Somerset Escape to the Country

Standing some 60 metres above sea level,

Operation Chastise of May 1943 owes a debt to this historic place.

But where is this striking building and what is its significance?

Find out in just a moment.

Today's search is about big changes

as our buyers ditch the busy capital in search of isolation.

I'm seeing a house here and I'm seeing a house up there and...

Sue, it's got a rope swing over a stream!

But later on, disappointment turns to jubilation.

This is everything that I would've drawn in a picture.

This is a different Sue. I like this Sue!

Today, we're in Somerset,

on the stunning coastline at Brean Down Fort, which, during WWII,

was a base for the Department of Miscellaneous Experimental Weapons,

where they tested the bouncing bomb for the famous Dam Busters Raid.

This prominent position has commanded the coastline for centuries,

although the fort you see here today was built in the 1860s

to protect the coastline from the threat of invasion.

And in a strange twist of fate, today, in turn,

it's now protected by the National Trust,

and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest

due to its outstanding natural beauty.

Somerset sits in the heart of England's West Country.

From the heather-clad moorland

and dramatic sea cliffs of Exmoor National Park

to the low-lying levels and wooded valleys of the Quantock Hills,

it's a county of varying landscapes

and is renowned for its dairy and fruit production.

The compact Quantocks are just 12 miles long

and four miles wide.

From the coastline on a clear day,

views reach across the Bristol Channel as far as the Welsh coast.

The county is home to England's smallest city, Wells,

which was granted city status due to its 13th-century cathedral.

Its magnificent West Front features over 300 statues and carvings.

Further north, just outside the county in north Bristol,

the Clifton Observatory and Camera Obscura sit high up on the Downs.

The Grade II-listed building started life as

a windmill for corn in the 18th century

and today is a popular spot to enjoy the views

of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge below.

From its historic cities with beautiful buildings

to its expanses of unspoilt countryside,

this county of contrasts offers something

for everyone looking to experience its landscape.

When it comes to setting up home in Somerset,

the average price of a detached house in the county

comes in at around £315,000,

which is only around £1,500 more than the UK average.

But in North Somerset, you can expect to pay around £50,000

more due to its close proximity to the busy hubs of Bath and Bristol.

However, travel south or west and you'll be rewarded

by not only cheaper house prices,

but also swathes of idyllic countryside, which is exactly

what's drawing today's buyers to this beautiful county.

Sue and Steve met 10 years ago

through a chance encounter at Sue's workplace.

I was working at Hampton Court Palace and Steve came in

as a visitor and it was love at first sight.

Sue was working in the audio guide office and had a terrible cold,

had a very red nose and spoke in a very sort of stuffy voice,

which was quite comical.

And I made a funny comment about how she sounded

and, bang, she just came back with a comment straight back at me.

And I just thought, "Wow! This girl's really great."

Um...obviously quite attractive,

apart from the big red nose at the time.

Sue moved into Steve's house of 17 years,

a four-bedroom 1950s house in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey,

where he had brought up his two children from a former marriage.

So, despite tying the knot four years ago,

they're still yet to buy their first property together.

This house has been lovely and it's given everything that we have

needed for the last 10 years.

I'm very excited about buying our first home together

and putting our own stamp on it.

It's only fair that we have a house that you have a big say in,

that is going to be ours, ours alone.

As they are both recently retired and their children have grown up,

they no longer have ties to London.

We've been looking in Somerset for property

and that gives us an ideal spot to be rural,

but still near enough for the kids to come down at weekends and things.

Steve and Sue hope their next home will be the perfect place for

visiting grandchildren, and those all-important family Christmases.

But it also needs to allow them to enjoy their hobbies

when it's just the two of them.

I'm very domesticated, I love to cook.

Steve and I both like to write.

We both read avidly.

When we're on holiday, it's so easy to get through a book a day.

And we both like to paint.

We've got a garage at the bottom of the garden,

which I've turned into a workshop and I just make stuff.

My woodwork teacher told me I was useless at woodwork

and should never be let near lumber.

And I think I just spend my life trying to prove him wrong!

With their house on the market,

Steve and Sue are ready for their new adventure

and can't wait to, quite literally, get away from it all.

We have no fears about being in an isolated area at all.

That is very attractive, actually.

Um...so I'm looking forward to be able to look out of a window

and perhaps see a neighbour in the distance.

