Even though the daily commute from London to their Bedfordshire business is taking its toll, Nicki Chapman has her work cut out persuading one half of today's couple to move to the county's borders!
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00:00When searching for the perfect property, every house hunter has their own requirements.
00:06I'm trying to find the TV.
00:10But here on Escape, we do like to broaden horizons.
00:14I understand that it's a Dutch architectural design. It's not.
00:19I don't live in Holland, so I've never seen that.
00:21It's unusual.
00:22It might require a compromise.
00:24That's a marriage. It's a marriage. We'll see who wins.
00:28But it's worth it in the end.
00:31Have we found our place to live?
00:33I think that we may have.
00:59Bedfordshire and its surrounding counties.
01:03An exciting region of desirable towns and peaceful villages,
01:07with glorious chalk hills and lush countryside,
01:11where 21st century innovators and entrepreneurs continue the legacy of its rich industrial history.
01:21You could say in a roundabout way that without Bedfordshire, this show of ours may not exist.
01:27You see, not that long ago, this county was famous for making bricks.
01:32Billions of them.
01:33In fact, one factory alone produced enough bricks to build over 50,000 homes a year.
01:40So, no Bedfordshire, no bricks. No bricks, no homes.
01:44No homes, no escape to the country.
01:47So, thank you Bedfordshire. We owe you one.
01:52Flanked by Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire is England's number one county.
01:58Well, at least alphabetically.
02:03Most of the county's population live in the large towns of Luton and Bedford,
02:07leaving miles of quiet countryside to discover.
02:13The unspoilt views are best enjoyed from elevated locations,
02:17like the east of England's highest spot, the Dunstable Downs, or possibly even higher.
02:26We moved to Bedfordshire 35 years ago.
02:29Beautiful green area, rural area, lovely environment around here,
02:33and it offers lots of easy transportation.
02:36You can get a shuttle on the M1, M25. Network is easy. It's very good.
02:43Surrounded by four other counties, its northwest neighbour is Northamptonshire,
02:48with mile after mile of waterways that run through pretty villages like Stoke Bruin
02:53and lined with refreshment stops for thirsty walkers.
02:59To the east of Bedfordshire lies Cambridgeshire, featuring towns like Kimbolton,
03:05where medieval traders once gathered their wares around the Market Cross,
03:09the foundations of which remain under the High Street.
03:13Today, the town offers a variety of modern goods as well as pubs and restaurants.
03:21Many of our escapees want to move to the country, to a new county, and to start a new business.
03:27But it's the other way around for our couple today,
03:30who already have a Bedfordshire business, and it's one I can't wait to visit.
03:40OK, this is Living House, just the start of one of our walks.
03:45Rob and Debbie from Ilford in Greater London are looking to make a break for the countryside,
03:50but unlike many of our escapees, they actually love how busy their town is.
03:56There's lots of independent shops here, nice cafes. Yeah, it's a really nice High Street.
04:04As much as we would like to escape to the country, one issue is we might miss our favourite cryomash.
04:12But some aspects won't be missed.
04:14And then we have to go through the slightly concerning underpass.
04:21Can you say, why would you like to move away into the countryside? This kind of answers that question.
04:26Yeah.
04:28They recently bought a business 70 miles away in Bedford, and want to reduce the commute there and back.
04:34So this is our wine bar. We bought it in August.
04:37And now it's time to find a place to live and move away from London to the Bedfordshire countryside.
04:45And there's another draw to moving nearer the Bedford area.
04:49Our only child is 24 and last year qualified as a vet in Nottingham and has decided to stay in the Nottingham area.
04:57So again, we feel that we don't need to stay in London and we could be closer to her.
05:04Having lived in their current house for 24 years, moving away won't be easy.
05:10We both have grown up in London. Both our working life has been in London as well.
05:15But my head knows that we need to make this move.
05:19With a budget of £600,000, Rob and Debbie want a detached property with three bedrooms and a study to help with their business needs.
05:28To make the most of being in the countryside, they would like rural views and have asked to be about a 30-minute drive from their wine bar.
05:46So it's a really exciting time for Debbie and Rob.
