0:00:02 > 0:00:03This Grade II-listed structure behind me
0:00:03 > 0:00:06holds the unique claim to fame of being the last remaining
0:00:06 > 0:00:08thatched windmill in England.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10So, where is it? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30My house-hunt today has exacting requirements
0:00:30 > 0:00:32from an aviation enthusiast.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Now, it's a big room.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- Will you fill it? - I think we can fill it.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- I could build the wings in here quite nicely.- Bruce!
0:00:41 > 0:00:43But can we find what they're both looking for,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46or will it be his flight of fancy?
0:00:46 > 0:00:49It's amazing. Bruce will be building his plane in here,
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- that's the problem. - I could do that.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- Could you?- I could do that, yes.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Today, we're in Somerset at Stembridge Tower Mill,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04which dates back nearly 200 years
0:01:04 > 0:01:07and was operational right up until 1910.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Recently, thanks to a £100,000 community grant,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14it's been completely restored to its former glory,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16and as you're about to see,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19this is one of just many highlights this beautiful county has to offer.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23The county of Somerset is found in the south-west of England,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27with the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel off its northern coast.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Rolling landscapes include the Quantock Hills,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34England's first protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36These reach the coast at Kilve.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Described as a delightful shore by Romantic poet William Wordsworth,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43today this beautiful seascape
0:01:43 > 0:01:46is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50with cliffs rich in oil-bearing shale and fossils.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Cheddar Gorge was formed by meltwater floods
0:01:53 > 0:01:55over the past one million years.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Many of the caves here are scheduled ancient monuments,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and lay claim to being a historic site for maturing cheese.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06The Somerset Levels are a low-lying wetland area,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08covering 160,000 acres.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10It's a largely agricultural region,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13where willow and teasel are grown commercially,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15and peat continues to be extracted.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19As well as its contrasting natural landscapes,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21it's a county of historic settlements.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Dunster Castle was built shortly after the Norman conquest,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29when one of William's tenants in chief formed a feudal barony here.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31By the 13th century,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Dunster was a thriving centre for wool and cloth production,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37and 400 years later, a dedicated building
0:02:37 > 0:02:38for the yarn market was built.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44So with a strong cultural heritage, coast and countryside to enjoy,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48Somerset is an enticing place to beat a retreat to.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Property prices in Somerset are holding fairly steady,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56which seems to be the case across the south-west,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59with rises of around 6% over the past year.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03The average cost of a detached house in the county comes in at
0:03:03 > 0:03:05just shy of £319,000,
0:03:05 > 0:03:10which is around £13,000 less than the national average.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12So, with value for money, quality of life,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and good transport links between Bristol and London,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18it's no surprise that it's attracted today's buyers.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22After meeting five years ago, today's buyers,
0:03:22 > 0:03:27Bruce and Kerry from near Canterbury in Kent, got married last year.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28As soon as I saw Bruce,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32there was just something there that I can't quite describe.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34It's still there now, actually!
0:03:34 > 0:03:36We like doing the same things.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39We tend to have the same attitudes about things.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41We don't really argue at all.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44It's very, very strange, but very lovely!
0:03:44 > 0:03:46There's one thing they certainly agree on,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49and that's the need to move from their current home.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Where we live near Canterbury is probably mostly commuter belt,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59and it really is living on the edge of a rather big city,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01which isn't really countryside for us.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06It's time, really, for us to get on with our own lives now,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08as all our children will be independent
0:04:08 > 0:04:10and doing what they want to do.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12We're looking for a real village feeling,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14becoming involved in the community,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18an area which we feel is properly living in the countryside.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26Kerry is a former teacher and Bruce is a corporate medical director.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28They both feel that finding a new home
0:04:28 > 0:04:30in a more rural part of the country
0:04:30 > 0:04:33is part of their wider plan for retirement.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36We love the countryside and the West Country, we love Devon,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39we love Cornwall, but it's just really too far away
0:04:39 > 0:04:42for our children, so we're looking for the compromise
0:04:42 > 0:04:46so we can live really in the country in the kind of environment we like,
0:04:46 > 0:04:51but not isolate ourselves from the people we want to see, so really,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Somerset ticks all the boxes for that.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59The hope is that their choice of county will allow their budget
0:04:59 > 0:05:01to fulfil some rather high-flying requirements.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Most of my hobbies relate to aviation.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I have a home-built helicopter,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09and I'm currently building another aeroplane,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12and we have a damaged vintage aircraft which I'd like to restore.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16One of my main aims in the new property is to be able to keep
0:05:16 > 0:05:20my helicopter at home, and ideally have an airstrip
0:05:20 > 0:05:23for the fixed-wing aircraft.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26But it's not all about helipads and aircraft hangars.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29At the heart of the move is a new life with each other.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32The house we're looking for now will be our first house together,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36and we want it to be our forever house together.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40It's got to be totally unique, really. It's got to be fantastic.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I think we'll just be walking our dogs,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46taking in the scenery and just thinking how lucky we are, really.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Kerry and Bruce are open to living anywhere in Somerset
0:05:53 > 0:05:56with good transport links to London,
0:05:56 > 0:05:57but before I start showing them houses,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59we're meeting in their chosen county
0:05:59 > 0:06:03to hear more about what they expect from the move.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05So, Bruce and Kerry, welcome to Somerset.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Thank you.- Now, it's a beautiful part of the world.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Why have you chosen this county?
