Escape To The Country Season 26 Episode 15 heads to beautiful Cornwall, where Alistair Appleton helps a retired couple from the Wirral search for their ideal coastal retreat within walking distance of a pub. With years of treasured family holidays in Cornwall and loved ones now living nearby, the couple are ready to embrace full-time country living by the sea.
With a £400,000 budget and a preference for bungalows, Alistair presents a range of tempting properties that capture the charm of Cornish life. The journey also includes a visit to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, where viewers meet some of the fascinating marine residents that make this coastal region so special. Discover the appeal of Cornwall’s countryside and seaside lifestyle in this inspiring episode.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Cornwall #CountryLiving #CoastalHome #BritishTV
With a £400,000 budget and a preference for bungalows, Alistair presents a range of tempting properties that capture the charm of Cornish life. The journey also includes a visit to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, where viewers meet some of the fascinating marine residents that make this coastal region so special. Discover the appeal of Cornwall’s countryside and seaside lifestyle in this inspiring episode.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Cornwall #CountryLiving #CoastalHome #BritishTV
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00:01Today, I'm with a couple who know exactly where they want to be.
00:05Incredible.
00:06I just think it looks amazing.
00:08Really? Yeah.
00:09My mission? Tempt them with some irresistible properties.
00:13Wow.
00:14It's beautiful.
00:15Oh, good grief.
00:17And there might be a little perk in it for me, too.
00:20It feels like I'm on holiday. It feels like I'm abroad.
00:22You can come and stay.
00:24You're welcome.
00:26The places might feel familiar, but big change is on the horizon.
00:30I wouldn't want to go to the pub.
00:32Oh, my God, it's going to start a life of sobriety.
00:36No, I didn't say that.
00:36No, no, no, she didn't say that.
00:59Today, we're in a county with the longest coastline in England.
01:03From the dramatic Atlantic facing north to the sheltered and temperate south,
01:08it can only be Cornwall.
01:10Breathtaking and beautiful.
01:14Cornwall is very much a maritime county,
01:18flowing with the ocean, moving with the tides.
01:21But away from the coast, you can find tucked away villages
01:24where music and laughter comes from fire-lit pubs.
01:28Everywhere you look in the landscape of stories,
01:30but you're never far away from the spirit of the sea.
01:35Jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, Cornwall is a perennial popular destination
01:39for both holidaymakers and housebuyers.
01:43It's renowned for its tin and copper mining heritage,
01:46which stretches back over 4,000 years.
01:49The fine architecture on show in the village of Brieg
01:53reflects the wealth of the mine owners
01:55who settled there during the industry's 18th and 19th century boom.
02:00The harbour town of Porth Leven is emerging as a creative and culinary hotspot,
02:04and guess what's on the menu?
02:07Cornwall's probably got the most diverse array of fish that you'll ever have.
02:11I mean, I'm originally from New Zealand,
02:13but to have somewhere where you can get oysters and scallops
02:18and then bluefin tuna, that's insane.
02:21For those who prefer catching waves over fish,
02:24Prey Sands Beach is a prime surfing destination,
02:27stretching for over a mile and set within Cornwall's national landscape.
02:32Cornwall means everything to me.
02:33We've got the coastlines, we've got the rolling farmland,
02:37and, you know, today we've got the great weather, but that's not all the time.
02:44Today's escape is all about bringing family together here in Cornwall,
02:48three generations in one county.
02:50Two generations are already here, so let's meet the one that isn't.
02:57Yeah, coming to Cornwall is stepping back in time.
03:01People have time for you, they talk to you.
03:03It's the community.
03:04It's the community.
03:05Everyone says hello in the street.
03:07The pubs are great.
03:10For the past 23 years, home for retirees Sally and Denny
03:14has been this 1930s four-bed detached property in the Wirral.
03:19Where we live now, we're on a main road.
03:21We love the house.
03:23The house is great, isn't it?
03:23It's been perfect, family home.
03:25It's been superb to bring the family up, but now they've flown, they've gone.
03:29There's me, Sal and the cat,
03:31and we're just rattling around in a reasonably big-sized house, aren't we?
03:35Yeah.
03:36So moving on felt like the natural next step,
03:39and so did choosing where to make their countryside escape.
03:44We've been coming to Cornwall now for 19, 20 years, isn't it?
03:48And our children have grown up with the village children,
03:51and when we get to Cornwall, everyone says,
03:54oh, you're back again, are you?
03:55Yeah, we're kind of known, infamous or maybe famous.
03:58I don't know, one or the other.
04:01Family holidays in Cornwall left a lasting impression on their son, Tom.
04:05After finishing school, he joined the Navy and made the county his home.
04:12Last year, Tom and his wife welcomed baby Billy, Sally and Denny's beloved grandchild.
04:18I think the driving force for our move is the fact our son's got our first grandson.
04:23First grandson, yeah.
04:24So, Cornwall, here we come.
04:26So we've got shut of both kids, we've got a new grandkid, there's only one place to go to.
04:33Sally and Denny have a budget of £400,000 to find a modern and practical property,
04:39such as a bungalow, with three bedrooms so they can host their daughter Caroline when she visits from the Wirral.
04:45A music room slash man cave for Denny's guitar collection is a must, as is a manageable garden.
04:52Oh, and one more thing, they'd love to be within strolling distance of a good pub.
05:00Sally and Denny have been coming here to this particular spot in Cornwall for years on holiday.
05:06In fact, they're here on holiday right now.
05:08Sort of weird.
05:10Can they come and join us from their holiday?
05:12But I hope that we can find it, because what a dream, huh?
05:16Come somewhere on holiday and then make it your home.
05:22Sally and Denny are pressing pause on their latest break in the county
05:25to catch up with me at a stunning spot on the Lizard Peninsula above Mullion Cove.
05:31I feel like I've crashed into your holiday, I'm really sorry.
05:34That's okay.
05:35But you've already been here a week.
05:36We have.
05:37But also, you're experts in the Lizard.
05:39You've been here, like, many, many more times than I have.
05:41About 19 years now.
05:43Oh my goodness.
05:44Two or three times a year, isn't it?
05:45Are there any particular areas you're keen to live in?
05:49Exactly where we are now, Mullion.
05:51It's such a beautiful place.
05:53This is the hub kind of thing for us.
05:56And from here we can go to other areas.
05:58But we love this place.
06:00We've made so many friends here.
06:02We've got so many connections.
06:03It's just an absolute fabulous place.
06:06So you're going to say farewell to the Wirral and come down here?
06:08Oh, yes.
06:09Yes.
06:10Oh, yes.
06:12The Wirral's a nice place, don't get me wrong.
06:13But this is a different lifestyle completely.
06:16And apart from looking after Billy, your grandson, what else are you going to be doing?
06:19Are you kind of joiners?
06:20Are you going to be joining things?
06:22Over the years we've made an awful lot of friends down here.
06:24So they've got me trying to learn very badly to play the guitar.
06:30So there's things like that.
06:31We do like music.
06:32There's always music going on in the pubs.
06:35And we do like the pubs.
06:37Pubs are good.
06:37Yeah.
06:38And how is his guitar playing?
06:41Be honest.
06:44I'll reserve judgements.
06:45You make a whisper.
06:47No.
06:48So it's an exciting move.
06:50Are you excited or are you a little nervous?
06:52Excited.
06:53Excited, but nervous about what we can afford.
06:57Well, we've got some lovely properties lined up.
06:59Shall we go and see them?
06:59Oh, yes, please.
07:00That sounds good.
07:00Come on.
07:01Well, you should lead the way because you know better than me.
07:06Sally and Denny are focusing their search here on the Lizard Peninsula along Cornwall's southern coast.
07:12So we're starting in the village of Malian.
07:16The largest village on the peninsula, Malian offers a great mix of amenities for both tourists and locals alike.
07:24Having spent many holidays here, the couple know the area well, including the village pub, where I'm told they've enjoyed
07:30more than a few memorable evenings.
07:33Our destination is in the Mears Valley, a desirable residential area, just a short walk from the shops and home
07:40to a property so tucked away you might just miss it.
07:46We're coming into the garden because the hedge is quite big.
07:49You can't see the house from the road.
07:51This is the house that we're starting off with.
07:54Okay.
07:55It's a 1970s bungalow.
07:57Excellent.
07:57Ideal.
07:58I like the colour.
07:59And it's a lovely spot.
08:00We're only ten minutes away from your favourite pub.
08:03That's the most important thing.
08:05But I think this is going to be a great contender for you.
08:08Lovely and quiet, secluded front garden.
08:10Really pretty garden.
08:10That's unusual, isn't it?
08:11Could you ask for a better area for Billy?
08:13You'd lose him in the bushes.
08:16But also safe from the road.
08:17Yeah.
08:18I love this property.
08:18Let's see what you think.
08:19Come and follow me.
08:20Let's go.
08:22Sally and Denny have expressed concern about how far their budget will stretch in Cornwall,
08:27so I'm hoping this place, with its light and spacious interior, will quietly put those
08:32worries to rest.
08:35Oh.
08:36Wow.
08:37Great, isn't it?
08:38This is a big open space.
08:40This was actually a gap between this was the old house finished here.
08:43It's so open, isn't it?
08:44Isn't it?
08:44It feels quite European, isn't it?
08:46It does, very.
08:47It's been, isn't it?
08:48Come into the kitchen.
08:49So a step up, because that was the old garden door.
08:52It's lovely.
08:53It's airy.
08:54And the colour of the blue follows through as well.
08:56Oh, look at the garden.
08:58Yeah, the garden's really beautiful, isn't it?
09:00Big, big, big windows in this property.
09:02So obviously there's no seating in this kitchen, but they've knocked through, this was a closed
09:06wall, they've knocked through, so it's almost like a kitchen, sitting room, dining room combo.
09:13Nice and relaxed again.
09:14Loads of light.
09:16Space for the kitchen table from home.
09:18Yeah, it would fit.
09:19So this is facing south.
09:20You stand on your tiptoes, you can see the sea.
09:23Lock the hedge down a bit.
09:25But that garden's beautifully secluded and it gives this, it gives privacy in this room
09:29as well with the beautiful big window.
09:31How would you use it?
09:31Can you imagine being here with the grand, the grandson?
09:35Oh, yes.
09:36It's ideal flooring for the little guys they have to scamper about on.
09:39Yeah.
09:40The red sofas.
09:41Kitchen table.
09:43I tell you, you've decorated her already.
09:45What, red against the blue?
09:46Perfect.
09:47Have you lived in a bungalow before?
09:48No.
09:49No.
09:49But you're okay with living all on one level?
09:51Yeah.
09:52Well, when we come down to Cornwall, we stay in a bungalow.
09:55It's a real strange one because Sal's dad always said you have to go upstairs to go to bed.
