Escape to the Country Season 22, Episode 52: Bedfordshire

1

Derbyshire

A London couple are swapping the sound of the Bow bells for cow bells, as Jules Hudson helps them to spend their £500,000 budget on a house with a music room and a dog-friendly garden in the Derbyshire countryside. Whilst there, they meet one of the county’s silver bands, and Jules works up an appetite as he harvests some delicious mushrooms cultivated in an old converted mill.

45 min

2

Argyll & Bute

A couple from the Surrey town of Epsom enjoy the spectacular landscape in Argyll and Bute as Nicki Chapman provides them with some expert property advice. For their budget of £600,000 they want a house with views that just keep on giving. Nicki also takes to the water on Loch Lomond, meeting a family who have owned and lived on an island for 70 years.

45 min

3

Northamptonshire

Having recently returned from Bermuda, today’s couple are bracing themselves for an exploration of Northamptonshire’s property, people and places, guided by Steve Brown. Steve also meets a social media influencer and a local food producer, some of whose secret spicy recipes were handed down by her grandmother.

45 min

4

Wiltshire

With their entire belongings in two rucksacks, today’s couple have spent the last six years travelling the globe. With £325,000, the pair have decided they need a base in the Wiltshire countryside, and Alistair Appleton is the man to show them what this gorgeous county has to offer. Alistair also meets an intensive care nurse at her much loved and fruitful allotment.

45 min

5

Suffolk

Wanting to be closer to a new grandson, a buyer from the Gloucestershire town of Tewkesbury asks Jules Hudson to help her find a new home in the Suffolk countryside for £450,000. Enjoying the best of spring, with the bluebells in bloom, Jules visits a care farm that helps vulnerable people improve their well-being through farming.

45 min

6

Hampshire

A new house in the Hampshire countryside is needed for a young couple and their two dogs, and Sonali Shah is on hand to show them the best property the county has to offer for their £500k budget. Whilst there, Sonali visits a contemporary and stylish family home and discovers why its energy bills are virtually nonexistent.

45 min

7

Derbyshire

Jonnie Irwin takes in the delights of Derbyshire with a couple from Leeds who want to see a range of rural properties with all the trimmings. Jonnie takes time out to visit a repair cafe where, over a coffee and slice of cake, environmentally minded customers can take household items to be mended instead of thrown away.

45 min

8

Shropshire

A first-time buyer has decided to leave the home where she grew up in the outskirts of Birmingham for a new one in the nearby Shropshire countryside. Nicki Chapman shows her what the stunning county has to offer and helps out by pulling pints for the locals at a community-owned pub.

45 min

9

Norfolk

Three generations of the same family need help from Jules Hudson to find them a new home in rural Norfolk. In the kitty is £800,000 for a four-bedroom house, an annexe for Granny and enough land for a Shetland pony. Jules also needs a keen eye to spot some of the world’s rarest - and most camera-shy - deer and antelope at a local safari park.

45 min

10

North Yorkshire

A huge kitchen is a big priority for Steve Brown’s couple today as they take in the sights and sounds of the exceptional North Yorkshire countryside. Away from property shopping, Steve meets a group of men in a shed to learn about a scheme that helps their mental and physical health.

45 min

11

West Country

There are two counties for the price of one today as Nicki Chapman visits Somerset and Dorset with a buyer from London who is in search of a new life and a new home in the countryside for her £800k budget. Whilst in the area, Nicki also visits the town of Frome to learn how a fridge (yes, a fridge!) is helping to bring the local community together.

45 min

12

Perth & Kinross

Jules Hudson unearths some excellent and innovative property choices in the magical landscape of Perth and Kinross for his buyer’s budget of £210,000. Jules also gets to mess about in a boat on the king of Scotland’s rivers, the magnificent Tay, where he learns about the efforts being made to conserve its salmon population.

45 min

13

Cornwall

After 25 years living in America, today’s couple are heading back to Blighty and have chosen Cornwall for their homecoming. Sonali Shah is on hand to show them some of the best property available in the county for their £675,000 budget. Sonali also drops in on a past Escape buyer to find out all about the highs and lows of moving to this ever-popular county.

