0:00:02 > 0:00:04This beautiful watermill is celebrating
0:00:04 > 0:00:07its 1,000th anniversary and even after all those years,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11it's still turning out a staple baking ingredient.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Find out what it is and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Today, it's a love of peace and quiet that's driving a pair
0:00:33 > 0:00:36of green-fingered foodies in their country house-hunt.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It's got such a nice, warm, welcoming feel to it.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41I could be happy cooking in here.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43And the icing on the rural cake
0:00:43 > 0:00:46could well be a few feathered friends for company.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48And I've just seen some chickens.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- There's 23 of them. - They may not come with the property.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Today, I'm in Dorset and this is Sturminster Newton Mill.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02It's one of a series of historic mills along the River Stour
0:01:02 > 0:01:06and it still produces its own stone-ground flour.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10The mill site is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13and thanks to the mill building being carefully restored
0:01:13 > 0:01:16and the milling mechanics being updated,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19it remains a living, working landmark,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23where visitors can bag themselves a piece of Dorset's heritage.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Located in England's West Country,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Dorset's southern coast looks out over the English Channel
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and shares land borders with four counties,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34including Somerset and Wiltshire.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38And it's the northern portion of the county we're exploring today.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40With neither motorways nor cities,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Dorset is a truly rural retreat,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47where narrow lanes wind their way through some 150 villages
0:01:47 > 0:01:50that showcase an idyllic slice of country life.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53One historic village is Tolpuddle,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56best known for the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of six men,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00who formed one of Britain's first trade unions in the 1830s,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03protesting against cuts to farmers' wages.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07On a larger scale, Shaftesbury, in the Blackmore Vale,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10is one of the oldest and highest towns in England.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Infamous author and Dorset local Thomas hardy was fascinated
0:02:14 > 0:02:16by the town and called it
0:02:16 > 0:02:20"One of the queerest and quaintest spots in England".
0:02:20 > 0:02:23But, as well as the lush northern terrain,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27let's not forget the dramatic coastline, with beautiful areas,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31like the Isle of Purbeck, a peninsula, rather than an island.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Its gently rolling landscape, overlooking open seas,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37was a favourite of children's author Enid Blyton,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41and it often features in her much-loved books.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43With a county offering all this
0:02:43 > 0:02:46to those seeking a rich mix of natural beauty,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49it really is a jewel in England's crown.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50Here in Dorset,
0:02:50 > 0:02:54the average cost of a detached property is almost £360,000.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58That's £60,000 above the national figure,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01making it the most expensive county in the South-west.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03At the start of 2016,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07property prices in the coastal town of Bournemouth rose faster
0:03:07 > 0:03:10than anywhere else in England and Wales,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13driven by a booming technology industry,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15described as the "silicon beach surge".
0:03:15 > 0:03:18But today's couple aren't here for the sand or the surf,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20so let's meet them and find out
0:03:20 > 0:03:23why they want to move to this beautiful county.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Project management trainer Tim remembers the exact moment
0:03:28 > 0:03:31he laid eyes on newspaper journalist partner Caroline,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35after meeting on a dating website 11 years ago.
0:03:35 > 0:03:41I rang her up and we made a date, so we met on Wednesday, 31st August.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Yeah, he sounded so friendly and nice on the phone
0:03:44 > 0:03:48that I just felt at ease almost immediately
0:03:48 > 0:03:51and I thought, "Ooh, I can't wait to meet him."
0:03:51 > 0:03:54We had a second date two days later
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and then again at the weekend, so by that time,
0:03:57 > 0:04:02it became that we would meet each other almost every night.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04So, we haven't been apart much since, have we?
0:04:04 > 0:04:06No, no, not for very long.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09They moved in together the same year
0:04:09 > 0:04:13and have been in their current four-bedroom home in Ash in Surrey
0:04:13 > 0:04:15for the past five years.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18But the area no longer offers them what it used to.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Over the last few years, we've noticed the roads are so crowded.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24The whole village gets clogged up with traffic,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26so it's just got busier and busier
0:04:26 > 0:04:28and we'd like to be somewhere a bit more peaceful.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32And there's just one county they've got their sights set on.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34We went to Dorset recently
0:04:34 > 0:04:37and I was just struck how beautiful and peaceful it was there.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41I thought, "How gorgeous to live down here and feel totally calm
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- "and peaceful in a beautiful area." - We love the county.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48It's very beautiful scenery down there
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and we also have friends and family in that area
0:04:51 > 0:04:54that we can get much closer to.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Both Caroline and Tim will continue to work when they move,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01but they're going to make sure it's not all work and no play.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05They're both keen cooks and love spending time in the kitchen,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and the fun doesn't stop there.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09I hope to be taking up some of the hobbies
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- that I've let go in the past.- Mm.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15I used to be a keen painter and I'd like to get back to that
0:05:15 > 0:05:18and perhaps take some lessons and do it properly.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23And also, I like to walk, I like to go for a cycle,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26and if the countryside is on my doorstep,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28I'll do that much more often.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32I'm very much looking forward to creating a new garden
0:05:32 > 0:05:34in our new home in Dorset.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37There's always a new garden to create, a new challenge.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40The couple have each got two grown-up children,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43so this move is just about the two of them,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45and with their house on the market,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48they're more than ready to get their property search off the ground.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52We only want to move once more, I think, in our lives,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54if we can possibly do it,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58so this wants to be the house that we're going to live in forever
0:05:58 > 0:06:02and we want that to be in a part of the country
0:06:02 > 0:06:06that we find is the most attractive and peaceful for us to live in.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08I guess it's just a fresh start, isn't it?
