0:00:02 > 0:00:05What, you might ask, am I doing at a cucumber farm?
0:00:05 > 0:00:11Well, the county that I'm escaping to today actually provides 57 million of our cucumbers.
0:00:11 > 0:00:17It's the oldest cultivated fruit. It's been around for about 3,000 years.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20But this little chap has been here for 12 days.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Delicious.
0:00:37 > 0:00:43'Today, I'll be helping a family of seven from the north-east take a hop, skip and a jump
0:00:43 > 0:00:47'as they go in search of a spacious home in the countryside.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50'They'll view stunning properties.'
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- I've never seen an en-suite this big in my entire life.- No.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57'Some of which are almost too good to be true.'
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- It's just lovely.- Very nice.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05'Then there's the mystery house, the little twist we add to the property mix,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09'but which of our choices will blow them away?'
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Today, I'm in the north-east of England,
0:01:13 > 0:01:17in the area around the Humber known, obviously, as Humberside.
0:01:17 > 0:01:23Less obviously, it's also the source of almost half the nation's cucumber crop,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25which is a lot of cucumbers.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28But it also has lots of other things to offer.
0:01:28 > 0:01:34To the north of the Humber Estuary is the East Riding of Yorkshire which takes in the Yorkshire Wolds,
0:01:34 > 0:01:4179 miles of unspoilt pathways that wind through picturesque chalk hills and valleys.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44To the south of the Humber is North Lincolnshire,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48characterised by vast swathes of open agricultural land.
0:01:48 > 0:01:54And these two counties are linked together by the area's most famous landmark, the Humber Bridge,
0:01:54 > 0:01:58the second longest single-span suspension bridge in Europe.
0:01:58 > 0:02:04Over there on the north bank of the Humber, you've got the East Riding of Yorkshire,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08where your average detached house costs £224,000,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11which is a healthy 15% below the national average.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14But sail across the Humber to North Lincolnshire
0:02:14 > 0:02:18and your average detached house costs £176,000,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21which is 33% below the national average.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24So what we've got is a battle of the banks
0:02:24 > 0:02:29and it'll be interesting to see which one yields the best property.
0:02:29 > 0:02:35Today's property hunters are Leen and Judith from Keyingham near Hull.
0:02:35 > 0:02:42Leen originally hails from Holland and he's a GP. And Judith is studying for a PhD in Health Care.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Over the years, they've extended their property to its limits
0:02:45 > 0:02:50to fit in their growing brood of five active children,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53but they're crying out for a few essential things.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- Space.- Peace.- We're fed up of living in a built-up area.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Room for the children to make as much noise as they want.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- Without being bothered by other people making lots of noise outside our house.- Exactly that.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11And noise is something the children are very good at making.
0:03:14 > 0:03:21They are looking for a house that can contain all the family's many talents and for that they need...
0:03:21 > 0:03:26Enough rooms that the children can do their own things and pursue their own hobbies.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Five children, they play seven instruments.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33If they had space to do that without disturbing each other, it'd be great.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38As well as space for the kids, they have a few other basic requirements.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42We're looking for a house with at least four bedrooms,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46detached with plenty of room around it, decent size kitchen...
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- ..and as much out in the countryside as possible. - Yeah, as rural as possible.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57As well as a secluded spot, the outside space is another important factor.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00We all enjoy using this garden as a family.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06It would be lovely to have a garden where I can do gardening, the children can play
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and Leen can sit and read his book.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13To get the ball rolling, we've invited round an estate agent to do a valuation on their house
0:04:13 > 0:04:17which they bought 12 years ago for £85,000.
0:04:17 > 0:04:24This is unusual for a modern property with over 2,000 square feet of floor space on a non-estate position
0:04:24 > 0:04:28in a village. I therefore value this at £285,000.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31That's a healthy return,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35but how much are they looking to spend to be more rural?
0:04:35 > 0:04:41Our budget for the new property, for the house that we really want, maximum budget, £425,000.
0:04:42 > 0:04:49Although Leen and Judith aren't moving very far afield, they do have big plans for expansion.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54They're both realistic enough to know they won't get six bedrooms for their budget,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58but they want the potential to expand up or out.
0:04:58 > 0:05:04But most importantly, they want room, space and countryside. And we can give them that.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07To find our property hunters something more rural,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10we are focusing our search west of Hull
0:05:10 > 0:05:14in the countryside surrounding the Humber Estuary,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17in the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
0:05:17 > 0:05:24In today's show, I'll be taking them on a tour of three properties that will give them plenty to chew over,
0:05:24 > 0:05:28but I won't reveal the prices until after each viewing.
0:05:28 > 0:05:34The final property will be our mystery house which aims to offer them something entirely unique.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43Welcome to Humberside, although you live here, so you should be showing me around!
