Dorset Escape to the Country

At first glance, it's hard to believe this

picture-perfect village, with all these thatched cottages,

was built just a couple of centuries ago when a whole community

was uprooted and moved here.

Find out why and where I am in just a moment.

Today's property search is all about having the right outlook.

That's what this house is about.

-Yes.

-That picture.

We asked for a sea view but didn't think you would find it.

How you did it, I don't know.

But will we be able to find our home hunters

the dream location for a country retirement?

I feel quite emotional about it.

It's really, really fabulous.

It's a great start.

Today I'm in Dorset and this is the village of Milton Abbas.

It was built in the 1770s by the Earl of Dorchester,

who brought on board the famous landscape designer

Lancelot "Capability" Brown and architect Sir William Chambers.

But this was no great philanthropic mission.

The Earl actually moved the village here from its original spot nearby

because it was spoiling the view from his newly built mansion,

so he completely demolished it and created this village here

over the hill and out of sight.

That said, the end result certainly possesses that authentic

Dorset character that you will find in many places across the county.

Dorset is found on the south coast of England and is bordered

by Hampshire to the east, Wiltshire to the north

and Somerset and Devon to the west.

Its 95 miles of coastline offer striking geological features

such as Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch,

thought to be named from the old English word, "thirl",

meaning to pierce or bore.

Man-made coastal landmarks include the Cobb at Lyme Regis,

a curved stone pier which has formed a harbour since at least 1313.

It featured in the 1981 film, The French Lieutenant's Woman,

starring Meryl Streep, based on the novel written by John Fowles,

who drew inspiration from the Dorset landscape around him.

Close to the town of Bridport, a near-conical sandstone hill

is eye-catchingly topped by a smattering of pine trees.

In the 19th century it was named after the then landowner,

the Rev Colmer.

Indeed, hills are very much a feature of the landscape here,

where fertile pastures have made an ideal sheep-farming location,

providing trade in both wool and meat.

Dorset is also rich in ecclesiastical buildings,

although its religious history is rather more turbulent

than the serenity of the resultant architecture.

The village of Chideock was once known for

clandestine Catholic worship after the Civil War.

In the late 16th century, four local Catholics,

now known as the Chideock Martyrs,

were tried in the village and consequently executed in the county.

The Weld Memorial Chapel is an important landmark in the story

of Catholic emancipation.

The county is also home to around 150 villages,

peppered with traditional thatched cottages.

But perhaps the most picturesque row of houses in the county is at

the cobbled street of Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. It once provided

the backdrop to Britain's favourite advertisement of all time.

So whether it's picture-postcard towns and villages,

wild coastlines or local history, Dorset really does offer

a great choice for those seeking a country escape.

All of this beauty and history does of course come at a price.

The average cost of a detached home here in Dorset is around £321,000 -

that's about 55,000 above the national figure.

That does include the super-expensive Sandbanks

near Poole, where price tags are routinely in their millions.

As a general rule of thumb, if you move away from coastal hotspots,

your money will go that little bit further,

especially if you move towards the north of the county.

So which part of Dorset are today's buyers inspired to move to?

Let's meet them and find out.

Life has been an adventure for Diana and Jonathan,

from Burgess Hill, Sussex,

since they first got together over three decades ago.

We met when Jonathan was in the police force

and I was a stewardess.

After knowing each other for ten days, we decided to get married

and that was 33 years ago.

Yes.

I think excitement sums up our relationship and our life together.

We are quite impulsive. Well, very impulsive.

We enjoy travel, we enjoy coming out of our comfort zone.

We have good fun.

-We're energetic.

-Yes, we are.

-And we like doing things together.

-Yeah.

As well as packing in plenty of round-the-world travel,

Diana and Jonathan also had two sons.

Now the couple are in their mid-60s and their kids have moved away

to have families of their own.

But life hasn't stopped with retirement,

particularly for former police officer Jonathan,

who has become a published author.

My writing, I started about five years ago.

Crime thriller, based using my experience.

I'm on my third book at the moment.

But that's not all Diana and Jonathan are seeking -

they're also looking for more new experiences and want to move away

from their hometown of 23 years to start a new life

in more rural surroundings.

We are enclosed on the edge of an estate

with a main road 50 yards away.

There is a constant noise, a constant traffic jam,

there is building going on.

Every day, there is someone nearby drilling,

cutting down a tree or hedge-cutting.

We would like somewhere that had just that little bit of extra space,

a little bit quieter, a little bit more of a view.

And there's one part of the country in particular that is calling them.

An area that we really do like and we have visited

and travelled through quite a bit is west Dorset.

I think it's a very pretty area,

it's got fascinating history,

the coastline is quite dramatic.

Even during the summer, out on the headlands,

it's got that little bit of wildness about it.

What is drawing me to west Dorset is the relaxed pace of life.

I like the scenery,

I like the fact that the sea is there.

I think there's a lot of energy going on there - it's becoming

an interesting, lively place as well as a peaceful place.

I feel quite at home in that area,

I think I could settle down there.

Of course, settling down for this energetic duo doesn't really mean

putting their feet up.

I want to take up sailing,

maybe get a small boat to go up and down rivers or that type of thing.

There's a sewing group that I started a year ago.

There was a few ladies that said they couldn't sew,

didn't know how to sew, didn't know one end of a needle from the other.

I just wanted them to have fun, get confidence in sewing,

enjoy it and take away something from the process.

