0:00:02 > 0:00:06Making the move from city to countryside is often a momentous step.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Never in a million years I would imagine I'd be seeing a house like this.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Never, ever.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14But for many years, Escape to the Country has been
0:00:14 > 0:00:17helping countless people on the hunt for their new home.
0:00:19 > 0:00:20What do we think of this?
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Chocolate box!
0:00:22 > 0:00:26We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of Britain...
0:00:26 > 0:00:27Take a look at that killer view.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29That's amazing.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Oh! How pretty is that?
0:00:35 > 0:00:37..that our buyers just couldn't resist.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Jules!
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Seriously. Get your cheque-book out now!
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Looking out over your horses.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49- Absolutely.- Beautiful, isn't it?
0:00:49 > 0:00:53..to find out how the moves changed their lives when they
0:00:53 > 0:00:55escaped to the country.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Today I've come back to the coastal county of Suffolk,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19land of pink washed cottages and countless picturesque settlements,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23one of which vanished under these waters centuries ago.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28Known as the lost city of England, Dunwich was once a major town and
0:01:28 > 0:01:29international port.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31But coastal erosion,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35and after several major storms in the 13th and 14th centuries,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38means that most of Dunwich now lies beneath these waves.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41And all that remains is a tiny village.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Now it's always a pleasure to come to a county with such a fascinating history.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49But this visit will be particularly exciting, as I'll be reunited with a
0:01:49 > 0:01:53couple who've created their dream home here in Suffolk.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56And they've certainly been busy since I saw them last.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Suffolk is a low-lying county which forms part of the region of
0:02:01 > 0:02:05East Anglia, and is highly regarded for its rolling rural scenery as
0:02:05 > 0:02:07well as its unspoiled coastline.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Today, I'm revisiting Mick and Sue.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14They sold their suburban Essex home five years ago and were after more
0:02:14 > 0:02:17outside space for their much-loved horses.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19As for the house we found them,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21they've certainly been ringing the changes.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24This is universally different.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25I don't remember any of this.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Sue and Mick met 20 years ago through their shared love of horses.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34They even tied the knot on horseback.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Back in the spring of 2012, they were living in the Essex town of Harlow.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42But for the equestrian couple, their rural move was focused on having the
0:02:42 > 0:02:44horses on their own land.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47The horses are stabled in Epping Forest.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49It's 12 miles away. It's two motorways.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52And what we would like to do is have horses at home,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54and be able to ride nice bridleways nearby.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57And our dream is to be able to ride to the local pub.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00The whole idea of just being able to walk out of the front door and
0:03:00 > 0:03:04having the horses in stables nearby, it would make life so much easier.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Life hasn't been easy for the couple.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10In 2008, Mick had suffered an accident at work,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14which left him as a double below the knee amputee.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17He does quite a lot, but some of the time Mick's in a wheelchair,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19so we have to take each day as it is.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23I guess when something like this happens, it concentrates your mind
0:03:23 > 0:03:27and you think about the things you do enjoy in life.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31Sue does a great deal for me. I wouldn't be here without Sue.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36She picks me up when I get down. She does most things for me,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40though I'm still capable of doing a few things on my own.
0:03:40 > 0:03:46But she's just the rock that I anchor myself to.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48The house needed to be practical,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51with a large downstairs open plan living space,
0:03:51 > 0:03:55a bedroom suite on the ground floor and at least a further two bedrooms
0:03:55 > 0:03:56for visiting family.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01Sue wanted a decent sized garden to expand her horticultural ambitions.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05And the keen riders wanted enough land for up to four horses.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09With a top budget of £575,000, they were ready to go.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Our first house was located in the small village of Stanton in the
0:04:16 > 0:04:20north of the county, where we'd lined up an equestrian property
0:04:20 > 0:04:22hidden away down a private road.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27OK, so, property number one, we're going to be looking at a bungalow.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30But I know what you're like. Like any other horse-mad person,
0:04:30 > 0:04:31you want to look at the stables.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34You can't ignore them. They're fantastic, actually.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- Yeah, very good.- You do get some pretty good facilities here.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38These boxes are probably what, 20 years old?
0:04:38 > 0:04:40They're tidy, they're well put together.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43They've got hot water and even heat lamps in one of the boxes there
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- to dry the horses off.- That could be useful.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- Luxury.- That's a plus point to start with.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50What about the bungalow, the house itself?
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- It's fine.- It's a bungalow.- It's a bungalow.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57It's not without character completely. It's quite a...
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Yeah, there's nothing wrong with that at all.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00- So all in all, happy? - Yeah.- So far, so good.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- Great. Let's take a look inside. - Yeah.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09The property also came with a number of outbuildings, but I wanted to
0:05:09 > 0:05:12show Mick and Sue the inside of the 1950s bungalow which
0:05:12 > 0:05:15had the open plan layout they were after.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19So, straight into the kitchen.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22What are your first impressions of this kitchen?
0:05:22 > 0:05:23It's very nice. It's lovely.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25A bit bigger than I thought it was going to be, actually.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27I thought that was a mirror when I first came.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Yeah, I did a double-take there, actually.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32I did think it was a mirror, then being able to see right through.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- Yeah.- Are you happy with this kind of layout?
