- 17 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:02There are many theories about what makes a house hunter choose their dream country home.
00:07Some say it's all about the curb appeal.
00:10There you are then. Let's have a look. What do you think?
00:12Absolutely amazing.
00:14Others put it down to kitchens and bathrooms.
00:17Well, this is a kitchen and a half, isn't it?
00:21That's a huge en suite.
00:23And some swear by location.
00:26You get all of that?
00:27Look at that!
00:28But here on Escape to the Country, we like to deliver all of that within budget.
00:34I'm speechless.
00:36He's genuinely speechless.
01:00If you like your counties big on square miles but small on population, join us as we head for the
01:06largest and most sparsely inhabited county in Wales, named after an ancient kingdom.
01:14Now, here's a little geography lesson for you.
01:17If I were to head 30 miles straight down that valley, I would find myself in the Van Ibrighenjog, a
01:23.k.a. the Brecon Beacons.
01:24A similar distance over that hill would land me on top of the Black Mountains.
01:29And behind me, here, I am surrounded by just part of the brooding mass of the Cambrian Mountains, which means
01:36only one thing.
01:37Today, I'm in Powys.
01:41Located in mid-Wales and bordering England, the vast Welsh county of Powys has just 70 inhabitants per square mile.
01:49But those who live here enjoy seclusion without compromising connectivity or culture offered by border towns like Welshpool, Montgomery and
01:58Newtown.
01:59My Powys is a vast landscape with amazing greenery where we've got the River Severn right on our doorstep.
02:23Being a musician, it's important for me to be connected to the cities while at the same time having the
02:29escape to the countryside.
02:31There is a lot of connected facilities that we do have here, even though it is so wild and free.
02:46Well, for today's couple, their move isn't just about finding bricks and mortar.
02:51They're after peace and serenity.
02:54A new life and a new start here in Wales.
02:59Hi, I'm Debbie and this is my husband Neil.
03:01We've been together 17 years and for 15 of those years we've been serial renters.
03:08Married couple Debbie, who works in intellectual property development, and Neil, who works for a multinational communications company, along with
03:16their fur family of two dogs and three cats, were finally helped onto the property ladder two years ago with
03:23a new build scheme on the edge of the large and growing Oxfordshire village of Benson.
03:28For us, we were really happy to be able to get on the ladder, but we always knew that this
03:32wasn't our forever home. We really do want to go and retreat into the country. Apologies for Duke. He will
03:38always try and steal the show.
03:41Debbie needs to be able to commute to work in London one day a week, but they can work from
03:46home the rest of the time, meaning peace and space for some life enhancing hobbies is the priority.
03:53I'd love to live somewhere where the roads are a little bit quieter, great scenery to go and explore on
04:00the roads and that's because of what you see in the background here.
04:03This is my bike, it's my plied and joy. I throw my helmet on, everything else goes away and I
04:09can just focus on enjoying myself out on the bike.
04:12I discovered a few years ago that I was neurodivergent and as I've gotten older, I really can't cope with
04:19things like lots of noise, lots of people.
04:21I also absolutely love vegetables, so I really want to grow my own. I'd love a greenhouse and some raised
04:26beds, which I think we'll have when we move to Wales. I'd also really love chickens.
04:32I would really love a lawn, something with a bit more space, maybe a ride on mower, that'd be lovely.
04:39Debbie and Neil are after a detached three to four bedroom home with a large dog friendly garden, garage and
04:45peaceful surroundings.
04:46Neil prefers modern whilst Debbie doesn't mind a project. And their ideal budget is £550,000, but they could stretch
04:55to £600,000 for the right property.
05:05You know, I never tire of driving through the Welsh landscape wherever I happen to be.
05:11But here in Paris, well, I've got the biggest county Wales has to offer to explore.
05:18Now, clearly, access to a rail line to get Debbie back to London is going to, in some ways, define
05:25where we can search.
05:28And I'm also a little bit concerned as to whether or not they both really want the same thing.
05:33However, I am sure that the magic of Wales, the romance of this country, may just iron out any wrinkles
05:43there may be.
05:47Powis landscapes don't get much more magical than the Elan Valley.
05:52So that's where I'm meeting Debbie and Neil before the first of our viewings.
05:57Well, Neil Demps, welcome to Escape to the Country and welcome to Powis.
06:01How does it feel to finally be here getting your search underway?
06:04Wonderful and very exciting.
06:06But how well do you know this part of the world?
06:08Not very well. We literally just kind of woke up one morning, didn't want to go take the dogs for
06:12a normal walk.
06:13So we said, let's just have a little jaunt to Wales. So we just did a day trip there and
06:17back.
06:17Been here, what, six times since January?
06:19Yes, we made a few trips and it's been, it's overwhelmed us with its beauty.
06:24And we feel that sadness as we're leaving the area and we know that it's going to be a while
06:30before we come back.
06:31I always think one of the most important elements to any house search is for buyers to have an emotional
06:37relationship with the region.
