South Glamorgan & Gloucestershire Home Away from Home

Ah! Wow.

Families from across Britain are about to try home swapping.

I don't mind the odd mansion, you know!

They don't know each other and have no idea yet where they'll be

calling home for the next three days.

Honey, honey, honey, honey, look at that.

God, it's fantastic.

Each family will have to suggest local places for their home swappers

to visit, as well as a favourite restaurant.

Oh, perfect.

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

and their temporary home.

This is my life being changed irrevocably!

Only on their return will they get to see who has been

living in their house...

We will score her ten.

Oh, Jill, that's fantastic!

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

-And, I think, here's to house swapping.

-Here's to house swapping.

Our first home swappers live in the South West

in the small village of Bisley in Gloucestershire.

Meet artists Andrew and his 26-year-old daughter Camilla.

Well, the only thing really to finish off in the house

is the ceiling of the bathroom, which I was going to paint.

Yes, we'll have to do a fresco each.

Andrew is an art historian and painter,

while Camilla makes sculptures,

and their home has become an exhibition space for both of them.

We didn't need this room and it was more like something that

was in my head that I wanted to create.

I started off with having these five columns

and everything kind of fell around that.

Do you think loads of people will think this is vulgar?

Yes.

SHE LAUGHS

Andrew bought this five-bedroom historic mill eight years ago

with his late wife.

My wife, as she came down the hill for the first time and saw it,

she burst into tears, because it was tears of joy.

It was just love at first sight, and then I fell in love with it too.

They painstakingly restored the mill to its former glory,

with some unique twists.

In my dotage, in my death bed, I will receive guests there, which is

the old thing that they used to do in the 18th and 17th century.

You would receive people in bed, and I look forward to the day.

But you use it now for when you've eaten too much.

Oh, yeah, maybe... Do I?

As an art historian and painter, there's nothing in this property

that hasn't been placed without a great deal of thought.

I think Dad's style is full of castings and antiques and...

like the apple tables and strange objects.

I think really beautiful as well.

Maybe that's why I do sculpture.

I've been brought up in that kind of strange place.

This wonderful piece of history boasts a vast, modern kitchen/diner,

main reception room, five bedrooms,

a garden with a stream

and plenty of staircases.

I think they could get a bit lost.

Cos there are so many different staircases.

But I think once you learn all the staircases you get used to it.

And it's quite easy and fun

that you can choose which way you want to walk to a room.

It's a variety!

Well, you could call it that.

So which parts are most treasured by this arty father-and-daughter duo?

-This is Mum's living room, I think.

-Yeah.

Cos she designed this and did all the decor for this one.

-Yeah.

-Got all her, like, things that she...

-Yeah.

..liked in it, so that's why we call it, like, her little sitting room.

And what is Andrew's favourite piece?

A beautiful statue, perhaps, or a rare painting.

This door, when I got it, was... this back was really rotten.

These are old 17th-century floorboards

that I, er, restored it with.

It was literally falling off its hinges,

and then, going outside... Shall we open the door?

And this is like...it's a bit like the jewellery for the house,

extraordinary piece of work with a seraph in there and a green man.

This dad certainly knows his door knockers.

These creatives have clear designs on their ideal home swap.

I think it will be fun to go somewhere modern,

somewhere that is quite different to here.

And on a day like today it would be lovely to go to the seaside.

You'll find out your destination shortly.

Our next swapper is retired teacher Christine,

who lives in a village called Gwaelod-y-Garth in South Wales.

This actually used to be the shop

and people used to come in over there, that used to be a front door.

And they'd come in here, it was absolutely full, counter was full,

so this room was very much cut off from the rest of the house.

And I use it... As you can see, light comes in here,

it's a wonderful place to work in.

And I can also be nosey without being obvious too.

Amateur artist Christine bought this 1850s post office

ten years ago with her late husband.

They lovingly restored it to its current glory.

I would say it's eclectic, it reflects...my oddities.

Things that I'm interested in.

The artwork... are done by people from my family,

I have a very artistic family.

This one over here is actually by my youngest son.

But I try and put things up that I like

rather than things that might be worth masses of money.

Nestled in the Welsh Valleys,

this former post office has been transformed into

a three-bedroom property with a beautifully maintained garden.

My house is full of flowers, I love flowers.

You go in the garden, you'll see the garden's full of flowers.

But I'm not very good on house plants.

Every room that you will go into will have lots and lots of plants

but none of them are real, they're all artificial flowers.

