Snowdonia Escape to the Country


Snowdonia

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Welcome to Escape to the Country.

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These astonishing mountains were the training ground for

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the world's first successful ascent of Mount Everest,

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but strangely they are closer to home than you might think.

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So, where are we?

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Well, join me in just a moment and I'll tell you.

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Today's property search reveals something of a generation gap.

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-Can you see your mum in here?

-Yeah, it's definitely her.

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That sounds like it's definitely not you.

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Yeah, he doesn't like olde worlde.

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I'm thinking I'll whack my head quite a few times.

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And it looks like we might uncover Mum's dream country home.

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-Lovely!

-Yeah?

-I knew it would be, I knew it would be.

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It's gorgeous, it's gorgeous.

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Well, today I'm in North Wales

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on the Watkin Path at the base of Mount Snowdon.

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This is one of six routes that leads to the peak,

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the highest, of course, in England and Wales.

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Now, despite being eight times smaller than Mount Everest,

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Snowdon and its challenging environment was

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the perfect training ground for Sir Edmund Hillary and his team.

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They came here in the winter of 1952 to test their equipment

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and hone their skills prior to their conquest of Everest itself

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in May of 1953.

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Now, of course, every year thousands of us make the climb

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to the top of Snowdon, following in Hillary's footsteps,

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but how many of us really appreciate just what it takes to work,

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farm and maintain this stunning environment?

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Well, later on in the programme, I'll be finding out.

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North Wales includes the Llyn Peninsula to the west,

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and the Isle of Anglesey and Colwyn Bay to the north.

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At its heart, Snowdonia crosses the areas of Gwynedd and Conwy

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and is the largest National Park in Wales.

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There are no fewer than nine mountain ranges here

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covering over half the park's surface.

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But rocky peaks are not the only natural delight on offer.

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The area abounds with gorges, valleys and forests,

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and is also home to around 26,000 permanent residents.

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Settlements include Penmaenpool,

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originally built for workers

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serving the country residence of a Lancashire entrepreneur.

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The hamlet's wooden toll bridge dates from 1879

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and can be used to reach a nearby RSPB wildlife reserve.

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On a grander scale, Conway is considered

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the best preserved medieval walled town in Britain.

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Not only have the stone fortifications remained intact,

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they boast an incredible 22 towers.

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The castle itself was built in the 13th century by Edward I,

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following his successful conquest of Wales.

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It overlooks the harbour,

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once described by the visiting Daniel Defoe,

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author of Robinson Crusoe, as noble.

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North Wales' rivers include the Dee.

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This 70-mile long waterway journeys from the mountains of Snowdonia

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via lush valleys passing through Bala Lake at Gwynedd.

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The lake's famously deep, clear waters

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are home to an abundance of fish,

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including perch and brown trout.

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With such a wealth of stunning scenery,

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historic settlements and varied coastline,

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it's no wonder that North Wales is so popular

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with both holiday-makers

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as well as those wanting a more rural lifestyle.

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Now, when it comes to house-hunting here in North Wales,

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property here is remarkably affordable.

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Currently the average price of a detached property

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in this neck of the woods is just under £200,000,

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and that compares very favourably with

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the nearly £290,000 average across England and Wales at the moment.

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Now, of course, there are hot spots.

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Gwynedd, this enormous northern county,

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is dominated by swathes of the Snowdonia National Park

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and, as with most National Parks, well, of course,

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if you're in it, you're going to have to spend

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a little bit more than if you're outside of it.

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So, if you want your budget to go that little bit further,

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my advice is to head west over towards the Llyn Peninsula

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and Wales' west coast,

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or indeed east over towards Conwy and Denbighshire.

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Let's face it, wherever you are up here

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you're never that far from the mountains.

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But what about today's buyers?

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What's attracted them to one of my favourite parts of the UK?

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Well, let's meet them and find out.

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Today's buyer, Maxine, is from Olney,

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within the Buckinghamshire borough of Milton Keynes.

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She's lived in her current home for almost 30 years, raising two boys.

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Youngest son Cyron is now 20 and studying music at Bangor University,

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meaning Maxine feels it's time for her to move on.

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I realised this house was far too big for me

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and it hasn't got a heart any more, you know. It's a place to stay,

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but it's not my ideal home any more.

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The area where I live...is a small town,

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but it's getting bigger and bigger

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and I can just see it getting too big for me,

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and neighbours are too close,

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I'm overlooked by a number of properties.

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As soon as I look out the windows, I'm looking at brick walls,

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other people's brick walls.

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You know, I feel hemmed in and claustrophobic

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and I want to look out into some beautiful countryside

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or see hills in the background and think,

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"I'm just going to put my boots on

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"and go for a nice walk in the countryside."

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And there's one place

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where Maxine feels her boots were made for walking.

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I feel very Welsh. I was born in Newport in South Wales.

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And I only left Wales for work, really, when I was in my early 20s.

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I just feel the draw.

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I suddenly realised how beautiful it was when I was taking my sons,

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Casper and Cyron, up to Bangor University.

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And every time I went up there, I just thought,

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"I don't want to go back home."

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Cyron shares his mum's sentiment for her Welsh homeland

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and is keen to help her make the move.

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I want to sort of bring a slightly younger and fresher perspective.

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Having that collective thought would possibly

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help better with the move than just one person themself.

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It's just getting back to my roots, really.

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I'm an outdoorsy person, even though I don't show it,

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I still like seeing...

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I love my scenery shots. Hill walking, I like that as well.

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And especially... Is it Mount Snowdon?

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I haven't even been up it yet.

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But there are practicalities to consider.

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Maxine will have to give up her cleaning business, so the new home

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will have to provide both a place to live and a source of income.

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When I go to North Wales, the property's got to work for me.

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I'm going to start afresh,

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so the building really does need to have

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either already a holiday let attached to it

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or an annexe that I can change into a holiday let.

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However, it's not just about earning potential.

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There are dreams of what a home in Wales will offer.

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When I started to explore villages up in the hills,

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in the mountains, I thought, "Yeah, I could be up here."

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And there are such beautiful stone properties,

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old Welsh stone cottages that I would love,

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with little windows and little doors and sheep on the doorstep.

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That's where I want to be, really.

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And I really do just want to get a little backpack,

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with my water in and my sandwiches and my camera

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and a woolly hat and a nice raincoat and off I go into the hills,

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and I'll be out for hours and hours.

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And I really look forward to that.

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But most of all it's about starting a new chapter.

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It would definitely change my life completely, utterly completely.

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It's primarily her house. She's going to be living in it.

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I am moving on.

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A new life, completely new life,

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and I think my mind will be freed up and I'll start to get ideas.

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Maxine is open to living anywhere in North Wales,

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although she particularly likes the mountain views of Snowdonia.

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But before we start to look at houses, I'm meeting her and Cyron

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to find out more about the type of property she's hoping to find.

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So, officially, Cyron, Maxine, welcome to Escape to the Country

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and to North Wales. Why now?

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It was from when I was bringing the boys up, Cyron's brother as well,

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up to Bangor back-and-forth the last three years,

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every time I came up to Snowdonia National Park

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I just fell in love with it and I thought, "I've got to come up here."

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As soon as I saw the hills, I just relax and I just think,

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"Yeah, this is where I want to be."

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But you'll have a clearer idea, I hope, of what your mother is after.

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Yeah. I've known her for 20 years,

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so hopefully I should know a few of her tastes now.

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Well, I've got a few of my own, of course.

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In terms of the property that you are dreaming of,

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give us a quick run through as to what it needs to have.

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Definitely not modern. I don't like modern.

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I just want older properties, you know, with history.

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Anything from Victorian backwards.

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You have been very clear on style, but give us the spec -

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how many bedrooms, kitchen, dining room - all that sort of thing.

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Really small, for myself, just a two-bed.

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I don't want anything big to live in.

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I'd just rattle around in it, mainly.

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My boys will be coming and going.

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Cyron is looking, I think, for a studio for himself.

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-What kind of a studio do you want?

-Music.

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Oh, right. OK. So, music studio, yeah.

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-Check. Got that.

-Yeah.

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Some land, because I'm hoping to have a greenhouse,

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-maybe get into growing my own veg.