06:39But when it comes to the property choices that we are going to make to try and satisfy both of
06:45you,
06:45that is quite challenging because I think there is this kind of split down the middle as to what you
06:49both want.
06:50For me, I'm looking for more of a contemporary place, something that's finished, complete, we can move into, settle.
06:58We don't have to move any time soon.
07:00And for you, Debs?
07:02I'm after a lambing shed, acres of land, not so bothered about a house, just a place to have lots
07:08of, you know, animals.
07:09I want bees, I want chickens, I'd like some dexter cows.
07:12I mean, just to be absolutely clear, I'm a property finder, not a marriage counsellor.
07:17All right.
07:17Rest assured, I will try and, you know, bridge this gap between you in terms of what we find you.
07:23Brilliant. Fantastic. Let's go.
07:26The first spot for our house tour is the small village of Llandrinio.
07:31Located close to the border of England, it's just a mile to the village of Four Crosses.
07:36The vet serves both pet owners and the farming community, whilst human ailments are catered for by a GP's and
07:43medical centre.
07:45Five bus routes take in the towns of Welshpool and Oswestry.
07:50And national rail links can be accessed at Shoesbury, 19 miles away.
07:56Our first property is located down a quiet country lane, around a 20-minute walk from the main village facilities.
08:07There are little noises there. Is that a good squeal?
08:10It is a good squeal. A very happy squeal.
08:12Good. There you are then. Let's have a look. What do you think?
08:14Absolutely amazing. Yeah?
08:16Massive.
08:17There's views everywhere.
08:19Got your garage?
08:20Garage. I'm thinking bungalow. So we're very open to a bungalow.
08:24Yeah. I think Neil could probably get away with a ride-on mower here as well.
08:27If I was being super technical, I'd say you probably don't need bungalow. Why not?
08:30Why not if you can, Neil?
08:31Yeah. Why wouldn't you?
08:33No. Let's check out inside.
08:34Yes. Perfect. Yes.
08:38This detached, late 20th century brick and tile bungalow has been refurbished and updated by the current owners.
08:44And first impressions are, it has my buyers written all over it.
08:49Oh, Neil, look. I've got a sign here for us already.
08:51Perfect for us.
08:52A lovely lady and a grumpy old man.
08:55There we are.
08:57Wow.
08:59Look at this space.
09:00Oh, my Lord.
09:01I love the contrast in chimney colour to the rest of the...
09:04Oh, Christmas trees.
09:05I can see at least two in here.
09:07Probably one in the hallway.
09:09We judge a place by how many Christmas trees we can get in there.
09:11Well, many people do.
09:11You can imagine our sofa's in that corner, right, Connie?
09:14Yeah.
09:15The excitement is palpable. And there is agreement, I think.
09:18Yeah, there is.
09:18Absolutely.
09:19Yes, yes, it is possible.
09:21Your marriage counselling skills are definitely coming out of yours now.
09:25Come on, let's continue through here. You'll like this.
09:28Returning to the L-shaped hall, we head to the back of the home where a dining room is divided
09:33from the kitchen by a half wall.
09:37So, here you go, then. Kitchen diner.
09:41Wowzers.
09:42Amazing space.
09:43Yeah?
09:43It is absolutely huge. Look at this.
09:46The view through the doors is pretty spectacular.
09:49Oh, that is amazing.
09:50Look, it's not an old property, this, but when it was originally built, this was two rooms.
09:54And they realised that they were missing out on the kind of social aspects of cooking and preparing.
09:58So, they took the wall out, left this dwarf wall, giving you this separate sort of kitchen zone.
10:02Through there, you've got utility area boot room.
10:06That's perfect for the dogs.
10:07Yeah, really perfect.
10:08And, of course, the joy is all of it is on one level.
10:11So, I imagine for your dogs, actually, they probably prefer that.
10:13It's much better for them, health-wise, because we've got Great Dane.
10:16They can't go up and down the stairs a lot.
10:17So, you know, it's actually much better for him as he ages.
10:20Aren't we all?
10:20And you.
10:22Come on.
10:24The hallway leads to the other side of the home, where there are four bedrooms to check out.
10:29To the front are two good-sized guest doubles with generous windows and built-in storage.
10:36Sitting between these is the family bathroom, which offers a bath and separate shower cubicle.
10:42Then, to the back of the home, a third bedroom is in use as a study.
10:48And, finally, bedroom four could be for Debbie and Neil, and possibly some of their fur family, too.
10:55So, this, we're thinking, would be yours, because it's got the shower en suite through there.
11:01Lovely space.
11:01Wow, this is great.
11:02Yeah, it's massive.
11:03Massive wardrobe.
11:04Yeah, not built in, so there's a big void in there.
11:06Dog bed.
11:07Cat tree.
11:09Cat tree, dog bed, dog bed.
11:12Cat tree.
11:12Everyone's in here.
11:13We've got to have a home for the cats as well in our bedroom.
11:15Yeah, we've got three cats.
11:17Yeah.
11:17They need their...
11:18Ooh, like a big sleep pile.
