Shropshire Escape to the Country


Shropshire

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This classical-looking temple was built in the mid-1700s, and is

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dedicated to the Roman goddess of nature.

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Find out who she was and where I am in just a moment.

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SWEEPING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS

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Today's house-hunt sees us bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

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Everything so far is just bang on the button.

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-Your eyes are actually shining as you look around.

-Yeah.

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But will any of our properties get today's buyers

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to sign on the dotted line?

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You're both smiling. LAUGHTER

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-Quick!

-Quick! Get the chequebook out!

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I'm at the romantically-named Temple of Diana,

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set in the Weston Park Estate in Shropshire.

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Now, it was designed by 18th-century superstar architect James Payne,

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whose work can be found in several country house estates,

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including Chatsworth.

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He designed this summerhouse for Sir Henry Bridgeman, to complement

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the gardens, which were landscaped by Lancelot "Capability" Brown.

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James Payne also worked on revisions to the house, and I'll be taking a

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peek inside later but, for now, let's stay outside

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and enjoy the beautiful countryside that this region has to offer.

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The county of Shropshire is situated in England's West Midlands region,

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and is bordered by Herefordshire.

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The Shropshire Hills lay claim to being formed from the greatest

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variety of rocks from different ages in the world.

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200 years ago, pioneering geologists

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Roderick Murchison and Charles Lapworth

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made many important discoveries here. The names they gave to

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local stones, such as Caradoc, Wenlock and Ludlow,

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have been adopted worldwide for rocks of the same era.

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Although relatively unpopulated,

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the county is home to many pretty villages and historic towns.

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Ludlow grew up around its Norman castle, built in 1086.

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It became a prosperous wool centre, and many medieval timber-frame

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buildings built on the back of this wealth still survive.

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The history and beauty continues into neighbouring Herefordshire.

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A deeply rural and sparsely-populated county,

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there is a long history of farming here, and it's home to one of the

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oldest pedigree beef cattle breeds.

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So whether you're looking for a historic stopover or a more

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permanent foundation, Shropshire and its neighbour Herefordshire

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are fertile ground for a brief or a long-term country escape.

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Although the average cost of a detached house in the UK stands at

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£326,000, the good news is that, if you are buying a country home in

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Shropshire or Herefordshire,

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you can spend tens of thousands less than that.

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Particularly if you want to go truly rural and head for the Welsh

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borders. The historic towns do carry a premium -

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they have cultural cache and are well-connected,

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both driving forces in the move for today's buyers.

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Our couple, Patrick and Claudine,

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met over 15 years ago, on a ferry from

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Portsmouth to St Malo, and Patrick's attempts at Franglais continue to be

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a source of amusement.

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He was trying to speak French to us,

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-and he doesn't speak French very well.

-LAUGHTER

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-No, I'm trying to go...

-HE MAKES VAGUELY FRENCH VOWEL SOUNDS

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..as if they'd understand, and so it was quite fun.

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They saw the funny side of it, actually.

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We started to chat, and then, later on, we exchanged telephone numbers,

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and the rest is history.

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That history includes marriage and a joint move back to Claudine's

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homeland of France, where they've been living in the Chateau Vue Alps

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for the last 14 years.

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Now retired, they both spent much of their working lives in England.

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Irish-born Patrick was MD of his own telecoms business, and Claudine was

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a PA, and they've decided the time is right to return.

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We've been considering moving to England for the last three years.

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Our house is really too big.

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We live in the middle of the, of nowhere, it is very remote,

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and it can be very, very hot in summer and very cold in winter.

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England is beautiful because it is green, and I know it rains a lot,

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but it's not... I like the rain.

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Yeah, but it's going to be a challenge leaving France, because I

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have immersed myself into the French culture.

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But you will be able to speak English again, so...

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But he was getting better in French.

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You're getting good.

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-Oh, thank you, Prof!

-LAUGHTER

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And when it comes to finding a home in England's green and pleasant

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land, Claudine and Patrick have their eye on Shropshire.

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We went to visit some friends and I completely fell in love with it,

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because it's so green.

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I'm going to enjoy to be able to walk into an English pub.

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The ambience of an English pub is totally different to a cafe in

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-France.

-As well as visits to Shropshire pubs, the couple hope to

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pursue their existing hobbies and find some new ones.

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My hobbies are singing. Writing. I write a lot.

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-And Nordic walking...

-Which we do now, we would like to keep that up.

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Cos England is perfect for Nordic walking,

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and I would like to take up archery.

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Well, we both would like to do that, because I quite...

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I quite fancy that as well.

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Joining them on the move will be their beloved dog Celtic.

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But to make the dream a reality,

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they have to find the right home, and they're setting the bar high.

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It's hopefully a lifetime decision,

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because we are hoping not to move any more

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after that.

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So it is not a wow factor that we need, it's a fall-in-love factor.

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Patrick and Claudine are happy to be anywhere in Shropshire,

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but they particularly like the market town of Ludlow,

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and are after good transport links to Birmingham Airport.

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Before I start showing them houses,

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we're meeting in their chosen county to discuss what they are

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hoping for from their new home.

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Well, welcome to a very beautiful Shropshire.

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I guess, I suppose I should say to you, welcome back to England.

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-Yeah, yes.

-LAUGHTER

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It's time to close the door on the French chapter of your life...

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-Yes.

-..open a new one here in Shropshire.

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So, what are we looking for? Tell me about the house that you both

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-imagine living in.

-Well, we are going to go very English.

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A lovely old-English style.

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Inglenook fireplace.

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Big kitchen.

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Country cottage, garden type.

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A reasonably-sized garden. Not huge.

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So long as it's big enough, we've got a dog.

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-So you want full-on English country cottage...

-Yes.

-Every cliche...

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-Nothing, nothing less.

-Have you been in many cottages, Patrick? Cos you're...

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-I know you're going to say my height.

-It does cross my mind. LAUGHTER

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Yes, the cottages... I understand where you're coming from.

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OK. OK, well, we'll keep an open mind on that one for now.

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Let's move on. Let's move on to the practicalities.

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So, what about in terms of bedrooms, living space?

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If we could have at least three bedrooms, and I need one room for

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myself, because I write and I need

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-peaceful and quiet when I write.

-LAUGHTER

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Would you be happy to do a bit of border-hopping, if you had to do?

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Yeah, Herefordshire is quite beautiful. We wouldn't mind that.

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So remind me of the budget that we are working with

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-for the search.

-Our budget is £400,000 to £450,000.

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-Top.

-We have some fantastic properties lined up to show you.

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-Great.

-So, shall we get started?

-Yes.

-Can't wait.

-Absolutely.

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So, for a maximum budget of £450,000,

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Patrick and Claudine are looking for a classic cottage,

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with period features and an English country garden.

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They'd like at least three bedrooms and a writer's den for Claudine.

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A conservatory would be a bonus, and they are happy to explore over the

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border into Herefordshire.

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We have a selection of wonderful homes to tempt them with, and after

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each viewing, they'll be guessing the asking price before it's revealed.

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The final property on the tour is our Mystery House,

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and this one could test just how attached they are to their wish list.

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Our house-hunt is taking us to the Shropshire hamlet of Pentre.

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Four miles away, the small town of Clun has several shops and services,

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including a couple of butchers,

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post office facilities and a choice of pubs.

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A 15th-century packhorse bridge crosses the river from which the

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town takes its name. Back in Pentre,

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the property we've come to see sits back from a quiet lane in the small

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rural settlement.

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Let's just settle here and take a look at this beautiful farmhouse

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that I've brought you to see.

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It's got lots of character and it's surrounded by a beautiful garden.

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For me, obviously having been born in the country...

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Straightaway, that's feeling familiar and like home...

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-Exactly, yeah.

-It's really beautiful.

-Yeah, yeah.

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You've got space, you've got lovely views, you've got countryside.

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But your compromise is,

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Ludlow is 14 miles away, and the villages are a few miles away.

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-Yes.

-Yes.

-What do you think about that?

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Let's not count anything out because of that.

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-Shall we explore?

-Oh, yes!

-Why not?

-Let's go.

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Dating back to the 1700s,

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this former farmhouse has recently been restored.

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We are starting out through the porch entrance and into the first of

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two charming, rustic reception rooms.

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-So, let's start in here.

-Oh!

-Oh, right.

-Yeah.

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-Yes.

-I really like this.

-Yes. Look at the fireplace.

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The fireplace is fantastic.

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-It's huge.

-This is one of two rooms off the main entrance hall,

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so there's another one echoed on the other side, equally as big,

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-as impressive, with another fireplace.

-Oh, right.

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And the thing I thought you would like is the ceiling height.

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-Actually, you've got character...

-HE CHUCKLES

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Yeah, you've got character and height.

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But everything is in keeping.

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-In keeping, yes.

-So it's been rewired,

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it's had everything that you need doing to it, but it's not lost its appeal.

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-It's a lovely home.

-OK.

-I like.

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Leading off this room into the extended part,

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we find a large kitchen breakfast room,

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which I hope will make Claudine feel at home.

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-It's got plenty of room, hasn't it?

-Well, yes.

-Spacious.

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I actually think it has quite a French feel.

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-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-Do you feel that?

-Yes, yes, I do as well.

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And with the table, it looks, it looks French as well.

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-You'd get your farmhouse table in here.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-No problem.

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-OK, so that's a possibility.

-Yeah, it's all good.

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That's a good start. Let's take a look upstairs, because you can

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really see the quality of the renovation work upstairs as well.

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-There's some beautiful woodwork.

-OK.

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I'm pleased with those positive reactions to the character features

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on the ground floor. Upstairs are two further levels, offering four

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double bedrooms, including two guest bedrooms on the top floor,

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which both feature exposed beams and eaves storage.

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Then, on the first floor, the bathroom serves a further guest

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double with exposed stone and timbers.

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Which is a recurrent theme in the master.

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-Oh, that's big.

-It is big.

-Yeah, spacious.

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-Yes.

-I really like it.

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-Yeah, I do.

-I really like it.

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It's fantastic. I really like it, the inside.

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I like a bed facing the window, because I like to watch outside.

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-You could definitely do that.

-Yeah, you can do that, yeah.

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This definitely works for me.

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OK, well, you've got a good feel for the inside of the house,

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-so let's go and explore the garden.

-OK.

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Thank you.

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The property is set in a third of an acre of south-facing garden,

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a plot that offers large areas of lawn and several established trees.

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It's enclosed by a dry-stone wall, and located in a very pretty valley.

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-Very sheltered.

-Yes. Yeah, very.

-Very peaceful setting as well.

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And you can just spot, just over there in the distance, the sheep.

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-Oh, yes!

-Down in the valley. LAUGHTER

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-How rural can you get?

-I really like it.

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Let's turn our thoughts to the price,

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and what you think this may be on the market for.

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We really haven't got our finger on the button on the English market.

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I'm going to go £435,000.

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No, I would say that this is just on the budget.

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-450.

-It's on the market for...

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£425,000.

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Wow! That's good news.

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-Yes.

-That's good news.

-Very good.

-You're both smiling.

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-Quick!

-Quick, get the chequebook out!

-LAUGHTER

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-No, I know this is a really big move for both of you...

-Yeah.

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..so I'm glad that we've had such a great reaction, but go back inside,

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-take another look around.

-OK.

-OK.

-Come and find me when you're ready.

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-Yes.

-Will do.

-OK.

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£25,000 shy of their maximum budget,

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this 18th-century farmhouse is packed with country character and

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gives them a generous kitchen and two further reception rooms,

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both with original fireplaces.

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There's one more bedroom than they asked for,

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as well as a mature south-facing garden.

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I was very impressed as I walked in.