-Yeah.

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The ideal property would have to work for me.

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I've got to either have a property let or B&B,

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or if it's got outbuildings on, I'll try and use them for something.

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I'll grow things and try and sell them. I'll whittle spoons, anything,

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just to be up here and stay up here.

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I can look at it and adapt it and make it work.

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And how much do you want to spend on this little endeavour?

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OK, well, I think my upper limit,

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if it's already set up with a holiday let

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and I don't have to spend a lot of money on refurbing anything,

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will probably be around £350,000.

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I don't mind living in almost like a shack,

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as long as I'm up here and I can start my business

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and my life up here, then I don't mind living in mess, you know.

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I think we can find you something a little better than a shack.

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-OK.

-Come on.

-OK.

-Let's have a look.

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For a maximum budget of £350,000,

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Maxine is looking for a property

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with some olden day character.

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She needs at least two bedrooms to

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give her room for her sons to visit

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and is keen for the property

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to offer some income potential,

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such as a holiday let,

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as well as having enough land

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to grow fruit and vegetables.

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And she's happy to take on

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some renovation work if necessary.

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We've got an incredible variety of properties to tempt them with

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and at each one I'll be asking them to guess the price

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before I reveal it.

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The last stop on our search will of course be our Mystery House,

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which certainly delivers on Maxine's requirement for historic charm.

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But first, we're off to look at house number one.

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Our North Wales property hunt is kicking off in the small village

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of Dinorwig, just outside the Snowdonia National Park

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and a short drive from the village of Llanberis.

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Llanberis is the gateway to Mount Snowdon,

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in the heart of the National Park.

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The village has a train station

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from where it's possible to ascend the mountain by rail.

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There's a wealth of mountain and lake activities

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as well as plenty of amenities serving both locals and visitors

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who come to enjoy this spectacular scenery.

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The church of St Padarn was named after a French monk

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who settled in Wales, and shares its namesake with Llyn Padarn,

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a glaically formed body of water that is one of the nation's largest natural lakes.

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In nearby Dinorwig, our first house is ideally located,

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sitting high above the lake

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with spectacular views of Mount Snowdon itself.

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Well, this is what I thought we'd start with,

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-and that view.

-Wow!

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-Something else, isn't it?

-That's a view.

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It's wonderful. It really is wonderful. Location is fabulous.

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It's not too big. It's got a conservatory.

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It's got lots of windows, lots of light.

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I can imagine lots of light going in there.

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Cyron, what do you think of this location?

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-A little bit reserved.

-Oh, really, why?

-Why?

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It's still next to a road, so people can peer into your garden.

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It is actually a dead end.

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-Oh, OK.

-It finishes just over there.

-Ah.

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But in terms of you sitting out here with your laptop composing music,

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I mean, look, Elgar had the Malverns, you've got Snowdon.

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Yes, better setting.

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Originally built in the 1800s,

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this scenic detached property comes with the added bonus of

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a separate annexe that has a four-star holiday let rating.

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Mindful of Maxine's need to feel reassured that she can make income

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from her new home, we're going to start our tour in the annexe,

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where an entrance hall leads into the open-plan living space.

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So, come right in.

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And you can get a really good, I think,

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understanding of what is on offer here.

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Ah! That's pretty.

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You've obviously got bed there, kitchenette, shall we say.

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I rather like this sort of booth arrangement.

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They've basically cut an old pew in half.

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-So, putting your business head on...

-Yeah.

-..could you market this?

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Oh, this, definitely.

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But I'm not so sure it will give me enough income to live on.

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On a good day, it's probably about £400 a week.

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OK. Ah! That's a bit better.

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I wasn't expecting that.

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Yeah, that makes a difference, then.

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I would like to stay in a place like this because, I mean,

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maybe a single person...got a bed.

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It's pretty much all compact into one space.

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It's pretty much...

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No, you're not having it. It's going to be a holiday let.

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Well, I think we can argue over this one all day long,

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but let's get on with the main property next-door

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cos that I hope is a place that you might share.

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You never know. Just thinking aloud. Come on.

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A short walk takes us back to the main property

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where its porched front door leads straight into

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the warm and welcoming reception, oozing authentic period features.

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That is just the space that I would like to be sitting in

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with my cup of tea every night.

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It's lovely. It's really quaint and cosy. I mean, that's your typical...

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Is it called Inglenook fireplace?

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It is a classic Inglenook, yeah.

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-Can you see your mum in here?

-Yeah, it's her. It's definitely her.

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That sounds like it's definitely not you.

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-Yeah, he doesn't like olde worlde.

-It's this!

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I'm thinking I'll whack my head quite a few times.

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Now, the kitchen is not enormous,

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-but you didn't want an enormous kitchen/diner, did you?

-Nope.

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Have a look at this. See if this would work.

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-You're going to have to watch your head on this one.

-Oh, look.

-It's even smaller!

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Everybody through without any damage, I hope.

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But this is what you've got.

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Galley arrangement. You've got a bit of a larder through there.

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And then you've got a bit of a kitchen/diner end,

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-dominated again by that lovely range.

-It's lovely.

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It's you, again. It's very you.

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Well, that, let's face it, is what we're after here.

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-It's very important.

-You are the one living here full-time. I'm passing.

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But this is very snug and cosy.

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Also, of course, you're getting the heat off of the conservatory,

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which we saw when we first got here, which is again giving you

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a wonderful opportunity to enjoy those views whatever the weather.

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-Yeah.

-And it could also double up potentially as a dining room.

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I was considering that.

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-OK.

-Just need to practise my cooking though.

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I'm sure it's not that bad.

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-You've brought up a fairly big, strapping lad, there.

-True, yeah.

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-Haven't poisoned me yet.

-No, not yet.

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I think the banter proves that

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Maxine and Cyron are both feeling at home

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and seeing the potential in this country cottage.

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There's also a snug next to the main reception room

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and stairs which lead to the three-bedroom accommodation.

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At the rear of the house,

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there's a large double with two windows,

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as well as a smaller double.

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Then, to the front of the house,

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above the main reception, lies the largest of the bedrooms.

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These are all served by a family bathroom.

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And there's more outside. The annexe has its own garden and parking.

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Whilst in the grounds of the main house,

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a useful workshop provides further options for Maxine

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and Cyron to wrestle with.

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There we go.

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So, I think we agree this is quite an interesting package,

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-but is it affordable?

-Mm.

0:17:140:17:16

OK. So, who's going to go first?

0:17:160:17:19

-Let's put Cyron on the spot.

-The unlucky one.

0:17:190:17:23

I would say about 280.

0:17:230:17:25

I would have thought, with this view,

0:17:250:17:28

it's going to be at least 300,000.

0:17:280:17:30

Now, this is a turn-up for the books, isn't it?

0:17:300:17:32

-He's nearly right.

-No! He's always right.

0:17:320:17:35

Usually gets it right.

0:17:350:17:36

Well, he's not perfectly right.

0:17:360:17:38

To be precise, it's on the market for £275,000.

0:17:380:17:42

Oh, wow! OK.

0:17:420:17:43

Right, then, off you go. Have a wander around.

0:17:430:17:46

-OK.

-And I will come and find you a little bit later on.

-Right.

0:17:460:17:49

£75,000 below Maxine's top budget,

0:17:510:17:55

this beautifully situated 1800s house

0:17:550:17:58

has both income potential and charm.

0:17:580:18:01

The main house offers original features

0:18:010:18:04

and a conservatory with extensive views,

0:18:040:18:06

as well as one more bedroom than she's asked for.

0:18:060:18:09

Then there's the self-contained annexe

0:18:090:18:11

that could be offered as a holiday let.

0:18:110:18:14

What's more, there's also a useful workshop

0:18:140:18:16

that could possibly provide studio space for Cyron's music

0:18:160:18:19

when he's back from university.

0:18:190:18:21

-Wow.

-So, can you see yourself here?

0:18:240:18:26

I can, actually, yeah.

0:18:260:18:28

You know, now I've had a look round, it's got potential, hasn't it?

0:18:280:18:31

And I did think about doing some food. This would be...

0:18:310:18:34

-Quite useful.

