0:00:02 > 0:00:05The rock found below the surface of this southern isle is arguably more
0:00:05 > 0:00:10famous across the world than the beauty of the rugged scenery above.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13So, where am I, and what lies beneath?
0:00:13 > 0:00:15I'll tell you in just a moment.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Today, I'm with a couple who are selling up in suburbia
0:00:37 > 0:00:41in search of a better quality of life in the countryside.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43I'm struggling to think of something in this room
0:00:43 > 0:00:45that I'm not in love with.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- Ooh!- Yep.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51And, with time of the essence, they're not messing about.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- Wow.- Seriously, get your chequebook out now!
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Today, I'm in Dorset, and this is the Isle of Portland,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05at the southernmost point of the county.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Now, the island's unique limestone bedrock,
0:01:08 > 0:01:13known as Portland Stone, was first quarried back in Roman times,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15but has since been used to construct some of the world's
0:01:15 > 0:01:20most iconic buildings, from St Paul's Cathedral in London,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23to the United Nations headquarters in New York.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Now, later on, I'll be back on Portland,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28getting up close and personal,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32and experiencing this world-famous stone, but first,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36let's take a look at what else this wonderful county has to offer.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41The county of Dorset lies in the south-west of England,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44with the English Channel lying off its southern shore.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Known as the Jurassic Coast, the 95 miles of rugged coastline,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51stretching from Swanage into the neighbouring county
0:01:51 > 0:01:55of East Devon, is England's first World Heritage Site.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59These layers of sedimentary rock reveal 185 million years
0:01:59 > 0:02:01of the Earth's history.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05At the Dorset-Devon border sits the port town of Lyme Regis.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Nicknamed the Pearl of Dorset,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10it's a popular starting point for sailing, diving,
0:02:10 > 0:02:14and fossil-finding trips, its cliffs crumbling into the Jurassic seas.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Further along the Dorset coast, in a sheltered bay,
0:02:18 > 0:02:23Georgian houses line the beachfront at the seaside town of Weymouth.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26The golden sands and shallow waters here make it an ideal spot
0:02:26 > 0:02:30for families seeking a traditional seaside getaway.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34And it was a favourite of King George III, who holidayed here
0:02:34 > 0:02:38for nearly 15 years at the turn of the 19th century.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42Today, his visits are remembered by the Osmington White Horse,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44a carving of the King on horseback.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Those more interested in history than beach life might prefer
0:02:47 > 0:02:50to visit the romantic ruins of Corfe Castle.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Standing over a gap in the Purbeck Hills, the former royal palace
0:02:54 > 0:02:58and fortress was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Now owned by the National Trust,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05it receives over 200,000 visitors a year.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10So, with a mix of dramatic coastline and picturesque towns and villages,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14and unspoiled countryside, with not a motorway in sight,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Dorset really is the perfect place
0:03:16 > 0:03:19for those looking for a countryside escape.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Well, there are no two ways about it -
0:03:23 > 0:03:28buying here in Dorset comes with a hefty price tag.
0:03:28 > 0:03:34The average cost of a detached home here is around £357,000.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39Now, that's about £57,000 above the national figure.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Buyers, it seems, are willing to pay a premium for the beauty of
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Dorset's stunning coastline and countryside,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49a landscape that has been an inspiration to
0:03:49 > 0:03:53some of our greatest authors, from Thomas Hardy to Jane Austen.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56So, as one of today's buyers is a would-be writer,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00they're certainly going to find themselves in good company.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Two years ago, Chris and Kate bought their first home as a couple -
0:04:05 > 0:04:07a four-bedroom semi in Reigate, Surrey -
0:04:07 > 0:04:10but their adventure together started long before.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15We first met through mutual friends,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17when Kate was at university in Birmingham.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22He was a very slow mover in terms of making his move, so ten years after
0:04:22 > 0:04:25we met, I think he finally plucked up the courage to ask me out.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- Ten years of groundwork.- Yeah!
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I think I was perhaps confident that...
0:04:30 > 0:04:32the feelings may have been mutual.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36But, yeah, I was a bit worried... "A bit worried"?
0:04:36 > 0:04:40A lot worried about taking the initial, sort of, step, I think.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Chris grew up in close proximity to the countryside in North Wales
0:04:45 > 0:04:48and Cheshire, whilst Kate, born and bred in Reigate,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51is used to more suburban surroundings.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53When I grew up here, it was a lovely,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56very community-driven sort of town,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59and I think over the last 30 years, more and more people have moved here
0:04:59 > 0:05:03who commute into London, so it's sort of lost its sense of community,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05and it's incredibly busy, it's got bigger.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09It was on a recent holiday away from the hustle and bustle of
0:05:09 > 0:05:12the commuter belt that the idea of moving came about.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16I was queueing to get a coffee in a coffee shop, and the gentleman
0:05:16 > 0:05:19in front of me was having a conversation with the guy serving.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20And it was going on and on,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and I remember sort of looking at my watch and thinking,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25"Come on, you know, we've got places to go and things to see."
0:05:25 > 0:05:28And then I thought, "Hold on a minute, what am I doing?
0:05:28 > 0:05:31"I'm on holiday. There's no need to rush."
0:05:31 > 0:05:33And I thought, "This is just the London in me
0:05:33 > 0:05:36"wanting to do everything at 100mph."
0:05:36 > 0:05:39I thought, "This is what it's about, these moments of life,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41"not the rushing around all the time."
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Not too far from Kate's family and friends in Surrey,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49they've decided Dorset is the perfect place for them to
0:05:49 > 0:05:52set up home, and, although Kate is looking to slow things down,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Chris will be taking his fast-paced job with him.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58So, I'm a paramedic.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02I've been in the Ambulance Service for about seven years now.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06You know, it can certainly be a challenging job, but you know,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08it's very rewarding at the same time.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11I originally started working for London, so, you know, driving round
0:06:11 > 0:06:15the big city, lots of traffic, and people everywhere,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19and then the move out to Surrey was a big change already,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23so I think the move to Dorset won't be quite as big a shock.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30You know, certainly you have to be more wary of, you know, other road
0:06:30 > 0:06:34users, in terms of, like, horses, foxes, badgers, I don't know.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Kate's hoping that the change of scenery will also offer
0:06:37 > 0:06:39inspiration for her hobby.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41I'm a sort of secret writer.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I've always wanted to be a writer, and then I don't really have a lot
0:06:44 > 0:06:46of confidence in it,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49so, for me, this gives me an opportunity to hopefully be able to
0:06:49 > 0:06:53carve out some time for me to write in a quiet and peaceful environment.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57With their house on the market, and Chris's new job due to start
0:06:57 > 0:07:01in just six weeks, they're well on their way to making the big move.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Although they'll be leaving Kate's family behind,
0:07:03 > 0:07:08their pet Labrador, Dolly, will definitely be coming with them.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10I think a lot of this move is also about Dolly,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14so we want to be somewhere where we can fling the door open and
0:07:14 > 0:07:16go straight out into the countryside, or, you know,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18hopefully, for me, near the seaside.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21We're lucky here there are lots of green spaces,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23but they're often quite manicured parks,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25they're not necessarily very dog-friendly.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I'd love to be able to just jump in the car and be five minutes
0:07:28 > 0:07:30away from the beach, and just walk her there in the mornings.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32That would be amazing.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37As Chris's job will be based in Dorset,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40we're keeping our search within the county borders.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Ideally, he and Kate would like to be near the sea,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45but they're happy to look anywhere.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46I'm catching up with them
0:07:46 > 0:07:49to find out exactly what's on their property wish-list.
