Escape To The Country Season 26 Episode 32 travels to beautiful Devon, where Nicki Chapman helps a family from the West Midlands search for the perfect countryside home suited to three generations. Whether under one roof or two neighbouring properties, the goal is to find a peaceful rural setting that brings the whole family together in harmony.
Matt and his father-in-law Mark take on the challenge of viewing potential homes and reporting back, while Nicki also visits a talented textile designer who left city life behind to pursue creative passions in the countryside. From charming homes to inspiring rural lifestyles, this episode highlights the appeal of Devon living for families seeking space, creativity, and tranquility.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Devon #CountryLiving #FamilyHome #BritishTV
Matt and his father-in-law Mark take on the challenge of viewing potential homes and reporting back, while Nicki also visits a talented textile designer who left city life behind to pursue creative passions in the countryside. From charming homes to inspiring rural lifestyles, this episode highlights the appeal of Devon living for families seeking space, creativity, and tranquility.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Devon #CountryLiving #FamilyHome #BritishTV
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00:02Property Godmother Chappers is on a quest to find Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear, Baby Bear and Grandma and Grandpa Bear
00:11a home.
00:13And Otto, what are you after?
00:15The nice big garden, the plane.
00:19Pleasing them all isn't straightforward.
00:22But who's going to make the final decision, I wonder?
00:24It's usually the ladies, isn't it?
00:25Is it? Yeah.
00:27So, when it looks like her job might be done...
00:30It's perfect, to be honest.
00:32Hank is at the ready.
00:34You're making me well up now.
00:36You're making me.
00:59Whatever the age or inclination, whether it's window shopping through the streets of a
01:04pretty country town, striding across the moors or building your very own castle in the sand.
01:11The family-friendly county of Devon has something for everyone.
01:17Think big skies and sea air.
01:20Think golden beaches and gorgeous countryside.
01:25Think winding lanes leading to villages where the clock seems to have stopped at the perfect time.
01:32Think peace.
01:33Think quiet.
01:35Think cream first.
01:37Jam on top.
01:38Think Devon.
01:42Word on the street has it that the southwest English county of Devon is very much the cream of the
01:48crop when it comes to coastal locations to call home.
01:51At least, that's what the locals say.
01:54I've always lived here and I travel a lot for work.
01:58And although I've seen all these places, nothing feels better than coming back here.
02:02There's lots of festivals.
02:04We've got bands on pretty much weekly.
02:06And we've got the beautiful seas.
02:09We have the beaches, we have the countryside, all on our doorstep.
02:15We have amazing transport links.
02:17You can jump on the train and be in Penzance in Cornwall or nip into the city in Exeter.
02:24And the bus routes are really handy too.
02:26I used to come here on holiday and it is so unique.
02:29My parents moved down here and then I moved down here and I've been here for nearly 20 years now.
02:34I can capture the sunrise over the hills of Exeter on the beach and it's just a beautiful start to
02:41the day.
02:46For many of our escapees, moving closer to family is a big motivation.
02:52But for today's buyers, they are going one step further.
02:56They're all escaping to live together.
03:00Hi, I'm Mark, Matt's father-in-law and we're looking to go to Devon as well with them to help
03:07them out with young Otto, who I'm sure is a handful, and to find some open green spaces.
03:18Recent retiree Mark and his son-in-law, Matt, a tennis analyst, currently live 25 miles apart in the West
03:25Midlands.
03:26They're looking to pool resources to live together, with their wives Pauline and Emma and one-year-old Otto.
03:33The destination is Matt's former stomping ground of Devon.
03:37I used to live in Torquay and also I'm based in Exeter for work.
03:42I'm home based at the moment, but I'll be able to go into the office when I want, and also
03:46I absolutely love the scene.
03:48We've been thinking of moving to Devon for a little while now, and it would be nice to have a
03:55bit of time down there with Emma and Matt.
03:58You probably could do with a bit bigger house, couldn't you, at the moment.
04:00We need an extra bedroom as well, really, and a playroom for Otto, so we need something that we can
04:06grow into.
04:07Grow into, yeah.
04:08We can help each other out. Childcare for Emma and Matt with Otto, and they can support us.
04:18We're all getting older, and obviously the pound goes further with two rather than one.
04:27By combining budgets, the family has £950,000 to buy a property with two dwellings, or one that can be
04:36split.
04:36Ideally, they want two kitchens, and Matt would like an en-suite.
04:41They're after a big garden for Otto, with space for a tennis court, and a quiet location that's safe for
04:47their cats.
04:57If you think about it, multi-generational living, if you all get on as a family, so makes sense.
05:04Obviously, you've got to find a property that's big enough to accommodate everybody.
05:08We all need our own personal space, so I've got to make sure that every single person has their needs
05:14catered for,
05:15which is, at the end of the day, quite a big ask.
05:19So, wish me luck.
05:26My first house is in a rural location, two and a half miles to the west of the village of
05:31Dunsford,
05:32where we're meeting outside the village inn.
05:36Well, Mark and Matt, welcome to Devon.
05:40This is going to be a very interesting few days, because it isn't just about the two of you, is
05:44it, with this move?
05:45No, it certainly isn't. There's a lot involved in this one.
05:48So, we have your wife, Pauline.
05:50Correct.
05:50We've got Emma, your wife, and we can't forget baby Otto, can we?
05:54We can't.
05:55Most important one, our first grandchild.
