0:00:02 > 0:00:04Making the move from city to countryside
0:00:04 > 0:00:06is often a momentous step.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Never in a million years I would imagine
0:00:08 > 0:00:11I would be seeing a house like this. Never, ever.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12But for many years,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Escape To The Country has been supporting countless people
0:00:16 > 0:00:19on the hunt for their new rural home.
0:00:19 > 0:00:20What do we think of this?
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Oh, my! Chocolate box.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of Britain...
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- Take a look at that killer view. - That's amazing.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..and showcased thousands of exquisite country properties...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Oh, but how pretty is that?
0:00:35 > 0:00:37..our buyers just couldn't resist.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Jules!
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Seriously, get your chequebook out now.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- I like it.- I know.- What about you? Do you like it?
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Yeah, I like the whole package.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..to find out how the move changed their lives
0:00:52 > 0:00:54when they escaped to the country.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Today, I'm in Norfolk and these are the world-famous Broads,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19which were created, in fact, by centuries of peat digging.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21That wasn't discovered until the 1950s,
0:01:21 > 0:01:22when environmentalists concluded
0:01:22 > 0:01:25that they must be man-made because the banks of the lakes
0:01:25 > 0:01:27and the rivers here are vertical...
0:01:27 > 0:01:32instead of the more gentle... slope that is typical of waterways.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36But this is not a typical edition of Escape To The Country either,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39because I'm here today to meet some old friends of the show
0:01:39 > 0:01:42who are lucky enough to call this county home.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46Norfolk's waterways, coastline and countryside
0:01:46 > 0:01:49struck a chord with musicians Jean and Mike,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52who fell in love with the Broadland village we introduced them to.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Later on, I'll be finding out how, since their move,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58volunteering in the local shop is paying dividends
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and putting them at the heart of their new community.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05TRAIN HORN TOOTS
0:02:05 > 0:02:08But first, we'll be catching up with Nigel and Wendy,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12who, back in 2014, were house-hunting in North Norfolk
0:02:12 > 0:02:13with Sonali Shah,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17and happily went on to buy one of the houses she showed them.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23They had been renting near their daughter in Manchester,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25having sold their home in Hertfordshire.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28But they were keen to move as quickly as possible
0:02:28 > 0:02:32and head to Norfolk to make their great escape a reality.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36We like the coast up there, all along, basically,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39from Hunstanton to Cromer, all along there.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41And we know it quite well cos we've been going
0:02:41 > 0:02:43several times now over the years.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Wendy has family in Sheringham.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48For us, possibly, THE move.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52They saw it as the ideal place for their grown-up children
0:02:52 > 0:02:54and grandchildren to visit,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and a chance to expand their interests.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Now I'm retired, I go back to doing a bit of painting.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I think in Norfolk, it's big skies
0:03:03 > 0:03:05and you could really get your teeth into something up there.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10That would be nice. Do a bit of painting. And my garden.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I like to cook for the kids when they come around,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16so I would be looking forward to them coming up to Norfolk
0:03:16 > 0:03:18so I can do loads of baking.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21When Sonali first met them,
0:03:21 > 0:03:26it was clear they would be wanting family to come and stay regularly.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Of course, this means you are moving away
0:03:28 > 0:03:29from family and friends.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34That is the sad part of it, but we're hoping very much
0:03:34 > 0:03:36that the children will come and visit us here
0:03:36 > 0:03:40as much as possible, as you say, because we have the seaside,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42we have the countryside, we'll have everything.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45With £400,000 to spend,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47they were after three to four bedrooms
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and entertaining space for visiting family,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53but the kitchen and garden were also key to their wish list.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03The journey began in the Norfolk village of Aylmerton,
0:04:03 > 0:04:05where Sonali showed them a ten-year-old classic
0:04:05 > 0:04:07flint-fronted property.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Nigel and Wendy were impressed
0:04:09 > 0:04:10with what their money could buy them.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13That's quite a substantial house, that is.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14- So lovely. - Yeah, that's quite impressive.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- And traditional.- Yeah.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19You say traditional. It was actually built ten years ago.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- OK.- Wow! Outside, I like.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23It's bigger than I thought it would be, that's for certain.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25It's certainly a big house,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29but to fully appreciate how much house, we need to go inside.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36It's a rather grand entrance, isn't it?
0:04:36 > 0:04:37Staircase is wow!
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- It's over three floors, this house...- Oh, my word!
0:04:40 > 0:04:42And more than 3,000 square foot.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- Golly gosh. - That's a lot of square foot.- Oh!
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- That's big.- That's a lot. - That is big.- OK. That's great.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52What do you think of this hallway/dining room?
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Yes, it's not what I expected.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57It's a bit unusual to have the dining room
0:04:57 > 0:04:59as soon as you enter the front door.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- Well, you don't need to use this as a dining room.- No, no, no. No, no.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- You can use it how you want to use it.- Like it.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- Shall we go and see one of the rooms?- Please.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Into the living room first.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Ooh. This is a wood burner. Great.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- Lovely. I like the fireplace. Smashing.- Beautiful fireplace.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19A nice centrepiece to the room, and it's triple aspect,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- so lots of light.- Lots of light. I like that.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23So, is this the right size for the family?
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- Cos this is the main living room. - Oh, gosh.- This is fine.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- Yes, yes.- This is lovely. - Plenty big enough.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- Absolutely gorgeous. - It's good.- Keep going!