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Well, we want to retire to somewhere
0:06:13 > 0:06:16where we feel we can be on holiday every day, basically.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Have you retired yet, or is this a long-term plan for retirement?
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- Who's working, who isn't?- I'm retired, and I am working on Bruce!
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Congratulations!
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I'm trying to scale down, but I'm still working.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31What do you need to be close to,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34transport hubs, train stations, motorways, airports?
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- Internet.- Internet!
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Well, fantastic, OK.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40So what exactly are you looking for in a house?
0:06:40 > 0:06:44We have two cats and two dogs, so we can't live on a main road
0:06:44 > 0:06:46or where the traffic is busy,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49but at the same time we don't want to be isolated,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52because we want to really engage in village life.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53What about the specifics?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Bruce, you've got specifics in mind.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58I have specifics. I need a home for a helicopter
0:06:58 > 0:07:00and I need a workshop to build my aeroplane.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04These are not words I normally hear!
0:07:04 > 0:07:07It's a home-built, two-seater helicopter,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10so really an enlarged garage would work.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14It's obviously something that if we don't find a ready-made solution,
0:07:14 > 0:07:15if the footprint is there,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18if there's something I can work on to reconfigure it,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20to work as a heli house, that'll work fine.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23What about the style of house itself?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26In style, we don't mind, as long as it's nice and bright and light,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28but we'd like an annexe.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33Or a house that we could split, and then, looking forward,
0:07:33 > 0:07:37we thought if we had an annexe, we could have a carer live there
0:07:37 > 0:07:39and we could stay in our own home for longer.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Now what about around the property?
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I suppose you need quite a bit of land for these aircraft.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48You need open approaches, probably two...
0:07:48 > 0:07:51or half an acre is enough.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54That's enough to land a helicopter on.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56The important thing from that perspective
0:07:56 > 0:07:59is being able to make friends with the guys in the village
0:07:59 > 0:08:02so they don't see the helicopter as a nuisance and a threat!
0:08:02 > 0:08:04OK.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Let's talk budget - how much are you looking to spend on this new house?
0:08:08 > 0:08:12We're thinking somewhere in the region of about £900,000.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17If we found totally the place of our dreams, possibly a little bit more,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20but if you can find it for a lot less, that would be brilliant.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23And are you prepared to maybe make some compromises
0:08:23 > 0:08:25or put in place things that aren't there,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- such as these buildings, or make amendments?- Definitely.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- Yes, definitely. - All right, let's get started.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32Thanks.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39So, for a budget of £900,000 plus some wiggle room,
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Bruce and Kerry would like a main home for themselves
0:08:41 > 0:08:43with an annexe for guests.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44Bruce needs a home office,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47and a workshop for his aviation projects,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51plus enough outside space to land a helicopter.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54It should be in a quiet location away from a main road,
0:08:54 > 0:08:59but close to village life, and they are happy to take on a project.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02We've got three very different options to show them,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05each with their requirements in mind.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06After every house tour,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10I'll be seeing how close they can get to guessing the asking price.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Our final property is the mystery offering,
0:09:12 > 0:09:15designed to test their expectations.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22When you first met, did you know he was this into flying, Kerry?
0:09:22 > 0:09:23No!
0:09:23 > 0:09:26When did he break the news that you were going to soon be airborne?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30I can't remember exactly.
0:09:30 > 0:09:31"Come and have a look at my garage."
0:09:31 > 0:09:34You were thinking, "Great, two-seater sport...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36"Oh, my goodness, it's got rotor blades!
0:09:36 > 0:09:38"I'm not going up in that!"
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Our Somerset search is starting out in Kingswood,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47a hamlet just a mile from the village of Stogumber.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51The station here is an immediate stop on the West Somerset Railway,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54now operated as a steam heritage line.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Other facilities include a shop and post office, as well as a pub,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01whilst the parish church of St Mary's dates from the 13th century,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04and is a Grade I-listed building.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Just a mile away, in countryside overlooking the Quantock Hills,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09we find our first property.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Property number one, guys...
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- Yes.- ..is all of this.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- Wow.- Wow. There's a lot there.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20A nice-looking house.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21Looks good, yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23There's no big project here for you,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25unless you really don't like it,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27but I'd suggest we just look at another house then.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28- OK!- Shall we look inside?
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- Yes, please.- Come with me.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Built from local sandstone,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35the property is thought to have started life as a mill,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38with parts dating to the 17th century.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Offering a somewhat sprawling, unconventional layout,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45the front door leads to a flight of stairs and a corridor,
0:10:45 > 0:10:46where we start our tour
0:10:46 > 0:10:49in an impressively proportioned reception room.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Oh, wow.- Lovely. It's very nice.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Look how thick the walls are.- Yes.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02I like the timbers, it's a natural oak colour I like very much.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Now, it's a big room.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- Will you fill it? - I think we can fill it, yeah.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- I could build the wings in here quite nicely.- Bruce!
