North Devon Escape to the Country

This impressive White Scout car was

built in 1943 during the Second World War

and is just part of one of the largest privately owned collections

of military equipment in the UK.

In just a moment, I will tell you where we are and why it has such a

special significance for where we are today.

Today, it's a love of the arts that is driving an imaginative twosome to

head south and imaginations are allowed to run wild.

Simple, elegant, but functional.

Yes. I thought he was talking about you for a minute there!

No.

And fortunately for our pair, when it comes to properties,

size doesn't matter.

Beams are rather nice.

Perhaps a little low, but we are only short.

Today, I am in Devon, at the

Cobbaton Combat Collection, which started off

as one man's schoolboy hobby and has grown to encompass over 50 military

vehicles and artillery pieces, as well as thousands of smaller items.

This Scout car behind me wears the colours of the local Royal Devon

Yeomanry Regiment based in nearby

Barnstable and vehicles like this would

have followed the 2nd Battalion to Normandy for the D-Day landings.

Later on, I will be meeting the men behind this impressive collection

and seeing more of these magnificent machines.

The county of Devon sits in the South West of England,

it shares three County borders,

including Cornwall's, and meets the

Bristol Channel to the north with the

English Channel to the south.

The southern coastline is dominated by both sandy beaches and fossil

cliffs, whilst the northern edge is characterised by sheltered coves,

fringed by rocky outcrops like those at Croyde and Woolacombe,

as well as the dramatic dunes on display at Saunton Sands.

Meeting the ocean in North Devon is Exmoor National Park,

which spills into neighbouring Somerset.

Moving inland, the historic market town of Barnstaple is the social

centre of North Devon and was an important trading centre

for wool and pottery in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In fact, Barnstable pottery has been found in archaeological excavations

as far away as Maryland in the USA.

So, with its natural beauty and quaint villages,

where pastel-coloured cottages are topped with thatched roofs,

Devon is a county that showcases England at its very best.

With miles of gorgeous coastline and wild moorlands that appeal to

tourists and locals alike,

you'd expect Devon to be an expensive place to live,

yet the average price of a detached

property here is only around ?13,000 above the national figure.

Now, along with all this natural beauty,

one of the biggest draws for many people is the famous

Devon cream tea,

which is estimated to contribute

around ?85 million a year to the local economy.

But after all the activities today's buyers

are planning with this move, will they have time

for this delicious delicacy? Let's find out.

Former art teacher Maggie and her

retired IT professional husband Martin

met at school and have been together for 46 years.

Maggie is very creative.

She is different to me in that she is a little less organised,

perhaps a little bit more of an artistic temperament, let me say...

..but we make a good couple.

Martin has got quite strong opinions, he can be very forceful,

but he also has a lot of charm.

After a lifetime of work,

they have decided to live the dream and leave the five-bedroom Stockport

semi they have shared for over 30 years.

As happy living in Stockport as we once were, we have both retired

so we don't have any particular reason to be

hanging around this area.

We live on a major road, which is busy.

And although it is not particularly noisy,

it does mean that we do not really have much of a community on

this stretch of the road.

And after visiting the region,

they have decided it's Devon that they would like to call home.

It has got the coastline, I love the coast, we want countryside.

It is warmer down there and I am getting a bit old,

and I don't really want to be enduring really cold winters.

So, Devon seems to offer all the things we really like.

And when they move south,

they are keen to devote more time to their hobbies, both outdoors and in.

When I retired, just under two years ago,

I started to do some things that I had not done that I have always

wanted to. I took up pottery and I take a pottery class once a week.

I am a felt maker...

..but I am also a fine artist and I want to paint more.

So I would like to be able to go out with my paints and sit on a hillside

in Devon, and paint the sea and paint the things I can see around me.

So with their heads full of ideas, this creative couple can't wait

to get stuck in to their new country life.

I think, when we finally do it,

then that will be the start of something new,

but also the end of a chapter and we will be able to close that book and

open the new book.

Maggie and Martin have decided to

plant their arty roots in the northern half of Devon,

so that's where we are focusing our search.

Ahead of our quest to find them their dream home,

I am meeting them in the county to discuss the finer details of

their requirements.

Martin and Maggie, welcome to Devon, the two of you.

BOTH: Thank you very much.

There is a sense of urgency with this house-hunting

because I believe you got some good news yesterday.

We have exchanged contracts, the downside, slightly,

is that we have a completion date, which is only two weeks away.

So, we are homeless in two weeks' time.

Right.

I hope there is going to be something really good this week.

Nothing like being homeless in two weeks' time

to really focus the mind with our houses.

Yes, that's right.

What is it that you are after?

We want somewhere that is on the outskirts of a village,

because we'd like people to talk to,

we also want somewhere where we can have a studio.

So you're after a workshop, for both of you, is that right? That's right.

So a workshop is up there as a priority,

but tell me about the actual house you are after as well.

We want a garden, somewhere I can grow vegetables.

We want it to be light and airy, we have had a big Victorian house,

we do not want to be too claustrophobic

moving to a smaller house.

We are fairly relaxed about styles.

We would like a bit of quirkiness.

How many bedrooms?

Three would be good.

What about views?

Views are important.

It is such a beautiful county,

it would be a shame not to be able to see it from the house.

Hypothetically, if one or two of the properties don't have a workshop

already done, are you happy to take on a little bit

of a project and build one yourselves?

Yes, we would certainly do that.

We appreciate it is not always possible to find something suitable.

So, what is our top budget? Remind us again what we're working with.

Ideally it's going to be 350,000, but there is a bit of wriggle room.

If we can find somewhere with a good studio,

so we don't have to spend a huge amount of money on that,

I think we could probably run up to

around 380,000 for the right property.

Well, we do have some splendid homes to show you.

We know time is of the essence, so shall we get started?

Let's go. Come on, then.

For their top budget of ?380,000,

Maggie and Martin want a character home with three bedrooms.

The outside space is important and should offer options to grow fruit

and vegetables, as well as a workshop in which

to base their hobbies.

Location-wise, they would like a place

where they can get stuck into the local community.

The properties we have chosen will provide Maggie and Martin with a

variety of styles, but it will only be after they have seen each one

that its price will be revealed.

The final visit to the mystery house will require them to open their

creative minds, but, if they do,

I think they will be very pleasantly surprised.

Our Devonshire property search is on its way to the village of

Morchard Bishop in the heartland of mid-Devon.

The village is overlooked by pastures green

and dominated by the tower of the 16th-century church of

St Mary's which, at 95 feet tall,

stands almost 600 feet above sea level.

There is a great sense of community here and a good selection of places

to get to know the locals, including a popular dining pub.

The car park here welcomes the Post Office van,

which visits weekly after the village Post Office closed.

Close to the centre of the village,

we find this rather interesting property.

Thought to date back to the 18th century,

it sits neatly amongst its neighbours.

Right, let's see what you make of this little offering.

Oh, wow! Oh, this is interesting, isn't it?

Yes. Fascinating.

Sum up this property for me, will you, before we step inside?

Different. OK.

I was going to use the word quaint, but I properly shouldn't.

We like that, quaint and different.

Right, let's see what you make of the inside.

This unconventional attached cottage is set out in an L-shape.

It has been tastefully renovated and the front door,

set beyond the courtyard,

leads us into the house where we find a snug dining room.

We're heading into the right-hand wing of the property.

This is really what I wanted to start off with, the kitchen.

It's lovely. I really like it.

It's not huge but it's got everything.

It's really nicely done.

Beautifully finished, I have to say.

To your taste? Yes.

Very much so. Lovely.

Simple, elegant, but functional.

I thought he was talking about you for a minute there!

THEY LAUGH

No. Right, I'm going to keep going.

Heading out of the kitchen,

we're crossing through the dining room to a large sitting room with

windows to the back garden.

This is nice.

It is. This definitely counts as cosy, I would say.

Yeah. I can see you two sitting in this sitting room.

I think it's big enough to be properly usable

but still small enough to be cosy, even with the beams,

which bring the ceiling height down a little bit.

It doesn't feel oppressive or claustrophobic.

I do like it.

It is lovely. It's a really nice house.

Well, I've shown you the downstairs.

I'm going to take us upstairs and see what you make of the bedrooms. OK.

Above the dining and sitting rooms are three bedrooms,

all served by a smart family bathroom.

There's a double with a sloped ceiling and a skylight,

another with a feature window to the front,

and the master benefits from garden views.

It's beautiful. It really is lovely.

So far, so good, I think.

Yeah. You happy?

I would be definitely very happy living in this sort of space,

so long as we have got some of the other things that we need.

Yes. So far, so good.

Let's see what we make of the

outside space and opportunities there.

Right, OK.

Outside, an arc of steps leads up from the house

to landscaped gardens, which include a large patio and a small pond,

a summer house and shed,

plus excellent views across neighbouring countryside.

I think quite a large garden,

considering from the front of the house it doesn't look like you have

anything, does it? Exactly, that's right.

It's quite deceiving.

I can see your eyes searching.

They will have to search, I'm afraid,

because I don't have a workshop to show you but this land is flat.

You could potentially build your own one here.

Yes. I think that's a possibility, certainly.

We've always felt that if there was the land available and it didn't

compromise the garden, that would be the right thing to do.

So, I'm now wondering if we can put a price on this former piggery with

its wonderful view and garden.

My feeling is we're probably about the top of the budget,

plus obviously we need to build a studio,

so I would guess probably about 350.

OK. I'm going to be cheeky and hope it's a bit less, and say 340.

Are you really hoping? I'm hoping.

I like it when you're cheeky because you could actually be a little bit

cheekier. The asking price is offers in excess of ?250,000.

How luxurious would you like your workshop to be

with that spare money?

Wow! That is stunning.

That is amazing, yes.

Yes, I think that is quite a surprise.

Do you fancy now being cheeky and

having another look around on your own?

Oh, yes, definitely.

I love that smile.

Be my guest. Go and take another look around the property and then

come back out, and really study this area.

I'm sure you will be drawing up plans in no time.

I'm going to keep everything crossed.

Off you go. Thank you. Off you go.

This 18th-century cottage has rung in at ?130,000 below budget.

It's beautifully renovated.

It's full of character and has three bedrooms.

There is a large garden with views, plus the option to build a great

workshop, and it lies close to the village centre.

This house is absolutely beautiful.

It has been restored really sympathetically

and with a sense of style.

It is stunning. A really fabulous place.

It's quite a stunning property, I have to say.

A real surprise.

You can't tell from the outside what you're going to find and it has just

been so beautifully done.

I think I was almost speechless, which for me is very, very unusual.

Have you seen enough?

Yes. A lovely, lovely house.

It really is beautiful. You said it was different and it was quaint.

It seems to have delivered on all of those, doesn't it?

Yes. It's quite a surprise.

Good. We like to do that to you. Let's hit the road.

Devon's beautiful backdrop has provided inspiration to countless

craftspeople and has also proved a draw for our creative couple.

They are excited about indulging in their passion for the arts within

its boundaries.

They have come to meet Marek Drzazga,

who was also drawn to the county over 20 years ago

to base his bespoke architectural pottery business.

They are meeting him at his studio on the outskirts of the village of

Chittlehamholt, south of Barnstaple.

What a beautiful place!

Fantastic. What got you into pottery in the first place?

Probably as a six-year-old kid in

Cookham on Thames, seeing Dragon finials.

Wow.

I was always interested in

architecture and then when I discovered it at

art college in the early 20s, that was it.

Finials are designed to decorate the apex of a gabled roof.

Creations such as Marek's finely

crafted examples were popular in Gothic

and Victorian times and date back much further.

What do you particularly love about clay and pottery?

Everything. I just immerse myself in it, I love it.

Absolutely love it. Although Marek's pottery is created in the Devonshire

countryside, the consistency of the local clay isn't suitable

for his work, so it is sourced from Stoke-on-Trent.

There's lots of things that you do and it's more of an architectural

ceramics, really, isn't it? Absolutely.

It is basically

clay work for buildings -

ridge tiles, chimney pots, finials and bricks.

Marek has built up a global client list

and makes each detailed piece to order.

He is currently working on a collection of 16th-century-inspired

chimney pots for a private client.

When assembled, they stand at five feet tall.

He uses a combination of traditional methods with his own techniques and

is showing Maggie and Martin how to

craft the top of the monumental pots.

The method I've developed, basically I call it skimming,

and this is turning a round object into an octagonal.

It is basically pulling a template

through the form.

OK. And skimming away...

..the clay. And progress all the way around, lightly at first.

Marek uses water to keep the clay lubricated.

After a short period of time, I actually get a very sharp edge

on the whole thing.

So, if you want to give it a shot.

Yes, please, because I'm all togged up.

Right, there you go. Over to you.

So, if you keep it firmly down and pull it towards you.

That's right. Just lightly with that and pull toward yourself.

If you get it locked down at the bottom, pull towards yourself,

nice and steady. Absolutely perfect.

Can I have a go, then? All right, then.

Thank you. Change places.

Right, you stand on that side and laugh at him!

OK, so holding on to here?

That's it. Get locked in,

pull through and then keep pressing it down.

You start to get a feel for it after a while, don't you?

After around 15 minutes of sculpting,

the chimney top is a neat octagonal shape.

Marek takes the reins again for the final stage.

Right, there we go. I think you've got the gist of it.

Absolutely. There are two put

together and that is what they should look like. Wow, fantastic.

That is brilliant. Thank you so much for your time,

that has been tremendous. My pleasure.

Full of inspiration, Maggie and Martin are even more

determined to find a new place to call home,

where they can revel in their passions.

It's a new day in Devon and we are about to embark

on the next leg of our journey,

searching out a country paradise for Maggie and Martin from Stockport,

where they can live the good life and let their creative juices flow.

Armed with a top budget of ?380,000,

we are tasked with finding a characterful home

that has a garden fit for

the green fingered as well as an artist's workshop.

There is still our marvellous mystery house to come.

I'm pretty much bowled over by this, I have to say.

Are you? Yes. And I will be finding out how one pocket of Devon is

safeguarding military memorabilia that tells the tales of the brave

and victorious British Army during the Second World War.

It is an extraordinary experience, just to stand here.

Well, yesterday went rather well with Martin and Maggie,

although there is nothing like being homeless in two weeks' time to help

focus the mind!

Today, we are going to show our crafty couple two properties,

one of which being the, "What could it possibly be?" mystery house.

Well, let me give you a clue.

It's rather gorgeous, in a rural location,

but will it give them everything they're after?

Well, we'll have to wait and see because first I'm going to show them

a property that could be the answer

to their creative and artistic dreams.

Our house hunt is taking as to the mid-Devon hamlet of Oldborough.

Less than a ten-minute drive away is the village of Copplestone.

Sitting in a valley and cutting through the village is

the Tarka Line railway,

which runs from Exeter to Barnstaple and is named after the 1927

novel Tarka the Otter.

In the scenic hamlet of Oldborough is this Grade II listed cottage.

Right, may I present you your property?

Wonderful. Thatch.

Yes. But it's new thatch.

It's only finished last year.

So you've got... You keep an eye on it and make sure the ridge

is always intact, you've got about 25 years there.

It will probably see me out!

Before I take you inside, what is going through your minds?

It's beautiful. It's a very, very pretty looking place, I have to say.

It is lovely. Right, shall we? Let's go. Super.

This enchanting semidetached

cottage is built from stone and is thought to

have its origins in the 16th century.

So, through the stable door, which leads us into our sitting-room.

Lovely. Beautiful oak floor.

This is all new.

The house has had a massive overhaul over the last few years.

You can see a lot of work has been done on it.

The beams are rather nice.

Perhaps a little low, but we're only short.

Super. Well, we'll keep going through.

Next-door is the kitchen...

..which is kept toasty warm by the range.

Lovely. Oh, yes, oh, yes.

This is a nice area, though.

You have the kitchen and the dining area, so it is sociable.

Actually quite bright as well with the French doors.

It works well.

Overall, this kitchen is giving us a very good impression.

I'm going to head upstairs now with the two of you.

OK, lovely. See what you think there.

The first floor has just as much charm as downstairs and offers a

compact bathroom with three bedrooms.

A narrow room at the back is in use as a study and then, at the front,

there is a beamed double...

..and next-door is the master.

I think it would be fair to say this thatched house isn't huge but you

still get your three bedrooms. Yeah.

This is the master.

It's beautiful. It really is well thought out and stylish.

It's certainly interesting.

We'll probably be in a better

position to come to a view when we have seen a bit more.

That's a good point.

Let's head outside and see what else there is on offer.

I'll lead on, shall I? Yes, please, thank you.

The outdoor space here provides

everything Maggie and Martin have asked for.

There are beautifully landscaped gardens featuring endless

countryside views and it's ideally equipped for living the good life

and indulging in creative hobbies.

Wow!

That's what I wanted to hear.

A little bit of wow, yeah.

That is definitely a view. That is wonderful.

Now, the garden itself is about a third of an acre.

The vegetable patch behind you and plenty of space.

You've got a pond and you have even got your own well.

I'm really getting to the main part, which is the workshop.

Yes. You might have noticed when we walked into the house and then came

round, it was to the side.

At the moment, it's a huge double

garage but the owners don't use it to store their car.

They use it for their hobbies.

It has water and it has electricity, and it is pretty large.

OK. So, let's see how much this

thatched house is, with a beautiful garden, views to die for.

Let's see what the current asking price is, shall we?

Who wants to go first?

It's my turn.

We've been so wildly out and I'm

expecting to be still wildly out, but I'm going to say 300,000.

OK. Martin?

I suspect that we're probably around 345.

Oh, you're very close.

The asking price is ?350,000.

OK. And you are paying for being on the edge of a village...

Yes. ..with those views.

OK. I think you should have another look, on your own.

Yes. I don't know how long I'm going to give you in that workshop.

I might have to put a timer on because you might be in your element

as you're looking around there!

Yes. And, well, I'll meet you by the front door.

Lovely. Thank you. Thank you very much. See you in a minute. Let's go.

This Grade II listed thatched cottage is not only

?30,000 under budget,

but it also comes complete with wonderful original features along

with its three bedrooms.

It's got character and style, a fabulous garden with raised beds,

country views, and that all-important workshop.

It's a lovely house, it really is.

It's got so much character and the thatch is just beautiful.

I think the house is really nice.

I think it's fairly compact.

I think we would still struggle to get a lot of our stuff in here.

I'm very taken with the garden.

I think the garden is fabulous and the location is brilliant.

The workshop, I think there's definitely the embryo of something.

It's the right sort of size.

Needs a little bit of work, but we could really use that.

So I'm very, very positive about this

and I think there's probably enough left in the budget to give us a

chance to do what we need to do.

OK, you two? Yes. Indeed. Finished here?

I think so. Thank you for getting the door, Martin.

I think we're going to hit the road. OK. Let's go.

Not far from Barnstable,

the small village of Cobbaton is

home to the Cobbaton Combat Collection,

a display of military memorabilia

from British and Commonwealth countries

that dates to the period between

1939 and 1945, when World War II raged.

I've come to meet Preston Isaac,

who founded the museum on the family farm in 1981.

Preston. Good to meet you, sir. Welcome to Cobbaton.

A beautiful, sunny morning.

It's always like this in Devon, isn't it?

Every day. Every day. Blue skies, sunshine.

Yes, always. But as you come in here,

I've already spied one of those tanks.

So impressed with that. I mean, how did it actually start?

Little boy collecting things.

A little boy collecting things and it has got out of hand, hasn't it?

Literally, yeah. What about the military angle?

When did that come in? That started...

Dad was in the Home Guard, and you used to hear bits and pieces.

It's just a natural progression.

Preston's father passed on militaria from his war days to help start his

collection and, with the thousands

of items ranging from a military button to a 50-tonne tank,

every piece tells a tale.

If you had a particular favourite - to put you on the spot -

what would it be out of the whole collection?

It's the Churchill tank, which is quite symbolic.

And how long, with a vehicle like that,

if it's constantly looked after and restored, how long will it last for?

The main hull will last forever.

You are talking about armour six inches thick.

Preston's collection has stood the test of time and now it's his son,

Tim, who is at the helm.

I knew the collection was going to be vast,

but I didn't quite appreciate

it was going to be so many artillery pieces here. Well, yes.

It's been 40, maybe 50 years, of collecting.

We are surrounded by tanks here.

When I spoke to Preston, your father,

he mentioned his particular favourite was the Churchill tank.

The Churchill, yes. I mean, I don't think...

Am I allowed to touch it?

Yeah. I don't think I've ever been close to a tank before.

You know, you get the impression that they are going to be huge,

but this is quite enormous.

It's also pretty intimidating to be standing next to it.

It is. Named after the then

Prime Minister, Winston Churchill's family,

Preston bought this tank in the 1970s for a few hundred pounds.

It weighs in at 44 tonnes.

There were several hundred of them all dumped in this scrapyard,

just waiting for the price of steel to go up after the war.

Preston may only have paid the scrap price for the tank,

but, just recently, Tim was offered over ?100,000 for it by a private

collector. He said no.

Do we have any idea when it was actually built?

It was built in October 1944,

so it was built for the final thrust of World War II,

from D-Day further on.

So it would have seen some serious action?

I would think so. And how many crew

would have operated a tank like this?

There's a five-man crew - the driver, the hull gunner in the front,

and then the commander, the loader gunner, and the radio operator.

So would the crew have spent hours upon hours in this tank,

working together as a close unit?

They did. We've in fact met a radio operator who worked in a Churchill

tank from D-Day onwards

and he became very close to the other four men in the tank.

They were a family.

It's pretty awe-inspiring standing amongst these vehicles of war,

but I'm lucky enough to be getting

the opportunity to hop on board

this self-propelled gun to get first-hand experience from up top.

So this isn't a tank?

It is an artillery gun,

which has been mounted onto a tank chassis

simply to propel itself around the battlefield.

It is brutally basic, standing here.

You get a feeling of being quite exposed.

There's no ceiling to it. Why would that have been?

Simply because we are slightly behind the front line,

firing a barrage of fire over the infantry onto the target.

My goodness. So we've got armoured sides and maybe a canvas roof if it

were raining. Well, I'd love to see it move, that's for sure.

Thank you, Tim. OK.

You really do get a sense of what it must be like.

We're standing here, and it's an impressive piece of kit,

but to think this would have been operated

with shells coming overhead, men dying on either side.

It is an extraordinary experience just to stand here.

Built in Canada from steel, with an aircraft engine,

2,000 of these vehicles were used by

the British Army during World War II.

And this mighty mover weighs in at around 30 tonnes,

with top speeds of around 25mph.

The vehicles in the collection are often taken to military shows

and also feature in films.

One even starred alongside Hollywood icon Brad Pitt,

so I'm pleased to say I'm in good company!

But, for now, it's time to get back to my house-hunting companions

and continue with their property search.

The North Devon hamlet of Churchill

is the final property stop on our house hunt.

It's our most remote location,

but just a few minutes' drive away is the village of East Down,

which provides a village hall to unite the local community

and a great gastropub.

Churchill sits in rural isolation,

with far-reaching views across agricultural land,

home to an abundance of wildlife.

Our mystery house may be remote,

but what it lacks in neighbours and community,

it makes up for in many other ways.

So, for our final time, in a way, here's your property -

our mystery house.

Yes. Yes.

Indeed! Two yeses! It's about 200 years old.

It looks a reasonable size, actually.

Yes. I think...certainly an interesting location.

Well, I think you've hit the nail on the head there, haven't you?

Because, for our mystery house,

we've brought you much further afield.

We've gone more north... Yes. ..but much more rural.

Surrounded 360 by views.

There's a lot about this sort of location that appeals to me,

and the house, yeah, looks solid.

Great. Right, well, I think we should start, don't you?

Yes, please.

This delightful property was extended in 1998,

which doubled its size to create the sunny,

airy home we're about to discover.

Please come in.

Let's see what you make of our mystery house inside.

First impressions...

it's a lovely size.

Yes. Beautiful-size room.

The internal window's intriguing, obviously.

This must have been two rooms and the outside wall.

Yes. You'd be right. That's the exterior wall.

This probably was two rooms.

They've kept that is a feature when they've extended the house.

Lovely. So, really bright, roomy, spacious.

Just off to our left, up those stairs, is a study,

a really good-sized study, with a dual aspect,

so you get plenty of light in there and views.

This works. This does work for us.

Absolutely. I'm pretty much bowled over by this...

I have to say. Are you?

Yes. It's got that sort of openness that you don't always get in the

cottages and...yes.

Love it. Yeah? Absolutely love it. Oh!

Music to my ears. Let's keep going.

At the back of the house, and divided by an open stairway,

is the kitchen-diner.

Oh, yes. I like the kitchen.

It's good. This is a great space.

Yes. The kitchen's lovely, but also having the diner there, where...

OK, the staircase in-between but it's sociable.

Yes. You know, if you've got friends round or even one of us cooking,

and that is just a good sociable space.

Yeah. Yes. It does work very, very well.

Yes. So, we're liking the kitchen, we're liking the dining area,

we're liking everything we're seeing.

In addition to this, if you just

look past, you can see there's a doorway,

that leads outside, but also you've got your utility room there.

And I want you to remember that room

because it could prove quite important later on.

Right. OK. That's a big hint, wasn't it?

I was going to say, that's subtle, yes.

Yes. But you've seen enough downstairs?

Yes. Yes. Let's go and have a look up. Lovely.

Above us, there's a surprise waiting for Maggie and Martin.

Along with a tiled family bathroom are four bedrooms,

meaning there are already options for a creative workplace.

At the back of the house there is a dual aspect double

and at the front are two equally bright bedrooms.

Then there is the master, which is concealing another surprise.

Now, the downstairs is pretty spacious and you'll

be pleased to know the upstairs is equally as suspicious.

Wow. Yes.

This is lovely. Yeah, this is your master.

It has an en-suite.

I know you didn't ask for an en-suite,

but do you like the idea of having one?

Yes, particularly when you've got guests.

It does make life a little bit easier.

I think it's always a bonus.

It's not something we would necessarily expect, but, you know,

any bonus is good.

Good. So, overall, how would you rate this property inside?

It's very, very good. Really, I think it's got

pretty much what we've been asking for,

so long as we can sort out workshop and, so, definitely fingers crossed,

this would be a goer for us I think.

Yeah. Now, we're going to head back downstairs,

but you two are creative.

I want your imagination to work for the next thing

I'm going to show you. OK.

The outside space sits to the front with a lawn and a terrace,

perfect for enjoying the warmer months.

The house also enjoys spectacular views across Exmoor National Park.

Now, let's talk a little bit more detail about the garden,

the property and also the potential for a workshop.

I think I've given it away there, haven't I?

Yes. The potential for a workshop.

The way it's set up at the moment,

you do have like a small barn at the side.

I'm guessing that might not be quite big enough for what you're after.

However, you've got the shed the other side of it,

but you have all that land that, in a way, is to the side of the house,

so it's not going to spoil the view,

it's not going to detract from the property.

There could be the potential there of putting a really big workshop in

and you could have it connected to the house, if you wanted to.

Yes, I think there is certainly the opportunity to put something there.

There's somewhere to put it. Yeah. I do think it's a lovely,

lovely building that has the potential to work for us.

I think it could be a lovely home.

Well, let's see what price we're going to put on our lovely home.

What are we thinking?

Well, I've been way out every time that I've guessed so far,

but I'm going to go to the top of our budget.

I think it's probably going to be about 375. OK.

Bearing in mind the fact that we do have to do some work for a workshop,

and we do need some budget, I'm going to hope around about 360.

You're both actually very close

cos the asking price is ?369,000.

OK. Yes. That's...

Yes. Squeezing it.

Yes. But I guess we probably knew

that we would be squeezing it at some point. Yes.

Would you like to take another look around?

Yes. Yes. Yes, please. Please do.

The gardens, the potential for that all-important workshop.

And come and find me when you're ready.

OK. Lovely. Good. Thank you.

This double-fronted cottage is

?11,000 under budget and offers a bright

and roomy living space, plus character features

and four bedrooms.

It has wonderful views from the

garden and there is also the potential to create a workshop.

The mystery house may be remote, but it's perfectly packaged.

I think this house is absolutely lovely.

It's been redeveloped in a sensitive way,

with a great sense of style.

It's light, it's airy and it's quirky.

It's lovely.

I think the house is great,

I really do. I think it's a big house,

there is room for what we need.

I like it a lot.

It is so beautiful out here today.

It's lovely. Oh, and the sun's shining.

Glorious. Fabulous.

Yeah. Amazing views, but I'm going to have to pull you two away now,

I'm afraid. Let's go somewhere where you two

can have a chat on your own first.

I'll join you and you can tell me what your

next move's going to be. Right. OK.

Well, we know Martin and Maggie need to find a new home,

but will they be moving into any of our properties here in Devon?

Let's find out.

Well, Martin and Maggie,

I wonder how we've done here in Devon for you.

Have we found you your next home?

I think you might well have done.

Sharp intake of breath.

OK. But which one in particular took your fancy?

I think the one that is highest on our list

is undoubtedly the mystery house. Yes! Think it's a beautiful house.

Yeah. We need to work out how we

would handle the workshop and we are also

a little bit uncertain about the location,

because it is a little bit more remote. It is. Yes.

I'm going to need to go and walk round the area and see

how I'd be able to connect with

neighbours and what sort of community

there is down the hill. Yeah.

It is a beautiful place and a beautiful, beautiful house.

Oh, I'm so delighted.

Did you get that feeling that you

could be creative and have a lovely life at that property? Oh, yes.

It is a lovely house, lovely atmosphere in the house.

Well, it's all sounding very promising,

but what is the next important step for you two?

Well, we have had a quick chat with the owners.

Already? Yes. Indeed.

And we are going to go back and have another look.

We're keen enough to get back and look at it in more detail.

Yeah. That's tomorrow. My goodness.

Well, that is delightful news.

I leave you literally for a couple of hours and this is what happens.

Well, I hope all your questions get answered,

that second viewing is as successful as the first.

Thank you. And who knows?

In a few weeks, a few months' time, well,

we know you're going to be residents of Devon,

but you might be living in that splendid mystery house.

Yes. You will let us know how you get on, won't you?

Oh, we will. Of course. Delightful. Thank you both so very much.

Thank you. Thank you very much, too.

Well, I think mentally both Maggie and Martin have left Stockport way

behind and physically are certainly a big step closer to a new life here

in Devon. They've loved all the locations that we've shown them,

but I am so happy that they've

already been in touch with the owners of our mystery house

and are having a second viewing very, very soon.

I so hope it works out for them

and I'll see you again on Escape To The Country.

Maggie and Martin did revisit the mystery house and, although they

still loved it, they've decided it was a little too remote for them.

But I'm happy to report that they've since had an offer accepted on a

detached cottage with a workshop in North Devon.

If you would like to escape to the

country in Northern Ireland, Scotland,

Wales or England and need our help, please apply online at...

Sir Terry was the ultimate master at talking to his audience.

Thank you for being my friend.

He comes from a country where the national hobby is talking.

This show is totally unrehearsed!

Terry Wogan and BBC go together.

You either have it or you don't, and he had it like nobody else.