0:07:49 > 0:07:55Well, Chris and Kate, here we are, in a very sunny Dorset today.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58But why did you decide this was the part of the country that
0:07:58 > 0:07:59you wanted to move to?
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I was very keen to live by the coast - I always have been -
0:08:02 > 0:08:05and I think when we started to look at the south coast,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08this was perhaps more affordable than a lot of the counties towards
0:08:08 > 0:08:11the east of here, so we're hoping to get a bit more for our money here.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Let's talk about the actual property itself. What are you after?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19We're really flexible about it, actually.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21I mean, there's only the two of us and our dog,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25so we're happy to look at anything from two bedrooms upwards.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27I'd like an area to be able to work in,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30but I'm just as happy if that's a summerhouse in the garden,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34but parking is quite an important one, because Chris obviously does
0:08:34 > 0:08:36shift work, as a paramedic,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38and so we really don't want him having to park two or three
0:08:38 > 0:08:40roads away if it's two o'clock in the morning,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- so that's sort of a key want for us, isn't it?- Yeah, I think so.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48That makes sense. Chris, what are you looking for, with this home?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- I'm even more flexible, really! - Are you?
0:08:50 > 0:08:52If I can have a wood burner, I'll be happy, so...
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Little bit of a garden for the dog? Not too big?
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Yeah, just somewhere that she can go out.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03What does your new home actually look like? What's its style?
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I like something with a bit of character.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08If it's sort of quirky or unusual, I'm going to be really interested.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- I think if it's like a conversion... - Absolutely. I would love that.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14How important is it for you two to be close to neighbours,
0:09:14 > 0:09:18and have a community next to you, or is the idea that, actually,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20you want to be a little bit more remote?
0:09:20 > 0:09:23We'd like to be close to other people, really,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26again, particularly because I work shifts, and you could...
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Also makes it a bit easier to meet people if you're in
0:09:29 > 0:09:32a smaller community or in a town, and I think that's one of
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- the things we're really keen to make sure we do straightaway.- Yes.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38So, let's remind ourselves of your top budget,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41and, ideally, what you want to spend.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- Top budget would be £350,000. - Yep.- And ideally?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49I think we'd prefer to stay around 325 if we can.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51It just gives us a little bit more flexibility.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- And a little bit left over. - Absolutely.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Well, I think we should get a move on.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56Jump in the car,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59because we have some fantastic properties to show you.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- Brilliant.- Shall we? - Thank you.- Yes.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Chris and Kate are hoping their budget of £350,000
0:10:07 > 0:10:11will buy them their perfect home in an area of the country they love.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14They like the idea of a quirky character property,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18but one which has enough head height for all six foot six of Chris.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20They would need two or more bedrooms,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24a garden for Dolly the dog, and space for Chris to park outside.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26They'd also prefer to be in a village setting,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28where they can meet other locals.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I'll be taking them to see the best properties Dorset
0:10:31 > 0:10:34has to offer them for their budget, but before I reveal the price
0:10:34 > 0:10:38of each, I'll be asking them to take a guess first.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Our final stop will be our Mystery House, a property steeped in history
0:10:42 > 0:10:44and overflowing with character,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47which I'm hoping will really inspire them.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54On our way, one step closer - hopefully - to your next home!
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Absolutely.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01Is it beginning to dawn on you both that it's very close indeed?
0:11:01 > 0:11:03I think so. And actually,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05the six weeks that sounded like quite a long time a few days ago
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- is now beginning to sound like a really pressured timeframe.- Yes.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18Our first property is in the village of Cattistock in West Dorset.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21A character village with a lively, active community,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24it has a village hall attached to the church, a shop,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26and an award-winning pub.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30The village also plays host to the famous Dorset Knob Throwing
0:11:30 > 0:11:32and Frome Valley Food Festival,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35attracting thousands of visitors every year.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37The property we're seeing
0:11:37 > 0:11:40is situated right in the heart of the village.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Well, I'm looking forward to showing you around some of our properties.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Let's kick off with this one, our first.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- It is a chapel.- Indeed.- Fabulous.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- This is... I have a real soft spot for converted chapels, so...- Do you?
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I have to admit, I may have looked at this one on the internet, Nicki.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Oh, OK! All right, how much did you view?
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I looked at a couple of pictures, and that was it, we haven't
0:12:00 > 0:12:03looked really beyond that, we've not viewed anything in person, so...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- So that hasn't put you off? - No, no.- Not at all.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- We'd be very excited to go in here. And it's a beautiful village.- Yeah.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Well, let's step inside and see what you make of our first property.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Fantastic. Thank you.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19This Methodist chapel was built around 1870 to serve the village.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23It was sympathetically converted into a home about 20 years ago,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26retaining some fabulous character features.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34Right, let me welcome you to your converted chapel.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- Wow.- Lovely.- Very nice.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41You do have the character of the chapel, although, actually, if you
0:12:41 > 0:12:44take your eye away from the doors, this just looks like
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- a very pleasant sitting room/dining room, doesn't it?- It does.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49You want the character, but you don't want too much character,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and so, for me, this is actually kind of about the right level.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54It's really nice.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55- What about you, Chris?- Love it.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- Well, it's got the wood burner. - Tick.- What more do I need?
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- In the centre of the village. - Exactly, exactly.- Yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07It'd be nice to see what's under these carpets, maybe, as well.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Yeah, you never know, there might be some stone floors or...
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- Yes, traditional floors.- Yeah.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15That'll be a little project for you, won't it?
0:13:15 > 0:13:17We've only been in the house a few minutes.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19That's quite impressive, yeah.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Let's walk into the kitchen, through, again,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- these marvellous doors.- Interesting.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27It's like the big reveal, going through these doorframes.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Beautiful.- Very theatrical. - Yeah. Very theatrical.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- Wow.- Your kitchen. Now, you could class this as a galley kitchen...
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- Yep. It's quite a wide galley kitchen.- It's generous, isn't it?
0:13:39 > 0:13:44Yeah. I mean, you've got a wonderful range, I love the Belfast sink.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- It's perfectly big enough for us, isn't it?- More than enough space.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49If you were entertaining, it's still big enough.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52How is this working now you're actually physically in the house,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54compared to what you saw online?
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- Erm, this seems bigger... - Yeah.- ..than we expected.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- The kitchen, certainly.- Well, I'm looking forward to the invite!
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- Always welcome! - Right, let's keep going.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Well, we're certainly off to a good start with this property.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Kate and Chris seem to like the character and the space on offer
0:14:13 > 0:14:17so far, so I'm pretty confident the upstairs won't disappoint either.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- Now, how is this for an unusual feature?- That's fantastic.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29The original lamppost and light from the village itself.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Wow. That's a really, really nice feature.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Now, with our chapel,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39we've actually given you more bedrooms than you asked for.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41The largest is the master.
