0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Now, this tranquil spot and the ancient church that overlooks it
0:00:06 > 0:00:10is surrounded by myth and mystery, and a legend that helped inspire
0:00:10 > 0:00:12one of our most popular and famous hymns.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15But where are we and what's the story?
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Today, it's a long-standing dream
0:00:38 > 0:00:40that's driving an active and creative couple
0:00:40 > 0:00:43to search for their country paradise.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47And they're more than ready to part with their cash.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48Have you got your cheque book?
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Ah! Excellent. That's a good start, isn't it?
0:00:51 > 0:00:55And a celebratory tipple is already on the cards.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56What do you think about the bar?
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Do you think you could use it for some other purpose?
0:00:59 > 0:01:01I think I'd be inclined to keep it as a bar, my dear.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02THEY LAUGH
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Well, today, we are in Cornwall and this is
0:01:08 > 0:01:12the rather pretty, 13th-century St Just In Roseland Church,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15tucked away on the banks of this gorgeous little creek,
0:01:15 > 0:01:17just across the water from Falmouth.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19And it's one of several spots here in the West Country
0:01:19 > 0:01:23that it's thought were visited by a teenage Jesus,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26who was then travelling with his relative, Joseph of Arimathea,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28who it's thought at the time, was a wealthy merchant
0:01:28 > 0:01:30dealing in Cornish tin.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Now, the idea and the legend that Jesus visited Britain
0:01:33 > 0:01:38became immortalised in the words of the 19th-century hymn, Jerusalem,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40written by the poet, William Blake.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Without a doubt, it is my favourite hymn
0:01:43 > 0:01:45and it's gone down as a national favourite.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Cornwall is England's most south-westerly county,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53sharing an inland border with Devon,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55meeting the Celtic Sea to the north and west,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58and the English Channel to the south.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00The region's sole city is Truro,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02with the tall spires of its cathedral
0:02:02 > 0:02:05towering over the Georgian streets.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11In 1880, the foundation stones for this spectacular place of worship
0:02:11 > 0:02:14were laid by Queen Victoria's eldest son, Edward VII,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18and 30 years later, the cathedral was complete -
0:02:18 > 0:02:19the year of his death.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Moving out towards the coast,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Cornwall boasts miles and miles of glorious beaches,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29overlooked by pretty coastal villages.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33At the most westerly peninsula of the county, the picturesque
0:02:33 > 0:02:37harbour at Mousehole, on Penwith, is actually spelt Mouse-Hole
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and one local legend says the village was named after a hole
0:02:40 > 0:02:44or cavern in a nearby cliff in the 12th or 13th centuries.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Towards the east of the region,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Bodmin Moor has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54as has almost a third of Cornwall.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Here, the 80 square miles are cloaked in heather
0:02:58 > 0:03:01and grazed upon by moorland ponies.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05So, with its rich canvas of stunning architecture
0:03:05 > 0:03:07and dramatic natural beauty,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Cornwall is a hugely popular destination
0:03:09 > 0:03:12for both visitors and escapees alike.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Well, behind me is the beautiful backdrop of St Mawes.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22It's just one of numerous coastal settlements that, for many people,
0:03:22 > 0:03:26really define what life is like in this maritime county.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And it's worth remembering that, no matter where you are in Cornwall,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32you're never more than 25 miles from the sea.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36As for house prices, they are often as attractive as the views.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Currently, the average price of a detached property here
0:03:39 > 0:03:42is £277,000.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43That's some £22,000
0:03:43 > 0:03:45below the national figure.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Now, of course, a house with a view like that is going to come
0:03:48 > 0:03:51at a premium, but nonetheless, as a county,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54it does represent pretty good value for money.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57So, let's meet today's buyers and find out what's persuaded them
0:03:57 > 0:03:59to weigh anchor and move to the South West.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Part-time lecturer Heather and her Merchant Navy officer husband David
0:04:06 > 0:04:10live near Chelmsford, but have been in Essex since the 1980s.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14They wed just six months after they met, 36 years ago.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17I'd definitely say Heather is the noisy one.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21She's the one that's outward-going more than I am,
0:04:21 > 0:04:25although I think I have learned from her over the years
0:04:25 > 0:04:28and we've met in the middle somewhere now.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31The couple's two grown-up sons have now flown the nest
0:04:31 > 0:04:36and their four-bedroomed, mock-Tudor detached home is up for sale.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Looking forward to their upcoming retirement,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Heather and David are planning on moving out of Essex.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44I wouldn't say that Chelmsford exactly has
0:04:44 > 0:04:46a great sense of community.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51It is, literally, a commuter town. People use it for getting up
0:04:51 > 0:04:55to work in London and they just happen to sleep here.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59I think Chelmsford has grown over the last 20 years.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03It's perhaps a little bit too big for us now.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06And I feel that I would like to move to somewhere quieter.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13And there's one West Country county that has captured their hearts.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14I've always liked Cornwall.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17I started to go down there when I was a baby
0:05:17 > 0:05:19and sort of grew up going on holidays,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21and when I go into Cornwall,
0:05:21 > 0:05:25I feel that it's my natural home, that I've come home,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and that's really a feeling that I like and want to keep.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30When they make their move,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Heather and David are planning on enjoying their hobbies,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36and master mariner David has also got his eye on some new ones.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39I'm coming up to retirement age now,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42so I shall be looking for some retirement activities.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46I've been involved in the nautical industry from the age of 13
0:05:46 > 0:05:49and I look forward to being able to give something back
0:05:49 > 0:05:51to the marine industry,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53and I'd very much like to get involved
0:05:53 > 0:05:56with the National Coastwatch Institution,
0:05:56 > 0:05:57which is a voluntary organisation.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00I will be giving up my work
0:06:00 > 0:06:04and I would like to get involved with the local community.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I would like to develop my art skills, as well,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09and I would like to sort of relax a bit,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12cos I feel at the moment that we are living our lives
0:06:12 > 0:06:15in a very full and very active way.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17I'd still like to be active,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19but in a little bit more of a relaxed surrounding.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23All they need now is a sale on their house
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and they will be opening the door to their future.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31This move means a culmination of all my dreams and hopes.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34I would love a lovely home in Cornwall,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37where I can welcome my sons and my grandchildren
0:06:37 > 0:06:42and we can enjoy the Cornish scenery and the Cornish life together.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46That's what I want from Cornwall - happiness, relaxation
0:06:46 > 0:06:47and a jolly good retirement.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Heather and David have asked us to concentrate our search
0:06:55 > 0:06:58between the towns of Falmouth to the west and Looe to the east.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02But before we commence our journey to find them their new home,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05we're all catching up in Cornwall, on the banks of Charlestown's
0:07:05 > 0:07:09picturesque harbour, to discuss the details of their property wish list.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Well, Heather, David, what a place to start our house search.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- It certainly is. Look at that. - For a master mariner, come on, look!
0:07:17 > 0:07:19I think it really does set the scene
0:07:19 > 0:07:23and, for many people, this view is what Cornwall is all about.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Its maritime heritage is writ large right across this glorious county.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30So, I can perfectly understand how you have fallen in love with it
0:07:30 > 0:07:35over so many years of coming here, but let's get down to the hard facts
0:07:35 > 0:07:37of what it is you're looking for, Heather.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Well, we would like at least a three-bedroomed house.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45I would very much like a beautiful stone Cornish cottage,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48but I realise that may not be possible.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50We don't want acres of ground,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53but we want something with a little bit of character and, of course,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55we want something to accommodate David's head height.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Yes! I mean, I'm just under six foot. How tall are you, David?