I want to meet new people.

Perhaps running a sewing group there.

I think we'll turn out to be very busy.

I think so too.

Although the move means leaving behind the location of many

happy memories, they know there are

plenty of new ones to look forward to.

I will be sad, in a way, to leave here,

because we've had a happy time here.

The boys were young when we moved in here.

It will be sad because we have been happy and we've got lots of friends,

but they'll have to come and visit us.

Diana and Jonathan want to concentrate their search

in the south-west of the county, close to the coast between Bridport

and the Devon border.

But before we start our house hunt,

I want to know more about the type of home they are hoping to find.

Diana and Jonathan, welcome to Dorset.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Is it those fabulous sea views that are attracting you to this county?

The sea views, the countryside, the way of life, yes.

It really does have a little bit of everything.

It's got everything and it's just so peaceful yet there is that vibrancy

that you get next to the sea.

How well do you know this area?

Well, we've driven through the area for over 30 years to go

and visit my parents in Devon.

We've always taken the route from Lyme Regis along the coast

down to Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton.

And we've slowed down, actually, coming through Dorset.

-We've stopped for coffee breaks and things like that.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

We've had a look over the years. And it's such a beautiful county.

It's got everything you want, really.

What do you want from the house itself?

We're looking for somewhere bright and airy.

We'd probably like three bedrooms and we would like a room

where I could do my sewing and you could perhaps do your writing.

That's really quite important.

The view's most important to us, and the location.

So, location-wise, what sort of setting would you like?

I'd like a view,

proximity to the sea,

and not too far away from a town.

Is there anything you both don't want?

I think from experience, a thatched cottage.

Yes, I agree, really.

That's probably, as we say, a thatch, we don't want a thatch.

Remind me of your budget.

Go ahead.

-Well, our budget is £500,000.

-OK.

We could just go a little bit above that if we needed to.

I like hearing that because it is a popular county, of course,

so it's always nice to know that you might have a little bit extra.

Yes.

And we have got some fantastic properties already waiting for you.

-Lovely.

-So, let's get going.

Lovely, thank you very much.

For a budget of £500,000,

but some leeway if necessary,

Diana and Jonathan are looking for

a bright and airy property with

a minimum of three bedrooms.

They'd like a sewing room for Diana

as well as a separate space

for Jonathan to write.

The location is important and should

offer them views as well as

proximity to the coast and a town.

While they are flexible over style,

neither of them is keen

on thatched houses.

We have an exciting variety of homes to present, and at each one,

I will be asking them to guess the price before I reveal it.

Our final property will be the Mystery House, which may be

a naughty choice, but could turn out to be surprisingly nice.

But before that, we're off to view house number one.

Our property search is kicking off just a five-minute drive

from Charmouth Beach, in the small village of Morcombelake.

With its outlook across rolling fields to the sea,

it's a great starting point for several walks.

The village is home to the savoury Dorset knob biscuit,

made here since late Victorian times.

Amenities include a post office and store as well as a farm shop.

The simple chapel-style church, built in 1841,

replaced a 13th-century one that had fallen into ruins.

'Our first house is idyllically located

'just a five-minute walk away.'

This is our first property, the house on the hill.

-Wow.

-It's just lovely.

-Isn't it gorgeous?

Absolutely gorgeous, the trees...

This is the location you were looking for? Am I right?

Yes, lovely, it really is lovely.

Do we need to go in?

Look, the house is ideal already.

It's ticking a lot of boxes already.

It's lovely, yes, really nice.

Let's see if the inside charms you.

-OK.

-Yes, lovely.

This hillside home was originally built in the 1930s,

but has been fully renovated by the current owners over the past decade.

The property is accessed via a decked frontage with French doors

that lead straight into the large country kitchen.

-Come in.

-Wow.

It's a really good-sized kitchen, nice and light.

You come straight in, so the balcony is part of the kitchen?

Absolutely, so you can throw open the doors

-and that's your little champagne balcony.

-Yes.

And even when it's cold, raining,

you've still got that fabulous view.

-A-ha!

-THEY LAUGH

I never noticed that!

Oh, yes.

I'd say that was a fantastic element.

Oh, I think it's gorgeous.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-Beautiful.

-Really lovely.

-You've got a conservatory just through there,

-which again makes use of the views.

-Yes.

You've got a really lovely-sized utility room,

so this isn't where everything is.

Even as you're washing up in the utility room or doing the laundry,

you've got the views.

-Fantastic.

-Lovely.

Also off the kitchen is a ground floor family bathroom,

and on the other side, the main reception,

once again with charming country features

including a log-burning stove.

Again, in here, the owners have really made use of the setting.

A really nice-sized room, a door that goes outside.

And you've still got the view and it is so light and bright.

It's got a lovely feel to it.

So you can imagine yourself relaxing in here?

-Absolutely.

-I can, actually.

I can, actually, it is really nice.

The two doors that you can see there are bedrooms.

-Oh.

-So they are matching bedrooms,

they've each got a working fireplace in each of the bedrooms.

Both can fit double beds in so really, those are your guest rooms.

-Yes, lovely.

-Let me show you your bedroom, though.

Thank you.

A really heartening reaction to the welcoming spaces on offer

in this beautifully located home.

But there's even more to impress Jonathan and Diana upstairs,

where the converted loft space is

entirely devoted to the master accommodation,

with its own dressing room and en suite featuring a modern bathtub

and separate shower.

