Denise Nurse delivers the Peak District on a plate as she helps a couple from a town in Oxfordshire to find their dream country home for a budget of £450,000.
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00:00Escaping to the country is no easy task.
00:05Do we sign the divorce papers now?
00:09Particularly when couples have differing opinions.
00:13Is this the sort of thing you would have been looking for on your own?
00:17Yes.
00:19Love it!
00:21We're on hand to help them prioritise.
00:24Oh, that's made you think, hasn't it?
00:26Yeah, big time.
00:29And as always, we aim to exceed expectations.
00:33Yeah, perfect.
00:58The Peak District.
01:00A place that inspires adventure, discovery and reflection.
01:07If you've never been before, then take it from me,
01:10the Peak District is pretty magical.
01:12Even the evidence of our influence seems to blend in beautifully.
01:16Take these lovely dry stone walls.
01:19There are miles and miles of them.
01:21Almost like picture frames capturing countless awe-inspiring landscapes.
01:28Today we're venturing into the heart of England
01:31to explore the areas of Derbyshire and Staffordshire
01:34that lie in and around Britain's first national park.
01:38The Peak District is all about its villages.
01:41Each village has its own character and they're all incredibly friendly.
01:46Everybody's involved, everybody knows each other
01:49and nobody gets left out, there's lots going on.
01:53The spa town of Buxton, known as the Gateway to the Peaks,
01:57lures homebuyers with its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture
02:01and train links to Manchester in under an hour.
02:05The unspoilt village of Beely is home to Sarah Yates,
02:09who moved from London 12 years ago
02:11and now runs the local tea room with her husband.
02:14It must be magical running a business up here.
02:17It is so lovely.
02:19We've worked in many hospitality places and round here we've both said
02:23we wouldn't want to be anywhere else, now we feel settled.
02:26And bringing up the kids round here, there's so many different walks,
02:29you can go to Bakehall, to Baslow, to Chatsworth,
02:31which is great because you can just walk out, we've got a dog,
02:34obviously the two kids, so yeah, it's brilliant.
02:37Get chatting to the locals and it soon becomes clear
02:40that they're deeply proud to call this part of the country home.
02:45Just fabulous walking straight into the hills from the door
02:48and it's a great community to live in as well.
02:50The people here are amazing.
02:52We've been here 15 years and never been so at home.
02:58The Peak District is ideal for those who want to escape to the countryside
03:02and explore it.
03:04So it looks like today's couple have picked the right place
03:07because that's exactly what they're hoping to do.
03:12When we went travelling,
03:14we experienced the wonders of Australia and New Zealand
03:18and every time we go to the Peak District,
03:20we sort of get those same feelings.
03:22We want to experience a new adventure in a new area.
03:26We do.
03:27With some lakes and some mountains.
03:31Chas and Jax live in this three-bed semi in the Oxfordshire town of Wantage.
03:36Married for 34 years with two grown-up children,
03:39they've found the key to wedded bliss.
03:42Two greenhouses.
03:44The sterile one and the creative one.
03:48My favourite features are the disco balls.
03:51I just want to quickly show you the more important one.
03:54That's where the magic happens.
03:56Say no more.
03:59Gardening is just one of their many hobbies and pastimes.
04:04That is the field of dreams.
04:06That is where I come steaming in from the pavilion end
04:11and take numerous wickets and have done for many, many years.
04:14And I hope to do the same somewhere up north, hopefully.
04:20Chas and Jax will consider detached and semi-detached properties.
04:24A kitchen diner, at least two bedrooms
04:27and a decent-sized garden are high on the wish list.
04:30And they'd like to be in a village community
04:33within an hour's drive of their daughter in Sheffield.
04:36Their budget? £450,000.
04:44It's just over 100 miles from Oxfordshire to the Peak District,
04:48but this region is a world away from where Jax and Chas are used to living.
04:53They have literally travelled to the other side of the globe for their holidays
04:57and I do get the sense that they want to retain that vacation mindset
05:01when they make this move.
05:03And if you're going to be local to the Peaks and live in a beautiful area like this,
05:07then a healthy sense of adventure is just the kind of attitude that you need
05:12to really make this your new home.
05:18Before we all set off on our Peak District adventure,
05:21I'm meeting our couple for a chat.
05:26Chas and Jax, you've been contemplating this move for some time now.
05:30How does it feel to be here now?
05:33I think it's exciting, but pretty scary at the same time.
05:37What's scaring you?
05:39The unknown.
05:41Are we going to find something?
05:43What sort of lifestyle will it be?
05:46We want to be outside walking, maybe a bit of fell running,
05:50maybe a bit of caving.
05:52Very exciting.
05:53Kayaking.
05:54We're going to do a bit of gliding, you saw.
05:56Maybe gliding.
05:57So lifestyle sounds like it's really important to you,
05:59but what's more important, the property or the lifestyle?
06:02I don't honestly know.
