0:00:02 > 0:00:03Most of us like to spend a couple of hundred,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06maybe even a couple of thousand pounds sprucing up our homes,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09perhaps giving the walls a lick of paint from time to time.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11But the walls of this church have recently received
0:00:11 > 0:00:13a £1 million overhaul.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Find out why and where I am in just a couple of moments.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Today, one half of our couple may still need some convincing
0:00:37 > 0:00:39when it comes to country life.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Um, OK...
0:00:41 > 0:00:44You know me and beams. There's lots of them.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47It's a nice room, but not what I imagined, really.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49But things start to change pretty quickly.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50SHE LAUGHS
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- It's huge. I really love the balcony.- I thought...
0:00:53 > 0:00:54Thank you, Jonnie.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Whoa! Love it.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57When are we moving in?
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Today, we're in Oxfordshire.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06And this is the Grade I listed St Mary's Church in Chalgrove,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09which features a unique set of paintings,
0:01:09 > 0:01:11thought to date back to around 1320.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Now, the images depicted in the story of Jesus Christ,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17the Virgin Mary and The Day Of Judgment
0:01:17 > 0:01:19were actually limewashed over during the Reformation
0:01:19 > 0:01:23and weren't discovered until later on in the mid-19th century.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28But it wasn't until a year ago when a major £1 million project
0:01:28 > 0:01:32to conserve and restore the entire church got underway,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36faithfully restoring these beautiful images to their former glory.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Oxfordshire is a landlocked county near the centre of southern England.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Although arguably most famous for the renowned seat of learning
0:01:45 > 0:01:48that is Oxford University, the area is also home
0:01:48 > 0:01:51to a beautiful tapestry of landscape, thanks to three
0:01:51 > 0:01:56Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that encroach upon its borders.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59These include the rolling hills of the Cotswolds in the west
0:01:59 > 0:02:03and the glorious countryside of the Chilterns in the east.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04Sandwiched between the two
0:02:04 > 0:02:07lies the medieval market town of Abingdon,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11which the River Thames flows through on its way to London.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13St Helen's Wharf was one of the principal trading wharfs
0:02:13 > 0:02:16on this part of the river - and the nearby medieval houses
0:02:16 > 0:02:20belonged to the successful merchants and businessmen of the day.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Further south, the Uffington White Horse
0:02:22 > 0:02:25is a 3,000-year-old chalk figure cut into the landscape
0:02:25 > 0:02:28that watches over the village of the same name.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30The village church is worth a visit,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32known locally as the Cathedral of the Vale.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36All this means that Oxfordshire has plenty to offer both visitors
0:02:36 > 0:02:40and those with a more permanent stay in mind.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42When it comes to buying properties in Oxfordshire, well,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44I can tell you, it is not cheap.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47The average price for a detached house in this county comes in
0:02:47 > 0:02:50at around £523,000.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54That's well over £200,000 above the national figure.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58And South Oxfordshire's Vale of White Horse can be expecting
0:02:58 > 0:03:00even more new buyers to the area in the near future,
0:03:00 > 0:03:05with plans in place to create 20,000 new homes for 20,000 new jobs
0:03:05 > 0:03:08in the science and technology sectors.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12So, great prospects, beautiful houses, in gorgeous countryside.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Looks like today's buyers could be facing some stiff competition.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20Security consultant Chris and writer and graphic designer Aileen
0:03:20 > 0:03:23from Wimbledon in London have been married for about ten years,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25but thanks to Chris' job
0:03:25 > 0:03:28have rarely been under the same roof for long.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30We've been apart a long time.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34He works abroad, he's been working abroad for quite a few years.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36So when he comes back, it's, you know, we're trying to cram in
0:03:36 > 0:03:40a lot of that time that he's away into a short space of time.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42And we have a lot of fun doing it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45They first met over food, when Chris found out about
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Aileen's culinary skills.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51I heard that there was some free food going at the local church,
0:03:51 > 0:03:55and unfortunately, not enough noodles had been made.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58I did start to complain, and unfortunately for me,
0:03:58 > 0:04:02the lady behind me, who now turns out to be my wife,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05confessed that she was the one who made them.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08And that's where it all began.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Living in South London has been a lot of fun, but country-born Chris
0:04:12 > 0:04:15is keen to return to a more rural lifestyle,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17and Aileen always said they could move
0:04:17 > 0:04:19as soon as he stopped working abroad.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21I did promise him that if ever he came back for good,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23that we would move to the country.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26And Oxfordshire was one of the places I absolutely adore and love.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30And they already know what they're most looking forward to.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34I would love that I will wake up in the morning and hear birdsong
0:04:34 > 0:04:37in the back, and my chickens, you know, clucking away.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I want to be able to look out of my window and see
0:04:40 > 0:04:44a frost-laden grass and tree landscape before me,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48rather than a pile of cars outside with frost on the windows.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51But city girl Aileen is going to find it hard to leave
0:04:51 > 0:04:53her beloved London behind.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57I always say I'm a city slicker, not a country bumpkin.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59So, I just think, erm...
0:04:59 > 0:05:03I always think, you know, London is, like, perfect,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05it's been perfect for me for such a long time,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07so this will be a big change for me,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09moving to the country, and I don't mind it,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12because I really want to have chickens, as well.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14You can't do that in London.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15The only thing I think is
0:05:15 > 0:05:20I'll probably miss, erm, the big sales in London.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- AILEEN LAUGHS - All those things.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26One thing that won't change is Aileen's love of entertaining
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- and opening their home to everyone she meets.- I am a social creature.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34There's nothing more I love than having this house full of people.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38I love cooking, I love entertaining, I love...
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I love the hubbub of, you know, people around,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45because I just think, this is life, isn't it, really? Why be a hermit?
0:05:45 > 0:05:50I think that's one of the reasons why I want to move out of London,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52is that I'll have Aileen to myself
0:05:52 > 0:05:54instead of having to share her with everybody else.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57You still have to share me with everybody else!
0:05:57 > 0:06:00But I think it'll be different, and that's what I want,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- to have Aileen for myself a little bit.- Oh...