They remind me of summer, that's why I do it, even in the winter.

There you are.

And to allow her to enjoy her garden plants, come rain or shine,

she has the ultimate installation.

Erm, in here is the conservatory, which is many respects is

the thing that brings the house to life.

It's a real sort of crowning glory, it allows you

even in the middle of winter to have a look at the garden,

and I use the telescope,

something I never thought I would do when I was younger,

I have to admit - wouldn't have been cool - to sit and watch the birds.

It's brilliant.

Joining Christine on her house-swapping adventure is

a specially invited guest, best friend Andre.

Do you know what these are called?

Red roses.

SHE LAUGHS

I don't know!

I'm sure they've got a name.

I'm sure they have, but I don't know!

You know I don't garden like that. Cor...

Well, we've actually known each other for 50 years this year,

and I was 16 when I met Christine and she was 12

and the age difference seemed enormous then

but now she feels a bit older than I do, really, don't you?

These two best friends have clear aspirations for their home swap.

You can be a different person for a while, and that's always exciting.

Yeah. What would be great would be something just modern.

It's totally different, because I've not done, really, modern.

Well, we'll see if we can deliver.

You'll find out where you're heading soon enough.

Uh-oh, I think I'm full.

-Yeah, do you want a hand?

-Yeah.

True to form, our home swappers have bravely trusted us

to decide their destinations.

So, with a final dust and sweep of the floors, let's tell them

where they're heading.

First up, Andrew and Camilla...

are going to South Wales.

-Oh, good, yes.

-That's where I was hoping for...

-Yeah. Yeah, you were.

-..to go to South Wales.

-Yeah, that's a pleasure.

I always think it would look like Lord Of The Rings, but I don't know.

It is a bit, isn't it? Yeah.

And best buds Christine and Andre...

are going to Gloucestershire.

-We're going to Gloucestershire, fantastic.

-Actually, that's lovely,

-I lo... Gloucestershire is beautiful, that's really good.

-Yes.

Leaving your guests a tidy house and a thoughtful welcome

is a wonderful way to help them feel instantly at ease in your home.

Bolted and locked, it's time to hand over their keys

and get on their way.

Andrew and Camilla are making their way 65 miles southwest

to Gwaelod-y-Garth in South Glamorgan.

Here in this county there's an enchanting multi-layered marriage

of lush countryside, dramatic coastline and scenic valleys.

But if bustling cities are more your thing it's also home to Cardiff,

the capital city of Wales.

As one of 13 historic counties,

it's known for its abundance of medieval castles

and rugged peaks, enticing visitors from near and far.

Popular with walkers is Garth Hill...

Gwaelod-y-Garth.

..where nestled at its foot

sits Andrew and Camilla's home away from home.

Ah, this is cute!

Ooh, Dad, they've got stained glass, look.

Yes, and there is actually still an old postbox on the building.

Do you reckon...

-No longer in use.

-..we can access that...

from inside?

Oh, Dad, we've got the same cushion.

Really?

-Yeah, look. It's a home away from home.

-Oh, yes, yes.

Meanwhile, friends Christine and Andre

are heading east across to Bisley in Gloucestershire.

With rich, fertile meadows fed by the River Severn

and the entire ancient Forest of Dean finding its roots here,

it's unsurprising that more than half of this county is

designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The striking Cotswold hills supply its villages with

a wealth of limestone dating back from the Jurassic period,

creating its distinctive architecture.

With historic sights, breathtaking scenery

and secluded rural retreats, the Cotswolds have famously

inspired generations of writers like Jane Austin and Laurie Lee.

Right. To the left, down here.

Here in Bisley, Christine and Andre set eyes on their hidden,

18th-century rural escape.

-This is really rustic, isn't it?

-Oh, ponies. Oh, this is amazing.

Ooh, what an adventure.

Oh, yeah, this I like!

Wow.

This is going to be good.

It does actually look lovely.

Oh, Chris, look at the roof and the stonework.

-That is amazing, isn't it?

-And the stream.

Looks very old.

I mean, I'm sure they must have done some work but it is so,

so beautiful.

As Christine and Andre stand in awe of the great mill,

over in South Wales

Camilla and Andrew have finished window browsing and are heading in.

-Oh, nice stairs. Look, they're all old and wooden.

-Yeah.

-Ahh, we didn't leave them a note.

-Oh.

"Dear guest, hope you enjoy the house, make yourself at home."

-Christine...

-Christine and Andre.

We'll have to start calling you Andre, Andrew!

So they're from France... do you think?

Christine is French as well.

While Camilla wrongly identifies Andre as a man,

in Gloucestershire Christine and her very female friend

are keen to see beyond the medieval doors.

OK, here we go.

That's it, give it some welly, Christine.

Oh, wow.

Look at that, isn't it amazing?

Really, really, really lovely.

I can't believe it. And the beams, aren't they gorgeous?

The whole thing. Very different to your house.

Totally different.

Both sets of swappers have left a manual for their guests,

crammed full of tips to help them find their feet during their stay.

"A bit about our home.

"After receiving an inheritance, I knew that this old ruin of a mill

"was exactly what we wanted. It was love at first sight."

Manuals in hand, our swappers set out to explore their new dwellings.

Across the border in Wales,

Camilla and Andrew are drawn to the heart of the old post office.

Ooh, this is her, erm...workshop.

It's her studio, isn't it?

I keep thinking it's Christine that makes this

but it could be Andre, couldn't it?

-Although it looks quite...girly.

-No, it's definitely Christine.

Look, so does she melt down those beads?

-It's really nice.

-There's her glass everywhere, isn't there?

-Yeah.

I wonder what he does, if he does something as well.

That he is a she.

While Camilla seeks inspiration for her sculptures,

Andrew's eye is drawn to something ancient.

Oh, I like the safe from the old post office, isn't that lovely?

-Do you think we can crack it open?

-THEY LAUGH

-Go for it.

-I don't want to break it.

-Oh, it's all her jewels.

-Yeah, yeah.

Her gems.

It's a marvellous lock.

So, amongst the antique treasure,

are there any clues to their host's identity?

Well, she's won awards for teaching.

Oh, for what? Teaching what?

Regional Winner London, and then up here there's a teaching award

-with a sort of Art Deco thing.

-Oh, wow, yeah.

Good work, Detective Andrew.

Back in Gloucestershire,

Christine and Andre are making their way

through the labyrinth of the mill.

Amazing kitchen.

-That really is lovely.

-Very roomy.

Looks very, very grand in here, doesn't it?

Get the feeling perhaps there are kids here.

Just lots of little bits and pieces, little...

Things like the blown eggs you do with children, don't you?

Yes, that's right.

Keen to see where they'll sleep tonight,

Christine and Andre climb the grand stairs.

Oh, my goodness.

Oh, oh, oh.

That's so super, isn't it? En-suite bathroom.

En-suite... No, I actually like the bath there

because you get a fantastic view out and nobody's going to see you.

I really like this,

this is somebody's house that they have just put themselves into.

Yeah.

Also on the search upstairs,

over in South Wales

Camilla's keen to find where she'll be sleeping tonight.

I like this room.

Yeah, that's lovely.

-I could have this.

-And a view out onto the garden.

And I think they've got a sewing machine,

so she must make all the quilts.

I'd like to think it's him that does all this, though!

And you're still totally off radar.

Next, the piece de resistance.

-Wow!

-Yeah.

-Garden is stunning, isn't it?

-Oh, gosh.

They've got their telescope like yours, Dad.

Yeah, though this is much superior.

Hmm. Oh!

It's... It's angled on, erm, a bird feeder and there's a bird on it.

-Oh, I see.

-Look, come quick! So maybe they're bird-watchers as well.

-Yes, definitely.

-These guys do a lot of things.

Back in Gloucestershire, Christine and Andre are admiring the garden.

-Oh, look.

-I like that. Look at that little tunnel.

Oh, is that... Oh, with the stream. And look at that over there.

-That is wonderful.

-Absolutely amazing.

A lovely place to sit here, it's like a little fairy dell, isn't it?

It is.

In this mythical warren, there's one room they're yet to discover.

Look at that door.

But it looks as though it's fitted there, doesn't it?

That is wonderful, actually, that really is a wonderful door.

-Oh-ho-ho!

-Oh, my goodness!

-Oh, my goodness!

-That is not what I had expected!

I didn't expect this at all!

Oh, good heavens.

Totally amazing.

And...look, look, look. Look up there.

-That, yes.

-What an amazing...

I think that's quite to die for, really, a bed like that.

-Look at that.

-With the lion and the unicorn.

-Yeah, it's just brilliant.

The Henry VIII business, yeah.

So would you fancy sleeping in that, under the canopy?

Oh, I could sleep in here, yes!

We might fight each other over this room, I think.

We'll leave them to battle it out.

Like kindred spirits, both swappers have chosen to

take in the day's last light.

This is good, I need this.

I wonder how they're going to manage the house.

Very different, I think. I hope they're going to be all right.

-It's quite different.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

Over in Wales, Andrew and Camilla are keen to

spend their evening getting to grips with the local lingo.

Do you think you can pronounce this, Milla? The Welsh?

-What, the name of the...

-The village.

-Is this the name of the valley?

-Gwaelod-y-Garth. Gwaelod-y-Garth?

Gwaelod-y-Garth.

Gwaelod-y-Garth...Garth.

Hmm.

Refreshed from their first night's sleep...

Oh, wow.

..our home swappers are adjusting to their new surroundings.

Did you get lost last night walking round the house?

Because I certainly did!

I'd sort of go up some stairs

and think, "Where have I got to now," y'know?

Kept discovering new rooms and then opening some doors

and realising it's not a room, it's a cupboard, so close that one...

Their thoughts turn to the overcast skies.

-I hope it will clear up...

-Mm.

-..later,

cos it looks quite damp.

Yeah. Well, this is Wales.

Oh, what a fantastic setting, I mean, y'know,

running stream, that beautiful building next to us...

We could be in the Mediterranean or somewhere like that, couldn't we?

With the weather holding out, both sets of swappers are keen to

get out and explore.

SHE LAUGHS

As you go past you can really smell the lavender, that's lovely.

Andrew and Camilla are staying in a quaint village

hidden in the South Wales Valleys.

Everybody gets the Gwaelod-y-Garth wrong.

It's called Gwaelod...y...Garth.

Yeah, it's not an easy one but, erm, yeah, it's fab.

In Welsh, Gwaelod-y-Garth means "Foot of the Garth",

as it's overlooked by the impressive Garth Hill,

hidden in the scenic Taff Valley.

Just seven miles north of Cardiff

and with the motorway a stone's throw away,

there's plenty to do in one of Wales' best-kept secrets.

Nearby the Taff River flows to greet gorgeous Welsh countryside,

making it perfect for leisurely walks.

Once occupied by a booming coal-mining industry,

it's jam-packed with historical architecture

from stony miners' houses to Gothic castles.

Well, I'd describe the local area

as a little bit of the countryside in the heart of Cardiff.

You can actually see the Millennium Stadium

if you just walk down the road.

It's not that far away but you get all the benefit of country living,

and I think that's the very attractive thing about this place.

Along the Taff Valley, Andrew and Camilla discover

a truly unique part of Wales' natural history.

Ah, right, look, Taff's Well, home of Wales' only thermal spring.

So shall we look over here and see?

A popular hot spot for visitors since Roman times, the well's water

was believed to be a magic tonic with healing properties.

Wow.

Ooh.

-RECORDED MESSAGE:

-Welcome to Taff's Well,

or, "Croeso i Ffynnon Taf," as we say in Wales.

Before you is one of our most unusual natural wonders.

Gather round as I tell you about this wondrous place.

The spring emerges from the eastern side of the River Taff

and it's said to be rainfall from more than 5,000 years ago.

It surfaces from deep underground at around 21 degrees centigrade.

-Goodbye. Da bo

-chi. Da bo chi.

-THEY LAUGH

Yeah, that was fun.

Good Welsh accent, I love it.

It could do with a new lick of paint, couldn't it?

-Perhaps you'd come and paint a fresco for them.

-SHE LAUGHS

While Andrew and Camilla mull over a colour scheme,

Christine and Andre are exploring the mill's local area on foot.

Here in Gloucestershire, overlooking the valley of Stroudwater,

is the hilltop village of Bisley.

Just four miles east of Stroud,

it's rich in striking Cotswold-stone buildings set amidst lush farmland.

Living in Gloucestershire is absolutely great, isn't it, Mum?

-Yes, it is.

-Yes, there's so many things to do.

We've got the Royals in Gloucestershire,

you don't have to go far to be out in the middle of the countryside.

It's fantastic, come and try it.

Many of the village's winding lanes

lead directly into this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

and around every corner lie nuggets of history to enthral,

from the towering 14th-century church

to inns that have survived several centuries.

The village itself hosts a small, close-knit community, residing

in a range of characterful large properties to beautiful cottages.

I've been living here 29, 30 years now.

Had a family here, they've all moved to London

and they all want to come back.

Christine and Andre pop into a family-run farm shop

renowned for their unique range of local honey.

Something that gives beekeeper Andre a particular buzz.

But you have actually got to say...

So I would have thought that that actually would...

If it's heather honey it has to... I think there's a certain percentage.

And that's stickier... You can see, isn't it,

it's a lot stickier than that, which is quite runny.

Excuse me, is it possible to have a taste of the honey?

-Yes, certainly.

-Oh, that's good.

-As you can see, different colours.

-Yeah.

A lot depends on where the bees work the honey.

So it's different plants that they go to?

-Yeah, different plants.

-OK.

-Let me put that on there.

-Oh, wow.

So you want to try a bit?

Well, it's lovely.

The Dickenson family has produced honey for about 50 years

and it's all collected from beehives kept within a 15-mile

radius of their shop.

Resident farmer Keith Dickenson

is only too happy to share his knowledge.

When you look at your hive

and the bees have been going through the different plants,

do you actually see that there's... that the honey's a different colour?

-You can do.

-You can?

When you get dandelion honey, and up here you get quite

a bit of that cos of the grass, and that's very, very orangey.

I've had ragwort honey.

When the bees are working that you walk in the apiary

and you can just smell ragwort, and it's really...sickly orange, almost.

Well, thank you. I've learnt a lot.

Interesting, yeah. Thank you very much indeed.

To add some flavour, our home swappers are going to score

each other's areas.

Has this morning in Gwaelod-y-Garth been just the right tonic

for Camilla and Andrew?

The beauty of the countryside and the walk by the River Taff

and seeing the thermal spring, it's a wonderful area.

But in the background there is the noise of the motorway,

which brings it down a little bit.

So I would say seven and a half out of ten.

-Yes, seven and a half I think's a fair score.

-OK?

And how do Christine and Andre rate their taster of Bisley's delights?

Because the area is so beautiful,

both the landscape and in the villages,

we're going to give it a really high score, I think.

We're going to give it a score...nine.

So Bisley takes the lead by one and a half points.

Now, to help give our swappers an enhanced experience of

what's on offer, they're both given an afternoon activity to try.

What's in store for Andrew and Camilla in South Wales?

Today we'd like you to sing in a local choir.

I'll tell you what, my wife will be absolutely splitting her sides

-from beyond the grave, because...

-She would love it, though, she loves...

-She had the most amazing voice.

-And we could never get you to sing.

And I am an absolute loser when it comes to singing.

And what will Christine and Andre be doing in Gloucestershire?

Right.

"It's time to roll up your sleeves

"because you'll be learning the ancient craft...

"of yurt making."

That is going to be good!

I thought it might have been yoghurt!

I thought it was yoghurt for a moment too!

Just a mile from the mill, Christine and Andre are joining

a Gloucester-based master yurt maker, Hal Wynne-Jones,

whose passion for yurts was ignited

by seeing a picture of one 30 years ago.

Wasting no time, Hal gets them preparing the wood.

And you don't actually use too much effort by...

You don't use... No, cos it's quite nice soft green wood

and it's a very sharp tool, so...

Oh, my goodness!

-It's like butter, isn't it?

-It is.

Yurt means dwelling and is a nomadic shelter

lived in for thousands of years by tribes in East and Central Asia.

You look as though you were a yurt maker in a former life.

Oh, definitely.

-Do you want a job?

-WOMEN LAUGH

After preparing the sides of the yurt, it's on to the roof ring.

Put a fair bit of force behind it and you'll feel it starting

-to sink in...

-Oh, yes.

-Yes, yeah?

-Yeah, it's...

You don't want to wobble it because then you'll alter the angle...

-Oh, sorry. Oh, of course I will, yeah.

-..so you just plunge it in.

Nice.

Oh, yes, very nice.

So you can feel that sinking in, yeah?

Yeah, you could.

Looks like Christine has the job in the bag!

OK, so you've seen some of the basic techniques

for putting together a yurt,

so let's now go and put that one up like I said that I prepared earlier.

-OK!

-OK, right.

CHOIR SINGS

Over in South Wales,

Andrew and Camilla are joining resident Ted Tidman

and the locally run Llantrisant Male and Ladies Choirs.

The choir's history traces back more than a century

and this community group is keen to keep their heritage alive.

It was really beautiful.

Good. And I'm sure you're going to add to that, both.

-Yeah, I don't know if we can sing, but...

-It's daunting.

-Daunting!

-LAUGHTER

Singing is one thing. Singing in Welsh is another.

They'll be learning the words of the Calon Lan,

a 19th-century Welsh hymn often sung at rugby matches.

Nid wy'n gofyn.

Nid wy'n gofyn.

Brilliant! Aur y byd.

Aur y byd.

She's got a better ear than I've got, I must say.

Roddi i mi.

-Roddi i mi.

-Galon lan.

Galon lan.

Excellent.

I wonder if your father can follow that.

A nervous Andrew has a go.

Nid wy'n gofyn.

Nid wy'n gofyn.

Bywyd moethus.

Bywyd moethus.

Gywyd moethus.

Tecach yw na'r lili dlos.

Tecach yw na'r la...lili...los?

Canu'r dydd.

Canu'r thee.

-Canu'r dydd.

-Oh, canu'r dydd.

-A chanu'r nos.

-A chanu'r nos.

-Let's start again.

-OK, then.

Let's have another go at it.

While Andrew and Camilla work on their Welsh,

back in Gloucestershire,

Christine and Andre's yurt is about to take shape.

It's sort of like in a magician show.

LAUGHTER

The first step in making a yurt is creating a circular lattice wall,

held in place by a tent band.

The pattern goes onto... on the inside, facing inwards.

No, that's like that. That's right.

Topped with a conical roof,

this is the spine of a portable shield against the elements.

And up it goes.

Wow.

This is a...fiddly bit.

-It's really feeling like a house, isn't it?

-It is.

Next, a covering of canvas.

Brilliant!

So there's a little bit at the back which is still open

and what we got here is... Central Asian air conditioning.

LAUGHTER

-That's great.

-It's brilliant.

-You get the principle anyway, yeah.

A final flourish of traditional felt and rugs and the yurt is complete.

-So you now know a bit more about yurts...

-I do, yes.

-..than you did when you first arrived.

-A lot more.

And you know what? We've got to take it down in a minute!

THEY SING

Back with the Welsh choir, Andrew and Camilla are getting warmed up.

This is the ultimate performance, right?

OK, the one that'll get us to the Royal Albert Hall.

MAN LAUGHS

Led by conductor Matthew Nash,

Andrew and Camilla embrace the celebrated words of the Calon Lan.

THEY SING IN WELSH

My wife in...from her heavenly position will...

would be thinking, "Well done!"

You know, getting me to sing.

Or laughing!

I was terrified but I enjoyed myself.

The sound of the Welsh choir is beautiful.

It pulls your heart open, so I love it.

On their way home, both sets of swappers can't resist a sneaky peek

to see how the local property prices compare to their own.

I think the prices...

They're not bad, but...they're a bit expensive, I think.

To buy in Gloucestershire, a classic terrace goes for around £145,000.

You can buy a semi for around £175,000,

but for a detached you're looking at around £316,000.

Here in South Wales, the average house price is a little lower.

-This one's really nice, actually.

-This is a bit like a face.

There's a lot of blue sky in the photos,

which is quite rare in Wales.

-SHE LAUGHS

-You can't say that!

In Glamorgan, a classic terrace costs around £117,000.

A semi goes for about £157,000

and for a detached property you're looking at around £276,000.

After a busy day, our swappers need to refuel.

Both our hosts have suggested a favourite eatery for this evening.

Christine and Andre's hosts have recommended

a charming Cotswolds hideaway just 15 minutes from the mill.

Oh, look how lovely that is.

-This looks as if it's going to be very good.

-It is, isn't it?

-Yeah.

The menu offered here highlights a close connection with local farmers

and classic British dishes.

-For the main, could I do the stone bass?

-Yeah, the stone bass.

-And can I have a spring salad?

-And for yourself?

And could I have the beetroot?

Looks very nice. And that's got the goat's cheese in it,

which is lovely. And may I have the sea bream with samphire?

-And the sea bream.

-Thank you.

-Is that crayfish, I think?

-Mm.

-Is it nice?

-That's very nice.

-Ooh, look at this.

Crayfish is really nice.

Andrew and Camilla's hosts have recommended their local inn,

just a short stroll from the house.

There's the restaurant up there.

It's really local. It's the same street!

This family-run restaurant offers locally reared meat

and an on-site brewery.

What's Welsh black beef?

Er, Welsh black beef is a breed of cattle that is

farmed on top of the mountain here, that's where we get it from.

-So if you go for a walk tomorrow, you can...

-Oh, really?

..you can see it wandering around!

Could I get the Welsh black-beef lasagne?

And yourself, sir?

-The, erm... The duck, please.

-OK.

This is really good, though.

Yeah, amazing.

-Cheers.

-Cheers to the home...

Cheers to home swapping.

Fed and watered, our swappers focus their minds on scoring again.

I think the making of the yurt was really informative and enjoyable.

Well, in fact it was a totally new experience for both of us,

-and such fun.

-Yeah, it was.

And to have ended the day here at this pub with a superb meal...

Oh, for that reason, I think we need to give it a jolly good high score,

-I think a nine.

-Yeah, I agree with that.

-Well worth it, yeah.

Definitely.

And what about their guests in Gwaelod-y-Garth?

-This afternoon, we were given our...

-Activity.

..activity event. We were taken to see this Welsh choir.

They were wonderful. They're such warm-hearted, friendly people

and the restaurant was lovely, beautiful food.

For our day out we are giving a score of eight and a half.

So Bisley in Gloucestershire is leading by two points so far.

It's still anybody's game.

On their last morning, both households are taking full advantage

of their final time on the swap.

Oh, wow! We can do this.

I think I'm a bit low down here.

Yeah, I know you are!

Oh, I think we're taking on water, Chris!

In Gwaelod-y-Garth,

Andrew and Camilla are enjoying a more leisurely start to their day.

The real jewel in the crown of this place is the garden. You can't...

You know, it's absolutely lovely.

I think the whole house feels really peaceful,

-which is exactly what you want on holiday.

-Yeah.

With the exchange now over, both our couples pack up

and head back to their home-sweet-homes.

There we are, a little angel.

Perfect. Shall we leave that there?

-Oh, I've had such a lovely time.

-Oh, it's... Yep, good fun.

If you're craving an adventure,

consider a home swap as a low-cost way to travel.

A decent B&B in South Wales can cost about £190 for two nights,

whereas in Gloucestershire it's about £210.

A home swap costs nothing.

Our swappers have arrived safely on home turf.

-Oh, it's good to be back, isn't it?

-It certainly is.

You've forgotten which way round it goes.

I know! Haven't been back in so long.

And that's definitely them!

And they can finally set eyes on their mystery guests

and find out what they made of their home.

First up, Christine and Andre.

'My name's Andy and I'm 66 years old.

'Er, I'm an artist and art historian and this is my daughter, Camilla.

'And I'm 26 and I make, erm, mainly sculptures.'

We were quite close in some bits

because I thought it was somebody who was interested in history,

and I thought might even be a...a lecturer.

As to the sort of dynamics within the family,

we hadn't guessed that - we hadn't guessed father and daughter.

'We really have so enjoyed your beautiful house

'and we loved the conservatory and your magnificent colourful garden.

'Your house was really great to stay in

'and we hope you've had as much fun as we have in our house.'

-Wow!

-We definitely have. Oh, aren't they lovely?

-That was nice.

'There is actually still an old postbox on the building.

-'Do you reckon...

-No longer in use.

'..we can access that from inside?'

THEY LAUGH

Spiders in there, I think!

-'Oh, Dad, we've got the same cushion!

-Really?'

The same cushion!

-'Yeah, look! It's a home away from home.

-Oh, yes, yes.'

Oh, brilliant!

-'Ahh, we didn't leave them a note.'

-Christine.

'Christine and...Andre!

'We'll have to start calling you Andre, Andrew.'

CHRISTINE LAUGHS

'Thinking it's Christine that makes this,

'but it could be Andre, couldn't it?

-'Although it looks quite...girly.

-No, it's definitely Christine.'

Wonder where he gets Christine.

It looks like...quite girly.

They still think I'm a boy.

'Oh, I like the safe from the old post office. Isn't that lovely?

'Think we can crack it open?'

She's good!

'Go for it!

'Oh, it's all her jewels!

'It's a marvellous lock.'

Very, very, rewarding, I would say, making me feel good.

Now, in Bisley, it's Andrew and Camilla's turn.

Finally we get to see who's been staying in our house.

Shall I turn this on?

'Hello, my name's Andre and I'm 65 years old.'

-What a surprise!

-Oh, wow!

'Hi, I'm Christine, I'm 62 years old

'and we've been close friends for nearly 50 years.

'I'm a retired secondary-school teacher.

'I'm also a retired teacher

'and I enjoy making things out of glass and working in the garden.'

-I had no inkling...

-Yeah.

-..at all that they were...

-I thought Andre was a man's name.

-Yeah.

'Just like to say thank you very much

'for letting us stay in your home,

'we've really enjoyed it, and I hope you feel the same about mine.'

Ahh, that's sweet. Yeah, we definitely have.

Very nice. Yeah, it was lovely.

'It looks very old. I mean, I'm sure they must have done some work,

'but it is so, so beautiful.'

-Ahh.

-They're such lovely people, aren't they?

They're really sweet, yeah.

'Amazing kitchen!

-'Oh, it really is lovely.

-Yeah, very roomy.

'Looks very, very grand in here, doesn't it?'

Ahh, they're so sweet,

-it would be fun to be in the kitchen greeting them.

-Yeah.

'I really like this.

'This is somebody's house that they have just put themselves into.'

It's Dad's style.

You've definitely put yourself in this house.

-'Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!

-Oh, my goodness!

-'Oh, my goodness!

-That is not what I had expected.

'I didn't expect this at all.'

They had the right reaction there!

That was the reaction I wanted when I built it.

-'Look, look, look up there.

-Yes, I know!

-That... Yes.

-'What an amazing...

-I think that's quite to die for, really,

'a bed like that!'

But then they don't understand that that bedroom

is now the bed that everyone passes out in.

THEY LAUGH

-Your friends, you mean.

-Yeah!

Having watched their guests nosing around their homes,

which house will be today's winner?

First up, how did Camilla and Andrew

rate the village of Gwaelod-y-Garth?

'The beauty of the countryside and the walk by the River Taff

'and seeing the thermal spring...

'It's a wonderful area,

'but in the background there is the noise of the motorway,

'so I would say seven and a half out of ten.'

Those are very fair comments. I think when I first came here

one of the things that I found quite hard to get used to...

But like everything, after a while, you just get acclimatised to it.

And the score for their day out?

'We were taken to see this Welsh choir. They were wonderful,

'they're such warm-hearted, friendly people,

'and the restaurant was lovely, beautiful food.

'For our day out we are giving a score of eight and a half.'

-That's excellent!

-I'm so pleased, yeah.

-So am I.

Cos we were worried, yes.

And the ultimate score for the picturesque former post office?

OK, here we go, drum rolls.

'We loved spending time in the house.

'I think we'll give it a high score because the feeling

'of the house was so nice with all the creativity around.

'And so we thought a score of eight and a half out of ten.'

That's really nice.

I'm so pleased that they see what I see in it

and that you've tried to make, so well done, Chrissy!

Christine and Andre have scored a highly respectable

24 and a half out of 30.

Now it's the moment of truth for Camilla and Andrew.

How did their guests rate the village of Bisley?

'Because the area is so beautiful,

'both in landscape and in the villages,

'we're going to give it a really high score, I think.

'We're going to give it a score...nine.'

-Ahh, that's nice.

-Yeah, very nice.

And now their day out.

'I think the making of the yurt was really informative and enjoyable

'and to have ended the day here at this pub with a superb meal...

'Oh, for that reason, I think we need to give it

'a jolly good high score, I think a nine.

-'Yeah, I agree with that.

-Well worth it, yeah.'

Yeah, so very generous and very kind.

-That's really nice they had such a good day out as well.

-Yeah, yeah, lovely.

Andrew and Camilla have received a score of 18

for their area and day out

but will the final score for the historic mill secure them a victory?

'We really enjoyed staying in the house.

'The house is beautiful and the setting is stunning.

'It's very unique and very, very welcoming.

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

-Ahh, that's really nice.

-There you are. Yeah, lovely.

Well, there were nines everywhere, it was a 999 visit.

With a score of 27 out of 30, they've beaten Christine and Andre

by two and a half points, which means the magical mill in Bisley,

Gloucestershire, is crowned today's Home Away From Home winner.

We're having a party next weekend

and we've already decided we're going to invite them.

-That's if they want to come back.

-Yeah!

They might think, "God, I'm not going there again!"

So what will they both take away from this home-swapping experience?

Very interesting.

Not just what we saw but some of the activities that we did

-and people we met. Very informative.

-We've met such nice people.

Yeah, we did. Yeah, it was well worth doing.

It is a...a strongly culturally different experience

going into someone else's space.

-I think we'll definitely house-swap again.

-Yes, definitely.