0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to Escape To The Country. Now, as you can imagine,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07we're used to seeing some pretty stunning views on our travels,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11but this one was created by a man whose vision and legacy has,
0:00:11 > 0:00:16for many, come to define what the English landscape is all about.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20But who was he? And where did he create this wonderful backdrop?
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42On today's show, I help a newlywed couple
0:00:42 > 0:00:45who want to start their married life in the countryside
0:00:45 > 0:00:48and they're overwhelmed by the houses on offer.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- You get the whole thing. - The whole thing?- The whole thing.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57- Oh, wow! That's amazing. It's amazing.- That is amazing.- Yeah?- Wow.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- But they're not always on the same page.- I think it's nice as it is.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Oh! And there, we'll disagree! SHE LAUGHS
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Well, today, we are in Shropshire,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12and this is just one view of Weston Park
0:01:12 > 0:01:17and its glorious landscape that was created by none other
0:01:17 > 0:01:20than Lancelot "Capability" Brown back in the 1760s.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Since then, his work has become as big a part of the British psyche
0:01:24 > 0:01:28as the poetry of Wordsworth, or, indeed, the paintings of Turner.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Now, later on in the show, I'll be back here at Weston Park
0:01:31 > 0:01:34to learn a lot more about the life and work of a man
0:01:34 > 0:01:38whose legacy has, for many, since defined the very idea
0:01:38 > 0:01:41of the English landscape itself.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Landlocked Shropshire is one of England's largest counties,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50and borders Wales to the west as well as four English counties.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Flowing through Shropshire,
0:01:52 > 0:01:57the River Severn is the country's longest river, at 220 miles.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Its most famous crossing point is at Iron Bridge.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Built in 1779, and the first bridge to be made from cast iron,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08it's an impressive reminder of the Industrial Revolution,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11which began in this region in the 18th century.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13The extent of Shropshire's undulating landscape
0:02:13 > 0:02:16can be appreciated at the top of Brown Clee Hill,
0:02:16 > 0:02:22the highest point in the county, at over 1,770 feet.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Set in a valley in the Shropshire hills is the small town of Clun,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28whose 15th-century bridge arches over the river
0:02:28 > 0:02:30from which it takes its name.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Its Norman church sits on one side, and on the other,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36the haunting ruins of Clun Castle.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Larger settlements include the medieval market town of Ludlow,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43with its eclectic mix of architecture,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46including the distinctive timber-framed buildings
0:02:46 > 0:02:48that are so prolific throughout the area.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51With its mix of architectural heritage,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54rich history and striking rural scenery,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Shropshire is a compelling option
0:02:56 > 0:02:58for those wanting to start a new life in the countryside.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Now, given its stunning landscapes and picture-postcard views,
0:03:05 > 0:03:09you may be reasonably forgiven for assuming that house-hunting here
0:03:09 > 0:03:12in Shropshire is always going to be an expensive business.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17But prepare to be pleasantly surprised because, currently,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21the average price of a detached property here is £276,000 -
0:03:21 > 0:03:24that's a whopping £50,000 below the national figure.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26And if you want even more for your money, well,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30head west over towards the border with Wales and the County of Powys,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and there you could get even more bang for your buck.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36As always, there are hot spots to be aware of.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37Not least, Ludlow -
0:03:37 > 0:03:40with its reputation as the foodie capital of England,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42always commands something of a premium.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44But on a day like today,
0:03:44 > 0:03:48with the landscape bathed in glorious warm summer sunshine,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52well, you can perfectly see why today's buyers want to move here.
0:03:52 > 0:03:5420-somethings Ruth and Jason,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57who both work for a large insurance company,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59have only been married for a year.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02They first encountered each other at work.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05We actually met on our very first day at work.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Well, MY very first day at work and I sat next to him at the office.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11I think I made the first move at a Christmas party.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I guess we were pretty petrified of each other on the first day,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- weren't we?- YOU were! - Well, I was scared of her.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20And she was scared of all the new people that she was working with.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21She'd come from another office
0:04:21 > 0:04:24and thought that everyone hated her because no-one was talking to her.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26And me being petrified of this pretty girl
0:04:26 > 0:04:29that has now sat next to me, I couldn't talk to her.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32So, it was an awkward first day.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34But they got over their initial nerves and,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37for the last three years, have owned a Victorian semi
0:04:37 > 0:04:39in the town of Aldershot in Hampshire,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41once home to the British Army.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43It's a former military town.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47It's got a lot of sort of, like, market towns around it.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51The military's actually left now, so it's kind of in a transition period.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53There's a lot of new housing going up.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55It's quite handy for London,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58but I suppose the down side is it's quite built-up.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01There's not too much space. There's not lots of areas
0:05:01 > 0:05:03that you could have children running around,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05and there's a lot of neighbours.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10And it's the pitter-patter of tiny feet that's prompting the move.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13We really want to have a family in the near future
0:05:13 > 0:05:16and I just have this vision of them growing up
0:05:16 > 0:05:19in the rolling countryside and being able to run around
0:05:19 > 0:05:21and have lots of space to play
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and grow up in a more natural environment.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27But they might need a mansion if Ruth gets her way.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31When I first met Jason, I wanted eight children.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35And, quite quickly, that became clear that that wasn't an option.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39So, I did go down to four, but we've settled on two or three.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Ruth and Jason can both work from home,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44and that's given them free rein to choose where they want to live.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48So, having done their research, they've settled on Shropshire.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51We think it's a really beautiful area. Kind of a hidden gem, I think.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Not a lot of people know about it.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56We really like the Ludlow area. The market town is just beautiful
0:05:56 > 0:05:59and we think that that would be a really great place to live.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04And they're not afraid of a project, as Jason is a dab hand at DIY.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08My interest in DIY came out of curiosity more than anything else,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12I think. I like to see how things work, take things apart,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15I like exploring and then fixing it.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17I've done a lot of stuff in the house here
0:06:17 > 0:06:21and I'm pretty pleased with the work. I think you are, eventually.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Maybe not when it's particularly messy,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26but it's something that is very, very satisfying, once you're done.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30And Ruth, on the other hand, is a self-confessed domestic goddess.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34I've been baking since I was a little girl with my grandma.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38I love making any kind of cakes, biscuits, breads.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I do it in my current small kitchen,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44but I would absolutely love a huge, country kitchen with a big island
0:06:44 > 0:06:47where I can bake lots of home-baked goodies and, hopefully,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50take them to my new neighbours, so they like us.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52It's a dramatic move for both of them,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55as they'll be leaving friends and Jason's family behind,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59but they're looking forward to a complete change of lifestyle.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02It's a complete unknown. It's something that we...
