0:00:02 > 0:00:03Whoa, look at this! How delicious.
0:00:03 > 0:00:09Pork pies, cider, cheese, ketchup, all locally produced within a mile of this very spot, and where am I?
0:00:09 > 0:00:14Well, it's a gastronomic capital but right in the middle of the most beautiful English countryside.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Find out in just a moment.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31In today's show, I'll be helping a couple
0:00:31 > 0:00:35leave commuter-belt living behind for a quiet life in the country.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38But finding a house to suit them both proves a challenge.
0:00:38 > 0:00:43- That is amazing. - I'm not sure I like it.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46They'll have the chance to view some stunning properties,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49including our mystery house, but there's trouble ahead.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52When I get that look, I know we're in trouble.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Could be in for a serious argument.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56A long discussion.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00But will they fight it out and pick any of our choices as their new home?
0:01:02 > 0:01:07Today, I'm in Shropshire and I couldn't have found a better place to have a picnic.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Behind me is Ludlow, which is the foodie capital around here.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Everybody is mad keen on local produce,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15which is great for the local community,
0:01:15 > 0:01:17and also great for my belly.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Shropshire lies on the border of England and Wales.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Set on a back cloth of patchwork fields,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27it has a long history of wild border conflicts
0:01:27 > 0:01:29which have left a legacy of hill forts,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32one of the most spectacular being in Oswestry.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Shropshire is one of England's most sparsely populated and rural counties.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Fertile soil encourages fine crops,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43and the animals reared on its plains produce quality meat and dairy products
0:01:43 > 0:01:48which are sold locally in abundance and are celebrated in food festivals throughout the county.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51To the south lie the Shropshire Hills.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56Covering over 300 square miles, the hill ranges and river valleys
0:01:56 > 0:02:02offer unspoilt countryside enjoyed by the residents and tourists alike.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05In terms of its architecture, Shropshire is triply blessed.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08It wasn't industrialised in the Victorian period,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10it wasn't bombed in the Second World War,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12and it wasn't redeveloped in the 1960s,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16which means that a lot of these half-timbered buildings are intact and reasonably priced,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19because the average price of a detached house
0:02:19 > 0:02:22here in Shropshire is £267,000,
0:02:22 > 0:02:24which is 2% less than the national average,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27which is all good news for today's buyers.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32And they are Reg and Lesley, who live in a modern four-bedroom house
0:02:32 > 0:02:34in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40After 40 years of marriage where Reg spent many years in the RAF and Lesley worked as a civil servant,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43they're looking forward to a change of pace.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47We want a better quality of life, less pollution,
0:02:47 > 0:02:52a healthier lifestyle, and hopefully we'll be able to slow down a bit
0:02:52 > 0:02:56because we have quite a manic life at the moment, don't we, darling?
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Yes, I agree with Lesley. I think we're ready to go somewhere
0:02:59 > 0:03:02where the quality of life could be a little bit better,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05more rural, and to do it before we become too old
0:03:05 > 0:03:09to really appreciate living in the country.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11And they're looking forward to their leisure time.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I'd like to get on the golf course more often.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17He'd be on that golf course every day if I let him, I'm sure.
0:03:17 > 0:03:23I'd like to do yoga and maybe join the WI,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25and participate in the village activities.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27And possibly bowls,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31which is something that we did in Spain on holiday recently.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Their present house has been their home for the past 13 years,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and all in all, it wasn't a bad buy.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43One of the reasons that attracted us to this property originally was the size of the master bedroom.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45When we do find another property,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48we would like it to have a similar master bedroom.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50But there are a couple of niggles.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53As you can see, this kitchen is quite small,
0:03:53 > 0:04:01and I do want a bigger living kitchen, because it is the centre focal point of the house.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04This is a fairly recent property.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07However, what it lacks is features.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10What we would really like in the next property is to have
0:04:10 > 0:04:14an inglenook fireplace where we could put a wood-burning stove.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17So to sum up, what sort of property are they looking for?
0:04:17 > 0:04:22- Three bedrooms.- A large kitchen because Lesley is a wonderful cook.
0:04:22 > 0:04:23Not on a main road.
0:04:23 > 0:04:30And a nice, large-ish garden, secluded, with country views.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Before we can set the wheels in motion, we need to get their property valued.
0:04:34 > 0:04:40This is a really nice, four-bedroom detached house, well presented throughout,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43quite close to the train station, so ideal for the commuter.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45I would like to value this property at £475,000.
0:04:49 > 0:04:56We bought the house 13 years ago and only paid £140,000, so it's a reasonable return on our investment.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58We have done very well.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02So how much money are they looking to spend now?
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Our budget would be £400,000.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10They might be able to agree on the budget, but are they searching for the same property?
0:05:10 > 0:05:12I suspect that we're probably not.
0:05:12 > 0:05:18I'm looking perhaps at a period property, thatched cottage,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21old-fashioned features there.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25And I want somewhere more modern and airy and spacious.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29In that case, it sounds like there could be conflict ahead.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Our home-buyers' requirements are quite straightforward.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41They want a country property with a big kitchen, three bedrooms, lovely garden.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44But...Reg wants lots of period details,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Lesley wants clean, modern lines, so there could be fireworks yet.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Reg and Lesley have friends and family in Shropshire
0:05:51 > 0:05:53and want to be within easy reach of them,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57so they've specified the countryside in the south of Shropshire Hills
0:05:57 > 0:05:59as the main area of our search.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03We'll be viewing a selection of fantastic properties,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06but I won't be revealing the prices until after each viewing.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08And of course, there's the mystery house,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12which may just put a spanner in the works.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16We've done well finding houses that fit Reg and Lesley's requirements,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19but if YOU fancy Shropshire as your new home, then take a look.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21There are plenty of properties.
0:06:21 > 0:06:29At the top end of the market sits this mansion in Bridgnorth, up for grabs for £1,650,000.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33From the moment you step into the entrance hall, the house never fails to impress.
0:06:33 > 0:06:39It's been beautifully renovated, but you might need a gardener to look after the 16-acre plot.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Or 30 miles down the road in Stoke-on-Tern,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47this six-bedroom Victorian house may part you from your cash.
0:06:47 > 0:06:53For £875,000, it's an elegant property, with an enormous kitchen,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57and it all sits on two-and-a-half acres of beautiful grounds.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Or, for the more affordable end of the market, you might be tempted by
0:07:00 > 0:07:05this former Victorian school house, for sale at £275,000.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09It's sleek and modern, yet retains its period features.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Shropshire the Beautiful salutes you.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- And welcome back to you, cos you're a Shropshire lass.- I am indeed.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19I lived here in Shrewsbury for 20 years, before I escaped to London.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Now you're escaping back to the countryside!
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Yeah, that's so true!
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Not into Shrewsbury, but the beautiful countryside around.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- I hope so!- What about you, Reg?
0:07:28 > 0:07:33Well, all those years ago, I fell in love with Lesley when she came to London,
0:07:33 > 0:07:38and then when she took me up to Shropshire, I fell in love with Shropshire as well,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40so a twin-edged sword as it were.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42A double whammy, a double delight?
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Sort of! - Remind me again of your budget.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- £400,000.- Yeah.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- Very top?- Pretty much.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Pretty much, yeah.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Well, we've found some great properties to show you,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57and we've got a mystery house as well to keep you on your toes.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- I'd forgotten about that. - Sounds exciting.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Let's get cracking and find some.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11Reg and Lesley have a budget of £400,000 and are looking for a three-bedroom property.
0:08:11 > 0:08:18Lesley is a keen cook and dreams of a large kitchen, while Reg hankers for period features.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19One thing they both agree on
0:08:19 > 0:08:23is a large private garden with views of the countryside.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29Do you have any specific...?
0:08:29 > 0:08:35I know that you're looking around Ludlow, but do you have any specific leanings?
0:08:35 > 0:08:39We don't want to be too, too isolated,
0:08:39 > 0:08:45so that you can nip into the nearest village or town,
0:08:45 > 0:08:51or even get on the train and pop into Hereford or Shrewsbury, which would be nice.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Even though we've lived in the south-east now for quite a while,
0:08:55 > 0:09:00we've always lived in houses that have had their own space
0:09:00 > 0:09:04and nice gardens, and not particularly overlooked,
0:09:04 > 0:09:08so obviously we're looking to replicate that at the very least.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13Great. In that case, I think we have some real corkers lined up.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Our first property is in Clun in the south Shropshire hills
0:09:16 > 0:09:19and very close to the Welsh border.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25The village lies in countryside that has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:09:25 > 0:09:30and one of the dominating features is the ruin of Clun castle.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33With a local WI group and also a bowling club,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36this place could be perfect for Reg and Lesley.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40It's a great little village. I wanted to show you the village option.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- This is the house I want to show you.- Looks interesting!
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Interesting... That's a code word for, "I'm not sure."
0:09:47 > 0:09:50It's a nice looking house from the front.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54It's not a listed building. Parts of it are about 300 years old.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58This part is about 100. 50 years ago, they took out the windows and put these big
0:09:58 > 0:10:01bay windows in, which brings in a lot of light.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- Lots of history, let's have a look inside.- Great!- Yeah!
0:10:08 > 0:10:13So, this is one of the two reception rooms. They've got it as their sitting room.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Actually, this part of the house is the Victorian part.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19This was the part that was put in 100, 120 years ago.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24- It's nice. I like the beam. It's an original beam.- I like the windows.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27The fireplace and the wood-burning stove - that's nice.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31The windows at the front give a nice aspect of light.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36- This is south-facing, so you get the afternoon sun. - It's a little bit small.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41A little bit small, but there's probably too much furniture in here.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42We are quite minimalistic.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- I would describe it as cosy and snug.- Yeah!
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Well, Lesley didn't baulk at the beams, so that's a good start, at least.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Across the hallway is the dining room, which is a similar size.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56But next up for us is the study.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Mind the step coming down here.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02This takes us into the oldest part of the house.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07These beams are not too much character for you, Lesley?
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Um, I quite like them here! SHE LAUGHS
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Is it more the Victorian period you don't like? Older's all right?
0:11:14 > 0:11:18I just don't know... Sometimes I like them and sometimes I don't!
0:11:18 > 0:11:24- SHE LAUGHS - You know how it is with these things. You instantly like it
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- or you instantly dislike it. - That's very true of houses.- Yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- You just get a feel. - Let's take a look at the kitchen.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39The kitchen really is the biggest room in this house by a long chalk.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45It's a lovely size, nice and light. Windows there and there.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48It was extended in the '70s, so all of this is new space.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52The nice thing is it's so large, you could have it as a live-in kitchen
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- with a table and chair in the centre, there.- Mmmm, you could.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01And then this new conservatory, which really does extend your space
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- out into the garden.- Yes.- This is west-facing, so you get the afternoon and evening sun.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- Let's take a look upstairs.- OK.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20This is the master bedroom, but it could be any of the bedrooms.
0:12:20 > 0:12:27- It's a five-bedroom house. - Five bedrooms?- Wow! Five bedrooms?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29What do you think of the size?
0:12:29 > 0:12:31The size is very good...
0:12:31 > 0:12:35One of the most interesting features about this room is...
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Ha! Mind the steps.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- Wow!- This is probably the oldest en suite I've ever shown anybody.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- Amazing! We thought it was another bedroom.- Yeah. It's fantastic!
0:12:46 > 0:12:50This is the top of the one-up, one-down 300-year-old cottage.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52It's 200 years older than the bedroom.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- Mmmm!- Lovely feature.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Those steps would be a little bit dodgy, I think.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- In the middle of the night. - They might be, in the middle of the night.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05If you've been to the pub at some stage.
0:13:05 > 0:13:11If that's the case, it might be safer sticking with the family bathroom, also on the same floor.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13But next on our tour is the second bedroom.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Another very big room.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- Oh, gosh! Yes.- With an en suite.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22What a lovely guest room! Yes.
0:13:22 > 0:13:30- And a corking view of Clun Castle. - Beautiful.- Absolutely. A castle in your back garden, almost.
0:13:30 > 0:13:36That is fantastic. I think I'd have this room as the master bedroom.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- Couldn't agree more. - Yes, absolutely.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- No period features.- Absolutely. THEY LAUGH
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- Lesley's talking a lot, now.- Did my face light up when I walked in here?
0:13:47 > 0:13:53Good, that was a success! Upstairs, there are two bedrooms of pretty good size.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57But I think it's high time to show green-fingered Lesley the garden,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00which is laid out in a series of rooms.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- These are your formal gardens, here...- Oh, wow!
0:14:03 > 0:14:06..with the borders and the little gazebo over there.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- It's beautiful.- It is, and there's lots more of it.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Wonderful orchard. Lots of apple trees,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- plum trees...- Crikey, look at this vegetable patch.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23- ..and a fully-functioning kitchen garden.- Beetroot, broadbeans...
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Strawberries, radishes, raspberries...
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- The archetypical country garden. - It's just fantastic.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31And there's more!
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Oh, and a pond as well!
0:14:33 > 0:14:40- Gosh! Another feature.- Yes, I like a garden that has rooms.- Definitely. So many features to this one.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43It's a wonderful garden. It really is fantastic.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47This house also comes with a double garage and plenty of space for visitor's cars.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51But, as ever, it comes at a price.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55I know you're still thinking, but what do you think it's on the market for?
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Um, I would say...390?
0:14:59 > 0:15:04- I think...400?- Right at the top of your budget?- I think so.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10Well, you'll be pleased to know the house is on the market at £330,000.
0:15:10 > 0:15:16- Wow!- £330,000. That's amazing. The number of bedrooms and the size of the plot.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21To put our stamp on the house, we would want to make changes and spend some money.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- It's definitely in your budget. - Oh, definitely.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28Why don't you have a walk around and mull over. I know the interior didn't blow you away
0:15:28 > 0:15:32as much as the exterior. But maybe there's things you could do.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- Have a think and I'll see you out the front.- We'll have a look. OK.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40It's funny, cos obviously Lesley doesn't want anything period-ish, she wants it all brand new.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45Reg is really liking all the period features, so there's gotta be some compromise along the way!
0:15:45 > 0:15:49But they did love the garden. That's one thing to remember.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54This property is on the market for £330,000.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58It has a large kitchen, five bedrooms,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02plenty of period features and extensive gardens.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11- So, here we are, back in the lounge. Or the snug, as I called it. - Yes, the snug.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14It's quite cosy. I actually quite like this little room.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18I like it... I don't know how we would put our mark.
0:16:18 > 0:16:24It's a question of where you would start and what would you do.
0:16:24 > 0:16:30I must admit, when we pulled up first of all outside, the house looked very nice externally.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36I was a little bit concerned about the fact that it was very close on the road.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38And that is an aspect that still concerns me.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43I think the frontage is lovely. I think the garden is probably
0:16:43 > 0:16:48one of the prettiest and picturesque gardens I have ever seen.
0:16:48 > 0:16:55But I still have this query of how could I put my own stamp on the inside of the house.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00I thought I'd find you in the garden! Come on, Shropshire is waiting. We've got more to see.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01Excellent, thank you.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12Reg and Lesley are no strangers to Shropshire and have, over the years,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15squeezed in many visits to their favourite haunts.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20Ranked at the top of their list is Ludlow. So they were keen to fit in a revisit.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21Afternoon tea in De Greys?
0:17:21 > 0:17:26The market town radiates history, evident at every turn, from the narrow cobbled streets
0:17:26 > 0:17:32to the wonderful black and white architecture and it boasts over 500 listed buildings.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Brilliant.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Surprisingly, one place that Reg and Lesley have never explored is Ludlow Castle,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41which sits proud at the heart of the town
0:17:41 > 0:17:45and is considered to be one of the finest medieval castles in England.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50The first stone was placed in the 11th century, from archer, Lord Robert de Lacey.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The view from the top is worth the climb.
0:17:55 > 0:18:01- Wow. Look at that fantastic view. - Oh, my goodness! Isn't that fantastic?
0:18:01 > 0:18:06- Look at that.- Wow. I wonder if our future house is anywhere around?
0:18:06 > 0:18:08You never know, do you? With a bit of luck! Yep!
0:18:08 > 0:18:13At the foot of the castle lies the River Teme and it's a great place
0:18:13 > 0:18:15for whiling away a few hours in a boat.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- The view of the castle is fantastic.- Yeah.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Just a gorgeous, tranquil afternoon.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- How's that?- Brilliant.
0:18:37 > 0:18:43- Ah, that was just such an amazing trip. A touch of old England there, I think.- Definitely.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- A touch of old England along the river, there. Very good.- Gorgeous.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54The next house on our tour is in the small village of Lingen,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57which sits in a conservation area.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59It's quiet with few amenities, but Presteigne,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02with its many shops and pubs, is just five miles away.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06This small town dates back to the 14th century,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09and its historic buildings offer plenty of colour.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Back in Lingen, I think the position of this house
0:19:12 > 0:19:15could offer Reg and Lesley the tranquillity they're looking for.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18So, Lingen. I'm very excited about this place.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20This is a very quiet little hamlet.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Right.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Fascinating.
0:19:24 > 0:19:25- Quiet!- Quiet.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- And this is the property I wanted to show you.- Very pretty, isn't it?
0:19:29 > 0:19:34There's a lot of wonderful features about this property which I think are great,
0:19:34 > 0:19:40but you'll be pleased to know it's been very sympathetically and contemporarily done up inside.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- Right.- So it's the best of both worlds. Shall we have a look inside?
0:19:44 > 0:19:45- Absolutely.- Love to.
0:19:52 > 0:19:59Come on in. This is the... Again, one of the smaller reception rooms at the front of the house.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- A sort of snug.- Yes, it is a snug.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Yeah, very cosy.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07One of the really striking features about this property,
0:20:07 > 0:20:12and the reason the owners bought it, is those windows that you see.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14They look like Crittall windows from the 1950s,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18but actually they're original to the 18th-century building.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21They're made of wood, not metal.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Yeah, Lesley noticed them from the outside.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28They're lovely windows, and you would never think that the frames were wooden.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29Nice little room.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30And a lovely fireplace.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33It's got a lot of character.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35So first impressions of the inside?
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- Good. Very good.- Mmm.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Let's move across the hallway.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- OK.- OK.- Lead on. - Thank you very much.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Come on in. This is the... I guess this is their real living space.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- Mmm.- You've got a great multi-fuel burner there.- Yeah.
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- Mmm.- Lovely story about this fireplace is that, originally, when they started to renovate it,
0:20:56 > 0:21:01there was a fireplace, and they took it out and there was another fireplace behind that.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03They took that out, and there was another.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- They had to remove three fireplaces to get that hearth.- The original.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10And the soot at the back there is original 18th-century soot.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Good grief. A piece of history.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15The doors are really lovely.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19They're great. These are pearwood doors, and you've got this lovely Suffolk latch here.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Throughout the house, actually, you'll see these.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27So, obviously they've knocked through and brought a lot of light into this space,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30and made the whole of this feel connected to the kitchen,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32which is through here.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34It's not massive.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- No.- No. But it's got a nice feel to it.- It's adequate, I think.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41I think, because it's knocked through, you don't feel...
0:21:41 > 0:21:45It's not boxed in. You could have a conversation with someone.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46Yeah, it gives a feeling of space.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51And you've got a big country range, and you've got this lovely space through here.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52This is the utility room.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56And you've got a little electric stove if you don't want to have the range on at all.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59There's a great story attached to these doors.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01You've got two doors the same next to each other.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04The tradition is in this rural area...
0:22:04 > 0:22:06There's a superstition about pigs.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11You'd have your pig, and when it was ready to be eaten, you'd bring it in, but you can't, apparently...
0:22:11 > 0:22:16It's bad luck to bring the pig in through the door that it's going to come out.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19So you have to have two doors for the pig - one to go in,
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- it gets killed, slaughtered, cut up, and its bits come out through the other door.- Never heard that story.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26No. That is amazing.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28You can see actually there's still the hooks.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Oh, gosh! Yeah.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34So that's pretty much the downstairs. It's not massive.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- No.- No, it isn't, but at the end of the day, there's only two of us.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- How many bedrooms does it have? - Well, that's a very good point.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46There are three, maybe a ghost of a fourth. Let's have a look.
0:22:46 > 0:22:47Oh!
0:22:48 > 0:22:54There's certainly no shortage of history in this place, and it continues upstairs.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59If you step up here, and through here, this WAS a bedroom.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01That was a bedroom?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03This is the ghost of the fourth bedroom.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- Oh, my goodness! - Must've been a very small bed.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Oh, how sweet.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13The owners removed all the wattle and daub and left the supporting beams.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16You have this, I think, really nice little study area.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17A little reading area.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20You've hit it on the nail there. It's a perfect little study.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Yeah. This is not a real bedroom, but next door is.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25That is so sweet!
0:23:27 > 0:23:29This is one of the two front bedrooms.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31There are three bedrooms all told in the property.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34All a similar size?
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- Yeah, pretty much. - Look at the teeny-weeny fireplace.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Beautiful fireplace...
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- Isn't that sweet?- ..which they found for a fiver in Devon.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45I think this place is appealing to them both.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Next door is the family bathroom with views out to the garden,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53and next to that is another double bedroom with a small en-suite.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55But I want to show them the largest room up here.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00This is a bedroom but they've turned it into a study.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Got a single bed here, good for your guests.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Mmm, yes, they've made good use of the space.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Do you need a study? Do you work from home?
0:24:08 > 0:24:11No, we don't, but Lesley's a big user of the internet.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15We have got a study. I think that would work very well.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Well, you like indoors. Wait till you see the garden.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- Can't wait.- Can't wait!
0:24:21 > 0:24:24This house does have that cosy, country feel,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27and I think the garden is the icing on the cake.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31I think the garden is just beautiful.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Oh, gosh, it's fantastic.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Very nice, isn't it?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39What a country garden.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41And look at this massive double garage which is yours.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Loads and loads of storage.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Yeah.- And not overlooked either. - Crikey.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- Fantastic.- Beautiful, yeah.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53What a garden.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57- You've got a big quince tree here. - And on and on.- Wow!
0:24:57 > 0:24:59- Don't see many of those.- No.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02So let's turn around and take a look at this lovely property.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Mmm.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06It's fantastic.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08How much do you think it is?
0:25:08 > 0:25:11£420,000?
0:25:11 > 0:25:13I would say a bit lower than that.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15395.
0:25:15 > 0:25:22It's a beautiful spot and it's a lovely building with quite a lot of land and no overlooking neighbours.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Mmm.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29But...this property is on the market for 375.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- And it's been on the market for a year.- I find that amazing.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Well, I find that amazing.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- Because it is such a beautiful place.- It's such a perfect cottage.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41You've gone silent. That's usually a bad sign, Lesley.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44That's a good sign. We go from vociferous to speechless.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49My only reservation, looking at it both from the front and the back,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51is the condition of the roof.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56There's a question mark over the roof, but you'd do a survey.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01- Yes, exactly.- Why don't you have a roam around the garden and the property, scratch your heads,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- see whether the sums add up. - OK. Thanks very much.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Thank you.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07This is a beautiful property.
0:26:07 > 0:26:13I have to say the garden's super-stunning but the property's so unique with those windows,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17and even though there might be question marks about the roof,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I'd buy it.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24This house is comfortably under-budget at £375,000,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27and has the period features they're looking for.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30There are three to four bedrooms, beautiful private garden,
0:26:30 > 0:26:32and a double garage.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I think they've been bowled over,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38but will they be getting out the chequebook?
0:26:38 > 0:26:41I think it's... I think it's an amazing cottage.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43It is an amazing cottage.
0:26:43 > 0:26:50I didn't think there were such perfect cottage-garden houses existing, to be honest,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53and this must be almost perfect.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58When we arrived outside, I thought, what a beautiful-looking house.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Picture postcard stuff, really.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04I was a little bit unsure about the roof, looking from the front,
0:27:04 > 0:27:10but certainly the interior of the house is a really nice space,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14so overall a very positive feel about it, yeah.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16You look deep in thought!
0:27:16 > 0:27:18That's a good sign. Let's go out this way.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Reg and Lesley are both keen to spend many hours of their retirement
0:27:27 > 0:27:33exploring the South Shropshire Hills, but in the 21st century,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37there's a new high-tech method of discovering the land, called geocaching.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41It's all new stuff to us, so we're meeting up with Zoe Griffin
0:27:41 > 0:27:45from the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre to get the lowdown.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46Such lovely views.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48- They get better at the top.- Do they?
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Geocaching is the latest craze.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55It's a sort of treasure hunt but with the help of a hand-held satellite navigation system.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58So you go for a walk and this leads you to one of these?
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Yes, we've put some out at various locations round the Shropshire Hills
0:28:02 > 0:28:04that have got interesting stories.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07You don't need any map-reading skills or anything,
0:28:07 > 0:28:11so it's a great way to go out into the countryside with confidence,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14and it's also a great way to blackmail kids to go on a walk.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18They're tricked into the hiking, cos they think they're doing computer games!
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- My compass is telling me to go up there.- Yeah.- Let's do it.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Well, let's go, then.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Now it's telling me to go down here.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33I'm only joking! Geocaching isn't just a UK phenomenon.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Geocaches have been planted at various locations all around the world, even in Antarctica,
0:28:37 > 0:28:42but it is a long way to go in the extreme cold just to look for a box.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46That bit that's sort of coming up behind the hill is all the Clun Valley.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48But this is fantastic.
0:28:48 > 0:28:53It's a good way to discover the countryside, and the promise of treasure adds to the excitement.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55- Yeah, got it!- Hooray!
0:28:55 > 0:28:56There it is.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- Excellent. Well done. - Wow!- Well done, Lesley. Well done.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Alistair's got it.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08A treasure trove.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11- There's a little log-book. - Some little trinkets.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16And then that tells you why on earth I made you come down here!
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Shall I read it? "Look across the valley.
0:29:19 > 0:29:24"The still-formidable ramparts of Burrows Hill fort were built to be both impressive and defensive."
0:29:24 > 0:29:27And that's the hill you're looking at.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31I'm not sure I can really make it out, but nevertheless, I quite enjoyed that.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- Brilliant.- That was great. - Thank you very much, Zoe.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Hopefully, your orientation skills are now so honed,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41- you'll be able to find a house, no problem.- There may be some over there!
0:29:50 > 0:29:53As the sun's final rays are cast over Shropshire,
0:29:53 > 0:29:57Reg and Lesley take the weight off their feet and mull over the properties so far.
0:29:57 > 0:30:02What did you think of the house in Clun?
0:30:02 > 0:30:05It was a very attractive house when we walked up.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07On the road, though.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09And the kitchen - such potential.
0:30:09 > 0:30:15The garden was amazing. I just think it was the two living rooms.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18- What would we do with those two living rooms?- Good question.
0:30:18 > 0:30:26- Although the price is good, how you would address and make the house how you wanted to have it.- Mmm.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30But what about the 18th century house in Lingen?
0:30:30 > 0:30:34- Well, that was...- That blew you away, I think.- I think it did.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- And the actual accommodation it offered...- It was perfect.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44- ..both upstairs and downstairs... - Sitting room, dining room...
0:30:44 > 0:30:45Kitchen may be a little small.
0:30:45 > 0:30:52- Amazing garden.- I mean, that garden was... It almost brought tears to my eyes.
0:30:52 > 0:30:59- Overall, it is the kind of place that we could live in.- We could. So that's the end of day one.
0:30:59 > 0:31:05- It was good. Exciting. Interesting. - What will day two bring? - Let's drink to day two.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08Let's hope it's just as exciting.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Reg and Lesley from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire
0:31:23 > 0:31:28are looking to escape their urban surroundings for a new life in rural Shropshire.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31They have a budget of £400,000 and so far have viewed two properties.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35But the camp is divided as to what exactly they're looking for.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38And coming up, a feature from yesteryear rears its head.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42I don't care whether we had 20 of those.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- I'm going to stay out of it, Alistair!- It's in the past!
0:31:45 > 0:31:49I'm not revisiting it. I'm traumatising her. I'm so sorry.
0:31:49 > 0:31:50I'm not going there again!
0:31:54 > 0:31:58It was interesting yesterday. I think Clun is the right sort of village.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01It's busy, but they didn't like the house or the location of it.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06Whereas Lingen, although the property was beautiful, they weren't really keen on it being so remote.
0:32:06 > 0:32:13Today is a bit of a balancing act, where we try and find the right location and then the right house.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20Our first house this morning is in the village of Lydbury North.
0:32:20 > 0:32:25Its peaceful location offers enviable views over the South Shropshire Hills.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31The house we've lined up used to be two cottages, but now it's one detached home, and it's a real gem.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- Wow. Oh, yes.- That's very pretty.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37- Oh, I like that.- It's gorgeous.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39First impression, fantastic.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- Thumbs up from the outside? - Absolutely. Yes, wonderful.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- Shall we take a look? - Let's have a look.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46Yes. Yes.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48It's beautiful.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Come on in.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Very nice. Yes, I like this.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- What do you think of this?- Oh, wow!
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- It's very good, isn't it? - Yes, it's fantastic.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09Lovely and spacious.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13- Mmm, well-proportioned. - I love the flagstones.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- Beautiful floor. - And the double wood-burning stove.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- Bread oven there. You see the original feature?- Oh, gosh!
0:33:19 > 0:33:21- Look at that, Lesley. - Oh, that's amazing.
0:33:21 > 0:33:27It's beautiful, isn't it? I'm not to mention beams too much, but you've got to admire them, haven't you?
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Look at this lovely little window here. That is amazing.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36They've kept a lot of the original features from the original farmers' cottages.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40In terms of the style, Lesley, cos it is quite period,
0:33:40 > 0:33:42there's an awful lot of dark wood,
0:33:42 > 0:33:46- is it good for you? - But it's spacious.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- I find this isn't sort of crowded. - No.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54Lots of nice windows which let the light in, so it's not too oppressive.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57This is the main space, and then, at the back,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59there's a few smaller places, lean-tos, add-ons.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03This would have been an addition, a lean-to if you like.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05This is the outside wall.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07They've turned it into a little study.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Perfect.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13- And then it leads on to this lovely little conservatory.- Oh, wow, yes.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16This was put on more recently.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19- Hardwood.- Oh, that's lovely.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- Nice little size.- Lovely feature.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26- It brings the garden in. - It does.- On colder days.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31It's lovely to have that wall that's still exposed there.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- You can see the local stone. - Yes, I saw the exposed wall there.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38- This is a thumbs-up? - Oh, it's a definite plus.- It's nice.
0:34:38 > 0:34:43This place really has it all. It's packed with character but it's light and spacious.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Back off the hall is the dining room.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49It's not a bad size for a cottage, and from there is a door to the kitchen.
0:34:51 > 0:34:52Ah.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55- Hmm...- Fairly small.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59It's a small kitchen. This is the down-side of this property.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Everywhere else is so big and spacious, and this is a little bit disappointing.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08I can't understand what's happened here, really.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12You've got a utility room for all your white goods here.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14But the kitchen is small.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Well, you're the cook, darling.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21I'm just wondering what you could do or knock through or...
0:35:21 > 0:35:27There's a possibility that you could just combine these two rooms to make a kitchen-diner.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Or the other solution is this. Just mind yourself.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32You could just eat on this table.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Lesley's face is a picture!
0:35:35 > 0:35:40"I would rather eat my own head!"
0:35:40 > 0:35:41We had one of these.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43But, darling, that was 20 years ago!
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Weren't they a German design?
0:35:45 > 0:35:48I don't know what design they were.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51They were a German design originally. We had one of those in...
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I don't care whether we had 20 of those.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Thumbs down, Alistair!
0:35:56 > 0:35:58It's in the past. I'm not revisiting it.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00I'm traumatising her. I'm so sorry.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02I'm not going there again!
0:36:02 > 0:36:05- Why don't we take a look upstairs? That is quite spacious.- Oh, right.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14The house has three bedrooms. There are two doubles which are light and airy,
0:36:14 > 0:36:18and would be ideal for guests, and just next door is the family bathroom.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21But I can't wait to show them what would be their room.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Oh, yes!
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Oh, I like that.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- Oh, my word.- Oh, that is fantastic.
0:36:28 > 0:36:33- This is a grand master bedroom, isn't it?- Isn't it just?
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Oh, what a lovely bedroom.
0:36:35 > 0:36:36Absolutely brilliant.
0:36:36 > 0:36:41All the other properties I've showed you, it's been unclear which is the master bedroom.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45- This is definitely it.- It certainly is.- No doubt about that.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49And you've got a wonderful dressing room and en-suite.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52Creaky floorboards!
0:36:52 > 0:36:56Oh, this is a bonus.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Yes, that's lovely.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04- Nicely done, isn't it?- Hand-made fitted units, all in sycamore wood.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07And you've got the... bathroom in there.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12- En-suite.- This has been put in very recently.- Yes, you can tell.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15You can tell, in relation to certainly the other bathroom.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18That's perfect.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21And lots of light and space to get ready in the morning.
0:37:21 > 0:37:22Lovely.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26I can see you're transfixed by the garden. Shall we go and have a look?
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Oh, Lesley's the gardener, yep.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33And the garden certainly is magnificent, but they might have to invest in a ride-on mower.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39- There's a great large space here. - Goodness!
0:37:39 > 0:37:41- Wow, yeah. - You could have a tennis court here!
0:37:41 > 0:37:45You could do, actually, or a putting green. I can practise my putting.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- You can hear the stream.- Yes, you've got a little stream down there.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51You've got two thirds of an acre to play with here.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55- Two thirds of an acre? - It wraps around the whole house.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Walk up here and see the veggie garden.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02You get a nice view of the house, actually, from the back.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Oh, yes, it's lovely.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08The whole house is just lovely to look at, how it's been done.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11And the pond is a lovely feature.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13The gardens are magnificent.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17- It's really good.- How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:38:17 > 0:38:18Shall I go first this time?
0:38:18 > 0:38:21- Yes, you go first this time.- 420.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27I'll go 440.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29It's on the market for 435,
0:38:29 > 0:38:32and it's only been on the market for a few weeks.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35So, in the current climate, that's an untested price.
0:38:35 > 0:38:42With the vagaries of the current market, you might be able to put in an offer.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46That is if things like the kitchen...you can make that work for you.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47But I think there are options there.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52You could either knock through into the dining room, or maybe extend back here.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54It's just a question of whether you can do the maths.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Yes, that's so true.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- Wander round. Have a think. - Thanks a lot.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05It's strange, because the house actually looks much, much bigger from the outside
0:39:05 > 0:39:09than it is inside, particularly downstairs, and the kitchen is quite small,
0:39:09 > 0:39:14but where there's a will, there's a way, and there's definitely scope for extending.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16It's whether they can afford it.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21This house is over-budget, at £435,000,
0:39:21 > 0:39:25but it has much of what they're looking for, so it was worth a visit.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27And they might be able to negotiate on the price.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31There's a lounge with an inglenook fireplace,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34a study, which I'm sure they'll make good use of,
0:39:34 > 0:39:37three bedrooms, including a fantastic master suite,
0:39:37 > 0:39:39and a large garden.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Well, what do you think?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Well, it's an amazing house, isn't it?
0:39:44 > 0:39:46It's a fantastic house.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50- You couldn't really want for anything else but with one exception.- The kitchen.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54Beautiful character property.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58Disappointing kitchen, but I think it has potential,
0:39:58 > 0:40:03and you could do something and knock it into the utility room.
0:40:03 > 0:40:10And the garden and the lawns are absolutely fantastic. Just perfect.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14It's a beautiful house to look at, with a lovely drive up to it.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17I think it looks really good from the outside.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20The gardens are absolutely magnificent.
0:40:20 > 0:40:25I think you could see on Lesley's face how she felt in all the different rooms,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28the feeling of excitement,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32but then the disappointment that she felt when she went into the kitchen.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35The house as a whole, she feels very positive about.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38It is a lovely house.
0:40:38 > 0:40:39I'm going to tear you away.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- Yes.- OK.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49Reg and Lesley want to get involved in the local community when they move,
0:40:49 > 0:40:53but as Reg has dabbled with lawn bowling, he's keen to give it another go.
0:40:53 > 0:40:58Lesley, however, is an absolute beginner, so they're meeting up with Bill Moody,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01the Shropshire bowls champion, to pick up a few tips.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04- Good morning, folks.- Good morning! - My name's Bill.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06It's a game of skill that boils down to the grip.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10There's two methods of holding the bowl. The cradle grip -
0:41:10 > 0:41:14when the green's rolling very fast, you need the bowl just sat in your hand.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17So on delivery, the ball will virtually fall off your hand.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19That sounds easy enough.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22When the greens are heavy, you've got to get a long distance.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25You've got to use what we call the claw grip,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28making sure your finger and thumb is wrapped well round the bowl.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33When you pull your arm back, that bowl will go a long way. Excellent.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Having taken that on board, it's time for Lesley to put it into action.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Right foot on the mat, step forward with your left foot
0:41:41 > 0:41:44and quietly, quietly down. That's very good.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46In fact, you're... That's an excellent start.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50- My goodness, gracious me!- That's excellent.- That's a great ball!
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- How did you manage that?! - Bill, that's got to be a fluke!
0:41:53 > 0:41:58- That's absolutely fantastic! - I shan't match that! - Reg, you've got to beat that!
0:41:58 > 0:42:06Left foot stepping forward and quietly... Yes. Probably too much and too hard and all over the place.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Oh, dear, a little off course. But Lesley was a real cracker.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11I wonder if she really is a novice?
0:42:11 > 0:42:16- I'm very, very impressed with your first delivery.- Thank you!
0:42:16 > 0:42:19OK, thank you very much for coing this morning, Reg.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22- Thank you Lesley. All the very best to you.- See you again some time.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26- Look forward to seeing you again. Bye for now!- Cheerio!
0:42:31 > 0:42:34I think that we've been neglecting poor Lesley a little bit,
0:42:34 > 0:42:38because all the properties we've shown them have been quite characterful.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43I know that she likes a modernist clean line, so the mystery house is going to be Lesley's house,
0:42:43 > 0:42:47and I think it might also fulfil her kitchen dreams.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55We're about to go to the mystery house. What are you expecting?
0:42:55 > 0:42:58THEY LAUGH
0:42:58 > 0:43:00- That's a really good question. - I really don't know!
0:43:00 > 0:43:04- I don't know.- What are you going to throw at us this time?
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Something slightly out of the ordinary, possibly?
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Barn conversion?
0:43:10 > 0:43:14We've seen wonderful gardens, we've seen lovely houses.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17I'm going to show you a horrible house with no garden.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24I can now reveal that the mystery house is just a ten-minute stroll
0:43:24 > 0:43:26outside Bishops Castle.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29It's a quaint town where most of the shops are privately owned.
0:43:29 > 0:43:34It's certainly a far cry from the urban high street they're used to.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37The location of this house would afford Reg and Lesley
0:43:37 > 0:43:42oodles of privacy while being just a short distance from a thriving community with much to offer.
0:43:43 > 0:43:47I'm excited to show you this property, particularly you, Lesley.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49Come, come, come, come. Stay with me.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Hurry along, hurry along!
0:43:52 > 0:43:55Oh, my goodness!
0:43:55 > 0:43:56Gosh!
0:43:56 > 0:43:59- That is...- It's a change of gear.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01That is amazing.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04How interesting.
0:44:04 > 0:44:09I've been indulging Reg's love of period for too long.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11This is, er...
0:44:11 > 0:44:14I thought I'd show you something a little bit more modern.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17- That is really different. - Modern on the end, isn't it?
0:44:17 > 0:44:19- Yes.- This house, which is about 150 years old,
0:44:19 > 0:44:22was extended quite radically four years ago.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25- Really?- Gosh.
0:44:25 > 0:44:26What do you think, Reg?
0:44:26 > 0:44:29I'm not sure I like it!
0:44:29 > 0:44:31It's too modern for you.
0:44:31 > 0:44:32Shall we take a peek inside?
0:44:32 > 0:44:36- Oh, I'd love to, love to. - It's certainly different.
0:44:40 > 0:44:41Come on in.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46Wow!
0:44:46 > 0:44:48Oh, it's fantastic!
0:44:48 > 0:44:51- It is amazing, isn't it? - This is for you, Lesley.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53Oh, thank you!
0:44:53 > 0:44:56This is the modern, big kitchen-diner you were looking for.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00Let me talk you through the features. You've got Mexican floor tiles throughout,
0:45:00 > 0:45:02- under-floor heating...- Oh, wow!
0:45:02 > 0:45:07And pretty much all the building materials are sourced locally. So the outside was larch.
0:45:07 > 0:45:13Inside, you've got birch-fronted kitchen units and then beechwood worktop here.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15And lots and lots and lots of light.
0:45:15 > 0:45:20- Yes.- Incredible views. When you're cooking, you've got these lovely picture windows,
0:45:20 > 0:45:23and when you're washing up, and if you look to your right,
0:45:23 > 0:45:26you've got an incredible view down the fields, down the valley.
0:45:26 > 0:45:30- But it's very open-plan, very contemporary.- It's beautiful.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33- "It's beautiful." - I knew Lesley would like it.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35This ticks the boxes for you.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38Mmm, absolutely. You don't have to do anything in here.
0:45:38 > 0:45:42Well, Reg, it's not all modern, so let's look at the older part of the house.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45- Excellent.- Mind your heads.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51Here's the old part of the house, but you can see that they've kept the contemporary feel.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53They have. Kept the old window.
0:45:53 > 0:45:59And they've got this huge log-burner, which actually powers the whole house.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01They throw out so much heat.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03That will throw out so much heat.
0:46:03 > 0:46:07What's interesting here is that they've really gone down the Scandinavian route
0:46:07 > 0:46:10in the sense that they've made all the beams visible but light.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13They've taken out all the tar and all the darkness,
0:46:13 > 0:46:16and sand-blasted them to make them light throughout the house.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19Mmm, lovely.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21And down here you've got the downstairs bathroom.
0:46:24 > 0:46:25Oh, that's big!
0:46:25 > 0:46:28Gosh, yes. Very big and bright.
0:46:28 > 0:46:33- Beautifully done.- It was a lean-to and they've built it out.
0:46:33 > 0:46:34I love the window.
0:46:34 > 0:46:39This part is 40 years old, but they've put down this lovely floor throughout.
0:46:39 > 0:46:44- Reg, you're starting to look a bit worried.- Well, I got the look outside there, Alistair.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47When I get that look, I know we're in trouble!
0:46:47 > 0:46:49We could be in for a serious argument.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52A long discussion.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Let's take a look at the last reception room.
0:46:54 > 0:46:55OK.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01This room is a bit more traditional, Reg.
0:47:01 > 0:47:02- Bit more.- Bit more.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05Yes, I can see the features there.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07Another wood-burning stove.
0:47:07 > 0:47:11Yeah, this is their sort of sitting room, recreation room.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14- A pretty room.- The ceilings seem a little bit lower.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17But you'll notice that they've got the original beams,
0:47:17 > 0:47:21but they've decided to paint them white, which I think is not a bad idea.
0:47:21 > 0:47:22No, to brighten it up, I think.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24The floor is beautiful.
0:47:24 > 0:47:28It's original floorboards that they retrieved.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30- Yes.- Nice and cosy.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34This house certainly has a good balance between the old and the new.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37Upstairs, the house is split into two halves.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39In the old part, there are three bedrooms,
0:47:39 > 0:47:43all of which have superb views out over the Shropshire countryside.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46But we're heading up the staircase in the new part of the building,
0:47:46 > 0:47:50which leads up to what I think is one of the best rooms in the property.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54Now this is what I call a master bedroom.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57Wow!
0:47:57 > 0:48:00My goodness me!
0:48:02 > 0:48:06Yes, I said it might be quite stunning, I suspected it might be quite stunning.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09Gosh, I didn't think it would be quite this big.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12- Did you?- And quite this open.
0:48:12 > 0:48:13Gosh!
0:48:13 > 0:48:16You've got these incredible views over the fields there.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19- These windows!- And this...
0:48:21 > 0:48:22Sit yourself with a book,
0:48:22 > 0:48:25put a big comfy armchair here.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- I've got one of those. - Glass of Scotch.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31Watch the world.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34It's very nice. And it's very quirky. Isn't it?
0:48:34 > 0:48:37- It is indeed. - It's very modern.- Modern.
0:48:37 > 0:48:38Is that the word?!
0:48:38 > 0:48:41You've got the modern with the old.
0:48:41 > 0:48:46The clever thing about this house is that everything's engineered around the views.
0:48:46 > 0:48:51- Wherever you are, there's a framed view of the incredible countryside. - Stunning.- Mmmm.
0:48:51 > 0:48:55- Do you want to have a look at the en-suite?- Could we, please? Thank you.
0:49:03 > 0:49:05Great views. Jolly good.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08Nice little bit of privacy there with the shutters.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11When you're lying in the bath.
0:49:11 > 0:49:15- Lovely.- And of course we've still got a garden to look at.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17Yes, we caught a glimpse of it.
0:49:17 > 0:49:20- I'd completely forgotten about the garden!- Lesley's overwhelmed!
0:49:20 > 0:49:25You've had good luck with the gardens. Let's see if it continues.
0:49:25 > 0:49:26Yes. It's just amazing.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29I just can't get over this.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31This house has really blown Lesley away.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34I'm not so convinced that Reg has lost his heart to it.
0:49:34 > 0:49:36Lesley may have to twist his arm.
0:49:36 > 0:49:42Out at the back, there's no shortage of lawn, and there's the odd extra feature too.
0:49:42 > 0:49:43A summer house.
0:49:43 > 0:49:45A garden house.
0:49:45 > 0:49:50A proper little garden house. This is really nice, with the veranda as well.
0:49:50 > 0:49:52It is. It's very American, with a rocking chair.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54Oh, yes, yes!
0:49:54 > 0:49:56The garden is a very long, thin strip.
0:49:56 > 0:50:02- It's quite wild at the moment. It could do with a tending hand, Lesley.- Mmm, it could.
0:50:02 > 0:50:03You've got your vegetable garden.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06It used to be a small-holding so the ground is very good.
0:50:06 > 0:50:10- Yes, absolutely.- And, of course, your ubiquitous apple trees,
0:50:10 > 0:50:14which no property around here seems to be without.
0:50:14 > 0:50:15That's right. Compulsory.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18No, you could do a lot, I think, with the borders.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21I'm getting different levels of enthusiasm from the two of you.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24You're amazed, it's fantastic, you're almost in tears.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27Reg is totally taciturn, won't say a word.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29I've gone quiet, I've gone quiet because,
0:50:29 > 0:50:33you can probably guess, I'm not as keen on the house as Lesley is.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37What about the price, though? That might be the deciding feature.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39Oh, gosh, yes. I'd forgotten about the price.
0:50:39 > 0:50:40I think it's your turn.
0:50:40 > 0:50:45OK, OK. Um... I'll go for...
0:50:46 > 0:50:49..400, I think. On the dot.
0:50:49 > 0:50:57Funnily enough, that was exactly what I was going to say, but I'll go slightly higher at 405.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59Well, you're both very close.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02It's actually just come on the market at £410,000.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04Ah, right. Yes.
0:51:04 > 0:51:08So it's slightly over your budget, but you know...
0:51:08 > 0:51:11- It's not been on for very long.- No.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13So I think it COULD be in your budget
0:51:13 > 0:51:17if it was the thing that you were really, really wanting to buy, Reg.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20Alistair, we'll have to talk about that one.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24There are some boxing gloves just outside, so if you two want to slug it out, that's fine.
0:51:24 > 0:51:28- Have a look, have a wander round. I know you want to.- Thank you.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31- We will. Absolutely. - No Chinese burns, Lesley!
0:51:31 > 0:51:36It's fantastic. There's been the biggest hard sell as we've been walking around.
0:51:36 > 0:51:41Lesley's been going, "The most important thing about a house is the kitchen and the garden,"
0:51:41 > 0:51:44and Reg is going, "No, no, the most important thing about a house
0:51:44 > 0:51:46"is the period features and the sitting room."
0:51:46 > 0:51:49I don't know how they'll square that, but it's really good watching.
0:51:49 > 0:51:55This unusual property is on the market for slightly over their budget at £410,000.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58There's a huge kitchen that Lesley has totally fallen in love with,
0:51:58 > 0:52:00four bedrooms, one with an en-suite,
0:52:00 > 0:52:03plenty of character features to keep Reg happy,
0:52:03 > 0:52:04and again, a large garden.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08It might be over-budget, but, with such a huge divide in the camp,
0:52:08 > 0:52:10that could be the least of their worries.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12This is absolutely fantastic.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15The kitchen and the upstairs...
0:52:15 > 0:52:18Yeah, yeah.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22But it doesn't wow me as much as it wows you, I think.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24Because you're not a kitchen person.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27Well, no, I'm not a kitchen person, no.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30So I don't know what we're going to do!
0:52:32 > 0:52:34Just breathtaking.
0:52:34 > 0:52:38Um, it's everything I ever dreamed of.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40I have to say, for me, it doesn't work, really.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44The two just don't blend together.
0:52:44 > 0:52:50And the garden is a big garden, but it's a bit wild and woolly for me.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53I prefer my garden to be a little bit more organised,
0:52:53 > 0:52:58so I think there could be some heated discussions ahead!
0:52:58 > 0:53:01All right, guys? Still talking?
0:53:01 > 0:53:03- Just about.- Just about.
0:53:03 > 0:53:04Just about! Ohh!
0:53:04 > 0:53:07Right, let's go and find a space where we can thrash it out.
0:53:07 > 0:53:08OK.
0:53:13 > 0:53:17It's been quite a journey around Shropshire for Reg and Lesley.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20While they respect each other's views, there's a huge
0:53:20 > 0:53:25difference in what they're looking for, so there's lots to think about.
0:53:25 > 0:53:30Who'd have thought? At the beginning, Reg and Lesley seemed like such a sweet, nice couple.
0:53:30 > 0:53:35Now they're really at loggerheads! Time for a decision.
0:53:37 > 0:53:41Well, let's try and thaw the ice a little bit by talking about the properties that we've seen.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44Let's reflect over the whole journey.
0:53:44 > 0:53:49We started off looking at the old house in Clun. Didn't get thumbs up all the way round.
0:53:49 > 0:53:56I think it had some plus points. We both felt that there was probably too much to do to it.
0:53:56 > 0:54:00Then we went out to Lingen and we showed you that lovely cottage.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03I thought it was really beautiful.
0:54:03 > 0:54:06It was a nice house. A really, really nice house.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10- Yes, it was. I loved it.- With some lovely features. We felt that Lingen
0:54:10 > 0:54:15was perhaps a tad isolated, but the garden - another wow factor.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18- The garden was fantastic. - But all that was yesterday.
0:54:18 > 0:54:23Today, whole new battle lines got drawn.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26We've got Lydbury North.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29What did you think of that? That was a nice village.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32It was. Lovely village.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34Lovely village, lovely house.
0:54:34 > 0:54:41For me, the archetypal house that I think I was looking for, and hoping to get.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45I was disappointed with the dining room and the kitchen.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48The gardens, for me...
0:54:48 > 0:54:51- Oh, the gardens were wonderful. - Drop-dead gorgeous, weren't they?
0:54:51 > 0:54:53They were fantastic.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57You can stop listing all the good points of that house now, Reg,
0:54:57 > 0:55:02cos we're going to move onto your favourite, which was the modern house just outside Bishops Castle.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05I know. I was so surprised by that house.
0:55:05 > 0:55:10I really thought you were just taking me to a little small cottage,
0:55:10 > 0:55:14and I walked into the modern wing and it was breathtaking.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16That's all I can say.
0:55:16 > 0:55:17Lesley's been blown away.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20I think what they've done is wonderful.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24The kitchen and the upstairs in the new bit, it's lovely.
0:55:24 > 0:55:29But, for me, the new and the old just don't click together.
0:55:29 > 0:55:33What about the garden? The garden wasn't quite as up to scratch.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35No, but I could put my stamp on that garden.
0:55:35 > 0:55:40It's obviously a very big, what I would call a wild country garden.
0:55:40 > 0:55:46Not manicured. Reg doesn't realise the hard work that has to go into a manicured garden.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50No, but I'm prepared to be the labourer, darling!
0:55:50 > 0:55:52But you're on the golf course all the time!
0:55:52 > 0:55:55Ah, here we're getting to the nitty-gritty!
0:55:57 > 0:56:02OK, so it's obviously, you know, it's a massive decision. It's going to be a big new stage in your lives,
0:56:02 > 0:56:08so obviously there's going to have to be some changes, so what do you think is going to happen next?
0:56:08 > 0:56:11I think what we will do is, undoubtedly, we'd want to go back
0:56:11 > 0:56:14and certainly look at those two properties.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17Two today. And I think we'd take somebody with us.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20Might give us some support, maybe.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Do a little bribe...which family member you bring along.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26No, I'm not letting Lesley's sister come along!
0:56:26 > 0:56:28You can't pre-select the members of family to vote.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31- It's been wonderful showing you round.- It really has.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34- We've had a tremendous time. - A fantastic time, we really have.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38- Thank you so much. - Not at all. It's been our delight.
0:56:40 > 0:56:45For an awful moment there, I thought Escape To The Country had broken up
0:56:45 > 0:56:47Reg and Lesley's long and happy marriage.
0:56:47 > 0:56:52But, you know what, by the time I think they go home and sell their house and come back to Shropshire,
0:56:52 > 0:56:54some things may have decided themselves.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57Personally, I hope they buy the mystery house.
0:56:57 > 0:56:58See you next time.
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