0:00:02 > 0:00:05Talking about the weather is a national pastime for us Brits.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08In the last six hours, nine out of ten of us will have mentioned it at least once.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12But on the 13th of December 1981, the residents of this village,
0:00:12 > 0:00:14I doubt they would have talked about anything else.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Find out why and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39On today's Escape, it's a case of love at first sight.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40This is incredible.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43- I can't believe this.- It's incredible, it's difficult to take it all in.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46I'm speechless.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49But will cold feet for her mean heartbreak for him?
0:00:49 > 0:00:52I still fell in love with the house when we first walked in.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I still want to find a way to make it work.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Today we are in Shropshire, this is the village of Shawbury,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04which hit the headlines 35 years ago when they experienced the coldest
0:01:04 > 0:01:06weather ever recorded in England.
0:01:06 > 0:01:13"How cold?", I hear you ask. Well, minus 25.2 Celsius, that's how cold!
0:01:13 > 0:01:18To put it in perspective, that is chillier than your freezer!
0:01:18 > 0:01:20But today, the weather is mild and warm,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23perfect for exploring the housing market in this lovely county.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29The county of Shropshire is located in the West Midlands of England,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32bordered by two Welsh and four English counties.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36A sparsely populated region,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39around a quarter of the county takes in the Shropshire hills
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46Within this, the high peaks of the Clee Hills give vantage points as
0:01:46 > 0:01:49far afield as the Cotswolds to the south and Snowdonia to the West.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56At Clun, the ruins of a castle stand as a reminder of the 13th century
0:01:56 > 0:02:01power of the Norman monarchy and its 15th century attack by Welsh
0:02:01 > 0:02:06chieftain Owain Glyndwr. Nowadays Whittington Castle, also Norman,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09is managed by the local community.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Architecture buffs will find even more to explore in the county town
0:02:13 > 0:02:17of Shrewsbury which boasts over 660 listed buildings,
0:02:17 > 0:02:22including many 15th and 16th century examples of timber frames.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26The old Market Hall, built in 1596 when the town was a prosperous wool
0:02:26 > 0:02:30centre, is now a film and digital media screening house.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35The town also has no fewer than nine bridges,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38due to the fact that it is almost entirely encircled
0:02:38 > 0:02:40by a loop in the River Severn.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44And it is this serpentine waterway linking the coalfields of the
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Midlands with the Bristol Channel that put Shropshire at the centre of
0:02:47 > 0:02:49the Industrial Revolution,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52as well as giving it a scenic appeal that continues to this day.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57So from kings and castles to hills and heritage,
0:02:57 > 0:03:02Shropshire is a county with much to offer those longing for a country escape.
0:03:04 > 0:03:05"Floreat Salopia."
0:03:05 > 0:03:07This is the county's motto,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10and as those Latin speakers among you would surely know,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13it translates as "may Shropshire flourish".
0:03:13 > 0:03:17It is very apt because Shropshire is one of the least populated counties
0:03:17 > 0:03:20in the UK, which means there is lots of space to flourish,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23and spacious properties will not cost the earth.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27The average price for a detached house in the county is £277,000,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31which is £42,000 less than the national figure.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33So, flourishing and good value property,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37are these the things that have drawn our couple to the county?
0:03:37 > 0:03:38Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Matt, a pharmaceutical compliance officer,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46met teacher Alessandra when she was on a visit to the UK
0:03:46 > 0:03:47from her homeland, Brazil.
0:03:48 > 0:03:5112 years on, and married with two children,
0:03:51 > 0:03:56they are looking to move from their Guildford home in the Surrey commuter belt.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57Houses here are so expensive
0:03:57 > 0:03:59because it is easy to go to London.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04If we move, we would be able to afford a really nice house,
0:04:04 > 0:04:05we could be mortgage-free.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09I was born in Guildford. Although I've lived in Guildford all my life,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12which is a town, I think I could adapt. A village offers you
0:04:12 > 0:04:16a greater sense of community, which is something I'm looking forward to.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21Matt's job often takes him overseas, but he can also work from home,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24so when it comes to finding a new country community with affordable
0:04:24 > 0:04:29property prices, they can live anywhere with good broadband and airport links.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34But they've got their sights set on one county in particular.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37We first went to Shropshire earlier this year, for a holiday,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and then we realised just what was available to us.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44It was a fantastic holiday. I hope when we move to Shropshire
0:04:44 > 0:04:46our kids and I will have more family time.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I'm looking forward to cycling along the canals there
0:04:49 > 0:04:52and spending time with them.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58More family time. Here it is easy to forget about that and come home and get your iPad and
0:04:58 > 0:04:59be each one in their rooms.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04We want to live in a place where we can sit together and play games and
0:05:04 > 0:05:07'stuff like that in winter with the fireplace.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10'And in the summer we will be outside as much as possible.'
0:05:10 > 0:05:16Peter is 11-and-a-half, and he loves to play football, he loves sports.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21He likes being outdoors. And, we have Polly, who is nine,
0:05:21 > 0:05:25she is desperate to go to the country and have some rabbits.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30Or maybe even a horse, or a goat, and a sheep, and everything.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33but as well as spending more time together,
0:05:33 > 0:05:38the hope is the family feeling will extend beyond their own four walls.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I grew up with lots of family around me,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I want my kids to kind of have that, in a different way.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46I want them to be part of a community,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49to be in a village where everybody knows each other,
0:05:49 > 0:05:50everybody knows the kids,
0:05:50 > 0:05:54and we can have the next-door neighbour baby-sitting for us,
0:05:54 > 0:05:55and things like that.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57When it comes to their new home,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01expectations from one party at least are high.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06I would say the decision-maker is largely Alessandra, although...
