We all have an ideal country retreat in mind I can spend hours in here I can see that but it’s not always the bricks and water that make the difference it’s just a place to sit and watch the season I would get anything done any move can be an emotional
Journey you know I’ve always had my husband there in the background and um but you know I have to do something different now and getting it right might mean a team effort this is you know a great sized place for the whole family to come and meet up Now Karena in the heart of Southwest Wales with Castle topped Hills overlooking magnificent beaches and Lively Market towns packed with local produce if you’re feeling hemmed in then this county is the Outdoor Paradise you could be looking For over 90% of South Wales properties have a garden the highest proportion in the whole of the UK now I’m not sure if that’s exactly what people mean when they refer to kamaren sha as the garden of Wales but if having a home with your very own patch of green is important to
You and the chances are you’re going to find it here bordered to the north by kedigian Paris to the East and facing the Bristol channel to the South calena is is a wash with Landscapes reflecting its ancient agricultural Heritage its geography is spectacular it’s mountains its rivers its valleys
Its castles it can hold its own amongst any of the counties in Wales and and Beyond in the north Clover’s Town Hall stands over the Town Central marketplace where visitors can explore cobbled streets lined with Artisan cafes and boutique shops Stefan on the Golden Shore of
Karan Bay is a village with one of the most beautiful panoramic beaches in Wales Legend has it that the magician Merlin was born in a cave near kamaran so perhaps it’s no surprise that magical Karena is a Haven for those who enjoy wales’s Beauty along with its myths and Legends people move to the countryside for all kinds of reasons and this week’s Escape he is looking for a rural home that they find inspiring both inside and out and all in a truly beautiful part of the world right now Bev and her dog Indie share somewhat cramped quarters this is
Where I currently live in my camper van I sold my house in February so I’m now looking for somewhere else to go my husband and I always wonder to have a a nice place to move on to as our forever home but unfortunately he died
In March last year so now it’s just me and indy helping Bev on her property Quest will be one of her four son’s 28-year-old Chef Joe so tell us why you would you chose me to come with you than Mom uh well your brothers would say it’s because
You’re my favorite CU they always argue um but I think you’ll be the voice of reason Bev’s Focus for her forever home is on The Great Outdoors the kind of property I’m looking for is something that has a nice large driveway so that I can park
My van on it but also just plenty of outdoor space that’s the most important thing for me um the house itself doesn’t have to be very big at all karensa offers the space she craves it just has this really light open feel and it’s so beautifully quiet I think
She wants somewhere to settle down so we can all come back and see her as well Bev has her sight set on a bright and welcoming property with at least two bedrooms but is open to any style in fact the outdoor space is perhaps more important than the house
Itself as she wants plenty of it and outbuildings would be a bonus to achieve all this Bev has a budget of £450,000 This is a special move for Bev it’s one that represents a new chapter in her life and an opportunity to really embed herself in a new lifestyle and community so she’s already sold a house and she is completely ready to move to this fantastic County so I just hope that Joe
And I can help guide her to her perfect property so she can par that motor home our house search will be focused north of kamaran but before we get started I want to meet Bev and Joe and learn more about this very emotional move so Bev and Joe even on a misty
Morning it’s gorgeous here isn’t it it’s fantastic yeah really do you feel ready to make this move now Bev yes I think I do definitely it’s um now is the right time and if I don’t do it now I think I might sort of slip into to old ways and
Um stay indoors a lot so I want to be out in the countryside how do you feel about this cuz this is a massive move and you’ve been through a really big couple of years are you excited apprehensive well obviously apprehensive slightly um I’m used to having my
Husband there to sort of see the things that I don’t always see so this will be the first house that I’ve actually seen myself and decided on so that’s quite a big move yeah but you’ve got Joe here yes how do you feel about this move Joe
Oh fantastic yeah I think Mom really needs a place now where she can you know progress the way that she wants to with her gardening and you know the rest of our family she wants to have a place where we can all come together and yeah
I think it’s time oh let’s talk about the garden for a minute so if it came down to it house or garden oh Garden no no yeah no contest yeah now of course you’ll have Joe your other son’s grandchildren coming here so would some kind of I don’t know outside space and
Out building and Annex be useful it would be nice yes yes even if it’s out buildings or just you know somewhere that you know I can get everybody together that would be lovely so should we go and explore this beautiful place and also let’s go meet some people as
Well lovely okay thank you wait we’re starting about 7 miles west of lovery in the village of claron which is in Northeast kamaren regular get togethers for the 500 or so residents include film nights and an art Club these social and hobby groups meet at the reading rooms the church and the
Pub there are regular buses to the county town of Karan it’s surrounded by open Countryside ideal for walking and cycling and aast property is a mile from the Village Center so here we go tada fabulous incredible it’s lovely I do like the stonework so so the house you you were
Quite open to style so this is a blend of old and new lovely so we’ve got the 1850s side the Stonehouse and then a more modern extension that’s fabulous I love the connection of the two actually very much so and if you look behind us you can’t really miss oh don’t worry Joe
There’s not a load of building work for you to do no say it looks like it’s ready it’s half of it is a self-contained um one bedroom Annex with a small bathroom the rest of it is storage but you could easily just convert the whole thing yeah so you had
A you know completely separate space for when the family come down fabulous I love it CU it’s so wild has so much to do that’s F that’s brilliant really is I can spend hours in here I could see that can you see your mom here Joe in the
Garden definitely yeah this is going to be even a year from now it’ll be completely different it won’t even look the same I love that positivity yeah okay well that’s a really great start should we see if we can continue this upbeat feeling inside let’s have a look this attractive Victorian property
Was given a modern extension in 2020 with bold patio doors providing us with direct access into a spacious and modern kitchen living room come on in oh lovely love the height very dog friendly yeah nice flooring slate floors and lovely worktops as well yeah nice
Big space to put the table in as well and then over the other side You’ve Got A really lovely sort of hidden utility area right with another saying and storage and then places for all your muddy boots and bringing the dogs in or the dog in when you’ve been for a walk
Might be dogs you know might be dogs who know um Joe could you imagine you and your brothers and the rest of the family gathering here oh yeah definitely this is you know a great sized place for the whole family to come and meet up now I
Quite like the sort of modern inside as well but I I do like the Cozy bit as well of the old house so I’ll be interested to see what that side looks like as well well we’ve seen the new should we go and check out the old yes love to thank
You a corridor leads to a traditional sitting and dining room with a feature fireplace so as you can see it’s quite a contrast in here oh that’s nice so fantastic oh look at that yes yes now you’re talking fantastic yeah definitely and again it’s it’s just lovely and cozy
Isn’t it the old part really nice I can see myself sitting in here quite happily dog by the fire I love the wood beams on the roof as well do you like the contrast I do I do very much so actually I like the modern size for what you know
For the light and the the sort of tall ceilings and things but um I also like this part as I for the hug that’s such a nice way to describe it it is a hug isn’t it it’s got It’s kind of like wraps itself around you yeah the ground
Floor has given Bev the country cocoon she’s after and upstairs provides just as big a blanket with its two cozy and comfortable bedrooms oh I like the stone wall That’s Lovely isn’t it yeah really lovely I do love the solid huge wood beams are they yeah they are great it’s very cozy yeah
Nice and bright as well lovely yeah yeah a family bathroom serves both bedrooms cute little room oh fantastic I can see this being your craft room already yeah I know that’s a great size isn’t it yeah size is about to get even greater as I take them to explore the outside
And take it from me there is a lot to see oh good no way wow oh my goodness fantastic how far back does this go oh right the way back to the trees all of it and and the poly tunnel wow um I mean a poly tunnel of that size
Do you think you could put that to work I think there might be something I could do with it yes yes definitely I don’t know quite what yet I can already see the cogs turning yeah she getting the tomato already some incredible things will happen here I can tell Already this small holding of four ACR would definitely keep Bev busy but she doesn’t seem overwhelmed at the prospect of such a large amount of land she can of course call on the help of her four sons who could toss a coin to see who stays in the well-appointed annex that
Bev could also rent out oh this is cute oh here we go this is where I’m going to be staying isn’t it is it you booked it already have you yeah love all the wood floors that they put everywhere as well that’s great didn’t look like it was going to be this
Big on the inside but all this space inside and out comes at a cost your excitement is wearing off on me there is a lot to explore here cuz there are four acres in total fabulous so should we see where it sits pricewise I think it’s going to be right
Up there at the top really so I would say £450,000 okay yeah I think at least £425,000 actually as always in life Joe your mom is absolutely right it’s it’s bang on the top end of your budget £450,000 it’s definitely worth of money I think it’s a lovely lovely
Place on the market for offers in the region of 450,00 000 this 19th century Cottage has a modern extension with a kitchen and living area a cozy sitting room and two bedrooms just a mile from a village it sits in four acres of land which includes a one bedroom Annex moving to
This area I didn’t think that I would be getting a house or as much land as I have with this that this is quite huge um in a good way um I thought um that I probably wouldn’t be able to afford it so yeah so it’s it’s a nice surprise I
Think this is an incredible upgrade for her she’s um got way more Garden than she could ever have you know run out of things to do with it so yeah and the house is fantastic as well it’s got some real character to it I think all of our
Family will be coming down here immediately like In the south of Karena on the river tawi lies the town that gives the county its name Karan proudly claiming the title oldest town in Wales it was settled by the Romans and its name meaning Merlin’s Fortress reflects an ancient magical Heritage Karan Castle was built by by
The Normans but its winding Labyrinthian streets aren’t stuck in the past favorite things about this town is you have a wide range of eclectic shops both National and some very good independent retailers especially in the old part of the town near the castle kamaran is a town that opens its
Arms to newcomers Priya runs a clothing Emporium I’ve been come for about 33 years I love Kaden the main reason is because it’s very quiet tranquility and the people are very friendly it has very it has a strong sense of a community would you reckon with this
One I think it’s great yeah suits you fits my jacket doesn’t it yeah it does Karan may seem isolated on a map but regular trains mean Swansea is only 45 minutes away with fast connections to the rest of the country the town is a hub of music and
Culture good news for music F Bev here we are we’re sending her and Joe to meet Mike Hilton who runs one of karan’s popular night spots it’s a great place you’ve got here it’s really cool isn’t it thank you very much you very much so how do you
Actually pronounce it though um so you pronounce it Kuru Kuru um it means be in Welsh so it’s quite a popular venue any good bands in town um yeah yeah there’s there’s a lot of of talent within Karan one in particular is adwi they’ve recently performed at glastenbury yeah so they H
The skills right here oh wow it’s great they’ve got somewhere to come to do that well this is one of the things why we opened it’s the nure that creative Talent not just within music but within literature and poetry happens here so what’s the community like in command we
All help each other out it’s it’s one of them communities that’s got a real sense of identity is there Lots going on in town yeah you know kamalan is a a really modern town in that sense next week There’s a festival actually lovely um it’s a and we’ve just had the Town
Festival so you don’t sound very Welsh where have you hailed from uh originally from Liverpool all right I’ve lived here four years uh I moved here with my wife and now two children yeah the reason being it’s a real good base for for the outdoors yeah amazing green spaces and Coastal
Path probably come down later for a pinea Fest right with you you’re very welcome please do thank you very much try guys thank you bye Bev can’t embrace the culture and community of Karan without a new home so we are pressing on with the property Search we’re on the road again and making our way to the Village of clanney conveniently situated with access to the M4 Motorway in just 20 minutes clne offers a community Pub and a store selling a wealth of local produce it’s overlooked by Paxton’s Tower a Neo
Gothic Folly built 2 200 years ago in memory of Lord Nelson our second property is 2 mil away in a commanding position above the T Valley so Bev I thought that after oh 6 months in a motor home you might appreciate a bit of a view oh my
Goodness oh that is amazing isn’t it look at that and of course it isn’t just a view cuz you get a house as well fabulous that is Lovely isn’t it it’s incredible a real sort of children’s drawing of a house it is it’s an old Welsh Farmhouse lovely dating back to around the
1860s um and unusually it’s got those really nice high Windows as well and high ceiling so it’s not a a pokey little Farmhouse at all it’s not and in terms of the land um around us it’s got about three and a half acres of land as
Well all right um but I don’t know if you’ve spotted you do have a poly tunnel over in the front corner there a theme going here so obviously this is the back of the house we’ll go around the side and go in through the front door which is not this side thank you
Fantastic the entrance opens into a modern kitchen extension covering the front aspect of the house so we’re going to kick off with a room with a view oh yes wow that’s Lovely Isn’t it nice light room as well big stove I like all of the wood and marble together
That looks fantastic doesn’t it really good color scheme very light yeah it has got a good feel I think this house I think partly because youve got these amazing skylights so this is all an older property this is the new extension but even that isn’t modern in the way
That we’ve just shown you um but actually you’ve got really good uh living size living rooms in here as well so come on through at this amazing size dining room oh that’s Lovely isn’t it and just a small fireplace beautiful that’s fantastic they seem suitably impressed so far and there’s
Still much more to see the living room is reached across a tiled hallway Way so these lovely original Welsh tiles are gorgeous lovely aren’t they and then wooden floor in here wow beautiful fire that’s a nice fire isn’t it and of course you got all the views as well they’re amazing they are I mean it’s it’s just a place to sit and watch the
Season trou I wouldn’t get anything done and that deck is special it is yeah that’s that’s lovely imagine it in the evening can’t you particularly when it’s dark outside it’d be fabulous absolutely fabulous can already see you with your tea and biscuits sat right there you know looking out over the hillside
Fantastic yeah that’ be lovely yeah it’s got a lot of character to it and a lot of style um but it’s also very rustic and homey as well yeah what I’d like you to to do is just go and have a look on your own go go and wander upstairs and I
Will be probably out there on the deck lovely for you come come and find than you all right thank you upstairs two bedrooms lead off the landing oh that’s lovely is here isn’t it and a stone wall as well yeah behind wow even better views out there oh man
The highest this looks fantastic yeah incredible Wow Let’s have a look in here oh in the bathroom that’s lovely too the bathroom can be access directly through doors from both bedrooms oh another big room nice size yeah I really like the size of the rooms in this house feels very fresh in every
Room we’ve been in so far yeah feels really nice I was expecting a bit more of a wow reaction to that view when uh beev and Joe first saw it so I wasn’t sure but I actually do think that this is growing on them they’ve definitely been positive
To the inside and they’ve been upstairs for quite a while which you my experence is usually quite a good sign and surely just over 3 and a half acres of land complete with poly tunnel and Greenhouse will help to make up Bev’s Mind it is a lovely view it is indeed and of course that view is only part of what you’ll enjoy outside cuz it’s a huge Garden as well 3.6 Acres yeah I’m just generally not getting the same feeling okay about the garden um lots of ideas running through my head last time
Here not so much so come on I’m still going to ask you what do you think this property is on the market for uh I think about £430,000 okay and Joe I think for me it probably be yeah 395,000 around that area yeah well this time I’m afraid Mom isn’t
Right neither of you are cuz it’s it’s actually bang on budget it’s £450,000 whether you feel you’re getting those feelings or not it’s still a fantastic property it is yeah this detached Victorian Farmhouse has traditional characterful reception rooms an extension with a modern kitchen two
Bedrooms and over 3 and a half acres of land which enjoy spectacular Valley views 2 mil from the nearest Village it’s on the market for offers close to £450,000 but it is a stunning view there’s no doubt about that I don’t know if that’s enough to convince me put it that way
Think it’s just not for you no it’s just it’s not grabbing me and you can sort of tell when someone isn’t fully convinced by a place even if it has incredible features um and yeah I just don’t think it’s hit you emotionally as it the same as other places
Yeah today house one with that expansive Garden has taken center stage but I can’t forget that this big rural move is one that Bev hadn’t originally planned to be Tak taking on Solo and relax so Beth how does it feel thinking that you’ll be able to pop down here for a walk on a beach like this fabulous it’s um beautiful down here and again so still and quiet and what’s this journey been like for you now coming here and
This realization that this is a step that you’re doing and yes you’re you’re doing it on your own with the support and love of all the family um I know I’m quite independent anyway but you know I’ve always had my husband there in the background and um but you know I have to
Do something different now so I’m sort of quite looking forward to the challenge as well so yeah how do you think he’d feel if he could oh he he’d be cheering me on in the background definitely definitely yeah I think it’s incredibly Brave of you and just just
Brilliant that you’re seizing life you must be so proud of your mom oh definitely I think she’s done exactly what Dad would have wanted to do I think it would be be great for all of our family to come down and explore the area with my mom and spend some real quality
Time we need to make sure we find your house that keeps drawing them back exactly yes something they don’t want to leave how could you leave this beach though as Well though Road and rail links make Kamara surprisingly accessible its low profile means that property in the garden of Wales can offer excellent value for money the average cost of a detached house in the county is just under £285,000 that compares very favorably to the average figure across the whole of Wales
Which is slightly over £ 331,000 here’s a range of what else is on offer in the county this three-bedroom Cottage is just out IDE a market town with a well-maintained garden Galley kitchen and large living room it’s on the market for 332,500townhouse If a shorter break is more your style then how about these rustic cabins surrounded by nature and completely self-contained prices start at £120 per night with a minimum two night Stay we had a great day yesterday and I think it’s going to be pretty hard to top it um what really became clear to me was that for Bev this move is about much more than the house it’s about the area the community most importantly the garden and the land so I’ve got
Something up my sleeve today that I think B is going to find pretty inspiring and then there is the mystery house which is really going to push her out of her comfort zone so that’s where we’re starting the mystery destination is in the village of kwell elvid home to around a thousand
Residents who have a primary school and a few shops at their disposal for a wider range of facilities kamaran is 5 miles away and is easily accessed by Road Conwell El’s many social and hobby groups are well served by the Community Hall while Bev and Joe explore the
Village and its Community I’m preparing the mystery house for their viewing and it’s a house that offers both more and less of what’s on Bev’s wish list yeah I really love Symmetry and also the generous proportions of the rooms in this house um and I can see
That Bev and her sons are all such a close niit family can just imagine them all in here Christmas tree big dining table it’s got loads of space for when they all get together now I may like this house but it’s Bev and Joe’s opinion that really Counts come and join me yeah Welcome To The Mystery House house lovely so the mystery is this one is banged up in the heart of a village so you’re not as you know out in the wild as perhaps you were but we wanted to challenge you with that
Thank you because you’re moving to a new area so we thought it’d be good for you to perhaps just give some thoughts of what it’d be like to be in the center of the community yeah it’s nice and bright isn’t it and it’s it’s a pretty house
Isn’t it I think it’s awesome it’s massive it looks huge is it looks like it’s going to be really nice and spacious inside I like that and there’s a little surprise in the garden all right that’s all I’m going to say okay and how are you feeling about the
Thought of being in a village yeah it depends doesn’t it I’d have to have a good look around the village as well I think yeah there’s quite a lot to see in the house so should we get started lovely yes come on thank you I’m sensing that the mystery house
Isn’t an immediate hit with beev but I’m hoping that the interior may change her mind the front of the property dates from the 1900s and an elegant living room lies off the entrance hall let’s start off in here so as you can see high ceilings lots of space lot
Of light love the color scheme as well that’s really nice and wood winner yes yes that’s Lovely isn’t it I like the wood and everything there as well and it’s such a good size face as well for when you’ve got all the family here definitely so would you like to see more
Yes please onto the kitchen yes come on thank you a second spacious room that could be used as a dining area lies across the hall from the sitting room the rear of the hallway leads into the original house built in the 1800s a conveniently situated utility
Room with ad joining WC opens into a bright and modern kitchen with a conservatory extension that’s a lovely kitchen isn’t it really lovely it’s like a proper Farmhouse kitchen isn’t it with a big open fireplace as well Conservatory off there as well would you use all this space do
You think I don’t know it doesn’t feel too big so far but at the same time you know there is a lot of room so there are four bedrooms in this house almost one for each of your sons I’d like you to just go upstairs explore them and I’ll
Just be waiting near the garden so I can show you that little surprise that I mentioned lovely okay thank you thank you upstairs off the landing you’ll find a bedroom oh this is a lovely room isn’t it that’s gorgeous very light isn’t it I like the wood yeah having the white all
The way around is actually really nice that’s really nice I like that a lot good view out as well a family bathroom sits opposite whilst the remaining three bedrooms are at the top of the stairs oh this is nice oh wow like the wooden ceilings it’s
Very vintage style I like that a lot so much light in there it’s great yeah it’s got that nice feel hasn’t it Yeah it’s been interesting that Bev hasn’t been at all overwhelmed by the Acres of garden that I’ve showed her all that land but I do wonder whether the size of this house might be something that overwhelms her there’s also a smaller bedroom this is a good size as well what’s in the
Long sweet bathroom yeah one much tinier guest room completes this quartet of bedrooms adjoining the house a modern garage provides space for two cars so we’ve upscaled the requested accommodation and downsized the grounds with this mystery but the rear Garden is beautiful all the same and could offer a rare
Opportunity now this house doesn’t have the acres of land that I’ve shown bed with the other two properties however it does have this a beautiful river that just runs along the back here and it’s got the potential for Beth to create a lovely deck seating area right next to
It so I’m quite excited about this and I think it might win her over oh look at this the sound of the water’s lovely so peaceful is very jealous So it just strikes me that this would be a very nice place to sit and relax yeah sitting out here in the evening glass of wine just a job yeah it’s beautiful I love the sounds it’s great is this enough of a project for you outside
Though I don’t think it is to be honest with you okay yeah cuz I’m I’m not getting that sort of cogs turning going on that I did on the first house maybe all right well I’m going to challenge you both now and ask you what you think
This one is on the market for I’m still gonna go for 420,000 okay Joe it’s quite difficult one to engage but I think around the 400,000 mark on this occasion I’m going to say that Mom is almost right it’s on the market for 425,000 very close it’s a lovely
House this detached property has spacious sitting and dining rooms a kitchen with a conservatory four bedrooms and a third of an acre Garden in the village of kwell elid it’s on the market for offers in the region of £425,000 I think the mystery house has um made me
Think what it would be like to live inside a village but I think that might have cemented my idea that I won’t be living that close to people when the boys all come that’ll be the time to you know have a big house like this but
You know on a day-to-day basis I think something smaller might be Better as well as creating her own outdoor Sanctuary when she moves green fingered Bev hopes to meet like-minded people so were better to take her and Joe than the National Garden of Wales in clenney since opening in 2000 a team of volunteers has worked alongside permanent staff Jane down is the volunteer
Coordinator hello hello and welcome to the botanic garden thank you thank you be you might have found your spiritual home here your right yes tell us about the gardens they are so beautiful it’s the Jewel and the crown of Wales it’s fantastic it’s lovely working here we’ve
Got 560 acres in total and awful lot of work so we’ve got over 200 volunteers here and we couldn’t run the garden without them there are amazing peoples and you can volunteer in a multitude of different departments it’s a symbiotic relationship uh they want to give something to society give something back
And in return we get the help of keeping this beautiful place as it is and could you have people sort of dip in and out I’m just thinking I could imagine you really getting involved here and then Joe maybe you coming down for a week and
Coming along and helping as well can can it work like that as well yeah we have volunteers some of them go off an extended holidays um so they come back and we often have students here who just come for a couple of weeks but we also have volunteers who’ve uh sadly lost
Spouses and partners and again it’s one way of you know meeting people so are you up for giving you’re trying some volunteering meeting some volunteers what do you think oh absolutely come meet Alison Linda they’d love to meet you and they’ll tell you more about volunteering
Here I’m off to explore whilst Bev and Joe get their hands dirty Linda and Allison hi there meet B and Joe and they are going to hopefully volunteer here at the Garden so can I leave them with you lovely at the moment we’re deadheading
Would you like to have a go I would love to thank You Alison how long have you been doing this volunteering I’ve been here for 14 years and there are some volunteers who have been here 25 years goodness Linda you’ve been here for just as long haven’t you oh just about 10 you’re practically a newbie then well yeah
There are a few who are a bit younger than me so do you stay in the same area or do you do different jobs we gain the knowledge that the experts have if we float around the garden and you know one of the best things about working in the
Garden is talking to visitors and of course we come because our friends are here so if you really do decide you’re going to come in wh and fingers crossed you do thank you please come and volunteer here because it’s such can you bake yes cuz it’s a rule of th
Volunteers in turn have to bring C nice well that’s be’s kitchen put to good use the garden boasts the world’s largest single span Glass House 95 M long and 55 MERS wide and inside I’ve come to meet horticulturalist Ellena James I am being transported back to Australia where my sister lives yeah
It’s beautiful it is just kind of disconnecting from rural whales outside and then just coming in and exploring something completely different so presumably it’s not just Australia in here that’s being represented no no we also showcase plants from Chile uh California South Africa and also the Mediterranean Basin itself so yeah and
And why those particular regions so those are Mediterranean climates so we want to showcase that zone as a whole and also some of these plants um some of them are threatened with the increase of wildfires with climate change so it’s really important to keep this collection going really so there’s a little Haven
Of species here in Wales yeah so the temperatures has to be really carefully controlled does it it does yeah yeah we do in in the winter we we have to heat the glass house only ever so gently just to keep the frost off but um yeah gives
You that real Mediterranean feel I think given what we see happening around the world with climate change do you feel a real sense of satisfaction when you do come and you see these species being protected yeah it’s just great to educate people um with what we’re
Growing what we’re trying to do um what we’re trying to achieve and you know it’s great to see kids running around in here just loving it and in terms of the mission I guess what are are you working towards so our core mission is to inspire people educate and also to
Conserve um and to to think about the biodiversity here within within Wales as well so we focus on things in the Mediterranean but we also focus on a lot of our own Welsh endemic plants as well I’m sure this is a mission that Bev would Embrace but that all depends on
Whether any of the houses she and Joe have seen will make make her ideal Welsh Retreat hello it’s windy but it’s lovely what a nice few days been fantastic yeah I have one question that I need to ask you Beth have we found somewhere for you to par the motor home I think you have oh my goodness great well I know which one it it is yes yes
House number one yeah definitely it’s just a feeling you know that you get it’s just a garden everything about it was just just right for me I think the house is just the right size for me and then having that extra with the out buildings as well for the boys to come
Up and everything that that just works well really works well I could just tell that youd left your heart in that first house we all saw it when she got to that first house she was you know in love straight away yeah and when I get that
Feeling I have to go with it so definitely what do you think your dad would have made of the property of that house he would be over the moon definely yeah I think he would have been very proud yeah so what are you going to do
Next what’s plan talk to the state agent tomorrow will be the next step I’ve already got sisters and things lined up so that’s all nice and easy well I’ll keep everything cross for you that it all happens smoothly from here yeah and honestly I just wish you so much
Happiness the move here and for all of you as a family as well thank you very much it’s been great experience for us I think amazing for you There’s often a feeling when you’re house hunting that you need to compromise on something and I know that Bev was prepared to compromise on the house in order to get the garden and the land that she was really looking for and I’m so happy that she hasn’t had to do
That because I really get a feeling that we’ve been able to find Bev a home that will take care of her and in her words wrap her up in a great big hug I do hope it all works out for her cuz I can’t wait to come back and find out
What she does to that Garden join me next time on escape to the country if you would like to escape to the country in Wales England Northern Ireland or Scotland and need our help why not apply online at bbc.co.uk take part in here I could see that can you
See your mom here Joe in the garden definitely yeah this is going to be even a year from now it’ll be completely different it won’t even look the same I love that positivity okay well that’s a really great start should we see if we can continue this upbeat feeling inside let’s have a
Look this attractive Victorian property was given a modern extension in 2020 with bold patio doors providing us with direct access into a spacious and modern kitchen living room come on in oh lovely I love the height very dog friendly nice flooring slate floors and lovely worktops as well yeah nice big
Space to put the table in as well and then over the other side You’ve Got A really lovely sort of hidden utility area right with another sink and storage and then places for all your muddy boots and you bringing the dogs in or the dog
In when you’ve been for a walk might be dogs you know um Joe could you imagine you and your brothers and the rest of the family gathering here oh yeah definitely this is you know a great sized place for the whole family to come and meet up now I
Quite like the sort of modern inside as well but I I do like the [Applause] co [Applause] For can see me why give me anone [Applause] Need I do love the solid huge wood beams are they yeah they are great it’s very cozy yeah nice and bright as well lovely yeah yeah a family bathroom serves both bedrooms cute little room oh fantastic I can see this being your craft room already yeah I know that’s a great size isn’t it
Yeah size is about to get even greater as I take them to explore the outside and take it from me there is a lot to see oh my goodness wow oh my goodness fantastic how far back does this go oh right the way back to the
Trees allit and and the poly tunnel wow um I mean a poly tunnel of that size do you think you could put that to work I think there might be something I could do with it yes yes definitely I don’t know quite what yet I can already see
The cogs turning yeah she’s getting the tomatoes ready already some incredible things will happen there I can tell Already this small holding of four acres would definitely keep B busy but she doesn’t seem overwhelmed at the prospect of such a large amount of land she can of course call on the help of her four sons who could toss a coin to see who stays in the well-appointed annex that
Bev could also rent out oh this is cute oh here we go this is where I’m going to be staying isn’t it is it you booked it already have you yeah love all the wood floors that they put everywhere as well that’s great didn’t look like it was going to be this
Big on the inside but all this space inside and out comes at a cost your excitement is wearing off on me there is a lot to explore here cuz there are four acres in total fabulous so should we see where it sits pricewise I think it’s going to be right up there
At the top really so I would say £450,000 okay yeah I think at least £425,000 actually as always in life Joe your mom is absolutely it’s it’s bang on the top end of your budget £450,000 it’s definitely worth of money I think it’s lovely place on the market for offers in the
Region of £450,000 this 19th century Cottage has a modern extension with a kitchen and living area a cozy sitting room and two bedrooms just a mile from a village it sits in four acres of land which includes a one-bedroom Annex moving to this area I didn’t think that I would be
Getting a house or as much land as I have with this this is quite huge um in a good way um I thought um that I probably wouldn’t be able to afford it so yeah so it’s it’s a nice surprise I think this is an incredible upgrade for
Her she’s um got way more Garden than she could ever have you know run out of things to do with it so yeah and the house is fantastic as well it’s got some real character to it I think all of our family will be coming down here immediately like In the south of Karena on the river tawi lies the town that gives the county its name Karan proudly claiming the title oldest town in Wales it was settled by the Romans and its name meaning Merlin’s Fortress reflects an ancient magical Heritage Karan Castle was built by the Normans but its winding Labyrinthian
Streets aren’t stuck in the past favorite things about this town is you have a wide range of eclectic shops both National and some very good independent retailers especially in the old part of the town near the castle Karan is a town that opens its arms to newcomers Priya runs a clothing
Emporium I’ve been Kaden for about 33 years I love Kaden the main reason is because it’s very quiet tranquility and the people are very friendly it has very it has a strong sense of a community would you reckon to this one I think it’s great yeah suits you
Fits my jacket doesn’t it yeah it does Karan may seem isolated on a map but regular trains mean Swansea is only 45 minutes away with fast connections to the rest of the country the town is a hub of music and culture good news for music F Bev here
We are we’re sending her and Joe to meet Mike Hilton who runs one of karan’s popular night spots Great place you’ve got here it’s really cool isn’t it thank you very much very much so how do you actually pronounce it though um so you pronounce
It Kuru Kur Kuru um it means be in Welsh so it’s quite a popular venue any good bands in town um yeah yeah there’s there’s a lot of of talent within Karan one in particular is adwi they’ve recently performed at glastenbury yeah so they home the skills right here oh
Wow it’s great they’ve got somewhere to come to do that well this is one of the things why we opened it’s the nature that creative Talent not just within music but within literature and poetry happens here so what’s the community like in K we all help each other out
It’s it’s one of them communities that’s got a real sense of identity is there Lots going on in town yeah you know koden is a a really modern town in that sense next week There’s a festival actually lovely and it’s a and we’ve just had the Town Festival so you don’t
Sound very Welsh where have you hailed from uh originally from Liverpool all right I’ve lived here four years uh I moved here with my wife and now two children yeah the reason being it’s a real good base for for the outdoors yeah amazing green spaces and Coastal
Path come down later for a pinea has right with you you’re very welcome please do thank you very much TR guys thank you bye Bev can’t embrace the culture and community of Karan without a new home so we are pressing on with the property Search we’re on the road again and making our way to the Village of clanney conveniently situated with access to the M4 Motorway in just 20 minutes clne offers a community Pub and a store selling a wealth of local produce it’s overlooked by Paxton’s Tower a Neo Gothic Folly built 200 years ago in
Memory of Lord Nelson our second property is 2 miles away in a commanding position above the to Valley so Bev I thought that after 6 months in a motor home you might appreciate a bit of a view oh my goodness oh that is amazing isn’t it
Look at that and of course it isn’t just a view cuz you get a house as well fabulous that Lovely isn’t it it’s incredible a real sort of children’s drawing of a house it is it’s an old Welsh Farmhouse lovely dating back to around the 1860s um and unusually it’s got those
Really nice high Windows as well and high ceiling so it’s not a a pokey little farmouse at all it’s not and in terms of the land um around us it’s got about three and a half acres of land as well all right um but I don’t know if
You’ve spotted you do have a poly tunnel over in the front corner a theme going here so obviously this is the back of the house we’ll go around the side and go in through the front door which is not this side thank you fantastic the entrance opens into a
Modern kitchen extension covering the front aspect of the house so we’re going to kick off with a room with a view oh yes wow that’s Lovely Isn’t it nice light room as well big stove I like all of the wood and marble together that looks fantastic doesn’t it really good color
Very light yeah it has got a good feel I think this house I partly cuz you got these amazing skylights so this is all an older property this is the new extension but even that isn’t modern in the way that we’ve just shown you um but actually you’ve got really good uh
Living size living rooms in here as well so come on through at this amazing size dining room oh that’s Lovely isn’t it and just a small fireplace beautiful fantastic they seem suitably impressed so far and there’s still much more to see the living room is reached across a tiled Hallway so these lovely original Welsh tiles are gorgeous lovely aren’t they and then wooden floor in here wow beautiful fire that’s a nice fire isn’t it and of course you got all the views as well they’re amazing they are I mean it’s it’s just a place to sit and watch
The season I wouldn’t get anything done and that deck is special it is yeah that’s that’s lovely imagine it in the evening can’t you particularly when it’s dark outside it’d be fabulous absolutely can see you with your tea and biscuits sat right there you know looking out over the hillside fantastic yeah that
Would be lovely yeah it’s got a lot of character to it and a lot of star um but it’s also very rustic and homey as well yeah what I’d like you to to do is just go and have a look on your own go go and wander upstairs and I will be probably
Out there on the deck love yeah waiting for you come come and find thank you thank you upstairs two bedrooms lead off the landing oh that’s lovely is here isn’t it and a stone wall as well yeah behind wow even better views out there oh man the highest this looks fantastic yeah
Incredible Wow Let’s have a look in here oh in the bathroom that’s lovely too the room can be accessed directly through doors from both bedrooms oh another big room nice size yeah I really like the size of the rooms in this house feels very fresh in every
Room we’ve been in so far feels really nice I was expecting a bit more of a wow reaction to that view when uh Beth and Joe first saw it so I wasn’t sure but I actually do think
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