0:05:43 > 0:05:49I'm not so familiar with this side of Hull. We live on the east side of Hull, so it's quite new to us too.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- You're spreading your wings.- Yes.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- So you're looking for something more rural?- Yes.
0:05:55 > 0:06:02Bit of peace and quiet for us and the opportunity for the children to make noise without disturbing anybody.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- How much money have we got to play with?- £425,000.- Tops?- Tops.
0:06:06 > 0:06:13- We've got lots of houses to show you, including a mystery house. Shall we get in and go?- Excellent.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Judith and Leen have a budget of £425,000.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31The garden needs to be big enough for the kids to let off some steam,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34for Judith to grow some vegetables
0:06:34 > 0:06:37and for Leen to find some peace and quiet.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43Are you a country girl, Judith? Did you grow up in the countryside?
0:06:43 > 0:06:47No, I grew up in a town, but I'd like to live in the countryside.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51To be surrounded by space and peace and open fields would be lovely.
0:06:51 > 0:06:57Do you want to live right in the middle of nowhere or do you want to live more in a village?
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Yeah, we'd quite like to live in the middle of nowhere.
0:07:01 > 0:07:07- But equally, we wouldn't mind village life.- As long as it's not too big a village.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11'Well, our first property fits the bill on both counts.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15'It's in a rural setting on the outskirts of Barrow-upon-Humber
0:07:15 > 0:07:18'in North Lincolnshire just south of the River Humber.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24'Barrow became known in the 19th century for its basket-weaving and brick-making
0:07:24 > 0:07:28'for which clay was dug from the sides of the Humber.
0:07:28 > 0:07:34'These days, it's a conservation area. 18th and 19th century houses line the streets
0:07:34 > 0:07:40'and the village has all the basic amenities, including a butcher's, post office and grocer's.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44'So let's see what Judith and Leen make of the first house.'
0:07:44 > 0:07:47The sun is shining on Humberside for you today.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51So this is the house I'm going to show you.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56It's from the '20s. It's been extensively extended and remodelled.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59But it's a big house, a big family house.
0:07:59 > 0:08:05- SQUAWKING - As you can hear, we've got geese and cockerels next door.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09- And quite a lot of land.- Excellent. - What are your first impressions?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12It does look like a good, solid family house.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- Shall we look inside?- OK.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20'This view is not the best aspect. It comes into its own at the back of the property.'
0:08:20 > 0:08:25Lovely, big entrance hall. Very 1920s.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30It sets the tone for the decor, but let's look in this room first.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- Oh, I say!- Nice, big coal fire.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37What do you think?
0:08:37 > 0:08:39It's a big space.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45- Nice, high ceilings. I like the bay window and access to the conservatory.- That is nice.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50There are some features that wouldn't necessarily suit us, that are not our taste,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53but all of those can be put right.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Can you see the children in here? Is this a workable family space?
0:08:57 > 0:09:01I think this is a really good size space for our lot.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05We have a grand piano that would fit beautifully in that bay window.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Let's take a look at the conservatory.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12It's a good size conservatory.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15They put this on four or five years ago.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20The nice thing about this room is the views of the garden from it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23The garden looks spectacular. I can't wait to get out there.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28'Judith will have to wait as I'm saving the garden till last.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34'Off the conservatory is a snug area with patio doors on to the garden, ideal as a study or music room.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37'And then there's the kitchen.'
0:09:37 > 0:09:39How is this size-wise?
0:09:39 > 0:09:43It's good. I think it's a little bit bigger than what we have.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- Don't you?- Yeah, just a bit, yeah.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49In terms of downstairs space, is it what you're looking for?
0:09:49 > 0:09:56I don't think there's enough space, but there is lots of opportunity to extend and make more space.
0:09:56 > 0:10:02But the location is what we're looking for and to be out in the country.
0:10:02 > 0:10:08- You've got these incredible picture windows overlooking the garden and the fields.- Which is lovely.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10It's really pretty.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14'Our tour of the ground floor isn't over quite yet though
0:10:14 > 0:10:17'as there is a small utility and a potential project.'
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- So, a big garage.- Yeah. It's good.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- Good space.- It's a double. Two cars will go in.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Yeah, or the table tennis table that we currently have in our garage.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35I'm showing it to you not just because it's a garage,
0:10:35 > 0:10:41- but because the present owners had planning permission to turn it into a granny annexe.- Fantastic.
0:10:41 > 0:10:47- Would that be useful to extend the downstairs space and maybe have a games room?- Really useful.- Yeah.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- It would be really handy to have another downstairs room. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56'Some imagination is needed to see the full potential of this house,
0:10:56 > 0:11:01'but I'm encouraged as Judith and Leen are taking it in their stride.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04'Upstairs there's a small bathroom and four bedrooms.
