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Escape to the Country - Season 27 Episode 6 - Gloucestershire
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00:01Across the UK we're spoilt for choice when it comes to rural homes but some
00:06really stand apart. Beautiful. Okay, this is special. Those that stop you in your
00:14tracks the moment you see them. It's just beyond belief. You just bite now. Others
00:23welcome you in with warmth and ease. Could you see yourself living here?
00:27Absolutely. Oh, there wasn't even a second pause, was there? But the rarest of all
00:34spark a feeling you never saw coming. Just looks like it's a chocolate box film
00:41set. Yeah, sorry.
01:06The backdrop to today's search is a county shaped by its heritage and its hills. Where
01:14old wool towns and ancient woodland share the landscape. Welcome to Gloucestershire. As if
01:25having most of the Cotswolds isn't enough for Gloucestershire, it also has around half of
01:30the Wye Valley and all of the Forest of Dean. Add in views like this and some might say the
01:38residents of this county are spoiled for choice. Not me though. I'd say escape to the country.
01:45Here we come.
01:49Gloucestershire in England's south west stretches from the northern edge of the Bristol Channel
01:53up to the Midlands. Near the county's western border with Wales, the caves around the quiet
02:00village of Clearwell have been mined for iron ore for more than four and a half thousand years.
02:06It's a gentle reminder that there's often more than meets the eye if you dig a little deeper.
02:14Gloucestershire for us, it's where we've grown up all our lives and we absolutely love it
02:18because whilst it is quite remote and quite rural in places, you've also got lots of towns
02:23and cities within close proximity that sort of gives you everything you want really.
02:26The Cotswold Way walk is beautiful, walking through fields full of sheep, horses, it's
02:34just really really beautiful, nice and peaceful.
02:37It's a very special place to live because you are surrounded by such natural beauty. Everywhere
02:44you look you've got rolling hills, it's beautiful, it's green. If you love the outdoors this is
02:50a lovely place to live.
02:56With scenery straight from a canvas, Gloucestershire is ready for today's buyer to bring their
03:02own splash of colour.
03:08I'm from the Netherlands and I came over to this country when I was in my early twenties
03:13to study art at Exeter Art College. Frankly, I absolutely fell in love with the country and
03:19never went back. Peggy works as a clinical psychologist and lives in a detached five-bedroom home in Pinner,
03:26North London. She's ready to retire from work, return to her artistic practice and find a
03:33home for her and beloved dogs, Max and Dylan, who aren't the only animals she's factoring
03:42into the move.
03:44So this is Tom. Tom is a 12-year-old Dutch warm blood and we compete at dressage and also
03:52spend
03:52our time hacking around the countryside.
03:56But moving to Gloucestershire hadn't been part of Peggy's original retirement plan.
04:01So over two years ago now, my husband and I had found this most beautiful place in Somerset.
04:07It was stunning, really looking forward to moving there. And then tragically, a month
04:13before exchanging contracts, my husband suddenly died of a heart attack. And so he never got
04:18to live that dream. But I do think that the time is right now for me to think about building
04:24a life for myself, fulfilling some of the dreams that we built together and moving to the country.
04:32Joining her on her search is friend Alison, who Peggy met at art school 43 years ago.
04:39I'm glad Peggy's moving to Gloucestershire, because you were so happy when you lived here.
04:44And I don't ride, but I know that the horse riding here is really good, really important.
04:48And it's not that far from me and I'll be able to come and stay.
04:54Peggy's on the hunt for a detached character filled home with plenty of natural light and two to three bedrooms.
05:00With a budget of £800,000, she's dreaming of an outbuilding she can transform into an art studio,
05:07a big secure garden for the dogs, and somewhere not too far from a livery for Tom the Horse.
05:19This is a very special move for Peggy. It's something that she's been dreaming about for a long time and
05:25made plans with her late husband.
05:26And obviously it got put on hold, but the time is now right. She feels this is the moment to
05:33move to Gloucestershire.
05:34And she really does truly deserve a new chapter. We talk about that, but that's what it is.
05:40And I'm hoping we can give her everything that she wants and a little bit more.
05:47Before starting our search, we're coming together in magical Puzzle Wood, a rare temperate rainforest that's featured in films and
05:56TV series, including Star Wars and Merlin.
06:01Well, Peggy and Alison, a very warm welcome to Gloucestershire. I think we've come to the most beautiful spot, haven't
06:08we?
06:08Oh, it's absolutely stunning. Never seen anything like it, to be honest.
06:12And this, I'm not going to say new life, but this different life, what's it going to give you?
06:18Being outside. Right.
06:20You know, I just have to be outside. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, or just getting
06:25inspiration.
06:26And yeah, this is what this area brings, for sure.
06:30Wonderful. What's so lovely about the two of you? You go back quite a few years. You met at art
06:35college.
06:35Yeah. That's right, yeah. 43 years. Oh.
06:39I wasn't going to say it, but that shows a true friendship.
06:44So, Alison, you're probably quite realistic as to what she might like and what she might need.
06:50I think I am. I moved down to Devon six years ago, so I'm pushing Peggy to be more realistic,
06:56possibly in some ways,
06:57but also to be adventurous and go and just, it's such an exciting thing to do.
07:02I really want her to have the same fun doing it that we've had.
07:05That's great advice. I am so looking forward to the next few days.
07:09I mean, in a way, it's a shame to drag you away from here, but the good news is our
07:13first property is only five minutes down the road.
07:16Oh, yes. Oh, that's good.
07:17This could be on your doorstep.
07:20Oh, my goodness. Wonderful.
07:21Wouldn't it be amazing, wouldn't it? Yeah.
07:23Shall we get started?
07:24Oh, yes, definitely. Brilliant.
07:33Peggy is familiar with the area surrounding Stroud, but our search will focus on the western part of the county,
07:40starting near the village of Berry Hill.
07:43The market town of Colford is two miles away and includes a good selection of independent retailers, including a cinema.
07:52Berry Hill also provides the essentials and is a ten-minute walk from our destination, which enjoys a quiet setting
08:00offering absolute privacy and woodland views.
08:05Come on through, ladies. Goodness me. This is amazing.
08:11It's nestled, isn't it, within the countryside.
08:14It's like a little secret place, isn't it, with the woods around it.
08:18It's beautiful. I know. It's, you know, look at that. You see that from the house. It's just beyond belief.
08:24Can you just buy it now?
08:27You won't bother with the chair, that's it.
08:30Oh, gosh.
08:32Such a lovely start, and we haven't even stepped through the door.
08:36I know.
08:37So, shall we?
08:38Yes, please.
08:43This large, detached character cottage, thought to date back to the early 19th century, features white render and pretty exposed
08:52stonework to the exterior,
08:53which totally encapsulates rural period charm.
08:59Let's start the official tour of our farmhouse.
09:04Oh, wow.
09:06Oh, lovely.
09:08Gosh.
09:08There's so much more space than I thought from outside.
09:11Yeah.
09:12What we have here, obviously, you've got a very large sitting room, open plan, with doors leading onto the patio.
09:18You've got a dining area here, and then you've got a little more intimate.
09:23I mean, we like to call it a snug, don't we?
09:26Yeah.
09:26It works so well with the fire.
09:28I think it's beautiful.
09:29I want to see more.
09:31Do you?
09:32So, first impressions, all good?
09:34Yeah, definitely.
09:35Shall we continue?
09:36Oh, yes.
09:36Come on in.
09:42Come on in.
09:44So, you've got this kitchen here, but you've also got quite a large space next door, which...
09:48How big are the dogs?
09:51They're two that size.
09:53Yeah, so they need space.
09:54Do they rule the roost?
09:56Yes.
09:59Yes.
10:00Yes.
10:00I remember you could bring them in from outside and actually dry them off in there, or keep them in
10:05there.
10:06It would be good, wouldn't it?
10:06That's exactly what I'm looking for, yeah.
10:09It just flows really nicely.
10:11It's great.
10:13Good.
10:15There's a handy downstairs cloakroom with a separate shower, and upstairs we'll find four bedrooms along with a generous family
10:23bathroom.
10:25Either of the two largest rooms could serve as the principal suite, but we're beginning in the one that offers
10:31the finest view of the garden.
10:35Oh, brilliant.
10:36Good size.
10:37Yeah.
10:38And great view, of course.
10:42Lovely.
10:42Feels like you could pick the apples off that tree right from the window.
10:46Yes.
10:47Could you see Peggy living here?
10:49Yeah.
10:50Yeah, I could actually.
10:51Could Peggy see Peggy living here?
10:53Yes.
10:54I haven't even shown you the outside space, have I?
10:56No, you haven't.
10:57There's still quite a bit to see, but the house itself is working on nearly every front.
11:03Yeah, it's lovely.
11:06I'm leaving Peggy and Alison to wander through the remaining bedrooms at their own pace.
11:13Oh, lovely.
11:15I do like the size of these rooms and the proportions, which was one of the big things, wasn't it?
11:19Yeah.
11:20I really good.
11:20I like the roof.
11:21I know, isn't that nice?
11:22And look at...
11:23I know it's not traditional landscape looking out, but that roof would make me happy.
11:26Oh, gosh!
11:27That's what I was talking about!
11:29Rose dance!
11:29Yes!
11:30Oh!
11:31And the greenhouse.
11:31And the greenhouse.
11:32And look at the trees.
11:33Greenhouses.
11:34All of the fruit trees.
11:37Oh, my goodness.
11:39I'm quickly learning that, for Peggy, the surroundings matter every bit as much as the house itself.
11:46And this setting certainly delivers.
11:50Our next stop is the detached double garage, brimming with conversion potential.
11:56Look at this.
11:57Isn't it lovely?
11:58Ah, an apple press.
12:00Look.
12:00Brilliant.
12:01Gosh.
12:02You're never going to go thirsty, are you?
12:04Yeah.
12:04I'm just looking at this building.
12:06I mean, is this something that you could actually use as an artist's workshop as well?
12:09Definitely.
12:11Yeah, for sure.
12:12And you've got, in total, two acres.
12:15Never.
12:16Two acres.
12:17Oh, my goodness.
12:18So, it's quite deceiving.
12:19If you look at the boundary fence, your land goes beyond that.
12:23Oh!
12:23There's a stream at the side.
12:24There's a wildlife pond there.
12:26You've got a little orchard at the back.
12:29Somewhere for those goats.
12:31Yes!
12:32Yeah, we want the goats.
12:34You want goats as well.
12:35Okay, well, we've got enough land for goats.
12:37We're just adding to your list now.
12:38Exactly.
12:38We can throw goats into the mix, can't we?
12:44Luckily, the two-acre plot is expansive enough to keep them all happy with a vegetable patch,
12:51an orchard, and a wildflower meadow.
12:54What price are we going to put on this beautiful cottage?
12:57Well, it's got to be over budget.
13:008.50?
13:01Okay.
13:02Alison?
13:03I was going to go over budget, but only tiny bits of 8.5 something just tipping over.
13:08805,000 pounds.
13:10Well, you're both going to be pleased because it is under your top budget.
13:16The asking price is 780,000 pounds.
13:21Wow.
13:22Gosh.
13:23Which?
13:24That's mind-blowing.
13:26Pleasant surprise.
13:27Yeah.
13:29This delightful forest cottage has four bedrooms, two acres of land, and a workshop just waiting
13:36to become an art studio.
13:38Its picture postcard setting feels blissfully secluded, yet it sits within easy reach of local
13:44amenities, and with a guide price that's 20,000 pounds under budget, it's an enticing proposition.
13:51I think that this property would be wonderful for Peggy because it's got everything she asked
13:57for, which I didn't think you'd get, especially in the first property.
14:00It's got the land, the dogs will be happy, she'll be content, and just selfishly it would be
14:05a really nice place to come and visit.
14:07This is the most gorgeous property.
14:10Two acres is phenomenal, but it's something also about the undulation of the land and the
14:16way the house sits in it, which I totally adore.
14:20Brilliant.
14:32Gloucestershire is full of remarkable places to explore, and among them is the well-preserved
14:38wool town of Painswick.
14:40Peggy and Alison are taking their attention away from property to enjoy some downtime here,
14:45and to discover what this small town has to offer.
14:49At its heart stands a 14th century church, surrounded by a churchyard adorned with 99
14:56distinctive yew trees.
14:59Imagine walking to church down here every day while I'm saying that.
15:03Local folklore insists the number is always 99.
15:08Never less, never more.
15:10Have you noticed that all the yew trees have got numbers?
15:13No, we're 16.
15:13Presumably, that's up for the 99, and they can't actually grow the 100.
15:18Yeah.
15:21The narrow streets are lined with stone houses and cottages, made from the mellow honey limestone
15:26the area is famous for.
15:29A look that's earned Painswick the title of Queen of the Cotswolds.
15:34But what do the people who live here think of their town?
15:38The local properties in Painswick are brilliant.
15:41We've got the oak, and we've also got the falcon.
15:44Brilliant beers on tap, which is what I really like in both places.
15:47The food is fantastic.
15:49We've got historical buildings here.
15:51Community is very, very friendly, very helpful, and very welcoming, and very vibrant community here.
15:58They try to help each other all the time.
16:00We've got a great train station in Stroud that can take you to London really easily.
16:05It's a direct train.
16:06Ten minute drive, you get to Cheltenham, and even, you know, you've got Painswick,
16:10but then you've got all the other little villages around that have great pubs, great shops, great restaurants.
16:16There's another reason we've chosen Painswick.
16:18The town, like several in the area, is known for its creative spirit.
16:23With several galleries and art shops to explore, artists Peggy and Alison are in good company here.
16:30This is the shop.
16:32There it is.
16:33Oh, look at that.
16:34Oh, yes, my kind of place.
16:37They're stopping by one of those shops, a space that celebrates some of the finest work produced in the area.
16:45Hi.
16:46Hi.
16:46I'm Sandy.
16:47So you're moving to the area?
16:49That's me, yes.
16:49That's so exciting.
16:51Yeah, it's just gorgeous.
16:52Just been walking around the place and just stunning.
16:55Yeah.
16:55And this place looks amazing.
16:57Yeah, yeah.
16:58We've been here for about a year now, and we work with almost 60 local artists and makers in the
17:04village.
17:04I suppose it really demonstrates the strength of the arts community around here.
17:08Yeah.
17:08There's lots of artists.
17:10That's Painswick, and it also comes on the back of Stride.
17:13Yeah.
17:13Which is the same.
17:15It means that there's loads going on.
17:17There's loads of kind of creative energy around, which is something that you can tap into, hopefully.
17:22But there are several other studios in the village that you can visit.
17:26In the summer, we have art walks, which happens one day a month across the summer.
17:31Lots of people come, lots of live music.
17:33We produce a little map, and people go around and look at lots of art.
17:36And we curate art for every single space in the village.
17:39That's brilliant.
17:39Even the estate agents take part.
17:41There's just, there's so much to do in Painswick.
17:43You'd be amazed.
17:44Gosh, I want to move here now.
17:47If that's the effect Painswick has on you, Peggy, we'd better continue the search and see if the next property
17:54can make that dream a reality.
18:02Our property search continues on the eastern edge of the Y Valley, between the Welsh border and the village of
18:09St Breville's.
18:11Small but undeniably attractive, St Breville's boasts a thriving community store, a friendly pub and assembly rooms that host everything
18:20from quiz nights to produce markets.
18:24Whilst our first property was hidden away among the trees, our next sits proudly above the valley, handsomely elevated with
18:32what might just be one of the finest vantage points around.
18:37Now, when it comes to approaches of a property, I honestly don't think you can get any more picturesque than
18:45this.
18:48Absolutely remarkable.
18:49It's stunning.
18:50You know, when you watch those dramas in the country, I mean, it just looks like it's a chocolate box
18:57film set.
18:58Yeah.
18:59Yeah.
19:00Sorry.
19:00Oh!
19:01There's me!
19:02There's me waxing Lyrica, and we've got tears next door.
19:08Good tears.
19:09Oh, my gosh.
19:10I'm not surprised.
19:11It's stunning.
19:12It is.
19:13It's beautiful, and with the sun on it as well.
19:15Look at it.
19:16Oh, no.
19:16What a place.
19:17We think you deserve it, Peggy.
19:18We really do.
19:20That is the truth.
19:21We'd better step inside and see what you make of the actual cottage.
19:24Oh, yes.
19:25Come on.
19:25Brilliant.
19:34Built in 1720, this detached stone cottage began life as a modest two-up, two-down.
19:42Careful renovations have doubled its footprint, with new additions blending so seamlessly, you'd
19:48swear they'd always been there.
19:53So, let's start the heart of the home, in the kitchen.
20:01Beautiful.
20:03Okay, this is special.
20:05Isn't it?
20:06Just.
20:07Absolutely stunning.
20:08Gosh.
20:10Yeah.
20:10Yeah.
20:11No words, really.
20:13No words.
20:13Wow.
20:14And it's been done beautifully as well, hasn't it?
20:16Isn't it?
20:17I love the way there's pots and everything.
20:19I mean.
20:19Yeah.
20:20Gosh, it's completely my taste.
20:22Love it.
20:23Sum it up in one word, girls.
20:25How would you describe this room?
20:27Homely.
20:28Breathtaking.
20:30I'd say breathtaking.
20:33I think it's done.
20:34That's quite a few words.
20:36Homely breathtaking.
20:37I can't beat that.
20:39This property has already cast quite a spell on Peggy, and we've only seen the kitchen.
20:45Next up, the reception rooms.
20:49I'm enjoying this house tour.
20:52We have our snug with fireplace.
20:56That's all I can hear behind me.
20:58Wait till you step in here then, girls.
21:00I want to hear proper.
21:02Ready?
21:02One, two, three, go.
21:04Oh, I don't do that.
21:05Oh.
21:07Oh.
21:08Look left.
21:08Wow.
21:12Oh, this is so beautiful.
21:14Oh, Peggy.
21:15And this is all the extension.
21:18Okay.
21:19Which the current owners did themselves.
21:21It's vast.
21:23You know, I would not have expected that from the outside.
21:27Have we surprised you?
21:28Yeah, totally.
21:30Again.
21:31Again?
21:31I know.
21:32No, it's brilliant.
21:34I know.
21:35We want you to be happy.
21:37And it is an extraordinary home.
21:40Heading upstairs, there are five bedrooms in total,
21:43with two full-sized family bathrooms between them.
21:47Two of the rooms are singles, with one in use as a study.
21:53Oh, what a wonderful room.
21:56Oh.
21:57It's beautiful, isn't it?
21:58Do you have always, like, low windows like this?
22:00New.
22:03Love it.
22:05The size of the room is absolutely perfect.
22:07It is.
22:08Isn't it?
22:08There's lots of space on each side of the bed.
22:11Yes.
22:11And the dogs would find space to lie on the floor of it, on the bedroom up here.
22:15You know me so well.
22:16I do.
22:17Right.
22:19Oh, gosh.
22:20I love this room as well.
22:22It is another good one, isn't it?
22:23Yeah.
22:24And it's got the low windows, which is really nice.
22:27And look, you can watch one of your vegetables growing.
22:29There's something really calming about this room, and I can't put my finger on it.
22:33No.
22:34Love it.
22:34I think it's the...
22:35Well, for me, it's the stillness outside.
22:37Yeah.
22:39The gardens extend over half an acre, thoughtfully divided into distinct spaces.
22:46At the front, neat lawns create winding paths that lead to tucked away seating spots.
22:53I do like this.
22:55It's beautiful.
22:56But I like the water feature here.
22:58I love water features.
23:00I know.
23:02And at the very top, vegetable beds, a greenhouse, and a gate that leads to the Kodora Woods
23:09beyond.
23:10There's no dedicated outbuilding for an art studio just yet, but there's certainly space
23:16to create one, should Peggy feel inspired.
23:22Slightly disappointed, girls.
23:24Slightly.
23:25I was hoping you were going to take a little bit longer, because I am very happy sitting
23:30here at the top of your garden, enjoying this incredible vista.
23:34What do we think this house is on the market for?
23:37850?
23:37I don't know.
23:38Okay.
23:39850,000 pounds.
23:41Alison?
23:42I would go 820.
23:44So the asking price is over your budget.
23:49839,950 pounds.
23:52Yeah.
23:53Yeah.
23:54However, we have made the owners aware of your top budget.
23:58Okay.
23:58And they are very happy to have a conversation with you.
24:02Oh, wow.
24:04Almost 40,000 pounds over budget, but with the vendors open to a conversation, this detached
24:10stone cottage has a sociable kitchen, impressive reception rooms, and five bedrooms.
24:16The half acre garden could offer Peggy endless inspiration for her artistic practice, as could the outstanding
24:24views enjoyed from its elevated position overlooking the Wye Valley.
24:30I think this property is absolutely stunning.
24:33Incredible.
24:34Everything about it I love, you know, the proportions.
24:37It's just actually beyond my wildest dreams, I have to say.
24:41I agree.
24:42I mean, we've talked a lot about what you want in a house, and this doesn't just cover it.
24:48This kind of almost exceeds what you've said.
24:51Yeah, I just feel myself getting quite emotional, if I'm honest, which I don't usually do.
24:58I guess one of the reasons it really got me is that I know my husband would have adored this
25:04house.
25:16Right now, the average price of a detached property in Gloucestershire is almost £522,000,
25:23compared to the national average of around £440,000.
25:28When compared to the Cotswolds, an area that stretches across numerous counties, including Gloucestershire,
25:35the price increases further to over £708,000,
25:40so expect to pay a premium if you want to live within the national landscape.
25:53Peggy's looking for a home with a large garden,
25:56so we've compiled a selection of properties currently available that go big on outside space.
26:03This detached cottage backs onto woodland and sits in a plot that extends for almost a third of an acre.
26:09With three bedrooms and a smart kitchen, the guide price is £350,000.
26:18At the slightly higher price of £425,000, this pretty detached two-bedroom property also has a garden of around
26:26a third of an acre.
26:27This one is beautifully landscaped, with vegetable beds and fruit trees, plus direct access to the adjoining forest.
26:36If you're just staying for the weekend, this cosy wooden cabin sits in an elevated clearing in the Ebworth Valley.
26:44With nothing but the sound of trees, two guests can enjoy total relaxation,
26:49with prices starting at £306 for a two-night stay.
27:00Yesterday was a really positive start on our property search with Peggy and Alison,
27:05and I think it might have hit an emotional chord, because a few times Peggy had tears in her eyes.
27:12It's obvious how much this county means to her.
27:16So today, keeping in mind her passion and love for nature, the countryside and the great outdoors,
27:22with our mystery house, not only is it a splendid property,
27:27but it might give her a little bit more than she bargained for.
27:35We've had such success in this village that we're remaining in St Breville's for our mystery house.
27:42While Peggy and Alison take a look around the village centre,
27:46I'm heading to the final stop on our search.
27:49Let me introduce you to the most delightful mystery house.
27:55A beautiful, bijou-sized cottage, smaller than the other properties that we've seen,
28:01but what this house has, and it is our mystery, is something extraordinary at the end of the garden.
28:07All will be revealed.
28:13Well, you do have to mind your head, but after all, this cottage is over 200 years old.
