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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,
00:20searching for peaceful country properties...
00:23Couldn't be more stunning, could it? It's sold!
00:25We're moving tonight, yes.
00:27..in truly spectacular scenery.
00:29It is absolutely stunning, isn't it?
00:31Wow.
00:32I want to get inside and have a look.
00:33The 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 are lounging on the lilo of life.
00:51That is what we're doing here.
00:53We're just living the dream.
00:55So join us as we catch up with those who transformed their lives
00:59when they escaped to the country.
01:02Finding the perfect home in the countryside is not always easy.
01:23It often takes a lot of time, patience and endurance.
01:27And just when you're thinking this is never, ever going to happen,
01:31every now and again, fate has a habit of stepping in and lending a helping hand.
01:37And sometimes, as you're about to find out, that helping hand is this one.
01:43Or this one.
01:44Or both.
01:46We'll begin our journey back in time in the glorious Welsh Valleys,
01:51before heading to Herefordshire, the county that forms part of the border between England and Wales.
01:56Coming up later, Jules Hudson will be catching up with a couple who were hoping to become his new neighbours in the spring of 2024.
02:05But first, I'm popping in on Anjali and Charlie, who I also met last year.
02:12They were looking for a new home in South Wales, a place that already meant a lot to them.
02:17So we got married in Cardiff, so Cardiff is already a very special area for us.
02:27In the spring of 2024, Anjali and Charlie were living in the city of Doncaster.
02:33But we're ready for a new chapter in the Welsh Valleys, drawn by Charlie's new role at Cardiff University
02:40and the opportunity to live closer to family.
02:43My parents live in the Brecon Beacons, stunning area, lovely views, the mountains, and an amazing place to grow up as a child.
02:52Rural Wales may have already felt like a home for Charlie, but this move represented a big change for Anjali,
02:58who was used to Indian megacities like Hyderabad, whose population is greater than the whole of Wales.
03:05I grew up in multiple cities across India. My father used to travel a lot. I travelled with him, all the big cities.
03:11I've never actually lived in the countryside.
03:14Rural views were at the top of their wish list.
03:17The problem is, I'm at my desk for most of the day, and that's my view.
03:22As well as a more inspiring outlook, they wanted a modern property with three bedrooms, a study and more outside space,
03:30ideally with EV charging in place. Their budget? £340,000.
03:36Our property search began in the mid-Glamorgan town of Aberdeer, where, less than a mile from the centre, we viewed our first house.
03:46Here it is, house number one.
03:48Wow, it looks lovely.
03:49That is pretty. That is so pretty.
03:51It's a really nice shape, isn't it? Have you seen the view?
03:54Yes.
03:55Shall we have a look inside?
03:56Yes.
03:57Come on in.
03:58I can't wait.
03:59As requested, this was a modern and detached home, built in 2007, with an EPC rating at the top of band C.
04:09Come on in.
04:10This is so pretty.
04:11Oh, it's lovely with the bay window, isn't it?
04:13Yeah.
04:14Nice cosy room.
04:15Imagining the Christmas tree and the bay window.
04:17Ah.
04:18Then you've pretty much moved in once you've moved in.
04:20Yeah.
04:21To the rear of the house was the spacious kitchen diner.
04:25Oh, wow.
04:27Wow.
04:28It's a really nicely done kitchen as well.
04:30This is beautiful.
04:31Isn't it lovely?
04:32Stunning.
04:33This is exactly what we'd want, isn't it?
04:35Yeah.
04:37The positivity continued upstairs, where there were four bedrooms, the largest of which was an en suite.
04:44This is the main bedroom.
04:47Oh, wow.
04:48You're kind of in a built-up area, but you don't feel it, because...
04:52Because we're high up.
04:53Yeah.
04:54As this house was selling itself, I left Anjali and Charlie to work out the remaining rooms on their own.
05:00Yeah, so this would be perfect for my study.
05:03So you'd have the large room for your office, then?
05:05Yes, I'll have the big room for my...
05:06So it would be my office?
05:07No.
05:08Yeah.
05:09I get the bigger office.
05:10Well, that didn't take long to sort out.
05:12Outside, there was a slightly bigger challenge.
05:16So here we have the garden.
05:18Okay.
05:19I left the trees around.
05:21Yeah, I left the trees around.
05:22Yeah.
05:23Lovely, lovely natural trees all around.
05:25Yes.
05:26But not natural grass.
05:28No.
05:29No, it's not.
05:30Everything else is just there.
05:31And the thing with the turf is we could slowly chip away at it.
05:34Do you think you can afford it?
05:36I have an optimistic price point.
05:38So I'm going to guess it at £315,000.
05:42I was going to guess at £320,000.
05:44Well, you're both a bit optimistic because this is on the market for £330,000.
05:50Okay.
05:51You can kind of see why.
05:52It has the four bedrooms, it's detached, space, so, you know, nothing really to complain about that way.
05:59It really was a cracking start.
06:02Charlie and Anjali loved this modern detached home.
