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00:00There might be a lot to weigh up when making a break from the city with a young family.
00:07Oh my goodness, you've got a lot to think about, haven't you?
00:11Lots of juggling, as I like to say, getting the balance right.
00:14Yeah, exactly.
00:15But our homes offer some comfort.
00:17We've never seen a house this much us.
00:19It's very inspiring and I could definitely see myself living in a house like this.
00:23Getting a complete package is never easy.
00:26If you picked up this house and put it somewhere we knew that was already a dream location, we'd be offering like that.
00:34But unspoilt scenery is the tonic for any escape to the country.
00:39A few horses up the hill as well.
00:42I can't look at that, I'm going to cry.
00:44Yeah, that would be nice.
00:56There's coast, there's countryside, there are moors and there are dales.
01:15It's the largest historic county in the UK, Yorkshire.
01:20Now the locals all know that dale means valley.
01:25So the Yorkshire dales are Yorkshire valleys.
01:29However, if the good people from the dictionary are watching, I would like to propose tweaking that definition just a teeny bit.
01:37You see, for me, the word dale means not just valley, it means beautiful valley.
01:46Today we're honing in on the county of West Yorkshire.
01:50With wide open vistas and picturesque villages, it's a popular destination for those seeking country life without foregoing connectivity to towns and cities.
02:04It's got peace and space and beauty and history and it's a wonderful place to bring up a family.
02:12We have the facilities of large towns and the pleasure of the countryside.
02:20This is the countryside that inspired some of England's most celebrated literary minds, most notably the Bronte sisters who were born and raised here.
02:30Fast forward 200 years and the place is still just as inspiring.
02:36Oh, I absolutely love living in West Yorkshire.
02:39Everyone's friendly because they're all from Yorkshire and, well, if you're asking me, I just think Yorkshire's the centre of the universe.
02:46More often than not, escaping to the country is about leaving a town or city life behind with the hope of a fresh start and a real change of lifestyle.
02:58With views like this, hopefully as close to your next home as they possibly can be.
03:03And for today's young couple and their baby son, it's no exception.
03:09So this is our road in Cholton in South Manchester and, you know, we do love it here.
03:14It's close to shops and things like that and we can take the baby out in the pram.
03:19But we're also next to a very busy road.
03:24Corina and Michael currently live in a one-bedroom flat with their three-month-old baby boy, Elliot.
03:30It's really nice. It's perfect for what we need at the moment.
03:33But as Elliot grows a bit older, our family kind of expands. We're going to need a bit more space, aren't we, love?
03:38I think so, yes.
03:41I do like this kitchen, but it is quite small and we bump into each other a lot.
03:51Whilst busy planning their upcoming wedding, they're also looking to swap cityscapes for the quiet countryside of West Yorkshire.
03:59We often have to get in the car and drive out just so we can get out into nature.
04:04And I'm really excited by the idea of getting in the country to just walk out the front door into green space, really.
04:10Michael works for a children's charity and Canada-born Corina is on maternity leave from her job as a concert promoter.
04:19So I'm working from home and it's doubling up as a bedroom, tripling up as Elliot's bedroom.
04:25Which isn't ideal.
04:27That would be good for us to work in peace and a bit separate and also have a garden to plant fruits and veg, which I really like doing.
04:36The couple are searching for country life, but one that's within easy reach of the city.
04:42I suppose there's a little bit of an element for us about wanting to be out in the country but still wanting to be connected.
04:48But also for our boy, when he gets a bit older, for him to be able to go off and do fun things that he might not be able to do in small villages,
04:56but then be able to come back to greenery and a more comfortable kind of life.
05:02Best of both worlds.
05:06Corina and Michael have a budget of £270,000 and are looking for a characterful house with three bedrooms and a kitchen.
05:14They'd love to be in a lively rural village with good train links to Manchester.
05:32So over the years we all have big events in our lives, don't we?
05:37But for Corina and Michael, it all seems to have come at once.
05:42They've had an adorable little boy, they're getting married in just a few months' time,
05:47and to put the icing on the cake, they want to move to West Yorkshire.
05:51It's an awful lot all in one go, but I really admire them.
05:56So if we can find them a fantastic property, well, I'm not going to say life's complete,
06:01but it's got to be close, surely.
06:05Our West Yorkshire property search begins around 50 minutes north-east of Manchester in the village of Copley.
06:13In the mid-19th century, a local landowner built the now Grade II-listed model village here
06:19to house the workers of Copley Mill along the River Calder.
06:22Today, aside from its character-laden property stock, there's a primary school
06:27and the nearest train station with links to Manchester is just a few minutes' drive away in Sorby Bridge.
06:35Before we get to the property, I'm meeting up with Michael and Corina at one of the village's beauty spots.
