Escape To The Country Season 26 Episode 26 heads to sunny Devon, where Steve Brown helps a couple from Greater Manchester search for a countryside home with strong eco credentials. Their goal is to embrace sustainable living and enjoy a lifestyle that allows them to live more lightly on the land while surrounded by Devon’s natural beauty.
Along the way, Steve meets an inspiring local who has already made his rural escape, transforming a traditional Devon pub into a stylish and modern living space. This episode showcases the appeal of eco-friendly homes and the unique opportunities that countryside living in Devon can offer.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Devon #EcoLiving #CountryLiving #BritishTV
Along the way, Steve meets an inspiring local who has already made his rural escape, transforming a traditional Devon pub into a stylish and modern living space. This episode showcases the appeal of eco-friendly homes and the unique opportunities that countryside living in Devon can offer.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Devon #EcoLiving #CountryLiving #BritishTV
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00:01On Escape to the Country, we like to offer house hunters more than they expect.
00:06There is so much.
00:07If that wasn't enough, you'd get half an acre of woodland.
00:10Oh, wow.
00:12Certain traditional features can trigger surprising comparisons.
00:16Looks like a pizza room, doesn't it?
00:17It does, doesn't it?
00:19It does.
00:20If you like a room, be careful.
00:22Someone else doesn't try and claim it.
00:24Oh, it's a man cave.
00:25You could have half, half, half. We'll split it.
00:28And when house hunters get really excited, even I can't get a word in.
00:32Do you know what?
00:32I love it when we turn up to a property and I don't get to say anything at all.
00:36Sorry.
00:36It's so much room to open it all.
00:59If you were to draw up a checklist of what elements make the perfect countryside setting, it would probably resemble
01:06South Devon's CV.
01:08Stunning turquoise seas, sprawling verdant countryside, warm summers, and it even throws in cream teas.
01:20With Devon, you get two separate coastlines, two national parks, two World Heritage sites, and five national landscapes.
01:29Mass has never been my strong point, so when I add that up, I get one.
01:33One amazing county.
01:36Located in the far southwest of England, Devon offers relaxing countryside, exciting outdoor pursuits and pretty scenery.
01:45There's a lot of greenery, open space, trees, you know, you're never far from somewhere to walk, you're never far
01:53from the beach.
01:53Exmoot Beach is very nice.
01:56Turkey is nice as well, but I love the Exmoot because they have a nice sandy beach so you can
02:01chill out in there, go swimming if it's good weather.
02:05The county is well known for sharing the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, spanning over 180 million years of geological
02:13history.
02:15And, comparatively recently, the village of Sidbury is one of its earliest settlements.
02:23It's ideal for walks, we've got Killerton National Trust property just down the road, we've got the Black Down Hills,
02:30outstanding natural beauty area, I recommend you come and live here.
02:34We can't have everybody of course, that would spoil it.
02:37I'm sure they can squeeze in our house hunters, but the rest of you keep out, got it?
02:44Today's couple are a pair of empty nesters.
02:47The kids have moved out and mum and dad have decided it's their moment to escape to the country.
02:55Bill and Carol have lived in their Bolton home for almost 28 years, but are hoping to find more sunshine
03:01in Devon.
03:05Today's sunny in Bolton so it's fantastic, but unfortunately it's not always like this, so I think hopefully with a
03:10bit better weather might be nice too.
03:12A bit warmer in Devon.
03:14The green-fingered wildlife fanatics are keen to develop their interest in sustainability.
03:22So one of the things we'd like to do is to live a bit more lightly on the earth and
03:26I think that's about maybe having heat pumps, maybe having solar panels.
03:33Bill has just retired and Carol has been a counsellor for 30 years, a career she plans to continue.
03:40I have a really nice counselling therapy room at my current home and we're hoping to replicate that when we
03:46get to Devon.
03:47So one of the things we're looking forward to is discovering new opportunities when we move.
03:53We don't want to slow down, we want to enjoy maybe new communities, new activities.
03:59And they already do quite a few, including upcycling boxes.
04:03So this is called rapusé work, you kind of get sheets of copper and then you hammer it to make
04:10these pretty dragons that have pretty patterns on them.
04:13And then I glue them on the boxes.
04:15They also go dancing three times a week.
04:27Well it's a ten from me.
04:31For their maximum budget of £650,000, Bill and Carol would like a pretty property with at least three bedrooms
04:39for their daughter's visits.
04:41A counselling room for Carol and space for their hobbies.
04:45They want a big garden to grow veg and attract wildlife.
04:49And renewable energy sources like solar panels or heat pumps would be a bonus.
04:58Carol and Bill say they are not slowing down.
05:01This is about new adventures.
05:03And they're certainly going to find some of them here in Devon.
05:06And they want to live in a more environmentally friendly way too.
05:10As they put it, living lighter on the planet.
05:13And that is something we can all get behind.
05:17I'm meeting Bill and Carol on a gorgeous hillside where there's not a cloud in the sky.
05:23Maybe they're right about this Devonshire weather.
05:25Bill, Carol, lovely to see you both.
05:28And we have got a beautiful day here in Devon, haven't we?
05:31Yeah, it's gorgeous today. It's just beautiful.
05:33Fantastic to be here.
05:34Fabulous. Yeah.
05:35So what is it that's drawing you to this area of the country?
05:40What is it about Devon?
