On the lookout for a property with potential for a holiday let business, as well as a home, Jules Hudson shows off a gloriously sunny Cornwall to today's entrepreneurial couple.
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00:00For some, moving to the country is a lifetime dream.
00:04I am very excited to see what you make of this.
00:08It's absolutely beautiful, very pretty.
00:11But sometimes deep-rooted personal tastes can create problems.
00:16I don't normally like a bean.
00:17You're slightly worrying me now.
00:18I'm beginning to wonder if you've come on the right show, because we've got beans, we've
00:22got country kitchens!
00:26However, we often find that classic features have a habit of bringing buyers around.
00:31George said he might win me over a character, he might be right, it's annoying.
00:35Till eventually we get to hear that magic word.
00:38Yeah, sold.
00:39You're right, you see, it's meant to be.
00:56Cornwall, a county as rugged as it is beautiful.
01:10Birthplace of the pasty, where jam always comes before cream, and where the local pride
01:19is fiercely passionate.
01:21You know, we often talk about counties having distinct personalities, unique traits and
01:30characteristics that make them what they are, but speaking as somebody who's been coming
01:34here for years, one thing I've come to realise is this.
01:37When it comes to Cornwall, it isn't just a county.
01:40For those lucky enough to live, work and play here, it's a way of life.
01:48Cornwall lies at the south-westernmost tip of mainland England, and is well known for
01:53its hundreds of miles of coastline, attracting millions of yearly visitors and varied marine
01:58life.
02:00What's not as well known is that the county has its own language.
02:06Well, yeah, there's a lot to do here, there's a lot to see, there's a lot to do and to do
02:18and there's a lot to do, and I think that's the reason why people come here.
02:27One of the best-loved sites for holidaymakers is Perranporth, with its extensive two-mile
02:32beach popular with surfers and sunbathers.
02:38And even if you've never visited the area, you're sure to be familiar with the spectacular
02:42scenery as it's regularly seen on film and TV.
02:48Even the silver screen's best artistic directors couldn't create anywhere as beautiful as Cornwall.
02:56Today's buyers, like so many before them, have decided to quit the rat race and have
03:02turned their attention to Cornwall, with dreams of becoming their own bosses.
03:11Phil and Charlotte currently have successful but extremely busy careers.
03:15Here we are with a regular day of working.
03:19Charlotte, hard at work, doing lots of businessy things, don't know what it is, too complicated
03:24for me.
03:25We both work full-time, nine to five, Monday to Friday.
03:28I work in recruitment and Phil works in IT.
03:32Once they can work from home, they want to leave the large commuter belt village of Bagshot
03:36in Surrey.
03:37We've been here for about six years.
03:40As you can see, we've got the train line here.
03:45We love the area, but we're just looking to move to Cornwall for a different lifestyle.
03:50They hope the move will allow them to develop a glamping business and eventually wind down
03:54their current jobs.
03:56I've always had a dream of running holiday lets, so it would be really good for me to
04:01actually give that a go.
04:02Take the chance and give it a go.
04:03Yeah, yeah, definitely, definitely.
04:05Phil is six foot four and Charlotte four foot eleven.
04:09Hang on, there we are.
04:12I'll have to bob down a bit.
04:15So, they don't always see eye to eye.
04:18I'd really like to try some surfing.
04:20Yeah, I'm not so good with the whole swimming lot, so I don't think I'll bother with that.
04:25But, you know, just the coastal paths would be brilliant.
04:30The girls would absolutely love that.
04:32Their gorgeous girls are Bella and Peggy, both Vizslas, so they'll need sufficient land for them.
04:38For their substantial budget of £1.2 million, Phil and Charlotte want a detached home with
04:44a minimum of two bedrooms, and a key part of this move is to find either existing holiday
04:49lets or room to develop them, with an emphasis on catering for dog owners.
04:54In either case, they'll need space for the dogs, which they'd like to walk in the countryside
04:59or on local beaches.
05:06Now, speaking as somebody who's been in the holiday let game for just over a year,
05:11I can tell you, it's extremely rewarding.
05:13You meet some wonderful people, and it's great seeing people happy with what you've done.
05:17But, my goodness me, it takes an awful lot of hard work too.
05:21Are they prepared for it?
05:23We'll have to wait and see.
05:26Our first property is on the outskirts of Newquay, halfway down the county's north coast.
05:33And so I'm meeting Phil and Charlotte on one of its stunning sandy beaches.
05:41Well, goodness me, of all the weeks to come house hunting in Cornwall, you two have absolutely
05:46lucked out. Look at it, it could not be better. No wonder you two want to move down here.
05:52Obviously been a long time in the coming.
05:54It has. We've been thinking about this probably for getting on 10 years now.
05:57So now is the right time for us.
05:59Now, have you ever run a holiday let before?
06:02No.
06:03No, of course not.
06:04I've got no idea what we're doing. No idea at all.
06:07Well, the good news is that I have been running two holiday lets for the last 18 months or so.
06:13And I was a total newbie to it. I have learned an awful lot along the way.
06:17Some of it the hard way, some of it the easy way.
