Helping a young couple from the city of St Albans, Briony May Williams heads to Buckinghamshire to find a fabulous countryside escape for them and Dexter the dog.
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00:00When it comes to escaping to the country, magnificent surroundings are a given.
00:07This for me is the English countryside. Peaceful, calming.
00:11These views are just incredible.
00:13As is finding that home with features you've set your heart on.
00:17Oh my goodness!
00:19Oh wow.
00:20Wow.
00:21It's a proper fireplace.
00:23But less tangible factors can be just as important.
00:28The lady who lives here could not put across enough what a special village this is to live in.
00:34And mixing them all with a pint could lead to perfection.
00:39That's a lot of house for that.
00:41It's a lot of house.
00:42If the pub checks out, this is a goer.
00:58Think of quintessentially English countryside and you might just think of Buckinghamshire.
01:13Rolling hills, wooded valleys and wonderful waterways combine with highly desirable villages and towns.
01:20But a distant retreat this is not.
01:23Buckinghamshire is a connected county and one with tight-knit communities.
01:29Ask anyone who's moved to the green stuff if they've ever looked back and I bet 99.99% would say not.
01:38Vestigia nulla retrosum.
01:40That's Latin and means no turning back, which happens to be this county's motto.
01:45So when in Rome, consider Buckinghamshire for a no-turning-back, fabulous place to escape to the country.
01:52Buckinghamshire covers over 700 square miles.
01:57Its northern border is shared with Northamptonshire.
02:00The metropolis may be another neighbour, but the county's woodland walks and wide vales feel far away from city life.
02:09When I go for a walk with my dog early morning, I get really inspired looking at all the beautiful changing scenery every day and it really inspires my art.
02:19The Chiltern Hills area of outstanding natural beauty occupies the south of the county.
02:25In the north is Winslow, a market town with modern day independent shops and an inn that's been serving the community since 1591.
02:35The village of Quainton is known for its highly desirable cottages, several thatched.
02:40Its 188-year-old windmill is one of fewer than 40 still working in the UK.
02:47There are frequent trains to London from Aylesbury Vale Parkway, whilst the Tudor market town of Amersham is connected to the London Underground.
02:56Buckinghamshire is a county that welcomes newcomers.
03:00I think that is the best thing about Buckinghamshire, in every little village and every town we have this whole community where everyone supports each other and it's amazing.
03:09It's also a place that inspires and delights those born and bred here.
03:14As a child growing up we used to see lots of foxes, badgers in the local area.
03:20We still have wildlife that comes to your door and you kind of don't expect it, but it turns up and you're like, oh wow!
03:27You're never too old to make an escape to the country, nor are you ever too young.
03:34And today's couple fall into the never too young category, so it's time to meet them.
03:39I'm Jack and I'm Anna.
03:41We just got engaged and we can't wait to set up our first home together somewhere in the countryside.
03:4720-something couple civil servant Anna and consultant Jack each own a flat in the Hertfordshire city of St Albans and are feeling the constraints of urban life.
03:57This is my one bed flat. Obviously it works nicely for me, but we'd love to find a place that's got more space to raise a family in the countryside.
04:09I've got a bedroom, I've got a second bedroom I use as a study, no garden, it'd be good to have a house.
04:16And the arrival of a very energetic new family member has made moving even more urgent.
04:22So this is Dexter, we've had him for three months now. This is the only bit of outdoor grass by my flat.
04:32As soon as we get outside, it's onto a busy road.
04:36We'd like to move to Buckinghamshire because it's very ideally situated between our families and still easy access into London.
04:45Once they find their country retreat, one half of the couple is itching to put their green fingers to use.
04:52Jack's a big fan of gardening, so I know we sound pretty middle-aged already, but probably for Jack to pot around in the garden, have a shed.
05:01And gardening isn't all Jack's got his eye on.
05:04On the doorstep we want green. A few steps beyond the doorstep, a pub.
05:10Jack and Anna have their sights set on a detached character property with four bedrooms.
05:16They want a practical utility room for muddy boots and paws, plus a spacious kitchen.
05:22A garden is important for Dexter and they want to be on the edge of a village community with a nearby pub.
05:28Each on the property ladder already, by cashing in they have a healthy budget of £850,000 for their first house together.
05:41Anna and Jack are two young people who very much know what they want and they are going for it, so hats off to them.
05:49Like a lot of people, they've grown weary of the busyness of the place that they live and they want more of this on their doorstep.
05:57I mean, they spend a lot of their weekends coming out to the countryside, so why not make that move more permanent?
06:04Over the next few days, we'll be criss-crossing Buckinghamshire and making a detour across the border to Northamptonshire.
06:11But before we begin our search, I want to have a chat with this determined young couple at a landmark near our first house.
06:20So Anna and Jack, why have you decided that you want to make a move to the countryside at this stage in your lives?
06:26Well, we go to the countryside every weekend.
06:30We just spend our Saturday and Sunday just walking the dog around the countryside, going into the pubs, taking part in local community events in the villages around us.