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Does it work for you?- It looks as if it's reasonably well laid out.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40You can get around it. It looks like there's scope to potentially knock
0:05:40 > 0:05:43through into the living area there if we wanted to make it larger.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45So, first impressions, yeah.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48And if I was in a wheelchair I could get around here easily.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Back off the entrance hall, there was a good-sized utility and an
0:05:53 > 0:05:57office come tack room. We then explored the living area.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Very much more open plan now.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- Oh, it is, yeah.- It's very nice.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03- It's a bit small.- Here's the thing.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06As you've got room for a dining table in the kitchen,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09you could dispense with this and that short wall and make it one big
0:06:09 > 0:06:10living room.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13I think we would probably knock through here and make it into
0:06:13 > 0:06:15one big room.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18What I did like about it is the old parquet flooring,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20the solid fuel burner, there.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22It's... Even though, again, we keep going back to the fact it's a
0:06:22 > 0:06:26bungalow, but you do get elements of country living in it, don't you?
0:06:26 > 0:06:27Yeah. It's got some character.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31The windows looked at on the property's main asset, the land.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35So Sue and Mick could watch their horses from the comfort of their
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- living room.- It has got everything we need, so far.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40There were four bedrooms in the bungalow,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44including two good-sized guest rooms and a bedroom that could be theirs.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46This is your master bedroom.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52- Yeah.- Yeah.- That's fine. I like the double windows.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54I like them either side.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- It's not huge.- This looks fine.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57OK, good, you're not high fivers?
0:06:57 > 0:07:02- No!- The cogs are all working about what we can do to add
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- our own stamp to things...- All right.- ..and make things easier.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Yeah, everything is fine.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Everything is good.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Outside, as well as the five stables, this eight acre plot
0:07:13 > 0:07:16benefited from all-weather equestrian facilities and
0:07:16 > 0:07:20a large garden to keep keen gardener Sue occupied.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23This has got so much scope and potential that it's not an issue at
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- all, this sort of size.- You've got all the facilities you asked for.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Bearing that in mind, I want you to guess the price.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31How much is this place on the market for?
0:07:31 > 0:07:32I'm going to try and be optimistic.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- I'm going to say 560.- OK.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39I think it's higher than that. I think you've really got to the top
0:07:39 > 0:07:41of our budget.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44I will say 575, hoping it's not too much more than that.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Well, you were right when you said I'm pushing the budget here,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49because you've got everything.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- This place is on the market for offers around £600,000.- OK.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Yeah.- We were being optimistic.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Yes, you are. And we've spoken to the owners,
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- and they are prepared to negotiate closer to your budget.- Right.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06£25,000 more than they'd hoped to spend,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10nevertheless, it seemed we'd got off to a good start with this first property.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13And Mick and Sue seemed particularly pleased with the grounds.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16I'm pleasantly surprised by the amount of space
0:08:16 > 0:08:19both within the house and certainly the outside.
0:08:19 > 0:08:20It's actually a good size, really, Sue.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22It's not a bad living space, is it?
0:08:22 > 0:08:24I think we'll have to fill that in, though.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Yeah, not too keen on the hole in the wall.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28I can imagine you and I shouting at each other through there.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32I think we'll have to fill it in or open it all up completely.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34It's got everything we need, really.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36It suits us.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40There are some changes we would have to make for accessibility.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41But not that many.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45I then took them across the county border into Norfolk,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48to the rural village of Starston.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Although the weather had taken a turn for the worst,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I was hoping they'd appreciate the character of our next offering,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55located down a quiet country lane.
0:08:57 > 0:09:03OK, then. For the second property, you buy one, you get one free.
0:09:03 > 0:09:04- We did wonder.- Yeah.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Now that is no ordinary annexe. But we'll discuss that later.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- What do you think of the property, here?- It looks good.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13It's a nice little country house.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16It looks perfectly good from the outside.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20The grade two listed farmhouse had great period features but there was
0:09:20 > 0:09:22a question mark on the layout.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Now then. First impressions, as you come to your potential new house?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30It looks like more bitty little bits to it.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- What do you think?- I think it's lovely.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35I really do love it.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38And it's the sort of place, if I still had legs,
0:09:38 > 0:09:39this would've been perfect.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- I'm not sure about the... - Accessibility?- ..accessibility.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Well, yes, and believe it or not,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47that is at the forefront of my mind as well.
0:09:47 > 0:09:48There are a few steps here.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51But I want us to have a look around because I'm wondering whether or not
0:09:51 > 0:09:56we could make this practical for you guys in the future.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59The kitchen also had a traditional feel and layout.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- It's not a bad size.- It's very nice.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06This part of the building is 450-years-old.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- Yeah.- You see it, don't you?
0:10:08 > 0:10:09- Yeah.- I can believe it.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13It's got loads of character, hasn't it?
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Yeah, loads of character. The beams in here look great. Really good.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19This is the first time I've really seen you smile when you're looking
0:10:19 > 0:10:20- around a house.- Well, yeah.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23I've still got my doubts about the practicalities.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25The narrow doorways, the steps and so on.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28There are other options because there is another side to this
0:10:28 > 0:10:31property, quite literally, that should help you out a bit.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Although they were worried about practicalities,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37there was a welcome solution on the other side of the kitchen.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Wow!- Wow! There's a bit of space in here, isn't there?
0:10:40 > 0:10:41That's a bit different.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- Yeah.- All one level, big open plan kitchen.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Right? Into a big dining room.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Going through to the rear hallway/reception room.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55And the owners of this house have disabled friends,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58and they can bring the car right to the back door.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03- Right. Yeah.- Come with me, through to the dedicated living room.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07That's quite a good size as well.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08This is really nice.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10I love all the windows.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Windows everywhere. Brilliant.- On all sides, really, aren't they?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Look at the outlook. It's just rural everywhere, isn't it?
0:11:16 > 0:11:18It's a lovely country cottage.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Well, it's a cottage but it's quite a big cottage.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22- Yeah.- So far?
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Very good.- Good.- Very good. - Excellent.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29Mick was clearly excited and Sue was also jumping on board.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Upstairs, there were four guest bedrooms, all with rustic charm.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37And there was a ground floor sleeping option, too.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39As it stands, obviously, not yet a bedroom.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Oh, wow! Yeah.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Again, it's full of surprises, this house, it really is.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- Through there, an office, which I was thinking dressing room.- Yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- A bathroom.- You've already got a bathroom.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57It needs new fittings, but the plumbing is here.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Yeah. This is...
0:11:59 > 0:12:00- It's big enough.- It's big enough.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Outside, the grounds featured a one bedroom self-contained annexe we
0:12:06 > 0:12:08caught a glimpse of at the start.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Somewhere for the family to stay, or a potential income stream.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15The horses could enjoy three paddocks
0:12:15 > 0:12:17spread over six acres of land,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20but Mick and Sue would have to build some stables.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22There are so many positives to this place.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24I really do like it.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27So, try pricing it.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I think you're pushing our budget.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32You've got that annexe there adding to it,
0:12:32 > 0:12:34and quite a lot of land as well.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36So I hope it's not as much, but 610?
0:12:36 > 0:12:38OK, 610, Sue.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- What about you, Mick?- I would say about 580, 590.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46Good guess, mate. £585,000 is the asking price for this.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- That's quite good.- Yeah.- I thought you were going to be pushing it, so...
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- You are pushing it but maybe not quite as much.- No.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Priced at £10,000 above budget,
0:12:53 > 0:12:57they'd clearly been charmed by the character and potential of our
0:12:57 > 0:12:58second property.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01It surpassed my expectations, really.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04There's obviously difficulties with it, too.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08But I think we'd be willing to take on this amount of work
0:13:08 > 0:13:10if we could afford it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12It has more potential in some aspects,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15but of course it's at the top end of our budget.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17We don't have the equestrian facilities already here,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20but we do have a potential income from something else.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23So it doesn't tick everything but it does do different things as well.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Well, it seemed like I'd given Mick and Sue plenty to think about with
0:13:29 > 0:13:31our first two properties
0:13:31 > 0:13:34and left them with something of a heart versus head dilemma.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36But I wasn't done yet.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38There was still one road left to travel
0:13:38 > 0:13:40and it led to our mystery house.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48Some people in your position almost get a bit nervous.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51There's always a bit of trepidation when we're on the way to the mystery house.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55What would you hope it isn't going to be?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Over budget.
0:13:57 > 0:13:58Yeah. I bet.
0:13:58 > 0:14:04Or the house is just absolutely wonderful but it doesn't have any land.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05So maybe that's the other thing.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08If it doesn't have any land associated?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Maybe that's where the compromise is.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Shall I turn the car around?
0:14:12 > 0:14:13Take us home!
0:14:16 > 0:14:20Our final property was in Framsden, back over the border in Suffolk.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23With Mick loving the historic character of the second property,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27it remains to be seen how far that could be pushed with the mystery house.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Here she is.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32First impression, it's a thatched cottage!
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- Yeah.- We didn't really want a thatched cottage.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- Didn't you?- Not really. No.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38What do you think of the appearance of it all?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40It's lovely. It is a beautiful little cottage.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42It looks nice. It's like your chocolate box look.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45I wondered how long it would take you to get chocolate box out because
0:14:45 > 0:14:47that's exactly what it is.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- It is, yeah.- Let's take a look inside.- OK.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54This 18th-century thatch originally started life as two farm workers'
0:14:54 > 0:14:57cottages and, for some, would epitomise the country dream.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00In we come.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Now tell me your first impressions and then I'll explain everything.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- It's lovely. - It really is nice.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- It's cottagey.- It's cottagey!
0:15:10 > 0:15:13It's narrow. It's what I think of being a cottage.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Yeah. Obviously it's all about ground-floor living.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Just through there, you've got a ground floor bathroom. OK?
0:15:18 > 0:15:21And on the same level, I was thinking, maybe we could
0:15:21 > 0:15:23convert this sitting room into a bedroom.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- Let me show you.- OK.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28So, big enough for a bedroom?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- Yes.- I would say it is, yeah.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34It would actually make quite a nice bedroom. It's quite a good size.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36There was a further reception room downstairs,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40but Mick and Sue would have to combine living and dining areas.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42That really, really is small.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44We wouldn't get any of our furniture in whatsoever.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Yeah, no, virtually nothing would fit.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49It's certainly smaller than I had in mind.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- Yeah.- Right. - But I really, really appreciate it.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- It is lovely.- OK.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Let's take a look into the kitchen.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57Mind your heads.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02The rustic charm of this place continues in the kitchen.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06It's a rustic kitchen and it's small!
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- Yeah, it is small, isn't it?- Yeah. It all goes with the theme, doesn't it?
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- It's lovely again. - Beautiful, but...
0:16:12 > 0:16:15The more I see of it, I think less and less.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- I would never get a wheelchair through there.- No.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Although they were quite rightly concerned about access,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24downstairs some of the beams were purely decorative and could've been
0:16:24 > 0:16:26removed to open up the space.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Upstairs, there were three immaculately presented bedrooms,
0:16:29 > 0:16:34and outside there was a well tended garden with Monet-inspired bridge.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37But not the acres of land Mick and Sue were after for the horses.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41And I was beginning to feel the mystery house was perhaps
0:16:41 > 0:16:42a bridge too far.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Now whilst there's no land with this cottage,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49there is a livery yard nearby where you can keep, well,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51pretty much as many horses as you'd want there.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55But it almost seems a moot point now, because the house isn't suitable.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Albeit maybe not for you, but clearly it's going to be for
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- someone, isn't it?- Definitely, yeah.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02So from what you've seen,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05have a guess to how much this place is on the market for?
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Well, without any land at all, I think 450.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16- 425.- It's on the market for 375. - Yeah.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Significantly below budget, the thatched mystery house certainly
0:17:20 > 0:17:23had character and charm, and there was money left over to make
0:17:23 > 0:17:25alterations to suit their lifestyle,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29but for Mick and Sue, there were too many compromises.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32The outside is nice, it's cottagey. It's a nice little garden.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37But a bit bitty for me and probably not big enough and I guess the
0:17:37 > 0:17:40overall surprise to us was that it hasn't actually got any land
0:17:40 > 0:17:41attached to it at the moment.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44I was hoping at least there would be some land that we could
0:17:44 > 0:17:47explore, opportunities for the horses.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Although I would say it is a beautiful house and it's done to a
0:17:50 > 0:17:54perfectly good standard, a very good standard,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56but I don't think it's for us.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58It's just very difficult to get around.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- All done inside?- Yeah, all done.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- It's a very pretty house, isn't it? - It's a lovely house.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12- OK, well, that's all three, let's go.- OK.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16So with the Mystery House not really working for them,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Sue and Mick were left with two options to consider,
0:18:19 > 0:18:23the modern practical first property with those amazing equestrian
0:18:23 > 0:18:25facilities and the second,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29the characterful farmhouse with he annexe and lots of potential.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32But which one would win through in the end?
0:18:34 > 0:18:38It probably comes as no surprise that they chose practicalities over
0:18:38 > 0:18:42potential and bought our first property in the Suffolk village of Stanton.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Now, you could be forgiven for thinking, well,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52this looks nothing like any of the properties I showed Mick and Sue,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55but what they've done is they've turned a fairly modest three to
0:18:55 > 0:19:00four-bedroom bungalow into, well, something that's resembling a ranch.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03They have been busy, haven't they? Let's catch up with them.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Back in 2012, when I was last here,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14the property was a modest 1950s bungalow,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17but now it's fair to say it's been somewhat supersized.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21Now then, how are you?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- Hello, Jonnie, nice to see you.- Nice to see you, Sue.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- Mick.- Good to see you, Jonnie.- Great to see you both.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Although I thought I was getting lost when I came up the drive.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30I thought, this doesn't look very familiar.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- It looks a bit different now.- It looks a lot different.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Did you nick someone else's house and put it on the land?
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- Yeah, a bit like that.- But also, look at this, who's the gardener?
0:19:37 > 0:19:39- That's me.- Honestly, this is a credit, this is amazing.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42There wasn't a single flowering plant here when I got here, it's all new.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44It's a profusion of colour now.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47I'm dying to see more about what's gone on at the back of this
0:19:47 > 0:19:49property, can we have a look? Lead the way.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- Follow us through.- I won't start nagging you for tea yet!
0:19:53 > 0:19:57Once they bought the bungalow five years ago, they set about converting
0:19:57 > 0:20:02and extending the property to make it easier for Mick to navigate in a wheelchair.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07Right. Well, I was expecting a new kitchen, these all look very new.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- All the units are new. - All the kitchen is new.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13We did away with the hole-in-the-wall.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14- Yeah.- We did away with that.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16We decided we hated the hole-in-the-wall.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Did we not discuss at the time it was nice to see through there,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24but you didn't really get room for a kitchen then, did you?
0:20:24 > 0:20:27No. We thought about opening it up and having the whole room in with
0:20:27 > 0:20:30the living area, but it didn't work for us,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32so we've gone for a traditional kitchen.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Exactly the same, new units, no everything.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37So in doing away with that hole, you've got wall space and the
0:20:37 > 0:20:40ability to have a proper sized kitchen now, haven't you?
0:20:40 > 0:20:42It's made a tremendous amount of difference.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46We've got lots of storage now, where we had very little before
0:20:46 > 0:20:47because it was very one sided.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49This suits us better, the breakfast bar.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52We can still get a wheelchair through if we need to, as well.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Well, practicality is a big thing here, isn't it?
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Even walking up here, there's pathways here.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00You came through the nice big wide doorways, there's width here.
0:21:00 > 0:21:01Everything is disabled friendly.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03You can get a wheelchair around the whole house.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08Perfect. You've immediately tackled semi structural stuff.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11But I saw some big sort of cable ends going out that the way.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- We've done a lot more.- Let's have a look.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- Lead the way.- Come through.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19The work to the house was completed over a two year period,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22with parts of the original building almost unrecognisable now.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I'm not going to pretend I can remember everything,
0:21:26 > 0:21:31it's a few years ago now, but I don't remember pretty much any of this?
0:21:31 > 0:21:35No, this room it's not dramatically changed.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- Apart from that!- Well, yes. I guess it has.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44There used to be a little bedroom here which was only five foot wide.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48That's what made this a three/four-bedroom place, wasn't it?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Basically, they used it as an office but it could've been a
0:21:51 > 0:21:52nursery, that's about all.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54So we knocked that wall down.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Also there was a half wall through here,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58which divided the two rooms as well.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02You can tell you've obviously been busy here because you're telling me,
0:22:02 > 0:22:04"Oh, we've not really done much here."
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- This is universally different. - Yes, opened up.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10That made a beautiful sun room, there.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I mean, to sit-in there with those bifolds looking out over the...
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- That was my idea.- Was it? - It was.- Great idea.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17It was her idea, yeah.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22I get a sense of it kind of like a ranch-style home.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- Is that what you went for?- I guess lots of people have said that.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- Have they?- It wasn't what we were aiming for.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29No, we didn't set out for that.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33We didn't, but in America anything that's single storey is a ranch.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Of course, there were the horses, yes.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Obviously, you love your western riding anyway, don't you?
0:22:38 > 0:22:40I know you do. You spend a lot of time in the States, and what have you.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- Yes.- You're surrounded by your own horses,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46so you can forgive people for going that way.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51But this house perhaps is because this house embraces all that you
0:22:51 > 0:22:52have outside. It brings it in.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56It would be a waste to ignore the fact that you're surrounded by your
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- own land.- Yep.- So far I can see that you've made huge improvements
0:23:00 > 0:23:02because that's exactly what you've done here,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05but you've built on and you've certainly built on that way.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- Can we have a look?- Yeah, of course. - A new wing.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09A new wing, get you!
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Did you ever think you'd say that?
0:23:12 > 0:23:16As well as adding a new wing down stairs, there's also now an upstairs.
0:23:17 > 0:23:23The new storey includes a room for Sue to do her artwork and an extra bedroom.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Downstairs, two of the bedrooms have been designed with wheelchair
0:23:27 > 0:23:31accessibility in mind. One of which is the master suite.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Is it big enough? - Just about.- Yeah.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37I've done it so if I'm in a wheelchair, I can get around everywhere.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40When you're building new, though, you can do just that, can't you?
0:23:40 > 0:23:42- Yeah.- I have noticed one thing though, Sue.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- What's that?- You've managed to build yourselves an entire wall
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- of walk in wardrobes.- Oh, I don't have that many clothes!
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Yeah, yeah, but you still need another one.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- That's me.- So that's yours and this is all Sue's, is it?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Absolutely.- Go on, girl.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Go on! So, inside, you guys have been amazingly busy.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01You've pretty much built another house on to here.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Let's have a sit down and talk about how your lives have changed.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06You escaped to the country for a reason, for a new lifestyle.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09- We certainly did.- It looks like you've got that,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- which is my link to get the kettle on someone, yeah.- OK.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16- Who's the tea maker?- Right, let's go get the kettle on.- After you.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I look forward to learning more about their new life outdoors later,
0:24:19 > 0:24:24but first some great highlights from two of my other house-hunting journeys.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Over the years, our rural property searches with our house hunters have
0:24:30 > 0:24:33covered the length and breadth of the UK.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36They've all been armed with different budgets and a desire to
0:24:36 > 0:24:39improve their quality of life with a move to the country.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43It's such a satisfying outcome when they make that all-important offer
0:24:43 > 0:24:45on a house that we've shown them.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Six years ago, I was in Somerset with another hopeful couple.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56In the summer of 2011, Beverley and Gerry wanted to move back to the UK
0:24:56 > 0:24:59from Switzerland and were looking for a characterful
0:24:59 > 0:25:01four-bedroom property with period features
0:25:01 > 0:25:06along with a separate annexe and a great view of open countryside.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09They had £650,000 to spend.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12The Mystery House was over the border in Devon,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15but there were lots of things to recommend it.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Now, as it's the Mystery House,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20I wanted to do things slightly different way round.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22I want to start from the outside.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24- Right.- And I think...
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Well, I know what you don't want, but one thing you told me that you
0:25:27 > 0:25:32did want was a view and I'm hoping this here is said view.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37- Right. Really lovely.- You've also got quite a bit of land.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39You've got over five acres here.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Wow.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43With the outside delivering on views and land,
0:25:43 > 0:25:48we explored the interior of the 18th century period property.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50- Very rustic.- Yeah, it is very rustic,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52but that's sort of what we were hoping for.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- It's not a square room. - No, far from it.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00There's lots you could potentially do with this in terms of furniture and decor. Yeah.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04With both Beverley and Gerry starting to picture themselves
0:26:04 > 0:26:07living here, we looked at another living area.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- Ah.- So reception room number two has...- Oh, right.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14- ..plenty of natural light. - Yes.- This is a modern extension.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19- Right.- These are Cornish slate, these massive flag stones.- Wow.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22It's really nice because it's totally in keeping with the rest of
0:26:22 > 0:26:24the house although it's modern.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26You've got views either side, you've got views out there,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29you could actually see the horse in the top paddock as well.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32At the moment, you really sound like you're coming on board on this
0:26:32 > 0:26:33- property?- We are. It's lovely.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- I think so far, so good. - Good.- I really like it.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38The kitchen was on the cosy side,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41but that didn't seem to bother our buyers.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43So you don't have the massive kitchen.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47No. I mean, it's a reasonable side but maybe not all of it is
0:26:47 > 0:26:48utilised as well as it could be.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53I mean, you could actually put in units all the way round to make it
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- more workable.- Yeah, I mean, I think that's what we'd do.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59The one thing that this allows is for you to adapt it again.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Upstairs there were five spacious double bedrooms,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05some with original feature fireplaces,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08including a very grand main bedroom.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11The master suite starts here.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- OK.- So Beverley, you've got a dressing room, there.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20- Then you have a shower room and a loo, there.- OK.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- That's nice.- But I thought this bedroom was something else.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27Very nice.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Yeah, it's lovely, isn't it?
0:27:29 > 0:27:32It's big enough to fit whatever you want in here.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Waking up here in the morning and hearing nothing other than the local
0:27:35 > 0:27:38wildlife and seeing the view out there,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- it would give you a good start to the day.- Yeah.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44With the mystery house working its magic, all that was left was to
0:27:44 > 0:27:50find out how much change they'd get, if any, from their £650,000 budget.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53How much do you think this place is on the market for?
0:27:53 > 0:27:55I would think it's 650.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57Yeah, I'd agree with 650.
0:27:57 > 0:28:05OK. Well, it's on the market for offers around £625,000.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- A good guess, but, you know, a bit cheaper.- Yes.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10BIRD SQUAWKS
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Hear that. The sound of nature.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17Beverley and Gerry clearly loved the Mystery House and followed through
0:28:17 > 0:28:18by making an offer.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26Winding forward to 2015, I was house-hunting with Steve and Rebecca
0:28:26 > 0:28:27from Lincolnshire.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31They were looking for wide open spaces and an eco-friendly house
0:28:31 > 0:28:34close to the coast and they hoped to find it in Argyll and Bute in
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Scotland with their budget of £350,000.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Our first house, on the Cowal peninsula, had all the right credentials.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- Fantastic looking property. - It is, isn't it? Very modern.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Yeah, how old do you think it is?
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Well, I know how old it is, thankfully.
0:28:53 > 0:28:59This large part was built initially around 1849 to 1850...
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Oh, wow. Right.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03..with a slightly more modern extension.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Now positioning, it's just like Lincolnshire, isn't it?
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Wow, yes, beautiful location.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13- Yes.- Without a doubt, fabulous.
0:29:13 > 0:29:14Excellent. Let's get inside.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22The property had been renovated and the interior was stylishly presented.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- First impressions?- Beautiful.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- Beautiful.- Yeah.- Wow, very sharp.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33The size, the height of the ceilings, the openness, beautiful.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- Now coming round to the kitchen area, is this your taste?- Yes.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Pretty much our layout, isn't it?
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Yes, I wouldn't need to change it at all.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Yeah, I like it very much.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44This is the hub of the home, though, isn't it?
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Yeah, I love the light flooding through the windows.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Let's go and have a look at the living room.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53The living space also appealed to their tastes.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Wow.- What I love about this house...
0:29:57 > 0:29:58It's lovely.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02..what you see is what you get. This is the main part of the barn.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04- Fantastic.- It's lovely, isn't it?
0:30:04 > 0:30:06Oh, absolutely gorgeous, isn't it?
0:30:06 > 0:30:07Perfect little layout, isn't it?
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Got the log burner.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13I don't think we can get better than this. This is fantastic for us.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18Upstairs, there were three double bedrooms all in the eves
0:30:18 > 0:30:21including a master with en suite.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Wow, yes, good size.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- Excellent.- I've always had a bit of an issue with vaulted ceilings,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29though. But I've got to say, I think they've done it really well.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34Because it doesn't impose on the main living area, does it, too badly?
0:30:34 > 0:30:36No, there's plenty of room there for us.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- Yeah.- But imagine lying in that bed...
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- Looking at those views. - Amazing, wouldn't it?- Yeah.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46Outside, the land wrapped itself around the cottage and was framed by
0:30:46 > 0:30:49a stunning Scottish backdrop.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52But how much would this slice of Caledonian countryside cost them?
0:30:54 > 0:30:55Who wants to go first?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- Shall I make a stab?- Go on, then.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- It is a guess. I'm going to go £300,000.- £300,000?- Yeah.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04I'm going to go slightly over.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07I shall go for £315,000.
0:31:09 > 0:31:15Well done. This house is on the market for offers around £315,000.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- Right, that's good.- Outstanding.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Rebecca and Steve wasted no time in making an offer, which was accepted.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27So they have successfully made their move to the Scottish countryside.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Now, it's time to head back to one of England's classic coastal counties.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41The east Anglian county of Suffolk has around 50 miles of coastline
0:31:41 > 0:31:46ripe for exploring, much of which form part of designated areas of
0:31:46 > 0:31:47outstanding natural beauty.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52The county also has over 60 nature reserves and around 10,000 public
0:31:52 > 0:31:56rights of way with some fantastic footpaths and beautiful
0:31:56 > 0:31:59bridleways to discover on horse back.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03All of this equates to an enticing prospect for anybody looking to
0:32:03 > 0:32:06escape the smoke for a more rural, tranquil lifestyle.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11The Suffolk coastline is also steeped in history,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14but the clues to its past aren't always visible from land.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Today, the village of Dunwich is a tiny settlement, but in the
0:32:19 > 0:32:2313th century, this was a major town and international port until
0:32:23 > 0:32:28a series of cataclysmic events sealed its fate.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31The clearest evidence of the size and wealth of the town that once
0:32:31 > 0:32:34stood here are the ruins of the Greyfriars monastery,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37now under the care of Jeff Able from the Greyfriars Trust.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41- Jeff, hello, thanks for meeting me today.- Welcome to Greyfriars.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43Thank you very much, lovely to be here.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47I understand we're stood amongst what was once a very important part
0:32:47 > 0:32:50of, not just Suffolk, maybe not even the region, but the country as a whole?
0:32:50 > 0:32:55Back in the mid 1200s, Dunwich was one of the ten largest towns in
0:32:55 > 0:32:58England and after London it was the most important port.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00We currently have a population of 70.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Back then, the population was about 5,000 people.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06It was the port that brought them all here working and trading?
0:33:06 > 0:33:08Yes, mainly working on the wool trade from East Anglia.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10So what happened?
0:33:10 > 0:33:15There was a massive storm on New Year's Eve in 1286 and
0:33:15 > 0:33:19the harbour was utterly destroyed in that storm.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23The town lost its livelihood more or less overnight.
0:33:24 > 0:33:29With the harbour gone, the 5,000 people diminished to a few hundred.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Another storm in the 1330s finished the town off completely.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37The Greyfriars stayed on but moved their monastery further inland to
0:33:37 > 0:33:39try and beat the sea.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41All of East Anglia is built on what essentially is a
0:33:41 > 0:33:43very large sandcastle.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47- Yeah.- And what happens to sand castles when the sea hits it?
0:33:47 > 0:33:52Well, they undermine and they wash away and the same has been happening
0:33:52 > 0:33:57throughout this coastline ever since the end of the last Ice Age.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02After the big storms of the 13th and 14th centuries, the coastline
0:34:02 > 0:34:04gradually retreated.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09Today, the North Sea is almost lapping at the door of the ruined monastery.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Well, you're just a few yards outside the wall of the monastery.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- Yeah.- Half a mile that way, that way...
0:34:16 > 0:34:20- Yeah.- ..is the old town. Stretching from here for half a mile out there
0:34:20 > 0:34:21is the old town of Dunwich.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25Apart from the major storm which destroyed the harbour,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27there were a number of major storms over time,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30but they take relatively small amounts of land.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35But it's the continuous action of the sea against the cliffs.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37The waves against the sandcastle effect.
0:34:37 > 0:34:43- Yeah.- It takes the cliffs yard by yard, on average, a meter a year.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45There's some stories underneath those waves, aren't there?
0:34:45 > 0:34:49There's an amazing amount of history just there.
0:34:49 > 0:34:55One of the legends about Dunwich is of coming up here and listening for
0:34:55 > 0:34:57the bells of the old churches.
0:34:57 > 0:35:03There were eight or ten churches out there and apparently you can hear the bells.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08My only experience of that is after a very long night in the pub and
0:35:08 > 0:35:10then your ears start to ring a bit!
0:35:11 > 0:35:14My ears ring if I've had a very long night in the pub and I haven't got
0:35:14 > 0:35:16home in time. That's when mine ring!
0:35:17 > 0:35:20It's been fascinating to discover some of the county's hidden past,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23but now it's time to return to the present.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34I'm revisiting Mick and Sue who moved into their Suffolk home five
0:35:34 > 0:35:36years ago.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39I've seen how they've radically redesigned the property,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41so now time to take in the grounds,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44which have been beautifully landscaped by gardening enthusiast, Sue.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50I'm not going to ask you how it's been since moving out here because
0:35:50 > 0:35:51I can see it's been busy.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- Extremely busy.- Not just the house, but I'm looking at this house,
0:35:54 > 0:35:56looking at the garden, for one thing.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- I mean there's a lot here, isn't there?- Yep. I've done a lot.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00There was absolutely no flowers here.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02There was obviously some grass,
0:36:02 > 0:36:04but there were no flowers at all here when we got here,
0:36:04 > 0:36:09and at the last count, we've had down 265 trees.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11- That to me sounds... - I know, it's amazing.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13It doesn't sound like there would be much left,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16but you've got some beautiful deciduous trees around here as well.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19I've got all of the good trees that we could possibly keep.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22The ones we've had down have been mainly Leylandii, 60 foot tall
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Leylandii all the way around the property making things very
0:36:25 > 0:36:27dark, not just for us, but for our neighbours as well.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30But I also know you have a degree in garden design.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32I do have a degree in garden design, yes.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34So you've been able to flex your muscles here, Sue?
0:36:34 > 0:36:37I can actually use my hobby.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40I'm pretty well full-time just looking after the garden
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- I think now.- Let's talk about the situation here.
0:36:43 > 0:36:50You wanted almost the impossible - land suitable for horses,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53with stabling, on the edge of a...
0:36:53 > 0:36:54- Of a village.- Not just a village.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58- On the edge of a good village with facilities.- Yep.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00- That's what everybody wants.- Yeah, we managed to click that one.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04We've managed to do that. This has been the best move we've ever made.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06We're very happy here on the actual property,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08but also the village is great.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10We get on very well with everybody.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13It's a friendly village and it's got all the facilities that we really need.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16We've got a pub within two minutes, we've got a post office,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19shop and a DIY store.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22It feels like an entertaining house, an entertaining destination.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24I imagine you've had a few occasions here, have you, Sue?
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- Yeah, we've had a few parties here. - I bet, I hope so.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31My daughter had her wedding reception here,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33which was over in the back paddock over there.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- Amazing.- We had a big marquee.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40So this sounds like it's become more than a home with your horses as well.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42- This is something else.- It's our lifestyle.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44It's our lifestyle. It is a lifestyle and that's what we always
0:37:44 > 0:37:46wanted because I'd retired.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49So I had time to do things here,
0:37:49 > 0:37:55and Sue wanted to really pursue her gardening and her artwork as well.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58- So this is the perfect place for it. - Yeah.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Whilst Sue has been immersed in the garden,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Mick's been able to enjoy another one of his passions.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08It still involves riding, but this one has a little more horsepower.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10Well, she's a beauty, Mick,
0:38:10 > 0:38:13I can see why you needed special access for her.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15- Yeah.- She's pride of place in your home, surely?
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- I wish I'd have cleaned it?- She looks all right to me.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Is this the same bike that you had when we were looking for houses?
0:38:21 > 0:38:23It is. Yes, it is. It is.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25A little bit worse for wear now, but it's the same one.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27- Done a few more miles since, has it?- Yes, a few.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30So tell me, this has been adapted for you to ride it, then?
0:38:30 > 0:38:34Yeah. Of course I can't use my back brakes, so this is my front brake,
0:38:34 > 0:38:38- the top lever.- Right.- And the bottom lever is my rear brake.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40So although you've got some fantastic roads around here,
0:38:40 > 0:38:42I mean you travel, again, with this?
0:38:42 > 0:38:46Oh, yes. Yeah, I've been over to Normandy on it and over to the Isle of Man.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48To help Mick get in and out with the bike,
0:38:48 > 0:38:52they've built a concrete path along the gravel drive.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57She certainly looks the part, but I'm keen to hear her purr.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Oh, she sounds beautiful, doesn't she?
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Oh, do you ever get Sue on the back of this?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- Oh, yeah, she's often on the back. - Really?
0:39:09 > 0:39:11I have to change the seat, she won't go on the back of that one.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13She has what they call a passenger seat.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17- Well, keep it as is then!- Yeah.- So if I come here in a few years' time,
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- am I going to see more bikes and less horses?- No.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24You'll probably see one bike and the same amount of horses.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Thanks very much. I'll go and see Sue. See you in a mo.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29See you later, mate.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32As regards their equine family, Mick and Sue now have four horses in
0:39:32 > 0:39:35the paddocks surrounding their property.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38This is Cassie.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Cassie is a quarter horse. She's an American breed.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43She came over from Wisconsin originally.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- Right.- And they're called quarter horses because they used to be very
0:39:46 > 0:39:47fast over a quarter of a mile.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Oh, right, she's a sprinter.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52She's a sprinter over a short distance,
0:39:52 > 0:39:54but she doesn't have the stamina.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57She's stocky, sturdy, versatile.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00We call her Barbie's horse, but she's basically a cowboy horse.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Which is your bent, isn't it, really?
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- That's right.- You and Mick love the western style.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09The whole western scene. This is your archetypal cowboy horse.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11So, how often are you getting out riding, then?
0:40:11 > 0:40:14I mean, you've got all weather facilities here, haven't you?
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Absolutely. We probably hack out two or three times a week, maybe ride in
0:40:17 > 0:40:19the menage as well. We don't need to ride them all the time,
0:40:19 > 0:40:21they're perfectly happy out in the fields.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- They've got plenty of space, haven't they?- They do.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26So what's the riding like around here, the hacking out?
0:40:26 > 0:40:27The riding is surprisingly good.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32We do have some bridleways at the beginning and the end of our
0:40:32 > 0:40:35property and we can get out on to those without going on the
0:40:35 > 0:40:37roads most of the year.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40We have the Stanton Rides here from the village,
0:40:40 > 0:40:43miles and miles of track that we can actually ride on.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- So we're quite fortunate. - Quite fortunate?
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- I mean this is an equine dream, isn't it?- It is, indeed.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52What a life you've got here. A very, very busy one.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54It's a busy life, but we're living the dream.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57We've got all the things here that we've always wanted.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Sue and Mick are now happily reaping the rewards of their vision and
0:41:01 > 0:41:05determination to make this property their perfect home.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08It's clear they've created their equine paradise
0:41:08 > 0:41:11here in the Suffolk countryside.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17It's too easy, isn't it? You've got your house there, your
0:41:17 > 0:41:19stables there and your paddocks here.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22This is what everybody I speak to with horses, this is what they want?
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- It's horse heaven here.- It really is, isn't it?
0:41:24 > 0:41:26- And they're happy, look at them?- Oh, yeah.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Surely having a small holding like this, having projects,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32that's part and parcel of it, that's half the fun, isn't it?
0:41:32 > 0:41:33Absolutely, it's always evolving.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36There's always something else to do and there's loads of maintenance.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38Yeah. For sure.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42Apart from maintenance and a lot of creosoting of posts and fences,
0:41:42 > 0:41:44what's next? What's the next project?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- What have you got planned?- Not much at all, really.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- Mick would like to make the veranda bigger.- Oh, yeah.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52- I forgot that.- That's next.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Look, let's face, you like western style riding,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58you've got American horses,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01you've got a house that's almost in the ranch style.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- Yeah.- You need a veranda and a rocking chair, don't you?
0:42:05 > 0:42:11- Yes.- Maybe a harmonica and then that scene is complete, isn't it?
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Well, look, you both seem so happy and settled.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16I feel like I should be getting on to my steed and riding
0:42:16 > 0:42:18off successfully into the sunset.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- You should do it.- Which one do you want?
0:42:20 > 0:42:23I've got a car, it's fine. Keep in touch.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25- I wish you all the very best.- Thank you very much.- See you soon.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27- Take care.- Bye-bye.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Well, it's been great catching up with Mick and Sue and I must say,
0:42:35 > 0:42:38what they've done to the property and its gardens is an absolute
0:42:38 > 0:42:42credit to them both. It's funny, when I first showed them this place
0:42:42 > 0:42:45I had a feeling that it would be a great fit for them,
0:42:45 > 0:42:49so I'm so pleased to see them here enjoying their new life together in
0:42:49 > 0:42:51Suffolk. See you next time.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56If you also dream of escaping to the country in England, Wales,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59Scotland or Northern Ireland and would like our help,
0:42:59 > 0:43:04why not apply online@bbc.co.uk/beonashow.