10:00Nice.
10:02You just have to turn left to go to bed.
10:07There are two big double bedrooms.
10:10I think I might fancy this one as the main one because you get this lovely morning sun pouring in
10:16through the windows.
10:17That's a fabulous view to wake up to every morning, isn't it?
10:20Yeah.
10:21It's beautiful.
10:22You've got a wash basin and toilet in there, not a shower, but there's the family bathroom.
10:28But it's just mainly going to be the two of you, is that right?
10:30It will be.
10:30It will be.
10:31So what are your vibes about the house so far?
10:33I think it's lovely.
10:34Very nice, yeah.
10:36The gardens are spectacular.
10:38I know.
10:38It feels like I'm on holiday.
10:41It feels like I'm abroad.
10:42You can come and stay.
10:43Oh, thanks.
10:44You're welcome.
10:45You're the off-air guest.
10:46It's the things you've already bought it.
10:47Yeah.
10:50Things are going so well, I'm leaving them to explore the remaining bedrooms on their own.
10:55There are four in total, two further doubles and one single.
11:00Oh, it's massive.
11:02This is nice.
11:03Wow.
11:04And again, you've got loads of natural light.
11:06I like this one too.
11:08Should we go see some more?
11:09I think we should.
11:12Oh, this is the baby room.
11:14This is good size for the little fella, isn't it?
11:16Yeah, perfect.
11:18So, baby Billy is sorted, but what about a man cave for Denny?
11:22The fourth bedroom is an option, but for the sake of Sally and her ears, Denny and his guitars
11:29might be better off in the attached garage.
11:32The rear garden can be accessed via the dining room or through sliding doors in the principal
11:37bedroom.
11:37How glamorous is this?
11:41It's half patio, half lawn and equal parts private and peaceful.
11:47You love to garden, right?
11:48I like my snowbounder garden, yeah.
11:50I wouldn't call myself a gardener.
11:51Is this about the right size for you?
11:53Perfect.
11:53This is ideal, yeah.
11:54Very little to mow.
11:55Nicely stocked.
11:57Yeah, little to mow.
11:58And the sun sets over here, so this is actually the spot they've put this space here so you
12:02can have like a table at.
12:03Yeah, have your cocktails.
12:05Nice.
12:06What do you think the price of this one is?
12:08I would say this is on our limit.
12:10I'd say 400.
12:11I would say 410.
12:14This is on the market for 385,000.
12:17Oh, wow.
12:19Okay.
12:19Yeah, so you could afford it.
12:21Very much so, yeah.
12:22Yeah, that's good to know.
12:24That really is.
12:25Feeling the pressure now.
12:28£15,000 under budget, this turnkey-conditioned bungalow is as spacious as they come, offering
12:35open-plan living and four bedrooms, including a principal en suite.
12:40There's even room in the garage for Denny and his Qatar collection, and it's right in
12:45the heart of the couple's favourite Cornish village.
12:48The Blue House is definitely a contender.
12:52Price-wise, it's excellent.
12:54We've been coming to Mullion for years, and this location I never knew existed, so I really
13:00like it.
13:01Beautiful, bright, airy.
13:03It's got a nice flow to it.
13:05It's got everything that we want, plus its staggering distance of the pub.
13:21We're hitting pause on the house hunt for a moment, so our buyers can explore Helston,
13:26one of Cornwall's oldest towns and the gateway to the Lizard Peninsula.
13:30Once a bustling hub for the county's tin mining industry, today Helston's High Street is packed
13:37with independent shops showcasing the best produce from local artisans.
13:43Helston Community Market.
13:44Good.
13:45And then you can go to the choir later.
13:49Not with my voice, no.
13:53I mean, it's just a really cool town.
13:55It's relaxed, it's easygoing.
13:57I feel like other towns in Cornwall get a lot of attention, and Helston just kind of flies
14:03under the radar.
14:04Every May, Helston comes alive for Flora Day, a centuries-old celebration that fills the
14:10streets with music, dancing, and colourful pageantry.
14:15Oh, this must all be for the Flora Day.
14:18People do travel to Flora Day.
14:21All the family gets together, no matter where they live, they plan the whole day, what they're
14:27going to wear, and it's so beautiful, and it's a lot of traditions and amazing people.
14:34One reason Helston might hold even more appeal to Sally and Denny is that it's home to their
14:40son, Tom, and grandson, Billy.
14:43So when they move, playdates at Coronation Park will likely become part of their new routine.
14:48And when they're off grandparent duty, well, they might just find themselves raising a glass
14:53in one of Cornwall's oldest pubs.
14:57I think it's time for a pint now, don't you?
14:59I'd love a beer.
15:01The Blue Anchor has been brewing its own ales since the 15th century, and manager Janine
15:07is ready to give Sally and Denny a warm Helston welcome.
15:13Is there much going on around here during the day?
15:16Absolutely.
15:17There is so much going on.
15:19There's many pubs and food places to go and visit and try.
15:23The Seal Sanctuary, just down the road, you've got the Lizard, you've got Land's End, and
15:27the beaches, the best in the world.
15:30I think there's so much to do.
15:31They are beautiful, yeah.
15:31And that's why I haven't left Cornwall, because I love it.
15:34Yeah.
15:35We can't understand people going on holiday from Cornwall.
15:38No.
15:39Do you know, I go on holiday and I visit beaches, and I just think, I'd rather be back in
15:45Cornwall.
15:45We've been coming down for 20 years, we've fallen in love with it.
15:48We've even been in here a few times.
15:50Oh, wow.
15:50The perfect part of Cornwall is that it doesn't matter where you're from, everyone's very
15:55inclusive, and that you can make friends and we're all willing to talk to people, and
15:59I just think that's a lovely, lovely part of us.
16:01Yeah, we've noticed that.
16:03Well, hopefully you find something and we see you in here again.
16:05Yes, please.
16:05You certainly will.
16:06Hopefully next time holding a pint.
16:08Absolutely.
16:08I'll join you.
16:09Good.
16:10So, with history on its doorstep, ice cream by the lake, and baby Billy just around the
16:15corner, Halston offers far more than meets the eye.
16:24We might have struck gold with House One in Mullion, but I want to push my buyers
16:29out of their comfort zone by heading inland to the village of St Martin.
16:34For amenities, Sally and Denny could travel to the slightly larger village of Morgan, with
16:39its village store and the all-important pub.
16:42That does mean someone's got to be designated driver, though, as it's two miles away from
16:47St Martin, which is mostly residential, dotted with traditional stone cottages and surrounded
16:53by rolling hills.
16:59Come on and feast your eyes on this one.
17:02What a garden.
17:03From Gardens Becker.
17:05It's beautiful.
17:06Really nice.
17:07The garden's superb, the way it's laid out.
17:10Just an explosion of colour.
17:11So, taking you out of your beloved Mullion, do you know St Martin?
17:15We've never been here, have we?
17:16We've never been here before.
17:17I'd have to check out the bus routes.
17:20It's a consideration.
17:22Sally's not so convinced.
17:22I'm not, no.
17:23Maybe not.
17:24But, well, let's look at the house and see if that'll be a sweet one.
17:28This chalet bungalow is brand new to the market and, in terms of its impressive front garden,
17:33everything is rosy.
17:36But, with Sally already questioning the property's location, let's not beat around the bush.
17:41This one might be a tough one.
17:43Come on in.
17:44We'll go straight into the living space here.
17:48Wow.
17:49Beautiful windows over onto the garden.
17:52It's very cottagey, isn't it?
17:53Yeah, and again, a lot of light.
17:55What are your vibes coming into the house?
17:57Because you were a bit uncertain, Sally, outside.
17:59I'm still uncertain.
18:00I think it's very busy, but I've got to look past the furniture.
18:03Okay, so none of this is going to be here.
18:05It's going to be a big square room.
18:06Yeah.
18:07It is a really nice room.
18:09Yeah, you could really make something of it.
18:11I have to win you over, Sally.
18:12Yes, try.
18:13Your face.
18:13Try.
18:15Let's look at the kitchen.
18:19Nicely finished, nicely laid out.
18:21You've got somewhere to sit down and have a coffee every morning, which I really like.
18:25It's smaller than I expected, and the last one we saw had the lovely view outside the
18:32kitchen window.
18:33I can see you're not loving this.
18:34Sorry.
18:34It's fine.
18:35You don't have to love every house.
18:37No, no, no.
18:37It's fine.
18:38Try as we might, this property seems to be no match for our first house.
18:43Okay.
18:44This must be the master bedroom.
18:48Yeah.
18:51Hmm.
18:52That isn't the kind of speechless I had in mind.
18:55It's a shame because there's a lot on offer here.
18:58There are two double bedrooms downstairs, served by a family bathroom.
19:02And upstairs, the third bedroom has its own en suite.
19:08Unlike the first property we saw, the garage here has already been converted.
19:13The artist's studio.
19:15Oh, goodness.
19:15Oh, this is quaint, isn't it?
19:17This is quirky, yeah.
19:19Would it be foolish of me to think the bedrooms and the workshop might have brought them round?
19:24Let's find out.
19:26So tell me, you went upstairs, you saw the bedroom, you fell in love with it and you want to
19:30put an offer in?
19:31No.
19:32But just for interest, how much do you think it costs a house like this?
19:36I would say $370,000.
19:38$370,000?
19:39I say $350,000.
19:41This is on the market for $425,000.
19:45Wow.
19:46Wow, okay.
19:47Yeah.
19:48Which is probably a relief.
19:49Well, I'm glad it's not my favourite.
19:51It's not your favourite.
19:52Phew.
19:52Yeah.
19:54Exceeding their budget by £25,000, Sally and Denny might be out, but for the right buyer,
20:00this 1970s chalet bungalow could still be a fabulous place to call home.
20:05It benefits from three bedrooms, including one with an en-suite, and two further bathrooms on the ground floor,
20:12plus a workshop in the converted garage and a terrifically landscaped front garden.
20:27Two properties down, and what better way to wrap up a day of house hunting than with the people at
20:32the heart of this move,
20:34Denny and Sally's son, Tom, his wife, Molly, and their son, Billy.
20:39Hello, Billy.
20:41Hello, guys.
20:41Sorry, I always get ignored when there's a little one.
20:44He's such a smiler.
20:45He's such a smiler.
20:46Gorgeous, isn't he?
20:47He'd like to have a smile.
20:48He'd like to have a room up.
20:49So we've been showing your mum and dad some property.
20:53How do you think it went today?
20:55I think it's a definite possibility of a move down now.
20:57Yeah?
20:58Yeah.
20:58It's like at the end of the tunnel, it's gone right through.
21:01It's been brilliant, and it's down to the help of you guys.
21:03I'm careful, it's superb.
21:05How long did it take you to move down, Tom?
21:072014.
21:08I got based down here, so then living around Uncle Joe's or in Houston when mum moved down.
21:15And how do you feel about these two coming to join you?
21:18It's going to be a culture shock.
21:20How long has it been away?
21:2111 years away.
21:22Mummy wants to know where you're going.
21:24It would be really nice to have both sets of grandparents down for him.
21:29Like he can grow up with both his grandparents.
21:31It's so lovely.
21:32Are your parents nearby Molly too?
21:34Yeah, so they moved down last year, I know, last May.
21:37So they came from where you guys were from.
21:39So it's like an exodus down from the Wirral down to New York.
21:41It's still your fault.
21:42It wasn't for us, it was for this one, wasn't it?
21:45Yeah.
21:45Little Billy's the magnet.
21:47He is.
21:47That and the Cornish coast.
21:49He's the icing on the cake.
21:51Well, we've got one more day,
21:52so hopefully we're going to seal the deal.
21:54Fingers crossed.
21:55Hopefully.
21:56And you'll be down and you'll have a permanent babysitter.
21:59Yeah, I see a child cut out.
22:03Hang on.
22:04We never thought of that, did we?
22:05We never thought.
22:06Every Friday night.
22:18Cornwall attracts around 18 million visitors a year.
22:22But what if you want to stick around after the summer season ends and make it your year-round home?
22:28Currently, you could expect to spend a little over £437,000 for a detached home,
22:35which is slightly lower than the national figure of £438,000.
22:40But when compared to the rest of the region, where the figure is just over £503,000,
22:46it turns out Cornwall also offers better value than its south-western neighbours.
22:54Here for your consideration is a selection of properties currently available in the county.
22:58For renters, this stone cottage in the town of Porthlevin has a traditional exterior but is smart and modern inside,
23:07with three bedrooms, a sleek bathroom and a small courtyard garden.
23:12It's offered unfurnished for £1,400 per calendar month.
23:17This two-bed, end-of-terrace cottage would be ideal for first-time buyers,
23:22with wooden beams adding a lovely touch of character and a well-established rear garden.
23:27It has a guide price just shy of £250,000.
23:32This substantial detached property in the same town benefits from three bedrooms,
23:37plus a separate studio apartment.
23:40The sheltered, walled garden feels totally secluded,
23:44and it has a guide price of £525,000.
23:49There is nothing like the Cornish coast to give you property power,
23:53so I am looking forward to showing Denny and Sally the mystery house,
23:57which brings a little bit of history into the mix.
23:59But before that, some clean 1970s lines.
24:05We've already given them a taste of it,
24:08but now it's a property that's drawing us back to the delightful market town of Helston.
24:13The previous location wasn't quite right for the couple,
24:16so surely we can't go wrong by taking them almost to the doorstep
24:21of their beloved grandchild Billy,
24:23who lives just an eight-minute drive from the next option we're here to see.
24:31This looks really nice.
24:33Oh, very nice.
24:35Is this the one?
24:36This is the one.
24:37Come and take a look.
24:38First impression, really nice.
24:40Oh, look at the balcony.
24:42Interestingly, we've actually been here before.
24:44Denise came here, like, in 2022,
24:46but the current owner, as a new owner, completely remodelled it.
24:49But also we thought this is going to be close to Billy.
24:52It is.
24:53We thought this is going to give you very good grandparent kudos.
24:56You're going to be like, yes.
24:58They're within, like, eight-minute drive.
25:01Bam.
25:02I like it.
25:03Shall we have a look inside?
25:04It's a beautiful house.
25:05Okay.
25:07It might look like another 70s bungalow at first glance,
25:10but trust me, its elevated position puts it in a league of its own.
25:22And having recently had something of a refresh inside,
25:26it's all set to welcome its new owners.
25:30Come into the main sitting room.
25:33Oh.
25:34Can you imagine your furniture fitting in here?
25:36Oh, it would fit in here very well, wouldn't it?
25:38Very comfy.
25:39What really comes alive is in the evening,
25:42you get the sunset over the view,
25:44and you can go out onto the balcony.
25:47Incredible.
25:50I just think it looks amazing.
25:52Yeah?
25:52Yeah.
25:53It's breathtaking.
25:53You're not really overlooked.
25:54And you've always wanted a balcony?
25:56I've always had a thing about a balcony, strangely enough.
25:58I don't know why.
25:59I've always fancied having a glass of wine on a balcony,
26:02annoying the neighbours with the guitars.
26:03Oh, yes, you can serenade everyone but it's back out again, yeah.
26:09That's one way to make friends when you move somewhere new.
26:12Let's head to the kitchen,
26:13which, much like the rest of the property,
26:15is brand, brand new.
26:19Is that a marble top?
26:20It's beautiful.
26:21A bit small.
26:23But it's workable.
26:24It's a proper kitchen, it's not...
26:26Oh, yeah.
26:27It's got everything in it.
26:28It's not a galley, it's nice, yeah.
26:29I like the view.
26:30You've got privacy in the morning,
26:32and then of an evening you can go out and chill
26:34and have a glass of wine overlooking that beautiful valley.
26:39And when they've finished their nightcaps,
26:41they could head to one of the property's three bedrooms.
26:45The landscaped rear garden has a choice of seating areas
26:48and the current shed could potentially be swapped out
26:51for an even larger man cave.
26:54Failing that, there's a garage at the front
26:56that would no doubt do the job.