06:05And with a price tag under budget, it meant room to make some changes.
06:11Inside is proper turnkey.
06:13We could literally just move in tomorrow and everything from the colour to the tiles, it's just the way we like it.
06:20The AstroTurf is something we'd have to change, but I think with the house the way it is, that's something we can do because the rest of the house, we can live here without having to do much work.
06:31Next, we travelled to the south of the county, headed for the village of Guilfac Rock.
06:36I had a similar style home to show them, but with some extra perks.
06:41That is beautiful.
06:42That is lovely.
06:43Wow.
06:44Skylines.
06:45I'm looking immediately at the skyline.
06:46And the view across behind that fence there as well.
06:49Beautiful.
06:50That is stunning.
06:51Are you already sold?
06:52Do you need to go inside?
06:53Of course I want to go inside.
06:56This detached house was built in 2008, and we started our tour in the large reception room.
07:02This is beautiful.
07:03That's a living room.
07:04This is a living room, yep.
07:05Isn't it great?
07:06Yeah.
07:07It's like a proper upgrade in terms of our living space from what we have.
07:11Let's look at the kitchen.
07:12That's really nice, too.
07:13Shall we?
07:14Oh, wow.
07:15Okay.
07:16Oh, okay.
07:17That's a big kitchen.
07:18I don't think you're going to have problems with space in this house, because it's a three-story house.
07:22You've got two more stories to explore.
07:24I'm going to let you do that on your own.
07:26Come back and give me a full report.
07:28I'll be in the garden.
07:29Bye.
07:30See you later.
07:31Charlie and Anjali requested three bedrooms, but this house had six across the top two floors.
07:37Look at these windows.
07:40Another main bedroom.
07:41Can this be ours?
07:43Like...
07:44I love the porthole.
07:45The porthole and the views.
07:46I'm so shocked I can actually stand here.
07:49This house had a lot to offer, but there was a familiar touch in the garden that Charlie
07:55and Anjali had hoped to have seen the last of.
07:58Don't look down.
08:04Welcome.
08:05Now I know what you're going to say.
08:09Yes.
08:10What are the chances of two properties both having AstroTurf?
08:14Yes.
08:15Yeah.
08:16It's weird.
08:17How much do you think this costs?
08:19I'm optimistically going to say £345,000.
08:24I'm going to say £335,000 and be even more optimistic.
08:29I love your optimism, but it's misplaced.
08:32Yes.
08:33Sadly, this is on the market for £350,000.
08:37Yeah.
08:38OK.
08:39But it has been on the market for nine months.
08:40OK.
08:41Interesting.
08:42Definitely.
08:43They said there's definitely space for negotiation.
08:45At £350,000 with potential wiggle room, this 21st century property was huge.
08:52It offered all the space Charlie and Anjali wanted, and then some.
09:02I think at the end of the first day's house hunting, Anjali and Charlie were still very much in their comfort zone with the two modern properties I'd show them.
09:09Because remember, they were then still living in a newish build in Doncaster.
09:14But this is escape to the country, so there is always a mystery house.
09:22And for that mystery house, we headed to Monmouthshire in the village of Cliddach.
09:27We really tested the couple's commitment to modern with this property as it was no new build.
09:34Finally, here we are, the mystery house.
09:36It looks like it's going to have stunning views, I can't wait to get in.
09:40Built in the 1930s, this option was a deceptively spacious home.
09:45Oh, wow.
09:46OK.
09:47That is a surprisingly good size.
09:48I did not expect it to be this big.
09:50I genuinely didn't.
09:51That is incredible.
09:53OK, I want to see more.
09:54No, you don't get to see more.
09:56Make a decision now.
09:57Let's go and look at the kitchen.
10:02Interesting.
10:03Isn't that a nice size, actually?
10:04Yeah.
10:05But what's nice is the huge window.
10:07Yes.
10:08And I'm going to go have a look at the view.
10:09Do you want to look at it?
10:10Yes.
10:11Yeah, go look at the view.
10:12Right across the gorge.
10:13Oh, that is beautiful.
10:14Me doing the washing up.
10:15I'm going to let you explore, because this is definitely one where I think the two of you
10:18would be like...
10:19Come and find me in the garden when you're done.
10:21We'll do.
10:22We shall.
10:23What a result!
10:25The three bedrooms were all upstairs.
10:28Oh, wow.
10:29OK.
10:30This is...
10:31Oh, that is a bedroom.
10:35It's a bedroom and a half.
10:36Wow.
10:38The second and third bedrooms were also plenty big enough, and surrounded by glorious views.
10:43Look at those big smiles.
10:44Yes, definitely.
10:45I really like this place.
10:46But I am disappointed not to see AstroTurf.
10:47I know.
10:48We let you down.
10:49So, without the cost of the added AstroTurf, how much do you think this is going to cost?
11:03I am going to say £355,000.
11:06I am going to be more optimistic than you again.
11:09Maybe £348,000.
11:11Well, in this instance, you are both not optimistic enough.