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- Let's see if the kitchen is to your liking.- Yes, please.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Aha. Mm-hm. Mm-hm.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- So, is this big enough for you?- Mm.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46That was going to be my question,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49cos you don't seem as enthusiastic about this room as the other room.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54I like it. Work surfaces, that's what I really want.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Although the kitchen fell short for Wendy,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59the conservatory had space for a dining room table.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Furthermore, there was a study.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05A stunning staircase led up to five bedrooms,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08with two of those in the eaves on the second floor,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11providing ample space for their visiting family.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- It's big.- That's nice. - Wow!- That's nice.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19There's an en-suite just there and a separate dressing room,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21so that's why there's no cupboards in here
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- and it's spacious.- No wardrobes.- Ah!
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- You don't need to worry about any of that in here.- That's great.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Outside, there was a small lawn area at the front
0:06:30 > 0:06:32and a gravelled courtyard at the rear,
0:06:32 > 0:06:36but Nigel would need to roll up his sleeves.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Now, I must confess,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I have been nervous about showing you this space...
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- WENDY LAUGHS - ..because it's not really a garden.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44It's a courtyard.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Yes, it's fairly obviously not a garden.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48It is a courtyard.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- You could landscape this and turn it into a garden.- You could.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53You could landscape it.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57It's possibly a little bit small for what I really want.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- So, you've seen a lot of what's on offer.- Uh-huh.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Who'd like to guess how much this house is on the market for?
0:07:05 > 0:07:09I think it's right at the top of our budget. 410.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12I'll go 420.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Because Nigel was so stern about the budget, I have stuck to it.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- THEY LAUGH - Oh, really!
0:07:18 > 0:07:21It's actually on the market for 395.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- Wow!- Oh, right.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- Dig this up! - It's 15,000 under. That's good.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33Wendy was happy with the price but clearly the size of the garden
0:07:33 > 0:07:35was a concern for Nigel.
0:07:35 > 0:07:41For me, the only one downside is the outside, which is the garden.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43I'm a very enthusiastic amateur gardener
0:07:43 > 0:07:45and I really would like to get my teeth
0:07:45 > 0:07:50into some space outside, and this really doesn't fulfil that brief.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- It's a lovely house, isn't it? - It's a beautiful house.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Very nice. - Just have to work on Nigel.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- I know! - THEY LAUGH
0:08:02 > 0:08:04For the second property,
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Sonali took them to Fakenham,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08around a 20-minute drive from the coast,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10where we had found a stylishly modern property
0:08:10 > 0:08:14within an exclusive gated complex.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- Wow! - First impressions were good.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18It's big. Golly gosh, it's all new, isn't it?
0:08:18 > 0:08:23- So, it's a fairly new build?- It is. - It's a nice size, and nice area.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25This lovely little area. And it's gated.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- Can't wait to get inside.- Yeah.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Before we go inside, Nigel, let's mention the garden.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- We can see a bit of it here. - Yes, there's definitely more here.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- Mm-hm. But let's go and see inside first.- Yes, please.- OK.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Sonali had Nigel onside with the garden
0:08:39 > 0:08:42but would she be able to win them over with the inside?
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- This is nice.- This is nice, yes. - Yeah. I like the fact you can...
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- You've got light there... - French doors to both sides.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Yeah, that's unusual, isn't it?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- You could open it out either way. - Yeah.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58I think you'll be even more pleased when you see the kitchen.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59Oh, please!
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Oh...
0:09:05 > 0:09:06Oh, this is nice.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09How is this for a kitchen?
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- Oh!- This is Wendy's kitchen.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13It's lovely.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- It's lovely.- This is smashing.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- Really, really good. Everything... - I think we've found it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Isn't this gorgeous? Haven't they done it beautifully?
0:09:22 > 0:09:27Yeah. As a family, this is where you'd be a lot of the time.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29And you look straight out into the garden.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32For me, that's... That's a bonus.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34With happy emotions running high,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37would that positivity continue upstairs?
0:09:37 > 0:09:40This offered them four good-sized bedrooms
0:09:40 > 0:09:43for family guests, including a spacious master suite.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45So, this is the master,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49which has got an en-suite and lots of built-in cupboard space.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- Whoa. - And this is the main part of it.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Oh, my word!
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- This is enormous. You've got a lot of ceiling height.- Mm.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- We're not used to that, are we? - Oh, I like this.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- Oh, isn't it nice?- You like this?
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- I like it.- I know.- What about you? Do you like it?
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- Yeah, I like the whole package. - Really?- Yeah. Yeah.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Cos we said when we were looking for a house,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14we didn't know what kind of style of house,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16so it could be old, it could be new.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18It's a big enough house for us
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and it's a big enough house for when the family come.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24With a resounding thumbs up for the house,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Sonali still had to show them the wraparound garden,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29bordered by mature trees.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30But would that generous package
0:10:30 > 0:10:33of a stylish property and well-maintained grounds
0:10:33 > 0:10:36be reflected in the price tag?
0:10:36 > 0:10:37I love it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:43I think it's a gorgeous place and I'm going to go for 420.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- I'm going to be very optimistic... - Ooh!
0:10:46 > 0:10:48..and say 395.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- OK.- Oh!
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- You wish.- I wish.- He does wish.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- Yeah.- It is actually currently on the market for 415,000.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03£15,000 over budget, but with the owner open to offers,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Nigel and Wendy were clearly enchanted by this one.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09I love this house.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Everything about it so far is ticking the boxes.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15You have to have an emotional contact with the place
0:11:15 > 0:11:19as soon as you go into somewhere, and we both had that connection.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Could it be the one?- Possibly.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23Could well be.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26But we still had the Mystery House to see.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29That was in the pretty village of Little Walsingham,
0:11:29 > 0:11:33but getting there started with a surprising journey.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- THEY LAUGH - This is brilliant!