-That sounds quite pleasant to me.

-On his tractor.

-THEY LAUGH

-On his tractor!

Steve and Sue have chosen Somerset due to its good links

to their children and to London.

I know where we're looking,

now I just need to find out what kind of property we're looking for.

-Steve and Sue, welcome to Somerset.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

You're moving all the way from Sunbury-on-Thames,

-which is a lovely part of the world.

-It is.

Why are you looking to move from there, then?

We want to get away from traffic.

I want to be somewhere where two or three cars gathered together

-constitutes a traffic jam.

-Right.

-Well, that's the countryside, isn't it?

-Exactly.

We have got four children and we've been bringing them up

and now the last one has just flown the nest

and so it's time for us to find somewhere for ourselves,

-but somewhere big enough for them all to come down often.

-Right.

It sounds like we're looking at a four to five-bedroom house, then?

-Four will be fine.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

We're looking for somewhere detached.

We don't want to be overlooked, we don't want to overlook anywhere.

A bit of land, between one and four acres. Two would be ideal.

What about the style of the house, then?

It's probably Victorian, Edwardian, old farmhouse, something like that.

You want a particularly large kitchen.

-I do, hub of the house.

-What about its location?

Because you're talking about aspirations for land,

-getting away from traffic.

-Mm-hm.

Are you the guy that wants to be in the middle of nowhere?

I'd be very happy in the middle of nowhere.

-Is that a dream you both share, Sue?

-Oh, for sure. Yeah, absolutely.

How much work can you foresee yourselves doing to a property, if at all?

I anticipate putting a new kitchen in somewhere

-just because I want my perfect kitchen.

-Right.

We don't really want major structural work.

How much have you got in your piggy bank for this big move of yours?

-£650,000.

-Right.

If there's something very special, something really nice,

-up to £700,000.

-All right.

You're looking forward to these next couple of days, then?

-I'm really excited about it.

-Definitely.

-Let's start.

-Let's do it.

So, Steve and Sue have got a healthy budget of £700,000 to spend

here in Somerset.

For that, they'd like a detached house with four or more

bedrooms and a generously-sized kitchen.

Last, but not least, they want to be in an isolated rural location.

We've got three cracking properties ready for them to see,

all with heaps of character and the potential for them to create

their rural dream.

At each one, they'll have to guess the price before I reveal it.

And to finish off, I'll be showing them a Mystery House

in a location that will really test their boundaries.

For our first property, we're heading to the village of Spaxton.

Set in the Quantock Hills, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

is known for its great walking terrain and riding trails.

The main part of this quiet, sprawling village

surrounds St Margaret's parish church.

There's a local shop and a village hall, where,

twice a year, residents exhibit locally-grown produce,

flowers and crafts at the village show.

Situated on the outskirts of the village,

I'm hoping our first property could provide Steve and Sue

with that rural existence they're looking for.

Now, I'd like us to stop here.

I think this is the best vantage point to take everything in.

Not just the house, but to see snippets of what's on offer.

-I like it.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-Good.

From the outside, I'm sure it's very pretty as you get closer,

-but I'm suspecting it's too pretty.

-Ah! OK.

-Well, it is very cutesy, isn't it? Very cottagey.

-It is.

-I like this.

-You're going to love that.

-It's interesting.

-That's exactly it.

-You've got topography here!

-Topography!

-Your favourite word.

-Yes!

-Yeah?

-It has, it's got interesting shape...

It's certainly got an interesting variety of trees

and I love being surrounded by trees.

-Let's look inside?

-Yes.

-Come on, then.

Originally a pair of mill cottages, from the outside,

the layout of this property is far from conventional.

The back of the house is the oldest part,

dating back to the 16th century.

The extension on the front includes the kitchen,

utility room and study, and was built around 15 years ago.

I brought us in this way because I wanted you to see

some of the sort of ancillary areas, if you like.

But come to the most important room for you, Sue, first,

which is, of course, the kitchen.

-What do we think?

-Um...it's not as big a kitchen as I would hope for.

Nice touches. Love the tiles over the cooker.

It's about the same size as the kitchen we already have

-and you wanted something a lot bigger, didn't you, really?

-Yeah.

I would like an area like this with as much again

so that there is room for a couple of sofas and things like that.

When we've looked at the rest of the house, it may be that...

-That may negate this.