11:15Oh, wow.
11:16OK.
11:17Because this is actually on the market for £340,000.
11:21OK.
11:22Wow.
11:23OK.
11:24This 1930s home with an asking price of £340,000 offered the couple something completely different.
11:31Well, it was the mystery house after all.
11:37Together, we'd seen some fantastic property options and lots of artificial grass.
11:42But they could only set down real roots in one of them.
11:49Last time I saw Charlie and Anjali, my money was firmly on that 1930s mystery house.
11:54But in the end, it was our shiny new first house that they settled on and made their home.
12:00I can't believe it was a year ago.
12:02So I've come to see how they're doing.
12:12Hey.
12:13Hello.
12:14Lovely to see you.
12:15Lovely to see you.
12:16Welcome back.
12:18Good to see you, Charlie.
12:19Good to see you.
12:20Can I come in?
12:21Yep, come on in.
12:22Immediately, this place feels familiar, but gently changed.
12:26A quiet blending of two cultures.
12:29I don't remember, was it the other way around in here?
12:32It was, yes.
12:33So the sofa was on the current TV wall.
12:36The TV was there.
12:37What have you done?
12:38Because it was a lovely house.
12:39You didn't remember that.
12:40It was beautiful.
12:41It was kind of a move-in ready house.
12:42It was mainly cosmetic stuff, like painting this room.
12:45So how's it been?
12:46Was it a painless move?
12:48It took a while.
12:49It did take a while.
12:50So we moved into this house in October.
12:52So it's like six, seven months?
12:54Yes.
12:55Amazing.
12:56In a good way, it feels like it's been longer.
12:57Can I see the rest?
12:58Yeah, come on through.
12:59Amazing.
13:00It's remarkable how effortlessly they've made this place feel completely their own,
13:06without having to make many changes at all.
13:08It's so sleek.
13:09Oh, I remember the kitchen.
13:10Oh, it's so great.
13:12This feels very similar, that you haven't had to do anything structural here.
13:15The kitchen was the best part of the house.
13:17We didn't need to do anything to it.
13:18I remember you being wowed by it.
13:20Yes.
13:21I love the worktop space.
13:22We have hosted huge parties and cooking is so easy.
13:26The vibrant but calming colour scheme continues upstairs,
13:29with a strong palette and gentle textures.
13:36Oh, nice wall colour.
13:37You've changed that, right?
13:38Yes.
13:39Beautiful.
13:40So we've gone for the green.
13:42Oh, these are new?
13:43Yes.
13:44It was all boxed in?
13:45It was a boxed and built-in cupboard and then a stud wall.
13:48So we broke the whole thing down and rebuilt it as complete wall-to-wall cupboards.
13:54So is this the main structural thing you've done here?
13:56It's the main structural one.
13:57Oh, it's so nice.
13:58It's very restful, the colour.
14:00Now, what about the garden?
14:01Because that was the big point of contention about this house.
14:04I'd like to see if you've got the astroturf still.
14:06Well, the garden is where we have done the most amount of work.
14:09Right.
14:10Let's see that.
14:11Let's see.
14:12They weren't kidding.
14:13They weren't kidding.
14:15The garden feels completely transformed, even if it does have a few familiar features.
14:21It's still here.
14:23Well, what a change.
14:25My goodness, it looks so different.
14:27You've built all these amazing beds.
14:30Yes.
14:31So we have sectioned the garden.
14:32This part of the garden is the produce bit.
14:34So all the vegetables and all the raised beds.
14:36You're doing so well.
14:37You've got chillies.
14:38Yes.
14:39And we've got a rose and cottage garden bed to the far corner.
14:44And we have the apple bed on.
14:45So we have completely sectioned it.
14:47It's very charming because it's actually very, it's very private, isn't it?
14:51Because it slopes down.
14:52You don't feel overlooked at all.
14:53And you've got these lovely mature trees behind.
14:55Does it feel like an escape to the country?
14:57It does.
14:58I think for me, because I work from home, it's made a huge difference.
15:02I sit at work and all I see are trees.
15:04I don't, from my window, it feels like I'm in the countryside.
15:08You know, even though the house is a modern house, it has been escape to the country for us.
15:12It feels like you've made it really your own.
15:15Yeah.
15:16It has.
15:17It feels like home.
15:18And I think that's the most important bit.
15:20Charlie and Anjali have wasted no time putting their stamp on this beautiful modern home,
15:26all while preserving the charm that made them fall in love with it in the first place.
15:31But I'm still curious.
15:32Why did they choose this house rather than our rural 1930s mystery?
15:38So let's rewind.
15:39How did you end up here?
15:40Because I was convinced you were going to go for the mystery house.
15:43We did love the mystery house.
15:45It had a lot of attraction to it.
15:47But I think there were some elements that we just couldn't compromise on.
15:50So it didn't have broadband.
15:52And we both work from home.
15:54And also the parking was quite tight.
15:56So I think there were a few things which were just too far compromised for us.