0:11:13 > 0:11:16I like windows on all sides.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17Lots of light, very nice.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21You might have noticed, there was some ground-floor accommodation.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Now, we're stood on top of what could be
0:11:23 > 0:11:26a completely self-contained annexe.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31With kitchen, living room, bedroom and shower room all on one level.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Fantastic.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- But I'll let you loose on all of this later on.- OK.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Let me squeeze past you here.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Thank you very much.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41So, plenty of space for hosting guests
0:11:41 > 0:11:44or even assembling an aircraft.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Back along the corridor, we find a cloakroom, along with a study,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50and then a characterful country kitchen
0:11:50 > 0:11:52which flows through to a dining room.
0:11:54 > 0:11:55This is an impressive room too.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59It is. I think it's really nice that you can be cooking,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03and having the dining table where you can all talk with each other.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- Yeah.- I like this. Beautiful.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- This is good.- Yes.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10There's so much to see, I'll whip you round this place.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- Come with me.- Let's go.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14The corridor leads to a utility room,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17which provides direct access to the garden,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19whilst opposite the dining room,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22an additional wing houses a cosier feeling reception room,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25plus the first of the main home's four double bedrooms,
0:12:25 > 0:12:26with en suite facilities.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30The rest of the sleeping accommodation
0:12:30 > 0:12:31is found on the floor above.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Here, a family bathroom sits between two guest doubles,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39one of which has a bay window aspect over the garden.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44And that leaves the largest bedroom, a spacious en suite,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46which could be Bruce and Kerry's.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Now, master bedroom. Good size, yeah?
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Yes, good size.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Now, would you use this room as your master?
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Because I think it's still got some decent views, hasn't it?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Yes, it's nice to have a window on both sides.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02- Lots of light.- Lots of light.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05If we take to a nap in the afternoon...
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Naps?! You haven't got time for a nap, you're building aeroplanes!
0:13:08 > 0:13:10But where would you be building those aeroplanes?
0:13:10 > 0:13:13I think there's some really good options for you outside.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- Let me go and show you.- Brilliant. - Brilliant.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Kerry and Bruce seem really taken with this 17th-century
0:13:19 > 0:13:24sandstone home on the inside, but they've said land is important.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27The space outside is perhaps more than they'd bargained for,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30with a substantial 16-acre plot,
0:13:30 > 0:13:34including paddocks, a chicken run, vegetable and fruit-growing,
0:13:34 > 0:13:38as well as ornamental gardens with two ponds,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41and an area of outdoor seating next to the house.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45There's a large outbuilding currently used for stabling,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48but I'm thinking it has aircraft hangar and workshop potential.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Now, also, you want somewhere to land the helicopter.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- Yes.- I don't think it would take too much to probably get a digger
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- up here and terrace it a bit better than that.- Yeah.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04I think it's lovely. It's much bigger than I was expecting
0:14:04 > 0:14:07in terms of building, and certainly in terms of land,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09but it's very beautiful.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11The setting's lovely.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12We weren't looking for that much land,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15but certainly if there are options to rent it out,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18or lease it out or whatever, then that's a possibility.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20I don't think we should have closed minds to that.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25No. Well, there's a lot to think about, but try, if you can,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27to guess the price.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Well, I think it'll be all the budget,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33and maybe a little bit more,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35so I'm going to start at...
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- ..£920,000.- OK.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41I would add 25 to that.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45The asking price is £895,000.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- Wow.- Gosh.- OK.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52So I would say go and have a look around this place on your own,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- and I'll catch you whenever you're done.- That's brilliant.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- See you in a bit.- Thank you so much.- Off you go.- Cheers.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Priced within their budget of £900,000,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07this former 17th-century sandstone mill
0:15:07 > 0:15:11provides four double bedrooms in the main part of the house,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13and an additional one-bedroom annexe.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15There's a sizeable outbuilding
0:15:15 > 0:15:18and it's all set in 16 acres, with countryside views
0:15:18 > 0:15:21and a village community within walking distance.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23So, this is a massive structure.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- It is, yeah.- And the walls can just be insulated,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31that's all one really needs to make it good for storage of the aircraft.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I thought the house was great,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35it had all the elements we're looking for.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37The annexe is perfect.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42I liked the soft stone, I thought it sat nicely into the landscape,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46and I liked the way that the garden is semi-wild, semi-tamed,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48it's not too manicured.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51The land is a lot more than we anticipated.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53We'd need to look at how we're going to manage that.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Landing zone for the helicopter not ideal,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00but those things we can work around, so overall, great first property.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Don't tell me you walked all that land in that time!
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- There's a lot of it. - There is a lot of it, yes.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Well, that's all we're going to do today,
0:16:11 > 0:16:12there's been so much to look around.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Why don't you sleep on it?
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- Lots to discuss tonight. - Lots to discuss.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- Definitely. Thank you so much. - Thank you.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28The choice of Somerset could not be better for keen pilot Bruce,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31as the county has strong links to Britain's aviation industry,
0:16:31 > 0:16:36and now boasts the world's largest dedicated helicopter museum.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Located on the former site of Westland Aircraft Limited,
0:16:39 > 0:16:43in Weston-super-Mare, helicopters were manufactured here for decades.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47We're sending our house-hunters to meet the museum's founder, Elfan ap Rees,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50to find out about the 100-strong collection,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53which includes rare examples from Russia, America,
0:16:53 > 0:16:57France, and Germany, as well as the UK.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Why is this collection here in Somerset?
