Escape to the Country - Season 25 Episode 48 -
The Lake Distric
The Lake Distric
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00:00When dreaming of a rural escape, many imagine something straight out of a storybook.
00:06It's so pretty, isn't it? If you said, draw me a cottage, that's what I would draw, probably.
00:11A home fit for royalty.
00:13Definitely not a shack in the woods, my goodness, it's more like Buckingham Ballets.
00:17Where adventures await just beyond the doorstep.
00:21Turn your jeans up. Jean?
00:23Oh my!
00:25Come on, me duck.
00:25Oh, wow.
00:26And even if reality doesn't quite match the fairy tale, that doesn't mean there can't be magical moments.
00:34I'm just going to stay here for the rest of the day.
00:36Oh.
00:36Oh, yes.
00:37Sold.
00:37Today, we're in England's largest national park.
01:04A UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts over 18 million visitors each year.
01:12Join us as we explore this Cumbrian beauty.
01:16The Lake District is one of those places that once you've visited, never quite leaves you.
01:24It's majestic and at times so stunning, you feel like you've entered another world.
01:30That magic means you can come here and make the very best memories and fall in love with the great British countryside.
01:38The mountainous region of the Lake District is part of the county of Cumbria in the northwest of England.
01:44Some of its most beautiful scenery can be found in the Langdale Valley, where picturesque villages are set against the striking backdrop of the Langdale Pikes.
01:57On the shores of England's largest natural lake, Windermere, the town of Bonas serves as a popular getaway for exploring the Lake District by water.
02:07For those looking to tread lightly on the environment, electric boats offer a greener way to enjoy the lake's beauty.
02:15I love living in the Lake District because I love the mountains.
02:19I love being outdoors and I enjoy my running and it's a great way to combine all those things.
02:23And if I can make a living from working here and living here, then all the better.
02:27I think the Lake District's totally unique in that it's just so beautiful.
02:32It's got the mountains, it's got the greenery.
02:35You know, I've travelled the world, but it's always nice to come back to the lakes.
02:40So whether you're climbing high or staying by the water, every moment feels like a peak experience in the Lake District.
02:49For many, the Lake District is a regular holiday destination.
02:54Today's buyer, well, she never wants to leave.
02:57So I've had a love affair with the Lake District ever since I was quite a small child on a school trip.
03:06We came up to the lakes and it was just instant chemistry.
03:10I can't describe it, but I was just smitten with the place.
03:13Retired private housekeeper Christina recently moved from the southwest of England to rented accommodation in the north Yorkshire village of Clapham.
03:22I'm now looking for something like a traditional Lakeland cottage, somewhere I can have family and friends come to visit and I can entertain.
03:30Outdoor space is really important too because I'm planning to have a menagerie of animals and that would just be a dream come true.
03:38The Lake District has also been her retreat in times of difficulty.
03:45After the loss of both her father and best friend two years ago, she booked a stay at Jean's holiday rental and the relationship with her host immediately blossomed into a friendship.
03:55This is Jean, my lovely friend from Staveley, and she has been my rock throughout this journey.
04:03She now wants to permanently settle in the area and Jean has agreed to help her on the search.
04:10Christina is a keen baker and the two friends are always seeking out the best treats around the Lake District.
04:16But their adventures go way beyond satisfying a sweet tooth.
04:20Come on, Jean, put your back into it. That's it. Get that paddle going.
04:25There's one activity Christina can't get on board with, though.
04:29Jean has promised me a hot chocolate if I go while swimming, so this is my first time. I've come prepared.
04:36For her maximum budget of £480,000, Christina would like a stone character cottage with one to two bedrooms and space to store the canoe.
05:00Crucially, the garden must be large to accommodate the many pets she'd like to get, and it should be no more than a 30-minute drive from the Lake District National Park.
05:10This is such a major move, many years in the making.
05:19But the fact that Christina has been dreaming of this for so long, trying to make it happen, not feeling it's the right time, and it's finally the right time.
05:28The lifestyle, I think, she already knows. She's already started searching, but I wonder if she knows what the house should look like.
05:38I'm excited for this.
05:41I hope Christina and Jean are too. Let's meet them so we can kick-start our property tour of the Lake District.
05:51Christina and Jean, I love the fact that your relationship started here, your friendship.
05:55Absolutely. Not that long ago either, was it, Jean?
05:58No, it's only 18 months.
05:5918 months, but it feels like 18 years.
06:02Jean, do you think that Christina will suit the Lake District? How well will she settle in, do you think?
06:08Oh, very much so. She'll make friends easily.
06:12Just from the very start, she says, this is where I feel at home.
06:17What are the absolute must-haves for you?
06:19Well, old, something with character. I'm not looking for a massive space, because to me, most important is the space outside.
06:30Especially if there's a couple of acres out there. I'd be feeling it.
06:34You've brought Jean in for support. What do you want her to be for you over the next couple of days?
06:41I think to be grounded, because I'm a bit like a balloon. I can get very enthusiastic, can get carried away with me roasting to spectacles.
06:49So she's the practical, sensible, voice of reason.
06:52Shall we take our rose-tinted umbrellas off to find some houses?
06:56I think that's a good start.
06:58Let's go.
06:59Let's go.
06:59Our tour of the lake district begins on the northern shores of Ullswater, in the village of Pooley Bridge.
07:12With easy access to the lake via the river Eamont, which runs through the village, Pooley Bridge is a hugely popular destination.
07:20From the pier, visitors can take a ride on one of the Ullswater steamers, which have been operating cruises on the lake for more than 160 years.
07:30There's a great choice of shops and cafes, plus several pubs in the village.
07:35And located on a quiet side street, within easy reach of it all, is the house we've come to see.
07:41So here we are. It's this end of terrace.
07:43That's fantastic, actually.
07:44Yeah, yeah, it's very appealing.
07:46Yeah, I know, it's looking good.
07:48And you're just off the main road, so you don't get the hustle and bustle.
07:52It's, yeah, nice, nice, quiet location.
07:54Yeah, yeah, yeah.
07:55Looking forward to going inside and having a look.
07:58Let's head in then.
07:59Yeah, fantastic.
08:00Built in 1830, this stone cottage is currently in use as a holiday let.
08:07It was fully renovated about ten years ago, so the interior is neat and compact.
08:13Simple, but with plenty of potential.
08:16So here we are.
08:17You come straight into the kitchen.
08:19Wow.
08:20And the living room is all open plan.
08:23Brilliant.
08:24That's, yeah.
08:25Ah, well, it's certainly cosy and you've got the aspect out there to the garden.
08:31Yeah, in the summer you'd throw open those doors and you've tripled your living room size.
08:35Yes, yes, yeah, no, that's lovely.
08:37Do you think this is my cup of tea, too?
08:40Yeah.
08:41Cosy.
08:42Yeah, just for myself, I think this is absolutely perfect, really.
08:47The kitchen itself, units, and I could do baking here, no problem.
08:51Yeah, that could work, definitely work.
08:53A strong start for house number one.
08:57Upstairs, the bathroom is smart and modern, and there are two double bedrooms.
09:01But there's also a handy loft room, accessed from the first floor landing,
09:06which is being used as a third bedroom.
09:11So this is the main bedroom.
09:14Whether you would use this or not is down to you.
09:18It's certainly the biggest.
09:19Yes.
09:20But this is at the front?
09:21Yes.
09:22And if you wanted more of the view, you might choose the second bedroom next to the bathroom.
09:26Right, oh, the second, OK.
09:27But this is not a bad size.
09:29I mean, it's, yeah.
09:31Yeah, it's compact.
09:32I think it's in keeping with the house, really.
09:33It's similar to what's downstairs.
09:35I mean, how long do you stay in the bedroom for?
09:37It depends how you live.
09:38Yeah, exactly.
09:39It'll all live differently.
09:40But this would be perfectly adequate.
09:42I wouldn't want a big bedroom.
09:43Big, big bedroom.
09:45I'm leaving Christina and Jean to explore the rest of the upstairs on their own.
09:49But there's one thing they'll need to keep in mind.
09:53Where to store the wetsuits.
09:54Because with this house, they're going to need them.
09:57More on that later.
10:00Gosh.
10:01Yeah.
10:02This is a rather useful space, Jean.
10:04It's nice and light up here, isn't it?
10:06Yeah, absolutely.
10:07It's nice to have that extra added space, isn't it?
10:09Yeah.
10:10Yeah.
10:10I'm getting a bed in here.
10:12I'd happily sleep in there.
10:14Yeah.
10:14That's your bed then?
10:15Lovely.
10:15When you come to stay, yeah?
10:17Yeah, very nice.
10:18Outside in the 100-foot garden, there's a paved terrace with seating and an extensive lawn
10:24surrounded by mature shrubs.
10:27The space out here also benefits from a summer house and several outbuildings for storing the
10:32canoe, which is likely to be put to good use here because there's something watery hidden
10:38at the end of the garden.
10:40Right.
10:41Turn your jeans up.
10:43Jean.
10:44Oh, my.
10:45Come on, me duck.
10:46You weren't joking.
10:48Wow.
10:49Oh.
10:49I mean.
10:51Your very own access to the water.
10:53I mean, we actually came up here the other day and looking at these houses up here and
10:58thinking, wouldn't it be a dream to have one here and you could just have your own personal
11:01mooring and put the canoe out and off you go.
11:03And the pub's just up there, so that's even better.
11:05Yeah.
11:06Uh-huh.
11:06What more could you want from your new life in the country?
11:11Now we just need to find out what all of this might cost.
11:16What I like about this property is that you have that 100-foot garden before you get to
11:21the water.
11:22Yeah, that's really useful, actually.
11:24You could certainly get some chickens on here, maybe a few ducks, not so about sheep.
11:29What do you think the price of the property is?
11:31Well, I'm thinking £350,000.
11:35OK, £350,000.
11:38Jean, what do you think?
11:39I think it'll be a bit higher.
11:41Do you?
11:42Yeah, the location, river access.
11:45It could even be up to £380,000.
11:48Ladies, it's on the market for £375,000.
11:52£375,000.
11:53Ah.
11:53OK, so I think that's reasonable, yeah.
11:57It hasn't put me off completely.
12:00OK.
12:00No.
12:01Significantly under Christina's £480,000 budget, this compact end of terrace has an open-plan
12:09living room, two bedrooms and a useful loft room.
12:12The outside space is vast with wonderful countryside views and direct access to Ullswater via the
12:20river at the bottom of the garden.
12:23I like this house because it's got certain aspects like the cosiness to it.
12:28The kitchen's large enough to do my baking in.
12:31It's got plenty of space upstairs with the bedrooms.
12:35Yeah, I think it would work for you for what you need.
12:38The outside space is just amazing.
12:40Yeah, it is, actually.
12:41That's a bonus.
12:42When I come and stay, I can go for my morning dip.
12:45You can.
12:46You can do all the wild swimming you want, Jane.
12:48Yes.
12:57Nestled at the northern end of Windermere, the charming town of Ambleside is where Christina
13:02first set foot in the Lake District during a childhood school trip, sparking a lifelong love
13:08for the area.
13:10So we're sending her back.
13:12With Jean by her side to rediscover this historic market town and see what new sights and experiences
13:19it can offer her today.
13:20It can offer her today.
13:21Ambleside is a massive hub because it's a central point that people can get up into the mountains.
13:27Because it's kind of northern hub and Ambleside's definitely the southern lakes hub.
13:32And there's lots of lovely independent shops and businesses around here that just means you get a different flavour of things.
13:41It's attractive streets aligned with grey slate buildings, many of which date back to the Victorian period.
13:48And the quirky 17th century bridge house is thought by some to be the most photographed building in the Lake District.
14:05For culture lovers, the Armit Museum and Gallery showcases the works of famed local artists like Beatrix Potter.
14:13But what is Ambleside like to live in?
14:16It's a really nice community and because of the tourist industry, we're welcoming people from all around the world all the time.
14:24You always get to meet new people.
14:25It was a holiday destination so many times and it became our dream that we would live in the mountains and lakes.
14:36And we did it.
14:37We upsticked from Sheffield and came here.
14:40Best thing we ever did.
14:42Christina and Jean are hoping to spend more time outdoors together when Christina moves here.
14:47So they're meeting up with Vietnamese-born Tao, who runs a community group that aims to connect women with nature.
14:55So how would you sum up the Wonderful Wild Women?
15:00So the Wonderful Wild Women is we desire for the group of us women to encourage each other to get on together,
15:08to build a friendship and to enjoy the outdoors in all different type activities, in all different levels.
15:15So what activities do you run?
15:17We have the running group that, you know, if you want to lose social run,
15:21there's a hiking group that you want to go a bit higher to try your ability.
15:25It's all free of charge.
15:27We will welcome you into the group and you can just have a chat.
15:30And if you feel that you want to have a swim, welcome to as well.
15:33Bring your cosy as well.
15:34Absolutely.
15:34Always bring your cosy.
15:36Just in case.
15:36Just in case.
15:37So what's the benefits of joining your community?
15:39Well, a lot of benefit there, make your new friends, especially when you first move to the area.
15:45We give you the confidence to go out and to enjoy the area more and give you the excitement of,
15:51oh, I've got a new place and I can see new people and everybody encourage each other.
15:56So you're not restricted by age, it's just as long as you're fairly fit and healthy.
16:00And everybody's welcome.
16:02Any fitness is welcome.
16:03We welcome every single person to come and enjoy our group.
16:06Perfect.
16:07That's fantastic.
16:08It's so important to make connections when moving to a new place,
16:13whether that's out fell walking and swimming in lakes or something a little less physically demanding.
16:19Now, let's get back to our house hunt.
16:26For property number two, we're remaining in Pooley Bridge, taking a quick five-minute walk down the high street.
16:33Well, here we are, our next property.
16:36It's a beautiful house.
16:37I mean, it's very attractive.
16:39And, of course, when it was built, it wouldn't have had this road there.
16:42So, you know, it's, yeah, it's all concerned.
16:44I like the look of the house.
16:46It's very different.
16:47It's a lot of windows.
16:48A lot of windows in a small area.
16:51It has some character inside.
16:53I think it has.
16:54I think let's head in.
16:55Yes.
16:56Fantastic.
16:58Built from traditional Lakeland stone and dating back to the 17th century,
17:03this was once the store for the local blacksmith.
17:06It was converted into a cottage in the 1960s
17:09and has been used as a holiday let for several years now.
17:13Come in.
17:14There's definitely more features in here.
17:21Absolutely.
17:22Character features.
17:23Mm.
17:24Beams.
17:25And I do like that as a feature.
17:27Absolutely.
17:27And it's a good-sized room.
17:29Nice open aspect both sides.
17:32Compared to the first house, this has that open feeling as you come in.
17:37Yeah.
17:37It's so noticeable.
17:38You just feel like you could just sprawl out a bit more.
17:41Mm.
17:42I like the walls, how they're just natural.
17:45They're not skimmed.
17:46Skimmed.
17:46Yeah.
17:47Yeah, it's lovely.
17:48Gives it character.
17:49Yeah.
17:50The view out the back there looks a lot better.
17:51Yeah, that's a nice open aspect there from what I can see.
17:54The glimpse.
17:55Quite an orchard going on out there.
17:57A fairly new orchard.
17:58Oh, new orchard.
17:59You'll be spoiled for apples.
18:01Oh.
18:01Oh.
18:02All right for your baking.
18:03Yeah, absolutely.
18:04For your baking over here in the kitchen.
18:06Ah.
18:07Have a look.
18:08It's not a massive space.
18:09And it's making use of what is here already.
18:13I mean, it could work.
18:14It'll fulfil all the basics that I need.
18:16It's a lovely space there.
18:18I don't know.
18:19There's just something that isn't quite sort of gelling for me.
18:21It's not doing it quite.
18:24Maybe it's just feeling a little bit hemmed in a bit.
18:26I don't know.
18:26This kitchen.
18:27Yeah, it's feeling a bit hemmed in here.
18:29But there's a bit more to see yet.
18:32Hmm.
18:32Seems like the jury might still be out on this property.
18:35But I hope Christina and Jean will be pleasantly surprised by the upstairs,
18:41where the two original bedrooms have been converted into a super spacious principal suite.
18:47Oh.
18:48Nice big room.
18:49This is a lovely room, isn't it?
18:50Yeah.
18:51I mean, wow.
18:52Ah, that's great.
18:52I mean, OK, the road's out there, but look at that's out there.
18:56I mean, it's just like far-reaching views up there.
18:58And I like the way they've painted the beams as well.
19:01So you don't feel like you're hemmed in.
19:02Yeah.
19:02It's feeling quite light and airy.
19:04Yeah, this is good space, and you've got the cupboards there built in.
19:07Yeah.
19:07Just have a look in there.
19:09Nice.
19:09Oh, en suite.
19:10That's a good-sized shower, yeah, absolutely.
19:12That is lovely.
19:13It's very tasteful, isn't it?
19:14It is.
19:15I could spend a little bit of time in here.
19:17Yeah.
19:17A bit more than normal.
19:18The size of the shower head.
19:19I know, it's brilliant.
19:21I wouldn't change any of that.
19:22No.
19:22In fact, I wouldn't change any of this.
19:23No.
19:24Nothing needs going.
19:25No, it doesn't need anything.
19:26The outside space was once restricted to just this side cottage garden, before the current
19:32owners purchased additional land at the rear, creating an area for parking and a much larger
19:38sheltered lawn.
19:40So Christina would never be without apples for her baking.
19:43But does she fancy a slice of the property number two pie?
19:47What did you make of the upstairs?
19:48That would be enough for you, would it?
19:50Yeah.
19:51It was a huge room.
19:52I really liked it upstairs, actually.
19:54That was definitely doing something for me.
19:57More you, I thought, perhaps, than the previous house.
20:00Yes.
20:01Yes, definitely.
20:02And what about all of this here?
20:03You've got all this orchard space, a nice garden.
20:05Yeah, the garden's a good size.
20:07I love the orchard with the trees and things, and that's definitely an added bonus, because
20:11it's quite a small space at the side there.
20:14Should we talk about the price?
20:15How much do you think it's on the market for?
20:17I'm going to say £370,000.
20:23Yeah, I'm going a bit less, because it hasn't got the river access.
20:29I'd say £350,000.
20:32OK.
20:33She's two for two.
20:34It is on the market for £350,000.
20:38Oh, no!
20:39Rams, are you there?
20:41It's a lucky guess.
20:42Yeah, you're really useful to have around you.
20:44Oh, look how she's being all modest now.
20:46Just a lucky guess.
20:50Another property well within budget, this 17th-century cottage is full of original period features,
20:57with a large living area downstairs and a super-sized principal suite upstairs.
21:03The outdoor space is also generous, and there's parking, which is invaluable in such a popular
21:08village location.
21:09I like the fact it's got a bit of age to it.
21:13It's certainly got character, a bit of history, background to it.
21:17The compromise I'd make on this house is the busy road.
21:19I'd have to sort of get my head round that, and I think that really is the deal-breaker.
21:26Yeah, I think that Christina would be on edge.
21:29It's such a shame, because the location is perfect.
21:31Perfect.
21:32Yes.
21:33Yeah, it's got everything, this village.
21:35Yeah.
21:35Yeah.
21:35With two properties under our belt, we're pausing for a well-earned drink to share our thoughts
21:50so far, what worked, what didn't, and what tomorrow might bring.
21:54Well, what do you think we've learnt today?
21:58I always had this idea in my head that I wanted to live away from people in the rural, isolated,
22:06but actually, I think in reality, I actually do want to be near a community, a village community,
22:12and it's a balance, isn't it, really?
22:14Yeah.
22:14It's finding that balance.
22:16I mean, I think there'll still be nagging at the back of my mind, the cabin in the woods,
22:22you know, some cabin in the woods or an open space, with my sheep around me, you know.
22:26What is it about that lifestyle that appeals to you, that getting away from it?
22:32Yeah, I think it's getting back to nature and live more simplistically, just sort of start again
22:37and just, you know, because that's great for your mental health as well.
22:41And finding like-minded people, like Jean.
22:43Oh, she's been my rock.
22:45I mean, I'm so lucky that our pals crossed.
22:47Don't let me cry.
22:48I'm lucky.
22:50He said you wouldn't.
22:53Sorry.
22:55Oh.
22:59Sorry.
23:00But that's been-
23:00He said you wouldn't.
23:01Yeah, I know.
23:02I think it's nice to see how important this friendship is, but also what this move means to you.
23:11Yeah, it's huge.
23:12It's huge.
23:13It's your lifelong dream.
23:15Yeah.
23:15It's happening.
23:17It's happening.
23:18There's more to explore tomorrow.
23:19Oh, that'd be great.
23:20Yeah.
23:20Yeah, absolutely.
23:21Yeah.
23:22Yeah, absolutely.
23:22Yesterday was about Christina experiencing the communities that she could be part of.
23:42We know she's still toying with her, but we know she's still toying with the idea of how in amongst it she wants to be.
23:47Today is Mystery House Day, where we take her and Jean out of the Lake District region just to explore a little further.
23:56But before that, a house that I think will really test Christina's rural ambitions.
24:03We're starting the second day of our search on the southern edge of the Lake District, travelling to the village of Cartmel.
24:13Home to a 12th century priory and attracting over 200,000 visitors annually, this pretty village packs quite a punch.
24:23Alongside two Michelin-starred restaurants, there are more delicious eateries dotted around the medieval village square.
24:32It's also famous for a certain dessert that I have no doubt Keenbaker Christina would be willing to sample.
24:39A 30-minute walk from the village and surrounded by woodland is the next property in question.
24:46Oh, dear.
24:47Oh, dear.
24:48Oh, dear.
24:48Oh, my goodness.
24:50Oh, dear.
24:52Oh, dear.
24:53I'm hearing a lot of oh, dears.
24:54Oh, my God.
24:57I think I'll just stop here and spend the rest of the day here.
25:00No, no, no, no, no.
25:02We've got a house to look at.
25:03Oh, my goodness.
25:07Have a good look at the house.
25:09What do you think?
25:11Yeah, I mean, it's so pretty, isn't it?
25:13If you said, draw me a cottage, that was what I would draw, probably.
25:16It's very nice.
25:17Yes, it's just absolutely beautiful.
25:18It is, isn't it?
25:19It's just beautiful.
25:19It's private.
25:20Yes, private.
25:20It's secluded.
25:22Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely.
25:23And you're not out on your own either, because I'll see there's some neighbours there as well, but, um, yeah.
25:28But it's that feeling of...
25:30It's that feeling.
25:30Yeah.
25:31Being hugged by your house.
25:33Yeah, yeah, definitely, yeah.
25:35Let's go in.
25:36Sitting under an ancient beech tree, this attractive semi-detached cottage dates back to 1780.
25:45It's undergone some recent renovation work, but not at the expense of its original Lakeland features.
25:52So this would have been the original front door coming straight into the living room.
25:58Yeah, I love the front door.
26:00It's good space.
26:01Yeah.
26:02It just feels roomy, doesn't it?
26:03It's exactly, it's the largest of the living rooms that we've seen so far.
26:08Yeah.
26:09Yeah, it is.
26:11Sorry, my eyes are wandering.
26:13Yeah, my eyes are wandering.
26:14I've been drawn.
26:15I was wandering through there.
26:16Yeah, no, no.
26:17You're done with the living room already, ladies.
26:19I saw, yeah.
26:20You're happy?
26:21You're happy.
26:22There it is.
26:22Yeah, yeah.
26:23All right, on to the kitchen.
26:24I'm smiling.
26:28This is a good space for a kitchen.
26:31I could see myself in here.
26:34About that oven, that range.
26:36Mmm, beautiful range.
26:37Beautiful range.
26:38And the open aspects to the front, to the side.
26:42Look at the size of those sills there.
26:44It's like baker's sills.
26:46Everything in lovely pots and jars.
26:48Yeah, they are so deep, and you could get a lot of tins on there, too.
26:52So, what do you think of the house so far?
26:56Yes, definite.
26:58I'm smiling.
26:59This is a smile.
27:00Okay.
27:01I am smiling, yes.
27:02Good.
27:03Do head upstairs, just the two of you, I think,
27:06because that's the sort of final bit of the house, really,
27:09that, you know, needs to work.
27:10Yes.
27:11And then I'll be waiting just outside.
27:14Okay, then.
27:15Okay.
27:15Lead the way, Jane.
27:16Cross fingers and keep my fingers crossed.
27:19And there you go.
27:21If a house feels right, you see it on Christina's face.
27:26Oh.
27:28Nice.
27:29Gosh, I wasn't expecting this.
27:31No, I wasn't either.
27:33Oh, goodness.
27:34Right up into all this things.
27:35Oh, I love the beams.
27:36Yeah, no.
27:37But it's got the height still.
27:38It don't feel like it's oppressive in any way.
27:41Yeah.
27:41And you've got the lovely views again.
27:43Two windows.
27:44Two windows.
27:45Yeah.
27:45Get a double bed in here.
27:47Plenty of room there.
27:48It feels like Christina has finally exhaled.
27:54There's been so much positivity about this gorgeous woodland cottage,
27:59and that's before they've actually seen the woodland.
28:03More than an acre of it over there.
28:06En suite.
28:07En suite.
28:08Oh, yes.
28:09Like that.
28:10Big enough shower.
28:11Big enough shower.
28:12And the beam that's going.
28:13Yeah.
28:14Gives it a bit more character.
28:15The character's running through, isn't it?
28:16Yeah.
28:17Very nice.
28:17Still smiling.
28:18I'm still smiling, Jean.
28:20So the upstairs is working for Christina, which just leaves the rest of the outside space
28:26to consider.
28:27The lawned formal garden at the front includes a timber deck complete with hot tub and was
28:33enough to stop Christina in her tracks earlier.
28:36So I can only imagine her reaction when she sees this.
28:40How does your own acre of woodland sound?
28:46An acre?
28:47Oh, my...
28:48How does that sound?
28:48I don't mind being the owner of an acre.
28:52Pink's quite like it, the sort of environment.
28:55She's thinking about which animal.
28:57Yeah, well, that's it.
28:58I'm thinking, what can I put on an acre of woodland?
29:01You could have hens in here.
29:03Hens, yeah, they'd love it too.
29:04Yeah, absolutely.
29:05Yeah, yeah.
29:06So there is potential.
29:08A lot of potential.
29:09Ha-ha.
29:10Now I'm thinking price.
29:12Well, you should be.
29:14That's the question I'm going to ask you next.
29:15Oh, my gosh.
29:17Yeah.
29:17Did you call one?
29:18Yes.
29:19So the figure that seems to be screaming at me at the moment is £475,000.
29:27OK.
29:29You think we've gone towards the top of the budget?
29:31I do, yeah.
29:31This time I do, yeah.
29:33Right.
29:35I'm thinking £450,000.
29:38OK, a little bit lower.
29:40And Jean is closer.
29:42It is on the market for £425,000.
29:45No.
29:45Well, that's good, though.
29:46Right.
29:47That's a positive.
29:48So I'm really glad I've gone over because now I'm really surprised.
29:51And that's made me happy.
29:53You're basically saving money at this point.
29:55I'm saving money.
29:56That's good.
29:57I'm smiling.
29:58I'm smiling even more because it's just...
30:00Oh, my goodness.
30:00It's just me.
30:01£55,000 under budget, this Lakeland cottage offers a large living area and a spacious principal suite.
30:09It comes with over an acre of sprawling woodland, a formal front garden, and is well positioned
30:16for accessing a popular village on the edge of the Lake District.
30:20This house is just really everything and more, and the more is the land, the woodland.
30:29This is a good setting for her, it's within walking distance to the village, and to come back to this lovely cottage and doing a baking and enjoying this woodland, yeah.
30:41It made me feel welcome straight away.
30:44It was a tug at the heartstrings, which I haven't had for quite a long time.
30:50I could just almost see myself in this cottage, beautiful.
30:56I'm just going to stay here for the rest of the day.
30:58Oh, you could just drop off.
30:59Oh, yes.
31:00I have.
31:02That's great.
31:04Oh.
31:04Oh, yes.
31:05Sold.
31:06Sold to the lady.
31:07If, like Christina, you're considering a move to the Lake District, these numbers might help guide your decision.
31:21While the average price of a detached house in the UK is around £443,000, in Cumberland it's much more affordable, at a little over £278,000.
31:34Meanwhile, in nearby Westmoreland and Furness, you're looking at almost £372,000 for a similar property.
31:43To showcase the variety of options available in the region, we've chosen three standout properties that could also make perfect escapes.
31:53Enjoying an elevated position on the edge of a popular village, this detached Victorian property has been tastefully refurbished, with four bedrooms and both front and rear gardens.
32:05It's offered in turnkey condition for £325,000.
32:10This semi-detached home is just a mile from the shores of Windermere.
32:16With generous proportions across the six bedrooms and three reception rooms, not to mention extensive gardens, the property commands an asking price of £650,000.
32:28And if you're just in the market for a holiday, how about these glamping cabins near Ullswater, located on a carbon-neutral site and heated via solar panels, plus a biomass boiler.
32:42There's even a zero-waste shop on site, and prices start at £100 per night for two guests.
32:49For our final stop, we're travelling east to the Cumbrian village of Maudsmeburn.
32:59Surrounded by rolling hills and spectacular fells, this quiet and peaceful village is ideally positioned for countryside walks.
33:08In such a tranquil spot, it's no surprise perhaps that amenities here are limited, but more can be found down the road in the village of Crosby-Ravensworth.
33:18Christina and Jean are familiarising themselves with the area, whilst I make my way to today's mystery house, which can be found just off the village green.
33:30Christina has told us that the actual property isn't front and centre of this house move.
33:36She's all about the location and the setting.
33:38The thing is, she's been quite happy when she's walked into a property, and there has been a sense of space.
33:44And look at it. This mystery house is grand. It's detached, which we've not been able to show her yet.
33:50And there's a lot going on inside. Let me show you.
33:54Were you expecting to see this? I wasn't either. And that's the thing about this mystery house.
34:07You don't know its origins until you walk in.
34:11I cannot wait to see, to hear Christina and Jean's reaction to all of this.
34:20There is so much going on here. It's such a vast proposition.
34:25Am I going a step too far? That's the point of the mystery house, right?
34:30We'll find out. Let me go and see where they are.
34:32Having returned from their walk in the village, I'm excited and slightly apprehensive to reveal all to the two friends.
34:41Well, there you are. Welcome to the mystery house.
34:45Wow. That's big.
34:46That's a bit palatial. Definitely not a shack in the woods. My goodness. It's more like Buckingham Ballets.
34:51It's huge.
34:53Do you like the look of it?
34:54I mean, to me, it's not looking as old, but I don't know. I could be wrong.
34:58Did it used to be a mill?
35:01Oh, good spot.
35:03Oh, yes.
35:04The grinding wheels.
35:05That's why you brought her. She is adding value all over the place.
35:09Can't wait to see inside then.
35:10Let's head in and see them.
35:11Fantastic.
35:13This former corn mill underwent a major renovation in the 1970s to turn it into a dwelling, but its origins date back to 1690.
35:22And if a house can tell a different story from the outside to the inside, then this is certainly one of them.
35:30So you've got this lovely hallway as you come in.
35:32Wow.
35:32Head straight in there to take it all in.
35:33I love the quarry tiles.
35:35It's certainly different.
35:38God.
35:38Oh, you can see there's some remains and workings of a...
35:42Good heavens.
35:43Oh, yeah.
35:44For an old mill.
35:45Yeah, that's where the wheel is on the outside.
35:47Coming off this hallway, you have one of the three bedrooms.
35:51Three.
35:52With this property and a downstairs bathroom.
35:54Oh, that's quite useful if you wanted to sort of maybe let it out on a do a bed and breakfast.
35:59You know what?
36:00You could do, actually, because you have a separate entrance into this bit.
36:04So you could actually...
36:06I didn't think of that.
36:06You could block this off.
36:07Yeah, yeah, yeah.
36:08No, I think that would be...
36:09That could work.
36:11I'm thrilled Christina is seeing the potential of this property.
36:14On to the kitchen we go.
36:17How does this kitchen work for you?
36:20Well, yeah.
36:22Fenty cupboards.
36:24And you've got the views as well.
36:25Open aspect.
36:26Yeah.
36:27It's light.
36:27Yeah.
36:28No.
36:29It's a lot of wood.
36:31A lot of wood.
36:32Too much?
36:33For me, hmm.
36:34Yeah.
36:35We've seen wood in the other property, the previous property, but there's quite a lot here,
36:39so it's just a wee bit oppressive.
36:42But, you know, I'm still over-minded about it.
36:45Heading to the upper floor, it's a living room of two halves, with the main space separated
36:51from a reading nook by the staircase and log-burning stove, which is carefully mounted on one of
36:57the original millstones.
36:59It feels bigger up here, right?
37:01It certainly does.
37:02It sort of opens up, and so even though it's got beams here, it's just, they're higher
37:06up.
37:07And it's very light.
37:08You've got a lot of light coming in here, and you've got the open aspect out there as
37:10well, so that's, yeah.
37:12And a lovely view down into the millworkings.
37:14Yeah.
37:15The millworkings.
37:16Can you imagine living in a place like this?
37:20I mean, I hadn't, but I'm really warming towards the idea of something a little bit different
37:25to my mindset that I had about small stone, traditional cottage, you know, cosy.
37:32But this is cosy, and it's not small.
37:34I mean, this house has actually got quite a lot of potential, if I start thinking outside
37:38the box a bit.
37:38Oh, really?
37:39Yeah.
37:40That is what I like to hear on a mystery house tour.
37:43Down the corridor, there's a family bathroom, as well as the remaining two bedrooms.
37:50This is a good-sized room, isn't it?
37:52Yeah.
37:53And there's a massive window there.
37:55I mean, it's just going to let a load of lighting.
37:57Yeah.
37:57No?
37:58Yeah.
37:58Plenty of room.
37:59No, I like it.
38:01Christina's mind is whirring.
38:03She's thinking about this, she's thinking about that, and there is a lot to take in.
38:06Have I gone too far?
38:09Maybe.
38:10Was it the right thing to do?
38:12Always.
38:14Oh, well.
38:15There, there.
38:15Yeah.
38:16The visitor's room, I don't know.
38:19Yes.
38:19Extra space, yes.
38:20Jean?
38:21Yeah, yeah.
38:22This will do with me.
38:23Yeah.
38:23It's very cosy, isn't it?
38:25There's a vista from everywhere.
38:26Yeah.
38:28Outside, the property benefits from a garage, plus plenty of parking on the large driveway.
38:33And though compact, the rear garden is surrounded by countryside and overlooks the expansive village green.
38:41I was sitting there in this lovely window, kind of wondering if I'd gone a bit too far.
38:46It's more about the building here, I think.
38:48I get that feeling.
38:49As lovely as it is, and I was going, you could do this, could do that, but actually, it's not getting me like some other house that I went to see.
38:57The one that we saw earlier, with the woodland.
39:03Yeah, yeah, yeah, I mentioned her names.
39:05OK.
39:06Shall we talk about the price of the mystery house?
39:08Right.
39:09So I'm going to say £350,000.
39:14OK.
39:15Jean?
39:15Because of the character, I'll go £395,000.
39:19It's on the market for £450,000.
39:24Oh, OK.
39:25Your face.
39:28Absolutely nothing wrong.
39:29If I just wanted a house, no garden, yeah, absolutely, that would be fine.
39:34But you really do want something else?
39:36Yeah, one acre would be lovely.
39:39Well, it's not the right property for Christina, this converted mill house is truly a one-of-a-kind property.
39:47With three bedrooms, a large kitchen and a peaceful rural position, it's on the market for £450,000.
39:56So the compromise on this property would be the outdoor space.
39:59I'm realising that really is quite important to me.
40:03It's not within walking distance to a coffee shop.
40:07That's quite important to you.
40:08That's very important, yes.
40:10I was processing the ideas of potentially being able to utilise some areas of the house on a bed and breakfast basis or something.
40:17But when I start doing that, it becomes a negative for me because I'm trying to make it work.
40:22And I don't want to try.
40:23I really want to just go in there and get the feel for it.
40:26I don't think I can compromise on that.
40:33It's clear there's a favourite for Christina, our woodland cottage.
40:36But how much does she really like it?
40:39Christina, this is the point, and Jean, you'll know this well, where we ask, where is your head at?
40:55What are you thinking?
40:56Well, it's not here.
40:58Is it at the woodland cottage by any chance?
41:01I think that's a pretty good guess, yes.
41:03Yeah, definitely.
41:04With that one acre.
41:06Really?
41:06Sheep.
41:07Yeah.
41:07Cabins.
41:08Yeah.
41:08I was trying to think what there was to compromise on, but there wasn't.
41:11And everything just seemed to fit.
41:13It was like a jigsaw.
41:14It was a bit like that piece that's been missing all these years.
41:16And you've shown it to me.
41:18It is an area that I know Christina loves.
41:21Yes, I do know you, yeah.
41:22I've spent quite a lot of time exploring that area, and it's only about 30 minutes from me, isn't it?
41:27Yes, yeah.
41:28It's just far enough, yes.
41:30A safe distance.
41:31A safe distance, yes.
41:33Yes.
41:33Not too late.
41:34If you want to stay over the odd night, yeah, I'm sure I'll be on there.
41:37We'll go, right?
41:37Yeah, yeah, yeah.
41:38She has to now.
41:39You helped her find the house.
41:41Well, that's it, yes.
41:42You've been on my journey, haven't you?
41:43So what happens now?
41:44Are you going to go back and see it?
41:46I'd love to go back and see it for a second viewing, so I'll contact the estate agents,
41:51and I think, yeah, definitely.
41:53Hopefully.
41:54Hopefully.
41:55Crossing your fingers.
41:56Are you sort of ready to go if all's well with that second viewing?
41:59Yes.
42:00You're ready to make the move now?
42:01Yes, yes, I am.
42:02I cannot wait for you to say, Sonali, it's happened.
42:05I'm in.
42:06I'm in.
42:07Yeah.
42:07Absolutely.
42:09Cheers.
42:10Oh, cheers.
42:10Cheers.
42:10Cheers.
42:11Cheers.
42:11Cheers.
42:20This really has been a long time coming for Christina, and I think we could all see
42:26that sense of relief in her face as she was talking about her love of the woodland cottage.
42:31This move, this lifestyle change that she'd been dreaming about for so long might actually
42:38be happening, and I wish her the very best of luck with that second viewing, and look
42:42forward to some good news that she's actually made the move, and she's found somewhere that
42:48she can call her very own home.
42:50I'll see you next time on Escape to the Country.
42:55If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
43:01and need our help, why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:08We'll see you next time.