 2004,

0:36:110:36:12

this unique and contemporary Mystery House provides single-storey

0:36:120:36:17

accommodation, arranged in a horseshoe,

0:36:170:36:20

and delivers the type of open-plan living space

0:36:200:36:22

Mark and Sue are used to in their London home.

0:36:220:36:25

It made me think of the property you're both in now,

0:36:250:36:27

because it's a blend of old and new.

0:36:270:36:29

It's got high ceilings.

0:36:290:36:31

You're expecting old, but it's this really interesting,

0:36:310:36:34

modern, modern property.

0:36:340:36:36

Yeah, you're right. It is...

0:36:360:36:37

In that respect, it is really similar. Yeah.

0:36:370:36:40

What about the kitchen and this open-plan feel, generally?

0:36:400:36:43

That's great for us. Yeah. That's what we're used to.

0:36:430:36:45

Yeah, but on a much bigger scale here.

0:36:450:36:47

This is a much bigger scale. It's a much bigger kitchen. Yeah.

0:36:470:36:49

You can see there is loads of... Loads of space.

0:36:490:36:52

And you get an even better sense of all the space and the

0:36:520:36:54

light when you come through into this side of the living area.

0:36:540:36:58

It's really nice.

0:36:580:36:59

Because you'd sit there and you've got light coming in on both sides

0:36:590:37:03

and there are so many windows.

0:37:030:37:04

We like the, sort of, windows that we've got at home

0:37:040:37:06

and the high ceilings and you've got that here, as well. So...

0:37:060:37:10

We don't have such a nice view at the moment.

0:37:100:37:12

We overlook a railway line. Yeah, yeah.

0:37:120:37:14

No, this'd work. You look quite taken aback.

0:37:140:37:17

Erm, yeah, I was just stunned, really.

0:37:170:37:20

It just wasn't what I was expecting at all.

0:37:200:37:22

I don't know what I was expecting, but not this.

0:37:220:37:24

The sleeping accommodation is located to either side

0:37:240:37:28

of the central living space.

0:37:280:37:30

To one end is a large double bedroom, presently set up as a twin,

0:37:300:37:34

with built-in wardrobes and a single bedroom,

0:37:340:37:37

currently used for storage.

0:37:370:37:39

These are separated by a family bathroom with walk-in shower.

0:37:390:37:43

Then, at the other end of the horseshoe,

0:37:430:37:46

the last of the bedrooms is the master suite.

0:37:460:37:49

So, you have your own en-suite bathroom, through into the bedroom,

0:37:490:37:53

with fitted wardrobes. Yeah, yeah, it's big enough.

0:37:530:37:56

Yeah, it's a nice size. Yeah. Nice and sunny.

0:37:560:37:58

And how are you feeling, Sue, with the house, at the minute?

0:37:580:38:00

I like it a lot. It's just so different.

0:38:000:38:03

Yeah. It's taking a little bit of getting used to,

0:38:040:38:06

the fact that it's something completely unexpected.

0:38:060:38:09

I know the garden matters to both of you. Yeah.

0:38:090:38:12

So, let's go and explore the garden and just take a look at the

0:38:120:38:14

views outside. OK. Thank you.

0:38:140:38:18

The surprising layout of our mystery offering may be

0:38:200:38:23

causing our buyers some confusion

0:38:230:38:26

but, with exterior plot size so important to the two of them,

0:38:260:38:29

I think they'll find the quarter of an acre garden

0:38:290:38:31

a more straightforward delight.

0:38:310:38:34

The hedged and landscaped area includes established fruit trees,

0:38:340:38:39

plus there is secure off-road parking for several cars,

0:38:390:38:42

along with a large workshop.

0:38:420:38:44

So, how does this... How is this for size for you?

0:38:460:38:48

Could you fit your vegetable plot in here? Oh, I think so. Yeah.

0:38:480:38:51

I think the garden is a really nice size.

0:38:510:38:54

Nice views. Yeah. Good-sized garden.

0:38:540:38:56

Nice views, good garden, plenty of space...

0:38:560:38:58

What do you think this property's on the market for?

0:38:580:39:00

Go on, you go first.

0:39:000:39:02

I've got absolutely no idea.

0:39:020:39:03

Erm... 450.

0:39:030:39:05

I'm going over budget. 475.

0:39:050:39:08

OK, Mark, I'm afraid that you're wrong.

0:39:080:39:10

Sue, you are absolutely right.

0:39:130:39:15

It's on the... It's on the money.

0:39:150:39:18

?450,000.

0:39:180:39:19

We've definitely got to think about that, haven't we?

