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00:00Once upon a time, not so very long ago...
00:04Wow!
00:05I'm not expecting that.
00:06..a children's TV presenter journeyed through a green and luscious land.
00:11I'm taken by the gate already.
00:14Searching high and low...
00:16It's like the arch window from Play School.
00:19It is, yeah.
00:21..for the perfect period property...
00:23I love this hatch.
00:27Hiya!
00:27Hiya!
00:28..where her family could live happily ever after.
00:32Why are you smiling?
00:33No, I'm not.
00:35I do wash up in the house.
00:36I didn't say that, I didn't think.
00:37I'm just lying.
00:38I do wash up in the house.
00:48I'm not.
00:49I do wash up in the house.
00:49Camberwick Green, Ballamory, Sesame Street and in the Night Garden.
01:01Over the years, children's television has gifted us idyllic worlds to escape to.
01:08But it's not just the places we remember, it's also the people.
01:12And for a whole generation, CBBC's Angelica Bell was the presenter.
01:17They eagerly grabbed the remote control for.
01:21Fast forward to today, and just as those children have now fledged the nest,
01:26Angelica and her family want to fledge the city and escape to the country.
01:31So, are you sitting comfortably? Because I'm not, actually.
01:35Anyone got a cushion?
01:37Oh, that's much better.
01:43Now we'll begin.
01:47My name's Angelica Bell, and most people will know me from starting out at CBBC 25 years ago.
01:55I know.
01:56I was really lucky to work on so many amazing shows at that time.
02:00Live TV was just spontaneous.
02:03You never knew what was going to happen.
02:05I did the Saturday show, which was crazy.
02:07Gunjing is not great.
02:10The gunj goes everywhere.
02:11Three, two, one, go!
02:20I presented a show called Short Change, which was about empowering young people about money,
02:26their rights, and how to look for the best bargain.
02:30Angelica has a reputation, with both her viewers and peers, for being financially savvy.
02:36Growing up, I didn't have a lot of disposable cash, but it made me think,
02:42OK, when I am going to get my hands on some, I'm going to make it count.
02:47So, when I got my job at CBBC, I lived with a wonderful woman who, she had this house,
02:53and she just needed a companion.
02:55So I was like, do you know what, I'm just going to live with her.
02:56I didn't have to pay much rent, but I saved everything.
03:00By hook or by crook, I wanted to own my own house and be the first person in my family to do that.
03:04And I did it.
03:07Since then, she's climbed the London property ladder, tackling several renovations along the way.
03:13Today, she lives in a Victorian townhouse in south-west London,
03:16with her children and husband, Michael Underwood,
03:20who's been a primary school teacher for eight years.
03:23That is looking good.
03:24You can never scrimp on the cream.
03:27But you might also recognise him as a former fellow presenter of children's TV.
03:33I have to say, this next part's my favourite now,
03:35because you need to give the cheesy feats their cheesy smell.
03:39Angelica and I have been together for what?
03:41This is where I've got to work it out.
03:42Hang on.
03:43Don't catch me on this.
03:44We first started working together 25 years ago now.
03:47It seems like an age ago, a quarter of a century.
03:49But we didn't get together as a couple until about 2008.
03:52And since then, we've been living in London,
03:53so we've always been roughly in this area.
03:55Probably about half a mile radius from this area is where we've always been.
03:58How are you feeling about getting back on TV?
04:03I'm over it.
04:04Well, you know, the first couple of years, I missed it a lot, didn't I?
04:08Yeah.
04:08But then now you're a teacher, you're just, like, in your swing and doing what you want.
04:12Yeah, well, now, exactly.
04:13And it is brilliant.
04:13And without sounding like a clichƩ, it is more rewarding.
04:16Since her departure from kids' television,
04:19Angelica has gone on to have a long and varied career as a broadcaster.
04:24She won the coveted title of Celebrity MasterChef in 2017
04:29and has even worked alongside Yours Truly.
04:33Who's the best in the kitchen?
04:35Angelica's the best in the kitchen.
04:37She has two MasterChef trophies to prove it.
04:39No, there was two maids, that's why.
04:41One got dented, didn't it?
04:43Did you do that?
04:44Well, I threw it down the stairs, so they sent you another one.
04:52Over the last two decades, Angelica and Michael have found
04:55that regular escapes to the countryside
04:57have provided welcome respite from life in the capital.
05:03Devon is just gorgeous and special,
05:08and we've been going every year, I'd say, for the last seven years.
05:12So I guess it's always been in the back of my mind
05:15that that is a place that we wouldn't mind settling down in.
05:20You're near the sea as well, not too far from there.
05:23Fish and chips, it's always the best.
05:26And who doesn't love a Devon cream tea?
05:28I know.
05:29Cream first, and then the jam.
05:31This is one lady who knows what she likes and what she's looking for.
05:36I remember once I went to look at a place,
05:38and I went to the front door and I was like, mm, no.
05:41And the estate agent said, oh, do you want to have a look around?
05:42I was like, nah.
05:44Because I was just like, I'm never going to buy this house,
05:46and I don't want to waste your time.
05:47It's going to be a short week, Nick.
05:49Yeah, Nicky, you better have some great properties.
05:55Well, this will be a short show.
06:00To keep Angelica's attention and my job,
06:03we need to find her and Michael a character property
06:06packed with period features and a minimum of four bedrooms.
06:11It must have a decent-sized garden
06:13and be located within striking distance of Exeter
06:16for its convenient transport links.
06:19They're after a taste of the quiet life,
06:22but don't want to feel completely isolated.
06:24For this, the pair has a healthy budget of Ā£1 million.
06:33I've known Angelica for a long time,
06:36and I know she knows property,
06:39and I know she knows the county,
06:41and I also know that she's determined
06:43to find a fabulous family home here in Devon.
06:47But, of course, she needs the escape expertise.
06:53Angelica and Michael know South Devon extremely well,
06:57but being among England's largest counties,
07:00there's still much of it they're yet to explore.
07:04With the average price of a detached house in London
07:07now sitting at over Ā£1.1 million,
07:09a move down to Devon where the figure is less than half of that
07:14at just over Ā£481,000 could be a smart decision.
07:20Pretty towns and villages like Otterton and Limston
07:23on the estuary of the River Ex near Exmouth
07:26offer a slice of rural life,
07:29but with a strong sense of community
07:31and excellent transport links,
07:34meaning you can reach the capital in around three hours.
07:37It's always been a popular destination in high season,
07:42but with the leaves falling and the colours changing,
07:45I think we've timed our visit perfectly.
07:49Well, Michael and Angelica,
07:51welcome to stunning Devon.
07:54Although, in a way,
07:55this is like a second home for you two, isn't it, this county?
07:58We love it.
07:59Yeah.
07:59And I remember when I was young,
08:01one of my best friends at school
08:02brought me here on holiday as well.
08:04And that was the first time I went out of London.
08:06So, it's special.
08:09Because we've known each other for a few years.
08:12Yeah.
08:12Not that long.
08:13Over 20.
08:15And I honestly see you as city people in the nicest way.
08:20A lot of that dictated by work.
08:22You've both had amazing careers and continue to do so.
08:25Why the sudden change?
08:28Well, you said you'd know us quite well.
08:30You know what I'm like.
08:31Never sit still.
08:32Yeah.
08:32Never sit still, do I?
08:34No.
08:35So...
08:35Also, we've been keen, haven't we?
08:36We've been keen on the idea of having a place in the country.
08:39Yeah.
08:40Somewhere to retreat to.
08:41Especially with our family,
08:42we love being out this way and out in the countryside.
08:45So, for us, we've always kept an eye out.
08:46Whenever we've come down here just for a few days on a holiday,
08:49we always peer into estate agent windows.
08:50Have you?
08:50Yeah, absolutely.
08:51And have a look at what's around,
08:52what's available, how much it is.
08:54And so the idea of having somewhere down here
08:56absolutely does appeal to us.
08:57Yeah.
08:57And we've got friends as well.
08:59Now, we've had a sneaky peek around your home,
09:02and it is gorgeous.
09:03And I know for a fact that you didn't buy it like that,
09:06that you are passionate about property
09:07and really getting your hands dirty
09:09and transforming your home.
09:12Is that something that you'd consider if you moved down here?
09:14I think when you're in the process of doing a place up,
09:18and we've done two places up,
09:20and I did some places up before,
09:22you've done it when, you know, you were...