16:00But then we came back the next day to see this house.
16:03And it was kind of just to see which one would work best for us.
16:06And was it a hard decision, Anjali, to give up that and come to this one?
16:10I think once we looked at the practicality of it, it wasn't.
16:14You know, there was a thing of the house that got away feeling.
16:18But then it just wouldn't have worked out for us.
16:20So it was on the market for 330?
16:23Yes.
16:24Do you mind if I ask what you paid for it?
16:26We paid 327.500.
16:29So pretty much asking price.
16:31Yeah, because it was the perfect place.
16:34We knew that this house, if it stayed on the market, we wouldn't have got it.
16:37Sometimes when you move, it's like moving, it feels a bit unsettled.
16:40But how soon did it feel like home?
16:42I think the moment we walked through the door.
16:44Oh, it was.
16:45So, like previous houses, there's always been a bit of a struggle moving in.
16:50But moving in here, we were really worried.
16:52Because it had been about six months waiting to buy it, how we would feel walking in.
16:57And it felt like walking into home, like straight away.
16:59Moving down to Wales was the best thing we've done in the last couple of years.
17:05I think it's given us more in the last six months than anything else.
17:10What an advertisement for escaping to the country these two are.
17:14Proof you don't need to go off-grid to enjoy the best of rural living.
17:18Especially with the 500-acre reclaimed beauty of Dare Valley Country Park right on your doorstep.
17:26Hello.
17:27Hello.
17:28Hello.
17:29Nice to meet you.
17:30It's the perfect spot for a few samosas, some Welsh cakes, and a catch-up with old friends, Charmaine and Nidhi.
17:40Well, Nidhi, you know Anjali from India, is that right?
17:43Yeah.
17:44I met her, I think, what, we were 17, 18.
17:47In Hyderabad?
17:48Yeah, in Hyderabad.
17:49And you're studying now in the UK?
17:51Yeah.
17:52And that was something like, you know, we schemed together because we had to make sure eventually this happens.
17:58And yes, it's happening now.
17:59Yeah.
18:00So what have we got here? These are homemade?
18:01Yes.
18:02Oh my goodness.
18:03All of them.
18:04Mmm.
18:05Mmm.
18:06Wow, it's so good.
18:08Mmm.
18:09Okay.
18:10And these Welsh cakes, did you make these?
18:12Yes.
18:13You did?
18:14Yeah, I made the Welsh cakes.
18:15I love that.
18:16So you made the Welsh cakes, you made the samosas.
18:18Yes.
18:19This is why you guys like to visit.
18:20A hundred...
18:21Well, basically they get fed a lot when they go.
18:23Yeah.
18:24I treat it like how after uni you come back home.
18:27So how you treat your parents.
18:28That's what it is.
18:30The 60 million dollar question to you two is, have you noticed a change in your friends
18:35since they made the move to the countryside?
18:37A really big change.
18:39Just, erm, you're doing a lot more of the things you both enjoy doing.
18:44And especially at the garden, all the videos of the garden.
18:47It's so beautiful.
18:49It just feels like such a wholesome place to be in.
18:52I feel they have some time now to do something good with their time and they're not stressing
18:58about things and it's just so beautiful.
19:01So have they inspired you to make a move from the big smoke of Bristol?
19:05I mean, can I move in?
19:11Silence.
19:12Silence.
19:13But thank you so much for inviting me back.
19:15It's been so lovely and very inspiring to see you so happy.
19:18Thank you for coming back because you were a huge part of this move that we have made.
19:23And we absolutely love it here, like you see.
19:26So thank you for that.
19:27Oh, you're so welcome.
19:28Right then, time for me now to catch up with some more Escape alumni who were house hunting in my neck of the woods in Herefordshire.
19:42Now, Jane and David were already renting in the area so they knew it was right for them, but they still needed a home to call their own.
19:50And that is where Nicky Chapman came in.
19:53Jane and David had lived in their family home in a Hampshire town for 20 years before deciding to sell up.
20:00When we first met them, they were renting and still had everything packed up in boxes.
20:05So this is where we're currently living. As you can see, everything's still boxed up. So it would be great to find somewhere to live and unpack.
20:15David had been diagnosed with Parkinson's two years previously, which had brought about a change in priorities for the couple.
20:22Yeah, so that's made a change in perspective, a change in outlook, a change in life, and that will then tie in with us having a business of our own.
20:31So something where we could get a bit of rental income.
20:34So whether it's got an annex or it has some land that we could put some glamping pods on, something like that.
20:39Just something to keep us occupied, keep us out of mischief.
20:43With a budget of £575,000, Jane and David were open to detached or semi-detached properties, so long as they had at least two bedrooms and a craft room for Jane.
20:55They also wanted a place with holiday-let potential and ideally half an acre of land.
21:01With their previous home already sold, they were cash buyers in a great position.
21:06The first property Nicky showed them was a detached Victorian cottage, ten minutes' drive from the village of Lyons Hall.
21:16This is really exciting. This is great news. I think you may have smashed it already on property one.
