0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today I'm in a part of the world that's famous for producing
0:00:05 > 0:00:07one of Britain's oldest and well-known of fast foods.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Its ingredients are very simple.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14A good chunk of pastry, a lid, a handful of pork and a dolly.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16What am I talking about, you wonder?
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Join me in Escape To The Country, and I'll tell you.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35'In today's show, I'll be helping a growing family leave suburbia behind
0:00:35 > 0:00:39'so they can all spread out in a grand dream home in the country.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44'I'll be showing them some of the most luxurious houses they can buy in the area.'
0:00:44 > 0:00:48It's like a lottery house, like what you buy when you've won the lottery!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50'And they will be spoilt for choice.'
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- You brought the cheque-book?- That's a bargain!- Can we move in now?
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'Making it a challenge to make up their minds.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00'And I'll uncover a mystery house that's full of hidden surprises.'
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Today, I'm in Leicestershire, in Melton Mowbray,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08home to this, the classic pork pie,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11and I'm here with Steve Hallam in Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Steve, what's so special about a Melton Mowbray pork pie?
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Three key things - the pastry should be rich and crunchy,
0:01:18 > 0:01:20succulent pork, and tasty jelly.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21All three together.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24You don't pie a pie just to eat meat and leave the pastry.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27But I'm told there is a secret part to the recipe.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30There is, and if I tell that you, I'd have to kill you -
0:01:30 > 0:01:31it's no longer a secret!
0:01:31 > 0:01:37The good news is Leicestershire has plenty of other secrets that we can tell you about.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38Lovely.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42'Nestled in the heart of England,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45'and surrounding the thriving city of Leicester,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'the county of Leicestershire offers an array of pretty villages
0:01:48 > 0:01:50'and colourful market towns.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53'There are beautiful rural landscapes
0:01:53 > 0:01:55'with diverse wildlife and hidden nature trails,
0:01:55 > 0:02:00'including the National Forest, which embraces 200 square miles of growing woodland,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03'thanks to an initiative to plant new trees.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06'Perfect walking, cycling and horse riding territory.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08'Famous too for Stilton and Red Leicester cheese,
0:02:08 > 0:02:13'Leicestershire has something to suit everyone's taste.'
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Given Leicestershire's central location and excellent transport links,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20you would expect house prices here to be high. But here's the rub.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Your average detached will set you back £256,000.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27That's 5% below the national average.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29It's great news for today's buyers,
0:02:29 > 0:02:34and should give them a reasonable chance of getting their first foot on the rural property ladder.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37'Today's house hunters are Rachel and Anthony.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41'They live in a four-bed house in a suburb of Tamworth in Staffordshire.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46'Anthony works as an HGV lorry driver, while Rachel works for the local council.
0:02:46 > 0:02:47'Family is everything to them,
0:02:47 > 0:02:52'and they want to give their ever-expanding clan a better life in the countryside.'
0:02:52 > 0:02:55It was just the perfect house, but we've outgrown it.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59The bedrooms are too small. Obviously, the new house we would like bigger bedrooms.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03- Three bedrooms, four bedrooms. - Hopefully, four bedrooms.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07'But it's not just their three daughters that need more space,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09'there are the grandparents to think about too,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12'and they're not just coming to visit - they're moving in!'
0:03:12 > 0:03:20We'd like to move to the country to combine our house with my mum and dad's, so we can all live together.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22'It's not just about size, either.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26'Rachel's dad needs special care, so they need easy access ground-floor living space.
0:03:26 > 0:03:32'They'll be looking for ready-made self-contained accommodation or something like a garage to convert.'
0:03:32 > 0:03:38The property we'd like to move to would have accommodation downstairs for my mum and dad.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43My dad's disabled so he would need a bathroom downstairs as well.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46'They also want a place for everyone to come together.'
0:03:46 > 0:03:49At the moment, we have a separate kitchen and dining room.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54In the new house, it would be ideal if we could combine the two to make a larger area.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57And outdoor space is also on the wish list.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00At the moment, we've got quite a small garden.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04In the new house, we'd like a big garden where we can have some ponies
0:04:04 > 0:04:08and pigs and goats and chickens and things that I can rescue.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12'They're keen to embrace a traditional rural lifestyle,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15'where the kids have got plenty of space to grow up and play around in,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18'with the support of a thriving village community.'
0:04:18 > 0:04:20The kind of life we dream of is a slower pace of life.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23- Spend more time... - Playing with the kids...
0:04:23 > 0:04:26..the children, getting involved in village life.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31Yeah. Trips to the village pub, and fetes, all the things that go on.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35'They're going to have the sale of two properties to play with -
0:04:35 > 0:04:37'their own house and Rachel's parents' place.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40'So we've invited round an estate agent
0:04:40 > 0:04:43'to see how much Rachel and Anthony can contribute to the kitty.'
0:04:43 > 0:04:48'This is a well-presented four-bedroom family detached residence
0:04:48 > 0:04:51'situated in a highly sought-after and residential location.'
0:04:51 > 0:04:55I would put a valuation on the property in the region of £240,000.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00'Making a grand total of...'