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- Just under six foot six.- Wow!
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Obviously, the boys are going to come down and see you,
0:08:04 > 0:08:06so what about reception space? Because at the end of the day,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09that's where life's going to unfold on a day-to-day basis.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Well, I'd like a really nice lounge.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13I think that's the most important thing,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15a really nice, big lounge,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17where we could have the boys and their families down.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21I'm not so worried about the kitchen or the other bedrooms,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24but David would like a study, and if there's a room,
0:08:24 > 0:08:25it could even a small bedroom,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27which I could sort of turn into an art studio,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29that would be absolutely ideal.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32In terms of garden space, you mentioned earlier,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- we're not after acres.- Yes, I'd like somewhere where I can sit out,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38have a cup of tea or a glass of wine and some sandwiches,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40and I'd like somewhere to potter as well,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43perhaps David wants to grow a few vegetables.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45I'd like to plant some flowers and have some tubs.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- And you can't do that at sea, can you?- Absolutely not. Total change.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50LAUGHTER
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- Tell us what you don't want. - Well, I'm not really looking for
0:08:52 > 0:08:56a barn. I know a lot of people like barns, but I don't really like
0:08:56 > 0:08:59barns myself. We don't particularly want a very old property,
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- with low beams, so that David keeps hitting his head.- Yes!
0:09:03 > 0:09:06And I am a little bit worried about a thatch, I'm not sure I could
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- buy a thatched property. - I do understand your concerns,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13but have got an interesting range of properties here in Cornwall
0:09:13 > 0:09:15to show you. How much are we going to spend, then, David?
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- Well, our budget for the move would be £550,000.- Wow.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23But, for a suitable property, we could uplift that
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- to maybe 560, at a pinch.- Wow!
0:09:26 > 0:09:29I am confident that, with your very generous 550,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31or maybe a little bit more,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34we should be able to find you what you're looking for,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37from the range of properties that we have to show you,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39including, of course, our Mystery House.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Oh, this is exciting! I'm really looking forward to it.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I'm afraid we have to bid farewell to lovely, historic Charlestown
0:09:45 > 0:09:48and its wonderful boats and its wonderful sea view,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50and head inland to our first property.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- Come on, let's go. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58For their top budget of £560,000,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Heather and David are after a character Cornish home,
0:10:01 > 0:10:02with at least three bedrooms
0:10:02 > 0:10:05and enough headroom to accommodate David.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08They'd like a living room, great for entertaining,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10and a couple of hobby rooms.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Outside, they're after a manageable garden, with views,
0:10:12 > 0:10:17and they'd also like to be close to the local community.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Our varied selection of properties will give Heather and David
0:10:20 > 0:10:23food for thought, but it'll only be after they've viewed each one
0:10:23 > 0:10:26that its price tag will be revealed to them.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28The final visit to the Mystery House
0:10:28 > 0:10:30is sure to turn things on their head,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34but, with an open mind, it could be the answer to their dreams.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42You could be forgiven for thinking that we are lost,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44as we duck and dive our way through these little lanes.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48And it wouldn't be the first time! But I'm pleased to tell you
0:10:48 > 0:10:51we aren't lost. Our first property isn't far away!
0:10:51 > 0:10:54So, let's see if this one will whet your appetite.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03Our Cornish house-hunt is taking us to the inland village of Luxulyan.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Locals are served by a village store and post office,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09and the village hall provides plenty of social opportunities,
0:11:09 > 0:11:10as does the popular dining pub.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14The parish church, originally Norman,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17was completely rebuilt in the 15th century from granite.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21One of its windows is a monument to a 19th-century architect,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24whose name is also linked to this detached house
0:11:24 > 0:11:26on the edge of the village.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Well, Heather, you wanted a Cornish house made of Cornish stone.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- How about this one?- It looks...
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- Like an old school. - ..like an old school.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38It looks really interesting.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- It is an old school. - And I love the stonework.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43And I notice it was built in 1871.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47It was, by the amazingly-named Silvanus Trevail.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49He was an architect actually born in the village here.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53He built around 50 schools around Cornwall.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56And ended up, towards the end of the 19th century,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- as the Mayor of Truro. - Good gracious!
0:11:58 > 0:12:02So, it has quite an impressive, sort of, signature to it, this building.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07When it was originally put together, there was no middle floor,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09just a huge, kind of, vaulted space,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12so the current owners have inserted a floor throughout it.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Well, it looks like, dare I say it, a hidden gem you've found for us,
0:12:16 > 0:12:20so I'm very interested to open the package and let's see what's inside.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Right, then, let's open that package. Come on.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26This impressive property was built from local granite
0:12:26 > 0:12:29and converted into a family home around 1970,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32a century after it was built.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Once inside, a long hallway divides the ground floor in two
0:12:36 > 0:12:39and it's home to a rather fun surprise feature.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45Come this way, guys, because this, I think, is really unusual.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- Wine rack set into the fireplace. - Oh!
0:12:47 > 0:12:48THEY CHUCKLE
0:12:48 > 0:12:51I'm sure you could fill it and just as easily empty it.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53We could make a good attempt!
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Anyway, this is the kitchen.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Nicely fitted. Very simple.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58Oh, I like the kitchen.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01It's very nice and I like the view from the window.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- And very spacious, as well. - Really spacious.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06They've got this breakfast bar in here, but next door, you've got
0:13:06 > 0:13:08a really nicely-appointed dining room as well,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10if you want to have more formal dining and so on,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12but I imagine, sort of, for every day...
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Yes, absolutely ideal.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16I would like to see the rest of the rooms, though, please.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Oh, yes, absolutely. Of course you can. Follow me.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Beyond the kitchen and past the dining room is the sitting room.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26And, although it's beamed,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29there's enough headroom for all six foot six of David.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- Well, the beams aren't too low, are they?- It's high enough,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37but I'm a bit worried about what Heather's about to say.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40It's a little bit too small, I think.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43It seems to come in a little bit at me.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Whether we could get used to it, I'm not sure.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48I certainly take your point,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52but I do think it benefits from the addition of this conservatory here,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54which I rather liken to the bridge of a ship.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- Yes, you could certainly survey your domain from here.- Yeah.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01I do like that view. That view is lovely.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04What I'm thinking about is, is that a solid wall?
0:14:04 > 0:14:06You could potentially open that up.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08It would become a diner-cum-living room.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Cos I suppose then you could effectively shift that whole
0:14:11 > 0:14:15doorway back down the corridor and give yourselves a much bigger
0:14:15 > 0:14:18living room with, of course, the bonus of the conservatory.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21But it would feel bigger. Maybe that's what we're after.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23That could very well be it, yes.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27There are so many other features that recommend this property to you.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29There's also one twist, which I can't wait to show you.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30Come on, follow me.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Also on this side of the house
0:14:34 > 0:14:36is a bath and shower room and a cloakroom.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Now, this is a little surprise I've got for you, Heather.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43David could probably reach this.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Above our heads is a loft hatch concealing something
0:14:46 > 0:14:49rather special. All will be revealed.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52The pull-down stairway takes us to a vaulted loft room
0:14:52 > 0:14:54that runs the length of the house.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58It's bright and airy, so could provide a perfect space
0:14:58 > 0:14:59for a budding artist.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01My gosh!
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- Yeah?- Yeah!