21:21Oh! I've always liked you, David. Always liked you. Straight talker.
21:26Shall we go in and start the tour? Yes.
21:29Built in the 1860s and extended in the 1980s, the house boasted a spacious living room.
21:38So stepping through, I love that ingle nook.
21:44Which opened out into a garden room and a space that suited Jane down to the ground.
21:50To the right, behind this fireplace, this enormous fireplace, is an art-stroke craft room.
21:57Yes. Yes.
22:00I'm quite overwhelmed, actually, that this is...
22:03Straight on. Yeah.
22:04Great. A strong start. OK. Follow me.
22:09And that strong start didn't stop there.
22:12So this is the main bedroom. Again, benefits from those fantastic views.
22:17The outlook is really good. I love the view. Yeah.
22:20Waking up in the morning, I've been bringing your tea up here, dear, and your cup of tea and a biscuit looking out over that window.
22:25What do you reckon? Yeah.
22:27I'm up for that. I'll just stay.
22:33Also on this floor was the second bedroom, a family bathroom, as well as the third bedroom, a cosy single.
22:40Outside, there was about a quarter of an acre, plenty of space for that all-important holiday let.
22:47This is the extra bit that I was looking for. This gives us the potential to do the things we want to do with the glamping, possibly, or the shepherd's huts.
22:55Yeah. I could see us doing something with the space over there. Yeah. Thumbs up's looking good.
22:59It works, doesn't it? So let's wrap it up, shall we? What do you think it's on the market for?
23:04I think around 545,000. I'm going to be a little bit cheeky and do slightly less, so 525,000 pounds.
23:15You're absolutely right. 525,000 pounds. Oh! That's really good. That is food for thought.
23:24This beautiful, detached Victorian cottage delivered countryside views as far as the eye could see, and it was all on the market for offers in the region of 525,000 pounds.
23:38The house hump continued in the Herefordshire hamlet of Wormsley.
23:42It's a great location. Yes.
23:44So house number two is up. So far, it's looking great as well. Yeah.
23:48So you're keeping up the good work as far as I can see.
23:50I'm going to take you two with me every week, I tell you. You're coming everywhere.
23:54The front door led into an entrance hall, off which was a spacious dining room, plus the main living room.
24:01I love the exposed brickwork again. This looks really good. Lovely beams going across the fireplace. It's lovely.
24:08Over the past decade, the house had been given a thorough overhaul.
24:12In addition to new wiring, plumbing and central heating, a fresh modern kitchen was installed.
24:18I'm really liking this property. Actually, I think I prefer it to the last one.
24:24Do you?
24:25I do. It just feels like there's a bit more space and just the outlook.
24:30Upstairs, the largest bedroom was in the 1960s extension. Next door, a second bedroom featured exposed timbers from the original cottage.
24:40And within the half-acre garden sat a detached summer house, which, subject to the right planning permissions, was ripe for conversion.
24:49Let's put a price, though, on this property. What are we thinking?
24:53I'm thinking probably around £570,000.
24:57Interesting. OK.
24:59What about you, David?
25:00So, I think I'm going to go to our top budget of £575,000.
25:04OK. The asking price is £600,000. However, the people that are selling it are very aware of your budget and they are extremely happy to have a conversation with you.
25:18So, this 18th century stone cottage came with strong holiday-let potential and was on the market for £600,000.
25:26Having seen two fabulous properties on the first day of their search, Jane and David took Nicky to one of their favourite pubs, just over the Welsh border.
25:36And, since it's one of my locals too, well, it would have been rude not to join them.
25:42Oh! Oh, my God!
25:45Well, then. Not much happens around here without me knowing about it, I tell you.
25:50Can I have a kiss? Of course you can.
25:52Mwah! There you go.
25:53That's the most excited she's been all day.
25:56She's been pretty excited.
25:58You're in my patch.
26:00This is his manor.
26:02Now, I've been here since 2012, but I've lived in Wales for, gosh, over 20 years in the Cambrian Mountains.
26:08So, this region, you know, is very dear to me.
26:11Wherever you go here, whichever corner you turn around, there is another eye-watering view to savour and to enjoy.
26:18Here's to that.
26:20To properties and local communities.
26:22Cheers!
26:23Cheers!
26:24An old friend's chappers.
26:25An old friend's.
26:26Less of the old, if you don't mind.
26:32Well, the look on Jane's face when I appeared round the corner with that tray full of drinks was an absolute picture.
26:38You couldn't write it.
26:39But, clearly, Nicky had already shown them two properties with great potential.
26:43But there was still, of course, the mystery house to come.
26:46However, before that, she had one more up her sleeve with which to tempt them.
26:50The property was located in the Powis village of Llandisson.
26:57This is a great start today, too.
27:00Yeah.
27:01I'm just really excited because it looks like an old farmhouse.
27:05The views, the sheep.
27:07Ready?
27:08Yeah.
27:09Shall we?
27:10Yeah.
27:11Let's do it.