0:11:36 > 0:11:38WHISTLE BLOWS
0:11:38 > 0:11:41TRAIN HORN TOOTS
0:11:41 > 0:11:43A mystery ride to the Mystery House.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- It's a mystery tour.- It's a big kids' love affair with trains.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- Yeah.- I love steam trains. - We love trains.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Big or small, I love them.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54The Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
0:11:54 > 0:11:57dropped them off at our mystery railway cottage,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59which had been recently modernised.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03It was the closest to the sea but the smallest of our houses.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- What do you think of it? - I think it's really pretty.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Yeah, it is.- It looks very nice.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10And we are very close to the sea.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- We're four miles.- That's good. - That's lovely.- That's good.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- Shall we go in?- Yes, please.- Mm.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23So, you come straight into the living room.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- OK...- What kind of "OK" is that?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29OK...small.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Yeah, this was the old cottage. - Yeah.- This was it.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34A lovely... Lovely new wood burner there.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- Beautiful wood burner. - This looks like it's two rooms...
0:12:37 > 0:12:39It was originally two rooms, I'm sure.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- ..knocked into one. - This lounge is small.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46So, this was the old cottage, which means that's the extension.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- OK.- Oh, right. - Let's go and see the kitchen.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50Oh, wow!
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- OK.- As you can see, a very modern kitchen.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- Oh, yeah. Very much.- You can tell it's been done recently.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58Yeah. Very nice. I like it.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01And then you've got a sort of breakfast dining area...
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Space. There's space.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06..which looks straight out onto that patio area.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- That's nice.- Yeah.- I like that. That's lovely.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12The ground floor was also the location
0:13:12 > 0:13:15for the main bathroom and one of the bedrooms.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18And upstairs, there were two further double bedrooms
0:13:18 > 0:13:20in the older part of the house.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24I think this would probably be your master,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27but all three bedrooms are about the same size.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- Right.- I know what that "right" means.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- Yes.- "It's too small, Sonali."
0:13:32 > 0:13:35It seemed the need for family space was more important
0:13:35 > 0:13:37than proximity to the sea,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41but Sonali still had the garden to try and entice Nigel with,
0:13:41 > 0:13:42which was large.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44But would he be pleased with the price tag?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- It's a nice-sized garden. - It's a big-size garden.- Yeah.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- How much would it cost you? - WENDY GASPS
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- I'm not going first. - Shall I go first?- You go first.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- Three bedrooms...- Mm.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59..on a decent-sized plot, I suppose...
0:13:59 > 0:14:00The garden is nice, isn't it?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Yes, the garden, blank canvas really.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05340.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- OK.- Whoa! I think that's optimistic. - Yeah.- I'm going to go...
0:14:10 > 0:14:11..375.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Wendy is very close.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- Really?- Oh, God, I did it. - 379,950 it's on the market for.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- Mm.- OK.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21It looked like the price brought the Mystery House
0:14:21 > 0:14:23back into the frame.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- It's pretty.- This is nice.- They've really done it well, haven't they?
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- The finish is fantastic. - It's beautiful.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33But which property did they ultimately pluck from our line-up?
0:14:33 > 0:14:38Did Nigel compromise on garden space for that affordable first property?
0:14:38 > 0:14:42Or did they negotiate a satisfactory sale price on house two,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44which nudged over budget?
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Perhaps they were swayed by the Mystery House,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48under budget and closest to the sea.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56For Nigel and Wendy, it was house number two all the way.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Love at first sight.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Offer accepted, keys in hand.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03And then 18 months later, here I am,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06and I'm hoping they've got the kettle on.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Hi, Wendy. - Hello, Alistair. How are you?
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Good to see you. Oh, look at this. All in the flesh.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- Beautiful.- Yeah.- Come on in. - Thank you.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Nigel and Wendy moved into their stylish new home in Fakenham
0:15:23 > 0:15:25at the start of 2015.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28This is new, isn't it? New wallpaper there?
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Yes. I put some wallpaper up.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34I just thought there was a little bit too much cream in the house.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36You want to personalise the house.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38That's what the process is all about, isn't it?
0:15:38 > 0:15:39You want to make it your own.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43So, have a feature wall, just helps break it up a bit.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- There's more to do. It's ongoing. - Yes, it's still a work in progress.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- Yeah.- You didn't need to do any major structural things,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53but what was the main thing that you've changed in the house?
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Well, the windows.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59When Nigel and Wendy moved in, there were no curtains or blinds.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01The windows were shaped unusually
0:16:01 > 0:16:03but they used that to their advantage
0:16:03 > 0:16:06and commissioned beautiful bespoke shutters,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08which have now become a real feature.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10No curtains could fit there, nothing.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13In fact, when we first moved here,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16because there wasn't anything at all,
0:16:16 > 0:16:20the removal men actually put the cardboard boxes on the window.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24It was a great ad for the company. A great ad. But it was good.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26It was very kind of them.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30But I have to say, we have now got those shutters.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- Ah, lovely.- And they're beautiful.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- We love them.- Now, Nigel, one of the things that Sonali was very keen,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38or slightly afraid that she wasn't going to give you,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40was a big enough garden.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41- How has the garden been? - Yes, the garden.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46I remember being sort of a bit unsure about the size of the garden.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Having lived here now for 18 months, I've come to the conclusion...
0:16:49 > 0:16:50It's plenty!
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- ..it's plenty big enough. - That's the thing, isn't it?
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Everyone says, "I want an acre, maybe two,"
0:16:55 > 0:16:57and then they're like, "Oh, no! It's so huge!"
