- 2 weeks ago
Escape.to.the.Country.S26E11.North.Somerset
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00:03a longing to be closer to the land inspires many a city escapee this is amazing but some
00:12can head off in an unexpected country direction I've always wanted to live somewhere that feels
00:17a little bit like a holiday home somewhere in the Mediterranean we're there to keep things
00:22on track I love having everything within a stone's throw away from where I live so gonna work and focus
00:31on the priorities this is really about the future and putting a slightly more rational head on
01:03for those after a life in the countryside that's also close to the coast but who don't want to
01:08step too far away from the city connections join us as we make tracks to North Somerset and follow in
01:16some very ancient footsteps oh Somerset has put a real spring in my step and I wonder if that's
01:25because of the ley lines some believe in powerful lines of earth energy that connect up landmarks and
01:33prehistoric sites very spiritual very groovy and although the scientists haven't proved that they
01:39exist believers will tell you that Somerset is absolutely full of them and even if you're a
01:46hard-bitten skeptic I defy you to come to this enchanting landscape and not feel a jolt of energy
01:56located in the west of England the ceremonial county of Somerset includes the smaller district of North
02:02Somerset flanked by the national landscape of the Mendip Hills
02:09Wales and the Bristol Channel with views towards Wales the area's coastal towns include Western
02:15Supermare Portishead and Clevedon home to a grade one listed pier North Somerset is a great place to
02:24live I've lived here all my life and the people here are just wonderful and it's just marvelous place
02:30to get out in the fresh air and explore the countryside you can be in Wales in next to no
02:37time so there's a
02:37lot of countryside over there you can get to you're very close to the south west Devon Cornwall that
02:42area but you're also close to Bristol and you can get to London fairly easily as well so it's nice
02:47to
02:47have everything here a lot of nature on your doorstep but still be able to connect with other places as
02:52well when I first moved out of Bristol I really felt like I was going to miss everything that the
03:00city
03:00had to offer that realized very quickly that everything we needed was here there's so much
03:05in North Somerset for children you've also got some beautiful coastlines and forests
03:16our couple today are busy busy people they're planning a wedding a new family a new job and escaping to
03:24the
03:24country luckily I can help them with that last one although I've always fancied myself as a wedding
03:30planner too at the moment we live here in soaps cross which is pretty much the most central place
03:37you can live in Bristol but we're about to get married and start family and so we decided that
03:43maybe it'd be nice to look out on green fields instead of students I'm just going to do a quick
03:50tour of our Bristol flat doesn't get a lot of natural light so we try to bring some more light
03:54in by using
03:55mirrors but it's pretty dark which is annoying because it means you don't wake up very easily in
04:00the morning fiance's janky a specialist pharmacist and Tom who heads a creative studio from home
04:09currently have no outside space for themselves and their dog Pascal at the Bristol City flat it's one
04:16of the reasons they're looking to move back to Tom's former countryside stomping ground of North Somerset
04:22I'm a bit of a country boy I'm from Wales and Somerset and yeah I want to introduce Janky to
04:27my way of life I'm a city girl and I have been used to having everything within a 15 minute
04:33walk
04:33of where I live Tom really likes being grounded to where he is by seeing the sea or hills particularly
04:41because I work from home as well so I feel like I'm just a bit trapped in the city centre
04:45the whole time
04:46so we're really looking for somewhere that's got a couple more bedrooms a lovely garden for Pascal
04:50and a nice a nicer commute for me to get to my new job in Weston
04:58Janky and Tom have a budget of up to five hundred thousand pounds and are looking for a detached or
05:04semi-detached home with three bedrooms to accommodate potential future children Tom needs space to work
05:11from home and they also want a dog friendly garden off-street parking and some nearby facilities they
05:18also prefer hills to flat landscapes this is a lovely move and also unusual because our couple are not
05:31moving very far but that sort of move from the cities which are so exciting when you're young to
05:39the countryside it's so good for the soul it's such a tonic and we live in such an accelerated world
05:45though I think we need to get closer to the to the ground it's those ley lines that's what we
05:52need to be
05:52close to our first viewing of the day is on the outskirts of the village of Hutton but before I
06:02show
06:02them the house let's get grounded in the local landscape which is after all a lot of what this
06:12move is about oh look at the view so beautiful although this is probably not so strict because
06:17you've only driven how far is it from your flat like 45 minutes you know this better than me yeah
06:25but it's a different world it's a different world from the center of Bristol that's for sure so you're