45 min

14

Pembrokeshire

Alistair Appleton shows today's buyer around Pembrokeshire. Whilst in the Welsh county, Alistair takes time out to test the therapeutic benefits of a dip in the cold sea, wearing nothing warmer than his swimming trunks.

45 min

15

Oxfordshire

A globetrotting couple have decided to move back home for good, and Nicki Chapman lends a hand as they try to find a new address in Oxfordshire’s lovely countryside for their £650k budget. Nicki also discovers how and why the county is leading the way with the recycling of its food waste.

45 min

16

Wiltshire

The focus is on Wiltshire today as Jonnie Irwin helps a couple from London make a life-changing move to this beautiful county. Jonnie also meets a group of bicycling enthusiasts, joining them on a ride through the fascinating Longleat Estate.

45 min

17

Welsh Marches

There’s a sense of urgency today in the Welsh Marches as Sonali Shah helps a couple who have already sold their old house to find a new one with enough land to be self-sufficient. Together they visit a community project where locals get to take home and enjoy the vegetables and fruits of their labour.

45 min

18

Norfolk

There are grand ambitions in Norfolk as Alistair Appleton helps an opera singer and his husband find a house with space inside to hold small concerts and a garden big enough to keep a couple of pigs. During his time in the county, Alistair also meets a former fashion editor from London who uses social media to share the joys of her country life from her beautiful Georgian home.

45 min

19

Lincolnshire

A desire to move closer to family and the need for a new single-storey home is fuelling today’s buyers to make the move from Birmingham to the Lincolnshire countryside. Jules Hudson is there to help the couple navigate the property market in the county, where he also finds out what a difference nearly 60 years has made in tractor technology.

45 min

20

Devon

There are some impressive properties on offer in Devon today as Nicki Chapman helps a couple from London to figure out what they do and don’t want from their new life in the country. On a break from the house search, Nicki visits a workshop where traditional sign-writing skills are being kept alive.

45 min

21

Monmouthshire

A young couple from London have £325,000 to spend on a new rural home, and it’s Sonali Shah who is leading the search in the Monmouthshire countryside. Sonali takes her buyers to visit a market garden using a novel ‘no dig’ growing method that aims to preserve the soil with a lot less backbreaking work!

45 min

22

Norfolk & Suffolk Borders

A move to Norfolk or Suffolk has been a long time in the making for a couple from Middlesex, and Jules Hudson is just the man to help make their dream come true for their £400,000 budget. Aside from property, Jules pays a visit to a new 400-acre wildlife sanctuary and is impressed to see just how quickly Mother Nature can thrive if given the opportunity.

45 min

23

East Midlands

Three generations of one family want to move to the East Midlands, and the task of finding a new home for them all has fallen on Mum, Grandma and Ginny Buckley. Away from houses, Ginny meets a volunteer group helping to restore the area’s local canals and their footpaths so that wildlife can thrive and the public can enjoy a safer stroll.

45 min

24

North Yorkshire

Having fallen head over heels in love with North Yorkshire, a retired teacher and her pet bunny Gary need Nicki Chapman’s help with finding a new home for £450,000, a starting point from which to fully explore this beautiful country. Sausages are on the menu too, as Nicki helps to make and then taste a vegan banger.

45 min

25

Cornwall

Having spent many happy family holidays in Cornwall, a couple from Hertfordshire now want to make England’s most south-westerly county their permanent home, and Steve Brown is just the man to help them realise their dream. The trio also meet a local ceramicist and take part in an Escape to the Country pottery throwdown.

45 min

26

Somerset

Briony May Williams is on her home turf in Somerset as she helps a couple with a budget of £500k who are looking to swap their narrow boat for a more traditional house on terra firma. Briony also visits a market garden initiative that operates alongside a hostel for the homeless and rural rough sleepers.

45 min

27

North Norfolk

Creating a luxury holiday let business is just as important as finding a new family home for today's couple. They want to relocate to rural north Norfolk, and Jules Hudson is there to open doors for them. A familiar face also welcomes Jules aboard her fishing boat for an impromptu lesson on how to dress a crab.

45 min

28

Devon

A dog-friendly garden is a top priority today for Nicki Chapman’s buyer in Devon, who has £350,000 to spend on a new home for her and her much-loved pet pooch. After the house tours are over, Nicki visits a charity that gives city children an opportunity to experience the muck and magic of life on a farm.

45 min

29

Perth and Kinross

Alistair Appleton is in his element today as he visits the spectacular Perth and Kinross countryside, on a mission to help a young couple from Edinburgh realise their dream of a new lifestyle in a rural home. Aside from property, a visit to the coast to learn about one of the world’s most advanced wind turbines leaves Alistair full of hope about the future of the UK’s renewable energy.

45 min

30

Suffolk

Suffolk is today’s destination for Steve Brown. He is joined by a couple from London who have £575,000 to spend on a new home from where they want to kick-start a new life in the countryside. Steve also meets an inspirational pair of young farmers who, despite having full-time jobs elsewhere, find time to farm 70 acres using ethical and sustainable methods.

45 min

31

West Yorkshire

With their current townhouse bursting at the seams, today’s couple - along with their five children and two dogs - need Ginny Buckley's help to find a large rural property. In West Yorkshire, they get the local lowdown from both Ginny and her mum Maggie. Having grown up in the area, Ginny also finds out what it is to be a proud Yorkshire person.

45 min

32

The Cotswolds

Alistair Appleton shows off the Cotswolds in all its glory to a couple who want a complete change of lifestyle. Moving from Edinburgh, they have a budget of over £1 million to spend on their new dream home. Alistair also visits a farm that has adopted bygone methods to grow sustainable and environmentally friendly crops.

45 min

33

The Lothians

Jules Hudson prepares himself for a beautiful but bracing property adventure in the lowlands of Scotland as he travels around the Lothians. He’s with a buyer from Edinburgh who has a £360,000 budget to make a longed-for break from the city and has brought her aunt along for support. Amongst a diverse range of property options, Jules also tours a striking fortified 16th-century tower that has been meticulously restored back into a great Scottish house.

45 min

34

Buckinghamshire

Leafy Buckinghamshire is Sonali Shah’s destination today, where she’s helping a London couple search for their dream countryside home. Sticking to bricks and mortar, Sonali also visits the county’s last independent brick maker and finds out how to make them, but soon discovers it’s not as easy as it looks.

45 min

35

Wye Valley

The beautiful Wye Valley may not be too far from Bristol, where today’s couple are from, but it’s a whole world away in terms of lifestyle. Steve Brown has some tempting properties up his sleeve, and during some downtime all three manage to unwind and enjoy the scenery with a leisurely canoe ride on the River Wye itself.

45 min

36

Shropshire

Chris Bavin and today’s couple marvel at Shropshire’s stunning countryside in between checking out some tempting homes from the county’s property market. Taking time away from the house search, Chris’s taste buds are in for a treat when he meets a local chef who uses seasonal local food, much of which he forages for himself.

45 min

37

Kent

Who better to show a young couple with a growing family from London around Kent than local girl Nicki Chapman? Away from the house hunt, Nicki takes a trip down memory lane, meeting up with her best friend from school, before they join Nicki’s mum at the family’s beach hut in Herne Bay.

45 min

38

Welsh Borders

In the Welsh Borders, Jules Hudson is the local with the lowdown, helping a retired colonel and his wife with their property shopping requirements. Jules also meets up with a group of local ramblers to discuss the correct etiquette when walking in the great British countryside.

45 min

39

Episode 39

Wanting to move to Dorset, just one county away from their current home, today’s couple are led by Sonali Shah to discover what the local housing market has to offer for their £550,000 budget. Sonali also helps to create sustainable beauty products made from locally foraged plants and herbs.

45 min

40

Episode 40

Returning home after seven years in Switzerland, today’s couple are expecting a baby and have called on Margherita Taylor to help them find a family home in Cambridgeshire.

45 min

41

The Gower

The sun shines all week long as Alistair Appleton helps a couple to move one step closer to their dream of a new life on the gorgeous Gower Peninsula in Wales. Apart from checking out some fabulous properties, Alistair collects cockles and tries laverbread for the first time.

45 min

42

Gloucestershire

A creative couple from London want to leave city life behind in search of new adventures in Gloucestershire, and Chris Bavin is on hand to guide them. Along with presenting a lovely selection of houses, Chris also visits a local football club to check out for himself why it’s green by name and green by nature.

45 min

43

Lancashire and Cumbria Borders

Having met just 18 months ago, today’s couple are wasting no time and are selling up their homes to find a new one together, in the countryside of Cumbria or Lancashire. Briony May Williams is there to help with their property search, and whilst in the region she also visits one of the finest restaurants in the country.

45 min

44

Dorset

Although originally from the UK, today’s couple have been living in Canada since the 1980s. Now back home, and with Ginny Buckley’s help, they are raring to find a new way of life and a new house in Dorset. Ginny also visits a farm helping to keep the elderly and retired gents fit in mind, body and soul.

45 min

45

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire beckons to an Essex couple who need Jonnie Irwin’s help to find a home in this beautiful region. Jonnie also visits the popular seaside resort of Whitby on a mission to work out why we love fish and chips so much and to discover who makes the best in town.

45 min

46

Shropshire and Herefordshire

A couple are leaving Spain for good and want to settle in the countryside of either Shropshire or Herefordshire. Steve Brown accepts the challenge to find them their new home, and also finds the time to visit a traditional rural estate to learn how diversification is helping to secure its future and support the local community.

45 min

47

Berkshire

Wanting to swap their home in London for a new one in the Berkshire countryside, today’s couple have a whopping £1 million budget, and Alistair Appleton is here to help them spend it. Alistair also takes time out to visit a restaurant and theatre in an old mill on the River Thames, where he meets the actor and playwright Simon Williams.

45 min

48

Derbyshire

Having sold up his home in the large Bedfordshire town of Luton, today’s buyer has already relocated to a rental in Derbyshire, but has called on the expertise of Sonali Shah to help him source his very own property in the countryside, where he can entertain family and friends. For a real flavour of local life, they sample traditional Bakewell puddings and tarts, as well as some exotic cuisine from much further afield.

45 min

49

Kent

Steve Brown faces a double challenge in his home county of Kent as he helps two sisters from London to buy a house each. With two separate budgets and different priorities, they are exploring options for rural and coastal living. Steve also meets a father and son whose family have been restoring traditional oast houses for four generations.

45 min

50

Worcestershire

Chris Bavin is on hand to make the rural English dream a reality by presenting some beautiful properties to a couple returning to the UK after 20 years living abroad in Canada. They have a big budget to spend on a new home and are open to the countryside in either Worcestershire or Warwickshire.

45 min

51

Somerset

Somerset is the destination today, where Alistair Appleton is helping an industrious young couple from Hertfordshire who are eager to make a rural move to the county. In the home of cheddar cheese, Alistair investigates innovations to complement that dairy tradition when he visits a local producer who specialises in vegan cheese.

45 min

52

Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire beckons today’s couple, who are looking for the peace and quiet the county has on offer. Steve Brown guides them on their house hunt, and he also visits Biggleswade to find out about an easily accessible off-road, multi-user path that circumnavigates the market town, enabling people to connect to the local countryside and its wildlife.

45 min

53

Somerset and Dorset

The ladies are on tour in Somerset and Dorset today, where Briony May Williams helps a buyer from London, with her daughter in tow for support, to realise the dream of a new life in the country. Briony also visits a local kitchen to learn about the potential health benefits of fermented food whilst creating kimchi, an ancient Korean dish made using the humble cabbage.

45 min

54

East Devon

Wanting to be close to the coast, today’s rural relocators have a £650,000 budget, and it’s Jonnie Irwin who’s on hand to help them start a new life by finding a new home in Devon. Jonnie also visits Beer, a picturesque fishing village long associated with smugglers, where he tries not to disturb the residents of the local caves.

45 min

55

Lewis & Harris

Alistair Appleton is in Hebridean heaven on Lewis and Harris, helping a couple with a £400k budget to relocate to this beautiful, rugged Scottish island. As well as exploring the island and a handful of its properties, Alistair meets a host of welcoming locals and visits a tweed mill to discover how the exclusive fabric is made.

45 min