Oxon To Buy or Not to Buy

-Welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy.

-I am very excited about today's show.

Yes. We have a very, very special programme today.

I can confirm, ladies and gentlemen, that today's budget

is the biggest budget ever dealt with on To Buy Or Not To Buy.

-Really?

-It's a record!

-Even the Queen's watching!

-Honestly?

-Morning, ma'am.

I can't wait to get stuck in today, Jonnie.

I'm thinking, because today's budget is so large,

it's such an important show, this will require an extra-special effort

-from you and I.

-My experience tells me

that big budget means big houses, big rooms. We will be very busy!

You look pretty busy. You've dressed for the occasion. Nice one!

-You've spruced up well yourself.

-Have you got a job interview later?

'Coming up on To Buy Or Not To Buy, our grand budget provides grand visions.'

Now, they do say an Englishman's home is his castle.

How do you fancy a bit of a castle?

We reveal a staircase that has to be seen to be believed,

and we discover a big-budget wild card

that delivers surprise after surprise.

Is that a tennis court at the end?

Today's buyers are Alison and Simon Lillystone from North London.

The couple met at their local church choir 24 years ago,

and have shared a passion for music ever since.

After working most of their lives in high-flying careers,

they now feel that a quieter, gentler pace of life in the country is beckoning.

And, as we delve into the Lillystone family album,

we meet their three children. Piers is the eldest

and is living away at university. Next there's Miranda,

who will shortly be heading off to further her studies, too.

And then there's Aidan. He's the youngest of the children,

and from what we hear, he's very excited about a move to the country.

Hello, on this lovely sunny day! How are you?

-Hello.

-Very well, thank you.

-Now, very exciting day for us all.

You're leaving London, so we understand.

It's been fantastic, but we've been there 25 years,

-and it's time for a change.

-We thought many times about moving.

Children are moving to university, to new schools.

It's probably about time we enjoyed the country life.

So it was one of those natural junctions in life, really?

It is, and our youngest son, who's going to be still at school,

is moving school. But actually he loves walking, dogs,

land, forest, that sort of thing, so it all fits, really.

But I'm now even more daunted, Jonnie,

because we know we'll be looking at some substantial properties today,

-but if you've been in one house for how long...?

-20 years.

20 years! This is a big move!

I think we're just ready for a change,

and we, too, like walking and the countryside.

We don't want to be absolutely in the country.

We want to still enjoy the country pub.

-Right. Most important, really.

-We also have quite a full house,

even though it's a large one.

-Explain.

-I have quite a collection of music -

sheet music, that is,

vocal music, instrumental music,

and we need a bit more area

to house this music.

Every corner of the house is full of it at the moment,

so it would be nice to have somewhere to put it.

-Are we looking at a music library?

-Yes, a very big one.

OK, then. Right! Let's start talking about this house, then.

Let's see if you are singing off the same hymn sheet.

-Is this going to be a theme all day?

-Yes. I've got it in my head now.

-OK.

-Verse two.

-Let's see if we can tune in on...

So we want somewhere for the music library.

What else do we want? Start with you, Alison.

We want, probably, still five bedrooms at least,

um, and we want about three or four, probably four, reception rooms.

A tennis court would come in handy, I think, at the property.

-OK. Like a bit of tennis myself.

-Er, a nice garden,

some outbuildings for the library and a music-performance facility.

-How big a garden, Alison?

-Well...

I think at least a third of an acre.

It sounds like, bizarrely,

we're going to be concentrating on the house,

-maybe, rather than the location?

-As far as location's concerned,

it's important to be in a village, so there is a community,

a pub, church, and also be still in striking distance of London,

and near a school for our son.

-What style of property do you like?

-Basically older style.

-Older property.

-So you're looking for a place with the ambience,

-with the original features?

-Yeah. Good-sized rooms, tall ceilings.

Why Oxfordshire?

-We like Oxford.

-I suppose links...

-Yeah. Links with Oxford.

Oxford's a very musical city and a very beautiful city,

-and cultural.

-And around it there are lots of beautiful towns...

-Yep.

-..market towns.

I think we're beating around the bush here.

I've been dying to ask this question.

Look at us! We're all smart, we're all ready.

We've been told it's a very good budget.

You want to live in Oxfordshire, buy a beautiful period property.

It's going to come at a price. Crude question -

-that's why Simon's going to ask it.

-Oh, am I? Oh, thanks! Very good. OK.

-THEY LAUGH

-How old are you both?

No. Um, what IS the budget?

-It's one and a half million, about.

-About.

About?

What do you mean, "about"?

I think that we are...

We're after a certain type of property,

so we don't want to be too rigid about...

We don't necessarily need to spend up to that

if there's a property that comes in below that.

We're not trying to necessarily spend the money.

Absolutely. Fair enough. We've got our work cut out here, Jonnie.

It's a great budget, but we're looking for a lot of things

-within it. So we'd better get on.

-Right. See you later!

We'll see you later.

-Right, then! A house with history.

-Yeah, and on this budget,

-no pressure on us here today.

-I think we've got to work together,

-at least for once.

-Let's conduct ourselves properly.

How about this - you find us some excellent properties,

and I will find out everything I can about them.

That sounds like a fair allocation of duties. I'm up for that.

'And so to Oxford to investigate.'

It's how old? OK, I'll have a look at that.

Thanks.

Some of these are older than Simon!

Ah! The roof of one of our properties today

was used during the Second World War by the Home Guard

to spot incoming bombers during the Blitz.

Yeah. I need somewhere with loads of character.

Yeah.

Mmm! One house that's caught our eye was remodelled in the 1970s

by master builder Norman Collinson.

He used influences from the Mediterranean.

We've got one and a half million quid here, so we're expecting good things.

You think so? Well, excellent. Good.

Well, if Simon and Alison like history, how about this?

One of our choices today has a gateway

which is over 700 years old.

But what will 1.5 million buy you in other shires?

This beautifully presented five-bed detached family home

in Hertfordshire comes with a separate two-bed cottage -

perfect for visitors or working from home -

all nestled within 0.6 of an acre and on the market for 1.5 million.

How about this six-bed converted miller's house

on the banks of the River Bran in Perthshire?

With 4.5 acres, this place even has its own woodland -

again, one and a half big ones.

Well, this gorgeous country residence in Cheshire

also has acres of land - well, 11, to be precise,

but also included in your 1.5 million

are all the facilities an equestrian's heart desires.

-Mr O'Brien, my learned friend!

-There you are. I was just pondering,

when you look for a property on this kind of budget,

it's how posh the brochures are. Look at them!

I'm going to keep that as a table mat.

They're gorgeous! They cost a fortune in themselves.

I'll get us going, shall I? Property 1 today -

Simon and Alison said they wanted history. How about a property

that has been touched by two wars - one which tore our country apart,

the other which tore the world apart. But the property itself

fits together beautifully. You will not beat it.

It'll be the high point, in more ways than one, of today's search.

It might be touched by history, but YOU'D be touched

if you think you can beat mine. Look! It's two different houses, almost.

Dating back to 1745, it's got loads of grounds.

The history inside the property just speaks volumes.

You are going to love it. You really are.

One word - staircase. That's all I'm saying. Staircase.

OK. Staircase! Right. That's got us on the right foot, has it?

The wild card today... Shall I tell 'em about the wild card?

-Don't tell them too much.

-I won't tell you too much.

We will say this much. Simon and Alison asked for a particular period of property.

Well, a bit of this house is, but the other is another period,

which they didn't ask for, but that's why it's the wild card.

-But, tennis courts - we do give 'em that.

-We certainly do.

-Shall we get going?

-Let's get yours out the way and focus on mine.

HE LAUGHS Property 1!

Property 1 is my choice, and I really feel we'll be starting

-on a high note here.

-Oh, here we go!

But I suppose you're right, as the roof of this property

is one of the highest points in Oxfordshire.

No wonder, then, the Home Guard used to station themselves up there.

Exactly. On a clear day, you can see five counties from said rooftop.

But will this seven-bedroom property hit the right note

with Alison and Simon?

Alison and Simon, property 1 today is my choice.

Now, they do say an Englishman's home is his castle.

How do you fancy a bit of a castle?

It's a beautifully crenellated tower house.

We're on the edge of Souldern, a lovely village.

Let's get the important things out of the way first.

The local pub is just a mile down the road.

You've got the church there. But enough of me waxing lyrical!

-What do you think about this place?

-Well, pretty unique, I'd say!

Looks like it's got a lot of history to it.

It's... Well, it's steeped in history, is how I'd describe it.

It's two different eras.

The majority's 17th century. There is a Victorian extension,

but it flows so beautifully, doesn't it?

Now, if you want period, you're period a-go-go, as some might say.

-Do you like the look of it?

-I do.

-Absolutely.

There's a little bit of '50s up there

which we can just put some tiles on.

As if this property wasn't big enough,

they extend it upwards. What will you do with all these rooms?

-How big are some of those rooms?

-There's only one way to find out -

to go and enjoy this place. You say you like walking.

I hope you like climbing. Got a lot of stairs.

But they are well worth the climb, I promise you.

-Well worn, I imagine.

-Absolutely. We'll see you in a moment.

-We'll look forward to it.

-Off you go.

-There you go!

-This show is all going to be about the house.

The location's all well and good. It's all about the house.

But we won't know where they are, it's so big! Have you got a map?

-We need a map and some headphones.

-Where are they?

-That way.

OK.

Gosh!

There's the first lance up there. Oh, there's a flagpole.

-Dining room.

-Lovely!

-Good-size room.

-Nice double aspect to it.

-Fit our dining table perfectly.

Yeah, perfect. Let's have a look at the view.

-That's nice, isn't it?

-See the fountain?

-Yeah.

Lovely!

-Oh, I love this room.

-Wow!

-This is my sort of room, this is.

Gosh! So this is obviously an older part of the house.

-Mmm. Reminds me of my granny.

-It's a good size.

This is a great, cosy room. Aidan would love this.

-Mm-hm!

-Cosy.

Look, there's a little... minstrel's gallery up there.

Uh-huh? Oh!

-That would be good for entertaining.

-Someone can play. Yeah.

-You know they're into singing.

-Yeah.

-What room have you selected

-for their practice?

-I think it could possibly be the formal dining room,

-with the nice high ceilings.

-Outbuildings? Any potential there?

There are stables, but you should never sing in stables.

-It'll make you "horse".

-Oh, goodness me!

And what... Oh, right! The kitchen. Oh, this is a good size.

Mm, very good size. Very nice. Again, cosy.

-Mm-hm. It's a good layout, as well.

-Yeah, I know. This is nice, too.

Again, nice view out of the, er, the building.

Do you think this is the old part of the house?

Um, I think it must be. Look at this!

-We've got, er...

-It doesn't feel Victorian, somehow.

Yeah.

-Oh, right! A sort of snug.

-Yeah.

-And it is.

-Very snug.

-Yeah.

Again, the fire, which is keeping the place warm.

-It looks very comfy, doesn't it?

-Yes. Yeah.

I could imagine Aidan doing computer games, DVDs, in here.

I don't think you should allow DVDs in this house. It's above DVDs.

You should have dramatic arts and games of charades, with an open fire burning.

Oh, it's a little study! Wow!

Oh, that's good.

-This is where you can do your music transcription.

-Yes, yes.

You're not allowed in here, then. And there's a... See the...?

-Er, there's a horse.

-Is it a horse?

I'm not sure. It looks a bit small. Its ears... It looks like a donkey!

THEY LAUGH

-Doesn't it? I don't know.

-It's a horse, Simon.

Alison, maybe we should live in town.

You won't fit in if you can't tell the difference between a donkey and a horse.

-You need to crib up on your equines.

-These townies!

Lots of, er... From a bygone era.

We should be in a battle.

-Very nice bathroom.

-Yeah.

Feminine.

Yeah. It's not my taste.

I think we'd probably refurbish this.

-You mean redecorate.

-Redecorate. Sorry, yes.

-Well, I'm happy with it.

-Are you? Yes.

Ah! This is one bedroom. Very nice and bright.

Again, south-facing and looking on the garden. Very nice.

I'm not going to make any predictions

about what's the master bedroom, but this is quite a cosy bedroom.

-Through here.

-Watch your head!

-Oh, yeah.

And even further down. Another bathroom.

-I think this is a kids' bathroom.

-Yeah. That's good.

Two bathrooms. That's a lot, with one bedroom.

-Here's that minstrel's gallery.

-Right.

Are you thinking what was there before? I guess a staircase.

I think it must be. That was the front door

before they had the old building - the new building.

Yeah. So that would have come directly up into here,

-which looks like a...

-Wow!

-Very nice. This is a nice-size room.

-This is very elegant.

-They're modest-sized rooms.

-It's a good size, though.

Ah, nice bathroom! Big bathroom. Mmm.

-Ah, very nice!

-How many... Oh, right! This is another bedroom.

-Yes. How many...

-We've got three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

And this looks like... would you say the main bedroom?

It's a good-sized bedroom. Absolutely.

Just to get the proportions of this place in your head,

that looks like a standard double bed. It's not, is it?

No. It's massive, that bed. It's about the size of Milton Keynes.

It is at least six foot, two metres, across.

-Gosh!

-This is where the children should be, maybe.

Oh, that's to go up to the...roof terrace.

-Right.

-Fantastic.

-All right!

-Wow!

-Oh, right!

-Here's the artist's studio.

Oh, look! And it's a blank canvas, as well,

so we can do whatever we want with it.

-This is beautiful, isn't it?

-We've come to the top of the house.

How on earth are we going to guess how much it's worth?

I know, because it's a very unique property, isn't it?

-No. Just "unique".

-Oh, not even "very"...

It's just unique.

-There you are! Do come and join us.

-Found you!

Yes, indeed!

Before we start talking about the outside space,

shall we refer to it at the moment,

the house! Kind of got mixed signals there.

Yes. Well, we very much liked some of the rooms.

The living room and dining room were lovely. The kitchen was great.

And, um, I think the bedrooms were possibly...

There weren't any really large ones, which we like sometimes.

Having said that, the master bedroom, the bed in there

was more or less the size of Oxford.

We could get the whole family in that. We don't need the rest.

So, if you put an ordinary bed in there,

-that's a very big master bedroom.

-Yes, and fabulous views.

Right. That's enough about the property.

-Any other questions?

-We're wondering about the land.

Obviously it's got a very nice, well looked-after garden.

-Yeah.

-But I think we're standing on some more land.

You've got just under six acres.

That Lipizzaner stallion doesn't come with the property. It's not a donkey, either.

-THEY LAUGH

-Don't start!

But you said you didn't want lots of land.

I certainly wouldn't recommend selling it off,

because if you ever came to sell, it would be of interest

to equestrian-type people anyway.

But you've got neighbours here who have expressed interest

-in renting land off you.

-Right.

-So you've got an end user.

Right! So, with all that information...

It's a very important time of the show,

because it's all on you now. It's guess-the-price time.

Simon, you crossed your arms. You worried?

No, I'm not worried. Obviously, as you say, it's a unique property.

Um, I'm guessing...

-something like 1.1 million, 1.2.

-Final answer, Simon?

Yeah. 1,250?

-It's going up! Quick, stop!

-1.1,250, I think.

-OK.

-I'd go rather higher than that.

I'd say about, er...

-1.35?

-OK!

Well,

I think, Alison, you've been a bit foxed by the land and everything.

You, however, sir, are very good at this.

Yes?

It's actually on the market, this gorgeous tower,

highest point in Oxfordshire, all this land - £1.1 million.

THEY ALL CHATTER AND LAUGH

You just didn't look too happy about that.

-That's my poker face.

-So we could build the extension

-for the concert venue.

-Exactly.

Concert venue?! This has changed a bit. What's going on here?

You did mention an auditorium at some point.

But maybe there's a project somewhere else we haven't seen yet.

-That could be property 2. Follow me!

-Come on.

Property 2 is my choice.

This six-bedroom house is believed to have been built

for the owner of Kencot Manor during the 18th century,

and I suspect many of these features are original.

I can imagine great artistic minds of the time getting inspiration

-from this house and grounds.

-Check you out! Steady on!

It's just the effect this place has on me, dear boy.

Let's hope my property also inspires Alison and Simon's creative minds.

Now, then - property number 2, quite a different affair.

We haven't got turrets. We've got the need for a lot of imagination,

but we have something of ridiculous beauty inside, I think.

-What do you think of the outside?

-Very lovely.

-I'm pretty impressed.

-Gorgeous.

-What an amazing entrance! Walled garden...

-You feel very grand, don't you?

-Look at the lawns!

And this is the back entrance, you know.

-The front entrance is absolutely beautiful...

-Wow!

-..out on the road there.

-It's fantastic.

Now, what is available you can see pretty much,

with the exception of the land. The main house is there, obviously,

but you've also got these amazing outbuildings.

-The house itself dates back to 1745.

-Wow!

-You wanted history.

It's taken on many guises. We've heard that some of the house

used to maybe be part of a monastery.

Perhaps even the monks lived in that building there.

There's a clock. There's a still a bell and a cord attached to the bell.

I mean, if that doesn't say "choristers" to you,

I don't know if anything will. I mean, that is there for you.

If you buy that, you also get an amazing house for free.

There's so many rooms in that house. What do you think of how it looks?

-Beautiful. Lovely. Absolutely super.

-When you go into this house,

when you go inside, there's so many things to be impressed by.

There's also quite a lot to be daunted by.

This hasn't been lived in for quite some time.

You said you like original features. You are in for a treat.

-Fantastic!

-You truly, truly are.

-I can't wait!

That is exactly what I was like.

When you walk through this door,

you'll know why we wanted to show you this property.

I'll need some sales particulars. I'm going to lose you in there.

Go for it and tell us what you think.

The way in is down this path here, then if you turn left

and go through the 13th-century gateway...

-Right.

-..the original part, and then you're away.

-In you go.

-Marvellous. Thank you.

Shall we get lost this...this...this way?

You can get lost any way. I'm going this way.

Push.

Oh, yes. Oh, wow!

-Right! This is such a vivid colour!

-Stone floor.

Look at that fireplace, Simon.

-Heavens!

-Very nice.

-Yeah, it's a good size.

This is vivid!

Gosh! Living room. Again, nice fireplace.

That's a gas fireplace.

-That's where the children come in and out.

-Yeah.

We'd probably just put them in the cupboard and leave them there.

Mmm. Um, what do you think this room was? I'm not very -

-A sort of snug, probably?

-Look at these door handles

-and this brass work.

-A curved door! Look at that!

Goodness!

-Wow!

-My goodness!

-Look at that!

That is quite impressive.

-See these features here?

-Gosh!

I've never seen a house with a staircase like this

in the middle of it before. The hall curved, again.

-All these curves.

-Right!

It is an amazing staircase. I could just see you...

I'm waiting for you at the bottom, to take you out,

-and there you are with your flowing ball gown, gorgeous and radiant.

-Eh?

Lovely!

-Marble fireplace. Wonderful!

-This is a very good -

This could be a dining room, a music room.

-It could be a music room, definitely.

-Sitting room...

I suppose it depends what else is in the house.

-Yes.

-It looks like there's lots.

Whoa, look at this!

-Great big room.

-Another major room!

-Fantastic.

Another very nice fireplace.

Yeah. Probably not original.

-So, not original.

-Very, very nice.

If you thought that was the dining room, what about this?

This would be a living room.

-Yep.

-A living room with a conservatory.

Yeah.

That's the summer entertaining room,

-because it opens out onto the conservatory.

-Oh, I like it! Yeah!

What sort of entertaining? Tap-dancing?

-HE LAUGHS

-No, no, no. Maybe a bit of salsa.

Ah, here's the kitchen. Right.

-This is a good size.

-Good size, yes.

-Yeah.

-Could do with a few more units, I would think.

-Yeah.

-There's some wall space not used.

And that's the front of the property there, isn't it, I believe.

-I mean the real front of it.

-I think so.

-Out onto the road.

-What's here? Ah! It's the blue room.

-Oh, I see!

Ah! Right. OK, then. So that would be the dining room.

-I think that's the main road.

-But I think we've been in here.

We have! Oh, right. Here's the loo.

There's a bathroom in there,

and...

-..another bathroom.

-Oh, right!

-And then another bathroom.

-Hold on. It's all one bathroom.

-There are two...

-Oh, I see. Right.

-..into the same bathroom.

-Well, we could maybe rearrange that.

-There must have been a wall there.

-We've got two bathrooms right next door to each other here.

-Yeah.

His... Hers.

Although, because they're in the choir, perhaps it's hymn and her.

-Here's the single bedroom.

-Ooh!

-Although it could be a double.

Yeah. Well, it's not my decor.

No, but that again is going to be changed.

Gosh...

-Right.

-This is actually... Not sure about the carpet.

Well, I think we've now gone through the spectrum of colours.

Yes. Purple. We haven't had purple yet.

Sort of. We've had mauve, haven't we?

-Oh!

-Oh, wow.

-En suite!

En-suite bathroom. Yeah.

-We'd probably just take this out, wouldn't we?

-No!

We'd just make it a nicer bath, maybe a corner bath.

Although in terms of the light in the room, you wouldn't need -

Just put a screen here, a Chinese screen.

You could just put the wall back, couldn't you?

I would say just a Chinese screen,

something like you had in your hotel room in Brazil.

Let's not go into that.

It's very, um... It's a very public en suite, isn't it?

-It is indeed!

-"Pass the soap, dear." "I'm sleeping!"

-Yeah, it's...

-My goodness!

-Wow!

-More curves! Wow!

-Hey, look at this!

I mean, again, it's all a bit sort of dilapidated,

-but it's a great room.

-Fabulous room.

-Good size, and all these curves!

-Look at that.

-Yeah!

-It's regal, almost.

-Quite. Amazing.

The architect of this place was on something, I think.

THEY LAUGH

I was worried we might never see you again.

It's easier to find you in the garden than the house.

-And it's a big garden, as well.

-It's like a labyrinth in there,

-lots of little corridors and curves.

-A very elegant labyrinth.

"Elegance" is exactly the right word for this place, Jonnie.

-Eloquently put!

-It's extraordinary.

-It has great potential.

Well, I'm glad you said the P-word. THEY LAUGH

-I described it as a project, and -

-It's a few.

It's quite a few projects. But what you've got here is...

This is, maybe, a slice of... almost aristocracy living, isn't it?

You've got no less than eight acres, a paddock at the back there,

-a stream I've yet to find, a pond...

-Wow!

There's an amazing, a truly amazing, kitchen walled garden

-behind that yew hedge.

-Fantastic!

And, just over the road, there is also your own copse.

Have your own two acres of woodland! Why not?

-That's just thrown in!

-He's provided that for you.

-That's just a special present from Simon.

-All these extras!

So, there's so much here.

-Are you daunted?

-Yes.

That's going to cost quite a bit to do up.

-What do you think?

-Absolutely.

-I'm not exactly daunted, actually.

-I think that it's manageable.

-Let's bring the family into this.

No matter where they go to university and end up living with work,

-they're going to want to come back here. What an amazing place!

-It is.

-And this says "tennis court" all day long, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

-And croquet.

-And... Ooh!

-I do like a game of croquet.

I will pop down and play a game of croquet if you go for this.

But are you going to go for this place?

Because, after all, everything comes down to...

-Bottom line. It's one-nil at the moment to you, Simon.

-Yes.

-You were very good on the last one.

-Thank you.

Come on, Alison. Let's start feeling our feet now.

Your budget, £1.5 million.

How much for a beautiful piece of Regency architecture?

OK. Well, as we've said, there's a lot of work to do, a lot to spend,

so I'll go for 1.25.

-1.25?

-Right.

Simon?

Well, I think I would say about 1.3.

He's pretty good, isn't he? He's pretty good!

You win. You're closest. Well done, Simon.

It's on the market for £1.4 million. I've spoken to the agents,

and they've said there is some room to make an offer.

-Mm-hm.

-Enough to think about there, with two properties,

but what are we going to give you for £1.5 million for a wild card?

-Shall we go and find out?

-I'm looking forward to it.

-Come on!

-Let's go.

The wild card - and, like all good musical performances,

-this house has two halves.

-Indeed it has.

There's a Victorian base to this six-bedroom property,

then there's an ensemble of 1970s colour.

Intriguing! Although it might seem as though we're in a housing estate,

there's much more to this place than meets the eye.

This is a big-budget wild card, but truly has many hidden gems.

Our wild card today... Now, what shall we tell you about it?

-Jonnie, not much, I don't think.

-What was the one period of property you wanted?

-Um...

-Victorian?

-Victorian!

-Well, there you go! It's a Victorian property.

-Mostly.

-Right.

-Don't say any more! Don't say any more!

-First impressions?

-Looks nice.

-A lot of it looks like it's hidden.

And you are right.

It is the most secluded of all the properties to date.

-That's what you'll find there.

-It's so secluded,

I've heard that David Beckham's looking at it.

-THEY LAUGH

-So what else are we thinking?

Why would this be the wild card, then?

I must say, we're a bit foxed on that one.

-Are you?

-Good.

-There's only one way to find out,

and that's by having a good look around, hopefully aghast

-at how amazing it is. Or otherwise!

-Get in there and enjoy.

-Yes, it is intriguing.

-What's going to be more intriguing

-is keeping track of where they are.

-It's another labyrinth, isn't it?

-Got a plan?

-Yeah. Come on.

Ooh! Nice.

Shall we start off in here?

Yeah. Let's do that.

So, this is the office.

-At the moment.

-Ah, right! Very nice floor.

-Look at that.

-Oh, yes!

-Marble-tiled floor.

-Oh, gosh, this is rather nice.

Very nice! All the cornicing here still.

Very large. What do you think we could have here?

-Piano?

-The grand piano, yeah?

Now...

Look at the, er, nice garden.

Yeah! That's, um, quite a lot of lawn there.

Very nice. Ooh, is that a tennis court at the end? Gosh!

I'm sure that's not a Victorian window over there.

-No.

-HE LAUGHS

-Right, so... Yes.

-Lots of windows been put in.

-Yeah. A big room, isn't it?

-It's lovely. Yeah, very nice.

You could have two different areas here.

-Good place for singing.

-Yeah. Yep.

I mean, I like the column,

but I'm not terribly sure about whether...

I mean, maybe it has to stay, or something has to be there,

-just to keep that beam up.

-Shall we see if the piano's in tune?

-It might be locked.

-No.

-Baby grand. Very baby grand.

-Oh, there's something on the...

-SHE PLAYS MELODY Whoa!

-Oh, this is music to my ears.

-SHE PLAYS TINNY NOTES

-Blimey! Honky-tonk!

-Oh, dear me.

Has Les Dawson turned up?

Have you been watching some Harry Lime film or something?

-That's Bali Ha'i.

-Oh, is it Bali Ha'i? Oh, sorry!

-Um, from Carousel? No?

-No.

-South Pacific.

-Oh, South Pacific. I knew it was one of the two.

-I knew that was Bali Ha'i. It was on the tip of my tongue.

-I thought it was Ballykissangel.

-Oh, gosh!

-HE LAUGHS

Now...

this is rather peculiar.

-Mm.

-We've got, sort of, more columns.

More columns. Oh, yes. And a lovely view of the garden.

-And we've got a pond!

-Oh, yes. And there are fish in it.

-Oh, yeah.

-Ah, right!

-Gosh.

Aha, the kitchen!

-Mm. Well...

-HE LAUGHS

-What?

-Well, again, it's -

-It can be replaced.

Yes, yes.

And a wooden ceiling. It's very Swiss chalet.

It is, yes.

It's not what they wanted, but it could be. Could be, could be.

It could be, and they must bear in mind,

there is a certain quality of build here

that you didn't always get during the '70s.

Wow!

Lovely big bedroom! Oh, very nice.

I mean, forget the decor, but apart from that -

I can almost feel a shag-pile carpet here.

It's a lovely big bedroom.

Yes! Oh, this is great.

Could make two bedrooms out of this.

Oh, gosh! It's a dressing area.

-Cupboards?

-So don't need to put your wardrobes there.

-Oh, look. That's a good size.

-Good size, yeah.

Built-in wardrobes. Just need refashioning a bit.

I mean, again, the redecoration of these things

-is quite superficial, in a way.

-Not trivial cost-wise.

No, no. That's right.

Thank you, Simon! That's exactly our point, isn't it?

OK, the decor might not be to everyone's taste.

The quality of the build, the quality of the remodelling, cannot be questioned.

-Another bathroom.

-Yeah.

Good size again.

-Needs some, um...

-Again, a little project.

Mm. Definitely need to count up those projects, I suppose.

Wow! Do you know something, Simon? When I was about 16,

this was the sort of colour scheme I chose for my bedroom.

Not all over the walls, but on the carpet.

-It's a nice little room!

-In the eaves.

I can imagine Aidan in here. And a bathroom!

-He gets his own bathroom.

-Which is very good.

No, I think this is ideal.

Oh, look what we've found! Before we talk about this space,

there's one thing we would like to point out to you

that we really enjoyed about that tour. What you spotted

-was the quality of the place.

-Mm.

-OK, the decor

-might need a touch of, um...

-Updating.

-Yes.

THEY LAUGH

But come on. Now let's get back to your original desires.

Alison, I believe you asked for a tennis court.

-I know! A tennis court. Fantastic!

-Lo and behold...

You didn't ask for a sculpture garden. You've got one.

-Or a rose garden.

-I never promised you the rose garden.

-Or some glasshouses.

-Or three glasshouses.

-Swimming pool? Did we mention the swimming pool?

-That would be nice.

And, all in all,

you've got 1.6 acres of gardens, just gardens.

-I mean, it's very private here.

-Yes.

The style of the property, you could have very different kinds of parties!

-THEY LAUGH

-He's been talking about Hugh Hefner.

-THEY LAUGH

-Let's not go there.

Let's go to guess-the-price, shall we?

-Yes. Remind us of the score, Simon.

-The score is, er...

-Oh, don't.

-I'll remind Simon of the score. Two-nil to Simon.

-Is it really?

But we've not been far away. These have been very different properties.

Now, who wants to go first for the last time?

-You're playing for pride, Alison.

-But I'm not competitive.

-THEY LAUGH

-Right, cos you're losing.

I bet you're more competitive at tennis.

Why don't you blaze a trail here, Simon?

How much is this house, with all of its grounds, on the market for?

Right.

About 1.5,

-I think.

-1.5.

-Yeah.

-OK. Alison?

I think... Obviously it needs a lot of updating.

But I would actually put it a bit higher, at 1.6.

You're rubbish! THEY LAUGH

Thanks so much!

THEY LAUGH

-It's three-nil to Simon.

-I was just thinking,

when you went higher, I thought, "Oh, she's got this one."

You kind of started on the right lines.

You said it needs a bit of reworking, all that kind of stuff.

We wouldn't overspend for you.

It's actually on the market at this moment for 1.35.

-Is it really?

-Oh, right. OK.

-Amazing.

I just thought, sort of, the location, and...

I think you'll agree we've shown you three very different properties

-for your budget.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah!

A real big mix there. You've now got to decide which one

-you'd like to spend a bit more time in.

-Right.

-Tricky decision, I'm sure.

-Yeah.

-Go and put your heads together,

-and we'll see you in a moment.

-Right.

Normally in this part of the programme, we give you a reminder

of all three properties, but because they're so big, it could take time.

-So make yourselves comfy.

-Here we go.

Will my property hit the right note? Castellation and countryside

for £1.1 million.

Or will my property strike a chord with our choristers?

Their very own slice of history for £1.4 million.

Or will it be the wild card that is called upon for an encore?

All this could be theirs to the tune of £1.35 million.

Surprise, surprise - you've chosen to test-drive the wild card!

-We have.

-Yes. Yeah.

Tell us more. What was it about this place?

Well, that wonderful bedroom, which really blew me away.

Fantastic. This one has the space inside and out.

There are things we'd like to change here.

There's some features we need to bring to our own satisfaction.

Now, then - our eagle-eyed surveyor has given this place the onceover,

and he's come up with some interesting points.

It is not a legally binding survey, and if you proceed with any property

get all your surveys and searches done. You know that.

The old chestnut that often comes out is the flat roofs.

Not too many of them, but they have a finite life.

This place was converted in the 1960s.

They've got a bit of age to them. They'll need replacing fairly soon.

So you'd probably need to build that into any purchase price.

-Right.

-A little bird tells me

you're not that struck with the eyelid dormers up there in the roof.

No. We'd like to try and recreate a bit of Victorian feel

-to the property.

-OK.

So, a suggestion - while you're altering those,

you may want to replace all the other windows, as well.

They are getting towards the end of their life span,

and they're all single glazed, so while you're doing that,

get double-glazed units, nice wooden frames from a sustainable source,

-add some value to this property.

-It's fantastically built.

The surveyor himself agreed with all of us.

We all noticed the workmanship there. It's been done very well.

The guy that did it was a master builder.

But all in all, a gorgeous, substantial property,

very private, very secluded, so make it your own.

-Go on. Enjoy! See you later.

-We will.

-We will do.

-See you.

-Bye-bye.

What shall we do - the Italian garden? Swimming pool?

-Tennis? Tennis!

-Tennis.

-Tennis.

So now Simon and Alison's friend David has arrived,

our trio of choristers is complete.

And before a tour of the grounds, they feel a rehearsal coming on.

Enough of this chat! Let's allow the singing to do the talking.

Couldn't agree more.

THEY ALL SING

# When the embers leave

# When the embers leave to glow

-# And the owl cries

-# Tu-whit tu-who, tu-whit tu-who

# Tu-whit tu-who, tu

# Tu-whit tu-whit tu-whit tu-who

# When crickets do sing

# And mice roam about

# When midnight bells ring

-# Ring-ring

-# Ring-ring

-# Ring-ring

-# Ring-ring

# To call the devout #

Now, then, Alison and Simon, we've heard singing.

-THEY LAUGH

-Yes!

Is it a musical house? Is it a house that could be a home for you guys?

Yes. I think... This is a lovely room here,

and the hall is another great area,

and from a singing point of view, it's very pleasant.

-Garden fabulous -

-The acoustics OK, are they?

I think they have been. Maybe you should judge that.

-THEY LAUGH

-It sounded all right to us!

What about... There's so many bedrooms I've almost lost count.

-Did you choose a master bedroom?

-I think Alison has.

Without question. The room above here is absolutely fabulous.

-That's top bedroom of the whole -

-A walk-in wardrobe

-going into the en-suite bathroom.

-Absolutely.

And the size of the room, the triple aspect -

just imagine the table and chairs, looking over the garden,

-reading the Sunday newspaper...

-And the garden itself...

I think we really nailed it there,

because I did get the feeling with the other two properties,

there was almost too much land, if you can have such a thing.

Yes. I think this is manageable.

-Sounds like you've had a great time here.

-Yes.

So we're leading into the big question.

-Simon, get stretched off.

-OK, here we go.

-HE SINGS PART OF A SCALE

-To buy or not to buy?

Our feeling at the moment is, this great house, great gardens,

but it's not quite our dream house. There's two different styles here,

but fantastic wild card.

I'm not sure whether we could live with that...

-two styles, the modern part of it, ourselves.

-OK.

So it's not our dream house, but it's definitely on the list.

-So as of today...

-Not to buy.

-Not to buy.

A rational argument and an honest point, I think, there.

Yeah. This is, you know...

In anyone's bank, this is a huge chunk of money,

so I guess it has to be absolutely right.

-It does.

-Yeah.

I wish you the very best of luck. Keep in touch.

You might have second thoughts about this place.

I need to go. I've got to get a mortgage and buy property number 2.

-See you later.

-See you later.

-Bye.

-Thank you.

I tell you what, Simon - this place is special.

And one day, Jonnie, perhaps all this could be yours.

Actually, I'd prefer property 2. That was a bit more my bag.

You did mention that. But all truly aspirational homes.

It's another lifestyle, something else.

If you're aspiring to your next home...

No matter how big or small your budget, get in touch.

-We would love to help you.

-See you then.

-Can you, er, lend me 1.4 million?

-No!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

E-mail [email protected]