I Escaped to the Country - Season 10 Episode 02- East Devon and Suffolk
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00:01Many of us dream of making a break for the countryside.
00:05Oh, look at that!
00:07And we're here to help people take that rural leap of faith.
00:12You're kidding!
00:14You don't disappoint, I give you that.
00:17We venture to the four corners of the UK, searching for peaceful country properties.
00:23Couldn't be more stunning, could it? It's sold.
00:25We're moving tonight, yes.
00:27Truly spectacular scenery.
00:29It is absolutely stunning, isn't it?
00:31Wow.
00:32I want to get inside and have a look.
00:33There's sheep in the field.
00:35It's an adventure of a lifetime.
00:38My heart is pounding in my chest, it really is.
00:40Wow.
00:42Oh, my goodness me.
00:44Oh, come on.
00:45Paving the way to a brand new lifestyle.
00:49We pinch ourselves that we're actually living here.
00:53We're so happy.
00:55So join us as we catch up with those who transform their lives when they escape to the country.
01:02Over the years, we've met so many wonderful house hunters, all with one big dream in common.
01:26A fresh start, embracing a whole new way of life in the beautiful British countryside.
01:33But sometimes, making that leap can feel daunting.
01:36And that's where we come in.
01:38Because, as you're about to see, calling on us can make the difference with turning that rural dream into a reality.
01:48We'll be travelling back in time by returning to East Devon on England's southwest coast,
01:54before crossing the country to the eastern shores and the county of Suffolk,
01:59where only last year, Jules Hudson was helping Nigel and Fiona to find a new home and a business opportunity as well.
02:08But first, I'm checking in with a couple who'd never lived in the countryside before and were well ready to make the move.
02:25In June 2024, retired police officers Beverly and Neil had sold their home and were about to move out.
02:33We are all boxed up and ready to go into storage and temporary accommodation in, oh, a few days' time, actually.
02:44They'd lived in the greater London town of Bromley for 30 years, but craved the great outdoors.
02:50We love to go hiking, we like to go camping, we love to go to the mountains, but one of my big passions for me is sea fishing.
02:59They hoped to find all this in East Devon, along with the detached character property,
03:05that had three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a manageable garden with rural views near the coast, all for £675,000.
03:22With time of the essence, they'd summoned our help.
03:25So I started by taking them to the East Devon village of Yarkham.
03:30Half a mile from the village centre, in an elevated spot, the first property prompted a strong reaction.
03:38I do feel a little bit sick.
03:40Do you? Is that nerves, anticipation?
03:43I think a bit of a mixture of both, actually.
03:46That's...
03:48Are you choking up?
03:49I am choking up.
03:50My heart is pounding in my chest, it really is.
03:54I'm going to put you out of your misery, I'm going to take you inside.
03:56Yes, please.
03:58This 18th century detached stone cottage had been extended, but restarted in the original part.
04:05So, let's see if the reactions inside are as good as the ones that were outside.
04:12Oh!
04:13Wow.
04:14Oh!
04:15Oh!
04:16Oh!
04:17Oh!
04:18Oh!
04:19Oh!
04:20Oh!
04:21Oh!
04:22Oh!
04:23We love that style of living, where we can entertain.
04:25Yes.
04:26And be in the kitchen and be a part of the entertainment there as well.
04:29So it works.
04:30So we have got a lovely table that would fit.
04:33We've got our sitting room here, shall we?
04:36Yes, let's.
04:37Please.
04:39This is a really good size.
04:42What a lovely space.
04:44And so much light.
04:45All three sides.
04:46Yeah.
04:47Access outside.
04:48Oh my gosh.
04:49Arranged across one level there were three bedrooms and the largest was en suite
04:55it's lovely beautiful it really isn't it are you still feeling the same five as we're walking
05:03around there there is nothing that you have shown us that has made me think no and there
05:10was more to think yes about as outside the grounds covered almost an acre with several
05:15outbuildings and some woodland this is just beautiful all the grandchildren would just
05:22have a ball given Beverly and Neil's situation we taken a slight gamble with the price I think
05:32it's got to be top of our budget and I'm going to say six hundred and seventy five thousand pounds we
05:41have been a little bit cheeky with this house oh the asking price is six hundred and ninety
05:48five thousand pounds okay now I can see why you are in a fantastic position let's not forget that
05:56you are ready to go but just have that in your mind it really does strengthen your hand this 18th century
06:04cottage had captured their hearts from the moment they saw it and given their strong negotiating
06:09position the price didn't deter them brilliant stop brilliant stop I can really see myself living
06:18here it's going to take some beating we love a challenge and so we continue to the village of
06:24Fenerton just west of the East Devon National Landscape where our next offering was on a quiet lane
06:30classic chocolate box cottage isn't it yes it does whose charm it is literally right on a road so just a
06:40that that's my first yeah okay this property had been built in the 1780s it was believed to have once
06:49been the village shop and had a few treats in store it's got lovely thick walls isn't it yeah I like the
07:00stone yeah that's nice I like the fact I wouldn't need a ladder to paint the ceiling next to that was a
07:09kitchen diner with a range cooker and they were beginning to warm to the home this is nice I think
07:17that whereas they've got the dining table in there in actual fact you could have the dining table in
07:24here as a kitchen diner and therefore you make the living room into a bigger living space and planning
07:33permission had previously been given to expand the kitchen into the large double garage upstairs there
07:40were four bedrooms this is a nice size bedroom this is a good size bedroom one was on suite and another
07:48had a walk-in wardrobe oh it goes on and on doesn't it outside there was a drive and separate outbuilding
07:55then to the rear was a patio with steps up to a shed summer house and appealing vegetable patch I love this
08:03I love the fact that they you've got the walkway dividing them into little subsections and that's
08:09really useful for when you rotate oh she is good oh yes my rotation so that you know you you keep the
08:18goodness in the ground that I could make very good use of that space so asking price I'm probably going to
08:26go around about six six five the asking price for this property is five hundred and seventy five thousand
08:33pounds oh my goodness so a hundred thousand pounds under your top budget oh wow this former shop had one
08:41bargain left and with four bedrooms plus large kitchen diner potential left a sweet taste in the mouth
08:48well what a day that was right from the get-go house number one that lovely 18th century cottage a house
09:01that made them feel nauseous nervous gave them heart palpitations and watery eyes all of which meant that
09:09my soon-to-be-revealed mystery house was going to have to be a very special property indeed we made our
09:18way to the south coast near the border with Dorset headed for the village of Roosdon and an exclusive
09:24350 acre estate right here we go Wow it was originally a Tudor style mansion with separate buildings and our
09:37mystery house was a recent end of terrace addition they liked the outside oh my goodness
09:45that is beautiful but the hidden bonus feature blew that out of the water this estate has its own
09:56private beach oh my gosh this is this is really interesting now yes that is this is uh
10:02uh I mean it looks gorgeous the house had been built in 2005 blending the heritage of the estate with
10:11modern finishes to lose yourself in I want to start off with the sitting room where have you gone were you
10:23having a sneaky peek then sorry sorry sorry sorry do you know it's so funny okay striding it you're very
10:30good Neil grinding in to say let's start with the city room turn around on I'm on my own I think this
10:37is a this is a great that looks beautiful fireplace yeah I love that you've got the doors there doors
10:44there window there everything is saying oh wow lovely but I need to see more yeah to see where it fits well that
10:53was only the first room or second if you count peeking in the kitchen so some of us have already had a
11:01look inside the kitchen but Neil for you thank you I'll give you the proper tour this is a beautiful
11:07kitchen lovely size I mean just look how many cupboards there are it's just perfect isn't it there
11:13were four good-sized double bedrooms look at the shape of this room oh yeah that's a great shape one of
11:20the which was on suite oh another bright room really lovely and a spacious family bathroom
11:26oh wow this is huge this is huge look at that we need words with Nikki I think she's in trouble now
11:35she's now making us having to think too hard she's made it so difficult she's made it so difficult
11:39the garden made it even harder as this house had been built in what was once a Victorian walled garden
11:47in addition to the private space it offered extensive views of the pristine estate grounds
11:53there was just one potential chink in the armor
11:56so let's do money six hundred and sixty thousand pounds six hundred and seventy thousand pounds
12:05okay the owners are looking for offers around six hundred and ninety thousand oh crumbs right okay
12:15I see why being chain free and ready to move but Beverly and Neil in a strong position to negotiate
12:23on this four bedroom home that offered space and heritage with all mod cons three very different
12:31property options and thanks to me to very confused house buyers I left Beverly and Neil with their heads in a
12:39split right here it I know it wasah strength of a lovely little bed and mendow school if one thing we talked about
12:44in the last week there was between our first property and the mystery house but which would win out
12:47Beverly and Neil wasted no time securing a second viewing act drumroll please our gorgeous first home they loved it just as much the second time so much so they put in an offer and
12:53wasted no time securing a second viewing at, drum roll please, our gorgeous first home.
13:01They loved it just as much the second time, so much so they put in an offer and the rest,
13:07as they say, is history. I can't wait to meet up with them again and find out how they've settled in.
13:17Four months after our house search, Beverly and Neil moved into the gorgeous 18th century cottage
13:23during the autumn. It's given them a gentler pace of life, more time for Beverly to enjoy gardening
13:30and for Neil to practice his golf. Although he might need a bit longer.