0:06:06 > 0:06:12Well, he said, sorry to interrupt, he said, "My dear, if you're happy,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16"I'm happy." So I made sure I recorded that!
0:06:16 > 0:06:18If Alessandra didn't like the house,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21'I think it would be difficult to proceed.'
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Yeah. We are looking for something extraordinary, something with a wow factor,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28something that I will go in and go, "Wow, I really want to live here."
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Alessandra and Matt are open to living anywhere in the north
0:06:36 > 0:06:38of Shropshire with good links to an international airport
0:06:38 > 0:06:39for Matt's work.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42But before we check out our houses,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46we are meeting up in their chosen search area to find out more about their
0:06:46 > 0:06:47plans for the move.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Good morning, guys, pretty as a picture here in Shropshire.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52Beautiful, isn't it?
0:06:52 > 0:06:54We've come here, we've looked around,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58we've seen a lifestyle that is not obtainable in Guildford,
0:06:58 > 0:06:59so we're looking forward to moving here.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Quite sparsely populated, is that what you are looking for?
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Are you looking to be quite remote, in the middle of nowhere,
0:07:05 > 0:07:06or do you want a community?
0:07:06 > 0:07:08We want a community for sure.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11I don't have family here, he hardly has family here as well.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14So we want a community, we want...
0:07:14 > 0:07:16- To be part of something. - To be part of something, yes.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20What is the spec? How many bedrooms, how many reception rooms?
0:07:20 > 0:07:23I don't want any closed rooms downstairs,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26somewhere you have to open the door to go into.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27This is very different for me,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30coming from Sao Paulo, everything is open,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33you don't have a hall, you open the front door and you're already in the
0:07:33 > 0:07:38living room. We need an open area, everything together, downstairs,
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- and then upstairs, an en-suite would be nice.- Mm hm.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- And how many bedrooms?- Minimum three, because we have two children.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50I do have family coming from Brazil sometimes, once a year, twice a year,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53so it would be nice for them to have their own space,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55or at least a bathroom just for them.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59And Matt, do you have any specific wishes, because you work from home, don't you?
0:07:59 > 0:08:00I do. I work for a regional office.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03It's important to me to have some office space so I can work from home.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06And something with some land, half an acre or more.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08What sort of style are you looking for?
0:08:08 > 0:08:10We've mentioned barn conversion a few times.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14So I like modern, something different, quirky.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19So you're thinking more of a modern property or would you like something period with period features?
0:08:20 > 0:08:21We don't mind.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23We wouldn't mind putting our own touch on it,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26so if there is some period features that we could make contemporary,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- I think that would be fine.- Yes. - Tell us again about your budget.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30It's slightly complicated.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35Yes, we set the original target of 400,000, but for the extra wow factor,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37we are prepared to go up to 600,000.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39That's quite a wow factor!
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Are you the judge of the wow factor?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Definitely, of course.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45I'm the boss here.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- I shall bear that in mind.- Yes.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51I hope you'll be happy, cos we have found three beautiful houses,
0:08:51 > 0:08:55all very different. I guess the factor is whether you love them.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57So let's get in the car and find out.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58- Yes.- Yes.- Let's go.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04With a maximum of £600,000 for their dream property,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Matt and Alessandra would like open plan living on the ground floor,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09and a minimum of three bedrooms.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12They'd like a separate bathroom for guests,
0:09:12 > 0:09:14plus some office space for Matt.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17It should come with at least half an acre of land,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and they'd like to be part of a village community.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23I've got three very different properties to show them,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26all with their wish list in mind.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27After they've seen each one,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31I'll be getting them to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33The final viewing will be our mystery offering,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36which could well be the crowning glory of our search.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41So there's lots of factors that play in this move,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43what would you say is the most important?
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Here we're going to be able to get a lot more for our money.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50We can never buy a house, a really nice house in Guildford.
0:09:50 > 0:09:56It all has to fit, doesn't it, with the school, it has to complement it, otherwise it won't work.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59My son just got in a very, very good school, outstanding,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01one of the best in the county.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06To move him from that school to a school that is not so good...
0:10:08 > 0:10:11I might feel guilty for a long time.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Right.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15The schools are generally quite good in Shropshire
0:10:15 > 0:10:18but the houses we've got are all in catchment areas of good
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- or outstanding schools. - That's very important.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27We're starting our search for a Shropshire home in the village of Bagley.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33Facilities in the larger village of Baschurch are a five mile drive away,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36and include a pub, post office, and a fish and chip shop.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Back in the rural setting of Bagley,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44the house we've come to see is in the catchment area of a well-regarded school
0:10:44 > 0:10:47and enjoys an edge of village location.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Yes, I like it.- Wow!
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Yes! She likes it.- Very much. - Beautiful.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- It's incredible. - Is it semidetached?
