0:00:02 > 0:00:04This metal dome is actually a map,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06charting the positions of the stars and planets
0:00:06 > 0:00:07above my head.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09It's called a stellarsphere,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13and it's a memorial to one of England's greatest astronomers.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Find out who he was, and where I am, in just a moment.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Once upon a time, two long-time Londoners
0:00:37 > 0:00:40had a dream of moving to the country.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43This feels to me like, you know, the sort of a house in the woods,
0:00:43 > 0:00:45the gingerbread fairy-tale sort of place.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- But without the...- But without the witch!- Exactly.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48THEY LAUGH
0:00:48 > 0:00:52'And they may find their fairy-tale ending.'
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Completely tugging at my heartstrings, it really is, yeah.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- I can just imagine us in here. - I could, yeah.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Today, I'm in Derbyshire, in the village of Denby,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06and this is the birthplace of John Flamsteed,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09England's first Astronomer Royal.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Flamsteed spent his entire life observing the night sky,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15and he was one of the first to make the observation
0:01:15 > 0:01:19of what he thought was a star, and called 34 Tauri,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21but he was wrong.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24It turned out to be the planet that we now know as Uranus.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Derbyshire is in the East Midlands of England
0:01:29 > 0:01:31and borders counties including Staffordshire,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38The carboniferous limestone that gives the county its dramatic
0:01:38 > 0:01:41gorges and heady cliffs has also produced
0:01:41 > 0:01:42the many grey stone villages
0:01:42 > 0:01:48that dot the landscape, such as the aptly named Stony Middleton.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51A large section of the Peak District,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53the first national park in England,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55is found in the county.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58It includes the remains of a collapsed cave system called
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Winnats Pass - a craggy valley whose steep sides were formed
0:02:02 > 0:02:04by water erosion.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06There are many footpaths in the area.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09But as well as being a popular destination for walkers,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12the high moorland plateaus and ridges of the national park
0:02:12 > 0:02:14are the source of many rivers.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17And it's these waterways that powered Britain's
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Industrial Revolution in the 18th century.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Here on the Derwent, pioneering inventor Sir Richard Arkwright
0:02:24 > 0:02:27built one of his greatest endeavours, the Masson Cotton Mill,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30setting the blueprints for future construction.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32It's now a working museum.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35On the banks of the River Wye, we find what was
0:02:35 > 0:02:39once the 11th-century seat of William Peverel the Elder,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43alleged to be the illegitimate son of William the Conqueror.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47The current Haddon Hall showcases the architecture of the
0:02:47 > 0:02:49medieval manor house,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53with alterations and additions from the 13th to the 17th centuries.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Elsewhere on the River Wye,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00water has been harnessed for recreation and relaxation.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04The Romans called Buxton "the waters of the goddess of the grove",
0:03:04 > 0:03:08and in the 18th century, the town became a spa centre,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11complete with elegant accommodation for an influx
0:03:11 > 0:03:12of wealthy tourists.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16So, for sublime scenery, a slice of social history,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19or a stop at a spa town,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22it's well worth diving into the depths of Derbyshire,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24and making that country escape.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29With more than a third of the country lying inside the
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Peak District National Park,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34there's plenty of gorgeous locations in Derbyshire.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And property prices are not too expensive.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41The average price for a detached house here is £216,000,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45which is a whopping £84,000 less than the national figure.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48However, to protect rural communities,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52there are some restrictions on properties inside the park.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55These occupancy restrictions means that people can't buy them
0:03:55 > 0:03:58unless they've been working or living in the park
0:03:58 > 0:04:00for more than three years.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03However there are plenty of other gorgeous properties to be had,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07so let's meet the couple who are doing the choosing today.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11After 26 years together, John, a deputy headteacher,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13and Steven, who runs a hypnotherapy practice
0:04:13 > 0:04:16from their home in Leytonstone, East London,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19have the family of their dreams.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21We never imagined...
0:04:21 > 0:04:23even ten years ago,
0:04:23 > 0:04:25that we'd be able to get married.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28So, to have the civil partnership
0:04:28 > 0:04:30come along was amazing.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34And then when the adoption laws changed to allow gay couples
0:04:34 > 0:04:37to adopt, again, we never envisaged that we'd be able to
0:04:37 > 0:04:41have the family that we'd always wanted, with children.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44I can't think of a better decision we've made
0:04:44 > 0:04:46than to adopt the two boys that we have.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48We've got a really lovely family now.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Becoming parents 18 months ago
0:04:53 > 0:04:55meant a big shift in priorities.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57And they feel that leaving London for a new life in the country
0:04:57 > 0:05:00is the best move for them and their two young sons.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04We've really searched ourselves
0:05:04 > 0:05:08and thought about how we were going to be...
0:05:08 > 0:05:09to be the best for them.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12And I think this move
0:05:12 > 0:05:15is another part of that journey,
0:05:15 > 0:05:16of wanting them to have
0:05:16 > 0:05:19the kinds of childhoods that we had,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21where you were able to go out and run around.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24You know, go for long walks in the fields, in the countryside,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26and not have to worry.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29And the feeling that we don't have to do one thing after the next,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31run from one appointment to another appointment.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34So the slower pace, I think, quite appeals.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37But also to have more space, I think, around us.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41For some reason, I having a vegetable patch sounds, you know,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44something I want to do, maybe even keep a few chickens.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Along with the rural backdrop and room for their growing family,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52John's hoping for space to rekindle his musical side.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56I love writing music...
0:05:56 > 0:05:59and singing, performing.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02I've worked on several operas, I've written a requiem mass,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04which was a long time ago.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06And it's that kind of thing that I want to get back in touch with.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11My creative passions have taken very much a sideline.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13So, I've got a lot of unfinished projects,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17which I'm hoping will now get finished.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20And then see where I'm going from there.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22When it comes to the location of the new home,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24they both know where they want to go.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29We decided on Derbyshire as being a good place
0:06:29 > 0:06:31for the boys to grow up in, and also for ourselves,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34because we've visited the county so many times,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37and we've never grown bored of it.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Derbyshire has always seemed to have a calling for us.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41You don't have to drive too far to get out into the
0:06:41 > 0:06:43sticks and the forests and the woods.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Derbyshire's just a stunning place.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49And, you know, lovely villages...
0:06:49 > 0:06:53and the hills and the Peak District, and all that.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55It's one of those places, it's to feel...
0:06:55 > 0:06:58"Wow". You know, to feel...
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Feel comfortable, and to feel safe, and to feel,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05"This is where I really want to be."
0:07:05 > 0:07:09But most of all, it's about giving their life a breath of fresh air.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12It's having that...just that room to go...
0:07:12 > 0:07:14HE TAKES DEEP BREATH
0:07:14 > 0:07:18You know? And just...just chill out.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- And living life rather than just existing.- Existing.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Steven and John are open to living anywhere in Derbyshire
0:07:27 > 0:07:30with good links to either the city of Derby or town of Chesterfield,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32for Steven's client base.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36But before I start showing them houses,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38we're meeting in their chosen county to talk about
0:07:38 > 0:07:40what they want from their move.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- Morning, guys.- Morning.- Hi. - Welcome to Derbyshire, although
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- you know Derbyshire quite well. - Mmm.- We do now, yeah.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48You moved together 20 years ago, to Leytonstone. Um...
0:07:48 > 0:07:50But this is a much bigger move, cos you've got the boys on board.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53How are you feeling about it? How are they feeling about it?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56We're excited, nervous, as you might expect.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59The boys are, um...
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- A little nervous.- Mmm. - A bit anxious.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04But they've made several moves in their lives already,
0:08:04 > 0:08:06and as one of them has said to me,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09"It's just another chapter in our lives, it's just another move."
