Escape To The Country Season 26 Episode 21 heads to the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, where Nicki Chapman helps a young couple of professional musicians trade city noise for rural charm. Their dream home needs plenty of space to create music freely while enjoying the peace of country living.
Among the highlights is a stunning beam-filled mystery house packed with character that strikes just the right note. Nicki also visits a village bakery run by a South American baker, adding international flavour to the Oxfordshire countryside lifestyle. This episode showcases how creativity and countryside living can come together perfectly.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Oxfordshire #CountryLiving #RuralLife #BritishTV
Among the highlights is a stunning beam-filled mystery house packed with character that strikes just the right note. Nicki also visits a village bakery run by a South American baker, adding international flavour to the Oxfordshire countryside lifestyle. This episode showcases how creativity and countryside living can come together perfectly.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Oxfordshire #CountryLiving #RuralLife #BritishTV
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FunTranscript
00:01Today we're seeking a rural escape from rocking all over the world.
00:06It just gives you a bit of peace and tranquility to the craziness of rock and roll life.
00:11There's performance anxiety to overcome.
00:14We have got to find somewhere for the drum kit to go.
00:18But nothing gets things back on track like a showstopper.
00:22You have a garage.
00:24Oh, shut the front door.
00:26Best reaction for the garage ever.
00:28And we might even find a home that inspires a love song.
00:33Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
00:37That's amazing.
00:59Undulating farmscapes punctuated by thatched cottages.
01:04Thameside country towns brim full with boutiques and bars.
01:09And the oldest university in the English speaking world.
01:13As far as all encompassing escape destinations go, the county of Oxfordshire gets first class honours.
01:21Rolling hills, winding rivers, dreaming spires.
01:25Oxfordshire is the home of storytellers and scholars.
01:30Although, let's face it, unless there's a degree in escaping to the country or maybe 90s pop music, I think
01:38I'll simply stick to admiring this beautiful, wonderful county.
01:43Slap bang in the heart of southern England, Oxfordshire is a rock star when it comes to rural retreats.
01:50Stadium fillers radio head hail from here.
01:53Although, there's no need for fake plastic trees in this county.
01:59It is lovely going up in Oxfordshire.
02:01It feels like you're in nature around here, but you're still pretty connected to like most places.
02:07Where we live, there's woods and rivers and canals that we can walk along.
02:13Lots of lovely pubs and restaurants that welcome dogs.
02:17North Oxfordshire has farming communities served by market towns and villages like Burford.
02:23To the south, the Chilterns, and ten side towns such as Abingdon and Henley, where resident headliners have ranged from
02:31George Harrison to Liam Gallagher.
02:34People think it's full of really wealthy people, but actually there's normal people here, as you can tell.
02:49OK, it's nearly time for our house hunting to begin here in Oxfordshire.
02:53But first, let's meet my buyers, a couple of rock musicians.
02:58So, stand by everyone, because we're going to be turning the volume up all the way to 11.
03:03Hello, how's it going? I'm Sophie.
03:06I'm Chris.
03:07And this is Coby.
03:08And we would like to escape to the country.
03:11Yes, we would.
03:14Newlywed Sophie, a touring rock guitarist, and Chris, a drummer, have a huge social media following.
03:21Plus, equally super-sized and growing needs when it comes to a home, with over 30 guitars, drums, costumes, two
03:30cats, and canine companion Coby.
03:34Do you want to escape to the country, Coby?
03:38Yes!
03:39Good boy!
03:40Their rented accommodation near the large Berkshire town of Reading is no longer cutting it.
03:46I record all of my music here. Chris obviously has his massive drum kit here.
03:51So, when one of us is working, the other person can't just, like, sit and relax in the lounge. They
03:56have to go upstairs or something.
03:58Because it's rented, we can't really do anything with it.
04:00So, it'd just be like a dream of mine, just to have our own space where we can do whatever
04:04we want with the garden,
04:06and have a nicer space for Coby as well, to be honest. That'd be great.
04:11This is our studio space at the moment, where we film a lot of our videos.
04:16Very cluttered. We've got a lot of random stuff.
04:18But it does take up one of the bedrooms, which is unfortunate because it means we don't have a guest
04:22bedroom for family and friends to come and stay.
04:26I am originally from Henley-on-Thames, which is in Oxfordshire, so I know that area quite well.
04:31It's where a lot of my friends and family are based, so I don't want to be too far from
04:34them, but we're hoping to find our own little pocket in Oxfordshire that we love.
04:39These first-time buyers favour modern, open-plan homes over period cottages.
04:44They want three to four bedrooms, parking for their cars and tour van, and a garage or outbuilding for a
04:51soundproof studio.
04:52A village with a pub is their ideal location, and they have a budget of up to £600,000.
05:08When you hear that these guys are rock musicians and they do really well at it, the thought of moving
05:14to the countryside perhaps wouldn't be people's first choice for them.
05:17But in a way, I can understand it. Now I haven't toured like Sophie and Chris have, but probably the
05:24longest I was on the road was with the Spice Girls, sorry for the name drop.
05:28And by the end of the tour, as much as I loved it, when you're living out of hotels and
05:32suitcases, you just want to come home, have your creature comforts around you, beautiful surroundings and just chill.
