- 8 hours ago
Escape to the Country Season 26 Episode 38
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06:56Pero cuando nos enseñamos un poco de los detalles de la área,
06:59es como, oh, sí, eso va a ser genial.
07:01Son los holidays are sorted, ¿no?
07:03Sí, exactamente.
07:05Así que tenemos que tener suficiente espacio para todos.
07:07Exactamente.
07:08Mientras tu dinero trabaja como lo posible posible para lo que estás haciendo.
07:13Sabes que has estado aquí un poco, pero tenemos otras áreas,
07:15lugares para mostrarles y, obviamente, nuestros propietarios también.
07:18Así que vamos a empezar.
07:19Sí, sí, sí.
07:20Estoy muy contento.
07:24The first option I've got lined up is right by the sea
07:27in the coastal location of Dawlish.
07:30Now, you may feel it's something of a black swan event
07:32kicking off a country escape in this small seaside town,
07:36but with one of the largest populations of the birds in the UK
07:40first introduced from New Zealand in 1906,
07:44Dawlish offers a laid-back village vibe with a lovely beach.
07:49Shops, cafés, restaurants and a railway station to boot.
07:54It's just a short walk from there to the property,
07:57which is located in a quiet cul-de-sac
07:59less than 400 metres from the sea.
08:03And here is your first property.
08:05Oh, that is pretty.
08:06It looks like it's been well-maintained as well.
08:08Yes.
08:08Imagine the view from that dormer window.
08:10I know, it's going to be great, isn't it?
08:11As you can see, we do have ample parking here.
08:14The current owner has really thought this through.
08:16And you've probably noticed there's a garage at the side as well.
08:19So the front door is actually there,
08:22but on this occasion, I'm going to take you round the side
08:24and you'll see why.
08:25Ready?
08:26Lovely.
08:26OK, good to go.
08:29This 20th-century dormer bungalow
08:31has been extensively renovated by the current owners.
08:35Pretty entrance.
08:37It is nice.
08:37It is nice.
08:38Very pretty.
08:39Set on a slope, we're taking steps via the garden
08:42to reach a terrace level at the front of the home.
08:46Before I let you into the house,
08:49I've got to show you this, haven't I?
08:51Oh, yeah.
08:53I mean, that is a view.
08:54It's gorgeous, isn't it?
08:56Absolutely beautiful.
08:57Yeah, that is definitely a view.
08:58Could I call that the million-pound view, do you think?
09:01As long as we're doing it for half price.
09:07Sliding doors lead us into a reception room
09:09with double doors that open onto the kitchen beyond.
09:13I like those doors.
09:14They're nice doors.
09:16And you can keep it open, or if you wanted to,
09:18close it in again.
09:19Slide them to glass, so it keeps it lovely and light.
09:22Yeah.
09:22With the fabulous views of this screen.
09:25Yeah, it's fabulous views.
09:25It's nice.
09:26I like it.
09:27It's light and hairy in here,
09:28which is what you want for the living room.
09:29It is.
09:30It's good life.
09:31I mean, you've got that view.
09:32Yeah.
09:33I mean, probably most of the time,
09:34there's only going to be me and you here.
09:35I know.
09:36Shall we continue?
09:37Yes.
09:37Okay, so you've seen a little bit of it.
09:39Here's the kitchen.
09:41Good space.
09:42Nice.
09:42Yeah, nice units.
09:43I love those units.
09:44There's nothing to do in here, is there?
09:46No.
09:46No, I mean, the whole house really is,
09:48looks like it's been well-maintained.
09:50Yeah.
09:51Now, on this floor,
09:51you've also got an additional bedroom.
09:54You've got a shower room next door.
09:56So, fantastic access.
09:58Downstairs, you've got everything.
09:59But you've got two further bedrooms upstairs.
10:03As well as offering the option of single-storey living
10:06Lynn and Alan have asked for,
10:08there are two en-suite doubles,
10:09partly set into the eaves on the top floor,
10:12the smaller of which I'm leaving them to explore on their own.
10:17Shall we have a look at the en-suite?
10:18Yeah.
10:18I mean, it's fine for a guest room.
10:20Absolutely.
10:21You've got the views.
10:22You've still got those views.
10:24And that just leaves bedroom three for me to show them,
10:28another en-suite double.
10:30I like this.
10:31So, there's the en-suite.
10:32Very nice.
10:34Sorry.
10:35What do you think about that again?
10:35Just, yeah.
10:36We'll just spend our time looking out the window.
10:39The garden is terraced with steps from the back
10:42to access the highest level.