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Tell me a bit about your spec.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Remind us what we're looking for today.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16For just the house, which is a five-bedroom house.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- So, five bedrooms, quite a big house.- Mmm.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- And you want a music room, is that right?- Yes.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Yeah, I need to have a space to be creative.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25What about the reception rooms? What do you need there?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Well, I know John likes a big kitchen,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30cos our current one is very small, and he's quite a cook.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Well, I have got a lovely sort of vision of me cooking
0:08:33 > 0:08:37and the boys sitting there doing their homework, or being creative...
0:08:37 > 0:08:39We love a vision on this show.... THEY LAUGH
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- And then we dash it with reality(!) - No, I don't believe that, Alistair.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Um, and one of the things I'm after is a separate room for my practice,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- because I'm a therapist.- Yeah.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51So, that will have to be downstairs, as well.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54And in terms of location and space outside,
0:08:54 > 0:08:55what are you looking for there?
0:08:55 > 0:08:58We want a decent-sized garden, particularly for the boys to
0:08:58 > 0:09:01be able to play out and enjoy being in the countryside.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05In terms of the actual style of the house, what are you looking for?
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Eh, we're after a house with character.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09I suppose our fantasy is the cottage,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12with a lovely real fire in the living room.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15So, we haven't really been interested in new-builds
0:09:15 > 0:09:17unless they've got something quirky about them.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- If it feels right, if it's the right house, we can make it work.- Mmm.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Remind me of your budget. How much money have we got to play with?
0:09:24 > 0:09:28If we find a house with outbuildings, around 475.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31OK, so the outbuildings are for what...?
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- For the possibility of converting to maybe holiday lets.- Oh, OK.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- OK, well, we can talk about that as we go along.- Sure.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39It's quite a lot that you're looking for.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- You know, it's a nice big budget, but...- Yeah, sure.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43We have some great properties lined up. All quite different,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46so hopefully one of them will tug at your heartstrings.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48And there's no time like the present, so get your bits and bobs,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- let's go.- Fantastic.- Thank you.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56With a total budget of up to £475,000
0:09:56 > 0:09:58for the right house, with outbuildings,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Steven and John would like a character property with
0:10:01 > 0:10:04a large kitchen, five bedrooms,
0:10:04 > 0:10:05a music room,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08and somewhere for Steven's hypnotherapy practice.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11They'd also like a large, child-friendly garden.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16We've got some incredible properties to show them,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18and at each, I'll be asking them to
0:10:18 > 0:10:20guess the price before I reveal it.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22The final tour will be our Mystery House,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25which may lead to a surprising conversion.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32How are you feeling about moving to the countryside,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35now you're coming up into the sticks of Derbyshire?
0:10:35 > 0:10:41Everybody's been so friendly and so welcoming anywhere that we've been
0:10:41 > 0:10:43that it's kind of put my mind at rest.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45We love Derbyshire. We just love...
0:10:45 > 0:10:48When we come up, it's just that feeling.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51As soon as you see a bit of green or a tree,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54you know, it's like we' just sort of relax.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57It's something about being back in the countryside, in nature,
0:10:57 > 0:11:01that seems to naturally help you let go of the stresses of being
0:11:01 > 0:11:03in a busy city, and it just feels like it's going to be
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- a slightly slower existence.- Yeah.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Having to go from one diary entry to another and squeeze things in and
0:11:08 > 0:11:10rushed here, there and everywhere.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Our house-hunting is taking us to the village of Hatton,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19close to the Staffordshire border.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Around half a mile across the River Dove
0:11:21 > 0:11:23is the village of Tutbury.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27Below the ruins of its medieval castle are tea rooms, pubs,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30a post office and other provisions.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33But this is no sleepy country backwater,
0:11:33 > 0:11:38it's still a busy and populous place, as one factor of the house
0:11:38 > 0:11:40we've come to see demonstrates.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42So let's head back to the village of Hatton.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47So our first house meets pretty much all of your commitments on paper
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- except for one, and that you can probably hear.- Yes.- Yes.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53THEY CHUCKLE
0:11:53 > 0:11:57So, behind that big hedge, we've got a busy road into the village.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- It's not the big rural location that you were looking for.- OK.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Well, we know we'd have to compromise on something, so...
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- We've lived close to kind of a main road in London, haven't we?- Mm.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09What do you think about the actual property?
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- It looks really lovely.- Yeah. - Really... It looks old.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16- Yeah.- A bit of character.- Yeah. - That's what we're looking for.- Yeah.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21Love the house. But, yeah, the road...a little bit busy.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- But, you know, we can have a look and see what we think.- Yeah.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- Let's go and have a look inside.- OK.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Although not in the depths of the countryside, I think
0:12:31 > 0:12:34this less isolated location may well appeal to our pair,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38who are used to living in London's busy East End.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42What's more, this detached home, originally built in the 1850s,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44shares some of the Victorian character they know and love
0:12:44 > 0:12:46in their current home.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Extended to the front in the latter part of the Victorian era,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54a porched front door takes us through a very large entrance hall,
0:12:54 > 0:12:59currently used as a games area, and on to a further reception room.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Come into this room.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03This is a good example of the Victorian dimensions of the house,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06with a lovely kind of fireplace, big, high ceilings.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09It's a lovely space. What do you think?
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- It is really...really calming, isn't it?- Yes, it is.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14And it's very quiet.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15Nice sort of sanctuary.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18In terms of the kind of the style and period of the house,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- is this what you were looking for? - Yes.- Yes, absolutely. Yeah.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Yeah, it's... That sort of period of architecture is something
0:13:24 > 0:13:28I really like. It's solid, it's build to last.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Nice big room, nice high ceilings, and that's...that's lovely.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33There's quite a lot of reception space in this house.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36As you noticed as we came in, there's a great big hallway,
0:13:36 > 0:13:37where they've got a sort of pool table.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40That could be a playroom, cos that's at the foot of the stairs.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Yeah, that's true.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- Good. So... Thumbs up? - Yes, definitely.- So far, yeah.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- Let's continue our exploration.- OK.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52Back through entrance hall,
0:13:52 > 0:13:56a corridor leads to the rear of the property where there is a large
0:13:56 > 0:13:58kitchen and breakfast room
0:13:58 > 0:14:01with lines of sight through to two further reception rooms.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03So come in. Now we come to the very other end of the house.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05It's a bit of a whistle-stop tour.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06But if you look behind you here,
0:14:06 > 0:14:10you've got these parallel through rooms here, lots of space.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12It's quite a big ground floor.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14This, then, is the kitchen, which is
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- kind of your domain. Is that right, John?- Oh, yes.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17I like it.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19I can see me in here.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Nice table here for the boys to sit and do their homework on.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25It's also nice to have a space that's sort of separate
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- but you can also see what they're up to.- Exactly, yeah.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31And then I was thinking your music room could be there at the back.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Yep, yep.- Is that going to be enough space?
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- Yes. Yes, definitely.- Phew! Cos we can't give you any more.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- No. Lots of possibilities about how we can use the room.- Definitely.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41If you look over here,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44through this window, across the courtyard here,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47that's the annexe, so that's fully wired up,
0:14:47 > 0:14:49and we were thinking that would be a perfect place
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- as your therapy space. - Oh, wow, wonderful, OK.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Cos, you know, your clients could park, come in,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56they'd never have to come into the main house.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57No, that's a great idea, yeah.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Very excited actually.- Yeah, yeah.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- As you say, it ticks a lot of the boxes.- Yeah.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- I get a good feeling in here.- Good.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Yeah, I got that as soon as I came in through the door.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10It's important for me sort of the emotional connection to a place.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Yeah.- I can see us entertaining here as well,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15because we do enjoy our entertainment, don't we?
