Escape to the Country - Season 25 Episode 42 -
The Chilterns
The Chilterns
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00The first step in finding someone a new home is getting to know your buyers.
00:07It's quirky.
00:09Quirky is character, and we like character.
00:11Yeah.
00:12You want to meet their requirements.
00:14It's gorgeous.
00:15It's stunning.
00:16It's really smart.
00:17I think this is just what we envisioned in our heads.
00:20Yeah, big kitchen.
00:22Looks incredible.
00:23But also deliver a few surprises.
00:26Oh, wow.
00:27Not what I was expecting.
00:29Like a postcard.
00:30Yeah, really beautiful.
00:32And bring the lifestyle they imagine right to the front door.
00:36Oh, my gosh.
00:37Cycling.
00:38Here we go.
00:39Hello.
00:40Yeah.
00:41Hello.
00:42Hi.
00:43You're adding to the appeal.
00:44Yeah.
01:00Today, we're escaping to a national landscape covering over 300 square miles of countryside,
01:13a haven for wildlife and commuters.
01:17The train to get here might be fast, but get ready to take things slow in the Chilterns.
01:23It's no secret on this show that we think the great British countryside is a fabulous place to be.
01:30But amongst all the fabulousness, that there are places that look and feel a little bit extra special,
01:37that maybe, I don't know, deserve an 11 out of 10.
01:42And let me tell you that for me, the Chilterns is definitely one of them.
01:49The majority of the Chilterns national landscape is located in the county of Buckinghamshire,
01:55but it also extends across parts of Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire.
02:01It's a unique and desirable place to live, but don't just take my word for it.
02:06It's just such a lovely place to be.
02:09There are so many lovely walks, and you can choose from rolling hills or beautiful ancient woodlands
02:16or open countryside. There's so much choice.
02:19You can think, well, shall I go into London to the theatre? I'm going to go into Oxford.
02:24We've got Marlow just up the road from the River Thames, Wallingford, High Wycombe.
02:30You almost fall for choice because you're like, well, where am I going to go today or this weekend?
02:34As well as a wide range of market towns to choose from, it's an emerging wine-producing region,
02:40thanks to the thin, chalky soil and mild climate.
02:44So if you value countryside living and quick connections, let's raise a glass to the Chilterns.
02:52For many people, there comes a time when they want to swap life in the city for a new one in the country.
02:59For today's young couple, that time is now.
03:06So here we are at the end of our road. This is a regular occurrence for us,
03:10London Air Ambulance coming into the bus stop. And as you can see, it's really quiet now.
03:15There we go.
03:18Home for Project Director Charlotte and Management Consultant Tom is in the vibrant
03:23but sometimes noisy neighbourhood of Tooting in South London.
03:28And aside from the noise, there's also the issue of space.
03:32The flat where we're currently living is a two-bedroom flat on the top floor.
03:36We don't have a balcony or any kind of outdoor space.
03:39And it doesn't really have the space for storing all of our sport equipment for our hobbies.
03:45We're off on a bike ride. It's time for our favourite game, which is get the bikes out the flat.
03:53Which you're going to see is really not much fun.
03:58This outdoorsy couple have settled on the Chilterns, not far from where Tom grew up in South Oxfordshire
04:05and where his parents still live.
04:08They're also factoring Charlotte's family into their decision-making.
04:13My family's based all over the world, in the Netherlands, South Africa, in the States.
04:17And we'd love to have a wonderful countryside home that we could host friends and family in
04:22or even some of our London-based friends who are looking for a breakaway.
04:27And also to get a dog.
04:29Oh yes, a dog!
04:31We're really looking at a family home, somewhere that we're going to be for the next five to ten years.
04:36Hopefully be a place that we can start a family and just build that perfect countryside life.
04:43Charlotte and Tom have a healthy budget of £850,000 to find a character property in turnkey condition.
04:51They'd like four bedrooms, including a principal en suite.
04:55And it should be within an hour's commute of London, where they both work a few days a week.
05:04It's an age-old tale, isn't it?
05:06A young couple suddenly decide that actually they've had enough of this life, they want to move to the country.
05:12You've invested that time in your career, but now you want to take your foot slightly off the pedal,
05:18still work hard, but when you've got that down time to really enjoy the countryside, those outdoor pursuits.
05:26And perhaps for some of us, being closer to family.
05:35Before we head to our first house, I'd like to delve a little deeper into what Charlotte and Tom would like from their new home in the country.
05:44Well, I'm going to say, Tom and Charlotte, welcome to the Chilterns.
05:49Or for you, Tom, I should be saying welcome back, shouldn't I? Because this is home from home.
05:53Yes, it really is. I grew up ten miles from here, so yeah, it's really good to be back in the Chilterns.
05:58What's driven this move? Why do you feel the time is right now?
06:01We've just done a renovation, but we've just realised the flat's just too small for us.
06:05So you've just renovated your flat. Are you prepared to take on a project here for the next move?
