0:00:02 > 0:00:06The field of dreams behind me hold the distinction of being one of the
0:00:06 > 0:00:09most picturesque cricket grounds in the country.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13But out for a duck can often have very different connotations on this hallowed ground.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16So, any idea why?
0:00:16 > 0:00:18And, of course, where am I?
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Find out in just a moment.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Today's house-hunting challenge is to find the perfect balance of
0:00:42 > 0:00:46country character and modern practicality if the figures add up.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49I think I will probably have to pull out the spreadsheet and understand
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- what the genuine cost of doing what we would like to do in there would be.- Yes.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56VOICEOVER: And it looks like the girls might be outnumbering the boys
0:00:56 > 0:00:59when it comes to getting what they want.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Are you feeling the pressure slightly?
0:01:02 > 0:01:07- Absolutely. These sets of eyes staring right through me, yeah. - Two sets.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Today I'm in Worcestershire and this is the New Road cricket ground,
0:01:14 > 0:01:18home to Worcestershire County Cricket club.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Now, as well as hosting a flood of cricket fans during the summer months,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26the ground is also prone to the River Severn's annual flood.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31And in years gone by, the water has reached far above my head.
0:01:31 > 0:01:37No surprise, then, that the club's Twenty20 team is dubbed the Worcestershire Rapids.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Cradled in the heart of the West Midlands,
0:01:42 > 0:01:46Worcestershire is a landlocked county of contrasting landscapes,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49the most celebrated being the Malvern Hills,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53whose summit reaches a dramatic 425 metres high.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58The county's extensive network of waterways cuts through the land.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Many feeding into the River Severn.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Passing through the centre of Droitwich Spa,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08the River Salwarpe runs parallel
0:02:08 > 0:02:12with the town's beautifully restored canal, which reopened in 2010.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Once famed for brine,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17the town's salt working heritage
0:02:17 > 0:02:20is commemorated by a number of sculptures.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Another notable spa town is Malvern,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27whose spring waters are world-renowned, and the town retains many Victorian
0:02:27 > 0:02:32properties from its prominence in the early 19th century.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36A little further south and the market town of Pershore features
0:02:36 > 0:02:38elegant Georgian structures,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42but it's timber black and white buildings that typify the style of
0:02:42 > 0:02:45this region, many of which are found in Tenbury Wells.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Dating to 1862, the Grade II listed Pump Rooms
0:02:49 > 0:02:52break with tradition in colour but stand as
0:02:52 > 0:02:56a prime example of this county's eye-catching architectural heritage.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Worcestershire's beautiful countryside, particularly the Malvern Hills,
0:03:03 > 0:03:08stirred the composer Edward Elgar to write Land Of Hope And Glory.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12But if you want your own slice of this glorious landscape,
0:03:12 > 0:03:18then it's not going to come cheap. The average price of a detached home
0:03:18 > 0:03:21here comes in at just over £343,000.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Now, that's £10,000 more than the national figure.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27A largely rural county,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31it is centrally located with great transport links,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34all of which makes Worcestershire very desirable.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39And that's exactly why today's house-hunters want even more of it.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44It's actually this county's only city, Worcester,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47that has been home to Jenna and Ewan for the past two years.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50The couple, who both work in sales,
0:03:50 > 0:03:54were joined by their daughter Amber nine months ago and are fast
0:03:54 > 0:03:56outgrowing their modern, three-storey,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58centrally located town house.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04We love this house that we are in at the moment but the main challenge is
0:04:04 > 0:04:06space. Our family is expanding.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I had no idea how much stuff comes with a baby.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12You know, we are bursting at the seams and it just keeps growing.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17This isn't the first time Jenna and Ewan have faced a big move.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21They originally met whilst working in London and the plan was to up and
0:04:21 > 0:04:25move from the capital to rural Worcestershire when they were married.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28They just didn't get the rural part quite right.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33We went down the route of something a bit more safe, sensible, in town,
0:04:33 > 0:04:35so it's easy to commute for Jenna,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38easy to be able to sort of walk around. We felt like it was a good
0:04:38 > 0:04:40sort of halfway house where we are now before that
0:04:40 > 0:04:44sort of taking the plunge and that move to the country that we have
0:04:44 > 0:04:45always wanted to do.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Having fallen in love with the Worcestershire countryside surrounding
0:04:49 > 0:04:53the city, their next move won't be taking them too far.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56I know there's lots of villages dotted around.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58But without going to all of them,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01we are at a bit of a loss to know where to start and where to look.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02It's got a nice balance of,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06there are lots of rolling fields and beautiful woodlands and country
0:05:06 > 0:05:12walks... That still seems miles away from where we are in the city centre.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16Space for friends and family to visit is a big priority for Jenna
0:05:16 > 0:05:18but an even bigger priority for both
0:05:18 > 0:05:23is the most recent addition to their family, daughter Amber.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26It would be great taking her to a house where she's got lots more room to play...
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- Yeah.- Sort of room to make a bit more of a mess in the garden...
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- Yeah.- When she gets older,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34she'll just be able to explore and have more fun.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38One of the best things about having children is that you see things a
0:05:38 > 0:05:41lot differently because you see them through their eyes.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45So we can spend half an hour staring at swans and the next day,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48go and see the same swans and she is still just as excited at seeing
0:05:48 > 0:05:50these swans as she was the day before.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Aside from family time,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Ewan also has his own ideas for making the most of their new living
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- situation.- I love running.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01It's a great way to see the local area.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Sort of blow out the cobwebs of the day.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06To be able to go out and go for a run is really important because it
0:06:06 > 0:06:09is probably the quickest way for me to keep fit.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Sounds like Ewan is more than ready to take on his new surroundings,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17while Jenna's focus will undoubtedly be inside the house.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19I will get excited about what it looks like, whereas Ewan
0:06:19 > 0:06:22is thinking about schools and distance travelled from work.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Whereas I will just be, "Have you seen the moulding?!"
0:06:25 > 0:06:27"Look at the garden!"
0:06:27 > 0:06:31So, yeah, the danger is I might almost talk myself out of a good idea but
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- that's where Jenna comes in.- Whereas I'll be like, "Oh, a fireplace!"
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Sticking within their chosen county of Worcestershire,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Jenna needs good access to her office in Birmingham and Ewan's commute is
0:06:44 > 0:06:45down to Gloucestershire.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49So they'd like to live under an hour's travel from both places of work.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53We are all meeting up to discuss more about their ideal home.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Jenna and Ewan, welcome to Worcestershire.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Although in actual fact, you already live in this county, don't you?
0:07:00 > 0:07:05So, tell me, in your minds, what is it that you're after?
0:07:05 > 0:07:07We definitely want some character.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10So we absolutely want something that you know we'd be proud to bring our
0:07:10 > 0:07:13friends round to and our family round to see.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15How large a home do you want?
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- How many bedrooms? - So, minimum of four.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23We've got family in Devon, sort of, in America, friends in London,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26so with us being in the Midlands, it's nice if they come and stay,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28that they can come and stay with us.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- So you are going to be a B&B without charging?- Yeah.- Aren't you lovely?
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Aren't you lovely? What about a garden, outdoor space?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Anything in particular?
0:07:37 > 0:07:39So something low maintenance.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41It would be nice to have, you know,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43a patch of grass that Amber can go and play on.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46But I don't want any landscaped gardens.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48I'm not green fingered and haven't got the time.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52At the moment. But it would be nice to have some outdoor space, for sure.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Who is going to make the decision on this property?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Is it going to be a joint one or...?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00LAUGHTER Ewan said it all, OK.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- I think it would be a joint one, as long as Jenna is happy. - A modern castle.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- Would be lovely. - I will bear that in mind.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11And this dream property that we are looking for,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14take us to the top of our budget, please.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18So, the top of the budget would be about £450,000.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21If we found you something that is perfect,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23is there any wiggle room over that or not?
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- I think they're perhaps could be. - Yeah, but it would need to be...
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- Perfect.- Yeah.- You could raid the piggy bank.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Show us something amazing and we'll raid the piggy bank.- Yeah.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Look at that. Pressure's on me now, isn't it?
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Well, we are very much looking forward to showing you different
0:08:37 > 0:08:41- types of property, so shall we get started?- Yes, please.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47With a top budget of £450,000,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Jenna and Ewan are hoping to find a characterful four-bedroom property
0:08:51 > 0:08:53with plenty of room for visitors.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57They are after low maintenance outside space and a location within
0:08:57 > 0:08:59striking distance of work.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01With baby Amber's education to consider,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04they will also have good local primary schools in mind.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08We have some wonderful properties lined up,
0:09:08 > 0:09:13aiming to unite Jenna's rural dreams with Ewan's practical head but our
0:09:13 > 0:09:17couple won't find out the attached price tags until the end of each of
0:09:17 > 0:09:21our tours. Our final property will be our Mystery House and
0:09:21 > 0:09:27if it strikes the balance they so desire, time will be of the essence.
0:09:30 > 0:09:31For our first property,
0:09:31 > 0:09:36I'm taking our house-hunters to the village of Clifton-upon-Teme.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41It has a population of just 600 but by comparison is home to almost 50
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Grade II listed buildings.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47They add character and charm to this community that I think will be right
0:09:47 > 0:09:52up Jenna and Ewan's street, so we are stopping here first.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57So, before I show you our first property,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00I wanted to really give you a quick tour of the village.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- How do you fancy village life? - Yeah, really good.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Especially what we can see and sort of looking around it looks absolutely beautiful.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11You have a primary school right there, which has a good Ofsted rating.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15Secondary school about three miles away, which was rated outstanding.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17The pub, which is always very pleasant to have.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19And a local shop.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22The house itself is about 50 metres down there.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- OK.- Shall we have a look?
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Let's go.- Yes, please. - VOICEOVER: Directly opposite the local church,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30we find our very first property.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Initial thoughts?
0:10:33 > 0:10:36In terms of the view and where it is, it looks spot on.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40It looks like a new house but definitely got a bit more of an old style.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42I think looking forward to the inside...
0:10:42 > 0:10:45But it does look a bit modern.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Well, you would be right because it was built in the 1980s.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51But, as you said, you're keen to get in, shall we take a look?
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- Yes, please.- Come on, then. - Thank you.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57VOICEOVER: Although a modern house, I'm hoping that once we are inside,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00the property's character features will charm Jenna and Ewan.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Like to start off with the kitchen.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Very nice. Clearly a nice and modern kitchen.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09It ticks the social box.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13You can be cooking whilst, you know, kids are up at the table.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Come home and tell me about your day at school.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- This is exactly what we asked for, really.- Great. And then if you want to follow me...
0:11:23 > 0:11:27So you also have your sitting room, so it flows, doesn't it?
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Nicely.- Yeah.- With the obligatory wood burner.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- Nice.- Yeah, that is a nice feature.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- Yeah.- We can definitely get an extended family in here.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37For me, I think, so far, so good.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41But I'm looking at Jenna because she's the one that decides what we think.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I'm not too keen on the living...
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- The living room.- This is not quite big enough for you?
0:11:47 > 0:11:51No. I think in our current house, it's about the same size as this.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55I don't see how we could make it bigger other than maybe extending
0:11:55 > 0:11:58into the garden. But depending on how much he house price is,
0:11:58 > 0:12:02would we have enough left over in the bank to then maybe take the wall
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- down?- OK, so this could be the compromise.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Let's see if I can win you over upstairs.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12I thought the open-plan aspect of this home would be just what our
0:12:12 > 0:12:17sociable couple wanted but it seems I haven't quite convinced Jenna yet.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21There is however the potential for a separate sitting room which could
0:12:21 > 0:12:25be used as a study or perhaps a playroom for Amber.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Upstairs, there's more than enough space for them and their many
0:12:29 > 0:12:32visitors, with the four bedrooms they requested.
0:12:32 > 0:12:38All of them are a decent size and three make use of a fully-tiled main bathroom.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42So the request was for four bedrooms.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45With this house, we can give you four double bedrooms,
0:12:45 > 0:12:46which is always a bonus, isn't it?
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- Yes.- But obviously this is the master and en suite.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Probably a lot more room up here than I was expecting, if I'm honest.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56Yes. What's nice is inside the house, although it is modern,
0:12:56 > 0:13:01having sort of the wooden rustic windows and being able to look out
0:13:01 > 0:13:04and see the trees and the green, it's a lovely mix.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Upstairs has had a bit more of a thumbs up than perhaps a little bit
0:13:07 > 0:13:11of downstairs. Let's see what you make of the garden outside.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- Lovely.- OK.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Looks like we are moving in the right direction.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20I wonder if the outside of this property will clinch it.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Now, your initial request was for a garden that wasn't too big.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31You didn't want to do loads of work, did you? But high impact, low maintenance.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I do like what they've done with the outside sort of decking area.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37In terms of entertaining and barbecues and people round in the summer as well.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- Yeah.- That's really nice. - Well, we're going to have to now go to guess the price, aren't we?
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- Yes.- What do you think our first property is on the market for?
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I think you are probably pushing us to the top of our budget.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51So I'm going to say 450.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Right. Jenna?
0:13:53 > 0:13:57I mean, yeah, I did initially think maybe around 465.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59OK. Interesting.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00Well, it is just the start.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03This house is on the market...
0:14:05 > 0:14:07..for £425,000.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- Is it?- Wow!- So we could do the extension in the living room.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Calculator...- Ding-ding.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Pleasantly surprised.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Well within your budget.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Might not on the next one, you don't know,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24do you? On that happy note, why don't you have another look around,
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- just on your own this time? - Will do.- And then I'll catch you out the front when you're ready.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- Brilliant.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Under budget by £25,000,
0:14:35 > 0:14:39this modern home comes with open-plan living spaces,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43four double bedrooms including a master en suite, and a manageable
0:14:43 > 0:14:46garden. Set in the heart of a village,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50it's also within commutable distance for both Ewan and Jenna.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53This is a pretty... Pretty good room.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54- I wasn't expecting this.- Yeah,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57always good to have extra space for a nursery.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01The kitchen dining living area, I think, for me, really works.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Really sort of sociable.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06For me, it's understanding what Jenna thinks about the house, really.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10It is great that there's four double bedrooms but I wouldn't compromise
0:15:10 > 0:15:12living space for bedroom space.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16I would rather knowing they were only here for two or three days give
0:15:16 > 0:15:20them a slightly smaller bedroom but a bigger social space to be in,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- like living room or dining area. - You could absolutely move in here tomorrow.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27So I think what we really need to think about is what would we need in
0:15:27 > 0:15:28five or ten years' time
0:15:28 > 0:15:32and could we see ourselves living here then, really?
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Right, well, that's our first property tour over with.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- A good start?- Really, yeah. A really positive start. Really got us thinking, I think.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- Yeah, brilliant start.- Let's see what you make of the next one.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53Worcestershire's wild and varied rural landscape is dotted with charming
0:15:53 > 0:15:57villages and a diverse collection of grand stately homes,
0:15:57 > 0:16:01of which Witley Court was once a prime example.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05It was purchased by the Foley family in the 17th century,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09who transformed it into one of England's finest mansions.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14But today, the shell of this former great building is all that remains.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Jenna and Ewan are relatively recent Worcestershire residents and know
0:16:18 > 0:16:20very little about the county's history.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Keen to learn more, they are meeting historian Jenny Hatton,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26who is also site manager here.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29So this is an absolutely stunning building.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Could you tell me more about its history?