06:38So we just really feel that it's the right move for us at this point.
06:42And you've got the dog?
06:43I have the dog. That's what it's all about.
06:45Absolutely.
06:46Just being able to step outside, being in the great outdoors, dog by my side, pint-waiting at the end.
06:50That's all I want.
06:53And to be able to buy somewhere with a nice big garden for him to run around in and hopeful future families as well.
07:00Is community important to you?
07:02Yeah, definitely.
07:03A couple of hundred people, that kind of size, people know who you are in the pub.
07:07One word that keeps coming up quite a lot is the pub.
07:10No, a local pub is the heart of an English community.
07:13So what do you think of this area that we're in right now?
07:16This for me is the English countryside. Peaceful, calming.
07:20These views are just incredible.
07:22Well, just over the brow of that hill is our first property.
07:25Wow.
07:26How exciting.
07:27Ready to get started?
07:28Let's do it.
07:29Okay, let's go.
07:33We're kicking things off in the north of Buckinghamshire, in the village of Oakley.
07:39With just over a thousand residents, it's surrounded by open countryside, has a pup-friendly pub and close-knit residents.
07:47The house we're here to see is in the centre of the village.
07:52Here we are.
07:53That's our first property.
07:551892.
07:57It's Victorian.
07:58It is Victorian, you're absolutely right.
08:00And formerly a forge.
08:01Wow.
08:02Fabulous.
08:03Come on, tell me what you're thinking looking at this.
08:05I like Victorian houses, so that's good.
08:07Very pretty, nice red brick.
08:08Okay.
08:09It'll have some history to it.
08:10Marvellous.
08:11Shall we go and see inside then?
08:12Yes, please.
08:13Yes, please.
08:15This character property offers a lot of period charm, which seems to be drawing them in.
08:20Come on through to this gorgeous hallway.
08:23Oh my gosh, I love it.
08:25Wow.
08:26Isn't it lovely?
08:27Beams, I love beams.
08:28Beams and a nice proper size.
08:30Yeah, really nice.
08:31Excellent.
08:32Right, come on through to the kitchen.
08:36I like the big window.
08:37Yeah, yeah.
08:38Yeah, I love the layout.
08:39Solid kitchen.
08:40Beautiful use of space.
08:41It is, isn't it?
08:42And you've got quite a lot more space over here, which you could use as a dining room,
08:46but there is space in one of the other rooms as a dining room.
08:50Marvellous.
08:51So could you work with this kitchen?
08:52Could you see yourselves pottering around in here?
08:54This kitchen is a definite, yeah.
08:56I like to have really old-fashioned farmhouse-y feel kitchens, so I might sort of redecorate
09:01a little bit, but structurally and spatially, it's great.
09:05Fantastic.
09:06Shall we head through?
09:07Let's do it.
09:08Right.
09:10So this is the room they use as the dining room.
09:13I love the floors.
09:14Two big windows.
09:15And come on through to this lounge.
09:17This is one of the living rooms.
09:19OK, well done.
09:20So there is another one, which is...
09:22I love the fireplace.
09:23Isn't it beautiful?
09:24Yeah, that's lovely.
09:25It's a good, cosy space.
09:27Could you see yourself snuggling up on the sofa with Dex?
09:30Absolutely, with the fireplace and the TV.
09:32Yeah, perfect.
09:34Shall we head upstairs?
09:35Sure, please.
09:36OK.
09:38I'm sensing they are cautiously positive about this house,
09:41and there's much more to build up that excitement upstairs.
09:45Immediately to the right of the staircase is the main bedroom,
09:48where I've got a little surprise for them.
09:52Wow, very big.
09:54Lovely views.
09:55Oh, wow.
09:56Lovely views.
09:57And double aspects.
09:58Now, this ensuite is something very special.
10:02So you think, oh, it's just a shower in there.
10:04Just go and have a little look.
10:06OK.
10:07Go on, have a little look.
10:08Explore.
10:09Oh, wow.
10:10It's a huge bathroom.
10:12This is very clever, to build the bathroom behind the bedroom.
10:16Nice dressing area, big window.
10:19That's a beautiful bathroom.
10:21I assume the bathtub comes with the house.
10:23Yeah.
10:24So you like this as a bedroom?
10:25Yeah, it's a great size, and there's lots of storage, you know, available.
10:30I'm leaving Jack and Anna to explore the rest of upstairs,
10:33which includes three smaller bedrooms and a family bathroom.
10:39Oh, great size.
10:40Huge space for wardrobes.
10:42Yeah.
10:43Lots of storage space.
10:44It's a very good second or maybe third bedroom.
10:47Yeah.
10:48Really nice.
10:49Two windows again.
10:51And even this is quite big.
10:53Back downstairs, off the kitchen,
10:55Dexter and the need for homeworking are both catered for.
10:59There's a really good study here.
11:00Yeah, very good size.
11:02And a massive utility.
11:04It's huge.
11:05And for us, this is the kind of space that makes a house practical, usable.
11:09We're pleased with this.
11:11Not quite done.
11:12There's still the lovely southeast-facing garden left to show the couple.
11:16How about this garden, eh?
11:18It's a fabulous garden.
11:20Lots of place to run around with the dog and families and host outdoor dining.
11:25Dexter would love this garden.
11:26And you're not overlooked.
11:27You know, you've got a lovely field back that way.
11:29Yeah, feels private all the way around.
11:31Good for a vegetable patch round there, wouldn't it?
11:33Good vegetable patch.
11:34I hear you're green-fingered.
11:35In training.
11:36In training.
11:37So, knowing everything that you know, how much do you think it's on the market for?
11:42I think £860,000.
11:44OK. What about you, Anna?
11:46I'm going to say £825,000.
11:50Well, it's actually £850,000.
11:53Ah, bang on budget.
11:55That's a lot of house for that.
11:57It's a lot of house.
11:58If the pub checks out, this is a goer.
12:01On the market for £850,000, this detached Victorian property has four bedrooms,
12:07one with a spacious en-suite bathroom, three reception rooms,
12:11a modern kitchen complete with adjoining breakfast room and a large garden,
12:16all in the centre of a north Buckinghamshire village.
12:22I think this garden is beautiful.
12:24I can completely see us hosting family here,
12:27Jack doing lots of gardening, Veggie Patch, all sorts of things.
12:32Every room has got potential.
12:34To have four really good-sized bedrooms is a massive plus.
12:39Not one of them is pokey.
12:41Clearly, the village is of the right kind of size, which is small and intimate.
12:46Hello. Are we happy?
12:48Yes, thank you.
12:49Yeah?
12:50Very. That's a strong start.
12:52Excellent. Right, on to the next.
12:55In the verdant north of Buckinghamshire,
12:58close to its border with Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire,
13:02lies the market town that gave the county its name, Buckingham.
13:08Settled since Roman times, Buckingham was partly destroyed by fire in 1725,
13:14and the fine rest of the town is still inhabited.
13:17Settled since Roman times, Buckingham was partly destroyed by fire in 1725,
13:23and the fine range of Georgian buildings it boasts today
13:26date from its reconstruction.
13:31Queen Mary granted a charter to the street market in 1554.
13:35Nearly 600 years later, it's still a twice-weekly fixture on the town's market hill.
13:42It's overlooked by the Gothic-style old jail built in 1748,
13:47and now a museum telling the town's rich history.
13:51We're sending Jack and Anna to browse the delights
13:54some of the 21st-century stalls have to offer.
13:57Look at this.
13:58Cheese stall.
13:59Cheese stall.
14:00How are you doing?
14:01Now, this is a sharing piece.
14:04Can we have some of the hobnail blue, please?
14:06Thank you very much.
14:07Thanks a lot.
14:08Bye-bye.
14:09Bye.
14:11Ian Winman runs a baked goods stall.
14:14Buckingham's a great place, great community.
14:17We've got loads of shops which are vibrant at the moment.
14:21Look at the market.
14:23The community is tight-knit because you can actually walk into town,
14:26you can see everybody, speak to them, and they are very communicative.
14:30We all work together.
14:32Buckingham residents are well-connected.
14:35The M40 is 12 miles away, with London around a 90-minute drive.
14:41There are also frequent buses to Northampton and other nearby towns.
14:46Jack and Anna want to find the community they currently miss,
14:50as well as opportunities to explore Buckinghamshire's rolling hills.
14:55The county offers both,
14:56as key member of the local running club Tony Allen can testify.
15:01Jack also runs a men's walk and talk group.
15:05Hi, Tony, nice to meet you.
15:06Nice to meet you.
15:08So how long have you lived in Buckingham, Tony?
15:10I'm coming up to eight years now.
15:11I absolutely love it here.
15:12I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
15:14We're told you set up a men's walking group in support of mental health.
15:17Could you tell me a bit more about that?
15:19I myself suffer from a mental health,
15:21and I found that walking helped relieve it.
15:23So I just put out in a local social media group about guys coming together,
15:27and we've had up to 40, 50 people.
15:30We just go for a two-hour ramble.
15:31We've got lots of walks in the area,
15:33and then we usually finish up in a pub for an hour, and that's it.
15:38And so it really just grows and grows and grows.
15:41Just community and friends and just chatting and being outdoors in nature,
15:45like that on its own.
15:47It's very good.
15:48And your running club?
15:49Buckinghamstow Running Club.
15:51We meet three times a week.
15:52We're friendly, and often at the weekends we take a major part in park run here,
15:57both volunteering and running it.
15:59A whole scope of people, really.
16:00Yeah.
16:01Thanks a lot.
16:02Lovely to meet you.
16:03Bye-bye.
16:04Bye-bye.
16:05I can see Anna and Jack quickly finding their feet in Buckinghamshire,
16:09both striding those hills and resting them afterwards by a roaring pub fire.
16:15But we still need to find them a home.
16:18So onwards to our second property.
16:22We're making our way east to the village of Wingrave,
16:26on the northern side of the panoramic Vale of Aylesbury.