0:07:02 > 0:07:05we want to do. We know we want to do it for various reasons,
0:07:05 > 0:07:09but it's exciting in that we just don't know what to expect.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Ruth and Jason would like to focus their property search
0:07:14 > 0:07:17around the market town of Ludlow.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19So, I'm meeting up with them in Shropshire
0:07:19 > 0:07:21to find out what sort of house they want.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Well, guys, it now falls to me
0:07:23 > 0:07:26to officially welcome you to Shropshire, Ruth and Jason.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- How does it feel to be making this move?- Oh, we're so excited.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32We really can't wait. Excited to see what you've got for us.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37Let's get down to the reasons behind this move, Jason. Why now?
0:07:37 > 0:07:39I think we've just got to a point in our lives
0:07:39 > 0:07:42where we're looking to start a new chapter.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Family being probably the main focus.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47So, moving to the right place to start that, I think.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49And in terms of your respective jobs,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51you're in a very enviable position
0:07:51 > 0:07:53in that you can actually work from home, you can move with your job.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Yes. Our jobs are quite agile and we can work from home,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59so we thought, "Why do we live near London?
0:07:59 > 0:08:01"It's so busy and congested.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03"Let's move somewhere stunning like this."
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Like this! THEY LAUGH
0:08:05 > 0:08:08So, just remind us of your budget.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Our budget is £400,000.- And for that, you are looking for...?
0:08:11 > 0:08:15We would like a four-bedroom house with a large kitchen/diner.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19We would also like the potential to add holiday lets.
0:08:19 > 0:08:20A manageable garden.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24And something we're really keen on is character, period features,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26or something a bit quirky.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30You want what everybody wants on Escape To The Country, I suspect!
0:08:30 > 0:08:33But £400,000 for four beds and a holiday let thrown in,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36even here in Shropshire, that's quite a challenge.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Have you looked around and seen what the market can offer you here?
0:08:39 > 0:08:41We actually haven't seen any houses yet.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44So, we've given you quite a challenge, but we...
0:08:44 > 0:08:45we think you're up to the task.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49We're going to have to pick through what the market can offer us.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51And I suspect we're going to have to cover some miles.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54We've got a lot of work to do, haven't we? Come on, let's go!
0:08:57 > 0:09:00With £400,000 to spend,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03property-hunting novices Ruth and Jason would like a characterful home
0:09:03 > 0:09:07to grow into. They would like it to provide four bedrooms
0:09:07 > 0:09:09and a large kitchen/diner.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Outside, the grounds should include a manageable garden
0:09:12 > 0:09:14and the potential to add holiday lets.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18And because Jason's handy with a hammer, they'll consider a project.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21We've lined up some premium properties
0:09:21 > 0:09:23for our two insurance advisers to compare,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26but I won't be revealing the price tag of each
0:09:26 > 0:09:28until right at the end of each tour.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Our Mystery House might offer Ruth and Jason the perfect house
0:09:32 > 0:09:35to raise a family in, but with a twist on their business idea.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Our first house is in the village of Lee Brockhurst,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46around 11 miles north of Shrewsbury.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48The small market town of Wem is the closest option
0:09:48 > 0:09:52for a wide selection of independent shops.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55The town was virtually destroyed during the Wars of the Roses,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57before being rebuilt, only to suffer
0:09:57 > 0:10:01a disaster that sparked an infamous story.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03In 1677, a girl called Jane Churm
0:10:03 > 0:10:06dropped a candle which started a fire,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09destroying most of the wooden buildings in Wem
0:10:09 > 0:10:11and melting the bells in the church tower.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14However, back in the small village of Lee Brockhurst,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16under a ten-minute drive away,
0:10:16 > 0:10:20property number one is surrounded by quiet countryside.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22Right then. Here we are.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24This is property number one.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- What do you think of that? - It's amazing.- That is amazing.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- Yeah?- Wow.- Now, you don't get the whole thing...
0:10:30 > 0:10:33I'm sorry to say. But you do get the lion's share of it.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Everything to the right of that little wall there.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37Oh, wow!
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Yeah, so all of those little skylights are part of your property.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43It's absolutely stunning.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44I...
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- It's gorgeous. I'm very impressed. - LAUGHTER
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Yeah, is this the sort of thing, Jason, that you'd have gone for?
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Definitely. Conversions are pretty high up
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- on my list of favourite properties, so...- You know why?
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Cos someone's already converted it.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- Yeah. Makes sense. - Come and have a look.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Converted about 11 years ago,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09the former barn is effectively a new-build within an older shell
0:11:09 > 0:11:12and retains many classic, original features.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14To the side of the barn is a cavernous garage,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16which we'll explore later.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19OK, Ruth. What about this, then?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Wow!- Yeah?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- This is amazing.- Your face!
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- Yeah. Wows aplenty.- This is incredible.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- This is absolutely perfect. - There's an island!- Yes.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Exactly. I wondered when you'd notice that.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35And look at the beautiful beam, that is so stunning.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38And then to the left, there, you've got a utility room.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- Oh, wow!- And downstairs loo, as well, which is quite handy.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- Jason looks quite happy. - It's a very, very good start.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46I can see you casting your DIY eye
0:11:46 > 0:11:48around all the finishes, just as I do.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51And I think, you know, there is nothing here that, you know,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53distracts me at all. The finish is absolutely spot-on.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Yeah. He's definitely not allowed to rip anything out of here.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00Good! All right, let's see what you think of the rest of it.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04Now, this, they've got set up as a dining-room-cum-kind-of-study.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06But this is a huge space, really.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08It's lovely. I really like the beams...
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- Yeah.- ..the floor, everything... It's beautiful.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15And I think this room is so cosy and characterful.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- Yeah?- This is gorgeous. I love the wood burner.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- Yeah?- I love wood burners.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22I think cosy is definitely the right word for this.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Yeah. That's what I... I think that's was I'm after
0:12:24 > 0:12:27with a living room. I think it should be cosy.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30I'm not massively into sort of open-plan.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33'With the ground floor getting the seal of approval,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36'I'm keen to see if we can keep the momentum going upstairs,'
0:12:36 > 0:12:40which has the four bedrooms Ruth and Jason asked for.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42They include a large guest double,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45and two smaller bedrooms to make use of in the future.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47There's also a large family bathroom,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50with roll-top bath and, of course, the master.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54And then finally, this is the room that we think you would want.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56For very obvious reasons, because it has the en-suite, as well.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Wow. Yeah. It's lovely.- It's a really nice room. It's really nice.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02This must be bigger than what you've got now.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05It's round about the same size, but, obviously, this has got an en-suite.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07We'd be very spoilt with this.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Now then, we have to talk about price at some point,
0:13:10 > 0:13:11before we get carried away.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14However, I think we should take a pause
0:13:14 > 0:13:16and have a look at the outbuilding.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Cos I suspect this is where your DIY will come into its own.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Outside, the main space is to the front of the barn,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29but there's also a rear south-facing walled garden.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31And, of course, that double garage,
0:13:31 > 0:13:33which could be converted into a holiday let,
0:13:33 > 0:13:34subject to planning permission.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39This is amazing. This is an absolutely huge space.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41There's so much room!
0:13:41 > 0:13:44And there's another third again behind that stud wall.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48Wow. The possibilities of what you could do with this are just endless.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51So, with everything on their wish list accounted for,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55does it come in significantly under Ruth and Jason's £400,000 budget?
0:13:55 > 0:13:58How much, Jason,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01do you think you're going to have to part with to get hold of this one?
0:14:01 > 0:14:04I'd be confident in saying something around 395.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- Yeah.- I was also going to say 395,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10but definitely I think right at the top end of our budget.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13If it were 395, you can afford it.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18If it were somewhere in the order of 374,950...
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- ..wouldn't that be good?- I... I probably wouldn't believe you.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- Believe me.- This is 374,950? - Yes.- Wow.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28Wow.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31That's amazing.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Brilliant. Look, you're excited, I'm excited, what more can I say?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37The house is yours. Go and explore it, make some plans,
0:14:37 > 0:14:41see what you might do with the change, you know? It's under budget.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- And I'll come and find you later. - Thanks.- Off you go, brilliant.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Happy days in the sun in Shropshire.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Ooh, it's sizzling today!
0:14:50 > 0:14:53£25,000 under budget,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56our first house is a converted barn with exposed beams
0:14:56 > 0:14:58and characterful features.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00It has a large kitchen with an island,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03four bedrooms, and the grounds include a double garage
0:15:03 > 0:15:05that could be converted to a holiday let.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09And it's all situated in a quiet, rural location.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14There's just so many things you could do with this space.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16It's huge. The options are...
0:15:16 > 0:15:19This has really thrown a spanner in the works, hasn't it?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- There's almost too many options. - You want a workshop now.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24It could definitely be divided up
0:15:24 > 0:15:27to accommodate things like that, I think.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29I think the house itself,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32there aren't really any negative points that I can see.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33It's absolutely beautiful.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36The only down sides I would say to this property
0:15:36 > 0:15:38are potentially the location.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43It's in quite a rural setting, there's no shop, there's no pub,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46no access to schools, walking distance.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49The house, however, may make up for that.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Overall, property one has been a real eye-opener.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56In terms of the budget that we had,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59we didn't think we would get anything close to this, so it's...
0:15:59 > 0:16:02We are very excited to see what's lying ahead now.
0:16:02 > 0:16:03Do you know?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06It's nearly 30 degrees here today.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Do you have any idea how hot it is the moment?
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- It's just gorgeous, isn't it? - It's so beautiful.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Well, I think this was a great start.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Clearly, a property that's on our list for the future.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- Definitely.- Good. - Yeah. We love it. It's beautiful.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Well, we've got plenty more to tempt you with.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23But don't forget about this one. Come on.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30The longest river in Britain,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33the Severn cuts a diagonal path through Shropshire,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35on its journey to the sea in the Bristol Channel.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38For centuries, it was an important trading route
0:16:38 > 0:16:41and was instrumental in sparking the Industrial Revolution,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45transporting coal and iron from the Midlands to coastal ports.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49The coming of the railways heralded the end of commercial river traffic
0:16:49 > 0:16:52and today the Severn is mainly used for leisure.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55But local man Nigel Winfield has recently taken to the water
0:16:55 > 0:17:00with a new venture - a scenic tour using a 25-foot raft.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03So, we sent Ruth and Jason to Ironbridge Gorge
0:17:03 > 0:17:06to explore the Severn using this serene mode of transport.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10So, where did you get the idea to run these tours?