0:16:31 > 0:16:34So this house was originally built by the Foley family,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36they were quite a prominent family in Worcestershire.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38And it wouldn't have looked like it does today.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43Although there is actually an original Jacobean house that was built here in around 1610.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46And the only part that really remains of this house is right behind me here,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48which is a Jacobean window.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52By the 19th century, Witley Court was an opulent grand home
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and the setting for many parties.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Well-known guests from the period included King Edward VIII,
0:16:59 > 0:17:01whilst he was still the Prince of Wales.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05So, why is the house just a shell at the moment?
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- Why is it derelict?- In 1937,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11there was unfortunately a fire and that caused a lot of damage.
0:17:11 > 0:17:17Ultimately, it was sold for only £2,000 and was bought around the
0:17:17 > 0:17:201950s by an antiques dealer and he stripped the house of many of the
0:17:20 > 0:17:24marble fireplaces and all the plasterwork, the stucco,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- and sold it off at auction. - Why has it never been restored?
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Unfortunately, a lot of it is down to money.
0:17:29 > 0:17:35- The latest estimates are about £300 million to put a roof back on it. - A bit out of our budget, babe.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Tragically, Witley Court was never returned to its former glory.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48It was designated a scheduled ancient monument in the 1970s and
0:17:48 > 0:17:51passed into the care of English Heritage.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56Great Witley Church survived the fire and gives some sense of just
0:17:56 > 0:17:59how opulent this entire estate would have once been.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Angela Snow is the churchwarden.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Could you tell us something about this magnificent church?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I can tell you it's the only church like it in the country.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13This has never been a private chapel.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Because it is owned by the parishioners and the parish,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19the people that bought the court and stripped it didn't own the church.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22So they couldn't strip the church.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Could you tell us a bit more about the paintings?
0:18:24 > 0:18:28It looks like, you know, they could have been in Rome or in Venice.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32People often call this the Sistine Chapel of Worcestershire
0:18:32 > 0:18:34because of our wonderful painted ceiling.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40And the paintings are actually oil on canvas by Antonio Bellucci.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44The very large one is the Ascension of Christ going up into heaven,
0:18:44 > 0:18:48and some of them are just little cherubs, to make it look pretty, I think.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53The Italianate Baroque decor was sourced from the chapel of a palace in London.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58Contents transported from the city to furnish the church here
0:18:58 > 0:19:03included ten stained-glass windows, a number of oil canvases,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05plus the organ and pipes.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09But the stucco designs were painstakingly recreated.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15They took moulds of it from where it was on the chapel walls and then
0:19:15 > 0:19:17they made it out of papier mache.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21And here, you can see how very thin it is.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23You can even see on the back of that,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26the newspaper that the papier mache was made of.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30- Wow!- It's very, very thin. Very, very light.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32And then it's covered in gold leaf.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- 23.75 carat gold leaf, the whole lot.- Wow!
0:19:35 > 0:19:39A beautiful and fascinating 18th-century transformation.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Back in the present day, we need to return to our house search.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52Next, I'm taking Jenna and Ewan to the north of their chosen county to
0:19:52 > 0:19:55a property on the fringes of Upton Warren.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59A short ten-minute drive away is the small village of Chaddesley Corbett,
0:19:59 > 0:20:04which benefits from not just one but three pubs and a butchers.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09The village's Grade I listed church was largely built in
0:20:09 > 0:20:14the 11th century and is the only place of worship in England dedicated to St Cassian.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Five miles down the road on the rural outskirts of Upton Warren,
0:20:19 > 0:20:21we find a cluster of houses,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23one of which is the home we've come to view.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30So a slightly different approach with our second property and this is
0:20:30 > 0:20:32the one that we're going to be looking at.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- OK.- Have you considered a converted barn before?
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- Yes!- You're keen...
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- I am, I am.- You're keen.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Well, these date back about 200 years.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44They are not listed.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48OK. I'm intrigued with barn conversions to know how they've done
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- it inside.- Shall we? - Yeah.- Yes, please.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57There's no doubting Jenna's enthusiasm but Ewan doesn't seem as
0:20:57 > 0:20:59convinced on first impressions.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Converted in the 1980s, this barn has an entrance hall at its centre,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07with a large living room to the left-hand side.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11On the other side is the kitchen, which is the first stop of our tour
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and might require some imagination from our couple.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20I think it'd be fair to say it's ready for an update.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- Yes.- Yeah.- Take away the fixtures and furnishings,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- look at the actual building itself. - That's very much sort of in my head,
0:21:27 > 0:21:31what I'm doing at the moment is wondering what we could do with
0:21:31 > 0:21:34maybe taking some off the walls to create a bit more space.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- Next-door to us is a door leading into the garage. - OK.- One of the other properties,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42they've actually knocked through and extended it and...
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- That makes sense. - It would depend on the house as to how much of a project I think we
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- are willing to take on.- Yeah.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Let's see how much of a project it is in entirety.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Look at the potential. Right, follow me. Thank you.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58So, just off the hallway, you have your sitting room.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02It's a lot lighter, brighter, so they've painted the beams white,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05which gives it a lot bigger sort of perception of space.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Want that character and charm...
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Perhaps you don't want the character and charm.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14How are you feeling because you're both coming from slightly different places, aren't you?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17I don't mind character and charm. I just want a little bit of practical-ness.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21But there's nothing here that's sort of putting me off when it comes to character or anything like that.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- Let's head upstairs, then. Let's see the bedrooms.- Brilliant.- Thank you.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29I get the feeling that Jenna might have a fight on her hands when it
0:22:29 > 0:22:34comes to persuading Ewan that this could be their perfect family home.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Perhaps the upstairs will help her bend his arm.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Awaiting us on the first floor are four good-sized bedrooms.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43A single bedroom...
