0:00:02 > 0:00:06Back in the 1950s, a local baker bought this castle for just £3,000.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Fast forward a couple of decades,
0:00:08 > 0:00:13and rock bands like Black Sabbath were rehearsing and recording here.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Today, though, well, it's a picture of serenity,
0:00:16 > 0:00:20but it has had a rocky history, and I'll tell you more about that
0:00:20 > 0:00:24and, of course, where I am, in just a couple of moments.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45On today's show, I'm presented with a downsizing dilemma.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- It looks quite big. - Yes. Well, it needs to be.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Yeah, I know that. - I know you said you're downsizing,
0:00:50 > 0:00:54but you've mentioned half an ark full of animals, and five humans.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Yeah, that's very true.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58But with some property gems up my sleeve,
0:00:58 > 0:01:02I'm confident we can find them a home with some added extras.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04That is Aladdin's cave in there.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Maybe something to even play around with in the future.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- Yeah. - I'm already thinking that way.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11- Yeah, yeah.- Don't worry, I'm there. - I thought you might be!
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Come with me.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Today, I'm in the Forest of Dean,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22and this is Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Built in the Gothic style, it dates back to the 1700s.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28but it hasn't always looked this immaculate.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32During the 20th century, it was gutted by fire, and only saved from
0:01:32 > 0:01:36demolition by the son of a former gardener who actually worked here,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40who then spent the rest of his life restoring it until his death
0:01:40 > 0:01:42in the 1970s.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45It was then that a recording studio built here in the basement of the
0:01:45 > 0:01:50building attracted such rock royalty as Queen and Led Zeppelin,
0:01:50 > 0:01:52who recorded their music here.
0:01:52 > 0:01:57Today, it's Grade II-listed, and is one of many intriguing landmarks
0:01:57 > 0:01:58that you'll find across the region.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Lying in the west of Gloucestershire,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06the Royal Forest of Dean sits in a prime position
0:02:06 > 0:02:08just west of the Cotswolds and the River Severn,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11and sitting shoulder to shoulder with the Wye Valley.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Covering around 20% of the county's landscape,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18the Royal Forest was originally a hunting reserve,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21and became the first park in England to be designated
0:02:21 > 0:02:23as a national forest in 1939.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29At its heart, the striking magical dense woodland of Puzzlewood
0:02:29 > 0:02:33is said to have been the inspiration behind JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth
0:02:33 > 0:02:34in The Lord Of The Rings.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39From meandering pathways and mazes to caves and river cruises,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43the forest offers up a natural playground for outdoor activities.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Take a trip along the Wye from Symonds Yat, or ride on the
0:02:47 > 0:02:524.5 mile heritage railway from Park End down to Lydney Harbour.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Built in the 1800s, it was once one of the UK's principal sea links
0:02:55 > 0:02:59for transporting iron and coal mined in the forest,
0:02:59 > 0:03:04and today is a rare example of an unspoiled 19th-century harbour,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07and the perfect place to soak up the surrounding scenery.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Sandwiched between the Cotswolds and the Wye Valley, you might expect
0:03:12 > 0:03:14high property prices here in the Forest of Dean,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17but this area actually offers really good value for money.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The average price of a detached home here
0:03:20 > 0:03:23comes in at around £275,000,
0:03:23 > 0:03:28a most welcome £50,000 below the figure for the whole of the UK.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Which is just as well, as today's buyers are looking to
0:03:31 > 0:03:35move three generations of the family to their new country home.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Part-time health care assistant Sandra and recently retired
0:03:40 > 0:03:44IT consultant Mike have been married nearly 24 years.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46It was their work that first brought them together.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52I was working on a contract in Purley,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55and they decided I needed an admin assistant,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- so I came in one morning... - He was late.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01I'll never forget that!
0:04:01 > 0:04:03And there, sat by the side of my desk,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06was this lovely young lady called Sandra.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Much of their early married life was spent on the move
0:04:09 > 0:04:10due to Mike's contract work,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13but once their three children were settled in school,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17they decided to base themselves around East Grinstead near Gatwick,
0:04:17 > 0:04:18to ease his commute.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21With his work and travelling, it made we've travelled a lot,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24which has been lovely. Children have sort of seen a lot of places.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28You might think it's a wonderful thing working away all the time,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30but after a while, it's like you miss home.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Sitting on a plane every Monday morning and then sitting on a plane
0:04:34 > 0:04:36every Thursday or Friday night to come home,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39it's a way of commuting, but it gets tiresome.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Their current home is a five bedroom three-storey house they had built
0:04:44 > 0:04:48for them nine years ago. Opting for a self-build meant they could
0:04:48 > 0:04:52achieve the space the family needed in a convenient location.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55But now that Mike's work life no longer dictates their home life,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59they've decided to swap runways for byways in a move to the countryside.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02The West Country to me is...
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Yeah, it's where I was brought up, it's where I spent my teenage years.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09It's different. I suppose I've always had this pull
0:05:09 > 0:05:11to go back there, and there's my opportunity.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14And I hope my wife will be happy up there as well.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Although the move will be a downsize for Mike and Sandra,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21they'll need room for their youngest daughter,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23who's about to start university,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25and space to create a more permanent base for eldest daughter
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Rachel, and grandson Alfie.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32My eldest, obviously with the grandson, is really wanting to move.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35It's going to be her opportunity to basically,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38hopefully, if we get what we want, have her own place, you know,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42to be able to kind of move on in her life and have her independence.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45I want to show my grandchild where I was a child so that he can say,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48"Oh, grandad used to do this, grandad used to do that".
0:05:48 > 0:05:51They hope this next house will be somewhere to enjoy some
0:05:51 > 0:05:55all-important family time that in the past has been so rare,
0:05:55 > 0:06:00and somewhere their pets will feel equally at home.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01Well, I've got six dogs.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Anything could just be positive for them in a move,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07cos they're going to have hopefully more space, and the chickens...
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- well, they're yours. - Chickens don't care where they are
0:06:10 > 0:06:11as long as they get fed.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13And then it's just all the fish that we've got to take, isn't it?
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Yeah, that's going to be a bit more of a move.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17I think that all we've got to move, isn't it?
0:06:17 > 0:06:19It'll take a bit of planning, but I think they'll be OK.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Well, this'll be our fifth move. We've lived in four houses
0:06:22 > 0:06:25since we've been together, and each house, we've modified somewhat.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27All the experience we've got, we can put all together and achieve
0:06:27 > 0:06:32to get the house we've always wanted, and live the life.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Hopefully. - Yeah.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42For the first time in their married lives, Mike and Sandra are free
0:06:42 > 0:06:45to live in a location not dictated by Mike's work,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48so they're following their hearts to be Forest of Dean.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Time to find out how this next house will work for the three generations.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Welcome to the Forest of Dean.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Not a million miles away from where you're from, Mike.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01True. Cheltenham is where I was brought up.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03So that is what's pulling you back here, is it?
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- It is, yes.- This is only half the journey, isn't it?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08You've got to convince Sandra that this is a place where you're
0:07:08 > 0:07:09going to find the right kind of house,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12and you're looking for something quite different, aren't you, Sandra?
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Yeah, quite unique, cos I suppose, not only do we want to downsize...
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- Yeah.- ...but we're bringing...
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Well, we're still bringing all our children with us,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22but specifically my eldest daughter and grandson,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24to give them their independence,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27so we're looking for something separate for them as well, so...
0:07:27 > 0:07:30I mean, annexes, they've never been in more demand than they are now.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- Oh, right. - People looking after parents,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35people in your position wanting... graduate children that can't afford
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- to get on the ladder... - Yeah, yeah.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39But there's less of them around.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42So, it's a tricky time to be looking for a property of this ilk.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- Yeah.- Can you do...? Are you prepared to take on work
0:07:44 > 0:07:47to maybe adapt a property towards your own specifications?
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- Oh, definitely.- Very willing.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51I mean, the house we're in at the moment, we had built.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Right. OK, so you're used to living on a building site. That's good.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56- Yeah.- Yeah. - What's your ideal house?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Open spaces. A large open kitchen diner.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- OK.- Bungalow. - What about outside space?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Yes, I need some. I mean, I like the garden.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- Yeah, we do have a few dogs.- Yeah, we have a few dogs.- A few dogs?
0:08:07 > 0:08:08- Yeah. - All right. Anything else?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Chickens. - Here we go. Come on.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- And some fish. - Roll call for Noah's Ark!
0:08:14 > 0:08:15Dogs, chickens, fish.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- Yes.- OK, so maybe an ability to dig out a pond or something like that.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20I'd have to do that. I have a few koi carp.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21- Will you? - They'd have to move with us.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Well, let's talk price, then.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25What's the budget you've got set up for this?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27We started off with...
0:08:27 > 0:08:31All right, let's throw out 300,000, and then we could spend 150 to 175
0:08:31 > 0:08:33to do it up to exactly what we want.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Should you therefore find us the perfect property that we can
0:08:36 > 0:08:40move into tomorrow, £475,000.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45There's a lot of things to consider here. A lot of people.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48But I'm going to focus on you and your daughter and grandson initially.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Yeah, definitely.- And everybody else will just have to muck in.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- Yeah, they will. - That's what we've decided.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54Good. All right. Let's get going, shall we?
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- OK. - Yeah.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59With a top budget of £475,000,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Sandra and Mike want a country property that can provide them
0:09:02 > 0:09:04with two separate dwellings,
0:09:04 > 0:09:08but are open-minded about style, and would consider a project.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10All in all, they need at least four bedrooms,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13and would like a large garden for their many pets,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16ideally within a village that has a good primary school.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20We've lined up three great properties for them to see,
0:09:20 > 0:09:24all with the potential to suit each of the three generations.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26They'll have to guess the price of each one before I reveal it,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28and for our final property,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31we've found a Mystery House that's certain to bring the family
0:09:31 > 0:09:34even closer together.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35But aside from the family focus,
0:09:35 > 0:09:41I'm keen to find out what retirement has in store for Mike and Sandra.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43What about things to do for yourselves?
0:09:43 > 0:09:45New hobbies, new pastimes?
0:09:45 > 0:09:49Well, new hobby, my father, when he retired, took up wood turning.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Oh, really?- And he got the lathe and he's got all the chisels
0:09:52 > 0:09:55and things like that, so I've inherited that.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Have you done much physical work like that before?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Nope. Never done any wood turning before at all.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02You're less practical than your dad was.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04No, my dad was very good with his hands.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- Your dad was a perfectionist. - Oh, that is absolutely brutal.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10You just said that to a man!
0:10:10 > 0:10:12I have to admit it, I have to admit that.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- Oh, do you? - I'm used to it, don't worry.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20We're heading to Viney Hill,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23a rural hamlet on the eastern fringes of the Forest of Dean,
0:10:23 > 0:10:27just a five-minute drive from the banks of the River Severn.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Before seeing the house, we're stopping off in the village
0:10:30 > 0:10:32to soak up the atmosphere.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35I wanted to show you the fact that you are IN a village,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37so you can see you've got chimney pots around you,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40but also you've got a pub. You've got a church.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43For the schooling, the next village along, Yorkley,
0:10:43 > 0:10:48has a primary school and a pub, and a couple of shops as well.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- OK.- Let's have a bit of a mooch around, then we'll go to the house.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- How's that?- OK, great. - Yeah.- Lovely.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Despite being right in the heart of Viney Hill,
0:10:56 > 0:11:00the house we're seeing enjoys a surprisingly secluded setting.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Well, the first property is an old quarryman's cottage.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04- This place here. - Wow.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- Ooh, actually, I like that. - Yeah. That's unusual.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Oh, there's a fish pond I can see over there.- There is indeed.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14The sound of running water as you walk in, rather nice.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16It looks amazing. I love that old pump as well.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17Yeah. I like it. Got a lot of character.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Well, these are great first impressions.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Should we go have a look inside? - Yes, please.- Come with me.- OK.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Inside, this property has a flexible layout, which I hope will appeal
0:11:26 > 0:11:30to Mike and Sandra. The main entrance leads us into the kitchen.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Now, Sandra, you said you wanted a decent sized kitchen diner.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- Yeah.- You tell me. - This is a decent size.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- And it's very light. - I like the way it goes
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- into the conservatory there. That's really nice.- Plenty big enough.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Now, this isn't really a kitchen diner as much as it's
0:11:45 > 0:11:47a kitchen living room sort of thing, isn't it?
