Escape To The Country Season 26 Episode 6 takes viewers to the picturesque landscapes of Shropshire as Nicki Chapman helps a couple and their ginger cat leave the city of Wolverhampton behind in search of a peaceful countryside lifestyle. Featuring a charming red-brick Victorian farmhouse, a secluded period cottage hidden in a tranquil valley, and a mystery property reminiscent of a Swiss Alpine retreat, this episode showcases exceptional rural living options. The adventure continues as Nicki experiences an adrenaline-filled ride on one of the UK's longest zipwires, offering breathtaking aerial views of Shropshire’s spectacular scenery.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Shropshire #CountryLiving #PropertyShow #BritishTV
#EscapeToTheCountry #Shropshire #CountryLiving #PropertyShow #BritishTV
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00:01Once upon a time lived a fairy godmother named Chappers.
00:05You have sheep as neighbours next door.
00:07I love having sheep as neighbours.
00:10She soared through the Shropshire skies.
00:14Oh, wow. Oh, my goodness. What a view.
00:19In search of a home for her escapees.
00:22Enchanting? Yeah. Hansel and Gretel.
00:25That's a good word. I like that. Our enchanting cottage.
00:28So that they could live happily ever after.
00:31Yeah, I really, I think it's great.
00:34I think if I was living here I'd be like the coolest kid on the block.
00:37Yes.
00:38Yes.
01:04If it's peace and tranquility you crave, Shropshire delivers.
01:10And even though there's not a single city in sight, you don't need bright lights to flood this county in
01:17colour.
01:20At this time of year, it's an escape tradition that one of the presenters kicks off a show in a
01:26beautiful bluebell wood like this one here in Shropshire.
01:31Now, I have had the privilege of doing it in the past, but I've always forgotten to do one thing.
01:37And that's take a bluebell selfie with Chapa's country, Glam Cam.
01:44Gorgeous.
01:48Today, we're scouring the West Midlands county of Shropshire, one of the most sparsely populated counties in England.
01:56Shropshire's a really beautiful county to live in.
01:59There's a lot of diversity of arts and culture and it's very close to sort of walks and nature and
02:06it's like quite an inspiring place to live.
02:08I mean, I'm an illustrator, so I'm constantly inspired by like the beautiful landscape.
02:15Bridge North, a market town on the banks of the River Severn, is split in two, with Hightown on the
02:22hill and Lowtown in the valley,
02:24connected by England's only remaining inland electric funicular railway.
02:32Nearby Iron Bridge boasts another remarkable feat of engineering, the world's first iron bridge, constructed across the gorge in 1779.
02:43Lots of farms and very, very rural and very beautiful and wonderful landscapes and lots and lots of wildlife.
02:53What can I say about this place? It's wonderful.
03:02It's almost time to set off on our house hunt, but before we do, we need to meet today's couple
03:07who are looking for a new home and a new lifestyle here in sunny Shropshire.
03:13So the people who have been involved in the move will be me, me, and Leo, who is somewhere.
03:21He's somewhere. He was here just a second ago, but he just, he just goes wandering.
03:27Leo the cat lives with Alka, originally from Leicester, and Isabella, who grew up in Sicily, in this three-bed
03:35semi.
03:35A few minutes' drive from the city of Wolverhampton, where the couple both work for the council's children's services.
03:42We love Shropshire. It's a beautiful area where it has lots of history, beautiful villages, and also we got married
03:51in Shropshire, so we have beautiful memories there.
03:56We envisage a life which is slower paced and allowing us to pursue our hobbies and interests more as well.
04:04So we really love the great outdoors, so hiking, that's something we'd like to do more regular, and also growing
04:11our own vegetables, being a bit more self-sufficient and sustainable.
04:14And we want to get away from the rat race. We both have really busy jobs, busy lives, and we
04:21really, sort of, our weekends are really precious, so whenever we can, we try to escape to the country, so
04:28we may as well live there.
04:30Isabella and Alka want a detached property with at least three bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, plus options for a study
04:38and home gym.
04:40Garden-wise, they'd like up to an acre, and they have a budget of £550,000.
04:57Alka and Isabella are moving from Wolverhampton to Shropshire. Well, let's be honest, not a massive move, but the difference
05:05it's going to make to their lifestyle is enormous.
05:07I mean, just driving around here, this is the quality of life that they can have, to open their back
05:13door, to be surrounded by countryside, to be able to walk to their heart's content, and really be part of
05:20this community, which, I mean, obviously Wolverhampton has served them well over the years, but by the sounds of it,
05:26they're truly ready to step into the countryside and a new way of life.
05:34Our search starts in the north of the county, in the small village of Little Ness.
05:39It's a five-minute drive to Bass Church, which nails all the everyday essentials, including a small supermarket, a post
05:47office and a pub.
