East Devon Escape to the Country

In olden days, many of the residents in coastal villages like the one I'm

in today made their living from the sea - fishing, of course.

But for some of the residents in this particular village,

that wasn't the only way they made their money.

Well, my hearties,

I'll tell you how they cashed in and exactly where I am in just a moment.

It's a brand-new life chapter that's drawing today's house-buyer to new

territories and fulfil her dream of living in the English countryside.

I love it, it just feels, yeah, it feels

exactly what I was looking for.

And emotions continue to run high as our properties

leave her lost for words.

I can't speak.

Today, I'm on the Devon-Dorset border and, right now,

I'm in the East Devon village of Beer,

which in the 17th and early 18th century was infamous for smuggling.

Contraband like brandy,

tea and coffee would be brought across the waters from France

and landed right here on this very beach.

Now, the authorities soon got wise to this and started patrolling the

area, but the locals, many of whom were party to the smuggling,

would light warning beacons up on the clifftops to let the smugglers

know that they should sink their contraband and come back and collect

it once the coast was clear.

A tiny snapshot of history here on this Jurassic coastline, millions

of years in the making.

On the south coast of England,

the counties of Devon and Dorset are united by this 95-mile stretch of

Jurassic coastline.

The pinnacle of this far-reaching World Heritage Site is the majestic

Golden Cap in Dorset.

Over 190 metres tall, it's the highest point on the southern coast.

Further west, in neighbouring Devon,

the ancient fishing village of Beer in historic Lyme Bay has more than

a smuggling past to its name.

Today, it's the archetypal seaside setting with a clean,

colourful beach and pretty, narrow streets

lined with attractive buildings,

many built of local flint.

Moving inland, there is a stunning rural landscape

in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Its green pastures are framed by thriving hedgerows and waterways,

such as the River Otter, flowing through the pretty valleys.

So, with its mix of lush countryside,

rugged coastline and picture-perfect villages,

this region is an ideal choice of escape for a peaceful country life.

Well, as we have just seen,

this is an absolutely gorgeous part of the West Country.

It's got a little bit of just about everything that you could possibly

want, including some fantastic properties available at prices that

don't have to break the bank - if you know which side of the border

to look on.

The average price of a detached home here in Devon is £364,000.

Now, that is £30,000 above the national figure but when you compare

it to a similar home in neighbouring Dorset, available for £410,000,

it seems like a real bargain -

a little bit of knowledge worth knowing if you happen to be today's

buyer, who is on the hunt for the property of her dreams.

Funeral celebrant Debbie, from Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, is

preparing for a big life change.

And to help her make the right decision,

she'll have her great friend Ash right by her side.

I've known Ash for a very long time

because we were at the same school together,

I was best friends with her brother,

so we've known each other for a very long time, but about 16 years ago,

we found ourselves back into the same crowd of friends,

so we've been best friends since then.

The pair have supported each other through life's ups and downs and

have forged a close friendship.

Debbie is bubbly, fantastic, pragmatic, adorable.

She cares for everyone before herself.

I love her honesty, as a friend.

I love the way that she has dealt with things,

things that have been thrown at her.

Debbie's lived in her current five-bedroom house

for the past 13 years.

But after suffering a personal tragedy,

she's decided it's time to head to pastures new.

It was always planned for my husband and me to move once the kids left

home, but, sadly,

I lost my husband two years ago and I'm ready now for a new challenge.

I've travelled quite a bit to the sort of Devon area

and from what I've seen of it, I really love it.

I just want to be able to move on and do something new with my life

and I know that Neil would definitely have appreciated that.

Debbie's four children have flown the nest.

Her eldest son, Aidan, lives in the West Country

and her eldest daughter, Sam, may be joining her in due course.

But to begin with,

she'll be making the move south together with her trusty camper van.

Well, I bought my motorhome six months after Neil died.

