0:00:02 > 0:00:03The magnificent castle you see here behind me,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05rearing up from its base of volcanic rock,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08has been dubbed the foundation stone of England.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Find out where I am in just a moment.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31On today's show, I'm tasked with finding a very particular property
0:00:31 > 0:00:34with space to suit our buyers,
0:00:34 > 0:00:37their parents, daughter and two dogs.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- This is fantastic, isn't it? - This is special, isn't it?
0:00:40 > 0:00:44It's been created with love, hasn't it?
0:00:44 > 0:00:47But multi-generational living comes with complications.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50It's going to be three dwellings at this rate, isn't it?!
0:00:50 > 0:00:52THEY LAUGH
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Today, I'm in Northumberland
0:00:56 > 0:00:58and this is the spectacular Bamburgh Castle
0:00:58 > 0:01:01that enjoys fantastic views out towards Lindisfarne
0:01:01 > 0:01:03and the Farne Islands.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Now, throughout Anglo-Saxon times,
0:01:05 > 0:01:10Bamburgh Castle was the royal seat to the kings of Northumbria,
0:01:10 > 0:01:15and remained a royal powerhouse right up until 1610,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18when James I put it into private hands.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22In the 1890s, it was purchased by Lord William Armstrong,
0:01:22 > 0:01:24the famous Northumberland-born pioneer and inventor,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28who bought this place for just £8,000.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31And it's still in his descendants' hands until this very day.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34And I must say, when you're stood up here, looking out across
0:01:34 > 0:01:38the coastline, you're reminded of the sheer scale and splendour
0:01:38 > 0:01:41of this county's landscape.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Bordering Scotland, Northumberland is England's
0:01:48 > 0:01:51northernmost county and one of its largest.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Its geographical position put it at the centre of the border wars
0:01:55 > 0:01:58from the 14th to the 16th centuries,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01during which time the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed
0:02:01 > 0:02:06changed hands between England and Scotland at least 13 times,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09before finally being claimed by England in 1482.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Its landscape is scattered with reminders of the region's turbulent
0:02:13 > 0:02:16past, in the form of ruined fortifications,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19such as the striking Warkworth Castle, and Alnwick Castle,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22the impressive ancestral home to the Dukes of Northumberland,
0:02:22 > 0:02:27the Percy family, for the past 700 years.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32In Alnwick's town centre stands a 14-foot statue of Henry Percy.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35The legendary knight, dubbed Harry Hotspur,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38was slain at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40and later became one of Shakespeare's
0:02:40 > 0:02:43best-known characters in Henry IV.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Besides its rich history,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49this sparsely populated county is awash with natural beauty,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51from Northumberland National Park,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55to some of the most spectacular beaches in the UK.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57So whether you have a head for history
0:02:57 > 0:02:59or prefer just to soak up the scenery,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02there is something to attract all
0:03:02 > 0:03:05types of visitor to this captivating county.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10If you read the property press, then you'll know that Northumberland
0:03:10 > 0:03:13regularly gets a mention as one of the best places to live in the UK.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Great road and rail links,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17low crime rates and beautiful countryside
0:03:17 > 0:03:20make it a popular choice for families,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23plus, the houses here, well, they don't cost the earth.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26The average price of a detached property here
0:03:26 > 0:03:29in this county comes in at around £257,000.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33That's nearly £75,000 below the national figure.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Good news, then, for today's buyers,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39who are hoping to make a multi-generational move.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Kevin and Vivienne tied the knot 18 months ago,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45after five years together.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48They currently live in a semidetached property in Springwell,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52near Gateshead, that they've renovated themselves.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Well, I think we work together well as a team.
0:03:56 > 0:04:03I normally have the ideas and then Kevin normally thinks it's OK.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- I think I have to agree. - Do you think so?
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Yes, I think that's the difference.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Vivienne's daughter Sophie has recently completed
0:04:09 > 0:04:15a masters degree and still lives at home with her mum and Kevin.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Vivienne's parents, Mary and Wilf, now in their 80s,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20also live just down the road.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22My mum's lived there all of her life,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and my grandparents and my great-grandparents
0:04:25 > 0:04:28lived in that house,
0:04:28 > 0:04:33so it's been in the family since 1899.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Sophie's particularly close to my
0:04:35 > 0:04:39mum and dad, and really helps out quite a lot.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Juggling work and looking after her parents
0:04:42 > 0:04:46means that neither Vivienne nor Kevin have much time for themselves.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48But whenever they get the chance,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50they head to the Northumberland coast.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54When I get there, I'm relaxed from the minute I arrive.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56It's been a long-term plan of ours
0:04:56 > 0:04:59that we would eventually move to Northumberland.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02We've got the two pugs.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05They absolutely love going on the beaches.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10And we, I guess, get a lot of pleasure seeing their, you know...
