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FunTranscript
00:00...a house hunter choose their dream country home.
00:03Some say it's all about the curb appeal.
00:05There you are then, let's have a look, what do you think?
00:07Absolutely amazing.
00:09Others put it down to kitchens and bathrooms.
00:12Well, this is a kitchen and a half, isn't it?
00:16That's a huge en suite.
00:18And some swear by location.
00:21You get all of that?
00:22Look at that!
00:24But here on Escape to the Country, we like to deliver all of that within budget.
00:29I'm... I'm speechless.
00:31He's genuinely speechless.
00:32MUSIC PLAYS
00:34If you like your counties, big on square miles but small on population,
00:59join us as we head for the largest and most sparsely inhabited county in Wales,
01:05named after an ancient kingdom.
01:09Now, here's a little geography lesson for you.
01:12If I were to head 30 miles straight down that valley,
01:15I would find myself in the Banai Brekheniog, a.k.a. the Brecon Beacons.
01:19A similar distance over that hill would land me on top of the Black Mountains.
01:24And behind me, here, I am surrounded by just part of the brooding mass of the Cambrian Mountains,
01:30which means only one thing.
01:32Today, I'm in Powys.
01:34Located in mid-Wales and bordering England,
01:38the vast Welsh county of Powys has just 70 inhabitants per square mile.
01:44But those who live here enjoy seclusion without compromising connectivity or culture
01:50offered by border towns like Welshpool, Montgomery and Newtown.
01:54My Powys is a vast landscape with amazing greenery where we've got the River Severn right on our doorstep.
02:18Being a musician, it's important for me to be connected to the cities
02:23while at the same time having the escape to the countryside.
02:26There is a lot of connected facilities that we do have here,
02:30even though it is so wild and free.
02:41Well, for today's couple, their move isn't just about finding bricks and mortar.
02:46They're after peace and serenity.
02:49A new life and a new start here in Wales.
02:54Hi, I'm Debbie and this is my husband, Neil.
02:56We've been together 17 years and for 15 of those years we've been serial renters.
03:03Married couple, Debbie, who works in intellectual property development,
03:07and Neil, who works for a multinational communications company,
03:11along with their fur family of two dogs and three cats,
03:14were finally helped onto the property ladder two years ago
03:18with a new build scheme on the edge of the large and growing Oxfordshire village of Benson.
03:23For us, we were really happy to be able to get on the ladder,
03:26but we always knew that this wasn't our forever home.
03:28We really do want to go and retreat into the country.
03:31Apologies for Jokey. We'll always try and steal the show.
03:36Debbie needs to be able to commute to work in London one day a week,
03:40but they can work from home the rest of the time,
03:42meaning peace and space for some life-enhancing hobbies is the priority.
03:48I'd love to live somewhere where the roads are a little bit quieter,
03:52great scenery to go and explore on the roads,
03:55and that's because of what you see in the background here.
03:58This is my bike. It's my plied and joy.
04:01I've thrown my helmet on, everything else goes away,
04:03and I can just focus on enjoying myself out on the bike.
04:08I discovered a few years ago that I was neurodivergent,
04:10and as I've gotten older,
04:12I really can't cope with things like lots of noise, lots of people.
04:17I also absolutely love vegetables, so I really want to grow my own.
04:20I'd love a greenhouse and some raised beds,
04:22which I think we'll have when we move to Wales.
04:24I'd also really love chickens.
04:27I would really love a lawn.
04:29Something with a bit more space.
04:31Maybe a ride-on mower. That'd be lovely.
04:34Debbie and Neil are after a detached three- to four-bedroom home
04:37with a large, dog-friendly garden, garage and peaceful surroundings.
04:42Neil prefers modern, whilst Debbie doesn't mind a project.
04:46And their ideal budget is £550,000,
04:49but they could stretch to £600,000 for the right property.
04:53Do you know, I never tire of driving through the Welsh landscape
05:05wherever I happen to be,
05:06but here in Paris, well,
05:08I've got the biggest county Wales has to offer to explore.
05:14Now, clearly, access to a rail line to get Debbie back to London
05:17is going to, in some ways, define where we can search.
05:23And I'm also a little bit concerned
05:25as to whether or not they both really want the same thing.
05:29However, I am sure that the magic of Wales,
05:32the romance of this country,
05:34may just iron out any wrinkles there may be.
05:39Powis landscapes don't get much more magical
05:45than the Elan Valley.
05:47So that's where I'm meeting Debbie and Neil
05:49before the first of our viewings.
05:52Well, Neil Demps, welcome to Escape to the Country
05:54and welcome to Powis.
05:56How does it feel to finally be here,
05:58getting your search underway?
05:59Wonderful and very exciting.
06:01But how well do you know this part of the world?
06:03Not very well.
06:05We literally just kind of woke up one morning,
06:06didn't want to go take the dogs for a normal walk,
06:08so we said, let's just have a little jaunt to Wales.
06:11So we just did a day trip there and back.
06:12Been here, what, six times since January?
06:14Yes, made a few trips and it's been...
