0:00:02 > 0:00:05This classical-looking temple was built in the mid-1700s, and is
0:00:05 > 0:00:07dedicated to the Roman goddess of nature.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Find out who she was and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15SWEEPING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Today's house-hunt sees us bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38Everything so far is just bang on the button.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- Your eyes are actually shining as you look around.- Yeah.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44But will any of our properties get today's buyers
0:00:44 > 0:00:46to sign on the dotted line?
0:00:46 > 0:00:49You're both smiling. LAUGHTER
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- Quick!- Quick! Get the chequebook out!
0:00:55 > 0:00:57I'm at the romantically-named Temple of Diana,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00set in the Weston Park Estate in Shropshire.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Now, it was designed by 18th-century superstar architect James Payne,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07whose work can be found in several country house estates,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09including Chatsworth.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13He designed this summerhouse for Sir Henry Bridgeman, to complement
0:01:13 > 0:01:17the gardens, which were landscaped by Lancelot "Capability" Brown.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20James Payne also worked on revisions to the house, and I'll be taking a
0:01:20 > 0:01:24peek inside later but, for now, let's stay outside
0:01:24 > 0:01:28and enjoy the beautiful countryside that this region has to offer.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34The county of Shropshire is situated in England's West Midlands region,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36and is bordered by Herefordshire.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41The Shropshire Hills lay claim to being formed from the greatest
0:01:41 > 0:01:44variety of rocks from different ages in the world.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47200 years ago, pioneering geologists
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Roderick Murchison and Charles Lapworth
0:01:49 > 0:01:53made many important discoveries here. The names they gave to
0:01:53 > 0:01:57local stones, such as Caradoc, Wenlock and Ludlow,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00have been adopted worldwide for rocks of the same era.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Although relatively unpopulated,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07the county is home to many pretty villages and historic towns.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Ludlow grew up around its Norman castle, built in 1086.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16It became a prosperous wool centre, and many medieval timber-frame
0:02:16 > 0:02:19buildings built on the back of this wealth still survive.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24The history and beauty continues into neighbouring Herefordshire.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28A deeply rural and sparsely-populated county,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31there is a long history of farming here, and it's home to one of the
0:02:31 > 0:02:34oldest pedigree beef cattle breeds.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38So whether you're looking for a historic stopover or a more
0:02:38 > 0:02:42permanent foundation, Shropshire and its neighbour Herefordshire
0:02:42 > 0:02:46are fertile ground for a brief or a long-term country escape.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Although the average cost of a detached house in the UK stands at
0:02:51 > 0:02:56£326,000, the good news is that, if you are buying a country home in
0:02:56 > 0:02:57Shropshire or Herefordshire,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00you can spend tens of thousands less than that.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Particularly if you want to go truly rural and head for the Welsh
0:03:04 > 0:03:07borders. The historic towns do carry a premium -
0:03:07 > 0:03:10they have cultural cache and are well-connected,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14both driving forces in the move for today's buyers.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Our couple, Patrick and Claudine,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21met over 15 years ago, on a ferry from
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Portsmouth to St Malo, and Patrick's attempts at Franglais continue to be
0:03:25 > 0:03:28a source of amusement.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30He was trying to speak French to us,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- and he doesn't speak French very well. - LAUGHTER
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- No, I'm trying to go... - HE MAKES VAGUELY FRENCH VOWEL SOUNDS
0:03:37 > 0:03:39..as if they'd understand, and so it was quite fun.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42They saw the funny side of it, actually.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45We started to chat, and then, later on, we exchanged telephone numbers,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47and the rest is history.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53That history includes marriage and a joint move back to Claudine's
0:03:53 > 0:03:57homeland of France, where they've been living in the Chateau Vue Alps
0:03:57 > 0:03:59for the last 14 years.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Now retired, they both spent much of their working lives in England.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Irish-born Patrick was MD of his own telecoms business, and Claudine was
0:04:08 > 0:04:11a PA, and they've decided the time is right to return.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16We've been considering moving to England for the last three years.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Our house is really too big.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23We live in the middle of the, of nowhere, it is very remote,
0:04:23 > 0:04:28and it can be very, very hot in summer and very cold in winter.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32England is beautiful because it is green, and I know it rains a lot,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35but it's not... I like the rain.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Yeah, but it's going to be a challenge leaving France, because I
0:04:38 > 0:04:40have immersed myself into the French culture.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43But you will be able to speak English again, so...
0:04:43 > 0:04:45But he was getting better in French.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48You're getting good.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- Oh, thank you, Prof! - LAUGHTER
0:04:50 > 0:04:53And when it comes to finding a home in England's green and pleasant
0:04:53 > 0:04:57land, Claudine and Patrick have their eye on Shropshire.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02We went to visit some friends and I completely fell in love with it,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04because it's so green.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I'm going to enjoy to be able to walk into an English pub.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10The ambience of an English pub is totally different to a cafe in
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- France.- As well as visits to Shropshire pubs, the couple hope to
0:05:14 > 0:05:18pursue their existing hobbies and find some new ones.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23My hobbies are singing. Writing. I write a lot.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28- And Nordic walking...- Which we do now, we would like to keep that up.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Cos England is perfect for Nordic walking,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and I would like to take up archery.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Well, we both would like to do that, because I quite...
0:05:36 > 0:05:38I quite fancy that as well.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43Joining them on the move will be their beloved dog Celtic.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45But to make the dream a reality,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49they have to find the right home, and they're setting the bar high.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52It's hopefully a lifetime decision,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54because we are hoping not to move any more
0:05:54 > 0:05:56after that.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00So it is not a wow factor that we need, it's a fall-in-love factor.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Patrick and Claudine are happy to be anywhere in Shropshire,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11but they particularly like the market town of Ludlow,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15and are after good transport links to Birmingham Airport.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Before I start showing them houses,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20we're meeting in their chosen county to discuss what they are
0:06:20 > 0:06:22hoping for from their new home.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Well, welcome to a very beautiful Shropshire.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28I guess, I suppose I should say to you, welcome back to England.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Yeah, yes. - LAUGHTER
0:06:30 > 0:06:33It's time to close the door on the French chapter of your life...
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- Yes.- ..open a new one here in Shropshire.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38So, what are we looking for? Tell me about the house that you both
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- imagine living in.- Well, we are going to go very English.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44A lovely old-English style.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Inglenook fireplace.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Big kitchen.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Country cottage, garden type.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54A reasonably-sized garden. Not huge.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56So long as it's big enough, we've got a dog.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01- So you want full-on English country cottage...- Yes.- Every cliche...
0:07:01 > 0:07:06- Nothing, nothing less.- Have you been in many cottages, Patrick? Cos you're...
0:07:06 > 0:07:10- I know you're going to say my height.- It does cross my mind. LAUGHTER
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Yes, the cottages... I understand where you're coming from.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15OK. OK, well, we'll keep an open mind on that one for now.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Let's move on. Let's move on to the practicalities.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19So, what about in terms of bedrooms, living space?
0:07:19 > 0:07:25If we could have at least three bedrooms, and I need one room for
0:07:25 > 0:07:28myself, because I write and I need
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- peaceful and quiet when I write. - LAUGHTER
0:07:30 > 0:07:34Would you be happy to do a bit of border-hopping, if you had to do?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Yeah, Herefordshire is quite beautiful. We wouldn't mind that.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40So remind me of the budget that we are working with
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- for the search. - Our budget is £400,000 to £450,000.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- Top.- We have some fantastic properties lined up to show you.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- Great.- So, shall we get started? - Yes.- Can't wait.- Absolutely.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57So, for a maximum budget of £450,000,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Patrick and Claudine are looking for a classic cottage,
0:08:00 > 0:08:04with period features and an English country garden.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08They'd like at least three bedrooms and a writer's den for Claudine.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11A conservatory would be a bonus, and they are happy to explore over the
0:08:11 > 0:08:14border into Herefordshire.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18We have a selection of wonderful homes to tempt them with, and after
0:08:18 > 0:08:22each viewing, they'll be guessing the asking price before it's revealed.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25The final property on the tour is our Mystery House,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29and this one could test just how attached they are to their wish list.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Our house-hunt is taking us to the Shropshire hamlet of Pentre.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Four miles away, the small town of Clun has several shops and services,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47including a couple of butchers,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51post office facilities and a choice of pubs.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54A 15th-century packhorse bridge crosses the river from which the
0:08:54 > 0:08:57town takes its name. Back in Pentre,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00the property we've come to see sits back from a quiet lane in the small
0:09:00 > 0:09:02rural settlement.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Let's just settle here and take a look at this beautiful farmhouse
0:09:08 > 0:09:10that I've brought you to see.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14It's got lots of character and it's surrounded by a beautiful garden.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16For me, obviously having been born in the country...
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Straightaway, that's feeling familiar and like home...
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- Exactly, yeah.- It's really beautiful.- Yeah, yeah.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24You've got space, you've got lovely views, you've got countryside.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26But your compromise is,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Ludlow is 14 miles away, and the villages are a few miles away.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- Yes.- Yes. - What do you think about that?
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Let's not count anything out because of that.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Shall we explore?- Oh, yes! - Why not?- Let's go.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Dating back to the 1700s,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44this former farmhouse has recently been restored.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48We are starting out through the porch entrance and into the first of
0:09:48 > 0:09:51two charming, rustic reception rooms.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- So, let's start in here. - Oh!- Oh, right.- Yeah.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- Yes.- I really like this.- Yes. Look at the fireplace.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02The fireplace is fantastic.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- It's huge.- This is one of two rooms off the main entrance hall,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08so there's another one echoed on the other side, equally as big,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- as impressive, with another fireplace.- Oh, right.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13And the thing I thought you would like is the ceiling height.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Actually, you've got character... - HE CHUCKLES
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Yeah, you've got character and height.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19But everything is in keeping.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- In keeping, yes.- So it's been rewired,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24it's had everything that you need doing to it, but it's not lost its appeal.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- It's a lovely home.- OK.- I like.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Leading off this room into the extended part,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33we find a large kitchen breakfast room,
0:10:33 > 0:10:37which I hope will make Claudine feel at home.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- It's got plenty of room, hasn't it? - Well, yes.- Spacious.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43I actually think it has quite a French feel.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- Yeah.- Yes.- Yeah.- Do you feel that? - Yes, yes, I do as well.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49And with the table, it looks, it looks French as well.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- You'd get your farmhouse table in here.- Yeah.- Yes.- No problem.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- OK, so that's a possibility. - Yeah, it's all good.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58That's a good start. Let's take a look upstairs, because you can
0:10:58 > 0:11:01really see the quality of the renovation work upstairs as well.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- There's some beautiful woodwork.- OK.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09I'm pleased with those positive reactions to the character features
0:11:09 > 0:11:13on the ground floor. Upstairs are two further levels, offering four
0:11:13 > 0:11:17double bedrooms, including two guest bedrooms on the top floor,
0:11:17 > 0:11:21which both feature exposed beams and eaves storage.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Then, on the first floor, the bathroom serves a further guest
0:11:25 > 0:11:27double with exposed stone and timbers.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Which is a recurrent theme in the master.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Oh, that's big.- It is big. - Yeah, spacious.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Yes.- I really like it.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- Yeah, I do.- I really like it.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43It's fantastic. I really like it, the inside.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48I like a bed facing the window, because I like to watch outside.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- You could definitely do that. - Yeah, you can do that, yeah.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53This definitely works for me.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56OK, well, you've got a good feel for the inside of the house,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- so let's go and explore the garden. - OK.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Thank you.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05The property is set in a third of an acre of south-facing garden,
0:12:05 > 0:12:10a plot that offers large areas of lawn and several established trees.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15It's enclosed by a dry-stone wall, and located in a very pretty valley.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- Very sheltered.- Yes. Yeah, very. - Very peaceful setting as well.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22And you can just spot, just over there in the distance, the sheep.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- Oh, yes!- Down in the valley. LAUGHTER
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- How rural can you get? - I really like it.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Let's turn our thoughts to the price,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34and what you think this may be on the market for.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37We really haven't got our finger on the button on the English market.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40I'm going to go £435,000.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43No, I would say that this is just on the budget.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- 450.- It's on the market for...
0:12:47 > 0:12:49£425,000.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Wow! That's good news.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- Yes.- That's good news.- Very good. - You're both smiling.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- Quick!- Quick, get the chequebook out! - LAUGHTER
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- No, I know this is a really big move for both of you...- Yeah.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07..so I'm glad that we've had such a great reaction, but go back inside,
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- take another look around.- OK.- OK. - Come and find me when you're ready.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- Yes.- Will do.- OK.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19£25,000 shy of their maximum budget,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23this 18th-century farmhouse is packed with country character and
0:13:23 > 0:13:27gives them a generous kitchen and two further reception rooms,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29both with original fireplaces.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31There's one more bedroom than they asked for,
0:13:31 > 0:13:35as well as a mature south-facing garden.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37I was very impressed as I walked in.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41I thought, "This is a serious-looking farmhouse."
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Everything about it had a good feel.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47I was quite taken aback by the fireplaces.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51So I could see myself living here, with a big, open inglenook fireplace
0:13:51 > 0:13:52roaring, and a glass of wine.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56I was surprised by the size of the garden, and it would be good for my
0:13:56 > 0:13:58dog. He will be happy here.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03We wanted somewhere within walking distance from shops,
0:14:03 > 0:14:07and so we will have to think about that, because we want this to be our
0:14:07 > 0:14:10last move and we don't want to regret it.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- So you're feeling positive? - Yes, I am.- Yeah.- Good.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I think that was a great end to a good day's house-hunting.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- It was fabulous.- Thank you, yes. - Come on.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Shropshire's 3,400 miles of public rights of way,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33along with its beautiful network of waterways,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37make it the perfect rural playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40In the mid-19th century, one Shropshire physician,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Dr William Penny Brookes, was so concerned about the lack of
0:14:44 > 0:14:48opportunities for the working classes to enjoy physical activities
0:14:48 > 0:14:51and the negative impact this had on their health that he decided to
0:14:51 > 0:14:56create an event to inform and inspire the local townsfolk.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00150 years later and his Wenlock Olympian Games have gone from
0:15:00 > 0:15:02strength to strength,
0:15:02 > 0:15:06attracting not just locals but competitors from all over the world.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10As Claudine and Patrick are keen to pursue some active hobbies once they
0:15:10 > 0:15:14move to the area, we're sending them to meet Mac Bardsley from the
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Wenlock Olympian Society,
0:15:16 > 0:15:18to find out about the significance of the event.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- Was it quite unique at the time?- Oh, yes, sure. There's no way anything like this was happening anywhere
0:15:25 > 0:15:28else in the country. The idea that the working classes took part in
0:15:28 > 0:15:33physical exercise and sport for leisure purposes was just totally
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- unknown elsewhere.- And what does the Olympian Games mean to the people of
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- Shropshire?- They generate a lot of interest.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Every year we have our Olympian Games, we have something like
0:15:44 > 0:15:4623 different events.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Hundreds of people take part, young and old,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53and it is really well attended.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56What started as a local sporting competition went on to have global
0:15:56 > 0:16:00significance when, in 1890,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04the French aristocrat and educator Pierre de Coubertin was invited by
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Dr Brookes to see the Wenlock Games for himself.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13He was so impressed that, in 1896, he decided to organise his own
0:16:13 > 0:16:16event, which became the modern Olympic Games.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19And, of course, in 2012,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21the mascot for the Olympic Games was called Wenlock.
0:16:21 > 0:16:27- Remember the one with the single eye?- Oh, right.- Yeah. So that was why.- Oh, I didn't realise that.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Archery is one sport at the Wenlock Olympian Games,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36with former competitors at Wenlock going on to compete and win medals
0:16:36 > 0:16:39at the International Olympics.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42It's an activity Patrick and Claudine are interested in taking
0:16:42 > 0:16:46up, so they're getting a taster with the vice-chairman of a local club,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Jonathan Walton, from the Bowbrook Archers.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53So, tell us a bit about your archery club.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Well, this is Bowbrook Archers, one of ten clubs in Shropshire,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58so archery is very active here.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00It's becoming a very popular sport, as in the Olympics,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Paralympics and so on. It's very much a community.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Have you tried archery before? - No, never.- No.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Well, what a great opportunity. Let's go. Let's go and have a go.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11- Exactly.- Yes, great.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Bows and arrows probably date back to the Stone Age,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18when they were used for hunting.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22By the Middle Ages, archery played a central role in European warfare.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24But with the advent of firearms,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28it moved to being a competitive pursuit for the upper classes.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32However, the Wenlock Games made the sport accessible to a wider section
0:17:32 > 0:17:34of Victorian society.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38In the UK now, there are around 50,000 archers,
0:17:38 > 0:17:40800 of whom are in Shropshire.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- I'm going to load the first arrow, OK?- Yeah.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47So it sits on that little rest.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51And it goes in between the two little metal rings.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Now, I want you to pull that back to the corner of your mouth...
0:17:55 > 0:17:57and aim that at the middle of the target.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02The most popular form of the sport is target archery,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04where the aim is to get as close
0:18:04 > 0:18:06to the yellow centre circle as possible.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Yes! - LAUGHTER
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- Where is it?- In the blue.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16- Fantastic!- The target, or "boss",
0:18:16 > 0:18:19is typically made from compressed foam or straw,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22and that yellow centre is called "the gold".
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- Whoa! - SHE LAUGHS
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- Banzai!- First time lucky. - Fantastic!
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Patrick and Claudine are holding the bows by what's known as
0:18:32 > 0:18:35the pistol grip, whilst the bowstring rests against the
0:18:35 > 0:18:37three fingers of the drawing hand,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39firing the arrow when these are relaxed.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Well, I think that was amazing!
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Really good, both of you, you did extremely well.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- We'd be very happy to see you back here...- We'd be more than happy to be here.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- Come and do a beginners' course... - Thank you very much.- ..and enjoy it.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58It certainly looks like Patrick and Claudine have struck gold when it
0:18:58 > 0:19:02comes to finding a new hobby, but it remains to be seen
0:19:02 > 0:19:06if we're on target with finding them their new country home.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14We're in Shropshire,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17helping Patrick and Claudine make the move from France to the British
0:19:17 > 0:19:22countryside. We've already seen some great property for their budget
0:19:22 > 0:19:27of £450,000, but there's more to see, including our Mystery House,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30which could well lead to a breathtaking conversion.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35The whole thing for me so far has, from the gate, blown me away.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40And I discover the architectural vision of a leading lady in
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Shropshire's history.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45This is the original front of the house,
0:19:45 > 0:19:50as it would have been envisioned by Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham in 1671.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52So a lady with a bit of foresight to come up with this.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59It's the second day of our house search, and I wonder how Claudine
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and Patrick are feeling now they've had the evening to reflect.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06I mean, moving to not just a different county but a different
0:20:06 > 0:20:10country must be exciting, but also quite a daunting prospect.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12We have a whole new day of house-hunting ahead,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and I have high hopes for our Mystery House,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19which is going to test our couple on just how close to a community they
0:20:19 > 0:20:21really want to be.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30But before that, we are heading five miles from the Welsh border, to the
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Herefordshire village of Lingen. Surrounded by wooded hills,
0:20:34 > 0:20:38its name is thought to mean "place of sparkling water".
0:20:38 > 0:20:43The village pub dates back to the 1700s, and the story goes that it's
0:20:43 > 0:20:47named after an ill-fated ship, whose reclaimed timbers were used in its
0:20:47 > 0:20:50construction. It's just a five-minute walk from here to the
0:20:50 > 0:20:53location of our next house.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57So here we go. How do you feel about pink?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Oh, I like pink.- Yes. - LAUGHTER
0:20:59 > 0:21:01I had you down as a pink man, Patrick.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- Actually, I really like the lawn... - Yes.- It's fantastic.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- Isn't it?- I'm optimistic.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Yeah. I love the way it flows in.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- It's inviting you in.- Well, let's go in. Let's go in, then, if that's what it's saying to you.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- Let's go and take a look.- Yes. - Absolutely.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22A great first impression for this recently-renovated detached cottage
0:21:22 > 0:21:25that dates back to the 1900s.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Going through the front porch,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30the large entrance hall leads through to the kitchen-diner,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32which offers the good proportions
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Patrick and Claudine are looking for.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- Whoa!- Whoa! - LAUGHTER
0:21:39 > 0:21:42It's very clean. It's modern, but it's got the oak floors.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- There is room for a nice, big table, as you can see.- Yeah.- And then what
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- I really love is the triple aspect. - Yes.- Yeah, this is fantastic.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- I really like this.- I like a door leading outside in a kitchen.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Mm-hmm. And if you turn behind you,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- that's another thing I particularly like in a kitchen...- Yes! - LAUGHTER
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- I love a log burner in a kitchen. - Come on, any more?
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- It's cosy. Cosy.- Yes. - LAUGHTER
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I mean, if you want the kitchen to be the heart of the home,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- this, for me, really feels like it in this house.- Yeah, yeah.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13- It feels like you'd spend a lot of time in here.- Yes.- Yes.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- Yes.- I like it very much, yes. - That's a big thumbs-up. LAUGHTER
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Yes, this works. This works.- Yeah. - Good. This is great.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Well, let's try and keep this momentum going and
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- explore some more.- OK.- Follow me.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Retracing our steps through the hall,
0:22:30 > 0:22:32which is large enough for a reading area,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35we reach the main sitting room, and I hope it measures up.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- What do you think?- It's a bit small for me.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Yeah, a little bit small, but it's not a deal-breaker,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45and I like the windows,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48and the door going out. It's bringing a lot of light in.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- You're not as convinced, are you?- No...- No, I can see you've got a bit of a sad face.- Yes.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55It's perhaps lacking a focal feature in here, a fireplace...
0:22:55 > 0:23:00- Yes, fireplace...- You could always take a few walls down and open it up.- Yeah.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04The style and space in the sitting room are falling short for Claudine.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Off the entrance hall,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09there's also a good cloakroom with room for the white goods.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Although opinions on the interior have been a little divided,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15let's see if we can build on that positive response to the kitchen,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18as we head upstairs to explore the three bedrooms.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22At the front of the house, a large,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24light-filled double enjoys views of the garden and the surrounding
0:23:24 > 0:23:27countryside.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30At the back, a smaller bedroom is currently used as an office and sits
0:23:30 > 0:23:33beside a smart family bathroom.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38Then we come to the third and largest room, the master en suite.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41So, straight into a lovely, bright, airy master bedroom.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- Yeah.- Windows on two sides. There's a good-sized en suite...
0:23:44 > 0:23:49- Oh, that's hitting the spot.- Very... Yeah.- But the views are lovely from up here.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- In bed, looking straight out. - Yes.- I'm taking in the view.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- I'm taking in the view at the moment. - LAUGHTER
0:23:54 > 0:23:56No, this, this is really...
0:23:56 > 0:24:01- It's a good size, en suite. Perfect. - Yes. The sun is coming in.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05I like that. It's beautiful, yes.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Happily, upstairs lifted their spirits, especially Claudine's.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11So let's see if that continues outside,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14where the half-acre plot includes an oak-framed carport,
0:24:14 > 0:24:18above which there's a room where Claudine might find inspiration
0:24:18 > 0:24:19for her writing.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23As well as an immaculate lawn, there's a sunken patio by a brook,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26marking the garden's boundary.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It's such a pretty spot, isn't it?
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- Oh, yes!- Yeah, lovely.- And this, I think, is the perfect spot to enjoy it from.- Yeah.- It's a suntrap.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34And this is, I imagine,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- a great place just to sit and enjoy the sun and the views.- Yeah.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39As Claudine said, it's a little suntrap, isn't it?
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- Is that smiling?- Yes.- Yes! LAUGHTER
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- Because you know what's coming up. - Yes.- Guess the price.- Yes.- Yes.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Claudine, what do you think?
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Uh, I would say...
0:24:51 > 0:24:53£435,000.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55OK.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57I'm going to go £440,000.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00It's actually on for over your budget.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02So it's on for £475,000.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05However, we have spoken to the owner and he would consider an offer from
0:25:05 > 0:25:09people in your position of £450,000.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm not surprised.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14The house is good. It's really good.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- Yes.- There's something about this that's getting the two of you,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- isn't there?- Yeah, yeah.- Yeah, yeah. - It's tearing at me!
0:25:20 > 0:25:22LAUGHTER
0:25:22 > 0:25:24So go and have another look around,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28- see how you feel about it and come and find me.- Will do.- OK. - Absolutely.- Yes, thank you.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Although £25,000 over budget,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37this renovated cottage is open to offers and has plenty of appealing
0:25:37 > 0:25:41features. It gives them the large sociable kitchen they ask for,
0:25:41 > 0:25:46as well as three bedrooms, including a dual-aspect master en suite.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50The half-acre grounds are bordered by a brook, and the edge of village
0:25:50 > 0:25:52location means the pub is within walking distance.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- Whoa, it's big!- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Oh, yeah. Good size.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04- Yeah.- I could use it as my little den.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- Your escape.- Yes. - SHE LAUGHS
0:26:06 > 0:26:09- Fabulous. I like this.- Yes.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14Well, I think the house is really, really pretty with the pink, which
0:26:14 > 0:26:18looks like an English cottage, and I like the kitchen.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20It's big and there is a table.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24OK, there is an island, but it is a very practical island.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28Very disappointed with the lounge. No fireplace, strangely enough.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31That's one of the things I really wanted - fireplace in the lounge.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35It really is spacious, open...
0:26:35 > 0:26:38I love it.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41I could see...having a walk round here with my dog as well.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Overall, I would be very tempted.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50I was just sat here thinking, "It's a shame we can't walk to the pub."
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Yes.- But we can't...- We can't. - ..because we've got more to see.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- Oh, OK.- OK. - LAUGHTER
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Shropshire is full of beautiful buildings that chart the county's
0:27:07 > 0:27:09architectural history.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11But behind their walls,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14the stories of those who built them offer an intriguing insight into the
0:27:14 > 0:27:16past.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Weston Park House, on the Shropshire and Staffordshire border, was the
0:27:20 > 0:27:24vision of an extraordinary woman - Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Considered by some to be the first known female architect,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30her social standing meant she employed male architects to execute
0:27:30 > 0:27:32her cutting-edge ideas.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38I'm meeting Andrea Webster from the charitable trust that now looks
0:27:38 > 0:27:42after this impressive estate to find out more about the formidable woman
0:27:42 > 0:27:44behind the facade.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47I just don't know where to look, because you've got this incredible
0:27:47 > 0:27:50view out there and then you've got the view of the house,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- which is just so elegant, isn't it? - It's quite beautiful, isn't it?
0:27:52 > 0:27:55This is the original front of the house,
0:27:55 > 0:28:00as it would have been envisioned by Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham in 1671.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02So a lady with a bit of foresight to come up with this.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04What was she like?
0:28:04 > 0:28:09She was a very canny character, very ambitious, very ahead of her time.
0:28:09 > 0:28:10This was very much her vision.
0:28:10 > 0:28:15She instructed the architect William Taylor by using her own version of
0:28:15 > 0:28:18- Palladio.- Born Elizabeth Mytton,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22after marrying the heir to the Wilbraham baronetcy, she used her
0:28:22 > 0:28:25extensive European honeymoon to educate herself in
0:28:25 > 0:28:28architectural styles and practices,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30meeting the creator of the Dutch baroque,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33as well as studying the works of Palladio in Venice.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39Inside the house, there is evidence of Elizabeth's architectural zeal.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43And this is the book where it all began.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47This is Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham's annotated copy of Palladio's first
0:28:47 > 0:28:52book of architecture. So this is where she drew her inspiration
0:28:52 > 0:28:55for the look of the house.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58So this was showing her strength, and right down to designing it,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01deciding what she wanted it to look like.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04This is essentially her look book for how she then instructed the
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- architect.- All these notes that she's written,
0:29:07 > 0:29:09what are the notes all about?
0:29:09 > 0:29:13She's talking about quantities of stone, where materials are going to
0:29:13 > 0:29:16be sourced from, who they are sourced by,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19how much she is going to pay, how much she is not going to pay,
0:29:19 > 0:29:22when she wants everything delivered,
0:29:22 > 0:29:24and how far it needs to travel,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26and how much it's going to cost per mile.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33Subsequent generations have added their mark to Elizabeth's legacy.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37This 3,000-tome Victorian library was the work of the third Earl of
0:29:37 > 0:29:41Bradford, when newly-made rail links to London brought many guests to the
0:29:41 > 0:29:43house for fashionable parties.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Rooms like this were created to accommodate and no doubt impress his
0:29:47 > 0:29:50influential social circle.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55This would have been the dining room until the third Earl made his
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- improvements upon the house. - But this is a fantastic room.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02I mean, these books... The Victorians really did love their books, didn't they?
0:30:02 > 0:30:04They certainly did love their books, yes.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06They also loved their secret doors as well.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Why would they have had a dummy door?
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It's all about symmetry and making sure that everything is seamless.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13So you didn't want any gaps anywhere,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16so you've got this completely book-lined room.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- Do you want to find it? - I'd love to find it.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21What do we do, do we press the spine of a book or...?
0:30:21 > 0:30:23- No?- Or you could press this button.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Ah-ha!
0:30:27 > 0:30:30And you get out to the beautiful gardens.
0:30:30 > 0:30:31How fabulous!
0:30:31 > 0:30:35In the 18th century, the gardens were landscaped by
0:30:35 > 0:30:38Lancelot "Capability" Brown, and included the addition
0:30:38 > 0:30:42of the Temple of Diana, where musical performances
0:30:42 > 0:30:46often took place amongst a menagerie of exotic birds.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49At this time, the family had new-found wealth,
0:30:49 > 0:30:51due to rents drawn from common land,
0:30:51 > 0:30:54as well as the exploitation of minerals such as coal
0:30:54 > 0:30:57on the household's sizeable land-holdings.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01Some of that wealth was spent on alterations and many items
0:31:01 > 0:31:03were added to the estate's collections,
0:31:03 > 0:31:07including an impressive selection of Gobelin tapestries,
0:31:07 > 0:31:09commissioned in Paris.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11They're absolutely beautiful.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14It is so hard to imagine, when you're here,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17that these walls are covered with millions of individual stitches
0:31:17 > 0:31:20creating these beautiful things.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22They are quite, they are quite stunning.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24They depict the love of the gods,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27so you've got Venus coming out of her shell over there.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32They were only one of six sets commissioned for country houses.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35And I think what is quite remarkable in here is just still, you know,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38the colours and how amazingly preserved they are.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41They are in incredibly good condition.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45The family made great efforts to conserve them,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48in terms of light levels and humidity, which we continue today.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50If walls could talk,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53what a story these would be telling because each generation
0:31:53 > 0:31:56does seem to have been adding its own mark.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58Yes, leaving their own statement on the estate.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00However, like many country estates,
0:32:00 > 0:32:05Weston Park became unsustainable as a family home, and in the 1980s
0:32:05 > 0:32:08was gifted to the nation by the seventh Earl.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12It's now open to visitors on a seasonal basis,
0:32:12 > 0:32:14including rooms like the next,
0:32:14 > 0:32:18a rather fitting homage to this home's architectural visionary.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Wow! There's an awful lot of watchful female faces in this room.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27They are looking, looking at you from all angles, aren't they?
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Yeah, it has a very light, feminine feel in here.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34It has. This room features the Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham herself
0:32:34 > 0:32:38- over there on the far wall.- I mean, the real feeling I get in here,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41and in particular, is that I could just sit down on that
0:32:41 > 0:32:45magnificent sofa that looks so comfortable, and just relax in here.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49This room has been very recently refurbished by the foundation,
0:32:49 > 0:32:54so it's given it a little bit more of a relaxing feel to it.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Yeah, I mean, it's really lovely seeing actually Lady Elizabeth
0:32:56 > 0:33:00up there sort of looking over us and, although her immediate family
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- are not using it, other families are.- They are.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06They are using it, enjoying it and making their own memories here.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10From the 17th-century imagination of possibly the first female
0:33:10 > 0:33:12architect to her modern-day legacy,
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Weston Park has a very evocative story.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Let's hope our house search with Claudine and Patrick
0:33:19 > 0:33:22inspires them to move to this beautiful area.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29We'll be seeing the Mystery House, of course.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32What do you think we're going to show you? Any ideas?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35I think it's going to be modern
0:33:35 > 0:33:38because we asked for a character property.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Well, you are definitely going to take us out of our comfort zone.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43Maybe a barn conversion,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45but something way off,
0:33:45 > 0:33:49or you might even take us into an apartment.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Ah, OK. Some interesting ones there.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Well, all will be revealed and I'm certainly not going to tell you yet.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58- No.- No.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02Our mystery offering is in the Herefordshire hamlet of Hamnish.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06A couple of miles away, the historic market town of Leominster
0:34:06 > 0:34:09offers a good selection of facilities.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Once the source of Leominster wool, highly prized
0:34:12 > 0:34:16all over Europe in the late Middle Ages, the town prospered,
0:34:16 > 0:34:20and in the 18th century was also home to a large cotton mill.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24Back in Hamnish, in peaceful country surroundings,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27our mystery proposition is set to challenge our house-buyers
0:34:27 > 0:34:29with attached neighbours,
0:34:29 > 0:34:32despite its discreet and very secluded approach.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34So, the Mystery House.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Ooh!
0:34:36 > 0:34:40You have to get through this little secret garden to see it properly.
0:34:40 > 0:34:41- So, come on.- Look at this!
0:34:43 > 0:34:44- It's a barn conversion.- Yes.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46I wasn't far wrong, was I?
0:34:46 > 0:34:49It's one of nine properties in this development,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52so it was originally a farm with outbuildings.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54This was the old granary barn.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57You are very close to your neighbours here.
0:34:57 > 0:34:58You've got one right on either side.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- How do you feel about that? - I don't have a problem with it.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03I have never lived in a terraced house,
0:35:03 > 0:35:05but it doesn't look like a terraced house.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08It's very private. The garden is very private.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10That is the main thing.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14- It's like a secret garden. - Yeah, yeah. It really is.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16And it's got the great features that come with a barn conversion.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- You've got that lovely big window. - Yes.- That's what I've always loved about barn conversions.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22- Light.- Plenty of light.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26- Shall we go and see what's beyond the big window?- Yes, let's go.- Yes.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32The secluded country character of this home has left Claudine
0:35:32 > 0:35:36and Patrick unconcerned about the prospect of near-neighbours.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Converted around ten years ago,
0:35:38 > 0:35:40many of the original features of the building,
0:35:40 > 0:35:44like the diamond-shaped lattice-brick windows have been retained.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Inside, the rectangular footprint is split into two L-shaped spaces
0:35:48 > 0:35:52on the ground floor, starting with an impressive kitchen-diner.
0:35:53 > 0:35:59- And in this one you come straight into the kitchen.- Oh!- Oh, yes.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01See the old windows here?
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- That's a nice feature, isn't it? - It is.- Diamond.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07- I like that, yeah.- Beautiful design. - Yeah.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Off to a good start, then.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Let's move through to the living space.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- There's something in there you're going to like.- OK.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18So, we are going to pass through a little airing cupboard.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21- Yeah.- You've got a downstairs bathroom in there.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- Ah.- Then...- Indeed.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- ..the living room.- Ah!
0:36:26 > 0:36:28I thought you might like that.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Guess what, this is an omen.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33White lilies. Ever since we first met,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35I've always given Claudine white lilies.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- That's so sweet.- Don't well up now. - It's me that's welling up.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43The whole thing for me so far is from the gate, it's blown me away.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45It's got that feeling about it for you.
0:36:45 > 0:36:51Yeah. It's the first one that I've got it all from the beginning to inside.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Everything so far...
0:36:53 > 0:36:56..is just bang on the button.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- Your eyes are actually shining as you look around.- Yeah.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01- It's definitely...- Yeah. - ..having an impact on you.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05Let's go upstairs and let's hope that this continues cos, for me,
0:37:05 > 0:37:09I think, if anything, the upstairs has even more wow-factor than down here.
0:37:11 > 0:37:16Everything about this mystery property seems to be resonating with both of them.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Upstairs, the sympathetic style and finish continues,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22with two large guest bedrooms,
0:37:22 > 0:37:26both featuring exposed timber and floor-level windows.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28And one of which is currently used as a study,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31that could well make Claudine's writer's room.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35The family bathroom really showcases that latticed brickwork feature.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39Whilst the third bedroom is an impressive double en suite.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43So, the master bedroom.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- Ooh!- Wow!
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Once again, I'm, I'm really blown away.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52- This is so beautiful. - Very much to our taste.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55Behind the door here, there's an en suite as well.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57- Wow!- And it's a good-sized bedroom.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00You can fit some... These are big pieces of furniture.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- Oh, yes.- OK, well, that's a really positive reaction to the house,
0:38:03 > 0:38:05so let's move outside.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07There's quite a lot to talk about and I think you are going to like
0:38:07 > 0:38:10- the area around here as well. - Okey-doke. Yes.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14The interior design and layout of our Mystery House
0:38:14 > 0:38:17is winning them over and this beautiful barn conversion
0:38:17 > 0:38:20also comes with a good-sized private garden to the front
0:38:20 > 0:38:24with mature shrubs and trees, along with a flagstone terrace.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28To the rear, there are large communal grounds,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32where beautiful lawns surround a feature stone cider press.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36With those stunning views over the countryside towards Ludlow,
0:38:36 > 0:38:39will they feel the mystery package is enticing enough to compromise on
0:38:39 > 0:38:44that shared outside space and want to become part of this community?
0:38:44 > 0:38:47With neighbours, it's not so isolated.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- Yeah?- And yet, it's very...
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- It looks very private. - It does.- It's amazing.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Really, really, really is stunning.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Beautiful. And also, it's been tastefully decorated.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04- Oh, yes.- OK, well, you know what's coming here.
0:39:04 > 0:39:05It's time to guess the price.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10It's so beautiful, so well done, I think it's over our budget.
0:39:10 > 0:39:15- OK.- I think it's 460,000.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18I'm going to take a bang and hope I'm right,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20I'm going to say right on budget.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- £450,000?- £450,000. Yes.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28- I'm very happy to tell you both that it is actually on for under your budget.- Oh!- Oh.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30It's on for £425,000.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- That IS good news. - That is good news, yes.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38Imagine yourself and your big pieces of French furniture in there.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- Yes.- Yes.- We already know where to put the mirror.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44- That's a good sign. Go and do some more of that, please.- Thank you.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47It's always such a brilliant sign, isn't it,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50when people start to mentally think about where their own furniture
0:39:50 > 0:39:53is going to go. To hear these two have been doing that,
0:39:53 > 0:39:54that's brilliant news.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58£25,000 below budget,
0:39:58 > 0:40:00our Mystery House has so much
0:40:00 > 0:40:02of the English country character
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Patrick and Claudine are after.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06There's a kitchen-diner,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08plus a reception room, with feature fireplace,
0:40:08 > 0:40:12and a total of three bedrooms, including a master en suite.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14A lovely landscaped private garden
0:40:14 > 0:40:17is complemented by extensive communal grounds,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19from which there are far-reaching views.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25As soon as I walked in through the gate, absolutely fantastic.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27It's, it's absolutely...
0:40:28 > 0:40:30So...merveilleux.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33I cannot find the word in English.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36The kitchen is spacious,
0:40:36 > 0:40:41there is enough room for a table, and which leads into the lounge.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44In every room, I was amazed.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46I really love it.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50It's beautiful. You've got a nice terraced area, you can sit,
0:40:50 > 0:40:53and you've got the garden at the back. Everything works.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57Everything works. This house is certainly drawing me towards it.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- Ah!- Ah!
0:41:02 > 0:41:05I have a feeling we may have ended things on a positive note.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08So it's time to go and have a chat now.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- OK?- Yes.- Yes.- Come on, come and spill the beans.- OK.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Well, it's the end of our house-hunt in this beautiful countryside,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22so it's time to have a chat with our couple,
0:41:22 > 0:41:25but I don't think it takes a detective to solve
0:41:25 > 0:41:27the mystery of which house stood out for them.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- Well, here we are at the end of our search.- Yeah.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39I'm quite intrigued to see what the two of you are going to say.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41I thought the Mystery House was...
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Oh, God, I don't know...
0:41:44 > 0:41:46I was lost for words.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50Even when we just opened the gate, when I saw the garden,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53which was a lovely, pretty garden...
0:41:53 > 0:41:56So I have to ask you, is there a "what next"?
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Because I know this is the start of a really big adventure for you.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00- Yes.- What are your thoughts now?
0:42:00 > 0:42:04Well, we're going to go back and have another look to the Mystery House.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06- Yes.- I'm absolutely thrilled.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09We wish you so much luck and
0:42:09 > 0:42:13we really hope that that does become your home here. And if it doesn't,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16I know you're going to be happy wherever you end up.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19We'd like to thank you. It's been a fantastic experience, hasn't it?
0:42:19 > 0:42:22- Yes. Thank you very much. - Thanks again.- Thank you so much.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26And all that remains to be said is bonne chance!
0:42:36 > 0:42:38It's the end of our search
0:42:38 > 0:42:41and I'm delighted that our Mystery House proved to be such a hit
0:42:41 > 0:42:44that Claudine and Patrick are heading back for a second look.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48I hope we've helped our international couple begin the next chapter
0:42:48 > 0:42:53of their life together, in not just a new county but a new country.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Join me next time.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59If you would like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:42:59 > 0:43:03England or Northern Ireland and need our help, you can apply online at...