09:23Yes, yeah.
09:24I mean, when you're in it, you're like,
09:25I'm never again.
09:26Don't... I'm not doing this again.
09:27Yeah.
09:27But when you see the fruits of your labour,
09:30and it's how you want it,
09:32and you're just like, yes, who...
09:35I think I might know the answer.
09:36But who's going to take the lead?
09:38You know what? No.
09:39I know what you're going to say.
09:40Go on.
09:40What?
09:41What are you going to say?
09:41What are you going to say?
09:42I don't know.
09:42I just said I know, just in case I did.
09:46But I don't.
09:47What are you going to say?
09:48I'm going to say that.
09:48Yes.
09:49I am quite chatty.
09:51I wear my heart on my sleeve.
09:53I know what I like.
09:54Very passionate.
09:55Yeah.
09:55But this one's like the silent assassin.
09:59Jokes.
09:59I'm now getting a little bit...
10:02We are friends.
10:04I would like that to continue.
10:05But I also want to find them at home.
10:08So shall we explore Devon together?
10:10Yes.
10:11Yes.
10:11Ready?
10:11Are you driving?
10:13No.
10:13Come on.
10:13Good.
10:14I'm driving.
10:16Actually, I am, aren't I?
10:19Luckily, it's not far to our first viewing in the village of Tedburn, St Mary.
10:25Just north of the rural expanses of Dartmoor, it's only a 20-minute drive to Exeter, making
10:31for a reasonable commute to London.
10:32I'm showing them this striking period property right in the heart of the village.
10:39Wow.
10:40I was not expecting that.
10:42I heard a gasp.
10:43Yeah.
10:43Look at the thatch on that.
10:44Look at the thatch on that.
10:46Look at the thatch on that.
10:47I'm overwhelmed.
10:47Yeah.
10:50It's...
10:50I don't know what to say.
10:53Yeah.
10:53It's got a whole chocolate box feel to it, hasn't it?
10:55Yeah, it has.
10:57I love that chimney.
10:58It is a handsome home.
11:00Have we surprised you?
11:02Yes.
11:02Absolutely.
11:03I thought there might be a bit of a build-up.
11:04Yeah, for property number one.
11:06Yeah.
11:07Good start, then.
11:07Good start.
11:08A very good start.
11:09It's an incredible-looking property.
11:10Yeah.
11:10Shall we see what you make of the inside?
11:12Yes, it's saying, please come inside.
11:14That porch is very welcoming.
11:15Calling you in.
11:16Yes.
11:16This Grade II-listed longhouse was re-thatched in 2018.
11:24Inside, the wealth of period features continue,
11:27with some modern additions.
11:31So, the first of many rooms in this longhouse.
11:35We call it a longhouse, but it's actually quite wide as well.
11:39Yeah.
11:40Love that open space with the fire.
11:42Look at this.
11:42This has got to be original, hasn't it?
11:44Look at this.
11:45Starring.
11:46I love beams.
11:47Open beams.
11:48Do you want to like as well, they're not so low,
11:51that sometimes when beams are a bit low,
11:52you just have to find yourself ducking a bit.
11:54Yeah.
11:54It's quite nice and you won't have to duck.
11:56Well, actually, when was this house built?
11:58Ah, I thought you'd never ask.
12:01Roll titles.
12:02La-la-la-chap, it's place time.
12:06What year would you place on this house?
12:09Okay.
12:10Oh.
12:12It's tricky.
12:13It is tricky.
12:14It's tricky.
12:15Okay, the big reveal.
12:16Michael.
12:17I went for 1740.
12:19Ooh, interesting.
12:22What did you go for?
12:231784.
12:24The winner is...
12:26Michael.
12:27Go on.
12:28But you are going to be so surprised.
12:30This house, grade two listed, is medieval.
12:33It was built in 1480.
12:36Wow!
12:37No!
12:38Yeah.
12:38That's incredible.
12:40Yeah.
12:41I'm not sure that was worthy of an A-star, but I'll give them top marks for effort.
12:46Adjoining the sitting room is a snug with a second Inglennut fireplace, but the kitchen is found at the back, in the more modern part.
12:53Oh, lovely range.
12:55Oh, lovely range.
12:59Oh, yeah, we do love a range.
13:00And incredible views outside.
13:04It's light.
13:05I did notice that.
13:06Yeah.
13:06I love the view from the kitchen.
13:08Because what you want when you're in the sink, washing up, and I'm looking out, I like to look out the window, and it's nice to have that view, without a doubt.
13:13Why are you smiling?
13:15No, I'm not.
13:15No?
13:16Are you saying, I do wash up in the house.
13:17I didn't say that, I didn't think.
13:18I just wanted to smile.
13:20There was that slight pause.
13:22You're looking at me like him.
13:23I think the space is fantastic.
13:25I mean, it's very much about socialising for us.
13:27Yeah.
13:27We love having the family together in the kitchen, whether they're doing their homework or I'm marking books.
13:31And also, for me, it's about people coming over.
13:34Always have a Christmas party.
13:36Yeah.
13:37Always like to have, you know.
13:38Big on entertaining.
13:39Big on entertaining.
13:40Or when Nikki wants to pop over, obviously.
13:43Yeah.
13:43Come down and stay.
13:44You know, you won't lift a finger.
13:46Never do.
13:47Right.
13:48Shall we head upstairs?
13:50Let's see where I'm going to sleep.
13:51Oh, right.
13:51Let's find your spare room.
13:52We'll follow you.
13:52Come on, this way.
13:54I'm going to go this way, because this is where the stairs are.
13:55Oh, I think I'm going into the pantry.
13:59Perhaps geography is not your strongest subject, Michael.
14:02I'm going to go this way instead.
14:03Better stick together as we head upstairs.
14:06So, up here on this landing.
14:07Oh, beautiful.
14:09Two bedrooms.
14:11Lots of space.
14:12Family bathroom through there.
14:16Another bedroom just there.
14:20And then, do I e-mark this as Angelica's dressing room?
14:24Uh-huh.
14:24Lovely.
14:25Lovely.
14:25And this is the old part of the main bedroom next door.
14:29Higgledy-piggledy.
14:31All these wonky walls.
14:33Love it.
14:33So, not going to fight with all your outfits in here.
14:35It's going to be your domain?
14:36Yeah.
14:37Sorry, Michael.
14:38Where are my outfits going?
14:40You can put your ties in the drawer.
14:41Thanks.
14:45More space.
14:46That's the good news here.
14:47I'm going to call this the main bedroom.
14:49And look at that window.
14:52It's like the arch window from play school.
14:54It is, yeah.
14:56I love that.
14:57I did clock it on the outside.
14:59So lovely.
15:01It really is, Angelica.
15:03The exterior is just as characterful as the interior.
15:07And surrounded by just under an acre of land,
15:10it comes with a variety of mature trees and a vegetable patch,
15:13which I know would appeal to Angelica's green fingers.
15:17And what better way to unwind after getting grubby in the garden
15:20than a soak in the tub?
15:23There is something...
15:24I don't know why.
15:25There is something I still find quite funny about, you know,
15:27just me being here and then you being in the bath in the same room.
15:30I don't know why.
15:31No, but this is Nicky's room.
15:33Oh, is it?
15:33Right, OK.
15:34This is Nicky's room.
15:35So Nicky will be in the bath.
15:36Nicky will be in the...
15:36What?
15:39Easy.
15:39I think it's time we wrapped this up.
15:43So we're going to have to try and put a price on it
15:46for the first time.
15:47You said before that you've done a little bit of research,
15:50but it was quite a few years ago.
15:52How are you feeling on this?
15:53It's got all this land.
15:54I'm thinking about Ā£850,000.
15:58Yeah, Ā£850,000 to Ā£875,000.
16:01That's two figures, but...
16:02Yeah, no one's ever given me two figures before.
16:04You've covered yourself there, haven't you?
16:05Yeah.
16:06I'm going to tweak it down a bit.
16:08I'm going to go to Ā£825,000.
16:11You're practically on the money
16:13because they're looking for offers over Ā£825,000.
16:18Oh, come on.
16:19But both of you are very good.
16:22This beautiful, thatched, grade two-listed longhouse
16:25more than delivers the character
16:26that Angelica and Michael asked for.
16:29It's in the heart of a village
16:30that has a very rural feel.
16:33This is a beautiful, quintessential, medieval...
16:37Who'd have thought?
