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00:01It's kind of wind in the willows on steroids, isn't it?
00:05Seeking the perfect property is no picnic.
00:09The angled ceilings are a bit of an issue here, but luckily we're both short.
00:14But when it feels insurmountable...
00:17Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed? I'm getting that feeling.
00:20A bit. There's just a lot of potential, but a lot of work to be done.
00:23We, the Escape to the Country team, will be with you every step of the way.
00:27It's exactly what we want, it's got character, but it's modern as well.
00:31I love it so far.
00:54Cornwall.
00:55The county's motto, Bonan Hag Al, means one and all.
01:00Fitting for a place that attracts all kinds of people from all over the world.
01:07Surfers, hikers, poets and painters, nature lovers and holiday makers.
01:14Proud locals, county caretakers. Mix them all together.
01:18And what have you got? Cornwall. That's what.
01:22You'll find the county of Cornwall at the most south-westerly tip of England.
01:28Cornwall's just such a wonderful place to live. We're very fortunate and I think we never forget that.
01:34We're never flippant about the fact that we're lucky enough to live and work here.
01:37The town of Newquay is the surf capital of the UK. It's 11 golden beaches fit for families and serious surfers alike.
01:47Cornwall is incredibly special. There's all that fabulous coastline, choice of countryside, lots and lots of trees and lakes at the eastern end and then you've got the rough moorland and the ruggedness of the west end. The coast is unsurpassable.
01:59The Cornish coastal path runs right through the village of Morgan Porth, its west-facing beach, the perfect place to pause and soak up the scenery.
02:13Tom Morton is doing just that on his current challenge to run the entire 300 mile route.
02:20It's going to take me roughly three weeks, give or take. I'm seeing the most amazing views, meeting the most incredible people with stories from all over and documenting Cornwall in the best way I can.
02:32Well today's couple have come to us for help in trying to make the move from suburban Hertfordshire to the rugged Cornish countryside.
02:47A bold leap, looking for a slower pace, wilder landscapes and a life spent doing more of the things they really enjoy.
02:53Jess, a part-time solutions consultant and Eddie, a business intelligence analyst, are ready to wave goodbye to the busy commuter town of Hertford.
03:05Moving away from friends and family is quite daunting to us, so we're really hoping that finding a new gym community will really help with that and to build some new friendships.
03:13Their two-bed town centre flat no longer suits their lifestyle. For starters, pottery enthusiast Jess has to lease studio space.
03:23I've just arrived at my pottery studio where I work almost every day that I'm not doing my normal job.
03:29It's a 30 minute drive away from home, so although it's in a lovely location, I am really looking forward to having a home studio.
03:37The pair also rent an allotment.
03:39We've got lots of seedlings for the allotment growing out there, so we're really looking forward to having our own garden and having a bigger outdoor space.
03:49And they pay a regular fee so their beloved greyhound Lily can stretch her legs.
03:55We've just arrived at a secure dog field, which is the only place we can let Lily off the lead, being an ex-racing greyhound.
04:01As you can see, she really loves it, so we can't wait for her to have a garden to enjoy.
04:05Now Jess and Eddie want a home that will provide all these things under one roof.
04:12Ideally, they're after a detached character home with at least three bedrooms.
04:18A large garden with a pottery studio option or space to build one is also a must.
04:22And most importantly, it should be no more than a 20 minute drive from a gym.
04:28Their budget, £550,000.
04:31Well this is an exciting opportunity for Eddie and for Jess.
04:46Not only are they embarking upon buying their first home together, it's also one from which they really want to enjoy their shared passions.
04:56Two key elements here. Their dog, Lily, and they want to be within 20 minutes of a gym.
05:04Of all the requirements I've had to meet on house searches over the years, that is a first.
05:12Our day starts next to the River Camel, where I'm meeting Jess and Eddie on a section of the Camel Trail.
05:18Wow, that's a scene setter, isn't it?
05:21It's lovely. How nice is that?
05:25This flat, 80 mile route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders links the North Cornwall towns of Padstow, Weybridge and Bodmin.
05:33Well Jess, Eddie, welcome back to Cornwall.
05:38Now, as well as your love of the great outdoors, of course, you know, fitness is a huge part of your life.
05:43Yeah, so functional fitness is where we met at the gym and we're there kind of three, four times a week.
05:49Yeah, and I think the social aspect as well, it would help us integrate into the area and make some new friends.
05:53It'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.
05:57And clearly a real focus is going to be the studio.
06:00I think if it's under budget, we'd be very happy to have a garden room built.
06:04But equally, if there's an outbuilding there, we could convert it, insulate it.
06:08But how nice to be able to walk out the back door and just go to work.
06:12The dream.
06:13So, shall we?
06:14Let's go.
06:16Our search begins in the hamlet of Tremodrat, a mile and a half from the village of Roche.
06:21Here you'll find all the daily essentials, including a small supermarket, several takeaways, spot the pasty shop, a village store and a pub.
06:32From which it's a five minute drive or a 30 minute walk to our first property.
06:37A beautifully maintained and thoughtfully modernised detached home that sits on a plot of a quarter of an acre.
06:46Outbuilding.
06:48Lovely guys.
06:49Come this way.
06:50Come this way.
06:51Because I think from down here you get a lovely perspective.
06:53Wow.
06:54Oh wow.
06:55On the package.
06:56What a garden.
06:57This is amazing.
06:58There we go.
06:59I can imagine Lil's out here already.
07:01And you can shut the gates.
07:02So it does work from a doggy point of view.
07:05You've got the garage there.
07:06You can certainly adapt that as your studio.
07:08But there's loads of room here to build something bespoke if you wanted to do something a bit different.
07:14We can definitely set up here.
07:15Yeah.
07:16Well, see inside.
07:17Okay.
07:18Shall we have a look?
07:19Yes.
07:20Come on then.
07:21Follow me.
07:22Our gym enthusiasts will be glad to know there are two gyms within a 20 minute drive.
07:27One in St Austell and the other slightly closer in Bodmin.
07:31The ponies in the paddock.
07:32It's an amazing view.
07:33Wow.
07:34Absolutely amazing.
07:35Yeah.
07:36The view is incredible.
07:37I'm surprised this is in our budget.
07:39Well.
07:40Just you wait and see.
07:41Come on.
07:42Let's get in.
07:44In keeping with the unspoken rule of rural living we're using the everyday entrance at the rear of the property.
07:51Okay.
07:52Let's start in here then.
07:53What do we think?
07:54It's a lovely kitchen.
07:55Very nice.
07:56Yeah.
07:57Feels like a proper country kitchen.
07:59Yeah.
08:00The woodwork surface.
08:01Yeah.
08:02I'm a big fan.
08:03I think this is our type of style.
08:04Yeah.
08:05The boot room as you saw as we came through.
08:06Utility room.
08:07Great if you've got Lily.
08:08Yeah.
08:09Muddy pores.
08:10Yeah.
08:11Definitely.
08:12But just the added benefit of just having a nice view out your window.
08:15We don't have any windows in our kitchen area.
08:17Yeah.
08:18So just something really simple like that makes a difference.
08:20Just doing the washing up and you're actually looking at beautiful countryside rather than.
08:23Wash Lily zooming around.
08:24Yeah.
08:25Rather than traffic.
08:26Yeah.
08:27Well let's continue then.
08:29Through here.
08:30Again lovely views from the dining.
08:33Out to.
08:34Great views.
08:35To beyond.
08:36And then this lot.
08:37Nice log burner.
08:39It's cosy.
08:40It's a nice size.
08:41It's not too big.
08:42Yeah.
08:43And there's a door straight onto the garden as well.
08:44Yeah.
08:45I think for the two of you.
08:46And Lily.
08:47You know.
08:48Would this work in terms of size?
08:50Yeah.
08:51I think so.
08:52I think it's about the right size.
08:53Yeah.
08:54Our sofa's quite big.
08:55And I'm keen to hold on to that sofa.
08:56It's the nicest thing I've bought for my flat.
08:58But it would fit.
08:59Good.
09:00Right.
09:01Let's have a look through here.
09:02Also on the ground floor is a family bathroom and two of the property's four bedrooms.
09:09Your principal bedroom I would suggest is this one.
09:12Down here.
09:13Okay.
09:14There's another bedroom next door.
09:15Specked up a bit more as a kind of dressing room.
09:18Lots of storage in there.
09:19If we're able to have a separate dressing room then I think the size is fine.
09:24The bedroom next door does have an ensuite shower.
09:29This is a brighter room.
09:31Yeah.
09:32It's nice.
09:33The mirrors make it look quite a lot bigger.
09:35I think this might be better as the main bedroom though.
09:37Yeah.
09:38I think so.
09:39There's an ensuite.
09:40And we like an ensuite.
09:41We could move things around.
09:42Good.
09:43Whilst most of the living space is on the ground floor, upstairs offers a neat and flexible layout.
09:49Okay.
09:50So.
09:51Another guest room for you there.
09:53Or potentially office space I don't know.
09:55Potentially.
09:56Yeah.
09:57It could easily be an office.
09:58It's really bright in here which is nice.
10:00Another bathroom up here which is a nice sort of family bathroom.
10:03Shower and bath as well.
10:04The angled ceilings are a bit of an issue here but luckily we're both short so.
10:08What was I going to say?
10:10We go in there.
10:11Go and have a look at that one.
10:13See what you make of this.
10:14It's exciting.
10:15Yeah again there's not as much light in this room compared to downstairs.
10:19Yeah.
10:20The quarter of an acre plot boasts an extensive garden with a greenhouse, raised beds and a
10:27modern garden shed.
10:29There's also a detached garage, another possible option for Jess's pottery studio.
10:34This is a good size.
10:35It'll make a great studio.
10:36Yeah you can make this in your workshop.
10:37Added some extra windows or made these into glass doors.
10:41I think so yeah.
10:42If you lift the roof up put some skylights in.
10:45Converting the garage or building a bespoke studio from scratch will cost.
10:50So we're reconvening on the lawn to answer the all important question.
10:56So how much do you think then this is on the market for?
11:02I think this is a tough one but I'm going to guess about 530 I think.
11:09530,000 pounds.
11:10Eddie.
11:11I'm going to be a bit cheekier and hope we've got a bit of room to build the outside studio
11:15and go 510.
11:16A pair of cheeky offers if ever I heard them.
11:22Well you're right that it begins with a 5.
11:24This is currently on the market for 550,000 pounds.
11:29I think ideally if we could put an offer in slightly under so we had the extra money to build that extra space.
11:35I think it would definitely be viable.
11:37This beautifully presented detached home offers a contemporary kitchen, two receptions and four bedrooms.
11:44The quarter acre plot includes a detached garage and a large garden with gorgeous views.
11:49And it's on the market with a guy price of 550,000 pounds.
11:54This is a really beautiful property.
11:58The outside space is incredible.
12:00We couldn't really ask for a better garden.
12:03What we feel maybe lets this house down slightly is the bedroom space.
12:08Just 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.
12:16The garden, the outside space, absolutely amazing.
12:18I think the practicalities of inside so where we both work from home we'd have to have an office.
12:23And I think logistically having a master bedroom downstairs and having to go upstairs to get changed doesn't really make sense.
12:30So there we are then. One done. Of interest I hope.
12:35Yeah definitely it's a contender.
12:36That's potential, yeah.
12:37Good. Right then. Let's see what else we've got here. Come on.
12:40The market town of Wade Bridge straddles the River Camel and is connected by a 15th century bridge.
12:58This place looks nice. Yeah.
13:01It's bunting strewn streets are home to a host of well supported independent businesses including a bookshop, a boutique cinema and more watering holes and eateries than you can shake a stick at.
13:14Wade Bridge has always been fantastic. It's full of independent businesses and there's not lots of big chains here so it's a real unique town.
13:21Johnny and Jessica have lived here for the past four years and two years ago they opened this cocktail and tapas bar.
13:29The community in Wade Bridge is perfect. It's not just a holiday town, people actually live here, work here, schools are here.
13:37And so we do feel like we've been like welcome with open arms.
13:40It's a fantastic sort of lifestyle and we really enjoy ourselves.
13:44We get to go out and walk with dog most days and get to spend time on the beach.
13:48We wouldn't want to be anywhere else to be honest.
13:50The town is also home to a thriving fitness community.
13:54As well as running classes seven days a week we do so many social events.
13:58It's just so lovely to see people hanging out having coffee afterwards or like today when the weather is absolutely beautiful messaging each other going down to the beach after they've done a class.
14:08There are regular bus services to Bude, Truro, Bodmin and Port Isaac and the former railway station now houses a cafe with a community hub.
14:19It offers support groups, activities and a place to get together and have a cup of tea.
14:24At Unleashed Dog Meadow there's a ready-made group for Jess, Eddie and their rescue greyhound Lily to tap into.
14:33Such a brilliant spot that we travel all the way up from Red Roof.
14:36Oh okay.
14:37So we come to the sessions when they're on, it's usually once a month.
14:40Iro loves it, loves running around.
14:43Jessica Poole owns and runs the meadow which offers breed specific sessions enabling humans and their four-legged friends a safe space to socialise.
14:54How often do you guys meet up?
14:56I do different breeds every week but every breed has a slot once a month.
15:00Good way to meet people.
15:02Especially good for Lily because we quite often go to a secure dog field like this at home but we're always alone there.
15:09We 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.
15:19Yeah 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.
15:29Around Wave Bridge in particular there are footpaths everywhere that go through farmland, woodland, along the trail for example here.
15:36There's yeah like endless places to go for dog walks, it's amazing.
15:40I think Wave Bridge in particular is incredibly dog friendly.
15:44It's human friendly too.
15:46You'll always find people going, oh do you fancy coming for a dog walk?
15:50Oh yeah.
15:51There's that all over Cornwall, it's dog heaven down here.
15:54Well it seems like you've got a great community here so hopefully we'll see you all soon.
15:57Yeah, hope so.
15:59Hope you find the house you like.
16:01Yeah, you may take.
16:02Yeah, you may take.
16:04Me three, let's get back to it.
16:10Our 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.
16:20It's also less than 20 minutes by car to pass Sands, a wide sandy beach where dogs are allowed year round.
16:27That should make Lily's ears prick up.
16:29In the centre of Truthergi, tucked down a quiet lane, sits this detached Cornish cottage.
16:35Here we are then.
16:36That is our next offering.
16:37Wow.
16:38OK.
16:39What do we think?
16:40I love the look of it.
16:41Yeah, the stone on the outside.
16:42It's lovely.
16:43This is just such a peaceful location.
16:44I like that it's quiet but there are plenty of neighbours around so you're not isolated.
16:55And I'll tell you what's really interesting about this one.
16:58I think you've got loads of options here to cosmetically make it very much your own.
17:05And that is a fun job.
17:07Yeah.
17:08We can make it at home.
17:09Absolutely.
17:10Come on, let's have a look.
17:13The property, now empty, is being sold with no onward chain.
17:17It benefits from solar panels which generate electricity resulting in lowered electricity bills and an air source heat pump.
17:25A greener alternative to a gas boiler.
17:28So there is an awful lot to see with this one but yeah, what do you reckon?
17:33A project.
17:35Yeah, a lot of character but yeah, definitely a project.
17:39The kitchen's not our style so we'd have to do something with that but yeah, there's character here.
17:44It's just we'd have to, yeah, put a lot of work in.
17:46It's a good addition and the windows look quite new.
17:48Yeah.
17:49It's nice and light.
17:50Yeah.
17:51And I like the beams.
17:52Good impression so far.
17:53Good.
17:54Well, let's hope they continue.
17:55Come and have a look through here.
17:59Living space.
18:00It's a good size room.
18:01Yeah, similar look.
18:02It's got the beams still.
18:03Yeah, good windows.
18:04But again, a little bit dated so we'd have to put our spin on things.
18:07And there's still lovely views into the garden.
18:09As long as you can see the potential, you know, and you don't have to do it all at once.
18:12That's true, yeah.
18:13You can go room by room.
18:15Behind the living room at the end of the entrance hall is a utility room and a handy boot room.
18:21Oh, okay.
18:22Interesting.
18:23Boot room, dog room.
18:25It could also be a packing room actually because you've got a workbench all the way along already
18:30and lots of storage and light.
18:32Perfectly suited for you.
18:33Yeah.
18:34This property's flexible layout is, I reckon, its defining feature and that's particularly evident upstairs.
18:42Now I don't know about you but this might make quite a fun kind of office space for someone.
18:47Yeah.
18:48Yeah, potentially.
18:49Yeah, loads of space up here.
18:51Yeah, a bit odd working on a landing but it's definitely something we can make work.
18:55Okay.
18:56Well, we're not short of space here.
18:57Okay.
18:58So don't panic.
18:59You don't have to do it here because you have got four bedrooms to play with here.
19:01Oh, okay.
19:02Okay.
19:03All right.
19:04Plus this.
19:05It's a bit warm today.
19:07Wow.
19:08And bright.
19:09But it's a lovely elevated space and it shows off part of the garden.
19:13It continues behind that big hedge.
19:15Okay.
19:16I'm not sure what we would use this room for particularly.
19:18Yeah, it's a lovely room.
19:19I've never seen anything like this.
19:20Yeah.
19:21It's great.
19:22It's unique.
19:23But it's a nice problem to have.
19:24Trying to figure out what to do with it.
19:27On that note, I'll leave them to consider how they'll utilise the bedrooms up here.
19:31This is a big room.
19:32Yeah.
19:33Lots of light comes in as well.
19:34Maybe the master bedroom.
19:35A bit of storage.
19:36Yeah.
19:37A nice deep window sill.
19:38Yeah.
19:39You could sit there and read a book.
19:40Yeah.
19:41There's a second, smaller bedroom at the rear.
19:46This would be a good office for me.
19:49My ceramics office.
19:50Packing office.
19:51Yeah.
19:52Yeah.
19:53Got lots of storage.
19:54And further down the corridor, a third bedroom.
19:57Not a similar sized room.
20:00This could also be an office.
20:02Again, a bit of decorating, but we can make it nice.
20:05Yeah.
20:06Do you know, I can perfectly understand how young buyers like Eddie and Jess may feel
20:13somewhat daunted by the prospect of taking on a property like this.
20:18I just hope somehow I can convince them through my own experience that actually this is very
20:24doable.
20:27Next door to the family bathroom is the fourth and final bedroom.
20:31Actually, this would be the best office for our joint office, I think.
20:38Despite all this talk of offices, the bedrooms could easily remain bedrooms as outside there's
20:44a triple garage and a large workshop.
20:47Okay.
20:48So this is just a bit of it.
20:51This is half of the garaging you get.
20:53Okay.
20:54As seen from the front.
20:55It's huge.
20:56It's huge.
20:57But it also goes all the way back there.
21:00Okay.
21:01In terms of storing materials, all that sort of stuff.
21:03Yeah.
21:04And you could have the next door garage.
21:05Yeah.
21:06Just for you.
21:07Workshop-wise, potentially a little bit of money in this, but it could be sorted.
21:10Yeah.
21:11Yeah.
21:12Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed?
21:14I'm getting that feeling.
21:15A bit.
21:16There's just a lot of potential, but a lot of work to be done.
21:19So it does hang on the budget.
21:21And obviously we could do it over a long space of time.
21:23Nothing has to be instant.
21:26She's right.
21:27But let's see if I can allay Jess's fears a little more in the sizeable garden that wraps
21:32around the house and is mainly laid to lawn.
21:35Surely the perfect playground for Lily.
21:38In terms of space for Lily.
21:40It has loads.
21:41Yeah.
21:42There's tons.
21:43She could have a good old run around.
21:44Bit of dog proofing to do, but yeah, the size is great.
21:45But let's think about then the price of this one.
21:48Eddie.
21:49Well, based on property one, I think we've got more garden area and more house.
21:57So I'm going to say 550.
21:59I'm actually going to go a little bit higher.
22:01I actually think about 560.
22:03I think it's over.
22:04560,000 pounds.
22:06Well, here's the thing.
22:07This is on the market for 530,000 pounds.
22:12Okay.
22:13That leaves us some money to do it.
22:15A little bit.
22:16A little bit.
22:17This detached stone built Cornish cottage has a large kitchen diner, a living room, a first
22:24floor sunroom and four bedrooms.
22:26In addition to the wrap around garden, there's a triple garage and a detached workshop.
22:31The price?
22:32530,000 pounds.
22:34It's perfect.
22:35It's exactly what we asked for.
22:37It's picturesque.
22:38The gardens are amazing.
22:39The stonework.
22:40It's really lovely to look at, but a little bit daunting for me.
22:45I don't know about for you.
22:47Yeah, this house is a blank canvas, which is good in some ways because we can completely
22:51put our own stamp on it, but slightly overwhelming in other ways in that there's a lot of work to
22:57be done here.
22:58It would definitely stretch our budget, although we could do it over time.
23:02I think it would test us and our renovation skills.
23:05Yeah.
23:06So a long day, two very different options for you, but both of which would get you into Cornwall.
23:13Yeah.
23:14Very different, but a lot to think about, especially for this one.
23:17Yeah, definitely some contenders in there.
23:18Yeah.
23:19Right.
23:20Okay.
23:21Off you go.
23:22Lots more to see and do.
23:27We're ending our day in the village of Rock on the eastern shore of the Camel Estuary.
23:35Despite the name, it's really rather sandy.
23:38The wide golden beach here is arguably Rock's standout feature.
23:42Well, guys, it's been a long, busy and thirsty day.
23:46So I thought we're better to finish off than here at Rock because we can get the ferry over
23:49to Padstow for a beer.
23:51How about that?
23:52Sounds perfect.
23:53Sounds good.
23:54Before we get on and get over there, a quick upsum of your day.
23:57I think you've shown us two contrasting properties.
24:00One that's going to be a project that we can make our own and one that's pretty much good
24:03to go.
24:04Yeah.
24:05It would just be us having a mile over it and I think and see what's best.
24:08Deciding what one is best, yeah.
24:10Well, we're better to consider it than over the water.
24:13So everyone's getting off.
24:15That's our cue, I think, to get on.
24:17Shall we?
24:18Yeah.
24:19The year-round passenger ferry service offers scenic rides across the river camel.
24:25What fun.
24:27Dogs are welcome on board and crossing times take between five and ten minutes as opposed
24:33to a half-hour car journey.
24:34Now, I've taken many a trip to the pub, but not often this way, it has to be said.
24:39Yeah, what a way to finish off the day.
24:41Yeah, unique.
24:42Perfect.
24:43Yeah, absolutely perfect.
24:56Contemplating a new life in Cornwall will let us give you the lowdown on property prices
25:01in the county.
25:03The average cost of a detached house here is a smidge over £441,000, a few thousand
25:10pounds higher than the UK average of just over £437,000.
25:16Take a look at a selection of other Cornish homes currently on the market.
25:21This sweet end-of-terrace cottage has a reception with a large stone fireplace, a perfectly
25:26appointed kitchen diner, two bedrooms, one with sea views and a rear-decked courtyard.
25:32It's listed with a guide price of £275,000.
25:40This substantial detached farmhouse, dating back to the late 1590s, is on the market for
25:45offers in excess of £799,950.
25:52Sitting in the middle of a beautiful country garden, it offers five bedrooms, a country
25:57kitchen and two reception rooms.
26:01For renters, this detached cottage with a good-sized garden, a living dining room,
26:09a kitchen with a range and two bedrooms is available for £1,000 per calendar month.
26:16Well, as you can see, it's another glorious start to this, our final day of house hunting
26:24here in Cornwall.
26:25Now, coming up, we have a fabulous mystery house for Jess and Eddie, which I think really
26:29draws together much of what we've learnt over the last couple of properties.
26:33But before then, time and tide are on our side.
26:36So what better way to kick off proceedings than out there, out on the water?
26:44Yes, Jess and Eddie have accepted my invitation to do a spot of Cornish gig rowing with a few
26:49members of the Padstow Rowing Club.
26:51Matt, good morning, how are you?
26:52Hi, nice to meet you.
26:53Hey, I'm Jules.
26:54Let me introduce you to Jess and Eddie.
26:55Hi, good to meet you.
26:56Nice to meet you.
26:57Matt Olcock has been rowing gigs since he was just 11 years old.
27:07And before he takes us out, he's kindly agreed to fill us in on the history of these splendid,
27:12quintessentially Cornish boats.
27:16People have been rowing these types of boats, these traditional gigs for centuries down in Cornwall.
27:21They're full wood construction, clinker built, beautiful bit of craftsmanship.
27:26And what were they originally designed for?
27:28You'd have a pilot sat on the seat in the bow there and the crews would race out to the ships in the mouth of the river
27:34aiming to get their pilot onto the boat and help them navigate into the harbour.
27:37So the fastest boat got the job, got the money.
27:40Ah.
27:41As modern technology progressed, people could pilot their own boats in.
27:45There was no need for a pilot to get onto the boat.
27:47That's where the racing came from.
27:49So that sense of competition remained, even though the kind of functional job of actually getting a pilot onto a boat had long gone.
27:55Yeah.
27:56And I think it's very important as well that we continue these traditions, honour the people that have gone before us and keep rowing these beautiful boats.
28:02And gig racing is a big part of the South West, isn't it?
28:05Oh, it's huge.
28:06Different harbours, different ports have their own gig teams.
28:08So there's kind of friendly rivalry, isn't there?
28:10Oh, there's, yeah, massive friendly rivalry.
28:11So we have big rivalry with rock just the other side of the river.
28:15Yeah.
28:16Well, there's going to be a bit more friendly rivalry today.
28:19We've got two boats going out.
28:21We need a few fill-ins.
28:22And luckily, we've got three here sitting in front of me.
28:25So I guess you're on one boat and I'm on the other.
28:27That's the plan, yeah.
28:28And we're going to race?
28:29We're going to have a race, make it a bit of a competition.
28:31OK.
28:32OK.
28:33You're up for this?
28:34Yeah, definitely.
28:35Well, may the best boat win.
28:37The traditional Cornish gig raced today is based on a design from the 1830s.
28:46Measuring 32 feet in length with fixed seats, these six-award rowing boats were traditionally
28:51used for pilotage, harbour work and as lifeboats.
28:56How good is this?
28:58The gig's multiple uses meant it needed to be stable and seaworthy in rough seas,
29:04as well as light and speedy to win those lucrative pilotage contracts.
29:08That's it, Jules, just following Nicole in front of you there.
29:11Today, there are thought to be more than 8,000 active gig rowers, both competitive and social,
29:18across the globe.
29:19Whilst the highest concentration of gig rowing clubs are in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly,
29:24there are clubs as far away as Australia.
29:27It's kind of wind in the willows on steroids, isn't it?
29:31Yeah.
29:32That is it, that's a new one though.
29:35Today's impromptu race is a tough dash back to the harbour wall.
29:41Flag's up.
29:43Go!
29:44Come on.
29:49Nice start.
29:51Keeping it long.
29:53Nice strong catch.
29:55Nice and strong.
29:57Creeping up on dasher.
29:59That is a proper good workout.
30:02As well as competitive racing, the club offers social rowing sessions where the emphasis is on fun.
30:10You're nearly there, Jules.
30:11Hang in there.
30:12Friendship.
30:13We're in the lead.
30:14And fitness.
30:15When we pass this red ball, you've got 20 more strokes to go, Jules.
30:24And I can categorically vouch that it delivers on all those fronts.
30:28Hey.
30:29Well done, guys.
30:30Good run.
30:31Woo.
30:32Wow.
30:33Well done, gang.
30:34Well done, Jules.
30:35Well done.
30:36You've won your first race.
30:38That was great fun.
30:40Well, well done to my fantastic crew.
30:42And I coxed them out.
30:44Well done.
30:45Well done.
30:46Well done.
30:47Well done.
30:48Well done.
30:49Brilliant, guys.
30:50Well done.
30:51How very sporty.
30:52We all cheer each other in.
30:53That's just great.
30:54That's the spirit of it, isn't it?
30:55There are many ways to experience the gloriousness of Cornwall, but I've got to say that from the water,
31:00it's probably one of the best.
31:01It's mystery house time, and we found it in the moorland village of St. Bruard, seven miles north of Bodmin.
31:07It's mystery house time, and we found it in the moorland village of St. Bruard, seven miles north of Bodmin.
31:14The 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.
31:44On the village outskirts lies Wenford Bridge Pottery, famous as the former pottery of celebrated English studio potter Michael Cardew.
31:53Hello, Cookie.
31:54Ten 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.
32:06Have you made anything that big yet?
32:08No, nowhere near. Not just. I think that's beyond me at the moment.
32:12But tableware is where you're at at the moment.
32:14Yeah.
32:15When I started, I was a repetition tableware potter, so I threw pots every day.
32:21Exactly 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.
32:28Now, Cookie, obviously you know this area and the community. Is it welcoming? Is it a place in which you love living?
32:35It is. It's lovely. I think the important thing is you've got to take part, if you're willing to take part. There'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. If you are open and you take part in things, then they accept you.
32:54Yeah.
32:55I guess you get out what you put in.
32:56I think that's true, yeah.
32:57Yeah. And I would say that's true for village life in general, really, and rural life.
33:03So, whilst Jess and Eddie mooch around the gallery at their leisure, you, dear viewer, are coming with me.
33:09So, here, then, is our mystery house. Now, we know that Eddie and Jess love the local architecture, the feel of this granite stone. Have we saved the best until last? Quite possibly.
33:23This gorgeous cottage is thought to date back to the 1890s, but is, I'll admit, semi-detached. So, Jess and Eddie will have to set aside their preference for a detached home. However, it's been beautifully renovated over the past couple of years in a style that I think is right up their street.
33:44Now, 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.
33:53But here, it has all been done. It is crisp. It is clean. It is gorgeous. It is ready to go. And out there in the garden is a lovely old stone barn. And if that doesn't say pottery studio, I don't know what it does.
34:08What's more, Bodmin, with its gym community, is still within a 20-minute drive.
34:14Welcome, then, to this, our mystery house.
34:17Wow. It's lovely.
34:19The road is perfect. Although it is right on the road, all you can hear is the birds. There's no cars, which is great. And I like the stone-fronted.
34:26I thought you'd like that, because you liked that in property too, didn't you?
34:29Yeah, you did.
34:30Come on.
34:33Right. Come on in.
34:35Wow, OK.
34:37Beast your eyes.
34:40Oh, wow. Lots of stain. It's really pretty. Beams as well.
34:44Yeah.
34:45I can't believe it.
34:46Yeah, it's lovely.
34:47I can see that maybe at one point it was quite enclosed and cottagey, but it's been opened up and it, yeah, it feels really nice.
34:54You're absolutely right. The current owners have set about opening it up and doing to this what I imagined you doing to our second property.
35:03OK.
35:04Yeah, they've saved us all the hard work. It's exactly what we wanted. It's got character, but it's, like, modern as well.
35:08I love it so far.
35:09Yeah, have a look at this then. Look at this. Classic sort of kitchen diner and then this nice sort of island-cum-breakfast bar, all crisp, all new, all ready to go.
35:18Wow.
35:19Really impressive.
35:20Yeah, I love the kitchen. Yeah.
35:22I think it's how we do it ourselves.
35:24Well, it also comes with a very generous kind of utility area downstairs to leave out there and conservatory as well.
35:29Cool.
35:30I guess my question is, is this sort of main footprints that you've seen already, is this big enough?
35:36It's cosy, but it's got enough space that we need.
35:39Yeah, I would agree.
35:41Upstairs, there are fewer bedrooms than we've previously shown them, but all are of a good size.
35:46This is a nice room.
35:48Yeah.
35:49Lots of light.
35:50Oh, wow.
35:51Big en suite there.
35:52Nice big bathtub.
35:53Views to the garden as well.
35:55Oh, wow.
35:56And it looks like we've got some outbuildings.
35:58Yeah.
35:59Nice big lawn as well for Lily.
36:00Yeah.
36:01And we can keep an eye on her as well.
36:02Yeah.
36:03That's important.
36:04A modern family bathroom serves a second larger double bedroom, which also features a fireplace.
36:11And there's a third and final double overlooking the front of the property.
36:15Now, let's turn our attention to the rear.
36:18Nice big conservatory, right?
36:20It is, yeah.
36:21But come and have a look up here, cos there are so many options.
36:26First up is a detached garage and workshop currently used for storage.
36:31It has mains water and electricity connected, as does the detached stone barn next door.
36:38Oh, wow.
36:39I could have the wheel over by the window, get some natural light, lots of shelving.
36:44Yeah, I think it could work.
36:46There's also a self-contained cabin at the top of the garden, which the vendor rents out as an occasional holiday let.
36:53And our new potential office.
36:55Yeah.
36:56Oh, this is nice.
36:57Wow, this is impressive.
36:59Yeah, little kitchen already.
37:01It all looks quite new.
37:02The toilet ready to go as well.
37:03The toilet, perfect.
37:04Yeah, it could be our office.
37:05It could be my ceramics packing office, actually.
37:06I'm going to steal this for myself.
37:07Regardless of how they decide to divvy up the outbuildings, Jess and Eddie would both have the opportunity to walk to work.
37:24This is the commute, for goodness sake.
37:27Yeah, it separates work and home.
37:29Yeah, it does.
37:30Not a bad idea.
37:31And it does mean, then, you don't have to encumber the house with office space.
37:34It's all out the way.
37:36When you get home, you're at home.
37:38Now, you are going to have to estimate, for the final time this week, what you think this is on the market for.
37:44It's got to be close to the top of our budget, I think.
37:47I think 540.
37:50540,000 pounds.
37:52Wow, it would be nice if it was.
37:53Yeah, go on.
37:54I think we're punching above, so I think 560.
37:57This is on the market for an astonishing 525,000 pounds.
38:04Okay.
38:05Okay.
38:06That's nice.
38:07We got a little bit of extra money.
38:08We can do some little decorating bits that we need to, but nothing major.
38:12It's a lot of gardens and outbuildings for that price, definitely.
38:16Definitely.
38:17I think we could settle in quite easily.
38:18We could.
38:19That was my hope.
38:23This semi-detached stone cottage offers an open-plan sitting room, a contemporary kitchen
38:29diner, a conservatory and three double bedrooms.
38:32Outside, the generous garden contains two stone outbuildings and a wooden cabin.
38:37The property is being marketed with a guide price of 525,000 pounds.
38:43It's got the character that we wanted, but it's already had the hard work done, unlike
38:46property too, so that's a big bonus.
38:49The location's amazing.
38:50It's a really quiet, sleepy town.
38:52The outbuildings, the garden, everything together, it's really exciting.
38:57The house itself has so much character.
39:00As soon as we walked in, I was pretty blown away, but there's definite potential here
39:05and we just need to have a good think now.
39:08Good.
39:09Happy smiley faces.
39:10Yeah.
39:11I was hoping that was the reaction that our mystery house would deliver.
39:15But I'm afraid that is it.
39:16We can show you no more.
39:17Come on, let's go.
39:18Well, all this week we've been blessed with some wonderful weather, some fantastic properties
39:30and, of course, Cornwall's enchanting coastline.
39:34But I thought to finish up, we'd come inland here to Bodmin Moor to find out what their
39:40future in Cornwall is going to look like and have a refreshing dip at the same time.
39:47Wow, this is a spot, isn't it?
39:52It is.
39:53It's lovely.
39:54Are you cooling down?
39:55Yeah.
39:56Wow, it's been hot this week, isn't it?
39:58A nice bit of breeze, feet in the water.
40:00Oh, not bad, actually.
40:01Not quite bath temperature, but I'll take that.
40:04Well, we have seen some property this week.
40:07So, how have we done?
40:09Is there a clear favourite?
40:12I don't think there's a completely clear winner.
40:15I think at first we were a bit overwhelmed by property two, but after seeing property
40:20three and what we could do with property two, I think it's made us more open and a bit
40:26excited to what we could actually do.
40:28Yeah, and the thing with property two is it has the location, it has the space, and that's
40:32something you can't change.
40:34You know, you can change the inside, but you can't change the rest.
40:37You had the beams and it all looked a bit dated, but in property three they'd already
40:40see decorated and we could see what we could do with property two quite easily.
40:44I think, like you said, it's cosmetic inside.
40:46I think the outbuildings might require a bit of work, but it's something that you could
40:50get up and running with pretty quickly, I think.
40:52Yeah.
40:53Yeah, definitely.
40:54I'm still overwhelmed by that property, I have to admit.
40:57It's not suddenly a clear winner, but there's lots more to consider now, and I think we
41:02are definitely more open to it.
41:03There's no compromise on the inside space in terms of size.
41:07It has the best of everything almost, the location, the privacy, the outdoor space, outbuildings
41:12and indoor space.
41:13The compromise is, are we willing to put in the work for the first couple of years?
41:17And it can be daunting, I totally understand that, but when you've done it, the sense of
41:21reward, I can't put a price on it.
41:24It's something you'll be so proud of.
41:26It's got the rock cottage look, it's in a nice, sleepy village, it's not overlooked.
41:30It's close to the sea, close to the gym.
41:32Yeah.
41:33It has a lot.
41:34Eight minutes, I think, for the gym.
41:36I mean, well, I'm not going to rush you on it, it's a big decision, but it's been a
41:39lot of fun showing you around.
41:41Just let us know how you get on and we'd love to come back and see you in the future if
41:44we may.
41:45Great.
41:46Thank you very much.
41:48Don't be disguised.
41:49Best of luck.
41:54Well, after a busy week house hunting, that young pole over there is doing what we all
41:59want to do, lie down in the sun and take it easy.
42:02But it's been a week that has absolutely been worth it, particularly for Jess and for
42:09Eddie.
42:10Hello.
42:11Everybody wants a drink, why wouldn't you?
42:13They are now much more informed as to what their new home is going to look like as they
42:17set out on this journey together.
42:20A future all their own.
42:22Much like that foal's going to do.
42:25I'll see you next time.
42:29After we left, Eddie and Jess continued exploring nearby villages.
42:34Just two miles from the second property we'd shown them, they found a house they fell in
42:38love with.
42:39Their offer was accepted and they hoped to be in by the autumn.
42:42We wish them, and their dog Lily, every happiness in their new Cornish home.
42:47If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
42:52and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:22We'll see you next time.
43:23Bye.
43:24Bye.
43:25Bye.
43:26Bye.
43:27Bye.
43:28Bye.
43:29Bye.
43:31Bye.
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