06:10I think that's where Charlotte and I slightly disagree.
06:12Go on.
06:13I'm more open to a project.
06:15For the right property, maybe I could reconsider.
06:18But I think for now, we just would love something we can move into and start enjoying straight away.
06:22And if down the line we wanted to change things, then we'd have that option.
06:26Well, talking down the line, the Chilterns is a premium area.
06:29So we're going to try and make your money work as well as it can for you.
06:33And hopefully find you that family home that you're so after.
06:36We are so excited.
06:37Good. So should we get started?
06:39Yes.
06:41And I'm sure Tom's going to show us a few pubs on the way that he used to go to when he was a lad.
06:47We'll be focusing today's house hunt on the Buckinghamshire part of the Chilterns,
06:51starting in the hamlet of Asheridge.
06:54A seven-minute drive will take you to the market town of Chesham,
06:58offering Charlotte and Tom everything they would need in the way of amenities.
07:03It's also served by the Metropolitan Tube Line,
07:06getting you into London Baker Street in less than an hour.
07:11Asheridge itself benefits from a local pub
07:14and is surrounded by public footpaths and bridleways,
07:17making it ideal for our outdoorsy escapees.
07:23I think a very attractive start to our house hunt.
07:29Wow. It's absolutely stunning.
07:31Gorgeous. This is everything I think I've ever imagined in a countryside home.
07:35It looks immaculate on the outside.
07:37So gorgeous, isn't it?
07:39When you think of country living down a country lane,
07:43it doesn't get much better than this, does it?
07:45No, this is exactly it.
07:46Yeah. It's so quiet.
07:48Just look next to you.
07:49Oh, my gosh.
07:50Cyclists.
07:51Here we go.
07:53Hello.
07:54Yeah.
07:55Hello.
07:56Hi.
07:57You're adding to the appeal.
07:58I promise I didn't pay them to do that.
08:01This traditional brick-and-flint cottage is so typical of houses in this area
08:06and dates back to the Victorian period.
08:09It's been extended twice since then,
08:11most recently at the back,
08:13where there is now a spectacular open-plan kitchen-diner.
08:17So there's a beautiful front approach,
08:20but I wanted to start off with the kitchen,
08:23so I've brought you to the side.
08:25It's gorgeous.
08:26Stunning.
08:27It's really smart.
08:28I think this is just what we envisioned in our heads.
08:31Yeah, big kitchen, exactly what we wanted.
08:34An open-plan living and diner, so it looks incredible.
08:38This property is immaculate.
08:42You wouldn't need to do anything.
08:44I wouldn't have to do a thing.
08:45This is exactly what I was hoping for,
08:47that we just find something that's in turnkey condition
08:50and couldn't ask for more.
08:51So this is a strong start, isn't it?
08:53Very strong.
08:54Don't know how you're going to top it.
08:55It's gorgeous.
08:56I will certainly give it my best shot.
08:59Next door, in the original part of the property,
09:02there's a welcoming living room.
09:04It's lovely.
09:05It's amazing.
09:06You can really feel the character style of the property
09:08coming through in here.
09:09Yeah.
09:10We'd be hauled up in here all winter, I think.
09:12Really cosy.
09:13And I think a really wonderful space to entertain after dinner.
09:17What would your family think of it?
09:19I don't think my dad would leave, I think he'd probably
09:23spend all of his South African winters right here.
09:26Yeah.
09:27Yeah, he'd absolutely love this.
09:28This is gorgeous.
09:29I wasn't expecting, like, this space.
09:32Yeah, cos you look at it from outside the front
09:34and you think, well, this could be quite small,
09:36but this extension is wonderful.
09:38Makes all the difference, doesn't it?
09:40I think so, and I think I've been anticipating that
09:42any way we kind of see out in the countryside,
09:44we're going to have to do work too,
09:46and so far I can't see a thing I'd change.
09:49High praise indeed.
09:51Upstairs, there's a bathroom that's spacious
09:54while still retaining that country cottage aesthetic.
09:57The smallest of three bedrooms is a study,
10:00and there are two doubles,
10:01either of which could serve as the main bedroom.
10:04I think it's a well-sized room.
10:07Really smart.
10:08Yeah, it really is, and it's nice and bright.
10:10Yeah?
10:11The light really comes through.
10:12Yeah.
10:13Oh, my gosh, there's a little pony in the field.
10:15I know.
10:16Outside the window.
10:17Love to see that every morning.
10:19They're your neighbours.
10:21The current owner's used next door as the main bedroom,
10:23but I think this is just so pretty,
10:25and I love that aspect as well.
10:27Yeah, there's a lot of care and attention into this property,
10:30and it's, yeah, it's beautiful.
10:31Now, Charlotte and Tom had requested four bedrooms
10:34as they need space for remote working.
10:37Here, there are only three, but I have a trick up my sleeve,
10:41a little project that would involve converting the garage.
10:45Oh, OK.