13:40Well, hello. Hello. It's so good to see you. Oh my goodness, it's like deja vu, isn't it? I've been here before.
13:59You look so happy. Yeah, we are. We are very, very happy. It is an amazing move. We're really, really happy.
14:06Am I allowed to come in and have a look around? Please do.
14:08Go on. No, you lead the way. Thank you very much. They're the rules. This time round.
14:15Oh, yes. It's all coming back to me now. It's such an impressive room when you walk in.
14:23It knocked us out on the day that you brought us here. Yes.
14:26And it knocks us out every day. We pinch ourselves that we're actually living here. We're so happy.
14:35That's so lovely to hear. And I can see why. Neil, you said you were speechless.
14:39I was. In fact, I was very emotional. Yes.
14:42And as it came through that door, I saw that fireplace and these beams.
14:45So what have you done then? What little changes have you made?
14:49Not a lot in here. Not in this section. Just minor touches.
14:52Yeah. We put that light up. Oh, yes.
14:56Just little bits and pieces. Have the grandchildren been here?
15:00They have. They have. And, I mean, it's perfect. It's perfect for hosting.
15:05We've had friends. We've had family, the grandchildren.
15:08Can we sit a lot of people round it? Yes, we can.
15:10Yeah. Have Christmas around it. Christmas. How was that?
15:13That Christmas was amazing. Amazing. It was magical.
15:16Where did the tree go? We had two trees.
15:19Of course you did. Of course you did.
15:22With a property this side, you'd need two trees.
15:25The main one was in the living room. Yeah.
15:27That was the big one. And a small one was in the alcove there.
15:31Next to the roaring fire. Oh, yeah.
15:34And you mentioned there's a living room next door. Can I?
15:37Please do. I'm going to lead now.
15:39Please do. Like the old days.
15:41Yes. Again, I forgot just how big this property is.
15:47And who needs a picture when you've got the window looking out on the cows.
15:52Come over to the fence and look over. Do they?
15:55And the sheep in the winter. Yes.
15:57Oh, brilliant.
15:58They put their head over the fence and eat the apple trees.
16:00Do they?
16:00Yes. And then in the winter, when the leaves go, you can then see the views of the valley
16:05and the sheep in the fields. All the way around, yeah.
16:07Which is just brilliant. You can see the sea in the distance.
16:09Can you? From the top of the garden.
16:11When the leaves are down, you can see the sea.
16:13Oh, I miss that. Sea view.
16:15Sea view. That would have ticked a box.
16:17That would have put the price up a little bit more, wouldn't it?
16:19Sea view, yeah.
16:21Yeah. Oh, it's so lovely.
16:22Well, there's plenty more. Let's show you one of the better.
16:25Yes, thank you.
16:28Neil and Beverly have made subtle changes, but this really feels like home,
16:34with photos on display of all their family and friends.
16:40Oh! Oh, look!
16:43Yeah? Recognise anybody in there?
16:44Oh, just a few.
16:46Oh, isn't that lovely? Look, filming.
16:48I know.
16:49In the Hall of Fame. Look how happy we looked there.
16:51It was so wonderful.
16:53Great, wasn't it?
16:54And one family member certainly feels at home.
16:59This is the main bedroom, and this is Ziggy in his usual position.
17:04All I can say is, what a handsome dog.
17:08And what a life.
17:09Look at that face.
17:11Is this your bedroom?
17:12Yes.
17:13No, it's his.
17:14It is. We borrow it from time to time.
17:16But no, he's...
17:17Oh, chill out.
17:18Well, you can see, he's completely settled.
17:20Star of the show.
17:22Lovely room, lovely aspects looking out.
17:25What's lovely from this bedroom is, in the morning, the sun rises just over there,
17:31and the birds, from about 5.30 in the morning, are on the bird feeders.
17:37And we sit there, watch the sunrise, and the birds all swarming onto the bird feeders.
17:43And we've seen so many birds.
17:44It's just beautiful.
17:46Well, should we head outside?
17:48Because it's another nice day, isn't it?
17:49Beautiful, yeah.
17:50Beverly has wasted no time in getting on top of the vegetable patch, which appears to be a roaring success.
17:58And I can see Neil's made use of the garden room, no doubt playing the police and ELO, or
18:04ELO, ELO, ELO.
18:06Get it?
18:07But I want to know more about how Beverly and Neil secured their dream home.
18:11This is lovely.
18:17I want this.
18:19I want this.
18:20Look at the views as well.
18:23Well, Beverly and Neil, I'm glad we're still friends.
18:26Because when we left you, well, we'd thrown a spanner in the works, haven't we?
18:32You had, yes.
18:33Yeah, we were torn between the first house and the mystery house.
18:37Yeah.
18:38So, what happened since we last saw you then?
