0:00:02 > 0:00:04Today, I'm in a county that was home to one of the first modern tractors.
0:00:04 > 0:00:08Let's see if I can get this baby started!
0:00:08 > 0:00:09Ay-hey!
0:00:09 > 0:00:12ENGINE WHIRS
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Join me as we escape to the country!
0:00:32 > 0:00:34In today's show we'll be helping
0:00:34 > 0:00:38a couple escape from the urban hustle to a new life in the country.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Look at that view!
0:00:40 > 0:00:45I'll be taking them on a tour of some of the best properties on the market
0:00:45 > 0:00:49and they're no-nonsense approach is keeping me on my toes!
0:00:49 > 0:00:51More chance of us seeing rocking horse poo than seeing that happen!
0:00:51 > 0:00:52HE LAUGHS
0:00:52 > 0:00:53Ooh!
0:00:55 > 0:01:00And of course there's the mystery house, which we throw into the mix to tantalise our property hunters.
0:01:03 > 0:01:09Today, I'm in Bedfordshire and it was here in 1902 that Dan Albone
0:01:09 > 0:01:12invented the first petrol-fired tractor.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16He called it the Ivel after one of the rivers that flows into the great River Ouse round here.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Now Bedfordshire, very close to London, very much
0:01:19 > 0:01:23in the commuter-belt but still in touch with its agricultural roots.
0:01:26 > 0:01:33It's a county that plays host to rural landscapes, fine market towns and stately homes.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38South Bedfordshire is characterised by the chalk hills of The Chilterns and the valleys of
0:01:38 > 0:01:44the River Great Ouse which at 150 miles long, is the fourth longest river in the country.
0:01:46 > 0:01:53Consider this. The average price for a detached house in Bedfordshire is £233,000. That is 20% above
0:01:53 > 0:01:58the national average but remember, this is hot commuter territory.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00When you cross the border to Buckinghamshire, the prices rocket
0:02:00 > 0:02:07up to £500,000 so in that light, Bedfordshire seems like a good deal.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Today's househunters are Alan and Sheila.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14They met two years ago and fell head over heels in love.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Currently, Alan lives in Hertfordshire whilst
0:02:16 > 0:02:22Sheila lives in London but they have decided it's time to take the plunge and move in together.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26My plan always was to move further out with more space
0:02:26 > 0:02:29but of course now I've met Alan and he wants the same thing.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Currently, Sheila spends most of her time at Alan's apartment as with three good-size bedrooms
0:02:35 > 0:02:38and a large lounge, they've got all the space they want
0:02:38 > 0:02:41but there is one snag.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46I like the size of the house but we want something with
0:02:46 > 0:02:51a private garden rather than a communal garden so that Sheila can do her gardening.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56It is very important to me and I feel here I'm restricted in that way
0:02:56 > 0:03:00so the idea would be to move this somewhere else with the garden,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02which is impossible!
0:03:02 > 0:03:08After 40 years of living close to London, Alan and Sheila have had their fill of urban life.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Alan and I both live in a very built-up area so it's really important to us
0:03:12 > 0:03:18that when we move we have somewhere much more rural and peaceful.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Although retiring soon, Alan and Sheila are not the type of people
0:03:21 > 0:03:26to sit around - they've already got their new lives mapped out.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29I'm interested in antiques and I'd like to continue that.
0:03:29 > 0:03:35I like playing golf so a nice local golf course would be very nice and being an ex-cricketer, I'd like
0:03:35 > 0:03:40a little village green somewhere where I can sit down there with a pint and watch a game of cricket.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45- That would be very nice. - And a cream tea.- Oh, yes, must have the cream tea, and sit down
0:03:45 > 0:03:51and enjoy that and just relax and just take our time to do what we want to do and when we want to do it.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53So what are they after in their new property?
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Well, we're looking for a property that's got three double bedrooms,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00two bathrooms and a decent amount of living space.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02And a mature garden would be lovely.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Also, I think we need somewhere -
0:04:04 > 0:04:11an outbuilding or a cellar or a double garage for Alan's antiques, because he has loads of them.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Which I'll be banished to most of the day!
0:04:14 > 0:04:17With Alan and Sheila keen to get started on the move,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21we've invited an estate agent to value Alan's property.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22This is a delightful
0:04:22 > 0:04:24three-bedroom period apartment set in four acres of
0:04:24 > 0:04:30communal grounds and because of that, I value this property at £575,000.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Sheila also intends to sell her place in London
0:04:35 > 0:04:37and with their pooled resources,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40they plan to set aside money for their retirement and do some travelling.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44So how much do they want to spend on their new country retreat?
0:04:44 > 0:04:52Well, for the right property, we would be prepared to pay a maximum of £550,000.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I'm excited about this house-hunt because it's so romantic...
0:04:55 > 0:04:58it's going to be Alan and Sheila's first home together. Aw!
0:04:58 > 0:05:02So how are we going to get it right? Well, they need to be close to London so that their family
0:05:02 > 0:05:08and friends can come and visit and they want space inside for Alan's antiques and outside
0:05:08 > 0:05:12for Sheila's country garden, so let's make sure there's a fairytale ending.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Our property search will mainly focus in South Bedfordshire
0:05:18 > 0:05:20within easy reach of the market town of Leighton Buzzard
0:05:20 > 0:05:24but we'll also be taking a hop, skip and jump across the border
0:05:24 > 0:05:25into Buckinghamshire.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30In today's show, we'll be viewing some fantastic properties that, hopefully, will offer Alan
0:05:30 > 0:05:37and Sheila plenty of options but I won't be revealing the prices straightaway.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Finally, they'll look at the mystery house which I am hoping could be the jewel in the crown.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Bedfordshire, particularly in the south, is one of those counties that has quite mixed properties.
0:05:47 > 0:05:53There's a lot of commuter-belt urban sprawl but also some real gems set in beautiful countryside.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Take a look at what is on the market.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59At the top end, this 17th century
0:05:59 > 0:06:04five-bedroom thatched house in Tilsworth is on the market for £1,295,000.
0:06:04 > 0:06:10It is set in beautiful grounds with its own tennis court and heated swimming pool.
0:06:10 > 0:06:18Or how about this 18th century four-bedroom farmhouse near Ampthill on the market for £695,000.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Recently renovated throughout the interior seamlessly blends
0:06:21 > 0:06:24period character with contemporary features.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Or for something pretty enough to grace the top of a chocolate box,
0:06:30 > 0:06:36this thatched cottage in Great Barford is on the market for £450,000 and for that you get
0:06:36 > 0:06:40three bedrooms, a modern kitchen and a bright, spacious lounge.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Welcome to Bedfordshire, you two. - Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Aw, young love, so endearing!
0:06:48 > 0:06:53- It is, isn't it!- Is this going to be your first house together? - Yes, it will be.- It is.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- I know you've got some list, not too specific...- No.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59You're looking for space, really?
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- That's it, that's the main thing, yes.- Space and, you know, just somewhere together.- Yes!
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- That's what it's all about!- And how much money have you got to spend?
0:07:05 > 0:07:07What's the top of your budget?
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- 550.- 550?
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- Yes, around there.- Great!
0:07:11 > 0:07:13We've got some nice properties lined up including the mystery house which
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- as the name suggests is very mysterious!- Good!
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- But we had better get going! - Yes, OK.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26So Sheila and Alan have got a budget of £550,000, they're looking for
0:07:26 > 0:07:31at least three bedrooms, they'd like space for Alan to store his antiques
0:07:31 > 0:07:33and after years of living in a flat
0:07:33 > 0:07:36they're longing for their own private garden.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40On the face of it, their wish-list seems achievable
0:07:40 > 0:07:41so let's get started.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49So how did you guys meet?
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- We met on the internet. - Oh, how modern!
0:07:52 > 0:07:56We're both of the age where it's very difficult to meet single people
0:07:56 > 0:08:02- so we went on the internet and found each other.- Yes...
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- Eventually!- Well, it seemed to work!
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Well, it did for us, yes.
0:08:08 > 0:08:09We're very happy with the outcome.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Yes, absolutely.- So what's the attraction of Bedfordshire?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Have either of you lived here in the past?
0:08:14 > 0:08:21No. We haven't lived here in the past but it's near enough to our existing friends
0:08:21 > 0:08:26and families but out in the country away from the hustle and bustle of London.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30And with an easy link to London if we need to get to London.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Our first property is in Kensworth, a rural village
0:08:39 > 0:08:4112 miles southeast of Leighton Buzzard.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Although it is a small village, it does have a village store,
0:08:44 > 0:08:49a couple of pubs, a pretty flint and stone Norman-style church.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53The house we're going to look at sits at the end of
0:08:53 > 0:08:57its own private driveway, so let's see what Alan and Sheila make of it.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58This is the property I want to show you.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01That's pretty, a pretty little house.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02Quite old. Got some age to it!
0:09:02 > 0:09:04It is old, yeah. It's actually about 250 years old.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07This was a wheelwright's cottage where they made wheels.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10What do you feel about the cottagy?
0:09:10 > 0:09:14I think it's very pretty, lovely to look at, but I'm just wondering how much space there will be inside.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Initially, it looks very low between the ground floor
0:09:18 > 0:09:22and the first floor but when you get inside, things may be different.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- So you don't like low ceilings?- No!
0:09:25 > 0:09:31I'm not bothered because with my height it doesn't bother me, but it's the size of the rooms,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33which are more of a problem I think in a cottage-style property.
0:09:33 > 0:09:34- Right, shall we look inside?- Yes.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Would love to!- Good!
0:09:41 > 0:09:44This is the hall. It does have quite low ceilings, Alan.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46They are low!
0:09:46 > 0:09:47They are low!
0:09:47 > 0:09:50It's very cute, very cute.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54This is the kitchen.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Urm, yeah, it's quite nice.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- "Quite nice"? - Quite nice.- Quite nice.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- Muted praise!- Yes...
0:10:02 > 0:10:04It feels a little bit cramped.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09Yeah, I think it's the low ceilings that give me that feeling straightaway.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- What are you looking for in a kitchen?- Slightly bigger,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16I think, although it's not that small but somehow it feels small.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19If that corner wasn't there then it would be an ideal size.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- Nice double-range cooker, which is good.- Yeah, yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24I like the floor. The worktops are lovely.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- The units are nice.- Yeah.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Shall we take a look in the sitting room because obviously that's very important.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- OK.- Yes. - Through there.- Straight ahead?
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- Woow!- Wow!
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- Different, different.- Very cottagy.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- Um, lots of beams.- Lots of beams.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- Yeah, and low ceilings.- Well, actually come into this area because
0:10:45 > 0:10:50it's slightly sunken the floor so it doesn't feel quite as low.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54No. Size-wise, if you take the ground floor, it's lovely.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- This has certainly got character. - Absolutely!
0:10:56 > 0:10:58You have character which is something that I do like, the character.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- I love the fireplace!- It's beautiful!
0:11:00 > 0:11:03It is absolutely magnificent!
0:11:03 > 0:11:07It's the traditional kind of inglenook fireplace and it's fully working, of course.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- Yeah...- But it's a great kind of like big country sitting room.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15I like the dining area there. I think that's really nice
0:11:15 > 0:11:19and the windows are nice, there's lots of light in that area.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Let's just poke our heads in the study.- OK.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26This property has charm aplenty if only Alan can see beyond those beams.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27Yeah, that's...
0:11:27 > 0:11:29No, it's nice.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Enough room for a study! That's a good size study.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Would this be adequate with the other little room which
0:11:33 > 0:11:39is sort of the same size as this on the other side, would that be adequate for your downstairs needs?
0:11:39 > 0:11:44I personally think I'd like a slightly bigger room as the additional room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Well, we would have to because of your antiques, unless there is
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- somewhere else in this house where you can put your antiques.- Well...
0:11:52 > 0:11:53Just how many antiques have you got?
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- There's quite a lot of it. It's, er...- Which I'm not going to ask you.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59What about Sheila? How many antiques has he got, Sheila?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Absolutely loads and some of them are going to have to go.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Aagh! There's going to be a purge!
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- There could be trouble ahead. - They'll have to be.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08This could be the night of the long gavels!
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- I'm afraid so!- Quite possibly!
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Auctions are calling!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Also on the ground floor is a shower room, which is just as well because
0:12:21 > 0:12:25upstairs the family bathroom has only a bath suite.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29There are three bedrooms. The first is fairly small
0:12:29 > 0:12:36but fine for guests and as we head to the second bedroom, I think Alan is going to be pleasantly surprised.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40If you go straight and turn left now, Alan.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- OK.- Aah, high ceilings!
0:12:42 > 0:12:43Just for you.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47It is actually a very high ceiling, it's lovely, it's a lovely room.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51So you can see upstairs they've taken out all the attic space.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- This would have been the ceiling here.- Oh, there, yes.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56They've gone so much higher to give you the higher ceilings.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- That's a good idea.- This is a good size for a guest bedroom.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01There's a double bed in here, space around.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06I think it has a nice, airy feel to it, which is a nice idea.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10- From my point of view you get the feeling of space.- Yeah, which is important for you guys, isn't it?
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- Yep.- Yep.- Let's take a look at the master bedroom.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19There you go.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- This is nice. - We've still got the high ceilings.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- Yeah.- And you have some space.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29This is a nice main bedroom.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- It's a good size, good size. - Built-in wardrobes.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- Yeah, very good size.- It's nice because it's dual aspect - you've got the whole width of the house.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39It's a character room, it's not your bland, average bedroom.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42It has got a bit of character to it.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- Sheila, I know that the garden is important for you.- Um-hm.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- You want some country garden.- I do.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- Shall we take a peek? - Yes, let's do that.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51After you.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58One of the main reasons for the move was to indulge
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Sheila's love of gardening and this house certainly delivers on that front.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Lots of great practical space out here.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- How many cars have you got, two? - Two.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Two? So you can park one here and one in the garage.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Yeah.- It's a nice big garage. - It's a good size.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13I can get some of my antiques in there!
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Boxed up, ready for auction. - Absolutely!
0:14:15 > 0:14:17And Sheila's handbags and shoes!
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- No way! - Boxed up ready for the charity shop!
0:14:19 > 0:14:26- No way! They're far too good!- More chance of us seeing rocking horse poo than seeing that happen!
0:14:26 > 0:14:27HE LAUGHS
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Wooh! Well, we've got a terrace here which is a nice place to eat outdoors.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- Yeah, that's quite nice. - And also the lawn.- That's nice!
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Nice! Oh, there's a greenhouse!
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- And...- Just for your plants and... - And a veggie patch around the back.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Oh, well that's good. - There's some space around there.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45That's nice, I like that.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47This is the right size...
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Yeah.- With the front, the front is big as well so the two together, just an ideal size.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Good, so we've got the garden right?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- Yes, you've got the garden right.- Yeah, absolutely!
0:14:55 > 0:15:01The house, what do you think it's on the market for?
0:15:01 > 0:15:07Ooh, I would think around about 495.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09I would say 510.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- 510...- Because of the character. - Because of the character?
0:15:11 > 0:15:16- Yes.- Well, you might be surprised to learn that it's on the market for...
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- £575,000.- Wow!
0:15:21 > 0:15:27I think that's slightly over-priced, myself, but somebody who loves cottages may be willing to pay it.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Well, why don't you have a wander round inside just sort of making a mental list of what is unacceptable
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- and what you can work with and then we'll meet out the front and press on.- OK.- OK.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37It is very interesting.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41It did seem an awful lot of money for this property.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46I mean there are people who are more keen on the beamed properties than Alan and Sheila but... Hmm.
0:15:46 > 0:15:52Anyway, it's good, we've learnt a lot, I've learnt that beams are a no-no.
0:15:52 > 0:15:58This pretty detached cottage is on the market for £575,000.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00The price tag may seem a little steep for Alan and Sheila
0:16:00 > 0:16:03but it does have three bedrooms, a large lounge with period beams,
0:16:03 > 0:16:08a decent-size garden and a garage for Alan's antiques
0:16:08 > 0:16:10so, what's the verdict?
0:16:10 > 0:16:17I thought this property was very pretty - very, very pretty, lots and lots of character.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22I wouldn't have to much of an issue with the beams but I know Alan has.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27I think these are much too low, but the fireplace I adore.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29The fireplace is beautiful.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33I thought this property was very quaint, very nice but it was
0:16:33 > 0:16:41too compact for me, too small, the ceilings give it a small feeling, I didn't have a feeling of space.
0:16:41 > 0:16:48That with the lack of shower upstairs were two very big no-no's for me.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51It's nice having your own lamppost.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- Ideally you need snow, don't you! hello!- Hello.- Are you all done?
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- Yes, we are.- Had a good look round.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57Are you ready for some more of Bedfordshire?
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- We are!- Oh, yes!- Off we go!
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Hopefully, our property tour will see Alan and Sheila moving to
0:17:04 > 0:17:12this part of the country shortly and to them, South Bedfordshire is all new territory, ripe for exploring.
0:17:12 > 0:17:18First on their itinerary is Leighton Buzzard, a market town since the 15th century.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23Quite quaint, quite nice around here and an old bakery. I like that.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Look at the cream cakes!
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- In your element!- Yeah!
0:17:27 > 0:17:31And that tradition is upheld even today with a twice-weekly market that sells all kinds of goodies,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34from local produce to freshly cut flowers.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37This looks nice. They've got a really good selection.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Freesias. Lovely!
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Mmm, they're really nice, nice smell.- Do you like freesias?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- Well, let me get the house in the country...- Think about growing them!
0:17:47 > 0:17:49and we'll stick some freesias in the garden and grow some for you!
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Until then, leave them there!
0:17:53 > 0:17:56The town is also home to a narrow-gauge railway, first opened
0:17:56 > 0:18:03in 1919 to transport the county's quarried sand but these days the steam train transports sightseers on
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- a 70-minute round trip, taking in Bedfordshire life.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Look, croquet!
0:18:13 > 0:18:15IN A POSH VOICE: Oh, crikey!
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- This is lovely!- So nice!
0:18:18 > 0:18:20TRAIN HOOTER TOOTS
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- That's your early morning alarm call! - Yep!
0:18:23 > 0:18:26After a relaxing train ride, Alan and Sheila are heading
0:18:26 > 0:18:29a few miles north to Woburn Abbey, home to the 15th Duke of Bedford.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33The house is open to visitors but, being a keen antiques collector,
0:18:33 > 0:18:39Alan is heading straight for Woburn Antiques Centre.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43It's absolutely fantastic. There's some gorgeous antiques!
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- It's lovely.- I could spend hours looking round here.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54Oh, look, Duke's Row! I wonder if the old boy's got a shop here!
0:18:54 > 0:18:56He might need to make a few bob to pay the rent!
0:19:00 > 0:19:03With all these antiques soon to be on the doorstep, it will no doubt
0:19:03 > 0:19:08leave them hungry for more but first we need a doorstep to put them on.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18As our property hunters are flexible about location,
0:19:18 > 0:19:19our next house is across the border
0:19:19 > 0:19:21into Buckinghamshire,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24near the town of Stony Stratford.
0:19:28 > 0:19:34The town itself has plenty of shops providing all the basics and there's a handful of pubs.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36The Cock and The Bull were originally coaching inns on
0:19:36 > 0:19:41the main London to Chester route and the gossip that was exchanged here
0:19:41 > 0:19:47was renowned for being far-fetched and fanciful, which is where the phrase "cock and bull"
0:19:47 > 0:19:48is said to have originated.
0:19:48 > 0:19:54The house we're going to see is a couple of miles from here and backs onto the Great Ouse.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59And this is the property I want to show you, or part of it.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I was going to say, it's a bit big for one!
0:20:02 > 0:20:05It's an old mill.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06- OK.- It's a feed mill.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- It was built in 1799, it's a listed building...- OK.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13And what I want to show you, this is actually the mill part of it.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- You see those empty windows? That's where the wheel was.- Yep.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- Yep.- But what I want to show you is the mill owner's house.- OK.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- It's on the other side.- OK.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27The property was converted in 1999 into seven different living quarters.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30There are four apartments and three houses, one of which I am hoping is
0:20:30 > 0:20:35going to be the perfect nest for our lovebirds.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- Come on in.- Thank you. - Nice, proper hallway.- Yes, fine.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Let's go straight into the kitchen.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- This is nice. - What do you think of this?
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- That is a nice-size kitchen. - It's a nice kitchen, really nice.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46And it's got some high ceilings!
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- Yes!- And space to move around.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- Is this more what you were looking for?- Yes, I think so.
0:20:53 > 0:20:54- Yes.- It's the kind of kitchen that...
0:20:54 > 0:20:57You can get more than one person here, not get in each other's way
0:20:57 > 0:20:59and there's plenty of room to work.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Because essentially what we're dealing with here is a Georgian
0:21:01 > 0:21:03property so the ceilings are much higher, the windows are much higher.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08You've got original windows here so when you're doing the washing up, you can look over the millpond.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- It's a nice kitchen.- It's good.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- Yeah.- We like the kitchen. - Excellent!
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Well, looking forward to see what you think of the sitting room, then.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Through the lovely Georgian casement doors
0:21:22 > 0:21:25into, baddam!
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- Wow!- Lovely! That's a lovely room!
0:21:27 > 0:21:29It is a great-size room.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- Is it a bit more what you were looking for?- Yes!
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- Absolutely!- You've got high ceilings, plenty of space.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37And this wonderful marble fireplace.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Big windows, plenty of light.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42This is more the size of room that we're looking for.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45This is nice. First impressions are very, very good.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50It feels more spacious - it just feels that there's lots of space, it's good.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52- Well, all positive, then?- So far!
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Yeah, yeah!
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Through the lounge is a spacious dining room,
0:21:57 > 0:22:03which again benefits from those great Georgian proportions but let's see what they make of upstairs.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Quite a narrow staircase.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10It is.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- But worth it!- Nice and big!
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- Take a look at this room.- Ooh!
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Oh, this is a nice room.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Nice size again, nice high double bedroom.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Oh, look at the view!
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- Look at the view!- Look at that view!
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Oh, that is lovely!- Isn't it magical? This is the guest room.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- Oh!- The guest room?! - It's a good guest room.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29- Oh, yeah!- Good size.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Beautifully-done again - very simple colours.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- I like this... nice room.- Yeah.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Well, if you like this, what do you think of the master bedroom?
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- Oh, yes! - Now this is a good-size room!
0:22:46 > 0:22:48This is a proper-size bedroom.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50We like this, don't we, size-wise!
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- Lovely!- Another magnificent big window, beautiful views.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57This is huge!
0:22:57 > 0:22:58And...
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- ..take a look through there. - An en suite, it's got to be an en suite, surely!
0:23:04 > 0:23:06With the shower! Oh, wow, brilliant!
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Got our own shower!
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- Great stuff. That's good.- Yeah.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- Lovely.- Exactly what we want!
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- I love the space.- Yeah.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Good, I'm glad. They are lovely rooms and what's wonderful is that there's a third floor.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24- Aah!- So on top of this you've got two more rooms this size,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28so two staircases on either side you can see from the landing.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29I'm going to split you up into two.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- Who wants to go to the front of the house?- I'm going front.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33- You at the front, you at the back? - In that case I'll go back.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- You'll have to shout down what you think of it!- OK.
0:23:35 > 0:23:41- OK.- All right, so Sheila, you go up those staircases. Alan, you can go up these ones.
0:23:41 > 0:23:48- Now you'll just have to shout down your comments to me.- Ooh!
0:23:50 > 0:23:52This is a very big room up here!
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Do you like it?- It's very nice.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Again, lots of space.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- What about you, Alan? What can you see up there?- I can see
0:23:59 > 0:24:07a huge room with a load of potential, storage space, magnificent view.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12It can be used for anything - bedroom, study, antiques store room.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14You can come down now, Alan.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I'm going to compare your answers. It's like Mr and Mrs!
0:24:17 > 0:24:19A little!
0:24:19 > 0:24:21It's good, though... nice big rooms, aren't they?
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- Massive rooms.- Massive rooms. - It's a real family house.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28It's got the old brain-box whirring round a bit, thinking.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Good, good. Well, we've got the garden to look at yet, so let's go.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33OK.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42You've got this terrace space here with a nice
0:24:42 > 0:24:45espalier pear tree growing out in the front of the house.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47This is nice. I like the terrace.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50It continues out here into the main body of the garden.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54You've got a beautiful beech tree here and a laurel hedge.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56It's not a massive, massive garden.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- It's big enough.- It's a nice shape, I think... Nice-shape garden.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- It's bigger than it looks.- Yeah.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04So, do you get a good vibe from the house?
0:25:04 > 0:25:07It's a lot better than the first one we looked at!
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- Aw! The question is... - It's just a different style.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13The question is, can you afford it?
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- Aah, well it depends on the price, you see.- I think
0:25:17 > 0:25:22it's going to be at least 550, possibly more.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Mmm... 545.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- Being optimistic?- Yeah!
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- It's on the market for 550, you're right.- There we go!
0:25:35 > 0:25:38It's right at the top of your budget but of course, you know,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40- you've got to bear in mind the current climates.- Yep.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44It's a buyers' market so you could probably put in an offer underneath.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45Good vibes, good vibes.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- It's a very unusual... - It is unusual.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- It is an unusual property. - Yeah. It ticks lots of boxes.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- It does, absolutely!- Good.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Why don't you have a look around and I'll meet you out the front.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- OK.- You'll have probably more to talk about on this one.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02It's funny. It's really hard to read Sheila because
0:26:02 > 0:26:05the more she likes it, the more serious she seems, it's like "hmm",
0:26:05 > 0:26:08whereas Alan is a bit more open, but I think they do love it!
0:26:08 > 0:26:10I knew they would!
0:26:10 > 0:26:15At £550,000 this converted mill house is bang on budget.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Set over three floors, it has four bedrooms, two generous-sized
0:26:19 > 0:26:23reception rooms and a decent garden for Sheila to get stuck into.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27I like this property, very much.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31It's got lots of nooks and crannies, which is what I like.
0:26:31 > 0:26:32It's got lots and lots of character.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34It ticks lots of boxes.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38There's lots of space, the bedrooms are big, the ceilings are high,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40the location is good.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44I can't really find any fault with it, really,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47which is amazing, but I can't!
0:26:47 > 0:26:51We would be very interested in pursuing it at this moment in time.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55This is the kind of property I feel that we could be happy in
0:26:55 > 0:26:59and it's the kind of property I think we were looking for.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02So, time to regroup.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- Yes.- And I'll have to drag you away, I'm afraid.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05Yes.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Now normally at this point we take our buyers to try their hand at a country pursuit like horse riding
0:27:18 > 0:27:22or sailing but Sheila and Alan say they're game for anything
0:27:22 > 0:27:28and one of the most unusual activities Bedfordshire has to offer is indoor skydiving!
0:27:28 > 0:27:33Inside that tower is something quite exhilarating and exciting and as a couple, young in love...
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- Oh, dear.- I think we're going to have to have a sense of humour here!
0:27:36 > 0:27:37- You'll be fine, come on!- Yeah...
0:27:37 > 0:27:44This ex-military base is actually the home of the world's largest skydiving tunnel.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52- It could be you! - Yeah, it could be me!
0:27:52 > 0:27:57This enormous vertical wind tunnel is used for both leisure and training.
0:27:57 > 0:28:03The world's leading skydiving teams use it as a training tool to hone and perfect their moves.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Firstly, it's time to put on some attractive outfits.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14What we're going to do here today is we're going to get you to learn how to body-fly.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Then it's time to assume the position.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21The hips should be still down nice and low and the chest up a little bit higher.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26Arms, the same position as you came into the tunnel, palms up slightly,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29nice bend of the elbow, nice and level through your shoulders and through your back, chin up nice
0:28:29 > 0:28:32and high, looking forward. Just keep your arms a little bit more forward.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37There you go. That's the basic position we want you to fall into as we bring you into the tunnel.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41With the essentials under our belt, it's time for one last pep talk.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Chin up, hips down, smile...
0:28:44 > 0:28:47and relax! OK, let's go!
0:28:49 > 0:28:50OK, so we're all set to take off and head into the tunnel.
0:28:50 > 0:28:58We're going to be flying at 120mph and it's so noisy, you can't hear yourself speak.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04Body-flying is suitable for all ages and abilities - no experience is required,
0:29:04 > 0:29:08only a steady nerve and an open mind.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Sheila looks like she's in her element
0:29:14 > 0:29:18and is giving a whole new meaning to throwing caution to the wind!
0:29:22 > 0:29:28Well, Sheila and Alan made it look easy. My turn next. Here goes.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Some scenes from the new James Bond film, Quantum Of Solace,
0:29:31 > 0:29:33were filmed here, so we're in good company.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36Daniel Craig, eat your heart out!
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Now I understand why people do this for fun.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44It's totally exhilarating!
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Well, done, guys, excellent.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53- Thank you.- Nice time flying?
0:29:55 > 0:29:57How was it?
0:29:58 > 0:30:00That was different!
0:30:00 > 0:30:02That was very different! I've never done anything like that before.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04- It was unbelievable!- Your face!
0:30:04 > 0:30:06Your face was so beautiful -
0:30:06 > 0:30:09you just had this massive smile on your face!
0:30:14 > 0:30:18With the day drawing to a close, Alan and Sheila head back
0:30:18 > 0:30:22to the hotel to take some time to mull over today's properties.
0:30:22 > 0:30:29Having seen a couple of properties today, the cottage I felt was a little claustrophobic.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34I didn't like the ceilings, they were far too low, the rooms were not particularly large.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38It was cute, it was sweet but not for us to live.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40There wasn't enough storage space for us.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45The garden sizes were reasonable, the front garden was a nice size, the back garden was a nice size.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50I wish there had been more of that space within the building rather than outside the building.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53But then we went on to the mill.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Which was lovely. It was amazing. It was so different.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59All the features were there. It ticked a lot of our boxes.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Absolutely!
0:31:01 > 0:31:07I just thought it was so unusual and walking into the rooms, every room was light,
0:31:07 > 0:31:10which was the nice thing.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- Large windows.- Nothing dark. Yeah, there was nothing dark about the whole thing at all.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16The bedrooms are big, double bedrooms.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18We could make use of all that space.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Less garden than the other one, but...
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- Big enough.- Big enough garden for what we want to use the garden for.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31And the countryside all around it, it was open spaces but it was just lovely.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35I'd be very, very interested to see what we're gonna find tomorrow.
0:31:46 > 0:31:52Alan and Sheila, from London and Hertfordshire, are about to embark on a new life in the countryside.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55They have a budget of £550,000.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58So far, they've viewed two very different properties.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Coming up - Sheila finds her dream garden.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Oh, there's a pond!
0:32:03 > 0:32:07And the mystery house catches our property-hunters unaware...
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- Different, eh?- Very.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11- Is it what you were expecting?- No.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19So a mixed day yesterday and I'm not sure we can better Sheila and Alan's
0:32:19 > 0:32:22response to the Georgian mill house, which was wonderful.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24The only thing that crossed my mind is that Sheila might
0:32:24 > 0:32:29be a bit nervous being so remote out into the countryside so today
0:32:29 > 0:32:34we're going to go a little bit more down the town route and I'm going to try the country property once more.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37A few beams, a thatch!
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Our next property is back in Bedfordshire, 11 miles
0:32:42 > 0:32:46north-west of Leighton Buzzard in the village of Toddington.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50It's a well-serviced village with a range of shops and pubs.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57On the outskirts is Toddington Manor where Elizabeth I is reputed to have stayed.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01Today, it's ten acre grounds are open to the public,
0:33:01 > 0:33:07a perfect place for Sheila to get some inspiration when she has a garden of her own.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09- This is the house I want to show you.- OK.
0:33:09 > 0:33:17It was two cottages joined into one about 200 years ago, over 300 years old. It's listed and it's thatched.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- Yes, it's thatched, I noticed it's thatched!- OK.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23I'm not a fan of thatched on roofs.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25- Really? Why not?- Animals.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- Animals?- Living there.- In a roof?
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- Yeah.- Is that uncomfortable?
0:33:31 > 0:33:37Just be warned that this is not a big Georgian property, it's an old property, but it's lovely.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- OK, let's look.- Let's have a look.
0:33:43 > 0:33:44- Come on in.
0:33:48 > 0:33:49Oh!
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Ha! Ha! Ha! That's a surprise!
0:33:53 > 0:33:56- This is interesting!- Now this is a hallway and a half, isn't it?
0:33:56 > 0:33:57It sure is!
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Now those beams, I can handle.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04- Yeah, they're beautiful. And far, far above your head. - They're amazing!- Yes.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09This was obviously the original hall in the sense of a proper hall with the high-vaulted ceilings.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14You've got a nice little Inglenook fireplace with a multi-fuel burner here so you can
0:34:14 > 0:34:19keep it nice and warm and obviously this very striking gallery mezzanine.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21I love that, I love that! I think it's amazing!
0:34:21 > 0:34:24- Isn't that great!- That is very nice.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26What do you think? I know you're not a big fan, Alan, of beams?
0:34:26 > 0:34:32I know. My thing with beams is it makes you claustrophobic, but here it doesn't, because it's all open.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Yeah, absolutely not, absolutely not.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39- In you go.- Thank you. - Thank you.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Oh!
0:34:41 > 0:34:45So this is the sitting room, the kind of grown-ups' sitting room
0:34:45 > 0:34:47and this is possibly the biggest fireplace I've ever seen!
0:34:47 > 0:34:50- Yeah, I think so! - It's almost as big as the room!
0:34:50 > 0:34:55It's a proper inglenook in the sense that you can sit on either side and it's obviously working
0:34:55 > 0:35:00and it's totally charming, you know, and yet it doesn't sort of overwhelm the room.
0:35:00 > 0:35:07- No.- No. It's a really cosy room. - It's a feature wall. For a cottage, it's still a tall room.- Yes.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Very, very high ceiling.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13It's a listed building, which means you can't change anything outside without getting planning permission.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16It's a very cosy sitting room, very comfortable.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18It's warm and it's very solid.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20This is the thing about these older properties.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Even though they've got thatch and...
0:35:23 > 0:35:26- Yeah, OK...- They have all those issues, but they are incredibly well-built.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30Wattle and daub, thick walls outside obviously stone or brick, but the real thing
0:35:30 > 0:35:34you're going to really like, particularly you, Sheila, is the kitchen.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45OK. Oh, this is lovely!
0:35:45 > 0:35:47This is huge!
0:35:47 > 0:35:50It's beautiful.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52This is a good-size kitchen.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54This is a proper kitchen!
0:35:54 > 0:35:56This is a family room. This is lovely.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00- This is why I wanted to show you this property because of this kitchen, really.- Wow!
0:36:00 > 0:36:04This is by far the biggest kitchen that we've shown you,
0:36:04 > 0:36:09- and I think it's beautiful because this is the room where you'd spend most of your time.- Absolutely!
0:36:09 > 0:36:13It's where you could cook, could talk, you could have all your family round, your friends.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- Yeah, yes, I definitely like this room.- So do I!
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Leading down from the kitchen is a cellar,
0:36:19 > 0:36:24a great place for Sheila to banish Alan's antiques.
0:36:24 > 0:36:30Also on the ground floor is a cosy snug and the first of two family-sized bathrooms.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Upstairs and off the galleried landing we find the other bathroom
0:36:35 > 0:36:42and four bedrooms, all of which ooze charm, with their own unique quirks and character beams.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47This is nice.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51Ooh, this is a good size!
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- Another one!- A very good size
0:36:53 > 0:36:56and quite a lot of storage in the wardrobes.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Lots of storage. And this is the guest bedroom. This is not the main.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02- Really?- Beams again but...
0:37:02 > 0:37:04got the height.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- This is a nice room. - It's lovely, isn't it?
0:37:06 > 0:37:09You've got a double bed, you've got space to move all round.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11- Not the normal cottage at all.- No.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14No, this is obviously a well-to-do cottage with all this space.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16Master bedroom still to come.
0:37:16 > 0:37:17OK.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22And here it is. Master suite.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26- Oh, this is a pretty room. - Nice size, again.- Very nice.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30I wanted to show you this property because this is period but sizeable.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32- Yes.- And the space is here.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34Totally different from the first one.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36- And it doesn't have to be kind of all cramped.- No, and it still has
0:37:36 > 0:37:39so much character - more character, I would say,
0:37:39 > 0:37:43but yeah, the sizing is brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- So shall we take a look outside in the garden?- Yes, let's do that.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47Could be the clincher!
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- Lots of lovely space outside. - This is nice.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Lots of patio space and then we go up here, underneath the pergola.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Which is very pretty.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Aw, there's a little bridge!
0:38:04 > 0:38:07It's a pond!
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Oh, nice, water lilies, that's pretty.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- Isn't that great? - Aw, little summerhouse.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17It's a real feature. And look!
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- Oh, yes. You're own personal clock! - You can see the church!- The church.
0:38:20 > 0:38:21That's a beautiful view, that.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25- It is.- To be overlooked by a church, that's got to be good.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- Yeah.- There's this big plot at the back, which is yours too, where they've got a climbing frame.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- This would be perfect for a veggie patch, actually a bit more substantial.- Yeah.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Yes, yeah.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36This is a lovely garden. It's big!
0:38:36 > 0:38:39There is a lot of space here.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- And it could be yours for... how much?- A-ha, here we go!
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Who is guessing first?
0:38:45 > 0:38:50- Me?- No. 535.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53- 560.- What?
0:38:54 > 0:38:58That was like a poker player's number... 560!
0:38:58 > 0:39:02- You're closer. It's on at 565. - There we go!- 565.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05But it's dropped quite a lot in the last...
0:39:05 > 0:39:08since it's been on the market so there's still space for manoeuvre.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- Room for manoeuvre.- It's almost at the top of your budget.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12Yes, top end.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Lots to think about.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- You've given me lots to think about. - So different...
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- Well, from the front to here and what we've been through...- What a journey!
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- It's been a journey in discovery, hasn't it!- A journey, yes.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26It certainly is! Not what I expected!
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- Well, go and explore.- OK.- Go and explore this new world of property.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Aw, it's great actually because I have to say
0:39:33 > 0:39:37when they did get out of the car and looked at the property I thought it was going to be a no-no -
0:39:37 > 0:39:38it was going to be all "Beamgate"
0:39:38 > 0:39:44all over again, but it's a beautiful property, the sun has come out, it's an amazing garden.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48I can see they're starting to fall in love, which is good, because it's really changing the way they think
0:39:48 > 0:39:50about what they're looking for, which is what this show is about!
0:39:53 > 0:39:57This thatched cottage is on the market for £565,000.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01It has four bedrooms, quirky period features including
0:40:01 > 0:40:04a galleried landing, a country-style kitchen,
0:40:04 > 0:40:08a pretty garden with a small pond but will Sheila and Alan be able
0:40:08 > 0:40:10to see beyond the thatched roof?
0:40:10 > 0:40:17When I first arrived at this house, I looked over and saw a thatched cottage and I thought, "Oh, no."
0:40:17 > 0:40:22This is something that if I had received details through the post, I would have put them
0:40:22 > 0:40:23in the "no" pile straightaway.
0:40:23 > 0:40:29But when I walked inside, it was, "Wow, this is amazing!"
0:40:29 > 0:40:32I'll tell you what, this is a lovely kitchen.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34You could do so much here, couldn't you?
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- Yeah.- Whether there were just the two of us or the family.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40If we had all the family around, it would be amazing.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42- Christmas Day.- Lovely!
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Decorations.- Cooking.- Big turkey in the middle to be carved.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50As we went through the house from downstairs to upstairs and now into
0:40:50 > 0:40:54the garden where we're sitting now, the view has changed completely.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57From a definite, definite no,
0:40:57 > 0:41:04- it's a definite maybe. - This property has certainly changed my mind and confused me.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05I now think that
0:41:05 > 0:41:09I can't be quite so strict in what I'm looking for.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13We've made you dizzy with thought now, haven't we?
0:41:13 > 0:41:15- Absolutely!- I'm afraid you have.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Let's press on in the sunshine.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19OK.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32Sheila's love of gardening is one of the driving forces of their move to the country.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37She can't wait to fill her new garden with flowers and one of the things she has always fancied trying
0:41:37 > 0:41:44is flower arranging so she's brought Alan along with her to meet a local florist, Lyn Paul, who has been
0:41:44 > 0:41:49arranging flowers for nine years and she's kindly offered to give them a mini-masterclass.
0:41:49 > 0:41:54There is a certain art to flower-arranging and here's one I've made to show you.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56As you can see, the roses are in lines.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58We always work in odd numbers.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01You can mix your greenery up, which is a good idea -
0:42:01 > 0:42:03it gives it texture and balance.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05I'm going to show you how you can do one.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10You're going to make an outline of your bowl with the greenery first, so
0:42:10 > 0:42:12let's see how we get on.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16You angle it.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20Imagine a circle.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Angle it. That's it.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24Pat it down.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26You're doing wonderful!
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Let me ask you something. How many men do flower-arranging?
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Los of men. You'd be surprised.
0:42:32 > 0:42:37- Lots? I would be.- Some of the top florists and arrangers are men.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39They have bigger hands, they can do the big hand-ties.
0:42:39 > 0:42:45Here's your flowers. Let's arrange your beautiful white oriental lilies.
0:42:45 > 0:42:52You're going to follow the line of your leaves with your flowers.
0:42:55 > 0:43:00A flower has got a natural stand, can you see, but don't put it down too far, too close.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03It's all about texture, balance.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06- Absolutely. - There's no hard and fast rule.
0:43:06 > 0:43:12You want sometimes like different shapes of arrangements, people like "less is more".
0:43:12 > 0:43:17it's your own personal taste with flowers and have a look, stand back and look at your arrangement.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20You see you've got a nice big gap. You could still put one more there.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24- I think you're right, there. - And I think you could put a bud there or a bud there.- Right.
0:43:24 > 0:43:30With the last few flowers being put in place, what does Lyn think of their efforts?
0:43:30 > 0:43:32That looks absolutely wonderful!
0:43:32 > 0:43:34Well, guys, have you enjoyed your lesson?
0:43:34 > 0:43:37- Very much.- Very much so. It's been very interesting.
0:43:37 > 0:43:42- I think if that was a competition, I definitely think Sheila would have won this.- Of course!
0:43:42 > 0:43:45- What?- Yes, listen to me!
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Listen to me! Well, Sheila, I hope when you move
0:43:47 > 0:43:52- to the country you'll have more fun with your flowers in your garden. - So do I and I think I will.
0:43:58 > 0:44:04This morning we took a bit of a gamble by showing Alan more beams and it really paid off so
0:44:04 > 0:44:12we're hoping that the mystery house, which is really a bit out there, is going to reap rich dividends.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19Right, the mystery house now.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Everything is sort of changing. What do you think this is going to be about?
0:44:22 > 0:44:27We were talking about it and we think that you may come up with, because of
0:44:27 > 0:44:34the size of the rooms that we'd like, you may come up with a barn conversion of some sort, whether it
0:44:34 > 0:44:40looks old, looks modern, we don't know, but we think you might come up with one of those.
0:44:40 > 0:44:45Well, they're not that far off as the mystery house is a conversion of kinds.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49We're heading to the village of Shillington,
0:44:49 > 0:44:5221 miles west of Leighton Buzzard.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55Shillington has a small village shop and a couple of pubs.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59The village grew up around the church of All Saints,
0:44:59 > 0:45:03which dates back to the 14th century and was described as "the Cathedral of the Chilterns"
0:45:03 > 0:45:05by the poet, John Betjeman.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10Well, opposite the Cathedral of the Chilterns is,
0:45:10 > 0:45:14the Old School House, which is the property I want to show you.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16- If you come round here you'll get a better view.- Fantastic!
0:45:16 > 0:45:20It's Victorian, dates back to the Crimean War, about 1856.
0:45:20 > 0:45:27- OK.- You've got a lovely bell tower in the middle, beautiful see these sculptural eaves, nice brickwork.
0:45:27 > 0:45:28It's a lovely building.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32- It looks interesting. - Very interesting! - We've shown you Georgian,
0:45:32 > 0:45:36we've shown you Elizabethan, now we're showing you Victorian.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38Getting more modern all the time!
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Yeah. Do you like the Victorian style?
0:45:40 > 0:45:41I do personally, yes.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44- I do too, actually.- So what do you imagine is going to be inside?
0:45:44 > 0:45:46There's going to be lots of spacious rooms in there.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49Yeah, there's certainly a spacious room!
0:45:49 > 0:45:51OK.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54In you go.
0:45:54 > 0:45:55Wow!
0:45:57 > 0:46:01- Different, huh?- Very. - Is it what you were expecting?- No!
0:46:01 > 0:46:03Not at all.
0:46:03 > 0:46:07It's just an open space. It takes your breath away to start with.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09What are your first impressions?
0:46:09 > 0:46:15My first impression is, that upstairs looks really interesting and very different to down here.
0:46:15 > 0:46:20Looks huge, looks huge up there and we've got lots of doors and rooms here.
0:46:20 > 0:46:25It's an upside-down house, so basically all the bedrooms are downstairs
0:46:25 > 0:46:28and all the living space is upstairs to take advantage of the amazing views.
0:46:28 > 0:46:30- OK.- Shall we have a look?
0:46:30 > 0:46:31Oh, yes.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37You wanted lots of space.
0:46:43 > 0:46:45- Oh, it's huge! - These beams I do like.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48- You like these? - Yes. These beams I do like.
0:46:48 > 0:46:52Well, you've also got this enormous kind of like sandstone fireplace.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54It looks like a working fireplace.
0:46:54 > 0:46:55It certainly is, yes.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58You've got a little space there for a television and television-watching area,
0:46:58 > 0:47:03which you can keep separate and this side an area, which you can
0:47:03 > 0:47:11use as a study/work area, but entertaining-wise, there's enough space here for everything.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15Get some enormous sofas here, it would be lovely, just looking out.
0:47:15 > 0:47:19Yeah, and look at the views over the fields over there.
0:47:19 > 0:47:24- Pegstone Hill over there, incredible views, a whole wall of windows, really.- Yeah.
0:47:24 > 0:47:28If you come round here, you can see a little bit more of the structure.
0:47:28 > 0:47:36This was the old front of the school and you can see the arches of the school hall, the original arches,
0:47:36 > 0:47:40and then this is the belfry, so you can see up...
0:47:40 > 0:47:42That goes up into the clock tower.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44This I love.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47- I do love this. - You like the?- These are features.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49I like the features.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53It's a modern conversion but it's kept all the original features,
0:47:53 > 0:47:58- which breaks it all up, which I like, I do like.- It's nice, yes.
0:47:58 > 0:48:00The mystery house is always a bit of a gamble, but it's all paying off.
0:48:00 > 0:48:05- So far, so good.- Let's take a look at the other rooms. You've got a formal dining room through here.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07This is nice, yeah.
0:48:07 > 0:48:09Not to our taste, furniture-wise and everything, but...
0:48:09 > 0:48:13- It's a reasonable size.- It's a good size, yeah, very good, yep.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16- I like it.- What about the kitchen?
0:48:16 > 0:48:17OK.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22- Good size, good size.- Good size.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25Breakfast bar.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28Breakfast bar, yeah and look.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30- A balcony.- That's nice.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33What's really nice about it, actually thinking about it,
0:48:33 > 0:48:35- is you have these views in the kitchen and you're high up.- Yes.
0:48:35 > 0:48:40It's very unusual to be preparing food and having all this lovely light flooding in.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42Um, it is very nice.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44It's certainly big enough.
0:48:44 > 0:48:45Yeah, I've never seen anything like it.
0:48:45 > 0:48:50With these views, as you say, it is something, well, you don't come across.
0:48:50 > 0:48:56Alan seems sold on the upside-down arrangement and the lofty proportions of the central atrium
0:48:56 > 0:48:59so it will be interesting to see what he makes of the ground floor.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02- Now downstairs you have got FIVE bedrooms.- BOTH: Five?
0:49:02 > 0:49:05Five. And a bathroom downstairs.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07There's no toilet upstairs. Is that going to be a problem?
0:49:07 > 0:49:09No, I don't think so.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12Let's just look in this room because you can see the original windows
0:49:12 > 0:49:16and you can see how they've lowered the ceilings here
0:49:16 > 0:49:19to accommodate the space upstairs.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22I have to say, all the rooms are fairly similar.
0:49:22 > 0:49:26They're all sort of square, quite modern.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29But if you've got the space, you can do what you want with it,
0:49:29 > 0:49:34even if you make it look older, if you've got space to deal with it.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38And there's plenty of room for guests as there are
0:49:38 > 0:49:41a further four good-size bedrooms, including the master.
0:49:42 > 0:49:48OK. Size is OK, it's an OK room. It's quite a bright room, isn't it?
0:49:48 > 0:49:50- You've got a window there and a window there.- Yeah, nice-sized room.
0:49:50 > 0:49:54Yeah, the whole house is bright, even downstairs where you'd think it might be a bit dark.
0:49:54 > 0:49:55Yeah.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58But if you look behind you...
0:49:58 > 0:50:01- An en suite? - Yay!- Do you want to open it?
0:50:02 > 0:50:04Oh, this is nice.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06Good size, huh?
0:50:06 > 0:50:11- It is a big one. - It's very nice. Everything is good.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13- Nice shower.- His'n'hers.- Yep.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16- Shall we take a look outside? - Yep, will do.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26- Wow! - Yes!- Utility room.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29It's sort of bright and this is the only entrance to the garden.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32- Oh, is it?- OK. - Utility room, quite a useful space.
0:50:32 > 0:50:36- Yeah very, very useful. - And this is your garden.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39- Oh.- Oh!- This is all of the garden? - Oh", she says.
0:50:39 > 0:50:44This is it, yes, because this is very much a low-maintenance Spanish-style garden, you know...
0:50:44 > 0:50:48you eat out here, you've got a bit of shade down there. It's on levels.
0:50:48 > 0:50:53For the space, it's nicely laid-out and
0:50:53 > 0:50:55the shrubs and things are very nice.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57- Yeah.- It's an unusual property. - Very.
0:50:57 > 0:51:01- Very unusual.- What are your thoughts about it in terms of price?
0:51:01 > 0:51:03Ooh!
0:51:03 > 0:51:06- Who's going first?- Well, look, I'm going to have a guess first because
0:51:06 > 0:51:14I think that the properties that we have seen have all been about the same price so I'm going to go...
0:51:14 > 0:51:16550.
0:51:19 > 0:51:27I think it's over our budget and I think it's something like 595.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31Well, you'll be pleased to know that it's actually on the market for 565.
0:51:31 > 0:51:38- So, just... Again, you know with current adjustments, it's probably within your budget.- Mmm.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40So it's an interesting property.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42It raises lots of questions.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44- It does.- Perhaps you could mull them over as you look round
0:51:44 > 0:51:47and explore some of the many, many bedrooms that you haven't looked at.
0:51:47 > 0:51:51Yeah, I think so, yes, let's have a look.
0:51:51 > 0:51:56This converted schoolhouse is on the market for £565,000.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08I thought from the outside it was interesting.
0:52:08 > 0:52:14As soon as we walked in, I thought what is this downstairs
0:52:14 > 0:52:17but then I looked up and I thought "That looks lovely upstairs."
0:52:17 > 0:52:21- It's almost like two different houses.- That's what I thought.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23Yeah. Here you've got some character, space, size.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26Downstairs it's squashed.
0:52:26 > 0:52:31Well, I'll be perfectly honest, Sheila, I don't think the downstairs is anything like the upstairs.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34It's too plain, it's too old-fashioned.
0:52:34 > 0:52:40When I first came into the house and came upstairs, I was really quite excited
0:52:40 > 0:52:47because it was very different and the whole atmosphere up there was lovely, really nice.
0:52:47 > 0:52:52However, when I went downstairs it was almost like I was in a different house.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54The whole atmosphere changed for me
0:52:54 > 0:53:01and I just couldn't see myself making downstairs into a home for me.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03HE KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:53:03 > 0:53:05Does it work? Is that the knocker? Oh, it is the knocker.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07Hello!
0:53:07 > 0:53:08So, lots to think about.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10- A heck of a lot.- Yes, loads.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12- You've got to make some decisions. - We have, haven't we?
0:53:12 > 0:53:17- But not just yet. So, you've got a little bit of breathing space.- OK.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22Alan and Sheila have seen all the properties now and
0:53:22 > 0:53:27have plenty to consider so I've left them alone to gather their thoughts.
0:53:31 > 0:53:34I'm all at sea about this one because they surprised me
0:53:34 > 0:53:38by really warming to certain elements of all the properties.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42If I had to choose, I think I might go for the thatched cottage against all odds, but let's find out.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52I'm not sure you're aware of this but you have been
0:53:52 > 0:53:55- our fairytale house-hunt because you know young love and...- Aw!
0:53:55 > 0:54:01And we're going to find you your first house together so we're quite excited that it's all gone well.
0:54:01 > 0:54:06The very first one I showed you, if you can think that far back, was the cottage.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10Lots of beams; it was the beginning of the whole "Beamgate" thing.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12Yes. It was just too low for me.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14It just made me claustrophobic.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17The fireplace was very nice.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19It's not much to buy a house for a fireplace though, is it?
0:54:19 > 0:54:23- No, no.- Next we went to look at the mill house. Now this was a very unusual property.
0:54:23 > 0:54:29It was a conversion but it seemed to pull a lot of strings. You seemed to quite like bits?
0:54:29 > 0:54:32It was a lovely house.
0:54:32 > 0:54:36The rooms, generally, were big - Alan's favourite high ceilings.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39I liked the rooms. They were lovely.
0:54:39 > 0:54:45That was an interesting house and a house that could be changed, slightly.
0:54:45 > 0:54:47- To suit us.- To suit us.- Yeah.
0:54:47 > 0:54:52When I took you to the thatched cottage, your faces were like thunder
0:54:52 > 0:54:57because it was thatched and it was obviously "beamy" but that all changed when you went inside!
0:54:57 > 0:55:00Inside it was like another world.
0:55:00 > 0:55:05The hallway with the gallery was unique.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07I loved the kitchen.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11The kitchen in that house was so warm, so welcoming.
0:55:11 > 0:55:15- The garden was absolutely beautiful. - It was just the right size, wasn't it?- Um.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19What about the mystery house because the living room there was massive?
0:55:19 > 0:55:23The living room was amazing. Yes, it was massive.
0:55:23 > 0:55:30Fantastic views, fantastic space, but I felt that there were
0:55:30 > 0:55:34two houses there joined into one because upstairs was great,
0:55:34 > 0:55:40really nice, very unusual, but then when I went downstairs I thought I'd entered another house.
0:55:40 > 0:55:45Could you pick any one that you would like to revisit, for example?
0:55:45 > 0:55:48I think that the mill house
0:55:48 > 0:55:54is the one we'd like to look at again because the garden is adequate
0:55:54 > 0:56:01for Sheila, there are possible things that we can do within that house that will give us both what we want.
0:56:01 > 0:56:07By a second look, we can sort out whether we do like it
0:56:07 > 0:56:09or don't like it but that's the one we're both leaning to at the moment.
0:56:09 > 0:56:11It's been a real pleasure showing you around.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14- As soon as you find a house, do let us know.- We will do.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16- We will.- And it's been a great time, thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19- And all the best in Bedfordshire. - Thank you very much.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27It wasn't quite a fairytale ending for our internet lovebirds.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29We didn't find them that cottage where they could
0:56:29 > 0:56:34live happily ever after but I think we did a good job at easing their move into Bedfordshire.
0:56:34 > 0:56:39If you enjoyed the show, then make sure you tune in next time for more Escapes To The Country.
0:56:41 > 0:56:45And if you'd like to escape to the country and need our help,
0:56:45 > 0:56:52please contact us through our website at:
0:56:52 > 0:56:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:55 > 0:56:59E-mail us at subtitling@bbc.co.uk