0:17:00 > 0:17:05Well, of course Somerset is where the major helicopter industry is,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08and they used to have a factory here at Weston-super-Mare.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13The first helicopter that we had, or I had, was from that factory,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17so there was that combination of there was a factory here,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20there were people here who were interested in helicopters,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23and this land used to belong to the company,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26and we managed to persuade them to let us have it for a peppercorn.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29With 100 to choose from, have you got your favourites?
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Have you got any real highlights of your collection?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Well, clearly the Queen's flight helicopter is very important.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39The Hind attack helicopter, which the boys like,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43but probably most of all, the world's fastest helicopter,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46which we have here, which is the Westland Lynx.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49This Somerset-built Westland Lynx
0:17:49 > 0:17:52set the helicopter airspeed record at 249 miles per hour
0:17:52 > 0:17:56during an attempt conducted over the Somerset Levels in 1986.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59It's an achievement that still stands today.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04So what is it about this helicopter that makes it go so fast?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Pure helicopters, all the power has to go through the rotor blades,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11and the problem then is that they start reaching supersonic speed,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13and then you lose control.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16This helicopter has special blades developed
0:18:16 > 0:18:18which allowed it to go faster,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21and that's why it's never been beaten.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Would you say that that's one of the landmarks
0:18:23 > 0:18:26in aeronautical engineering in the British aerospace industry?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Absolutely.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31You can't do better than have a world beater,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34and it holds an Engineering Heritage Award as well,
0:18:34 > 0:18:39so it's up with Concorde and the Mallard railway locomotive.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- Oh, gosh.- They're icons of British engineering history.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- Amazing.- Amazing.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49The museum relies heavily on a team of over 80 dedicated volunteers,
0:18:49 > 0:18:53many of whom are retired airmen, just like Dick Cavill,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56who for the last eight years has helped to restore the collection.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Some of the aircraft here are certainly one-offs.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04That must really be something special, to be able to work
0:19:04 > 0:19:06on these aircraft.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10It's a privilege in a way, because I find, when I first came here,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14I'd probably flown and worked on what are now museum exhibits,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16and one of them in particular,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20the Wessex, which I remember being pulled out of the Persian Gulf in
0:19:20 > 0:19:25by a Wessex rescue helicopter - it was only an exercise, by the way -
0:19:25 > 0:19:29and I come in here, and there they are as museum exhibits now.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Dick is currently restoring a Fairey Ultra-light,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36one of only two in existence.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38The other is in a museum in the Midlands,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40and it's photos of this that's helping the team
0:19:40 > 0:19:41know what to aim for.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46As you can see, we've got lots of photographs here, so basically,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49we're reverse-engineering what we see,
0:19:49 > 0:19:50but we're not reversing it physically,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52we're doing it from photographs.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- Brilliant.- At the moment, we're working on the seatbelts.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58This, we found, is one of the original buckles,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01so that we can be as original as we can be
0:20:01 > 0:20:04when we build it back into the aircraft.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09The restoration of this 1950s prototype started here in 2011,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11but with lots more work to be done,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14additions to the team are always welcome.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Thank you so much for making us welcome here today.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18It's been absolutely fascinating.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- It's been amazing. - I'm glad you've enjoyed it,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24and once you've moved down here, we're always looking for volunteers!
0:20:24 > 0:20:25I'll get my hands dirty!
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Thank you so much.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Well, Bruce's flying hobby could certainly take off here,
0:20:31 > 0:20:33but let's see if we can get their move off the ground
0:20:33 > 0:20:36as the search for their country home continues tomorrow.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46I'm in Somerset, helping Kerry and Bruce from near Canterbury in Kent
0:20:46 > 0:20:51make their first joint house purchase with a budget of £900,000.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53There are two more options to see,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57including our mystery house, which could have their search
0:20:57 > 0:20:58reaching new heights.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- It's amazing! Totally amazing.- Wow.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03This is just wow!
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Plus, I'm getting an Olympic masterclass
0:21:07 > 0:21:09in a popular country pursuit.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Pull!
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Frightened the life out of me!
0:21:14 > 0:21:16That is so quick!
0:21:21 > 0:21:23I think Kerry and Bruce were really impressed
0:21:23 > 0:21:25by house number one yesterday, but if anything,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28they may have been a bit daunted by the sheer size and shape
0:21:28 > 0:21:31of the land on offer. So for today's two properties,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34we'll show them houses with maybe more practical land.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Our second house lies on the rural outskirts of Nether Stowey.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46This large village offers several shops and services,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50and also boasts the former residence of a leading light
0:21:50 > 0:21:53of Romantic poetry, Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58Other well-known names include 19th-century clockmaker James Coles.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02An example of his work still strikes the time every ten minutes.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06A couple of miles from here, in the surroundings of the Quantock Hills,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08it's time to view our next property.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Right, then, house number two.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15- She's long, isn't she?- Very long.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17And look behind you here.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Yes, absolutely beautiful scenery.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22All of this makes it very easy to bring a helicopter in here.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Good. Let's go inside, come on.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25OK.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29The rendered half of this home dates back to 1635,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and started life as a classic long house.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36An extension built from Quantock stone was added in the last decade,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40forming two distinctly different sections.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42We're kicking off in the older part,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45where period rustic character hits us with full force.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50A very traditional old farmhouse kitchen.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Yes.- That it is.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Very beautiful.- You live in an executive home at the moment,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- don't you?- Yes.- This is a long way away from that, isn't it?
