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Escape To The Country - Season 26 - Episode 26
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00:01On Escape to the Country, we like to offer house hunters more than they expect.
00:06There is so much.
00:07If that wasn't enough, you'd get half an acre of woodland.
00:10Oh, wow.
00:12Certain traditional features can trigger surprising comparisons.
00:16Looks like a pizza room, doesn't it?
00:18It does, doesn't it?
00:19Yeah.
00:20If you like a room, be careful.
00:22Someone else doesn't try and claim it.
00:24Oh, it's a man cave.
00:25You could have half all apart, we'll split it.
00:28And when house hunters get really excited, even I can't get a word in.
00:32Do you know what?
00:32I love it when we turn up to a property and I don't get to say anything at all.
00:36It's not my dream at all, isn't it all?
00:59If you were to draw up a checklist of what elements make the perfect countryside setting, it would probably resemble
01:06South Devon's CV.
01:08Stunning turquoise seas, sprawling verdant countryside, warm summers and it even throws in cream teas.
01:20With Devon, you get two separate coastlines, two national parks, two World Heritage sites and five national landscapes.
01:29Mass has never been my strong point, so when I add that up, I get one.
01:33One amazing county.
01:36Located in the far southwest of England, Devon offers relaxing countryside, exciting outdoor pursuits and pretty scenery.
01:45There's a lot of greenery, open space, trees, you know, you're never far from somewhere to walk, you're never far
01:53from the beach.
01:53Exmouth Beach is very nice, Turkey is nice as well, but I love the Exmouth because they have a nice
01:59sandy beach so you can chill out in there, go swimming if it's good weather.
02:05The county is well known for sharing the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, spanning over 180 million years of geological
02:13history.
02:15And, comparatively recently, the village of Sidbury is one of its earliest settlements.
02:23It's ideal for walks, we've got Killerton National Trust property just down the road, we've got the Black Down Hills,
02:30outstanding natural beauty area, I recommend you come and live here.
02:34We can't have everybody of course, that would spoil it.
02:38I'm sure they can squeeze in our house hunters, but the rest of you keep out, got it?
02:44Today's couple are a pair of empty nesters.
02:47The kids have moved out and mum and dad have decided it's their moment to escape to the country.
02:55Bill and Carol have lived in their Bolton home for almost 28 years, but are hoping to find more sunshine
03:01in Devon.
03:05Today's sunny in Bolton so it's fantastic, but unfortunately it's not always like this, so I think hopefully with a
03:10bit better weather might be nice too.
03:12A bit warmer in Devon.
03:15The green-fingered wildlife fanatics are keen to develop their interest in sustainability.
03:22So one of the things we'd like to do is to live a bit more lightly on the earth, and
03:26I think that's about maybe having heat pumps, maybe having solar panels.
03:33Bill has just retired and Carol has been a counsellor for 30 years, a career she plans to continue.
03:40I have a really nice counselling therapy room at my current home and we're hoping to replicate that when we
03:46get to Devon.
03:47So one of the things we're looking forward to is discovering new opportunities when we move.
03:53We don't want to slow down, we want to enjoy maybe new communities, new activities.
03:59And they already do quite a few, including up-cycling boxes.
04:03Well, this is called Rapusee work, you kind of get sheets of copper and then you hammer it to make
04:10these pretty dragons or pretty patterns on them.
04:13And then I glue them on the boxes.
04:15They also go dancing three times a week.
04:27Well, it's a 10 from me.
04:31For their maximum budget of £650,000, Bill and Carol would like a pretty property with at least three bedrooms
04:39for their daughter's visits.
04:41A counselling room for Carol and space for their hobbies.
04:45They want a big garden to grow veg and attract wildlife.
04:49And renewable energy sources like solar panels or heat pumps would be a bonus.
04:58Carol and Bill say they are not slowing down.
05:01This is about new adventures.
05:03And they're certainly going to find some of them here in Devon.
05:06And they want to live in a more environmentally friendly way too.
05:10As they put it, living lighter on the planet.
05:13And that is something we can all get behind.
05:17I'm meeting Bill and Carol on a gorgeous hillside where there's not a cloud in the sky.
05:23Maybe they're right about this Devonshire weather.
05:25Bill, Carol, lovely to see you both.
05:28And we have got a beautiful day here in Devon, haven't we?
05:31Yeah, it's gorgeous today. It's just beautiful.
05:33Fantastic to be here.
05:34Yeah.
05:35So what is it that's drawn you to this area of the country?
05:40What is it about Devon?
05:42I think over the years we've spent quite a lot of time in Devon on holidays with our two girls.
05:47And it's always been one of those kind of, oh, doesn't that look pretty?
05:50Isn't it gorgeous?
05:51Nice little villages, beautiful seaside.
05:54Devon has got absolutely everything.
05:56So we kind of thought this was a bit of a dream to follow.
05:59And the green rolling hills, it's gorgeous down here.
06:01Lots of fantastic community. There's so much to do.
06:04Beautiful.
06:05And it's fair to say you're quite outdoorsy people, aren't you?
06:09Whether that's in the back garden, walks.
06:11Yeah.
06:12The dog, of course, as well.
06:13Yeah, of course, yeah.
06:14We've got to take...
06:15For shame Polly can't be here.