06:04I think I want a little bit more space because we like socialising
06:09and also, you know, the winter's going to be quite long,
06:12so we probably need a little bit more space where we are.
06:15When it comes to the views or whether it comes to the size of house,
06:20I think that's going to be a tough decision to make.
06:23I think that's going to be a tough decision to make.
06:26There's only one way to find out, isn't there?
06:28We've got to get out there, start exploring, see some properties
06:31and then you can make a decision.
06:33Let's get started.
06:34Sounds good.
06:39Our first stop is just inside the National Park
06:42in the highly sought-after Derbyshire village of Beely.
06:48Found at the southern end of the Chatsworth estate
06:51and used primarily to house its employees,
06:53it's pretty stone cottages, a few of which are privately owned,
06:57are clustered on quiet lanes.
07:02There's an award-winning pub, a popular cafe,
07:05it's within the catchment area for a well-regarded secondary school
07:08and has regular bus services to Matlock, Bakewell and Sheffield.
07:16On the edge of the village, enjoying prime Peak District scenery,
07:19is the first house we've lined up for Jax and Chas to view.
07:26Here we have it.
07:27Beautiful.
07:30Where do I sign?
07:33It's far bigger than what I expected.
07:35It's a beautiful stone.
07:36And I'm just looking at the front garden here in front of us.
07:38It's charming and it's wowing us already.
07:41I'm blown away. I really am.
07:45This semi-detached property was built in the 1960s
07:48in a style very much in keeping with the rest of the village.
07:52Is this the sort of thing you would have been looking for on your own?
07:56No.
07:58Love it.
07:59100%.
08:01It's something I wouldn't have could that we could possibly have,
08:05is what I mean.
08:06There's nothing at the moment I can see which is not what we're looking for.
08:11This is a cracking start.
08:12Even in the rain, it's beautiful.
08:14It is.
08:15You're both really enthusiastic,
08:16so it's time to see the inside.
08:18We're going to go in the back door because we're in the countryside now.
08:20Nobody uses the front door.
08:22Of course.
08:24Wow, that's a great first reaction.
08:26And I'm confident spirits will remain high as we make our way inside
08:30because the present owners, who moved in three years ago,
08:33have completely renovated this property to a very high standard indeed.
08:41We're entering through the back door which opens into this dining room
08:45which in turn leads to the kitchen.
08:49Wow, it's a lovely area kitchen, isn't it?
08:52Gorgeous, isn't it? Plenty of space.
08:54Looks really new, doesn't it?
08:55And we don't have to be...
08:56You can go over there and I can go over here.
08:58Nicer than I would think we could have on our budget.
09:01And also you've got a separate area which you can have as dining room
09:04or you can have as a snug.
09:06It's been done beautifully.
09:07It really has.
09:08Let's keep moving.
09:09OK.
09:11At the front of the house is the sitting room.
09:16Oh, beautiful.
09:17That is fabulous.
09:18Nice and cosy as well.
09:19So that's really bright and airy.
09:22And then you come into the cosy room which is really lovely.
09:26We have a log burn at home which really wanted another one.
09:29It's fabulous.
09:30And it's beautifully decorated as well.
09:32You won't have to do anything to this place.
09:34No, this is lovely.
09:35I can see us sitting there with Chas's feet up in the air.
09:38Sitting there with Chas's feet up on the table.
09:41Definitely.
09:44Well, downstairs has been a runaway success.
09:47Now we're making our way upstairs to check out the two bedrooms.
09:52And the views continue.
09:54Wow, look at this.
09:55You wake up in the morning and look.
09:57Beautiful views, isn't it?
09:58Oh, wow.
09:59You can't.
10:00It's priceless, really.
10:01Something you dream of, really, isn't it?
10:04I'm leaving Chas and Jack's to explore what's left to see up here,
10:08starting with the second bedroom to the rear.
10:14It's a little bit small.
10:16Could you get a double bed in here?
10:18I'm not sure.
10:20It's just a shame.
10:23Next door, there's a shower room.
10:26This is lovely and airy.
10:28Light.
10:29Lovely big shower.
10:31Do you miss having a bath after all that walking?
10:35Don't know.
10:38Chas's enthusiasm has definitely dropped somewhat,
10:41but we still have the back garden to view.
10:44Newly laid with flagstones to create a patio garden,
10:47there's ample space for some furniture and potted plants.
10:52What are your thoughts?
10:54First thoughts of, oh, it's all brick,
10:56but then it's not as if we're without green around us.
10:59You don't really need the back garden so much
11:01when you've got all this outstanding...
11:03Yes, it's a different lifestyle.
11:05..nature around you.
11:07As for space for his and hers greenhouses,
11:09there's a bit of a bonus just the other side of the garden gate.
11:13Out the back there, you can rent some extra land
11:17where you can park a couple of cars,
11:19there's a little bit of greenery, and that's for a yearly fee.
11:22OK.
11:23We also have this garage,
11:24and it's got the electrics kitted out,
11:26a bit of storage space,
11:27or you could use your imagination and do something else.
11:30So, with all of that in mind,
11:32how much do you think it's on the market for?
11:34I believe, because it's so beautifully finished,
11:36it's going to be at the very top of our budget.
11:38I would think at least £460,000.
11:44Hmm. I'd go...
11:46I'd go a lot lower than that, actually.
11:48Really?
11:49Yeah, because of the space.
11:51I'm going to go £350,000.
11:53£350,000? Really?
11:55That is a big difference between the two of you.
11:57£110,000 difference.
11:59Yes.
12:00Interesting.
12:01Well, this one definitely goes to you, Jack.
12:04Oh, right.
12:05It's on at £450,000.
12:08This is top of your budget.
12:09It is. Beautiful.
12:10You're right.
12:11To get the views and the location,
12:13a property that's done like this,
12:15we are at the top end of your budget,
12:17and the compromise might be a bit on the space you get.
12:21This beautifully presented semi-detached cottage
12:25has an inviting sitting room,
12:27a contemporary country kitchen,
12:29a dining room with double doors out onto a patio garden
12:33and two bedrooms.
12:35Sitting on the edge of a highly sought-after village
12:38inside the National Park,
12:39it's on the market with a guide price of £450,000.
12:44Ooh, we started on such a high,
12:47but then the reality,
12:48this is the first house they've looked at together,
12:51and now they know this is how much you'll have to pay
12:54to get the right house with everything done
12:57in the right location.
13:01This property has a beautiful downstairs,
13:04beautiful views of the rolling countryside.
13:07The only thing is the second bedroom is a little bit small,
13:11and that's something we have to think about.
13:14I'm just looking out the window now
13:16and looking at the views of the peaks,
13:18and it is totally stunning.
13:22It's a tough one.
13:24Does this house feel like a home?
13:26100%.
13:27I mean, it's been done to an exquisite standard,
13:31but I think it might be a little bit too small.
13:36Even on a grey and rainy day,
13:38it is still stunning being right here
13:41in the heart of the peaks.
13:42What a way to start our search.
13:44But we've still got more to see, guys,
13:46so let's keep going.
13:47Okay.
13:58We're hitting pause on our property search
14:00as Chas and Jax head to Chapelle-en-Le-Frith,
14:03or Chapel as the locals call it,
14:05a small market town on the western edge
14:07of the Peak District.
14:10Beautiful part of the world.
14:12The town owes its name,
14:14which means chapel in the forest,
14:16to the French Normans who first settled here,
14:18and today it's home to more than 8,500 people.
14:24I've lived in Chapelle for 20 years
14:26and it's a lovely place to live.
14:28It's a quiet little town surrounded by the hills
14:31and I can walk out of my front door
14:35and up into the hills and that's delightful.
14:38It's a beautiful place to live.
14:44The town centre has a great mix
14:46of family-owned businesses and high street chains
14:49that draw in residents from the surrounding villages
14:52as well as tourists.
14:54Eccles Pike.
14:55Yeah, look.
14:56A short walk from the town centre,
14:58it's got a 360-degree panorama.
15:00And a community garden gives all the residents
15:03the chance to grow flowers, veg and fruit
15:07or to just come and enjoy the peace and tranquillity.
15:11That's the size of a greenhouse I'd like.
15:13That's a decent size.
15:15Can I have one of those just for me?
15:17Mm, no.
15:19There are more than 20 clubs, groups and societies
15:22to get involved with, including a cricket club,
15:25and first team captain John Thayer,
15:27who was born and bred in Chapelle,
15:29has very kindly agreed to fill Chas and Jax in
15:32on life both on and off the pitch.
15:35Welcome to Chapelle Cricket Club.
15:37How's it going? I'm Chas.
15:38Are you all right?
15:39Yeah.
15:41Not a bad place to play cricket.
15:43Beautiful.
15:44Yeah, it's nice. It's lovely.
15:46Nowhere better on a nice day.
15:47Unbelievable.
15:48And how many teams have you got playing?
15:50We've got two adult teams on a Saturday,
15:52we have an adult team on a Sunday,
15:54and we have five junior teams,
15:55and we have just recently got a ladies team.
15:57Oh, OK. There you go, Jack.
15:58OK.
15:59Community is huge for us.
16:01What's it like?
16:02The community spirit in Chapelle is first class.
16:04It's brilliant. You know, everybody comes together.
16:06It's superb.
16:07OK.
16:08I know loads of people who've moved into the area,
16:10and they love it.
16:11They get welcomed into whatever they do.
16:13So, after the cricket game, where can I find you?
16:17In the clubhouse.
16:18When the clubhouse shuts, I'll be in the local pubs.
16:20Sounds good.
16:21Sounds perfect, doesn't it?
16:22Where do I sign?
16:23I'll get you a form.
16:24OK.
16:26As the rain starts to set in,
16:28I'm heading to the heights of Abraham Cable Car
16:31to catch up with Chas and Jax,
16:33who have picked up a surprise visitor.
16:36Their daughter, Ellie, who lives in nearby Sheffield.
16:42How is it for you, Ellie,
16:43the thought of mum and dad getting that bit closer to you?
16:46Took a little bit of getting used to, that's for sure.
16:49I think it's great.
16:50I think it's great.
16:52Took a little bit of getting used to, that's for sure.
16:55I think 40 minutes is a comfortable distance,
16:58but maybe any closer to Sheffield,
17:00I might start to be a bit on edge.
17:02But, no, it will obviously be very nice to have them around.
17:05Yeah.
17:06I mean, you've travelled sort of together.
17:08Were you both on the other side of the world at the same time?
17:11I was there first, and they decided to follow me,
17:13so we're seeing a similar pattern here.
17:15There's a theme.
17:16Yeah, there is a theme.
17:17What's going on, mum and dad?
17:18Nothing to do with me.
17:19When you all got back from those travels
17:21and you kind of landed back in the UK,
17:23you obviously then moved up to Sheffield, is that after that?
17:25Yes.
17:26And what was it like when you got home?
17:27Did you immediately look around and think, yeah, time to go?
17:30It just felt very flat and very unadventurous.
17:34Yeah, when we come up to see Ellie in Sheffield,
17:36we always get out on the peaks,
17:38which is one of the main reasons that we want to move up this way.
17:40And what will you be doing, do you think?
17:42I mean, what for you would be the perfect lifestyle when you're here?
17:45I'm probably going to join quite a few clubs
17:47and join walking groups to explore the area.
17:50I'd like to get into fell running.
17:52I know you're looking at it as well.
17:55Is dad copying you again?
17:57Oh, wow.
17:58It's weird.
17:59I'm sure you copied me.
18:00Did I mess up?
18:01Yeah.
18:02I think the area affords so many different things.
18:05You know, there's things like caving, wild swimming,
18:08all sorts of things like that which are available,
18:10which we might get into.
18:12Lots of activities.
18:13Quite adventurous.
18:14Oh, yeah, always.
18:17There will be more adventures tomorrow,
18:19but for now we're calling it a day.
18:30Day two of our Peak District tour
18:32and we're off to the Derbyshire village of Bonsall,
18:35just a mile outside the National Park.
18:38Chock full of stone houses,
18:40many of which are built into the steep limestone dales,
18:44the 800-strong community is blessed
18:46with a village green, two pubs, a tea room,
18:50a village store and a tranquil meditation garden.
18:54It also hosts the annual Hen Racing World Championships
18:58and if you haven't got your own hen,
19:00you can hire one on the day.
19:02I reckon this vibrant village
19:04and the property we've lined up,
19:06a detached home slap-bang in the centre
19:09will suit Chas and Jax down to the ground.
19:13Here we go, the next property.
19:15Wow. Very unexpected.
19:17Gosh.
19:18Just take in the stature of this property.
19:20We're situated in a gorgeous village,
19:22great community feel here.
19:24I'm really excited about showing you this one.
19:26Yeah. Wow. Let's do.
19:28Face full of expectation.
19:29Come on, let's have a look inside.
19:34The main entrance to this property is located at the rear.
19:38It opens into a hallway,
19:40which leads into the dining room.
19:42Here we are, straight into the dining area.
19:46More wows.
19:47Yeah, I mean, it is...
19:48Lots of light coming through as well.
19:50Beautifully done again, isn't it?
19:52Two windows.
19:53I wouldn't think from the squareness outside
19:55that you would have such character already.
19:57How old is this place?
19:58It's 175 years old.
20:00Oh, gosh.
20:01But it was two cottages and in the 1940s
20:04they bought them both together.
20:05It's pretty special. It is lovely.
20:07So bright and airy.
20:08It's got a lovely feel to it.
20:10It has.
20:11Next door is the sitting room.
20:14The cosiness continues.
20:16Oh, lovely.
20:17Lots of light again, because you've got two windows.
20:20A log burner.
20:22Beautiful.
20:23Real snug, isn't it?
20:24Yes.
20:25This is the snug that you're after.
20:26Yes.
20:27Lovely. Really lovely.
20:28It's a lovely finish as well.
20:29It's a lovely finish.
20:30Yeah.
20:31It's how we would do it, I think.
20:33Well, they're making all the right noises
20:36and I'm leaving them to explore the rest of the house.
20:40Back through the dining room, at the rear,
20:42is a generous utility room and the kitchen
20:45with a stylish reclaimed oak floor.
20:49Oh, this is nice.
20:50It's small, but it's adequate, isn't it?
20:52Yeah.
20:53There's only two of us.
20:54Yeah.
20:55And also more light.
20:56It's beautifully done again, isn't it?
20:57Cheers.
20:58There's absolutely nothing left to do here.
21:00Yeah.
21:01Perfect.
21:03I've high hopes they'll feel the same
21:05about the upstairs accommodation.
21:09Wow.
21:10That looks nice.
21:11Oh, wow.
21:12OK.
21:13A little dressing table.
21:14Yes.
21:15That's for you to do your make-up in.
21:16Yeah.
21:17That's a good use of space as well, isn't it?
21:19Yeah.
21:20Lovely big.
21:21Lots of space for a big double bed as well.
21:24Yeah.
21:25Yeah.
21:27Next door to this bedroom, there's another double.
21:30Nice.
21:31Space for storage.
21:32Another bedroom.
21:33OK.
21:34Lovely big window as well.
21:36It's a lovely size, isn't it?
21:38It's a lovely size.
21:39Beautifully done again.
21:40Yeah.
21:43Opposite, at the rear of the property,
21:45is bedroom number three.
21:48Oh, this could be the dressing room.
21:50This would be good for lots of storage.
21:52Could even get a double bed in there.
21:54That's lovely.
21:56Food for thought.
21:57OK.
21:58It's very, very nice.
22:01The final room for them to see up here
22:03is the family bathroom.
22:06Mm.
22:07This is nice.
22:08Airy again.
22:09OK.
22:10OK.
22:11Lovely shower.
22:12Oh, it's beautiful.
22:13And a bath.
22:14Mm.
22:15OK.
22:16So far, so good, Chas.
22:17Mm.
22:20House done, I want to show Jax and Chas
22:23the outside space on offer here.
22:25Starting with this courtyard,
22:27which runs along the side and rear of the house.
22:31So what about out here, then?
22:32Oh, it's beautiful.
22:33They're stunning, isn't it?
22:34I would like a little bit more garden, though.
22:36Would you?
22:37I would.
22:38Then follow me, Jax,
22:39because up these stone steps,
22:42voila.
22:44Wow.
22:45Look at this.
22:46You wanted more green, Jax.
22:48Definitely.
22:49This is gorgeous.
22:50Garden with the views.
22:51Exactly.
22:52Yes.
22:53Looking out across the rooftops of the village.
22:55Yeah.
22:56With this amount of space work for you,
22:58are you already starting to figure out
23:00where the vegetables would go?
23:02It wouldn't be enough, really.
23:04It's quite small for growing stuff,
23:06so I would have to look for allotment.
23:08One more bit to show you.
23:09OK.
23:10Oh, this way.
23:11Yep.
23:12Another set of steps leads us to the top tier of your garden.
23:18Fabulous.
23:19Wow.
23:20Look at those views.
23:21Fabulous.
23:22And there's more open space in this bit as well.
23:24Yeah.
23:25Wow.
23:26Could fit a veg patch.
23:27Definitely.
23:28I'm thinking more about inviting friends up for a glass of wine.
23:31Well, I'll be there.
23:33Yeah.
23:34OK.
23:35I look forward to it.
23:36House and garden viewed,
23:38I'm curious to know how Jax and Chas will price this one.
23:43So what are you thinking?
23:45It's so beautiful that I think it's going to be
23:48the top of our budget again.
23:50So I would say £450,000.
23:54Chas.
23:55OK.
23:56I'm going to go £425,000.
24:00Ooh.
24:01Well, listen to this.
24:02This property is on the market for £385,000.
24:08Joking.
24:09I am not joking.
24:11That's...
24:12Just another curveball, isn't it?
24:14Mm.
24:18Oh, that's made you think, hasn't it?
24:20Yeah, big time.
24:21Yeah.
24:22This detached character cottage has a dining room and living room,
24:27a stylish kitchen with a separate utility and three bedrooms.
24:32Outside there's a courtyard and a two-tiered garden
24:35with views across the village and surrounding countryside.
24:39It's on the market for offers around £385,000.
24:44Nice, lovely, nice thick walls, beautifully finished off.
24:48But the flow of the house works as if you feel like you're open plan.
24:53Lovely big windows, lots of beautiful light
24:56and two massive bedrooms upstairs.
24:59I think we could see ourselves living here.
25:03My first impression as we entered the village
25:06and looked at the house was last of the summer wine.
25:10Just a perfect little cottage.
25:12Definitely ready to move in home.
25:15I can see myself living here and to be part of the community.
25:29If the Peak District is pulling at your heartstrings,
25:32then here's some info that no potential buyer should be without.
25:37The average price of a detached property in the UK
25:40is just over £458,000.
25:44In Derbyshire it's a whopping £103,000 less,
25:48whilst neighbouring Staffordshire is £82,000 lower than the UK figure.
25:54You might then expect to get plenty of property for your hard-earned pounds,
25:58but buyers beware.
26:00Research from a National Building Society suggests
26:03that homes in national parks can achieve a 25% premium
26:07on otherwise identical properties.
26:10I think the trend in the Peaks and surrounding villages
26:13is that people actually come here, they fall in love with it
26:16and they end up buying here.
26:18I mean, up-and-coming areas in the High Peak are Chinle, New Mills,
26:21Chapel Henley Frith, Buxton and then going out towards Chatsworth.
26:27And there are properties available to buy in those hot spots right now.
26:33This semi-detached period home in a rural Derbyshire village
26:37sits just outside the National Park.
26:40It has a living room, a kitchen-diner,
26:43a contemporary family bathroom and three bedrooms.
26:48On the market for £375,000.
26:54Hop inside the National Park and for £595,000
26:59you could be the proud owner of this historic Grade II listed home,
27:04the Tudor wing of a substantial medieval residence.
27:08The beautiful farmhouse kitchen leads into a large dining living room.
27:13Stairs head up to the galleried landing,
27:16off which are four bedrooms,
27:19all stuffed full of character features.
27:23For a shorter escape, these plush,
27:26tented safari lodges in the Edale Valley
27:29offer spacious, open-plan kitchen, dining, lounge areas
27:34with wood-burning stoves and hot running water.
27:38Sleeping up to six people, prices start from £755
27:43for a four-night midweek break.
27:52It's mystery house time now
27:54and we're heading to the other side of the Peak District National Park
27:58to the Staffordshire village of Winkhill.
28:01About a mile and a half outside the park boundaries,
28:04in the Staffordshire moorlands,
28:06Winkhill folk make use of the facilities in neighbouring Foxt,
28:09a ten-minute drive away,
28:11where there's a pub, a village hall, a church
28:14and lots of walks through the scenic Churnet Valley.
28:18Our mystery house sits in a remote spot at the end of this farm track,
28:22a three-bed, semi-detached stone cottage
28:25which boasts outstanding countryside views.
28:31Standing right here in front of this property,
28:33all you can see is greenery and amazing views all around you.
28:38On a day like today, I can't think of anywhere better to be.
28:41Let's have a closer look.
28:44Whilst Jax and Chas have loved the finishes
28:47and styling of the two properties we've seen,
28:50I sense they've been a bit disappointed with the amount of space on offer.
28:54Well, with our mystery house, space is no issue.
28:58It's by far the largest house we're showing them
29:01and it gives them the chance to recreate the contemporary country look
29:05they clearly love themselves.
29:07So they're going to need a lot of imagination for this property,
29:11but what a lot of space they've got.
29:14Yes, it's remote, and yes, unlike our previous properties,
29:18this one is a bit more of a project.
29:21But if Chas and Jax took it on,
29:23it could eventually give them everything they're after in a home.
29:30OK. The mystery house.
29:33Oh, wow. Oh, wow, indeed. Yeah.
29:36I have to say, it's not all of it. It's a semi-detached.
29:39It's this half, the left-hand side.
29:42So you have a neighbour. OK.
29:44And, of course, you're surrounded by open countryside.
29:47Beautiful. What do you think, Chas?
29:50I don't know. I really don't know.
29:53What do you think, Jax?
29:55I think I wanted to be a farmer when I was younger.
29:58I'm quite happy being in the countryside.
30:01It looks lovely. This is ticking a box for you.
30:04It is for me. And you're getting more...
30:06I just got more questions.
30:08I think you've just completely bowled you over.
30:11Ooh, I'm intrigued to see what you think of this, then. Come on.
30:14OK. Do we sign the divorce papers now?
30:21Ooh, our mystery house has only gone
30:23and put a cat amongst the pigeons, hasn't it?
30:26Perhaps Chas will warm to it once he's seen the generous garden,
30:30which has more than enough room for his and hers greenhouses,
30:33as well as polytunnels, should they fancy.
30:36Oh, Jax, you wanted green.
30:39I do love the garden. It's gorgeous, isn't it?
30:41It's gorgeous. And you've got all the views as well.
30:44Right? Space. Put your greenhouses up.
30:47I mean, the views are actually better than any of the ones you've shown us.
30:51Oh, interesting. By a long way. Definitely.
30:54This one is where you really get to think about how you want to live
30:58and how you would make a house yours for this next chapter.
31:02So, go and have a look on your own. It's a blank canvas in there.
31:05So, let your imaginations run wild,
31:07and I want to hear all your thoughts when you come back.
31:12The house is empty, so I hope our couple can see past the sparsity
31:16and visualise how they might make their mark
31:19on this really rather handsome home.
31:25OK. This must be the extension.
31:28Change that out if you wanted to.
31:31Key units. It's lovely and bright again.
31:34Nice.
31:35The kitchen leads through into the original house,
31:38where they'll find the first of two reception rooms.
31:41I like the stable door. Yeah.
31:44This is a nice size.
31:46Lovely deep windowsills again. Yeah.
31:48Lots of lighting. Yeah.
31:50Space under the stairs. Yeah.
31:53This room, which was used as the dining room,
31:56flows out onto the living room.
31:58This is nice and cosy.
32:00There's the fire.
32:02More beams. Wow.
32:04Lovely views out here, look.
32:06Fabulous, isn't it? Look at this. This is lovely.
32:11The property is spread over three floors.
32:15Up on the first is the family bathroom.
32:17Good space, isn't it? Yeah, yeah.
32:19You've got a shower and a bath.
32:21And a sink with a view.
32:23Yeah, and a lick of paint.
32:25Yeah. It wouldn't take much, would it?
32:27Lovely floorboards as well. Yeah.
32:30Opposite is the first of three very good-sized double bedrooms.
32:36Lots of cupboards. Yeah.
32:38Look out there.
32:40Loads of storage. Loads of space.
32:42Look here, look.
32:43Gosh, look at that view.
32:45Beautiful, isn't it?
32:48The vistas get even better on the second floor,
32:51where there are two further bedrooms.
32:54Oh, wow. Oh, it's bigger than I thought.
32:56It is, isn't it?
32:57There's a door there.
32:58Yeah. What's behind the door?
33:00What's behind the door?
33:04OK.
33:05Very similar to this.
33:06So where does that other door come from?
33:08That leads down to the...
33:10Oh, so it's a double stairs.
33:12Yeah. Interesting. Yeah.
33:14Next door could be a dressing room and an office.
33:17If this was a bedroom, you could just open your curtains
33:20and stay in bed and look at the views.
33:22Wow, look at that. Couldn't you?
33:24There's views every window on there.
33:26Yeah. Yeah.
33:28I'm intrigued to know what they've made of our mystery offering.
33:35So, tell me all, what did you think?
33:37I loved it.
33:38I think it has huge potential to make your mark on it.
33:42I love the garden.
33:44The only thing is...
33:46It's a little bit rural.
33:48It is in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere.
33:50It is. Yeah.
33:51Yep. Is that scaring you a little bit, Chas?
33:53I think so.
33:55I think you're terrified.
33:56Of course, the important question is how much you'd have to pay.
33:59So, guess the price.
34:01How much do you think this is on the market for?
34:03I think possibly £350,000.
34:08Yeah, and I'm going to go a little bit lower.
34:12335...
34:14£335,000.
34:16Hey, it's on the market for £325,000.
34:20OK. Yeah.
34:23I mean, that's a good price.
34:25Yeah. It is a good price.
34:27And with the money left over, you could do an awful lot with it.
34:31This semi-detached stone cottage is ripe for refurbishment
34:35with its good-sized kitchen, two reception rooms
34:38and three large double bedrooms.
34:41It sits on a generous plot and enjoys spectacular rural views
34:46on the market with a guide price of £325,000.
34:53I mean, the views are spectacular.
34:55By a long way, the best views.
34:58I mean, it's a lovely property and it's a lovely project.
35:02I just think it's just a little bit too far away from civilisation.
35:08More than 13 million people visit the Peak District each year
35:12and, unsurprisingly, after a day spent exploring this dramatic landscape,
35:17the hordes are always hungry.
35:23I'm visiting one of the many fish markets in the area.
35:27It's one of the largest fish markets in the world.
35:30It's one of the largest fish markets in the world.
35:34I'm visiting one of the many family-run businesses
35:37that make up the region's flourishing food scene.
35:40Baslow Hall is a luxury country hotel and restaurant
35:44in the village of Baslow.
35:46So, check on two covers, two sweetbread, two veal and two artichoke.
35:53Where head chef Adam Thackeray and his team
35:56use the best of Derbyshire's fresh, seasonal produce,
36:00much of it from the incredible kitchen garden they've established here.
36:04Adam, what a joyous place to work.
36:07This must be a chef's dream. It's incredible, yeah.
36:10How do you even get started deciding what you're going to pick
36:13and what you're going to use on a dish every day?
36:16It's not so much deciding, it's a case of if things are ready,
36:19we have to cook with them.
36:21So you're dictated by the seasons and what the garden's growing
36:24and what it's offering you? Yeah, absolutely.
36:28Adam's going to show me how to create a five-star salmon dish.
36:32Using herbs and plants, we can all grow in our own gardens,
36:36starting with the leaves of the sprouting broad beans.
36:40I'm going to try and take the smaller baby leaves from the middle.
36:44They're a little bit sweeter and a little bit more tender.
36:47The broad beans won't be ready to eat until Maytime,
36:50but the leaves can be eaten right now.
36:53That is delicious.
36:54Not a lot of people know about the leaves.
36:56We can take the leaves off it and get a different texture.
37:01Not dissimilar to pea shoots in taste,
37:03they add a little sweetness to your salads.
37:06We're also picking the tips of some sea kale
37:09and some pretty bronze fennel,
37:11which will grow happily alongside your rosemary and thyme.
37:15While we're here as well, actually, we have turnips here now.
37:19These have bolted, so the actual root vegetable isn't good to use.
37:23However, if we go into the plants, we've got some incredible little shoots.
37:27OK.
37:29Oh, my gosh.
37:32That smells...
37:34..almost minty.
37:35This is going to be delicious. All right. OK.
37:40The last leaf on our list is wild garlic.
37:43It grows in the woodlands here and, as luck would have it,
37:46is bang in season.
37:49It's very strong.