Up here, you've got your own private suite, really.

-Wow.

-I like the lightness, it's really bright.

Look at the views across there.

You could wake up to that view.

Wow.

That is like a picture, it's absolutely lovely.

This floor is your own, not really for guests, unless in the future

you chose to stay in the bedrooms on the ground floor.

It's a perfect house for a couple.

-It is, yes.

-Perfect.

I like the way they have shaped the ceiling to get the light in.

-Beautifully done.

-It's been done very nicely.

Great. Let's go and see what else is in store.

-Exciting.

-Lead us back out to the garden.

Well, the interior has delivered everything Diana and Jonathan

had hoped for, and I don't think the outside will disappoint.

Extensive gardens boast many mature shrubs and trees,

plus outbuildings including a former housekeeper's annexe

with recently lapsed planning permission.

Subject to a fresh application,

it could be turned into extra guest accommodation,

or they could use it as a writing or sewing space.

There's also a large paddock,

currently kept in check by the owner's small flock of sheep.

So you've got three-quarters of an acre, really.

That's a joy. I like gardening,

I like working outside.

So, what would this beautiful house cost you?

Well, I would say certainly top end,

so I would say...525.

I'm not going to argue too much with that.

I will be optimistic and go 520.

It's actually on the market for just under your budget,

£499,950.

-Good gracious.

-Unbelievable.

It's just absolutely gorgeous.

I feel quite emotional about it.

It's really, really fabulous.

It's a great start. Go and have another look around,

-now that you know the price.

-OK.

I will meet you out front in a bit.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

Coming in slightly under budget,

this hillside property has

everything our buyers want from

their new home in the country.

The three double bedrooms include

a master suite on the entire upper

floor. Plus there is a large kitchen

diner and spacious sitting room,

as well as wonderful countryside views

from almost every room.

The large plot gives keen gardener

Jonathan plenty to work with

and an annexe offers potential

as a writing or sewing room.

-Nice, isn't it?

-Yes, really.

Again, it is an extension of the house into the garden.

Everything is joined up. It's really lovely.

Yes, gorgeous.

The house inside - lovely open plan, beautifully done,

nice soft wood everywhere.

I wouldn't want to change anything, I think it's really gorgeous.

We'd like to have the grandchildren and the family down to visit.

It'll be perfect.

Nice big area where we can eat

and of course the garden would be lovely

for the two grandchildren,

they'd have a whale of a time making camps and running around.

I think that views were our number one priority and it is

beautifully situated. The rooms are so nicely done.

It feels as though the outside and inside are almost joined together.

I really like gardens, I like working outside,

and to have this amount of land I can play with and really enjoy,

really delighted and pleased with it.

When the price was given to us,

I was really pleased about that.

That certainly made us think about it very seriously.

Beaming smiles, that's what I like to see.

I don't think we could have asked

for a better start to our house hunt.

No, no.

It really does tick all the boxes.

It's lovely. It really is lovely.

Great, I can't ask for more than that.

-Let's go.

-Thank you.

The fertile lands of Dorset have a long tradition of food production,

but historically, they were also an important source of clothing.

Arable and livestock farming supported the making of lace

and wool, whilst the county's sheep also provided discs of horn

to be turned into early cloth-covered buttons.

In the 17th century,

button-making really took off here when an English soldier,

returning from battles in Europe,

realised the growing popularity of buttoned clothing and set up

a commercial makers in the town of Shaftesbury.

And that's where we are sending Jonathan and keen seamstress Diana -

they are meeting local button maker and historian Anna McDowell

to find out about this Dorset form of haberdashery.

Hello and welcome to Shaftesbury.

-Thank you very much.

-You are now visiting the birthplace

of the Dorset button industry.

-So, I understand you are a sewer?

-I am indeed.

Why don't we go into the Gold Hill Museum and have a look?

-We'd love to.

-Thank you very much.

With women typically able to earn more from making buttons

from home than from working on the land,

it was a popular endeavour that supported many families

for around 200 years.

Gold Hill Museum has several examples of the different designs

produced over that time.

As you can imagine, there are a lot of other people making buttons,

especially thread buttons, which is basically what a Dorset button is.

Up in Macclesfield you had the silk buttons,

you had button makers in London, but here in Dorset, we're unique,

because our buttons are actually made originally with linen,

linen fabric and also the natural sheep's horn.

But the original buttons were the high tops and the Dorset knobs,

which you can see a little Dorset knob in here, with a flatter button

they say was more undergarments.

Was it just the women at home that made the buttons?

No, the children would have been involved.

These buttons here are made from a wire ring and small boys were used

to dip the wire to seal them.

There would have been the men -

they were agents and used to sell the buttons.

It was actually a very well organised industry or business.

Were there markets or special events to sell the buttons?

Agents used to go and collect them from the cottages.

They were taken to the depots

and there they would have been washed and graded.

To set the scene,

the cottages would have been, shall we say, not the cleanest,

so the buttons used to be, you know, not the cleanest.

These handmade thread buttons were to provide a viable income

for many Dorset families until the middle of the 19th century

when machines capable of doing the job much faster and more cheaply

cut the cottage industry dead.

But just a short distance from the museum, Anna is bringing

the old-fashioned techniques back to life in her workshop.

I thought we would have a go at just doing something simple,

a larger version of one of these.

You call that a simple one, do you(?)

Yes, that is a simple cartwheel button.

Lovely.

As there are no written records of how the original buttons

were made, Anna has had to work the methods out for herself,

starting with measuring out the thread.

Three lengths like that.

Yes.

Is this the old-fashioned yard?

It is the old-fashioned yard.

Next, the thread is used to cover

a small metal ring with a series of blanket stitches.

Throw the thread over the back of your hand and you form a loop.

Right? You're going to put the needle through that loop.

The most difficult thing is, it keeps getting tangled up,

or is it just me?

Go through the loop,

the centre of the ring and pull it tight.

-It's not as easy as it looks.

-No, it's not.

It now takes Anna around 40 minutes to make a single button,

but in the 1730s,

women workers were earning around two shillings a day

with averages of six or seven dozen buttons.

I was told that a local farmer, at harvest time,

said he couldn't get the women to help harvest because they could

actually earn more making buttons than they could on the land.

Once the ring is tightly covered with the blanket stitching,

Anna creates an effect like the spokes of a wheel

by taking turns around the entire button.

Sometimes I put more spokes,

sometimes I put in less spokes.

And then draws these all together with a crossed stitch at the centre.

-Watch this.

-Oh.

How clever.

Finally, a back stitch is used over each of the spokes

to cover the gaps.

Eventually, you will fill up the button.

Right, we're nearly there,

and you've got something like that.

Good gracious. It looks really lovely.

It's fabulous. It looks like a really intricate spider's web.

There you have it, a Dorset button.

It's lovely, thank you very much indeed, it's really lovely.

Why don't you take that home?

That's fabulous.

Take those two you have been working on and finish them off.

-Thank you very much for showing us.

-Good luck.

It has been wonderful to see a cottage craft being revived

in its original surroundings. But now for Diana and Jonathan

to find out if they can get their property search all sewn up

as we continue with their house hunt.

Our next property is taking the search ten miles inland,

close to the borders of Devon and Somerset

and the village of Thorncombe.

Set in verdant, undulating hills, it was once home and inspiration

to the French landscape painter Lucien Pissarro.

There's a strong sense of community here,

with a shop and post office run by locals,

a village hall offering activities, and a primary school.

In the 18th century the area became a thriving centre

for wool and lace-making,

with the resulting population growth

such that a century later, a new church had to be built

to house the now 1,500-strong parish congregation.

The property we've come to see

is located at the end of a no-through-road

at the edges of the village.

The stone house in the corner.

-Oh!

-Is our offering.

-OK.

-Oh, yes.

-What do you think?

-The house looks nice.

The view's really quite stunning. On the edge of the village.

You are inland here a little bit more than perhaps you wanted.

How do you feel about that?

-Maybe it's a compromise.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, open mind.

-Yes, absolutely.

What about the house itself?

It looks nice. It's in nice condition,

nice windows, nice outlook from the windows.

Really open to have a look.

-Let's go and have a look.

-Lovely.

-Thank you.

This stone house was only built in the year 2000

and has even more recently been extended and improved.

Set into the corner of the property, the main door leads to a hallway

and onto the heart of the home.

Just come through into the kitchen-diner.

-Ooh! Very nice.

-Oh, yes.

-Isn't that lovely?

-Nice centre.

-Yeah, lovely island, really nice size.

I mean, I feel this is like a family entertaining kitchen.

-Yeah, it is, yes, yes.

-Yeah.

And that little space, you could almost have it as a little TV corner

or, you know, you could do whatever you wanted,

or leave it open like that, or...

If you had guests, this is where you'd be eating dinner too.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

It's really lovely, really nicely done.

'Adjoining the kitchen, there's a utility room,

'and further along the hall at the rear of the property

'are the main reception rooms.'

Now, this used to be the main living area of the house,

with the fireplace, you've got double aspect.

But this is the real asset downstairs, I think.

-This summer room.

-Oh, yes, it's lovely.

-Yes. Lovely.

You can see this has been added on a little bit later,

but it's just so well done.

Yes, absolutely lovely. Lovely room.

You don't feel as though you're in an extension, as such.

-Really beautiful.

-It's been done so nicely.

But this room is the advantage of being at the end of this cul-de-sac

because really, I think, you've got the prime views here.

Best location, I would think.

Nods of approval all round for the well-proportioned ground floor

with countryside views.

Let's see what they make of

the three-bedroom accommodation upstairs.

Over the reception room sit two doubles,

one of which is currently used as a study,

and both benefitting from extensive views and built-in wardrobes.

There's also a well-appointed family bathroom.

Then, across the front of the upper floor,

is the largest bedroom - the master en-suite.

-It's a nice sized master, isn't it?

-It's very big.

-Yeah, very big.

So the master looks out onto the courtyard and the garden,

and there are some views. But the real views are to be had in here.

That is an en-suite, isn't it?!

That is! Oh...

Well, I mean, you have got lovely views.

-Bath, glass of wine, views.

-What more can you want?

What more is there to say?

Yeah, lovely.

Well, let's go and see more of those views outside, I think.

The space and views on offer here seem to be convincing our couple,

but there's even more outside.

An upper-storey addition to the large double garage

could be used as a writing den for Jonathan

or a sewing space.

Wraparound and varied grounds provide tranquil spots

from which to soak up the surroundings.

The garden also features flower beds,

a vegetable patch, orchard

and a part-share in a one-acre paddock.

Can you imagine sitting here looking out onto those views?

-Very nice indeed.

-They are lovely.

Really lovely.

And there's not a pylon in sight.

The scenery will change as the seasons pass.

It's really nice.

Something that won't change, though,

is there's no risk of things being built

on this bit of land here

because what the owner of this house, along with his neighbours,

what they've done is they've bought that bit of land

and a third of an acre goes to each house,

and so they've sort of ensured that no-one can build on it.

So to protect the view.

I think the grandkids would quite like this.

Shall we talk price?

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

Er, 510.

-Diana?

-I'll say 505.

It is an immaculate house.

Top end again, absolute top end, I would say.

Jonathan was spot-on.

It is on the market for £510,000.

Very good value for money, I think.

It's a really lovely house for that money.

-Do you want to have another look around?

-Yes, I'd like to.

-There's so much to explore.

-Yep.

-And I'll meet you in a bit.

-Lovely. Thank you very much.

Although this recently built detached stone house

would require a stretch of the budget,

our couple have said they'd be willing to do so

for the right property.

A large kitchen-diner is perfect for getting the whole family together

and the sun room means they could enjoy the country setting

whatever the weather.

There are three good-sized bedrooms, including a master en suite,

plus an annexe that could be used for writing or sewing,

and the house is located on the edge of a thriving and popular village.

-So, this is the field.

-Yeah.

-Actually, it's lovely, isn't it?

-It is lovely.

-Look up at the house now.

Yeah, the house looks lovely.

-The house looks lovely.

-And the view.

I think the stone house property is really lovely.

So comfortable, so well finished, inside and out.

The location is lovely, presented just superbly with the views.

Really, really spectacular views.

On the edge of the village and the village itself looked really nice.

This house is lovely and everything about the spec is good quality

and the extension is perfect.

It's a very, very comfortable house,

but probably not what we're looking for.

Perhaps something a little bit more of a challenge,

a little bit more quirky.

There isn't a job that needs to be done, to be perfectly honest.

Just probably looking for a retirement home

with something to do, something to take up my time.

It feels like a family home and everything has been done to it.

If I were moving in with the family,

with our two sons as they were younger, it would have been perfect.

-It is a nice house, isn't it?

-It is, really nice.

-Shall we hit the road?

-Yes.

-Lovely.

Diana and Jonathan from Burgess Hill, West Sussex

have a budget of £500,000 to find their dream home

near the coast of west Dorset.

We've already shown them some tantalising property,

but there's still more to look at and our Mystery House

may just confound expectations.

-What a surprise.

-I take it all back, it's really bright.

Plus, I get back to basics with a pair of printmakers

who left London life for the rural delights of Dorset.

It's caveman technology. It's not that difficult, really.

We have two more properties to view today -

later on we'll be visiting our Mystery House, which gives me

the opportunity to show Diana and Jonathan something

they'd never have gone to see themselves.

But first, we have another house to look at

and this one really makes the most of being by the coast.

For our next house, we are walking distance from the sea

in the historic market town of Bridport.

Used as the basis for Port Bredy in Thomas Hardy's fictional Wessex,

it has a lively arts scene as well as a broad selection

of shops and services.

Within the town's boundary,

West Bay features spectacular cliff walks and sandy beaches.

Once known as Bridport Harbour, would-be sailor Jonathan

could whet his nautical appetite at the attractive marina.

The next house enjoys this magnificent coastal outlook

from less than a mile away. We're starting our tour at the rear

of the property, where the seaside setting is really maximised.

Now, as you both do want to live by the coast,

here is a house by the sea.

Bringing you in this way, you really get to appreciate the views

-which is what you're after and what you have requested.

-Yes.

What do you think about the house itself?

A good size, nice windows.

Immediately, I see those big glass doors,

which is showing us the view again and making the most of it.

-Let's go in.

-Lovely, thank you.

Built in 1936,

this seaside home was given a two-storey extension to the front

by the current owners in 2013.

A conservatory entrance to the side of the property takes us through

to this newer section of the home and the large kitchen-diner.

A really good size.

Really nice.

Bright. I like the fixtures and fittings.

-They look good.

-Loads of colours.

It has been nicely done.

Would this kind of space work for you in the way you live?

-Yes.

-Yes, definitely.

And this is a big area, too.

-Yes, I think this is quite a flexible space.

-Really nicely done.

This is the front of the house -

-let's go to the view side of the house.

-Lovely.

Back at the rear of the property,

past a useful downstairs cloakroom, the spacious reception room

has sliding patio doors to soak up the setting.

This used to be two rooms.

It works well as a big room, really.

A really good-sized room, log-burning stove.

It's lovely, isn't it?

Nice, bright and the views are really gorgeous.

Huge, huge doors.

-It feels like a lovely Dorset picture, doesn't it?

-Yes.

Let's go higher because of course that sea view can only get better.

Jonathan and Diana barely dared to wish for a view of the sea,

but the one on offer from this immaculate detached home

is certainly winning them over.

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms -

the two smallest rooms are located in the top floor

of the front extension, both with single beds.

Then, to the rear of the property,

a large double enjoys that coastal outlook.

The family bathroom provides a roll-top bath and separate shower.

And then, also to the rear of the property,

bedroom number four is the master en suite.

You could have next door as a master,

but this had the space for the en suite.

Yes, and you've got the view.

It's lovely.

That's what this house is about -

-that picture.

-Yes.

And lovely big windows to show it off.

If that's what you want, this is the place to go for.

We asked for a sea view, but didn't think you would find it.

How you did it, I don't know.

And you've got the hills as well, so you've got everything.

Nicely decorated. I like the colours and it means no decorating.

Yes. I'm really impressed.

It's lovely. Really, really lovely.

Yes.

The appeal of this home seems to be growing stronger and stronger.

Outside to the front of the property is a block-paved driveway

with parking for several cars.

A garage is found at the rear and is reached via a service road.

What's more, it has planning permission to be redeveloped,

so could provide options for their creative pastimes.

There's also a greenhouse and small vegetable patch

as well as a raised terrace and an ample lawn

from which to enjoy the views across to the bay.

I think this garden is a bit of a blank canvas for you.

Absolutely, and, actually, not a bad place to be working, is it?

-No.

-It needs work doing.

But the view's still here, it's lovely.

You strike me as people that want to do a little something.

I like messing around in the garden and creating new ones,

so this would be a nice one to create.

-What do you think of the overall proposition, then?

-I like it.

I think the house is very nice.

And we've got the location, of course,

which is again what we asked for.

Close to West Bay, so...

How much is this property on the market for?

How much is that sea view going to cost you?

Again, it's going to be top-end.

-An optimistic 515.

-OK.

Still some gardening to be done -

I'm going to be really optimistic

and go for 495.

You both are being very optimistic.

It is actually on the market for £540,000.

Is it really?

I know I've been naughty by going over budget, but you did say

that you might have a little bit extra over the half a million,

and there is always room to negotiate -

540 is the guide price.

-OK, yes.

-Go and have another look around.

Lovely, thank you very much.

I think they love the sea view

and I'm so pleased they like the house, too.

It's not a bad situation to be in,

to have more than one house that you like.

Now it's just about which location you prefer.

The asking price of this detached coastal home may be over budget,

but it does fulfil that dream of a sea view.

There's a total of four bedrooms - that's one more than requested,

so plenty of scope for hobby rooms. The property has a large

kitchen-diner as well as a good-sized reception room with space

to entertain the whole family. The gardens give Jonathan options

for a project and the garage could potentially

be turned into a writer's den.

The first impression was a nice, big, bright, light, airy house.

Really attractive. South-facing, walking distance to the sea.

Location - absolutely lovely.

The views out southwards really does take the eye.

Good guest rooms, that's for sure.

And then at the back of the house, the other bedroom, good size,

would make an ideal sewing room for Di.

We don't generally use a garage for a car -

maybe we could use that as a writing area.

Something to look at.

The garden itself needs quite a lot of work doing on it.

To do it to the right standard,

you would be looking at quite a lot of money.

I would be very tempted to see what price we can buy the house for.

I would hope there would be room for negotiation

because I'm definitely interested, yeah.

It's definitely up there. You've made life difficult for us!

I'm afraid I will need to drag you both away from the gorgeous view

as we still have the Mystery House to go.

-OK.

-Our property hunt is not over.

-Thank you very much.

-Let's see what else you've got up your sleeve.

Dorset's beautiful land and seascapes have long been a source

of artistic inspiration. Turner was a frequent visitor,

painting several sunsets at Poole Harbour, while the brush

of Constable captured rain clouds over Weymouth Bay

along with many pastoral scenes.

It's a draw that continues to this day.

A decade ago, creative couple Cameron Short and Janet Tristram

chucked in their London lives and careers in advertising and retail

to move to the county and pursue more artistic paths.

Settling in Thorncombe,

they turned abandoned premises into a home and studio for themselves

and their three young daughters.

Now working as handmade printmakers,

they're building a reputation for uniquely captivating work

inspired by their Dorset setting and local folklore.

I want to find out about the appeal of the area...

-Hello.

-Hello, Sonali.

..and why it's such an attractive location for those

seeking creative fulfilment.

What persuaded you to move away from London?

Many people wanting to get into this business would have been tempted

to stay there. What made you come to Dorset?

Yeah, well, I got to a stage in my career as a copywriter

where I'd just kind of had enough.

It was a difficult start because I was trying to obviously

earn a living - I was working on a building site at the time

to make ends meet - knowing that I just had to, if I wanted to,

make the break into being a block printer,

I knew I had to do the work.

So I'd be carving away, whittling at night, thinking about designs.

And we found our way, through trial and error, but the things

that we do as a family, naturally, are imbued into the imagery.

So it might be the walks we do, the animals we see in the area.

So we're starting to find that we have

a rich narrative in our own life that we mix in with our maybe

slightly nostalgic love of England as well.

All that stuff does lend itself beautifully to creating imagery.

Our life in the countryside now does influence our work.

There's a lot that I get stirred by, even now.

And the pace of life suits us, it's very relaxed,

people are very friendly,

so we feel very much at home here.

Janet and Cameron now create designs that they work onto cushions,

lampshades, wallpaper and furniture, as well as limited edition prints.

But it's about more than simply creating

aesthetically pleasing objects -

there's a depth of statement contained within.

Tell me about this one.

Ode To The Ash. Well, that particular print...

I heard about the crisis with ash dieback

and I wanted to do something that celebrated the tree,

and maybe educated people when they looked at it

about how important the tree had been in our history and our culture.

Cameron's really using storytelling,

and there's certain vignettes within the overall design,

so you can kind of lose yourself in what is a repeat pattern.

For instance, if it was in a child's room,

they can daydream away looking at the little bits and pieces

within the image.

The process starts by carving away the parts of the design

that will remain ink-free into a lino-covered wood block.

It's caveman technology. It's not that difficult, really.

A tacky, linseed-based ink is applied to a plain glass surface

and rolled out until it's the texture of suede.

Just push the ink.

Really nice.

There's something very therapeutic about this.

Next, the ink is transferred from the glass

to the carved wood block with the roller.

It's a manual process that creates natural imperfections.

You know that it's been done by hand

because each print is going to be unique, not totally perfect,

but that's what gives it its life.

Now for Cameron and Janet's early 20th century proofing press

-to be put into action.

-You've got the handle here,

which will move the cylinder across the bed of the press

and apply the pressure,

and this thing here that you can alter the pressures.

The paper is carefully laid over the inked block.

Once it's down, you can't move it. Don't even breathe.

And protective felts are put on top before adjusting the pressure.

About there should do it.

Then the cylinder is brought across the design,

a little like a mechanical rolling pin.

-Just roll it across gently, like this.

-Give it some welly!

-Yeah.

We probably did that a bit quickly, but it's not going to matter.

-Sorry.

-That's OK.

Finally, the felts and paper are peeled back,

revealing the image.

-There we go.

-Oh, my gosh.

You see nightjars, moths and a lantern.

My gosh, I want to take that home and frame it.

-You can.

-May I?

-Of course you can, yes.

-Thank you.

What a wonderful memento of the natural details true artists

like Cameron and Janet observe in their surroundings.

Stepping into their world has given me a fresh insight

into the creative energy that Dorset has to offer.

What do you think I have up my sleeve for the mystery property?

Oh... I really don't know. You've surprised us so far.

I can only think, although we said we would prefer not to,

perhaps you've got a thatched property...

So remind me why you don't like thatched.

We didn't want the upkeep of a thatched.

And normally they're very small and not light and airy.

You might end up loving the mystery!

They have ALL been a mystery!

THEY LAUGH

But they've all been... what we asked for, haven't they?

Yes, yes.

For the Mystery House, you're going to...

I've... I know you're going to pull something out

that is really going to throw the spanner in the works,

-and we're going to be making a big decision, aren't we?

-Yeah.

We shall find out very soon.

The mystery offering takes us back to Morcombelake,

just a short drive from the seaside village of Charmouth.

Known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast,

there's a gently shelving beach below striking cliffs,

often yielding fossils.

Amenities include cafes and eateries, medical services,

a post office and a traditional butcher's.

Our Mystery House nestles in the surrounding countryside

of Morcombelake, a couple of miles away.

THEY LAUGH

How did we know?!

But how pretty is that?

And you did know, didn't you?

-Yeah.

-So I'm afraid my Mystery House wasn't as much of a mystery

as it should've been, because you completely guessed.

Oh... But how pretty is that?

And what a lovely setting.

-Wow.

-Actually, it looks really nice.

It's a really nice house.

-I know you said no thatched.

-Yeah.

I wanted you to give this a chance,

because those fears you have about a thatched, being perhaps pokey...

-Yeah, yeah.

-It doesn't really apply.

-Yeah.

-It looks so lovely.

-Yeah, it does.

-I love the round bits on the end.

-Yeah.

Oh, it's gorgeous, let's give it a go.

-Shall we?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-You're up for trying it? BOTH:

-Absolutely.

That's all I wanted to know.

A great reaction to the exterior

of our rather cheeky mystery proposition.

Built in the 17th century from cob stone and brick,

the porched front door of this Grade II listed thatched cottage,

takes us via a hallway into a decidedly spacious reception room.

This is the main living room.

-Very light and bright.

-Very!

-What a pleasant surprise.

I take it all back, it's really bright, yeah.

-Higher ceilings, I think, than usual on a cottage.

-Yes.

And I like the way they're painted in, rather than left dark.

It brightens it up.

Good-sized windows, so that you can see the sun's really coming in.

Was it what you expected?

From a thatched place, no.

-No.

-It's much brighter, much lighter.

This is the older part of the house.

-Let's take you through into the newer part.

-OK.

"New" is a comparative concept in this charming period property.

Extended in 1949,

in order to provide a plumbed kitchen and WC,

the space has been sympathetically refitted by the current owners.

This is the relatively newer part of the house, the kitchen.

Oh, isn't that lovely? It's really light.

So many windows, you couldn't ever call this dark and dingy, could you?

No. It's a good size, a good-sized table in here.

Really, really surprised, really pleasantly surprised.

It hasn't got straw falling off everywhere! No.

And the floor's all nicely done.

It's a lovely country kitchen.

-I'm causing problems, aren't I?

-Yes.

-Giving you too many choices.

You are, you're definitely causing us problems.

-Shall we go and explore the upstairs?

-Lovely.

-Oh, yes, please.

Despite Diana and Jonathan's professed wariness of thatched cottages,

the proportions of our charming mystery offering are persuading them

that "period" doesn't have to mean "pokey".

Off the kitchen, there is also a utility and cloakroom,

as well as a snug with cast iron stove.

An original curved elm staircase

takes us up to the three-bedroom accommodation.

A good-sized double is set under the eaves,

as is a similarly characterful twin room.

There's also a family bathroom,

and then the third and largest of the bedrooms.

-This is the master.

-Ah-ha.

-Gosh, it's all so nice.

-It's bright.

-Yeah.

You can lie in bed and look out at the lovely view.

And this room has a wet room.

Oh, I thought it was just wardrobe space, how nicely done.

It's totally different from my experiences

of thatched cottages, you know,

which have always had small windows

and everywhere's dark inside the house.

It's really, really different.

-Mm.

-Mm.

-Crumbs!

-THEY LAUGH

-Let's go back downstairs and outside.

-OK.

-Because we need to discuss the price.

-OK, right.

-Lovely.

I'm glad to have confounded their expectations of thatched cottages

with this bright and spacious Mystery House.

And outside there's a lot more to show them,

with a third of an acre of mainly south-facing, secluded grounds,

surrounded by countryside.

There's a rotating summerhouse, and a well appointed timber cabin,

perhaps offering a peaceful spot to sit sewing

or writing that latest crime thriller.

How could we not see a Dorset thatched when we're in Dorset?

And it's beautiful, it's such a pretty house,

and inside does not disappoint.

So it's charmed you both?

-It has.

-Yeah, it has.

-Absolutely, absolutely.

So how much is this charming property on the market for?

Oh, dear...

I'm going to go for...

520.

OK... I can't believe it's anywhere near our price range.

Again, top end, but I'd say 525.

You've hit the nail on the head.

Oh, well done.

It is on the market for £525,000.

The good news is, if you are interested,

the owners are willing to take offers, so I think it's attainable,

-it's achievable.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Have another look around.

-OK, lovely.

-OK, lovely.

Talk about it and have a think about whether

this kind of country-style property is you.

-Lovely, thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-I'll meet you in a bit.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Well...our Mystery House tour has been very successful.

I'm so, so pleased.

With an asking price somewhat above budget, but room for negotiation,

this thatched Grade II listed cottage

has unexpectedly fulfilled Diana and Jonathan's property wish list.

Packed with original features, such as fireplaces

and a timber staircase,

there are three bedrooms, including an en suite.

The large grounds are set in beautiful countryside,

and there's a choice of versatile outbuildings.

I like the idea of two single beds.

Yeah. Be ideal for our grandchildren. They'd love it.

Isn't it lovely?

The first thing you see is a really beautiful-looking house,

white with blue frames - looks so pretty.

I think I'm far more open now, in my views of thatches,

of thatched houses.

Because of inside, some of the old timbers

really are just so beautiful.

A nice, big garden. Set in countryside.

Really surprised, pleasantly surprised.

It was really pretty.

Unexpectedly so.

So really pleased with it.

Really bright, big rooms. I could easily live in them.

It was... It was a lovely, lovely house.

We could certainly see ourselves sitting in the grounds,

having a glass of wine, catching the sun till it went down.

It's really given us something to think about.

We've seen some fabulous properties, all very different,

all meeting what we asked for,

so we've now got to make a decision of which one.

We'd better get going, because we have SO MUCH to discuss.

-Yeah.

-Where are you both going to live?

Choices, choices, choices.

It's time to find out if Jonathan and Diana

have been able to make a decision about which property to go for.

I'm pretty confident at least one of them is still in the running.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hello.

I thought it would be lovely to have our chat here on Charmouth Beach,

-as this could be one of your local beaches.

-Yes.

I'd say it's been a successful house hunt, wouldn't you?

-Absolutely.

-Definitely, definitely.

All of our properties had pretty much everything on your wish list.

Really, you liked them all,

-you would have been happy in all of them.

-Yep.

-Yep.

So now it's just down to just a feeling, perhaps.

What do we do now? What do YOU do now?

We've had a chat. And we've had a heart-and-head...

-Mm-hm?

-..confrontation.

THEY LAUGH

What we've decided is that we'd like to make an offer

-on the house by the sea.

-Yeah?

And if the offer isn't accepted,

then we'd go for the house on the hill.

Wow, that sounds like a grand plan.

Yep, yep. We phoned the estate agent about our house

and we've reduced the price and we said we need it gone, because...

-Yes.

-..we want to go, that's it.

We said, "By six o'clock tonight would be fine."

THEY LAUGH

You want to be in a position to move quickly.

Yes, we said reduce the price, just do it.

-Mm.

-Yeah. So, yeah, we're really, really pleased

that we've actually found somewhere and in such a lovely place.

Well, I'm just so pleased for you.

-Two houses that you would be very happy in.

-Yeah, yeah.

So you're almost leaving it down to fate?

That's brilliant news, cos I think what's been really evident

from the whole property search is just how happy you are in this area.

-Mm.

-And how it just feels like the right place for you both.

-Yeah.

I feel very at home here already and I can't wait to move.

And, with either property, you've got the best of both worlds -

-you've got countryside and you've got the sea.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-So...

-Perfect.

-..you can't go wrong.

We couldn't have asked for more and we're just delighted.

We had high hopes, but they were met over and above.

-I'm so pleased for you both.

-So thank you.

-Thank you.

I can't wait to hear what happens.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

So I want a phone call, please, as soon as there is some movement,

-as soon as you have some news.

-Yep.

-You will have one, yeah.

-The very best of luck.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

I do love it when a plan comes together

and this plan has a backup plan.

How lovely that Jonathan and Diana absolutely love

not just one, but two of our properties,

and I'm so looking forward to hearing the end of this story

and finding out where they'll be starting their new life

here in Dorset. See you next time on Escape To The Country.

Jonathan and Diana put in their offer on the house by the sea

and it was accepted.

They're all packed up and ready to fulfil their dream

of living near the Dorset coast in the very near future.

If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Scotland,

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