10:44This has a lawn, seating, a shed and fruit trees.
10:49To the front is a sizeable garage
10:51with low-maintenance paving and gravel looking out to the sea.
10:57I think this works on all levels.
11:00Do you like what I did there?
11:01All levels, yeah.
11:02Sorry about that.
11:03That was a bad joke, wasn't it?
11:05Question is, how does the asking price level with their budget?
11:10How much is this chalet bungalow on the market for?
11:14You can go first.
11:15I did have a figure in mind,
11:18but after seeing everything there is to see,
11:21I take it up to £495,000.
11:23£495,000.
11:25So that's right at the top of your budget, isn't it?
11:27Just about.
11:28OK.
11:28I'm going to go with £485,000.
11:30The asking price is £450,000.
11:36OMG.
11:37Now, why?
11:37It has just come down because the owner is keen to move.
11:41Right.
11:42So go and have a wander.
11:44Be our guest.
11:45Lovely.
11:45Thank you.
11:45Take my time.
11:49Significantly within budget,
11:50this seaside dormer bungalow comes with a kitchen diner
11:53and three double bedrooms,
11:56including one on the ground floor.
11:57There's a large garage,
11:59a low-maintenance terrace garden and sea views,
12:02with the beach and facilities of Dawlish just a short stroll away.
12:08When I first saw it,
12:09I was thinking,
12:09hmm,
12:10it might be a little bit small for us.
12:12But actually,
12:13when you go inside it,
12:14the rooms are actually quite spacious.
12:17We always hoped for the sea view,
12:19but we weren't convinced we were going to get it.
12:20This might be able to give us the lifestyle that we've been chasing.
12:26And I think now it's kind of given me the feeling that actually might be within reach.
12:32I really like this place.
12:34I think it's beautiful.
12:36It's so peaceful.
12:38It just says,
12:41no stress.
12:42No stress.
12:43I really do think it's a perfect place.
12:47I certainly hope this will be our forever home.
12:50Unless, of course,
12:51you know,
12:53something else crops up.
13:01The sea may be my buyer's main draw to Devon,
13:04but Alan and Lynne are also after a friendly community to make them feel at home.
13:11Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park is the town of Buckfarsley.
13:16It's a nice little place.
13:19An abbey founded here in the 11th century
13:21saw monks farming fresh produce.
13:24And as the town sprung up around them,
13:27a pride in providing local food continued to grow.
13:31Could you imagine getting all your fresh veg here every week?
13:33I know.
13:34It would be nice, wouldn't it?
13:38We specialise in producing bread made using stone ground organic flowers
13:43and working directly with farmers and millers.
13:46We're trying to encourage the farmers to make a switch from modern grains
13:50to a more regenerative system using more heritage grains
13:53and farming methods that work better for the soil,
13:56extend the harvest that we can get out of the earth.
13:59Yeah, and I think the direct relationship with our farmers is super important
14:02because it means that we can react and kind of work with whatever is coming off the land
14:07in that harvest.
14:07A lot of the highest quality produce that's grown in the country is grown here.
14:11So if you live here, you've just got access straight to it.
14:15Friday night fishing chip.
14:16Got the chippy.
14:18And I bet it's all fresh fish as well from...
14:20Up, yeah.
14:21It's bound to be.
14:22On hurried streets lined with characterful cafes and small independent shops
14:28combine with a hive of activities.
14:31Could you talk about having a hive?
14:32Yeah.
14:33From beekeeping to knitting groups.
14:36We retired down here to the Buckfastly about a year ago.
14:40We have a wonderful community centre, the More Imagination Centre, just up the road.
14:46We've got a wonderful cafe cum bar, the Doe.
14:49The community is amazing.
14:50Very, very friendly.
14:51Everybody wants to help you out.
14:53There's always events, things going on.
14:54We've been so busy and happy here.
14:56It's been amazing.
14:57Yeah.
15:02The town is a boarding point for South Devon Railway, a heritage steam line.
15:08Hello.
15:08Can I have two tickets, please?
15:09There you go.
15:10Lovely.
15:11Thank you very much.
15:16The grandkids are going to love this one, aren't they?
15:18I know, they will.
15:19They will.
15:20We run from Buckfastly, on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, down to Totnes, which
15:24is where the River Dart becomes tidal.
15:28I mean, look at that.
15:29It's lovely, isn't it?
15:30That's my happy place.
15:31We've got Dartmoor just up the road.
15:33We've got the coast.
15:35And we're directly between Exeter and Plymouth.
15:37So we've got so much choice, really.
