- 4 hours ago
Escape to the Country - Season 26 Episode 16 -
Powys
Powys
Category
😹
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 now, 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,
01:00join 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 Bricheniog, a.k.a. the Brecon Beacons.
01:20A 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.
01:36Located in mid-Wales and bordering England,
01:39the 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.
01:54Newtown.
01:55My Powys in gael lots o sleu oedd wyleddig goda mynyddoedd
02:02ac afonau ac llynt llynoedd ac mae o'n lle hyfryd iawn.
02:10Powys is a vast landscape with amazing greenery where we've got the River Seven 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,
02:29even though it is so wild and free.
02:33Well, 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.
02:53Hi, 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
03:15were 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 Duke, he will 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 pride and joy.
04:01I throw my helmet on, everything else goes away
04:03and I can just focus on enjoying myself out on the bike.
04:07I discovered a few years ago that I was neurodivergent
04:10and as I've gotten older I really can't cope with things like lots of noise, lots of people.
04:16I also absolutely love vegetables so I really want to grow my own.
04:20I'd love a greenhouse and some raised beds which I think we'll have when we move to Wales.
04:24I'd also really love chickens.
04:26I would really love a lawn, something with a bit more space, maybe a ride on mower, that would be lovely.
04:34Debbie and Neil are after a detached three to four bedroom home with a large dog-friendly garden,
04:39garage and peaceful surroundings.
04:42Neil prefers modern whilst Debbie doesn't mind a project
04:45and their ideal budget is £550,000 but they could stretch to £600,000 for the right property.
04:53Do you know I never tire of driving through the Welsh landscape wherever I happen to be
05:06but here in Paris, well, I've got the biggest county Wales has to offer to explore.
05:13Now clearly access to a rail line to get Debbie back to London is going to in some ways define where we can search.
05:22And I'm also a little bit concerned as to whether or not they both really want the same thing.
05:28However, I am sure that the magic of Wales, the romance of this country, may just iron out any wrinkles there may be.
05:42Powys landscapes don't get much more magical than the Elan Valley.
05:46So that's where I'm meeting Debbie and Neil before the first of our viewings.
05:52Well Neil Demps, welcome to Escape to the Country and welcome to Powys.
05:56How does it feel to finally be here getting your search underway?
05:59Wonderful and very exciting.
06:01But how well do you know this part of the world?
06:03Not very well.
06:04Not very well.
06:05We literally just kind of woke up one morning, didn't want to go take the dogs for a normal walk.
06:08So we said let's just have a little jaunt to Wales.
06:10So we just did a day trip there and back.
06:12Been here what, six times since January?
06:14Since January, yes.
06:15Made a few trips and it's been, it's overwhelmed us with its beauty and 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 to any house search is for buyers to have an emotional relationship with the region.
06:34But when it comes to the property choices that we are going to make to try and satisfy both of you,
06:40that is quite challenging because I think there is this kind of split down the middle as to what you both want.
06:45For me, I'm looking for more of a contemporary place, something that's finished, complete, we can move into, settle.
06:53We don't have to move any time soon.
06:55And for you, Debs?
06:57I'm after a lambing shed, acres of land, not so bothered about a house, just 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, I'm a property finder, not a marriage counsellor.
07:12All right, rest assured, I will try and, you know, bridge this gap between you in terms of what we find you.
07:18Brilliant. Fantastic. Let's go.
07:21The first spot for our house tour is the small village of Llandrinio.
07:26Located close to the border of England, it'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 by a GP's and medical centre.
07:39Five bus routes take in the towns of Welshpool and Osworth Street.
07:45And national rail links can be accessed at Shoesbury, 19 miles away.
07:51Our first property is located down a quiet country lane,
07:54around 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? Massive.
08:12Views everywhere.
08:14Got your garage? Garage. I'm thinking bungalow.
08:17So we're very open to a bungalow.
08:19Yeah. I think Neil could probably get away with a ride-on mower here as well.
08:21If I was being super technical, I'd say you probably don't need bungalow, but why not?
08:25Why not if you can? Yeah. Why wouldn't you? No.
08:28Let's check out inside. Yes. Yes.
08:30Perfect. Yes.
08:33This detached, late 20th century brick and tile bungalow
08:36has been refurbished and updated by the current owners.
08:39And 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. A lovely lady and a grumpy old man.
08:50There we are.
08:52Wow. Look at this space. Oh, my Lord.
08:56I love the contrast in chimney colour to the rest of it all.
08:59Oh, Christmas trees. I can see at least two in here.
09:02Probably 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 sofa's in that corner there, can't I? Yeah.
09:10The excitement is palpable. And there is agreement, I think.
09:13Yeah, there is, yeah, absolutely. There is, yes.
09:15Yes, yes, it is possible.
09:16Yeah.
09:17Your marriage counselling skills are definitely coming out of yours now.
09:20Come on, let's continue through here. You'll like this.
09:24Returning to the L-shaped hall, we head to the back of the home
09:27where a dining room is divided from the kitchen by a half wall.
09:32So here you go, then. Kitchen diner.
09:36Wowzers.
09:37Amazing space. Yeah?
09:39It is absolutely huge. Look at this.
09:41The view through the doors is pretty spectacular.
09:44Oh, that is amazing.
09:45Look, it's not an old property, this, but when it was originally built,
09:48this was two rooms, and they realised that they were missing out
09:51on the kind of social aspects of cooking and preparing,
09:53so they took them all out, left this dwarf wall,
09:55giving you this separate sort of kitchen zone.
09:57Through there you've got utility area boot room.
10:00That's perfect for the dogs.
10:02Yeah, really perfect.
10:03And, of course, the joy is all of it is on one level,
10:05so I imagine for your dogs, actually, they probably prefer that.
10:08It's much better for them health-wise,
10:10because we've got a Great Dane.
10:11They can't go up and down the stairs a lot,
10:12so, you know, it's actually much better for him as he ages.
10:14Aren't we all? And you.
10:15The hallway leads to the other side of the home,
10:22where there are four bedrooms to check out.
10:24To the front are two good-sized guest doubles
10:27with generous windows and built-in storage.
10:30Sitting between these is the family bathroom,
10:33which offers a bath and separate shower cubicle.
10:36Then, 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,
10:46and possibly some of their fur family, too.
10:50So, this, we're thinking, would be yours,
10:52because it's got the shower en suite through there.
10:55Lovely space.
10:56Wow, this is great. Yeah, it's massive.
10:58Massive wardrobe.
10:59Yeah, not built in, so there's a big void in there.
11:01Dog bed. Cat tree.
11:04Cat tree, dog bed, dog bed.
11:06Cat tree.
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.
11:11In the winter.
11:12Yeah.
11:13They need their...
11:14Ooh, like a big sleep pile.
11:15Yeah.
11:17Fine.
11:18Anyway, so maybe you could squeeze into this bed space here.
11:21Proportionally, though, I'm guessing...
11:23Is this bigger than what you've got now?
11:25Much bigger. Much bigger.
11:26Much bigger.
11:27Basically, I have a dog bed wedged in by the bedside table,
11:30and I can't use my bottom drawer,
11:31because there's a dog in the dog bed.
11:33Yeah.
11:34And I shuffle, like, down...
11:35These are concerns of the past from now on, my friend.
11:38We have nailed it.
11:41All species catered for on the accommodation front,
11:44I'm sending them to check out where Neil's mechanical baby,
11:47his beloved motorbike, might find its home.
11:50Oh, yes.
11:51Oh, wow.
11:52Look at that.
11:53There's a secret room back there.
11:54Loads of storage space.
11:55Loads.
11:56An integral garage leading to a workshop.
11:57Oh, my lord.
11:58Big chest freezer for the dog food.
11:59Yeah, chest freezer for the dog food.
12:00Perfect.
12:01Yeah.
12:02The house sits on a plot of around half an acre,
12:05which has been fully dog-proofed by the current owners.
12:08There are raised beds for growing produce,
12:09as well as a separate orchard,
12:10and several mature trees providing shade.
12:15Oh, do you know, I'm just thinking for the cats and dogs out here,
12:27feel how cool that is.
12:28Yeah.
12:29And you've also got a little tool shed there and the greenhouse too,
12:32so, you know, it sort of works, doesn't it?
12:34Yeah.
12:35I love the fact that you've got that area there.
12:37Yeah.
12:38It's like an outdoor living space.
12:40Beehives.
12:41Beehives.
12:42I'm spotting some beehives over there, maybe.
12:43Yes.
12:44And this would be a lovely little bank for them.
12:46So, let's think about how much this is currently on the market for, then.
12:50585,000.
12:52585,000 pounds, yeah, yeah.
12:54I'm going to go slightly lower at 570.
12:57Both of those doable within the framework of your budget.
13:01Here's the rub, though.
13:03This is currently on the market for 500 and 50,000 pounds.
13:13Okay.
13:14You'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.
13:21Absolutely.
13:22Yes, please.
13:23I thought you might.
13:24Go and explore.
13:25Thanks.
13:26Go where you like.
13:27Coming in at their ideal budget and comfortably below their maximum of 600,000 pounds,
13:32this 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 rural location,
13:44but not far from a choice of towns and a rail link to London.
13:48Oh, yeah.
13:49Look at all these fruit trees.
13:50Look.
13:51You've got cherries, plums, apples, and then I think having the chickens over here somewhere.
13:57In terms of space, outdoor space especially for our dogs, we could be working from home and throw 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 suite, but when you consider the price, it makes it all the more achievable.
14:16The property itself is huge.
14:19Really big rooms.
14:20The garden is better than I could have dreamed of.
14:23I think it's just absolutely excellent.
14:25For 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.
14:48We're sending them to explore Newtown with Great Dane Duke and Red Foxlab Copper to see if it gets the paws up.
14:56Oh look, there's some nice cycling and walking routes up there.
14:58Here's the station.
14:59So that's where I'll be going into London.
15:02As well as rail and bus links, the population of 11,500 is served by a good choice of places to 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.
15:22Everyone's warm, friendly, welcoming, beautiful river.
15:27It's a nice town to come and visit.
15:29Lovely pub.
15:30That does look like a lovely pub, doesn't it?
15:32Yeah.
15:33I 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 lifelong resident and self-confessed food fairy, Heidi.
15:47Hiya.
15:48Can we order a couple of burgers just for our dogs?
15:50Yes.
15:51Where's the best places to take dogs for walks?
15:52Well, there's the Haverin boardwalks, which are absolutely fantastic.
15:55You've got to take the dogs up there.
15:57Yeah, definitely.
15:58Definitely take them out there.
15:59Good boys.
16:00Well done.
16:01That's it.
16:02On the bank of the River Seven, which runs through the town, is a cultural and community hub with a cafe,
16:08where owners of Canine Companions can treat them to doggy ice cream.
16:12What better way to follow a burger?
16:14What'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.
16:32The next property option is taking us further into the heart of the village of our previous viewing, Llandrinio.
16:39The community hall has a playing field which, like much of the area, enjoys views towards the Brydon Hills,
16:45located between Powys and Shropshire.
16:48Funds are raised for the facilities by a charity shop and other community-minded events include a 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,
17:05which is shielded from the main 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.
17:17That's fairly magnificent.
17:19Wow.
17:20It's packed, and I mean packed, full of all mod cons.
17:27Yes!
17:30If you like your gadgets, this is the place for you.
17:33The only drawback is the noise from the road.
17:36Yeah.
17:37Which we have to acknowledge.
17:38Yeah.
17:39It is what it is.
17:40But 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.
17:49Come on.
17:50That's your gadget man dance.
17:53Built in 2011, but with nods to Georgian architecture, this brick home has an L-shaped layout on the ground floor and a smaller central second floor.
18:03The tour starts through the porticoed entrance, which leads into the kitchen diner immediately to our right.
18:09Okay then.
18:11Well, 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.
18:19I'm blown away by this interior.
18:21Just this one room.
18:22Yeah.
18:23Finished.
18:24Look at the floor.
18:25Look at the floor.
18:26That's gorgeous.
18:27This sort of travertine that flows through the entrance hall, which is again wide, generous, great for a Christmas tree.
18:31Yeah, Christmas tree.
18:32Every corner of this building is wired to allow you to effectively use your smart speaker to control the lights, the music, the whole thing.
18:41It is gadget-tastic.
18:42Come have a look through here.
18:45This is a gorgeous kitchen.
18:47And right off the kitchen, you've got this purpose-built vaulted garden room.
18:51How about that?
18:52Oh, my goodness.
18:53Sewing room.
18:54Bagseed.
18:55Yeah, exactly.
18:56When you're doing your sewing or anything, you need all that light, natural light coming in.
18:59Yeah.
19:00And you've got it.
19:01Ceilings on through sides.
19:03It's lovely, isn't it?
19:04Yeah.
19:05It 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.
19:12The TV.
19:13The fireplace.
19:14The finishings in the room.
19:16It is lovely.
19:17It is perfect, isn't it?
19:18Yes.
19:19There's literally nothing.
19:20Nothing 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.
19:35I 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.
19:42No 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 to 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?
20:01Yes.
20:02This is a room I could quite happily spend many, many hours in.
20:07It was built originally as an annex for an elderly relative.
20:11That circumstance has changed and hence now it's become this movie room.
20:16But it does mean that upstairs you've really got two main bedrooms.
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.
20:30Next 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 shower.
20:41A 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.
20:59I 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.
21:10But 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 accommodation.
21:22Wow.
21:23That is unbelievable.
21:24Wow.
21:25Oh, Debbie, you're never going to see me.
21:26Tea making facilities?
21:27You're sorted.
21:28Yeah, it's also got a toilet.
21:29What do we think then?
21:43The 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.
21:55Yay!
21:56It's like daylight in here.
21:57That is amazing.
21:58Outside, the private driveway and hard standing offers lots of room for vehicles.
22:11And there's an electric charging point, as well as exterior lighting, further power points and taps throughout the garden,
22:18which includes paved and graveled seating spots, as well as lawn.
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.
22:32I'm not sure about the garden.
22:34Yeah.
22:35Being big enough.
22:36The 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.
23:09I'm speechless.
23:10He's genuinely speechless.
23:12Yeah.
23:14This 21st century detached house is turnkey ready, with smart technology throughout,
23:20and offers a contemporary kitchen diner, vaulted garden room, home cinema,
23:25and two ensuite double bedrooms.
23:28There's a luxurious integral garage, a dog-proof garden, and countryside views.
23:33The whole of the inside of the house is perfect.
23:36It's really spacious.
23:38And also, the garage for Neil, wonderful.
23:40Seeing Neil's face when he walked in there was perfection.
23:43It's very important for Debbie to get some space, grow her own vegetables, have chickens.
23:51In 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.
24:01We have to try to see if we can find common ground, interior finish versus outdoor and tranquillity.
24:11Wow.
24:12What a day we've had.
24:13What a day indeed.
24:14That is...
24:15A pickle.
24:16A pickle.
24:17We are having a bit of a pickle.
24:18A pickle.
24:19But hopefully a sweet pickle.
24:20Come on.
24:21To round off our first day, I've brought my buyers to a tranquil spot on the Elan River
24:34to see if their infatuation with this part of Wales is turning into a full-blown love affair.
24:39Have a seat.
24:40It's made for the job, isn't it?
24:42Oh, full of a rock.
24:43Perfect.
24:44I 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?
24:54If anything, it's sealed the deal.
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.
25:23The difference here is people seem to live it and breathe it.
25:27It seems to be less of a slogan, more of an act.
25:31So, we have one more property to come.
25:34Yep.
25:35We're looking forward to it.
25:36Yeah, good.
25:37But before then, the supper and the beer.
25:40Why not?
25:41Let's go.
25:42Definitely.
25:43Feeling quite thirsty now.
25:44Me too, me too.
25:46The average sold price of a detached house in Wales currently sits at £330,000, with the figure for Powys just slightly below this at £326,000.
26:09But for those looking for a home in such a sparsely populated area, it's worth widening the net to include options a few miles over the border into Shropshire too.
26:23For example, this two-bedroom detached cottage, located in the Shropshire hills, offers seclusion in an area of outstanding natural beauty just four miles from the Powys border.
26:34It's on the market for offers over £240,000.
26:41On the Welsh side of the border, this detached four-bedroom, two-bathroom home offers a modern finish and an energy efficiency rating of B in a rural community setting.
26:51This one is priced at offers over £400,000.
26:56And renters have the option of this very rurally located stone farmhouse, which 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.
27:15Well, 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.
27:32A mystery house, which is brand new.
27:35My 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, because this is England.
28:05This is the border.
28:07No.
28:08And now we are in Wales.
28:11Wow.
28:12That's amazing.
28:14Did not expect that at all.
28:16Yeah.
28:17So this lovely landscape is absolutely on your doorstep, if you like, our mystery house,
28:21which is but a stone's throw that way.
28:23We stipulated it had to be in Wales.
28:25Yes.
28:26It is in Wales.
28:27And we are just.
28:28Just.
28:29That does look like Wales, doesn't it?
28:31Yes.
28:32That does look like England.
28:33It does.
28:34It really does.
28:35So, I'm going to go ahead and open up the mystery house, get it ready for you.
28:38OK.
28:39And I will see you there.
28:40Lovely.
28:41You would stay on this side of the stream.
28:42I would.
28:43Yeah.
28:44Go on.
28:45Located on the other side of the Brydon Hills from yesterday's viewings,
28:50the village of the final house, Middletown, lies on the main route between the towns of
28:54Welshpool 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.
29:06So, as Debbie and Neil get a feel for all that, I'm at the mystery house to give you a sneak
29:13preview.
29:14So, here then, is our mystery house.
29:18Brand spanking new.
29:20It's also super efficient.
29:21It has an EPC rating of A. Very hard to find in rural property.
29:26Plus, it also has a very generous double garage with an electric door that I hope will satisfy
29:33Neil's ambitions when it comes to looking after his beloved motorbike.
29:38Newer properties have so far proved popular with my buyers, but will showing them a total
29:43new build complete the winning streak?
29:46That is it.
29:49Brand new.
29:50Oh, golly gumdrops, Debbie.
29:55We're in a brand new build at the moment.
29:57Not like this, though.
29:58Not like this.
29:59A bulk buy one.
30:00Yeah.
30:01We do love a new build.
30:02Yes.
30:03I think it looks amazing.
30:05Brick, wood.
30:06Yeah, I really love that, yeah.
30:07It's a nice mix.
30:08Want to see?
30:09Yes.
30:10Come on.
30:11One 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.
30:21An air source heat pump, plus it all comes with a ten year builder's guarantee.
30:26Smell the newness.
30:28Our tour begins through the bifold doors of the first reception room.
30:33Oh, yes.
30:34It's so warm.
30:35Very warm.
30:36Really tasty.
30:37Well, 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 over 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.
30:57Great big open hallway.
30:58Lovely area there for boots and things.
30:59Yeah.
31:00You've got a little study in there.
31:01Yeah.
31:02Generous boot room, utility room.
31:03And then here you go.
31:04Kitchen diner.
31:05That 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 can dress it beautifully.
31:17It's an amazing space.
31:18Yeah.
31:19It's actually just buying things at night.
31:21That's fun.
31:22Shopping is fun.
31:23Yeah.
31:24Come on.
31:25Let's go upstairs.
31:26Completing this floor is a handy cloakroom.
31:29And on the floor above, my mystery pick provides four well-proportioned bedrooms.
31:34I'm leaving Debbie and Neil to decide what they might do with the guest rooms on their own,
31:39starting with the smallest, partly set into the eaves at the rear of the property.
31:44These rooms are all a really good size, aren't they?
31:46They're huge rooms, yeah.
31:47That would be a perfect office.
31:48Yeah, a really nice office.
31:49And again, views.
31:50We'll be walking up there every morning.
31:52Yeah.
31:53Next to this is a family bathroom with a shower cubicle and a tub.
31:58Wherever we move, we have to have this bathtub.
32:01That is absolutely lovely.
32:03Love that.
32:04It's beautiful.
32:05Gorgeous.
32:06Oh, it could sink into there.
32:07Right now.
32:08At the front of the home is a guest double with an ensuite shower room and a further double bedroom with a dormer window.
32:17That just leaves bedroom four, the principal suite with bifold doors set into the cross gable where we're catching up.
32:25Shower en suite.
32:26Look at the size.
32:27That's huge, isn't it?
32:29And then next door to it, you've got walking wardrobe.
32:34Lovely.
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.
32:42Well, let's have a look.
32:43Let's open it up.
32:44Yeah.
32:45There you go.
32:46Five folds again.
32:47There.
32:48Oh, 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.
32:54Staring out over England.
32:56From your castle in Wales.
32:57From your castle in Wales.
32:58Yeah.
32:59Lovely.
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.
33:31No, you don't.
33:32Your bike and your personality will fill that alone, thanks.
33:36Oh.
33:37Lordy.
33:38The price.
33:39The price.
33:40The price.
33:41The price.
33:42The price.
33:43The price.
33:44Okay, 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.
33:50585.
33:51585,000 pounds.
33:54Yep.
33:55I would go that high, so I'm going to go 570.
33:59This has been priced to sell at 495,000 pounds.
34:11You are introducing the pickle again.
34:16You're introducing lots of pickles.
34:18Go on.
34:19Debate.
34:20Go on.
34:21This brand new detached house with builder's guarantee offers incredible energy efficiency,
34:30including solar panels and a heat pump.
34:32There'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.
34:53The prices, yet again, scuppered us.
34:57When we were walking through it and walking around it, we thought we needed the answer.
35:02Debbie, greenhouse, chickens, vegetable patches.
35:06We 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.
35:12A lot.
35:14Right, well, that's it.
35:18House tours are now over.
35:20I could show you no more.
35:23But 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, thanks.
35:31We'd like to help.
35:35You'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 trying 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.
36:07Now, I know you've got just over, what, 30-odd acres here in this lovely valley.
36:11What 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 general.
36:20We've only got 0.2% of our land under horticulture in Wales, so we're a massive net importer for fresh produce.
36:28And that doesn't have to be the way. And what we've done is managed to access a bare land plot here in partnership with the local authority and obtain a 95-year lease on it.
36:38And this initiative is specifically putting new, younger growers onto smaller plots that are 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 of Powess County Council.
36:54And what it basically says is, if you're willing to work on the land to produce sustainably produced fresh fruit and vegetables, you should afford the right to live on it.
37:05The new planning guidance means a home has been built for each of the small farms, removing the 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 7 and 12 acres.
37:31Well, I'm looking forward to meeting them. I 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 and 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 was 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 I had to sort of fund it all myself.
38:14If you want to live on site as we are, it's unbelievably expensive.
38:18So, 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 and 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 or so.
38:52OK.
38:53And learned from a few different people, but this is a whole new venture, learning to do it for 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.
39:07Wow.
39:08I mean, do you picture all of this under cultivation?
39:11Most of it.
39:13There's areas that I want to leave for wildlife, so I'm going to create orchard and meadow and 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, 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, oh, I'm doing it?
39:38Yeah, 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, in the very near future.
39:59Well, this has been quite a week for both Debbie and for Neil.
40:04They are absolutely committed to making this move because they have already fallen in love with this wonderful part of the world.
40:10But have we managed to find them a property to go with it?
40:13Well, 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 because 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, which 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.
41:00Done it already?
41:02Yeah.
41:05That's incredible. Have you heard back?
41:07They're speaking to the vendors to see if the offer was 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 and the look on your faces when we walked into that kitchen diner for the first time, it was priceless actually.
41:25And that's before you'd seen all the gizmos, you know, the cinema room, the garage and all the rest of it.
41:31But there was the issue of the road.
41:33Yes.
41:34Also, there was an issue over the outside garden space, but you've overcome that clearly with great agreement.
41:40I'm going to knock down the shed and we're also looking at sound blocking fencing to just go along that and just deaden that sound a little bit.
41:48But you've offered and we're waiting to hear. I mean, look, it was on the market for £535,000. What did you dare offer?
41:55The asking price.
41:57That also speaks to how much you like the property.
41:59Yeah. Yeah.
42:00Yes.
42:01We thought it was worth it.
42:02Yes, definitely.
42:03Well, 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, I could count probably on one hand the times when an offer has been put in so quickly during a search.
42:17I can't wait for that phone to ring. Here's to you.
42:19Cheers.
42:20Cheers.
42:21Cheers.
42:27Wow. In my experience, house searches do not get any better than the one we have just enjoyed. We came, we sought, we found. And now I can tell you the good news that Neil and Debbie have bought. Their offer has been accepted. And they are about to embark on their very own Welsh adventure in this glorious countryside. I wish them all the very best of luck. I'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, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
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