06:28the country boy Tom Janky you're the city girl I am I love having everything within a stone's throw away
06:35from where I live so I'm gonna work I have loved living in the city but I'm ready to not
06:41be overlooked
06:42by everybody and be able to look out my window and see green and see the sky that's what happens
06:49when
06:49you live in the countryside and was it is it right that it's your flats I bought that quite a
06:54few years
06:54ago so this will be our first joint venture how's that gonna go are you good at buying things together
07:00are you good at compromising we have very different styles I would say I like minimal I like
07:05cleaner like functional Tom likes a lot of sort of neutral colors whereas I'm very happy to throw
07:11in a bit of green put in some orange a bit of green a lot of green my bedroom in
07:17Bristol is fully green
07:18so I'm looking forward to seeing how Tom can put these ideas into reality I am looking forward to
07:26coming back in a year's time and seeing how this pans out well let's get going the first property's not
07:33far follow me thank you Hutton provides a well-regarded pub serving meals a hairdresser's and a village hall
07:45with community activities that include a monthly music night several buses a day run to nearby Western
07:52super mayor and with a primary school located just a 15 minute walk from the house I'm showing my
07:58home here's this could be just the spot for their family plans come on in look at this garden's
08:06amazing wow look at this and look at this wow look at this view this view is unbelievable and see
08:13the sea
08:14and that's where you're going to be working it's western oh yeah you can send up a flare to let
08:19don't know I'm coming home yeah get dinner ready and then this is your possibly your new home yeah
08:25it looks it looks nice yeah you can't really see that much from this angle so I'm excited to look
08:31inside and see what it has to offer it's a cottage but it's definitely got some more modern adjustments
08:38which I really like come let's have a look perched prettily on its sloping plot at the edge of the
08:45Mendip Hills this stone cottage thought to be at least two centuries old has brick extensions to the
08:51front and side then rendered and painted to unify old and new we start by the main entrance in an
09:02extended
09:06section straight in from the front door into the lovely kitchen this will be modernized this is
09:12really nice nice yeah there's good countertop space and if you include this as well I can see myself
09:17working here with the view which would be incredible because you're going to be working
09:20from home is that right yeah I do work from home yeah my only concern is there's not that much
09:25cupboard space so in terms of storage for the kitchen well there is a utility room next door
09:31oh wow and more storage there oh nice but then the main living space is through here next to the
09:40utility room is the family bathroom fitted with a shower cubicle and also on the ground floor on the
09:47other side of the main entrance is a study which could be used as a guest bedroom then in the
09:54footprint of
09:54the original stone cottage a multi-functional reception space is set over two levels which
10:01the current owners have modernized by replacing fireplaces with more energy-efficient central heating
10:09Wow so you've got the dining area up here steps down into the living area so it's open plan on
10:14a
10:14small scale yeah I like it I like the views that you can get out the windows and you can
10:18see bits of
10:19the garden and things I like this little nook over here as well that they've got I like that they've
10:23kept some of the original features like the beams it's just been really nicely finished I think at
10:27the moment I think it will be a good size for the two of us but if our family ever
10:31extends it might
10:32be a little small we can explore the rest of the property well the rest of the property is upstairs
10:37yeah should we go upstairs yes stairs from the entrance lobby lead up to two first floor bedrooms
10:45the first of these is a double with a south-facing window and storage set into the eaves the principal
10:53is a larger double room again with a south-facing aspect and they've got a walk-in wardrobe here oh
11:00yeah so this would probably be your room yeah it's nice it's smaller than I had hoped it's a little
11:08too
11:08small for me but well I can have a look and see how much space there is in the wardrobe
11:12it is walk-in
11:15oh wow this is cool there's loads of storage there yeah you can fit loads of clothes in there right
11:22does
11:22that allay the size worries a little bit a little bit yeah yeah a little bit yeah we can make
11:27it work
11:27and the nice thing is that you've got the downstairs study which could it a push be another bedroom yes
11:33because outside there's some options for working which I would love to show you oh great yeah thank
11:39you let's head into the garden
11:45the third of an acre garden is tiered with wooded and wildflower areas offering an environmentally friendly
11:52haven for creatures great and small as well as a choice of quiet spots in which to relax
11:58there's a large greenhouse a wooden tool shed and a generous garage come workshop set into the hillside
12:05which has off-street parking to the front and Tom's work from home options include a summer house
