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00:00Many of us dream of making a break for the countryside.
00:05Oh, look at that!
00:07And we're here to help people take that rural leap of faith.
00:12You're kidding!
00:14You don't disappoint, I give you that.
00:17We venture to the four corners of the UK, searching for peaceful country properties.
00:23Couldn't be more stunning, could it? It's sold.
00:26We're moving tonight, yes.
00:27Truly spectacular scenery.
00:29It is absolutely stunning, isn't it?
00:31Yeah. Wow.
00:32I want to get inside and have a look.
00:33There's sheep in the field.
00:35It's an adventure of a lifetime.
00:38My heart is pounding in my chest, it really is.
00:40Wow.
00:42Oh, my goodness me.
00:44Paving the way to a brand new lifestyle.
00:49We pinch ourselves that we're actually living here.
00:53We're so happy.
00:55So join us as we catch up with those who transform their lives when they escape to the country.
01:02Over the years, we've met so many wonderful house hunters, all with one big dream in common.
01:26A fresh start, embracing a whole new way of life in the beautiful British countryside.
01:33But sometimes, making that leap can feel daunting.
01:36And that's where we come in.
01:38Because, as you're about to see, calling on us can make the difference with turning that rural dream into a reality.
01:48We'll be travelling back in time by returning to East Devon on England's southwest coast,
01:54before crossing the country to the eastern shores and the county of Suffolk,
01:59where only last year, Jules Hudson was helping Nigel and Fiona to find a new home and a business opportunity as well.
02:08But first, I'm checking in with a couple who'd never lived in the countryside before and were well ready to make the move.
02:17In June 2024, retired police officers Beverly and Neil had sold their home and were about to move out.
02:33We are all boxed up and ready to go into storage and temporary accommodation in, oh, a few days' time, actually.
02:44They'd lived in the greater London town of Bromley for 30 years, but craved the great outdoors.
02:50We love to go hiking, we like to go camping, we love to go to the mountains, but one of my big passions for me is sea fishing.
02:59They hoped to find all this in East Devon, along with the detached character property,
03:05that had three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a manageable garden with rural views near the coast, all for £675,000.
03:22With time of the essence, they'd summoned our help.
03:25So I started by taking them to the East Devon village of Yarkham.
03:30Half a mile from the village centre, in an elevated spot, the first property prompted a strong reaction.
03:38I do feel a little bit sick.
03:41Do you? Is that nerves, anticipation?
03:44I think a bit of a mixture of both, actually.
03:46That's...
03:48Are you choking up?
03:49I am choking up.
03:50My heart is pounding in my chest, it really is.
03:54I'm going to put you out of your misery, I'm going to take you inside.
03:56Yes, please.
03:58This 18th century detached stone cottage had been extended, but restarted in the original part.
04:04So, let's see if the reactions inside are as good as the ones that were outside.
04:12Oh!
04:13Wow.
04:14Oh!
04:15Oh!
04:16Oh!
04:17Oh!
04:18Oh!
04:19Oh!
04:20Oh!
04:21Oh!
04:22It's huge!
04:23We love that style of living where we can entertain and be in the kitchen and be a part of the entertainment there as well.
04:30So it works.
04:31And we have got a lovely table that would fit.
04:34We've got our sitting room here, shall we?
04:36Yes, let's.
04:37Please.
04:41This is a really good size.
04:43What a lovely space.
04:44And so much light.
04:45All three sides.
04:47Access outside.
04:48Oh my gosh.
04:49Arranged across one level, there were three bedrooms and the largest was en suite.
04:57It's lovely.
04:58Beautiful.
04:59It really is, isn't it?
05:00Are you still feeling the same vibe as we're walking around?
05:04There is nothing that you have shown us that has made me think no.
05:10And there was more to think yes about as outside the grounds covered almost an acre with several outbuildings and some woodland.
05:18This is just beautiful.
05:19All the grandchildren would just have a ball.
05:25Given Beverly and Neil's situation, we'd taken a slight gamble with the price.
05:31I think it's got to be the top of our budget.
05:35And I'm going to say £675,000.
05:41We have been a little bit cheeky with this house.
05:44Oh.
05:45The asking price is £695,000.
05:49OK.
05:51Now...
05:52I can see why.
05:53You are in a fantastic position.
05:55Of course.
05:56Let's not forget that.
05:57You are ready to go, but just have that in your mind.
06:00It really does strengthen your hand.
06:03This 18th century cottage had captured their hearts from the moment they saw it.
06:07And given their strong negotiating position, the price didn't deter them.
06:13Brilliant start. Brilliant start.
06:15I can really see myself living here.
06:18It's going to take some beating.
06:20We love a challenge, and so we continue to the village of Fenerton, just west of the East Devon National Landscape, where our next offering was on a quiet lane.
06:33Classic chocolate box cottage, isn't it?
06:35Yes.
06:36It does ooze charm.
06:37It is literally right on a road.
06:40So, just a... that's my first thought.
06:43Yeah, OK.
06:44This property had been built in the 1780s.
06:47It was believed to have once been the village shop, and had a few treats in store.
06:53Oh, it's a nice fireplace, isn't it?
06:55Oh, yeah.
06:56It's beautiful.
06:57It's got lovely thick walls, hasn't it?
06:59Yeah.
07:00I like the stone.
07:01Yeah, the exposed bit work.
07:02A bare stone work there.
07:03That's nice.
07:04I like the fact that I wouldn't need a ladder to paint the ceiling.
07:07Next to that was a kitchen diner with a range cooker, and they were beginning to warm to the home.
07:15This is nice.
07:16I think that whereas they've got the dining table in there, in actual fact, you could have the dining table in here as a kitchen diner.
07:27Yeah.
07:28And therefore, you make the living room into a bigger living space.
07:31Yeah.
07:33And planning permission had previously been given to expand the kitchen into the large double garage.
07:39Upstairs, there were four bedrooms.
07:42This is a nice size bedroom.
07:44This is a good size bedroom.
07:45This is a good size bedroom.
07:46This is a good size.
07:47One was en suite, and another had a walk-in wardrobe.
07:49Oh, it goes on and on, doesn't it?
07:51Oh.
07:53Outside, there was a drive and separate outbuilding.
07:56Then to the rear was a patio with steps up to a shed, summer house, and a peeling vegetable patch.
08:03I love this.
08:04I love the fact that you've got the walkway dividing them into little subsections, and that's really useful for when you rotate.
08:12Oh, she is good, isn't she?
08:13Oh, I do.
08:14Oh, I do.
08:15Oh, yes.
08:16My rotation so that, you know, you keep the goodness in the ground, and I could make very
08:19good use of that space.
08:21So, asking price?
08:24I'm probably going to go around about £665.
08:28The asking price for this property is £575,000.
08:33Oh, my gosh.
08:34Oh, my goodness.
08:35So, £100,000 under your top budget.
08:38Yeah.
08:39Oh, wow.
08:40This former shop had one bargain left, and with four bedrooms plus large kitchen diner potential, left a sweet taste in the mouth.
08:53Well, what a day that was, right from the get-go, house number one.
08:58That lovely 18th-century cottage.
09:01A house that made them feel nauseous, nervous, gave them heart palpitations and watery eyes.
09:08All of which meant that my soon-to-be-revealed mystery house was going to have to be a very special property indeed.
09:17We made our way to the south coast, near the border with Dorset, headed for the village of Roosdon, and an exclusive 350-acre estate.
09:27Right, here we go.
09:29Well, look at that.
09:30That's a bit grand.
09:32It was originally a Tudor-style mansion with separate buildings, and our mystery house was a recent end-of-terrace addition.
09:40They liked the outside.
09:44Oh, my goodness.
09:46Yikes!
09:49That is beautiful.
09:51But the hidden bonus feature blew that out of the water.
09:54This estate has its own private beach.
09:57Oh, my gosh.
09:59This is really interesting now.
10:01That has...
10:02This is, uh...
10:04I mean, it looks gorgeous.
10:07The house had been built in 2005, blending the heritage of the estate with modern finishes to lose yourself in.
10:15I want to start off with the sitting room.
10:21Where have you gone?
10:22Were you having a sneaky peek, then?
10:24Sorry!
10:25Sorry!
10:26We were!
10:27We were!
10:28Sorry!
10:29Striding in!
10:30You're very good, Neil.
10:32Striding in to say, let's start with the sitting room, turn round, and I'm on my own.
10:37I think this is a...
10:38This is a great...
10:39That looks beautiful in the fireplace, yeah.
10:41I love that you've got the doors there, doors there, window there.
10:46Everything is saying, oh, wow, lovely.
10:49But I need to see more.
10:50Yeah.
10:51To see where it fits.
10:53Well, that was only the first room, or second if you count peeking in the kitchen.
10:59So, some of us have already had a look inside the kitchen, but, Neil, for you...
11:05I'll give you the proper tour.
11:06This is a beautiful kitchen.
11:08It's a lovely size.
11:09I mean, just look how many cupboards there are. It's just perfect, isn't it?
11:13There were four good-sized double bedrooms.
11:16Look at the shape of this room.
11:17Oh, yeah, look at that.
11:18That's a great shape.
11:20One of which was ensuite.
11:22Oh, another bright room.
11:23Really lovely.
11:25And a spacious family bathroom.
11:29Wow, this is huge. This is huge. Look at that.
11:33We need words with Nicky.
11:34I think she's in trouble now.
11:35She's in trouble.
11:36She's in trouble.
11:37Because she's now making us having to think too hard.
11:38She's just made it so difficult.
11:39She's made it so difficult.
11:41The garden made it even harder, as this house had been built in what was once a Victorian walled garden.
11:48In addition to the private space, it offered extensive views of the pristine estate grounds.
11:53There was just one potential chink in the armour.
11:59So, let's do money.
12:01£660,000.
12:03£670,000.
12:06OK.
12:07The owners are looking for offers around £690,000.
12:13Oh, crumbs.
12:14Right.
12:15OK.
12:16I see why.
12:18Being chain-free and ready to move put Beverly and Neil in a strong position to negotiate on this four-bedroom home that offered space and heritage with all mod cons.