0:06:08 > 0:06:11We've lost sight of what our goals in life are
0:06:11 > 0:06:15and we really want to start to relax a bit more
0:06:15 > 0:06:17and want quality time for ourselves.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21This is really a fresh start to refocus our lives.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23BEE BUZZES
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Caroline and Tim have asked us to concentrate our search
0:06:26 > 0:06:28in the region of north Dorset
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and just across borders into Somerset or Wiltshire.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34But before we kick off our hunt for their country escape,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36I'm meeting up with them to make sure
0:06:36 > 0:06:38'I'm up to speed with their property requirements.'
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- Good morning, you two.- Hello. - Welcome to Dorset.- Thank you.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- Thank you very much.- So why are the two of you making this move now?
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Why this particular time?
0:06:47 > 0:06:49We've both got jobs now where it doesn't matter
0:06:49 > 0:06:53where we're based, so we're looking to base ourselves
0:06:53 > 0:06:56where we intend to be for the rest of our lives, ideally.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58What are you looking for down here in Dorset?
0:06:58 > 0:07:03- Minimum three bedrooms.- Yeah. - Nice garden, not too big,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07that we can manage ourselves, but, hopefully, nice and established.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Good living space with a nice flow downstairs.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14We think it would be quite fine to have a semidetached,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17if it was, perhaps, a pair of cottages together.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18What about location, Tim?
0:07:18 > 0:07:23Well, we would like it to be near enough to some sort of facilities,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25perhaps on the outskirts of a village.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30Perhaps even a pub would be nice. But we would like it to be peaceful.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35The main objective for our move is to find somewhere nice and quiet,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38somewhere that's nice and light inside
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- and somewhere that we can relax and wind down a bit.- Yeah.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43So, do rail and road connections matter at all?
0:07:43 > 0:07:47It would be useful for me to be able to get to major roads
0:07:47 > 0:07:51out of the area or, perhaps, a mainline railway station.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53So, quite a wish list there,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56both in terms of location and what you want from the property.
0:07:56 > 0:07:57Remind me of your budget, Tim.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Our budget will be £375,000,
0:08:00 > 0:08:05but we could borrow another £25,000 if there's work needs doing.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07I think we should go and do some house-hunting.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Let's see if we can find a forever home for you.- Yeah.- Thank you.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14For their top budget of £400,000,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Caroline and Tim are happy to consider
0:08:17 > 0:08:19a detached or semidetached home.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22They'd like to have a downstairs living area which flows
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and at least three bedrooms.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Outside, they want a manageable space,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30one they can tend to create their own garden paradise.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33And location-wise, they'd like to be in a peaceful spot,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36yet within easy access of amenities.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40We've found a great trio of properties to show Caroline and Tim,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43but it's only after they've toured each one
0:08:43 > 0:08:45that they'll find out its price.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48And on their last visit to the Mystery House,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52our duo may find that all good things come to those who wait.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Our house-hunt begins in the small Wiltshire town of Mere,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01just across the Dorset border.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05The streets here are lined with attractive stone cottages
0:09:05 > 0:09:07and independent shops.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Located in the shadow of the South Wiltshire Downs,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12there's a real country feel here.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- The smell of that lavender. - The lavender's gorgeous.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17'There's a good offering of pubs and eateries,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20'including the 16th century George Inn,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23'which once had Charles II as an overnight guest,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26'when he was fleeing after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30'And all of this is on the doorstep of our first property,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32'located on the edge of Mere
0:09:32 > 0:09:35'and set back from a narrow lane in an elevated position.'
0:09:35 > 0:09:40- So, here we've got a detached Edwardian property.- Wow!
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- Built in around 1910. It's got lots of character.- It has.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- I like the style, yeah. - Double-fronted.- Lovely big windows.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- So, off to a good start. - Yes, you are, very much.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- Are you keen to look inside? - Absolutely.- Love to, please.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- Let's go and open up that door. - Thank you.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58'This handsome red brick house has recently undergone
0:09:58 > 0:10:01'an internal overhaul, which has left it in tiptop condition
0:10:01 > 0:10:04'and ready and waiting for new owners to call it home.'
0:10:04 > 0:10:07We come straight through this charming entrance hall
0:10:07 > 0:10:09and let's start at the back,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12where you have this really good size kitchen.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- Wow.- Yeah, it is a good size.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18It's got such a nice, warm, welcoming feel to it.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22I could be happy cooking in here. There's plenty of storage. Perfect.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Caroline, does it bother you that, at the moment,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- there isn't a dining table in here? - That's what I was just thinking,
0:10:27 > 0:10:32but there might be space for a small table and some bar stools, perhaps.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35There is also a separate dining room but you're absolutely right -
0:10:35 > 0:10:40what you could do is in here, you've got a utility room.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42You could integrate your washing machine,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44quite easily just take this out
0:10:44 > 0:10:48and it would give you more space for either a table
0:10:48 > 0:10:51or you could put a kitchen island in there,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- so there's definitely more you could do.- Plenty of options.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Moving on from the kitchen,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03at the front of the house lies the sitting room.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06So, again, a nice size room, beautifully decorated.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Nice height to the ceiling and everything. It's a good shape room.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- Could you imagine cosying up in here?- Absolutely.- Yeah, yeah.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16I like the double aspect. It makes it a nice, bright room.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- We've managed to get you three good size bedrooms.- Good.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Shall we go and explore and see which one you might fancy
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- for yourselves if you moved in? - Yeah.- Absolutely.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Upstairs, there's a beautifully finished family bathroom,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35complete with walk-in shower, which serves three double bedrooms.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39The smallest is at the back of the house and at the front,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42there's a spacious room with large built-in cupboards.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44'But we're making a beeline
0:11:44 > 0:11:47'for the room I've earmarked for Caroline and Tim.'