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I thought, "This is a serious-looking farmhouse."

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Everything about it had a good feel.

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I was quite taken aback by the fireplaces.

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So I could see myself living here, with a big, open inglenook fireplace

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roaring, and a glass of wine.

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I was surprised by the size of the garden, and it would be good for my

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dog. He will be happy here.

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We wanted somewhere within walking distance from shops,

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and so we will have to think about that, because we want this to be our

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last move and we don't want to regret it.

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-So you're feeling positive?

-Yes, I am.

-Yeah.

-Good.

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I think that was a great end to a good day's house-hunting.

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-It was fabulous.

-Thank you, yes.

-Come on.

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Shropshire's 3,400 miles of public rights of way,

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along with its beautiful network of waterways,

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make it the perfect rural playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

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In the mid-19th century, one Shropshire physician,

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Dr William Penny Brookes, was so concerned about the lack of

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opportunities for the working classes to enjoy physical activities

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and the negative impact this had on their health that he decided to

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create an event to inform and inspire the local townsfolk.

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150 years later and his Wenlock Olympian Games have gone from

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strength to strength,

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attracting not just locals but competitors from all over the world.

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As Claudine and Patrick are keen to pursue some active hobbies once they

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move to the area, we're sending them to meet Mac Bardsley from the

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Wenlock Olympian Society,

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to find out about the significance of the event.

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-Was it quite unique at the time?

-Oh, yes, sure. There's no way anything like this was happening anywhere

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else in the country. The idea that the working classes took part in

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physical exercise and sport for leisure purposes was just totally

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-unknown elsewhere.

-And what does the Olympian Games mean to the people of

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-Shropshire?

-They generate a lot of interest.

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Every year we have our Olympian Games, we have something like

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23 different events.

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Hundreds of people take part, young and old,

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and it is really well attended.

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What started as a local sporting competition went on to have global

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significance when, in 1890,

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the French aristocrat and educator Pierre de Coubertin was invited by

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Dr Brookes to see the Wenlock Games for himself.

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He was so impressed that, in 1896, he decided to organise his own

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event, which became the modern Olympic Games.

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And, of course, in 2012,

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the mascot for the Olympic Games was called Wenlock.

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-Remember the one with the single eye?

-Oh, right.

-Yeah. So that was why.

-Oh, I didn't realise that.

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Archery is one sport at the Wenlock Olympian Games,

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with former competitors at Wenlock going on to compete and win medals

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at the International Olympics.

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It's an activity Patrick and Claudine are interested in taking

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up, so they're getting a taster with the vice-chairman of a local club,

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Jonathan Walton, from the Bowbrook Archers.

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So, tell us a bit about your archery club.

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Well, this is Bowbrook Archers, one of ten clubs in Shropshire,

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so archery is very active here.

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It's becoming a very popular sport, as in the Olympics,

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Paralympics and so on. It's very much a community.

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-Have you tried archery before?

-No, never.

-No.

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Well, what a great opportunity. Let's go. Let's go and have a go.

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-Exactly.

-Yes, great.

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Bows and arrows probably date back to the Stone Age,

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when they were used for hunting.

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By the Middle Ages, archery played a central role in European warfare.

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But with the advent of firearms,

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it moved to being a competitive pursuit for the upper classes.

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However, the Wenlock Games made the sport accessible to a wider section

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of Victorian society.

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In the UK now, there are around 50,000 archers,

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800 of whom are in Shropshire.

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-I'm going to load the first arrow, OK?

-Yeah.

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So it sits on that little rest.

0:17:450:17:47

And it goes in between the two little metal rings.

0:17:490:17:51

Now, I want you to pull that back to the corner of your mouth...

0:17:510:17:55

and aim that at the middle of the target.

0:17:550:17:57

The most popular form of the sport is target archery,

0:17:590:18:02

where the aim is to get as close

0:18:020:18:04

to the yellow centre circle as possible.

0:18:040:18:06

-Yes!

-LAUGHTER

0:18:080:18:10

-Where is it?

-In the blue.

0:18:100:18:12

-Fantastic!

-The target, or "boss",

0:18:120:18:16

is typically made from compressed foam or straw,

0:18:160:18:19

and that yellow centre is called "the gold".

0:18:190:18:22

-Whoa!

-SHE LAUGHS

0:18:220:18:25

-Banzai!

-First time lucky.

-Fantastic!

0:18:250:18:29

Patrick and Claudine are holding the bows by what's known as

0:18:290:18:32

the pistol grip, whilst the bowstring rests against the

0:18:320:18:35

three fingers of the drawing hand,

0:18:350:18:37

firing the arrow when these are relaxed.

0:18:370:18:39

Well, I think that was amazing!

0:18:420:18:44

Really good, both of you, you did extremely well.

0:18:440:18:47

-We'd be very happy to see you back here...

-We'd be more than happy to be here.

0:18:470:18:50

-Come and do a beginners' course...

-Thank you very much.

-..and enjoy it.

0:18:500:18:54

It certainly looks like Patrick and Claudine have struck gold when it

0:18:550:18:58

comes to finding a new hobby, but it remains to be seen

0:18:580:19:02

if we're on target with finding them their new country home.

0:19:020:19:06

We're in Shropshire,

0:19:120:19:14

helping Patrick and Claudine make the move from France to the British

0:19:140:19:17

countryside. We've already seen some great property for their budget

0:19:170:19:22

of £450,000, but there's more to see, including our Mystery House,

0:19:220:19:27

which could well lead to a breathtaking conversion.

0:19:270:19:30

The whole thing for me so far has, from the gate, blown me away.

0:19:300:19:35

And I discover the architectural vision of a leading lady in

0:19:360:19:40

Shropshire's history.

0:19:400:19:42

This is the original front of the house,

0:19:420:19:45

as it would have been envisioned by Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham in 1671.

0:19:450:19:50

So a lady with a bit of foresight to come up with this.