05:50I mean, buying a new business, it was only last year. By the sounds of it, it's doing rather well.
05:56But the final bit of the jigsaw that's missing is where they live.
06:00Yes, moving to the countryside and getting that commute down to a reasonable time.
06:06They are, well, they're self-confessed townies.
06:10And, let's be honest, if it wasn't for the wine bar, would they be making this move? I'm going to find out.
06:20Before we start our search, I'm meeting the couple by the water in Chichley, to the east of Bedfordshire.
06:28Rob and Debbie, exciting times with your new business in Bedfordshire. How's it all going?
06:35It's going really well, yeah. It's since August, so we've gone through Christmas, which was quite busy.
06:40Quieting down into winter, but it's picking up again now.
06:43But obviously commuting, it's not ideal. So we feel like we've started to know the area a little bit more now.
06:49So now's the time to make the move.
06:53Yes, make the move and, you know, jump two feet in and go for it.
06:57Who came up with the idea of making the move?
07:01It was mine. My passion was the business, yeah.
07:06Debbie, how keen are you to move to the country?
07:09All him!
07:11Well, I'm liking the honesty on this one. So you need a little bit more work, don't you, when it comes to this?
07:17Rob, you're already on board?
07:19Yeah, he'd have a tent there.
07:21Okay. Well, we want you both to be happy. We don't want it to be a compromise.
07:25No.
07:26Well, we've got a lot to see in this area. Shall we get started?
07:29Come, follow me.
07:34Our first property in East Bedfordshire lies in the village of Dunton.
07:43The village is situated on a ridge that separates the River Ivol and the River Rhee, and most of the village is open farmland.
07:51There's been a pub here since 1840, but most importantly for Rob and Debbie, their wine bar is only 12 miles away.
07:59Time to reveal the first property, and eyes open in...
08:04One, two, three.
08:06Here's your cottage.
08:08Oh, okay.
08:11Oh, it's lovely.
08:12Yes.
08:13It's attached, but it's lovely.
08:15Yeah, looks good on the outside.
08:17It's well maintained.
08:18Yeah. Well, this has got the best of both worlds. It's got the old and the new.
08:22Yeah.
08:23So, shall we step inside?
08:24Yeah.
08:25Come on, can't wait.
08:30This end-of-terrace cottage is thought to have been built in the 1830s, but has recently been extended and renovated.
08:38The front door leads into a dining area, which we're passing through to the room I'm most keen to show them.
08:45I want to bring you into this part of the house, because this is the extension.
08:49That's really nice.
08:51So, you've got your dining area there, you've got your sitting area here, but you've also got a study as well on the other side, or a snug, if you wanted to use it.
08:59So, sort of cottage dimensions, but three separate areas at the same time.
09:03Now, Rob, what do you think about having a fireplace in the middle, heating up both sides?
09:07I quite like that idea, yeah.
09:08The ceilings are a bit low, obviously, compared to what we're used to.
09:13Yeah.
09:14Yeah, it's a bit enclosed, isn't it?
09:15Yeah, but it's beautifully done.
09:17Right, well, let's continue. Let's see what you make of the kitchen.
09:20Back down those little stairs.
09:27So, here is your kitchen leading out to the garden.
09:30So, you've got a small utility room there, but this house isn't listed, which means, with the right planning permission, you can extend any other cottages have all done that.
09:41Yeah, absolutely.
09:42But this house isn't listed which means with the right planning permission you can extend
09:47and the other cottages have all done that. Yeah that would definitely be because this is really
09:53cute but this is not my kitchen. At the moment we've got a big open plan kitchen diner at home
09:59with a small lounge and that's what you like, you like that big open space. Yeah so it's a big
10:04social space. We didn't talk about a project, do you mind a little project? Not at all, no,
10:09as long as the price was right. Well let's head upstairs, see what you think of the bedrooms.
10:17Not the most effusive reaction so far but hopefully things will improve upstairs
10:23which has the required number of bedrooms.
10:27So three bedrooms in total, you've got a single at the end, then you've got the double and this
10:32is the main bedroom. Yeah it's nice isn't it? So double aspect so you can see out onto the fields.