0:14:41 > 0:14:47There's two further single bedrooms, a study, and the family bathroom.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48Oh, that's fabulous.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- So I could have a writing room inside the house.- You could.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Now, I can't promise you a view, sadly.- Nope.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57But what I can give you is the small dressing room here,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- on top of your wardrobes. - That would be very useful,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03because Chris often goes to work at four or five in the morning,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05so if he's not in here getting changed,
0:15:05 > 0:15:06then it would be slightly quieter,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09and I'm more likely to stay asleep if he's in there.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11It's like this chapel has been designed for the two of you.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Yeah, possibly. Yeah.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Well, let's go outside, to look at the space there.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Quite an unusual set-up.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21I wonder how much you remember when you looked at those
0:15:21 > 0:15:23cheeky details online. We'll see.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Chris, I'm going to ask you to lead the way. Thank you.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33To the side of the property, there's a small, south-facing
0:15:33 > 0:15:37enclosed garden, with a decked area accessed from the living room.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40The property's also being sold with a separate piece of land,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43which is a seven-minute walk away at the edge of the village.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45If they wanted,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48it could provide Kate and Chris with rental income as pasture land,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52but, with its peaceful elevated position offering views like this,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56I think they might be tempted to keep it for themselves.
0:15:56 > 0:16:02So, unusually, our chapel has this parcel of land.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05So you come up the bridle path, which is looked after by the farmer,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08but you've got access into here, and it's nearly two acres.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- Wow. I think Dolly would enjoy that.- Yes!
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Quite what we'd do with it, I can't be certain, but I'm sure we...
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- Yeah...- Is it a nice problem to have?- A really nice problem to have.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- Yeah.- Yeah, definitely. - A great project.
0:16:22 > 0:16:28So I'm now going to ask you to put a price on this property, but, Kate,
0:16:28 > 0:16:33how good was your memory when you perused the internet and you saw it?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36I can't remember exactly what it was, but I know it came up
0:16:36 > 0:16:41under our top budget, so I would guess it was maybe about 340.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Right. Chris?
0:16:43 > 0:16:48- Maybe my memory was a little bit better, then.- Oh.- But I would...
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I seem to remember it being 325.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Well, your memory is right.
0:16:55 > 0:16:56The asking price for the chapel,
0:16:56 > 0:17:01- with the nearly two acres of land, is £325,000.- That's fantastic.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05If you wanted to buy the chapel on its own, without this land,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08they would be happy to sell that as well,
0:17:08 > 0:17:13and the asking price for the chapel on its own is £295,000.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- Gosh. That's something to think about.- Yeah.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18But they have had some serious offers on this land,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and ideally, they want to sell the two together.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- Do you two want to have a little explore on your own?- Yes, please.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- Yeah, I think so.- Quite a bit, yeah. Go on up there.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30You'll get an even better view. I'll hang around,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32and then we can walk back to the village when you're ready.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- Thank you.- Thank you.- Off you go.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40So, even though they had an idea of how much
0:17:40 > 0:17:42it was on the market for, it's still come as a pleasant surprise,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45and actually, to stand here and think,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49this could all be theirs as well in addition to that beautiful home,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52I think it's a really good start here in Dorset.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54I'm feeling pretty confident.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Coming in well under budget, even with the additional land,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01this converted chapel has the character features
0:18:01 > 0:18:05and village location that Kate and Chris were after.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07There's also three bedrooms, a separate study,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10and outside space for Dolly.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14What's up here, then? Does it go to this border?
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- I think it goes all the way over there.- Yeah.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20And then right up to the top, there.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22The thing is, you'd have to take out a lot of these trees
0:18:22 > 0:18:25if you wanted to put anything sort of substantial up here.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28It's not a massive house, but it's got everything that we need,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30and I love the position right in the middle of the village.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33That's exactly the kind of lifestyle we're looking for.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Perhaps upstairs, you know, it's a little bit short on head height,
0:18:37 > 0:18:41but, you know, that's my fault, really, more than anybody else's.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46Erm, but, you know, it's only really upstairs. The downstairs is great.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50This plot is amazing, and I think I would just be blown away if
0:18:50 > 0:18:53I actually owned a piece of land. I think that would be fantastic.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Well, I think that's a good start here in Dorset.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- Little bit of a walk now. We'll amble back into the village.- OK.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12With its awe-inspiring coastline,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15rolling chalk hills, and river valleys,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Dorset is a haven for hikers, ramblers, and dog walkers alike.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22It offers 2,000 miles of footpaths, bridle ways,
0:19:22 > 0:19:24and byways to choose from.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27However, although the windy cliff tops and dense woodlands are
0:19:27 > 0:19:31attractive for holiday-makers, they also have the potential to be
0:19:31 > 0:19:34treacherous terrain if you get lost or injured.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38The Dorset Search Dogs charity was established in 2006
0:19:38 > 0:19:41to help rescue missing persons in the area.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44With Chris's own experiences of helping those in need,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47and his and Kate's ambition to explore the Dorset countryside
0:19:47 > 0:19:49with their dog, Dolly, we've arranged for them
0:19:49 > 0:19:53to meet chairman Matt Cooke to find out more about the charity.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Dorset Search Dogs was set up to find missing people,
0:19:59 > 0:20:01vulnerable missing people, throughout Dorset
0:20:01 > 0:20:04and neighbouring counties, and anybody who wants us, really.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07And how does it work, then? Who actually calls you out?
0:20:07 > 0:20:10We get called out by the police, coastguard,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13or neighbouring search and rescue teams. You can't call us directly.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17It has to be coordinated by police or coastguard.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20How often do you find you get called out?
0:20:20 > 0:20:23We get called out about 40 to 50 times per year.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26We're available 24/7.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29We're all volunteers, so it may not mean that we can attend all
0:20:29 > 0:20:32the call-outs, but between us, we do try and get to as many as we can.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34And how do you go about training the dogs?
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Well, we've got two of our guys here, with two of their dogs.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- We can go and have a look, if you want.- Great.- Yeah.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47On average, it takes between 12 and 18 months to train a search dog.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50For the dogs, it's like a big game of hide and seek,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53starting off with the squeaky toy used as a reward.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- This is Wendy, with her search dog, Hattie.- Hi, there.- Hello.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Hattie's a trainee search dog at the moment,
0:20:59 > 0:21:02but what we do is we wind the dogs up with a squeaky toy,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06run off behind the nearest tree or nearest bush, and the dog goes in.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Wendy, if you want to give me your search toy.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11This is where Hattie will start getting wound up.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16TOY SQUEAKS, DOG BARKS
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Successful search dogs need to have a high play drive and be agile,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26with plenty of stamina.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Although any dog could be trained as a search dog, they tend to be
0:21:29 > 0:21:33larger, working breeds, like Hattie, who's a Giant Schnauzer.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37There are also Springer Spaniels, Labradors,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39and Border Collies in the team.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Woohoo! Good girl!
0:21:44 > 0:21:46The charity has a number of volunteers,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48who help out on training sessions.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Called dogsbodies,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53they play the role of a missing person for the dogs to find.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56OK, so we've set up a bit of a scenario here.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58We've got Sue, one of our volunteers.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02She's sat on a log, felt unwell, fallen over,
0:22:02 > 0:22:06and she's banged her head. We wouldn't get that full scenario.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08All we would get is a call from a relative,
0:22:08 > 0:22:10saying that somebody hasn't turned up.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14So, Steve would go out as a handler, with search dog, Oscar.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Oscar is one of our more experienced dogs.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18So, Steve, show us how it's done.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Are you going to go find? You going to go find?
0:22:22 > 0:22:23Go find!
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Most search dogs are air scenters, which means
0:22:28 > 0:22:30rather than tracking a scent like a police dog,
0:22:30 > 0:22:34they pick up the scent of a human being in the air.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37With a sense of smell thousands of times stronger than that of
0:22:37 > 0:22:41a human, some of the Dorset search dogs can detect human scent
0:22:41 > 0:22:45from 500-800 yards away.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Once the dog finds their missing person,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51they return to the handler to indicate their find.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- Good boy!- Hello.- Hello. - Hello, I'm Steve. You all right?