I felt that I needed something that he wouldn't have done to help me

move my life forward a bit and because he was such a big chap,

there was no way he was ever going to get a caravan or motorhome,

his feet would have stuck out the windows.

I've been to all along the Jurassic Coast,

where I love to do the fossil hunting, so that's how I know

that that area is calm and beautiful and what's attracted me to it.

When she's not on the road, Debbie has plenty of plans

to fill her days at home.

I'd really love to take my work with me,

but I also would like to return to my craft roots, my sewing roots.

I had a soft furnishing business before but now I really enjoy making

quilts and I'd like to extend that and to use it to perhaps make money

from that as well. I just don't seem to have time for any of those things

at the minute and I'm desperate, really,

to reclaim some of those back.

She's also looking forward to visits from her family and friends.

To be honest, there's no getting away from Deb.

Wherever she'll be in the world, not just this country,

wherever she'll be, she'll organise something, she'll get us down there.

We love our prosecco, we love our chats and we love the countryside.

So with her home already sold and Ash in tow for support,

Debbie's all set to start her new journey.

It's going to be really hard to go

because obviously it's Neil's and my home,

our first home and our only home together, but...

..it's important for me to sort of leave that behind and start again.

I can't tell you how much I'll miss her.

I don't want her to go but I know that she needs to do this to move on

in her life. Absolutely.

Debbie loves the areas close to where West Dorset meets East Devon,

but she's happy to extend her search north to Somerset.

Before we begin our house-hunt in earnest,

we're meeting up to discuss exactly what it is she's looking out for.

Morning!

Debbie, Ash, welcome to the West Country.

Debbie, this is a huge move for you at this point in your life.

Yes, it's a huge move. Exciting.

As part of the move, I understand your eldest daughter, Sam,

she might be joining you at the property

or maybe coming to live nearby?

-Tell me about that.

-Yeah, Sam has Down's syndrome and unfortunately

she's been very ill over the last four years, four or five years,

actually. But she's in residential care at the moment,

so although I wouldn't move her straightaway with me,

there would be a very slow transition.

I would want her closer to me.

And what would you love to see in your dream new home?

A character cottage.

I need to have a real fire.

Or the potential to put one in.

I'd like a kitchen-diner that I can put a sofa in.

I want to get back into lots of walking,

so a boot room where I could throw all the muck would be really lovely.

South-facing garden would be brilliant, but not big.

Just somewhere I can sit with a glass of prosecco.

With me!

So, how many bedrooms would you like to see in the property?

A minimum of two bedrooms.

Or if there could be a third bedroom or study, that would be fantastic.

And, Ash, are you going to be keeping an eye

on that spare room situation?

Because I'm sure you'll be coming to visit a lot.

Well, I'll choose my furnishings, that's for sure.

So, Debbie, the isolation factor with the property,

you don't mind being on your own, as it were?

No, not at all, I'm not...

I enjoy my own company.

I love the company of others but, you know,

I quite like being on the edge or out of it,

so I can make my decision whether I want to be fully involved in all of

-that.

-And what's the budget for our search?

Well, my maximum would be £340,000.

A little bit less if it needs work doing to it.

Ash, are you ready to give us both some moral support?

Oh, yes, let's go!

Especially in this weather! Come on, let's start.

Debbie has a budget of £340,000 to buy her a character cottage with

a large kitchen-diner.

She would like at least two bedrooms, a sewing room

and outside, a small, manageable garden.

Location-wise, she'd be equally happy on the edge of a village

or in a more isolated spot.

We've hand-picked a wonderful selection of properties

for Debbie and Ash to view

and after they've completed their tour of each,

they'll find out its price.

The last stop, to the Mystery House,

will reveal a secret that could be the icing on the cake for Debbie.

We're starting our search in Chard Junction,

situated right on the West Dorset-Somerset border.

Nearby is the village of Tatworth,

whose name derives from the old English "tat" and "worp",

meaning "a cheerful farm".

There's a 15th-century pub here and many attractive stone buildings,

typical of the region.

Our first property is just a mile down the road

and sits on the Dorset-Somerset border.

Here we are.

-House number one.

-I like it.

I like the shape of the windows.

I love the shape of the windows.

And I love the view.

Yeah, looking promising.

Excited!

Well, you wanted somewhere isolated where you've got that feeling

of the great outdoors. You've still got three neighbours here.

Feeling a bit emotional, actually.

I can't wait to look inside.

OK, let's not waste any time,

let's get straight in there because if you love the outside,

I love the inside even more.

-Oh, wow.

-I think it's even more special.

This charming semidetached home is thought to be around 200 years old.

Once a single-storey farm cottage, it's been extended several times.

Come in through that lovely latch door there.

In you come. This is the main living space.

-Yep!

-Wow!

Yes.

Love it.

Oh!

Tell me everything you're thinking.

Are you OK, Debbie?

Don't start!

I love it, it just feels...

Yeah, it feels exactly what I was looking for.

Neil and I were very happy where we lived but...

..this feels more forever home.

So, this first room, pretty perfect.

-Yes.

-We are about to step into the kitchen space.

-Shall we see what we've got for you?

-Yes, please.

-Come on!

The kitchen is just behind the sitting room.

It was handmade locally and the central island

features decorative old church panels.

This is our kitchen!

-I don't know what to say.

-It's not very often she's speechless, or me.

It's perfect.

I mean, there is absolutely nothing in here that I would change.

As a group of friends, our group of friends,

I don't think we'd be leaving this kitchen.

I'm gobsmacked, I really am.

On the side of the kitchen here, just behind us,

the garage has been converted.

The current owner uses it as a sewing room.

Wow. This, so far, is...

..perfect. Really perfect.

Shall we see more? I don't want to make you sad!

-No more tears.

-They're tears of happiness.

Tears of happiness, that's good, that's good.

This cosy cottage is stirring emotions in all of us.

It seems it's just what Debbie was hoping for.

A beautiful handmade stairway leads up to the first floor,

where there's a panelled family bathroom, complete with

a roll-top bath, and three bedrooms,

a small double with a feature window and views to the front

and next door, there's a slightly smaller room,

which just leaves the en suite master.

-BOTH:

-Oh, wow.

-What do you think?

-It's exactly the sort of thing I would have, yeah.

I love the window.

You've got light coming through there as well.

I can't believe it's got an en suite.

It just feels so right, it really does.

That gut feeling is so strong here and...

Oh, dear!

You've described the house as perfect,

shall we see if the price is perfect as well?

That's what I'm worried about.

Come on, let's get outside and guess that price.

The house has a small patio to the side, which can be accessed via the

sewing room, but the main garden's found at the front.

This is perfect. I don't...

I just want somewhere to sit.

There's no-one overlooking.

I know it's strange having your garden in the front of the property

but this looks like all this is my garden.

Debbie, what do you think this property is on the market for?

I think it's beyond or the top or beyond my...

So, £340,000.

-Ash, what do you think?

-I think, because it takes so many boxes,

I'm going to go for 355.

This house is on the market for £339,950.

Wow.

There you go.

Well, now you know the price of this property, why don't you have another

-look around and we'll catch up in a bit?

-OK.

-Thank you.

This delightful period cottage has snuck in just under Debbie's budget

and provides plenty of character,

along with a large country kitchen-diner.

There are three bedrooms and a garden

perfect for taking in the views.

Location-wise, it's rural but not isolated.

I really like this room because it's nice having it off the kitchen.

Yeah. The windows are brilliant.

I would perhaps put a wall up,

a stud wall up there and hide the washing machine

and tumble dryer away.

All my sewing stuff can go out there as well.

I was very emotional coming in, especially downstairs,

and also in the master bedroom because

everything that I'd visualised was here.

It's bigger than I think she expected

and certainly what I expected

and, yes, it is a sociable, homely, warm, comfortable, beautiful home.