16:38Thatched house, I know.
16:40I know.
16:40I mean, Nicky has gone above and beyond
16:41for this first property,
16:42which has put the pressure on us a little bit
16:43because we weren't expecting it to be as good as this.
16:47Yeah.
16:47Pleasantly surprised.
16:48Yeah.
16:49And I'm really excited to see what else she's got.
16:59On the journey to our next offering,
17:01it really feels like the band is back together.
17:05I mean, obviously, you two have been together
17:07for a very long time,
17:08but we're just watching you.
17:10It's like back to the old days.
17:12Because, I mean, obviously,
17:13I was working in the music industry.
17:15Yes, yes.
17:15Because people don't realise
17:17that we've known each other
17:18for nearly 25 years as well.
17:20You used to bring all the bands in,
17:21the Spice Girls, S Club.
17:23Desperate.
17:23To get my axe on your show.
17:25Yeah.
17:25Desperate I was.
17:27It's always been positive.
17:28We've always had that.
17:29And I think when we're together,
17:30it does seem to be more notable, aren't we,
17:32I think, together?
17:32Yeah.
17:33But a lot of people are still surprised
17:34that we're married.
17:35Even though we've been married for as long as we have,
17:38they remember us both on children's TV.
17:41Admit it.
17:41You're still surprised as well.
17:44Honestly.
17:45I'm saying nothing.
17:49The next house I want Angelica and Michael to see
17:51is in the village of Abbots-Curswell.
17:54Situated in a quiet valley
17:56just outside Torquay on the south coast,
17:58it's an area they're familiar with.
18:01In a hamlet of just five properties
18:03a mile from the village centre,
18:05I've got a feeling this house
18:06could be right up Angelica's street.
18:13Step inside.
18:15Oh, look at that.
18:17I'm taken by the gate already.
18:20Look.
18:22Oh, my goodness.
18:24All right, first of all,
18:24I am noticing the walled garden.
18:26Yes.
18:27I love a walled garden.
18:28And that gate.
18:29I like that.
18:29I love the stonework.
18:31Stonework is beautiful.
18:33I like that sort of orangery, conservatory.
18:35It looks lovely.
18:36And it's quite rural.
18:37We were just driving along those country lanes going,
18:39ooh, where are we going?
18:41We are attached to next door,
18:42just so that you know.
18:44Didn't look like this 200 years ago
18:46when it was built.
18:46It has been lovingly restored
18:48and extended as well.
18:50And you noticed it straight away
18:52because I know you love your gardens.
18:53I love it.
18:54Yeah.
18:54So you have the original walled garden
18:56going all the way around.
18:58So nice.
18:59And that tree.
19:01Isn't it lovely?
19:02And the tree behind it
19:03is a magnolia tree.
19:05It's huge pink magnolia buds.
19:07Beautiful.
19:07In February.
19:08Yeah.
19:09So much so that people come along here
19:11to take photographs
19:11because it's so pretty.
19:13I'm seeing revenue.
19:16I love it.
19:17Business opportunities.
19:19Honestly.
19:20They weren't joking
19:21when they said you were money savvy,
19:23were they?
19:24Built with local stone,
19:26this property is 200 years old
19:28and surprisingly isn't listed.
19:30It was originally the gardener's cottage
19:32for the neighbouring manor house.
19:34History lesson over.
19:36Let's begin in the new extension.
19:38So I think we should start off
19:40in the garden room stroke kitchen
19:42because it's so lovely.
19:45Yeah.
19:45It's like you're outside
19:46but you're inside.
19:48Yeah.
19:48Light, airy.
19:50It's what we were saying
19:51that we like, isn't it?
19:52Yeah.
19:52In our sort of social space
19:53to have loads of light
19:54as much as we can.
19:55This extension was put on
19:56about eight, nine years ago.
19:58Right.
19:59Yeah, it's really sympathetic
20:00to the age of the property.
20:02In a way,
20:02I'm going to call this
20:03one reception room,
20:04the garden room,
20:05which you can use all year round.
20:06But it actually benefits
20:08from two more reception rooms.
20:09Oh.
20:10Yeah.
20:10It's deceivingly large.
20:12Let's wander
20:13and I'll show you more.
20:14Okay.
20:14Ooh.
20:17Yes.
20:19Ooh.
20:19Ooh.
20:20Hang on.
20:21So you've got your fireplace
20:22behind you
20:23with your exposed stone.
20:25But look at that little window
20:27and that door there.
20:28So cute.
20:28You've got another archway.
20:29Another archway.
20:31It's these little touches
20:32everywhere.
20:33When you look at a house,
20:35are you influenced
20:36by the way someone's decorated it
20:37or can you see past it?
20:39See past it.
20:39Yeah.
20:40We've had to,
20:41haven't we?
20:41Really?
20:42Every house we've bought,
20:43we've had to think,
20:44hmm,
20:44that's not quite right,
20:45but we can see
20:45straight through that.
20:46And also,
20:47sometimes you get inspiration.
20:48It wouldn't put us off
20:49if somebody had decorated
20:50a place in a way
20:50that perhaps wasn't...
20:51Because you could
20:52miss an opportunity.
20:53Yeah.
20:53It makes a potential
20:54for growth.
20:56You're property savvy,
20:57aren't you?
20:58I do like it.
20:59Why don't you wander through,
21:00past the kitchen,
21:01have a look,
21:02and then why don't you
21:03go upstairs and explore?
21:04Oh.
21:05Yeah.
21:05Why don't you?
21:06I hadn't even finished
21:07the conversation.
21:07That is how keen she is.
21:11Go on.
21:12Go on.
21:12What's the matter now?
21:14You've ruined it.
21:15You've ruined the end.
21:17They're loving it.
21:18They're absolutely loving it.
21:20So that's the front door,
21:22I'm guessing.
21:23OK.
21:23So you come in here.
21:25Oh, this is lovely.
21:27Oh, this is very nice.
21:30Again, the brightness.
21:32I love that you can just
21:33go straight out
21:34into the garden.
21:35Yes.
21:36Nice fireplace.
21:37Really nice.
21:38The beam,
21:39high enough
21:40so you don't bang your head.
21:43Upstairs,
21:43a central hallway
21:44leads to four bedrooms,
21:46which include
21:46two large doubles
21:48with ensuite bathrooms
21:49and a smaller room
21:51used as a study.
21:53So what have we got?
21:54So we've got
21:55bedroom.
21:56Bedroom here.
21:57Bedroom.
21:58I love the latches
21:59on the doors.
22:00It's so good.
22:00So nice.
22:03Storage.
22:03Another bedroom just here.
22:05OK.
22:06And now we feel like
22:07we're moving into
22:08another park, maybe.
22:12This seems like
22:13it's the main bedroom.
22:15Oh, I like it.
22:16There's something about
22:16these A-frames going in.
22:18Yeah.
22:18It's been done really nicely
22:19as well.
22:20Really nice.
22:20The finishes are really,
22:21really good.
22:22So hang on,
22:22so how many bedrooms
22:22is that?
22:23One, two, three,
22:23so four bedrooms?
22:24I think so.
22:26And that office is a small,
22:27is it three and a half,
22:28would you say?
22:29Maybe.
22:30So the house tour
22:31is going very well indeed
22:33and the vibe I'm getting
22:35from eavesdropping
22:36is downstairs.
22:38I mean,
22:38it's beautiful.
22:40Upstairs,
22:41a little bit smaller
22:42and thinking of the family,
22:44they might want
22:45a bit more space.
22:46So one,
22:48two,
22:48three.
22:48So it's probably marketed
22:53as a four,
22:54I would imagine.
22:55Oh,
22:56we've got to start thinking
22:57about pricing now.
22:58Yeah.
23:00Angelica's keen
23:01to talk money,
23:02but before that...
23:04When you're house hunting
23:09with two iconic faces
23:11of kids' TV,
23:12you've got to take
23:13the opportunity
23:14to put their knowledge
23:15and skills to the test.
23:17In the best tradition
23:18of children's television
23:20DIY arts and crafts,
23:22of course.
23:24I want you both
23:25to create your own homes.
23:28If they've got
23:28eco-credentials,
23:29even better.
23:30So,
23:31here are your raw materials.
23:33We've got scissors.
23:34Be careful
23:34because they are sharp.
23:35Yes.
23:36You used to have to say
23:37that a lot,
23:37didn't you?
23:37Oh, yeah.
