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00:00Escaping to the country can be back-breaking work.
00:05It's kind of wind in the willows on steroids, isn't it?
00:09Seeking the perfect property is no picnic.
00:13The angled ceilings are a bit of an issue here, but luckily we're both short.
00:17But when it feels insurmountable...
00:21Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed? I'm getting that feeling.
00:24A bit. There's just a lot of potential, but a lot of work to be done.
00:27We, the Escape to the Country team, will be with you every step of the way.
00:33It's got character, but it's modern as well.
00:36I love it so far.
00:57Cornwall. The county's motto, Onan Hag Al, means one and all.
01:05Fitting for a place that attracts all kinds of people from all over the world.
01:12Surfers, hikers, poets and painters, nature lovers and holiday makers.
01:19Proud locals, county caretakers. Mix them all together.
01:23And what have you got? Cornwall. That's one.
01:28You'll find the county of Cornwall at the most south-westerly tip of England.
01:33Cornwall's just such a wonderful place to live.
01:36We're very fortunate and I think we never forget that.
01:38We're never flippant about the fact that we're lucky enough to live and work here.
01:43The town of Newquay is the surf capital of the UK.
01:47It's 11 golden beaches fit for families and serious surfers alike.
01:52Cornwall is incredibly special.
01:54There's all that fabulous coastline, choice of countryside,
01:58lots and lots of trees and lakes at the eastern end
02:01and then you've got the rough moorland and the ruggedness of the west end.
02:05The coast is unsurpassable.
02:08The Cornish coastal path runs right through the village of Morgan Porth,
02:13its west-facing beach, the perfect place to pause and soak up the scenery.
02:18Tom Morton is doing just that on his current challenge to run the entire 300-mile route.
02:24It's going to take me roughly three weeks, give or take.
02:30I'm seeing the most amazing views, meeting the most incredible people
02:33with stories from all over and documenting Cornwall in the best way I can.
02:37Well, today's couple have come to us for help in trying to make the move
02:47from suburban Hertfordshire to the rugged Cornish countryside.
02:51A bold leap, looking for a slower pace, wilder landscapes
02:55and a life spent doing more of the things they really enjoy.
02:59Jess, a part-time solutions consultant and Eddie, a business intelligence analyst,
03:06are ready to wave goodbye to the busy commuter town of Hertford.
03:09Moving away from friends and family is quite daunting to us,
03:12so we're really hoping that finding a new gym community will really help with that
03:16and to build some new friendships.
03:18Their two-bed town centre flat no longer suits their lifestyle.
03:23For starters, pottery enthusiast Jess has to lease studio space.
03:28I've just arrived at my pottery studio where I work almost every day that I'm not doing my normal job.
03:34It's a 30-minute drive away from home, so although it's in a lovely location,
03:38I am really looking forward to having a home studio.
03:42The pair also rent an allotment.
03:45We've got lots of seedlings for the allotment growing out there,
03:48so we're really looking forward to having our own garden and having a bigger outdoor space.
03:53And they pay a regular fee, so their beloved greyhound Lily can stretch her legs.
04:00We've just arrived at a secure dog field, which is the only place we can let Lily off the lead,
04:04being an ex-racing greyhound.
04:06As you can see, she really loves it, so we can't wait for her to have a garden to enjoy.
04:11Now, Jess and Eddie want a home that will provide all these things under one roof.
04:17Ideally, they're after a detached character home with at least three bedrooms.
04:22A large garden with a pottery studio option or space to build one is also a must.
04:28And most importantly, it should be no more than a 20-minute drive from a gym.
04:33Their budget, £550,000.
04:47Well, this is an exciting opportunity for Eddie and for Jess.
04:51Not only are they embarking upon buying their first home together,
04:57it's also one from which they really want to enjoy their shared passions.
05:01Two key elements here.
05:03Their dog, Lily, and they want to be within 20 minutes of a gym.
05:08Of all the requirements I've had to meet on house searches over the years, that is a first.
05:14Our day starts next to the River Camel, where I'm meeting Jess and Eddie on a section of the Camel Trail.
05:24Wow, that's a scene setter, isn't it?
05:26It's lovely.
05:27How nice is that?
05:29This flat, 18-mile route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders links the North Cornwall towns of Padstow, Weybridge and Bodmin.
05:41Well, Jess, Eddie, welcome back to Cornwall.
05:43Now, as well as your love of the great outdoors, of course, fitness is a huge part of your life.
05:48Yeah, so functional fitness is where we met at the gym and we're there kind of three, four times a week.
05:54Yeah, and I think the social aspect as well, it would help us integrate into the area and make some new friends.
05:57It's a great idea, but also another great way of making friends in an area is to have a dog and you, of course, have Lily.
06:02And clearly a real focus is going to be the studio.
06:05I think if it's under budget, we'd be very happy to have a garden room built.
06:09But equally, if there's an outbuilding there, we could convert it, insulate it.
06:13But how nice to be able to walk out the back door and just go to work.
06:17The dream.
06:18So, shall we?
06:19Yeah, let's go.
06:21Our search begins in the hamlet of Tremodrat, a mile and a half from the village of Roche.
06:26Here you'll find all the daily essentials including a small supermarket, several takeaways, spot the pasty shop,
06:33a village store and a pub.
06:37From which it's a five minute drive or a 30 minute walk to our first property.
06:42A beautifully maintained and thoughtfully modernised detached home that sits on a plot of a quarter of an acre.
06:51Outbuilding.
06:52Lovely.
06:53Come this way, come this way.
06:55Because I think from down here you get a lovely perspective.
06:58Wow.
06:59On the package.
07:00What a garden.
07:01This is amazing.
07:02There we go.
07:03I can imagine Lil's out here already.
07:05And you can shut the gates.
07:07So it does work from a doggy point of view.
07:09You've got the garage there.
07:11You can certainly adapt that as your studio but there's loads of room here to build something bespoke if you wanted to do something a bit different.
07:18Yeah.
07:19We can definitely set up here.
07:20Yeah.
07:21Well, see inside.
07:22OK.
07:23Shall we have a look?
07:24Come on.
07:25Follow me.
07:27Our gym enthusiasts will be glad to know there are two gyms within a 20 minute drive.
07:32One in St Austell and the other slightly closer in Bodmin.
07:35The ponies in the paddock.
07:36It's an amazing view.
07:37Absolutely amazing.
07:38Yeah, the view is incredible.
07:39I'm surprised this is in our budget.
07:40Well, just you wait and see.
07:41Come on, let's get in.
07:42In keeping with the unspoken rule of rural living, we're using the everyday entrance at the rear of the property.
07:56OK.
07:57Let's start in here then.
07:58What do we think?
07:59It's a lovely kitchen.
08:00Very nice.
08:01Yeah.
08:02Feels like a proper country kitchen.
08:04Yeah.
08:05The woodwork surface.
08:06I'm a big fan.
08:07I think this is our type of style.
08:09Yeah.
08:10The boot room, as you saw as we came through, utility room, great if you've got Lily.
08:13Yeah.
08:14A bit muddy.
08:15Muddy pores.
08:16Yeah, definitely.
08:17But just the added benefit of just having a nice view out your window.
08:20We don't have any windows in our kitchen area.
08:22Yeah.
08:23So just something really simple like that makes a difference.
08:25Just doing the washing up and you're actually looking at beautiful countryside rather than...
08:28Wash Lily zooming around.
08:29Yeah.
08:30Rather than traffic.
08:31Yeah.
08:32Well, let's continue then through here.
08:35Again, lovely views from the dining out to...
08:38Yeah.
08:39Great views.
08:40...to beyond.
08:41And then this lot.
08:42Nice log burner.
08:44It's cosy.
08:45It's a nice size.
08:46It's not too big.
08:47Yeah.
08:48There's a door straight onto the garden as well.
08:49Yeah.
08:50I think for the two of you and Lily, you know, would this work in terms of size?
08:55Yeah.
08:56I think so.
08:57I think it's about the right size.
08:58Yeah.
08:59Our sofa's quite big and I'm keen to hold on to that sofa.
09:01It's the nicest thing I've bought for my flat.
09:03But it would fit.
09:04Good.
09:05Right.
09:06Let's have a look through here.
09:08Also on the ground floor is a family bathroom and two of the property's four bedrooms.
09:14Your principal bedroom, I would suggest, is this one.
09:17Down here.
09:18OK.
09:19There's another bedroom next door.
09:20Specked up a bit more as a kind of dressing room.
09:23Lots of storage in there.
09:24If we were able to have a separate dressing room, then I think the size is fine.
09:30The bedroom next door does have an ensuite shower.
09:35This is a brighter room.
09:36Yeah, it's nice.
09:37The mirrors make it look quite a lot bigger.
09:39I think this might be better as the main bedroom though.
09:42Yeah, I think so.
09:43There's an ensuite and we like an ensuite.
09:45We could move things around.
09:47Good.
09:48Whilst most of the living space is on the ground floor, upstairs offers a neat and flexible
09:53layout.
09:54OK.
09:55So, another guest room for you there.
09:59Or potentially office space, I don't know.
10:00Potentially, yeah.
10:01Yeah.
10:02It could easily be an office.
10:03It's really bright in here, which is nice.
10:05Another bathroom up here, which is a nice sort of family bathroom.
10:08Shower and bath as well.
10:09The angled ceilings are a bit of an issue here, but luckily we're both short.
10:14What was I going to say?
10:16We go in there.
10:17Go and have a look at that one.
10:18See what you make of this.
10:20Yeah, again, there's not as much light in this room compared to downstairs.
10:24Yeah.
10:25The quarter of an acre plot boasts an extensive garden with a greenhouse, raised beds and
10:32a modern garden shed.
10:34There's also a detached garage, another possible option for Jess's pottery studio.
10:39This is a good sign.
10:40This would make a great studio.
10:41Yeah, you can make this into your workshop.
10:43Added some extra windows or made these into glass doors.
10:46I think so, yeah.
10:47If you lift the roof up, put some skylights in.
10:50Converting the garage or building a bespoke studio from scratch will cost, so we're reconvening
10:57on the lawn to answer the all-important question.
11:01So, how much do you think, then, this is on the market for?
11:07I think this is a tough one, but I'm going to guess about £530, I think.
11:13£530,000, Eddie.
11:15I'm going to be a bit cheekier and hope we've got a bit of room to build the outside studio
11:20and go £510,000.
11:21A pair of cheeky offers, if ever I heard them.
11:26Well, you're right that it begins with a five.
11:29This is currently on the market for £550,000.
11:34I think, ideally, if we could put an offer in slightly under so we had the extra money
11:38to build that extra space, I think it would definitely be viable.
11:42This beautifully presented detached home offers a contemporary kitchen, two receptions and four bedrooms.
11:49The quarter-acre plot includes a detached garage and a large garden with gorgeous views.
11:54And it's on the market with a guy price of £550,000.
11:59This is a really beautiful property. The outside space is incredible.
12:05We couldn't really ask for a better garden.
12:08What we feel maybe lets this house down slightly is the bedroom space.
12:13Just because the bedrooms are quite compact, it's a question of, for the top of our budget, is that a compromise that we would like to make?
12:20The garden, the outside space, absolutely amazing.
12:23I think the practicalities of inside, so where we both work from home, we'd have to have an office.
12:27And I think, logistically, having a master bedroom downstairs and having to go upstairs to get changed doesn't really make sense.
12:35So there we are then. One done. Of interest, I hope.
12:39Yeah, definitely, it's a contender.
12:41Plus potential, yeah.
12:42Good. Right then. Let's see what else we've got here. Come on.
12:44The market town of Wade Bridge straddles the River Camel and is connected by a 15th century bridge.
13:03This place looks nice.
13:05Yeah.
13:06Its bunting strewn streets are home to a host of well supported independent businesses,
13:12including a bookshop, a boutique cinema and more watering holes and eateries than you can shake a stick at.
13:19Wade Bridge has always been fantastic. It's full of independent businesses and there's not lots of big chains here,
13:24so it's a really unique town.
13:27Johnny and Jessica have lived here for the past four years and two years ago they opened this cocktail and tapas bar.
13:34The community in Wade Bridge is perfect. It's not just a holiday town.
13:39People actually live here, work here, schools are here. And so we do feel like we've been like welcome with open arms.
13:45It's a fantastic sort of lifestyle and we really enjoy ourselves.
13:49We get to go out and walk the dog most days and get to spend time on the beach.
13:53We wouldn't want to be anywhere else to be honest.
13:56The town is also home to a thriving fitness community.
13:59As well as running classes seven days a week, we do so many social events.
14:03It's just so lovely to see people hanging out having coffee afterwards or like today when the weather is absolutely beautiful,
14:10messaging each other, going down to the beach after they've done a class.
14:15There are regular bus services to Bude, Truro, Bodmin and Port Isaac and the former railway station now houses a cafe with a community hub.
14:24It offers support groups, activities and a place to get together and have a cup of tea.
14:31At Unleashed Dog Meadow, there's a ready-made group for Jess, Eddie and their rescue greyhound Lily to tap into.
14:38Such a brilliant spot that we travel all the way up from Red Roof.
14:41Oh, OK.
14:42So we come to the sessions when they're on. It's usually once a month.
14:45Iro loves it. Loves running around.
14:47Jessica Poole owns and runs the meadow, which offers breed-specific sessions enabling humans and their four-legged friends a safe space to socialise.
14:59How often do you guys meet up?
15:00I do different breeds every week, but every breed has a slot once a month.
15:04A good way to meet people.
15:06Yeah.
15:07But just, yeah, especially good for Lily because we quite often go to a secure dog field like this at home.
15:11Yeah.
15:12But we're always alone there.
15:14Yeah.
15:15We just book it privately because Lily can be a bit anxious, a bit reactive, but being able to meet just sighthounds in a secure place would be absolutely brilliant for her.
15:24Yeah, I guess being rescue dogs, a lot of these dogs have had a bit of a bad start to life and it's important that they have a better experience of other dogs and people so.
15:34Around Wave Ridge in particular, there are footpaths everywhere that go through farmland, woodland, along the trail, for example, here.
15:41There's, yeah, like endless places to go for dog walks. It's amazing.
15:45I think Wave Ridge in particular is incredibly dog friendly.
15:49It's human friendly too.
15:51You'll always find people going, oh, do you fancy coming for a dog walk?
15:54Oh, yeah.
15:55Yeah.
15:56There's that all over Cornwall, it's dog heaven down here.
15:59Well, it seems like you've got a great community here, so hopefully we'll see you all soon.
16:02Yeah, hope so.
16:04Yeah, absolutely.
16:05Hope you find a house you like.
16:06Yeah, me too.
16:07Yeah, me too.
16:09Me three, let's get back to it.
16:12Our next stop is the village of Truthergi, just two miles from St Austal and conveniently close to the all-important gym, which is only an eight-minute drive away.
16:25It's also less than 20 minutes by car to pass Sands, a wide sandy beach where dogs are allowed year-round.
16:32That should make Lily's ears prick up.
16:34In the centre of Truthergi, tucked down a quiet lane, sits this detached Cornish cottage.
16:40Here we are then.
16:43That is our next offering.
16:45Wow.
16:46OK.
16:47What do we think?
16:48I love the look of it.
16:49Yeah, the stone on the outside.
16:51It's lovely.
16:52This is just such a peaceful location.
16:54I like that it's quiet, but there are plenty of neighbours around, so you're not isolated.
17:00And I'll tell you what's really interesting about this one.
17:03I think you've got loads of options here to cosmetically make it very much your own, and that is a fun job.
17:12Yeah.
17:13Yeah, we can make it at home.
17:14Absolutely.
17:15Come on, let's have a look.
17:18The property, now empty, is being sold with no onward chain.
17:22It benefits from solar panels which generate electricity, resulting in lowered electricity bills, and an air source heat pump.
17:30A greener alternative to a gas boiler.
17:33So there is an awful lot to see with this one, but yeah, what do you reckon?
17:38A project.
17:40Yeah, a lot of character, but yeah, definitely a project.
17:44The kitchen's not our style, so we'd have to do something with that.
17:47But yeah, there's character here, it's just we'd have to, yeah, put a little work in.
17:51It's in good condition.
17:52And the windows look quite new.
17:53Yeah.
17:54It's nice and light.
17:55Yeah.
17:56And I like the beams.
17:57Good impression so far.
17:58Good.
17:59Well, let's hope they continue.
18:00Come and have a look through here.
18:04Living space.
18:05It's a good-sized room.
18:06Yeah, similar look.
18:07It's got the beams still.
18:08Yeah, good windows.
18:09But again, a little bit dated, so we'd have to put our spin on things.
18:12And there's still lovely views into the garden.
18:14As long as you can see the potential, you know, and you don't have to do it all at once.
18:17That's true, yeah.
18:18You can go room by room.
18:21Behind the living room at the end of the entrance hall is a utility room and a handy boot room.
18:27Oh, okay.
18:28Interesting.
18:29Boot room, dog room.
18:31It could also be a packing room, actually, because you've got a workbench all the way along already,
18:35and lots of storage and light.
18:37Perfectly suited for you.
18:38Yeah.
18:39This property's flexible layout is, I reckon, its defining feature, and that's particularly evident upstairs.
18:47Now, I don't know about you, but this might make quite a fun kind of office space for someone.
18:52Yeah.
18:53Yeah, potentially.
18:54Yeah, loads of space up here.
18:56Yeah, a bit odd working on a landing, but it's definitely something we can make work.
19:00Well, we're not short of space here, so don't panic.
19:03You don't have to do it here, because you have got four bedrooms to play with here.
19:06Oh, okay.
19:07Oh, okay.
19:08All right.
19:09Plus this.
19:10It's a bit warm today.
19:12Wow.
19:13And bright.
19:14But it's a lovely elevated space, and it shows off part of the garden.
19:18It continues behind that big hedge.
19:20Okay.
19:21I'm not sure what we would use this room for, particularly.
19:23Yeah, it's a large room.
19:24I haven't seen anything like this.
19:25It's great.
19:26It's unique.
19:27It's a nice problem to have, trying to figure out what to do with it.
19:32On that note, I'll leave them to consider how they'll utilise the bedrooms up here.
19:37This is a big room.
19:39Yeah.
19:40Lots of light comes in as well.
19:41Maybe the master bedroom.
19:42A bit of storage.
19:43Yeah.
19:44A nice deep window sill.
19:45Yeah.
19:46You could sit there and read a book.
19:47Yeah.
19:48There's a second, smaller bedroom at the rear.
19:52This would be a good office for me.
19:54My ceramics office.
19:55Packing office.
19:56Yeah.
19:57Yeah.
19:58Got lots of storage.
19:59And further down the corridor, a third bedroom.
20:02Not a similar sized room.
20:05This could also be an office.
20:07Again, a bit of decorating, but we can make it nice.
20:11Do you know, I can perfectly understand how young buyers like Eddie and Jess may feel
20:18somewhat daunted by the prospect of taking on a property like this.
20:22I just hope somehow I can convince them through my own experience that actually this is very doable.
20:29Next door to the family bathroom is the fourth and final bedroom.
20:36Actually, this would be the best office for our joint office, I think.
20:42Yeah.
20:43Despite all this talk of offices, the bedrooms could easily remain bedrooms, as outside there's a triple garage and a large workshop.
20:52Okay.
20:53So this is just a bit of it.
20:55This is half of the garaging you get.
20:58Okay.
20:59As seen from the front.
21:00It's huge.
21:01It's huge.
21:02But it also goes all the way back there.
21:05Okay.
21:06In terms of storing materials, all that sort of stuff.
21:08Yeah.
21:09And you could have the next door garage.
21:10Yeah.
21:11Just for you.
21:12Workshop-wise, potentially a little bit of money in this, but it could be sorted.
21:15Yeah.
21:16Yeah.
21:17Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed?
21:19I'm getting that feeling.
21:20A bit.
21:21There's just a lot of potential, but a lot of work to be done.
21:24So it does hang on the budget.
21:26And obviously we could do it over a long space of time.
21:28Nothing has to be instant.
21:30Hmm.
21:31She's right, but let's see if I can allay Jess's fears a little more in the sizeable garden
21:37that wraps around the house and is mainly laid to lawn.
21:40Surely the perfect playground for Lily.
21:43In terms of space for Lily.
21:45It has loads.
21:46Yeah, there's tons.
21:47She could have a good old run around.
21:48A bit of dog proofing to do, but yeah, the size is great.
21:50But let's think about then the price of this one.
21:53Um, Eddie.
21:55Well, based on property one, I think we've got more, more garden area and more house.
22:02So I'm going to say five 50.
22:04I'm actually going to go a little bit higher.
22:06I actually think about five 60.
22:08I think it's over.
22:09Five hundred and sixty thousand pounds.
22:11Well, here's the thing.
22:12This is on the market for five hundred and thirty thousand pounds.
22:17Okay.
22:18That leaves us some money to do it.
22:20A little bit.
22:21A little bit.
22:22This detached, stone built Cornish cottage has a large kitchen diner, a living room, a
22:28first floor sunroom and four bedrooms.
22:31In addition to the wraparound garden, there's a triple garage and a detached workshop.
22:36The price?
22:37Five hundred and thirty thousand pounds.
22:40It's perfect.
22:41It's exactly what we asked for.
22:43It's picturesque.
22:44The gardens are amazing.
22:45The stonework.
22:46It's really lovely to look at, but a little bit daunting for me.
22:50I don't know about for you.
22:52Yeah.
22:53This house is a blank canvas, which is good in some ways because we can completely put our
22:57own stamp on it, but slightly overwhelming in other ways and that there are, there's a
23:02lot of work to be done here.
23:03Um, it would definitely stretch our budget, although we could do it over time.
23:07Um, I think it would test us and our renovation skills.
23:10Yeah.
23:11So, a long day, two very different options for you, but both of which would get you into
23:17Cornwall.
23:18Yeah.
23:19Very different, but a lot to think about, especially for this one.
23:22Yeah.
23:23Definitely some contenders in there.
23:24Yeah.
23:25Right.
23:26Okay.
23:27Off you go.
23:28Lots more to see and do.
23:30We're ending our day in the village of Rock on the eastern shore of the Camel Estuary.
23:40Despite the name, it's really rather sandy.
23:43The wide golden beach here is arguably Rock's standout feature.
23:47Well, guys, it's been a long, busy and thirsty day.
23:50So I thought, where better to finish off than here at Rock, because we can get the ferry
23:54over to Padstow for a beer.
23:56How about that?
23:57Sounds perfect.
23:58Sounds good.
23:59But before we get on and get over there, a quick upsum of your day.
24:02I think you've shown us two contrasting properties, one that's going to be a project that we can
24:06make our own and one that's pretty much good to go.
24:08Yeah.
24:09It would just be us having a mull over it and I think and see what we think is best.
24:13Deciding what one is best, yeah.
24:15Well, we're better to consider it than over the water.
24:18So everyone's getting off.
24:20That's our cue, I think, to get on.
24:22Shall we?
24:23Yeah.
24:25The year-round passenger ferry service offers scenic rides across the river Camel.
24:30What fun.
24:32Dogs are welcome on board and crossing times take between five and ten minutes, as opposed
24:37to a half-hour car journey.
24:39Now, I've taken many a trip to the pub, but not often this way, it has to be said.
24:44Yeah, what a way to finish off the day.
24:46Yeah, unique.
24:47Perfect.
24:48Yeah, absolutely perfect.
25:00Contemplating a new life in Cornwall?
25:03Well, let us give you the lowdown on property prices in the county.
25:07The average cost of a detached house here is a smidge over £441,000, a few thousand pounds
25:15higher than the UK average of just over £437,000.
25:20Take a look at a selection of other Cornish homes currently on the market.
25:25This sweet end-of-terrace cottage has a reception with a large stone fireplace, a perfectly appointed
25:32kitchen diner, two bedrooms, one with sea views, and a rear-decked courtyard.
25:37It's listed with a guide price of £275,000.
25:45This substantial detached farmhouse, dating back to the late 1590s, is on the market for
25:50offers in excess of £799,950.
25:58Sitting in the middle of a beautiful country garden, it offers five bedrooms, a country
26:02kitchen, and two reception rooms.
26:06For renters, this detached cottage with a good-sized garden, a living dining room,
26:14a kitchen with a range, and two bedrooms, is available for £1,000 per calendar month.
26:25Well, as you can see, it's another glorious start to this, our final day of house hunting
26:29here in Cornwall.
26:30Now, coming up, we have a fabulous mystery house for Jess and Eddie, which I think really
26:34draws together much of what we've learnt over the last couple of properties.
26:38But before then, time and tide are on our side.
26:41So what better way to kick off proceedings than out there, out on the water?
26:46Yes, Jess and Eddie have accepted my invitation to do a sport of Cornish gig rowing, with
26:54a few members of the Padstow Rowing Club.
26:56Matt, good morning, how are you?
26:57Hi, nice to meet you.
26:58Hey, I'm Jules.
26:59Let me introduce you to Jess and Eddie.
27:00Hi, good to meet you.
27:01Nice to meet you.
27:02Matt Olcock has been rowing gigs since he was just 11 years old, and before he takes
27:12us out, he's kindly agreed to fill us in on the history of these splendid, quintessentially
27:17Cornish boats.
27:18People have been rowing these types of boats, these traditional gigs for centuries down
27:25in Cornwall.
27:26They're full wood construction, clinker built, beautiful bit of craftsmanship.
27:31And what were they originally designed for?
27:33You'd have a pilot sat on the seat in the bow there, and the crews would race out to
27:38the ships in the mouth of the river, aiming to get their pilot onto the boat and help them
27:41navigate into the harbour.
27:42So the fastest boat got the job, got the money.
27:46As modern technology progressed, people could pilot their own boats in.
27:50There was no need for a pilot to get onto the boat.
27:52That's where the racing came from.
27:53You said that sense of competition remained, even though the kind of functional job of actually
27:57getting a pilot onto a boat had long gone.
28:00Yeah, and I think it's very important as well that we continue these traditions, honour
28:04the people that have gone before us, and keep rowing these beautiful boats.
28:07And gig racing is a big part of the South West, isn't it?
28:10Oh, it's huge.
28:11Different harbours, different ports, have their own gig team.
28:13So there's kind of friendly rivalry, isn't there?
28:15Oh, there's, yeah, massive friendly rivalry.
28:16So we have a big rivalry with Rock, just the other side of the river.
28:20Yeah.
28:21Well, there's going to be a bit more friendly rivalry today.
28:24We've got two boats going out.
28:26We need a few fill-ins, and luckily we've got three here sitting in front of me.
28:30So I guess you're on one boat and I'm on the other?
28:32That's the plan, yeah.
28:33And we're going to race?
28:34We're going to have a race, make it a bit of a competition.
28:36Okay, okay.
28:37You're up for this?
28:38Yeah, definitely.
28:39Yeah.
28:40Well, may the best boat win.
28:45The traditional Cornish gig raced today is based on a design from the 1830s.
28:50Measuring 32 feet in length with fixed seats, these six oared rowing boats were traditionally
28:56used for pilotage, harbour work and as lifeboats.
29:01How good is this?
29:03The gig's multiple uses meant it needed to be stable and seaworthy in rough seas, as well
29:09as light and speedy to win those lucrative pilotage contracts.
29:13That's it, Jules.
29:14Just following the cold in front of you there.
29:16Today, there are thought to be more than 8,000 active gig rowers, both competitive and social,
29:23across the globe.
29:24Whilst the highest concentration of gig rowing clubs are in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly,
29:29there are clubs as far away as Australia.
29:33It's kind of wind in the willows on steroids, isn't it?
29:36Yeah.
29:37That is it.
29:38That's a new one.
29:39Well done.
29:40Today's impromptu race is a tough dash back to the harbour wall.
29:46Flags up.
29:47Go!
29:48Come on.
29:49Nice start.
29:50Keeping it long.
29:51Nice, strong catch.
29:52Nice and strong.
29:53Creeping up on Dasher.
29:54That is a proper good workout.
29:55Argh!
29:56As well as competitive racing, the club offers social rowing sessions where the emphasis
30:14is on fun.
30:15You're nearly there, Jules.
30:17Hang in there.
30:18Friendship.
30:19We're in the lead.
30:21And fitness.
30:23When we pass this red ball, you've got 20 more strokes to go, Jules.
30:29And I can categorically vouch that it delivers on all those fronts.
30:34Hey, well done, guys.
30:35Good run.
30:36Woo!
30:37Wow.
30:38Well done, gang.
30:39Well done, Jules.
30:40Well done.
30:41You've won your first race.
30:42That was great fun.
30:45Well, well done to my fantastic crew.
30:47Hello, Cox Matt.
30:49Wow.
30:50Hi, Matt.
30:51Hey, cheers for Dasher.
30:52Hooray!
30:53Hooray!
30:54Hooray!
30:55Hooray!
30:56Hooray!
30:57Hooray!
30:58Hooray!
30:59Hooray!
31:00Hooray!
31:01Hooray!
31:02Hooray!
31:03Hooray!
31:04Hooray!
31:05Hooray!
31:06Oh, brilliant, guys.
31:07Well done.
31:08How very sporty.
31:09We all cheer each other in.
31:10That's just great.
31:11That's the spirit of it, isn't it?
31:13There are many ways to experience the gloriousness of Cornwall, but I've got to say that from the
31:18water is probably one of the best.
31:28It's mystery house time, and we found it in the Moorland village of St Breward, seven miles north of Bodmin.
31:34The village is one of the highest points in Cornwall, so in addition to gorgeous vistas, the locals enjoy a well-regarded pub, a village hall which hosts regular pizza nights, and a community shop.
31:49On the village outskirts lies Wenford Bridge Pottery, famous as the former pottery of celebrated English studio potter Michael Cardew.
31:58Hello, Cookie.
31:59Ten years ago, Cookie Scottorn opened her studio and gallery here, so, of course, we had to pop by to admire the sculptural heads and planters she creates.
32:11Have you made anything that big yet?
32:13No, nowhere near. Not a chance. I think that's beyond me at the moment.
32:17But tableware is where you're at at the moment.
32:19Yeah.
32:20When I started, I was a repetition tableware potter, so I threw pots every day.
32:26Exactly what you were saying, the kind of repetition throwing, and I've got a small kiln, so smaller pieces of kitchenware is what I'm doing at the moment.
32:33Cookie, obviously you know this area and the community. Is it welcoming? Is it a place in which you love living?
32:40It is. It is. It's lovely. I think the important thing is you've got to take part, if you're willing to take part.
32:47There's masses going on, and there are a lot of artists locally. There's a potter just up the hill, there's a sign writer just up the hill.
32:54If you are open and you take part in things, then they accept you.
32:59I guess you get out what you put in.
33:01I think that's true, yeah.
33:02Yeah, and I would say that's true for village life in general, really, and rural life.
33:06So, whilst Jess and Eddie mooch around the gallery at their leisure, you, dear viewer, are coming with me.
33:13So here, then, is our mystery house.
33:16Now, we know that Eddie and Jess love the local architecture, the feel of this granite stone.
33:22Have we saved the best until last? Quite possibly.
33:27This gorgeous cottage is thought to date back to the 1890s, but is, I'll admit, semi-detached.
33:36So, Jess and Eddie will have to set aside their preference for a detached home.
33:41However, it's been beautifully renovated over the past couple of years in a style that I think is right up their street.
33:49Now, despite my best efforts at our second property yesterday, I think both Jess and Eddie were somewhat overwhelmed at the amount of work they thought they'd have to take on.
33:58But here, it has all been done. It is crisp. It is clean. It is gorgeous. It is ready to go.
34:05And out there in the garden is a lovely old stone barn, and if that doesn't say pottery studio, I don't know what does.
34:13What's more, Bodmin, with its gym community, is still within a 20-minute drive.
34:19Welcome, then, to this, our mystery house.
34:22Wow. It's lovely.
34:24The road is perfect. Although it is right on the road, all you can hear is the birds.
34:29Yeah. There's no cars, which is great, and I like the stone-fronted.
34:32I thought you'd like that, cos you'd like that in property, too, didn't you?
34:34Yeah, you did. Come on.
34:39Right. Come on, then.
34:41Wow, OK.
34:42Feast your eyes.
34:45Oh, wow. Lots of stone. It's really pretty. Beams, as well.
34:49Yeah. I can't believe it.
34:51Yeah, it's lovely.
34:53I can see that maybe, at one point, it was quite enclosed and cottagey, but it's been opened up, and it, yeah,
34:58it feels really nice.
35:00You're absolutely right. The current owners have set about opening it up
35:03and doing to this what I imagined you doing to our second property.
35:08Yeah, they've saved us all the hard work.
35:10It's exactly what we wanted. It's got character, but it's, like, modern as well.
35:13I love it so far.
35:14Yeah? Have a look at this, then. Look at this.
35:17Classic sort of kitchen, diner, and then this nice sort of island-cum-breakfast bar,
35:21all crisp, all new, all ready to go.
35:23Wow.
35:24Really impressive.
35:25Yeah, I love the kitchen.
35:27Yeah.
35:28I think it's how we do it ourselves.
35:29Well, it also comes with a very generous kind of utility area downstairs,
35:32leave out there, and conservatory as well.
35:34Cool.
35:35I guess my question is, is this sort of main footprint that you've seen already, is this big enough?
35:41It's cosy, but it's got enough space that we need.
35:44Yeah, I would agree.
35:46Upstairs, there are fewer bedrooms than we've previously shown them, but all are of a good size.
35:52This is a nice room.
35:53Yeah.
35:54Lots of light.
35:55Wow.
35:56Big en suite there.
35:57Nice big bathtub.
35:58Views to the garden as well.
36:00Oh, wow.
36:01And it looks like we've got some outbuildings.
36:03Yeah.
36:04Nice big lawn as well for Lily.
36:05Yeah.
36:06And we can keep an iron as well.
36:07Yeah.
36:08That's important.
36:09A modern family bathroom serves a second, larger double bedroom, which also features a fireplace.
36:16And there's a third and final double overlooking the front of the property.
36:20Now, let's turn our attention to the rear.
36:23Nice big conservatory, right?
36:25It is, yeah.
36:26But come and have a look up here, cos there are so many options.
36:30First up is a detached garage and workshop, currently used for storage.
36:36It has mains water and electricity connected, as does the detached stone barn next door.
36:42Oh, wow.
36:44Could have the wheel over by the window, get some natural light, lots of shelving.
36:49Yeah, I think it could work.
36:51There's also a self-contained cabin at the top of the garden, which the vendor rents out as an occasional holiday let.
36:59And our new potential office.
37:01Yeah.
37:02Oh, this is nice.
37:03Wow, this is impressive.
37:05Yeah, little kitchen already.
37:07It all looks quite new.
37:09The toilet ready to go as well.
37:10The toilet, perfect.
37:12Yeah, could be our office.
37:16Could be my ceramics packing office, actually.
37:19I'm going to steal this for myself.
37:22Regardless of how they decide to divvy up the outbuildings, Jess and Eddie would both have the opportunity
37:28to walk to work.
37:30This is the commute, for goodness sake.
37:32Yeah, it separates work and home.
37:34Yeah, it does.
37:35Not a bad idea.
37:36And it does mean, then, you don't have to encumber the house with office space.
37:39Mm.
37:40It's all out the way.
37:41When you get home, you're at home.
37:43Now, you are going to have to estimate, for the final time this week, what you think this is on the market for.
37:49It's got to be close to the top of our budget, I think.
37:52I think 540.
37:55540,000 pounds.
37:56Wow.
37:57It would be nice if it was.
37:58Yeah, go on.
37:59I think we're punching above, so I think 560.
38:02This is on the market for an astonishing 525,000 pounds.
38:09Okay.
38:10Okay.
38:11That's nice.
38:12We got a little bit of extra money.
38:13We can do some little decorating bits that we need to, but nothing major.
38:16It's a lot of gardens and outbuildings for that price, definitely.
38:21Definitely.
38:22I think we could settle in quite easily.
38:23We could.
38:24That was my hope.
38:28This semi-detached stone cottage offers an open-plan sitting room, a contemporary kitchen diner, a conservatory and three double bedrooms.
38:37Outside, the generous garden contains two stone outbuildings and a wooden cabin.
38:42The property is being marketed with a guide price of 525,000 pounds.
38:48It's got the character that we wanted, but it's already had the hard work done, unlike property too, so that's a big bonus.
38:54The location's amazing.
38:55It's a really quiet, sleepy town.
38:57The outbuildings, the garden, everything together, it's really exciting.
39:02The house itself has so much character.
39:05As soon as we walked in, I was pretty blown away, but there's definite potential here and we just need to have a good think now.
39:12Good.
39:14Happy smiley faces.
39:16Yep.
39:17I was hoping that was the reaction that our mystery house would deliver, but I'm afraid that is it.
39:21We can show you no more.
39:22Come on, let's go.
39:23Well, all this week we've been blessed with some wonderful weather, some fantastic properties and, of course, Cornwall's enchanting coastline.
39:39But I thought to finish up, we'd come inland, here to Bodmin Moor, to find out what their future in Cornwall is going to look like and have a refreshing dip at the same time.
39:52Wow, this is a spot, isn't it?
39:57It is.
39:58It's lovely.
39:59Are you cooling down?
40:00Yeah.
40:01Wow, it's been hot this week, isn't it?
40:03A nice bit of breeze, feet in the water.
40:05Oh, not bad, actually.
40:06Not quite bath temperature, but I'll take that.
40:09Well, we have seen some property this week, so how have we done? Is there a clear favourite?
40:17I don't think there's a completely clear winner.
40:20I think, at first, we were a bit overwhelmed by property two, but after seeing property three and what we could do with property two, I think it's made us more open and a bit excited to what we could actually do.
40:32Yeah, and the thing with property two is it has the location, it has the space, and that's something you can't change. You know, you can change the inside, but you can't change the rest.
40:41You had the beams, and it looked a bit dated, but in property three, they'd obviously decorated, and we could see what we could do with property two quite easily.
40:48I think, like you said, it's cosmetic inside. I think the outbuildings might require a bit of work, but it's something that you could get up and running with pretty quickly, I think.
40:57Yeah, yeah, definitely. I'm still overwhelmed by that property, I have to admit.
41:01It's not suddenly a clear winner, but there's lots more to consider now, and I think we are definitely more open to it.
41:08There's no compromise on the inside space in terms of size. It has the best of everything almost, the location, the privacy, the outdoor space, outbuildings and indoor space.
41:18The compromise is, are we willing to put in the work for the first couple of years?
41:22And it can be daunting, I totally understand that, but when you've done it, the sense of reward, I can't put a price on it.
41:29It's something you'll be so proud of.
41:31It's got the rock cottage look, it's in a nice, sleepy village, it's not overlooked.
41:35It's close to the sea, close to the gym.
41:37Yeah.
41:38It has a lot.
41:39Eight minutes, I think, to the gym.
41:41Well, I'm not going to rush you on it, it's a big decision, but it's been a lot of fun showing you around.
41:46Just let us know how you get on, and we'd love to come back and see you in the future if we may.
41:50Great.
41:51Thank you very much.
41:53Don't be disguised.
41:54Best of luck.
41:59Well, after a busy week house hunting, that young pole over there is doing what we all want to do, lie down in the sun and take it easy.
42:07But it's been a week that has absolutely been worth it, particularly for Jess and for Eddie. Hello.
42:16Everybody wants a drink, why wouldn't you?
42:18They are now much more informed as to what their new home is going to look like as they set out on this journey together.
42:25A future all their own.
42:27Much like that foal's going to do.
42:30I'll see you next time.
42:34After we left, Eddie and Jess continued exploring nearby villages.
42:38Just two miles from the second property we'd shown them, they found a house they fell in love with.
42:44Their offer was accepted and they hoped to be in by the autumn.
42:47We wish them and their dog Lily every happiness in their new Cornish home.
42:52If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales and need our help,
42:58why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:17So
43:19you
43:21can compare us on the years.
43:35Mr.
43:36Peter
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