0:15:04 > 0:15:06This has got the light that you would need
0:15:06 > 0:15:08from both ends of the room.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11This would be absolutely superb.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Imagine this without a floor. That is how it was when
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- it was a schoolhouse.- Yes.- I think this is such a useful space for you.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Yeah. It's good.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Look at that smile! I know we had a bit of a downer in the living room,
0:15:23 > 0:15:27didn't we? But, somehow, I think our little graph has picked up again.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30I think the old compromise is coming into play there, isn't it?
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Well, you know, what you lose with one,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35often a property will make up for with another,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38and I think this, certainly, should recommend this place to you.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39It's lovely.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Moving back downstairs into the other side of the house,
0:15:43 > 0:15:47there's a utility room and three ground-floor bedrooms.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50At the front, there's a small double and next door is a single.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56The master overlooks the back and has its own en-suite shower room.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59The nature of this converted schoolhouse
0:15:59 > 0:16:02means the upstairs accommodation isn't conventional.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05As well as the loft ladder leading to the potential studio,
0:16:05 > 0:16:07there are two separate staircases,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09each leading to a first-floor bedroom,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11again featuring vaulted ceilings.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14That makes five bedrooms in total.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17But next stop is the garden.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Hot tub straight outside the master bedroom...
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- ..for a morning dip.- Indeed!
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Outside, the conservatory opens onto a raised terrace
0:16:31 > 0:16:35with views across the lawn, a pond and a panoramic countryside vista.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41There's also a walled side garden and a summerhouse-cum-bar.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44It's an ideal size.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Not too much to look after.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Very, very low-maintenance. I love the walls that surround it.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50You've got a nice sort of tool shed there,
0:16:50 > 0:16:54very much in keeping, obviously, with the original building.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Water feature here, David, which I don't know if it's quite
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Sounds of the Sea, although I have filled it with salt water,
0:17:00 > 0:17:01just to make you feel at home.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03And the views, you know, not bad, really.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07It's a lovely spot. It's beautifully quiet.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09What do you think about the bar?
0:17:09 > 0:17:12I think that looks excellent, myself.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Do you think we could use it for some other purpose?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I think I'd be inclined to keep it as a bar, my dear.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19What other purpose could you possibly have in mind
0:17:19 > 0:17:21for your art studi... Er, sorry, David! Sorry.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24LAUGHTER
0:17:24 > 0:17:26You've got an art studio in the loft!
0:17:26 > 0:17:29So, I think this is of interest.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- Yes.- But, of course, it will come down to its price.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- I would go round about 520.- Mm-hm.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41I think it's probably a little bit more, so I'm going 525.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46If it was £500,000, that makes it very doable.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- That's interesting. - That's interesting.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53That would give us money to be able to perhaps change it
0:17:53 > 0:17:55to the way that we might want it.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Yes, it's a really good first house.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Have another look at this one, because it is quite cavernous.
0:18:01 > 0:18:02There's plenty to see.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Go on, off you go, and I will come and find you later on.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Brilliant. Well, Heather said it. It's a great start,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11so let's hope that what begins well, ends well.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17This 19th-century old schoolhouse is under budget,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20leaving a healthy £60,000 in the kitty.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23It's got the potential for a great family room,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26along with the huge loft room and five bedrooms.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29With the garden comes many additional features
0:18:29 > 0:18:30along with those lovely views
0:18:30 > 0:18:34and the property is located right on the edge of the village.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- Oh, that's very interesting. - It is interesting, isn't it?- Yes.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41I can imagine a beer tap there and probably a barrel of beer
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- underneath there.- Yes, I think you and your whisky-drinking chums
0:18:44 > 0:18:47would really like this on a summer's evening.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51When I approached the house, it looked lovely.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54I loved the stone and I loved the age of the house
0:18:54 > 0:18:57and the big, wide driveway.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Then, there was the attic space.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Well, that was a complete surprise.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06I mean, I'd never dream I could get anything as big as that as a studio.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11Well, overall, I'd feel this house has got a lot of potential for us.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15I had a reasonably good feeling in most of the house.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22Certainly, the art studio potential would be very nice for Heather.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- How are you doing? - Very nicely, thank you, Jules.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- All done?- It's very interesting.
0:19:28 > 0:19:29A really good first house.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- I thought you'd think that. Come on, let's go.- Thank you.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41With 50 years at sea under his belt,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44David can't wait to make the most of the Cornish coastline,
0:19:44 > 0:19:48which spans a distance of over 400 miles.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53He has hopes of joining the NCI, the National Coastwatch Institution,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55a voluntary organisation,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58which keeps a vigil watch along the UK's shores
0:19:58 > 0:19:59to keep seafarers safe.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02This is Polruan NCI, over.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07David and Heather have come to the ancient fishing village of Polruan
0:20:07 > 0:20:08to meet Richard Hews,
0:20:08 > 0:20:13a trustee of the NCI at one of the 50 stations in England and Wales.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Can you tell me, please, when was the NCI set up
0:20:16 > 0:20:18and where did the idea come from?
0:20:20 > 0:20:26Way back in 1994, two fishermen were tragically drowned off the Lizard.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31They were in the vicinity of a disused coastguard station.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35The local community were very upset by this and asked the National Trust
0:20:35 > 0:20:39if they could reopen the station on a voluntary basis,
0:20:39 > 0:20:44and Bass Point was reopened in December 1994 and NCI was born.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47I'm actually a serving Merchant Navy officer.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Do you consider I've got the correct qualifications for the job?
0:20:50 > 0:20:55David, you'd be in an ideal position to become an NCI watchkeeper.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58You don't actually need to have previous maritime experience.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02A lot of watch-keeping is common sense,
0:21:02 > 0:21:07but you need patience, vigilance, a good pair of eyes,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11and if we can make a difference in helping to protect and preserve life
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and safety at sea,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15then we feel we are doing a worthwhile job
0:21:15 > 0:21:17and we're passionate about it.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22There are 2,000 volunteers, like Richard, around the country
0:21:22 > 0:21:26and he's one of 40 watchkeepers who volunteer here at Polruan.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31This lookout was opened in 1998 and sits 240 feet up
0:21:31 > 0:21:33in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Right, come on in.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Welcome to the lookout.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Dan is on A-watch this morning.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47You can see from here that he's got a very good view of the coastline
0:21:47 > 0:21:49in front and to the east and the west.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53He's also monitoring several different radio channels.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55We have a number of optics,
0:21:55 > 0:21:59which aid us in looking further out to sea,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02according to the visibility.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05These are all important aids to watch-keeping,
0:22:05 > 0:22:09but it can't spot a local fisherman in distress,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11or a yacht with an engine breakdown,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14or a kayaker or a canoeist who's in trouble.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16What you need is the Mark One Eyeball for that...
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Absolutely.- ..and that's what we do, visual surveillance.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20That's why we are here.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24But if someone is in distress, the Coastwatch can also
0:22:24 > 0:22:27be contacted via one of the radio channels,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29and there's a dedicated channel -
0:22:29 > 0:22:33number 65, to communicate with local vessels.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Since we've had this dedicated channel 65,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38we get more and more yachtsmen,
0:22:38 > 0:22:40fishermen asking us for local information,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43what is very important, they want to know
0:22:43 > 0:22:46what are the real-time weather conditions out in front of them,
0:22:46 > 0:22:47and they can also ask, if they
0:22:47 > 0:22:50are coming in, for local information about the harbour,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52which we can help them with.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54So, Richard, could you please tell me
0:22:54 > 0:22:57what a typical day would be like in the lookout?
0:22:57 > 0:23:01I don't think there's any such thing as a typical day.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06Sometimes we come up here and you can't even see to the edge of the cliff,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08but we can listen to the radio,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10we can see what's going on through radar,
0:23:10 > 0:23:15there's always ongoing familiarisation and training to do in the lookout.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21All of the sophisticated technology in use here is invaluable, but,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25as Richard says, there's nothing quite like a watchful pair of eyes,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28and something that makes spotting trouble that little bit easier
0:23:28 > 0:23:32are these powerful tripod-mounted optics.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34I've got the edge of the coastline.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Yes, I can see it quite well now. It's very clear.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43If you see somebody in the water, what would you do then?
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Well, the phrase to remember is "spot, plot and report".
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Once we've spotted somebody who is either in danger
0:23:52 > 0:23:54or looks as if they might be going into danger,
0:23:54 > 0:23:59we need to plot as accurate a position as we can very quickly
0:23:59 > 0:24:01and then we will relay that position,
0:24:01 > 0:24:06by phone, to the coastguard,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09and then they will decide on the resolution of
0:24:09 > 0:24:11that particular situation.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13With his marine background,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16David's training won't be too lengthy if he joins the Coastwatch.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19And with the organisation involved
0:24:19 > 0:24:22with almost 300 incidents last year alone,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25the work he could be doing would be very much appreciated.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28You've seen our lookout. What do you think of it?
0:24:28 > 0:24:29Very interesting, too.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31I think I could be very interested in joining
0:24:31 > 0:24:33when we actually, finally move down here.
0:24:33 > 0:24:34I should say also that we do have
0:24:34 > 0:24:37a number of husband-and-wife teams who keep watch together,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39and they do extremely well,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- so I hope we do see you again. - I'm sure you will.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- I shall look forward to a nice cup of tea, then.- Thank you so much.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- Yes, thank you, Richard.- Thank you.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Well, now David's all but signed on the dotted line,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52it's time to return to our house-hunt, to continue
0:24:52 > 0:24:56our quest to give him and Heather a new Cornish address.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02Next, we're heading to the hamlet of Scredda.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Just a ten-minute drive away is the coastal village and port
0:25:05 > 0:25:07of Charlestown.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09What was once a small fishing village,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12home to just nine families, has grown into a charming community,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14attracting both locals and tourists.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Fishermen still use the quaint harbour,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19which dates back to the 18th century.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Its beauty has also won it a part in
0:25:22 > 0:25:25the hugely popular television series Poldark,
0:25:25 > 0:25:27where it stood in for Truro.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Just over two miles away is this detached whitewashed house,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33with views back down to St Austell Bay.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40There we are, look, our second offering, bathed in sunshine.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43I like the house, it's a nice, light, well-built-looking house.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46The only problem is, is that road noise.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- And I can hear it. - There is, to be fair,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53a little bit of road noise, I mean, that has come with the territory,
0:25:53 > 0:25:54in terms of where we are - St Austell.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57But the house itself, it is well-built.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Originally built about 1890 or so,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01that's the front half and then,
0:26:01 > 0:26:02at the turn of this century,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05sort of 2002, it was effectively doubled in size to the back.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06What do you think, David?
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Well, certainly it's a traditional building.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12I'm confident that what you'll find inside is well worth considering.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- So, let's see what you think.- Thank you.- OK.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19'Located on a country lane, this 19th-century detached house
0:26:19 > 0:26:22'is built from granite, with an attractive approach from the front.'
0:26:22 > 0:26:24In you come.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29'And once inside, the distant hum of the passing traffic is forgotten.'
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Nice little hallway to greet you.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Really nicely appointed dining room in there,
0:26:33 > 0:26:35with a couple of skylights above it.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38I think the best place to start is probably in here, Heather.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40This is a nice, light room.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44It's very nice. I like the three windows -
0:26:44 > 0:26:46that does project lots of light in.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48It's got a very good floor area as well.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51I mean, it's certainly high enough for you, isn't it?
0:26:51 > 0:26:56It is high enough, yes, these beams are not a problem at all.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58So, a sitting room fit for statuesque David,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00and across the entrance hall
0:27:00 > 0:27:02at the back of the house is the kitchen.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Is this to your taste, madam?
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Yes, it's a very nice kitchen,
0:27:07 > 0:27:09there's room for a table.
0:27:09 > 0:27:10There is a table.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13You've also got a utility room and a downstairs loo through that door.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- Good.- Which is really handy.- Yes.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17I think it works a treat, actually.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20If you say, "Yes, Jules, I think it does," I'll let you
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- see more of the house. - Yes, Jules, it does,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- please could I see more of the house now?- Yes, you may, come on!
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Fantastic!
0:27:27 > 0:27:29The kitchen is part of the 14-year-old extension,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33as is a good-sized family room next door, featuring
0:27:33 > 0:27:35access to the garden. It could provide an
0:27:35 > 0:27:37inspirational art space for Heather.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Moving upstairs, there's a smart and neutral family bathroom
0:27:40 > 0:27:44and four bedrooms. There's a sunny double at the back,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47plus another that's dual aspect.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49There's a single in use as a dressing room
0:27:49 > 0:27:51and we're headed to what I believe
0:27:51 > 0:27:52is the best of the bunch.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57Then finally, this would be your master, with yet more views
0:27:57 > 0:27:59of St Austell Bay.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03It's a nice, light, airy room and, yes,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05you can see the sea.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09- What's behind the door? - Ah, now, this is
0:28:09 > 0:28:11your en suite, madam.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- My en suite.- Go and have a look, en-suite shower room.- Thank you.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18- Er, ludicrously large, actually. - It is!
0:28:18 > 0:28:20It's a lovely big room.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22- Come on, out you come.- OK.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26But I think it gives you the idea that actually,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28the nice thing about this property is
0:28:28 > 0:28:29that the space is very sort of amenable.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32I think you can play around with it, whether it's downstairs
0:28:32 > 0:28:37or upstairs, to kind of fit the life that emerges once you get down here.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40So, let's finish off outside, then.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44See if we can find something else to tempt you.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47We've already seen the enclosed lawn garden to the front,
0:28:47 > 0:28:48that overlooks the sea.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Then to the back, there's a raised deck terrace with
0:28:51 > 0:28:53a hot tub and a double car port.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55But there's more.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Now, I know you didn't want acres.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08But this one just happens to come with a 1.3 acre paddock.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13- Which we could...- Right! - ..presumably rent to someone.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17- Well...- We could.- ..or you could simply not buy it.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Cos they're prepared to knock a bit off...
0:29:19 > 0:29:21if you don't want this.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25- And they would keep it for their own use.- Right.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Right. That's got me thinking.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Which brings us neatly on to the price!
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Well, I'm sorry, but I don't have a clue
0:29:34 > 0:29:36how much land is worth.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39On average, pony paddocks like this -
0:29:39 > 0:29:43anything from between, say, £10,000 to £15,000 an acre.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46I'm going to pitch at 450.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48450?
0:29:48 > 0:29:51I'd say, bearing in mind your calculation there,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- 470 for the house...- Yeah.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58..with 15 on top for the paddock, so, 485.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00You're very good at sums, you must be a brilliant navigator.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02- I am!- As you are!
0:30:03 > 0:30:08You're absolutely right, £485,000 is the asking price...
0:30:08 > 0:30:10for the package combined.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Go and have a wander round.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Soak up the atmosphere of this very pretty cottage.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- I'll come and find you a little bit later.- Thank you.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- Thank you.- Off you go.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21In the meantime, I might enjoy this sunshine, walk round the paddock.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27This detached house with the additional land has rung in at
0:30:27 > 0:30:30£75,000 under Heather and David's top budget.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32It offers a great living space,
0:30:32 > 0:30:34four bedrooms,
0:30:34 > 0:30:36a boarded garden and sea views.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39The bonus paddock is optional.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44This is the dining room! It's quite a nice-sized room.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- I like the skylights.- Yes, they do cast some nice light down.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52- And we've got the view. - A lovely view there as well.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54It's a nice view from the window.
0:30:54 > 0:31:00Generally speaking, the house in itself, erm...well-constructed,
0:31:00 > 0:31:04solid and one that I could live in.
0:31:04 > 0:31:05It was a good property.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Overall, I think the house is jolly good.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12It's a nice size.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14I like the paddock.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16We could do things with it.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17I like the view.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21But, unfortunately for me, the road noise, I think,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23is a deal breaker.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29- Hello.- How are we then, all right? - Yes, thank you. Had a good look round.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Well, skipper, I think the sun is pretty much over the yardarm.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35Well, I think it's time for a bevvy, in that case, Jules!
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- Gin o'clock. Off you go. - Gin o'clock, it is. - Ready for another day.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52It's the second leg of our coast around Cornwall,
0:31:52 > 0:31:53on the hunt for a country pad
0:31:53 > 0:31:56for Heather and David from near Chelmsford in Essex.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01With a top budget of £560,000 in their pockets,
0:32:01 > 0:32:05we've been given the job of finding them a home full of Cornish charm
0:32:05 > 0:32:09that also has high enough ceilings for 6'6" David.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12'Coming up, we've got a surprise in our Mystery House...'
0:32:12 > 0:32:17- It is like...a five-star hotel. - Yeah.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Do you want to check in, I wonder?
0:32:20 > 0:32:22'..and I'll be getting the pick of the county's bunch
0:32:22 > 0:32:26'when I discover why this pocket of the country is carpeted
0:32:26 > 0:32:29'by the biggest concentration of daffodils in the world.'
0:32:29 > 0:32:31You've got a rubber band already on yours,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33I haven't even picked enough yet! LAUGHTER
0:32:36 > 0:32:40Well, our Cornish quest is now heading into its final leg
0:32:40 > 0:32:42and with two more properties to come,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45we've managed to conjure up a Mystery House that should offer
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Heather and David a real slice of grand country living,
0:32:48 > 0:32:52and that I hope will prove to be as memorable as it is unusual.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55But first, a property that I hope will really appeal
0:32:55 > 0:32:57to their love of the coast, and what's more,
0:32:57 > 0:33:01it's just a stone's throw from this beautiful harbour.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Mevagissey is a village on Cornwall's southern coast.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08This pretty fishing port attracts tourists to its harbour
0:33:08 > 0:33:12and narrow streets, teeming with artisan shops and eateries.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17In the late 1700s, Andrew Pears, a farmer's son, was born here.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20He later invented and gave his name
0:33:20 > 0:33:22to a very famous amber-coloured soap.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Just five minutes' walk from the centre of the village
0:33:25 > 0:33:28and perched on a hill with views to the coast is our next offering.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Looks absolutely magnificent.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33- Lovely.- Have you got your cheque book?
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Ah, excellent! That's a good start, isn't it?
0:33:36 > 0:33:38It's really substantial.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41I think the tree here in the foreground,
0:33:41 > 0:33:46gives us a real sense of the climate you can expect when you move down here.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- Oh, come on, please, can we go in? - Come on.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53This fabulous whitewashed detached villa certainly looks
0:33:53 > 0:33:57perfectly in place with its palm tree and its proximity to the sea.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00It was once a guest house and, with a local history of smugglers,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04who knows who may have rested here in the past?
0:34:04 > 0:34:05I love the double doorway.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11It's a classic layout - central hallway, dining room is in there,
0:34:11 > 0:34:13but let's start in here. This is the living room.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18I just love it.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21I love the height of the ceilings.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25I like the ceiling rose, the fire...
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I could see us living here very happily already.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- And it's cosy as well. - And it's cosy.- Yes.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33It could be our home already.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Wow! That's a great reaction!
0:34:36 > 0:34:39I wasn't expecting that, to be honest with you, but I'm delighted.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41I don't need to sell this any more, do I?
0:34:41 > 0:34:43- No, we're off, Jules. We're going to...- Go on, then, you can go.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49Just to remind you - sumptuous, Victorian-style dining room in there
0:34:49 > 0:34:51and then this, the galley kitchen,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53which is sort of appropriate, I suppose,
0:34:53 > 0:34:54for a master mariner, David.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58This would be very appropriate and extremely good to work in.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00I think it's wonderful!
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Would you like me to make you some tea and toast?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- You've moved in, haven't you? - Yes!- Brilliant, brilliant.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09You know, for a galley kitchen, it does extend this way, which is,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12I think, a really useful space for the dining table,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14nice little range at the end, there,
0:35:14 > 0:35:16but the whole thing is really complemented by
0:35:16 > 0:35:19this rather useful garden room as well
0:35:19 > 0:35:21that really does milk those views.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Oh, what a wonderful conservatory.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Absolutely fabulous. Absolutely beautiful.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Yeah. It's the bridge, it's your own maritime bridge.
0:35:30 > 0:35:31It's my own little domain.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33All you need is a ship's wheel in the middle
0:35:33 > 0:35:36- and you'll feel right at home. - Indeed.- Absolutely.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39I can see all our friends will want to visit us.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42Well, let's find some bedrooms for them, shall we? Come with me.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47The stairway from the entrance hall leads up to the first floor,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50where all the rooms are off a wide landing
0:35:50 > 0:35:54and served by a bright, monochrome family bathroom.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57There are four double bedrooms, one in each corner of the house,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00and whilst they're all generously sized,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03the biggest of the four is the master,
0:36:03 > 0:36:07which comes with an en-suite shower room and sea views.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11What a good master bedroom this is.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16- I love the big windows and the light pouring in.- Mm-hm.- That's fantastic.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21There's nothing more I can say. It's a really superb house.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22- Yes.- All right, then.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Come on, let's continue, there's plenty more to this place.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Below ground, in a basement level,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32lies a warren of rooms to give even more options for hobbies
0:36:32 > 0:36:35and visiting friends and family.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39There's a utility room, a bathroom and a shower room,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42a sauna, an office and a studio that's currently in use
0:36:42 > 0:36:45as a treatment room. Outside, there's a garage
0:36:45 > 0:36:47and a beautiful, multi-level garden.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51It's a little sun trap.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54- Isn't it?- It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Absolutely ideal size for us as well.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59So I think we've scored quite well with this one!
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Do we have potential for a vegetable patch?
0:37:01 > 0:37:03I would say so, yeah.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06There's a little bit of garden behind that wall as well, but as you can see,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09they've got a little developed veg patch here, quite modest,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11but there's nothing to stop you making that bigger.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13You couldn't have done more for us.
0:37:14 > 0:37:15I quite agree with that.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19It's been absolutely a privilege to come round this property.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21- A privilege?- A privilege, indeed.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Will it be a privilege to buy it, then?
0:37:23 > 0:37:26You were keen to get your cheque book out before we'd even got through the door, Heather!
0:37:26 > 0:37:30I suspect that thought is still foremost in your mind.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32But we need to talk about the price.
0:37:32 > 0:37:33Where are we on this one, then, David?
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Well, it's a lovely house.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Stunning location.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40I think it's nearer to the top end of our budget.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42- Yep.- Yeah.- I'd go for 530,000.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44530?
0:37:44 > 0:37:47I think it's going to be slightly higher than that,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50and I'll go for 545.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53It's not £545,000, I'm afraid.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56It's £480,000. SHE GASPS
0:37:59 > 0:38:01For once, you're lost for words!
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- Good gracious!- Yes!
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Absolutely unbelievable.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10And that would give us plenty of money to do it up.
0:38:10 > 0:38:11You did say 480, didn't you?
0:38:11 > 0:38:15I did. They are the right numbers in the right order.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- That's incredible.- Right then, better wet the ink, mate.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20I suspect you'll be writing something fairly quickly!
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Go and have another look around.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24In particular, do have a look at the basement area.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27I think you'll find that quite amusing, you'll see what I mean.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29- Thank you.- Thank you. - Go on, then. Off you go.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35This wonderful detached house has come in way under budget,
0:38:35 > 0:38:37and gives Heather and David
0:38:37 > 0:38:40everything they've asked for and more.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43There's a great living room and a spectacular conservatory,
0:38:43 > 0:38:45along with four bedrooms.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47The basement offers plenty of extra space,
0:38:47 > 0:38:51and then there's the garden with all its nooks, crannies and sea views.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Location-wise, it couldn't be better situated,
0:38:54 > 0:38:57close to amenities and the sea.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- Watch your head!- I will do.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Nice little office, working area.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Do you think it would be sufficient for your office space?
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Well, just a little bit concerned about the head room.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13This is an interesting little room.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15I think it'd make a perfect studio for you.
0:39:15 > 0:39:20I could even have my art books up there.
0:39:20 > 0:39:25Well, it's a really lovely house. It has heaps of character.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29I can see Heather and I living here for a long time to come.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32It's light, it's airy.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35The garden is a real little sun trap.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38And there's a studio and there's a little study for yourself.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40I don't think we could better this.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Well, look at these beaming faces!
0:39:45 > 0:39:47- Happy with the studio? - It's fabulous.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Well, I am delighted at your reaction to this property,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53and if it were the last property on our list, so far, so good.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56However, of course, there is one more to come.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58- The Mystery House. - The Mystery House.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Can it possibly better this one?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Who knows, but I am pleased to think
0:40:02 > 0:40:05that at least we've got one really good contender on our list.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06Come on, let's go.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17There's nothing more vibrant to signal the arrival of spring
0:40:17 > 0:40:20to the British countryside than the sight of yellow daffodils
0:40:20 > 0:40:23swaying in the breeze.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26And it seems we Brits just can't get enough of them.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29An estimated three-quarters of a billion daffs
0:40:29 > 0:40:32are grown commercially in the UK each year.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37But it's Cornwall that's the largest producer of this springtime bloom
0:40:37 > 0:40:39in the world.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44I've come to meet James Hosking on his 25,000-acre farm near Truro,
0:40:44 > 0:40:48where his father first planted my favourite flower half a century ago.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54I had no idea that Cornwall was the home of the British daffodil.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58Yes, the climate down here is absolutely ideally suited to daffodils,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01and it's really because we've got these mild springs,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04which mean we get the daffodils before everyone else.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06So, it is the true harbinger of spring,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09and when you're in darkest winter in the rest of the country,
0:41:09 > 0:41:12suddenly you get a bit of spring coming out of Cornwall as the daffodils arrive.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16They do look beautiful today, putting on a fabulous show.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19How many acres have you got given over to daffodils, James?
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Of daffodils, we've got about 170 acres.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24And how many daffodils is it possible to quantify
0:41:24 > 0:41:26that you actually produce here?
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Roughly, we pick about 15 million stems of flowers
0:41:29 > 0:41:33- that go to market each year. - 15 million?!
0:41:33 > 0:41:34And how many varieties?
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Well, we've got about 400 different varieties.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39We tend to have a lot of speciality daffodils,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41as opposed to the Cornish crop,
0:41:41 > 0:41:45which really is producing the early yellow trumpet daffodil.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48These yellow flowers aren't just a pretty face -
0:41:48 > 0:41:51they were brought to Britain centuries ago by the Romans,
0:41:51 > 0:41:54who believed their sap to have healing powers.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56But even today, a substance in their bulbs
0:41:56 > 0:41:59is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03The daffodils on James's family farm are picked
0:42:03 > 0:42:06from the beginning of January through to mid-April.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08And although numbers run into many millions,
0:42:08 > 0:42:10they're still plucked by hand.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15They just look beautiful today.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17I mean, that's a classic example, isn't it?
0:42:17 > 0:42:19They do, and it is, but that's not what we want to pick.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21That's how it needs to look in someone's vase.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24So, actually, that's the one we want to pick.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26- It's at the stage we pick it. - The one that's unopened?
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Unopened. This variety needs to just be showing a little bit of colour
0:42:30 > 0:42:32to show... And that's at the right stage to pick it.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34And do you cut them?
0:42:34 > 0:42:36No, our way of doing it is what we call pulling it,
0:42:36 > 0:42:40because what you want is a clean break on the stem, and not...
0:42:40 > 0:42:44If you pick it, you can squash it, and they curl up and it looks tatty.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48So our way is... No pressure in my thumb, I just grip it in my palm.
0:42:48 > 0:42:49You give it a sharp pull up,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52and it gives a clean break on the stem,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55and also it gives me another inch longer stem,
0:42:55 > 0:42:59- so that makes a longer bunch. - That's the perfect picked daffodil.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02- One of the 15 million. - One of the 15 million.
0:43:02 > 0:43:03Ten of those, and that's a bunch.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07We've put this out in our cold store for tonight to cool down,
0:43:07 > 0:43:08and then it's posted out tomorrow,
0:43:08 > 0:43:11so in one day's time, it'll be on someone's kitchen table
0:43:11 > 0:43:14or living room or whatever, and just starting to open.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16I mean, can I just practise the technique
0:43:16 > 0:43:18on this very pretty head here?
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Because, you know, that to me...
0:43:20 > 0:43:23And you're saying...pull, not pick.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26Yeah, so grip it with your palm and don't pinch it with your thumb.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28So grip it and just pull up.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31There we are, a nice, clean break.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34- And what variety is that one? - This one's called Rosemoor Gold,
0:43:34 > 0:43:37which is a new variety that was actually bred down here at Camborne.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40Wow. Now, about four years ago, when I moved into my current home,
0:43:40 > 0:43:44James, we planted about 1,000 daffodil bulbs, and thankfully,
0:43:44 > 0:43:46they are looking absolutely at their best at the moment.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48But there are one or two clumps which are showing
0:43:48 > 0:43:49no signs of flowering at all.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53They just look like that, let me pull that off of there.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56Clumps with seemingly no flower on them at all.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59Will they eventually produce flowers?
0:43:59 > 0:44:02It's short of nutrients, and the bulb's defensive mechanism
0:44:02 > 0:44:06is not to send up a flower because it's sort of struggling slightly.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08And it's generally because either it's short of nutrients
0:44:08 > 0:44:12because it's used them all up, or often there are trees nearby
0:44:12 > 0:44:15that have, A, given a bit of shade or sucked it out of the ground.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19So the answer is, you want plenty of potash and potassium,
0:44:19 > 0:44:21like old bonemeal or whatever, fertiliser,
0:44:21 > 0:44:22which will get them back again.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25That's very interesting, you're right, they are near trees.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28So actually what I need to do now is to get home, fertilise them
0:44:28 > 0:44:31and then hopefully next year, we'll get that instead of that.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33Absolutely, yes.
0:44:33 > 0:44:36Right, then, we'd better get picking, hadn't we?
0:44:36 > 0:44:38There we go, that's a nice one, isn't it?