10:47Quite a space in here.
10:49Beautiful.
10:50Bike storage.
10:51Yeah, and maybe even converting it later down the line
10:53into another home office.
10:55What do you think?
10:56Yeah.
10:57Yeah?
10:58Absolutely, it's such a great space.
10:59There's even more of it in the garden.
11:02It's large and enclosed,
11:03perfect for when they get that dog they've been talking about.
11:08So, you've got an ample garden, which is lovely,
11:10not overlooked at all by your neighbours.
11:13You wouldn't need to do anything to it at all,
11:15which is rather lovely.
11:16Behind us, there used to be a greenhouse there,
11:18you can see where the paving is.
11:20You'd have to get the right permission,
11:22but that could be surely the perfect space
11:25if you wanted an outside office.
11:27I think that's such a good idea.
11:29I didn't think about that at all,
11:31or we might actually just restore it back to a greenhouse.
11:35That would be lovely.
11:36But then does that mean you've got to convert the garage?
11:38I mean, what a dilemma, all this space.
11:40All the space.
11:41I know, I know.
11:42Let's see if that's reflected in the price, shall we?
11:44What are we thinking?
11:46Given the location and that commute,
11:48I'm going to say it's probably our max budget at £850,000.
11:52Okay, £850,000, that is right at the top of your budget.
11:55I'm going to be a bit more optimistic.
11:58It is a beautiful property and everything we've asked for.
12:02I'm going to go with £825,000.
12:06Did you used to be an estate agent in a previous life?
12:09Because you are absolutely on the money.
12:11That's the asking price, £825,000.
12:14Yeah, that's incredible. Gives us some room as well.
12:17It does.
12:18£25,000 under budget,
12:21this immaculately presented cottage has been lovingly extended
12:25to offer an open-plan kitchen, diner and three bedrooms.
12:30Outside there's a large enclosed garden, a single garage
12:34and it's ideally located for nipping into London
12:37whenever the couple need to.
12:39I think the property is fantastic.
12:42The fact that we don't have to change anything about this property
12:45or do any kind of even cosmetic work is an absolute relief for me.
12:50I was really hoping we would find something that's in perfect,
12:53tanky condition and this is exactly that.
12:57I can absolutely see ourselves living here.
12:59The downstairs kitchen is incredible.
13:02The living space is really cosy.
13:04My concern is more to do with the upstairs.
13:07I just feel that we'll probably outgrow it quite quickly
13:10and I feel upstairs is just a little bit too small for us.
13:24Leaving London is a significant shift for Charlotte and Tom,
13:28so having easy access to the conveniences they're used to in the capital
13:32could ease their transition.
13:34In the Buckinghamshire town of Prince's Risborough,
13:37they'll find a flourishing high street
13:39and a welcoming community of like-minded individuals,
13:43many of whom have made their own escapes to the country.
13:47We've lived here for over 14 years now, but been in the area for about 25.
13:52I think a lot of it is about accessibility.
13:54You're intermuting in for work 40-odd minutes into Marylebone
13:57but then still come home to a beautiful place
13:59where there's plenty of pubs and activities
14:02and plenty of things to do as well.
14:04What's not to like, really?
14:06We have the most beautiful scenery, the most beautiful walks,
14:09we've got vineyards.
14:11Anything you think you need to access to be outdoorsy in this area,
14:14we've got it.
14:16Charlotte and Tom are heading just outside of the town to Longwood Farm,
14:20home to Buckinghamshire's first hot yoga studio.
14:24Offering classes to a community of regular customers,
14:28the business was founded by local resident Rachel Coleman Vaughan,
14:32who moved here three years ago.
14:36Well, Rachel, we're so envious of all the space you've got around you
14:39and your farm. Could you tell us a bit more about how you ended up here?
14:42Yeah, we were living in Ryslip and lockdown hit,
14:45so my husband said, that's it, we're moving to the country.
14:49He wanted to move back to Ireland. He's from a farming family.
14:52And I said, well, let's have a look, see what we can find in the UK.
14:56He wanted the farmland for the cows,
14:58and I wanted something for my yoga business.
15:01So we found it here. Amazing.
15:03And in terms of the local area, what's the big selling point?
15:06I would say the space, the open countryside,
15:09and I think the community's brilliant.
15:11It's a lovely place to bring up children. The schools are fantastic.
15:15So, Rachel, we're thinking of starting a family in the next couple of years.
15:18What will there be to do in the area for families?
15:20In Princess Risborough itself, there's the local library,
15:23lots of kids' clubs, tennis.
15:25My little girls just started pony riding,
15:27and, yeah, there's actually a local children's club
15:30just up the road from me here called Mini Farmer's Club.
15:33It's kind of a forest school, indoor-outdoor messy play.
15:36They absolutely love it. Yeah.
15:38Incredible. What's the hardest adjustment moving out to London?
15:41It was a big adjustment, but you do get used to it.
15:44Really good places to go to quite close by.
15:46Marlow, Beaconsfield, Tain, they've got really nice little restaurants,
15:49kind of boutique-y coffee shops,
15:51so I kind of get my little London fix that way.
15:55Finding a new home in the countryside is often about compromise,
15:58but I think any property near this charming market town
16:02really would give you the best of both worlds.
16:13We're back on the road and heading to the village of Weedon.
16:17Voted Buckinghamshire's best-kept village for the past three years,
16:21charming Weedon is home to just 160 dwellings.
16:25The town of Aylesbury, with its direct train connection to London,
16:29in just over an hour, is three miles away.
16:33Despite its small size, Weedon boasts an active community
16:37and a pub known for its good food.
16:40A short walk down the high street takes us to house number two.
16:46Gorgeous. Looks amazing.
16:48Really different from the last one we saw.
16:50Yeah. It's very different. Very pretty.
16:53I like the greenery on the outside. Yeah.
16:55It looks really beautifully presented.
16:57Yeah, it looks really rustic. Very charming.
16:59I like it.
17:00So, are you excited, ready to get inside?
17:02Very excited, yeah.
17:05This semi-detached Grade II listed cottage
17:08was formerly the village blacksmith.
17:11The original part of the house was built in 1850,
17:14with the living room and conservatory added in the 1980s.
17:18More recently, the garage was converted into what is now the fourth bedroom.
17:29With this property, you really do feel its heritage.
17:33Oh, wow. Very different. Yeah.
17:36Very cosy.
17:38Very cosy, very characterful,
17:40and I think you can see the mix of architectural styles in here.
17:43And that's the first time you've had to actually dip your head, is it?
17:46It is, yeah. As you came through the door.
17:48Yeah, but expecting that in some of these properties,
17:50but I love the character and the fireplace and the beams.
17:53Yeah, it makes it feel very homely.
17:56Tom, do you want to lead the way? We'll get a closer look at the kitchen.
17:59Sure.
18:02Not the largest kitchen ever, but well appointed.
18:06But what do you think? You've got part of it behind us as well.
18:09I really like it. I like that it's not so square
18:12and then it's a little bit twisty.
18:14I think that's quite unique, and it gives a bit of personality, I think, to the house.
18:18And the extension's wonderful,
18:20and I think you can definitely see that the integrity of the house is still being maintained.
18:24Yeah, I agree. Definitely work with this.
18:26It hasn't got one huge room, well, not this part anyway,
18:30but it's got lots of parts to it.
18:33So, again, if you had a growing family, that can be quite handy.
18:37You'll see what I mean through here.
18:43So you do have a little study through there.
18:46Oh, OK. I love this garden room.
18:49Wow. So bright.
18:51I would live in here. Yeah.
18:53And then through there at the moment, you've got a bedroom, a double bedroom,
18:56although that could be a study, should you want it to be.
19:00But come and see this.
19:02You've got a really generous sitting room.
19:04Oh, wow.
19:06It's huge. It is big, isn't it?
19:08Yeah. Very big room.
19:10And I love the light coming in from the windows
19:12and through from the conservatory as well.
19:14It feels very homely.
19:15It's quirky.
19:16Very quirky, but I think I personally really like that,
19:19and this is a really good-sized room to entertain
19:22and have lots of friends and family around, so...
19:25Quirky is character, and we like character.
19:27Yeah, exactly.
19:29What's great about this property
19:31is that to get all that character, you don't have to compromise on space.
19:36Off the kitchen, there's access to a cellar,
19:39which would be ideal for storing all that sports equipment.
19:43Upstairs, there's another potential home office.
19:46There's also a family bathroom
19:48and three double rooms to choose from.
19:51I've left Charlotte and Tom to explore by themselves,
19:54starting with the principal bedroom.
19:57Oh, wow. That's a nice big room.
19:59It is huge. Generous.
20:02I like the high ceilings, immediate falls.
20:04Coming up from, like, downstairs.
20:06I can imagine you would, yeah.
20:08A lovely view as well. Wow.
20:10A very nice main bedroom.
20:12Plenty of space.
20:13Mm.
20:14I wonder if we could also maybe look at some built-in wardrobes down the line.
20:19Absolutely, yeah. Yeah, big fan of this room.
20:22Shall we see what's through here?
20:27Amazing.
20:29That's a big en suite.
20:31Huge.
20:33Then it looks like it's all been quite recently renovated or done.
20:37Check of approval.
20:38See what's next door.
20:39Hopefully it's walk-in storage.
20:42Oh, my gosh.
20:44OK, we don't need to build in wardrobes anymore.
20:47Here's your dream.
20:49Yeah, that's great.
20:50OK, so en suite and walk-in wardrobe,
20:53so those are big pluses for us.
20:56I like the immediate contrast, the last property,
20:59like the upstairs is obviously a lot more spacious.
21:01Yeah, you can feel it.
21:03We're not going to outgrow this.
21:05No. Agreed.
21:07Outside, there's a nice big shed for the bikes
21:10and a terrace for outside dining that looks out over the enclosed lawn.
21:14A garden that's spacious but not overwhelming for a couple
21:18more used to living in a block of flats.
21:21Do you know what? I can't read your faces at all.
21:24I wouldn't make a very good detective.
21:26We really like it.
21:27We can really see the potential of this property
21:30in terms of what it offers from space.
21:32Great downstairs, great upstairs.
21:34There are a few things that we would probably want to change,
21:37like the kitchen needs a bit of TLC.
21:39It's a well-lived-in family home,
21:41but it's great to see a well-lived-in family home.
21:43This is positive.
21:45Can we put a price on this one?
21:48I think it's £830,000.
21:50OK.
21:51Towards the top end of the budget.
21:53Tom?
21:54Given I was a bit over on the first one...
21:56You weren't bad.
21:57I'm going to say, I think, £820,000.
22:02OK.
22:03The asking price for this,
22:04it hasn't been on the market very long, by the way,
22:07not long at all, is £775,000.
22:13Wow.
22:15I'm very surprised to hear that.
22:17Yeah, you get a lot of house, don't you?
22:19A lot of house.
22:20That's lots of house.
22:22£75,000 under budget.
22:25This Grade II listed property is jam-packed with four bedrooms,
22:29ideal for hosting family and friends.
22:32It offers multiple solutions for home office and storage needs,
22:36plus it's located in a premium village location.
22:42We both are big fans of this house.
22:45It's got everything we could possibly need.
22:49Really see the potential of a family home here.
22:52There's more rooms than we can imagine.
22:54Yeah, in comparison to the first property,
22:56I think it gives us that space we were looking for.
22:59One of the things we really wanted was an en suite bedroom just for us
23:03and a family bathroom that could service the other bedrooms
23:06and it's definitely delivered on those.
23:14Part of Charlotte and Tom's decision to move to the Chilterns
23:17is to be closer to Tom's parents in South Oxfordshire.
23:21So, at the end of a day house hunting,
23:24we're meeting up with his mum to find out what this escape means to her.
23:29This is a lovely spot, isn't it?
23:32So, Tom, you're going to do the introductions.
23:34Yes, so this is my lovely mother, Karen.
23:37Hello.
23:38Hello, Nicky, hi.
23:39How do you feel about coming back to your neck of the woods?
23:42Well, it's quite an honour to know that you want to come back, Tom, actually.
23:46Well, it's home.
23:47Yeah, that's it, it's home.
23:48It's amazing how many times when you talk to people,
23:51they have to go off, make their way in the world,
23:54pursue the career, whatever their passion is,
23:56and then home pulls them back.
23:59But this time with the lovely Charlotte as well.
24:01Yes, exactly.
24:02And you're excited about coming home, aren't you?
24:05I am, yeah.
24:06It's like, for me, getting back into golf, playing tennis again.
24:10Seeing your parents.
24:11Yeah, seeing my parents.
24:12Annoying my parents again.
24:14Yeah.
24:15Karen, what advice would you give them?
24:17Well, I would say think about it carefully,
24:19weigh up the pros and cons and just go for it.
24:22You know where you want to be, and I think it's in the country, isn't it?
24:26Yeah.
24:27Here's to country life and family down the end of the road
24:31and family from overseas coming to visit regularly.
24:34Cheers.
24:35Cheers.
24:36Cheers.
24:37We're going to drink to that, aren't we?
24:39Mm-hmm.
24:48Fancy making your own move to the Chilterns?
24:51Here's what you need to know about buying a property in the area.
24:55In Buckinghamshire, home buyers can expect to pay
24:59just under £808,000 for a detached property.
25:03This is a significant increase on the national figure,
25:07which currently stands at just under £440,000,
25:11so it's certainly a higher price tag,
25:14but one that many feel is worth it.
25:22We've sourced a selection of other Chilterns' homes
25:25available in Buckinghamshire,
25:27including more budget-friendly attached options,
25:30such as this Grade II listed cottage.
25:33It's packed with traditional features,
25:36has three bedrooms and a private cottage garden,
25:39yours for £575,000.
25:43This semi-detached cottage also has three bedrooms
25:47and a large open-plan kitchen-diner.
25:50A huge selling point is the landscaped rear garden,
25:53and it's currently on the market for £625,000.
25:57And finally, this detached 17th-century cottage,
26:01again in the village of Weedon,
26:03has been thoughtfully renovated to offer three bedrooms
26:06and a bright kitchen featuring marble worktops
26:09and a temperature-controlled pantry.
26:12It's priced at £742,500.
26:19Yesterday, Charlotte and Tom
26:21saw the very best of the Chilterns and beyond,
26:25and it was really lovely to see them starting to imagine
26:28what country life could look like.
26:31Later, I'm going to be meeting someone
26:33who already calls this beautiful region home,
26:36but first, we have a mystery house.
26:39And, well, looks can be deceiving.
26:43Our mystery offering is located five miles north of High Wycombe
26:47in the village of Speen.
26:50Noted for its brick and flint architecture,
26:53many of the properties here date back to the 18th century.
26:57There's a well-stocked local store,
26:59as well as a village hall and a primary school.
27:03A 15-minute drive will get you to High Wycombe station,
27:07where the train into London can take as little as 30 minutes.
27:11So whilst Charlotte and Tom explore this tranquil commuter haven,
27:15I'm going ahead to the property.
27:18Welcome to our very attractive mystery house.
27:23Now, it is only three bedrooms,
27:25but out of all the properties I've shown them,
27:28this one is detached, which, in my book, is a huge selling point.
27:33Shall we take a tour inside?
27:38This is such a characterful property.
27:42Look at the beams!
27:44And this property isn't listed.
27:46This is a home that they can grow in as a family.
27:51And when it comes to the mystery house, well, why is it a mystery?
27:55Because it has a very intriguing history.
27:59I'm ready to reveal the house to my couple,
28:04but I'm afraid the mystery part I'll be keeping secret for a little longer.
28:09Hello. Good morning.
28:11Oh, wow. Not what I was expecting.
28:13It's beautiful from the outside.
28:15The Chilterns feel with the flint.
28:17You'll love the chimney.
28:19It's all got that character that you'd expect from a village cottage here.
28:23Looks like a postcard. Yeah, really beautiful.
28:26Shall we step inside? Yes, please. Yes, let's go.
28:29This brick-and-flint-built house
28:32is the first detached property we've seen on our search,
28:35and its obvious curb appeal
28:37seems to be hitting the right note with my couple.
28:40Wow, I love that front door. Yeah.
28:42It's steep, isn't it?
28:44Just wait until you see inside, Tom.
28:47It's a lovely welcome, isn't it, as you come into the hallway.
28:50And step down into your sitting room.
28:53Wow. Wow.
28:55I love the beams.
28:57That's the first thing you really see, and the fireplace as well.
29:00Oh, my gosh, a really impressive fireplace, yeah.
29:02Huge range.
29:04It does ooze personality as you just walk in.
29:06In the hallway there, you're surrounded by beams,
29:08but you've got the height, which makes such a difference.
29:11I think it's really welcoming.
29:13I think it's really cosy, and it's so quiet, which is lovely.
29:16Yeah, I can already see where we'd change a few things.
29:19What would you change? The lights, for example.
29:22Oh, yeah. We've got to find Tom a project.
29:25No, but I love the room. It's very cosy.
29:27Wonderful. Well, it's a really strong start for this house.
29:30We all loved it from the outside.
29:32Let's see if the mystery continues on that high note through here.
29:36Across the entrance hall is a separate dining room,
29:39which flows onto the kitchen.
29:41Oh, I love how bright it is. It feels really cosy.
29:44And they've done it really beautifully as well.
29:46Yeah, the worktop really works. I love the cupboards.
29:49This makes it feel like that cottage feel, very intimate, yeah.
29:53And plenty of worktop space.
29:55Plenty of work. I can make all the mess I need.
29:57Exactly, thinking practically.
29:59Also, Tom, these ceilings are working well.
30:02Yes, like, this is the first one I've actually felt there's plenty of space.
30:06I love that the sink is overlooking what I imagine is going to be a garden
30:10once we get a chance to have a look. Yes.
30:12It really feels like what you'd expect
30:14a countryside home in the Chilterns to feel like.
30:17Good. It's living up to its reputation.
30:19Yeah, absolutely. That's wonderful.
30:21It's going well, isn't it?
30:24But this property will only make the grade
30:26if there's space for a couple to host family and friends.
30:29Let's see what upstairs has to offer.
30:33Look at my work, Tom.
30:35Wow, that is huge.
30:37Really big room. It's so light.
30:39Windows has all been replaced as well recently.
30:42Yeah, lovely. It's really bright in here.
30:44Built some wardrobes for you. Oh, yeah, really good.
30:47Might have to add those in then.
30:49Yeah, no, I really like it. I like it too.
30:51Shall we have a look at what's in there? Yes.
30:54Does she mean this is the en suite?
30:56Must be.
30:58Oh, wow.
31:02Yeah, can work with this.
31:04Yeah, great size.
31:06The downstairs tour went extremely well and it sounds like upstairs
31:10they're loving what they're seeing.
31:12I mean, they've just found the en suite.
31:14It has all mod cons, this cottage.
31:16But what age would you put on it?
31:18How old do you think it is?
31:21I love all the steps.
31:24Another bathroom there.
31:26Yeah.
31:27Have a look in here.
31:29Oh, really good size room. Yeah.
31:31Home office.
31:32That's a royal double in there.
31:34I think you could easily fit a double in here.
31:36I love the view out the window.
31:38Outside, there's a small courtyard garden with access to a detached garage
31:43that could be repurposed as a home office.
31:46A long driveway sits beside a larger lawn garden
31:49screened by mature hedging.
31:53So how did we get on upstairs?
31:55Reactions, please.
31:57We were just discussing, we both can really see what this could be.
32:01It's beautiful from the outside
32:03and the character and charm on the inside is incredible.
32:07It's a really strong mystery house.
32:09It is.
32:10What period would you put on this property?
32:12I'm going to say 1920s now.
32:16Ah, very interesting.
32:19Charlotte?
32:20I'm going to go 1950s.
32:22You were going to say 18th century, weren't you?
32:24Yeah.
32:25I knew you were.
32:26The actual house was built in 1971.
32:30Oh my gosh, wow.
32:32Quite new, if you wanted to call it that.
32:34Very new, yeah.
32:36I mean, I'm not going to go as far as saying it's a new build,
32:39but what an incredible property.
32:41Yeah, definitely.
32:42It's supposed to show, in actual fact, with the correct planning
32:45and permission and foresight and incredible design,
32:48you can create the most amazing house that doesn't jar at all
32:52with the surrounding properties.
32:54It fits right in.
32:55It does.
32:56It feels very characterful as well.
32:58So let's bring us back to reality, shall we?
33:01What price can we put on our mystery house?
33:05I think it's a beautiful home, but I am going to guess
33:08it's actually under our budget at £800,000.
33:11OK.
33:12Great.
33:13Train links into London, I'm going to say £810,000.
33:17You're close together, aren't you, on this one?
33:19Yeah.
33:20Well, the good news is the asking price is under both your guesstimates.
33:24Oh, wow.
33:25It's on the market for £775,000.
33:29Is it really?
33:30Yes.
33:31No way.
33:32Yeah.
33:33Oh my word.
33:35I think it'd be fair to say all three of us are amazed at that asking price.
33:40Truly.
33:41Sitting in harmony alongside its much older neighbours,
33:45this modern house has three bedrooms and a large garden.
33:49There's an opportunity to create a home office in the detached garage
33:53and it's in the heart of an attractive village
33:56well-positioned for access to London.
33:59Our initial impressions of the property is that it's got a wonderful flow,
34:03it feels really cosy with really wonderful period features.
34:07Having learnt now that the property was built in the 1970s,
34:12we just had a brand new appreciation for the work and effort
34:15that's gone into making this feel like a home that was built much earlier than that.
34:20I'm really a huge fan and it has been a complete and total surprise.
34:25I think this is a great mystery house.
34:28It has so much potential for what Shara and I are looking for.
34:32The space is fantastic, the garden is incredible.
34:35With a few cosmetic changes in the insides
34:39and hopefully some extensions out the back,
34:42we can make this the perfect family home that we're looking for.
34:51Sometimes there's no place like home
34:55and when home looks like this,
34:57you can see why Nick Weavers decided five years ago
35:01to return to her roots to bring up her family.
35:05Nick and her husband Dan both grew up in a Bucks village
35:08where they first met as children.
35:11We remained friends.
35:13I went off to uni, he joined the army
35:16and after a long time I finally caved and we went on a date
35:21and the rest is history.
35:23After a couple of years we decided to move back to the Chiltern Hills.
35:27Since moving back, Nick has left her high-flying marketing career
35:31to pursue her passion for painting.
35:33She now runs her own art business,
35:35creating pieces often inspired by the scenic Chiltern Hills.
35:40When you start up your own business it can be quite daunting
35:43but then when you've got the support of locals behind you as well,
35:47it's really lovely.
35:49We do painting parties that I hold at the local pub,
35:53which is really fun and we do have a real giggle with that.
35:57Since settling in the countryside,
35:59it's not just Nick's art business that's been growing.
36:02Shortly after moving back to the village,
36:05I found out I was pregnant.
36:07We actually got married and then we fell pregnant again
36:10and I had my other son earlier on this year in 2024.
36:16With business booming and Dan able to commute to his job,
36:20it doesn't look like they'll be leaving the village any time soon.
36:24It's been lovely having family around.
36:27His parents live across the road.
36:29My mum still lives the other side of the village.
36:32My son has now started at the preschool where me and my husband met,
36:37which is really lovely.
36:39It's a real sense of community and we love living here.
36:43Many things come together to make a country escape.
36:47Fantastic views, rural walks and, of course, a local pub,
36:52which is where I've come to meet Nick.
36:59Hi, Nick.
37:00Hello.
37:01Lovely to meet you.
37:02How did you know this was the right place to finally settle in?
37:05It was the familiarity and also to be close to family.
37:08It's just a lovely area.
37:10You're so close to London.
37:11You don't feel like you're out in the sticks too much.
37:15It's a real community feel.
37:17It looks like the children inherited some of your creative genes
37:21because you've started up your business.
37:23Yes.
37:24It's going really well, inspired by the surrounding landscapes.
37:27Yeah.
37:28I just wanted to do something that I really was passionate about.
37:32It's just gone from strength to strength, really.
37:35It's lovely being creative every day and working it around the kids.
37:38Can you take the children with you?
37:40They come with me every day.
37:41Do they?
37:42Yeah, juggle it all somehow.
37:44Nick has offered to give me a lesson in painting en plein air,
37:48so we're heading to one of her favourite local spots.
37:53I love the fact that he is so keen to be involved.
37:57And is this how you normally paint?
37:58Yeah.
37:59God, then I should let you kick out.
38:02I mean, it's a bit of a balancing act, but I suppose in a way you're used to it.
38:06Yeah, you just get used to it.
38:08It's just a nice way to spend our day, really.
38:11Yeah.
38:12Now, we're painting this magnificent tree.
38:14Yeah.
38:15Does it have a good history?
38:16It does.
38:17It's quite iconic here.
38:19The whole field is known as One Tree Field.
38:21It's majestic, the way it's positioned with the fields all around it,
38:25sort of undulating.
38:26It's already taking shape.
38:28You're doing well with your tree, aren't you?
38:31Yeah?
38:32If I was going to come out here and be brave enough to paint this beautiful tree,
38:36majestic tree, what would you tell me to do?
38:39I think first and foremost is just get a mark onto the canvas.
38:44Don't think about it too much.
38:46And if you're willing to give it a go, rather than looking at the canvas,
38:50if you just look at the outline of the tree and just try and follow your mind's eye,
38:55and I will let you have a little go.
38:59So literally just follow.
39:01I don't want to ruin your work.
39:02No, you're fine.
39:03Just follow the outline.
39:05Don't look too much at the canvas.
39:07So just follow.
39:08That's it.
39:09That through.
39:13And not worry too much about precision.
39:15No, no, not at all.
39:17I think that's the beauty of it.
39:18Nothing's right or wrong.
39:20Look at the negative space so the space is between the branches
39:24and you can start cutting that in.
39:26Yeah.
39:27And then you go across.
39:28You're so therapeutic.
39:31It is magical out here.
39:32I absolutely love it.
39:33But I love even more the fact that you can do it with your family around you.
39:37I'll give you back that.
39:38Thank you so much.
39:39So lovely to spend time with you all.
39:42Yeah.
39:44I'm not sure I've contributed much to Nick's masterpiece,
39:48but hopefully I've been more useful to my buyers on their house search.
39:54I think it'd be fair to say that all three of our properties surprised Tom and Charlotte,
39:59but do we have a definite winner?
40:02Time to find out.
40:08Can't beat a cup of tea with a view like that, can you really?
40:12No.
40:13Definitely can't.
40:14Well, we've certainly had a delightful few days here in the Chilterns.
40:17We've got to know the area a lot better.
40:20How do you feel it's gone?
40:22Is this still the place that you want to move to?
40:25I think it's been an amazing week,
40:27and it's been so good for us to open our eyes to what the possibilities are,
40:31and especially some of the commuter links that we were not aware of
40:35that could be so convenient for us in the future.
40:38And what are we thinking?
40:39Because we've seen delightful properties, but how have we done?
40:43Really well.
40:45We've had good conversations about all of the properties,
40:49and yeah, I think we're aligned on the next steps.
40:52All three have been incredible,
40:54but I think of the three,
40:56we'd like to do a second viewing at the mystery house with an architect and builder,
41:01just to unpick the vision a bit more.
41:04Yeah.
41:05You know, we've thought about this move being for the next five to ten years,
41:09and then assuming we'd outgrow that and have to go again,
41:11whereas we really see the vision with the third house to,
41:14if we can do the kind of work we want when the time is right down the line,
41:18then it really could turn into a much longer term or even a life home.
41:22So we could really see that,
41:24but I think we want to go back with a builder and an architect
41:27just to be reassured that those possibilities are there.
41:30For me, it was like when we weighed it all together,
41:32there was only one clear winner for us.
41:34Yeah, definitely.
41:36And I think the biggest surprise with it is if we had seen that ad online,
41:41we would have probably never given it a second look.
41:43So thank you for taking us to see it because we were really excited to.
41:48Well, you are welcome.
41:50It has been a delightful few days.
41:53And what is super exciting is this really is the start of your next adventure together.
41:59And hopefully with the whole family with you as well.
42:02We have been a very small part of it, but thank you so much.
42:05Thank you so much, Nicky.
42:06We really loved every part of this experience.
42:08Thank you very much.
42:09It has been wonderful.
42:15What started as a five to ten year plan for Tom and Charlotte
42:19has already evolved into a much longer proposition.
42:23I hope the second viewing of our mystery house
42:27in that delightful village location goes well.
42:30And I'm sure our lovely young couple will enjoy themselves
42:35creating a new life here in the Chilterns.
42:39So that's it from us.
42:41Join us again next time.
42:48If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland,
42:51Scotland or Wales and need our help,
42:54why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.