27:12The front door led into a boot room come utility space, which in turn went through to a kitchen breakfast room, refitted just three years ago.
27:21Just walking in the front and into the kitchen, it's got a really warm feel.
27:26Yeah.
27:27And it's bright.
27:28I think we'd spend a lot of time in here.
27:33Adjacent to the kitchen was a dining room and next door, the living room.
27:37This feels like there's a bit more age in here than in the kitchen, but I like it.
27:43It's a nice feeling.
27:45Upstairs, there was a compact double that overlooked the rear of the property.
27:49I must admit, I'm not sure about the farm yard being that close to the house.
27:54I have to think about that.
27:56But at least you know who your neighbours are.
28:00Two further double bedrooms and the family bathroom made up the rest of the upstairs accommodation.
28:06Then outside, the land extended to two acres, enough space to really live the good life.
28:14Does this appeal?
28:15Have we taken you into your comfort zone or out of it?
28:19It appeals to me and you've definitely brought me into my comfort zone.
28:23Really?
28:24Yes.
28:25You've thrown him out of his, I think.
28:29Let's see financially whether this would be viable in your eyes.
28:33What are we thinking?
28:34So I'm thinking probably around £530,000.
28:39Right, David?
28:40I think it may be £520,000.
28:45Asking price?
28:46£500,000.
28:48Oh, okay.
28:49That's interesting.
28:51Stop looking like that.
28:55That's a very good price.
28:56Yeah.
28:57Yeah.
28:59This detached period farmhouse came in under budget at £500,000 and clearly struck a chord with Jane.
29:07I'm quite speechless.
29:08Nothing's put me off, not even the cow shed.
29:11It's, it's, yeah, it would be my dream, dream place.
29:18Next, Nicky, David and Jane hopped back over the border into England.
29:23Their final destination was the Herefordshire village of Almly and this truly unique property.
29:28The mystery house and just take a look over here.
29:34Oh, wow.
29:36Any idea what it is?
29:38A station house.
29:39You'd be absolutely right.
29:41Let's go and explore.
29:43To preserve the look of the original station house, the vendors had added extra living space by extending an existing underground store.
29:53Welcome to the underground.
29:55I'm in shock.
29:56It is a total surprise.
29:58I like this.
29:59You wouldn't have to change anything about this.
30:00No, not at all.
30:02You could just walk straight in and it's perfect.
30:06The quirkiness continued in the subterranean bedrooms.
30:09You might see a hedgehog or something going across the top.
30:13But the piece de resistance was upstairs in the former ticket office.
30:21Look at that.
30:22This is cool.
30:23I like this.
30:24Look at the gallery up there.
30:25Yeah.
30:26The seating.
30:28This is a great room.
30:29It's got such a good feel to it.
30:32The land extended to around half an acre, the perfect size for their holiday let ambitions.
30:39What are we thinking?
30:40How much is it on the market for?
30:42I'll let you guess first.
30:43What do you think?
30:44What do you think?
30:45I'm going to go all the fives.
30:46555,000.
30:47I think 575,000 pounds.
30:52Asking price is 495,000 pounds.
30:56Stop.
30:57Yeah.
30:58Yeah.
30:59495,000.
31:00With its charm and character, this 150-year-old former station house looked like a real possibility.
31:09Move in ready and priced at 495,000 pounds.
31:13It seems to be ticking all the boxes and some.
31:16This is a definite contender.
31:18Nicky had given David and Jane four brilliant property options, each with potential for their hospitality aspirations and to fulfil the countryside lifestyle that they were dreaming of.
31:31Now, when Nicky said farewell to Jane and David, they were very keen to have another look at that wonderful mystery house.
31:38However, there is a twist in the tale.
31:40Yes, they have made their rural escape, but not to my home county of Herefordshire.
31:45No, no, no.
31:46They have hopped over the border to what is now their home county, to Powys.
31:52But I'm not remotely offended, nor frankly at all surprised.
31:57Just look at this absolutely gorgeous cottage.
32:01And I'm really excited to catch up with my nearly but not quite near neighbours to see what brought them up here.
32:09As if it isn't obvious.
32:12They may not have ended up in one of the brilliant homes that Nicky showed them, but haven't they done well?
32:18This pretty detached cottage that dates back some 180 years has won me over already.
32:25That must be Ted.
32:29Hello.
32:30How are you, Jane?
32:31This must be Ted.
32:32It is Ted.
32:33Hello, Ted.
32:34Great to see you again.
32:35Lovely to see you.
32:36Hi, David.
32:37Good to see you.
32:38Welcome.
32:39Well, I feel very welcome already.
32:40What a spot you've got.
32:41Come on.
32:42Show me around.
32:43Come in.
32:44Is Ted coming?
32:45Yep.
32:46Look at Ted.
32:47Doing his own thing.
32:48Oh, wow.
32:49Here we are.
32:50Wow.
32:51This is lovely.
32:52Oh, look at that.