05:57Oh, well, congratulations.
05:59But who's going to make the final decision, I wonder?
06:02It's usually the ladies, isn't it?
06:03Is it, yeah?
06:03Well, we're going to meet them a little bit later, which will be lovely.
06:07But I know this has sort of been galvanised by having baby Otto.
06:10So, Matt, what childhood did you have? Did you grow up in the country?
06:13Well, I got brought up in, like, the West Midlands, so it's quite industrial.
06:45Yeah.
06:47You need both. It's, it's, you need time out sometimes.
06:50Yeah.
06:51Young and old.
06:52I'm really looking forward to it, especially as babysitters.
06:57Oh, of course.
06:59Unpaid babysitters.
07:00Yes.
07:00You want Otto to have the best possible start in life, I'm sure.
07:04And being a tennis analyst, you've got your eye on country.
07:07That was, that was pretty good.
07:08Was that all right?
07:08Yeah.
07:08Yeah, that's as good as my tennis gets, yeah.
07:10Well, we have got some delightful things to show you.
07:13We're going to explore the county together.
07:15Look forward to that.
07:16Very exciting.
07:17Shall we get started?
07:18Certainly.
07:18Come on, then.
07:19Right, off we go.
07:23Set just inside Dartmoor National Park, Dunsford is peppered with traditional thatched homes.
07:29The inn provides a bar, restaurant and accommodation.
07:32And there's a shop and post office.
07:37A bus service runs to and from the city of Exeter, eight and a half miles away, making
07:43the location of my first property a very manageable commute for the days when Matt needs to be in
07:48the office.
07:52So we've got to find our property, or properties, to accommodate three generations of family.
07:59And this is our first one.
08:01There's actually three barns in total.
08:03So you've got two separate dwellings, and then you've got a third option there.
08:08Wow, we're definitely in the country, as you can see behind us.
08:11It's certainly got a bit of everything of Devon.
08:15All rolled into one.
08:16It has.
08:17Looks like we're going to have a lot of space here.
08:19Yeah.
08:19I can see the girls being impressed.
08:21Oh.
08:22I think we'll start with this house first, and then we'll move on to the barn, yeah?
08:26Sounds good to me.
08:28Excited.
08:30Originally a complex of 19th-century stone barns set around a courtyard, the main home
08:37is entered via a stable door, taking us through a boot room to begin our tour in the country
08:42kitchen.
08:44The kitchen is quite large, and it leads into the dining area as well, and you've got that fantastic view
08:50on the end.
08:51All the best parties are in the kitchen, so you want some where you can sort of expand and sort
08:56of chill.
08:57This would be a good space for you and Pauline, wouldn't it?
09:00Oh, we're arguing over who's who.
09:02Oh, I'm liking this.
09:04Straight away, Matt's giving you the house.
09:07It'd be probably better for Mark and Pauline because maybe of the step here for Otto as well.
09:12We don't want any falling Otto falling.
09:15Oh, my goodness, yes, right.
09:16Because when you've got young children, you do have to adapt houses, don't you?
09:20So we might be getting numerous stair gates and everything to keep it.
09:24But no, that's a very, very good point.
09:26OK, ready to see a little bit more?
09:28Yes.
09:28Yes, please, lead on.
09:30From the kitchen, we pass the foot of the stairs to reach a triple-aspect reception room.
09:37They certainly keep me busy.
09:39There's plenty of windows for me to be cleaning and looking after.
09:43It's big, though, right?
09:44It is, it is.
09:45We've got biggish furniture, so we can certainly fill it.
09:49For Otto, he'll be able to crawl around.
09:51We'll probably get him... We'll probably lose him, actually.
09:55You have the most amazing view at the end there.
09:58Now, at the moment, the current owner's got the TV in the way.
10:00Certainly the telly wouldn't be the feature of the room, it'd be the outside.
10:05Exactly.
10:08Back off the stairs is a sunroom and a ground-floor cloakroom.
10:12I'm sending Matt and Mark to explore the floor above,
10:15starting at one end with the largest of the three bedrooms on offer.
10:22Juliet balcony.
10:24I'd love to make up those views.
10:27Next to this is a smaller double with an en-suite.
10:32Oh, nice, mate.
10:33Take your wish list.
10:35Yes.
10:35You'll have to fight your son for this one.
10:39At the other end of the floor is the third bedroom,
10:42which sits next to a family bathroom,
10:44featuring a separate bath and shower cubicle.
10:48We're heading across the courtyard to the property
10:50I had earmarked for Mark and Pauline.
10:53Let's see if they agree as we go through the central front door
10:57and step into an open-plan kitchen and reception.
11:04I was going to say house Mark 2,
11:07but you might think I'm talking about you.
11:09But it's much more modern, I think, and more self-contained.
11:13There's everything in one place here.
11:15I'm not sure it would be suitable for me and Emma.
11:17I don't think she wants the open plan with the kitchen
11:21in with the living room.
11:23Yeah.
11:24What are your thoughts, Mark?
11:25Pauline's got a thing about cooking smells.
11:28It's not something she'd be comfortable with.
11:31We do have another bedroom on the ground floor.
11:35So, in a way, I'd be tempted to divide it up,
11:37have this as the kitchen, perhaps make a little bit more of it,
11:40but still keep it cosy with the dining table.
11:43But I would have...
11:44I'd substitute that downstairs bedroom for perhaps a snug.
11:49I'm sending them off for a candid assessment of my plan.
11:53I could see what Nicky meant when she said
11:55you could convert a bedroom into a lounge.
11:57The lounge, yeah.
11:58It's certainly work.
12:00Yeah, it's a good space.
12:01You've got the window.
12:01I can see you and Pauline on the sofa here,
12:05watching the TV.
12:07There's a ground-floor shower room
12:09and a spiral staircase leading up
12:12to two further bedrooms set in the eaves,
12:14the first of which is a double with its own shower room.
12:32And bedroom three in this additional home is a good-sized guest double,
12:37which is served by a family bathroom.
12:40But that's not all.
12:42Across the courtyard, a third park converted but disused barn
12:46offers further potential over two storeys.
12:54And then there's the garden,
12:56much of which is in need of a drastic trim
12:58and has a stream that feeds the nearby River Teen.
13:02Runs to the side of the house, cutting through the garden.
13:06So the one thing I probably would do,
13:07the first thing is put a little fence up round there
13:09just to keep it safe from the little man.
13:11But it's beautiful.
13:13We don't need the radio.
13:14We've got the music from the water.
13:16Yeah.
13:16And then you've got a footbridge going over
13:18and then all of that is your garden as well, up to the hedge.
13:20You've got a summer house in the corner.
13:22It is actually a large garden.
13:24And I know you have a combined budget of £950,000.
13:29How much do we think these properties, plural,
13:32are on the market for?
13:34I'd go £875,000.
13:36OK, £875,000.
13:39Matt, what are you thinking?
13:40I'm going to be a little bit more optimistic.
13:41Go on.
13:42And, say, £850,000.
13:43OK.
13:44Well, you are the closest, but you're both out.
13:47It's recently been reduced.
13:49£795,000.
13:51There's certainly something in the budget
13:54to make it a super dwelling.
13:56There's definitely potential.
14:00With a guide price substantially below their budget,
14:03this complex of 19th-century former barns
14:06comprises a three-bedroom main house,
14:08a further two-to-three-bedroom home
14:11and a potential third dwelling subject to the right planning permission.
14:15There's a large garden and it's in a rural location
14:18within commuting distance of the city of Exeter.
14:23There's three bits to house one, so it's workable.
14:26We were almost sorted who has what.
14:29The main house would be, I think, fit better for me and Emma and Otto.
14:34From where we're living now, it's got the wow factor.
14:37And also, there's plenty of room for Otto to play around.
14:40We need to sort of report back to base
14:43and see what the other halves had to say.
14:46I think we could be back for another visit.
14:49All four of all five of us.
15:04The opening of a railway in 1846,
15:08complete with a station built on the sea wall,
15:11saw the Georgian resort of Dawlish blossom as a coastal destination.
15:18Wow.
15:23It's a real historical place
15:25and it's been welcoming visitors for 250 years.
15:29So all the architecture that you can see around here,
15:32most of it's Georgian because we're in a conservation area,
15:37so they can't change shopfronts or the buildings or anything like that.
15:43As well as bringing growing numbers of holidaymakers,
15:46locomotion drove a surge in local dairy production.
15:50Devonshire creameries sprung up to supply Londoners with milk
15:54as the capital's own cattle made way for factories and workers.
15:58And with stiff competition upping the quality...
16:02I know we should have asked for the double cream on top.
16:06Dawlish ice cream even tastes good in the rain.
16:10Our creamery has been in my family for 100 years here in Dawlish.
16:14We're celebrating that this year.
16:15And my son and my daughter are about to take over
16:19and so that'll be fourth generation.
16:22It's best when it's nice and soft.
16:26As a collective, I think we've got wonderful produce,
16:29you know, from Red Ruby Beef to South Devon Dairy.
16:32They've got a great Jersey herd,
16:33so it's just quality on your doorstep.
16:37Added into the mix of independent shops selling local produce
16:40are the attributes of both Shingle and Sand Beach.
16:44This is on your request list.
16:46To be close to the sea.
16:49And cafes to enjoy a Devonshire cream tea.
16:53Am I nice?
16:54Cream tea?
16:55It's gorgeous.
16:56Thank you very much.
16:58When in Devon, cream first, of course.
17:01And if the destination of Dawlish has left my house hunters
17:05feeling rather jammy about their move to the county,
17:08we'd better get back to exploring the cream
17:11of the local properties on offer.
17:22Next up, we're in the village of Harberton Ford,
17:25located three miles from the seaside town of Totnes
17:28and half an hour's drive from Exeter.
17:31This historic crossing point of the River Harbourn
17:34gives the village its name.
17:38The community runs the shop and post office
17:41and it's just a two-minute walk from that
17:44to the heart of village property we're here to see.
17:48And this is our next home.
17:51I'm going to say it's a bungalow from the front.
17:54It's a little similar to where I live now, to be honest.
17:57Is it? Yeah.
17:58I've noticed it's semi-detached.
18:00Yep.
18:00Which, I think that was one of our compromises, wasn't it?
18:03Yeah, yeah.
18:04Shall we start?
18:05I'm intrigued.
18:06I can't wait.
18:06It is an intriguing house.
18:08I'll show you why.
18:12Now, although this 1980s home may look like a bungalow
18:15from the front, from the back,
18:17its three stories are revealed.
18:20And entering through the front door,
18:22there's an inkling of the scale of what's on offer.
18:27So, step into Generous Hallway.
18:31It is.
18:32Impressive, I could use the word.
18:34And then we're going to start off the tour,
18:35come on in, in the kitchen stroke dining area.
18:38Modern.
18:39It's got baking and sort of family written on it.
18:43Has it?
18:44Matt, are you a bit of a chef in the old kitchen?
18:47Yes, I do like my cooking.
18:49Through that door, you actually have a studio flat.
18:52And you can close it off, and they have a separate entrance.
18:55Right.
18:56So, across the way, we've got a family bathroom.
19:00But then I'm going to take us down here,
19:02because this has got a fantastic view.
19:06A small flight of stairs takes us a half level down to a reception,
19:10with a sunroom extension onto the garden.
19:15Multifunctional, I should imagine.
19:16You could do anything here.
19:17It's a good space.
19:18Yeah.
19:19Lots of windows, lots of light.
19:21Well, that's what we're looking for, is view.
19:23It looks destined for some motorised lawn mowing equipment.
19:27Is that going to be you?
19:29We might squeeze in a tennis court.
19:31Do you fancy going and exploring on your own?
19:34We certainly do see what it's got to offer.
19:37Yeah.
19:37See you soon.
19:38I'll see you later.
19:39There's a lot to see.
19:42Off the reception is an office that doubles as a laundry room.
19:48Reached by the kitchen, or its own entrance,
19:51Matt and Mark are investigating the self-contained studio flat,
19:55which has planning permission to add a floor above,
19:58and comes with a kitchenette plus separate shower room.
20:03I presume that's the en suite in there.
20:06Looks like there's a nice view of the garden.
20:10Up on the top floor of the main house are three bedrooms,
20:14all with views to the back garden,
20:16starting with the largest, a double room.
20:19Next to this, a single room.
20:21And lastly, a guest double with built-in wardrobes.
20:26Then, two flights of stairs down,
20:28the lower ground floor offers another option
20:31for self-contained accommodation,
20:32including a reception room with access to the garden.
20:37This would be, I presume, your lounge seating area.
20:43To one side of this is a family bathroom,
20:46and to the other, a double bedroom,
20:48again with a kitchenette.
20:49We'd fit it better with the high tissues,
20:52I think, from the cost.
20:56Outside, the plot of around half an acre
20:59includes handy off-street parking on the front driveway.
21:03There are also a couple of sheds.
21:06And to the rear, a generous garden provides a patio,
21:09a wildlife pond,
21:11and lots of lawn for cats or kids to romp on.
21:15This is exactly what...
21:17He was looking for for Otto?
21:19For Otto, yeah.
21:20This also comes with private river frontage
21:23that includes fishing rights.
21:25The owners, when their children were younger,
21:27they had a little picket fence across for safety,
21:29but the kids loved the river,
21:31so they used to paddle in it,
21:33we used to wade up to the shop and back.
21:35Wild water swimming.
21:36Yeah. Yeah.
21:37You're paddling.
21:38So you've had time to take stock of the property.
21:41There is an awful lot to it.
21:43What's the overall feeling?
21:45What are we thinking for this house?
21:47It's been surprising, obviously,
21:50from the front being one thing
21:51and being something from the back.
21:53I reckon...
21:56..800.
21:57£800,000.
21:59Mark?
22:00I think it's going to be higher.
22:02I reckon it's round the 900.
22:04If I said to you the asking price is...
22:07I feel there should be a drum roll.
22:10£750,000.
22:12I am surprised with the price and...
22:16Pleasantly surprised.
22:18I am, to be honest.
22:20For a guide price well below budget,
22:23this attached three-storey 1980s property
22:26offers my buyers a three-bedroom main home,
22:29a self-contained attached studio apartment
22:32with planning to extend above,
22:34and a lower ground floor one-bedroom flat.
22:37The half-acre plot backs onto a river
22:40and is in the heart of a lovely village
22:43just half an hour by car from Exeter.
22:46We did love the garden.
22:48It was a massive open space.
22:50The self-contained flats,
22:52probably more so for teenagers,
22:55and, yeah, it wouldn't work for Otto.
22:57A bit disjointed.
22:59I don't think it's as a multi-generational fit for us,
23:04so I'm not quite sure it could work.
23:14House tour's done for today.
23:16We've got a seaside catch-up with the others
23:19who are part of this move.
23:21Wives Pauline and Emma,
23:22and, of course, baby Otto.
23:25Well, this is lovely.
23:26It feels like the final piece of the jigsaw meeting you both.
23:30And Otto, obviously, as well, the star of the show.
23:33How do you think they've done today?
23:35Oh, it's exciting.
23:36We just want to find out more
23:37and see what's been found for us.
23:40Well, you should give the feedback.
23:41The first house, there was, like, separate living.
23:44That would probably work for both families.
23:46And then the second one was a bigger property
23:50with lots of individual bits,
23:53but the bits didn't quite fit together.
23:57It may have done with some work.
23:59What we're tending to see today
24:01is homes that need a little bit of work.
24:03OK.
24:03I'm surprised what you can get down there.
24:06Put for your money.
24:07Both houses, I think, have plenty of space,
24:10which is what we want.
24:12And, Otto, what are you after?
24:13A nice big garden, playing.
24:16You are, aren't you?
24:17And crawl about and climb.
24:20And this is going to make a huge difference
24:21to all your lives, isn't it, Emma?
24:23Definitely.
24:24I think, at the moment,
24:24we live quite far away from each other.
24:26So, in terms of childcare,
24:27it's quite difficult.
24:28Just him seeing his grandparents
24:30more often as well, really.
24:31And we've obviously got something special
24:33tomorrow lined up.
24:34So, we'll see.
24:35Can't wait for the mystery house, then, can we?
24:37Come on to that.
24:38You're not going to sleep tonight.
24:39I'm definitely not going to sleep tonight.
24:42Well, let's see how we get on tomorrow
24:43with the mystery house.
24:45Exciting.
24:45I'm excited, yes.
25:00The average price paid
25:02for a detached house in Devon
25:04over the last year
25:05sits at £483,000.
25:08That's £42,000 above the average
25:11for the UK as a whole.
25:13For those looking to spend less
25:15but still reap the benefits
25:17of my buyer's search area this week,
25:19opting for an attached home
25:21can yield results.
25:27For £240,000,
25:30this attached cottage
25:31in a small village
25:32will delight lovers
25:33of character and charm.
25:35There are two double bedrooms
25:37and a very pretty and private garden
25:39with a summer house,
25:41all safely enclosed
25:42for any children or pets.
25:45And staying with the rustic,
25:47this Grade 2 listed
25:48three-bedroom thatched
25:49and attached cottage
25:50will shiver the original timbers
25:52of anyone looking to live
25:54in a popular village
25:55not far from the sea.
25:57Drink in the scenery
25:58as you dine al fresco
26:00in the garden.
26:01On the market
26:02for £450,000.
26:07If modern vibes
26:08are more what floats your boat,
26:09this contemporary detached
26:11one-bedroom waterfront home
26:13with a private slipway
26:15and boathouse
26:16could be yours
26:17for a guide price
26:18of £550,000.
26:21Hot tub by separate negotiation.
26:26Today, we've got more
26:28of this gorgeous county
26:30to explore with Matt and Mark,
26:32including our mystery house
26:34that can accommodate
26:36two families living side-by-side
26:38with more space
26:39and they'll know
26:40what to do with.
26:43My Devonian mystery pick
26:45is rurally situated
26:47near the village of Trusham
26:48and a five-mile drive
26:50from the shops and services
26:52of Bobby Tracy.
26:53Set at the edge of Dartmoor,
26:55the town has supermarkets,
26:58pubs, tea rooms,
26:59restaurants,
27:00dental services,
27:01plus a good range
27:03of local groups
27:03and activities
27:04to get stuck into.
27:06But before I send Matt and Mark
27:08to recce the location,
27:09we're starting our second day
27:11of house hunting
27:11in the town's Riverside Park.
27:16So I thought I'd bring you
27:17to the historic market town
27:18of Bobby Tracy.
27:20People know it really
27:21is the gateway
27:22to Dartmoor National Park.
27:23The river Bobby runs through it.
27:25There's lots of trails around here,
27:27bike trails, running trails.
27:29So I'm into my running
27:30and I've done some half-mouthings.
27:33Have you?
27:33Walking looks superb here,
27:35do you know what I mean?
27:36Gateway to the moors,
27:37what moor do you need?
27:38This is a lovely community.
27:39Look at the play area
27:41for Otto there.
27:42So this could be
27:43somewhere you'd come to
27:44if you like
27:46our mystery house.
27:47It's not that far from here,
27:48you'll be pleased to know.
27:49So I want you to go
27:50and have a little mooch around.
27:51If you find any Devon fudge,
27:53I'd like you to get me a packet.
27:54Right.
27:55That's a small request.
27:56I'll let you go.
27:57You're going to go
27:58in that direction.
27:58I'm off down there.
28:00I'll see you shortly.
28:04Leaving my buyers
28:05to familiarise themselves
28:07with the area
28:08and, fingers crossed,
28:09track down that fudge,
28:11I've got the sweet treat
28:12of a sneak peek
28:14into my mystery property
28:15for you.
28:16So this is a beautiful
28:18country cottage
28:19dating back to the 1700s.
28:21I mean, just look at that
28:22for a fireplace.
28:25There is the compromise
28:26of semi-detached,
28:28but that's not the twist here.
28:30We have not one,
28:32but two mystery houses
28:34with a hidden element
28:36and that's why it's our mystery house.
28:38Now, do you know what?
28:39I'm not going to tell you.
28:41I'm going to wait
28:41until the boys arrive
28:42and all will be revealed.
28:49I am super excited
28:52to show you both
28:54our mystery house.
28:56Ziz.
29:00It's...
29:03Words aren't coming
29:04at the moment.
29:05First impressions,
29:08it's getting close
29:09to kind of the wow factor.
29:10Ooh.
29:11We are semi-detached,
29:12so you do have neighbours there.
29:14We have got
29:15an excellent bungalow
29:16next door.
29:18All self-contained.
29:19If that wasn't enough,
29:21and we're going to throw
29:22a curved tennis ball
29:24your way...
29:25You're getting better.
29:26Is that right?
29:26Yeah.
29:26I'm going to come for lessons,
29:27I tell you.
29:28You're the professional.
29:30As you go down,
29:31all the way down
29:31to the river at the end,
29:32the River Teen,
29:33there's a stable block
29:34on the side.
29:35That is included.
29:36Then if you follow
29:37the land around,
29:38all five acres of it,
29:41you've got a barn.
29:42And in that barn,
29:43you have a shower,
29:46facilities,
29:47so family could come to stay.
29:49And also,
29:50should you ever want
29:51to do some coaching,
29:52you've got enough room
29:53for a couple of tennis courts there.
29:55I do miss it.
29:56Do you?
29:56So I'd love to get back.
29:58Oh, good.
29:58Back into it.
29:59Phew.
30:00There's a lot to get around
30:01with this property.
30:02Shall we get started?
30:04Yes,
30:04the surprise is
30:05that this mystery house
30:07is not just two homes,
30:08it's a five-acre smallholding.
30:11A challenge I hope
30:12they're up for
30:13as we enter through
30:14the gate
30:15of the Grade 2
30:16listed attached cottage
30:17to access the hall
30:18and travel back
30:20into the 18th century.
30:22You can tell
30:24we're stepping back
30:25into a little bit of history.
30:27It's got a lot of character,
30:28this room.
30:29Yeah.
30:30It's certainly unlike
30:30anything we've seen before.
30:32No.
30:32I think Emma would love it.
30:33I'll let you explore
30:34on your own.
30:35Matt,
30:35if you wouldn't mind
30:35leading the way.
30:40Perhaps
30:40Mark and Matt
30:41will come to an agreement
30:42as to who has what
30:44as back through
30:45the cottage hall
30:46or entered
30:46via another front door.
30:48There's a country kitchen diner
30:50for them to assess.
30:52A kitchen maid for Emma.
30:54Emma would, yeah,
30:55love it in this space.
30:58Again off the hall
30:59is a study
31:00where Matt could work
31:01from home
31:01and a handy cloakroom.
31:04Spiral stairs
31:05in the reception room
31:06lead to three bedrooms.
31:09Crikey,
31:09comes complete with cash.
31:11Yes.
31:13At the far end,
31:14a spacious double
31:15in the eaves.
31:16Wow.
31:17We know this is
31:19yours and Emma's.
31:21Yes,
31:22Emma would love this space
31:23with these amazing views
31:24as well.
31:26There's a family bathroom
31:28and then Otto
31:29could have his pick
31:30of two bedrooms,
31:32a single
31:33or a double
31:34with built-in wardrobes.
31:38Outside,
31:39there's a lovingly created
31:40cottage garden
31:41perfect for a morning cuppa
31:43and enough to keep
31:44felines a feline fine.
31:50So that leaves
31:51the question
31:52of a home
31:52for Mark and Pauline.
31:54Cue the bungalow
31:55the current owners
31:56built for their own
31:57multi-generational living
31:5820 years ago
32:00where I'm rejoining
32:01the party
32:02to lead them through
32:03past the kitchen
32:04and onto an
32:05L-shaped reception
32:06with doors to the garden.
32:08So,
32:09very different feel.
32:10Yes.
32:11This really does benefit
32:12from the garden
32:13and you've got
32:14an outside area there
32:15for entertaining.
32:17It's perfect,
32:18to be honest.
32:19I'm going to
32:20have first dibs on this.
32:21We're going to agree on this one.
32:22We don't normally agree.
32:24I think this would be
32:26perfect for you and Pauline.
32:27There's no arm wrestling
32:28involved.
32:30It's a plan
32:30coming together.
32:32We're getting very warm
32:33with this one,
32:34aren't we?
32:34Yes.
32:35And you haven't seen
32:35everything yet.
32:36And check out the rest
32:37of the bungalow
32:38and then go for a wander
32:40around your five acres
32:42and then I'll meet you
32:43when you're ready.
32:43But take your time.
32:46The bungalow has
32:47two bedrooms,
32:48a double with access
32:49to the garden
32:50and another good-sized double
32:52giving a choice
32:53for a principal
32:54or guests.
32:56Can you see
32:57you and Pauline
32:58in this room?
32:59I think we could.
33:00I think we could.
33:01A utility
33:02with outside access
33:03doubles as a boot room
33:05and next to this
33:06is a shower room.
33:10Then there are
33:11various outbuildings
33:12to consider
33:13including that
33:15two-storey
33:16four-room barn
33:17with a shower
33:18from where Mark
33:19and Matt
33:19can survey
33:20what could be
33:21their five-acre estate.
33:23They've got possibilities
33:25and lots of room
33:26for thought,
33:26I think.
33:28And those thoughts
33:29turn to
33:29how much room
33:30this mammoth-sized mystery
33:32might leave
33:33in their £950,000 budget.
33:37You two have done
33:39very well.
33:39I wasn't sure
33:40how long
33:41I was going to
33:41lose you for.
33:42I'm feeling
33:43overwhelmed,
33:44to be honest,
33:44how much land
33:47this property
33:47has to offer.
33:48We're going to have
33:49to put a price
33:49on all of this.
33:50It's the most difficult one.
33:52I'd love it to be
33:53the £950,000,
33:54but I've just
33:55got to feel
33:55it's got to be over.
33:57Maybe £980,000.
34:00Matt?
34:01Well,
34:01I'm going to go
34:02for £950,000.
34:06£950,000.
34:07So, bang
34:07at the top
34:07of your budget.
34:08Yes.
34:08OK.
34:09Well,
34:10brace yourselves.
34:11You ready?
34:13Asking price.
34:14Don't look so pained.
34:15I promise you
34:16it's not that painful.
34:19£835,000.
34:20Is there
34:21something,
34:23a catch?
34:24There is no catch.
34:26You're making me
34:26well up now.
34:27You're making me.
34:29Are you getting emotional?
34:30Who said men
34:31don't cry?
34:32I just can't
34:33believe it's
34:33that price.
34:34I know.
34:36It's happy tears
34:38for this attached
34:3918th century cottage
34:40with a contemporary
34:41bungalow
34:42that gives them
34:43five bedrooms
34:44across two homes.
34:46There's extra
34:47accommodation
34:47in a barn,
34:48plus there's
34:49a stable block
34:50and room
34:50for a tennis court
34:51all three
34:52in those five acres
34:53of land,
34:54all in a scenic
34:55rural location
34:56within a short
34:57drive of shops
34:58and services.
35:00The mystery house
35:01has the wow factor.
35:03I just love it.
35:04And also
35:05just the views
35:06around the property
35:07is just stunning.
35:09Too good
35:09to be true.
35:10You've matched
35:12everything we asked
35:12for and more.
35:15The only thing
35:15you missed
35:16was Matt's
35:17en-suite
35:17but I'm sure
35:18that isn't
35:20the downside.
35:21I think he can
35:21cope with that
35:22with everything else
35:23you've given us.
35:32For many people
35:33living and working
35:34in the countryside
35:35it's their surroundings
35:37amongst all of this
35:39that gives them
35:40their inspiration
35:41just like it does
35:42for Jessica.
35:44I'm originally
35:45from Devon
35:46but at the age
35:47of 18
35:48I decided
35:49I wanted to
35:50have a go
35:51at living
35:52in the cities.
35:53I first went
35:54to Plymouth
35:55to study my
35:56foundation diploma
35:57and then went
35:57on to Manchester
35:58to study
35:59textile design
36:00and then
36:01I moved to Bristol
36:02for work
36:03and quickly
36:05realised
36:05that city life
36:07wasn't really
36:07for me
36:08and I'm now
36:09living here
36:09on the edge
36:10of Exmouth.
36:10I've got
36:11nature
36:12I've got
36:13the coastline
36:13and I've got
36:14acres of
36:15more land
36:16to explore
36:16and to constantly
36:17be inspired by.
36:19And Jessica
36:20quite literally
36:21weaves the natural
36:22influences
36:23from her remote
36:24corner of North Devon
36:25into beautiful
36:27wool fabric
36:27using hand looms
36:29in her home workshop.
36:33Jessica
36:34so lovely
36:35to meet you.
36:36And you have
36:36brought me
36:36to the most
36:37beautiful spot.
36:38It's an absolutely
36:39stunning location.
36:40I can't really
36:41complain.
36:42And actually
36:42making the decision
36:43to move to
36:44Royal Devon
36:45that was behind
36:46it was it?
36:47Yeah so
36:47it's constant
36:48being out in nature
36:49I kind of
36:50collect it all
36:51in my head
36:51and then sit
36:52at the loom
36:52and just start
36:53having a play
36:54and see what works.
36:55Well this must be
36:56one of the most
36:57enviable commutes
36:58to work.
36:59Out of these
36:59outbuildings
37:00which one is your
37:01workshop?
37:01We're heading over
37:02here just literally
37:03a few metres
37:04across the road
37:05from us.
37:05There's no driving
37:06there's no motorways
37:07No it's lovely.
37:08You've just got to
37:08look out for the cows
37:09and the sheep
37:10haven't you?
37:11Yes and the horses.
37:13Oh this is beautiful.
37:16I'm loving your office.
37:17It's pretty impressive.
37:19Now that loom
37:20looks particularly
37:21old is it?
37:22Yes so this was
37:23actually my first loom
37:25that I got
37:25after leaving
37:26university.
37:27It was found
37:28rotting in a shed
37:28by some family
37:29friends and I
37:31brought it back
37:31back to life
37:32and it's one
37:32of my favourite looms.
37:34Gosh so can I
37:34see you in action?
37:36You can indeed.
37:39Jessica works
37:40with 100%
37:41pure lambswool
37:42sourced from
37:43discarded yarn
37:44that would otherwise
37:45be thrown away.
37:47So this here
37:48these are your levers
37:49which lift your shafts
37:50and that separates
37:51your warp
37:52which you can then
37:52put your weft
37:53which is coming
37:54from left and right.
37:55Lifting those down
37:56that brings it
37:57back to flat
37:57and we've got
37:57no gap to go through.
37:59Yeah.
37:59And then if we lift
38:00those squeak
38:02you'll see that
38:03there's a gap
38:03there again
38:04which is what
38:04we're putting
38:05the weft arm
38:05through.
38:06And then you've
38:07just got to give
38:07it a good beat
38:09each time
38:10and it beats
38:10it in.
38:11So we're alternating
38:12on colours
38:12for this as well
38:13so we are
38:15threading that
38:15through.
38:15You're explaining
38:16that so well
38:17and my brain
38:18really isn't
38:19taking it in
38:19because I'm
38:20looking and thinking
38:20how do you get
38:22that end result?
38:23It's a magical
38:24process.
38:25It is.
38:25Would you like
38:26to have a go?
38:26Can I?
38:27Yeah of course.
38:28And we've just
38:28done a row of
38:29whites so we're
38:30wanting the grey
38:31so you can pass
38:32that through the
38:33opening or the
38:34shed.
38:35If you keep it
38:35to the back
38:36it sometimes
38:36makes it a bit
38:37easier.
38:38You did it so
38:38quickly look at
38:39me.
38:40Pull that one
38:40through.
38:41Yeah.
38:41Lovely that'll
38:42do.
38:43Yeah.
38:43And then you're
38:44going to change
38:44the shafts so
38:45if you lift those
38:46up.
38:47Wee.
38:47Yes it's got a
38:49mind of its own
38:50and then we can
38:50lift these ones
38:51down.
38:52Sounds like
38:53my knees.
38:55Very squeaky
38:55that's fine and
38:57then sometimes if
38:57you just beat it
38:58forward so you've
38:59got to beat that
38:59one forward to put
39:00it in place you can
39:01be quite rough with
39:02it.
39:03There you go.
39:04I love the fact
39:05that these heritage
39:06crafts haven't
39:08changed.
39:08No.
39:09I just love the
39:10fact that it's this
39:11slow and...
39:12Well it's not
39:13this slow.
39:14Let's be honest
39:15Jessica.
39:16It's a little
39:16slower than usual
39:17today.
39:18Tiny bits.
39:18Diane you're
39:19doing well.
39:20A beat.
39:21A beat yes.
39:23Okay I have
39:24done two very
39:26very small rows
39:28out of thousands.
39:31Do you ever forget
39:32which one you've just
39:32done?
39:33Sometimes.
39:35I think industrial
39:36looms can weave a
39:37thousand picks a
39:38minute so a pick is
39:39what you've kind of
39:39just done.
39:40They weave a
39:41thousand of those
39:42in a minute.
39:42I love the fact
39:44that this is your
39:46passion.
39:47This is your way of
39:48life and it isn't
39:49just about the loom
39:50and the yarn and
39:51the business.
39:51It's about everything
39:53surrounding us here
39:54in Devon and you're
39:55creating a livelihood
39:56for yourself at the
39:57same time.
39:57I feel very lucky.
39:58I would say I'll
40:00help you finish it
40:01but we might still
40:02be here next month.
40:03It's okay I've got
40:03quite a big order to
40:04get through.
40:07Oh well let's see
40:08if any of my
40:09properties successfully
40:11weave their spell
40:12on my buyers here
40:13in magical Devon.
40:17So trying to find
40:19new lifestyles and
40:20homes for five
40:21people was always
40:22going to be a
40:23difficult task but
40:25have we got close
40:26with the mystery
40:26house?
40:28Should we go and
40:28ask them?
40:32Well I brought us
40:33to a lovely very
40:34picturesque spot so
40:36that we could have
40:36a proper chat.
40:37Because it is one
40:38thing coming here on
40:39holiday and it's
40:40another thing looking
40:41at it with fresh
40:42eyes as in we are
40:43going to actually
40:43move here as a
40:44family.
40:45It certainly is.
40:46The last few days
40:47you've taken us to
40:48shall we say the real
40:50Devon with the real
40:50people which isn't just
40:53the holiday side of it
40:54it's the real deal.
40:55We try to do that.
40:56We try to explore areas
40:58that you might not have
40:59been to before take you
41:00off the beaten track.
41:02What about the
41:02properties?
41:03Have we got close to
41:04any?
41:05I think you've got close
41:07and in fact I think
41:08you've hit the target.
41:09Really?
41:10Come on tell me, tell me.
41:11The mystery house.
41:12It works because the
41:15separate living spaces
41:15and also there's
41:17opportunities for different
41:20projects.
41:22Business beaches perhaps.
41:23Yes.
41:23It really exceeded
41:25expectations.
41:26We're very mindful it
41:27isn't just about the two
41:28of you.
41:29We have made a phone
41:30call to see if we could
41:31do a second visit but
41:33take the girls this time
41:35and Otto.
41:36Oh let us know how you
41:37get on won't you?
41:38Of course.
41:39Yeah.
41:39Of course and also I've
41:40got a little treat for
41:42you.
41:43A little bit of Devon
41:44fudge to go with my
41:46cup of tea.
41:47How lovely.
41:48It's a sweet ending
41:49isn't it?
41:50It is.
41:51A sweet ending.
41:53We do wish you the
41:54best.
41:55Can't wait to hear how
41:56you get on.
41:56Thank you very much.
41:57And thank you for your
41:57help finding something.
41:59Here's to you being
42:00Devonians.
42:01I think that's what I'm
42:02going to call you.
42:03Devonians.
42:03Cheers.
42:09I feel a sense of
42:11fulfilment having spent
42:12the last few days with
42:14Mark and Matt.
42:15Especially finishing with
42:17that beautiful mystery
42:18house with the second
42:20accommodation.
42:21It had land.
42:22It had stables and also
42:24that barn.
42:25Now I can't second guess
42:27what their wives are
42:28going to think but if
42:29they do have similar
42:31tastes we could be
42:32looking at a very
42:33positive outcome.
42:35So I'm keeping
42:36everything crossed and
42:37wish them all the very
42:39best for their move
42:40here to Devon.
42:42So that's it from me.
42:43I'll see you again very
42:45soon.
42:47If you would like to
42:49escape to the country in
42:50England, Northern Ireland,
42:52Scotland or Wales and
42:53need our help, why not
42:55apply online at
42:57bpc.co.uk
42:58forward slash
42:59take part.
43:30I'll see you next time.
43:30I'll see you next time.
43:30Amen.
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