0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Now, this beautiful estate behind me has been home to the same family
0:00:06 > 0:00:07for some 800 years.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10These days, not only is it a busy working farm,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12it's also something of a living museum.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14So, where have we come to
0:00:14 > 0:00:17to find this beautiful vision of the past?
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40On today's search, a couple with differing tastes.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44I can't say I'm feeling dreadfully comfortable with it,
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- to be honest with you. - I mean, it appeals to me.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48I like the natural sort of look to it.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Excellent, I have an ally.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52That's all I needed. We're going to have to work on him.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Yeah. Come on.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57But can we find the perfect property to please them both?
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Beautiful. Really beautiful.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I... I'm feeling a bit emotional.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04THEY LAUGH
0:01:04 > 0:01:05Good!
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Well, today we are in Shropshire, and this beautiful Grade II star,
0:01:12 > 0:01:14no less, Elizabethan mansion
0:01:14 > 0:01:17is at the heart of what is now the 1,500-acre
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Acton Scott estate.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23But it was back in 1974 that a member of the Acton family
0:01:23 > 0:01:27sowed the seeds of an idea as to whether or not it was possible
0:01:27 > 0:01:31to farm using 19th-century tools. Now, later on in the show,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34I'll be back here finding out a little bit more of the history
0:01:34 > 0:01:35of the estate and the house,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38and trying my hand at a bit of good old-fashioned
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Victorian farmyard maintenance. But in the meantime, well,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44here's example of some of other historic highlights
0:01:44 > 0:01:46that Shropshire has to offer.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49On the border of North Wales,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53landlocked Shropshire is one of the largest counties in England
0:01:53 > 0:01:55and makes up part of the West Midlands.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00The River Severn, England's longest river at 220 miles,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02runs through the centre of the county,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04from its source in the Welsh mountains and, en route,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07curling around the county town of Shrewsbury.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:02:11 > 0:02:14covers a quarter of the county.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Its landscape is made up of peaks and valleys,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19a diverse geological bedrock rich with wildlife.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Scattered across the south of Shropshire
0:02:23 > 0:02:26are pretty villages and ancient market towns.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29From Cleobury Mortimer, the second smallest in the county
0:02:29 > 0:02:32known for its church's crooked timber spire,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34to Ludlow, its magnificent,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38imposing castle perched high above the River Teme.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Much of the town's architectural heritage remains intact,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44with around 500 listed buildings.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48It also plays host to a celebrated food and drink festival each year.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52With a wealth of walking opportunities and nature to take in,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55along with historic towns and villages to explore,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58it's no wonder Shropshire has recently been acknowledged
0:02:58 > 0:03:01as one of the happiest places to live in the UK.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Now, Shropshire's diverse property market and relatively low population
0:03:09 > 0:03:13density have long made it popular amongst rural property shoppers,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and it does afford some pretty good value for money
0:03:16 > 0:03:18when you consider that the average price
0:03:18 > 0:03:21of a detached homes here is currently just shy of
0:03:21 > 0:03:27£277,000, some £42,000 below the national figure.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29All good news for today's buyers,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31who are very keen to make it their new home.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Lana and Ashley got married 13 years ago,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39before moving from North London to Little Berkhamsted, near Hertford,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42where they currently live along with seven-year-old son Mallory.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47I've always lived on the outskirts of London.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49We wanted to go to a more rural location,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52which Little Berkhamsted has been for the last 12 years,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55but it's not as rural as we would like.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59It's a little bit of countryside, with Hertford, Hatfield,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Welwyn Garden City all dotted around us.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07And it is quiet, but we want a bit more countryside than we've got
0:04:07 > 0:04:09at the moment.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12This close-knit family spend most of their free time exploring the
0:04:12 > 0:04:16great outdoors in the UK and abroad.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19We've talked a lot about moving,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and I suppose it's the right time for us to move now,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24because we want to move before Mallory gets much older,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26because, you know, once he leaves primary school,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29it becomes that much more difficult to move children.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32And it's just sort of come to the forefront now, really,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35where we thought, "Right, we either do it now or we don't do it."
0:04:35 > 0:04:36So, they've decided to set up home
0:04:36 > 0:04:40in one of England's most rural counties.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42We know Shropshire sort of reasonably well.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45We've been on holiday there a few times.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47And it's just field after field after field.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50And this is what we like - the peace, the quiet,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52and we just want more of it.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I'd be quite happy if it was just us in a house in the middle of
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- absolutely nowhere. - If it was up to you,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- you'd moved to the Outer Hebrides! - Yeah. Yeah.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04A move to the countryside means leaving family and friends behind,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08but they will be taking a few familiar faces with them.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11We've got two dogs, English bull terriers.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12We've got Millie and Wendy.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16We've got a tortoise called Cotton, a budgie called Hooey,
0:05:16 > 0:05:21and two goldfish who are called Keswick and Goldie.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23All named by Mallory, not a lot to do with us.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25As you can tell by the names!
0:05:25 > 0:05:29They are hoping a slower pace of life away from the capital
0:05:29 > 0:05:31will be good for the whole family.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33In an attempt to gain a better work/life balance,
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Lana and Ashley are also considering career changes.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40I've been a solicitor for 18 years.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44My job is quite time-consuming and quite stressful.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45I'd like to go into teaching
0:05:45 > 0:05:48so that I've got the holidays to spend with Mallory.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52I've changed job types a couple of times.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53I'm quite sort of...
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- Flexible.- Yeah.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56Yeah.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00I think I've realised that if you're not that keen, or not that happy,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02then you can change.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09They both know and like the market town of Ludlow in the south of the
0:06:09 > 0:06:12county, so they would like to search for properties within a 15-mile
0:06:12 > 0:06:14radius of it, but are happy to cross
0:06:14 > 0:06:17the county border into Herefordshire.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20So, it's time to learn more about their property brief.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Well, Lana, Ashley, welcome to Shropshire.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- How about this?- Yeah.- We've got some weather, we've got some countryside.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29It's the start of your Escape To The Country.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Yeah.- Yeah.- Beautiful, isn't it? - Fantastic.- Give us an idea
0:06:32 > 0:06:33of the spec of this new property
0:06:33 > 0:06:36that's been floating around your mind, Lana?
0:06:36 > 0:06:40We're looking for something probably with about four bedrooms, detached.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44A nice sort of family dining, kitchen room, you know, family room,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- so that we can all sort of be together.- Yeah.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49And then a playroom for Mallory would be ideal.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52What about outside space, Ashley?
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Well, at the moment, we've got a reasonable garden,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56but it's quite modest.
0:06:56 > 0:07:02We've seen properties that have got a paddock, for instance, which...
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Not sure what I'd do with something like that, but, you know,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08the possibilities and options are there for things.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10So, we're not after acres, as such,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12but as much space as the budget will allow.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Yeah.- What are we thinking in terms of style?
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Because obviously the countryside has many different types of property
0:07:18 > 0:07:22in it, predicated, I suppose, to older, more characterful
0:07:22 > 0:07:24ideas. Why do you fancy?
0:07:24 > 0:07:25That's us down to a T.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28We like things with a bit of, you know, character to them.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Bit quirky. Something a bit different.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34So, we know what you're after, but how much are you planning to spend?
0:07:34 > 0:07:35What's the budget, Ashley?
0:07:35 > 0:07:41We have a budget of up to around 575.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Well, you're going to put me on my mettle this week,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45because you used to be an estate agent, didn't you?
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Yes. It's a few years ago now.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49I'm used to looking around houses.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50Yeah, well, likewise.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53So, I think we should have some fun this week.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54Got three to show you.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57A fairly good budget to play with.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58And some weather. How about that?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- Yes.- It's not raining. Come on, let's see what we can find you.- OK.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10For the maximum budget of £575,000,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Ashley and Lana are after a detached character property with four
0:08:13 > 0:08:18bedrooms, a large family kitchen, and a playroom for Mallory.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22They'd also like a good-sized garden and, ideally, some extra land.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25We've scoured the Shropshire countryside in search
0:08:25 > 0:08:29of their perfect home and have come three exciting options.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32They won't find out the price until the end of each tour,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35and for our final property, our Mystery House,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I'll be luring them into unknown territory.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Our first property is just outside Church Stretton,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48the only town within the Shropshire Hills
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Set in a valley surrounded by lush rolling hills,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Church Stretton was the first town in the West Midlands to be awarded
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Walkers Are Welcome status in 2008,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03its location making it an ideal starting point for the numerous
0:09:03 > 0:09:06hiking and cycling trails in the area.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10The Tudor cottages and Georgian townhouses in its centre
0:09:10 > 0:09:14are home to a variety of independent shops, cafes and delis.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17And there's a well-regarded primary school in the town.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21The house I want Ashley and Lana to see is 2.5 miles away,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24occupying an elevated position in a quiet valley.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Here we are. This is property number one.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30What do you think of that, then, Lana?
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Yeah, great. Looks really impressive from the outside, doesn't it?
0:09:33 > 0:09:35The aspect of this, I really like.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39I mean, if you want to be immersed in the rolling countryside of
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Shropshire, you know, this is it.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- Yeah, it's beautiful.- It does look nice, and I love the approach.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- It's so peaceful.- Well, the lane...
0:09:47 > 0:09:50You know, you'll probably be the only people that use it,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- to be honest with you.- Yeah, it's so quiet.- One thing it does have,
0:09:52 > 0:09:56which I know you're going to love, is a kitchen/diner.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57- Excellent.- Ah.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59That's me.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Come and have a look.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05This property was built in the 1930s
0:10:05 > 0:10:09but benefits from a side extension added 20 years ago,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12which has transformed it into a very substantial family home.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16It's also been modernised inside to create a layout that I think
0:10:16 > 0:10:19really works. I'm taking them in via the side entrance,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21into the new extension.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Well, we'll start with this bit.
0:10:25 > 0:10:26OK.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Now, the current owners use this as their sort of day room, really,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31coming in and out of the garden, and so on.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36And then through there is the utility room, downstairs loo, etc.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I was thinking maybe...playroom.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- Yeah.- Yeah, yeah. Yeah, definitely.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44And he's got the indoor/outdoor as well.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- Yeah.- Yeah.- It has created a lot more space,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50which has been put to good use in here.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51- There we are.- Oh, wow.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52That is the kitchen/diner.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Gosh. It's a big space.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- Oh, that's nice.- Isn't it?
0:10:56 > 0:11:02- Big space.- Yeah. I'm really keen to have us kind of all together.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Whether we use it as a dining/breakfast room,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07or get a sofa in here somewhere...
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- Yeah.- Family room.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Great size.- Oh, yeah.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12- So, happy?- Yeah, fabulous.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- Brilliant.- Going to buy it?
0:11:14 > 0:11:15We'll have to wait and see, won't we?
0:11:18 > 0:11:22This one really does offer everything on their wish list.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Next door, there's a large family living room,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27and upstairs are the four bedrooms they asked for,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31including a single room currently used as a study and three doubles,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34the largest taking up the first floor of the extension.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37So, this is the master suite.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40You've got a dressing area here with an airing cupboard,
0:11:40 > 0:11:41and then you got all of this...
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- Oh, wow. - Complete with shower en-suite.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47That's fabulous. That's a big room, isn't it?
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- That's a room and a half. - Nice, isn't it?
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Yeah, lovely. Really nice. - Strangely,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54the current owners don't use this as their master bedroom,
0:11:54 > 0:11:55they keep it for their guests.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- They're too kind.- Way too kind, I think.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- You're surprised?- Yeah, I'm surprised how big it is.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I wasn't expecting a bedroom quite as big as this.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Ours at home isn't that small, and we thought that was big, but this is bigger.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Well, look, the next thing to look at is the garden.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Come and have a look and see what they've done with it.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Outside, the extensive landscaped grounds were once used
0:12:15 > 0:12:19as a market garden, growing produce to sell in Church Stretton.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22To the side of the property, there are tiered flowerbeds,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26and a seating area making the most of the beautiful valley views.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30So, here we are at the top of the garden.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33And this is your paddock, complete with lawn mowers.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- Yeah.- I like the neighbours. - They look after that bit for you.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Well, they do. The current owner borrows these off a local farmer.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43So, yeah, I'm sure that arrangement could be continued.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- Sounds like a plan.- It's nice having that in your back garden, isn't it?
0:12:45 > 0:12:47From our point of view, it's unusual.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50So, we've set the scene, but the final bit, of course,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54is now to think about its market value, Mr Estate Agent,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- or former estate agent.- Oh, no.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58So, you can go first on this one.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I didn't work out here, I worked in London.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- Yeah.- A bit different.- I get the feeling is going to be
0:13:05 > 0:13:07middle 500 range. 550-ish.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- Something of that nature. - 550-ish, yep.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10560?
0:13:10 > 0:13:12560.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Are we being hopeful?
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Actually, no, you're being very professional
0:13:17 > 0:13:18in the role of an estate agent,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21because you're absolutely right, mate, it's £550,000.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- It can only go downhill from here. - Well, it's kind of does, actually.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27But, yeah, 550.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30I'm going to give you a little bit of time to go and explore
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- this garden in particular.- OK. - Off you go.- That's great, thank you.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- Smashing.- As you said, it's all downhill from here.- Here we go.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Try not to roll.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40Comfortably within budget,
0:13:40 > 0:13:44this extended four-bedroom property has the large family kitchen Ashley
0:13:44 > 0:13:48and Lana wanted and a great playroom with garden access for Mallory,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52ensuring the living room remains a toy-free zone.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56The one-acre plot includes a large garden and a separate paddock,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59plus it's just 15 miles to Ludlow.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01That's some view.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02Yeah.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Yeah. What you think of the slope?
0:14:04 > 0:14:08It's not your traditional, obviously, sort of garden, you know?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Flat sort of surface area.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13But...I like it, it's different.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16The house has probably got slightly less character than we're used to
0:14:16 > 0:14:18at home, but it works.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21All the spaces work. They've done a lovely job with it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24The extension here adds a lot.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27It makes a big, big difference to the house.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30So, overall, it's really nice.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Only slight downside is the sort of sloping nature of the garden.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35A bit more difficult for maintenance.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37It's got a lot of interest to it for Mallory,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40lots of little nooks and crannies and places for him to hide.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41And he'd love the sheep.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43That's an added bonus.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- How are we doing, then? BOTH:- Good.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Yes. We had a good look round, thank you.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51I think, all in all - pretty garden, pretty house, pretty good start.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52- Yeah.- Yeah, it has been.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- It has been.- Hungry?
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Oh, yes.- Lunchtime.- Come on, then.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Shropshire's geology is regarded as being more varied than any other in
0:15:06 > 0:15:11Britain. Its landscape represents 11 out of the 12 geological periods
0:15:11 > 0:15:15and features some of the oldest rock formations in existence.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19In fact, the world's oldest known complete fossil was discovered just
0:15:19 > 0:15:21outside Church Stretton.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24As Lana and Ashley love spending time outdoors with their son,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27we sent them to the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre to meet
0:15:27 > 0:15:30learning officer Laura Harvey to try out a recent phenomenon
0:15:30 > 0:15:32that has encouraged people all over the world
0:15:32 > 0:15:36to get out and explore their local landscape.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Erm, so what goes on at the Discovery Centre?
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Our main aims are
0:15:41 > 0:15:44to encourage visitors that come to the centre
0:15:44 > 0:15:47and schools to get out and about in the countryside,
0:15:47 > 0:15:51and one of our main activities here at the centre is geocaching.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53And what is geocaching?
0:15:53 > 0:15:57It's kind of 21st-century treasure hunting.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00You'd need a smartphone or a GPS unit.
0:16:00 > 0:16:06You can download coordinates to caches, which are boxes
0:16:06 > 0:16:07that have been hidden,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11and the idea is you go and find these using your GPS unit,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15and you take something along with you that you can pop into the box,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17and you also take a piece of treasure out.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19So, the beauty of it is actually finding the cache,
0:16:19 > 0:16:24but also doing a bit of this treasure hunting along the way.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Geocaching started back in 2000 when,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30after a significant advance in GPS technology,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33an American computer consultant decided to test its strength
0:16:33 > 0:16:38by hiding a package in the woods and posting the GPS coordinates online.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41His only instruction - take some stuff, leave some stuff.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Within three days, the items in his box had been changed,
0:16:45 > 0:16:47and geocaching was born.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50So, why is it called geocaching, Laura?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52OK. Two parts of the word.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Geo for the Earth,
0:16:54 > 0:16:59and then the cache part comes from the French word cacher, to hide.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01As well as being a geologist's paradise,
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Shropshire's rural landscape makes it perfect for geocaching.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Within ten miles of the Discovery Centre,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10there are over 40 caches to be found.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12OK. So, we're going this way.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Off we go.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15With Laura's guidance,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Lana and Ashley are going to be finding their way to one of the most
0:17:18 > 0:17:21visited, on a key site of geological interest.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25This is an interesting place to stop.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27This is part of our Secret Stones trail.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28So, how old you think they are, then?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32I suspect you're going to tell us millions.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Quite a few million years.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- Really?- 340 million years, to be precise.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42This particular rock is Carboniferous limestone,
0:17:42 > 0:17:46and that was formed by the bodies of lots of sea creatures,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48millions of years ago, building up
0:17:48 > 0:17:50on the bottom of the sea as sediment.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54This is a fantastic way of knowing that, once upon a time,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Shropshire actually lay under a shallow sea.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00So, shall we see if we're going in the right direction?
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- Yeah.- OK.- Yeah.- Off this way.- Yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08The great thing about geocaching is that it's a low-cost activity that
0:18:08 > 0:18:10appeals to the whole family.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12And it really is as simple as it looks.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14You can explore the local landscape
0:18:14 > 0:18:17on foot, by car, or by public transport.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Lana and Ashley have arrived at Bury Ditches, eight miles away,
0:18:21 > 0:18:26the site of an Iron Age hill fort dating back to 500 BC, and today,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29a popular viewpoint looking out across the Shropshire Hills.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- Anything?- I think that's it. I think we've found it.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Have you got it?- Well done.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- Excellent.- Ah, here it is.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- OK. We've got official geocaching box.- Oh, a proper box.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Yep.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Ah, here we go. Look what's inside.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- Oh, right.- Lots of little trinkets that people have left.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52And...
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- That's the logbook to sign and say you've been here today.- OK.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Say we've found it.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- Excellent.- And you leave that in the box,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03and a little gift of your own in the box.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04Leave the pencil for the next person.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07That's it. And are you going to take something
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- yourselves?- Oh, wow.- Looks like a little hacky sack.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Somebody's visited all the way from the Netherlands, maybe.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- Wow.- Mallory will like that. - That will be great.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18The possibilities of geocaching are far reaching,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21with around 2 million hidden caches worldwide,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23and 9 million registered users.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- Make sure it's hidden.- OK.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28We'd better find our way back.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30But with plenty to discover right here in Shropshire,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Lana and Ashley won't have a shortage of places to explore
0:19:33 > 0:19:36with their son Mallory when they finally make their move.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43Back on the search,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45we're crossing the county border
0:19:45 > 0:19:47into Herefordshire for our next property,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50which is in the rural surroundings of Bircher Common.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52It's just seven miles from Ludlow
0:19:52 > 0:19:55and less than three miles to the nearest primary school.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59The village of Yarpole is just a few minutes away by car,
0:19:59 > 0:20:00where there's a pub
0:20:00 > 0:20:05and a church which, uniquely, also houses a full-time village shop.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09And even closer to home is the rather lovely Croft Castle.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Now, you are probably wondering
0:20:13 > 0:20:17what we are doing here. There's been a castle here in one way or another
0:20:17 > 0:20:18for 1,000 years.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21It's now in the care of the National Trust.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Thousands of acres for you to explore here,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25with the family and with the dogs and so on.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28I think this is a great place to have on your doorstep.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- Yes, fabulous. A great day out. - Oh, definitely. Yeah, yeah.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33So, I think we should go and find you something to buy because, sadly,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35this is no longer for sale. SHE SCOFFS
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- But this one is.- Just missed it. - Can't have it all.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44The house we are seeing is just on the edge of the Croft Castle estate,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47and what our last property may have lacked in period character,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50this one certainly makes up for.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51What about this, then?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Hm. Different. Yeah. Really different.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- This is old. Compared to the last one.- This is really old.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01This, historically, was an old malt house.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- Oh. Oh, right. - Built about 1570, '75ish.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10With some lovely views out as the hill slopes away behind it.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14If you want something that's got a real sense of history about it
0:21:14 > 0:21:15and is genuinely quirky...
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- You did say you wanted that. - I did, yes.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20..this could well be it.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- What do you think, Lana?- I like it. Yeah, initial impressions are great.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28Well, let's test your quirky scale and see how far up it's going to go.
0:21:28 > 0:21:29Come on.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33This property really is one of a kind.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Originally a malt house supplying beer and cider to Croft Castle,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40the current owners have transformed the ground floor from a windowless
0:21:40 > 0:21:44undercroft into a surprisingly light, modern living space.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48So, what you think of this as an entrance hallway, then?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It surprised me slightly, looking at the age of the outside.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- Yeah.- Immediately more modern than I was expecting it to be.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56I wasn't expecting this inside.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59And you won't be expecting what's through here either.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02THEY LAUGH
0:22:02 > 0:22:03There we are.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- See what I mean? - Just full of surprises.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Isn't it?
0:22:07 > 0:22:10That door apparently came from
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- the castle.- Oh, really?
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- Great.- This is a nice open...
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- ..open space, isn't it? - There's fabulous features in there.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I mean, yeah, it's really fun.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21And behind all this lot, there's loads of steel
0:22:21 > 0:22:22tying it all together.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- Is there?- So it's not going anywhere.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- Not least because of those. - I did notice that, yes.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Come on, look, you can hug a tree on the way round.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34You can't do that in every living room, can you?!
0:22:36 > 0:22:40Although at first Lana and Ashley were thrown by the age of this one,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43they now seem pleasantly surprised by the space on offer.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47So, once you finish with the tree, this is where you can end up,
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- in the kitchen. BOTH UNIMPRESSED:- OK.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Now, this is the but, isn't it?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- Yeah.- OK, come on, let's have it, then, Ashley.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Erm... OK, it is a kitchen/breakfast room,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02but not kind of what I had in my mind's eye.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03I like the space.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07It's not massive. It's not a classic kitchen/diner, I suppose,
0:23:07 > 0:23:08in the modern sense.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- No.- I can't say I'm feeling dreadfully comfortable with it,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- to be honest with you. - I mean, it appeals to me.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18I like the, you know, sort of natural look to it.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19Excellent. I have an ally.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21That is all I needed. Right, we're going to have to work on him.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Yeah. Come on.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Downstairs, there's no obvious playroom as such,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30but with a total of five bedrooms upstairs,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33including a single and three good-sized doubles,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36it offers plenty of space for Mallory and his toys.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43And then finally, this is yours.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45SHE CHUCKLES
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- OK.- It's a curious arrangement, this one, though, because it...
0:23:47 > 0:23:49You've got the dressing area through there,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51the shower room that goes with this room,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55then that door leads you into one of the five bedrooms
0:23:55 > 0:24:01that is on offer up here. So, the layout is by no means conventional.
0:24:01 > 0:24:07- Is it working?- If I'm honest, probably not quite.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12I appreciate it for what it is, and the age of the house,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14and I love all the woodwork and so forth,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16I just feel a little bit hemmed in.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Interesting. Lana?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Erm... Again, I think the period features are brilliant,
0:24:21 > 0:24:22sort of a slice of history.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26I mean, it's fabulous. The lounge, you know, is fabulous.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27Absolutely beautiful space.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31But it's lost a bit upstairs for us, hasn't it?
0:24:31 > 0:24:34OK. Right, well, I'm not going to give up on this one just yet.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38We have yet to really explore the gardens and talk about the price.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- Yeah.- And money does talk, sometimes, doesn't it?
0:24:41 > 0:24:42It might talk and persuade you.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43Who knows?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Outside, the property sits in the centre of its plot,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50with a variety of garden areas surrounding it.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54There's an outhouse currently used as a workshop to the side
0:24:54 > 0:24:58and a patio to the rear which extends to a large area of lawn.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Well, I did promise you a view, and there it is, look.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- Just rolling fields. Lovely. - A garden of two halves, really.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06This is the most open, of course, with the views.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10- Yeah.- Perhaps the most amenable to kick a ball around with Mallory,
0:25:10 > 0:25:11or whatever.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Yeah. A bit flatter. Yeah.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16So, let's get down to the brass tacks of this one, then,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- and talk about the price.- Mm! - Good luck.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21SHE LAUGHS
0:25:21 > 0:25:23- 540?- 540?
0:25:23 > 0:25:27- Yeah, OK.- My head is kind of saying 495.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- 495. An optimistic... - Miles off, probably.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35However, Lana, you have done very well, actually.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37It's 535.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- OK, OK.- OK.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Which leaves you a fair chunk left over
0:25:42 > 0:25:45to make a few adjustments to it.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- Yeah.- Look, go and have a look around.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49The house is yours for as long as you need it,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51and I will come and find you a little bit later.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- Lovely.- Off you go.- Thanks.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Under budget, this converted malt house is packed
0:25:58 > 0:26:00with the quirky period features
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Lana wanted, and has five bedrooms.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05The kitchen may not quite be the modern hub of the home
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Ashley had in mind, but it is a good size and, outside,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12there's a huge garden for Mallory and the dogs.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16I liked the character, quirkiness of it, and the appeal of where it is.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19It's fabulous. As much as I might appreciate it for what it is,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and its quirky nature, its, you know, history,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25it's got to be somewhere that we're both happy with.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29As nice as it is, and where it is is fantastic,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31I'm just not feeling it.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35I think, an instructive day, but that is it.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Ludlow, famous foodie capital of England, is just down the road,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41but it also does a very good pint.
0:26:41 > 0:26:42- Come on.- Off we go.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57We're in Shropshire with Ashley and Lana from Hertfordshire
0:26:57 > 0:27:01who are hoping their maximum budget of £575,000
0:27:01 > 0:27:05will buy them a rural property with the perfect blend of character,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07charm and contemporary style.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10So far, though, impressing ex-estate agent Ashley
0:27:10 > 0:27:13has proved a tough task.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16But coming up, well, there's a first time for everything.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17Please tell me this is good enough.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22It's nice. I didn't ever really feel that way about a property.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26And later, we turn back the clock as I find myself on a 19th-century
0:27:26 > 0:27:28working farm.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31That's hot. Water.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35- You don't get long, do you?- No.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Well, yesterday's property certainly elicited some pretty extreme
0:27:40 > 0:27:45responses from both Ashley and Lana, both for and against.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47So, as we head into a final day of house-hunting,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50I think it's fair to say that our house search
0:27:50 > 0:27:52has still got some way to go.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56So, what can we possibly conjure for our final offering from Shropshire's
0:27:56 > 0:27:57sumptuous property market?
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Well, I think at this stage,
0:27:59 > 0:28:00it is obvious they don't want
0:28:00 > 0:28:02a project or any kind of building work,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04regardless of how small,
0:28:04 > 0:28:05but they do want something
0:28:05 > 0:28:09with lots of character and lots of space around it,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11so that is exactly what I am going to show them.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Let's just hope they like it.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21What would it take you to spend every penny of your budget?
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Erm... It would definitely have to be absolutely spot on.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29- In terms of finish, location, space. - Size.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33Yeah, we're not frightened to do so, so long as...
0:28:33 > 0:28:35..we're getting pretty much what we want.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40I'll hold them to that,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43because for our Mystery House, we're breaking out of the boundaries
0:28:43 > 0:28:46of our search area and heading north of the Shropshire Hills
0:28:46 > 0:28:48to the small village of Fitz.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Two miles away, in Bomere Heath,
0:28:50 > 0:28:53facilities include a number of shops,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56a hairdresser's, a tennis club, and a well-regarded primary school,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59which should appeal to our buyers.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03Back in Fitz, across the road from the beautiful 18th-century redbrick
0:29:03 > 0:29:06village church, we find our Mystery House.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09- There we are.- Wow.
0:29:09 > 0:29:10That's not what I was expecting.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14- What do you think of it? - First impressions are great.- Yes.
0:29:14 > 0:29:15- Lovely.- Attractive.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17I haven't mentioned it before, but as Lana knows,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19I'm quite taken by barn conversions.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21- Are you?- Yeah.- Ah, good.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Well, this combines the best of both worlds, Ashley,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26because not only is it a barn conversion,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28it's only six years old in its conversion.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- I'm excited.- Yeah?
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Yeah, it looks great. It looks like it's got sort of the benefit of
0:29:33 > 0:29:36character but also the sort of benefits of modern living as well.
0:29:36 > 0:29:37Well done. That's exactly it.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39That's why we picked it as our Mystery House.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Come on. Let's see what you think.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Well, we may have brought them outside their preferred search area,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50but I'm hoping the mix of character and contemporary in this Grade II
0:29:50 > 0:29:54listed barn will get them onside.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Predominantly single-storey,
0:29:56 > 0:29:58its unusual layout means most of the living rooms
0:29:58 > 0:30:02in this property benefit from being dual aspect.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04There's a kitchen/diner to one end,
0:30:04 > 0:30:06a room in the middle of the property,
0:30:06 > 0:30:09and a study and the master bedroom at the other end,
0:30:09 > 0:30:10on the ground floor.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14A staircase leads to two further bedrooms and a bathroom
0:30:14 > 0:30:15on the first floor.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Right.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Yes?
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Come through here. We'll start with the kitchen/diner.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Please tell me this is good enough.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25SHE LAUGHS
0:30:25 > 0:30:27I'll leave that to Ashley.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29I... I'm feeling a bit emotional.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32THEY LAUGH
0:30:32 > 0:30:33Good!
0:30:33 > 0:30:34So you should - it's amazing.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36- I love it.- Beautiful.
0:30:36 > 0:30:37- Really beautiful.- Yeah.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39And in terms of you as a family...
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- Plenty of space. - Oh, yeah, plenty of space.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Probably plenty of time spent in here as well.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49- It's nice. Very nice.- You are quite emotional, aren't you, actually?
0:30:49 > 0:30:55Yeah. I... I didn't ever really feel that way about a property, you know?
0:30:55 > 0:30:58- So, yeah, this is a... It's surprising.- Let's see what
0:30:58 > 0:31:00the rest of it does to you, shall we? Come on.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05He may have seen a fair few properties in his time,
0:31:05 > 0:31:10but there's no doubt this mystery barn is working its magic on Ashley.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Also off the entrance hall is a useful utility room
0:31:13 > 0:31:15and a downstairs cloakroom.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19And then this is your principal living room.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21That's nice again, yeah.
0:31:21 > 0:31:22Yeah.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Again, nice woodwork on the ceilings.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26But what do you think of this, Lana?
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Because so far you've just agreed with your husband.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Well, that doesn't happen very often, Jules, I'll tell you, the agreeing with him, but...
0:31:33 > 0:31:34It's just great.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38It's got all the sort of, you know, character that I like
0:31:38 > 0:31:39plus the more modern living.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42You know, I know it appeals to Ashley, so boxes ticked,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44- effectively.- Is he hard to please?
0:31:44 > 0:31:47He's much more hard to please than I am.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49- He loves it. We must be doing something right.- You are.- Come on.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56The corridor from the sitting room takes us past a large study,
0:31:56 > 0:31:59or possible playroom for Mallory.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02At the end of it, the staircase leads out to two well-presented
0:32:02 > 0:32:03bedrooms on the first floor,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07which share the use of a great modern family bathroom.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09But I want to show them the master on the ground floor.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15So, this is the en-suite for the master suite.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17- There you go, bath and shower in there.- Nice.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- Yes.- And then this is you.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21- Wow.- That is...
0:32:21 > 0:32:23VOICE QUAVERING: That is nice.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Big double. Big double, yes.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28The emotions coming up to the surface again, Ashley.
0:32:28 > 0:32:29Great.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33Safe to say, this is scoring quite highly.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- Yeah.- There's nothing to dislike about the house.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38Right then, the garden.
0:32:38 > 0:32:39Let me show you what you have.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44I think they'll find it hard to fault the outside space, too.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46To one side of the property,
0:32:46 > 0:32:51the kitchen opens on to a seating area and a small lawn behind it.
0:32:51 > 0:32:52On the other side of the barn,
0:32:52 > 0:32:55there's a vast, level lawned garden,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57but that's just for starters.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00What about this lot for Mallory to run around in?
0:33:00 > 0:33:04Yeah. This is plenty, cos it's going round the side there as well.
0:33:04 > 0:33:05- This isn't all of it... BOTH:- OK.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08..because you also get that paddock through that gate.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11- Oh.- So, in all, it's about two acres.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13You know what's coming now, don't you?
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- I do, yes.- What's it worth, then, madam?
0:33:17 > 0:33:20Is going to be 575, definitely, if not more.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22- Ashley?- I have to agree.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24I think it's 575 as well.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Your instincts are absolutely right.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31It is at the top end, and it is 575, so there you are.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33You both were correct.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36That's a nice way to finish, isn't it, really, on our Mystery House?
0:33:36 > 0:33:37I'm not going to rush you on this one.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Have a good look around and I will come and find you later on.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- Smashing.- Thank you. - Off you go. Brilliant.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Fabulous. Our Mystery House might have done it again.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48I love it, they love it,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51and I'm pretty sure you probably love it as well.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Bang on budget, this mystery barn might be listed,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00but it's impeccably finished with no further work needed.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03There are three bedrooms with the potential for a fourth,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05or a separate playroom in the study.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09And the property comes with just over two acres of land.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Now, granted, it's almost twice
0:34:11 > 0:34:13as far as they wanted to be from Ludlow,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16so they've just got to work out if they want to go the distance.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Fabulous high ceilings again.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- Yeah, that's lovely. - Playroom for Mallory.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24That's what I'm thinking.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28I'm a bit more composed now, I've gathered myself.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32You know, it is said that when you walk into somewhere, it feels right,
0:34:32 > 0:34:37and certainly when we came in here, it had the right feel about it,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41and I could see us in each of the rooms.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45It's an area over here that we don't know as well as sort of the Ludlow
0:34:45 > 0:34:48side of things, and obviously that was our primary focus,
0:34:48 > 0:34:52being near Ludlow, but I'm not sure that it matters, really.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55For a boy who loves to be outdoors, it's absolutely perfect.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57This has been a great morning, hasn't it?
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Oh, fabulous.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01However, that is it.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03You have now the very difficult task
0:35:03 > 0:35:05of trying to make sense of everything
0:35:05 > 0:35:08we have shown you and everything we have talked about
0:35:08 > 0:35:11to see if we can find you a new home of the future.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16- OK.- Which one will it be, I wonder?- Come on.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Shropshire is renowned for its industrial
0:35:26 > 0:35:28and agricultural heritage.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32Ludlow, in the hillier south, is surrounded by cattle country,
0:35:32 > 0:35:36whereas the flatter terrain in the north lends itself to more arable
0:35:36 > 0:35:39farming. Tucked away in the Shropshire Hills
0:35:39 > 0:35:41is one farm that echoes of the past.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45At its centre is a Grade II star listed Elizabethan mansion
0:35:45 > 0:35:48built by the Acton family in 1580,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51which today remains their private residence.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55Tom Acton inherited the Acton Scott estate and its 40-acre home farm
0:35:55 > 0:35:57more than a generation ago.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00But instead of introducing modern farming techniques,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04he chose to preserve its buildings and the 19th-century farming skills
0:36:04 > 0:36:07he'd grown up with. I've come to meet his son Rupert
0:36:07 > 0:36:08to find out more.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11- Hello, Rupert.- Hello, Jules.
0:36:11 > 0:36:12Very nice to see you.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14- Nice to see you.- And look at this, there we are -
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Shropshire rolled out before us
0:36:16 > 0:36:18and overlooked by that wonderful building.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20How long has your family been farming here?
0:36:20 > 0:36:24Well, the Actons have owned land here for over 800 years.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Now, whose idea was it to try and turn the clock back
0:36:27 > 0:36:30and pick up those tools from yesteryear,
0:36:30 > 0:36:32to create a 19th-century working farm?
0:36:32 > 0:36:37The home farm was tenanted up until about 1974.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38The tenant then left,
0:36:38 > 0:36:42and my father had the decision to make about the farm's future.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46It seemed a pity to him to demolish the fine set of 18th-century farm
0:36:46 > 0:36:49buildings, which were there on the site
0:36:49 > 0:36:52but not adequate for modern farming,
0:36:52 > 0:36:57so he decided to start farming it himself with the one horse called
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Blossom, and that's how it began.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03But going back to the early '70s, it was an age of concrete, of steel.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Everybody was looking to a modern future.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Some would say his decision was quite eccentric, if not bold.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Yes, I think some people thought it was an odd thing to do.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17Nobody else was doing anything like this at the time.
0:37:17 > 0:37:18With a small collection
0:37:18 > 0:37:21of 19th-century farm machinery and tools,
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Rupert's father took over the running of the home farm
0:37:23 > 0:37:26until he was approached by the county council
0:37:26 > 0:37:29with a proposition to run it as a working museum.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32I'm keen to explore the site and see the techniques for myself.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Rupert's pointed me in the direction of wheelwright Mike,
0:37:35 > 0:37:39who is about to tyre a traditional horse-drawn wagon wheel.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Mike? Are you Mike Wright?
0:37:43 > 0:37:44- I am.- Nice to see you, Mike.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46- How are you?- Hello.- Hello, there.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47Hello. Mike Davis.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Mike Davis. Do you have to be called Mike to work in the blacksmith's
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- shop here at Acton?- I'm afraid so, yes.- What are you doing?
0:37:53 > 0:37:54This looks very, very dramatic.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Well, what we are doing...
0:37:56 > 0:37:57There is a tyre in there.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59A tyre in Victorian times is a metal band,
0:37:59 > 0:38:01not a rubber tyre as we know it now.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03So, one of these that's against the wall?
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Yeah, exactly. And it's a bit smaller than this wooden wheel,
0:38:06 > 0:38:09and that's what the wheelwright does, makes the wooden wheels.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12So, we're heating it up. Metal expands - while it's hot,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15it's going to fit on. We're going to cool it down quick before it burns
0:38:15 > 0:38:18the wood. It will shrink on, contract on,
0:38:18 > 0:38:20tighten all the joints up and stay on.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23How long would it take you to produce a wheel like that from scratch?
0:38:23 > 0:38:24A big wheel like this?
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- Three or four weeks. - Three or four weeks?
0:38:26 > 0:38:29- Yeah.- Well, I can certainly feel the heat coming off of that fire now.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Presumably, the band is buried within that lot?
0:38:32 > 0:38:34- It is.- How long do you have to leave it in there for so it's hot enough
0:38:34 > 0:38:38- to put on?- Well, it's normally about 20 minutes once the fire gets going.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42When the iron band expands, it turns a dull red colour.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Then it's a race against time to get it out of the fire,
0:38:44 > 0:38:46fitted on the wheel and cooled.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- You ready?- Mike, yeah.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51While the two Mikes do the important part,
0:38:51 > 0:38:53I'm on standby with a bucket of water.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- That's on.- Water.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04- You don't get long, do you?- No.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11You can see it bubbling off the red-hot iron, there.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14The iron takes less than five minutes to contract.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18Once re-tyred, the new wheel could last another 50 years.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20It's amazing how much it does expand.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24- It is amazing.- I mean, there was a much bigger gap than I thought
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- I'd see.- Yeah.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30Mike and Mike make or repair around ten to 20 wagon wheels a year.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- There we go.- There we are. - That's it.- Job done.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Yes.- Brilliant, guys. Well, what a fascinating insight.
0:39:36 > 0:39:37Thank you very much indeed.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39A window on your world like no other.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41And thank you for your help, sir.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43- Let me guess, you're called Mike, too?- I am.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45HE LAUGHS
0:39:45 > 0:39:47- Three Mikes on the site.- So, I need to change my name, really, don't I,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- if I'm going to take up residence here?- If you want a job, yeah.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55Well, with the hard work done, before I get back to my day job,
0:39:55 > 0:39:59there's one more thing to do - have a test drive with wagoner Simon.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02- Go on, then, big man. - HE WHISTLES
0:40:02 > 0:40:03- Good lad.- Oh, good boy.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Well, it is now, of course, decision time
0:40:17 > 0:40:19for Lana and for Ashley.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21They've given us a very handsome budget this week,
0:40:21 > 0:40:22and in return, well,
0:40:22 > 0:40:25I think we've shown them three very handsome houses,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28but, of course, they can afford to buy only one.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31So, which one, if any, is it likely to be?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Let's go and ask them.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Well, this all looks very jolly.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45Does this mean that there's some good news on the horizon, I wonder?
0:40:45 > 0:40:47- Possibly.- Possibly?
0:40:47 > 0:40:48What a place to finish up.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52So, is there a clear winner?
0:40:52 > 0:40:54- I think there probably is. - I think there is, yes.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56The Mystery House...
0:40:56 > 0:40:58It's lovely.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00You could see... When I first saw it, when we walked into
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- the kitchen...- It is absolutely gorgeous.- Yeah.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05I think it took me back, obviously.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07I think it took Lana back as well.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10So, yeah, we're very keen on that one.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12It's all of your budget.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- It is.- 575.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15- Yeah.- Every last penny.- Yeah.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20I mean, I do suspect that he's open to a sensible offer but, boy,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22- wouldn't it work?- Oh, beautiful.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Absolutely beautiful. And nothing to do.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Absolutely nothing to do.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31What do you do next in your master plan for making this move happen?
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Well, I think we'd probably like to go
0:41:33 > 0:41:35and have a look at the local area,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38get a bit of an idea for Shrewsbury and around.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Yeah, we will do all of that as quickly as possible.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42And then hopefully make an offer on it.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- Yeah.- Well, I'm delighted.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I know it's in a slightly different part of Shropshire,
0:41:47 > 0:41:48but you're still in the county,
0:41:48 > 0:41:52and there's lots around there to occupy you and sustain you,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55and I think that's the important thing in terms of work going forward
0:41:55 > 0:41:58and schools for Mallory.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Brilliant. Here's to you.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02We should, really, I suppose, have some champagne.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04We'll have to make do with a cup of tea.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06- But here's to you, well done. - Cheers.- Thanks.- Cheers.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Well, I said it before and I will say it again -
0:42:14 > 0:42:17it is very rare that this region ever disappoints
0:42:17 > 0:42:19in terms of the property that it can offer,
0:42:19 > 0:42:21regardless of budget,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24and certainly that has been the case this week.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27Now, clearly, Ashley and Lana have some homework to do,
0:42:27 > 0:42:30but I'm pretty optimistic that in the not too distant future,
0:42:30 > 0:42:34that beautiful barn will be bursting with their new family life
0:42:34 > 0:42:36here in Shropshire. I'll see you next time.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Lana and Ashley did end up making an offer on the Mystery House,
0:42:42 > 0:42:46but unfortunately they were beaten to it by cash buyers,
0:42:46 > 0:42:48so their search continues.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50If you would like to escape to the country
0:42:50 > 0:42:52in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland
0:42:52 > 0:42:55and need our help, you can apply online at...