0:16:57 > 0:16:59You don't need it, you don't.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04Cos it's in fact a wraparound garden and it becomes like three gardens -
0:17:04 > 0:17:06a front, a back and a side, if you like.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Three added together make quite a substantial garden.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11I put a hedge in at the front
0:17:11 > 0:17:13because at the front there was no boundary,
0:17:13 > 0:17:18which is Photinia, or for those who don't know that, Red Robin.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23So, in the spring, that will be red and that's quite pretty.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25As well as working on the garden,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Nigel has also sought inspiration in the Norfolk skyline
0:17:28 > 0:17:30for one of his other hobbies.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32I've gone back to painting again.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35And it's nice there's big spaces to fill in the house,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- so that's good.- That's true. You've got some big walls.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Yes, because it's a dormer house,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44you've got ceilings that are half as much again higher
0:17:44 > 0:17:46than a normal ceiling, so there's some quite big spaces to fill,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49which I'm filling, slowly.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The final question is really about life outside these walls.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Because you've moved to an area that you didn't know that well.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58You were in Hertfordshire, near your son.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Then you were up in Manchester, near your daughter.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Now you're not really near either of them.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03- How has that worked out?- Fantastic.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07It's been brilliant. We're inundated...
0:18:07 > 0:18:09We have had the last couple of weeks, for the first time,
0:18:09 > 0:18:14for yonkers, to be quiet and calm,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16so that you can get yourself back together again.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- So, you've had tonnes of visitors. - Yeah, you can't believe...
0:18:19 > 0:18:21We were starting a visitor's book,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24actually going to do a visitor's book just for fun, you know.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28But it's smashing. We've got great neighbours.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29We're very, very...
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Honestly, we're really lucky to have such lovely people.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35The day we moved in was my birthday,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37and Jen, next door,
0:18:37 > 0:18:41knocked with Freddie and Thomas to give me a birthday cake.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- How about that?- How did they know? - Because the people who left...
0:18:45 > 0:18:49We sort of said that it was my birthday and they were moving in,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51and she came around with a cake with the kids.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- That is nice, isn't it?- I know. Just a really welcome thing.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56It was lovely.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00'Living on the edge of a town has given Nigel and Wendy
0:19:00 > 0:19:01'the best of both worlds,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04'with all the amenities they need a short walk away,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07'as well as stunning countryside on their doorstep.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10'It's had a beneficial effect on their lifestyle.'
0:19:10 > 0:19:12So, this nature reserve is at the back of your property.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Yeah. It is the one you see from... - Yeah. It's...
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- ..from the garden at the front... - Yeah. It's rather nice.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21You can hear many, many birds calling,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24first thing in the morning especially.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26A few weeks after moving in,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30they discovered this fabulous country walk along the River Wensum.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33And it winds its way slowly towards Norwich.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- It's a beautiful spot. - Yeah, this was a bonus.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- We didn't know anything about this when we came.- No.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40And you can walk all the way from here into town.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- Which we do.- A nice... It's a beautiful stroll.- Which we love.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- Yeah.- And it's just so nice. This is just magic.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50We're really, really happy to have moved.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52So, what would be your advice to someone who was thinking,
0:19:52 > 0:19:54"Maybe I could move to the countryside but I'm not sure"?
0:19:54 > 0:19:56In the long run, you could regret it.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Time passes so quickly. Come and join us.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- It's beautiful.- Come and join us. Yeah.- Absolutely. I'm with that.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- Oh, yes.- It's beautiful.- A beautiful part of the world.- Look at it.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- It's great.- Can't argue with you. - No.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Yes! Do it!
0:20:11 > 0:20:12- Let's walk on.- Let's go.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Right across the British countryside,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26we've seen house-buyers with all very different lifestyle ambitions
0:20:26 > 0:20:30fall in love with the properties we've shown them.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34It's always fantastic to hear when they make that all-important offer,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36which goes on to be accepted.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Coming up, a couple of highlights
0:20:38 > 0:20:42from our house-hunting success stories in Norfolk.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Back in the spring of 2014,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Mark and his wife, Stephanie, were looking for a home
0:20:47 > 0:20:49in this part of the world.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52They wanted to swap their suburban lives in Luton
0:20:52 > 0:20:55for easy-going East Anglia.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58With a £450,000 budget and Jonnie Irwin to help them,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01they were impressed with the Mystery House, which, as ever,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03was a bit out of the ordinary.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- Beautiful, isn't it?- It is.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Completely different.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10This former cattle barn had been converted
0:21:10 > 0:21:12into a spacious and stylish living area.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I love the ceiling and I love the kitchen.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17I can't be happier.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20It's a great size and I like it a lot.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22The sitting room gave them everything they asked for.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24It's absolutely beautiful.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25It's a wow, isn't it?
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- Vaulted ceiling.- Vaulted ceiling. Inglenook fireplace.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- Tick, tick, tick, tick.- Yeah. I can go through the list.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35You've come up trumps here, haven't you?
0:21:35 > 0:21:37With all the accommodation on one level,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39the property offered them four double bedrooms.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43The master also had a wonderful vaulted ceiling.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44Sitting in an acre plot,
0:21:44 > 0:21:48the property had a double car port for Mark's classic car,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51and enough land for their young grandchildren to run around in.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53How are you feeling?
