0:00:02 > 0:00:03Today, I'm in a county that boasts
0:00:03 > 0:00:05one of the oldest British breeds of sheep,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07that owes its popularity to monks and royalty
0:00:07 > 0:00:11and has a fleece so valuable, it was once referred to as ore.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Where am I? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Today's quest to help a couple find some countryside calm
0:00:35 > 0:00:39is one met with some very encouraging feedback.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41- Wow.- Oh, I love a wow.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Well, you got a wow.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46And it's not long before we uncover a potential home
0:00:46 > 0:00:48where things become overwhelming.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- You all right?- Yeah, I'm fine. It's just so lovely.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It's just what we're looking for, really, isn't it?
0:00:53 > 0:00:55It is.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Today, I'm in Herefordshire and these are Ryeland sheep.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02The earliest records show that the monks of Leominster
0:01:02 > 0:01:05developed the breed more than 800 years ago,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09making them one of the earliest breeds recorded in England.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Leominster became the main wool market and their fleeces
0:01:12 > 0:01:16were so valuable they were referred to as Leominster ore.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19The popularity of the breed increased in the 16th century.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Well, it was said that Queen Elizabeth I
0:01:21 > 0:01:25was gifted a pair of socks made from Ryeland wool.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28She liked them so much that she said she would only wear
0:01:28 > 0:01:30clothes made from the wool in the future.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33But sheep like these aren't the only thing
0:01:33 > 0:01:35that's highly prized here in Herefordshire.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Let's see more of what this beautiful county has to offer.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Nestled up against Wales, landlocked Herefordshire
0:01:44 > 0:01:47shares borders with the Welsh counties of Powys and Monmouthshire
0:01:47 > 0:01:50as well as three other English counties.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53A deeply rural and sparsely populated region,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Herefordshire has a long history of farming and food production,
0:01:57 > 0:02:02is home to over 3,000 orchards and 5,000 farms.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Scatterings of native Hereford cattle also help
0:02:05 > 0:02:08to mould the landscape and are believed to be one
0:02:08 > 0:02:11of the UK's oldest pedigree beef breeds.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16The county's only city is Hereford, whose foundations were laid
0:02:16 > 0:02:20by the Saxons in the 7th century AD on the banks of the River Wye,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22England's fifth-longest river.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28And just a stone's throw from the water is the 11th-century cathedral,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32an ancient site of worship that's also home to the Mappa Mundi -
0:02:32 > 0:02:34the largest medieval map of the world.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38When it comes to other architectural gems,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40highlights also include a significant number
0:02:40 > 0:02:43of striking monochrome timbered buildings,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47with black painted beams and panels of white plaster.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49A particularly notable example can be found in
0:02:49 > 0:02:53the market town of Ledbury, whose centrepiece is a 17th century
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Grade I listed market house
0:02:55 > 0:02:59that sits suspended on 16 oak stilts.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02So with a fascinating supply of properties
0:03:02 > 0:03:05that echo with history, set against a striking backdrop
0:03:05 > 0:03:09of lush grazing land, there's every reason to choose
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Herefordshire as a perfect place to get away from it all.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Herefordshire offers country living at a good price.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21The average cost of a detached property here is
0:03:21 > 0:03:27around £270,000. That's £20,000 below the national average.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Now, the east of the county is more expensive
0:03:29 > 0:03:33because it's close to the central Midlands and the motorway network.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36If you want more for your money, head towards the Welsh borders.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Now, this is one of the least populated counties in England,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43so rural life is almost guaranteed.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45But what are today's buyers looking for?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52It's a three-bedroom bungalow in a suburban cul-de-sac
0:03:52 > 0:03:55just on the outskirts of the coastal city of Brighton
0:03:55 > 0:03:58that our couple, Ian and Les, currently call home.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01We met seven and a half years ago.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05We met through mutual friends and we've been living together
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- for five years.- Yes.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08We've been civil partners for three.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Ian is a nursing assistant at a local hospice
0:04:12 > 0:04:16and Les is involved in the finance sector for a leisure company.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19But both parties feel their lives are dominated by work,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22so they want to semi-retire, cut back their working hours
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and reduce the travelling.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29My commute is excruciating. I mean, on an ideal day,
0:04:29 > 0:04:31I could do it maybe within an hour.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34But on an average day, it's nearer two.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37We want to do something completely different, not quite sure what yet.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40We may do something together, may do something separately,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42we're not quite sure. So the world's our oyster.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44And we think moving to the country will just be a nice,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48simpler lifestyle. Less frenetic, I would say, probably.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51And top of the list for that more straightforward way of life
0:04:51 > 0:04:53is a joint property purchase.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56I think we're very excited about buying a house together
0:04:56 > 0:04:57for the first time.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00We're really looking forward to it, aren't we?