0:05:00 > 0:05:04We're combining the sale of our house and Rachel's mum and dad's house.
0:05:04 > 0:05:10So our budget for our perfect property is a maximum of £500,000.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18I think this house hunt could be something of a challenge.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21We're looking for a house not just for Anthony and for Rachel,
0:05:21 > 0:05:25but also, of course, their three children and Rachel's parents.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Here's the important bit - the accommodation for the old folks has to be on the ground floor.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34On top of that, they also want a garden for a vegetable patch and maybe the odd chicken,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38and ideally, the whole lot should be close to, if not in, a nice village location.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41All of that for half a million quid.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46'Rachel and Anthony don't want to be too far away from friends and family
0:05:46 > 0:05:50'in Tamworth, so we're focusing our property search around Leicester.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54'As space is the main priority for today's family,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56'we'll have our work cut out trying to fit everyone in.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00'In today's show, we'll take our couple on a tour of three beautiful properties,
0:06:00 > 0:06:04'but they won't find out the prices until after they've viewed each one.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07'And the last of the properties will be a mystery house,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11'to throw something completely different into the mix.'
0:06:11 > 0:06:17Rachel, Anthony, here we are on Escape to the Country and you've got a cool half a million to spend,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- but it has got to go quite a long way, hasn't it?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23So who exactly have we got to fit in to this house?
0:06:23 > 0:06:27We've got three children, and my mum and dad.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- Right, so three generations?- Yeah.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Yeah.- Have you looked at many houses in the past?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Just a couple on the internet, really.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38So you've no idea, really, if this is going to be possible?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- No!- No!
0:06:41 > 0:06:45OK, right, well, the good news is that we're in quite an interesting part of the country
0:06:45 > 0:06:50as regards property and property prices, particularly at the moment,
0:06:50 > 0:06:56so I'm confident your £500,000 will go some way further than you perhaps thought it would.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01But nonetheless, it is going to be a challenge fitting all of you in to one house.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04That's going to take a bit of vision and a bit of imagination.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05Have you got bags of that with you?
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- Yeah.- Yeah, definitely. - Good. I'm pretty optimistic.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- Shall we?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16'So, Anthony and Rachel have a total budget of £500,000.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19'Ideally, they're looking for four bedrooms
0:07:19 > 0:07:22'with separate ground-floor living space for Rachel's parents,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24'and a downstairs bathroom for her dad.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28'They are after a big family kitchen and a large garden for animals,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31'but most of all, they need plenty of space to keep everyone happy.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41How are we all feeling, then, about our first day's house hunting?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- Excited. Can't wait.- Can't wait.
0:07:43 > 0:07:50Good. It's quite interesting when we talk about this idea of bringing three generations into one property.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52For some people, that's their idea of a nightmare.
0:07:52 > 0:07:58But you're quite willingly taking this on. How do you think it's going to be all living together?
0:07:58 > 0:08:03Well, it will be fine, as long as we could get... We need something that has got their own living area,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07like living room, just so we're not on top of each other all the time.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14'For our first property, we're travelling 20 miles north of Leicester
0:08:14 > 0:08:17'to the sweet little village of Nether Broughton.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19'Whilst it feels very rural,
0:08:19 > 0:08:25'just ten minutes away is the village community of Old Dalby, complete with school.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29'Such a pretty village, it's an idyllic peaceful place for the whole family,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32'so I think Rachel and Anthony will be all smiles.'
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Now, you did say you wanted to be somewhere rural.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37What about this, then?
0:08:37 > 0:08:42- Breathtaking, that view.- Brilliant. Well, I'm glad you like it so far.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43If you like this bit,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46wait until you see the house, because it's pretty special.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49This is what I want to you look at.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- How about it?- Wow. It's lovely. - It's great. Yeah.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It's quite typical for this part of the world, really, this red brick.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59It's probably 200 years old or thereabouts.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02It's been much converted and the standard in here is extraordinary.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06It really is extraordinary. You'll see what I mean when we have a look.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Now, come on in.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19Wow! This is definitely big enough.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24I like the units, the colour, the taps, the way the kitchen's set out.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26It's just what the doctor ordered.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Brilliant! That's fantastic.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Well, come and have a kind of broader look at it,
0:09:32 > 0:09:36because the whole thing, really, is set off by that cast-iron range.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39It just screams country life to me.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Proper escape to the country in here, isn't it?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Yeah, very good.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46And as you would expect, everything's integrated.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Hidden behind all these doors, look at that.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53There's the fridge, freezer underneath it, and these things I love.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- Look at that. Can you get all your bits and pieces in there?- Yeah!
0:09:57 > 0:10:03So nothing - nothing - has been left to chance.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Now, in terms of dining. Come and have a look at this.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10This is quite interesting.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15What would you do with this space?
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- Dining room.- Definitely.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21It's beautiful. Looking out over the garden, skylight.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23I can't stop smiling.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25That's a really good sign.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27The floor is also quite special.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31I could feel it, is it underfloor heating?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- Underfloor heating. - Perfect.- I love it.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Great. Brilliant.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- It feels comfortable. - Yeah.- Doesn't it?
