0:00:02 > 0:00:04This impressive 16th century hilltop manor house
0:00:04 > 0:00:07has had many royal connections over the years, but its most enduring
0:00:07 > 0:00:10claim to fame involves one particular king
0:00:10 > 0:00:12and the quality of his dinner.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Intrigued?
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Find out where I am and who he was in just a moment.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Today, it's family prompting our couple's country move
0:00:39 > 0:00:42away from town life. Assuming, of course, our properties shape up.
0:00:42 > 0:00:48I guess it's a little bit narrow and long as opposed to square.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51So, it's all about thinking outside the box.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- Very square!- It's a very square kitchen.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Yes. It's perfectly square!
0:01:00 > 0:01:06Today, I'm in Lancashire and this is the Grade I listed Hoghton Tower -
0:01:06 > 0:01:10the ancestral home of the De Hoghton family since the 12th century.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15But it was one day in 1617 that really put this place on the map,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19when, en route back to London from Scotland, King James I, with his
0:01:19 > 0:01:21entourage, spent the night here.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23A grand banquet was held in his honour,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27and legend has it that the king enjoyed his dinner so much
0:01:27 > 0:01:30that he decided to knight the loin of beef,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33giving rise to the term "sirloin".
0:01:33 > 0:01:36The validity of that claim has been questioned over the years,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40but we do know this was a popular destination, not just with royalty,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44but with literary greats like Dickens and Shakespeare.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47And if their dinner wasn't worthy of a knighthood,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50well, they could always console themselves with the views instead.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54With its western fringes flanked by the Irish Sea,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Lancashire lies in the north-west of England,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00covering more than 1,100 square miles,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03this rural county is one of the largest shires,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05with a stunning coastline,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09famous for its seaside towns and beaches.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13In the north, Morecambe bay is the second biggest bay in Britain,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15whose pretty town features an award-winning promenade,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19which is a popular destination for seaside fun.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Head east and inland and you'll find the Forest of Bowland -
0:02:23 > 0:02:26an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31This dramatic landscape is made up of open moorland and sweeping fells,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34interwoven with a network of dry-stone walls.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Villages found here include Downham -
0:02:36 > 0:02:39that proudly trumpets its lack of TV aerials,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43yellow road markings or indeed any signs of the modern age -
0:02:43 > 0:02:46and instead revels in its old-world charm,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49presenting an idyllic rural portrait of Lancashire life.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Despite being home to the UK's very first motorway,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00and having the cities of Manchester and Liverpool on its doorstep,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03a redrawing of Lancashire's boundaries in the early 1970s meant
0:03:03 > 0:03:07that its size and its population was reduced to such an extent,
0:03:07 > 0:03:12that today 80% of the county is classified as being rural.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Now, beautiful countryside isn't all that it has to offer.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18When it comes to house prices, Lancashire is one of the most
0:03:18 > 0:03:21affordable counties in the whole of England.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26The average cost of a detached house here is £205,000.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31That's £96,000, or around 30% below the national average,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34which is great news for anyone wanting to move here,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37including, of course, today's buyers.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41IT project manager Richard and nurse Rachel,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43from the Gloucestershire town of Cheltenham
0:03:43 > 0:03:45are both recently retired
0:03:45 > 0:03:48and are already looking forward to their new adventure.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52I think the first time that we wake up in a new place, in Lancashire,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56will be like waking up on holiday.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58And it's an experience you don't have very often,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00but I think it's a really nice experience.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03You look out of the door and you think, "This is new.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- "This is different."- I think that's a good way of putting it, actually.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Waking up and thinking, "Oh, I'm on holiday... Oh, no, I'm not!
0:04:10 > 0:04:12"This is actually my house."
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Richard and I first met at school.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20He was in the upper sixth and I was in the lower sixth.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24And we started going out from then, really.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30We went off and did our training and then were married in 1982.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Richard and Rachel's current home is on one of the main roads into town,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37so they're keen to move away from the traffic noise to somewhere that
0:04:37 > 0:04:40offers a little more peace and quiet.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43We've lived in this house for 22 years.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46We moved down here just after we got married,
0:04:46 > 0:04:47so we've been in Cheltenham,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50or very close to Cheltenham, for 34 years now.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53The house we live in now, it was built in 1938,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56which means that proportions are a little bit larger,
0:04:56 > 0:05:01so it's got quite a decent size garden for being close to town.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02Having a town on their doorstep
0:05:02 > 0:05:05served them well when their children were young.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07But with one daughter now in Scotland and their other children
0:05:07 > 0:05:09based near Manchester,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12the family is far more spread out than it used to be.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15We want to move to Lancashire
0:05:15 > 0:05:20to be closer to our children and our grandchildren.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23We always wanted to move closer to the sea and there's a good,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26long coast in Lancashire.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30There's quite a lot of rural parts of the county, as well.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Moving away from the family home is
0:05:32 > 0:05:36always going to be sort of tinged with a little bit of sadness.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41It'll be sad to sort of not see friends, um...
0:05:41 > 0:05:42as often as we do.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45But I think good friends will still come and see you anyway.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Leaving the family home behind is a big step,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51but Richard and Rachel are determined to make the most of their
0:05:51 > 0:05:52new life in the country,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55by spending more time doing the things they love.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00I paint landscapes in water colours,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02acrylics, which I really enjoy.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04It's relaxing.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06It makes you stop what you're doing.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11It makes you concentrate and, yeah, it's quite therapeutic.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13I am really interested in gardening.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16And I think that really goes hand in hand with my interest in
0:06:16 > 0:06:21conservation, so the idea being that you can have a garden
0:06:21 > 0:06:25which wildlife will use as well.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29And plans are already afoot to make the most of country life.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Richard's got this idea that he's going to persuade me to walk
0:06:31 > 0:06:36coast-to-coast, but I'm not sure my bunions will be up for that, really.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39But I could be persuaded to do it in stints, I guess.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42The beauty of this plan is that Rachel bought me the guidebook to
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- walk it, you see.- It's true. I did actually buy him the guidebook,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49so I've only got myself to blame, really!