0:05:10 > 0:05:12..seeing them being so happy.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16It's an area they've always envisaged themselves retiring to,
0:05:16 > 0:05:22but Vivienne's parents' needs have now brought forward their plans.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25My mum and dad, they've just recently sold their house,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29because it's just become too big for them to manage,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34so this is really a good opportunity for us all to move together and live
0:05:34 > 0:05:38in one family house.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I think it's important that they have their own space,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44so they can, you know, sit and watch their soaps,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47so it is taking all of that into account.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49As real retirement is still a few years away,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Kevin will have to commute.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54But he hopes the move will mean he and Vivienne
0:05:54 > 0:05:57will also have more time for the things they love.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59We have a lot of sort of hobbies and interests
0:05:59 > 0:06:02that we really haven't had time for.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07I play a bit of golf and I'm also a very keen music fan.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Viv's hobbies are - she loves to garden.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13She really comes alive out there.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17We want to have a future where, when we're not working,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19we can enjoy the surroundings.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23We can enjoy our hobbies and a beautiful place to live.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30As Kevin will be working in Washington,
0:06:30 > 0:06:33they've asked us to focus our search south of Alnwick,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36keeping his commuting time to under an hour.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39First, we are meeting up to run through their property requirements.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Welcome, both of you, to Northumberland.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44You were kind of already in Northumberland, almost, weren't you?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Yeah, yeah.- Yes, yes.- So what's been luring you to this beautiful
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- countryside?- I think what we want is a more-chilled lifestyle.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Why now, why are you looking to move now?
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Well, we'd always intended retiring up here.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01The move has been sort of brought forward a little bit
0:07:01 > 0:07:05because of my mum and dad, so we thought, right,
0:07:05 > 0:07:09why not make the move now and bring my mum and dad with us?
0:07:09 > 0:07:13You're moving with your mother-in-law and father-in-law?
0:07:13 > 0:07:14- Yes, yes.- Yeah.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I'm very lucky that Kevin's so easy-going.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21A lot of men wouldn't want to live with their in-laws.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23No, well, good for you, you know, looking after family,
0:07:23 > 0:07:24that's the most important thing.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27But there's also another generation of the family
0:07:27 > 0:07:29that is looking to make the move with you as well, your daughter?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32My daughter, Sophie, she's 25.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35This is a big property we're looking for?
0:07:35 > 0:07:40Well, we're thinking that we would need a bedroom downstairs...
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- For your parents.- Maybe three bedrooms upstairs.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Or maybe a property with some separation.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- Sometimes even an annexe can work. - An annexe would be good,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52but it would have to be quite self-contained.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I think, because you are looking for something slightly different,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58we'll have to think slightly laterally, OK?
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Now, the position of the house,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01what's on the shopping list today, then?
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Ideally, not too big a garden.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05An old property would be fine,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07because we're not scared of a project.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12Well, I quite like a traditional sort of handsome house.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14You're going to have to describe it for me.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Because one man's handsome is another man's ugly!
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Maybe a double-fronted stone house with a chimney.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24How much money are you looking to spend, then, Kevin?
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- £500,000.- £500,000?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29All right. Let's get going. This way.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34So, with a substantial budget of £500,000,
0:08:34 > 0:08:35Kevin and Vivienne would like a property
0:08:35 > 0:08:39with at least three bedrooms for themselves and daughter Sophie,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42as well as an additional bedroom or ground-floor annexe
0:08:42 > 0:08:43for Vivienne's parents.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47They'd like a decent-sized garden for everyone to enjoy,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49without the need for too much maintenance.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52They also need to be in or very close to a village,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55with access to services and amenities.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58With both houses sold, there's no time to lose.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Luckily for them, we've got three
0:09:00 > 0:09:02great properties ready for them to view,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05all with the flexibility to create a unique family home to
0:09:05 > 0:09:07suit three generations.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10I won't be telling them the price of each one
0:09:10 > 0:09:12until they've had a guess at the end of their tour.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15And, finally, we'll be turning our search on its head
0:09:15 > 0:09:19by throwing our quirky Mystery House into the mix.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Our property tour of Northumberland begins in Acklington.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Once voted Northumberland Village of the Year,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32the leafy village has a church and a local pub,
0:09:32 > 0:09:37and it's just ten minutes by car to the coast, and to Warkworth Castle,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41once the main residence of Harry Hotspur and the Percy family.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Just five miles to the A1,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45our first property on the edge of Acklington
0:09:45 > 0:09:48would ensure an easy commute for Kevin. Alternatively,
0:09:48 > 0:09:52he could catch the train from the Victorian station close by.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Oh, this looks nice.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Good, well, what we're going to look around
0:10:00 > 0:10:02is all that you can see and...
0:10:02 > 0:10:04..it used to be a shunting house.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- Ah, a nearby railway.- Right.- So the trains would come in here.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10They've built above the old turntable
0:10:10 > 0:10:11where they turn the trains round,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14but we're going to look around the entire property, because this,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16all of this, is for sale, OK?
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- Right.- Wow, yeah. - Bigger on the ground floor.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Yes. This serves as an annexe.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26This, at the moment, can be self-contained, but it's next door.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- Yeah.- Sounds ideal. - Great.- Isn't it, yeah?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Let's start with the main event, living accommodation just down here.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Great.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Thought to be built in the late 18th century,
0:10:37 > 0:10:41this Grade II listed former shunting house is being converted to create a
0:10:41 > 0:10:44really quirky, spacious home.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47And the old shunting cottage the other side of the garage
0:10:47 > 0:10:49makes a very substantial annexe
0:10:49 > 0:10:52that I think would be ideal for Mary and Wilf.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57But, first, we'll explore the main house, Kevin and Vivienne's part.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Here we go.- Oh, this is nice. - Yes, good start, isn't it?
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- Yeah.- Yeah.- Nice space.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08A nice, bright kitchen.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Oh, this is nice and warm, isn't it, as soon as you come in?