37:52Wow. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Really pungent.
37:54I think if you ate one of these bigger leaves, it'd knock you out.
37:57Just don't hang out with anyone for a while afterwards.
38:00A word of caution, that pungent garlic smell helps identify wild garlic,
38:05but it can look similar to a poisonous plant called lily of the valley.
38:10If in doubt, best not to pick or eat it.
38:13OK, I think we have everything to make a banging salmon dish.
38:17Absolutely, let's do it.
38:19Our hunt for herbs over, we're plating up.
38:22Adam's gently poached a piece of salmon
38:25that's been cured in lemon, salt and sugar.
38:28To this, he's adding radishes.
38:30So these are sourced locally in Derbyshire,
38:32so we're going to slice these nice and thinly
38:34and lay them onto the salmon, almost like scales.
38:36Right, let's see if I can work to your standards, chef.
38:40Right, got a rhythm going now. Incredible, there we go.
38:44Next, he pipes on a gel made from the bright orange berries
38:48of the sea buckthorn plant.
38:50Oh, another vibrant colour.
38:53Bit of acidity. A lot of acidity. Yeah.
38:56That is amazing. Absolutely.
38:59And then adds prawns, simply dressed in lemon, cayenne pepper and salt.
39:06So at this point now, it's really just layering up the flavours.
39:09Right. So these are the little sea kale shoots that we picked.
39:13I love the chef utensils. It's very, very precise.
39:17Absolutely. This is not how dinner is served,
39:20a la the nurse household.
39:23No, me neither, actually.
39:26Adam blends the wild garlic with oil to create an emulsion,
39:30or mayonnaise, if you're being less fancy.
39:33Oh, look at that!
39:35Just a few spoons of this.
39:37So again, buttermilk, split with wild garlic.
39:39Oh, wow! Look at those colours.
39:43That looks beautiful.
39:47And then it's time to tuck in.
39:49A little bit of this buttermilk. Oh, wow. Here we go.
39:56Oh.
39:59Chef, I'm lost for words.
40:02That's amazing. Just this lovely, warm, gentle flavour
40:05just floating through you.
40:07Oh, my goodness. What I love about this the most
40:10is that I'm getting a taste of the Peak District on a plate.
40:17And now to find out if we've found a property
40:20to suit Chas and Jax's taste.
40:25Three houses, two counties, one big decision.
40:29Let's find out what they've decided.
40:32So, how are you two feeling after seeing all of our properties?
40:37Challenged.
40:38It really makes you think hard about what you want.
40:40The biggest thing you've learnt this week, then,
40:42what would you say that is?
40:44We need to compromise. Yeah, yeah.
40:47If you want the location and the views,
40:49you need to compromise on the size of your house.
40:53And I think that's been a bit of a lesson to us.
40:56Yeah, definitely.
40:58House number one, you loved.
41:00Yeah, I can just see myself living in the Chatsworth area.
41:03I think I was born to be there,
41:05playing cricket in the grounds of Chatsworth.
41:07Swimming in the river. Swimming in the river, yeah.
41:10I felt it was a bit too small upstairs.
41:12Yeah.
41:13That was the only issue, cos we'd like people to come stay
41:16and it just wasn't quite big enough.
41:18Not quite right, but... Downstairs is beautiful.
41:20But very close, very close, you know.
41:23Property two.
41:25Again, it brought it home to me
41:27that village life is definitely on the cards.
41:30The community that I sensed there.
41:34However, I personally felt a little bit hemmed in.
41:38The house is right up next to the rock.
41:41The garden was elevated, it was beautiful,
41:43and you could see over the roof.
41:45It was stunning, but I'm not sure now
41:47whether the stepped garden approach is right for us.
41:50There's going to be a lot of questions,
41:52that we ask ourselves over the next few weeks.
41:54Yeah.
41:55How close to the peaks do we want to be?
41:57And if we want to be further from the peaks,
42:00will we get more for our money, size-wise,
42:02of property, location, etc, etc?
42:04Do we need that bigger house with all the space as well?
42:07And I don't think we do so much, do we?
42:10So what will your next steps be?
42:12Our next steps are to continue looking back up here next week.
42:16Which will give us time to go and explore
42:18those villages again.
42:20Certainly house 2, location-wise, in the village, was lovely.
42:23We'll go and have a look around there again.
42:25And I'm really excited for you both,
42:27that you're going to make this a next step.
42:29Thank you so much.
42:30It's been great, thank you.
42:32Best of luck.
42:33Really difficult, but great.
42:35You will do it.
42:36I have faith in you.
42:39I'm really looking forward to the next step.
42:43I'm so excited for Jax and Chas.
42:46We may not have found them their dream property this time,
42:49but I know it won't be long before they're making the move
42:52up to the Peak District and starting their brand new life.
42:55Join me next time on Escape to the Country.
42:58If you would like our help to escape to the country
43:01in England, Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland,
43:05apply online at bbc.co.uk or email us at
43:10bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:40♪