32:53Oh, I mean, this is a property which, if I had been Nicky, I'd be thinking this is going
32:57to sell itself.
32:58And the finish is fabulous.
32:59Have you had to do much to get it in?
33:01No, nothing.
33:02This is exactly how it was, even with the curtains that, you know, were left.
33:06Wow.
33:07We just moved our furniture in that we had and that was it.
33:09That's right.
33:10That's right.
33:11And then that moment when you walked through the door, as I've just done, standing here
33:13as we are now, was that it?
33:15Yes.
33:16It was the first property we actually cried.
33:20You can't ignore those kind of emotional responses.
33:25No.
33:26No.
33:27We were both, you were overwhelmed as well, weren't you?
33:29Yeah.
33:30We couldn't have wished for more.
33:31I mean, this is a joy.
33:32This is a joy.
33:33I can see the kitchen.
33:34That is very inviting.
33:35Come on then, Jane.
33:36I'll show you.
33:37Show me around.
33:38It's your, it's your tour.
33:40Over its long life, this property has grown and changed.
33:44And as we move into the more recently added spaces, it's clear to see the previous owners
33:49blended old and new with real care.
33:52So, here we are.
33:54It's our cosy little kitchen.
33:56This is nice.
33:57Well, it's not that little, is it?
33:58I mean, let's be honest.
33:59And that extension, wow, that makes a massive difference.
34:02So, I mean, was the country kitchen part of the original dream?
34:06Well, not really.
34:07We were, we didn't really think about it.
34:09We just, we were open to anything.
34:11It's just another wonderful bonus.
34:13Yeah.
34:14We found when we came in here.
34:15It just fits the type and feel of the building.
34:18Oh, look at Ted.
34:19Is he expecting a treat?
34:21He is.
34:22That's his meerkat impression.
34:23Yeah, such a good boy, Ted.
34:25Oh, my goodness.
34:26Sit down.
34:27He is clearly loving it here.
34:29Everybody watching this is going to want a Ted.
34:31Everybody loves Ted.
34:32But the view, clearly.
34:34I mean, that's just another great selling point, isn't it?
34:37Well, it is.
34:38I mean, we just fell in love with it, didn't we?
34:40The view.
34:41The view.
34:42Coming through from the front room into the kitchen, then out into the conservatory.
34:46Come on, let's do it.
34:47Let's experience it.
34:49Wow, look at this.
34:50What an addition this has made.
34:53Wow.
34:54I know.
34:55So you've been here how long?
34:56Since last...
34:58Beginning of September, wasn't it?
34:59About ten months.
35:00About ten months now.
35:01So you've had your first Christmas.
35:02Yes.
35:03You've been through the winter.
35:04Yes.
35:05Well, we've had snow twice.
35:07Got snowed in four days at a time.
35:09Four days.
35:10Yeah, it was like we were the only people living on the planet, really.
35:14There is a lot to discuss as to what happened when you left Nicky and finally got here.
35:19But I have no doubt you have made the right choice because this is absolutely stunning.
35:24I have one more question for you.
35:26It's a kettlework.
35:27Oh, yeah.
35:28Let's have a cup of tea, shall we?
35:32Shall we?
35:33Get down to it and find out exactly what happened in all its glory.
35:38This is a home that, like its owners, is warm, welcoming and full of character.
35:44Upstairs, two double bedrooms enjoy views of the grounds and across the stunning Welsh countryside, which wraps around the home.
35:53We didn't have much time together when we last met, so the garden feels like the perfect spot to have a proper catch-up.
35:59Now, Nicky lined up a terrific selection of properties, not least of which the Mystery House, which I gather you went back to have another look at.
36:09What happened there then, Jane?
36:11Oh, well, we did really love the Mystery House, didn't we?
36:14When we went back and we met the owners of the property, because it was a conservation area, trying to get planning for something to go in the garden, they thought it would be quite difficult.
36:26So we decided just we didn't want the hassle.
36:30So this property gives us the opportunity to do really everything we wanted to do.
36:35It's a lovely house, about half an acre, a bit of land for us to put the cabin in.
36:41So that's all ongoing at the moment, so planning permission has been granted.
36:45The bill's going ahead.
36:46The bill's going ahead.
36:47I mean, you've not wasted any time, considering you've only been here ten months.
36:51Yeah, it's working out quite well so far.
36:54So if I come back then, in three or four months' time, and sit here, and I look behind me, up there, I'm going to see your lovely one-bed cabin, all ready to go, hopefully with guests enjoying that view and a slice of the life that you have found for yourselves.
37:09Yeah.
37:10Wow.
37:11For you, Jules, we'll make it happen.
37:14I don't want to put any more pressure on you, but to be honest with you, I think you'd ride over it.
37:18You've tackled the whole thing seamlessly.
37:20Does it feel like you're sort of on holiday?
37:24Permanently.
37:25You look like you are.
37:26Permanently.
37:27It's a permanent holiday.
37:28You wake up, come downstairs, look out at this view and think, why go anywhere else?