15:41Buckfastly seems to be on the right track when it comes to Lynn and Alan's country escape plans.
15:46That is a lovely trend.
15:48It is?
15:48That is glorious.
15:49I've really enjoyed Buck.
15:51Now back to finding a home for them to embark on their journey here.
15:59We're at the coast once again for my next property offering in the historic fishing port of Brixham.
16:07A favoured spot of my buyers, Alan's longed-for boat could find good company, sharing sea room with a replica
16:14of the 16th century golden hind, which famously took Sir Francis Drake around the globe.
16:22There are places to try the catch of the day or a cream tea, and regular buses take in destinations
16:29around and out of town.
16:32From the harbour, it's a 15-minute walk to the property I want to show them.
16:37Now, one of the places that you were definitely interested in looking at was Brixham.
16:42So we have managed to find you this chalet bungalow.
16:46Pretty little bungalow, to be honest with you.
16:48Yeah?
16:48Yeah.
16:48It looks well-maintained.
16:50I'm not giving you a project with this property.
16:52No.
16:53Not the house anyway.
16:54No.
16:56There's something plotting.
16:58Uh-huh.
16:58Shall we take a look?
16:59Yeah, let's do it.
17:00Come on, then.
17:03This semi-detached, mid-century modern dorm bungalow features rendered brick walls with a tiled roof and comes with a
17:11detached garage.
17:13The footprint extends significantly behind the home's modest frontage.
17:19It's long, isn't it?
17:20It is long.
17:20It is long.
17:22Which is accessed by a door along the side of the property.
17:26In you come.
17:27Welcome.
17:28Thank you.
17:29Across the hall, we find the first of the reception rooms.
17:32It's a good size, isn't it?
17:34Access out onto the garden, which is always good.
17:36You could have a little barbecue area out there, couldn't you?
17:39Yeah.
17:40Could even get the fire pit out there.
17:41Mm-hmm.
17:41We've been outside in the fire pit till like 2 in the morning, just chatting away.
17:45Have you really?
17:45Yeah, the fire pit going, watching the stars and just chatting away.
17:49I'm not getting the same wow factor as I might have had previously.
17:53Would that be true?
17:54That would be true.
17:55But I'll show you around and then you'll get the full picture.
17:58Let's go and have a look at the kitchen.
18:01Taking the hall further towards the back, we pass through a smaller reception to reach
18:05the kitchen.
18:07A good size kitchen.
18:09It's not enormous, but it's nicely laid out.
18:12There's enough room for both of us to be in here and move around comfortably without
18:15being in each other's way too much.
18:17You're over there cooking your curries.
18:19I can be over here doing whatever it is I need to do without getting in your way.
18:22Well, I'm not sure about that because I'll spread out over here as well.
18:26We've got additional space behind us.
18:29Right.
18:29It's not quite a utility.
18:31The way it's laid out at the moment, one double bedroom downstairs.
18:34Dining room, which could be converted to another bedroom because with the two upstairs,
18:39that makes the four.
18:40Grandchildren, I'm sure, will be very happy upstairs.
18:43Right.
18:43Let's see what you make of it.
18:44Have a wander and I'll meet you in the garden.
18:46Okay.
18:47Thank you.
18:47Okay.
18:48Thank you.
18:48Thank you.
18:49The first room for them to check out alone is that smaller reception room.
18:54It is nice, this room.
18:56It's cool as well on all day, isn't it?
18:58It's a nice little room, yeah.
18:59We could put a sofa bed in here.
19:02Then back along the hall, a ground floor shower.
19:05That's a good side shower, isn't it?
19:06It's not bad at all.
19:09Next to this is a handy cloakroom as well as a family bathroom.
19:14And yet further along the hall, at the front, is the ground floor bedroom they've asked for.
19:21Is that a king size or a sort of king size?
19:22That's a king size.
19:23It's the same size as ours.
19:24Yeah.
19:24It's certainly big enough for us.
19:25Yeah.
19:25And with all the wardrobes.
19:26Yeah.
19:26It's that ready-made downstairs bedroom as well.
19:29Yes.
19:29That we wanted.
19:31So that's the single-storey living taken care of.
19:34And completing this floor is that dining room that could also work as a bedroom again at the front.
19:42That just leaves the remaining two bedrooms upstairs.
19:47That's a good double.
19:49Yeah, it is a good double.
19:50A chance, I think, for chappers to earwig.
19:52I'm picking up, actually, quite a good vibe.
19:55I'm gleaning from this that they're looking at it more as a home.
19:58So will it be the wow factor or will it be the family home?