-..it becomes less important.

-Maybe.

Really? You'd compromise?

Because you feel so strongly about this. OK.

-I do, but all houses are a compromise.

-Yeah.

Music to my ears. Come with me.

The kitchen may have failed to cut the mustard with Sue,

but I'm hoping the rest of the house will be more to her taste.

Now I know someone is going to like this room.

-STEVE LAUGHS

-OK.

-Not your full-sized billiard table.

-It's not a full-sized table,

but it's a nice-sized room, isn't it?

-It's a snug, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Television room or a couple of sofas.

It's a pleasant-sized room. It's OK.

-This is the older part of the building.

-Yes, which makes sense.

Yeah.

Let's go and have a look at the main reception room. Come with me.

Just off the main entrance hall is a useful dining area

under a glass roof, where the extension joins

the original house.

Leading off it is the study to one side

and the sitting room directly opposite.

-I rather like this room.

-Do you?

Um, it's warm.

It feels cosy.

A nice, high ceiling, plenty of light.

It's a nice room. It's a nice room.

I think your opinion is coloured already by the kitchen,

isn't it, Sue?

This is a lovely room on its own, but it's not enough.

Before Sue completely dismisses this house,

I want to show them the bedrooms upstairs.

There are five in total, including three good-sized guest doubles,

looking out on to the back garden along with a large single.

There are two separate bathrooms,

and of course the master suite.

Now I know you wanted loads of guests to come and stay,

but I also think you need a bit of privacy,

so you've got a master suite.

You've got a wet room there.

Then I think this would be your master bedroom.

Um...

HE STRAINS

I think this is a perfectly adequate size bedroom.

You've obviously got a sense of what you're after a lot more, Sue.

An immediate observation is that one wants to stand

and look out of a window.

Well, you can't. You've got to kneel,

because the windows are below head height.

-OK.

-Do you know, there's so much to like in this house.

Somebody will like it. They'll love it.

But so far it's not having much appeal for me.

Sue's clearly got a vision of what her perfect property looks like.

I've got doubts as to whether this is it.

However, I'm confident the garden won't disappoint.

The plot of just over an acre surrounding the house

includes a large lawn, and even has a stream flowing through it.

Well, fairly unconventional outside space,

but I think it's splendid, don't you?

-Um...

-I love it.

-Do you?

-I really do.

There is so much to like,

but I'm seeing a house here and I'm seeing a house up there,

which isn't really the isolation that we were looking for.

Sue, it's got a rope swing over a stream.

Yeah, that's...

This is apparently fed by a reservoir...

Yeah, it's very pretty.

It's very pretty and it's got lovely, lovely areas.

Really lovely areas, but I see another house right there.

-You want complete isolation.

-Yeah.

-All right.

It's for somebody.

I think it's for somebody who has got a young family now.

Right now, yes.

How much do you think that somebody will need to pay for it?

-585,000.

-OK.

It's a lovely house.

It's got a lot of interest to it, the grounds are great.

I'm going to go more. I would say £625,000.

Keep going.

This place is on the market for offers

in the region of £695,000.

OK.

-Right, I've learnt quite a bit about you guys.

-Yeah.

You might be prepared to give a little and take a bit.

Oh, we're not completely inflexible. We can compromise.

You've now got the opportunity to go back into the house.

Go have a look around and I'll meet you whenever you're done,

-all right?

-OK, thank you.

-Pay the troll on the way over.

I think this detached period property has loads going for it.

There's one more bedroom than Steve and Sue asked for,

and a large kitchen, although apparently not big enough.

There are gardens of over an acre,

and it's in a glorious setting in the heart of the Quantock Hills.

-This is your study.

-Yeah, it's the office.

That's quite a good size for a study area.

-This is a very good room.

-Yes.

The garden's wonderful.

If we can get a place with a garden like this, I'd be very, very happy.

I was a little disappointed with the size of the house.

The kitchen, in particular, didn't measure up to our hopes.

There's a lot to like, but I really feel this house lends itself

to a family with small children.

It would be a happy home for somebody else, but it's not for us.

-Are you happy you came here?

-Oh, definitely.

-Goodness me, yes.

It's good to see. It's good to make a comparison.

It's good for you to know what it is

that we're looking for more specifically.

Don't pile any more pressure on me. I'm already feeling it.

-It's down to you.

-When we say "we", we mean "you".

Somerset, along with the neighbouring county of Devon,

forms one of the largest farming regions in the UK.

With Sue and Steve's ambition to live the good life here in Somerset,

we've sent them to meet Antonio Paladino,

a chef who swapped life in London

for a one-acre plot of land in the West Country to set up

a modern version of a farming technique believed to date

back as far as the Aztecs - aquaponics.

-Welcome to the Aquaponic Farm.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

What...what is that? What does that mean?

It's just a fish farm, in this case trout.

It's the integration of fish and plant into one ecosystem.

So why did you start the farm?

Well, I'm a chef.

For me, affordable, quality food has always been a priority.

I was on a trip to Malaysia, and I accidentally bumped into aquaponics.

As a sceptic, that got me thinking,

"Why isn't everybody doing it already?"

So I had to test it and try it myself first.

So we started a system in London for a year.

After that first year, we realised that, "Wow, that's working."

Of course, in London, small spaces are expensive.

We had to move out to have a farm. Here we are.

Antonio has four tanks, each containing 500 trout.

Fed only with organic fish food, their by-waste provides

high-quality nutrients for the plants in the polytunnels next door.

The plants in turn act as a bio-filter to keep the water

in the tanks clean.

Amazingly, this same water has been circulating in the system

for four-and-a-half years.

So can you grow anything like this

or do some things lend themselves better?

You can literally grow any crops that would normally be

growing in soil, but without soil, of course, in this case.

-Here you can see where it's...

-Oh, my goodness!

-The root system and all the water for the nutrients is coming.

-Wow.

So that pipe is being fed into this tank directly from the fish tank?

From the fish tank.

What about the taste? Better, worse, same?

You're going to decide. You tell me.

-Try some of this.

-What is that?

-That's French sorrel.

Oh, wow, that is so good.

Cos of the nutrients, it's high quality.

-That is really strong, isn't it?

-Mm.

-That'd be great in a salad.

-That's really good.

-That'd be good in a salad.

Antonio grows a huge variety of salads and vegetables,

from cannellini beans to cabbages,

as well as some more unusual varieties, all harvested by hand.

As the irrigation system offers the plant roots

a continuous supply of water and nutrients,

many of the plants grow twice as fast as they would in soil.

A lettuce that would normally take three to four months to grow

is produced in just two months.

This seems such a simple, straightforward process.

Why aren't there more people doing this?

They are - they're just catching up now.

It's only a matter of time before more are going to embrace it.

What are your plans for the future? Where do you go from here?

Well, frankly, this was the plan and we achieved it -

to be able to produce for ourselves

and to provide for others good quality food at affordable rates.

Frankly, we're happy with this site. We don't want to...

-You're living the dream, aren't you?

-Yes.

-I think you're there.

-Thank you.

-Fantastic.

-Antonio, you've got so much to do.

-We'd better leave you to it.

-Thank you for your time.

-We've really enjoyed our day.

-Yeah, brilliant.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Antonio's farm is currently one of only two using aquaponics in

the UK, but as people are becoming increasingly concerned with

the source of their food,

and the popularity of organic food steadily rising over the last

few years, sustainable techniques look set

to define the future of our farms.

Back on the house-hunt, the next property I want to show

Sue and Steve is in Selworthy, on the northern fringes of Exmoor.

At 308 metres high, nearby Selworthy Beacon is one

of the highest points on Exmoor and offers some spectacular views.

The village itself lies within the National Trust's Holnicote Estate,

and is known for its perfectly preserved thatched cottages

and distinctive 14th-century church with whitewashed walls

perched on the side of the hill.

Steve, you said one of the reasons you were looking forward to

living down here was the topography.

-You've got it.

-I think that you could call that topography.

-It's amazing, isn't it?

-On the spectacular end on the scale.

-Some great walking.

-Yeah.

-Oh, my goodness.

Yeah, on the way up the hill here,

we saw so many public footpaths, so it'd be...

Is that something you want to get into?

-Absolutely, yes, of course.

-We do walk.

-We walk a lot.

-Yeah, we do.

So you'll be pleased to hear, then,

the house we want to show you is just down the road.

-Oh.

-We can walk there, as we shall.

-Let's do it. My goodness.

On the edge of the village,

our property sits in an elevated position,

making the most of the views.

So we finally - after going down and up a hill -

arrive at property number two.

Go on, hit me with it. What do you think?

-Nice front door.

-Love the front door.

Well, that doorway leads into what was once a rectory.

It's been split up since.

I'm looking forward to showing you some amazing features inside here.

When you say "split up",

does that mean it's attached to something else?

Yes, it does.

-So it's not a detached house?

-It's not a detached house.

This is finding out what compromises you're prepared to make.

Come with me.

Not exactly the best of starts,

but I think if Sue and Steve can remain open-minded,

this 16th-century house offers them a lot of what they're looking for.

With a floor space of nearly 440 square metres,

it's around a third bigger than the first property.

So this is an entrance hall with a bit of a difference.

This is a room in itself, isn't it? This is just your hallway.

My goodness. It's huge.

Now, I don't know whether you'd ever consider yourself in a room

like this, but it looks rather grand.

-It IS grand.

-Good-sized room.

-I love that window.

-You've got the nice, big proportions,

and a working fireplace as well.

-This is a very big room, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's a very good-sized room.

-It's very airy.

-Yeah, it is, isn't it? All right,

well, another room next door of similar size.

They are clearly pleasantly surprised by these large,

well-proportioned spaces. But they are not won over, just yet.

So, dining room... Would you consider ever having a separate dining room?

We have a separate dining room at the moment, it works,

we use it a lot.

For when we have the ten members of the family around for dinner,

we can't get them all in the kitchen,

-it does get used, so a dining room is fantastic.

-Yeah.

If we didn't want to use it as a dining room...

No, you won't stand a chance with this. Go on...

It might take a full-size snooker table. Just looking at it.

-Really?

-It might.

-Look, another nice, big room, let's go onto the kitchen.

-OK.

Steve might be happy now he's spotted a potential games room,

but I'm not sure I've got Sue on board.

At the back of the house, there is a large utility and pantry area,

giving the current kitchen some much-needed storage space.

Now, I might be ducking for cover here...

-Look at that room there, remember these walls...

-Yes.

Come with me, no, no, come and stand here with me.

OK.

The owner, by her own admission, she walked me around the house and said, "Look,

"I know the kitchen is too small for modern houses,

"so we've had plans drawn up and the plans are to knock walls."

That way, that way.

I still think that would make a good-size kitchen, but I still don't

think it would be big enough for the day room that you'd be after.

You'd need go that way, which would mean resubmitting, obviously, drawings.

And the issue there, I'd want to flag up is, obviously,

it's Grade II listed.

-This is probably more than we want to undertake.

-Yeah.

-Let's go upstairs, let me show you one of the bedrooms...

-Yes.

-And then we'll go outside.

-OK.

Upstairs are three huge double bedrooms with lovely

high ceilings.

A large single bedroom and a dressing room currently used

as a fifth bedroom.

The two bathrooms could do with a bit of updating but are both a fair size.

Now, as master bedrooms go... This is a cracker, isn't it?

-It's a good size.

-Proportions-wise, these are what you're after, right?

-Very much.

-Yeah, the rooms are a good size, I can't fault the rooms.

And even style-wise,

you like this period, these proportions....

The house, internally, is great,

just take all the internals and put them

somewhere a little more remote.

-Away from other humans?

-Yes.

-I can hear you,

metaphorically, banging me over the head with a stick now, saying...

-I can do it for real, if you like.

-No, that'd be fine...

I think I get your point.

It's a shame they've already written off this house,

because the gardens that come with it are a major selling point.

There are lawns to both the front and south-facing rear,

surrounded by a variety of well-established trees and some

incredible views towards Exmoor.

A mature garden, very different to the first place we saw, but

looking around, I can tell that you'd like to be a bit more remote.

This garden is a pretty garden,

it's got some beautiful mature trees, the view up there is stupendous.

-It is, isn't it?

-It really is.

-But I can see other people.

Now, how much do you think this house is on the market for?

-Not how much you'd pay for it. Sue...

-Oh, gosh...

I'm going somewhere close to 575,000.

Going to go higher than that, I'll say £625,000.

Not bad guesses,

they put an asking price of offers around £575,000 on it.

So, spot-on, Susan.

-Oh, yes, she shoots.

-She scores.

-And definitely so.

It's a lot of house for that money.

It's incredibly disappointing, actually, because if you took

that house and put it in a field, then it would have so much appeal.

I think, as well, whilst we're here, and you've liked it so much,

enjoy the garden, have a look around,

enjoy the views and I'll meet you at the front - how's that, all right?

-Thank you.

-See you in a mo.

Despite all this, and a fabulous garden to top it off,

the proximity to the neighbours has put Sue and Steve right off.

The rooms are large, airy, high-ceilinged,

it's got all the potential we need.

-But it's not isolated.

-Sadly disappointing.

-Beautiful views at the back, weren't they?

-They really were, yes.

But you'd like views, perhaps,

-surrounding the property or at least not views of other houses.

-Truly.

-Truly.

-That would be better.

OK, well, I've got a long night ahead of me tonight. Let's go.

It's the second day of our house-hunt with Sue and Steve from London

who, now they've retired, are leaving the busy capital behind,

to set up home in rural Somerset.

For their budget of £700,000,

they are after a detached property with a sense of isolation.

So far, it's been a bit of a bumpy ride.

But coming up,

our search gathers speed as I pull out all the stops at our Mystery House.

My mind is in eighth gear. Not even fifth.

There's endless possibilities here.

And I head to the coast to unwind.

She goes all right, doesn't she, Martin?

Well, I think I'm going to chalk yesterday down to experience,

but moving forward...

I think what Steve and Sue essentially want

is a big house, a huge home.

But it also needs to sit in a decent amount of land, of course it does.

But for Sue, in particular, she wants privacy.

But in order to get this huge bundle of joy, if you like,

within their budget, the compromise is we're going to need to travel,

and the Mystery House here is over the border.

Let's see how we go.

-Now, I'm treating today as a clean slate.

-Yeah. So are we.

-Good.

We're taking a gamble today in order to try and get...

-what we think you might want.

-A gamble sounds interesting.

The gamble is you're going to have to put up with my company for

-even longer than anticipated.

-We're travelling, that's what you mean.

-We're travelling.

-OK.

In an attempt to turn this search around,

we're heading to Devon,

where our Mystery House is in the village of Witheridge.

Almost equidistant from Dartmoor and Exmoor,

the village has earned the nickname Gateway to the Two Moors Way,

a long-distance walking route between the two national parks

and the perfect starting point for exploring them.

Arranged around the village square are pretty thatched cottages

and the village church. There is also a tearoom and a local pub.

Our Mystery House is right in the heart of the village,

accessed by a long, private driveway.

Now, then, young man...

STEVE LAUGHS

-That's good.

-Yeah?

-Oh, yeah.

This is a different Sue, I like this Sue.

This is everything that I would have drawn in a picture.

It is a bit like that, isn't it?

Now, there is a compromise with this property... That house there...

-That's included as well.

-OK!

All right, so you get more.

It was built as a vicarage, and moved into in 1855,

right up until 1984.

Then became a B&B and then a private residence.

I haven't managed to say anything yet, I'm just lost for words, really.

It looks fantastic, it looks fantastic.

Two confessions, I know the village, from years gone by...

and I've seen this property online, but I have to say,

in the flesh, it looks considerably larger.

You have got a retirement beckoning you here, haven't you?

To get hold of this and make it that grand rectory it was once before.

-I want to see inside.

-Yeah? Come on, then. Let's go.

This huge detached property has a typical Victorian layout,

which I'm hoping will appeal to Sue as much as its exterior does.

The ground floor has four large reception rooms,

and a kitchen off a central hallway,

as well as a number of smaller utility rooms.

The front door leads us through the entrance hall and we

start our tour in a rather impressive sitting room.

LAUGHTER

OK. Like, you've done a good job on this one.

Excellent, good, good. Big, square room with tall ceilings.

And the original features, the skirtings, and the floorboards.

Yeah. Absolutely. No, tick, tick, tick.

You've got a big problem on your hands,

in as much that you have now got rooms to buy furniture for.

You've got another room this size, with another beautiful bay, next door.

-OK.

-And you've got other rooms further down the hall.

Big table, sewing room. Lots of curtains to be made.

Come with me, I'll show you more. Well, that's a relief.

I'm so pleased that the super-sized proportions of this

Mystery House aren't too daunting for them.

On the way to the kitchen, there's a study,

two more reception rooms,

one of which is currently being used as a dining room, a staircase

leading down to a large cellar, as well as a pantry and a utility room.

As it stands, here is your kitchen.

-OK.

-Now, obviously, I know this is too small, Susan.

Come with me to what would've been, originally, the house's kitchen.

-And what a kitchen it would make again.

-Yes, it would.

-Yes, it would.

-Make that the utility room and keep this as the kitchen.

-Yeah.

My mind is in eighth gear. Not even fifth.

-We talked about compromises...

-Yeah.

-And in a house like this, you can make compromises.

-Oh, OK.

There's endless possibilities here. Absolutely loving it.

Onward and upward.

Upstairs there is a total of six bedrooms,

three of which are very large doubles, one with en suite,

along with two doubles and a single room,

all with high ceilings and some great period features.

The bathrooms do need some updating, but both are a good size.

Believe it or not, there are bigger bedrooms than this one.

But I wanted to show you this room with this stunning view.

-There's nothing beyond this property, then?

-Just farmland.

-Every room is kind of jaw-droppingly wonderful.

-Yeah.

Obviously it needs work.

-But it is just full of potential.

-It really is.

You could really turn it into something special, couldn't you?

-It's a heritage house, isn't it?

-It really is.

-All the way through.

-We like, don't we?

-We do like.

-Good, I'm glad we're enjoying this tour.

Outside I think you want to go, don't you?

We've definitely taken a chance with the location of this Mystery House.

It's just moments from the village centre but you wouldn't know it.

The huge gardens aren't overlooked and there isn't

a neighbour in sight.

It is overgrown but it's a project and, as with the house, they

could really make it their own.

It's not easy to see exactly where your boundaries are.

-So, look behind you. See those poplars?

-Uh-huh.

-Yes.

That's the end of the garden.

And it sweeps right the way around.

All in all, you've got about 1.75 acres of garden.

You know, it feels like so much more than that.

It's private and it's a project.

And it's got trees, fabulous mature trees.

And you've got the coach house. Who knows what you could do with that?

That would take some thought, but my goodness.

-There is so much of everything.

-What potential that is.

When you're at the back of the house here you see what an enormous

slab of a building it is.

So you've seen this property on the internet.

I'll ask Steve first,

how much do you think this Mystery Property is on the market for?

I'd say this has got to be at the top end of our budget.

I'm going to go 725,000.

Sue, can you remember?

I do know what it is and it is the top end of our budget.

-It is 700,000.

-Yeah. £699,950. So you can afford it.

This falls within your budget.

My goodness, the space, the privacy.

We're not anti-social but we want to decide who we see and when we

see them and I think you'd have that option here.

I know you're excited to have a look around this place on your own.

Do so. Take your time and I'll catch you whenever you're done.

Thank you.

This mystery vicarage offers Sue and Steve all the space

they asked for inside, and more.

Six bedrooms, four large reception rooms and potential for Sue

to create the kitchen of her dreams.

We might have pushed the boundaries of their search area and taken

a risk with the village location, but hopefully it's paid off.

Coming down the drive of this property, the house is substantial.

Everything we were looking for, the rooms are perfect proportions,

the windows look out to spectacular views.

The Mystery House is very, very close to the centre of a village.

And yet it feels as if it's in the countryside, it feels private.

So it has changed our view of what would make us happy in a property.

I love it. I really, really love it.

-Grinning from ear to ear.

-Yeah, I am.

I think you'd be grinning every time you came back to this house as well.

I think you would.

You need time to talk things through and perhaps discuss

-the practicalities of owning such a substantial asset.

-Uh-huh.

-We'll catch up later on, how's that?

-Super.

-Sounds good.

Despite being best-known for its levels, moors and meadows,

Somerset has nearly 40 miles of coastline with some of the

highest cliffs in England and the second longest stretch of

sand in Europe running from Burnham to Brean.

I've come down to the beach at Brean to meet Martyn Hale,

chairman of the local

land yacht club to find out more about this exciting,

environmentally friendly sport -

and, wind permitting, have a go myself.

-Martyn, how you doing?

-How you doing?

-Great to see you.

-OK, good.

I'm thinking this weather, windy but sunny,

perfect for anything with a sail, right?

This is absolutely brilliant.

Land yachting, how did all this come about, then?

Originally it was the Egyptians and the Chinese.

-They used to use it for transporting goods and people.

-Oh, OK.

-In those days.

-When did it hit our shores, do you think?

-About 1920, 1930, after the First World War.

-Yeah.

-Guys picked up bits from old aircraft...

-Really?

-Just cobbled bits together?

-Bits together.

Talk me through the land yachts we see today because this looks

pretty advanced.

It was designed 25 years ago.

To me it looks half-boat, half-aeroplane, really.

Exactly the same as sailing but with three wheels.

A long time ago I did have a go at this and I did really enjoy it.

It wasn't quite as blustery as this but I'd love to have a go.

Let's get the kit on. Let's go for it.

-How much would this be worth?

-This yacht, about £5,500.

I promise to be careful.

It wasn't until the late 1960s that land yachting was classified as

a sport.

The yachts themselves have come a long way since then, weighing

just 75kg, they're made from fibreglass body on a metal frame.

The largest class are capable of reaching speeds up to an

incredible 90mph.

Is it me or has it got windier? I can see you got me a lid.

-You need one of them. You need some gloves.

-Thanks very much.

-Here you go.

-OK. Give me the basics.

If in doubt, what we say is, "Sheet out."

Just let that go if it starts to hike, which means this wheel is

coming off the ground,

just let the sheet rope out and it will come back down.

-All right. In I get.

-You lay right down.

-Right down.

-You're not on it, you're in it.

It feels like I'm lying on the floor.

-What sort of speed am I likely to be doing?

-Well, 30-ish.

-30-ish two inches from the ground. Right then.

-Gently pushing you off.

-Thank you, Martyn.

-You'll feel the sail pulling you.

Off you go.

He's off.

What's great about this sport is it's accessible to everyone,

young or old, of all abilities.

As long as you can steer with your foot and control the sheet rope

with your hands, everyone competes on a level playing field or beach.

She goes all right, doesn't she, Martyn?

Martyn took up the sport when he retired ten years ago.

And six months later, he was competing at his first world

championships in Belgium.

Here we go.

The wind just hit that sail.

It's a good job I'm turning into the wind.

Otherwise I reckon I'd end up in Bristol.

That's the best fun I've ever had without an engine.

I love that sense of being slightly out of control and then

fighting it back, it's fantastic.

-Can I have one more spin before I go?

-Absolutely.

-Set me up.

-Crack on.

Get ready.

-Thanks, Martyn. See you never.

-OK.

It's been a tricky search with Sue and Steve here in Somerset.

But three properties down, there's clearly only one in the running.

Time to find out what they're thinking.

This search, there's been ups and downs, haven't there?

It's been a journey for all of us.

Do you think you've changed your minds about your desires for

this isolated position?

I know you're looking into the future and the practicalities

-of that.

-I think that privacy...

-can replace isolation.

-Yeah.

-Isolation is perhaps the wrong word.

In our first chat, it was all about the kitchen.

But it was actually the privacy that leapfrogged above everything else.

It did, which was quite revealing.

-As I said, it's a journey.

-It really is. My goodness, we've had one.

-It was a journey today because we went over the border to Devon.

-Yes.

Was it worth the commute?

-For sure.

-So, the Mystery House has come to the rescue.

Sue, you seemed to come alive there. That was a Sue I haven't yet met.

I tell you, I was getting paint charts out.

What we have created in our own heads already is

a very continuous kitchen space.

Walls coming down, keeping chimney breasts, but taking down parts

of walls, and we think that could work very nicely.

Right, that sounds promising. What's the next step, then?

How do you feel about the Mystery Property?

It's not a decision you're going to make lightly.

If this house is meant for us, then we will consider what we're

willing to pay. But it is one hell of a place, isn't it?

-Whatever you decide, let us know, won't you?

-We shall.

-Thank you.

It'd be a hell of a house-warming party, wouldn't it?

-Bagsy the room with a view.

-It's yours.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

There were times when I was reminded that Sue and Steve were

indeed looking to buy their first house together.

They clearly had differing opinions on what they would be

prepared to compromise on.

But they really came together in that Mystery House.

And both solved the issue of whether or not they wanted isolation.

They actually just needed privacy.

But they still have one more conundrum to solve.

In liking - no, loving - the Mystery House,

they need to understand it comes with a huge responsibility.

Not only doing up but maintaining a period property of that size.

And hopefully they'll make that decision over the coming weeks.

I'm looking forward to finding out what they say.

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