06:41Well, I really should start with the two of you saying welcome to West Yorkshire,
06:46although, Michael, this is home from home for you, isn't it? It's coming back.
06:50It is pretty much, yeah, yeah, just over the hill, so, yeah, I know the area fairly well.
06:54But, Corina, why is the time right now to make this move?
06:57I think it's time now because, well, we've got a lot of work to do,
07:01and we've got a lot of work to do, and we've got a lot of work to do,
07:04and we've got a lot of work to do, and we've got a lot of work to do,
07:07and we've got a lot of work to do.
07:09I think it's time now because, well, first we need a bit more space
07:13as we're now living in a one-bed flat with the baby,
07:15and I think we're just ready to move to a more quieter space
07:19and area where we can just live a bit slowly and enjoy nature and the outdoors.
07:26Corina spoke, when she came, when she first arrived from Canada,
07:29she spoke about all this romantic idea of England
07:31and ended up in a one-bed flat in the suburb of Manchester.
07:35So I think to be able to bring her to what she was kind of thinking more of is quite nice.
07:41And I knew that was a short-term thing.
07:43Yeah.
07:45Well, we're really looking forward to showing you this beautiful part of Yorkshire,
07:48and I'm sure Michael's going to fill in with some insider knowledge as well.
07:51Would you like to get started?
07:53Let's do it.
07:55Come on, then.
07:57Just a five-minute walk from the water, we've lined up this.
08:01I love it. I think it's gorgeous.
08:04Yeah, it's a beauty.
08:06Character is one of the big priorities of mine,
08:09so I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks, because the outside is absolutely amazing.
08:13So when it comes to the space and the dimensions of the property, what are you thinking?
08:17It does look quite small from the outside,
08:20but then again, maybe we'll be surprised once we enter,
08:23and maybe it goes a bit further out back.
08:25I'm kind of thinking about our budget as well,
08:27and just thinking, you know, I'm kind of expecting,
08:30if something looks this good, I'd expect it to be a little bit smaller.
08:34Yeah, where's the catch?
08:36Exactly.
08:38Let's see if there's a catch. Come on.
08:40It's a great start for this Grade II listed house.
08:43Built in the 1840s as part of the Copley Village development,
08:47it seems to have impressed from the road,
08:50and I have high hopes for the interior.
08:53Step into your cottage.
08:55What do you think?
08:57I think it's great. It's beautiful.
08:59I love this.
09:01I love the fireplace.
09:02Yeah.
09:04The windows are gorgeous.
09:06It is absolutely gorgeous.
09:08All the kind of features inside, the door itself,
09:11it's really nice to see that's all stayed as is.
09:14I know it is a cottage, but it doesn't have like normal cottage proportions.
09:18It doesn't, and there's a reason for that.
09:20In a natural fact, it was two cottages.
09:23Oh, was it?
09:25Back to back.
09:27So you've got exactly the same size there.
09:29The owners have taken out the second staircase.
09:32Two sets of families would have lived here.
09:35It really is like exactly what I envisioned, really.
09:39It is a bit of a dream, really.
09:42Let's see what you make of the kitchen next door.
09:45An equally delightful kitchen.
09:49Yeah, it's amazing.
09:51I can totally understand why you brought us here, really.
09:54Yeah, this kitchen is great, and there's lots of character,
09:57and there's still large windows here as well, since it's the same.
09:59And I love the view, because you've got those whole cottages on the other side as well.
10:03A beautiful local stone.
10:05Shall we head upstairs?
10:07Okay, if you'd like to follow me. Thank you.
10:12Downstairs, there's also a study, a utility room and a cloakroom,
10:18as well as additional storage space in a cellar below the kitchen.
10:23Stairs lead up to a traditional family bathroom, a single bedroom,
10:27a second larger bedroom and a further double.
10:33This is enormous.
10:35Yeah.
10:37It's really big.
10:39There's enough room in this house for when your families might want to come to stay,
10:42especially yours coming over from Canada.
10:44Yes, definitely. That's something that is quite important to us.
10:47Are you pleasantly surprised? How do you think it's going so far?
10:52So far, the house itself is spot on. It's everything we've asked for.
10:55If you picked up this house and put it somewhere we knew that was already a dream location,
11:00we'd be offering like that.
11:03Well, why don't you take your time, have a little look around,
11:06and I'll meet you in the back garden. We can discuss finances.
11:11Great. Off we go. Go and explore.
11:19Yeah, another very big room.
11:21It is. There's no doubt about it. It's a beautiful place.
11:23Yeah, I love it.
11:25It really is. It's that thing where you get a bit of a feeling of like,
11:28oh, please be in a really nice area. Please be kind of convenient.
11:32Please be the right price.
