Escape To The Country Season 26 Episode 20 heads to stunning Cornwall, where Jules Hudson helps two fitness enthusiasts from Hertford find their perfect seaside escape. The couple are searching for a countryside home with space for a pottery studio and access to a nearby gym, combining creativity with an active coastal lifestyle.
Jules presents a selection of classic Cornish properties that capture the charm of seaside living. The adventure continues in Padstow, where the excitement builds with a thrilling gig boat racing experience on the water. This episode highlights Cornwall’s appeal for those seeking a balance of creativity, fitness, and coastal beauty.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Cornwall #CountryLiving #SeasideHome #BritishTV
Jules presents a selection of classic Cornish properties that capture the charm of seaside living. The adventure continues in Padstow, where the excitement builds with a thrilling gig boat racing experience on the water. This episode highlights Cornwall’s appeal for those seeking a balance of creativity, fitness, and coastal beauty.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Cornwall #CountryLiving #SeasideHome #BritishTV
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00:02Escaping to the country can be back-breaking work.
00:06It's kind of wind in the willows on steroids, isn't it?
00:10Seeking the perfect property is no picnic.
00:13The angled ceilings are a bit of an issue here, but luckily we're both short.
00:19But when it feels insurmountable...
00:21Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed? I'm getting that feeling.
00:24A bit. There's just a lot of potential, but a lot of work to be done.
00:27We, the Escape to the Country team, will be with you every step of the way.
00:33It's exactly what we wanted. It's got character, but it's modern as well.
00:36I love it so far. Yeah.
00:59Cornwall. The county's motto, Onan Hag Al, means one and all.
01:05Fitting for a place that attracts all kinds of people from all over the world.
01:12Surfers, hikers, poets and painters, nature lovers and holiday makers.
01:19Proud locals, county caretakers. Mix them all together and what have you got? Cornwall. That's one.
01:28You'll find the county of Cornwall at the most south-westerly tip of England.
01:33Cornwall's just such a wonderful place to live. We're very fortunate and I think we never forget that.
01:38We're never flippant about the fact that we live, we're lucky enough to live and work here.
01:43The town of Newquay is the surf capital of the UK.
01:47It's 11 golden beaches fit for families and serious surfers alike.
01:52Cornwall is incredibly special. There's all that fabulous coastline.
01:56Choice of countryside, lots and lots of trees and lakes at the eastern end.
02:01And then you've got the rough moorland and the ruggedness of the west end.
02:05The coast is unsurpassable.
02:09The Cornish coastal path runs right through the village of Morgan Porth,
02:14its west-facing beach, the perfect place to pause and soak up the scenery.
02:19Tom Morton is doing just that on his current challenge to run the entire 300-mile route.
02:25It's going to take me roughly three weeks, give or take.
02:30I'm seeing the most amazing views, meeting the most incredible people with stories from all over
02:35and documenting Cornwall in the best way I can.
02:43Well, today's couple have come to us for help in trying to make the move from suburban Hertfordshire
02:48to the rugged Cornish countryside.
02:51A bold leap, looking for a slower pace, wilder landscapes
02:55and a life spent doing more of the things they really enjoy.
03:00Jess, a part-time solutions consultant and Eddie, a business intelligence analyst
03:05are ready to wave goodbye to the busy commuter town of Hertford.
03:09Moving away from friends and family is quite daunting to us.
03:13So we're really hoping that finding a new gym community will really help with that
03:16and to build some new friendships.
03:18Their two-bed town centre flat no longer suits their lifestyle.
03:23For starters, pottery enthusiast Jess has to lease studio space.
03:27I've just arrived at my pottery studio where I work almost every day that I'm not doing my normal job.
03:34It's a 30-minute drive away from home.
03:36So although it's in a lovely location, I am really looking forward to having a home studio.
03:42The pair also rent an allotment.
03:45We've got lots of seedlings for the allotment growing out there.
03:48So we're really looking forward to having our own garden and having a bigger outdoor space.
03:54And they pay a regular fee so their beloved greyhound Lily can stretch her legs.
04:00We've just arrived at a secure dog field which is the only place we can let Lily off the lead,
04:04being an ex-racing greyhound.
04:06As you can see, she really loves it so we can't wait for her to have a garden to enjoy.
04:12Now Jess and Eddie want a home that will provide all these things under one roof.
04:18Ideally, they're after a detached character home with at least three bedrooms.
04:22A large garden with a pottery studio option or space to build one is also a must.
04:28And most importantly, it should be no more than a 20-minute drive from a gym.
04:33Their budget, £550,000.
04:46Well, this is an exciting opportunity for Eddie and for Jess.
04:50Not only are they embarking upon buying their first home together,
04:56it's also one from which they really want to enjoy their shared passions.
05:01Two key elements here.
05:03Their dog, Lily, and they want to be within 20 minutes of a gym.
05:08Of all the requirements I've had to meet on house searches over the years, that is a first.
05:17Our day starts next to the River Camel where I'm meeting Jess and Eddie on a section of the Camel
05:22Trail.
05:23Wow, that's a scene setter, isn't it?
05:26It's lovely. How nice is that?
05:30This flat, 18-mile route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders links the North Cornwall towns of Padstow, Weybridge and
05:38Bodmin.
05:41Well, Jess, Eddie, welcome back to Cornwall.
05:43Now, as well as your love of the great outdoors, of course, fitness is a huge part of your life.
05:48Yeah, so functional fitness is where we met at the gym and we're there kind of three, four times a
05:53week.
05:54Yeah, and I think the social aspect as well, it would help us integrate into the area and make some
05:57new friends.
05:57It's a great idea, but also another great way of making friends in an area is to have a dog
06:01and you, of course, have Lily.
06:02And clearly a real focus is going to be the studio.
06:05I think if it's under budget, we'd be very happy to have a garden room built.
06:09But equally, if there's an outbuilding there, we could convert it, insulate it.
06:13But how nice to be able to walk out the back door and just go to work.
06:17The dream.
06:17So, shall we? Let's go.
06:20Our search begins in the hamlet of Tremodrat, a mile and a half from the village of Roche.
06:26Here you'll find all the daily essentials, including a small supermarket, several takeaways, spot the pasty shop, a village store
06:34and a pub.
06:36From which it's a five minute drive or a 30 minute walk to our first property.
06:42A beautifully maintained and thoughtfully modernised detached home that sits on a plot of a quarter of an acre.
06:51Outbuilding.
06:52Lovely guys.
06:53Right, come this way, come this way.
06:55Because I think from down here you get a lovely perspective.
06:57Wow.
06:58Oh wow.
06:59On the package.
07:00What a garden.
07:01Yeah, this is amazing.
07:02There we go.
07:04I can imagine Lil's out here already.
07:06And you can shut the gates, so it does work from a doggy point of view.
07:09You've got the garage there.
07:11You can certainly adapt that as your studio, but there's loads of room here to build something bespoke if you
07:17wanted to do something a bit different.
07:18Yeah.
07:19We can definitely set up here.
07:20Yeah, well, see inside.
07:21Okay.
07:22Shall we have a look?
07:23Come on look.
07:24Follow me.
07:26Our gym enthusiasts will be glad to know there are two gyms within a 20 minute drive.
07:31One in St Austell and the other slightly closer in Bodmin.
07:36The ponies in the paddock?
07:38It's an amazing view.
07:39Absolutely amazing.
07:40Yeah, the view is incredible.
07:41I'm surprised this is in our budget.
07:44Well, just you wait and see.
07:46Come on, let's get in.
07:48In keeping with the unspoken rule of rural living, we're using the everyday entrance at the rear of the property.
07:56Okay.
07:57Let's start in here then.
07:58What do we think?
07:59It's a lovely kitchen.
08:01Very nice.
08:01Yeah.
08:02It feels like a proper country kitchen.
08:04Yeah.
08:05The woodwork surface.
08:06I'm a big fan.
08:07I think this is our type of style.
08:09Yeah.
08:09The boot room, as you saw as we came through, utility room, great if you've got lily.
08:13Yeah.
08:14Muddy paws.
08:15Yeah, definitely.
08:16But just the added benefit of just having a nice view out your window.
08:20We don't have any windows in our kitchen area.
08:22Yeah.
08:22So just something really simple like that makes a difference.
08:24Just doing the washing up and you're actually looking at beautiful countryside rather than...
08:28Wash lily zooming around.
08:29Yeah.
08:29Rather than traffic.
08:30Yeah.
08:32Well, let's continue then through here.
08:35Again, lovely views from the dining out to...
08:38Great views.
08:39...to beyond.
08:40And then this lot.
08:42Nice log burner.
08:43It's cosy.
08:44It's a nice size.
08:45It's not too big.
08:46Yeah.
08:46There's a door straight onto the garden as well.
08:48Yeah.
08:49I think for the two of you and Lily, you know, would this work in terms of size?
08:55Yeah.
08:55I think so.
08:57I think it's about the right size.
08:58Yeah.
08:58Our sofa's quite big and I'm keen to hold on to that sofa.
09:01It's the nicest thing I've bought for my flat.
09:03But it would fit.
09:04Good.
09:04Right.
09:04Let's have a look through here.
09:08Also on the ground floor is a family bathroom and two of the property's four bedrooms.
09:14Your principal bedroom, I would suggest, is this one down here.
09:18OK.
09:18There's another bedroom next door.
09:20Specked up a bit more as a kind of dressing room.
09:22Lots of storage in there.
09:24If we were able to have a separate dressing room, then I think the size is fine.
09:29The bedroom next door does have an ensuite shower.
09:34This is a brighter room.
09:36Yeah, it's nice.
09:37The mirrors make it look quite a lot bigger.
09:39I think this might be better as the main bedroom though.
09:43Yeah, I think so.
09:43There's an ensuite and we like an ensuite.