10:38Yeah that part of it is exactly what we're hoping for. I want to see the countryside. So this is the
10:44dream for a lot of people but I do get the feeling that this probably isn't quite right for the two
10:50of you. No, no, um yeah no it's lovely but it's not for us. So you mentioned about being open plan,
10:59yeah do you prefer that? Yes. Perhaps a little bit more modern? Yes. Oh yeah very quick, yes.
11:08Yeah probably more modern but yes just a bigger, a bigger more open plan. Okay all right well let's
11:14head into the garden have a little chat about the price because that's going to give you an
11:18idea of what you can also afford. Yeah. After you Rob. All right. Thank you.
11:26So perhaps not the house for them but it does have lots going for it. A large family bathroom
11:32sits downstairs then outside there's plenty of parking beside a huge lawn surrounded by
11:39mature hedging and trees. I'm going to put you straight on the spot and ask you what you think
11:48it's on the market for. I would say £560,000 pounds. Okay. I'll give you a higher £575,000 pounds.
12:01Oh okay that's really interesting because you are on the money Rob. Asking price in excess.
12:09£575,000 pounds. Yeah? Yeah. Okay it doesn't leave us much to make the extension though.
12:18No that's something definitely a consideration.
12:23Oh dear well there was always going to be a bit of resistance to such a big change of lifestyle.
12:29For offers over £575,000 pounds this beautiful end-of-terrace 19th-century cottage with three
12:36bedrooms, a study and views would leave Debbie and Rob some money to extend
12:42but not quite enough for them to create their dream home.
12:48So this is our first property your introduction to country life. Yeah. What are you hoping to see
12:53more space, just a little bit more open. Let's see how we do, shall we? Come on then.
13:08To further get under the skin of this region which has so much to offer Rob and Debbie,
13:13we're sending them off for a little exploration. They've come to Woburn in southeast Bedfordshire
13:19They've come to Woburn in southeast Bedfordshire, a town which has a small
13:24population of around a thousand people but several big claims to fame.
13:30Woburn is the birthplace of afternoon tea so we've sort of brought that here and sort of
13:36continued with that and put our own twist on it. And then I love being in Woburn because we've got
13:41a really good sense of community and I feel like it's a safe place for my children to grow up.
13:46We've got lots of lovely places to visit like quite a few things going on for such a small area.
13:57The town itself is a mix of old and new architecture boasting several popular restaurants and bars.
14:06The church was built in the 1860s for the 8th Duke of Bedford and a century later his ancestor
14:12established the safari park so Rob and Debbie are popping along to size up their potential new neighbours.
14:24Woburn safari park covers 360 acres and is home to elephants,
14:33tigers, lions, and lions. I just feel you want to pick them up and
14:39hug them before they eat you. And rhinos.
14:49There's also several species of antelope, monkeys,
14:55and much much more. That's what I call one chilled out bear.
15:03As well as the road safari visitors can meet the smaller residents on foot.
15:09Hello, they can't hear you? Yes they can, of course they can hear me. Oh what a life.
15:30There's so much to see but for now we're leaving the park
15:34and getting back to the business of property.
15:39We're heading to the village of Upton which is over the border in Cambridgeshire.
15:54Upton is mentioned in the doomsday book and its name literally means upper town. There's a modern
16:01village hall but most of the village landmarks are timeless features that include the pond and church.
16:07Despite its rural oldie world feel the village is well connected and only a mile from the A1M.
16:14Across the road from the church is the house we're here to see.
16:24So it's going to be interesting to see what you make of our next property.
16:29Wow, how does this grab you? This is nice, very nice.
16:35That Dutch architecture, those beautiful gables there, I mean I think it is so attractive,
16:41you know, it has the curb appeal but more importantly do you? I do, I do. Yeah, I'm not sure.
16:49What's putting you off? No, I don't know. This is just lovely, isn't it beautiful? Yeah. And then
16:57just look over your shoulder. I know, beautiful church. Yeah, that's going to be your view every
17:02day. That's the money shot, isn't it? Yeah, definitely. Yeah, love it. Lovely. But is the
17:07house going to be on the money? Shall we take a look? Yeah. Surprisingly this detached house
17:16was only built in the late 1990s and there are more surprises inside. Oh wow.
17:24I like wows. There's a space.
17:30Tick tick tickety tick. Yeah. So as you come in you've got this space behind us. Yeah. So that
17:36could be a dining area, that could be a study, also we could have some sofas in it. And then
17:41this house has benefited from this fantastic kitchen stroke living room extension. And then
17:47round the corner you've got a really good size utility and a downstairs shower room as well.
17:53Oh okay. There's no lounge. What, you want like a snuggie type? I'm trying to find the TV.
18:02Perhaps I've got a little something else up my sleeve. There's a little TV there but I can't
18:07believe that's it and so there must be something else. Very observant Rob because to the front of
18:14the property is a large separate sitting room with a log burner and that all-important big TV.
18:21I'm going to put you out of your misery. Oh okay. Because there's your television.
18:28Yeah. Yeah I really like it. Yeah.
18:35That's interesting Rob because you haven't really said that before. No. It's all been about Debbie
18:40hasn't it? In the nicest of ways and he means that with love. Yeah. But he wants you to be happy.
18:46Yeah no he does really like it. In actual fact we might have hit the mark with you on this one.
18:50I'm going to send you upstairs on your own to have a little wander around but when you get to
18:54the front of the house remember the size of this room because and I'm going to let you know this
18:59now it's been converted into two bedrooms. Okay. It's only got a stud wall you could convert it
19:05back and this could be the main bedroom for the two of you. Okay. This size. Right. And you
19:10complained about bedroom sizes in here. Some wardrobe spaces. Yeah. Okay let's have a look.
19:21Opposite the stairs to the side of the property is the dual aspect main bedroom.
19:28Oh yeah. It's a good size.
19:35I'm loving this house. I am. I'm still a little bit concerned about the distance but
19:40we can we can work with that because we said for the right house we can deal with deal with a drive.
19:47This is feeling like the one. I think Rob might have had a tear in his eye. He turned away from
19:53me. I tried to have a cheeky look but he's very taken with this house and let's be honest that's
19:58the first time. Debbie I'm getting a feeling there's a there's a slight reservation there.
20:05Don't know what you're thinking. I don't know. I don't know. I'm still shocked at what it looks
20:09like from the outside. Not in a bad way. It's not a style that I've ever seen before. I understand
20:16that it's a Dutch architectural design. It's not. I don't live in Holland so I've never seen that.
20:23It is unusual. Yeah no it's interesting. It's interesting. Yeah. It's a talking point. Yeah.
20:28Next to the main suite is the family bathroom and alongside it is another bedroom.
20:34Across the landing is a study that gives access to the two remaining bedrooms.
20:40Oh it's a study. Nice. Yeah. This is a stud wall that you could take down. Oh yeah. Make it a big
20:48make it a much bigger one. Yeah. Yeah that could be huge couldn't it. It's more what we were
20:56It's more what we were thinking of size wise. Yeah.
20:59Just maybe not the style but I've got to think about that.
21:05Patio doors lead to the rear garden which is mostly lawn with an area for planting and a low
21:11fence offering uninterrupted views of the countryside that's enjoyed by the owners
21:16and wildlife alike. The reason they've got a fence around is because the rabbits and you also get
21:24deer and muntjac deer coming into the garden. Okay. Yeah and they love growing their vegetables
21:29so they protect them with the cage. What are we thinking when it comes to the price? £585,000.
21:37Okay. Rob? I'll go high I'll go £595,000 and push the budget. Okay £595,000. £595,000 yeah.
21:46You're very close both of you. The asking price is £600,000. Yeah. That's the guide price for it.
21:54Doesn't surprise me. No it doesn't surprise me at all. Not at all. I think it's a beautiful
21:58beautiful home with a lot of space. Yeah. This Dutch style home was a hit with Rob as soon as
22:07he found space for the TV in the large sitting room. For a guide price of £600,000 it also
22:14comes with the desired open plan kitchen diner, four bedrooms and a study. There's a large garden
22:20at the front and an established veggie patch at the back or a drive-through for the uninvited
22:26local wildlife. I mean I love this house. Downstairs is perfect. I can't fault the
22:36space at all inside. Downstairs definitely not. Upstairs would need a little bit of a
22:41reconfiguration for us. I think I'm going to have to work out trying to convince Debbie to
22:48like this house as much as I do. It is lovely but I'm still not sure about it. I don't know
22:52if I like it. I don't like the look of it. I don't know.