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Particularly when you're cooking a lovely meal.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19We'll give you plenty of time, obviously, to look around,
0:15:19 > 0:15:20- but let's look upstairs.- OK.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27The tranquillity, space and elegant dimensions offered up inside
0:15:27 > 0:15:31this home seem to have dispelled their initial reservations for now.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35And completing this floor is a cloakroom and utility.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40Upstairs, we find the four-bedroomed sleeping quarters.
0:15:40 > 0:15:41Above the kitchen,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45a family bathroom sits next to a double room.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Another double has a single-aspect window,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52whilst a third enjoys aspects to the front and side of the home.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56That leaves the wing above the hall and sitting room
0:15:56 > 0:16:00for the fourth, largest bedroom, complete with an en-suite.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Here we are, the master bedroom.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- It's a lovely sized room. - It is. Yeah.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07It's got a nice feel to it. Our sanctuary!
0:16:07 > 0:16:08Yeah.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12Lots of room for storage and getting all your clothes in.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Right.- Oh, yeah, all my shoes.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17But this is quite a spectacular en-suite.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- Oh!- Oh!- Wow.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21It's enormous, isn't it? Yes.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Oh, that was a surprise.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25It is a very spacious house.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- You know, those Victorians, they didn't skimp on space.- That's true.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- I think let's get the price in place.- OK.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- So let's step outside for a moment. - OK.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39A good reaction to the interior of this large Victorian home.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41And outside, there's gated rear access
0:16:41 > 0:16:43to that self-contained annexe.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46There's also off-street parking
0:16:46 > 0:16:48and two single garages,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51as well as a rather luxurious hot tab.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54The front of the home features a large lawn
0:16:54 > 0:16:57plus a paved terrace for al fresco dining.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00What do you think of the garden size?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- It's a good size. I can see the boys being quite happy here.- Absolutely.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Plenty of room for them to play in, I think.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Nice sort of zones to sit out in, on a summer's day.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12What do you think about the price? You think this all comes in at?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- I'm going to go for 410.- OK.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20I'm going to go more towards the top of our budget. I think around 470.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Aha, right. So quite a disparity.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- Slap bang in the middle, actually. It's on at 430.- Oh.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27That's, I think, pretty good.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29that gives you some money to play around with,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31maybe redecorating stuff.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Why don't you go and explore and I'll catch up with you afterwards?
0:17:34 > 0:17:35Brilliant, thank you.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39That's a pretty good first house. I know the road is noisy.
0:17:39 > 0:17:40That's going to be an issue.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42But there's so much to offer in this property,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44we couldn't not show it to them.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46I think they are pretty charmed.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50This detached Victorian home
0:17:50 > 0:17:53comes with a large kitchen/breakfast room
0:17:53 > 0:17:55and four further reception spaces.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58There are four bedrooms, including a spacious en-suite,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02and a self-contained annexe as well as two garages.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04This would make a good therapy room.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- Yeah, I think so, yeah. Really fit the bill.- Nice big space.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- And actually it is big enough to do small workshops as well.- Oh, yeah.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- That's an idea.- A possibility.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15I think the first thing I noticed about the property was its size.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17It seemed like it held a lot of rooms.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20And certainly we weren't disappointed when we came inside.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22It was quite an imposing building, but at the same time,
0:18:22 > 0:18:27we felt quite comfortable in here.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28I think the house definitely
0:18:28 > 0:18:32has potential, particularly if I think about my therapy practice
0:18:32 > 0:18:35and that the annexe outside could definitely be converted to
0:18:35 > 0:18:37a nice therapy space.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40It's definitely a contender, I believe.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42I feel at home.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I could see us living here.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46I can see all our stuff here.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48I can also see me pottering around in the kitchen,
0:18:48 > 0:18:52watching the boys do their homework, so, like, I've moved in, in my head.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- OK, we're done with this one, let's go on to the next.- OK.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Derbyshire may be best known for its Dales,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12but at one time wealthy tourists came to the county not to clamber
0:19:12 > 0:19:14up on its craggy cliffs
0:19:14 > 0:19:18but to enjoy the alleged benefits of its naturally heated waters.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23The town of Buxton, once popular with the Romans, enjoyed
0:19:23 > 0:19:27a renaissance as a spa resort from the 18th century onwards.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31And in 1903, an impressive opera house was built.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35John, an opera fan who has even written some himself,
0:19:35 > 0:19:39plans to explore his musical side after the move, so during the
0:19:39 > 0:19:43week, we sent him and Steven to tour this theatrical treasure.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46They are starting in the Dress Circle meeting Jenny Mather,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50a keen amateur dramatist who has performed here herself.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- Hi, nice to meet you.- You too.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Blimey, what an amazing theatre.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57It is a stunning theatre, isn't it?
0:19:57 > 0:20:00It was built in 1903 by Frank Matcham,
0:20:00 > 0:20:04who was the most prolific theatre architect in the country
0:20:04 > 0:20:06in the Victorian and Edwardian period.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11Buxton Opera House is similar in design to the London Coliseum,
0:20:11 > 0:20:13which you may be familiar with,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16but it's considered one of Frank Matcham's most perfect design.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18What makes it so special?
0:20:18 > 0:20:21The proportions of the theatre are perfect,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24and of course the decor is just to die for, isn't it?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26It's just simply stunning.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28And at the time in his career that Frank Matcham
0:20:28 > 0:20:32built Buxton Opera House, you know, he had many years' experience,
0:20:32 > 0:20:38so he mixed practicality with safety, lavish interior decor.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Of course, Frank Matcham was master of sight line and master of the key
0:20:42 > 0:20:45sticks, so wherever you sit in the theatre, you are guaranteed
0:20:45 > 0:20:49a fantastic view of the stage and you can always hear the performers.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50It's still, you know,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54a fantastic experience wherever you sit in the theatre.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56There may be great views from all angles,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00but the tiers tell tales from the strict social classes of yesteryear.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04The middle and upper classes sat closeness to stage
0:21:04 > 0:21:08level on the comfiest chairs and kept apart from the working class
0:21:08 > 0:21:13up in the galleries, who were packed in on hard wooden benches.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15And you'll be pleased to know that there are proper seats
0:21:15 > 0:21:18upstairs in the gallery now.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20There's so much gold everywhere,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23then these amazing paintings on the ceiling.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26The different painted panels represent the various arts,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30so we've got music, literature,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34dance, painting, poetry and comedy.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38The gold leaf was repainted in 2001 and, I believe,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41there's £85,000 worth of gold leaf up there.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44And it is still as sparkling as what it was 2001.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50In 1927, like many theatres at the time, the opera house became
0:21:50 > 0:21:53a cinema before briefly closing during the 1970s.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Fortunately, it was restored and reopened, and it's now one of
0:21:58 > 0:22:02around 20 surviving theatres in the country designed by Frank Matcham.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07To demonstrate how productions are brought to life here,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10technical manager Guy Dunk is on hand in the lighting box.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15Well, it seems like a lot of buttons to press and control.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17So how many lights are you controlling from the box?
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Typically, for our own lighting rig, we've got about 130,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24140 lamps. They're not all rigged at the same time,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27but of course we get productions in from all over the world,
0:22:27 > 0:22:30and they will bring additional lighting with them,
0:22:30 > 0:22:36and so, you know, we can control, well, hundreds of lights.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40The ancient Greeks were the first to use lighting cues with epic
0:22:40 > 0:22:42performances calling for sunrise
0:22:42 > 0:22:46and sunset at certain points of a production.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Several centuries later,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51the Savoy Theatre in London went fully electric,
0:22:51 > 0:22:53and others followed suit.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57So, just to go through the basics, there's a touch-screen here.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Steve, if you want to press just there, we'll see...
0:23:02 > 0:23:05..the house like going down, just gently fading out.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10And then, John, if you perhaps just want to push up that fader.
0:23:10 > 0:23:16- And there we can see the blue lights on the forestage.- Wow.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20You are now officially lighting operators. Well done.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24So now what we are going to do is head down to the stage
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and see what we can find there, OK?