11:19Yeah.
11:22Fine.
11:23Anyway, so maybe you could squeeze into this bed space here.
11:27Proportionally, though, I'm guessing, is this bigger than what you've got now?
11:30Much bigger.
11:31Much bigger.
11:32Basically, I have a dog bed wedged in by the bedside table, and I can't use my bottom drawer,
11:37because there's a dog in the dog bed.
11:38Yeah.
11:38And I shuffle, like, down.
11:40These are concerns of the past from now on, my friend.
11:43We have nailed it.
11:46All species catered for on the accommodation front, I'm sending them to check out where Neil's
11:51mechanical baby, his beloved motorbike, might find its home.
11:57Oh, yes.
11:59Oh, wow.
11:59Look at that.
12:00There's a secret room back there.
12:01Loads of storage space.
12:03An integral garage leading to a workshop.
12:07Oh, my Lord.
12:09Big chest freezer for the dog food.
12:10Yeah, chest freezer for the dog food.
12:11Yeah, for the dog food.
12:12Perfect.
12:12Yeah.
12:14The house sits on a plot of around half an acre, which has been fully dog-proofed by the
12:19current owners.
12:20There are raised beds for growing produce, as well as a separate orchard and several mature
12:25trees providing shade.
12:29Oh, do you know, I'm just thinking for the cats and dogs out here, feel how cool that
12:33is.
12:33Yeah.
12:33And you've also got a little tool shed there and the greenhouse too.
12:37So, you know, it sort of works, doesn't it?
12:39Yeah.
12:39I love the fact that you've got that area there.
12:42Yeah.
12:43It's like an outdoor living space.
12:45Beehives.
12:45Beehives.
12:46I'm spotting some beehives over there, maybe.
12:48Yes.
12:48And this would be a lovely little bank for them.
12:50So, let's think about how much this is currently on the market for, then.
12:55585,000.
12:57585,000 pounds, yeah.
12:59Yeah.
12:59I'm going to go slightly lower at 570.
13:02Both of those doable within the framework of your budget.
13:06Here's the rub, though.
13:07Okay.
13:09This is currently on the market for 550,000 pounds.
13:18Okay.
13:20You're a bit stunned, I think.
13:21Yeah.
13:22Maybe you need to go and consider this further.
13:24Would you like to see more?
13:25Yes.
13:25Absolutely.
13:26I thought you might.
13:27Go and explore.
13:28Thanks.
13:28Go where you like.
13:31Coming in at their ideal budget and comfortably below their maximum of 600,000 pounds,
13:37this detached late 20th century bungalow offers large reception rooms and four bedrooms.
13:43There's an integral garage and workshop for the motorbike and a half acre plot all in a rural location,
13:49but not far from a choice of towns and a rail link to London.
13:52Oh, yeah.
13:53Look at all these fruit trees.
13:55Look.
13:55You've got cherries, plums, apples, and then I think having the chickens over here somewhere.
14:01In terms of space, outdoor space especially for our dogs, we could be working from home and throw the doors
14:06open and the boys can just be out.
14:09So that's absolutely fantastic.
14:11I would like to update some of the internals, whether they'll be a liquor pane or a bathroom suite, but
14:17when you consider the price, it makes it all the more achievable.
14:21The property itself is huge.
14:24Really big rooms.
14:25The garden is better than I could have dreamed of.
14:28I think it's just absolutely excellent.
14:30For me, it's a really big contender.
14:41To say Debbie and Neil's dogs are key players in the move is something of an understatement.
14:47These buyers are very much after dog-friendly destinations with good walking options.
14:53We're sending them to explore Newtown with Great Dane Duke and red Foxlab Copper to see if it gets the
15:00paws up.
15:00Oh, look, there's some nice cycling and walking routes up there.
15:03Here's the station.
15:04So that's where I'll be going into London.
15:07As well as rail and bus links, the population of 11,500 is served by a good choice of places
15:14to eat and drink, many run by other escapees.
15:18We actually came from Saudi Arabia.
15:21It's a completely changing lifestyle for us.
15:24We've had a lovely time here and plan to stay.
15:29Everyone's warm, friendly, welcoming, beautiful river.
15:32It's a nice town to come and visit.
15:35Lovely pub.
15:36That does look like a lovely pub, doesn't it?
15:38Yeah.
15:39I think if there's a beer garden in the back of that, Dev, we could...
15:41Take them in there?
15:42Yeah.
15:43Every Tuesday, there's a street market where, among the variety of food vans, you can find lifelong resident and self
15:50-confessed food fairy, Heidi.
15:52Hiya.
15:52Can we order a couple of burgers just for our dogs?
15:55Where's the best places to take dogs for walks?
15:57Well, there's the Haver and Bought Walks, which are absolutely fantastic.
16:00You've got to take the dogs up there.
16:02We will?
16:02Yeah, definitely.
16:02You've got to take them out there.
16:04Good ones.
16:05Well done.
16:06Good ones.
16:07That's it.