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Hello, I'm fine, thank you. - What's your name?
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- Sue.- Sue. You all right? - I'm fine here.- Good. This is Matt.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02He'll sort you out.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05OK, that's the end of the scenario, then. Well done.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Good boy!
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Now that Chris and Kate have seen the techniques,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14perhaps they'll be tempted to try out training with Dolly
0:23:14 > 0:23:16when they make the move to Dorset.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23We're heading towards the coast for our next property -
0:23:23 > 0:23:24to the market town of Bridport.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Historically recognised as one of the leading rope-producing towns
0:23:28 > 0:23:32in England, today Bridport is known for its vibrant
0:23:32 > 0:23:36local arts scene, playing host to a range of events and exhibitions.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40There's an array of independent shops and a popular cinema.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43I think the culture on offer here would really appeal
0:23:43 > 0:23:44to Kate and Chris.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47The house I'm showing them is just under two miles from
0:23:47 > 0:23:51the centre of Bridport, in the neighbouring village of Bradpole.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54So you said, ideally, you'd like to be close to the sea.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Well, we're about five or ten minutes away.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Well, that would be lovely.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03We try and show our couples different varieties of properties.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07This one is an old cottage with a thatched porch.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08- Beautiful.- Very nice.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- The good news is the roof is quite new!- Yeah.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- It's definitely got some kerb appeal, hasn't it?- Hasn't it just?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19We are right on the edge of Bridport so you've got all that
0:24:19 > 0:24:22community there, lots going on.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- That would been nice for me, I think.- Yeah.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26They have lots of festivals and things to get involved in.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28So first impressions...?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Great roof.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32I love the little bit of thatch, so you've got a bit of character.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- I'm really looking forward to going in.- Good.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36On that note, we will. Come on.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41This property dates back to the 1880s.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Originally it would have been a worker's cottage
0:24:43 > 0:24:45for the surrounding land.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Despite showing its age on the outside,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50I think the interior might surprise them.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53So, we all love this delightful porch.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- Fantastic.- You could call it a boot room, or a little dog room.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59It leads us straight into the kitchen/diner.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I love it.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- Yeah.- It's really nice.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08I'm struggling to think of something in this room
0:25:08 > 0:25:10that I'm not in love with.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12- Ooh!- Yeah, it's great.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- It's been done really well.- Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- It's very much our taste, as well. - Yeah, very much.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23It's got character, but it's got modern touches to it,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26and you know, it's been brought up-to-date.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Even things, like I've just noticed the stable doors,
0:25:30 > 0:25:34which would be so useful with the dog, getting her in and out, or...
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- Or keeping her out.- Keeping her in. Yeah, exactly!- Yeah!
0:25:37 > 0:25:39So that would be good.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42The current owners have had it about 6-7 years.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44They've done all the work on it.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46- They actually live next-door.- Oh.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- This is a holiday let.- Ah, OK.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52The whole property, apart from that conservatory at the back,
0:25:52 > 0:25:56or utility room, in actual fact, is probably a better word for it.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58It's got a downstairs cloakroom - basic but functional.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01A log store and there's water out there.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04If you're ever going to think of a project,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08and perhaps extending slightly, you've already got the footprint.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11You'd need to get the right planning permission but you could extend
0:26:11 > 0:26:14a little bit further out if you wanted to have a bit more space.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Lovely.- Fantastic.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18It sounds like you could both certainly live in this room.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Let's see what you make of next-door,
0:26:21 > 0:26:22if I can squeeze past you.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Thank you.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Right, reactions for our sitting room, please?
0:26:29 > 0:26:30I still love it.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32THEY LAUGH
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I love the wooden floorboards that have been painted white.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37I mean, it's beautifully done out.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40It's really charming.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42How are the ceilings?
0:26:42 > 0:26:43Fabulous.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47- I wouldn't even think to notice them, really.- Yeah.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49I think from outside, I was a wee bit,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52"Oh, are we going to have a ceiling-related problem?"
0:26:52 > 0:26:55But, actually, it's like a normal-sized house.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I wonder if they might be slightly lower upstairs.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I like that - "a ceiling-related problem".
0:27:01 > 0:27:03That's good. I'm going to use that one again.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06- Let's go upstairs and see if we do have any issues.- OK.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13The upstairs of the property has a family bathroom and two bedrooms,
0:27:13 > 0:27:17a good-sized double for guests and the master bedroom.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21So downstairs has been a bit of a success story.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26I'm hoping this will be the same upstairs.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30I think we should just buy it now, really. It's fabulous.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I wouldn't have thought outside that the inside would look like this.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37I think you get all the character and the age outside,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39and then something quite modern and stylish inside.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- No ceiling issues?- None. - No ceiling issues.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44One of the last things I just want to mention
0:27:44 > 0:27:48is when you're lying in bed, if you look out of your window, you can
0:27:48 > 0:27:52see the church for Bradpole, and the surrounding fields as well.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56So even though we're elevated and we do have a few houses around us,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58you do get glimpses of that view.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- That's really nice.- Yeah?
0:28:00 > 0:28:04So2 far, it's just perfect for what we were looking for.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Oh, my goodness, I'm so happy.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11But...a small word of caution, because we are quite close to
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Bridport and we've got to decide how much it's on the market for
0:28:14 > 0:28:16before we get too excited.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Don't break our hearts, Nicki.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20No, but we're going to head outside and we're going to talk money.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24So...be my guest, off you go.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Internally this property has a high standard of finish,
0:28:27 > 0:28:31but outside the paved back garden is the low-maintenance space you'd
0:28:31 > 0:28:35expect from a rental property and could benefit from some work.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Nonetheless, fully enclosed and with side access,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41it would make an adequate space for Dolly.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Now, at the moment. it's practical, isn't it?
0:28:44 > 0:28:47You could put down a little bit of lawn here and you'll get the sun,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49not in the evenings, but certainly during the day.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- Again, just somewhere for the dog. - Absolutely.- Mm.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55This is workable because there's no doubt plenty of walks on
0:28:55 > 0:28:58- the doorstep because we're in that part of the country.- Yeah.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02- The tour of the cottage has gone exceedingly well.- Yeah.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06The final part, obviously, is to try and put a price on it.
0:29:06 > 0:29:11I think, I would say
0:29:11 > 0:29:13this is on for 320.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18I'm going to say a little bit higher.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19I'm going to say 335.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25OK. I'm going to give you two a completely different figure
0:29:25 > 0:29:27- to either of those.- OK.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31Asking price, £275,000.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35- Wow!- Seriously, get your chequebook out now.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Fabulous. Thank you for showing it to us. It's wonderful.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41I think we both probably loved it so much,
0:29:41 > 0:29:44we valued it maybe more than, obviously, it's on for.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46And I was a bit naughty cos I threw in the curveball with Bridport,
0:29:46 > 0:29:48- didn't I?- You did, you did.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50So I'm guessing, on your own this time,
0:29:50 > 0:29:52you'd like to take a second look.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- Yes, please.- Thank you. - Off you go.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59It is a wonderful property
0:29:59 > 0:30:01and you know what they say when you step through the door
0:30:01 > 0:30:03and it feels like home.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Well, for our couple, they certainly got that feeling.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10For a staggering £75,000 under budget,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13this updated character cottage offers Kate and Chris
0:30:13 > 0:30:17the two bedrooms they need and potential to extend in the future.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20It's close to Bridport town centre and less than
0:30:20 > 0:30:22a ten-minute drive to the sea.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30This is a great little area, isn't it? Perfect for Dolly.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Yeah, cos if we were bringing her back from the beach
0:30:32 > 0:30:33and she's covered in sand,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36we could just bring her in the back door and clean her off in here.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39One of the things about the cottage is that there aren't
0:30:39 > 0:30:42a huge amount of rooms, but actually the green sizes are really good.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46The way it's decorated, the furniture, the kitchen,
0:30:46 > 0:30:50everything is almost to our taste, really.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Down to the paint on the walls, probably.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55The real highlight for me with this place would be
0:30:55 > 0:30:57proximity to the beach.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59You know, it's always been a dream that we would be able to walk
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Dolly on the beach and actually here it's completely feasible
0:31:02 > 0:31:04that we could do that.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08That's a really big thing to think about.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Don't you two look pretty, coming out of the thatch?
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- Well, that was successful.- It was.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17You look very at home. All I need is my camera.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- That's it. Let's hit the road, shall we?- Definitely.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34It's the second day of our search with Chris and Kate who,
0:31:34 > 0:31:37with a budget of £350,000,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39are looking to swap their four-bedroomed semi
0:31:39 > 0:31:42in Reigate, Surrey, for a character home down in Dorset.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46With Chris's new job starting in just six weeks,
0:31:46 > 0:31:47there's no time to lose.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Still to come,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52it looks like our Mystery House might be working its magic.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I'm a little bit emotional.
0:31:55 > 0:31:56- Are you?- Mm, a little bit.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01And I'll be reaching new heights on the Isle of Portland.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Go on, all your weight through that leg. Go on, push, push, push.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07My heart, Will, is racing!
0:32:07 > 0:32:09NICKI CHUCKLES
0:32:11 > 0:32:15With Chris starting a new job in literally a matter of weeks,
0:32:15 > 0:32:19both he and Kate are after a new life, as well as a new home.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23And I think yesterday's house-hunt was pretty successful.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Today, of course, it means our mystery property,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30which is going to offer our couple over 1,000 years of
0:32:30 > 0:32:33history and potentially everything they want.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35So, where's the catch?
0:32:35 > 0:32:39Well, I'm going to be using every penny of their budget.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41But first, I'm going to show them a home that,
0:32:41 > 0:32:46with Kate's creative flair, could be a real contender.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50What's more, it's in the most beautiful village location.
0:32:53 > 0:32:54For our next offering,
0:32:54 > 0:32:58we're heading to the idyllic village of Sydling St Nicholas.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Ancient thatched houses line the banks of Sydling Water
0:33:01 > 0:33:03in this picturesque, sleepy village.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07Often described as one of the prettiest in Dorset, Thomas Hardy
0:33:07 > 0:33:12featured the location in his short story, The Grave By The Handpost.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Visiting walkers and cyclists can explore the country lanes
0:33:15 > 0:33:17and numerous public footpaths.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19And if you're looking for a pit stop,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22you could call in at the local pub.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Wandering through the village, we find our next property.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31So, we've brought you to probably one of the most beautiful villages
0:33:31 > 0:33:35that I've been in in a long time, without it being a tourist trap,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39because in the heart of this village is our property.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42- Wowzers.- Wow.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46That's what do you think about when you think of Dorset, isn't it?
0:33:46 > 0:33:47- Something like that.- Yeah.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49- That's the picture postcard, isn't it?- Yeah, it is.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52This house was last thatched in 2002.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55There's a little bit of work being done on the ridge between.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57so that's sort of joint ownership between the two properties
0:33:57 > 0:33:59cos it is semidetached.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- So you're going to get about 30 years out of it.- OK.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- I think it looks beautiful. Yeah, I can't wait.- Yeah?
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- Shall we take a look inside? - Yes, please.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14This grade-II listed property dates back to the late 17th century
0:34:14 > 0:34:18and is typical of the traditional thatched cottages in the area.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Inside, there's a host of original features.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25So, as you come in, you've got this hallway - with beams.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27I'm looking at Chris now, just to see...
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Yes, we're in action there. No problems with beams.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33And then we come into this wonderful sitting-room.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Dominated by...
0:34:35 > 0:34:39- Inglenook.- Beautiful inglenook fireplace.- Yeah. That's amazing.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41And then you've actually got a bread oven
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- just tucked away in the corner there.- Wow.- It is quite awesome.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Now, the owners of this property, they do have
0:34:47 > 0:34:50quite a lot of furniture and knick-knacks, beautiful things,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53but take those away and actually look at this space,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56being dual aspect, you get quite a lot of light,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58- but it's bigger than it first appears.- Yeah.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01It's quite a big room, really, yeah.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Yeah, it's charming, it's really charming.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05OK, right, still more to show you.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07So, Chris, if you wouldn't mind leading the way, thank you.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14So, you have a separate dining room.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18I can even offer you a wood burner. Always goes down well with Chris.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Look at that smile. I'm going to take us next door to the kitchen.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Now, not the largest of kitchens, is the truth.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31However, you've got everything that you need here.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Got a view outside into your garden.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36You've got access, which is going to be so important for the dog.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38That wall, with the right permission,
0:35:38 > 0:35:41because obviously we have to bear in mind that this is a listed building,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44if you took that down, cos it's not a supporting wall
0:35:44 > 0:35:46by the looks of it, and open it out,
0:35:46 > 0:35:47I know it's going to be a project
0:35:47 > 0:35:50but I think it would transform the kitchen/diner.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53I think that would make a lot of difference.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56It is quite...small, really,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58but perfectly formed, everything we need.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Maybe just a little bit of love.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04And opened out would probably fit better for how we live generally,
0:36:04 > 0:36:07- so I think that's something we could definitely do.- OK, right.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Well, we've still got more to show you.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11We're going to head upstairs.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15Although in its current state
0:36:15 > 0:36:18this house isn't quite to their taste,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21I'm pleased to see Kate and Chris are remaining open-minded
0:36:21 > 0:36:24and that they might even consider doing some work.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27As we head upstairs, there's a family bathroom
0:36:27 > 0:36:29and a small double bedroom at the back of the house
0:36:29 > 0:36:32as well as two larger double bedrooms to the front.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Now, I'm wondering if this is going to be
0:36:35 > 0:36:38a little bit more of a challenge for lovely Chris.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42- I clear it, Kate clears it. - Yup.- Ooh...
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Chris takes off the top of his head. Oh, no!
0:36:45 > 0:36:48Well, OK, I can come up with a solution.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52- We have three doubles upstairs. - Oh, wow.- Three?- Yeah.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54This is at the moment the master,
0:36:54 > 0:36:58but perhaps next door might be more suited to your needs, shall we say?
0:36:58 > 0:37:02From the outside, I wasn't expecting three doubles, so that's great.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04It's just whether you can cope with the ceilings.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07- I can, so... - SHE LAUGHS
0:37:07 > 0:37:08That's fine.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13Maybe a crash helmet just for me when I'm upstairs.
0:37:13 > 0:37:19Let's pop outside, have a talk, see what conclusion you two come to.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21- OK.- Mind your head, Chris.- Yeah.
0:37:21 > 0:37:22I've got the plaster ready.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Outside, there's a good-sized lawned garden
0:37:28 > 0:37:31and access to a more recently built large garage
0:37:31 > 0:37:34which could be converted into a creative hub for Kate.