28:19It's not the biggest of properties, but I do then have to keep reminding myself that it is only Peggy
28:25that's going to be living here with her dogs.
28:27It's cute, it's quaint, it's got charm, it's got character, and it's overloaded in cosiness.
28:36Peggy and her friend Alison have responded so positively to the properties we've seen so far,
28:42with each one making an impression.
28:45Let's see if we've saved the best for last.
28:49Have you had a good explore?
28:51Yes.
28:51Yes.
28:52I bet you wish you had your docks with you and you've got land like this all around.
28:56Yes.
28:56Well, for our final offering, it is the mystery house.
29:00Another handsome property.
29:02Beautiful.
29:03It is.
29:04It's lovely.
29:05It's stunning.
29:06Yeah.
29:07Another find.
29:09Goodness me.
29:09Okay.
29:10Any ideas why it might be the mystery house?
29:13No, actually.
29:15In a way I don't want to tell you out here.
29:17Do you mind if we wait until we get inside and we're exploring together?
29:21Okay.
29:22Because we're not going to guess.
29:23No.
29:24I don't think you are.
29:25But it's worth it.
29:26That's all I'm going to say.
29:27It's definitely worth it.
29:28Let's step inside.
29:29This is the moment.
29:30I know.
29:30Come on.
29:30Come on.
29:35This traditional stone cottage sits on the edge of quiet woodland.
29:40More on that shortly.
29:42Believed to be around 200 years old, it's been a well-loved family home for generations.
29:50So straight into probably the first reception room here.
29:55Yeah.
29:55Because there is another one next door.
29:58Gosh.
29:58And here's your cottage.
30:01Gorgeous.
30:02It's a quintessential cottage, isn't it?
30:05Totally.
30:06This is England, isn't it?
30:09So we've gone from big properties to slightly more bijou properties.
30:15Brilliant.
30:16Yeah.
30:17So welcoming, warm.
30:19Yeah.
30:19Absolutely it is.
30:21Through there you've got a galley kitchen, but when I say galley, it's really long.
30:25It's the length of the cottage.
30:27And at the end there's hooks up on the wall.
30:29It was believed during the war this was the butchers.
30:32Oh, wow.
30:33Oh.
30:34Bit of history there for you.
30:35I can't wait to see it.
30:36But let's start with the reception room here.
30:38Okay.
30:42This is so cute.
30:43Oh, this is so cosy.
30:46Lovely.
30:47It is.
30:49You know, if you don't want it, Peggy, I'm going to have it.
30:51This is just perfect.
30:52Is that right, Alison?
30:54It is.
30:54It's why I do the perfect cottage.
30:56It really is.
30:57You might lose it.
30:58You might lose it to Alison.
31:00It's stunning.
31:02Could you see yourself living here?
31:04Absolutely.
31:04Why does it work for you so far?
31:06So some of these things you just can't explain, but it is about atmosphere and about it feeling
31:11like a home.
31:13And, yeah, it just does.
31:17You know you found something special when you step inside and immediately picture yourself
31:22living there.
31:24There's still plenty to explore, so Peggy and Alison are heading to the traditional country
31:29kitchen, which enjoys views over the garden.
31:34Oh, this is nice, Peggy.
31:36Oh, good grief.
31:37It goes back all the way through there.
31:38Oh, wow.
31:39Yeah.
31:40I thought it was going to be quite small, but it's not.
31:42No.
31:44That's good.
31:44What a surprise.
31:45But, yeah, I like this step up into it as well.
31:47It seems to divide this long space.
31:49Yeah.
31:50Which is nice.
31:50Really useful.
31:51And, again, lovely view of the garden.
31:53Yeah.
31:53And the thick walls.
31:54It's got everything.
31:55I do like these hooks.
31:57I know.
32:01Upstairs, the four-piece family bathroom fits perfectly with the cottage's period character.
32:07There are also three bedrooms, all featuring original cast iron fireplaces.
32:14Oh, look.
32:17Oh, yeah.
32:18Look at the exposed brickwork over there.
32:20Gorgeous.
32:21Oh, I do like this.
32:23And a window seat.
32:25Yes.
32:25Partial to that.
32:27And a view.
32:28Beautiful.
32:29Really nicely proportioned room.
32:31Really cosy.
32:33Really homely.
32:34Beautiful.
32:35Yep.
32:35I can see you being happy here.
32:37Definitely.
32:39Oh, wow.
32:40I love this room, actually.
32:42I think I love it more than the first room.
32:46I think you've got both views.
32:47Yeah.
32:48That's what does it.
32:49And those shutters.
32:51Aren't they gorgeous?
32:53Oh, I'm going to talk quite quietly because I don't want to plant a seed.
32:56I thought that perhaps the dimensions might be a little bit on the small side.
33:00But in actual fact, this cottage is completely winning her over because it is cosy and intimate.
33:07And she feels at home here.
33:10Long may that continue.
33:12And then I get to show her outside.
33:17Now for the first surprise, a detached stone outbuilding with power, light and water.
33:24Its position overlooking the garden would make a wonderful art studio for Peggy.
33:30The garden itself reveals its best features gradually, beginning with a sheltered patio and a broad sweep of lawn.
33:39Your water feature.
33:42It's just stunning.
33:44It's actually grade two listed, that water feature.
33:47Oh, wow.
33:47Look, it goes all the way up here.
33:49Unbelievable.
33:52Head towards the trees, cross the brook and the second surprise unfolds.
33:57It's beautiful, isn't it?
33:59It's beautiful.
34:00But there is one final part of the reveal for the mystery house.
34:05And I've been a little bit naughty because I sort of intimated that that was your garden.
34:10Yeah.
34:11You also get four acres of woodland.
34:19You're kidding.
34:21No.
34:21That's incredible.
34:23All of this.
34:24Yes.
34:24And if you can imagine, at the right time of year, this is a blaze with bluebells.
34:30Oh.
34:31It's called the bluebell wood.
34:32Sorry, I'm off again.
34:33Oh.
34:35I don't believe it.
34:36That is stunning.
34:38Wow.
34:39So we have now got to try and put a price on it.
34:41Oh.
34:42What do you think it's on the market for?
34:44Over budget.
34:47So I'm going to say £850,000.
34:49£850,000.
34:50Yeah.
34:52I hate to agree with you about anything, but yeah.
34:54I can't be less than that.
34:56Not with this woodland.
34:57Yeah.
34:58Well, the mystery house is actually £100,000 under your guesstimate.
35:03It is on the market for £750,000.
35:07That's incredible.
35:09That sort of doesn't make sense really, does it?
35:11All of this.
35:12Yeah.
35:13Yeah.
35:13That's truly unbelievable.
35:17This magical woodland home is £50,000 under budget and offers three bedrooms and plenty
35:24of character.
35:25But it's the outside that really elevates the mystery.
35:29Four acres of natural broadleaf woodland, a stream, a small waterfall and an outbuilding
35:36ready to become Peggy's creative hideaway.
35:41The cottage itself is fantastic.
35:43It's beautiful.
35:44It's cosy.
35:45And then you get to outside.
35:47The art studio is perfect.
35:49It's bigger than our art spaces at college.
35:51But it's sort of almost eclipsed by the garden and the woodland.
35:54I mean, who would have thought?
35:56One of the challenges that I've faced so far is actually finding a house that's a size for
36:01me, just me and my two dogs, cos that's all I need, with enough land for the guys to
36:06be able to run.
36:07And this is just like beyond anything I imagined anyone could ever find.
36:12You know, and in terms of my art as well, inspiration that you would get from this, you just wouldn't
36:18have to go anywhere else speechless.
36:27In towns and cities across the UK, street food has become all the rage.
36:32But if the two friends we're about to meet have anything to do with it, it's about to
36:36take off here in the countryside too.
36:40After 10 years living and working in central London, me and my partner Jade moved to the
36:44Cotswolds in 2022.
36:47Living in London is amazing, but it's really quite stressful and you never truly get any
36:52peace and quiet.
36:53Having nature on your doorstep, it's had a massive positive impact on our mental health
36:59and wellbeing.
37:00I feel like we've got a lot more time to focus on our physical health as well.
37:03We do a lot of walking.
37:05I've got back into tennis.
37:06And maybe the biggest reason we ended up moving here was so that I could quit my corporate
37:11job in sales and make good and a lifelong dream to open a restaurant with my good pal,
37:17George.
37:18The result is a laid back open air dining experience set on a farm near Moreton in Marsh.
37:26Since opening two years ago, they've been cooking up bold Middle Eastern inspired food
37:31in a form of pig shed.
37:33Think East London energy, but in wellies.
37:38Since it's nearly lunchtime, I reckon it's the perfect time to drop in to the duo behind
37:44Pit Kitchen to find out what their countryside venture is cooking up.
37:51Hi, Adam.
37:52Hello, Nicky.
37:53Lovely to meet you.
37:53And you.
37:54Welcome.
37:54Take a seat.
37:56What an amazing place.
37:57This is your office.
37:59It is my office.
38:00Yeah, it's mad, isn't it?
38:01I forget a lot of the time to be honest.
38:03But from what I understand that actually you lived in London for quite a while.
38:06I did, yeah.
38:07I lived in Dalston in Hackney for ten years.
38:10And why the change?
38:11It was driven by the desire to do this.
38:13There's a big opportunity to come and do something different in the Cotswolds.
38:17But the slower pace of life kind of hit me after the move.
38:20It wasn't the driver, if you know what I mean.
38:22There's pizza I miss from London.
38:24What do you miss?
38:25I miss the food.
38:26I really miss the food.
38:27I can't say that.
38:28No, this is a little slice of London in the Cotswolds.
38:31That's the whole idea behind the business.
38:33But on balance, it's been a great move and I love it here.
38:36I can see George is hard at work over there.
38:39Can we go and take a closer look?
38:40Absolutely.
38:41I'm hoping I'm going to get fed, is the honest truth.
38:43You're definitely going to get fed.
38:48Best friend George leads the kitchen.
38:50A professional chef with a background in fine dining and food development,
38:54he's whipped up a few plates of their most popular dishes for me to try.
39:03Oh, good timing.
39:05Take a seat, guys.
39:07So this is my business partner, George.
39:09He's the mastermind behind all the lovely food we make here.
39:12Hello, chef.
39:13Hello.
39:14How are we?
39:14I'm very well, thank you.
39:16Very well.
39:16So what have we got here?
39:18So this one is our chicken kebab.
39:20This is our meze plate with a variety of different dips that we produce in-house here.
39:24This is our sourdough flatbreads.
39:26This is our lamb kebab.
39:28And these are our sweet corn fritters.
39:30Oh, goodness.
39:31And do you source locally as much as you can?
39:33We do, yeah.
39:34So we source our meat from Toddenham, which is just up the road.
39:37We work with a grower who supplies a lot of our vegetables that's less than five miles away.
39:43Really good.
39:44So how busy does this place get?
39:46I mean, this year it's really, really taken off.
39:49I think our busiest day that we've done this year is probably 500-plus people.
39:52We're serving around 1,500 a week or something like that in the busiest part of summer.
39:56I think a lot of people find their way here with their nose because the fires are always lit.
40:01Really?
40:01Yeah, yeah.
40:02It's not street food.
40:03We're going to call it field food?
40:05Yeah.
40:05Field food's a good name for it, yeah.
40:06You can have that if you like.
40:07I don't like that.
40:08Can I?
40:09Is that all right?
40:09Please, yeah.
40:09Look at me.
40:10I'm salivating.
40:11Well, congratulations, guys, to you and your team.
40:13I know it's been an awful lot of hard work, but the proof, as they say, is in the eating.
40:18So I think we should tuck in, don't you?
40:19Yeah, let's do it.
40:20Please do.
40:20I've already started.
40:23I know it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.
40:27Mmm.
40:28Delish.
40:32Sometimes, when you show people properties, you can't read them.
40:36But with Peggy, we have had all the emotions.
40:39But shall we find out what her next move is going to be?
40:42Let's go.
40:44Ooh, a nice cup of tea, ladies.
40:48Yeah, I think we deserve this.
40:50An exhausting few days, but in a good way.
40:53Have we shown you parts of this county that you hadn't seen before?
40:56Because, you know, you have lived in this region, haven't you?
41:00Yeah, but this area certainly was completely new to me.
41:03And absolutely beautiful.
41:06So if I was going to pin you down, is there one property that hits the spot?
41:10I would say there are two.
41:12Ooh.
41:12That surprised me as well.
41:15Come on.
41:16Yeah, so the house on the hill, I absolutely adored that house.
41:20It was stunning.
41:21But then, of course, there's the other one, which is the woodland property.
41:25The mystery.
41:25Oh, my goodness, yes.
41:26It was absolutely beautiful.
41:28So we've whittled it down to two.
41:32What happens next?
41:33Are you going to go for a second viewing?
41:35Yeah, totally.
41:36Yeah.
41:37I don't know the area at all.
41:39So I want to come down, see the properties again, but also get more of a sense of the area.
41:45Yes.
41:45We gave the flavour, she now wants the bite, doesn't she?
41:48Oh, yes.
41:50Yeah.
41:50Yeah.
41:50And rightly so, it's worth doing the homework, it really is, and to look around.
41:54But the fact that you know you can get what you want under your budget as well.
41:58Yes.
41:59Well, thank you both.
42:00It's been lovely.
42:01It really has been so enjoyable.
42:03I'm so pleased and delighted that, yeah, we've played a small part in it.
42:08Huge part, thank you.
42:11You're very welcome.
42:17Well, it's certainly been a rewarding few days here in Gloucestershire, exploring a corner
42:24of the county that neither Peggy nor Alison knew that well.
42:28And my goodness, hasn't it delivered?
42:31And we're thrilled that she's coming back to see not one, but two of our offerings.
42:36And when she does move here, I know she's going to be gaining an amazing new community
42:41and they'll equally be getting a fantastic new neighbour.
42:45We wish her all the very best and I'll see you soon.
42:54If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
42:59and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:35See you next week.
43:35You
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