0:00:02 > 0:00:04Standing some 60 metres above sea level,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08Operation Chastise of May 1943 owes a debt to this historic place.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12But where is this striking building and what is its significance?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Find out in just a moment.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Today's search is about big changes
0:00:34 > 0:00:39as our buyers ditch the busy capital in search of isolation.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43I'm seeing a house here and I'm seeing a house up there and...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Sue, it's got a rope swing over a stream!
0:00:46 > 0:00:50But later on, disappointment turns to jubilation.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54This is everything that I would've drawn in a picture.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56This is a different Sue. I like this Sue!
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Today, we're in Somerset,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04on the stunning coastline at Brean Down Fort, which, during WWII,
0:01:04 > 0:01:09was a base for the Department of Miscellaneous Experimental Weapons,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13where they tested the bouncing bomb for the famous Dam Busters Raid.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17This prominent position has commanded the coastline for centuries,
0:01:17 > 0:01:22although the fort you see here today was built in the 1860s
0:01:22 > 0:01:25to protect the coastline from the threat of invasion.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29And in a strange twist of fate, today, in turn,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32it's now protected by the National Trust,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest
0:01:35 > 0:01:38due to its outstanding natural beauty.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Somerset sits in the heart of England's West Country.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45From the heather-clad moorland
0:01:45 > 0:01:48and dramatic sea cliffs of Exmoor National Park
0:01:48 > 0:01:51to the low-lying levels and wooded valleys of the Quantock Hills,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54it's a county of varying landscapes
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and is renowned for its dairy and fruit production.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59The compact Quantocks are just 12 miles long
0:01:59 > 0:02:01and four miles wide.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03From the coastline on a clear day,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06views reach across the Bristol Channel as far as the Welsh coast.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11The county is home to England's smallest city, Wells,
0:02:11 > 0:02:16which was granted city status due to its 13th-century cathedral.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21Its magnificent West Front features over 300 statues and carvings.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Further north, just outside the county in north Bristol,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29the Clifton Observatory and Camera Obscura sit high up on the Downs.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32The Grade II-listed building started life as
0:02:32 > 0:02:35a windmill for corn in the 18th century
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and today is a popular spot to enjoy the views
0:02:37 > 0:02:40of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge below.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44From its historic cities with beautiful buildings
0:02:44 > 0:02:46to its expanses of unspoilt countryside,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49this county of contrasts offers something
0:02:49 > 0:02:52for everyone looking to experience its landscape.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57When it comes to setting up home in Somerset,
0:02:57 > 0:02:59the average price of a detached house in the county
0:02:59 > 0:03:03comes in at around £315,000,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06which is only around £1,500 more than the UK average.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11But in North Somerset, you can expect to pay around £50,000
0:03:11 > 0:03:15more due to its close proximity to the busy hubs of Bath and Bristol.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18However, travel south or west and you'll be rewarded
0:03:18 > 0:03:20by not only cheaper house prices,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24but also swathes of idyllic countryside, which is exactly
0:03:24 > 0:03:28what's drawing today's buyers to this beautiful county.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Sue and Steve met 10 years ago
0:03:30 > 0:03:33through a chance encounter at Sue's workplace.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37I was working at Hampton Court Palace and Steve came in
0:03:37 > 0:03:40as a visitor and it was love at first sight.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45Sue was working in the audio guide office and had a terrible cold,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49had a very red nose and spoke in a very sort of stuffy voice,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52which was quite comical.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55And I made a funny comment about how she sounded
0:03:55 > 0:03:59and, bang, she just came back with a comment straight back at me.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02And I just thought, "Wow! This girl's really great."
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Um...obviously quite attractive,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07apart from the big red nose at the time.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Sue moved into Steve's house of 17 years,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13a four-bedroom 1950s house in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16where he had brought up his two children from a former marriage.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19So, despite tying the knot four years ago,
0:04:19 > 0:04:23they're still yet to buy their first property together.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26This house has been lovely and it's given everything that we have
0:04:26 > 0:04:29needed for the last 10 years.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32I'm very excited about buying our first home together
0:04:32 > 0:04:35and putting our own stamp on it.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40It's only fair that we have a house that you have a big say in,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43that is going to be ours, ours alone.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47As they are both recently retired and their children have grown up,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49they no longer have ties to London.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53We've been looking in Somerset for property
0:04:53 > 0:04:56and that gives us an ideal spot to be rural,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00but still near enough for the kids to come down at weekends and things.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Steve and Sue hope their next home will be the perfect place for
0:05:04 > 0:05:08visiting grandchildren, and those all-important family Christmases.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11But it also needs to allow them to enjoy their hobbies
0:05:11 > 0:05:12when it's just the two of them.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15I'm very domesticated, I love to cook.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Steve and I both like to write.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20We both read avidly.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24When we're on holiday, it's so easy to get through a book a day.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26And we both like to paint.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28We've got a garage at the bottom of the garden,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32which I've turned into a workshop and I just make stuff.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36My woodwork teacher told me I was useless at woodwork
0:05:36 > 0:05:39and should never be let near lumber.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44And I think I just spend my life trying to prove him wrong!
