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Escape To The Country - Season 26 - Episode 15: Cornwall
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00:01Today I'm with a couple who know exactly where they want to be.
00:05Incredible.
00:06I just think it looks amazing.
00:08Yeah?
00:08Yeah.
00:09My mission? Tempt them with some irresistible properties.
00:13Wow.
00:14It's beautiful.
00:15Oh, good grief.
00:17And there might be a little perk in it for me, too.
00:20It feels like I'm on holiday. It feels like I'm abroad.
00:22You're going to stay.
00:23Oh, thanks.
00:24Yeah.
00:26The places might feel familiar, but big change is on the horizon.
00:30I wouldn't want to go to the pub.
00:32Oh, my God. It's going to start a life of sobriety.
00:36No, I didn't say that.
00:36No, no, no. She didn't say that.
00:59Today we're in a county with the longest coastline in England.
01:03From the dramatic Atlantic facing north to the sheltered and temperate south,
01:08it can only be Cornwall.
01:11Breathtaking and beautiful.
01:15Cornwall is very much a maritime county,
01:18flowing with the ocean, moving with the tides.
01:21But away from the coast, you can find tucked away villages
01:24where music and laughter comes from fire-lit pubs.
01:28Everywhere you look in the landscape are stories,
01:30but you're never far away from the spirit of the sea.
01:35Jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, Cornwall is a perennial popular destination
01:39for both holidaymakers and housebuyers.
01:43It's renowned for its tin and copper mining heritage,
01:46which stretches back over 4,000 years.
01:50The fine architecture on show in the village of Brieg
01:53reflects the wealth of the mine owners
01:55who settled there during the industry's 18th and 19th century boom.
02:00The harbour town of Porth Leaven is emerging
02:02as a creative and culinary hotspot,
02:04and guess what's on the menu?
02:07Cornwall's probably got the most diverse array of fish that you'll ever have.
02:11I mean, I'm originally from New Zealand,
02:13but to have somewhere where you can get oysters and scallops
02:18and then bluefin tuna, that's insane.
02:21For those who prefer catching waves over fish,
02:24Prey Sands Beach is a prime surfing destination,
02:27stretching for over a mile
02:29and set within Cornwall's national landscape.
02:32Cornwall means everything to me.
02:33We've got the coastlines, we've got the rolling farmland,
02:37and, you know, today we've got the great weather,
02:39but that's not all the time.
02:44Today's escape is all about bringing family together here in Cornwall,
02:48three generations in one county.
02:50Two generations are already here,
02:52so let's meet the one that isn't.
02:57Yeah, coming to Cornwall is stepping back in time.
03:01People have time for you, they talk to you.
03:03It's the community.
03:04It's the community.
03:05Everyone says hello in the street.
03:07The pubs are great.
03:10For the past 23 years,
03:12home for retirees Sally and Denny
03:14has been this 1930s four-bed detached property in the Wirral.
03:19Where we live now, we're on a main road.
03:21We love the house.
03:23The house is great, isn't it?
03:24It's been perfect finding the home.
03:25It's been superb to bring the family up,
03:26but now they've flown, they've gone,
03:29there's me, Sal and the cat,
03:30and we're just rattling around
03:32in a reasonably big-sized house, aren't we?
03:35Yeah.
03:36So moving on felt like the natural next step,
03:39and so did choosing where to make their countryside escape.
03:44We've been coming to Cornwall now for 19, 20 years, isn't it?
03:48And our children have grown up with the village children,
03:51and when we get to Cornwall, everyone says,
03:54oh, you're back again, are you?
03:55Yeah, we're kind of known, infamous or maybe famous,
03:58I don't know, one or the other.
04:01Family holidays in Cornwall
04:03left a lasting impression on their son, Tom.
04:06After finishing school,
04:07he joined the Navy and made the county his home.
04:12Last year, Tom and his wife welcomed baby Billy,
04:15Sally and Denny's beloved grandchild.
04:18I think the driving force for our move
04:20is the fact our son's got our first grandson.
04:23First grandson, yeah.
04:24Yeah. So Cornwall, here we come.
04:26So we got shot of both kids.
04:28We've got a new grandkid.
04:30There's only one place to go to.
04:33Sally and Denny have a budget of £400,000
04:36to find a modern and practical property,
04:39such as a bungalow,
04:40with three bedrooms so they can host their daughter Caroline
04:43when she visits from the Wirral.
04:45A music room slash man cave
04:48for Denny's guitar collection is a must,
04:50as is a manageable garden.
04:52Oh, and one more thing.
04:54They'd love to be within strolling distance of a good pub.
05:00Sally and Denny have been coming here
05:02to this particular spot in Cornwall for years on holiday.
05:06In fact, they're here on holiday right now.
05:08Sort of weird.
05:10Can they come and join us from their holiday?
05:12But I hope that we can find it because what a dream, huh?
05:16Come somewhere on holiday and then make it your home.
05:22Sally and Denny are pressing pause on their latest break in the county
05:25to catch up with me at a stunning spot
05:27on the Lizard Peninsula above Mullion Cove.
05:31I feel like I've crashed into your holiday.
05:33I'm really sorry.
05:35That's OK.
05:35But you've already been here a week.
05:36We have.
05:37But also that you're experts in the Lizard.
05:39You've been here, like, many, many more times than I have.
05:41About 19 years now.
05:43Oh, my goodness.
05:44Two or three times a year, isn't it?
05:45Yeah.
05:46Are there any particular areas you're keen to live in?
05:49Exactly where we are now, Mullion.
05:51It's such a beautiful place.
05:53This is the hub kind of thing for us.
05:56And from here, we can go to other areas.
05:58But we love this place.
06:00We've made so many friends here.
06:02We've got so many connections.
06:03It's just an absolutely fabulous place.
06:06So you're going to say farewell to the Wirral and come down here?
06:08Oh, yes.
06:09Yes.
06:10Oh, yes.
06:11The Wirral's a nice place, don't get me wrong.
06:13But this is a different lifestyle completely.
06:16And apart from looking after Billy, your grandson,
06:18what else are you going to be doing?
06:19Are you kind of joiners?
06:20Are you going to be joining things?
06:22Over the years, we've made an awful lot of friends down here.
06:24So they've got me trying to learn very badly to play the guitar.
06:30So there's things like that.
06:31We do like music.
06:32There's always music going on in the pubs.
06:35And we do like the pubs.
06:37Pubs are good.
06:38Yeah.
06:38And how is this guitar playing?
06:41Be honest.
06:44I'll reserve judgements.
06:45You can whisper.
06:47No.
06:48So it's an exciting move.
06:50Are you excited or are you a little nervous?
06:52Excited.
06:53Excited, but nervous about what we can afford.
06:57Well, we've got some lovely properties lined up.
06:59Shall we go and see them?
06:59Oh, yes, please.
07:00That sounds good.
07:01Come on.
07:01Well, you should lead the way because you know better than me.
07:06Sally and Denny are focusing their search here on the Lizard Peninsula along Cornwall's southern coast.
07:12So we're starting in the village of Malian.
07:16The largest village on the peninsula, Malian offers a great mix of amenities for both tourists and locals alike.
07:24Having spent many holidays here, the couple know the area well, including the village pub, where I'm told they've enjoyed
07:30more than a few memorable evenings.
07:33Our destination is in the Mears Valley, a desirable residential area, just a short walk from the shops and home
07:40to a property so tucked away you might just miss it.
07:47We're coming into the garden because the hedge is quite big.
07:49You can't see the house from the road.
07:51This is the house that we're starting off with.
07:54OK.
07:55It's a 1970s bungalow.
07:57Excellent.
07:58Ideal.
07:58I like the colour.
07:59And it's a lovely spot.
08:00We're only ten minutes away from your favourite pub.
08:03That's the most important thing.
08:05But I think this is going to be a great contender for you.
08:08Lovely and quiet, secluded front garden.
08:10Really pretty garden.
08:10That's unusual, isn't it?
08:11Could you ask for a better area for me?
08:13You'd lose them in the bushes.
08:16We're also safe from the road.
08:17Yeah.
08:18I love this property.
08:18Let's see what you think.
08:19Come and follow me.
08:20Let's go.
08:22Sally and Denny have expressed concern about how far their budget will stretch in Cornwall,
08:27so I'm hoping this place, with its light and spacious interior, will quietly put those worries to rest.
08:36Oh, wow.
08:37Great, isn't it?
08:38This is a big open space.
08:40This was actually a gap between this was the old house finished here.
08:43It's so open, isn't it?
08:44Isn't it?
08:44It feels quite European, isn't it?
08:46It does, very.
08:47It's Spain, isn't it?
08:48Come into the kitchen.
08:49So a step up, because that was the old garden door.
08:52It's lovely.
08:53It's bright, it's airy.
08:54And the colour of the blue follows through as well.
08:56Yeah.
08:57Oh, look at the garden.
08:58Yeah, the garden's really beautiful, isn't it?
09:00Big, big, big windows in this property.
09:02So obviously there's no seating in this kitchen, but they've knocked through, this was a closed wall,
09:07they've knocked through, so it's almost like a kitchen, sitting room, dining room combo.
09:13Nice and relaxed again.
09:15Loads of light.
09:16Space for the kitchen table from home.
09:18Yeah, it would fit.
09:19So this is facing south.
09:20You stand on your tiptoes, you can see the sea.
09:23Lop the hedge down a bit.
09:25But that garden's beautifully secluded and it gives this, it gives privacy in this room as well with the beautiful
09:30big window.
09:31How would you use it?
09:31Can you imagine being here with the grand, the grandson?
09:35Oh, yes.
09:36It's ideal flooring for the little guys, isn't it?
09:38Yeah.
09:38To scamper about on.
09:39Yeah.
09:40The red sofas.
09:41Kitchen table.
09:42I'd say, you've decorated her already.
09:45What, red against the blue?
09:46Perfect.
09:47Have you lived in a bungalow before?
09:48No.
09:49No.
09:49But you're okay with living all on one level?
09:51Yeah.
09:52Well, when we come down to Cornwall, we stay in a bungalow.
09:55It's a real strange one because Sal's dad always said you have to go upstairs to go to bed for...
10:00Nice.
10:00No.
10:02You just have to turn left to go to bed here.
10:04What?
10:07There are two big double bedrooms.
10:10I think I might fancy this one as the main one because you get this lovely morning sun pouring in
10:16through the windows.
10:17That's a fabulous view to wake up to every morning, isn't it?
10:20Yeah.
10:21It's beautiful.
10:22You've got a wash basin and toilet in there, not a shower, but there's the family bathroom.
10:28But it's mainly going to be the two of you, is that right?
10:30It will be.
10:30It will be, yeah.
10:31So what are your vibes about the house so far?
10:33I think it's lovely.
10:34Very nice, yeah.
10:36The gardens are spectacular.
10:38I know, it is a few, it feels like I'm on holiday, it feels like I'm abroad.
10:42You can come and stay.
10:43Oh, thanks.
10:44You're welcome.
10:45Look at the office guest.
10:46That means you've already bought it.
10:50Things are going so well, I'm leaving them to explore the remaining bedrooms on their own.
10:55There are four in total, two further doubles and one single.
11:00Oh, it's massive.
11:02This is nice.
11:03Wow.
11:04And again, you've got loads of natural light.
11:06I like this one too.
11:08Should we go see some more?
11:09I think we should.
11:12Oh, this is the baby room.
11:14This is a good size for the little fella, isn't it?
11:16Yeah, perfect.
11:18So, baby Billy is sorted, but what about a man cave for Denny?
11:22The fourth bedroom is an option, but for the sake of Sally and her ears, Denny and his guitars
11:29might be better off in the attached garage.
11:32The rear garden can be accessed via the dining room or through sliding doors in the principal bedroom.
11:38How glamorous is this?
11:41It's half patio, half lawn and equal parts private and peaceful.
11:47You love to garden, right?
11:48I like my snobout in a garden, yeah.
11:50I wouldn't call myself a gardener.
11:51Would this about the right size for you?
11:53Perfect.
11:53This is ideal, yeah.
11:54Very little to mow.
11:56Nicely stocked.
11:57Yeah, little to mow.
11:58And the sun sets over here, so this is actually the spot they've put this space here so you can
12:02have like a table out.
12:03Yeah, have your cocktails.
12:05Nice.
12:06What do you think the price of this one is?
12:08I would say this is on our limit, I'd say 400.
12:10400, I would say 410.
12:14This is on the market for 385,000 pounds.
12:17Oh, wow.
12:19OK.
12:19Yeah, so you could afford it.
12:21Very much so, yeah.
12:23That's good to know, that really is.
12:25Feeling the pressure now.
12:28£15,000 under budget, this turnkey condition bungalow is as spacious as they come,
12:34offering open plan living and four bedrooms, including a principal en suite.
12:40There's even room in the garage for Denny and his Qatar collection, and it's right in the heart of the
12:45couple's favourite Cornish village.
12:48The Blue House is definitely a contender.
12:52Price-wise, it's excellent.
12:54We've been coming to Mullion for years, and this location I never knew existed.
12:59So, I really like it.
13:01Beautiful, bright, airy.
13:03It's got a nice flow to it.
13:05It's got everything that we want, plus its staggering distance of the pub.
13:21We're hitting pause on the house hunt for a moment, so our buyers can explore Helston,
13:26one of Cornwall's oldest towns, and the gateway to the Lizard Peninsula.
13:30Once a bustling hub for the county's tin mining industry, today Helston's High Street is packed
13:37with independent shops showcasing the best produce from local artisans.
13:43Helston Community Market.
13:45And then you can go to the choir later.
13:49Not with my voice, no.
13:53I mean, it's just a really cool town.
13:55It's relaxed, it's easygoing.
13:57I feel like other towns in Cornwall get, like, a lot of attention,
14:01and Helston just kind of flies under the radar.
14:04Every May, Helston comes alive for Flora Day,
14:07a centuries-old celebration that fills the streets with music, dancing, and colourful pageantry.
14:15Oh, this must all be for the Flora Day.
14:18People do travel to Flora Day.
14:21All the family gets together, no matter where they live.
14:25They plan the whole day, what they're going to wear,
14:27and it's so beautiful, and it's a lot of traditions and amazing people.
14:34One reason Helston might hold even more appeal to Sally and Denny
14:38is that it's home to their son, Tom, and grandson, Billy.
14:43So when they move, playdates at Coronation Park
14:45will likely become part of their new routine.
14:48And when they're off grandparent duty,
14:51well, they might just find themselves raising a glass
14:53in one of Cornwall's oldest pubs.
14:57I think it's time for a pint now, don't you?
14:59I'd love a beer.
15:01The Blue Anchor has been brewing its own ales since the 15th century,
15:06and manager Janine is ready to give Sally and Denny
15:09a warm Helston welcome.
15:13Is there much going on around here during the day?
15:16Absolutely.
15:17There is so much going on.
15:19There's many pubs and food places to go and visit and try.
15:23The Steel Sanitary just down the road,
15:25you've got the Lizard, you've got Land's End,
15:27and the beaches, the best in the world.
15:30I think there's so much to do.
15:32And that's why I haven't left Cornwall, because I love it.
15:35We can't understand people going on holiday from Cornwall.
15:38No, I go on holiday, and I visit beaches,
15:43and I just think, I'd rather be back in Cornwall.
15:45We've been coming down for 20 years, we've fallen in love with it.
15:48We've even been in here a few times.
15:50Oh, wow.
15:50The perfect part of Cornwall is that it doesn't matter where you're from,
15:54everyone's very inclusive, and that you can make friends,
15:57and we're all willing to talk to people,
15:59and I just think that's a lovely, lovely part of us.
16:01Yeah, we've noticed that.
16:03Well, hopefully you find something and we see you in here again.
16:05Yes, please.
16:06You certainly will.
16:06Hopefully next time I'm holding a pint.
16:08Absolutely.
16:08I'll join you.
16:10Good.
16:10So, with history on its doorstep, ice cream by the lake,
16:14and baby Billy just around the corner,
16:16Helston offers far more than meets the eye.
16:24We might have struck gold with House 1 in Mullion,
16:27but I want to push my buyers out of their comfort zone
16:30by heading inland to the village of St Martin.
16:34For amenities, Sally and Denny could travel
16:36to the slightly larger village of Morgan,
16:38with its village store and the all-important pub.
16:42That does mean someone's got to be designated driver, though,
16:46as it's two miles away from St Martin,
16:48which is mostly residential,
16:50dotted with traditional stone cottages
16:52and surrounded by rolling hills.
16:59Can I and then feast your eyes on this one?
17:02What a garden.
17:04Front garden's bigger.
17:05It's beautiful.
17:06Really nice.
17:07The garden's superb, the way it's laid out.
17:10Just an explosion of colour.
17:11So, taking you out of your beloved Mullion,
17:13do you know St Martin?
17:15We've never been here, have we?
17:16We've never been here before.
17:17I'd have to check out the bus routes.
17:20It's a consideration.
17:22Sally's not circumvised.
17:23I'm not, no.
17:23Maybe not.
17:24But, well, let's look at the house and see if that'll be laid on.
17:28This chalet bungalow is brand new to the market
17:30and, in terms of its impressive front garden,
17:33everything is rosy.
17:36But, with Sally already questioning the property's location,
17:39let's not beat around the bush.
17:41This one might be a tough one.
17:44Come on in.
17:44We'll go straight into the living space here.
17:48Wow.
17:49Beautiful windows over onto the garden.
17:52It's very cottagey, isn't it?
17:53Yeah, and again, a lot of light.
17:55What are your vibes coming into the house?
17:57Because we were a bit uncertain, Sally.
17:59I'm still uncertain.
18:00I think it's very busy, but I've got to look past the furniture.
18:03OK, so none of this is going to be here.
18:05It's going to be a big square room.
18:06Yeah.
18:07It is a really nice room.
18:09Yeah, you could really make something of it.
18:11I have to win you over, Sally.
18:12Yes, try.
18:13Your face.
18:13Try.
18:15Let's look at the kitchen.
18:19Nicely finished, nicely laid out.
18:22You've got somewhere to sit down and have a coffee over morning,
18:24which I really like.
18:25It's smaller than I expected.
18:29And the last one we saw had the lovely view outside the kitchen window.
18:33I can see you're not loving this.
18:34Sorry.
18:34It's fine.
18:35You don't have to love every house.
18:37No, no, no.
18:37It's fine.
18:38Try as we might, this property seems to be no match for our first house.
18:43OK, this must be the master bedroom.
18:48Yeah.
18:51Hmm, that isn't the kind of speechless I had in mind.
18:55It's a shame because there's a lot on offer here.
18:58There are two double bedrooms downstairs, served by a family bathroom.
19:02And upstairs, the third bedroom has its own en suite.
19:08Unlike the first property we saw, the garage here has already been converted.
19:13The artist's studio.
19:15Oh, goodness.
19:15Oh, this is quaint, isn't it?
19:17This is quirky, yeah.
19:20Would it be foolish of me to think the bedrooms and the workshop
19:23might have brought them round?
19:24Let's find out.
19:26So tell me, you went upstairs, you saw the bedroom,
19:29you fell in love with it and you want to put an offer in?
19:31No.
19:32But just for interest, how much do you think it costs a house like this?
19:36I would say £370.
19:38£370.
19:39I say £350.
19:40This is on the market for £425,000.
19:45Wow.
19:46Wow, OK.
19:47Yeah.
19:48Which is probably a relief.
19:49I'm glad it's not my favourite.
19:51It's not your favourite.
19:52Phew.
19:52Yeah.
19:54Exceeding their budget by £25,000,
19:57Sally and Denny might be out,
19:59but for the right buyer,
20:01this 1970s chalet bungalow could still be a fabulous place to call home.
20:05It benefits from three bedrooms, including one with an en-suite,
20:09and two further bathrooms on the ground floor,
20:12plus a workshop in the converted garage
20:14and a terrifically landscaped front garden.
20:27Two properties down,
20:28and what better way to wrap up a day of house hunting
20:31than with the people at the heart of this move,
20:34Denny and Sally's son, Tom,
20:36his wife, Molly,
20:37and their son, Billy.
20:39Hello, Billy.
20:41Hello, guys.
20:42Sorry, I always get ignored when there's a little one.
20:44He's such a smiler.
20:45He's such a smiler.
20:46Gorgeous, isn't he?
20:47He'd like to have a smile.
20:48He'd like to have a room up.
20:49So we've been showing your mum and dad some property.
20:53How do you think it went today?
20:55I think it's a definite possibility of a move down now.
20:57Yeah?
20:58Yeah.
20:58It's his life at the end of the tunnel.
21:00It's gone right through.
21:01It's been brilliant.
21:02It's down to the help you guys have given us.
21:03It's superb.
21:05How long did it take you to move down, Tom?
21:082014.
21:08I got based down here,
21:10so then living around on Cold Rose or in Halston
21:14when mum moved down.
21:15And how do you feel about these two coming to join you?
21:18It's going to be a culture shock.
21:20How long has it been away?
21:2111 years away.
21:22Mummy wants to know where you're going.
21:25It would be really nice to have both sets of grandparents down for him.
21:28He can grow up with both his grandparents.
21:31It's so lovely.
21:32Are your parents nearby Molly too?
21:34Yeah, so they moved down last year, last May,
21:37so they came from where you guys were from.
21:39So it's like an exodus down from the Wirral down to...
21:42Yeah, it's still your role.
21:43Yeah, it wasn't for us.
21:43It was for this one, wasn't it?
21:45Yeah.
21:45Little Billy's the magnet.
21:47He is.
21:47That and the Cornish coast.
21:49He's the icing on the cake.
21:50Yeah.
21:51Well, we've got one more day,
21:52so hopefully we're going to seal the deal.
21:54Fingers crossed.
21:55Hopefully.
21:56And you'll be down and you'll have a permanent babysitter.
21:59Yeah, after your child care.
22:03Hang on.
22:04We never thought of that, did we?
22:05We never thought of that.
22:06Every Friday night.
22:18Cornwall attracts around 18 million visitors a year,
22:22but what if you want to stick around after the summer season ends
22:25and make it your year-round home?
22:28Currently, you could expect to spend a little over £437,000
22:33for a detached home,
22:35which is slightly lower than the national figure of £438,000.
22:40But when compared to the rest of the region,
22:43where the figure is just over £503,000,
22:46it turns out Cornwall also offers better value
22:49than its southwestern neighbours.
22:54Here for your consideration is a selection of properties
22:57currently available in the county.
22:59For renters, this stone cottage in the town of Porth Levin
23:03has a traditional exterior but is smart and modern inside,
23:07with three bedrooms, a sleek bathroom and a small courtyard garden.
23:12It's offered unfurnished for £1,400 per calendar month.
23:17This two-bed end-of-terrace cottage would be ideal for first-time buyers,
23:22with wooden beams adding a lovely touch of character
23:25and a well-established rear garden.
23:27It has a guide price just shy of £250,000.
23:32This substantial detached property in the same town
23:35benefits from three bedrooms,
23:37plus a separate studio apartment.
23:40The sheltered, walled garden feels totally secluded
23:44and it has a guide price of £525,000.
23:49There is nothing like the Cornish coast to give you property power,
23:53so I am looking forward to showing Denny and Sally the mystery house,
23:56which brings a little bit of history into the mix.
23:59But before that, some clean 1970s lines.
24:05We've already given them a taste of it,
24:07but now it's a property that's drawing us back
24:10to the delightful market town of Helston.
24:13The previous location wasn't quite right for the couple,
24:16so surely we can't go wrong by taking them almost to the doorstep
24:21of their beloved grandchild, Billy,
24:23who lives just an eight-minute drive from the next option we're here to see.
24:31This looks really nice.
24:33Oh, very nice.
24:34Yeah.
24:35Is this the one?
24:36This is the one.
24:37Come and take a look.
24:38First impression, really nice.
24:40Oh, look at the balcony.
24:42Interestingly, we've actually been here before.
24:44Denise came here, like, in 2022,
24:45but the current owners, the new owner, completely remodelled it.
24:49But also we thought this is going to be close to Billy.
24:52It is.
24:53We thought this is going to give you very good grandparent kudos.
24:56You're going to be like, yes.
24:59They're within, like, eight-minute drive.
25:01Bam.
25:02I like it.
25:03Shall we have a look inside?
25:04It's a beautiful house.
25:05OK.
25:07It might look like another 70s bungalow at first glance,
25:10but trust me, its elevated position puts it in a league of its own.
25:17Wow.
25:19That's beautiful.
25:21Isn't it gorgeous?
25:22And having recently had something of a refresh inside,
25:26it's all set to welcome its new owners.
25:29Come into the main sitting room.
25:34Can you imagine your furniture fitting in here?
25:37Oh, it would fit in here very well, wouldn't it?
25:39Very comfy.
25:39What really comes alive is in the evening,
25:42you get the sunset over the view,
25:44and you can go out onto the balcony.
25:48Incredible.
25:50I just think it looks amazing.
25:52Yeah?
25:52Yeah.
25:53It's breathtaking.
25:54You're not really overlooked.
25:55And you've always wanted a balcony?
25:56I've always had a thing about a balcony, strangely enough.
25:58I don't know why.
25:59I've always fancied having a glass of wine on a balcony,
26:02annoying the neighbours with the guitars.
26:04Yes, you can serenade everyone, but it's back out again, yeah.
26:09That's one way to make friends when you move somewhere new.
26:12Let's head to the kitchen,
26:14which, much like the rest of the property,
26:15is brand, brand new.
26:19It's that marble top.
26:20It's beautiful.
26:21A bit small.
26:23But it's workable.
26:24It's a proper kitchen.
26:25It's not...
26:26Oh, yeah.
26:27It's got everything in it.
26:28It's not a galley.
26:28It's nice, yeah.
26:29I like the view.
26:30You've got privacy in the morning,
26:32and then of an evening,
26:33you can go out and chill
26:34and have a glass of wine
26:35overlooking that beautiful valley.
26:39And when they've finished their nightcaps,
26:41they could head to one of the property's three bedrooms.
26:45The landscaped rear garden has a choice of seating areas,
26:48and the current shed could potentially be swapped out
26:51for an even larger man cave.
26:54Failing that, there's a garage at the front
26:56that would no doubt do the job.
26:59Come join me on the breakfast terrace.
27:01I imagine this is where you'd be having your breakfast.
27:04It's just quite a nice idea.
27:05I think the garden is lovely.
27:08Beautifully laid-out garden,
27:09and again, the quality of finish is superb.
27:12What do you think the price of this one is?
27:15I'd say...
27:17£375.
27:19I'll go a bit higher, £385, yeah.
27:22So this is actually top of your budget.
27:24This is on at £400,000.
27:26OK.
27:27I suppose it's the views as well, isn't it?
27:29The views, the location, edge of town.
27:31Yeah.
27:33Sitting at the top of the budget,
27:35this three-bed bungalow has been given a smart, modern makeover
27:39and is ready for Sally and Denny to move straight into.
27:42With beautifully landscaped gardens front and back
27:45and gorgeous countryside views,
27:47the setting speaks volumes.
27:49Best of all, it's just down the road
27:51from their son and little grandson, B.
28:05Nearly 40% of the world's grey seal population
28:09live in the waters around Britain,
28:11with Cornwall's rugged coastline
28:13providing a vital haven for many of them.
28:16On the banks of the Helford River,
28:18the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
28:20has been caring for injured seal pups since 1958.
28:25Today, animal care specialist Bethan Goodridge
28:28has kindly agreed to show me around
28:30and share the work that goes into protecting
28:33these incredible marine mammals.
28:35Good morning, Bethan.
28:37Morning.
28:38Lovely to meet you.
28:39What an amazing space you have to work in.
28:41It's not bad, is it?
28:42It's really great.
28:43And tell me about this sanctuary.
28:44We very much rehab between 50 and 70 grey seals
28:49every season,
28:50with the goal to release as many as possible.
28:54We do have a few residents on site
28:56that, for whatever reason,
28:58have lifelong medical problems
28:59so couldn't be released,
29:00and we are basically a second chance
29:02to give them the best life possible.
29:04So how big an issue is it for UK seals?
29:07The biggest problem they have
29:09is honestly public disturbance.
29:10So it means that often a seal
29:13will be on the beach
29:14just having a sleep,
29:16having a nap.
29:16They like to do that.
29:17They like to sunbathe
29:18and either somebody gets too close,
29:20especially if they're very, very little
29:22and they're still feeding from mum.
29:24If someone gets too close
29:25and interferes with that pup,
29:26mum will just leave
29:27and look after herself first
29:29and that is unfortunately
29:30when we have to step in.
29:32Very good.
29:32So would you actually like to come
29:33and meet some seals?
29:34Actually see some seals?
29:35Yes, that would be great.
29:38Most of the seals that are brought in
29:40will go on to be released
29:41within a few months of rehabilitation,
29:44but for some,
29:45injury and old age
29:46make that impossible.
29:47Marlin, up!
29:49I'm meeting two of the seals
29:50who have made the sanctuary
29:51their forever home,
29:53although Marlin, it turns out,
29:55isn't that excited to see me.
29:56Should I keep quiet?
29:57Is that the problem?
29:58Come on, let's go.
30:00Let's see if Yule Logs,
30:02or Logs for short,
30:03is a bit more willing.
30:04Look at his lovely little feet.
30:05So cute.
30:07And if I can buy his affection
30:08with some lunch.
30:10Hey Logs, it's your lucky day.
30:11You've got a lot of fish here.
30:13What is he eating here?
30:14So he's having a bit of herring.
30:16Herring.
30:17How much herring will they eat in a day?
30:19So Yule Logs...
30:20As much as they can?
30:20Yes, pretty much.
30:21But our residents here,
30:23we have to weigh them.
30:24So they get weighed every other week
30:25and then we adjust their diet.
30:26So Yule Logs
30:27is on about five kilos a day
30:29at the moment.
30:31He's on his summer diet.
30:33He's on a diet?
30:34He's on his summer body.
30:35Oh, I see.
30:36From a beach body.
30:37Yes.
30:38You're going to get a beach body, Logs.
30:39And then in the winter,
30:40we'll up his diet
30:42to put on some more weight.
30:44Is that like,
30:44I want more?
30:45I want more fish.
30:47Stop talking.
30:48Keep feeding.
30:49If you tell him to splash,
30:50he will splash.
30:51Splash.
30:52So like this.
30:53Splash.
30:55There you go.
30:57In the common pool
30:58are some seals
30:59currently in rehab.
31:01Bethany is showing me
31:02how group scatter feeds
31:03encourage them
31:04to forage for food
31:05which will help prepare them
31:07for life back in the wild.
31:09So we have the three commons here
31:10with sort of the shorter snout
31:12and then the grey seal at the back.
31:13She's got sort of a lighter belly.
31:15Oh, light with it.
31:16Yes, it's slightly more.
31:17There you go.
31:18So the females and greys
31:19will have lighter bellies
31:20whereas the commons,
31:21their markings are pretty similar
31:23between the genders.
31:23Oh, you little fellas
31:25not getting enough.
31:26So this little one here
31:27is Jarvis.
31:28See the baby.
31:29So he is eight now
31:30so he is the youngest
31:31and he's blind.
31:32But he is pretty much blind.
31:34He has cataracts.
31:35Oh, no.
31:36And then we have
31:37Bo and Buddy
31:37who are the brothers
31:38so they were actually born here.
31:41Come on, kids.
31:42Woo!
31:43So just to round off
31:44if a member of the public
31:46is walking on the beach
31:47and they see a seal
31:49what should they do?
31:51They should stay
31:52at least 100 metres away.
31:53If you have a dog
31:53make sure they're on a lead.
31:54If you are concerned
31:55you can give us a ring
31:56at the seal sanctuary
31:57or British Divers
31:58Marine Life Rescue
31:59and we'll get someone out
32:00that's trained
32:00to keep an eye of them.
32:01But biggest thing is
32:02please don't disturb them.
32:03If they are looking at you
32:04you are too close.
32:05Ah, okay.
32:06If you are looking at you
32:07they're too close.
32:08Yes.
32:09Don't look at me.
32:10A little bit different
32:11with ours here.
32:11Well, thanks Beth.
32:12It's been really great.
32:13No worries.
32:14It's been lovely to have you guys.
32:14Let's have a busy season ahead.
32:16Absolutely.
32:17Good luck with that.
32:28For our finale
32:29we're returning
32:29to the west coast
32:30of the Lizard Peninsula
32:31to Sally and Denny's
32:33beloved Mullion.
32:38But before we go
32:39to the mystery house
32:40we're on our way
32:41to Mullion's community garden
32:42because this move
32:44is more than just
32:45day trips to the beach
32:46it's about belonging.
32:52So tell me
32:53for people who've not been here
32:54what are the best things
32:55about Mullion for you?
32:57The location
32:57with its local bus routes
33:00it's quiet
33:02the people are friendly.
33:03People will talk to each other
33:05you walk past them
33:05when everyone says hello
33:06in the morning
33:07it's just such a lovely feel
33:09to it, hasn't it?
33:10Yeah.
33:10It's interesting
33:11you don't mention the landscape
33:12a lot of people come here
33:13because of the cove
33:14and the cliffs
33:14and the countryside.
33:16That's an advantage.
33:17We're right in the middle
33:17of the countryside
33:18you've got some
33:19of the most beautiful
33:20scenic walks here as well
33:22and you've got the coast
33:23and that is awesome.
33:25Everything's here for us.
33:28Whilst the couple
33:29hang back in the village centre
33:30I'm going on ahead
33:31to the mystery house
33:32which is located
33:33towards the outskirts
33:35of Mullion.
33:37So far we have been giving
33:39Denny and Sally
33:40exactly what they wanted
33:41a bungalow
33:42built in the 1970s
33:44but
33:45I can't resist
33:46showing them something
33:47that is much much older
33:49has much more character
33:50and I think
33:51it's really quintessentially
33:52escaped to the country.
33:56The mystery house
33:58is, wait for it
34:00375 years old
34:01which is quite a long way
34:02from the 1970s
34:04I think it's really magical
34:05it's been beautifully restored
34:07it's in a beautiful
34:08quiet lane
34:09just on the outskirts
34:10of Mullion
34:10but
34:12Denny and Sally
34:13are going to have
34:14to fall in love
34:15with the period features.
34:17I think it's wonderful
34:19I wonder if they will.
34:25Come on up into the garden
34:26we can see better.
34:29It's the mystery
34:31Wow
34:32It's beautiful
34:34Oh good grief
34:35isn't it?
34:36And the mystery is
34:37it's not built in 1970
34:39It's a proper country escape
34:41It is
34:41It is
34:42I really like it
34:43Character
34:43It's got character
34:44yeah
34:45Really got character
34:46How do you feel about
34:47being on the edge of Mullion
34:49rather than being
34:49right in the middle?
34:50I think with something
34:52like this
34:52it's
34:52It's worth it
34:53It could be a possibility
34:55at this really
34:56Yeah
34:56Phew
34:57I thought you were going to
34:58rule it out
34:58because it wasn't close enough
35:00to the pub
35:00Are you excited to go inside?
35:02Can't wait
35:02Shall we?
35:03Yeah
35:06We're stepping back in time
35:08to 1650
35:09with a semi-detached property
35:11that from the sounds of it
35:12isn't too many steps away
35:14from the pub
35:15We're starting our tour
35:16in the heart of the home
35:17in the generous
35:18open plan kitchen diner
35:22Come on in
35:22Oh isn't that cute?
35:25This is really something different
35:26So you've got your kitchen diner
35:28Absolutely fabulous
35:30It's got no potential
35:31because it's all done
35:32Yeah
35:33If that makes sense
35:35Some places you go in
35:36and I think
35:36right I could do this
35:38I could do this
35:38but what would you change here
35:40there's nothing to change
35:42Well yeah
35:42I mean that's wonderful
35:44Yeah
35:45You mean less work for you
35:46That isn't
35:47I didn't think of that
35:48but yeah
35:48that is another way
35:49of looking at it
35:50You can feel the history
35:51It's really strange
35:52Yeah
35:53It's beautiful
35:54But it's not
35:55like sometimes
35:56these old properties
35:57are a bit kind of
35:57oppressive and small
35:58but this is actually
35:59It's light
35:59A lot of space
36:00So far
36:01I wouldn't want to go to the pub
36:03Oh
36:03Oh my god
36:04It's going to start
36:05a lack of sobriety
36:06No I didn't say that
36:07No no no
36:07She didn't say that
36:09With a property
36:10this appealing
36:11the regulars
36:12will want to come here
36:13for happy hour
36:15Next up is the living room
36:16A cosy retreat
36:17that's brimming
36:18with potentially
36:19even more character
36:20than the kitchen
36:22Oh this is a good size
36:24Isn't it wonderful
36:25Very high ceilings
36:26Two red cities
36:29The two red cities
36:30would go
36:30Yeah
36:30So we've got two red sofas
36:33about the same size as these
36:35and they would fit in here
36:36perfect
36:36Make it into a really cosy room
36:39What are you thinking?
36:40I'm liking it a lot
36:41This is good
36:42It's not what you were expecting?
36:43No
36:43Not at all
36:44No
36:45But it's like you said
36:46it is the mystery home
36:47and it's entirely different
36:48to everything we've said
36:49but it does
36:51well
36:52It's what we do
36:53It does have a well factor
36:54Do our little property voodoo
36:55and keep something
36:56you weren't expecting
36:57Very impressed
36:58Very very impressed
37:01For the first time on our search
37:02the property's bedrooms
37:03of which there are three
37:05are all located
37:06on the first floor
37:08There are also
37:09two bathrooms to choose from
37:10including an en suite
37:12for the principal bedroom
37:14It's like a separate annex
37:17Oh it is isn't it?
37:18Like a ceiling
37:20A vaulted ceiling kind of thing
37:23That's beautiful
37:24We'll have to get new furniture
37:26Oh this has got so much character
37:28Perfect
37:29And an en suite as well
37:30Handy
37:31It's absolutely stunning
37:32Have you seen the view out the window?
37:34It's fabulous isn't it?
37:36Stunning
37:37What a good size
37:38Another good size bedroom
37:40And again
37:41view from the window
37:43It is delightful
37:44It's delightful
37:45Wow
37:46As always
37:47Mystery houses can go either way
37:48I thought this might not work
37:50because it's not right next to the pub
37:52and it's historical
37:53but
37:54I'm getting very excited vibes
37:57from the two of them
37:58so maybe
37:58this could be the curveball
38:00that snatches the goal
38:04To get us across that finish line
38:06there's just the garden left to take in
38:08which includes
38:09a patio out to the front
38:11plus a totally enclosed
38:13well-stocked lawn
38:14at the rear
38:16There are also
38:17two allocated parking spaces
38:19for good measure
38:21What do you think
38:22of the upstairs configuration?
38:23I think it's lovely
38:25So quirky
38:25And the space
38:26Really different
38:27and a lot of space
38:27That's great
38:28But the only thing missing
38:30is the price
38:31How much do you think
38:31this costs?
38:33I think it's way over our budget
38:35I would think so too
38:37I'm going to say $4.50
38:40Just to be a little bit different
38:41I'm going to say $4.40
38:42This is
38:44actually on the market
38:45for
38:47£375,000
38:48Good grief
38:49Wow
38:50Seriously
38:50walking around
38:51I'm thinking
38:52this is beyond us
38:53this is going to be
38:54you dangle a carrot
38:55and you snatch it back
38:56but you haven't
38:57We would not do that to you
38:58Well we would do that to you
38:59but we haven't done that to you
39:00in this instance
39:01Thank you
39:01Lovely
39:02Thank you
39:04We've said goodbye
39:05to the 1970s
39:06and hello
39:06to the 17th century
39:08with this semi-detached cottage
39:10that's full of period features
39:12and a pleasing
39:13£25,000
39:14under budget
39:16As well as a large
39:18open plan kitchen diner
39:19there are three bedrooms
39:20including a principal en suite
39:22and it's well located
39:24within easy reach
39:25of everything that the village
39:27of Mullion
39:27has to offer
39:28Mystery house
39:29total shock
39:30you've really pulled
39:31the rabbit out of the hat
39:33It's beautiful
39:34really different
39:35The bedrooms
39:36are an impressive size
39:38I think it definitely
39:40is a contender
39:41I think amongst
39:43what you've shown us
39:44we have our forever home
39:49I feel the mystery house
39:50may have broken the spell
39:51of all those
39:52very practical
39:53beautiful 1970s bungalows
39:55but is the walk
39:57to the favourite
39:58public house
39:59in Mullion
40:00just a country mile
40:01too far
40:02let's find out
40:08Look
40:09we're back
40:10at Mullion Cove
40:11where we started
40:12it's been a busy week
40:14have you had a good time?
40:16Fantastic time
40:17Brilliant
40:17really good
40:18How are you feeling
40:19about the properties
40:20we showed you?
40:21They've all given us
40:22insight into where
40:23we actually want to be
40:24I hate to say it
40:25but you did pull
40:25a few stunts
40:26that mystery house
40:28and the price
40:29that it was up for
40:30was a shocker
40:31that was superb
40:32the properties
40:33you've showed us
40:34have been incredible
40:35You're being very flattering
40:36but you're not telling me
40:37which ones you like
40:38which ones are the least
40:39OK
40:40my favourite ones
40:41to start with
40:43was the blue house
40:44blue house
40:45lovely
40:45I love that one
40:46the mystery house
40:47absolutely stunning
40:50however
40:51age isn't on our side
40:52anymore
40:53and the walk
40:54was a little bit
40:55further
40:56into the village
40:57than I'd hoped
40:59and I was very
41:00disappointed
41:00that my age
41:02is against
41:03our age
41:03is against us
41:04We've got to be
41:05realistic with that
41:06Are you saying
41:07in a roundabout way
41:09that you like
41:09the first house most?
41:10We like the blue house
41:11Wonderful
41:13From the very start
41:14when you took us
41:15into that
41:15there was just
41:16something about it
41:17it just flowed
41:18it was absolutely brilliant
41:19I had space
41:20for our daughter to come
41:21So the blue house
41:22is a contender
41:22what's next?
41:23What happens for you next?
41:24We're going to go home
41:26and speak to our
41:27estate agent
41:28and see
41:29if they can advise us
41:31on dropping
41:32the price of ours
41:33Possibly
41:33Yeah, so
41:35that's the plan
41:36So you're still
41:37your place
41:37and you've got to
41:38put an offer in
41:39on the first house?
41:40I just hope
41:40the blue house
41:42is still up for sale
41:43We're both of a like mind
41:44That is the one
41:46It's got everything
41:47we want
41:48I'm so delighted
41:49because
41:50I didn't know
41:51this part of the world
41:52but this is a beautiful
41:53part of Cornwall
41:54It is, isn't it?
41:55I really hope
41:56you find that place
41:58or another place
41:59here
41:59and that I can come
42:00revisit you
42:00You're welcome
42:01We would love that
42:02I wish you all the best
42:03Thank you so much
42:07Escape to the Country
42:08has brought me
42:09many times
42:09to the beautiful
42:10Cornish coast
42:11but sometimes
42:11I'm caught short
42:13by the beauty
42:14of places like
42:15Mullion Cove
42:16and in some ways
42:17this show
42:17has not been
42:18Escape to the Country
42:19or indeed the County
42:20but to this particular place
42:22because it's the
42:23magnetic magic
42:24of Mullion
42:25that has drawn
42:26Sally and Denny
42:28over and over
42:29to this spot
42:30and so I am
42:31crossing everything
42:32that they do
42:33purchase a house here
42:34and we come
42:35and visit them
42:36and I hope
42:36that you join us
42:37next time
42:38for more
42:38Escape to the Country
42:41After returning
42:42from their holiday
42:43in Cornwall
42:44Sally and Denny
42:45were still certain
42:46that the first house
42:47was the one
42:47They put in an offer
42:49which I'm happy
42:50to say was accepted
42:51subject to them
42:52selling their own property
42:53and we hope
42:55it's just a matter
42:55of time
42:56before they are
42:56calling Mullion
42:57and its local pub
42:59home
43:01If you would like
43:02to escape to the country
43:03in England
43:04Northern Ireland
43:05Scotland or Wales
43:06and need our help
43:07why not apply
43:08online at
43:09bbc.co.uk
43:10forward slash
43:11take part
43:41We'll see you next time
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