0:37:37 > 0:37:38So...
0:37:38 > 0:37:42Looking back, you really can see your cottage from here, can't you?
0:37:42 > 0:37:44Yeah, it looks absolutely beautiful.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46I am going to be honest when it comes to the garden.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50I think it's really ready to be loved.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52We quite enjoy working in the garden in recent years,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55so this would be great because we could really, you know,
0:37:55 > 0:37:57turn it into something really exciting.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01Can you afford, then, our thatched cottage?
0:38:01 > 0:38:03What price are we going to put on it?
0:38:03 > 0:38:07It might be a cheeky one, but I'm going to say 310.
0:38:07 > 0:38:08Right.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14I was going to be even cheekier.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15Ooh.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18I would probably say 250.
0:38:18 > 0:38:19THEY GASP
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- That's very cheeky! - Very cheeky, but...
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Is that cheeky and hopeful, I'm wondering?
0:38:25 > 0:38:26Probably.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28- Well, sadly...- You'll be disa...
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Yeah, you are going to be disappointed.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33Kate's closest, but she's still not quite on the money.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38- Kate said 310. - Yep.- Asking price - £320,000.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39- OK.- Wow.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42So, you've got three really good sized doubles, that's why.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45- It's a really good family house.- Yes.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49So probably now is the right time for the two of you on your own
0:38:49 > 0:38:52to have a real look and see if it's a project that you want to take on
0:38:52 > 0:38:55and whether it will give you that dream home.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56- OK. Will do, thank you.- Thank you.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05This Grade II listed thatched cottage
0:39:05 > 0:39:07is packed with period features.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09It would give Chris and Kate an extra bedroom,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13but would require a bit of updating to suit their needs.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15There's a good-sized garden with a garage
0:39:15 > 0:39:18and it's set in a stunning village location.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22I think the thatch certainly appeals.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26It obviously makes for a beautiful-looking house.
0:39:26 > 0:39:31Certainly a contender, but I think it's going to be a little bit of...
0:39:31 > 0:39:35thinking and vision to see what we could do with it.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37I'm not worried about doing any work to it but, you know,
0:39:37 > 0:39:41it's obviously in a very nice village so the price reflects that,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45so it does put us very close to our top budget.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47I think it's something that we would think about
0:39:47 > 0:39:51if we could get it for the right price, but if it was at full asking,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54I'm not sure it would be the right place for us.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Right, our thatched cottage.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Little bit of a project for the two of you.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03I wonder if you're going to rise to the challenge.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Oh, you're not giving anything away today, are you?
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Right, well, we've seen this one. Let's make a move.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19The Isle of Portland has long been renowned for its durable
0:40:19 > 0:40:21and hardy limestone bedrock,
0:40:21 > 0:40:25used for building across the UK and abroad for centuries.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28But in recent years, it's also become popular
0:40:28 > 0:40:30in the world of outdoor pursuits.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Today, Portland is known as one of the UK's top spots
0:40:33 > 0:40:35for rock climbing.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37With four miles of almost unbroken cliffs,
0:40:37 > 0:40:41there are over 1,000 climbing routes to choose from
0:40:41 > 0:40:44and with breathtaking views of the English Channel,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47it's the perfect location to don a harness for a lesson
0:40:47 > 0:40:50from local climbing instructor Will Moy.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Will, this is a truly remarkable spot here.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56I mean, that rock face is something else.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- It's amazing, isn't it? - Tell me about the geology of it.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03So this is Portland stone and so it's a sedimentary rock,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06which has been formed by layers and layers of tiny crustaceans
0:41:06 > 0:41:09over a long period of time that's been squeezed together
0:41:09 > 0:41:12and now it's been pushed up and created this island
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- and left this amazing rock for us to climb on.- It is...
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Amazing is a good word for it because just standing here,
0:41:18 > 0:41:20you can see just so many layers.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23- Is that where it's been compressed?- Yeah, absolutely.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26So, essentially, it's built on layers
0:41:26 > 0:41:29and sometimes you get those layers at an angle
0:41:29 > 0:41:32and on Portland most of the time, it's actually horizontal, flat.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35So that's why it's really great for us to rock climb on.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37It means that we've got lots of handholds to climb on,
0:41:37 > 0:41:40and lots of little edges to put our feet on.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43So who could actually attempt to climb a rock face of that size
0:41:43 > 0:41:44and stature, if you like?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Well, that's the great thing about Portland, really.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48There's a grade for everybody.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52So starting from really young, so maybe five, six, seven years old,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54all the way up to 70s and 80s can get up there,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56if they're fit and willing.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- Really?- Yeah.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- I'm nervous but I'm looking forward to it.- Great.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- We'll give it a good go.- Thank you.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06The seam of limestone I'm going to be climbing
0:42:06 > 0:42:08is around 50 foot high.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11It sounds daunting but Will assures me it's a good distance
0:42:11 > 0:42:14for a beginner like myself.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16- So we've got the harness on.- Yeah.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- Helmet on.- Helmet on. What next?
0:42:19 > 0:42:22- So this is the rope here that you're going to be climbing on.- Yeah.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24The rope's here just to safeguard you, all right?
0:42:24 > 0:42:26So it's just in case you want to come down
0:42:26 > 0:42:29or if you fall off the rock, it's there to help you, all right?
0:42:29 > 0:42:32So, the idea is we need to tie you in. All right.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35With this knot here, so let me just do this for you.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37- So I'm going to be controlling this end of the rope.- Yeah.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40As you climb up, my job is to take the rope in.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42All right, so it's always there ready to catch you.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44I know I'm in good hands, Will.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- It looks an awful long way up.- OK.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50So the idea, obviously, you've got lots of handholds and footholds
0:42:50 > 0:42:53to place your hands on. Sometimes it's difficult to find your way,
0:42:53 > 0:42:55so you do have to feel around sometimes
0:42:55 > 0:42:57- to find the best place.- Yeah.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00So the first tricky move is getting your feet up on to this one,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- then across to here.- OK.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04You've got an excellent handhold up here.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- As soon as you can get your hand up to here, the better.- OK.
0:43:07 > 0:43:08So...
0:43:08 > 0:43:11- This is where my first foot goes. - Yeah.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Can you reach right up?
0:43:13 > 0:43:16That's it. Bend your knee a bit that way. Perfect.
0:43:16 > 0:43:17Right.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21VOICEOVER: Climbing is a great full body workout.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24Using both the upper and lower body,
0:43:24 > 0:43:26you work your abdominals and leg muscles,
0:43:26 > 0:43:29whilst all the reaching and stretching for holds
0:43:29 > 0:43:32improves flexibility and agility at the same time.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35Will, the fact that you've got that rope is so reassuring,
0:43:35 > 0:43:37I can't tell you.
0:43:37 > 0:43:38Right, Will, next bit?
0:43:38 > 0:43:41OK, so I would go out to the right a little bit.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44- Can you see those ledges you've got?- Yeah.
0:43:45 > 0:43:46Well done.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48My heart, Will, is racing!
0:43:50 > 0:43:54- OK. You're almost at the top now.- Yeah.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56So if you can climb a few more steps.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00VOICEOVER: The popularity of climbing in the UK
0:44:00 > 0:44:02is currently on the increase.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04Membership with the British Mountaineering Council
0:44:04 > 0:44:07has more than doubled in the last 15 years.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10Go on, all your weight through that leg. Go on, push, push, push.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12Well done.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15I can't believe I'm practically at the top.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17And, turning around,
0:44:17 > 0:44:22having the confidence just to look at that spectacular view...
0:44:22 > 0:44:24it's worth it.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26Right, better get down now.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29VOICEOVER: I can see why people get addicted to climbing.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33The feeling of reaching the top is just exhilarating.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35And little steps down on the rock now, then.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38- Just small steps, yeah. - Yeah, little steps.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41VOICEOVER: With sport climbing on the up, it's been shortlisted
0:44:41 > 0:44:44for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47NICKI SIGHS Terra firma!
0:44:47 > 0:44:49Whoa!
0:44:49 > 0:44:53And with over 500 indoor climbing walls now in the UK and Ireland,
0:44:53 > 0:44:56it couldn't be easier to get started.
0:44:56 > 0:44:57I can't believe I did it.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01Yay!
0:45:01 > 0:45:03But, when it comes to my climbing career,
0:45:03 > 0:45:07I think it's best I leave it to the experts and stick to house-hunting.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16Great that we've been able to show you characterful properties
0:45:16 > 0:45:19that have all been under budget by quite a bit.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22- Yeah.- And in beautiful locations as well.- Yeah.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25Yeah, I mean the villages that we've been seeing
0:45:25 > 0:45:27while we've been driving around are just spectacular.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30So it's only made you want to move here even more, I'm guessing.
0:45:30 > 0:45:32Yeah. I don't think there was any doubt before,
0:45:32 > 0:45:34but there's definitely none now.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38Now, on our way to our Mystery House.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41- Very excited. - Have we left the best till last?
0:45:41 > 0:45:45I think this is the one that I'm actually the most excited to see.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47So I'm really looking forward to it.
0:45:50 > 0:45:52Our last stop is Maiden Newton,
0:45:52 > 0:45:56just two miles down the road from where our search began.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58The large village lies on the confluence of the rivers
0:45:58 > 0:46:03Frome and Hook, surrounded by the chalk hills of the Dorset Downs.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06The village centre, marked by the remains of a 15th-century
0:46:06 > 0:46:10market cross, has a selection of local shops and places to eat
0:46:10 > 0:46:14and is served by a train station with routes to London and Weymouth.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17The buildings are a mix of old and new,
0:46:17 > 0:46:20some dating back to the 17th century.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22The village church is said to have the oldest original
0:46:22 > 0:46:24wooden church door in England.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27Just a two-minute walk around the corner,
0:46:27 > 0:46:31our Mystery House sits on the banks of the River Frome
0:46:31 > 0:46:32on a rather notable site.
0:46:36 > 0:46:40Now it's not every day I can show our couples
0:46:40 > 0:46:44a property that is right next to 1,000-year-old mill.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47Mentioned in the Domesday Book,
0:46:47 > 0:46:50- that is how old this whole area is.- Wow!
0:46:50 > 0:46:53The good news is your property isn't 1,000 years old.
0:46:53 > 0:46:55It's only about 100 years old.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57I'm in love.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00- It's beautiful, isn't it?- Lovely.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03Now, this is community living because you've got a few properties
0:47:03 > 0:47:05here that have already got families living in them.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08But I'm going to take you to your house and see what you make of that.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12- Ready for the mystery tour? - Absolutely.- Happy, Chris?- Yes.
0:47:14 > 0:47:18This impressive three-storey terraced building is the largest
0:47:18 > 0:47:20property we've seen so far.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23The current owners have spent 18 months renovating the house,
0:47:23 > 0:47:26as well as restoring the neighbouring mill
0:47:26 > 0:47:27to its former glory.
0:47:27 > 0:47:29Come out of the rain.
0:47:29 > 0:47:31Leave our umbrellas behind.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36- Crikey! - You've got your kitchen here,
0:47:36 > 0:47:38you've got your wood burner,
0:47:38 > 0:47:41- which we've got to get out of the way for Chris.- Yeah.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44Dining area and then we've got our sitting room too.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47It's lovely. It's really nice.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50I love the floor, the tiles on the floor.
0:47:50 > 0:47:52I love the open-plan living.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54I think that really works for kind of our lifestyle.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56Fantastic kitchen.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58It is Grade II listed,
0:47:58 > 0:48:01but by association because of the old mill
0:48:01 > 0:48:03because that has so much history and heritage.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07We all love downstairs. Let's see what we make of the next floor.
0:48:09 > 0:48:13Just off the open-plan dining area is a useful utility room with
0:48:13 > 0:48:17downstairs toilet, completing the accommodation on the ground floor.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19This being our Mystery House,
0:48:19 > 0:48:22it does have a slightly unconventional layout.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25There's a further sitting room and a bathroom on the first floor,
0:48:25 > 0:48:27which is where we're heading next.
0:48:29 > 0:48:31Right, pleasing start to our house tour.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34I'm feeling confident on the next floor.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39I love the look.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41I'm a little bit emotional.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43- Are you?- Mmm, a little bit.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50This is like everything we would ever want.
0:48:50 > 0:48:51You're making me go now.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54That's not the whole point! I'm meant to be taking you around.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58Could you see yourselves living somewhere like this?
0:48:58 > 0:49:01- May already be seeing ourselves. - THEY LAUGH
0:49:01 > 0:49:03In our wildest dreams, I think. Yeah.
0:49:03 > 0:49:07This, for me, would be a house we might never leave
0:49:07 > 0:49:10as opposed to I think some of the others where maybe we've thought,
0:49:10 > 0:49:12"This is great, you know, and in a few years,
0:49:12 > 0:49:14"maybe we'll move on to something else."
0:49:14 > 0:49:18- But this feels more like a house we'd stay in. Oh!- OK.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21I'm going to take you upstairs and show you what else there is.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23- Are you ready for this?- Yeah.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26Can we improve on that reaction upstairs?
0:49:26 > 0:49:28You've got some work to do. Right, let's see.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35I'm not sure this viewing could get any better -
0:49:35 > 0:49:37at least not where Kate is concerned.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41Also on the first floor is the family bathroom.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43Heading up to the top floor,
0:49:43 > 0:49:46there's an additional shower room and three sizeable bedrooms,
0:49:46 > 0:49:50all with gorgeous exposed beams and high vaulted ceilings.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53I'm confident we won't have any ceiling-related problems
0:49:53 > 0:49:55with six foot six Chris here.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59So...
0:49:59 > 0:50:01On our second floor now,
0:50:01 > 0:50:04we can't just do, you know, the normal layout, can we?
0:50:04 > 0:50:06This is a fantastic sized room.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08Absolutely enormous.
0:50:08 > 0:50:10There's a great feeling of space through the whole house.
0:50:10 > 0:50:13Even just coming up the stairs and the landings.
0:50:13 > 0:50:14I love the beams.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17Chris likes the high ceilings, I guess.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21No, my head is not going to be bashing those in a hurry.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23And we talked always about you having two bedrooms,
0:50:23 > 0:50:25but three is a bonus, isn't it?
0:50:25 > 0:50:28Three's brilliant because we can have a sort of designated
0:50:28 > 0:50:31guest room that kind of doesn't get touched so it's always ready
0:50:31 > 0:50:35for people to come and stay and I can have a writing space.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38The weather is a little inclement, but I think it is worth going
0:50:38 > 0:50:41outside just to have a look at that garden and that outside space.
0:50:41 > 0:50:44- Yeah.- Yes, please. - Right, we'll head back.- Thank you.