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Got a massive range there. That's an oil-fired range.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15That's really nice.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19I like the size and I like the shape.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21I probably would change it, though.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Tell me you'd keep that range.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Oh, we would, once I'd worked out how to use it.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- Yeah!- The one thing about this house is, it's a conversion.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31You've got a lot of history, cos you see some of the old stonework
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- coming through the exposed walls. - Which is really nice.- It's lovely.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37So you get the option of either going down the traditional route,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40which I think the current owners have gone here,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42or something quite contemporary.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44I think we like a mix, a mix of the two, don't we?
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- Yes, yes. - Well, let's keep going.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51A very good start, but the best is definitely yet to come.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Now, I think you'll be rather impressed by this room.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Oh! Oh, this is lovely, this is really nice.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- Look at the light coming in here. - Lovely high ceilings.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Fire.- Beams.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Fantastic.- According to some of the old pictures I've seen,
0:12:09 > 0:12:13I reckon the trains, the locomotives would have come in...
0:12:13 > 0:12:14- Through here.- ..through here, yes.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Uh-huh. Now, I'm told one of the reasons we've come up a level
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- is because they never took the turntable out...- Right.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24So we are on top of the turntable. So the trains would have come in
0:12:24 > 0:12:27here and then they would have been spun around.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28- And then...- Yeah.- Right.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- Good, isn't it?- That's interesting, isn't it?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- A lot of nice space here, though. - I love this room.- It's really nice.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I love the stone wall. Look at the stone wall.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38These are good initial reactions to this house.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Let's look at the bedrooms.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46The property has five bedrooms split across the top two storeys.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49On the first floor, there are two good-sized doubles with attractive
0:12:49 > 0:12:53original features, such as exposed brick walls, and beams.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55They share the use of a bathroom.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59But we're heading up to the top floor, where there is a study,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02possibly a hobby room for Kevin's music,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05as well as a bright single with generous skylights,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07and the largest of the bedrooms.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10I think it's safe to say this would be the master suite,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12and it's en suite as well.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- This is really nice, I like this. Do you?- Yeah.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17It's loads of character.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19The stonework again.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Light. Fantastic. Beams. - It's really nice.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Your eyes, I can see your eyes darting around to bits...
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Just looking at the views from the window.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28- Yes.- Special, isn't it?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Why don't we go outside? But when we do,
0:13:31 > 0:13:32as we make our way through the house,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34start thinking about price as well.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- Will do, yes.- Right.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38What I think works so well about this property
0:13:38 > 0:13:41is that everyone would get their own space,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44but there are great communal areas to come together in.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47The annexe would provide Mary and Wilf with a galley kitchen,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51opening onto a sitting room with pleasant patio windows.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Besides a double room for them,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55there's also an additional single room.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58It also benefits from its own enclosed outside space.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00The main garden is low maintenance,
0:14:00 > 0:14:05mostly lawn, and wraps around three sides of the main house.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08You said you wanted a manageable garden, nothing too big.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Mm-hm.- What do we think about this? - This is fine.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16- It's big, but it's lawn. - Yeah? Let's guess the price.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- It's a big property.- Yes.- Um... - And you've got a lot of space.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22It does give us everything we need.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25I think, probably, it's a little bit over budget.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28I reckon £530,000.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32OK. What say you, then, Vivienne?
0:14:32 > 0:14:37Right, I think it might be on budget, £500,000.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42The asking price for this house is £435,000.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- Really?- That's very good. - Yes. That's very doable!
0:14:46 > 0:14:49That gives you plenty of change in your budget
0:14:49 > 0:14:51to make changes to this place, doesn't it?
0:14:51 > 0:14:56Oh, yes, certainly. We could do all of the changes fairly quickly.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Go back inside, have a good look around the place on your own,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01and I'll meet you whenever you're done.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- All right?- All right, OK. - See you in a mo.- Thank you.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Coming in well under budget,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10this Grade II listed former shunting house has two more bedrooms
0:15:10 > 0:15:13than Kevin and Vivienne asked for in the main house,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16and another two for Vivienne's parents in the annexe,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19so they'd have the separate living spaces they're after,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and a pleasant, manageable garden to share.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Decent-sized living space.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Yeah.- Lots of light again.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31And then a bedroom... with an en suite.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34There's lots of space. I think this property is very workable.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36It's got a lot of character.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38It's got a lot of natural features.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40It's quite quirky in places.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44Given the fact that Viv could put her stamp on it quite quickly,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47I think we could really have it to our taste.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52I'm quite surprised that we've seen a property so soon
0:15:52 > 0:15:55that would meet all of our requirements.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00We would need to change some things, but because of the price,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03we've got that flexibility.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06We would seriously have to consider this one.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08That's the first house all done and dusted.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Did you enjoy that?- I did. - Yeah.- Yes, it's really good, yes.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- Good start?- Yes. - OK, two more, let's go.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22With over 400 square miles of national park
0:16:22 > 0:16:24and a 39-mile coastline
0:16:24 > 0:16:27designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:16:27 > 0:16:32Northumberland is home to a huge diversity of wildlife and birdlife.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35The Tweed Estuary has become a particular favourite place
0:16:35 > 0:16:37for swans, where, at peak times,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40almost 800 birds have been counted on the river.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45Back in 1992, the Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust was formed,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48following a major pollution incident in the Tweed Estuary.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53Since then it has rescued, treated and released over 1,000 swans,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56as well as countless other sick and injured animals,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59from as far afield as Newcastle and the West of Scotland.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02As Vivienne and the family love wildlife,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05we've arranged for her and Kevin to meet Pat Gough,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08who's worked at the trust for 15 years.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13So why is Berwick such a good place for wildlife, particularly swans?