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I think it's going to be easy because we've got very
0:05:02 > 0:05:04similar tastes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07We kind of know pretty comprehensively what we're
0:05:07 > 0:05:09looking for and, probably more importantly,
0:05:09 > 0:05:10what we don't like.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Yeah, I think we're both singing from the same hymn sheet, as they say.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17So they've put their 1950s bungalow on the market
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and have plans in place to head inland
0:05:20 > 0:05:23to find some serenity and solitude in the countryside.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27We're looking at Herefordshire but we don't really mind
0:05:27 > 0:05:29hopping over borders.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Because Les's family live in Scotland and mine live
0:05:31 > 0:05:34in Guildford, it's a good midway place between the two.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Yeah. Herefordshire, to me, represents everything
0:05:36 > 0:05:38we're kind of looking for in the country.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40You know, it's very underpopulated.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44It's very quiet, lovely properties, lovely little villages,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47little towns, very relaxed.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- It just seems ideal for me.- Yes.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53And with their new-found freedom, they're both looking forward
0:05:53 > 0:05:56to focusing more on their hobbies, both at home
0:05:56 > 0:05:57and out in the open air.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02We are looking in joining a rock choir.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Ian's very much into his amateur dramatics,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07so he's going to be looking to do more of that.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09I love cooking, so I want to expand on that
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and that will also involve growing a lot of food as well,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15which everyone says they do, I know, but we will.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18We certainly love walking and we feel we've exhausted
0:06:18 > 0:06:21this area now. That's another reason why we want to move
0:06:21 > 0:06:23because we can explore new areas and there's plenty of
0:06:23 > 0:06:27walking opportunities where we're planning to move to.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31With a fresh rural location, a change of pace
0:06:31 > 0:06:34and, hopefully, their first home found together,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38the couple are wholeheartedly embracing this next chapter
0:06:38 > 0:06:40in their lives.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42It's a very exciting adventure.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44I think sometimes as people approach retirement,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46they don't necessarily plan it.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48We've got the opportunity to plan a whole new beginning
0:06:48 > 0:06:50and that, to me, is very exciting.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Ian and Les are very open-minded about location
0:06:57 > 0:06:59and would even consider crossing the border.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02So to find their perfect property, we'll be focusing
0:07:02 > 0:07:07our house search in the western portion of the county near Wales.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I'm catching up with the buyers to discover
0:07:09 > 0:07:12a little bit more about the details of their move.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- So, welcome to Herefordshire. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17When you envisage in your mind's eye the home
0:07:17 > 0:07:20that you're going to live in here, what does it look like?
0:07:20 > 0:07:25Erm, somewhere detached with two to three bedrooms, a study,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28a big kitchen/diner, half an acre of garden.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Half an acre is quite a hefty garden size.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33I'm guessing that one of you has got green fingers.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35We both enjoy gardening, actually, yeah.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37We've got quite a big garden where we are at the moment
0:07:37 > 0:07:39so we're quite happy to develop that.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Perhaps grow a bit of our own veg as well, that sort of thing.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Fruit trees if there's some, that'd be lovely, too.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Well, we're in the right county for fruit trees, that's for sure.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Absolutely.- So, what's the budget that we're working with?
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- 300,000.- That's it.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Well, it's a good budget for Herefordshire and we've got some
0:07:56 > 0:08:00fantastic properties to show you so are you excited, ready to get going?
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- Absolutely.- Very excited, yes. Really looking forward to this.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- Let's get started.- OK.- Good.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11For a top budget of £300,000, Les and Ian are looking for...
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Then outside, they're after half an acre of grounds
0:08:20 > 0:08:23to fulfil their ambitions of gardening and self-sufficiency.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27We have a variety of wonderful homes lined up,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30but I'll keep our buyers guessing as to the price of each one
0:08:30 > 0:08:33until the end of the tour.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35And to finish off our property hunt,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37we'll be presenting the Mystery House,
0:08:37 > 0:08:41where they may have to scale back their grand garden plans outside,
0:08:41 > 0:08:45but which promises grandiose character inside.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52For the first property on our tour,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54we're driving up to the north of the county
0:08:54 > 0:08:57and heading for the quiet hamlet of Ivington Green,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00just a ten-minute drive from Leominster.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Known as The Town In The Marches,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05the black-and-white-timbered market town of Leominster
0:09:05 > 0:09:09has a fine selection of facilities both essential and luxury,
0:09:09 > 0:09:14including a butcher's, a grocer's, cafes and boutiques.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17So Ian and Les wouldn't be too far from civilisation,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20but far enough to really escape the hustle and bustle
0:09:20 > 0:09:22and find some serious peace and tranquillity
0:09:22 > 0:09:24back in Ivington Green and it's here
0:09:24 > 0:09:26that we find our first house
0:09:26 > 0:09:29with a lovely outlook across agricultural fields
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and walking trails right on the doorstep.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- So, this is our property.- Oh! It's very nice.- Yeah.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- It sits quite nicely. Nice location. - Yeah, beautiful views.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Fantastic views.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45It's quiet, but not too far away from anywhere
0:09:45 > 0:09:47so, no, I think it looks really good.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Nice extension.- Yeah, what about the style of the property?
0:09:50 > 0:09:51What do you think of that?
0:09:51 > 0:09:53I'm not too enamoured on conservatories,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55to be perfectly honest, but, you know,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- we'll wait till we get in and see it.- Of course, yeah.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Let's take a look.- OK, I'm looking forward to this.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Originally a two-up, two-down Victorian cottage,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06this detached home is a much evolved property
0:10:06 > 0:10:09that still retains its traditional charm.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11It was considerably extended in the late 1980s
0:10:11 > 0:10:15with a further addition of a conservatory just four years ago.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Our first stop inside is the main reception room.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23So, we come through the little porch
0:10:23 > 0:10:27and straight into this cosy, snug living room.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30You can see the original Victorian fireplace
0:10:30 > 0:10:32and it's got the old bread oven in the corner.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- Oh, wow!- It's lovely. That is lovely.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37It's a real feature of the room, isn't it? It's quite small.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Would this be the main living room? - This is the main living area, yeah.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Right, OK. It is a bit on the snug side.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Let's go through cos I think the kitchen is a really good size
0:10:46 > 0:10:48so let's wander through and take a look at that.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- Yes.- OK.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Follow me through here
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- into the modern part of the house. - Oh, this is a nice space, isn't it?
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Yeah, this was the extension that was added on in the '80s.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- Right.- This is a big room. This is good. Yeah, I like this.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06You've got a utility room just off it there with the back door
0:11:06 > 0:11:09that leads out into the garden so you can use that as a boot room,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12washing machines, everything in there,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- keep it all out of sight, which is good.- Yes.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17What about the space and the style of this room?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Yes, I love the kitchen units. I think they're really nice.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21No, I like this. I like this room a lot.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Let's just wander through to the conservatory
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- cos I've got an idea to run by you both.- OK.- OK.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Amazing views!- Yes.- Oh, wow!
0:11:30 > 0:11:33You could turn this into something more substantial
0:11:33 > 0:11:36so you could effectively turn this into an extension that could
0:11:36 > 0:11:39become your main living area and I think it really could give you
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- the opportunity to put your stamp on it.- Yes, yes.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45I think it would, or maybe something slightly bigger,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49but it's certainly an improvement on the other room, I would say.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53That completes all there is to see on the ground floor
0:11:53 > 0:11:56of this cottage and although open to the possibility of a project,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59it seems that space is a real issue.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02But upstairs, there are the three bedrooms they requested,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06all of which are served by a four-piece family bathroom.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09A double bedroom presented as a single
0:12:09 > 0:12:11has an exposed brick feature wall.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14The smallest room upstairs is being used as a study
0:12:14 > 0:12:18and that just leaves the final dual aspect bedroom.
0:12:18 > 0:12:24- And into the master bedroom, the largest of the three.- Right.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Again in the new part of the house.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28And fitted wardrobes, I notice, which is...
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Oh, yeah, that's always handy.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33It's not a big room, but it's big enough for our purposes.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- It is, yeah, it is.- It's just not grabbing me completely yet.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39OK, well, I know the outside - the garden, the views -
0:12:39 > 0:12:43matter to you and that's definitely a very strong point about this house
0:12:43 > 0:12:45so shall we go and explore outside?
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- Absolutely.- Thanks.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Fortunately, the home really opens up
0:12:51 > 0:12:55when it comes to the grounds outside and so should provide Ian and Les
0:12:55 > 0:12:58with plenty of options for growing fruit and veg.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Spread over about a quarter of an acre,
0:13:01 > 0:13:03the garden has been zoned and partitioned
0:13:03 > 0:13:05with low box hedging and shrubs.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07There's also paved seating areas.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09And then, of course, there's the pizza oven
0:13:09 > 0:13:12that the current owner built, which is fantastic.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13Yes, unusual, isn't it?
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- Are you pizza fans, the pair of you? - Very much so, yes.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19We will be more now.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22So, the garden - is it the kind of size you had in mind?
0:13:22 > 0:13:26For me, yes, it is. I think it's really manageable.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28I would definitely redesign part of it,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30but, yeah, I think this is great.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33This is just the sort of size I was kind of thinking of, really.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Yeah, I agree with that, really. It's not too big, not overwhelming.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38So, what do you think this house is on the market for?
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- Who would like to go first? - I'll go first.- OK.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45Erm, I would say about 275.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- And Ian? - I'll go a little lower, I think.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- 265, I'm going to say.- OK.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Well, Ian, Les...
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- you're both wrong, I'm afraid.- How unusual(!)
0:13:58 > 0:14:02It's under budget and it's under budget quite substantially.
0:14:02 > 0:14:08- It's on the market for £250,000.- Is it?- Really?- It is.- Oh, right.- Gosh!
0:14:08 > 0:14:09Well, that's a surprise.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- It's certainly something to think about, I think.- Yeah, definitely.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Well, why don't you go back inside,
0:14:14 > 0:14:18take another look around - now you've got the price in mind,
0:14:18 > 0:14:22see where perhaps you might spend what you'd have left in the budget
0:14:22 > 0:14:24and come and find me when you're ready.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25- OK.- Thank you very much.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Under budget by £50,000, our first property...
0:14:40 > 0:14:43The house is set in a peaceful location
0:14:43 > 0:14:47neighbouring farmland at the edge of a pretty hamlet.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49I certainly think we would have to spend a bit of time
0:14:49 > 0:14:52thinking about the house, whether it would be the right one for us.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55I'm really glad we've seen it. Obviously, the views are fabulous.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I feel this house might not be for us.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01I think it's a bit on the small side. Everything else is fine.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Location, everything else is good.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06I just think it's a bit too small for us.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- Time, gentlemen, please! Come on, now!- Hello!- Seen enough?
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- Yes, thank you. It's been good.- And thoughts?
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Yeah, I think it's definitely food for thought.- Yeah, definitely.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Yeah, a little more time to think about it.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- Food for thought's good cos we've got more to see.- Lovely.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34When they make their move to Herefordshire,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Les and Ian want to make the most of their new surroundings,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39exploring the great outdoors,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42which is something that Paul Morton embraced
0:15:42 > 0:15:45when he and his wife bought 38 acres of woodland
0:15:45 > 0:15:48in the village of Ullingswick six years ago.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51They try to live a low-impact lifestyle within the woods
0:15:51 > 0:15:54and also use the land to make a living.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56We arranged for our buyers to visit their coppice woodland
0:15:56 > 0:15:58to find out more.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01What is coppicing and how did you get into it?
0:16:01 > 0:16:06Well, coppicing simply is to cut a tree down and allow it to grow.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07Once we've cut them,
0:16:07 > 0:16:13a coppice worker will then add value to that produce by turning it
0:16:13 > 0:16:17into various products like bean rods, pea sticks, hurdles.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21This time of year is also perfect for harvesting kindling
0:16:21 > 0:16:24and Paul usually starts coppicing,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26which provides him with his raw material,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29from October through to the end of February.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32The side branches are trimmed away
0:16:32 > 0:16:34using an edged tool called a billhook.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37This will make a nice hedge stake.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40And after the lengths for the principal products
0:16:40 > 0:16:43have been selected, the smaller excess branches
0:16:43 > 0:16:45and shoots are then collected.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48These are then seasoned for the best part of a year
0:16:48 > 0:16:51before being turned into handmade bundles of kindling
0:16:51 > 0:16:53called pimps and the pimp-making is done
0:16:53 > 0:16:55in Paul's timber-framed workshop.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00And what's the wood, this wood that you've got on the base?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Well, that's what you put in first with the string
0:17:03 > 0:17:07so the string goes in first and these bits of hazel are slightly
0:17:07 > 0:17:12larger pieces of wood and that'll just help the fire get going.
0:17:12 > 0:17:13- Oh, right.- OK.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18It takes 25 small bundles to make a pimp, so Ian and Les have got
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- a lot of chopping and prepping to do.- That's it.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26Pimps were traditionally transported to London during the Victorian era
0:17:26 > 0:17:28and it's thought that the name came from the essential role
0:17:28 > 0:17:33the kindling plays as a kind of agent between the coal and the fire.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34Ease it down.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38It typically takes Paul about an hour to make 25 bundles
0:17:38 > 0:17:41so Paul and Les need to pick up the pace.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Once the last one has been tied... - That's it.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49..the next step is to fasten all 25 together with string
0:17:49 > 0:17:51to create a complete pimp.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- That's your finished bundle.- Wow!
0:17:54 > 0:17:58And how many fires could this light, this bundle?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Well, there's 25 bundles within that.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Erm, each one can be broken up.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07You can get two out of each so there's 50, 60,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- 70 fires easily, really.- Right.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12That should be enough kindling to keep our couple going
0:18:12 > 0:18:17through the winter, but with the amount of fireplaces on offer
0:18:17 > 0:18:19in our next property, they might need to head back here
0:18:19 > 0:18:22for another pimp before the season is over.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30We're on the road, travelling down to the south of the county
0:18:30 > 0:18:32to the small village of Pontrilas.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Local amenities include a post office
0:18:36 > 0:18:39and a 400-year-old pub and neighbouring properties
0:18:39 > 0:18:42include a Grade I-listed estate at Kentchurch Court,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45a stately home situated in 5,000 acres
0:18:45 > 0:18:48of prime Herefordshire countryside.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Now, Ian and Les were both concerned about the apparent lack of space
0:18:52 > 0:18:56in our first house so we've really upped the ante and are giving them
0:18:56 > 0:18:59an extra 700 square feet of property with this one.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03So, this is the property I wanted to show you.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- Ooh, it looks big.- Substantial.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08It is big and that's one of the reasons I wanted to show it to you
0:19:08 > 0:19:09because I know you've got a lot of friends
0:19:09 > 0:19:11who will be coming to stay with you,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14you'll be entertaining and it gives you the space to be able to do that.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18- Yeah, very interesting.- Excited.- OK. - Yeah, it's very attractive.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20It's an Edwardian property, built turn of the 19th century
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and it's got a lot of character going on inside
0:19:23 > 0:19:25so I think we should head straight inside
0:19:25 > 0:19:27cos my only worry, really, about this property is -
0:19:27 > 0:19:29is it going to be too big for you?
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- Oh, OK, good.- Good.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35First impressions are extremely encouraging
0:19:35 > 0:19:37and they'll be even more excited to learn
0:19:37 > 0:19:42that this property has not one, but three reception rooms.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Through a porch is a large entrance hall,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48off which there are the two front reception rooms,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52one a more snug sitting room and, on the other side, a dining room.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Then the main living room lies at the back
0:19:54 > 0:19:57with patio doors onto the garden.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00You may have two good-sized rooms at the front,
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- but you've also got them... Ah! Here!- I didn't expect that.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- This is very nice, isn't it?- That's fantastic. That's such a surprise.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- It is.- I didn't expect that at all. That fireplace is amazing.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- That's really good. - So, this is your big living room.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17You've also got a cosy sitting room there at the front
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- and a dining space as well down here with a good-sized dining room.- Yes.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23So, how does that feel for rooms?
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Well, that's a lot more than we expected
0:20:25 > 0:20:27and a lot more than you would think from looking at the house.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30I didn't expect to find this at the back so this is a real bonus
0:20:30 > 0:20:32and it's a big room.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34The final room down here is the kitchen/breakfast room
0:20:34 > 0:20:36that lies just next door.
0:20:36 > 0:20:42- Oh, wow!- My goodness!- Oh, I love a wow!- Well, you got a wow.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- My God, it's huge!- It is.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Again, you've got original cupboards over there.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51You've got a range and it's a real country kitchen
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- with room for a table. - It's fantastic.
0:20:53 > 0:21:00We can sit and eat in here and entertain in the formal dining room.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- There's plenty of space for everything, isn't there?- There is.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- This is great.- I love the original cupboards.- Beautiful.- Yeah!
0:21:07 > 0:21:08Just behind us there,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12you've got a utility room and also a downstairs bathroom, which is handy.
0:21:12 > 0:21:18- Perfect.- Yes, very nice.- And it all flows just really well, doesn't it?
0:21:18 > 0:21:21I love the style of it. This is very much the stuff we like, isn't it?
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- Victorian, Edwardian, that type of thing, you know.- You're smiling.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- I am!- And you're smiling!- He's smiling.- That's great.- Two smiles.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35A joint seal of approval for the ground floor and there's more
0:21:35 > 0:21:39to keep those smiles on their faces as we head upstairs.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42There are four bedrooms on offer, one more than they asked for,
0:21:42 > 0:21:47and they all make use of a contemporary family bathroom.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Each of the bedrooms is a good-sized double and every one comes
0:21:50 > 0:21:52with an original feature fireplace.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55A pale blue room is presented with a single bed
0:21:55 > 0:21:57while another is made up as a home office.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01And this is the master bedroom.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- Oh, very nice!- Oh, wow!- Another wow!
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Another wow!- Yes, and another fireplace.- Yeah.- Lovely.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Again, typical of the era, aren't they?
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Very big rooms, nicely proportioned rooms.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Yeah, I'm very excited about it, really.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Very impressive, very impressive. Very big.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- Yeah.- But you know, guys, you might not want this
0:22:21 > 0:22:22to be the master bedroom
0:22:22 > 0:22:26and you definitely have options in this house. Just follow me.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32Because this one is definitely big enough.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- Oh, yes, this is a nice room.- OK? - Double aspect as well.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37Yeah, definitely.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Although the large internal footprint gives great options
0:22:41 > 0:22:45within the walls, the possibilities are more limited outside
0:22:45 > 0:22:49and when it comes to the plot size, well, it's not so spacious.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Set just off the road, there's no front garden to speak of,
0:22:52 > 0:22:56but at the back, there's a secluded gravelled area with enough room
0:22:56 > 0:22:59for a table and chairs as well as an ornamental pond.
0:22:59 > 0:23:05- So, guys, this is what you get. - The garden is small, isn't it?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08It is, it is. But I think you can do things with it.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Yeah, there's potential.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I think there's things you could change to make it
0:23:12 > 0:23:14a more sort of cottagey-style garden
0:23:14 > 0:23:16so I don't think it's a deal-breaker.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18So, potentially, this would be OK?
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Yes, cos we do realise we've got to compromise somewhere
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- and we're happy to do that.- Yep.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25So, let's guess the price, my favourite bit.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- Who wants to go first this time? - Ian, do you want to go first?
0:23:27 > 0:23:29OK, I'll go first this time.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Well, it's a beautiful house so I think it's going to be
0:23:32 > 0:23:38near the top of our budget so I'm going to say 295.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43So, just under your £300,000 budget. Les?
0:23:43 > 0:23:45I think it's even closer.
0:23:45 > 0:23:51- Do you?- Yeah, I do, so I'm going to say 299,950.- 299,950, OK.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54It's on the market for £240,000.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58- Really?- Really.- What?!- Goodness!
0:23:59 > 0:24:01- I love that reaction!- 240?
0:24:01 > 0:24:04We can tell the vendor to put it on for a bit more if you like.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06- No, no, no, please. - You're fine, you're fine.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Now, with that in mind, go back in, take a look around,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11take your time and I'll come and find you.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- I think you might be some time. - I think we will!- Thank you.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- See you later.- Brilliant.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Hugely under budget by some £60,000,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26this traditional Edwardian property comes with...
0:24:31 > 0:24:34It's absolutely chock-full of period features
0:24:34 > 0:24:36and has a compact gravelled garden.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39This house, yeah, it's very much my sort of taste, really.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44Large rooms, there's a lot of original features, high ceilings,
0:24:44 > 0:24:49lots of space and the fireplaces in every room is an absolute bonus.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51I love that. It really gives it character.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54I really like this house. I think it'd be a great house.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56I can see us living in it quite comfortably.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00You took your time!
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Well, no surprise, it's so huge - lots to see.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04There's a lot to see there
0:25:04 > 0:25:06- and we've still got more to see so come on.- OK.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21It's the second day of our property search
0:25:21 > 0:25:23and with semi-retirement on the cards,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26our buyers Ian and Les have a £300,000 budget
0:25:26 > 0:25:29to spend on their move away from the busy suburbs
0:25:29 > 0:25:34of Brighton, West Sussex into the wonderful Herefordshire countryside.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Still to come, we have the Mystery House to unveil,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40which might be a perfect match for our couple.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43This is exactly what we were thinking about
0:25:43 > 0:25:46when we were talking about moving -
0:25:46 > 0:25:48something a bit unusual, something a bit different.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51And I'll be finding out how small-scale drinks production
0:25:51 > 0:25:56is being brought to the masses with some age-old hard graft.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57Just give them a shake.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00You need muscles, don't you?
0:26:02 > 0:26:05It's the start of our second day's house-hunting here in Herefordshire,
0:26:05 > 0:26:07and one thing became clear yesterday -
0:26:07 > 0:26:09our couple are prepared to compromise,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12particularly when it comes to outside space.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Which is just as well, because the mystery house offers them
0:26:15 > 0:26:19all the space and character they're after in the heart of a village,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21but you don't need green fingers to live there.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Our last property stop is again down south in Ewyas Harold,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30right near the border of England and Wales.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Before we get to the Mystery House, I want to show Les and Ian
0:26:34 > 0:26:37all that's on offer in this pretty local village that serves it.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Well, we're in the village of Ewyas Harold,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42in south-west Herefordshire.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45It's a really popular village, not least because it's so pretty,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47but also it's got just about everything you need,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49which is why I really wanted to show it to you.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52There's a fantastic butcher's, they cure their own bacon in there.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53- Great!- Lovely.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55There's a village shop and post office that
0:26:55 > 0:26:59has everything you need and then some. A couple of really good pubs.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01There's also an amazing fish and chip shop.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- That sounds good!- Are you ready to go and see the mystery house?
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- We are!- We are.- Come on then, follow me. Right this way.- OK.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Because the Mystery House is literally on your doorstep.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- Oh, right!- Good heavens! Good grief.- That was a long walk!
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- Goodness me.- Oh, right. Wow.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22So, if you need your bacon from the butcher, it's just over there.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24When you run out of anything else, the shop's there.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- I love the look of it.- I do. - I think it looks great.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30It's a detached stone property, dates back to the early 1800s,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32- and it's a barn conversion.- Ah!
0:27:32 > 0:27:35And the mystery isn't just the location here in the village.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39- There isn't a garden with this property.- Right.- No garden at all?
0:27:39 > 0:27:40No. That is your compromise.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- There's a tiny little courtyard garden, that's all.- OK.- OK?- Yes.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- I'm excited about this one. - So am I.- It looks great.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- I can't wait to see it now. - Yes, definitely.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53In the heart of the community of this classic Herefordshire village,
0:27:53 > 0:27:57our early-19th-century detached mystery property
0:27:57 > 0:28:00has great appeal and presence from the road,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03and I'm keen to find out whether our buyers will like what lies beyond.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08Formed from the conversion of two stone barns, it has double gables,
0:28:08 > 0:28:12an integral garage, and a robust wooden front door.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15So, we're straight into this fantastic,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18- cosy kitchen-dining space.- Oh, wow!
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- You can really see the history of the barn, can't you?- Wow.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26- Wow, this is great.- Do you like it? - I do.- Very much.- Very much.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29- This is exactly what you like as well, isn't it?- Yes.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Excuse me, guys. Sorry.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33- No!- It's just really nice.- Is it?
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- Has it just got you somewhere?- Yeah.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- All right?- Yes, I'm fine, but it's just so lovely.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42It's just what we are looking for really, isn't it?
0:28:42 > 0:28:44It is, this is exactly what we wanted.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48I love the stone walls and the beams. The feel of it.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52- It's a real country thing, isn't it, coming in through the kitchen?- Yes.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- I like that.- It's great. - This is lovely.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59- Well, we're off to a good start. - Absolutely.- Let's carry on.- OK.
0:28:59 > 0:29:04- Well, if it's character and space you're after, how about this?- Wow.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- Crikey, this is lovely. - Oh, my God, this is great.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- This is really beautiful. - A minstrel's gallery!
0:29:10 > 0:29:12- Isn't it lovely?- Wow.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- This is fantastic. - It's really lovely.- And so bright.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19- I was going to say how light it is. - Isn't it?- I love those windows.- Yes.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23- Beautiful.- You can really see in here that it was two barns.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- You can see the high ceilings, all the detailing.- Yes.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28It is all there, isn't it?
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Les, no tears from you,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32but you do seem quite emotional in your reaction to it.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Yes, I'll cry in private, don't worry!
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Provoking high and hidden emotions, there's no doubt
0:29:38 > 0:29:42that the mystery property is having a positive impact.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45And the proportions are certainly impressive too.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49As well as the kitchen-breakfast room, and large living room, the
0:29:49 > 0:29:53ground floor also features a study, which is accessed via a dining room.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57This separate dining area could be a great space for formal occasions,
0:29:57 > 0:30:01when hosting all the guests our couple plan on entertaining.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04The study behind it has original exposed brickwork,
0:30:04 > 0:30:06and offers privacy and quiet.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08When it comes to storage solutions,
0:30:08 > 0:30:12there's also a utility room to hide away the white goods,
0:30:12 > 0:30:16as well as the large garage with double timber doors to the front.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21This is exactly what we were thinking about
0:30:21 > 0:30:23when we were talking about moving.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26Something a bit unusual, something a bit different. It is great.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30- Yes, and even the colours are just so lovely.- Yes.
0:30:30 > 0:30:31It's bright, it's really bright.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34What I haven't told you is that upstairs you've got plenty of space
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- as well - you've got four bedrooms. - Four bedrooms?!- Yes.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42- Let's go and decide which one could be the master suite.- OK.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Upstairs, off a grand galleried landing,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50there are two bedrooms at the rear of the property.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54Then the other two have aspects to the front and include the largest
0:30:54 > 0:30:58double, as well as a smaller room, currently used for craft and sewing.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Then at the back, a third bedroom is presented as a dressing room,
0:31:01 > 0:31:04next to which is another pleasantly decorated double.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06I'm bringing you into this one.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08It's not currently used as the master bedroom.
0:31:08 > 0:31:09It's not the largest,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- but I just think there's something really pretty about it.- It is.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- It's really sweet, isn't it? - It's very light.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- If you just take a look behind you, I love that.- Oh, yes.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20- Yes, the beams.- Beautiful.- Yes.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22There's a smaller bedroom being used as a dressing room
0:31:22 > 0:31:25right next door, and you've got a shower room next door,
0:31:25 > 0:31:28so you've almost got a little self-contained suite here.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29- You have.- Yes.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30There's the other bathroom
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- for when you have got visitors that come to stay.- Right.
0:31:33 > 0:31:34This is great.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36This is a lovely room, and it's a good size.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Let's explore the other bedrooms,
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- and you can decide which one you fancy.- OK.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43There are options with four.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47So, everywhere you look up here is just another beautiful feature.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49- It's gorgeous. - Yes, I love this, Les.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52This is the room currently used as the master bedroom.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Again, it's got the beautiful features, the original beams.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Yes, lovely.- It is a nice atmosphere.- Yes?
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- Are you smiling?- I am. - Oh, absolutely.- OK.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Both Ian and Les are quite clearly bowled over
0:32:04 > 0:32:08by everything within the chunky, historic walls
0:32:08 > 0:32:10of this striking mystery property.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13And this is normally the point where I would say, let's explore
0:32:13 > 0:32:17the garden outside, but there really isn't that much to consider.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19What we do have, however, is a pretty,
0:32:19 > 0:32:23intimate and sunny south-facing courtyard.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25So, here we are.
0:32:25 > 0:32:30Straight out into a compact little courtyard.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33I did say there was the mystery, and this is the mystery.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35It's very private, though. It feels very private.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37It is, yes. It is.
0:32:37 > 0:32:38And it's small.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41You know, we saw a small one yesterday as well,
0:32:41 > 0:32:43- and we were prepared to comprise on that.- Yes.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46I think we could live with it.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48So, how are you both feeling at this point? Les?
0:32:48 > 0:32:52I'm feeling fearful that it's going to be over our budget.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54But I'm hoping it won't be.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57What do you think this is on the market for?
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I think it's going to be near the top of our budget,
0:33:00 > 0:33:04so I'm going to say £295,000.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09- OK.- OK. I'm going to say a very hopeful £285,000.
0:33:11 > 0:33:17- Ian, you are bang on. It's on the market for £295,000.- Is it?- Yes.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20- My goodness. Look at that, I got it right!- Well done!
0:33:20 > 0:33:25But, more importantly, it is within your budget.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27How do you feel now?
0:33:27 > 0:33:31- That's great. I was convinced it would be over.- Yes, I was too.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- Definitely.- Very excited. - That's fantastic.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- Would you like to go and look around again?- We'd love to.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- I think we should.- Go on then, take your time.- Thank you.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Come and find me when you're ready.
0:33:42 > 0:33:43This is fantastic.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46They've gone from hoping for half an acre
0:33:46 > 0:33:48to being happy with a pretty little patio.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51It just shows, if the house is right, that's all that matters.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58On the market for offers around £295,000, the mystery property
0:33:58 > 0:34:02is a detached stone barn conversion with roots in the early 1800s.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06As such, it's laden with historic gems and character.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08It comes with four bedrooms,
0:34:08 > 0:34:12a kitchen-diner and three reception rooms, and although limited
0:34:12 > 0:34:15on outdoor space, the property is very well connected for local
0:34:15 > 0:34:19amenities, being smack bang in the middle of a desirable village.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21I'm very excited by this house,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24and it's certainly a very strong contender.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27I know we didn't ask for a dining room, Les,
0:34:27 > 0:34:29but this is a lovely room, isn't it?
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Yes, you wouldn't change this. It just lends itself to it.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- It does. Can you imagine formal dinner parties in here?- Yes.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38- The best thing is the study. - I know, isn't that lovely?
0:34:38 > 0:34:41That's fantastic. We're definitely excited about this house, yes.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43There's no doubt about that.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47As I say, it really got us thinking from when we saw it first,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50this is the unique, ideal kind of house for us,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53so we're definitely going to give it some serious thought.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00- Big smiles.- Yes.- And lots for you to take in.- Absolutely.- Lots.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- That's all the houses seen.- OK.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06- Now it's time to do some thinking and then some talking.- OK.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14A defining characteristic of the Herefordshire landscape
0:35:14 > 0:35:16has to be its orchards.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Once described as a forest of fruit trees,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23this region has a proud history of cider and perry production
0:35:23 > 0:35:26that dates back to the 17th century.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Today, over one billion Herefordshire apples are needed
0:35:29 > 0:35:32to meet demand for the cider industry on a commercial level.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34But, at the domestic end,
0:35:34 > 0:35:38many of our home-grown apples are wasted and left to rot.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42So local resident Deborah Davies has come up with a way of using up
0:35:42 > 0:35:46all the fruit you may have cultivated in your back garden.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50I've come to her home in the village of Putley to find out more.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- Hi, Deborah.- Hello, nice to meet you.- It's good to meet you too.
0:35:54 > 0:35:55I've brought you some apples.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57My apple tree has had so many this year,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00- I've run out of ideas of what to do with them.- Excellent.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02- I think you might have a solution for me.- I do.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Lots of people have one or two trees in their garden,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09and the same thing as you, they just fall on the ground and rot.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14So what we have set up is a little pressing service for small volumes
0:36:14 > 0:36:18of fruit, where we can turn your apples into cider and apple juice.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22On their own, my batch isn't enough to make a sufficient pressing,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25so we're going to pick a few more from Deborah's orchard
0:36:25 > 0:36:28to bulk up my basket. So, how are we looking, Deborah?
0:36:28 > 0:36:32I think we have enough apples here. Let's get them over to the press.
0:36:32 > 0:36:33Lovely.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37The prime motivation for starting the press
0:36:37 > 0:36:40was to encourage locals to safeguard the original Herefordshire species,
0:36:40 > 0:36:44now mostly found in residential gardens.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47The feeling being that, by helping people to maximise the yield
0:36:47 > 0:36:51of the apple crop, the more likely they'll be to tend,
0:36:51 > 0:36:55prune and graft their trees, which should in turn preserve them
0:36:55 > 0:36:58for the future, and so protect the heritage varieties.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02Deborah's partner Nigel is already sorting and cleaning apples
0:37:02 > 0:37:03for the next pressing batch.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Do we mix all the different varieties in?
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- Mix them all in.- OK, that's unusual.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11I would have thought you would use one variety of apple
0:37:11 > 0:37:13to produce cider from, but that's not the case.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17It makes a much more full rounded juice and cider
0:37:17 > 0:37:18if you use different varieties.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23It takes about 50 kilos to make 25 litres of juice.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27OK, so the apples are washed, they're ready to go.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29How many buckets of these are we going to need?
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Probably another five or 10. We've done a few already.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Let's do this one, fill this one up. Give it a shake.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Gosh, you need muscles, don't you?
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Next up, we slowly and steadily transfer the apples
0:37:41 > 0:37:45to the scratter, which mashes the fruit into a pulp.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49The next stage is to shove all these scratted apples, the pulp,
0:37:49 > 0:37:51into the press.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55We're then going to put a number of shovelfuls into each cloth,
0:37:55 > 0:37:59fold the clothes over to create cheeses.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01- OK...- Cheeses as per cheese-making,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05you squeeze the juice out as cheese, it's the same principle with cider.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08You make a cheese and squeeze the juice out of it.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09With gloves on,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12we then place shovels of apple pulp into the cloth cheeses.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15You can see it's coming through quickly already, isn't it?
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Just from the weight of the fruit.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20The cheeses are stacked neatly on top of each other,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23and then they're topped with a heavy study block,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26which will evenly distribute the weight across the press.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29- Would you like to come up and have a go on the press?- I'd love to.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Right, you come here where I am,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34just simply pull the handle towards you, OK?
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Now, lift very gently and push back.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40- Watch the peg drop into the next hole, and then pull again.- OK.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42How do you know when it's done?
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Because you can't squeeze it any further.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46- We've got a long way to go yet.- OK!
0:38:47 > 0:38:50Once all the juice has been extracted, the pulp scraps
0:38:50 > 0:38:53are given to a local farmer, who feeds it to his rare-breed pigs.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57That leaves the fresh apple liquid, which is bottled and left to
0:38:57 > 0:39:00ferment for six months, before it becomes cider.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02But I can't wait that long.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06After all that work, I've definitely built up a thirst,
0:39:06 > 0:39:08so Deborah has a glass for me to sample.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Well, that's not what I was expecting at all.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14It's not as sweet as a lot of the commercial varieties.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17That's what I like about it. It tastes really like apples.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21All of the sugar will be fermented to alcohol,
0:39:21 > 0:39:23so it's completely dry.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25But it is bottle conditioned,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28so we've got a little bit of yeast giving it a fizz.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- Just got to wait six months to try mine.- You do.- I can't wait!
0:39:33 > 0:39:34What a treat
0:39:34 > 0:39:36on a sunny, autumn day,
0:39:36 > 0:39:40to make and taste the local nectar in a county where fruit
0:39:40 > 0:39:44production is woven into the fabric of its economy and culture.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Two properties have really struck a chord with Les and Ian,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50now they've had time to reflect,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53I wonder if they'll still feel the same about them.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- Hello, you two.- Hello.
0:40:01 > 0:40:06Wow, sadly the end of our house hunt here in Herefordshire.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09And I think that two properties have stood out for the two of you.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13- Would that be fair to say?- I think that's very fair to say, yes.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15So, come on, talk me through them.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Well, the Edwardian house we saw, we really liked that,
0:40:18 > 0:40:21which compromised on the garden, obviously.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24But the house itself really fulfilled
0:40:24 > 0:40:26everything we were looking for, didn't it?
0:40:26 > 0:40:30Yes, it had lovely spacious rooms, plenty of them. We did like that.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34- And then there was the Mystery House.- And then the Mystery House.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37The Mystery House. Well, it was a mystery.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39A real surprise, actually.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Lovely village, lovely location,
0:40:42 > 0:40:45and we were taken aback with the size of the house
0:40:45 > 0:40:47when we walked into it.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50I really love the rooms, lots of original features.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51I really liked it, it was great,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53it gave us more than we'd asked for again.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Again, a compromise on the garden,
0:40:55 > 0:40:57but that wouldn't be the end of the world for us.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01So, is there a what next with either of those two properties?
0:41:01 > 0:41:04I think the one that stands out really is the Mystery House.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05Yes, definitely.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09Definitely, so that'd be the more likely one that we'd see again.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12That had a really strong reaction, particularly with you, Ian.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16And actually, Les, you commented as well on how atmospheric...
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Absolutely, yes. It just struck you when you walked in.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23- It was great.- And that was a great warmth about it,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26not just because the heating was on, there was a genuine warmth.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30- It was a much-loved house. That's what came across.- Yes, definitely.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32And beautifully furnished, beautifully decorated.
0:41:32 > 0:41:33So that's more likely.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36So, would you say after our house-hunting
0:41:36 > 0:41:38here in Herefordshire that you're drawn more
0:41:38 > 0:41:41to remote, country properties,
0:41:41 > 0:41:44or properties that are a bit closer to a village,
0:41:44 > 0:41:46a bit more in the thick of it all?
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- I think it's more in the villages, isn't it?- Yes.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52We like to have facilities quite nearby.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55Well, I love Herefordshire, I think it's a beautiful county,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58and I can completely see the two of you making it home.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01I hope it's in the Mystery House, but wherever it is,
0:42:01 > 0:42:02be very happy here.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- Thanks very much. - Thank you very much.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15It is the end of our house search here in Herefordshire,
0:42:15 > 0:42:17and it's wonderful that Les and Ian have found two properties
0:42:17 > 0:42:19that they can imagine living in.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Whilst they definitely do want to be rural,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25I think our search has shown them that they want to be in the heart
0:42:25 > 0:42:28of a village, and the Mystery House in particular would give them that.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32With a second viewing on the cards, I hope we've helped them find
0:42:32 > 0:42:34their home together in this beautiful county.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Join me next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Well, after that second viewing at the Mystery House,
0:42:42 > 0:42:43I'm delighted to report
0:42:43 > 0:42:46that Les and Ian were still enamoured with the property.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49So much so, they put in an offer, which was accepted,
0:42:49 > 0:42:53and they're now enjoying life living in Herefordshire
0:42:53 > 0:42:54in that beautiful historic home.
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