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- Over the moon.- Excited. - Over the moon?- Yeah.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02Wow. It's now on for offers of around £450,000.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Spot on budget then.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Mark and Steve liked our Mystery House so much,
0:22:07 > 0:22:11they put in an offer which was accepted.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Then, back in 2012,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Belinda and Kevin wanted to quit their nine-to-five existence
0:22:18 > 0:22:20in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24and find a Norfolk property with new income potential.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26At the moment, we're both doing jobs
0:22:26 > 0:22:29that require us to probably sit behind desks and computers,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31yet we're practical people, active people,
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and we're just not getting the life satisfaction that we really want.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38For their £450,000 budget,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Belinda had her heart set on running a cattery business
0:22:41 > 0:22:45and Kevin wanted a garage to work on classic cars.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48So, when a younger me showed them a house that had it all,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51I was quietly confident.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52We have excelled ourselves.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Haven't you just? - Cos we've brought you to a cattery.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Oh, great.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Licensed for 30 cat chalets, so you can have 68 cats.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Built to the highest feline standard.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- I see that.- Wow. You have surprised me.- Yeah.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08'And it just got better when they heard how much
0:23:08 > 0:23:10'they could earn from it.'
0:23:10 > 0:23:13It's a very successful business. It can turn over about 30 grand.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Really? You're just speechless, aren't you?
0:23:15 > 0:23:18I am speechless. Again, not expecting that really.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Aw, look at them.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24'For Kevin, it gave him the garage of his dreams.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27'The house itself had two kitchens -
0:23:27 > 0:23:29'one for prepping food for those felines,
0:23:29 > 0:23:31'and of course one for them,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34'along with a sitting room that they warmed to.'
0:23:34 > 0:23:35That's nice. That's cosy.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- That's a nice surprise.- Can you imagine the two of you living here?
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Yes. I'm starting to get the feel that we can.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43I felt as soon as we walked through the gate that it felt...
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- felt right from the outside.- Yeah.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48The three-bedroom accommodation upstairs hit the mark,
0:23:48 > 0:23:53and they couldn't believe their luck when they heard the asking price.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56I would go 425.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58I'd put slightly more. I'd say 440.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- This is on the market for 410. - OK.- Is it?
0:24:02 > 0:24:05I'm so delighted that Kevin and Belinda wasted no time
0:24:05 > 0:24:07in buying that property.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11Four years on, I hear the cattery is going from strength to strength,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14and they've extended the house.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Two great house tour highlights there,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19but now it's time to delve deeper into the property hunt
0:24:19 > 0:24:21for our next couple, Jean and Mike.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Before we start house-hunting on the show,
0:24:25 > 0:24:27we always ask our buyers to run through
0:24:27 > 0:24:31some of the most important features that they're looking for,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34and this is what we affectionately know as the wish list,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38and it's the wish list that we then slightly sadistically tear up
0:24:38 > 0:24:41just before we show them the Mystery House.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43And that was certainly the case when Jules Hudson
0:24:43 > 0:24:47went property-hunting with musicians Jean and Mike.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Top of their wish list was single-storey living,
0:24:50 > 0:24:55but they were about to enter uncharted territory.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Back in the autumn of 2013,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00the couple from Northampton hoped to fulfil a long-held dream
0:25:00 > 0:25:05of moving to Norfolk after Mike's retirement earlier that year.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10We had our first experience of life on the water
0:25:10 > 0:25:12in Norfolk 20 years ago.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14- On the Norfolk broads. - On the Norfolk broads.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16We went backwards and forwards to Norfolk every year,
0:25:16 > 0:25:18just spending a glorious week over there,
0:25:18 > 0:25:23looking at the wildlife, fishing, and just totally chilling out.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Over the years, the professional musicians
0:25:26 > 0:25:29had amassed a small orchestra's worth of instruments,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31as well as hundreds of CDs.
0:25:31 > 0:25:37In our new house, we have to have a music room.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39They had high hopes of finding a property
0:25:39 > 0:25:41close to the Norfolk broads.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44As well as single-storey living, they wanted three bedrooms,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48a large kitchen diner and that all-important music room.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51With a budget of £425,000,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54they wanted to be within a 15-minute drive of water.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00So, we began in the Norfolk broads and the village of Horning,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03where Jules showed them a 19th-century converted barn,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06which wasn't something they were expecting.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08This is quite an entrance, isn't it, really?
0:26:08 > 0:26:09- Incredible.- Wow. Yes.- Yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13You get all this, the drive and the grass either side of it.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16And I know you wanted a sense of rural life, obviously,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- but you didn't want to be isolated. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21So, as you can see, we've got other buildings around us.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24There are six other properties in this sort of complex, as it were.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27I mean, if you saw this in an estate agents window,
0:26:27 > 0:26:28would it pique your interest?
0:26:28 > 0:26:32If you just showed that little bit, you'd probably think, "Nuh-uh."
0:26:32 > 0:26:37- But because of what I can now see... - The whole location.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40- Oh, yeah.- Let's have a look and see what you think of the inside.- OK.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Well, there is only one place really, I think,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- to start in this property, and it's here.- Oh, wow.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- Yeah?- Oh, yeah.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56It's much bigger and brighter than I thought it was going to be.
0:26:56 > 0:26:57And it all goes through to
0:26:57 > 0:27:00a very nice conservatory-cum-dining area as well.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Well, let's go through to the kitchen,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- see what you think of this.- OK.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- And there, the kitchen. - Oh, look at that.- Wow.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- That is country kitchen. - Didn't expect that either.- No.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15The way they've set it up really suits the feel of the place
0:27:15 > 0:27:18and the aged feel, without...