0:05:44 > 0:05:46With their house on the market,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Steve and Sue are ready for their new adventure
0:05:48 > 0:05:52and can't wait to, quite literally, get away from it all.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56We have no fears about being in an isolated area at all.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58That is very attractive, actually.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Um...so I'm looking forward to be able to look out of a window
0:06:01 > 0:06:04and perhaps see a neighbour in the distance.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- That sounds quite pleasant to me. - On his tractor.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- THEY LAUGH - On his tractor!
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Steve and Sue have chosen Somerset due to its good links
0:06:14 > 0:06:17to their children and to London.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18I know where we're looking,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22now I just need to find out what kind of property we're looking for.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- Steve and Sue, welcome to Somerset. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27You're moving all the way from Sunbury-on-Thames,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- which is a lovely part of the world. - It is.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Why are you looking to move from there, then?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33We want to get away from traffic.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37I want to be somewhere where two or three cars gathered together
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- constitutes a traffic jam.- Right.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- Well, that's the countryside, isn't it?- Exactly.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44We have got four children and we've been bringing them up
0:06:44 > 0:06:47and now the last one has just flown the nest
0:06:47 > 0:06:50and so it's time for us to find somewhere for ourselves,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- but somewhere big enough for them all to come down often.- Right.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It sounds like we're looking at a four to five-bedroom house, then?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- Four will be fine.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00We're looking for somewhere detached.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03We don't want to be overlooked, we don't want to overlook anywhere.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08A bit of land, between one and four acres. Two would be ideal.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10What about the style of the house, then?
0:07:10 > 0:07:14It's probably Victorian, Edwardian, old farmhouse, something like that.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16You want a particularly large kitchen.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- I do, hub of the house. - What about its location?
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Because you're talking about aspirations for land,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- getting away from traffic.- Mm-hm.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Are you the guy that wants to be in the middle of nowhere?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29I'd be very happy in the middle of nowhere.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- Is that a dream you both share, Sue?- Oh, for sure. Yeah, absolutely.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36How much work can you foresee yourselves doing to a property, if at all?
0:07:36 > 0:07:39I anticipate putting a new kitchen in somewhere
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- just because I want my perfect kitchen.- Right.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45We don't really want major structural work.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50How much have you got in your piggy bank for this big move of yours?
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- £650,000.- Right.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58If there's something very special, something really nice,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- up to £700,000.- All right.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03You're looking forward to these next couple of days, then?
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- I'm really excited about it. - Definitely.- Let's start. - Let's do it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12So, Steve and Sue have got a healthy budget of £700,000 to spend
0:08:12 > 0:08:13here in Somerset.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16For that, they'd like a detached house with four or more
0:08:16 > 0:08:19bedrooms and a generously-sized kitchen.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24Last, but not least, they want to be in an isolated rural location.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27We've got three cracking properties ready for them to see,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31all with heaps of character and the potential for them to create
0:08:31 > 0:08:33their rural dream.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35At each one, they'll have to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38And to finish off, I'll be showing them a Mystery House
0:08:38 > 0:08:42in a location that will really test their boundaries.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51For our first property, we're heading to the village of Spaxton.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Set in the Quantock Hills, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:08:55 > 0:08:58is known for its great walking terrain and riding trails.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01The main part of this quiet, sprawling village
0:09:01 > 0:09:03surrounds St Margaret's parish church.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06There's a local shop and a village hall, where,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09twice a year, residents exhibit locally-grown produce,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12flowers and crafts at the village show.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Situated on the outskirts of the village,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17I'm hoping our first property could provide Steve and Sue
0:09:17 > 0:09:20with that rural existence they're looking for.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Now, I'd like us to stop here.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26I think this is the best vantage point to take everything in.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Not just the house, but to see snippets of what's on offer.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- I like it.- Do you?- Yes.- Good.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36From the outside, I'm sure it's very pretty as you get closer,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- but I'm suspecting it's too pretty. - Ah! OK.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- Well, it is very cutesy, isn't it? Very cottagey.- It is.- I like this.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- You're going to love that. - It's interesting.- That's exactly it.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- You've got topography here! - Topography!- Your favourite word.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Yes!- Yeah?- It has, it's got interesting shape...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55It's certainly got an interesting variety of trees
0:09:55 > 0:09:57and I love being surrounded by trees.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58- Let's look inside?- Yes. - Come on, then.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Originally a pair of mill cottages, from the outside,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06the layout of this property is far from conventional.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08The back of the house is the oldest part,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11dating back to the 16th century.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13The extension on the front includes the kitchen,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17utility room and study, and was built around 15 years ago.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19I brought us in this way because I wanted you to see
0:10:19 > 0:10:21some of the sort of ancillary areas, if you like.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25But come to the most important room for you, Sue, first,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28which is, of course, the kitchen.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- What do we think?- Um...it's not as big a kitchen as I would hope for.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Nice touches. Love the tiles over the cooker.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38It's about the same size as the kitchen we already have
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- and you wanted something a lot bigger, didn't you, really?- Yeah.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46I would like an area like this with as much again
0:10:46 > 0:10:49so that there is room for a couple of sofas and things like that.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52When we've looked at the rest of the house, it may be that...
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- That may negate this. - ..it becomes less important.- Maybe.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56Really? You'd compromise?