22:58You see this has got to be the dream escape surely. Look all of this
23:04could be ours. You're not convinced are you? I am, I am. I think I've still got work to do.
23:28Across this region prices vary greatly. The average price for a detached property in central
23:33Bedfordshire is just over £649,000 which is significantly more than the Cambridgeshire average
23:41of almost £503,000. North Northamptonshire is cheaper still at around £441,000.
23:50How about this gorgeous 17th century limestone and brick cottage in a sought-after North Bedfordshire
23:56village? It's grade two listed and has three bedrooms under its thatched roof
24:01as well as a mature garden. On the market for £675,000.
24:05Or this 16th century example near Bletchley which is packed with history and was used
24:10by code breakers during the second world war. It's also grade two listed. Has a cosy sitting room
24:20and a beautiful garden.
24:22For something more modern these four eco lodges situated in a woodland copse have flexible configurations of doubles and twins that can be
24:29turned into a living room. The living room is a two-bedroom with a kitchen and a dining room.
24:35The living room is a two-bedroom with a kitchen and a dining room.
24:41The living room is a two-bedroom with a kitchen and a dining room.
24:47The lodges situated in a woodland copse have flexible configurations of doubles and twins that can be hired by up to 18 people.
24:54They're popular with walkers and trail runners as well as nature lovers and star gazers.
25:00Lodges are available individually or you can hire the whole site in low season
25:05for £1,800 for a two-night midweek stay.
25:08Well we certainly had a very busy day yesterday with Debbie and Rob and although I loved showing around this beautiful region I felt that well I'm going to be honest we ended on a bit of a downer.
25:24We showed them that beautiful Dutch gabled house which I fell in love with and so did Rob and then I looked behind me and well Debbie wasn't sold so we do have our work cut out for us but I'm feeling I'm feeling quietly confident.
25:36I'm feeling quietly confident because the mystery house is a contemporary home in the countryside in the most incredible setting and hopefully she's going to love it.
25:50For our final property we're heading to Northamptonshire to the village of Whiston which depending on traffic could entail a 30 to 40 minute drive from their bar.
26:02Just a mile from Whiston is Castle Ashby, originally developed to meet the needs of Castle Ashby House, the seat of the Marquess of Northampton and today its services benefit the wider community.
26:16Neighbouring the Marquess's mansion is a shopping yard offering gifts and crafts as well as refreshments.
26:22The hotel opened as a coaching inn 400 years ago and is well known for its inventive menus created with sustainable seasonal ingredients.
26:36While I wait for Rob and Debbie to arrive I'm going to make sure our last property is all ready for them.
26:43Now this is a very interesting proposition, our mystery house. It's only about 7 years old, contemporary inside but in a stunning location and I think it's going to work on so many levels. Just come and have a look.
26:58How divine is this? You've got a study stroke bedroom on this side, downstairs cloakroom, gorgeous sitting room with fireplace and then, well for so many people this is going to be the kitchen of dreams.
27:19And I think for Debbie that transition going from a metropolitan life to living in a semi-rural location, she's got all the countryside right on her doorstep but a most beautifully appointed, very modern home.
27:34Well welcome, new day and our mystery house. Very nice. Love it. Yeah, I want to see inside, I want to see the views.
27:48The reason it is the mystery house, you've probably guessed because it is extremely contemporary.
27:53Because the house was built around 2017, if you just take a look at the beautiful building next to you, that used to be the old railway station.
28:01Oh my gosh, stunning isn't it? Yes.
28:04So a lot of thought has gone in to this whole area but let's press on and see what you make of the mystery house.
28:14This detached property is a timber frame construction and the current owner, an interior designer, has made recent improvements.
28:22We're starting the tour in the sitting room.
28:26Oh wow, how fabulous is that? Gosh, look at the fire.
28:31So you do have bi-fold doors going out into your garden. Now probably I would say the smallest garden that we've seen. However, you do have views.
28:41Yeah, the location is great.
28:43There is a lot of furniture in this house.
28:46I wouldn't have so many sofas I think.
28:48Yeah, probably just a little bit less but it's lovely.
28:52Rob, if you would like to lead the way, let's see what you make of the kitchen next door. Thank you.
29:00The kitchen benefits from Quartzwork services.
29:05It's just stunning. It's very, very chic. I'd spend a lot of time polishing it.
29:12But this is lovely.
29:14Dining area behind us.
29:18That's a big space.
29:20Yeah, that's a nice space. Again, the social side of it, the open space here where you can be in this room and then close yourself away in that room when you want to.
29:28And I've got to draw your eye to another view, this time of the meadows. Recently there's been lands in there as well.
29:36Location-wise it's spot on.
29:38The views are amazing.
29:39But you've also got another little patio out there or balcony if you like. It's raised. Do you want to go and have a look?
29:45Yeah, please.
29:48Nice glass of wine on the table there.
29:50On the table, looking out into the fields.
29:53It's nice, isn't it?
29:55Yeah. It's more, I think, what we were looking for.
29:59Yeah, I mean, it's the distance and the bar. I'm still not convinced.
30:06It's a lovely house. I'd just like to pick it up.
30:10Just pick it up and move it a bit closer to the business.
30:13Ten minutes that way.
30:18Also on the ground floor is a study and a cloakroom.
30:22Upstairs the bedrooms are all good-sized doubles and next to the stairs is the smallest.
30:32The views again.
30:33The views.
30:34Oh yeah, this is perfect for a guest bedroom, isn't it?
30:36Yeah, this is a perfect guest bedroom.
30:41There's a striking Jack and Jill family bathroom and then the largest bedroom.
30:46Oh, nice. Oh, very nice.
30:48Oh, that's lovely. And look at the views.
30:51Yeah, I can't.
30:52And it's so light and bright.
30:54En suite, everything.
30:56Guess how's that shower?
30:57How mad is that?
30:59It's brilliant.
31:00I've never seen anything like that.
31:02Wow.
31:03For some reason.
31:04I think it's definitely made me realise anyway that contemporary is really where I'm comfortable.
31:10Yes.
31:12In the opposite corner of the house is the remaining bedroom with a dressing room and an en suite shower.
31:19Wow.
31:20And this feels really different.
31:22Yes.
31:23The colours have darkened down.
31:25Really cosy.
31:26The lighting, yeah.
31:27And it's still got lovely big windows.
31:29Yeah.
31:30Yeah, this is amazing, isn't it?
31:33Oh, I assumed that was the wardrobe.
31:34Oh, shut up.
31:35I just assumed it was the wardrobe.
31:38Oh my gosh.
31:41So whose room is this?
31:42Is this ours or is this Molly's room or is that Molly's room?
31:44I really like that bathroom so, you know, I can't give that up.
31:47Yeah, but you could just walk to the bathroom.
31:48Walk to that bathroom.
31:49What if this is my bedroom?
31:51Actually, that's a fair idea.
31:52And that could be yours.
31:53Yeah, so Molly could have the bedroom.
31:54That's the way to do it.
31:55Yeah, as a result.
31:56That's the way.
31:57Perfect.
31:58We're done.
32:00With all bedrooms beautifully appointed, surely it's win-win for them and their daughter Molly.
32:06In fact, the mystery house as a whole is a win-win-win.
32:14Yeah, I mean, the house itself is perfect.
32:16As I said, it's lovely, but it's still, my concern is that distance.
32:20Right.
32:21We've still got 30 minutes drive to the bar.
32:23I think, I mean, I obviously think it should work, but there's not just me.
32:27No.
32:28When we started out, Rob wanted the house to be right for you.
32:32He didn't mind as long as the house was right for you.
32:34Yeah.
32:35Isn't it funny how the dynamic has changed?
32:37Well, yes.
32:38It's like, that's a marriage.
32:41It's a marriage.
32:42We'll see who wins.
32:44So, what do we think this contemporary home in the country is on the market for?
32:51I think it's just over budget at £620,000.
32:56Really?
32:58I think £600,000.
33:05The asking price for this property, are you ready?
33:09Mm-hm.
33:10£575,000.
33:13Oh, my God.
33:14Wow.
33:15OK.
33:16This contemporary mystery house is turning everything on its head
33:20and now it's Debbie trying to convince Rob to move to the countryside.
33:25With a guide price of £575,000, it's beautifully presented,
33:30with a wonderful open-plan kitchen-diner, four bedrooms,
33:34breathtaking views and the added bonus of being £25,000 under budget.
33:43The mystery house definitely did live up to his name, definitely.
33:46This is more what we was hoping for,
33:50but maybe didn't expect that you would be able to find it.
33:55The price surprised me because it's what we're looking for
33:58and I was expecting anything that we really wanted would be at our budget or above.
34:05I knew as soon as we found a house like this that it should come round.
34:13Let's see how long that journey actually takes, realistically,
34:17because I want to see this wine bar.
34:20I'm thirsty.
34:22So, shall we make tracks? Have you seen enough?
34:24Yes, definitely.
34:25Let's go and we'll have a chat on the other side.
34:28Perfect.
34:38This region of the UK has a long tradition of agriculture.
34:42However, farming is one of the most under-represented professions
34:46when it comes to disabled people.
34:51Mike Duxbury is an exception.
34:54He became the first blind person to build an inclusive working farm
34:58to give anyone a route into agriculture,
35:01empowering them with the confidence to pursue a worthwhile and fulfilling career.
35:10This is an incredible set-up here, this farm of yours.
35:14Has it always been the dream?
35:16Yes, very much so. It's been like this since I was eight years old.
35:21So, that's all I ever wanted to do, was be a farmer.
35:25Really? You just knew it was for you, this is the career that you wanted.
35:28Yes.
35:29But it's not really a career in a way, it's a way of life.
35:31It's very much a way of life and it's also been one with the countryside,
35:35it's been one with nature, it's been one with the animals
35:38and it's really getting to grips with following your dream
35:42and I don't care who you are, what you are,
35:44if you've got a dream, you'll find a way.
35:47Well, you've certainly showed us a different way of doing things
35:50and what I love about the inclusive farm is, it's for everybody, isn't it?
35:55Yes. As a disabled person myself, I built it with everybody in mind.
35:59So, whether you were yourself, Nicky, who's able-bodied,
36:03myself, who's totally blind or other people who maybe are in a wheelchair, whatever,
36:09anybody can do the same as everybody else on this farm.
36:12There's a lot of farms that have been taken and adapted to take people with differences
36:18but this is the first time a disabled person has taken a field and built a farm.
36:23So, I just wanted people to see that even though I've got a disability,
36:28even though others have got differences, they still can do
36:32and we really need to be focusing on the positives, not the negatives.
36:36The farm is home to various animals, including birds and goats,
36:40but Mike has specialised in pig farming for 35 years.
36:45Well, these are my babies, all these pigs.
36:48And how can you tell which pig is which?
36:51I normally do it by touch. They've all got a different shape, as you can see,
36:55but I'm always feeling the backs and looking at the shape of the muscling on them.
37:00So, in a way, your hands are your eyes?
37:03Absolutely right. If you look around the farm yourself,
37:06you'll see that all the frontages of the pens are all different.
37:10So, if I reach out and rub this fence, pat it, whatever, touch it,
37:15I know exactly where I am on the farm.
37:18Simple innovations like this can improve employment accessibility for all industries.
37:2690% of blind people in this country are unemployed.
37:30My goodness.
37:31And the rest are predominantly employed by organisations that represent their disability.
37:36Right.
37:37So, we have to change that, and in 2023, you know, part of my thrust
37:42is to make sure that we look at people in a different way.
37:49Mike's partner, Ness, has been working alongside him on the farm
37:53from the very first planning stage.
37:55We had to figure out how I was going to get it out of my head
37:58and down on either paper or in some sort of visual
38:03so Ness could see what I was trying to achieve.
38:06So, we went out and bought some of these children's building blocks,
38:11and I sat there one evening with a glass of wine
38:15and created a model of what I wanted the farm to look like.
38:20And Ness was like, yep, got it now, absolutely got it.
38:23And this is what you got.
38:25All we did with the first bit was the yard at the bottom.
38:28So, the barn and the pigs exactly laid out like that.
38:31That's what I've got the model of.
38:33And then this has grown and grown and grown.
38:35And the beauty of it is, Mike hasn't done it just for him.
38:39Anybody could use this farm.
38:41Children with visual impairment can come in,
38:43even if they don't want to go in, they can come in.
38:45Even if they don't want to go in with the animals,
38:47they can actually get up close and personal.
38:49They're not a metre away from them as they are on some other farms
38:52where they can't actually touch the animals and be with them.
38:55How is a blind child going to know what a chicken looks like
38:58if they can't pick it up and physically touch it?
39:00But you're also giving people living with a disability
39:03the idea that actually, yes, I can work in agriculture.
39:07I can work in other industries.
39:09And hopefully, farmers, employers,
39:11whatever field it is, people will be waking up to that fact.
39:17One recent addition to the farming team is Leah Rednall.
39:21The farm has enabled her to follow a dream of working with animals.
39:31Well, Leah, lovely to meet you.
39:33And I've seen you get stuck in already.
39:35How long have you been involved with the farm?
39:38Is it really?
39:39Yeah.
39:40You look very at home.
39:41Yeah, yeah, I really enjoy it.
39:43Yeah.
39:44And there's no job here that you can't do?
39:46No, they put me to work straight away
39:48and pretty much everything I can do.
39:51Even though it's early days, what difference has that made to you?
39:55It's given me sort of a sense of purpose, really,
39:58because I'll be honest, I don't do a lot in the days otherwise.
40:02I'm a bit of a lazy person.
40:04I'll be honest, I don't do a lot in the days otherwise.
40:07I mean, I do out and about and stuff like that,
40:10but not actually feel like you're actually achieving something.
40:14So it is quite amazing that you're able to come here
40:18and do what I want to do, really.
40:22Yeah.
40:28What Mike has created here with Ness by his side
40:32is something extraordinary,
40:35not only just for him, but for the wider community as well.
40:38And it does make you think.
40:40You know, this farm is only on, what, one, two acres?
40:43But the difference it's made to so many people's lives is immense.
40:47And we talk about diversity and inclusion,
40:50and this really could be the answer for so many people.
41:03Well, I've certainly heard a lot about this place from Debbie and Rob,
41:07and in a way, this is the reason for their move.
41:10But have we found them that perfect home in a beautiful location?
41:14Let's ask them.
41:17After Rob and Debbie have allowed me
41:19to share a selection of special properties with them,
41:22it only seems fair that I allow them to share a glass of wine with me.
41:26Go on, then.
41:28It's so lovely to see the wine bar,
41:31because I feel it's been like the third person in our marriage.
41:34Definitely. It definitely is in ours.
41:37But this is what it's all about.
41:39So you've got the business, you've got your new friends here,
41:42and that's really working out.
41:44But how have we done with finding you somewhere to live?
41:48Yeah, the house is... The mystery house?
41:51The mystery house.
41:53It's just what we were looking for in a house,
41:56but obviously we'll need to go back and see it.
41:59Of course. Maybe bring our daughter.
42:01Yeah. Well, we're delighted to help you,
42:04because it is really exciting to have this new business,
42:07completely different from your past lives,
42:09to move to a different part of the UK,
42:11really embracing all that lifestyle that goes with it in the countryside,
42:15but also being able to raise a glass as well.
42:18Cheers. Health and happiness.
42:20Cheers. Thank you very much. Thank you.
42:27Oh, what a fantastic few days.
42:30But am I allowed to use the term rollercoaster?
42:33Because, in a way, it sort of sums it up.
42:36Debbie was very reticent at the beginning of this house search.
42:40Then it transferred to Rob, but I think we did end up on a high.
42:44They both adored our mystery house, with all the benefits that it had to offer.
42:49And all they've got to do now is work out if that commute is right for them,
42:53and who knows, they could be living here very, very soon.
42:57And that's it from me. I'll see you again soon.
43:23Thanks for watching.