37:33It's just such a fabulous place to be able to call home.
37:37Now, I'm going to tease you about the fact that you've not actually moved to Herefordshire, despite Nicky's best efforts, and you've come to Wales.
37:45And I suppose it's probably a good thing that I'm here catching up with you, because I understand the lure of both of those options.
37:53Yeah.
37:54I mean, we found this place by extending the search a little bit further.
37:57And when we did that, this property came up, and we found it.
38:01And I said, that's the one, even before driving out here.
38:04And we came to view, and that was it.
38:07Your original budget was, what, five...?
38:10Five hundred and seventy-five thousand pounds.
38:13How much did you have to spend to get this one, then?
38:16Well, we actually paid four hundred and seventeen and a half thousand pounds.
38:21Wow.
38:22Yeah.
38:23That's quite a lot under budget.
38:24That's a handsome amount of money under budget.
38:27Yeah.
38:28I think this is proof, if it were needed, that if you are prepared to extend your search area, not only will you have the chance of finding what you're looking for, but also you'll go at it with money in the bank with which to realise whatever other ambitions you have.
38:45That's a very savvy spend.
38:47Absolutely.
38:48And, Jules, we are lounging on the lilo of life.
38:51That is what we're doing here.
38:53We're just living the dream.
38:56I'm lounging on the lilo of life.
38:59I couldn't put it better myself.
39:01No question, David and Jane have really settled into life in Powys.
39:11They widened their search just a little and landed not only in this home, but the perfect bit of land for that all-important holiday let.
39:19All under budget, too.
39:22And I'm not the only one getting a house tour today.
39:25They've invited a few locals over for a get-together.
39:28Some arriving by road and others by, erm, alternative travel options.
39:34And I've been roped in to help.
39:40Here we go.
39:41All right.
39:42Tomatoes.
39:43I don't think I'll ever be a TV chef.
39:47A house can take time to feel like a home.
39:54But to me, it feels like Jane and David's has been lifted and loved by them for years.
40:01Well, you've assembled a fine bunch of chums, David.
40:05Considering you've only been here a matter of months, really, it's fantastic, isn't it?
40:09We've loved every minute of it, and I know we will in the future as well.
40:13So do you have any advice then for anybody who might be a little anxious about moving to the countryside
40:18and thinking, oh, will we make new friends, will we fit in?
40:21The only advice I would give was just to go for it.
40:24Be yourself, connect with people, have a conversation with people,
40:28and then from that many friends will come up.
40:30You know, you only get one life, you've got to live it.
40:33Yeah.
40:34So, you know, just be out there and be available.
40:36I think, you know, that's the advice I would give to people.
40:38Solid advice.
40:42And with a mindset like that, it's no wonder their energy is rubbing off on the local community.
40:49So how many fields away are you then?
40:51It's just one, actually.
40:52Oh, OK.
40:53So it takes about 20 minutes if you walk on the road.
40:55Yeah.
40:56But it's about five minutes if you walk across the field.
40:58So you must have been delighted when finally you got to meet Jane and David.
41:02Yeah.
41:03Yeah.
41:04It's been fantastic.
41:05We really love them.
41:06And they've been so great as neighbours.
41:09It's really good.
41:10I have to say that we're quite loners in a way.
41:13We're quite happy with our own company.
41:15And it's been Jane and David who've sort of unlocked the rest of the community for us.
41:18How interesting.
41:19They've been really...
41:20Because they're so sociable.
41:21Come on, everyone.
41:25Come and join in, please.
41:26Don't let me get in the way.
41:28Yes, please.
41:29Get in the way.
41:30Yeah.
41:31Wow, this looks great.
41:33Come on.
41:34Guests first.
41:35Of course they look lovely.
41:36Oh, I hope they're all right.
41:37Now, I do have to know that Nicky Chapman loves a burger.
41:40She'll be very upset she's not here today.
41:43So, Nicky, I'm doing this for you.
41:55Well, and finally the sun has come out.
41:57Which seems only fitting to shine on your new life that you've got here together, you two.
42:02So, thank you, all of you, for letting me gatecrash.
42:05What is clearly a regular social event.
42:08Oh, it will become a very regular social event, I think.
42:11Yeah.
42:12But here's to life in rural Wales.
42:14Cheers!
42:15Cheers!
42:16Well, clearly, escaping to the country isn't just about finding a fantastic view.
42:29It's about finding people with whom you can share it.
42:32For David and Jane, the connections they've made here in moving to rural Paris, I think, speak for themselves.
42:39And as for Charlie and Anjali, well, their move to the Welsh Valleys has clearly brought them much closer to family and friends.
42:47Two stories which just go to demonstrate that it's not always just about the scenery.
42:53It's the people that make a place home.
42:56I'll see you next time.
42:58Oh, is there any more?
43:00If you also dream of escaping to the country in Wales, Scotland, England or Northern Ireland
43:08and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:15I'll see you next time.
43:16Bye.
43:17Bye.
43:45Bye.
43:46Bye.
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