18:40We went back and viewed this house again.
18:44The next day.
18:44The next day.
18:45And, um...
18:47That was it.
18:47I think we didn't need to view the other house.
18:50So you didn't go back?
18:51No.
18:51We didn't view the house.
18:52We just knew.
18:53We just knew that this was the one.
18:55So your budget for the move was £675,000?
18:58That was a top, wasn't it?
18:59Yes.
19:00And we slightly pushed you with this first house to £695,000.
19:06Yes.
19:07Did you have to pay that in the end, or were you able to negotiate?
19:09We negotiated.
19:10We negotiated.
19:11We did negotiate.
19:12And in the end, we paid £680,000.
19:15£5,000 over your top budget?
19:17Yes.
19:18Oh, that wasn't too bad, was it?
19:20Ooh.
19:20Now, I can hear...
19:22Is that the cows we can hear?
19:23Yes, that's our neighbours.
19:25That's our wealthy neighbours.
19:26People complain about neighbours making noise.
19:29We don't.
19:30We don't.
19:30Not anymore.
19:32Listen to them.
19:32Yes.
19:34But this is the noise.
19:36This is country life.
19:36Welcome to...
19:37You're welcome.
19:38Yeah.
19:38And how lovely is that?
19:40Give me that over urban noise any day.
19:43The bizarre thing is, you'd think that it's remote, but in actual fact, we're not far from
19:50the village.
19:51We can walk to the village in about seven minutes.
19:54And that's perfect for us.
19:57And you've got the lovely village hall, and you've got the pub that's just opened again.
20:00So that's fantastic.
20:03And there's so much that goes on.
20:05So on a weekly basis, we joined the Short Mat Bowls Club.
20:10Ooh.
20:11It's proper bowls, as you see, but it's indoors.
20:14On a mat.
20:15It is a foam mat.
20:16Now, had you ever played it before?
20:18No.
20:19Never.
20:19And we thought, well, that sounds like fun.
20:21We'll join that.
20:22And there's a lovely little group of people.
20:25There's a group, yeah.
20:25And we did that early on.
20:27Yeah.
20:28So we got to know some of the villagers really early, which was great.
20:34Well, I don't mind a seven-minute walk to try a new sport and meet their new friends,
20:39who look like they know their way around the mat.
20:44Hello, everybody!
20:46Hello!
20:47So Neil is giving me a crash course.
20:50The wood has a weighted side.
20:51Yeah.
20:51It's a smaller sticker.
20:52Which will make the ball curl in towards the smaller sticker.
20:56And you mustn't hit the wood in the middle.
20:59You have to curl it.
20:59What's that called?
21:01It's called the wood.
21:02The wood.
21:03It took a long time for someone to come up with that.
21:06Something like this, hopefully.
21:08Go on.
21:12Oh, Neil.
21:13That's not a bad start.
21:15Oh!
21:15That looks easy enough.
21:24So I put one foot here, and I put one foot here.
21:25Yeah.
21:26OK, here we go.
21:27OK, here we go.
21:30Oh, it's a bit heavy.
21:36If you've never seen short mat bowls before, that's not meant to happen.
21:42Am I allowed another go?
21:43Yes.
21:43But make sure the ball is lined up with the arm.
21:48Oh, OK.
21:49Like that?
21:50Yeah.
21:50Because that also makes a difference.
21:52Oh, I'll stick the wood.
21:53Oh, Nicky, you can do this.
21:54Here we go.
21:55Oh, Nicky, you can do this.
22:25Maybe I'll pop back.
22:29Right, then.
22:30Well, it is now my turn to catch up with another pair of countryside escapades.
22:35Last year, Fiona and Nigel had sold up,
22:37and they had decided that Suffolk was their destination of choice.
22:41They were certainly up for a challenge, but that gave me one as well,
22:44to find them not only a home, but also a business to go with it.
22:48Fiona and Nigel from the Berkshire town of Maidenhead had retired from nursing and finance,
22:58respectively, and were embarking on a new chapter.
23:01Hi, I'm Fiona.
23:04I'm Nigel.
23:05And this is our home, where we've lived for the last 16 years,
23:08and it's where we've raised our four kids.
23:11But the last one's about to fly the nest, and so it's time to move on.
23:14Like me, Fiona had grown up in her parents' guest house,
23:20and the couple had an idea to develop a doggy daycare business in their new Suffolk home.
23:25People would come with their dogs to stay with us,
23:28and then they could enjoy lots of lovely walks in the countryside all around us.
23:33Inside space was also important,
23:35as Nigel had an extensive collection of models and military memorabilia.
23:41Selling up in the desirable home counties gave them a substantial budget of £1.5 million,
23:48and for that, they wanted a four-bedroom home with a hobby room,
23:51a separate holiday let, and a dog-friendly garden.
23:54All situated in a peaceful location.
24:01They'd fallen in love with Suffolk on a recent holiday,
24:04so I took them to the village of Waldringfield.
24:08And only around half a mile from the River Deben was our first property.
24:13So, how about this little complex of buildings?
24:17What do we think?
24:18Is it both?
24:19Absolutely.
24:20Oh, wow!
24:22The main house looks lovely.
24:23It's huge!
24:24Yeah, and then the annex.
24:26Exactly.
24:27Shall we have a look?
24:28Let's.
24:28Let's go inside.
24:29Yeah, definitely.
24:31We started with the main house,
24:33a modern home benefiting from solar panels and an electric vehicle charging point.
24:40Oh!
24:41I like!
24:42Yeah, yeah, very light and airy.
24:44Really nice proportions.
24:45You know, you've also got a lovely snug TV room as well here.
24:49Okay.
24:50And we don't like watching the same thing, so I'm quite often in one room watching something,
24:54and he's in another room watching his war stuff, you know, so, yeah, that's right.
24:58I'd be with you, mate.
24:59Yeah.
25:00With a beer and a lot of plastic war movie.
25:03Yeah.
25:03Get them on.
25:04Yeah.
25:04Off the hallway was a spacious triple aspect office, a dining room, and finally, a generous
25:11kitchen diner.
25:13Oh, yes.
25:15This is nice.
25:16Yeah, a lot of space.
25:17I mean, I do a lot of baking.
25:19If you're into baking, that is the thing to use.
25:22So, we like what we see.
25:23Yeah, very much.
25:25There were five bedrooms, so plenty of options for visiting family.
25:29I mean, one of the bedrooms, we can convert into a hobby room.
25:33Hmm.
25:36I mean, I'd rather it was somewhere else.
25:38Like still in Berkshire?
25:40The main bedroom had an en suite and a Juliet balcony.
25:44Oh.
25:45Oh, wow, yes.
25:46What a view.
25:47Look at that.
25:48That is nice.
25:49Yeah.
25:49That's beautiful.
25:50That's so nice.
25:51Not sure about your hay fever now, but for me, it's popular.
25:54I think even for the hay fever, that's worth it.
25:57With luxury on tap, the family bathroom had a spa bath, and there was still another property
26:03to view, the two-storey, one-bedroom annex.
26:07But this is lovely.
26:08An enormous social space.
26:10Kitchen through there, and then upstairs, lovely double bed, really big space, and bathroom
26:16to go with it.
26:16So, for what is effectively a let for two people...
26:20It's big.
26:21Maybe sofa bed for children.
26:22Yeah.
26:23Yeah.
26:23Something that accommodates children as well.
26:25Again, will broaden the market that you can appeal to.
26:28Yeah.
26:28There was enough parking for family and holidaymakers, plus a detached garage where the hobbies might
26:35get relegated.
26:37The enclosed garden was ideal for dogs, but might ruffle the feathers of the current residents.
26:43Let's have a think, then, about what this might be on the market for.
26:50I would say £1.1 million.
26:53Oh, interesting.
26:55This is currently on the market for £1.4 million.
26:59Ah.
27:00Right.
27:00This is effectively commuter built with great rail links into central London.
27:05So, all of that is going to help fill the height of the prices here.
27:11Right.
27:11Right.
27:11Plus, also, it's a big house.
27:14Slightly more than they expected for this five-bed modern home and annex, but the premium
27:20to pay for being well-connected might be recouped by attracting more holidaymakers.
27:26Wanting more bang for their buck, I took them further north to the village of All Saints,
27:31South Elm.
27:32Along a quiet country road was an attractive cottage with a ready-made holiday business.
27:41Pretty.
27:42Very pretty.
27:44Curbside appeal, I think they call it, don't they?
27:46Not only do you get that, but you also get that.
27:49Oh.
27:49Oh.
27:50So, you get a smaller house, but you get a really good income to come with it.
27:55So, yeah, let's have a quick look in here, and then we'll go next door and talk about
27:59the business.
28:00Correct.
28:00Come and have a look.
28:03Despite appearances, this cottage was less than 20 years old, and we started at the
28:08rear, in the kitchen.
28:10Quite modest.
28:12Yeah.
28:12But it is just for you, too, because you're going to be busy.
28:17I think this is a perfect sign.
28:19Yeah.
28:19Yeah.
28:20To one side of it was a dining room, and at the other, a summer room.
28:24Oh, this is bright, isn't it?
28:25I can see the military history oozing from the shelves.
28:29Yeah, absolutely.
28:31I think we could get all our books in there.
28:32And there was another reception room.
28:34Triple aspect, nice and airy.
28:37And looking out onto the garden's beautiful as well.
28:39Yeah, yeah, yeah.
28:39A French window, so you can open up.
28:41Yeah.
28:41Yeah.
28:42So far, so good, I reckon.
28:43Yeah.
28:43Upstairs, the family bathroom was shared by three double bedrooms, while a fourth was
28:50en suite.
28:51I'm not sure our bed would fit in here, no.
28:53No.
28:55Maybe we'll have separate bedrooms.
28:56Yeah.
28:58They could have separate buildings, as the start attraction was the barn conversion that provided
29:04four separate holiday lets, along with a large communal space.
29:10There.
29:11Oh, wow.
29:12That's huge, isn't it?
29:14Hobby room.
29:15It's even too big for you for a hobby room, Nigel.
29:18When it's full, this is going out for £3,000 a week.
29:22All right.
29:24Wow.
29:25Yeah.
29:27The lets themselves comprise two one-bed apartments and a pair of two-bed options.
29:33All the rental furniture was included in the price, and there were already bookings for
29:37the following year.
29:39This is a two-bed.
29:41They've all got very similar appointed kitchens, but as you can see, absolutely ready to go for
29:48the next set of guests that they are expecting.
29:51Yeah, high spec, but easy to clean.
29:53Yeah, it's very nice.
29:55And with 1.3 acres outside, there was scope for a dog exercise area.
30:01That left just one element of the balance sheet to work out.
30:04I would probably go in at £1.4 million.
30:11This is on the market for offers over £1.1 million.
30:20Right.
30:21Oh.
30:21While this one would have downsized their home, it would have supersized their business,
30:28and at that price, the sums for this four-bed cottage and barn conversion seem to add up
30:34to a bargain.
30:38So day one was done.
30:40Two good options, I thought, that seemed to go down pretty well with Fiona and Nigel, but
30:45the next day we had one more property to view, an appointment with our mystery house.
30:52Our final offering was in the peaceful village of Cranesford, and while this substantial barn
30:58conversion didn't have a holiday business yet, there was planning permission to convert another
31:03of the barns.
31:05Nigel's dream house.
31:06I've always wanted a barn conversion.
31:08Well, today is your lucky day.
31:10It looks good from the outside.
31:12And the inside of this 200-year-old barn had been refitted and redecorated from top to
31:18bottom by the current owners.
31:21Oh, wow, look at this.
31:23That's very glamorous, isn't it?
31:25That's the dream, isn't it?
31:27Yeah.
31:27Very dramatic, yeah.
31:28That's got the wow factor as soon as you walk in, hasn't it?
31:30Yeah, like a real statement.
31:31Yeah.
31:32Yeah.
31:32Can we have a look?
31:33When are we moving in?
31:36Oh, this is a bit special, isn't it?
31:39Yeah.
31:40This is beautiful.
31:41Yeah.
31:42Absolutely beautiful.
31:43That's, that's, yeah.
31:45Yeah.
31:46Yeah.
31:48All sounding pretty positive.
31:50There was underfloor heating downstairs throughout, and on the opposite side, a dining room led
31:56to the kitchen.
31:59Locally handmade hardwood kitchen.
32:02Yeah.
32:02Wow.
32:02Which is really lovely.
32:03Wow.
32:03The attention to detail, though, is fabulous, isn't it, like?
32:06Yeah, yeah.
32:06That's lovely.
32:07It leads into the courtyard.
32:11This is stunning.
32:12Yeah, it's what a space.
32:13That's beautiful, isn't it?
32:14Yeah.
32:15That is beautiful.
32:16Over there, you've got the outdoor bar, hot tub.
32:18It's a spot spot, spot spot view.
32:20Yeah.
32:20The look on your face says to me a man who has arrived at the destination he was hoping for.
32:27I think we're there.
32:28Yeah.
32:29Yes.
32:29With no shortage of space, there was also a downstairs games room and gym, while upstairs boasted five bedrooms.
32:38This is lovely.
32:39This is lovely.
32:40Oh, wow.
32:41This is, yeah.
32:42Oh, look at that.
32:43This is really pretty.
32:44Yeah.
32:45See, our bed would fit in here, wouldn't it?
32:46It would fit perfectly.
32:47Oh, it's en suite as well.
32:49Lovely.
32:51And there were two family bathrooms, each with a clawfoot bath.
32:56The plot covered three quarters of an acre and included a pond, plus outbuildings providing the business potential subject to planning.
33:04So the big question was if there'd be enough left in the budget to do the work.
33:09I'm going to say 1.2 million pounds.
33:12I think you're probably looking more about 1.35 million pounds.
33:17OK, so here it is.
33:19Mystery House is on the market for 1.3 million pounds.
33:26OK, OK.
33:30200,000 pounds left over to add the business opportunity to this enormous five-bedroom barn conversion of Nigel's dreams.
33:38We'd shown our couple three strong contenders for their new home in the Suffolk countryside, with businesses ranging from ready-made to their personalised start-up.
33:50And it was that option with the barn conversion that was the front-runner.
33:54Well, I am delighted to be back in Suffolk, where Fiona and Nigel can now proudly call themselves locals.
34:06And I remember being very excited about that barn conversion that I showed them, but that is not where I find them today.
34:13However, we must have got something right, because although they didn't buy our barn conversion, they did buy this one.
34:25To say we came close with the Mystery House is something of an understatement.
34:29As this 18th-century property is a similar period, it's a similar construction, and it's just seven miles away from it.
34:39Isn't this lovely?
34:48Ooh.
34:51Hey!
34:51Hi, Joel.
34:52Nigel.
34:52Hi, how are you?
34:53I'm very well.
34:54Nice to see you.
34:55Good to see you.
34:56Come on in.
34:57Come in.
34:57Wow, this is great.
34:59You've done it.
34:59Yes, made the move.
35:01Yeah.
35:02Where'd you get this idea from, then?
35:04Erm, well...
35:06Very similar to the Mystery House.
35:08Isn't it?
35:08Very similar.
35:09Wow.
35:09It is lovely.
35:10It is lovely.
35:11We do still pinch ourselves that we're here.
35:13Can I have a look in here?
35:14Of course you can.
35:14Of course you can.
35:16Oh, I love this soft colour of the beams.
35:18These are not the original beams they were put in when it was converted, but then you've got the old beams around the side of the room as well.
35:25And we still keep finding new little looks and crannies and little bits and pieces.
35:29And Nigel found these after we'd been here for a while.
35:32All right.
35:33And apparently, it's a good-look thing.
35:37Yeah, these are clay pipe bowls.
35:39These could well be 18th century.
35:42Oh!
35:42I mean, these were the cigarette butts of the day.
35:45I mean, they really are quite exquisite.
35:46Beautiful, aren't they?
35:47They really are.
35:48And like all these buildings, you know, if the beams and the walls could talk, you know, who left that behind?
35:54Who was it?
35:54Yeah.
35:55It would be so interesting.
35:56Yeah.
35:56So they are.
35:57They're great, aren't they?
35:58So, yeah, we're still finding a year on odd little things like this.
36:01We'll make an archaeologist of yet.
36:04I can dig up trouble anyway.
36:05Yeah, I'll bet you can.
36:08Aside from the historic findings, there are modern comforts, like underfloor heating, throughout the whole of the ground floor.
36:15Oh, yes.
36:17I know.
36:18Yes.
36:19Oh.
36:20Nice big kitchen, yeah.
36:21I mean, this is what everybody dreams of.
36:24Farmhouse kitchen, yeah, for sure.
36:25Yeah, we're really pleased with it.
36:26This is lovely, and it obviously works for you.
36:29What about the business, the holiday lets?
36:31Wow.
36:31It's been hugely successful.
36:33Yeah, we're really pleased with it.
36:34Yeah.
36:34And where are they?
36:36So, there's a courtyard garden here.
36:38Right.
36:39And then they've got a one-bedroom apartment there, and they have the full use of the courtyard,
36:43because obviously, you know, people are hopefully coming with their dogs.
36:47But it has done so, so well, far better than we anticipated.
36:51Was it a holiday let already?
36:53So, they had done previously, but not for eight years.
36:57So, we've literally just sort of, you know, repainted it.
37:01Presented it.
37:01And presented it, changed the floors, and we are pretty much 100% occupancy.
37:08Wow.
37:08Yeah, yeah.
37:08So, we're fully, I mean, for months, we've been fully booked all the way through till November.
37:12Isn't that interesting?
37:13Yeah.
37:13And then we're taking bookings.
37:14We've got some bookings out as far as March next year.
37:17Yeah.
37:18The business is clearly working well for Fiona and Nigel, and the house is, too.
37:23They've got a study to manage the bookings while admiring the view.
37:28A games room to entertain visiting family who'd have their choice of the seven bedrooms.
37:35And I'm relieved to see there's space for Nigel's models and memorabilia.
37:40It really is glorious.
37:42So, what I want to know is, how did they find it?
37:46You will notice that all the mugs have docks on.
37:49Yeah, obviously.
37:50Let's just dial back, then, if we can, to the moment we waved you off.
37:53Because I knew you were very interested in our mystery house, and why wouldn't you be?
37:57And it revealed to you what a well-done barn conversion can offer.
38:01It did.
38:02So, a week after we saw you, we took a builder with us, so we could have a look at the plans,
38:10because the owners already had plans for that cart lodge to be converted.
38:14What we didn't know was, behind that cart lodge was a huge oil tanker, as well,
38:19which was going to have to be moved.
38:21The plans that they had to convert it weren't what we would have done, were they?
38:25Yeah.
38:25So, we would have had to resubmit plans.
38:28Unfortunately, it just took us right over budget.
38:31So, undaunted, but inspired, you continued to search.
38:36Yeah, I'd seen two of the properties online, and said to Nigel, well, look, while we're
38:41down here, let's just have a look.
38:43Yeah.
38:43So, we had a look at both of these properties, and they were with the same agent.
38:47Neither was quite right.
38:47And neither was quite right.
38:49And at the end of the day, she said to us, I've listened to everything that you've said,
38:56and I think I know the property for you.
38:58Ooh.
38:59So, the next morning.
39:01Yeah.
39:02We came here, didn't we?
39:03We came here.
39:04And it had the property there, the hobby room, the barn, enough bedrooms, enough space.
39:09I walked in, you know, looked round, neither walked in.
39:11We didn't say anything to each other, did we?
39:13And then we got in the car, closed the door, I turned to you, you turned to me, and we both
39:17grinned and high-fived.
39:18And we just, and we just knew.
39:21Dare I ask, how much did this lot cost you?
39:24We paid £1.25 million.
39:28And just remind me of your original budget.
39:30£1.5 million.
39:31You've done it under budget.
39:32Yeah, absolutely, yeah.
39:34I keep reminding him that there must be some left over for me to do something with.
39:41They did make one extra purchase, buying this four-acre field next door for £50,000, and
39:48they have big plans for it.
39:51Fiona wants to have a pond.
39:52This will definitely be a sort of more of a wildlife pond, so this will be sort of shallow
39:58at either end, sort of going deeper in the middle, so amphibians will winter in the deeper
40:03water over the winter.
40:04And it will have a little seating area around it.
40:08Planning is in at the moment, all being well, touch wood, that we get the planning through.
40:14Then we're looking at having it dug October, November time.
40:18So it will fill up through the winter and start to establish itself.
40:21That's the idea.
40:22So by the time we get to next spring, you know, it should be well established.
40:26There's going to be a wildflower meadow as well, and the guests will get to enjoy this
40:29too.
40:30So how big is it going to be then?
40:32Quite a bummer.
40:32And I've had to scale it back because someone just sort of said, that's really silly, Fiona.
40:37So if you march that way, and I'll tell you when to stop.
40:42Here we go.
40:42All right.
40:44Keep going.
40:45Yeah.
40:45Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, stop.
40:50And then, yeah, probably about that long.
40:54Pretty good, isn't it?
40:5515 metres across.
40:56Yeah.
40:57Yeah, I can see why you scaled it back a bit, Nigel.
40:59Yeah.
40:59It was the thought of the water meter to fill it, I think.
41:05They said, oh, goodness me, that'll take two years to fill.
41:07Well, hopefully you'll get, you know, a decent rainfall through the winter, which will do it.
41:11We get lots of monk jacks in here, don't we?
41:14There are sparrow hawks in here.
41:16We can hear the owl.
41:18Neighbours over there have got a pond.
41:20They provided a takeaway service by putting fish in the pond and two otters that she got
41:24on their night camera and came in and emptied the pond so there'd be no fish in ours.
41:29So there's a lot of wildlife and I just think it would be really lovely to, you know, for
41:34the guests and for us to enjoy, you know, seeing that.
41:37There's just one thing I would add to that.
41:40Go on.
41:41A nice outdoor model railway running round the pond.
41:44What a great idea.
41:45Come on.
41:46No.
41:46Come on.
41:47No.
41:48High five.
41:48No.
41:50No.
41:51No.
41:51I think I should leave now.
41:55Nigel and Fiona's escape to the country just goes to show that a new location and outlook
42:00can provide fresh inspiration for bigger plans than their previous lifestyles could ever have
42:05afforded.
42:06And we wish them all the best for the future.
42:09Now, when it comes to finding your dream country home, 99% of the time it revolves around a certain
42:23instinct that you've finally found what you're looking for.
42:27It's what we in the escape business like to call the feeling.
42:31Certainly, Beverley and Neil found it when they saw that property that they've fallen in love with.
42:36And as for Fiona and Nigel, whilst it may have taken them a little bit longer, they did
42:40finally find a property that elicited just that response.
42:44And look at their life.
42:45They are now leading here in Suffolk.
42:48That, my friends, is what Escape to the Country is all about.
42:52And in my experience, if it feels right, then it generally is right.
42:57I'll see you next time.
42:59Cheers.
43:00If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
43:05and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part?
43:12Oh!
43:13That's better, Neil.
43:24Transcription by CastingWords
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