Escape to the Country presenter Nicki Chapman was left baffled when a pair of house hunters seemingly vanished mid-tour during Tuesday’s (February 4) episode.
In the latest instalment of the programme, Bromley residents Beverley and Neill bid farewell to their home of three decades for a shot at the idyllic Devon countryside lifestyle.
The duo boasted an impressive budget of £675,000, seeking to snag a detached house featuring three bedrooms, a pair of bathrooms, a manageable garden, and picturesque rural views, all within proximity to the coastline.
Their Devon exploration brought them face-to-face with two remarkable coastal homes before Nicki guided them toward the mystery house nestled in the secluded hamlet of Rousdon, which rendered them utterly awe-struck.
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Tuesday’s (February 4) Escape to the Country was located in Devon (Image: BBC)
Set upon a sprawling 350-acre estate completed back in 1878 as the home of a prosperous tea and spice merchant, the end-of-terrace home is now part of an esteemed collective of 104 residences created two decades ago, complete with its own secluded beach, reports .
Neill exclaimed, “Oh, my goodness. That is beautiful,” complemented by Beverley’s reaction: “Yikes! It’s really interesting because it’s so different to what we’ve been looking at.”
However, as the group ventured indoors, Nicki initiated the walkthrough in the living room only to notice her house hunters were missing.
Puzzled, she called out, “Where have you gone?” down the passageway just as Beverley and Neill re-emerged, disclosing that they had taken a “sneaky peek” in the kitchen.
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Escape to the Country host Nicki Chapman was confused when buyers disappeared during a viewing (Image: BBC)
Nicki humorously recounted, “I came striding in to say, ‘Let’s start with the sitting room,’ and turned around and was on my own!”
Nicki left Beverley and Neill astounded with the property showcase, disclosing afterwards that the asking price stood at a hefty £690,000 – just a tad beyond their financial reach.
Catching up later, Nicki heard from Beverley and Neill who confessed that the surprise house threw a spanner in the works, making their choice “quite difficult” as it had an unexpected impact on them.
Ultimately, the pair chose to revisit the initial house they viewed, and following some deliberation, they placed a bid which was subsequently accepted.
Escape to the Country airs weekdays at 3pm on One