0:11:47 > 0:11:51So, this is the master bedroom. Again, it's a good size.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54All of the rooms are doubles. And you have really pretty views out.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58Yeah, it is a good view. If they're all as good a size as this,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00then it's going to be plenty of space upstairs.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04Yeah, good first impressions. Lots of positive things about it.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Let's head outside and look at the garden from the back,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10so you can see what you've got to work with, with your green fingers,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- and then, of course, I need you to start thinking about the price.- Yes.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22The gardens here extend to around a fifth of an acre
0:12:22 > 0:12:24and they wrap around the house.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27The large, level lawn is pleasantly secluded
0:12:27 > 0:12:28and there's a generous size shed,
0:12:28 > 0:12:32perfect for the housing the tools for a couple of keen gardeners.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36So, you've got nice views just peeping out of the trees
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- over to the downs.- Yeah.- Yeah. - It's a good size.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41It's a good shape and it goes round the house
0:12:41 > 0:12:44and I'm sure we could find a good place, perhaps over in that corner,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46where we could put some vegetables.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49OK, you know what's coming, the two of you.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52What do you think this property is on the market for?
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- £375,000?- £375,000. Very positive about that one.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58I was going to say something similar.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02I think, because of its location, being near a village,
0:13:02 > 0:13:07a good size village, um, it would be expensive - maybe £370,000.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- OK, unfortunately, you're both wrong.- OK.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12You're both under, actually. As you said, it's a good size,
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- detached property on the edge of a very popular village.- Yeah.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- It's actually on the market for the top end of your budget.- Right.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- It's on at £400,000.- Oh, right. - Mm-hmm.- OK.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Is this perhaps opening your eyes a little bit
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- to exactly what you get for your money?- Yes, it is, yes.- Yes.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32We need to think about what we're paying for
0:13:32 > 0:13:34and make some compromises, I think.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Well, now you know the price, go off, have another look around.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- Take your time, soak it all in. See if you can imagine living here.- OK.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42And come and find me when you're ready.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43- Thank you very much.- Off you go.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47This rather grand detached red brick house
0:13:47 > 0:13:51has come in on the nose of Caroline and Tim's top budget.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53It gives them a fantastic kitchen,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55as well as the three bedrooms that they want.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Outside, the garden could be just what they're looking for
0:13:58 > 0:14:01and the position, close to local amenities, is ideal.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Oh, yeah, it's a good size room as well, isn't it?
0:14:06 > 0:14:07Yeah, nice fireplace.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Yeah, I prefer that fireplace to the one in the other room.- Yeah.
0:14:10 > 0:14:11This might be good as the lounge instead.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16The style of the house is very nice. It's well-proportioned.
0:14:16 > 0:14:22The Edwardian high ceilings give an impression of space.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24I think the house is well-maintained,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27so you could probably move straight in.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It's got lots of potential.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34It's got good size rooms and, although the layout of it
0:14:34 > 0:14:36is not exactly the way I'd like it to be,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39it's something that we could live with
0:14:39 > 0:14:41and it's a compromise I'm willing to make.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Have we given you plenty to think about?- Yes.- Yes.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Good. And there's more for us to see, so come on.- Great.- Thank you.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Dorset has a well-deserved reputation as a culinary paradise
0:14:59 > 0:15:02and there are plenty of tasty artisan goodies
0:15:02 > 0:15:04born and bred right here in the region.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08One, which has been awarded protected geographical status,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10meaning it can only be produced in this county,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13is Dorset Blue Vinney cheese.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16It's been made near Sturminster Newton
0:15:16 > 0:15:19on the family farm of siblings Richard and Emily Davies
0:15:19 > 0:15:23since the 1980s, when their father resurrected an old recipe.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Keen cooks Tim and Caroline have come to the farm
0:15:26 > 0:15:28to see how this Dorset delicacy is made
0:15:28 > 0:15:31and, of course, to have a taste.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33So, Richard, what kind of farm is this?
0:15:33 > 0:15:37We are a mainly dairy farm, grow a little bit of arable
0:15:37 > 0:15:40but, ultimately, we're producing milk for the cheese.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Can you tell me a bit more about the cheese that you make here?
0:15:43 > 0:15:45It is a blue cheese.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48It used to be made on Dorset farms years ago,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52when people had surplus milk and didn't know what to do with it.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55And it then died out and so, Father thought -
0:15:55 > 0:15:57who had been trained as a cheesemaker at college -
0:15:57 > 0:15:59thought he'd give it a go.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02So, Father got the recipe and ever since then,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04it's gone from strength to strength.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09We are the only producers and if anybody else wants to produce it,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13they would have to make it to our recipe and our specifications.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Brilliant! Can we go and have a look and see where it's made?
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Yeah, certainly. My sister is down there waiting for you,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- so I'll let you get on and find out more about it.- Bye.
0:16:24 > 0:16:30The 580-acre farm is home to 270 Holstein-Friesian cows
0:16:30 > 0:16:34and each one produces around 9,000 litres of the white stuff a year,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37which makes this distinct blue-veined cheese.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- Hi, Emily.- Hi, well, here we are.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46We've got cheeses that are round about 6kg in weight
0:16:46 > 0:16:48and we make them from our own milk.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51How many wheels of cheese do you make here a week?
0:16:51 > 0:16:56Well, we call them truckles and we produce between 200 and 300 a week.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59How is the cheese made and what ingredients go into it?
0:16:59 > 0:17:01So, we use the morning milk.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04That's brought down, straight from the dairy into the vat.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07And we let it sit for a couple of hours
0:17:07 > 0:17:11and then we take off the cream, so it's actually hand-skimmed.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15And then we add all the magical ingredients
0:17:15 > 0:17:16of the rennet and the starter
0:17:16 > 0:17:19and we actually add the blue as well at this time.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23We actually use a penicillium, a blue penicillium.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25It's very similar to the Roquefort penicillium.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27As it goes through the maturing stage,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31to encourage the blueing, we will actually spike the cheese,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34so that will actually promote the blueing
0:17:34 > 0:17:38and the very delicate veining system that we get within the cheese.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41To check if the cheese is ready, it's graded.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43This involves using a cheese iron
0:17:43 > 0:17:45to extract a sample from the truckle.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Pull it out nice and slowly, especially as we can see
0:17:48 > 0:17:52this one's a bit crumbly, so don't leave anything... That's it.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54One of the things we do when we're grading as well
0:17:54 > 0:17:57is to, obviously, see how much of the blueing is coming
0:17:57 > 0:17:59and we smell it and then, if we think
0:17:59 > 0:18:00we're nearly in the right place,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03then we will also taste a little bit of it as well.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- Still smells good me.- Brilliant.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11And next door, in the packing room, it's time for a sample.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- So, shall we try?- Yeah. - Yes, please. Go, Caroline.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- There you go, Caroline. - Thank you very much.- Have a go.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- Mm.- Perfect with some chutney or a large glass of port.- Yes!
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- Quite creamy, isn't it? - Yes, it's very mild.
0:18:29 > 0:18:3216 years ago, Emily decided to diversify
0:18:32 > 0:18:35to leave her own mark on the long-running family business,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38by introducing a new product - blue cheese soup.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41There's about eight different varieties and today,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44it's leek and potato with blue cheese that's on the menu.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- We've got some leeks here that you could help chop up.- Yeah.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Just chop them, roughly chop. - About here?- About sort of an inch.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- An inch?- Yes, perfect. That would be great, Caroline, thank you.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02Emily's soup is sold to pubs and restaurants and also at festivals.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Pop those in and, Caroline, would you like to grab the onions?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07And we'll pop all that in together as well.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Once the leeks and onions are cooking,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13in goes vegetable stock and then the star ingredient.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Oh, the smell is gorgeous.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Tim, do you want to add the potatoes?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- Thickening ingredient.- That's it. In they go.
0:19:23 > 0:19:29Last in is milk and seasoning and after a blitz, it's ready to try.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30- OK.- It looks gorgeous.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- Grab some bread. - Oh, yummy! It's fantastic.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- Creamy. Really tasty.- You can taste the cheese coming through.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Yeah, brilliant.- Not too cheesy, I hope. Just a little hint of cheese.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- Perfect balance.- Brilliant. - It's wonderful.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Really interesting and great fun. Thank you very much.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Yeah, we've learned a lot.- Pleasure.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54For our next stop, we're travelling to Peacemarsh,
0:19:54 > 0:19:56within the Dorset town of Gillingham.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Set in the Blackmore Vale, Peacemarsh used to be a hamlet,
0:19:59 > 0:20:04before being taken under the wing of Gillingham, as it expanded.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Here, there are all the shops and facilities you might need
0:20:07 > 0:20:10and also good rail links that include routes to London.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12The River Stour runs through the town,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16as it winds its way to the English Channel.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Close to amenities but away from the centre is our second offering.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26- So, let's meander up this nice, imposing gravel drive...- Yes.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30..and find a very pretty detached period property.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Dates back to the 1850s.- Wow.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Apparently, it was once the old cobbler's shop, which is very nice.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- Oh.- What are your first impressions? - Beautiful garden.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- It looks to be in very good condition and very pretty.- Yeah.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- So, let's go and take a look. - Yeah.- Thank you.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49'This 19th century double-fronted house is built
0:20:49 > 0:20:51'from local sandstone brick,
0:20:51 > 0:20:55'with its latest additions at the rear dating back to just 2003.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58'The front door takes us directly into the lounge-diner,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00'which spans the full width of the house.'
0:21:00 > 0:21:06So, through the little porch into a great size living space.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- Lovely fireplace. - It's a good size for a living room.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12It certainly has a lovely cosy feel to it.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Mm, you can imagine yourself sitting around there, couldn't you?
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- We're in what would have been the original part of the house.- Yes.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- It would have been an old two up, two down.- Yeah.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23And I think the shop would have been just off the back there,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26with probably a separate door onto the shop part.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Why don't we wander through
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- and I'll just talk you through an idea that I've got.- Right.- OK.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34'Behind the living space and across the hallway
0:21:34 > 0:21:36'at the back of the house is the kitchen.'
0:21:36 > 0:21:40It's compact, quite small, but it's nice and light and bright.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Yeah, friendly.- A little bit small.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45It's narrow, as much as anything.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Galley kitchen, isn't it? - I have an idea for that.- Yeah.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50How you could potentially overcome it.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- So, this is still one of the older parts of the house.- Yes.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57At the back has been added on an extension,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00so you've got a downstairs toilet, a utility room.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03That leads off down towards a study and then, at the far end,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05there's a garage as well. So, you've got
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- a lot of space to work with here. - Mm-hmm.- Yeah.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11I think you could open all this up here and then you would have,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13potentially, a really good size kitchen-diner.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Would doing that kind of work frighten you
0:22:16 > 0:22:18or would that be something you could take in your stride?
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I don't think it would put us off, necessarily,
0:22:21 > 0:22:26but it all comes down to budget in the end.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29I'm glad they're keeping an open mind
0:22:29 > 0:22:31as to this property's potential,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34as utilising the downstairs extension would seriously increase
0:22:34 > 0:22:37the footprint of the living space on the ground floor.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41'Upstairs, there's a large family bathroom, serving four bedrooms.'
0:22:41 > 0:22:43There's one in each corner of the house.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46There are two at the back - a bright double and an L-shaped single,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49currently in use as a dressing room -
0:22:49 > 0:22:51and two doubles at the front,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54one with a picture window and another across the hallway,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56which is the largest of the four.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03So, straight into the master bedroom,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- with really nice views over the pretty garden.- Yes.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11Yeah, this is quite a good size. Yes, plenty of room for us.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13It's very homely and cosy.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17You do get the sense of a very nice period property - you can see that.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Let's go outside. Let's explore the garden,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- which I know caught your eye when you first arrived.- OK.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29The property has a beautiful, mature and colourful garden,
0:23:29 > 0:23:33with a patio area, a lawn and well-stocked borders.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Here, at the back of the garden,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39is this really pretty little courtyard, tucked away.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42- I bet on a nice sunny day, it's a lovely sun spot.- Sun trap.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45What about the size of the garden and the planting that's in it?
0:23:45 > 0:23:46Is this your style?
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Yes, you couldn't get a better style of garden, certainly.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- TRAFFIC NOISE IN BACKGROUND - When we're outside in this garden,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54it's something that you can appreciate,
0:23:54 > 0:23:56but you've also got this background noise all the time.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00So, we'd probably think about compromising on other areas,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02such as the overall size of the property.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07OK, so size, then, is less important than having your peace and quiet.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- Yes.- Yes.- OK, so let's return to the budget.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12What do you think it's on the market for?
0:24:12 > 0:24:17- I'm going to go at about 390. - 390 from you, Tim. Caroline?
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- 395?- I'm afraid, Tim, the drinks are on you later.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24You're wrong, because Caroline is bang on the money.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29It's on the market for £395,000. How did you know?
0:24:29 > 0:24:34- It shows you that, actually, we're at the top end of your budget.- Yeah.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39We are getting space, but you're not able to get that rural quietness
0:24:39 > 0:24:41- with the space as well.- Yeah.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Well, we've got lots to think about, definitely,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46so why don't you two go and explore? Have another look around
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- and come and find me when you're ready.- Yeah.- OK.- Thank you.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Well, I think this has been a really worthwhile exercise,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57because it's bringing home to Caroline and Tim
0:24:57 > 0:25:01that this search is definitely going to be about compromise.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05This detached 19th-century property has crept in
0:25:05 > 0:25:08£5,000 under Caroline and Tim's top budget.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12It offers them space, four bedrooms, a beautiful garden
0:25:12 > 0:25:15and is also in a well-connected location,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18close to a good selection of amenities.
0:25:18 > 0:25:24This house has some nice period features. It's very charming.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29Um, it's perhaps not quite what we're looking for, but close.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32This house, I think, has a lot of plus points to it
0:25:32 > 0:25:34and a few minor disappointments.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38We like the fact that we've got a nice mixture of good size rooms.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40There's also a very pretty garden,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43but we think we probably wouldn't ever use that garden.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45We think it's far too noisy outside,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48so we would compromise on this extra space
0:25:48 > 0:25:51to get the kind of peace that we want.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- So, a good day's house-hunting... - Yeah.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- ..that I think has given the two of you lots to think about.- It has.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- Certainly has.- Let's go and do some thinking and some chatting.- OK.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16It's the last leg of our search for a country pad in north Dorset
0:26:16 > 0:26:20for Caroline and Tim, from Ash in Surrey, to call home.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25They've got a top budget of £400,000 to find a three-bedroom home,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27with a garden fit for the green-fingered.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Still to come, we've got a perfectly placed Mystery House.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Absolutely beautiful.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- You couldn't have found a nicer spot for us, really.- And so peaceful.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Yes, it is beautifully peaceful.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42And it's all hands to the deck, as I get ready to set sail.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- That's better.- That's it. - Getting my groove.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47There you go. You're a natural.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51It's the second day of our house-hunt, here in Dorset,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54and I think we gave our couple plenty to think about yesterday
0:26:54 > 0:26:56and helped them to focus on exactly what,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59on that rather ambitious wish list,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01they may be prepared to compromise on.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Today is a whole new house-hunting day
0:27:03 > 0:27:05and we're off to see the mystery property
0:27:05 > 0:27:09which, once again, is going to challenge Tim and Caroline,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11but in a very different way.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15For our last property,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18we're travelling to the village of Mappowder.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21It's name comes from the old English for maple tree
0:27:21 > 0:27:23and there are certainly many trees to be seen
0:27:23 > 0:27:25in this beautiful rural setting.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28The village church of St Peter and St Paul
0:27:28 > 0:27:30dates back to the 15th century
0:27:30 > 0:27:33and features beautiful, intricate, architectural work,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36which has earned it a Grade I listing.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40A mile and a half down the road, in neighbouring Hazelbury Bryan,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42is the local pub, which was built in 1750
0:27:42 > 0:27:46and was formerly a dairy and a brewery.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50What's more, it's not too far away from our third and final property -
0:27:50 > 0:27:55this semidetached stone character cottage, dating back to 1855.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59I'm going to stop right here because this is the Mystery House.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03- And I've just seen some chickens. - There's 23 of them.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07- They may not come with the property. - What do you think?- It looks lovely.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12- Good first impressions.- Yeah, very good.- I love the local stone.- Yeah.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13It's really eye-catching.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16We just wanted to push you on just how rural
0:28:16 > 0:28:18the two of you were really prepared to go,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20so your neighbours here are really going to be
0:28:20 > 0:28:24the cows and the chickens. You are in the field.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Yes, as we were approaching the village,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28it was gorgeous views in all directions
0:28:28 > 0:28:31and I can see that we can still enjoy those from the house.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35So, is this kind of what you had in mind for your escape here to Dorset?