23:38All the warnings.
23:38Make sure you've got
23:39an adult with you
23:39and all that.
23:40All that, yeah.
23:41We have glue,
23:41we have toilet rolls,
23:43look at these pipe cleaners,
23:44lollipop sticks.
23:46Feeling confident?
23:47Oh, yes.
23:47Let's do this.
23:47Yeah.
23:48Are you ready?
23:49Yes.
23:49One, two, three, go.
23:51If I'm not good at this,
23:52this is going to be
23:52about to see if any
23:53of the children I teach
23:54are watching this.
23:55They're like,
23:56Mr Underwood.
23:57To be fair,
23:58you were always better
23:58at crafts than me.
23:59I loved it.
24:00This is so annoying.
24:01And that's good.
24:02Oh, yeah.
24:03I'm going to try
24:03something like this.
24:03I'm just going to do
24:04a green roof
24:05to make it like
24:05a green thingy roof.
24:07There's only two sheets
24:08of dark green.
24:09Yeah, I've got one.
24:10OK.
24:10I've got light grass
24:11on one side.
24:13Bonus point for the
24:14eco-credentials,
24:15Mr Underwood.
24:16Do you remember
24:16I did a show
24:17called The Big Bang?
24:18The thing about
24:18that show was,
24:20you know,
24:20you had amazing
24:21researchers.
24:21So if I ever
24:22messed up a make,
24:23they would just come
24:23and sort of hand me
24:24the perfectly finished
24:25one.
24:25So, you know,
24:26great researchers.
24:27Unlike on this show.
24:28That's right.
24:30She doesn't mean it.
24:32Wait, what am I doing?
24:32I'm just doing
24:33nothing more now.
24:34Michael, you look
24:35like you're doing well.
24:35We have structure there.
24:37Angelica, very creative.
24:39All front by the looks
24:40of it.
24:40All front.
24:41All, always.
24:42I'm saying nothing.
24:43All front.
24:45This is my thatched cottage.
24:47Are you doing a thatched cottage?
24:48Like that.
24:50This is creative.
24:51Yeah, I see what you've done.
24:52I see what you've done there.
24:53You have one minute left.
24:55This is fun.
24:56We're taking it a bit
24:57too seriously,
24:58I think this is the problem.
24:59Whilst they put the finishing
25:00touches to their grand designs,
25:02it's that time
25:03you've all been waiting for.
25:05Here's one I made earlier.
25:09A prime example
25:11of sustainable living,
25:13this eco cottage
25:14features all the mod cons,
25:16including a lush living roof
25:18and solar panels.
25:20To one side,
25:21a newly installed
25:22EV charging point,
25:24an air source heat pump,
25:26as well as a high-spec
25:27wind turbine.
25:29Reclaimed wooden shutters
25:30add a touch of character charm
25:32to this otherwise
25:33contemporary home.
25:35Total cost of materials,
25:36little more than a tenner.
25:39I think that deserves
25:40a blue Peter badge,
25:41even if I do say so myself.
25:47Right, you two,
25:48it's almost time for the bell.
25:50Five,
25:51four,
25:52three,
25:54two,
25:55one.
25:56Put everything down, please.
25:57Everything down.
25:59That's it,
25:59time up.
26:00Talk me through this creation.
26:19Yes,
26:20obviously you can see
26:21it's a sizeable property.
26:23You can see with the eco credentials,
26:24I've gone with the,
26:25this is the grass roof.
26:26So it's a living roof.
26:27Living roof.
26:28Lovely.
26:28And a different two-tone
26:29living roof I went with,
26:30because it'll be a nice touch.
26:31Yes.
26:32Chimney.
26:33And then here at the front,
26:34you can see I've got like mushrooms,
26:35and there's a nice growth here.
26:36This is a heat pump.
26:38Very good.
26:38And this is a modern tree.
26:40Very good.
26:40Very good.
26:41Angelica,
26:42would you like to talk me
26:42through your creation?
26:44So I've used reclaimed curtains.
26:47Very nice.
26:48It's sustainable.
26:49And these are window boxes
26:50with flowers.
26:52The roof is sustainable.
26:54Right.
26:55In what way?
26:55Soda powers.
26:56Oh, hello.
26:57Yeah.
26:58You said that was a fax roof.
26:59No, it changed my mind.
27:01Oh.
27:02You do you.
27:05A little bit of artistic license.
27:07It just changed your mind.
27:07Well, well done, both of you.
27:09I thought, you know,
27:10there were times
27:11where I did have my doubts.
27:13Not going to lie.
27:14But I think you've both
27:15come through with the goods.
27:16Hmm.
27:18We'll have to call that a draw,
27:20but neither has given me
27:22a run for my money.
27:24Speaking of which...
27:25So let's see how we're going
27:28to get on with the price.
27:29Right.
27:30What do you think
27:30it's on the market for?
27:32This is going to be tricky, isn't it?
27:32Shall I go first?
27:33Because you went first
27:33on my last house.
27:34So I'll go first this time.
27:35So we've got four double bedrooms.
27:36I reckon it's just over
27:372,000 square feet
27:38quite close to Torquay.
27:40So the seaside's just
27:40a few miles away.
27:41Shall we get a figure?
27:44So I'm going to go 875.
27:46Right.
27:47For the very reasons you said,
27:49I'm going to go 795.
27:51Oh, really?
27:51Are you?
27:52Just because it's attached.
27:53Oh, yeah, that's a good point.
27:54I didn't, yeah.
27:55Four double bedrooms.
27:56You are Ā£100,000 out.
28:02Michael, your eyes.
28:03Michael is the closest.
28:04The asking price is Ā£895,000.
28:07So, yes, yeah.
28:09So you're pretty good at this.
28:10Yeah, it doesn't surprise me.
28:12What, being good at it?
28:13No, no, it doesn't surprise me at all.
28:15No, the price didn't surprise me.
28:18I thought it would be just that little bit more,
28:19just where it is.
28:20On the market for Ā£895,000,
28:24this stunning four-bedroom cottage
28:27and barn conversion
28:28has been completed
28:29to an extremely high standard,
28:32retaining a wealth of original features
28:34which I knew Angelica would appreciate.
28:37It is a beautifully done home, isn't it?
28:40It's so well-appointed.
28:42Is it right for the two of you?
28:44I love the downstairs
28:45and what can be done.
28:46I just thought the upstairs
28:47are slightly small.
28:50But...
28:51It had such a lovely feel, though, didn't it?
28:52Yeah.
28:53On that note,
28:54shall we make a move?
28:55Absolutely, come on.
28:59A day one done.
29:01Two fantastic houses.
29:03Or three, if you include mine.
29:05If, like Angelica,
29:19you're after a home with history,
29:21then you're in luck,
29:22because here in Devon,
29:23character charm comes in all shapes and sizes.
29:26This two-bedroom grade two-listed cottage
29:30in the seaside town of Dawlish
29:32dates to 1539
29:33and boasts a thatched roof,
29:36original panelling
29:37and a spiral stone staircase,
29:39all for the asking price of Ā£290,000.
29:44For those with much deeper pockets
29:47or who are looking to buy
29:48with ten of their closest friends,
29:51this ancient manor house
29:52on the edge of Dartmoor
29:53has no fewer than nine bedrooms
29:56and seven reception rooms.
30:00For the princely sum of Ā£3.1 million,
30:04you could be lording it up Devonian style.
30:07Or, if it's a short-term escape you're after,
30:12what about a weekend away
30:13in this 18th-century turreted folly?
30:16Restored in 1994 from near ruin,
30:19you can now stay in the second-floor
30:21penthouse apartment
30:22for Ā£300 a night.
30:25But be warned,
30:27if you want to take in
30:28the panoramic views from the top,
30:30you'll have to climb the 99 steps to get there.
30:35It's a brand-new day here
30:37in Glorious Devon
30:38with Angelica and Michael.
30:40And I'm going to be honest,
30:41it's a little bit blustery
30:42but still so picturesque.
30:45And we have a mystery house to show them
30:47which I think sums up
30:48everything you know and love
30:50about Escape to the Country.
30:52It is a true rural gem.
30:55But first,
30:56I'm going to show them a property
30:57that is definitely going to get
30:59their creative cogs turning.
31:03Our next property stop
31:04is in the village of Aylesbeer,
31:06eight miles east of Exeter.
31:08The church here dates to the 13th century
31:11and is a popular destination
31:12for history buffs
31:13surrounded by picture-perfect
31:16period properties.
31:18But I want to show Angelica and Michael
31:20an architectural gem
31:21from a more recent era.
31:23On an impressive three-acre level plot
31:28without buildings,
31:29a paddock and orchard,
31:31the possibilities with this house
31:33are endless.
31:34And the one thing we pride ourselves on
31:39with Escape to the Country
31:41is showing people
31:43different types of property,
31:45something perhaps they might not
31:46have considered for themselves.
31:49And I think this,
31:50we're standing here,
31:52it looks extremely different
31:53from yesterday
31:54and a very handsome family home.
31:57Yeah, that needs a lot of work.
31:59Now, you're saying that
32:01without even stepping through the door.
32:02No.
32:03You've got a sense.
32:04Yeah.
32:04Yeah.
32:05With this property,
32:06beautiful family home
32:07with so much potential.
32:10Yeah.
32:11Potential is the word.
32:12Yeah.
32:13Ready to step inside?
32:15Absolutely.
32:15Shall we?
32:16I thought I said,
32:16I'm never doing a Renault again.
32:20Built in 1933,
32:22this might not be the style of property
32:24Angelica and Michael
32:25were expecting to see,
32:27but inside,
32:28I think they could be
32:29pleasantly surprised.
32:32So let's start off
32:33with the first
32:33of the two reception rooms.
32:36And I think here
32:37you really get to appreciate
32:38the age of this property.
32:40And it has got so many
32:42of the original features.
32:43Look at that beautiful fireplace.
32:44Do you know what?
32:45I thought it would need more work.
32:46And so much light.
32:48There's just light
32:48and windows everywhere.
32:49And because it's such
32:50a beautiful view,
32:51you want to be able
32:51to see it, don't you,
32:52all the time.
32:52So I love that double aspect.
32:54They've put on
32:54sort of a garden room there
32:55with dining.
32:56So making the use
32:57of that outside space again.
33:00And what about things
33:01like the fireplace?
33:02Do you like that?
33:04I mean, I don't know
33:04whether I'd keep it,
33:05but it's beautiful
33:06and I'd sell it on.
33:08I'd buy it off you.
33:09There you go.
33:10Okay.
33:10I love it.
33:10You've got a deal.
33:11A little deal.
33:11Lovely.
33:12Make some money back.
33:13I absolutely love it.
33:15I'd be getting it valued, so.
33:16Yeah, exactly.
33:17No make rates.
33:20I knew that was coming.
33:22Can't get anything
33:23past this one.
33:25Next up,
33:26the kitchen
33:26at the back of the house.
33:30Okay.
33:31Now, that is bigger
33:32than I was expecting,
33:33to be fair.
33:33I was not expecting that.
33:35This house has so many
33:36hidden merits to it.
33:38You've got a really
33:39good-sized utility.
33:41Yes, it's ready
33:42for the next bit of love.
33:43You know, the people
33:44have been here a long time
33:45and they have done
33:46so much to this house.
33:48It's just ready
33:48for the next owners.
33:49I mean, it's not
33:50the first 1930s home
33:51that we've looked at,
33:52is it?
33:53It's not a period
33:53we normally look at,
33:55but we nearly bought one,
33:56didn't we?
33:56Yeah.
33:57A number of years back.
33:57And it has the same feel
33:59and we were that close
34:00to taking it on.
34:03With this property,
34:03though, I'm thinking
34:04you need to extend,
34:05whether it's to the side
34:06or to the back.
34:08You want it even bigger?
34:10It's adding value.
34:11Yeah.
34:11She's like...
34:12I know.
34:13The project's just...
34:14But I know what you mean.
34:16The potential excites me,
34:17if I'm honest.
34:18It does,
34:19because I can see
34:19what we could do with it.
34:21Yeah, because that conservatory,
34:23you know, it's great
34:24and it's really light,
34:25but you could modernise it.
34:26Yeah.
34:26You've definitely got
34:28enough land this way.
34:29Enough land this way
34:30and enough land that way.
34:32Some interesting ideas developing.
34:35I know she said never again,
34:37but I wonder if this place
34:38could be Angelica's
34:40next passion project.
34:42Also downstairs
34:43is the second reception room
34:44at the front,
34:45making the most
34:46of those incredible views.
34:49This is a lovely banister.
34:51Yeah, it is, isn't it?
34:52It's well made.
34:55That can stay.
34:56And there are more
34:57noteworthy features
34:58in the bedrooms, too.
35:02Sink in a bedroom.
35:03Sink?
35:04I tell you what it is
35:04about a sink in a bedroom.
35:06It just doesn't...
35:07No, it reminds me
35:08when I first had my place
35:09and I got on CWBC
35:10and in my room
35:11I had that sort of,
35:12like, self-contained.
35:13Yes, yeah.
35:14Even though it's
35:15nearly 100 years old,
35:17it's really
35:18well looked after.
35:19So you wouldn't have to go in
35:21and do too much
35:23to each room,
35:23knock down walls and stuff.
35:24A lot of it
35:25is really decorative,
35:26isn't it?
35:26Yeah.
35:27It's as if
35:28walking into a time
35:29what that house
35:29we nearly bought.
35:30Yes.
35:31So similar.
35:32So similar.
35:33I'm not sure...
35:34I need to see this.
35:35I think this is...
35:36Is this a shower?
35:37Oh.
35:38Oh, wow.
35:40I mean,
35:41I mean, I can literally...
35:42I mean, that's perfect.
35:43From the shower
35:44into bed.
35:45Straight into bed.
35:46Oh, look, you can't see.
35:48What is...
35:49So that's in here?
35:50That's that room,
35:51so that's the shower.
35:52The shower backs into this.
35:54The room's quite a good size.
35:56Yeah.
35:56Oh, look, look.
35:57Yeah.
35:57Oh, hang on a minute.
35:58So we see all this as well.
36:00So we're talking about potential,
36:01the P word,
36:01but what they don't realise is
36:03there's a whole other layer
36:05to this house.
36:07That's quite a lot.
36:08On top of that?
36:09Oh, yes,
36:09because we parked here.
36:10They don't know
36:11it has planning permission
36:12to build another property
36:14next door.
36:16I love this hatch.
36:20Hiya.
36:20Hiya.
36:21You all right?
36:22It's the proper old pulley system
36:23as well.
36:23I love it.
36:24So good.
36:25That is just brilliant.
36:26So good.
36:27Bye.
36:27Bye.
36:27Come on.
36:28These two could play hide-and-seek
36:32here all day.
36:34I'll have to steer them
36:35towards another round
36:36of price-guessing instead,
36:38but not before
36:39they've checked out
36:39the orchard.
36:41It is amazing.
36:42I mean,
36:43just look at all the different
36:43types of apples here.
36:44I feel like you could have
36:45your own little brewery
36:46going.
36:47Before I ask you
36:50to guess the price,
36:51there's one small
36:53little thing
36:53I would like to add.
36:55Planning permission
36:56has been granted
36:58to come with this house.
37:00I know you've been
37:00talking about extending,
37:02but on top of that,
37:03you could build
37:04a three-bedroom house
37:06to the side
37:07of the property.
37:08It has already
37:09been granted.
37:12Look at your face.
37:14Now,
37:14that changes things
37:15slightly,
37:16doesn't it?
37:16Yes, it does.
37:17Wow.
37:18So,
37:18putting you on the spot,
37:20Angelica,
37:21do you want to go first?
37:22Guess the price?
37:23I'd probably have to say
37:24Ā£900,000 then.
37:26OK.
37:26Ā£900,000.
37:27Michael?
37:29Ā£875,000.
37:32Angelica is the closest,
37:34asking price,
37:36Ā£990,000.
37:38Right.
37:39That makes sense.
37:40That makes sense.
37:40It makes sense.
37:41It does.
37:42This already substantial
37:441930s property
37:46offers tremendous
37:47opportunity for growth.
37:49The three-acre plot
37:50includes a number
37:51of outbuildings
37:52and an orchard,
37:53not to mention
37:54planning permission
37:55for a second dwelling.
37:57So,
37:57this is where that
37:58planning permission
37:59has been granted then?
38:00Yeah.
38:00OK.
38:01This property
38:02is very intriguing.
38:05Yeah.
38:06It's just so much to see,
38:08so much potential.
38:09It's, like,
38:10quite overwhelming.
38:11Yeah.