12:14oh this is so cute with a view we could look at getting a way of running power here and
12:22then we
12:22could use it as a home office or something yeah you could be working from home I could be working
12:26from the hospital and we could wave at each other I want an inspiring space to work yeah exactly
12:33but will spirits remain raised when they hear the asking price I don't know if you checked out this
12:40lovely little option here yeah we did it was really nice really nice space we thought we could get some
12:45electricity up there or solar panels oh yeah solar panels yeah me to the country yes I live off grid
12:51you see so I'm all about like you don't have to get electricity up there you can just put solar
12:56panels
12:56space heater yeah yeah so how much do you think this little slice of cottage heaven would cost
13:04oh um I think because of where it is and the view I think we're looking at probably four nine
13:10five
13:10really yeah I was gonna go a bit lower because you know the it's not as big as other properties
13:19maybe I was gonna go four five oh interesting yeah it's on the market for four hundred and eighty
13:27thousand pounds ah okay this extended stone cottage provides open plan living and dining two to three
13:36bedrooms panoramic views and a location on the outskirts of a village with a primary school a short
13:42walk away oh it's a barn door oh that's great look at this yeah yeah you could stand there with
13:52a coffee
13:52with Pascal in the garden yeah he could be running around over here and that view from this door yeah
13:58just incredible I really like this property it's got a really nice vibe inside and I think it's been
14:05really tastefully done up we really would prefer to have three bedrooms I'm concerned that it's not
14:11quite big enough for what we need the garden is absolutely stunning but if I'm honest I don't think
14:18I've got the energy to go around a completely terrier proof it so that Pascal can't get out at this
14:23point in our lives I'm not sure it's the right one for us
14:36Jackie and Tom are looking to swap the bustle of Bristol for a more relaxed family focused way of
14:42life just eight miles west from the city the town of Portishead draws many in the same boat with its
14:49combination of coast countryside access and community spirit
15:00I've lived in Portishead for seven years I moved here from Bristol it's got a fantastic thriving
15:07community really supportive from a business point of view people come and buy from our shop and other
15:14independence they really want to support their high street wow this is great look I get you guys
15:23I would recommend so the cookies really lovely at 72 percent chocolate and then the vegan dark chocolate
15:31banana cake is lovely as well I think we'll take both of those the town's open-air pool and associated
15:43cafe are managed by a community trust and the coastline is cared for by an environmental group
15:52I used to live in Bristol city centre and I decided to move out of the city to be more
15:57in the countryside
15:58I joined turn-the-tide of Portishead which was just set up and it's all about reducing litter and plastic
16:03waste in Portishead
16:07Portishead once boasted a fishing industry and later a deepwater dock
16:13those have made way for a marina and tranquil beauty spots such as Battery Point
16:23it's just we and our five it feels that there's a lot of people in our situation who are moving
16:29here as well which is really good it the views may be peaceful
16:33oh Pascal would really love it here yeah but the tide here is notoriously strong making the local rnli a
16:42vital emergency service with a volunteer crew that has plenty to sing about
16:47blow the man down so the 85 is a sea shanty band based in Portishead blow him right back into
16:56Portishead town we're all active volunteer lifeboat crew we all go to sea and we like to sing a few
17:02songs and we raise some money for the rnli and some other charities give me some time to blow the
17:10man down
17:15thank you and thank you for the singing and um thanks for what you guys do as well come and
17:20find us
17:20at the lifeboat station yeah sunday mornings tutor nights we're always there
17:26well janky and tom seem to have hit things off on the right note in Portishead now to find a
17:32countryside home that's also in tune with their future plans
17:41we're in the village of westbury sub mendip for the next offering
17:46around four miles from tom's mum in the city of wells
17:50the local limestone which features heavily in the village is known for durability and versatility
17:55as well as appealing tones
18:02facilities in the village itself include a community shop with post office
18:07as well as a pub that's just a stone's throw away from the house we're here to view
18:15oh wow oh wow this is really nice this is our second property look all the greenery you probably
18:21know this this is like four miles from wells do you know westbury sub mendip i'm familiar it's
18:26pretty close but i've never looked at property here it's a great village there's a primary school
18:31it's really lovely i love it yeah i really like it already so tom you wanted something a little more
18:36modern i did it's actually quite a modern house it's back from the 80s should we take a look inside
18:41yeah
18:41Yeah, I'd love to.
18:42Yeah, come on.
18:45Built in 1986 from Mendip Stone, this detached home is set over three levels.
18:52Eco-credentials include double glazing and climbing plants, some of which, research shows,
18:58offer great environmentally friendly natural insulation.
19:02Our tour starts with a flight of stone stairs to reach the main entrance hall.
19:09Yeah, so you come into this nice, I think, kind of modern feeling, a bit Scandinavian maybe,
19:15Tom?
19:15Yeah.
19:16And the house kind of goes in all directions, down and up and across.
19:21Yeah.
19:22Wow, yeah, it's really nice.
19:23Cool.
19:23I like it.
19:24Yeah.
19:24Yeah, I like it.
19:25I really like it.
19:26Yeah.
19:27All of the living spaces are on this level, starting with the kitchen.
19:34Ah, an island.
19:36Room for an island.
19:37A little island, yeah, but you don't need much, do you?
19:39Nice and white.
19:40It feels really light as well.
19:41Yeah, lots of windows, which is really great.
19:43Mm, I really like the colours of the tiles as well.
19:46And the floor is fab.
19:48Yeah.
19:48So does this feel a bit more your speed?
19:50Yes.
19:51100%.
19:51Yeah, I'm really enjoying this already.
19:54I've always wanted to live somewhere that feels a little bit like a holiday home.
19:57Somewhere in the Mediterranean.
19:59And this is really giving that kind of feeling, I think, for me.
20:03Can't wait to see more.
20:04Well, good.
20:04Let's loop round to the left and we go into the two reception rooms.
20:09So here you've got a proper set up, well it's a library really, but also a dining room.
20:14Yeah, really nice.
20:15Wow.
20:15I love this light fixture.
20:17Yeah.
20:18Something we've always wanted is just somewhere to put all of our books.
20:20Yeah.
20:20And then this is your kind of cooler sitting room, television room.
20:25Wow.
20:25This is lovely.
20:26This is giving Greek villa, isn't it?
20:28Yeah.
20:29Yeah.
20:29The white painted.
20:31Yeah.
20:31I love it.
20:32It's really lovely.
20:33Yeah.
20:34I really like this inside, outside, like these double doors leading straight outside.
20:38Yeah.
20:39Makes it feel like you're on holiday all the time.
20:41Yeah.
20:41Which is what we really wanted, something like that.
20:42Absolutely.
20:43Yeah.
20:43Really lovely, yeah.
20:44I think it's going to be easier if you two just go and explore on your own and then you
20:48can
20:48loop through the gardens and you'll meet me here in the sun.
20:50So off you go and explore.
20:52Yeah.
20:54It's amazing, isn't it?
20:55How just the feel of a house can win someone over, regardless of any of the practicalities.
21:02The bedrooms are set across two further levels, one above and one below this one, reached
21:08from stairs in the entrance.
21:10Wow.
21:11Wow.
21:12Oh, it's split level.
21:13Yeah.
21:13That's really cool.
21:14I like that you can see through the stairs as well.
21:17The level above provides a WC set into the eaves and a large principal suite which has
21:23a double glazed dormer window.
21:29Window out onto the road, which is really interesting because you can't hear the road
21:33noise from here.
21:34No.
21:35This comes with its own shower room.
21:38I'm feeling a good vibe from this space already.
21:42Yeah.
21:42Me too.
21:42Yeah.
21:43Me too.
21:45There are two further bedrooms on the lower floor.
21:48Wow.
21:48Look at this.
21:49Mmm.
21:51The first is large enough for a double bed or could work as a home office.
21:56Good size room.
21:57Yeah.
21:57Nice and cool down here as well.
21:58Yeah, really nice.
21:59Yeah.
22:00And it's still bright even though we're on a lower level.
22:03Yeah.
22:05There's a family bathroom.
22:07With a bath!
22:07I miss having a bath!
22:09I know you have.
22:12And finally, bedroom number three is a larger double.
22:15In some places this would even be considered a master bedroom.
22:18Yeah.
22:18So it's a really good size.
22:20Yeah, it's really, really lovely.
22:21It just feels really like a holiday home, doesn't it?
22:25Yeah, it does.
22:25Feels like we could be in Italy or somewhere like that.
22:26This house is selling itself to these guys.
22:29Who knew that they wanted a Mediterranean villa in the Mendips?
22:35Vacation vibes continue outside as a series of courtyard gardens across different levels
22:41feature many potted plants which are included in the house sale.
22:45I love what they've done with all this.
22:47They've got trees, everything's in pots.
22:48It's really, really nice.
22:50This is very you, isn't it?
22:51Very me, yeah.
22:52Alistair has really nailed this house.
22:54Yeah, yeah.
22:57Oh, wow.
22:59This just keeps going on.
23:00Look at that massive palm tree.
23:02Yeah.
23:03Yeah, this is a dream terrace for me.
23:05Look, there's Alistair.
23:06Part of your exotic display.
23:09This is amazing.
23:11Do you like it?
23:11I really love it.
23:13And you've got this huge double garage which you could do all sorts of things further down the line.
23:17Yeah.
23:19Do you think you can afford it?
23:20What do you think the price tag on this one is?
23:22I think this is going to be high.
23:23Okay, you go first.
23:25I think this is going to be 500.
23:27I think it's our max.
23:28Yeah.
23:28I actually think this is above our budget.
23:30I think this is 520, 530.
23:32Well, you're both wrong, I'm afraid.
23:34This is on the market for 475,000 pounds.
23:40Wow.
23:40Well, you go and explore and I'll meet you at the front when you're done.
23:43Well, thank you.
23:44Enjoy.
23:47This late 20th century Mendip stone house has two reception rooms and three bedrooms.
23:53There are Mediterranean style courtyard gardens and it's located in the heart of a great village just four miles from
24:00the city of Wells.
24:05I love this house.
24:07The feel is just really magical.
24:08It just screams us and our style.
24:14Obviously, the issue here is that there's no lawn, which was really quite a deal breaker for us.
24:19But I'm sure there are ways that we could find solutions for making sure that Pascal also has a really
24:23good quality of life.
24:29And they're crossing the Mediterranean back into rural England.
24:33Thank you very much.
24:34That was a good one, wasn't it?
24:36Look at those smiley faces.
24:40If you are happy, I'm happy.
24:41Come on.
24:55To round off today's North Somerset house tours, we've come to Draycott Slate's viewpoint, where my buyers could be forgiven
25:03for feeling they've got the world at their feet.
25:08You don't get these views from your flat in Bristol, do you?
25:11You certainly do not.
25:12No.
25:12What incredible tapestry of England laid out.
25:16It's really beautiful.
25:17I feel very peaceful.
25:18And how are you feeling overall about the big move, especially you, because this is Countryside Central?
25:24It is.
25:25It is.
25:25I am looking forward to it.
25:27I was nervous at first, but now that we've seen properties and been out in the countryside, just the feeling
25:32of space is just so lovely.
25:34So, yeah, looking forward to it.
25:36And have you got the kind of little kind of butterflies of like, oh, actually this could really happen?
25:40Yeah.
25:41I think, particularly with that last house, yeah, just really got me very excited for the future.
25:45Yeah.
25:46Like, it's just on the cusp of happening.
25:48Yeah.
25:49Well, we've always got the Mystery House tomorrow, so, you know.
25:52Yeah.
25:52There might be more butterflies ahead.
25:53Oh, yeah.
25:54Hopefully.
26:09The average cost of a detached house in the southwest of England currently sits at ÂŁ502,000.
26:17In North Somerset, that figure is a little higher, at almost ÂŁ524,000, with prices increasing further the closer you
26:25move towards Bristol.
26:28But the market has cooled in recent months, so there are deals to be made.
26:34There's a lot on the market at the moment.
26:36There is a lot of choice, but we've got an area which is very popular for people to move to.
26:40You've got good squalling around, great connectivity, you've got an airport within 30 minutes, so there's a lot to offer
26:48for the area.
26:48And I think, generally speaking, that escape out of the city is a big draw.
26:55And if you're tempted to move to North Somerset, check out some of the other picks from the current property
27:00options.
27:02This three-bedroom, semi-detached home converted from a 19th-century stables could have you chomping at the bit.
27:09There's a lovely tiered garden with a summer house, and interiors full of country character, offered at ÂŁ345,000.
27:20Or you could reign supreme in your own castle.
27:24With three bedrooms and an outlook to spy all who approached from land and sea from the terrace, or through
27:30feature windows,
27:31this comes with an asking price of ÂŁ795,000.
27:39Renters might also consider this attached character property.
27:44It has solar panels, four bedrooms and comes fully furnished.
27:49This peaceful, leafy setting is really something to write home about, so as luck would have it, there's a post
27:55box right outside the door.
27:57It costs ÂŁ1,850 per calendar month.
28:04The sun is still shining on our property search here in Somerset, and Janky and Tom are off to the
28:10mystery house with me.
28:11And I think this is going to be an interesting one, and it's going to insert some rational thinking about
28:16the future into their very heartfelt adventure here.
28:22My mystery house is located a little outside of the village of Dundry.
28:28It's a desirable location due to its proximity to Bristol, just a 15-minute drive away.
28:34And the magnificent tower of the village church is a local landmark.
28:41There's also a primary school, as well as a pub.
28:47Whilst Janky and Tom check out the area, I'm already at my mystery pick to give you a sneak preview.
28:55Yesterday was so much about heart and feeling.
28:58Oh, I love this, I love that.
28:59And so here we are with a house that is already being future-proofed by a small family,
29:05just in case they want to have a family.
29:08I think it's a good one.
29:10Shall we see?
29:13This mystery option is attached to its neighbour to the left of the porched entrance,
29:17and features an original stone cottage with rendered extension.
29:22It's designed to test whether what my buyers have asked for on paper is really what they want in reality,
29:28because this hits all the beats of their stated wish list.
29:32Yes.
29:33You see, this house is much more practical, because if they decide to have kids, this is like a perfect
29:40family home,
29:41and we know that because their little family lives here.
29:43We've got a little person already giving it a trial run.
29:47But how will my sensible mystery option fare in the eyes of my buyers?
29:54Good morning, good morning, good morning.
29:56Good morning.
29:56Hello.
29:57It's time for the mystery house.
29:59Wow, this is really beautiful.
30:02This is really about the future, and putting a slightly more rational head on.
30:08And this is a family house.
30:10It's not all of it.
30:12It's like this bit.
30:13I really like it.
30:14I really like stonework on the outside of a building.
30:17And you can fit two cars in here, which is great.
30:19Shall we take a look in?
30:20Yes, please.
30:21Come with me.
30:25Dating back to 1694, and built from locally quarried stone, with a tiled roof that extends just slightly below that
30:32of its attached neighbour,
30:33our tour begins through the entrance porch, into the largest of the reception rooms.
30:41Come on in.
30:44Into the oldest part of the house.
30:46Oh, wow.
30:48That's really nice.
30:50Flagstones on the floor.
30:52This is really nice.
30:53Big, deep walls.
30:55You can see the old part of the house, how thick the 17th century part was.
30:59Yeah.
31:00So through there, there's another study slash bedroom.
31:02They're using it as a bedroom at the moment, but that would be a great workspace.
31:05We're leaving the 17th century through into the modern era.
31:09And this lovely kitchen.
31:11Oh, wow.
31:11It does have a kind of sunny conservatory, which you could make an eating space quite easily.
31:17Yeah, it's fantastic.
31:18It's really lovely.
31:19Yeah.
31:20And a huge skylight as well.
31:22Yeah.
31:23Wow.
31:23Yeah, it's got really great potential, I think.
31:25So I'm going to let you explore upstairs on your own, and then come find me in the garden.
31:30Well, thank you.
31:31See you in a minute.
31:35Yeah.
31:36Stairs from the main reception lead to the three bedrooms upstairs.
31:41This is nice.
31:44The first and largest of them is at the attached end of the home, with a front-facing aspect.
31:50Oh, wow.
31:51Original floorboards.
31:53Yeah, this is nice.
31:53This is a really good size.
31:55This is really nice.
31:55Yeah.
31:58Next, along the corridor, the family bathroom provides a bathtub and a shower.
32:03At the opposite end of this floor is a further good-sized double bedroom, again with an aspect to the
32:08front.
32:13Ah, nice.
32:14They're using this as the mass bedroom.
32:16Yeah.
32:16Still a good size, isn't it?
32:18Yeah.
32:18I mean, you could do either, couldn't you?
32:20Yeah.
32:20I really love that room on the end.
32:25Finally, tucked at the back of the house, the smallest bedroom, number three.
32:31Oh, look.
32:32They've got this as a little nursery at the moment.
32:35But look at the view out of this window.
32:37Look at that.
32:38Future little Tom and Janky baby might have an amazing view of Bristol.
32:41Yeah.
32:42It is rural.
32:43We're in the countryside.
32:44Beautiful views that way.
32:46And I know that Janky wants to have a big country experience.
32:50But she's young and she also would probably like to be able to zip into Bristol when she can.
32:57This garden has that all-important lawn and being securely enclosed is dog ready.
33:04Features include a hot tub, a pond and a barbecue, as well as magnificent countryside views.
33:12Wow.
33:14This is amazing.
33:16What a view.
33:17And then this is the village.
33:19Dundry.
33:19Look at the church.
33:20It's a beautiful church.
33:20You can see it.
33:21We've heard of Dundry.
33:22It is a sought after place to live.
33:24It's a very sought after place.
33:25These houses don't come up very often.
33:27Yeah.
33:27It's lovely.
33:28I love the garden.
33:29And I think we could do some good ball throws for Pascal.
33:32Yeah.
33:32The first point is you have to buy it.
33:34So how much do you think it costs to buy this property?
33:36I think this is top budget.
33:38I think this is 500, maybe more.
33:41Yeah.
33:42550.
33:43Maybe pushing.
33:44550?
33:45Yeah.
33:45We wouldn't be that cruel.
33:46This is actually on the market for 500,000 pounds.
33:49Okay.
33:50Yeah.
33:50So our budget.
33:51Top of the budget.
33:52Yeah.
33:53And I think we could comfortably live here for now.
33:56Absolutely.
33:56Sure.
33:57Yeah.
33:57Yeah.
34:00Coming in right on budget, this attached 17th century cottage has period features, a large,
34:07bright modern kitchen, three bedrooms upstairs, a good sized dog friendly garden plus far reaching
34:14views, as well as proximity to a popular village and the city of Bristol.
34:20I really like the mystery house.
34:22It has surprised me that Alistair's chosen a house that is more sort of drawing back into
34:29that.
34:29What were those things on that list that you needed?
34:31Good.
34:33We've got off-street parking.
34:35Gated off-street parking.
34:36Mm.
34:36A garden with an incredible view.
34:38Mm.
34:39And the fact that there's a young family living here already I think is a really good sign.
34:49So we are done in Dundry.
34:51Done in Dundry.
34:52And we're done with the houses actually.
34:53That's all I've got to show you.
34:54Oh, they've all been really beautiful.
34:56Let's go and do some head scratching.
34:58Yes.
35:08Janky and Tom have been very focused in their plan to move from city living to the great
35:14outdoors.
35:15Lots to ponder, lots to consider.
35:17But for some people, deciding where to go to is as simple as sticking a pin in a map.
35:25It's the land that called me, I think, as much as the village.
35:29It's really powerful land here.
35:31Everyone thinks about Glastonbury, but Glastonbury town is just the other side of the marshes
35:36that we have outside of Wedmore.
35:41Born in Bristol and raised in a Somerset town, Jane moved to London at 18, working in Hackney
35:47as a travel writer and spiritual healer for decades.
35:51But after being drawn to return, she now lives in a rented village home on the Somerset levels.
35:58People do ask me why I swap the very exciting urban jungle of East London, Hackney.
36:04And there's lots of answers, really.
36:06But I guess the main one is nature and all its feelings.
36:09So just connecting to the land, the birds, the earth, the earth meet my feet, really resources me,
36:20connects me to myself and also to my work as a healer.
36:27Jane's taking me on a little road trip in her trusty red camper van to find a spot for us
36:32to tune in
36:33to the peaceful, natural surroundings.
36:36How long have you been here now?
36:38A year and a half.
36:40And I don't have any intention of going back to, of leaving Somerset, let alone going back to London.
36:46Really? So it's a done deal. The countryside is one.
36:48Yeah. It's, like, just a feeling that everything is here.
36:51And I think that my healing work was part of what caused me here as well,
36:55because it's, like, the connection to the land.
36:57It kind of supports my healing work, but it really supports me.
37:01When I moved, I found that there was something about the countryside
37:04that made things go more smoothly.
37:07I wonder whether you noticed that?
37:10Yes. I mean, I feel like, you know, it's a vibration.
37:13It's like a resonance.
37:15I think when we relax a bit, which is what happens in the countryside,
37:18because it's slower and people generally have more time,
37:22the body knows what to do.
37:25So, yes, it's very powerful.
37:31To get a sense of what Jane feels she can harness from the natural world,
37:35we're stopping off at one of her favourite places.
37:38It's a beautiful spot by the water's edge.
37:44My spiritual practice comes from Tibetan Buddhism,
37:46so I'm interested to know how Jane defines hers.
37:51How would you describe your work?
37:53I did my training in Glastonbury,
37:55and I call it Celtic shamanic healings.
37:58I feel like it's back to kind of indigenous wisdom.
38:02Do you want to have a lie down?
38:03I always invite that whenever people want it.
38:07Do you want to have something over your eyes?
38:09Oh, it's just lovely.
38:13So I've got some flower water here.
38:15You might smell it above you just to kind of just clear the air and energy.
38:19Oh, yeah, I love the purification.
38:23I don't know if there's anything that you want to call in or bring in for your healing.
38:27Yeah, new beginnings.
38:28New beginnings.
38:29New beginnings.
38:29So how would that feel?
38:31Would it be, I feel...
38:32Feel brand new, yes.
38:33I feel brand new, yeah.
38:35Green shoots.
38:36So I can feel that energy as you say that.
38:39I feel brand new.
38:39You're smiling.
38:47And then you begin to feel yourself lying in a magical landscape,
38:53not unlike this landscape that we're in today.
38:57And this emerald green landscape is filled with unconditional love,
39:03but also plants and birds and wildlife.
39:07And you're feeling truly connected to yourself and to all that is.
39:21Oh, Jane, that was wonderful.
39:23Oh, good.
39:25It does make such a difference lying on the ground.
39:27Mmm.
39:27How are you feeling?
39:29I feel very clear.
39:31Actually, that was very helpful.
39:32I'm going to give you a hug.
39:33Oh, yes, please.
39:36Thank you for trusting.
39:37Mmm.
39:39Thank you for this.
39:39It's such a great story that you came and you're doing it here
39:43and it's so much more powerful here.
39:50Admittedly, I need no persuading of the healing powers of the earth,
39:54but if you're a skeptic, just go outside and lie on this beautiful planet
39:59and let it do its magic.
40:02I wonder if the power of the land has brought things into alignment for my buyer's house search.
40:12Oh, what a glorious sun-filled week in Somerset with Janky and Tom.
40:17Let's find out which property rang their bell.
40:25Well, it's been an absolute joy.
40:27You are very, very quality house buyers.
40:31And it's been so nice to be showing you, partly because you know the area quite well,
40:35but also just the whole story of your togetherness and your future life is very inspiring.
40:39Mm-hmm.
40:40What's your reflection on the couple of days that we've been looking at properties,
40:43particularly at the Mediterranean house with all the palms and the olive trees?
40:47You seem to be really in love with that.
40:49My heart sang as soon as I walked in. I loved everything about it.
40:52I think we've stepped on it and I think we've thought that there are some practicalities
40:57that make that house probably less viable if we're being realistic.
41:01It's been a real surprise, the Mystery House. We've led with our...
41:07Our heads.
41:07Our heads more than our hearts.
41:09Yes, with that.
41:10Bringing us to Dundry, I think, was a great call, Alastair,
41:13because it definitely feels country, even for me.
41:15But it's only 20 minutes from all the people we know and all the things that we love in Bristol.
41:20The access to the amenities, the access to our friends and our support network,
41:26I think is actually going to be really important.
41:28So it feels like maybe the Mystery House is a contender?
41:30I think so, yeah.
41:32Yeah, a lot of positive aspects about the house.
41:35And where are you in terms of actual being able to proceed?
41:38So my flat is on the market at the moment,
41:40so we're just waiting for an offer to come in on that and then we're ready to go.
41:43So I hope that it happens and do invite us if you buy somewhere.
41:47For sure.
41:47Please, come back and see us.
41:53Ah, this has been such a wonderful week in Somerset.
41:57I mean, Janky and Tom are fantastic home buyers,
41:59but it's been really interesting because, well, a couple of reasons.
42:03One, you don't have to move a million miles away from where you live to get the country experience.
42:08As we found out with the Mystery House, you can actually just be 10 minutes away and it still feels
42:13like a rural escape.
42:14And the second and I think really interesting thing is that often on the show we're encouraging people to just
42:19go with your heart because it's the heart that really matters.
42:22And here we were sort of actually encouraging these guys to think a little bit into the future and plan
42:29ahead for their hopefully bouncing bonnie babies.
42:33But whatever happens, I wish them all the best and I hope that you join us next time for more
42:39Escape to the Country.
42:43Well, the twist in the tale is that it was the heart that won over in the end.
42:48Janky and Tom put an offer on the Mendips home with the Mediterranean feel and are waiting a buyer for
42:54their Bristol flat to move that forward.
42:56We hope it all works out for them.
43:00If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales and need our help,
43:06why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:35We'll see you next time.
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