Escape to the Country Season 24 Episode 35: Devon (2023) | FULL EPISODE

Escape to the Country Season 24 Episode 35: Devon (2023) | FULL EPISODE

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[Music] the sign of a successful house hunt Well  there are a few It can bowl you over Wow Wow Wow   Just [Laughter] Yeah A contender can render  you speechless even in the rain Oh my This is   beautiful You've gone quiet He's thinking What you  thinking steve's never quiet And the experience   may leave you scratching your head We are suitably  confused Thank you George Does that mean we're   meeting the brief exceeding Exceeding was the word  I was hoping to hear Exceeding Definitely [Music]   A perennial West Country favorite Devon's  lush green and pleasant land is flanked by   award-winning coastal scenery which has recently  garnered international acclaim for its worldclass waves Now when you think of surfing your mind  may well be drawn to such exotic shores as   Malibu or indeed the Gold Coast of Australia  But here in North Devon this 22mi stretch of   coastline has just been designated as the  UK's first World Surf Reserve one of only   a dozen across the world Later on in the show  I'll be back here finding out how it came into   being and what it means to the region Today  our Devon adventure will home in on the north   of the county where landscape meets the waters  of the Bristol Channel Basically if you've got   a passion for the outdoors every kind of passion  will be met in North Devon It's just an amazing   diverse place The connect to nature that you  can have is is massive in North Devon That's   really really I think it's a privilege to be  able to live and work here This region of the   county boasts the dramatic mland of Exol National  Park along with picturesque wateride towns like   Ilfrakum and gorgeous villages like Cleavelli  where charming cottages hug the shoreline In   fact Cleavelli's good looks have won it the  title of the most Instagrammable village in the UK So what about today's buyers then well  he loves the idea of green rolling hills   but she wants to be by the sea and sandy  beaches which by my reckoning means we   are absolutely in the right part of the  [Music] country Former flight attendant   Sarah and her partner Steve an IT sales  consultant have been together for 11 years They live in the Hampshire town of Bazing Stoke  in the four bedroomedroom detached house they   built themselves So the question we get asked is  why would you want to leave such an amazing house   as we've got it is lovely We're just walking  out now This is the road that passes our house   Actually there's the major junction that actually  sits behind us Yeah So this is continuous really   They'll be moving to the country with their  two dogs and their cat But they also want   room for Sarah's daughter George and May when  she visits from uni And Steve will be bringing   along some babies of his own This old lady we  need to find a nice big home for her so I can   do all of my work with her and I can look after  her and also bring a bigger sister which is even   bigger That's my 1957 Cadillac Coupe Deville  So yeah that's one of the reasons why I need   a garage And with their house on the market  they can't wait to get on the road to North   Devon We just absolutely love it Sarah's family  there Yes We got mom moved in oh 2020 in her   70s all on her own and she wish she'd done it  20 years earlier So that's what's pushing us   The couple are lucky to have a great budget  of a million pounds with which they hope to   find a character property with a big kitchen  at least three bedrooms space for Sarah to   establish a holidayled business and somewhere  for Steve to store his wheels They'd also like   to be within an hour of be be able to walk  to a pub and a sea view would be a bonus [Music] Well there's no getting away from the  fact that Devon really does offer Steve and   Sarah everything they are looking for The other  nice thing is that they have built their own   home They are not going to be shy of taking on  a project or indeed tweaking a property to make   it work for them And that I think is absolutely  crucial because although they have a very generous   budget it is going to have to work quite hard  to get them a home and a business But the good   news is well we're coming to North Devon where  Valley for Money is just that little bit [Music] better Our property tour is kicking off in  the hamlet of Cranford under two miles from   the coast and just half an hour from Bud But  before we head there we're catching up and   seeking shelter from the rather inclement weather  in this lovely spot overlooking Westwood Hoe Beach   Well Steve Sarah welcome back to Devon to to  North Devon I mean why Devon why North Deon for   us i just ruggedness and the beautiful beaches and  the countryside and just everything and the people   Yeah actually the people beautiful sunshine that  we can see that's surrounding us Yeah Basking in   the glory and sunshine that is English summertime  Now I know that your current home you self built   didn't you yeah Well not us not us personally but  yes we built it We project managed it Yeah But   the good news then is that you've got the facility  and the imagination to adjust and tweak a property   that we may show you that you may think might work  100% It'll be very interesting to see what you   make of the properties