09:45We could move things around.
09:46We could.
09:48Whilst most of the living space is on the ground floor, upstairs offers a neat and flexible layout.
09:55OK, so, another guest room for you there.
09:59Or potentially office space, I don't know.
10:00Potentially, yeah.
10:01Yeah, it could easily be an office.
10:03It's really bright in here, which is nice.
10:05Another bathroom up here, which is a nice sort of family bathroom.
10:07Shower and bath as well.
10:09The angled ceilings are a bit of an issue here, but luckily we're both short, so...
10:14What was I going to say?
10:16We go in there.
10:17Go and have a look at that one.
10:18See what you make of this.
10:20Yeah, again, there's not as much light in this room compared to downstairs.
10:23Yeah.
10:25The quarter of an acre plot boasts an extensive garden with a greenhouse, raised beds and a modern garden shed.
10:33There's also a detached garage, another possible option for Jess's pottery studio.
10:39This is a good sign.
10:40This would make a great studio.
10:41Yeah, you can make this into your workshop.
10:43Added some extra windows or made these into glass doors.
10:46I think so, yeah.
10:47If you lift the roof up, put some skylights in.
10:50Converting the garage or building a bespoke studio from scratch will cost.
10:55So, we're reconvening on the lawn to answer the all-important question.
11:01So, how much do you think, then, this is on the market for?
11:07I think this is a tough one, but I'm going to guess about £530, I think.
11:13£530,000, Eddie.
11:15I'm going to be a bit cheekier and hope we've got a bit of room to build the outside studio
11:20and go £510,000.
11:21A pair of cheeky offers, if ever I heard them.
11:26Well, you're right that it begins with a five.
11:29This is currently on the market for £550,000.
11:34I think, ideally, if we could put an offer in slightly under so we had the extra money to build
11:39that extra space,
11:40I think it would definitely be viable.
11:42This beautifully presented detached home offers a contemporary kitchen, two receptions and four bedrooms.
11:49The quarter-acre plot includes a detached garage and a large garden with gorgeous views.
11:54And it's on the market with a guy price of £550,000.
12:00This is a really beautiful property. The outside space is incredible.
12:05We couldn't really ask for a better garden.
12:08What we feel maybe lets this house down slightly is the bedroom space.
12:13Just because the bedrooms are quite compact, it's a question of, for the top of our budget,
12:18is that a compromise that we would like to make?
12:21The garden, the outside space, absolutely amazing.
12:23I think the practicalities of inside, so where we both work from home, we'd have to have an office.
12:28And I think, logistically, having a master bedroom downstairs and having to go upstairs to get changed
12:32doesn't really make sense.
12:36So there we are, then. One done. Of interest, I hope.
12:40Yeah, definitely, it's a contender.
12:41Plus potential, yeah.
12:42Good. Right, then. Let's see what else we've got here. Come on.
12:55The market town of Wade Bridge straddles the River Camel and is connected by a 15th century bridge.
13:03This place looks nice.
13:04Yeah.
13:06It's bunting-strewn streets are home to a host of well-supported independent businesses,
13:12including a bookshop, a boutique cinema and more watering holes and eateries than you can shake a stick at.
13:19Wade Bridge has always been fantastic. It's full of independent businesses
13:22and there's not lots of big chains here, so it's a really unique town.
13:27Johnny and Jessica have lived here for the past four years
13:30and two years ago they opened this cocktail and tapas bar.
13:33The community in Wade Bridge is perfect. It's not just a holiday town.
13:39People actually live here, work here, schools are here.
13:42And so we do feel like we've been, like, welcomed with open arms.
13:45It's a fantastic sort of lifestyle and we really enjoy ourselves.
13:49We get to go out and walk the dog most days and get to spend time on the beach.
13:53We wouldn't want to be anywhere else, to be honest.
13:55The town is also home to a thriving fitness community.
13:59As well as running classes seven days a week, we do so many social events.
14:03It's just so lovely to see people hanging out, having coffee afterwards or, like, today when the weather is absolutely
14:09beautiful,
14:10messaging each other, going down to the beach after they've done a class.
14:15There are regular bus services to Bude, Truro, Bodmin and Port Isaac.
14:20And the former railway station now houses a cafe with a community hub.
14:24It offers support groups, activities and a place to get together and have a cup of tea.
14:31At Unleashed Dog Meadow, there's a ready-made group for Jess, Eddie and their rescue greyhound, Lily, to tap into.
14:38Such a brilliant spot that we travel all the way up from Red Roof.
14:41Oh, OK.
14:42So, we come to the sessions when they're on.
14:44Usually once a month.
14:45Iro loves it.
14:46Loves running around.
14:49Jessica Poole owns and runs the meadow, which offers breed-specific sessions, enabling humans and their four-legged friends a
14:57safe space to socialise.
14:59How often do you guys meet up?
15:00I do different breeds every week, but every breed has a slot once a month.
15:04Good way to meet people.
15:06Yeah.
15:07Yeah.
15:07But just, yeah, especially good for Lily because we quite often go to a secure dog field like this at
15:11home.
15:11Yeah.
15:12But we're always alone there.
15:14Yeah.
15:14We just book it privately because Lily can be a bit anxious, a bit reactive, but being able to meet
15:19just sighthounds in a secure place would be absolutely brilliant for her.
15:24Yeah, I guess being rescue dogs, a lot of these dogs have had a bit of a bad start to
15:27life.
15:27And it's important that they have a better experience of other dogs and people, so.
15:33Around Wave Ridge in particular, there are footpaths everywhere that go through farmland, woodland, along the trail, for example, here.
15:41There's, yeah, like endless places to go for dog walks.
15:44It's amazing.
15:44I think Wave Ridge in particular is incredibly dog friendly.
15:48It's human friendly, too.
15:50You'll always find people going, oh, do you fancy coming for a dog walk?
15:54Oh, yeah.
15:55Yeah.
15:55There's that all over Cornwall.
15:57It's dog heaven down here.
15:59Well, it seems like you've got a great community here, so hopefully we'll see you all soon.
16:02Yeah, hope so.
16:03Yeah, absolutely.
16:04Hope you find the house you like.
16:06Yeah, you're meant to.
16:07Yeah, you're meant to.
16:09Me three.
16:10Let's get back to it.
16:15Our next stop is the village of Truthergi, just two miles from St Austal and conveniently close to the all
16:21-important gym, which is only an eight-minute drive away.
16:25It's also less than 20 minutes by car to pass Sands, a wide sandy beach where dogs are allowed year
16:31-round.
16:32That should make Lily's ears prick up.
16:34In the centre of Truthergi, tucked down a quiet lane, sits this detached Cornish cottage.
16:42Here we are then.
16:44That is our next offering.
16:46Wow.
16:46OK.
16:47What do we think?
16:48I love the look of it.
16:49Yeah, the stone on the outside.
16:51It's lovely.
16:52This is just such a peaceful location.
16:54I like that it's quiet, but there are plenty of neighbours around, so you're not isolated.
17:00And I'll tell you what's really interesting about this one.
17:03I think you've got loads of options here to cosmetically make it very much your own, and that is a
17:11fun job.
17:11Yeah.
17:12Yeah, we can make it at home.
17:13Absolutely.
17:14Come on, let's have a look.
17:17The property, now empty, is being sold with no onward chain.
17:21It benefits from solar panels which generate electricity, resulting in lowered electricity bills,
17:28and an air source heat pump, a greener alternative to a gas boiler.
17:33So, there is an awful lot to see with this one, but, yeah, what do you reckon?
17:38A project.
17:40Yeah, a lot of character, but, yeah, definitely a project.
17:44The kitchen's not our style, so we'd have to do something with that.
17:47But, yeah, there's character here, it's just we'd have to, yeah, put a little work in.
17:50It's in good condition, and the windows look quite new.
17:53Yeah.
17:53It's nice and light.
17:55Yeah.
17:55And I like the beams.
17:56Good impression so far.
17:58Good.
17:58Well, let's hope they continue.
17:59Come and have a look through here.
18:03Living space.
18:04It's a good-sized room.
18:06Yeah, similar look.
18:06It's got the beams still, but, again, a little bit dated, so we'd have to put our spin on things.
18:12And there's still lovely views into the garden.
18:13As long as you can see the potential, you know, and you don't have to do it all at once.
18:17That's true, yeah.
18:18You can go room by room.
18:20Behind the living room at the end of the entrance hall is a utility room and a handy boot room.
18:26Oh, OK.
18:28Interesting.
18:28Boot room, dog room.
18:30It could also be a packing room, actually, because you've got a workbench all the way along already and lots
18:35of storage and light.
18:37Perfectly suited for you.
18:38Yeah.
18:39This property's flexible layout is, I reckon, its defining feature, and that's particularly evident upstairs.
18:47Now, I don't know about you, but this might make quite a fun kind of office space for someone.
18:52Yeah.
18:53Yeah, potentially.
18:55Yeah, loads of space up here.
18:56Yeah, a bit odd working on a landing, but it's definitely something we can make work.
19:00Well, we're not short of space here, so don't panic.
19:03You don't have to do it here, because you have got four bedrooms to play with here.
19:06Oh, OK.
19:07All right.
19:08Plus this.
19:09It's a bit warm today.
19:12Wow.
19:13And bright, but it's a lovely elevated space, and it shows off part of the garden.
19:17It continues behind that big hedge.
19:19OK.
19:20I'm not sure what we would use this room for, particularly.
19:22Yeah, it's a large room.
19:23I don't think I've seen anything like this.
19:25It's great.
19:25It's unique.
19:26But it's a nice problem to have, trying to figure out what to do with it.
19:31On that note, I'll leave them to consider how they'll utilise the bedrooms up here.
19:37This is a big room.
19:39Yeah.
19:39Lots of light comes in as well.
19:41Maybe the master bedroom.
19:42Bit of storage.
19:43Yeah.
19:44A nice deep windowsill.
19:45Yeah.
19:46You could sit there and read a book.
19:47Yeah.
19:49There's a second, smaller bedroom at the rear.
19:52This would be a good office for me.
19:54My ceramics office.
19:55Packing office.
19:56Yeah.
19:57Yeah.
19:57Got lots of storage.
19:59And further down the corridor, a third bedroom.
20:02Another similar sized room.
20:05This could also be an office.
20:07Again, a bit of decorating, but we can make it nice.
20:11Do you know, I can perfectly understand how young buyers like Eddie and Jess may feel
20:18somewhat daunted by the prospect of taking on a property like this.
20:22I just hope somehow I can convince them through my own experience that actually this is very doable.
20:31Next door to the family bathroom is the fourth and final bedroom.
20:35Actually, this would be the best office for our joint office, I think.
20:43Despite all this talk of offices, the bedrooms could easily remain bedrooms as outside there's a triple garage and a
20:50large workshop.
20:52Okay.
20:54So this is just a bit of it.
20:56This is half of the garaging you get.
20:58Okay.
20:59As seen from the front.
21:01It's huge.
21:02But it also goes all the way back there.
21:04Okay.
21:05In terms of storing materials, all that sort of stuff.
21:07Yeah.
21:08And you could have the next door garage.
21:10Yeah.
21:10Just for you.
21:11Exactly.
21:11Workshop wise, potentially a little bit of money in this, but it could be sorted.
21:15Yeah.
21:16Yeah.
21:17Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed?
21:19I'm getting that feeling.
21:20A bit.
21:20There's just a lot of potential, but a lot of work to be done.
21:23So it does hang on the budget.
21:26And obviously we could do it over a long space of time.
21:28Nothing has to be instant.
21:31She's right.
21:32But let's see if I can allay Jess's fears a little more in the sizeable garden that wraps around the
21:37house and is mainly laid to lawn.
21:39Surely the perfect playground for Lily.
21:43In terms of space for Lily.
21:45It has loads.
21:46Yeah, there's tons.
21:46She could have a good old run around.
21:47Bit of dog proofing to do, but yeah, the size is great.
21:50But let's think about then the price of this one.
21:53Eddie.
21:54Well, based on property one, I think we've got more garden area and more house.
22:02So I'm going to say 550.
22:04I'm actually going to go a little bit higher.
22:06I actually think about 560.
22:08I think it's over.
22:09Yeah.
22:10560,000 pounds.
22:11Well, here's the thing.
22:12This is on the market for 530,000 pounds.
22:17Okay.
22:18That leaves us some money to do it.
22:19A little bit.
22:20A little bit.
22:22This detached stone built Cornish cottage has a large kitchen diner, a living room, a first floor sunroom and four
22:30bedrooms.
22:30In addition to the wrap around garden, there's a triple garage and a detached workshop.
22:36The price 530,000 pounds.
22:40It's perfect.
22:41It's exactly what we asked for.
22:42It's picturesque.
22:44The gardens are amazing.
22:45The stonework.
22:46It's really lovely to look at, but a little bit daunting for me.
22:50I don't know about for you.
22:52Yeah, this house is a blank canvas, which is good in some ways because we can completely put our own
22:57stamp on it, but slightly overwhelming in other ways in that there's a lot of work to be done here.
23:03It would definitely stretch our budget, although we could do it over time.
23:07I think it would test us and our renovation skills.
23:10Yeah.
23:11So a long day, two very different options for you, but both of which would get you into Cornwall.
23:18Yeah.
23:18Very different, but a lot to think about, especially for this one.
23:22Yeah, definitely some contenders in there.
23:23Yeah.
23:23Right.
23:24Okay.
23:24Off you go.
23:26Lots more to see and do.
23:34We're ending our day in the village of Rock on the eastern shore of the Camel Estuary.
23:40Despite the name, it's really rather sandy.
23:42The wide golden beach here is arguably Rock's standout feature.
23:47Well, guys, it's been a long, busy and thirsty day, so I thought where better to finish off than here
23:52at Rock because we can get the ferry over to Padstow for a beer.
23:56How about that?
23:57Sounds perfect.
23:57Sounds good.
23:58But before we get on and get over there, a quick upsum of your day.
24:02I think you've shown us two contrasting properties.
24:05One that's going to be a project that we can make our own and one that's pretty much good to
24:08go.
24:08Yeah.
24:09It would just be us having a mull over it and I think and see what we think is best.
24:13Deciding what one is best, yeah.
24:15Well, we're better to consider it than over the water.
24:18So everyone's getting off.
24:19That's our cue, I think, to get on.
24:21Shall we?
24:22Yeah.
24:24The year-round passenger ferry service offers scenic rides across the river Camel.
24:30What fun.
24:32Dogs are welcome on board and crossing times take between five and ten minutes as opposed to a half-hour
24:38car journey.
24:39Now, I've taken many a trip to the pub, but not often this way, it has to be said.
24:44Yeah, what a way to finish off the day.
24:46Yeah, unique.
24:46Perfect.
24:47Yeah, absolutely perfect.
25:01Contemplating a new life in Cornwall will let us give you the lowdown on property prices in the county.
25:06The average cost of a detached house here is a smidge over £441,000, a few thousand pounds higher than
25:15the UK average of just over £437,000.
25:20Take a look at a selection of other Cornish homes currently on the market.
25:25This sweet end-of-terrace cottage has a reception with a large stone fireplace, a perfectly appointed kitchen diner, two
25:33bedrooms, one with sea views and a rear-decked courtyard.
25:36It's listed with a guide price of £275,000.
25:44This substantial detached farmhouse, dating back to the late 1590s, is on the market for offers in excess of £799
25:53,950.
25:57Sitting in the middle of a beautiful country garden, it offers five bedrooms, a country kitchen and two reception rooms.
26:09For renters, this detached cottage with a good-sized garden, a living dining room, a kitchen with a range and
26:15two bedrooms is available for £1,000 per calendar month.
26:24Well, as you can see, it's another glorious start to this, our final day of house hunting here in Cornwall.
26:29Now, coming up, we have a fabulous mystery house for Jess and Eddie, which I think really draws together much
26:35of what we've learnt over the last couple of properties.
26:37But before then, time and tide are on our side.
26:41So what better way to kick off proceedings than out there, out on the water?
26:49Yes, Jess and Eddie have accepted my invitation to do a sport of Cornish gig rowing with a few members
26:54of the Padstow Rowing Club.
26:59Matt, good morning, how are you?
27:01Hi, nice to meet you.
27:02Hey, I'm Jules, let me introduce you to Jess and Eddie.
27:05Hiya, nice to meet you.
27:08Matt Olcock has been rowing gigs since he was just 11 years old, and before he takes us out, he's
27:13kindly agreed to fill us in on the history of these splendid, quintessentially Cornish boats.
27:21People have been rowing these types of boats, these traditional gigs for centuries down in Cornwall.
27:26They're full wood construction, clinker built, beautiful bit of craftsmanship.
27:31And what were they originally designed for?
27:33You'd have a pilot sat on the seat in the bow there, and the crews would race out to the
27:37ships in the mouth of the river, aiming to get their pilot onto the boat and help them navigate into
27:41the harbour.
27:42So, the fastest boat got the job, got the money.
27:45Ah.
27:46As modern technology progressed, people could pilot their own boats in.
27:50There was no need for a pilot to get onto the boat. That's where the racing came from.
27:53You said that sense of competition remained, even though the kind of functional job of actually getting a pilot onto
27:59a boat had long gone.
28:00Yeah, and I think it's very important as well that we continue these traditions, honour the people that have gone
28:05before us, and keep rowing these beautiful boats.
28:07And gig racing is a big part of the South West, isn't it?
28:10Oh, it's huge.
28:10Different harbours, different ports have their own gig team, so there's kind of friendly rivalry, isn't there?
28:15Oh, there's, yeah, massive friendly rivalry. So, we have a big rivalry with Rock, just the other side of the
28:19river.
28:19Yeah.
28:21Well, there's going to be a bit more friendly rivalry today.
28:25We've got two boats going out. We need a few fill-ins. And luckily, we've got three here sitting in
28:29front of me.
28:30So, I guess you're on one boat and I'm on the other?
28:32That's the plan, yeah.
28:33And we're going to race?
28:34We're going to have a race, make it a bit of a competition.
28:36Okay, okay. You're up for this?
28:38Yeah, definitely.
28:38Yeah.
28:39Well, may the best boat win.
28:44The traditional Cornish gig raced today is based on a design from the 1830s.
28:50Measuring 32 feet in length with fixed seats, these six-award rowing boats were traditionally used for pilotage, harbour work
28:58and as lifeboats.
29:00How good is this?
29:03The gig's multiple uses meant it needed to be stable and seaworthy in rough seas, as well as light and
29:10speedy to win those lucrative pilotage contracts.
29:13That's it, Jules, just following the cold in front of you there.
29:16Today, there are thought to be more than 8,000 active gig rowers, both competitive and social, across the globe.
29:24Whilst the highest concentration of gig rowing clubs are in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, there are clubs as
29:30far away as Australia.
29:33It's kind of wind in the willows on steroids, isn't it?
29:36Yeah.
29:37That is it, that's a new one though.
29:42Today's impromptu race is a tough dash back to the harbour wall.
29:45Flags up.
29:48Go!
29:51Come on.
29:54Nice start.
29:56Keeping it long.
29:58Nice, strong catch.
30:00Nice and strong.
30:02Creeping up on Dasher.
30:05That is a proper good workout.
30:08As well as competitive racing, the club offers social rowing sessions where the emphasis is on fun.
30:15You're nearly there, Jules.
30:16Hang in there.
30:18Friendship.
30:19We're in the lead.
30:22And fitness.
30:23When we pass this red ball, you've got 20 more strokes to go, Jules.
30:28And I can categorically vouch that it delivers on all those fronts.
30:34Hey, well done, guys.
30:35Good run.
30:37Wow, well done, guys.
30:39Well done, Jules.
30:40Well done.
30:40You've won your first race.
30:42Thanks.
30:43That was great fun.
30:45Well, well done to my fantastic crew.
30:47And our cocks, Matt.
30:49Wow.
30:50I am absolutely...
30:53Three cheers for Dasher.
30:55Hooray!
30:55Hooray!
30:56Hooray!
30:57Hooray!
30:57Hooray!
30:57Hooray!
30:57Hooray!
30:58Hooray!
30:58Hooray!
31:09Hooray!
31:14Hooray!
31:18Hooray!
31:19Hooray!
31:22Hooray!
31:39Hooray!
31:40enjoy a well-regarded pub a village hall which hosts regular pizza nights and a community shop
31:48on the village outskirts lies wenford bridge pottery famous as the former pottery of celebrated
31:54english studio potter michael cardew hello cookie ten years ago cookie scotthorn opened her studio
32:02and gallery here so of course we had to pop by to admire the sculptural heads and planters she creates
32:11have you made anything that big yet no nowhere near not a chance i think that's beyond me at the
32:17moment but tableware is where you're at at the moment yeah when i started i was a repetition
32:23tableware potter so i threw pots every day exactly what you were saying they're kind of repetition
32:28throwing yeah and i've got a small kiln so smaller pieces of kitchenware is what i'm doing yeah
32:33a cookie obviously you know this area and the community is it is it welcoming is it is it a
32:39place in which you love living it is it's it's lovely i think the important thing is you've got
32:44to take part if you're willing to take part there's masses going on um and there are a lot of
32:50artists
32:50locally there's potter just up the hill there's a sign writer just up the hill if you are open and
32:56you
32:56take part in things then they accept you i guess you get out what you put in i think that's
33:01true yeah
33:01yeah and i would say that's true for for village life in general really and rural life
33:07so whilst jess and eddie mooch around the gallery at their leisure you dear viewer are coming with me
33:14so here then is our mystery house now we know that eddie and jess love the local architecture the feel
33:21of this granite stone have we saved the best until last quite possibly
33:28this gorgeous cottage is thought to date back to the 1890s but is i'll admit semi-detached so jess and
33:36eddie
33:37will have to set aside their preference for a detached home however it's been beautifully renovated
33:44over the past couple of years in a style that i think is right up their street now despite my
33:51best
33:51efforts at our second property yesterday i think both jess and eddie were somewhat overwhelmed at the
33:56amount of work they thought they'd have to take on but here it has all been done it is crisp
34:01it is clean
34:02it is gorgeous it is ready to go and out there in the garden there's a lovely old stone barn
34:08and if
34:08that doesn't say pottery studio i don't know what does what's more bodmin with its gym community is
34:16still within a 20 minute drive welcome then to this our mystery house wow it's lovely the road is perfect
34:25although it is right on the road all you can hear is the birds yeah there's no cars which is
34:30great and i
34:30like the stone fronted i thought you'd like that because you'd like that in property too didn't you
34:34yeah yeah come on right come on in wow okay feast your eyes oh wow lots of stain it's really
34:47pretty
34:48beams as well yeah and the beans i can't believe it yeah it's lovely i can see that maybe at
34:53one point
34:54it was quite enclosed and cottagey but it's been opened up and it yeah it feels really nice you're
35:00absolutely right the current owners have set about opening it up and doing to this what i
35:05imagined you doing to our second property yeah they've saved us all the hard work it's exactly
35:10what we wanted it's got character but it's like modern as well i love it so far yeah have a
35:15look at
35:15this then look at this uh classic sort of kitchen diner and then this nice sort of island come breakfast
35:20bar all crisp all new all ready to go wow really impressive yeah i love the kitchen it's i think
35:27it's how we
35:28do it ourselves well it also comes with a very generous kind of utility area downstairs leave
35:32out there and conservatory as well i guess my question is is this sort of main footprints that
35:38you've you've seen already is this big enough it's cozy but it's got enough space that we need yeah i
35:44would
35:44agree upstairs there are fewer bedrooms than we've previously shown them but all are of a good size
35:51this is a nice room yeah lots of light big ensuite there nice big bathtub and views to the garden
35:58as
35:59well and oh wow some outbuildings yeah nice big lawn as well for lily and we can keep an owner
36:06as well
36:06yeah that's important a modern family bathroom serves a second larger double bedroom which also features a
36:15fireplace and there's a third and final double overlooking the front of the property now let's
36:21turn our attention to the rear nice big conservatory right it is yeah but come and have a look up
36:27here
36:28because there are so many options first up is a detached garage and workshop currently used for storage
36:35it has mains water and electricity connected as does the detached stone barn next door oh wow
36:44could have the wheel over by the window get some natural light lots of shelving yeah i think it could
36:50work there's also a self-contained cabin at the top of the garden which the vendor rents out as an
36:57occasional holiday let and our new potential office yeah oh this is nice wow this is impressive yeah
37:06little kitchen already it all looks quite new the toilet ready to go as well toilet perfect
37:14yeah it could be our office could be my ceramics packing office actually i'm still this for myself
37:23regardless of how they decide to divvy up the outbuildings jess and eddie would both have the
37:28opportunity to walk to work and this is the commute for goodness sake yeah it separates work and home
37:34yeah not a bad idea and it does mean then you don't have to encumber the house with office space
37:39it's all out the way when you get home you're at home now you are going to have to estimate
37:44for the
37:45final time this week what you think this is on the market for it's got to be close to the
37:50top of our
37:50budget i think i think 540 540 000 pounds well be nice if it was yeah go on i think
37:59we're punching
37:59above so i think 560. this is on the market for an astonishing 525 000 pounds okay okay that's that's
38:11nice we get a little bit of extra money we can do some little decorating bits yeah but nothing major
38:16it's a lot of gardens and outbuildings for for that price definitely definitely i think we could
38:22settle in quite easily we could that was that was my hope
38:27this semi-detached stone cottage offers an open-plan sitting room a contemporary kitchen
38:33diner a conservatory and three double bedrooms outside the generous garden contains two stone
38:40outbuildings and a wooden cabin the property is being marketed with a guide price of 525 000 pounds
38:48it's got the character that we wanted but it's already had the hard work done unlike property too
38:52so that's a big bonus the location's amazing it's a really quiet sleepy town the outbuildings the garden
38:58everything together it's really exciting the house itself has so much character as soon as we walked in
39:06i was pretty blown away but there's definite potential here and we just need to have a good
39:11think now good happy smiley faces yeah i was hoping that was the reaction that our mystery house would
39:18deliver but i'm afraid that is it we can show you no more come on let's go
39:31well all this week we've been blessed with some wonderful weather some fantastic properties and of
39:36course cornwall's enchanting coastline but i thought to finish up we'd come inland here to bodmin moore
39:43to find out what their future in cornwall is going to look like and have a refreshing dip at the
39:49same time
39:55wow this is a spot isn't it it is lovely are you cooling down yeah wow it's been hot this
40:02week
40:02isn't it a nice bit of breeze feet in the water oh not bad actually not quite bath temperature but
40:08i'll
40:08take that well we have seen some property this week so how have we done is there a is there
40:15a clear
40:15favorite i don't think there's a completely clear winner i think at first we were a bit overwhelmed by
40:22property two but after seeing property three and what we could do with property two i think it's it's made
40:28us more open and a bit excited to what we could actually do yeah and the thing with property two
40:34is it has the location it has the space and that's something you can't change you know you can change
40:40the inside but you can't change the rest you had the beams and it looked a bit dated but in
40:44property
40:44three they'd obviously decorated and we could see what we could do with property two quite easily
40:48i think like you said it's cosmetic inside i think the outbuildings might require a bit of work
40:54but it's something that you could get up and running with pretty quickly i think yeah yeah
40:58definitely i'm still overwhelmed by that property i have to admit it's not it's not suddenly um
41:04a clear winner but there's lots more to consider now and i think we are definitely more open to it
41:08there's no compromise on the inside space in terms of size it has the best of everything almost the
41:14location the privacy the outdoor space outbuildings and indoor space the compromise is are we willing to
41:20put in the work for the first couple of years and it can be daunting i totally understand that but
41:24when you've done it the sense of reward i can't put a price on it it's something you'll be so
41:31proud
41:31of it's got the rock cottage look it's in a nice sleepy village it's it's not overlooked it's it's
41:36close to the sea close to the gym yeah it has a lot eight minutes i think yeah for the
41:41gym i mean
41:41well i'm not going to rush you on it it's a big decision but it's been a lot of fun
41:45showing you around
41:46just let us know how you get on and we'd love to come back and see you in the future
41:49if we may
41:50great yeah thank you very much thank you very much best of luck
41:58well after a busy week house hunting that young pole over there is doing what we all want to do
42:04lie down in the sun and take it easy but it's been a week that has absolutely been worth it
42:10particularly for jess and for eddie hello everybody wants a drink why wouldn't you they are now much
42:19more informed as to what their new home is going to look like as they set out on this journey
42:24together
42:24a future all their own much like that foal's gonna do i'll see you next time
42:34after we left eddie and jess continued exploring nearby villages just two miles from the second
42:40property we'd shown them they found a house they fell in love with their offer was accepted and they
42:46hope to be in by the autumn we wish them and their dog lily every happiness in their new cornish
42:52home
42:52if you would like to escape to the country in england northern ireland scotland or wales and need our help
42:58why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part
43:31to see you next time
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