05:50On a quiet country lane, just moments away from our first property, I'm rendezvousing with Alka and Isabella to revel
05:57in the scenery.
06:00Wow. Look at that.
06:03Wow. Beautiful.
06:04And have a proper chinwag about this move.
06:08Alka and Isabella, welcome to Shropshire, although I should be saying welcome back, because this is where you two got
06:14married.
06:15That's right. Thank you.
06:16We love coming to Shropshire. We love the culture. We love the events that happen. And we love hiking, walking,
06:24anything outdoorsy.
06:25So what's the one thing, Alka, that you're really looking forward to with this move?
06:30I think it's getting away from the rat race.
06:32Yeah.
06:33We have quite intense jobs, both Isabella and I. So to be able to switch off after work in my
06:39own home, which is peace and quiet and tranquil, in my lovely back garden,
06:44and that would be really, really lovely for me.
06:47Do you know what? I can see it on your face already.
06:50I think we are actually mentally and physically ready for this move. We've been thinking about it for many months.
06:58And, yeah, we are ready. We are ready for it.
07:01Well, there is so much to see and explore. Lots of people to meet, lots of interesting areas to go
07:07to, and obviously, we're going to see if we can find you that perfect property as well.
07:11Shall we get started?
07:12Yes.
07:12Come on, let's do it.
07:18Set back off this quiet country lane, this Grade II listed red brick Victorian farmhouse is up for sale for
07:25the first time in 60 years.
07:28And when we saw it, we couldn't pass by the opportunity to show it to Alka and Isabella.
07:36And here she is, this old farmhouse.
07:39Wow.
07:40Looks lovely. Lovely farmhouse, yeah.
07:44I'm taken back by how big it looks, actually, from the outside.
07:47It's quite high, isn't it?
07:49It is.
07:49My initial thoughts are warming, friendly.
07:53I can't wait to actually see the inside now.
07:56You know, I can just see myself sitting there with a cup of tea, actually.
08:00Yeah, I can see it.
08:02Nice.
08:02I'm loving the outside, anyway.
08:03So, shall we step inside?
08:05Yes, please.
08:05Now, the front door looks so inviting, doesn't it?
08:08It does.
08:08It does, yeah.
08:31So, come on through, I can absolutely call this a country kitchen, can't I?
08:39Yes, you can, yeah.
08:41Yeah, very country.
08:43I think workspace would probably need a bit more, so we'd probably change the kitchen up a little bit.
08:47Yeah, definitely.
08:48Yeah.
08:48Maybe the layout will be slightly different, but, yeah, in terms of size,
08:53I would say good.
08:54Really good, healthy-sized kitchen with a utility next room and a boiler room as well.
08:59Yeah.
09:00It's a good start.
09:01It is.
09:02It's a good start.
09:02Right, let's see if that continues through here.
09:04I hope so.
09:06So, the first of two reception rooms...
09:09It is quite high, and, again, we've got the beams.
09:12Yes.
09:13The fireplace.
09:15It's lovely.
09:16Spacious, isn't it?
09:17I think it's a spacious...
09:19Yeah.
09:19Yeah, because when our two families come together, it'll be nice that everyone has a seat.
09:23Yeah.
09:24So, yeah.
09:25And it kind of leads nicely from the dining kitchen area as well, so it can kind of have
09:30that as a through social space.
09:34Opposite, on the other side of the entrance hall, the second reception, in use as a bedroom,
09:40completes the ground floor.
09:42Upstairs, on the first floor, the reconfigured layout is really evident.
09:48Ooh.
09:49OK.
09:50What is this?
09:51Formally a principal bedroom, it's presently used as a living room.
09:55You come up here, and you have a second reception room.
10:01That's really handy, isn't it?
10:02Yes.
10:03Yeah.
10:04Especially if our parents are coming to stay, and, you know, we can have our sort of own
10:09areas as well.
10:10Bit of balances and tips.
10:10Yeah, got your different zones.
10:12See what you think in here.
10:17So, as you can see, I'm offering you a second kitchen.
10:21Wow, if one wasn't enough...
10:23We've got two.
10:24We've got one each.
10:26Which is good, because sometimes we fight over space, don't we?
10:29We do.
10:30And then...
10:30Well, if there's an argument, someone goes downstairs, and someone comes up, and there's never an
10:35argument with you two.
10:36Never.
10:36Never.
10:37No.
10:38This room could, subject to the relevant planning consent, be turned into a luxurious bathroom
10:44suite for the adjoining principal bedroom.
10:47Let's keep going.
10:50Also on this floor is another roomy double.
10:53And a recently renovated family bathroom, with a freestanding tub and separate shower.
11:01Wow.
11:02So, this is the main bathroom.
11:05Love it.