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Richard and Rachel have family in Dumfries and Manchester,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00so Lancashire's position between the two is ideal.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01They're also keen to be near the coast,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05so we're concentrating our search in the west of the county.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08It's been around 20 years since they last looked for a new home.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10So, before we start,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13I'm meeting up with them to find out a bit more about exactly
0:07:13 > 0:07:15what they're after from their dream property.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Hello, there.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Welcome to Lancashire. Now, this is my home county.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23I know what a fantastic place it is. So, talk me through what you're
0:07:23 > 0:07:26looking for in the house that you'd like to live in here.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31Well, we'd like a detached, three-bedrooms,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33somewhere with some land.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36I do like the idea of having some land,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40because a future sort of thought might be having some animals.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44What about location, then? Are we thinking more rural countryside?
0:07:44 > 0:07:48Close to the coast? Do you have any firm ideas on that?
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Well, not...
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Oh, go on!
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Now, that was a look!
0:07:54 > 0:07:55I love the sea.
0:07:55 > 0:08:01I love being able to see the sea. I love being able to be close to it.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06But with the sea views, sometimes you don't necessarily get the land.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11I think Richard would probably say he would be happier with it being
0:08:11 > 0:08:15perhaps a little bit more rural. I don't know.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16Yeah, I like hills.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20So how can you get hills and sea? That's where we're trying to...
0:08:20 > 0:08:22OK, that's quite a big ask for me.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27OK! I'm not sure if I can pull that one off!
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Are you looking for any kind of investment potential?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Holiday let? Anything specific from the property?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Nothing specific,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37but we have thought about if an annexe came with a building,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40with a house, you know, that would be quite interesting.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42It's something that might, if it was in the right place,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45might be something we could generate some income from.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48So kind of on the wish list, but it's not a deal breaker?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50No, it's certainly not.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Right, let's get to the part where we talk about budget.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Remind me what we're working with for this search?
0:08:54 > 0:08:58£600,000 would be our top budget.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Well, it's just as well that I do know this county very well and
0:09:02 > 0:09:04we have some fantastic properties to show you.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Great!- Thank you.- Ready?- Yes. - Let's go.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13For a top budget of £600,000,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Rachel and Richard want a detached home with at least three bedrooms
0:09:17 > 0:09:19and ideally an annexe.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21They'd also like around an acre of land
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and if the house can be near the sea,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25well, that would be perfect,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27for at least one half of the couple!
0:09:27 > 0:09:29We've got a good variety of properties
0:09:29 > 0:09:31for Rachel and Richard to view,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33but it will only be after they've seen each one that its price will be
0:09:33 > 0:09:39revealed and our Mystery House may bring the sea lapping to their door.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44So, how many houses have you guys seen up here in Lancashire?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49We haven't looked inside any at all.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54So, all that we've seen are properties that we've seen sort of
0:09:54 > 0:09:55as we've driven by.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Well, are you excited about getting stuck in and looking at some places?
0:09:59 > 0:10:00- Very excited.- Very much.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07We're starting our search towards the centre of the county
0:10:07 > 0:10:10in the village of Goosnargh, not far from the Forest of Bowland,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14It's a large place for a village,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16with a pleasant green,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18sitting next to a modern village hall.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22There's a wide variety of local shops, including a village store,
0:10:22 > 0:10:26post office, pharmacy and a 14th century medieval church
0:10:26 > 0:10:29as well as several pubs.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Towards the end of the village,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34our first house lies across a rather magnificent lawn.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38So, this is what I've brought you to see.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- What do you think?- It looks nice. It looks lovely. It really
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- looks nice, actually. - It looks really nice.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48I like the stone. And it's attractive looking.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Definitely.- We've got smiles. That's a good start!
0:10:51 > 0:10:55It was converted in the '80s, it's nestled in an acre of land.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- It's a lovely setting. - It's peaceful, isn't it?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Now, what might not be too obvious
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- initially is that this is an adjoined property.- Oh, right.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06It's attached at the back to the former gamekeeper's cottage.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Oh, right. OK.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10What do you think about that? How does that feel?
0:11:10 > 0:11:12That's fine. Like it.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14It looks a lovely house, actually.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18Let's go over the threshold. Let's not put it off any longer. Come on!
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Despite appearances,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24this stone-built attached property is believed to be a
0:11:24 > 0:11:28former farm building, with roots in the early 19th century.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32It was converted into a home in the 1980s. I'm hoping Richard and Rachel
0:11:32 > 0:11:35will be just as impressed with the inside.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37So, it comes straight through
0:11:37 > 0:11:42- the little entrance hall into this really cosy kitchen.- This is lovely.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45It is cosy, isn't it? And lovely and warm.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46That's because of this range.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- Oh, gosh! There's a range. - Pumping out lots of heat.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52It's a real country feel in the kitchen.
0:11:52 > 0:11:53- It is.- Wooden painted units.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57You've got the range. You've got all the character this old farmhouse
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- offers.- I mean, it's not at all
0:11:59 > 0:12:03what I was expecting in my head because I was thinking
0:12:03 > 0:12:07about my perfect place having a much squarer,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09open-plan kitchen.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12But when you come in here, it's in keeping with the house
0:12:12 > 0:12:14and it's a nice, it's a lovely kitchen.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- It's cosy, isn't it? - Nice size and...yes.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Well, that's off to a good start. So, let's go through here.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Let's explore into the living room
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- and just see what else it has to offer downstairs.- OK.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28We come through another of these lovely doors...
