BBC's Escape to the Country visited Devon on Wednesday (August 26) as a couple joined Sonali Shah to search for their first home together.
Matt, an aerospace engineer, lived in Eastley, Hampshire, while his partner Jamie, a genetic counsellor for the NHS, was based in Wantage, Oxfordshire. The pair had decided to relocate to a peaceful pocket of Devon.
With a budget of £550,000, they wanted a property with up to four bedrooms, off-street parking, a garage or workshop space, and a spacious garden.
Escape to the Country presenter Sonali took Matt and Jamie to the first house in Mutterton, priced at £550,000. This 19th-century cottage had three bedrooms, an annexe, and a large kitchen.
The second property was a converted barn in Landscove, priced at £530,000, with three bedrooms, a large garden, and period features. Matt was impressed but admitted he struggled to see it working for him and Jamie, especially as they plan to start a family.
The third home was in Ipplepen, priced at £530,000. This Georgian house had four bedrooms and two reception rooms, set in the village heart. Sonali said she was "obsessed" with the house, and Jamie later called it a "dream home".
As they explored the cosy home, they were struck by one feature: the laundry room on the first floor.
Matt said: "It's a clever use of space, actually," and Jamie replied: "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."
Jamie noted the "perfection" of the interiors, but confirmed the garden had no space for a workshop, which would be a dealbreaker. Matt admitted the home didn't meet their "practical needs", but he was still interested.
Later in the episode, which originally aired in 2024, Jamie and Matt revealed the outcome of their house hunt. They happily announced they had put an offer in on the first property. Matt said: "After seeing the second and third one, the first was the best fit for us."
Their offer was accepted, and they bought the property in Mutterton.
Escape to the Country is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Escape to the Country Couple Surprised by Devon Home’s Laundry Room