11:06Big size.
11:08Yeah.
11:08Again, I think the running theme is space.
11:11And look, we've got two sinks.
11:13There's no more fighting in the bathroom.
11:16That's brilliant.
11:17On the second floor, there's a third double bedroom, which shares a shower room with the
11:23fourth and final bedroom.
11:26Again.
11:27Big size.
11:29It's a lot of space.
11:30Yeah.
11:30I'm really impressed by how much space there is.
11:34I think that's really important for me.
11:36Yeah.
11:37Given that we're going to have friends come over, family come over.
11:40Yeah.
11:41Does it feel claustrophobic to me at all?
11:43It doesn't, no.
11:46Oh, you've caught me sitting down, relaxing, taking in the view of this gorgeous sunshine.
11:51But I've left the girls to it because there's an awful lot to this property.
11:55And there's so many ways you could live in this house.
11:58And what's so wonderful is both of them already very engaged, working out how it could work for
12:03them and also their families.
12:07The south-facing garden, enclosed by a sandstone and brick wall, measures around a third of
12:13an acre.
12:13So there's ample space for a veggie plot, plus, if they fancied, a garden office and gym.
12:21You ready to come and join me?
12:23Yes.
12:24Because I've shown you that vista, but if I just get you to look over your shoulder,
12:29if that wasn't enough, you also have the local Little Ness is the village, the village
12:33church.
12:34There's a village hall and you have sheep as neighbours next door.
12:37That's very idyllic.
12:39Yeah.
12:39Very idyllic.
12:40I love the fact of that.
12:41I love having sheep as neighbours.
12:43Yeah.
12:45So, what are we thinking for this beautiful farmhouse?
12:50I'm thinking top end of the budget.
12:52I'm going to say £545,000.
12:54Okay.
12:55So I think £530,000.
12:59Is that a hopeful £530,000?
13:02Yes.
13:04I am going to take you to the top of your budget.
13:08So, Alka, you're the closest.
13:10The asking price is £550,000.
13:13Oh!
13:14We have spent your money.
13:15But wisely.
13:17Yeah, because there's an awful lot of property for it.
13:20Yeah.
13:20Now, the owners are keen to move.
13:23There is a little bit of wiggle room.
13:26I think it'd be a healthy conversation.
13:28It'd be a conversation worth having.
13:30Okay.
13:30Okay.
13:30That's good to know, isn't it?
13:31Yes.
13:32This handsome Grade 2 listed Victorian farmhouse boasts a large country kitchen, two reception
13:39rooms, four generous double bedrooms and a walled garden that extends to about a third
13:46of an acre.
13:47It's on the market with a guide price of £550,000.
13:52I was actually shocked of how much space each room has and the potential of this property
13:59that it has.
13:59It's amazing.
14:02It's everything I wanted in terms of the outside.
14:06It's just a beautiful, outstanding natural beauty around us, so the scenery is great.
14:12For me, it's perfect.
14:15How are we feeling?
14:16Have you seen enough?
14:18I think so, yes.
14:18Yes, we have, haven't we?
14:19Yeah, I think we have.
14:21Enough, yes.
14:21A strong start to Shropshire and more to discover and show you.
14:39In one of the quietest nooks of the Shropshire hills lies the town of Bishop's Castle.
14:46Fantastic place to live.
14:47The walking is incredible.
14:49You can walk all day, 15, 20 miles and not see hardly another person all day.
14:54It's beautiful.
14:55And as you can see, the weather is always amazing.
14:58It's the epicentre of daily life for the 2,000 or so residents who live here and the many
15:04more who reside in the outlying villages and hamlets.
15:08I just can't stop looking at that view.
15:11I know it is stunning, isn't it?
15:17The medieval streets are chock full of vibrantly painted buildings, more than 160 of which are
15:24listed.
15:24Many house local independent businesses, such as this bookshop and cafe, where the poetry
15:31pharmacist prescribes poems for any emotional ailment.
15:35I absolutely love living and working in Bishop's Castle.
15:39It's kind of the perfect size.
15:41It's got a fish and chip shop, it's got an Indian and a Chinese, pubs with live music,
15:47lots going on, a swimming pool, a theatre even, and a real strong community.
15:54Whose thirst is easily quenched in any one of the town's five pubs.
16:01Bishop's Castle is a great fun town to live in.
16:04We have a very active social calendar.
16:07We do live music on Sunday afternoons, outside, where possible.
16:11We have a fun open mic, quiz nights, bingo.
16:16And if this isn't your vibe, there's a host of sports groups to join, including the 100-year-old
16:23tennis club.
16:24Hi.
16:25Hi.
16:26Hello.
16:27Welcome to Bishop's Castle Tennis Club.
16:30Helen Randall, one of its 80-plus members, moved to the town four years ago.
16:37Joining the tennis club was the first thing I did, and I didn't really know anybody when
16:41I moved to the area, but now I've made lifelong friends.
16:44That was a good way of kick-starting making new friends and sort of getting to know local
16:49people.
16:49And what about in Bishop's Castle itself?
16:52Is there any events that happen?
16:54Anything that brings all the people together?
16:55There's always something going on.
16:57Honestly, it's really, really active.
16:59There's a big arts festival in February, and then in summer there's party in the park,
17:04live music and bands.
17:05There's a carnival as well, a big parade down the high street, and there's a Micklemas
17:10fair in September.
17:12There's Christmas lights switch on.
17:14Really, for a town this size, it's got an extraordinary amount of things going on all
17:18year round.
17:20So, are you ready to have a go?
17:21Can you join us?
17:22Yeah.
17:22Go.
17:23Yeah, let's pay.
17:24Shall we do it?
17:24Let's go.
17:25Come on.
17:33But now we must rally and see if we can ace the search for Isabella and Alka's dream home.
17:45Our next stop is way down in the south of the county, in the small village of Hopesay,
17:51deep in the Shropshire Hills.
17:53Craven Arms, the nearest town, is a 12-minute drive away and has shops plus places to eat
17:59and socialise covered, as well as rail connections to the Shropshire towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow
18:06and, further afield, to Manchester and the Welsh cities of Cardiff and Swansea.
18:11In a glorious setting, tucked away at the end of this lane, this detached cottage, originally
18:18a two-up, two-down, has been significantly extended to create a characterful family home.
18:24Now, how is this for an approach?
18:27Can I come to show you the next property?
18:30Wow.
18:32I'm speechless.
18:34Yeah.
18:35It's...
18:35Different.
18:37Enchanting.
18:37Yeah.
18:38Hansel and Gretel.
18:39That's a good word.
18:40I like that.
18:41Our enchanting cottage, nestled in the valley of the Shropshire Hills.
18:45Yes.
18:46Lovely.
18:47What more can you ask for?
18:48You've got your valleys, you've got your walks.
18:51If you hear the birds.
18:51Yeah.
18:52Yeah.
18:52So you called it our enchanting cottage.
18:55Yes.
18:55Enchanting cottage.
18:56Let's see if I can enchant you inside.
19:00The front door in the original part of the cottage opens into the entrance hall, which
19:06leads to the ground floor of the more recent two-storey extension, and this spacious L-shaped
19:12living room.
19:15Now, when you step in here, it's a bit of a surprise.
19:18Mmm.
19:19It is.
19:20It's bigger than what you think.
19:21What you see outside.
19:22Yeah.
19:23I think I would like, probably, I'm more sort of symmetrical.
19:26Are you?
19:26Yeah.
19:27But I can see there's some space there, which is quite good.
19:30Yeah.
19:30That's a decent amount of space if you ignore this L-shaped part.
19:34Mm-hmm.
19:35So this is one side of the cottage.
19:37Okay.
19:37Okay.
19:37Ready to see the next?
19:38Yes.
19:38Yes.
19:43We have a snug stroke dining room here.
19:47Oh, look.
19:47There's a little bread oven on there.
19:49On the corner.
19:50Okay.
19:51And I'm bringing you into the kitchen.
19:55It's, I think, what's the word I'm looking for?
19:58Cozy.
19:58Cozy?
19:59It's not cozy for me.
20:00No.
20:01And it's not really appealing too much, but I can see it works for other people.
20:06Yeah.
20:07You want more space?
20:08A little bit more space and a little bit more light.
20:11If you lost your heart to this cottage, I would seriously consider opening this kitchen up.
20:17Yeah.
20:17Because you've got a huge amount of space behind.
20:19Which at the moment they use as a utility room and a downstairs cloakroom.
20:22Okay.
20:22I would reconfigure it.
20:24Yeah.
20:24Would transform it.
20:26Yeah.
20:26Now I appreciate that's not a small job.
20:28I don't mind getting stuck in.
20:30Yeah.
20:30And we've got people in the family that could help as well.
20:33Yeah.
20:34And I know a few tried people, so.
20:36Yeah.
20:36I'm not scared.
20:37I don't mind doing any projects.
20:39I think I'm ready for it if I can see potential.
20:43I wonder if Isabella thinks there's potential upstairs.
20:47Any one of the five double bedrooms could become an office, but we'll check out the largest.
20:54This is a nice sized bedroom though.
20:56Again, fancy.
20:57It's actually higher ceiling as well.
21:00Mm-hmm.
21:00You've got another bedroom next door and you could have that as a walk-in wardrobe.
21:04I've always wanted one.
21:05Yeah.
21:06It would be nice, wouldn't it?