-It depends on how much you had to charge for it,

0:18:340:18:37

and how much that would sustain you, say, through the winter months

0:18:370:18:40

-if there isn't enough business.

-Yeah.

0:18:400:18:43

I do actually like the house. I like the quirky nature of it.

0:18:430:18:46

I like the low ceilings.

0:18:460:18:48

It's got these great massive thick walls,

0:18:480:18:51

and it looks like it's going to stay in this spot for many,

0:18:510:18:55

many years to come.

0:18:550:18:57

The holiday let is ready to be rented out,

0:18:570:18:59

which is really good. And then I thought,

0:18:590:19:02

"Yeah, actually, I could get a decent income from here."

0:19:020:19:05

And feel like I was permanently on holiday, which would be bliss.

0:19:050:19:10

Having that view is something to just get up and think,

0:19:100:19:13

"Oh, I'm on holiday."

0:19:130:19:15

And you could do that every day for the rest of your life.

0:19:150:19:18

The house itself... Good for my mum.

0:19:180:19:20

Somewhat good for me. It's good for me and my brother to have

0:19:200:19:23

separate rooms, and I saw an internet connection box upstairs,

0:19:230:19:27

so that should keep me happy.

0:19:270:19:29

The more I looked at it, it's growing on me, and I think,

0:19:290:19:32

"Yeah, I could really feel at home here."

0:19:320:19:35

-Our time is up, I'm afraid.

-OK.

0:19:350:19:37

-Keep this one in mind, though...

-I will.

0:19:370:19:39

..because I think this is one you should not forget in a hurry.

0:19:390:19:42

It's a really good option. Come on, then. Let's go.

0:19:420:19:44

After you, sir. CYRON CHUCKLES

0:19:440:19:47

-Looks like he needs feeding.

-He does.

0:19:470:19:50

Before the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century,

0:19:550:19:58

the Welsh economy was predominately agricultural,

0:19:580:20:01

and making a living from the land

0:20:010:20:03

is still a central part of many North Wales communities.

0:20:030:20:07

However, over 80% of Welsh farmland is designated less favoured due to

0:20:070:20:12

natural features of the climate and landscape, so can offer a challenge.

0:20:120:20:16

As Maxine is keen to make a success of growing her own food here,

0:20:160:20:21

we've arranged for her to meet prized vegetable producer Medwyn Williams.

0:20:210:20:25

He's president of the National Vegetable Society

0:20:250:20:28

and a multiple gold medallist at Chelsea, no less.

0:20:280:20:31

What's more, he's willing to share

0:20:310:20:33

some of his tried and tested tips and tricks.

0:20:330:20:36

Welcome to you here on my nursery on Anglesey.

0:20:360:20:39

How did you get into producing your own produce?

0:20:390:20:42

I was just about seven or eight years old.

0:20:420:20:45

My father was a farm worker.

0:20:450:20:47

He turned over a bit of soil in his garden,

0:20:470:20:49

about a square yard, and he gave me three packets of seeds

0:20:490:20:52

and they were radish, mustard and cress.

0:20:520:20:55

And I invited my friend, Gareth, over.

0:20:550:20:57

We had a big sandwich of radish,

0:20:570:20:59

mustard and cress with lots of salad cream on it.

0:20:590:21:02

But more than that, my sister and I used to fight passionately

0:21:020:21:05

about who went to the flower shows with Dad.

0:21:050:21:08

And having a look at this big collection of vegetables

0:21:080:21:12

with leeks up in the air and celery on the back boards.

0:21:120:21:16

And from then on, I think I was hooked.

0:21:160:21:18

I just love growing vegetables.

0:21:180:21:20

When I move to Wales, I'm interested in starting my own veg plot

0:21:200:21:25

and I wondered what to start with.

0:21:250:21:26

The best thing to do is

0:21:260:21:28

to have a good think what vegetables you like to eat.

0:21:280:21:31

Knowing the soil is very important.

0:21:310:21:33

Dad's saying was, "There's no such thing as poor soil.

0:21:330:21:37

"You get out of it what you put into it." And that's very true.

0:21:370:21:40

-Come along with me to the greenhouse.

-Right.

0:21:400:21:44

Medwyn grows 45 different types of vegetables here in Anglesey,

0:21:440:21:48

many of which you're not likely to find at your local greengrocer.

0:21:480:21:52

Well, we've gathered a few vegetables together for you now.

0:21:540:21:57

This is not a rugby ball, much as I'd like it to be,

0:21:590:22:01

-but it is actually a big onion.

-No! No way!

0:22:010:22:04

And that weighs about 5, 6lbs.

0:22:040:22:07

And here we have this purpley carrot,

0:22:070:22:10

which is not the same colour right through.

0:22:100:22:12

The beautiful colours,

0:22:140:22:16

it's orange outside and yellow in the centre.

0:22:160:22:20

And I tell you what, it's the nicest eating carrot I've had.

0:22:200:22:22

Some sweetcorn, freshly picked this morning.

0:22:220:22:25

-You can eat that. Do you want a bit of that?

-Yeah.

-Raw.

0:22:260:22:29

-OK.

-Try that.

0:22:290:22:30

That's perfect.

0:22:370:22:39

One thing's caught my eye, is those things over there.

0:22:390:22:42

-What do you mean? The leeks?

-Yes.

0:22:420:22:44

-Well, let's go have a look at it, shall we?

-Not ordinary ones either.

0:22:440:22:47

Legend has it that Welsh soldiers once put leeks in their helmets

0:22:470:22:51

to identify themselves in battle,

0:22:510:22:54

whilst local superstition holds

0:22:540:22:56

that if a girl puts a leek under her pillow,

0:22:560:22:59

she'll dream about her future husband.

0:22:590:23:01

True or not, Medwyn's leeks are certainly of mythical proportions.

0:23:010:23:05

Well, these are the leeks. Quite proud of these, actually.

0:23:080:23:12

They're not your regular size.

0:23:120:23:14

To create his supersize specimens,

0:23:140:23:16

Medwyn grows not from seed but from something called a bulbil,

0:23:160:23:20

produced by removing the top of a leek,

0:23:200:23:23

stripping the remaining barrel and planting it.

0:23:230:23:26

When the plant forms a flower head in the spring, it's cut back.

0:23:260:23:30

All we do then is we remove the stalk.

0:23:300:23:34

Now that's what we call a bulbil.

0:23:340:23:36

Then all you do, you push it into the compost

0:23:380:23:42

and before you know it, in a matter of a couple of weeks,

0:23:420:23:45

it'll all be straightened up and it'll grow on as a plant.

0:23:450:23:48

Medwyn's method gains at least seven-to-eight weeks' growth

0:23:490:23:52

and ensures each batch of leeks inherits the qualities of the last.

0:23:520:23:56

Now, these have all come from one head.

0:23:570:23:59

So, it's very simple, really.

0:23:590:24:01

Just grab one.

0:24:010:24:02

Cos if you do a good job, we know you're in danger of being

0:24:020:24:05

employed here when you live around here, when you buy a house.

0:24:050:24:07

I wouldn't mind that at all.

0:24:070:24:09

-Are you doing well?

-I am.

0:24:090:24:11

Well, you've only got another 1,000 or so to do, so...

0:24:110:24:14

-Oh, no!

-..how about staying on and finishing that?

0:24:140:24:17

-Good luck with your house-hunting. Come here any time you like.

-I will.

0:24:170:24:20

I'll be back for advice.

0:24:200:24:21

-Definitely back for seeds.

-If you've got any problems, let me know.

0:24:210:24:24

-Thank you.

-OK, keep going, then. Don't stop.

-Oh!

0:24:240:24:29

Let's hope today's planting yields another bumper crop,

0:24:290:24:32

as we turn our attention back to

0:24:320:24:33

finding Maxine somewhere to lay down her own roots here in North Wales.

0:24:330:24:38

Our property search is taking us to the small village of Rhosgadfan,

0:24:430:24:47

five miles south of the town of Caernarfon.

0:24:470:24:51

A royal town and port,

0:24:510:24:53

Caernarfon has been settled since prehistoric times.

0:24:530:24:56

Despite his name and persistent attempts,

0:24:560:24:59

William the Conqueror never did conquer Wales.