0:17:13 > 0:17:17You can always see swans on the river, and wildlife,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20there's just so much countryside.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23So apart from the swans, which other animals do you accept?
0:17:23 > 0:17:26We have any other type of bird.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28If it's wildlife, it comes in.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30We have a lot of hedgehogs.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Oh, I love hedgehogs, can we go and see some hedgehogs?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35You certainly can! We've got enough of them.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Come this way.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39From rescuing swans in the early years,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43the trust has gone on to rescue and rehabilitate a wide range of
0:17:43 > 0:17:44wildlife, with a view to returning
0:17:44 > 0:17:49them to their natural habitat as soon as possible.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52The once-common hedgehog is now under particular threat
0:17:52 > 0:17:53due to habitat loss.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56With England's diminished number of hedgerows,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59and the recent trend for tidy, manicured gardens,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02there are fewer places for them to hide and hibernate.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05The team currently have 18 hedgehogs in their care.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10Now, this one we think was injured by a strimmer.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13She has a sore nose.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- I can see.- This back paw, foot,
0:18:16 > 0:18:21is not tucking in properly, because it's swollen.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24It just weighed 184 grams.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28But it has put on weight and it's now up to 328 grams.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30That's quite a lot, isn't it?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- It's done well.- Are there lots of hedgehogs in Northumberland?
0:18:33 > 0:18:36You'd think so, by the amount we've got here,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39but there's not as many as there used to be.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41It's been a very bad year for them this year.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45One of the biggest killers is slug pellets.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47So what can be done to help them then?
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Well, if you know you've got a hedgehog in the garden,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55one of the best things to do is just to leave a little bit of your garden
0:18:55 > 0:18:58wild, so it's somewhere safe for them to hibernate.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03This one, for instance, is going to be with us until the spring,
0:19:03 > 0:19:08and it'll be kept warm all through the winter.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Removed from their cages just once a day to be cleaned and fed,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14the hedgehogs are otherwise left undisturbed,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17and are one of the few animals that won't become tame.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20As the only animal rescue centre within a 50-mile radius,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23the trust provides an invaluable facility,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25particularly for the rescue and treatment
0:19:25 > 0:19:27of the region's injured swans,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31providing pens built to RSPCA specifications
0:19:31 > 0:19:34and the vital space and water they need.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38What type of injuries do the swans get?
0:19:38 > 0:19:43The swan, he hit power lines, so he has had his wing amputated.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47And the cygnet was hatched in May.
0:19:47 > 0:19:53His parents have suddenly turned against it and were attacking it.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54So, are the swans very tame?
0:19:54 > 0:19:57If we fed them, would they come over to us?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59They might do. I did bring the lettuce.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Oh, right, we'll have a go.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05In the wild, mute swans eat mostly aquatic vegetation,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07from as far down as the riverbed,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09thanks to their long, agile necks.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11They will also eat grains and
0:20:11 > 0:20:14vegetable matter, such as lettuce and potatoes.
0:20:14 > 0:20:15Once fit enough to survive,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19these swans will be released back into the Tweed Estuary, where,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22in the temperate climate and excellent water quality,
0:20:22 > 0:20:24they will continue to flourish.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28But now it's time to switch our focus back to the property search,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31to help Kevin and Vivienne find a comfortable home so they can enjoy
0:20:31 > 0:20:33the splendour of the Northumberland countryside.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Mindful that Vivienne asked for a handsome character house,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43we're heading to the northern boundary of their search area,
0:20:43 > 0:20:44to the village of Glanton.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Nestled in the foothills of the Cheviots,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50this once-industrial settlement is now a quiet rural village,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53with a post office and a pub.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Amongst its stone cottages are a number of listed buildings.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59It's perhaps best known throughout the region
0:20:59 > 0:21:01for its annual Glanton show,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04an event which has been running for over 90 years.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08I'm hoping this substantial stone property will fit the bill.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14Right, then. This is our second offering to you.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- This looks nice.- Does it?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Yes. A big house, yes.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20This is all the property.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21So you've got the garden there.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Big house here.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25And that's included as well.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Right.- What's that above the garage?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Accommodation.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34For whom, I don't know. We'll wait until we go inside, but I'm thinking
0:21:34 > 0:21:36record collection, mate!
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Could you live somewhere like this?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41I'm not sure if it's a little bit too far north.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43This might push your commute time, I'll be honest with you.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45But, again, this is trying to find the balance.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Let's go inside. Come on.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52The current owners built this property back in 2003
0:21:52 > 0:21:54and it's finished to a high spec.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56It has a lot of the features that Kevin and Vivienne want,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59so I'm hoping they'll like it.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Now, you reckon you like big kitchens.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Tell me this is big enough.
0:22:03 > 0:22:04Oh, wow. This is lovely, yes.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07It's more what we're used to, isn't it?
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Really nice size.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- Nice and light. Access outside. - Very sociable, isn't it?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- Yes.- And then you've got two utilities
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- through the door at the back of the kitchen.- Oh, right.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I was hoping that you're not going to need to do any
0:22:21 > 0:22:23proper work to this house, because it's done.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28This is the type of colour and mix that I quite like.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31So, first impressions for the first room - very, very good?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Yes, very impressed, yes. - This is nice, yes.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Good. I think you're going to like the living room as well.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Come with me.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42This property offers pretty much the opposite set-up to our first,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46in that the whole family would be together under one roof.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Downstairs, the living areas surround the central hallway,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52but also flow from one to the next.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54This is one of three reception rooms.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Now, your parents are going to need to sleep on the ground floor.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Yes, they will, yes. It's just sort of deciding what
0:23:01 > 0:23:04should be done and who would go where.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05That means we need to look at where
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- your living room's going to be, then, don't we?- Yes, definitely.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Come with me. We'll walk through this way.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Right, so if your parents had that as a bedroom,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- this could be a really nice living room.- Yes, it would.- Yes, yes.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20And they'd have their own little bit of garden.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- They're straight outside there. - Yeah?- Yes, that would work.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- That works.- If that happens, then I suppose this would
0:23:26 > 0:23:28be your living room.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- Mm-hm.- TV room, snug.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- We're getting somewhere, aren't we? Come with me.- Yeah, that works.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38The sheer size and proportions of this place
0:23:38 > 0:23:40mean it can be adapted quite easily to accommodate
0:23:40 > 0:23:44all three generations of their family.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Upstairs, there are five bedrooms in total,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48including three large doubles,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51a generous four shower or bathrooms,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54as well as a big hobby or games room above the garage.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57I wonder what they'll make of what could be their master.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00This is another impressive room. This is really nice, isn't it?
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- Lots of storage.- And you've got a really good-size en suite.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05- Oh, look at the en suite. - Fantastic size, yeah.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07- Lovely, isn't it?- Double sink.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Now, at the moment, the only thing you're struggling to get your head
0:24:10 > 0:24:13around is how you're going to split up reception space and bedroom space
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- for your parents.- Yes.
0:24:15 > 0:24:16But above the garage,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19that could also be, for you, another reception room.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Or a space for Sophie.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25This could be three dwellings at this rate, isn't it?!
0:24:25 > 0:24:26It's a modern house,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30but with Victorian-proportioned rooms, isn't it?
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Yeah, it's got a real good feel to it, yeah.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35It has. Have a think about how much this property would be,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37and we'll go and look in the garden.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Outside, the gravelled area at the back has a few beds to tend to,
0:24:41 > 0:24:43but wouldn't require much upkeep,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45and there's a lawned area to the front of the house.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Now we're outside looking back, it's a good-looking property, isn't it?
0:24:49 > 0:24:54It is, yeah, really is. This is very manageable.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57How much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:24:57 > 0:24:58I think it'll be over budget.
0:24:58 > 0:25:05- OK.- So I'm thinking £530,000.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- All right. Fair enough. Kev? - I actually think the opposite.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I would say about 480,000.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Decent guesses. You're kind of either side, really.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18The asking price for this house is £515,000.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- Oh, right.- It's been on the market a while now.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23The owners say they are open to offers.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25I think you should go back into the house
0:25:25 > 0:25:29and maybe start planning around how you would configure this house
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- to make it specific to your requirements, yeah?- Mm-hm.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34All right, see you in a mo. Enjoy.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Nudging £15,000 over budget, but open to offers,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43this modern detached property has more than enough space for the whole
0:25:43 > 0:25:47family, and a layout that offers them plenty of flexibility,
0:25:47 > 0:25:48with five bedrooms upstairs
0:25:48 > 0:25:51and three reception rooms downstairs,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55as well as a games room or extra living area above the garage.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58It's further north than they ideally wanted to come,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00and it's pushing their budget to the max,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02but for the space on offer,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04it could be worth some consideration.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Internally, we wouldn't need to do a single thing.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10You can sort of pitch up and move in.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12It's very tastefully done.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14If I have a slight concern,
0:26:14 > 0:26:18it's how the downstairs works for Viv's parents.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22I would feel more comfortable having my mum and dad in the house,
0:26:22 > 0:26:26but I'm not sure if that's what they would particularly want.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27It could work for us.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31We'd have to think about reconfiguring some of the rooms,
0:26:31 > 0:26:32but it could work.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38So that's it. Lots to work out with this house, isn't there?
0:26:38 > 0:26:41How you can configure it and make it suitable for you and your family?
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Did you enjoy it?
0:26:43 > 0:26:45- Yeah.- Yes, it gives us something to think about.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47And very different to the first house,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49so something to mull over at dinner tonight.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51- Yeah.- Yes.- Shall we go?
0:27:01 > 0:27:04It's day two of our property search here in Northumberland,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07where I'm helping Vivienne and Kevin from near Gateshead find a property
0:27:07 > 0:27:10with space to bring Vivienne's parents
0:27:10 > 0:27:11and daughter Sophie with them.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14So far, they've weighed up two promising properties
0:27:14 > 0:27:18for their budget of £500,000, but still to come,
0:27:18 > 0:27:20will the Mystery House be too good to be true?
0:27:20 > 0:27:25- Really?- Yeah.- It's not!- It is. - Really? You're not joking?
0:27:25 > 0:27:27I'm not joking!
0:27:27 > 0:27:29And I lend a hand with some restoration work
0:27:29 > 0:27:31back at Bamburgh Castle.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33- You're going to do all of this? - Yeah, and then start the other side.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35We're going to be here all day.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Well, yesterday, I think we gave Kev and Viv two really good options,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44and I think they had something to think about over dinner last night.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Now, today, another beautiful start here in Northumberland,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49and we're off to see the Mystery House.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51As you'd imagine, it's a property with quirks,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55but it also has sensational views and a really good position.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58But if they are to get hold of such a treasure,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00I think they'll have to think laterally
0:28:00 > 0:28:03about maybe a slightly more unconventional
0:28:03 > 0:28:05living space for them. Let's see how we go.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11So we're off to the Mystery House.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12What would be a disaster?