16:30Home to 1,500 residents,
16:33Wingrave is a tranquil village that has a lot going on.
16:37A fortnightly summer barbecue is open to all,
16:40while sports and social groups gather at the local community centre.
16:44Other amenities include the church, a village shop,
16:48and yes, Jack, a pub.
16:50Add to that convenient transport connections,
16:53and I'm keeping fingers crossed that Wingrave may be where Anna and Jack want to build a home.
16:59Towards the edge of the village, overlooking the distant Chiltern Hills,
17:03is the house I want to show them.
17:05So welcome to this beautiful little close.
17:08So sweet.
17:09On our next property.
17:10Oh, fabulous.
17:12Very sweet.
17:13How gorgeous.
17:14I love this little kind of private area.
17:17Isn't it lovely?
17:18Yes, so quiet.
17:19Very pretty front garden.
17:21And this would be your double carport?
17:23Yeah.
17:24Lovely.
17:25Perfect.
17:26So this is a newer property.
17:27Yeah.
17:28So it's 2006, and the lady who lives here has lived here since it was new.
17:32And talking to her, she could not put across enough
17:36what a special village this is to live in.
17:38She said the sense of community that you get here is...
17:41Lovely.
17:43You can't compare it because it really is amazing.
17:46So how do you feel about a slightly newer property?
17:48It looks like a very nice newer property, so I think it's still very attractive.
17:53New means energy efficient.
17:55And good maintenance.
17:56Which is very good.
17:57Shall we go in?
17:58Let's do it.
17:59Yes.
18:01Phew.
18:02I was slightly worried that a modern property might not have the period charm
18:06Jack and Anna say they want.
18:08But I'm glad they're open to its benefits.
18:12Come on into the cool.
18:13Very nice.
18:15Oh, a vintage telephone seat.
18:17Yeah, love the seat.
18:19Love that.
18:20I don't know if that comes with the house, so...
18:22Very spacious.
18:23Very spacious hall.
18:24Anna, I can't wait to show this kitchen,
18:26because I think this might be right up your street.
18:29Come on in.
18:31Now, Anna...
18:32Oh, my gosh.
18:33Was I right, or was I right?
18:35Yes, you were right.
18:36I love it.
18:37It's comfortable.
18:38Great.
18:39Nice big windows.
18:40Big windows.
18:41Double aspections.
18:42Space to have food in the kitchen, which I really like.
18:45Mm-hmm.
18:46I see a utility room.
18:47There is a utility.
18:49Beams.
18:50This is gorgeous.
18:51So even though it's a new property, it looks...
18:54Full of character.
18:55...old.
18:56So this is the kind of kitchen you were looking for, right, Anna?
18:58Yeah, this is beautiful.
18:59Great.
19:00So I'd say, kitchen, yes.
19:01Thumbs up.
19:02Oh, excellent.
19:03Superb.
19:04Shall we go through to the lounge?
19:05Yes.
19:06Yeah.
19:07I will lead the way.
19:08Thank you kindly.
19:09Right.
19:10We've got a possible study over there.
19:13You've got a downstairs toilet.
19:15Yep.
19:16Very important.
19:17Dining room.
19:18Super.
19:19Nice doors into the garden.
19:22And this is the living area.
19:25Lovely.
19:26Good size beams, doors into the garden.
19:29I think it's missing a fireplace.
19:31That would be a nice touch.
19:32There's an attempt of one there, isn't there?
19:34There's an attempt at a fireplace.
19:35But a beautiful French doors and opening there.
19:38Nice flow with the doors in the corner.
19:40This is good.
19:41There's four bedrooms upstairs,
19:43but they've used one of them for something quite interesting, I think.
19:46Oh, is there?
19:47So we shall see what you think.
19:48Oh.
19:49Shall we go and explore?
19:51At the top of the stairs, the main bedroom lies off the landing.
19:56This is a good size room.
19:57This is wonderful.
19:59Very big.
20:00Yeah.
20:01Very bright.
20:02Own little en suite.
20:04Yes, very sweet little en suite with a shower.
20:07What a view.
20:08Oh.
20:09Oh, my gosh.
20:11Look at that.
20:13Isn't that stunning?
20:14Oh, my goodness.
20:16Beautiful room.
20:19And in case this bedroom doesn't offer enough storage space,
20:22a smaller one next door has been repurposed.
20:26OK, so they've turned it into a dressing room.
20:28Into a dressing room.
20:29That's a good idea.
20:30I've got enough clothes.
20:31Oh, you do.
20:32We could use that very well.
20:33You do.
20:34What if we have a downstairs study?
20:35Downstairs study.
20:36One of four bedrooms, and this would be the small one,
20:38can serve this purpose.
20:41Definitely.
20:42I was a little bit nervous about showing them a newer property
20:47like this one, but they really like downstairs.
20:51From what I can hear, they really like upstairs,
20:54so it may well just be paying off.
20:57Two larger guest bedrooms and a family bathroom
21:00complete the top floor.
21:02Hello.
21:03Hello.
21:04Do you like the garden?
21:05It's beautiful.
21:06Yeah.
21:07It's amazing.
21:08Yeah, a nice amount of space to manage,
21:09and the current owner has done a beautiful job
21:11with the flower beds.
21:12Have you been thinking about the price?
21:14Well, I'm thinking the village looks really beautiful,
21:17the house is fantastic.
21:18I think probably on budget at £850,000.
21:22OK.
21:23And Jack?
21:24£750,000.
21:26Yeah, pretty much bang on the money there,
21:28because it's offers in excess of £750,000.
21:31In excess of.
21:32OK.
21:33So knowing the price, does that make you feel
21:36any differently about the property?
21:38I want it.
21:43This modern detached property has four bedrooms,
21:46three bathrooms, a separate study space,
21:49plus a large garden for Jack and Dexter.
21:53It's on the market for offers in excess of £750,000.
21:58It's a beautiful house with some really good spaces.
22:01Everything Brian has passed on from the owner
22:03is supremely encouraging.
22:05There's a lovely close-knit community here,
22:08and that is part of what we're looking for.
22:10Even though it's modern, it has the character features
22:14that we'd be wanting from an older property.
22:17It's got the beams, it's got the farmhouse-feel kitchen.
22:21I could definitely see us living here.
22:24As our first day in Buckinghamshire draws to a close,
22:27I'm taking them to meet Margaret Liversidge
22:30to learn about an annual event in Wingrave
22:33that's a must-see for the whole village.
22:36Hello, Margaret. How are you?
22:39I'm very well, and you're very welcome.
22:41Thank you so much.
22:42I'd like to introduce you to Anna and Jack.
22:44We've just been to see a property very close by,
22:47and we wanted to come and talk to you about
22:49We've just been to see a property very close by,
22:51and we wanted to come and talk to you
22:53about what you've got going on here.
22:55We have lots going on in Wingrave,
22:57so it's very lovely to see you.
22:59This is the start of Bucks Art Week.
23:02We have this massive catalogue
23:04and exhibitors all across the county.
23:07So this is your own home, and you open it up?
23:09Yes.
23:10How long does this run for?
23:12This is running across two weeks and three weekends,
23:15every single June.
23:16Are you an artist yourself?
23:18I'm responsible for everything that you see on these walls.
23:21The sunsets are just beautiful.
23:23What made you think that it would be a good idea
23:25to open up your house to lots of different people like us?
23:28Well, I think Wingrave is actually buzzing
23:31with clubs and societies.
23:33Lots of people are opening their home
23:35for open gardens next weekend,
23:37so what's the difference?
23:39It must be very inspired, living here, for your painting.
23:42I think so, and I think a lot of the inspiration, actually,
23:46is lovely views of the Chilterns, wonderful countryside.
23:50Shall we have a look around?
23:52Yes.
23:56I love this one, the colours and the texture to it.
23:59You feel the wave just coming right off the canvas.
24:02It's the movement of the wave here.
24:04So what do you reckon,
24:05do you think you could see these hanging up on your wall?
24:07Definitely.
24:08In your house down the road?
24:09Well, I love the sea, and to bring it into the home.
24:11Literally bring it alive.
24:12If we can take this one, please.
24:14Exciting! Fantastic.
24:16Came for a house, came with a painting.
24:32With its convenient transport links,
24:34easily accessible countryside and close-knit communities,
24:38it's perhaps no surprise
24:40that property in Buckinghamshire comes at a premium.
24:44The average cost of a detached house in the county
24:47is just over £881,000.
24:51That's a 5% rise since 2019,
24:54and almost double the English average of £484,000.
25:04And here's a taster of what else is currently on the market
25:07here in the county.
25:09This character-packed three-bedroom cottage
25:12dates back in part to the 1600s.
25:15It sits in a village,
25:17features a lounge with an Ingle Nook fireplace,
25:19and has beautifully presented gardens.
25:22On the market for £575,000.
25:28More cost-conscious buyers may find this cute,
25:31grade-two listed, end-of-terrace cottage appealing.
25:34Priced at £415,000,
25:37there's a ground-floor kitchen and reception room,
25:40while a single bedroom and shower room lie above.
25:48If a shorter break is more your style,
25:50how about hopping just across the border to Hertfordshire
25:53for a spot of glamorous camping?
25:57Located in secluded woodland,
25:59there are various cabins sleeping up to five,
26:02with prices starting from £180 per night.
26:11Since getting to know Anna and Jack,
26:13it's become very clear to me
26:15that their move to the countryside
26:17is one that has a real focus on community.
26:19So luckily for them,
26:21we've got even more lovely locals to meet
26:23and a fantastic mystery house.
26:26I feel like I'm starting to spoil them.
26:31We're travelling out of Buckinghamshire
26:33and into Northamptonshire,
26:35making our way to the village of Yardley-Gobion.
26:40With 1,600 residents,
26:42it has a community centre used by a variety of social clubs,
26:46local amenities, a traditional pub
26:49and is only a few minutes from walks on the Grand Union Canal.
26:53Almost equidistant between Milton Keynes and Northampton,
26:57a short 10-mile drive gives access to a wider range
27:01of essential and luxury high street shops and facilities.
27:05We've actually crossed over the border now
27:07and we're in Northamptonshire.
27:09Have you thought about Northamptonshire as an option?
27:12Not really, but on the basis of here, we're open to it
27:15and we're just over the border, I think, so it's still very close.
27:18Might depend on the house. Yeah.
27:20Might depend on the house. Yeah, exactly.
27:22Well, we are in the village where the mystery house is
27:25and I can actually see it from where we're stood.
27:28Oh, my God!
27:30But I'm not going to tell you where it is.
27:32I'm going to send you off to have a potter... OK.
27:35..and explore and I'm going to go open up.
27:37OK. Well, I think we know where we're going to explore.
27:40Oh, the pub. The pub?
27:42Right, I'll see you in a bit. See you in a bit. OK, see you.
27:49Just off the village green, we've got our mystery house
27:52in this spectacular location
27:54and not only is it the oldest property we've shown them,
27:57it's also the newest.
27:59Our mystery house is a Grade II listed detached stone cottage,
28:04but that's just the start of the story.
28:08Listed as this property may be,
28:10the current owners have been very clever in modernising it,
28:13so the bit I'm stood in now was built in 2011,
28:16but as I go through the property,
28:18it dates back as far as the 1700s,
28:21which I'm hoping will appeal to Jack and Anna.
28:27Hello. Hello. Hello.
28:29Welcome to your mystery house.
28:31Goodness me. All of it. All of it.
28:34It's a lot of house. Wow.
28:36Beautiful stonework. So pretty.
28:38And it's properly old.
28:39You say it's old, it dates back to the 1700s
28:42and one of the reasons that it's our mystery house
28:45is that it's Grade II listed. OK.
28:47But the current owners have made plenty of changes to it
28:51without any issues whatsoever.
28:53That's perfect. Yeah.
28:55Right, you desperate to get in? We are. Yes, please.
28:58Shall we?
29:02The ground floor of the original cottage
29:04contains the kitchen, living room and sitting room.
29:08Adjoining it, an extension built in 2011,
29:11has a dining room, cloakroom and utility,
29:14as well as a double garage.
29:16I've got to show you this kitchen.
29:19Love it!
29:21Absolutely wonderful kitchen.
29:25You've got your butler's sink.
29:27Butler's sink, hardwood worktops, range.
29:30Windows everywhere.
29:32This is among the most beautiful kitchens I've ever been in.
29:35Yeah, very nice.
29:36Well, I'm delighted by how much you love the kitchen.
29:39Shall we head through to the living room? Yes, please.
29:42Well, full marks for the mystery house so far.
29:46Travelling back in time to the living room
29:48is as simple as taking a short walk down the hallway
29:51from the kitchen.
29:53Ooh!
29:55Oh, my goodness!
29:57Oh, wow.
29:59That's a proper fireplace.
30:01That is incredible.
30:03But you said yesterday you wanted a fireplace.
30:05You did. That's a fireplace.
30:07That's a fireplace.
30:09The living room is L-shaped, giving two distinct areas.
30:13You've got a nice TV corner tucked away here.
30:15At some point, this has been opened up.
30:17I think the effect is fabulous.
30:19I like how we've gone from lovely yesterday to fabulous today.
30:22Fabulous, that's an upgrade. We have upgraded, haven't we?
30:25There are two storeys for you to look at. OK. Nice.
30:28I'm going to meet you back in the newer part
30:31because I've got another little surprise to show you.
30:33Thank you. Thank you very much. See you then.
30:39Upstairs, the second floor has a secluded principal bedroom
30:43with an en suite.
30:45Ooh, can I fit in this without bending?
30:48If it weren't for the sunglasses, yes.
30:50You can, your sunglasses are on.
30:52How cosy. Beautiful.
30:54I love the floors and the beams.
30:56There's probably a bathroom through here.
31:01A little bathroom and walk-in shower.
31:04Lovely.
31:07There are three more bedrooms on the floor below,
31:10alongside a family bathroom.
31:13I love the layout.
31:16This floor is gorgeous.
31:18A very airy-feeling room. Mm-hm.
31:20And tons of storage.
31:22Which we need for all our clothes.
31:24Another good-sized room.
31:26Big double bed. Yeah, massive window.
31:28Look at that garden.
31:33So, what did you think?
31:35Glorious. It's a beautiful house. Wonderful house.
31:38We've gone from fabulous to glorious.
31:40We've upgraded again. Another upgrade.
31:42Oh, there's more. Oh, wow.
31:44Shall I show you? Bless you.
31:49Jumping through time again,
31:51we're now in the modern extension.
31:54Here, the dining room has a high vaulted ceiling
31:57with exposed oak beams
31:59and patio doors that open to the garden.
32:03The rear hallway has a cloakroom
32:05and utility,
32:07where you can enter the spacious double garage.
32:10Stairs from the rear hall lead to a study
32:13and another guest room.
32:17There is more.
32:19So, you've got a space here for one study.
32:21Mm-hm. Yeah.
32:23And space here for another.
32:25Very smart to have put this on top of the garage.
32:27Really nice use of space.
32:29Yeah, that's great.
32:31We like a clever use of space, don't we?
32:33And this would make a great...
32:35Well, a combination would make a great study.
32:37And we haven't even seen the garden yet.
32:39Yeah, it looks beautiful from the view.
32:41I had a little glimpse.
32:43Always sneaking a peek, Jack.
32:46The rear gardens have a large paved patio area
32:49on two levels.
32:51A gravel pathway meanders round the lawn
32:53and there are well-stocked beds and borders.
32:56A vegetable garden lies at the far end.
33:00Beautiful roses.
33:02Can you imagine having dinner out here on a summer's evening?
33:05I absolutely can.
33:08So, you might think that this is it,
33:10but it goes all the way back there.
33:12Yeah.
33:14It's a lot of space to make good use of.
33:16You've seen everything. There's a whole lot of house.
33:19A lot of house.
33:21A good-sized garden. Mm-hm.
33:23Any ideas how much you think it might be?
33:26I'm going to guess £800,000.
33:29OK.
33:31I'm going to go slightly under Anna.
33:33I'm going to say £780,000.
33:35It's on the market for £750,000.
33:38Ah!
33:40That's a very attractive price.
33:42A very attractive house.
33:44This Grade II listed stone cottage
33:47with a sympathetic modern extension
33:49has five bedrooms, two bathrooms and three reception rooms.
33:54There's also a study, a large garage,
33:57plus spacious gardens
33:59and it's priced at £750,000.
34:03It's a beautiful house with a wonderful living room,
34:07a really, really good kitchen,
34:09a garden we could do an awful lot with
34:11and all the bedrooms and working space
34:13that we could ask for as well.
34:15What this house has proven
34:17is that it's possible to modernise
34:20in a really sympathetic way.
34:22The Mystery House definitely has delivered something different
34:25and the age of the house,
34:27that means you've got that incredible fireplace,
34:30the beautiful beams and the hardwood floors.
34:33I just love that.
34:37Are you OK? Yes, that was wonderful.
34:39Very well. Excellent. Lots to discuss.
34:41Great Mystery House. Lots to discuss.
34:49Buckinghamshire isn't just blessed with wonderful countryside.
34:53It's also rich in history,
34:55boasting a number of fascinating and striking buildings
34:58preserved by the National Trust.
35:00Not only are these terrific to visit,
35:03but they also offer plenty of opportunities for volunteering,
35:07which is an ideal way for people to get immersed in a new community.
35:11At Hewenden Manor in the town of High Wycombe,
35:14Collections and House Officer George Smith
35:17started his career as a volunteer with Historic Royal Palaces.
35:21Now, we're thinking of using this as one of our Mystery Houses.
35:24Is it for sale or...?
35:26Not quite for sale, but you are able to visit if you so like.
35:29You're the expert, you know the history,
35:31tell me a bit about this place.
35:33So this is Hewenden Manor
35:35formerly owned by a man called Benjamin Disraeli,
35:37and he was Prime Minister twice in the 19th century.
35:40And so he lived in this part of the manor, which is the Victorian part.
35:44It also has another story, because during World War II,
35:47it was requisitioned by the government
35:49and was part of a secret mission called Operation Hillside.
35:52What was the secret?
35:54A series of cartoonists and artists came here during the Second World War
35:58and they drew maps for a bomber command
36:01and they were sent in aircraft for bombing raids.
36:05Wow, gosh, it's got a real rich and interesting history.
36:08So do you have lots of volunteers working here?
36:11We do, I think we have about 276 in total on site,
36:15but in the house we have around 100
36:17and they help bring that history to life for our visitors.
36:21Is it a good way to meet people, do you think?
36:23Yeah, lots of our groups, they meet up outside of their volunteering hours as well
36:28and everyone tends to get on really well.
36:30Nice, you've got a good little network, social network.
36:32Yeah, absolutely.
36:33George, I'd love to have a look inside, can we go in?
36:36Yeah, let's do it.
36:37Fantastic.
36:39Today's Hewenden Manor was rebuilt in 1862 for Benjamin Disraeli,
36:44but there are records of the estate existing before the Doomsday Book.
36:51Wow, goodness me.
36:54This is impressive.
36:56It's this way to the library.
36:57Oh, fantastic.
37:01My goodness me, that is a lot of books.
37:05It is indeed, we've got over 3,000 books in the library.
37:083,000?
37:10Benjamin Disraeli was a novelist himself
37:12and he had quite a large collection of books from his father,
37:15so this is only about a third of his original collection,
37:18which was numbered over 15,000.
37:20Is that Disraeli up there?
37:22Yep, so that is Benjamin Disraeli as a young man,
37:25but he was actually about 50 when it was painted,
37:28so it's idealised, let's say.
37:30Is it like the filter of the day?
37:32Exactly, yeah.
37:33I love it, I love it.
37:35What is the oldest book you've got?
37:37So the oldest book dates from 1477
37:40and it's a series of papal letters from the period
37:44that were written by a scribe.
37:46Are we allowed to have a look at the book?
37:48Absolutely.
37:49That looks important.
37:51Well, so this is a Victorian binding, which is slightly newer,
37:54so it's rebound.
37:55If we open it up, you can see this lovely marbling,
37:58but if we go a little bit further,
38:00you can see this lovely medieval manuscript.
38:05Wow.
38:06This is written in Latin, is it?
38:08Yes, it's written in Latin, over 600 years old.
38:11Now, I noticed your poster over there that talks about marginalia,
38:14which I've never heard that word before and I love it,
38:17which is the annotations and the notes in books.
38:20Is there any marginalia in there?
38:22There's no marginalia in this one,
38:24but there is marginalia in a lot of the other books,
38:26so Benjamin Disraeli as a child liked to doodle, as we all do,
38:29so we have his handwritten notes in the margins
38:32and by studying that we can find out a little bit more
38:35about who Benjamin Disraeli really was.
38:37Are any of the book team in today?
38:39They are, so we have one of our volunteers, Ellen,
38:42so she's just this way.
38:47Hello, you must be Ellen.
38:48Hello.
38:49Wow, so what is this room?
38:51So this is the collection store at Hughenden
38:53and it contains some of the items not on display.
38:56This is where some of our conservation happens too.
38:58You're a conservation volunteer?
39:00Yes, I am. I'm a collections conservation volunteer.
39:02What, for you, is the most fascinating thing in here?
39:05This is Sybil, one of Benjamin Disraeli's most famous novels.
39:09It's the handwritten manuscript for it.
39:11Wow, that's incredible.
39:13Yeah, we're very lucky to have it.
39:15Gosh. So how come this isn't on show then?
39:18It's very light sensitive, so the ink will fade over time
39:21if we have it out too much, so we can only have it on display
39:23for a very short period of time.
39:25And what got you into volunteering, Ellen?
39:27So I really just wanted to get involved in the heritage sector
39:31and learn more, and also learn more about my local community as well
39:35and get involved, make new friends of all ages,
39:38and, yeah, it's just been wonderful.
39:43The volunteers' enthusiasm is so infectious,
39:46I've decided to try and earn my wings as a tour guide.
39:50I've just got to try and remember all those fascinating details.
39:54Hello, everyone, and welcome on this very lovely sunny day
39:58to Hughenden Manor, which was, in fact,
40:01the home of Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli,
40:04and more recently, during the Second World War,
40:07was location of Operation Hillside, which was a secret map-making mission.
40:12I've been inside and had the joy of looking round the library,
40:15which I would highly recommend, so what I'm going to do now
40:18is I'm going to send you off inside and explore
40:21and talk to some of the volunteers and staff here
40:24who actually know what they're talking about.
40:26So thank you so much, and please do head on in.
40:29How did I do, George?
40:30You did great. Welcome to the team.
40:31Excellent, excellent.
40:32We'll make a tour guide of you yet.
40:34Come on.
40:44I think it's been a very sunny and successful week here in Buckinghamshire,
40:48but I'm going to go talk to Anna and Jack and see what they think.
40:55Hello, you two.
40:56Hello.
40:57How are you doing? Oh, that's very kind. Thank you.
40:59And how are you feeling about the county of Buckinghamshire?
41:02Have you enjoyed your experience this week of exploring and pottering?
41:05We have enjoyed being here. We've met some fabulous people.
41:08Let's talk houses. Are there any that you are particularly drawn to?
41:12We feel especially drawn to two of the houses, actually.
41:16We're going back to the second house
41:18because we've got to go back to Wyngrave to pick up our paintings anyway.
41:22And do you think you'll go and see the third house again?
41:25We will go and see the mystery house again.
41:27It's a beautiful house.
41:29It's a beautiful house.
41:30We do need to give some consideration to its location.
41:34Wherever we move, we'll be further from London
41:37so that closeness to friends will be slightly less,
41:43so being part of a community where we still have those friendships
41:49and belonging and community feeling will be more important.
41:53Really genuinely delighted for you both
41:56and really hope you find that sense of belonging in whichever home you end up in.
42:02Cheers.
42:11I think this week has been the perfect example
42:14of why it's so important to go and see properties in person.
42:18You can look at as many photos as you like,
42:21but if you want to get a real sense of a home
42:24and the community in which it sits,
42:26nothing beats seeing it with your own eyes
42:28and feeling that warm welcome for yourself.
42:31I want to wish Anna and Jack all the best
42:34with their trips back to house two and our mystery house
42:37and I hope to see you next time on Escape to the Country.
42:42Jack and Anna did return to both the houses that caught their eye.
42:46They decided that while they loved the mystery house,
42:49its location was too far away
42:51and so have since found a new home in Hertfordshire
42:54closer to friends and family.
42:58If you would like to escape to the country in England,
43:01Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales and need our help,
43:05why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:21.