0:27:18 > 0:27:21without giving you an old-fashioned look.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23It just works. It feels like it's always been here.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- Is it you?- Yeah.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- I think it could be. - I think it could be.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Converted in 1985,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35the layout of the barn conversion had the living rooms on one side
0:27:35 > 0:27:37and the four bedrooms on the other.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41They included one that was already being used as a music room,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43as well as the master suite.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Now, this is yours.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- Oh, wow.- Wow.- Oh, look at that. And a bath in an en-suite.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- You don't often get that.- Yeah.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56Outside, the property was set in three quarters of an acre,
0:27:56 > 0:28:00with a large lawn to the rear and the bonus of a stand-alone studio,
0:28:00 > 0:28:05offering them a further music room, although it was in need of updating.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09That makes me think that this won't be at the top of our budget,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12so I would say £375,000.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- 375, yeah. Mike? - I think a little bit more.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16I think 390.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20This is on the market at £365,000.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- Wow!- Mm.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Very interesting, Jules.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27- That is really interesting. - THEY LAUGH
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Under budget by £60,000,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34the price of the first property was music to their ears.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37And Jules was also feeling upbeat.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Well, I'm rather pleased.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42I think as property searches go,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44they don't start much better than this one.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45Great start, Jules.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48But not a man to rest on his laurels,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51he had another property ace up his sleeve.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53The next option was in the village of Swanton Abbott,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55just ten minutes from the sea,
0:28:55 > 0:28:59and it was another slice of classic Norfolk heritage.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02- There we are.- Wow. - That's number two.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04- Happy?- Look at that. That's amazing.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07But you are probably thinking, "But, Jules, it's not a bungalow."
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- No, it's not.- It was originally a kind of two-up two-down cottage,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12but in the last five years,
0:29:12 > 0:29:16they've added on a huge single-storey extension...
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- Have they?- ..which gives you another further two bedrooms.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21- So it's a four-bedroom property. - Oh, wow!- Let's have a look inside.
0:29:21 > 0:29:22OK.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30- So, how's this for cosy then? - Oh, wow, yeah.- Wow.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31- Yes?- This is cosy.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- This is Norfolk, isn't it? - This is Norfolk, yeah.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- Wow!- Yeah. The beams. Look at the door.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- I know.- Yeah. Stable door there. - Stable door.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43I hadn't envisaged anything as old as this,
0:29:43 > 0:29:45so this is quite different for me.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49OK, this, I love.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52It's this growing sense of space that this room gives you.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- Oh, wow, yeah.- You come through from the dark cosy end into this...
0:29:55 > 0:29:57well, fabulous kitchen, I think.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- It's a real country kitchen, isn't it?- Yeah, kitchen-diner.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- Butler sink.- Yeah.- Range. - Yeah.- Look at that.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06- This is a good space. - This is good.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09The single-storey extension to the rear
0:30:09 > 0:30:11housed that spacious kitchen-diner,
0:30:11 > 0:30:12as well as two bedrooms,
0:30:12 > 0:30:15one of which had music room potential.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20The old cottage featured exposed timber beams in the cosy snug,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22as well as in the two bedrooms upstairs.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Handy for guests.
0:30:24 > 0:30:25Outside, the house was set
0:30:25 > 0:30:28in a third of an acre of mature gardens.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30- Plenty big enough. - And very manageable.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32- Very manageable.- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:30:32 > 0:30:34How much is it on the market for, then?
0:30:34 > 0:30:36- 350.- I would say a bit more.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41- Yeah.- I think it's nearer four, so 395.- 395.
0:30:41 > 0:30:48It's actually on the market at 399,950.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Not too far out then.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53A very different proposition to house one,
0:30:53 > 0:30:57this property's original features did seem to chime with them.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00The old part of the house, that was full of character,
0:31:00 > 0:31:02and that was the opposite to the new part,
0:31:02 > 0:31:04which was very extensive
0:31:04 > 0:31:06but I didn't feel there was a good flow.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09First room was nice, snug.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Obviously very quaint with the beams.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14It had that typical cottage feel.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19I think we can consider that
0:31:19 > 0:31:21a very fine day of property shopping.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Two different homes but both offering Mike and Jean
0:31:24 > 0:31:25what they were looking for -
0:31:25 > 0:31:28single-storey living, that all-important music room,
0:31:28 > 0:31:34or at least options for it, and under their budget of £425,000.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37But the next morning, Jules played his Mystery House card.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40And what was he going to pull out of the property pack?
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Would it be the two of clubs or the ace of spades?
0:31:46 > 0:31:47For the final property,
0:31:47 > 0:31:48Jules took our water lovers
0:31:48 > 0:31:50to the village of Upton
0:31:50 > 0:31:51in the heart of the Norfolk broads.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55Well, you wanted a taste of the Broads,
0:31:55 > 0:31:56but look at where we are.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00This is Upton Dyke and it leads up there about half a mile
0:32:00 > 0:32:03to the River Bure, which I think you know quite well.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04We do.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06We've motored the river many times
0:32:06 > 0:32:09and we've gone past the Dyke many times
0:32:09 > 0:32:11but we've never actually come down here,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14so it's really nice to come here and see the yacht.
0:32:14 > 0:32:15The reason we are here
0:32:15 > 0:32:18is to tease you with our Mystery House
0:32:18 > 0:32:20because we love this place and it really sets the scene
0:32:20 > 0:32:23for what might be your future cos our Mystery House
0:32:23 > 0:32:24- is just down the road.- Wow.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- Shall we?- Let's.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31The Mystery House, as ever, was something of a wild card -
0:32:31 > 0:32:35a converted 19th-century Methodist chapel.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38- You can look that way.- Good grief!
0:32:38 > 0:32:41We're in classic Mystery House territory here
0:32:41 > 0:32:43- with our chapel.- Very much.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47- Look at that.- Didn't know we were going to church, did you?- No, dear.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- Wow.- Wow.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51The only compromise with this one
0:32:51 > 0:32:54is that it's not a bungalow, obviously.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56It is this cavernous chapel
0:32:56 > 0:32:58which has been beautifully converted.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Look at that. I love the outside, Jules.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- Yeah.- That is captivating. It really is.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Really eager to see inside.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07Come and have a look.