20:05With a further double room featuring a large dormer window, there's certainly a lot of options for accommodating overnight stays
20:13from family and friends.
20:15And there's more than enough room for a get-together in the south-facing garden, too, with veg beds, a
20:22large lawn, a greenhouse, a shed and raised deck, as well as lovely views across to the surrounding hills.
20:30But is this much too much?
20:33With wanting to get a fishing boat for the kids, volunteering, getting involved with the community, I think this manor
20:40garden, it might just scare them.
20:45It's bigger than I thought it was going to be.
20:48I must admit all that space on that side.
20:51Because there's so much space, you're always going to get the sun at some point.
20:55So this isn't scaring you, the size of it?
20:57No, no, not at all.
20:58A little bit.
20:58Well, I was wrong.
21:00I thought you were going to look at this and go, uh-oh.
21:02Yes, there's a lot of lawn.
21:04But the maintenance of that is just cutting it once a week.
21:06Yeah.
21:06And also, it's very, very fashionable now to let things go a little bit wild because it does help the
21:11pollinators and the insects.
21:13It doesn't have to be pristine anymore.
21:15No, exactly.
21:16Which is just as well.
21:17Yeah.
21:18I can only see one downside, really.
21:20Go on.
21:22How badly it's overlooked.
21:23Right.
21:23I'm now going to nudge you to put a price on this chalet bungalow with this beautiful, because it is
21:31beautiful garden.
21:33It is.
21:33It is.
21:34I'd probably think $470-ish, given it's Brixham.
21:40Because, I mean, Brixham is a very popular place to be.
21:42Oh, yes, it is.
21:43Yeah.
21:44I'd be down to £430-ish.
21:46£430,000.
21:47He's a lot harder than me.
21:48Yeah.
21:48He's a lot harder than you.
21:49He's also closer than you.
21:51Our scheme price has come down.
21:53Yeah.
21:53Yeah.
21:54To £425,000.
21:57Right.
21:57OK.
21:59That is...
21:59Is that...
22:00It's a surprise, I must admit.
22:01It is a surprise.
22:02I thought it would be more given the location.
22:03Yeah.
22:03I think you should go and have another look around.
22:05OK.
22:06OK.
22:06Yeah.
22:08This attached mid-century dormer bungalow comes with three to four double bedrooms,
22:13including one on the ground floor, a large level garden with countryside views, plus a
22:19detached garage, and it could put them in one of their favoured locations within a 15-minute
22:25walk of the sea.
22:28Oh, that's a good size.
22:29So I could get my tools along the back there, get the bike in, and then I can put my
22:34fishing
22:34gear up there.
22:34When I first turned up and looked at the house for the first time, I thought, I don't think
22:40there's enough space in there for us.
22:41Yeah.
22:41But the footprint is a lot bigger than you would ever expect.
22:44You've got three reception rooms downstairs.
22:47It's...
22:47Yeah, and a bedroom.
22:48The only downside was not having a bathroom upstairs.
22:51Thinking of visitors.
22:52Yeah.
22:52It's not ideal.
22:54The garden, probably on reflection.
22:58Maybe a little too big.
22:59It's probably a bit too big for us at our age.
23:02I don't know about you, but I don't think this house is quite right for us.
23:04I don't think it's us, really.
23:06Wow.
23:07Still such a lovely day.
23:09It is.
23:09It is.
23:09It's beautiful.
23:10Yeah.
23:10Devon Sunshine.
23:11Devon Sunshine.
23:12Yeah.
23:12And we've seen two properties, which are very, very different, let's be honest.
23:16Very different.
23:17Yeah.
23:17But we can't bring you all this way and not go down to the seaside.
23:21Fancy it?
23:21A little bit of a chat on the beach?
23:23Yeah.
23:23I can do that.
23:24Shall we?
23:24Yeah.
23:25Yeah.
23:25And if you're really good and I find somewhere, I might even buy you an ice cream.
23:28Oh, now you're talking.
23:30Now you're talking.
23:33And Chappas is nothing if not a woman of her word.
23:37What a way to end the day.
23:39This is the life.
23:40It is.
23:40It's beautiful.
23:40This is exactly why we want to come here.
23:43Get me boat.
23:44Get the bike out.
23:45Yeah.
23:46And then...
23:47What sort of boat are you going to get?
23:48Have you decided?
23:49Yeah, it's only going to be a small one.
23:52Big enough so I can go out, do a little bit of sea fishing.
23:56Link and sunbathe on the front or something like that while I'm fishing.
23:59You know, so we can do it together.