0:22:45 > 0:22:46..a roomy double...
0:22:47 > 0:22:50..and another, which is currently being used as a study,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53all of which are served by a family bathroom,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56with features that show off the history of the building.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58The final bedroom is the master,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01which comes complete with its own en suite.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- Oh, lovely.- So, upstairs, there's beams everywhere.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07You can see the original A-frame, can't you?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Oozing character, isn't it?
0:23:09 > 0:23:12It's very bright in this room, which is great.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13Do you like it?
0:23:13 > 0:23:15I do. That's plain.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Coming up the stairs is winning me over a bit more.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- Is it?- If it was a bit lighter... - Are you feeling the pressure slightly?
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Absolutely. These sets of eyes staring right through me, yes.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- Two sets. Two sets. - Yeah.- We are going to take you out of the garden,
0:23:29 > 0:23:33which is impressive, but let's see what you two make of it.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35OK. Brilliant.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Ewan is proving to be a tough customer to satisfy and when it
0:23:40 > 0:23:43comes to the garden, well, it could be a high risk.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Lovely as it is, boasting a large pond and far-reaching views,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50it is a lot bigger than they asked for.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55Now, I think this is a delightful garden.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59However, at the end of the day, it has to work for the two of you.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Yeah, no, brilliant size garden.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- Lovely.- Doesn't scare you? - Garden parties.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Give me the space, I'll bring the people.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09I love it. Ewan, what are you thinking?
0:24:09 > 0:24:12I think I'm the one that's got to tidy up after all those people.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13- It is beautiful.- It's lovely.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17All you can hear is birdsong. And all you can see is the rolling hills.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19I know, you just look out there, gorgeous.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Let's see what price we are going to put on this property.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25I would guess around 450.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27I think... I would rather it be right at the top of our budget,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30so it may be a little bit out of reach...
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- Or so low down that it makes it affordable.- Yeah.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Worst case scenario would be around £430,000?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40And how would you feel if it was £430,000?
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- Conflicted, I think. - Hit us with it. Hit us with it.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47All right. Well, I'm going to hit you with £425,000.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Ooh!
0:24:49 > 0:24:52That's... That's... Doable. I'm looking at my accountant.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56- That's doable? Question mark! - I think I would probably have to pull out the spreadsheet and
0:24:56 > 0:24:59understand what the genuine cost of doing what we would like to do in
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- there would be.- Yes.- Having never knocked down walls before...
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Is this more you? This is more of a Jenna house?
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Yes. I believe so.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- OK.- A lot of hard work but worth it in the end.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Fair enough. Let's see if Ewan is going to come along for the ride!
0:25:12 > 0:25:14I think you do need another look around, don't you?
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- And then give me a shout when you're ready.- Thank you.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Again under budget, at £425,000,
0:25:25 > 0:25:30this 1980s barn conversion has a spacious sitting room and offers
0:25:30 > 0:25:33great potential for a family kitchen.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Upstairs, there are four good-sized bedrooms,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39plus plenty of space in the garden to host friends and family.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43In an idyllic rural location, it's less than an hour's drive from
0:25:43 > 0:25:45both Jenna and Ewan's places of work.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50What are you thinking with this space?
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Because it joins to the kitchen, let's knock it down.
0:25:53 > 0:25:59- Yeah?- Yeah, I'm thinking knock this wall down, huge kitchen diner,
0:25:59 > 0:26:03all overlooking the garden. I really like this house because I see the
0:26:03 > 0:26:05potential that's in this house.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09I think Jenna is probably already sort of weighing up what we be
0:26:09 > 0:26:11offering, what we could do to the house, how we could get it,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13what we could do when we moved in...
0:26:13 > 0:26:19I appreciate how much work it would take to bring it to that point of it
0:26:19 > 0:26:24being an ideal home, but you know, nothing good was ever easy.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- Have you seen enough? - Yeah, I think so.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Two houses, both of them way under budget.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- Yes, lovely.- We've got you thinking, haven't we?
0:26:34 > 0:26:38- Absolutely.- Indeed.- Good. Well, that's it for today. Let's go.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51We are in Worcestershire,
0:26:51 > 0:26:56helping county locals Ewan and Jenna from central Worcester to buy
0:26:56 > 0:26:58their dream family home.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01With a healthy budget of £450,000,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05they are in search of somewhere perfect for their growing family.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06Coming up next,
0:27:06 > 0:27:11speed will be of the essence at our Mystery House if it proves to be the
0:27:11 > 0:27:13perfect fusion.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16It's ideal. So far. Yeah. Very much so.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- Have him worried.- I just haven't heard Ewan say it's ideal.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25And later, I learn what it takes to keep one of the UK's most popular
0:27:25 > 0:27:28heritage railway lines on track.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30We are juddering around a little bit.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31What's going on under our feet?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37So yesterday was a good day with our young couple.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Two properties and two rather good reactions.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Sadly, not for the same home.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48However, today we have our final offering, the Mystery House.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52And I'm hoping we can combine the elements of those houses that they
0:27:52 > 0:27:55liked under one roof. Hey, and if they do like it,
0:27:55 > 0:27:57they are going to have to act rather quickly.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04So, as we make our way down these windy, beautiful
0:28:04 > 0:28:08country roads to the Mystery House, in your heart of hearts,
0:28:08 > 0:28:12- what are you hoping to see? - Probably hoping to see just a little bit more space.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15I think, for Jenna, a little bit more space downstairs and for me,
0:28:15 > 0:28:17a little bit more space in the bedrooms.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20What I'm really hoping for is a hybrid of the two that we've seen already.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Yeah. Yeah, easy(!)