16:07On the bank of the River Severn, which runs through the town, is a cultural and community hub with a
16:12cafe, where owners of Canine Companions can treat them to doggy ice cream.
16:17What better way to follow a burger?
16:19What's this one?
16:20What flavour is this one?
16:21I think that one's just vanilla and this one's peanut butter.
16:24Newtown certainly seems a perfect choice for Debbie, Neil, Duke and Copper.
16:30Now to see if we can track down the home that will really get the tails wagging.
16:37The next property option is taking us further into the heart of the village of our previous viewing, Llandrinio.
16:43The community hall has a playing field which, like much of the area, enjoys views towards the Brydon Hills, located
16:51between Powys and Shropshire.
16:54Funds are raised for the facilities by a charity shop and other community-minded events include a weekly soup club.
17:01There's a dog-friendly pub with beer garden that serves food, including Sunday lunch.
17:06And it's just a five-minute walk from that to my next house, which is shielded from the main village
17:12road by tall, dense hedging.
17:15Well, you may have noticed that we are not a million miles away from our first property.
17:19No.
17:20But this is option number two.
17:22That's fairly magnificent.
17:24Wow.
17:25It's packed, and I mean packed, full of all mod cons.
17:32Yes!
17:34If you like your gadgets, this is the place for you.
17:38The only drawback is the noise from the road.
17:41Yeah.
17:41Which we have to acknowledge.
17:43Yeah.
17:43It is what it is.
17:44But I think what you'll find when you get inside, it's a gadget man's dream.
17:48Oh.
17:50Nice dance, Neil.
17:52Stop the dancing. Stop dancing. Go on.
17:54That's your gadget man dance.
17:57Built in 2011, but with nods to Georgian architecture, this brick home has an L-shaped layout on the ground
18:04floor and a smaller central second floor.
18:07Our tour starts through the porticoat entrance, which leads into the kitchen diner immediately to our right.
18:14OK, then.
18:15Well, this is a kitchen and a half, isn't it?
18:19Wow.
18:20Wow, indeed.
18:21This is a beautiful kitchen.
18:22Yeah, I'm blown away.
18:23Absolutely beautiful.
18:24I'm blown away by this interior. Just this one room, the interior.
18:27Yeah, finished.
18:28Look at the floor.
18:29Look at the floor.
18:29That's gorgeous.
18:30This sort of travertine that flows through the entrance hall, which is again wide, generous, great for a Christmas tree.
18:35Yeah, Christmas tree.
18:37Every corner of this building is wired to allow you to effectively use your smart speaker to control the lights,
18:43the music, the whole thing.
18:45It is gadget-tastic.
18:47Come have a look through here.
18:50This is a gorgeous kitchen.
18:52And right off the kitchen, you've got this purpose-built, vaulted garden room. How about that?
18:57Oh, my goodness.
18:58Sewing room.
18:59Bag seed.
18:59Yeah, exactly.
19:00When you're doing your sewing or anything, you need all that light, natural light coming in.
19:04Yeah.
19:05And you've got it.
19:06Ceilings on three sides.
19:08Yeah.
19:08It's lovely, isn't it?
19:09Yeah.
19:09It flows through this great big doorway into here.
19:13It's an impressive room.
19:15You don't know what to be more impressed by.
19:16The TV.
19:17The fireplace.
19:19The finishings in the room.
19:21It is lovely.
19:22It is perfect, isn't it?
19:23It is.
19:23There's literally nothing.
19:24Nothing would have to do.
19:25I'd be really proud to invite our family over, for instance.
19:28Yes.
19:28You mentioned the TV.
19:30It is perhaps one of the biggest I've ever seen.
19:34You're going to get one of those just to watch yourself now on super high def.
19:40I actually wouldn't get one of those.
19:43I'd get the one that's next door.
19:45Come and look at this.
19:46Oh, no.
19:46No way.
19:47No way.
19:49Across the hall in the other wing is something they didn't ask for, but I think they're going
19:55to love.
19:55So, how about this then?
19:57Your own home movie theatre.
20:00Wow!
20:02This is Leo's dream room.
20:04This is, yes.
20:04Isn't it?
20:05Yes.
20:06This is a room I could quite happily spend many, many hours in.
20:11It was built originally as an annex for an elderly relative.
20:16That circumstance has changed and hence now it's become this movie room.
20:20But it does mean that upstairs you've really got two main bedrooms.
20:23Yeah.
20:24I'm going to let you two explore it on your own.
20:25You are loving this and I'm not going to interrupt you.
20:28Open the door, go up the stairs and I will find you a little bit later.
20:34Next to the cinema room is a ground floor shower room.
20:37Whilst upstairs, a roomy guest double provides countryside views and comes with its own en-suite
20:44shower.
20:45A smaller room is in use as a study.
20:49And then the largest of the bedrooms for Debbie and Neil to see is the principal en-suite.
20:56Wow, that's a lovely en-suite.
20:58Look at that.
20:59That's gorgeous.
21:00That's a huge en-suite.