12:29Three very different property options and, thanks to me, two very confused house buyers.
12:37I left Beverly and Neil with their heads in a spin.
12:40It was between our first property and the mystery house.
12:44But which would win out?
12:45Beverly and Neil wasted no time securing a second viewing at, drumroll please, our gorgeous first home.
13:02They loved it just as much the second time, so much so they put in an offer and the rest, as they say, is history.
13:10I can't wait to meet up with them again and find out how they've settled in.
13:15Four months after our house search, Beverly and Neil moved into the gorgeous 18th century cottage during the autumn.
13:25It's given them a gentler pace of life, more time for Beverly to enjoy gardening and for Neil to practice his golf.
13:38Although, he might need a bit longer.
13:45Well, hello.
13:51Hello.
13:52Again.
13:53It's so good to see you.
13:54I love to see you, Nikki.
13:55Oh, my goodness.
13:56It's like deja vu, isn't it?
13:57It is.
13:58I've been here before.
13:59You look so happy.
14:00Yeah, we are.
14:01We are very, very happy.
14:02It is an amazing move.
14:04Yeah, yeah.
14:05We're really, really happy.
14:06Am I allowed to come in and have a look around?
14:07Please do.
14:09Go on.
14:10No, you lead the way.
14:11Thank you very much.
14:12They're the rules.
14:13This time round.
14:15Oh, yes.
14:17It's all coming back to me now.
14:20It's such an impressive room when you walk in.
14:23It knocked us out on the day that you brought us here.
14:26Yes.
14:27And it knocks us out every day.
14:29We pinch ourselves that we're actually living here.
14:33We're so happy.
14:35That's so lovely to hear.
14:36And I can see why.
14:37Neil, you said you were speechless.
14:40I was.
14:41In fact, I was very emotional.
14:42Yes.
14:43And I came through that door and I saw that fireplace and these beams.
14:46So what have you done then?
14:47What little changes have you made?
14:49Not a lot in here.
14:50Not in this section.
14:51Just minor touches.
14:52Yeah.
14:53We put that light up.
14:55Oh, yes.
14:56Just little bits and pieces.
14:58Have the grandchildren been here?
15:00They have.
15:01They have.
15:02And, I mean, it's perfect.
15:04It's perfect for hosting.
15:05We've had friends.
15:06We've had family, the grandchildren.
15:08There's a lot of people around it.
15:09Yes, we can.
15:10Yeah.
15:11Have Christmas around it.
15:12Christmas.
15:13How was that?
15:14That Christmas was amazing.
15:15Amazing.
15:16Amazing, yeah.
15:17It was magical.
15:18Where did the tree go?
15:19We had two trees.
15:20Of course you did.
15:21Of course you did.
15:22With the property this side, you need two trees.
15:25The main one was in the living room.
15:27Yeah.
15:28That was the big one.
15:29And then a small one was in the alcove there.
15:31That little alcove there.
15:32Next to the roaring fire.
15:33Oh, yeah.
15:34And you mentioned there's a living room next door.
15:37Can I?
15:38Please do.
15:39Indeed.
15:40I'm going to lead now.
15:41Please do.
15:42I can't.
15:43I forgot just how big this property is.
15:47And who needs a picture when you've got the window looking out and the cows come over
15:53to the fence and look over and the sheep in the winter.
15:56Do they?
15:57Yes.
15:58Brilliant.
15:59They put their head over the fence and eat the apple trees.
16:01Yes.
16:02And then in the winter when the leaves go, you can then see the views of the valley and
16:05the sheep in the fields.
16:06All the way around, yeah.
16:07All the way around, yeah.
16:08Which is just brilliant.
16:09You can see the sea in the distance.
16:10Yeah.
16:11Can you?
16:12From the top of the garden.
16:13When the leaves are down, you can see the sea.
16:14Oh, I missed that.
16:15Sea view.
16:16Sea view.
16:17That would have ticked a box.
16:18That would have put the price up a little bit more, wouldn't it?
16:20Sea view.
16:21Yeah.
16:22Oh, it's so lovely.
16:23Well, there's plenty more.
16:24Let's show you one of the better.
16:25Yes.
16:26Neil and Beverly have made subtle changes, but this really feels like home, with photos
16:34on display of all their family and friends.
16:39Oh!
16:40Oh, look!
16:41Yeah?
16:42Recognise anybody in there?
16:43Oh, just a few.
16:44Oh, isn't that lovely?
16:45Look, filming.
16:46I know.
16:47Look at the Hall of Fame.
16:48Look how happy we looked there.
16:51It was so wonderful.
16:53Great, wasn't it?
16:54And one family member certainly feels at home.
16:59This is the main bedroom, and this is Ziggy in his usual position.
17:04All I can say is, what a handsome dog.
17:08And what a life.
17:09Look at that face.
17:11Is this your bedroom?
17:12Yes.
17:13No, it's his.
17:14It's his.
17:15We borrow it from time to time.
17:16But no, he's...
17:17Oh, Jillette.
17:18Well, you can see.
17:19He's completely settled.
17:20Star of the show.