05:42Before we go full volume on the house tours, I've got us a scenic spot in South Oxfordshire for a
05:49warm-up.
05:51Chris and Sophie, a very warm welcome to you. Are you looking forward to the next few days?
05:55Absolutely.
05:55Thank you so much. Yeah, we're really, really excited.
05:58Now, before we start, I've got to ask you, millions and millions of followers, the two of you, on social
06:04media, I mean, that's incredible.
06:06Are you going to be sharing this with the people that follow you?
06:09Oh, yeah, I think so. Are you? Definitely.
06:11I like to share different parts of my lives and stuff, so it's nice for people to see that we're
06:15normal people trying to find a house as well.
06:17Massive congratulations, because you've just got married how many weeks, is it?
06:22Oh, it's two months and five days, is it?
06:25I love that. You get extra points remembering the days, too.
06:28Yeah, I will.
06:28Yeah, I'm not as good at that.
06:31And buying your first home together.
06:33Yeah, we're very excited. Like, it's kind of the time for us to start thinking about the potential of building
06:39a family as well in the next few years and just kind of, yeah, just really prioritising our relationship.
06:45What does the countryside look like to the two of you? What are you after?
06:47I think we'd like to be close to a pub. Being able to be part of a community as well
06:51is really important to us. We both know Oxfordshire relatively well. We know parts of it. It feels like home
06:57to us.
06:58I'm so looking forward to showing you around this beautiful county. Are we going to get any showbiz gossip while
07:03we're on the road?
07:04Oh, maybe. Maybe just for you. Always for you.
07:06Oh, I don't know. What happens on the road stays on the road, I think.
07:09Exactly. And we're on the road, aren't we? Say what you like.
07:13Shall we get started?
07:14Let's do it.
07:14Let's go. Come on then. Follow me. Thank you.
07:20The first house we're viewing is in the rurally located village of Farmore.
07:26A couple of miles along the road towards the town of Whitney is the larger village of Ensham.
07:32This has a choice of pubs, both of which are dog friendly.
07:37As well as places to get a haircut, a supermarket and regular buses to the city of Oxford.
07:45The seven-minute drive back to Farmore involves a quirky five-penny toll.
07:51Small change in the scheme of a house that clicks.
07:56So here we go.
07:57Oh, it's so cute.
07:59Our first property.
08:00I like the pink.
08:01It's got a garage as well. It's got a drive.
08:04Strong first impressions then.
08:06Yes, I think so.
08:07Yeah?
08:08Just keeping an open mind.
08:09Yeah, okay.
08:10Yeah.
08:10Well, let's go in and see what you make of the inside.
08:12All right, great.
08:17Originally a 1960s brick bungalow, the upper story was added by previous owners, who also extended to the rear.
08:24We're taking the central front door.
08:28So here we go.
08:30As you come in, good-sized hallway.
08:33To pass through some of the original footprint and reach a dining room with a window to the left-hand
08:39side of the home.
08:40I'm going to start off the tour properly in here because this is where I think we have amazing potential.
08:47Yeah.
08:47Yeah, it's beautiful. It's a really, really nice space.
08:49It's a big window.
08:50I would do probably more open plan. With my dad I used to do a lot of building when I
08:55was younger.
08:56Did you?
08:56I'm just visualising how I'd sort of knock some walls down.
08:59I've got a professional, well, if I go like this, you could actually open this out.
09:05I'll show you next door and make a fantastic area. It's a big space.
09:09Yeah, it's a really big space.
09:10Let's go next door and I'll show you what I mean.
09:12Yeah.
09:12You see, you've got this fabulous room as well.
09:16Oh, this is beautiful. I love the bifold doors.
09:19Yeah.
09:19Can you imagine opening it out?
09:21Yeah, that would be really cool. We like to have family over and stuff, so it would be nice to
09:24have a big entertaining space.
09:26Absolutely.
09:26It definitely has a lot of potential there.
09:28Definitely.
09:28Let's see what you make of the kitchen. Chris, if you wouldn't mind leading the way.
09:32Yeah, no problem.
09:34Located at the rear in a single storey extension is the kitchen.
09:38Oh, this is cute.
09:41And it's got high ceilings as well.
09:42Yeah, I do like nice high ceilings. Yeah, it feels really spacious actually.
09:45It does feel spacious.
09:46It's nice.
09:47I actually really like the kind of style it is too. I like the colours.
09:51Little utility in there.
09:52Oh, is this utility?
09:54Oh, perfect.
09:55Nice.
09:56Okay.
09:57I wish everybody was like you too.
10:00Enthusiasm.
10:01Yeah, you've just got to be open-minded, doesn't it?
10:05Yeah.
10:05And also, you've rented for a long time together, haven't you?
10:08Exactly, yeah.
10:08And you've just seen some of the places we've rented over the years.
10:11Oh, really?
10:12A bit dodgy.
10:13You can paint it whatever colour you like. You can make it your own.
10:16Exactly.
10:17I can imagine cooking here and looking at the garden.
10:20How many bedrooms ideally are you after?
10:23Four.
10:24Four.
10:24So I've got two downstairs that you could possibly have, and then let's see what you think of upstairs.
10:29Okay.
10:32I'm letting Chris and Sophie explore the two bedrooms at the front of the original bungalow,
10:36which are now being put to other uses.
10:41This would be great for like a...
10:42This is a filming space, isn't it?
10:44I was going to say, a filming space.
10:45So you'd sit up there, you'd have the back out there as well.
10:48We have got to find somewhere for the drum kit to go.
10:50Oh, God.
10:52Cue comedy drum roll.
10:54Cool.
10:55This is another really good-sized room as well.
10:58I've seen something.
10:59Is this a secret cupboard?
11:01Perfect.
11:01I don't think you'll squeeze them in there, Chris.
11:05You could have your whisky corner in here.
11:07Oh, see, now you've just thrown it all out now.
11:10Yeah, so I'm mixing stuff here, I'll have my whisky there.
11:13Yeah.
11:13You'll just need to be really clever on storage.
11:17Serving the ground floor is a family shower room.
11:21And on the floor above is an additional shower room
11:23sitting between two further bedrooms.
11:26A front-facing double is set into the eaves.
11:30Do you know what?
11:31This could probably double up as a guest room and your...
11:34A dressing room.
11:35A dressing room.
11:35It is a lot bigger than the dressing room I have at the moment.
11:38And finally, at the back of the house,
11:40the largest bedroom on offer,
11:42with room enough to swing a chappers.
11:45I'm going to call this the main bedroom.
11:47It's maybe a little bit smaller than kind of...
11:49I'm just thinking with our Super King bed in.
11:51I like the fitted wardrobes, though.
11:53I think that's a really good user space with the eaves.
11:56That's handy.
11:56And it's the same here behind me.
11:57So there's lots of hidden storage.
11:59So good storage, yeah.
11:59That's good, cos we have a lot of stuff.
12:01We have a lot of stuff.
12:02Yeah.
12:02It'd be quite fitting to live in Farmore
12:04with all your stuff, wouldn't it?
12:07Farmore clothes.
12:08Farmore clothes, yeah.
12:09I like what you did there.
12:11Farmore.
12:11That might be the reason you've got to buy in this room.
12:13Exactly.
12:14There's lots of potential puns.
12:16And there's far more outside, too,
12:19including storage in the form of a detached garage
12:21and a large wooden shed.
12:23There's space in the garden for some homegrown produce,
12:26as well as food for thought.
12:30Behind us is a pond,
12:32and that's a little wildlife reserve there.
12:35Oh, that's cool.
12:35So the bees and insect pollinators could all come along.
12:38I love that.
12:38That's really sweet.
12:39So the garden is bigger than it looks.
12:41Oh, yeah.
12:42It goes on for a bit.
12:42You could actually, without compromising the wildlife area,
12:45is build a sound studio at the back.
12:47Yeah.
12:47And that is enough room.
12:48If it's not overlooked,
12:49you're not going to be disturbing too many neighbours as well.
12:51No, exactly.
12:51Which is nice.
12:52So, what do you reckon the first property's on the market for?
12:54This is on the nose, I think.
12:56I think it's probably like 600,000.
12:58Yeah, I'd say 600 or more.
13:01Okay.
13:01Well, you're not going to be disappointed,
13:02because that is the asking price.
13:04Yeah.
13:05Cool. Yeah, that's kind of...
13:06That's pretty much what I was expecting.
13:07Yeah, definitely.
13:07I think that's a good price.
13:10Right on the money,
13:11this detached and extended 1960s house has a spacious kitchen,
13:17two further reception rooms,
13:18and two to four bedrooms,
13:20depending on how the space is used.
13:22There's the addition of a garage and a good-sized garden,
13:26and it's in a quiet village location.
13:29So, this is somewhere that I could see us sort of coming home
13:32after a long stint on the road.
13:34The downstairs is lovely.
13:35It's quite modern,
13:36with quite a traditional feel for a 60s-style house.
13:39The only thing that's letting it down for me
13:42is the upstairs space, like the size of the rooms.
13:44But overall, I really like it.
13:46I'm feeling very excited.
13:48I'm feeling really, really positive.
13:49I like the little pink colour as well.
13:51I'm a sucker for pink.
13:52It's a little bit further out, I think,
13:55than we'd like from a community.
13:57Chris would probably like to have, yeah,
13:59the pub in walking distance.
14:08The name Woodstock is more likely to conjure up images
14:12of the famous United States music festival
14:15than honey-coloured homes and English countryside.
14:20But this market town, established by a 12th century royal charter,
14:25could well hit the right notes for Chris and Sophie's would-be escape.
14:30There is a lot of cute little shops.
14:32There are, aren't there?
14:33Combining shops for both daily staples and quirky curiosities,
14:38it's served by frequent buses to Oxford
14:40and a train station and 18-minute bus ride away.
14:45Woodstock's a perfect mix of being rural enough
14:49to sort of have excitement but also countryside.
14:53It's got such a thriving music and art scene, very creative place.
14:58It's so cute that you can bring your dog into all of these shops as well.
15:02Like all the shops around here are dog friendly.
15:04It's great if you're raising young children.
15:06There's lots of groups around pretty much for every interest.
15:12Woodstock's wooden stocks were once used to hold the legs of seated miscreants.
15:17If you do anything wrong, we can put you in the stocks as well.
15:20And curiously feature five holes.
15:25These days they are one of the many historic features that attract visitors to the town.
15:30We have lots of people come in, especially during the summer, internationally.