06:21So I'm really happy to share what I've learned with you.
06:24And you are bringing with you a fabulous budget.
06:27Yes, it's a scary budget. My heart sort of jumps every time I think about it.
06:32So I'm trying not to think about it too hard.
06:34But really, for anything less than that, I don't think that we can really get what we're after.
06:39We've got a lot to think about. We've got a few miles to travel and a few properties for you to see.
06:44The weather is amazing. It's even prompted me to get my shorts on, which must mean it's good.
06:48So without further ado, shall we go?
06:50Yes, let's.
06:54If you're planning to attract holidaymakers, then locations don't come much better than Newquay,
06:59voted one of the nation's favourite seaside towns.
07:02There are miles of golden sand across no fewer than 12 beaches, most of which are dog-friendly.
07:09The town offers all the shops you'd expect, and as well as good rail connections, there's also an international airport.
07:16Just over a mile from the nearest beach is the first house in our line-up.
07:24Well, I am very excited to see what you make of this, our first property. What do you think, Charlotte?
07:31It's absolutely beautiful. Very pretty. The garden's pretty.
07:34Yes, it looks lovely.
07:35And you love a wisteria. I can see a wind already.
07:37Yes, I do love a wisteria.
07:38I really want to start with an element to this property where I think you are going to spend most of your time.
07:46And it involves a walk up the garden path.
07:48Oh, lucky me!
07:53This detached former watermill is Grade 2 listed and has been beautifully renovated for modern living.
07:59Now, as extensions go…
08:01Wow. We were definitely spending a lot of time in there, I think.
08:04Yes, definitely.
08:05Isn't that clever?
08:06Yes, it's really good.
08:07Come and have a look inside.
08:08Yes, let's.
08:10It is quite…
08:11It's beautiful.
08:12Extraordinary.
08:13Lovely. Yes, I like the same level inside and out as well, so I don't have to go up and down steps and things, which is nice.
08:20But what an impressive family space.
08:22I mean, you've got the central fireplace there, which is lovely.
08:25You see it from both sides.
08:27I think it's exceptional.
08:29Yes, very much how we live currently in our house.
08:32It's very similar.
08:33And the overhang here would stop it getting too hot with no direct sunlight coming in and stuff.
08:37Yes.
08:38Now, you've got two Weasleys, haven't you?
08:40Yes.
08:41So have they.
08:43Wow.
08:44Sold.
08:45You see, it's meant to be.
08:47It's written in the paw prints, isn't it?
08:50Passing into the original part of the house…
08:52Now, you might want to duck, Phil.
08:54Yes, absolutely.
08:55I'm used to it.
08:57…we reach the kitchen.
08:59What do you think?
09:00Well, I personally like a more modern kitchen rather than a sort of farmhouse, country style.
09:05And I don't normally like a beam.
09:06No.
09:07Which is surprising, because he seems to use a tall one.
09:09Because this is quite interesting, there's actually stuff going on, and I like it.
09:13You're slightly worrying me now.
09:15I'm beginning to wonder if you've come on the right show, because we've got beams.
09:18We've got country kitchens.
09:23It is nice.
09:24So, you know, we're quite open to try this.
09:26And this isn't a horrible kitchen at all.
09:27And we're in the country kitchen.
09:28You can soon change it.
09:29You could certainly do an island here.
09:30You could certainly give this a fresh, crisper look that might mirror more what's going on through there.
09:35Yes.
09:37This feels like it should be the ground floor.
09:39In fact, this is the top floor, because the mill goes on beneath us.
09:43Oh, yes.
09:44And that's where most of the rest of it is.
09:46Also on this level is a study which could be used as a bedroom, plus a cloakroom and a large reception room.
09:54Come and have a look at this.
09:56This was the principal living room before they built that amazing extension.
10:01I could use it as my reading room.
10:02Yes, absolutely.
10:03Again, it's a nice size.
10:04Yes.
10:05It's a big room.
10:06How many books have you got?
10:07Quite a few, but you wouldn't fill this room.
10:08But I'd have it as my office as well, probably.
10:11Yes.
10:13On the lower level, there's another reception with remnants of the mill's past on display.
10:20The main bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with shower,
10:24leaving the other two bedrooms down here to share a large family bathroom.
10:32Three beds in here.
10:33This is the principal one.
10:36It's nice and bright.
10:37This is like being downstairs.
10:38Because this is white, it doesn't feel enclosed.
10:41It's more the enclosedness I don't like.
10:43It's not the character I don't like.
10:44It's more I feel like I'm hemmed in.
10:46Is it your understanding, then, that if something is old and characterful,
10:50it might feel small and dark and claustrophobic?
10:53Exactly.
10:54So that is a preconception we need to bust this week, don't we?
10:57Yes.
10:58Yes, we do.
10:59OK.
11:00Well, hopefully this is beginning to do that, because, you know, rest assured,
11:03I don't think that's the case.
11:06Outside, this garden has everything.
11:09There's a courtyard with lounging and dining areas,
11:12as well as a plunge pool and tiki bar.