I am now thinking,

how am I going to break the news to my children and my friends that this

is probably going to be a reality?

-Still smiling.

-Yes!

So, property one, good start?

-Very good.

-I feel like you've already moved in.

-I'm getting that sense.

-Yeah, I have.

The removal van's just down the road.

Well, look, we've still got two more properties to see,

-but definitely a good start.

-Very good.

The extensive shoreline of the Dorset-Devon coast

has been a feature of the region for millions of years

and beachcombers may be lucky enough to stumble across the prehistoric

fossils this area is famous for.

But one local resident combs the shingle for treasure

of a different kind.

Grace O'Day Smith gathers washed-up seaweed, which she's been using

to create natural health care products for the past ten years.

Debbie and Ash have come to meet her on Charmouth Beach

to find out more about Dorset's miracle plant.

So, Grace, this is amazing,

this wonderful site you've got here.

Is this the reason why you came to Dorset?

Indeed. I never regret it.

I was so amazed how beautiful the place is.

I couldn't believe it.

I'm also, for my business, I'm making seaweed soap,

seaweed face cream and seaweed shampoo.

So, Grace, why would we make products from seaweed?

What are the benefits?

Seaweed is so beneficial.

It's amazing.

For instance, it's full of iodine.

It also has iron, bromine, magnesium.

Most of this seaweed around here, the Jurassic Coastline,

is embedded with prehistoric minerals,

-so that makes the seaweed unique.

-Wow.

Grace studied organic chemistry in her native Nigeria before

attending university in Edinburgh.

Shocked at the amount of chemicals in western cosmetics,

she wanted to produce a more natural alternative.

I always loved making things, even right from childhood.

I also have very sensitive skin, so I thought to myself,

why not create something that is pure, natural

and then for everybody to use?

There are three different varieties Grace collects

and anything that's washed up on the shore is OK to take.

Debbie and Ash are helping her to gather the seaweed

before learning how it's transformed into soap.

Oh, there's more seaweed here.

-Is that OK?

-Yes.

That's fine.

-And this is kelp.

-That's kelp?

-Yes.

-The bubbles on it.

Yes.

All Grace's products are organic and produced in her nearby cottage.

The first stage in making her soap is a secret three-day process of

extracting a gel from the seaweed.

Next, beeswax,

shea butter and cocoa butter are heated along with olive oil.

The seaweed gel is added to a mixture of water and caustic soda

before both liquids are combined.

This is where the magic begins.

Do you have to keep stirring when you pour it in?

Oh, yes. All the time.

Is that so that all the ingredients mix together?

Yes. This soap, you can see, is beginning to thicken a bit now.

-Is that why you're pouring it slowly?

-Yeah.

-Because it thickens?

-Yeah.

When the mixture has thickened,

it's poured into a mould and left to set for 24 hours.

The soap then matures for around six weeks.

There. That's our seaweed soap.

I can't believe we were picking seaweed and we've now got these

wonderful bars of soap.

Can we use these now?

I'm afraid it's not quite ready yet.

It needs to rest for another four weeks.

Oh, OK. Will that make the smell more intense?

Very intensive and also creamy, long-lasting.

When you touch it now, you can...

It feels really creamy.

Yes, and it's going to be long-lasting.

Thank you so much for showing us.

It's been so interesting. You might even see me pinching a bit of your

seaweed when I move down here.

-How nice.

-Thank you so much.

-I look forward to seeing you

-and all the best of luck for your house-hunting.

-Thank you.

Now, it's time to return to our house-hunt

and see if we can find Debbie her dream home.

For our next property stop,

we are heading across the border into south Somerset

and to the village of Isle Abbotts.

There's a village hall here and

the 13th-century church of Saint Mary The Virgin

with its intricate carvings and impressive 16th-century tower.

The narrow country lanes are flanked with stone houses,

some topped with thatch, which are typical

of a Somerset country village.

Just on the outskirts, in a peaceful setting,

we are arriving at our next offering.

So, here we are, property number two,

or should I say cottage number two?

-All of it?!

-All of it.

-What do you think?

-Yes!

-Huge.

-It was originally two cottages,

but they combined them in the '70s into one.

But the original part of the building dates back over 250 years.

-Wow.

-So, you wanted character...

-Yes.

-This has loads of it.

-Shall we head in?

-Yeah!

Let's go, come on.

This detached, double-fronted cottage is steeped in history.

There are records showing it exchanged hands for five shillings

way back in 1761.

In you come.

During its life, it's been both a shop and a post office.

Wow. Open fire.

You can sense that this is the really old part

because it's almost wobbly, you know?

It's got a nice feeling.

I wouldn't use it as a dining room because I don't need one.

I feel like I don't need one.

-But I haven't seen anywhere else yet.

-This would be your snug if...

I don't know. I suppose so.

There are two big living spaces downstairs.

Actually, the second one is bigger than this.

-OK.

-Behind the dining room lies a compact kitchen.

It may not be the entertaining space Debbie's after,

but hopefully the large sitting room and adjoining conservatory will make

up for it.

It's such a nice room.

It's a good size.

Keep the wood burner, open that up into an open fire?

Probably... I know people who are going to be shocked,

but I'd probably take the wood burner out and put a proper fire in.

But I quite like to see all the...

She can make it her own, for sure.

Great, well, that's downstairs. Shall we have a look upstairs?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

On the first floor, leading off from a bright central landing,

are three bedrooms, all serviced by a neutral tiled family bathroom.

There's a double bedroom with striking inlaid beams,

a smaller one next door with dual aspect windows

and running from the front to the back of the house is the master.

It's very sweet.

-Yeah, I like it.

-Yeah, I like it.

Yeah, it's...

-It's big.

-Lots of character.

-Yeah, I like it.

-Even though we're in a cottage

that's over 250 years old,

you've still got that kind of space that you were craving.

Well, there's a lovely garden to look at

and some outbuildings as well.

-Oh, right.

-So let's take a look at those and then let's guess the price

-of this one.

-OK.

-OK.

I'm definitely picking up a little apprehension from Debbie,

but it's a big move for her and she's got a lot to think about.

Outside, the enclosed garden is to the rear

with pretty borders and a patio area.

There is also a stone-built office,

which can make a perfect sewing room,

and a double garage with additional parking for Debbie's camper van.

So now you really get a sense of the traditional cottage garden that

comes with this kind of property. What do you think?

Yes, the space out here is really lovely.

South-facing-ish, so that's really nice.

And it also comes with the outbuildings here.

Yeah, that's very interesting.

I think I'd put my study and my work room out there.

And do you think this is a project

that Debs could really get stuck into?

Yes, most definitely. I think the garden size is perfect.

You know, it's fairly low-maintenance, really.

-So, yeah.

-Time to talk money.

What do you think this property is currently on the market for?

It does need some work doing.

315?

£315,000.

-Yeah.

-OK. What do you think it's on the market for?

Well, I think there's a bit more of a house than that price.

Maybe 330.

This property is on the market for £345,000.

-Ooh!

-Ooh.

-Yeah.

-OK.

Well, why don't you have another look around

now you know what the property's on the market for

and imagine what you might spend on it and then we'll have a little

-catch-up afterwards.

-OK.

Thank you.

This centuries-old cottage has rung in £5,000 above budget,

but it offers Debbie period charm

plus the potential to create the home she's dreaming of.

There are three bedrooms, a pretty garden

and it's located on the edge of the village.

When I walked into this property,

I didn't get the same gut reaction that I had before.

I like the quirkiness of it,

but I just didn't get that same "Wow" feeling.

This house is lovely, it's a lovely family home.

I think there is perhaps too much work for her to do for her budget,

really, to make it the home that she would want to.

-Had a good look round?

-Yes.

Well, that's it for the end of our first day of house-hunting.

-Good day?

-Yeah, it's been really good seeing the houses

-and what's around, really, yeah.

-Well, I think it's going to rain,

so shall we go and get something to warm us up?

-Hot chocolate or maybe something a bit stronger?

-Stronger!

It's day two of our trip around the Dorset-Devon borders

searching for a rural retreat for Debbie from Stoke Mandeville in

Buckinghamshire to call home.

She's got a £340,000 budget

and trusted friend Ash for moral support.

Still to come, the Mystery House proves a bit overwhelming.

Do I need my tissues?

I do need my tissues!

And I'll be discovering why the Jurassic Coast is a

wild larder - if you know where to look.

-Lunch!

-Good?

-Yeah! Good.

Well, what a fantastic first day in our property search,

finding house number one, which Debbie described as perfect,

so perfect, in fact, that it brought her and her supportive

best friend Ash to tears.

Where does that leave us today?

Well, it leaves us with the Mystery House.

I think we've found a property that is not only fabulous,

but will give Debbie the chance to continue her adventures in Butch,

her camper van, in peace of mind.

Oh, and, well, after two fabulous counties,

why stop there when you could have three?

For our third and final stop, to the Mystery House,

we border hop once again, this time into Devon

and the village of Uffculme.

Situated in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

there's a good range of amenities here

and the village is also home to one of the oldest woollen mills

in the UK, which has been in operation for 220 years.

Nearby, and within the grounds of a historic estate,

we find our Mystery House.

-What do you think?

-It's very pretty!

-Loads of character.

-There is a lot to take in in this community,

which was built for the local vicar in 1864, this lovely private estate.

Then in the '50s, it was converted into the houses

that you see at the moment.

But each one had a previous life as the granary,

the engineer's shop. It was kind of a model farm

and this was actually the apple store.

-Looking good from outside?

-Yeah, I can't wait to get in.

It looks stunning inside.

I cannot wait to show you.

-Shall we get in there straightaway?

-Lovely.

Our characterful semidetached stone Mystery House is Grade II listed.

It's elicited some great reactions from Debbie and Ash,

but it is our mystery property, so there's still a surprise to come.

In you come, ladies.

We come straight into what would be your living space.

It's lovely in here.

It's smaller than what we've seen, but it's got such a lovely feel.

Off this beautiful space, Debbie, is a workroom.

It's the most beautiful light and airy space

and I can just imagine you sitting there with your sewing machine,

-quilting away.

-Oh!

Ash, you're smiling as well.

I am, because it's just so Deb, really.

It is smaller than we've seen, but I like the cosiness of it,

I love the decor. I can see Deb's furnishings in here.

Well, I have a bigger room to show you and it's the one that I think

if I was living here, and I can imagine you and your group of

friends spending most of your time in,

and that is the most fabulous kitchen...

-Oh!

-..which is just next-door. Come this way.

Oh, my word!

Do I need my tissues?

I do need my tissues!

I know you wanted a kitchen-diner that was going to be

the heart of your home.

It's taken my breath away.

I can't speak!

It's so...

..yummy.

Yummy's a good word!

I can hear lots of laughter in this room.

I can, yeah. I didn't think you would top the first house at all.

I agree.

Moving upstairs, all the rooms are situated off a long, bright landing.

There's a family bathroom with skylight

and three bedrooms in the eaves.

The smallest is at the back.

There's a double at the front benefiting from two windows

and I'm taking Debbie and Ash to the master

with its own en suite shower room.

Oh, it's so pretty!

-And light.

-Yeah.

So light. Are you feeling at home here?

Yeah, I am.

Do you know, this house is a very girlie house.

It's a warm house, isn't it?

It's warm and light.

Sitting out the front with loads of pots and things,

it's more than enough for me.

I just want somewhere to sit.

Well, I'm glad that's enough

because it doesn't come with a back garden on this particular property,

but it does come with a bit of a secret garden.