0:39:190:39:21

Yeah. Go and have a little look around,

0:39:210:39:23

and come and find me when you're ready. OK.

0:39:230:39:25

Right on budget, the contemporary horseshoe-shaped Mystery House could

0:39:300:39:35

just be the surprise lucky find of Mark and Sue's house hunt.

0:39:350:39:40

The open-plan cooking and living space is an upscale version

0:39:400:39:43

of what they know and love.

0:39:430:39:46

And there are three bedrooms to choose from,

0:39:460:39:48

including a master en suite.

0:39:480:39:51

The enclosed garden offers all the outside space they're after,

0:39:510:39:54

and it's located in a secluded setting, within a popular village.

0:39:540:39:58

Right from the moment we walked through the front gate and saw it

0:39:590:40:02

was a relatively new property,

0:40:020:40:05

seeing the size of the kitchen and living room,

0:40:050:40:08

it reminded us of what we've got at the moment.

0:40:080:40:11

It takes the bits of the flat that I really like,

0:40:110:40:14

the open feeling, the...

0:40:140:40:16

The light and that, sort of, aspect about it,

0:40:170:40:20

which is something that we haven't had in some of the other houses we've looked at.

0:40:200:40:24

The garden's... Yeah, I mean, it's the ideal size.

0:40:240:40:28

And we've got plenty of things we can do to it to make it our own.

0:40:280:40:32

I think it's definitely something we'd consider.

0:40:320:40:35

Have you seen enough? Yes, thanks. Yeah.

0:40:370:40:39

Well, the Mystery House wraps things up,

0:40:390:40:41

so why don't we find somewhere to sit down and have a chat about the

0:40:410:40:45

houses we've seen? That sounds lovely. Good idea. OK.

0:40:450:40:48

It's been a great couple of days.

0:40:540:40:55

So let's just recap on the properties that we've seen.

0:40:550:40:58

Let's turn to that 17th-century cottage with the thatch

0:40:580:41:02

in the village.

0:41:020:41:04

That house was absolutely gorgeous.

0:41:040:41:06

I think the garden was nice.

0:41:060:41:08

The village was lovely.

0:41:080:41:10

The only issue was it only had the two bedrooms.

0:41:100:41:13

We don't have to fly anyone down. No!

0:41:130:41:15

And the Mystery House?

0:41:160:41:18

I had no idea what you were going to make of it before we went in.

0:41:180:41:22

You seemed to be positive when we looked round it.

0:41:220:41:24

Without a doubt, the garden was the best garden we've seen. Yeah.

0:41:240:41:28

And the house itself, it was really nice but I think...

0:41:280:41:33

I'm just not sure if, in our minds,

0:41:330:41:36

we'd already committed to having an older style house.

0:41:360:41:39

The bits we liked about it reminded us of where we are now.

0:41:390:41:43

But we've outgrown that.

0:41:430:41:46

What was interesting when I first met the two of you was that you were

0:41:460:41:49

very open to the style of property.

0:41:490:41:52

So, has the search solidified things for you?

0:41:520:41:54

Has it given you a clearer idea of what it is that you want to find?

0:41:540:41:58

I think perhaps it has.

0:41:580:42:00

Erm, out of the houses we saw, apart from the last one,

0:42:000:42:05

they did all have that little extra character... Not character,

0:42:050:42:10

necessarily but just more of a traditional house, I suppose.

0:42:100:42:13

I have a feeling, Sue, that with you,

0:42:130:42:15

if we could have put a third bedroom

0:42:150:42:18

on that 17th century thatched cottage,

0:42:180:42:20

we'd be having a very different conversation now.

0:42:200:42:22

I think we would. I think we'd be there. Yeah.

0:42:220:42:25

It was absolutely perfect apart from that. I completely agree.

0:42:250:42:28

I think that perhaps in your heart you do know what it is that you

0:42:280:42:31

hope to find, what that little dream is.

0:42:310:42:34

And we're sure that you're going to end up here in a fabulous house.

0:42:340:42:36

And we hope you'll be really happy when you do.

0:42:360:42:38

Oh, thank you very much. Thanks very much.

0:42:380:42:40

Well, it's the end of our house hunt here in Somerset.

0:42:430:42:45

Sadly, we didn't manage to find Sue and Mark the house of their dreams.

0:42:450:42:49

But I think our search helped them to focus on what it is

0:42:490:42:51

they're looking for in a property.

0:42:510:42:54

And it also confirmed to them that this is definitely the part of the

0:42:540:42:57

country they want to call home.

0:42:570:42:59

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0:42:590:43:03

Scotland, Wales or England,

0:43:030:43:06

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