0:33:12 > 0:33:13You see what I mean?
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- SHE LAUGHS - Good gracious me.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19I'm speechless.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- Spiral staircase.- Glorious.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23I think it's absolutely beautiful.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25You could have lovely recitals in here.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Well, quite, because of the space and the ceiling,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30- the height of the ceiling. - Think of the parties you could have.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33The acoustics in here would be good, I think.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Oh, yeah. Very much so.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Well, I'm loving this. Yeah, I'm loving this.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- Absolutely.- Yeah?- Yeah.- Great. - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Let's have a look at the kitchen then.
0:33:44 > 0:33:45Look at this one.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51- Oh! It's a cracker.- Isn't it just?
0:33:51 > 0:33:54- I love it.- This is incredible.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- Right, when are we moving in then? - Yes.- Well... Are we now? Yeah.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01It's a... It's a beautiful house.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03It's a really good option for the both of you.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07Behind me in here, quite a generous study.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10- Oh!- Could be a music room again, if you wanted it to be, whatever.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13- Or another snug.- Yeah.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14I really, really love it.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16As I said on the outside,
0:34:16 > 0:34:18the only compromise is that it's not a bungalow,
0:34:18 > 0:34:19but we don't care any more, do we?
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- No.- No.- Absolutely not. - Can we use the stairs then?
0:34:21 > 0:34:23- THEY LAUGH - OK. After you.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28The ground-floor also provided a possible bedroom.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34The spiral staircase led up to two further double guest rooms,
0:34:34 > 0:34:38as well as the master suite with original features.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42- Aren't they lovely, these beams? - Beautiful.- Really.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44And they've retained them, that's the main thing.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47You've also got a really nice en suite through there.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48- OK.- Oh, that's handy.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52So, I think we are onto a bit of a winner with this one.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53I think you could well be.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57Yeah. You've really, really taken us by surprise on this one.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59And we don't care about bungalows any more?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- No.- Bungalows, what are they? - JULES LAUGHS
0:35:02 > 0:35:04You see? I thought that might disappear.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Yet again, the Mystery House
0:35:06 > 0:35:09was getting the best reactions of all our properties,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12as Jules showed Mike and Jean the manageable garden.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- A little bit of decking, as you can see.- Mm-hm.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Not a huge garden,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20but I'm thinking, you're going to be busy out on the water.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Absolutely. This is lovely. Look at that.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- And the way they've done it... - It's just enough.- It's enough.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- Wonderful.- How much do we like it?
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- You know what's coming now, don't you?- I know. I know.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33OK, Jean. Short and sweet.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Make me an offer for our mystery chapel.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Right. 425 grand.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40425. Mike.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- 450.- 450.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- 435.- Oh, really?!- Wow. Really?
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- Really?- Oh, wow!
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Slightly over their £425,000 budget,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Jean and Mike would have to push the boat out
0:35:54 > 0:35:56if they wanted to be this close to the Norfolk broads.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00This is so homely, yet elegant.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05The character feel is here and the open space and the light.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09I could go on forever, but I really, really like it.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11So, what happened next?
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Did they choose that first single-storey conversion
0:36:14 > 0:36:16over property two?
0:36:16 > 0:36:17Or in the end did the village location
0:36:17 > 0:36:20and character of the mystery chapel win through?
0:36:25 > 0:36:28Well, spoiler alert, I'm back in Upton,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31the village where the chapel was located, to find out.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Did they buy it or did they not?
0:36:33 > 0:36:36Mike and Jean now work in the community shop.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37That's a clue.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- There they are.- Hi!- Hello. - Hello, Alistair.- How are you?
0:36:43 > 0:36:46We always know who you are, with your fabulous name badges.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- We have to wear our badges. - So you must have settled in,
0:36:49 > 0:36:50cos you're here behind the counter.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52- Absolutely.- We have, very much so.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54It's a beautifully sociable village
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and we've made lots of friends already.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Right, so, I've been teasing the viewers about what happened.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02- Ah.- Tell me, did you buy the chapel or not?
0:37:02 > 0:37:06- We didn't.- Unfortunately, we didn't, but we found somewhere else.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08We have a lovely house, we have a lovely community,
0:37:08 > 0:37:10and it's wonderful.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12- Yes.- I have to ask, is it a bungalow?
0:37:12 > 0:37:14- No.- No.- Ah!
0:37:14 > 0:37:18No, you took us to the mystery property and of course,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21that really showed us that we didn't need a bungalow.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23- We wanted a house.- So we have a house with four bedrooms.
0:37:23 > 0:37:24Four bedrooms?
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- And at the end of the day, you found Upton for us...- Yes.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31..so, I mean, we're forever grateful for that.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Since finding their two-storey property 18 months ago,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Mike and Jean have got stuck into village life,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40including volunteering in the community-owned shop,
0:37:40 > 0:37:42which operates from the back of the pub.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Threatened with closure, the locals bought the pub in 2012,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49and with the help of a grant from the Prince's Countryside Fund,
0:37:49 > 0:37:51they diversified into retail.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55And we have 22 volunteers that all come in, give their time free.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Prince Charles came and it's wonderful.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- So, you've been here 18 months? - Yes.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- About that, yes.- Yes. 18 months.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05That's fast work. You're right in the heart of the community.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- Absolutely. - Well, the lovely thing is,
0:38:07 > 0:38:12by working here, we've met so many of the villagers,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15and it's part of... part of our lives now.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17I'd really like to look at the house.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Can we steal you away from the village shop?