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Great.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32The opera house uses what is known as a fly system.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36This means hemp ropes and manpower are employed to raise
0:23:36 > 0:23:39the stage curtain just as they were when the theatre first open.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43So then, gentlemen, this is quite low-tech,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45but this is the authentic experience,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49so perhaps if you would like to head out onto the stage, and I will go
0:23:49 > 0:23:52up the stairs, up to the fly floor and operate the curtain.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- OK?- Thank you.- See you in a bit.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00OK, guys, are you ready? House curtain going up.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06The boards of this 902-seater theatre have been trod by acting
0:24:06 > 0:24:11legends such as Sir Alec Guinness and Dame Sybil Thorndike.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- Wow.- Wow.- Blimey.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Just stand and perform here.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Ladies and gentlemen...
0:24:18 > 0:24:19Let's have a go of it.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Luckily, there are no signs of performance anxiety
0:24:23 > 0:24:26as joining John and Steven on stage are community singers
0:24:26 > 0:24:29The Kaleidoscope Choir for a rousing rendition
0:24:29 > 0:24:33of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35# Hallelujah
0:24:35 > 0:24:38# Hallelujah
0:24:38 > 0:24:41# Hallelujah
0:24:41 > 0:24:45# Hallelujah, hallelujah Hallelujah
0:24:45 > 0:24:49# Hallelujah
0:24:49 > 0:24:53# Hallelujah... #
0:24:53 > 0:24:56No time for an encore, I'm afraid, as it's back to see if any
0:24:56 > 0:25:00of our properties will get a curtain call on our Derbyshire house hunt.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06The village of Brassington, in the Derbyshire Dales,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08is where our search is heading.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Nestled in the rocky limestone uplands of White Peak
0:25:11 > 0:25:13and close to many footpaths,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17the quiet country lanes take in a pretty Norman church,
0:25:17 > 0:25:19village shop and primary school,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22alongside lovely old stone houses.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Once an important centre for lead mining,
0:25:25 > 0:25:27reminders of the industry remain.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30The house we've come to see is located in
0:25:30 > 0:25:32a small residential close.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36ALISTAIR SIGHS Listen, guys...
0:25:36 > 0:25:40- Mmm. No road.- Just quiet. Peace and quiet.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- Good. Good, good, good.- This is the property we're interested in.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46We're just a village away from the beginning of the national park.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Oh.- Right.- So, great location.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- It looks beautiful, I think. - It does, yeah.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- Really sort of country cottage-y. - Lovely. I love the brickwork.- Yeah.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- It feels nicely quiet down here, particularly.- Mmm.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59- So, the boys could play out here, I think...- Yeah.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01..and I'd be perfectly happy with that.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05- Well, you'll see there's more play options elsewhere.- OK.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06Let's take a look inside.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Built in 1992 with a later extension,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14a central hall takes us to the first room of the home,
0:26:14 > 0:26:16which is currently unoccupied.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21It's an unusual property because there's nothing in it,
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- so the owners have already moved out.- OK.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- But it gives you a blank canvas. - Mmm.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Obviously, this is sitting room,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30and it goes through into this lovely sunroom at the back.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- Not sure at the moment.- Yeah.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- I like the location, I very much like the location.- Yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Not sure about the size of the house.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- I need to see the rest of the house.- Yeah.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43It's interesting, as well... Because it hasn't got the furniture in,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45- it takes a bit more imagination...- Mmm.
0:26:45 > 0:26:46..to imagine the cosiness of it.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- So, there's a little bit of that going on as well.- Mmm.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52So, you're feeling it's a bit small...?
0:26:52 > 0:26:55That's just first impressions, yeah. That might change as we go round.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Let's have a look in the kitchen.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Across the hall, the kitchen/breakfast room
0:27:00 > 0:27:02sits to the front of the house.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Kitchen, again, bare of any furniture and...
0:27:06 > 0:27:08What do you think?
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- It's a good size.- Yeah. - Yeah, very good size.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13The thing about this property is that...
0:27:13 > 0:27:15one - it requires a bit of imagination
0:27:15 > 0:27:16to put the furniture in place,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19but also there's a potential to kind of change the interior.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23So, there are plans that the owner had drawn up to knock through
0:27:23 > 0:27:25there so you've got a big kitchen/diner that goes
0:27:25 > 0:27:27right to the back of the house, right into the garden.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28OK.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30OK, that sounds like a good idea.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33So it's definitely a property that you kind of need to kind of think
0:27:33 > 0:27:35- beyond what you can see right now. - Yeah.
0:27:35 > 0:27:36We'd be up for that, I think.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39We wouldn't do it ourselves. Get somebody else in to do it.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42You've got a sort of cryptic smile, polite smile, John...
0:27:42 > 0:27:44THEY LAUGH Does that mean you've given up
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- on this one?- No, I haven't given up on it at all, no.- Right.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51I'm just struggling to see how we're going to fit everything in.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52Yeah.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56It remains to be seen whether this house can coax John and Steven
0:27:56 > 0:27:59to make it work for them, although it seems they are open
0:27:59 > 0:28:01to doing some reconfiguration.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Completing the current layout of the ground floor,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07a utility and cloakroom sit behind the kitchen.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10And behind that, a dining room with views
0:28:10 > 0:28:12and doors out to the garden.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Upstairs, there are four bedrooms.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16To the front of the house, there's a double bedroom
0:28:16 > 0:28:18with built-in wardrobes,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20and a single room,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23which are both served by a family bathroom.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27There's a further bedroom to the rear of the house, with an en-suite.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31Then, overlooking the garden, is the en-suite master.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35This would be your bedroom.
0:28:35 > 0:28:36Got great views.
0:28:37 > 0:28:38Yes, it has.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40And you've got an en-suite here.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42It's a nice-sized room,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45but I don't see much in the way of storage, you know.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- Once you get your...- Yeah, once you get your bed in.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Yeah, that's true. Oh, dear. Feel like it's ebbing away.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54JOHN LAUGHS Sand dropping through my fingertips.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57It seems the accommodation in this detached Dales house
0:28:57 > 0:28:59has failed to convince our buyers,
0:28:59 > 0:29:03but perhaps the glorious garden setting will win them over.
0:29:03 > 0:29:04As well as a stream,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07there's a paddock of around a fifth of an acre.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09And with a footpath on their doorstep,
0:29:09 > 0:29:13the Derbyshire countryside is in easy reach.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Plus, the attached garage provides a versatile space
0:29:16 > 0:29:19that could be adapted for Steven's therapy practice.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25So, the garden, you can see here, is a great run-around for the boys.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27LAUGHING: Still not looking very impressed...
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- It's kind of everything that we weren't looking for.- Oh, really?
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Yeah. The look of the house is great,
0:29:33 > 0:29:37it's just the actual size of the rooms, I think.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I love the fact the stream is there, not that we asked for that,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- but it's a lovely extra.- Mmm. A good extra.- Um, you know,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44land-wise, garden-wise, it's here.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48I find it difficult to see the therapy room being here
0:29:48 > 0:29:52unless we invested in converting the garage.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Yeah, there are some options. You could kind of build out, over
0:29:54 > 0:29:57the garage. You could also possibly go up into the roof, although,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00as you see, it's got quite some impressive solar panels,
0:30:00 > 0:30:02which brings back around £2,000 a year,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- so you're heating's pretty much for free.- Sure.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Which is a pity. I mean, I love the conservatory, the size of it.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Obviously, there's features of it that are nice.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13So, what do you think it's on the market for?
0:30:13 > 0:30:15- Uh...375?- Mm-hm.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17I'll go for 400,000.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Your both a bit low, it's on a 418,000.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22OK.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24But go back inside and have another snoop around,
0:30:24 > 0:30:25and I'll see you out front
0:30:25 > 0:30:28and then we can see what else we can rustle up for you.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30- OK.- Great. Thank you.
0:30:31 > 0:30:32Coming in below budget,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35this detached Dales house comes with
0:30:35 > 0:30:36a kitchen/breakfast room,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38dedicated dining room
0:30:38 > 0:30:40and a large conservatory.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41There are four bedrooms,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43two with en-suite bathrooms,
0:30:43 > 0:30:45and a good-sized garden
0:30:45 > 0:30:47surrounded by countryside.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51- The conservatory's stunning. The views are amazing.- Agreed.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56So again, a lot of our boxes, I think, have been ticked.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- Maybe not enough.- No.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01I think the house promised a lot.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03From when we rolled up at the front door, I thought,
0:31:03 > 0:31:05"Wow, this looks just what we're looking for."
0:31:05 > 0:31:07And the location was stunning.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09The conservatory particularly appeals to me.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13I quite like the idea of the sun coming in and kind of sitting
0:31:13 > 0:31:15out there and reading.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19As a growing family, I think we just need that room to expand.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24The floor space, as a whole, is not as big as we've got at the moment.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27It feels like there's too many compromises for us,
0:31:27 > 0:31:28with this property.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31This is the quiet location that we want,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- but just a bigger property. - Yes. Yep.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38I don't know how many extensions or skylights
0:31:38 > 0:31:40or new solar panels
0:31:40 > 0:31:43is going to make this house work for them, so...
0:31:43 > 0:31:46I was just saying, I can't really tweak this property
0:31:46 > 0:31:47to make it sing to you, can I?
0:31:47 > 0:31:51- No, I'm afraid not, Alistair. - Let's draw a veil over it.- Yes.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54- And go and get some rest and get ready for tomorrow.- Wonderful.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12We're in Derbyshire, with a maximum budget of £475,000
0:32:12 > 0:32:14to find John and Steven, from East London,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17a country home for them and their two sons.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20They've already seen some lovely property, but there's
0:32:20 > 0:32:22some more to come, including the Mystery House,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25which could take our search to new heights.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Do you like what you see?- I do, yeah.- I do like what I see, yeah.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30It's lovely, it's welcoming, it's warming.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Got that lovely calm feeling.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37And I'm at the cutting edge of a local craft revival in Derby.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40I think there's something to be said about the warmth that
0:32:40 > 0:32:43you get from wood. It's... Yeah, less sterile.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- It's lovely - you're kind of beaming as you say that.- I know!
0:32:50 > 0:32:53We didn't quite hit the mark yesterday, but today's
0:32:53 > 0:32:56another day, here in the beautiful peaks, and we're hoping that
0:32:56 > 0:33:00we can get closer to meet John and Steve's expectations,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03even though they are quite high for their budget. But it's all for a
0:33:03 > 0:33:07good cause - getting the boys a new home up here in the north -
0:33:07 > 0:33:11so I'm hoping that one of today's properties is going to hit the mark.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13I'm really hoping one of them does.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18We're travelling to the small hamlet of Shipley Gate,
0:33:18 > 0:33:20on the border with Nottinghamshire.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24The town of Eastwood is under a mile and a half away and provides
0:33:24 > 0:33:28a good range of shops and services. The writer D H Lawrence
0:33:28 > 0:33:32was born in this former coal town, and as the son of a
0:33:32 > 0:33:37barely literate miner, his exposure to colliery life was formative.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41A short drive away, our next house is located by a canal
0:33:41 > 0:33:45built to transport the region's coal. Accessed via a gated drive,
0:33:45 > 0:33:49the surroundings may be picturesque, but it holds its own
0:33:49 > 0:33:51rather gruesome link to the mining industry.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56OK, now, I love this property, but I have no idea whether
0:33:56 > 0:34:00you're going to love it or hate it.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03- This used to be the slaughterhouse. - Hmm.- Yes.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08I was toying whether to tell you that or not. It's the slaughterhouse
0:34:08 > 0:34:12- where they used to slaughter the pit ponies.- My goodness, wow.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16This is a project, so it's whether you're going to be willing to
0:34:16 > 0:34:21- do the work and make it happen. - Sure.- OK.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24- I'm up for a project, yeah. Are you?- I think so, yeah, yeah.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- What are your first thoughts, coming down the drive?- I love it.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- Yeah?- This kind of feels to me like the house in the woods,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34you know, the gingerbread fairy-tale sort of place.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- But without the nasty... - But without the witch!- Exactly!
0:34:37 > 0:34:40- Yeah, no, this looks fantastic. - It does, yeah.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43- Really excited about seeing inside. - Let's see what you think.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48With a stable block dating from the 18th century,
0:34:48 > 0:34:52the main building was constructed in the 1920s
0:34:52 > 0:34:57and converted into a home in the 1980s. Its intriguing layout
0:34:57 > 0:35:00begins with an entrance hall, which leads into the country kitchen.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Come into the warmth, and into the kitchen.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10I love it, actually. The fact it's kind of like a farmhouse kitchen.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- It just kind of gives that nice feel to it, doesn't it?- It does, yeah.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- Working kitchen.- Yeah. - Full of character.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17- I love the beams as well.- Yeah.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- I love it. It feels like a home... - Mm.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- ..which is what we're after, isn't it, really?- Mm, absolutely, yeah.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26But I think it's a love it or hate it sort of thing, you know,
0:35:26 > 0:35:30- if you like the vibe of the place, you can do something with it.- Yeah.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Directly off the kitchen is a reception room,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35packed with period appeal.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38This is the heart of the home, really. This is the sort of
0:35:38 > 0:35:43- central sitting room. - Lovely and quirky.- It is quirky.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- Which is exactly what we're after, isn't it?- Yeah, yeah.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47This house has a lot of character.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50- Great big roaring coal fire.- Yes.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54Completely tugging at my heartstrings. It really is, yeah.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56- I could just imagine us in here. - I could, yeah.
0:35:56 > 0:35:57- Absolutely.- Definitely.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01- It's a very cosy house.- It is.- And you could do so much with it.- Mm.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04I think particularly, what appeals to me, is the boys loving
0:36:04 > 0:36:07- exploring and hiding...- Yeah. - ..and running around, and having
0:36:07 > 0:36:10a lot of fun living here, I think, particularly...
0:36:10 > 0:36:13- I think it would appeal to the boys, wouldn't it?- Yeah, I think so.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15Upstairs is a little bit tight, I'm just warning you,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18so let's have a look there.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21I'm glad the somewhat grizzly origins of this
0:36:21 > 0:36:24former slaughterhouse have not distracted John and Steven from
0:36:24 > 0:36:28its undeniable charms. Off this reception is a dining room with a
0:36:28 > 0:36:31spiral staircase up to the upper floor,
0:36:31 > 0:36:33as well as doors out to a sunroom.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Next to this is a second kitchen space, and beside
0:36:37 > 0:36:41the entrance hall is a utility, plus a flight of stairs down to
0:36:41 > 0:36:46the first of four bedrooms, that includes an en-suite cloakroom.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49But we're taking the main stairs from the sitting room up to
0:36:49 > 0:36:51the remaining three bedrooms.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55I'll give you a sort of... Your bearings up here.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58You can explore a bit more later. This is the master behind you.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01So you've got lots of storage under the eaves.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05- But no en-suite, you'd have to use this bathroom here.- Mm-hm.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08And then, on this side, you've got a chain of two interlocking rooms,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11and another bathroom, and then the spiral staircase.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14You'd all be one family, snug under the eaves!
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- Yeah, I think it is quite snug, isn't it?- It is.
0:37:17 > 0:37:18Not a big problem, I don't think.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21- We could work with that, while we get the place sorted out.- Mm.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25- You can imagine playing hide and seek up here, or sardines.- Yeah.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29There are even more hidden corners to explore, as outbuildings
0:37:29 > 0:37:34include a garage and a disused cottage, ripe for renovation.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37But first, we're investigating the former stable block,
0:37:37 > 0:37:42which is currently divided into six zones and dates from the 1700s.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48Oh, this sort of space makes a developer drool a little bit,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50but maybe it puts you off, does it?
0:37:50 > 0:37:51No, not in the slightest.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53I think there's so much that we could do with this.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- There's so many opportunities, I think...- Yeah. Absolutely.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01..for therapy rooms, and play room for the boys, or a music room...
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Just, yeah, there's a lot of potential here.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07And it feels really solid as well, so, you know, structure's there.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- There is a lot of potential. - Yeah, certainly.- Yeah.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15- Well, I'm hoping that the garden might just seal the deal.- Right, OK.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18The three-quarter acre grounds had been planted with
0:38:18 > 0:38:21over 300 trees by the current owners,
0:38:21 > 0:38:27who also rent one and a half acres of land for around £350 a year.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30It's the perfect territory for budding adventurers,
0:38:30 > 0:38:34offering them its very own stretch of uncharted waters.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38- Look, you've got a river!- Oh! - This is the Erewash River.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40- Beautiful. - This is proper countryside.- Yeah.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- You've outdone yourself, I think, today.- Yeah.- Amazing. Beautiful.
0:38:44 > 0:38:45The sound of the water's amazing.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48- Beautiful garden. I love it.- Yeah. - I love the naturalness of it, too.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50- Yeah, it's wild.- Yeah.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52- So, I'm getting a good vibe.- Yes.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Now comes the tricky bit - guessing the price.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56I'm going to be cheeky.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00I think with the amount of work that needs to be done, I think that
0:39:00 > 0:39:06has to be reflected in the price, so for me, I'm going to go 385.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12I'm going to be even more cheeky, I think, then, and go for 375,
0:39:12 > 0:39:13I think.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17OK, you're both being very cheeky, cos this is...
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- It's a big lot of property. This is on the market for 450.- OK.- OK.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25- You could negotiate down, but probably not that far down.- No.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Cos you're right, there is a lot of work, and you're going to
0:39:27 > 0:39:30have to budget about whether you can actually afford to do it.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32So, take a look at the outhouses, the cottage,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35and have a sniff around inside to see if that's going to work for you.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39- Right.- And I'll see you out the front.- Great. Thank you.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43Well, they ARE cheeky, aren't they? That's a very low price.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45But, you know, they're right, it's going to take a lot of work,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47but what an opportunity.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50I think it could be such a great place for the boys to grow up
0:39:50 > 0:39:52and for them to have a life together.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59With a guide price £25,000 below their top budget,
0:39:59 > 0:40:03this converted slaughterhouse comes with a country kitchen,
0:40:03 > 0:40:06characterful sitting room and four bedrooms.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09There's lots of potential in the various outbuildings, plus it's in
0:40:09 > 0:40:13a canal-side country location, with its own stretch of river.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17I'm enamoured with this property.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21I like the canal, I like the river at the bottom of the garden.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23The garden just seems to go on and on and on.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25It's an amazing property.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28It has so many things that we haven't asked for,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31but would have been on our higher sort of fantasy wish list, I guess.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33It's a delight, isn't it?
0:40:33 > 0:40:36And there's so much, I think, that we could do with the place,
0:40:36 > 0:40:39- whilst keeping it in character.- Mm.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42It just appeals to me on so many different levels.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46- I've walked round with a smile on my face since I came here.- Mm.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49I think this could definitely be our home, and for the boys particularly.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52I could just see them having so much fun in the garden.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56I really see their smiling faces in my imagination,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59just having a wonderful childhood, which is really
0:40:59 > 0:41:02a big part of the reason why we want to move to Derbyshire.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10I think this has got potential.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13Yeah, I like the idea of it being converted to a holiday let, I think.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15- Yeah. - Having seen the rooms next door,
0:41:15 > 0:41:18I think we could possibly use part of that.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20Good, I like this planning what you're going to do with the space.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22It's a very good sign.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24I'm afraid I'm going to have to drag you away,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26cos we've got other houses to see, other things to do.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28- OK.- So, follow me.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Amongst the moors and peaks, the mines and mills of Derbyshire
0:41:41 > 0:41:45played a pivotal role in Britain's Industrial Revolution,
0:41:45 > 0:41:50and the area around the Derwent River was particularly productive.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54This former cotton mill now houses the workshop of Ben Edmonds,
0:41:54 > 0:41:57who's bringing back a local skill - knife-making.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00And it's fantastic what you're doing, because obviously Sheffield,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03the Peak District, famous for knives, scissors, and steel.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- Yep, yep.- And now here you are, kind of reviving.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Yeah. We just make one-off kitchen knives.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13What was the fascination of steel and wood and blades?
0:42:13 > 0:42:14I suppose it developed over time.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17When I first started, I just thought, "Surely it's only me
0:42:17 > 0:42:20"mad enough to make knives."
0:42:20 > 0:42:23There's a nice kind of revival of makers now.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27I had a meeting with about 15 knife-makers from Sheffield,
0:42:27 > 0:42:28and it's really nice,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31all these people just, you know, hand-crafting one-off pieces.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33I'm from the Midlands,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36and I wanted to make a knife that I thought was true to me.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39I wanted to pick the right steel, the right design,
0:42:39 > 0:42:43and produce something quite simple, but best for the job.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46I mean, we use a specific high-carbon steel
0:42:46 > 0:42:49which basically means you can get it quite tough
0:42:49 > 0:42:51and you get a really fine edge.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53So, the handle - this is wood?
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Aesthetically, I think it's great, and I think there's something
0:42:56 > 0:43:00to be said about the warmth that you get from wood. It's...
0:43:00 > 0:43:01Yeah, less sterile.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04- It's lovely - you're kind of beaming as you say that.- I know!
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Ben first started crafting knives at his kitchen table,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10using techniques he learned from the internet.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Four and a half years on, he runs a three-man enterprise.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16Each knife begins as flat metal,
0:43:16 > 0:43:19which is worked through a series of four belts,
0:43:19 > 0:43:23starting with the ceramic belt that grinds a V-shaped blade edge.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26You can see the steel coming off.
0:43:26 > 0:43:27Um...
0:43:27 > 0:43:32And now Zack has to be careful that he doesn't get that knife too hot,
0:43:32 > 0:43:34which is why he keeps dipping it in the water.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41The remaining belts, we're just looking to remove
0:43:41 > 0:43:42scratches and get finer and finer.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45And then we go on to hand-sanding after that.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47How long does all that process, like, to get from the stock,
0:43:47 > 0:43:49- from the, you know, the...- Yeah.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52We could probably do four of those in a day.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57There's now a three-year waiting list for these artisan knives,
0:43:57 > 0:44:00each of which features a hand-crafted handle made
0:44:00 > 0:44:03from a selection of over 50 types of wood.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06So this is our clean room.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10We glue all the handles here to avoid any dust.
0:44:10 > 0:44:15So Pat's now just using a resin, and we are literally gluing the wood
0:44:15 > 0:44:17and the pins to the steel.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20Yeah, so we clamp that tight. We leave that for 24 hours,
0:44:20 > 0:44:23and then we have to take it back into the other workshop
0:44:23 > 0:44:25- and start sanding it down on the machines.- Yes.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29Because the finished product is very finished indeed, isn't it?
0:44:29 > 0:44:30It is, yeah.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32For those of us who don't have £1,000 for new knives...
0:44:32 > 0:44:36I mean, I've got knives that are probably horrendously blunt.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39Is there a way of keeping knives that we already have sharp?
0:44:39 > 0:44:41The main thing is to keep them sharp.
0:44:41 > 0:44:45Once a knife has dulled, it's tricky to get the edge back.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47Have you got time to give me a little workshop on that?