21:07Yeah.
21:07Yeah.
21:07I think a walk-in wardrobe is a must.
21:09Yeah.
21:09Because there's not much storage space in the bedroom.
21:12Yeah.
21:12Yeah.
21:12Definitely.
21:13Yes.
21:15There's plenty of opportunity to reconfigure the bedroom accommodation to better suit their
21:20needs.
21:22But outside, the large garden already has a wooden cabin that could become a gym.
21:31So, what price are you going to put on this property?
21:36I'm considering the amount of work that needs to be done.
21:39I would say it's £415,000.
21:42I'm going to be quite generous.
21:44£485,000.
21:46The asking price is £525,000.
21:51Okay.
21:52Oh.
21:52Okay.
21:54With two receptions, a modern kitchen and five bedrooms, this detached cottage sits in
22:00a captivating spot in the heart of the Shropshire Hills and is on the market for offers in
22:05the region of £525,000.
22:10It's such a lovely character cottage, quite enchanting.
22:15But the inside, it needs a lot of work for us to do.
22:20Idyllic in terms of its location.
22:23So, it would allow Isabella and I to pursue our hobbies and interests.
22:28But I do need to think practically.
22:30And practically, the kitchen for me is a bit of an issue.
22:34I think for me, there's also the upstairs to consider and considering the price of the
22:39property, it wouldn't leave us a lot in the budget to do what we need to do to get it
22:43to
22:43the type of house we want it to be.
22:47A sad farewell to our enchanted cottage.
22:51Then I think we should go and have a little chat.
22:53Yeah.
22:54Shall we?
22:54Yeah, let's go.
23:05We're soaking up the last of the day's sunshine in the grounds of Eton Manor Country Estate.
23:12It's hard work, isn't it, looking at houses?
23:15It really is.
23:17We're exhausted.
23:18Yeah.
23:19Sitting in the sunshine at the end of the day, surrounded by the most incredible views.
23:25Yeah.
23:25It's beautiful.
23:26Still sold on Shropshire?
23:28Absolutely.
23:29That is, I think, a must for us, isn't it?
23:32100%.
23:33One of the things that really wins me over with Shropshire, it's one of those counties
23:37where people seem to have taken a chill pill, if there's such a thing.
23:41They just don't seem to be too het up about life.
23:44Definitely.
23:45When we first met, you mentioned about getting involved in the community.
23:50I mean, has that been a long-term plan for you both?
23:53It has.
23:54Yeah.
23:54And being part of, like, a community that will be good for us because then we can meet
23:59people.
24:00Yeah.
24:01We can start creating a new friendship in Shropshire.
24:04Yep.
24:05Connections.
24:05Connections, yeah.
24:06I mean, it was great when we went to meet the locals, actually.
24:09We felt really welcomed.
24:10And the tennis club, we got a game and, you know, and they were just really welcoming.
24:15Everyone was just smiling and saying hello.
24:17I mean, the best way, I always think, when people move out of the area is actually to
24:22immerse yourself in the community.
24:23that's how you make friends with like-minded people.
24:28Yeah.
24:28I'm sure the count is going to get a lot of benefit out of the two of you.
24:32I hope so.
24:50Want to know if a slice of Shropshire is within your reach?
24:54Let us give you the lowdown on property prices.
24:58£438,000 or thereabouts is the average cost of a detached house in the UK.
25:04You'll get a few more bricks for your bucks here in Shropshire where the figure is just
25:09over £417,000.
25:12Let's take a look at some more property gems available right now.
25:18This barn conversion features a sunken terrace that offers stunning views over the Stiper
25:24Stones ridge.
25:25On the ground floor, there's a comfortable sitting room and an open-plan kitchen diner.
25:31Upstairs, you'll find a family bathroom and two bedrooms in the eaves.
25:35The price tag offers in the region of £295,000.
25:42This impressive detached home has been thoughtfully extended and renovated.
25:48The focal point is the huge kitchen diner with a wall of sliding glass doors that opens
25:54onto the large garden.
25:55With five bedrooms and three bathrooms, it could be yours for offers over £650,000.
26:05For those who want to try before they buy, this black and white timber frame barn conversion
26:11is chock full of charm.
26:14With two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen fitted with rustic wooden units and a large private
26:20garden, it's available to rent for £1,050 per calendar month.
26:32Well, we're having a glorious time here in Shropshire.
26:36The sun is shining and the sky is blue.
26:39And we pride ourselves on showing our buyers different types of property and that was certainly
26:45the case with Alka and Isabella yesterday.
26:47They were positive, they were enthusiastic and they were very, very open to suggestions.
26:53So I'm hoping the same can be said for our mystery house today.
26:57We're making our way to the final property destination, the East Shropshire village of Lightmoor,
27:04a 15 minute drive from the market town of Wellington.
27:07As well as the cinema and arts centre, there's a great mix of shops, pubs and cafes.
27:13Emma Williams has been serving up award winning Jamaican street food here for the past four years.
27:19One of the best things is that we're surrounded by beautiful countryside.
27:23Wales is on the doorstep, we're living within the Shropshire hills.
27:27If we need to get to cities, they're not that far either.
27:30It's well connected to get to Birmingham, Manchester and various other places.
27:35In fact, Isabella and Alka might like to know there are direct trains to Wolverhampton
27:40with journey times of about half an hour.
27:44Just a 15 minute drive from Wellington sits a tiny community of 14 homes that feels a world away from
27:52the hustle and bustle of town life.
27:54Time now for our mystery house.
27:58And I think you can see from my face that I am super excited and enthusiastic about this property.
28:04All the houses that I have seen over the years, I've never seen anything like this.
28:11Yodeler, hee hoo!
28:13I'll forgive you for thinking we've landed in the Swiss Alps.
28:17This detached timber built chalet style property sits in an idyllic spot on the edge of a nature reserve.
28:26Normally, I would take you straight inside the house.
28:29But there's so many enchanting magical areas surrounding it.
28:33And I wanted to share this one with you.
28:36It's got that chocolate box look about it.
28:38It's part of a unique development of 14 homes where owners are encouraged to grow their own food, share with
28:46their neighbours and contribute to the upkeep of communal outdoor spaces such as the village green.
28:52It's got the most beautiful garden full of mature shrubs and trees.
28:57And then also this, a ready-made vegetable patch which is exactly what our girls want.
29:04I can't wait to see what Alka and Isabella make of this.
29:09Oh, look at this one.
29:11This is something different.
29:14Yeah.
29:15Hello.
29:16Hello.
29:17What's this?
29:19Welcome.
29:20Yeah.
29:20A little bit different, isn't it?
29:22To a mystery house.
29:24What can I say?
29:26Amazing for me.
29:28Wow.
29:30Wow.
29:30It looks like an alpine house.
29:32Definitely Scandinavian.
29:34Yeah.
29:34You know what?
29:35I am delighted that you've given me that reaction.
29:38Because that's exactly what's going through my mind when I saw it.
29:41It looks magical.
29:43Yeah, it does.
29:44It's definitely got character, I can tell, just from the outside.
29:47And different to all the other houses.
29:50Yes.
29:50Very exciting.
29:52Are you ready to start our mystery tour?
29:54Yes, please.
29:54Yes, let's go.
29:57I'm half expecting Heidi to pop her head out of the window.
30:01Built in 1985 with two solar panels, this property has bags of character,
30:08just not in the way the ladies may have expected.
30:12Let's start in here, shall we?
30:16Okay.
30:17Spacious.
30:18Yeah.
30:19Light.
30:20It's a good amount of space, actually, in the living area.
30:23A lovely big window.
30:24Yeah.
30:25It's seeping in loads of lights, isn't it?
30:28I can see Leo just hanging around.
30:30It's a nice sun trap for you.
30:32Sun trap there.
30:32He would love it, the cat, wouldn't he?
30:34Yeah.
30:34But it's a good-sized space, and then you've got a little sort of ante-room off the sides,
30:39which I'm thinking perhaps as an office could work.
30:42Although I do have other options for that for you.
30:45Okay.
30:46Yes.
30:46Okay.
30:47Open plan?
30:48Do you like this?
30:49Yeah, I really, I think it's great.
30:51I think if I was living here, I'd be like the coolest kid on the block.
30:54Yes.
30:55Definitely.
30:56I do like it.
30:57Do you?
30:58Yes, I do.
30:59It's definitely a good start.
31:00Good.
31:01Let's have a look at the kitchen.
31:03So we have a sort of semi-open plan vibe continuing through here into the kitchen.
31:08Oh.
31:09Okay.
31:10Again, lovely windows, lovely light.
31:13Lots of light.
31:14And I really like the bench dining space.
31:16Yes.
31:18Um, which is nice because, you know, you could be cooking, I could be sitting here having
31:22a nice...
31:23Have a chat.
31:23...glass of wine.
31:24Yeah.
31:27Upstairs now to the bedrooms, which are all set in the eaves of the house and benefit
31:32from lovely large windows.
31:34Oh, I really like these wardrobes.
31:37Decent size.
31:38Double bed.
31:38Really decent size, actually.
31:40And the nice view as well.
31:42Can you see the houses there?
31:43Yeah.
31:44It really feels like we're in Germany or Austria somewhere.
31:47I was just going to say that.
31:49Yeah.
31:49I feel like abroad, like we're going skiing.
31:52There's a family bathroom, another double, and at the end of the corridor, a third and
31:57final bedroom, presently used as a gym-come office.
32:01Or it could be your studio gym.
32:05Could be.
32:06Because you've got, again, gorgeous, the lights.
32:09I actually like this room.
32:10Yeah.
32:11I like this room more than the others.
32:13They needn't sacrifice any of the bedrooms, since there's ample space in the half acre
32:19garden.
32:20I think that's more than enough, actually.
32:22Isn't it?
32:22Just looking around.
32:23Good amount of space.
32:24Yeah.
32:25Good.
32:25Good enough.
32:26I'd be tempted to investigate looking at perhaps getting a wooden structure, which
32:30has that scoundy feel, and have it at the end of the garden.
32:33Yeah.
32:34Use that perhaps as the study.
32:36Or a gym.
32:37Or a gym.
32:37That's a good idea.
32:38Yeah.
32:38Completely agree with you.
32:40That would have free up a bedroom then, wouldn't it, as well?
32:44This is a leasehold property with 945 years remaining on the lease.
32:49Purchasers own the property, but pay the freeholder an annual ground rent of £120.
32:56There's also a monthly service charge of £30 for maintenance of communal areas.
33:02So let's try and put a price on this unique property, our mystery house.
33:07I'm going to go for £530,000.
33:12OK.
33:12I'm going for £525,000.
33:16£1,000.
33:17£1,000.
33:18For the mystery house, if I said to you they're looking for offers over £500,000.
33:26OK.
33:27Would that work?
33:29Well, we've got a nice big budget to work with.
33:34Don't tell anyone.
33:34Don't tell anyone.
33:36I'm shocked.
33:37I'm quite surprised.
33:38I think we've got a lot to think about, because it's not just a home that we're buying,
33:42it's a lifestyle that we're buying into here as well.
33:45A lot to think about, but it's absolutely gorgeous.
33:48Gorgeous.
33:49Would you like to have another look around on your own?
33:52Yes.
33:52It would be a good idea.
33:53Please do.
33:54Thank you so much.
33:57This detached timber-built chalet-style home has a huge living room with a study, a kitchen
34:03diner and three bedrooms.
34:05With a half-acre plot and shared use of the village green, it's on the market for offers
34:11in excess of £500,000.
34:14It's not too big, not too small.
34:16It's about right for the two of us here.
34:19Yeah.
34:20What can I say?
34:21You guys, I would say smashed it really.
34:24A property that I would never afford to look at.
34:27And again, I probably wouldn't even book a viewing, but you've opened a lot of things
34:34for me to explore.
34:37Wow.
34:37Wow and wow.
34:39It's not something I'd ever thought about.
34:42It's something you see on holidays.
34:43I would never have thought to even look at this house.
34:47But actually, it gives me really good, sort of happy feelings actually.
34:51It evokes something positive in me.
34:53So, yeah, there's a lot to think about.
35:03For many of us, escaping to the country is about brand new adventures in the great outdoors.
35:10And that was certainly the case for Mark, who, having lived around the world, made his escape
35:14to Shropshire.
35:16Mark Willis grew up in a military family, exploring the mountains and rivers of the Himalayas and the jungles of
35:23Borneo.
35:24Me and my brothers, we'd go off, you know, on our own, whitewater rafting, swimming rivers, trekking and climbing.
35:31Taking what would be perceived now as huge risks.
35:35Mark's extraordinary childhood sowed the seed of adventure.
35:40And in 2009, he moved to the Shropshire Hills to expand his burgeoning outdoor adventure business.
35:47The ethos would be get children to try and assess risk for themselves, to build confidence, communicate well.
35:56You know, that's what I want to see in young people.
35:58I want to, you know, I want to see them growing without thinking about it,
36:01without, you know, being pressurised to think something.
36:04Just enjoy the freedom of the outdoors.
36:07I'm meeting Mark on the 120 acre estate where he lives and runs his business with his wife and four
36:13children.
36:14I mean, Mark, this is the most beautiful of locations.
36:19I mean, there's vistas, 360 degrees.
36:23And he can tell me more about what's on offer.
36:27Well, what I've tried to do is take the best bits of bushcraft,
36:31which I consider to be shelter building, whittling, fire lighting.
36:35Some really good adventurous activity like the zip wire.
36:38We've got a really good assault course.
36:40We've got a really interesting orienteering course with an escape room on it.
36:46You've got to build rafts.
36:48You've got to build a bridge to cross a stream.
36:50And that's where you see children working at their best.
36:54And they thrive in that environment.
36:56And, you know, they thrive here, but it's the environment.
36:59You can't see another house from here.
37:01No light pollution.
37:03So they get the sense of wilderness, but without being in the wilderness.
37:07You've just explained the extraordinary things that you do here.
37:10And out of all of them, am I allowed to have a go at one of them?
37:14I think you should go down the zip wire.
37:15Do you?
37:16Yeah, go on, give it a go.
37:17I'd love to.
37:18Great.
37:18Absolutely love to.
37:20This zip wire stretches 520 metres, making it one of the longest in the country.
37:27Come on.
37:28I know what you're thinking.
37:30You're thinking, is she really going to have a go on that zip wire at my age?
37:35Are you kidding?
37:38Of course I am.
37:41Don't be fooled that this is just for the young'uns.
37:44The oldest person to travel on this zip wire was 88.
37:49So I don't really have age as an excuse not to do it.
37:54Can you hear my heart?
37:57It's really beating.
37:59It is the most incredible view up here.
38:02However, I have the driest mouth and the wobbliest of knees.
38:06But saying that, I am excited at the same time.
38:11Mark tells me I could reach a top speed of 50 kilometres, just over 30 miles per hour.
38:20So, deep breath.
38:22One, two, three.
38:26Woo!
38:33Oh, wow.
38:36Oh, my goodness.
38:38What a view!
38:41It's a lot windier than I thought it was going to be, but I can see for miles and miles.
38:57It's incredible, the beauty of the landscape.
39:00It's so green.
39:13And it's so green.
39:14It's fine.
39:14It's so green!
39:15Oh, here comes the stopping.
39:16I think we're going so far.
39:19Oh!
39:21And she's landed!
39:24Oh, that was so good.
39:29Amazing.
39:30My legs are still like jelly.
39:33Well done.
39:35We will get you unclipsed.
39:37There we go. Perfect. We're good to go.
39:39Thank you so much.
39:41I found my legs again. That was so brilliant.
39:44I can see why the youngsters when they're here just go mad for this zip wire.
39:48And I'm going to say, if I can do it, anybody can do it.
39:54Soaring through the Shropshire skies is one of the most exhilarating ways
39:58to appreciate this magical landscape.
40:06It's been so lovely showing Alka and Isabella around beautiful Shropshire,
40:11but we now need to find out whether any of our properties have hit the spot.
40:16Shall we go and ask them?
40:24We know you love Shropshire.
40:26Yeah.
40:26Has it still captured your hearts?
40:29Yes, it has.
40:30And it will remain for a very long time.
40:33Have we found you, though, your next home?
40:35We are interested in the mystery house.
40:40Surprisingly.
40:41Yes.
40:42It's a property that we never thought to look at.
40:46But when we did get there, it completely changed our ideas.
40:51For me, it's the potential lifestyle it could offer.
40:55I think there's also the potential of expanding, building on what is there already.
41:01And I absolutely love the unique design.
41:03You love the sustainability as well, don't you?
41:05You are right, yes.
41:07That's right, yes.
41:08And also, there's a sense of community as well around the property.
41:12So, we're not on our own.
41:14Yeah.
41:15We're not remote.
41:15Exactly.
41:16But we've still got the benefits of being in the countryside.
41:19I think we could actually visualise ourselves there.
41:23Especially with the ideas that you were throwing at us as well, Nicky, so you didn't help.
41:29Will you be proud to show your friends and family around that house?
41:32Yeah.
41:32Completely.
41:33I think my nieces and nephews would love it.
41:36Yes.
41:36They'd say they want to stay at Aunty Al, cos an Aunty Izzy's house.
41:39I can see my parents loving the grounds.
41:42Yeah.
41:42Yeah.
41:42There's that tranquil, that peacefulness around it.
41:46Yeah.
41:46And it's like a happy place as well, isn't it?
41:49Yeah.
41:49Well, the sense that we get in.
41:51Yeah.
41:51I did say it evokes some happy feelings when we went in.
41:55Aww.
41:55Well, I sincerely hope that second viewing goes well.
41:59Please keep in touch, won't you?
42:01Yep.
42:02We absolutely will.
42:03Yes.
42:03Promise.
42:04That's what I like.
42:06All the very best.
42:07And thank you for joining us.
42:09Thank you so much.
42:10It's been such an amazing experience.
42:11It really has.
42:12It has.
42:18Just look at this.
42:19You can tell by my face that we have really enjoyed this escape.
42:24Alka and Isabella have met some fantastic Shropshire folk.
42:28They've discovered parts of this county that they've never seen before.
42:32And it's got to be the icing on the cake.
42:34They're going back to our sustainable and mystery house for a second viewing.
42:38I call that a great week.
42:41And I'll see you again very soon.
42:44After talking it through, Isabella and Alka decided the mystery house wasn't for them.
42:50The good news is they found another place and made an offer.
42:54Now they're just waiting to see if it gets accepted.
42:57We're keeping our fingers crossed that it does.
43:01If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
43:06and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:13Thank you so much.
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