BBC’s Escape to the Country presenter Sonali Shah helped a house-hunting couple discover their dream Devon home, with success
BBC’s Escape to the Country ventured to Devon on Wednesday (26 August) as a couple joined Sonali Shah in their search to purchase their first property together.
Matt, who works as an aerospace engineer, lived in Eastley, Hampshire, while his partner Jamie, employed as a genetic counsellor for the NHS, was situated in the Oxfordshire town of Wantage, and the duo had chosen to move to a tranquil area of Devon.
With a healthy budget of £550,000 at their disposal, the couple was seeking a home with up to four bedrooms, off-street parking, a garage or workshop, and a generous garden.
Escape to the Country host Sonali took Matt and Jamie to view the initial property in Mutterton, on the market for £550,000. A cottage dating from the 19th century, the residence offered three bedrooms, an annexe, and an expansive kitchen.
The second viewing was a barn conversion in Landscove, priced at £530,000, which offered three bedrooms, substantial garden space, and original features throughout.
Though impressed, Matt confessed he found it difficult to picture the property suiting him and Jamie, particularly given their intentions to begin a family, reports Devon Live.
The third and final property was located in Ipplepen and priced at £530,000. The Georgian residence featured four bedrooms and two reception areas and sat in the village centre.
Sonali confessed she was “obsessed” with the house before Jamie subsequently described it as a “dream home”. As Matt and Jamie toured the charming property, one particular feature left them genuinely impressed — a first-floor laundry room.
Matt remarked, “It’s a clever use of space, actually,” to which Jamie responded, “It is a really smart idea. You’re not having to lug washing baskets up and down the stairs every five minutes. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t do that.”
While Jamie acknowledged the “perfection” of the property’s interior décor, she noted the garden lacked sufficient space for a workshop — something that could prove a dealbreaker. Matt conceded the home failed to satisfy their “practical needs”, yet remained genuinely keen.
Later in the episode, which originally aired in 2024, the couple disclosed the outcome of their search on Escape to the Country.
The pair delightedly revealed they had submitted an offer on the very first property they’d visited, with Matt explaining: “After seeing the second and third one, the first was the best fit for us.”
Their offer was subsequently accepted, and Matt and Jamie successfully completed the purchase of the property in Mutterton.
Escape to the Country is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
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