0:12:28 > 0:12:29into this room.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Just a little fireplace. Nothing too grand(!)
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Yes. That's nice.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Yes, it's a reasonable size room.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I guess it's a little bit sort of narrow and long,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- as opposed to sort of square. - The two of you, I have to say,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45seem a little reticent.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48I think I'm a bit concerned about...
0:12:48 > 0:12:51there not being enough natural light.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- Richard, what do you think? - I think the same.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55I think you lose the light from that angle,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57obviously, because we're adjoined there.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02So, if you could make this room more part of out there, it might make a
0:13:02 > 0:13:05difference? Well, that's great that you're thinking like that.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Good that you're thinking about solutions and seeing the potential.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Yeah.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14The far end of the living room gives way to a south-facing sun room,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16that overlooks the garden
0:13:16 > 0:13:19and also provides access back into the kitchen.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21There is more to see on the ground floor,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23but I'm saving that until later.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Heading up the staircase in this part of the house,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28we find four bedrooms, two of which are linked,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30and a further single that could accommodate a double bed,
0:13:30 > 0:13:34as well as a well-appointed family bathroom with roll-top bath.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Next, we're heading to the largest bedroom.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39This is the master bedroom.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- Right.- It's very pretty, isn't it? - It is. I mean, it's quite small,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45but I actually,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I haven't got a problem with small bedrooms, because I would sort of
0:13:48 > 0:13:51sacrifice bedroom size, if it was something we wanted.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54You may get a feeling you haven't quite seen all of it.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58There is a very good size attached annexe as well.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01It's currently blocked off from the house.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- Right.- But you could reopen the doors
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- and you could incorporate it into the house if you wanted.- Gosh!
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Yes.- Shall we go and explore that? - That would be good.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- Definitely.- Back downstairs and back outside.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15So, let me squeeze through and follow on.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Back downstairs and outside, through its own separate entrance,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23the ground floor of the annexe has a decent size kitchen with adjoining
0:14:23 > 0:14:26bathroom. We're making a short stop in the living room.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31A good size living space, with a nice fire place.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32Off through that door is the
0:14:32 > 0:14:34staircase that leads to the upstairs,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37where you've got one good-sized bedroom and another bathroom.
0:14:37 > 0:14:43- Yeah.- That's unusual and, yes, interesting.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45There's quite a bit to...
0:14:45 > 0:14:47to think about with this, isn't there?
0:14:47 > 0:14:50You could certainly, you know, with the right planning permission,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52you know, with the right building regulations,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54you could perhaps open up in here.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- Yes.- So, there's definitely potential.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Yes.- So, let's go and take more of a look outside
0:15:00 > 0:15:03and then I'm going to need you to guess the price. OK?
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Outside, there's a separate workshop and the total plot comes to around
0:15:09 > 0:15:12an acre of land, providing a good size garden, with scope for Rachel
0:15:12 > 0:15:15to keep some of the animals she's so keen on acquiring.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20So, back into the garden, which is huge, isn't it?
0:15:20 > 0:15:22I think that stream running through it is really pretty.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Really pretty.- Could really make that into a feature.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Yes, you could do a lot with this garden, couldn't you?
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Let's guess the price.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Oh, gosh! I would say £500,000.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- OK. Richard? - I'd say a bit higher, £520,000.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39You are way under, actually.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41It's on the market for £600,000.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Right. OK. OK. That's interesting.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- Yeah.- It is a lot of house. There's a lot of land.- Yes.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50And you have got that completely self-contained...
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- annexe.- Yes, that's food for thought, isn't it?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- It is.- Why don't you go back in,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59take another look and come and find me when you're ready?
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Sitting right at the top of Richard and Rachel's budget,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11this attached property is full of appealing stone-built character and
0:16:11 > 0:16:16comes with four bedrooms, a separate workshop and a two-storey annexe,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19all set in approximately one acre of land.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Most things are pretty good. You know, the sort of nice garden,
0:16:23 > 0:16:28nice big area, and I like the outbuildings.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31The added surprise of the annexe
0:16:31 > 0:16:34means that that's given us something to
0:16:34 > 0:16:37think about, because it's quite... it's more than an annexe, really.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39It's like two houses in one.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43And I'm not sure that's what we were really sort of thinking about
0:16:43 > 0:16:45or going for.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50So, first property tour in over 20 years!
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Are you glad it's over with?
0:16:52 > 0:16:54No, it was really enjoyable. I'm glad we saw this house.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Definitely. It was interesting...
0:16:57 > 0:16:59and has given us something to definitely think about.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02So you've got the bug. Perfect! Because we've more to show you.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- Lovely!- Brilliant!
0:17:10 > 0:17:13With 76 miles of coastline on its western border, it's no wonder
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Lancashire is renowned for its array of beaches and coastal resorts.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22The Fylde peninsula is an area that covers about 30 miles of this
0:17:22 > 0:17:26coastline, famous for extensive stretches of wide, sandy shore.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29But the sand dunes at the heart of these beaches are currently under
0:17:29 > 0:17:33threat and disappearing at an alarming rate.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36As our couple have an interest in conservation,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39we've sent them to meet Fylde sand dunes officer Amy Bradshaw
0:17:39 > 0:17:42and senior coast and countryside officer Geoff Willis
0:17:42 > 0:17:46to find out if there's any way to reverse this trend.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48So, what's going wrong with the sand dunes?
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- What's the threat?- Well, over the last 150 years or so,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54over 80% of Lancashire's sand dunes have been lost,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57and that's mainly due to the urban development of the towns along the
0:17:57 > 0:18:01coast. So what we're trying to do is protect and restore the sand dunes
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and essentially grow them back towards the sea,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07because first and foremost, they are important as a soft sea defence.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10They provide a barrier between land and sea and act as a buffer during
0:18:10 > 0:18:13high tide and storm conditions.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15But they're not only important as a sea defence,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19they're also really important for wildlife and recreation.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22We have many rare species that exist here on the sand dunes,
0:18:22 > 0:18:25many of which are incapable of surviving in any other habitat.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27So, what's the project done so far?
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Well, over the past few years, through volunteer programmes and the
0:18:31 > 0:18:32council and other partners,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35we're extending the dunes outwards to create that buffer zone.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38We're trying to create dunes basically with chestnut paling
0:18:38 > 0:18:44fencing. We bury Christmas trees, we plant marram grass.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Most of this is done by volunteers.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51We've built out roughly 30 to 40 metres so far, which is quite
0:18:51 > 0:18:53a thing to do.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56We're hoping to go out more than that yet over the next few years.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58You say volunteers - is this
0:18:58 > 0:19:00something that we could volunteer for now?
0:19:00 > 0:19:03We happen to have a group of volunteers out on the dunes now,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05led by one of my colleagues, Hillary.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09I'm sure she'd welcome you and give you all the information you'd need.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10- Great. Thank you.- Pleasure.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15GINNY: Dunes develop when wind-blown sand becomes trapped by grasses.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19But when these specialised dune- building grasses start disappearing,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22new ways to encourage their growth have to be found.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Local volunteer Hillary Salkeld has a plan involving old,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27discarded Christmas trees.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Just after Christmas, nobody wants their Christmas trees,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34so we collected a lot. About 1,000 we collected,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and then we plant them in all the bare areas of
0:19:37 > 0:19:41the sand. So that helps the sand accumulate. The wind comes in,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44the Christmas trees slow the winds down and hopefully
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- the sand will get deposited.- Yeah. - Would you like to help today, then?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- That would be great.- Yes.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53It looks like Hillary's got plenty of work for our couple to get stuck
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- in to! - You can just take this tree.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- You want to have this one as well? - OK.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Being a dedicated volunteer can often mean working
0:20:04 > 0:20:07even when the weather starts to turn.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Poke him in the ground, anyway. Yeah. That's fine.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Make a slot, put the marram grass in and then...
0:20:15 > 0:20:17cover it again.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Usually planted in the spring, by midsummer the grass is
0:20:19 > 0:20:22established enough to begin trapping sand in the
0:20:22 > 0:20:25autumn when the strong winds arrive. And it's certainly good to see that
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Richard and Rachel seem to be enjoying
0:20:28 > 0:20:30putting down roots in this county.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34But for now, it's time to turn our attention to our property search.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Our Lancashire house-hunt continues as we head to the village of Little
0:20:41 > 0:20:46Eccleston, which lies on the flat coastal plain of the Fylde.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47Found near the banks of the River Wyre,
0:20:47 > 0:20:51the nearby village of Great Eccleston has a variety of small,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54independent businesses, including an artisan baker,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57a fruit and vegetable shop and a family butcher's,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00and our second property is less than a five-minute drive away.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08So, I've brought you to see a four-bedroomed barn conversion.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- Great!- The original barn's about 100 years old,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- and it's been converted into three properties.- Right.- And the one that
0:21:14 > 0:21:17we're looking at is the one right there in the centre.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19OK!
0:21:19 > 0:21:23That was quite an unenthusiastic "OK", if I may say so, Rachel!
0:21:23 > 0:21:27I can't work out the configuration - so it's that one?
0:21:27 > 0:21:28It's the door there in the centre.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30So, there's a property off to the left,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33one off to the right and a centre one.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- Right.- The courtyard is shared between the properties,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40and you're set up a very pretty country lane.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Yes. Yeah.- Still not very enthusiastic!
0:21:43 > 0:21:45THEY LAUGH
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- This is one of those houses that you need to see inside.- OK. OK. Yes.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- I'll take your word for it.- I think we'd like to do that.- Would you?
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- Yes.- Are you sure? - I want to see inside.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- Come on, let's take a look. - Thank you.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01'Believed to be around 100 years old,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04'this brick-built former barn was converted around 13 years ago.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06'Our property's position in the
0:22:06 > 0:22:08centre of the building means there's no getting
0:22:08 > 0:22:10'away from those nearby neighbours,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13'but perhaps the inside can win our couple over.'
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Let's see if this brings a smile to your face, shall we, Rachel?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20This is a nice, open, light space, isn't it?
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Yeah.- And the wood's lovely. - This is nice.- Good. Well,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26let's move straight through into the living room,
0:22:26 > 0:22:28which again is a really nice space.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Nice and cosy. You know what? It's quite square!
0:22:31 > 0:22:33THEY LAUGH
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Here we go - the square living room.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Yes. This is a nice size, isn't it?
0:22:38 > 0:22:41You can get out to the garden through those doors.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43So, have your impressions changed,
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Richard, from moving outside to inside the
0:22:45 > 0:22:50- house?- Yes. I mean, it's better inside than outside, I think.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- Well, from that aspect, anyway. - I know you've got a picture of how
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- you'd like the kitchen to look in mind, haven't you?- Yes.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- I have a bit.- I think we might have cracked it. I think!
0:23:01 > 0:23:04'The ground floor of this house has its own cloakroom as well as
0:23:04 > 0:23:06'a good-sized dining room, that you
0:23:06 > 0:23:09'pass on your way to a perfectly proportioned
0:23:09 > 0:23:11'kitchen, which should be ideal for Rachel.'
0:23:11 > 0:23:14This is lovely.
0:23:14 > 0:23:15This is very square.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17It's a very square kitchen.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Yes. It's perfectly square.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22And what I like here, as well,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26is you've got a great-size walk-in pantry and a utility room, as well.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28And then doors straight out onto the garden.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Yes.- This is how I would have imagined a kitchen.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34I like this.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- Enough to want to go upstairs? - Definitely. Definitely.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- Good, because we've got four bedrooms to explore.- Good.- Lovely.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47'Upstairs, the two smallest bedrooms are currently used as singles and
0:23:47 > 0:23:50'there's a large double at the end of the hall.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53'These bedrooms are served by a modern family bathroom,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55'but we're heading straight to the master.'
0:23:57 > 0:24:00So, this is one of four good-sized bedrooms.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- Oh, yes!- And you've got a fantastic ceiling height in here.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- I like the lights.- This is lovely, isn't it?
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Just off to the side here, we've got an en-suite
0:24:08 > 0:24:11that was done just a couple of years ago, at the back there.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13This is nice. I like it.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16You're definitely smiling more now than when I showed it to you from
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- outside.- Yes. - How are you feeling at this point?
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I mean, you can't tell from outside, can you?
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- You had to come in and...- I agree. - ..and look at it.- Yes.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Are you keen to take a look at the gardens?
0:24:27 > 0:24:28- We need to see the back, yes. - Definitely. Yes.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It's time to put your thinking caps on and start thinking about
0:24:31 > 0:24:32- the price.- Yes.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37'At the back of the house there's a large garden with rear access to a
0:24:37 > 0:24:39'separate double garage and office space,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43'which, with the right permissions, could have potential as an annexe,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47'but I have one more thing to tell our couple before we talk money.'
0:24:48 > 0:24:50So, here we are in the garden.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Now, I know the garden is important to both of you.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56So, you have this section here that's mostly laid to lawn.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58And then you will have noticed, I'm sure,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00the gates leading onto the paddock.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02- Yes.- The paddock isn't all yours, but half of it is.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- Right.- So if you take an invisible line roughly from that point there
0:25:06 > 0:25:08- over to the shed... - OK.- ..that's your share.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11And if you wanted to do so, the owners said there would be no
0:25:11 > 0:25:13problems with putting a fence across, you know,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15if you wanted to keep animals in there.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- Yes.- Is this what you had in mind for a garden,
0:25:18 > 0:25:21or is it smaller than you were expecting?
0:25:21 > 0:25:25No. This is a nice-size garden.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29So, you know what's coming. How much is this house on the market for?
0:25:29 > 0:25:32My best estimate, I should think, is
0:25:32 > 0:25:34520,000.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38- Go on, Rachel.- Right. I was going to go a little bit more than that.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39530.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Good guesses from both of you.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43You're both wrong again.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Drinks are on you, definitely, this evening.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48You're both over, actually.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50- Oh, right.- It's on the market for just under £500,000.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52- OK.- Right.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54- Yeah.- Is that...? A little smile there.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Yes. That's interesting.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Yeah.- That's a good price, actually, isn't it?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- To discuss.- Definitely.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Why don't you go and do exactly that,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06discuss a little bit now you know the price and come and find me when
0:26:06 > 0:26:09- you've seen enough? - OK. Lovely.- Thank you.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Coming in at £100,000 below budget,
0:26:14 > 0:26:18our second property has four bedrooms, two reception rooms,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21an outbuilding comprising a double garage and office,
0:26:21 > 0:26:23a large garden and a share of a paddock,
0:26:23 > 0:26:27which could be useful for any future four-legged additions to the family.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31The countryside's beautiful.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- Land all around, country all around. - Yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37My first impressions of the house, actually,
0:26:37 > 0:26:38weren't brilliant, I don't think.
0:26:38 > 0:26:44I thought it looked smallish and sort of cramped, maybe.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46My opinion did change,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50because the house started to open up.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54I was surprised at how much I liked it,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57because I thought it was going be dark and a bit pokey, and it
0:26:57 > 0:27:00definitely wasn't that as soon as we walked in.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04And every room is light and bright and airy and spacious.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08If this was a detached property and was just the same everywhere,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11then it would be ideal, I think.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13I think you two are warming up to this house-hunting lark, aren't you?
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- Definitely.- We are.- Are you ready for the Mystery House tomorrow?
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- Very excited.- Definitely. - Ready for a glass of wine now?
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Yeah. Looking forward to that, as well.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35'Our love affair with Lancashire continues,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38'as we're helping Rachel and Richard from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire
0:27:38 > 0:27:43'find their dream country home with a budget of £600,000.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46'And still to come, we're experiencing deja vu
0:27:46 > 0:27:47'at our Mystery House.'
0:27:47 > 0:27:52Is this similar to your previous home in Cheltenham?
0:27:52 > 0:27:53- It is.- Is it feeling familiar?
0:27:53 > 0:27:58I think it is. We know what we're dealing with with houses like this.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01'And I'll be finding out the secrets behind one of the icons of the
0:28:01 > 0:28:04'British seaside, where speed is of the essence.'
0:28:04 > 0:28:07- It's the centrifugal force. - Oh, yeah!
0:28:11 > 0:28:14It's the second day of our house-hunt here in Lancashire, and I
0:28:14 > 0:28:17wonder how Rachel and Richard are feeling now they've had an evening
0:28:17 > 0:28:18to reflect, because, to be honest,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21I couldn't really read either of them yesterday.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24They have very good poker faces.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27And it must be really exciting house-hunting again after 20 years
0:28:27 > 0:28:30but also quite a daunting prospect,
0:28:30 > 0:28:34and I think our Mystery House could well hit the mark,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37because it offers them something that could feel familiar.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43'The seaside town of Lytham St Annes is the last property stop on our
0:28:43 > 0:28:47'Lancashire journey, and I'm hoping the miles of sandy beach will really
0:28:47 > 0:28:51'appeal to Rachel in particular. A wide promenade features perhaps
0:28:51 > 0:28:54'the town's most famous son in the nearby
0:28:54 > 0:28:57'sunken garden, the late comedian Les Dawson.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00'And we're not going far, as today's final offering is just a few minutes
0:29:00 > 0:29:02'from the beach.'
0:29:04 > 0:29:06So, this is the Mystery House,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09because mainly it's not in a rural location.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12- What do you think?- I like it. I like the shape of it.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Yeah, it's an attractive house, definitely.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17- It's very nice.- Would you like to go and have a look inside?
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- Definitely.- Absolutely, yes. - OK, that's good stuff.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22I'm glad you're smiling. Come on.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28'This 1920s detached house would give Richard and Rachel very easy
0:29:28 > 0:29:29'access to the local community
0:29:29 > 0:29:33'thanks to its location not far from the sea. But that proximity to the
0:29:33 > 0:29:36'town centre might be reminding them of home,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39'so I'm keen to see what they think once we get inside.'
0:29:39 > 0:29:42So, we come through this area that's just currently used as a snug,
0:29:42 > 0:29:46a little reading area, into the kitchen.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Lovely double doors overlooking the garden. Nice and light and bright.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- Yes.- It is. I like the light wood.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56Yeah, that is nice. It's nice that those doors go out into the garden.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59A little bit on the small side, isn't it?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02It's perfectly fine, but it's...
0:30:02 > 0:30:06- It's bigger than what we're used to. - It's bigger than what we're used to.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Let's keep expanding your
0:30:08 > 0:30:10house-hunting experience and let's go off and
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- explore the living room.- Brilliant.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17'Downstairs, there's an impressive
0:30:17 > 0:30:18'home office where the garage used to be
0:30:18 > 0:30:20'as well as a formal dining room.'
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Just like the kitchen, it's really nice and bright and light.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28- It is, isn't it?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31At first, when I approached it, I thought it looked small.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36But the conservatory completely opens it out.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- It's part of it.- It is. Yeah, it is. Yes.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42- That's...- And it's got wide doors on that, as well.- Yeah, it's...
0:30:42 > 0:30:48- It's a square.- Is this similar to your previous home in Cheltenham?
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- It is.- Is it feeling familiar? - I think it is, actually.
0:30:51 > 0:30:52Yes. That is some of it.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57We kind of know what we're dealing with with houses like this!
0:30:57 > 0:31:00There's nothing wrong with liking something that feels familiar,
0:31:00 > 0:31:05something that you know. You know, change is great, but equally...
0:31:05 > 0:31:08going for something that makes you feel comfortable,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- nothing wrong with that.- Yes. - I'm glad that it's having, you know,
0:31:11 > 0:31:13a good impact on you, that it's feeling familiar.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16- Yes.- Upstairs is really strong in this house. It's got four really
0:31:16 > 0:31:20- good-sized bedrooms, so let's go and take a look.- OK.- Yeah.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25'The upper floor of the house has two good-sized double bedrooms with
0:31:25 > 0:31:27'built-in storage and a cosy single,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31'all served by a modern family bathroom with separate shower.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34'Lastly, we're checking out the master.'
0:31:34 > 0:31:39So into the master bedroom, with its own en suite, which was only done
0:31:39 > 0:31:42two years ago, so it's done to a really high standard.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- That's nice, isn't it?- I like this cupboard.- Lots of storage.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50- You're not short of wardrobe space! - I've got my eye on that wardrobe!
0:31:50 > 0:31:54That's impressive. No, this is a lovely bedroom.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Yeah. This is absolutely great.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59And the en-suite is an added bonus, as well.
0:31:59 > 0:32:05It's easy to imagine yourself being in a fairly neutral house, isn't it?
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Yes.- You could imagine putting your own stamp on it more and you can
0:32:08 > 0:32:12- imagine your own things.- Yes. Of course, we want to see outside.
0:32:12 > 0:32:13OK.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- Yeah.- Let's go and do that, because we are in Lancashire and it could well
0:32:17 > 0:32:20rain at any minute. So, the rain's not happening at the moment.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Let's go out to the garden and then of course you're going to need to
0:32:23 > 0:32:24- guess the price.- Yeah.- OK.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31'Being the Mystery House, it's the land that's the compromise here.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34'But the generous enclosed back garden could be perfect for their small
0:32:34 > 0:32:37'dog. That's when they're not at the nearby beach.'
0:32:37 > 0:32:40What did I say about the Lancashire weather?
0:32:40 > 0:32:42- You did! You did!- I'm afraid the rain's beaten us.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45So I think we should view the garden from the warmth and the dryness of
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- the conservatory. How about you?- I think you're right. The wind's got up.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51What do you think about the size, Richard?
0:32:51 > 0:32:54It's smaller than we thought we would like.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56But it's quite a private garden.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58Actually, there's lots of shrubs here,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01so, actually, there's a lot more space than you can actually see.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Well, you've seen everything now. That's the Mystery House.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08So, what do you think it's on the market for?
0:33:08 > 0:33:10- Ah!- I'll go first.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12OK, OK.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15I think about 590.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Right. I'm going to say 550.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22OK. It's actually on the market for quite a lot under your budget.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27It's on the market for £498,950.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30Gosh! Right. That's a surprise, actually.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32- Yes, it is.- That's a real surprise.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Good! Well, that's a very positive reaction.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Why don't you go now, with that in mind, and take a look around?
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- Thanks.- Brilliant.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42Well, that's an absolutely brilliant reaction to our Mystery House.
0:33:42 > 0:33:48I did suspect that the familiarity this offered may appeal, and I think it has.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54Our Mystery House again comes in at around £100,000 below budget
0:33:54 > 0:33:55and offers four bedrooms,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59three reception rooms and an impressive conservatory.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02There's also the converted office and mature private garden to the
0:34:02 > 0:34:06rear, and all this just a stone's throw from the beach.
0:34:06 > 0:34:07It's a good space, isn't it?
0:34:07 > 0:34:11It's good being sort of separate from the main house.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14It is. It is. It feels quite warm, as well.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- There's a heater.- The only thing is there's not a garage in this house,
0:34:17 > 0:34:21so you might have to end up putting your tools and your
0:34:21 > 0:34:25- garden stuff in here.- I'd have to get a shed.- Might have to spoil it!
0:34:25 > 0:34:29The location is good, from my point of view, because it's really close
0:34:29 > 0:34:33to the sea, so I can, you know... I would just be able to walk onto
0:34:33 > 0:34:36that pier and walk onto the sands with
0:34:36 > 0:34:40the dog, and that would be lovely. That would be really nice.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44The house is quite familiar to me, in a way.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Downstairs, I think the configuration is slightly different
0:34:47 > 0:34:50from what we're looking for. However,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53there may be some way of actually altering it to perhaps extend the
0:34:53 > 0:34:56kitchen in some way, perhaps connect to the dining room.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59I don't know. We need to think about that.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02When we heard the price, I'm thinking, "Gosh,
0:35:02 > 0:35:07"that's really surprising," because I didn't think it would be below
0:35:07 > 0:35:10500,000.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14Just reminiscing about wet days out on the beach here when I was a little girl.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15THEY LAUGH
0:35:15 > 0:35:18And I think this is the perfect weather for us to go and have a chat and
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- find out what your thoughts are. Are you ready for that?- Yes.- Good. - That's fine.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31'The coastal resort of Blackpool has become synonymous with the traditional
0:35:31 > 0:35:33'British seaside holiday.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36'Ever since the arrival of the railway in 1846,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40'the wholesome, family-friendly appeal and fresh air tempted scores of
0:35:40 > 0:35:44'workers from Britain's booming industrial cities.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47'And, of course, one of the foundations of any seaside holiday must be the
0:35:47 > 0:35:49'humble stick of rock.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52'Believed to have originated in the Victorian era,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55'it was when the idea of lettering was added that it really took off,
0:35:55 > 0:35:59'as it meant that each resort could have its own personalised version with
0:35:59 > 0:36:01'the name running right through it.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04'To find out more about this popular seaside souvenir,
0:36:04 > 0:36:06'I've come to meet Ian Atkinson,
0:36:06 > 0:36:11'the man responsible for producing around 300 tonnes of the stuff every year.'
0:36:11 > 0:36:14I grew up around here, and my childhood was filled with day trips to the
0:36:14 > 0:36:17seaside towns, and no visit would have been complete without taking home a
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- stick of Blackpool rock.- Right!
0:36:20 > 0:36:23So, what's a typical piece of Blackpool rock, then?
0:36:23 > 0:36:26What's unique about the rock from Blackpool?
0:36:26 > 0:36:29The traditional rock is pink mint rock, yeah,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31and still today that is probably, I don't know...
0:36:31 > 0:36:3450% of our sales is the traditional rock.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37But things have moved on. I mean, we now make different flavours.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39We try and keep it fresh as much as we can.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42It's great to see that it endures still today.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Is it as popular as it ever was?
0:36:44 > 0:36:49I think it is. You can't visit the seaside and not buy a bar of rock.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Certainly, our customers, we have regular customers
0:36:51 > 0:36:53come back year in, year out, and they buy large
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- quantities of rock.- The thing that always fascinated me as a child,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58as I'm sure just fascinates everyone,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01is "how do you get the letters inside?"
0:37:01 > 0:37:03I used to stare at it for ages and try and figure it out.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Why don't we go downstairs and you can try it, and I'll show you how to
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- do it?- Thank you.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12'Suitably kitted out, it's off to the factory floor.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16'The sugar mixture reaches a temperature of around 150 degrees Celsius but cools
0:37:16 > 0:37:18'quickly when poured out,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22'thanks to special tables that have cold water piped underneath them to
0:37:22 > 0:37:24'speed the cooling process.'
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- That's toasty warm. - Very toasty warm.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30'Next, dyes are added to get the right colours.'
0:37:30 > 0:37:32We're going to make Escape To The Country rock.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36- Fantastic.- And it's going to be the traditional pink mint rock, OK?
0:37:36 > 0:37:40So it will be pink on the outside, white through the centre?
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Yeah. And in black we're going to write Escape To The Country.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45Fantastic, that's absolutely brilliant.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49'It takes a long time to train to make rock like this.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51'It's all about teamwork and timing.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54'As the rock gets cooler, it gets harder.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57'When it comes to the art of embedding letters into the rock,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00'modern machines haven't been able to master the tricky process.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04'But father and son duo David and Anthony French are going to reveal the
0:38:04 > 0:38:05'tricks of the trade.'
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- So, right, what's the secret?- We've just made all the letters.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09They're all made individually.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12- Right.- Then they're joined together just in different shapes,
0:38:12 > 0:38:14so more of a visual thing, really,
0:38:14 > 0:38:16so if you just watch what we're doing now...
0:38:16 > 0:38:19So, you're basically taking the two different colours...
0:38:19 > 0:38:24- Yes.- ..and making the black look like the letter by...
0:38:24 > 0:38:26The black is the letter and all inside is going to be white.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29- OK.- So the black letters will just stand out,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31we're just making them different textures altogether now.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34So, the C... Do I start with the white or start with the black?
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Start with the black. There's the black there. You want to spread that out a bit.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41- OK. Gosh, it's really warm, isn't it, still?- Put a bit of pressure on it.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45- Right.- You just need a wet cloth, and wet that across there.
0:38:45 > 0:38:46OK. Just across that?
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Yeah. Then you're going to put that inside it.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51OK. Oh, I get you, I get you, I get you.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- Then we turn that over. - So that's going to curl round the
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- white and make the shape of a C. - Turn it completely over.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- That's it.- I see.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04- You can tell I'm a cake maker, can't you?- Yeah!
0:39:04 > 0:39:07'A skilled worker must be able to make all their letters within about 40
0:39:07 > 0:39:10'minutes before the rock becomes too hard to work.'
0:39:11 > 0:39:13That's the shape of the E.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- Yeah, that's the E, yeah, yeah. - Fantastic!
0:39:15 > 0:39:18We've made all the letters, we're going to spell the words out now,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20put them in the right order.
0:39:20 > 0:39:21'Once the letters are all complete,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24'they're pieced together in a horizontal line.'
0:39:26 > 0:39:27"Escape"!
0:39:28 > 0:39:32'The rows of letters are then sandwiched around a thick centre of white
0:39:32 > 0:39:36'rock before being wrapped with another layer and finally covered in the
0:39:36 > 0:39:38'outer casing.'
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- Why do you spin it?- Just push it outwards as you're spinning.
0:39:41 > 0:39:47- It'll stretch.- It's the centrifugal force.- Oh, yeah!
0:39:47 > 0:39:52'The fully assembled rock is placed inside the batch roller to begin the
0:39:52 > 0:39:54'process of rolling it down to size.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02'This causes the rock to lengthen in long strips, and then the last stages
0:40:02 > 0:40:05'are finished off by hand.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08'And finally, the rock is cut into pieces ready to be sold to the public.'
0:40:11 > 0:40:15Look at that, "Escape Country".
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Honestly, if you'd told me when I was a little girl here eating sticks
0:40:18 > 0:40:21of this that I'd be making it, I'd never have believed you.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33Well, we've gone from the countryside to the coast to find a new Lancashire home
0:40:33 > 0:40:35for Rachel and Richard to escape to.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Have any of the three properties we've shown them hit the mark?
0:40:38 > 0:40:40I'm about to find out.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Rachel, Richard, how are you feeling after your first house-hunting
0:40:48 > 0:40:50experience for over 20 years?
0:40:50 > 0:40:54It's been very enjoyable. I've really, really enjoyed it.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57It's been interesting to see different properties. Great.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00We showed you three quite contrasting properties.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03What do you think about them? Is there a "what next" with any of those
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- three?- I don't think, unfortunately,
0:41:06 > 0:41:11any of them quite fit the remit of what we've got in our heads.
0:41:11 > 0:41:17Each one has got something that is really great, and all three of them are
0:41:17 > 0:41:21really lovely houses, but I think it's not quite...
0:41:21 > 0:41:23We're not quite there yet.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26What would you take from each of the three houses, then, Richard,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29if you could, if you could wave that magic wand? What would it be?
0:41:29 > 0:41:35I think I'd take the looks of the first one and the internals of the
0:41:35 > 0:41:39second one. The third one, I'm not sure, to be honest,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41because it's so similar to our last house.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Have you learnt anything from the search with us? Have we, you know,
0:41:44 > 0:41:46discovered any new areas, have you
0:41:46 > 0:41:49perhaps refocused on what it is you're looking for?
0:41:49 > 0:41:52I think certainly from the area point of view we hadn't looked in sort of
0:41:52 > 0:41:56the centre of the Fylde peninsula,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58and that's really opened up, you know...
0:41:58 > 0:42:00There's two more villages now that
0:42:00 > 0:42:03we sort of passed by or hadn't looked at.
0:42:03 > 0:42:04And are you still holding out for
0:42:04 > 0:42:08your detached house with land with sea views?
0:42:08 > 0:42:10In the back of my mind, it's still there.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15However, I realise that I may have to cut back on one of those things
0:42:15 > 0:42:17at least, yes, yeah.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20And we've got to decide how quick that's going to be, really.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23We're really glad that we've sort of kick-started you again.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26I mean, all that remains for me to say is happy house-hunting.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- Yes.- Yes.- Thank you.- Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Well, it's the end of our search here in Lancashire, and whilst
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Rachel and Richard haven't managed to find themselves the
0:42:38 > 0:42:41property of their dreams, we've been able to open their eyes
0:42:41 > 0:42:45to some lovely villages that they may not have considered, and we've
0:42:45 > 0:42:47set them off on their house-hunting
0:42:47 > 0:42:50adventure in my beautiful home county.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Join me next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55If you'd like to escape to the
0:42:55 > 0:42:58country in Northern Ireland, Scotland,
0:42:58 > 0:43:02Wales or England and need our help, you can apply online at...