38:12But it's sparking ideas
38:13of what could happen,
38:14what you could do,
38:16what could be explored.
38:18It's good value
38:19for money
38:20with all this land
38:21and you could really
38:22make that change
38:23from being in a city
38:24to having that
38:25sort of rural experience.
38:27This week,
38:36we've learnt that
38:37Angelica knows
38:38her own mind
38:39when it comes to property,
38:40but she also has
38:41a discerning palate.
38:43Eager to explore
38:44whether Devon's food scene
38:45rivals that of London,
38:47we're meeting up
38:48with one of the region's
38:49top chefs
38:50who has invited us
38:51for a private
38:52cookery class.
38:54Down at Exmouth Marina,
38:56Michael Caines,
38:57holder of two
38:58Michelin stars,
38:59is collecting
38:59his catch of the day.
39:01I was going
39:02to introduce them,
39:03but with Angelica's
39:04culinary connections,
39:06she tells me
39:07they're already
39:08well acquainted.
39:09Wow.
39:10How are you?
39:11Good to see you.
39:12Welcome back to Devon.
39:13Love it here.
39:14Nicky, great to see you here.
39:15Well, lovely to see you.
39:15We had to come down
39:16to the harbour.
39:17Yes.
39:17I mean, what a picturesque spot.
39:19Stunning, isn't it?
39:20Amazing.
39:21But most people
39:22go to the supermarket
39:23for their food.
39:24It's a little bit
39:24different here, isn't it?
39:25Yeah, I mean,
39:26Devon has got
39:26the most incredible larder
39:27and here we are
39:28on the dockside
39:29of Exmouth
39:30getting our Exeter crabs.
39:32So these are just fantastic.
39:33So are these local then?
39:34Yeah, they come from
39:35the Bay of Lime,
39:36which is just behind us.
39:37Do you want to hold one?
39:38These are absolutely
39:39quite weighted.
39:40The meat in these
39:41great big claws
39:41and in here you've got
39:42the brown crab meat.
39:43I have never seen
39:45a crab this large before.
39:46I know, it's huge, aren't they?
39:47Look at the pizzas.
39:48I mean, I love that
39:48it's locally sourced
39:49and that keeps money
39:50in the community.
39:51Yeah.
39:51And you know it's right.
39:53Well, we always talk
39:54about a sense of place
39:55and a sense of taste
39:56and then the larder
39:57in Devon is one of the best
39:58and of course
39:59we've got a wonderful
39:59pastures for grazing,
40:01cattle, great dairy
40:02for cheese.
40:03So it's just a great place
40:05if you're interested
40:06in food,
40:06which I know you are.
40:07She definitely is
40:08and I love eating.
40:09So what are we going
40:10to cook with these then?
40:11Well, I think we're going
40:12to make a little crab ravioli.
40:14A little?
40:14We're going to be doing
40:15a lot by the looks of it.
40:16Just two miles up the road
40:19is a beautiful
40:20Grade 2 listed
40:21Jordan country house
40:22which has been transformed
40:24into a five-star
40:25luxury hotel and restaurant
40:27opened by Michael
40:28in 2017.
40:31Welcome to
40:32Limster Manor's kitchen.
40:33Thank you, Chef.
40:34My humble abode.
40:34It's amazing.
40:35So we've taken
40:36that lovely crab
40:37and we've made
40:38this crab goose
40:38which is in here.
40:40So in there
40:41we've got blended scallops,
40:42the white crab meat
40:43and the brown crab meat
40:44and that's going to be
40:45the stuffing
40:46for these raviolis
40:47which you're going to make.
40:49So I'm going to make
40:49the first one
40:50and show you how to do it
40:51and then we're going to
40:52make them
40:53and then I'll cook them
40:54and then you can taste the dish.
40:55So how do you feel
40:56about that then, Nikki?
40:58I'm not known
40:59for my cooking ability.
41:00Michael,
41:01or I should say
41:01Chef,
41:02can everybody cook?
41:04Yeah, I mean
41:04it's not rocket science
41:05it's basic knowledge
41:07and confidence really
41:09and it's just about
41:09seasoning as well
41:10you know what you like
41:11to taste.
41:12Yeah, I know
41:13what I like to taste
41:13definitely
41:14and I'm very good
41:14at washing up.
41:15Good.
41:15So we'll see
41:16how we get on.
41:17She's a bit of a pro
41:17really.
41:18I know, exactly
41:18I'm feeling the pressure.
41:20No, this is good
41:21but this is a pasta machine.
41:22Yes, but you've won
41:23a very, very big competition
41:24when it comes to cooking.
41:26But do you know what?
41:26Coming in the kitchen
41:27makes you feel a bit stressed.
41:28Does it?
41:28It reminds me of that time
41:29when I was a monster
41:30for now.
41:30Is it coming back?
41:31It's all coming back
41:32but I love it
41:33that sort of adrenaline rush
41:34and it's like an art
41:36isn't it?
41:37Yeah.
41:37Making people love food
41:38and I can't wait.
41:39Okay.
41:40Using the crab mousse
41:41and pasta
41:42which are about
41:43as fresh as you can get
41:44Michael's preparing
41:46a delicate
41:46and intricate dish
41:47but of course
41:49he makes it look easy.
41:51Fold it back on itself
41:52and then just
41:53push it together
41:54and then you sit them
41:54on the table
41:55and you've got
41:56your little tools.
41:57How pretty does that
41:58look already?
41:59Shall I just pretend
42:00that's mine?
42:01Yeah.
42:01So I'll put the pasta
42:03through for you
42:04and so there's
42:05one for you.
42:07So take your mousse
42:08and the secret
42:11is don't overfill it.
42:12Is that about enough?
42:13Yes, perfect.
42:15I need a bit of water.
42:16Dab a little bit of water.
42:17There we go.
42:18Thank you, chef.
42:20Nicky, well done.
42:21Perfect.
42:21Last little bit.
42:22Wonderful.
42:22I'm liking the words
42:23of encouragement.
42:25That's it, perfect.
42:26Like there?
42:26Yeah, and then seal it down
42:27and then slowly,
42:29that's it, perfect.
42:31Is it now cut?
42:32Yep, absolutely.
42:33There?
42:33Yeah, that's it, yep.
42:34And then take this away,
42:35pick them up
42:36and join those two together.
42:38We'll do one more
42:38because I think
42:39practice makes perfect.
42:39So you've got
42:40like a nice crease there,
42:41aren't you?
42:41Yeah.
42:42So you've got to make sure
42:43you crease it properly,
42:43isn't it?
42:44Yeah, absolutely.
42:44That's very good.
42:46Amongst his accolades,
42:47Michael has been awarded
42:48an MBE for his services
42:50to the hospitality industry
42:52and has cooked
42:53for the Prime Minister
42:54at 10 Downing Street.
42:56Brilliant.
42:57Thankfully,
42:58he doesn't have
42:58any VIP customers
43:00booked in
43:01for this next service.
43:02Oh, look,
43:02it's gone over.
43:03Are you laughing at mine?
43:04Yeah.
43:05Do you know what?
43:06I love it.
43:06I can't argue.
43:08Actually,
43:08I'm quite impressed
43:09because, Nicky,
43:10if there's something
43:10that doesn't cook,
43:11you've got a very good technique.
43:13These mini masterpieces
43:15are cooked
43:15in just four minutes
43:17and, hey presto,
43:19here's one I made earlier.
43:21Sorry,
43:21I couldn't resist.
43:22And then some herbs
43:23as well, Angelica.
43:24OK.
43:25There's no right or wrong.
43:26It's either good or bad.
43:29I'm now really feeling
43:30the pressure, chef.
43:31Thanks.
43:32I was doing all right
43:33until that point.
43:34So now,
43:35we're going to just take
43:36a couple of spoons
43:37of sauce
43:38to put that on.
43:39That's it.
43:40And then one more.
43:41And then you've got
43:42your lovely green
43:43coriander oil.
43:44I have to say, ladies,
43:45these look very pretty.
43:47The proof of the pudding
43:48is in the eating.
43:49Would you serve this
43:50in your restaurant?
43:51I would, yes,
43:52and we do.
43:53So we might have
43:54to enjoy you.
43:55Well, I mean, like this.
43:56Look at that.
43:56That's beautiful.
43:57That's like a fan.
43:58Yeah, fair.
43:59I try to do it with a fan.
43:59Both are great.
44:00Yeah, it's different.