24:01Having seen the houses today, we've driven around such beautiful little hamlets and villages.
24:06Yeah.
24:06Still completely sold?
24:08Absolutely.
24:09Yeah.
24:09Nothing's changed?
24:10No.
24:10The scenery, we've driven through parts that we haven't been to before.
24:14Good.
24:14Oh, that's good to know.
24:15It's got a good feeling about it.
24:17Everybody is so friendly.
24:19They seem to be quite pleased as well that we're actually wanting to move and live here.
24:24We want to be part of the community and just settle here and this will be home.
24:31I promised you an ice cream, didn't I?
24:33Yeah.
24:33You've got to make a promise to me.
24:35Go on.
24:36You'll buy one of our houses.
24:38We will confirm or deny tomorrow.
24:42Okay.
24:43All right, I'll take that.
24:44Yeah.
24:44After the mystery house.
24:58With an enviable climate and beautiful coast and countryside, it's no surprise that buying
25:04a home in Devon does come at a premium.
25:07The average price for a detached house in the county is £488,000, significantly above the
25:15UK figure of £436,000.
25:19For those on a lower budget, however, there are still options to be found.
25:26This detached grade 2 listed a two-bedroom cottage in the Cowtown area of Brixham has character
25:32and cosiness, as well as a sunny courtyard.
25:36It's on the market for £270,000.
25:41This four-bedroom stone barn conversion in a quiet hamlet is offered in a choice of packages.
25:47The home and enclosed garden is priced at £775,000, or there's the option of three further acres
25:55and equestrian facilities for £975,000.
26:00For a short but sweet taste of Devon, this 19th-century boathouse on the River Dart, accessed on foot via
26:0871 steps,
26:10sleeps up to four and costs from £333 per night in low season, rising to £616 in the summer peak
26:19with a minimum three-night stay.
26:26So we've got a lot more to explore here today in gorgeous Devon with Alan and Lynne.
26:33And we've also got to show them our mystery house.
26:36Now, it might not have incredible sea views, but this property has definitely got something very special about it.
26:50For the mystery twist, I'm taking my bias a few miles inland to the hamlet of Wilborough.
26:58Another beautiful sunny day in South Devon.
27:02It is. It's gorgeous.
27:03Really lovely.
27:04And what a way to see this wonderful hamlet. It is exquisite, isn't it?
27:08Yeah, it's lovely.
27:09It's a very pretty place, isn't it?
27:11It's so quiet.
27:12Yeah.
27:12All you can hear is birds.
27:13Yeah, there is a pub quite close by. You can walk to the pub.
27:16Oh, OK.
27:16Oh, yeah.
27:17Oh, bonus.
27:18Because there is a reason I've brought you to this hamlet, which you're probably guessing,
27:21because we are talking at the mystery house.
27:24So I'm just going to get it ready.
27:25So I'm going to send you off, have a wander around, and then I'll meet you back at the mystery
27:29house,
27:29and we will do our final tour.
27:31How does that sound?
27:32It sounds good.
27:33Yeah.
27:34As well as a pub in the hamlet itself, a little over a mile down the road,
27:38the large village of King's Cursewell provides shopping and amenities, including a pharmacy,
27:44a health centre, a mobile post office every Tuesday and Thursday, local activities and more places to eat and drink.
27:52While Lynn and Alan check all that out, I'm staying in the hamlet of Wilbur for the inland mystery property
27:58I've got up my sleeve.
28:02As we like to say on Escape to the Country, now for something completely different, a mystery house.
28:09And when I say different, I'm talking centuries and centuries.
28:14In fact, this semi-detached cottage, divided from its neighbours to the side of its two lower and upper front
28:21windows,
28:21dates to the 17th century and is Grade II listed.
28:25This is like stepping back in time, a traditional beamed historic cottage in the countryside.
28:33We might not have sea views, but the characterful cottage makes up for it with all its lovely features.
28:40Now to see if the charms of my period mystery cottage make up for being around a 15-minute drive,
28:47rather than a short stroll away from the seaside.
28:51Take a look.
28:52This is your mystery cottage.
28:54Wow.
28:54Oh, that is so full of character.
28:57It is, isn't it?
28:58It's a proper country cottage.
29:00It is.
29:00Yeah.
29:00Shall we step inside?
29:02Yeah.
29:03Play.
29:04Originally built as a single dwelling, this four centuries-old rendered rubber and brick cottage
29:10is thought to have been divided from its neighbour in the 19th century,
29:14when it also saw alterations, including a rear extension.
29:18The 20th century heralded in a new roof, whilst the current owners have renovated the interior.