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- Yes.- Yeah, you are getting much closer.- Much closer.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Come on, let's go and explore.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44'There's only the cluck of chickens and the tweets of birds to be heard,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47'as we make our way into the Mystery House.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50'Let's hope the encouraging reactions continue inside.'
0:28:50 > 0:28:54So, let's wander in to the living room
0:28:54 > 0:28:57which, as you can see, is packed with just as much character
0:28:57 > 0:28:59as this house has from the outside.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- Look at that fireplace. - A wood burning stove.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- Plenty of room to sit round. - Very cosy.- Yeah.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07It's cosy but it's actually a really good size lounge.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11You've got plenty of light coming in. It's really nice, very pleasant.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13I know the kitchen and the diner matters to you,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15- cos you want that open space, don't you?- Yes.- Yes.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18You can probably spy, just off here, is a dining room
0:29:18 > 0:29:20and then through that, we go to the kitchen,
0:29:20 > 0:29:22so I'm going to take you through and explore that,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25cos there's a few things about this house I need to explain to you.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27- OK.- Right.- Thank you.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30'This cottage offers the layout Caroline and Tim are after,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33'with one room flowing into the next.'
0:29:33 > 0:29:36So, we come through a lovely sized dining room
0:29:36 > 0:29:40into a compact but very pretty kitchen.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43It's a painted kitchen with lovely views out over the fields.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47- Yeah, while you're at the sink. - I love the view.
0:29:47 > 0:29:53Again, it's very cosy, perhaps a little bit small, yeah.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57I think we would probably do something about changing the layout,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59if we can, so that these two rooms
0:29:59 > 0:30:02are part of the same sort of environment,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- try and draw them together in some way.- Mm-hmm.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- I've got one better for you than that, really.- Yeah?
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- Cos this house has had some planning permission passed on it.- Right.- OK.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14The planning permission basically involves
0:30:14 > 0:30:17putting a doorway through there, at the bottom of the stairs
0:30:17 > 0:30:22and adding on a fantastically proportioned kitchen-dining space...
0:30:22 > 0:30:26- Yeah.- ..with bi-folding doors that would open up onto the garden
0:30:26 > 0:30:29and would completely take advantage of the views that you get.
0:30:29 > 0:30:30Wow, that's a good plan.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35Which would leave this space then to, potentially, be
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- a very nice hallway, but could also be a little study area.- Yeah.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42It sounds lovely but whether we'd have enough money
0:30:42 > 0:30:43left in our budget to do that...
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Does doing that kind of work frighten you, potentially?
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- No, not at all.- OK, so I think we're off to a good start
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- with the Mystery House.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54The plans actually also involve making some alterations upstairs.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58There's three bedrooms already, and you might be able to add to that,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01- so let's go upstairs and I'll explain.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05'The bathroom in this property is on the ground floor,
0:31:05 > 0:31:07'with the three bedrooms all upstairs.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10'They lie off a narrow landing.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13'One overlooks the back garden and the other two have front aspects.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15'But it's the master we're heading to,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18'although it might not be the master,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21'if Caroline and Tim decide to call this cottage home.'
0:31:21 > 0:31:26What the plans also involve is to add an extra bedroom up here,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28so you would stick with your three bedrooms
0:31:28 > 0:31:30and to convert the smaller bedroom, potentially,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33into a second bathroom up here.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36That would be a much more sensible layout for longer term, yes.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40Caroline, I thought that this would really grab you, this house,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42because of its location and...
0:31:42 > 0:31:44I love the character, I love the location.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49Um, I'm just wondering about the space, basically.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52We'd probably want to do an extension almost immediately,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54wouldn't we, I think?
0:31:54 > 0:31:57Only because I think that these sorts of rooms
0:31:57 > 0:32:00don't have the facility to put some storage in,
0:32:00 > 0:32:03- or a great deal of storage. - It's a period cottage.- Yes.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05And with that, you get that character,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07but there are drawbacks that also come with that,
0:32:07 > 0:32:11because you do get smaller proportions, you get lower ceilings,
0:32:11 > 0:32:13you get this cute cottagey feel.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15- Absolutely. - So, it's all about the compromise.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17THEY LAUGH
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Well, I'm really keen to show you outside
0:32:19 > 0:32:22because, obviously, one of the big pluses for this property
0:32:22 > 0:32:25is its rural position and those beautiful views,
0:32:25 > 0:32:27so let's go and have a look at the garden
0:32:27 > 0:32:28and you can get a clearer picture
0:32:28 > 0:32:30of where the extension could be as well.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34At the rear of the property, it has a substantial garden,
0:32:34 > 0:32:38with a large lawn - a blank canvas for our keen gardeners.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40There are also a host of fruit trees.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Then, beyond it, are endless stunning countryside views.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50So, where the house was small and petite,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- the garden is most definitely not. It's a great size garden.- Mm.- Yeah.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55You've got the chicken coop, you've got some sheds
0:32:55 > 0:32:59- and, of course, those amazing views. - Yes, absolutely beautiful.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- You couldn't have found a nicer spot for us, really.- And so peaceful.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07Yeah, it is beautifully peaceful. As I said, how rural do you want to be?
