Escape to the Country

I would be terrible at deciding on a property.
All of them: chocolate box cottages, barn conversions, have me thinking "That's my ideal home".

When people are shown barn conversions with really high ceilings I always think that the place looks amazing but how are they going to heat it in the winter?
Or houses miles from any shops - I would never live any where that didn't have a shop where I could buy milk, bread or a newspaper.
But I do love looking at other people's houses - the dearer the better!

I have watched occasionally resting up with a sprained ankle but the couples began to get on my nerves. They never did the proper things and inspect the central heating, and say what a lovely wood burning stove as if this could heat the huge sitting room on a windy evening.
Lots have mentioned the views but a view without any sign of human inhabitation wouldn't suit me at all.

"Its essential to us that the property is detached, standing in its own grounds".

"Its nice, but I'm afraid its too isolated for us".

I find Jules a bit annoying, he reminds me of a labrador,
Bounding about wagging it’s tail and loving everybody.
I like Alistair Appleton, he’s more like a cat, a bit aloof and mysterious, and really a bit uninterested in proceedings.
Escape is a very relaxing programme, and I often make a note of towns for future visits.
But the people on it!
Those who want pigs, alpacas horses etc and several acres, even though they are about 75 already and have never kept anything more demanding than a hamster.
The huge kitchens demanded for ‘ me doing the cooking and guests circulating with a glass of wine’
The husbands who say they do all the cooking.
The husbands who demand a man cave.
The husbands who keep several classic cars.
The perfectly good kitchens that they say they would ‘rip
out’
I could go on!

Flexiblefriend I like watching it for just that reason .... seeing inside the expensive houses I can never afford.

oldgoat " Frequently the house hunters specify that the property must be 'within an easy commute of work' or 'near Granny's house' then get shown something absolutely miles away where they risk getting stuck driving down country lanes behind a muck spreader or herd of cows."

Yes, and if it's an area I know and the presenter says "This is a 40 minute commute" and I think "In your dreams, mate. The traffic's a nightmare and it will take you 2 hours!"

Johnny always seems to be on a short fuse - he whisks them in and out of each room before they have a chance to look round.

Jules always wants to go for a pint each time they leave a house before the front door is even closed. One property he enthused over, and then said "If you bought this one, you'd have me for your nextdoor neighbour!"




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I'm always amazed by couples moving to Cornwall to work who are shown houses an hour's drive from their employment. When we lived in Cornwall we reckoned 20 minutes was more than enough, especially when you factored in the holiday traffic!

My favourites are still the ones who MUST have a character cottage and then complain about the low ceilings and tiny windows!

I often wonder what makes them pick a particular area. Understandable to want to be in Somerset if you have family not too many miles away so why, at the end of the programme, do we sometimes hear....

'Janet and John have decided to widen their search area and we are happy to report they have now had their offer accepted on a property in Yorkshire.'

I agree with so many points raised. It is harmless “escapism”?. But my particular favourite was the woman who wanted to move to the country so she could make jam! Cue me shouting at the tv “You can make jam in Teddington you silly woman!”.?

I get quite cross with the couples if they dismiss what I think is the best property for them.

I feel very pleased that so many Gransnetters are watching "Escape to the Country" along with me. I am not sure about Jules' laugh however. It irritates me (not difficult I admit) that he laughs after everything he says, even when it's not remotely funny! But he is most definitely a treat for sore eyes - as my mum used to say!

To complain that all those taking part have plenty of money to spend on a house, is to miss the point. The whole point of this programme is total escapism, an opportunity to look at the interiors of everyone' idea of the perfect farmhouse, all large kitchens and wood burners, all set in glorious landscape. The fact that most people cannot afford such properties or wouldn't want to live in one is irrelevant.

It is Location x 3 that does the nitty gritty of people with all levels of income looking for a house to meet their price and requirements and who do clearly buy, or not buy or try to buy and lose, that covers the reality - and to be honest I much prefer it.

I think we should have a Jules fan club .......I love it when he says its his most favourite part of the world...........he says this about every other programme,whilst another frequent favourite saying is...............and so forth!!!

But for those of us, mainly house bound especially, it has been a god send,whilst for someone like myself whom simply love and admire our country and all it has to offer, whom never get enough of our green and pleasant land,or coastline,the architecture,designs,decor and "dressing" of these homes keeps me well enthralled.

We love it when the presenters look like they're about to lose patience. Johnny whatsisname is the one who often makes me think he's about to shout, 'Well, WTF do you want then?'

Alistair Appleton goes all 'twee' when he's humouring them and Nicki Chapman's kind, motherly approach is a masterclass in tolerance.

My favourite presenter though is Jules and his Sid James laugh.

Afraid I am another addict. I record the programme and watch later. Every so often I will get itchy feet, and DH says, OK then, which is when I quickly back pedal and realise I love where I live (mostly)

I gave up watching it ages ago when there never seemed to any houses under 450K.

We record the programme to watch when we've nothing better to do and specially enjoy watching ones where we know the search area. Frequently the house hunters specify that the property must be 'within an easy commute of work' or 'near Granny's house' then get shown something absolutely miles away where they risk getting stuck driving down country lanes behind a muck spreader or herd of cows.

I'm addicted to the programme too. But agree about the loadsamoney.
We used to watch A Place in the Sun and that had the same effect, except that similar houses in some parts were about a quarter the price.
But Brexit has put a stop to that.

Oh and the “I can just see us having Christmas here! “ = mulled ?

You forgot "I can see us sitting out on the patio drinking wine" = and

I actually love this programme and have been watching it for ages. Does anyone remember when the beautifully spoken young lady used to present it? She showed some lottery winners around a beautiful, old house with an amazing, sweeping staircase and they said "Yes, we'll have this pulled out and replace it with a glass and chrome one". Her expression spoke volumes and my daughter and I have never forgotten it!!

Love it!
Oh I see some happy afternoons ahead (the sun must be over the yardarm somewhere!)

Maw, you missed "Blank canvas" - that's definitely 2 glasses of wine and some nibbles, I think.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who cliche-counts while watching!

Oops posted too soon
Holiday Lets/B and B = ??
Keep alpacas = ?
Deep in the country but still commute back to London= ☕️???

I love the programme but take it all with an enormous pinch of salt.
If it wasn’t a daytime TV prog you could play a drinking game watching it
“Heart of the home “ = a G&T
Room for entertaining = ???
Put our stamp on it = ??