21:02Neil, this is massive.
21:04I don't think we'd have a problem with the super king in here, would we?
21:07Enough room for dog beds.
21:09And look at these views, Neil.
21:11Look.
21:12That's lovely, isn't it?
21:14Gorgeous.
21:15But of course, we couldn't forget the motorbike.
21:19So back on the ground floor, accessed internally from the kitchen, is some rather luxurious
21:25vehicular accommodation.
21:30Whoa!
21:37That is unbelievable.
21:39Wow.
21:40Oh, Debbie, you're never going to see me.
21:42Tea-making facilities, you're sorted.
21:43Yeah, it's also got a toilet.
21:46What do we think, then?
21:49The only thing that's disappointed me is I know that all the lighting isn't on yet.
21:55Ah, here we go.
21:56Ready?
21:57Turn on hex lighting.
22:01Hey!
22:05It's like daylight in here.
22:07That is amazing.
22:11Outside, the private driveway and hard standing offers lots of room for vehicles.
22:15And there's an electric charging point, as well as exterior lighting, further power points
22:20and taps throughout the garden, which includes paved and graveled seating spots, as well as lawn.
22:27Not huge, as you can see, but it does go all the way around the property.
22:31But it is nicely dog-proof.
22:33So all of that's very secured.
22:35I just think the house is stunning.
22:38I'm not sure about the garden.
22:39Yeah.
22:39Being big enough.
22:40Yeah.
22:40The garden is less important to me, personally, but there's two of us moving in.
22:46We do have to think about the road noise for you as well.
22:49Yeah.
22:49Well, let's think about the price, then, of this one.
22:52This is right at the top of our budget of £600,000.
22:57Because it's a smaller plot, I think I'd probably say it's £590,000.
23:02OK, here's the thing.
23:03This is currently on the market for £535,000.
23:13I'm...
23:14Parham speaks...
23:15He's genuinely speechless.
23:17Yeah.
23:19This 21st century detached house is turnkey ready, with smart technology throughout,
23:25and offers a contemporary kitchen diner, vaulted garden room, home cinema,
23:30and two ensuite double bedrooms.
23:33There's a luxurious integral garage, a dog-proof garden, and countryside views.
23:39The whole of the inside of the house is perfect.
23:41It's really spacious.
23:43And also, the garage for Neil, wonderful.
23:46Seeing Neil's face when he walked in there was perfection.
23:49It's very important for Debbie to get some space, grow her own vegetables, have chickens.
23:55In general, it's a much smaller plot.
23:57But the biggest elephant in the room is the road noise.
24:03That noise will be intrusive for her.
24:06We have to try to see if we can find common ground, interior finish versus outdoor and tranquility.
24:17Wow.
24:18What a day we've had.
24:20What a day indeed.
24:21That is...
24:23A pickle.
24:24A pickle.
24:25We are in a bit of a pickle.
24:26A pickle.
24:26But hopefully a sweet pickle.
24:28Come on.
24:32To round off our first day, I've brought my buyers to a tranquil spot on the Elan River,
24:38to see if their infatuation with this part of Wales is turning into a full-blown love affair.
24:44There.
24:44Have a seat.
24:45Oh, it's made for the job, isn't it?
24:47Oh!
24:47Pull up a rock.
24:48Pull up a rock.
24:49I really want to sort of tap into the fact that you've only recently discovered Wales.
24:55But now you've had a chance to see a bit more of it, how does it feel now?
24:58If anything, it's sealed the deal.
25:01It's just so peaceful here.
25:03I love it.
25:04I think I've fallen in love with it even more.
25:06I know I have.
25:07I think the people are connected to the land here in a different way as well.
25:10I mean, one trip we had in, a tractor stopped dead in front of us.
25:15He hopped out, picked up some litter and went on his way.
25:18One thing that really stands out is the pride you see in people.
25:23A lot of people mention things like national pride and being very proud of where they come from.
25:27And the difference here is people seem to live it and breathe it.
25:31It seems to be less of a slogan, more of an act.
25:37So, we have one more property to come.
25:39Yep.
25:39We're looking forward to it.
25:40Yeah, good.
25:41But before then, supper and a beer?
25:45Why not?
25:45Let's go.
25:47Feeling quite thirsty now.
25:49Me too, me too.
26:02The average sold price of a detached house in Wales currently sits at £330,000, with the figure for Powys
26:10just slightly below this at £326,000.
26:15But for those looking for a home in such a sparsely populated area, it's worth widening the net to include
26:21options a few miles over the border into Shropshire too.
26:27For example, this two-bedroom detached cottage, located in the Shropshire hills, offers seclusion in an area of outstanding natural
26:35beauty just four miles from the Powys border.
26:38It's on the market for offers over £240,000.
26:45On the Welsh side of the border, this detached four-bedroom, two-bathroom home offers a modern finish and an
26:52energy efficiency rating of B in a rural community setting.
26:56This one is priced at offers over £400,000.
27:02And renters have the option of this very rurally located stone farmhouse, which has been recently renovated to offer internal
27:10insulation and an air source heat pump.
27:12Coming with four bedrooms, it's unfurnished and costs £1,500 per calendar month.
27:23Well, with one more day of house hunting left on this search, it can mean, of course, only one thing.
27:28It's mystery house time.
27:29But what do we offer a couple who are so keen to find something which needs no work at all?
27:35The answer is very simple.
27:37A mystery house, which is brand new.
27:42My mystery pick is in the village of Middletown, close to the border of England.
27:47And to demonstrate just how close, I'm taking my buyers on a short stroll.
27:53Well, today is all about the mystery house.
27:56But before we get there, I thought I would show you a bit of the landscape around it,
28:00because you are making this transition from a life in England to Wales.
28:04And this little wall illustrates it rather nicely, I think, because this is England.
28:10This is the border.
28:12No.
28:13And now we are in Wales.
28:16Wow.
28:17That's amazing.
28:19Did not expect that at all.
28:21Yeah.
28:21So this lovely landscape is absolutely on your doorstep, if you like, a mystery house,
28:26which is but a stone's throw that way.
28:28We skipped you later.
28:29It had to be in Wales.
28:30Yes.
28:30It is in Wales.
28:31And we are just.
28:32Just.
28:34That does look like Wales, doesn't it?
28:36That does look like England.
28:37It does.
28:38It really does.
28:40So, I'm going to go ahead and open up the mystery house, get it ready for you.
28:43OK.
28:43And I will see you there.
28:45Lovely.
28:45We would stay on this side of the street.
28:46I would.
28:47Yeah.
28:48Go on.
28:50Located on the other side of the Brydon Hills from yesterday's viewings,
28:54the village of the final house, Middletown, lies on the main route between the towns of
28:59Welshpool and Shoesbury.
29:01And there's several buses a day running to those destinations.
29:05The village hall is available for private hire.
29:08And there's an inn serving food.
29:12So, as Debbie and Neil get a feel for all that, I'm at the mystery house to give you a
29:18sneak preview.
29:20So, here, then, is our mystery house.
29:23Brand spanking new.
29:25It's also super efficient.
29:27It has an EPC rating of A.
29:29Very hard to find in rural property.
29:31Plus, it also has a very generous double garage with an electric door that I hope will satisfy
29:37Neil's ambitions when it comes to looking after his beloved motorbike.
29:43New properties have so far proved popular with my buyers, but will showing them a total new build
29:49complete the winning streak?
29:51That is it.
29:53Brand new.
29:55Oh, golly gumdrops, Debbie.
29:59We're in a brand new build at the moment.
30:02Not like this, though.
30:03Not like this.
30:03A bulk buy one.
30:04Yeah.
30:05We do love a new build.
30:07Yes.
30:08I think it looks amazing.
30:09Brick, wood.
30:10Yeah, I really love that.
30:11It's a nice mix.
30:12Want to see?
30:13Yes.
30:14Come on.
30:16One of a development of two houses and built with today's climate sensibilities in mind
30:21using low carbon construction materials, there are solar panels, an air source heat pump,
30:28plus it all comes with a 10-year builder's guarantee.
30:31Smell the newness.
30:34Our tour begins through the bifold doors of the first reception room.
30:38Oh, yes.
30:39It's so warm.
30:41Very warm.
30:42Really tasty.
30:43Well, you're getting all the solar gain from this being south-facing through these double-glazed
30:48bifold doors.
30:49But it's all underfloor heating, and it's ready for a floor covering of your choice.
30:54Come and have a wonder, though, because the space here is what's so lovely.
30:56I mean, we've come in through, effectively, the sort of living room door.
30:59I suppose, technically, your main front door.
31:01Yeah.
31:01Great big open hallway.
31:02Lovely area for boots and things, yeah.
31:04You've got a little study in there.
31:05Yeah.
31:06Generous boot room, utility room, and then here you go.
31:09Kitchen diner.
31:10That is lovely, isn't it?
31:11Look at this.
31:12It's a lovely dining area.
31:13I like the fact that you can cook in the centre.
31:15We've always said that's really nice.
31:16Yes.
31:17But also, just look at the views.
31:18Yeah, lovely.
31:19I think you can make it really lovely in here.
31:21You can dress it beautifully.
31:23It's an amazing space.
31:23Yeah.
31:24It's actually just buying things you like.
31:25That's fun.
31:26Shopping's fun.
31:27Yeah, shopping, yeah.
31:27Come on, look.
31:28Let's go upstairs.
31:29Yes.
31:31Completing this floor is a handy cloakroom, and on the floor above, my mystery pick provides
31:37four well-proportioned bedrooms.
31:39I'm leaving Debbie and Neil to decide what they might do with the guest rooms on their own,
31:44starting with the smallest, partly set into the eaves at the rear of the property.
31:48These rooms are all a really good size, aren't they?
31:50They're huge rooms, yeah.
31:51But this would be a perfect office.
31:52Yeah, a really nice office.
31:54And again, views.
31:55We'll be walking up there every morning.
31:57Yeah.
31:58Next to this is a family bathroom with a shower cubicle and a tub.
32:03Wherever we move, we have to have this bathtub.
32:06That is absolutely good to do.
32:08Love that.
32:09It's beautiful.
32:10Gorgeous.
32:11Oh, it could sink into there.
32:12Right now.
32:14At the front of the home is a guest double with an ensuite shower room, and a further
32:18double bedroom with a dormer window.
32:22That just leaves bedroom four, the principal suite with bifold doors set into the cross
32:28gable, where we're catching up.
32:30Shower en suite.
32:31Look at the size.
32:33That's huge, isn't it?
32:35And then next door to it, you've got walking wardrobe.
32:40Lovely.
32:40Walking wardrobe.
32:41Yeah.
32:42Yeah.
32:43And then you've got the views out that way.
32:44That's lovely.
32:45That's an amazing view.
32:46Yeah, well, let's have a look.
32:47Let's open it up.
32:48Yeah.
32:48There you go.
32:48Lovely.
32:49Five folds again.
32:51There.
32:52Oh, that's amazing.
32:54That's great, isn't it?
32:55You get all of that.
32:56Look at that.
32:57This view.
32:58Holy moly.
33:00Staring out over England.
33:01From your castle in Wales.
33:02From your castle in Wales.
33:03Yeah.
33:04Lovely.
33:06The mystery compromise is that the outside space is rather more modest than majestic.
33:11It includes a gravel drive with shared access for the other home in the development as well
33:17as a front garden laid to lawn.
33:20But whilst there may be no room for livestock, there is stabling for Neil's prized steed in
33:25the form of a double width garage.
33:28Here is your lair.
33:30That is the garage.
33:31I need more than one bike.
33:33No, you don't.
33:34To fill that, I need more than one.
33:35No, you don't.
33:36Nice.
33:37Your bike and your personality will fill that alone.
33:39Thanks.
33:42Oh, lordy.
33:43The price.
33:44The price.
33:45The price.
33:45The price.
33:48Okay, notwithstanding the garden issue, then, let's think about how much our mystery
33:52house is going to be on the market for.
33:55585.
33:58585,000 pounds.
34:00Yep.
34:00I would go that high, so I'm going to go 570.
34:04This has been priced to sell at 495,000 pounds.
34:15You are introducing the pickle again.
34:20You're introducing lots of pickles.
34:23Go on.
34:24Debate.
34:27This brand new detached house with builder's guarantee offers incredible energy efficiency
34:34including solar panels and a heat pump.
34:37There's an open plan kitchen diner.
34:39Four bedrooms, two of which are en suite and a large garage.
34:43There are glorious views of both the Welsh and English countryside as well as good road
34:48links to nearby towns.
34:51When I first approached the property, I whispered in Neil's ear, no, because I saw the garden
34:57and I was like, no.
34:58The prices, yet again, scuppered us.
35:02When we were walking through it and walking around it, we thought we need the answer.
35:07Debbie, greenhouse, chickens, vegetable patches.
35:11We were struggling to see where it was all going to fit in here.
35:14But for under 500,000, I could squeeze a lot on this land.
35:18A lot.
35:22Right, well that's it.
35:23House tours are now over.
35:26I can show you no more, but hopefully I don't need to.
35:29No, I don't think you do.
35:31No, you can't confuse me any more than you already have.
35:35We'd like to help.
35:40You've probably heard of the magic five-a-day fruit and veg we need to eat to stay healthy.
35:46But did you know that the UK only grows a fifth of the fruit and half of the vegetables
35:51we consume as a nation?
35:52Well, an initiative in 35 acres of fertile land a few miles from the town of Newtown is trying to
36:00change that.
36:01I'm meeting Gary Mitchell from the Future Farm Partnership to hear all about it.
36:07Gary, it's notoriously difficult to get into farming from any first-time entrants.
36:12Now, I know you've got just about 30-odd acres here in this lovely valley.
36:16What have you put in and how is this plot evolving?
36:20There's lots of issues in trying to get more fresh food produced in mid-Wales and Wales in general.
36:26We've only got 0.2% of our land under horticulture in Wales.
36:30So we're a massive net importer for fresh produce.
36:33And that doesn't have to be the way.
36:34And what we've done is managed to access a bare land plot here
36:38in partnership with the local authority and obtain a 95-year lease on it.
36:43And this initiative is specifically putting new, younger growers
36:47onto smaller plots that are affordable for them in return for fresh food production.
36:53So we worked with the local authority and we have changed planning guidance
36:57for the whole of Powess County Council.
36:59And what it basically says is if you're willing to work on the land
37:04to produce sustainably produced fresh fruit and vegetables,
37:08you should afford the right to live on it.
37:12The new planning guidance means a home has been built for each of the small farms,
37:17removing the economic and practical barriers growers face when it comes to running a business.
37:23So how many new, young farmers have you got on this site?
37:28So we've got three new growers in terms of lead growers.
37:32And each of them have got between seven and 12 acres.
37:36Well, I'm looking forward to meeting them.
37:38I can see some of them out here busy on their plots.
37:43Growers from Powess and bordering areas have been chosen for their horticultural experience
37:48and include Lydia with her partner, Charlie.
37:52So Lydia, as I understand it, you've got seven acres here.
37:56Yeah, just over seven acres of beautiful ex-sheet pasture.
38:00And you've not been here that long, have you?
38:02Yeah, three, not even three months yet.
38:04I've been running a market garden for the last three years down in South Powess,
38:08which was great and gave me an incredible amount of experience of doing this sort of thing.
38:12But I would never have been able to even think about getting seven acres of my own
38:17if I had to sort of fund it all myself.
38:19If you want to live on site as we are, it's unbelievably expensive.
38:24So, yeah, having this opportunity is, yeah, I feel very blessed.
38:29As well as providing land with a home,
38:31the scheme shares resources such as a processing and storage barn
38:35and also helps growers navigate agricultural form-filling and accessing markets.
38:44Tilly is another grower who has taken on just over 12 acres.
38:50Were you a farmer grower before?
38:52I didn't grow up on farms, but I've been a grower on different farms for the last five years or
38:57so.
38:58OK.
38:58And learned from a few different people.
38:59But this is a whole new venture, learning to do it for myself.
39:03And it's great to be able to share skills with the other growers here.
39:06So everything within these boundaries is yours, is it?
39:09And beyond, yeah, on the other side of the field there.
39:13Wow.
39:13I mean, do you picture all of this under cultivation?
39:18Most of it, there's areas that I want to leave for wildlife, so I'm going to create orchard and meadow
39:23and create stronger, like, hedgerows and barriers around the river, like buffer zones.
39:30And, yeah, have a seven-year rotation across it, so some of it will just be in fertility building, look
39:37after the soil.
39:37The ambition's obvious, really.
39:39I mean, do you pinch yourself a bit when you come out here and think, oh, I'm doing it?
39:43Yeah, it does feel unreal.
39:45Still a lot of hard work and a lot of risk, but I'm willing to take it.
39:50I'm passionate enough.
39:51Well, I, for one, wish these budding growers all the best.
39:55And I'm sure the people of Paris will be enjoying the fruits of their labours, too, in the very near
40:01future.
40:04Well, this has been quite a week for both Debbie and for Neil.
40:09They are absolutely committed to making this move because they have already fallen in love with this wonderful part of
40:15the world.
40:15But have we managed to find them a property to go with it?
40:22Well, guys, what can I say? It has been a lot of fun.
40:26But the million-dollar question is, have we managed to find you a home for your future?
40:30All three were absolutely lovely. We loved them in three very different ways.
40:35But we felt like one kind of won over all of them because it was just a better space for
40:40us to occupy, I think, wasn't it?
40:42It is genuinely hard for me to tell which one is your favourite.
40:46It could be out of my misery. Which one might it be?
40:50On our journey back after Mystery House, we had a conversation, we made a decision, and we rang the estate
41:01agents for house number two and put in an offer.
41:05Done it already? Yeah.
41:07Yeah.
41:10That's incredible. Have you heard back?
41:12They're speaking to the vendors to see if the offer is accepted, and we'll plan from there.
41:17Both of us instantly could imagine ourselves living there right away.
41:21Credit, you did say as much at the time, and the look on your faces when we walked into that
41:25kitchen diner for the first time, it was priceless, actually.
41:30I thought it was going to cry.
41:31And that's before you'd seen all the gizmos, you know, the cinema room, the garage and all the rest of
41:36it.
41:36But there was the issue of the road.
41:38Yeah. Yes.
41:39Also, there was an issue over the outside garden space, but you've overcome that, clearly, with great agreement.
41:45I'm going to knock down the shed, and we're also looking at, like, sound blocking fencing, to just go along
41:51that and just deaden that sound a little bit.
41:53But you've offered, and we're waiting to hear. I mean, look, it was on the market for £535,000. What
41:59did you dare offer?
42:00The asking price.
42:02That also speaks to how much you like the property.
42:04Yeah. Yes.
42:05We thought it was worth it.
42:07Yes, definitely.
42:07Well, guys, I'm really, really excited. And I'll be honest with you, in my nearly 20 years of hosting on
42:13Escapes of the Country, I could count, probably, on one hand, the times when an offer has been put in
42:18so quickly during a search.
42:21I can't wait for that phone to ring. Here's to you.
42:24Cheers.
42:25Cheers.
42:25Cheers.
42:31Wow. In my experience, house searches do not get any better than the one we have just enjoyed. We came,
42:39we sought, we found, and now I can tell you the good news that Neil and Debbie have bought. Their
42:46offer has been accepted. And they are about to embark on their very own Welsh adventure in this glorious countryside.
42:54I wish them all the very best of luck. I'll see you next time.
43:00If you would like to escape to the country in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland or England and need our help,
43:06why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:41Amen.
Comments