Oh!

After practically receiving a standing ovation

for the inside of this gorgeous cottage,

I can finally reveal the reason why it's the Mystery House.

We're passing through the pretty walled cottage garden at

the front and heading just down the lane, passed the property's garage,

ideal for the camper van, to this, a hidden gem.

A lawned garden with mature trees,

a vegetable patch, greenhouse, shed and pond.

Not to mention the views.

So, here we are, Debbie.

Your secret garden,

your extra room with a view of the gorgeous Blackdown Hills.

Speechless again.

The kids would love this.

It's just absolutely stunning.

To have that view and for it to be separate

to the house is really nice, actually.

What do you think our Mystery House is on the market for?

I think it's over my budget.

I think it's...

I really don't want it to be, but I think it is 350, 360.

Let's go 350.

£350,000.

I've got to go 360.

This property is on the market for...

..£319,950.

Oh!

Oh, my word!

Where's my cheque book?

OK, she's packed!

Oh, I can't believe that.

Why don't you, with that in mind,

go and have another explore of the house

and then we've got so much to catch up on later.

Thank you.

All right?

Let's go.

Our historic Mystery House has happily rung in in more than £20,000

under budget. It comes with both character and a great entertaining

kitchen and living space.

There are three bedrooms and a beautiful secret garden

with stunning views. What's more, it's close to a community.

-Wow!

-Oh, my word!

BOTH: Sewing room.

The light's amazing.

Love it. I love it.

So beautiful.

The Mystery House is an absolute box of magic and wonderfulness!

Every bit about it makes me feel really emotional

and really happy

and really warm.

I think it's divine.

This one is divine.

Hi!

Is the house still giving you that magical feeling, that hug?

It's all right!

-We've got so much to talk about, haven't we?

-We have, yeah.

Let's find somewhere to do that.

There's many an adventure to be had on the stunning Jurassic Coast

and I'm always up for an escapade,

so I've come to beautiful Hive Beach in West Dorset to meet coastal

survival expert Fraser Christian.

He's been teaching people how to live outdoors for ten years,

building shelters, fires and foraging.

Today, he's going to show me how to forage for seasonal ingredients

before putting them to good use.

So, if I was stranded here on the Jurassic Coastline,

how do we go about finding food?

In nature, obviously, we've got a lot of plants in autumn,

that's when they produce their seeds.

By the winter, those seeds have fallen down into the ground

and because we're on the coast where it's a lot warmer,

the sea works a little bit like a radiator and now

they're just waiting for those first signs of spring to start shooting up

out of the ground, so we'll find some young, hopefully,

early young fresh growth.

And all of our native vegetables such as carrots, parsnips,

your spinach, all your brassicas, your alliums like your onions and your garlic,

they all first came from the coast because inland used to be a forest,

but most of the food is in this open area where the sunlight

can reach it and so all the gourmet vegetables,

we will find on the coast.

To prove it, Fraser's taking me up above

this impressive stretch of beach in search of lunch.

To me, though, it looks like a huge expanse of green.

Straight away, I can see about half a dozen really good edible plants.

What are you picking out? What can you see?

I'm looking for the most energy, the brightest and most vibrant,

and there's loads of spinach, or what we call sea beet,

all around us. There's also carrots and some mallow.

Let's go for some gourmet greens and head up there and pick that spinach.

-So that's lunch today?

-That's lunch.

-OK!

Evidence from fossils found in the region proves that plants have been

growing here for millions of years

and I'm looking forward to sampling the wild harvest.

Here we go. Here's a lovely patch of wild spinach.

What's the most important rule when you're foraging?

What is rule number one?

Rule number one is,

we definitely don't want to misidentify and poison ourselves.

There's not lots of poisonous plants out there,

but the ones that you will find,

some of them are fatal and can kill you.

If I get that and say to you,

I'll eat that, you're going to be confident to eat that.

-Lunch, yeah?

-Good.

-Good.

-You need to get out with people like myself,

there's lots of other people around the country now doing it,

and really get shown first-hand.

After falling in love with cooking in the woods as a Boy Scout,

Fraser started his working life as a professionally trained chef

before turning his hand to survival skills and getting back to nature.

Today, he's combining his talents and here's lunch.

Now, this really is what you call alfresco dining.

Fraser, this looks great.

Picked a bit of wild garlic on the way this morning as well,

so shall we get cooking?

Let's get cooking! Show me what we need to do.

On the wild food menu today is vegetable risotto.

You were talking about identification and the various rules and stuff.

Well, one of our best senses that we can trust 100%

is the sense of smell.

So a really good way to be able to remember stuff.

So if you just give the wild garlic a little squeeze and a crush,

-close your eyes...

-Oh, wow!

-So, straightaway...

-That's delicious.

So, even if you came across two leaves that looked like that again,

and you picked one up and it didn't smell of wild garlic,

you'll never forget that smell, will you?

Wild garlic grows in woodland during the spring and is a relative of

the chive. Today, Fraser's using it for extra flavour instead of onion.

So, we're just going to quickly chop this up.

-Oh, wow.

-Can you smell it already coming through?

The garlic's just gorgeous, yes.

Next, chilli and olive oil are added and heated before the rice goes in

with a glass of local wine.

And now, for our rich pickings.

I'll chuck the spinach in. If I give you that bowl,

-would you like to pick a few of the gorse flowers for the garnish at the end?

-Yeah, sure.

That smells so good.

Right, I reckon that's just about ready.

OK, I'm excited for lunch.

My freshly picked gorse flowers add flavour, colour

and are a source of protein.

Thank you.

OK, here we go.

That is gorgeous.

You don't have to be that special a chef when you're working with the

finest ingredients in the world.

Fraser, I think if I was ever stranded on the Jurassic Coast here,

now I might just make it, I might just survive!

Well, we always say, we don't just survive, we thrive on the coast.

Well, we're thriving today.

-Cheers!

-Cheers!

Well, I've taken Debs to three stunning counties

to see three amazing properties.

Two very strong contenders

and I have a feeling there's one outright winner,

but what's going to happen next?

Debbie, how are you feeling?

Very excited.

When I walked into the Mystery House,

it literally took my breath away.

I wouldn't have looked at that house, but, oh, my gosh.

It was just stunning.

But best of all, it felt so secure for Sam.

That peace and that quiet and that safety for her,

it was just unbelievable.

And Ash, I know Debbie's talked about being an independent woman and

you said she's a strong woman, she's so capable,

but you have also said she's a really sociable person.

She is, yes.

She is a social person and as a friend, for peace of mind,

I'm sort of glad that the property she prefers is the one that's got

the community. They would gain someone special.

-Aw!

-Sorry!

Are they going to be gaining someone special?

Debbie, what's going to happen?

What are you going to do with this Mystery House?

I'm definitely going to go back with some members of my family.

I know that if they think I'm happy, then they're going to be happy.

I don't think it will be possible to find anything

more perfect than that,

so I'm going to be making a call very soon to the estate agents.

I think I would be pretty devastated if someone swooped in behind me and

-took it away.

-Well, it's been a joy to view these properties with you.

-Thank you so much.

-I look forward to visiting very soon.

OK!

Well, when it comes to escaping to the country,

it really doesn't get much better than the last couple of days.

We showed Debbie and her best friend Ash three stunning properties,

two of which they loved so much it brought them to tears.

And although we didn't have the weather yesterday, today,

the sun is shining on the West Country

and I really hope it continues to shine on Debbie

in that fabulous Mystery House.

I'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.

I'm thrilled to say that Debbie has had her offer accepted

on the Mystery House and she should be moving in very soon.

We wish her all the best in her new home.

If you would like to escape to the country

in Northern Ireland, Scotland,

Wales or England and need our help, you can apply online at: