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00:02Here on Escape to the Country, we ask our house hunters to take a leap of faith.
00:07Wow!
00:08I told you the views get better.
00:10Oh, wow!
00:12They put their trust in us and hope that we deliver.
00:15Oh, wow!
00:18Oh, this is the curveball again, isn't it?
00:22It may not always feel like we're hitting the mark.
00:25Can you see the merits of that idea?
00:27Yes, I can. Whether it's going to actually work for me, I'm not sure,
00:31because I'm still set on being in a field.
00:34But as the saying goes, fortune favours the brave.
00:38Yes, I think you've done good.
00:42Good fortune!
00:44Good luck!
01:12If you're in search of serenity, maybe even sparsity, or heart-racing hikes, with breathtaking vistas across rugged terrain, look
01:25no further.
01:26Northumberland's got it covered.
01:28Wide skies, empty beaches and hills that seemingly go on forever.
01:34In many respects, I think, Northumberland's remoteness is its magic.
01:38It's a place where you can really breathe, that feels wonderfully untouched by a sense of modern hurry.
01:45Or to put it another way, it's the perfect place to escape to the country.
01:51As the least densely populated county in England, with not a city in sight, you can lose yourself in the
01:58wild and untamed landscapes of Northumberland.
02:01Walking for miles without seeing a single soul in the county's national park.
02:06But there's more than just walking on offer here.
02:09For me, the joy of cycling in Northumberland is really special.
02:14Cycling Time Hill was set up many years ago now, but it was basically a group of like-minded people
02:19who enjoyed riding bikes.
02:21What people don't get, I don't think, is how the combination of landscape and quiet roads adds up to what
02:29I think is probably the best place in England to ride.
02:32Northumberland National Park has England's cleanest rivers. It also has England's darkest skies, so it's a great place to go
02:39stargazing.
02:40And it's also the most tranquil national park. We call it England's last great wilderness.
02:47And once you've exhausted the national park, why not wind down in one of Northumberland's many picturesque towns?
02:53One such gem is Anik. With its 11th century castle, cosy eateries and local shops, it blends heritage, hospitality and
03:03the unique spirit of the region.
03:10Well, today's buyer is looking for a family home that will provide them with peace, privacy and room to breathe.
03:16All of which I am sure they are going to find here in Northumberland's countryside.
03:24Yes, you are.
03:26Yes, you are.
03:29Retired business owner Sarah has lived on the coast close to Newcastle-upon-Tyne for over 20 years,
03:35with her architect husband Mark, their three children and their two boxer dogs.
03:40Where I live is absolutely beautiful, but there's so many people there now.
03:47You can't relax when you're out here because you've got all these people going past.
03:52There's no privacy. I would like some privacy.
03:56Sarah and Mark have put their house on the market and now want to leave the busy seaside behind.
04:01Now that the kids have left home, we've got five bedrooms, four of which aren't being used.
04:06I've had 20 odd years of fun and love and happiness there and now I want to do that somewhere
04:14else.
04:16The thing that I'm looking forward to most about moving to the country is getting up in the morning, opening
04:23the doors and just letting the dogs run.
04:26It would be nice to hear birds and quiet and trees rustling and wind blowing.
04:31Close friend Anne made the move from coast to country seven years ago, so Sarah thinks there's no better person
04:38to assist her on the search and Mark is in agreement.
04:42You're quite an impulsive person, I think.
04:45Yeah, I'll go with my heart a lot, don't I?
04:47Yeah, and hopefully we'll have some good fun and we'll see some really lovely places.
04:51But you're going to bring me back in, aren't you?
04:52That's exactly what I'm going to do, yeah. For once in my life I'll be the sensible one, yeah.
04:58Sarah and her husband Mark have a budget of £550,000 and are looking for a rural character property, preferably
05:06detached, with at least two bedrooms, a double garage and a large secure garden for the dogs.
05:18Now Sarah and Mark have ambitions to move.
05:21They want peace, they want privacy and, importantly, they want somewhere for their two bouncy boxes.
05:28It sounds simple enough, we'll see, but if it gives us the excuse and the opportunity to explore this rich
05:36and historic landscape, I'm in.
05:41Before our Northumberland tour gets underway, introductions are in order.
05:46So, I'm meeting Sarah and her good friend, Anne, on the edge of the National Park.
05:54Well, Sarah, Anne, welcome to your very own escape to the country, particularly for you, Sarah, and I know your
06:00husband Mark, who can't join us this week, but Anne has come along for the ride to see if we
06:05can get you a country life here in the North East.
06:08I am so pleased you gave us a call because I love any excuse to come back up to Northumberland.
06:14But an opportunity now for you and your husband to try something different.
06:19Yeah, totally.