11:16There are also mature plants and trees,
11:19plus the pond, a sunken seating area with a fire pit,
11:23and a greenhouse and vegetable patch.
11:25And if all that wasn't enough,
11:28there's also a one-bedroom annex that could serve as the holiday let.
11:33That's a decent size.
11:35It is a bit dated, though.
11:36We'd need to look at ripping about that kitchen, I think.
11:39You know my love of ripping out a kitchen.
11:41Yeah.
11:42The garage, I think, is just the other side of that wall there,
11:44so we could look at knocking through there,
11:47and that would give you another garage-sized room,
11:49another complete double bedroom.
11:51Yeah.
11:52Got that funny little mezzanine up there.
11:53We'd have to think about what we'd have to do up there.
11:54Yeah, it's not tall enough to stand up in, by the looks of it.
11:57Even for me?
11:58Even for you, I think.
12:01Phil's already making plans to extend the holiday let,
12:04but outside, I've got my own plan.
12:07So, back where we started.
12:10I mean, here's a thought for you.
12:12You could offer your guests this and that.
12:15Oh, no, they can't have that.
12:17Just think about the old social media,
12:23and what that's going to look like on a website as a pitch.
12:26It's potential.
12:27Cool.
12:28You know, you might just rake in a bit more.
12:30Yep.
12:31Let's have a think, then,
12:32about how much this is going to be on the market for.
12:35Go on, then, Phil.
12:36£1,050,000.
12:37£1,050,000.
12:39Yeah, okay, Charlotte?
12:40I'll go slightly higher, £1,100,000.
12:42Well, let's make this a bit easier for you.
12:44This is currently on the market for £999,000.
12:51You're closest.
12:52I win.
12:53It's a win, and it gives you plenty left over to sort that out
12:58and anything else you would want to tweak.
13:00Yeah.
13:02Well under budget at £999,000,
13:06this Grade II-listed former watermill
13:08has five bedrooms in the main house
13:10with a simply beautiful modern extension.
13:13The garden is designed to offer a huge range of uses,
13:16and the annex provides a ready-made business let.
13:22So, for me, this property is a good mix of old and new
13:26and actually has tested my thoughts on whether I want character
13:31and I love the open-plan, modern part.
13:36I think when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms,
13:39modern is really the way to go,
13:41and that's what we prefer anyway.
13:44We'd need to look at maybe doing one or two little bits and bobs on the sides,
13:48but because it's the right side of a million quid,
13:51it really gives us good opportunity to be able to put our mark on it
13:55and add the changes which we feel it would benefit from.
14:09Padstow must be one of the most attractive coastal towns in the world,
14:14so we're sending Phil and Charlotte to join the hordes of other sightseers
14:18enjoying the views.
14:22We have the most wonderful beaches in the local area.
14:24There's seven beaches that you can get to really easily,
14:27and they're all beautiful sandy beaches.
14:29And, of course, nowadays, with the advent of Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth,
14:33it's become a very, very high-profile food destination,
14:36and people like to come, they like to stay in Padstow
14:39and sample all the wonderful things that there is on offer here.
14:42Hey, look at those.
14:43Aren't they fantastic?
14:49Padstow is so important to me and my family
14:51because Mum and Dad, they set the restaurant up here in 1975.
14:54That's nearly 50 years ago.
14:56And I just love it.
14:57The tourism, the fishing, and now the fantastic food.
15:01And on a day like today, the weather's not bad either.
15:05As well as the restaurants, the town's delightful winding streets
15:09are full of independent shops,
15:11one of which should be right up Phil and Charlotte's alley.
15:16Lisa Hope has been running an award-winning doggy emporium
15:19for the last six years,
15:21which sells everything for dogs and their owners.
15:28Could you tell us a bit about the business you've set up here?
15:31So, I like to describe it as Savile Row for Dogs.
15:35We fit everything.
15:36So, everything, when you leave the shop,
15:38your dog has got a good, proper fitted harness, coat, whatever.
15:43And we're very busy.
15:44We get people book holidays just to bring their dogs in for fittings.
15:48Oh, really? Wow.
15:49So, it is a real compliment as well.
15:51We love dogs. We've got a couple of...
15:53Ourselves, we've got a couple of visitors.
15:55Would you say that Padstow and Cornwall are dog-friendly?
15:57The biggest thing here, really, is the dog walks.
16:00So, there's lots of groups on Facebook
16:02where you do big beach walks and things like that.
16:05I mean, you can take your dogs pretty much everywhere here.
16:08You can take them into the restaurants,
16:10especially during the day.
16:11Some of them even take the dogs in the evenings.
16:14There's very few places that you can't take the dogs.
16:17So, it's just, you know, they're part of the family
16:20and you're not leaving them at home.
16:22And it is just a lovely place to live with,
16:24especially if you're a dog lover.
16:27Centuries ago, in the medieval period, Padstow was known as the Old Place.
16:32And today, it's that Old World charm
16:35that makes it an ideal place to unwind and watch the world go by.
16:48Padstow
16:53Well, as you can see, we have woken to yet another glorious day here in Cornwall.
16:57Our final day of house hunting, of course, with Charlotte and with Phil.
17:01Now, as is traditional, on our final day,
17:03I will be showing them our mystery house.
17:06But first, a property which, quite frankly,
17:08could be a mystery house in its own right.
17:10Such are its credentials.
17:12And I'll tell you one thing.
17:13If they don't want to buy it, I might.
17:18Again, near the north coast, is St Morgan.
17:21Despite its size, this attractive village
17:24has everything you could wish for in a captivating Cornish location.
17:28There's a stream,
17:31a church dating back to the 13th century,
17:34a pub and restaurant, tea rooms, a cafe, a craft shop.
17:39There's even a model giraffe.
17:41Just a 15-minute walk from the centre of the village
17:44is the house we're here to see.
17:48I cannot wait to see what you make of this.
17:52Another really pretty house.
17:54Yeah, it does look really handsome from the outside.
17:56Yeah, lovely.
17:57And what's lovely about it is that, effectively,
17:59it has been divided into two.
18:01You could let either side of it if you wanted to.
18:05However, you may not need to,
18:07because it also comes with two shepherd's huts.
18:10Oh, wow.
18:11Really? Excellent.
18:12My favourite glamping option.
18:16Do you want to sell it to us?
18:18To be frank, it's already sold itself to me,
18:20so if you don't want it, you're going to buy it.
18:22I might be in the running.
18:24But I think you'll agree, not a bad spot.
18:27If people were coming here as your guests on holiday
18:30and you were showing them down to the huts...
18:33Wow.
18:34Yeah, it's fantastic. It really is very nice.
18:36I'm excited to look in.
18:37Yeah?
18:38Yeah, absolutely.
18:39I'm very excited to show it to you.
18:41Come and have a look.
18:42Brilliant.
18:43The outside of this splendid, detached 18th-century cottage
18:47has made a strong first impression,
18:49and I suspect the decor inside is about to as well.
18:55Come on in. What do you think?
18:57Wow, gosh.
18:58Oh, yes, I like this bit. It's got that headroom again.
19:01You'll get lost in here.
19:02Yeah, I will.
19:03But it gives you an idea of what you're going to see stylistically.
19:06It really sets the scene.
19:08It does sort of suit my style.
19:11It does sort of suit the space.
19:14I mean, even these sort of swan lights.
19:17I mean, bonkers, but in a really good, positive way, actually.
19:20It looks really good here.
19:21It is fun. Come and have a look at this.
19:26So, kitchen and diner living.
19:29This is very us, I think.
19:31Yes, yeah, definitely much more our taste, sort of kitchen-wise.
19:35Decent space.
19:36Is it because it's more modern?
19:38I think so.
19:39Kitchens and bathrooms, I feel, have to be sort of more modern, up to date.
19:44And then in here, you've got this lot,
19:46with the dining entry there and what is a garden room.
19:49Yeah, nice. I really like it.
19:51I like the flow from the kitchen and into this area
19:54and through into the garden room.
19:56Yeah, it's really nice.
19:57Yeah, it's much more how we live our life currently.
19:59Yeah, yeah, definitely.
20:00Upstairs, there are bedrooms aplenty and bathrooms,
20:03but what I suggest we do now is hop next door
20:06and have a look at the second property.
20:08Yeah.
20:09Yeah? Come and have a look next door.
20:13This side of the house also has a downstairs study.
20:16Here we go. House number two.
20:20And then, passing into the other side,
20:22there's an open-plan kitchen and dining space
20:25with a staircase in the middle
20:26and at the other end of the room is a sitting area.
20:31So, you tell me, would you not offer this to your guests
20:34or would you keep it for yourselves?
20:36Decisions, decisions. It's nice to have the choice.
20:38Nice problem to have.
20:39Yeah, yeah, definitely.
20:40Again, I like the open plan.
20:42You know, it's nice.
20:43Again, doors straight out into the garden and stuff,
20:46which is handy for the dogs, whether it's for us
20:48or whether it's for anyone else we've got staying with us.
20:52It's cavernous. It goes back that way a huge way
20:55and I think, as a let, this would absolutely fly.
20:58Yeah.
20:59Personally, it's a little bit too pink and unicorn for me.
21:02You'll have to put your own stamp on everything.
21:04Have a look upstairs here, see what this offers
21:06and I'll meet you down by one of the shepherd's huts.
21:09OK.
21:10You can't miss it.
21:11Brilliant.
21:12The first double bedroom is big enough to include a sofa.
21:15It's a good size.
21:17Oh, yes.
21:18Particularly for holidays.
21:19What's in here?
21:20Oh, en suite. How nice.
21:22Good size room.
21:23Yeah, I think this house is appealing to me more.
21:26I think it's got some lovely character,
21:28particularly on the outside,
21:29without being too much on the inside.
21:31Or you can make your own character
21:32by adding your own bits and pieces,
21:34like the person who lives here has.
21:36Yeah.
21:37Across the landing, there's another double bedroom
21:40and then back in the other half of the building
21:42is the main bedroom, with a large en suite bathroom.