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- Yes.- Probably about 400 years away!
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Could you get used to it? - Yeah, I think so.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- I think so.- I quite like it, strangely enough.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Yeah. It's obviously taking a bit of getting used to, isn't it,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13this house? But the history does continue,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and I think it's something to be enjoyed.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Come with me, through this beautiful old doorway.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21A tentative response to the period style
0:23:21 > 0:23:24of the four-centuries-old part of the home,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26which continues into a formal dining room.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28The character just hits you everywhere, doesn't it?
0:23:28 > 0:23:29- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Loads of character, and I like the aeroplane!
0:23:34 > 0:23:37It's not really what I was expecting,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39so I'm just trying to adjust.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42It is very, very characterful.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47- OK.- It would take a bit of a change of mindset, I think.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Well, you know... I can see you thinking, "I wasn't expecting this.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53"Can we make this work?"
0:23:53 > 0:23:55I think you could. Let's keep looking, come with me.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Now, I, for one, love this room.
0:24:03 > 0:24:04Yes, I really like a square room.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Do you think that fireplace would be impressive enough?
0:24:07 > 0:24:10It feels very impressive. I like it, yes.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14It also looks like a lot of work, though.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Houses like this, they do require a lot of work.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18You're used to living in a contemporary house.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- Yes. Very easy to keep clean. - A couple of hours' cleaning, bang.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24I lived in a Tudor house once before.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26- Oh, did you?- With beams and things,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28and I don't know where the dust came from!
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Do you want to go back in to such a period property?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35I'm not sure.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I like this room very much.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- This room.- You do?- I do, yes.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42I get the sense that the character charm of this former long house
0:24:42 > 0:24:45might be a bit too much for them.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Completing the ground floor of this older half
0:24:47 > 0:24:50is the first of this home's seven bedrooms,
0:24:50 > 0:24:51currently used as a snug.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Stairs from the dining room take us up to the rest
0:24:54 > 0:24:57of the sleeping accommodation in this half,
0:24:57 > 0:24:58all served by a family bathroom.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Next to this is a good-sized double,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04an additional guest double with feature beam,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06and at the far end, there's the room
0:25:06 > 0:25:08that could be Bruce and Kerry's master.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- Mind your heads!- OK.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Right above the living room,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16so pretty much the same proportions, and a similar fireplace.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Beautiful plasterwork again.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19You can see the craftsmanship,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21and you can see the beams and you can see the detail,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and it's lovely. It's not what we had in mind at all.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26It is a little bit...
0:25:26 > 0:25:30I guess period doesn't really do much for us.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Maybe this should be the annexe - I can't believe I'm saying this -
0:25:34 > 0:25:36and you should be looking at the modern part!
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- Let's go and take a look.- OK. - Mind your head.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Well, this historic part of the home is clearly not winning them over,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44so let's see if that modern extension
0:25:44 > 0:25:46can convince them of its potential.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50On the upper floor of the extension are three further bedrooms,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53a single with skylight window
0:25:53 > 0:25:56and two further rooms currently set up with bunk beds,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58all served by another family bathroom.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01On the ground floor, there is a reception hall
0:26:01 > 0:26:05opening into a conservatory, plus a utility and kitchenette.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08There's also a very large modern reception room,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11with not a beam in sight.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Windows on both sides, loads of light.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Yeah, lovely.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18So it really is two houses, two quite decent-sized houses.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19If you want it to be.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Maybe this could actually be where you live full-time.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25You've got such a contrast between the two halves of the house.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Chalk and cheese, yeah.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I think we could make it work for us,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34but I think it would probably cost too much.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Start thinking about prices as we go outside, OK?
0:26:36 > 0:26:38- OK.- Come with me.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40It's been a tour of two halves,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43but we've ended on a positive with those modern interiors,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46so let's see if what lies outside can build on that.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49There's an attached garage and additional parking,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53plus a one-acre garden with areas of seating,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56but the majority of the land is made up of nine acres of level field,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59which certainly provides the space for landing a helicopter.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02All in all, ten acres.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Wow! That's a lot of land!
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- It is a lot of land, flat land this time.- Yes.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09And this is all agricultural?
0:27:09 > 0:27:11All agricultural land, yes.
0:27:11 > 0:27:12OK.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17So, how much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I would probably put it at about...
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Well below our budget, but I'd say about 750.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Oh, no, I would think it's nearer 850.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Good guess!
0:27:30 > 0:27:36This house is on the market for offers around £825,000.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38The land is a lot of that price.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- Yes.- The owners appreciate that not everybody wants land,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44so they would take off nine acres
0:27:44 > 0:27:47and offer it for £725,000.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49I've enjoyed showing you this house,
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- and I think I've learnt a lot, as you have...- Yes, definitely.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54..on what you're looking for. Go back into the house,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56have a good look around, and I'll catch you later on.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58- Brilliant, thanks.- Thank you.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Below budget, this extended 17th-century
0:28:03 > 0:28:06former Somerset long house provides two homes in one,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09packing in period features in the older half,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11including the farmhouse kitchen.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14There's a total of seven bedrooms and two bathrooms,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16as well as the option of ten acres of land,
0:28:16 > 0:28:20or a reduced asking price for a one-acre plot.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24And it's all in the beautiful surroundings of the Quantock Hills.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Well, I thought the setting was absolutely beautiful,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30with the hills behind all the way around.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33It had some features which were fantastic, they were lovely.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37I liked upstairs in the old section and downstairs in the new section,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40so diagonally, the house works for me.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Other people looking at those wonderful old features,
0:28:43 > 0:28:46particularly the plasterwork around the fireplace,
0:28:46 > 0:28:48will think we're crazy not to like it ourselves!
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- So, that's it.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57The big character features didn't work for you.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- Sadly, no.- Sadly, no.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Where do I go from here? There's only one place we can go
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- and that's the mystery house. Come on.- OK, let's go.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Our mystery offering is in the hamlet of East Lydford.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Lying along the ancient Roman road of the Fosse Way, this is
0:29:15 > 0:29:19one of the historic administrative divisions of Somerset,
0:29:19 > 0:29:21dating from Anglo-Saxon times.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Quiet country lanes are lined with character properties
0:29:24 > 0:29:25from across the ages,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28whilst amenities include a traditional country pub.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32It's just a short stroll to our final property.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36Now, when it comes to having kerb appeal,
0:29:36 > 0:29:40I think this house has it in spades.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Yes, it looks beautiful.
0:29:42 > 0:29:43I love this glass here.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45- Yeah.- It looks really nice.
0:29:45 > 0:29:50Fantastic, clean lines, nice modern features, but good use of timber.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- And interesting. - Look at the front door.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- It's lovely, isn't it? - Do you want to look inside?
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Yes, please.- Come on, then.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Thought to date back to the mid-1800s,
0:30:00 > 0:30:04and once serving as a post office, that's all now literally history,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07because the mystery house has been fully renovated and extended
0:30:07 > 0:30:10over the last eight years to very contemporary standards,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13which I'm hoping will please Bruce and Kerry
0:30:13 > 0:30:15as we start our tour through the entrance hall
0:30:15 > 0:30:17and into the first reception space.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Let's start with the snug room.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23One thing that doesn't jump out at you is old beams everywhere,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26which probably suits you, doesn't it?
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Very happy with no beams!
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Interesting fireplace, that.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32- It is.- You like this, don't you?
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- Yes, it's nice.- There's loads to see, so we'd better get going.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36- Come on.- OK.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40The snug leads through to a further reception room
0:30:40 > 0:30:43at the rear of the home, and then into a side extension,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46housing a very impressive kitchen diner.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50This won the best domestic extension award from the local council
0:30:50 > 0:30:52and it's easy to see why.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- It is quite lovely. - It is amazing, isn't it?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57This is really good.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01We love all the glass, it's brilliant.
0:31:01 > 0:31:02This is a really nice kitchen.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05It's very much to our taste, it's lovely.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Good, at last, we arrive!
0:31:07 > 0:31:10We arrive in potentially your new home.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- Your first new home.- Yes.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15So, that's one half of the ground floor covered.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19In the remaining half, we find a reading room, a cloakroom,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21a great utility area,
0:31:21 > 0:31:25and then space designed to offer the option of a one-bedroom annexe.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Beautifully decorated throughout,
0:31:27 > 0:31:29there's a living area with kitchenette,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32bathroom, and a bedroom currently used as a home office.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38But the rest of the main house, including six further bedrooms,
0:31:38 > 0:31:39is arranged over two floors.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43On the top storey, the largest of the guest doubles
0:31:43 > 0:31:45provides a view over the garden,
0:31:45 > 0:31:50whilst the smallest one is next door to a family bathroom,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53with a light-filled reception room under the eaves.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57Below this, on the middle floor, are the four remaining bedrooms -
0:31:57 > 0:32:01a double with single aspect, and a larger double with twin windows,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04both served by a family bathroom.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07A further double has en suite facilities.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11Last, but certainly not least, on this middle floor,
0:32:11 > 0:32:13is a spectacular master en suite.
0:32:16 > 0:32:17It is amazing!
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- Totally amazing.- Wow.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21This is just wow!
0:32:21 > 0:32:22- Look at the view.- Yes.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Now, if you look around the corner here,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27you've got a big walk-in shower unit here, a separate bath.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29It's the entire width of the building.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Yes, it's a lovely room.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- Excited?- Yes!
0:32:34 > 0:32:36I'm just wondering where he's going to put his helicopter!
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- Well, let's see if it'll fit! Come with me.- OK.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Well, the outside plot reveals just why this is our mystery property.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49It's clear that it's the least remote and smallest plot
0:32:49 > 0:32:53they've seen so far. Planted with several mature trees,
0:32:53 > 0:32:57the question is whether they can make this 1.5-acre garden
0:32:57 > 0:32:59work for the helicopter.
0:32:59 > 0:33:00But before we consider that
0:33:00 > 0:33:02there's something else I want to show them -
0:33:02 > 0:33:04a two-bedroom summerhouse
0:33:04 > 0:33:08that could be turned into a hobby space or guest accommodation.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11So, who out of your family is going to live in here?
0:33:12 > 0:33:16It's unbelievable - another bright, airy, really spacious room,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20full of light, beautiful views from every window.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22It's a complete house.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27It is. It's two bedrooms self-contained on the ground floor.
0:33:27 > 0:33:28- Wow.- It's amazing.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32Bruce will be building his plane in here, that's the problem.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Yes. I could do that.
0:33:34 > 0:33:35- Could you?- I could do that, yeah.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Now, we do need to talk about flying your helicopters in and out,
0:33:39 > 0:33:41- so let's go back outside.- OK.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Well, you tell me, are there spaces here
0:33:49 > 0:33:50where you can land your chopper?
0:33:50 > 0:33:52There's one tree that would need to come down,
0:33:52 > 0:33:56but otherwise there's access to the garden there for the helicopter.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Excellent. So, how much, then,
0:33:58 > 0:34:00do you think this mystery house is on the market for?
0:34:02 > 0:34:03I'm going to start...
0:34:05 > 0:34:08..with a very optimistic...
0:34:08 > 0:34:11£960,000.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12OK.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17Because I'm a bit of a cheapskate, I'll go for £950,000.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19You do think I'm mean, don't you?
0:34:19 > 0:34:21And, yes, I am a lot of the time,
0:34:21 > 0:34:26but this place is on the market for £877,000.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28- Wow.- My goodness.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30- We'll take it!- Done!
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Well, I think you should now go and enjoy this fantastic property.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Look around everywhere that you haven't yet seen,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41or maybe remind yourselves of the bits you love,
0:34:41 > 0:34:43and I will meet you whenever you're done, all right?
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- Could be a long time!- You've got the rest of the day, fill your boots!
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Thank you very much.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Below budget, our 19th-century mystery proposition,
0:34:56 > 0:35:00formerly a post office, offers an award-winning interior
0:35:00 > 0:35:02with that contemporary kitchen diner.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04There are seven bedrooms in the house,
0:35:04 > 0:35:06including the one-bed annexe.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10In addition, there's a two-bedroom summerhouse.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14It's in an edge of village location with 1.5 acres of land.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19All the elements that we're looking for, clean lines, lots of glass,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21nice woodwork.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22Those all came together in this property.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27I was just amazed that you get so much for your money.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31It was really a much lower price than I anticipated,
0:35:31 > 0:35:34because it is just such a quality property.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37I like the location, I absolutely love the house,
0:35:37 > 0:35:39I love the style of the house.
0:35:39 > 0:35:40Bruce and I could move in here
0:35:40 > 0:35:43and I can't see anything I would want to change.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45I'm blown away, really.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47It's wonderful.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50This property certainly gives more than enough space
0:35:50 > 0:35:51for the extended family,
0:35:51 > 0:35:55and my only concern is that they'll want to move in for good!
0:35:55 > 0:35:58They've been here a while, I think they've moved in!
0:35:58 > 0:35:59It's getting late.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05Oh, at last! Can I drag you away from this lovely house?
0:36:06 > 0:36:08- No.- We wouldn't mind staying!
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Well, there's one way you can stay, that's going via an estate agent,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13but I think we should cool off a little bit
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- and give you some thinking time, yeah?- Yeah.- Come on, let's go.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Countryside shooting in Britain stretches back
0:36:26 > 0:36:29to the development of the shotgun in the 18th century.
0:36:29 > 0:36:30As gun design evolved,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33game shooting for birds, from partridge to pigeons,
0:36:33 > 0:36:39became a popular pastime, especially for wealthy Victorian landowners.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Alongside this, trap shooting developed
0:36:41 > 0:36:43as a form of target practice,
0:36:43 > 0:36:44and it's now a competitive sport.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Farmer Ed Ling is a trap shooting Olympian.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I'm meeting him on his 1,000-acre Somerset holding,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55to find out how his rural childhood
0:36:55 > 0:36:58led to a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- Ed, how are you?- I'm good, thanks.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Rio must feel like a million miles away from here,
0:37:06 > 0:37:07but this is your life, isn't it?
0:37:07 > 0:37:10And obviously you love this farm, don't you?
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Yeah, farming is my life, shooting is my life,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15and I'm really lucky to be able to do both, I think.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17So, how did you first come about shooting?
0:37:17 > 0:37:22Well, Dad always shot from a young age, and as I got older,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25we had a manual clay trap in the back of the farmyard,
0:37:25 > 0:37:27started throwing a few clays about, and I enjoyed it,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29and it basically grew from there.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Ed also met his wife, Abbey, a five times British champion,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37through their shared interest in the sport.
0:37:37 > 0:37:38Abbey, hi. Nice to meet you.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Nice to meet you too. How are you doing?
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Very good, thank you very much.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45They now have an Olympic-standard practice range on the farm,
0:37:45 > 0:37:48where as well as training themselves, they teach others.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51This is a wonderful example of rural diversification, isn't it?
0:37:51 > 0:37:54You've set up a training facility here, and a school now,
0:37:54 > 0:37:56- haven't you, Abbey? - Yeah, that's right,
0:37:56 > 0:38:00we run it for ladies, youngsters, experienced shooters already
0:38:00 > 0:38:02that want to shoot the Olympic discipline.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04We try and encourage it as much as possible,
0:38:04 > 0:38:06because it's not just something that is available every day
0:38:06 > 0:38:08to the members of the public.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10It's actually a sport where it doesn't matter
0:38:10 > 0:38:12if you're male, female, older, younger.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15As long as you put the lead shot in the right place
0:38:15 > 0:38:18and you break that target, your score is on the board.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21And who better than an Olympic medallist
0:38:21 > 0:38:25to demonstrate putting the lead shot in the right place?
0:38:25 > 0:38:26Pull!
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Frightened the life out of me!
0:38:30 > 0:38:31That is so quick!
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Clay discs are fired anywhere within a 45-degree angle of the ground.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Pull.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42And there's just 0.5 to 0.7 of a second to react.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48That was so quick!
0:38:48 > 0:38:50I didn't even see it come out of the trap.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53I've got to say, Ed, that was fantastic.
0:38:53 > 0:38:54That was so impressive.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56I can't believe just how quick you have to react.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Yeah, it's pretty quick, but let's see how you fare now.
0:38:59 > 0:39:00No pressure, then(!)
0:39:00 > 0:39:02We're going to just walk to this corner.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04- OK, ready?- Yes, Abbey, let's go.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06- So, are you right-handed or left-handed?- Right-handed.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09OK, so the stance is your left leg needs to be slightly forwards
0:39:09 > 0:39:12- with a little bit of weight on that front leg, OK?- Yeah.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15That little red bead on the end of the gun,
0:39:15 > 0:39:17you're going to move the gun up to the clay.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19As it reaches the clay, I'm going to say the word, "Now,"
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- you're going to pull the trigger. OK, ready?- Yeah.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26OK. So, you're going to pop it into your shoulder, take hold of the gun.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29That's it. Head nice and down on top of here,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32finger just to touch the trigger, that's it. OK, gun's ready to go.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Starting about here, when you see the clay,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37move up to it and then pull the trigger.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Here we go, up to it, there.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42- Oh, yes!- There you go.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45I think it's a fantastic way of coming to the countryside
0:39:45 > 0:39:47and doing a completely different sport,
0:39:47 > 0:39:49and as you say, all walks of life coming, having a go at it,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51I think it's a great idea.
0:39:51 > 0:39:52So, Ed, how'd I get on?
0:39:52 > 0:39:53Not bad, very good.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- Really?- I can see you perhaps getting one of these one day.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59- Oh, you've got it, have you? Fantastic!- There we go.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03It's as heavy as I'd hoped it would be!
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Wow, an Olympic bronze medal.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07That is sensational.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Well, I think I've got some honing to do to get reactions
0:40:12 > 0:40:15to rival Ed and Abbey, but let's see if we've hit the target
0:40:15 > 0:40:18of a house for Bruce and Kerry here in the Somerset countryside.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Well, the mystery house is clearly the runaway winner,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28but remember, for Kerry and Bruce,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31it'll be the first home they buy together,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33so let's find out what they want to do.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Well, you've had a bit of time, I think, not to make your mind up,
0:40:42 > 0:40:45but to maybe cool off, haven't you?
0:40:45 > 0:40:48But I think we know what your favourite house is, don't we?
0:40:48 > 0:40:51What do you like so much about the mystery house, on reflection?
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Clean lines, lots of glass, the craftsmanship.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59You seem to have the knack of giving us much more than we expected
0:40:59 > 0:41:03and asked for. For now, I couldn't imagine living anywhere
0:41:03 > 0:41:05more wonderful than that, really.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09Is it where we still want to be when we're 80?
0:41:09 > 0:41:14- Good point.- And that's what we need to just think about.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16I think we need to go back to the village,
0:41:16 > 0:41:18spend more time in the village,
0:41:18 > 0:41:20look around, talk to the people,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22spend more time in the pub, maybe.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23Yes!
0:41:23 > 0:41:25I am overqualified in that to some extent,
0:41:25 > 0:41:27but I think that is your next step, actually,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29because we've spent a bit of time in the mystery house,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31and you liked it.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Yes. There's nothing we didn't like it about it at all, really.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36So, when do you think you might want to go back?
0:41:36 > 0:41:40I think we might wander about a bit tomorrow morning.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Oh, great! Things happen quick with you two, don't they?
0:41:43 > 0:41:44Wow. You don't hang around, do you?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47We're also the kind of people that when we make a decision,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- we make a decision.- Yes.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52The ball is in your court, just let us know what you decide.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54- Certainly will.- We will.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- Good luck.- Thanks very much. - Thank you.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01It's great when our house-buyers have a firm favourite,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03as it really gives them something to focus on.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06And for the mystery property, for Kerry and Bruce,
0:42:06 > 0:42:08it gave them everything they're after -
0:42:08 > 0:42:10those clean lines inside the house,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13the flat, practical land for Bruce's helicopter,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16but I think most importantly, and which is why it's the favourite,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19it had the edge-of-village location,
0:42:19 > 0:42:23and a wonderful spot it was, with that nice pub just down the road.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25And I think that's exactly where they should head -
0:42:25 > 0:42:28go to the pub, meet some locals, chat it through with them.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Maybe that will help them decide.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32I'm not sure which way this is going to go,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35but I do wish them both the very best of luck.
0:42:35 > 0:42:36See you next time.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40As planned, Bruce and Kerry did go back to the village
0:42:40 > 0:42:43of the mystery property, but on reflection,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46they decided the house was just too big for them in the long term.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Wales,
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Scotland or Northern Ireland, and need our help, you can apply online.