0:19:500:19:52

It's the second day of our house search, and I wonder how Claudine

0:19:560:19:59

and Patrick are feeling now they've had the evening to reflect.

0:19:590:20:02

I mean, moving to not just a different county but a different

0:20:020:20:06

country must be exciting, but also quite a daunting prospect.

0:20:060:20:10

We have a whole new day of house-hunting ahead,

0:20:100:20:12

and I have high hopes for our Mystery House,

0:20:120:20:15

which is going to test our couple on just how close to a community they

0:20:150:20:19

really want to be.

0:20:190:20:21

But before that, we are heading five miles from the Welsh border, to the

0:20:260:20:30

Herefordshire village of Lingen. Surrounded by wooded hills,

0:20:300:20:34

its name is thought to mean "place of sparkling water".

0:20:340:20:38

The village pub dates back to the 1700s, and the story goes that it's

0:20:380:20:43

named after an ill-fated ship, whose reclaimed timbers were used in its

0:20:430:20:47

construction. It's just a five-minute walk from here to the

0:20:470:20:50

location of our next house.

0:20:500:20:53

So here we go. How do you feel about pink?

0:20:540:20:57

-Oh, I like pink.

-Yes.

-LAUGHTER

0:20:570:20:59

I had you down as a pink man, Patrick.

0:20:590:21:01

-Actually, I really like the lawn...

-Yes.

-It's fantastic.

0:21:010:21:05

-Isn't it?

-I'm optimistic.

0:21:050:21:07

Yeah. I love the way it flows in.

0:21:070:21:10

-It's inviting you in.

-Well, let's go in. Let's go in, then, if that's what it's saying to you.

0:21:100:21:14

-Let's go and take a look.

-Yes.

-Absolutely.

0:21:140:21:17

A great first impression for this recently-renovated detached cottage

0:21:190:21:22

that dates back to the 1900s.

0:21:220:21:25

Going through the front porch,

0:21:250:21:27

the large entrance hall leads through to the kitchen-diner,

0:21:270:21:30

which offers the good proportions

0:21:300:21:32

Patrick and Claudine are looking for.

0:21:320:21:36

-Whoa!

-Whoa!

-LAUGHTER

0:21:360:21:39

It's very clean. It's modern, but it's got the oak floors.

0:21:390:21:42

-There is room for a nice, big table, as you can see.

-Yeah.

-And then what

0:21:420:21:45

-I really love is the triple aspect.

-Yes.

-Yeah, this is fantastic.

0:21:450:21:49

-I really like this.

-I like a door leading outside in a kitchen.

0:21:490:21:53

Mm-hmm. And if you turn behind you,

0:21:530:21:55

-that's another thing I particularly like in a kitchen...

-Yes!

-LAUGHTER

0:21:550:21:58

-I love a log burner in a kitchen.

-Come on, any more?

0:21:580:22:01

-It's cosy. Cosy.

-Yes.

-LAUGHTER

0:22:010:22:03

I mean, if you want the kitchen to be the heart of the home,

0:22:030:22:06

-this, for me, really feels like it in this house.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:22:060:22:08

-It feels like you'd spend a lot of time in here.

-Yes.

-Yes.

0:22:080:22:13

-Yes.

-I like it very much, yes.

-That's a big thumbs-up. LAUGHTER

0:22:130:22:17

-Yes, this works. This works.

-Yeah.

-Good. This is great.

0:22:170:22:20

Well, let's try and keep this momentum going and

0:22:200:22:22

-explore some more.

-OK.

-Follow me.

0:22:220:22:24

Retracing our steps through the hall,

0:22:270:22:30

which is large enough for a reading area,

0:22:300:22:32

we reach the main sitting room, and I hope it measures up.

0:22:320:22:35

-What do you think?

-It's a bit small for me.

0:22:370:22:39

Yeah, a little bit small, but it's not a deal-breaker,

0:22:390:22:42

and I like the windows,

0:22:420:22:45

and the door going out. It's bringing a lot of light in.

0:22:450:22:48

-You're not as convinced, are you?

-No...

-No, I can see you've got a bit of a sad face.

-Yes.

0:22:480:22:53

It's perhaps lacking a focal feature in here, a fireplace...

0:22:530:22:55

-Yes, fireplace...

-You could always take a few walls down and open it up.

-Yeah.

0:22:550:23:00

The style and space in the sitting room are falling short for Claudine.

0:23:000:23:04

Off the entrance hall,

0:23:040:23:06

there's also a good cloakroom with room for the white goods.

0:23:060:23:09

Although opinions on the interior have been a little divided,

0:23:090:23:12

let's see if we can build on that positive response to the kitchen,

0:23:120:23:15

as we head upstairs to explore the three bedrooms.

0:23:150:23:18

At the front of the house, a large,

0:23:200:23:22

light-filled double enjoys views of the garden and the surrounding

0:23:220:23:24

countryside.

0:23:240:23:27

At the back, a smaller bedroom is currently used as an office and sits

0:23:270:23:30

beside a smart family bathroom.

0:23:300:23:33

Then we come to the third and largest room, the master en suite.

0:23:330:23:38

So, straight into a lovely, bright, airy master bedroom.

0:23:380:23:41

-Yeah.

-Windows on two sides. There's a good-sized en suite...

0:23:410:23:44

-Oh, that's hitting the spot.

-Very... Yeah.

-But the views are lovely from up here.

0:23:440:23:49

-In bed, looking straight out.

-Yes.

-I'm taking in the view.

0:23:490:23:51

-I'm taking in the view at the moment.

-LAUGHTER

0:23:510:23:54

No, this, this is really...

0:23:540:23:56

-It's a good size, en suite. Perfect.

-Yes. The sun is coming in.

0:23:560:24:01

I like that. It's beautiful, yes.

0:24:010:24:05

Happily, upstairs lifted their spirits, especially Claudine's.

0:24:050:24:08

So let's see if that continues outside,

0:24:080:24:11

where the half-acre plot includes an oak-framed carport,

0:24:110:24:14

above which there's a room where Claudine might find inspiration

0:24:140:24:18

for her writing.

0:24:180:24:19

As well as an immaculate lawn, there's a sunken patio by a brook,

0:24:190:24:23

marking the garden's boundary.

0:24:230:24:26

It's such a pretty spot, isn't it?

0:24:260:24:28

-Oh, yes!

-Yeah, lovely.

-And this, I think, is the perfect spot to enjoy it from.

-Yeah.

-It's a suntrap.

0:24:280:24:32

And this is, I imagine,

0:24:320:24:34

-a great place just to sit and enjoy the sun and the views.

-Yeah.

0:24:340:24:37

As Claudine said, it's a little suntrap, isn't it?

0:24:370:24:39

-Is that smiling?

-Yes.

-Yes! LAUGHTER

0:24:390:24:42

-Because you know what's coming up.

-Yes.

-Guess the price.

-Yes.

-Yes.

0:24:420:24:45

Claudine, what do you think?

0:24:450:24:48

Uh, I would say...

0:24:480:24:51

£435,000.

0:24:510:24:53

OK.

0:24:530:24:55

I'm going to go £440,000.

0:24:550:24:57

It's actually on for over your budget.

0:24:570:25:00

So it's on for £475,000.

0:25:000:25:02

However, we have spoken to the owner and he would consider an offer from

0:25:020:25:05

people in your position of £450,000.

0:25:050:25:09

Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm not surprised.

0:25:090:25:12

The house is good. It's really good.

0:25:120:25:14

-Yes.

-There's something about this that's getting the two of you,

0:25:140:25:17

-isn't there?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Yeah, yeah.

-It's tearing at me!

0:25:170:25:20

LAUGHTER

0:25:200:25:22

So go and have another look around,

0:25:220:25:24

-see how you feel about it and come and find me.

-Will do.

-OK.

-Absolutely.

-Yes, thank you.

0:25:240:25:28

Although £25,000 over budget,

0:25:300:25:33

this renovated cottage is open to offers and has plenty of appealing

0:25:330:25:37

features. It gives them the large sociable kitchen they ask for,

0:25:370:25:41

as well as three bedrooms, including a dual-aspect master en suite.

0:25:410:25:46

The half-acre grounds are bordered by a brook, and the edge of village

0:25:460:25:50

location means the pub is within walking distance.

0:25:500:25:52

-Whoa, it's big!

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:25:540:25:57

Oh, yeah. Good size.

0:25:570:26:00

-Yeah.

-I could use it as my little den.

0:26:000:26:04

-Your escape.

-Yes.

-SHE LAUGHS

0:26:040:26:06

-Fabulous. I like this.

-Yes.

0:26:060:26:09

Well, I think the house is really, really pretty with the pink, which

0:26:090:26:14

looks like an English cottage, and I like the kitchen.

0:26:140:26:18

It's big and there is a table.

0:26:180:26:20

OK, there is an island, but it is a very practical island.

0:26:200:26:24

Very disappointed with the lounge. No fireplace, strangely enough.

0:26:240:26:28

That's one of the things I really wanted - fireplace in the lounge.

0:26:280:26:31

It really is spacious, open...

0:26:310:26:35

I love it.

0:26:350:26:38

I could see...having a walk round here with my dog as well.

0:26:380:26:41

Overall, I would be very tempted.

0:26:410:26:44

I was just sat here thinking, "It's a shame we can't walk to the pub."

0:26:470:26:50

-Yes.

-But we can't...

-We can't.

-..because we've got more to see.

0:26:500:26:53

-Oh, OK.

-OK.

-LAUGHTER

0:26:530:26:56

Shropshire is full of beautiful buildings that chart the county's

0:27:040:27:07

architectural history.

0:27:070:27:09

But behind their walls,

0:27:090:27:11

the stories of those who built them offer an intriguing insight into the

0:27:110:27:14

past.

0:27:140:27:16

Weston Park House, on the Shropshire and Staffordshire border, was the

0:27:160:27:20

vision of an extraordinary woman - Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham.

0:27:200:27:24

Considered by some to be the first known female architect,

0:27:240:27:27

her social standing meant she employed male architects to execute

0:27:270:27:30

her cutting-edge ideas.

0:27:300:27:32

I'm meeting Andrea Webster from the charitable trust that now looks

0:27:340:27:38

after this impressive estate to find out more about the formidable woman

0:27:380:27:42

behind the facade.

0:27:420:27:44

I just don't know where to look, because you've got this incredible

0:27:440:27:47

view out there and then you've got the view of the house,

0:27:470:27:50

-which is just so elegant, isn't it?

-It's quite beautiful, isn't it?

0:27:500:27:52

This is the original front of the house,

0:27:520:27:55

as it would have been envisioned by Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham in 1671.

0:27:550:28:00

So a lady with a bit of foresight to come up with this.

0:28:000:28:02

What was she like?

0:28:020:28:04

She was a very canny character, very ambitious, very ahead of her time.

0:28:040:28:09

This was very much her vision.

0:28:090:28:10

She instructed the architect William Taylor by using her own version of

0:28:100:28:15

-Palladio.

-Born Elizabeth Mytton,

0:28:150:28:18

after marrying the heir to the Wilbraham baronetcy, she used her

0:28:180:28:22

extensive European honeymoon to educate herself in

0:28:220:28:25

architectural styles and practices,

0:28:250:28:28

meeting the creator of the Dutch baroque,

0:28:280:28:30

as well as studying the works of Palladio in Venice.

0:28:300:28:33

Inside the house, there is evidence of Elizabeth's architectural zeal.

0:28:350:28:39

And this is the book where it all began.

0:28:410:28:43

This is Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham's annotated copy of Palladio's first

0:28:430:28:47

book of architecture. So this is where she drew her inspiration

0:28:470:28:52

for the look of the house.

0:28:520:28:55

So this was showing her strength, and right down to designing it,

0:28:550:28:58

deciding what she wanted it to look like.

0:28:580:29:01

This is essentially her look book for how she then instructed the

0:29:010:29:04

-architect.

-All these notes that she's written,

0:29:040:29:07

what are the notes all about?

0:29:070:29:09

She's talking about quantities of stone, where materials are going to

0:29:090:29:13

be sourced from, who they are sourced by,

0:29:130:29:16

how much she is going to pay, how much she is not going to pay,

0:29:160:29:19

when she wants everything delivered,

0:29:190:29:22

and how far it needs to travel,

0:29:220:29:24

and how much it's going to cost per mile.

0:29:240:29:26

Subsequent generations have added their mark to Elizabeth's legacy.

0:29:280:29:33

This 3,000-tome Victorian library was the work of the third Earl of

0:29:330:29:37

Bradford, when newly-made rail links to London brought many guests to the

0:29:370:29:41

house for fashionable parties.

0:29:410:29:43

Rooms like this were created to accommodate and no doubt impress his

0:29:430:29:47

influential social circle.

0:29:470:29:50

This would have been the dining room until the third Earl made his

0:29:500:29:55

-improvements upon the house.

-But this is a fantastic room.

0:29:550:29:58

I mean, these books... The Victorians really did love their books, didn't they?

0:29:580:30:02

They certainly did love their books, yes.

0:30:020:30:04

They also loved their secret doors as well.

0:30:040:30:06

Why would they have had a dummy door?

0:30:060:30:08

It's all about symmetry and making sure that everything is seamless.

0:30:080:30:11

So you didn't want any gaps anywhere,

0:30:110:30:13

so you've got this completely book-lined room.

0:30:130:30:16

-Do you want to find it?

-I'd love to find it.

0:30:160:30:19

What do we do, do we press the spine of a book or...?

0:30:190:30:21

-No?

-Or you could press this button.

0:30:210:30:23

Ah-ha!

0:30:250:30:27

And you get out to the beautiful gardens.

0:30:270:30:30

How fabulous!

0:30:300:30:31

In the 18th century, the gardens were landscaped by

0:30:310:30:35

Lancelot "Capability" Brown, and included the addition

0:30:350:30:38

of the Temple of Diana, where musical performances

0:30:380:30:42

often took place amongst a menagerie of exotic birds.

0:30:420:30:46

At this time, the family had new-found wealth,

0:30:460:30:49

due to rents drawn from common land,

0:30:490:30:51

as well as the exploitation of minerals such as coal

0:30:510:30:54

on the household's sizeable land-holdings.

0:30:540:30:57

Some of that wealth was spent on alterations and many items

0:30:570:31:01

were added to the estate's collections,

0:31:010:31:03

including an impressive selection of Gobelin tapestries,

0:31:030:31:07

commissioned in Paris.

0:31:070:31:09

They're absolutely beautiful.

0:31:090:31:11

It is so hard to imagine, when you're here,

0:31:110:31:14

that these walls are covered with millions of individual stitches

0:31:140:31:17

creating these beautiful things.

0:31:170:31:20

They are quite, they are quite stunning.

0:31:200:31:22

They depict the love of the gods,

0:31:220:31:24

so you've got Venus coming out of her shell over there.

0:31:240:31:27

They were only one of six sets commissioned for country houses.

0:31:270:31:32

And I think what is quite remarkable in here is just still, you know,

0:31:320:31:35

the colours and how amazingly preserved they are.

0:31:350:31:38

They are in incredibly good condition.

0:31:380:31:41

The family made great efforts to conserve them,

0:31:410:31:45

in terms of light levels and humidity, which we continue today.

0:31:450:31:48

If walls could talk,

0:31:480:31:50

what a story these would be telling because each generation

0:31:500:31:53

does seem to have been adding its own mark.

0:31:530:31:56

Yes, leaving their own statement on the estate.

0:31:560:31:58

However, like many country estates,

0:31:580:32:00

Weston Park became unsustainable as a family home, and in the 1980s

0:32:000:32:05

was gifted to the nation by the seventh Earl.

0:32:050:32:08

It's now open to visitors on a seasonal basis,

0:32:090:32:12

including rooms like the next,

0:32:120:32:14

a rather fitting homage to this home's architectural visionary.

0:32:140:32:18

Wow! There's an awful lot of watchful female faces in this room.

0:32:200:32:23

They are looking, looking at you from all angles, aren't they?

0:32:230:32:27

Yeah, it has a very light, feminine feel in here.

0:32:270:32:30

It has. This room features the Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham herself

0:32:300:32:34

-over there on the far wall.

-I mean, the real feeling I get in here,

0:32:340:32:38

and in particular, is that I could just sit down on that

0:32:380:32:41

magnificent sofa that looks so comfortable, and just relax in here.

0:32:410:32:45

This room has been very recently refurbished by the foundation,

0:32:450:32:49

so it's given it a little bit more of a relaxing feel to it.

0:32:490:32:54

Yeah, I mean, it's really lovely seeing actually Lady Elizabeth

0:32:540:32:56

up there sort of looking over us and, although her immediate family

0:32:560:33:00

-are not using it, other families are.

-They are.

0:33:000:33:02

They are using it, enjoying it and making their own memories here.

0:33:020:33:06

From the 17th-century imagination of possibly the first female

0:33:060:33:10

architect to her modern-day legacy,

0:33:100:33:12

Weston Park has a very evocative story.

0:33:120:33:16

Let's hope our house search with Claudine and Patrick

0:33:160:33:19

inspires them to move to this beautiful area.

0:33:190:33:22

We'll be seeing the Mystery House, of course.

0:33:270:33:29

What do you think we're going to show you? Any ideas?

0:33:290:33:32

I think it's going to be modern

0:33:320:33:35

because we asked for a character property.

0:33:350:33:38

Well, you are definitely going to take us out of our comfort zone.

0:33:380:33:41

Maybe a barn conversion,

0:33:410:33:43

but something way off,

0:33:430:33:45

or you might even take us into an apartment.

0:33:450:33:49

Ah, OK. Some interesting ones there.

0:33:490:33:53

Well, all will be revealed and I'm certainly not going to tell you yet.

0:33:530:33:55

-No.

-No.

0:33:550:33:58

Our mystery offering is in the Herefordshire hamlet of Hamnish.

0:33:580:34:02

A couple of miles away, the historic market town of Leominster

0:34:030:34:06

offers a good selection of facilities.

0:34:060:34:09

Once the source of Leominster wool, highly prized

0:34:090:34:12

all over Europe in the late Middle Ages, the town prospered,

0:34:120:34:16

and in the 18th century was also home to a large cotton mill.

0:34:160:34:20

Back in Hamnish, in peaceful country surroundings,

0:34:200:34:24

our mystery proposition is set to challenge our house-buyers

0:34:240:34:27

with attached neighbours,

0:34:270:34:29

despite its discreet and very secluded approach.

0:34:290:34:32

So, the Mystery House.

0:34:320:34:34

Ooh!

0:34:340:34:36

You have to get through this little secret garden to see it properly.

0:34:360:34:40

-So, come on.

-Look at this!

0:34:400:34:41

-It's a barn conversion.

-Yes.

0:34:430:34:44

I wasn't far wrong, was I?

0:34:440:34:46

It's one of nine properties in this development,

0:34:460:34:49

so it was originally a farm with outbuildings.

0:34:490:34:52

This was the old granary barn.

0:34:520:34:54

You are very close to your neighbours here.

0:34:540:34:57

You've got one right on either side.

0:34:570:34:58

-How do you feel about that?

-I don't have a problem with it.

0:34:580:35:01

I have never lived in a terraced house,

0:35:010:35:03

but it doesn't look like a terraced house.

0:35:030:35:05

It's very private. The garden is very private.

0:35:050:35:08

That is the main thing.

0:35:080:35:10

-It's like a secret garden.

-Yeah, yeah. It really is.

0:35:100:35:14

And it's got the great features that come with a barn conversion.

0:35:140:35:16

-You've got that lovely big window.

-Yes.

-That's what I've always loved about barn conversions.

0:35:160:35:20

-Light.

-Plenty of light.

0:35:200:35:22

-Shall we go and see what's beyond the big window?

-Yes, let's go.

-Yes.

0:35:220:35:26

The secluded country character of this home has left Claudine

0:35:280:35:32

and Patrick unconcerned about the prospect of near-neighbours.

0:35:320:35:36

Converted around ten years ago,

0:35:360:35:38

many of the original features of the building,

0:35:380:35:40

like the diamond-shaped lattice-brick windows have been retained.

0:35:400:35:44

Inside, the rectangular footprint is split into two L-shaped spaces

0:35:440:35:48

on the ground floor, starting with an impressive kitchen-diner.

0:35:480:35:52

-And in this one you come straight into the kitchen.

-Oh!

-Oh, yes.

0:35:530:35:59

See the old windows here?

0:35:590:36:01

-That's a nice feature, isn't it?

-It is.

-Diamond.

0:36:010:36:04

-I like that, yeah.

-Beautiful design.

-Yeah.

0:36:040:36:07

Off to a good start, then.

0:36:070:36:09

Let's move through to the living space.

0:36:090:36:11

-There's something in there you're going to like.

-OK.

0:36:110:36:14

So, we are going to pass through a little airing cupboard.

0:36:160:36:18

-Yeah.

-You've got a downstairs bathroom in there.

0:36:180:36:21

-Ah.

-Then...

-Indeed.

0:36:210:36:24

-..the living room.

-Ah!

0:36:240:36:26

I thought you might like that.

0:36:260:36:28

Guess what, this is an omen.

0:36:280:36:30

White lilies. Ever since we first met,

0:36:300:36:33

I've always given Claudine white lilies.

0:36:330:36:35

-That's so sweet.

-Don't well up now.

-It's me that's welling up.

0:36:350:36:38

The whole thing for me so far is from the gate, it's blown me away.

0:36:380:36:43

It's got that feeling about it for you.

0:36:430:36:45

Yeah. It's the first one that I've got it all from the beginning to inside.

0:36:450:36:51

Everything so far...

0:36:510:36:53

..is just bang on the button.

0:36:530:36:56

-Your eyes are actually shining as you look around.

-Yeah.

0:36:560:36:59

-It's definitely...

-Yeah.

-..having an impact on you.

0:36:590:37:01

Let's go upstairs and let's hope that this continues cos, for me,

0:37:010:37:05

I think, if anything, the upstairs has even more wow-factor than down here.

0:37:050:37:09

Everything about this mystery property seems to be resonating with both of them.

0:37:110:37:16

Upstairs, the sympathetic style and finish continues,

0:37:160:37:19

with two large guest bedrooms,

0:37:190:37:22

both featuring exposed timber and floor-level windows.

0:37:220:37:26

And one of which is currently used as a study,

0:37:260:37:28

that could well make Claudine's writer's room.

0:37:280:37:31

The family bathroom really showcases that latticed brickwork feature.

0:37:310:37:35

Whilst the third bedroom is an impressive double en suite.

0:37:350:37:39

So, the master bedroom.

0:37:410:37:43

-Ooh!

-Wow!

0:37:430:37:46

Once again, I'm, I'm really blown away.

0:37:460:37:49

-This is so beautiful.

-Very much to our taste.

0:37:490:37:52

Behind the door here, there's an en suite as well.

0:37:520:37:55

-Wow!

-And it's a good-sized bedroom.

0:37:550:37:57

You can fit some... These are big pieces of furniture.

0:37:570:38:00

-Oh, yes.

-OK, well, that's a really positive reaction to the house,

0:38:000:38:03

so let's move outside.

0:38:030:38:05

There's quite a lot to talk about and I think you are going to like

0:38:050:38:07

-the area around here as well.

-Okey-doke. Yes.

0:38:070:38:10

The interior design and layout of our Mystery House

0:38:100:38:14

is winning them over and this beautiful barn conversion

0:38:140:38:17

also comes with a good-sized private garden to the front

0:38:170:38:20

with mature shrubs and trees, along with a flagstone terrace.

0:38:200:38:24

To the rear, there are large communal grounds,

0:38:250:38:28

where beautiful lawns surround a feature stone cider press.

0:38:280:38:32

With those stunning views over the countryside towards Ludlow,

0:38:320:38:36

will they feel the mystery package is enticing enough to compromise on

0:38:360:38:39

that shared outside space and want to become part of this community?

0:38:390:38:44

With neighbours, it's not so isolated.

0:38:440:38:47

-Yeah?

-And yet, it's very...

0:38:480:38:51

-It looks very private.

-It does.

-It's amazing.

0:38:510:38:54

Really, really, really is stunning.

0:38:540:38:57

Beautiful. And also, it's been tastefully decorated.

0:38:570:39:00

-Oh, yes.

-OK, well, you know what's coming here.

0:39:000:39:04

It's time to guess the price.

0:39:040:39:05

It's so beautiful, so well done, I think it's over our budget.

0:39:050:39:10

-OK.

-I think it's 460,000.

0:39:100:39:15

I'm going to take a bang and hope I'm right,

0:39:150:39:18

I'm going to say right on budget.

0:39:180:39:20

-£450,000?

-£450,000. Yes.

0:39:200:39:23

-I'm very happy to tell you both that it is actually on for under your budget.

-Oh!

-Oh.

0:39:230:39:28

It's on for £425,000.

0:39:280:39:30

-That IS good news.

-That is good news, yes.

0:39:310:39:34

Imagine yourself and your big pieces of French furniture in there.

0:39:340:39:38

-Yes.

-Yes.

-We already know where to put the mirror.

0:39:380:39:41

-That's a good sign. Go and do some more of that, please.

-Thank you.

0:39:410:39:44

It's always such a brilliant sign, isn't it,

0:39:440:39:47

when people start to mentally think about where their own furniture

0:39:470:39:50

is going to go. To hear these two have been doing that,

0:39:500:39:53

that's brilliant news.

0:39:530:39:54

£25,000 below budget,

0:39:560:39:58

our Mystery House has so much

0:39:580:40:00

of the English country character

0:40:000:40:02

Patrick and Claudine are after.

0:40:020:40:04

There's a kitchen-diner,

0:40:040:40:06

plus a reception room, with feature fireplace,

0:40:060:40:08

and a total of three bedrooms, including a master en suite.

0:40:080:40:12

A lovely landscaped private garden

0:40:120:40:14

is complemented by extensive communal grounds,

0:40:140:40:17

from which there are far-reaching views.

0:40:170:40:19

As soon as I walked in through the gate, absolutely fantastic.

0:40:210:40:25

It's, it's absolutely...

0:40:250:40:27

So...merveilleux.

0:40:280:40:30

I cannot find the word in English.

0:40:300:40:33

The kitchen is spacious,

0:40:330:40:36

there is enough room for a table, and which leads into the lounge.

0:40:360:40:41

In every room, I was amazed.

0:40:410:40:44

I really love it.

0:40:440:40:46

It's beautiful. You've got a nice terraced area, you can sit,

0:40:460:40:50

and you've got the garden at the back. Everything works.

0:40:500:40:53

Everything works. This house is certainly drawing me towards it.

0:40:530:40:57

-Ah!

-Ah!

0:41:000:41:02

I have a feeling we may have ended things on a positive note.

0:41:020:41:05

So it's time to go and have a chat now.

0:41:050:41:08

-OK?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Come on, come and spill the beans.

-OK.

0:41:080:41:11

Well, it's the end of our house-hunt in this beautiful countryside,

0:41:160:41:20

so it's time to have a chat with our couple,

0:41:200:41:22

but I don't think it takes a detective to solve

0:41:220:41:25

the mystery of which house stood out for them.

0:41:250:41:27

-Well, here we are at the end of our search.

-Yeah.

0:41:330:41:36

I'm quite intrigued to see what the two of you are going to say.

0:41:360:41:39

I thought the Mystery House was...

0:41:390:41:41

Oh, God, I don't know...

0:41:410:41:44

I was lost for words.

0:41:440:41:46

Even when we just opened the gate, when I saw the garden,

0:41:460:41:50

which was a lovely, pretty garden...

0:41:500:41:53

So I have to ask you, is there a "what next"?

0:41:530:41:56

Because I know this is the start of a really big adventure for you.

0:41:560:41:58

-Yes.

-What are your thoughts now?

0:41:580:42:00

Well, we're going to go back and have another look to the Mystery House.

0:42:000:42:04

-Yes.

-I'm absolutely thrilled.

0:42:040:42:06

We wish you so much luck and

0:42:060:42:09

we really hope that that does become your home here. And if it doesn't,

0:42:090:42:13

I know you're going to be happy wherever you end up.

0:42:130:42:16

We'd like to thank you. It's been a fantastic experience, hasn't it?

0:42:160:42:19

-Yes. Thank you very much.

-Thanks again.

-Thank you so much.

0:42:190:42:22

And all that remains to be said is bonne chance!

0:42:220:42:26

It's the end of our search

0:42:360:42:38

and I'm delighted that our Mystery House proved to be such a hit

0:42:380:42:41

that Claudine and Patrick are heading back for a second look.

0:42:410:42:44

I hope we've helped our international couple begin the next chapter

0:42:440:42:48

of their life together, in not just a new county but a new country.

0:42:480:42:53

Join me next time.

0:42:530:42:55

If you would like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,

0:42:560:42:59

England or Northern Ireland and need our help, you can apply online at...

0:42:590:43:03

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