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Yes, so this is a barn conversion in two halves.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Right.- A good impression from the outside, bit of a question mark about...?
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- Over the split.- Over the semidetached, yes.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Yes, very good impression.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Shall we have a peek inside? - Please, yes.- Does it have the wow?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12This brick barn was converted around 12 years ago,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15and consists of two sections divided by a car port.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19We're starting on the side with the main accommodation where a utility
0:11:19 > 0:11:21leads into a kitchen and breakfast room.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Very nice.- Very nice.- Very bright.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28It's a nice modern kitchen.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31I'm not very keen on the wood in the kitchen.
0:11:31 > 0:11:39- I like everything modern and shiny. White.- We were probably expecting it just to open up into the whole barn,
0:11:39 > 0:11:40when we first walked in.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Yes. I need to see what walls I can knock down.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48So far, so good. I love the outside more than the kitchen, to be honest.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51We'll walk through it and you can see what walls you can knock down.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Alessandra really does want to get handy with a hammer here.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Through a hall we reach two further reception rooms,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03divided by a feature fireplace.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06It's certainly a spacious layout but is it family-friendly enough?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11I can't imagine the kids watching TV here,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14and me all the way there in the kitchen...
0:12:14 > 0:12:16So, it worries me a little bit.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21But I'm already thinking I can knock this wall down, the whole thing. Just leave the fire in the middle.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- Basically you want to knock all the walls down?- Yeah.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- Just have a free-floating upstairs. - Yes, yes, exactly, that would be great.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31But, are you prepared that...?
0:12:31 > 0:12:34That country houses tend to be country houses, not modern flats?
0:12:34 > 0:12:37But you can make it modern inside, can't you?
0:12:37 > 0:12:40But in terms of the high ceilings and lots of glass windows,
0:12:40 > 0:12:41that's probably...
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Yeah, I know, I know.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45I'm trying to get over the fact...
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- Let's look upstairs.- Sure.- OK.- You wanted three bedrooms but you've got four in this house.- Good.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Unfortunately, a few too many walls for their liking on the ground floor.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59And completing this level,
0:12:59 > 0:13:03the wing to the other side of the car port houses an office,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05along with three separate garages.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Let's see what they make of upstairs,
0:13:09 > 0:13:11which would give them four bedrooms in total.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15They consist of a generously sized double and a single bedroom,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18both served by a family bathroom.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22There's also a further double guest room with its own en suite, and lastly,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25separated from these three bedrooms, along the landing,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27we find the master suite.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Walk-in wardrobes, en suite, this is the master bedroom.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Oh, my goodness, it is very nice.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41This is small but it's very nice.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- Yeah.- It's incredible. It's really good.- Yeah.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48Well done. You just close that door, you're so far away from the bed.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52And you close that door and the kids are all like, "Go to sleep."
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Grown-up wing.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Let's go outside, look at the land again and talk about the price.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- OK.- OK.- Follow me.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04More communal living is required downstairs,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08but the separated sleeping quarters upstairs mean we're finishing
0:14:08 > 0:14:11exploring the interior on a positive note.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Outside, the plot amounts to just under an acre,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17including lawned garden and paddock.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21But with today's buyers clearly wanting to do some reconfiguring work to
0:14:21 > 0:14:23the house, it may all come down to the money.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Let's talk about the price of this package.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29What do you think this is on the market for?
0:14:29 > 0:14:34It is a semi, which can sometimes affect the value, so I'm going to say, 400.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36I'm going to go higher, I think.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- OK.- 450.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46- OK, interestingly, this is on the market for £5 shy of £500,000.- OK.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50It's still a lot of house for your money, isn't it?
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- Compared to what we're used to. - Yeah.- It's a lot of house. It's a lovely conversion.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Let's give you a bit of time to go round, sit on some chairs,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01take in the different angles, and I'll meet you out the back.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02- OK.- OK.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06£100,000 under budget.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Still, it's not quite what they want.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12But we do have two more houses so...
0:15:15 > 0:15:17This semidetached brick barn conversion
0:15:17 > 0:15:19offers a lot of accommodation for
0:15:19 > 0:15:22their budget, with large kitchen and breakfast room
0:15:22 > 0:15:25and two further reception rooms. There are four bedrooms,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27two of which are en suite,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31as well as almost an acre of land in an edge of village location.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Now that I've seen my first house in Shropshire, I feel very positive.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41I love that it is quiet around here. I really liked it.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44It was a very nice surprise.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48The upstairs works really well, the number of rooms. The guest bedroom
0:15:48 > 0:15:50with the en suite works really well for us.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54It's a stunning barn conversion, so I could see myself living here.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- There you are. Guys, we're done here.- OK.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- We need to get back in the car, we've another house to see.- OK.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Leave this one behind in your mind.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- OK.- OK.- Come with me.- Let's go.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Beautiful landscapes,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14historic ruins and lovely towns and villages make Shropshire a delight
0:16:14 > 0:16:19to explore, especially on two wheels, using the many dedicated cycle routes,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23including the 185-mile Shropshire cycleway.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Alessandra and Matt hope to get the whole family on their bikes once they
0:16:27 > 0:16:31move here, so today is a taste of what to expect.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36Chris Dartnell has been taking people on cycling tours for nearly 25 years,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39and today he's got one of his favourite routes planned.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43I'm Chris from Wheely Wonderful Cycling. Welcome to Shropshire.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45What kind of cycling do you normally like to do?