0:44:47 > 0:44:49- Yeah, let's do it.- Good.
0:44:52 > 0:44:56The travelling knife sharpener, who once visited towns
0:44:56 > 0:45:00and villages every year, was a common sight in Victorian Britain.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03Now left to our own devices, without those sharp skills,
0:45:03 > 0:45:07blunt knives are an all-too-common problem.
0:45:07 > 0:45:11- So, I recognise these, but I have no idea what to do with them.- Right.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14So, these are two very different things,
0:45:14 > 0:45:16although they look relatively similar.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20- That's a hone, and that's a steel.- OK.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24So, a hone doesn't have an abrasive edge - that's completely smooth -
0:45:24 > 0:45:27whereas a steel has got a slight abrasion.
0:45:27 > 0:45:32'With a dulled knife, we need to start with the steel.'
0:45:32 > 0:45:34So, from the heel, we put the knife flat,
0:45:34 > 0:45:37and we give it about 15 degrees.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40And all we're going to do is drag the knife down, making sure that
0:45:40 > 0:45:43you go from heel to tip all the way, and then we go to the other side.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45Same angle.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49- So, give that a go.- OK.- Right there.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52Set that angle, and pull it all the way down.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55- That's it. Maybe a bit more pressure.- Bit more?- Yeah, bit more.
0:45:58 > 0:46:02'Then it's onto the hone, for a few light strokes.'
0:46:03 > 0:46:07- You're probably talking three or four times on each side.- OK.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10- And all that does...- Caressing the blade.- Yeah, caressing the blade.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12And all that does is realigns the edge.
0:46:12 > 0:46:17'And, finally, we use a wet stone to give a really sharp finish.'
0:46:17 > 0:46:19- So, start here...- Starting flat.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22Yeah, and work all the way to the tip.
0:46:22 > 0:46:23- And pushing up?- Yeah.
0:46:26 > 0:46:28Nice.
0:46:28 > 0:46:29Let's have a look.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34- Looking good?- I think we are. And we'll try the paper again.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36And we'll see what happens.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38- Oh, wow!- Perfect.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42- There we go.- Amazing. - Nice and sharp.- Yeah.
0:46:42 > 0:46:46If you love your knife, then, yeah, it should last...
0:46:46 > 0:46:48Yeah, it should last a lifetime. That's the idea with them, anyway.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50If you look after them properly,
0:46:50 > 0:46:53you should be able to have one knife for life.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59In terms of the Mystery House,
0:46:59 > 0:47:02do you have any concept what we might be showing you there?
0:47:02 > 0:47:06- Ho-ho!- Something possibly converted?
0:47:06 > 0:47:11Converted barn, or a...windmill or something, I don't know.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15It's going to be something that will stretch our spec,
0:47:15 > 0:47:18you know, maybe we've said we don't want this and you'll show us that
0:47:18 > 0:47:22because the mystery property will have other things going for it.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24A very unusual property, like...
0:47:24 > 0:47:26A very quirky property indeed.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29- Like a lighthouse...- Converted mill chimney, or something!
0:47:29 > 0:47:31- A mill chimney.- Yes.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34- Just doesn't stack up, really. - Oh!- Oh, God.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40Our Mystery House is found in Flash, a village in the
0:47:40 > 0:47:44Peak District National Park, just across the Staffordshire border.
0:47:44 > 0:47:46A range of services are found three miles away in the
0:47:46 > 0:47:48Derbyshire spa town of Buxton,
0:47:48 > 0:47:51whose architectural delights include the 18th-century
0:47:51 > 0:47:55Devonshire Dome, which originally provided stabling and quarters
0:47:55 > 0:47:58for the servants of the nearby Crescent Hotel.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03Back in Flash, there are stunning views of the Peak District,
0:48:03 > 0:48:05as well as a shop and pubs.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10Its claim to be the highest village in Britain has been disputed,
0:48:10 > 0:48:12but there's no doubt that it did once feature
0:48:12 > 0:48:15the country's highest Methodist chapel,
0:48:15 > 0:48:17which has been converted into a home
0:48:17 > 0:48:19and is the property we've come to see.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23- And this is the Mystery House.- Wow.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26You were correct about the conversion - not a windmill,
0:48:26 > 0:48:30- but a Methodist chapel.- Wow. - OK, what do you think?
0:48:30 > 0:48:33- Looks very interesting from the outside, doesn't it?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:48:33 > 0:48:38- Completely renovated and done up inside two years ago.- OK.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41- It's a Mystery House, remember, so it's a bit of a curve ball.- Sure.
0:48:41 > 0:48:46- All right.- There's one very obvious feature that you might not like.
0:48:46 > 0:48:49- Oh!- But I think there's a lot to admire.- OK, sure.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51- You ready for a go?- Yeah, can't wait to see it.- Definitely.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53Let's go inside.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56Wesleyan Methodism was well-established in Flash when
0:48:56 > 0:48:58a chapel was built here in the 18th century
0:48:58 > 0:49:01to serve a 61-strong congregation.
0:49:01 > 0:49:05Rebuilt in 1821, it's now a Grade II listed home.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09Spread over three levels, we're starting in the multi-purpose
0:49:09 > 0:49:13living space that has been created on the ground floor.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16Come right into the heart of this big beast of a house.
0:49:17 > 0:49:21- As you can see, it's pretty much all open-plan.- Mm.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24- Interesting.- Yeah. - Do you like what you see?
0:49:24 > 0:49:25- I do, yeah. - I do like what I see, yeah.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28It's lovely, it's welcoming, it's warming, it feels cosy,
0:49:28 > 0:49:29even though it's a big space.
0:49:29 > 0:49:33Cos you've got a big log burner sort of solid fuel heater here.
0:49:33 > 0:49:36That actually heats all the water. You've also got another one here,
0:49:36 > 0:49:38- if you get chilly in the winter. - Oh, OK.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41And, as you can see, this is what would have been the worship space.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44- Yeah.- I've got a thing about converted churches, anyway,
0:49:44 > 0:49:47just that lovely, calm, feeling.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50- Nice feel let's look in the kitchen. - Mm.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54The sitting room is sandwiched between an area used as
0:49:54 > 0:49:57a study-cum-music-room, and a dining space.
0:49:57 > 0:49:58Then, at the back,
0:49:58 > 0:50:00we find a separate country kitchen/breakfast room.
0:50:00 > 0:50:02Everything flows very nicely,
0:50:02 > 0:50:05and then you've got a kitchen with amazing views.
0:50:06 > 0:50:11It's amazing. Just unexpected, in such a modern kitchen.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14I just get a really good feeling about the place.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16The style fits lovely with the house, doesn't it?
0:50:16 > 0:50:18Yes, it does, yeah.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21Well, the space and the serenity of this former chapel
0:50:21 > 0:50:23may yet convert John and Steven.
0:50:23 > 0:50:29On the lower ground floor is a cosy snug, a store room, utility,
0:50:29 > 0:50:33and a wet room, serving two of the home's four bedrooms -
0:50:33 > 0:50:36a very large double, and a smaller double.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40And, taking the stairs, we reach a galleried upper floor.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43So, again, let me just give you a little bit of geography.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45On that side, you've got a very nice...
0:50:45 > 0:50:47probably would be your master.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50And then a beautiful bathroom,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53a family bathroom with one of those sort of slipper baths.
0:50:53 > 0:50:54And then you've got this lovely...
0:50:54 > 0:50:56basically a sitting room for a landing.
0:50:56 > 0:50:59Another bedroom here, and then a great big kind of...
0:50:59 > 0:51:02- Well, it's a dressing room here.- Mm.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04As it stands, it doesn't work.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06I mean, I still love it - that's the thing about it,
0:51:06 > 0:51:07there's a lovely feel to it.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09Practically, I don't think it would work...
0:51:09 > 0:51:12You know, I'm thinking about your therapy room,
0:51:12 > 0:51:16where we would have that, but I do love the house.
0:51:16 > 0:51:17I really love the house.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21- I guess I could always retire early, or something.- Yeah.
0:51:21 > 0:51:23Well, in a way,
0:51:23 > 0:51:27the question marks may be resolved when we look at the outside space.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29- OK.- OK, all right, OK. - Come with me.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33Despite the impressive spec and location,
0:51:33 > 0:51:36John and Steven remain to be convinced that this house
0:51:36 > 0:51:39has everything they need for family life, and outside,
0:51:39 > 0:51:43it's time to reveal why this is a bit of a gamble,
0:51:43 > 0:51:46because restrictions here in the national park mean that
0:51:46 > 0:51:50this sizeable home is limited to a rather modest patio plot.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55So, this might be the shortest garden tour we've ever done,
0:51:55 > 0:51:58- because this IS your garden. - Right.- OK.
0:51:58 > 0:52:02- The idea, of course, is that THIS is your garden.- Mm-hm.
0:52:02 > 0:52:07But, it being the Peak District, you cannot turn arable land into garden.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09Right.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11Not much to say, really, about this.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14Well, you know, clearly for us, the garden was an important part,
0:52:14 > 0:52:17because of the boys, and we want them to be safe.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20- That's a big missing piece, I think, for us.- Mm.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23- It is beautiful, there's no doubt about that.- Mm.- We love it, I think.
0:52:23 > 0:52:24Yeah, we do.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27There's just the missing pieces, I think.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29And what do you think it's on the market for?
0:52:29 > 0:52:34- Yes.- I think it's... It's got to be over budget.- Do you think so?
0:52:34 > 0:52:37I would even go so far as to say maybe 520.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Ooh. I do think it's above what we were prepared to pay.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43I think I'll say 475.
0:52:43 > 0:52:49- This is actually on the market for £445,000.- Really?- Oh, OK.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52- Wow!- I'm sorry about the garden, but, you know, we couldn't resist
0:52:52 > 0:52:55- showing it to you, because it's a classic Mystery House.- Mm.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58And it has, you know, lots that recommends it.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03This converted Methodist chapel offers open-plan living
0:53:03 > 0:53:07on the ground floor, and a separate kitchen and breakfast room.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11There are a total of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and it's in
0:53:11 > 0:53:14the heart of a village within the Peak District National Park.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17I think... If it was just the two of us,
0:53:17 > 0:53:20- I think this would be absolutely perfect.- Mm.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23But our priorities have changed.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26It just wouldn't be suitable for the boys.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30- Unfortunately, this isn't the house for the family.- No.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33From the moment we pulled up and saw the house from the outside,
0:53:33 > 0:53:37the Mystery House, I just thought, was beautiful.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39Had a brilliant use of space.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41This house would have been a contender
0:53:41 > 0:53:44had it had a garden, and I think we would have gone for it.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47Ordinarily, I think it would be lovely to move in
0:53:47 > 0:53:50and consider putting a bid in for it,
0:53:50 > 0:53:53but it just doesn't fit our new family requirements,
0:53:53 > 0:53:56so, unfortunately, we're going to have to let it go.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01Ah, beautiful views, but I feel a rotter for showing you
0:54:01 > 0:54:04this property and not giving you a garden, but what can I do?
0:54:04 > 0:54:06- Oh, sorry.- That's OK.
0:54:06 > 0:54:07But, we're done here,
0:54:07 > 0:54:09but there is a pub - probably the highest pub in Britain -
0:54:09 > 0:54:12over there, so why don't you get yourself settled in there,
0:54:12 > 0:54:13and I'll come and join you in a minute?
0:54:13 > 0:54:15- Sure.- OK.- Thanks, Alistair.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18Oh, Mystery Houses can be so heartbreaking.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21They can either go wildly right, or wildly wrong.
0:54:21 > 0:54:25I mean, the garden was always going to be a hard thing to swallow, and
0:54:25 > 0:54:27it didn't quite work out, but let's go and find out what they think
0:54:27 > 0:54:31about the whole experience of being on Escape To The Country.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41Hey, nice to see you've really settled in to the neighbourhood!
0:54:41 > 0:54:43- Yes!- Drinks ready and everything. - Mm.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45Have you been mulling over the properties?
0:54:45 > 0:54:49We certainly have, and I think there's no doubt in our view
0:54:49 > 0:54:52that the house that's the favourite is the one by the canal.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55Yes, I'm glad, because it's a great property.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57So, what are the brass tacks? What happens next?
0:54:57 > 0:54:58Look at the finances, and...
0:54:58 > 0:55:00- Yeah, and look at the plans for the place...- Yeah.
0:55:00 > 0:55:04..to get a rough idea of what we want to get done pretty quickly,
0:55:04 > 0:55:05and how much that'll cost.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09And I see that being absolutely possible.
0:55:09 > 0:55:12Have you thought about what's the priority in that property?
0:55:12 > 0:55:16I think the priority's probably the holiday let, first of all,
0:55:16 > 0:55:18to get some income coming in,
0:55:18 > 0:55:21and then we focus on the bits, I think at least anyway, that we want.
0:55:21 > 0:55:25- Yes.- It is definitely liveable as it is, so we'll live with how the
0:55:25 > 0:55:27set-up is at the moment, I think.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30We can do that and focus on the other things first.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33- So, are you excited? Does it suit your...?- Yes.- Butterflies?
0:55:33 > 0:55:35I guess I'm not going to sleep tonight cos I dare say
0:55:35 > 0:55:38- I shall be dreaming about it.- Yes. - And what about the boys?
0:55:38 > 0:55:40What's the plan? Do you bring them up and...?
0:55:40 > 0:55:42Yes, we'll have to bring them up and let them see the property.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45They are an important part of the decision-making process.
0:55:45 > 0:55:47They'll love the stream, they'll love the canal,
0:55:47 > 0:55:49they'll adore the garden.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51- Yeah.- So much room for them to just run around.
0:55:51 > 0:55:52- And a great house for them to hide in.- Yeah.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54Exactly, so many cubbyholes.
0:55:54 > 0:55:56- It's going to hold their interest, I know.- Yeah.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Well, I'm delighted that we've found you something,
0:55:59 > 0:56:01cos it was quite a tall order. We seem to have found you something.
0:56:01 > 0:56:02Yeah, absolutely.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06And I really hope that you and the boys take that house and settle in.
0:56:06 > 0:56:07- Yeah.- Thank you. - Keep us in the loop.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10- Yeah, thanks very much for your help.- Been a fantastic few days.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12- Really has been amazing.- And it's always nice to be in Derbyshire.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14Yeah.
0:56:21 > 0:56:22Can I let you in to a secret?
0:56:22 > 0:56:23I thought, for a while,
0:56:23 > 0:56:25we had bitten off more than we could chew,
0:56:25 > 0:56:29because Steve and John really wanted a lot for their budget,
0:56:29 > 0:56:32but it was such a good story, with the boys, and the new family,
0:56:32 > 0:56:34and moving from the East End to all of this,
0:56:34 > 0:56:38that we did take on the challenge, and I am so relieved that
0:56:38 > 0:56:41we seem to have hit a bulls-eye with that house by the canal.
0:56:41 > 0:56:42It's going to be a lot of work,
0:56:42 > 0:56:46but it's the sort of work that will really bring that family together.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48If they need a peak experience,
0:56:48 > 0:56:53then this is the landscape that will give it to them.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55So, on that happy note,
0:56:55 > 0:56:59join us next time for more rural adventures on Escape To The Country.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04If you would like to Escape To The Country
0:57:04 > 0:57:06in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, or England
0:57:06 > 0:57:09and need our help, you can apply online.