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Well, it certainly should, because this is a terrifically comfortable house.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43There's no doubt about it.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48Now, in terms of Mum and Dad, you want them downstairs, don't you?
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Come and have a look at this.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Because the current owners had this room designed and built
0:10:53 > 0:10:58as part of the extension to allow them to have one of their elderly relatives here.
0:10:58 > 0:10:59They've never used it, as such.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03They've currently got it set up as an office, as you can see.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- But take all this out, and it would be a bedroom.- More than big enough.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Yeah, nice size.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14'Next door, there's a beautiful bathroom and a handy utility room,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17'enhancing the living space for Rachel's parents.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21'But we're heading back through the kitchen area to the other downstairs rooms.'
0:11:21 > 0:11:26So, through another lovely old door off of the kitchen into this space.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- Come on in.- Right.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30You could have your dining area in here.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Yeah.- And that could be a family room through there.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Yeah.- Choices, again.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Lots of choices here.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40But there is more. Come and have a look through here.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44I think you'll quite enjoy this Rachel. Come on in.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45- Lovely.- It is nice.- Very cosy.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Yeah. I can see us sitting in here. A good-sized room.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- This is what I had in mind.- Yes?
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Brilliant. You know, out of ten?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Nine.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Upstairs is where we're heading next.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02What would gain an extra point up there?
0:12:02 > 0:12:04- Decent-sized rooms.- Yeah.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05You're going to love this.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Off you go.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14'Upstairs, coming off the large landing, are four bedrooms,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17'three of which would be ideal for their daughters.'
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- It's perfect. It's like it's made for us.- It is.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- It's just the right size, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26For all of us. I love the doors and the skylight.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29As you can see, this has been very heavily designed,
0:12:29 > 0:12:35but very sympathetic, I think, to that cosy country feel that you're after.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37'There's also a deluxe bathroom,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40'but let's see if they fancy what would be their room.'
0:12:40 > 0:12:45Finally, the last bedroom.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- Wow, again. Nice size!- Very nice.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Now, how does this one compare to what you've got at the moment?
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- Similar size, isn't it? - Similar, yeah.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57It's got fitted wardrobes as well.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02- But I bet they're not like those fitted wardrobes?- No!
0:13:02 > 0:13:04I think this is a beautiful home.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08But there is one more thing of course, as you would expect in this property...
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Oh, wow!
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- Go and check it out.- It's beautiful.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Yeah? Your kind of thing?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- Yes. I love it.- You see the taps?
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Crystal taps.- Very high standard.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22I could see me using this.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27So, now, then, downstairs, you said it was a nine out of ten.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35- Upstairs is...I would still say nine out of ten.- Yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Wait a minute! We came up here looking for one extra point, mate.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41This isn't a whole start again thing on the numbers!
0:13:41 > 0:13:44This is have we got a ten out of ten overall for the property?
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Overall, yeah.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50It can't not be. It's lovely.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- Breathtaking.- It is. It's perfect.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Perfect.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- Just one snag.- What's that?
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- The price!- Well, we will get to the price in due course.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06First, though, let's go out and check out the garden area and see what you make of that.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10And then, yeah, we'll see if you want to get your cheque-book out.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Come and have a look.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14This way...
0:14:20 > 0:14:21Right, guys.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Now, come out into the garden.
0:14:23 > 0:14:29It is in the middle of a working farm, as you can see all around you, so you're only overlooked by that.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- I like the pond.- Well, there's fish in there too. They all come free!
0:14:34 > 0:14:39But there's plenty of room for veggies and chickens and things.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43So you would get this, and, of course, the main event,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45you get that. So how much do you like it?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- A lot.- A lot.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48You said ten out of ten.
0:14:48 > 0:14:55Yeah. It's Anthony that's probably going to be not giving it ten out of ten when he knows the price.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00Well, let's see. Will the price score ten out of ten, I wonder?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03You've got half a million to spend, 500,000.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Go on, Anthony, make me an offer.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- I would say 550. - Might be a bit more than that.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14I mean, if it was 550, could you find another 50 grand?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- At a push, but...- Yeah.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- At a push.- Mmm.- All right, suppose you don't have to push at all?
0:15:19 > 0:15:25Supposing I told you could afford this house with 85,000 to spare.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- No way!- Wow!
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Have you done the maths yet?
0:15:31 > 0:15:35It's on the market for £415,000.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Have you brought the cheque book? - That's a bargain.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39Can we move in now?
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- That's an absolute bargain.- Gosh!
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- Pretty cool, eh?- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:15:45 > 0:15:51£415,000 and you don't even need to pick up a paintbrush.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- No! I can't believe it.- No, nor me.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Well, believe it, because that's what it is, that's the truth of it.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Go on, go and have a walk around in what may be your new house.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03I will prise you away later.
0:16:03 > 0:16:10There we are, it doesn't come much better than that, not only under budget but by a cool £85,000.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13'So, at 415 grand,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16'this spacious farmhouse will leave them plenty of change.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20'It has four bedrooms, and separate ground floor accommodation for Rachel's parents.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24'And a large modern kitchen, perfect for a big family,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27'all set in a rural location.'