0:17:10 > 0:17:12It was actually from Canada.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17Back in 1971 is when they first started the 25-foot raft trips.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19And why this particular stretch of river?
0:17:19 > 0:17:20Is there anything special about it?
0:17:20 > 0:17:23There is. It's the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26so we have a lot of tourists that come through here,
0:17:26 > 0:17:27specifically for the bridge.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30But also other activities around the area.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32And how far will we be going today?
0:17:32 > 0:17:33It's just a short ride.
0:17:33 > 0:17:362km we do, but we take our royal time on the river.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39So, no rush, at all. Are you ready to be kitted up
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- into your buoyancy aids? - Yep. Sounds good.- OK, let's go.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46The specially made rafts can take up to 16 people
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and are some of the largest in the UK.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Nigel's experience includes white-water rafting in Canada,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55but the river here is a little calmer.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57The Severn in Ironbridge is steeped in history
0:17:57 > 0:17:59and takes in many of the iconic sights
0:17:59 > 0:18:02associated with the industrial heritage of the area.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06OK, folks. So, if you just look behind you, here,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08big, red-tile cooling towers.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12The only red-tile cooling towers in the whole of the UK.
0:18:12 > 0:18:13And it's part of the...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15formerly-known-as Ironbridge Power Station
0:18:15 > 0:18:17and it was decommissioned last year.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Taller than Blackpool Tower,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I've been told, so, yeah.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23Really nice.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28The Severn runs along the bottom of Ironbridge Gorge,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31created 15,000 years ago by floodwater
0:18:31 > 0:18:33cutting through the limestone rock.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36As the river cut into the landscape,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40the red soil revealed raw materials including coal, limestone and clay -
0:18:40 > 0:18:44rich deposits that would later be used by industry.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- How deep is it at the moment? - It's about 20 feet here.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49That's the great thing about these rafts.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- We only need 15 centimetres of water...- Oh, wow.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56..so we can venture into places that other companies can't go.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59It may seem peaceful now, but 200 years ago,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02during the heyday of the Industrial Revolution,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05this stretch of river was a hive of activity.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Today, the only reminder of that industry
0:19:08 > 0:19:10are many of the old warehouses -
0:19:10 > 0:19:12now museums - that line the river bank.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16So, you would see up to 72 boats lined along here
0:19:16 > 0:19:19all the way to the bridge, from the Museum Of The Gorge,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21which is the old Severn Warehouse.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24And they would actually just be waiting there to be loaded up,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26so you'd have a big telegraph pole.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Cargo would drop in and then they would fill up the boats
0:19:31 > 0:19:32and send them down.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36And some of the boats were three times the length of this boat,
0:19:36 > 0:19:4075, 80 feet, and they'd carry up to 60 tonnes.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42So, our job's quite easy.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Ruth and Jason are finishing their tour at the famous bridge
0:19:45 > 0:19:48that gave the area its name.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52Built in 1779, it was a revolution in design and engineering,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56both a practical structure and potent symbol of the age.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59And why make it ornate? What function did that serve?
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I think it was just a... At the time, it was just to show off.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05It was, as I say, "Look at us. Look at what we can do."
0:20:05 > 0:20:08You know, "We build out of cast iron now, no more wooden bridges."
0:20:08 > 0:20:10So, it was a statement.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14It was the first-ever cast-iron bridge in the world. And from that,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18the birthplace of Industrial Revolution really took off.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20But after a pleasant afternoon on the river,
0:20:20 > 0:20:22learning about the county's heritage,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26we need to turn our attention from cast-iron back to bricks and mortar.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Our second house is in the village of Richard's Castle -
0:20:34 > 0:20:37five miles south of Ludlow and right on the border
0:20:37 > 0:20:39between Shropshire and Herefordshire.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Named after the Norman castle that once stood here
0:20:42 > 0:20:44to defend the border with Wales,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47today, the village features a 12th-century church
0:20:47 > 0:20:48with a separate bell tower.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53There's also a pub and a village hall with lots of community events.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56House number two is just up the hill from the pub,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59and is a little less rural than our first.
0:21:00 > 0:21:01Right, guys. Here we are.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Property number two. What do you reckon?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Because you get the whole thing.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- The whole thing?!- The whole thing.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Oh. Wow! OK. I was thinking it was half.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- I bet you were.- Definitely. - Yeah.- Oh, OK! That's...
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- What do you think of that, Jason? - That is big.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17That is a lot of house.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- It IS a lot of house. - That's perked me up a bit.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Not only do you get the whole lot,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23but everything to the right of that front door
0:21:23 > 0:21:25is currently set up as a two-bed holiday let.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Oh, wow. That's amazing!
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Both a home for Ruth and Jason
0:21:30 > 0:21:33and a potential holiday let all under one roof,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36our second house dates to the 1800s
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and gives Jason an opportunity to open his tool box,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43as it could benefit from some internal reworking.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46The layout is quirky because inside has been divided into two,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49with the main accommodation on one side
0:21:49 > 0:21:52and a self-contained two-bed holiday let in the other.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55But we're starting with what would be Ruth and Jason's bit.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00So, this is the main house's living room, as it were.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Complete with multi-fuel wood burner, as you can see,
0:22:03 > 0:22:04all accessed off of that hallway.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08And the room you can see beyond this, that lovely fireplace,
0:22:08 > 0:22:10that would be the living room of the holiday let.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13But at the moment, they, you know, use it for themselves.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Of course, because it's not busy.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19I really like this. I'm really pleasantly surprised.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Coming inside, I think I wasn't expecting it to be quite so lovely.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Yeah. I mean, I've called it quirky. I mean, how would you describe it?
0:22:26 > 0:22:29I... I think it's quite quirky.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- It's very cosy. Very, very cosy.- Yes.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- And that's something I really like. - The kitchen's also really lovely.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Have a look at this.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- It's nice!- Isn't it?- It's very sweet.- This little archway,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48this sort of sprung-brick arch is quite a sweet feature
0:22:48 > 0:22:51with the cast-iron column radiator underneath it.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Yeah, that's really pretty.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55I just wonder if it's lacking a little bit in worktop space.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58I'm hiding some of it! JULES LAUGHS
0:22:58 > 0:23:02But you're right, I mean, this sort of suggests an island here,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04doesn't it, this little table?
0:23:04 > 0:23:05I think it's nice as it is.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Oh! And there we'll disagree!
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Says Ruth! SHE LAUGHS
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- Could you make it work? - At the end of the day,
0:23:13 > 0:23:14whatever the boss says goes.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Yeah. I know the feeling, mate! Come this way.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22The rest of the ground floor includes a further kitchen
0:23:22 > 0:23:25on the holiday-let side, and in the main house, there's a study.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Upstairs, there are three bedrooms for them,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32including a single and one in the eaves, complete with skylight.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36So, this is currently the master.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38The biggest one of the three
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- in the main bit of the house, I suppose.- Nice and big.- This room,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44the owners haven't really done anything with at all,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47but they have set about this, which I think is rather nice.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50This is the new en suite.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51Oh, wow! Wow.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- Yeah.- This is a HUGE en suite!
0:23:54 > 0:23:58- Jason?- I... I think it's almost too big.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00The configuration's odd.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02I think it just needs a rethink.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06That's what this one needs. It does need a bit of thought,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09but I think the space that's on offer, and in particular
0:24:09 > 0:24:11its location... Let's not forget Ludlow, just down the road.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- Yeah.- That's why we're here.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18The upstairs of the holiday-let side features two further bedrooms,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22a double and, again, a single in the eaves, as well as a shower room.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27But the fact this house is divided is possibly sowing a seed of doubt.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Outside, the rear garden has a terrace
0:24:29 > 0:24:32running along the full length of the house, which leads to a level lawn
0:24:32 > 0:24:36and there's also a timber workshop and greenhouse.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39- Really nice garden. - Yeah. Nice and quiet.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41They've got obviously half of it sort of turned over
0:24:41 > 0:24:45to something of a sort of vegetable and produce patch.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48We'd probably kill all those vegetables...by accident.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50By accident! Well, give them a chance.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53You never know, you might become green-fingered.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54Now, in terms of price,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57have you been able to kind of think about
0:24:57 > 0:24:59what this one might be on the market for?
0:24:59 > 0:25:03My guess would be around £390,000.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05390, yup.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09I'm going to go a little bit lower and say 375.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12This is on the market for £350,000.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16- Wow!- Wow.- Yeah. That the wow. That's why we're here.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- That's a surprise. - Has that changed anything?
0:25:19 > 0:25:23I was thinking it was going to be closer to the top of our budget.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26So, it's definitely given me a bit more to think about now.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- Go on, then, off you go. Go and explore.- Thanks.- Start planning.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- I- would. It's a great location, it's a great property and, let's face it,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35it's at a great price.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Under budget by £50,000, our second house,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42a detached 19th-century cottage,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44comes with a total of five bedrooms,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47a large kitchen and the two sitting rooms.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51The property has been divided up to include a self-contained annexe,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55but I think that wish for a holiday let is becoming less of a priority.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59So, this is the master bedroom of the holiday let.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01- It's big.- It's really nice in here.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03I think this would make a nice holiday let.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06But it would be nicer if we could knock through
0:26:06 > 0:26:10and expand into the house and make it one big house again.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13The layout, for me, is just quite bizarre.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15And I think it would be quite a lot of work
0:26:15 > 0:26:17to put it how WE would want it.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21In terms of keeping the holiday let section,
0:26:21 > 0:26:22I'm not so sure now.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25For me, that was one of our requirements,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27it was something we really wanted,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30but this property feels like it's suffering
0:26:30 > 0:26:33as a result of having the holiday let.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- Hey, Ruth. How you doing? - Hello. Good, thanks.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37- Have you redesigned it, then, Jason? - Yeah, pretty much.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Yeah, I thought you might have done!
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Well, look, I think it's been a really interesting day,
0:26:42 > 0:26:43a long day and certainly a hot one.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- Who's for a cold beer?- Great idea. - Definitely.- Come on.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I'm in Shropshire with a £400,000 budget,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04helping young newlyweds Ruth and Jason
0:27:04 > 0:27:06find a family home for the future.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Up next, will our Mystery House deliver the goods?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Oh, wow. Wow...
0:27:12 > 0:27:16- Gosh. I love it.- Wow.- I love it.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17And I find out more about the man
0:27:17 > 0:27:21who changed many of Britain's landscapes forever.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- Wow, look at that. - Fantastic, isn't it?
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- Absolutely.- Isn't it just beautiful?
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Well, as we head into our final day of house-hunting,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31it's perfectly clear that our search so far
0:27:31 > 0:27:35has been dominated by the need to find a home with a holiday let
0:27:35 > 0:27:38that offers the prospect of a fabled income for the future.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41But tantalising as that prospect is for Jason and,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44in particular, for Ruth, I think one thing has emerged -
0:27:44 > 0:27:48they are looking for a home in which they can grow as a family.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50And that is where our Mystery House comes in.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Now, it is undoubtedly pretty, and it has got bags of potential,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56but not in the way in which they are expecting.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58So, let's see what they make of it.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04In terms of the holiday let overall,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06I mean, one thing that has emerged,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09I think, is this sense that you are really looking for a place
0:28:09 > 0:28:12in which you can really grow as a family?
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Yeah. Family is obviously our next chapter.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16The holiday let is becoming,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19I think, more of a "nice to have", it's definitely...
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- Rather than a "must have"?- It's something we've realised, isn't it?
0:28:22 > 0:28:23Yeah. I think the key is "potential".
0:28:23 > 0:28:26That's probably the word that we would use.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28We like the idea of having something
0:28:28 > 0:28:31that we can use in the future for whatever purpose we want to,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34which is probably why I'm quite excited about house one.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40We are heading north-east for our last house,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43which is in the village of Hinstock,
0:28:43 > 0:28:45around 20 miles from Shrewsbury.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Amenities in this pretty and peaceful settlement
0:28:47 > 0:28:50include a primary school with a good Ofsted rating,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52a village shop and a post office,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55along with a recently renovated pub.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Our Mystery House is about a mile outside the village,
0:28:57 > 0:29:01and on a quiet lane, and is a classic country cottage.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03The perfect place to raise a young family.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- There you go.- Oh, it's lovely.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12- That is incredibly nice. - Really pretty, isn't it?- So pretty.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16Yeah, very, very sweet. And the gardens, you can see, are beautiful.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Now, at its core, you've got this part of the structure here
0:29:19 > 0:29:24which is about 1850, 1860. And this little single-storey addition,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26which I think might have been a forge at some point.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29But it's then had this new addition, this single-storey annexe.
0:29:29 > 0:29:30Now, if this was the first property
0:29:30 > 0:29:32I was showing you, we might be talking about that
0:29:32 > 0:29:34in terms of it being a holiday let,
0:29:34 > 0:29:38but I now think you don't really want it attached to the property.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41So, I'm selling this to you as your family home.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- Happy?- Yeah, it looks lovely. - Yeah. It's got the wow factor to it.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Appearance-wise, this is definitely my taste.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50I think it's the most characterful of the lot
0:29:50 > 0:29:52- that we've been able to show you this week...- Yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55..with this little secret addition, which I'm going to reveal later on.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56But let's get into the property
0:29:56 > 0:30:00and see if you can fit your new life into this beautiful Mystery House.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04It certainly got the characterful appeal they wanted,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07but can they see their future here?
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Well, start in here, I guess, the main event, really.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- Oh, wow.- Wow.- Oh, gosh.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15- Wow.- I love it.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17- It's unusual...- It's gorgeous.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19..in the way that the units have been constructed out of brick
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- with these little sort of infill doors.- I love them.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24They're beautiful. I've never seen anything like that before.
0:30:24 > 0:30:25When we first arrived, Jason,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28I got the sense that you felt this property was very much you.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Is this you on the inside?
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Well, I think if we're honest, this room isn't for me.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35I think someone else is in charge of that one,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38but if I had to choose one of the three that we've seen,
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- this would be number one. - That's interesting, isn't it?
0:30:41 > 0:30:42And it all flows really nicely into here.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46This is your main family sitting room, I suppose,
0:30:46 > 0:30:48dominated by that enormous wood burner -
0:30:48 > 0:30:51not a multi-fuel - but it leads on into here.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56See, this, I think, is probably one of my favourite rooms down here.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58And that chimney was revealed.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00It was hidden behind a stud wall
0:31:00 > 0:31:04which makes me wonder if this was perhaps some sort of forge,
0:31:04 > 0:31:06because originally it was more of an agricultural building,
0:31:06 > 0:31:11more of a barn. But now, it's this rather elegant dining room.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13It is lovely. I love the beams. They're gorgeous.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15The fireplace is beautiful.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17It's got a really cosy feel.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18I'm a big fan of all the features.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Like, throughout the property so far.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23The fireplaces, the beams,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25massively sold on those.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Well, Ruth and Jason seem happy so far,
0:31:28 > 0:31:30but let's not forget that single-storey annexe
0:31:30 > 0:31:33to the side of the house. With its own living room,
0:31:33 > 0:31:37small kitchenette and a bathroom, it's completely self-contained.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Upstairs, in the main house, there are three bedrooms,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42including a single and a guest double.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45There's also a family bathroom with a corner bath,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48which just leaves the master.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53And then, finally, this, I think, would be yours.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55It's the biggest. There's no en suite here,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58but you have, of course, got the family bathroom down the corridor.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- It's lovely. Really nice. - It's plenty big enough, isn't it?
0:32:01 > 0:32:05- Definitely. Very quaint. - It's definitely to my taste.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08What's going through your mind? I get the sense there's a "but".
0:32:08 > 0:32:10Oh, no. I think he probably is more taken with it than me.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- I do like it a lot. - What's worrying you about it?
0:32:15 > 0:32:19I don't know. I just don't get that wow feel from it.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22But we had some wows downstairs, didn't we?
0:32:22 > 0:32:23We had some wows when we turned up.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Have we lost that wow feeling?
0:32:25 > 0:32:28I think it's hard for me to see
0:32:28 > 0:32:30how I would have the rooms.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33That's interesting. Is that because of your taste
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- or because of their size? - I think because of my taste.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Park that thought, because I want take you outside
0:32:39 > 0:32:42and show you my little surprise.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Outside, the house sits in a beautifully designed garden,
0:32:48 > 0:32:50including a section of formal lawn.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54But just beyond that is that little surprised I was talking about.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Well, it's not that little.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59So, look at this!
0:32:59 > 0:33:00Oh, wow!
0:33:00 > 0:33:02JULES LAUGHS
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Does my tease makes sense now?
0:33:04 > 0:33:07This is the one thing we haven't shown you this week,
0:33:07 > 0:33:11- and that is land. - That's a lot of land.- Wow.
0:33:11 > 0:33:12What would you do with it?
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Well, this is where I think
0:33:14 > 0:33:17this property's potential really comes into its own
0:33:17 > 0:33:21because I'm thinking, here, a shepherd's hut...
0:33:22 > 0:33:24..that you let out as a holiday let.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28I like your thinking. I think it has definitely
0:33:28 > 0:33:30given us a lot to think about.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32- I think someone's quite excited. - Yeah, I can see.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36- And you get a ride-on mower, mate, how about that?- That's the dream!
0:33:36 > 0:33:39So, let's see how much this dream is going to cost you.
0:33:39 > 0:33:45Although it has got a lot of land, I still think around £365,000.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Do you? Jason?
0:33:47 > 0:33:50I'm thinking because of the land it's going to be a lot higher.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52I'm going to say 390.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55I'm afraid it doesn't start with a three, it starts with a four.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58- Ooh...- It's 425.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02Having said that, we haven't brought you here to break your hearts,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05or be it your bank account.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07The owners know what your budget is
0:34:07 > 0:34:09so there's a conversation to be had.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13I'm still excited. I'm still excited.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14Excellent, excellent!
0:34:14 > 0:34:17I suspect you might have to do a bit of arm-twisting here with Ruth.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19It's a lot of money, it's all of your budget.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Let's be honest. This is an asset that you'll be investing in.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24That's the key thing. I mean, Jason knows what I'm talking about.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Absolutely. Yeah, I completely agree with everything you are saying.
0:34:27 > 0:34:28ALL LAUGH
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Excellent. Well, look,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32go and explore and I will come and find you later on.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- Thank you.- Off you go.
0:34:34 > 0:34:39Priced at £425,000, the owner is willing to discuss an offer
0:34:39 > 0:34:41closer to Ruth and Jason's budget.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45It's a classic country cottage dating to the 19th century,
0:34:45 > 0:34:49with a large kitchen, three bedrooms and a separate annexe,
0:34:49 > 0:34:51and it does include a large paddock
0:34:51 > 0:34:55that could be developed for camping or glamping, subject to consent.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59There's a lot of potential. There's definitely things that we could do,
0:34:59 > 0:35:02but I think I need to convince Ruth of those things.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05I think that Jason is probably a bit more taken
0:35:05 > 0:35:07with the property than I am.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11From my point of view, I think it's a bit more daunting for me.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13I think of the practical elements,
0:35:13 > 0:35:15whereas he tends to just fall in love with something.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Well, that's it.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Our house tours are over.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23We have given you lots to discuss, haven't we?
0:35:23 > 0:35:24Yeah. An awful lot.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Right then. Come on. Let's go.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34300 years ago,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Britain's most influential garden designer was born.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Lancelot "Capability" Brown
0:35:39 > 0:35:43transformed England's country landscapes in the 18th century.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47Today, his name is synonymous with our most celebrated stately homes.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50From the sweeping grounds at Stowe in Buckinghamshire,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53to the vast estate of Chatsworth in Derbyshire,
0:35:53 > 0:35:58Capability Brown made picturesque parks look like paintings.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01To find out more about this landscaping legend,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03I've come to Weston Park in Shropshire
0:36:03 > 0:36:06which he created in the 1790s, to meet Carol Evans,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09director of a festival celebrating his birth.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12How did he get this amazing reputation?
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Well, he didn't have a particularly impressive start in life.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Born in a village, in Kirkharle in Northumberland,
0:36:19 > 0:36:21he stayed in school a lot longer than most children did,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25left at the age of 16, and then went to work on the local estates.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28And eventually got taken on as a head gardener
0:36:28 > 0:36:30at Stowe in Buckinghamshire,
0:36:30 > 0:36:32where he spent ten years really honing his craft,
0:36:32 > 0:36:34meeting the great and the good,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37who flocked to see this amazing landscape.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38He sort of built his career
0:36:38 > 0:36:42and convinced people that he was an amazing - not just gardener -
0:36:42 > 0:36:45but creator of estates with great capabilities.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50Now, his nickname of "Capability" Brown, just to be clear,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53doesn't relate to some immodest take on his own abilities,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55but it was about his view of landscape
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- and its potential, wasn't it? - Absolutely.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01So, he was christened Lancelot, but his marketing trick,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04in a way, if you like, is supposed to have been going out,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06walking around the landscapes with the owners
0:37:06 > 0:37:09and saying they had "great capabilities for improvements".
0:37:09 > 0:37:11And that seems to have stuck, and we're not sure if anyone
0:37:11 > 0:37:13actually called him Capability to his face,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15because whenever you see the records,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- he's always referred to as "Mr Brown".- Lancelot Brown.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Capability Brown's trademark
0:37:20 > 0:37:23was to create natural-looking elegant landscapes.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27He swept away the symmetrical formal gardens of country estates
0:37:27 > 0:37:29and replaced them by planting woods,
0:37:29 > 0:37:32fashioning parkland and digging lakes.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36He often embellished his designs with an architectural flourish.
0:37:36 > 0:37:41Here at Weston Park, the Temple of Diana punctuates the treescape.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Every masterstroke was deliberate.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45It was all about the view.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Trees were used to perfectly frame vistas,
0:37:47 > 0:37:51and water's reflective qualities doubled the perspective.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54One of his designs at Weston Park is the private pleasure ground,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57a place for the gentry to enjoy a gentle stroll,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00and one of only five that exist today.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- Wow, look at that. - Fantastic, isn't it?
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Isn't it just beautiful?
0:38:05 > 0:38:10This is just a wonderful example of the sort of work that Brown put in.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Gorgeous, cooling lakes with the most wonderful trees,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15all different shapes, all different species.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18So you've got a whole variety of different things
0:38:18 > 0:38:19for your eye to play with.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22And then they reflect perfectly into the lake, as well.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25This is completely artificial, yet it's been made to look
0:38:25 > 0:38:29as if it's always been here for thousands of years!
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Brown's new designs were far more practical
0:38:31 > 0:38:33than the formal gardens that came before,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36although, today, they still take some looking after.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39That job is down to head gardener Martin Gee,
0:38:39 > 0:38:43whose family first came to Weston Park in 1803,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46a decade after Brown started working here.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48How difficult a job is it?
0:38:48 > 0:38:50It is quite a large job because it covers quite an extensive area.
0:38:50 > 0:38:55But Brown intended these gardens to actually be low-maintenance.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57When things get busy and start encroaching,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00you obviously have to take a view and cut things down.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03The Victorians added an awful lot of rhododendrons,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05and, of course, rhododendrons are quite invasive.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07And so, we've been taking, believe it or not,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10we've taken 80% of the rhododendrons out, just to open views up.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12- Like where we're stood, here. - I mean, to be fair, Carol,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15it's not often you get the chance to talk to somebody
0:39:15 > 0:39:16who's got the direct connection
0:39:16 > 0:39:19some two centuries back in history to the same place.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- I mean, that's extraordinary! - Oh, it's fantastic.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25And it's a bit of living history, really, if you don't mind me saying!
0:39:25 > 0:39:27How do you feel about being some living history?
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Well, I've been called a lot of things in my time!
0:39:29 > 0:39:34Capability Brown worked on 500,000 acres in his lifetime,
0:39:34 > 0:39:36across England and Wales,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39with an illustrious client list that included the King,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42six Prime Ministers, and half the House of Lords.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Over two centuries may have passed since his death,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48but today we continue to admire his visionary work
0:39:48 > 0:39:52that has changed the art of landscaping forever.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Well, we've certainly seen some stunning views this week,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59not least, of course, those created by Capability Brown.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03So, where better to have my final conversation with Ruth and Jason
0:40:03 > 0:40:07than here in the rather glorious surroundings of Weston Park?
0:40:07 > 0:40:09As you've seen, it's already inspired me,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12and I'm pretty sure it will inspire them, too.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- Hi, guys. How you doing? - Hello! Great, thanks.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23Fun week, I think!
0:40:23 > 0:40:25It has been SO good. Thank you so much.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28You've shown us three really cracking houses.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Let's get down to the reality of the situation,
0:40:31 > 0:40:32which is that you want to move.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36Have we managed to find you a house that you can move to?
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- I know that you love the first one. - I do.- Yes.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44And I think that you, Jason, fell in love with the last one,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46- our Mystery House. - Yeah, I think that's fair to say.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51So, which one of the two is tipping the scales of your future?
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Well, I think, after talking about it a bit,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I just absolutely loved the first house
0:40:57 > 0:40:59and now that we've had a discussion
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I think it's the most practical house for us
0:41:01 > 0:41:05and for our potential family. So, I think, at the moment,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08we are definitely very interested in house one.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Wow! Was that a difficult thing to agree on?
0:41:11 > 0:41:14It wasn't. I think my judgment
0:41:14 > 0:41:17was a little clouded by seeing property number three.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21It took my breath away and it was exactly what I would choose
0:41:21 > 0:41:23if we were looking at the brochure, if you like.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27But casting my mind back to property one,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31I did feel very similarly about it.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Well, so, burning question,
0:41:35 > 0:41:36what happens next?
0:41:37 > 0:41:40So, I think we'd like to go back for a second viewing
0:41:40 > 0:41:42and see if we can be a bit cheeky
0:41:42 > 0:41:44and speak to the neighbours about having a look
0:41:44 > 0:41:46in their garage conversion just to see what they've done.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51Interesting. So, are we talking what, days, weeks, months away?
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Well, we're in the area at the moment
0:41:53 > 0:41:55so strike whilst the iron's hot, I suppose.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59So, it's not the days, weeks or months, it's hours away -
0:41:59 > 0:42:01this second viewing!
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Brilliant, guys! Fantastic!
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Well, I feel rather ashamed that we've just got tea for you.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08Really we should have champagne. But we can toast you nonetheless.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10- Here's to you. Well done. - Thanks.- Cheers.
0:42:16 > 0:42:17Well, as Ruth and Jason rush back
0:42:17 > 0:42:20to have another look at property number one,
0:42:20 > 0:42:21I've got time to reflect on
0:42:21 > 0:42:24what undoubtedly has been a thoroughly enjoyable week.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26And what I've really liked about these two
0:42:26 > 0:42:29is that they've really embraced the whole process of house-hunting.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32They've judged each one on its respective merits,
0:42:32 > 0:42:33just as they should do,
0:42:33 > 0:42:37and I'm sure have now come up with the perfect conclusion.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40So, as they now set about planning their future,
0:42:40 > 0:42:43well, they might take a leaf out of Capability Brown's book.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Country life, like the landscape that surrounds it,
0:42:46 > 0:42:48is all about what you make of it.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50I'll see you next time.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53If you would like to escape to the country
0:42:53 > 0:42:56in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland,
0:42:56 > 0:43:03and need our help, you can apply online at...