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00:00On Escape to the Country, we love to conjure up idyllic homes.
00:05If you asked a child to draw a country cottage,
00:08I'm pretty sure they'd draw this, aren't they?
00:10Yes, they would.
00:11I would too.
00:12Yeah, me too, yeah.
00:13Our house hunters can surprise us with some of their plans.
00:18When kids come down, we can put them in a static caravan.
00:21But when we get reactions like this...
00:23Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:25We haven't got to see them, guys, yeah.
00:27Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:28It can leave us feeling...
00:31How should I put it?
00:32We're on top of the world.
00:34You are.
00:34Yeah, you are.
00:57If you like your countryside with a spring in its step
01:01and an iconic soundtrack of crashing waves and cawing gulls,
01:05Cornwall might be at the far reaches of the country,
01:08but has a lot to sing and dance about.
01:12Pasties, painters and a whole lot of personality, Cornwall is anything but sleepy.
01:18It may sit on the edge of the UK map, but nobody puts this county in the corner.
01:25North Cornwall is situated on the south-west tip of England
01:28and boasts mile upon mile of breathtaking Atlantic coastline.
01:34It's just such an inspirational place to live, North Cornwall.
01:37So beautiful and ever-changing, really.
01:39I don't think there's many of our artists that aren't massively inspired by the landscapes and the seascapes.
01:47And the magical scenery has inspired more than just artists,
01:52with the legend of King Arthur said to have been conceived at Tintagel Castle.
01:57Inland, market towns like Camelford offer a diverse selection of shops
02:02and other amenities to enjoy while avoiding the coastal crowds.
02:06Whether vacationing or running a business, seems like you can expect a warm welcome.
02:13I have never, ever known community like it.
02:17Everyone rallies round, everyone is supportive.
02:20It's been fantastic since we moved here, so we're really loving it, enjoying it.
02:25It's just everybody sort of helps each other and it's a really strong community feel down in Cornwall.
02:32Much more so than I've ever experienced before, so yeah, it's been brilliant.
02:41From a landlocked city to the county with the most coastline in England,
02:47today's couple are hoping we can magic up their dream home here in Cornwall.
02:57Stoopify!
02:59I've been a huge Harry Potter fan for many years now.
03:03I need a house that I can fit all my items in,
03:06because I'm not letting go of any of them, no matter what he says.
03:10Peter and Joanne are looking to move 300 miles from Sheffield,
03:14in the north of England, to Cornwall in the south-west.
03:17We live on a housing estate and it's a little bit of a concrete jungle.
03:21I enjoy being near the coast, walking on the beach, paddling in the sea.
03:27You love the walks, don't you, around the area.
03:31North Cornwall's just a perfect location for that.
03:35It's estimated that 7% of house buyers view over 20 properties,
03:40but these two have viewed a lot more.
03:43Probably around 200.
03:46I think Bryony will have her work cut out.
03:49They want a bigger garden, presumably to grow mandrakes,
03:52which feature in Harry Potter,
03:54and keen chef Peter would like to cook with their garden produce.
03:58They have three grown-up sons and three grandchildren
04:01who they hope will come and stay.
04:04There's plenty of time for more grandchildren, isn't there?
04:06Yeah.
04:07So we need a house, because we're big enough for them.
04:11For a maximum budget of £600,000, Peter and Joanne want a detached, characterful property,
04:17with three bedrooms for visiting family and the movie memorabilia.
04:21They'd like a kitchen diner and a larger garden to grow produce in,
04:25all within 15 miles from the town of Bud.
04:38This is my first time house hunting in Cornwall, and I'm so chuffed to be helping Joanne and Peter
04:45hopefully find their dream home.
04:47But I'm going to have my work cut out for me.
04:50They viewed about 200 properties in the last few years.
04:54So I'm hoping they'll be spellbound by the Cornish countryside,
04:58and that house number 201 is finally the one.
05:07I'm meeting Peter and Joanne on a popular, sandy, blue-flag beach,
05:10with electric vehicle charging points, before we go exploring.
05:16Welcome to Summerlees Beach in Bud. Thank you.
05:19Yeah, thank you. Our favourite beach.
05:21Is it? Yes, it is.
05:22This is the one where we always come to.
05:23So, yes, this is our point where we always come to.
05:26Our favourite spot, yeah. Our favourite spot.
05:27So it already feels a little bit like home?
05:29Yes, it does.
05:30Now, you're not novices to house hunting, though, are you?
05:32No. The house we're in now, it's the longest we've been in, which is eight years.
05:36We are an edge of a town, well, city.
05:40And we just want to be in, like, a village or a town.
05:42I mean, the community is also for us.
05:45We don't get that where we are.
05:47So, yeah, so that's why, you know, all the moves has come to one point, this point,
05:53and that's why we need your help.
05:54Well, I'm here. I'm here.
05:55Because we can't find it.
05:56Yeah, I know, I mean, yeah, you've gone for 200 so far.
05:58Yeah, we need a different set of eyes.
06:00Enter, escape to the country.
06:01Yeah.
06:01We're here.
06:02You've got a lot of movie merchandise.
06:04I do, yes.
06:06Do we need, like, an extra room?
06:07I need an extra room.
06:08I would love an extra room just to put that in, yeah.
06:10Definitely.
06:11Has a lot of the house budget gone on the movie merchandise?
06:15Er...
06:15I can't say yes, because he's next to me.
06:18Tell me later.
06:19Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
06:20She's not even sorry.
06:21No, I'm not sorry at all.
06:23No, no, no.
06:23No, and it's all right.
06:24It's all right.
06:24He's got his own little collection as well, so...
06:27Yeah, yeah, yeah.
06:27There you go, there you go.
06:29Well, we've got lots to do, lots to see.
06:30Here we have.
06:31Slightly nervous that you've seen 200 houses?
06:33Yeah.
06:34No, wouldn't be.
06:35Yeah, let's go see some more, shall we?
06:36Yeah!
06:36Yeah!
06:37Follow me.
06:37OK, come on.
06:40We're starting in the North Cornwall National Landscape, in the hamlet of Rosecare, next
06:45to the coastal village of Crackington Haven. Popular with holidaymakers, walkers and geologists,
06:52thanks to the surrounding cliff formations.
06:55There's a cracking shop, a cracking village hall, and I'm told the pub and cafe are cracking
07:02too.
07:03The house we've come to see is around a 15 minute drive from Bute, but only a mile
07:08from the sea.
07:10How about that for a view, eh?
07:12Beautiful.
07:13That's it.
07:13We want it post line?
07:14Yep.
07:15We got it.
07:17Here we are.
07:18200 houses.
07:20Right.
07:20But the first one with escape to the country.
07:22Yep.
07:23201.
07:24201.
07:25That's the one.
07:26It's beautiful.
07:27I love the stone, the traditional stone.
07:29Yeah, I think that's it, that's what makes it, that's what's different.
07:31Gives the curb appeal, doesn't it?
07:32Yeah, it does.
07:33Yeah.
07:33It's quite magical, isn't it?
07:35It is.
07:36A hidden gem.
07:37Absolutely, yeah.
07:38Hidden away from, you wouldn't even think it was here, would you?
07:40No.
07:41Shall we go and have a look?
07:42Yes, please.
07:42Where am I?
07:43Yep.
07:45This characterful detached cottage with slate cladding dates back to the 1900s.
07:51Turning right from the front door is the kitchen diner, with windows to the front and doors to the rear.
07:58Yeah.
07:59Come on through.
08:00Great.
08:00Yeah, you do fit.
08:01It does, yes.
08:02Yes, I do fit.
08:03Yes, that's it.
08:05That's one thing he gets concerned about, you know, with the beams.
08:08Yes, it is.
08:08Of course, yeah.
08:09I mean, that's the thing with these properties full of character.
08:11Yeah.
08:11They can sometimes be a bit...
08:12Yeah, yeah, yeah.
08:14But you do fit.
08:14I do fit, yeah.
08:15What do you think?
08:16I love the fireplace.
08:17I really do.
08:18Yeah, yeah.
08:19Oh, that's lovely, isn't it?
08:20Well, there's plenty of space in here.
08:21There is.
08:22Yeah, there is.
08:22Isn't it?
08:22That's a lovely little nook there.
08:24It is.
08:24And that's quite a big table.
08:26Yeah, it is.
08:26You did go for a slightly smaller one.
08:28You'd have space there, maybe for a small island.
08:30Of course, yeah.
08:31Yeah, yeah.
08:31Or like a big butcher's block.
08:32Yeah, yeah.
08:33Just some...
08:33There's a preparing area.
08:35So, fresh vegetables coming in.
08:37Ooh!
08:37Preparing them.
08:38Get my cooking juices all in here.
08:40Ooh, I love it!
08:40I love it, Pisa!
08:42Yes!
08:42Moneyboots coming in.
08:43You don't mind in.
08:44You don't mind in.
08:45That's it.
08:49And this is what it is.
08:49It's literally, you want to come in.
08:51Walk in.
08:52You know, get your moneyboots.
08:53Take them off.
08:54Roaring fire.
08:54In the winter.
08:55Sit down.
08:56Have a cup of hot chocolate.
08:58What more can you eat?
08:59I might pop round for hot chocolate.
09:00Yeah, yeah, yeah.
09:01Great.
09:01Lovely.
09:02Always welcome.
09:02Oh, yay!
09:03Should we go and have a look at the living room?
09:05Yes, please.
09:05This way.
09:08Alongside the kitchen is an office that could provide a bedroom
09:12and gives access to a utility room.
09:15There are two ground floor bathrooms
09:17and then a dual aspect living room with a sea view.
09:23How would you make this space work for you?
09:26Would your furniture fit in here?
09:28Yes.
09:29Yeah, but I'm not worried about that.
09:30Yeah.
09:30You just buy new, don't you?
09:32Yeah.
09:32I don't care about furniture.
09:34No, that's it.
09:34Nice little corner suite.
09:35Yes.
09:37You've seen over 200 houses.
09:39Yeah.
09:39What's going to make you say, this is the one or this is what we're looking for?
09:44Traditional.
09:45Yeah, it's this, which we've never seen.
09:48It's the countryside, it's the country style house.
09:52Yeah.
09:53It's the slater floors, the proper floors.
09:56It's where we normally go and it's all carpet and it's all new.
09:59Yeah.
10:00But that's what we're used to and it's being shown something different.
10:04Now we want something different.
10:06That's why we're here.
10:06Yeah, especially down here.
10:08Yeah.
10:08We want that feel of a country house.
10:10Great.
10:11So, yeah, so good start.
10:12Yes.
10:13Happy days.
10:14Should we go and see upstairs?
10:15Yes, please.
10:15Okay.
10:18Upstairs, the smaller of the two double bedrooms, again, has views of the sea.
10:23While the larger has built-in wardrobes.
10:26It's past the height again.
10:27It has, yes, past the height.
10:29Oh, okay.
10:29So, yeah.
10:30And then you've got this little dressing area.
10:32Dressing area.
10:33Yeah.
10:34Might need some more wardrobe space, though.
10:37Don't we all?
10:38Yeah, don't we all?
10:39Don't we all, Joanne?
10:40Yeah, built-in wardrobes.
10:42Yeah.
10:42I really like them as well.
10:43They fit with the room and the house.
10:44Yes.
10:45Yeah, yeah.
10:45There is some more wardrobe space in the hallway.
10:47Yes.
10:47Right, yeah.
10:48I mean, you might need to give Peter a little bit of that.
10:50Yeah, yeah.
10:50Well, I think I've got some behind this.
10:52Cool.
10:52Yeah, you can have one of those.
10:53A little rail behind the door.
10:55Yeah.
10:55That's what you want.
10:58Joanne wants space where she can grow fruit and veg, and by my estimates, this garden
11:03could produce an annual yield of around seven and a half tonnes of strawberries.
11:08Or, to put it another way, it's one and a half acres.
11:13Cracking.
11:14Yeah?
11:14Right.
11:14Okay.
11:15Wow.
11:15Yeah.
11:16So if you wanted to ride along the lawnmower.
11:18You can have one.
11:19You can have one.
11:19Yeah, that's it.
11:20Right, okay.
11:21It's my excuse to have one now then, isn't it?
11:22Yeah.
11:23So the hedge line.
11:24Yes.
11:25Right, okay.
11:26I'm surprised, didn't I?
11:26Didn't expect that.
11:28Yeah.
11:28There you go.
11:28I'm just thinking of glamping pods now.
11:31Oh.
11:31You're starting on something else now, aren't you?
11:33Yeah.
11:34We're thinking big, Peter.
11:35I like it.
11:36Yeah, yeah.
11:36Well, like I said, it's one of them things, isn't it, where you just don't think you're
11:39going to get the space.
11:40And we've always said about another bit of income would be ideal.
11:44Kids would love that, wouldn't they?
11:45Grandkids would love it.
11:45Imagine the grandkids running around here.
11:47Yeah, yeah, yeah.
11:47Don't leave any room in the house.
11:49We'd get a tent and start outside, couldn't we?
11:51Yeah, yeah, yeah.
11:51Yeah.
11:52They'd love that.
11:52Put the kids in a tent.
11:53Yeah, we'd sleep with it, obviously.
11:55They'd love that.
11:56We did it when we were young.
11:57We did.
11:58So we might as well carry on the theme.
11:59They're not even going to let them in the house.
12:01No, that's it.
12:02Harsh.
12:05Amazing.
12:05Alright, well, let's talk about price.
12:06Yeah.
12:07Well, it's obviously got to be a top end-up budget with the views, the land.
12:11So I'm going to go for 590.
12:15I'll go 580.
12:20580?
12:21580.
12:21580.
12:22Oh, I thought you were going 580.
12:23That's very precise, Peter.
12:24I like it.
12:25No, that's the one.
12:25No, 580.
12:26580,000 pounds.
12:27I think just because of the land.
12:28So you're very close.
12:29Right.
12:30It's on for a guide price of 595,000 pounds.
12:34Yeah.
12:34Do you think that's a fair price?
12:36Yes.
12:36Because of the situation.
12:38The location, location, location.
12:40We didn't talk about that, Geoff.
12:45595,000 pounds for this characterful cottage with three bedrooms and period features like the
12:51stone floor.
12:52But it's perhaps outside where this property shines most, with coastal views and one and
12:58a half acres of land.
13:00It's got the brilliancy views.
13:03Also got the land outside, which I didn't think we'd get.
13:06I never really expect us to get that amount for our budget.
13:10Peter's idea of glamping pods, that is news to me too.
13:13I'm really surprised at that.
13:15But it's anything.
13:17You know, he's got the space outside, so he'd like to try anything.
13:22Six tonnes of strawberries is probably plenty anyway.
13:37Having travelled 300 miles from Sheffield, we're taking Peter and Joanne to spend some
13:42time in their favourite town, Bud.
13:45It's a nice beer ice cream shop.
13:47Oh, yeah.
13:48The good dog ice cream as well.
13:49Mint chocolate chip.
13:51While many visitors enjoy Cornish cuisine, be that scones, ice cream, or the synonymous
13:57pasties, for others, it's always been about the sea.
14:04In 1952, the Australian Air Force came over here on a reconnaissance and said,
14:11that's Britain's Bondi.
14:13He said, if you can get 12 people, we'll train them up, and then they'll be the first
14:17bronze lifesavers in Great Britain.
14:20So, weekends, we patrol the beach, we help the lifeguards, and we patrol right through
14:27to the end of September.
14:30And whatever your ability, it's a great spot to catch a wave.
14:35Surfing here is amazing.
14:37It's a really good beach to learn on, kind of contains areas of the beach that have ways
14:43for beginners all the way through to advanced surfers.
14:46We run lessons for people with neurodiversities, physical disabilities, and mental health conditions.
14:52We've run here for the past couple of years, and it's been amazing to have people that would
14:58normally be unable to get involved, to even get down on the beach, get in the water.
15:02So, for those to be able to do all of that, getting surfing, is absolutely amazing.
15:08But you don't have to get in the water to have fun.
15:14There's lots of activities to do. We're skateboarding, football clubs, the rugby club.
15:20We've got the sea pool. Yeah, just a great place to bring your family up and live.
15:26There's just so much going on, you know, from music to art to creativity and, of course, healthy outdoor lifestyle,
15:35as you can see with the fresh sea breeze.
15:37And I think it appeals to a wide age group as well.
15:41Yeah, absolutely. There's young people here and oldies as well.
15:44It's a really nice mix.
15:47There's lots to do for everybody, really. There is.
15:50Peter and Joanne know the town well from holidays, but cafe owner Nick May was born and raised here.
15:56I hope you enjoy it. I wish I was having one with you.
16:00So knows all about what it's like in the cooler months.
16:04So, Nick, what's it like to live around Bud?
16:06I love it. You know, there's nothing to dislike, really.
16:09You've got the Atlantic Ocean, a big plus, the sea pool, a great sense of community.
16:14I know a lot of people will come in and hope the summer, but in the winter, it's still a
16:19real vibrant town.
16:21Right. Do they have walking groups?
16:24I think they do. They meet around here and they walk the cliffs and just go to different historical sites.
16:31Is it quite lively at the cafe? Is there much going on?
16:33Yeah, every weekend throughout the year, regardless of weather or shine, there's live music Saturday and Sundays from, you know,
16:41in the afternoon.
16:42And that's a good community because there's a lot of locals that support me here.