0:33:07 > 0:33:10We're pushing that a little bit to the boundaries but, you know,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12you can see why when you've got that view.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14We don't think you've pushed us too far in that respect.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17We really like the idea of being in a village like this
0:33:17 > 0:33:19with all of those views to look at every day when we get up.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- It's perfect for that.- Well, let's see if we can visualise the price.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25- OK.- I'll go first this time.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28I need the price to be about £350,000
0:33:28 > 0:33:30for this to be a possibility for us.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33So, that's a hopeful guess at the price, is it?
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Not really based at all on what you actually think
0:33:35 > 0:33:37it's on the market for, the price you need it to be.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42- It's what I need it to be. - OK, Caroline?- Probably 375?
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Well, hope has won out on this occasion, Tim,
0:33:44 > 0:33:49- because it's on the market for £349,950.- Wow!
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Leaving you plenty of money in your budget
0:33:51 > 0:33:54to potentially do the extension,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56any alterations you might want to do to it.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Yeah, that's incredible.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00So, now you know the price, go back inside,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03have another look around and come and find me when you're ready.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05- Off you go.- Yeah.- Great.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08This beautifully appointed semidetached stone cottage
0:34:08 > 0:34:12is £50,000 below our couple's top budget.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14It's bright and has the flow they're after,
0:34:14 > 0:34:18along with three bedrooms, planning permission to extend
0:34:18 > 0:34:21and a fabulous plot of land with amazing views.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25This is where the extension would come out, here,
0:34:25 > 0:34:30- so that would give us a really big kitchen and dining area.- Yeah.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- And then you've got the extra room upstairs as well.- Lovely.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37I think the Mystery House is very pretty,
0:34:37 > 0:34:43a lovely location and it's a bonus that it's got so much land.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45I'm very optimistic about this property.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49It's got everything that we asked for and probably more besides.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52I think I need to check a lot of the facts, though,
0:34:52 > 0:34:55to make sure that this is a practical choice for us
0:34:55 > 0:34:59but, otherwise, look at that view behind me - it's perfect for me.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01That's all the properties seen.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04I think it's time to go and have a little chat, shall we?
0:35:04 > 0:35:05- Yes.- Yes.- Come on.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13We couldn't come to Dorset
0:35:13 > 0:35:16without venturing down to its dramatic Jurassic coast.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Stretching 95 miles from east Devon to east Dorset,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23the geology here charts millions of years of history.
0:35:23 > 0:35:28The gateway to this stunning coastline is Lyme Regis,
0:35:28 > 0:35:29known as the pearl of Dorset,
0:35:29 > 0:35:33where the sea and boats have been central to its development
0:35:33 > 0:35:34and importance in the region,
0:35:34 > 0:35:38with a seafaring history that dates back to the 13th century.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Although the town hasn't been a commercial boat building centre
0:35:42 > 0:35:45since the late 1800s, since 1997,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48it's been home to the Boat Building Academy,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51the only school of its kind in the county.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53'I've come to meet Steve Petford,
0:35:53 > 0:35:57'a boat building instructor here and a former student.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00'He graduated himself from the academy in 2008.'
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- Hi, Steve, how you doing? - Hello, fine, thank you.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07Tell me about the school. Tell me about the courses that you run here.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09The length of the course is 38 weeks
0:36:09 > 0:36:12and that's quite an intensive period for the student,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16cos a lot of them come from having had no experience whatsoever.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20And we end up, by the end of the 38 weeks, producing things like...
0:36:20 > 0:36:23As you see in the background, that was built by a student
0:36:23 > 0:36:25who had no woodworking experience whatsoever
0:36:25 > 0:36:27before he came on the course.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- The boats around me are staggeringly beautiful.- Yeah.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32And I think they're beautiful, really,
0:36:32 > 0:36:35because you can see the craftsmanship that's gone into them.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38These are really old skills that you're teaching here, aren't they?
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Exactly, yeah, and they're transferrable as well.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42So, the students who graduate
0:36:42 > 0:36:44don't necessarily go into the boat building industry,
0:36:44 > 0:36:48but the skills we give them mean they can do lots of other things.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53The 38-week course costs just under £14,000
0:36:53 > 0:36:56and students range from 18 to 80,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58with its graduates working all over the world.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01The academy also offers short courses
0:37:01 > 0:37:04and over 90% of the work is practical.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06And now it's my turn to try my hand
0:37:06 > 0:37:08at this beautiful and impressive craft.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11See how your planing skills are.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Well, my dad's a carpenter, so I should be all right.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18- You should be OK then.- See, I don't notice a lot of electronic tools.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21- No.- They're quite traditional tools. - Yeah.
0:37:21 > 0:37:22- As I said, my dad's a carpenter. - Right.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24These are things I remember him having
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- in his tool bag when I was little. - Yeah, a lot it is done by hand.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29I know what that is - that's a plane.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32That's a No 4 plane, OK, and it's just a case of...
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- Like that.- Let's have a go. See if I can remember. Right.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Try and keep your weight on your back hand to keep it flat.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46You really need to concentrate.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48I was trying to talk to you at the same time then
0:37:48 > 0:37:51and I couldn't cos it focuses your mind, doesn't it?
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Definitely, yeah.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- That's better.- That's it. - Getting my groove.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03- There you go. You're a natural. - I wouldn't go that far.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06How old are the techniques that we're using here today?