0:24:590:25:02

Indeed, it was only in the 13th century that the invading English

0:25:020:25:06

finally took hold of the region,

0:25:060:25:08

promptly erecting the highly fortified castle at Caernarfon

0:25:080:25:12

to act as an administrative centre and to maintain rule.

0:25:120:25:15

These days, the streets are more likely to be invaded by tourists,

0:25:160:25:20

where the draw of history and scenic beauty has seen a plethora

0:25:200:25:24

of businesses pop up to cater to the influx of visitors.

0:25:240:25:28

The main square is surrounded by Georgian and Edwardian buildings.

0:25:280:25:31

And the 19th century philanthropic pioneer of education,

0:25:320:25:36

Sir Hugh Owen, is remembered in a statue here.

0:25:360:25:39

Close by, a Gothic-influenced Presbyterian church was built

0:25:400:25:44

in 1883.

0:25:440:25:46

And five miles away in the wonderful Welsh countryside of Rhosgadfan

0:25:470:25:51

is the next cottage I want to present them.

0:25:510:25:53

Well, Maxine, look at that.

0:25:550:25:57

That is the Llyn Peninsula,

0:25:570:25:59

this mountainous finger of land that points out into the Irish Sea,

0:25:590:26:03

-which is looking particularly calm today, I must say.

-It's beautiful.

0:26:030:26:07

-But that's what I want you to really take in.

-Oh, wow!

0:26:070:26:12

One of the first things I was going to do when I got my little cottage

0:26:120:26:16

was to paint the door and the window frames red.

0:26:160:26:19

-Well, look, we've done it for you.

-Yeah, it's already done.

0:26:190:26:22

And what do you think, Cyron?

0:26:220:26:24

-I have reservations.

-No! No!

0:26:240:26:27

I'm really excited about this one.

0:26:270:26:29

-It's an idyllic spot, this.

-Yes, it is nice though.

0:26:290:26:32

Come on. Let's see what you think.

0:26:320:26:34

Well, that's certainly a very positive first impression

0:26:360:26:39

for this Welsh cottage,

0:26:390:26:41

from Maxine at least.

0:26:410:26:42

Once used as a quarryman's home and smallholding,

0:26:420:26:45

the Grade II listed property was built around 1800.

0:26:450:26:49

But we're not taking that eye-catching red front door,

0:26:490:26:52

we're starting our tour in the conservatory,

0:26:520:26:55

which was added by the current owners around eight years ago.

0:26:550:26:58

Well, let's start with this

0:26:590:27:01

cos I think this is a really, really interesting space,

0:27:010:27:04

and it's made such a difference to the footprint of this property.

0:27:040:27:08

-The flooring's nice, actually.

-Beautiful.

0:27:080:27:10

And the blinds are even better.

0:27:100:27:12

Ooh, look, good news. Cyron's liking it already.

0:27:120:27:15

Yay! You'll be sat in here with your computer, won't you?

0:27:150:27:18

Actually, yeah, this seems right.

0:27:180:27:21

You can use this, of course, all year round, but I think for those

0:27:210:27:24

really cosy wintry evenings, you're going to love the living room.

0:27:240:27:27

It's through here.

0:27:270:27:29

There. How about this?

0:27:310:27:32

Lovely! I knew it would be, I knew it would be.

0:27:320:27:36

It's gorgeous, it's gorgeous.

0:27:360:27:38

And it's a really good shape to use. Ah, I love it!

0:27:380:27:42

I know it's going to sound funny,

0:27:420:27:44

but I was going to get a carpet like this to go with my red door,

0:27:440:27:47

you know, cos I know the colour fits in places like this.

0:27:470:27:50

You know, even to the Welsh harp.

0:27:500:27:52

I mean, years ago, Cyron, what did I say?

0:27:520:27:54

Yes, you wanted to learn the harp.

0:27:540:27:56

-It's a sign!

-It's calling you!

0:27:560:27:59

I know, I know!

0:27:590:28:00

Come and have a look at the kitchen.

0:28:000:28:02

-You might need to duck here, Cyron.

-Yeah, duck.

-Oh, gosh!

0:28:020:28:04

Do watch your head, but it's well worth it cos this is what you get.

0:28:040:28:09

It just gets better and better.

0:28:090:28:11

-Got to agree with that, actually.

-You like that?

0:28:110:28:14

-Cos it's quite olde worlde.

-Yeah, I like this.

0:28:140:28:16

It feels modern but still rustic.

0:28:160:28:18

-It's got more head height.

-Yeah.

0:28:180:28:21

It's just wonderful. I wouldn't change anything.

0:28:210:28:24

It seems this home is almost made for Maxine,

0:28:240:28:27

who not only has warmed to the space,

0:28:270:28:29

but also the style of what she's seen so far.

0:28:290:28:32

There are three bedrooms all reached via the kitchen.

0:28:330:28:37

The first, a good size double, is down a hallway,

0:28:370:28:40

next to which sits the family bathroom

0:28:400:28:42

featuring a roll top bath and shower.

0:28:420:28:44

Directly off the kitchen is a very small bedroom

0:28:460:28:48

that the current owners use for their chocolate making business.

0:28:480:28:52

And up a couple of steps is the largest of the three rooms,

0:28:520:28:56

which Maxine could use for herself.

0:28:560:28:58

Now, you could have this as a guest room,

0:29:000:29:03

but this is what the current owners use as their room.

0:29:030:29:05

-I'd keep it as my bedroom. I love that window.

-Hm.

0:29:050:29:08

-And the beams.

-It's a nice feature.

0:29:080:29:10

And the dark furniture. It's just me.

0:29:100:29:13

Yeah, I can see myself being here but it'll be like

0:29:130:29:16

-being on a permanent holiday, for me.

-I think this place

0:29:160:29:19

-has won the over, hasn't it?

-Yes. It feels like a holiday already,

0:29:190:29:23

-just being here.

-It's just a lovely feel to it.

-It just feels...

0:29:230:29:26

modern to my taste, this works for me.

0:29:260:29:30

The key thing, of course, is affording it.

0:29:300:29:32

-OK.

-Let's have a discussion outside as to what the future may hold.

0:29:320:29:36

Maxine's heart already seems won over

0:29:380:29:40

by this cosy former quarryman's cottage.

0:29:400:29:43

And, outside, there's even more to captivate her.

0:29:430:29:46

The sizeable 1.8 acres of land includes

0:29:470:29:50

a terrace for al fresco dining.

0:29:500:29:52

A games room offers possible business options,

0:29:520:29:55

plus there's a static caravan with power and plumbing

0:29:550:29:58

that could be rented to bring in income.

0:29:580:30:01

And it all benefits from the incredible outlook.

0:30:010:30:05

-Look at that.

-Oh, wow!

0:30:050:30:08

So, how far do you think is your £350,000 going to go

0:30:080:30:12

with this particular property, Maxine?

0:30:120:30:15

Not far. It's just too ideal.

0:30:150:30:19

It's got to be top of my budget,

0:30:190:30:21

-350 at least, if not more.

-Cy?

0:30:210:30:24

-I'm going to say about 320.

-320.

0:30:240:30:27

-I mean, 350 is affordable, technically.

-Yeah.

0:30:270:30:30

320 is even more affordable.

0:30:300:30:33

-295,000, however, makes it really affordable.

-Wow!

0:30:340:30:38

Oh, that's really good.

0:30:380:30:39

-What do you think about that, mate?

-Awestruck.

0:30:390:30:43

-OK.

-I did not expect it whatsoever.

0:30:430:30:45

-It really felt like it was too good to be true.

-With all this land!

0:30:450:30:47

-You've got a lot to think about.

-Yeah.

-Go on, off you go.

0:30:470:30:50

Have a wander around

0:30:500:30:51

and I will catch up with you a little bit later.

0:30:510:30:54

Well, they think it's too good to be true.

0:30:540:30:57

Often when that is the case,

0:30:570:30:59

there is something of a catch involved, but not here.

0:30:590:31:02

This is good, and it is true and, who knows,

0:31:020:31:04

it might just be for them.

0:31:040:31:06

£55,000 shy of their top budget,

0:31:080:31:12

I think this Grade II listed former quarryman's cottage

0:31:120:31:15

might well be Maxine's dream country home.

0:31:150:31:18

The single-storey accommodation has enough bedrooms for Cyron

0:31:180:31:22

and his brother to visit.

0:31:220:31:24

Then, outside, there's a games room

0:31:240:31:26

plus a static caravan that could offer income opportunities.

0:31:260:31:29

And, what's more, there's a generous amount of land

0:31:290:31:31

and the plot boasts incredible views of the mountains and sea.

0:31:310:31:36

I really, really like this house.

0:31:380:31:40

The style, spookily, is my style.

0:31:400:31:45

I love the colour, I love the layout, I even love their furniture.

0:31:450:31:49

It's got the caravan, and I know I can rent that out because people

0:31:490:31:53

will like to come up here, and stay in that caravan just for the view.

0:31:530:31:57

There's lots of opportunities here.

0:31:570:31:59

I can see me making a good business here.

0:31:590:32:03

My mum would definitely have a beautiful life here,

0:32:030:32:05

being able to slow down, unwind, relax,

0:32:050:32:07

all the words you can think of!

0:32:070:32:09

It's definitely something idyllic for her, and she loves the red door.

0:32:090:32:12

It's a lovely property.

0:32:120:32:15

I don't think you can show me anything better than this one,

0:32:150:32:17

I'd be very surprised.

0:32:170:32:18

I think on the way out we need to kick over the "for sale" sign

0:32:180:32:21

so nobody else sees it.

0:32:210:32:22

I want to have first dibs on this house. It's mine.

0:32:230:32:26

You know, this place really is exceptional.

0:32:270:32:30

-I can't believe the weather.

-It's gorgeous.

0:32:300:32:33

-And I can't believe we found you such a bargain.

-It's just perfect.

0:32:330:32:36

The whole lot is just perfect.

0:32:360:32:38

What do you think of this house-hunting lark, then?

0:32:380:32:41

Well, this one's definitely a check in my book.

0:32:410:32:44

Yay! Good. Let's write a cheque. Come on.

0:32:440:32:48

Maxine from the Buckinghamshire borough of Milton Keynes

0:32:580:33:01

is with son Cyron, hoping to find her perfect home in North Wales.

0:33:010:33:06

We've already shown them some great property

0:33:060:33:08

that could give her the lifestyle and income she needs.

0:33:080:33:12

But there's still more to see.

0:33:120:33:14

And the Mystery House could well offer

0:33:140:33:17

all the historic character she's after.

0:33:170:33:19

I've been itching to show this to you all week.

0:33:190:33:22

-Wow!

-It is a wow, isn't it?

0:33:220:33:24

-Ooh!

-Pretty impressive focal point.

0:33:240:33:27

And I'm finding out how some old-fashioned shepherding

0:33:270:33:30

is being used to help maintain the dramatic slopes of Mount Snowdon.

0:33:300:33:34

-There's a great degree of cunning involved in this, isn't there?

-Yes.

0:33:340:33:38

Well, as you can see, we have yet another beautiful day

0:33:410:33:44

to finish off our final day of house-hunting here in North Wales.

0:33:440:33:48

And, at this stage in the show, halfway through,

0:33:480:33:51

I think it is a case of so far so good.

0:33:510:33:54

Overall, I'm pretty happy,

0:33:540:33:56

and I'm pretty sure that Cyron and Maxine are, too.

0:33:560:33:59

So, what of today?

0:33:590:34:01

We have two more properties to come, including our Mystery House,

0:34:010:34:04

which may test Maxine's earlier assertion that she was up for

0:34:040:34:08

a bit of a project. Before we get to that, we have property three to see.

0:34:080:34:12

And I'm going to give you a little bit of a clue

0:34:120:34:15

as to where we're heading.

0:34:150:34:16

It's over there, across the water, on the island of Anglesey.

0:34:160:34:20

It is a property which I'm convinced offers them everything

0:34:200:34:23

they're after, but will it be too much?

0:34:230:34:25

We'll just have to wait and see.

0:34:250:34:27

So I'll see you on the other side.

0:34:270:34:29

Our house-hunt is heading across the Menai Straight to the Isle of

0:34:330:34:36

Anglesey, known as Ynys Mon in Welsh.

0:34:360:34:39

Our property is located in the tiny hamlet of Llanfair-yng-Nghornwy

0:34:400:34:44

a five-mile drive from the large village of Cemaes.

0:34:440:34:47

The most northerly village in Wales,

0:34:480:34:50

the fishing port of Cemaes is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

0:34:500:34:55

that also attracts tourists to its sandy, gently-shelving bay.

0:34:550:35:00

There's a good range of facilities here, including a shop,

0:35:000:35:03

with post office, a pharmacy,

0:35:030:35:05

and a selection of places to eat and drink.

0:35:050:35:07

We're ten minutes away in Llanfair-yng-Nghornwy

0:35:080:35:11

where the property we're here to see is located

0:35:110:35:14

on the edge of its own sizeable country estate.

0:35:140:35:17

That is what we are proposing to show you.

0:35:180:35:21

To the left, we've got a very spacious two-bed cottage,

0:35:210:35:26

-and, to the right, a very spacious one-bedroom holiday let.

-Ah!

0:35:260:35:31

-With this one, we've got you five acres.

-No!

-Yep.

0:35:310:35:35

So, what do you think?

0:35:350:35:37

-I'm surprised.

-I'm still reserved. I haven't seen anything yet.

0:35:370:35:41

Do we start with the business end of things, through that door,

0:35:410:35:44

on the holiday let, or do we start with the house?

0:35:440:35:48

-The house.

-Yeah?

0:35:480:35:49

-See that first.

-Come on, then.

0:35:490:35:51

Originally a smallholding and smithy dating

0:35:530:35:56

from the early 19th century,

0:35:560:35:57

we're entering through the generous glass porch,

0:35:570:36:00

added by the current owners, who've also extended the property

0:36:000:36:04

to create a large, L-shaped kitchen and living room.

0:36:040:36:08

So, you come through that little, sort of vestibule, as it were,

0:36:080:36:11

into the kitchen.

0:36:110:36:12

-Something of a, kind of, kitchen/living, this one.

-Yeah.

0:36:120:36:17

First impressions,

0:36:170:36:18

it's a very practical house but the style is not to me. It's too...

0:36:180:36:23

..white and beige, really.

0:36:250:36:27

But nothing you couldn't address.

0:36:270:36:29

I could change that, you're right, yes, of course.

0:36:290:36:31

Cyron, what do you think?

0:36:310:36:33

I like the kitchen but this area just feels like it's tagged on.

0:36:330:36:35

-It doesn't feel like it merges right.

-I think it's just the decor.

0:36:350:36:38

-The decor's cold, it's not homely, is it?

-No.

0:36:380:36:41

Clearly, the flow of this recently renovated 19th century home

0:36:420:36:46

isn't yet grabbing Maxine and Cyron.

0:36:460:36:49

Completing the ground-floor of the main house is

0:36:490:36:52

a good-sized dining room.

0:36:520:36:54

A door here leads us through into the neighbouring one-bedroom annexe,

0:36:540:36:57

which is where the blacksmith would once have worked.

0:36:570:37:00

So, let's hope Maxine and Cyron have a more positive reaction to

0:37:010:37:05

this potential source of vital income.

0:37:050:37:08

As you can see, nice, sort of, kitchen area here.

0:37:090:37:12

You've got a downstairs shower room, etc, in there.

0:37:120:37:15

And they've got their own front door, that's the really good thing.

0:37:150:37:19

-And door out to its own little patio area.

-OK. It's very smart.

0:37:190:37:23

-I like this part. It's really nice.

-Yeah, I like it.

0:37:230:37:26

This will rent out really easily.

0:37:260:37:29

-I would easily stay in a place like this.

-It's very good.

0:37:290:37:33

You know, it's the kind of place I'd like to be,

0:37:330:37:35

it's nice and pristine, it's got everything that you need.

0:37:350:37:37

You've got a lovely, secluded garden there as well to use.

0:37:370:37:41

I'd feel secure that I know I can rent this out all year.

0:37:410:37:45

Right, then, let's continue back through to the main house

0:37:450:37:47

and see what else you get.

0:37:470:37:49

Well, thankfully,

0:37:500:37:52

a very positive response to the business end of this property.

0:37:520:37:55

Next to the annexe is a garage, and it also has an additional workshop,

0:37:550:38:00

which could potentially be converted to increase the rental yield.

0:38:000:38:03

Back in the main house,

0:38:030:38:05

stairs lead up to two generous double bedrooms.

0:38:050:38:08

The first, above the dining room,

0:38:080:38:10

overlooks the front and back of the house.

0:38:100:38:13

A modern family bathroom offers bath and shower, and, then,

0:38:130:38:17

over the kitchen/living room is the second double bedroom with

0:38:170:38:20

skylight windows.

0:38:200:38:22

This, we think, with a bit of colour would be for you.

0:38:220:38:25

-Maybe not your colour.

-Yeah, not mine, either.

-It is very lilac.

0:38:250:38:31

-Very lilac.

-But it's easily changed.

-Yeah, of course it is.

0:38:310:38:34

It's got a lot of potential, get all my furniture in here, anyway.

0:38:340:38:37

There's some potential here.

0:38:370:38:39

It's not as olde worlde as I was...wanting.

0:38:390:38:42

Maybe it's a bit too new for your tastes.

0:38:420:38:45

I'm still stuck on the olde worlde, more rustic,

0:38:450:38:48

and I fell in love with the house that we looked at yesterday,

0:38:480:38:53

but my sensible head says this one is possibly more practical.

0:38:530:38:59

There's big potential outside, isn't there? You know.

0:38:590:39:02

-Let's have a look at that, come on.

-OK.

0:39:020:39:04

It may not be tugging at the heartstrings but the low-maintenance

0:39:060:39:10

finish and income opportunity of this well-presented property

0:39:100:39:14

are starting to add up for Maxine.

0:39:140:39:16

And, outside in the five acre grounds,

0:39:160:39:18

there's even more potential.

0:39:180:39:20

Three paddocks are currently rented out to a local sheep farmer

0:39:200:39:24

but Maxine could increase income by turning them over to camping.

0:39:240:39:28

A detached outbuilding could perhaps becoming a music studio

0:39:290:39:33

or further holiday let.

0:39:330:39:35

And then there are the expansive and beautifully landscaped gardens.

0:39:350:39:39

But I wonder whether this is actually more

0:39:390:39:42

than Maxine had in mind.

0:39:420:39:44

Weirdly, it's one of those cases where it's too neat and tidy.

0:39:440:39:49

I feel like I would move in and just be maintaining what they'd

0:39:490:39:52

already done rather than... relaxing and enjoying it.

0:39:520:39:56

It's a good business place.

0:39:560:39:58

But I think it's time to follow my heart and not my head.

0:40:000:40:03

Well, let's see if the numbers will have an influence over this

0:40:030:40:06

-wrangle between your heart and head.

-OK.

0:40:060:40:09

How much do you think this one is on the market for?

0:40:090:40:11

Let's cut straight to the chase, I think 3...30.

0:40:110:40:15

I think it's top of my budget. I'd say 350.

0:40:150:40:18

Your instincts are right.

0:40:180:40:21

Good.

0:40:210:40:22

-You are 50 quid short of 350. 349,950.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:40:220:40:27

I'd be insulting them if I'd said any less.

0:40:270:40:30

Why don't you go for a wander up there, through that gate,

0:40:300:40:32

get an overview, see what you get,

0:40:320:40:34

-because I wouldn't write this one off just yet, if I were you.

-Yeah.

0:40:340:40:38

Right on budget,

0:40:400:40:41

this renovated 19th century former smithy combines the living space

0:40:410:40:45

Maxine has asked for with the business potential she needs.

0:40:450:40:49

The main cottage has two bedrooms,

0:40:490:40:51

and an attached annexe provides a one-bedroom holiday rental.

0:40:510:40:55

The extensive grounds could offer camping,

0:40:550:40:58

plus there is an additional outbuilding.

0:40:580:41:01

And, being so close to both coast and countryside means it's ideal

0:41:010:41:05

for visiting tourists.

0:41:050:41:06

Where's my view? Let's find a view.

0:41:060:41:09

If I was to put glampers in here...

0:41:090:41:13

you know, they'd want to have a good view as well, wouldn't they?

0:41:130:41:16

So, what can we see? We've got a sea view. OK.

0:41:160:41:19

It's not exactly Snowdonia, is it?

0:41:190:41:22

For business use, it's perfect.

0:41:220:41:25

The holiday let is ready, you know, as soon as I move in,

0:41:250:41:30

I can advertise it and I'm sure I can get people in there to use it.

0:41:300:41:33

I was looking at the other outbuilding to make

0:41:330:41:36

a small holiday let, so there'd be two.

0:41:360:41:40

And then the other potential is using the fields for campers.

0:41:400:41:44

It is a lovely house, and it has this business potential, but,

0:41:440:41:48

this time in my life, I want to listen to my heart, not my head.

0:41:480:41:51

It's something that will work better for someone else.

0:41:510:41:53

It's not really for my mum.

0:41:530:41:55

How are we doing?

0:41:550:41:56

-Finding positives.

-You have had a good walk, haven't you?

-Yeah.

0:41:560:41:59

Wow, look at that!

0:41:590:42:00

-But has it sold it to you?

-No.

0:42:000:42:03

There's just something missing, isn't there? I don't feel it here.

0:42:030:42:07

In that case, that's all I need to know.

0:42:070:42:09

-However, we have one more to show you.

-OK.

0:42:090:42:12

-Mystery House is almost next door.

-Oh, right.

0:42:120:42:15

It may be intensely beautiful to look at,

0:42:240:42:27

but much of Snowdonia is also working farmland,

0:42:270:42:31

the often harsh terrain being particularly suited to sheep.

0:42:310:42:35

Whilst the image of herds on the hills maybe a picturesque one,

0:42:350:42:38

livestock can damage this environment.

0:42:380:42:42

Arwyn Owen manages a 4,500 acre sheep farm

0:42:420:42:45

within the National Park.

0:42:450:42:47

I've come to meet him to find out how he's combining

0:42:470:42:50

the need to graze his flock

0:42:500:42:52

with a new and exciting conservation project.

0:42:520:42:54

What a place to work - the National Park in Snowdonia.

0:42:560:43:00

I mean, this is many people's ideal escape,

0:43:000:43:03

particularly for a holiday or a walk.

0:43:030:43:06

But as well as managing your flock, you're also managing the landscape

0:43:060:43:09

and that's encouraged a new initiative.

0:43:090:43:12

One thing we do here is we monitor the impact of how the animals graze.

0:43:120:43:17

We have an ecologist who goes out

0:43:170:43:18

and actually looks what the impact has been on the plants.

0:43:180:43:21

And what we were finding was the animals were still grazing areas

0:43:210:43:25

that we didn't want them to graze too heavily,

0:43:250:43:28

and then there were other parts of this valley,

0:43:280:43:30

specifically the valley floor, that weren't being grazed heavily enough.

0:43:300:43:33

The problem is something known as hefting.

0:43:330:43:36

Left to their own devices,

0:43:360:43:38

sheep develop a preference for grazing certain areas,

0:43:380:43:41

which they pass down and reinforce over generations.

0:43:410:43:45

In order to break this hefting habit

0:43:450:43:48

and establish new sustainable patterns,

0:43:480:43:50

Arwyn has returned to the old method of a man and his dogs.

0:43:500:43:54

Previously, the sheep did their own thing,

0:43:550:43:57

now there's someone here, a shepherd here,

0:43:570:43:59

and he's moving sheep from areas which are most sensitive

0:43:590:44:02

to those areas that need more grazing.

0:44:020:44:05

It's a joy to watch a good shepherd working dogs

0:44:050:44:08

and how they understand how the sheep will move,

0:44:080:44:11

how the dogs work them.

0:44:110:44:13

And it's a joy I'm going to share today

0:44:150:44:17

as Arwyn is taking me to see Bryn Griffiths,

0:44:170:44:20

who's been shepherding since he was ten years old,

0:44:200:44:23

with his three Border Collies - Meg, Non and Pero.

0:44:230:44:26

-Hello, Bryn.

-Hiya.

-Bryn's been with us two years now,

0:44:280:44:31

so he knows these mountains pretty well. You've walked, I guess,

0:44:310:44:34

-pretty much every inch of them by now, Bryn.

-Yeah.

0:44:340:44:37

It's a big job, Bryn, trying to keep an eye on hundreds of sheep

0:44:370:44:42

in a landscape which gives them plenty of places to hide away in,

0:44:420:44:46

-I'm sure.

-Yeah. It's quite the task.

0:44:460:44:49

I took about a good two months to know the pattern of the sheep,

0:44:490:44:53

the way they naturally move.

0:44:530:44:55

I'm starting to know which ones are where

0:44:550:44:57

and how to get them from there now, yeah.

0:44:570:45:00

I mean, there is a psychological element to this,

0:45:000:45:02

-which is kind of interesting.

-Oh, yeah.

0:45:020:45:05

Well, they say that sheep are not smart,

0:45:050:45:07

but I've learnt a different side to that since I've been up here.

0:45:070:45:13

Well, I'd love to see the dogs working, Bryn.

0:45:130:45:15

-Yeah, no worries. Follow me, I'll show you.

-Let's have a look.

0:45:150:45:18

With 2,000 sheep to watch seven days a week,

0:45:200:45:23

Arwyn recently decided to expand operations

0:45:230:45:26

by advertising for a second shepherd.

0:45:260:45:29

He was shocked by the flood of applicants

0:45:290:45:32

from as far afield as Norway.

0:45:320:45:34

But, for the moment, it's just Bryn, Meg, Non and Pero,

0:45:340:45:37

working pockets of sheep away from the higher ground

0:45:370:45:40

and towards the grass of the valley floor.

0:45:400:45:43

-These dogs can't wait.

-No, they're itching to go.

0:45:440:45:47

Using a series of whistles and calls, Bryn directs his dogs

0:45:480:45:52

to encourage the ewes to take the tracks to the lower ground.

0:45:520:45:55

HE WHISTLES

0:45:570:45:59

HE GIVES COMMAND

0:45:590:46:01

Bryn's commands, he's commanding the dog to go left and right.

0:46:010:46:04

-Yeah.

-And there's one command for it to walk on.

0:46:040:46:08

-Yeah.

-And then obviously stop.

0:46:080:46:10

-There's a great degree of cunning involved in this, isn't there?

-Yes.

0:46:100:46:13

And you've got several minds at work.

0:46:130:46:15

You've got the sheep, of course,

0:46:150:46:17

you've got the shepherd and the dogs,

0:46:170:46:20

so everybody is involved in this great sort of interplay.

0:46:200:46:23

And ultimately the sheep as well know that we've got

0:46:230:46:28

a little bit more control over them than they thought that we had.

0:46:280:46:31

LAUGHTER

0:46:310:46:33

It's been a real pleasure to witness farming

0:46:350:46:37

and conservation going hand in hand,

0:46:370:46:40

protecting this landscape for generations to come.

0:46:400:46:43

I think that catching a glimpse of the shepherds working these hills

0:46:430:46:46

can only enhance the experience for the tens of thousands of walkers

0:46:460:46:50

who currently take the footpaths through the valley

0:46:500:46:53

each and every year.

0:46:530:46:54

-We have but one more to see.

-The Mystery House.

-Exactly.

0:47:000:47:04

Our Mystery House.

0:47:040:47:06

Now, then, Cyron, this is your first foray into property hunting.

0:47:060:47:09

What do you think our Mystery House might offer?

0:47:090:47:12

It could be anything. I mean, it could be something with...

0:47:120:47:15

Ultramodern?

0:47:150:47:17

It could be just a derelict house, it's 50 grand

0:47:170:47:20

so you've got loads over so you can do it up as much as you want.

0:47:200:47:23

Yeah, yeah, I'm thinking it could be something like that.

0:47:230:47:26

-Well, that may be what we've got for you. Ah, you see?

-Maybe, maybe!

0:47:260:47:32

Maybe. Maybe.

0:47:320:47:34

Let's just see how big a project you're really up for.

0:47:340:47:38

-I'm intrigued. And a little bit nervous now!

-Yeah!

0:47:400:47:43

Our mystery offering is located

0:47:470:47:49

four and half miles south of Caernarfon,

0:47:490:47:51

in the small village of Bethesda Bach,

0:47:510:47:54

within half a mile of the coast at Dinas Dinlle.

0:47:540:47:57

Dinas Dinlle is a small seaside settlement.

0:47:580:48:01

Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest,

0:48:010:48:04

the beach here is a mix of pebble and sand.

0:48:040:48:08

A cliff above is known as Boncan Dinas

0:48:080:48:10

and is home to an Iron Age hill fort in the care of the National Trust.

0:48:100:48:15

There is some evidence to suggest it was once the site of

0:48:150:48:18

a Roman lighthouse.

0:48:180:48:20

And our mystery property is just a short walk away.

0:48:200:48:23

There you go.

0:48:260:48:28

It's lovely frontage.

0:48:280:48:30

That really is a lovely-looking house.

0:48:300:48:33

Have you worked out what it was?

0:48:330:48:36

There's a big mill stone there.

0:48:360:48:38

-Yeah. It's an old mill.

-OK.

0:48:380:48:40

-It's lived up to its mysterious name.

-Yeah.

0:48:400:48:43

The lower floor could become a self-contained holiday let or B&B.

0:48:450:48:50

OK, OK. I love the stonework.

0:48:500:48:53

There is as much stonework visible on the inside as on the outside.

0:48:530:48:57

-Sounds good.

-That's rustic.

-OK.

0:48:570:48:59

Come on. Let's see what you think.

0:48:590:49:02

Built around 1706,

0:49:020:49:04

this former mill house was once part of a large estate.

0:49:040:49:08

Arranged over three floors,

0:49:080:49:10

we're entering via a door that leads into the ground floor,

0:49:100:49:13

which could perhaps be used as a self-contained holiday let.

0:49:130:49:17

Its unique hallway features a dining area at one end

0:49:170:49:20

and a kitchen at the other.

0:49:200:49:22

-Oh! Oh, wow!

-Yes?

-Yes.

0:49:250:49:27

-You like it?

-Yeah.

0:49:270:49:29

Yeah, I love it. I love the stone.

0:49:290:49:32

Come this way.

0:49:320:49:34

I love it.

0:49:340:49:35

I love it.

0:49:350:49:37

It's so solid and it's all higgledy-piggledy, you know,

0:49:370:49:42

I love it.

0:49:420:49:44

It's definitely at the other end of the spectrum of what I like.

0:49:440:49:47

It's too far gone for you.

0:49:470:49:49

Yeah, it's a bit too much of what my mum likes.

0:49:490:49:53

Have we pushed you over the edge?

0:49:530:49:55

-Is it too historic?

-I think so.

0:49:550:49:57

I mean, you could, of course,

0:49:570:49:59

-just leave all this here and do B&B down here.

-Yeah.

0:49:590:50:02

But I think the holiday let idea down here is a really simple fix

0:50:020:50:06

cos it is only just removing that staircase, which is easy.

0:50:060:50:09

Yeah.

0:50:090:50:11

The historic character of our Mystery House

0:50:110:50:14

is certainly charming Maxine.

0:50:140:50:16

And if she did decide to offer this floor as a holiday let,

0:50:160:50:19

her guests would also have two bedrooms,

0:50:190:50:21

both of which are currently configured as twin rooms

0:50:210:50:25

and served by a family bathroom.

0:50:250:50:27

The two upper floors can be accessed via a bridge on

0:50:270:50:30

the other side of the property,

0:50:300:50:32

but we're taking the stairs

0:50:320:50:34

which take us up to a large landing and snug.

0:50:340:50:38

I'm thinking this might be your kitchen area...

0:50:390:50:43

-OK.

-..if you were to convert downstairs.

-OK.

0:50:430:50:46

I can see that.

0:50:460:50:47

-Can you see it, really?

-Yeah, I can, actually.

0:50:470:50:49

It would all flow very nicely into this room,

0:50:490:50:52

-and I think you would not want to change this into a kitchen.

-OK.

0:50:520:50:55

You'll see why. Come and have a look.

0:50:550:50:57

-I've been itching to show this to you all week.

-Wow!

0:50:590:51:02

-It is a wow, isn't it?

-Ooh!

0:51:020:51:04

-Pretty impressive focal point.

-It's a castle.

0:51:040:51:08

I mean, look at the ceiling. I think that's just been beautifully done.

0:51:080:51:11

It's beautiful. It's really got the quirkiness I was looking for.

0:51:110:51:15

-Yeah.

-Nobody else is going to have a house like this.

-Oh, no!

-No.

0:51:150:51:19

And then up there, the last bit to see, your master bedroom.

0:51:190:51:23

-You get your own sort of eyrie, as it were.

-Eyrie?

0:51:230:51:26

Well, imagine waking up every morning

0:51:260:51:29

-and coming down to see all this.

-Yeah.

0:51:290:51:32

So, finally, here we are -

0:51:330:51:35

the top floor and your room.

0:51:350:51:38

-Yeah, it's a decent size.

-Your en-suite...

0:51:380:51:41

I dare say you might turn to something a little more neutral.

0:51:410:51:45

-And again, this lovely architecture of the roof.

-Beautiful.

0:51:450:51:48

-Yeah, it's really quirky. It's individual.

-Is it you?

0:51:480:51:51

-Yeah, it is.

-I thought it would be, yeah.

0:51:510:51:53

But, of course, it's all going to come down to the price, isn't it?

0:51:530:51:56

-Mm.

-Come on. Let's talk about that.

0:51:560:51:58

Well, Maxine does seem to be impressed

0:52:010:52:03

by the individual character and layout

0:52:030:52:05

of this 18th century mill house.

0:52:050:52:07

Outside, a plot of around an acre

0:52:070:52:10

includes a small manageable garden and a paddock.

0:52:100:52:13

There's also a large stone outbuilding that was once the mill

0:52:130:52:17

and is currently used as a garage

0:52:170:52:18

that could be put to a range of uses.

0:52:180:52:22

It's an impressive building.

0:52:220:52:23

I'm trying to get my head round rejigging things, you know,

0:52:230:52:26

without spoiling the look of the place.

0:52:260:52:29

-Difficult one.

-Make me an offer on our mystery mill.

-Yeah. Wow!

0:52:290:52:32

Well, it's really impressive.

0:52:320:52:35

I'm going to go for 300,000.

0:52:350:52:37

I'm actually going to say 290.

0:52:370:52:40

-Interesting. It's on at £295,000.

-Hmm, OK.

0:52:400:52:45

-Lots to mull over.

-Yeah.

0:52:450:52:47

You keep giving me these different ideas and I'm getting a headache.

0:52:470:52:50

Go and have a wander around

0:52:500:52:52

and I will catch up with the pair of you later on.

0:52:520:52:55

-Thank you.

-Off you go.

0:52:550:52:56

Well, mystery houses do, of course, famously come in all sorts of

0:52:590:53:03

shapes and sizes but this one really is a classic.

0:53:030:53:07

A mystery mill, if you will. I like it.

0:53:070:53:10

A significant £55,000 below budget,

0:53:130:53:17

our 18th century mystery mill

0:53:170:53:18

gives Maxine even more to think about.

0:53:180:53:21

It has all the character features she could wish for

0:53:210:53:25

whilst the three storey layout lends itself to separate living quarters

0:53:250:53:28

and a ground floor holiday let.

0:53:280:53:31

There's also a large stone outbuilding

0:53:310:53:34

and it all sits on an acre of land

0:53:340:53:36

within easy reach of the sea.

0:53:360:53:38

The Mystery House certainly has lived up to its title.

0:53:380:53:42

It caught me out, actually. The living room here,

0:53:420:53:45

with these beautiful high stone walls

0:53:450:53:47

and the beautiful wooden ceiling

0:53:470:53:49

and the majestic fireplace

0:53:490:53:50

is just wonderful.

0:53:500:53:52

I feel like I'm sitting in my own castle.

0:53:520:53:55

It was something that's not to my taste.

0:53:550:53:57

It's definitely to my mum's taste,

0:53:570:53:59

and this is basically her perfect property.

0:53:590:54:01

I do need an income, and I would have to change it to some

0:54:010:54:07

kind of B&B or a separate holiday let downstairs.

0:54:070:54:11

It's thrown up some interesting possibilities, and something

0:54:110:54:15

to definitely consider but I can't see it really working for my mum.

0:54:150:54:19

Right, then. We've shown you as much as we can show you.

0:54:190:54:23

It is now time for you to go away, the pair of you,

0:54:230:54:26

talk about it and hopefully come up with a plan for the future.

0:54:260:54:29

-OK.

-Come on. Let's go.

0:54:290:54:31

When we first met Maxine, she gave us two challenges, really.

0:54:370:54:41

The first was to find her a home, but the second was to find her

0:54:410:54:43

some sort of business idea that might go with it.

0:54:430:54:46

Well, we've certainly given her plenty to think about,

0:54:460:54:49

loads of options, really.

0:54:490:54:50

But have we managed to find anything that's truly viable?

0:54:500:54:53

Well, there is, of course, only one way to find out

0:54:530:54:55

and that's to go and ask her.

0:54:550:54:57

-Well, how's it been coming back to Wales?

-It's been great.

0:55:030:55:07

And I can see myself here very, very soon.

0:55:070:55:10

And I think for you, Cyron, you were here not just to advise but also,

0:55:100:55:14

I suppose, reassure yourself that Mum, in moving back to Wales,

0:55:140:55:18

is making the right decision. What do you feel about that now?

0:55:180:55:21

She's definitely got something to come to.

0:55:210:55:23

It's a beautiful country, and she's found the perfect property for it.

0:55:230:55:27

Well, there is one property. Let me guess.

0:55:270:55:30

-Oh, is it the little cottage with the red door?

-Yes.

0:55:300:55:34

Yes! Of course it is.

0:55:340:55:36

Yeah, it was just perfect.

0:55:360:55:39

You know, the view is stunning.

0:55:390:55:41

I don't have to walk up a hill or around the corner for a view,

0:55:410:55:45

I can just enjoy it as it is.

0:55:450:55:46

It was a perfect mix of old and new.

0:55:460:55:49

The odd bit you could whack your head on but...

0:55:490:55:51

head towards the back, you're fine.

0:55:510:55:53

What happens next, then?

0:55:530:55:55

As soon as I can, I'm going to contact the agent

0:55:550:55:58

and find out some more details about the property

0:55:580:56:01

with the view of trying to buy the property.

0:56:010:56:05

And you'll be just down the road for at least another year or so

0:56:050:56:08

at Bangor University so, actually,

0:56:080:56:10

you've got somewhere to come and do the washing.

0:56:100:56:13

-Are you pleased?

-I am very pleased.

0:56:130:56:15

-Good. Are you pleased?

-Yes, very much.

0:56:150:56:18

Phew! That means I am.

0:56:180:56:20

We wish you all the best of luck.

0:56:200:56:21

I can't wait to hear the good news.

0:56:210:56:23

Let's cross everything

0:56:230:56:24

-that you finally manage to secure it.

-Thank you.

0:56:240:56:27

-And good luck with the rest of your studies, mate.

-Thank you.

0:56:270:56:30

Well, if like me, you're a fan of landscape painting,

0:56:350:56:38

I'm sure you'll agree that that is a near-perfect composition.

0:56:380:56:42

This is one of my favourite views of Snowdonia.

0:56:420:56:45

When I think of North Wales, that is what I picture -

0:56:450:56:48

the view south down the Llanberis Pass towards Snowdon,

0:56:480:56:52

wreathed in cloud.

0:56:520:56:53

And it's this sort of rather dreamy image

0:56:530:56:55

that's helped lead Maxine back here to find a new home.

0:56:550:56:59

And now, with any luck, well, she's got one.

0:56:590:57:02

So, that's it from us,

0:57:020:57:04

but I'm going to leave you with that.

0:57:040:57:07

I'll see you next time.

0:57:070:57:08

If you would like to Escape to the Country in

0:57:100:57:12

England, Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland and would like our help,

0:57:120:57:15

then please apply online at...

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