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Yeah. It is. - Would you keep it as that?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53I probably would be tempted still to...
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- Put a table down in there.- Casual dining space up the end, yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- So far?- Lovely. - Very nice.- Yeah. Really nice.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- Let's look at the living room next. - OK.- Mind your head.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Just off the kitchen is a hallway leading to three reception rooms,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10including a large bright living room, with French doors opening
0:12:10 > 0:12:12onto the garden, and a wood burning stove.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15OK, so the living room's a quirky shape.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Oh, wow. It's nice, though.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- It is, isn't it? - Yeah. It's a nice size, actually.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- Oh, is that a log fire? - Yep.- Oh, I like that.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- Wow.- A great bit of space here as well, though.- Yeah.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- It's getting better.- Good. Well, it started off pretty well.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Yeah.- Now, I've got a couple of things you need to consider
0:12:32 > 0:12:33whilst we're here, just so you know.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- OK. - Next door, there's a small...
0:12:36 > 0:12:39They've got it laid out as a bedroom at the moment, a spare bedroom.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- OK.- And then to the other side of the staircase, this other hall
0:12:42 > 0:12:44that we just walk through, there's another reception room...
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- OK.- ..with a door going to a shower room, and a back door
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- and sort of vestibule area. - OK.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51You could get a really nice one bedroom,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53one kitchen accommodation there, if you wanted to.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- Yeah, OK.- Maybe your daughter could have her own living room,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01her own bedroom and bathroom, and the grandson kips upstairs.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- I understand what you're saying. - OK. Yeah, this is nice.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05- So far. - Excellent.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Well, let's go and take a look at the master bedroom.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- Just come with me here. - OK.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14With a bit of reconfiguration, this house could make a great home
0:13:14 > 0:13:17for Mike and Sandra, and give daughter Rachel
0:13:17 > 0:13:20the separate space she needs. Upstairs are two further bedrooms,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23including one for Alfie, and a family bathroom.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- OK. This is a good size. - This is yours, essentially.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30- Yeah. - Yeah, it's big enough.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Quite nice. Got a bit of character and that.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I get a bit nervous when you walk into a room, Mike,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38because you're talking, Sandra, you're talking about what
0:13:38 > 0:13:41you're seeing, and I think, "Great, great, this all sounds good,"
0:13:41 > 0:13:43and Mike'll take a big breath, and I'm thinking,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46"Oh, no, what's coming?" Then he says, "This is fine".
0:13:46 > 0:13:48This is the difference between us.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Sandra is reactive, I think about it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- Right, OK. - Then talk about it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- Quite a good team. - We get there in the end.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59OK, now outside, this house sits in an acre of a plot.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04So there might be ways in which to find other areas to break out to,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06or something that you might be able to construct in time.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- Should we go and take a peek? - Yeah.- Yes, please.- Great.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Outside, the attractive gardens are divided into a number of
0:14:13 > 0:14:16different areas, and like inside, offer plenty of potential.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20There's a patio area to the front with a pond for the fish,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24and a number of outbuildings, including a sizeable stone workshop
0:14:24 > 0:14:27that could be converted into living accommodation.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30That's a double garage with power in it.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- Uh-huh. - This is the owner's workshop.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34That is Aladdin's cave in there.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- Good, good, good. - These are buildings to bear in mind,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40maybe something to even play around with in the future.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- Yeah. - I'm already thinking that way.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- Don't worry, I'm there. - I thought you might be!
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Come with me.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52What's not to love about this garden, eh?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- Lovely.- It's lovely. It's really lovely, isn't it?
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- So many bits to it, it's great. - Yeah.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59And we're getting a lot of sun here, which is good.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- Yeah. - You're not overlooked at all.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06- I like that.- How much do you think this property is on the market for?
0:15:07 > 0:15:09£395,000.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11I'd go a bit higher.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14£410,000.
0:15:14 > 0:15:22This place is on the market for offers around £429,950.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- OK. - Yeah, OK. That's all right.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Yeah. Lots of character and potential here.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- Definitely. - It's a beautiful day.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Have a good look around, go back into the house,
0:15:32 > 0:15:36start to configure the NEW home that your family might have here.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- Yes.- Yeah. - And then I'll meet you...
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Well, hopefully I'll have found some sunny spot to sit down and relax.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42There's a lot of sun around.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Don't worry, I'll find it. I'm good at that.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- See you in a mo. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Comfortably within budget, this quarryman's cottage
0:15:51 > 0:15:54has three double bedrooms and three reception rooms
0:15:54 > 0:15:58with a flexible layout, meaning daughter Rachel and grandson Alfie
0:15:58 > 0:16:00could move straight in,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03with the option of converting the outbuildings in the future.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05There's plenty of outdoor space for the animals,
0:16:05 > 0:16:10and it's in the centre of a village, with a primary school just nearby.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Oh, mind the step.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15See, if we can get through there to where the garage is,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18to somehow join it all together...
0:16:18 > 0:16:20It would work as a separate annexe, wouldn't it?
0:16:20 > 0:16:21A separate annexe, yeah.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23I think this house is lovely.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I love the way it's in the village, but it's actually isolated.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29You almost feel as though you're in the middle of nowhere,
0:16:29 > 0:16:30but you're not.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33The space and the plot, I absolutely love.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Kitchen - brilliant.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40Just don't know whether we can jig it around enough to work for us.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Upstairs is smaller than what we're used to,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44but I know I have to get used to that.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48It's potential. I'm keeping my mind open at the moment.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50So what do you think of the house?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- Yes.- Lovely. - Quirky, but nice.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- Excellent.- I like it. - Good start, then.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- Yeah.- Good start. - Yeah, it was a good start.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- Onward and upward. Come with me. - OK.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Growing up in the Forest of Dean,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Mike has fond memories of days spent canoeing,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10camping, and exploring the vast woodlands.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14By returning to his roots and bringing his family with him,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17he hopes his grandson will be able to enjoy the kind of
0:17:17 > 0:17:19carefree childhood he had.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23But, now retired, he and Sandra also look forward to taking up
0:17:23 > 0:17:27new pursuits. After being left a set of tools by his father,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Mike is keen to take up the ancient craft of wood turning.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34So, whilst taking some time out to show Sandra the beauty of the
0:17:34 > 0:17:37forest, we've arranged for them to meet Keith Fenton,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39chairman of the Forest of Dean Woodturners,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42who's lived in the area for 23 years.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46What would you say is special about the Forest of Dean?
0:17:46 > 0:17:48The whole area, I think, together.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It's partly the scenery, the wildlife.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52You know, we've got wild boar roaming around,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55which are a bit contentious. We've got sheep.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57You know, I love the woodland anyway,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00partly because of the wood for wood turning.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- How long have you been a wood turner?- Just over 50 years.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06I started at school, and I've not really stopped since.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- Let me show you around the Forest of Dean.- Lovely.- Thank you, lovely.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- Follow me. - Thanks.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14The Forest of Dean is home to around 20 million trees,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17including oak, beech, ash, and holly.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Timber sourced from the forest has historically been used in the
0:18:20 > 0:18:23building of Britain's Navy warships, including the Mary Rose,
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Henry VIII's flagship which famously sank in 1545.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30The practice of turning wood is thought to be
0:18:30 > 0:18:34thousands of years old, with evidence of the technique
0:18:34 > 0:18:37being used as far back as the sixth century BC.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40The skill begins in selecting the right piece of wood.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45These are pieces of work I've made.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47So when you're looking at wood or a tree,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50what are you looking at to give yourself some inspiration?
0:18:50 > 0:18:52I'm looking for something unusual in the grain.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Something like a burr in that elm bowl there,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58which is the grain pattern.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Keith, these are beautiful. What's the inspiration behind these?
0:19:01 > 0:19:04It's the wood. They're made from spalted beech.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07When you walk through the woods and you see a tree that's actually
0:19:07 > 0:19:11come down, and it's got a bracket fungus growing out of it,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14that's what's happening inside, so it's the onset of the rot.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18If it continued, then you'd just end up with no wood at all.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23But if you take it at that stage and try it, then the spalting stops,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26the rot stops, and you're left with that effect in the wood.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30- That's beautiful.- Beautiful.- When my father retired, he actually took up
0:19:30 > 0:19:35wood turning. Now he's left me some chisels, and we've got a lathe,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38and I'm very keen to actually take up wood turning myself.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- That's good. - Would you mind showing me?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Yeah. If we go from here to my workshop,
0:19:42 > 0:19:44and I can talk you through the tools.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Great. Thank you.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Keith retired from his job in finance three years ago,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52and now spends most of his time in his workshop
0:19:52 > 0:19:54at his home in Longhope.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Today, he's in the process of turning a garden dibber
0:19:56 > 0:19:59for planting bulbs and seeds.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02We made this earlier,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and what we're going to do now is just cut some grooves in it.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07For that, I'm going to use the corner of the skew,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09so that when you're planting things with the dibber,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11you can tell what depth you've got.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14So if I do the first couple of cuts, and then you can carry on
0:20:14 > 0:20:17and do the rest. And all you're doing is pushing it gently forward
0:20:17 > 0:20:21like that, and the same with that one,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24so that you're getting a bevel cut into the line.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- OK. - And 's it.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31A skilled turner needs a set of just five or six simple tools to craft
0:20:31 > 0:20:34a wide variety of objects, from furniture legs and spindles
0:20:34 > 0:20:37to tool handles, knobs, or bowls.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41After cutting the grooves for their depth markings,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44the lines are burnt into the dibber with a copper wire
0:20:44 > 0:20:45for extra definition.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48And you'll see a little bit of smoke. That's it. There we are.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Keith works with naturally felled local hardwood like yew, oak,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56and beech, which would otherwise be used as firewood.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Before removing the piece from the lathe,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01he adds a coat of sanding sealer as base for waxing.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03He then cuts the ends off the finished piece.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Now Mike's had a chance to try his hand at turning,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11it looks like he might be following in his dad's footsteps,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and picking up those tools very soon.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Well, thank you, Keith. There was very kind of you.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- Good, I'm glad you enjoyed it. - That's really nice, thank you.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Which means I'd better get my skates on and find him and Sandra a house
0:21:22 > 0:21:27with space for a new hobby, as well as the dogs, chickens, and the fish.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Our second property is in the village of Longhope,
0:21:33 > 0:21:37in the northern part of the forest, near the Herefordshire border.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Its name, meaning long enclosed valley,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42perfectly describes the village's aspect.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45It's a mix of timber framed and stone character cottages,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49a number of which are listed and are nestled in the valley, served by
0:21:49 > 0:21:54a couple of shops, a village pub, and award-winning artisan bakery,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57as well as an Ofsted-rated "good" primary school.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00There's a lively community brought together once a year
0:22:00 > 0:22:02by a popular village fete.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07I'm hoping Mike and Sandra will feel right at home in house number two.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08OK. So, in a lot of ways,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11we're looking at the back of our second property,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14because what lies beyond are sensational views.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16It seems that way, doesn't it?