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Because you feel so strongly about this. OK.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- I do, but all houses are a compromise.- Yeah.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Music to my ears. Come with me.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07The kitchen may have failed to cut the mustard with Sue,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10but I'm hoping the rest of the house will be more to her taste.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Now I know someone is going to like this room.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- STEVE LAUGHS - OK.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- Not your full-sized billiard table. - It's not a full-sized table,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20but it's a nice-sized room, isn't it?
0:11:20 > 0:11:22- It's a snug, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Television room or a couple of sofas.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27It's a pleasant-sized room. It's OK.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- This is the older part of the building.- Yes, which makes sense.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Yeah.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35Let's go and have a look at the main reception room. Come with me.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Just off the main entrance hall is a useful dining area
0:11:39 > 0:11:42under a glass roof, where the extension joins
0:11:42 > 0:11:43the original house.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Leading off it is the study to one side
0:11:45 > 0:11:48and the sitting room directly opposite.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- I rather like this room.- Do you?
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Um, it's warm.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56It feels cosy.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59A nice, high ceiling, plenty of light.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01It's a nice room. It's a nice room.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06I think your opinion is coloured already by the kitchen,
0:12:06 > 0:12:07isn't it, Sue?
0:12:07 > 0:12:10This is a lovely room on its own, but it's not enough.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Before Sue completely dismisses this house,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I want to show them the bedrooms upstairs.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21There are five in total, including three good-sized guest doubles,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25looking out on to the back garden along with a large single.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28There are two separate bathrooms,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30and of course the master suite.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Now I know you wanted loads of guests to come and stay,
0:12:35 > 0:12:38but I also think you need a bit of privacy,
0:12:38 > 0:12:39so you've got a master suite.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41You've got a wet room there.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Then I think this would be your master bedroom.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Um...
0:12:47 > 0:12:48HE STRAINS
0:12:48 > 0:12:51I think this is a perfectly adequate size bedroom.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55You've obviously got a sense of what you're after a lot more, Sue.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58An immediate observation is that one wants to stand
0:12:58 > 0:13:00and look out of a window.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Well, you can't. You've got to kneel,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05because the windows are below head height.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- OK.- Do you know, there's so much to like in this house.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Somebody will like it. They'll love it.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14But so far it's not having much appeal for me.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Sue's clearly got a vision of what her perfect property looks like.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22I've got doubts as to whether this is it.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25However, I'm confident the garden won't disappoint.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The plot of just over an acre surrounding the house
0:13:28 > 0:13:32includes a large lawn, and even has a stream flowing through it.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Well, fairly unconventional outside space,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39but I think it's splendid, don't you?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- Um...- I love it.- Do you? - I really do.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42There is so much to like,
0:13:42 > 0:13:47but I'm seeing a house here and I'm seeing a house up there,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50which isn't really the isolation that we were looking for.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Sue, it's got a rope swing over a stream.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Yeah, that's...
0:13:54 > 0:13:57This is apparently fed by a reservoir...
0:13:57 > 0:13:58Yeah, it's very pretty.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01It's very pretty and it's got lovely, lovely areas.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05Really lovely areas, but I see another house right there.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- You want complete isolation.- Yeah. - All right.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09It's for somebody.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13I think it's for somebody who has got a young family now.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14Right now, yes.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20How much do you think that somebody will need to pay for it?
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- 585,000.- OK.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25It's a lovely house.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28It's got a lot of interest to it, the grounds are great.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33I'm going to go more. I would say £625,000.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34Keep going.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37This place is on the market for offers
0:14:37 > 0:14:41in the region of £695,000.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43OK.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- Right, I've learnt quite a bit about you guys.- Yeah.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48You might be prepared to give a little and take a bit.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Oh, we're not completely inflexible. We can compromise.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54You've now got the opportunity to go back into the house.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Go have a look around and I'll meet you whenever you're done,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- all right?- OK, thank you. - Pay the troll on the way over.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06I think this detached period property has loads going for it.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08There's one more bedroom than Steve and Sue asked for,
0:15:08 > 0:15:13and a large kitchen, although apparently not big enough.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14There are gardens of over an acre,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18and it's in a glorious setting in the heart of the Quantock Hills.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- This is your study. - Yeah, it's the office.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24That's quite a good size for a study area.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- This is a very good room.- Yes.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28The garden's wonderful.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31If we can get a place with a garden like this, I'd be very, very happy.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35I was a little disappointed with the size of the house.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39The kitchen, in particular, didn't measure up to our hopes.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44There's a lot to like, but I really feel this house lends itself
0:15:44 > 0:15:46to a family with small children.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49It would be a happy home for somebody else, but it's not for us.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- Are you happy you came here? - Oh, definitely.- Goodness me, yes.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57It's good to see. It's good to make a comparison.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58It's good for you to know what it is
0:15:58 > 0:16:00that we're looking for more specifically.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Don't pile any more pressure on me. I'm already feeling it.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- It's down to you. - When we say "we", we mean "you".
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Somerset, along with the neighbouring county of Devon,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16forms one of the largest farming regions in the UK.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19With Sue and Steve's ambition to live the good life here in Somerset,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21we've sent them to meet Antonio Paladino,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24a chef who swapped life in London
0:16:24 > 0:16:27for a one-acre plot of land in the West Country to set up
0:16:27 > 0:16:30a modern version of a farming technique believed to date
0:16:30 > 0:16:33back as far as the Aztecs - aquaponics.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- Welcome to the Aquaponic Farm. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39What...what is that? What does that mean?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41It's just a fish farm, in this case trout.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45It's the integration of fish and plant into one ecosystem.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46So why did you start the farm?
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Well, I'm a chef.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51For me, affordable, quality food has always been a priority.
0:16:51 > 0:16:57I was on a trip to Malaysia, and I accidentally bumped into aquaponics.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00As a sceptic, that got me thinking,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03"Why isn't everybody doing it already?"
0:17:03 > 0:17:05So I had to test it and try it myself first.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08So we started a system in London for a year.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11After that first year, we realised that, "Wow, that's working."
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Of course, in London, small spaces are expensive.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18We had to move out to have a farm. Here we are.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22Antonio has four tanks, each containing 500 trout.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Fed only with organic fish food, their by-waste provides
0:17:25 > 0:17:29high-quality nutrients for the plants in the polytunnels next door.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32The plants in turn act as a bio-filter to keep the water
0:17:32 > 0:17:34in the tanks clean.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Amazingly, this same water has been circulating in the system
0:17:37 > 0:17:39for four-and-a-half years.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41So can you grow anything like this
0:17:41 > 0:17:44or do some things lend themselves better?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47You can literally grow any crops that would normally be
0:17:47 > 0:17:51growing in soil, but without soil, of course, in this case.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- Here you can see where it's... - Oh, my goodness!
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- The root system and all the water for the nutrients is coming.- Wow.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03So that pipe is being fed into this tank directly from the fish tank?
0:18:03 > 0:18:04From the fish tank.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07What about the taste? Better, worse, same?
0:18:07 > 0:18:08You're going to decide. You tell me.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- Try some of this.- What is that? - That's French sorrel.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Oh, wow, that is so good.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Cos of the nutrients, it's high quality.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- That is really strong, isn't it?- Mm. - That'd be great in a salad.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- That's really good. - That'd be good in a salad.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Antonio grows a huge variety of salads and vegetables,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33from cannellini beans to cabbages,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37as well as some more unusual varieties, all harvested by hand.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40As the irrigation system offers the plant roots
0:18:40 > 0:18:42a continuous supply of water and nutrients,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46many of the plants grow twice as fast as they would in soil.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49A lettuce that would normally take three to four months to grow
0:18:49 > 0:18:51is produced in just two months.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55This seems such a simple, straightforward process.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Why aren't there more people doing this?
0:18:57 > 0:18:59They are - they're just catching up now.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01It's only a matter of time before more are going to embrace it.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04What are your plans for the future? Where do you go from here?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Well, frankly, this was the plan and we achieved it -
0:19:07 > 0:19:08to be able to produce for ourselves
0:19:08 > 0:19:12and to provide for others good quality food at affordable rates.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Frankly, we're happy with this site. We don't want to...
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- You're living the dream, aren't you? - Yes.- I think you're there.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- Thank you.- Fantastic. - Antonio, you've got so much to do.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- We'd better leave you to it. - Thank you for your time.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- We've really enjoyed our day. - Yeah, brilliant.- Thank you so much. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Antonio's farm is currently one of only two using aquaponics in
0:19:29 > 0:19:32the UK, but as people are becoming increasingly concerned with
0:19:32 > 0:19:33the source of their food,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37and the popularity of organic food steadily rising over the last
0:19:37 > 0:19:40few years, sustainable techniques look set
0:19:40 > 0:19:42to define the future of our farms.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Back on the house-hunt, the next property I want to show
0:19:48 > 0:19:53Sue and Steve is in Selworthy, on the northern fringes of Exmoor.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56At 308 metres high, nearby Selworthy Beacon is one
0:19:56 > 0:20:01of the highest points on Exmoor and offers some spectacular views.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05The village itself lies within the National Trust's Holnicote Estate,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08and is known for its perfectly preserved thatched cottages
0:20:08 > 0:20:12and distinctive 14th-century church with whitewashed walls
0:20:12 > 0:20:14perched on the side of the hill.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Steve, you said one of the reasons you were looking forward to
0:20:17 > 0:20:21living down here was the topography.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- You've got it.- I think that you could call that topography.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- It's amazing, isn't it? - On the spectacular end on the scale.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- Some great walking.- Yeah. - Oh, my goodness.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Yeah, on the way up the hill here,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34we saw so many public footpaths, so it'd be...
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Is that something you want to get into?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- Absolutely, yes, of course.- We do walk.- We walk a lot.- Yeah, we do.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40So you'll be pleased to hear, then,
0:20:40 > 0:20:42the house we want to show you is just down the road.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47- Oh.- We can walk there, as we shall. - Let's do it. My goodness.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49On the edge of the village,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51our property sits in an elevated position,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53making the most of the views.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58So we finally - after going down and up a hill -
0:20:58 > 0:21:00arrive at property number two.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Go on, hit me with it. What do you think?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- Nice front door. - Love the front door.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Well, that doorway leads into what was once a rectory.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12It's been split up since.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I'm looking forward to showing you some amazing features inside here.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16When you say "split up",
0:21:16 > 0:21:19does that mean it's attached to something else?
0:21:19 > 0:21:20Yes, it does.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- So it's not a detached house? - It's not a detached house.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27This is finding out what compromises you're prepared to make.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28Come with me.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Not exactly the best of starts,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35but I think if Sue and Steve can remain open-minded,
0:21:35 > 0:21:40this 16th-century house offers them a lot of what they're looking for.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43With a floor space of nearly 440 square metres,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46it's around a third bigger than the first property.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50So this is an entrance hall with a bit of a difference.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52This is a room in itself, isn't it? This is just your hallway.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54My goodness. It's huge.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Now, I don't know whether you'd ever consider yourself in a room
0:21:59 > 0:22:02like this, but it looks rather grand.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- It IS grand.- Good-sized room.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- I love that window.- You've got the nice, big proportions,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08and a working fireplace as well.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- This is a very big room, isn't it? - Yeah, it's a very good-sized room.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- It's very airy. - Yeah, it is, isn't it? All right,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18well, another room next door of similar size.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21They are clearly pleasantly surprised by these large,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25well-proportioned spaces. But they are not won over, just yet.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30So, dining room... Would you consider ever having a separate dining room?
0:22:30 > 0:22:32We have a separate dining room at the moment, it works,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34we use it a lot.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37For when we have the ten members of the family around for dinner,
0:22:37 > 0:22:38we can't get them all in the kitchen,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- it does get used, so a dining room is fantastic.- Yeah.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44If we didn't want to use it as a dining room...
0:22:44 > 0:22:47No, you won't stand a chance with this. Go on...
0:22:47 > 0:22:50It might take a full-size snooker table. Just looking at it.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- Really?- It might.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- Look, another nice, big room, let's go onto the kitchen.- OK.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Steve might be happy now he's spotted a potential games room,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04but I'm not sure I've got Sue on board.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07At the back of the house, there is a large utility and pantry area,
0:23:07 > 0:23:11giving the current kitchen some much-needed storage space.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Now, I might be ducking for cover here...
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Look at that room there, remember these walls...- Yes.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Come with me, no, no, come and stand here with me.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23OK.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27The owner, by her own admission, she walked me around the house and said, "Look,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30"I know the kitchen is too small for modern houses,
0:23:30 > 0:23:34"so we've had plans drawn up and the plans are to knock walls."
0:23:34 > 0:23:36That way, that way.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39I still think that would make a good-size kitchen, but I still don't
0:23:39 > 0:23:43think it would be big enough for the day room that you'd be after.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47You'd need go that way, which would mean resubmitting, obviously, drawings.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50And the issue there, I'd want to flag up is, obviously,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52it's Grade II listed.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- This is probably more than we want to undertake.- Yeah.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59- Let's go upstairs, let me show you one of the bedrooms...- Yes.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- And then we'll go outside.- OK.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Upstairs are three huge double bedrooms with lovely
0:24:05 > 0:24:06high ceilings.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10A large single bedroom and a dressing room currently used
0:24:10 > 0:24:13as a fifth bedroom.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16The two bathrooms could do with a bit of updating but are both a fair size.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Now, as master bedrooms go... This is a cracker, isn't it?
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- It's a good size.- Proportions-wise, these are what you're after, right?
0:24:24 > 0:24:28- Very much.- Yeah, the rooms are a good size, I can't fault the rooms.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30And even style-wise,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33you like this period, these proportions....
0:24:33 > 0:24:36The house, internally, is great,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39just take all the internals and put them
0:24:39 > 0:24:41somewhere a little more remote.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43- Away from other humans?- Yes. - I can hear you,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46metaphorically, banging me over the head with a stick now, saying...
0:24:46 > 0:24:48- I can do it for real, if you like. - No, that'd be fine...
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I think I get your point.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54It's a shame they've already written off this house,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57because the gardens that come with it are a major selling point.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00There are lawns to both the front and south-facing rear,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04surrounded by a variety of well-established trees and some
0:25:04 > 0:25:06incredible views towards Exmoor.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09A mature garden, very different to the first place we saw, but
0:25:09 > 0:25:12looking around, I can tell that you'd like to be a bit more remote.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14This garden is a pretty garden,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18it's got some beautiful mature trees, the view up there is stupendous.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22- It is, isn't it?- It really is.- But I can see other people.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Now, how much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- Not how much you'd pay for it. Sue...- Oh, gosh...
0:25:30 > 0:25:34I'm going somewhere close to 575,000.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Going to go higher than that, I'll say £625,000.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Not bad guesses,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43they put an asking price of offers around £575,000 on it.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45So, spot-on, Susan.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49- Oh, yes, she shoots.- She scores. - And definitely so.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51It's a lot of house for that money.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54It's incredibly disappointing, actually, because if you took
0:25:54 > 0:25:58that house and put it in a field, then it would have so much appeal.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01I think, as well, whilst we're here, and you've liked it so much,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03enjoy the garden, have a look around,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06enjoy the views and I'll meet you at the front - how's that, all right?
0:26:06 > 0:26:07- Thank you.- See you in a mo.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Despite all this, and a fabulous garden to top it off,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28the proximity to the neighbours has put Sue and Steve right off.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33The rooms are large, airy, high-ceilinged,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36it's got all the potential we need.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41- But it's not isolated. - Sadly disappointing.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- Beautiful views at the back, weren't they?- They really were, yes.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50But you'd like views, perhaps,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- surrounding the property or at least not views of other houses.- Truly.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55- Truly.- That would be better.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58OK, well, I've got a long night ahead of me tonight. Let's go.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13It's the second day of our house-hunt with Sue and Steve from London
0:27:13 > 0:27:17who, now they've retired, are leaving the busy capital behind,
0:27:17 > 0:27:19to set up home in rural Somerset.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22For their budget of £700,000,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25they are after a detached property with a sense of isolation.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28So far, it's been a bit of a bumpy ride.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29But coming up,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33our search gathers speed as I pull out all the stops at our Mystery House.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37My mind is in eighth gear. Not even fifth.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39There's endless possibilities here.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41And I head to the coast to unwind.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44She goes all right, doesn't she, Martin?
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Well, I think I'm going to chalk yesterday down to experience,
0:27:50 > 0:27:51but moving forward...
0:27:51 > 0:27:54I think what Steve and Sue essentially want
0:27:54 > 0:27:57is a big house, a huge home.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01But it also needs to sit in a decent amount of land, of course it does.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04But for Sue, in particular, she wants privacy.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08But in order to get this huge bundle of joy, if you like,
0:28:08 > 0:28:12within their budget, the compromise is we're going to need to travel,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15and the Mystery House here is over the border.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Let's see how we go.
0:28:21 > 0:28:27- Now, I'm treating today as a clean slate.- Yeah. So are we.- Good.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31We're taking a gamble today in order to try and get...
0:28:31 > 0:28:35- what we think you might want. - A gamble sounds interesting.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37The gamble is you're going to have to put up with my company for
0:28:37 > 0:28:41- even longer than anticipated.- We're travelling, that's what you mean.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43- We're travelling.- OK.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47In an attempt to turn this search around,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49we're heading to Devon,
0:28:49 > 0:28:51where our Mystery House is in the village of Witheridge.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Almost equidistant from Dartmoor and Exmoor,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58the village has earned the nickname Gateway to the Two Moors Way,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01a long-distance walking route between the two national parks
0:29:01 > 0:29:05and the perfect starting point for exploring them.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08Arranged around the village square are pretty thatched cottages
0:29:08 > 0:29:13and the village church. There is also a tearoom and a local pub.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Our Mystery House is right in the heart of the village,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18accessed by a long, private driveway.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21Now, then, young man...
0:29:21 > 0:29:23STEVE LAUGHS
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- That's good.- Yeah?- Oh, yeah.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29This is a different Sue, I like this Sue.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32This is everything that I would have drawn in a picture.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34It is a bit like that, isn't it?
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Now, there is a compromise with this property... That house there...
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- That's included as well. - OK!
0:29:42 > 0:29:44All right, so you get more.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49It was built as a vicarage, and moved into in 1855,
0:29:49 > 0:29:52right up until 1984.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Then became a B&B and then a private residence.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58I haven't managed to say anything yet, I'm just lost for words, really.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01It looks fantastic, it looks fantastic.
0:30:01 > 0:30:07Two confessions, I know the village, from years gone by...
0:30:07 > 0:30:11and I've seen this property online, but I have to say,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14in the flesh, it looks considerably larger.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19You have got a retirement beckoning you here, haven't you?
0:30:19 > 0:30:23To get hold of this and make it that grand rectory it was once before.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- I want to see inside.- Yeah? Come on, then. Let's go.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31This huge detached property has a typical Victorian layout,
0:30:31 > 0:30:35which I'm hoping will appeal to Sue as much as its exterior does.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38The ground floor has four large reception rooms,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40and a kitchen off a central hallway,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43as well as a number of smaller utility rooms.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46The front door leads us through the entrance hall and we
0:30:46 > 0:30:49start our tour in a rather impressive sitting room.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52LAUGHTER
0:30:52 > 0:30:55OK. Like, you've done a good job on this one.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59Excellent, good, good. Big, square room with tall ceilings.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03And the original features, the skirtings, and the floorboards.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Yeah. Absolutely. No, tick, tick, tick.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07You've got a big problem on your hands,
0:31:07 > 0:31:11in as much that you have now got rooms to buy furniture for.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15You've got another room this size, with another beautiful bay, next door.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- OK.- And you've got other rooms further down the hall.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Big table, sewing room. Lots of curtains to be made.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Come with me, I'll show you more. Well, that's a relief.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I'm so pleased that the super-sized proportions of this
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Mystery House aren't too daunting for them.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32On the way to the kitchen, there's a study,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34two more reception rooms,
0:31:34 > 0:31:37one of which is currently being used as a dining room, a staircase
0:31:37 > 0:31:42leading down to a large cellar, as well as a pantry and a utility room.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46As it stands, here is your kitchen.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50- OK.- Now, obviously, I know this is too small, Susan.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55Come with me to what would've been, originally, the house's kitchen.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00- And what a kitchen it would make again.- Yes, it would.- Yes, it would.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04- Make that the utility room and keep this as the kitchen.- Yeah.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08My mind is in eighth gear. Not even fifth.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- We talked about compromises...- Yeah.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14- And in a house like this, you can make compromises.- Oh, OK.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18There's endless possibilities here. Absolutely loving it.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Onward and upward.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Upstairs there is a total of six bedrooms,
0:32:23 > 0:32:27three of which are very large doubles, one with en suite,
0:32:27 > 0:32:30along with two doubles and a single room,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33all with high ceilings and some great period features.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37The bathrooms do need some updating, but both are a good size.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Believe it or not, there are bigger bedrooms than this one.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45But I wanted to show you this room with this stunning view.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50- There's nothing beyond this property, then?- Just farmland.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55- Every room is kind of jaw-droppingly wonderful.- Yeah.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Obviously it needs work.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- But it is just full of potential. - It really is.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03You could really turn it into something special, couldn't you?
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- It's a heritage house, isn't it? - It really is.- All the way through.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11- We like, don't we?- We do like.- Good, I'm glad we're enjoying this tour.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Outside I think you want to go, don't you?
0:33:15 > 0:33:19We've definitely taken a chance with the location of this Mystery House.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22It's just moments from the village centre but you wouldn't know it.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25The huge gardens aren't overlooked and there isn't
0:33:25 > 0:33:27a neighbour in sight.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30It is overgrown but it's a project and, as with the house, they
0:33:30 > 0:33:32could really make it their own.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37It's not easy to see exactly where your boundaries are.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- So, look behind you. See those poplars?- Uh-huh.- Yes.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43That's the end of the garden.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45And it sweeps right the way around.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49All in all, you've got about 1.75 acres of garden.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52You know, it feels like so much more than that.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54It's private and it's a project.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57And it's got trees, fabulous mature trees.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00And you've got the coach house. Who knows what you could do with that?
0:34:00 > 0:34:03That would take some thought, but my goodness.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07- There is so much of everything. - What potential that is.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11When you're at the back of the house here you see what an enormous
0:34:11 > 0:34:13slab of a building it is.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16So you've seen this property on the internet.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18I'll ask Steve first,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21how much do you think this Mystery Property is on the market for?
0:34:21 > 0:34:25I'd say this has got to be at the top end of our budget.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27I'm going to go 725,000.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30Sue, can you remember?
0:34:30 > 0:34:33I do know what it is and it is the top end of our budget.
0:34:33 > 0:34:40- It is 700,000.- Yeah. £699,950. So you can afford it.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42This falls within your budget.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45My goodness, the space, the privacy.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50We're not anti-social but we want to decide who we see and when we
0:34:50 > 0:34:52see them and I think you'd have that option here.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I know you're excited to have a look around this place on your own.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Do so. Take your time and I'll catch you whenever you're done.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Thank you.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05This mystery vicarage offers Sue and Steve all the space
0:35:05 > 0:35:07they asked for inside, and more.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11Six bedrooms, four large reception rooms and potential for Sue
0:35:11 > 0:35:14to create the kitchen of her dreams.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17We might have pushed the boundaries of their search area and taken
0:35:17 > 0:35:20a risk with the village location, but hopefully it's paid off.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27Coming down the drive of this property, the house is substantial.
0:35:27 > 0:35:32Everything we were looking for, the rooms are perfect proportions,
0:35:32 > 0:35:36the windows look out to spectacular views.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40The Mystery House is very, very close to the centre of a village.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44And yet it feels as if it's in the countryside, it feels private.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48So it has changed our view of what would make us happy in a property.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51I love it. I really, really love it.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57- Grinning from ear to ear. - Yeah, I am.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01I think you'd be grinning every time you came back to this house as well.
0:36:01 > 0:36:02I think you would.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06You need time to talk things through and perhaps discuss
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- the practicalities of owning such a substantial asset.- Uh-huh.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11- We'll catch up later on, how's that?- Super.- Sounds good.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Despite being best-known for its levels, moors and meadows,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Somerset has nearly 40 miles of coastline with some of the
0:36:24 > 0:36:27highest cliffs in England and the second longest stretch of
0:36:27 > 0:36:31sand in Europe running from Burnham to Brean.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34I've come down to the beach at Brean to meet Martyn Hale,
0:36:34 > 0:36:35chairman of the local
0:36:35 > 0:36:38land yacht club to find out more about this exciting,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40environmentally friendly sport -
0:36:40 > 0:36:43and, wind permitting, have a go myself.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48- Martyn, how you doing?- How you doing?- Great to see you.- OK, good.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51I'm thinking this weather, windy but sunny,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53perfect for anything with a sail, right?
0:36:53 > 0:36:55This is absolutely brilliant.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Land yachting, how did all this come about, then?
0:36:58 > 0:37:02Originally it was the Egyptians and the Chinese.
0:37:02 > 0:37:07- They used to use it for transporting goods and people.- Oh, OK.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- In those days.- When did it hit our shores, do you think?
0:37:10 > 0:37:14- About 1920, 1930, after the First World War.- Yeah.
0:37:14 > 0:37:20- Guys picked up bits from old aircraft...- Really?
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- Just cobbled bits together? - Bits together.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Talk me through the land yachts we see today because this looks
0:37:24 > 0:37:26pretty advanced.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29It was designed 25 years ago.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32To me it looks half-boat, half-aeroplane, really.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Exactly the same as sailing but with three wheels.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39A long time ago I did have a go at this and I did really enjoy it.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43It wasn't quite as blustery as this but I'd love to have a go.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Let's get the kit on. Let's go for it.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51- How much would this be worth? - This yacht, about £5,500.
0:37:51 > 0:37:52I promise to be careful.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57It wasn't until the late 1960s that land yachting was classified as
0:37:57 > 0:37:58a sport.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01The yachts themselves have come a long way since then, weighing
0:38:01 > 0:38:06just 75kg, they're made from fibreglass body on a metal frame.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09The largest class are capable of reaching speeds up to an
0:38:09 > 0:38:11incredible 90mph.
0:38:11 > 0:38:17Is it me or has it got windier? I can see you got me a lid.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- You need one of them. You need some gloves.- Thanks very much.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- Here you go.- OK. Give me the basics.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26If in doubt, what we say is, "Sheet out."
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Just let that go if it starts to hike, which means this wheel is
0:38:29 > 0:38:31coming off the ground,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34just let the sheet rope out and it will come back down.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38- All right. In I get. - You lay right down.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- Right down. - You're not on it, you're in it.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43It feels like I'm lying on the floor.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47- What sort of speed am I likely to be doing?- Well, 30-ish.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52- 30-ish two inches from the ground. Right then.- Gently pushing you off.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54- Thank you, Martyn. - You'll feel the sail pulling you.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Off you go.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01He's off.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04What's great about this sport is it's accessible to everyone,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07young or old, of all abilities.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10As long as you can steer with your foot and control the sheet rope
0:39:10 > 0:39:14with your hands, everyone competes on a level playing field or beach.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19She goes all right, doesn't she, Martyn?
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Martyn took up the sport when he retired ten years ago.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27And six months later, he was competing at his first world
0:39:27 > 0:39:29championships in Belgium.
0:39:29 > 0:39:30Here we go.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34The wind just hit that sail.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38It's a good job I'm turning into the wind.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Otherwise I reckon I'd end up in Bristol.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49That's the best fun I've ever had without an engine.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52I love that sense of being slightly out of control and then
0:39:52 > 0:39:54fighting it back, it's fantastic.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58- Can I have one more spin before I go?- Absolutely.- Set me up.- Crack on.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Get ready.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04- Thanks, Martyn. See you never.- OK.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13It's been a tricky search with Sue and Steve here in Somerset.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17But three properties down, there's clearly only one in the running.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Time to find out what they're thinking.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22This search, there's been ups and downs, haven't there?
0:40:22 > 0:40:24It's been a journey for all of us.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28Do you think you've changed your minds about your desires for
0:40:28 > 0:40:30this isolated position?
0:40:30 > 0:40:33I know you're looking into the future and the practicalities
0:40:33 > 0:40:37- of that.- I think that privacy...
0:40:37 > 0:40:41- can replace isolation.- Yeah. - Isolation is perhaps the wrong word.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45In our first chat, it was all about the kitchen.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49But it was actually the privacy that leapfrogged above everything else.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51It did, which was quite revealing.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- As I said, it's a journey.- It really is. My goodness, we've had one.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58- It was a journey today because we went over the border to Devon.- Yes.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00Was it worth the commute?
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- For sure.- So, the Mystery House has come to the rescue.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07Sue, you seemed to come alive there. That was a Sue I haven't yet met.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10I tell you, I was getting paint charts out.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14What we have created in our own heads already is
0:41:14 > 0:41:18a very continuous kitchen space.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22Walls coming down, keeping chimney breasts, but taking down parts
0:41:22 > 0:41:26of walls, and we think that could work very nicely.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Right, that sounds promising. What's the next step, then?
0:41:29 > 0:41:32How do you feel about the Mystery Property?
0:41:32 > 0:41:34It's not a decision you're going to make lightly.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38If this house is meant for us, then we will consider what we're
0:41:38 > 0:41:42willing to pay. But it is one hell of a place, isn't it?
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- Whatever you decide, let us know, won't you?- We shall.- Thank you.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48It'd be a hell of a house-warming party, wouldn't it?
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- Bagsy the room with a view. - It's yours.- Good luck.- Thank you.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54Thank you.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03There were times when I was reminded that Sue and Steve were
0:42:03 > 0:42:06indeed looking to buy their first house together.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09They clearly had differing opinions on what they would be
0:42:09 > 0:42:11prepared to compromise on.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14But they really came together in that Mystery House.
0:42:14 > 0:42:19And both solved the issue of whether or not they wanted isolation.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22They actually just needed privacy.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25But they still have one more conundrum to solve.
0:42:25 > 0:42:30In liking - no, loving - the Mystery House,
0:42:30 > 0:42:35they need to understand it comes with a huge responsibility.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40Not only doing up but maintaining a period property of that size.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44And hopefully they'll make that decision over the coming weeks.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47I'm looking forward to finding out what they say.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50If you'd like to escape to the country in
0:42:50 > 0:42:54England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and would like our help,
0:42:54 > 0:42:56you can apply online at...