06:20I mean, how different is it going to be?
06:22Oh, complete change at the moment.
06:24We're by the coast, see the sea every day, got the beach on our doorsteps, so couldn't be a more
06:31drastic compromise.
06:34Drastic is quite extreme, isn't it?
06:37Yeah, it's just time for a change.
06:40Anne, you have made your own escape to the country just a few years ago.
06:44Yeah, seven years ago I moved from the coast near to where Sarah lives now and moved out into Northumberland,
06:50quite rural, and absolutely loved it.
06:54Never looked back. It was one of the best things I've ever done.
06:58But we should talk about Mark, your husband, who isn't here, but he's given you licence to go and find
07:03you all a new home.
07:05Yes, he has. Yes. We don't buy houses together. We've never bought a house together.
07:10Seriously?
07:11Seriously. This will be our third move.
07:14Yeah. The first move, he went on holiday and I sold his house and bought another one.
07:21Right.
07:22And the second move, I was at work and he rang us and said, I've just bought a house.
07:28And yeah, so...
07:29So it's your turn now, your turn to buy it.
07:31Yeah, it's my turn now, so, you know.
07:33We have Northumberland to explore and I never ever tire of it. I cannot wait. Shall we?
07:39Shall we?
07:40Shall we?
07:40Right, let's go.
07:43We're kicking off the property search just south of the National Park in the village of Baden Mill.
07:49It has everything you'd need for a quiet life in the country.
07:53A village shop, footpaths in every direction, plus a pub and hotel to refresh after a long day walking the
08:01nearby Hadrian's Wall path.
08:03There are also good transport links to the larger towns and cities of Hexham, Carlisle and Newcastle.
08:09It's a seclusion Sarah is looking for, and five minutes' drive from the village, our first property offers just that.
08:16Say that, Sarah. Oh, this is what we're thinking about for number one.
08:21Wow.
08:23Yeah?
08:24So much bigger than what I thought it was going to be.
08:26Yeah.
08:26It's very quirky, lots of different levels.
08:28Okay.
08:29Which I think will appeal to your quirky nature.
08:33Yeah.
08:33That sounds interesting.
08:34Let's see what you think. Come on.
08:37This detached characterful cottage dates back to the 18th century and operated as a school for a hundred years until
08:45it was converted into a family home in the 1970s.
08:49The front door leads into a porch and a dining room, which we're heading straight through to the main reception
08:56room.
08:57Oh, this is nice.
08:58Yeah.
08:59Fantastic view.
09:00Oh, look at that view.
09:02Oh, three sides.
09:03Yeah?
09:04Yeah.
09:05We've lost her.
09:06We've lost her to the view.
09:08Sorry, sorry, I'm in my little world.
09:10Yes.
09:10Nice.
09:11The views are amazing.
09:13Well, they just get better.
09:14Oh.
09:15Yeah, trust me, they get better.
09:16But let's continue.
09:20With views like this, it's no wonder the current owners have lived here for over 50 years.
09:27So, here's the kitchen.
09:29Now, you tell me, Sarah, is this big enough in that we are, I know, downsizing?
09:35Compact.
09:36It's a little bit claustrophobic for me.
09:38I feel it's a bit, just a little bit too small.
09:42I do like the quirkiness of it.
09:43I like this little, little hole in the wall.
09:47I love the beams.
09:49Yeah, I do feel it's a little bit claustrophobic.
09:52Closed in.
09:53Interesting.
09:55The kitchen might not be doing it for Sarah, but I'm confident this next room will.
10:02Wow.
10:03I told you the views get better.
10:05Oh, wow.
10:06Yeah.
10:06You did, um...
10:09Oh, yes.
10:10That is, yeah.
10:12That's pretty spectacular.
10:13I mean, you could have kitchen dining in here, perhaps, if you wished.
10:16I could live in here.
10:17I think you kind of would.
10:18I think they do, actually.
10:21I'm speechless.
10:22And that doesn't happen very often, does it?
10:24No, it definitely doesn't happen very often.
10:25Could you do something with the kitchen?
10:27What kitchen?
10:28Right.
10:28I forgot about the kitchen.
10:29Right, okay.
10:31It's the views, isn't it?
10:32You would just sit here and I'd never leave.
10:35I'd just sit and drink wine and coffee and gin and look out the window and...
10:40Yeah.
10:40You just wouldn't leave this room.
10:42It's spectacular.
10:44It's absolutely beautiful.
10:47Well, you can't beat reactions like that.
10:50Beside the kitchen, there's a family bathroom and a hallway leading to two bedrooms on the ground floor.
10:55One in use as a study and the other with an open plan en suite.
11:01Further down the hall, past a spiral staircase and again on the ground level, is the largest bedroom which is
11:07used as the principal.
11:09Okay, so this is the master?
11:11Yeah.
11:11Got a shower in the corner there.
11:14But again, a bit of imagination, a bit of cosmetic.
11:17I'm sure you could re-jig it.
11:20Maybe it's a little bit too quirky because I'm not sure how this layout would.
11:24Yeah, maybe it just needs a bit of thought though.
11:27Yeah.
11:27Well, before we get outside and talk about the price, I think you should have a look upstairs.
11:32Okay.
11:33Try that spiral.
11:34Yeah.
11:35Exciting.
11:36Give it a go.
11:37Give it a go.
11:38Yeah.
11:38Don't want to try this one after too many gins.
11:40No, absolutely not.
11:41That's why horizontal living is for you.
11:44Go on, let me go.
11:49The layout might be challenging, Sarah, but there is a lot on offer here.
11:54Upstairs, there's a further double bedroom, a shower room, plus a fifth bedroom, featuring yet more views.
12:03I mean, every single window has a different view and they're all fantastic.
12:09I do have one thing.
12:11We're very close to the year 69.
12:14Oh, right.
12:15Yeah.
12:16Ah.
12:16It was all going so well.
12:19But there's still more to tempt Sarah, like this attached double garage with mezzanine.
12:25Ooh.
12:26Well, this looks interesting, Anne.
12:28Mm.
12:28I mean, it's a big garage, but you probably need a bit more space than this.
12:33But, interesting staircase up there.
12:38Wow, this is a useful space.
12:41Oh, wow, this is massive.
12:45Oh, Mark would love this.
12:46Yeah, this is a kind of man cave.
12:50A mature garden surrounds the property with raised herb beds, fruit trees, and at the far end of the lawn,
12:57a timber outbuilding with a hot tub.
13:01I mean, we have reveled at these views, haven't we?
13:04We have.
13:04And this garden, again, it was designed to be child proof, but would it keep your dogs in?
13:09It would definitely keep the dogs in, yes.
13:11Yes.
13:11So, what do you think, Sarah, our property here is on the market for?
13:17I'm going to go under budget.
13:18Yeah.
13:19And I'm going to go 500.
13:20500,000 pounds.
13:22Okay.
13:22Anne, as a seasoned country dweller yourself, come on, give us your expertise.
13:26Well, I think with all those bedrooms and these views, it's got to be more 525.
13:33525,000 pounds.
13:35Yeah.
13:35Interesting.
13:36It's on the market for offers in the region of 495 pounds.
13:43Oh!
13:43Well done.
13:44So doable.
13:45Yeah.
13:46With change, to make any changes you wish to make.
13:48A lot of change, yeah.
13:49Yeah.
13:50So that would cover the cost of...
13:52Yeah, yeah.
13:52A few things.
13:53Making it personalised.
13:55Yeah, yeah.
13:56I think we're off to a pretty good start with this former schoolhouse.
14:00It has five bedrooms, three reception rooms, including a stunning sunroom with far-reaching
14:06views, and the wraparound garden is ideal for the dogs.
14:10All this for offers in the region of 495,000 pounds.
14:15I love this house.
14:17I love the quirkiness, the character in the property.
14:21For me, the biggest thing that puts me off this house is how close it is to the A69
14:27and the constant noise.
14:29And I think Mark would find that a problem as well.
14:49In the heart of the Tyne Valley, just south of Hadrian's Wall, is the market town of Hexham.
14:55Its ancient abbey stands as a symbol of Hexham's medieval past, but its town centre tells a more
15:01modern story, with a wealth of independent shops, cafes and restaurants filling the popular
15:08marketplace.
15:10This is cute, isn't it?
15:11Yeah, it's really, really beautiful.
15:13And it's got a bandstand.
15:15Oh, you can look for the trumpets.
15:18That might be something for your retirement.
15:23For Sarah, Hexham could be a great hub when she needs a taste of town living.
15:28There's a definite sense of pride here, from beautifully kept shopfronts to community-led
15:33projects.
15:35It's a lovely community at Hexham, really nice business supportive group.
15:40We all help each other, support each other, and yeah, really friendly and welcoming.
15:47That's what makes Hexham so special, is the community spirit and the fact that people want
15:51to join in and make it better and work together.
15:55So it's a really special, lovely place to live.
15:58There's even a community-run cinema that's still going strong after nearly 90 years.
16:04We're a cinema that show new release films, so families can come and enjoy the latest blockbuster.
16:10But we also really pride ourselves on our diverse programme and being able to offer something
16:16a bit different.
16:17On Tuesdays, the town really comes alive with its weekly market.
16:22And as luck would have it, today is Tuesday.
16:25Oh, these are nice.
16:27Oh, beautiful.
16:28They're gorgeous then.
16:31Just around the corner is a cafe that I've heard is pretty popular, where owner Grant has
16:36offered to meet up with the ladies to share more about local life.
16:42Hi there, guys.
16:43How are you doing?
16:43Hi.
16:44Hi.
16:44Good to see you.
16:45And you.
16:46So as I was coming in, I saw there's a yoga sign.
16:49Yeah.
16:49Is there much activity or things going on here?
16:52So we do loads of community stuff here.
16:54Right.
16:54Okay.
16:55So we do a yoga breakfast club, wellness nights.
17:00We've done private dining nights.
17:02All right.
17:02We've had like a private chef come in and do all the Italian themed.
17:05I mean, we do all sorts, as much as we can.
17:07Where are you guys thinking of moving in from?
17:09I'm coming in from the coast.
17:11Okay.
17:11The community here is so lovely.
17:13I mean, it's really welcoming.
17:14You won't struggle to find people that you get along with similar interests.
17:17Everyone's really, really nice.
17:21If the locals haven't won Sarah over already, the food surely will.
17:25But don't get too comfortable though, ladies.
17:28We've got a property search to get back to.
17:35Our next property destination is the village of Wall.
17:39Close to, you guessed it, the one built by Hadrian.
17:42It's another village wrapped in glorious Northumberland countryside.
17:46The church isn't the only place to congregate.
17:49There's also a village hall and green.
17:52So here we are then in the village of Wall.
17:55Have you ever been here before then, Sarah?
17:57You must have been.
17:58I've driven through it, but I've never stopped here.
18:00Well, you might be stopping for a bit longer than you'd planned if you like this.
18:04All of it?
18:05All of it.
18:06Okay.
18:07The only thing to deal with out here really, because it is pretty.
18:09It does sort of sell itself, doesn't it?
18:11Is this.
18:12The road, obviously.
18:14A little bit noisy.
18:15Right.
18:16However, and you're going to have to take my word for this.
18:18When you're inside and in the garden at the back, in the garden, you just don't notice it.
18:23Hard to believe stood here.
18:25Yeah.
18:25I'll take your word for it, but we'll see.
18:27We'll see.
18:29Two former cottages knocked into one with an integrated garage.
18:34This traditional stone house is a real gem.
18:37And I'm sure Sarah is going to be charmed once we get through the front door.
18:41A staircase greets us upon entry, splitting the cottage into two with a dining room to
18:46the left and a particularly warm and cosy reception room to the right.
18:51When the door is shut, oh, hear the silence.
18:56You're right.
18:57Yeah.
18:58Yeah.
18:58I hate to tell a man that he's right, but you're right.
19:01Jules is always right.
19:03We've worked that out by now.
19:05That's a phrase I never hear at home.
19:08Look at what you get when you get in here.
19:10Nice.
19:10This is lovely.
19:11Themes.
19:12I like the wobbliness of it.
19:15Perfectly imperfect.
19:16Just like the staff.
19:18Yeah, exactly.
19:20What did I tell you?
19:22Charmed.
19:23This, I think, is super.
19:26Come on in to this garden room come, kind of dining room.
19:31Oh, this is nice.
19:33This opens it up a bit, doesn't it?
19:35Doesn't it?
19:35Yeah.
19:36And look at the garden that you get.
19:37I'm dying to get out there!
19:39Don't worry.
19:40There's lots to explore out there.
19:43Jules, I have to admit, you're right.
19:45I've come in here.
19:46I can't hear that road at all.
19:48All I can hear is the water feature that's in the garden.
19:51I am desperate to get out there and see that garden.
19:56You will.
19:57You will.
19:57All in your time.
19:59It's just so warm, isn't it?
20:01Yeah.
20:01I mean, sometimes, you know, you get into these and they're absolutely freezing because
20:05of all the glass, but this one's just so warm.
20:08I think you rather like this.
20:09Yeah, I do.
20:10I think this is lovely.
20:13But there's more to see inside before I let them loose in the garden.
20:17Now, I know what you're going to say about this, Sarah.
20:19You're going to tell me that it's not big enough.
20:25It might be.
20:27It might be big enough.
20:28No, I might be going to tell you that.
20:30Well, let's just say you have.
20:33However, in its favour, I think, is the view out to the garden, you know, the skylights,
20:38and I think the functionality of it, actually.
20:40It's not as...
20:43Claustrophobic.
20:43Yeah.
20:44Yeah.
20:44I felt a bit compressed from the other one, whereas this one was the skylights.
20:48Yeah.
20:49Yeah.
20:49It feels a bit more open.
20:51I think they've made good use of the space that's in the kitchen.
20:54Yeah.
20:55It hasn't put us off.
20:56Good.
20:57Yeah.
20:58Good.
20:58Now, in terms of downsizing, you've got five bedrooms at the moment.
21:02Yes.
21:02And you don't really want five.
21:03No.
21:04This has three.
21:05Okay.
21:06That's good.
21:06There you go.
21:08Go and find them.
21:09House is yours.
21:10Go and explore.
21:13A second staircase leads up to a family bathroom and a double bedroom.
21:18Well, this is nice, isn't it?
21:20Oh, and there's the views.
21:21Fabulous views.
21:22Northumberland just keeps giving them.
21:24I could sit here in the morning, have a cup of coffee.
21:28Afternoon glass of wine.
21:29Can you hear that?
21:30Can you hear that?
21:31No traffic.
21:32Yeah, you can't hear it at all, can you?
21:33No traffic.
21:34No, it's really good.
21:36Off the hallway, there's another double bedroom.
21:39Oh, no.
21:40This one's nice.
21:41It's a nice seal aspect.
21:42Yeah, nice.
21:42And through a second door, there's even more.
21:46Oh.
21:47Wow.
21:48Oh.
21:50Yeah, this is nice.
21:53Oh, this is the curse ball again, isn't it?
21:56Yeah.
21:57This is lovely.
21:59Oh, this is really nice.
22:01Oh, dear.
22:03Yeah.
22:04Oh.
22:04I think you didn't want to like it.
22:06I didn't.
22:06On the way in.
22:07But this is really, really lovely.
22:09It is a lovely house.
22:10Jules was right.
22:11Yeah.
22:12Don't act so surprised, Anne.
22:13I know a good house when I see one.
22:15And this one is the gift that just keeps on giving.
22:19Connected to the bedroom is a dressing room and an en suite.
22:23It just keeps going.
22:25Back downstairs, there's a very handsome study.
22:29And I know somewhere else the ladies are itching to explore.
22:33Yeah.
22:33Let's go see the garden.
22:35I'm so excited.
22:37I don't think it'll disappoint.
22:40A large lawn, a paved patio, fruit trees, a greenhouse, a summer house.
22:47You name it, this garden probably has it.
22:51Hopefully you've enjoyed what you've seen up there.
22:54But I think what you get out here just adds to the mix, the rich mix.
22:58Look at it.
22:59Oh, I like this.
23:01It's different sections, different sort of like little hidey holes.
23:06It's a beautiful garden.
23:07Absolutely.
23:08Wow.
23:09Yeah.
23:10Lovely, isn't it?
23:10Yeah.
23:11Come back.
23:12Come back.
23:12I'm going to let you explore it all later on.
23:14Oh.
23:15You need to know.
23:16You need to know how much is on the market for.
23:20So, Anne, because you love this, I know.
23:22I do love this.
23:23I think it's really nice.
23:24And I think it's going to be near the top of Sarah's budget.
23:27So I'm going five full five.
23:30545,000 pounds.
23:32Yeah.
23:32Okay, Sarah.
23:33I think it might be a little bit over.
23:35Oh.
23:36I think it might be on for 560.
23:39560,000 pounds.
23:40Well, here's the thing.
23:41You're kind of right.
23:43Oh.
23:44It offers over 545,000 pounds.
23:49Right.
23:50So you might need to go give Mark a call.
23:52I just want to get into this garden.
23:55I just want to explore.
23:56Go on, then.
23:56Go and explore.
23:58Go and see what your boxes would make of it.
24:00Okay.
24:02Sarah asked for character and this extensive cottage definitely delivers.
24:07Three bedrooms, a separate kitchen, dining room and living room, plus a fabulous sunroom
24:12and a garden you could get lost in.
24:15All for offers over 545,000 pounds.
24:18I think I've got my work cut out to top this one.
24:22I am completely in love with this garden.
24:25I love all the little bits of it.
24:28It's just amazing.
24:29It would be perfect.
24:31Yeah, I agree.
24:31I think it's really lovely.
24:32And we've forgotten about the road noise.
24:35Any road noise, haven't we?
24:36As soon as we come in here, it becomes a non-event.
24:38Yeah, Jules was right.
24:40Yeah.
24:40My only concern is garage.
24:43If we had that double garage, I would buy this house today.
24:47I would go past the kitchen, but I haven't got the garage.
24:58I'd say it's been a pretty successful day of house hunting, but before we call it a day,
25:03I've got a little something up my sleeve that I think could provide a bit of inspiration
25:07for garden enthusiast Sarah.
25:10I want you to see this.
25:12The walled garden.
25:15Look, Capheaton Hall, have a look at this lot.
25:20Oh, wow.
25:20This is something, isn't it?
25:22Isn't it?
25:22Mm.
25:23And the light is just perfect.
25:25And what I love about this walled garden, and I do love a walled garden, it has to be said,
25:29is that it is genuinely productive.
25:32Yeah.
25:32All right.
25:34Capheaton Hall has been in the same family since the 13th century.
25:39It's very much a working estate, and we've come to meet owner Willie Brown Swinburne.
25:44Willie, great to see you.
25:45Good to see you.
25:46Let me introduce you to Anne and to Sarah.
25:48Hi, Willie.
25:49Nice to meet you.
25:49Hi, Willie.
25:50Good to meet you.
25:51We are very lucky because ordinarily, Willie, this is your private walled garden, isn't it?
25:55Well, yes, but...
25:58You've been very kind to let us in.
25:59Not at all.
25:59It's great to have anyone who appreciates it, really.
26:02Well, I...
26:02It can get quite lonely.
26:03Absolutely love a walled garden, and we are very happy to come and keep you company,
26:08and maybe lend a hand if we need to.
26:09Well, yeah, always happy to take that.
26:12How lovely.
26:13I mean, amongst the estate, you've still got your walled garden here, and it's so nice
26:17to see it so productive and looking so colourful.
26:19Yeah.
26:20Well, it's the one place that really, over the years, has never been neglected.
26:24Yeah.
26:25And, yeah, we try and keep it as productive as possible, but also as pretty as possible.
26:32It's just beautiful.
26:35At the minute, I can only grow herbs because we've got so much salt coming in off the sea.
26:40Really?
26:40So, you know, just to get an idea...
26:43You probably don't get many frosts, do you?
26:44No.
26:45No, I don't get many frosts, but I get a lot of salt water.
26:47That's what you need to watch out for, frosts.
26:49Yeah, yeah.
26:50I only live about ten miles that way, and coming here, it's definitely inspiring me to be able
26:55to do more, because I keep thinking it's too cold and we can't do this, but actually,
26:59just look at this.
27:01Yeah.
27:01I'm going to race back there after we've done all of this.
27:04Well, we're happy to give you a hand, Willie.
27:05Well, do.
27:06I've got some, er...
27:07Secondary.
27:08Right.
27:08Handy tools here for you.
27:09There we go.
27:10You know what you're doing.
27:11Yeah.
27:12Let's do this.
27:13Yeah.
27:14Let's have a sniff of these, too.
27:16Wow.
27:17Yeah, that smells like cellar.
27:20I think Sarah could learn a lot from somewhere like this.
27:24With the abundance of plants and herbs here, she's probably not going to want to leave.
27:28I'll just stay here.
27:30It'll be fine.
27:31Yeah.
27:32I'm quite happy.
27:33Well, I think you've got a couple of willing volunteers here.
27:36Yeah, absolutely.
27:36Absolutely.
27:37Well, all volunteers welcome.
27:51If you, like Sarah, are thinking of making a move to Northumberland, here's what you need
27:56to know before you go.
27:58And you might be pleasantly surprised.
28:01The average price of a detached property here is just over £348,000.
28:07That's more than £16,000 below prices in North Tyneside.
28:12It's also way below the UK figure of £438,000.
28:19However, if you're in the market for a semi-detached home, the prices drop even further.
28:26Take this one, a two-bedroom stone cottage in a pretty village.
28:30For £290,000, it offers a large gated garden, a traditional country kitchen and a cosy reception room.
28:39Or how about this distinctive and detached former chapel?
28:43Decorated with original features, it has countryside views, open-plan living and is surrounded by a pretty garden.
28:51It's priced around £325,000.
28:56Perhaps you're looking for a short-term break to discover all the county has to offer.
29:02From £100 a night for two, this spacious wooden hut is set in a meadow and just minutes from Hadrian's
29:08Wall.
29:08After a day exploring, you can unwind and dine on the wraparound deck or stargaze through the skylight from your
29:16comfy bed.
29:22Well, we have one more day of house hunting ahead of us here in Northumberland with Sarah and her very
29:27good friend Anne.
29:28So far so good, but coming up today, it is of course time to reveal our mystery house.
29:34Now, we do know that Sarah has green fingers and maybe has some ambitions to keep one or two animals.
29:40Well, our mystery house, I hope, will satisfy all of those ambitions.
29:44And here's the thing, it's not a million miles away from where I am stood now, in the heart of
29:49a thriving village community.
29:53For our final offering, we're travelling north to the village of Bellingham.
30:01Final day ahead of us.
30:03Yep.
30:04How are we feeling about the prospect of this new country life?
30:10I'm so excited. So excited.
30:12I woke up this morning, opened the curtains and there was little rabbits jumping all over the grass in front
30:17of the hotel.
30:18My heart was like, yes, this is what I want.
30:22We're disappointed you haven't used any of your Geordie accent yet though, Jules.
30:26I mean, myself, like, I love it up here. It's, it's, it's gorgeous, isn't it?
30:30Do you? Do you really?
30:31Aye, aye.
30:32I didn't like cities like me. No.
30:35Do you like that?
30:36Aye.
30:36You didn't like it.
30:37You did like it.
30:38I did.
30:38Aye, aye.
30:39Aye.
30:40And what should you like it? Like, really like it?
30:42Oh.
30:43Absolutely.
30:44Massive.
30:45Honestly.
30:46I don't give compliments lightly, but Julesy, that is the best Southerners Geordie accent I have ever heard.
30:52Well, you're both, you're both very keen.
30:53Jules, me.
30:54Where have we gone?
30:56Gan.
30:56Where have we gone?
30:56Where have we gone?
30:57Where have we gone?
30:58Where have we gone is a little secret.
30:58He's so little before.
31:02See jauddy accents aside.
31:04I have a very Northumbrian mystery house to reveal, but first, a pit stop in the village
31:10that serves it.
31:11Well, you two, I'm very excited to reveal our mystery house.
31:15But before we do, I thought we'd pause here in Bellingham.
31:18is this a village that you've been to before i've been through it i think it was a very long
31:24time
31:24ago though okay well i think this is a really interesting option for you it's not the splendid
31:29isolation that you had pictured originally of life in a field but can you see the merits of
31:35that idea i can see the merit yes i can whether it's gonna actually work for me i'm not sure
31:41because i'm still set on being in a field okay but what if we gave you a property that gave
31:47you
31:47access to all of this but still had a sense of space around it is there such a thing well
31:53hard to
31:53find but i think we might have done it well get this our mystery house is literally literally
31:59a two-minute walk down there all right so why don't you explore all that bellingham has to offer
32:07maybe find a coffee if you're lucky and i will go to our mystery house and i will meet you
32:10there
32:11sounds like the plan go on then off you go enjoy don't spend too much money you need it for
32:16your
32:20house bellingham is a popular destination for tourists wanting to explore the northumberland
32:25national park but it has an active local community as well i looked at you yoga and parties i think
32:33you're
32:34more of jujitsu or a mixed martial arts person you can see me doing that i've arranged for the ladies
32:43to
32:43visit local resident and shop owner moira hobson to learn a little more about what's on offer here
32:49hello there oh hello hi some lovely things in here it smells gorgeous in here oh thank you
32:57it's all the soaps i make all the soaps myself so do you live in the local area then i
33:01live at
33:01falstone which is just on the way to the reservoir but um ben and jim is just a fabulous little
33:07village
33:07so you've got butchers who also does bread at the weekends right we've got a hardware store we've
33:12got a chemist we've got practically everything you could possibly want really
33:19while sarah and anne explore all the delights of bellingham let me give you a little taster as to
33:26what our mystery house is all about even though we are in the heart of this community it's on a
33:33really
33:33generous footprint gorgeous property had much done to it over the years it's got all this space out
33:39here for the dogs and as you can see some very welcome and with this house search all important
33:46garaging space fingers crossed this draws together everything i've learned about what sarah and her
33:53husband mark are after she'll be surprised as to the location but i genuinely think this could work
34:00plus it's also got a croquet pitch so could this impressive 19th century stone property be the one for sarah
34:12who said how something shouldn't be fun there you go hold on i'm trying to set the scene for our
34:20mystery house what do you think yes you might have um outdone yourself this time i think this with the
34:28dogs
34:32you can walk to the pub to the shop lots of advantages yeah looking positive i'm hoping we've
34:39saved the best till last yeah looks like it this might be my favorite there you go come on let's
34:43have a look let's get you in a short walk down the private driveway takes us to a side entrance
34:54we enter
34:55into a utility room and head on through to the first of three reception rooms so you tell me sarah
35:03what you think of this oh this is good and i mean it's quite a small room but because you've
35:11got the
35:11big window and a view of the nice garden so completely different views to the other houses that we've
35:18seen yesterday yeah but i think i prefer this there's more to it off the dining room overlooking
35:26the garden is a lovely sunroom and then the flow through here into the kitchen the fact that you've
35:32got the dining through there again the pair of you flowing between these spaces could you flow here
35:37i could flow here i'll definitely be going to flow through here with you good we're excited we are
35:43yes i haven't found anything wrong so far excellent yeah yeah let's have a look at the living room
35:51this is going well
35:55oh this is cute oh this is nice yeah it's really warm and welcoming isn't it i'm loving it loving
36:03it
36:03yeah i i i we're going up to nine i think here sarah's sarah's loving it so that's good yeah
36:09yeah i think
36:10it's it's i'm at nine yeah i'm at nine i'm sending the ladies to explore upstairs which i'm hopeful will
36:16notch those scores up to a ten oh so this must be the principal room then what's a good size
36:24yeah nice light
36:26good window check okay no neighbors positive yeah on sweet tickety tickety tick tick so far so good
36:39might be getting the checkbook out checkbook talk and we're only halfway through the tour
36:48there's a second double bedroom with views up to the village a bright family bathroom and a third
36:53spacious double
36:56wasn't expecting this this is unexpected isn't it yeah i was expecting a little box room and another
37:02lovely view in the garden and not overlooked oh sarah oh yeah you're in danger oh dear
37:10and there's still a lot to explore on the generous plot outside mature trees and hedges give privacy
37:16an extensive lawn wraps around the front back and side but it's the detached outhouse that might
37:23just be the icing on the cake oh come and have a look oh wow oh jules this isn't a
37:32garage i have
37:33seen houses smaller than this have you i mean it's great isn't it oh yes yes i think yeah
37:40you good good yeah yeah and it's not in a field it's not in the country it's not out in
37:51the middle of
37:51nowhere but i love it well let's go and think about how much it's worth shall we oh no no
37:58what are you
37:59going to tell me i can't afford it i just knew the mystery house would deliver as it so often
38:06does
38:06so it's our final price guess of the week madam go on i think yeah i think you've blown my
38:16budget out
38:16of the water and i think you've gone 600 600 000 pounds wow that is a big old leap isn't
38:22it yeah
38:23and um i think it's smaller um so i think okay maybe i'll change my mind no
38:30i think it's more around about 520. 520 000 pounds okay let's make this nice and easy this is on
38:39the
38:39market for 500 000 pounds wow so you've got change to make some changes oh wow she's already mentally
38:48moved in yeah yeah to all she has i'm not surprised because clearly this house has everything sarah wants
38:56as well as something she didn't know she wanted it comes with three receptions three double bedrooms
39:03a large secure garden views and of course it's just a short walk from the village center
39:09under budget at 500 000 pounds what's not to love i might have lost my heart to a house in
39:17berringham
39:18oh it's absolutely perfect it's not what i asked for it's not what i expected but it's home
39:26it's my new home oh my god that's my house
39:35well what a week we've had with sarah and her friend and herself of course a new escapee to country
39:43life
39:44we've given them three i think really interesting properties to choose from but without a doubt there
39:48is one very obvious favorite the question is what will she and husband mark potentially do about it
39:56well we're better to find out than just a stone's throw from the banks of the river tyne
40:07hi jules this is all a bit exciting isn't it wow what a fabulous week it has been now my
40:16sense is
40:16that of the properties we have shown you there is clearly one obvious favorite i i would have to say
40:22you're right i hate to admit a man is right but you are right not for the first time this
40:27week which
40:27is you know praise indeed um the mystery house clearly definitely it was just perfect the minute i walked in
40:36you got a feeling of yes but let's just break this down then because when we met there was talk
40:42about living in the middle of nowhere didn't want to be new people yes okay so a few of those
40:48requirements might have went out the window as soon as the mystery house appeared it's just beautiful
40:55can i say though jules that we've only been in bellingham for a short time and she's already made
41:00loads of friends no surprise so let's think about mark for a moment um has he had time to
41:08consider where you're at or is he just going to go with it well i have sent him the details
41:13of the
41:14house yeah um and we both want to come up and have a look well my second look his first
41:21look in in a
41:22couple of days fabulous so no offer just yet but a second viewing for you a first viewing for mark
41:28i think he'll absolutely love it i think you'll be getting a phone call saying thank you wow well
41:34look it's been a lot of fun uh thank you for no thank you inviting us to come along and
41:40give you
41:41a hand honestly it's been a real treat let us know how you get on with your second viewing and
41:46let us know what mark thinks and fingers crossed once you've sold your home you could be well on the
41:52way thank you we've had a great time haven't we thank you very much thank you well it's going to
42:01come as
42:01it's no great surprise that every house search here on escape to the country begins of course
42:05with a wish list drawn up not by us but by our buyers but even though they may have dotted
42:12every
42:12i and crossed every t not for the first time has a property all by itself revised that list torn
42:19it up
42:19and that of course is exactly what has happened to sarah with our mystery house but now hopefully
42:25fingers crossed she and husband mark will be making the move from the coast to the countryside to
42:31revel in all of this big beautiful beguiling northumberland i'll see you next time
42:42well sarah was right mark did absolutely love it too and the couple has had an offer accepted on our
42:49mystery house they'll be making their escape to the country very soon and i wish them all the best
42:57if you would also like to escape to the country in england scotland northern ireland or wales and need
43:02our help why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part
43:09so
43:33you
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