17:21Lovely room, lovely aspects, looking out.
17:25Yes.
17:26What's lovely from this bedroom is, in the morning, the sun rises just over there, and the birds,
17:33from about 5.30 in the morning, are on the bird feeders.
17:38And we sit there, watch the sunrise, and the birds all swarming onto the bird feeders.
17:43And we've seen so many birds, it's just beautiful.
17:46Well, shall we head outside, because it's another nice day, isn't it?
17:49Beautiful, yeah.
17:50Yeah.
17:51Beverly has wasted no time in getting on top of the vegetable patch, which appears to
17:56be a roaring success.
17:58Yes.
17:59And I can see Neil's made use of the garden room, no doubt playing the police an ELO, or
18:05a low, a low, a low.
18:07Get it?
18:08But I want to know more about how Beverly and Neil secured their dream home.
18:15This is lovely.
18:17I want this.
18:19I want this.
18:21Look at the views as well.
18:23Well, Beverly and Neil, I'm glad we're still friends, because when we left you, well,
18:30we'd thrown a spanner in the works, haven't we?
18:32Yes.
18:33You had, yes.
18:34Yeah, we were torn between the first house and the mystery house.
18:38Yeah.
18:39So, what happened since we last saw you then?
18:41We went back and viewed this house again.
18:44The next day.
18:45The next day.
18:46And...
18:47That was it.
18:48I think we didn't need to view the other house.
18:50So you didn't go back?
18:51No.
18:52We just knew.
18:53We just knew that this was the one.
18:55So your budget for the move was £675,000?
18:58That was the top, wasn't it?
18:59Yes.
19:00And we slightly pushed you with this first house to £695,000.
19:06Yes.
19:07Did you have to pay that in the end, or were you able to negotiate?
19:10We negotiated.
19:11We did negotiate.
19:12And in the end, we paid £680,000.
19:15£5,000 over your top budget?
19:17Yes.
19:18Oh, that wasn't too bad, was it?
19:20Oh.
19:21Now, I can hear...
19:22Is that the cows we can hear?
19:24Yes, that's our neighbours.
19:25That's our noisy neighbours.
19:26Yes.
19:27People complain about neighbours making noise.
19:29We don't.
19:30No.
19:31Not anymore.
19:32Listen to them.
19:33Yes.
19:34But this is...
19:35This is the noise.
19:36This is country life.
19:37Welcome to...
19:38Yeah, welcome.
19:39How lovely is that?
19:40Give me that over urban noise any day.
19:43I know.
19:44The bizarre thing is, you'd think that it's remote.
19:47Mm.
19:48But in actual fact, we're not far from the village.
19:51We can walk to the village in about seven minutes.
19:54And that's perfect for us.
19:57And you've got the lovely village hall.
19:59And you've got the pub that's just opened again.
20:01Yeah.
20:02So that's fantastic.
20:03And there's so much that goes on.
20:05So, on a weekly basis, we joined the Short Mat Bowls Club.
20:10Ooh!
20:11It's proper bowls.
20:12Yeah.
20:13As you see.
20:14But it's indoors.
20:15On a mat.
20:16It is a foam mat.
20:17Yeah.
20:18Had you ever played it before?
20:19No.
20:20Never.
20:21Sounds like fun.
20:22We'll join that.
20:23And there's a lovely little group of people.
20:25There's a group, yeah.
20:26And we did that early on.
20:27Yeah.
20:28So we got to know some of the villagers really early, which was great.
20:34Well, I don't mind a seven-minute walk to try a new sport and meet their new friends
20:40who look like they know their way around the mat.
20:43Hello, everybody!
20:45Hello!
20:46Hello!
20:47So Neil is giving me a crash course.
20:50The wood has a weighted side.
20:51Yeah.
20:52It's called the smaller sticker, which will make the ball curl in towards the smaller
20:56sticker.
20:57And you mustn't hit the wood in the middle.
20:59You have to curl it.
21:00What's that called?
21:01It's called the wood.
21:02The wood.
21:03The wood.
21:04It took a long time for someone to come on.
21:06It's complicated.
21:07Something like this, hopefully.
21:08Go on.
21:13Oh, Neil.
21:14That's not a bad start.
21:15Oh!
21:16Oh!
21:17Oh!
21:21That looks easy enough.
21:22So I put one foot here, and I put one foot here.
21:26Yeah.
21:27Okay, here we go.
21:28Done.
21:31Oh, it's a bit heavy.
21:32Oh!
21:37If you've never seen short mat bowls before, that's not meant to happen.
21:42Am I allowed another go?
21:43Yes.
21:44Yes.
21:45But make sure the ball is lined up with the arm.
21:48Oh, okay.
21:49Like that?
21:50Yeah.
21:51Because that also makes a difference.
21:52Oh!
21:53I'll stick the wood from here.
21:54Come on, Nikki, you can do this.
21:55Here we go.
21:59Oh!
22:00Oh!
22:01Oh!
22:02Oh!
22:03Oh!
22:04Oh!
22:05Oh!
22:06Yes!
22:07I have redeemed myself!
22:09Oh!
22:10Oh!
22:11Well, I'm thrilled that we were able to find Beverly and Neil a beautiful home, and that
22:16they've found themselves a lovely, welcoming community.
22:19Looks like I've also found a new hobby.
22:22So, if I'm in the area on a Thursday afternoon, maybe I'll pop back.
22:29Right then.
22:30Well, it is now my turn to catch up with another pair of countryside escapees.
22:35Last year, Fiona and Nigel had sold up, and they had decided that Suffolk was their destination
22:40of choice.
22:41They were certainly up for a challenge, but that gave me one as well, to find them not
22:45only a home, but also a business to go with it.
22:53Fiona and Nigel, from the Berkshire town of Maidenhead, had retired from nursing and finance
22:58respectively, and were embarking on a new chapter.
23:02Hi, I'm Fiona.
23:04I'm Nigel.
23:06And this is our home where we've lived for the last 16 years, and it's where we've raised
23:09our four kids, but the last one's about to fly the nest, and so it's time to move on.
23:14Like me, Fiona had grown up in her parents' guest house, and the couple had an idea to
23:21develop a doggy daycare business in their new Suffolk home.
23:26People would come with their dogs to stay with us, and then they could enjoy lots of
23:29lovely walks in the countryside all around us.
23:32Inside space was also important, as Nigel had an extensive collection of models and military
23:39memorabilia.
23:40Selling up in the desirable home counties gave them a substantial budget of £1.5 million,
23:48and for that they wanted a four-bedroom home with a hobby room, a separate holiday let,
23:53and a dog-friendly garden, all situated in a peaceful location.
23:57They'd fallen in love with Suffolk on a recent holiday, so I took them to the village of Waldringfield.
24:08And only around half a mile from the River Deben was our first property.
24:13So, how about this little complex of buildings?
24:17What do we think?
24:18Is it both?
24:19Absolutely.
24:20Oh, wow!
24:22The main house looks lovely.
24:23It's huge!
24:24It is.
24:25And then the annex.
24:26Exactly.
24:27Shall we have a look?
24:28Let's.
24:29Let's go inside.
24:30Yeah, definitely.
24:31We started with the main house, a modern home benefiting from solar panels and an electric vehicle charging
24:38point.
24:40Oh!
24:41I like.
24:42Yeah, yeah, very light and airy.
24:44Really nice proportions.
24:46Yeah.
24:47You've also got a lovely snug TV room as well here.
24:50Okay.
24:51And we don't like watching the same thing, so I'm quite often in one room watching something,
24:54and he's in another room watching his war stuff, you know, so, yeah, that's right.
24:58I'd be with you, mate.
25:00With a beer and a long classic war movie.
25:03Yeah.
25:04Get them on.
25:05Yeah.
25:06Off the hallway was a spacious triple aspect office, a dining room, and finally a generous
25:12kitchen diner.
25:14Oh, yes.
25:15This is nice.
25:16Yeah, a lot of space.
25:17I mean, I do a lot of baking.
25:19If you're into baking, that is the thing to use.
25:22So, we like what we see.
25:23Yeah, very much.
25:25There were five bedrooms, so plenty of options for visiting family.
25:29I mean, one of the bedrooms, we can convert into a hobby room.
25:32Hmm.
25:34I mean, I'd rather it was somewhere else.
25:38Like still in Berkshire, the main bedroom had an ensuite and a Juliet balcony.
25:44Oh.
25:45Oh, wow, yes.
25:46What a view.
25:47Look at that.
25:48That is nice.
25:49Yeah.
25:50That's beautiful.
25:51That's so nice.
25:52Not sure about your hay-favorite Nigel, but for me it's fabulous.
25:55I think even for the hay-favorite that's worth it.
25:58With luxury on tap, the family bathroom had a spa bath and there was still another property
26:03to view.
26:04The two-storey, one-bedroom annex.
26:07But this is lovely.
26:08An enormous social space.
26:10Kitchen through there and then upstairs, lovely double bed, really big space and bathroom
26:16to go with it.
26:17So, for what is effectively a let for two people.
26:20It's big.
26:21I agree.
26:22Or maybe sofa bed for children.
26:23Yeah.
26:24Yeah.
26:25Something that accommodates children as well.
26:26Yeah.
26:27Again, will broaden the market that you can appeal to.
26:28Yeah.
26:30There was enough parking for family and holiday makers, plus a detached garage where the hobbies
26:35might get relegated.
26:37The enclosed garden was ideal for dogs, but might ruffle the feathers of the current residents.
26:47Let's have a think then about what this might be on the market for.
26:51I would say 1.1 million pounds.
26:53Oh, interesting.
26:54This is currently on the market for 1.4 million pounds.
26:59Ah.
27:00Right.
27:01This is effectively commuter belt with great rail links into central London.
27:06So, all of that is going to help fill the height of the prices here.
27:11Right.
27:12Right.
27:13Plus, also, it's a big house.
27:15Slightly more than they expected for this five bed modern home and annex, but the premium
27:20to pay for being well connected might be recouped by attracting more holiday makers.
27:27Wanting more bang for their buck, I took them further north to the village of All Saints,
27:31South Elm.
27:34Along a quiet country road was an attractive cottage with a ready-made holiday business.
27:42Pretty.
27:43Very pretty.
27:44Curbside appeal, I think they call it, don't they?
27:46Not only do you get that, but you also get that.
27:49Oh.
27:50Oh!
27:51A smaller house.
27:52Yeah.
27:53But you get a really good income to come with it.
27:55Yeah.
27:56So, yeah, let's have a quick look in here.
27:57Okay.
27:58And then we'll go next door and talk about the business.
28:00Great.
28:01Come and have a look.
28:02Yes.
28:03Despite appearances, this cottage was less than 20 years old and we started at the rear,
28:09in the kitchen.
28:11Quite modest.
28:12Yeah.
28:13It is just for you, too, because you're going to be busy.
28:17I think this is a perfect sign.
28:20To one side of it was a dining room, and at the other, a summer room.
28:24Oh, this is bright, isn't it?
28:26I can see the military history oozing from the shelves.
28:30Yeah, absolutely.
28:31I think we can get all our books in there.
28:32And there was another reception room.
28:35Triple aspect, nice and airy.
28:37And looking out onto the garden is beautiful as well.
28:39Yeah, yeah, yeah. A French window so you can open up.
28:41Yeah. So far, so good, I reckon.
28:43Yeah.
28:45Upstairs, the family bathroom was shared by three double bedrooms,
28:49while a fourth was en suite.
28:51I'm not sure our bed would fit in here, no.
28:53No.
28:55Maybe we'll have separate bedrooms.
28:58They could have separate buildings,
29:01as the start attraction was the barn conversion
29:03that provided four separate holiday lets,
29:06along with a large communal space.
29:10There.
29:10Oh, wow.
29:12That's huge, isn't it?
29:14Hobby room.
29:15It's even too big for you for a hobby room, Nigel.
29:18When it's full, this is going out for £3,000 a week.
29:23Wow.
29:25Yeah.
29:25OK.
29:25The lets themselves comprise two one-bed apartments
29:30and a pair of two-bed options.
29:33All the rental furniture was included in the price
29:35and there were already bookings for the following year.
29:38This is a two-bed.
29:40This is a two-bed.
29:41They've all got very similar appointed kitchens,
29:44but as you can see, absolutely ready to go
29:48for the next set of guests that they are expecting.
29:51High spec.
29:51Yeah.
29:51High spec, but easy to clean.
29:53Yeah, it's very nice.
29:54And with 1.3 acres outside,
29:58there was scope for a dog exercise area.
30:01That left just one element of the balance sheet to work out.
30:05I would probably go in at 1.4 million.
30:10This is on the market for offers over £1.1 million.
30:20Right.
30:21Oh.
30:23While this one would have downsized their home,
30:26it would have supersized their business
30:28and at that price, the sums for this four-bed cottage
30:31and barn conversion seem to add up to a bargain.
30:38So day one was done.
30:40Two good options, I thought,
30:41that seemed to go down pretty well with Fiona and Nigel,
30:45but the next day we had one more property to view,
30:48an appointment with our mystery house.
30:52Our final offering was in the peaceful village of Cransford
30:56and while this substantial barn conversion
30:58didn't have a holiday business yet,
31:01there was planning permission to convert another of the barns.
31:05Nigel's dream house.
31:06I've always wanted a barn conversion.
31:08Well, today is your lucky day.
31:09It looks good from the outside.
31:12And the inside of this 200-year-old barn
31:15had been refitted and redecorated
31:17from top to bottom by the current owners.
31:20Oh, wow.
31:22Look at this.
31:23That's very glamorous, isn't it?
31:25That's the dream.
31:26Isn't it?
31:27Yeah.
31:27Very dramatic.
31:28Yeah, that's got the wow factor as soon as you walk in, hasn't it?
31:30Yeah, like a real statement.
31:31Yeah.
31:32Yeah.
31:32Can we have a look?
31:33When are we moving in?
31:36Oh, this is a bit special, isn't it?
31:39Yeah.
31:40Yeah.
31:40This is beautiful.
31:41Yeah.
31:42Absolutely beautiful.
31:43That's, that's, yeah.
31:45Yeah.
31:46Yeah.
31:46All sounding pretty positive.
31:51There was underfloor heating downstairs throughout,
31:53and on the opposite side, a dining room led to the kitchen.
31:59Locally handmade hardwood kitchen.
32:02Yeah.
32:02Which is really lovely.
32:03The attention to detail, though, is fabulous, isn't it, like?
32:06Yeah.
32:06Yeah.
32:06That's lovely.
32:07It leads into the courtyard.
32:11This is stunning.
32:12Yes, what a space.
32:13That's beautiful, isn't it?
32:14That is beautiful.
32:16Over there, you've got the outdoor bar, hot tub.
32:19It's a spot spot.
32:20The look on your face says to me a man who has arrived at the destination he was hoping for.
32:27I think we're there.
32:29Yeah.
32:29With no shortage of space, there was also a downstairs games room and gym,
32:36while upstairs boasted five bedrooms.
32:39This is lovely.
32:40Oh, wow.
32:41This is, yeah.
32:42Oh, look at that.
32:43This is really pretty.
32:45Yeah.
32:45See, our bed would fit in here, wouldn't it?
32:46It would fit perfectly.
32:48Oh, it's en suite as well.
32:49Lovely.
32:51And there were two family bathrooms, each with a clawfoot bath.
32:55The plot covered three quarters of an acre and included a pond, plus outbuildings providing
33:01the business potential subject to planning.
33:03So the big question was if there'd be enough left in the budget to do the work.
33:08I'm going to say £1.2 million.
33:12I think you're probably looking more about £1.35 million.
33:17Okay.
33:18So here it is.
33:19Mystery House is on the market for £1.3 million.
33:26Okay.
33:28Okay.
33:30£200,000 left over to add the business opportunity to this enormous five-bedroom barn conversion
33:37of Nigel's dreams.
33:39We'd shown our couple three strong contenders for their new home in the Suffolk countryside,
33:46with businesses ranging from ready-made to their personalised start-up.
33:51And it was that option with the barn conversion that was the front-runner.
33:59Well, I am delighted to be back in Suffolk, where Fiona and Nigel can now proudly call themselves
34:05locals.
34:06And I remember being very excited about that barn conversion that I showed them, but that
34:11is not where I find them today.
34:15However, we must have got something right, because although they didn't buy our barn conversion,
34:21they did buy this one.
34:25To say we came close with the Mystery House is something of an understatement.
34:30As this 18th-century property is a similar period, it's a similar construction, and it's
34:37just seven miles away from it.
34:39Isn't this lovely?
34:48Ooh.
34:51Hey!
34:51Hi, Joel.
34:52Hi, Joel.
34:52Hi.
34:53How are you?
34:53I'm very well.
34:54Hello.
34:54Good to see you.
34:55Oh, good to see you.
34:56Come on in.
34:57Come in.
34:57Well, this is great.
34:59You've done it.
34:59Yes, made the move.
35:01Yeah.
35:02Where did you get this idea from, then?
35:04Erm, well...
35:06Very similar to the Mystery House.
35:08Isn't it?
35:08Very similar.
35:09Wow.
35:09It is lovely.
35:10It is lovely.
35:11We do still pinch ourselves that we're here.
35:13Can I have a look in here?
35:14Of course you can.
35:14Of course you can.
35:16Oh, I love this soft colour of the beams.
35:18These are not the original beams they were put in when it was converted, but then you've
35:22got the old beams around the side of the room as well.
35:25And we still keep finding new little nooks and crannies and little bits and pieces.
35:29And Nigel found these after we'd been here for a while.
35:32Oh, right.
35:33And apparently, it's a good-look thing.
35:36Yeah, these are clay pipe bowls.
35:39These could well be 18th century.
35:42Oh!
35:42I mean, these were the cigarette butts of the day.
35:45I mean, they really are quite exquisite.
35:47They're beautiful, aren't they?
35:47They really are.
35:48And like all these buildings, you know, if the beams and the walls could talk, you know,
35:52who left that behind?
35:54Who was it?
35:54Yeah.
35:55It would be so interesting.
35:56Yeah.
35:56So they are.
35:57They're great, aren't they?
35:58So, yeah, we're still finding a year on odd little things like this.
36:01We'll make an archaeologist if you get.
36:04I can dig up trouble anyway.
36:05Yeah, there you go.
36:07Aside from the historic findings, there are modern comforts, like underfloor heating,
36:13throughout the whole of the ground floor.
36:16Oh, yes.
36:17I know.
36:18Yes.
36:19Oh.
36:20Nice big kitchen, yeah.
36:21I mean, this is what everybody dreams of.
36:24Farmhouse kitchen, yeah, for sure.
36:25Yeah, we're really pleased with it.
36:26This is lovely, and it obviously works for you.
36:29What about the business, the holiday lets?
36:31Wow.
36:31It's been hugely successful.
36:33Yeah, we're really pleased with it.
36:34Yeah.
36:34And where are they?
36:36So, there's a courtyard garden here.
36:38Right.
36:39And then they've got a one-bedroom apartment there, and they have the full use of the courtyard,
36:44because obviously, you know, people are hopefully coming with their dogs.
36:47But it has done so, so well, far better than we anticipated.
36:51Was it a holiday let already?
36:53So, they had done previously, but not for eight years.
36:57So, we've literally just sort of, you know, repainted it.
37:01Presented it.
37:01And presented it, changed the floors, and we are pretty much 100% occupancy.
37:08Wow.
37:08Yeah.
37:08Yeah.
37:08So, we're fully, I mean, for months we've been fully booked all the way through till November.
37:12Yeah.
37:12Isn't that interesting?
37:13Yeah.
37:13And then we're taking bookings.
37:14We've got some bookings out as far as March next year.
37:16Yeah.
37:17The business is clearly working well for Fiona and Nigel, and the house is too.
37:23They've got a study to manage the bookings while admiring the view.
37:28A games room to entertain visiting family who'd have their choice of the seven bedrooms.
37:35And I'm relieved to see there's space for Nigel's models and memorabilia.
37:39It really is glorious.
37:42So, what I want to know is how did they find it?
37:45You will notice that all the mugs have docks on.
37:49Yeah, obviously.
37:50Let's just dial back then, if we can, to the moment we waved you off, because I knew you were very interested in our mystery house, and why wouldn't you be?
37:57And it revealed to you what a well-done barn conversion can offer.
38:01It did.
38:02So, a week after we saw you, we took a builder with us, so we could have a look at the plans, because the owners already had plans for that cart lodge to be converted.
38:14What we didn't know was behind that cart lodge was a huge oil tanker as well, which was going to have to be moved.
38:21The plans that they had to convert it weren't what we would have done, were they?
38:25Yeah.
38:25So, we would have had to resubmit plans.
38:28Unfortunately, it just took us right over budget.
38:31So, undaunted, but inspired, you continued to search.
38:36Yeah, I'd seen two of the properties online and said to Nigel, well, look, while we're down here, let's just have a look.
38:43So, we had a look at both of these properties, and they were with the same agent.
38:47Neither was quite right.
38:47And neither was quite right.
38:49And at the end of the day, she said to us, I've listened to everything that you've said, and I think I know the property for you.
38:58Ooh.
38:59So, the next morning.
39:01Yeah.
39:02We came here, didn't we?
39:03We came here.
39:04And it had the property lit, the hobby room, the barn, enough bedrooms, enough space.
39:09I walked in, looked round, neither walked in.
39:11We didn't say anything to each other, did we?
39:13And then we got in the car, closed the door, I turned to you, you turned to me, and we both grinned and high-fived.
39:18And we just knew.
39:21Dare I ask, how much did this lot cost you?
39:24We paid £1.25 million.
39:28And just remind me of your original budget.
39:30£1.5 million.
39:31You've done it under budget.
39:32Yeah, absolutely, yeah.
39:34I keep reminding him that there must be some leftover for me to do something with.
39:38They did make one extra purchase, buying this four-acre field next door for £50,000.
39:48And they have big plans for it.
39:51Fiona wants to have a pond.
39:52This will definitely be a sort of more of a wildlife pond.
39:56So, this will be sort of shallow at either end, sort of going deeper in the middle.
40:00So, amphibians will winter in the deeper water over the winter.
40:04And it will have a little seating area around it.
40:08Planning is in at the moment.
40:10All being well, touch wood.
40:12That we get the planning through.
40:14Then we're looking at having it dug October, November time.
40:18So, it will fill up through the winter and start to establish itself.
40:21That's the idea.
40:22So, by the time we get to next spring, you know, it should be well established.
40:26There's going to be a wildflower meadow as well.
40:28And the guests will get to enjoy this too.
40:30So, how big is it going to be then?
40:31I've had to scale it back because someone just sort of said, that's really silly, Fiona.
40:37So, if you march that way.
40:39Right.
40:39And I'll tell you when to stop.
40:42Here we go.
40:42Right.
40:44Keep going.
40:45Yeah.
40:45Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, stop.
40:50And then, yeah, probably about that long.
40:54Pretty good, isn't it?
40:5515 metres across.
40:56Yeah.
40:57Yeah, I can see why you scaled it back a bit, Nigel.
40:59Yeah.
41:01It was the thought of the water meter to fill it.
41:04I think they said, oh, goodness me, that'll take two years to fill.
41:07Well, hopefully you'll get, you know, a decent rainfall through the winter, which will do it.
41:11We get lots of monk jacks in here, don't we?
41:14There are sparrow hawks in here.
41:16We can hear the owl.
41:18Neighbours over there have got a pond.
41:19They provided a takeaway service by putting fish in the pond and two otters that she got
41:24on their night camera and came in and emptied the pond so there'll be no fish in ours.
41:29So there's a lot of wildlife.
41:31And I just think it would be really lovely to, you know, for the guests and for us to
41:35enjoy seeing that.
41:37There's just one thing I would add to that.
41:40Go on.
41:40A nice outdoor model railway running around the pond.
41:44What a great idea.
41:45Come on.
41:46No.
41:46Come on.
41:47High five.
41:48No.
41:50No.
41:51No.
41:52I think I should leave now.
41:55Nigel and Fiona's escape to the country just goes to show that a new location and outlook
42:00can provide fresh inspiration for bigger plans than their previous lifestyles could ever have
42:05afforded.
42:06And we wish them all the best for the future.
42:16Now when it comes to finding your dream country home, 99% of the time it revolves around a certain
42:23instinct that you've finally found what you're looking for.
42:27It's what we in the escape business like to call the feeling.
42:31Certainly Beverley and Neil found it when they saw that property that they've fallen in love
42:35with.
42:36And as for Fiona and Nigel, whilst it may have taken them a little bit longer, they did
42:40finally find a property that elicited just that response.
42:44And look at their life.
42:45They are now leading here in Suffolk.
42:48That, my friends, is what an escape to the country is all about.
42:52And in my experience, if it feels right, then it generally is right.
42:56If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
43:05and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:12Oh!
43:13That's better, Neil.
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