0:28:23 > 0:28:26- Tall order.- Yeah, yeah.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30To locate our Mystery House,
0:28:30 > 0:28:34we are heading to the village of Offenham in the south of the county,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37that will warrant a slightly longer commute for Jenna.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42The village is awash with black and white timber cottages that this
0:28:42 > 0:28:47county is famous for and thatched roofs adorn many of the properties,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50including the longest thatch in Worcestershire,
0:28:50 > 0:28:53covering the tops of seven cottages.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57Another significant site in Offenham is the tallest permanent
0:28:57 > 0:29:02maypole in the UK, towering a majestic 64 feet above the residents here,
0:29:02 > 0:29:06who enjoy May Day celebrations every year.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08On a more practical note, there's a pub,
0:29:08 > 0:29:12post office and just two miles from the centre of the village itself,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14the property we've come to see.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18It is final house time.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Here is your Mystery.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Ah!
0:29:23 > 0:29:27- Wow!- Outside space looks big, looks good. Doesn't look like too much maintenance.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30- Yes.- Lots of lawn.- No, incredible.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31- I'm dying to see inside.- Yeah.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34The reason we picked it and it is the Mystery...
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- Yeah.- ..is it's hot property.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- OK.- OK.- They had an Open Day viewing just a couple of days ago.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Right.- And there has been an awful lot of interest.
0:29:43 > 0:29:44- Right.- OK.- Serious interest.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48- OK.- The good news is, the owners haven't accepted any offers.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- OK.- So we have the opportunity to show you this property.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- No pressure(!)- No pressure at all! - Great, thanks, Nicki(!)
0:29:54 > 0:29:57So, if it is the house of your dreams...
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- Yes.- ..you will need to move pretty quickly.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01Shall we step inside?
0:30:01 > 0:30:02- Yes, please.- Yeah.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05It will be a race against time if our couple want
0:30:05 > 0:30:09to bag the Mystery House as any offers need to be in by the end of
0:30:09 > 0:30:12the working day. Another former barn, this home
0:30:12 > 0:30:17was converted in the early 1990s and has more than 1,000 extra
0:30:17 > 0:30:22square feet than our last offering and I'm sure all that additional
0:30:22 > 0:30:25space won't be lost on our couple.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29I think we'll start with the kitchen.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31- Wow!- Wow!
0:30:31 > 0:30:32- Yes.- Yeah.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- Ah!- I think this is probably what you're picturing, isn't it?
0:30:35 > 0:30:38- Yes.- Modern kitchen,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40but it's got all the character running through it as well.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Definitely. Yes.
0:30:42 > 0:30:47And open plan but also sort of separate room for dining.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- Yeah.- Which is what the other house was missing.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53- So, we are liking this. - Very much so.- Very much, yeah. This isn't just what Jenna wants.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- I think this is what I would envisage as well.- Yeah. OK.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58You're doing well.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02One room down, let's see if we can continue the theme.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05The Mystery House seems to be working its magic,
0:31:05 > 0:31:09as these two seem in positive agreement at last.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Next to the kitchen, there's quite a substantial utility room but we
0:31:13 > 0:31:17are heading across the spacious hall and into the sitting room.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Fair to say, I showed you the biggest room first.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23- The kitchen.- Yeah.- But I know the sitting room is important to you.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- What do you make of this one? - It's nice. It's cosy.- Yeah.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30I think it's still got the room that we need. Exactly what we were thinking, really, isn't it?
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Yes. It's ideal.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34So far, yeah. Very much so.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39- Have him worried.- I just haven't heard Ewan say it's ideal.
0:31:39 > 0:31:40No, I agree. I think it is.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- Yeah?- Yeah.- Wonderful. Right, we will continue.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46There's far more to explore,
0:31:46 > 0:31:50as this home is the only one in our trio to be spread
0:31:50 > 0:31:53across three floors. Right at the top of the house,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56the attic space has been converted into a study.
0:31:56 > 0:32:01Then down on the first floor are four bedrooms, all of a good size,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04as well as a family shower room.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08The guest bedroom has an en suite and then there are two further
0:32:08 > 0:32:10bedrooms, ideal for children.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13We are heading straight for the biggest bedroom.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15So, come on through
0:32:15 > 0:32:18to the master bedroom.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21You only just clear that as well, don't you?
0:32:21 > 0:32:22No heels in the bedroom.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- No?- We'll leave it there. We'll leave it there.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Saucy.- This is the master. With an en suite.
0:32:28 > 0:32:29- It's great.- Yeah?
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Yeah. Brilliant. Lots of character.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33- Yes.- A quick look in the en suite.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37- That looks really quite snazzy in there.- You said...
0:32:37 > 0:32:43- Yes.- If you could, we'd like the Mystery House to merge the first two properties you showed us.- Yeah.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Yes, it has done. It has delivered.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Yeah?- It's merged them and added more space.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49- Yes.- Which is what I said.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51So it's perfect.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54There's no putting these two off.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58I just hope they move quickly enough on this hotly sought-after property.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03Outside, a smart patio leads onto a large but low maintenance lawn,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05ideal for their lifestyle.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07The home has a detached double garage,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10as well as parking for several cars.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14Both our previous properties have come in comfortably under their
0:33:14 > 0:33:16budget but this one is by far the biggest,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20so they must be anxious for me to reveal its price tag.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21So, standing here,
0:33:21 > 0:33:27you really can admire the Mystery House and this is all your garden.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30This is the serious part.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32What do we think the asking price is?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35I'm sure you're going to stretch our budget here,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39so I think you're going to be over at around 465, 470?
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Yeah, I'd say about 475.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46- I would say.- The asking price for this property is...
0:33:47 > 0:33:49..offers over...
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- OK.- ..£450,000.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- OK.- OK. So, we can offer them a penny over?
0:33:57 > 0:34:00I think I might leave the negotiations to you.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Now, when we started off, you did say your budget was 450...
0:34:04 > 0:34:07- Yes.- You could perhaps have a little wiggle room on that.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10I think that's a conversation you two need to have on your own.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14If you do want it, you're going to have to move rather quickly.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18At offers over £450,000, the Mystery House has a modern,
0:34:18 > 0:34:23spacious kitchen, two separate reception areas, and four bedrooms,
0:34:23 > 0:34:28two with en suites. Outside, there's a large but simple garden
0:34:28 > 0:34:30with a detached double garage.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Increasing the commute time and stretching their budget,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35there's a lot to consider,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38but they will need to think on their feet if they don't want to miss out
0:34:38 > 0:34:41on this fantastic home.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43I love the Mystery House.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47I think the Mystery House has almost stolen my heart,
0:34:47 > 0:34:49has the Mystery House.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Really, really happy with the Mystery House.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54Totally given me what I was hoping that we'd see.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59I can see us living here now, but I can see us living here in 15,
0:34:59 > 0:35:0120 years' time, which is just as important.
0:35:01 > 0:35:06I definitely think that me and Ewan sort of would sing from the same
0:35:06 > 0:35:08hymn sheet for this property.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11I think it's got the perfect balance of the character and originality
0:35:11 > 0:35:16that I'd look for and the practicality and the modern slant
0:35:16 > 0:35:18that Ewan very much needs.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- Have we seen enough? - We have.- Yes.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Our final property. Have we finished on a high,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- I wonder?- Oh, yes. - Yeah?- Definitely.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Yeah, you never know. We might have even finished our house search.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34- But...- Let's go and have a chat. You need to tell me more.- Yeah.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Worcestershire's rolling hills and valleys have been shaped by the
0:35:44 > 0:35:47meandering course of the River Severn.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Emerging in the Welsh mountains and snaking down through Shropshire,
0:35:50 > 0:35:54it runs through the centre of the county before continuing on to
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Gloucestershire and out to the Bristol Channel.
0:35:57 > 0:36:03220 miles of river make it the longest in the UK and the Severn
0:36:03 > 0:36:07Valley Railway has followed part of its route since it was first
0:36:07 > 0:36:09completed in 1862.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13The rurally located stations along this stretch of line were prime
0:36:13 > 0:36:18targets when the Beeching report of the 1960s closed down many railway
0:36:18 > 0:36:20lines across the UK.
0:36:20 > 0:36:25Fortunately today, a stretch of the line is kept open and it's run by a
0:36:25 > 0:36:27hard-working team of volunteers.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31I've come to meet general manager Nick Rawls.
0:36:31 > 0:36:32- Hi, Nick.- Good morning.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37So, even on a very wet day like today, this station looks beautiful,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41- doesn't it?- It does. It is. It's a perfect recreation of the past.
0:36:41 > 0:36:47What you see today is a very English countryside station of the 1950s,
0:36:47 > 0:36:481960s period.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51In the 1960s, there was massive changes,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54wasn't there through the railways, through the Beeching report?
0:36:54 > 0:36:56But can you explain exactly what that was?
0:36:56 > 0:37:01Beeching was brought in by the government to look at the profitability
0:37:01 > 0:37:03of railways around the country,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06so small secondary routes and branch
0:37:06 > 0:37:09lines that weren't profitable were closed.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14These closures had a profound affect on the community and in
0:37:14 > 0:37:17response, a group of locals got together at a pub,
0:37:17 > 0:37:19where all the best ideas are formed,
0:37:19 > 0:37:21determined to save this historic line
0:37:21 > 0:37:24before the ink on the Beeching report was dry.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Because of Beeching and also because steam trains, steam locomotives,
0:37:28 > 0:37:32were seeing their last great hurrah on the mainline as well,
0:37:32 > 0:37:36they had to really get their skates on because the track was being taken
0:37:36 > 0:37:38up just north of the station,
0:37:38 > 0:37:42just as the volunteers were trying to save it.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44- That's remarkable, isn't it? - It is, it is.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47It's part of the fabric of Worcestershire and Shropshire.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51The successful campaign saw steam locomotives chugging through the
0:37:51 > 0:37:55valley again in 1970 and continuing to this day,
0:37:55 > 0:37:59supported by a dedicated team of volunteers.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02But today, the trains aren't running.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06I'm visiting in early spring and the line is closed for maintenance.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09But that certainly doesn't mean it's quiet around here.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11I want to learn exactly what it takes
0:38:11 > 0:38:16to keep these trains on the move. Keith Brown will tell me more.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Do you want to explain what we are doing here today?
0:38:20 > 0:38:25What we are trying to do today is use this mainline piece
0:38:25 > 0:38:30of equipment to help us assess the alignment of the track
0:38:30 > 0:38:33and by clamping the ballast and lifting
0:38:33 > 0:38:37the rails at the same time, it will lift it to make it a smoother ride.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Would this have been done by hand, by labour, years ago?
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- Exactly that.- We are juddering around a little bit.
0:38:44 > 0:38:45What's going on under our feet?
0:38:45 > 0:38:49What is going on is the machine is moving forward,
0:38:49 > 0:38:50one sleeper at a time.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54There are then what we call tines
0:38:54 > 0:38:57going down either side of that sleeper.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00They are vibrating to loosen the ballast.
0:39:00 > 0:39:01And to make it mobile.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06And at the same time, squeezing it back under that sleeper.
0:39:06 > 0:39:07Well, it's rattling away,
0:39:07 > 0:39:11so it sounds like there's plenty of work being done beneath us.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- Correct.- Thank you very much indeed. - OK.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18When the line first reopened, there were just 50 volunteers.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Today, there are 1,700, some even come from Australia.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27But it's not just the track that need upkeep.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29All the carriages and the steam locomotives,
0:39:29 > 0:39:33including the historic Flying Scotsman, need care too.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36In the carriage works, Graham Faulkner is working on the
0:39:36 > 0:39:40upholstery for that world-famous train.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Now, you're one of the many much valued volunteers with the railway.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45How long have you been doing it?
0:39:45 > 0:39:49I've been doing upholstery all my life but I've been in here at the
0:39:49 > 0:39:50assembly for four years now.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53And I bet your skills are much valued.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56So, what are you doing today? What are you repairing?
0:39:56 > 0:39:57Doing some side panels
0:39:57 > 0:40:00off one of the coaches from the 1930s.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- Could I have a go? - Course you could, yes.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04What are we doing here, then?
0:40:04 > 0:40:09Just stapling that on near the end of the cloth, every two inches.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- Just pull? - Quickly. That's it.- Quickly.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16- One more?- Yeah. What you have to do then is...
0:40:17 > 0:40:19You have to staple it round the back.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21And why did you choose to volunteer?
0:40:21 > 0:40:23- What do you get out of it? - What do I get out of it?
0:40:23 > 0:40:25- Yeah.- The love of doing it.- Yeah.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30And I've always been interested in trains and it's just something I
0:40:30 > 0:40:32- wanted to do.- The perfect marriage.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- Yeah.- Your skill and trains together.- That's right.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Thanks to this dedicated team,
0:40:37 > 0:40:41the future of the Severn Valley Railway is in good hands,
0:40:41 > 0:40:45so that passengers can continue to enjoy this heritage route and the
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Worcestershire countryside it passes through.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54So, Ewan's last words to me were...
0:40:54 > 0:40:56we might have finished the search.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00That bodes well, in my book. But let's find out for sure.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Well, you two. When we started this search,
0:41:11 > 0:41:15did you both think we were actually going to find you your next home?
0:41:15 > 0:41:18- Honestly?- There's a little part of me that was really hoping you would
0:41:18 > 0:41:22show us something that would tempt us into something we wouldn't have thought of or considered.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Which, you know, I think you might have done.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29- And uncover some hidden gems for us. - So, out of the three,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- is there a favourite? - Absolutely, the Mystery House.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34- Yeah.- It delivered on the space.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36It had the right setup downstairs.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40Had the right mix between feeling very rural but actually being quite
0:41:40 > 0:41:43- close to a village.- And it has the potential for a forever home.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48We can really imagine our family expanding and then growing up and
0:41:48 > 0:41:51the house sort of expanding and growing and developing with us.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55We know there has been an awful lot of interest in that property.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Literally in the last week.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- Yeah.- What are you going to do next about the Mystery?
0:42:00 > 0:42:03So I think we are going to have to very quickly just do a bit more
0:42:03 > 0:42:05research and double-check a few things.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09But then I'm pretty positive we'll be putting some sort of offer on the
0:42:09 > 0:42:11table for the Mystery House.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14My goodness! Thank you, both, so much.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16We obviously want to hear how you get on.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20- Yes.- Absolutely.- I'll be expecting a call over the next 48 hours to see if that offer has gone in.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25- We will keep everything crossed for you. Thank you, both.- Thank you. - Thanks, Nicki.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Well, it's certainly been a very positive experience,
0:42:32 > 0:42:34house-hunting with Ewan and Jenna.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39He loved our first house, she loved the second, and lo and behold,
0:42:39 > 0:42:43the Mystery House had secured the deal for them both.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47But time is of the essence and if they really want to live in that
0:42:47 > 0:42:52fabulous home, they are going to have to put an offer in very soon.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54And that's it from me from sunny Worcestershire.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57I will see you again soon on Escape To The Country.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02If you would like to escape to the country in England, Scotland,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05Wales or Northern Ireland and would like our help,
0:43:05 > 0:43:08you can apply online at...