26:58Come join me.
27:00On the breakfast terrace,
27:01I imagine this is where you'd be having your breakfast.
27:04Which is quite a nice idea.
27:06I think the garden is lovely.
27:08Beautifully laid out garden,
27:09and again, the quality of finish is superb.
27:12What do you think the price of this one is?
27:15I'd say...
27:17£375.
27:19I'll go a bit higher, £385, yeah.
27:22So this is actually top of your budget.
27:23This is on at £400,000.
27:26OK.
27:27I suppose it's the views as well, isn't it?
27:28The views, the location, edge of town.
27:31Yeah.
27:33Sitting at the top of the budget,
27:35this three-bed bungalow has been given a smart, modern makeover
27:38and is ready for Sally and Denny to move straight into.
27:42With beautifully landscaped gardens front and back
27:45and gorgeous countryside views,
27:47the setting speaks volumes.
27:49Best of all, it's just down the road
27:51from their son and little grandson, Billy.
28:05Nearly 40% of the world's grey seal population
28:09live in the waters around Britain,
28:11with Cornwall's rugged coastline
28:13providing a vital haven for many of them.
28:16On the banks of the Helford River,
28:18the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
28:20has been caring for injured seal pups since 1958.
28:25Today, animal care specialist Bethan Goodridge
28:28has kindly agreed to show me around
28:30and share the work that goes into protecting
28:32these incredible marine mammals.
28:35Good morning, Bethan.
28:37Morning.
28:38Lovely to meet you.
28:39What an amazing space you have to work in.
28:41It's not bad, is it?
28:42It's really great.
28:43And tell me about this sanctuary.
28:44We very much rehab between 50 and 70 grey seals
28:49every season with the goal to release as many as possible.
28:54We do have a few residents on site
28:56that for whatever reason have lifelong medical problems
28:59so couldn't be released
29:00and we are basically a second chance
29:02to give them the best life possible.
29:04So how big an issue is it for UK seals?
29:07The biggest problem they have
29:09is honestly public disturbance.
29:10So it means that often a seal will be on the beach
29:14just having a sleep, having a nap.
29:16They like to do that.
29:17They like to sunbathe
29:18and either somebody gets too close,
29:20especially if they're very, very little
29:22and they're still feeding from mum.
29:24If someone gets too close and interferes with that pup,
29:26mum will just leave and look after herself first
29:29and that is unfortunately when we have to step in.
29:32Very good.
29:32So would you actually like to come and meet some seals?
29:34Actually see some seals?
29:35Yes, that'd be great.
29:38Most of the seals that are brought in
29:40will go on to be released
29:41within a few months of rehabilitation
29:43but for some, injury and old age
29:46make that impossible.
29:47Marlin, up!
29:49I'm meeting two of the seals
29:50who have made the sanctuary their forever home
29:53although Marlin, it turns out,
29:55isn't that excited to see me.
29:56Should I keep quiet?
29:58Is that the problem?
29:58Come on, let's go!
30:00Let's see if Yule Logs, or Logs for short,
30:03is a bit more willing.
30:04Look at his lovely little feet!
30:05So cute!
30:07And if I can buy his affection with some lunch.
30:10Hey Logs, it's your lucky day.
30:11You've got a lot of fish here.
30:13What is he eating here?
30:14So he's having a bit of herring.
30:15Herring.
30:17How much herring will they eat in a day?
30:19So Yule Logs...
30:20As much as they can?
30:20Yes, pretty much.
30:21But our residents here, we have to weigh them.
30:24So they get weighed every other week
30:25and then we adjust their diet.
30:26So Yule Logs is on about 5 kilos a day at the moment.
30:31He's on his summer diet.
30:33He's on a diet?
30:34He's on his summer body.
30:35Oh, I see.
30:36From a beach body?
30:37Yes.
30:38You're going to get a beach body, Logs?
30:39And then in the winter, we'll up his diet
30:42to put on some more weight.
30:44Is that like, I want more?
30:45I want more fish.
30:46Stop talking.
30:48Keep feeding.
30:49So if you tell him to splash, he will splash.
30:51Splash.
30:52So like this.
30:53Splash.
30:55There you go.
30:57In the common pool are some seals currently in rehab.
31:01Bethan is showing me how group scatter feeds
31:04encourage them to forage for food,
31:06which will help prepare them for life back in the wild.
31:09So we have the three commons here with sort of the shorter snout
31:12and then the grey seal at the back.
31:13She's got sort of a lighter belly.
31:15Light with it, yes.
31:16And slightly more...
31:17Yeah.
31:17There you go.
31:18So the females and greys will have lighter bellies,
31:20whereas the commons, their markings are pretty similar
31:22between the genders.
31:23Oh, you little fellas not getting enough.
31:26So this little one here is Jarvis.
31:28See the baby.
31:29So he is eight now, so he is the youngest.
31:32And he's blind.
31:32So he is pretty much blind.
31:33He has cataracts.
31:34Oh, no.
31:36And then we have Bo and Buddy, who are the brothers.
31:38So they were actually born here.
31:41Come on, kids.
31:42Woo!
31:43So just to round off,
31:45if a member of the public is walking on the beach
31:47and they see a seal, what should they do?
31:51They should stay at least 100 metres away.
31:53If you have a dog, make sure they're on a lead.
31:54If you are concerned, you can give us a ring at the seal sanctuary
31:57or British Divers and Marine Life Rescue,
31:59and we'll get someone out that's trained to keep an eye of them.
32:01But the biggest thing is, please don't disturb them.
32:03If they are looking at you, you are too close.
32:05Ah, OK.
32:06If you are looking at you, they're too close.
32:08Yes.
32:09Don't look at me.
32:10A little bit different with ours here.
32:11Well, thanks, Beth.
32:12It's been really great.
32:13No worries.
32:14It's been lovely to have you guys.
32:15Let's have a busy season ahead.
32:16Absolutely.
32:17Yeah.
32:17Good luck with that.
32:28For our finale, we're returning to the west coast of the Lizard Peninsula
32:31to Sally and Denny's beloved Mullion.
32:38But before we go to the Mystery House,
32:40we're on our way to Mullion's community garden
32:42because this move is more than just day trips to the beach.
32:46It's about belonging.
32:52So tell me, for people who've not been here,
32:54what are the best things about Mullion for you?
32:56The location with its local bus routes.
33:00It's quiet.
33:02The people are friendly.
33:03People will talk to each other.
33:05You walk past someone, everyone says hello in the morning.
33:07It's just such a lovely feel to it, hasn't it?
33:10Yeah.
33:10It's interesting you don't mention the landscape.
33:12A lot of people come here because of the cove and the cliffs and the countryside.
33:16That's an advantage.
33:17We're right in the middle of the countryside.
33:18We've got some of the most beautiful scenic walks here as well.
33:22And you've got the coast and that is awesome.
33:25Everything's here for us.
33:28Whilst the couple hang back in the village centre,
33:30I'm going on ahead to the Mystery House,
33:32which is located towards the outskirts of Mullion.
33:37So far, we have been giving Denny and Sally exactly what they wanted.
33:41A bungalow built in the 1970s.
33:44But I can't resist showing them something.
33:47That is much, much older, has much more character.
33:50And I think it's really quintessentially escaped to the country.
33:56The Mystery House is, wait for it, 375 years old,
34:01which is quite a long way from the 1970s.
34:04And I think it's really magical.
34:05It's been beautifully restored.
34:07It's in a beautiful, quiet lane just on the outskirts of Mullion.
34:10But Denny and Sally are going to have to fall in love with the period features.
34:17I think it's wonderful.
34:19I wonder if they will.
34:25Come on up into the garden.
34:26We can see better.
34:29It's the Mystery.
34:31Wow.
34:33It's beautiful.
34:34Oh, good grief.
34:35Isn't it?
34:36And the mystery is, it's not built in 1970.
34:39It's a proper country escape.
34:41It is.
34:41It is.
34:42I really like it.
34:43Character.
34:44It's got character, yeah.
34:45It's really got character.
34:46How do you feel about being on the edge of Mullion rather than being right in the middle?
34:51I think with something like this, it's...
34:53It's worth it.
34:53It could be a possibility, yeah.
34:55This really...
34:56Yeah, yeah.
34:57Phew.
34:57I thought you were going to rule it out because it wasn't close enough to the pub.
35:00Are you excited to go inside?
35:02Can't wait.
35:02Shall we?
35:03Yeah.
35:06We're stepping back in time to 1650 with a semi-detached property that, from the sounds
35:12of it, isn't too many steps away from the pub.
35:15We're starting our tour in the heart of the home in the generous open-plan kitchen diner.
35:22Come on in.
35:23Oh, isn't that cute?
35:25This is really something different.
35:27So you've got your kitchen diner.
35:29Perfect.
35:29Absolutely fabulous.
35:30It's got no potential because it's all done.
35:33Yeah.
35:33If that makes sense.
35:35Some places you go in and I think, right, I could do this, I could do this, but what
35:39would you change here?
35:40There's nothing to change.
35:42Well, yeah.
35:43I mean, that's wonderful.
35:44Yeah.
35:45You mean less work for you.
35:47That is...
35:47I didn't think of that, but, yeah, that is another way of looking at it.
35:50You can feel the history.
35:51It's really strange.
35:53It's beautiful.
35:54But it's not...
35:55Like, sometimes these old properties are a bit kind of oppressive and small, but this
35:59is actually...
35:59It's light.
36:00A lot of space.
36:01So far, I wouldn't want to go to the pub.
36:03Oh!
36:04Oh, my God, it's going to start a life of sobriety.
36:06No, I didn't say that.
36:07No, no, no, no, she didn't say that.
36:09With a property this appealing, the regulars will want to come here for happy hour.
36:15Next up is the living room, a cosy retreat that's brimming with potentially even more character
36:20than the kitchen.
36:22Oh, this is a good size.
36:24Isn't it wonderful?
36:25Very high ceilings.
36:27Two reds to tees.
36:29All right.
36:29The two reds to tees would go...
36:30Yeah.
36:31Sorry, we've got two red sofas that are about the same size as these, and they would fit
36:35in here perfect.
36:37Make it into a really cosy room.
36:39What are you thinking?
36:40I'm liking it a lot.
36:41Really?
36:41This is good.
36:42It's not what you were expecting?
36:43No.
36:43Not at all, no, no.
36:45But it's like you said, it is the mystery home, and it's entirely different to everything
36:49we've said.
36:50But it does...
36:52Well...
36:52It's what we do.
36:53It does have a wow factor.
36:54Do our little property voodoo and give you something you weren't expecting.
36:57Very impressed.
36:58Very, very impressed.
37:01For the first time on our search, the property's bedrooms, of which there are three, are all
37:06located on the first floor.
37:08There are also two bathrooms to choose from, including an ensuite for the principal bedroom.
37:14It's like a separate annex.
37:17Oh, it is, isn't it?
37:18Like a ceiling.
37:20A vaulted ceiling kind of thing.
37:22That's beautiful.
37:24We'll have to get new furniture.
37:25Oh, this has got so much character.
37:28Perfect.
37:29And an ensuite as well.
37:31Handy.
37:31It's absolutely stunning.
37:33Have you seen the view out the window?
37:34It's fabulous, isn't it?
37:36Stunning.
37:37What a good size.
37:39Another good size bedroom.
37:41And again, view from the window.
37:43It is.
37:44It's delightful.
37:45Wow.
37:46As always, mystery houses can go either way.
37:48I thought this might not work, because it's not right next to the pub, and it's historical,
37:53but I'm getting very excited vibes from the two of them, so maybe this could be the curveball
38:00that snatches the goal.
38:04To get us across that finish line, there's just the garden left to take in, which includes
38:09a patio out to the front, plus a totally enclosed, well-stocked lawn at the rear.
38:16There are also two allocated parking spaces for good measure.
38:21What do you think of the upstairs configuration?
38:23I think it's lovely.
38:25So quirky.
38:25And the space.
38:26Really different, and a lot of space.
38:28That's great.
38:29But the only thing missing is the price.
38:31How much do you think this costs?
38:33I think it's way over our budget.
38:35I would think so, too.
38:37I'm going to say 450.
38:40Just to be a little bit different, I'm going to say 440.
38:42This is actually on the market for £375,000.
38:49Good grief.
38:49Wow.
38:50Seriously, walking around, I'm thinking, this is beyond us.
38:53This is going to be, you dangle a carrot and you snatch it back, but you haven't.
38:57We would not do that to you.
38:58Well, we would do that to you, but we haven't done that to you in this instance.
39:02Lovely, thank you.
39:04We've said goodbye to the 1970s and hello to the 17th century with this semi-detached
39:09cottage that's full of period features and a pleasing £25,000 under budget.
39:16As well as a large open-plan kitchen diner, there are three bedrooms, including a principal
39:22en suite, and it's well located within easy reach of everything that the village of Mullion
39:27has to offer.
39:28Mystery house, total shock.
39:30You've really pulled the rabbit out of the hat.
39:32It's beautiful, really different.
39:35The bedrooms are an impressive size.
39:38I think it definitely is a contender.
39:42I think amongst what you've shown us, we have our forever home.
39:48I feel the mystery house may have broken the spell of all those very practical, beautiful
39:531970s bungalows, but is the walk to the favourite public house in Mullion just a country mile too
40:01far?
40:02Let's find out.
40:08Look, we're back at Mullion Cove where we started.
40:13It's been a busy week.
40:14Have you had a good time?
40:16Fantastic time.
40:17Brilliant.
40:18Really good.
40:18How are you feeling about the properties we showed you?
40:21They've all given us insight into where we actually want to be.
40:24I hate to say it, but you did pull a few stunts.
40:27That mystery house and the price that it was up for was a shocker.
40:31That was superb.
40:32The properties you showed us have been incredible.
40:35You're being very flattering, but you're not telling me which ones you like.
40:38Which ones are the least?
40:40Okay.
40:40My favourite ones to start with was the Blue House.
40:44Blue House.
40:45Lovely.
40:45I love that one.
40:46The mystery house, absolutely stunning.
40:50However, age isn't on our side anymore and the walk was a little bit further into the
40:57village than I'd hoped.
40:59And I was very disappointed that my age is against, our age is against us.
41:04We've got to be realistic with that.
41:06Are you saying in a roundabout way that you like the first house most?
41:10We like the Blue House.
41:12Wonderful.
41:13From the very start when you took us into that, there was just something about it.
41:17It just flowed.
41:18It was absolutely brilliant.
41:19I had space for our daughter to come.
41:21So the Blue House is a contender.
41:22What's next?
41:23What happens for you next?
41:24We're going to go home and speak to our estate agent and see if they can advise us on dropping
41:32the price of ours.
41:33Possibly.
41:34Yeah, so that's the plan.
41:36So you'll sell your place and you're going to put an offer in on the first house?
41:40I just hope the Blue House is still up for sale.
41:43We're both of a like mind.
41:45That is the one.
41:46It's got everything we want.
41:48I'm so delighted because I didn't know this part of the world, but this is a beautiful
41:53part of Cornwall.
41:54It is, isn't it?
41:55I really hope you find that place or another place here and that I can come revisit you.
42:01You're welcome.
42:01We would love that.
42:02I wish you all the best.
42:03Thank you so much.
42:07Escape to the Country has brought me many times to the beautiful Cornish coast, but sometimes
42:11I'm caught short by the beauty of places like Mullion Cove.
42:16And in some ways this show has not been Escape to the Country, or indeed the county, but to
42:21this particular place because it's the magnetic magic of Mullion that has drawn Sally and Denny
42:28over and over to this spot.
42:30And so I am crossing everything that they do purchase a house here and we come and visit
42:35them.
42:36And I hope that you join us next time for more Escape to the Country.
42:41After returning from their holiday in Cornwall, Sally and Denny were still certain that the
42:46first house was the one.
42:48They put in an offer which I'm happy to say was accepted, subject to them selling their
42:53own property, and we hope it's just a matter of time before they are calling Mullion and
42:58its local pub home.
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.
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