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Mmm...
0:06:07 > 0:06:08Chris grew up in Oxfordshire,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11and since it's not too far from London for Aileen,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14it seems like the perfect place for our couple.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17But before we go any further, we're all meeting up,
0:06:17 > 0:06:18including a freshly-shaven Chris,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21to find out what they're both hoping for in their new home.
0:06:23 > 0:06:24Chris and Aileen,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- welcome to a rather damp start to an Oxfordshire day.- Yes.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Now, a little birdie tells me, Aileen,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31that you're here almost kicking and screaming.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- You can't get London out your blood? - Mmm...
0:06:35 > 0:06:37I'm a city slicker, I'm afraid.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39So, what kind of property is going to...
0:06:39 > 0:06:42convince you that Oxfordshire's the place for you to come and live?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44What environment would you like to live in?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Village location, preferably, so we can still get, you know,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50stuck into the community and, you know, get involved in things.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Let's talk about the wish list.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54What kind of house are we looking for?
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- We want a detached house, three to four bedrooms.- OK.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00And a bit of ground to give that extra bit of isolation.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02How big does this garden need to be?
0:07:02 > 0:07:03Um...
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- I think half an acre should do the trick.- Half an acre?
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Do you know what half an acre looks like?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Well, I don't actually know,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- you know, size-wise, what that means...- You see what I mean?!
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Half an acre... OK, you mow half an acre every week.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18He'll mow half an acre every week!
0:07:18 > 0:07:20One of the things I've always told Aileen is I want to have
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- one of those lawnmowers you have to sit on to mow it.- Right.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25And I think that will meet the bill,
0:07:25 > 0:07:27unless she fills it up with plants and trees and stuff.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30OK, talk me through the must-haves. What must you have with this house?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32For me, erm, a nice big kitchen.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35I love entertaining, I love having friends over, family over...
0:07:35 > 0:07:36- So, entertaining space, definitely.- Yeah.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38You want three to four bedrooms.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40So what about renting a couple of rooms out?
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Have you thought about doing something different in your lives?
0:07:44 > 0:07:45We did think about, you know,
0:07:45 > 0:07:47maybe do a B&B, that we can get some income out of it.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50You never know, sometimes there's an old barn or there might be
0:07:50 > 0:07:52an old annexe you might be able to do something with.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Style of property?- Beams are the big bugbear of Aileen.- Really?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Well, I don't mind in one room, perhaps.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00If it's an older part of the house or something,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- but not in every single room.- OK. - That would really just kill me.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04Let's talk budget.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07How much are you looking to spend here in Oxfordshire?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Between 700,000 and 900,000, something like that.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11We'll go down the middle line, about 800,000.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Why have you got such a broad range?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Because we're not sure, when the house we're going to sell,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20what we're going to do from a case of investing the rest of the money
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- that we may or may not make from it. - It's a big range, but then...
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- I might find you something that...- Is less perfect?
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Not necessarily less, but requires a bit of work to be done on it.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- So we've got that buffer zone. - Yeah, yeah.- No problem.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36OK. Well, look, we've got three very different properties,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38and hopefully one of these properties is going to
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- convince you that Oxfordshire's the place to come to.- Perfect.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- Ready to get started?- Yes. - Shall we go?- Let's go.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50With a budget range of £700,000 to £900,000,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Chris and Aileen are looking for a detached property,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55with a large kitchen and plenty of space for entertaining.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57There should be a minimum of three bedrooms
0:08:57 > 0:08:59and around half an acre of garden.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Also, some extra income would be welcome, so if there's space
0:09:02 > 0:09:06for some sort of B&B potential, that would be perfect.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10We have three handsome homes for Chris and Aileen to view,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13but it'll only be after they've seen each one
0:09:13 > 0:09:14that its price will be revealed.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18And we'll see if the Mystery House can make all their dreams come true.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Our first stop today is the small village of Longcot,
0:09:27 > 0:09:32not far from the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35The nearby town of Farringdon is a mere ten minute drive away
0:09:35 > 0:09:39and has a good selection of local amenities, while Longcot itself
0:09:39 > 0:09:42has an award-winning pub and a local church.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Our first house is in the heart of the village,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46overlooking the village green.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Wow.- Wow.- It's huge, look at the size of it.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Doesn't give a lot away.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Some of it looks older because it is built in the 17th century.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59And having it all rendered, which they did in the 1920s...
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- Mm-hm?- ..it takes the age off it.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- Mm.- I think it looks good. It's very big.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05It looks as though it's been extended.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- Yeah, this bit to the left-hand side...- Right.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09Around 20 years ago.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- I like the flagpole. - AILEEN LAUGHS
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Well, yes.- I can put my Malaysian flag up there, yay!
0:10:14 > 0:10:16They do, actually. The current owner has a whole set of flags,
0:10:16 > 0:10:21- and they run flags up there, according on what's going on in the nation at that time.- Fantastic.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- Love it already.- Keen to look inside?- Definitely.- Yes.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Good, come with me.- Definitely.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30This detached property has a shared driveway, but does have its own
0:10:30 > 0:10:33double garage to the side, as well as space for two cars at the front.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35I'm hoping that Aileen will be impressed
0:10:35 > 0:10:38with what I'm about to show her on the inside.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Let's start off with the most important room in the house.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- Whoa!- Wow.- Love it. When are we moving in?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- This is my kind of kitchen. - Is it?- Yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52This is a place where I'll be cooking and chatting with friends,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- and him even sometimes... - He's allowed in, is he?- Sometimes.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- I don't like to come in here. - No.- He can do the washing up.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- You know, there's a double sink. - Well, that's out there. You can banish him to do the...
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Perfect, perfect.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08To let you know, you've got separate dining areas elsewhere
0:11:08 > 0:11:09throughout the house, so you can...
0:11:09 > 0:11:11There's a massive breakfast bar there.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Mm, mm.- It sounds a bit... You'd probably use that
0:11:13 > 0:11:16if you're always having people hanging around in your kitchen.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18We often have friends and people coming around
0:11:18 > 0:11:21and going to get themselves a cup of tea, I don't even have to tell them,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23they'll just go get the cup of tea,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25they make themselves at home so much.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26So, so far, we're liking it.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- We're liking it. - Let's keep looking around.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33This extensive house also has a good-sized study and a comfortable
0:11:33 > 0:11:37shower room on this floor, as well as a large garden room, but we're
0:11:37 > 0:11:40heading through the dining room to check out the main living area.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- Wow! Oh, this is so cosy.- Wow.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Now, this is the 17th-century part of the building.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49The old bit that you saw from when you stood in the front of the green.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- So that would've been the old front door.- Yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:53- Would've been fairly modest. - Yeah.- Mm.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56But now, I mean, these are structural,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58but they're lovely, aren't they? These timbers and beans?
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- Beautiful wood.- Yeah.- And they're not too low, as well.- No...
0:12:02 > 0:12:05I know you said you didn't want these old beamed cottages,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- but this is all right, isn't it? - This is all right.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- It's not, beam, beam, beam, beam, all the way through...- No.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13..so it's absolutely... Yeah, this is, this is doable.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Chris, are you surprised at how Aileen is reacting
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- to this old property?- Yeah, I am surprising myself.- You're surprised?
0:12:19 > 0:12:23I'm surprised, as well. Twice as surprised that you're surprised.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25So far, so good.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Heading upstairs, we find a large guest double
0:12:28 > 0:12:31with en suite bathroom, a second double bedroom and a smaller room,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34currently used as a single, with built-in wardrobes.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37There's also a family bathroom with twin sinks.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41But I'm keen to show Chris and Aileen where they'd be sleeping.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- You're now into your master suite. - Ooh!
0:12:43 > 0:12:45A huge en suite with a separate shower.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- AILEEN LAUGHS - It's huge.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49And there's bags of storage here, as well.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- It's huge.- Oh, storage room.- Oh!
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- My own balcony! You have to bring me a cup of tea in the mornings.- OK.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56I have a little bell I can ring
0:12:56 > 0:12:58and you can just bring the things up for me.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00I'm starting to feel sorry for Chris now...
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- No, don't be! - AILEEN LAUGHS
0:13:02 > 0:13:04So far, though, you do seem to be really enjoying
0:13:04 > 0:13:06coming around this house.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- I really love the balcony. - I thought you might.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- Thank you, Jonnie. - JONNIE AND AILEEN LAUGH
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- So, let's get to the garden.- OK. - Start thinking about price.- Right.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Outside, the mature garden faces south and has a pretty
0:13:19 > 0:13:23decking area that could be ideal for Aileen's love of entertaining.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Although I'm not sure it's quite big enough for Chris' ride-on mower.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Now, I know you're not great on sizes of gardens yet.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- It is not half an acre of garden. - OK.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35You probably guessed that. What do we think, though?
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- I think, er, it's obviously smaller than what I had in mind.- OK.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42But having said that, it has a lot of attractions to it,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46because it's, er, it's well laid out and ornamental...
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- Mature, as well, isn't it?- Yeah. - Yeah, mature is a good word, yeah.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52OK, time to guess the price.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Let's have a look at how much this place might be,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56based on what you've seen.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58OK, I'm just going to play Mr Boring and go for the median
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- of what we said and say 800,000. - All right.- OK.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04I was thinking 750, 765, something like that.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06All right, you're closer.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09This is on the market for offers in excess...
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- Mm?- ..of £700,000.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12- Ooh!- Really?- Mm.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- Really?- Wow.- Now, I've kept a bit of information back,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- because I wanted to show you this as it is.- Right.- OK.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- Behind that fence...- Mm-hm?- Mm-hm?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25..there is a small, detached, one-bedroom bungalow.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- AILEEN GASPS - Oh...- With a small garden.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Right.- OK.- That is available via separate negotiation.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35According to the owner, they'd look at offers of around £150,000 for that.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- OK.- OK.- It needs some work,
0:14:37 > 0:14:41but I thought, as you'd hinted at the fact you'd like to entertain,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43the ideas of maybe a bit of a business,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45or something along the side,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48that might be something you would be interested in. So...
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- OK.- ..then you're into £850,000 plus.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- It needs doing up.- Mm-hm.- OK. - It's an interesting proposition,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59because then it puts a new take on the whole idea of business
0:14:59 > 0:15:02opportunity, or an income-generating opportunity, as well.
0:15:02 > 0:15:03Well, something for you to think about.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07I want you to go around this property on your own now and then I'll meet you when you're done.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- OK.- Thank you.- All right? See you in a bit.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Sitting towards the lower end of Chris and Aileen's budget range,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19this detached first property has four bedrooms,
0:15:19 > 0:15:20a large kitchen
0:15:20 > 0:15:21and a good-sized garden.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Plus, there's the option to purchase the bungalow next door
0:15:24 > 0:15:25by separate negotiation,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28if they do indeed want some income potential.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30I think this house is very nice.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33It's, er, slightly different to my expectations.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35It's really interesting, the layout.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37I'm not sure about the garden, though.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40It's not the size that I'm looking for, really.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45The extra house, little bungalow at the back, is an amazing opportunity.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48It is something that I think we'd both be interested in investigating,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52because if it comes off, I think it would be a very good deal.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- So, you've seen enough here. - Yes.- Ready for the next one?
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- Yes, please.- Definitely. - Come on, then.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03In the heart of the North Oxfordshire countryside,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06just outside Banbury, Broughton Castle sits surrounded
0:16:06 > 0:16:09by well-manicured lawns and a moat.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Constructed from local Hornton ironstone, the original
0:16:12 > 0:16:17medieval manor house was built in 1306 by Sir John de Broughton.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21However, it was only with the later addition of crenelated
0:16:21 > 0:16:24battlement walls to the gatehouse that the manor was officially
0:16:24 > 0:16:26transformed into a castle.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29The castle has been in the same family since the late 14th century
0:16:29 > 0:16:33and is currently owned by the 21st Lord and Lady Say and Sele.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35The family name is actually Fiennes,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38and their son Martin now runs things day-to-day.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Keen to explore more of the county's heritage,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Chris and Aileen have come to meet him.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44Right, so come on in.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- This is the Great Hall. - Wow. What an incredible room.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53This is the centre of the medieval manor house and the nice thing
0:16:53 > 0:16:56about this room is it really shows all the different dates
0:16:56 > 0:17:00of the house, so imagine shutters on the windows instead of glass,
0:17:00 > 0:17:02and a big fire in the middle, and a wooden ceiling.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05This ceiling here is much later, it's 1760,
0:17:05 > 0:17:10- but it's basically a 1300 mediaeval hall.- This is a fantastic place.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Who was Sir John de Broughton and how did he make his money?
0:17:13 > 0:17:15He was a knight of Edward I.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18You know, late 13th century, early 14th century.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22Wealth was effectively created from the leading soldiers
0:17:22 > 0:17:25of the time, and I guess he was one of those.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27He lived here in this medieval manor house,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30sold it to a chap called William of Wykeham,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32who was effectively the Prime Minister of England,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35the Chancellor of England, and his family are still here.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37I'm descended from his sister.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40The castle was a rebel household during the time of
0:17:40 > 0:17:44the English Civil War, as the 8th Lord of Say and Sele
0:17:44 > 0:17:46was a prominent Parliamentarian.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48The castle was at one point besieged, before eventually
0:17:48 > 0:17:52falling into Royalist hands, until the war was over.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Years later, the castle was leased to Lady Gordon-Lennox, a woman
0:17:56 > 0:18:00whose influence can still be felt in the magnificent formal gardens.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Why is this place called the Ladies' Garden?
0:18:03 > 0:18:04In the 19th century,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08two of my ancestors managed to go pretty well bankrupt
0:18:08 > 0:18:14and ended up letting the house to a family from 1885 for about 25 years.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17And the lady who lived here then, Lady Gordon-Lennox,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20she was a fantastic gardener, and she designed,
0:18:20 > 0:18:24did the layout of this garden, in about 1896, so it's her garden.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Who's responsible for the garden now and have they kept it in
0:18:28 > 0:18:31the same layout as when it was created in the 19th century?
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Yes, I think it's exactly the same layout as the 1896 one.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37I mean, originally, when Lady Gordon-Lennox designed the garden,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39she had 14 gardens.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43And now we've just got one, got a fantastic gardener called Chris,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46and also my mother helps with the sort of creative design.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48She's like the creative director.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Yeah. What's it like living in a place like this?
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Very cold in the winter. Even in the summer, actually.
0:18:54 > 0:19:00But it's wonderful. It's fantastic, it's a real privilege.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Of course, no visit to a castle is complete without
0:19:03 > 0:19:06a tour of the battlements, so Martin's kindly agreed to show
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Chris and Aileen the imposing walls up close.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12It's a bit of a cheat, the castle. It's not really a castle,
0:19:12 > 0:19:13it's a fortified manor house.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18In 1406, Thomas Wykeham got a licence to crenelate,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21so if you put a certain amount of battlements,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24a gatehouse and a moat, you could call your house a castle.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27So it's really more for sort of social standing
0:19:27 > 0:19:30than defensive purposes. It's not a proper castle.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33But, you know, it was a warlike time, the early 15th century,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35so it may have had some function.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- Has the castle ever actually been attacked?- Yes.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41October 1642, after the Battle of Edgehill,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45which was seven miles from here, the Royalist forces came here,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48we know there were seven cannon lined out on the top of the park,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51and I suspect a certain amount of damage was done.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54I think about 20 people were killed in a sort of skirmish,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57and then, because it's not really a defensive castle,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00the keys were handed over and the house was in Royalist hands,
0:20:00 > 0:20:05probably till 1644, and then given back to the family.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Today, the castle is, above all else, a family home,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11and the best way to appreciate its full splendour
0:20:11 > 0:20:13is to take a punt on the moat.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15And what could be more Oxfordshire than that?
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Our house-hunt continues in the small village of Curbridge.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Here, the local pub hosts a quiz night every week,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27as well as offering regular wine tasting sessions.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Nearby, the larger village of Ducklington is believed to take
0:20:30 > 0:20:33its name from a group of residents found near the village pond.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37There's also a medieval church that forms the heart of the local
0:20:37 > 0:20:42community, playing host to a busy social calendar all year round.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45And our second property is a short drive from the village centre.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- Wow.- Now, set back from the road a little bit...
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- I heard a "wow", that sounds good. - Oh, this is beautiful.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- It's stunning, isn't it? - Is it quite old?
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- Parts of it date back to around 1750.- OK.- Really?- Mm-hm.- Wow.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Other parts of it are pretty new...
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- Yeah, you can see... - ..which give you the modern features I think you'll like.- OK.- OK.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- So, happy so far?- Yeah. - Come with me.- OK. Thank you.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14This detached period property is made from local Cotswold stone.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18The gravel driveway gives way to a substantial three-berth carport.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21We're heading inside to the living room.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Now, I don't think you'd use that entrance every day.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28- But I want you to feel what your guests feel as you...- Oh, wow!
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Stunning, isn't it? It's beautiful. - I love it.- It's got...
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- What about these beams, though? You...- I don't mind them.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I think it's very impressive.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40I mean, I like the wooden floors, we have some large rugs ourselves, so
0:21:40 > 0:21:44it would be nice to be able to lay those down and show them, as well.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47This is a nice place where people can come in and just be part
0:21:47 > 0:21:49of the fabric of the house and just chill in here.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52I think, as well, when you move out of London...
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- Oh, yes?- Not if...- Oh, yes?
0:21:55 > 0:21:58You want people to think, I get it, I get why they've moved.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- They've moved for this reason. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05And so I think, as you walk round this house, you might be able to
0:22:05 > 0:22:08justify that move in each and every room, for different reasons.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- Mm.- OK.- Come with me.- OK, let's go.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Making our way through the large formal dining room, we come to
0:22:14 > 0:22:18a modern garden room extension, complete with underfloor heating.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20And from here, we arrive at the kitchen.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- Now, look at this.- Oh!
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- You're going to like this, aren't you?- And an eating place, properly.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Wow. This is grand. - A breakfast kitchen.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- Yeah. Grand.- Ah, this is more like it. This really...
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- This is your room, you'll probably live in here, won't you?- Yeah.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40- I think this, for you, is probably the best room in the house.- Yes.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I will spend a lot of time in here.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- And with proper dining table and chairs...- Yeah.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46..I wouldn't ever have to leave there,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49I'd just plug my laptop here and work from the desk over here.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52That's me sorted. It's home, it would just be home.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54It would be just perfect.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56- This is music to your ears, though, isn't it?- It is.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- You've long harboured designs to move out to Oxfordshire.- He has.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03But then, when you come and see it, the manifestation of what you
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- can get out here in Oxfordshire, it's good news, isn't it?- Yeah.- Mm.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Mm. You've done good, Jonnie.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12The ground floor also has a small study
0:23:12 > 0:23:14that could be an ideal sanctuary for Chris.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18There are two more floors. The roof space of the original part
0:23:18 > 0:23:20has been converted into an attic room
0:23:20 > 0:23:22that could make a small bedroom.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24On the first floor, in the eaves above the kitchen,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28there's a guest bedroom, as well as two other characterful doubles,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31all served by a modern family bathroom.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35As we make our way to the master, I'd be interested to see if
0:23:35 > 0:23:37it measures up to Aileen's expectations.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Now, look at this wonderful room. - Wow.- Oh.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43It's beautifully decorated, isn't it?
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- Wasn't what I was expecting to see. - No.- You've got a huge en suite.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50- Separate bath and shower.- OK. - This is definitely a master suite.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- Yeah.- Yeah, it's a nice room, but not what I imagined, really.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56I don't know what I expected, I wanted the room, I guess,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59as a room, not having a dressing area there as well, I suppose.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02I don't really know, I don't know what I was expecting, but...
0:24:02 > 0:24:04It's only like, it's only like a room with more storage in it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- You don't have to use this as your dressing room.- True, also.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- I think it's beautiful. - Right, well, you know what's here,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- you can have a good look around this place later on, obviously.- OK.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- Let's go outside and start thinking about price.- OK.- Oh, no.- Oh, yes.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Aileen doesn't seem as impressed as she was with the kitchen,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23but let's see what she thinks of the outside.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25The well-maintained garden has a patio area,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28perfect for entertaining on warm summer evenings,
0:24:28 > 0:24:33and there's a feeling of open space that I hope will appeal to Chris.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- Wonderful open aspect to the back.- Beautiful.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- But look at the rear of the property.- Wow.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Now, that's something.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40It's beautiful, isn't it? Beautiful.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- We're south-westerly facing, so you get a load of sun.- OK.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47These, ripe for a bit of veggie planting, aren't they?
0:24:47 > 0:24:52I saw. It's a nice square area, which is easy to maintain as well.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- It looks very good.- They've done a brilliant job with it.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Now is the tricky bit. SHE GASPS
0:24:58 > 0:25:00You've got to try and value it. Chris?
0:25:00 > 0:25:04I'm going to go for about 875,000.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06OK, Aileen?
0:25:06 > 0:25:11- I think around £850,000. - Well, good guesses, actually.
0:25:11 > 0:25:17- It's on the market for offers around £895,000.- OK.- OK.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Now is the chance for you to have a look around this place.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Get a sense of what it's like to have all this extra space in
0:25:22 > 0:25:23the countryside. All right?
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- OK.- I'll catch you later.- Thanks.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Right at the top end of their budget at £895,000,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34this detached village home has five possible bedrooms,
0:25:34 > 0:25:38a roomy modern kitchen, four reception rooms and
0:25:38 > 0:25:42a large garden with views out over neighbouring farmland.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Oh! This is nice and neat.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- The guest bedroom, I guess. - It's very nice, isn't it?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Very nicely decorated.- It is nice and compact, isn't it?
0:25:50 > 0:25:54It is a very nice house. I think I like its location,
0:25:54 > 0:25:55in particular.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00I like the way that it backs onto open fields with woods and open
0:26:00 > 0:26:04ground behind it. I think Aileen likes it. I don't think
0:26:04 > 0:26:06she wants to admit it to herself.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Wow, look at this.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Oh, this is the single room. It is a big single room.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13I like the exposed brickwork.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Look, they've even made the plaster to sort of match.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I like the way they have blended that in, to keep that feature.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21This house has ticked all the boxes.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24It is so light and airy, and everything will fit,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27all our stuff will fit in this house so nicely.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32Definitely changing my attitude about moving from smoggy London
0:26:32 > 0:26:36into the rural climes of Oxfordshire,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38which is absolutely beautiful around here.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39It is.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Well, you were long enough, which I always think is good news.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49- Did you enjoy walking around there? - Oh, perfect.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- It was fantastic.- Perfect. I'll remind you of that word...
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Yes, I know!
0:26:53 > 0:26:57- ..this time tomorrow. Something to think about?- Yes. For sure.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Thank you.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Our Oxfordshire property safari continues as we are helping
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Chris and Aileen from Wimbledon in South London
0:27:15 > 0:27:18find a new home in the country with a budget of
0:27:18 > 0:27:20up to £900,000. Still to come,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22our Mystery House just keeps on giving.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Oh, this is what I'm talking about!
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- Fantastic. - That is such a good space.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33And I'll be learning the secrets behind a good barbecue.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36One of my favourite ways to get the flavour of the coal straight
0:27:36 > 0:27:40into the food is to literally put it straight on the coal.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42- Oh! Really?- Yeah.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48I'm not sure you can ask for better reactions than we saw from, well,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Aileen in particular in property number two, but on reflection,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56I do wonder whether or not she's waiting for that thunderbolt moment.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Sometimes it comes from a completely unexpected corner,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and today, that's what the Mystery Property is all about.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Sure, it's got its foibles, and I think Aileen in particular
0:28:05 > 0:28:07might struggle to see through some of them,
0:28:07 > 0:28:11but if she can, then she will be rewarded with a property
0:28:11 > 0:28:12that will be, well,
0:28:12 > 0:28:16a doorway to a completely new lifestyle and adventure.
0:28:16 > 0:28:17Let's see how we go.
0:28:22 > 0:28:23As journey's end draws near,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26we're crossing over the county border into Wiltshire and
0:28:26 > 0:28:29making our way to the market town of Highworth,
0:28:29 > 0:28:30on the edge of the Cotswolds.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34This historic town is an eclectic mix of old and new, with buildings
0:28:34 > 0:28:38that date back as far as the 16th and 17th centuries.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41St Michael and All Angels Church in the centre of town
0:28:41 > 0:28:45has seen 1,000 years of history unfold and notably bears the scars
0:28:45 > 0:28:47of cannon fire from the Civil War.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Just outside town, our Mystery House is a short two-minute drive away.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Now, what do we think of this?
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- SHE LAUGHS - Wow. This is unexpected.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- Oh, my! Chocolate box.- Yeah.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Oh, wow.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- This house is almost a cliche.- Yeah.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09But, when we saw it, we thought, "This could be it."
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Not just because of the beauty of its facade,
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- but what it gives you the more you walk through.- OK.- OK.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19- So you like the look of it?- Yes. - I think it's beautiful.
0:29:19 > 0:29:24- I don't know if it's for me. - Why not?- Thatched roof... Mm.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27But I'm waiting to be, yeah, surprised.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31Thatch roofs, they take a bit more in maintenance costs than
0:29:31 > 0:29:33your normal slate or tile roof, but we've been assured
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- this has got at least ten years left to run.- OK.- Oh, good.
0:29:36 > 0:29:37The main thatch, as it is.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41- The ridge normally needs replaced more frequently.- OK.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44But modern methods of thatching and modern insurers,
0:29:44 > 0:29:46or more recent players in the insurance game,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50- means that this kind of property is much more accessible...- OK.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52- ..to townies. Like yourselves.- Yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- Let's go inside.- OK.- Thank you.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58With a sweeping gravelled driveway, this property comes with
0:29:58 > 0:30:01a double garage and plenty of room for parking.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Entering the property, our first stop is the living room.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- In we come.- Oh!
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- Wow.- Love this, then, do you, Chris?
0:30:10 > 0:30:12This is a very comfortable room.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13I've already got...
0:30:13 > 0:30:15We've got a corner suite, I've already got it in this corner.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17- Have you now?- Yeah.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Um, OK... You know me and beams.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- But they're not low, are they?- No, true. But there's lots of them.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28I think it adds character to the straight lines.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- It doesn't make it clinical, does it?- No.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- But you like it so far?- This part... - Chris does.- Yeah, yeah.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36I can see the cleaner lines elsewhere, so maybe,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38if this is the only room, I can deal with that.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40- Come on, then, let's have a look. - OK, cool.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Now then, at the back of the property...
0:30:45 > 0:30:47SHE GASPS
0:30:47 > 0:30:52- I've got my tractor lawnmower already bought now.- Oh, wow!
0:30:52 > 0:30:55I can't wait to show you out there, because you've got
0:30:55 > 0:30:58an amazing asset there that I think could be more of.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00- OK.- In the meantime, though, kitchen.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- You do a lot of cooking, I know.- Yes.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07Um, yes. This is a bit small for my liking, but it's workable.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- It's not as big as the other properties.- No.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- But I think we wanted to downsize. - That's true, actually.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16- We don't want a huge property, cos there's only two of us.- Yeah.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Next door to the kitchen is a large conservatory that could be
0:31:19 > 0:31:23a great space for entertaining friends, or if she prefers,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Aileen could always try the formal dining room.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29This floor also has a neat utility room that is used to access
0:31:29 > 0:31:31a downstairs shower room.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35There's also double guest bedroom complete with its own bathroom.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37Upstairs isn't quite as expansive,
0:31:37 > 0:31:40but there's a good-sized master with exposed beams
0:31:40 > 0:31:43as well as a decent sized double bedroom with two smaller single
0:31:43 > 0:31:47rooms, one of which is currently used as a dressing room.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50The whole floor is served by a whitewashed family bathroom.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53That leaves with us with the moment Chris and Aileen have been looking
0:31:53 > 0:31:57forward to ever since their first glimpse out of the kitchen window.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00It is time to talk garden.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01Come on, then. You wanted space.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05- AILEEN CHUCKLES You've got it.- Cor!
0:32:05 > 0:32:06This is what I'm talking about!
0:32:06 > 0:32:09What did you say, you wanted at least half an acre?
0:32:09 > 0:32:10How big do you think this is?
0:32:12 > 0:32:13Half an acre.
0:32:13 > 0:32:14And then some.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- Plot size, the entire plot size, you've got about 1.5 acres.- Oh!
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- OK. Fantastic.- That is such a good space.- It really is, isn't it?
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Yeah.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Now, before we start thinking about how much all this is going to
0:32:28 > 0:32:32cost you, I want to show you another reason why we brought you here.
0:32:32 > 0:32:33- Come have a look.- Another reason?!
0:32:35 > 0:32:38This impressive garden is a veritable garden of green,
0:32:38 > 0:32:40seeming to stretch on for miles.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43There are plenty of secluded spots for outdoor entertaining as well.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46And, at the far end, there's two outbuildings, one used for
0:32:46 > 0:32:50storage and the other, well, Chris and Aileen are about to find out.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- Now, this is...- Oh! - ..quite something.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56AILEEN LAUGHS
0:32:56 > 0:32:58- Look at the piano! - Looks like the orchestra room.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00SHE GASPS
0:33:00 > 0:33:03This is a building with underfloor heating,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05electrics all installed, plumbing.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- You've got a loo next-door.- Yeah. - Holiday lets?
0:33:08 > 0:33:10- Oh.- Yeah, I was going along your line of thinking there.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12- In the future?- OK.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Obviously, all subject to obtaining the relative planning consent,
0:33:14 > 0:33:17- but you've got a footprint of buildings here...- Wow.- Yeah.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20- You just need to carve it up.- Wow. - Yeah.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- I'd start thinking about price, then.- Oh.- OK?
0:33:23 > 0:33:24Let's go out to the garden,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- cos it is quite spectacular, isn't it?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31It certainly seems like I've given our couple lots to think about.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34It's time to see if they can put a figure on it all.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38I think it's going to be way above our budget.
0:33:38 > 0:33:39Do you want to make a guess?
0:33:41 > 0:33:43£930,000?
0:33:43 > 0:33:46OK. And Chris?
0:33:46 > 0:33:49I'm going to go, actually, for the same as yesterday. £850,000.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- Well, bad news, because you are both way out.- Oops.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58This place is on the market for offers around £700,000.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- You're joking! - SHE GASPS
0:34:01 > 0:34:02For an acre and a half?
0:34:02 > 0:34:05An acre and a half of land, all those outbuildings.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06OK, they need converting,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- but with £200,000 left from your budget...- Yeah, yeah.
0:34:10 > 0:34:11CHRIS EXHALES
0:34:11 > 0:34:14- Wow.- That takes a different slant on things, doesn't it?
0:34:14 > 0:34:16You've got a lot of time now.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20Lots of gardens and property to walk around and discuss things.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- OK.- All right? Catch you later on. - Thank you.- All right.- Enjoy it!
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Thank you!
0:34:26 > 0:34:28With a guide price of £700,000,
0:34:28 > 0:34:32this thatched cottage comes with five possible bedrooms,
0:34:32 > 0:34:33two reception rooms,
0:34:33 > 0:34:37one and a half acres and two outbuildings ripe for conversion
0:34:37 > 0:34:42if Chris and Aileen decide they do want that additional revenue.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46This house has an amazing package of land with it, really.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49You've got the open lawns here, the workshop.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53You've got the building which can be used for something in the future.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Thatch is something I've never looked at, to be honest.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00But it has been beautifully decorated and renovated inside.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02It's stunning, and there's so much to it.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05I'm blown away by it.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10For the price it is, I'm definitely considering it so much more now.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13So I think Chris will be very happy to hear that,
0:35:13 > 0:35:14but don't tell him just yet.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Well...
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- Is that the doorway to a new life? - I tell you!- Who knows?
0:35:22 > 0:35:25I think you two need to find somewhere to sit down and have
0:35:25 > 0:35:28- a chat.- I think so.- For sure. Yeah. - I'll take you there.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36For thousands of years,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39woodlands have been used in the production of charcoal.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41It is estimated that over the summer months,
0:35:41 > 0:35:46the UK buys around 60,000 tonnes of the stuff each year.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50And yet, 98% of all charcoal burned on our barbecues has clocked up
0:35:50 > 0:35:52some serious air miles,
0:35:52 > 0:35:54imported from as far afield as Indonesia
0:35:54 > 0:35:56and the Amazon rainforest,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59with much of it coming from unsustainable sources
0:35:59 > 0:36:00or deforestation.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03One response to this is coming from Matt Williams
0:36:03 > 0:36:05at the Oxford Charcoal Company,
0:36:05 > 0:36:07who is using Forestry Commission-approved wood
0:36:07 > 0:36:10combined with modern, efficient production techniques that have
0:36:10 > 0:36:14a substantially less harmful impact on the environment.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18- Matt.- Hi, Jonnie, how are you doing? - Good, mate. This looks incredible.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23- So, you make charcoal right here, in Oxford.- Sure.- Why?
0:36:23 > 0:36:26We haven't really had a charcoal industry in the UK of any size for,
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- I don't know, a couple of hundred years, really.- Wow, as long as that?
0:36:29 > 0:36:33We wanted to have a go at a project and see if we could find a viable
0:36:33 > 0:36:36way to make a nice, sustainable English charcoal product.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38You are not burning the wood...
0:36:38 > 0:36:40- No.- That has got to be the key element to this.- That's it.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44Well, do you know, in traditional charcoal making, you would set fire to it.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Let the thing rage for a couple of hours and then you start to
0:36:47 > 0:36:50cut the oxygen supply down, so it is just a smoulder.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53But you are actually burning your stock in order to make the heat
0:36:53 > 0:36:54to make that happen.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59It is estimated about 15% of global deforestation every year
0:36:59 > 0:37:02is down to people making charcoal in unsustainable ways.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Matt believes that if you think about where your wood comes from
0:37:05 > 0:37:08and think about how you're going to handle the conversion process,
0:37:08 > 0:37:13then you end up with an efficiently made, really sustainable fuel.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15Every batch of wood he uses is given a number,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18meaning the finished product can be traced back to source.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22So, this container has come out of your kiln now.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24- So we've got charcoal?- Yeah. - What's next, then?
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Jonnie, I'm going to get you just to pull this chain, just pull that.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30It is just going to tip this out,
0:37:30 > 0:37:32- and it will pour into the bag on the other side.- I can do that.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Now, look, you've told me that your process of making charcoal
0:37:36 > 0:37:38here, in Oxford, is far more efficient.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41What are you doing different here?
0:37:41 > 0:37:44What we've done is separated the burning of the wood
0:37:44 > 0:37:48from the heating of the wood, so we just heat it up indirectly,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50so every bit of wood in there becomes charcoal,
0:37:50 > 0:37:54and really that's the secret to having it as efficient as you can.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56These principles have been around for a long time,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58and Matt freely admits they are not reinventing the wheel,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01merely trying to refine it for the modern age.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04This is pure sweet chestnut charcoal.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07And there area couple of things that make it really obvious
0:38:07 > 0:38:08that it's sweet chestnut.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10Chestnut breaks radially, so you've quite a lot of airflow
0:38:10 > 0:38:12through this. When you're cooking with it,
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- it really wants to burn hot. - Right.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17It's incredible for grilling, you know,
0:38:17 > 0:38:19steaks or burgers or whatever, things like that.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22The final stage in the process is the curing,
0:38:22 > 0:38:23which takes about eight days,
0:38:23 > 0:38:27which leads us neatly onto the part I've been looking forward to the
0:38:27 > 0:38:31most, as Matt has agreed to show me some of his charcoal in action.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- This is wild cherry charcoal. - Right, OK.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36And one of my favourite ways to get the flavour of the coal
0:38:36 > 0:38:39straight into the food is to literally put it
0:38:39 > 0:38:41straight on the coal.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43- Oh!- Yeah.- Really?
0:38:43 > 0:38:44And cos it's so hot, you can take them off,
0:38:44 > 0:38:47and you get all that flavour, but you can still leave yourself with
0:38:47 > 0:38:50a nice medium rare centre to the steak.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54Now, I wouldn't dream of putting my steaks on the charcoal I've used
0:38:54 > 0:38:56at home. It stinks of paraffin,
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- I don't know where it's been... - Yeah.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- This is different, then, I take it? - You really would not want that,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03because you'd be absorbing all of those kind of additives,
0:39:03 > 0:39:06added chemicals straight into your food, but with a really lovely,
0:39:06 > 0:39:08pure charcoal, I don't think there's a better way of cooking a steak -
0:39:08 > 0:39:12put it straight onto the coals, flip it over after two minutes,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15you know, and you are pretty much done.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19- Where do we start?- Well, I guess we should slice up some of the steaks.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20We've got some nice bread,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23and we'll make ourselves a little banquet.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24Thank you very much.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Mm!
0:39:29 > 0:39:33That barbecue taste that hits the meat is quite sensational.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Well, I think with a fruit wood, like wild cherry,
0:39:36 > 0:39:38you get those kind of sweet notes coming through.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- Yeah, you really feel it, don't you?- Well, Matt,
0:39:41 > 0:39:44I'm hugely impressed by this, by something I never
0:39:44 > 0:39:47gave any thought about - where my fuel comes from
0:39:47 > 0:39:49and how much of an impact it can have on food.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51It tastes absolutely delicious.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54- Excellent.- I'm going to scoff on, if you don't mind.- You crack on!
0:39:54 > 0:39:57It really is remarkable to think that by choosing sustainably
0:39:57 > 0:40:00produced fuel, we are not only improving the flavour but
0:40:00 > 0:40:04also helping the fight against deforestation, too.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Well, I'm pretty confident that after today's house tour,
0:40:10 > 0:40:12the mystery property will be coming out on top,
0:40:12 > 0:40:17but has it done enough to prize Aileen away from her London life?
0:40:17 > 0:40:18Let's find out.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26You've had a bit of time to think things through.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Now, for my mind, your favourite property, Chris,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31was the Mystery House.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Aileen, I'm finding you a little harder to read.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34SHE CHUCKLES
0:40:34 > 0:40:37What is your favourite as a couple?
0:40:37 > 0:40:39I think the third one, for sure.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44I mean, we both, I think, were aligned in liking together.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46So, yeah, a thatched house, ever thought about buying one of them?
0:40:46 > 0:40:51All of the buildings that have been build like that that I've visited,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53they've had wonky walls,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57lots of open brickwork and they're very low as well, you know.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59They're old. They're old and they're made for smaller people.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03Yeah. So going into that building and finding that that wasn't
0:41:03 > 0:41:06the case was quite nice, actually.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08I think that's the benefit of letting someone else choose
0:41:08 > 0:41:10a property for you.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12You might have seen that on an estate agent's brochure
0:41:12 > 0:41:13or internet and thought,
0:41:13 > 0:41:16"No, small thatched cottage, we're not going in."
0:41:16 > 0:41:19The proportions, actually, are quite ideal for us as a couple,
0:41:19 > 0:41:20just two of us in the house.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22We went ahead and had a look afterwards as well,
0:41:22 > 0:41:24sort of sussing the areas out and thinking,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26"Oh, yeah, that will work for this, that for that,"
0:41:26 > 0:41:28and, "It's only two of us, why do we need a mansion?"
0:41:28 > 0:41:32So as we started to walk towards the back of the Mystery House,
0:41:32 > 0:41:34it started to reveal itself as to why we had chosen that
0:41:34 > 0:41:37as a property for you guys.
0:41:37 > 0:41:38It's unbelievable, really,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41to find all those things for the budget.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43There are several options that we could do with that space,
0:41:43 > 0:41:45with that studio space.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48I think what you should do is go back to the property,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50make some inquiries with the local planning authority just to
0:41:50 > 0:41:53get an idea of their plan and what you can do with those outbuildings,
0:41:53 > 0:41:56that will give you an idea what you can earn from that as well.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59That's true. That's what we were hoping to do, was to,
0:41:59 > 0:42:01you know, the potential to actually build on that
0:42:01 > 0:42:03and then have something really spectacularly,
0:42:03 > 0:42:04you know, not just for ourselves,
0:42:04 > 0:42:09- as maybe a business or something, anyway...- Yeah.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11..that we can both, you know, learn to grow together as well.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14I think you've come a long way from not wanting to leave London.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18You've found a great house. Your reactions were fantastic in the Mystery Property.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21What I'd really like you to do is just keep this momentum,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- keep this going forward. Yeah? - Yeah, good advice.- Will do, yeah.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27- Please let us know what you decide, won't you?- We will do.- Definitely.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28- We will do.- Thank you.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Well, Chris and Aileen, in particular, have come
0:42:36 > 0:42:38a long way in these past couple of days,
0:42:38 > 0:42:42but I do hope they heed my advice and maintain this momentum.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Let's face it, having a favourite property is a huge step towards
0:42:45 > 0:42:47a more rural existence.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Whether that new life begins in our Mystery Property,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52well, that remains to be seen.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54I wish them the very best of luck.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57If you'd like to escape to the country in
0:42:57 > 0:43:00Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England and need our help,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02you can play apply online at...