Single mum says 'it's time to start living for me' in emotional Escape to the Country house search

A single mum decided she wanted to leave bustling city life in exchange for peaceful days in the countryside - and soon became emotional as she imagined her new life there. University secretary Sue, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, appeared on BBC's Escape to the Country house-hunting programme on Wednesday, April 18 and choked back tears as she pictured a wonderful potential future among the peaceful fields and pretty villages of North Yorkshire.

Sue was joined by her two grown-up daughters, Holly and Lucy, in her search for her dream home and told presenter Briony May Williams she was looking for a property that was full of character, with plenty of space for her daughters to visit and a small garden. She also wanted to be somewhere she could immerse herself in the local community, exploring local sites and spending time outdoors wherever possible - plus, she revealed she's always had a dream of hand-feeding a lamb so wanted to live fairly near farm animals in the countryside.

"I've got empty nest syndrome," Sue told presenter Briony as she explained why she wanted to move out of her flat in busy Newcastle and move to rural North Yorkshire. "It's time to start living life for me and to move on." For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter

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The first property Briony showed Sue was a gorgeous, traditional cottage in pretty Ambleforth, a village about 20 miles from York. Sue was immediately taken by the "lovely, pretty" property and really liked its "homely" galley kitchen and peaceful neighbourhood. She added that the main living room - which was full of character features - was "wonderful" and she liked the outside space at the property too.

Sue had a budget of £250,000 and seemed really pleased that Property One was on the market for £240,000 ono and the home appeared to tick all her boxes - but her house-hunting trip got even better later on.

Property Two was a slightly larger cottage in the village of Tollerton, which has just 400 homes. There, Sue loved the property's wood burn stove and huge lounge window that looked out to the front garden. This property was on the market for £220,000 but Sue didn't seem as excited as she was at Property One.

Later, Briony brought Sue to her Mystery Property: a 200-year-old Grade II listed detached cottage in Pickering, dubbed the "gateway to the North York Moors [national park]." Immediately on arriving in the village, Sue appeared to love its charm and personality and she loved the property's character features, especially its wooden beams and stone walls.

As she and her daughter Holly explored, host Briony told viewers: "It may not necessarily be what Sue was thinking she wants, but we're in the heart of Pickering so it could be the best of both worlds," later adding: "Whereas the other houses, they had elements that would really fit in to what Sue's looking for, I feel like this has got everything."

"It's got a lovely feel," Sue said. "It feels like your little part of the world. I love it, I'm getting such a vibe that I could live here." Sue and Holly particularly liked the small courtyard-style garden and the property's kitchen, and said they could imagine cooking a meal together there and relaxing with a cuppa.

Speaking with emotion, Sue said she felt "overwhelmed" by the property. "It's a cosy place, it'll be lovely at Christmas, it'll be lovely in the summer - it's like a little oasis in the middle of town," she said. "Like I say, I'm a little overwhelmed by it, it feels like my home. It just feels so good, I love it."

After viewing all three properties, Sue sat down with her daughters and Briony to discuss her next steps. Reflecting on her trip, she said: "North Yorkshire is so large and there's so many facets to it. You've got the towns, you've got the rural areas, so that's a big decision in itself: where to live, what type of community you want to live in - but it's given me clarity."

Sue soon told Briony that she'd booked a second visit for the Mystery House a few days later, adding: "It just felt so right, I really felt like I could say, put the kettle on and that's it - I'm home!"

Viewers heard Sue went even further and placed an offer on the house - but later pulled out of the purchase as, on reflection, she decided a period cottage wasn't for her. Nevertheless, thanks to going on the programme Sue came across Pickering and decided it was the right area for her - though she ultimately decided to look for a new-build rather than a traditional cottage.

Escape to the Country continues weekdays at 3pm on BBC One