Escape to the Country Season 26 Episode 6

Reality Insight Hub

Escape to the Country Season 26 Episode 6  #RealityInsightHub  🎞 Please subscribe to our official channel to watch the full movie for free, as soon as possible. ❤️Reality Insight Hub❤️ 👉 Official Channel: https://www.dailymotion.com/TrailerBolt 👉 THANK YOU ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Transcript

00:01Once upon a time lived a fairy godmother named Chappers.

00:05You have sheep as neighbours next door.

00:07I love, I love having sheep as neighbours.

00:09Yeah.

00:11She soared through the Shropshire skies.

00:14Oh, wow.

00:16Oh, my goodness.

00:17What a view.

00:19In search of a home for her escapees.

00:22Enchanting.

00:23Yeah, Hansel and Gretel.

00:25That's a good word, I like that.

00:26Our enchanting cottage.

00:28So that they could live happily ever after.

00:31Yeah, I really, I think it's great.

00:34I think if I was living here I'd be like the coolest kid on the block.

00:37Yes.

00:58If it's peace and tranquility you crave, Shropshire delivers.

01:11And even though there's not a single city in sight, you don't need bright lights to flood this county in colour.

01:18At this time of year, it's an escape tradition that one of the presenters kicks off a show in a beautiful bluebell wood like this one here in Shropshire.

01:31Now, I have had the privilege of doing it in the past, but I've always forgotten to do one thing.

01:37And that's take a bluebell selfie with Chapa's country, Glam Cam.

01:45Gorgeous.

01:49Today, we're scouring the West Midlands county of Shropshire, one of the most sparsely populated counties in England.

01:56Shropshire is a really beautiful county to live in. There's a lot of diversity of arts and culture and it's very close to sort of walks and nature and it's like quite an inspiring place to live.

02:08I mean, I'm an illustrator, so I'm constantly inspired by like the beautiful landscape.

02:13Bridge North, a market town on the banks of the River Severn, is split in two, with Hightown on the hill and Lowtown in the valley, connected by England's only remaining inland electric funicular railway.

02:29Nearby iron bridge boasts another remarkable feat of engineering, the world's first iron bridge, constructed across the gorge in 1779.

02:44Lots of farms and very, very rural and very beautiful and wonderful landscapes and lots and lots of wildlife.

02:53What can I say about this place? It's wonderful.

02:59It's almost time to set off on our house hunt, but before we do, we need to meet today's couple who are looking for a new home and a new lifestyle here in sunny Shropshire.

03:14So the people who will be involved in the move will be me, me, and Leo, who is somewhere.

03:21He's somewhere. He was here just a second ago, but he just, he just goes wondering.

03:27Leo the cat lives with Alca, originally from Leicester, and Isabella, who grew up in Sicily, in this three-bed semi.

03:36A few minutes' drive from the city of Wolverhampton, where the couple both work for the council's children's services.

03:42We love Shropshire. It's a beautiful area where it has lots of history, beautiful villages, and also we got married in Shropshire, so we have beautiful memories there.

03:54We envisage a life which is slower paced and allowing us to pursue our hobbies and interests more as well, so we really love the great outdoors.

04:06So hiking, that's something we'd like to do more regular, and also growing our own vegetables, being a bit more self-sufficient and sustainable.

04:15And we want to get away from the rat race. We both have really busy jobs, busy lives, and we really sort of, our weekends are really precious.

04:24So whenever we can, we try to escape to the country, so we may as well live there.

04:30Isabella and Alca want a detached property with at least three bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, plus options for a study and home gym.

04:39Garden-wise, they'd like up to an acre, and they have a budget of £550,000.

04:58Alca and Isabella are moving from Wolverhampton to Shropshire.

05:01Well, let's be honest, not a massive move, but the difference it's going to make to their lifestyle is enormous.

05:09I mean, just driving around here, this is the quality of life that they can have.

05:13To open their back door, to be surrounded by countryside, to be able to walk to their heart's content,

05:19and really be part of this community, which, I mean, obviously Wolverhampton has served them well over the years,

05:25but by the sounds of it, they're truly ready to step into the countryside and a new way of life.

05:34Our search starts in the north of the county, in the small village of Little Ness.

05:40It's a five-minute drive to Bass Church, which nails all the everyday essentials,

05:45including a small supermarket, a post office, and a pub.

05:49On a quiet country lane just moments away from our first property,

05:55I'm rendezvousing with Alca and Isabella to revel in the scenery.

06:00Wow.

06:02Look at that.

06:03Wow. Beautiful.

06:05And have a proper chin-wag about this move.

06:09Alca and Isabella, welcome to Shropshire, although I should be saying welcome back,

06:13because this is where you two got married.

06:15That's right, thank you.

06:17We love coming to Shropshire, we love the culture, we love the events that happen,

06:22and we love hiking, walking, anything outdoorsy.

06:26So what's the one thing, Alca, that you're really looking forward to with this move?

06:30I think it's getting away from the rat race.

06:33Yeah?

06:34We have quite intense jobs, both Isabella and I.

06:35So to be able to switch off after work in my own home, which is peace and quiet and tranquil,

06:43in my lovely back garden, that would be really, really lovely for me.

06:48Do you know what? I can see it on your face already.

06:51I think we are actually mentally and physically ready for this move.

06:55We've been thinking about it for many months.

06:57And, yeah, we are ready. We are ready for it.

07:02Well, there is so much to see and explore.

07:04Lots of people to meet, lots of interesting areas to go to,

07:08and obviously we're going to see if we can find you that perfect property as well.

07:12Shall we get started? Yes.

07:13Let's do it.

07:14Set back off this quiet country lane, this Grade II listed red-brick Victorian farmhouse is up for sale for the first time in 60 years.

07:29And when we saw it, we couldn't pass by the opportunity to show it to Alca and Isabella.

07:37And here she is, this old farmhouse.

07:40Wow. Looks lovely. Lovely farmhouse, yeah.

07:44I'm taken back by how big it looks, actually, from the outside.

07:48It's quite high, isn't it?

07:49It is.

07:51My initial thoughts are warming, friendly.

07:54I can't wait to actually see the inside now.

07:57You know, I can just see myself sitting there with a cup of tea, actually.

08:02I'm loving the outside anyway.

08:04Shall we step inside? Yes, please.

08:06Now, the front door looks so inviting, doesn't it?

08:08Yeah, it does. It does, yeah.

08:09But we're in the country, so we're going to go round the back, because that's what everybody does.

08:13So you'd like to follow me.

08:16The neighbouring property is undergoing a bit of renovation, and this house, dating back to the 1800s, has also been knocked around to accommodate three generations currently living here.

08:28Part of that work included adding this wooden conservatory that leads through to the kitchen.

08:34So come on through. I can absolutely call this a country kitchen, can't I?

08:39Yes, you can, yeah.

08:41Yeah, very country.

08:42I think workspace would probably need a bit more, so we'd probably change the kitchen up a little bit.

08:47Yeah.

08:48Yeah, definitely.

08:49Yeah.

08:50Maybe the layout will be slightly different, but yeah, in terms of size, I would say good.

08:54Really good, healthy-sized kitchen with a utility next room and a boiler room as well.

09:00Yeah.

09:01It's a good start.

09:02It is.

09:03It's a good start.

09:04Right, let's see if that continues through here. I hope so.

09:06So the first of two reception rooms, it is quite high, and again, we've got the beams.

09:13Yes.

09:14The fireplace. It's lovely.

09:17Spacious, isn't it?

09:18I think it's a spacious...

09:19Yeah.

09:20Cos when our two families come together, it'll be nice that everyone has a seat.

09:24Yeah.

09:25So, yeah.

09:26And it kind of leads nicely from the dining kitchen area as well, so it can kind of have that as a through social space.

09:33Yes.

09:34Opposite, on the other side of the entrance hall, the second reception, in use as a bedroom, completes the ground floor.

09:42Upstairs, on the first floor, the reconfigured layout is really evident.

09:49Ooh.

09:50OK.

09:51What is this?

09:52Formerly a principal bedroom, it's presently used as a living room.

09:56You come up here, and you have a second reception room.

10:01That's really handy, isn't it?

10:03Yes.

10:04Yeah.

10:05Especially if our parents are coming to stay, and, you know, we can have our sort of own areas as well.

10:09Bit of balance, isn't it?

10:10Yeah, got your different zones.

10:11See what you think in here.

10:12So, as you can see, I'm offering you a second kitchen.

10:21Wow.

10:22If one wasn't enough.

10:23We've got two.

10:24We've got one each.

10:25Yeah.

10:26Which is good, cos sometimes we fight over space, don't we?

10:29We do.

10:30Well, if there's an argument, someone goes downstairs and someone comes up.

10:34But there's never an argument with you two.

10:36Never.

10:37Never, never.

10:38No.

10:39This room could, subject to the relevant planning consent, be turned into a luxurious bathroom suite for the adjoining principal bedroom.

10:48Let's keep going.

10:50Also on this floor is another roomy double and a recently renovated family bathroom with a freestanding tub and separate shower.

11:00Wow.

11:01So this is the main bathroom.

11:03Love it.

11:04Big size.

11:05Yeah.

11:06Again, I think the running theme is space.

11:12And look, we've got two sinks.