15:34But the people that we see really regularly are more local tourists.
15:38We know Woodstock as a great place to go to.
15:40There you go.
15:41Thank you very much.
15:42I like it.
15:43Cheers.
15:47Adjacent to Woodstock is the magnificent estate of Blenheim Palace,
15:52birthplace of Winston Churchill.
15:54Blenheim's really looked after.
15:56There's no litter and rubbish and it's just refreshing to be out there.
16:01Wow, it's so beautiful.
16:03I'm ruining it.
16:07Residents of the town can apply for a pass to walk the dog friendly grounds.
16:11For visitors, there's a choice of tickets.
16:14Some giving access to events such as a food festival and flower show.
16:18The palace also plays host to live music.
16:23Can you imagine if we play here as well?
16:25It would be wild.
16:26Like a little festival or something.
16:28It would be cute.
16:29It would be like Woodstock 3.0.
16:34If all that's worked up a thirst, there's imbibing a plenty.
16:38From pavement cafes to small family-run pubs and Georgian inns.
16:43That's got to be like the fifth booze we've all passed.
16:46I know, there's a lot of pubs.
16:47It is a bit of me.
16:48I've got to say, this is so nice.
16:50Yeah, definitely.
16:56Our next stop is the south Oxfordshire village of Blueberry.
17:00Located in the national landscape of the North Wessex Downs and presided over by the curves of an Iron Age
17:07hillfort,
17:08the architecture of the village spans a millennium across more than 70 listed buildings.
17:16Despite its name, Savages offers a very civilised combination of plants, groceries and a tea room.
17:25There's also a couple of pubs, one serving Thai cuisine, all within an easy walk for house.
17:31I've got to show them.
17:34Ooh!
17:35I like the bay windows.
17:37You love a bay window.
17:38I do like a bay window.
17:39It feels quite rural around here.
17:41You've probably heard the horses walking behind us.
17:43Cut her in a way, yeah.
17:44Donkeys behind us in the field.
17:45I love, I know.
17:46Some nosy neighbours.
17:47Lovely.
17:47I love the donkeys so much.
17:49Oh my God, it's so cute.
17:50So, first impressions then?
17:52It's got a nice big driveway as well, which is really nice.
17:55No garage that I can see.
17:57Yeah, I can't see the garage.
17:59Well, let's see what you make of the house, shall we?
18:00Yes, definitely.
18:03Dating to the start of the 1920s, this semi-detached home has an entrance set at the side,
18:09which takes us across to a central kitchen, also with a window to the side.
18:15So I think this house definitely has a contemporary feel to it.
18:19Yeah.
18:19Yeah, definitely.
18:20It's really nice.
18:21Kitchens in the middle of the house, which is quite unusual in a way.
18:24I usually like the kitchen opening onto the garden.
18:27Do you like to live in an open-plan kitchen, dining area, living space?
18:32Yeah, definitely.
18:33We like to be in the same room with each other, so I think that...
18:35But not with the drum kit or the...
18:37Exactly.
18:38How many guitars?
18:39I lost count after 30.
18:4230?
18:43I think so, yeah.
18:44Something like that.
18:44That's better than my shoe collection.
18:4730 guitars.
18:48I know.
18:49It's a bit too much.
18:49I only play, like, two as well.
18:51Yeah, but are they your babies?
18:52You can't get rid of them?
18:53Oh, of course, yeah.
18:54I'm slightly worrying about storage now, but we'll see how we get on.
18:58Come through here.
19:00Although not fully open-plan, the kitchen does flow through to a rear reception.
19:06Oh, this is nice.
19:07I'd be tempted to open it up.
19:09We'd have a really nice, like, big kitchen diner, which would be lovely.
19:12Yeah.
19:13Yeah, it'd be perfect for that.
19:14Looking out onto your garden.
19:16Yeah.
19:16And I do see a little building at the back there, which I'm quite curious about.
19:20Okay.
19:20Yes.
19:20You see most of downstairs.
19:22Do you two, on your own now, want to nip upstairs and have a look around there?
19:26Yeah, let's do it.
19:27Glad to.
19:27All right, cool.
19:28Let's go.
19:30Completing the ground floor at the front of the home, the smaller of the receptions
19:34could perhaps provide their social media studio.
19:37Okay.
19:39Immediately, I love the bay window.
19:41It's spacious in here.
19:42Yeah.
19:42It is a good size to be creative.
19:44Yeah.
19:45Should we go upstairs?
19:46Yeah, let's do it.
19:47On the floor above, the first of three bedrooms, the principal takes in the front-facing bay
19:53window.
19:55Ooh, this is quite a nice size.
19:57And I love the bay window.
19:59Oh, that's nice to wake up.
20:00You can wake up to the donkeys every morning.
20:02It's so cute.
20:03Yeah, this is a nice room.
20:04With the super king beds, plus a wardrobe, we still don't have a massive amount of room.
20:08We could build a wardrobe there.
20:10Yeah.
20:11Ooh, nice big bathroom.
20:14I love a big bath.
20:15It's been done really well.
20:16Yeah, it's nice.
20:16I do love a big bath and a separate shower in one room.
20:19Yeah.
20:20It's creme de la creme.
20:22The smaller of the two guest rooms is in use as an office and has an aspect to the
20:27rear garden, as does the larger guest room.
20:31And this could double up as your sort of dressing room as well.
20:33I think I'd probably need more space for a dressing room.
20:37Chris and Sophie have so much stuff.
20:40I mean, she said 30 guitars at least.
20:42He's got a drum kit, plus on-stage outfits, merchandise, leads, and then they've got their
20:49own possessions as well.
20:51I think the flow of the house is maybe slightly not quite right.
20:55It just doesn't flow right for us.
20:57Yeah.
20:58And, like, the rooms upstairs are quite small for what we need.
21:00There's not much built-in storage.
21:02We're not improving on what we have.
21:03Exactly.
21:04Yeah.
21:06There is room to spill out onto the garden, which has a patio and is well enclosed for
21:11their dog.
21:12Oh, this is nice.
21:13This is a nice garden.
21:15I love this garden.
21:16I love the flagstones as well.
21:16Yeah.
21:16It's really pretty.
21:17I like having a patio area and then, like, the nice long garden.
21:22There are mature fruit trees and two large sheds, which could perhaps be upgraded to store
21:28touring equipment.
21:30Here come the newlyweds.
21:33Hey!
21:34Da-da-da-da-da!
21:36Oh!
21:37That's why I'm not a singer.
21:41Great support.
21:42Great support.
21:43So, I've given you a little time to look around the property and then I thought I'd show you
21:47the garden, because at the back, perhaps this could be our saviour, we have a huge shed.
21:52Oh.
21:52But with the right planning permission, you could build a sound studio there.
21:56Oh, yes.
21:56OK.
21:56What are we thinking then on the price?
22:00I think it might be 535.
22:03OK.
22:04535,000 pounds.
22:06OK.
22:07550?
22:08You're close.
22:10OK.
22:10The actual asking price is 560,000 pounds.
22:13OK.
22:14OK, cool.
22:14I was well off then.
22:15You were.
22:18Leaving lots of financial wiggle room, this semi-detached 1920s house has two reception rooms
22:25and three bedrooms.
22:27There's an enclosed rear garden and it's in a village location with views to neighbours
22:32who don't mind making a bit of an ass of themselves.
22:36I was very excited as we approached, mainly because of the donkeys.
22:41Let's be honest.
22:43The fact that you look over them when you're in the bedroom as well, I think is a really
22:46nice touch.
22:47Yeah.
22:47We've got the pubs in the area.
22:50It's rural but it feels quite quaint, quite nice as well, quite welcoming.
22:55Look at all these bees on the lavender.
22:57Loads of them.
22:58Right.
22:59Sitting down on the job.
23:00Better get up, hadn't I?
23:01You caught me.
23:03You did.
23:03Happy?
23:04Yes, very happy, thank you.
23:05Seen enough?
23:06Yes, I think I've seen enough.
23:07For today, yeah.
23:07Good.
23:08Lots to think about.
23:10But let's go and have a chat, shall we?
23:12Yeah.
23:16That's today's house tours.
23:23But how about this for an exclusive encore?
23:33Beautiful.
23:43Ah, hey!
23:45It's like our own personal gig, isn't it?
23:49And what a beautiful setting to do it.
23:51Absolutely, yeah.
23:51People wouldn't usually expect like the kind of rock, metal, guitar culture to also mix
23:57so well with the countryside, but it does.
24:00Yeah.
24:00Yeah, it does.
24:01Often you'll read interviews with famous musicians and they say, you know, when I come off the road
24:05that's where I want to be.
24:06I want to be in my own home, in the countryside, away from it all.
24:10And you know what, you two can relate to that.
24:12Yeah.
24:12Yeah, definitely.
24:13Like I think it just gives you a bit of peace and tranquility to the craziness of rock and roll
24:17life.
24:17Yeah.
24:18We're almost ahead of our time, really, because usually they do that when they're at the end of the road,
24:22don't they?
24:22In their 60s.
24:23Yeah, when they've retired.
24:24We want to get that.
24:25We're like, no, we want to do that now.
24:26Yeah, I get to be good fit.
24:27And just enjoy the fruits of our labour now, don't we?
24:29Exactly, yeah.
24:30Can you feel the change in yourselves?
24:32Yeah, definitely.
24:33Like I think everything kind of, you just feel a bit quieter.
24:36You do.
24:37You feel at peace.
24:38Yeah.
24:39We talk about working from home, but can you explain to us what you mean by that?
24:43Yeah.
24:44Yeah, so I do a lot on social media, so that kind of means we're having, we have to kind
24:49of have sets almost built, which are ready with the big cameras with proper like softbox lighting
24:54and everything.
24:54My whole guitar rig set up, which goes through a pedal.
24:57So many wires.
24:58You wouldn't believe the amount of cables we have.
25:00It's not just a case of going on the laptop and sending an email, like what a lot of people
25:04do from home.
25:04And then also Chris does all of my merch and I think that's why we have so much stuff.
25:09Yeah.
25:09Yeah, we've got to find you a place that has the potential for all of that.
25:14Absolutely.
25:14I think you can add all the pressure.
25:16Yeah, do you?
25:17Yeah.
25:17We've got quite a good track record, I don't mind saying.
25:20So let's see how we get on tomorrow.
25:22Yes.
25:32The latest average sold price for detached properties in Oxfordshire is £675,000, considerably
25:40above the UK average of £441,000.
25:46But there are less expensive pockets to be found, such as in and around the market towns
25:52of Banbury in the north of the county and Whitney in the west.
25:59To help you do the maths on where your budget might get you in the county, here's a selection
26:04from the area my buyers are looking at this week.
26:07This Grade II listed two-bedroom 18th century cottage in a village location has period interiors
26:15and a private rear garden.
26:16It's offered for a guide price of £330,000.
26:24For a thatched and detached option, this 17th century two-bedroom home in a riverside location
26:31is full of cottage character and has a generous garden backing onto the River Tame.
26:36The guide for offers is £475,000.
26:43For a short stay that really encourages branching out, this futuristic treehouse sleeps too
26:50and offers surround sound custom playlists to go with a 360 Sylvan Serenity.
26:57From £232 to £299 per night for a minimum two-night stay.
27:07This move to Oxfordshire is all about a lifestyle change for Sophie and Chris, putting down some country roots.
27:14And when I say country, I don't mean the musical genre.
27:17I mean rolling hills and beautiful landscapes.
27:21So we're going to be showing them our mystery house, which certainly has a homely appeal
27:27and I'm hoping it's going to work on all levels with a little bit of a compromise.
27:32My mystery destination is in the village of Sutton Courtney.
27:39This idyllic spot is, ironically, the final resting place of the author of some of the most dystopian novels ever
27:47written, George Orwell.
27:50Close to his grave, an aptly named pub has a history of his life and don't fear the matrix here
27:57either, it's a centre for the arts.
28:01There's also a convenience store, a pretty green and several more pubs, including one serving gourmet meals courtesy of a
28:09French chef.
28:12While my buyers are getting a sense of all that, I'm going ahead to what I hope will prove to
28:17be mystery property utopia.
28:22So this mystery house, or should that be a mystery cottage, has bundles of charm and bundles of beams.
28:30Come on.
28:33Feast your eyes. It is beautiful.
28:37It has the heritage, it has the beams, you can see the age, but it also has that contemporary finish.
28:46My buyers say they're not keen on cottages, so fingers crossed for my period mystery wager.
28:53Hello.
28:54Hello. So welcome to Sutton Courtney, and welcome to your mystery cottage.
29:00Oh, okay.
29:01That's so pretty.
29:03I love the porch.
29:05I like the character features on it.
29:06Shall we start and see what you think?
29:08Yeah, let's do it.
29:11Built as two attached cottages in the early 1900s, but now a single detached home, this brick, stone and tiled
29:19property is thought to have been extended at least twice over its lifetime.
29:24We enter through a more recently added porch, to reach a characterful dining room in the original footprint.
29:31And mind the step as well.
29:33Oh, wow.
29:35I'll wait for me.
29:36Sorry.
29:38Oh, wow.
29:40This is really, really nice.
29:42Yeah.
29:43Oh, you've definitely stumped us.
29:44Yeah.
29:45And it's sort of semi-open plan living.
29:48Cool.
29:49That's exactly what we like.
29:50Yeah.
29:51I'm stumped.
29:52I will say, and the ceilings are high enough for your head as well, because we always thought cottages have
29:56quite low ceilings.
29:57Yeah.
29:57So these are quite, you can jump around.
29:59Yeah, a little jump there.
30:01Yeah.
30:01It is one of those ones you step in and go, oh, wow.
30:04Yeah.
30:04Yeah, definitely.
30:04Let's see if it continues.
30:06Yeah.
30:07Okay.
30:07We're all beaming.
30:09Oh.
30:09Do you like what I did there?
30:12Wow.
30:13Yeah, this kitchen is beautiful.
30:14It is pristine.
30:15Yeah.
30:15Lots of side space too.
30:17I like a good amount of side space.
30:19I need as much room as possible.
30:20Look at the drawers.
30:21Oh.
30:21There's a lot of storage.
30:23And you've got a dining table at the end.
30:26That's really cool.
30:27Oh, that's clever.
30:27Integrated.
30:28Is it talking to you, Chris?
30:29Mm-hmm.
30:30I think you've stumped Chris because, you know, Chris thinks practically.
30:34So he's very much like, I think he's probably still thinking about the driveway.
30:37You're not wrong.
30:39Just around the corner, you've got a little utility room.
30:41Okay.
30:43Which, super, super handy.
30:44And then through here, the sitting room.
30:47Okay.
30:49Oh, wow.
30:50Damn.
30:52You really don't want to like it because of the driveway, but every room just keeps
30:55getting better and better.
30:57Yeah.
30:57Like, this is beautiful.
30:58It feels really cosy.
31:00You look like you're in pain.
31:01I am.
31:02You can see the steam coming out of his ears and the cogs turning in his head.
31:06Because you wouldn't have considered this house.
31:08Not at all.
31:09I want you two to go off and explore upstairs, and then I will meet you outside.
31:13Okay.
31:13Cool.
31:15At the back of the home, the final room of the ground floor is a bathroom that has
31:20a large contemporary bath.
31:22Stairs in the dining room lead up to the bedrooms, three in total, starting with the principal
31:28to the front.
31:32This is a really nice sized bedroom.
31:35Hmm.
31:37You don't want to like it so much.
31:39I know.
31:40That's really spacious.
31:42It does.
31:42You like a skylight for when it rains.
31:44Yeah.
31:45Watch the stars.
31:46We can stargaze.
31:49To give Chris a further headache, this opens into a smaller room in the rear eaves.
31:54I do love this space for like a dressing room.
31:57Like I can imagine myself with my makeup mirror here.
31:59Yeah.
32:00Good wardrobes as well that are built in.
32:02This is just such a good extra space to have.
32:04This is really cute as well, I've noticed.
32:06They've been marking the children as they grow.
32:09Aww.
32:09And we could probably do the same thing.
32:11This is definitely a house you can make memories in.
32:13Absolutely.
32:15There's more to fuel those fertile imaginations at the back in the first of the guest rooms.
32:21Look at the letter box.
32:22We can send letters to our guests.
32:25Could be a filming space and double up as a guest room.
32:29Also on this floor is a very modern wet room.
32:32As well as the third and final bedroom, another guest double facing to the front.
32:39Right.
32:40Hear me out.
32:41Guest room.
32:42Yeah.
32:42And this is a creative space like filming.
32:44I just want to peek around here as well.
32:46Where are you going?
32:47There's like a little window.
32:49Ooh.
32:49There's a little window to the stairs so I can shout down.
32:52That's amazing.
32:53Chris.
32:54Can I have a cup of coffee please?
32:55Morning.
32:56Morning.
32:58Hello.
32:59It's like Romeo and Juliet.
33:00Yeah.
33:00Romeo, Romeo.
33:02Wherefore art thou Romeo?
33:04That's amazing.
33:06Does it have a driveway?
33:08No.
33:08Does it have loads of storage?
33:11But, does it feel like home?
33:13Yes.
33:13Yes.
33:14Yes.
33:15OK, well I've had enough so bye bye.
33:18Yeah.
33:18No.
33:20Bye bye.
33:24There is serious merriment.
33:27Is that a word?
33:27Going on upstairs.
33:29Wait, you can do like this again.
33:31Turn down to the basement.
33:33Oh my God.
33:34No, it should be more like a lift.
33:35A lift, yeah.
33:42Well done, that's brilliant.
33:44Like puppet shows for the kids.
33:46Yeah, what, Punch and Judy?
33:47Yeah.
33:53If that sort of laughter means they love it,
33:55I'm definitely going to take it.
33:57It is soul because they seem to be really enjoying themselves.
34:00Whether the upstairs works on all the levels that they want it to,
34:04it's another thing.
34:05We can make it work.
34:07It's just what we're willing to make work, if you know what I mean.
34:09Yeah.
34:09And I think this one is finished to such a high standard.
34:11Yeah, this is such like a, oh, this is a spanner.
34:15And when it comes to somewhere to store that giant spanner, Chris, my marvellous mystery might just have the thing.
34:22Because I've got something to reveal outside in the small but well stocked enclosed rear garden.
34:30You have a garage.
34:32I tell you what.
34:32Oh, shut the front door.
34:36Really?
34:37Best reaction for the garage ever.
34:40And that's a big garage as well.
34:42That goes really far back.
34:43It does.
34:43What price are we going to put?
34:45Oh.
34:46I think it's going to be 595, maybe even 600.
34:49I have a gut feeling that it's going to be a lot less.
34:53Are you hoping?
34:54I think he's manifesting.
34:56I reckon it's 575.
34:58Okay.
34:59Offers over 600,000 pounds.
35:01Okay.
35:01Yeah.
35:01I can see why, because everything is finished to such a high standard.
35:05Yeah.
35:06We are right on the top of your budget, but you don't really need to spend any money inside the
35:10property.
35:11You could, in theory, move in tomorrow.
35:13Okay.
35:13Yeah, definitely.
35:14I wouldn't need to do anything, so.
35:17Okay, so they would need to buy the place first, but what a home this early 19th century mystery could
35:24give them.
35:25With period features meeting modern sensibilities in the kitchen diner, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a detached garage.
35:33Plus, it's in a great village with several pubs a short walk away.
35:38These mystery houses are definitely, they really do make you think, because we had a list of things we wanted.
35:46And this house, you know, it misses, I guess, quite a few things.
35:49Because I think from the off we said we weren't keen on cottages.
35:53And then when you just see the charm, everything kind of goes out the window.
35:57I still don't want to like it, but I can't not.
36:00You can't not, it's so beautiful.
36:02It is a beautiful home.
36:13There are so many places in the UK to escape to, but if you think about it, there are even
36:20more places to escape from.
36:22And we've met so many people living in the countryside from all around the world.
36:27Like Tona, who's come all the way from Mexico and brought with her her passion for food.
36:35Tona is a chef with a masters in philosophy.
36:40Do you like the snacks?
36:42Uh, please.
36:43And 15 years of intercontinental experience in Michelin-starred fine dining.
36:49But baking bread in an Oxfordshire village, Stoke Row, is where she's now totally at home.
36:57Is there anything better than the smell of fresh bread from a bakery?
37:01And I think I've hit the spot.
37:04And I'm not the only one seeking this place out.
37:07Awards and accolades from Britain's Best Loaf to a nomination for Baker of the Year mean a steady stream of
37:15repeat customers precede me.
37:17I can see you've got your hands full.
37:19And just standing here, it smells gorgeous.
37:21What have you bought?
37:22I bought two of their loaves in here.
37:24I'm going to freeze one and then the other one might not last longer than the day.
37:29Good idea.
37:30So are you a regular here at the bakery?
37:32Yes.
37:33Yeah, yeah.
37:33It's very famous in the local area.
37:35So always come here when I can.
37:37I come all the way from Reddick to get it.
37:39Yeah.
37:40I make that a 20-mile round trip.
37:43But the journey here for the baker herself has been even longer.
37:48Paula, so lovely to meet you.
37:50Standing here, I'm in seventh heaven, really, surrounded by all this goodness and gorgeousness.
37:56Oxfordshire wasn't originally your home, was it?
37:58Yours is an unusual story.
37:59So yeah, I was born in Mexico.
38:02I went to Argentina and I thought I was going to stay there.
38:06Then I met my partner who is from around here, but we didn't come here straight away.
38:11We went to Mexico, we set up a restaurant.
38:13We sold that restaurant right before the pandemic and we relocated here.
38:18So the dream was always to have a bakery or not?
38:21No.
38:22Originally I was thinking maybe I could make another restaurant, but through the years I
38:28worked in fine dining, one of the things that bothered me the most was that those amazing
38:33meals that really touch your soul are not affordable for everybody.
38:40All I wanted was to make that kind of experience affordable or in a way that could reach most
38:46of the people and if I can translate what I wanted to do into bread, there's so many
38:52people I can, like, reach.
38:54I can share the experience.
38:56You've got something here which is first class in a village community.
39:00This year we are doing gingerbread house decorating competition where we are trying
39:05to make a model village of Stoke Road.
39:07What a lovely idea, but it doesn't stop there, does it?
39:10The recent thing we're doing, we just took over the pub, the local pub.
39:14The pub may not be open quite yet, but the garden is a good spot to sample a taste of
39:19things to come.
39:22I have been with the most lovely couple and one of the things that they ask for near any
39:30property is a pub.
39:31They want to be part of that community, a great place to meet people, make friends.
39:35It's lovely that you've got that passion to get it reopened with the backing of the
39:40village and beyond, but also give them great food.
39:43You want a space where you can sit and feel that you belong.
39:47To me it takes a village to raise a person, but to me it takes a baker to feed a
39:53village.
39:54Yes!
39:55So right, absolutely.
39:57And on that note, what have we got here?
39:59What we've been doing for the last 10,000 years, breaking bread together.
40:02Come on then.
40:03This is a thick.
40:06It's got a nice crust, it's got a nice inside.
40:09How lovely.
40:11You've got plenty of butter on this.
40:14Ready?
40:17Mmm.
40:21Truly delicious.
40:24I think Tonner must have found a way to the heart of this village through its stomachs.
40:29Now back to the property and pub that could have my buyers calling Oxfordshire home.
40:38We have had a great few days hanging out in Oxfordshire with two rock musicians.
40:43And Sophie and Chris have been positive about all the houses we've shown them.
40:47But did we get close with our mystery house?
40:50Shall we go and find out?
40:57Well it's certainly been an entertaining few days.
40:59It's been fabulous.
41:01We've had so much fun, like honestly.
41:02And we've learnt so much as well about what we need.
41:05Yeah.
41:05It was interesting to see how our lives would work in each one.
41:08We're both awful decision makers and it feels like such a big decision.
41:11We're both Libras, it doesn't help.
41:12We both sit on the fence on everything.
41:14But you know what, you haven't been bad in actual fact.
41:17Because I know Lifestyle Lifestyle has been in the back of our heads the whole time.
41:20You were very open minded and mindful of what it is that you need.
41:25Yeah.
41:25Did we get close?
41:28Yeah, for sure.
41:29I think you did get really close with a couple of the properties.
41:33Particularly the mystery house.
41:34Yeah, I think it goes without saying we did love the feel of the mystery house.
41:37We both absolutely loved it.
41:39That was a spanner.
41:40Our hearts were really in that one but we do also have to think practically.
41:44Yeah.
41:44I don't think we could compromise on not having a driveway.
41:47So I'm taking from this conversation then that you're going to continue the search?
41:51Yeah.
41:51I think what we may need to consider because obviously we wanted to stay local for our
41:54families and everything.
41:56But there is no harm in going further afield.
42:00Squeeze in some more time to look at properties.
42:02We will do.
42:03Because I know you're keen.
42:04Don't lose that momentum.
42:06But all the very best.
42:07Thank you both so much.
42:08Thank you so much.
42:09It's been amazing.
42:09It's been an amazing few days.
42:17It does seem that the search is going to continue for that home with lots of storage space and studio
42:24as well.
42:25Not just here in Oxfordshire but in the surrounding counties too.
42:29And in my opinion that is a sensible move.
42:32We wish them all the very best with their exciting careers and also for their next move to the countryside.
42:39So that's it from me.
42:40And I'll see you again soon.
42:44Sophie and Chris did indeed continue to tour a property further north.
42:48And we're delighted to announce they found just what they were looking for in the Oxfordshire market town of Banbury.
42:55We hope to hear they've moved in very soon.
42:59If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales and need our help,
43:05why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
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