Cheshire and Coventry Home Away from Home

Now, would you exchange your house with a complete and utter stranger?

Well, that's what more of us are doing every single year.

Because home-swapping is on the rise,

with many Brits seeing it as a wonderful way to get around

the country with minimum expense,

and try out a whole new lifestyle.

However, if you're not too sure that it's right for you,

see if our brave first-time swappers can win you over.

-Woh-hoh!

-Woh-hoh!

Families from across Britain are about to go on an adventure.

They don't know each other and have no idea yet

where they're going or what type of property

they'll be calling home for the next few days.

Oh, look at that view!

During their stay,

they'll give their verdict on each other's home...

-It gets a bit claustrophobic.

-Thank you, whoever owns this house.

..and get the opportunity to try something new

in a different part of the UK.

Yes!

Oh! That's me sorted...

Only on their return will they get to see

who has been living in their house...

Yeah!

I think we're almost psychic...

..and what they really think of it.

-Very minimalist.

-Sparse.

-It is not...

-I don't think there's one thing that I would change.

It doesn't look like this could be their main home...

Our first home-swappers are country-loving Pete and Phil.

They are both developers and they've used their expertise

to turn their 15th-century cottage

in the village of Higher Whitley in Cheshire

into a glamorous show home.

We've tried to make it as contemporary as possible,

but without ruining the heart and the character of the place.

-It's a nice, fresh...

-It's an eclectic taste.

-A very eclectic.

-We collect stuff from all over the world.

Their love of travelling isn't just confined

to the far-flung corners of the globe.

They've actually moved house 11 times in the UK

since they've been together.

But now they feel they've found their perfect rural retreat.

It's not a big property, it's a small property,

but that suits us now where we are in life.

It's a special property, it's in a really beautiful area.

Our location is just lovely.

The neighbours are lovely here.

They're very welcoming

and you have the traditional village fete here.

For their home swap, they're hoping for a complete contrast.

I would like an apartment on the Thames. That would be nice.

As lovers of interior design,

they have very high expectations.

The worst thing it could be for me is dirty.

I'm quite fastidious, keeping the house nice and clean.

-Why leave home for something...

-..less nice.

You want it equally as nice.

I don't want to end up in a big concrete city,

so somewhere that's all industrial and a bit miserable, really.

So, nothing against Coventry,

-but I don't want to go to Coventry.

-So to say.

Our next swappers are David and Linda

and the guys will be delighted to hear that they live in...Coventry!

With a passion for the outdoors,

10 years ago, they decided to buy a narrow boat

and settle down on the water in the picturesque Exhall Basin.

The boat was built in 2008.

-2008...

-The boat was built.

It's what you call a self-fit-out.

The person bought the empty hull and then fitted it out himself.

-We bought it off him and spent the past few years...

-Changing it.

-Changing it to what suits us.

-Yes.

-And it's rather unique in style.

-Bizarre.

Individual, our taste is very individual.

David and Linda have travelled all over the world

and feel their floating home allows them a degree of freedom.

We love the fact that we can just move it.

You know, one weekend we can just go up the cut for a few days.

We tie up in the middle of nowhere and do a bit of fishing.

Have a barbie on the bank.

-Best of both worlds, we've got, haven't we?

-Yeah.

It certainly will be a different world for their guests.

The swappers will like mostly the outside space

and, I suppose, the novelty of being on a boat.

Everything is scaled down a little bit, isn't it?

Smaller bed, smaller settee...

bigger telly.

These first-time swappers may sit at opposite ends of a colour chart.,

but one thing they do have in common is a love of discovering new places.

So, what could be more perfect than a home-swap?

I've no idea what we need, but if we put a selection of things in.

We don't know what we're going to be doing. Are we going for a walk? Is it hot?

It'll be OK. When you're home-swapping,

if you get the chance, it's well worth taking the time

to talk to your fellow swappers, so that everyone knows what to expect.

I took slippers in case we were on a cold floor in a castle.

Do you want your slippers as well and a dressing gown?

Oh, slippers, yeah... Pyjama bottoms, I want, as well.

I should hope so! Some swappers even ask for references,

and it's certainly worth doing a few basic checks

to establish that your guests are who they say they are.

Sadly, I have had to pack David's festival pants.

Why he thinks he's going to a festival, I don't know.

You don't know where you're going, so...

Let's see, life's an adventure.

Let's go on our holidays! Come on, then, let's go!

Getting to see a new part of Britain

is just one of the many attractions of doing a home swap.

But to add a little bit of mystery to proceedings,

our couples have absolutely no idea

where in the UK they are going to be staying.

They've left the decision up to us - brave decision! -

based on what we know about them.

Now, first to discover their destination are David and Linda

and their off to leafy Cheshire.

Cheshire! We haven't been there before.

We haven't been to Cheshire, no.

When I think of Cheshire, I think of cheese.

Chester...

You don't want Crewe or Stockport.

You shouldn't say that, because you might get it.

For Pete and Phil, it's Coventry.

Oh, that's being sent to Coventry.

Exactly the place I didn't want to go to.

Are you ready for this?

Locations revealed, it's time to hit the road.

-Jump in, then. Are you going to drive?

-I'll drive.

See you later.

Pete and Phil are travelling

just over 90 miles

to the Exhall Basin

near Coventry in Warwickshire.

This area sits on the Coventry Canal,

which was constructed in the late 18th century

to connect the rapidly expanding city to the Trent and Mersey Canal.

It's a location that's fantastic for walking

and those who like taking in the local wildlife.

After a two-hour journey,

they finally arrive at their home away from home.

OK, please tell me it's not a canal barge.

That's not what I'd want to stay in I don't think...

But we'll see.

It might be a lock keeper's cottage just around the corner?

Get your fingers crossed, quick! OK...

It's a canal barge. It's a canal barge.

BOTH LAUGH

Right, Coventry and a canal barge.

Lovely...lovely. Just what we needed.

The sight of a narrow boat seems to have brought back some bad memories.

It was a week that we didn't enjoy, to be honest with you.

We had horrendous weather. It was very confined spaces.

We spent all of the time playing cards, because there was nothing else to do.

-Especially if the weather's bad.

-We haven't done it since, have we?

We'll have to see what it's like.

Oh, dear. At least it's not raining yet.

Yeah, it's not luxury inside, is it?

But you know what, though, it's charming. It's not poky.

It's not poky at all. It's actually quite a nice size.

I'm six foot two and I can stand up nicely without banging my head.

So, the space, I quite like.

It looks more like they come here for weekends,

it doesn't look like it could be their main home.

-Shall we explore the kitchen?

-Yes, let's go see.

I think the kitchen is quite workable,

-you could have quite a nice experience in this kitchen.

-Yeah.

At least they DO approve of the kitchen.

So, who do you think lives in a barge like this?

-Probably retired...

-I would say it's retired...

Definitely, the taste of the furniture.

But just because you are retired,

you don't need to live like an old person!

-It's a strange toilet, but...

-It's a tiny little toilet.

In fact, I've not seen one like that before, where it's sideways on.

But what about their new shower?

Oh, my God. That's not too bad.

Hang on, let's try... You can do your lower half

and then just duck when you need to do your hair.

So, obviously, I'm actually taller than the shower.

Let's get out. There you go.

So, very small for two big lads.

But it's OK, this space.

Once they've negotiated their way through the corridor,

our swappers check out the master bedroom.

This is quite a comfy bed by the feel of it.

-Less wood. Painted ceiling, much better.

-Yeah, much nicer.

I'm quite liking this space.

This space feels fresher, because it's paler. It's less oppressive.

Personally, I would still like to go and book into a hotel.

It's... We definitely wouldn't have chosen anything like this.

Come on, lads! There's more to see.

It's not a massive garden to look after,

so this could be so much better.

It could be amazing, couldn't it?

It's a little bit tired, it's a little bit dated.

The pergola's good and you've got the lovely screen

and it's nice furniture around the table and chairs.

So, while Pete and Phil debate

whether to stay or go from their narrow boat,

our other home-swappers,

David and Linda,

have just arrived

in Higher Whitley in Cheshire.

This picturesque village in the heart of the countryside

has a range of amenities which include a local store.

Around half an hour's drive away is the busy city of Chester.

The medieval cathedral here is a very popular tourist

attraction in the North West.

Over 900 years old, there are special tower tours

which offer visitors the chance to see two countries and five counties

from the top of the cathedral.

After travelling around 90 miles,

David and Linda are about to get their first glimpse

of the place they'll be calling home.

-Wow, this is chocolate box pretty, isn't it?

-Yeah.

I feel a bit embarrassed coming to this lovely place

-and they've got our boat.

-This is very nice.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

A bit of a duck theme going on.

Thank you.

Oh, wow, look at this.

This is beautiful, isn't it?

I'm a bit concerned, cos you're a bit of a muck magnet.

Look at all of the...

Look at the artwork. Wow...

-It's very tranquil in here, isn't it?

-Very calm. Very relaxing.

Look at all of these sofas! We can have one each, stretch out...

Look at the size of the telly!

Well, it's certainly different to our boat, anyway!

I think they like it.

But next, it's the kitchen.

Oh, this is very nice. This is your room, Linda.

-Wow!

-This is the sort of kitchen you've always wanted.

All this work space.

Cupboards, proper drain...dishwasher!

-Oh, amazeballs...

-Have you seen the size of that fridge?

If I'd say anything, it doesn't look lived in.

Oh, I think it does!

-There's no pictures of...

-There's no photographs,

but that's obviously fair enough. They don't want us gawping at them.

-I reckon Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen lives here.

-I think...

do you realise we've got Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on our boat?

Where?

Oh, God...

Could be a footballer, there's lots of footballers around here.

-We could be stood in Wayne Rooney's house.

-I don't think so.

Shall we go and see upstairs?

There's an offer I've not had in a long time(!)

Cheeky!

-Oh, this is a bathroom! Very nice.

-Oh, wow!

It's got your favourite bath, Linda.

Oh, a spa bath!

Well, you're not going to get me out of here for two days.

I'll be like a wrinkled prune!

I'm so chuffed. Thank you, whoever owns this house.

I love you. I want to marry you and have your babies.

That'll come as a big surprise!

This is the bedroom. Oh, this is nice...

-Nothing gets past you, Sherlock!

-That bed's bigger than our boat!

-That is beautiful.

-I'll get agoraphobia in that bed!

Look at all of this cupboard space!

SHE GASPS

Oh, dear! I'm going to bed now!

-I don't... I'm speechless.

-And me.

Oh, it's a beautiful house.

It is, it's fantastic.

Let's go put the kettle on.

It's early evening, and one couple is settling in nicely

while the other has a decision to make.

-OK, do you want to stay or do you want to go?

-We'll stay.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-We can drive off now.

-Oh, quick...

Right, come on, then.

When we first glimpsed the houseboat,

I think I speak for us both,

-when I say it was one big disappointment.

-Slight shock.

This is too good to be true after what we... Our boat...

-This is very nice.

-We've got the nice end of the stick.

-Oh, yes.

I love it. I love the squishy sofas. I love the colour scheme.

I love the tranquillity.

Bagsy this side, near the roses.

Not only was the decoration not to our standard,

it was a little bit dusty and a little bit tired.

So, things like that grate on us.

So, to find things not quite in place

and as clean and tidy as they should be, that was a bit of a nightmare.

-A bit of a shock.

-Yeah.

Look at this! Oh, it's done so beautifully.

I'm so embarrassed. All I had was some bacon in the fridge.

Look, champers!

Oh, my Lord!

Cake for you and beer for me.

Oh, what a thoughtful lady!

Thoughtful, yes. But lady? Um... Keep guessing.

How are you feeling, then, disappointed?

Personally, I would still like to go book into a hotel.

In Coventry, Pete and Phil are waking up

to their first morning on a narrow boat,

a world away from their glamorous and spacious cottage.

I hit the sack and went to sleep

for probably a good eight hours uninterrupted,

which, for me, is quite rare.

It does rock slightly,

-and it's like going back to being a baby where you...

-Rocks the cradle.

-You rock like a baby.

-Yeah.

Meanwhile in Cheshire,

David and Linda are loving their new-found sense of space.

-The bed was lovely last night, wasn't it?

-It was.

-It was huge I lost you a couple of times.

-I know.

It was like crossing the Sahara to get a cuddle.

BOTH LAUGH

As part of their swap, each couple has written a manual.

"Welcome to Lilycote 2."

It gives top tips on the workings of their home.

It tells you how to do everything on the boat,

except, obviously, drive it if we had to take it out.

There is also a section full of ideas

for days out in the area.

But with this home swap, there's an added bonus, this envelope.

Hidden inside is a special day trip

which will give our couple a unique taste

of what this region is all about.

But first, they need to crack the clue.

"Bon voyage." Oh, so it's a journey.

It's going to be on a canal boat, isn't it? It's got to be.

-It's not going to be on a speedboat. Shall we have a look inside?

-Yes.

And it says, "As we live on a narrow boat,

"we felt you should experience the full delights of this idyllic lifestyle.

"So, today you will be learning how to navigate your way

"along a local canal way."

-Have you got your sailor's outfit with you?

-It's somewhere.

I always pack that.

Fetching!

Pete and Phil are off to the village of Stoke Golding,

just a half an hour's drive away from the boat.

They are meeting Julian Carlyle from the Ashby Boat Company,

who is going to give them a lesson in narrow boat navigation.

-Pete, I think it's time for you to have a go at steering.

-OK.

The Ashby Canal is a 22-mile lock-free stretch,

winding its way through picturesque countryside

in North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire.

Canal-boat holidays in Central England cover the largest collection

of canal and river networks in the country,

and as you weave your way through the waterways,

there's plenty of beautiful scenery to keep you content.

This route is especially ideal for first-time narrow boat drivers

or for people hoping for a relaxing getaway.

But there are some hazards.

If you go too close to the arch of the bridge,

you can hit the boat straight into the bridge

and cause a lot of damage.

You've gone through the middle of the bridge - perfect.

Right, well, considering he says he was rubbish last time he did it,

ten years ago. It's like he's done it for a few weeks, now.

-If you want to, you can have a go at turning the boat around...

-OK.

We should have turned this earlier, but never mind!

I always say, "There's nothing like a three-point turn in a canal boat."

I'm going to put it in reverse, just so we don't hit the bank too hard.

Now, we wanted the nose in there.

-We might actually have to use the pole.

-Oh, and push ourselves?

-Phil, you can use the pole if you want.

-I can do that, no problem.

Now, it's Phil's turn to show some muscle.

Come on, give it a bit of welly!

It's a slow...

You can feel the weight of the boat you've got to move.

-Perfect, he likes a bit of physical exercise.

-No, he doesn't!

Doesn't he? THEY LAUGH

You've got to pull it out before you let go...

He thinks it's his job to turn the boat completely around.

-All I really needed him to do was...

-Get away from the bank.

-Yeah.

I'm not sure he's ever going to stop!

-We'll just be spinning round in circles!

-Yeah.

One more little one and that's it. That's it.

Put that back on the roof, if you would.

And then walk to the back, then we'll set off.

Back on track, and time to head home.

But it seems like there's been a mutiny aboard.

Oh, look what I found!

-I think you need the captain's hat, now.

-That's me sorted.

With their feet back on dry land,

Peter and Phil head off to explore their new local area.

First stop, it's the old Saxon town of Bedworth,

famous for its almshouses dating back to 1840.

The most dominant structure here is the All Saints Parish Church,

which was rebuilt in the late 19th century with Runcorn stone.

And if this area of Warwickshire takes your fancy for a home swap,

you can take your pick of property styles,

from timber-framed houses to classic chocolate-box cottages.

While Peter and Phil continue exploring Bedworth,

back in Cheshire, David and Linda are enjoying their immaculate home.

I like the way they've done the garden.

They've done little areas, and it's lovely.

It's all different. I couldn't do it, but I love the...

You'd concrete it, so you wouldn't have to deal with it!

No, but that I like the attention to detail.

There's a balance about it.

I don't know how to explain it.

Time to turn their attention away from the perennials

to an envelope hopefully full of adventure.

Shall we a look and see what we are doing?

The clue is, "All fired up".

I think we're going down a coal mine.

We're going to get the sack.

-Artillery range?

-Yeah, could be.

-Paint-balling?

-Might be bottles? Bottle blowing.

Shall we have look what it is, then?

"We have a passion for this region's local produce.

"So, today you will be getting hot under the collar

"at a traditional smokehouse."

Oh, we're going to go and have a smoke? Kippers!

Bring it on.

David and Linda are heading out west to Wilmslow

to the Cheshire Smokehouse.

Here, they produce traditional smoked meats, poultry and fish,

all cured in the smoke stoves on site.

It's a family business established over 100 years ago

by John William Ward who learned his craft in Canada.

His great-grandson Darren Ward is now in charge

and he's going to show David and Linda just how it's done in.

This is a mixture of salts.

Saltpetre - potassium nitrate - and sugar,

and this is what actually cures the products.

So, in this tub here, we've got some lovely loins of Cheshire pork.

Grab plenty of salt and we just need to rub this into the pork,

and that's going to cure it.

You're taking the moisture out and that's helping preserve it.

Give it a little shake.

-On the side.

-You go first, because they look heavy.

Look at you, professional, he'll be giving you a job.

Hey, you've done this before.

Perfect. These will actually lose around about 20-25% in weight.

So we've got some here - these ones.

I could do with being salted!

ALL LAUGH

-I wasn't going to say.

-We're all in that boat!

So, we going to submerge it in here.

There's some that have been done already.

If you just gently lower that into there...

After the bacon has been immersed in the mixture for four days,

it then gets placed in the smoke stove.

-Wow.

-There we go. Now, we're going to hang this in.

Look at this, wow...

So, those will be in there about 18 hours.

What does it look like after the process has finished?

You'll notice there's not a tremendous colour difference,

because it already started off quite dark to start with.

It has gone a bit darker, it's gone a bit firmer,

we've lost a little bit more weight on that.

I'd love to try some of that, it smells delicious.

I'll just put this back,

-and we'll go and have a taste.

-Brilliant.

-All right.

This is an Aladdin's cave full of local food delicacies.

So, it's a perfect pit-stop for travelling foodies.

Dig in.

Grab a fork.

-Thank you very much.

-It would be better with a fork,

or just use your fingers, yeah. Proper manly.

Conan the Barbarian, there!

So, you can see the molasses has just darkened the edges,

it'll give it quite a sort of sweet flavour.

What's the verdict? Thumbs up?

Excellent.

-Some days are really hard, aren't they, love?

-You're right, it is.

SHE LAUGHS

Makes me hungry!

So, fed and watered, Linda and David head back to the cottage.

On the way, they stop off in Stockton Heath

just a few miles from where they're staying.

It's only small, but it's full of all the amenities you need

for an enjoyable getaway.

And if you would like a home swap in this area,

there is a wealth of property styles to suit every taste.

Let's face it, we Brits just love our food,

and no matter where you live or what time of the year it is,

there's always plenty of choice.

So, it's no wonder that home swappers sometimes like to show off

the great range of local produce that's available in their area.

But the question is, will it be to our guests' liking?

Back in Coventry, it's dinner time.

Peter and Phil are about to discover

their locally inspired dish of the day.

OK, time to look at the menu.

Looks like we've got to have "a delicious pie

"from the local pub's famous pie parlour served with potatoes,

"seasonal vegetables from our allotment."

So, they've got an allotment, which is nice.

At least the menu has sparked their appetite, unlike the cooker.

-IGNITION CLICKS

-It's definitely not igniting.

-No.

It's not come on.

Let's turn it all the way up.

-Do you have to push the gas button in, as well?

-Yes.

It is, it's on now.

So, yeah, it was push the button.

Meanwhile in Cheshire,

David and Linda have been left local bread, vegetables and meat.

Marinated and prepped for a North West barbie.

Linda, can you bring me a fork and a glass of red, please?

Oh, a glass of red, that's a nice surprise!

Anybody like to prick my sausages?

I'm sure I could find somebody to do that for you, darling.

You barbecuing is standing there drinking alcohol

and staring at things burning as a rule.

What we're going to do is put

a big blob of Stilton on the top when we cook them,

and it will go all over the pastry and get sticky.

Oh, the sausages look good, lovey.

They're nice and firm, aren't they?

This is a good old job, David, for you.

Normally, I don't let you near fire and sharp implements.

Two-minute champagne break,

and then everything should be cooked.

-How's that sound?

-Sounds good to me.

-Go and sit down and have it, then.

Oh, champagne! Somebody's living the high life!

They look a bit delish.

Did they say put Stilton on the pie, or did you just add that?

No, it doesn't actually say put Stilton on the pie.

It looks incredible, though. Looks really good.

Very nice. Looking forward to that.

-Do you want me to pass that over to you?

-No, I'll manage.

You can pass me a burger, if you want to mother me.

I'd like to smother you, not mother you!

I'm going to have some of this dipping sauce,

but I won't dip anything because that's uncouth,

-I'll just pour it on like that.

-Bon appetit.

Oh, bon appetit, senor.

We could be in the Continent, couldn't we?

What about the crust I've given you?

The crust is sensational, actually.

I've got to say, it's one of the nicest pies I've ever tasted,

it's really, really gorgeous.

So, cheers to ourselves...

Cheers to ourselves.

..and also to our kind hosts.

Cheers.

Peter and Phil from Cheshire

have swapped their fashionable 15th century cottage

with David and Linda,

whose prize possession

is their uniquely-styled narrow boat

which is moored

on the Coventry Canal.

It's day three and our swappers are getting to know the neighbours.

Feeding the ducks, there's eight turned up,

and moorhens in the family.

Now, they may well be bonding with the local wildlife,

but the bed is turning into a battle ground.

The neighbour asked us this morning, "Did you have a nice sleep?"

And Pete says, "Oh, yeah, I slept really well again."

Well, Peter's like this on the bed!

Course he slept well! I'm at the edge, like this...

The bed is so small...

but apart from that...

As they make the most of the outdoor space,

Peter and Phil are about to discover what's in store today.

But first, it's the all-important clue.

-Oh...

-OK, our clue is,

"Air today gone tomorrow".

OK, that sounds really exciting.

I've always said I would never get in a light aircraft.

-Let's get the envelope open.

-OK...

OK, "Coventry is famous for its aviation history.

"So today you will be winging your way to a local air museum."

OK, so we're not going up, then?

-I'm sort of disappointed, actually.

-You wanted to go up in the air?

OK, but a local air museum,

that will be interesting. Yeah, very nice.

The Midland Air Museum in Baginton

celebrates the area's aviation heritage,

and Pete and Phil have jetted in

to meet up with the museum's curator Barry James.

We all travel today, we go around the world in jet aircraft.

It all stemmed from them early workings in the '20s and '30s,

that led us to have Comet Airliner

and where we are now with the Airbus-380,

where people travel all over the world.

The pioneer of the jet engine that revolutionised air travel

is Sir Frank Whittle, one of Coventry's famous sons.

His designs have influenced all the aircraft on show here.

So, around us here you'll see some unique aircraft like the Hunter,

the Seahawk, the Javelin, the Meteor -

all built in Baginton by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Company,

but all part of the Hawker Siddeley group.

But our swappers have their eyes on a more relaxing ride.

A CMC Leopard from the 1980s.

Oh, lovely. Look how low it gets!

Nice, if you're passenger.

You would have great views because it's all glass.

The passengers have a bit of a more luxury trip at the back, don't they?

They are paying a lot more than you!

-Yeah.

-HE LAUGHS

This great museum doesn't cost the earth.

They have special open-cockpit days with an additional number of planes.

And if you're lucky, you might even get the chance

to sit in some of the aircraft.

One of the planes that dominates the museum is the Argosy.

It's a roll-on-roll-off freight aircraft

which was used to transport everything from food to horses.

Oh, it's really good up here.

You've got a great view right across the museum and the airfield.

I've always fancied going into a cockpit.

It's actually quite a thrill to be here today.

Incredibly complicated, though, I'm interested to know

if it's actually still as complicated today.

It just seems an awful lot of bells and switches and levers.

This would have been designed in the mid-'50s -

of its day, it was cutting-edge.

Would a modern-day pilot be quite daunted by seeing all of this?

A modern-day pilot can't believe it!

It's so primitive as far as they're concerned,

because the planes they're flying nowadays are just nothing like this.

When visiting a new area, most of us can't resist having a quick peek

in the local estate agent's window. And our couples are just the same.

-Here's an estate agent.

-Let's see what it costs to live around here.

I think it's a little bit cheaper.

Where David and Linda are staying, around West Cheshire and Chester,

a typical detached home is around £240,000,

a semi would cost you about £130,000,

and a terrace would be towards £100,000.

This one's a bit more our price range. Those prices are very good.

-That's nice 1.25 million.

-Yeah.

I'm pleasantly surprised, actually.

I'm surprised by the prices.

-Some of them are quite expensive for what they are.

-Yeah.

In Coventry and the surrounding area,

the average detached house price is about £260,000,

a semi will set you back about £140,000

and a terrace around £100,000.

Oh, look there's a little bungalow there that I could retire into.

It looks like an old people's bungalow. We could afford it.

-Well, we live in a long, thin bungalow that moves.

-I suppose so.

Back in their cottage, David and Linda are about to discover

where they'll be heading for their next day out in the local area.

But not before that clue.

"Hot to trot."

The first thing that pops into my head for trot is horses.

Say it quick, it sounds different. "Hot-to-trot", "hot-to-trot".

It could be a rare African tribe.

The Hot-to-trots.

Go on, David, just open it. Put me out of my misery.

-Oh, wow.

-"Today you will be getting up close

"to some of Cheshire's prize-winning Shire horses..."

-I was right - horses.

-Excellent!

"Broad of back and don't move very fast..."

-That'll about do me.

-Sounds like my son.

-Bring it on.

-Bring it on.

Set in 50 acres in the heart of the beautiful Cheshire countryside,

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and Countryside Park

offers everything for the perfect day out.

It's home of the internationally renowned Cotebrook Shire horse stud

and this farm has been breeding

prize-winning Shires for over 40 years.

Alistair King is owner of the centre

and is going to introduce David and Linda to their main attraction.

This is Moorfield Edward.

He's our senior stallion and Edward is 22 years old.

That is a massive age for a Shire horse,

there isn't many live much past 20.

He's a little bit on the slim side at the moment

but that's because we're right at the end

-of the breeding season for horses now.

-And he's worn out.

-He's tired.

Well, he has had a lot of girlfriends.

He frequently has up to three a day,

which is not bad for somebody who is the equivalent of 85 years of age.

-There's hope for us all, love.

-Probably what keeps him going.

ALL LAUGH

I'll say! Well, the Shire horse is the largest breed in the world

and plays a major part in our history.

Not only were they used to pull narrow boats and carts,

but during World War I,

a million Shires went off to the battlefields to haul large guns

and ammunition wagons.

Sadly, less than 70,000 of them returned safely.

Nowadays, Shire horses are mainly just for show,

meaning they have to look their best at all times.

If you slide down here past me...

-This is where we get friendly, Dave.

-Don't look worried, lovey.

No, it's me that's looking worried.

Put your hand underneath and trap it with your thumb.

Keep this out of the way.

You want a lock of hair from here...

She knows there's a stranger doing it.

She knows there's an incompetent doing it!

Put it over there and lock it with your thumb.

That's the one, well done.

Lock of hair out...

Trap it with your...with that thumb.

That's it and bring the yellow one over.

There you go! You're away.

You've got to come down here a bit.

There you go, you're on your own now.

Where are you going for your holidays this year?

ALL LAUGH

Alistair then demonstrates how to stand out from the crowd.

Oh, wow! You can almost feel the ground shake, can't you?

EDWARD WHINNIES

Back in Coventry, the day is drawing to a close

and after bobbing around for a while,

has the water allowed Pete and Phil to work out

who might live on a boat like this?

I would think they are around about the mid-to-late 50s.

If they are working, I would've said

they were doing maybe charity work or helping people.

We think they travel quite a bit. There's a big map in there.

A huge atlas map. I think they like sort of spicyish food.

There's a fridge magnet with a Jamaican man on.

So, I bet you they like...

Some of the cookbooks are on the chilli side.

I reckon the people that live here are...

Late 30s and early 40s.

They've got to be something to do with interior design

-or design something...

-Oh, I don't know...

-I don't know.

There's a lot of books on interior design

-so they're good amateurs, I think.

-No, I think they're professionals.

I've come to the conclusion that there's no lady lives in this house.

No dressing table in the bedroom,

there is no cotton balls, there's no hair grips.

I think they're gentle souls, but I think they're two men.

Well done, Sherlock.

It's their last evening in the cottage,

and while David makes the most of the garden...

I could feel quite at home here.

..Linda has a treat.

This is a stunning bath.

Just stretch out in a nice, big bath.

All I need now is Johnny Depp! SHE GIGGLES

The final day of the home swap.

In Cheshire, David and Linda are savouring

their remaining hours in the cottage.

It's been brilliant. It's been very nice. We really enjoyed it.

-We really pampered ourselves but...

-..there's no place like home.

-There's no place like home.

-We're a long way from Kansas.

Bye, big bed.

Goodbye, big bed.

Meanwhile, in Coventry, it's raining.

This is the reason we hated a canal boat holiday, the rain.

Yeah, it's interesting. It makes the place feel much smaller,

because you know you're confined.

You're stuck inside and it's quite a depressing thought, isn't it?

I don't know how people live like this.

It's like being in a wooden prison cell with a few mod cons.

As well as giving you a change of scenery,

home swapping also saves money.

In the Higher Whitley area of Cheshire,

a good quality B&B would cost you around £250 for a three-night stay.

While in the Coventry area of Warwickshire,

a similar experience in a local B&B would set you back around £240.

If you handed over the keys of your house to someone

that you had never ever met,

wouldn't you want to know what they thought of it?

Of course you would, you wouldn't be human otherwise.

Well, we're giving our swappers a chance to find out.

But will they like everything they hear?

First up, David and Linda meet Pete and Phil.

Hi, I'm Pete, I'm 44, and this is my partner.

I'm Philip, I'm 47.

We got the ages right.

We do property rental,

we also do property development

and we are into interior design, also.

-I got that. I got the interior design.

-You got all that.

OK, please tell me it's not a canal barge.

SHE LAUGHS

We guessed there was no women living in the house within the first evening.

There was a lack of a feminine touch, there was a lack of...

There wasn't a lack of a feminine touch, lovey,

there was a lack of female toiletries,

there was lots of feminine touches.

It might be a lock keeper's cottage just around the corner.

Keep your fingers crossed now quick.

-Oh, dear.

-Oh, God.

OK, it's a canal barge.

Oh!

I'm feeling awful.

Right, Coventry, and a canal barge! Lovely!

Right, we'll prepare for the unexpected, then,

-I think that's the best thing.

-Yes.

I don't mind as long as they don't look down on our way of life.

It's not pristine, is it? It's a little bit unkept.

That's a little bit disappointing.

It's not a massive garden to look after.

This could be so much better.

I'm really disappointed and a bit upset, really. It's very negative.

It's not poky. It's not poky at all.

It's actually quite a nice size.

I'm six foot two and I can stand up nicely without banging my head.

They're being a bit more positive now.

-Right, should we explore the kitchen?

-Yes, let's go see.

I think the kitchen is quite workable

and you could have quite a nice experience in this kitchen.

You know they're beginning to realise

there's limitations to living on a boat.

It's nice. This is quite a comfy bed by the feel of it.

-Ah, less wood! Painted ceiling! Much better.

-Yeah, much nicer.

I don't know how both of them are going to fit in that bed!

SHE LAUGHS

Back in Cheshire,

Peter and Phil are about to meet their fellow home-swappers.

-Hello, my name is Dave.

-Hi, I'm Linda.

I'm 64 years of age and an engineer.

I'm 53.

We said mid-50s, didn't we? So, he's a little bit older.

It's a nice house. It's a bit jigsaw-puzzle.

-Yeah, you mean chocolate-box...

-Chocolate-box? Is that it?

Jigsaw-puzzle, chocolate-box - different.

Well, it's certainly different to our boat.

I hope they enjoy our boat as much as I think we will enjoy this.

I think they will if they like all this sort of Eastern...

It's all about whatchamacallit, yin and yang, and all that.

Aw-w, he seems a little bit stumped by it, in a way.

He's not sure what to say.

The lady seems a lot more vocal and pleased with it.

-This is your room, Linda.

-Wow! Wow!

This is the sort of kitchen you've always wanted.

Oh! Look at this!

All this work space

cupboards, proper drain...dishwasher!

And that's the biggest contrast, isn't it?

Have you seen the size of that fridge?

Yeah, our fridge is bigger than their kitchen.

If I'd say anything, how can I put it, it doesn't look lived in.

-That's a good point.

-I think it does.

I think it does feel lived in.

We want to make it look as good as possible for their arrival

so we did spend a bit of time on it.

-It's beautiful.

-It's beautiful.

-Somebody's obviously got style.

-It has been an experience!

-It has been.

And they've got the better experience, but that is fine.

So, what have the couples made of their journey

into the world of home-swapping?

We don't really worry about

what people think about our lifestyle, and we're happy,

-and that's all that matters.

-Mostly happy, aren't we?

-We are.

And what about Pete and Phil?

We would absolutely do a home swap again.

The whole concept and idea of it is a fantastic one.

I think it's a really good opportunity

to experience other properties in your own country.

So, there's lots and lots of pluses.