11:14There's no more fighting in the bathroom.

11:16That's brilliant.

11:18On the second floor, there's a third double bedroom which shares a shower room with the fourth and final bedroom.

11:27Again.

11:28Big size.

11:29It's a lot of space.

11:30Yeah.

11:31I'm really impressed by how much space there is.

11:34I think that's really important for me.

11:36Yeah.

11:37Given that we're going to have friends come over, family come over.

11:41Yeah.

11:42Does it feel claustrophobic to me at all?

11:43It doesn't, no.

11:46Oh, you've caught me sitting down, relaxing, taking in the view of this gorgeous sunshine.

11:52But I've left the girls to it because there's an awful lot to this property.

11:56And there's so many ways you could live in this house.

11:58And what's so wonderful is both of them already very engaged working out how it could work for them and also their families.

12:07The south-facing garden, enclosed by a sandstone and brick wall, measures around a third of an acre.

12:14So there's ample space for a veggie plot plus, if they fancied, a garden office and gym.

12:20Are you ready to come and join me?

12:23Yes.

12:24Because I've shown you that vista, but if I just get you to look over your shoulder, if that wasn't enough.

12:30You also have the local Little Ness is the village, the village church, there's a village hall and you have sheep as neighbours next door.

12:37That's very idyllic.

12:38Yeah.

12:39Very idyllic.

12:40I love the fact of that.

12:41I love, I love having sheep as neighbours.

12:43Yeah.

12:45So, what are we thinking for this beautiful farmhouse?

12:50I'm thinking top end of the budget.

12:52I'm going to say £545,000.

12:54OK.

12:55So I think £530,000.

12:59Is that a hopeful £530,000?

13:02Yes.

13:03I am going to take you to the top of your budget.

13:08Yeah.

13:09So, Alka, you're the closest.

13:10The asking price is £550,000.

13:13Oh!

13:14We have spent your money.

13:16But wisely.

13:18Yeah, because there's an awful lot of property for it.

13:20Yeah.

13:21Now, the owners are keen to move.

13:24There is a little bit of wiggle room.

13:26I think it'd be a healthy conversation.

13:28It'd be a conversation worth having.

13:30OK.

13:31That's good to know, isn't it?

13:32Yes.

13:33This handsome Grade II listed Victorian farmhouse boasts a large country kitchen,

13:39two reception rooms, four generous double bedrooms and a walled garden that extends to

13:45about a third of an acre.

13:47It's on the market with a guide price of £550,000.

13:52I was actually shocked of how much space each room has and the potential of this property that has. It's amazing.

14:04It's everything I wanted in terms of the outside. It's just a beautiful, outstanding natural beauty around us. So, the scenery is great. For me, it's perfect.

14:09How are we feeling? Have you seen enough?

14:10I think so, yes.

14:11Yes, we have, haven't we?

14:12Yes, I think we have.

14:13Enough, yes.

14:14A strong start to Shropshire and more to discover and show you.

14:40In one of the quietest nooks of the Shropshire hills lies the town of Bishop's Castle.

14:46Fantastic place to live. The walking is incredible. You can walk all day, 15, 20 miles and not see hardly another person all day. It's beautiful. And as you can see, the weather is always amazing.

14:59It's the epicentre of daily life for the 2,000 or so residents who live here and the many more who reside in the outlying villages and hamlets.

15:08I just can't stop looking at that view. I know it is stunning, isn't it?

15:17The medieval streets are chock full of vibrantly painted buildings, more than 160 of which are listed. Many house local independent businesses such as this bookshop and cafe where the poetry pharmacist prescribes poems for any emotional ailment.

15:36I absolutely love living and working in Bishop's Castle. It's kind of the perfect size. It's got fish and chip shop. It's got an Indian and a Chinese.

15:45Pubs with live music. Lots going on. A swimming pool. A theatre even. And a real strong community.

15:55Whose thirst is easily quenched in any one of the town's five pubs.

16:00Bishop's Castle is a great fun town to live in. We have a very active social calendar. We do live music on Sunday afternoons outside where possible. We have a fun open mic, quiz nights, bingo.

16:15And if this isn't your vibe, there's a host of sports groups to join, including the 100 year old tennis club.

16:24Hi.

16:25Hi.

16:26Hi.

16:27Hello.

16:28Welcome to Bishop's Castle tennis club.

16:31Helen Randall, one of its 80 plus members, moved to the town four years ago.

16:36Joining the tennis club was the first thing I did. And I didn't really know anybody when I moved to the area. But now I've made lifelong friends.

16:45That was a good way of kickstarting making new friends and sort of getting to know local people.

16:50And what about in Bishop's Castle itself? Is there any events that happen? Anything that brings all the people together?

16:56There's always something going on. Honestly, it's really, really active. There's a big arts festival in February. And then in summer, there's party in the park, live music and bands.

17:06There's a carnival as well, a big parade down the high street. And there's a Micklemas fair in September. There's Christmas lights switch on.

17:14Really, for a town this size, it's got an extraordinary amount of things going on all year round.

17:20So you ready to have a go? Can you join us?

17:22Yeah, go.

17:23Yeah, let's play.

17:24Shall we do it?

17:25Let's go.

17:26Come on.

17:33But now we must rally and see if we can ace the search for Isabella and Alka's dream home.

17:44Our next stop is way down in the south of the county, in the small village of Hopesay, deep in the Shropshire hills.

17:53Craven Arms, the nearest town, is a 12-minute drive away and has shops plus places to eat and socialise covered,

18:01as well as rail connections to the Shropshire towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow,

18:06and, further afield, to Manchester and the Welsh cities of Cardiff and Swansea.

18:12In a glorious setting, tucked away at the end of this lane, this detached cottage, originally a two-up, two-down,

18:19has been significantly extended to create a characterful family home.

18:24Now, how is this for an approach? Can I come to show you the next property?

18:31Wow.

18:33I'm speechless.

18:34Yeah.

18:35It's different.

18:36Enchanting.

18:37Yeah.

18:38Hansel and Gretel.

18:39That's a good word. I like that.

18:41An enchanting cottage, nestled in the valley of the Shropshire hills.

18:45Yes.

18:46Lovely.

18:47What more can you ask for?

18:49You've got your valleys, you've got your walks.

18:51If you hear the birds.

18:52Yeah.

18:53So you called it our enchanting cottage.

18:55Yes.

18:56Enchanting cottage.

18:57Let's see if I can enchant you inside.

19:01The front door in the original part of the cottage opens into the entrance hall,

19:06which leads to the ground floor of the more recent two-storey extension,

19:10and this spacious L-shaped living room.

19:14Now, when you step in here, it's a bit of a surprise.

19:18Mmm.

19:19It is.

19:20It's bigger than what you think.

19:21What you see outside, yeah.

19:23I think I would like, probably, I'm more sort of symmetrical.

19:26Are you?

19:27Yeah.

19:28But I can see there's some space there, which is quite good.

19:30That's a decent amount of space if you ignore this L-shaped part.

19:34Mm-hmm.

19:35So this is one side of the cottage.

19:37Okay.

19:38Ready to see the next?

19:39Yes.

19:40We have a snug stroke dining room here.

19:47Oh, look.

19:48There's a little bread oven on there.

19:50On the corner.

19:51Okay.

19:52And I'm bringing you into the kitchen.

19:55It's, I think, what's the word I'm looking for?

19:58Cozy.

19:59It's not cosy for me.

20:00No.

20:01And it's not really appealing too much, but I can see it works for other people.

20:06Yeah.

20:07Um.

20:08You want more space?

20:09A little bit more space and a little bit more light.

20:11If you lost your heart to this cottage, I would seriously consider opening this kitchen

20:16up.

20:17Yeah.

20:18Because you've got a huge amount of space behind.

20:19Yeah.

20:20Which at the moment they use as a utility room and a downstairs cloakroom.

20:22Okay.

20:23I would reconfigure it.

20:24Yeah.

20:25Yeah.

20:26Now, I appreciate that's not a small job.

20:29I don't mind getting stuck in.

20:30Yeah.

20:31And we've got people in the family that could help as well.

20:33Yeah.

20:34And I know a few trade people, so.

20:36Yeah.

20:37I'm not scared.

20:38I don't mind doing any projects.

20:39I think I'm ready for it, if I can see potential.

20:43I wonder if Isabella thinks there's potential upstairs.

20:47Any one of the five double bedrooms could become an office, but will check out the largest.

20:53This is a nice sized bedroom though.

20:56Again.

20:57And it's actually higher ceiling as well.

21:00Mm-hmm.

21:01You've got another bedroom next door and you could have that as a walk-in wardrobe.

21:04I always wanted one.

21:05Yeah.

21:06It would be nice, wouldn't it?

21:07Yeah.

21:08I think a walk-in wardrobe is a must.

21:09Yeah.

21:10Because there's not much storage space in the bedroom.

21:12Yeah.

21:13Yeah.

21:14Definitely.

21:15Yes.

21:16There's plenty of opportunity to reconfigure the bedroom accommodation to better suit their

21:21needs.

21:22But outside, the large garden already has a wooden cabin that could become a gym.

21:32So, what price are you going to put on this property?

21:36I'm considering the amount of work that needs to be done.

21:39I would say it's £415,000.

21:42I'm going to be quite generous.

21:44£485,000.

21:47The asking price is £525,000.

21:51OK.

21:52With two receptions, a modern kitchen and five bedrooms, this detached cottage sits in a

22:00captivating spot in the heart of the Shropshire Hills and is on the market for offers in the

22:05region of £525,000.

22:08It's such a lovely character cottage, quite enchanting.

22:15But the inside, it needs a lot of work for us to do.

22:20Idyllic in terms of its location.

22:23So, it would allow Isabella and I to pursue our hobbies and interests.

22:28But I do need to think practically.

22:30And practically, the kitchen for me is a bit of an issue.

22:34I think for me, there's also the upstairs to consider.

22:37And considering the price of the property, it wouldn't leave us a lot in the budget to

22:42do what we need to do to get it to the type of house we want it to be.

22:47A sad farewell to our enchanted cottage.

22:51Then I think we should go and have a little chat.

22:53Yeah.

22:54Shall we?

22:55Yeah, let's go.

23:04We're soaking up the last of the day's sunshine in the grounds of Eton Manor Country Estate.

23:13It's hard work, isn't it, looking at houses?

23:16It really is.

23:17We're exhausted.

23:18Yeah.

23:19Sitting in the sunshine at the end of the day, surrounded by the most incredible views.

23:25Yeah.

23:26Beautiful.

23:27Still sold on Shropshire?

23:29Absolutely.

23:30That is, I think, a must for us, isn't it?

23:33100%.

23:34One of the things that really wins me over with Shropshire, it's one of those counties

23:37where people seem to have taken a chill pill, if there's such a thing.

23:42They just don't seem to be too het up about life.

23:45Definitely.

23:46When we first met, you mentioned about getting involved in the community.

23:50I mean, has that been a long-term plan for you both?

23:53Yes.

23:54It has.

23:55Yeah.

23:56And being part of, like, a community that will be good for us because then we can meet

24:00people.

24:01Yeah.

24:02We can start creating a new friendship in Shropshire.

24:05Connections.

24:06Connections, yeah.

24:07I mean, it was great when we went to meet the locals, actually.

24:09We felt really welcomed and the tennis club, we got a game and, you know, and they were

24:14just really welcoming.

24:15Everyone was just smiling and saying hello.

24:17I mean, the best way, I always think, when people move out of the area, is actually to

24:22immerse yourself in the community.

24:24that's how you make friends, with like-minded people.

24:28Yeah.

24:29I'm sure the count is going to get a lot of benefit out of the two of you.

24:33I hope so.

24:34I hope so.

24:35Want to know if a slice of Shropshire is within your reach?

24:54Let us give you the lowdown on property prices.

24:58£438,000, or thereabouts, is the average cost of a detached house in the UK.

25:04You'll get a few more bricks for your bucks here in Shropshire, where the figure is just

25:10over £417,000.

25:13Let's take a look at some more property gems available right now.

25:19This barn conversion features a sunken terrace that offers stunning views over the Stiper Stones

25:25ridge.

25:26On the ground floor, there's a comfortable sitting room and an open-plan kitchen diner.

25:31Upstairs, you'll find a family bathroom and two bedrooms in the eaves.

25:36The price tag?

25:37Offers in the region of £295,000.

25:42This impressive detached home has been thoughtfully extended and renovated.

25:47The focal point is the huge kitchen diner with a wall of sliding glass doors that opens onto

25:54the large garden.

25:56With five bedrooms and three bathrooms, it could be yours for offers over £650,000.

26:02For those who want to try before they buy, this black and white timber frame barn conversion

26:12is chock full of charm.

26:14With two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen fitted with rustic wooden units and a large private garden,

26:21it's available to rent for £1,050 per calendar month.

26:33Well, we're having a glorious time here in Shropshire.

26:36The sun is shining and the sky is blue.

26:39And we pride ourselves on showing our buyers different types of property.

26:44And that was certainly the case with Alka and Isabella yesterday.

26:48They were positive, they were enthusiastic and they were very, very open to suggestions.

26:53So I'm hoping the same can be said for our mystery house today.

26:57We're making our way to the final property destination, the East Shropshire village of Lightmoor,

27:04a 15-minute drive from the market town of Wellington.

27:07As well as the cinema and arts centre, there's a great mix of shops, pubs and cafes.

27:13Emma Williams has been serving up award-winning Jamaican street food here for the past four years.

27:19One of the best things is that we're surrounded by beautiful countryside.

27:23Wales is on the doorstep, we're living within the Shropshire hills.

27:27If we need to get to cities, they're not that far either.

27:31It's well connected to get to Birmingham, Manchester and various other places.

27:36In fact, Isabella and Alka might like to know there are direct trains to Wolverhampton

27:41with journey times of about half an hour.

27:44Just a 15-minute drive from Wellington sits a tiny community of 14 homes

27:50that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of town life.

27:55Time now for our mystery house.

27:58And I think you can see from my face that I am super excited and enthusiastic about this property.

28:05All the houses that I have seen over the years, I've never seen anything like this.

28:10Yodeler, hee-hoo!

28:13I'll forgive you for thinking we've landed in the Swiss Alps.

28:17This detached timber-built chalet-style property sits in an idyllic spot on the edge of a nature reserve.

28:25Normally, I would take you straight inside the house,

28:29but there's so many enchanting magical areas surrounding it

28:33and I wanted to share this one with you.

28:36It's got that chocolate box, look about it.

28:39It's part of a unique development of 14 homes

28:42where owners are encouraged to grow their own food, share with their neighbours

28:47and contribute to the upkeep of communal outdoor spaces such as the village green.

28:53It's got the most beautiful garden full of mature shrubs and trees

28:58and then also this, a ready-made vegetable patch which is exactly what our girls want.

29:04I can't wait to see what Alka and Isabella make of this.

29:09Oh, look at this one.

29:11This is something different.

29:14Yeah.

29:16Hello.

29:17Hello.

29:18What's this?

29:19Wow.

29:20Welcome.

29:21Yeah.

29:22A little bit different, isn't it, to a mystery house.

29:25What can I say?

29:27Amazing for me.

29:28Wow.

29:29Wow.

29:30Wow.

29:31It looks like an alpine house.

29:32Definitely Scandinavian.

29:33Yeah.

29:34You know what?

29:35I am delighted that you've given me that reaction.

29:39Because that's exactly what's going through my mind when I saw it.

29:41It looks magical.

29:43Yeah, it does.

29:44It's definitely got character, I can tell, just from the outside.

29:47And different to all the other houses.

29:50Yes.

29:51Very exciting.

29:52Are you ready to start our mystery tour?

29:54Yes, please.

29:55Yes, let's go.

29:58I'm half expecting Heidi to pop her head out of the window.

30:02Built in 1985 with two solar panels, this property has bags of character,

30:08just not in the way the ladies may have expected.

30:13Let's start in here, shall we?

30:17Okay.

30:18Spacious.

30:19Yeah.

30:20Light.

30:21Good amount of space, actually, in the living area.

30:23Lovely.

30:24A big window.

30:25Yeah.

30:26It's seeping in loads of light, isn't it?

30:28I can see Leo just hanging around.

30:30It's a nice sun trap for you.

30:32Sun trap.

30:33He would love it, the cat, wouldn't he?

30:34Yeah.

30:35But it's a good size space, and then you've got a little sort of ante room off the sides,

30:40which I'm thinking perhaps as an office could work.

30:42Yeah.

30:43Although, I do have other options for that for you.

30:46Okay.

30:47Yes.

30:48Okay.

30:49Do you like this?

30:50Yeah, I really, I think it's great.

30:52I think if I was living here, I'd be like the coolest kid on the block.

30:55Yes.

30:56Definitely.

30:57I do like it.

30:58Do you?

30:59Yes, I do.

31:00It's definitely a good start.

31:01Good.

31:02Let's have a look at the kitchen.

31:04So we have a sort of semi-open plan vibe continuing through here into the kitchen.

31:09Oh.

31:10Okay.

31:11Again, lovely windows, lovely light.

31:13Lots of light.

31:14And I really like the bench dining space.

31:17Yes.

31:18Which is nice because, you know, you could be cooking.

31:21I could be sitting here having a nice...

31:23Have a chat.

31:24...glass of wine.

31:25Yeah.

31:27Upstairs now to the bedrooms, which are all set in the eaves of the house and benefit from

31:33lovely large windows.

31:35I really like these wardrobes.

31:37Decent size.

31:38Double bed.

31:39Really decent size, actually.

31:40And the nice view as well.

31:42Can you see the houses there?

31:44Yeah.

31:45It really feels like we're in Germany or Austria somewhere.

31:47I was just going to say that.

31:49Yeah.

31:50I feel like abroad, like we're going skiing.

31:52There's a family bathroom, another double, and at the end of the corridor, a third and

31:58final bedroom, presently used as a gym-come office.

32:02Or it could be your studio, gym.

32:05Could be.

32:06Because you've got, again, gorgeous, the lights.

32:09I actually like this room.

32:11Yeah.

32:12I like this room more than the others.

32:14They needn't sacrifice any of the bedrooms since there's ample space in the half-acre garden.

32:20I think that's more than enough, actually.

32:22Isn't it?

32:23Just looking around.

32:24Good amount of space.

32:25Yeah.

32:26Good.

32:27Good enough.

32:28Looking at perhaps getting a wooden structure, which has that scoundy feel, and have it at

32:33the end of the garden.

32:34Yeah.

32:35Use that perhaps as the study.

32:36Or a gym.

32:37Or a gym.

32:38That's a good idea.

32:39Completely, yeah.

32:40I agree with you.

32:41That would have free up a bedroom then, wouldn't it, as well?

32:44This is a leasehold property with 945 years remaining on the lease.

32:49Purchasers own the property, but pay the freeholder an annual ground rent of £120.

32:56There's also a monthly service charge of £30 for maintenance of communal areas.

33:02So let's try and put a price on this unique property, our mystery house.

33:07I'm going to go for £530,000.

33:12OK, I'm going for £525,000.

33:17£1,000.

33:18£1,000.

33:19For the mystery house, if I said to you they're looking for offers over £500,000.

33:26OK.

33:27Would that work?

33:29Well, we've got a nice big budget to work with, yeah.

33:33Don't tell anyone, don't tell anyone.

33:36I'm shocked, I'm quite surprised.

33:38I think we've got a lot to think about, because it's not just a home that we're buying,

33:42it's a lifestyle that we're buying into here as well.

33:45A lot to think about, but it's absolutely gorgeous.

33:48Gorgeous.

33:49Would you like to have another look around on your own?

33:52Yes.

33:53It would be a good idea.

33:54Please do.

33:55Thank you so much.

33:57This detached, timber-built, chalet-style home has a huge living room with a study,

34:03a kitchen diner and three bedrooms.

34:06With a half-acre plot and shared use of the village green,

34:10it's on the market for offers in excess of £500,000.

34:15It's not too big, not too small.

34:17It's about right for the two of us here.

34:19Yeah.

34:20What can I say?

34:22I would say smashed it really.

34:23A property that I would never thought to look at.

34:28And again, I probably wouldn't even book a viewing.

34:31But you've opened a lot of things for me to explore.

34:37Wow.

34:38Wow.

34:39And wow.

34:40It's not something I'd ever thought about.

34:42It's something you see on holidays.

34:43It's something you see on holidays.

34:44I would never have thought to even look at this house.

34:47But actually, it gives me really good, sort of happy feelings, actually.

34:51It evokes something positive in me.

34:53So, yeah, there's a lot to think about.

35:04For many of us, escaping to the country is about brand new adventures in the great outdoors.

35:10And that was certainly the case for Mark, who, having lived around the world,

35:14made his escape to Shropshire.

35:17Mark Willis grew up in a military family, exploring the mountains and rivers of the Himalayas

35:22and the jungles of Borneo.

35:24Me and my brothers, we'd go off, you know, on our own, whitewater rafting, swimming in rivers,

35:30trekking and climbing, taking what would be perceived now as huge risks.

35:35Mark's extraordinary childhood sowed the seed of adventure.

35:40And in 2009, he moved to the Shropshire hills to expand his burgeoning outdoor adventure business.

35:47The ethos would be get children to try and assess risk for themselves, to build confidence, communicate well.

35:56You know, that's what I want to see in young people.

35:58I want to, you know, I want to see them growing without thinking about it,

36:01without, you know, being pressurised to think something.

36:04Just enjoy the freedom of the outdoors.

36:06I'm meeting Mark on the 120 acre estate where he lives and runs his business with his wife and four children.

36:15I mean, Mark, this is the most beautiful of locations.

36:19I mean, there's vistas, 360 degrees.

36:23And he can tell me more about what's on offer.

36:27Well, what I've tried to do is take the best bits of bushcraft,

36:31which I consider to be shelter building, whittling, fire lighting.

36:35Some really good adventurous activity like the zip wire.

36:38We've got a really good assault course.

36:40We've got a really interesting orienteering course with an escape room on it.

36:46You've got to build rafts.

36:48You've got to build a bridge to cross a stream.

36:50And that's where you see children working at their best.

36:54And they thrive in that environment.

36:56And, you know, they thrive here, but it's the environment.

36:59You can't see another house from here.

37:01No.

37:02No light pollution.

37:03So they get the sense of wilderness, but without being in the wilderness.

37:07You've just explained the extraordinary things that you do here.

37:10And out of all of them, am I allowed to have a go at one of them?

37:14I think you should go down the zip wire.

37:15Do you?

37:16Yeah.

37:17Go on, give it a go.

37:18I'd love to.

37:19Great.

37:20Absolutely love to.

37:22This zip wire stretches 520 metres, making it one of the longest in the country.

37:27Come on.

37:28I know what you're thinking.

37:30You're thinking, is she really going to have a go on that zip wire at my age?

37:35Are you kidding?

37:38Of course I am.

37:41Don't be fooled that this is just for the young'uns.

37:45The oldest person to travel on this zip wire was 88.

37:49So I don't really have age as an excuse not to do it.

37:54Can you hear my heart?

37:57It's really beating.

38:00It is the most incredible view up here.

38:02However, I have the driest mouth and the wobbliest of knees.

38:07But saying that, I am excited at the same time.

38:11Mark tells me I could reach a top speed of 50 kilometres, just over 30 miles per hour.

38:20So, deep breath.

38:21One, two, three.

38:22Three, go.

38:23Woo!

38:24Oh, wow.

38:25Oh, my goodness.

38:26What a view.

38:27It's a lot windier than I thought it was going to be, but I can see for miles and miles.

38:49Oh.

38:50Oh.

38:51It's incredible, the beauty of the landscape.

38:56It's so green.

39:02Oh.

39:03Oh, this is amazing.

39:04Uh-oh.

39:05Here comes the stuff.

39:06I think we're going so fast.

39:07Oh.

39:08And she's landed.

39:09Oh, that was so good.

39:12Amazing.

39:13Here comes the stopping bit. I think we're going so fast!

39:19Oh! And she's landed!

39:24Oh, that was so good.

39:29Amazing.

39:30My legs are still like jelly.

39:33Well done. We will get you unclicked.

39:37There we go. Perfect. We're good to go.

39:40Thank you so much. Pleasure.

39:42I found my legs again. That was so brilliant.

39:44I can see why the youngsters when they're here just go mad for this zip wire.

39:48And I'm going to say, if I can do it, anybody can do it.

39:53Soaring through the Shropshire skies is one of the most exhilarating ways

39:58to appreciate this magical landscape.

40:07It's been so lovely showing Alka and Isabelle around.

40:10Beautiful Shropshire.

40:12But we now need to find out whether any of our properties have hit the spot.

40:16Shall we go and ask them?

40:18We know you love Shropshire.

40:26Yeah.

40:27Has it still captured your hearts?

40:29Yes, it has. And it will remain for a very long time.

40:33Have we found you, though, your next home?

40:36We are interested in the Mystery House.

40:39Surprisingly.

40:41Yes.

40:42It's a property that we never thought to look at.

40:46But when we did get there, it completely changed our ideas.

40:52For me, it's the potential lifestyle it could offer.

40:55I think there's also the potential of expanding, building on what is there already.

41:01And I absolutely love the unique design.

41:04You love the sustainability as well, don't you?

41:06You are right, yes.

41:07That's right, yes.

41:08And also, there's a sense of community as well around the property.

41:13So we're not on our own.

41:15We're not remote.

41:16Exactly.

41:17But we've still got the benefits of being in the countryside.

41:20I think we could actually visualise ourselves there.

41:23Especially with the ideas that you were throwing at us as well, Nicky.

41:26So you didn't help.

41:29Will you be proud to show your friends and family around that house?

41:32Yeah.

41:33Completely.

41:34I think my nieces and nephews would love it.

41:36They'd say they want to stay at Aunty Alka's and Aunty Izzy's house.

41:39I can see my parents loving the grounds.

41:42Yeah.

41:43Yeah.

41:44There's that tranquil, that peacefulness around it.

41:46Yeah.

41:47And it's like a happy place as well, isn't it?

41:49Yeah.

41:50Well, the sense that we get in.

41:51Yeah.

41:52I did say it evoked some happy feelings when we went in.

41:55Aww.

41:56Well, I sincerely hope that second viewing goes well.

42:00Please keep in touch, won't you?

42:02Yep.

42:03We absolutely will.

42:04Promise.

42:05Yes.

42:06Promise.

42:07That's what I like.

42:08All the very best.

42:09And thank you for joining us.

42:11It's been an amazing experience.

42:12It really has.

42:13It has.

42:18Just look at this.

42:20You can tell by my face that we have really enjoyed this escape.

42:24Alka and Isabella have met some fantastic Shropshire folk.

42:28They've discovered parts of this county that they've never seen before.

42:32And it's got to be the icing on the cake.

42:34They're going back to our sustainable and mystery house for a second viewing.

42:39I call that a great week.

42:40And I'll see you again very soon.

42:44After talking it through, Isabella and Alka decided the mystery house wasn't for them.

42:50The good news is they found another place and made an offer.

42:54Now they're just waiting to see if it gets accepted.

42:58We're keeping our fingers crossed that it does.

43:02If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

43:07and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.

43:14We'll see you next time.

43:44I'll see you next time.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended