ETTC 31 Mar

[Music] today we're house-hunting Italy at the scene that we don't always see eye to eye you've got that look on your face we have the coastal vision and of course seeing is believing that CPU [Laughter] today we're in Devon a beautiful County that really sums up rural England at its very finest now Devon attracts over 9 million visitors every year which apparently is more than Hawaii gets but what's more it's the number one destination for our house hunters and you know on the day like today who can blame them with glorious countryside amazing coastlines there's an awful lot to recommend Devon as a county for your West Country escape buying a detached home in this ever desirable County currently costs on average around three hundred and eighty four thousand pounds which is about forty thousand pounds above the national figure though that price may well rise if it's this sea that's calling you Devon has many lively and attractive seaside settlements to its name like Clovelly sitting up high in the north and Torquay buggin pride a place down sire from the English Riviera along the constant Enma 'the colorful Georgian houses command the best sea views where thrill-seekers hit the waves enjoying watersports every June the town welcomes huge crowds to a three-day Folk Festival life inland centres on Dartmoor National Park where iconic semi wild ponies graze the park is the only place in England where you can wild camp legally if you're adventurous enough to brave the rugged and moody moorland with coast country and culture at its heart there's every reason to want to relocate to Devon despite being one of the country's largest counties the majority of Devon's population are fortunate enough to live within 12 and a half miles of one of its two coastlines down here in the south well it's all about beach life there are over 25 you to take your pick from which is exactly why today's buyers are so keen to call Devon home we love going on holiday packing your favorite book into your beach bag and going off to the coast being in an environment that we can actually go and see places new places walk in the countryside walk in the coast is basically our dream bed foods a lovely place to live we've really enjoyed living here we live in a lovely community we've got some lovely walks the embankments lovely we've got some lovely problems I think it's because we're totally solve we learn a lot and we want to move to the coast the nearest see we've got is two and a half hours away so if you want to go to the sea that's pretty much a long journey to do but so we live by the coast 20 minutes and then we're there Maria and Baz met 31 years ago when they were both working in the forces throughout their marriage they've relocated nine times between the UK and Germany on account of work I think we're moving around within the forces has brought us together a lot better it's quite stressful to move about all the time every sort of three years or so would be moving on to another posting a sudden didn't want to go to boarding school when buzz was still serving so we decided to come back to the UK I got a job in Bedford in 2000 and buzz commuted for seven years after that just so that we could get our son established in a school and he didn't have to move again so we've been here for nearly 19 years we've been married for thirty years and that's not 30 years of agreeing with each other obviously there's times when I have a totally different point of view to you but we have got to agree to disagree what totally compromise I think you need to have your own interests as well so you can actually do your own thing and also have a similar interest as well shared interests a shared interest yeah and that's definitely what makes it work I think you compromised a lot of compromising more time on their hands means a chance for more hobbies which emotionally spent outdoors I like to photography I really want to get more knowledge behind it and be able to do landscape photography I love a bit of gardening I love to pot around the house being recently retired it's just a novelty at the moment I enjoy doing yoga for relaxation I love reading it spending time out in the garden weather permitting some serious hammock in' and generally just taken life easy early with son anthony now 30 and settled in his own home they're no longer tied to bedford and they're looking for a new setting where they can hang up the AMEX we are hoping to relocate to the English Riviera in Devon we particularly like the coastline it's just totally stunning we've spent 29 years really haven't we generally working and saving up to spend time by the coast we just feel at home there don't we so hopefully we'll be able to realize our dream of living by there permanently would be wonderful yeah be great we'll be able to add some quality to our daily lives really did the air down there the absolute environment down there so nice it's picturesque it's beautiful and it's just where we need to be Maria and bars have come to the conclusion that the English Riviera is as beautiful a coastline as you'll find anywhere in the world and they should know having been posted to so many different locations during their service in the forces so all we have to do is fire a terrific house where they can wake up to everything this region has to offer every single day for their top budget of 400,000 pounds ideally Maria and Vaz want to detach spacious home with three bedrooms and a manageable garden ideally in a location within 30 minutes of the coast near the English Riviera around Torquay we've hand-picked a diverse selection of properties to tempt Maria and bass on once they've completed a tour of each I'll let them in on its price then to finish up our property tours the catch of the day could be a much-anticipated Mystery House so come on in you to do you feel excited I do feel excited this could be our forever home let's just talk about stylet properties there anything that really grabs you we do like all the properties but they aren't very energy-efficient and they are very light in area so we kind of ruled them out even though we love them we haven't really stated what style would like just something with a lot of room and a lovely floor to the home we've got a lovely flow at home and and of course we've got to find room for his and her hammocks if there was an Olympic sport for hammock in it would be gold for anything can I let you in on a little secret I have I have the same hunk and I think I'd probably be runner-up in the [Music] we're on our way to the first property stop just outside the village of Slapton on the edge of the South Devon area of outstanding natural beauty the village features natural and architectural splendor surrounded by a rural landscape the grade 1 listed church of Saint James which dates in part the 13th century runs a weekly cafe to bring the residents together and locals also have a choice of pubs where they can unwind just over a couple of miles away is where we find our first offering so here we go profiting Wow it's beautiful I mean a setting that actually sits in it's just gorgeous the views are amazing the countryside look at it it's so beautiful we did say detached but I would look at this I want to show you just just follow me for a minute okay okay very exciting okay so part of the move down here is all about being close to the coast just cast your eyes down there see the horizon and the clump of trees that is the city it's a sea glimpse should we go and explore upside down living see if that works for you too yes retaining some original features this beautifully converted bomb presents a great blend of character and contemporary style which should appeal to Maria and Bars unusually we're heading straight for the first floor to find an open plan uber modern kitchen come reception so let's start upstairs it was very bright light and it certainly is you've provided that one what's great about this space is that you can use it as a living space as well there's room for the table and then you've got another separate area when you want to maybe be cozy or you or you might want to watch you know dipping things on the tree winter totally beautiful that it is but I'd like Maria and vows to have a proper look at the mezzanine level on their own because take it from me is even better when you're up there [Music] it's not small with it no I was it's not it's a lot larger than I thought it would be from downstairs these are looks so much space lovely window with some views from there as well as just supportively so this unique and welcoming home is charming both Maria and bars and they've not even seen the half of it yet also on this floor is an Eve's bedroom and a smart modern bathroom it's quite cute Annette yes yes do I go yeah and so upstairs one of the bedrooms is for the two main bedrooms both pretty good-sized both of those sweets I think if it was me this is probably the one I choose but can I see what you think it's not the largest of the rooms but I actually think it's really pretty not the largest very lovely with the window and it's that it's a really good size ensuite it has got a good fail to the property as well it's really lovely that's great I'm really happy we're after such a good start and I know the views of the front won't you I think the back patio garden is also really sweet so I do you want to show you that and of course I need you to start thinking about what you think this property is on the market for [Laughter] the other bedroom down on the ground floor is a next door it's roomy and light plus it has it's very own shower room but it's back up to the first floor for us to take in the outside space to the rear which is accessed from the living area there's a patio overlooking an enclosed lon and the house looks pretty good from this angle - now I need you to tell me what you think it's on the market for so who's going first I'll let you go for this one I think the property because it's so well furnished and it's such a beautiful setting three hundred ninety thousand pound - four hundred thousand pounds okay but I'm reckoning because it's not detached as well it's about three three hundred and seventy thousand pounds it's on the market for office over four hundred thousand pounds I can see that I think you get a lot for your money it's a great property good you go explore more I'll be outside waiting for you and you've seen enough [Music] this upside-down house is coming just about on budget it's got that rare blend of character and space and comes with three bedrooms a manageable garden plus views that boast just a hint of the sea when I first saw the property I was quite blown away by the views the setting that the property actually sits in is really quite stunning we did think it was slightly small but I haven't gone into and look around the property it's got the TARDIS effect where you go in and it just keeps on giving my only sort of kilise Hill for the property is that it isn't detached and when you've lived in detached getting used to going back to having neighbors and possibly any noise could be a sort of it like I said Achilles heel for it well this is definitely a good spot to take in the sound I'll ask you to join me but we've got more to see but are you still happy with this one totally it's beautiful it is a good start really good start don't wait for the next one got more to say and look the glimpse of the scene Devens are stunning coastlines that perhaps its most famous feature and keeping them clean is a mammoth task in recent years the impact human activity has had on our environment has hit the headlines more than ever particularly the effect discarded manmade plastic is having on our seas and it's marine life maria and bowser king to get involved with the local community when they move here so we've arranged for them to visit Torbay harbour to find out about the tour Bay cleaner Coast initiative which for the last two years has been cleaning up misplaced rubbish on the coast conservationist Clare rug and environmentalists come diver Rob Thompson are the chair and vice-chair of the initiative we've been doing Beach cleans for over 15 years and I saw some video footage of Robin some of his divers actually under the water retrieving litter and it really shocked me actually to see how much was actually underneath the water and we finally pulled together a group of people who all had the same concerns really about the environment and as the plastics and waste reduced since you started yeah so I mean if you look at this Beach now what you can't obviously see a lot of litter that is something that would have been quite prevalent a few years ago what was trying to focus on now is those places you wouldn't otherwise better access by foot and the cax are fantastic we're doing that so is that something that you would be interested in it is it is something that would be interested in being involved in be up for coming out one the kayaks and how I go doing a bit of a cleanup yeah definitely and Maria you're gonna come down on the beach with me and we'll see what we can find on that excellent a crucial part of the initiative is about recognising plastic as a resource everything that can be recycled is even the kayaks used for collecting litter are made from salvaged fishing nets washed up on the beach a fantastic example of turning waste into something of value not only are we litter picking we're checking out the wildlife as well art the reason the table a cleaner case initiative was set up it was because of the large seal population that here the entanglement is will live greatest threats of them they're really inquisitive they like to sort of try and interact or anything so they quite often get yourselves tangled in nets oh there's lots over here there's lots I think you're gonna need a bigger bag Rob worldwide it's estimated that 8 million pieces of litter enter the sea every day 70% of that sinks to the seabed and a further 15 percent drifts in the water but the remaining 15 washes up on beaches a straw package is that what you usually find we don't find the larger carrier bags anymore because people don't really use Perry boat anymore it's all about the small things because those are the things that the animals would ingest and sometimes things get stuck in the rocks so to really look wow that's a lot of rubbish yeah it's surprising it's all the kind of stuff you'd expect and you can see how things end up in the food chain like that yeah well once that's played in the water yeah it's like a jellyfish clear wrap stir and that is just within 15-20 minutes we've got all that although globally people have started cutting down on plastic consumption around 400 million tons of it are still being produced every year and so the amount of plastic litter in our waters continues to grow well if we do move down here you've got yourself another volunteer [Music] it's day 2 of our quest to find Devonshire dwelling for Maria and bounced from bed Fisher to call home they've got up to 400 thousand pounds to spend on somewhere that allows them to enjoy life close to the sea still to come a mystery house which virtually has the waves lapping at its door you'll be out on the coastal path visiting all the amazing putts that you can walk to you'll be down on the beach with a bottle of show Point notice and I find out about a little piggy we went to market so keep rushing down so this is all part of Ronnie's glam squad yeah this is my fault we had a good day's house-hunting yesterday here in glorious Devon however I suspect that Maria and vows feel that a real characterful property in a classic Devon village may be slightly out of their reach so today we're going to put my theory to the test by showing them a house that has absolutely stacks of character but it does come with a slight compromise and then of course we're off to the Mystery House and all I'm going to say on that one is that good things often come in small packages for our next Devonshire offering we're on our way to the village of broad hemp stone it's so popular that new residents to the area outnumber those born and bred here who's a handful of essential I mean it is including a community shop post office and a shiny new Village Hall that offers around 50 different activities for locals to choose from there are also a couple of pubs one of which is just a stone's throw away from our next property and what a gorgeous wanted is to stop right here because this is the house it looks we didn't ask for character but it looks really stunning love the brickwork it's really good it was the old village butcher's so character this has got galore it was an old converted collection of farm buildings and you're really well placed here you're not quite in the English Riviera but it's only a 20-minute drive away we've also got the beauty Dartmoor twenty minutes away so yeah you've got the best of both worlds I know that detached particularly yeah is is really at the top of your wishlist got a neighbor on one side he's so detached I like it like it like there the feel for it first impressions are brilliant what I'd like to see this lovely stone property is grade 2 listed and thought to date back to the 18th century it has quite a few strings to its bone as well as its butchers past it used to be a farmhouse with a large barn before becoming a care home and now it's one of three cottages the living room takes up the majority of the ground-floor and that's where we're headed [Music] you like the depth of the walls bounce let's just get to the point here there's really big thick stone walls which means you're not going to have a name no noise that's what carats wasn't it yeah yeah yeah I'll get it okay this one is it unique inverter it is yeah all freshly done it's all been freshly painted listening or anything all that there is a listing on it one of the key listed features is the stunning wooden paneling in there all right okay you came in it's really interesting for me because this is the first time I've seen an emotional reaction from the two of you from both of you because it's not your normal property and it's got something about it we've never lived in a character problem no happy and we didn't think that we could probably afford one let's see more because it's got a lovely flow this one also follow me back through here yeah so you come through the beautiful entrance hall into the kitchen which flows down to a little dining area and then it flows back round into the living room so house God I know you talked about flow in space and I think it's really got that I just lived the fate of the property and the setting that it's actually in as well at the age of seven yes proper village isn't it by the looks of it need to check out the two pubs [Laughter] it's something totally out the normal for us oh so let's get exploring let me show you some more let's see if we can make you fall in love with it like Maria well that's the downstairs covered apart from a small cloakroom upstairs there's a contemporary family bathroom and four bedrooms two small ones a slightly bigger one and then there's the largest room that I've earmarked for Maria and Bars [Music] properties there it's not ugly properties to look at as it is this fine size yeah but it is nice it is nice not sweet as well and because it's all just been completely renovated nothing to about nothing to do all the bathrooms it's all yes okay I'm getting more of a feel for this property than I did for the property before it does takes you a while does it just yeah to grow yeah well bars ponders the interior I want to show them the outside space which is small and manageable as requested there's a small patio and lawn Daria to the front bordered by flowerbeds the property also comes with two parking spots one of which is undercover in a Linney a typical Devonshire farm building they may need to get creative with the hammocks though compact and tranquil and a beautiful spot just to chill out and relaxing cuz just listen there's nothing as there may be a cup of tea a little bit of breakfast on there on the garden I think it's a beautiful setting I think every window that you look out you've got a nice view and it's everything we didn't ask for but it's right okay let's find out then what you think everything you didn't ask for is what is a market for once again I think it's going to be at the high end of our budget for thing jet bouncing pound it's definitely three hundred ninety five thousand it's on the market for three hundred and forty seven thousand pounds oh really no way three hundred and forty seven thousand pounds it's you sure I'm sure I've seen you listen go on oh you know that off you go go and really take a look around I can tell that there's something about this property that appeals to go for you thank you I'll be here this beautiful grade 2 listed stone cottage has surprised Maria involved in more ways than one not only is it bursting with character it's also 53,000 pounds below their budget it comes with a living space they're happy with 4 bedrooms and an extremely low maintenance garden the coast is just over 20 minutes away I walked in and I've got a really good feel for it I walked out of the living room into the kitchen I've got a bit of a downer because it is a galley kitchen but when we walked around the rest of the property I started to get a real good feeling again I love this property and I think if Beth loves it as much as I do we would probably want to come and do a second viewing after we've reflected on it because I know that's what you'll say hello did you think you'd find something like this no I didn't not within our budget we didn't think it's literally walking it's destroying furniture in go to the beach like your bags get your picnic out this is the kind having but hold that thought because the house hunt isn't over yet there's still another one to say Oh brilliant okay [Music] how does it feel in striving to Devon the hedgerows are looking gorgeous filled with spring flowers does it feel real that you two will be living here no not really it's but it is if you just look around yourself you got the bluebells show in sheep everywhere and it's just it's an idyllic isn't it let's turn to the Mystery House what do you think we've got in store for you with that mother ex-military quarters down Ingrid [Laughter] for our final property viewing at the mystery homes we're on our way to the historic village of chests and Pharaohs on the English Riviera less than two miles away is the popular Harborside town of Brixham whitewashed and past all painted houses huddle on the hillside overlooking heritage trawlers and many other boats bobbing in the bay it's a ten minute drive to chest and ferry's where novelist Agatha Christie was a regular visitor when one of her fictional murders takes place in the village today the only mystery here is our last offering which is approached by a gravel driveway okay it's going to stop you here just take a look at the mystery haps I can't believe it's another stunning property I think you've saved the best for last [Laughter] and stone work is absolutely just amazing isn't it you don't love the idea of detached a bit I think it is an all converted farm it was converted a few years ago it's beautifully done in a whole development of different styles of houses and apartments it's the mystery house because it's about as close as we could get you to the sea to the beach the coastal path it's about seven or eight minutes or calmer but also it's the mystery because well if I just say small can be very beautiful that's as much as I'm telling you at the moment it's going to challenge you on some of the things that you put on your wish list so do bear that in mind but this one is definitely about location okay yeah yep okay let's go [Music] the farm became dwellings in 2014 built of Devonian limestone our mystery cult it is a great - listed barn conversion it's been beautifully developed on although it's small it's perfectly formed once inside an entrance hall decked in oak leads to a pristine kitchen come cozy sitting room well I love it personally because it's fresh new and it's inviting it does remind me of a holiday home so I would feel like I was on holiday all the time you're not getting em right no I do I think it's absolutely stunning but I just can't see having just that little amount of space on a daily basis but I think it's absolutely beautiful but it would be good to see the rest of it when you are here okay you'll be spending time here but you'll be out on the coastal path visiting all the amazing putts that you can walk to you'll be down on the beach with a bottle of champagne minutes later you'll be in the amazing part right here in the village that you can walk to in under a couple of minutes this is a different way of living so don't forget that I won't mom point noted let's show you the rest of it so let me discreet her and let's go upstairs just on the other side of the stairway is a small cloakroom and a utility space then on the first floor at two double bedrooms both with on Suites one has a striking vaulted ceiling and a compact but beautifully finished shower room we're taking a look at the character 'fl room that I'm sure would be reserved for Maria and Baz now I don't think you can complain about size of the master bedroom in fact both the bedrooms up here are about this size I love it it's lovely the bedroom is lovely you don't need some convincing ah you know I think I think it's absolutely I'm gonna withhold judgment until we see the whole of the property and perhaps I just need to get my head around with the size of the living area downstairs because this is beautiful the second bedroom is a guest room that wouldn't be used a huge amount you can put a sofa bed in there and it would make of the most beautiful cozy upside-down sitting room that is another thing to look at it is so why don't you do just that why don't you wander across the hall together take a look at that see if that changed your mind slightly about how you could use the space okay yeah yeah go on off you go I'll be waiting at the bottom of the stairs to show you the garden this is nice as well isn't it this is really nice I love the features the beams as well it's all going good it's fuser lovely as well I look look at that yeah I think the jewel aspect is lovely but you're not getting it you're not feeling it I don't know I need to have it think it is a big downsize isn't it hmm that's something that would probably have to look at yes yeah Maria seems torn she can see the beauty in our mystery house but at the moment she's struggling to figure out how it would work for her that's a word yet I want to show you the garden because if ever a garden was made for hammock for two [Laughter] outside there's an enclosed private patio which makes a feature of the cottages stone exterior the space has been landscape to create a peaceful Haven which is easy to look after so it is compact like the rest of the house but I think you've got your spots just over there for a couple of hammocks yeah it looks stunning the garden is totally beautiful well looked-after isn't it well maintained since the birds sing and knowing that the coast is just you know a few minutes walk away such a nice relaxing place to be but you've got that look on your face what does that look mean needs some convincing that's I can I need convincing faithfully okay Arnie convinced and I think I just need to reflect on it now we've got you as close to the coast as we can for your budget how much of your budget do you think this one is easing up I think this is on maximum maybe a little bit over but I think it's definitely four hundred thousand pounds okay I would go slightly lower at three hundred and ninety seven thousand pounds very close because it's on the market for three hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and fifty pounds yeah you can definitely say that definitely yes yeah especially the location so close to the coast no thinking it's totally high-end finish our striking Mystery House is priced just a whisker under budget but it couldn't be better placed to enjoy a coastal lifestyle he may be compact but it's exquisitely renovated has two large bedrooms and a delightful garden plus it's just a stone's throw away from the scene I think the Mystery House has really really done what it had to do even though it is not detached it's just something I would never thought to have looked at we would never have looked at this problem no never yeah it's a lovely property isn't it stunning and that's the last property I can show you so we're all done though [Music] Devon's rural landscape lends itself to outdoor pursuits and cultural events and the highlight of many a country calendar has to be the County show the inaugural Devon County show took place in 1872 showcasing animal husbandry farming equipment and Country related activities and it's much the same today at the 124th annual show there are 620 stands over four-and-a-half thousand animals are more than 90,000 visitors to the three-day spectacle Sam McKenzie green is the show's manager so it's got quite a history this show a huge history and there are many families that been involved with generations what's going on here at the moment what's happening than here this week well it's about showcasing for us it's about showcasing agriculture business it's about getting people in through the gates so they can see all the amazing products that are made in Devon they can learn about agriculture that is happening in Devon they can course meet their friends sample some of the amazing food and drink that we have here in Devon and just generally have a really great day out I mean we're so lucky aren't we in the UK that we have a fantastic and cultural heritage but we also have breeds that we're losing and I guess that plays an important part of the work that you do here is what is incredible some of the animals that we have here in the pig section in the Sheep section are on the endangered list and there are very few breeding herds left so we are really lucky to be able to showcase and support those next I'm off to meet some of the competitors and their owner and breeder Caroline Dunstan we got him got two quite big fellas we have Ronnie here he's a middle white so they're quite rare now these guys so he's not seeing a revival is his posh name but known as money and then next door we've got Archer the British Saddleback Pig yeah so he's Nancy no a golden arrow it's his posh name known as Archer so why are you here public awareness getting these guys out and seeing really it becomes a little addictive once you've won a couple of prizes you want to get the ultimate Pig what does an ultimate Pig need to have so for a middle white you should have asked washed-up knows what you've got yeah he's got bat ears he should be stalked me he should have good legs his tail should be curly and high positioned on his bottom his feet he should be like a lady walking on tiptoes he's got attitude which is great in a show pic because he'll walk in the ring and go tada I've arrived look at me which is what you want you don't want to shrinking violet in a show people well it sounds like Ronnie certainly got what it takes and I'm helping him to look his very best for the judging keep rushing down so this is all part of Ronnie's glam squad yeah I've only stood on my fault however you've got a weight on so what competition is the entry so he's entering the pig of the Year qualifier round yeah you qualify you then get to go to the Great Yorkshire Show in July and compete in a pig of the year seven pigs from seven traditional breeds enter this round so Ronnie's got stiff competition [Music] the judges having a good look at Ronnie keeping those crossed champion is going to go to they resist his beautiful face Ronnie it's not over yet the judge is walking your way [Music] good boy Ron a kid back he got reserved he got a second but for me he will always be my number one middle light it's been so much fun house-hunting with these two here in Devon and it's today that I've really seen the emotion come out in both of them so I'm quite intrigued to find out what they're thinking [Music] sit come on talk to me I'm going to hazard a guess and say that the properties that stood out for you and the ones that we've seen today yes both of those are the frontrunners let's start with the the characterful property in the heart of that village you really liked that didn't you I think we both really loved that property and I thought at the time that that would be the property for us until we saw the mystery property I'm really quite surprised in a way to hear that from you because I could see from farces face the minute you walked into the Mystery House it reeled you in yeah what are your thoughts next for both of those I'm gonna stay are we stay they're not going to stay in the area and check out both localities and then look at second viewings yeah well I hope the second viewings go well and I will be keeping my fingers crossed and of course you've got to let us know what happens okay definitely and we just like to say sincere thanks for a brilliant two days and showing us really really brilliant properties it's been a lot of fun seeing that smile on Buzz's lady mystery was worth everything [Music] we've had a fabulous few days here in Devon the Sun has shone and we've had a bit of a result because bars and Maria have decided to go back and see not just one but two of our houses again now cause they can only choose one of them and I have no idea at the moment which one it would be but I do know that they'd be very happy in either we wish them all the best with their move here to the West Country and I'll see you again on escape to the country and I'm delighted to report that it was the mystery house that finally won Maria and Baz over they put an offer in and we've got everything cross that things work out for them here in Devon if you would like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland Scotland Wales or England and need our help

Channel: Dutch Boy

Views: 48,584

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Id: cGeex09tVeY

Length: 43min 4sec (2584 seconds)

Published: Tue Mar 31 2020