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Yeah, we can find somebody to take over from us.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24And it's just two minutes up the road, so let's go.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- Let's go.- Good.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31Upton has delivered the complete lifestyle package for Jean and Mike.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33That was the thinking behind the mystery property,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36which was a springboard to finding their current home.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40- Ah!- What do you think of the house so far?
0:38:40 > 0:38:42- It's beautiful. - What's your first impressions?
0:38:42 > 0:38:46My first impressions, it's a very impressive building, isn't it?
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- Thank you. Yes, we think so. - And it's a four-bedroom house.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Amazing. And when you saw it, was it love at first sight?
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Well, it was really. We sort of came to the drive,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57looked up and we thought, "Oh, gosh, this is good."
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Well, as the house-buyers always say on our show,
0:39:00 > 0:39:01I'd really like to have a look inside.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Well, before we do that, come and take a look at the music room first.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Oh, is it in here?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- Yes.- It's here.- Just here.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Rather than having the music room inside the main house,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16they've converted half of their double garage into a studio.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Kitted out with electricity and soundproofing,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22they can make as much noise as they like.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- This rocks, quite literally. - Absolutely.- What a great place.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- This is it.- There's soundproof all the way round,
0:39:30 > 0:39:32including triple glazed windows,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- so that we don't disturb the neighbours.- Ah.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38With your wild jam sessions.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- Yeah, we do.- Yes. - We're getting wilder.- Really?
0:39:40 > 0:39:43We've got some things going in the village
0:39:43 > 0:39:45and then we've got a talent evening,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48so we've been out here rehearsing ourselves
0:39:48 > 0:39:50- and with other people from the village.- You're singing in the pub?
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- Yes.- Yes.- I'm sure there's lots of people actually in retirement
0:39:53 > 0:39:56or throughout their life who would quite like to convert a garage,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58- cos often we have garages that don't really get used.- Mm.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Can I ask how much it cost?
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Yeah, around £15,000,
0:40:03 > 0:40:05and that includes all of the soundproofing,
0:40:05 > 0:40:07the walls and the ceiling.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- It's ideal.- Mm.- Can I see the rest of the house?
0:40:10 > 0:40:12- Sure.- Pleasure.- Let's go.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16I'm intrigued to find out how much they paid
0:40:16 > 0:40:19for their new four-bedroom home,
0:40:19 > 0:40:21but they won't tell me till after the tour.
0:40:21 > 0:40:22Sounds familiar.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26It's fantastic. It's like a reverse house tour.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28- Yes.- It is. - You're showing me around.
0:40:28 > 0:40:29- Absolutely.- Absolutely.- Wow!
0:40:29 > 0:40:31- And I said wow.- You did.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34- You did say wow. - It's got a wow factor.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36This is an amazing kitchen.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38In fact, the whole thing, it's very open-plan.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40Yes. That's exactly what we wanted.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Was it like this when you moved in or have you done lots of work?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46No, no. It was about 18 months old when we bought it
0:40:46 > 0:40:49and we haven't had to do anything yet.
0:40:49 > 0:40:55We put some extra lights underneath the cupboards, but apart from that,
0:40:55 > 0:40:56what you see is how it was.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58And do you use the garden much?
0:40:58 > 0:41:00We do. We use it all the time.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03And very lucky we overlook the village pond.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05You can see it from here. It's nice. Can we go and visit?
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Shall we go and have a look?
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Mike and Jean were so set on living in a bungalow,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14but now all their bedrooms are on the first floor.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15Perhaps our Mystery House
0:41:15 > 0:41:18encouraged them to consider another level.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22And as we head outside, I've got one burning question on my mind.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Can I ask how much you paid?
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Well, how much do you think
0:41:26 > 0:41:28- this house was on the market for, Alistair?- Ah!
0:41:28 > 0:41:30You're putting me on the spot. It's guess the price.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35- Yes.- Yes, it is.- Well, I'm assuming your budget was 425,000.
0:41:35 > 0:41:36It was.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41Being optimistic, I would say, just under, say 420,000.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45- You're 5,000 out. It was on for 425. - Oh!- So you're not far out.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Oh, good. Usually at this point,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49I'd send you back in to have a look at the house
0:41:49 > 0:41:51- but we don't need to do that cos you actually own it.- We do.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- Shall we all go in?- Let's.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57It's clear from meeting Jean and Mike
0:41:57 > 0:41:59that key to their happy transition to the countryside
0:41:59 > 0:42:03was playing a part in the community.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06And it's great to see how this Upton girl
0:42:06 > 0:42:09and her piano man have struck a chord with locals
0:42:09 > 0:42:12and made a lovely new home for themselves.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19We're almost coming to the end of our revisits here
0:42:19 > 0:42:21in the wide-open spaces of Norfolk,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24and it was so lovely to see how Mike and Jean
0:42:24 > 0:42:26had ensconced themselves in the village community
0:42:26 > 0:42:28through their music and the shop.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30And also Wendy and Nigel,
0:42:30 > 0:42:32even though they had anxiety about the fact that
0:42:32 > 0:42:33their children might be too far away
0:42:33 > 0:42:38and their grandchildren, in the end, everyone came to visit them.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40And I think that's a good closing thought.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42If you're thinking about moving to the countryside
0:42:42 > 0:42:44and you have worries about whether you're going to fit in
0:42:44 > 0:42:48or it's going to work out, take Wendy's advice and just do it,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51cos it's better to do it than to regret
0:42:51 > 0:42:54that you didn't do it and then run out of time.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57On that closing thought, see you next time.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03If you also dream of escaping to the country in England, Wales,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Scotland or Northern Ireland, and would like our help,
0:43:06 > 0:43:08why not apply online?