44:00Different tastes on it.
44:04Oh,
44:05that crab meat
44:06is gorgeous.
44:09Is it really
44:09to say delicious
44:10when you put it
44:10together yourself?
44:12No.
44:13No.
44:13No.
44:13We'll just keep going.
44:15You've never been
44:16known for being modest.
44:18The line.
44:21Our chef Supremo
44:22is clearly in her element
44:24in a professional kitchen.
44:25It's so pretty.
44:26Look.
44:27Yeah.
44:27You're in two already.
44:28Yeah, I knew you went
44:29for the third,
44:29but you're taking too long.
44:32And with dishes like this
44:34proving there's a steady
44:35supply of top-quality
44:36produce,
44:37cementing the region's
44:38culinary relationship
44:39with the land
44:40and seascapes,
44:41Angelica and hubby Michael
44:43will be spot for choice
44:45when dining in Devon.
44:57Our mystery house
44:59is a 40-minute drive
45:00east of Exeter
45:01in the hamlet
45:02of Salcombe Regis
45:03on the Jurassic Coast.
45:05This tranquil place
45:06pushes the couple
45:07out of their comfort zone
45:08into a far more
45:10rural pocket.
45:11But there are neighbours.
45:13A sanctuary home
45:13to these guys
45:14was founded
45:15over 50 years ago
45:16and is open
45:17to the public
45:18all year round.
45:19Now, I might have been
45:20doing this job
45:21for donkey's years,
45:23but as Michael knows,
45:24it's important
45:25to do your homework.
45:26So, I'm getting
45:27a kick-start
45:28at the mystery house.
45:29Just take a peek
45:32at this dream
45:34escaped-the-country
45:35thatched cottage.
45:37It is beautiful.
45:39It is immaculate.
45:40They're always going
45:41to put their own
45:41little stamp on it,
45:42but that's all
45:43that's needed to be done
45:44because inside
45:45it's divine.
45:47Come on,
45:48I'll show you.
45:50Despite being
45:51over 500 years old,
45:53this property
45:54has been
45:54sympathetically restored,
45:56retaining a host
45:57of original features
45:59like timber beams
46:00and Ingle Nook
46:01fireplaces built
46:02from local
46:03Salcombe stone.
46:04The result
46:05is a modern
46:06yet characterful
46:07and extremely
46:08stylish
46:09family home.
46:10You see, this
46:11to me
46:12and hopefully to you
46:13is the perfect
46:15escape property.
46:17I mean, just take a look
46:18at that fireplace alone.
46:19Everything in this house
46:20is immaculate.
46:22Let's hope
46:23Angelica and Michael's
46:24comments are the same.
46:27Welcome
46:34to our final property.
46:37Wow, look at this.
46:39Thatch.
46:39Another thatch.
46:40Another thatch.
46:42This is Devon.
46:43Devon has the
46:44most beautiful
46:45thatches, doesn't it?
46:46It does have
46:47the most beautiful
46:48thatches.
46:48And we're near
46:49the Jurassic Coast.
46:50Is that an olive tree?
46:52Yeah.
46:52Yeah.
46:52Shows how wild it is.
46:54Yeah, it's amazing.
46:55So shall we, for the final time,
46:57start the tour,
46:58the three of us?
46:59Yeah, let's do it.
47:01We may have brought them
47:02further from Exeter
47:03and deeper
47:04into the countryside
47:05than they asked for,
47:06but knowing these two
47:08have such an appreciation
47:09for history
47:10and high-quality renovation,
47:12it must be worth
47:14the journey.
47:16Ooh.
47:17So, stepping back
47:19to the 1500s.
47:20Wow.
47:21Starting off
47:22with the kitchen,
47:23which definitely
47:23didn't look like this
47:24back in the day.
47:25Goodness me.
47:26This is beautifully done.
47:27It is.
47:28It's a proper country kitchen.
47:30It's a proper country kitchen.
47:32This isn't too far off
47:33how we'd like it done,
47:35is it?
47:36This your taste?
47:37Yeah.
47:37Nice taste.
47:38It's really well proportioned.
47:40I think it's really well
47:41designed and laid out
47:42to maximise
47:43the space.
47:44Because the ceilings
47:45are a little bit lower
47:45as you'd expect
47:46in a cottage.
47:47Yeah.
47:47But the layout just works.
47:49It just works really well.
47:50It's lovely.
47:51Kitchen's getting the thumbs up.
47:52Let's go through here.
47:53See what you make
47:54of the next reception room.
47:56I'm going to call it
47:56the snug
47:57because we love a snug
47:58on Escape to the Cudgy.
47:59Just look at that fireplace.
48:01That's beautiful.
48:01But I am going to test
48:02your knowledge
48:03because you've got
48:04this fantastic archway
48:05with these timbers.
48:07So,
48:08it's that time again.
48:10La la la,
48:11Chapa's place time.
48:14Where do you think
48:15that timber is from?
48:17I've got an idea.
48:18I'm doing it.
48:18What are you going to say?
48:19I'm not telling you.
48:21I've written a project.
48:22Oh, you have written a lot.
48:23Oh, you have.
48:24OK, like, show us.
48:25I've put shipwrecks
48:26or ships near Torquay
48:28Limeary, Jacinmouth.
48:29So, that's my guess.
48:30Right.
48:31I'm a man of few words.
48:32I just put old ship.
48:35It's not a bit of old ship.
48:36And I'm glad you said that right.
48:38You will, exactly, yes.
48:39Um, it is from a ship.
48:41Oh, is it a specific one?
48:42And it is actually
48:43from a shipwreck
48:44on the local beach.
48:45Oh!
48:46So, Angelica...
48:48I think, yes.
48:49...gets the point.
48:50Yeah, well done.
48:52So, shall we step
48:53through the arch?
48:54Yes.
48:54Come on.
48:56Look at that.
48:58An old ship
48:58is a shipwreck.
49:00I mean,
49:00it's not going to be
49:00a new ship.
49:01It's warm, isn't it?
49:03There's another...
49:04Look at this!
49:05Well, I'm standing
49:06in front of it
49:07just to get warm.
49:07Oh, it's beautiful.
49:09More of the wood panelling.
49:10I was going to say.
49:11It's got that sort of
49:12churchy warmth
49:14with the candles.
49:15I don't know
49:16when the candles,
49:16the wood...
49:17There's something, isn't there?
49:18Yeah.
49:18And the walls are so thick
49:19that there's...
49:20Just the sound in here
49:21is so quiet.
49:22It's just...
49:22It's really peaceful.
49:23I love this room.
49:24I can imagine
49:25our piano there
49:25and my cello
49:27somewhere.
49:28Nice.
49:29Yeah, I agree.
49:29There is an awful lot
49:31to see in this property.
49:32So, go and enjoy.
49:34Check out that staircase.
49:37You won't have seen
49:37anything like it.
49:39Oh, it's incredible.
49:41It is incredible.
49:42I've only seen
49:43two staircases like it.
49:44That's the second time.
49:45It's beautiful.
49:47Wow, look at the...
49:48I mean, these are just...
49:50I don't think I've ever
49:50seen a staircase like this.
49:52They're special.
49:53It's got an ecclesiastical...
49:54It really does.
49:56It really, really does.
49:57Just everything's
49:58so well thought out.
50:00Bathroom.
50:01Beautiful.
50:02You wouldn't have
50:03to do anything.
50:04No.
50:05No, you wouldn't.
50:05The shower room.
50:08Dressing room.
50:09It's just a wonderful size.
50:11It's just plenty, isn't it?
50:12You've got...
50:12Lots of light coming in
50:13from the aspect.
50:14Loads of light.
50:15Because this property
50:16is Grade 2 listed,
50:17any changes they wanted
50:19to make would need
50:19to be done respectfully
50:21and with the necessary
50:22permissions.
50:23I can't get over
50:24how well it's been finished.
50:25I think it really isn't
50:26dissimilar to how
50:27we might do it.
50:28It's so beautiful.
50:31But as the work
50:32has already been done,
50:33seemingly to their taste,
50:35all they'd need to do
50:36is unpack their bags
50:37and settle into country life.
50:39As well as the three upstairs,
50:41there's a further bedroom
50:42on the ground floor.
50:46Oh, look.
50:48So this, again,
50:49we're back to Snoke territory,
50:50aren't we?
50:51I'm going to have
50:51a little sit down.
50:52This, I see this
50:54as the TV room.
50:55Hang out, chill,
50:57sofa, snuggy,
50:58and the other part more...
50:59Sort of grown up.
51:00Yeah.
51:01Yeah.
51:01No, I love this.
51:02It's lovely.
51:03Yeah, it is.
51:05Last, but by no means least,
51:07I'm sending them out
51:08to explore a very special
51:10mystery building
51:11which could be put
51:12to any number of uses.
51:17Ooh!
51:19So what do you feel?
51:20Do you think gym?
51:21Yeah.
51:24Let me see what's upstairs.
51:26Yeah.
51:27With central heating,
51:29plumbing,
51:29and wiring in place,
51:31it would be easy enough
51:32to fit a kitchen
51:33and bathroom in here,
51:34giving Angelica
51:35her project fix.
51:37We've got two bedrooms
51:38up here.
51:40Oh, yeah.
51:41Two double rooms.
51:43Well, this is,
51:43I mean, this is nice.
51:44I can imagine...
51:46Well, if you could have
51:47people come over and stay.
51:47Yeah, exactly.
51:49This is Nicky's quarters.
51:50I mean, Nicky would say
51:52it'd be good to rent this out
51:53during, like, the holiday season,
51:54in the summer holidays.
51:55He's right.
51:56I would.
51:57Yeah.
51:58You could do that with it,
51:58couldn't you?
51:59You really could.
52:01And with their business brains
52:02activated,
52:03it's time to crunch the numbers.
52:05Now, we've had some fun
52:09with these chalkboards,
52:10haven't we?
52:10Yeah.
52:11Well, we have.
52:11You know, but
52:12for the final time,
52:14winner takes all.
52:15Whoever gets closest
52:16or on the money
52:17to the asking price
52:19is the overall winner.
52:20How much
52:21is this beautiful
52:23thatched
52:24grade two
52:25listed cottage
52:26in Devon,
52:27so close to the coast
52:28but surrounded
52:29by beautiful countryside?
52:31How much is it
52:32on the market for?
52:33Do you want to go first?
52:34Yeah.
52:34Go on, then.
52:361.2 million.
52:38Wow.
52:40You got high.
52:41I went low.
52:42Okay.
52:44Oh, interesting.
52:45Ā£850,000.
52:47Yeah.
52:48The ultimate winner
52:49is...
52:51Come on.
52:51How much was it?
52:56It's on the market
52:57for Ā£895,000.
53:00Really?
53:01Wow.
53:02I'm just really shocked.
53:03Yeah.
53:04It's grade two listed
53:04and if people are looking
53:06for something
53:07of that history...
53:09Yeah.
53:09Exceptional.
53:10It is an exceptional property.
53:12That's a steal.
53:14This grade two listed
53:15mystery cottage
53:16has got to be
53:17the ultimate escape
53:19to the country property.
53:20We pushed the boundaries
53:22of this search area
53:23to bring them here
53:24but in doing that
53:25we delivered
53:25the combination
53:26of history
53:27and high standard
53:28of renovation
53:29that Angelica
53:30and Michael love.
53:32I don't often get
53:33to see houses
53:34like this.
53:35Actually,
53:35all the houses
53:36we've shown you
53:37have been remarkable
53:38but this one,
53:40you could argue,
53:41is the cherry on the cake.
53:42Let's go sit down
53:43and have a chat
53:44and find out
53:45what happens next.
53:46Yeah?
53:46Yeah.
53:47Sounds good.
53:50It does feel
54:01in a way
54:01like we've been
54:02on holiday.
54:03It has been a lot of fun.
54:04It's been really nice
54:04to see different areas
54:05as well.
54:06We know this area,
54:07direct area really well
54:08but actually
54:09just by going
54:1020 minutes further out
54:11you go to a completely
54:12new area
54:12and it's actually
54:13really nice to see that.
54:14Yeah.
54:14And it's been interesting
54:15because you've shown us
54:16properties that we
54:16wouldn't necessarily
54:17have looked at ourselves.
54:18Never in a million years
54:21I think I'd walk
54:22into a thatched cottage.
54:24Yeah.
54:24And pretty much
54:25stuck to Victorian.
54:26Yes.
54:27Yeah.
54:28But it's interesting
54:29to see what you can get
54:30and what those properties
54:32look like
54:32and the charm they have.
54:33So it's been
54:34really, really good.
54:35And every property
54:36we showed you
54:36was well under your budget.
54:38Yes.
54:38Which was great.
54:39And which was surprising
54:40when you took us
54:40to the first house
54:41the long house.
54:42Yes.
54:43The thatched one.
54:44That immediate reaction
54:46was like
54:46whoa
54:47look at this
54:48impressive.
54:49Yeah I mean
54:50the curb appeal
54:50was just
54:51and that's so important
54:52I think with the property
54:52isn't it
54:52that curb appeal
54:53just draws you in
54:54straight away.
54:55So Michael
54:56would it be fair to say
54:56that long house
54:57the long thatch
54:58stole your heart?
54:59Yeah I think it did.
55:00I think there's things
55:01that we could do to it
55:02to improve it
55:02and the garden
55:03definitely was something
55:04very special.
55:04And for you Angelica?
55:06I liked it.
55:08But you know
55:09when you
55:09can put your
55:11complete stamp
55:12on something?
55:13Yeah.
55:13That is quite attractive
55:14even though I said
55:15I'd never do a project.
55:16You did.
55:17Are we going back
55:18on that young lady?
55:19But I put my hands up
55:20and say I am doing that.
55:22The Angelica magic
55:23on property three.
55:26Ooh.
55:26On the 1930s house.
55:29I mean I agree with you.
55:30I really really
55:31love that property as well
55:32and I think we both
55:33got very excited
55:34about what we could do.
55:35The only thing
55:36that sort of threw me on it
55:37was my sort of
55:37financial brain kicked in.
55:39I just thought
55:40okay we pay this amount
55:41for the property
55:42we want to do this to it
55:43so that's going to be
55:44that amount.
55:45I think it would
55:45definitely be an amazing
55:46investment
55:46and I'm sure we would
55:47get the money back
55:48but I think that's
55:49what stopped me from
55:49sort of falling in love
55:50with it fully.
55:51Maybe we need to come back.
55:52We need to come back.
55:53Yes.
55:53And I think in a way
55:54some really interesting things
55:56have come up
55:56haven't they?
55:57Yeah.
55:57You think you know an area
55:59until you really start looking.
56:01You think you know property
56:01until someone says
56:03well we're going to show you
56:04something that you might
56:05not have considered.
56:06Yeah.
56:06So more chats to be had.
56:08More chats to be had.
56:09More chats to be had.
56:11I thought she was going to be
56:12mischief over the last few days.
56:14Well I know.
56:14I thought more mischief.
56:16But so well behaved.
56:17She's very sensible you see.
56:18She's gorgeous.
56:19But she takes it seriously
56:20because she knows her stuff.
56:22Thank you guys.
56:24We have loved having you.
56:25Were we allowed to do that with tea?
56:27Look at cheesing with tea.
56:28Yeah.
56:28We're so showbiz.
56:29Gorgeous.
56:35In classic Angelica style
56:37she started off the week saying
56:39she didn't want a project
56:40and by the end of it
56:42the house that she loves the most
56:44is the biggest project of them all.
56:46So it does seem
56:47more conversations
56:48are going to need to be had.
56:50But we do know that
56:51whatever decision they come to
56:53it will be the right one for them
56:55and their beautiful family.
57:00If you would love to escape to the country
57:03in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
57:05remember you don't need to be famous.
57:08Why not apply it online at
57:09bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
57:14So are you sitting comfortably?
57:17Because I'm not.
57:18Has anyone got a cushion?
57:19I don't know.
57:20I don't know.
57:20I don't know.
57:21I don't know.
57:22I don't know.
57:22I don't know.
57:22I don't know.
57:23I don't know.
57:23I don't know.
57:24I don't know.
57:24I don't know.
57:25I don't know.
57:25I don't know.
57:26I don't know.
57:26I don't know.
57:27I don't know.
57:27I don't know.
57:28I don't know.
57:28I don't know.
57:29I don't know.
57:29I don't know.
57:30I don't know.
57:30I don't know.
57:31I don't know.
57:31I don't know.
57:32I don't know.
57:32I don't know.
57:33I don't know.
57:33I don't know.
57:34I don't know.
57:34I don't know.
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