0:50:47 > 0:50:48Back on the ground floor,
0:50:48 > 0:50:50there's a garage to the front of the property
0:50:50 > 0:50:52offering a fantastic double-height space.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55Then there's a generous lawned back garden.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57Right...
0:50:58 > 0:51:01We can cheat a little bit out here,
0:51:01 > 0:51:04because if you don't want to, we don't need to go out in the rain.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06We can stand under this canopy
0:51:06 > 0:51:09and see the full effect of your garden.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12There's a few things I've always wanted in a dream house.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14One is a door in the middle, which this has.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16The other is a walled garden.
0:51:16 > 0:51:17Oh...
0:51:17 > 0:51:19It's like we knew.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23It's fabulous, and this canopy is so substantial,
0:51:23 > 0:51:26we could come out here even in those rainy summer days
0:51:26 > 0:51:28and still barbecue.
0:51:28 > 0:51:32So we're going to have to now try and put a final price
0:51:32 > 0:51:35on our Mystery House.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39- It's got to be 350 plus.- Mm-hmm.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41I think, I'm really hoping not
0:51:41 > 0:51:44but I think it might be slightly over our budget
0:51:44 > 0:51:46and you're pushing us a wee bit.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49I'm going to say 375.
0:51:49 > 0:51:52OK, well the asking price is...
0:51:52 > 0:51:57for offers over £350,000.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01- We need to save more money. - We can really see it.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03They are looking for offers just over.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06- But I think it's down to your negotiation skills.- Yeah.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08This could be the perfect home.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12Yes, why don't you have another look and decide if it is?
0:52:12 > 0:52:15Because it is a lot of money, I do appreciate that.
0:52:15 > 0:52:18I'm going to join you because I'm not staying out here in the rain,
0:52:18 > 0:52:20however beautiful this garden is.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22- Off you go.- Thank you.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26Certainly gone very well indeed, but why not?
0:52:26 > 0:52:28It is a splendid property.
0:52:30 > 0:52:34Taking their budget to the limit, this fantastic character property
0:52:34 > 0:52:39satisfies everything on Kate and Chris's wish list and more.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42There's an extra bedroom that Kate could use for a writing room,
0:52:42 > 0:52:46the living space is practical and modern but with period features
0:52:46 > 0:52:49and there's a private enclosed garden,
0:52:49 > 0:52:52all within walking distance to the village centre.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55This might be a really nice writing room for me
0:52:55 > 0:52:57with the view out over the garden.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59That's a nice, big, wide window, that one, isn't it?
0:52:59 > 0:53:05Yeah, and these amazing ceilings, so it feels so airy, doesn't it?
0:53:05 > 0:53:07From outside it looked fantastic, already.
0:53:07 > 0:53:12But as you come through the door and just open out into this fantastic,
0:53:12 > 0:53:15open-plan living space...
0:53:15 > 0:53:19Yeah, I think we both really kind of got that feeling.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22I got a bit emotional when we came upstairs
0:53:22 > 0:53:25and I think that's because this is sort of the house
0:53:25 > 0:53:27that you always dream that you might have
0:53:27 > 0:53:30and I'm not sure that I thought that was
0:53:30 > 0:53:32something that would be achievable on our budget.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35I think we would do anything we could to probably buy this house.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40Well, I think we've finished our tour of Dorset
0:53:40 > 0:53:43on a high with our Mystery House.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45- Definitely.- Very successful.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48What are you going to do next, I wonder? Let's make a move.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51Chris, you grab the door, we're going to duck this way and let's go.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02Well, we've certainly had a very pleasant few days here in Dorset
0:54:02 > 0:54:04with Chris and Kate.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07Now we know our couple need to move quickly,
0:54:07 > 0:54:08the big question is,
0:54:08 > 0:54:10are they going to move into one of our properties?
0:54:10 > 0:54:12Let's find out.
0:54:18 > 0:54:22Well, Chris and Kate, what a delightful few days
0:54:22 > 0:54:25we have spent with you driving around Dorset.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27It's been great, hasn't it?
0:54:27 > 0:54:29- It's been fantastic. - Yeah. Really wonderful.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32At what point do you think as you were looking around the properties
0:54:32 > 0:54:35did you suddenly think, "This is it, this could be our new home?"
0:54:35 > 0:54:36FIRE CRACKLES
0:54:36 > 0:54:38Excuse the fireworks going off in the background.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42I think it happened in possibly two of the houses.
0:54:42 > 0:54:45Definitely the Mystery House.
0:54:45 > 0:54:49The mill cottage was just amazing and I think, you know, I mean
0:54:49 > 0:54:51I reacted quite emotionally to it
0:54:51 > 0:54:54which I had not really done I think in any of the other houses.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57Um, and possibly the cottage that we saw in Bradpole,
0:54:57 > 0:55:01as well, was something that we would definitely consider.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04Why the Mystery House? Why does that one work for the both of you?
0:55:04 > 0:55:09I think just the proportions were certainly one of the things
0:55:09 > 0:55:12that really had that wow factor, definitely.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14That's exactly it, wow factor.
0:55:14 > 0:55:15I think that house had it.
0:55:15 > 0:55:20It really was that kind of moment where you have a really gut...
0:55:20 > 0:55:23A gut feel of "This place is amazing and incredible."
0:55:23 > 0:55:26So where are you going to go next?
0:55:26 > 0:55:29Definitely going to do a second viewing as soon as we can.
0:55:29 > 0:55:30And we're going...
0:55:30 > 0:55:32We've got a few little things that we want to iron out,
0:55:32 > 0:55:35just a couple of questions about the property.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38And then it's the check on the finances,
0:55:38 > 0:55:41conversation with the owner because I think we need to understand
0:55:41 > 0:55:43what they're looking for when it says "in excess of."
0:55:43 > 0:55:47- Yeah.- Um, and then, you know, take it from there.
0:55:47 > 0:55:48Oh...
0:55:48 > 0:55:52This is all sounding really promising.
0:55:52 > 0:55:56I think in our entire lives, it's probably the nicest house
0:55:56 > 0:55:58we've ever walked around.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01You know, we'd never viewed a house that's affected us
0:56:01 > 0:56:02quite as much as that one did.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05So, if we could have it, I think we'll do everything we can to.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08I can so see you two in that property.
0:56:08 > 0:56:10You just seem to fit.
0:56:10 > 0:56:11You really do.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13It's been our pleasure, thank you,
0:56:13 > 0:56:16and, well, enjoy the rest of your lives here in Dorset.
0:56:16 > 0:56:20- Thank you very much, it's been brilliant fun.- Thank you.
0:56:26 > 0:56:30Well, I've loved showing Chris and Kate around Dorset.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32Such a different collection of homes
0:56:32 > 0:56:35and only one of them at the top of their budget.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38That house, our mystery property,
0:56:38 > 0:56:41well, it certainly brought tears to Kate's eyes.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44The perfect home for a lovely couple.
0:56:44 > 0:56:48Obviously, they've got a little homework that they need to do,
0:56:48 > 0:56:49get a few questions answered
0:56:49 > 0:56:53and revisit their finances, but hearing those reactions
0:56:53 > 0:56:55and seeing that emotion,
0:56:55 > 0:56:58I'm feeling quietly confident.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02So that's it from, well, at least a rather rainy Dorset today,
0:57:02 > 0:57:05and I'll see you again in another part of the country soon.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10If you would like to escape to the country
0:57:10 > 0:57:13in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland and need our help,
0:57:13 > 0:57:16you can apply online at...