0:28:12 > 0:28:15What would you really not want to see now?
0:28:15 > 0:28:20I don't like '70s-style houses.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24- OK.- Like Viv, I don't want something that you look at it
0:28:24 > 0:28:27and it sort of hurts your eyes.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29HE LAUGHS
0:28:29 > 0:28:31That I've never heard before.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Our Mystery House takes us towards the coast.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38The hamlet of Red Row is back within
0:28:38 > 0:28:42Kevin and Vivienne's preferred search area.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45In a cluster of villages and hamlets once dominated by the mining
0:28:45 > 0:28:47industry, it's well located just a
0:28:47 > 0:28:50few miles from the coastal fishing town of Amble
0:28:50 > 0:28:54and the conveniences of its lively high street and harbour area.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57But even closer is Druridge Bay Country Park,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59home to a large freshwater lake
0:28:59 > 0:29:03surrounded by woodland and three miles of beautiful beaches
0:29:03 > 0:29:05and sand dunes.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09So plenty of places for a family picnic or for walking the dogs.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13I thought we'd stop off here at Druridge Bay
0:29:13 > 0:29:15before we head to the Mystery House.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18- What do you think?- Fantastic. - Fantastic.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19- Isn't it?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Listen, from this beach, where we're stood at the moment,
0:29:22 > 0:29:24it's just a few minutes' drive.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27This has got to be a huge plus for you guys.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Oh, our dogs love the beach.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32This is one of the main reasons we've chosen the Mystery House.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35The location, we think, is absolutely great for you guys,
0:29:35 > 0:29:36for what you want in the future.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- Happy with this?- Yeah, fantastic.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- Yeah, that's really good. - Let's go and look at the house.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Come with me.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45I'm really curious now.
0:29:45 > 0:29:46Oh, good.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Back in Red Row, our mystery property
0:29:50 > 0:29:54enjoys an equally scenic setting amidst farmland.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57This is our Mystery House.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- This looks really nice, doesn't it? - Great location as well.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05You like the location? Thought to be built around the 1850s as a barn,
0:30:05 > 0:30:07they finished it around seven years ago.
0:30:07 > 0:30:08- Yeah, love it.- It's really nice.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Let's go inside before we get blown away.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Great initial reactions to the exterior
0:30:14 > 0:30:16of our converted mystery granary,
0:30:16 > 0:30:18but the real challenge is inside,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21where, rather than generations living side by side,
0:30:21 > 0:30:27they would be split across an upstairs-downstairs arrangement.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- Right, then.- Oh, wow! - Well, I think you'll like this.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34This is... This is fantastic, isn't it?
0:30:34 > 0:30:35This is special, isn't it?
0:30:35 > 0:30:38I'd be really pleased with a kitchen like this, yes.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40A lovely view over there.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42- You've got views over there.- Yeah.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Straight out to the garden, look there - outside living.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47It's been created with love, hasn't it?
0:30:47 > 0:30:50It certainly has. Well, they spent a long time doing it.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Yeah.- Just the detail.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Now, let's talk about your folks.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58This, doable space for all of you guys?
0:30:58 > 0:31:03- Yeah.- On the same level, you've got a bedroom at the far end,
0:31:03 > 0:31:09ground floor, with its own already fitted en-suite wet room and loo.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- Really?- Yeah. And next door to that is a small sitting room
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- for them as well.- Oh, right.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17- Cor!- Oh, that would be ideal, wouldn't it?
0:31:17 > 0:31:19That's ideal, it really is, yeah.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Let's see what you think of upstairs.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24A few things to consider there. Come with me.
0:31:25 > 0:31:31Also downstairs is a WC and a small utility room.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35A central solid-oak staircase leads to a galleried landing upstairs,
0:31:35 > 0:31:41also with beautiful beamed ceilings, running the length of the property.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43There are two bedrooms, one with an en suite,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46and a large family bathroom.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54Now then, the master suite, equally impressive.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- Oh, look at that! - It really is, isn't it?
0:31:57 > 0:31:58Isn't it just!
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- Oh.- I love the beams and the height in the ceiling.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- You get a real sense of space in here, don't you?- You do, yeah.
0:32:05 > 0:32:06Yeah, it's really lovely.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09You'd be happy with this as a master bedroom, would you?
0:32:09 > 0:32:11- Mm-hm.- Oh, yeah.- Without a doubt.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13There's a certain part of this property
0:32:13 > 0:32:15that's a bit unconventional,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18but I think you might rather like it.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- Come with me.- Let's go.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24Without doubt, these are the best reactions I've seen from them
0:32:24 > 0:32:26on this search.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Now this room is currently laid out as a living room.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33What do you think about coming upstairs to relax of an evening?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Well, it would keep the areas separate.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Very much so. I the love little Juliet balcony.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41Look at that! And then the views out...
0:32:41 > 0:32:44And then light again, natural light.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Works very well, it does.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48The whole house seems to work very well so far, doesn't it?
0:32:48 > 0:32:50It does, yeah. Ticks a lot of boxes.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54And, really, we'll probably spend a lot of time in the kitchen and then
0:32:54 > 0:32:56just come up here later on in the evening.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- Yeah.- Well, so far, so great, isn't it?
