Wiltshire Escape to the Country


Wiltshire

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The distinctive memorial you see in the churchyard

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behind me marks the final resting place

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of one of Britain's best-loved spy masters,

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but where am I, and who am I referring to?

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Find out in just a moment.

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Today I'm helping a couple who are

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moving for the first time in 32 years.

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We show them something very different.

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So, the house you live in at home...

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-Nothing like this!

-Yeah, I imagine.

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But will they settle on something similar?

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It's not a house, it's a home.

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-Good, yeah.

-Yes?

-Yeah.

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Today, I'm in Wiltshire, in Sevenhampton

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and this obelisk marks the spot where

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author and former intelligence officer Ian Fleming

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was buried in 1964.

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Now, Fleming's most famous creation was of course James Bond,

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but Ian wasn't the only Fleming with connections

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to the intelligence world.

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His brother Peter played a key role in setting up

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a secret resistance force based here in Wiltshire

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in the Second World War.

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Later on, I'll be learning more about their mission and training,

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but first, let's find out

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what else this stunning county has to offer.

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Known as the gateway to the West Country,

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landlocked Wiltshire is bordered by

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counties including Dorset to the south

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and Gloucestershire to the north.

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With the landscape largely shaped by agriculture,

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Wiltshire is characterised by

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its rolling chalky hills and wooded valleys,

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and its landmarks are visible reminders of a history

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dating back thousands of years.

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It's home to one of the highest concentrations

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of prehistoric monuments in the world,

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including the largest stone circle at Avebury,

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dating back around 5,000 years.

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The county is also famous for its collection of white horses

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carved out of the chalky hills,

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including one at Westbury, which is 52 metres wide.

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Wiltshire also has its fair share of attractive market towns,

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including Marlborough, with its wide Georgian high street,

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and pretty thatched villages such as Alton Barnes,

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overlooked by the Pewsey Downs.

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With such a wealth of awe-inspiring architecture

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set in timeless landscape, it's easy to see

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why so many people want to make this county their new home.

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Wiltshire offers great potential for country living while still

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remaining connected, courtesy of great road and rail links

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back into London and Bristol, whilst having good access

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to the ever popular south-west coastal region.

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But you will have to pay a premium for that privilege.

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The average price of a detached house here in Wiltshire

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comes in at around £382,000 -

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around £70,000 above the national figure.

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However, hop over the border into Gloucestershire and you will find

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pockets offering you substantial savings,

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which is good news for today's buyers,

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who aren't bound by county borders.

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Their priority is proximity to their family.

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Bob and Andrea have lived in their current home in Luton, Bedfordshire,

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for the last 32 years.

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Both now retired from the medical profession,

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their first encounter was full of drama.

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It was just before Christmas and there was an amateur dramatic group

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associated with the hospital that put on pantomimes for staff

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and patients. Bob was in the pantomime

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and I was doing the make-up.

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-Her first words to me were...

-You don't have to say that.

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.."You can't go on stage with make-up like that."

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"With a green neck", I said.

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Bob stopped wearing Andrea's make-up and now they've been married

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for 36 years. Their son and daughter

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are both in their 30s and have flown the nest,

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so they feel the time is right to sell the family home in Luton.

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We moved here when our son was one-year-old.

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It was a three-bed semi and it was big enough for what we needed

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at the time, but now the children have moved away,

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so now we're moving to be with family,

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and that's what we want to do.

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Their eldest daughter is moving the Gloucestershire,

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and Bob and Andrea want to stay close to her,

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but they're also seeking a quieter pace of life.

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It's a lovely part of the country.

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The Cotswolds nearby and the housing is really nice down there.

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-We're looking at a more rural...

-Yep.

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..environment than we're in now,

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something a little bit more where there's walks nearby.

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Really, it's a slowdown.

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We don't want to stop by any means, but it's a chance for us to sort of

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spread our wings and try different things.

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One hobby Bob is keen to develop is photography.

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I've been doing it for about 20 years now.

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It's become a passion, really, I guess.

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I've looked at all different types of photography,

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but I've settled on portrait photography, which is something

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I've been told I have quite a knack for. So photography, yes,

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burning ambition to get it right and to photograph some wonderful people.

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Yeah, but not me.

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But not you. No, she doesn't like having her photograph taken.

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-No.

-No.

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However, Andrea wants to continue volunteering

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when she moves to the countryside.

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We're both very interested in history and architecture, I guess.

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We both volunteer at a national charity, not far from here,

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where that enables us to talk about the history of the building,

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and you photograph all the artefacts,

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so we would hope to carry that on.

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After living in Luton for over 30 years,

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they know that their life will change,

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but they're eager to take that next step.

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Over the years that we've been here, we've had a wide circle of friends,

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particularly as the children were growing up, but like us,

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they have all moved away, and so now we are looking forward to

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making new friends in our new home environment.

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Bob and Andrea would like to be within an hour of their daughter

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in Cirencester, Gloucestershire,

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so we'll be looking in the north and west of the county.

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I'm meeting up with him in Wiltshire to talk property particulars.

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Morning, welcome to Wiltshire.

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-Good morning.

-Nice to see you.

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Lovely to see you, and I'm sure it's great to be here.

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-A long way from home.

-Yeah, very much so.

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Let's talk about the house you're after, because I imagine

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you're quite used to a certain style of living,

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having been in your current house for how long?

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-32 years.

-Right, OK, so let's just see how adaptable to change you are!

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We're just a little settled as we are, so we're open to change.

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-Are you?

-Yes.

-I'm not so sure!

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-Ohh, really?

-I'm not so sure that we are.

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It will depend on the amount of change.

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Describe to me the house you think you'd like to live in down here.

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So, we'd like a reasonable-sized master bedroom.

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-Or dressing room.

-Then three or four bedrooms, but again reasonable size.

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We don't want four bedrooms

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where actually the third and fourth bedroom is, you know...

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You can touch the walls at the same time.

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What do you want four bedrooms for if the children have left home?

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Well, if it doesn't have a study,

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we'd like to have a study. So we could turn a bedroom into a study.

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Just thinking ahead now, what about things like outbuildings or garages,

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could you convert them or do you have a car?

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-That's my area, I guess.

-That's your dream.

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I'm looking for a large garage or outbuilding

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that has height as well as width,

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-because I want to do portrait photography.

-OK.