0:44:38 > 0:44:40- That's very nice.- Yep, there we are.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42You've certainly got your work cut out, though, I mean,
0:44:42 > 0:44:45- to get 15 million.- That's right, and then, to finish off,
0:44:45 > 0:44:47I have my daffodils, I want to even them up now,
0:44:47 > 0:44:49so I give them a little twist to straighten all the stems
0:44:49 > 0:44:51- and get them to line up.- Yep.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Bring their heads on, and so you just...
0:44:56 > 0:44:58Quick break on those, even up again.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03- Look at that.- And then, that's a nice bunch of daffodils.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05You've got a rubber band already on yours,
0:45:05 > 0:45:08I haven't even picked enough yet! LAUGHTER
0:45:08 > 0:45:11I'm not sure I'm really going to help you towards your total.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14- I've done it before. - You certainly have.
0:45:14 > 0:45:18Now, James may have 400 varieties of daffs on his farm,
0:45:18 > 0:45:22but there are 13,000 hybrid varieties, too.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25It's been a fascinating insight into what is, without question,
0:45:25 > 0:45:27my favourite flower.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30Well, Jules, it's been an absolute pleasure having you here,
0:45:30 > 0:45:32and why don't you take those home to put in a vase?
0:45:32 > 0:45:34I know exactly where they're going to go. Lovely.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38- Made in Cornwall, just like they should be.- Yeah.
0:45:38 > 0:45:42Well, there's no doubt that these daffs are a sign of new beginnings.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44So now, it's back to our house-hunt,
0:45:44 > 0:45:48to continue our search for a new home for Heather and David.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55Well, I think it's safe to say, David, that at last,
0:45:55 > 0:45:59our house search might really be getting somewhere.
0:45:59 > 0:46:03Yes, the last property that we've just seen was absolutely excellent.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05Thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07So, what could we possibly have come up with,
0:46:07 > 0:46:08Heather, for our Mystery House?
0:46:08 > 0:46:12Well, I've deliberated about it long and hard.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14It has to be a barn.
0:46:14 > 0:46:15Possibly with a twist.
0:46:16 > 0:46:20- You don't like barns. - No, I don't, really.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23But our Mystery House does have a twist.
0:46:23 > 0:46:28And as a clue, it's a lovely mixture of classical elegance.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31Well, Heather, I think that rules out a houseboat, doesn't it?
0:46:31 > 0:46:33A houseboat would be a bit unkind,
0:46:33 > 0:46:35that would be a busman's holiday for you, wouldn't it?
0:46:35 > 0:46:40- It would, rather. - Well, let's see what you make of it.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42It's got a lot to compete with, though, hasn't it?
0:46:42 > 0:46:45We await with eager anticipation.
0:46:48 > 0:46:52Our final stop is the village of St Clement in mid-Cornwall.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55Just south of St Clement is the village of Malpas,
0:46:55 > 0:46:58which sits on the bank of the Truro River,
0:46:58 > 0:46:59where it meets the River Tresillian.
0:46:59 > 0:47:04Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Malpas is a port
0:47:04 > 0:47:07and is popular for its boat trips in the summer months.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10The river here is known for being unpredictable at times
0:47:10 > 0:47:14and there are even tales of tidal waves in the 19th century.
0:47:14 > 0:47:18Five minutes away is St Clement, where we find our final offering,
0:47:18 > 0:47:20which forms part of this grand, Georgian home.
0:47:22 > 0:47:26Well, chaps, this very steep drive goes to the heart of explaining
0:47:26 > 0:47:29in part how our Mystery House - there it is - is arranged.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32- What do you think of that? - Is it all of it?
0:47:32 > 0:47:36No. You get...that cream wing.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39- I like the style.- It looks Georgian. - Yes.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42Its proportions on the inside are Georgian -
0:47:42 > 0:47:45high ceilings, big windows, loads of light,
0:47:45 > 0:47:50but, in truth, this was put on in the late 1980s.
0:47:50 > 0:47:55- Right.- Now, it is a wing of an earlier country house,
0:47:55 > 0:47:57a mixture of Victorian and Georgian,
0:47:57 > 0:48:00although, that bit there you can see is 1940s.
0:48:00 > 0:48:05So it's a building that's evolved in both size and purpose over time.
0:48:05 > 0:48:09David, is this one possibly going to compete with our last offering?
0:48:09 > 0:48:13Well, let's have a look inside and see how it's all set up.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15I do like the fact that it's set in nice woodland
0:48:15 > 0:48:18and it's totally different to what we've seen before.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21It's a slice of mini-estate, really.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23Right then, let's have a look.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27This rather grand, semidetached house
0:48:27 > 0:48:30uses its elevated position to its advantage
0:48:30 > 0:48:33and has been laid out in an upside-down configuration
0:48:33 > 0:48:37to make the most of the superb views across the Cornish countryside,
0:48:37 > 0:48:40and so win it its title of Mystery House.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43We're starting our tour in the sunlit living room.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45Our Mystery House may be turned on its head,
0:48:45 > 0:48:47but it's not hard to see why.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51Well, this is the obvious place to start, I think,
0:48:51 > 0:48:55and you can see how the reorientation of the downstairs
0:48:55 > 0:48:58to the upstairs works rather nicely,
0:48:58 > 0:49:00with those views out of the window
0:49:00 > 0:49:03and these lovely, really generous proportions.
0:49:03 > 0:49:08I do like the layout of the room and the size and the fireplace.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10I like the fireplace very much.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12I think it gives you the idea
0:49:12 > 0:49:16- that none of the rooms here are going to be tiny.- Yes.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19It's certainly interesting and will certainly make us think.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22Good. Well, let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24Dining room in there.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28And then, in here... I mean, I think, in fairness,
0:49:28 > 0:49:33this is probably the same size as the living room next door.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35- It is a lovely kitchen. - I think you're probably right.
0:49:35 > 0:49:37Lovely working space here.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40They've got this as a bit of a sort of living end.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43You'd certainly accommodate a much bigger dining table here.
0:49:43 > 0:49:48Yes, and then possibly use the dining room for some other function.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51So the whole thing has had a quite recent refresh.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53Not just in the kitchen, but also in the bathrooms, too.
0:49:53 > 0:49:56Come on, follow me. Let's go and look downstairs.
0:49:56 > 0:50:00Also on this floor is a beautifully appointed bathroom,
0:50:00 > 0:50:03but it's downstairs where we find the sleeping quarters.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09Now, unusually, I thought we might start down here
0:50:09 > 0:50:13with one of the two family bathrooms this place has to offer you.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16Oh, this is a very good bathroom.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19- Isn't it?- I like the shower. Yeah. Super shower.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21And I know Heather likes the bath.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23I like the roll-top bath, that's really nice,
0:50:23 > 0:50:26and the big radiator beside it.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28I can certainly imagine myself languishing in there
0:50:28 > 0:50:32with a glass of something nice after a hard week at sea.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34I think that could well be the case, yes.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36THEY LAUGH
0:50:36 > 0:50:40But, of course, this, really, is to flatter and spoil your guests with,
0:50:40 > 0:50:43because the master bedroom, just across the hallway,
0:50:43 > 0:50:46not surprisingly, has its own en suite.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48Come and have a look at this.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Probably one of the most generous master bedrooms I've seen of late,
0:50:54 > 0:50:56- if I'm honest. - I do like a big bedroom.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58It's got plenty of scope for extra furniture,
0:50:58 > 0:51:00like you could have a couch there, for instance.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02And they have had in the past.
0:51:02 > 0:51:03It is very luxurious.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07It is like...a five-star hotel.
0:51:07 > 0:51:08Yeah.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10Do you want to check in, I wonder?
0:51:10 > 0:51:13Come on, let's go up and talk about the price.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16Along with this luxurious master bedroom
0:51:16 > 0:51:20are a further three double bedrooms on the ground floor.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22There's one with an adjoining cloakroom,
0:51:22 > 0:51:24a room of the same proportions next door
0:51:24 > 0:51:28and another, slightly larger one across the corridor.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31Moving back outside, as well as the private driveway,
0:51:31 > 0:51:34there's also a lawned garden on the lower level,
0:51:34 > 0:51:36surrounded by mature trees,
0:51:36 > 0:51:40but the view can be best appreciated from a raised terrace.
0:51:43 > 0:51:47There's no getting away from how intoxicating those views are, guys.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50They're absolutely gorgeous views.
0:51:50 > 0:51:53And there are many other factors to recommend our Mystery House,
0:51:53 > 0:51:58Heather, but clearly, the price may be the weightiest of the lot.
0:51:58 > 0:52:02Make me an offer for our mystery, mock-Georgian number.
0:52:02 > 0:52:07I think I would give you 430,000 for it.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09- Oh, would you? - I'd agree with Heather,
0:52:09 > 0:52:12but I wouldn't go quite so low as that.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15I think I'd price it at £460,000.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17You know, there is a curious relationship
0:52:17 > 0:52:21between the estimates people give on properties...
0:52:21 > 0:52:23and how much they really love them.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26This is on the market at £550,000,
0:52:26 > 0:52:29or indeed, offers in excess of,
0:52:29 > 0:52:31although, of course, open to negotiation.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34So, go and have a quick run round, don't take too long,
0:52:34 > 0:52:37and I'll come and find you and whisk you away.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39- Thank you.- Off you go.
0:52:42 > 0:52:47Our great and grand Mystery House has crept in just under budget.
0:52:47 > 0:52:51It offers Heather and David both light and plenty of space.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms,
0:52:53 > 0:52:55and because it's an upside-down house,
0:52:55 > 0:52:59there are wonderful views from many a window.
0:52:59 > 0:53:01There's also a manageable garden
0:53:01 > 0:53:04and the house is located just a short drive from amenities.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07This property fulfils the criteria
0:53:07 > 0:53:09of the Mystery House, most certainly.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13It's quirky in the fact that it's an upside-down house.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17However, it is a little bit isolated.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20It's very interesting to see this property, though.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22It's been an intriguing property
0:53:22 > 0:53:25and one I've thoroughly enjoyed looking round.
0:53:25 > 0:53:29There are a lot of nice features within this property,
0:53:29 > 0:53:32for instance, both Heather and I were very much taken
0:53:32 > 0:53:35with the kitchen and also the master bedroom,
0:53:35 > 0:53:38so it does have a lot going for it,
0:53:38 > 0:53:41but perhaps not enough for ourselves.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43Out you come!
0:53:44 > 0:53:47Right, then, that's it, our house tours are now all over.
0:53:47 > 0:53:51You have got quite a lot to think about, I suspect.
0:53:51 > 0:53:53- Shall we go?- Yes.- After you.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02Well, it's now decision time for David and for Heather,
0:54:02 > 0:54:05so, as a final treat on our trip to Cornwall this week,
0:54:05 > 0:54:06I thought I'd bring them here
0:54:06 > 0:54:09to the beautiful Botanic Gardens at Tregothnan.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11These are just part of what is still
0:54:11 > 0:54:14the largest privately owned estate in Cornwall,
0:54:14 > 0:54:19and just over a decade ago, they started growing this stuff - tea.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21It's the perfect place for a final chat
0:54:21 > 0:54:23over a lovely, home-grown cuppa.
0:54:28 > 0:54:30Well, this is all very civilised.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32- How are you?- I am very well, thank you.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35A cup of Cornish tea, Cornish scones and, look -
0:54:35 > 0:54:37Cornish daffodils that I picked.
0:54:37 > 0:54:39- Cheers.- Cheers, guys.- Cheers.
0:54:39 > 0:54:44Mmm. Now, then, before we celebrate completely...
0:54:44 > 0:54:45let's think about these properties,
0:54:45 > 0:54:49cos we've given you, I think, a really interesting range,
0:54:49 > 0:54:52but I think it will come as no surprise to anybody
0:54:52 > 0:54:56to realise that there is one front runner.
0:54:57 > 0:54:58Tell me what it is.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02- I think you know it's going to be the house in Mevagissey.- Absolutely!
0:55:02 > 0:55:06- David?- It's the house in Mevagissey. - LAUGHTER
0:55:06 > 0:55:08It was a remarkable price.
0:55:08 > 0:55:13And, in terms of its location, next to the harbour, pretty much.
0:55:13 > 0:55:14Absolutely splendid.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17Really couldn't have done better than that.
0:55:17 > 0:55:19Are you surprised to have found a property this week
0:55:19 > 0:55:22that you've clearly fallen head over heels in love with?
0:55:22 > 0:55:26Yes, because it wasn't really a location that we'd thought about.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28I wanted somewhere with a community,
0:55:28 > 0:55:31and Mevagissey gives us that in buckets,
0:55:31 > 0:55:35but the house was quite a surprise.
0:55:35 > 0:55:37It's got the studio, it's got the study,
0:55:37 > 0:55:40it's got the lovely, large bedrooms.
0:55:40 > 0:55:44It's got the wonderful kitchen and conservatory, and the view.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47- What more could we ask? - So, what happens next?
0:55:47 > 0:55:50I know you've still got your house to sell, any movement on that?
0:55:50 > 0:55:52Well, our house is on the market, as you're aware.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55We have been in touch with the agent today.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57We're informed there's been lots of interest,
0:55:57 > 0:56:00but, unfortunately, no concrete offers yet,
0:56:00 > 0:56:04but we are hoping for that to change soon.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07Well, guys, I'm absolutely delighted. I can't wait for you
0:56:07 > 0:56:09to go back and have another look. I'm sure you will.
0:56:09 > 0:56:10And then, hopefully, news
0:56:10 > 0:56:13that you may have been able to put in an offer.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15How optimistic are you that might happen, Heather?
0:56:15 > 0:56:17- 110%! - JULES LAUGHS
0:56:17 > 0:56:20- Right then, David, that's told us, hasn't it?- Yes, indeed!
0:56:20 > 0:56:23So we might as well toast to your new life in Cornwall.
0:56:23 > 0:56:24It will happen, I dare say, very soon.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27- New life in Cornwall.- Here's to you. - Cheers.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36Well, it is often said that some of our best decisions are made
0:56:36 > 0:56:38over a cup of good, old-fashioned tea,
0:56:38 > 0:56:41and that is exactly what has happened here
0:56:41 > 0:56:43in these beautiful surroundings at Tregothnan.
0:56:43 > 0:56:44Now, I mentioned earlier
0:56:44 > 0:56:47that this was the biggest private estate in Cornwall.
0:56:47 > 0:56:50It is also, surely, one of the oldest.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53It's been in the same family since 1334
0:56:53 > 0:56:57and that is the sort of legacy that I think most of us would aspire to.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00And now, hopefully, Heather and David have got the chance to create
0:57:00 > 0:57:03a legacy of their own. And not just for themselves,
0:57:03 > 0:57:06but also for their children and their grandchildren
0:57:06 > 0:57:10in a beautiful Victorian villa overlooking the sea.
0:57:10 > 0:57:11I'll see you next time.
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