06:17It's overwhelmed us with its beauty
06:19and we feel that sadness as we're leaving the area
06:23and we know that it's going to be a while before we come back.
06:26I always think one of the most important elements
06:28to any house search is for buyers
06:30to have an emotional relationship with the region
06:34but when it comes to the property choices
06:37that we are going to make to try and satisfy both of you,
06:40that is quite challenging
06:41because I think there is this kind of split down the middle
06:44as to what you both want.
06:45For me, I'm looking for more of a contemporary place,
06:49something that's finished, complete,
06:51we can move into, settle.
06:53We don't have to move any time soon.
06:55And for you, Demps?
06:57I'm after a lambing shed, acres of land,
07:01not so bothered about a house,
07:02just a place to have lots of, you know, animals.
07:04I want bees, I want chickens, I'd like some dexter cows.
07:07I mean, just to be absolutely clear,
07:09I'm a property finder, not a marriage captain.
07:12All right?
07:13Rest assured, I will try and, you know,
07:15bridge this gap between you in terms of what we find you.
07:18Brilliant. Fantastic.
07:18The first spot for our house tour
07:23is the small village of Llandrinio.
07:26Located close to the border of England,
07:28it's just a mile to the village of Four Crosses.
07:31The vet serves both pet owners and the farming community,
07:35whilst human ailments are catered for
07:37by a GP's and medical centre.
07:40Five bus routes take in the towns of Welshpool and Osworth Street.
07:43And national rail links can be accessed at Shoesbury,
07:4919 miles away.
07:51Our first property is located down a quiet country lane,
07:55around a 20-minute walk from the main village facilities.
07:58There are little noises there. Is that a good squeal?
08:05It is a good squeal. A very happy squeal.
08:07Good. There you are then. Let's have a look. What do you think?
08:09Absolutely amazing. Yeah?
08:12Massive. Views everywhere.
08:14Got your garage? Garage.
08:16I'm thinking bungalow, so we're very open to a bungalow.
08:19Yeah. I think Neil could probably get away with a ride-on mower here as well.
08:22If I was being super technical, I'd say you probably don't need bungalow.
08:24Why not? Why not if you can?
08:26Well, yeah. Why wouldn't you?
08:28Let's check out inside.
08:29Yes. Yes.
08:32This detached, late 20th century brick-and-tile bungalow
08:36has been refurbished and updated by the current owners.
08:40And first impressions are, it has my buyers written all over it.
08:44Oh, Neil, look. I've got a sign here for us already.
08:46Perfect for us.
08:47Lovely lady and a grumpy old man.
08:50There we are.
08:52Wow.
08:54Look at this space.
08:55Oh, my Lord.
08:56I love the contrast in chimney colour to the rest of the world.
08:59Oh, Christmas trees.
09:00I can see at least two in here.
09:03Probably one in the hallway.
09:04We judge a place by how many Christmas trees we can get in there.
09:06Well, many people do.
09:07You can imagine our sofas in that corner, right, can't I?
09:09Yeah.
09:10The excitement is palpable.
09:11And there is agreement, I think.
09:13Yeah, there is.
09:13There is.
09:14There is.
09:14Yes, yes.
09:15It is possible.
09:16Your marriage casting skills are definitely coming out of yours now.
09:20Come on, let's continue through here.
09:21Yeah, you'll like this.
09:24Returning to the L-shaped hall, we head to the back of the home where a dining room is divided from the kitchen by a half wall.
09:30So, here you go, then.
09:33Kitchen diner.
09:37Wowzers.
09:37Amazing space.
09:38Yeah?
09:38It is absolutely huge.
09:40Look at this.
09:41The view through the doors is pretty spectacular.
09:44That is amazing.
09:45Look, it's not an old property, this, but when it was originally built, this was two rooms.
09:49And they realised that they were missing out on the kind of social aspects of cooking and preparing.
09:53So, they took the wall out, left this dwarf wall, giving you this separate sort of kitchen zone.
09:57Through there, you've got utility area boot room.
10:01That's perfect for the dogs.
10:02Yeah, really perfect.
10:03And, of course, the joy is all of it is on one level.
10:06So, I imagine for your dogs, actually, they probably prefer that.
10:08It's much better for them health-wise, because we've got a Great Dane.
10:11They can't go up and down the stairs a lot.
10:12So, you know, actually, it's much better for him as he ages.
10:14Aren't we all?
10:15And you.
10:17Come on.
10:19The hallway leads to the other side of the home, where there are four bedrooms to check out.
10:24To the front are two good-sized guest doubles with generous windows and built-in storage.
10:31Sitting between these is the family bathroom, which offers a bath and separate shower cubicle.
10:38Then, to the back of the home, a third bedroom is in use as a study.
10:41And, finally, bedroom four could be for Debbie and Neil, and possibly some of their fur family, too.
10:50So, this, we're thinking, would be yours, because it's got the shower en suite through there.
10:55Wow, this is great.
10:57Yeah, it's massive.
10:58Massive wardrobe.
10:59Yeah, not built-in, so there's a big void in there.
11:01Dog bed.
11:02Cat tree.
11:04Cat tree.
11:05Dog bed.
11:06Dog bed.
11:07Everyone's in here.
11:08We've got to have a home for the cats as well in our bedroom.
11:10We've got three cats, yeah.
11:12Yeah.
11:12They need their...
11:13We're all like a big sleep pile.
11:14Yeah.
11:14Anyway, so maybe you could squeeze into this bed space here.
11:22Proportionally, though, I'm guessing, is this bigger than what you've got now?
11:25Much bigger.
11:25Much bigger.
11:26Much bigger.
11:27Basically, I have a dog bed wedged in by the bedside table, and I can't use my bottom drawer,
11:32because there's a dog in the dog bed.
11:33Yeah.
11:34And I shuffle.
11:34These are concerns of the past from now on, my friend.
11:38We have nailed it.
11:39All species catered for on the accommodation front, I'm sending them to check out where
11:46Neil's mechanical baby, his beloved motorbike, might find its home.
11:52Oh, yes.
11:54Oh, wow.
11:54Look at that.
11:55There's a secret room back there.
11:56Loads of storage space.
11:59An integral garage leading to a workshop.
12:02Oh, my Lord.
12:04Big chest freezer for the dog food.
12:05Yeah, chest freezer for the dog food.
12:06Yeah, for the dog food.
12:07Perfect.
12:07Yeah.
12:09The house sits on a plot of around half an acre, which has been fully dog-proved by the
12:14current owners.
12:15There are raised beds for growing produce, as well as a separate orchard and several mature
12:20trees providing shade.
12:24Well, do you know, I'm just thinking for the cats and dogs out here, I feel how cool that
12:28is.
12:28Yeah.
12:28And you've also got a little tool shed there and the greenhouse too, so, you know,
12:33it sort of works, doesn't it?
12:34Yeah.
12:34I love the fact that you've got that area there is like an outdoor living space.
12:40Beehives.
12:41Beehives.
12:41I'm spotting some beehives over there, maybe.
12:43Yes.
12:43And this would be a lovely little bank for them.
12:45So, let's think about how much this is currently on the market for then.
12:49Five hundred and eighty-five thousand.
12:51Five hundred and eighty-five thousand pounds, yeah.
12:53Yeah.
12:54I'm going to go slightly lower at five seventy.
12:56Both of those doable within the framework of your budget.
13:00Here's the rub, though.
13:04This is currently on the market for five hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
13:13Okay.
13:15You're a bit stunned, I think.
13:16Yeah.
13:17Maybe you need to go and consider this further.
13:19Would you like to see more?
13:20Yes.
13:20Absolutely.
13:21Yes, please.
13:21I thought you might.
13:22Go and explore.
13:23Go where you like.
13:24Coming in at their ideal budget and comfortably below their maximum of six hundred thousand
13:31pounds, this detached, late 20th century bungalow offers large reception rooms and four bedrooms.
13:38There's an integral garage and workshop for the motorbike and a half-acre plot all in a
13:43rural location, but not far from a choice of towns and a rail link to London.
13:48Oh, yeah.
13:48Look at all these fruit trees.
13:50Look.
13:50You've got cherries, plums, apples.
13:53And then, I think, having, like, the chickens over here somewhere.
13:57In terms of space, outdoor space especially for our dogs, we could be working from home,
14:01throw the doors open and the boys can just be out.
14:04So that's absolutely fantastic.
14:06I would like to update some of the internals, whether they'll be a liquor, paint or a bathroom
14:11suite, but when you consider the price, it makes it all the more achievable.
14:17The property itself is huge, really big rooms.
14:20The garden is better than I could have dreamed of.
14:23I think it's just absolutely excellent.
14:26For me, it's a really big contender.
14:28To say Debbie and Neil's dogs are key players in the move is something of an understatement.
14:43These buyers are very much after dog-friendly destinations with good walking options.
14:47We're sending them to explore Newtown with Great Dane Duke and red Foxlab copper to see if it
14:54gets the paws up.
14:55Oh, look, there's some nice cycling and walking routes up there.
14:58Here's the station.
14:59As well as rail and bus links, the population of 11,500 is served by a good choice of places
15:09to eat and drink, many run by other escapees.
15:13We actually came from Saudi Arabia.
15:16It's a completely changing lifestyle for us.
15:19We've had a lovely time here and plan to stay.
15:24Everyone's warm, friendly, welcoming, beautiful river.
15:27It's a nice town to come and visit.
15:30Lovely pub.
15:31That does look like a lovely pub, doesn't it?
15:33Yeah.
15:34I think if there's a beer garden in the back of that, Deb, we could...
15:36Take them in there?
15:37Yeah.
15:38Every Tuesday, there's a street market where, among the variety of food vans, you can find
15:43lifelong resident and self-confessed food fairy, Heidi.
15:47Hiya.
15:47Can we order a couple of burgers just for our dogs?
15:50Where's the best places to take dogs for walks?
15:52Well, there's the Haveron boardwalks, which are absolutely fantastic.
15:55You've got to take the dogs up there.
15:57Yeah, definitely.
15:57You've got to take them up there.
15:59Good boys.
16:00Well done.
16:01That's it.
16:02On the bank of the River Severn, which runs through the town, is a cultural and community
16:07hub with a cafe, where owners of Canine Companions can treat them to doggy ice cream.
16:12What better way to follow a burger?
16:15What's this one?
16:15What flavour is this one?
16:16I think that one's just vanilla and this one's peanut butter.
16:19Newtown certainly seems a perfect choice for Debbie, Neil, Duke and Copper.
16:25Now to see if we can track down the home that will really get the tails wagging.
16:30The next property option is taking us further into the heart of the village of our previous
16:37viewing, Llandrinio.
16:39The community hall has a playing field which, like much of the area, enjoys views towards
16:44the Brydon Hills, located between Powys and Shropshire.
16:47Funds are raised for the facilities by a charity shop and other community-minded events include
16:54a weekly soup club.
16:56There's a dog-friendly pub with beer garden that serves food, including Sunday lunch.
17:01And it's just a five-minute walk from that to my next house, which is shielded from the
17:06main village road by tall, dense hedging.
17:09Well, you may have noticed that we are not a million miles away from our first property.
17:14No.
17:15But this is option number two.
17:18That's fairly magnificent.
17:19Wow.
17:20It's packed, and I mean packed, full of all mod cons.
17:25If you like your gadgets, this is the place for you.
17:33The only drawback is the noise from the road, which we have to acknowledge.
17:38It is what it is.
17:39But I think what you'll find when you get inside, it's a gadget man's dream.
17:44Oh.
17:45Nice dance, Neil.
17:47Stop the dancing.
17:48Stop dancing.
17:48That's your gadget man dance.
17:52Built in 2011, but with nods to Georgian architecture, this brick home has an L-shaped layout on the
17:59ground floor and a smaller central second floor.
18:02Our tour starts through the porticoat entrance, which leads into the kitchen diner immediately
18:07to our right.
18:09OK, then.
18:10Well, this is a kitchen and a half, isn't it?
18:14Wow.
18:15Wow, indeed.
18:16This is a beautiful kitchen.
18:17Yeah, I'm blown away.
18:18Absolutely beautiful.
18:20I'm blown away by this interior.
18:21Just this one room.
18:22Yeah.
18:22Finished.
18:23Look at the floor.
18:24Look at the floor.
18:25That's gorgeous.
18:25This sort of travertine that flows through the entrance hall, which is again, wide, generous,
18:29great for a Christmas tree.
18:30Yeah, Christmas tree.
18:31Every corner of this building is wired to allow you to effectively use your smart speaker
18:37to control the lights, the music, the whole thing.
18:40It is gadget-tastic.
18:42Come have a look through here.
18:45This is a gorgeous kitchen.
18:46And right off the kitchen, you've got this purpose-built, vaulted garden room.
18:51How about that?
18:52Oh, my goodness.
18:53Sewing room.
18:54Bag seed.
18:54Yeah, exactly.
18:55When you're doing your sewing or anything, you need all that light, natural light coming
18:59in.
18:59Yeah.
19:00And you've got it, ceilings on three sides.
19:03It's lovely, isn't it?
19:04Yeah.
19:04It flows through this great big doorway into here.
19:08It's an impressive room.
19:10You don't know what to be more impressed by.
19:11The TV.
19:13The fireplace.
19:13The finishings in the room.
19:16It is lovely.
19:17It is perfect, isn't it?
19:18There's literally nothing, nothing would have to do.
19:21I'd be really proud to invite our family over, for instance.
19:23Yes.
19:24You mentioned the TV.
19:25It is perhaps one of the biggest I've ever seen.
19:29You're going to get one of those just to watch yourself now on super high def.
19:34I actually wouldn't get one of those.
19:38I'd get the one that's next door.
19:40Come and have a look at this.
19:41Oh, no.
19:41No way.
19:43No way.
19:44Across the hall in the other wing is something they didn't ask for, but I think they're going
19:50to love.
19:51So, how about this then?
19:53Your own home movie theatre.
19:55Wow.
19:56This is Leo's dream room.
19:59This is, yes.
20:00Isn't it?
20:00Yes.
20:01This is a room I could quite happily spend many, many hours in.
20:06It was built originally as an annex for an elderly relative.
20:11That circumstance has changed and hence now it's become this movie room.
20:15But it does mean that upstairs you've really got two main bedrooms.
20:18Yeah.
20:19I'm going to let you two explore it on your own.
20:21You are loving this and I'm not going to interrupt you.
20:23Open the door, go up the stairs and I will find you a little bit later.
20:29Next to the cinema room is a ground floor shower room.
20:33Whilst upstairs, a roomy guest double provides countryside views and comes with its own en-suite
20:39shower.
20:39A smaller room is in use as a study.
20:45And then the largest of the bedrooms for Debbie and Neil to see is the principal en-suite.
20:51Wow, that's a lovely en-suite.
20:53Look at that.
20:54That's gorgeous.
20:55That's a huge en-suite.
20:57Neil, this is massive.
20:58I don't think we'd have a problem with the super king in here, would we?
21:02Enough room for dog beds.
21:04And look at these views, Neil.
21:06Look.
21:07That's lovely, isn't it?
21:09Gorgeous.
21:11But of course, we couldn't forget the motorbike.
21:14So back on the ground floor, accessed internally from the kitchen, is some rather luxurious vehicular
21:21accommodation.
21:21Whoa!
21:25Whoa!
21:30That is unbelievable.
21:34Wow.
21:35Oh, Debbie, you're never going to see me.
21:37Tea-making facilities?
21:38You're sorted.
21:39Yeah, it's also got a toilet.
21:41What do we think, then?
21:42The only thing that's disappointed me is I know that all the lighting isn't on yet.
21:50Ah, here we go.
21:51Ready?
21:52Turn on hex lighting.
21:56Yay!
22:00It's like daylight in here.
22:02That is amazing.
22:06Outside, the private driveway and hard standing offers lots of room for vehicles.
22:10And there's an electric charging point, as well as exterior lighting, further power points
22:15and taps throughout the garden, which includes paved and graveled seating spots, as well as
22:21lawn.
22:22Not huge, as you can see, but it does go all the way around the property.
22:26But it is nicely dog-proof, so all of that's very secured.
22:30I just think the house is stunning.
22:33I'm not sure about the garden being big enough.
22:35The garden is less important to me, personally, but there's two of us moving in.
22:41We do have to think about the road noise for you, as well.
22:44Well, let's think about the price, then, of this one.
22:48This is right at the top of our budget of £600,000.
22:52Because it's a smaller plot, I think I'd probably say it's £590,000.
22:57OK, here's the thing.
22:59This is currently on the market for £535,000.
23:08I'm... I'm speechless.
23:10He's genuinely speechless.
23:12Yeah.
23:12This 21st century detached house is turnkey ready, with smart technology throughout, and
23:21offers a contemporary kitchen diner, vaulted garden room, home cinema, and two en-suite
23:27double bedrooms.
23:28There's a luxurious integral garage, a dog-proof garden, and countryside views.
23:34The whole of the inside of the house is perfect.
23:37It's really spacious.
23:38And also, the garage for Neil, wonderful.
23:41Seeing Neil's face when he walked in there was perfection.
23:44It's very important for Debbie to get some space, grow her own vegetables, have chickens.
23:50In general, it's a much smaller plot.
23:53But the biggest elephant in the room is the road noise.
23:58That noise will be intrusive for her.
24:02We have to try to see if we can find common ground.
24:06Interior finish versus outdoor and tranquillity.
24:12Wow.
24:13What a day we've had.
24:15What a day indeed.
24:16That is...
24:18A pickle.
24:19A pickle.
24:20We are in a bit of a pickle.
24:21A pickle.
24:21But hopefully a sweet pickle.
24:22Yeah.
24:23Come on.
24:24To round off our first day, I've brought my buyers to a tranquil spot on the Elan River
24:33to see if their infatuation with this part of Wales is turning into a full-blown love affair.
24:39Have a seat.
24:41It's made for the job, isn't it?
24:42Oh, full of a rock.
24:43Perfect.
24:43I really want to sort of tap into the fact that you've only recently discovered Wales.
24:50But now you've had a chance to see a bit more of it, how does it feel now?
24:53If anything, it's sealed the bill.
24:57It's just so peaceful here.
24:58I love it.
24:59I think I've fallen in love with it even more.
25:01I know I have.
25:02I think the people are connected to the land here in a different way as well.
25:05I mean, one trip we had in, a tractor stopped dead in front of us.
25:11He hopped out, picked up some litter and went on his way.
25:13One thing that really stands out is the pride you see in people.
25:18A lot of people mention things like national pride and being very proud of where they come from.
25:22The difference here is people seem to live it and breathe it.
25:26It seems to be less of a slogan, more of an act.
25:31So, we have one more property to come.
25:34Yep, we're looking forward to it.
25:35Yeah, good.
25:36But before then, supper and a beer.
25:40Why not?
25:40Let's go.
25:41Definitely.
25:42Feeling quite thirsty now.
25:44Me too, me too.
25:45The average sold price of a detached house in Wales currently sits at £330,000,
26:03with the figure for Powis just slightly below this at £326,000.
26:10But for those looking for a home in such a sparsely populated area,
26:15it's worth widening the net to include options a few miles over the border into Shropshire too.
26:19For example, this two-bedroom detached cottage, located in the Shropshire Hills,
26:28offers seclusion in an area of outstanding natural beauty just four miles from the Powis border.
26:33It's on the market for offers over £240,000.
26:40On the Welsh side of the border, this detached four-bedroom, two-bathroom home offers a modern finish
26:46and an energy efficiency rating of B in a rural community setting.
26:51This one is priced at offers over £400,000.
26:57And renters have the option of this very rurally located stone farmhouse,
27:02which has been recently renovated to offer internal insulation and an air source heat pump.
27:08Coming with four bedrooms, it's unfurnished and costs £1,500 per calendar month.
27:14Well, with one more day of house hunting left on this search, it can mean, of course, only one thing.
27:23It's mystery house time.
27:25But what do we offer a couple who are so keen to find something which needs no work at all?
27:30The answer is very simple.
27:33A mystery house, which is brand new.
27:37My mystery pick is in the village of Middletown, close to the border of England.
27:42And to demonstrate just how close, I'm taking my buyers on a short stroll.
27:48Well, today is all about the mystery house.
27:51But before we get there, I thought I would show you a bit of the landscape around it,
27:55because you are making this transition from a life in England to Wales.
28:00And this little wall illustrates it rather nicely, I think,
28:03because this is England, this is the border.
28:07No.
28:08And now we are in Wales.
28:11That's amazing.
28:14Did not expect that at all, no.
28:16So this lovely landscape is absolutely on your doorstep,
28:19if you like, a mystery house, which is but a stone's throw that way.
28:23We stipulated it had to be in Wales.
28:25Yes.
28:25It is in Wales.
28:26And we are, just.
28:27Just.
28:28Just.
28:29That does look like Wales, doesn't it?
28:31Yes.
28:31That does look like England.
28:32It does.
28:33Yeah, it really does.
28:34So I'm going to go ahead and open up the mystery house, get it ready for you.
28:38Okay.
28:38And I will see you there.
28:40Lovely.
28:40We'll stay on this side of the stream.
28:41I would.
28:42Yeah.
28:43Go on.
28:45Located on the other side of the Brydon Hills from yesterday's viewings,
28:49the village of the final house, Middletown,
28:52lies on the main route between the towns of Welshpool and Shoesbury.
28:55And there's several buses a day running to those destinations.
29:00The village hall is available for private hire.
29:03And there's an inn serving food.
29:07So as Debbie and Neil get a feel for all that,
29:10I'm at the mystery house to give you a sneak preview.
29:15So here then is our mystery house.
29:18Brand spanking new.
29:20It's also super efficient.
29:22It has an EPC rating of A.
29:24Very hard to find.
29:25In rural property.
29:26Plus, it also has a very generous double garage with an electric door
29:31that I hope will satisfy Neil's ambitions
29:34when it comes to looking after his beloved motorbike.
29:38New properties have so far proved popular with my buyers
29:41that will showing them a total new build complete the winning streak.
29:46That is it.
29:48Brand new.
29:50Oh, golly gumdrops, Debbie.
29:52We're in a brand new build at the moment.
29:57Not like this, though.
29:58Not like this.
29:58A bulk buy one.
30:00Yeah.
30:00We do love a new build.
30:02Yes.
30:03I think it looks amazing.
30:05Brick wood.
30:05Yeah, I'd really like that, yeah.
30:07It's a nice mix.
30:07Want to see?
30:08Yes.
30:08Yes, please.
30:09Come on.
30:09One of a development of two houses and built with today's climate sensibilities in mind
30:16using low-carbon construction materials, there are solar panels, an air source heat pump,
30:23plus it all comes with a 10-year builder's guarantee.
30:26Smell the newness.
30:27Our tour begins through the bifold doors of the first reception room.
30:33Oh, yes.
30:35It's so warm.
30:36Very warm.
30:37Really tasty.
30:38Well, you're getting all the solar gain from this being south-facing through these double-glazed
30:43bifold doors.
30:44But it's all underfloor heating, and it's ready for a floor covering of your choice.
30:49Come on up a wonder, though, because the space here is what's so lovely.
30:51I mean, we've come in through, effectively, the sort of living room door.
30:53Yes.
30:54I suppose, technically, your main front door.
30:56Yeah.
30:56Great big open hallway.
30:57Lovely area there for boots and things, yeah.
30:59You've got a little study in there.
31:01Yeah.
31:01Generous boot room, utility room, and then here you go.
31:04Kitchen diner.
31:06That is lovely, isn't it?
31:06Look at this.
31:07That would be a lovely dining area.
31:08I like the fact that you can cook in the centre.
31:10We've always said that's really nice.
31:11Yes.
31:12But also, just look at the views.
31:13They are lovely.
31:14I think you can make it really lovely in here.
31:16You could dress it beautifully.
31:18It's an amazing space.
31:18Yeah.
31:19It's actually just buying things we like.
31:20That's fun.
31:21Shopping's fun.
31:22Shopping, yeah.
31:22Come on.
31:23Let's go upstairs.
31:26Completing this floor is a handy cloakroom, and on the floor above, my mystery pick provides
31:32four well-proportioned bedrooms.
31:34I'm leaving Debbie and Neil to decide what they might do with the guestrooms on their own,
31:39starting with the smallest, partly set into the eaves at the rear of the property.
31:44These rooms are all of a really good size, aren't they?
31:45They're huge rooms, yeah.
31:46But this would be a perfect office.
31:47Yeah, a really nice office.
31:49And again, views.
31:51We'll be walking up there every morning.
31:52Yeah.
31:54Next to this is a family bathroom with a shower cubicle and a tub.
31:58Wherever we move, we have to have this bath tub.
32:01That is absolutely lovely.
32:03Love that.
32:04It's beautiful.
32:05Gorgeous.
32:06It could sink into there.
32:07Right now.
32:07At the front of the home is a guest double with an en-suite shower room, and a further
32:13double bedroom with a dormer window.
32:17That just leaves bedroom four, the principal suite with bifold doors set into the crossed
32:23gable, where we're catching up.
32:25Shower en-suite.
32:26That's huge, isn't it?
32:30And then next door to it, you've got walking wardrobe.
32:35Lovely.
32:35Walking wardrobe.
32:36Yeah.
32:37Yeah.
32:38And then you've got the views out that way.
32:39That's lovely.
32:40That's an amazing view.
32:41Yeah, well, let's have a look.
32:42Let's open it up.
32:43Yeah.
32:43There you go.
32:44Bifold again.
32:47There.
32:47Oh, that's amazing.
32:49That's great, isn't it?
32:50You get all of that.
32:51Look at that.
32:52This view.
32:53Holy moly.
32:55Staring out over England.
32:56From your castle in Wales.
32:57From your castle in Wales.
32:58Yeah, lovely.
33:01The mystery compromise is that the outside space is rather more modest than majestic.
33:07It includes a gravel drive with shared access for the other home in the development, as well
33:12as a front garden laid to lawn.
33:14But whilst there may be no room for livestock, there is stabling for Neil's prized steed in
33:20the form of a double-width garage.
33:23Here is your lair.
33:25That is the garage.
33:26I need more than one bike.
33:28No, you don't.
33:29To fill that, I need more than one.
33:30No, you don't.
33:30Nice.
33:31Nice.
33:32Your bike and your personality will fill that alone.
33:34Thanks.
33:36Oh, lordy.
33:38The price.
33:39The price.
33:39The price.
33:40The price.
33:40The price.
33:40The price.
33:40The price.
33:41The price.
33:43Okay, notwithstanding the garden issue, then, let's think about how much our mystery house
33:47is going to be on the market for.
33:49Okay, 585.
33:51£585,000, yep.
33:55I would go that high, so I'm going to go 570.
33:59This has been priced to sell at...
34:05£495,000.
34:10You are introducing the pickle again.
34:14You are introducing lots of pickles.
34:18Go on.
34:20Debate.
34:21Go on.
34:23This brand-new detached house with builder's guarantee offers incredible energy efficiency,
34:29including solar panels and a heat pump.
34:31There's an open-plan kitchen diner.
34:34Four bedrooms, two of which are en suite and a large garage.
34:38There are glorious views of both the Welsh and English countryside, as well as good road
34:43links to nearby towns.
34:45When I first approached the property, I whispered in Neil's ear, no, because I saw the garden
34:52and I was like, no.
34:54The prices, yet again, scuppered us.
34:57When we were walking through it and walking around it, we thought we need the answer.
35:02Debbie, greenhouse, chickens, vegetable patches.
35:05We were struggling to see where it was all going to fit in here.
35:09But for under £500,000, I could squeeze a lot on this land.
35:13A lot.
35:17Right, well, that's it.
35:18House tours are now over.
35:21I could show you no more, but hopefully I don't need to.
35:24No, I don't think you do.
35:26No, you can't confuse me any more than you already have.
35:30We'd like to help.
35:31You've probably heard of the magic five-a-day fruit and veg we need to eat to stay healthy.
35:41But did you know that the UK only grows a fifth of the fruit and half of the vegetables
35:46we consume as a nation?
35:48Well, an initiative in 35 acres of fertile land a few miles from the town of Newtown is
35:55trying to change that.
35:56I'm meeting Gary Mitchell from the Future Farm Partnership to hear all about it.
36:01Gary, it's notoriously difficult to get into farming from any first-time entrants.
36:08Now, I know you've got just over, what, 30-odd acres here in this lovely valley.
36:12What have you put in and how is this plot evolving?
36:15There's lots of issues in trying to get more fresh food produced in mid-Wales and Wales in
36:20general.
36:21We've only got 0.2% of our land under horticulture in Wales.
36:24So we're a massive net importer for fresh produce and that doesn't have to be the way.
36:29And what we've done is managed to access a bare land plot here in partnership with the
36:34local authority and obtain a 95-year lease on it.
36:38And this initiative is specifically putting new, younger growers onto smaller plots that
36:44are affordable for them in return for fresh food production.
36:48So we worked with the local authority and we have changed planning guidance for the whole
36:52of Powess County Council.
36:54And what it basically says is, if you're willing to work on the land to produce sustainably
37:00produced fresh fruit and vegetables, you should afford the right to live on it.
37:07The new planning guidance means a home has been built for each of the small farms, removing
37:12the economic and practical barriers growers face when it comes to running a business.
37:17So how many new young farmers have you got on this site?
37:23So we've got three new growers in terms of lead growers and each of them have got between
37:29seven and 12 acres.
37:31Well, I'm looking forward to meeting them.
37:33I can see some of them out here busy on their plots.
37:38Growers from Powess and bordering areas have been chosen for their horticultural experience
37:43and include Lydia with her partner, Charlie.
37:47So Lydia, as I understand it, you've got seven acres here.
37:51Yeah, just over seven acres of beautiful ex-sheet pasture.
37:55And you've not been here that long, have you?
37:57Yeah, three, not even three months yet.
37:59I've been running a market garden for the last three years down in South Powess, which
38:03was great and gave me an incredible amount of experience of doing this sort of thing.
38:07But I would never have been able to even think about getting seven acres of my own if
38:12I had to sort of fund it all myself.
38:14If you want to live on site as we are, it's unbelievably expensive.
38:19So, yeah, having this opportunity is, yeah, I feel very blessed.
38:24As well as providing land with a home, the scheme shares resources such as a processing
38:29and storage barn and also helps growers navigate agricultural form-filling and accessing markets.
38:36Tilly is another grower who has taken on just over 12 acres.
38:45Were you a farmer grower before?
38:47I didn't grow up on farms, but I've been a grower on different farms for the last five years
38:52or so and learned from a few different people.
38:55But this is a whole new venture, learning to do it from myself.
38:58And it's great to be able to share skills with the other growers here.
39:01So everything within these boundaries is yours, is it?
39:04And beyond, yeah, on the other side of the field there.
39:08Wow.
39:08I mean, do you picture all of this under cultivation?
39:11Erm, most of it.
39:14There's areas that I want to leave for wildlife, so I'm going to create orchard and meadow
39:18and create stronger, like, hedgerows and barriers around the river, like buffer zones.
39:25And, yeah, have a seven-year rotation across it, so some of it will just be in fertility building.
39:31Erm, look after the soil.
39:33The ambition's obvious, really.
39:34I mean, do you pinch yourself a bit when you come out here and think,
39:37ooh, I'm doing it, I'm...
39:39Yeah, it does feel unreal.
39:40Still a lot of hard work and a lot of risk, but I'm willing to take it and I'm passionate enough.
39:46Well, I, for one, wish these budding growers all the best.
39:50And I'm sure the people of Powys will be enjoying the fruits of their labours too,
39:55in the very near future.
39:59Well, this has been quite a week for both Debbie and for Neil.
40:05They are absolutely committed to making this move because they have already fallen in love
40:08with this wonderful part of the world.
40:10But have we managed to find them a property to go with it?
40:17Well, guys, what could I say?
40:19It has been a lot of fun.
40:21But the million-dollar question is, have we managed to find you a home for your future?
40:25All three were absolutely lovely.
40:27We loved them in three very different ways, but we felt like one kind of won over all of them
40:33because it was just a better space for us to occupy, I think, wasn't it?
40:37It is genuinely hard for me to tell which one is your favourite.
40:41It put me out of my misery.
40:43Which one might it be?
40:45On our journey back after Mystery House, we had a conversation.
40:52We made a decision and we rang the estate agents for house number two and put in an offer.
41:01Done it already?
41:02Yeah.
41:05That's incredible.
41:06Have you heard back?
41:07They're speaking to the vendors to see if the offer is accepted and we'll plan from there.
41:12Both of us instantly could imagine ourselves living there right away.
41:16And to your credit, you did say as much at the time.
41:18And the look on your faces when we walked into that kitchen diner for the first time,
41:23it was priceless, actually.
41:25And that's before you'd seen all the gizmos.
41:28You know, the cinema room, the garage and all the rest of it.
41:31But there was the issue of the road.
41:33Yeah.
41:33Yes.
41:34Also, there was an issue over the outside garden space,
41:37but you've overcome that, clearly, with great agreement.
41:41I'm going to knock down the shed and we're also looking at, like, sound blocking fencing
41:45to just go along that and just deaden that sound a little bit.
41:48But you've offered and we're waiting to hear.
41:50I mean, look, it was on the market for £535,000.
41:53What did you dare offer?
41:55The asking price.
41:57That also speaks to how much you like the property.
41:59Yeah.
41:59Yes.
42:00We thought it was worth it.
42:01Yes, definitely.
42:02Well, guys, I'm really, really excited.
42:05And I'll be honest with you, in my nearly 20 years of hosting on Escapes of the Country,
42:09I could count probably on one hand the times when an offer has been put in so quickly during a search.
42:16I can't wait for that phone to ring.
42:18Here's to you.
42:19Cheers.
42:20Cheers.
42:20Cheers.
42:25Wow.
42:27In my experience, house searches do not get any better than the one we have just enjoyed.
42:33We came, we sought, we found, and now I can tell you the good news that Neil and Debbie have bought.
42:40Their offer has been accepted.
42:43And they are about to embark on their very own Welsh adventure in this glorious countryside.
42:49I wish them all the very best of luck.
42:52I'll see you next time.
42:55If you would like to escape to the country in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland or England and need our help,
43:01why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:06We'll see you next time.
43:36You'll be right.
43:38You'll be right.
43:38You'll be right.
43:40You'll be right.
43:41I'll see you next time.
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