0:00:02 > 0:00:03Fantastic.
0:00:03 > 0:00:07Families from across Britain are about to try home-swapping.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11That's great, we can leave them with that.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Who's going to drive?
0:00:12 > 0:00:15They don't know each other and they've no idea yet
0:00:15 > 0:00:19where they'll be calling home for the next three days.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23- Oh, wow. - We're going to live on a ship.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Each family will have to suggest local places
0:00:26 > 0:00:30for their home-swappers to visit, as well as a favourite restaurant.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34I think the cream tea sounds a much better option, I'll just watch.
0:00:34 > 0:00:39And they'll be scoring each other on the location, the day out
0:00:39 > 0:00:40and their temporary home.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Only on their return will they get to see
0:00:45 > 0:00:47who has been living in their house...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51The mystery is about to be revealed.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56..and find out who has provided the best home-swapping experience.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Here's to Taunton. Cheers.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Today, we're in Buckinghamshire with our first home-swappers -
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Iraqi born Talib, who's an NHS surgeon,
0:01:13 > 0:01:17and his Italian fiancee Alessandra, a research manager.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19They live in Milton Keynes.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Together for four years, they met on the dance floor
0:01:23 > 0:01:26at a local salsa group, as perhaps you can tell.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29She kept on turning her head to the teacher, so I said to her,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32"Excuse me, you are dancing with me not with him."
0:01:32 > 0:01:33So I hated him.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36That was the first, er, conversation.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41But it took him a year before he convinced me to go out with him.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45His persistence paid off as they now live together
0:01:45 > 0:01:50in a grand detached house that Talib designed himself and had built
0:01:50 > 0:01:54ten years ago in this picturesque spot overlooking Furzton Lake.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59This house is big and bold, with six bedrooms,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03each with their own style, a kitchen and two lounges,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05to name just a few rooms,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09as well as having the odd statue dotted around the place.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14Here we go, you have here our soldier. He is the first guy
0:02:14 > 0:02:18that's going to greet you when you come through the door.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20It's the biggest toy of the house.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24I managed to prevent, you know, the purchase of another one
0:02:24 > 0:02:25because he wanted two of them.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29A well-travelled couple, they have several mementos
0:02:29 > 0:02:34around the house, as well as one or two...slippery creatures.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38He likes frogs, he like tractors, so the whole house is
0:02:38 > 0:02:42full of frogs. We've got over 100 frogs in the house.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47100? Excuse me, I think I've got a frog in my throat now.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51I think it's something to do with my childhood
0:02:51 > 0:02:55because I was raised up in a village in the south of Iraq
0:02:55 > 0:03:00and near the marshes and there were a lot of frogs around.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Decorated with strong, vibrant colours
0:03:02 > 0:03:06which reflect their personality, each room has its own name.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10The living room is, yes, you've guessed it, the Red Room.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13It's also the entertainment centre of the house.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17This is the maracas. It goes with the salsa rhythm.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22The second one called the guido and it create
0:03:22 > 0:03:24a kind of a frog-like sound, so...
0:03:24 > 0:03:26WOOD CROAKS ROUGHLY
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Oh, there are those frogs again.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Leaping upstairs, the master bedroom gives feature walls
0:03:32 > 0:03:34a whole new meaning.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38When I asked the painter to paint it, he freaked out.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41A lot of people wouldn't put these colours together
0:03:41 > 0:03:45but we believe in strong, um, matching...
0:03:45 > 0:03:46- Strong colours.- ..strong colours.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50But their pride and joy is the garden.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Even the Great British weather never dampens their spirits.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59From hot tubs to pizza ovens, even a dance floor with a glitter ball.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02For any party, they've got all the angles covered.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Although it's Talib and Alessandra's house,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08it seems somebody else rules the roost.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13My cat, her name is Amira, she was pregnant.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15And when she was delivering the kittens,
0:04:15 > 0:04:20he completely lost his mind and he called one of our friends
0:04:20 > 0:04:25who is a nurse. So he literally got her out of bed at five o'clock
0:04:25 > 0:04:27in the morning so that she could
0:04:27 > 0:04:29come here and help with the delivery.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Close call there, Talib. Good job there's a doctor in the house.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Although this cosmopolitan couple have seen the world,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40they're hoping a home-swap will give them
0:04:40 > 0:04:42a taste of another part of the UK.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45But certain scenarios won't go down too well.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49A boat house in a canal or...
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I can't see myself in such a narrow space.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56We might be going to a farm where there would be some sheep and...
0:04:56 > 0:04:58And that would make you happy.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00..horses and some animals, that would be good.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Leave it with me and we'll see what we can do.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11Our next home-swappers are Sarah and her daughter Chessie who live
0:05:11 > 0:05:15in their 18th-century cottage in Blymhill Lawn, Staffordshire.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20I would describe it as very much a traditional, old-fashioned cottage
0:05:20 > 0:05:23from the outside, but once you come inside, it's very different
0:05:23 > 0:05:28and it's very modern and a lot larger than people think.
0:05:28 > 0:05:3217-year-old Chessie has just finished her A levels...
0:05:33 > 0:05:37..while Sarah is a business-development and marketing consultant.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41They've lived in their four-bedroom home for more than 20 years.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45It is definitely quirky, not one single room is the same.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49It's all higgledy-piggledy, sort of roof lines and...
0:05:49 > 0:05:51There are beams floating around in all the rooms,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- most of the rooms, aren't there? - Yeah, it's a lived-in family home.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57But the hub of the home is the kitchen,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00which is very much Sarah's domain.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Pride and joy really in the kitchen is I've got a Rayburn
0:06:03 > 0:06:07but I do like to have friends over and cook for everybody.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08I do love the kitchen,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12it's probably my second favourite room in the house next to my room.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15When it comes to relaxing, the family room hits the spot
0:06:15 > 0:06:18but not any musical notes, apparently.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20I play a little bit, but very badly.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24And then we've got the snug next door, it's a really nice,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- cosy chill-out room, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Another place Sarah likes to chill out in is the master bedroom.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33It's a nice, bright, airy space.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36The best thing about it is the views in the morning
0:06:36 > 0:06:38because you wake up in the morning,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41have a cup of tea, sit on the bed and you can look
0:06:41 > 0:06:44straight across Staffordshire that way and across the garden.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47That is my mother, I do believe.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51As you see, it's quite artistic, lots of people don't know it's me.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52They will now.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57The cottage is decorated in calming, neutral colours,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59but when it comes to her personal space,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Chessie wanted to add her own stamp.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06This is my bedroom. It's purple. I do love it,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09yeah, I do love it.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- And this is the tidiest it's ever been.- Yeah.- Can I say that?
0:07:12 > 0:07:14With Chessie just finishing her A levels,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16it seems there's a reason for swapping.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22With you going away to university soon, it'll be our last
0:07:22 > 0:07:25sort of opportunity to spend a bit of time together.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28What could be in store for our mother and daughter?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Inner city.- A city?- I'm sure.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- A penthouse flat, swanky pants. - Yeah.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39Can't promise a penthouse, but all will be revealed very shortly.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Our swappers have trusted us to decide where they're going,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45so it's a magical mystery tour.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48No way is that suitcase going to shut.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52My swimming shorts and I have my riding boots,
0:07:52 > 0:07:54horse-riding boots, horse-riding helmet.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Yes, definitely all eventualities covered there.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00No sign of a frog, though.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Now it's time to let our swappers know where they're heading.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08Sarah and daughter Chessie are going south to the town of...Milton Keynes.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- Milton Keynes.- Oh.- I've been there.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- Oh, I haven't.- Do you know where it is?- No, maybe.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- OK.- No, where is it?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21It's down south, it's a new town, like Telford.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- Does it have shopping? - Yeah, and it has...
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- Is that where I know it from? - And it has concrete cows.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32Talib and Alessandra will soon be making their way to...Staffordshire.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- OK.- Staffordshire?
0:08:35 > 0:08:38I thought there is nothing there.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Yeah, well, you never know,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43all places, they've got hidden gems in them, you know?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Exactly, Talib.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48So, with their destinations revealed,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51our curious swappers hand over their homes and hit the road.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Milton Keynes, here we come.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Sarah and Chessie are heading 95 miles south
0:09:00 > 0:09:03to the town of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Buckinghamshire is known for its sweeping countryside
0:09:08 > 0:09:11and luscious landscape.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14The Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:09:14 > 0:09:18covers a third of the county, with ancient woodland,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21rolling hills and panoramic views to take your breath away.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Rich with history, there are traditional market towns
0:09:26 > 0:09:30such as Olney, ideal for a pub lunch or an afternoon tea.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Talking of times gone by, you'll also find what was once Britain's
0:09:34 > 0:09:36best-kept secret during World War II -
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Bletchley Park.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44Now a Heritage Site, it was once home to the famous Codebreakers.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48And when it comes to secret locations,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Sarah and Chessie have just arrived at theirs.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58- Our new home for the weekend. - So, pretty garden.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01I know, they've got a lot of greenery around, don't they?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- It's all very nice.- Nice roses.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05And those hanging baskets, they're very pretty.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Prettier than mine!
0:10:08 > 0:10:12With the weather not being the best, it's a quick dash inside.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- Oh, it's a toy soldier.- Oh.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Hello. - I was not expecting that one.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19He sort of makes you want to go and hug him.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Go and hug him, Chess. - I'm not going to go hug him.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28Meanwhile, up north, Talib and Alessandra are heading to
0:10:28 > 0:10:31the village of Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34It's a landlocked county near the centre of England
0:10:34 > 0:10:36where you can take to the waterways
0:10:36 > 0:10:39on the miles of canals that run through it.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44If you prefer to remain firmly on land, there's Cannock Chase,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50With its dramatic woodland
0:10:50 > 0:10:55and abundance of wildlife, it's a haven for walkers and for cyclists.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Staffordshire is also home to Stoke-on-Trent
0:11:01 > 0:11:04in the area known as The Potteries.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07It's been at the heart of the pottery industry
0:11:07 > 0:11:09since the 18th century.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14For those of you who prefer adrenaline, thrills and excitement,
0:11:14 > 0:11:18you'll find adventure parks such as Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Park.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23And talking of excitement, Talib and Alessandra have just arrived
0:11:23 > 0:11:25at their new home for the next few days.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- It looks pretty.- It's beautiful. - The house looks pretty.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32It's beautiful, a lot of green fields.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34It's a very quiet spot, I should think.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38I just don't know what we're going to do here,
0:11:38 > 0:11:42it's just so isolated. It's in the middle of nowhere.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Well, we have a car.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48It seems to be going OK, I think.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50But what will they make of it inside?
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Oh, wow, I thought it'd be smaller.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- Oh, this is...- That's quite nice.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58This is the kitchen area, straight into the kitchen.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- Straight into the kitchen, yes. - Yeah.- It's quite warm.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06It's very different from our kitchen, isn't it?
0:12:06 > 0:12:08That's the polar opposite of our kitchen.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12To help their new guests, each owner has put together a manual
0:12:12 > 0:12:15filled with tips on the quirks of their homes.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19"The cottage was built for the workers on the Balfour Estate
0:12:19 > 0:12:22"and was originally one cottage, circa late..."
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Wow. "..1800s."
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- 200 years plus?- Yeah.- OK.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Meanwhile, in Milton Keynes,
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Sarah and Chessie are getting familiar
0:12:33 > 0:12:35with their new home from home.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38"It's the cat's house, we just pay the mortgage."
0:12:38 > 0:12:39"Our home is full of love
0:12:39 > 0:12:42"and we hope you'll enjoy the company of..." Four?!
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Four?- "We have four"?!
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- How are we going to distinguish between them?- I don't know.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Cat got your tongue there, Sarah?
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Little lady frog on a spring.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55"Top doctor," so I'm assuming someone that lives here
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- is a doctor, then.- Maybe.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59Full marks, Chessie.
0:13:02 > 0:13:03In Blymhill Lawn,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Talib and Alessandra are sizing up the cottage.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09I think they're making the most out of the space,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13but I think the main thing about this room is the staircase
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- and the little lights going around it.- Yeah.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21That's really nice, makes you feel like Christmas all year round.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27In Milton Keynes, Sarah and Chessie are speculating about the owners.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29There is very much an international feel as well
0:13:29 > 0:13:31and not only are they just well-travelled
0:13:31 > 0:13:35but I'd say even the colour schemes are very sort of South American.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37In the living room they're definitely
0:13:37 > 0:13:39getting into the rhythm of things.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- MARACA RATTLES - This is like year six music class
0:13:42 > 0:13:44when the teacher brings everything out.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- Oh. It's a thing. - BELLS JINGLE
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Do some jamming.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54At the Staffordshire cottage, time for Talib and Alessandra
0:13:54 > 0:13:57to tackle those spiral stairs.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00I think, after two glasses of wine, I won't be able
0:14:00 > 0:14:01to navigate these stairs.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Talib, look at this, there's a room here.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05Yeah, let's have a look.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Oh.- Oh, health and safety.- God.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- Very small, it's, er...- Very small.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- We dance in our bedroom, Talib. - We practise dancing, I know.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Where would we dance here?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Any clues as to who lives here?
0:14:22 > 0:14:27Looking at the style of the shoes, there's a lot of animal print.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32What I really think is that this probably was someone's
0:14:32 > 0:14:37family house, their parents lived here and then they just took over.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42Maybe Chessie's bedroom might be more up their street.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Definitely, like, teenager.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Our favourite colour, the purple.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48That's true.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53It feels like your own space where you can, you know,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56write your secret diary, this kind of thing.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01In Milton Keynes, leaving the maracas behind,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Sarah and Chessie have headed upstairs
0:15:04 > 0:15:06to check out the master bedroom.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07- Wow!- Wow!
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I actually like the lime and the purple, don't you?
0:15:10 > 0:15:11I love how it's diagonal,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- like, it's not just a conventional, like, one strip or anything.- Yeah.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- And it's like a...- Very clear... - ..just cut it in half, yeah.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21..division, it's lovely. More frogs.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23And cats.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28But just wait till they clap eyes on the, um, smallest room in the house.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30CHESSIE GASPS
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Oh, my God.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Wow, that's lovely,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39that's big, that's huge.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Music whilst we bathe.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- MUSIC BLARES - There you go!
0:15:45 > 0:15:50I could literally spend an entire day in here, like,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54I don't need the rest of the house. Just this one room will do me fine.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It's absolutely amazing in there, isn't it?
0:15:57 > 0:15:58They're going to have such a shock
0:15:58 > 0:16:00with our tiny little upstairs bathroom
0:16:00 > 0:16:03when they walk in and it's like that big.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Well, that's coming up around about now.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Talib, the bathroom is a nightmare.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13This is the smallest thing ever.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Oh, my God, look, one tiny sink.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20Where is our Jacuzzi?
0:16:20 > 0:16:26Yes, definitely not enough room to swing a cat. Talking of which,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Sarah and Chessie are trying to make friends in Milton Keynes.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Hello.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34No, not interested, just wants to wash.
0:16:34 > 0:16:35Just having a wash.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Oh, cat on the work surface.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42You look disgusted, I'm not going to lie to you.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47I would just be out here with my antiseptic Dettol spray and cloth
0:16:47 > 0:16:49and wiping down everything
0:16:49 > 0:16:52before I even got any food or prepped anything.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57But it's their rules, their home, there you go.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- Off he pops.- And off he pops.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05House tours over, our swappers waste no time getting relaxed
0:17:05 > 0:17:07in their temporary homes.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09So, the first night in their house.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10Cheers.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Next morning, for Sarah and Chessie in Milton Keynes,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22breakfast isn't getting off to a good start.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Since when are toasters this difficult?
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Going down, it's going down, it's going down.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29What did you do?
0:17:29 > 0:17:30- I've no idea.- No!
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Got there in the end.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35How did you sleep last night, Chess?
0:17:35 > 0:17:36I slept all right.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- I actually slept with two cats... - Mmm.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44..which is a first and probably a last.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46We weren't woken up with the birdsong,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48which is what we normally get back home.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Talking of your home.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51I slept like a log.
0:17:51 > 0:17:58Yeah, and, er, definitely the wine helped and it was,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01er, it was nice to wake up to the view this morning.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05When I woke up and I saw the view and green and yellow,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08it looked like a Van Gogh painting.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12Comparing a wet English morning with Van Gogh's
0:18:12 > 0:18:15sun-drenched paintings, well, that's a first.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Breakfast done,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21both sets of swappers are keen to check out the local area.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Sarah and Chessie are staying in Milton Keynes.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Milton Keynes was one of the first new towns
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and sprung up in the late 1960s.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Famous for its grid system of roads
0:18:34 > 0:18:36and leafy parks, it's well known
0:18:36 > 0:18:40for its modern structures and many striking sculptures
0:18:40 > 0:18:43and, with Silverstone racetrack on the doorstep,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45there's never a dull moment.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48I've lived here for 19 years, it's the most amazing city.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53Old and new, it's got lots of open green spaces,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56it's just a beautiful place to live.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00And it's a safe, cycle-friendly city.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05We've got a system of roadways, so you can cycle right the way...
0:19:05 > 0:19:08right across the city without crossing any roads,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12the roadways go under and over the roads, so it's a very good place.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It very much caters for young and old.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22Fabulous places to eat, to shop, we have the theatre, cinemas,
0:19:22 > 0:19:27ski slopes, a very interesting museum, there is just...
0:19:27 > 0:19:28Art gallery,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31there's just something for everyone to do here, you're never bored.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37One thing to see in particular is Milton Keynes's most famous sight.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39And here are the cows.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- That's quite cool. - There's a funky one.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45"The cows were once cynically..." Clinically? Cynically?
0:19:45 > 0:19:46Yeah, cynically.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49"..cynically said to symbolise a new town consisting
0:19:49 > 0:19:50- "entirely of concrete."- Ah-hah.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53They have udders, though, a couple of them.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57They do, otherwise they wouldn't be cows if they didn't have udders.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- Really? - Yeah, they'd be bullocks and steers.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- I thought only female cows have. - Yeah, yeah, yeah.- Oh, oh.- Yeah.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- I'm caught up, I'm caught up, never mind.- Excellent.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11While Chessie gets to grips with the birds and the bees in Milton Keynes,
0:20:11 > 0:20:16Talib and Alessandra are milking the sights in the small
0:20:16 > 0:20:18rural community of Blymhill.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Centred around St Mary's, a 14th-century church,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26and the agricultural industry,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30there's plenty to do, especially for those who love the hearty outdoors.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35The best thing here is walking - walking along the canal.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37The canal that goes through this village
0:20:37 > 0:20:39is the Shropshire Union Canal.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Yeah, it's absolutely amazing living here. There's so much to do,
0:20:43 > 0:20:47the people are friendly and it's a good community atmosphere.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Just a five-minute drive away is Weston Park House, once home to
0:20:53 > 0:20:58the Earl of Bradford, and it's giving Talib and Alessandra house envy.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Oh, wow.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04It's like a painting, isn't it?
0:21:05 > 0:21:08And this old tree, it's majestic.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Spanning 1,000 acres, the garden was landscaped
0:21:13 > 0:21:17by one of England's greatest gardeners, Capability Brown.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19This garden is beautiful.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- I actually think I was born to live in a palace.- Like this one.- Yeah.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Well, why not? Still got plenty of time.
0:21:27 > 0:21:33But can our ambitious aristocrats find their way through the maze?
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- We should go this way.- OK.- Yeah.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39To the right... Let's see.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44I think you should not follow the obvious, that's the trick.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48You might be on the road to nowhere, Talib.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- I think we should go this way. - I think we're lost.- Yeah.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53I think you might be right.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58No pain, no gain, so I think we should go this way.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01And this way. We are almost there.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- Here we go!- Hey!- Got the middle. - We've found the middle.- Yay!
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Now you just need to find your way out.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Good luck with that one.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18Hey, hey, the exit, yes! Very good. Well done, Alessandra.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24In Milton Keynes, Sarah and Chessie are discovering
0:22:24 > 0:22:29there are more than concrete cows in this surprisingly-green town.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32And it'd be nice, I guess, for people, if they lived by the lake,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35they'd probably think they're in the country.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Yeah, if they're used to more urban settings.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43In a peaceful frame of mind, Sarah and Chessie turn their thoughts
0:22:43 > 0:22:45to scoring the area out of ten.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Having the shopping centre so close, it's nice, it's...- Yeah.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51..easy access. It's very good.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54And the lake was also a very pleasant surprise, wasn't it?
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Yes, cos we weren't expecting it.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- It is beautiful.- But we do feel it's like several other new towns.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05There doesn't seem to be many unique features about it.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- So, I think, on that basis, we agree.- We do.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- Overall, we will give it a score of...- Five.- ..five.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20How do Talib and Alessandra rate their time in Blymhill Lawn?
0:23:20 > 0:23:24The area is very rural and we enjoyed walking
0:23:24 > 0:23:29around the little sleepy village. It's very green and definitely
0:23:29 > 0:23:35more green than where we live. And I think the score Alessandra is...
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Yeah, because of these reasons,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41we are going to give the area a score of eight.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48So, Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire takes the lead, by three points.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52To help our swappers get a taste of what's on offer in the area,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55each couple is given an afternoon activity to try.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01For Sarah and Chessie, in Milton Keynes, there's only one option.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04"With the British F1 Grand Prix circuit just a short drive away,
0:24:04 > 0:24:10"it's time to rev things up, as you try your hand at kart racing."
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- Oh!- Hey, how cool's that?
0:24:12 > 0:24:17And what's in store for our wannabe lords of the manor?
0:24:17 > 0:24:21"Now you've visited the local stately home, it's joust about time
0:24:21 > 0:24:25"to try the noble sport of medieval jousting."
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Do you know what that is?
0:24:29 > 0:24:35It's that sport with horses and knights
0:24:35 > 0:24:37and I'm not good at riding horses!
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Well, you take it easy. Take it easy and slowly.
0:24:40 > 0:24:41That's the spirit, Talib.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52In Milton Keynes, a five-minute drive from their base,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Sarah and Chessie meet with instructor Ben James,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00to get up to speed with go-kart racing.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03- Morning, I'm Ben, nice to meet you. - Sarah.- Nice to meet you both.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- You've come here for some kart racing.- Hooray!
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Kart's are all ready and prepped.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12- They do up to around 50mph. But don't worry.- Do we race together?
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- You will.- OK, lots to avoid.- Yes!
0:25:19 > 0:25:2320 miles from Blymhill Lawn, Talib and Alessandra are all set
0:25:23 > 0:25:27for a bit of jousting, at a stables in East Staffordshire.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31But before letting them loose on the horses, Kimberley Josbury
0:25:31 > 0:25:35gives them a trial on something a little more stationary.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Trying to keep the shoulders back a little bit.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Oh, Talib, you're a natural!
0:25:40 > 0:25:43And just roll back through your pelvis a little bit there.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46So, up a bit taller, leg over the back
0:25:46 > 0:25:48and then just bend your knees as you land.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54- Good, well done!- But will Alessandra ride just like a princess?
0:25:54 > 0:26:01Really good. One, two, one, two, one, two. Excellent.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04FORMULA ONE TV THEME
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Back on the racetrack, Sarah and daughter Chessie
0:26:08 > 0:26:10are going bumper to bumper in a speed trial.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15It's a family affair, so who will cross the finish line first?
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Foot down, Chessie doesn't stall for a minute...
0:26:23 > 0:26:24..and it's full speed ahead.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28FORMULA ONE TV THEME
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- First time, I spun off. - Did I go past you?
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- I took it too hard. - Oh, there's a surprise(!)
0:26:45 > 0:26:48I'm going along and I think, I'm just getting used to this,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51I'm just getting the handle of it, but the next thing it's like
0:26:51 > 0:26:54bumper cars and somebody comes straight up my bottom and knocks me.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01At the chequered flag, it looks neck and neck.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- Who do you think got the fastest time?- Me.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Ben's about to break it to you, ladies.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11- You did it...- Yes. - ..in one minute...- Yeah.- ..36...
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- 309.- Does that mean it's going to be close?!
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Most novices are in and around that time, so you're not way off the pace
0:27:18 > 0:27:21- for a novice.- Oh, brilliant. - OK.- Sarah, you did it...- Oh, no.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- Da-da-da!- ..in one minute...- Yeah.
0:27:23 > 0:27:31- ..34.109.- Yes!- No!- Congratulations! Well done.- Thank you.
0:27:31 > 0:27:36Never mind, Chessie. Your mum only just pipped you to the post.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Meanwhile, it's time to get saddled up, with Talib and Alessandra
0:27:42 > 0:27:44getting kitted out and dressed for the occasion.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48When it came to entertainment, jousting was top of the list
0:27:48 > 0:27:52during the Middle Ages, with two knights aiming to send
0:27:52 > 0:27:55their opponent flying off their horse with a lance.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00Not sure that will go down too well with your fair maiden, Talib.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01Let the tournament begin!
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- Are you ready?- I don't know.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07- Hazar!- Hold your horses, Talib.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Hazar!
0:28:10 > 0:28:11And they're off!
0:28:11 > 0:28:12Charge!
0:28:13 > 0:28:17Will Talib be a knight in shining armour,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Alessandra a damsel in distress?
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Striking blow, guys, brilliant.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Doesn't look like it.
0:28:28 > 0:28:29Good job, guys.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30Charge!
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Striking blow, my lord!
0:28:36 > 0:28:38At least they've come away in one piece.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41The jousting was so much fun.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I mean, I have only seen it on the television and in movies,
0:28:44 > 0:28:49but I never even thought I would do it one day,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53- so it was really fantastic. - It's been the highlight so far.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59After an action-packed afternoon, both sets of swappers head home,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02but first, they cast their eyes over
0:29:02 > 0:29:04the local estate agents' windows.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08In Staffordshire, Talib and Alessandra still have
0:29:08 > 0:29:12their sights set on something stately.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14- That one is a good one.- Oh, wow!
0:29:14 > 0:29:16- That...that's the... - These are grand.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21- 0.8 acre-sized gardens. Impressive. - It's a castle.- I like that one.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24In the area, on average, a terrace property
0:29:24 > 0:29:27can cost about £89,000.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33A semi, in the region of £119,000 and a traditional detached house,
0:29:33 > 0:29:37if not a castle, around £222,000.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42Down south in Milton Keynes, prices are somewhat higher.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45290 for that - a four-bed terrace?
0:29:45 > 0:29:48I wouldn't pay that, would you?
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- So it's much more expensive here, but...- Way more expensive, yeah.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55..it's because it'll be commuter belt, proximity to London.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Of course.- So, we've got a nice house worth quite a bit of money
0:29:58 > 0:30:00and down here, it wouldn't actually get us a great deal.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01There you go.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Yes, there you go.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08In Milton Keynes, a terraced house would cost you about £145,000,
0:30:08 > 0:30:13while a semi would cost somewhere in the region of £171,000.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17A good-sized detached property would set you back anything from
0:30:17 > 0:30:19around £334,000.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28It's been an eventful day and both couples are keen to unwind
0:30:28 > 0:30:31at a local restaurant recommended by our swappers,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33in the hope of gaining some extra points.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37Sarah and Chessie have headed to a local Indian restaurant.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42- Bit colonial looking. It's very big, isn't it?- It is.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46This is one of the biggest purpose-built Indian restaurants
0:30:46 > 0:30:50in Europe and it's SO Milton Keynes.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Ah lovely, thank you. It's enormous and this is the starter.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Mm, well, I know, I was going to say this'll probably do me
0:31:00 > 0:31:02- for the main course. - This is... Yeah.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Wow. Really good.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10I would come back to Milton Keynes just to come to eat here.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11It is amazing.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Definitely.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20After a day jousting, Talib and Alessandra must be
0:31:20 > 0:31:24as hungry as a horse. Sorry, I couldn't resist that.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- That looks nice, Alessandra. Are you hungry?- Very.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31OK. Let's go.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35This country pub is a hit with the locals.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- I will have...shank of lamb... - OK, thank you.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41..and the monk fish.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44And it prides itself on using ingredients mainly sourced
0:31:44 > 0:31:47from nearby farmers and butchers.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Mm.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Spicy?
0:31:51 > 0:31:52Not really.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55No, mine is not spicy. It's really lovely.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I'm happy to try some of yours.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04- Mm, really nice, lovely. - It is lovely.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08The food seems to hit the spot and now scoring is back on the menu
0:32:08 > 0:32:14for both our swappers. First up, Talib and Alessandra.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19The day out was really a lot of fun. We did the jousting and we didn't
0:32:19 > 0:32:23know what to expect, but we really enjoyed the experience.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27And the restaurant was fantastic. The food was tasty
0:32:27 > 0:32:29and we enjoyed every bit of it.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33For all these reasons, we are going to score the day out, ten.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Ten?! Wow!
0:32:37 > 0:32:42Are Sarah and Chessie equally enthusiastic about their day out
0:32:42 > 0:32:44in Milton Keynes?
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- I think it's been a really, really great day.- I thought, yeah.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51The karting was amazing. The restaurant has been brilliant food.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53It's sounding good.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55So, I think because of that,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58because maybe our expectations weren't that we were going to have
0:32:58 > 0:33:02- such fun in a new town...- Yeah. - ..and a modern city, which is
0:33:02 > 0:33:07very contrasting to where we were, I think, we give it, go for it...
0:33:07 > 0:33:09- Oh!- ..a ten. - Go for a ten?- I think so.- OK.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11I think we'll go for a ten.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Another ten. Two full scores. Well, that's a record.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18So, Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire now takes the lead
0:33:18 > 0:33:20by just three points,
0:33:20 > 0:33:24but there's still the all-important scoring of the homes to come.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32It's the final day and the couples are getting ready to head home.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35What are their final thoughts of their swap?
0:33:35 > 0:33:39It's been really lovely, actually, spending time with Chessie.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43I don't get to spend a great deal of time, just the two of us.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45It's really a good thing to do, you know,
0:33:45 > 0:33:48in the light that she's going away very soon.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50So yes, thank you, it was lovely.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54And Alessandra has had a rethink about the cottage.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57I have gradually warmed up to this house.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00I really enjoyed cooking in the kitchen.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03It felt really homely and warm.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06It felt like a family house.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11So their first home swap has come to an end.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Our couples head back towards their own home sweet homes.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21House swapping is a cost-effective way of seeing somewhere new,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24whether it be for a weekend, a week or longer.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28A decent B&B near Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire
0:34:28 > 0:34:31would cost around £180 for a double for two nights,
0:34:31 > 0:34:36whereas in Milton Keynes, it would set you back around £210.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Our swappers are back in the comfort of their own homes.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- Hey!- Hey, babies! - Hey, beautifuls!
0:34:44 > 0:34:46Hey.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48- Hello, Isa.- Hey!
0:34:48 > 0:34:52And they finally get to see who's been staying
0:34:52 > 0:34:54and what they made of their home.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56First to view is Sarah and Chessie.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01Hi, I'm Talib, I am 49 years old and this is my lovely fiancee.
0:35:01 > 0:35:07Hello, I'm Alessandra. I am 32, and Talib and I have been together
0:35:07 > 0:35:09for four years.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12I work as a consultant surgeon for the NHS.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15I work as a project manager at the Open University
0:35:15 > 0:35:18and I love reading and salsa dancing.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23Bits of it, we got. We got surgeon, we got the doctor.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26- We said dancing.- Dancing.- We did.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30- It looks pretty.- It's beautiful. - The house looks pretty.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34- It's beautiful.- I just don't know what you're going to...what we're
0:35:34 > 0:35:36going to do here. It's just so isolated.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40Did make me giggle when they said, "What are we going to do?
0:35:40 > 0:35:42"It's really quiet, there's nothing to do here."
0:35:42 > 0:35:47- Oh, no. OK.- You took them upstairs. - You took them up the spiral stairs,
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- come on!- That's mean.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52I think, after two glasses of wine, I won't be able to navigate
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- these stairs. - Talib, look at this. Oh, my God!
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- Oh!- Oh! Health and safety.- God.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02She fell down the steps! You should have put a sign up,
0:36:02 > 0:36:06saying mind the step. How were they meant to know that
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- there's a step there?- OK, my fault. I didn't think.- I feel bad.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Talib, the bathroom is a nightmare.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16This is the smallest thing ever.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Oh, my God. Look. One tiny sink.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25If I could choose between our bathroom and their en-suite,
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- I would, every single day, every single day, have theirs.- Yeah.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Next up is Sarah and Chessie's verdict on their swap.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Hi, I'm Sarah. I'm 48 years of age.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Hi, I'm Francesca. I'm 17 years old
0:36:40 > 0:36:43and, hopefully, going to go off to university in September.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47- We could see that there would be a teenager in that house.- Yeah.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51- So, the purple room must be Francesca's.- Francesca's room, yeah.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Our new home for the weekend!
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- So, pretty gardens. - I love these hanging baskets,
0:36:58 > 0:37:00- they're very pretty. - Prettier than mine!
0:37:02 > 0:37:04I spend the whole summer watering them.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Oh, my God!
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Wow, music whilst we bathe.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12- MUSIC PLAYS - There you go.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16They're going to have such a shock with our tiny little
0:37:16 > 0:37:20upstairs bathroom, when they walk in and it's, like, that big!
0:37:20 > 0:37:21- BOTH:- Yes, we did!
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Oh, cat on the work surface.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28You look disgusted, I'm not going to lie to you!
0:37:28 > 0:37:32I would just be out here with my antiseptic Dettol spray
0:37:32 > 0:37:35and cloth and wiping down everything.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40- There's nothing to disinfect. - I studied microbiology.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Yes, but you need to have a little bit of dirt around you,
0:37:44 > 0:37:47because that keeps your immune system stimulated all the time.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52They've now seen their guests look around their house,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58but which swap will come out on top? What is Talib and Alessandra's
0:37:58 > 0:38:00verdict on Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire?
0:38:00 > 0:38:04The area is very rural, definitely more green
0:38:04 > 0:38:10than where we live and I think the score, Alessandra...
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Yeah, because of these reasons, we are going to give the area
0:38:14 > 0:38:16a score of eight.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- Oh, that's nice.- That's really kind, yeah.- Yeah, that is.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23What about the day out, the activity and their dinner?
0:38:24 > 0:38:29The day out was really a lot of fun. We did the jousting and we
0:38:29 > 0:38:32didn't know what to expect, but we really enjoyed the experience.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36And the restaurant was fantastic. The food was tasty
0:38:36 > 0:38:39and we enjoyed every bit of it.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43For all these reasons, we are going to score the day out, ten.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45We actually said that they were fun people, didn't we?
0:38:45 > 0:38:48- Yeah, yeah, yeah. - We could tell from their home,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51but, yeah, that's good. I'm really pleased.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55So far, that gives a total of 18 for Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59But what do Sarah and Chessie think of Milton Keynes?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- Having the shopping centre so close, it's nice.- Yeah.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05It's easy access, it's very good.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09And the lake was also a very pleasant surprise, wasn't it?
0:39:09 > 0:39:11- Yeah.- When we were driving up, it is beautiful.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15There doesn't seem to be many unique features about it,
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- so I think on that basis, we agree...- We do.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23..overall, we will give it a score of...five.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24- That's quite low.- Mm.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29I think response is to say, they just need to spend more time here.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33And when it comes to their day out, their activity and their dinner?
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- We're in Milton Keynes.- We are.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40- We're in an area that, perhaps, we didn't necessarily expect...- No.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- ..to have...- Definitely not. - ..such a great experience.- Yeah.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47So, I think, because of that, because maybe our expectations
0:39:47 > 0:39:52- weren't that we were going to have such fun in a new town...- Yeah.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56and a modern city, which is very contrasting to where we were,
0:39:56 > 0:40:00- I think we give it, go for it... - Oh!- ..a big ten.- Go for a ten?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- I think so.- OK. I'm up for that.- We'll go for a ten.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07I am surprised that people just have these, kind of,
0:40:07 > 0:40:09preconceived ideas about places.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13But that's the whole idea of the home swapping,
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- to give the people the opportunity to...- Yes.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17..to change their minds!
0:40:18 > 0:40:21So Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire has 18 points
0:40:21 > 0:40:22and Milton Keynes, 15.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27With only three points in it, now the all-important decider -
0:40:27 > 0:40:30the score for the house.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34First up is Sarah and Chessie's verdict on the six-bedroom mansion.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39It's a very modern house. Very, very spacious.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44The en-suite bathroom is amazing as well. Really, really, really nice!
0:40:46 > 0:40:51However, the clutter of the frogs on every possible surface
0:40:51 > 0:40:56and the fact that the cats free-roam throughout everywhere
0:40:56 > 0:40:59is not really, sort of, our cup of tea.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03No, so, therefore, we're going to score this house a five.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06I think they can stay in their own house.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11That is horrible!
0:41:11 > 0:41:15Now, I have to say it's a horrible reaction to the cats.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18They are living creatures and, for us, they are family.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22And the thing that hurts me is that they haven't even considered
0:41:22 > 0:41:24the connection between us and our little creatures.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Everybody is entitled to his own opinion.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29That is not going to change our affection to our cats.
0:41:29 > 0:41:30They're our family.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34Quite right. And what do Sarah and Chessie think
0:41:34 > 0:41:37will be the score for their own home in Blymhill Lawn?
0:41:37 > 0:41:43- I'd say a three.- I might even go as low as a two, only because it is...
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- Yeah.- ..so very, very different and...- Definitely.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49We really enjoyed staying in your house.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52It has character, it has attention to detail
0:41:52 > 0:41:54and the colours are consistent throughout.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59But for day-to-day living, we think it's not very practical.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04So we're going to give the house a score of seven.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07- Wow.- They gave it a seven?!
0:42:07 > 0:42:12- I'm astonished.- I'm... Yeah.- That's very...
0:42:12 > 0:42:17- Very generous!- Very generous. Am I feeling guilty now?!
0:42:17 > 0:42:19I know! I'm starting to feel guilty!
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Well, you were tough scorers, ladies.
0:42:22 > 0:42:27That means Talib and Alessandra have a final score of 20
0:42:27 > 0:42:32and Sarah and Chessie have a total of 25 out of 30.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35So, Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire
0:42:35 > 0:42:38is today's Home Away From Home winner -
0:42:38 > 0:42:41but just by a cat's whisker(!)
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Have the scores affected the way our couples have found the swap?
0:42:46 > 0:42:50It is definitely changing the way we have experienced the house swap
0:42:50 > 0:42:55and we were always thinking that we would never wish to hurt anyone
0:42:55 > 0:42:59or we would never wish to hurt anybody's sensitivity.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02Unfortunately, cats aren't everyone's cup of tea.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05So, Chessie, would you do this experience again,
0:43:05 > 0:43:07do another home swap somewhere?
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- Definitely.- Yeah, me, too, actually. - Drop of a hat.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12Yeah, a fun, new, exciting adventure.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16I think it definitely turned out to be all of that and more,
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- so, yeah, it's been great. - Great fun.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21# Love cats
0:43:21 > 0:43:26# We missed you, hissed the lovecats
0:43:29 > 0:43:32# So wonderfully Wonderfully, wonderfully
0:43:32 > 0:43:33# Wonderfully pretty
0:43:34 > 0:43:38# Oh, you know that I'd do anything for you
0:43:40 > 0:43:42# We should have each other to tea, huh?
0:43:42 > 0:43:45# We should have each other with cream
0:43:45 > 0:43:48# Then, curl up near the fire and sleep for a while... #