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But it's not a showstopper, because if there is sufficient land -

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although we're looking for a manageable garden -

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if there is sufficient land, I could put a building perhaps...

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I can already see conflicts here.

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BOB AND ANDREA LAUGH

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"We want a manageable garden but we want..."

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You mentioned the word "land". That always terrifies me.

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-No...

-We don't want huge land, we're not gardeners.

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-No.

-All right, what about style?

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Because you've got some beautiful stone-built properties

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in this part of the world.

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Yeah, the stone is lovely and we love it.

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As long as the rooms aren't dark.

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I like reasonably sized windows and good natural light.

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You like modern houses, by the sounds of it.

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-Probably, yes.

-The ultra modern houses

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seem to have smaller windows,

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so that's what we've been concerned about when we've been looking.

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This is going to be interesting, isn't it?!

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This is why we haven't moved for 32 years!

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You know what? I see this a lot.

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It's prising people like yourselves out of your house.

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You've made the decision, you want to move...

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-Yes, definitely.

-..but you will have to leave a lot of what makes you

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so comfortable and satisfied with your current home behind you.

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-Yes, that's true.

-And take it out on me.

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That's what I'll say - take it out on me.

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What about price, remind me of what your budget is.

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A maximum of 425.

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-A maximum of 425?

-Yes.

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All right, let's see how we get on.

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-I know just the place to start. Come with me.

-Thank you.

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-It's going to be different.

-Yeah.

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-That sounds good.

-That's what we want.

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With a budget of £425,000,

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Bob and Andrea would like a detached characterful property

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with light rooms. They're after four good-sized bedrooms,

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one of which could be a study.

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They'd like a manageable garden and Bob would like a large garage

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or outbuilding that he can use as a photographic studio.

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We've chosen three properties that best reflect their wishlist,

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but they won't get to know the price tag until the end of each tour.

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With our final house - the mystery property -

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we'll see just how far Bob and Andrea

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are willing to disrupt the status quo.

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Our first house is two miles from the town of Trowbridge,

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in the village of West Ashton.

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Surrounded by peaceful countryside, it's a small yet vibrant village

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with a community spirit, and includes a listed Victorian church,

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a primary school and a village hall hosting many social events.

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Property one is situated on a private lane in the village.

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So, this is very exciting for you, the first house in 30 years,

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or first home you could be buying. Is it this? What do you think?

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-Wow.

-Not what I expected, but interested to see inside.

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Interesting, interesting.

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This is essentially a converted barn.

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-Yes.

-Have you ever thought about that?

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Yeah, we've looked at them.

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So how much are we talking about?

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-What are you getting?

-Yes.

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Good question. See that white fencing there?

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-Yes.

-It's beyond that white fencing, around the L-shape to the end there.

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-OK.

-So you're looking at an L-shaped property.

-OK.

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Now, what do you think...?

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Typical bloke - "Just how much of a garden?"

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-Yes, exactly.

-Do you like this environment?

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-Do you like the village we're in?

-Yeah, it's nice.

-Yes, lovely.

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Very, very good start.

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Of course, Trowbridge has a brewery, that's got to be a bonus, hasn't it?

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Could be good for the evenings in front of the fire with the beers.

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Perfect. Well, if you're up for evenings in front of the fire,

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-have I got a fireplace to show you.

-Ohh.

-Come with me.

-OK.

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'Good reactions to what is - let's face it -

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'a completely different proposition to their home in Luton.

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'The former barn dates back to the 1800s, and it's been renovated

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'and stylishly designed by the current owner.'

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Now this is a rather grand way of walking in.

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Those lovely doors.

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-Oh, wow.

-Now, look at this for a room.

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-BOB LAUGHS

-Amazing.

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-I hadn't expected this from the outside.

-Oh, my goodness.

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If I'm honest. Wow.

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That is... That is old and new all in one, isn't it?

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So, the house you live in at home...

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Nothing like this.

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Yeah, I imagine. Now, the fireplace...

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That is some fireplace, isn't it?

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-It is. See the stonework there?

-Yes.

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That comes from a nearby railway station.

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-Oh, my goodness.

-Reclaimed the ironwork along the side there.

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-Wonderful bit of timber going across.

-Yeah.

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The flooring is new, it's oak flooring.

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Here's another clever design.

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He decided to lay it so it points you towards the courtyard garden.

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-Clever.

-Oh, OK.

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I think you'd live in here, and for the first year,

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you'd be finding these wonderful quirks.

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-Different things, yes.

-It reflects the guy that's built this place

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and you wonder where it's all from.

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Let me show you the bedrooms through this side now.

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OK, sure.

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At the end of the kitchen, there's a utility room for the white goods

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as well as a wet room.

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There are four bedrooms in this former barn,

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three of those on the ground floor.

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They include a double, which is adjacent to the family bathroom,

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and there's a spare room that could be set aside

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for Bob's photography equipment.

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Upstairs, on a mezzanine level, there's a guest double.

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'There's no doubt it's an impressive space, but can Bob and Andrea

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'see themselves here with their own belongings and furniture,

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'as we explore what could be their master bedroom on the ground floor?'

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-Wow.

-Now, the master bedroom...

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I think you'll rather this.

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-Oh, gosh!

-Gosh.

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BOB CHUCKLES

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-Big enough.

-Is it?

-I think so.

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-Ohhh.

-I think so.

-We probably could.

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-Wardrobes.

-I notice there's a conversation going on here.

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I think what's going on here is,

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you're seeing if you can fit them in,

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but hopefully it's not a deal-breaker.

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-No, no.

-Not at all.

-It's a nice room.

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You've got a bathroom that is almost finished up above.

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-OK.

-And the owner is going to put a modular staircase in.

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-Oh, wow.

-OK.

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-It gets better.

-I think it's just a question of getting used to it.

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We've never had a ground-floor bedroom.

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And as you said before,

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it's breaking the mould from what we've been used to

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for 30-odd years and looking at how can adapt and fit in to

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what is obviously a lovely house.

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-Yeah.

-You don't have to stagger upstairs to bed

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-when you're plastered!

-LAUGHING: Meaning you!

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If you knew Andrea...

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I'm going to like you, Andrea.

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That's not the case, that's not the case.

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Outside, there's an enclosed courtyard area

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just off the master bedroom,

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along with a south-west-facing garden,

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comprising a patio area and manageable lawn

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which is accessed via the main living space.

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Well, you said a garden as opposed to land, didn't you?

