Escape to the Country couple make surprising U-turn after 'missing' feature in property

Escape to the Country couple made a surprise U-turn with their location as they struggled to find their dream home because of a "missing" feature.

Wednesday's instalment saw BBC presenter Briony May Williams pull out all the stops to locate the ideal home for a young couple and their pooch, Dexter.

Consultant Jack and his civil servant fiancee Anne, who have recently got engaged, were on the quest for their inaugural shared abode within the charming locales of Buckinghamshire, citing proximity to a pub as a deal-breaker.

Anne explained the motivation behind their relocation from St Albans, Hertfordshire to the rural delights of Buckinghamshire."We would like to move to Buckinghamshire because it's very ideally situated between our families and still easy access to London," she said.

Aiming high, the couple set their hearts on a standalone residence brimming with character. With £850,000 in hand, they sought out a property with vast outdoor space, at least four bedrooms, a practical utility area, and an expansive kitchen, reports Wales Online.

Nestling on the fringes of a village community was also paramount, with Jack emphasizing the importance of having a local pub nearby.

Briony noted that their desire for a pub featured prominently, saying: "One word that keeps coming up quite a lot is the pub."

Jack responded affirmatively, asserting: "A local pub is the heart of an English community."

Determined to meet their expectations, Briony arranged a series of house viewings, each ticking the boxes on the couple's wish list.

One of the properties they viewed was a charming Victorian house in the heart of Oakley, a village that once housed a forge.

The couple were drawn to this home as it fell within their budget and Jack was particularly taken with it due to the presence of a picturesque thatched pub in the village.

They also ventured into Northamptonshire to explore a surprise property in the village of Yardley Gobion, which fortunately boasted a traditional pub.

Initially, the couple expressed interest in revisiting two of the properties. However, following a last-minute discussion, they decided to reassess the location due to its distance from friends and family and lack of a strong community feel.

Their search for an ideal home in Buckinghamshire concluded without success, leading them to purchase a house in their native Hertfordshire, bringing them closer to their loved ones and favourite pubs.

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