05:42I think over the years we've spent quite a lot of time in Devon on holidays with our two girls.
05:47And it's always been one of those kind of, oh, doesn't that look pretty?
05:50Isn't it gorgeous?
05:51Nice little villages, beautiful seaside.
05:54Devon has got absolutely everything.
05:56So we kind of thought this was a bit of a dream to follow.
05:59And the green rolling hills.
06:00It's gorgeous down here.
06:01Lots of fantastic community.
06:03There's so much to do.
06:04Beautiful.
06:05And it's fair to say you're quite outdoorsy people, aren't you?
06:09Whether that's in the back garden, walks.
06:11Yeah.
06:12The dog, of course, as well.
06:13Yeah, of course, yeah.
06:14We've got to take...
06:14It's a shame Polly can't be here.
06:15Yeah, but yeah, we've got to accommodate the dog as well.
06:19So lots of walks, lots of nice places to go out and spend time with her.
06:24So I think that's, it's just one of those.
06:26It's that whole lifestyle change is what we're looking for, really.
06:29And you have got a family. How do they feel about the move?
06:32They're both very excited about it.
06:34And I think that they would really look forward to having that kind of, you know, free holiday in the
06:38country.
06:39That's their thing.
06:40And so I think that they will enjoy it.
06:42And I think they're both down south, so that would make it a bit more convenient too.
06:46Well, let's see if we can find you a property that suits your needs.
06:50That would be perfect.
06:51Let's have a look.
06:51Let's see what Devon's got us.
06:53Indeed.
06:57Our first property is in the village of Moncton, to the east of the county.
07:03It's less than two miles from the market town of Honiton, which became well known for its lace making during
07:10the Elizabethan era.
07:11The town is full of independent shops, offering modern essentials as well as pubs.
07:17And less than a 40-minute stroll away is the house we've come to see.
07:23So here we are.
07:25Yeah.
07:25What do you think of that?
07:26I think it's absolutely stunning.
07:28I think it's fabulous.
07:29That's beautiful.
07:31That's absolutely gorgeous.
07:32It's just got a greenhouse as well.
07:33Oh, and a stream.
07:34Oh, wow.
07:37What do you think?
07:38First impressions?
07:39Don't have to see inside, but it looks brilliant from the outside.
07:41Beautiful.
07:42I like the stone.
07:43It's gorgeous.
07:44It's got solar panels as well.
07:46I think it's just got about everything we asked for, I think, outside.
07:49Yeah, absolutely.
07:50Yeah, it's beautiful.
07:52Do you know what?
07:52I love it when we turn up to a property and I don't get to say anything at all.
07:56It shows how much you're absorbing it all.
07:58No, I love it.
07:59I really do.
07:59So this was a barn that belonged to the bigger farm.
08:04Okay.
08:04It sits in about three quarters of an acre.
08:07Oh, lovely.
08:07And you can see where you've got areas of the garden that are quite kept.
08:11Yeah.
08:12And other bits that are left to the wildlife, which sounds very similar.
08:16Ideal.
08:17To a lady I know.
08:18It's ideal.
08:19It's just what I'm looking for.
08:20Shall we go and have a look inside?
08:21Let's do that.
08:22Yeah, let's do that.
08:24This property offers modern elements like the 16 solar panels,
08:28which provide the owners with free electricity
08:31and also generates around £1200 a year from exporting their excess back to the grid.
08:37When the barn was converted around 20 years ago,
08:40it retained many of its period features, evident as we enter through the dining room.
08:49What do you think of this, eh?
08:50It's gorgeous.
08:52So I love the exposed stonework.
08:54That's fantastic.
08:55So through into...
08:57Oh, goodness.
08:58...the kitchen.
08:59This is beautiful.
09:01Oh, I love it.
09:02I like the colours about it.
09:04I like all the natural wood.
09:06I like the ceiling height.
09:08It's beautiful.
09:08What do you think?
09:09I think it's a really good size.
09:11I think you can almost use this as an island as well as a table,
09:14so that kind of gives you that kind of extra usage, doesn't it?
09:17Views onto your garden behind.
09:18Mmm, yeah, it's lovely.
09:20Look at the thickness of these walls.
09:22Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it?
09:23Yeah, yeah.
09:24It'll keep you, you know, warm in the winter and cold in the summer, won't it?
09:28Beyond the kitchen is the sitting room.
09:30Oh, goodness.
09:31Ah!
09:32Oh, this is lovely.
09:33More beams in this room.
09:34It is so cosy.
09:36The fireplace is brilliant.
09:37Yeah.
09:37I like the chimney breast as well.
09:39That's really nice too.
09:40Looks like a Pete's room, doesn't it?
09:42It does, doesn't it?
09:43Yeah.
09:44It does.
09:44That's a good thing.
09:46Yeah, that's where they've got your ideas from.
09:48Yeah, absolutely.
09:49Copying our barn conversions is what gave Italy what it's got these days.
09:52Yeah, exactly, exactly.
09:54Well, it's a good size, isn't it?
09:55It is.
09:55It's a nice size.
09:56I can see, you know, our furniture in here.
09:59It's really lovely.
09:59And it's nice that the wood continues throughout the house, isn't it?
10:02Yeah.
10:02It's like there's a good kind of continuity from room to room to room.
10:06Yeah.
10:06It's very considered, isn't it?
10:07Yeah, I like that.
10:07Yeah, it's lovely.
10:08They've done a really good job.
10:11Also on the ground floor is a utility room and a handy shower.
10:15Meanwhile, upstairs, there are three bedrooms with the largest and ensuite.
10:21Oh, wow.
10:23Oh, goodness.
10:23That's nice, isn't it?
10:24Look at that high ceiling.
10:25That's beautiful.
10:26I like all the beams again.
10:27It's beautiful.
10:28Yeah, it's great.
10:29Oh, I'm sweet.
10:29Do you think?
10:29Excellent.
10:30Oh.
10:31Mmm.
10:32It's a good size too.
10:33And I like the view out of the window.
10:35That's beautiful.
10:36The trees is gorgeous.
10:37Oh.
10:38It's one set up as a study, isn't it?
10:40Study, yeah.
10:40And all the rooms seem to have really lovely views.
10:42Wherever you go in the house is great views.
10:45It's beautiful.
10:47So that could be Carol's counselling room.
10:50And if Bill's hobbies get relegated to the garage, I don't think he'll mind.
10:56Oh, look at this.
10:57Oh, it's a man cave.
10:58It's a Bill cave.
10:59Fabulous.
11:00It's huge.
11:01Well, it's fantastic, isn't it?
11:03Yeah.
11:03Loads of crafting space.
11:05Yeah.
11:05Storage space.
11:07Might be a bit of a extend the house space as well.
11:11Oh, no, no.
11:11Might be another nice, nice room.
11:14In half of this.
11:15You could have half, half, half.
11:16We'll split it.
11:18Stick to your guns, Bill.
11:20Carol will be busy in the garden anyway, because this one has it all.
11:25Raised beds, a fruit cage, a greenhouse, and then a summer house to relax in and watch the wildlife by
11:35the stream.
11:36You like it?
11:37I do.
11:38I think it's beautiful.
11:39It's exactly the right size of plot that we're looking for.
11:42I think the maturity is fantastic.
11:44It's filled with beautiful plants and the trees are stunning.
11:48Obviously, it comes at a price.
11:50Oh, indeed.
11:51What do you think this place is on the market for?
11:53Oh, gosh.
11:54I think it's on the market for £625,000.
12:02Okay.
12:03All right.
12:04I thought you might be a little bit optimistic.
12:06Okay.
12:07I might go for £640,000.
12:10Oh, okay.
12:11Yeah, £640,000.
12:12Right.
12:13It's on at your budget.
12:15Oh, okay.
12:16£650,000.
12:17Oh, okay.
12:17Yeah.
12:18You can see the kind of the spec.
12:19It's beautifully done.
12:21It's really lovely.
12:21It's really beautifully done.
12:23Yeah.
12:23The owners have done a great job on it.
12:25Yeah.
12:25This barn conversion is finished to a high standard and offers the required three bedrooms,
12:31plus craft space in the garage.
12:33The garden is ideal for growing produce, and there are solar panels to help give the property a higher EPC
12:41rating of B, all for £650,000.
12:45I love the standard of the interior decoration.
12:49I think all the room sizes are really good.
12:52The garage is a really great size.
12:54Lots of great opportunities for crafting in the garage.
12:57So that'd be a really great thing to use it a bit more in that way.
13:00I think the gardens and the land are fabulous.
13:03The real bones of a beautiful garden that we could build on, which is fantastic.
13:08I love the stream.
13:10That's absolutely beautiful and attracts wildlife, which is exactly what we're looking for.
13:25To discover more about life in Devon, we're sending Bill and Carol slap bang to the middle of it, to
13:32the historic market town of Clumpton.
13:35I like all these trees. They're beautiful.
13:38They're fantastic, aren't they?
13:39It once had a prosperous wool and paper trade, and its monthly farmer's market is the oldest of its kind
13:46in the south-west.
13:47Oh, wow.
13:48Heritage Trail. Okay.
13:51What's on the thing? St Andrew's Church?
13:54The church dates back to the 15th century, but going back much further, two Roman forts were discovered,
14:00along with pottery dating from around 50 AD.
14:05Today, the town is thriving, partly due to its location just off the M5.
14:11We've got great transport routes into Bristol and Plymouth, and you can be in London in two hours.
14:18It's easy to get to North Coast, South Coast. You get to Exeter, to Taunton.
14:23It's really accessible to most places.
14:25And it's a lovely community. There's lots of activities that are going on.
14:29There's lots of opportunities in Clumpton with craft groups and things, and there's amateur dramatic groups locally.
14:35There's lots of things that you can get involved in if you want to.
14:38It's full of specialist retailers for whatever floats your boat.
14:42You might get nice beers in there. Fantastic.
14:47I don't think so.
14:48Hello.
14:49And on the outskirts of the town is Fordmore Farm Shop, a family-run business that shares Bill and Carol's
14:57passion for sustainability.
14:59Dom Tuckett is the shop manager.
15:06How long has the farm shop been here, Dom?
15:09So, the farm shop opened five and a half years ago.
15:12We breed and rear all our own meat.
15:15The farm itself has recently planted 10,000 trees, installed a lot of solar panels, so that the aim for
15:21the farm, within five years, it should be carbon neutral.
15:24The main aim, when we opened the shop, was to be able to offer all the local produce.
15:29We have some great local suppliers, all within, like, 12 miles of the shop.
15:33We're kind of really thinking about moving down to Devon and setting up our house here.
15:38So, have you got any advice that you'd give us?
15:41For me, personally, I like the fact that the lifestyle's really relaxed, but there's also enough going on that you
15:47can soon fill your time with different activities and hobbies, depending on what you're looking to do.
15:52Take your time.
15:53There never seems to be much urgency or rush around here, so, yeah, it's just, yeah, nice and relaxed, which
16:00is what everyone wants, I think.
16:01That sounds lovely, but if I don't get Bill and Carol back on the house hunt, they'll never get moved
16:11down here.
16:14Sorry about that.
16:16For our next property, we're heading to the village of Branscombe, on the south coast.
16:21There's a dog-friendly beach appreciated by locals for its natural beauty and peacefulness.
16:27The village hall offers cricket, tennis, snooker and other activities, while Bill's interest in metal work could reach a whole
16:35new level after visiting the local forge.
16:42And there's a choice of pubs serving food with outdoor seating to soak up the glorious sunshine.
16:48Only half a mile from the local is our second property.
16:58So here we are then, something a little bit different from what I showed you this morning, eh?
17:03Mmm, definitely, completely different that, that's beautiful.
17:06I like the wisteria around the side, that's gorgeous.
17:08Yeah?
17:08Yeah, lovely.
17:09Carol's favourite plant, so you're doing good.
17:11Yeah, yeah.
17:12It looks like quite a big property, I notice it's got solar panels, which is brilliant.
17:16So yeah, it looks really interesting, can't wait to get inside.
17:18With those solar panels, current owners tell me that they bring them about £2,000 a year.
17:24Gosh, that's fantastic.
17:25That's something, isn't it?
17:26Yeah, that's a nice income, yeah, of course.
17:28In terms of location, the beach is just a half-hour walk across the fields and footpaths there as well.
17:34Fantastic.
17:34Great place to be.
17:35Probably will love that.
17:36Yeah.
17:37Well, let's hope you two love it too.
17:39Oh, indeed.
17:39Let's go.
17:40Absolutely, yeah, let's go.
17:41You're going to go up the steps here, and I'm going to go around the back way.
17:45Okay.
17:45And I'll see you in the front room.
17:46Fantastic.
17:46See you shortly.
17:51This detached property was built in the early 70s,
17:54and features like the solar panels give it a B energy performance rating.
18:00You found your way in, Nick?
18:01Yeah, we did.
18:02We did find our way in.
18:03Yeah, you were too tricky.
18:04Yeah, yeah, more exposed stone, that was brilliant, lovely.
18:07Yeah, windows both sides.
18:09Yeah.
18:10Two aspects, it's beautiful.
18:11I think it'd be a good size.
18:12Yeah, well, I agree.
18:13You can see yourself sitting here in front of the, you know.
18:15Absolutely.
18:16Taking the glass of wine, can't we?
18:17Yeah.
18:18Yeah, it's beautiful.
18:19Nice.
18:19And of course, we've got a pooch laying on the carpet.
18:22Absolutely.
18:23Very important.
18:24Very important.
18:25Yeah, of course.
18:26Indeed.
18:27Yeah, fantastic.
18:28How about I'll lead you through to the kitchen?
18:29Absolutely.
18:30Okay, come on.
18:31Follow you.
18:31Come with me.
18:32Absolutely.
18:35The hallway leads to a dining room.
18:38On the opposite side, a study for Carol's counselling room.
18:42Then beyond them is the kitchen.
18:45Oh, gosh.
18:46Oh, wow.
18:47This is quite a good space as well, isn't it?
18:49Room for a dining table.
18:50I love the double doors onto the patio.
18:52That's fantastic.
18:53Oh, we need a dog flab in that door, obviously.
18:56Yeah.
18:56Oh, easy done.
18:57Yes.
18:58That's not a big deal, is it?
19:00I think it's probably not to our taste decor, but that's just decoration, isn't it?
19:07Yeah.
19:07So you just change that to fit what you want.
19:09It's not about finding the perfect thing straight away.
19:12It's about seeing the potential in something, isn't it?
19:14The possibilities.
19:15But yeah, absolutely.
19:18Upstairs, there's a box room and two spacious doubles.
19:21That's a nice size too, isn't it?
19:23It's all right.
19:24And it's very bright.
19:24That's a really big window.
19:26Yeah, it's a great window, isn't it?
19:27Yeah.
19:27The view is to die for.
19:29Love all the little bird feeders.
19:31Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it?
19:33Built-in wardrobes.
19:35Is it en suite?
19:36Oh, it is en suite.
19:37Very nice.
19:38Even better, isn't it?
19:39I think it'd be great.
19:42There's another double garage that Bill could use for crafting, but it's the garden that
19:47really shines.
19:48With space to grow veg and bursting with flowers is a haven for wildlife.
19:55All right.
19:56How was your wander around?
19:57It was fantastic.
19:58Yeah.
19:58It's a great place, isn't it?
19:59Really interesting.
20:00It's in a gorgeous spot.
20:02It just couldn't be more stunning, could it?
20:04The gardens are to die for.
20:05There's so much work in these gardens.
20:07It's just lovely.
20:08I mean, it looks like quite a small garden initially, but there is so much.
20:12If that wasn't enough, you'd get half an acre of woodland.
20:16Oh, wow.
20:18That comes with the property as well.
20:19Wow, that's nice.
20:20So, the woodland here, the current owners explained to me, they've actually got a lot
20:24of camera traps and set up in there.
20:26Oh, fantastic.
20:28And then they entertain the children with it and all that kind of thing, bringing nature
20:32into the house, so to speak.
20:34Fabulous.
20:35Badgers, foxes, deer.
20:37In fact, one of the deer had their baby fawn on the grass just here, and they all watched
20:45it.
20:45Yeah, you got me.
20:46You got me.
20:47There.
20:47And of course, with your garden plumped as well.
20:50Indeed.
20:51We've just brought everything to the house.
20:53You really have got wildlife on your doorstep here.
20:56Absolutely.
20:56You're living in it, aren't you?
20:57It's absolutely lovely.
20:59It's perfect.
20:59Yeah.
21:00Absolutely lovely, yeah.
21:01So, what do you think this property might be on the market for then?
21:03Well, isn't it your turn to go first?
21:05I think it might be.
21:07In my head, I'm going for a six, four or five.
21:12I think it might be 630,000 pounds.
21:19Right, you'll be pleased to know for two reasons.
21:21You are the closest.
21:22Okay, good.
21:23But it's actually on the market for 625,000 pounds.
21:27Oh, that's interesting.
21:28That's really interesting.
21:29I mean, you both guessed higher, so does it sound like a fair price, a good price?
21:33Ah, it sounds like a great price, yeah.
21:35Yeah.
21:35This detached cottage is priced at 625,000 pounds.
21:40It would give them a potential four bedrooms, plus the double garage for crafting, and it's
21:46an energy efficient wildlife utopia.
21:49I think the land is fabulous, the forest is wonderful.
21:53So, I think there's lots about house number two I really like.
21:57I really enjoyed some of the downstairs rooms, the sitting room, the dining room.
22:02I love the fact that you're so close to the beach, we can walk the dog down there.
22:06It would be a great place to be.
22:09All right, you two?
22:10Yeah.
22:10Fantastic, thank you, yeah.
22:11Well, we're seeing plenty of countryside today.
22:13How about we finish there off at the beach?
22:15Good idea.
22:15Great plan.
22:16Excellent.
22:23South Devon boasts over 120 miles of enticing coast catering for all tastes.
22:30Whether you want sandy beaches, water sports, or hidden gems like Branscombe Beach, which
22:36is where we're heading to reflect on a busy day's house hunting.
22:41Well, I don't know about you, but it's been a day, hasn't it?
22:44Yeah.
22:44How are you both feeling?
22:46Fantastic.
22:46It's been a really good day.
22:48Very tiring, but we've seen a lot, we've done a lot, we've seen some beautiful places.
22:53So, yeah, it's been really encouraging, really.
22:56Yeah, I love that word.
22:57It's been an encouraging day.
22:59Yeah, it has.
22:59How have you feeling it, Phil?
23:01I've loved exploring Devon.
23:02It's been so exciting to see all the different properties, but also the different locations.
23:07Being here in Branscombe really feels like it's a place you want to be.
23:11Absolutely.
23:12It just adds another layer to what you already know as a fantastic county, doesn't it?
23:16Absolutely, yeah.
23:17I mean, you have to know this is here to be able to find it, really.
23:21It's just beautiful.
23:24Yeah.
23:24You can't beat scenery like this and the sea, it's gorgeous.
23:28And you've had a chance to interact with people from the area.
23:32How has that gone for you?
23:33It's really clear that people are so proud to be here.
23:36And one of the main things they say is that it's such a laid back, relaxed place to live.
23:41It's such a lovely place to live.
23:42And I think that would suit us really well.
23:45This has been a long time in the planning for you, hasn't it?
23:47It might not have been at the forefront of your mind for 20 years, but it's been in your mind
23:52for 20 years.
23:53It has.
23:54And I think that us being here has just made this so much more real, such more, it's really brought
24:00it into focus for us.
24:01So it's fantastic.
24:03Oh, I'm so pleased.
24:04And of course, we're not over yet.
24:05No.
24:06We've got more property to see, more people to meet.
24:08Get a good night's sleep, shall we, and crack on again tomorrow?
24:11Brilliant.
24:11Sounds a good idea.
24:25With two stunning coastlines to choose from, it's no surprise that house prices in Devon are higher than the average
24:32across the UK.
24:33Detached homes in the county will set you back around £485,000, compared to the UK figure of £438,000.
24:44But if you want to be on the south coast, then regions like South Ham's, that includes highly desirable Salcombe,
24:51would add almost another £100,000 to that Devon figure.
24:57There are affordable options to be found, such as this delightful semi-detached Grade II listed cottage, within four miles
25:05of a sandy beach.
25:07It has two reception rooms, plus two double bedrooms, and is available for offers over £280,000.
25:16At £600,000, this attractive thatched cottage is a mile from the sea, as the crow flies,
25:23and is situated in an elevated position.
25:26It comes with three reception rooms, and three bedrooms.
25:35Or, slightly further inland, in a small village, this converted farm building has a spacious lounge,
25:42plus an open-plan kitchen diner, and an impressive four bedrooms.
25:46It's available for £1,650 a month.
25:51But the owners stipulate the renters must have links to the farming industry, to support local employment.
26:00So, it's a new day, and I've got a cool cut of a mystery house up my sleeve.
26:05So far this week, Devon has really delivered. Let's see if it can do it again.
26:11Our mystery house is situated in the village of Venn Ottery.
26:15But before we go there, we're heading back to the seaside, around five miles away in Sidmouth.
26:22Its striking red cliffs were formed in desert conditions around 200 million years ago,
26:28and they've lost none of their vibrancy.
26:30The town is popular with tourists, and there are several large hotels, plus souvenir shops,
26:36as well as everyday items, with shops that include this 200-year-old department store.
26:44The town's beach is known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast.
26:49It's a great spot for a natter, and, if I'm lucky, an ice cream.
26:53Well, good morning, both of you. How did you sleep?
26:56Oh, fantastic.
26:57Really well, thank you.
26:58Fantastic.
26:59I bet your minds were going though, weren't they?
27:01Oh, so much to think about.
27:03Yeah.
27:03Well, this morning I wanted to start by bringing you down to the beach.
27:07Are you any strangers to Sidmouth at all?
27:09No, we've been down to Sidmouth. We came down with the girls.
27:12We were camping in a field when it was raining.
27:15But we did see a lovely firework display over the sea,
27:18which was fantastic seeing them all reflected, and it was just gorgeous.
27:21Oh, I can only imagine.
27:23But did you know that here in Sidmouth is actually home
27:26to the largest folk festival in the country?
27:28It also has a jazz festival and, believe it or not, a walking festival.
27:33A walking festival.
27:34Wow.
27:35Ideal for us.
27:36That sounds great.
27:37I don't know if it starts here and ends somewhere else, you know.
27:41A walking festival, take what you want from that.
27:44But Sidmouth is a real hub along this coastline of entertainment activities,
27:50things to do and places to see.
27:53Fantastic.
27:54Yeah, that sounds great.
27:55Do you know what?
27:56Why don't you make yourselves comfortable here?
27:57Get to know the coastline.
27:58Grab a coffee.
27:59I've got a mystery house to sort out for you.
28:02Fantastic.
28:03I'll see you shortly.
28:03We'll see you later.
28:04See you later.
28:05Bye.
28:06Bye.
28:08Bye.
28:08While they stroll along the prom, prom, prom, I'm off to find the 99
28:12and drive the 15 minutes to the mystery house.
28:17This stunning mystery house is around 500 years old
28:21and its beautiful courtyard leads us to a property full of surprises.
28:28And this is what I'm talking about.
28:31Beautiful vaulted ceilings, loads of character, yet a modern finish.
28:36And that's just the kitchen.
28:39The home is attached to the farmhouse creating a horseshoe configuration
28:44with another surprise out the back, but more of that later.
28:50Oh, wow.
28:52Goodness.
28:53Hello, you two.
28:54Hello.
28:55This looks fantastic.
28:56It's beautiful.
28:58Gosh.
28:58It's a bit of a while, isn't it?
28:59It's gorgeous.
29:00Have you ever thought about having your own courtyard?
29:03Absolutely.
29:04Yeah.
29:06I'm not surprised you kept this till last.
29:08It's beautiful.
29:10Something a little bit different.
29:11It is the mystery house.
29:12Lots of character.
29:13It's absolutely stunning.
29:14Yeah?
29:15Absolutely.
29:15And it looks really well done.
29:16I just can't wait to get inside, really.
29:18Yeah?
29:18Yeah.
29:18I'm really excited.
29:20This is around 500 years old.
29:23It started off as a barn.
29:25Gosh, yes.
29:26And you'll see some of that when we get in.
29:27I don't mean there's cows walking around.
29:29Okay, yeah.
29:30But you'll get the feel of some of that when we're in there.
29:32Yep.
29:33I think you're going to be amazingly impressed
29:36of just how modern a 500 year old barn can look.
29:40What a twist.
29:41Fantastic.
29:42Yeah.
29:43Brilliant.
29:44This barn was converted in the 1970s and is Grade II listed.
29:49And while it doesn't have solar panels, they can be added to listed buildings with the
29:54right permissions.
29:55Oh, this is fantastic.
29:57Look at the height of these ceilings.
29:59Come in.
30:00Oh, kitchen.
30:01Oh, wow.
30:02Yeah, gosh.
30:02That's what I always say.
30:04Come in.
30:04Come in.
30:05See more.
30:34Wow.
30:35It's on the same page with things.
30:37It's on the same page with things.
30:37Because those doors open, you can entertain from the kitchen, people outside, entertaining
30:42this space here.
30:43Yeah.
30:43It feels really homely and kind of very...
30:45It does.
30:45It's a lovely place.
30:46Although it's spacious, it feels kind of quite snug and kind of welcoming.
30:50Yeah.
30:50It's a lovely house.
30:51It's delightful.
30:53Well, let's see what you think about the next space I want to show you.
30:55Come with me.
30:56Will do.
30:59Oh, goodness.
31:00This is nice.
31:01Very snug.
31:03I love the fireplace.
31:04I love the lintel, the wooden lintel there.
31:06That is fantastic.
31:07Yeah.
31:08And somewhere to keep warm in the winter with the fires, that's even better, really.
31:11Yeah, it's beautiful.
31:12Nice big window as well.
31:14There's plenty more that this property boasts from the inside.
31:17Mm-hm.
31:18And I'll meet you in the garden to tell you what else it boasts shortly.
31:23Next to the sitting room is the first of three bedrooms set up as an office.
31:27And beyond that is a family bathroom.
31:30Also on the ground floor, but a few steps down, is the main bedroom.
31:35Oh, wow.
31:37This is nice, isn't it?
31:38This is lovely, isn't it?
31:38What a lovely sized room.
31:39This is brilliant.
31:40I like all the wooden doors.
31:42You know, there's not much that I'd change, really.
31:44And what's behind the door?
31:45I don't know.
31:46Have a look.
31:47Ooh.
31:49That's nice.
31:50I've really...
31:50It's really big.
31:52Is it?
31:52Yeah.
31:53Where would you put my clothes?
31:54Yeah.
31:54A really big walking wardrobe.
31:56That's fabulous.
31:57Have a look.
31:58Shower, room.
31:59Yeah, en suite.
32:00Yeah, brilliant.
32:01I love the beam as well.
32:04Above that is a matching bedroom with the same facilities as well as access to the loft.
32:09But what about room for Bill's crafts?
32:12Well, this mystery house has a special bonus.
32:16This is what I wanted to show you.
32:18Why don't you just poke your nose inside there?
32:21Have a wander up and down and tell me what you think.
32:22Yeah.
32:22I will do.
32:23I will do.
32:26Oh, goodness.
32:27Oh, gosh.
32:28This is fabulous.
32:30Oh, gosh.
32:30I didn't expect this.
32:31That's amazing.
32:31This is a surprise, isn't it?
32:33Yeah.
32:33It's fabulous, this.
32:34Could do counselling in here.
32:36Could do counselling.
32:37Could do craft.
32:38Yeah.
32:39Yeah.
32:39We could fight for it.
32:41We could do all kinds of things in here.
32:42Yeah, we could.
32:44I don't believe it.
32:45She's stealing Bill's room again.
32:48The annex also has a shower room and utility.
32:51One space I know they'll agree on is the garden, which has gorgeous views of the church
32:56and village green, and everything Carol needs to grow fruit and veg.
33:02And welcome to the back garden, you two.
33:05Indeed.
33:06This is amazing, this isn't it?
33:07What a surprise.
33:08Yeah.
33:09They must have known you're coming.
33:10It's a brand new greenhouse.
33:12Yes.
33:12You've got a fruit cage as well.
33:14I think you've really hit the nail on the head.
33:17It's got everything.
33:18You can hear the birds.
33:19It's beautiful.
33:20It's quiet, but it's not isolated.
33:23It's got the garden.
33:24It's got the space at the side of the house that you can access.
33:28So I think it's got absolutely everything.
33:29But of course it all comes at a cost.
33:31What do you think this property is on the market for?
33:33I think it's probably £645,000.
33:40Okay.
33:40I would probably go for £655,000.
33:45Have you been reading my paperwork?
33:47It's on the market for £665,000.
33:51Right.
33:51Okay.
33:52But the owners have said they're more than willing to talk to you.
33:56Okay.
33:57Regarding that price.
33:58Interesting, yeah.
33:59So a little over budget at £665,000, but with room for discussion.
34:05This 500-year-old attached barn conversion delivers the required three bedrooms in the main house,
34:12plus a potential fourth in the annex.
34:14They like the high-quality interior rooms, and the garden is well-stocked for growing produce.
34:21I think the Mystery House is gorgeous.
34:23I think it offers everything that we wanted.
34:26I think it is so beautifully done, and it's so light and airy.
34:30There's such an old building.
34:32I think it's absolutely stunning.
34:34I love its setting.
34:36I love the building.
34:37I like the fact that it's listed even.
34:38I love the fact that it's near the village green, so it's got so much going for it.
34:55We love helping people on Escape to the Country.
34:58We also like hearing from and meeting people who have been there and bought the T-shirt, like Martin, who
35:05made his escape all the way from the Big Apple.
35:09Having spent 30 years working for luxury fashion brands, Martin yearned for rural life.
35:16He was raised in the West Country and inspired by a certain daytime property show.
35:21He decided to set up home here in Devon's Ken Valley, a far cry from city life in New York.
35:29We're just surrounded by such beautiful countryside here.
35:32So many walks where I can take Bertie, which go round in a circle with such beautiful views.
35:41Five years ago, he turned his back on the catwalk and set about renovating the traditional pub he had invested
35:47in with his sister.
35:49Now, the modern, sophisticated interiors owe much to the timeless attractions of the countryside.
35:59So actually, all along this hedgerow here was quite an inspiration for a lot of the textiles.
36:06You can already see some of the foxgloves starting to come up.
36:10This whole hedge is full of really vivid pink foxgloves.
36:15What a fantastic job Martin's done transforming this pub.
36:19And he's given me the opportunity to see it in person.
36:25Hey Martin, lovely to see you.
36:27Hi Steve, welcome. And you.
36:29What a lovely place you have here.
36:31Thank you very much.
36:32It's not always been like this since 1290, but come on in.
36:39The pub boasts seven individually styled suites, with wallpaper, bed furnishings and throws designed by Martin himself.
36:50Well, this place is something special, Martin.
36:55What drew you back to the UK and decided to do this?
36:59I started changing, which I think is a natural evolution, and I'm drawn more and more to the countryside.
37:05Originally, I was from the southwest.
37:07I came back and I started still working in fashion a bit, but then I couldn't resist to start decorating.
37:14And this is where it all started.
37:16And the little birdie tells me that maybe you was watching a little bit of Escape to the Country when
37:21your head was turned, so to speak.
37:24Absolutely. So I knew my mind was changing, my mindset was changing.
37:29Loved cities, you know, worked really hard to live in London and New York and travel the world actually, which
37:36fashion allows you to do.
37:37But then I would actually find myself watching Escape to the Country and, you know, looking at all these idyllic
37:43kind of like situations and villages and everything.
37:46And I guess it manifested and as it does if you visualise things and it's become true now.
37:52So tell me a little bit about the history of the pub and what you've done to it since you
37:57started putting your mark on here.
37:59So the history of the pub is really amazing. It was built in 1290.
38:04There's a little interesting fact that most churches have a pub next to it or an inn because they needed
38:09somewhere for the workers.
38:10Because churches, you know, used to take about 100 years to build back in the day.
38:15Design wise, I think you've always got to look back to look forward.
38:18So I wanted to respect the past and look at a lot of the details that we have.
38:22But you also want to look modernised.
38:24So that's where I think the design comes in.
38:26Really knowing how to balance fabrics together, textures, colours, lighting.
38:30We've got so many different lighting effects here because I've sourced a lot of our lights from many different places
38:37all over the world.
38:38So the ones in this room are from an old 1920s art deco college locally.
38:44You mentioned about sourcing things locally as well.
38:47Yes.
38:47How important is that to you?
38:48Really, really important because in actual fact we've got a mural in the middle of our pub which is hand
38:53painted,
38:54which I commissioned a local artist to do.
38:56It's based on William Morris and the arts and crafts movement.
38:59We like to produce, well, we produce all our own food in house, but we source it locally as well.
39:05So it's not just the food.
39:06We work with a lot of brilliant craftsmen from the building of the new rooms, reupholsterers.
39:13There's a lot of very special techniques that go in here.
39:15And I love collaborating with local sort of creative people.
39:20Martin has also designed the business's two holiday cottages.
39:26Well, this is something special, isn't it?
39:29Right.
39:29The balance and the light and the elegance of it all is something special.
39:35It was a huge amount of work.
39:37It looked nothing like this.
39:39We actually had to like knock down walls and move bathrooms, move toilets, do so many things.
39:45So I learnt a lot as well doing that.
39:47Well, you've certainly kept its charm and character.
39:51I lived in the cottages whilst I were doing them with Bertie.
39:56And, you know, that was fun because it actually allowed you to really look at the space and consider it
40:01and give it all that time it needed and thought.
40:03So if anyone else is going to decide they want to change their life completely.
40:08I would always say follow what you want to do and it doesn't matter whether you're ten years old or
40:13a hundred years old.
40:14I think you'll always be successful or happy if you follow what you want to do and something I've always
40:21done my entire life and I enjoy it.
40:24You know, you should be very proud. This is an amazing cottage in an amazing village with an amazing pub.
40:31Oh, thank you. That's so kind of you.
40:35This is such a beautiful part of the world.
40:38I'm not surprised that Martin is so happy having swapped the Big Apple for the great outdoors.
40:51Now they've seen all three of our properties, have Bill and Carol, our dancing house hunters, decided they're ready to
40:59step up to life in the southwest.
41:02All right, you two. Yeah, we're fine. Thank you. You?
41:05Oh, yeah. So as we've been going around, you've got to know the area maybe that little bit better.
41:11Has it really cemented the idea of moving here?
41:16You've helped us see it so much better.
41:18So, you know, you come on holiday and you come to our place.
41:21You come with you and what you see is a whole different dynamic.
41:25You see, you know, the countryside, the places, the towns, the villages. It's really good.
41:29So come on then. The whole show's about finding you their perfect home.
41:34Have any of them really hit the mark for you?
41:36Our favourite is definitely the Mystery House.
41:39Yeah. I think that offered us most of what we were looking for.
41:43Yeah. Yeah.
41:44You opened doors that we didn't know existed.
41:46Yeah.
41:46So things like, shall we live in a listed building?
41:49Yeah.
41:50What does that mean?
41:51Yeah.
41:51You then go away and say, how does that work?
41:54No, what can you do to this property?
41:56Yeah.
41:56So those are the questions that we're kind of taking away.
41:59I mean, the house was spectacular.
42:00I think a second visit's on the cards really.
42:04Oh, brilliant.
42:05Please keep me updated.
42:07Will do.
42:08Will do.
42:09You'll get your invite as soon as we move.
42:10To the housewarming.
42:11Absolutely.
42:12As soon as we move.
42:13Well, whether it's the Mystery Home or somewhere else in this beautiful county.
42:19Yes.
42:19I'm sure that when that move's made, you're certainly going to make the most of it.
42:23We certainly will.
42:24We certainly will.
42:24Yeah.
42:24Thank you so much.
42:25It's been brilliant.
42:26Good luck to both of you.
42:27Yeah.
42:28Thank you, Steve.
42:29Fantastic.
42:32Moving across the country to start a new chapter in life is always going to take some bravery.
42:37But Bill and Carol have proven that when you do make that leap, you can land in the county
42:42of your dreams.
42:44Wildlife and sustainability are very important to them both.
42:47And whether they do that from the comfort of the Mystery House or from another home, I
42:53know they're going to make a very positive impact on Devon.
42:57Join us again next time for another Escape to the Country.
43:01If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
43:06and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:13Thank you, Steve.
43:22Thank you, Steve, for your Göring, F вп VP.
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