29:25We're heading for the main entrance at the side, where a hall takes us to the main reception room.
29:30Oh, look at this.
29:33This is English countryside.
29:34We have beams.
29:36Isn't this gorgeous?
29:37As a kid, when I was going around the later street hiking and things, we used to walk past cottages
29:41like this,
29:42and I always said, I want to live in one of them.
29:44We thought it was worth showing you this property.
29:46Oh, yeah.
29:47I'm glad you did.
29:47Yeah.
29:48I'm really glad you did.
29:49I'm taken in by this so far.
29:51Yeah.
29:51Would you like to see a little bit more?
29:53Oh, yeah.
29:54Look at your lovely face.
29:56I'm just noticing there's a gate between a room and a door.
29:59It's just a gate, which is so nice.
30:01Come and have a look.
30:04Access by either the gate or the hall is a dining room in the oldest part of the home.
30:10So through here, you have a dining room that will fit any size table.
30:16Yeah.
30:17Yeah.
30:17Powers will definitely fit in here.
30:19With room to spare.
30:20Leading to our kitchen.
30:22The remainder of the ground floor, including the kitchen, is located in the single-storey rear extension,
30:29thought to have been added in the 19th century, but recently refitted by the current owners,
30:34with bifold doors out to the garden.
30:37Oh, wow.
30:38Oh, this is nice.
30:39Beautiful.
30:40Yeah.
30:40It's such a transition from the traditional into this is so modern.
30:45When you look at all the worktop space, it's, I mean.
30:49Oh, blimey.
30:50That is curry central.
30:52Is it?
30:52That is curry central.
30:53I will make a mess.
30:55Plenty of space for you to make a mess.
30:57I can see you two are really enthusiastic.
31:01There's an energy level I'm getting from you.
31:03I can see myself in here.
31:05I really can't see myself in here.
31:08So can I.
31:09He's had the happy face on since he was in the middle.
31:13Have you looked at this property on your own?
31:17No.
31:17Probably not.
31:18No, I don't think we would have.
31:19That's the magic.
31:20That's the joy of the mystery.
31:21Yes.
31:22Absolutely.
31:23And through the door at the end, you have got a downstairs shower room and a bedroom.
31:28You've got four bedrooms in total with this property.
31:31The one downstairs and then you've got three more upstairs.
31:34Right.
31:34Would you like to head on upstairs and have a look at those bedrooms?
31:37Yes, I'd love to.
31:37I'll meet you out in the garden.
31:39How does that sound?
31:40Yeah.
31:40Good.
31:41Fine.
31:42Stairs from the hall.
31:44This is a lovely staircase.
31:45It is.
31:46Lead up to the top floor accommodation, partly set into the eaves.
31:49At the attached end of the home, a large double has a dormer window to the front and another
31:55window to the rear.
31:58Oh, this is beautiful.
32:01Look at this.
32:03It's amazing how much room there is.
32:05I know.
32:05I was kind of expecting the upstairs to be...
32:07Head height a bit.
32:08Yeah, the head height would be a bit lower.
32:10Yeah.
32:11Next to this is a smaller room, also with a front-facing dormer window.
32:16You'd get a double in here.
32:17Oh, easy.
32:18Good guest room.
32:19Yeah, yeah.
32:20Oh, hang on a minute.
32:21Look at that.
32:23Yeah.
32:24Isn't that pretty?
32:25You do like your stained glass, don't you?
32:26I do like stained glass.
32:27Isn't it lovely when you walk into a property and it evokes memories from yesteryear?
32:33And I could really see Alan, you know, he was beginning to well up as he walked in the
32:37door, because it takes him back to that happy place, and we want this next house to be their
32:43happy place.
32:45I'm keeping everything crossed.
32:48The family bathroom sits to the rear gable end, brightened by a skylight window.
32:53I do like this bath.
32:56It's nice.
32:57And opposite, the final bedroom, number four, features a gabled end window.
33:02Another good double.
33:04Another good double.
33:05Yeah.
33:05There's enough room for everybody to come.
33:07There is.
33:09Outside, the garden is fully enclosed to the side and rear, offering paved patio seating
33:15and a terraced level lawn.
33:17Although with no garage, it does call for compromise and creativity from the couple.
33:23Now, is this a low-maintenance garden?
33:25Yes.
33:26This'll do.
33:26I'd say so.
33:27This'll do.
33:27I'd say so.
33:28And you're not overlooked at all.
33:30At all.
33:31No.
33:31Let's cut to the chase, then.
33:33You've had a good look around the property.
33:34What do we think the asking price is for our mystery house?
33:38Remind us of your top budget.
33:39It's £500,000.
33:41Yeah.
33:41So, I can't imagine this being any less than that at all.
33:46£500,000?
33:47£500,000.
33:48I might even think you've been a little bit cruel here and gone slightly above us.
33:52I'll go 510 on the optimistic side.
33:54Our asking price is £475,000.
33:58Oh, my goodness.
33:59That is a lovely house for that money.
34:01Have another look on your own and I'll meet you when you're ready.
34:04Okay.
34:04Thanks very much.
34:05Thank you.
34:07For offers in excess of £475,000, this attached grade 2 listed 17th century cottage offers
34:15a spacious modern kitchen, two period reception rooms and four bedrooms, including a ground
34:22floor option.
34:23There's a low maintenance garden and it's just a short drive from the coast.
34:27There's enough of a turning circle here to get the bike in.
34:29Yeah.
34:29We could steal some of it if you like.
34:33Get a firmin' to dig it out.
34:34It's got a perfect mixture of traditional and modern.
34:38Yeah.
34:39It's got all the modern things where you need them, kitchens, bathrooms, and it's got that
34:44lovely, homely, traditional lounge dining room.
34:49It's a typical English country cottage.
34:51Yeah.
34:51And it's lovely.
34:53It just took me back to walking through the Lake District.
34:57It's like, you know, when memories take you back to your childhood.
35:00It's a head-turner.
35:01It's wonderful if you're driving past it and you don't know the place.
35:03You would take a look at it and, oh, this is nice.
35:10Lynn and Alan have a lot to think about when it comes to moving to Devon.
35:15But here's a couple who have already settled here and are making the most of life in this
35:21wonderful county.
35:24Hi.
35:26So this is our very lovely house.
35:29When we first saw this house, this was what really sold it to us.
35:33There's so much space down here to have all the toys out all the time.
35:39Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma.
35:41Jack moved to Devon from the Surrey town of Woking with his family at the age of 18.
35:46He met born and bred Devonian Isla whilst walking on Dartmoor.
35:50I kind of grew up exploring, being very out and about up on Dartmoor.
35:56A bit different from you.
35:57Yeah, absolutely.
35:58I mean, I was right on the edge of Woking.
36:01I used to live in a flat.
36:03I wouldn't want to swim in any of the rivers around there.
36:05No.
36:06Along with their seven-month-old baby Arlo and Jack's six-year-old son Ozzy, the couple
36:12now live in a village in Dartmoor National Park and run a business devising family-friendly
36:17local walks.
36:19Woo-hoo!
36:22We've hauled up to Dartmoor to go on one of our walks.
36:26This is in our family-friendly guides.
36:29It's a beautiful one.
36:30It's an easy one as well.
36:33Hi.
36:34Guys, there might be one in here.
36:36Let's have a look in here, guys.
36:38They're tried and tested by us and both of the boys for things like, are they buggy-friendly?
36:42Do you need to use a carrier?
36:44Good places to have lunch, that kind of thing.
36:48I'm popping by to visit them at home and, with luck, bag myself an invite to one of their
36:53easy-peasy curated strolls.
36:56Jack and Isla, lovely to meet you both.
36:59Hi.
36:59You two have come up with a really interesting project, haven't you?
37:03Was it a lightbulb moment?
37:04Were you literally out there pushing the chair and, you know, little boys running around
37:08thinking, actually, you can come out here and enjoy this fantastic scenery.
37:12You just need to have a little bit of prep.
37:14Yes.
37:15It was, oh my goodness, we've got to get the baby to sleep, but we've also got to entertain
37:19Aussie.
37:20We've done this route today, where are we going to go tomorrow?
37:24Yeah.
37:25And coming home and putting those routes together and talking to lots of other parents, we realised
37:30how many families don't feel confident to take their families up onto Dartmoor, take
37:34their kids out and about.
37:35So we've created 35 routes specifically aimed at encouraging and enabling other families
37:42to get up and out onto Dartmoor.
37:43What a wonderful idea.
37:44So what can you expect to see on these walks?
37:49So we've got open moorland, which you really, you only want to go there when it's kind of
37:54the wind is quite low.
37:55And if it's really rainy, which it often is here, we suggest you kind of escape into the
38:01woodlands as well.
38:02So we kind of, we want to educate as well about, look, there are loads of different places
38:08that you can go.
38:09Yeah, we want to try to help and make everybody aware that it is out there and it is easy.
38:18We can help work that all out and then they can have the information.
38:22Yeah.