0:11:04 > 0:11:10'The first two are large doubles, so plenty of room for the kids. The third is being used as a study.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13'And then there's the master.'
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- This is a nice room.- This is good.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22- Lovely, light room.- Yeah. - A really good size as well.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27It is big, but the master bedroom is not any bigger than the other rooms.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29However...
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- The en-suite...- Wow, it's massive! It's huge. It's really huge.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36It's quite strange.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41- Unbelievable, isn't it? - It is insanely big, in fact.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44You could play crown green bowls here.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Given how big the rest of the house is and the need for extra space,
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- this space could be used more wisely.- Yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56I'm surprised this is an en-suite. It could be another bedroom in here.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59I've never seen an en-suite this big in my entire life.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03So, inside...what do we think?
0:12:03 > 0:12:07A lot of work on superficial things, just to do with our taste.
0:12:07 > 0:12:13- I think the real reason you want to move is because of the location and the countryside.- Absolutely.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- So outside space is important. - That is very important.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- Let's look outside.- OK.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28You have quite a sizeable plot here.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- The house sits on an acre of ground.- Wow!
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Which has been very nicely cultivated.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40We've come into the orchard. We've got cherry trees, plum trees, hazelnuts,
0:12:40 > 0:12:45- crab apples, eating apples.- Wow! - Cooking apples.- Very nice.- Lovely.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- Yeah. Really nice. - Great veggie garden over there with all the beans and stuff.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- Very good. - Beautifully tended as well.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59- And a greenhouse bursting with tomatoes.- Super. - And grapes.- Grapes? Super.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Is it big enough?- Definitely.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- It's lovely.- Well, it's not all.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14This is the real selling point for this property.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- All this is yours too.- Fantastic. - A three-acre paddock.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Fantastic.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- Good heavens!- Sensational.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- It's just perfect, isn't it, for our children.- This is huge.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30We could have a great time here, the rugby, sports.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32It's perfect.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- In terms of outside space, is this what you were looking for?- Yeah.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43- I don't think you could improve on the outside space. It's absolutely spot-on.- Just great.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48- What do you think it's on the market for?- Probably for about £350,000.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51I think probably more than that with this land.
0:13:51 > 0:13:57I would say probably around the 400 mark.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Well, it's somewhere in between the two of you. It's on at 375.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07- Right.- But it's been on the market for about 20 months.- OK.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11So, in this current climate, you've got a little bit of leeway.
0:14:11 > 0:14:17Whether it's enough for you to do all those extensions and refitting, you have to think about that.
0:14:17 > 0:14:23- It's a good price though.- Yeah. - For this.- Not as good as you'd hoped, but still good.
0:14:23 > 0:14:29- Walk back down the garden, back into the house, have a look around and we'll meet out the front.- OK.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34Interesting because the land here is beautiful and it's what they're looking for,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37but the house needs a lot of work.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42And with five children, that's a lot of moving around while all the workmen are in,
0:14:42 > 0:14:47so it's a big think, but they're really game for it, which is good.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13The garden is really just what we're looking for.
0:15:13 > 0:15:19- I agree.- Different parts to it. It's nice, it's large.- Yeah. - The paddock is fantastic.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Yeah, really good for the children.
0:15:22 > 0:15:28There's a lot of work to be done to make it our taste, but those things are relatively superficial.
0:15:28 > 0:15:34The garden outside was absolutely fantastic. It is just what we're looking for.
0:15:34 > 0:15:40The house is good enough, but we would need quite a lot more work doing to it before it's just right.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46- Can I just drag you from your deliberations in the garden? The Humberside is waiting.- OK.
0:15:50 > 0:15:56'For Judith, a move to the countryside means she will have room to grow some vegetables.
0:15:56 > 0:16:03'So I've brought her and Leen to meet a cucumber expert in a nursery on the outskirts of Beverley.'
0:16:03 > 0:16:08Derek, I had no idea that Humberside was such a Mecca for cucumber growers.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- How did that come about?- It started just before the Second World War.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16A lot of Dutch growers came across here to escape persecution.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20They brought friends and relatives and it built from there.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25- And now we're on third generation Dutch growers in this area.- Gosh!
0:16:25 > 0:16:30'So with Leen being Dutch and Judith being a Yorkshire lass through and through,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34'it's not the only European union to prove successful.'
0:16:34 > 0:16:41- How long does it take for these plants to grow till they produce crops?- They're planted about so big.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45- Three weeks later, they're this big.- Three weeks?- Three weeks.
