Escape to the Country: Couple say property is ‘civilised’

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Escape to the Country was brought to BBC One viewers by Jules Hudson who was on the Isle of Arran, 14 miles off the west coast of Scotland. He was hoping to find Linda and Terry from West Yorkshire a new home in the Scottish wilderness for under £375,000. After gauging the couple’s likes and dislikes, Jules set off to show them the first house but when they walked in, Linda wasn’t feeling it and she quickly explained she wanted something “a bit more rough and ready” but the presenter warned her to “be careful for what you wish for”. 

Those watching at home soon discovered neither Jules nor the couple had visited the Isle of Arran before, and as a result, Terry and Linda were open to living anywhere on the island. 

“What makes you pin the map to come here?” The presenter asked and Linda replied: “We’ve looked at more remote islands and thought Arran’s a good compromise between remoteness and close links to the mainland and you’re never very far from the sea.” 

As for what kind of property they were looking for, Terry said they needed a “minimum of three bedrooms”, a study for his wife, as well as a “little bit of land”. 

“Something by the sea, with water, with sea views,” Linda added. “I’d like to get up in the morning and be able to see the sea.” 

The property search started eight miles south of the ferry port, in the village of Whiting Bay with a “substantial” 1920s villa. 

Heading into the reception room, Linda said: “The extension makes it a lovely size room. Personally, it’s a bit civilised for me.” 

“That’s interesting!” Jules exclaimed. “That’s a rare thing, I’ve not often heard that on Escape to the Country. Were you thinking something a bit more…” 

“A bit more rough and ready,” she explained and Jules added: “Okay, you’ve got to be very careful what you wish for. If you want rough and ready, we can find you that!” 

“I don’t know, it hasn’t grabbed me yet,” Linda remarked and her husband continued: “We’ve yet to see some more.” 

Jules then led the couple through a room that was set up as A snug but could be used as a dining room and then into the kitchen. 

“I could cope with that,” Linda said. “The bigger the kitchen the more clearing up! It has potential.” 

Jules suggested knocking the wall between the kitchen and dining room to make a bigger open-plan space, he then revealed a utility room that had a door leading to a one-bedroom annexe. 

Upstairs, there were three double bedrooms with the master bedroom having a balcony. There was also a family bathroom. 

Outside there was a secluded garden with mature shrubs and trees and a greenhouse, plus, a driveway leading to a double garage. 

The house was on the market for £300,000 – with plenty of money left over to do some improvements and buy Terry’s boat. 

House number two was located in the northeast of the island, in the village of Corrie – regarded by many as one of the prettiest villages on the island. 

The updated 1970s bungalow had a gravel driveway and a double garage and upon first look, Linda exclaimed: “Outstanding – I love it.” 

Inside, there was a “spacious reception room” which had double doors leading out to a decked area, the kitchen diner also had a utility room and a downstairs toilet. 

There were four bedrooms, with the smallest being used as a study and a large family wet room. 

Outside was an “immaculate” garden, with the layout having been carefully considered; raised beds, a greenhouse, a well-maintained lawn and sheltered seating. 

“If you bought it now, you’d be here for the summer!” The presenter joked and Linda replied: “That’s tempting.” 

As for the price, the bungalow was on the market for £380,000 – slightly over budget. 

“I don’t love it that much,” Linda commented following the price reveal. 

As for where the Mystery House was, it was in the village of Kildonan, southeast of the island. 

“I think the potential this has is really interesting,” Jules explained. “Inside, it’s a real-time capsule, let’s have a look.” 

Built-in 1935, the imposing detached property was entered by a central porch, with a hall taking the guests into the first large reception room, and it was clear, it retained many of its original features. 

“It feels good, the proportions feel good,” Linda said, but she was stopped by Jules who pointed out the “issues of damp” on the walls. 

“Somebody who is quite used to renovating, I don’t see any of these things as impossible, it’s whether or not you want to take on that sort of project to give you a house in a location like this,” he explained. 

“I’m not a great one for major rebuilds and redecoration,” Terry admitted when Jules discussed plans to extend the kitchen into the utility space. 

“You could get somebody to do it for you,” Linda suggested. “It would work for me, but I think we would have to do some talking. I mean, to have that view while you’re washing up, it has potential.” 

Upstairs there were three bedrooms and a modern family bathroom and outside, a considerably large garden faced south to the sea, while a double garage and driveway provided plenty of parking or space for a boat. 

Jules revealed it was on the market for £269,000, comfortably £100,000 under budget. 

“I think it’s quite exciting,” Linda remarked. “You can have exactly the house you want! We said we wanted an adventure, if adventures aren’t exciting, they aren’t adventures are they?” 

When the couple rejoined Jules, they revealed there were two clear favourites. 

“Are there? That’s thrown me a bit,” Jules replied and Linda explained: “After a sleepless night thinking about property number two, we decided to go back and give it a second look. Logically, I just couldn’t find what it was, so we need to look at that again.” 

Terry then revealed the second option was the Mystery House: “We’ve been in touch with a builder and have arranged for him to come and look an estimate on the work that can be done.” 

“Terry, you’ve really surprised me!” The presenter commented. “I didn’t really get the feeling I had convinced you, but the fact you’ve made the call to a local builder is proof maybe I have.” 

Escape to the Country airs weekdays at 3pm on BBC One. 

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