North Cotswolds To Buy or Not to Buy

LIGHT, RELAXING MUSIC

HEAVY METAL MUSIC BLARES

TYRES SCREECH

In the name of all things pure, Jonny, what are you doing?

Just cruising, checking out the scenery, listening to a few tunes.

-You're destroying the tranquillity with your city ways!

-Sorry.

MOBILE RINGS

Hello?

HELLO?

Hello? Hello?

Hello?

Ah, got you! Yeah...

He's changed.

-Sorry, had to take it. Strictly Come Dancing.

-No, again?

-Yes.

-Never mind.

Good morning. Welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy.

-The show that identifies three great gaffs...

-One of which our buyers...

..get to try before they buy.

-Hang on. Celebrity Mastermind. Excuse me.

-That must be a wrong number!

Coming up on To Buy Or Not To Buy, two shopaholics are let loose with a serious wedge of cash.

-800,000.

-Nice budget. It seems cleaning is top of the check list -

as in she doesn't want to do any!

It's nice, but I'm worried about the housework.

Come on, Bernadette, if you're going to buy a big house,

there's a lot of cleaning. If you don't like it, buy somewhere smaller!

-And today's house has to have an Aga.

-Oh! it's got an Aga!

-I like it.

-It needs an Aga.

-It needs a new kitchen.

-Pine counters.

Aga.

-Ah, Mr and Mrs Scott, I believe.

-Yes, Jonny, and children.

Four of them here and one who's left home and is working in London.

Currently domiciled in sunny Norfolk,

Richard and Bernadette want to move out of this impressive farmhouse

to be closer to their families in the Cotswolds.

Yes, and Richard is sick of cutting the grass in their 12-acre garden.

In fact, poor Richard is so busy with his lawnmower

that today his daughter Kathryn is stepping into the breach to go house-hunting with Mum.

It's a good job, really, as this pair love to shop.

In fact, it's what they do best.

-Let's hope their shopping skills extend to houses.

-Fingers crossed.

Right. Let's start at the head of the family, Edwin.

-What would you like from the next house?

-Quite a big garden

so lots of space so I can play with Evie.

-Evie, do you want a big garden to play with Edwin?

-Yeah.

Louisa, what are you looking for in your next house?

-Cosy and warm, and have a family feel.

-OK. We're doing well here!

Richard, the move. What's inspired the move?

I think Bernadette would like a house smaller than the one we've got.

Something that's a bit easier to maintain.

Ladies, you'll be coming with us today to look for this place.

I hear what really has inspired this move is you just love moving house.

I do love moving house, that's true.

-You move house just for the sake of it!

-I do,

but this time there's a bit of a twist because I want to be nearer my family.

I've never lived near family.

Kathryn, you are the expert to go with Mum.

What are you hoping for in the new property?

More location, nicer villages. And nicer shopping places.

-I see.

-OK.

-Now we're getting down to the nitty-gritty.

You are spoilt for gorgeous villages in the Cotswolds.

Louisa, paint a picture for me. Imagine the next house. What does it look like?

-Is it grand? Is it small?

-Medium.

-OK.

-Not too big, but also it looks quite welcoming and stuff.

A Goldilocks house - not too big, not too small, just right!

We were talking about the big house you're currently in. Is it finding something more manageable?

I'm fed up with cleaning. I want something smaller so we can whizz round, clean and go out.

Can I say, why do you bother cleaning when you've got an army of cleaners?

Get these guys working day and night. Ah, sorry guys.

-Didn't think you were listening.

-We do help!

-Really?

-Tell him, Louisa!

-I have to sweep the floor nearly every day.

-I do the washing-up and some of the cooking.

-Right.

-See? That's you told!

-OK.

-Now, how many bedrooms? Do we share or have our own?

-All have our own.

OK! OK!

So I'll count... One, two... At least five bedrooms.

Let's just go round, before we ask the money question.

I want everyone to say one thing, just one thing they would like in the new house.

Right? Richard?

Warmth.

OK.

-Um... Quite a big bedroom.

-A big bedroom.

-Soft beds.

-Soft beds.

-I'd like it to feel homely.

-Homely.

Character.

A nice kitchen.

-There you go!

-Brilliant.

-That's the picture.

OK, so really big question. All those requirements taken into consideration,

what's our budget today? How much have we got to spend?

-See, all eyes then, all along the line.

-This is where I come in.

-800,000.

-That's our maximum budget?

-Yes.

-That's a healthy budget for round here. I'm sure we'll find something idyllic.

-OK, guys.

See you in a moment.

What a really lovely family.

-Yes. I was concentrating.

-I'm glad one of us was.

We are looking all over the Cotswolds

for a house that has the following essential qualities.

Warm, big bedrooms, soft beds, homely, character, kitchen.

With all those, we'll need at least £800,000.

-Which we also have.

-Brilliant. Let's go.

-OK.

The Cotswolds,

which stretch from Chipping Campden in the north

down to Bath in the south.

The name Cotswold is sometimes attributed to the meaning "sheep enclosure in rolling hillsides".

Incorporating the term "wold" meaning hills.

One way to experience the area is the Cotswold Way, a trail stretching the length of the Cotswolds.

All 100 miles of it. It can be ambled over a week-long walking holiday

or for the more challenging, you can attempt the whole course in under 24 hours.

Local fundraiser Mike Wood ran the entire length in 23 hours four minutes,

the first officially timed run of the Cotswold Way

to raise money for cystic fibrosis back in April 2010.

Some feat that, Jonny. Almost as incredible as the feat we perform daily.

-What, finding three incredible properties?

-Yes. Well, six, if you count the property round-up.

Check this lot out.

If you have time on your hands to clean 12 bedrooms, seven bathrooms and five receptions,

this stunning country house in Norfolk is up your alley.

Did I mention it's got a ballroom?

On a smaller scale, this five-bed detached property in Sheffield

could be glamorous enough for our shoppers

with a 40-foot kitchen

and a huge garden room too.

From the city to a more semi-rural property,

how about this extended cottage in Ormskirk?

Surrounded by Lancashire farmland,

it has plenty of that cosy feel and country charm.

One of the things I love about the Cotswold area is its use of limestone

and in particular this distinctive, beautiful honey-coloured stone

that buildings throughout the area are built from.

Absolutely superb.

The Cotswolds were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty back in 1966.

It's easy to see why.

And it's the largest in the UK.

Question is, where can a couple of Z-listers like us live

without the hassle of the paparazzi?

The answer could well be in the Cotswolds, but we won't say where.

The like of Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson, Anne Robinson, Kate Winslet and Alex James

have all at some stage set up in the Cotswolds.

How have you gotten on?

-What are you looking so smug about?

-Find out in a moment. What have you got?

Property One. I chose this because of its setting.

It's surrounded by gorgeous rolling countryside that the Cotswolds is famous for.

It's just outside Stow-on-the-Wold, which is absolutely superb.

Property-wise, when they said detached, I took that to mean link-detached

because some of these things are open to interpretation.

Size-wise, it has all the rooms they need, and the setting is fantastic.

Very handsome property. Beautiful. Now, Property Two.

Oh, I get you. I get you.

-I don't have to say anything.

-That's you done, is it?

-Beautiful.

-OK. The wild card.

An Englishman's home is his castle. This isn't a castle, but it's a substantial dwelling.

What's that hidden in there, Jonny? Something else hidden in there?

-That's the secret bit.

-It is a secret.

-The secret bit.

Let's start with your choice.

Right. Let's get the party started here in Stow-on-the-Wold, a quintessential Cotswold town.

This impressive five-bed Georgian pad offers the best of both worlds.

On the edge of town, but still with a very rural feel.

Just look at those views.

And the weather. Let's get these ladies inside pronto.

Bernadette, Kathryn, my choice, Property One.

You've had a chance to walk round the outside

and see the fantastic setting for this property with lovely rolling hills.

So, straight away, what are your first impressions?

Um...

I'm a bit worried it's a semi-detached.

Right. Let's clear that one up.

-It's what we refer to as link detached in the industry.

-OK.

One thing you have to compromise on is it's not a fully-detached property.

-But because of the setting, the panoramic views...

-Lovely.

-Yes.

-I felt having it attached only via a garage

-I thought that was a compromise you may consider.

-OK.

Kathryn, what about the style of the property? What do you think?

Um, it's really pretty.

-Where we are stood at the moment, this gorgeous extension, only a year old.

-This is nice.

-It was designed to enjoy.

-Yes, those views.

-Stunning.

-One other very important piece of information for you both to take on board.

Stow-on-the-Wold, a beautiful town, is literally a five-minute walk away.

-Boutique shops. See how I'm helping you there?

-Thank you very much.

It's a gorgeous Georgian property, this.

But why not start in the newest part? Go and look in the summer room.

-In you go.

-See you in a bit.

-This is nice.

-Nice and bright.

-I like this. The views are beautiful. Lovely.

That's good. I could see us in here.

You could sit in here and the little ones could play outside.

That's lovely.

I like this room. Ooh, look at that.

That's where all the light's coming in as well.

That's really nice.

No, I could see us sitting in here.

Oh, this is nice.

I like this. This is cosy, isn't it?

-A good size.

-Hmm.

-You're not sure?

-I like it.

-It needs an Aga.

-Needs an Aga.

-Oh!

It has got an Aga!

This works cos you've got the kitchen area here,

and the eating area down there.

I like this. It's not too big, either. No, that's good.

-Shall we carry on?

-Yep.

This must be the entrance hall, then. That must be the front door.

-Yeah.

-It needs a good paint.

-Green's not regal enough for a hallway.

No.

-Oh, this is nice.

-I like this room. Nice fireplace.

-Yeah.

-I like that. Dad would like sitting in here.

-A nice fire in the winter.

So do you think this must be the lounge. Or snug.

That's actually the lounge, not a snug.

-They must have big rooms at the moment if that's a snug!

-I know!

-This is quite quaint, isn't it?

-Nice flooring.

-Yeah.

This is nice for a dining room. Is it big enough for our furniture?

-Not for the table.

-It feels a lot cooler in here.

-Yeah.

-I'm not so keen on this room.

-No.

-I like the fireplace.

It needs a good paint to brighten it up.

Ooh, we might need to use this as Dad's study. Dad can sit in the study. He won't mind.

-We'll use this for a study.

-Yeah.

-This is nice, the way the stairs go off at different angles.

-Hmm.

I like that, yeah. It's nice.

A bathroom. That's a good size.

That's a very good size. And all the cupboards.

That's good. What's in there? More cupboards. Plenty of cupboards.

Ooh, it's not a cupboard!

It goes through into a bedroom!

That has got to be brilliant. Thinking it's a cupboard. Hey, it's a bedroom!

-Do you think that's the en-suite for this bedroom?

-Yeah.

-This is a good size.

-Really nice windows.

I love the fields you can see. Love the window, the bay.

-It might not be the master bedroom.

-Shall we have another look?

-But it's a good size. So that's one bedroom.

-Oh, this is lovely.

-This would be for Evelyn.

-She'd love this room.

Really girly. Good cupboard space.

I like the character of the eaves.

-Yeah.

-I like the way you can get a chair in, her bed, all her toys.

-She'd like that and it's a good size for her.

-Yeah.

This is a little study.

OK, it might have to be a bedroom, though. Or we could put Dad in here and keep the dining room.

So we'd better count, hadn't we?

-But if not, this would do as a bedroom for Eddie.

-Would you get a bed in?

-You'd get a bed in.

-Not much else.

You sound like Dad.

-The little room is a study at the moment.

-Yep.

They think it might be a bit small for a bedroom. It's not, is it?

Maybe bedroom five. Maybe. But Evelyn is tiny. So it's perfect for her.

They get bigger.

-What?

-Kids.

-No!

-They do.

-Like puppies?

-Yeah.

-Right.

What's up here?

-A little attic room.

-It's not little. That's quite a good size.

So how many bedrooms are we now?

Four.

Four.

So two would have to share, then.

Who's going to share?

-Is this for you?

-I'd rather move out than share!

So if you had this room, who are we missing - Louisa.

You'll have to have the half a bedroom!

-You'd have the room for Evie.

-There's a door there.

I don't suppose there would be another room, would there?

Oh, there is!

Who has to walk through whose bedroom at night

-and who has to get up after the other one so you don't disturb them when you walk in?

-Not my problem!

It's another bedroom.

Here we go. Ooh, it's handy, but it's no good being off the other room.

You'd have somebody traipsing through.

I don't like all this stonework.

-No. It's cold.

-I feel as though we're in a cave, don't you?

I don't like this room. I don't like that room.

-I like the rest of the house.

-Yeah.

-This doesn't do it for me.

-No.

-No.

-No.

-Ladies, come and join us in the lounge. Take a seat.

-Thank you.

Before we talk about Jonny's house, I have one question about it.

Is it homely?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-It is homely.

-So we ticked all the boxes.

-Fantastic.

-There you go.

-It is a lovely family property.

It's challenging in some areas. What did you like about it?

-We loved the new extension.

-Yeah.

The sun room. And we liked the kitchen. That was cottagey.

You were enjoying talking about the changes you'd make to the property. How you'd place the kiddies.

-Is it a practical property for you?

-It was until we got to the attic rooms.

Then that wouldn't work, with somebody stuck in the cave.

-Rushing through...

-Affectionately referred to as the cave!

-So there are issues.

-Yes.

I may have one solution. There's planning permission in place

for the old garage attached to this property, the second floor,

to convert that originally to a bed and breakfast.

So to have that planning permission adapted to convert it into another bedroom

for somebody so they've got a bit of privacy for themselves...

-So an option there as well.

-Yes.

-That's a big double bedroom.

But above a garage, darling, so come to terms with it.

-It's a mews.

-Brilliant.

-Kathryn's mews.

-That sounds good.

But of course, Kathryn's mews would cost money.

-So, has Jonny allowed for that?

-Course I have!

-It's guess the price time.

Your budget, £800,000.

Who's going to go first?

-Shall I go first?

-Yeah.

I value this house at 695,000.

-Kathryn?

-No changing!

I was going to say I value it at 760.

-760. Quite a difference.

-OK. Right.

-Because of the location and the views.

-Yep.

-One of you is very good at this.

-Me!

-No! You!

750,000.

-You wanted to be an estate agent.

-There you go.

-What do you think of that price?

-It's a contrast compared to what we could get in Norfolk.

-That's the Cotswolds.

-You're paying for that.

-You're paying simply to have the Cotswolds.

I'd rather pay more and get what I want. Detached.

-Would you?

-Otherwise I'd end up moving again!

-Shall we try and do that?

Let's go to Property Two. That might fit the bill. Ladies, after you.

Thank you.

Now, then, if it's peace, tranquillity and rural living you're after,

then this cottage in the tiny hamlet of White Oak Green is a sure-fire bet.

Along with two acres of ancient woodland, a formal garden and a games room,

well, I think I've said enough.

I don't know where to start.

I know where to start - it's semi-detached!

-That's what I'm worried about.

-It's ridiculous!

-Lovely, but...

-After everything you heard this morning, Simon!

Kathryn, are you worried about the same thing?

-I want to get excited, but...

-Apart from that, it's a beautiful house?

-Yes.

-Gorgeous.

-Well, don't take any notice of him, because that, Kathryn...

-Is yours?

-Is it a granny annexe?

-That's an annexe.

-A student annexe!

-There you go now.

-Doubly exciting now, isn't it?

-Really nice.

This is what you asked for. It's a detached property.

-I get you. I knew that would come back!

-It's a very quiet location.

Assuming you now know it's one big detached property, Kathryn, why are you excited?

-Cotswold stone, rural location...

-Student digs!

-Yes!

-Attached.

-My own little flat.

-You clean it!

-Bernadette, what do you think?

-I just love it.

-Beautiful, isn't it?

Beautiful, yes. A real cottage, but it doesn't look too small.

-Looks can be deceiving.

-Yes. I think it's going to be long and thin.

-You think?

-OK. Going very well on the outside. I can tell you are very excited.

-Yes.

-You, Bernadette, seem to love it as much as Kathryn.

-I'm not excited!

You're jealous! Will the inside match the outside?

-Only one way to find out, ladies. Please, do enjoy.

-Thank you.

-This is cute. This is cute.

-It's lovely. Really nice.

-I love the door.

-Lovely entrance.

-I like it already.

I like this stone.

It's really nice.

-Is the beam tall enough for Dad?

-I hope so!

He's going to bang his head, I'm sure.

We'll have to cut his head off.

When you go to a property and the ceiling is low for one member of the family,

-what's the solution?

-Bernadette's just said.

-Behead them.

-This is lovely.

-So pretty.

-Cosy.

This is lovely. This is beautiful.

-I love it. Yeah.

-I like this.

-Really cosy.

I love the beams. It's got so much character.

It's beautiful.

-This is nice.

-It's really nice.

I love the way it comes off the lounge.

-Beautiful garden.

-OK for Dad.

I love the garden. That's a nice size.

Nice and private. I love it.

-Lovely door. Lovely old door.

-Oh! It's got an Aga!

-Oh, it's beautiful.

-So nice.

-Beautiful.

Once again, they are fans of the multi-fuel stove in the kitchen.

You can cook pancakes straight on them. Did you know that?

Lift the lid. Pancake mix on it.

-Spatula.

-That's crepes!

-No, seriously.

-OK.

-Nice granite.

-Really, really nice.

-I love these pine softwood kitchens.

-Yes, I do.

-So pretty.

-Beautiful. I can't find anything to change!

Is this the annexe?

I don't know what this is. This is neat.

-A little snug or study.

-A study for Dad.

-This is the annexe.

-Oh, is it?

-Yeah, this is the annexe.

-It looks taller.

-This is neat.

Dad could live in here!

Dad could stay in here.

-I'm feeling sorry for Richard.

-He's getting a rough deal, isn't he?

This is just so lovely.

-It's really airy.

-Yes, it's lovely and bright.

Bathroom.

Great. Shower and loo in there.

And a bedroom in here.

-This is marvellous.

-This is really nice.

-Paint this room.

-Make it more feminine.

-Put our stamp on this.

Unless Dad's having it!

Hang on, what's this?

-This is another room.

-Another room?

-Ah.

-Ooh. This is getting confusing.

-So it's a two-bedroomed annexe.

-Yeah.

Wonderful. This is lovely.

This looks cute.

It's adorable.

-Where do we go first?

-This is really nice.

-Going into the bathroom.

-That's nice.

-Lovely.

-Just simple.

Yes.

Now, this must be the fourth. I'd put a carpet down cos it's a bedroom.

-I'll put Edwin in here.

-It feels like an Edwin room.

Nice cabin bed in the corner.

I'll have to take a break.

-Too much, is it?

-Yeah. Just too much.

-All this praise?

-It is, honestly.

This is lovely. You could put Evie in here.

-Yes.

-Paint it pink.

A nice pink. Lovely. Room for her desk, a proper wardrobe in.

A really pretty alcove again.

-Look at this.

-Lovely.

-It's so nice.

-It's like a country hotel, isn't it?

-Beautiful.

-Massive shower.

-Yes.

-It's bright, it's light.

-Really nice.

-Yes, that's really nice.

Whoa, I'm not sure about that beam.

Bad Feng Shui.

But it is lovely.

Double aspect windows again. Really, really pretty.

I love the windows. It's got the tall ceiling.

The whole house feels really calm.

Yes, it does. Until the kids arrive!

No, it's beautiful. Really beautiful.

Lovely ladies, come and join us. Come and lean on the gate in a casual manner.

Not a bad place, eh?

-Really nice.

-Really nice.

Kathryn, did it live up to the expectations you felt on the outside?

Definitely. I really like it.

-Really impressed.

-I have a question.

-How is Dad going to fit in this house?

-That is the drawback.

There are a couple of doorways that are low.

And a couple of beams as well. Would he get used to those?

Difficult. We'd have to try him out.

OK. That could be a possibility. But listen.

It's odd. That beautiful house, gorgeous garden,

and yet I've brought you to stand at the back of the sheds. Why?

-Why are we here?

-Why are we here?

-Tell the ladies.

-Turn round.

There are two acres of woodland. They are both for sale.

Ancient woodland. It's protected. There's nothing allowed in there

except enjoyment by children, for example.

The woodland is for sale at £15,000 an acre.

OK. It's guess the price time. Kathryn, you did very well on the first property.

Bernadette, you let yourself down. But this is a chance to redeem yourself.

So, maximum budget £800,000.

We'll let Kathryn go first to help you out. What do you think?

825.

825. You really like this place.

You think I've gone over-budget because this place is so good? Bernadette?

I think that's too high because we've got to buy the woodland as well.

Our budget is 800. OK. 800.

You're back in the game.

Don't look so upset! You should both be very happy.

It's under budget.

This place is on the market for £785,000.

Which, if my maths is correct, leaves you £15,000 for one acre of woodland.

-Bringing you up to budget.

-Excellent.

-That's good.

-Excellent.

-Not bad at all, hey?

-Not bad. You've done really well.

Kathryn, you valued this place with your heart. You really like it so you thought it was 825.

Right. It's one-all. All to play for in guess the price.

You've redeemed yourself. I can redeem myself with the wild card. Shall we go?

Come on. Over you go. Come on, girls.

I'm only joking! I wouldn't do that to you! Come on!

And the wild card today is a cracker, Simon.

A rare treat, Jonny.

-Not one.

-Not two.

-But three. Count them. Three houses.

-And all set in their own courtyard.

But to clarify, they're all being sold as one, and they're very flexible.

-And attached to each other?

-Mainly.

-Let's just get in there.

-That would be easier.

As far as the wild card goes, it is an absolutely extraordinary property.

I've seen hundreds of houses in my time as an estate agent,

I've never seen anything like this. It is so unique and so wonderful.

What do you think? First impressions?

-Yeah.

-I like it.

-Yes, it's pretty.

-Pretty and quaint.

-Very pretty.

A really nice setting.

It's not Cotswold stone. It's brick.

Cotswold brick, apparently!

-Lesser known, but also sought-after!

-Yeah!

When you get inside this property, we're going to test your imaginations.

-Ah.

-I think, for a serial house-mover like you, Bernadette,

this will really, really throw some interesting conundrums

and, for an interior designer like you, Kathryn,

it's not so much a blank canvas as - ooh, how can I say this? -

it's a whole gallery of canvases, really!

You are really going to have to try to put your stamp on this place.

We know you can do it. So why are we excited? It looks fairly standard.

It does, but there is so much more beyond the gates and wall you see now.

-Bet you're dying to find out!

-Yep.

-Absolutely.

-Well, go through those beautiful front doors

-and we'll be listening as usual. Enjoy.

-Thank you.

-These doors are nice.

-It's lovely.

This is beautiful.

-Fireplace is really nice.

-That's lovely.

-Really simple.

Yes. Lovely door. Lovely and light.

That's beautiful. I like this. That's a good start.

Fortunately, we have a floor plan to help us. That's what we're using.

-We're going to need it.

-Here we go. Right. Here they are.

Oh, this is even nicer!

This is beautiful. Another sitting room, isn't it?

-Look up there. It's like a little bedroom.

-Lovely. A gallery.

This is like a self-contained unit. It's got a utility room, bathroom and lounge.

I'd put new carpet down.

-Yeah.

-Tidy it up a bit.

-This is cute.

-That's cute.

-It's bright.

-You could fit a desk in.

-Put Dad up here. Paint it.

-Yeah.

-Lovely.

Oh, it's a kitchen.

This is nice.

-Needs a new kitchen.

-New kitchen. No doubt.

-Make it larger.

Yes, you could extend this.

Knock it through into a different room.

-It's very clinical. But seeing the pine... Make a bigger kitchen.

-The white is too much.

-I don't like the windows.

-A nice blue kitchen.

Pine counters. Aga.

-Yes, this would be nice.

-You might be able to knock through there.

Or just open it up. Just have... I don't know.

Knock through, have a big kitchen, and if you can't, put a table here.

Or widen the doorway to have a double door, without a door.

This as a dining room and that as a kitchen.

Kitchen's being extended. Can they extend the kitchen? It could.

-Yes, straight into...

-Sideways into the study.

-I'm not sure what this is.

-It's small.

-A homework room for the kids!

-Yeah.

-A computer room.

Perfect. That's that sorted out!

-Another bathroom. That needs redoing.

-Yeah.

Some more stairs round here.

-It's really intriguing.

-It is. Fascinating!

You could get lost.

Oh, there's a bedroom up here. This is cute.

-Oh, that's nice, yeah.

-Nice and bright in here.

-Yeah.

The bedrooms are all a bit far apart.

We'd have the kids messing around. They might be a bit scared.

What's in here, then? Oh, another bathroom.

-This needs completely redoing.

-All the bathrooms are the same.

-Yes.

-All really boring.

-Yes.

-The bathroom needs changing.

-Yes.

Where are we going now? It's a bit of a maze.

What's this? It looks like lots of cupboards.

I suppose it's useful for storage.

-What is it?

-I'm not really sure.

-It could be a walk-in dressing room.

-Ah, yes.

-I'm not sure.

What's this?

I suppose it's another bedroom. It's pretty, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Very pretty.

What's in here, then? Let's see where we're going.

Oh, we're back. We've done the full circle.

This is beautiful.

-This is lovely.

-Really nice.

-Oh, wow! Another little dwelling.

-Wow.

-This is another house!

-It's amazing.

Yeah. Where do we go from here?

Shall we go... We'll go this way first, see where it takes us.

-It's got a French feel about it.

-Look at that.

-It feels like a French chateau.

-Look at that mirror!

-It must have been a window that they turned into a mirror.

-Brilliant.

-Oh, a little kitchen.

-A kitchenette.

-It's nice, but I'm worried about the housework!

Come on, Bernadette! If you're going to buy a big house,

there's lots of cleaning to do. Otherwise, buy somewhere smaller!

This is a good size. Lovely room. High ceilings.

-Lovely fireplace.

-Beautiful.

-Really nice.

-Shall we see what else there is?

-Yep.

-Gosh.

-Oh, my goodness. I can see stairs.

-Oh, wow!

A corridor here. There's a lot of doors.

Can you imagine security? Keep locking them at night?

-I don't think you'd open them.

-That bathroom needs completely revamping.

-Yeah.

A bedroom. This is cute.

This is a good bedroom. Lots of wall space for wardrobes.

-Look at the shutters on the windows.

-Cute.

-That's nice.

-Can't wait to paint it.

-Hmm.

-Imagine it all painted and fresh.

-A different colour to bring out the shutters.

It's full of surprises.

Another bedroom! Oh, my goodness.

Imagine it without all the furniture. It would be really nice.

-Yeah.

-Lovely light for the desk.

-Yeah.

Have we come to the end, do you think?

Shall we go and see if we've finished?

-Like that. It's like that.

-Yeah.

Ah, ladies, yes.

-Are you as confused as us about the layout of this place?

-Very.

-Yes.

Well, let's start by considering that the courtyard is the heart of your property.

-OK?

-Yes.

-Could you work out how this could be a home for your family?

Exactly! We've got a map and we've done the same.

We lost you several times when you were walking round!

-We got lost.

-It's tricky, isn't it?

-Yes.

There is one piece of information that you're not getting at the moment. Jonny, fill us in.

I'll point to the map while Jonny talks.

Basically, just behind us, is an annexe to the property.

It is a self-contained apartment. Duplex, if you will.

It has kitchen, breakfast room and lounge downstairs, with bedroom and bathroom upstairs.

It's tenanted, short-hold, so if you bought it, two months' notice, they're out.

Then it becomes yours. That represents a fantastic opportunity

for perhaps Kathryn, because it is its own room, its own area.

It allows someone to establish some independence.

If you hark back to Property One, the room you started the tour in,

made of Cotswold stone and lots of glass, that sort of addition could easily link these two wings.

It would be a fantastic feature. It would add serious value to this property.

-Did you mention money?

-I did.

-You did mention money. Guess the price time.

It's one-all and it's all to play for. There are debts owed from one to the other.

-Whoever wins gets their debt wiped clean.

-Shopping debts.

-Shopping debts!

Your maximum budget £800,000. Who's going first this time?

-You're going to copy me.

-In that case, Kathryn goes first.

-I went first last time.

-I'm in charge. You're going first.

-815.

-815.

-Right. I'm going to go for - it's quite low.

750.

Oh, you...

-Oh, dear. Shall I do it?

-Go on, then.

Let's put it this way.

You're going shopping more. You're going shopping less.

You are absolutely spot on!

-Whoa!

-This place is on the market for £750,000.

-That is incredible.

-Look at this place!

-It's a good price.

-It's a good price.

-Beautiful.

Talk about setting somewhere up for the family to settle for a while, you can adapt this to suit.

You've got land with it and this is a beautiful communal family area.

It's got loads of options.

-Yeah. Definitely.

-We've now shown you three very different properties

in three very different parts of the Cotswolds.

You have to decide which one you'd like to spend more time in.

While you get over the fact that you've lost, get together with your mum and make that decision.

-OK. See you in a minute.

-Thank you.

-See you later.

We've seen three big properties in three different areas.

I can't remember what they look like. Is there some way to remind ourselves?

I know, shall we have a recap?

Will the Georgian splendour that is Hillside in Stow-on-the-Wold

capture the hearts and minds of today's buyers?

Five beds and uninterrupted views.

Or will the rural charm of the idyllic hamlet of White Oak Green

enchant Bernadette and her family?

And why wouldn't it?

Finally, will the wild card do its thing and steal today's punters away to the courtyard?

Versatile living space and rural seclusion.

So, ladies, once more the wild card wins out.

What was it about this place and what wasn't it about the other places?

This house has more potential. You could make it into a lovely family house.

It's got so much to it. Loads of little annexes.

But for a moment, I thought your heart was set on my choice, Property Two.

-Not that I'm blowing my own trumpet.

-Cos that's very unlike you(!)

I love Property Two because it's quite compact and beautiful to look at. Lovely kitchen.

-But the beams would be a problem with Dad.

-The tall member of the family.

-Good of you to consider poor old Richard!

-Yeah.

Our surveyor has given this place the once over.

It's not a legally binding survey, but he's come up with some interesting points.

We've been talking about joining up these two gable ends,

and creating a walkway.

It would be a good idea. This gable end doesn't get much in the way of sunlight

and there's a little bit of damp creeping in which needs to be addressed.

A slight crack working through the brickwork. But if you join that up, those issues would be addressed.

It's nothing serious. It's not falling down. It's just something to bear in mind.

Apart from that, he thinks the structure of it is fabulous. Get on in.

-Away you go.

-See you in a bit.

The rest of the family have arrived to test drive the wild card.

The lounge, or one of the lounges.

Bernadette shows Richard around inside.

-Oh, wow!

-It's really cool.

And big sister Kathryn gives the little ones the run of the courtyard.

Ten, nine...

The perfect place for a game of hide and seek.

Great hiding place, Evie!

Not that sure about Louisa's, though.

..one. Coming, ready or not.

I'll say one thing, Simon.

She's doing well walking on the gravel in those heels!

-My feet would be killing me!

-Is that why you didn't wear yours today?

-Found you!

-Oh, they made that too easy for Kathryn!

Found you!

And what's their verdict?

So, Kitty, Louisa, Edwin, Richard, you've joined us at the wild card. What do you think?

I think it's quite nice cos it's quite big

and we have our own bedrooms far away from other people, so we don't have people nagging us.

Edwin likes it, obviously.

Louisa?

It's good for hide and seek cos it's spacious and I like the courtyard.

Great courtyard. Kitty, what about you?

Um... It's really good

cos it's got a big light place to run about.

That courtyard is brilliant, isn't it?

Finally, but by no means least, honestly, Richard, what do you think?

I like the courtyard and I like the location.

I'm not too keen about so many little rooms interconnecting.

That's why the kids like it!

It's an adventure playground for them, but I take your point.

With barn conversions, because they're shallow, you don't get a hallway.

Obviously they want to maximise the size of the internal rooms.

Have you been able to have a conversation about how you think it could work?

How adaptable it could be?

I think it would be a good idea to get in an architect.

-They could design it and give you ideas on how to...

-That's a brilliant idea.

There is that link needed to be made between the two buildings.

Most importantly, I'm going to go back over the check list we started with.

Richard, was it warm?

Warm? I doubt you could make this place very warm.

-Uh-oh!

-When the sun's out, it's warm.

-It's warm at the moment.

-I'm worried about the winter.

-Did you find a big bedroom?

-Yes, some of them were big enough.

-OK. That's good. That's good.

-Young Kitty. Were there soft beds?

-Yeah.

Good, good, good. Louisa, yours was...

Homely.

I think if we... At the moment it's not that homely cos they're not together, the rooms,

but if we made it more, with the architect, I think it could.

It could be homely. Kathryn, you were looking for the kitchen.

-Well, there's at least two.

-There's three!

I don't like the kitchen at the moment, but there's potential to knock through and make a big one.

Great idea. We both concur. Brilliant idea.

-And character?

-Oozing with character.

I think we wouldn't get bored with it, so we could stay here a long time.

OK.

Ticked some of the boxes. Unsure about the others.

-Time for the question, Jonny.

-It is.

You're in a position to go. If you want to go with this, you've got a buyer waiting.

-To buy or not to buy, Richard?

-I would say no.

Kathryn, where are you at?

I don't want to move house.

You, Mum, what do you think?

I say, yes, we buy.

-OK.

-There we go.

-Hang on, there's three votes left yet!

-Edwin?

-Maybe. It is quite nice.

-Louisa?

-I'm not sure.

Is that to buy or not to buy?

-Say no.

-No.

-She's a daddy's girl.

-Quite right too. Which means,

Kitty, you have the casting vote.

Is it to buy or not buy?

-I think we should buy it.

-Yay!

-Oh, no! That's three-all, isn't it?

-Oh.

So we have the casting vote. I think it should be to buy.

I'm not involved. Well done for sticking your neck out!

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