Milton Keynes & Staffordshire Home Away from Home

Fantastic.

Families from across Britain are about to try home-swapping.

That's great, we can leave them with that.

Who's going to drive?

They don't know each other and they've no idea yet

where they'll be calling home for the next three days.

-Oh, wow.

-We're going to live on a ship.

Each family will have to suggest local places

for their home-swappers to visit, as well as a favourite restaurant.

I think the cream tea sounds a much better option, I'll just watch.

And they'll be scoring each other on the location, the day out

and their temporary home.

Only on their return will they get to see

who has been living in their house...

The mystery is about to be revealed.

..and find out who has provided the best home-swapping experience.

Here's to Taunton. Cheers.

Today, we're in Buckinghamshire with our first home-swappers -

Iraqi born Talib, who's an NHS surgeon,

and his Italian fiancee Alessandra, a research manager.

They live in Milton Keynes.

Together for four years, they met on the dance floor

at a local salsa group, as perhaps you can tell.

She kept on turning her head to the teacher, so I said to her,

"Excuse me, you are dancing with me not with him."

So I hated him.

That was the first, er, conversation.

But it took him a year before he convinced me to go out with him.

His persistence paid off as they now live together

in a grand detached house that Talib designed himself and had built

ten years ago in this picturesque spot overlooking Furzton Lake.

This house is big and bold, with six bedrooms,

each with their own style, a kitchen and two lounges,

to name just a few rooms,

as well as having the odd statue dotted around the place.

Here we go, you have here our soldier. He is the first guy

that's going to greet you when you come through the door.

It's the biggest toy of the house.

I managed to prevent, you know, the purchase of another one

because he wanted two of them.

A well-travelled couple, they have several mementos

around the house, as well as one or two...slippery creatures.

He likes frogs, he like tractors, so the whole house is

full of frogs. We've got over 100 frogs in the house.

100? Excuse me, I think I've got a frog in my throat now.

I think it's something to do with my childhood

because I was raised up in a village in the south of Iraq

and near the marshes and there were a lot of frogs around.

Decorated with strong, vibrant colours

which reflect their personality, each room has its own name.

The living room is, yes, you've guessed it, the Red Room.

It's also the entertainment centre of the house.

This is the maracas. It goes with the salsa rhythm.

The second one called the guido and it create

a kind of a frog-like sound, so...

WOOD CROAKS ROUGHLY

Oh, there are those frogs again.

Leaping upstairs, the master bedroom gives feature walls

a whole new meaning.

When I asked the painter to paint it, he freaked out.

A lot of people wouldn't put these colours together

but we believe in strong, um, matching...

-Strong colours.

-..strong colours.

But their pride and joy is the garden.

Even the Great British weather never dampens their spirits.

From hot tubs to pizza ovens, even a dance floor with a glitter ball.

For any party, they've got all the angles covered.

Although it's Talib and Alessandra's house,

it seems somebody else rules the roost.

My cat, her name is Amira, she was pregnant.

And when she was delivering the kittens,

he completely lost his mind and he called one of our friends

who is a nurse. So he literally got her out of bed at five o'clock

in the morning so that she could

come here and help with the delivery.

Close call there, Talib. Good job there's a doctor in the house.

Although this cosmopolitan couple have seen the world,

they're hoping a home-swap will give them

a taste of another part of the UK.

But certain scenarios won't go down too well.

A boat house in a canal or...

I can't see myself in such a narrow space.

We might be going to a farm where there would be some sheep and...

And that would make you happy.

..horses and some animals, that would be good.

Leave it with me and we'll see what we can do.

Our next home-swappers are Sarah and her daughter Chessie who live

in their 18th-century cottage in Blymhill Lawn, Staffordshire.

I would describe it as very much a traditional, old-fashioned cottage

from the outside, but once you come inside, it's very different

and it's very modern and a lot larger than people think.

17-year-old Chessie has just finished her A levels...

..while Sarah is a business-development and marketing consultant.

They've lived in their four-bedroom home for more than 20 years.

It is definitely quirky, not one single room is the same.

It's all higgledy-piggledy, sort of roof lines and...

There are beams floating around in all the rooms,

-most of the rooms, aren't there?

-Yeah, it's a lived-in family home.

But the hub of the home is the kitchen,

which is very much Sarah's domain.

Pride and joy really in the kitchen is I've got a Rayburn

but I do like to have friends over and cook for everybody.

I do love the kitchen,

it's probably my second favourite room in the house next to my room.

When it comes to relaxing, the family room hits the spot

but not any musical notes, apparently.

I play a little bit, but very badly.

And then we've got the snug next door, it's a really nice,

-cosy chill-out room, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Another place Sarah likes to chill out in is the master bedroom.

It's a nice, bright, airy space.

The best thing about it is the views in the morning

because you wake up in the morning,

have a cup of tea, sit on the bed and you can look

straight across Staffordshire that way and across the garden.

That is my mother, I do believe.

As you see, it's quite artistic, lots of people don't know it's me.

They will now.

The cottage is decorated in calming, neutral colours,

but when it comes to her personal space,

Chessie wanted to add her own stamp.

This is my bedroom. It's purple. I do love it,

yeah, I do love it.

-And this is the tidiest it's ever been.

-Yeah.

-Can I say that?

With Chessie just finishing her A levels,

it seems there's a reason for swapping.

With you going away to university soon, it'll be our last

sort of opportunity to spend a bit of time together.

What could be in store for our mother and daughter?

-Inner city.

-A city?

-I'm sure.

-A penthouse flat, swanky pants.

-Yeah.

Can't promise a penthouse, but all will be revealed very shortly.

Our swappers have trusted us to decide where they're going,

so it's a magical mystery tour.

No way is that suitcase going to shut.

My swimming shorts and I have my riding boots,

horse-riding boots, horse-riding helmet.

Yes, definitely all eventualities covered there.

No sign of a frog, though.

Now it's time to let our swappers know where they're heading.

Sarah and daughter Chessie are going south to the town of...Milton Keynes.

-Milton Keynes.

-Oh.

-I've been there.

-Oh, I haven't.

-Do you know where it is?

-No, maybe.

-OK.

-No, where is it?

It's down south, it's a new town, like Telford.

-Does it have shopping?

-Yeah, and it has...

-Is that where I know it from?

-And it has concrete cows.

Talib and Alessandra will soon be making their way to...Staffordshire.

-OK.

-Staffordshire?

I thought there is nothing there.

Yeah, well, you never know,

all places, they've got hidden gems in them, you know?

Exactly, Talib.

So, with their destinations revealed,

our curious swappers hand over their homes and hit the road.

Milton Keynes, here we come.

Sarah and Chessie are heading 95 miles south

to the town of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.

Buckinghamshire is known for its sweeping countryside

and luscious landscape.

The Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

covers a third of the county, with ancient woodland,

rolling hills and panoramic views to take your breath away.

Rich with history, there are traditional market towns

such as Olney, ideal for a pub lunch or an afternoon tea.

Talking of times gone by, you'll also find what was once Britain's

best-kept secret during World War II -

Bletchley Park.

Now a Heritage Site, it was once home to the famous Codebreakers.

And when it comes to secret locations,

Sarah and Chessie have just arrived at theirs.

-Our new home for the weekend.

-So, pretty garden.

I know, they've got a lot of greenery around, don't they?

-It's all very nice.

-Nice roses.

And those hanging baskets, they're very pretty.

Prettier than mine!

With the weather not being the best, it's a quick dash inside.

-Oh, it's a toy soldier.

-Oh.

-Hello.

-I was not expecting that one.

He sort of makes you want to go and hug him.

-Go and hug him, Chess.

-I'm not going to go hug him.

Meanwhile, up north, Talib and Alessandra are heading to

the village of Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire.

It's a landlocked county near the centre of England

where you can take to the waterways

on the miles of canals that run through it.

If you prefer to remain firmly on land, there's Cannock Chase,

an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

With its dramatic woodland

and abundance of wildlife, it's a haven for walkers and for cyclists.

Staffordshire is also home to Stoke-on-Trent

in the area known as The Potteries.

It's been at the heart of the pottery industry

since the 18th century.

For those of you who prefer adrenaline, thrills and excitement,

you'll find adventure parks such as Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Park.

And talking of excitement, Talib and Alessandra have just arrived

at their new home for the next few days.

-It looks pretty.

-It's beautiful.

-The house looks pretty.

It's beautiful, a lot of green fields.

It's a very quiet spot, I should think.

I just don't know what we're going to do here,

it's just so isolated. It's in the middle of nowhere.

Well, we have a car.

It seems to be going OK, I think.

But what will they make of it inside?

Oh, wow, I thought it'd be smaller.

-Oh, this is...

-That's quite nice.

This is the kitchen area, straight into the kitchen.

-Straight into the kitchen, yes.

-Yeah.

-It's quite warm.

It's very different from our kitchen, isn't it?

That's the polar opposite of our kitchen.

To help their new guests, each owner has put together a manual

filled with tips on the quirks of their homes.

"The cottage was built for the workers on the Balfour Estate

"and was originally one cottage, circa late..."

Wow. "..1800s."

-200 years plus?

-Yeah.

-OK.

Meanwhile, in Milton Keynes,

Sarah and Chessie are getting familiar

with their new home from home.

"It's the cat's house, we just pay the mortgage."

"Our home is full of love

"and we hope you'll enjoy the company of..." Four?!

-Four?

-"We have four"?!

-How are we going to distinguish between them?

-I don't know.

Cat got your tongue there, Sarah?

Little lady frog on a spring.

"Top doctor," so I'm assuming someone that lives here

-is a doctor, then.

-Maybe.

Full marks, Chessie.

In Blymhill Lawn,

Talib and Alessandra are sizing up the cottage.

I think they're making the most out of the space,

but I think the main thing about this room is the staircase

-and the little lights going around it.

-Yeah.

That's really nice, makes you feel like Christmas all year round.

In Milton Keynes, Sarah and Chessie are speculating about the owners.

There is very much an international feel as well

and not only are they just well-travelled

but I'd say even the colour schemes are very sort of South American.

In the living room they're definitely

getting into the rhythm of things.

-MARACA RATTLES

-This is like year six music class

when the teacher brings everything out.

-Oh. It's a thing.

-BELLS JINGLE

Do some jamming.

At the Staffordshire cottage, time for Talib and Alessandra

to tackle those spiral stairs.

I think, after two glasses of wine, I won't be able

to navigate these stairs.

Talib, look at this, there's a room here.

Yeah, let's have a look.

-Oh.

-Oh, health and safety.

-God.

-Very small, it's, er...

-Very small.

-We dance in our bedroom, Talib.

-We practise dancing, I know.

Where would we dance here?

Any clues as to who lives here?

Looking at the style of the shoes, there's a lot of animal print.

What I really think is that this probably was someone's

family house, their parents lived here and then they just took over.

Maybe Chessie's bedroom might be more up their street.

Definitely, like, teenager.

Our favourite colour, the purple.

That's true.

It feels like your own space where you can, you know,

write your secret diary, this kind of thing.

In Milton Keynes, leaving the maracas behind,

Sarah and Chessie have headed upstairs

to check out the master bedroom.

-Wow!

-Wow!

I actually like the lime and the purple, don't you?

I love how it's diagonal,

-like, it's not just a conventional, like, one strip or anything.

-Yeah.

-And it's like a...

-Very clear...

-..just cut it in half, yeah.

..division, it's lovely. More frogs.

And cats.

But just wait till they clap eyes on the, um, smallest room in the house.

CHESSIE GASPS

Oh, my God.

Wow, that's lovely,

that's big, that's huge.

Music whilst we bathe.

-MUSIC BLARES

-There you go!

I could literally spend an entire day in here, like,

I don't need the rest of the house. Just this one room will do me fine.

It's absolutely amazing in there, isn't it?

They're going to have such a shock

with our tiny little upstairs bathroom

when they walk in and it's like that big.

Well, that's coming up around about now.

Talib, the bathroom is a nightmare.

This is the smallest thing ever.

Oh, my God, look, one tiny sink.

Where is our Jacuzzi?

Yes, definitely not enough room to swing a cat. Talking of which,

Sarah and Chessie are trying to make friends in Milton Keynes.

Hello.

No, not interested, just wants to wash.

Just having a wash.

Oh, cat on the work surface.

You look disgusted, I'm not going to lie to you.

I would just be out here with my antiseptic Dettol spray and cloth

and wiping down everything

before I even got any food or prepped anything.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But it's their rules, their home, there you go.

-Off he pops.

-And off he pops.

House tours over, our swappers waste no time getting relaxed

in their temporary homes.

So, the first night in their house.

Cheers.

Next morning, for Sarah and Chessie in Milton Keynes,

breakfast isn't getting off to a good start.

Since when are toasters this difficult?

Going down, it's going down, it's going down.

What did you do?

-I've no idea.

-No!

Got there in the end.

How did you sleep last night, Chess?

I slept all right.

-I actually slept with two cats...

-Mmm.

..which is a first and probably a last.

We weren't woken up with the birdsong,

which is what we normally get back home.

Talking of your home.

I slept like a log.

Yeah, and, er, definitely the wine helped and it was,

er, it was nice to wake up to the view this morning.

When I woke up and I saw the view and green and yellow,

it looked like a Van Gogh painting.

Comparing a wet English morning with Van Gogh's

sun-drenched paintings, well, that's a first.

Breakfast done,

both sets of swappers are keen to check out the local area.

Sarah and Chessie are staying in Milton Keynes.

Milton Keynes was one of the first new towns

and sprung up in the late 1960s.

Famous for its grid system of roads

and leafy parks, it's well known

for its modern structures and many striking sculptures

and, with Silverstone racetrack on the doorstep,

there's never a dull moment.

I've lived here for 19 years, it's the most amazing city.

Old and new, it's got lots of open green spaces,

it's just a beautiful place to live.

And it's a safe, cycle-friendly city.

We've got a system of roadways, so you can cycle right the way...

right across the city without crossing any roads,

the roadways go under and over the roads, so it's a very good place.

It very much caters for young and old.

Fabulous places to eat, to shop, we have the theatre, cinemas,

ski slopes, a very interesting museum, there is just...

Art gallery,

there's just something for everyone to do here, you're never bored.

One thing to see in particular is Milton Keynes's most famous sight.

And here are the cows.

-That's quite cool.

-There's a funky one.

"The cows were once cynically..." Clinically? Cynically?

Yeah, cynically.

"..cynically said to symbolise a new town consisting

-"entirely of concrete."

-Ah-hah.

They have udders, though, a couple of them.

They do, otherwise they wouldn't be cows if they didn't have udders.

-Really?

-Yeah, they'd be bullocks and steers.

-I thought only female cows have.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Oh, oh.

-Yeah.

-I'm caught up, I'm caught up, never mind.

-Excellent.

While Chessie gets to grips with the birds and the bees in Milton Keynes,

Talib and Alessandra are milking the sights in the small

rural community of Blymhill.

Centred around St Mary's, a 14th-century church,

and the agricultural industry,

there's plenty to do, especially for those who love the hearty outdoors.

The best thing here is walking - walking along the canal.

The canal that goes through this village

is the Shropshire Union Canal.

Yeah, it's absolutely amazing living here. There's so much to do,

the people are friendly and it's a good community atmosphere.

Just a five-minute drive away is Weston Park House, once home to

the Earl of Bradford, and it's giving Talib and Alessandra house envy.

Oh, wow.

It's like a painting, isn't it?

And this old tree, it's majestic.

Spanning 1,000 acres, the garden was landscaped

by one of England's greatest gardeners, Capability Brown.

This garden is beautiful.

-I actually think I was born to live in a palace.

-Like this one.

-Yeah.

Well, why not? Still got plenty of time.

But can our ambitious aristocrats find their way through the maze?

-We should go this way.

-OK.

-Yeah.

To the right... Let's see.

I think you should not follow the obvious, that's the trick.

You might be on the road to nowhere, Talib.

-I think we should go this way.

-I think we're lost.

-Yeah.

I think you might be right.

No pain, no gain, so I think we should go this way.

And this way. We are almost there.

-Here we go!

-Hey!

-Got the middle.

-We've found the middle.

-Yay!

Now you just need to find your way out.

Good luck with that one.

Hey, hey, the exit, yes! Very good. Well done, Alessandra.

In Milton Keynes, Sarah and Chessie are discovering

there are more than concrete cows in this surprisingly-green town.

And it'd be nice, I guess, for people, if they lived by the lake,

they'd probably think they're in the country.

Yeah, if they're used to more urban settings.

In a peaceful frame of mind, Sarah and Chessie turn their thoughts

to scoring the area out of ten.

-Having the shopping centre so close, it's nice, it's...

-Yeah.

..easy access. It's very good.

And the lake was also a very pleasant surprise, wasn't it?

Yes, cos we weren't expecting it.

-It is beautiful.

-But we do feel it's like several other new towns.

There doesn't seem to be many unique features about it.

-So, I think, on that basis, we agree.

-We do.

-Overall, we will give it a score of...

-Five.

-..five.

How do Talib and Alessandra rate their time in Blymhill Lawn?

The area is very rural and we enjoyed walking

around the little sleepy village. It's very green and definitely

more green than where we live. And I think the score Alessandra is...

Yeah, because of these reasons,

we are going to give the area a score of eight.

So, Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire takes the lead, by three points.

To help our swappers get a taste of what's on offer in the area,

each couple is given an afternoon activity to try.

For Sarah and Chessie, in Milton Keynes, there's only one option.

"With the British F1 Grand Prix circuit just a short drive away,

"it's time to rev things up, as you try your hand at kart racing."

-Oh!

-Hey, how cool's that?

And what's in store for our wannabe lords of the manor?

"Now you've visited the local stately home, it's joust about time

"to try the noble sport of medieval jousting."

Do you know what that is?

It's that sport with horses and knights

and I'm not good at riding horses!

Well, you take it easy. Take it easy and slowly.

That's the spirit, Talib.

In Milton Keynes, a five-minute drive from their base,

Sarah and Chessie meet with instructor Ben James,

to get up to speed with go-kart racing.

-Morning, I'm Ben, nice to meet you.

-Sarah.

-Nice to meet you both.

-You've come here for some kart racing.

-Hooray!

Kart's are all ready and prepped.

-They do up to around 50mph. But don't worry.

-Do we race together?

-You will.

-OK, lots to avoid.

-Yes!

20 miles from Blymhill Lawn, Talib and Alessandra are all set

for a bit of jousting, at a stables in East Staffordshire.

But before letting them loose on the horses, Kimberley Josbury

gives them a trial on something a little more stationary.

Trying to keep the shoulders back a little bit.

Oh, Talib, you're a natural!

And just roll back through your pelvis a little bit there.

So, up a bit taller, leg over the back

and then just bend your knees as you land.

-Good, well done!

-But will Alessandra ride just like a princess?

Really good. One, two, one, two, one, two. Excellent.

FORMULA ONE TV THEME

Back on the racetrack, Sarah and daughter Chessie

are going bumper to bumper in a speed trial.

It's a family affair, so who will cross the finish line first?

Foot down, Chessie doesn't stall for a minute...

..and it's full speed ahead.

FORMULA ONE TV THEME

-First time, I spun off.

-Did I go past you?

-I took it too hard.

-Oh, there's a surprise(!)

I'm going along and I think, I'm just getting used to this,

I'm just getting the handle of it, but the next thing it's like

bumper cars and somebody comes straight up my bottom and knocks me.

At the chequered flag, it looks neck and neck.

-Who do you think got the fastest time?

-Me.

Ben's about to break it to you, ladies.

-You did it...

-Yes.

-..in one minute...

-Yeah.

-..36...

-309.

-Does that mean it's going to be close?!

Most novices are in and around that time, so you're not way off the pace

-for a novice.

-Oh, brilliant.

-OK.

-Sarah, you did it...

-Oh, no.

-Da-da-da!

-..in one minute...

-Yeah.

-..34.109.

-Yes!

-No!

-Congratulations! Well done.

-Thank you.

Never mind, Chessie. Your mum only just pipped you to the post.

Meanwhile, it's time to get saddled up, with Talib and Alessandra

getting kitted out and dressed for the occasion.

When it came to entertainment, jousting was top of the list

during the Middle Ages, with two knights aiming to send

their opponent flying off their horse with a lance.

Not sure that will go down too well with your fair maiden, Talib.

Let the tournament begin!

-Are you ready?

-I don't know.

-Hazar!

-Hold your horses, Talib.

Hazar!

And they're off!

Charge!

Will Talib be a knight in shining armour,

Alessandra a damsel in distress?

Striking blow, guys, brilliant.

Doesn't look like it.

Good job, guys.

Charge!

Striking blow, my lord!

At least they've come away in one piece.

The jousting was so much fun.

I mean, I have only seen it on the television and in movies,

but I never even thought I would do it one day,

-so it was really fantastic.

-It's been the highlight so far.

After an action-packed afternoon, both sets of swappers head home,

but first, they cast their eyes over

the local estate agents' windows.

In Staffordshire, Talib and Alessandra still have

their sights set on something stately.

-That one is a good one.

-Oh, wow!

-That...that's the...

-These are grand.

-0.8 acre-sized gardens. Impressive.

-It's a castle.

-I like that one.

In the area, on average, a terrace property

can cost about £89,000.

A semi, in the region of £119,000 and a traditional detached house,

if not a castle, around £222,000.

Down south in Milton Keynes, prices are somewhat higher.

290 for that - a four-bed terrace?

I wouldn't pay that, would you?

-So it's much more expensive here, but...

-Way more expensive, yeah.

..it's because it'll be commuter belt, proximity to London.

-Of course.

-So, we've got a nice house worth quite a bit of money

and down here, it wouldn't actually get us a great deal.

There you go.

Yes, there you go.

In Milton Keynes, a terraced house would cost you about £145,000,

while a semi would cost somewhere in the region of £171,000.

A good-sized detached property would set you back anything from

around £334,000.

It's been an eventful day and both couples are keen to unwind

at a local restaurant recommended by our swappers,

in the hope of gaining some extra points.

Sarah and Chessie have headed to a local Indian restaurant.

-Bit colonial looking. It's very big, isn't it?

-It is.

This is one of the biggest purpose-built Indian restaurants

in Europe and it's SO Milton Keynes.

Ah lovely, thank you. It's enormous and this is the starter.

Mm, well, I know, I was going to say this'll probably do me

-for the main course.

-This is... Yeah.

Wow. Really good.

I would come back to Milton Keynes just to come to eat here.

It is amazing.

Definitely.

After a day jousting, Talib and Alessandra must be

as hungry as a horse. Sorry, I couldn't resist that.

-That looks nice, Alessandra. Are you hungry?

-Very.

OK. Let's go.

This country pub is a hit with the locals.

-I will have...shank of lamb...

-OK, thank you.

..and the monk fish.

And it prides itself on using ingredients mainly sourced

from nearby farmers and butchers.

Mm.

Spicy?

Not really.

No, mine is not spicy. It's really lovely.

I'm happy to try some of yours.

-Mm, really nice, lovely.

-It is lovely.

The food seems to hit the spot and now scoring is back on the menu

for both our swappers. First up, Talib and Alessandra.

The day out was really a lot of fun. We did the jousting and we didn't

know what to expect, but we really enjoyed the experience.

And the restaurant was fantastic. The food was tasty

and we enjoyed every bit of it.

For all these reasons, we are going to score the day out, ten.

Ten?! Wow!

Are Sarah and Chessie equally enthusiastic about their day out

in Milton Keynes?

-I think it's been a really, really great day.

-I thought, yeah.

The karting was amazing. The restaurant has been brilliant food.

It's sounding good.

So, I think because of that,

because maybe our expectations weren't that we were going to have

-such fun in a new town...

-Yeah.

-..and a modern city, which is

very contrasting to where we were, I think, we give it, go for it...

-Oh!

-..a ten.

-Go for a ten?

-I think so.

-OK.

I think we'll go for a ten.

Another ten. Two full scores. Well, that's a record.

So, Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire now takes the lead

by just three points,

but there's still the all-important scoring of the homes to come.

It's the final day and the couples are getting ready to head home.

What are their final thoughts of their swap?

It's been really lovely, actually, spending time with Chessie.

I don't get to spend a great deal of time, just the two of us.

It's really a good thing to do, you know,

in the light that she's going away very soon.

So yes, thank you, it was lovely.

And Alessandra has had a rethink about the cottage.

I have gradually warmed up to this house.

I really enjoyed cooking in the kitchen.

It felt really homely and warm.

It felt like a family house.

So their first home swap has come to an end.

Our couples head back towards their own home sweet homes.

House swapping is a cost-effective way of seeing somewhere new,

whether it be for a weekend, a week or longer.

A decent B&B near Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire

would cost around £180 for a double for two nights,

whereas in Milton Keynes, it would set you back around £210.

Our swappers are back in the comfort of their own homes.

-Hey!

-Hey, babies!

-Hey, beautifuls!

Hey.

-Hello, Isa.

-Hey!

And they finally get to see who's been staying

and what they made of their home.

First to view is Sarah and Chessie.

Hi, I'm Talib, I am 49 years old and this is my lovely fiancee.

Hello, I'm Alessandra. I am 32, and Talib and I have been together

for four years.

I work as a consultant surgeon for the NHS.

I work as a project manager at the Open University

and I love reading and salsa dancing.

Bits of it, we got. We got surgeon, we got the doctor.

-We said dancing.

-Dancing.

-We did.

-It looks pretty.

-It's beautiful.

-The house looks pretty.

-It's beautiful.

-I just don't know what you're going to...what we're

going to do here. It's just so isolated.

Did make me giggle when they said, "What are we going to do?

"It's really quiet, there's nothing to do here."

-Oh, no. OK.

-You took them upstairs.

-You took them up the spiral stairs,

-come on!

-That's mean.

I think, after two glasses of wine, I won't be able to navigate

-these stairs.

-Talib, look at this. Oh, my God!

-Oh!

-Oh! Health and safety.

-God.

She fell down the steps! You should have put a sign up,

saying mind the step. How were they meant to know that

-there's a step there?

-OK, my fault. I didn't think.

-I feel bad.

Talib, the bathroom is a nightmare.

This is the smallest thing ever.

Oh, my God. Look. One tiny sink.

If I could choose between our bathroom and their en-suite,

-I would, every single day, every single day, have theirs.

-Yeah.

Next up is Sarah and Chessie's verdict on their swap.

Hi, I'm Sarah. I'm 48 years of age.

Hi, I'm Francesca. I'm 17 years old

and, hopefully, going to go off to university in September.

-We could see that there would be a teenager in that house.

-Yeah.

-So, the purple room must be Francesca's.

-Francesca's room, yeah.

Our new home for the weekend!

-So, pretty gardens.

-I love these hanging baskets,

-they're very pretty.

-Prettier than mine!

I spend the whole summer watering them.

Oh, my God!

Wow, music whilst we bathe.

-MUSIC PLAYS

-There you go.

They're going to have such a shock with our tiny little

upstairs bathroom, when they walk in and it's, like, that big!

-BOTH:

-Yes, we did!

Oh, cat on the work surface.

You look disgusted, I'm not going to lie to you!

I would just be out here with my antiseptic Dettol spray

and cloth and wiping down everything.

-There's nothing to disinfect.

-I studied microbiology.

Yes, but you need to have a little bit of dirt around you,

because that keeps your immune system stimulated all the time.

They've now seen their guests look around their house,

but which swap will come out on top? What is Talib and Alessandra's

verdict on Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire?

The area is very rural, definitely more green

than where we live and I think the score, Alessandra...

Yeah, because of these reasons, we are going to give the area

a score of eight.

-Oh, that's nice.

-That's really kind, yeah.

-Yeah, that is.

What about the day out, the activity and their dinner?

The day out was really a lot of fun. We did the jousting and we

didn't know what to expect, but we really enjoyed the experience.

And the restaurant was fantastic. The food was tasty

and we enjoyed every bit of it.

For all these reasons, we are going to score the day out, ten.

We actually said that they were fun people, didn't we?

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-We could tell from their home,

but, yeah, that's good. I'm really pleased.

So far, that gives a total of 18 for Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire.

But what do Sarah and Chessie think of Milton Keynes?

-Having the shopping centre so close, it's nice.

-Yeah.

It's easy access, it's very good.

And the lake was also a very pleasant surprise, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-When we were driving up, it is beautiful.

There doesn't seem to be many unique features about it,

-so I think on that basis, we agree...

-We do.

..overall, we will give it a score of...five.

-That's quite low.

-Mm.

I think response is to say, they just need to spend more time here.

And when it comes to their day out, their activity and their dinner?

-We're in Milton Keynes.

-We are.

-We're in an area that, perhaps, we didn't necessarily expect...

-No.

-..to have...

-Definitely not.

-..such a great experience.

-Yeah.

So, I think, because of that, because maybe our expectations

-weren't that we were going to have such fun in a new town...

-Yeah.

and a modern city, which is very contrasting to where we were,

-I think we give it, go for it...

-Oh!

-..a big ten.

-Go for a ten?

-I think so.

-OK. I'm up for that.

-We'll go for a ten.

I am surprised that people just have these, kind of,

preconceived ideas about places.

But that's the whole idea of the home swapping,

-to give the people the opportunity to...

-Yes.

..to change their minds!

So Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire has 18 points

and Milton Keynes, 15.

With only three points in it, now the all-important decider -

the score for the house.

First up is Sarah and Chessie's verdict on the six-bedroom mansion.

It's a very modern house. Very, very spacious.

The en-suite bathroom is amazing as well. Really, really, really nice!

However, the clutter of the frogs on every possible surface

and the fact that the cats free-roam throughout everywhere

is not really, sort of, our cup of tea.

No, so, therefore, we're going to score this house a five.

I think they can stay in their own house.

That is horrible!

Now, I have to say it's a horrible reaction to the cats.

They are living creatures and, for us, they are family.

And the thing that hurts me is that they haven't even considered

the connection between us and our little creatures.

Everybody is entitled to his own opinion.

That is not going to change our affection to our cats.

They're our family.

Quite right. And what do Sarah and Chessie think

will be the score for their own home in Blymhill Lawn?

-I'd say a three.

-I might even go as low as a two, only because it is...

-Yeah.

-..so very, very different and...

-Definitely.

We really enjoyed staying in your house.

It has character, it has attention to detail

and the colours are consistent throughout.

But for day-to-day living, we think it's not very practical.

So we're going to give the house a score of seven.

-Wow.

-They gave it a seven?!

-I'm astonished.

-I'm... Yeah.

-That's very...

-Very generous!

-Very generous. Am I feeling guilty now?!

I know! I'm starting to feel guilty!

Well, you were tough scorers, ladies.

That means Talib and Alessandra have a final score of 20

and Sarah and Chessie have a total of 25 out of 30.

So, Blymhill Lawn in Staffordshire

is today's Home Away From Home winner -

but just by a cat's whisker(!)

Have the scores affected the way our couples have found the swap?

It is definitely changing the way we have experienced the house swap

and we were always thinking that we would never wish to hurt anyone

or we would never wish to hurt anybody's sensitivity.

Unfortunately, cats aren't everyone's cup of tea.

So, Chessie, would you do this experience again,

do another home swap somewhere?

-Definitely.

-Yeah, me, too, actually.

-Drop of a hat.

Yeah, a fun, new, exciting adventure.

I think it definitely turned out to be all of that and more,

-so, yeah, it's been great.

-Great fun.

# Love cats

# We missed you, hissed the lovecats

# So wonderfully Wonderfully, wonderfully

# Wonderfully pretty

# Oh, you know that I'd do anything for you

# We should have each other to tea, huh?

# We should have each other with cream

# Then, curl up near the fire and sleep for a while... #