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- Yeah.- This house seems to really work for you guys, doesn't it?
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- It does, yeah.- Let's see how you get on outside.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- Start thinking about price, OK? - OK, will do.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13The property's garden wraps around three sides
0:33:13 > 0:33:14and is mostly gravelled,
0:33:14 > 0:33:17along with attractive sandstone paving.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19There's a good-size lawn to the side of the house,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22enjoying far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Now, outside space for the house, if you look back as well,
0:33:26 > 0:33:29you can see those double doors at the back.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33- Yeah.- That would be, if you like, well, your parents'.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36That could be their little doors out to a small terrace of their own.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Yeah. I think they would just sit and watch the views from there
0:33:39 > 0:33:42on a nice day, wouldn't they? Oh, yeah. It really works. Everything.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- Good Mystery House, isn't it? - It is.- It certainly is, yeah.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48So one more mystery to be solved, then.
0:33:48 > 0:33:49How much is it?
0:33:49 > 0:33:54I think it is over budget, and I think it is £525,000.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- OK.- I am saying £500,000.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02This house is on the market for...
0:34:02 > 0:34:04..£425,000.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- Really?- Yeah.- It is not.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- It is.- That is £100,000 more than...- Yeah.- Really?
0:34:10 > 0:34:11- You're not joking?- I am not joking.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14I know I have pulled your leg this week, but...
0:34:14 > 0:34:17That's amazing, isn't it?
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- Yeah.- For what you want, it really works.
0:34:20 > 0:34:21- Yeah.- It does.- It really does.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24A few adjustments to make, but nothing massive.
0:34:24 > 0:34:25- Nothing structural.- No.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30No. This is where you really need time to think this through.
0:34:30 > 0:34:31Go back into the house, take some time,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34and I will meet you whenever you're done.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- All right?- Great.- Great.- Brilliant. See you in a bit.- Let's have a look.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42What a cracking house, but an absolutely belting price.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Plenty of change left in their budget.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49And it is ready to go, isn't it? A great Mystery House.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53A staggering £75,000 under budget,
0:34:53 > 0:34:57this mystery conversion has three bedrooms with a potential fourth,
0:34:57 > 0:35:00and delivers the space that Kevin and Vivienne asked for,
0:35:00 > 0:35:03albeit in an unexpected way.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06There are great rural views from the low-maintenance garden,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08and it is in a great location,
0:35:08 > 0:35:12being close to the coast and Druridge Bay Country Park,
0:35:12 > 0:35:16and gives Kevin around a 50-minute commute.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18I immediately loved it.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22It just looked so tasteful from the outside.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24It just appealed to me straightaway.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27I love the beams, I love the light.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29It is a bit unconventional living,
0:35:29 > 0:35:33because our living space would be upstairs, but having said that,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36you have got fantastic views from upstairs.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40I think it is very workable for my mum and dad.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42I would love to bring them. I would
0:35:42 > 0:35:45like to bring them to sort of see what they think.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47So, that is it, no more houses.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Now, Kevin, what did you say when we were driving here?
0:35:49 > 0:35:52"I don't want to look at a house that hurts my eyes."
0:35:52 > 0:35:53Yes, that is exactly what I said.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56How are your eyes feeling after looking around here?
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- Feeling absolutely fine. - Good.- Really are.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01OK, let's find you somewhere to sit down and have a chat,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03and then we'll meet up after that, yeah?
0:36:03 > 0:36:05- Yeah. Right, yes.- Great. Let's go.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Northumberland is home to over 70 castle sites,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15more than any other county in England.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Perched on an outcrop of volcanic rock 45 metres above sea level,
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Bamburgh Castle is one of the most iconic
0:36:22 > 0:36:26and historically was home to the kings of ancient Northumbria
0:36:26 > 0:36:29before becoming a family home in 1894,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31when it was bought and rebuilt
0:36:31 > 0:36:36by a Victorian industrialist and inventor, Lord Armstrong.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40I have come to meet the castle's director, Chris Culbert.
0:36:40 > 0:36:41It is impressive, to say the least.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46- It is.- But even more impressive is the history it is steeped in.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49This has been a royal castle. Kings have lived here.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51- Yes, yeah.- They ruled from here.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54They did. Probably one of the best-known kings was Oswald,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57and he was really responsible for reintroducing Christianity into the
0:36:57 > 0:37:01north of England, and then that spread throughout England itself.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05It is not like many castles we see dotted around the UK.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07This looks like it has had a lot of work done to it.
0:37:07 > 0:37:08It has, to be fair.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13The first Lord Armstrong bought it in 1894, paid £8,000 for it.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16A couple of thousand extra for the contents.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21Yeah. And he wanted to create the quintessential English castle.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28Saving it from ruin, Lord Armstrong spent ten years and a phenomenal
0:37:28 > 0:37:33£1 million transforming the castle into a magnificent ancestral home -
0:37:33 > 0:37:37that is over £270 million in today's money.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Built on the site of the medieval Great Hall,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44the King's Hall would have been the main reception room in the castle,
0:37:44 > 0:37:46and is considered a Victorian masterpiece,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48with a false hammer beam ceiling
0:37:48 > 0:37:51made from teak imported from Thailand.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57Now, every castle needs a big impressive room or hall.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00This is quite some scale of a programme.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Lord Armstrong was quite some guy, wasn't he?
0:38:03 > 0:38:05I mean, he wasn't just a wealthy man.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07He was a pioneer, wasn't he?
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- Very much so.- Why did he embark on this project,
0:38:11 > 0:38:12taking this huge thing on?
0:38:12 > 0:38:16He was hoping to create a recuperation home.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18It was going to be a home for well-educated people
0:38:18 > 0:38:22who had fallen upon hard times and could no longer afford
0:38:22 > 0:38:23the luxury of a lifestyle by the sea,
0:38:23 > 0:38:27and the idea was that people would come along, pay a few shillings
0:38:27 > 0:38:28and they could spend some time here.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32- It was like a hotel, almost. - Goodness me.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Today, 14 rooms in the castle are open to the public,
0:38:36 > 0:38:40with more than 2,000 artefacts on display.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Oh, now, we're talking. The ones on these walls
0:38:43 > 0:38:46are a reminder of its turbulent past.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Restoration work at the castle is ongoing.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52The lime mortar holding the building together deteriorates over time,
0:38:52 > 0:38:56a process accelerated by its exposed position next to the sea
0:38:56 > 0:38:59and the corrosion caused by the salt air.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01I am meeting stonemason Stuart
0:39:01 > 0:39:04to give him a hand with some re-pointing.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07So, Stuart, what are we getting up to today, then?
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Basically we are trying to secure the stones by... Obviously,
0:39:10 > 0:39:11you can see where the weather has
0:39:11 > 0:39:14worn away the lime mortars, so what we do is, we try and rake it out
0:39:14 > 0:39:16and re-point with lime,
0:39:16 > 0:39:18to basically make these secure again, plus weathertight.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21A lot of this is, well, Victorian, isn't it?
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- Modern.- I mean, I am surprised we are looking at this kind of mortar,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27and not looking at maybe your normal sort of sand and cement.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31Cement was a new product in those days. A very modern product.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Nowadays, we now see the harm it's done, because the idea being
0:39:35 > 0:39:38whatever you put in there, it needs to be softer than the stone itself.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Right, so you're now going back to more ancient methods, are you?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44- Yes. Yes.- Well, you've got a hammer and bolster for me, have you?
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Yeah. The golden rule is, however high the joint is,
0:39:46 > 0:39:49you want to be double that inwards.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Double?- Double.- We're going to be here all day.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56- Well, funny, mate, that's...- I mean, you're going to do all of this?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Yep, and then start the other side.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03As lime is much softer than cement, it comes away more easily.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05So the key to this technique,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08as Stuart says, is little and often.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Amazingly, he's one of a team of just two stonemasons
0:40:11 > 0:40:13working on the entire site.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16So, how long is this job going to take?
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Because there's a lot of stone, there's a lot of mortar.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22It takes as long as it takes me to do the job,
0:40:22 > 0:40:24as long as I've done it right.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29To a large extent this has been here hundreds and hundreds of years.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34- Yep.- It deserves care and attention and preservation, doesn't it?
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Dealing with such delicate material, as I'm finding out,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40is a skilled job and takes time to get right.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43That's what you don't want to happen.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Well, it's been a privilege to meet the team who are conserving one of
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Northumberland's finest buildings,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51and with a view like this from the office,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53it must be an amazing place to work.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Well, I'm tempted to say that the Mystery House
0:40:57 > 0:41:02should be coming out as favourite right now but, on reflection, well,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Kev and Vivienne reacted really well to all three houses.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07So let's see what they're thinking.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16You've had a bit of time to think,
0:41:16 > 0:41:18I'm not sure I've given you enough time,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21you look a little bit confused at the moment. Are you OK?
0:41:21 > 0:41:22We are, we are confused.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25So have you managed to figure out a favourite amongst all three?
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Yeah, we've got two favourites, really, haven't we?
0:41:28 > 0:41:30- We've got two favourites. - Yeah.- Go on.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34- House one.- OK. - And the Mystery House.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Right. Well, I thought the Mystery House would be up there.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39House one, what was it about that place
0:41:39 > 0:41:43- that keeps it in the reckoning? - I just liked the quirkiness of it.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45The fact that it's got a bit of history to it,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49it makes it a little bit special, a little bit magical.
0:41:49 > 0:41:54Although I loved the property, I still feel slightly uncomfortable
0:41:54 > 0:41:59with my parents going into the annexe,
0:41:59 > 0:42:00which is much more modest.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03Right, and they are moving out of a decent-sized house anyway,
0:42:03 > 0:42:06so it's going to be a bit of a climb-down, I suppose.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08- Mm-hm.- Yeah.- Have you got doubts over the Mystery House?
0:42:08 > 0:42:15We both really like the Mystery House. One issue would be storage,
0:42:15 > 0:42:18but I feel that that would be workable.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Good luck with your second viewings, with all of your family.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Please let us know what you decide.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- We certainly will.- Very best of luck to both of you, to all of you.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- Thank you. - Great, thank you very much.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Well, it's been fairly straightforward
0:42:36 > 0:42:39showing Vivienne and Kev the houses this week,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42but we have to remember that there's five people in this huge decision to
0:42:42 > 0:42:44move up here to Northumberland.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47So I'm pleased to hear that they'll be coming up here very soon
0:42:47 > 0:42:49for those all-important second viewings,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52and I'm certainly looking forward to finding out which, if either of the
0:42:52 > 0:42:55properties, will be becoming their new home.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58I wish them the very best of luck. I'll see you next time.
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0:43:03 > 0:43:05Northern Ireland or Wales and need our help,
0:43:05 > 0:43:09you can apply online at...