0:22:16 > 0:22:18You can see through the trees there, yeah.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21It's an old cottage, that's for sure.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- What's going through your mind, Sandra?- It looks quite big.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25Yes. Well, it needs to be.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- Yeah, I know that. - I know you said you're downsizing,
0:22:27 > 0:22:31but you've mentioned half an ark full of animals, and five humans.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Yeah, that's very true, OK.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35I suppose it depends how it's configured inside,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37so we'll reserve judgement.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- So, happy to go inside? - Yes, please.- Yeah, very.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- Mind your steps on the way down. - OK. Thank you.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Parts of the property date back to the late 1700s.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49More recent additions have created a sizeable home, with a range of
0:22:49 > 0:22:54reception areas that might offer the flexibility our couple are after.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Although it retains some cottage-like proportions,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01I think it offers scope for reconfiguration and modernisation.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04OK, let's start in the oldest part of the house.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Oh, that's good. Very cottage-y with the old beams, but still high enough
0:23:07 > 0:23:09that I'm not banging my head, which is a good thing.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Now, as regards to the living room,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14are you going to spend time as a family?
0:23:14 > 0:23:16As, you know, four or five of you at one time,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18or are you going to want your separate space?
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- Both, I suppose.- Yeah, we tend to go off into one room, and Alfie
0:23:22 > 0:23:25and Rachel will go off into another room until it's his bedtime,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- and then we mingle together a little bit.- Yeah.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Now, one thing this house does, and I think one thing you'd want to
0:23:30 > 0:23:33make the most of if you moved here, is these amazing views.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- Well, you can see it through the window there, can't you?- Yeah.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- Definitely.- I mean, that's just a picture, isn't it?- Yeah.- It is.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42- The views are stunning.- Let's keep looking through. Come with me. - Yeah.- Yep.- Lovely.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Also off the entrance hall is a study and good sized dining room,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50leading onto a useful utility area and a separate kitchen
0:23:50 > 0:23:52breakfast room in the newest part of the house.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56That's not a bad size, actually.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59I'm surprised you said that. I thought you'd want it a bit bigger.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01- Really?- Yeah.- Well, no. It's not a bad size.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- You see these beams? - Yes.- I love it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Some of these that you see underneath are stud petitions,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09- not brick walls. - Oh, OK.- Oh.- Ah!
0:24:09 > 0:24:12So there's opportunity to take...
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- All right.- ..the wall down from the living room,
0:24:15 > 0:24:17go through the small office, and have a bigger room there.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Or through to here. This one is obviously brick.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- Yeah, yeah.- Yeah, yeah. - It's a modern extension.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- Oh, OK. - So you can open it up a bit.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27You used to have an older kitchen. That is now a utility.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- So you have two kitchens. - Oh, OK.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34- You have two living rooms.- Yeah. - You've got the conservatory there.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- Yeah, OK. - It's not completely separated.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- But it could be.- You at the moment are having to use your imagination.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- Yes.- Yes. See the options.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Come with me.- OK.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Having built their current home from scratch,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51I know Mike and Sandra have good vision when it comes to a property,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55and this house would definitely give them lots to think about.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58The upstairs adopts a more traditional layout,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01with the four bedrooms leading off a central landing.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03There's a double bedroom in the older part of the house,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05followed by two smaller rooms,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08one of which could work for grandson Alfie.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12As well as a large family bathroom, the master also comes with its own
0:25:12 > 0:25:15en suite, and a seating area to take in the views.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Now, the creaky floorboards stop when you come back into the new part
0:25:21 > 0:25:23over the kitchen.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25OK. Wow! OK.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- That's a lovely view. - And look at that view.- Yeah.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30- En suite. - Oh, and an en suite.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Would you want the en suite,
0:25:32 > 0:25:36or would you think your daughter would want it, Rachel?
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- She might want it, but... - Oh, right!
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Exactly. It's a decent-size en suite.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44It's not a pokey en suite there.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47It's just the thought of how we'd separate it to work for us,
0:25:47 > 0:25:48- isn't it?- Separate it.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Will, that's where I think I'd stop you.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- All right.- I think this house works for you in the short term.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57This property used to have planning consent for a completely separate
0:25:57 > 0:26:02- two-bedroom dwelling in the garden. - Oh, OK.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- Oh!- Since lapsed. So let's go outside to be garden
0:26:04 > 0:26:06and talk about that, shall we?
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- Oh, yeah, definitely. - That's the long-term aim.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- Yep.- That's that what's going to keep him really busy.- Yep!
0:26:13 > 0:26:17Outside, the house sits in a plot of just under a third of an acre.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20There's a patio with existing feature pond for the fish,
0:26:20 > 0:26:22a vegetable plot, and a lawned area,
0:26:22 > 0:26:28the perfect spot to appreciate the property's elevated position.
0:26:28 > 0:26:29Well, the views are spectacular.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31- Yeah, they are stunning. - That is an amazing view.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Long, long way you can see, can't you?
0:26:34 > 0:26:37As we came in, you saw a small part of land with a garage.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- Yes.- That is where planning permission was previously granted
0:26:41 > 0:26:44- to build a two-bedroom house.- OK.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49- That's promising.- That planning consent lapsed in 2014.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51OK, but it was there, which is a plus point.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I think whatever you build there will always be an annexe
0:26:54 > 0:26:57- to this house.- OK.- Which is what we want anyway.- Which is...
0:26:57 > 0:26:59- Yeah, OK.- Exactly.- It's the imagination with this place,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01isn't it? You've really got to think about it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04OK, then, time to guess the price, if you dare.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07£385,000.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09All right, then. Sandra?
0:27:09 > 0:27:11415.
0:27:11 > 0:27:12Not a bad guess, Mike.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- Oh, Mr Optimistic!- This place is on the market for offers
0:27:17 > 0:27:20around £395,000.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- OK.- OK.- That gives us scope.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24Mm. So have a look around the place,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26inside and out, and I'll meet you whenever you're done.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- OK.- All right.- Thank you. - See you in a mo.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Coming in £80,000 under budget,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37this extended four-bedroom character property has ample space to house
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Mike and Sandra's family in the short term,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42with the potential to create an annexe for Rachel and Alfie
0:27:42 > 0:27:44further down the line.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Its elevated position means both the house and the garden
0:27:47 > 0:27:50offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53but still within just a mile of the village amenities.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56This house is interesting.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59There's lots of potential.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01I'm not sure it's as favourable as the first,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04but definitely lots to think about.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07I mean, the view is spectacular.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10The price is good, and it's well within our budget.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12But even if we spent all that money,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15I don't think we'd end up with what we wanted at the end.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18- So, time to call it a day. - Yeah.- OK.- New day tomorrow.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Maybe a little drink on the way home. Shall we?
0:28:20 > 0:28:22- Lovely.- Sure. Thank you.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35It's day two in the Forest of Dean with Sandra and Mike,
0:28:35 > 0:28:38who, with fond memories of his childhood spent in Gloucestershire,
0:28:38 > 0:28:42is keen to move back, and bring his growing family with him.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45With a budget of £475,000,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48they're looking for a property with space for their daughter
0:28:48 > 0:28:49and grandson, who'll be coming with them,
0:28:49 > 0:28:52not to mention their menagerie of animals.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57Still to come, I'm fishing for compliments at our Mystery House.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- I like it. - That's really nice, actually.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01It looks REALLY nice, yeah.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04I love the surprise in your voice. Thanks for the confidence, Mike!
0:29:04 > 0:29:06- Sorry!- Unbelievable!
0:29:06 > 0:29:09And I dig deep into the county's colourful past.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Oh, that's good, that's nice and soft.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14I've got a little pot of gold.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Well, for me, I think it is house number one that is the property
0:29:21 > 0:29:24to beat, which is exactly the task for today's Mystery House.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Now, the compromise with this property is that Mike and Sandra
0:29:27 > 0:29:30will really need to get their heads around how they divvy up their
0:29:30 > 0:29:34family accommodation. But if they're able to do that,
0:29:34 > 0:29:37they'll be rewarded with a house that's pretty much brand-new,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41with some features that I think Sandra in particular will enjoy.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Let's see how we go.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Our Mystery House takes us to Ruardean Woodside,
0:29:48 > 0:29:49a mile from the main village of Ruardean.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Historically, the village was known for its iron and coal mining,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57and was the birthplace of brothers James and William Horlick,
0:29:57 > 0:30:01who created their famous hot malt drink here in the 1860s.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Today it's home to a primary school,
0:30:05 > 0:30:09post office, and a shop where locals can pick up all their essentials.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12Standing proud in a cluster of character properties,
0:30:12 > 0:30:15I'm confident our Mystery House will make quite an impression.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Right, then. At the end of this drive is our mystery offering.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23- Oh, wow.- I like it. - That's really nice, actually.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25It looks REALLY nice, yeah.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27I love the surprise in your voice.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Thanks for the confidence, Mike!
0:30:29 > 0:30:31- Sorry!- Unbelievable!
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Parts of this date back to the 1800s.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Now, as regards to attractive houses,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39I think this could be the most attractive of all three.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- Oh, definitely.- It is. - Shall we take a look inside?
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- Yes, please.- Yes, please.- Yeah. - Come on.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Although beautifully finished on the outside, the renovations to the
0:30:48 > 0:30:51interior of our Mystery House are yet to be fully completed
0:30:51 > 0:30:53by the current owner.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55But, with plenty of renovation experience under their belts,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58I'm sure Sandra and Mike will be able to see past
0:30:58 > 0:31:00any works in progress.
0:31:02 > 0:31:03Right, then.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07Your first room in the old part of the house, late-19th-century part.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- Yeah. - Now, I think this is just your room.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12- Yes.- Yes. - This is our "escape to" room.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16- Another wood fire.- Yeah.- Lovely. That's very nice. It's cosy.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Do you have rooms like that at home?
0:31:18 > 0:31:20A small room, because your house is big, isn't it?
0:31:20 > 0:31:22- It is big. - So how do you adapt to this?
0:31:22 > 0:31:24- No, we do have one room like this. - We do have a small room.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28We've been kind of banished to it, while the bigger room is taken over.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30To the toys and everything.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32So, yeah, we have got used to a smaller room.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Good. Now, looking around, you can see there is a flow to this house.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Yeah. Let's walk through the dining room.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50Now, when you pictured in your mind this big sort of day kitchen,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53I think you were drawing this kitchen, weren't you?
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- Yes.- Yes.- This is really nice.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Open. Spacious. And if you wanted to extend it even further,
0:31:59 > 0:32:01you could put a little conservatory there. But...
0:32:01 > 0:32:04You just feel the need to keep building, don't you?
0:32:04 > 0:32:05I do feel the need, don't I?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07The reason why we've brought you here,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12the mystery to this house is you get this amazing house,
0:32:12 > 0:32:15to my mind, the sort of property I thought you were after...
0:32:15 > 0:32:19- Yeah.- ..but the compromise is you're all living together.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21- I understand.- Right, OK.- Got that.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24I think the positive attributes of this house continue upstairs,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27because of the privacy you'll all be able to have.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31- Come with me and I'll show you. - Will do.- OK.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Mike and Sandra are clearly impressed by the modern style
0:32:34 > 0:32:37and high-spec finish of this house, though the lack of a separate space
0:32:37 > 0:32:40for Rachel and Alfie may be a sticking point.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43However, upstairs, they would have four bedrooms,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46all doubles, as well as four bathrooms,
0:32:46 > 0:32:50so there wouldn't be any arguments here about who gets the en suite.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56This is, I think, the biggest, and en suite.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59- Oh.- Yeah. - There's the en suite there, OK.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01You've got three en suites for the bedrooms.
0:33:01 > 0:33:02- Wow.- Wow, OK.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- So that's a lot of privacy here. - Yes.- That is.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07- Yeah, that is.- It's enough. - It's a good size.- I like it.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Could you get your head around all living under one roof?
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Yeah, we thought that might have to happen anyway,
0:33:13 > 0:33:17- so we're ready to think about that. - Yeah, yeah.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22People make those big compromises only when they find the right house.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24- Yes.- It's about the package, isn't it?
0:33:24 > 0:33:25- It is.- Oh, yeah. Definitely.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Not just about an annexe in the garden.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31- No.- No.- But I did see you looking at a pile of bricks in the garden.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32- Shall we have a look? - I think we'd better.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Come on. Start thinking about price, though.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37- Yes.- Oh, yeah.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Mystery Houses often present our buyers with a challenge,
0:33:40 > 0:33:42and this one is no exception.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Outside, the garden isn't the largest,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47but it's a blank canvas ready to be transformed,
0:33:47 > 0:33:51and there's ample space for a pond, and for the dogs to run around.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54There's no annexe, but there is a little outhouse,
0:33:54 > 0:33:57which I suspect Mike already has designs on.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59I'm not even going to talk about the lawn yet,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01cos I imagine you want to talk about that.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- Yes!- There's not a whole lot of accommodation on offer there.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- Well...- There is a bit of power running up to that.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- I'll just put some water in, and a window.- Done! Tick!
0:34:10 > 0:34:12Go on, then. Have a go at guessing the price.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17- Who wants to go first? - I'm going to go for 445.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19I'm going to go higher, 450.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22The asking price for this Mystery House is...
0:34:23 > 0:34:26..£425,000.
0:34:26 > 0:34:27- Oh, OK.- Oh, OK.- Wow.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Something to consider, then, isn't it?
0:34:30 > 0:34:32- Yes, it is.- Yeah!- It is.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- Go and have a look around.- OK. - Just work out whether or not...
0:34:36 > 0:34:38..the benefits outweigh the cons.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40- Sure.- I'll catch up with you whenever you're done.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43- OK.- All right?- Thank you. - See you in a mo.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Renovated to a high standard and coming in well under budget,
0:34:46 > 0:34:50our detached mystery cottage will give Mike and Sandra four bedrooms,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53each with their own bathroom, as well as options for a separate
0:34:53 > 0:34:56living area for Rachel and Alfie.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58But whether they'd be happy all under the same roof,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02and whether the generous interior makes up for the more limited space
0:35:02 > 0:35:05outside is for them to decide.
0:35:05 > 0:35:06I like the Mystery House.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11It's modern, which, actually, I'm now realising I like more.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16Just the size, I suppose, of the plot, is a compromise.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20I'm not sure there's the space here to be able to put an annexe here.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23I know my daughter. She wants her independence.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25She wants to leave the house as messy as Alfie makes it
0:35:25 > 0:35:27without having to worry about us.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31If it was me and Sandra on our own, I'd be tempted.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33But it's not.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36You've got a slightly perturbed, confused look on your face.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38That's cos I am perturbed and confused.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Yeah, sometimes Mystery Houses pose more questions than answers,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43but are you glad that you came here?
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- Oh, yes, very glad.- Oh, yeah, definitely.- Right.- Yeah, for sure.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Well, let's find you somewhere to have a bit of a natter,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51- and then we'll catch up later on, yeah?- Yeah, great. Thanks.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Deep beneath the surface of the National Forest Park lie coal,
0:36:00 > 0:36:05iron ore, and minerals, which have been mined for over 4,000 years.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Although the last of the major ore mines closed in 1945,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11there are still just over 100 remaining free miners
0:36:11 > 0:36:15who have centuries-old birthright in the Royal Forest,
0:36:15 > 0:36:1830 of whom are still actively mining today.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22I'm visiting Clearwell Caves near Coleford
0:36:22 > 0:36:25to explore the ancient cabins known for their iron ore and ochre,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28a high-value natural pigment in a rainbow of colours.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34In 1968, Ray Wright bought the caves and reopened them to be public as a
0:36:34 > 0:36:39mining museum, which now attracts around 50,000 visitors a year.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41His son Jonathan has offered to take me underground.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- Jonathan.- Oh, hi.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49I'm glad you're not further deeper. I was getting a bit lost there.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Thanks for seeing me today. Now, this mine itself -
0:36:51 > 0:36:54how big is it?
0:36:54 > 0:36:56Well, the mine covers 600 acres.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58- That's massive. - And it's like a Swiss cheese.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00It's just holes everywhere.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03I understand this is an environment where free miners
0:37:03 > 0:37:05have been involved. Explain to me what that is.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Yeah, if you're born locally and you're male, over 21,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11and you've worked a year and a day in a mine,
0:37:11 > 0:37:13then you can register as a free miner.
0:37:13 > 0:37:19You can mine for coal, iron, or stone in the forest,
0:37:19 > 0:37:21anywhere you like.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24If you buy a house in the area, I'm afraid that it says on the deeds
0:37:24 > 0:37:27that that's subject to the right to be undermined.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29Really? Goodness me.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33The ochre mined here is over 20 times more valuable than the
0:37:33 > 0:37:36iron ore it's intermingled with, and much softer.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40It almost looks like we're surrounded by parts of clay,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- and then you've got the rocky parts. - Yeah.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47The best ochre is a mixture that is almost like butter.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49- You can see it there. - Oh, that is, yeah!
0:37:49 > 0:37:50- It's just lovely, yeah. - Can I have a go?
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Yeah, if you'd like to give it a go.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57Now, for 4,000 years, people have been mining this ochre.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00How far and wide would this have travelled through trade
0:38:00 > 0:38:04- and what have you?- Because it's something that can be traded
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- almost like spices, really...- Yeah. - ..they're high-value products.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13They were taken all over Europe. And we have actually had
0:38:13 > 0:38:18a researcher that said that this was used possibly by Michelangelo
0:38:18 > 0:38:20in the Sistine Chapel.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24- Really?- Yeah. Because there is a distinct red that's known as
0:38:24 > 0:38:28terra rossa dingleterra, which is English Red Earth.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32There are receipts in the Vatican that actually show that he bought it
0:38:32 > 0:38:36from Bristol. And the only ochre mines working at the time that would
0:38:36 > 0:38:40have produced that colour would have been the Forest of Dean iron mines.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43That's not a leap of faith, you can draw pretty much a straight line
0:38:43 > 0:38:45- from that, then, can't you, from those records?- Yeah.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Once mined, the yellow ochre needs to be washed or milled to
0:38:48 > 0:38:52separate from the particles of iron ore.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55You've got a little pot of gold.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58From his workshop within the museum, Jonathan's going to show me
0:38:58 > 0:39:01the basic process of transforming our findings into pure pigment
0:39:01 > 0:39:06that has been used for paint and colouring for thousands of years.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09So, our prized ochre.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10What do we do with it?
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Right. Do you want to pour it into the bucket?
0:39:13 > 0:39:14- All of it?- Yep.- OK.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20And then I stir it up.
0:39:20 > 0:39:25- OK.- Like this. So that the colour rises away from the grit.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29In a process known as flotation, Jonathan mixes the ochre
0:39:29 > 0:39:32with the water until most of the colour has been absorbed
0:39:32 > 0:39:34and floats in suspension.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36The heavier lumps of limestone and iron ore drop to the bottom
0:39:36 > 0:39:39of the bucket, and are discarded.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41The mixture is left overnight,
0:39:41 > 0:39:44gradually separating further to leave clean water
0:39:44 > 0:39:48and a sludge of colours, which is then dried in trays.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49It's absolutely...
0:39:49 > 0:39:51It really is... It's almost chalky, isn't it?
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Yeah, if you rub it on your skin now, you'll see the colour.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Oh, look at that. Oh, it's like a heavy make-up, isn't it?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Yeah, the ancient Britons used to use it as a war paint.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- Did they?- Yeah, and it's been used ever since, really,
0:40:03 > 0:40:06as a pigment for make-ups and so on.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10The spectrum of pigments comes from different areas or pockets of the
0:40:10 > 0:40:14mine, ranging from yellow and brown to a rarer purple found much deeper,
0:40:14 > 0:40:18and the distinctive red that the Forest of Dean mines are known for.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20It's been absolutely fascinating.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Have you got somewhere I can wash my hands?
0:40:22 > 0:40:24- Yes. Through here.- OK, lead the way.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28With the mines producing around a tonne of ochre pigment a year,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31hopefully it will continue to be used by great artists and adorn
0:40:31 > 0:40:35the walls of some of the world's most iconic buildings and landmarks
0:40:35 > 0:40:37for years to come.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Well, I think it's fair to say that the three properties we showed to
0:40:43 > 0:40:47Mike and Sandra gave them some, but not all, of their requirements.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50So after a bit of time to reflect, let's find out their thoughts,
0:40:50 > 0:40:54but most importantly, where their priorities now lie.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- Well, you've got the cake. - Yeah.- Good.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Right, then. Three houses, done and dusted.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- How are you feeling?- Exhausted.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Well, you probably have a lot going through your minds, actually,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- haven't you? It's been tumultuous. - It has, actually.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- And educational, but, yes. - What have you learned, then?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19We know it's more difficult to find now what we want
0:41:19 > 0:41:21within our price range.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23So which of the three properties is coming out on top, then?
0:41:23 > 0:41:26I'm torn one between one and three.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- Right. That's interesting. - My favourite was the first house.
0:41:29 > 0:41:30Just because of the size of the garden.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33I could hide me chickens away, I could hide me fish away.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- YOU could hide away. - And I could hide away!
0:41:35 > 0:41:39When we first saw it, we thought, "Wow, this could be good."
0:41:39 > 0:41:41And I think if it was me and Sandra on our own...
0:41:42 > 0:41:44- ..I'd be really interested.- Mm.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- Yeah, definitely.- But that's not the object of the game.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48No. It's not you two on your own.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53And that is what has made this search so challenging.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57- Yeah.- But I think you'll make it easier if you amend your criteria.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59- Yeah.- So perhaps look for the smaller property.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03I mean, initially we know we don't have to have all those requirements
0:42:03 > 0:42:07to start with. That will probably be something to build towards...
0:42:07 > 0:42:10The end must-haves, no, that stays the same.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12The end goal is the same.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15You're in a good place, I think. You've got the cash to spend.
0:42:15 > 0:42:16- Yeah.- Estate agents like that.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18And you know the villages and the towns that you like.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- Yes.- Definitely. Yeah.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24I wish you the best of luck. I'd really love to find out
0:42:24 > 0:42:27where and when you settle, so do please let us know.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29- Yes, we will.- We certainly will. - Thank you.- All right. Good luck.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31- Thanks very much.- Thank you.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37It's not that the type of property that Mike and Sondra are after
0:42:37 > 0:42:40is entirely unique, it's more that there are far less of them
0:42:40 > 0:42:42on the market at any one moment of time,
0:42:42 > 0:42:44and they're becoming increasingly popular.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47What they need to do now is make sure they're able to act swiftly
0:42:47 > 0:42:50as soon as the right kind of property comes on the market,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52which will happen over the coming months -
0:42:52 > 0:42:54they just need to be a bit patient.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57I wish them and their family the very best of luck.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59See you next time.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02If you'd like to escape to the country in Wales, England,
0:43:02 > 0:43:06Scotland, or Northern Ireland, and would like our help,
0:43:06 > 0:43:11you can apply online.