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Well, I do a lot of road cycling, I might do about 100 miles a week.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I do about 20 miles a week.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55OK. Not so much. I've actually got a really good solution here.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Because you're keen on cycling, you're not so keen,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59electric bicycles are really good,
0:16:59 > 0:17:01it means he'll have trouble keeping up with you.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- Ali, this is your bike.- OK.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Matt, your one here. I'll take that one and we'll go off for a cycle ride.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08- OK?- Great.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Today's route is around 38 miles,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15winding through an area the poet AE Housman described as the quietest
0:17:15 > 0:17:17place under the sun.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Although he was writing from the mind's eye, it really is tranquil.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25River valleys cut through the hills, topped with castle ruins,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28creating great places to stop and enjoy.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Here we are at Hopton Castle, fantastic location.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37There was a really horrible Civil War siege here in 1644.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41It got knocked about a bit and not really lived in after that,
0:17:41 > 0:17:42but it's been renovated.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Just recently, the local community managed to raise over £1 million.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47It's opened up to the public,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51it's free to go in and just a super place to look at, I think.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52So are landmarks like this common for the area?
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Yeah, there's more castles in this area than any other part of the UK.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59It's because we are right on the Welsh border here.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Following the network of quiet country lanes,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06it's around ten miles to the next stop, in the small town of Clun.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09A 15th-century stone packhorse bridge crosses the river
0:18:09 > 0:18:12that gives the settlement its name.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17This was an historic drove route for flocks and herds from Wales to the
0:18:17 > 0:18:20markets of the Midlands and London.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25It used to be a really important little town.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28It's still classified as a town but to us, it's like a village.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31There used to be lots of cattle, lots of sheep coming through here,
0:18:31 > 0:18:32but now it's really quiet, yes.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- Is this style of village typical for Shropshire?- Yeah, for this area.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Lots of half-timbered houses, medieval bridges.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41The castle here at Clun is a very important one,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44used to control the whole of this area.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- I think our kids will love to see all those castles.- I think so.- Yes.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51The final leg of the tour is around 20 miles,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53much of it following the River Teme,
0:18:53 > 0:18:57a waterway that starts in the Welsh hills and passes through to Ludlow,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59described by Sir John Betjeman
0:18:59 > 0:19:02as probably the loveliest town in England.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06The medieval walls and Ludlow Castle are a highlight.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08One of the biggest castles around here.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Not only an historic castle,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13but they have a big food festival on there as well.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17All this square in front of you is the market square,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20great place for buying food, and I think we've got four or five local
0:19:20 > 0:19:24butchers here as well. So you don't have to rely on supermarkets to buy
0:19:24 > 0:19:26all your shopping. Get it from here.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Is there anywhere we can go to get something to drink?
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- Yeah, there's loads of places. - Nice cup of coffee?- And tea.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- And scones.- Good, let's go!
0:19:34 > 0:19:36It's time for a change of gear now
0:19:36 > 0:19:40as Alessandra and Matt's search for a family home continues
0:19:40 > 0:19:43here in the Shropshire countryside.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Our second property is located in West Felton.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53This village grew up around a Norman castle,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57and the remains of the castle mound can be found close to the church.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01It's a great community with a primary school, pub, post office and stores,
0:20:01 > 0:20:05and it's in the catchment for a well-regarded secondary school.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Our second property lies in the middle of the village.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Come on in here.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13- Wow!- Wow!
0:20:13 > 0:20:15So, is this one property?
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- All yours.- Wow!
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- Wow!- This was the original coach house to a big rectory,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23this building here. And then this was added on.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26It's probably about 250 years old, the whole kind of complex.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29But you can see those arches straight ahead was where the coaches
0:20:29 > 0:20:32would have gone in. And these were the stables.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37What you've got is you've got a completely self-contained two-bedroom cottage,
0:20:37 > 0:20:41and then you've got a beautiful four-bedroom house over here.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43This is incredible.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- I can't believe this.- It's difficult to take it all in.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I'm speechless.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Our dream scenario would be a property with some character that
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- was converted from something. A lot to take in.- Very interesting.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I can't wait to see inside.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00First impressions don't get much better than that.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Built from brick and sandstone,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06we enter the L-shaped main building through a corner entrance,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10which takes us through a reception hall into the far wing.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14Here, a dining room leads us into a country kitchen with some unusual
0:21:14 > 0:21:15heritage features.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Very different.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Isn't it? I've never seen anything like it.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Very unique. I like the high ceilings.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24And there, you've got a great big utility room
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- and a sort of downstairs shower room.- OK.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30These are really interesting. These are where they used to put the
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- straw for the horses.- They've kept the original features.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34It's a very unusual property.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Yeah. Good. I like unusual.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38But I have to see the rest of the house.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40I'm not convinced yet.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43I'll fall in love with the dream of owning a property so different,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47so far. I want the rest of the house to work.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- Let's see the rest of the downstairs.- OK.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Matt seems smitten but I know Alessandra is waiting to see
0:21:54 > 0:21:56big communal living spaces.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Leading back through the entrance hall into the other wing
0:22:00 > 0:22:05of the L-shape, we find a very large family reception room,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08with an arched entrance through to a further sitting area.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12It's not open-plan but you can see through the whole space.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14And these windows are incredible.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16- Yeah.- So much light.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18I can see a lot of potential here.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- I like the room.- I love the beams.
0:22:21 > 0:22:22- Yeah.- Love them.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28A hard-won seal of approval for the ground-floor layout from one half of
0:22:28 > 0:22:31our couple. Completing this floor is a corner study
0:22:31 > 0:22:34that Matt could use as a home office.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39The four-bedroom accommodation is reached by two separate staircases.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42One in the hall leads to two of them,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45one with a side window and skylight,
0:22:45 > 0:22:47and a small room tucked under the eaves.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51The second staircase in the largest reception room leads to
0:22:51 > 0:22:54a family bathroom and the other two bedrooms -
0:22:54 > 0:22:57a good-sized double, plus one with an en suite
0:22:57 > 0:23:00that could act as the master.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03OK.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Here we have... Well, they used this as the master bedroom
0:23:06 > 0:23:11- because it's got an en-suite shower room.- Mm-hm.- OK.- Yes.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14And then you can see my husband knocking his head
0:23:14 > 0:23:17every time he got up to go to the toilet.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Don't get me wrong.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I desperately want this house to work.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25But if I'm being very realistic, I don't think it would work.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28This is beautiful but it's right in the middle of the room.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I still fell in love with the house when we first walked in.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33I still want to find a way to make it work.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37I'm sorry I've given you so much to think about.
0:23:37 > 0:23:38Ah! It's frustrating, isn't it?
0:23:38 > 0:23:42It is frustrating because you think, wow, this is incredible.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44This is so different.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46But upstairs is a bit TOO different?
0:23:46 > 0:23:47Yeah.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Well, let's look outside and see whether that clinches it for you.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51OK.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Passions are running high.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57This house is clearly pulling at Matt's heartstrings.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Outside, a two-bedroom cottage provides guest accommodation on the
0:24:01 > 0:24:07doorstep, comprising a living room, kitchen and ground-floor bathroom.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Plus, on the upper floor, a double room with dual aspect,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13as well as a single bedroom.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16There's also a triple garage built from reclaimed brick,
0:24:16 > 0:24:21whilst the cobbled courtyard has a pond and water feature.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26To the rear of the house, the garden is largely lawn and has three sheds.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Perhaps this is enough to give this former coach house and stables legs,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34or could I be flogging a dead horse here?
0:24:34 > 0:24:39I don't see it working because this garden is like a back garden.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42It's like it's not part of the house.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44I don't feel integrated.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47But I can feel this is not for us.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50The only point is that it's not listed so, for example,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53you could open up this door, you could open up this door.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55But obviously, that's more work.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Is there going to be money enough in your budget?
0:24:58 > 0:25:00That's the next question.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03How much is this going to cost you, do you think?
0:25:03 > 0:25:05525.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Despite Alessandra's reservations, I think it does have the wow factor.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11I think it's 625.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15So this is on the market for 599,950.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- Right.- Why don't you have a look around?
0:25:17 > 0:25:18Look inside the cottage again.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21See if your passion will calm down...
0:25:21 > 0:25:22- OK.- ..and we can move on.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- I'll find you when you've finished. - Thank you.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29At the top of their budget,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31this former coach house and stables
0:25:31 > 0:25:33has striking heritage features
0:25:33 > 0:25:34with a range kitchen
0:25:34 > 0:25:36and three reception rooms.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39There are four bedrooms in the main house,
0:25:39 > 0:25:40including on en suite,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43plus a two-bedroom cottage for guests.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46All in the heart of a lovely village.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49When I first walked into the gates, I thought, wow!
0:25:49 > 0:25:51This is what I was looking for.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54I can't believe I've finally found my house.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57But inside, it just wouldn't work for us.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59You can't believe what you're seeing.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01It's an incredible amount of wow factor.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03We're keeping the original features,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06such as where the hay was and where you tie up the horses.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10It really brings a sense of history and purpose to the building.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13I fell in love with this house when I opened the gate and I'm still in
0:26:13 > 0:26:16love with it. I desperately want this house to work somehow.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Are you done?
0:26:18 > 0:26:20- Yes.- Are you feeling a bit calmer?
0:26:20 > 0:26:21- Yes.- Thank goodness.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24OK, don't panic, because we've still got the mystery house.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28- Good.- But for today, we can go home and rest.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30OK. Thank you very much.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46We're in the stunning county of Shropshire,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50helping Alessandra and Matt relocate with their two children from
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Guildford, Surrey. They've already seen two options for their budget of
0:26:53 > 0:26:57£600,000, but there's still the mystery option to come,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00and it could well be fit for a king.
0:27:00 > 0:27:01Or queen.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05My family, they joke, they say that I married an English prince.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08And now we got our own castle.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14Plus, I'm finding out about a Shropshire approach to a very hot topic.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18- Welcome to our biomass building. - It's very not National Trust.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19It's all very new and shiny.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Day two of our Shropshire hunt for Alessandra and Matt's dream home.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I have to say, I think we might have hit a wall, because Alessandra has
0:27:29 > 0:27:33such a fixed idea of what she wants in her head -
0:27:33 > 0:27:38a huge spacious white, modern, vast, wow factor in a barn conversion
0:27:38 > 0:27:42that doesn't, in reality, really exist.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44So the mystery house is really going to shake everything up.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46It's big. It's really big.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49And it's mostly big up.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53But it has a wow factor that I don't think can be beaten.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Our mystery offering is in the village of Petton.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Twinned with the nearby village of Cockshutt,
0:28:02 > 0:28:07facilities in the parish include a post office, shop and school.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12The red-brick church of St Simon and St Jude was built in 1777
0:28:12 > 0:28:14and is Grade II listed.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Two miles away in Petton, on the site of a former medieval manor,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20is today's mystery house.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- And now you can look up... - Oh, wow.- Oh, my God!
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- OK.- Before you get too excited, it's not all of it.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- OK.- Because the property that you are going to explore is...
0:28:33 > 0:28:36See that bit of guttering that goes up there?
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- Yeah.- All the way to the left of that to the corner.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42So this big chunk of the house.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Wow! With the turrets at the top?
0:28:45 > 0:28:46- Yes.- Wow!
0:28:46 > 0:28:50- Four floors?- And a basement, so five, yeah.
0:28:50 > 0:28:51We weren't expecting this.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- No.- No, not at all.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55- No.- This is a bit of a shock.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59It is. The lesson of yesterday is to see inside before we start...
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Yeah.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Getting too excited.
0:29:03 > 0:29:08- Yeah.- This is completely the opposite of what I wanted.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Marvellous. That's exactly why we call it the mystery house.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Let's go and explore.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18This impressive mansion is the brainchild of a formidable Victorian
0:29:18 > 0:29:21heiress, Emma Florence Cunliffe,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25who had the medieval manor house here demolished to make way
0:29:25 > 0:29:27for her red-brick hall.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30In the 20th century it became a boarding school,
0:29:30 > 0:29:35until being sold off in portions in the 1990s to be renovated
0:29:35 > 0:29:37as 11 separate dwellings.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40An imposing private entrance in the section we've come to see
0:29:40 > 0:29:45reaches a hall, which still retains its historic grandeur.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Welcome to a little bit of English history.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49- Wow!- It is open-plan.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51THEY LAUGH
0:29:51 > 0:29:53This is what they call vertical living.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- Yeah.- Come on, let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Come into the kitchen, my dears.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01- Wow.- Lots of it.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Yeah, there's a lot of this kitchen.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06This would have been the servants' wing of the big house.
0:30:06 > 0:30:11- Yeah.- So you've got a fantastic game larder there, a huge walk-in larder.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Through there, there's a great television playroom,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17so you could have your kids nearby.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20And through this big door, down some steps,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23there's a huge cellar, which they've got a pool table in.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- So you could turn it into a games room.- Wow!
0:30:28 > 0:30:31It's a lot more than we were expecting.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33I like the layout of the kitchen a lot.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36I have no idea how to use that.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40And in this one, there is no other option.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42- So...- There's a microwave.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Back through the hall, a corridor leads to a reception room
0:30:47 > 0:30:49at the back of the house,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52currently used as a large formal dining room.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56But we thought it would make a really lovely kind of family room.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- Yeah.- Because, through that,
0:30:59 > 0:31:03- you've got another kind of lovely snug room with panelling.- Uh-huh.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04I like it more now.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06It's very interesting.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Come on upstairs.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14It's great that they like the space on offer on this floor,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17as there are three more levels to explore.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21The top floor offers a large bedroom, which is currently unused.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25On the floor below this are three further bedrooms -
0:31:25 > 0:31:28a large guest double with an en suite,
0:31:28 > 0:31:32and a further guest double with a feature fireplace,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34plus a small room laid out as a twin.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37These all make use of a family bathroom.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Then, on the floor above the living accommodation,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41are the three bedrooms
0:31:41 > 0:31:45Alessandra and Matt might use for themselves and their two children -
0:31:45 > 0:31:49an L-shaped double, and a further double with a single aspect,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52both served by a family bathroom,
0:31:52 > 0:31:56leaving bedroom number six, a large master suite.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00You have perfect access if you wanted all the family on one level.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03- OK.- Through here, you have not one,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07but two walk-in wardrobes and a great big en suite.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- Wow!- OK.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11And when your kids get to teenage
0:32:11 > 0:32:15and they don't want to be near their parents, they can go up a floor.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17- Perfect.- Perfect.
0:32:17 > 0:32:18Yes, I like it.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23So, it's a huge expanse of possibilities.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Possibilities everywhere.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29We are going to go up a very special set of stairs.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32I can't wait to see more because now I like it.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35It's completely the opposite from yesterday. Yes.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37ALISTAIR SINGS TO HIMSELF
0:32:40 > 0:32:44So, the towering interiors of this four-storey mystery house
0:32:44 > 0:32:46have won them over, and outside,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48there are extensive landscaped gardens,
0:32:48 > 0:32:50including an area just for them,
0:32:50 > 0:32:52all of which can be surveyed
0:32:52 > 0:32:55from the heady heights of a rooftop terrace.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Ta-da!
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- Wow!- Oh, my goodness!
0:33:04 > 0:33:05Wow!
0:33:05 > 0:33:07This is incredible.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10If you look down here, you can see, this is your garden,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13see this hedged garden. And then all the land,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16if you kind of fan down to the bottom of the fence,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- is yours too.- Oh, my goodness!
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Never in a million years I would imagine
0:33:21 > 0:33:24I would be seeing a house like this. Never ever.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26My family in Brazil, they joke,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28they say that I married an English prince.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30- And now...- He's got a castle.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33- We've got our own castle. - A section of a castle.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35This is wow, wow, wow!
0:33:35 > 0:33:40Now you've seen pretty much the whole of the house, big as it is,
0:33:40 > 0:33:42what do you think the price tag...
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- Oh!- ..is going to be?
0:33:46 > 0:33:51Again, I think this would have to be over our budget.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Again, I'm going to say 625, 650.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57I'll say 650.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02Well, then, your luck is in because this is on the market for £550,000.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Wow!
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Unbelievable.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09I'm going to give you a bit more time to explore and I'll find you
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- somewhere in the garden.- Perfect. - OK. OK.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- Thank you very much. - Down the stairs.
0:34:15 > 0:34:16Wow!
0:34:16 > 0:34:21That, ladies and gentlemen, is a mystery house.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25£50,000 below their top budget,
0:34:25 > 0:34:30this four-storey Victorian mystery mansion comes with a range kitchen
0:34:30 > 0:34:34and a cellar. There are six bedrooms, including a master suite,
0:34:34 > 0:34:38plus a roof terrace and a section of landscaped grounds.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42What's more, there are several well-regarded schools close by.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46I don't think I've ever seen you quite so speechless by anything.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48I don't think you have ever seen me like that.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50I might change my name now.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52You can call me Princess Alessandra.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54How about that? Queen Alessandra!
0:34:54 > 0:34:57I don't think you should push your luck.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59I was absolutely speechless,
0:34:59 > 0:35:02because I would never ever think of a house like this.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06- Ever.- There's no way I would have chosen this if we'd been looking around.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09I would have just passed over this house straight away
0:35:09 > 0:35:10without thinking about it.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13I think this is the house we've fallen in love with
0:35:13 > 0:35:18- in a very short time. - That view is just...
0:35:18 > 0:35:20How can you say no to that?
0:35:20 > 0:35:22I'm emotional because, thinking where I grew up,
0:35:22 > 0:35:26where I saw buildings everywhere, cars and pollution,
0:35:26 > 0:35:28and thinking that I would have
0:35:28 > 0:35:31an opportunity to give my children this...
0:35:31 > 0:35:33It's overwhelming.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35It must go all the way down there.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36Yeah.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- And it's really...- It's beautiful.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41- Hey, guys.- Hi.- Hi. - Are you being bewitched?
0:35:41 > 0:35:42- Yes.- We are.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45We've been sucked in and we love the place.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Well, I'm going to have to drag you away because we are going to find
0:35:49 > 0:35:52somewhere separate from this to kind of think about everything.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54- Sure.- Have a cup of tea.- OK.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Shropshire's mineral rich-soil explains why crops have been
0:36:05 > 0:36:07cultivated here since the Bronze Age,
0:36:07 > 0:36:12including the surroundings Attingham Park near Shrewsbury.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15During Britain's agricultural revolution in the late 18th century,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17this Palladian stately home
0:36:17 > 0:36:22was built for the politician and 1st Baron Berwick, Noel Hill.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Now in the hands of the National Trust,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Nicki Chapman last visited it in the grips of
0:36:27 > 0:36:30a major multi-million-pound renovation project.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35Two years on, research and interpretation officer Saraid Jones
0:36:35 > 0:36:38is on hand to show me the impressive results,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40starting with the roof of the picture gallery,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43designed in 1805 by John Nash.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Saraid, the last time we were here,
0:36:45 > 0:36:47you had Nicki Chapman climbing up scaffolding.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- It's all vanished.- Yeah. This space has completely changed.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Above, we were installing
0:36:52 > 0:36:55a brand-new secondary roof to protect this space.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- Because it was leaking.- This space had leaked from the start,
0:36:58 > 0:36:59so over 200 years.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03And the new roof is the latest phase to protect it for the future.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07We've also repainted the ceiling to represent how it would have been
0:37:07 > 0:37:11painted originally. It's a stencil effect but designed to look 3-D.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15A magnificent space. And this is a Nash building, isn't it?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Yeah. Nash was creating something very innovative here.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20He was making use of curved cast iron
0:37:20 > 0:37:23with this fantastic top-lit roof.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27This roof represents Attingham's Regency heyday.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30In 1827, just 20 years after it was completed,
0:37:30 > 0:37:33the 2nd Lord Berwick, who commissioned it,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35was in financial ruin.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38The contents of his house was sold off in a 16-day sale
0:37:38 > 0:37:42and for the next century, the place fell into disrepair.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44And then in the '20s,
0:37:44 > 0:37:47the 8th Lord and Lady Berwick started to revive Attingham
0:37:47 > 0:37:51and carefully restored parts of the house,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54which is what the National Trust are continuing today.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58There's also ongoing research into the hall's post-World War II role
0:37:58 > 0:38:01as an adult education college.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05At that time, this former servants' dining hall was filled with people
0:38:05 > 0:38:08on a variety of residential courses.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12So, it started in 1948, so that's just after the war,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15so there was a big boom in sort of adult education.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16What sort of things did they learn?
0:38:16 > 0:38:19All sorts. I mean, we've got leaflets here.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23So we've got lots of history, arts,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26they also looked at industry, design,
0:38:26 > 0:38:29- stargazing...- Stargazing? - It's wonderful here at night.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32It's very clear, and they would have gone up onto the roof.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35"A critical look at Britain's coniferous forests.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37"Bird behaviour and wildlife."
0:38:37 > 0:38:42I think for a lot of people, it had a life-changing impact on them,
0:38:42 > 0:38:44that excitement of new education at the time.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49We have some images of some of the folk-dancing courses,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52here, so this is students dancing at the front.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Look at that. That's wonderful.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59The school left its physical mark on the hall in the form of dormitories
0:38:59 > 0:39:02and quarters for a warden in what is now the orangery,
0:39:02 > 0:39:04as well as several student-made mosaics,
0:39:04 > 0:39:08but the biggest legacy was what these people took away with them.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12"Stately home becomes people's college,
0:39:12 > 0:39:17"where Tom, Dick and Harry, of any age, may learn enjoyably."
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Yeah. It was education for all,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22and definitely changed people's lives.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24But it's not all about history.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Attingham is seeing the largest biomass boiler system
0:39:27 > 0:39:30of any National Trust property installed here,
0:39:30 > 0:39:34and general manager Mark Agnew is going to tell me more about this
0:39:34 > 0:39:35ambitious project.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39- Hi, Mark.- Hi. Nice to meet you. Welcome to our biomass building.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41It's very not National Trust.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43It's all very new and shiny.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Yeah, we are still in the construction phase at the moment.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49So this is the woodchip from the estate.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51We've got about 300 acres of woodland.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55This is from our day-to-day sort of maintenance of trees, felling trees.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58We'll be delivering about 200 tonnes of chip a year...
0:39:58 > 0:40:01- 200 tonnes!- ..into these amazing boilers here.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04It's a sustainable source.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07We think it's going to save about 60 tonnes of carbon a year.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09So we are doing our bit,
0:40:09 > 0:40:13not just for sustainability but also for climate change as well.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16The showrooms of the house have conservation heating,
0:40:16 > 0:40:20which is actually more about getting the right humidity levels.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- It's not very warm.- So, often, it might not be very warm,
0:40:23 > 0:40:24particularly over winter,
0:40:24 > 0:40:28but it's about making sure it's not too damp or not too dry.
0:40:28 > 0:40:29It's wonderful. It really is great.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33It's so nice to come and see these properties and see how they constantly renew. Well done.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40It's wonderful seeing this stately home undergoing a new lease of life.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44But now let's find out if Alessandra and Matt plan to take on their own
0:40:44 > 0:40:46slice of stately living
0:40:46 > 0:40:50and, indeed, what they've made of all the properties I've shown them.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Well, what a week that was.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56Which of the properties really stood out for you?
0:40:56 > 0:40:59It's very weird because for years
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I dreamt of one thing,
0:41:01 > 0:41:05and the third house was really, really a mystery,
0:41:05 > 0:41:07a shock and a surprise,
0:41:07 > 0:41:12because if I had to write down everything I didn't want in a house,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- that would be it.- And how are you feeling about the mystery house now?
0:41:15 > 0:41:18We're very excited. I mean, we're planning to come back
0:41:18 > 0:41:20as soon as possible with the children
0:41:20 > 0:41:23to see their faces when they just drive up the drive.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25We want to do that as soon as possible, don't we?
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Yeah. I really like it.
0:41:27 > 0:41:33It was like a trendy fashionable London house in the countryside.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Looking at that house, it looks like an adventure.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39It looks fun. And I want that spirit to continue while we live there.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Every day to be something new.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44You just want it to be something spectacular.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Obviously, I do hope that you buy the mystery house,
0:41:47 > 0:41:51simply so that you can prove to your in-laws and family in Brazil that
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Matt is the king of the castle.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56We really appreciate your help and...
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- It's been a fantastic week. - A fantastic week, thank you.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02Whatever you do, I hope you find somewhere lovely in Shropshire.
0:42:02 > 0:42:03- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09What a week, what a mystery house and, indeed, what a move
0:42:09 > 0:42:12because Matt, he's lived his whole life in Guildford,
0:42:12 > 0:42:13he's moving to the countryside.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17Alessandra grew up in one of the most densely populated cities in the
0:42:17 > 0:42:20world and is coming to live in one of the least populated counties
0:42:20 > 0:42:22in the UK, but it just goes to show
0:42:22 > 0:42:25that when you have a move this momentous,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29you can't afford to be too precise in what you are looking for.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32I mean, the mystery house just blew everything out of the water.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Although she was a bit shell-shocked,
0:42:35 > 0:42:39I personally can see Alessandra as the lady of the manor.
0:42:39 > 0:42:44Anyway, do join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Matt and Alessandra returned to Shropshire to view more properties
0:42:49 > 0:42:52and are still interested in the mystery house.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55They plan to move into rented accommodation if necessary
0:42:55 > 0:42:59so that their children can start in their new schools next term.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03If you would like to escape to the country in England, Scotland,
0:43:03 > 0:43:07Wales or Northern Ireland and need our help, you can apply online at...