16:46And, you know, just somewhere to go and it's such a good atmosphere.
16:50That's all year round then? All year round.
16:52Yeah, yeah. Even open Christmas Day.
16:55Well, with the chance of walks and hot chocolate, Joanne's going to need all her strength to drag Peter away
17:01for their 202nd house viewing.
17:10For our next property, we're heading slightly inland to the village of Canworthy Water on the river Ottery.
17:20Nearby is a monthly garden club, as well as regular cream tea afternoons, where scones, of course, have jam first.
17:29There's a community hall that can be rented from £10 an hour, and for keen rambler Peter, a variety of
17:35country walks take in sites like the coast and the parish church, built by the Normans, with a tower added
17:42in the 15th century.
17:44And around a mile from it, our next house was built 200 years later.
17:51That's beautiful, isn't it? Yeah, it is. Isn't it, though?
17:54I love the heart-shaped.
17:56It literally looks like you've plucked it out of a movie or something. It does, doesn't it?
17:59Yes. If you asked a child to draw a country cottage...
18:02Pretty sure they'd draw this. They wouldn't do this. Yeah, they would.
18:05I would, too.
18:06Yeah, me too, yeah.
18:07I'm just a child.
18:08The classic white Cornish stone, as well.
18:11Like the windows, as well. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
18:14That nice green.
18:15Yeah, nice sage green.
18:16That's the one.
18:17We like a nice sage green.
18:18Very trendy.
18:19That's it.
18:19Shall we go and have a look?
18:20Yes, please.
18:21Come on, then.
18:24This Grade II listed 17th century cottage offers a magical mix of original features with modern updates.
18:34Come on in.
18:35Gorgeous doorway.
18:36Brilliant.
18:37To this beautiful living space.
18:40I like the window seat.
18:41Isn't it beautiful?
18:42Yes.
18:42We've got a couple. We've got two, look.
18:43Oh, yeah.
18:44We've got one there, as well.
18:45One each.
18:47Flagstone floors.
18:47Flagstone floors, yeah.
18:49Do you know what I really love about this house is the different floorings as you go through.
18:52Oh, right.
18:53Yeah.
18:53It's got that kind of higgledy-piggledy style, which I really like.
18:57Yeah.
18:57Then, obviously, you've got the space behind you, as well.
18:59Yeah.
18:59A little office.
19:00A little office space for you there.
19:01Yeah, a little office space, that.
19:02There's options here.
19:03Yeah, yeah, yeah.
19:04So, could you see yourself living here?
19:05Yeah.
19:06As soon as you...
19:07I think as soon as you will stand outside, it's...
19:09Compared to the first one.
19:11The first one, obviously, with all the garden and things, but just the outlook on this one
19:15is...
19:16It's beautiful, isn't it?
19:17Yeah.
19:17Right, let's go through the kitchen.
19:19I love the kitchen.
19:20I mean, I always love kitchens, but this is a really special kitchen.
19:22Really?
19:28Yeah.
19:28Huh?
19:30Yeah, yeah, yeah.
19:30Perfect.
19:31Nice range.
19:32It's lovely, isn't it?
19:33Yes, yeah.
19:34Nice sink.
19:35You've got your beams, but really high.
19:36Yeah, really high on this one, aren't you?
19:37You've got loads of room in here.
19:39Yeah.
19:39Yeah, yeah.
19:39And look at all this surface space.
19:41Yes, that's it.
19:42More surface space.
19:43Do you baking?
19:44Yeah.
19:44Yeah.
19:46Smells cool.
19:46I like the colour as well.
19:48You've got space down there as well.
19:49You've got a dining table.
19:50Yeah, yeah, yeah.
19:51Perfect.
19:51And that's what we used to do, is literally cooking, eating, all in the same room, and
19:56in the community as well.
19:57Straight out.
19:57It's literally just there and looks straight out into the garden as well.
20:01Nice views out in the window.
20:02Oh, I know.
20:02Isn't it lovely?
20:03Yeah.
20:04Well, go and have a little potter.
20:05Go up those stairs there.
20:06Those stairs are amazing.
20:08Yeah.
20:08And I know that sounds weird, he says that about a staircase, yeah.
20:11Yeah.
20:11But when you see, you'll understand.
20:12Yeah.
20:12Right.
20:13I'll meet at the garden in a bit.
20:14Have fun.
20:16Very hard to read, but I think they like it.
20:21Up an ornate staircase, the spacious main bedroom occupies the whole top floor.
20:28Look at the window.
20:30Yeah.
20:30A lot of light room coming from.
20:31There is.
20:32High ceilings again.
20:33Yeah.
20:33Enough space to have this big bed.
20:36Yeah.
20:37They're not exactly singing and dancing, but I'm hearing a lot of yeses and yes.
20:42Yeah.
20:42And they're beams.
20:45Back on the ground floor are two more bedrooms.
20:47I would like to stop in this one rather than the upstairs one.
20:51I think this would make a better master bedroom.
20:54Yeah.
20:55But it fits better.
20:55Near the bathroom.
20:56Yeah.
20:56Yeah, because you've not got a desk in.
20:58Yeah, fit the bed on that side.
21:00Yeah.
21:00Yeah.
21:01Yeah.
21:02On the opposite side of the house is a utility room.
21:05Yeah, sort of this thing.
21:06Like a little window.
21:07Yeah, I know.
21:08Yeah, yeah, yeah.
21:08You can see that walls, I think.
21:09Yeah.
21:10That thing.
21:11And outside, there's a separate work room.
21:13Could be an office.
21:15Yeah, you have an office everywhere on the house.
21:16Yeah, no, no, it could be.
21:18Or it could be...
21:19Storage.
21:20Storage.
21:20Just storage.
21:21Yeah.
21:21Yeah.
21:22You know, projects.
21:23Yeah.
21:24You want a little hobby.
21:25I did.
21:26So, ideal.
21:27The garden is beautifully maintained, and the owners are also offering an additional
21:32rear plot of land, which comes with planning permission, for sale at just over £100,000.
21:39Would this garden space work for you?
21:41Yes.
21:41Much more manageable gardens.
21:43Yeah.
21:44Yeah.
21:44I don't know if you'd get a ride-along lawnmower on this one.
21:46No, we won't.
21:47I think we'll be okay with this.
21:48No, or even no glamping pods.
21:50No.
21:50But we were thinking of a static.
21:53Yeah.
21:54So, when the...
21:54When kids come down, we can put them in a static caravan.
21:57So, it's now gone from a tent...
21:59It's a static caravan.
22:01A static caravan.
22:01Well, I mean, they've upgraded from the tent some of them.
22:03Yeah, they have, yeah.
22:04That's right.
22:04So, yeah.
22:05Well, let's talk price.
22:06Okay.
22:06Any thoughts?
22:07I think round about £580,000.
22:09Okay.
22:09£580,000.
22:10I'm going to go for the top end, £595,000.
22:13Yeah.
22:13You're both so wrong.
22:14Yeah.
22:15Right, okay.
22:15So wrong.
22:16It's actually on the market for £465,000.
22:20Oh, right.
22:21Yeah, yeah.
22:21That's massive.
22:22We're way all the way up, aren't we?
22:24Yeah, yeah, yeah.
22:24In a good way as well.
22:25Yeah, in a definite way.
22:27Yeah, yeah, yeah.
22:27I want to follow that.
22:29This Grade 2 listed picture-perfect cottage is immaculately finished and offers three bedrooms,
22:36a cosy living room, plus a separate work room.
22:38And the price of £465,000 means there's enough in the budget to buy the next Plot 2 and even
22:46a static caravan.
22:49The price surprised me.
22:52It's just everything we're probably looking for that you didn't think you could get and it's the price.
22:58But I like the rooms, I like the workshop.
23:01It's got a lovely bathroom and I like the downstairs.
23:04Yeah, so upstairs we probably use that as a second bedroom and we use the downstairs one as his main
23:09bedroom and then use a little one as wardrobes next up to our work.
23:13It's a good to see us both living here.
23:26For walking enthusiast Peter, one of the enticing nearby routes takes in Warbstow Bury, an Iron Age hill fort.
23:36This is lovely up here, isn't it?
23:38It is.
23:39On top of the world.
23:40You are.
23:40You are.
23:41Yeah, lovely views, lovely walks.
23:43Like surrounding views, isn't it?
23:43It's amazing.
23:44I mean, because obviously we're excited to be by the coastline.
23:47Yeah.
23:47But you do a lot of walking, you started a walking club, didn't you?
23:50Yeah, yeah, yeah.
23:50So, coming up to places like this.
23:53It's ideal.
23:54It's going to be hopefully part of the new lifestyle.
23:56Yeah.
23:56It is.
23:57Yeah.
23:58Being out to it in nature.
23:58Just literally, just out, just clears your head when you go for a walk.
24:01You can just drop on my stuff, come out, get my walking boots on, walk up here and then yeah,
24:07you're just out to a different world.
24:08Yeah.
24:08You have to put up with the locals though.
24:10You would.
24:10Yeah.
24:10They're quite lair actually.
24:11They're quite noisy, aren't they?
24:12Yeah.
24:13And what do you think your family would make of this?
24:15Can you imagine bringing the grandkids up here?
24:17Oh, yeah.
24:17Definitely.
24:18They would absolutely love it.
24:19Obviously the school holidays.
24:21Yeah.
24:21To spend the weeks with us.
24:22We could show them the outdoor space, the walks.
24:25The beach.
24:25Take them to the beach, yeah.
24:26It would be so exciting having grandma and granddad by the beach.
24:29I know.
24:29Yeah, that's it.
24:30Yeah, free holidays for them as well.
24:31Yeah, of course it is.
24:32Please have a word with my mum, honestly.
24:34Yeah, tell her to me.
24:34Free holidays by the beach?
24:35Yes, please.
24:36How do you move down to Cornwall?
24:37Yeah, that's it.
24:38Amazing.
24:39Well look, lots more to do tomorrow.
24:41Yeah.
24:41The mystery.
24:43Exactly.
24:43So should we just enjoy this for a little bit?
24:45Yep.
24:46Yes, please.
24:46Yeah, alright then.
24:47Don't mind if we do.
25:00Despite having no end of priceless sea views, when it comes to houses, Cornwall has the lowest
25:06property prices on the south coast.
25:08A detached house here costs an average of £441,000, compared to £483,000 in neighbouring Devon.
25:21On the market for £242,500, this one-bed Cornish bungalow in a peaceful hamlet has easy
25:29access to the south-west coastal path.
25:32It has a good-sized kitchen diner, a living space with bifolds to the garden and stylish
25:38decor.
25:42Or for £695,000, this Grade II listed 400-year-old former mill has four spacious bedrooms and a
25:50large farmhouse kitchen.
25:52The gardens are bordered by a stream, cover over three acres and are visited by deer, kingfishers
25:59and otters.
26:04If you're planning a shorter stay, then this geodome and cabin are set in a wildflower
26:09meadow and offer rural views from a king-size bed, or the hammock, or even the bath.
26:16Prices start from £110 per night for a midweek stay in low season.
26:24So far, so good with our house hunting experience this week in Cornwall, and I feel like we're
26:29finally making some progress with Peter and Joanne's extensive house search, but there's
26:34still so much more of this beautiful county to see, and a truly special mystery house.
26:42For our last property stop, we're heading to the county's northern border with Devon, and
26:47the coastal village of Morwenstow.
26:50Near the cliffs is a Grade I listed church, where, during the 1800s, the eccentric vicar,
26:56Reverend Hawker, became particularly well-known, but more about him in a moment.
27:02Welcome to the village of Morwenstow.
27:05Ready for today?
27:06Yes, this is the day we've been waiting for.
27:08Yes.
27:09It's a big house.
27:10No pressure.
27:10The exciting one.
27:11The exciting one.
27:12They're all exciting ones, Joanne.
27:13This is just extra exciting.
27:15Yes.
27:16Right.
27:16Have you been here before?
27:17No.
27:18No.
27:18OK.
27:18So it's got a lot of history to it, this place.
27:20Right.
27:20But it also, very conveniently, has a pub.
27:23Yeah, I would just notice that.
27:24Yeah.
27:25A lovely tea room down the way.
27:26All right.
27:27And this could be the end, potentially, of a lovely walk, of a weekend, or of an evening.
27:32You could go on your lovely coastal walk, finish up here, then go to the pub.
27:36You can.
27:37And then walk home, because the mystery house isn't far away.
27:39Perfect.
27:40Good, good, good.
27:41Yeah, that's it.
27:42Yeah, yeah.
27:42So I'm going to leave you to have a little wander.
27:44OK.
27:44I'm going to go and open up the mystery house.
27:45Yeah.
27:46I'll see you in a little bit.
27:47We won't.
27:47See you soon.
27:48Bye.
27:50There are some beautiful walks here, but in this weather I wouldn't blame them for just
27:54going in search of the nearest hot chocolate.
27:57Watch that.
27:59And that's probably clinched it.
28:02As far as mystery houses go, this one has to be up there.
28:06In fact, it might even be my favourite one ever.
28:10For so many reasons.
28:12Let me show you.
28:13Although this one isn't detached, it's full of knockout selling points.
28:19Incredibly high ceilings, bags of history and character coming out of its ears.
28:25Peter and Joanne have seen hundreds of houses, but I bet you they've never seen one like this.
28:33It's claimed that Reverend Hawker preached on this site.
28:37He was famous for writing the unofficial Cornish Anthem and introducing the Harvest Festival as we know it today.
28:43So this unique mystery house has ties to the county as well as countryside celebrations.
28:50But for Joanne and Peter, will it be third or rather 203rd time lucky?
28:57Hi, hi.
28:58Hiya.
28:58Hello.
28:59Welcome to your mystery house.
29:01Right.
29:01Yeah, definitely.
29:02Well, yes.
29:04A lot bigger.
29:06Definitely.
29:07Crikey.
29:07This is within our budget.
29:08Well, it'd be really mean.
29:09Oh, right.
29:10Every point is something you really couldn't afford.
29:13But this, as mystery houses go, I mean, I just think it's sensational.
29:18Beautiful spot.
29:19Isn't it?
29:19Yes.
29:20It just feels like you're in your own little world.
29:22Yes.
29:22I think it's all the high trees around.
29:24Yeah.
29:25But it's just beautiful.
29:26But you're, you know, you're in a village.
29:28You are.
29:28You don't think you are as well, do you?
29:30No.
29:30You think you're in the middle of nowhere, but you're...
29:31No, you're not.
29:33Listed?
29:34Nope.
29:34Right.
29:35Right, okay.
29:35Now, you didn't think I was going to say that, didn't you?
29:37No, no, no.
29:39Even better.
29:39No, not listed.
29:41Although why you'd want to do anything to it, I don't know.
29:43Yeah.
29:43Should we go and have a look?
29:44Go and have a look.
29:44Yeah, that's it.
29:46She's excited.
29:49This impressive home is believed to date from the early 1900s,
29:52was part of the former chapel estate and is attached at the rear.
29:58Wow.
29:58Wow.
29:59Talk about high ceilings.
30:00Yes.
30:00Not going to hit your head on that, Peter.
30:02Not going to hit your head on this one.
30:03No, quite.
30:03Wow.
30:05Oh, my God.
30:06Yes.
30:07Yeah, yeah, yeah.
30:09Wow.
30:10Yes.
30:10Oh, it's worked up.
30:12Yeah, yeah, yeah.
30:12Perfect.
30:13Love that.
30:14Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
30:15And we got a wow.
30:15We got a wow.
30:16We got a big smile.
30:17Absolutely.
30:18We haven't got two of them, guys.
30:20It's stunning.
30:21It's brilliant.
30:22Yeah, yeah.
30:22It's gorgeous.
30:23It really is, honestly.
30:25That's what we dreamed of, isn't it?
30:26Yeah, it is, yeah, yeah, yeah.
30:27Are you OK?
30:28I'm going to get a tissue, I think.
30:30Yeah, it's...
30:31Yeah.
30:32No, it is.
30:33It's beautiful.
30:33Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it?
30:34Yeah, it is, yeah.
30:35It's...
30:35I mean, it's a magical house.
30:38You know, I got quite emotional coming in here.
30:40And I don't know what it was.
30:40I think it's just because it's such a lovely building.
30:43It's such a lovely house.
30:43Yeah.
30:44But you've got...
30:45You're right.
30:45Yeah, yeah.
30:46And I think, as well, there is so much love in this house.
30:49Yeah.
30:49Yeah.
30:50For the family who live here.
30:51But they've obviously got an eye for interior design.
30:54Definitely.
30:55Yeah, yeah, yeah.
30:55That's what we needed, wasn't it?
30:56Someone else's eye.
30:57We haven't.
30:58Someone else's eye.
30:59They've done it already, it's all right.
31:01Yeah, that's empty.
31:01I mean, so much space.
31:02But you've got, as well, you've got this space for you to sit.
31:04Yeah, yeah, yeah.
31:05That's it, isn't it?
31:06And then you've got this beautiful summer room, which is quite modern, but they've done
31:09it beautifully to sort of connect...
31:11Yeah, the outside in.
31:12Exactly.
31:13Yeah, you can just sit there and enjoy the nature.
31:16There's another reception room on the opposite side of the hall, sharing the garden view.
31:22Yeah.
31:23Wow.
31:24Yeah, another room.
31:25Another wow.
31:25Another wow.
31:26Another room.
31:27Not just another room, another massive room.
31:29Another massive room, yeah.
31:30And look at the windows out onto a little terrace.
31:33Yeah.
31:33And these.
31:34The shutters open as well.
31:35Original shutters.
31:36Hundreds of houses, have you ever seen one like this?
31:38Never.
31:39No.
31:40Not with this character.
31:41We've never been that emotional when we've walked in.
31:43No.
31:44Very hard to get me emotional.
31:46Oh, it's a little hard, yeah.
31:46As you've probably seen in the last couple of hours we've been.
31:50So, yeah.
31:51So, yeah.
31:51So, it's struck a chord.
31:53Also, next door to this room, you've got a study.
31:56Yeah.
31:56Good-sized study for you working at home, Peter.
31:58Yeah.
31:59And the under-the-stairs space, I'm thinking movie memorabilia.
32:02Yes.
32:03Harry Potter may have lived under the stairs, but there's no need to squeeze the memorabilia
32:08into nooks, as upstairs there are four large bedrooms.
32:12Yeah, yeah, yeah.
32:13High ceiling.
32:14Big bed.
32:15Huge storage.
32:16Yeah.
32:16You can see straight out in countryside.
32:20So, the second bedroom.
32:21Again, look at the size.
32:23Massive.
32:25Ideal kids' bedroom.
32:26It is.
32:27Which has already set it out far.
32:28Well, we've got three, anyway.
32:29Yeah, yeah, yeah.
32:29Three grandchildren.
32:30That's it.
32:32I love that they had a similar reaction to me when they came in.
32:36Emotional.
32:37There's something about this property that just brings it out, and they really felt that
32:41connection, which makes me very excited.
32:45Oh, gorgeous bath.
32:46Yeah, you always wanted the one that's in the middle.
32:48Yes, definitely.
32:48Instead of ours in corner.
32:49I said it was stuck in corner.
32:50Yeah, yeah.
32:52I've got my shower.
32:53Yeah, yeah, yeah.
32:55Outside, all the grounds lie to the front and side, featuring mature gardens and a
33:00potential play area for the grandchildren.
33:04Hi.
33:05Hello.
33:06How about them bedrooms, eh?
33:07Amazing.
33:08Amazing.
33:08Nothing small about them.
33:09And then you've got this outside space, which is also beautiful.
33:14Yeah.
33:14You've got, you know, the lovely lawn, but you've also got, they've created a bit of a
33:17woodland walk.
33:18Oh, right.
33:19That goes round, and then it goes round that side as well.
33:21Your grandkids would love you.
33:24Can you imagine?
33:25Yeah.
33:25Grandma and grandad.
33:26I think they'd all come down, wouldn't they?
33:27Well, let's talk about price.
33:29Okay.
33:29You keep worrying that you can't afford this place.
33:31Yeah, I do.
33:31Let's find out.
33:32I'm going to go 585.
33:35Okay.
33:35Okay.
33:36I've got more.
33:37Go on then, Peter, what are you going for?
33:38So, I'd say over.
33:41Okay.
33:41I'd say 610.
33:42It's on the market.
33:43But bang on, £600,000.
33:45Right.
33:46Well, that's okay.
33:46It's like a dream house, isn't it?
33:47Yeah.
33:48Well, it is, yeah.
33:48Yeah, that's it.
33:49It's a classic mystery house.
33:50It is.
33:51Yeah.
33:53203rd times the charm for this charming early 20th century home, with a huge kitchen diner
33:59that prompted tears from Peter, plus five bedrooms, if including the study, with a mature garden
34:05and play area, on budget at £600,000.
34:11It's perfect.
34:13It's absolutely perfect.
34:14It's different.
34:16It's what we were looking for, but on a larger scale, which is fabulous.
34:21It's something that I didn't think we could get within our budget.
34:25Quite a lot of emotion when I went into the kitchen.
34:28And then it just went on and on and on, and more wows, wows and wows.
34:32I've never seen him cry when he walked through a door before, but I can tell this is what
34:36he's been looking for in the right area as well.
34:40It's incredible.
34:50These translucent Atlantic waters are as enticing as they are intimidating.
35:00So if you fancy a calmer dip, then Bude came up with the solution almost 100 years ago.
35:06As Jodie Harper, the communications manager of Bude Seapool, can explain.
35:12This is amazing.
35:14It is.
35:14It really is.
35:15It's the best place you can be in Bude.
35:17And it's somewhere that is a really special place for the people who live here and for the people who
35:22visit as well.
35:22Talk to me about how a sea pool works.
35:25Well, this is a tidal sea pool.
35:28So on a high tide, you'll see it washing over the side.
35:32And occasionally on a really high tide, this will all be underwater where we're standing.
35:36But it just means that every high tide, it's refreshed, it's refilled and it's topped up.
35:40But it's always, it's always full.
35:42So you don't need to keep refilling it.
35:44No, we empty it once a year for annual maintenance and make it all nice and tidy and do all
35:49of our repairs.
35:50And then the tide fills it back up again.
35:52And that's it for the next year.
35:53Just to let nature do its work.
35:55Yeah, exactly.
35:56Best way.
35:57That's fantastic.
35:58So how is it funded?
36:00It's funded by donations.
36:01It's funded by fundraising.
36:04We're run by a charity.
36:05We took it over in 2010.
36:08It used to be run by the council, but the council gave it over to the charity to run.
36:13And from then on, we've been managing it and doing all the, raising the money to keep it going.
36:19It's all done by donations, fundraising, events, sponsorship, and generally money that people give when they come and visit.
36:27Obviously, you can see some very confident swimmers in there.
36:29Very confident.
36:31You know, what kind of people come and use the pool regularly?
36:33We've got some really dedicated swimmers here.
36:37We've got a huge contingent of open water swimmers who come and use it.
36:41They use it all through the winter.
36:42They use it all year round.
36:44Some of the guys in here at the moment are from the Budesurf Lifesaving Club and they use it for
36:48training.
36:49And a lot of people use it to come with their families because we've got a shallow area.
36:54It's a safe place.
36:55And, you know, you can come and swim in the elements, but in a safe space.
37:01The pool has many benefits.
37:02It's free to swim in, no chemicals or energy are involved, and there are physical and mental advantages too, as
37:10swimmers Lisa, Janet and Julia can attest.
37:15So talk to me, how often do you come swimming here?
37:18As often as we can, don't we?
37:20Yeah, about every other day.
37:22Yeah.
37:22We do winter challenges, so that makes you come more often in the winter.
37:26I swim more in the winter.
37:27Yeah.
37:27You come in the winter too?
37:29Yeah.
37:29Yeah.
37:30It didn't get so cold this winter though, did it?
37:32Wow.
37:32Not down to about five.
37:34Yeah.
37:35And I suppose my main question is why?
37:38Makes you feel alive.
37:40Yeah.
37:41Friendships.
37:41You meet people, friendships.
37:42Yeah.
37:43I've met these through swimming.
37:44Yeah.
37:45I mean a lot of people say it's like meditative, and it is really.
37:48Really.
37:49Because you just feel so good when you're in here.
37:51You just feel so good when you come out.
37:53But also it's just you and the water and the waves and.
37:56And your mates.
37:57Yeah.
37:57And the communities, everything.
37:59So it's just a wonderful thing.
38:00If you've got worries, then you're kind of just focusing on swimming, aren't you?
38:04Especially in the winter when it's cold.
38:05You can't think of anything else.
38:08Yeah.
38:09You definitely get a buzz from it, don't you?
38:10You get really hooked on it.
38:12Yeah.
38:12I think it's because you get the buzz.
38:13It's not the same in chlorinated water, in the salt water, in the, and it is colder.
38:19And it's like swimming in the sea, but better because you're not sheltered from the waves.
38:24Yeah.
38:24But the endorphins just.
38:26Yeah.
38:26You know.
38:27And it's in the outside.
38:28It's nature.
38:29Yeah.
38:29So it's everything that's good for us.
38:31You're all glowing.
38:34Just think, fantastic.
38:35Come on.
38:35Yeah, come on.
38:36You're like, get in here.
38:37I need to go and put me wetsuit on.
38:39Because I can't, I can't quite bring myself to get in just in because it is.
38:43I know.
38:43And it doesn't matter.
38:44It doesn't matter what you wear.
38:45Yeah.
38:46What you wear, you get the benefits from coming in.
38:48Definitely.
38:49All right.
38:49I'm going to go get my wetsuit on.
38:51Thanks ladies.
38:51You're welcome.
38:52I'll see you in a minute.
38:53You guys are amazing.
38:54I love you.
38:58I've been told the water temperature is about 17 degrees.
39:01And as I only started swimming last year, I've popped on a wetsuit that can help
39:06with temperature and buoyancy.
39:08In fact, I might try and pop on too.
39:13Enough chit chat.
39:14It's time for me to get in.
39:23I wouldn't use the word warm.
39:26I won't be putting my head under just because my hair and makeup lady, aka me, will get annoyed.
39:34It's lovely.
39:36What do you get moving?
39:37It warms up a little bit.
39:40It's actually really nice in here.
39:43It is very calming.
39:45It's cold.
39:46I'm really glad I've got a wetsuit on.
39:48But it's lovely.
39:49And I've got to say, as someone who's not been swimming very long, it's really nice knowing
39:54that I'm in a safe space, not having to battle the currents or anything like that.
39:59Because I don't think I'd be confident doing that.
40:01But in here, it's pretty nice.
40:08Around 60,000 people a year use the sea pool.
40:11And next time I'm in the area, I think I'll be back.
40:22But for now, I suppose I'd best dry off and get back to Peter and Joanne.
40:38It was an emotional end to our house search here in Cornwall, but in a good way.
40:42So let's go and see what Joanne and Peter are planning to do next, surrounded by the
40:46calming sounds of the ocean.
40:53Hello.
40:54Hello.
40:55This is nice, isn't it?
40:56It is.
40:56What a nice way to end our week.
40:58It's sad.
40:59Yeah.
40:59The end of the week.
41:00It's the end of the week, but I don't think it's the end of Cornwall for you, is it?
41:03No, it's not.
41:03No, it's a start.
41:05Today's just surpassed itself.
41:07Yeah.
41:07The mystery has a way of doing that.
41:09It does.
41:10You even got tearful.
41:11Yeah.
41:12It finally sort of felt like it might be happening.
41:15Yes.
41:16Yeah, that was.
41:17When, like I said, I don't really show much emotion, as probably Joanne says, and very
41:21hard to read.
41:22But yeah, sometimes that house just hit a chord.
41:26So what are the next steps, do we think?
41:28The next steps for me would be to get, well, our house is on the market, get it sold as
41:32soon as possible, and make an offer.
41:35On the mystery house?
41:36Absolutely.
41:37Yeah.
41:37Yeah, without hesitation.
41:38This is very exciting.
41:39It is.
41:39You're both so cool and calm about everything.
41:41I'm like, oh, my God.
42:05Oh, my God.
42:12Please keep us updated.
42:13We will.
42:13We want to know.
42:14Yeah.
42:14And I really hope that you just find your happiness here.
42:17We will.
42:17Yeah.
42:18I know we will.
42:19Thanks for a lovely week.
42:20All right.
42:21Thank you very much.
42:21Best of luck.
42:28I have loved my first time house hunting here in Cornwall, even if it is a little bit
42:32on the windy side.
42:34And it feels like Peter and Joanne may have finally found their dream home in the countryside.
42:40Let's hope that our mystery house and their house viewing number 203 really is the one.
42:46I wish them the best of luck.
42:48Join me next time on Escape to the Country.
42:51If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
42:55and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:21Okay.
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