06:16Yeah, but, yeah, we've got to accommodate the dog as well.
06:19So lots of walks, lots of nice places to go out and spend time with her.
06:24So I think that's, it's just one of those.
06:26It's that whole lifestyle change is what we're looking for, really.
06:29And you have got a family. How do they feel about the move?
06:32They're both very excited about it.
06:34And I think that they would really look forward to having that kind of, you know, free holiday in the
06:38country.
06:39That's their thing.
06:40And so I think that they will enjoy it.
06:42And I think they're both down south, so that would make it a bit more convenient too.
06:46Well, let's see if we can find you a property that suits your needs.
06:50That would be perfect. Thank you.
06:51Let's have a look. Let's see what Devon's got us.
06:53Indeed.
06:57Our first property is in the village of Moncton, to the east of the county.
07:03It's less than two miles from the market town of Honiton, which became well known for its lace making during
07:10the Elizabethan era.
07:11The town is full of independent shops, offering modern essentials as well as pubs.
07:17And less than a 40-minute stroll away is the house we've come to see.
07:23So here we are.
07:25Yeah.
07:25What do you think of that?
07:26I think it's absolutely stunning.
07:28Oh, it's fabulous.
07:29That's beautiful.
07:31That's absolutely gorgeous.
07:32It's got a greenhouse as well.
07:33Oh, and a stream.
07:34Oh, wow.
07:37What do you think?
07:38First impressions?
07:40Time to see inside, but it looks brilliant from the outside.
07:41Beautiful.
07:42I like the stone.
07:43It's gorgeous.
07:44It's got solar panels as well.
07:46I think it's just got about everything we asked for, I think, outside.
07:49Yeah, absolutely.
07:49Not the trees.
07:50Yeah, it's beautiful.
07:52Do you know what?
07:52I love it when we turn up to a property and I don't get to say anything at all.
07:56It shows how much you're absorbing it all.
07:58No, I love it.
07:59I really do.
08:00So this was a barn that belonged to the bigger farm.
08:04Okay.
08:04It sits in about three quarters of an acre.
08:07Oh, lovely.
08:07And you can see where you've got areas of the garden that are quite kept.
08:11Yeah.
08:12And other bits that are left to the wildlife, which sounds very similar.
08:16Ideal.
08:17To a lady I know.
08:18It's ideal.
08:19It's just what I'm looking for.
08:20Shall we go and have a look inside?
08:21Let's do that.
08:22Yeah, let's do that.
08:24This property offers modern elements like the 16 solar panels, which provide the owners
08:30with free electricity and also generates around £1,200 a year from exporting their excess
08:36back to the grid.
08:37When the barn was converted around 20 years ago, it retained many of its period features,
08:43evident as we enter through the dining room.
08:49What do you think of this, eh?
08:50It's gorgeous.
08:52So I love the exposed stonework.
08:54That's fantastic.
08:55So through into...
08:57Oh, goodness.
08:58...the kitchen.
08:59This is beautiful.
09:01Oh, I love it.
09:02I like the colours about it.
09:04I like all the natural wood.
09:06I like the ceiling height.
09:08It's beautiful.
09:08What do you think?
09:09I think it's a really good size.
09:11I think you can almost use this as an island as well as a table, so that kind of gives
09:14you
09:15that kind of extra usage, doesn't it?
09:17Views onto your garden behind.
09:18Mmm, yeah, it's lovely.
09:20Look at the thickness of these walls.
09:22Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it?
09:23Yeah, yeah.
09:24It'll keep you, you know, warm in the winter and cold in the summer, won't it?
09:28Beyond the kitchen is the sitting room.
09:30Oh, goodness.
09:31Oh, this is lovely.
09:33More beams in this room.
09:34It is so cosy.
09:36The fireplace is brilliant.
09:37I like the chimney breasts as well.
09:39That's really nice, too.
09:40Looks like a pizza room, doesn't it?
09:42Yeah.
09:42It does, doesn't it?
09:43It does.
09:44That's a good thing.
09:46Yeah, that's where they've got your ideas from.
09:48Yeah, copying our barn conversions is what gave Italy what it's got these days.
09:53Yeah, exactly, exactly.
09:54Well, it's a good size, isn't it?
09:55It is.
09:55It's a nice size.
09:56I can see, you know, our furniture in here.
09:59It's really lovely.
10:00And it's nice that the wood continues throughout the house, isn't it?
10:02Yes.
10:02Yeah, there's a good kind of continuity from room to room to room.
10:06Yeah.
10:06It's very considered, isn't it?
10:07Yeah, I like that.
10:07Yeah, it's lovely.
10:08They've done a really good job.
10:11Also on the ground floor is a utility room and a handy shower.
10:15Meanwhile, upstairs, there are three bedrooms with the largest and ensuite.
10:22Oh, goodness, that's nice, isn't it?
10:24Look at that high ceiling.
10:25That's beautiful.
10:26I like all the beams again.
10:27It's beautiful.
10:28Yeah, it's great.
10:29Great.
10:29Do you think?
10:30Excellent.
10:30Oh.
10:31Mmm.
10:32It's a good size too.
10:33And I like the view out of the window.
10:35That's beautiful.
10:36The trees is gorgeous.
10:37Oh.
10:38This one's set up as a study, isn't it?
10:40Study, yeah.
10:40Now the rooms seem to have really lovely views.
10:42Yeah, gorgeous views.
10:43Wherever you go in the house.
10:44It might not have a good view.
10:45It's beautiful.
10:47So that could be Carol's counselling room.
10:50And if Bill's hobbies get relegated to the garage, I don't think he'll mind.
10:56Oh, look at this.
10:57Oh, it's a man cave.
10:58It's a Bill cave.
11:00Fabulous.
11:00It's huge.
11:01Well, it's fantastic, isn't it?
11:03Yeah.
11:03Loads of crafting space.
11:05Yeah.
11:05Storage space.
11:06Mmm.
11:07Might be a bit of a extend the house space as well.
11:11Oh, no.
11:11We want not to do that.
11:11Might be another nice room.
11:13We want not to do that.
11:14In half of this.
11:15You could have half, I'll have half.
11:16We'll split it.
11:18Stick to your guns, Bill.
11:20Carol will be busy in the garden anyway, because this one has it all.
11:25Raised beds, a fruit cage, a greenhouse, and then a summer house to relax in and watch the
11:34wildlife by the street.
11:36You like it?
11:37I do.
11:38I think it's beautiful.
11:39It's exactly the right size of plot that we're looking for.
11:43I think the maturity is fantastic.
11:44It's filled with beautiful plants and the trees are stunning.
11:48Obviously, it comes at a price.
11:50Oh, indeed.
11:51What do you think this place is on the market for?
11:53Oh, gosh.
11:54I think it's on the market for £625,000.
12:02Okay.
12:03All right.
12:03I thought you might be a little bit optimistic.
12:07Okay.
12:07I might go for £640,000.
12:10Okay.
12:11Yeah, £640,000.
12:13Right.
12:13It's on at your budget.
12:15Oh, okay.
12:16£650,000.
12:17Oh, okay.
12:17Yeah.
12:17Yeah.
12:18You can see the kind of the spec.
12:20It's beautifully done.
12:21It's really lovely.
12:21It's really beautifully done.
12:23Yeah.
12:23The owners have done a great job on them.
12:24This barn conversion is finished to a high standard and offers the required free bedrooms, plus craft space in the
12:33garage.
12:33The garden is ideal for growing produce and there are solar panels to help give the property a higher EPC
12:41rating of B, all for £650,000.
12:46I love the standard of all the interior decoration.
12:49I think all the room sizes are really good.
12:52The garage is a really great size.
12:54Lots of great opportunities for crafting in the garage.
12:57So that'd be a really great thing to use it a bit more in that way.
13:00I think the gardens and the land are fabulous.
13:03The real bones of a beautiful garden that we could build on, which is fantastic.
13:08I love the stream.
13:10That's absolutely beautiful and attracts wildlife, which is exactly what we're looking for.
13:25To discover more about life in Devon, we're sending Bill and Carol slap bang to the middle of it, to
13:32the historic market town of Clumpton.
13:35I like all these trees. They're beautiful.
13:38They're fantastic, aren't they?
13:39It once had a prosperous wool and paper trade, and its monthly farmer's market is the oldest of its kind
13:46in the southwest.
13:47Oh, wow.
13:48Heritage Trail. Okay.
13:50What's on the thing? St Andrew's Church.
13:54The church dates back to the 15th century, but going back much further, two Roman forts were discovered, along with
14:01pottery dating from around 50 AD.
14:05Today, the town is thriving, partly due to its location just off the M5.
14:11We've got great transport routes into Bristol and Plymouth, and you can be in London in two hours.
14:18It's easy to get to North Coast, South Coast. You get to Exeter, to Taunton. It's really accessible to most
14:24places.
14:25And it's a lovely community. There's lots of activities that are going on.
14:29There's lots of opportunities in Clumpton with craft groups and things, and there's amateur dramatic groups locally.
14:35There's lots of things that you can get involved in if you want to.
14:38It's full of specialist retailers for whatever floats your boat.
14:42You might get nice beers in there. Fantastic.
14:47I don't think so.
14:50And on the outskirts of the town is Fordmore Farm Shop, a family-run business that shares Bill and Carol's
14:57passion for sustainability.
14:59Dom Tuckett is the shop manager.
15:06How long has the farm shop been here, Dom?
15:09So, the farm shop opened five and a half years ago.
15:12We breed and rear all our own meat.
15:15The farm itself has recently planted 10,000 trees, installed a lot of solar panels so that the aim for
15:21the farm, within five years, it should be carbon neutral.
15:24The main aim, when we opened the shop, was to be able to offer all the local produce.
15:29We have some great local suppliers, all within, like, 12 miles of the shop.
15:33We're kind of really thinking about moving down to Devon and setting up our house here.
15:38So, have you got any advice that you'd give us?
15:41For me personally, I like the fact that the lifestyle is really relaxed, but there's also enough going on that
15:47you can soon fill your time with different activities and hobbies, depending on what you're looking to do.
15:52Take your time. There never seems to be much urgency or rush around here.
15:56So, yeah, it's just, yeah, nice and relaxed, but it's just what everyone wants, I think.
16:02That sounds lovely.
16:06But if I don't get Bill and Carol back on the house hunt, they'll never get moved down here.
16:14Sorry about that.
16:16For our next property, we're heading to the village of Branscombe on the south coast.
16:21There's a dog-friendly beach appreciated by locals for its natural beauty and peacefulness.
16:27The village hall offers cricket, tennis, snooker and other activities, while Bill's interest in metal work could reach a whole
16:35new level after visiting the local forge.
16:42And there's a choice of pub serving food with outdoor seating to soak up the glorious sunshine.
16:48Only half a mile from the local is our second property.
16:58So here we are then, something a little bit different from what I showed you this morning, eh?
17:03Mmm, definitely. Completely different, that. That's beautiful. I like the wisteria around the side, that's gorgeous.
17:08Yeah?
17:08Yeah, lovely.
17:09Carol's favourite plant, so you're doing good.
17:11Yeah.
17:12It looks like quite a big property. I know it's got solar panels, which is brilliant.
17:16So yeah, it looks really interesting, can't wait to get inside.
17:18With those solar panels, current owners tell me that they bring them about £2,000 a year.
17:24Gosh, that's fantastic.
17:25That's something, isn't it?
17:26Yeah, that's a nice income, yeah, of course.
17:27In terms of location, the beach is just a half hour walk across the fields and footpaths there as well.
17:34Fantastic. Great place to be.
17:35Probably will love that.
17:36Yeah.
17:37Well, let's hope you two love it too.
17:39Shall we have it inside?
17:40Let's go.
17:40Absolutely, yeah, let's go.
17:41You're going to go up the steps here, and I'm going to go around the back way.
17:45Okay.
17:45And I'll see you in the front room.
17:46Fantastic.
17:47See you shortly.
17:51This detached property was built in the early 70s, and features like the solar panels give it a B energy
17:58performance rating.
18:00You found your way in, then?
18:01Yeah, we did.
18:02We did find our way in.
18:03Yeah, you were two trees.
18:04Yeah, yeah.
18:05More exposed stone.
18:06That was brilliant.
18:07Lovely.
18:07Yeah.
18:08Windows both sides.
18:09Yeah.
18:10Two aspects.
18:10It's beautiful.
18:11I think it'd be a good size.
18:12Yeah, well, I agree.
18:13You can see yourself sitting here in front of the, you know.
18:15Absolutely.
18:16We're taking the glass of wine, can't we?
18:18Yeah.
18:18Yeah, it's beautiful.
18:19Nice.
18:19And of course, we've got a pooch laying on the carpet.
18:22Absolutely.
18:23Very important.
18:24Very important.
18:25Yeah, of course.
18:26Indeed.
18:27Yeah, fantastic.
18:28How about I'll lead you through to the kitchen?
18:29Absolutely.
18:30Okay, come on.
18:31Come with me.
18:32Absolutely.
18:35The hallway leads to a dining room.
18:38On the opposite side, a study for Carol's counselling room.
18:42Then beyond them is the kitchen.
18:45Oh, gosh.
18:46Oh, wow.
18:47This is quite a good space as well, isn't it?
18:49Room for a dining table.
18:50I love the double doors onto the patio.
18:52That's fantastic.
18:54Oh, we need a dog flab in that door, obviously.
18:56Yeah.
18:56Oh, easy done.
18:57Yes.
18:58Easy done.
18:59That's not a big deal, is it?
19:00I think it's probably not to our taste decor, but that's just decoration, isn't it?
19:07Yeah.
19:07So you just change that to fit what you want.
19:09It's not about finding the perfect thing straight away.
19:12It's about seeing the potential in something, isn't it?
19:14The possibilities.
19:15But yeah, absolutely.
19:18Upstairs, there's a box room and two spacious doubles.
19:22That's a nice size too, isn't it?
19:23It's all right.
19:24And it's very bright.
19:24That's a really big window.
19:26Yeah, it's a great window, isn't it?
19:27The view is to die for.
19:29Love all the little bird feeders.
19:31Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it?
19:33The built-in wardrobes.
19:35Is it en suite?
19:36Oh, it is en suite.
19:37Very nice.
19:38Even better, isn't it?
19:39I think it'd be great.
19:42There's another double garage that Bill could use for crafting, but it's the garden that
19:47really shines.
19:48With space to grow veg and bursting with flowers, it's a haven for wildlife.
19:55All right, how was your wander round?
19:56It was fantastic, yeah.
19:58It's a great place, isn't it?
19:59Really interesting.
20:00It's in a gorgeous spot.
20:02It just couldn't be more stunning, could it?
20:04The gardens are to die for.
20:06There's so much work in these gardens.
20:07It's just lovely.
20:08I mean, it looks like quite a small garden initially, but there is so much.
20:12If that wasn't enough, you'd get half an acre of woodland.
20:17Oh, wow.
20:18That comes with the property as well.
20:19Wow, that's nice.
20:20So, the woodland here, the current owners explained to me, they've actually got a lot of
20:25like camera traps and set up in there.
20:27Oh, fantastic.
20:27You know, and then they entertain the children with it and all that kind of thing, bringing
20:32nature into the house, so to speak.
20:34Fabulous.
20:35Badgers, foxes, deer.
20:37In fact, one of the deer had their baby fawn on the grass just here and they all watched
20:45it.
20:45Yeah, you got me.
20:46You got me.
20:47There.
20:47And of course, with your garden pond as well.
20:50Indeed.
20:51We've just brought everything to the house.
20:53You really have got wildlife on your doorstep here.
20:56Absolutely.
20:56You're living in it, aren't you?
20:57It's absolutely lovely.
20:59It's perfect.
20:59Yeah.
21:00Absolutely lovely, yeah.
21:01So, what do you think this property might be on the market for then?
21:04Well, isn't it your turn to go first?
21:05I think it might be.
21:07In my head, I'm going for six, four or five.
21:12I think it might be 630,000 pounds.
21:19Right, you'll be pleased to know for two reasons.
21:21You are the closest.
21:22Okay, good.
21:23But it's actually on the market for 625,000 pounds.
21:27Oh, that's interesting.
21:28That's really interesting.
21:29I mean, you both guessed higher, so does it sound like a fair price, a good price?
21:33Ah, it sounds like a great price, yeah.
21:35Yeah.
21:35This detached cottage is priced at 625,000 pounds.
21:40It would give them a potential four bedrooms, plus the double garage for crafting, and it's
21:46an energy efficient wildlife utopia.
21:49I think the land is fabulous, the forest is wonderful.
21:53So, I think there's lots about house number two I really like.
21:56I really enjoyed some of the downstairs rooms, the sitting room, the dining room.
22:02I love the fact that you're so close to the beach, we can walk the dog down there.
22:06It'd be a great place to be.
22:09All right, you two?
22:10Yeah.
22:10Fantastic, thank you, yeah.
22:11Well, we're seeing plenty of countryside today.
22:13How about we finish there off at the beach?
22:15Good idea.
22:15Sounds like a great plan.
22:16Excellent.
22:23South Devon boasts over 120 miles of enticing coast catering for all tastes.
22:30Whether you want sandy beaches, water sports, or hidden gems like Branscombe Beach, which
22:36is where we're heading to reflect on a busy day's house hunting.
22:41Well, I don't know about you, but it's been a day, hasn't it?
22:44How are you both feeling?
22:46Fantastic.
22:46It's been a really good day.
22:48Very tiring, you know, but we've seen a lot.
22:50We've done a lot.
22:51We've seen some beautiful places.
22:53So, yeah, it's been really encouraging, really.
22:56Yeah.
22:56I love that word.
22:57And it's been an encouraging day.
22:59Yeah, it has.
22:59How have you felt it, Phil?
23:01Yeah, it has.
23:01I've loved exploring Devon.
23:03It's been so exciting to see all, you know, the different properties, but also the different
23:06locations.
23:07Yeah.
23:07You know, being here in Branscombe really feels like, you know, it's a place you want
23:11to be.
23:11Absolutely.
23:12It just adds another layer to what you already know as a fantastic county, doesn't it?
23:16Absolutely, yeah.
23:17I mean, you have to know this is here to be able to find it, really.
23:21It's just beautiful.
23:24Yeah.
23:24You can't beat scenery like this and the sea.
23:27It's gorgeous.
23:28And you've had a chance to interact with people from the area.
23:32How has that gone for you?
23:33It's really clear that people are so proud to be here.
23:36And one of the main things they say is that it's such a laid back, relaxed place to live.
23:41It's such a lovely place to live.
23:42And I think that that would suit us really well.
23:45This has been a long time in the planning for you, hasn't it?
23:47It might not have been at the forefront of your mind for 20 years, but it's been in your
23:51mind for 20 years.
23:53It has.
23:54And I think that us being here has just made this so much more real, such more, it's really
24:00brought it into focus for us.
24:02So it's fantastic.
24:03Oh, I'm so pleased.
24:04And of course, we're not over yet.
24:05No.
24:06We've got more property to see, more people to meet.
24:08Get a good night's sleep, shall we, and crack on again tomorrow?
24:11Brilliant.
24:11Sounds a good idea.
24:57There are affordable options to be found, such as this delightful semi detached, grade
25:032 listed cottage within four miles of a sandy beach.
25:06It has two reception rooms plus two double bedrooms and is available for offers over £280,000.
25:16At £600,000, this attractive thatched cottage is a mile from the sea as the crow flies and situated in
25:25an elevated position.
25:26It comes with three reception rooms and three bedrooms.
25:35Or, slightly further inland, in a small village, this converted farm building has a spacious lounge plus an open-plan
25:43kitchen diner and an impressive four bedrooms.
25:46It's available for £1,650 a month.
25:51But the owners stipulate the renters must have links to the farming industry to support local employment.
26:00So, it's a new day and I've got a cool cut of a mystery house up my sleeve.
26:05So far this week, Devon has really delivered. Let's see if it can do it again.
26:11Our mystery house is situated in the village of Venn Ottery.
26:15But before we go there, we're heading back to the seaside, around five miles away in Sidmouth.
26:21It's striking red cliffs were formed in desert conditions around 200 million years ago and they've lost none of their
26:30vibrancy.
26:31The town is popular with tourists and there are several large hotels plus souvenir shops as well as everyday items
26:38with shops that include this 200-year-old department store.
26:45The town's beach is known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast.
26:49It's a great spot for a natter and, if I'm lucky, an ice cream.
26:53Well, good morning both of you. How did you sleep?
26:56Oh, fantastic.
26:57Really well, thank you.
26:58Oh, fantastic.
26:59I bet your minds were going though, weren't they?
27:01Oh, so much to think about.
27:03Yeah.
27:03Well, this morning I wanted to start by bringing you down to the beach.
27:07Are you any strangers to Sidmouth at all?
27:09No, we've been down to Sidmouth.
27:11We came down with the girls, we were camping in a field when it was raining.
27:15But we did see a lovely firework display over the sea, which was fantastic, seeing them all reflected and it
27:20was just gorgeous.
27:21Oh, I can only imagine.
27:23But did you know that here in Sidmouth is actually home to the largest folk festival in the country?
27:29It also has a jazz festival and, believe it or not, a walking festival.
27:33A walking festival, wow.
27:35Ideal for us.
27:36That sounds great.
27:37I don't know if it starts here and ends somewhere else, you know, a walking festival, take what you want
27:43from that.
27:44But Sidmouth is a real hub along this coastline of entertainment activities, things to do and places to see.
27:53Fantastic.
27:54Yeah, that sounds great.
27:55Do you know what?
27:56Why don't you make yourselves comfortable here?
27:57Get to know the coastline, grab a coffee.
27:59I have got a mystery house to sort out for you.
28:02Fantastic.
28:02See you shortly.
28:03We'll see you later.
28:04See you later.
28:05Bye.
28:08While they stroll along the prom, prom, prom, I'm off to find the 99 and drive the 15 minutes to
28:15the mystery house.
28:16This stunning mystery house is around 500 years old, and its beautiful courtyard leads us to a property full of
28:25surprises.
28:28And this is what I'm talking about, beautiful vaulted ceilings, loads of character, yet a modern finish.
28:36And that's just the kitchen.
28:39The home is attached to the farmhouse, creating a horseshoe configuration, with another surprise out the back, but more of
28:47that later.
28:50Oh, wow.
28:51Oh, wow.
28:52Goodness.
28:53Oh, wow.
28:53Hello, you two.
28:54Hello.
28:55Hello.
28:55This looks fantastic.
28:57It's beautiful.
28:58It's a bit of a wow, isn't it?
28:59It's gorgeous.
29:00Have you ever thought about having your own courtyard?
29:03Absolutely.
29:03Oh, pretty good.
29:04Yeah, that's it.
29:05Dreamed.
29:06I'm not surprised you get this till last.
29:08It's beautiful.
29:09It's beautiful.
29:09Something a little bit different is the mystery house.
29:12Lots of character.
29:13It's absolutely stunning.
29:14Yeah?
29:15Absolutely.
29:15It looks really well done.
29:16I just can't wait to get inside, really.
29:18Yeah.
29:19I'm really, really excited.
29:20This is around 500 years old.
29:24It started off as a barn.
29:25Gosh, yes.
29:26And you'll see some of that when we get in.
29:27I don't mean there's cows walking around.
29:29But you'll get the feel of some of that when we're in there.
29:32Yeah.
29:33I think you're going to be amazingly impressed
29:36of just how modern a 500-year-old barn can look.
29:40What a twist.
29:41Fantastic.
29:41Did you have a look?
29:42Yeah, brilliant.
29:44This barn was converted in the 1970s and is Grade II listed.
29:49And while it doesn't have solar panels,
29:51they can be added to listed buildings with the right permissions.
29:55Oh, this is fantastic.
29:57Look at the height of these ceilings.
29:59Come in.
30:00Oh, kitchen.
30:01Oh, wow.
30:02Yeah, gosh.
30:03That's why I always say, come in.
30:04Come in.
30:05See more.
30:06Absolutely.
30:07Yes.
30:07This is a great room, isn't it?
30:09I really, I like the kitchen.
30:10It's got a big island, you know, dining table.
30:13That's a really nice usable family room, isn't it?
30:15Yeah, it's beautiful.
30:17Yeah.
30:17Nice and sunny and light, isn't it?
30:18Yeah, I like the roof lights.
30:19It's amazing what a lick of paint can do to a 500-year-old barn, isn't it?
30:26Absolutely.
30:27Yeah, absolutely.
30:28And the wooden floors are just spectacular.
30:31I can't help.
30:32I get excited sometimes.
30:34Particularly when I feel like we're all on the same page with things.
30:37Yeah.
30:37Because those doors open, you can entertain from the kitchen, people outside, entertaining
30:42this space here.
30:44It feels really homely and kind of very...
30:45It does.
30:46It's a lovely place.
30:46Although it's spacious, it feels kind of quite snug and kind of welcoming.
30:50It's a lovely house.
30:51It's delightful.
30:53Well, let's see what you think about the next space I want to show you.
30:55Come with me.
30:56Will do.
30:59Oh, goodness.
31:00This is nice.
31:01Very snug.
31:03I love the fireplace.
31:04I love the lintel, the wooden lintel there.
31:06That is fantastic.
31:07Yeah.
31:08And somewhere to, you know, keep warm in the winter with the fires.
31:10That's even better, really.
31:12Yeah, it's beautiful.
31:12Nice big window as well.
31:14There's plenty more that this property boasts from the inside.
31:18Mm-hm.
31:18And I'll meet you in the garden to tell you what else it boasts shortly.
31:23Next to the sitting room is the first of three bedrooms set up as an office.
31:27And beyond that is a family bathroom.
31:30Also on the ground floor, but a few steps down, is the main bedroom.
31:35Oh, wow.
31:37This is nice, isn't it?
31:38This is lovely, isn't it?
31:38What a lovely sized room.
31:39This is brilliant.
31:40I like all the wooden doors.
31:42You know, there's not much that I'd change, really.
31:44Really lovely.
31:44And what's behind the door?
31:45No idea.
31:46Have a look.
31:47Ooh.
31:49That's nice.
31:50I've really, it's really big.
31:52Is it?
31:52Yeah.
31:53Where would you put my clothes?
31:54A really big walking wardrobe.
31:56That's fabulous.
31:57Have a look.
31:58Shower, room.
31:59Yeah, en suite.
32:00Yeah, brilliant.
32:01I love the beam as well.
32:03Above that is a matching bedroom with the same facilities as well as access to the loft.
32:09But what about room for Bill's crafts?
32:12Well, this mystery house has a special bonus.
32:16This is what I wanted to show you.
32:18Why don't you just poke your nose inside there.
32:21Have a wander up and down and tell me what you think.
32:22Yeah.
32:22I will do.
32:23I will do.
32:26Oh, goodness.
32:27Oh, gosh.
32:28This is fabulous.
32:29Wow.
32:30I didn't expect this.
32:31That's amazing.
32:31This is a surprise, isn't it?
32:33Yeah.
32:33It's fabulous, this.
32:34Could do counselling in here.
32:36Could do counselling.
32:37Could do craft.
32:38Yeah.
32:38Yeah.
32:39We could fight for it.
32:41We could do all kinds of things in here.
32:42Yeah, we could.
32:44I don't believe it.
32:45She's stealing Bill's room again.
32:48The annex also has a shower room and utility.
32:51One space I know they'll agree on is the garden.
32:54Which has gorgeous views of the church and village green.
32:58And everything Carol needs to grow fruit and veg.
33:02And welcome to the back garden, you two.
33:05Indeed.
33:06This is amazing, this isn't it?
33:07What a surprise.
33:08Yeah.
33:09They must have known you're coming.
33:10It's a brand new greenhouse.
33:12Yes.
33:12You've got a fruit cage as well.
33:14I think you've really hit the nail on the head.
33:17It's got everything.
33:18You can hear the birds, it's beautiful, it's quiet, but it's not isolated.
33:23It's got the garden, it's got the space at the side of the house that you can access.
33:28So I think it's got absolutely everything.
33:29But of course it all comes at a cost.
33:31What do you think this property is on the market for?
33:33I think it's probably £645,000.
33:40Okay.
33:40I would probably go for £655,000.
33:45Have you been reading my paperwork?
33:46It's on the market for £665,000.
33:51Right.
33:51Okay.
33:51But the owners have said they're more than willing to talk to you.
33:56Okay.
33:57Regarding that price.
33:58Interesting, yeah.
34:00So a little over budget at £665,000, but with room for discussion.
34:05This 500-year-old attached barn conversion delivers the required three bedrooms in the main house,
34:12plus a potential fourth in the annex.
34:14They like the high-quality interior rooms and the garden is well stocked for growing produce.
34:20I think the Mystery House is gorgeous.
34:23I think it offers everything that we wanted.
34:26I think it is so beautifully done and it's so light and airy.
34:30For such an old building, I think it's absolutely stunning.
34:34I love its setting.
34:36I love the building.
34:37I like the fact it's listed even.
34:38I love the fact it's near the village green.
34:41So it's got so much going for it.
34:55We love helping people on Escape to the Country.
34:58We also like hearing from and meeting people who have been there and bought the t-shirt.
35:04Like Martin, who made his escape all the way from the Big Apple.
35:09Having spent 30 years working for luxury fashion brands, Martin yearned for rural life.
35:16He was raised in the West Country and inspired by a certain daytime property show.
35:21He decided to set up home here in Devon's Kent Valley, a far cry from city life in New York.
35:29We're just surrounded by such beautiful countryside here.
35:33So many walks where I can take Bertie, which go round in a circle with such beautiful views.
35:41Five years ago, he turned his back on the catwalk and set about renovating the traditional pub he had invested
35:47in with his sister.
35:49Now the modern, sophisticated interiors owe much to the timeless attractions of the countryside.
36:00So actually, all along this hedgerow here was quite an inspiration for a lot of the textiles.
36:06You can already see some of the foxgloves starting to come up.
36:10This whole hedge is full of really vivid pink foxgloves.
36:16What a fantastic job Martin's done transforming this pub.
36:20And he's given me the opportunity to see it in person.
36:25Hey Martin, lovely to see you.
36:28Hi Steve, welcome. And you?
36:29What a lovely place you have here.
36:31Thank you very much. It's not always been like this since 1290, but come on in.
36:38The pub boasts seven individually styled suites, with wallpaper, bed furnishings and throws designed by Martin himself.
36:50Wow, this place is something special Martin.
36:54What drew you back to the UK and decided to do this?
36:58I started changing, which I think is a natural evolution, and I'm drawn more and more to the countryside.
37:05Originally I was from the South West.
37:07I came back and I started still working in fashion a bit, but then I couldn't resist to start decorating.
37:14And this is where it all started.
37:16And the little birdie tells me that maybe you was watching a little bit of escape to the country when
37:21your head was turned, so to speak.
37:24Absolutely. So I knew my mind was changing, my mindset was changing.
37:29Loved cities, you know, worked really hard to live in London and New York and travel the world actually, which
37:36fashion allows you to do.
37:37But then I would actually find myself watching Escape to the Country.
37:41And you know, looking at all these idyllic kind of like situations and villages and everything.
37:46And I guess it manifested and as it does if you visualise things and it's become true now.
37:52So tell me a little bit about the history of the pub and what you've done to it since you've
37:57started putting your mark on here.
37:59So the history of the pub is really amazing. It was built in 1290.
38:04There's a little interesting fact that most churches have a pub next to it or an inn because they needed
38:09somewhere for the workers.
38:11Because churches, you know, used to take about 100 years to build back in the day.
38:15Design wise, I think you've always got to look back to look forward.
38:18So I wanted to respect the past and look at a lot of the details that we have.
38:22But you also want to look modernised. So that's where I think the design comes in.
38:26Really knowing how to balance fabrics together, textures, colours, lighting.
38:31We've got so many different lighting effects here because I've sourced a lot of our lights from many different places
38:37all over the world.
38:38So the ones in this room are from an old 1920s art deco college locally.
38:44You mentioned about sourcing things locally as well.
38:47Yes. How important is that to you?
38:48Really, really important because in actual fact we've got a mural in the middle of our pub which is hand
38:53painted,
38:54which I commissioned a local artist to do. It's based on William Morris and the arts and crafts movement.
38:59We like to produce, well, we produce all our own food in-house, but we source it locally as well.
39:05So it's not just the food. We work with a lot of brilliant craftsmen from the building of the new
39:10rooms, reupholsterers.
39:13There's a lot of very special techniques that go in here.
39:15And I love collaborating with local sort of creative people.
39:20Martin has also designed the business's two holiday cottages.
39:26Well, this is something special, isn't it? The balance and the light and the elegance of it all is something
39:34special.
39:35It was a huge amount of work. It looked nothing like this.
39:39We actually had to like knock down walls and move bathrooms, move toilets, do so many things.
39:45So I learnt a lot as well doing that.
39:48Well, you've certainly kept its charm and character.
39:51I lived in the cottages whilst I were doing them with Bertie.
39:56And, you know, that was fun because it actually allowed you to really look at the space and consider it
40:01and give it all that time it needed and thought.
40:04So if anyone else is going to decide they want to change their life completely.
40:08I would always say follow what you want to do and it doesn't matter whether you're 10 years old or
40:13100 years old.
40:14I think you'll always be successful or happy if you follow what you want to do and something I've always
40:21done my entire life and I enjoy it.
40:25You should be very proud.
40:27This is an amazing cottage in an amazing village with an amazing pub.
40:31Oh, thank you. That's so kind of you.
40:35This is such a beautiful part of the world.
40:38I'm not surprised that Martin is so happy having swapped the Big Apple for the great outdoors.
40:51Now they've seen all three of our properties, have Bill and Carol, our dancing house hunters, decided they're ready to
40:59step up to life in the South West.
41:02All right, you two?
41:04Yeah, we're fine. Thank you. You?
41:05Oh, yeah.
41:06So as we've been going around, you've got to know the area maybe that little bit better.
41:12Has it really cemented the idea of moving here?
41:16You've helped us see it so much better.
41:18So, you know, you come on holiday and you come to our place.
41:22You come with you and what you see is a whole different dynamic.
41:25You see, you know, the countryside, the places, the towns, the villages, it's really good.
41:29So come on then, the whole show is about finding you their perfect home.
41:34Have any of them really hit the mark for you?
41:37Our favourite is definitely the mystery house.
41:40I think that offered us most of what we were looking for.
41:43Yeah.
41:44You opened doors that we didn't know existed.
41:46Yeah.
41:46So things like, shall we live in a listed building?
41:49Yeah.
41:50What does that mean?
41:51Yeah.
41:52You then go away and say, how does that work?
41:54No, what can you do to this property?
41:56So those are the questions that we're kind of taking away in terms of,
41:59I mean, the house was spectacular.
42:01I think a second visit's on the cards, really.
42:04Oh, brilliant.
42:05Please keep me updated.
42:07Will do.
42:08Will do.
42:09You'll get your invite as soon as we move.
42:11To the housewarming.
42:11Absolutely.
42:12As soon as we move.
42:13Well, whether it's the mystery home or somewhere else in this beautiful county.
42:19Yes.
42:19I'm sure that when that move's made, you're certainly going to make the most of it.
42:23We certainly will.
42:25Thank you so much.
42:25It's been brilliant.
42:26Good luck to both of you.
42:28Thank you, Steve.
42:29Fantastic.
42:29Fantastic.
42:32Moving across the country to start a new chapter in life is always going to take some bravery.
42:37But Bill and Karen have proven that when you do make that leap, you can land in the county of
42:43your dreams.
42:44Wildlife and sustainability are very important to them both.
42:48And whether they do that from the comfort of the mystery house or from another home, I know they're going
42:54to make a very positive impact on Devon.
42:57Join us again next time for another Escape to the Country.
43:01If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales and need our help, why
43:07not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:44And we'll be right back.
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