38:23Can't wait to see some of these trails, I must admit.
38:25Yeah.
38:26Shall we go and take a look?
38:27Yeah, yeah, for sure.
38:28Let's do it.
38:32To cater for different ages and fitness levels, most of Jack and Isla's walks feature a primary
38:38route of up to five kilometres, as well as a longer option, some of which are also wheelchair
38:43accessible.
38:45Today's route with baby Arlo offers natural protection from the scorching sun of a midsummer
38:51heat wave.
38:54I love the tree canopy.
38:57Yeah.
38:57The dappled light just coming through, especially on a hot day like today.
39:00Yeah.
39:00Yeah, absolutely.
39:01It's much cooler down here.
39:02Yeah.
39:03So this is about ten minutes from our house.
39:05Right on your doorstep.
39:07Right on our doorstep, yeah.
39:08And I love the sound.
39:09What water is that?
39:10What stream is that?
39:11This is the River Avon.
39:12It's coming down off the high moor, so it's really kind of filtered as it gets down to here.
39:16Yeah.
39:16It's really clean.
39:18Yeah, it's lovely.
39:20The roots come with information about activities to enjoy along the way.
39:24And whilst most might be intended for children, there's nothing to stop the big kid in all
39:29of us joining in too.
39:31So I'm thinking, while we're here, surely we've got to have a game of poo sticks.
39:36Definitely.
39:36So that's my stick.
39:38Yeah, here it is.
39:40Okay, a different variety.
39:41Let's see.
39:42Okay.
39:42One, two, three.
39:50Oh, chappers.
39:51Oh, let's take the lead.
39:52Oh.
39:54Let's have a look.
39:55Let's have a look.
39:57Oh, there's one.
39:59Whose is that?
40:00Oh.
40:01Oh, yes, that's mine.
40:03Is that you?
40:04Jack, you're the winner.
40:05Great.
40:07I wish this young family all the very best with mapping out their local knowledge for
40:12all to enjoy.
40:13But here's hoping my house hunting this week has more success than my poo sticks.
40:21We've shown Alan and Lynne a great variety of properties and, too, got incredible reactions.
40:28The question is, what are they going to do next?
40:31Let's find out.
40:39Well, this is a lovely spot, isn't it?
40:42So we've looked at the location.
40:44We know you're sold on the lifestyle.
40:46We looked at such a variety of properties.
40:48I thought we'd started off very strongly with the Seaview house.
40:53The Seaview house was lovely.
40:56And those Seaviews.
40:57It was a spectacular.
40:57You just cannot, you just can't get away from those Seaviews.
41:00They're absolutely stunning.
41:02But the mystery house, it's got that feel and that character.
41:05Yes, it hasn't got the Seaviews, but it's got countryside views coming out of its ears.
41:11You know, you can't beat that.
41:15And you both loved it instantly, didn't you?
41:18Yeah.
41:18It's got all the rooms, but it's still got that cosy feel to it.
41:22So you don't feel like you're rattling around in something that's too big for you.
41:27So you've looked at quite a few properties.
41:28We have.
41:30Is this the closest you've come, then, to the perfect home?
41:33I would say so.
41:34Yes.
41:35I would say so.
41:37We've tried so hard and you've done it for us.
41:40You nailed it.
41:40Wonderful.
41:40Do you know what's coming next?
41:42What is the next step, then?
41:44Because you've sold your home.
41:45I know you haven't moved out yet, but you've sold your home.
41:48Yeah.
41:49After this, we're going to contact the estate agent.
41:51Yes.
41:52And we're going to try and do another second viewing tomorrow.
41:54Brilliant.
41:55And we'll be considering an offer, I would imagine.
41:58Yeah.
41:58Yeah.
41:58Ideally, hopefully, we'll be making the move soon.
42:02Yeah.
42:03But do let us know how you get on.
42:05And we would dearly love to come back and revisit and see how you're getting on.
42:09Yeah.
42:10That would be good.
42:11That would be good.
42:16Having already viewed plenty of properties already in this county, I must admit, I did
42:22have my doubts whether we were going to be able to give Alan and Lynn the lifestyle that
42:27they so wanted.
42:28However, the Mystery House has worked its magic again.
42:33And the fantastic news is they're going for a second viewing first thing tomorrow morning.
42:38We're keeping everything cross for them and hope they can start their new life here in
42:43the beautiful Devon countryside as soon as possible.
42:46And I'll see you again very soon.
42:51If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
42:56and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:06We'll be right back.
43:33We'll be right back.
43:35We'll be right back.
43:37We'll be right back.
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