11:34Yeah, exactly.
11:36All that kind of thing.
11:38This property is giving them a lot to think about.
11:41Outside, as well as the courtyard garden to the front,
11:44there's another to the rear, plus a summer house in use as a studio.
11:54Look at this. Blue skies, looking at your property.
11:59How did you get on upstairs?
12:01It was interesting.
12:03Yeah, there's a lot more to see up there.
12:05The rooms are a lot bigger than what I expected.
12:07And me, actually.
12:09OK, what are we thinking when it comes to the price?
12:12I would say £275,000.
12:15£275,000?
12:17I'm going to go, yeah, I'll go £280,000.
12:20Asking price, £250,000.
12:23Right.
12:25Well then, interesting.
12:27We've never seen a house this much us.
12:30It's very inspiring.
12:32Yeah, it is.
12:34I could definitely see myself living in a house like this.
12:36Yeah, the compromise, and it's only a potential compromise,
12:38is location and the fact that it's not right next to a train station.
12:41OK, do you fancy another look around?
12:43Yeah, definitely.
12:45Go on, be my guest.
12:49It is such a great start.
12:50We can't forget, you know, both of them are going to be working,
12:53and they're going to need to, perhaps, to commute.
12:55So train station's a really good point, really valid point.
12:58People don't want to drive anymore.
13:00They want to use public transport as much as possible.
13:02This could be the small compromise,
13:04because this cottage gives them everything else they want
13:07in such a beautiful location.
13:12For offers over £250,000,
13:15this Grade II listed property has character in abundance.
13:18With a good-sized living and kitchen area,
13:21three bedrooms and two courtyard gardens,
13:24with train links to Manchester under a 10-minute drive away.
13:31Considering that the train station is a 20-minute walk,
13:35it could potentially be one of the compromises
13:38to live in a house that is this beautiful.
13:40It's everything we've asked for, and dreamed of as well.
13:43First impression's amazing, really.
13:45Coming through, you can kind of see
13:46there's an apple tree, that kind of thing.
13:48And I could see Elliot growing up here.
13:50There are questions that we have to ask ourselves
13:52in terms of how accessible then it would be
13:54for him to get into towns and cities,
13:56and for ourselves as well.
13:58But all of that stuff is kind of yet to come,
14:00is yet to figure out.
14:12Moving away from Manchester doesn't mean
14:13Carina and Michael need to say goodbye
14:15to their old lifestyle completely.
14:17Living close to a town like Keighley,
14:19whose high street is stocked with a mixture
14:21of independent shops, bars and restaurants,
14:24could give them access to a vibrant social,
14:27retail and recreation scene,
14:29so we've arranged for them to have a good look around.
14:32Keighley's indoor market is open six days a week,
14:35and with a cinema, a theatre,
14:38plus museums and art galleries.
14:40With a cinema, a theatre,
14:42plus music venues,
14:44there's always something to do here.
14:48We have an annual festival every year,
14:51so that takes place in October,
14:53and that kind of covers various art forms.
14:55Everybody is really open and really welcoming,
14:58and everybody has really great ideas.
15:00But also, West Yorkshire is a really beautiful place to live,
15:02because it's not many places where you get
15:04towns and cities on the brink of such amazing countryside.
15:09There's a busy bus station right at the centre of the town,
15:13connecting locals from the surrounding areas.
15:16One such resident is Alicia Vasey,
15:19also known as the Yorkshire Forager.
15:21She's fully trained and experienced,
15:23so she's meeting keen forager Carina,
15:26as well as Michael,
15:28to share some tips about Yorkshire's
15:30best-kept foraging secrets.
15:31So, what kind of plants can we forage around West Yorkshire?
15:34Oh, well, it's really nice, actually,
15:36to meet somebody who's really enthusiastic about foraging.
15:39It really is, and we have a lot on our doorstep here.
15:42So, right down here in the valley,
15:44where it's a bit warm and it's a bit damp,
15:46it's very lush and it's very green,
15:48so what we can expect here
15:50is things like wild garlic and sweet sicily.
15:53We can expect things like sweet woodruff,
15:56which has got like a vanilla and tomato flavour to it.
15:58Before attempting to forage,
16:00be sure to seek expert advice,
16:02get landowners' permission
16:04and never eat anything you are unsure of.
16:07Is there a difference as you move around West Yorkshire?
16:10Are there certain places where you can find certain things
16:12or the more popular forages?
16:14So, here we've got the proper hills,
16:16sort of like Pennines,
16:18and they're very alkaline, it's limestone.
16:20So, if you think of Italy,
16:22and you've got the Appennines,
16:24and they get a lot of truffles,
16:25so we do actually have quite a lot of truffles
16:27in the woods around here as well.
16:29After that insight into the culinary delights
16:32available off the beaten track in the region,
16:35we're pausing our explorations until the morning,
16:38when our property shop will begin again in earnest.
16:56It's the start of another day of house hunting
16:59and we're heading to the West Yorkshire village of Stainland.
17:04With its hilltop location enjoying the sweeping valley views,
17:08Stainland offers country life
17:10within a 20-minute drive of the nearby towns
17:13of Halifax and Huddersfield,
17:15both of which offer direct train services to Manchester.
17:26So, we really have brought you to an elevated place here,
17:30haven't we, with the most spectacular views
17:34to show you our property.
17:36I like it.
17:38Great fashion windows.
17:40I'm a big fan of those.
17:42I mean, the views are incredible, obviously.
17:44That really does kind of like hit the heart.
17:46And then, looking at the house itself,
17:48yeah, it looks big, proportions look good,
17:50but also looks kind of nicely finished as well.
17:52They've obviously got good taste.
17:53Yeah. So, shall we get inside?
17:55Yeah, let's get in.
17:58Another good start with this striking stone-built mid-terrace
18:02laid out over three floors.
18:04Through the front door, an entrance hall
18:06leads us to a welcoming reception room.
18:10Oh, this is absolutely beautiful.
18:12Yeah, it is. It's gorgeous.
18:14It really is very much our kind of taste.
18:17Not like overly modern and kind of clean lines
18:20and we, yeah, we love that.
18:21Nice floors.
18:23Yeah.
18:25We believe the house is sort of two ages.
18:27The back is believed to be Georgian
18:29and the front Victorian.
18:31Oh, interesting.
18:33Yeah. Get adapted over the years, don't they?
18:35Yeah.
18:37Sort of approach it as a location.
18:39I'm kind of thinking, you know,
18:41not so sure kind of thing,
18:43and then you get in and you're like,
18:45all right, OK, all right, something to think about.
18:47You're never, ever going to get tired of that view, are you?
18:49No, definitely not.
18:51I'm guessing you'd like to see a little bit more.
18:53Definitely.
18:55Let's head downstairs to the kitchen.
18:59So, down the stone steps, which is unusual.
19:02Yeah, it's a gorgeous kitchen.
19:04I've never seen a house with a kitchen
19:06in the basement.
19:08Like, you have to go downstairs for it.
19:10So that is something to get used to, I think.
19:13Yeah. It's been very rare during this search
19:15we've seen something where the owner
19:18has made a lot of decisions
19:19with how we'd already...
19:21Yeah.
19:23We would make ourselves.
19:25The actual kitchen itself, Belfast sink,
19:27looking out over that view with a window,
19:29the stove, size of the dining,
19:31all that kind of thing.
19:33So, yeah, it's kind of easier to imagine.
19:35Just through that door, you've got a downstairs toilet,
19:37and you've also got a utility room as well.
19:39OK.
19:41Because space, obviously, in a cottage like this
19:43is sort of premium.
19:45Yeah, it's really beautiful.
19:47Like, what's been done here is amazing.
19:49And keep with the countryside.
19:51It does feel very country and homely walking
19:53and you feel at home.
19:55Why don't you take a look upstairs?
19:57Great.
19:59And I tell you what, when you finish, come back down
20:01and I'll meet you in that garden.
20:03That's that sound.
20:05Cheers.
20:09Up on the top floor, there's a family bathroom,
20:11a single bedroom, ideal for baby Elliot,
20:13and then the main bedroom.
20:17This is a nice and cosy room.
20:19All right, yeah.
20:21Got views of the horses up the hill as well,
20:23little folks.
20:25Oh, I can't look at that, I'm going to cry.
20:27Yeah, that would be nice.
20:29Very, very neat.
20:31Obviously made good use of the space, you know,
20:33the sliding doors and stuff like that.
20:35Smart thinking.
20:37Yeah, very smart.
20:39But Australia's kind of small, isn't it?
20:41I'm feeling we're not quite hitting the mark.
20:43This is a superb house with a fantastic village,
20:45primary school, not far from a train station,
20:47and you have a rural setting.
20:50But why isn't it setting them alight?
20:52I'm really not sure.
20:54In fact, I think I'm slightly struggling,
20:56so I'm going to have to ask them a little bit more.
20:59It's a smaller room.
21:01Nursery-sized, yeah?
21:03Yeah.
21:05But again, it's not big enough to have family, really, is it?
21:07Yeah, that is the missing piece.
21:11Yeah.
21:13To have an extra room.
21:14But that is just incredible.
21:16The views really are something quite special,
21:19and from a patio to the rear,
21:21you can sit and enjoy them through the seasons at leisure.
21:26See, I was hoping that you were going to take your time,
21:28because I just love this view.
21:30It's a conservation area.
21:32It's a wildlife corridor,
21:34so this really isn't going to change.
21:36It's been here for absolutely centuries,
21:38and it's going to remain the same.
21:40Do you like having animals around?
21:42Yeah.
21:44Let's work out how much this is on the market for.
21:46I'm going to go for £220,000.
21:48£220,000?
21:50Yes.
21:52OK.
21:54I think just the size of the bedrooms,
21:56the fact that it's one big bedroom,
21:58one smaller bedroom,
22:00bring the price down to about £210,000.
22:02The asking price, it has just recently dropped,
22:04is £255,000.
22:06Interesting.
22:08Oh.
22:10I can understand why.
22:12It's absolutely gorgeous,
22:14and I love it.
22:16It's not the one for Carina and Michael,
22:18but this charming, characterful period cottage
22:21has a lot to offer for its £255,000 price tag.
22:26It boasts a cosy reception room,
22:29a country kitchen,
22:31a patio garden with stunning views,
22:33and is situated just a 15-minute drive from a train station.
22:38Yeah, this house really does make my heart beat,
22:41and I do love it, and it is inspiring,
22:42but I have to be realistic with myself
22:44and look at the location
22:46and the size of the garden
22:48and the amount of rooms,
22:50and unfortunately,
22:52I don't think it will work for us right now,
22:54but it is very aesthetically pleasing.
22:57You know, after seeing this house,
22:59I am feeling positive.
23:01I feel like we're sort of honing in
23:03on what could be the right thing for us.
23:05Maybe it wasn't this time,
23:07but I'm sort of cautiously optimistic
23:09that we could be heading somewhere
23:11close to a train station
23:13that is actually walkable.
23:15I think, you know,
23:17not necessarily having a garden with a beautiful view,
23:19that kind of thing is a compromise
23:21I'm definitely willing to make.
23:35Boasting wide-open countryside
23:37still within easy reach
23:39of the city life in Manchester and Leeds,
23:41it's no surprise West Yorkshire
23:43is popular with commuters
23:45looking for the best of both worlds,
23:47just like Carina and Michael.
23:49You might expect then
23:51that property prices reflect a growing demand,
23:54but you can still find
23:56terrace properties here
23:58for around £162,000,
24:00which is way below
24:02the £250,000 average for England.
24:05Detached properties
24:07come in at around £359,000,
24:10again, way below
24:12the £491,000 English average.
24:21There's a variety of property on offer here,
24:24so if you're thinking about a move
24:26to this part of the world,
24:28here's a little look
24:30at what's currently on the market.
24:32For offers over £390,000,
24:35how about this
24:37luxurious terraced house
24:39with a third of an acre of land
24:41near the desirable town of Todmorden?
24:45Or if it's period charm
24:47you're in search of,
24:49there's this attractive
24:51Grade II listed cottage
24:53in Salby Bridge
24:55with four bedrooms
24:57and gorgeous valley views
24:59on the market
25:01for £425,000.
25:03I'm hoping our last property location
25:06will finally hit the spot
25:08as the mystery house
25:10is situated in the vibrant village
25:12of Marsden,
25:14and we're stopping off
25:16in the heart of it
25:18so Carina and Michael
25:20can really appreciate
25:22what's on offer here.
25:24So this is
25:26such a beautiful village,
25:28and first impressions of Marsden
25:30as you come down the high street
25:32you think you could eat out
25:34every single day for a whole month
25:36and not have to go back to the same place,
25:38but in actual fact Michael
25:40you can tell me a lot more
25:42because this is your old stomping ground isn't it?
25:44I know it fairly well,
25:46we used to come and play here
25:48in bands and stuff as kids
25:50and you've been to the pub a few times
25:52great walks around here and stuff
25:54so we do know it quite well,
25:56we like it here.
25:58And it's not often I can say this
26:00because we are escaping to a country
26:02that I've learnt the way to my heart
26:04and it's a train station
26:06I never thought I'd say that.
26:08Nor did we, nor did we.
26:10How well do you know this area?
26:12I've been once before
26:14so I'm quite aware of where we are
26:16and what's happening around here
26:18but I'm quite excited
26:20to know more about it now
26:22especially if it makes him happy
26:24it's nice to know.
26:26So the good news is
26:28we've got one more property to show you
26:30it is our mystery house
26:32only minutes walk away from here.
26:34Brilliant.
26:36I think I do own a mystery house.
26:38Well we're going to let you explore around here
26:40take your time
26:42and I'll meet you in a little while
26:44just up the road.
26:46See you soon.
26:48As well as the train station
26:50there's far more to impress
26:52our young couple here
26:54as Marsden has an appealing high street
26:56with shops, pubs and restaurants
26:58to keep them busy
27:00as well as an annual jazz festival.
27:02As the countryside walks on your doorstep
27:04it really does offer country life
27:06along with the lively town vibe
27:08they're looking for.
27:13Certainly a little cooler today
27:15but I'm hoping our mystery house
27:17is going to warm up your hearts.
27:19First impression I'm really excited
27:21I'm really excited
27:23you've got me wondering what the catch is
27:25a little bit.
27:27You know why you're really excited don't you
27:29because you've got your own way
27:31the style of house too.
27:33What do you think Karina?
27:35Well walking up to the property
27:37it looks amazing
27:39because I've never visited anything like this before.
27:41Now I'm going to manage your expectations
27:43because this is your garden.
27:46Right.
27:48Now the good thing is
27:50I did hear you both say you were happy
27:52to sacrifice a garden
27:54for location and views
27:56and that might be the compromise here
27:58with this house.
28:00I don't know what to think about.
28:02With that in mind
28:04let's get indoors
28:06and see what you make of the house.
28:08Formerly a weaver's cottage
28:10this grade 2 listed house
28:12dates back to the 1800s.
28:14Set over three floors
28:16the front door leads us straight
28:18into the kitchen diner.
28:21So you've got your kitchen
28:23and utility room downstairs.
28:25You can see the size of it
28:27the potential for it.
28:28Again, kitchen sink by window
28:30massive original fireplace
28:32there's a lot of charm in here.
28:34It does seem a bit quite dark
28:36but I do like the little details
28:38and I like the fact
28:40that there is a utility room.
28:42I think this is a house
28:44that you could move into straight away
28:46and then perhaps in a few years time
28:48when finances allow
28:50really look at reconfiguring this kitchen
28:52because the space is enormous.
28:55Yeah, like you said
28:56there is a lot of potential.
28:58Yeah, need to create space for a dining room
29:00but there's no reason why this couldn't be
29:02the kind of hub of the house
29:04leading out.
29:06The reason the kitchen's downstairs
29:08is because all the views
29:10are upstairs.
29:12I knew it was going to take
29:14a bit of imagination
29:16but if they're up for it
29:18there really is so much scope here.
29:21So come up to this landing
29:23great view for a landing
29:24and you've actually got
29:26three bedrooms in total
29:28and a family bathroom
29:30that was refurbished
29:32pretty recently
29:34and I'm going to call this
29:36the main bedroom.
29:38I do like it.
29:40It's just something
29:42completely different
29:44from what I'm used to
29:46but I do see the potential
29:48because I know you like
29:50Weaver's Cottage.
29:52Yeah, I do.
29:54I like the hardwood floor
29:56that kind of thing.
29:58I don't know if I've necessarily
30:00got heartstrings kind of feeling
30:02but it's ticked the boxes
30:04of the wish list without a doubt.
30:06Yes, I think for me
30:08the concern is more
30:10making it feel like a home
30:12and I need to get
30:14these creative juices flowing
30:16to make it come to life.
30:18We've still got more to show you.
30:20If you want to lead the way
30:22we're going to go up
30:24to the second floor.
30:31Views, views and more views.
30:33It's an enormous space.
30:35Yeah, you'd have to say
30:37this is the USP
30:39really, isn't it, of this?
30:41That is absolutely gorgeous.
30:43It's a very interesting house.
30:45I'm happy to see it
30:47because it's very unique
30:49and I've never seen anything like this
30:51and the fact that it is
30:52really how we could fit
30:54in a house like this
30:56and how we would live.
30:58It's interesting.
31:00Yeah, I think it's making us
31:02think a lot of what we could do
31:04with something like this.
31:06Yeah, it's really appealing
31:08the idea of walking down
31:10the hill into, well you've got
31:12to come back uphill but
31:14walking down into town
31:16to be able to get some lunch,
31:18go get a coffee,
31:20go for a pint,
31:22you know.
31:24The Mystery House
31:26is certainly doing its job
31:28making them really think
31:30about what's important
31:32and what they can compromise on.
31:34We've given them the style,
31:36the space and the location
31:38but can they make the property
31:40and the lack of garden work?
31:42So it's an interesting
31:44proposition with the Mystery House.
31:46The reason it's the Mystery
31:48is because it doesn't have
31:50a garden at the moment
31:52and that leads us to the
31:54price for the Mystery House.
31:56Very different area.
31:58What are we thinking?
32:00I would go for £260,000.
32:02Michael?
32:04I'd go for about £235,000.
32:06£235,000.
32:08So the asking price
32:10is £275,000.
32:12Trust me.
32:14Wow. Top end.
32:16Right at your top end.
32:18And just to add to that,
32:20it has been on the market
32:22for a long time.
32:24Right.
32:26So,
32:28I wonder whether this is also
32:30a little bit of a reality check.
32:32Do you want to go back in
32:34and have another look
32:36or do you feel you've seen enough?
32:38I'd like to.
32:40Pop back in. Thank you.
32:42I could feel as I was saying
32:44the price I was sort of
32:46not slightly apologetic
32:48but it just demonstrates
32:50these areas,
32:52the kitchen,
32:54three bedrooms,
32:56bit of space,
32:58it's going to really,
33:00really push them
33:02when it comes to money.
33:04At £275,000,
33:06this striking Grade II listed cottage
33:08is set over three floors
33:10and full of period features.
33:12It comes with a large
33:14ground floor kitchen,
33:16a huge triple aspect living room
33:18on the top floor
33:20and three bedrooms.
33:22It's also available
33:24as a train station.
33:26I feel a bit confused
33:28with what to do next
33:30because there's a lot of things
33:32to take into consideration.
33:34This house is very unique
33:36and very special
33:38and it is making me see
33:40and think how we could
33:42make this our home
33:44because it has such history to it.
33:46It just needs a lot of work
33:48and yeah,
33:50just a bit confused
33:52because this for me
33:54with its location
33:56does win the head part
33:58but I don't know
34:00if it won the heart for me
34:02and that's the difference
34:04in some of the other houses
34:06that won my heart
34:08but probably not my head.
34:10So yeah,
34:12it's a bit confusing for me too.
34:14So that's it now.
34:16Oh my goodness,
34:18you've got a lot to think about
34:20haven't you?
34:23I think it's great
34:25that Corrina, Michael and Elliot
34:27are now well on their way
34:29to making their escape
34:31to the countryside
34:33and it's lovely to think
34:35that we've played well
34:37a small part in it
34:39but it's also wonderful
34:41to hear from people
34:43that have actually made their escape
34:45just like Richard and Jackie have.
34:47After Richard sadly lost
34:49his father and brother last year
34:50they decided to make life change
34:52and bring retirement forward.
34:54They sold their home
34:56in the Cheshire town of Sandbatch
34:58and moved to the village of Rathmill
35:00on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
35:03We lived a pretty full on
35:05teaching life
35:07for 30 odd years
35:09working hard every single day
35:11and we just
35:13wanted to slow things down a little bit
35:15and make things a little bit simpler.
35:17Yeah, we loved our teaching jobs
35:19We've always loved the area
35:21and simply
35:23it was just our happy place
35:25so why in early retirement
35:27would we not want to be
35:29where we're happy?
35:31They bought a run down cottage
35:33and have spent the past year
35:35renovating it.
35:37It was pretty horrific
35:39it was bright green kitchen
35:41but within 30 seconds
35:43of being in the house
35:45we both had that moment
35:46where we thought
35:48yeah this has real potential
35:50and then we went upstairs
35:52into the big bedroom at the front
35:54and we just looked at the view
35:56out of that window
35:58and that sold us.
36:00We put an offer in
36:02within about 3 hours.
36:04Whether it be running,
36:06hiking or cycling
36:08Richard and Jackie
36:10love the great outdoors
36:12and want to explore
36:14as much as they can
36:16The reason we moved to Yorkshire
36:18was to have places like this
36:20Mall and Cove right on our doorsteps.
36:22Well it's only 6 months
36:24since we moved to the Dales
36:26and the change to our pace of our life
36:28is just unmeasurable really isn't it?
36:30I think it's fair to say
36:32we've given up the salary
36:34and we've given up the money
36:36but we're a little bit richer in time
36:38we've got a lot more time
36:40to do what we love.
36:47So as my Yorkshire
36:49property hunting adventure
36:51this week is taking me
36:53so close to the Dales
36:55I couldn't resist the chance
36:57to drop by to meet the couple
36:59and experience a little
37:01of their escape for myself.
37:03Hi!
37:05So lovely to meet you both.
37:07Yeah, hi come in.
37:09Thank you very much.
37:11What an escape you've had.
37:13Stunning.
37:14Welcome to our humble little cottage.
37:16Oh, not humble at all Richard.
37:18No, this is very nice.
37:20Really cute.
37:22And it has a homely feel
37:24but probably quite a lot of hard work.
37:26Yeah, it definitely hasn't been
37:28like this all the time.
37:30And look at the views.
37:32That is what sold us.
37:34Was it?
37:36Yeah, as soon as we walked in
37:38and just looked out the window
37:40that was it.
37:42Lost your heart.
37:44But with the cottage
37:46and the location
37:48it doesn't get much more
37:50escape to the country than this.
37:52Is this one of your regular walks?
37:54It is, yeah.
37:56We love coming across here
37:58because you can see
38:00two of the Yorkshire Dales,
38:02three peaks.
38:04There's Penygent that way
38:06and Inglebridge just over there.
38:08Have you climbed them?
38:10Yes, yes, both in one day actually.
38:12Well done, very good.
38:14It's very quiet and peaceful
38:16and it's just beautiful.
38:18Could you have done this
38:20ten years before do you think
38:22or just everything lined up
38:24and the time was alright?
38:26I think we've got the advantage
38:28that our children are grown up now
38:30so we've got that opportunity
38:32to make the break and make the move.
38:34I mean spring in the Dales
38:36with the lambs
38:38doesn't really get much better.
38:40It's most definitely a huge change
38:42from their busy life in Cheshire.
38:44It's your community,
38:46it's your hobbies,
38:48things that you're passionate about.
38:50Has moving here given you that?
38:52It's been amazing.
38:54The community in this village
38:56is really tight.
38:58There isn't a pub,
39:00there isn't a cafe
39:02but they have got the reading rooms
39:04which is just at the top of the lane
39:06and a village school that's closed down
39:08but it's now the community centre
39:10and they have once a month
39:12a little Sunday roast
39:14and we love the outdoors,
39:16we love the mountains
39:18so we've got the Dales on our doorstep
39:20but we can also go up to the lakes.
39:22Well you both certainly deserve your retirement
39:24and it has been delightful to meet you.
39:26Thank you for sharing
39:28this whole experience with us.
39:30You're quite welcome.
39:32It's been a pleasure.
39:34It's fabulous to see two escapees
39:36so happy and settled
39:38but now I'd better get back
39:40to the job in hand
39:42to see if our house buyers today
39:44have got a sale.
39:49Well I'm not sure
39:51we've actually got a sale
39:53for Corina and Michael
39:55but what I do feel we've got
39:57is a little bit more clarity
39:59and balance with what they're actually after
40:01but let's go and chat to them.
40:07Well this is a lovely spot.
40:09As much as you love Manchester
40:11have we enticed you to West Yorkshire?
40:13You definitely have.
40:15I think you've also opened our minds
40:17to possibly moving somewhere
40:19a bit further away from a train station
40:21which we had originally intended to.
40:24We're definitely a step closer
40:26I'm thinking I mean
40:28you know the first house
40:30just absolutely gorgeous
40:32and we're going to
40:34scour the area.
40:36We've been talking to people this morning
40:38and they love that area
40:40and it becomes highly recommended
40:42so we're going to look at that I think.
40:44Oh brilliant.
40:46I'm glad we've opened your eyes
40:48to different areas.
40:50Looking into some of the bigger villages
40:52maybe has taught us
40:54that we want to live in a bigger village.
40:56I think this whole experience
40:58has been really useful for that.
41:00Still want to be able to access cities
41:02but ultimately you did teach us
41:04a bit about like a bit more
41:06of a country dream,
41:08a big view, a nice garden
41:10that kind of thing
41:12makes me happy
41:14but I'm willing to put those aspects
41:16on the back burner for now
41:18and possibly have that
41:20as an option for a house in the future
41:22maybe because if we do want to live
41:24in a village centre
41:26that those things tend to
41:28be a bit harder to find.
41:30I think that's another lesson
41:32we've taken is patience as well.
41:34We might have to be patient
41:36to find the right thing
41:38that you know the thing
41:40that does everything that we need.
41:42Absolutely.
41:44Don't take your eye off the ball
41:46and scour the area all the time
41:48because you know properties
41:50especially in this part of the world
41:52because it is so beautiful and sought after
41:54they are few and far between
41:56so when they come on the market
41:58we know they move still pretty quickly.
42:00Absolutely.
42:02But we can see you living here
42:04and we're delighted that that's all been confirmed.
42:06We look forward to coming back
42:08and seeing you again.
42:10Thank you very much indeed
42:12for that delightful few days
42:14with Michael and Corina.
42:16And what I've particularly been impressed about
42:18is their attitude.
42:20They want the perks
42:22of living in the countryside
42:24but equally they don't want to give up
42:26their nightlife, that lifestyle
42:28of going to art galleries, nightclubs
42:30seeing their friends
42:32and you can certainly get that
42:34living in a beautiful country area
42:36but close to towns or cities.
42:38And I'm not going to use the word compromise
42:40I'm going to use the word balance
42:42because that's what they're after.
42:44They want the best of both worlds
42:46and they're certainly going to find it here
42:48and I can't wait to find out what they do next.
42:50One thing I'm certain of
42:52West Yorkshire will be their future home
42:54and I'll see you again very soon.
43:01If you would like to escape to the country
43:03in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland
43:05or Wales and need our help
43:07why not apply online
43:09at bbc.co.uk
43:10forward slash take part.