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I had a good feeling to start with because the garden was beautiful,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- and I couldn't wait to get in the front door.- Wow!
0:16:33 > 0:16:36It's lovely. It's just perfect.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39This room I can see being our room.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- Yes, especially with that fire on.- Yeah.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46This is what escaping to the country is all about.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- That room is ideal for your dad. - Right next to the bathroom.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51- Brilliant.- Yeah.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56I would say this property is more or less 100% what I was looking for.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- What do you think about the price? - The price was very cheap.- I know.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01I thought it was going to be more than that.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- So we can buy this, can't we? - Yes!- Yeah!
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Now then, have I got to drag you out of here with a coach and horses?
0:17:14 > 0:17:15- Yes.- It's pretty special, isn't it?
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- It is, it's lovely. - So it's clearly one on the list?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- Yes, definitely.- So good so far.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22Right, come on.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35'As clouds roll over the Leicestershire fields,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38'day one of Rachel and Anthony's house hunting draws to a close.'
0:17:46 > 0:17:51'Rachel and Anthony from Tamworth are looking for a house in Leicestershire.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53'They're doubling up with Rachel's parents,
0:17:53 > 0:17:57'so, with the value of two properties, they have half a million pounds to play with.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01'So far, they've seen one property above and beyond their wildest dreams.'
0:18:01 > 0:18:05We can buy this, can't we? Yes! Yeah!
0:18:05 > 0:18:09'But the search is about to go up a notch, adding yet another temptation to the mix.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Wow! Again, wow!
0:18:14 > 0:18:15And still to come...
0:18:15 > 0:18:18We unearth a hidden treasure with the mystery house.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20How cool is this!
0:18:20 > 0:18:21Unbelievable!
0:18:25 > 0:18:29We're now halfway through our house search here with Anthony and Rachel,
0:18:29 > 0:18:34and the daunting task of trying to find a property that will contain their ever-evolving family
0:18:34 > 0:18:38is at last beginning to hit home, but, so far, so good.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42We've certainly got one property on the list as a possible contender,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46and coming up are two more that may well throw a spanner in the works.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48'For our next property,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51'we're travelling ten miles south-west of Leicester
0:18:51 > 0:18:53'to the small village of Kirkby Mallory.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55'Surrounded by open countryside,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59'it's a pretty little village with a 13th-century stone church
0:18:59 > 0:19:00'and a handy convenience store.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05'But there's something very special here I think Anthony is just going to love.
0:19:05 > 0:19:06'He's fond of motor sports,
0:19:06 > 0:19:11'so wait until he discovers Mallory Park Race Track is right on his doorstep,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15'and if this is the house for them, they'll even receive complementary tickets.'
0:19:17 > 0:19:20This is a location, guys.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- It's nice.- I like the lane. - Yeah.- Very pretty, isn't it?
0:19:23 > 0:19:28- It is.- Wait till you see what we've got in store for you here.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- Look at this, these would be your gates.- Oh, my God!- Look at that!
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Oh, wow!
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Look at that. You are joking!
0:19:37 > 0:19:40I'm not joking. What do you think?
0:19:42 > 0:19:43- I could cry!- Yeah!
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Come on, Anthony.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51This could be your new home.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- Come and have a look. - It's beautiful.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55I bet this says a lot.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- What do you think?- Unbelievable.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01I'm speechless.
0:20:01 > 0:20:08It's about 1950s, so it's 60 years old, but much developed over the last 60 years or so.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Quite interesting. Who knows?
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Maybe it's the one. Come on.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18'Well, it does seem that this property has made an overwhelming first impression.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20'So let's see what happens inside.'
0:20:20 > 0:20:24There's not much to say about any hallway, particularly,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28however, the important thing is there are two doors leading off of it.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31One of them goes into a kitchen.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- You wanted a nice big kitchen, didn't you?- Mmm-hmm.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- Go and tell me if that one is big enough.- OK.- In you go.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41SHE GASPS
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Oh, wow!
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Oh, God, I AM gonna cry!
0:20:48 > 0:20:50I don't know what to say.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- I mean, look at this.- Oh, wow.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Is this what you had in mind?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59It's big. It's massive!
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- More than what we had in mind. - More than what you had in mind?
0:21:02 > 0:21:04I feel at home already!
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- That's a very good sign, and this is only the kitchen.- I know.
0:21:08 > 0:21:14Oh, dear, I imagine the girls sat there watching the telly while I'm cooking.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It's miles away over there!
0:21:18 > 0:21:20It's fantastic, it really is.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Yeah? Come through, because the other thing, which I love about it, is this.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27How do you fancy cooking on that?
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Oh, yes. I'm sure I could create something on that!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Knock something up for supper.- Yes.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36It's like a lottery house. What you buy when you won the lottery.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Well, have you got the winning ticket, I wonder?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42I mean, I think this is very much the heart of this home.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47I can see that an awful lot of your day-to-day life would occur around
0:21:47 > 0:21:50that central island and in and out of here.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55- Yeah.- You really don't need anywhere else, actually. We'll just stay here!
0:21:55 > 0:21:57I'd love to just say to you, "This is it",
0:21:57 > 0:22:01but, of course, as would you expect with a house like this, there is a lot more to see.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Come and have a look through here.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- So...- It's a nice big space, isn't it?- It is, yeah.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13What would you do with all this space?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- It would be lovely for us to sit there, wouldn't it?- Yes.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17And have the children...
0:22:17 > 0:22:20..have this area. We could have it as a play area, couldn't we?
0:22:20 > 0:22:23They've got bags of room, haven't they?
0:22:23 > 0:22:24- I like the layout.- It's so open.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25Yeah. Yeah, it's lovely.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31'There's also a beautiful conservatory.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34'And a downstairs cloakroom.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37'But how about this for Rachel's parents?'
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Right, now, last but not least, this room on the ground floor.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43What about a bedroom?
0:22:43 > 0:22:48- Yeah, it's perfect size. - Good size, yeah. It would be great for a bedroom, this one.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- Yeah. It's like it was made for us in mind, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54But you said that before about other houses!
0:22:54 > 0:22:56I know, but this one's just...
0:22:56 > 0:23:00I bet it's way over budget.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01Might be!
0:23:02 > 0:23:06But well worth looking at nonetheless, I think,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09because I get the sense this is really what you guys are after.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- This is gorgeous.- Look at your face.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14I love it! I love it! Brilliant.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19OK, so, upstairs, how many bedrooms did you really want?
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Four would be ideal, wouldn't it?
0:23:22 > 0:23:24- So five would be really cool. - Hmm-hmm.- Yeah.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Great, because you've got five!
0:23:29 > 0:23:33'As we head upstairs, three of the bedrooms are perfect for their little girls,
0:23:33 > 0:23:37'one with its own en-suite, and another with its own shower.'
0:23:38 > 0:23:39And this is...
0:23:40 > 0:23:43..the master suite.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Wow! Again, wow!
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- Is this big enough for you?- Yeah!
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Through that little door there,
0:23:52 > 0:23:57you've got a dressing room with built-in his-and-hers rails and cupboards and all the rest of it.
0:23:57 > 0:24:02But also through here, this is lovely, this is your en-suite with a difference. Come and check this out.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- Oh, wow.- It's like a space ship.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- Yeah.- I'm actually quite sad now.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Why? What's to be sad about?
0:24:15 > 0:24:20This house has got to be way over budget because it's so lovely.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- It's worth seeing, though. - Oh, yeah, definitely.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25It gives us some ideas, doesn't it?
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Yeah, a few ideas, I should think.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Now, then, the other thing about this bathroom is,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33the smallest bedroom also leads into this bathroom,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36so I'm thinking your youngest child could be in here.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43So what about this for the latest addition to your family?
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Oh, it's lovely.- Perfect size for her, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- It's great layout.- It is.- Perfect.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Couldn't wish for anything else.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54You could, mate, because wait until you see the bathroom!
0:25:01 > 0:25:02Come in, mate.
0:25:02 > 0:25:08- Now this is a bathroom! - Yeah?- It's beautiful.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10And this, do you know what this is?
0:25:10 > 0:25:18- It's a remote for the TV that's up there. What about it? - I think I've found my room!
0:25:18 > 0:25:21He'll be gone missing for hours in here!
0:25:21 > 0:25:26I can see you in there, beer, watching what's going on at Mallory Park round the corner
0:25:26 > 0:25:30on the telly in your bath tub, listening to it live out the window.
0:25:30 > 0:25:31That'll do me.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I will lose you for hours, won't I?
0:25:34 > 0:25:38'It seems our buyers think everything about this house spells luxury,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41'but let's see what they think of the outside.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46'At the rear of the house is a pretty paved lawn area, but we're taking a stroll around the front,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50'overlooking that entrance which made such a big impression as we arrived.'
0:25:50 > 0:25:56Now, the garden... This is arguably the biggest garden we've yet shown you.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- Yes.- And plenty of room for a pony.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02- Yes.- And chickens and anything else you want.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06The obvious thing to point out is, of course, the noise of the racetrack.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08I like it, I do. I like the sound.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10- So you'll be out there, will you? - Yeah.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Looking at the races, and all the rest of it.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- So the land is good, the house is good, location you love.- Yeah.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Despite the motorbikes. How much?
0:26:19 > 0:26:22This is the bit I've been dreading.
0:26:22 > 0:26:28- And me.- You've got £500,000 to spend.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30I'd say it's over that.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Oh, definitely. It's got to be at least 600, hasn't it, at least?
0:26:34 > 0:26:36At least.
0:26:36 > 0:26:43OK. £675,000.
0:26:43 > 0:26:49£175,000 over your budget.
0:26:49 > 0:26:55So here's the thing... It's been reduced to 499.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57No way! No way!
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Get the cheque book out!
0:26:59 > 0:27:02No way!
0:27:02 > 0:27:03I'm going to faint.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Cheque book, now!
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Oh it's... Oh, no.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12- It's ideal.- Oh!
0:27:12 > 0:27:14- It was made for you.- Definitely.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Its location may put a lot of people off.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18It may explain the price reduction
0:27:18 > 0:27:20and, of course, the current state of the market,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23but I think it's got you written all over it.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25- It has.- Definitely.
0:27:25 > 0:27:26- It has.- Right, go on.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Go and check out your new home.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Find some tissues on the way!
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Well, there we are. That, I have to say, has made my day.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37That is why I love my job,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41seeing two very happy smiles on two very happy faces.
0:27:41 > 0:27:46A huge amount under its original asking price of £675,000,
0:27:46 > 0:27:51theirs comfortably under budget at 499. What a result!
0:27:51 > 0:27:53This property is an absolute steal
0:27:53 > 0:27:57and meets their budget at the reduced price of 499.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01It has five bedrooms and downstairs space for Rachel's folks,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04a glamorous kitchen-diner that had Rachel practically in tears
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and more than enough communal space for the whole clan.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12When I first came up the drive, it was just breathtaking.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16The property has got bags of room for all of us to get in.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19There's enough there to feed an army on!
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Yeah. You'd need it with our lot!
0:28:21 > 0:28:26If I was to buy a kitchen and put one in from scratch, it would be something along those lines.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28This room is perfect for George.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Seven-year-old who wants her own en suite. She's got one.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32I never had that when I was seven.
0:28:32 > 0:28:38Where we live at the minute, we're pretty close to the M42. It's a different sound with the racetrack.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40The sound won't be a problem.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43It will be nice with that lit in the winter, wouldn't it?
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- Lovely. Think about the price. - I can't get over it.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- I know. I'm still in shock. - I can see us living here.
0:28:55 > 0:28:56Well...
0:28:59 > 0:29:00What can I say?
0:29:00 > 0:29:04What can I say? How are we going to possibly better that?
0:29:04 > 0:29:06- I don't think you will.- No, nor me.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08I love a challenge. Come on!
0:29:22 > 0:29:25'They think we can't top the last house,
0:29:25 > 0:29:29'but round the corner is everything they're after, bar a racetrack,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31'and plenty of surprises in store.'
0:29:31 > 0:29:36What would be the worst kind of mystery house to show you?
0:29:36 > 0:29:42Barn conversion. They're lovely, but they're more like show houses.
0:29:42 > 0:29:43They're not comfortable for us.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47So you just want a nice big house.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50- Yes.- That's mysterious?- Yes.- Yes.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52- Somehow.- Yes.- Right!
0:29:54 > 0:29:57They'll be pleased to know it's not a barn conversion.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01The mystery property is quite the opposite, a grand family house
0:30:01 > 0:30:04right in the heart of the gorgeous village of Stathern,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07about an hour's drive north-east of Leicester.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11Set in the Vale of Belvoir and surrounded by a picturesque rural landscape,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15the village offers an ideal family life, a strong sense of community,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17a primary school for their young daughters
0:30:17 > 0:30:21and even a pub with its own award-winning restaurant.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26Now then, you said what you didn't want for the mystery house
0:30:26 > 0:30:27was a barn conversion.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32So we haven't got you a barn conversion. We've got you this.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Really imposing village location.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Looks nice. - It's nice and it is very old, this.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45- Early Georgian, which is about 1720 to 1730.- Lots of history, then.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Lots of history.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49As ever, can we fit you lot in it?
0:30:49 > 0:30:52I'm thinking particularly as well about your folks.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57In terms of accommodating them, that may take a bit of thought.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59But I'm sure you're up for that.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01- OK, yeah.- Shall we have a look? - Yeah.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Grab the door, Anthony.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Right, let's start in the kitchen. What do you think?
0:31:13 > 0:31:15It's a nice size, isn't it?
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- Yeah.- It's a nice layout.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20- It's really different from the last property we saw.- Yes.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22But I like it just as much.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24It's not old fashioned, it's not modern,
0:31:24 > 0:31:26it's just right for the house.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Yes, if you replaced it and put a modern one in,
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- it wouldn't look right. - But does it suit you guys?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- I think so.- Yeah.- Plenty of room. - Good.
0:31:35 > 0:31:36'We're off to a good start.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40'Downstairs, there is also a decent sized living room
0:31:40 > 0:31:44'and a downstairs cloakroom for Rachel's father.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46'But next up, something of a snug.'
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Now, this is real period.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52This is lovely. Look at that fireplace.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56- It's like stepping back in time. - Yeah. I love the colour.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59These kind of heritage colours are coming back,
0:31:59 > 0:32:00everyone's making them now.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03This room and its decor gives you a sense of what could you do
0:32:03 > 0:32:07in terms of breathing a bit of history back into the decor...
0:32:07 > 0:32:10- Yeah. - ..of the other rooms.- Definitely.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Now, Anthony, it's often said that every Englishman's
0:32:14 > 0:32:19home is his castle so it's only fitting you should have a dungeon.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Oh, wow.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23For which we'll need this!
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- Let's go and find out.- OK!
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Down here, down here.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33Who's for a bit of ghost hunting?
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Come on in.
0:32:37 > 0:32:38HE CHUCKLES
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Look at this place. Look, great wine cellar.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- How cool is this?!- Unbelievable.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48You can't stand up.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Plenty of storage space.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Well, it's like having an upside-down attic.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54The girls would love this.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- I could see them using this as a den or something.- Yeah.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01- That's the cellar. Shall we go upstairs?- Yeah.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11Now, come on in here.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15- This has just been renovated, the bathroom.- How big is this?!
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Family bathroom. What about that?
0:33:18 > 0:33:19- Looks great.- Massive!
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- This is plenty big enough, isn't it? - Not bad, eh?
0:33:23 > 0:33:25So, this is newly renovated,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28but the rest of it you can put your own mark on.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Come and have a look...
0:33:30 > 0:33:32at some bedrooms.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34'There are four bright and airy bedrooms upstairs
0:33:34 > 0:33:37'with one currently used as an office.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41'Let's see if Rachel and Anthony can imagine waking up in theirs.'
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- This is the master.- Wow!
0:33:44 > 0:33:46- It's a nice size, isn't it?- Yeah?
0:33:46 > 0:33:47Yeah, it's massive.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- Huge, isn't it?- It's really pretty.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Now, then, there is a bit of extra space here. It also has an attic.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- Right.- But this is going to require a bit of DIY.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00OK. Come and have a look.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Come with me up here.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09It's like being in a submarine.
0:34:09 > 0:34:15Look at that. Now, there's a huge amount of space up here.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- There is.- You've got, effectively, three rooms.
0:34:17 > 0:34:25One through there, this one, and one right through there.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27- Oh, wow.- Massive!
0:34:27 > 0:34:31This would have had access via a normal staircase at one point
0:34:31 > 0:34:32but that's been taken out,
0:34:32 > 0:34:37but my suggestion is that somehow you reconfigure that
0:34:37 > 0:34:40because this would be a fantastic set of rooms for the kids.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Oh, yeah, I can see them up here.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45- I like this.- It could be beautiful, couldn't it?- So quiet as well.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48I'm blown away, I am with it.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51- Good, so worth struggling up the ladder?- Yeah.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53I'm just worrying about going back down now!
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- Right, then, ladies first! - Oh, thank you(!)
0:34:57 > 0:34:59THEY LAUGH
0:34:59 > 0:35:02'Everything about this house is absolutely made for them.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06'So, we're heading downstairs to a space that could be converted
0:35:06 > 0:35:09'for the parents, but will require Anthony and Rachel
0:35:09 > 0:35:12'to use all of their imagination.'
0:35:12 > 0:35:17Right, now, when your mum and dad sent you out to find them a home
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- as well, this probably isn't what they had in mind.- No.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26But, I'm thinking it's ripe for being converted
0:35:26 > 0:35:32to some quite flexible purpose-built accommodation.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36There is planning permission to knock this down and build a new one.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- Interesting...- Yeah.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44- Mmm.- OK, so if the house overall is of interest, that is a possibility.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- Mm-hmm.- Right, come on, let's have a look at the rest of the garden.- OK.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51'They don't seem particularly taken with that idea,
0:35:51 > 0:35:56'but there are many surprising features in the garden that should win them over.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59'There's plenty of outdoor space for the family, with a massive lawn,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02'a flourishing vegetable patch
0:36:02 > 0:36:05'and a pot of gold at the bottom of the garden.'
0:36:05 > 0:36:07And in here...
0:36:07 > 0:36:09- You've got your own little orchard. - Oh, wow!
0:36:09 > 0:36:12- Isn't this cute!- Really cute.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Apple trees bursting with apples, a little greenhouse over there.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18That will keep my mum busy making apple pies.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Well, there is a lot more to this little part of the garden
0:36:21 > 0:36:26than meets the eye, because this has planning permission on it
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- for a four-bedroomed detached house. - Oh, right.
0:36:29 > 0:36:34This equals cash, whether you build something on here or you sell
0:36:34 > 0:36:38the plot off to a developer, this could be something for a rainy day.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41- Worth thinking about, isn't it? - It is.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Through here, you get another view of the property which,
0:36:49 > 0:36:55- I think, is absolutely delightful. - It is. Oh, it's so pretty.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00- How much do you think this is all worth?- I haven't got a clue.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02I wouldn't like to say.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Go on, have a stab. You've got half a million.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06I think it's over that, don't you?
0:37:06 > 0:37:12- I'd say 575. - I'd say 600, easy.
0:37:12 > 0:37:18OK, this house was valued originally at considerably more than that...
0:37:20 > 0:37:24..but the owners tell me that the asking price is now...
0:37:24 > 0:37:27£550,000.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Right. And now I'm confused!
0:37:30 > 0:37:32THEY LAUGH
0:37:32 > 0:37:34- I like this one.- Yeah.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37What is it about it do you think?
0:37:37 > 0:37:38It's just the history.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43It's so different from what we've seen but it's just as nice, isn't it?
0:37:43 > 0:37:47- Yeah.- OK, well, there's an awful lot to consider, I can see.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49In my experience of these things,
0:37:49 > 0:37:53having a choice of properties is a good thing.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56I'm confused!
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Go on, go and be confused inside. Have another look around.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01I love it.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05A bit of confusion sometimes does help you make the right decision.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Admittedly, this is £50,000 over budget, but let's not forget
0:38:08 > 0:38:11this is not a short-term move for these guys,
0:38:11 > 0:38:13this is a long-term family decision.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16They're looking for a long-term family house.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Now, it is 50 grand over budget, but I do believe that in the long term,
0:38:19 > 0:38:2350 grand could be money well spent.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26This ironstone country house in the village location
0:38:26 > 0:38:29is on the market for £550,000.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32It's just a tad over budget, but they could sell off
0:38:32 > 0:38:35the plot of land which has approval for development.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40It has four well-decorated bedrooms, an expansive attic which the children could enjoy,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44a garage which can be converted for the parents with ease,
0:38:44 > 0:38:47and a number of garden areas to keep everyone happy.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50So, did we save the best till last?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54When I first saw the house, I thought how pretty it was.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56The brickwork's lovely, it's gorgeous.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58I like this room.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01It's nice and light. I like the outlook.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Yeah. I think I'd have this room as the master bedroom.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08Yeah. The garage space is perfect for my mum and dad.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10They could design it how they wanted it.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14The parents would really love this, especially the gardens. They'd be in their element.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- I'm so confused.- Can we stretch?
0:39:17 > 0:39:18We'll have to try.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Now, then, that's it, guys.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25House tours are over.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27- Are you confused?- Very.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28Are you happy?
0:39:28 > 0:39:30- Very!- Brilliant.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32That's a good place to be for you guys to have
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- a good think about everything and maybe make a decision.- Mmm.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37- Shall we go?- Yeah.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51Over the past two days, Anthony and Rachel have been hankering
0:39:51 > 0:39:54to get their cheque book out on more than one occasion,
0:39:54 > 0:39:58but now it's time for what will be, I suspect, a tough choice.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Now we have reached my favourite part of the show.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04It is, of course, decision time for Anthony and for Rachel.
0:40:04 > 0:40:09And to say they were confused would be an understatement.
0:40:15 > 0:40:20Now, when we started out on this, I was a little unclear
0:40:20 > 0:40:24as to what your ideal property was going to look like and
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- I suspect you weren't really sure what you'd get for your money.- No.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30- How have you found the whole experience?- Brilliant.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32- Yeah, really good.- A real eye-opener.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34It all started with the farmhouse.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38I was surprised about the size of the downstairs rooms, actually,
0:40:38 > 0:40:43the living room and the dining room are lovely. And it was a nice layout.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46So you could have your own little space at the far end
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- and mum and dad would have that big atrium area.- Yeah.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54- And you probably thought it wasn't going to get any better.- Yes!
0:40:54 > 0:40:58But the following day, we took you to the white house,
0:40:58 > 0:41:00up that huge drive.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04I felt like I was in a scene from Dallas going up that driveway.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05- It was lovely.- It was nice.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- And a kitchen that blew you away. - Yeah.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13- I think it was big enough!- It was.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17- And you weren't put off by the noise of the racetrack?- No.- Not at all.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20OK, just when you probably thought it wasn't going to get any better,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22we took you to the mystery house.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Very different location in the heart of a very established village.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30- What did you make of that one? - You couldn't fault it, could you?
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- You'd have been lord of the manor, wouldn't you?- Yeah.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Again, the potential was there with the rooms cos of the loft.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40You could have converted that and had another three bedrooms up there.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43OK, well, any one of them could have worked for you.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45What are you going to do next?
0:41:45 > 0:41:50We're definitely going to bring the folks up very soon
0:41:50 > 0:41:51to see one of them.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Well, come on, which one are you going to see?
0:41:53 > 0:41:57Out of all of them, it's got to be the white house.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58And what a bargain!
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- Yeah, definitely.- I do think, for what you need and for
0:42:02 > 0:42:05the money that you've got to spend, it's probably absolutely right.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09- Mm-hm.- And you can have a pony.- Yeah! THEY CHUCKLE
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Brilliant, well, we wish you all the very best of luck.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Do let us know what the folks think, what the kids think.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Georgia's going to get her en-suite that she so badly wanted,
0:42:18 > 0:42:22- and you get a racetrack, mate! - That's it.- Right on your doorstep!
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- It is.- It is the perfect combination, isn't it?- It is.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Well guys thanks for coming on the show, it's been great fun.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32- Thank you.- And we wish you all the best of luck.- Thank you.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39You know, finding a house to fit this enormous family
0:42:39 > 0:42:41was always going to be something of a challenge,
0:42:41 > 0:42:44but I have to say it's one that I've really enjoyed.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47I've been really impressed with the way Anthony and Rachel
0:42:47 > 0:42:51have applied themselves to each and every one of the houses that we've shown them.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54They've done it with a real determination
0:42:54 > 0:42:57and a sense of gusto setting out to find their ideal country property.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01For a couple, so unfamiliar with most things that the countryside has to offer,
0:43:01 > 0:43:05I think they've done a fantastic job and have finally ended up
0:43:05 > 0:43:08with their ideal dream home. I do like a happy ending.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10I'll see you next time.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13If you long to Escape To The Country and would like our help,
0:43:13 > 0:43:19then why not contact us through our website?
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:41 > 0:43:44E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk