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Celebrity Escape to the Country 2023 Season 3 Episode 2br br RealityRealmUSbr Reality Realm USbr br Please subscribe to our official channel to watch the full movie for free as soon as possible Reality Insight Hubbr Official Channel THANK YOU br
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00:00This is a room.
00:01Perfect.
00:02I think you've nailed it.
00:03Oh!
00:05We found the ultimate medley of showstoppers.
00:12And chart toppers.
00:14I could not have shown you this.
00:16You certainly couldn't.
00:17It's really, really special.
00:18To deliver a country pad that hits all the right notes.
00:30City life can sometimes be too fortissimo.
00:46Too loud.
00:47I mean, who wants a noisy neighbour, right?
00:49The thing is, what if it's you that's the one making all the noise?
00:53Well, you do the decent thing and you escape to the country.
00:56Which is exactly what the nation's favourite choirmaster has asked us to help him do here in Hampshire.
01:04So, cue the fanfare and meet Gareth Malone, the maestro behind the music.
01:10Well, that's nice.
01:15Hmm.
01:16Oh, I know.
01:18I'm Gareth Malone and I am a musician and a choir director and I'm looking to get out of town.
01:24Gareth Malone is the man who made Britain fall in love with singing.
01:30I've worked with all sorts of people.
01:32Prisoners, doctors, firefighters, people who work in supermarkets, bankers.
01:38So fun.
01:39I started the Military Wives Choirs.
01:42That was a thing.
01:44Indeed it was.
01:45In 2011, they bagged the Christmas number one spot.
01:49You name it, I've made a choir out of them.
01:51Awarded an OBE for his services to music, Gareth lives in a leafy North London suburb with his wife, Becky, a teacher and their three children.
02:02This is my studio, which is at the end of my garden.
02:06When I built this, I went round and told all the neighbours that it was so that I wouldn't disturb them.
02:10But truth be told, it's just that they were disturbing me, but I didn't want to be rude.
02:14That's the trouble with living in London.
02:16I love living in London.
02:17It is great, but I just feel like it's so noisy.
02:23That's the inner soundtrack of my mind when I'm in London.
02:28Go to work, go to work, go to work.
02:30And I think I'm feeling a bit more...
02:36That's what I'm looking for.
02:41Whilst regular hot yoga sessions provide some solitude, Gareth is seeking more.
02:47I feel like I'm just enjoying that phase of my life where I'm not absolutely hammering it all the time, which I really was.
02:54I'm super competitive and super driven, and I always have been since I was small.
02:59And if you're wondering where that drive comes from, meet Sian, Gareth's beloved mother.
03:09He started learning the piano when he was seven.
03:11Not always happily, I have to say.
03:13Sometimes he wanted to give up, but he was encouraged, shall we say, to continue.
03:18And then started to love it and never looked back after that, really.
03:22Gareth is super close to his parents.
03:26They live in the seaside town of Bournemouth in his childhood home.
03:31Whoops.
03:32No, I'm going to go.
03:33Where his very first piano still takes pride of place.
03:37It's seen better days.
03:38It has seen better days, yes.
03:40Well, it's seen you right through from age seven when you started.
03:44It's just a piano I used to make up pieces on.
03:46It is, yeah, yeah.
03:48Hours.
03:48Yeah.
03:48Sian will accompany Gareth on his search for a new home in the neighbouring county of Hampshire.
03:56These are photos of us in the New Forest.
03:59In times gone by, look at your hair.
04:01Yes.
04:02A place that holds many fond memories for them both.
04:05Oh, that's a nice photo.
04:07You look very happy in that.
04:07This move isn't just about being closer to Mama Malone.
04:11Gareth's banking on it, delivering other small joys.
04:15I do like ironing.
04:16I'd love a little ironing room.
04:18And a boot room.
04:20I hate shoemass.
04:21And I would really like to have a big piano in the house, like, you know, sort of eight-foot
04:27grand, proper grown-up piano.
04:30It's kind of the first thing I think about when I walk into a room is where would the piano
04:34go?
04:37Oh.
04:37And I'm not into ultra-modern.
04:39I really like sort of shambolic and historical and wonky.
04:48OK, that's a fairly comprehensive list of the finer details.
04:52But for an overview of the big picture stuff, here's the lowdown.
04:58Gareth is looking for a detached character property with at least four bedrooms, a decent-sized
05:05garden and an outbuilding that can become a music studio.
05:08The house should be located in the middle or on the edge of a village and have space for
05:15a full-size grand piano.
05:17The budget?
05:18£1.2 million.
05:29Gareth's search area is in Hampshire, specifically the southwest of the county, in and around the
05:34New Forest National Park.
05:36The village of Bewley gets its name from the French phrase meaning beautiful place, a description
05:43that could easily apply to any of the 37 towns and parishes within the park's boundary.
05:51Ponies, cattle, deer and pigs roam free among the ancient woodlands and open heaths.
05:5826 miles of coastline fall within the national park, with the mile-long Kelshot beach popular
06:08with water sports enthusiasts.
06:10Homebuyers in Hampshire get better value than in most of southeast England, although a detached
06:16house still costs around £621,000, about £180,000 above the UK average. Even so, that's far cheaper than Gareth's
06:27north London suburb, where detached properties typically cost more than £2 million.
06:32Gareth has already made two solid decisions. First, he's picked Hampshire, a county that delivers
06:45on that much-needed slower pace, while still having a train to London that runs on time.
06:51Second, he's bringing his mum along for the ride, and the benefits of having her join us is obvious.
06:57She knows him, and she knows him.
07:01So, of course, I took Mama Malone's advice when she suggested Exbury Gardens in the southeast
07:07corner of the New Forest as the perfect meeting point.
07:10Gareth, I should say, welcome back to Hampshire. You know this area so well.
07:18I do. I feel very at home. I feel quite emotional coming back here. I came here with my mother and
07:22my grandmother in, we think it was 1986.
07:25Yeah, a long time ago.
07:27Yeah, a very long time ago, and it was beautiful then, and it's still beautiful.
07:30So, apart from Mum being here, what is it about this area, this landscape, that is attracting you?
07:37I associate it with a very happy time in my life. We came to the New Forest every weekend
07:42and relaxed and went on long walks and the trees, and then you turn a corner and there's a beautiful
07:47pub or a little gem like this. Or a pony. Or a pony, exactly.
07:51Yeah, or a donkey or a cow. You can't rush in the New Forest because there's always a pony to slow you
07:56down. I don't know, maybe it's because I'm about to be 50 that I'm thinking I wouldn't mind something
08:01slightly slower. What a great midlife crisis, if that's what you're having.
08:05Oh, it's about my third. Not a crisis, just a...
08:07Just a change. An awakening.
08:08Yeah. An awakening.
08:09I like that. I'm maturing. Finally.
08:12Sian, are you buzzing at the thought of the grandkids? Forget Gallus, the grandkids.
08:17Yes, I am, absolutely. The idea of them being this close is just wonderful.
08:21Am I a sideshow in this? Yes, you are definitely a sideshow, yeah.
08:25My grandchildren quite like me, I think, and I absolutely adore them, and I want to spend as much
08:30time as I possibly can with them, so yes, I'll be on the doorstep.
08:33Do you know what you're looking for?
08:35No. I don't think I do. That's good.
08:38When we've bought houses before, it's always been just a great feel when you walk in.
08:44And you'll know, we'll know.
08:44I'll be like this. Yeah.
08:46Just feeling the vibrations.
08:48You'll feel the zen, yes, no question.
08:51Okay, well, that's one way to house hunt.
08:53Should we get going? Yeah.
08:54Like a divining stick or something. Yes.
08:56I feel like you are that stick. I am that stick.
08:58Let's go. Lead the way.
08:59Every minuet counts.
09:04Our first house sits in the village of West Wellow,
09:07right on the edge of the New Forest National Park.
09:13This handsome, detached, Grade II listed property dates back to the early 1800s.
09:19After the Second World War, it served as the village schoolhouse for 40 years,
09:24before being transformed into a gorgeous family home,
09:27that I hope will strike a chord with our choir master.
09:34Oh, Prissy.
09:36I love this path.
09:40But what about the house?
09:44Oh, look.
09:45Oh, she spotted the folly. Trust you.
09:47A folly. A grotto.
09:48I love it. It's a folly.
09:50Made of flint.
09:51Flint folly.
09:52A flint folly.
09:53A flint folly.
09:54That wasn't on my wish list, but now that I've seen one, I must have a flint folly.
10:00I like to provide a little bit of extra.
10:02That is fabulous.
10:03Never mind the house.
10:05What can one...
10:06OK, the house is so beautiful.
10:08Oh, focus.
10:09I do like the house.
10:10I love the paint.
10:11It's beautiful.
10:11I love the Victorian brickwork.
10:14I like that it was a school.
10:15Yes.
10:16My wife's a teacher.
10:17I thought you might.
10:18That's lovely history, isn't it?
10:20Yeah, we don't need to see any more.
10:21I like this one.
10:21I do like it.
10:23It's definitely my aesthetic.
10:24Are we allowed to go inside?
10:25Shall we?
10:26Yeah, let's.
10:27Yeah, let's do it.
10:27All right.
10:28Only because you are so nicely.
10:29I thought we'd kick off with the kitchen.
10:35Oh, this is a lovely kitchen.
10:38Eat me.
10:39The floor.
10:40The floor is great.
10:41I'm sorry, I was looking at the cookies.
10:43I love this.
10:44Isn't it nice?
10:45Yes.
10:46Yes.
10:47He's checking the rails of the doors.
10:50It's exactly right for the age of the house.
10:53Tick.
10:54Tick.
10:56Boot room.
10:57Tick.
10:58That door on the outside in the garden goes into the boot room.
11:02So if you've been out for a yomp.
11:03Oh, Gareth, you wanted it.
11:06Show me the boot room.
11:07Go, go, go, go.
11:10Oh, I love this.
11:12This could be the boot room.
11:13This is the ironing room.
11:14This is everything.
11:15The laundry.
11:16I can see you spending hours in here ironing, Gareth.
11:20I like this.
11:20This is a nice room.
11:21I feel like you love the boot room more than the kitchen.
11:24Yes.
11:25I'm quite interested to know where you eat and how much of a commute there is from the
11:29kitchen to the dining space.
11:31Gosh.
11:31He's moving out of London.
11:32Now he's talking about commutes.
11:35Should we go and find out?
11:37Can we time it?
11:37I've got a...
11:38What's he put?
11:39What?
11:42He's got a timer.
11:44I love it.
11:45He's got a stopwatch.
11:46Yeah.
11:47Is he always like this?
11:48Oh, yes.
11:49Well, I think that's a perfectly normal thing to bring on a house hunt because you need
11:52to know how long it takes to get from...
11:54I think our definitions of perfectly normal are different.
11:57Oh.
11:57But I appreciate that you have done this.
11:59If that's your worry, let's work for it.
12:01Look, I haven't got time to waste here.
12:03Okay.
12:03Okay.
12:04Let's get on with it.
12:05On your marks, get set, let's eat breakfast.
12:08I'm going to actually grab breakfast.
12:11Right, follow me.
12:12That's five seconds.
12:14Six.
12:15Okay.
12:15Oh, it's mild.
12:17Oh, okay, and that's a 12-second commute.
12:22Oh, it's sweet.
12:2312 seconds?
12:24That felt like four.
12:25It was 12 long seconds.
12:27We're going for the slower pace of life.
12:29Absolutely.
12:30You're right.
12:30This is beautiful.
12:31I'm sort of pouring the milk and then just slamming it down on the table and getting out the door.
12:35Where are you rushing off to here in Hampshire?
12:37Oh, you're right.
12:38Well, Gareth, I try to be.
12:41How many people can you get round that table?
12:42Is this the main dining space?
12:44This is the closest room for dining, I would say.
12:46That's six people.
12:49I mean, we always have five people.
12:50Always, yes.
12:51And very often six.
12:53And when we're there, it's seven.
12:55It's a great space.
12:56It's beautiful.
12:57It is a little bit small for a dining space for our family, I think.
13:00But I do like the vibration of this room.
13:03Well, if this room is giving Gareth good vibrations,
13:06wait until he claps eyes on the others, because there are four reception rooms in total,
13:12including this gorgeous garden room and this 30-foot lounge.
13:17This is my favourite space.
13:21Oh, this is a room.
13:23This is two rooms.
13:24Let Mum in.
13:25Oh, sorry, do come in.
13:26I'm sorry, this is kind of...
13:27Oh, wow, I love that.
13:28Wow, this is great.
13:29Do you know what I'm seeing here?
13:31What?
13:32Seeing a piano.
13:34Oh!
13:34I feel like you could...
13:36You can get a grand piano!
13:38Can you?
13:39Because...
13:40I think you could get a grand piano.
13:41You're the expert.
13:42I think so.
13:42You can definitely get a grand piano here.
13:44Yeah, you could definitely get a grand piano here.
13:44This is where I came prepared.
13:45What's this?
13:46This is the size of a grand piano.
13:51Oh, that's brilliant!
13:52Oh, look at that!
13:53Genius!
13:55A Steinway Model B would do me nicely.
13:59It doesn't come with the house.
14:00I'm not providing you with a piano.
14:01Look, that's brilliant!
14:02Back here?
14:03Yes.
14:03It fits comfortably into the space.
14:05And that's a big...
14:06That's a proper piano.
14:08Perfect.
14:09I think you've nailed it.
14:10Houses are my forte.
14:12And this is my piano forte.
14:14Oh, very good.
14:16Touché.
14:18If downstairs is a place to be forte...
14:21Upstairs is surely a place to be pianissimo.
14:28You'd certainly hear the kids coming up the stairs.
14:29Yes.
14:30I love the wood, actually.
14:32Yeah, the wooden floors are lovely.
14:33What is this?
14:34It's a bit of a warren.
14:35Ooh, ooh.
14:36Like a dressing room or...
14:38Ooh.
14:39Through the bathroom.
14:40Ooh, gosh.
14:41Up the stairs, into master bedroom.
14:45Main bedroom.
14:46Wow.
14:48What a beautiful room.
14:50He needs a rest already.
14:51Oh, I love a chaise lounge.
14:52Tell you the first house.
14:53It's nice.
14:54What a peaceful, restful room.
14:56Yeah.
14:57I love that really wonky old door.
15:00I'm into that.
15:02This is definitely the kind of style of house that I like.
15:05I could see myself in this bedroom.
15:07There are three further bedrooms, all doubles and all with fireplaces,
15:12served by a family bathroom with a clawfoot tub.
15:15Outside the garden extends to just over half an acre, with a couple of outbuildings that could be
15:23remastered into a music studio, along with fruit cages and raised beds.
15:28It's a very secluded feel.
15:32I mean, it's properly detached, isn't it?
15:33Mm.
15:34You can't hear anyone.
15:35Yeah.
15:35You can't disturb anyone.
15:39I really like this house.
15:41And it's just the first house we've seen.
15:43You don't need to make decisions here.
15:44I don't have to buy it.
15:44No, no.
15:45Shall we find out how much it is first?
15:46Less.
15:47I'd say 1.15.
15:49So you think it's 1.15 million?
15:51And I did think 900, but I'm upping it to a million.
15:55Okay.
15:55Yeah, it's a million, I think.
15:59You're on the nose.
16:00Ah!
16:00Yes!
16:01Literally on the nose.
16:01Yes!
16:02Wow!
16:02Well done.
16:03Really?
16:03Well done.
16:04I'm winning.
16:05It's not a competition, Gareth.
16:07What are you talking about?
16:07Life is a competition?
16:08No, no.
16:09Not with your mother.
16:09It's not a competition.
16:10You taught me that.
16:11Life's a competition, but your mother isn't.
16:13But this is, and I won.
16:17This gorgeous family home boasts a contemporary country kitchen,
16:21four reception rooms, four bedrooms, and half an acre of garden.
16:27I love it.
16:28I don't think I'm going to get it past the family.
16:31Oh, really?
16:33I think there's something about the size of the rooms.
16:36I agree, actually.
16:37I think maybe it's a bit too higgledy-piggledy for my wife.
16:40Yes.
16:40I'm not sure it's the forever house.
16:43I like it a lot.
16:44It's just not the one.
16:45It's just not the one.
16:47Next house, please.
16:48Onwards.
16:49And upwards.
16:49And upwards.
16:54It's a 20-minute drive through the new forest to our next property.
16:58Ample time for Sian to spill the beans on Gareth.
17:01At what age did you know, Sian, that music is going to be his thing?
17:09He was very keen on entertaining as a little boy.
17:13And he was very, he was always...
17:14For which he means I was always singing a song or doing a play.
17:18Absolutely, yes.
17:19He was just a born performer.
17:21He was a born performer, no question about it, yes.
17:24He liked conducting things at school and he was always the one that bossed everybody about.
17:29I think gentle leadership is what I would describe it as.
17:34Yeah.
17:34Do you and Gareth's dad talk about the pride?
17:38Don't listen to this, Gareth.
17:39Yes, we do.
17:40Close your ears.
17:41Close your ears.
17:42We look at everything he does, avidly.
17:45Everything on television, even the chat shows and the interviews in the morning.
17:50It's good, I always call them up after something so they'll watch it and give me the feedback.
17:54You must value their opinion, that's key.
17:55I do, I really do, yeah.
17:57They've always been my sounding board.
18:00And you give it to me straight, I mean you do always say...
18:01I would definitely give it to me straight, yes.
18:04Yes, I certainly would.
18:05So she gives the right type of advice.
18:07I think so, yeah.
18:08I don't believe in soft soaping, actually.
18:11I definitely feel that there was a lot of tough love when I was growing up and
18:15my parents were very clear with their expectations, shall we say.
18:19And then I just sort of, you know, kind of found my way and then I went off to university
18:25and when I came back and lived at home, that's where I think we became much closer.
18:33Donkey!
18:35Look at this, we really are in the new forest.
18:37I know, but this is great, isn't it?
18:38I love this, I love that your reason for being late for work is because there was a sheep in the way.
18:44Really sorry, I had to stop at the donkey crossing.
18:47This is actually one of my favourite bits of the new forest right here.
18:50Right here.
18:51Absolutely love it.
18:52It's near Emery Down, Minstead.
18:55It's so beautiful.
18:57Well, that bodes well because the next property we're viewing is in Minstead Village.
19:02In the heart of the New Forest National Park, cows, ponies, donkeys and sheep roam freely amongst the village hall,
19:11complete with cow park, the community shop and the pub which overlooks the pretty green.
19:17A leisurely 15-minute stroll from the village centre sits this gorgeous thatched cottage.
19:26It was built in 1921 and is not listed.
19:30When I clapped eyes on it, it made my heart sing.
19:34I'm hoping it'll have the same effect on Gareth.
19:37Oh, wow.
19:43Look at that.
19:44Oh, look at that.
19:45That is gorgeous.
19:46Wow.
19:47I couldn't not have shown you this.
19:49You certainly couldn't.
19:50That is really, really special.
19:52I like the door.
19:53It's a postcard.
19:54It is, absolutely a postcard.
19:55I'm going to send a picture to my wife because that is real.
19:57Oh, good idea.
19:58Good idea.
19:59We really should give Becky a say in this, shouldn't we?
20:02Absolutely, yeah.
20:03She is legally obliged to have that say.
20:05She is, no question.
20:06Go on.
20:08Yes.
20:08Right.
20:09The wife has been informed.
20:10Let's go and see if the inside suits.
20:12Yes, let's.
20:15Well, this house has evoked a very positive response from Gareth.
20:19Oh!
20:21Oh, no, I've seen something really exciting.
20:24And there's another.
20:25Yep, we'll be getting to the 40-foot heated pool shortly, Gareth,
20:29but I know that top priority on this house hunt is space for a piano.
20:36I thought we'd start with the dining room, or what's currently the dining room.
20:40Right.
20:41Just to start to get a feel for the place.
20:44It's a good room, beautiful view.
20:46Get a good-sized table in here.
20:48Yeah.
20:48One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight people around the table.
20:53This feels like a very nice space for a piano.
20:56I've got the baby grand.
20:57Have you got it?
20:58But I've got a baby grand.
21:00Ah!
21:00Ah!
21:01So, we could go smaller.
21:03Right.
21:04That's disappointing.
21:06Oh, have we just hit a sour note?
21:10Err, that way, that way, that way.
21:14Let's put this straight edge this way, down with a pair.
21:17That's it.
21:18Keep going, keep going into that corner.
21:20Into that corner.
21:21Like that.
21:21Ooh!
21:22Oh, yes, yes.
21:23This is nice.
21:25OK, this could be the second piano.
21:27Oh!
21:28It's a nice little room.
21:28Oh, my God, you're really getting carried away now.
21:30I like this room a lot.
21:32Good, because on the opposite side of the entrance hall
21:35is this slightly larger reception.
21:38Oh!
21:39Oh!
21:39Oh!
21:41There's a pool.
21:43I like the pool.
21:45Yeah, that's a proper pool.
21:47I suspect the kids will like a heated pool.
21:49Yes!
21:51I think this is what you'd want to send Becky a photo of.
21:53Yeah, you're right.
21:54Oh, yeah, yeah.
21:55Take a picture from there.
21:55Let me send a picture of this.
21:57Oh, yeah, she's responded.
22:00To the outside of the house, she said, OMG, yes.
22:02OK, well, hang on, hang on, hang on.
22:04Say, hold your horses, love.
22:06Hold your horses.
22:08Fancy a dip?
22:10Where's the kitchen?
22:11How are we going to get there?
22:12Should I get my timer out?
22:12How are we doing it?
22:13No, no, no, no, please don't.
22:15One, two.
22:16One, two.
22:17We're in the kitchen.
22:22Well, I feel like it needs a bit of Melonification.
22:27This is not the kitchen of my dreams,
22:29or perhaps the design choices that I would make.
22:32But as a structure, it's a good space.
22:34I mean, I think it just needs bringing a little bit more up to date.
22:38Yes, you're right.
22:39The inside feels like it needs some work to bring it up to what I want.
22:42Are you up for that kind of work, or do you or Becky have that eye to go,
22:47right, we're going to do a room at a time, we're going to update this,
22:50we're going to get the kitchen done?
22:51It's what we've done in our current one, and it takes a long time, so I suppose it's budget permitting.
22:57Well, before we discuss that topic, there's more to see.
23:02Nice shallow stairs, I like that.
23:04Yeah, very easy stairs.
23:05I like very easy stairs.
23:07Yes, you could roll down those nice and easily.
23:09Right, is this my room or yours?
23:11Ooh.
23:13Well, is there one for me in this house?
23:15Do you think this is the master bedroom?
23:21I don't know.
23:22It's a little on the small side.
23:24Yes.
23:24OK, this can be your room.
23:26OK.
23:27In addition to this room, there are three further bedrooms.
23:31Could you get a double in here?
23:36If this wasn't here, you could put a double in that corner, couldn't you?
23:41OK, room two.
23:42If you had a bed here.
23:43This one could be yours.
23:44You'd chunk your head.
23:47This is turning into a classic location versus house situation.
23:52They love this location.
23:53This is what Gareth is looking for.
23:56But it's hard to compete with the home that they have built for themselves in London.
24:03So this is bedroom three, single bed, but this could be a double.
24:08I think with a little bit of work, a little bit of room in the budget,
24:11they could get there with this house.
24:14It's just that it's a little bit smaller, isn't it?
24:16Outside, the one-acre garden offers multiple versatile outbuildings and a huge paddock.
24:28Oh, wow.
24:29Oh, my God.
24:30A paddock.
24:31It's enormous.
24:32It's enormous.
24:33That's crazy.
24:34You could have barbecues, camping.
24:37You could have a performance space here, couldn't you?
24:39You could have everyone sat on the grass and then have a little festival stage.
24:44It's a stage.
24:45Malone Fest.
24:47And just there is just a little track.
24:50That's the forest.
24:51Yeah.
24:52There's the house.
24:53There's the forest.
24:54And there's the forest.
24:55Oh, it's so nice.
24:56It is.
24:57What an amazing spot.
24:58It's really only the size of the bedroom, so that's the problem.
25:02Yes.
25:03And you'd have to do an extension, perhaps.
25:06You would have to do...
25:07I'm sure that could be got round.
25:08Could be done.
25:09Yes.
25:10I'm going to send Becky some pictures.
25:14There are lots of things to love about this property, but will the price be one of them?
25:22No, it's beautiful.
25:22I think the budget would be over.
25:24I think it's more than 1.2.
25:25Mm, I do.
25:26Do you think they've gone rogue?
25:27I do.
25:28I think it's going to be...
25:30What are you going for?
25:311.5.
25:31Wow.
25:32All right.
25:33Go big or go home.
25:34I could win this twice, you know?
25:36No, I don't think it's that much, because I think the size of the rooms is going to bring it down,
25:40and I think 1.2.
25:42Okay.
25:43This property is currently on the market for £995,000.
25:48Shut the door.
25:49So you have the money to do the work, Gareth Malone.
25:53What?
25:54£99,000.
25:55Yes.
25:56You could have a fabulous kitchen there.
25:58Mum, I want to...
25:59Just tell me what else you want.
26:00Just one...
26:01I want you to do a big family room.
26:02A big family room.
26:03So you have a huge table.
26:05With a huge table.
26:05And with a great big beautiful kitchen.
26:07And a great big beautiful kitchen.
26:08Yeah.
26:08She's right.
26:09Big.
26:09Did we get permission for that?
26:10Yes, because it's not listed.
26:11Yes, because it's not listed.
26:12Not listed.
26:14You said that together.
26:15I know.
26:21This 1920s detached, thatched cottage offers three receptions, four bedrooms,
26:27a heated pool and an acre of garden for £995,000.
26:33Right, so what you do, you build right out, you build a huge family room with kitchen out here.
26:40You'd have a great big dining space.
26:43Mmm, that's what it needs.
26:44And a proper kitchen.
26:45That's what I would do.
26:46I think it's a good plan.
26:47Do you?
26:47I think you smashed it.
26:49Okay, that's what we'll do.
26:50Then you get your piano into that room.
26:52Into the front room.
26:53And you still have your snug looking over the pool.
26:57Like John Lennon in a completely white room, looking out, Becky swimming up and down.
27:00Perfect.
27:01Me playing Imagine.
27:03Absolutely.
27:03I'm sold.
27:17After a full day of house hunting, I can think of no better way to wind down
27:21than by meeting some of the New Forest's most famous residents.
27:25New Forest's ponies Poppy and her foal Lenny are owned by commoners Andrew and Sarah
27:38Parry-Naughton, who runs Storm's Farm in Cadnam.
27:41Anybody can be a commoner.
27:43If you buy a house that's got commoning rights, you could be a commoner.
27:46You could turn out animals.
27:47But it's not an easy life, don't get me wrong.
27:49Your animals got to be checked on, looked after, made sure they're okay.
27:52It's not something you can just disappear off holiday for a couple of weeks at a time.
27:56You've got to make sure you look after your animals.
27:59Presently, more than 500 commoners exercise their right to graze some 8,000 ponies, cattle,
28:05donkeys and sheep.
28:07You tell people just to keep the distance.
28:10Please admire them, but don't interact with them.
28:12The thing is, if they start getting fed, they start getting more humanised,
28:16and then they get aggressive.
28:17And unfortunately, if that happens, then that pony has to be removed from the forest.
28:20We bought my daughter a New Forest book all about a pony who'd been fed,
28:24and it hadn't gone well.
28:25And then she used to lecture us, do you remember?
28:27Yes.
28:29Don't be funny.
28:33We've got a new singer, haven't we?
28:36Auditioning for your choir.
28:37Nice tone.
28:38Yeah, very vocal.
28:39Yeah.
28:40Can you sing, um, can you sing me this note, please?
28:47Lovely.
28:49There you go.
28:50How's that?
28:50Very nice, actually.
28:52An equine ensemble.
28:54Yes, I can see it now.
28:57Thank you so much.
28:58It's been a pleasure to meet you.
28:59Fascinating.
28:59Pleasure to meet you both.
29:01Now there's something for Gareth to ponder as we head back to our hotel for a sundowner.
29:06Hampshire's sun-soaked coastline and bewitching New Forest landscape are perfect settings for
29:21home buyers from all walks of life.
29:23Take a look at what else is currently on the market.
29:27This four-bed, four-bath, detached, chalet-style home boasts a sleek and stylish kitchen diner
29:35and a separate sitting room, both with bi-fold doors that open onto the south-facing garden.
29:41On the market for £795,000.
29:46If you happen to be a megastar with a mammoth budget, one of the county's most desirable homes
29:53is up for sale for the first time in more than 20 years.
29:57This Grade II listed Victorian property features a grand reception hall,
30:03a luxurious kitchen diner, two opulent receptions and six bedrooms, along with 22 acres of land.
30:13The price? Just shy of £7 million.
30:19A more affordable way of treating yourself to the superstar lifestyle would be to hire this deluxe yacht.
30:27Sleeping up to five people in the two berths, it boasts a fully equipped galley with indoor
30:33and outdoor living areas. Prices start from £150 per night for a two-night minimum stay.
30:45It's great to see how at home Gareth feels here in the New Forest and yesterday I think we were on
30:51the right track in helping him find a family house to call his own. But with two more properties to see
30:57today and some stunning coastline, you know we're only just getting started.
31:04Day two and we're making a beeline for Burleigh, one of the New Forest's most sought-after villages.
31:11I think it could be exactly Gareth's kind of tempo. Just the right side of busy and surrounded by the
31:18serenity of the forest. There's an array of independent shops, a cider farm and several pubs. Plus,
31:26Mama Malone would be a 25-minute drive tops from here. What's not to love?
31:35Here we are. I have to say, this is the perfect spot. I absolutely love this area.
31:40So do I. We come here quite often just for a day out.
31:43Location. Nailed it. Perfect. Absolutely spot on. And this is the house? This is the house. Okay.
31:53Right. My instant reaction is it looks a bit modern for my taste. Yes, except it dates back
32:00to 1875. It used to be the bakery in the village. And because yesterday you were both so taken with
32:07the commoner's rights, we've managed to find you a house with those New Forest rights. With a paddock,
32:13by the way, that comes with the house. So if you would like to live that New Forest life.
32:17Can I have my very own pony? This is your chance. My little pony? Yes.
32:20Okay. Look, never judge a book by its cover. I'm not saying no.
32:24Oh, good. Thank you. And is that the garden over there?
32:27Part of it. Part of it.
32:29Oh, let's head in. Let's go. Now I'm intrigued.
32:36Love a box, Hedge.
32:40Come in. Ooh.
32:41Ooh. Okay. Not what I was expecting at all.
32:46I thought you might say that. Oh, wow. Which is why I was looking so smug.
32:49Oh, that's cute. Look at the fireplace. Yeah, that's really nice.
32:52Oh, my goodness. It's sweet. I love it. I love it. It's so light.
32:57And you have a dining room right here. Yes. You have no commute.
33:01No. From there to there. Should we just, let me just time it.
33:04Uh-huh. One, two. Perfect.
33:07That's fine. It's a lovely feel. Is there more?
33:09Would you like to see more? I'm in trees, yeah.
33:11Yeah. I like it. Yeah. We've drawn him in.
33:13Yeah, absolutely. I'm surprised, actually,
33:15because I didn't fall in love with it on the outside.
33:18If you ask me, there's plenty to fall in love with on the inside.
33:23Ooh. Ooh.
33:25Ooh. Ooh.
33:25Ooh. Ooh.
33:27And then this.
33:28You like it. I like it. I like it.
33:30I'm seeing this as a music room.
33:32You could definitely fit a decent piano in here, couldn't you?
33:34Oh, absolutely.
33:35That's a good little space. A little morning room or a music room.
33:38Yes. Mm.
33:39Very nice.
33:41The central hallway, however, seems to be scrambling his scales.
33:46I'm not quite sure what this is. There's something feng shui.
33:51Oh. What is this? What is the energy of this space doing?
33:54It's a hallway. It's a hallway, and you can't quite get a sofa in front of that fire.
33:59It gives it a feeling of space. It's just a hall. I've never really had a hall.
34:03No, this really opens the whole place out.
34:05I feel like I'm ready for one.
34:07OK, so if I think of this as a hall, then it's fine.
34:09We can work out this space later.
34:11All right. There are other spaces.
34:13There are other spaces. Follow me.
34:16This is unusual. Ooh. Ooh.
34:18Ooh. What? That's amazing.
34:21Oh, wow. Oh, that. Yes.
34:23Oh. Isn't it beautiful?
34:26That is so... Oh, look at that.
34:28Oh, my goodness.
34:30That is so pretty.
34:32I love it. Oh, Gareth. I love this.
34:36I think we found Mama House. Yeah.
34:39Oh, it's absolutely beautiful.
34:42You know, my current house, we've got a dining space, and it has a long table,
34:45and you can have 10, 12 people all around the table, and I love that Christmas...
34:50This is just that room. This could be that room.
34:52Yeah. I'm very sold on this room. It's really nice.
34:55Excellent. I'm sending them off to knows about on their own.
34:59Make sure he behaves, Sian. I will do my best.
35:02She's been trying for nearly 50 years.
35:05Two of the four bedrooms are on the ground floor.
35:09Ooh. Ooh. Ooh.
35:11What? You make that noise in every room.
35:15You like this place, don't you? I like it very much.
35:17Oh, look at the beams.
35:18This feels like it ought to be a bedroom to put a single bed in.
35:21Well, perfect, because you've got an en suite.
35:22You could get a double, couldn't you?
35:24Easily. Easily get a double in there. A little double.
35:26And it's shut off private.
35:30The remaining bedrooms are upstairs.
35:32Oh, it's lovely and bright up here.
35:38Ah. Very bright.
35:39The master bedroom. That's nice, isn't it? And look.
35:42Oh, I love the bow window.
35:44Oh, look at that.
35:45Gareth, look at that view.
35:47I can see trees.
35:49Oh, it's nice.
35:49It's stunning, isn't it?
35:52Next door, the smallest bedroom is presently used as a dressing room.
35:56And this has got space for all my moisturisers and skincare products.
36:02There's also a conveniently situated laundry room up here.
36:06I tell you what, I've always thought,
36:08instead of lugging all your washing downstairs and then lugging it all back up,
36:13to have a washing machine upstairs is quite a sensible idea.
36:17But as we've learned, the most pressing issue...
36:20Go over there.
36:21No, not quite.
36:23..is finding a spot for the piano.
36:25I'm just going to move this. What can possibly go wrong?
36:29There we are. Right.
36:30Now, that, under the stairs, in the nook...
36:34Oh, I see. Yes, yes.
36:37That could work. Yeah.
36:39And then I could play the piano here...
36:41Looking at the forest. Looking at the new forest.
36:44How beautiful.
36:46The forest is visible from almost every window in this property,
36:50and the woodland neighbours often pop in for a natter.
36:56That is what it's about.
36:58Look at that. That's the forest.
37:00Literally outside your window.
37:03Just leave me here.
37:07Outside, the generous garden largely sits to one side of the house
37:12and includes a large paddock along with two double garages,
37:16which could be knocked down to make way for a super music studio.
37:20Here they come. Here I am.
37:22Galloping up the stairs.
37:23This is lovely, isn't it?
37:24Isn't it just a little elevated part of the garden?
37:29Yeah, it is.
37:30This location is just so perfect.
37:32The forest is ready for you, Gareth Malone, but are you ready for the forest?
37:35I think so.
37:36What do you think it's on the market for?
37:381.1.
37:39Oh, I'm in a similar sort of place.
37:41I was in one million, but I've upped it to 1.1.
37:44I'm going to say £1,050,000.
37:51It's on the market for 1.25 million.
37:55Oh, is it?
37:57Oh, gosh.
38:00That's the location, isn't it?
38:01I'd have to borrow a bit from you, I think.
38:04Yeah, good luck with that.
38:06The location's absolutely incredible, isn't it?
38:08It's a curate's egg.
38:09There's bits that I love and there are bits that just don't quite work.
38:13It's really difficult with the budget.
38:15It's either location or size.
38:17This makes me feel like I'd want to do some quite big structural things to this
38:21if I was going to buy it.
38:23I mean, I kind of feel like you've said that about every house.
38:25Yeah, it's true.
38:26It's a different way of living.
38:27Completely.
38:28Yes, completely.
38:29Are you saying that I'm just sort of imagining my London house in a country location again?
38:34If I had money every time someone wanted to move their current house to a different location,
38:39I could buy this house.
38:40Yes, I bet.
38:43At £1.25 million, this former bakery is now a contemporary family home
38:49in one of the New Forest's most sought-after villages.
38:53I'm really learning just how expensive this area is,
38:56and that maybe my ambition outstrips my means.
39:00Quite possibly, yes.
39:02And that's disappointing.
39:04I need to go back and look at the budget.
39:06Oh, yeah, you could do that, yes.
39:09Well, I mean, I can look at it all I like.
39:11Yes.
39:11It's work harder.
39:13Ah, yes.
39:15For now, Gareth, let's turn our attention to play as we head to Sandbanks Beach,
39:23just over the border in Dorset, for some high-octane, adrenaline-fuelled action.
39:29Oh, this looks fun.
39:30Gareth's used to making waves in the world of music.
39:35Today, we're hoping to make a splash in the world of wing surfing, under the watchful eye of instructor Aaron Spence.
39:43A paddleboard is.
39:44OK.
39:45Is it like that?
39:46Eh, a bit more extreme, but it'll be fine.
39:48Extreme paddleboarding.
39:49Yeah, we could put it like that.
39:51Great.
39:53While standing on a paddleboard, we'll use a detached inflatable wing to propel ourselves across the water,
40:00reaching top speeds of more than 40 kilometres an hour.
40:04The more that you pull in, the more power you're going to get.
40:10However...
40:10Perfect.
40:12Today's very light breeze might mean we go a tad slower, which, in all honesty, is fine by me.
40:21So, over there, we've got our wetsuits.
40:23We've got three wetsuits for all of you three to be going onto the water.
40:28Don't avoid our gaze. You're in a wetsuit.
40:31No, I'm not.
40:33We've got a special one for you.
40:34Oh, and just so, in case you have to rescue us, it'll keep your mind running away.
40:38An extra short one.
40:39The lady is not for turning, but she will watch from the shore.
40:45Happy with that?
40:46I'm ecstatic. How are you?
40:48Yeah.
40:48Good. That's about as far as I go.
40:51Let's go.
40:55Wingsurfing requires no previous experience, and according to Aaron, mastering the basics is incredibly easy.
41:02FLY!
41:05FAMOUS LAST WORDS.
41:07FAMOUS LAST WORDS.
41:09I'm just trying to not fall in.
41:10Last we'll see of her.
41:17And then try and stand up now, keeping it still above your head.
41:21Stand up while it's above my head?
41:23Yep.
41:23Up, up, up.
41:26Oh, God.
41:27Oh, gosh!
41:28How long, sir?
41:29I believe in you.
41:32How are we to stand up?
41:33Bring your front leg up.
41:36There we go.
41:39Fantastic.
41:40Oh, my gosh.
41:41Quite difficult.
41:43How have you got off?
41:48I just did that.
41:51Well, Gareth, for someone rapidly approaching your half-a-century milestone, I'd say you're not too bad.
41:59Oh, I'm moving.
42:03Perfect. Well done. That's really good.
42:05They're both up.
42:07Wait for me!
42:08Oh, wow. Go Sonali. They're brilliant.
42:13The chase is on and I feel like you're waiting, Gareth.
42:19The lack of wind means we're more drifting than surfing, but I've got to say it is very pleasant indeed.
42:31And we're feeling rather proud of ourselves.
42:35We did it.
42:35This has been great.
42:36And we didn't look like fools.
42:37But there is one person we can always count on to give proper, honest feedback.
42:45Mama Malone, of course.
42:49How did we look out there?
42:51Epic? Dramatic?
42:52Not epic.
42:54Not dramatic.
42:54I'm not quite sure how to describe it, really.
42:57You went miles away.
42:59What are you saying about me?
43:00We hardly moved, as far as I could see.
43:02The wind was not on our side.
43:04You were more or less static.
43:04It was the wrong type of wind.
43:06Sorry, it was on no side.
43:07There was no wind at all.
43:08They said that we could go up to 45 kilometres an hour.
43:11Do you think I made that?
43:12No.
43:13I definitely don't.
43:15I really don't.
43:16Do you think I made 20?
43:17I mean, I felt like I was about half a mile an hour.
43:19Did you move?
43:20Did you actually move at all?
43:21I thought I was good.
43:22I thought I was fast.
43:23No, no.
43:24No.
43:25You weren't.
43:27Just how you were at his concerts growing up.
43:29No, no.
43:30Truthful.
43:31Truthful.
43:33Yes.
43:33I would come out and I'd say, how was it?
43:36And she'd go, I'll tell you in the car.
43:40Fawning and flattery just ain't Sian style.
43:43And that's why we love her.
43:46It's Mystery House time and we're heading to the hamlet of Godwinscroft,
44:01on the most south-westerly fringes of the New Forest National Park.
44:07Bransgore is the nearest village, a three-minute drive away,
44:11where Gareth and the family will find everything they need,
44:14including a village hall, a small supermarket, a post office and a pub.
44:19On a quiet country lane, a leisurely 20-minute stroll from the centre of Bransgore,
44:25sits our Mystery House.
44:26Gareth Malone asked for an older property.
44:33He loves the look of something with character, but the proportions inside aren't working for him.
44:39So with the Mystery House, I've had to ignore his request for history and show him something that
44:46hopefully provides the space he's after. The thing is, it's almost brand new.
44:52Originally built in the 1960s, this property was meticulously and exquisitely renovated
45:02and extended by the current owners two years ago.
45:05The result? Generously proportioned, light-filled rooms that deliver an elegant blend of contemporary
45:14country living, which I'm hoping will have Gareth singing from the rooftops.
45:20This kitchen space is an absolute dream. Upstairs, well, I'm hoping that does have the dimensions that Gareth is after.
45:28Let's find out.
45:35Oh, there they are.
45:36Oh, hello. Welcome to the Mystery House.
45:37I like this. Yes, I love it.
45:40Yeah. What's mysterious about it?
45:43Well, you tell me.
45:44Well, it's not slap bang in the middle of the kind of really gnarly bit of the forest,
45:50but we are still in the forest, aren't we? Yes, we are.
45:52Yeah.
45:53It's new. It's not immediately full of rustic charm.
45:57If you kind of do this and squint and close one eye, it's kind of Georgian, right?
46:01It's Georgian vibes. Yes, definitely.
46:03Sometimes you've got to go vibes-based when things aren't going your way.
46:08Georgian vibes? Georgian vibes.
46:11Honestly, I'm squinting for all I'm worth and it still looks like a new build.
46:15But Mum thinks it has Georgian vibes. She sees that.
46:18I do.
46:19And so, therefore, we're going to listen to her and we're going to head in.
46:22All right. Let's go in.
46:24Let's go. Let's take it in.
46:27Bear with, Gareth. Those Georgian vibes are ramped to the max inside.
46:34The hallway that we haven't quite seen yet.
46:37Oh! Oh, it's a proper hallway.
46:38I love a proper square hallway.
46:40You come in.
46:41And the rooms come off it.
46:42And the rooms come off it and it's central and there's somewhere you could put shoes.
46:46So, as it turns out, all along, Gareth Malone was just a trad wife.
46:50Yeah.
46:51I'm really conventional.
46:52It's beautiful.
46:53I thought I was so unique and interesting.
46:54You are unique in a really traditional way.
46:57Great.
46:58I was thinking you could put a porch on the outside to leave the boots.
47:01Perfect. To add that rustic charm.
47:02Yes.
47:02Get a bit of rustic.
47:03You know the boot rooms you see in magazines?
47:05Yes.
47:06There's one of those there.
47:07Oh.
47:08Yes.
47:10Oh, the boot.
47:11Oh!
47:12Oh, the boot.
47:13Oh, my gosh.
47:14Look at this.
47:15It's the laundry room I've always wanted.
47:20It's even got one of these, whatever these are called.
47:23The, the, the, the, the laundry pulley.
47:25Oh, a pulley.
47:26Yes.
47:27What's in there?
47:28I love this.
47:30Oh, yes.
47:32You could come in from your walk this side.
47:34Oh.
47:35Bring the wet dog in here for a soaking.
47:39Beautiful.
47:41It sounds like they've started living in here.
47:43Very neat.
47:44Oh, I love this.
47:45Love this.
47:45Do you?
47:46Yeah, I do.
47:48Oh.
47:48Oh, oh, oh, oh, look, look, look, look, look.
47:52If they're this excited about the utility room, I can only imagine what they'll make of the kitchen.
48:00This is it.
48:01This is it.
48:02Oh, look at the field.
48:04Oh, my gosh.
48:06Yeah, this is really great.
48:06Oh, my God, Gareth, this is just.
48:09It's quite nice, isn't it?
48:11Look at the size of the kitchen.
48:13It's got lots of charm.
48:14It's got the space.
48:15You could put whatever you like in it.
48:17It's absolutely beautiful.
48:19Somebody's really put some sort of.
48:21If you want to open anything, that's the cupboard you open.
48:23Because that is the thing that everyone wants.
48:27Oh, a larder.
48:28Oh, yes.
48:29Yeah, that's a really nice.
48:30That's just.
48:31Store cupboard.
48:32This kitchen setup is very similar to what we've got in London, isn't it?
48:35Yes.
48:37We've got a big, long table.
48:38Long table.
48:38And we have a sofa in the kitchen.
48:41But what's currently missing from his London home is this view.
48:45Two oak trees at the end of the garden.
48:47And the porous end of the garden into the field is amazing.
48:53I love this.
48:55These are beautiful doors.
48:56These are great.
48:58Absolutely beautiful doors.
48:58These doors.
48:59Absolutely beautiful doors.
49:00Hello.
49:01You're scaring the birds.
49:04Yeah.
49:05I scared the birds.
49:05It's really nice.
49:09You've done well.
49:10Oh, you've really cracked it out here.
49:12You've done well.
49:13This is really great.
49:14Absolutely.
49:15I sense a big but.
49:17Oh, I can't think of any buts.
49:18No, there are no howevers.
49:21It's beautiful.
49:23Yeah, I've got no comments.
49:24It's great.
49:25No notes.
49:26Onwards.
49:27That's a first.
49:28That is a first.
49:29It's the Georgian vibes, I tell you.
49:33And finally down here, the living room.
49:35Oh, this is really nice.
49:37Yes.
49:38Again, the view.
49:40I love that view.
49:42I love the being in the forest, the really intense.
49:46In it.
49:47In it.
49:48But this is further away but I can see forest and I could walk across that field
49:53and be surrounded by trees.
49:56It's really beautiful.
49:57This feels much closer to what I'm used to.
50:00Yeah.
50:00And I feel this has that freshness that you seem to be after.
50:06The best mystery houses really make buyers think about what they truly want
50:11and by that measure, this one delivers.
50:14Okay.
50:15Ah, great.
50:16It also provides on the bedroom's front.
50:19That's good.
50:20Nice wide room.
50:22Space for a big bed.
50:23Oh.
50:24Not enormous but it's got a nice en suite.
50:29Oh, yes.
50:29Oh, beautiful.
50:30Oh, yeah.
50:33Yeah.
50:33Oh, it's lovely.
50:35A lovely room.
50:38There's a second double next door.
50:40I feel like you could put a bunk bed in there and then you'd be able to just look out at the field.
50:45Look at the view.
50:47You'd get deer and all sorts of other rooms.
50:49Can you see?
50:49Do you want me to jump?
50:50No, thank you very much.
50:51To stand on.
50:52I'm actually on tiptoes, believe it or not.
50:54This shares the family bathroom with two further bedrooms.
51:00So it's three double bedrooms and a very good sized single bedroom and all beautiful.
51:07It doesn't end there because as well as a double length garage with music studio potential,
51:13there's a fantastic addition in the garden.
51:16Oh, look at that.
51:17Oh.
51:19Hello.
51:20Isn't that so?
51:24Oh, that's great.
51:24Oh, my goodness.
51:26Pilates studio.
51:28A yoga pilates studio.
51:30Dance studio.
51:33Oh, I can dance in here.
51:36Yeah.
51:37This is a great space.
51:38This is beautiful.
51:39Look at this picture window.
51:40That window.
51:41Look at the view.
51:42It's amazing.
51:46Oh.
51:47Oh.
51:48And then they go back.
51:49Oh, my word.
51:50And then you get the next lot.
51:51It's a proper garden.
51:52Oh, it's fun, isn't it?
51:53This is great.
51:54There's a croquet lawn out there.
51:56It's really quiet, isn't it?
51:59Very quiet.
52:01This is a lovely, lovely addition.
52:04I can't help but think that Gareth is very pleasantly surprised by what this modern home offers.
52:13Are you glad you've seen the option?
52:15Yes.
52:16And are you glad I defied you when it came to the age of a property?
52:20I don't like to be defied, but all right, yeah.
52:23Yeah, I'll give you it.
52:24It's really made me think.
52:26So, mystery revealed.
52:28Yes.
52:29Let's talk about the cost.
52:30The price.
52:31Crunch.
52:32Yeah.
52:33This isn't easy.
52:35I think it's 1.1 million.
52:37Okay.
52:38I think it's 950,000.
52:41Oh.
52:43Don't look at me like that.
52:43You're making me doubt it now.
52:45The mystery house is on the market for 1.2 million.
52:491.2 million.
52:50Oh.
52:52You see?
52:54This exquisitely renovated four bed family home blends country charm with modern luxury
53:01and is on the market for 1.2 million pounds.
53:05I know it's in the new forest, but it's not in my version of the new forest, and I think that's...
53:09That's a bit of a drawback, isn't it?
53:11That's giving me pause on this house, because it just feels like it's...
53:15Just outside.
53:15Just outside again.
53:16Yeah.
53:16But it is beautiful.
53:19There's a lot to think about, but before we debrief, we're taking a moment to enjoy the silence.
53:30And re-centre.
53:31And that has put us in the perfect state to sit together with tea and cake, of course, and reflect on the week's learnings.
54:01What a few days it's been.
54:07It really has.
54:08It certainly has.
54:09I feel like I've been on a real journey, a learning curve, even.
54:13I think I've learnt about myself.
54:14Have you?
54:15I think I have, yes.
54:16I think I've had some revelations.
54:18I've definitely learnt about what it is that I'm looking for.
54:20Yeah.
54:21I don't know that I've entirely found it, but I've definitely got closer.
54:24It's been really useful.
54:25I must say, I did lie awake last night, sort of running numbers in my head and thinking how
54:31could I make the thatch house work for me and my family.
54:34I'm quite taken with that.
54:36I think it could be great.
54:37It's not right in its current form, but I feel like that place, it speaks to me.
54:44Wow.
54:45Well.
54:46I think, actually, a new forest pony might be my spiritual animal.
54:49Ooh.
54:50Ooh.
54:51It really has learnt something.
54:52Yeah.
54:53LAUGHTER
54:54I just feel that there's a poetry to the new forest.
54:57You wanted to be hugged by it, you don't want to just look out onto it.
55:00I do.
55:01I want to be embraced by the forest.
55:02That's well put.
55:03Tendrils of the forest sort of creeping in and having to sort of hack them back all the time.
55:07Hug you like a mother's love.
55:09LAUGHTER
55:10Not quite like that bit.
55:13LAUGHTER
55:14Spiders and all.
55:15I see what you did there.
55:16Gareth, I must thank you for bringing Sian along.
55:19Oh, my gosh.
55:20LAUGHTER
55:21You've just made my week.
55:23I've loved working with you this week.
55:26I've had a ball.
55:27You've been an absolute hoot.
55:29And not just when you're making owl and pigeon noises.
55:32SHE LAUGHS
55:33She does do those very well.
55:34I do.
55:35I specialise in pigeon noises.
55:36Is your life always this entertaining?
55:38Yeah.
55:39Oh!
55:40It's been a really, really special week.
55:41Hasn't it?
55:42Hasn't it?
55:43Very special.
55:44Really enjoyed this.
55:45That's about as sincere as we go.
55:48Cheers.
55:49Love you, bye.
55:50Cheers.
55:51Love you, bye.
55:52A big part of a successful escape to the country is us listening to the voices of our buyers
56:06and bringing them together, something Gareth Malone knows all too well with his choirs.
56:11So when it came to finding him and his family a countryside home, he had a lot of voices to listen to.
56:18Is there going to be enough space for us all?
56:21Do we need to think about primary school, secondary school?
56:24Will one of the kids be leaving home soon?
56:27Can we up our budget?
56:29Is this the right time?
56:31But the one thing we know for certain is wherever and whenever this beautiful family makes this move,
56:37it'll be calm, well-balanced and perfectly in tune with its surroundings.
56:46If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales,
56:51remember you don't need to be famous.
56:53Why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
57:00Would you like to see my mother's impression of a wood pigeon?
57:02Come on, please.
57:04I'm not here for you.
57:05They're not filming.
57:06Do it.
57:07Do it.
57:08Do the impression.
57:09Do-do-do-do-do.
57:10Do-do-do-do-do-do.
57:11Stop it.
57:35Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do.
57:40Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do.
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