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Yes, yes, and this is a garden.

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-Yeah.

-That's fine. We can hang the washing out, I can sit out.

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-That's fine.

-OK!

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That's what a garden is for you, then?

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That's what a garden is for me.

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A suntrap, I think.

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-It really is, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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Apparently it's like this all the time in Wiltshire!

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BOB AND ANDREA LAUGH

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Have you both been thinking about the price?

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Have a go at guessing it.

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-You first.

-Oh, what a gent(!)

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I think...415,000.

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I think it's £425,000.

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OK. This place is on the market for £400,000.

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-Wow.

-Oh, wow, that's a surprise.

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-That makes it twice as hard.

-That is a surprise.

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-Yes!

-A pleasant one, by the sounds of it.

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Yeah. It's certainly worth some serious thought.

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-Absolutely.

-Well, give it just that.

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Go back into this place and have a look around on your own.

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-OK.

-I will meet you at the front whenever you're done.

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Thank you. Thanks very much.

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Priced at £400,000,

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our first house is a converted barn

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which has been sympathetically restored.

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There's a light and airy L-shaped living space

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with feature fireplace and four bedrooms in total,

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with three on the ground floor.

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The garden is easy to maintain and they'd be at the heart

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of a village community.

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-So this would be the guest bedroom.

-This is lovely, isn't it?

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-Yeah, very nice.

-Good size.

-Good size.

-Nice and light.

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Big enough for a double bed, so, yeah, spot-on.

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Very pleasant indeed and a big surprise,

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especially from having seen it outside to how big it is inside.

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It's a TARDIS. This is a lot of house for the money.

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This has been a fantastic start.

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Somebody in this house has got an amazing vision.

0:16:070:16:10

Whether I could see myself living here, I'm not sure at this moment.

0:16:100:16:14

It needs some real, serious thought.

0:16:140:16:19

It's very different from where we are.

0:16:190:16:21

That's not to say it's a deal-breaker.

0:16:210:16:23

I just have to have my head round it

0:16:230:16:25

as to whether I can live in this way.

0:16:250:16:27

I am almost rueing not keeping this as the mystery house,

0:16:290:16:34

but we've started well with this, haven't we?

0:16:340:16:36

-We have, very much so.

-Amazing start.

0:16:360:16:38

I think you'll be hard pushed to do it better.

0:16:380:16:40

Well, we're just going to do it different.

0:16:400:16:41

-Onto the next one.

-All right, lovely. Wow.

0:16:410:16:43

Wiltshire is a mostly rural county,

0:16:490:16:51

covering around 2,000 square miles,

0:16:510:16:53

and features internationally recognised heritage sites,

0:16:530:16:56

gently undulating terrain and a great abundance of wildlife.

0:16:560:17:02

In 1962, the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

0:17:020:17:04

was formed to protect and conserve the county's countryside heritage.

0:17:040:17:10

Today, it manages a number of wildlife reserves,

0:17:100:17:12

including this one at Clouts Wood.

0:17:120:17:14

It also relies on volunteers, and since Bob and Andrea

0:17:140:17:18

have expressed an interest in getting involved in the community,

0:17:180:17:20

we sent them to meet reserve officer Ellie Jones

0:17:200:17:23

to find out more about volunteering...

0:17:230:17:25

-Hi, Ellie.

-Hi.

-Really nice to meet you.

-Yes, you too.

0:17:250:17:28

..and photo opportunities.

0:17:280:17:30

So, as you've noticed, I've got my camera with me.

0:17:300:17:33

I'm a very keen photographer.

0:17:330:17:35

What sort of things could I see on the reserve?

0:17:350:17:37

Well, we're on an area of chalk downland at the moment,

0:17:370:17:39

so there's lots of beautiful wild flowers out.

0:17:390:17:41

-Right.

-We see over 12 species of bumblebee.

0:17:410:17:44

-12?

-Yeah.

-Wow.

-And some great birds as well.

0:17:440:17:47

Red kites, buzzards, green woodpecker

0:17:470:17:49

and spotted flycatcher have been seen recently.

0:17:490:17:51

-Oh, wow.

-So, yeah, quite a bit.

0:17:510:17:53

And do you rely on volunteers?

0:17:530:17:56

We do. We have an awful lot of volunteers

0:17:560:17:58

that do brilliant work across our research,

0:17:580:18:00

so it's really important to us.

0:18:000:18:02

And what sort of work that they be doing on a day-to-day basis?

0:18:020:18:05

It really depends on the reserve and on the time of year,

0:18:050:18:07

so they could be involved in things like woodland management,

0:18:070:18:10

coppicing for example,

0:18:100:18:11

or in the summer you could be doing things like path creation

0:18:110:18:14

or step construction, so it's really, really variable.

0:18:140:18:16

-Wow, OK.

-Very interesting, very interesting.

0:18:160:18:19

Right, guys, would you like to follow me?

0:18:190:18:21

-we'll go on a wildlife walk.

-That would be fabulous.

0:18:210:18:23

-Sounds great.

-Great.

0:18:230:18:24

Surrounded by grazing land,

0:18:260:18:28

Clouts Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest

0:18:280:18:31

and has existed as a wood since the last ice age receded.

0:18:310:18:35

A haven for insects and wild flowers,

0:18:350:18:37

it's not long before portrait photographer Bob

0:18:370:18:40

spots a willing subject.

0:18:400:18:41

Never has a bee been photographed so much!

0:18:410:18:43

HE LAUGHS

0:18:430:18:45

Right, so this is the chalk grassland that we've got here.

0:18:450:18:49

We've got field and small scabious, which are very characteristic.

0:18:490:18:53

Yes, this one here.

0:18:530:18:54

We also have quaking grass, which is one of my favourite grasses

0:18:540:18:57

because it sort of quakes.

0:18:570:19:00

-In the wind?

-Yeah, in the wind.

0:19:000:19:02

This one here is greater knapweed, which is

0:19:020:19:04

another species characteristic of chalk.

0:19:040:19:07

After a short walk, it's camera down and work gloves on.

0:19:070:19:11

We're going to be hand pulling this plant here.

0:19:110:19:13

It's called ragwort, common ragwort.

0:19:130:19:16

-It's a beautiful plant.

-It is, isn't it?

0:19:160:19:18

A great nectar source and pollen source

0:19:180:19:20

for invertebrates, butterflies, bees, but unfortunately,

0:19:200:19:23

-it is toxic...

-Oh, really?

-..when ingested for livestock,

0:19:230:19:26

so we do need to remove it.

0:19:260:19:28

What we need to do here is,

0:19:280:19:29

pull this up from the base to make sure that we get the roots.

0:19:290:19:32

-Ahh.

-Like that.

-OK. Yep.

0:19:340:19:36

Ragwort can grow up to 90cm tall

0:19:360:19:38

and produces yellow, daisy-like flowers

0:19:380:19:40

during the summer months.

0:19:400:19:42

Common ragwort produces large numbers of seeds,

0:19:420:19:45

so you need to be careful when pulling it out

0:19:450:19:48

not to disperse them.

0:19:480:19:49

Getting to the base of the roots is tougher than it looks.

0:19:490:19:52

-So how are you getting on?

-Yeah, OK.

0:19:520:19:54

I'm not really doing very well here.

0:19:540:19:56

Oh, dear. Well, they'll come back but it's not a problem, I guess.

0:19:560:20:00

Can always pull them again next time.

0:20:000:20:02

ANDREA LAUGHS

0:20:020:20:03

Looks like you've got a good pile of it there.

0:20:030:20:05

Shall we put this all together and put it in a bag?

0:20:050:20:07

-Indeed.

-Then I think then we can call it a day.

0:20:070:20:09

-OK.

-Because there's somebody else I'd like you to meet.

0:20:090:20:12

-OK.

-Great, thank you.

-Lovely.

-Thanks for your help.

0:20:120:20:14

Clouts Wood is traditionally managed as a coppice,

0:20:160:20:19

so to finish off their wildlife walk,

0:20:190:20:21

Bob and Andrea are meeting horse logger Richard Eames

0:20:210:20:24

and his horse Elizabeth

0:20:240:20:26

to find out about this ancient form of woodland management.

0:20:260:20:29

So what is it you actually do?

0:20:300:20:33

Well, I'm a horse logger,

0:20:330:20:34

so I basically use Elizabeth to extract the timber

0:20:340:20:37

that has been felled.

0:20:370:20:39

And why does the Wildlife Trust use horses rather than machinery?

0:20:390:20:42

On this site, it's very steep.

0:20:420:20:45

It's quite a small job, so a horse can get into the site,

0:20:450:20:48

get the timber easily and also doesn't damage the flora and fauna,

0:20:480:20:53

so it's more cost-effective to use a horse here,

0:20:530:20:56

than to bring in machinery.

0:20:560:20:58

The art of horse logging is thought to date back some 10,000 years

0:20:580:21:02

and nearly died out with the onset of machines,

0:21:020:21:04

but today, traditional forestry skills are making a comeback.

0:21:040:21:09

And with all this countryside on their doorstep,

0:21:090:21:11

it's time I got back on my saddle

0:21:110:21:13

and found Bob and Andrea their perfect house.

0:21:130:21:16

For our second house, we're staying in the Trowbridge area

0:21:200:21:22

and heading to the village of North Bradley.

0:21:220:21:25

Overlooked by one of Wiltshire's famous white horses at Westbury,

0:21:250:21:28

this village and its larger neighbour Hawkeridge

0:21:280:21:31

together feature a range of useful amenities, including a pub,

0:21:310:21:35

a parish church and a village hall.

0:21:350:21:38

Property two is right in the heart of North Bradley

0:21:380:21:40

and couldn't be more different to our first house.

0:21:400:21:43

Now, for our second offering,

0:21:460:21:47

we're going for something a bit more conventional, if you like.

0:21:470:21:50

-Wow, yeah.

-You said "wow" already, so that bodes well.

0:21:500:21:53

Yes, yes.

0:21:530:21:55

I'm going to be honest with you - we have seen this one online.

0:21:550:21:58

OK. What did you think of it?

0:21:590:22:01

-We wanted to come and see it.

-Oh, right, good!

0:22:010:22:03

JONNIE EXHALES

0:22:030:22:04

"We saw it, we discounted it..."

0:22:040:22:06

-No, no, no.

-No, this is brilliant.

0:22:060:22:08

-Oh, good.

-This is just the one we wanted to see.

0:22:080:22:10

Oh, so we're on the right tracks then?

0:22:100:22:12

-Most definitely.

-Excellent, excellent.

0:22:120:22:14

'Built in 1994, this modern detached property

0:22:140:22:17

'has a more conventional layout,'

0:22:170:22:19

and in many ways, makes the move from their Luton home

0:22:190:22:22

less of a wrench for Bob and Andrea.

0:22:220:22:23

We're starting in the first of three living areas.

0:22:230:22:27

Let's start with the living room.

0:22:290:22:31

Not open-plan.

0:22:310:22:32

-You'll see.

-Love the double aspect.

0:22:320:22:35

-Oh, this is nice.

-A nice room, yeah.

0:22:350:22:37

Yes, this is very nice.

0:22:370:22:39

Does this replicate more that you're used to living in

0:22:390:22:43

in your current home?

0:22:430:22:44

-Yes.

-Three completely separate living areas?

0:22:440:22:48

Yes, this is more us.

0:22:480:22:50

I think one of the other concerns for me in the other house was...

0:22:500:22:54

being able to get away from each other.

0:22:540:22:56

-In the nicest possible way!

-In the nicest possible way,

0:22:570:23:00

because for example, we've got a piano,

0:23:000:23:02

so a piano in that main room is going to really

0:23:020:23:05

stop anybody else doing anything else.

0:23:050:23:07

There's only so many times you can listen to Chopsticks!

0:23:070:23:10

I know, I know, especially played badly.

0:23:100:23:12

Let's look at all three then and see how they flow.

0:23:130:23:15

We can actually walk through the dining room if you want to.

0:23:150:23:18

-We'll do that right away.

-Yes, yes.

-Come with me.

0:23:180:23:20

The dining room is just about large enough to entertain close family,

0:23:220:23:25

but there's another option in the kitchen.

0:23:250:23:29

The hallway's just through that door there,

0:23:290:23:31

but I wanted to have that shut

0:23:310:23:33

so you can see the whole utility.

0:23:330:23:35

-Oh, wow.

-And you can see it goes in,

0:23:350:23:37

this is a kitchen/breakfast room really.

0:23:370:23:40

-Yes.

-Well...

0:23:400:23:43

it's nice to have the extra bit on the far end.

0:23:430:23:45

Kitchen/breakfast with the dining room,

0:23:450:23:47

we have the two options for dining, which is nice.

0:23:470:23:50

-Formal or the less formal.

-Or the escaping?

0:23:500:23:54

Maybe, yes.

0:23:540:23:55

So, that's the ground floor accommodation covered,

0:23:560:23:59

although there is a double garage accessed

0:23:590:24:00

via the utility room that could be an option for

0:24:000:24:03

Bob's photographic studio.

0:24:030:24:04

Upstairs, there are four good-sized bedrooms, including a large double

0:24:050:24:09

in the eaves above the garage,

0:24:090:24:11

A single with lots of storage

0:24:110:24:13

and another double which is being used as a study.

0:24:130:24:15

There is a three-piece family bathroom,

0:24:150:24:18

and let's not forget, the master bedroom.

0:24:180:24:21

Well, you get your required amount of bedrooms.

0:24:230:24:26

-Yes.

-Your master faces south.

0:24:260:24:28

BOB SIGHS HAPPILY

0:24:280:24:29

Well, twin aspect actually. And also en suite.

0:24:290:24:32

-Fantastic.

-Oh, lovely. Good.

0:24:320:24:35

Good size. Good size.

0:24:350:24:37

Come on then, put your wardrobes in here.

0:24:370:24:40

There's no need, there's a dressing room next door.

0:24:400:24:42

-Perfect.

-Although it's different,

0:24:420:24:45

there's a lot of the comfortable features that we've got

0:24:450:24:49

in our existing house. We've got a large bedroom at the moment,

0:24:490:24:51

this is a large bedroom.

0:24:510:24:52

Our bedroom has double aspect, this has got double aspect.

0:24:520:24:56

We have got an en-suite, this has got an en-suite -

0:24:560:24:59

so it feels comfortable.

0:24:590:25:01

'Buyers often tell me they'd like to pick up their current house

0:25:010:25:04

'and move it to the country, and it seems we've done that here.

0:25:040:25:07

'Bob and Andrea know what they love and love and,

0:25:070:25:09

'well, love what they know,

0:25:090:25:10

'and let's be honest, those familiar home comforts are important.'

0:25:100:25:15

Outside, the main garden is to the rear and includes a large patio

0:25:150:25:19

with pergola.

0:25:190:25:21

So, the garden.

0:25:210:25:22

-Bigger, obviously, than the first house.

-Yes.

0:25:240:25:26

But still manageable, I would think.

0:25:260:25:27

Very much so, very much so.

0:25:270:25:29

And more our style.

0:25:290:25:30

-It all is, isn't it?

-It is.

0:25:300:25:32

Can't stop smiling, that's the trouble.

0:25:320:25:35

-Don't let the owners see or they'll put the price up!

-I know.

0:25:350:25:38

What is it then? Can you put it into words

0:25:380:25:41

why this house is working, then?

0:25:410:25:43

It's not a house, it's a home.

0:25:430:25:45

-Good, yeah. Yes?

-Yeah.

0:25:450:25:48

You had a sneak peak of this on the internet I know.

0:25:480:25:51

Can you remember how much this was on the market for?

0:25:510:25:56

I would like it to be £420,000, please.

0:25:560:26:00

OK.

0:26:000:26:01

400... I would say £418,000.

0:26:010:26:05

Well, a week ago this was on the market for £425,000,

0:26:050:26:09

but last week it was reduced.

0:26:090:26:13

-It is now on the market for £417,500.

-Hoo-hoo!

0:26:130:26:16

So, £500 light, a pretty good guess.

0:26:160:26:20

-But...

-Where do we sign?!

0:26:200:26:22

-Really?

-Yeah.

0:26:220:26:24

As it's gone so well, you really must spend some more time

0:26:240:26:27

in the house. I will meet you whenever you are done.

0:26:270:26:30

-All right?

-OK. Fabulous, thank you.

-See you in a mo.

-Thank you.

0:26:300:26:33

BOB EXHALES

0:26:330:26:35

It's gone really well. I often get a bit worried

0:26:350:26:37

when people have seen a house that's on the internet,

0:26:370:26:40

but I think this has exceeded expectations.

0:26:400:26:44

You heard it from Bob himself - it's not a house.

0:26:440:26:46

For them, it's a potential new home.

0:26:460:26:48

Over £7,000 below their budget,

0:26:500:26:52

the second property is a modern detached family home

0:26:520:26:55

with three separate living areas

0:26:550:26:57

and four good-sized bedrooms.

0:26:570:26:59

There's a double garage for Bob's photographic equipment

0:26:590:27:02

and the house comes with

0:27:020:27:03

a manageable garden with entertaining space.

0:27:030:27:06

This is a good-sized guest bedroom.

0:27:070:27:09

Oh, it is. Yeah, would work perfectly.

0:27:090:27:12

Nice storage.

0:27:120:27:13

This is very nice.

0:27:130:27:15

I can't stop smiling.

0:27:150:27:16

Boxes ticked all over the place.

0:27:170:27:20

We've already started to move our furniture in!

0:27:200:27:22

In theory. Everything will go into this house.

0:27:220:27:26

The last house, we would have had to make quite a few modifications

0:27:260:27:29

or leave stuff behind.

0:27:290:27:31

Here, we can bring the whole thing.

0:27:310:27:33

I'd like to explore the area a little bit more,

0:27:330:27:36

go into Trowbridge and see what facilities are around,

0:27:360:27:40

explore the village a little bit more, but initial feelings?

0:27:400:27:43

Yes, I could definitely see us living here.

0:27:430:27:45

I was worried you weren't going to come out then!

0:27:470:27:49

-Going to start moving in.

-Yes.

-Yes, please.

0:27:490:27:52

"Yes, please" from both of you. This is a contender, isn't it?

0:27:520:27:55

-Definitely.

-Definitely. Definitely.

0:27:550:27:57

Does that mean tomorrow I can show you something really wacky?

0:27:570:28:00

-That would be interesting.

-We're still very interested to see

0:28:000:28:02

-what's tomorrow.

-This is the one to beat.

0:28:020:28:04

Come with me.

0:28:040:28:05

We're in sunny Wiltshire with a £425,000 budget

0:28:160:28:19

and retirees Bob and Andrea from Luton in Bedfordshire,

0:28:190:28:23

who haven't moved for three decades.

0:28:230:28:26

Coming up - the mystery house divides the camp.

0:28:260:28:29

It's in style with the house and it's different.

0:28:290:28:33

In the nicest possible way, Bob,

0:28:330:28:35

I don't care what you think at the moment, because you like it.

0:28:350:28:38

-Yes.

-I'm worried about the doubting Thomas over here.

0:28:380:28:40

ANDREA LAUGHS

0:28:400:28:42

And down in the woods there's a big surprise,

0:28:420:28:45

as I discover Wiltshire's wartime secrets.

0:28:450:28:48

Open up!

0:28:480:28:49

JONNIE LAUGHS

0:28:510:28:52

I must say, Andrea and Bob were absolutely buzzing

0:28:560:28:58

when they got back to the hotel last night,

0:28:580:29:00

talking about house number two, especially Bob,

0:29:000:29:03

waxing lyrical about how he was going to

0:29:030:29:06

convert that double garage into a photography studio.

0:29:060:29:08

But it doesn't mean an early bath for me.

0:29:080:29:10

I know they're moving from a fairly modern property,

0:29:100:29:13

and house two, again was a modern house, wasn't it?

0:29:130:29:16

So I want one more chance to

0:29:160:29:17

show them something with a bit of history,

0:29:170:29:19

which is one of the compromises with today's mystery house.

0:29:190:29:23

The other are slightly smaller proportions inside the house itself,

0:29:230:29:27

but if they're able to see through these two things,

0:29:270:29:30

they'll be rewarded with a much shorter commute time

0:29:300:29:33

to their daughter in Cirencester. Let's see how we go.

0:29:330:29:36

Our final offering means we have to

0:29:380:29:39

cross the border into Gloucestershire

0:29:390:29:41

and head to the market town

0:29:410:29:42

of Nailsworth.

0:29:420:29:44

Set in a wooded valley, the characterful town

0:29:440:29:47

prospered thanks to the Cotswolds' wool and cloth trade.

0:29:470:29:49

Today, many of the old mills and workers' cottages

0:29:490:29:52

have been converted into restaurants and hotels.

0:29:520:29:56

The mystery house, situated on the rural edges of Nailsworth,

0:29:560:29:59

gives our couple all the benefits of town-living on their doorstep,

0:29:590:30:04

but it's a much older model than our second house yesterday,

0:30:040:30:06

and I think it's the age factor that's going to be

0:30:060:30:09

the biggest challenge for our couple.

0:30:090:30:11

You'll know you're only half an hour from Cirencester,

0:30:110:30:14

where you daughter lives...

0:30:140:30:15

-Mm-hmm.

-OK.

-..if you lived in that house.

0:30:150:30:18

Oh, wow.

0:30:180:30:19

-Right.

-"Right"(!)

0:30:190:30:21

ANDREA AND BOB CHUCKLE

0:30:210:30:24

-I like the stone.

-That's not what I was expecting.

0:30:240:30:26

Wow. You said "wow" at every house!

0:30:260:30:29

I know, I know. My heart speaks first

0:30:290:30:31

and then I let the brain come in and sort out the detail.

0:30:310:30:34

That's called Andrea.

0:30:340:30:36

No, she does it the other way around!

0:30:360:30:38

THEY LAUGH

0:30:380:30:39

So then, Andrea, you like the stone?

0:30:390:30:41

I like the stone.

0:30:410:30:43

If I'm absolutely honest, the state of the roof worries me a little bit.

0:30:430:30:47

That is beautiful local stones... on the roof.

0:30:470:30:51

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-That's decent.

0:30:510:30:54

Yet to be decided, I think.

0:30:540:30:56

-See inside.

-Let's look inside, come on.

0:30:560:30:58

As suspected, it seems it's out with the old and in with the new,

0:31:000:31:04

but this 19th-century traditional Cotswolds cottage

0:31:040:31:07

is packed with character,

0:31:070:31:08

and I'm hopeful I can convince Andrea of its historic merits.

0:31:080:31:12

Now, straight in to...

0:31:140:31:17

what I thought was a fairly well-lit kitchen.

0:31:170:31:20

-Yes.

-Yes.

0:31:200:31:22

-A good size.

-It's a good size, it's not my style.

0:31:220:31:25

Not your style, OK, all right.

0:31:250:31:27

It's in style with the house, and it's different.

0:31:290:31:33

In the nicest possible way, Bob,

0:31:330:31:34

I don't care what you think at the moment - because you like it.

0:31:340:31:38

-Yes.

-I'm worried about the doubting Thomas over here.

0:31:380:31:40

I'm going to push you on this.

0:31:420:31:44

I would like to see more. It's been done very nicely.

0:31:440:31:47

-It has, yes, it's a lovely kitchen.

-But it's not me.

0:31:470:31:51

'I think Andrea's body language says it all.'

0:31:510:31:53

Well, the semi open-plan feel continues.

0:31:550:31:57

You've got your dining room here and then - just mind your step there -

0:31:570:32:02

a snug-like living room.

0:32:020:32:05

Yes, very snug.

0:32:050:32:08

THEY LAUGH

0:32:080:32:09

Look at that face! Look at that face!

0:32:090:32:12

-Too small.

-It is too small.

-Is it?

-Way too small.

0:32:120:32:15

We wouldn't get anything in here.

0:32:150:32:17

We would literally have to get rid of everything and start again.

0:32:170:32:21

Well, that would be refreshing, wouldn't it?

0:32:210:32:23

-LAUGHING:

-That's true.

-But it's a step too far.

0:32:230:32:25

-Is it?

-I think it might be a step too far.

0:32:250:32:27

'Well, it was always going to be hard beating house two,

0:32:290:32:31

'as Bob and Andrea - and their furniture - felt so at home there.'

0:32:310:32:35

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms spread over two floors.

0:32:350:32:38

On the top floor, there's a double in the eaves and a single bedroom.

0:32:380:32:42

On the first floor, they'll find a family bathroom,

0:32:420:32:45

a guest double, as well as the master.

0:32:450:32:48

Up on this first floor, you get two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

0:32:490:32:54

But amazing views.

0:32:540:32:56

-Oh, that's nice.

-That's a good-sized room as well.

0:32:560:32:59

-It is, isn't it?

-I mean, look at that.

0:32:590:33:01

-Waking up to that to that view.

-"How green is my valley?"

0:33:010:33:03

-Yes, pretty green.

-Yeah.

0:33:030:33:05

This is a good-sized room.

0:33:050:33:07

It is a good-sized room.

0:33:070:33:09

Good-sized rooms don't buy houses.

0:33:090:33:11

No, but it depends...

0:33:110:33:13

what I could put, or what WE could put in the other rooms.

0:33:130:33:18

-You could put him in one of them.

-I might put him in another house!

0:33:180:33:21

-Oh!

-The garage.

-That's what the garage is for.

0:33:220:33:24

-Ah, yes.

-Nice big room I've got.

0:33:240:33:27

I was there when that happened.

0:33:270:33:29

But I don't think it's the size of the rooms.

0:33:290:33:31

I think it's that intangible thing, that feeling.

0:33:310:33:36

That first ten seconds, as everybody says, as you walk into a house,

0:33:360:33:39

if it doesn't grab you within ten seconds, it's probably not for you.

0:33:390:33:43

You're the Iron Lady of house tours.

0:33:430:33:45

This woman's not for changing her mind.

0:33:450:33:48

I quite like it.

0:33:480:33:49

-Well, let's go back outside.

-OK.

0:33:490:33:51

-I'm now going to make you sweat over the price.

-Oh, dear.

0:33:510:33:54

Who will I make go first?

0:33:540:33:56

-I think Andrea.

-Yes.

0:33:560:33:57

-You deserve it, Andrea.

-Yes.

0:33:570:33:59

ANDREA LAUGHS

0:33:590:34:00

'Despite its charm and appeal,

0:34:020:34:04

'the historic credentials of our mystery house

0:34:040:34:06

'aren't resonating with them.'

0:34:060:34:08

Outside, the main garden is to the front and side of the house,

0:34:080:34:11

with a sloping lawn and patio, but the property also benefits from

0:34:110:34:15

two garages, the larger of which

0:34:150:34:17

could make an excellent photo studio.

0:34:170:34:19

OK, then, how much do we think this mystery house is on the market for?

0:34:200:34:25

I'm probably going to say £380,000.

0:34:250:34:30

Oh, right, OK.

0:34:300:34:31

I'm going to say £420,000.

0:34:320:34:35

This place is on the market for...

0:34:350:34:38

You're way out. ..£379,950.

0:34:400:34:44

-You're good at this, aren't you?

-She is.

0:34:460:34:48

Wow.

0:34:480:34:50

So, although you've retired, maybe you could become an estate agent.

0:34:500:34:54

-I don't think so.

-Good guess.

-I wouldn't have any clients.

0:34:560:34:58

Have a snoop around. I tell you what, I'll be sat right here.

0:35:000:35:03

-Lovely.

-See you in a mo.

-See you in a while.

0:35:030:35:06

£45,000 under budget,

0:35:080:35:11

our mystery house has the lowest price tag of all three properties,

0:35:110:35:15

despite being located in more expensive Gloucestershire.

0:35:150:35:18

It's a traditional Cotswold stone cottage,

0:35:180:35:21

with a large kitchen/diner and four bedrooms.

0:35:210:35:24

There are outbuilding options for Bob's studio

0:35:240:35:26

and the garden is easy to maintain.

0:35:260:35:29

It's a very nice house.

0:35:290:35:31

It's been decorated very well.

0:35:310:35:33

It's a very nice location near a very nice town,

0:35:330:35:37

and it will be a lovely home for somebody, at a good price.

0:35:370:35:41

It's a lovely house. It's been very nicely done inside,

0:35:420:35:45

it has a lot of features.

0:35:450:35:47

Nice for a family, a small, young family, growing,

0:35:470:35:50

but not for a couple of older people, such as us, perhaps.

0:35:500:35:53

Have you used this time to really get a feel for the place

0:35:530:35:58

and maybe start chatting things through

0:35:580:36:01

about location over property?

0:36:010:36:03

-Yes, I think so.

-Yes, yes.

0:36:030:36:04

We've got a much better idea than when we started the process.

0:36:040:36:07

Good, I'm going to give you a bit more time.

0:36:070:36:09

I'm going to take you somewhere to have a good chat about

0:36:090:36:11

all three properties and then I'll find out what you want to do.

0:36:110:36:14

-OK? Come with me.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:36:140:36:16

During the Second World War,

0:36:230:36:25

the Wiltshire countryside played host to a secret band of brothers.

0:36:250:36:29

One of those in charge was Captain Peter Fleming,

0:36:290:36:32

brother of spy writer Ian Fleming.

0:36:320:36:34

He was tasked by Sir Winston Churchill

0:36:340:36:36

to train an underground resistance network,

0:36:360:36:39

designed to disrupt enemy lines in the event of

0:36:390:36:42

a German invasion, a threat that was very real in 1940.

0:36:420:36:46

The men, all volunteers,

0:36:460:36:47

were trained here at the Coleshill estate.

0:36:470:36:50

I'm meeting Bill Ashby from the Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team

0:36:500:36:54

to find out what life was like in this secret guerrilla army.

0:36:540:36:56

Now, Bill, there's an amazing history, an unknown history,

0:36:560:37:00

attached to the auxiliaries, and part of that is Peter Fleming,

0:37:000:37:04

Ian Fleming's brother. How involved was he?

0:37:040:37:07

Well, he was a key man.

0:37:070:37:09

Peter Fleming was recruited to train men to go to ground,

0:37:090:37:17

so if the Germans came,

0:37:170:37:18

they would hide and they would then come out and try

0:37:180:37:24

and delay the enemy by attacking stores and vehicles and anything.

0:37:240:37:29

Everything but actually go to war and fight them.

0:37:290:37:33

Right, so we were very much under the threat of invasion

0:37:330:37:36

-ourselves here in the UK.

-Yeah.

0:37:360:37:37

Talk me through the training these guys had then.

0:37:370:37:40

They were trained to use the latest equipment.

0:37:400:37:45

Plastic explosive,

0:37:450:37:48

it was only just coming out then.

0:37:480:37:50

They would set up charges onto a railway line...

0:37:500:37:54

-Right.

-..for example.

0:37:540:37:57

The idea was that the railway would have been

0:37:570:38:00

-bringing in German reinforcements.

-Of course.

0:38:000:38:03

So they would blow the line up or blow the tunnel up,

0:38:030:38:07

-blow the bridge up.

-You've got the railway girder here.

0:38:070:38:10

This is a detonator.

0:38:100:38:11

The train would come on, that would fire that, that would fire that.

0:38:110:38:15

Bang.

0:38:150:38:16

'As well as learning guerrilla warfare tactics,

0:38:160:38:18

'volunteers were trained in intelligence,

0:38:180:38:21

'in particular getting messages from the front to higher command.

0:38:210:38:24

'Auxiliary units would plant secret messages

0:38:240:38:27

'to be picked up later in what were known as dead letterboxes.'

0:38:270:38:30

Dead letterboxes, is there one near here?

0:38:300:38:33

Yeah.

0:38:330:38:35

-You're getting colder.

-Colder?!

0:38:350:38:37

Yeah. Getting warm.

0:38:370:38:39

-Getting hot.

-What?

0:38:410:38:42

How can I be very hot? I've got a chunk of wood in my hand!

0:38:420:38:46

Go on, then.

0:38:460:38:48

-Let me show you.

-Get it out.

0:38:480:38:49

Oh, what an idiot.

0:38:500:38:52

-Brilliant.

-A dummy bolt.

0:38:520:38:55

-There's a curled up message inside the bolt.

-May I?

0:38:550:38:59

This is ingenious.

0:39:020:39:03

-And then inside there...

-That's it.

0:39:040:39:06

"Mr Irwin, you are rubbish at finding messages!"

0:39:080:39:11

THEY LAUGH

0:39:110:39:13

'Secrecy was of the utmost importance,

0:39:130:39:15

'so outposts and bunkers were hidden from plain sight.

0:39:150:39:18

'But in the most ordinary of places.'

0:39:180:39:21

Let me show you.

0:39:210:39:22

Open up!

0:39:220:39:24

JONNIE LAUGHS

0:39:250:39:27

'The operation base like this one

0:39:290:39:30

'would be where the men would live for

0:39:300:39:32

'weeks at a time and plan their acts of sabotage.'

0:39:320:39:35

How many people would have been staying in here?

0:39:360:39:39

-Maybe up to eight.

-What? Cosy, isn't it?

0:39:390:39:41

Yes, we've got bunks, maybe four sleeping and four doing things.

0:39:410:39:47

You say four sleeping and four doing things, these activities,

0:39:470:39:51

I imagine they would probably taking place

0:39:510:39:53

under the cover of darkness.

0:39:530:39:55

Yes. There would have been two men

0:39:550:39:57

-out during the day on reconnaissance.

-Right.

0:39:570:40:00

Choosing the target that would be attacked that night.

0:40:000:40:04

come back, prepare their explosives -

0:40:040:40:08

whatever is necessary - in here.

0:40:080:40:10

So rest and prepare by day...

0:40:100:40:12

-That's it.

-..action by night.

0:40:120:40:14

'Although the men's training was never put into practice,

0:40:150:40:18

'many went on to join the SAS, using the skills taught here

0:40:180:40:22

'at this top secret special forces training ground

0:40:220:40:25

'in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside.'

0:40:250:40:28

Well, I think it's fair to say that house number two

0:40:300:40:33

is the clear favourite, but let's remember,

0:40:330:40:35

it's been over 30 years since Bob and Andrea

0:40:350:40:37

bought a house together, so this is a huge decision.

0:40:370:40:40

I've given them a few hours to think things through,

0:40:400:40:43

so let's find out what their thoughts are.

0:40:430:40:45

Well, you could get used to this, couldn't you?

0:40:490:40:51

-Absolutely.

-You wouldn't want to mow it though, would you?

0:40:510:40:53

-No, no.

-Not every week.

0:40:530:40:54

Do you have a favourite house? He asked knowingly...

0:40:540:40:57

-Of course you do.

-I think the second house.

0:40:570:40:59

Yeah, there was one that had a little advantage

0:40:590:41:01

-over the rest, perhaps.

-Yeah, what was it

0:41:010:41:03

-about house number two then?

-I think the size of the rooms.

0:41:030:41:06

It gave us the different rooms that we wanted.

0:41:060:41:10

It gave us the size of garden that we wanted,

0:41:100:41:13

in that we didn't want anything huge.

0:41:130:41:16

-I haven't been inside your house.

-No.

0:41:160:41:19

Would you say you're looking, to some extent,

0:41:190:41:23

for a fair amount of replication?

0:41:230:41:25

-Probably.

-I think so, yes.

0:41:260:41:28

Because your favourite stock phrase,

0:41:280:41:30

"If we could move it down here, we would."

0:41:300:41:33

-Hm!

-That's why I think that house number two

0:41:330:41:36

was the closest to what we currently have,

0:41:360:41:38

in which we're very comfortable.

0:41:380:41:41

What's the next step for you guys?

0:41:410:41:43

Well, before we go home tomorrow,

0:41:430:41:45

we're going to go back to the area

0:41:450:41:46

and explore the location a little bit more,

0:41:460:41:48

and we have already arranged to see the house again.

0:41:480:41:54

-Fantastic news.

-Yes.

-You don't hang around, do you?

-No.

-No.

0:41:540:41:57

I'm really, really chuffed.

0:41:580:42:00

Please, please let us know what you decide.

0:42:000:42:03

-Of course we will.

-And thank you very much,

0:42:030:42:05

it's been a real experience.

0:42:050:42:06

-It's been really good fun.

-I've enjoyed myself as well.

0:42:060:42:08

The only thing remaining to do is to eat brownies!

0:42:080:42:11

THEY LAUGH

0:42:110:42:12

Let me tell you, I'm much better at that than finding houses.

0:42:120:42:15

You know, I think the main reason why Bob and Andrea

0:42:190:42:21

liked house number two so much is because

0:42:210:42:23

it felt so familiar, and that's what helped them

0:42:230:42:25

feel so comfortable when they walked around the property.

0:42:250:42:28

So, fingers crossed,

0:42:280:42:30

their second viewing tomorrow morning

0:42:300:42:32

at house number two goes very well.

0:42:320:42:34

But if not, if there are question marks there,

0:42:340:42:36

it certainly wouldn't surprise me to hear they're looking

0:42:360:42:39

for a property somewhere over the border,

0:42:390:42:41

perhaps closer to their daughter in Cirencester.

0:42:410:42:43

I'm looking forward to finding out. See you next time.

0:42:430:42:47

If you would like to escape to the country in England, Scotland,

0:42:480:42:51

Wales or Northern Ireland, and need our help, you can apply online at...

0:42:510:42:55

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