21:46So far, I'd say this house feels quite a lot more like us, don't you?
21:49Yeah, yeah, definitely.
21:50Ceiling heights are good.
21:52You know, yeah, no, it's right, you know,
21:54it's plenty high enough.
21:57Although they might have to watch out for the chandelier.
22:01The second bedroom they'll want to renovate,
22:03as it's now in use as a clinic and has an en suite shower room.
22:09The garden has other unusual elements hidden throughout,
22:12as well as some bigger surprises.
22:17Now, I have to confess, this has got elements
22:20which I don't think I've seen in any other property.
22:23It's got this sort of faux graveyard.
22:27And this, what can I call it?
22:31A phrase I've never used on Escape To The Country before.
22:34A dining chapel.
22:37I've never seen anything like it.
22:40In addition to the possibility of renting out half the house,
22:44there are also two shepherd's huts.
22:48Gosh, I wasn't expecting this.
22:50I know, it's nice, isn't it?
22:52I've not been in a shepherd's hut before, but, yeah, it's good.
22:55It's pink, isn't it? Yeah, it's brilliant.
22:57I mean, it's got everything you need in a small space like this.
23:00It's your lifestyle, photo opportunity, holiday again.
23:04Absolutely.
23:06And to give you an idea, this would go out per night
23:09for anything between about £130 to £150 a night, potentially,
23:13depending on the season.
23:15Now, this one is in some contrast to what's at the bottom.
23:18That one has a compostable toilet and is much more off-grid,
23:22so I would describe both of them as glamping,
23:25but that one more rustic.
23:27And, you know, shepherd's huts are portable structures.
23:30There's no reason why you couldn't be thinking about putting
23:33another one here, because you've got all of that space.
23:38There are more outbuildings, including a hay barn and a stable block.
23:42Maybe squeeze a couple of mattresses in there
23:45for a truly rustic glamping opportunity.
23:48But on a more serious note,
23:50the income potential of this property is only limited
23:53by the imagination, something it's currently filled with.
23:59So, let's have a think, then, about what this is going to be
24:02on the market for, Phil.
24:04I think I'm going to go for £1.15 million.
24:07£1.15 million.
24:09So annoying, that's exactly what I was going to go for.
24:12You can agree. I don't like to agree with you.
24:16I'm going to go, to be different, £1.175 million.
24:20OK, here's the thing.
24:22This is currently on the market for...
24:26..£1 million.
24:28Ooh. Yeah, nice. Positive.
24:31Yeah? Yeah. That is something to think about.
24:34Yeah, yeah, lots to think about now, yeah.
24:36That's a bit of spare change for an extra shepherd's hut, potentially.
24:39Absolutely. 100%.
24:42So, a £1 million price tag that would leave £200,000 in the budget
24:47to truly let their imaginations run wild.
24:50There are multiple configurations for the 18th-century main property,
24:54which could be split in half, but, as is,
24:57it's marketed as having four double bedrooms and two reception rooms.
25:01The mature gardens cover approximately two acres
25:04and, in addition to the buildings like the dining chapel,
25:07include two rental shepherd's huts.
25:12The fact that we can expand this is exciting,
25:17because that also means that, potentially,
25:20we can give up work altogether.
25:22You know, if we can get to a point where that can provide
25:25all the income to cover any mortgages and bills and that sort of stuff,
25:29well, you know, you don't need to work proper jobs then.
25:32You can do your own thing.
25:34I'm really excited about this property.
25:36I like the property itself, the fact that it's open and light.
25:40I love the potential of it.
25:42I love that there's already some business potential there,
25:46but also we can grow it more and make it bigger.
25:56Following the pandemic, house prices in this area shot up
26:00and the average price for a detached property
26:02was consistently higher than the national figure.
26:05But since last winter, the county average has fallen
26:08from just over £481,000 to around £462,000.
26:14It's the county's biggest six-month drop in over a decade
26:18and around double the amount that the national figure has fallen
26:21in the same period.
26:28For a perfect seaside residence, this one even has its own seagull.
26:33Not really, but it is only about 200 metres from the beach
26:37and has an open-plan kitchen living room plus four bedrooms.
26:41It's on the market for £625,000.
26:46For something more rural, this barn conversion is on the outskirts
26:50of a popular village surrounded by country walks.
26:53It has a cosy living room with a wood burner,
26:56one bedroom with a vaulted ceiling
26:58and is available for offers over £295,000.
27:04Or, for more rural still, how about this treehouse?
27:08Built around a 200-year-old copper beach,
27:11there's more copper inside with this gorgeous roll-top bath.
27:15It has a kitchen cum lounge area and a double bedroom
27:18with short stays starting from £195 a night.
27:34Heading inland, the village of Laddock appears traditional,
27:38but in addition to modern conveniences like the shop,
27:41post office and community hall, there's a forward-thinking project
27:44to make the village the most sustainable in the county.
27:48One of the ingenious methods they've engaged to achieve that
27:51is introducing beavers to the waterways to manage them naturally.
27:56Surrounded by some of these streams is the mystery house.
28:01On first inspection, the word that might pop into your head is character,
28:05but perhaps it should be opportunity.
28:11Now, as you might tell, behind our mystery house,
28:13there is plenty of outdoor space.
28:15Beautiful, mature and developed gardens,
28:17but it also comes with two main parcels of land,
28:20the biggest being over here.
28:22The joy of this for them in developing their business,
28:25whatever shape it is finally going to take,
28:28is that this place could make it as big or as small as they want it to be.
28:33But is it going to be something they'll go for?
28:36Well, we'll have to find out.
28:39There is a rental option here,
28:41but currently no established holiday-let business,
28:44so this mystery option will take some vision
28:46and may require a leap of faith if they're up for the challenge.
28:54Perfect timing.
28:56How are we doing?
28:57Yeah, good, thanks.
28:58Good, thanks.
28:59Ready to see our final offering, our mystery house.
29:02I really like it. It looks good.
29:03Yeah, it looks lovely from the outside.
29:05I think it's really pretty. I really like the stone.
29:07Do you?
29:08Yeah.
29:09Never thought you'd say that.
29:10It's a bit characterful, isn't it?
29:12Yes. I don't mind character on the outside.
29:14I tease you. I tease you.
29:16I say mystery house. Really, this is mystery houses
29:19because not only do you get that bit,
29:21but you also get that bit next door,
29:23which is currently let out on a long-term let,
29:26but that's a two-bed cottage in its own right.
29:28OK.
29:29Sounds promising.
29:30Yeah, yeah. Sounds exciting.
29:31Happy to go and have a look around.
29:33Well, thank goodness for that. That's why we're here.
29:35Come on.
29:40This stone and granite barn conversion
29:42is set in glorious countryside,
29:44and I've got high hopes for the kitchen.
29:49Please tell me the ceiling is high enough.
29:52Oh, yes, yeah, yeah. Plenty high enough.
29:54Yeah? What do you think?
29:56Love the kitchen.
29:57You can see a range over there.
29:59Yes.
30:00Get used to that, I'm sure.
30:01Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, you've got the range there.
30:03Very much a farmhouse-y style, this.
30:05Yes, yeah.
30:06You might be creeping over to the dark side, you know.
30:09You're convincing me.
30:10But very, very contemporary
30:12and through there, quite generous utility room as well.
30:16Yeah, it's much more to our taste.
30:18Good. So...
30:20Yeah, absolutely.
30:21Tick so far?
30:22Yeah.
30:23They're finally warming to country-style kitchens,
30:26and on a hot day, I'm sure the reception rooms
30:29will be equally appealing.
30:31So you've got two living rooms.
30:33This one, clearly for the dogs.
30:35LAUGHTER
30:36You've got a couple of sofas in here and some armchairs.
30:39They can have this to themselves, can't they?
30:41Pretty much.
30:42And they can run out to the garden.
30:44Yeah, that's ideal for that.
30:45Yeah. And then maybe you could have this one.
30:47All to yourselves!
30:49As if that's going to happen.
30:51LAUGHTER
30:52It's all so nice.
30:53Yeah, it is. It's really nice.
30:55It also feels quite winter-summer or evening-daytime.
30:58I would agree.
30:59And dare I say it, it's got a few beams, Charlotte.
31:02I barely noticed them, though, Jules, because they're light.
31:05And they're so far away from you.
31:07Exactly. I barely noticed.
31:09Good! There's a really nice feel to this, isn't there?
31:12Yeah.
31:13Well, look, there's upstairs to see and explore.
31:15Hopefully you'll enjoy that.
31:16I also want you to pop next door
31:18and have a look at the longer-term let,
31:20and I'll meet you out in the garden.
31:22OK, thank you. Lovely. Thank you very much.
31:24Off you go.
31:26At the top of the stairs,
31:27the first room is the contemporary family bathroom.
31:31Yeah, it's all that's reasonably recently done, isn't it?
31:34Oh, I don't get to rip a bathroom out!
31:37There are three good-sized double bedrooms,
31:39and the largest one is at the end of the corridor.
31:42Again, decent-ish size.
31:44Yeah, I think so too.
31:45I think the way it's laid out, the ceiling height,
31:49it's got charm on the outside,
31:51but it's reasonably regular on the inside,
31:53so you can do a lot with it.
31:54Yeah, absolutely.
31:57Jules said he might win me over a character.
31:59He might be right. It's annoying.
32:01Don't tell him. Just keep it to yourself.
32:04At the other end of the property is a two-bedroom cottage
32:07with features like exposed stone walls,
32:10which is rented out for £720 a month.
32:14Yeah, so, I mean,
32:15we could start bringing in income from this straightaway, couldn't we?
32:19We don't need to market it or anything,
32:21because it's already been let out.
32:23So, yeah, it's whether, depending on the price of this
32:26and how much mortgage we need,
32:27whether that then brings in enough for us
32:30to do what we want to do initially.
32:32Yeah, and if we can have other glamping pods or something,
32:36that might be...
32:37Yeah, that could offset that.
32:41But there's definitely glamping potential here
32:43beyond the picturesque rear garden,
32:46which I can't wait to show them.
32:50Well, then, how was upstairs and next door?
32:53Yeah, really... Yeah, really liked it.
32:55Yeah, it was lovely.
32:56Obviously, next door needs a little bit of cosmetic stuff,
32:59so that's fine.
33:00We need something to do.
33:01Yeah.
33:02Well, one thing that needs no attention, clearly, is this,
33:04the more recently developed garden at the back of the property here.
33:07They've got it contained in this series of timber-raised beds.
33:10There's another phase of it
33:11underway behind the outbuildings up there, too.
33:13But look at the roses.
33:14Everything's looking absolutely stunning.
33:16Yeah, it is.
33:17Mary Pippins and Charlotte really enjoys gardening as well,
33:19so it'd be right in their element.
33:21LAUGHTER
33:24I'm guessing he's not serious.
33:25No, he's not.
33:26LAUGHTER
33:27I like a garden. I love a garden.
33:29I'm just not a gardener.
33:30But that is not the main event.
33:31The main event, I think, is up here.
33:32Come and have a look at this.
33:38The property comes with approximately 3.5 acres.
33:42That includes storage sheds and two paddocks,
33:45one with its own access to the road,
33:47making it perfect for glamping.
33:51We could do a lot with this,
33:53with either shepherd's huts or yurts or some other form of...
33:56Whatever you want, whatever the budget goes to, really.
33:58I feel slightly overwhelmed by it all.
34:00I'm not quite sure why,
34:02cos it's not hugely different to the last property
34:04in regards to its offering,
34:06but I find blank canvases overwhelming.
34:09OK, so there is one more thing to do,
34:12and that is to reveal the price.
34:14Charlotte.
34:15This one's a hard one.
34:16Like I said, I'm a bit overwhelmed by it all.
34:18I would say...
34:21..£9,999.50.
34:24Are you now?
34:25Yeah, go on, Phil.
34:26OK, I'm going to go...
34:28..£1,050,000.
34:30OK, this is currently on the market for...
34:33..£1,100,000.
34:37Nearly went £1,100,000.
34:39I should have... Every time I should have started with £1,100,000.
34:42It's the magic number that's switched.
34:45Well under budget at £1,100,000,
34:48this converted barn has a modern twist on a country kitchen,
34:52three spacious bedrooms,
34:54and, from a business perspective,
34:56there's the long-term tenant next door,
34:58plus two paddocks that could be utilised.
35:01It's given us plenty to think about.
35:03It really has made us look at things differently.
35:05There isn't so much character on the inside,
35:07and actually I'm not sure if that's right or not.
35:09Now I've seen some that have,
35:11and it's really made me think about things.
35:13It's a complete and utter blank canvas,
35:15which would mean we could really start things from scratch.
35:17Definitely a bit mind-blown, to be honest.
35:20The main bit of the garden, nice and low maintenance for you, Charlotte.
35:24And we've got space to be able to try things like the shepherd's hut
35:28and other types of glamping options.
35:31Yeah, it's a really, really good option.
35:34It's exciting, isn't it?
35:36Frightening.
35:37Trust me.
35:39Nails down to me nubs.
35:48Phil and Charlotte aren't the only ones
35:50pursuing a business opportunity in this area.
35:53On a completely different scale is the West Carclays Garden Village,
35:57the UK's main sustainable garden village project,
36:01creating well over 1,000 homes near St Austell.
36:05Dorian Beresford is chief development officer of the project.
36:11Wow, Dorian, what a view we've got here
36:14of this post-industrial China clay landscape.
36:18I mean, it's writ large, isn't it?
36:20But here you are transforming it now
36:23into what you hope will be a living community
36:26that will be here for hundreds of years to come.
36:29A garden village. Tell us a bit more.
36:32Our garden communities are very much based around sustainability,
36:36so sustainable communities aren't just around the homes themselves
36:39and making sure they've got low running costs and reducing carbon.
36:42It's about how you create somewhere that evolves with people over time,
36:45where you embody the traditional values
36:48and the organic places for people to come together,
36:51but you give them ownership so that as the residents change
36:54and as the people come in and as the world changes
36:57and technology changes and lifestyle changes,
36:59the communities are able to adapt
37:01because the people are going to be the people that create that change,
37:04which is really important.
37:06So how many homes are you hoping to create on this 300-acre site?
37:09No, 500 acres.
37:11350 acres will be a country park,
37:13which is the vast majority of the area you see.
37:16150 acres will be built, and that's 1,500 homes,
37:20shops, bars, restaurants, pubs, dentists, supermarkets,
37:24all that kind of thing.
37:30The company uses 3D modelling
37:32to carefully optimise everyone's access
37:35to the very best of the geographical features.
37:38Our responsibility and the thing we take most seriously
37:41is how we work with the landscape.
37:43This area we're designing here, each of the roads that leads down
37:46so that people walk out, look left, look right, you see the lake.
37:49It's a connection to that natural landscape
37:51and the beauty that's there.
37:53There's gaps between the houses that sit on the front of the lake again
37:56so that everyone can see down.
37:58This area is designed around a very informal...
38:01We call it a large garden rather than a park.
38:03So each of our areas, we want to maximise that natural asset.
38:06So very much about each of the areas having a distinct identity.
38:10How long do you think it will take before it's finally finished?
38:13I think from where we are now, there's probably another 12 years.
38:16Wow.
38:19The project was originally put forward in 2009
38:22and now the first houses have been built,
38:24families are beginning to move in.
38:28Well, it's great to see the vision writ large around us.
38:33And I love what you've done here with the different colours
38:36and the different textures on the fronts of these properties,
38:39the step rooflines, and the width, the space here.
38:42Our architecture is quite simple.
38:44We wanted to create a modern Cornish cottage in a way,
38:47so there are quite simple frontages,
38:49but we've got the wooden cladding and different colour windows.
38:52If you go around Cornwall, you see different colours
38:54because they painted the colour of what was left of boats, for example.
38:57And then we borrowed the colours for the houses from the landscape.
39:01And so big windows, lots of natural lighting,
39:03which helps with sustainability,
39:05solar panels on each of the homes, air source heat pumps on every home,
39:08mechanical ventilation and heat recovery.
39:10So all of that adds up to these home-saving,
39:12on average, 5.5 tonnes of carbon.
39:14The average home produces 6 tonnes.
39:16So we're not quite carbon neutral,
39:18but to get there, it's a big step in cost,
39:21and we wanted to make sure that the homes could be
39:23as affordable as possible for people.
39:25So we do try and, you know,
39:27put some thought into every element of the project.
39:30Well, we often see lots of ideas on paper,
39:33but it's great to see one physically taking shape.
39:36Well done, you. Thank you.
39:38Shame the pubs are open.
39:40There's one down the road. Keep to the local community.
39:47MUSIC FADES
39:57Well, look at this.
39:59What a place to bring our Cornish house-hunting odyssey to a close.
40:03What's going to happen next? Let's find out.
40:08How are we doing, then? Really good.
40:10Yeah, brilliant. Thank you, Giles.
40:12This is what it's all about, isn't it? Sunny views.
40:14This is what sells it to millions of people every year.
40:18Question is, have we sold anything to you?
40:21Yeah, so I think, for me,
40:24the mystery house, I think, externally and internally,
40:28was much more my sort of thing.
40:30However, clearly there's a little bit of work to do
40:33to kind of get that going initially.
40:36But there's something about the Shepparton house
40:38which is pulling me in.
40:39I can't necessarily put my finger on it,
40:41and after saying I don't like character very much,
40:43it didn't have tonnes of character,
40:45it was just quirky and something about it I really liked.
40:47So that is definitely still in the running for me,
40:49but I think you preferred the mystery house,
40:51so we'll have some sort of discussion. Yeah.
40:54If you were us, which property would you choose?
40:59Nobody's ever asked me for my favourite.
41:01I've often volunteered it,
41:02but no-one's ever asked me before in all these years.
41:05For me, it would be our property with the shepherd's huts.
41:09Why?
41:10I loved its location.
41:12I love the fact that it's already viable and ready to go.
41:15It gives me a bricks and mortar option with the annex next door.
41:18It gives me the shepherd's hut option,
41:20and it's full of character and full of quirks.
41:24Well, let them know you'll be putting in an offer.
41:26You know what? If you don't, I'll be very tempted.
41:29You might need to get your skates on.
41:31Whatever you decide to do,
41:32I really wish you the very best of luck.
41:34We'd love to know how you get on,
41:35and I'd love to come back and see where you are
41:38in a year or two's time.
41:40But what a place to finish.
41:41If you need a view to clear your thoughts,
41:43surely that is it.
41:45We couldn't have had a better week.
41:46No, it's been fantastic.
41:47The weather's been great, the company's been great,
41:49and the houses have been amazing.
41:51Thank you so much.
41:55Well, what a week we've had.
41:57Fantastic weather, a fantastic budget,
42:00and no surprise, fantastic properties to match it.
42:03But for Phil and for Charlotte,
42:06they need a little bit longer to consider their decision.
42:09And frankly, I don't blame them.
42:10They're not just buying a new house,
42:12or indeed a new lifestyle.
42:13They are looking for a long-term business,
42:16something we have discussed at length over these many days.
42:20So ponder it, they will.
42:21But if I take away one thing,
42:23it's something that Charlotte said.
42:25If nothing else, we have broadened their horizons
42:27as to what their new business may look like.
42:30In a county like this, with horizons like that,
42:34no surprise.
42:35I'll see you next time.
42:38Well, after reconsidering the home
42:40with the Shepherd's Huts and the Mystery House,
42:43Phil and Charlotte decided
42:44the land just didn't work for their dog-focused business plan.
42:48But I am pleased to reveal
42:49that they've had an offer accepted on a property,
42:52but in a shock development,
42:54it's at the opposite side of the country in Norfolk.
42:58We wish them all the best for their move.
43:01If you would like to escape to the country
43:03in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
43:05and need our help, why not apply online
43:08at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:31.