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Um, well, some of the boats we're building here have been built
0:38:09 > 0:38:11in the same way for hundreds of years.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15So, where do the boats end up? They're beautiful. Where do they go?
0:38:15 > 0:38:17The students will commission the boats.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20They will pay for the materials and, at the end of the course,
0:38:20 > 0:38:22the boat's theirs to take away.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25So, they can use them, if it's their dream boat, or they can sell them.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27- They can do, yes.- Fantastic.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31So, what's the boat that I'm not very gracefully planing?
0:38:31 > 0:38:33This is called a Tammie Norrie
0:38:33 > 0:38:35and this one's going to be a rowing boat,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38but it could also be a sailing boat.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40'After all that hard work,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43'I'm being rewarded with a trip on the waters of Lyme Regis.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46'This beautiful boat is called a Guillemot
0:38:46 > 0:38:48'and is made from larch and chestnut.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53'It was hand-built by the students and took 21 weeks to complete.'
0:38:53 > 0:38:56This is the view of Lyme Regis when we get out of the harbour.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59- This is beautiful. - It's really nice, isn't it?
0:38:59 > 0:39:02'Student Stefanie Bielowski from Austria
0:39:02 > 0:39:04'is taking me out on the waters.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06'She's 16 weeks into her course here
0:39:06 > 0:39:09'and had absolutely no experience when she started.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13'When she graduates, she's hoping to work as a boat builder.'
0:39:13 > 0:39:15This is just such a beautiful place
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- to come and to learn these techniques, isn't it?- Yes.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19You've got this on your doorstep.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23It's amazing just to think that this boat was just a sketch
0:39:23 > 0:39:27a few months ago and now we're out on it. It's very satisfying.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Once we have the sails, we just want to keep
0:39:31 > 0:39:35- a bit of balance in the boats. - OK, so keep it steady.- Yeah.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Just push it towards you a little bit for us to set the sails.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Yay! It's really nice!
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- Yeah, keep the rudder. Wow, we're sailing!- It's amazing!
0:39:48 > 0:39:50The feeling when the wind catches that sail,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- it's something else, isn't it? - You can tell right away, can't you?
0:39:53 > 0:39:55- Yeah, it's great. - It just pushes you out.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59- This is somebody's dream and we're out here sailing it today.- Yes.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02- We're really lucky. - It feels very privileged, yes.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07'How wonderful, experiencing Dorset in all its glory from the water,
0:40:07 > 0:40:11'but now it's time to sail back to land and our Dorset-loving couple.'
0:40:15 > 0:40:17I wonder what Tim and Caroline have made
0:40:17 > 0:40:21of their first experience of house-hunting in Dorset.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23Let's have a chat to them and find out.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- Hello, you two.- Hello.- Hello.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Well, the last couple of days have been interesting.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31Let's just refresh our minds
0:40:31 > 0:40:33on the two properties that we showed you yesterday.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36This first one we saw was very appealing.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Certainly it was big enough for the both of us,
0:40:39 > 0:40:43there was a lovely kitchen, it was on a decent size plot.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47However, it was quite close to a road
0:40:47 > 0:40:52and the second one was even closer to a busy road,
0:40:52 > 0:40:54so I don't think we'd consider that.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57So, with those you got the space because of where you were,
0:40:57 > 0:40:59and then we showed you the complete opposite,
0:40:59 > 0:41:02which was far more rural, a pretty cottage,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05but with that, you lose some space. What were your thoughts on that one?
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Well, from the moment we saw it,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11and even before that, when we were approaching the village,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14we were very taken by the way it looked.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18When we got inside, it was a little disappointing
0:41:18 > 0:41:21but, as you pointed out, this is what we should expect
0:41:21 > 0:41:25from a semidetached cottage in a village location,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28and we were prepared to give it an open mind
0:41:28 > 0:41:29to see if we could make it work for us.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33And then you threw in another ingredient for us,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36which was the fact it had planning permission for an extension.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39And that made things a little bit more attractive.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42So, is that one on the back burner, potentially, Caroline, or...?
0:41:42 > 0:41:44I saw the potential there,
0:41:44 > 0:41:47but I always think that if you go into a property
0:41:47 > 0:41:49and immediately start thinking,
0:41:49 > 0:41:51"I need to change this, I need to change that",
0:41:51 > 0:41:53perhaps it's not the right property anyway.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55We are hoping that, within our budget,
0:41:55 > 0:41:59we can get somewhere that is more rural than the first house,
0:41:59 > 0:42:02less rural than the last house
0:42:02 > 0:42:05and somewhere in between, in terms of the dimensions
0:42:05 > 0:42:07and what we can get for our money. So, yes, of course,
0:42:07 > 0:42:10we've got to make some changes to our wish list,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13but we think there is something available out there
0:42:13 > 0:42:16and we need to do a lot more searching to find it.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18I'm really pleased that, over the last couple of days,
0:42:18 > 0:42:21we've helped you to kind of focus on what it is that you want
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- and, perhaps, what it is that you don't want as well.- Definitely.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27- Very helpful.- We wish you all the best with finding that forever home,
0:42:27 > 0:42:30here in Dorset, and we hope you can find what you're looking for.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32- Yes, thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40It's the end of our time here in Dorset
0:42:40 > 0:42:42and, while we didn't clinch the deal,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45we certainly helped Tim and Caroline focus on what they want
0:42:45 > 0:42:48from their forever home, here in the South-west.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52We wish them all the best with their search and their new life together.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Join me next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58If you'd like to escape to the country
0:42:58 > 0:43:01in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England
0:43:01 > 0:43:04and need our help, you can apply online at...