we are going to show you  this week The only thing that's letting us down is   the weather But notwithstanding that we all know  what it looks like in the sunshine here Keep that   in the back of your minds And um let's go house  hunting Let's do it Let's go Can't wait Cranford   home to our first property is on the outskirts of  the village of Walsery The village has a shop and   post office a school a takeaway and a church with  local communityrun events Sarah and Steve will be   pleased to know that the local pub is less than  a mile from the house that we've come to see [Music] Well what weather we have as we get to  our first property but hopefully it will not   put you off No Uh this is a really interesting  property I think for you if we are going down   the route of Holidays Because not only does it  come with a lovely house which is over there   it also comes with four acres an acre and a half  of which is lake Oh lovely That's fabulous Yeah   This fishing lake is one of two on the property  There are also two fisherman's cabins each with   a decked area and jetty sitting at the water's  edge there Feast your eyes Oh wow On this lot   Look at this Oh my god Oh my This is beautiful  Yeah Oh my You've gone quiet He's thinking What   you thinking steve's never quiet I'm thinking we  build a um a real art deco style bridge taking us   out to there and we take that center mount You  make that the centerpiece holiday Let He's all   over this We've only just arrived We haven't  bought it yet but you know I've just kind of   Well well I'm glad you said that cuz I thought you  had Yeah Sorry Yeah So yeah So welcome to our new   place I'd like to just show you around Yeah Well  let me show you around the rest of it Yep Come on Now to the main event this fabulous whitewashed  period farmhouse Wow it's absolutely lovely That   is nice Love how big the windows are There's a  mixture of periods here but I think essentially   it's kind of really Victorian That's the feel  of it Yeah lovely Yeah very nice Hopefully not   one you're thinking of knocking down and  standing again Never say never No it's too   beautiful to do that Yeah Should we get  out this weather yeah let's do Come on There have been many additions to the property  over the years and we're starting our tour in   the larger of two reception rooms Oh nice to  get out the rain eh definitely There we are Oh   lovely This is lovely I like it I like the beams  I like the character As you can see this is two   rooms that have been now knocked together So hence  you've got the two fireplaces here Yeah that fire   on just kind of puts its arms around you and just  keeps you nice and warm and snug out of the rain   Well we've got a bit of old here The kitchen  however offers you I think a bit of new Oh yeah   Come and have a look Here we are then Big enough  yeah Completely different to the other room Very   modern Really nice space Yes Really really good  You could even put your island in that you want   my love Yeah Could have Yeah I like the table to  be honest I think the table's lovely Socialable   isn't it so it's one of these properties you can  move straight into It's in a nice decorative order   It's a property you can discover Oh yeah that's  it Well let's continue that discovery upstairs   Come on Okay Thank you Also on the ground floor  is a spacious second reception in use as a study   as well as a bedroom with its own on suite Then  as we make our way upstairs we're greeted by a   smart bathroom and four more bedrooms There's a  small one which could be used as a dressing room   Two doubles one with an on suite shower room and  a rather large principal bedroom also with an   on suite [Music] It's a nice lovely lovely size  bedroom Really really nice And a lot of storage   space as well I could have all this and that other  room for my clothes Perfect It's got a really nice   vibe to it this house It really is Yeah it's  quite very homely Good What a fantastic start   to our house hunt They seem to love the place So  now to revisit all that's on offer outside Almost   four acres include well manicured gardens that  weave around the property along with spots to   pause for thought There are two log cabins by the  lower lake plus a pretty traditional caravan as   well as a garage and workshop for Steve but also  plenty of room to create a new bigger home for his   wheels if he wishes Now the weather may not be  playing ball but it hasn't dampened our spirits   This is stunning out here Lots of scape here  to really nestle some I think really attractive   holiday offerings of different architectural  styles potentially Totally agree I think you've   seen enough to have a crack at how much this  might be on the market for I'm going to do a   cheeky punt and I I'm going to think 925 925,000  Yes Yeah I'm going to be more cheeky Like £850 Oh   my goodness me Terrible £850,000 That is very  cheeky Uh let's let's put you out your misery   then This is on the market for offers in the  region of £950,000 Okay Yeah Yeah that makes   sense So a respectable estimate for your  husband I mean I was hopeful but yeah Yeah   Priced under budget with a guide price of £950,000  this fabulous period farmhouse has both character   and space There are five bedrooms fantastic  business opportunities and two lakes set in   just under 4 acres What's more it's located  just over half an hour from It's a beautiful   house Totally It's a blank canvas You can see  the way it's grown through the years It fits   absolutely everything And oh I'm really excited  I could look after people here Yeah definitely I   would absolutely love to run this Yeah that would  be my dream I can see a future here Yeah Wow what   a start eh brilliant start Do we need to see any  more it's going to be a tough one to beat Jules   So you're going to have to really up your game on  this on the next one mate Mix up a bit Stunning   You've got me worried now But I am happy we have  got this one clearly on the table Yeah But yeah   a search is never over until it's over [Music]  Much of North Devon's buzz is around its coast   but the region's biggest town Barnstable sits  in land on the river tour It's got loads going   on from great shopping to dining museums and  scenic walks We've brought Sarah and Steve here   to have a wander around its pretty streets where  both visitors and residents enjoy all that's on   offer The community is good Very very friendly  people It's one of those places good people good   vibes good times That's how we like it isn't  it there are good vibes to be had here for sure   But if you'd like to explore the area further  there are bus routes to local spots and direct   trains from the town's attractive train station to  destinations including the region's transport hub   Exat where you can be in just over an hour Here  in Barnstable it's an exciting day as the town's   historic indoor market has opened its doors for  the first time in 8 months The market dates to the   1800s has a vast array of goods on offer under its  striking roof and has been voted one of the top   10 food markets in the country Look at the vaulted  ceilings You look at the top of it It's absolutely   amazing The architecture and stuff We're in the  process of regenerating Bull Pion Market Today   is the first phase of reopening So a huge amount  of work has been undertaken We have this amazing   fantastic building but it did need you know a fair  amount of repair We are welcoming the traders back   this morning to this end of the market You'll see  behind me a whole range of stools here today and   they can be different every day So never entirely  sure exactly what you'll see but there's always   a range from plants jewelry clothing local  food So it's really is the heart of the town   After a good old browse around the market Sarah  and Steve are stopping for lunch where they can   settle a long-standing cream tea debate with  Leslie James who's been running this vintage t-   room for the last 9 years We're looking to come  um move down here We want to make this our home   because we've fallen in love with North Devon But  I got a question I want to know what's the rivalry   between the cream and the jam and which one's  first being a Deonian the Deonian is obviously   the cream first Yeah but for me the jam lies nicer  on the top So really it's just depending on your   taste Oh which way round you hold the scope of  course Oh yeah There is that There is that Because   obviously there's a big sort of rivalry let's say  between the two isn't there oh of course Of course   Devil and Cornwall With that settled they're eager  for an insidider scoop on the town What's it like   here in the winter well we love the winter here We  do like it Okay Yes it is a little bit quieter We   love having the tourists here They're they're  our bread and butter But it's so important to   look after the locals They do support us all year  round From a community perspective what what's   the best things you can do here what's the best  parts or worst parts of it sorry to put you on   the spot Yes Um well I can say that North Devon  is just something out of this world Um there's   lots of different volunteer groups which I can see  straight away by talking to you that you will so   there's lots of animal there's a local dog rescue  place there's sports clubs there's the rugby   club the football club all sorts of different  activities that you can take part in to support   it what would you say for for newcomers coming in  how how would you say to introduce ourselves into   that community I would just join several different  groups things that you're interested in yeah and   you'll make your own friends you know very quickly  Brilliant There's a juxtaposition between Sarah   and I in the fact that I'm a countryside boy and  I love the moors I love the walking I love the   countryside Someone's a bit more of a beachy kind  of person likes the water and everything else But   you don't really need to go far to com for both  to commit to cover both That's why I think it's   perfect for us Yeah Oh thank you so much for  talking to us today and giving us a bit of   insight into this area and hopefully it'll be  our home soon Well our pleasure and welcome to   North another local here Happy house hunting So  with full tummies and some local intel gathered   I think it's high time we got back to the business  of [Music] property For our second viewing we're   crossing borders into North Cornwall heading  for the hamlet of Can Orchard 3 miles from Bud   Everyday essentials are just a 4-minute drive away  in the quiet village of Maram Church Here there's   a village shop an attractive village hall and a  19th century pub which is just a 10-minute walk   from the house we've come to see And it's this  whitewashed former millhouse which was converted   in the 1970s What do we think it's beautiful  Oh stunning And I have to admit we've seen this   online and it did stand out So yeah very happy to  be seeing this Interesting Well thank goodness for   that cuz if you'd been to see it I couldn't show  it to you But uh it does suggest then that we're   on the right lines doesn't it great minds and all  that Jules Great minds But you'll appreciate then   that it it is a game of two halves You've got this  and we've got this holiday Yeah it's beautiful   Yeah it's beautiful It's really really nice I  knew our first house was going to be hard to beat   but so far so good with this one And I've got my  fingers crossed for a thumbs up on the inside too Come on in Oh like the floor Yeah Yeah Floor's  great isn't it Come on in Steve Love the floor   Um let's start in here then in the kitchen I  suspect I know what you're going to say Very   nicely done but small Yeah Yeah very small  It's not the entertaining kitchen that we'd   uh envisioned Well here's the thing I know you  love knocking down a wall Yeah we do Yeah What   if we took out the wall behind me And pushed it  all into the living room Yeah Okay So you'd end   up with a kitchen living diner Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah  Come and have a look See what I mean okay Thank   you So here we are I mean this room is is lovely  Speaks for itself But if that wall were missing   out Yeah You'd end up with a really big family  space Open space Lovely Yeah Kitchen dining living   room Nice entertaining space Everybody's together  Although I do like the hatch There's something   very 70s about that I do like it Go and have a  look upstairs I think that's really interesting   as well Uh and I will meet you down by the front  door and then we'll go and look at the annex when   you're finished Brilliant Come on then Off you  go Go Take your time The ground floor houses a   dining room that could be put to use as an office  or an additional guest bedroom as it neighbors a   shower room Then upstairs there's more to explore  starting with a family bathroom which serves three   bedrooms It's nice and wide isn't it Each one is  a double benefiting from two windows letting in   lots of light This looks like the main bedroom  It's a nice size Is plenty of storage as well   So get a few pair of shoes in there You can see  through into the garden You can have a look at the   um driveway as well That's lovely So that's  inside done and dusted Now there's the money   maker to visit The holidaylet once a barn is  now a very well-appointed two-bedroom annex [Music] So what do you think this is lovely This  is beautiful Yeah it's a lovely space It is Yeah   it's gorgeous You can do so much with this can't  you yeah Love the height of the ceilings Love the   the wood going across Bedroom in there which  is really cozy Yeah that's nice Lovely Yeah   There's also a shower room and another bedroom  currently used as an art studio It's got it all   This would let pretty well I would think Yeah I  I tend to agree with you Yeah it's beautiful Now   the bricks and mortar have been dealt with we're  moving on to the garden which covers almost half   an acre I love this It's gorgeous That's stunning  There's a wall patio ideal for alfresco dining and   a secluded area of lawn Would this garden be big  enough for you uh for me yeah I think so Yeah it's   more more So so we have reverse green fingers  so anything we touch normally dies So I'm I'm   really cool with this car The dogs would be more  than happy Okay Well let's have a think about how   much this is going to be on the market for shall  we you may remember you may not Who knows but I   don't have a clue Um 900,000 900,000 says Sarah  Yeah I'm actually going to go £890 £890,000 Okay   Well here's the truth of it It's on the market  for £800,000 Oh really completely wrong this time   See even though you'd seen it online Even though  I've seen it online Doesn't that take the pressure   off Yeah it does No you just made it worse We've  absolutely made it worse Why was I'm I'm thinking   well actually that leaves us enough money to come  out here We can have the frame on there and I'm   thinking a garage over here and stuff like that  I've already spent I've spent £180 grand already   That's all right Steve as you'll still be within  budget Priced at £800,000 this former Milhouse   has the potential to create an open plan kitchen  dining and living space subject to planning and   comes with three bedrooms a holiday let plus  delightful gardens It's also only a few miles   away from the beach as well as the desirable  location of but love the look of the house I   love that farmhouse look and obviously the fact  that the holiday is detached and it's separate   so they've got the privacy We've got our privacy  but yeah know I love it I just love it This is a   stunning property and for the price it's got to  be there isn't it it's got to be in the running   just price and capabilities what it could be and  it's a beautiful beautiful house It really is   We are suitably confused Thank you  Jules Does that mean we're meeting   the brief exceeding would be the word  I would use Jules to be honest with you   Both completely different Totally Totally  different Both got what we're looking for   So it's Yeah it's confusing but in a good  way Exceeding was the word I was hoping to   hear Exceeding Definitely Well then let's  go and celebrate Oh yes Absolutely [Music] For those of you considering a  Devonshire Escape North Devon   detached property prices average just under £467,000 which is some £43,000 less than  the £510,000 figure for the whole of Devon   North Devon's desirable attributes along with its  competitive property prices make it attractive for   rural relocators as well as investors with many  homes along some coastal strips used as holiday   rentals or second homes It's a sensitive topic  for locals as councelor Malcolm Wilkinson can   testify We're so reliant on tourism and the  hospitality trade Yeah which is notoriously   poorly paid the lower lower pay sector and people  just can't afford it So what what we're looking   at doing here is adopting the community land  trust approach and we're actually providing   in my area 21 houses that will be for rent only  in perpetuity as well Not only will that help   support the service economy that props up the  tourist industry it will also enable those who   want to stay here to remain Absolutely The good  news for buyers is the region's property market   has many homes to suit a range of budgets This  gorgeous two-bed semi- detached thatch dates back   to the 16th century is grade 2 listed and full  of character both outside and in with exposed   beams and original features throughout It has a  cottage garden and is on the market for £269,000 For budgets of £500,000 how about this  old schoolhouse thought to date back   to 1876 much of the three-bedroom home  has been given a modern makeover without   compromising on its original charm Or  if you want to try before you buy you   could rent this three-bedroom property  in a tranquil countryside setting with   an open plan kitchen lounge diner and a large  lawn garden It has a rental price of £875 per month Well we have one more day of house  hunting ahead of us and one more property   to see and that of course is our mystery house  Now over the years we have showcased some of   the finest rural property right across the UK  many of them selected as our mystery offering   and today is no exception because I'm about to  show Stephen Sarah a property which I think is   one of the most extraordinary I have ever had the  privilege of showing Fingers crossed they think   so too For our mystery house we're heading to the  North Debon village of Horwood The property sits   between Horwood and neighboring Loverott which  is just half a mile down the road surrounded by   lush countryside Here there's a village hall  a school and a nearby gastro pub For a wider   selection of amenities it's just a 15-minute  bus ride to Bstable So while Steve and Sarah   explore the area I'm going to explore our mystery  house a super sized historic gem like no other Right have a little peek at this lot Period  splendor in all its glory Beams exposed brick   work All of this going back at least to the 17th  century if not beyond And the details just keep   coming Have a look at this as charming quirky  and inviting a country kitchen as I have ever   seen Who needs a kitchen diner when you've got  all this and this is the only listed home in our   lineup But what a slice of history they could get  How are we this is gorgeous Good Thank you Yeah   Yeah Sleepless night Oh my Wow Yeah Just We've  been up all night I've been up all night Jules   And you've done this to me Wow this is absolutely  extraordinary This is architecturally I think one   of the most significant properties I've ever seen  It's beautiful Um what we have for you is a grade   two uh listed period farmhouse which is chalk full  of genuine historic character Wow Wow Wow Wow Just Yeah You've done like just standing here  looking at it I It's absolutely incredible   I just want to get in Can't wait I genuinely  can't wait Good Come on There is so much to   say about this fabulous place And here's a  nugget for some context The average home in   the UK is about 1,000 square ft but this one is  almost 6,000 with 27 rooms Yep it's a whopper   Are you ready we are We're kicking  off the tour in the drawing room Oh this is gorgeous Oh my word I'm lost for words  mate I genuinely am I'm I'm absolutely choked up   here Look at that fireplace The fireplace is  exceptional Apparently it is said the largest   fireplace in North Devon Who am I to argue come  and have a look through here This is probably   one of my favorite parts of this property  because the history is so obvious This was   the old dairy The floor I'm in love with the  floor Oh this is amazing I think it's fair to   say that Sarah is bowled over and Steve has been  rendered speechless I'm I'm just blown away It's   just incredible It's just absolutely incredible  I I cannot I I can't put into words just how I'm   feeling right now Well wait till they see the  kitchen Come back through this gorgeous room Come in Oh you are kidding me I don't know  where to look first Come in Come in Come in   You just keep looking and there's other little  things you just keep spotting You can just see   where things have been kind of added on through  the through the hundreds and hundreds of years   You couldn't have found anything you know more  characterful That is true And there is plenty   more to discover in the warren of rooms laid out  over three floors On the ground floor there's also   a smaller reception room being used as a bedroom  as well as a basic kitchen come dining room Isn't   this gorge it's beautiful Amazing The next floor  which is set out on two levels houses five more   bedrooms all full of character and original  features There are also three bathrooms Oh my   gosh the size of it Come look at this How lovely  is this freestanding bath two kitchens This is   unbelievable This is mad Got to have a look Loads  of storage And lastly on this floor a sitting room   One floor up in the eaves is what could be a  self-contained studio flat featuring beautiful   exposed beams And after all of that I think we've  got just about enough energy left to explore the   outside To the front of the property is a walled  garden with a good stretch of lawn There are also   numerous cobbled courtyards a stone barn to  the rear and a range of outbuildings Perhaps   holiday cottage potential It's a difficult  one to fathom if I'm honest in terms of the   business side of it But it also comes with in  total about an acre and a half and you've got   a paddock behind this wall So you think about  the glamping etc out there Yeah I think it's   spoiled us all hasn't it really yeah That's  amazing You've definitely kept the best till   last Absolutely incredible Incredible property  So let's think about the budget I think it's over   budget I really do I think it's about 1.1 1.1  million pounds Yeah I'm gonna say bang on one   million Bang on one million pounds You may be  pleased to know that this is on the market for £995,000 What do you think about that Steve  i'm selling absolutely everything I possibly   can and I'm going to go in my heart I just I  want it I've got to have it My business head   is saying to me "Back off Behave yourself Walk  away This is like you do not need a house that's   yeah bigger than Hogwarts But genuinely Jamie my  heart is telling me this is just an incredible   incredible once ina-lifetime opportunity to  actually get your mits into a bit of Deonian   history This remarkable grade 2 listed property's  price tag of £995,000 is within budget Yet it   offers Sarah and Steve more than anything  they imagined with a spectacular character   kitchen and multiple rooms which include eight  bedrooms and five bathrooms Outdoors there are   gardens courtyards and outuildings And it's all  set within 1 and 1/2 acres My mind is just sort   of going into freef fall like thinking about  what we could do We could develop a business   here We could do something different having  a family over I don't think we'd ever get rid   of family there That's the trouble But yeah  we have some interlopers coming in moving in Well I'm so pleased we had the chance to  show this to you and for you to see it and   enjoy it and appreciate it And now you've  got to think about it Another sleepless   night Thanks for that Well we might  not give you a night Oh come on [Music] North Devon's beaches are undeniably beautiful  and as I revealed earlier this striking stretch   of coast has recently been designated the UK's  first World Surf Reserve It joins 11 other   surfing spots globally including ones in Mexico  Australia and California I've come to Cud Beach   to meet Adam Hall one of the people responsible  for helping North Devon gain this prestigious title What is it about this particular stretch  of coast that makes the surfing here so good   north Devon's very unique and it's one of the  reasons we actually got the designation We have   very diverse surf spots We've got a a world-class  longboarding wave which is very mellow with the   more traditional type of surfing We got point  brakes This is a very heavy performance wave   here at Cud So you can pick your spot for any  condition Absolutely And what type of surfing   you want to do The idea of trying to establish  this part of the coast as a world surf reserve   Where did it come from well it was back in 2016  on on the next beach across called Psor Beach And   we had a a coastal communities meeting where a  gentleman called Kevin Cook or Cookie as we like   to call him gave one of his his trademark speeches  about how beautiful the area was and how we need   to protect the whole area and the whole coastline  And he said uh we need to make it a world surfing   reserve So we grabbed hold of him said let's let's  give this a go And it's a common misconception   that the waves will just roll out of the Atlantic  and they'll just keep on coming and nothing really   can change that But actually we've got direct  threats and indirect threats to to the surf   ecosystem you know direct threats things like  climate change sea level rise and and coastal   erosion And then you got indirect threats things  like sewage and plastic pollution is a major   concern So it's it's about really considering this  area and and recognizing it's fragile and actually   putting systems in place to make people appreciate  it and want to look after it Well while I'm here I   want to meet Cookie himself who along with Adam  is helping to protect the waves as well as the   glorious surroundings here Cookie's been surfing  since the 60s and around these parts he's known as   a North Devon institution Here we are I suppose  in your spiritual home Yes it's exactly right   It brings together the whole surfing tradition not  just for North Devon but for the whole country the   whole of Britain and we're really proud of that  This is such a colorful collection looking back   through surfing's history And it turns out we in  Britain have two young men from Hawaii to thank   for this muchloved sport Jonas and David they were  two Hawaiian princes Came to this country to study   in the 19th century end of the 19th century  They went out to the coast at Bridlington of   all places in in East Yorkshire In East Yorkshire  they saw that there was a lovely sea there with   waves coming in and they thought "We can do  this." But of course there no surfboards here   So they had to get a carpenter a local carpenter  to make them up Oh is this them here this is the   picture of the two Yeah they're just over there  Yes And beside them is the sister Victoria who a   few years later came to this country to study in  Brighton And she too was a passionate surfer When   you started surfing as a kid did you ever imagine  that you'd be standing here in a British surfing   museum and now proudly championing the UK's first  World Surf Reserve i always knew and felt that   North Devon was a special place but I never knew  we would get to the place we are now Makes me feel   very proud And so it should But now it's back to  the surf Not to jump in but to meet Iet Curtis   the third person responsible for the surf reserve  and also the founder of an all female surf club   I think there's this real misconception that that  surfing is only for a certain type of person or   a certain type of people You know I'm here to  kind of really ensure that surfing is actually   for everyone Now the work that you're doing do you  think it's it's beginning to transform the image   of surfing as this rather exclusive sport oh my  god 100% Yeah it's really changed certainly the   image I see as surfing We're seeing a lot more  diverse ethnic communities We're seeing a lot   more abilities obviously getting you know people  with disabilities into the water The work you've   all done to now establish this first this this  UK surfing reserve is going to go a long way to   keeping this as it is so that generations to come  can come here and enjoy it and get hooked on the   surfing bug I certainly hope so Well we've been  riding on the crest of a wave during our North   Devon house hunt and now it's over What next for  our house hunters Steve and Sarah So my goodness   me I'm so thrilled at the properties we've been  able to show you So are we and if I gave you the   keys to any one of them you would make it work I  know you would However this is of course a choice   the best of three Yeah certainly the first one  with the lake and all that offered was absolutely   the front runner Is it still now we've been to our  mystery house i'm torn the one and three between   the first property and our mystery house So I  have a very clear favorite She has a very clear   favorite and we're stuck right down the middle  um between the two if I'm honest with you You   love property number one and you love our mystery  house I'm still in shock at the mystery house I   haven't taken it all in it a full assault on all  the senses from a business perspective You know   realistically number one is is the right way  My property number three I'm prepared to sell   all my cars I'm going to extend into retirement  until I'm 80 Absolutely broken It's is sensory   overload It's so beautiful We don't want to share  it with anyone We just want to live there I don't   want anybody actually coming around ever to see  it you know we don't really care if you want a   holiday go somewhere else which completely scraps  the business idea completely doesn't it yeah I   think what we would like to do is we definitely  want to go back and see number one Yeah Because   and number three and number three there is an  awful lot to consider This is a massive amount   of money to spend It's a huge move It's a  move that needs to last for the long term   uh to sustain you not just as a home but also  as a as a business But whatever you decide to   do promise me one thing You will let us know  what you are going to do next 100% 100% You'll   love it when we move into the mystery house  with dinner We'll be there We'll be there I'll   send you a video I would love to come back Let  you know anytime to that property It's been an   emotional roller coaster I need a dark room The  flannel on my head for a little while and just   kind of you know not surface for a week or two  I think Yeah Well look it's been a lot of fun   I look forward to catching up with you again  very soon Thank you so much We've enjoyed it Wow what another exceptional week of house  hunting we've had here in Devon As for Steve and   Sarah they still have a decision to make a choice  between our first property and our mystery house   But in many respects it's a very nice problem to  have but decide they eventually will And when they   have I cannot wait to come back and see how their  new country life is developing because in either   property no two ways about it they are absolutely  going to make a go of it I'll see you next time Sarah and Steve did return to see House  One and not only that they put in an offer   which was accepted They're just waiting  to sell their house now and hopefully it   won't be too long before they're in their new  North Devon home relaxing by one of their legs If you would like to escape to the  country in England Northern Ireland   Scotland or Wales and need our help why not  apply online at bbc.co.uk/takepart [Music]

2025-05-10 16:00

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