0:16:45 > 0:16:52So the plants get to here and then a cucumber like that will take about ten days to grow.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55'Cucumbers are a surprisingly fast-growing fruit.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00'Even in your typical greenhouse, you should reap the rewards within four weeks.'
0:17:00 > 0:17:06- It looks like you've got quite a harvest here. - Yes, plenty to harvest.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11- Would you like to have a go? - Shall we have a go?- Let's do that. - Let's do it.- Come on, team.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17We're basically looking for anything that's a marketable size.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22We're looking for 350 to 450 grams which is what the supermarket sells.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- That's about 400 grams. - Cool.- Excellent.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30One plant, 30 cucumbers.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- You need to be taller. - Yes, I do need to be taller.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Against your thumb...
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- Yeah, that's fine. - It's a tall one again.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Do cucumbers bruise? I'm not sure.
0:17:49 > 0:17:55'And what better way to finish off our visit than with that traditionally English repast
0:17:55 > 0:18:00'of cucumber sandwiches brought to Humberside thanks to the Dutch!'
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Don't say that we don't teach you things about your local area.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- I had no idea about the cucumbers. - It's a revelation about Hull and the cucumbers.
0:18:09 > 0:18:16- So, enjoy, tuck in. It's not the Ritz, but it is Humberside in the sunshine.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23'As the sun dips behind the horizon of the East Riding countryside,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27'day one of our property hunt draws to a close.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33'Judith and Leen from Keyingham near Hull would like a family home
0:18:33 > 0:18:37'to accommodate their brood of five talented children.
0:18:37 > 0:18:44'They are after a property in a rural setting in Humberside and have a budget of £425,000.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48'So far they've seen one house, but coming up, things get better.'
0:18:48 > 0:18:51This is my idea of home.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55'And better.' Judith, you're speechless. It's the first time.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58First time in my life, I think.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08Today, we'll ramp things up and find out what Leen and Judith's pain threshold is when it comes to money
0:19:08 > 0:19:13and also show them some properties that are really rather fabulous.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18'For our next house, we're travelling north to the outskirts
0:19:18 > 0:19:23'of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, still in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28'Holme-on-Spalding-Moor could be the rural hideaway that Judith and Leen are after.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33'Originally marshland, today it's largely a farming community
0:19:33 > 0:19:37'which has retained its traditional values and community spirit.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42'It's serviced with all the basic amenities, so it's got the best of both worlds.'
0:19:42 > 0:19:44I love this property.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49I really love the way it looks. It looks absolutely gorgeous.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- This can't be within the budget, can it?- Ah!
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- It's fantastic.- It's a beautifully built property. It's not that old.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- It's from the 1960s, about 1963. - That's surprising.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04This bit at the right there is an old barn. That's Victorian.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07But it used to be all farmland round here.
0:20:07 > 0:20:13- You're all smiley!- It looks sensational. It just...- Wait till you see inside.- It looks great.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- Nice downstairs loo. - Thank you. ..Excellent, yeah.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27- And the decor is very kind of contemporary.- It's beautiful.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- Really light, airy.- Very pleasant.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35- Fresh-looking.- And a beautiful tile floor as well. It's very practical. - Quarry tiles.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40'A good start and I've got a feeling it's only going to get better.'
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Again it's a stunning room, isn't it?
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- Very.- This is just lovely. - Very nice.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- It really is absolutely fantastic. - It's beautifully done, isn't it?
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- It's got a beautiful feel to it. - Beautiful wooden floors.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- Great light. - It would do well as a dining room.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06It would do well as a music room. The piano would fit in here very nicely.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- Nice views as well.- It's perfect. It suits our taste exactly, doesn't it?
0:21:11 > 0:21:17Nice, clean lines, but also the beautiful features as well, that combination...
0:21:17 > 0:21:23- Yeah.- It's perfect. - It flows naturally into the more comfortable area here.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27This is a wonderful room because of this incredible feature window.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- Bowed window.- Yeah.- Yeah. This is nice.- Beautiful.- This is good.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- Oh, they're doors.- French doors that go out into the courtyard.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39How nice! That is just fabulous, isn't it?
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Two reception rooms here and another one before we hit the kitchen.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47'This property is brimming with delightful touches.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51'And in the third reception, there is another little treat in store.'
0:21:51 > 0:21:55This used to be the kitchen, but they've turned it into a snug.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- Another lovely room.- Lovely.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- Again double aspect. - Tons of light.- Lots of light.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- But the feature I love, the relic of the kitchen...- Oh, wow!
0:22:05 > 0:22:08A fabulous walk-in larder, pantry.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- That really is sensational. - Isn't it great?- What a joy!
0:22:12 > 0:22:17So the larder leads us nicely on to the kitchen.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Take a look at this.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Absolutely fantastic.- Amazing.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- This is my idea of home. - Aw!- This is just...
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- Look at this.- Dining kitchen.
0:22:29 > 0:22:36You've also got an electric hob over there cos sometimes it's tricky doing cooking on these monsters.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40Lovely quarry tiles throughout. It's just a beautiful country kitchen.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- Absolutely perfect.- Nice proportions.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- You like it?- Couldn't improve on it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52- That's downstairs. There are some surprises outside, but let's take a look upstairs first.- OK.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55'I think we've finally hit the spot.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00'Judith and Leen seem genuinely excited about this property.'
0:23:02 > 0:23:07This is one of the four bedrooms up here. All good sizes.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Another lovely room.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- Yeah.- Dual aspect.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- Light, bright.- Beautifully decorated.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Really spectacular views as well out of those windows.
0:23:18 > 0:23:24- It's gorgeous.- I can't say anything I don't like about it.- Judith, you're speechless. First time.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27First time in my life, I think.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Let's look at the other rooms.
0:23:29 > 0:23:35'Along the corridor, there are two decent size bedrooms, one of which is big enough for a four-poster bed.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39'And there's a family bathroom with a slipper bath.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43'Finally on our tour of upstairs is the master bedroom.'
0:23:43 > 0:23:48- Have a peek in there. That's your personal en-suite.- It's stunning.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53- Excellent.- No kids in this bit. That is just fantastic.- Yeah.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- It's beautiful.- This is a kids-free zone.- Absolutely beautiful.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02And then this is your master bedroom.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Oh, very, very nice.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- This is excellent. - It's perfect, isn't it?
0:24:08 > 0:24:11You've got lots of nice storage. Very deep.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16- Beautifully decorated. Lots of light.- So the interior, thumbs up?
0:24:16 > 0:24:21- I haven't noticed any thumbs-downs. - It's perfect. It's got everything that we need.
0:24:21 > 0:24:27The rooms are so big, there'd be no problem at all with the children sharing.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- And the house is out in the countryside.- Oh, yeah.
0:24:30 > 0:24:36'I think Judith can really see herself and the family enjoying this property, but it's not over yet.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39'There are plenty more goodies outside.'
0:24:39 > 0:24:42This is the courtyard. Lovely, sunny space.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45That's the French doors into the living room.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48This building is the oldest part, the old barn.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53Two lovely, big spaces. Would have probably had carriages in them.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Let's take a look at this one.
0:24:58 > 0:25:05- It's a great space. They're using it for storage. You've got a little window.- Yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08You've got this space, that one next door
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and in the corner there is another very large space.
0:25:12 > 0:25:18It would be very easy to knock through here, put an arch in and make that into the games room,
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- and convert these into bedrooms. - Brilliant.- Excellent.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- Absolutely fabulous. - Let's take a look at the side.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28There's even upstairs space.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33- Oh, wow!- So you could turn that into an office. - That is just lovely, isn't it?
0:25:33 > 0:25:38- Long-term, it would be a great improvement. - It really would.- Fantastic.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41That is unbelievable, isn't it?
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- Let's look at the garden.- That really is unbelievable, isn't it?
0:25:45 > 0:25:49- Lovely, big garden.- Fabulous garden. - Spectacular. This is great.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54You've got a river running through it. This is the River Derwent.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56- Nice.- Never floods.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Perfect.- OK.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02It's probably about an acre, just under an acre.
0:26:02 > 0:26:09- I haven't heard a bad word about it since we came here.- I couldn't think of a bad word to say. Could you?- No.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Even if I tried, I could not find anything to criticise at all.
0:26:13 > 0:26:19- How much do you think it costs? - I don't think we could afford it. - This one is outside the budget.
0:26:19 > 0:26:25- I don't think we could afford this. - I reckon this is not far off half a million.- Yeah.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30- Between 450,000 and 500,000.- Yeah, I would agree with Leen on this one.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34It's actually on the market at 465.
0:26:34 > 0:26:40- Right.- Which means it's more expensive, but it's been on the market for a year.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- OK.- It might require a bit of financial pain.
0:26:43 > 0:26:49- Yeah.- But if you gave a cheeky but reasonable offer, I think they might take it.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52OK. Worth thinking about then.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55- Leen's gone all quiet.- Yes.
0:26:55 > 0:27:02It's quite a bit over our budget, but, you know, we'll have to have a good think about it.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07- Why don't you have a good think about it now? Have a stroll and we'll meet out the front.- Thanks.
0:27:11 > 0:27:17This substantial 1960s detached house is on the market for £465,000,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20which is admittedly £45,000 over budget,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24but there's no reason why Judith and Leen couldn't put it an offer
0:27:24 > 0:27:26to make it more within their reach.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29And it's really bowled them over.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38Plenty of potential music rooms to accommodate the children's talents.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43- This is the room we would probably use as a dining room. - Yeah, formal dining room.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46That is great, isn't it? I do love that pantry.
0:27:46 > 0:27:52When we drove up to the house and got out of the car, I just thought it was spectacular.
0:27:52 > 0:27:58It looks absolutely magnificent and so beautiful from the outside. And inside, it didn't disappoint.
0:27:58 > 0:28:04It's fantastically decorated, light, airy. We could just move straight into it.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07The garden outside is so nice. It's a really nice package.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12I cannot imagine we'll ever see a house that we like as much as this.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17As expected, the price of the house is just outside our budget.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20But it's something we can work on, we can think about.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23It just is a perfect house.
0:28:23 > 0:28:28It's a fantastic, wonderful, beautiful house and I love it.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32- Ah!- Hi.- So have you found a way of paying for it?
0:28:32 > 0:28:36He's sending me out to get another job, I think!
0:28:36 > 0:28:38- Well, there's one more to go.- OK.
0:28:43 > 0:28:50Between them, Leen and Judith lead very busy lives and to unwind, they love to get their walking boots on.
0:28:50 > 0:28:56'Their move will bring them closer to the Yorkshire Wolds, so they are meeting park ranger Malcolm Higden
0:28:56 > 0:29:03- 'for an introduction to this stunning heritage trail.'- Let's get going and see what it's all about.
0:29:03 > 0:29:09'The Yorkshire Wolds is a range of low rolling hills, wooded slopes and gentle valleys,
0:29:09 > 0:29:15'which rise from the banks of the River Humber in a crescent shape to the far east coast.'
0:29:15 > 0:29:22OK... Londesborough is a marvellous place to start our tour of The Wolds Way today.
0:29:22 > 0:29:29It's a superb piece of parkland, lovely lakes, lovely pasture, real mature trees
0:29:29 > 0:29:32and a real sense of calm and tranquillity to it.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35It is. We've only met sheep so far.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40Yeah, just sheep. You might see some people, but mainly you'll see sheep. Maybe a few cows.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Shall we carry on?- Yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:58This is what it's all about. This is what makes the Yorkshire Wolds Way and the Yorkshire Wolds so special,
0:29:58 > 0:30:02these stunning dry valleys that just open out in front of you.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06They go back to the Ice Age. The ice was further north,
0:30:06 > 0:30:13but when that ice melted, it caused huge flows of water to come down in this direction,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16going over frozen ground and cutting these deep, dry valleys
0:30:16 > 0:30:19which now no longer run with water.
0:30:19 > 0:30:25With the chalk there, it just seeps through. But it makes this incredible landscape.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27- Beautiful, yeah.- It's nice.
0:30:28 > 0:30:34'With about 80 miles of the Wolds to explore, there'll be plenty of opportunities for Judith and Leen
0:30:34 > 0:30:38'to get back out here, but for now it's time to hang up their boots
0:30:38 > 0:30:41'as our property search continues.'
0:30:47 > 0:30:53We did toy with the redbrick, Queen Anne mansion with 15 rooms upstairs and 200 acres of parkland,
0:30:53 > 0:30:59but we thought our mystery house was completely different and better on almost every score.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Right, now we've got the mystery house.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Are you excited?
0:31:07 > 0:31:13I sort of feel that after the last house you showed us, it can't be any better than that.
0:31:13 > 0:31:20Leen, do you think we've peaked too early, we've shown you the best one, nothing can better the last one?
0:31:20 > 0:31:24Well, it was an exceptionally good house that we've just seen,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27so I suppose I could say, "Surprise us."
0:31:27 > 0:31:33- At least you can rest on your laurels and know you've seen something that blew you away.- Yeah.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Whatever comes next will be an extra mystery surprise.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43'Our mystery property is back into North Lincolnshire,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46'a few miles from the small town of Winterton.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50'Its pretty streets are lined with 18th and 19th century houses,
0:31:50 > 0:31:54'overlooked by its Anglo-Saxon parish church.
0:31:54 > 0:32:01'The property we're going to see is truly rural and stands off a country lane three miles from Winterton.'
0:32:01 > 0:32:03A different kind of property.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07- You'll never guess what it used to be.- A pump house?- Yes, a pump house.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12The pump house for the municipal water boards. It was built in 1902.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17And the present owners bought it in 2002, 100 years later.
0:32:17 > 0:32:23- And completely renovated it.- OK. - What are your impressions from the outside?
0:32:23 > 0:32:29It looks interesting. I'm reserving my judgment a bit because we loved the last house so much.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33I wasn't prepared to like another one, but it looks quite interesting.
0:32:33 > 0:32:39- It's a definite change of gear from the last property. Shall we look inside?- Yes, please.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49This really is contemporary, isn't it? I like it though.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- This is really nice.- I like it.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56As you see, it's a very big change of key from the last property.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59But it's a big family property,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02but done up in an extremely contemporary style.
0:33:02 > 0:33:08- Whether that's your style or not, I don't know.- This could be our style.- Travertine floors.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13- That's beautiful. - English ash throughout which gives it an unusual finish.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17- Nice.- This is nice. - I think you'll like the kitchen.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20The kitchen...
0:33:22 > 0:33:29- It's massive.- It is massive. - Absolutely huge. And done to perfection, isn't it?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31The granite worktops.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36A lovely gas range type oven there. All the units are new.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40Absolutely fabulous, stunning.
0:33:40 > 0:33:47And here you've got a great utility room with all your white goods, then another storage room through there.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51The thing I really like is the kitchen flows into this sun room,
0:33:51 > 0:33:55which is effectively a sort of conservatory really,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59- but obviously...- It's lovely. - ..a properly built one.- Spectacular.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03Very versatile. We could use this space for a lot of different things.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05This is only a fraction of it.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Take a look at this though.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11More open plan.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15It's great, isn't it?
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Unpredictable. Totally unpredictable.
0:34:19 > 0:34:26And I can't get over that - all these windows just in the roof as well as these big doors going out.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29And then here's the dining room.
0:34:29 > 0:34:35- You could play around with the space. You don't have to have that as a dining room.- Very smart.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39And over here you can see more of the double height...
0:34:39 > 0:34:41And the gallery.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46- Oh, that's just lovely, isn't it? - All this open plan, I like it.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52- You're speechless.- I know, this has happened twice to me. - Twice in one day.- Since birth.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57- Twice since birth and both in one day. It is astounding. - And that's not all.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Oh, good heavens!
0:35:08 > 0:35:13Oh, I say! Another massive space like this I wasn't expecting.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17- And a sauna.- And a sauna. - A sauna - it's unbelievable.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- What a house!- What a house, yeah!
0:35:20 > 0:35:24- Lovely views over the fields. - Yeah, that is a great view, yeah.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28'As we hoped, the mystery house looks like it could mix things up.
0:35:28 > 0:35:35'They thought they'd found their dream house with the last property, but this place is packing a punch.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38'Upstairs is a contemporary family bathroom.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41'And four bedrooms all stylishly finished
0:35:41 > 0:35:45'with great skylights looking out on to open fields.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49'But wait till they see the master bedroom.'
0:35:51 > 0:35:56Unbelievable. This is totally unbelievable, isn't it?
0:35:56 > 0:36:00It's great, isn't it? What a wonderful, luxury space!
0:36:00 > 0:36:06- Yes.- Leen, you'll have to speak because I've lost it again.- Three times in one day!- That is beautiful.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11Very nicely done. It looks uncluttered.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16And that wall of glass over there is spectacular.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20- These are the stairs down to the gym.- Lovely.- Yes.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Look at this - room to lounge.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27- Room to relax, not just room to sleep.- The size of three bedrooms.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31- It's just absolutely beautiful. - This is a really surprising house.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Hmm, really surprising. It's stunning.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36It's very nice.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39And the piece de la resistance...
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Look.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Wow! Look at the size of that shower!
0:36:46 > 0:36:48- It's huge.- This is great.
0:36:48 > 0:36:54- It's the first touch of black in the building.- Very smart.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58- It does work though.- Yeah. - So that's everything inside.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- But I seem to get good vibes. - Yeah, I like it a lot.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Let's take a peek outside.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Come on out. Lots of lovely decking.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19And just these wonderful, open views.
0:37:19 > 0:37:25- It's not a very big garden. It feels like you have all of this, but without the gardening.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30That's the best thing about open fields. It's like free garden.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34- Well, now is the sticky moment.- OK.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- When we ask about the price.- Mm-hm.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40I don't think this one is probably over budget.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- I think it's... I've said this every time.- Probably on budget.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48Yeah, around 425, I think. Around. Give or take.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52- Yeah, I'd go with that. - 425 as well?- Yeah.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57Well, the house is on the market for...
0:37:58 > 0:38:03- ..399.- Wow! Gosh! - So quite a bit under budget.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07That's a lot of space, a lot of house for that price.
0:38:07 > 0:38:12- Why don't you have a wander round and we'll meet out the front? - Thank you.- OK.- OK.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14It's amazing.
0:38:14 > 0:38:20It's amazing what you get in North Lincolnshire compared to the East Riding.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25Pretty much the same space and just as high quality house, different style,
0:38:25 > 0:38:28but what a difference in price!
0:38:28 > 0:38:32That's what you learn when you watch Escape To The Country.
0:38:32 > 0:38:37This former pump house is on the market for £399,000,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40which is a good £26,000 under budget.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53It's stylishly designed throughout and finished to an impressive standard.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58The garden is relatively small, but the views more than make up for it.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00There's four bedrooms here.
0:39:00 > 0:39:06If we turn this into a bedroom with an en-suite where the sauna is, and that big room upstairs,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10divided that into two, the kids would have their own bedroom again.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- That might be something to think about.- Yeah.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17It feels so clean and fresh and spacious.
0:39:17 > 0:39:23And I really like the open-plan aspects of it. That makes it feel endless really.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27The garden obviously is not quite as big as we had been hoping for,
0:39:27 > 0:39:31but we've got unimpeded views right up to the horizon,
0:39:31 > 0:39:33both at the front and the back,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36which again, it's a bonus.
0:39:36 > 0:39:41I think it's a really smart, nice house. I like it very, very much.
0:39:41 > 0:39:47I thought the price was a real surprise. It makes it a contender out of all the houses we've seen.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52Harvesting the potatoes. And time for you two to make some decisions.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56- Mm-hm.- So I'm gonna drive you away. - OK. Thanks.- Thank you.
0:40:00 > 0:40:05'Judith and Leen have now seen all of the properties and have plenty to discuss,
0:40:05 > 0:40:09'so I've given them some time alone to mull things over.'
0:40:11 > 0:40:16We have a cliffhanger. I thought it was all sewn up with the 1960s country house.
0:40:16 > 0:40:22But after the mystery house, I'm not so sure. Time to find out what Leen and Judith have decided.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29Guys, our 48 hours zig-zagging up and down across the Humber is over.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34- You've seen all the properties we have to offer. - It's been fantastic.- Good fun.
0:40:34 > 0:40:41We kept you busy. The first house that we saw near Goxhill was a modern-ish house from the '20s.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43What do you think about that now?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46It could be a really nice family home.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50The gardens are fantastic. The location is good.
0:40:50 > 0:40:56But a lot of work to make that the way we would want it to be.
0:40:56 > 0:41:01What about the 1960s house? It was also a great location down a very quiet road.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05- You seemed to really love this property.- Ticked all the boxes.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09Fantastic location. Beautiful house. Great potential.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14The extra room in the barn that was attached to the house was just perfect
0:41:14 > 0:41:17for adding a games room or bedroom.
0:41:17 > 0:41:23- Fantastic gardens. - I loved the house. I really thought that was absolutely spectacular
0:41:23 > 0:41:27and perfect for us with very little alteration.
0:41:27 > 0:41:33You seemed won over by that house and didn't care about the mystery house, but it got a good response.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35It was a shock, a real surprise.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39It looked sensible from the outside,
0:41:39 > 0:41:43then inside it was just absolutely spectacular, wasn't it?
0:41:43 > 0:41:48- Very modern.- Yeah. - But done in such a way that it didn't feel intimidating.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52It didn't feel as if our furniture and family wouldn't fit in there.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56A small garden, but that seemed to be offset
0:41:56 > 0:41:58by the clear views over the fields.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03It didn't seem as important as it could have done in another location.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08- Is there a clear winner?- There wasn't. There was for each of us.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12We each had our own idea of what we liked the best.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15So who looked which best?
0:42:15 > 0:42:17I liked the 1960s house.
0:42:17 > 0:42:24- That was the winner for me. And for you...- The pump house, the mystery house.- And who won out?
0:42:24 > 0:42:28The 1960s house and that would be the house that we would go for.
0:42:28 > 0:42:33Unsurprisingly, Judith, you won out! The heart won.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37- So what happens next?- Well, we still have to sell our house.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40We've looked at our finances and considered that
0:42:40 > 0:42:46and as soon as we are in a position to, we will put in an offer on the 1960s house.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50I really hope it goes well because it would be a great move for you.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54- Yeah.- All the best and good luck with the sale of your house.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57- Thank you for everything you guys have done.- Pleasure.
0:43:00 > 0:43:06That's a surprise. I thought practical considerations would make them choose the modern house,
0:43:06 > 0:43:10but they went for the timeless country cottage look.
0:43:10 > 0:43:15It all depends on Judith and Leen selling their house, so fingers crossed for that.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19If you'd like more escaping to the country, join us next time. See you.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23Or if you'd like to escape to the country yourself and need our help,
0:43:23 > 0:43:26contact us through our website:
0:43:46 > 0:43:50Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2009
0:43:50 > 0:43:53Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk