Cornwall Escape to the Country

Today we're in a county that's home to these guys, otters,

a rare creature that's made a real success of its own Escape To The Country.

In today's show I'll be helping four generations of one family

escape suburbia as they go in search of a slice of the country.

They'll be viewing inspiring properties.

-Can you imagine yourselves in here?

-I've moved in.

There's a pleasant surprise in store when they hear the price.

-You are joking.

-You're joking...

And there's the mystery house that offers them something a little different.

Today I'm in Cornwall, home to these guys, the great British otter.

Now this county is a real stronghold for otters. Since the '70s

they've been on the extinction list but now it's good news.

From 200 way back when, there are now over 3,000 of them living

in the British Isles and these two, Honey and Harriet, are two of the newest residents to Cornwall.

But of course there's a lot more to this place than just otters.

Thanks to the county's position on the south-westerly peninsula

it's been left pretty much untouched and boasts some dramatic scenery.

Historic market towns, small hamlets and fishing villages dot the landscape.

Hugged by the sea on two sides, and with 300 beaches to choose from, you're never more than 16 miles

from the coast, and north Cornwall hosts one of the country's most dramatic beaches,

the Bedruthan Steps, named after the giant who, legend has it,

used the huge slate outcrops as stepping stones.

Cornwall has long been popular with second-home owners, of course.

They buy them and let them to those of us who want to come here on holiday.

The downside is that's raised house prices.

Your average four-bedroom house will set you back

around about £300,000 down here.

Not surprisingly it is also above the national average

but only by 9%, great news for today's buyers.

Rowan and Carol have lived in their four-bedroom detached house in Reading for 13 years.

In the early days their house was plenty big enough for them and their two children

but, you wouldn't know to look at them, they're also grandparents which makes it a bit of a squeeze.

When we first moved in, I appreciated the extra space, you know, to fit all the stuff in

and being able to grow into the house as well because it's an ideal house to grow into.

But we've grown out of it.

Rowan works from home and Carol currently has

a high pressure job in the city but all that's about to change.

We don't get much time together now because I work in London, but I'll be leaving my job

and I'm going to set up a consultancy which I will run from home.

The grandchildren will be living with us, as will my mother, so we're going to have

four generations under the same roof, which is fantastic, as we just want to be one big happy family together.

In the new house they are going to need plenty more space that they can grow into all over again.

I've enjoyed this kitchen, it's much bigger since the extension,

but it's still not big enough. Ideally I'd want something about three times the size of this,

although I know that's asking a lot, that would be my dream.

In the new property we'd be looking to have a larger garden space than we currently have.

Carol would like to get some livestock, chickens, or something,

and we'd be looking to get a small pony for my two grandchildren so a bigger garden would be great.

Looking for a family house that's big enough for Carol, Rowan, their children and their grandchildren

means they've got quite a wish list, and don't forget Carol's mum will be moving in as well.

I think my ideal dream property in the country would have to have a minimum of five bedrooms,

a large bathroom, large kitchen-dining room, a minimum of two living rooms, maybe three.

-An en suite for the master bedroom, large garden, I've got to have my chickens.

-Annexe for your mum.

We can't forget Mum, yeah, of course - a one-bedroom annexe for Mum.

-And a football pitch.

-Um, no. Forget the football pitch.

For Carol and Rowan, the move can't come soon enough,

so we've invited round an estate agent to value their home.

A very well-proportioned four-bedroom property

located in a very sought-after cul-de-sac within good school catchments,

lovely garden. At present,

I'd value this property at 320,000.

And with Carol's mum planning to sell her house too

how much do they have to spend?

Our total budget would be £550,000.

On the face of it, Carol and Rowan's property search seems kind of straightforward.

They've got over half a million pounds, they want upwards of six bedrooms,

a couple of living rooms and somewhere for Mum to come, some kind of annexe arrangement.

But, you see, this I think is where it could unravel.

Although they've got over half a million pounds,

they're trying to fit a huge extended family into a half-a-million-pound house.

That is going to be the challenge.

Location-wise we're focusing our search in north Cornwall

around the town of Launceston, known as the gateway to Cornwall as it's just over the Devon border.

In today's show I'll be showing them some very different properties that will hopefully

match their criteria, but I won't be revealing the prices straightaway.

Lastly, I'll be showing them the mystery house, that will throw up some interesting choices.

If you've really had enough of city life and you want a change of pace and a change of lifestyle,

Cornwall will certainly provide that for you and whatever your tastes, whatever your budget,

you will find a property to suit you. We have found some fantastic ones. Take a look at these.

If you're after some prime beach frontage, how about this south-coast villa in Porthpean,

which is on the market for two and a quarter million pounds?

It has eight bedrooms and has been stylishly decorated throughout,

but best of all the sandy bay is, quite literally, on your doorstep.

Another property with a stunning setting

is this gothic-style mansion in Liskeard,

on the market for £850,000.

There's bags of room, with seven bedrooms,

a stylish kitchen and a large drawing room - and outside there's a small lake surrounded by woodland.

Or for something more modest,

this 17th-century stone cottage near Saltash

is on the market for £375,000.

It has four bedrooms and a homely cottagey feel throughout.

The kitchen has slate floors, a farmhouse range, and outside there's a pretty cottage garden.

-Well, Rowan and Carol, welcome to Cornwall.

-Thank you.

Cornwall is famous for its coastline, so why not start here, in Bude, with some rolling breakers?

-It is beautiful.

-Beautiful, it is.

-Now then, your challenge, because that's what it is, really.

We're not just buying YOU a house, are we?

By my reckoning there are, four generations of you, and that's seven people?

Yeah, yeah, and two cats.

And two cats. Oh, my God. OK.

It's going to take some imaginative thinking, I think, in the properties that we're able to show you,

to fit you all in, because, to be honest, you need a hotel!

-We thought about that before.

-Yes, it's been said.

But we've got you some fascinating buildings to go round and check out.

Some of them have the odd twist here and there which I'm sure will amuse you

-but it's a challenge, one we're up for, I think.

-Definitely.

-Looking forward to it.

Come on then, let's go!

So Rowan and Carol have a budget of £550,000.

They're looking for a five-bedroom house with at least

two reception rooms, one for the children, one for the grown-ups.

They need an annexe for Carol's mum

and plenty of outside space for ponies, chickens and the like.

Cornwall is a hugely popular place but what was the draw for you two?

I think because we've holidayed down here regularly for perhaps

10 or 15 years as a family, and always had a really good time,

and we were looking to retire down here eventually, but, um...

-We thought, why bother waiting that long, why not move now?

-Yeah, yeah.

Our first property is on the outskirts of the small village

of Stratton, four miles from the coastal resort of Bude.

Despite its proximity to the coast, Stratton has been left untouched by tourists.

It's a typical Cornish village,

made up of attractive painted and stone cottages.

There's a village pub and 12th-century Norman church.

Property number one is on the outskirts of the village,

set back off a country lane. Let's see what Carol and Rowan make of it.

Well, guys. This is it. This is where we're gonna start our tour.

-Are you excited about this?

-I am!

Right, well let's just settle here for a second

cos that's what I want you to have a look at.

It's actually a converted barn. It's been developed over the years

to provide a lot of accommodation. What do you think?

The location's fantastic and from the outside it really does look...

-A lot of character.

-It's lovely.

-Shall we go inside?

-Yes, please.

Right, get the door. That's it. Right, now then -

what do you think of this?

-It's very nice.

-It is.

-First impressions?

Very cottagey, yeah.

It has been recently renovated.

It's hard to distinguish in some areas the old from the new.

-But you do get a nice, new feel to the place.

-Yeah.

-Which is good news.

-It looked in good condition from outside too.

Come through here, because it sounds obvious,

but every room in this house, is very, very different in its shape.

-This is the kitchen.

-I like it, it is very different.

It's much more modern. You wouldn't think you were in the same house.

You wouldn't. Absolutely right. That's exactly what I thought.

I like the way the unit's at slightly different height there.

-Great for your grandchildren.

-I was just thinking that.

I could see them there making cakes.

I do love the kitchen but I was hoping for something bigger.

-Well, you have got a dedicated dining area.

-Yeah.

-Which is kind of handy.

-It's so difficult without seeing the rest.

-Well, we'll do that! We'll do that.

-Yeah, come on then.

I will point out, you can explore this later, but through there

is your little utility room, which is quite handy,

so all your white goods are out there, but come through here.

Now, come in here. This is where it all gets really, really quirky.

Yeah, I didn't expect this!

It's full of surprises, isn't it?

This is one of five bedrooms.

-It's a big surprise. Didn't expect this.

-Didn't expect this at all.

It's a nice room, but I'm not sure about it being off the dining room.

The upside is that it has an en-suite, in there.

-Very smart en-suite. You can explore that later.

-Oh, that's nice.

And I'm thinking of Mum, maybe.

Possibly. I think she envisaged a living room and bedroom together.

Very possibly. I mean, there are other options here.

Go on, Rowan. Lead us through that door.

This house is full of nooks and crannies,

but I feel they're hankering after more space

so let's see if upstairs pays off.

Come and have a look at this.

This is the principal living room here.

It kind of goes back to its old credentials as a barn.

-I suppose, that's what you've got here really.

-Yeah.

But some nice touches.

You've got that, which is a sweet little multi-fuel wood burner

and coal and so on. So that's quite nice. Keep you nice and snug.

Wood store tucked away.

One of those houses, the higher you get, the lighter it becomes.

Mmm, I like the full-length windows.

Just brings the outside in. Makes it all very light and airy.

-This would be the adult room if there's somewhere else for the family room. Definitely.

-Yeah.

There's a bit more of this round the corner.

What would you do with this, I wonder. This area here.

Architecturally, because of the chimney.

That's why this has appeared.

They've got it as a little sort of day room.

This could be my office.

I could just imagine. I could have my computer there,

couple of cabinets.

-It's nice.

-That's good, I'm glad, because in here

we've got one of four bedrooms that are up here.

This is currently set up as an office,

but if your office is out there, this goes back to being a bedroom.

-Which is perfect. So you'd get your full five bedrooms.

-Perfect.

The rest of it's through here.

Along the corridor are a further two bedrooms.

One is a good sized double and the other is a single

with plenty of built-in storage.

There's also a compact but functional shower room.

So that's the kids sorted, but what about the grown ups?

This is the master suite, as it were.

Yeah?

-Very nice.

-It's surprisingly big.

-Bags of storage.

-The room is lovely. And is that a patio out there?

Ah, yes. Cos we're on a slight slope. So as you go up

you can walk out to the garden behind.

That's a nice feature.

And the other nice feature of the master bedroom

is the smart little en-suite.

What are you thinking about this property so far?

I like it...

I think for us and the kids, it's fantastic.

But I'm not sure... It's very important Mum has what she needs.

It's her house as well, and I'm not totally convinced.

Let's go outside and see, because there may be a project for Mum.

-OK.

-Maybe. Outside.

Right, come with me.

Right, come out here.

-Come out of the top.

-There was a huge spider!

-A huge spider? That comes free with the house, you know?

-Oh, don't!

Now, come down here. What I want you to look at is that area, there.

-See where the car is?

-Yeah.

-OK.

I am assured that the right-spec foundations are already laid there.

All that's required is planning permission

to build this area up, to produce a separate annexe.

Ah, right. Yeah, certainly. And if it's almost totally separate

it'd be ideal for your mum.

-Depending on... It'd depend on the cost.

-Cost.

-We don't know...

-A-ha!

Yes! Well, therein is the million dollar question, of course.

How much is it gonna set you back?

Let's finish the tour first, then you can guess the price.

-Talk cash.

-OK.

Come up here and look at the rest, cos we also get to milk this view.

This is extraordinary. Have a look at this!

-Have a look at that.

-That is fantastic.

-That's a really nice view.

Yeah? Not bad, eh?

-No, it's lovely.

-You wanted a bit of Cornwall. Here's a pretty bit.

And we've got this orchard area.

As you can see, it's bursting with really mature, ripe

and very healthy looking fruit trees.

In total, the amount of ground you've got is six acres.

-Really?

-What?

That's quite a lot!

-You never imagined being a farmer, did you?

-No!

Now then, you have got £550,000. How much of that do you think

you'd have to part with to get this little slice of Cornwall?

Complete with a bit of sunshine, on occasion. Make me an offer.

I can't imagine it being within our budget, being so close to the sea.

But for us to be able to afford it, it would need to be about...

..500, to be able to afford to build the annexe.

Yeah, I'd probably go higher. I reckon it's top of our budget.

Maybe even slightly over, 560?

560 plays 500, OK. Quite a difference between the two of you.

I said what I'd need it to be.

You are so good at this. You really are the moneybags in this equation.

This is on the market for just under £500,000.

-It's on for £495,000.

-Wow.

OK, so you have got £50,000 left over, to maybe think about

-doing a bit of extra extension.

-And that's all we'd need to do.

-Hmm.

-I'm surprised.

-Yeah?

-Can I go and see the six acres?

-Yeah, go on. Off you go!

I'll catch up with you later!

This detached cottage is on the market for £495,000.

It has five bedrooms, two reception rooms, a large garden,

and six acres of land. So, what's the verdict?

-This field is huge.

-It is, it is.

We wanted a bit of land but I never dreamt we'd get something like this.

I'm just shocked at how much you get for your money.

I really like its quirkiness.

I never thought about having a living room upstairs,

but it really works. I really like it.

My first impressions were great. The outside looked really nice.

I liked the walls as we came through. Really olde worlde.

-Which appeals to me.

-The house... It really is what we're looking for.

The area, providing we've got schools and railway nearby,

cos I've got carried away and not thought about that yet!

Cos we're so taken with the house.

At the moment, eight and a half out of ten.

We don't want the free spider.

If a tortoise has a shell, does it really need a house, I wonder?

-No idea!

-It's a good question though, isn't it?

I wonder!

Now then, fellas, I'm afraid I'm going to have to whisk you away.

-OK.

-No more lounging around, looking at the wildlife. Go on then!

-Let's go.

-All right.

-After you.

When Rowan and Carol do find their Cornish dream home,

their nearest market town will be Launceston.

So, earlier in the week they took the opportunity to look around.

Its narrow streets are lined with Georgian townhouses.

And you can still see a part of the Medieval gate

from the original town walls.

The centrepiece of the town is the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene,

with its intricately carved stonework,

dating back to the 16th century.

-I'll definitely have some of those. A small one, please.

-Yes, please.

Today Launceston is a thriving town with a weekly market,

where you can buy locally grown produce and craft goods.

-It's beautiful.

-Yeah.

-They're all shutting up now, it's a shame.

-Yeah.

They're all so friendly.

If we move down here, you can buy a handbag every week, can't you?

Definitely. I'd definitely come back.

After a quick shop, Carol and Rowan head to the Launceston Steam Railway

which has been lovingly restored and runs for two miles through the Kensey Valley.

The steam trains date back to the 1800s.

And it's the perfect way to soak up the beautiful Cornish countryside.

But for the best view of all, you need to head to Launceston Castle.

Perched upon a hill, overlooking the town, the castle was built

after the Norman conquest and was the ultimate symbol of power and wealth.

Although these days, only the ruins remain.

But the panoramic views are timeless.

It was worth the climb. Look at those views! They get better!

Yeah, you can see for miles, can't you?

It's lovely.

-Look at it, it's so beautiful.

-It is, isn't it?

-Can't wait.

-Not much else you can say about it, is there?

-No.

Aww!

Carol and Rowan do seem very at home here already.

All we need to do now is find them a home.

What did you think of that property, now you've had time to digest it?

I quite liked it. It was quirky in its layout.

And the land around the property was... It's quite impressive.

What would you do with all those acres, Carol?

That's what I'm beginning to think. It might be a bit too much now.

Cos I had all these grand plans of sheep and ponies

but perhaps that's not a realistic thing to do.

Sometimes it's just as important to find out what you don't need when you're property hunting.

So, narrowing the search is a step in the right direction.

The next property is eight miles from Launceston,

tucked away in the rural hamlet of Trewen.

The focal point of the hamlet is the 12th-century church of St Michael & All Angels.

The closest village is Altarnun, which has some very pretty granite cottages and a 15th-century church

with an impressive tower, which is the second tallest in Cornwall.

It's a great setting for our next property.

Right, come through here. Now, then...

-what do you both think of that?

-That's pretty impressive, isn't it?

-That's perfect.

Really, really, really lovely. I can't believe it.

It's an old barn, probably 100, 150 years old, something like that, and it does offer

-the most extraordinary accommodation.

-Wow.

Just you wait, if you think it looks great from here, wait till you get inside.

Come on.

Right. Look at your face!

-Right, in you go.

-Thank you.

This is what greets you first of all, the entrance hall.

We're going to do this house slightly differently, so we're going to start upstairs first.

-OK.

-And I'm going to ask you to take your shoes off and you'll see why

-when we get up there because it is absolutely fantastic.

-Right.

-Oh, yes.

-Wow. Oh, my gosh.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

Come here. No, no, come here, stand there, what do you think?

-Oh, this is...out of this world, it really is, I love it.

-Yeah, stunning.

Isn't it fabulous? All this is only about three years old.

Reclaimed stripped pine floorboards.

-That's really lovely, the wood burner.

-I like the look of that, yeah.

-Gorgeous.

It's really stylishly done. Can you imagine yourselves in here?

-I've moved in!

-You've moved in already!

-I absolutely love it.

I might have to leave the kids somewhere else!

Look at that kitchen. That would be absolutely... I could see us spending hours in there

because we love cooking. It's something we don't get time to do any more.

There's more. Come with me through here.

Carol, if that was a "wow", what about this?

-There's a whole tree in the middle of the room.

-There is a whole tree in the middle of the room.

-Is that from the original barn?

-It is. It is, this is a roundhouse, effectively.

It was an old cider press.

-Was it?

-Yeah.

There would have been a donkey running around in here

helping to crush apples. This is what gives it away.

-If you look, can you see this lovely wood burner?

-Yeah.

And can you see above it the stone wall, OK?

-That's where the top of the wall was, see where that line of mortar is?

-Yeah.

The whole thing has been raised in the renovation, including that.

-That's a big renovation, isn't it, yeah?

-That's a lot of wood to move, isn't it?

Look at that, double doors, huge doors, out to that little bit of garden.

You've got a wonderful choice of reception rooms here for you and the rest of the family to use.

-How do you see this working?

-I'm tempted to say that we'd have this room

and put them in there, but I think with the garden access for the smaller ones

-it would be great to be running in and out of the garden all the time.

-I don't know.

Possibly, because we're in there because we're all the family together, I don't know.

Come and look at the rest of the place.

What a lovely dilemma to have, and there are five bedrooms

to choose from, two of which are on this level.

The first is currently being used as a small study,

there's a tidy family bathroom and then there's the master.

-Ooh wow.

-Yeah?

-I think so, yeah.

-What a huge bedroom.

I think this is pretty good as it goes for master bedrooms.

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-There's loads of storage and room for more.

-Well, how much more do you need?

-You haven't seen...

So that's the upstairs, bizarrely.

-To finish it off, let's go downstairs and check out the rest of it.

-OK.

Come with me.

Down here are the further three bedrooms this property has to offer.

There's a huge double in there with some storage, have a quick look at that.

-That's a nice room.

-Good size.

-Look at the floor, it's lovely.

This goes throughout, this goes all the way.

In there, there's a little shower room and basin and loo, etc,

to complement the accommodation down here, but the final two

are along this corridor. It's all very neat and compact.

-It is. Lovely.

-Little girls' room clearly.

-Oh, yes.

-That's beautiful, isn't it?

-Isn't that sweet?

-That is lovely.

And next door there's a room that absolutely mirrors that

so that's your five bedrooms pretty much, OK?

However, I've got one more idea for you. Come and have a look at this.

In here is the utility, OK?

But through this door is the garage.

Now, the garage.

It's a good size garage.

It's a great size garage, it could also make a brilliant little spot for Mum.

It could be a kitchen/living room, if you like,

-with her choice of bedrooms.

-Mmm.

-Possibly.

-Possibly.

-Yeah, possibly.

Think about it. There's an awful lot in this house for you to consider.

-Yeah.

-But I think it's important you see this area and have a think

-about how you might use it, all right?

-Yeah.

-That's the inside of the property, pretty much. What do you think so far?

-Love it.

-Yeah, it is an amazing house.

-Pretty special, isn't it?

-It is, very.

-Yes, definitely.

There's a bit more outside. Let's go through here, why not?

As it is the garage. Come with me. Out you come.

I'm not sure Carol is convinced with the garage conversion idea

but it is an option worth mulling over. And now to the garden.

When we drove in you probably spotted this little area of grass, didn't you?

-We did.

-When I say little, I mean...

-Well, yes.

-It's not bad, is it?

In all, you've got three-quarters of an acre with the property,

and this is yours.

This is great because it's really private.

-It is, it's really nice.

-It's ideal for the kids again, isn't it?

Let's have a little think about how much it's going to cost you, shall we?

It must be worth an optimistic 560.

-560.

-I'd say more 575.

-575.

-Mmm.

-It's on the market for 495.

-You are joking.

-You're joking.

-How about that?

-No way.

If I had a chair, I'd sit down!

That is amazing.

That's almost as amazing as when you walk in the rooms.

Brilliant. Go on, then.

Do we want to walk around the rooms again, do we?

Yeah, go and have an explore, see what you get.

Well, there we are, that certainly put a smile on their faces.

Just under half a million pounds for a property which, frankly,

should be way over that, but that is the nature of the market at the moment.

If you've got money, and you can move, you can find a bargain.

This converted barn is on the market for £495,000.

It has been stylishly renovated and has five bedrooms,

two large reception rooms,

a garage, which could be converted into a living space for Carol's mum,

and outside there's a large garden with a paddock.

This would be great for work space, for cooking, for making a mess.

Yeah, and when your ladies come to visit you with their wine and their dips.

This would be a great room for a party.

I can't think of one thing I don't like about the house. I love it.

A really good finish to everything. There's a lot of care gone into it.

This room is fantastic, the kitchen, the lights, the fire, it's got everything.

The only slight downside possibly being the work

needed in the garage to change it into accommodation for my mother-in-law,

but the overall package is just a big wow.

My gut feelings about this house is I could move in tomorrow,

it's all here, it feels like our home already.

Right, out you come.

Now then, I think that was a real contender.

-Yeah, I think so.

-You'll have to go something to beat that, I can tell you.

-We might.

We just might. Come on!

Rowan and Carol are keen cooks and are looking forward to having the time

to do some home baking, especially when it comes to the famous Cornish pasty.

This does smell rather good. Hello, Connie.

We've come to meet Connie Geech who is Cornish born and bred

and has been making pasties with her mother since she was ten years old.

Connie, this all looks tantalising.

What is it about the Cornish pasty, do you think, that makes it such a star performer?

Because you have good meat, local veg, fresh veg, and probably a good hand with pastry, I don't know.

Connie is going to show us how it's done.

Once the pastry is rolled out it's time for those all-important ingredients.

-Does it matter in which order the ingredients go in?

-Well, it does in my pasties.

-That told you.

-Well, yeah, I wouldn't want to argue with Connie on this one.

The theory is that the turnip is at the bottom so it's nearer

the heat on the sheath and therefore it will cook better.

After the turnip comes the potato, followed by some prime beef, seasoning and a few slices of onion.

Then for the crimp, or the crust, the trickiest part of the whole operation.

So all you're doing is squeezing those two pieces together

and it's push over, push with that left thumb, push...

-Keep flour on your fingers so it doesn't stick as you go.

-That's right.

Yes, that'll do fine.

Fantastic. We've got plenty of ingredients left, let's make some more pasties.

Oh, my God, it's actually working.

The Cornish pasty can be traced back to the Middle Ages and has since

provided the perfect portable lunch for tin miners, fishermen and farmers to take to work.

It's burgeoning. This is the tricky bit which gives it the famous shape.

You're getting there. Brilliant, go on.

Brilliant. Housewives used to make one for each member of the family

and mark their initials on one end of the pasty.

-Do your next bit.

-There's a bit of onion in the way.

-I'll get the hang in a minute.

-No.

-No.

-Look, watch.

Push and bring over.

-No.

-I shouldn't have taken the mickey.

-Ready for their sheets.

-That's not too bad.

-Yes, that'll work.

-Yes, they're ready for the oven. They'll go in here now.

And because you don't have a great amount of time, we can taste some

-that I made earlier.

-Ah! Brilliant!

-The moment we've all been waiting for.

-Get stuck in.

-Mmm.

-Mmm.

-Really nice.

Absolutely fantastic. Well, Connie, thank you very much for a wholesome introduction to pasty making.

I'm going to have a go at this, and I'm sure these guys are

-going to be cooking pasties by the bucket load!

-Yeah, definitely.

-Thanks ever so much.

-It's been a pleasure.

-Delicious, too.

Well, so far, it's been a successful start for our house hunters.

So I think we should give them some time to pause for thought.

What did you think of the barn conversion?

I really liked the upside down feature,

-which I thought was gonna be really strange. But it really worked.

-Yeah.

My real concern is that we're being sensible about what we're doing,

cos we'd have to actually build a whole extension of the annexe.

I don't think it'll work, it's too much to take on.

Realistically, although I loved the house, I loved the garden,

-I think that's just gotta be too much.

-Yeah?

So what did you think of the stone barn conversion when you went in?

It's got a definite wow factor,

and I think I'd continue saying, "wow" every time I walked in,

even after I'd been living there for five years. It was just...

Well, I don't say, "wow", very often, do I?

-But it really did make me say, "wow"!

-Mmm.

Yeah, I mean, I couldn't really fault it.

I've never been a big fan of the living room upstairs

and the bedrooms downstairs, but you know, it works

because it makes the most of all those fantastic beams

and that amazing room at the top of the stairs.

Roll on tomorrow. Let's see what they can put us through tomorrow.

-I know. I'm looking forward to it.

-Me too. Cheers.

-We deserve this.

Carol and Rowan, from Reading,

can't wait to leave the confines of their 4-bed semi behind them,

for a taste of Cornish life.

They have a budget of £550,000.

So far, they've seen two properties, but coming up, they can't get over how much their money can buy them.

-You also get that.

-What?

And the mystery house takes Carol by surprise.

-Oh, my God!

-Ha-ha-ha!

It's the start of my second day's house-hunt with Rowan and Carol, here in Cornwall.

Yesterday went really, really well.

It's clear that whatever we find them today

has got an awful lot to beat.

But, you know what? I don't think it's going to be that one.

The next property is 12 miles south of Launceston

in the hamlet of Trevigro - a rural farming community.

The closest town is Callington, just a mile away.

There are plenty of amenities here, there's even a theatre group.

But it's Trevigro where we find our next property -

at the end a country lane, in a small complex of converted barns.

Now then, which one is it, I wonder?

Well, look over there. Is that something of a clue?

-Yes, gives it away.

-What do you think?

-It's very nice.

-Really nice.

It's lovely.

OK. Well, let's see if inside gives you more of an impact.

-OK.

-Come on.

That's a lovely entrance, I like this.

-Yeah, if I could get to keep the pigs.

-Ha-ha!

Now, Carol, come in here.

What do you think of this?

It's really nicely done, isn't it? I was expecting this sort of really old country cottage effect.

-Something quite pokey?

-Yeah, but it's not, it's a big, nice open space.

-The Tardis effect.

-It is. I love the flooring when you go up.

You've got lovely oak flooring up there in what is effectively a family living area.

Multifuel burner there, then this slate flooring

-which goes right through the kitchen.

-And a dining room through there.

-Have a look at the kitchen.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, I will.

-I know you love islands, what about that one?

-Yeah, really nice.

Unusual, with the cooker in it, but it frees up

work space around the kitchen on those lovely slate tops.

-And down there, a little dining room, how about that?

-Yeah?

-Go and have a look.

-Now then.

-Wow. It's nice, isn't it?

-Yeah? What do you think?

-Very nice. Imagine sitting here, those views out there and this gorgeous patio.

-Yeah, doors open.

-You're surprisingly quiet.

-Am I?

-Yeah. Have you noticed?

-Yeah.

-I go quiet every now and again when I don't know what to say because I'm...

-Thinking.

-Gob-smacked.

-Are you?

-Yeah.

-Why?

-Just looking out there, the views from here are just fantastic.

-Good.

-Through from here, look.

Well, yeah, there is your domain, madam. Come on, let's have a look.

Back through the vast kitchen that could be yours, who knows?

-Yeah.

-And up to here. This is, as I say, kind of family living area.

You're getting quite excited already about imagining yourself living in this house. How about here?

-Yeah. It just all works. I really do feel at home.

-Yeah, yeah.

What is it that's grabbing you?

I think it's the way it flows through and you've got the steps

-down into the kitchen.

-I love split level, I must admit.

Carol and Rowan seem suitably impressed, and now for the rest of the family.

At the far end of the lounge there's something for Carol's daughter and her two children.

This is one of the three bedrooms that kind of offers you

a potential wing for your daughter and her children.

This is the biggest bedroom, this would probably be hers, I'm thinking.

-Mmm.

-Would it work?

-It's bigger than she's got now.

-That's a bonus, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-She would have her own room

and the kids would have their own rooms, which has to be a good thing.

-Definitely.

-Let's continue. Go through the door.

-OK.

-Chuck a left.

Nice door as well.

Another bedroom.

That's probably the smallest one of the lot.

-Storage there.

-Yeah.

At the end of the corridor is the third small bedroom, and next to that is a family bathroom.

-Oh, wow. It's a really good size.

-It's a really nice bathroom. Look at the size of that shower.

-They'd be happy there?

-I think so, it's really nice.

It's a really good family bathroom. It's perfect.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, lovely.

-But you guys are upstairs.

-Come with me.

-Let's go and have a look.

Back through the lounge, the rooms upstairs are built into the eaves.

At one end is a good size double bedroom for Carol and Rowan's son.

In the middle is another stylish family bathroom, with a very handsome rolltop bath,

and at the far end, tucked away from the rest of the family, is the master bedroom.

Oh, wow.

There you go. What about it?

It's not a bedroom, it's a suite.

-It's deceptive, this house, isn't it?

-Very. You've got your own living space down there, as well.

And, of course, views across the valley, which is terrific.

-It's lovely.

-Let's go and find her somewhere.

-Yeah.

-Come on.

So far, this house fits the family perfectly.

All, that is, except for Carol's mum.

But as we head outside, I've a trick up my sleeve.

-Now, there you go, that's your house...

-Yeah, it's lovely.

And these...

are the keys to Mummy's house, right there.

-What do you think?

-You must be joking! You know how much we've got, don't you?

-I do know how much you've got.

-I don't believe it.

Well, believe it, because that comes with it. Two for the price of one.

-Sounds great.

-Come and have a look.

Right, now. Come in here.

What do you think Mummy is going to make of this thing?

-I'm speechless again.

-Look at it.

-It's just perfect.

-Yeah.

-Kitchen-living room, I suppose.

-Yeah.

-Little kitchenette.

-She wanted an annexe, but...

-Separate.

-Separate. Just across from us.

-Yeah.

This two-up, two-down is the perfect solution for Mum.

Off the lounge is the first of two bedrooms

and upstairs is a compact, but tidy bathroom and a second bedroom.

This isn't all of it, though.

-There is a little bit more which I do have to show you.

-Oh, lord!

And then you can tell me how much you think it's worth.

-Ticking over. I wonder.

-Come on, out you go.

The final piece of the jigsaw is to the back of this cottage,

in a separate outbuilding.

Inside, is a compact utility and a study, made to measure for Carol.

Outside the garden is laid to lawn, with a large patio,

so low maintenance, too, but the best is yet to come.

-You also get four acres of that.

-What?

-You are kidding?

-No, you get four acres of that.

-It goes down to a river. Can you hear the river?

-Yeah.

So lots to play with here, lots to think about.

I'm going to bounce you straight into a price.

You have got 550,000 quid.

-Shall I go first?

-If you like, go on.

Um, I think...

550,000,

on the end of our budget.

Oh, you are being optimistic there, my friend.

Go on, then.

I think...625.

625.

OK. This house was on the market for well over £600,000.

However, it has been significantly reduced,

to just under £600,000 - to 595.

-That's not bad, then.

-Bearing in mind you do get two real houses.

-Mmm.

-Mmm.

-Now it's 50 grand over budget.

-Yeah.

-That's something you need to think about.

However, I do believe this property fits the bill for you guys, pretty much spot-on.

-I think, probably, yeah.

-It really absolutely does.

It is, we could just move in.

But it's a lot to think about.

Go on, have a look around, explore. There's plenty more to see.

I'll catch up with you a little bit later. Ha-ha-ha! Brilliant!

Well, there we are - £595,000. It does sound like a lot of money.

It is, it's nearly 600 grand, but it has been reduced

and it really is a bit of a bargain

and, more to the point, it fits their life like a glove.

This converted barn complex is on the market for £595,000,

which is over their budget.

But, remember, for that price they get...

So, do Carol and Rowan think that the higher price tag

is one worth paying?

-I think I'd have that as a playroom, I think I'd have a round table over there.

-Yeah.

-And then all the kids' toys out there.

-Yeah.

And then over this area, look, there's loads of room there, you could have quite a big table.

I love the fact that there's a separate house next door for my mother-in-law,

so she gets peace and quiet, but is still part of the family.

What I really like about this house is it's ready to move in.

Place for the kids, place for us, for Mum. It just feels like home.

You get a lot for your money, but it's still above budget,

so we'd have to make some hard financial decisions but, hopefully, we could work something out.

I love this room. I just want to stay here,

I really don't want to leave. It's just perfect.

Right, out you come into the rain.

-I think you rather like that, don't you?

-Very much so, yes.

-OK.

-We don't want to leave, please.

You've got to. Our tour isn't over. There is plenty more to show you.

-Shall we?

-Let's get out of the rain, quick.

-Quick.

PATTER OF RAINFALL

The rain has arrived as, indeed, has time for our mystery house.

To give you a clue as to where we are, this bridge behind me

is one of the oldest over the River Tamar, built about 1504,

and it offers an important clue, because the river itself is the border between Devon and Cornwall.

The question is, which side are we on?

How are we feeling about the prospect of the mystery house?

-Nervous, I suppose, in a way, yes.

-Nervous?

The properties we have seen already have been so special,

I just don't know what you've got in store for us.

I love it when people get slightly anxious,

because it generally means there's a good decision to be made.

For the mystery house we've sneaked over the border

into Devon, to the village of Bridgerule.

The River Tamar runs through the heart of this community.

There are just about all the essentials here,

including a village store, pub and a primary school for Carol and Rowan's grandchildren.

Now, then, come here, Carol.

-That is the mystery house.

-It's got another wow factor, hasn't it?

Impressive frontage.

Wait till you see inside, because this house is all about size. You come and have a look.

-It's a really pretty little garden there.

-Yeah.

Right, lots to see here, so we're going to make this a fairly brisk tour,

because there's an awful lot to pack in.

-We're going to start in the kitchen. What do you think?

-I like it.

It's very nice, look at that.

Now, then. Beautiful oil-fired, cast-iron range -

-really the heart of this farmhouse.

-It is a real country kitchen.

So, we like the kitchen?

-Definitely.

-Yeah.

-You wanted one, maybe two, reception rooms if possible.

-Mm-hm.

-Yeah.

-There are four here.

-Four?

-Four.

Let's start through here, come with me.

Now, off of the kitchen is this kind of lobby area.

There's a utility in there, but you can explore that later.

Downstairs loo, there, but come and have a look.

Now, what do you think of this, is it big enough?

-Just about(!)

-Yeah?

-Think we could fit in here(?)

-Squeeze us all in, couldn't you?

I am speechless. I just can't believe that you found somewhere again.

I don't believe this is in our budget, though!

I love those windows, they are different.

I love how much Carol can't quite believe her luck and we've only seen two rooms.

Wait till they see the conservatory.

Wow!

-It's enormous.

-It is huge.

I'm classing this as a reception room, because it is so big.

Look at the garden!

This is reception room number two.

-Yeah.

-Let's go and find the others.

Go on, go through there.

Right, now back, that's the front door.

OK, this...is three of four receptions.

It's another nice-sized room and...it has a fireplace.

That's lovely, that's a pukka, open, working fireplace.

-Is it?

-A real fireplace?

-Yeah, real thing.

But come through here.

Now, come in here.

This is reception room number four.

-Gosh.

-They've got it as a dining room.

I'm not sure if it would be the dining room... Oh, my god!

-Ha-ha-ha!

-Don't look round.

-Come here, come here, come here.

What about that?

-ALL LAUGH

-Come and have a look.

-What about it?

-I think it's great.

-Wow.

-It's fantastic!

-Yeah?

Now, did either of you think, for one moment,

-that you'd be buying a swimming pool on this trip?

-No.

Tell me your grandchildren are not going to enjoy this.

-They would love it.

-I think everyone in the family would enjoy it, wouldn't they?

-I would, I'd get in there.

-You've got a Jacuzzi, you've got a pool.

-How deep is it?

-Deep enough.

-Deep enough to swim in.

-Deep enough.

You can see why this is a great mystery house for you guys, because I think, not only does it offer you

all sorts of space, but you also get the chance to have an awful lot of fun in the space here.

Yeah, definitely. I can see great parties, great parties, yeah.

But it's not over yet.

Safe to say, I think that the pool has swept them away.

Upstairs, there are two separate wings to this place.

In the first, there's a good size double with an en-suite and a box room.

Above the main part of the house are a further three bedrooms, the first two of which

are good-sized doubles, with plenty of room for the grandchildren and their toys.

There's a family bathroom and, of course, a master bedroom.

And this is you - your little domain.

-Well, big domain, perhaps.

-Yeah.

-It's a nice big room.

-Great size again, isn't it?

No trouble fitting all my clothes in. I mean, it's a huge bed.

Big bed, they're OK, big bathroom's even better.

Go and have a look in there.

Go through the saloon doors, as it were.

Slightly crazy way of getting into a bathroom, but it's big.

-It's a good size, isn't it?

-You've always wanted a big bathroom.

And an en-suite, at that. I mean it's...yeah, it's great.

-I like it, with the view, as well.

-Yeah.

That every morning would be great.

I'm not sure if it's raining, but either way we should go out

-and brave it and see what you get outside.

-Definitely.

-Shall we?

-Yeah, let's go.

-Come on, then.

Wrapped around the house is the garden, which is mostly laid to lawn

and there's even accommodation for the pony Rowan wants to buy his grandchildren.

This is all very exciting.

This property is set within around about 4.2 acres.

You can see various paddocks leading off around the yard here.

There's a pretty new stable block over there, purpose built, as well,

if you got into the whole pony thing.

But that's not all.

I'm saving the best to last as, through the garage,

there's a really exciting project.

Right. Now, come up here. Come over to the light, look at the window

-and that lovely old kind of hay door up here because this is effectively the old hayloft, I guess.

-Yeah.

As you can see it's in need of a bit of work.

-Just a bit!

-It needs a new roof.

But this would be an extraordinary annexe for Mum, potentially.

-Definitely. I can just imagine a window there, actually.

-Oh, yeah.

You can probably still do it all in the house as it stands, but this is a real bonus.

-No, we could, yeah.

-Definitely.

-So?

-I like it.

-It's great, isn't it? It's terrific.

But, how terrific is it, I wonder? Ha-ha-ha!

It's that moment, I'm afraid.

£550,000.

Make me an offer.

You first.

630.

630, yeah.

It's got to be more. It's gotta be more. 650.

-650.

-Yes.

We've just saved you a hundred grand, because this is on the market for £550,000, bang on your budget.

-You're joking.

-Unbelievable.

I'm stunned.

-That is unbelievable.

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-That does throw a spanner in the works, doesn't it?

-That really does, doesn't it.

I thought it might.

I love it, I love it.

You see, confusion reigns supreme.

It's great, lots to think about.

-Yeah, definitely.

-Go and have a look around.

Go and check out the house again. Get used to the geography,

don't fall in the pool and I'll catch up with you a bit later.

I saw a swimsuit in the kitchen, I'll see if it fits.

Go and get wet. Ha-ha!

Well, there we are, £550,000 - bang on the budget.

It's got everything, including a swimming pool.

Who knows? It may even have new owners very soon.

At £550,000, this large detached farmhouse is a real bargain.

It has...

Well, this is definitely a big bonus.

I never thought we'd find a house with a swimming pool in it.

Never dreamt that we'd ever have a swimming pool.

Can I get in now?

Oh, wow, this house is fantastic.

I really couldn't believe there would be another one like this.

I don't know how we're going to decide.

It's got so much space and we've been thinking what we could do.

The size of the bedrooms are amazing,

the amount of reception rooms and, of course,

the swimming pool, which was a total surprise.

Obviously, I love the swimming pool, the Jacuzzi, the house itself

and with the stables and everything, it's just out of this world.

This can be for my horse.

HE LAUGHS

That one's smaller in there - for the Shetland pony. Oh, hello!

-Hello.

-You can't have any more additions to the family, surely?

-Well, possibly.

-Possibly.

There's an awful lot of possibilities.

You've seen some fantastic properties.

You've got a bit of a quandary, I suspect.

-We have.

-A major one, yeah.

Let's get you somewhere you can have a good think about what you've seen

and we'll see if you've made a decision. Come on.

With so many options, it's going to be a tough job for Rowan and Carol to make a choice,

so I've left them alone to discuss their options.

Well, it's almost time to go home, but not, of course,

until we've found out if my buyers have made some kind of decision.

They're not just looking for a home for themselves,

but also now for their greatly-extended family.

Not surprisingly, they've slept on it

and I understand they've been negotiating long into the wee hours.

Let's see if they've made their minds up.

Well, now, then, you two, what a journey it's been.

I suspect we've sown some confusion.

-Yes. Just a bit(!)

-Just a bit!

It all started with that white, converted barn. What happened there?

We really liked, um, the house.

-Beautiful garden.

-Six acres.

-Yeah, a lot of beautiful garden.

-Maybe a bit too much.

-Too much, yeah.

Could work with building the extension for Mum, next door.

Quite a few steps for her, around the house, though.

But not a bad start,

because then we took you to that fantastic stone barn conversion.

-Mmm.

-Yeah, it's brilliant. That was breathtaking, I think.

-It was a certain big "Wow!" moment.

-Well, it was.

I mean, I really loved that high ceiling.

-And price-wise?

-Yeah.

-Yes, yeah, another shock.

-Yeah, we'd have enough to convert the garage into a room for Mum.

It left enough to do, things that we needed to do.

OK, well, then it was, of course, another day

and we took you to, effectively, that holiday cottage complex.

It pushed all the right buttons, I think.

It's right for the family, for everybody.

Everybody will be catered for and Mum in her own cottage,

so, for that perspective, then, it's spot on.

I mean, the other thing was the price, of course, though.

-Yeah, that's the worrying thing. It's over budget. It's, um...a big decision to make.

-Yeah, definitely.

Finally, it was time for the mystery house - the farmhouse with the pool.

Yes, I must admit, I was quite taken with that property, yeah.

It is stunning from the outside and then, when you go in...

It's equally stunning from the inside.

And just the scale of the rooms, I was quite taken aback by.

The pool and the Jacuzzi, that was a real wow factor

and I loved it, and the rooms upstairs are massive.

-The potential.

-Yeah.

Well, I can see that you've really put an awful lot of thought

into what we've shown you, but, of course, I'm dying to know... what are you going to do next?

Well, we've had a bit of contention, because it's been a really, really difficult decision.

Probably, we're sort of leaning towards the holiday...

-Cottage.

-..complex.

-Yeah, the cottage.

-With the separate cottage. yeah.

-Yeah.

Interesting. I mean, £600,000 or thereabouts, 50 grand over your budget?

-Mmm.

-Is that achievable?

Well, I did give Mum a quick ring.

She was quite keen on that one, as well.

I need to get my spreadsheet out and work it out, but we're serious about making an offer on that one.

Well, guys, it's been terrific having you on this show.

I'm delighted we've given you so much to think about.

I hope we've found you your ideal escape to the country.

-Thanks ever so much, and the very best of luck.

-Thank you very much.

RAINFALL PATTERS

It looks as if the rain has come just in the nick of time

as, of course, we come to the end of our house search here in Cornwall.

I have to say, when we started, I was a little concerned that Rowan and Carol

were being ambitious in trying to find a property

to incorporate four generations of their family,

but they've done so because they've been flexible

and true to what they were trying to achieve.

And that is what house-hunting is all about. I'll see you next time.

If you're longing to escape to the country

and would like our help,

contact us through our website...

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