0:00:02 > 0:00:07Roses are red, violets are blue... That's rubbish. I actually came here for inspiration
0:00:07 > 0:00:13as this pretty little cottage isn't just typical of the property to be found in this county,
0:00:13 > 0:00:18but is also where celebrated essayist and novelist Virginia Woolf lived.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22She came here from London looking for serenity and stimulation.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27Let's hope today's potential house buyers make it their escape to the country.
0:00:39 > 0:00:45In today's show we'll be helping a couple from Wimbledon escape the suburbs for countryside living.
0:00:45 > 0:00:51- Not a cappuccino in sight. - We'll view some fantastic properties but will they be able to agree?
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- You can say, "Yes, dear."- Or no!
0:00:53 > 0:00:58And today's mystery house is nothing short of divine inspiration.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Look at that! Fantastic.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Today I'm in East Sussex at Monk's House to be specific.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08This is where Virginia Woolf lived.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13She was part of the celebrated Bloomsbury Set of artists and writers
0:01:13 > 0:01:20who famously shunned Victorian convention to live a more bohemian lifestyle in the South Downs.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26East Sussex has always been a county that provides inspiration and tranquillity in equal measure.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Bordered by West Sussex, Surrey, Kent and the English Channel,
0:01:30 > 0:01:36East Sussex is home to 692 square miles of wildly varying countryside
0:01:36 > 0:01:41which take in the clay valleys of the Weald that stretch down to Hastings
0:01:41 > 0:01:47and the stunning chalk escarpment of the South Downs, plus 46 miles of beautiful coastline.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52History isn't in short supply either. The Saxon county town of Lewes is not only famed
0:01:52 > 0:01:59for its raucous annual Guy Fawkes celebrations, but the best-preserved castle barbican in England.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03If the upkeep of a castle isn't what you have in mind,
0:02:03 > 0:02:09there's plenty of property on offer with a vast array of architectural styles to choose from.
0:02:09 > 0:02:15Whether you're partial to a bit of weather boarding or the typical Sussex half-hung tiled house,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19this county is chock full of character country homes.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28Despite the fact that the East Sussex coastline is only an hour's train ride from London,
0:02:28 > 0:02:33property here is almost 7% cheaper than in neighbouring West Sussex
0:02:33 > 0:02:37and a whopping 34% less than in fellow commuter county Surrey,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41but I don't want you to think property here is a snip. It isn't.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45It's almost 31% above national average, but in this current climate
0:02:45 > 0:02:51bargain hunter should seek because they will find. The gems are out there.
0:02:51 > 0:02:58If you'd won the Lottery, how about this £1.4 million seven-bedroom country house just outside Wadhurst?
0:02:58 > 0:03:04With four reception rooms, it's fit for a king and the oak panelling feels like you stepped back in time
0:03:04 > 0:03:09to soak up the sun in the glorious 2.75-acre gardens.
0:03:11 > 0:03:19If you want to spend a little less, for £659,000 you could snap up this Grade 2-listed place in Heath Marsh.
0:03:19 > 0:03:25This is a great entertaining pad with a contemporary kitchen complete with limestone floors,
0:03:25 > 0:03:32a double-aspect lounge diner and mature gardens for those summer parties.
0:03:32 > 0:03:39Or for a real steal, at £400,000, how about this four-bedroom smuggler's cottage in Selsey?
0:03:39 > 0:03:45Just a stone's throw from the coast, it comes complete with two reception rooms, a 25-foot galley kitchen
0:03:45 > 0:03:48and a really pretty lawned garden.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54With property relatively expensive in East Sussex,
0:03:54 > 0:04:00people wanting to buy here will either have to have plenty of money or the ability to compromise.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Let's hope our potential homebuyers have both.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Today's couple looking for an urban escape route are Matthew and Catherine.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12They've lived in this three-bedroom semi in Wimbledon for 17 years
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- with Maggie, their Border terrier. - I bought the house in 1992
0:04:17 > 0:04:22for what was then a lot of money, £106,000. And now most houses around here
0:04:22 > 0:04:25are going for about £400,000 plus.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29There's nothing wrong with the house, but we need more space.
0:04:29 > 0:04:36I can't see us living here in our dotage. We want to move to the country and now is the best time.
0:04:36 > 0:04:43As Matthew has owned the house since his bachelor days, this will be their first purchase together.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47I love it here, but this is in some ways Matthew's house.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52We have done a lot of work to it, but what would be really exciting
0:04:52 > 0:04:57is having met later on in life and got married later, choosing something together.
0:04:57 > 0:05:03After abandoning their initial search in London due to excessive property prices,
0:05:03 > 0:05:08they've decided to move to Sussex, but their search has run out of steam.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13We've seen literally hundreds of houses and we look and it gets to a point
0:05:13 > 0:05:17where you can't see for looking. It all begins to look the same.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22So what do Matthew and Catherine want for their money?
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- Our ideal home in the country will be a three-bedroomed house...- Yep.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- ..with a kitchen/diner... - Or potential.- Or potential.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Somewhere where we can get in and out of London quickly
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- and it'll be a home...- Home.- ..where we spend the rest of our lives.
0:05:36 > 0:05:43We've got a really fantastic kitchen area here. I really enjoy cooking and entertaining for friends.
0:05:43 > 0:05:50Whatever we find out in the country, it will be quite important to recreate this environment again.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Currently this is our spare bedroom, which doubles as Catherine's office.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Because we want to entertain more and want people to visit us,
0:05:58 > 0:06:04it's more essential that we have at least one or two guest bedrooms.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08But it's not just bricks and mortar that will make them buy.
0:06:08 > 0:06:15We've got a lovely courtyard garden here, but it is actually quite small and it's getting quite full.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19So by moving to the country we'll be able to get a large garden
0:06:19 > 0:06:23and I can indulge my passion for gardening and horticulture.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28That's a sizeable wish list, so how are they financing this?
0:06:28 > 0:06:35We're going to rent out the property here in London and through savings and getting past reserves together,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38we've got a budget of £550,000.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46I've got the feeling this is going to be a rather romantic house hunt
0:06:46 > 0:06:51with Matthew and Catherine looking for their first together home. Money's not really an issue.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56They've got their life savings for this dream property - if they can find it.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Even thought they haven't found anything in 8 months of looking,
0:07:00 > 0:07:06I have confidence that some of the villages between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne will deliver.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11With both Matthew and Catherine working, it's crucial they are closer to larger towns
0:07:11 > 0:07:15with road and rail links to London. We'll check out some great character homes,
0:07:15 > 0:07:20but I won't reveal the price tags until they've looked around.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Then just to mix things up a little, there's the mystery house.
0:07:24 > 0:07:30Matthew, Catherine, welcome to East Sussex, where they tell me the mornings are always this glorious.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35- Fantastic. Isn't it gorgeous?- Not a bad day for looking at property.- No.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38You've been looking for 8 months. Have you looked in this area?
0:07:38 > 0:07:44Not as such. I've looked on the internet, but we haven't visited any properties.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50- We looked closer to home. - Yeah, closer to London, but with the way that work is panning out,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54my job between Eastbourne and London and Catherine in the south-east,
0:07:54 > 0:08:00it makes more and more sense and East Sussex was a favourite county to have a look at.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Let's talk about the budget. 550. Can I push you on that?
0:08:04 > 0:08:10- I'm saying this and Catherine will probably kick me...- I control the budget.- There you are right there!
0:08:10 > 0:08:16- I've got the purse strings. - If we saw somewhere we really wanted, we would push the budget.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18I think 550, 580, around that figure.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- How committed are you to this move? - If we find the right house,
0:08:22 > 0:08:29- see the right house, we'll move. - Guess what! I'm going to show you the right house! I'm very confident.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- We're trusting you.- Shall we get on with it? I'll lead you to the car.
0:08:33 > 0:08:39So for their top budget of £580,000, Matthew and Catherine are looking for three to four bedrooms,
0:08:39 > 0:08:43a big kitchen/diner for entertaining,
0:08:43 > 0:08:49a couple of reception rooms and a big garden where Catherine can get all green-fingered.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- So are either of you from a country background?- No, I'm a town boy
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- and you've been suburb-y. - My aunt lived in the country.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04We used to go down a lot as kids. So we're not complete townies!
0:09:04 > 0:09:10- You've also got the dog, of course. - Oh, yes.- Maggie. - Is that a consideration also?
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- More room to roam?- I think so. - Totally, yeah.
0:09:13 > 0:09:19It's part and parcel of having animals. We might expand, get a few chickens, ducks.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24- Really? OK.- I've been thinking about it- The worry on your face now!
0:09:24 > 0:09:29'That really has got Matthew concerned. Time to get started!
0:09:29 > 0:09:33'So we're heading to the north-west of the county to Colemans Hatch.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38'If it's a countryside escape they want, this takes some beating.
0:09:38 > 0:09:44'It's right in the heart of the High Weald and Ashdown Forest is just five minutes away.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49'The nearby village of Forest Row has a good smattering of eateries and shops close at hand.
0:09:49 > 0:09:55'Our first property is a real rural retreat. It's a 17th-century former forester's cottage.
0:09:55 > 0:10:02'With three bedrooms, it has all the space they've asked for, but it needs some work and imagination.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05'Will they be up for it, though?'
0:10:05 > 0:10:12- The original property dates back 400 years and the current owners renovated it in 1994.- Right.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- It's not 100% renovated.- OK. - But a work in progress.- OK.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- You want to get inside. - I do, darling.- Come on, then.
0:10:20 > 0:10:26'High on Catherine's list of criteria is a big open-plan kitchen/diner.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31'Although not currently used as a kitchen, this room could be transformed
0:10:31 > 0:10:34'into the kitchen of her dreams.'
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Do come through to what would be your kitchen diner?
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- What a fabulous room.- You could really do something with this.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46It's not what I was expecting, but they've kept it sympathetically.
0:10:46 > 0:10:52- We're in the old part of the building.- You feel it. - You can. It's 400 years old.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56And it's got a wood-burning stove. Fantastic.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- Great for entertaining.- You could make this a very warm room.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- The owners have planning permission to change it a little bit.- Right.
0:11:04 > 0:11:12We could lift this roof so it is the same height as the rest of the building, for double the space.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Well, that's great. That's all good potential stuff, actually.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21I'm not sure, if it was for us, whether we'd need all that space up there.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26- I like this room as it is. - That's the first disagreement.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31- Oh, no! - No, we won't have a disagreement. It's a beautiful room.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33An absolutely beautiful room.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39'There's already a utility room right next door. Although taking on a project wasn't originally
0:11:39 > 0:11:44'part of their plans, I'm glad to see they're open to the potential.
0:11:44 > 0:11:50- 'Let's hope the sitting room gets as positive a response.' - I like a fire in the sitting room,
0:11:50 > 0:11:56- but it's quiet and cosy. That's fine.- You like entertaining people. - Yes.- Would this be a problem here?
0:11:56 > 0:12:02No, I don't think so at all. Technology being what it is, things like flat-screen TVs can go up
0:12:02 > 0:12:08- and you can get enough chairs and settees or sofas in here. - It's cosy. It's got a nice aspect.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14'Also on this floor is the smallest of the three bedrooms, but it's still big enough for a double bed
0:12:14 > 0:12:18'and there are great views across the countryside. Right next door is a family bathroom.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21'The last two bedrooms are upstairs.'
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- So this is your very bright second bedroom.- Very bright.
0:12:25 > 0:12:32- It's very sweet.- This is perfectly good as a second bedroom. - It's quite small, but it's doable.
0:12:32 > 0:12:39- Maybe apart from a lick of paint, unless you really like pink, you wouldn't have to do anything.- No.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45- Well, a bit of technology, but apart from that it's fine.- How do you put up this technology chat?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- I ignore it.- You do!- Ignore it. - Shall I do that now?- I would.
0:12:49 > 0:12:56- Shall I show you the master bedroom? - You're my last hope! - You need to watch the technology.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- All right, OK.- This is lovely. - A lot bigger than I thought.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Triple aspect. Come over here.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- You're in the middle of the forest. - Yeah.- Look at that view.
0:13:07 > 0:13:14- Fantastic.- It's very lovely.- Not a cappuccino in sight.- And if you poke your head through that door...
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- Right. Have a quick look. - That's your en suite bathroom.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- Oh, wow. That's OK. - It's an added bonus, definitely.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- So you've seen the forester's cottage.- Yeah.- Very impressive.
0:13:26 > 0:13:32The only thing is we've asked for office space, so I don't know if there's something here
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- that would actually work for that as well, too.- There is.
0:13:36 > 0:13:43- I'll show you that.- OK.- 'As if we'd forget that all-important office space. Out in the garden,
0:13:43 > 0:13:49'included in the sale price are two brick outbuildings, both with electricity.
0:13:49 > 0:13:55'Again, they need work, but with some TLC, they could end up with an office each.
0:13:55 > 0:14:01'And when Catherine's had enough of work, there's plenty to do in the 1.5-acre garden.'
0:14:01 > 0:14:06- What do you think it's worth? - I think it's worth about... 550, 560.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Personally.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Well, you're normally very good at this, so I'll take your lead,
0:14:12 > 0:14:17but I think given the location and an awful lot of house and land,
0:14:17 > 0:14:22- I'd pitch it a little bit higher and go 575, 580. Something like that. - OK.
0:14:22 > 0:14:29- You're very good, both of you. - Are we?- The current owners want offers in excess of 570.- Yes!- Right.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33How do you feel about the property now that you know that?
0:14:33 > 0:14:37For us, we would probably want to develop it, so there's more cost.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Clearly, where we are there's a lot of maintenance involved as well.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46Well, now you know how much you're going to have to spend,
0:14:46 > 0:14:51have another look around and see what you'd change or wouldn't change, now you know.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- And I'll come get you. - Lovely.- Thank you.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01That went well, didn't it? I think it went well, anyway.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06I got the impression that Matthew loved it. Catherine wasn't too sure,
0:15:06 > 0:15:11but now I think they both like it. I can imagine them living here.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Hope they invite me to the party!
0:15:15 > 0:15:22With an asking price of £570,000, this three-bedroom character cottage is £10,000 under their top budget,
0:15:22 > 0:15:28leaving Matthew and Catherine plenty of spare change to take on some of that renovation work,
0:15:28 > 0:15:33creating the dream kitchen and transforming outbuildings to offices.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38For a couple who didn't want a project, I'm really glad they see the potential.
0:15:38 > 0:15:44I'm really up for it. I love it. I think the potential to develop it is what excites me.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47But it will come at a cost.
0:15:47 > 0:15:53You need to extend the roof, you need to extend the bedroom and you'll need to build an office.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58- So that's four major...- Bits. - ..building projects, isn't it?
0:15:58 > 0:16:04It's like the secret house in the wood. So I think it's got a great feel about it,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08but I think maybe on the sleeping side, the rooms are quite small.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12You'd have to be creative how you use them.
0:16:12 > 0:16:19- Good second viewing?- Yeah, actually. It's having a look at what you could do with that extension.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24- That's the key, I think, to this. - Well, there's plenty more to see.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- Oh, OK.- I was happy where we were.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36It's always advisable to check out an area before you buy,
0:16:36 > 0:16:42so Matthew and Catherine are taking an opportunity to delve a little deeper into East Sussex,
0:16:42 > 0:16:47starting with a little history in the coastal town of Pevensey.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Pevensey Castle was built by the Romans in 250AD.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55It's seen its fair share of conflict over the years.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59I know William the Conqueror was here. It's the first place he came.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03- Your history is quite good. - It pays to be informed, darling.
0:17:03 > 0:17:09- And it was a lookout in the Second World War.- Oh, OK. - For the planes coming over.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Just five miles down the coast is the Victorian seaside resort of Eastbourne.
0:17:14 > 0:17:21The main attraction is the four miles of beach with its esplanade and pier and endless sea views.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25It's all here in one county. You've got the seaside here, lovely.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29A few miles up the road you've got lovely country villages.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34- Sailing.- You can go swimming in the sea.- It's all on your doorstep.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- It's certainly food for thought. - Exactly.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43The coastal path provides prime rambling territory.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- It's a fantastic view up here. - Oh, yeah, absolutely.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- A great place to walk Maggie. - Everything a dog could want.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- Better than the gym.- Yep. Imagine the speed the dog would get going down this hill!
0:17:57 > 0:18:02They are keen to integrate themselves into the community
0:18:02 > 0:18:09and the county town of Lewes would be a good place to start. They're meeting the East Sussex Singers,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12a choral group that meets once a week.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Welcome to Lewes. I'm Lee Reynolds, director of the New Sussex Singers.
0:18:16 > 0:18:22We're a chamber choir in Lewes and we're about to have a rehearsal for Jerusalem,
0:18:22 > 0:18:28- so if you'd like to come and join us. I hear you're a singer. - Well...a matter of opinion.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- Are you a singer as well? - Not at all. A good listener!
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- We've got a few pews! Do you want to come and join us?- Lovely.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39PLAYS "Jerusalem"
0:18:41 > 0:18:48# And did those feet in ancient time
0:18:48 > 0:18:54# Walk upon England's mountain green?
0:18:54 > 0:19:00# And was the holy Lamb of God
0:19:00 > 0:19:05# On England's pleasant pastures seen? #
0:19:05 > 0:19:11Let's hope the harmony continues when it comes to finding their dream home.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22'For our next property, we're heading just over the East Sussex Border into Kent
0:19:22 > 0:19:28'to the outskirts of Lamberhurst, a quiet rural village six miles east of Tunbridge Wells.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33'There's an abundance of character houses here, including some original Tudor buildings
0:19:33 > 0:19:38'and the ubiquitous tile-hung properties the county's famed for.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41'There's also the usual gamut of local amenities.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46'We're viewing this five-bedroom traditional brick and tile cottage.
0:19:46 > 0:19:53'Matthew and Catherine want easy access to London and this house is just off the main road. Too close?'
0:19:53 > 0:19:59- What do you think?- It's nice enough. Very close to that road. - Too close, you reckon?
0:19:59 > 0:20:06- Mm, slightly.- Quite noisy, first impressions.- There's going to be a bypass, so the road will move
0:20:06 > 0:20:10at least 70 metres away from the property. So that's a good thing.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Yeah. - You won't hear the traffic as much.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- Shall we have a look? - Let's have a look.
0:20:16 > 0:20:22'Not a bad start. I'm sure once they see the inside of this house, that road will be forgotten.'
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- This is the boot room.- Lovely. - Very useful. Good size as well.
0:20:26 > 0:20:33- Come on through to the hallway. - It's quite open.- Lots of original features - the beams, the floor.
0:20:33 > 0:20:39- Certainly when you get inside it's a much better feel. - Yeah. If I close this door...
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- Yeah, you cut down the noise. - Absolutely.- Can you hear cars?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49No, no, you can't. You're absolutely right.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Three big rooms off this hallway. Sitting room first.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Go on. You lead the way.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- So this is the sitting room.- Yeah.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- This is the '70s extension. - Right, OK.- Yeah.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06It looks slightly more modern.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- Great feature with the fireplace. - Yes, you've got the log burner. - I'm not so keen.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16- What don't you like? - I think...because... the aspect, if you like.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21You're sort of looking over fields, but for a living room
0:21:21 > 0:21:24I would prefer looking over a garden rather than the driveway.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28I think you're being too fussy. That's not bad for a view.
0:21:28 > 0:21:35- And there's a big plasma. - What can I say?- "Yes, dear."- No! - No...- Fundamentally, no.
0:21:35 > 0:21:42'I know Catherine is hankering after an open-plan kitchen/diner and this one will take some beating.
0:21:42 > 0:21:48'There's a great mix of character and contemporary features and it has entertaining space all over it.'
0:21:48 > 0:21:54- Lovely.- Oh, wow. - It's a lovely room, isn't it? Quite different from the living room.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58You wanted a place to entertain guests. The heart of the home.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03- It is.- Absolutely. I don't think we could pick any fault with this.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07A range cooker, which is fantastic. Those details are absolutely lovely.
0:22:07 > 0:22:13- The kitchen has such a nice feel. You would love to be in here. - You'd spend most of your time here.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18'There's a separate utility room and plenty more living space on this ground floor,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22'including a family snug room and the all-important study.'
0:22:22 > 0:22:28- More beams for you.- Yeah. It certainly keeps the character of the older part of the property.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- It's a lovely stairway, don't you think?- Yep. It's very...
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- Then here on the landing you've got a double bedroom...- Right.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41- ..double bedroom, single bedroom there...- Lots of bedrooms.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44..and a family bathroom basically only used by these rooms.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- Oh, right.- That's good, isn't it?
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- It's a good-sized room, isn't it? Nice-sized bathroom. - Everything you want.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Bath, shower...- It's good.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01'In total, there are five bedrooms - plenty of room for city visitors.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04'Even this guest room has an en suite.'
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- And this is the master bedroom. - Lovely room.- Oh, this is lovely.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13- Really nice views.- That's great. - Triple aspect.
0:23:13 > 0:23:19- Tucked around the corner, the en suite. Good storage. Go and have a look.- It's a nice room.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- Lovely.- Ooh, a wide bath.- Yeah. What are you trying to say?- Nothing.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- It is nice and bright, though, isn't it?- No, it is, actually.
0:23:30 > 0:23:36- Very, very nice.- Shall we go downstairs and see outside? - Yes. That would be lovely.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41'While they both seem to like this house, I get the distinct impression that Matthew is easier to please.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47'Maybe the garden will convince Catherine. At three-quarters of an acre, it's a good size
0:23:47 > 0:23:51'and there's plenty of scope to get horticulturally creative.'
0:23:51 > 0:23:58- You've got your double garage as well.- Very good, isn't it?- Yeah. - You've got quite a bit of room.
0:23:58 > 0:24:04There's a little bit of garden at the back, but this is the main part. Storage space there as well.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- And a lovely view.- Lovely views. Really nice. Absolutely.
0:24:08 > 0:24:15- You can look right over there at those houses.- As you look out, are you still thinking road?
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- Yes, because you can hear it.- Yes. You can hear it.- I'm afraid.
0:24:20 > 0:24:26Actually, to be fair about the road, if you couldn't hear it, I wouldn't worry about it.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30- It's just cos it is so proximate. - It's a main, busy road.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35But that way is fantastic. It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:24:35 > 0:24:40- How much do you think it's on the market for?- It's quite a lot of land.- A big house inside.
0:24:40 > 0:24:45- I think...525. - You're going straight in?- 525.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50- I think 525.- No, I think it's more. There's more house there than 525. I'm going to go...
0:24:50 > 0:24:53560, something like that.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I can tell you it was originally on the market for £650,000.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59- Oh, crikey.- Right, OK.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06- You could tell us that, but...- It's no longer on the market for 650.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12- You're bang on the money. - 525? Wow!
0:25:12 > 0:25:16- So do you think it's worth the money?- We'd have to talk.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21Once that road's sorted out, that's a lovely, lovely property.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- Go and have another look around. Come out when you've had enough. - Thank you.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29'There's no getting away from the road, but that's just for now.
0:25:29 > 0:25:35'The bypass is scheduled to be completed within two years so long-term it won't be an issue.
0:25:35 > 0:25:42'At £525,000, this five-bedroom cottage is a massive £55,000 under their budget.
0:25:42 > 0:25:50'They wouldn't need to spend a thing on it. The kitchen is spot-on and there's plenty of living space.'
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- This area is very good.- I know. - You've got the cooker.
0:25:53 > 0:25:59- Also the extra workspace, which is a key thing for us. - It's got a bit of character.
0:25:59 > 0:26:05- There's enough room in the dining area for a big table.- A nice size. - You could get 10, 12 people easily.
0:26:05 > 0:26:11It's a nice house from the outside and there's quite a lot of space. Maybe slightly too much for us.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16Upstairs you've got five bedrooms, which I think is slightly excessive for us.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Everything on the downstairs is wonderful.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22The kitchen/diner area is the best.
0:26:22 > 0:26:28And then, going upstairs, all the bedrooms and two en suite bathrooms. Right property, wrong location.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30You're smiling.
0:26:30 > 0:26:36- Listen, no one said that finding a property was easy.- No. - They didn't.- I've got plenty more.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- Let's get back in the car.- Lovely.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53'If they do make the move to East Sussex, a very important member of the family will be joining them -
0:26:53 > 0:26:59'Maggie, their Border terrier. As the new dog on the block, she'll need some new tricks
0:26:59 > 0:27:02'to impress the local canine community. Although not with us now,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06'we've arranged a dog agility lesson with trainer extraordinaire Dean.'
0:27:06 > 0:27:13Pleased to meet you. It's a good bit of fun for both you and the dogs
0:27:13 > 0:27:15and it's a good way of keeping fit.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Shall we do it? Let's meet the dogs.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20I want the little one.
0:27:20 > 0:27:26- Catherine, what I'd like you to do is work with Peppa.- Hello!
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Hello. Hello, Peppa.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32And Matthew, you're going to be working with Miley today.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Hi. How are you?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- And then...- Hold on a second.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41- That means I'm working with... - This is Tia.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Hello, Tia. Why are you bigger than the others?
0:27:45 > 0:27:51'Teaching your dog tricks isn't just for show. It's a great way to develop communication and rapport.
0:27:51 > 0:27:57'Once they mastered basic commands, there are hundreds of tricks you can train them to perform.'
0:27:57 > 0:28:02- Lovely. Very good, very nice. - 'If you know what you are doing.' - Very good, Aled.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06- Jump.- Lovely, good. Excellent stuff.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11- 'Matthew and Catherine seem to have this collared.'- Lovely. - He's done it before!
0:28:11 > 0:28:17- Lovely. And collect her at the other end. Super, well done. - Good girl.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20'But I'll show them who's top dog around here.'
0:28:22 > 0:28:24In you get.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26In you get!
0:28:26 > 0:28:30'Or maybe not. I'm making a right dog's dinner of this.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32'Good exercise for me, though.'
0:28:33 > 0:28:35LAUGHTER
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Tia, Tia.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43'Trust me to get the Rottweiler!' That's the way you do it!
0:28:43 > 0:28:48'Anyway, this is all a bit barking mad for me. Time to call it a day.'
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Back to your mummy. Come on.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55'With the sun setting over the East Sussex countryside,
0:28:55 > 0:29:00'Matthew and Catherine have a chance to mull over today's properties.'
0:29:03 > 0:29:08I thought the cottage in Ashdown Forest was unique. I thought it was great.
0:29:08 > 0:29:14Apart from anything else, it had such potential. You'll never find a property like that. Very rarely.
0:29:14 > 0:29:19It's quite isolated, but apart from that it was quite unique.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- How about...?- The property on the A21.- A great family house.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27It had a lot of property for what they were asking, price-wise.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32Unfortunately for us, it wasn't just the main road. It was the location
0:29:32 > 0:29:36and proximity to Eastbourne and commutability to London.
0:29:36 > 0:29:41I wouldn't disagree with that. It'll make someone a lovely home.
0:29:50 > 0:29:56Matthew and Catherine want to swap their semi in Wimbledon for a big country house in East Sussex.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01Luckily, they have a sizeable budget of up to £580,000.
0:30:01 > 0:30:06So far, they've viewed two houses and saw the potential in both.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09- Fabulous room. - You could do something with this.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14- 'And there's plenty more coming up.' - This has got potential down here.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19'And there's the Mystery House, which I'm praying makes the grade.'
0:30:19 > 0:30:21It's quite phenomenal.
0:30:21 > 0:30:28So it's Day Two in our search to find Matthew and Catherine that dream property in East Sussex.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32Yesterday we ascertained that they don't want too large a house,
0:30:32 > 0:30:38but they are quite open to the idea of being in a rural location, when I thought they weren't.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44This isn't as simple as I thought! Will one of today's properties be the first house they buy together?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Your guess is as good as mine.
0:30:47 > 0:30:53'So for the next house we're heading down to the south coast to the outskirts of the town of Battle.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58'It was here that in 1066, William the Conqueror defeated Harold.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02'To commemorate his win, he ordered the construction of St Martin's Abbey.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07'Over the centuries, the town has grown up around this focal point,
0:31:07 > 0:31:11'and today includes a main line station with direct links to London.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16'With the seaside just seven miles away, it should be ideal for Matthew and Catherine.
0:31:16 > 0:31:21'The property we're viewing is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
0:31:21 > 0:31:28'The original cottage was built just over 100 years ago, but the current owners have renovated
0:31:28 > 0:31:32'and extended it. So 80% of the house is, in fact, new.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36'It has four bedrooms and a rather quirky layout over three levels.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40'There's plenty of scope to make a few changes.'
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Come on in.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44- Nice and warm.- Lovely.
0:31:44 > 0:31:52- So this is the hallway.- OK. Nice and bright.- Lovely little window from the local chapel.- Is it?
0:31:52 > 0:31:57- Let me take you in straight away to the oldest part, the living room. - Right.
0:31:57 > 0:32:03- Lovely. Nice aspect. - Oh, I like this. This is nice. There's a nice feel to this.
0:32:03 > 0:32:09- Great views as well. - It's quite deceptive from outside. It looks small.- It looks tiddly.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13But it's much more spacious inside than you would expect.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15- Plenty more to show you.- OK.
0:32:15 > 0:32:21'I'd say we're off to a good start and just next door is a room Matthew might have designs on.'
0:32:21 > 0:32:25- A good office...- Or library or TV room or whatever.
0:32:25 > 0:32:32- You're allowed a TV room! - I thought I'd quietly get it in! I'll start with TV and build up.
0:32:32 > 0:32:38- Progress from there.- This is good. And again fantastic aspect out of the window.- Let's move on.
0:32:43 > 0:32:49- This house is actually built on a hill.- Right.- So lots of little stairs going up and down.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53This is the upstairs bedroom, en suite as well, but follow me.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57- Oh! More to see. - Up the spiral staircase.- Right.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05- A spiral staircase in this room. - This is a good space.
0:33:05 > 0:33:10- I think this has got... - Office space.- ..written on it.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14- Good size. And it's out of the way. - Exactly. Yeah, exactly.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18And, of course, you've got the window and the view yet again.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20Come on. Let's go downstairs.
0:33:20 > 0:33:25'Well, Matthew's sorted with an office and TV room.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29'I think it's time to concentrate on Catherine.'
0:33:29 > 0:33:37- We've come down some steps to go up some steps!- OK. A bit of exercise. - This could be the family bathroom.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- Basically, this is the master bedroom suite.- Oh, OK.
0:33:41 > 0:33:48- It's currently used as a bedsit, as you can see.- OK. - But a good-sized room.
0:33:48 > 0:33:54- No, no, it is a good-sized room. Definitely.- For a master bedroom. Absolutely.- Lovely aspect.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58And it's got the double doors which give you so much more light.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04- Underneath is another bedroom. - Is there? - Which you only get to from outside.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08- There's one room you haven't seen. - No.- What room would that be?
0:34:08 > 0:34:15- It could be the kitchen! - Are you going to get the kettle on? - It's a kitchen/diner.- Oh, is it?
0:34:15 > 0:34:19- OK, fantastic. - Possibly a sandwich, then.
0:34:22 > 0:34:23Wow.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27This is a good light room, isn't it? This IS a kitchen diner.
0:34:27 > 0:34:33- It is, isn't it? - You've got your range cooker there. - Heats the house. Is it large enough?
0:34:33 > 0:34:38- Yes, it is large enough. This has got potential down here. - I certainly think that.
0:34:38 > 0:34:45The thing is, whatever you do with the downstairs and upstairs space, you've got that incredible view.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49And such a beautiful garden by the looks of it.
0:34:49 > 0:34:56- Come on. I'll show you it.- OK. - You won't be disappointed. There's plenty of it.- OK!
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- It's rather windy out here.- Oh, yes.
0:35:01 > 0:35:06'There's seven acres in all, some of which could earn them some pocket money.'
0:35:06 > 0:35:12Come on down. 'These fields can be rented out to local farmers for grazing
0:35:12 > 0:35:18- 'or as horse paddocks and could bring in around £2,000 a year.' - You're kidding!- No.
0:35:18 > 0:35:24- As well as the field to the back and to the side.- Right.- All that comes as part of the property?
0:35:24 > 0:35:28- It certainly does.- All right, OK. - Have a think about that.- All right.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35- These steps are quite slippery. - All right.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40'And there's more than enough land left over for Catherine to get down and dirty with her veggie garden.
0:35:40 > 0:35:46'The only question now, I suppose: is it too much to take on?'
0:35:46 > 0:35:50- So a nice little walk. - Yes. Certainly a lot of land.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55Is it a bit too unwieldy? A bit too natural for you, this garden?
0:35:55 > 0:36:00- No, it's not. It's a large garden. - It's a great garden. Fantastic.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05- You don't do the gardening. - I want to be eight years old again, running around in this garden.
0:36:05 > 0:36:11- There's so many nooks and... - No, there are. Crannies. - I absolutely love it.
0:36:11 > 0:36:17- How much do you think the whole thing's worth?- I'm blown out of the water now. I...
0:36:17 > 0:36:22That's still quite a big house there. Four bedrooms in there, plus the fields, seven acres.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24It's...625.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- For me.- OK.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- I was going to go so much lower.- OK.
0:36:29 > 0:36:35I was going to go and say it's about 500...£550,000.
0:36:36 > 0:36:41OK. It's on the market for £595,000.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46- Right. OK.- That's a lot of land and property for 595.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50- You looked disappointed, but you're not?- No, no.
0:36:50 > 0:36:56For 595... I was disappointed because I thought it would be 625, just way out of our budget.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00- But 595 is out of our budget... - It is, isn't it?
0:37:00 > 0:37:04- Oh, that tone's told me! - No, no, I think...
0:37:04 > 0:37:08It makes sense that it is, with the fields. That it's 595.
0:37:08 > 0:37:15- But those fields are yours. Money will be constantly coming in. You don't have to do anything.- True.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19- Worth thinking about.- Go and have a think. I'll catch you later.- OK.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25Have we just found Catherine and Matthew their first together home?
0:37:25 > 0:37:29I'm not quite sure. If it was down to Matthew, I'd say, well, yes.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34Catherine, I think the seven acres is probably a little bit too much to take on.
0:37:34 > 0:37:40But for a property like this, it's worth digging out that extra money. I think they'd love this place.
0:37:40 > 0:37:47'Having been on the market for several months, there will be room for negotiation on that price.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51'So this could come in close on budget.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55'And what a lot of property to the pound. There's a big kitchen/diner,
0:37:55 > 0:37:59'there's 3-4 bedrooms, office space aplenty
0:37:59 > 0:38:03'and seven acres of land including those three rentable fields.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08'All that and it's only an hour and a half straight into London.'
0:38:08 > 0:38:12It's a very light house, it's an interesting layout inside. There's nothing particularly formulaic
0:38:12 > 0:38:15about what's gone on.
0:38:15 > 0:38:21What I like is the potential to allow us to put our own print on. It's a big project over the years.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25I think it's OK as a bedroom, but I actually personally...
0:38:27 > 0:38:31I would knock through. I would make it a big, massive kitchen.
0:38:31 > 0:38:37It's quite sweet from the outside. You don't expect there to be so much behind the front door.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41The kitchen/diner is pretty good with fantastic views.
0:38:41 > 0:38:47I found the land a little daunting because it's more than I was expecting. Great location.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Ah, my country land owners emerge!
0:38:49 > 0:38:55Listen, East Sussex has plenty more to see. We should get into the car. I'm frozen. You've been ages!
0:39:02 > 0:39:08'A big reason for this move to the country is so Catherine can indulge her passion for gardening.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13'She wants a real taste of the good life, growing her own fruit, herbs and vegetables
0:39:13 > 0:39:19'in a kitchen garden. So we've suggested they head along to West Dean Estate's walled kitchen garden
0:39:19 > 0:39:24'for a few tips from Sarah Wain, the garden supervisor.'
0:39:24 > 0:39:28- Welcome.- Thank you.- You're standing in the walled garden.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33It's a very compact series of garden rooms, if you like.
0:39:33 > 0:39:39- It would be really nice to know the purpose of a walled garden. - They provide a protected area.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44It keeps people out and it keeps animals out, like deer and rabbits.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47It keeps the wind out, to a large extent.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51And they are also located where they face the sun.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55They are very sun-drenched positions with no overhanging trees.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59So sun, no wind, no animals, job done.
0:39:59 > 0:40:06'This garden was first established in the late 1800s to cater for the estate's fruit and veg needs.
0:40:06 > 0:40:11'Having fallen into disrepair, Sarah has been redeveloping it since 1991.
0:40:11 > 0:40:16'It's now home to over 100 vegetable fruits and herb varieties.
0:40:16 > 0:40:22'Of course, sustainability is very much back in vogue, but you don't have to own a walled garden.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26'Many plants, especially herb and lettuce, can be grown at home.
0:40:26 > 0:40:32'The key things to remember are access to lots of sunlight, shelter and a free-draining soil.'
0:40:32 > 0:40:38- So I wanted to show you this area. - OK.- Which is a cold frame.
0:40:38 > 0:40:44And we use it for growing all sorts of things, but at this time of year it's a lot of herbs.
0:40:44 > 0:40:50You might like to try this one. This is a coriander. Very fine filigree foliage.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Very different from your commercially-bought stuff.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56Well, yes. In looks, yeah.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Oh! I've dropped that bit.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- Oh...- Oh, yeah.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Lovely. Asia.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07- Oh, Asia, yes. Here we come. - Curry!- Indian food.
0:41:08 > 0:41:15- Sarah, what sort of food with all these lovely herbs...? - Well, all sorts of different ways.
0:41:15 > 0:41:21- Obviously for salads and things, but I've made a soup.- Have you? - With some herbs in it.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25- Some soup! - If you're interested. Follow me.
0:41:26 > 0:41:32'And not just any old soup. This is Sarah's Venetian pea soup with mint and Claytonia,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35'picked fresh from the soil.'
0:41:35 > 0:41:40- Oh, it's lovely.- Mmm.- Very fresh. - Mint in there.- Yes, well done.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45- This really is very, very good. I'm sold on the herb garden!- Definitely.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49- If we can get the herbs... - We could do this ourselves.
0:41:49 > 0:41:55- I'll make you herb soup every day. - I'd eat this every day, I have to be honest.- You might get it!
0:41:59 > 0:42:03Matthew and Catherine's house search as a couple has had ups and downs,
0:42:03 > 0:42:09but on the whole I feel relatively confident that East Sussex will deliver that first together home,
0:42:09 > 0:42:15whether it's a rural cottage or a property that makes them feel like country land owners.
0:42:15 > 0:42:21But I want to give them that bit extra and believe me when I tell you that the mystery property
0:42:21 > 0:42:25has lots of extras. I just pray they like it.
0:42:27 > 0:42:34- We're on our way to the mystery house now. Glad to see you both smiling. Excited? Nervous?- Yes!
0:42:34 > 0:42:38- Anticipation. All of it, really. - Yeah, anticipation.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43- What would be the worst scenario? - You might show us a church or a chapel or something like that!
0:42:43 > 0:42:49'Ah. Not the answer I wanted, but I still have faith in the mystery house.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53'We're heading to Framfield, situated in the Low Weald.
0:42:53 > 0:42:58'It's a sleepy village with a couple of shops and a pub, but if that's too quiet
0:42:58 > 0:43:03'for Catherine and Matthew, they can head to busier Uckfield.
0:43:03 > 0:43:09'This commercial centre has plenty of shops and cafes, but most important is the main line station
0:43:09 > 0:43:12'with direct links to London.
0:43:12 > 0:43:17'The mystery house is right in the middle of the village, on the site of an old chapel.
0:43:17 > 0:43:22'There's nothing ordinary about this five-bedroom home.'
0:43:22 > 0:43:29- So was this an actual church or chapel?- It was a corrugated tin chapel in the village.- Right.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33- An architect basically razed it to the ground 10 years ago.- Right.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37- And built this ecclesiastical-style family home.- Fantastic.
0:43:37 > 0:43:42- Detached.- Different, isn't it? - I can see why it's a mystery house!
0:43:42 > 0:43:47- Nicely built.- I'm not disappointed. Let's get inside.- Come on, then.
0:43:47 > 0:43:53That's the first time you've said that. 'The property oozes character. Inside and out has been finished
0:43:53 > 0:43:57'to the highest standard, which surely can't fail to impress.'
0:43:57 > 0:44:03- Close the door behind you. - Oh, my God! That's probably not... - It's a good expression!
0:44:04 > 0:44:05Wow.
0:44:05 > 0:44:10I tell you, it's quite phenomenal.
0:44:10 > 0:44:15- Whatever you think.- Phenomenal, that's the word.- It's the first time you've both been speechless!
0:44:15 > 0:44:19Even from the outside, I didn't think it would be quite like this.
0:44:19 > 0:44:25I just love this copper arch. All the lights are hidden inside, reflecting into the hallway.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29The architect made all the doors and window frames by hand.
0:44:29 > 0:44:34- And all the iron fittings. - Fantastic.- Come to the kitchen.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37How sweet!
0:44:37 > 0:44:41A nice room. Sweet. It's very sweet.
0:44:41 > 0:44:46- Oh, wow.- Isn't it just? You can't really take it all in. Hand castings in the ceiling.
0:44:46 > 0:44:51All the kitchen cupboards are hand-made.
0:44:51 > 0:44:55The pew just behind you is an original pew from the chapel.
0:44:55 > 0:45:01The detail is incredible and it is very themed along a particular...
0:45:01 > 0:45:06Everything sits within this sort of theme of church and Gothic.
0:45:06 > 0:45:12- First gadget for you. You ready? - Yeah.- You push that button and...
0:45:12 > 0:45:16That's an air purification system that takes the dust out of the air.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19- Oh, OK.- In the whole house.- Right.
0:45:19 > 0:45:24So if you've got any allergies, you can say goodbye to them in this property.
0:45:24 > 0:45:30- I've always wanted one of those(!) - If you buy the property, you've got one! Come on.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33- Plenty more to see here.- OK.
0:45:33 > 0:45:40'Unlike real church conversions where dividing space is tricky, the rooms are well proportioned
0:45:40 > 0:45:42'without compromising on character.'
0:45:42 > 0:45:46- A beautiful room, isn't it? - If it's a living room you're after.
0:45:46 > 0:45:50- It is a living room. - Yeah, it's a living room.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54- You've got the maple floor again, underfloor heating.- It fits.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58- Wonderful view.- Beautiful, lovely. - A few little added extras in here.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00Here's the first for you.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02OK.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06- You're not going to go down there? - You can if you want.
0:46:06 > 0:46:11- It's got a wine cellar down there! - A wine cellar?- It's used as that,
0:46:11 > 0:46:15but actually it was where the font was in the chapel.
0:46:15 > 0:46:21- It's a full immersion font, so you can get a whole body in there. It's still down there.- Is it?
0:46:21 > 0:46:24- Not the body.- Not the body, no.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27- He keeps his wine in the font. - Right, OK.
0:46:27 > 0:46:32- And why not, I say?- No, exactly. - Matthew, a little job for you.- Yes?
0:46:32 > 0:46:36- Come and stand over here, shall we? There we go.- Right?
0:46:36 > 0:46:40If you...just push on this door behind me.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45Ha ha! Oh, look at that!
0:46:45 > 0:46:48Oh, fantastic.
0:46:48 > 0:46:52- Isn't that an incredible use of space?- Brilliant.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56This is getting more theatrical by the moment!
0:46:56 > 0:47:01- I'm feeling very at home with this. - It's Phantom of the Opera. - Fantastic.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06'On this level, there's also a utility room. Even the cloakroom feels like a place of worship.
0:47:06 > 0:47:11'The attention to detail is obvious. Where possible, original materials have been used
0:47:11 > 0:47:14'for a real sense of authenticity.'
0:47:14 > 0:47:18Of course, you'd expect a stained glass window in a church.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20Beautifully done.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24'And if they think downstairs is theatrical, wait for upstairs.'
0:47:24 > 0:47:26Well...
0:47:26 > 0:47:32I don't think I've ever seen a bedroom with a window quite so beautiful as that.
0:47:32 > 0:47:37- What a great window. - That's basically where the original chapel window was.
0:47:37 > 0:47:44It was exactly that shape, but the architect, as you can see, has put his stamp on it.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48- Incredible. - It's a phenomenal master bedroom.
0:47:48 > 0:47:54- I have to say it really is. - As you'd expect in a room as magnificent...- An en suite as well!
0:47:54 > 0:47:56Oh, yeah. Oh, fantastic.
0:47:56 > 0:48:02- It's so clever.- It's cleverly done. - They've used the space so well. - Shower through there.
0:48:02 > 0:48:08- There's a lot of room in here as well.- I think it's, you know, a beautiful room, really.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12- But you like it.- Yeah. - No, I do like it.
0:48:12 > 0:48:17'The family bathroom and two further bedrooms on this floor -
0:48:17 > 0:48:20'a double with a large Gothic window and a good-sized single.
0:48:20 > 0:48:25'Up in the attic, the space has been used equally creatively.'
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- OK, up here we've got two bedrooms. - Yes.
0:48:28 > 0:48:34- Good-sized double guest bedroom there.- Right. Yes, you can see that's lovely.
0:48:34 > 0:48:38- Come through here. This is what I want to show you.- How sweet.
0:48:38 > 0:48:43- Your little bunk room.- Nice. - It's great. Really good fun.
0:48:43 > 0:48:49- Very light and airy and just when you think you haven't enough storage...- More?- Check this out.
0:48:51 > 0:48:55- See this TV socket?- Yeah. - It's not really a TV socket.
0:48:57 > 0:48:59- Ha!- Oh, my goodness gracious me.
0:48:59 > 0:49:04- It opens up a huge storage space. - Excellent.- Very well thought out.
0:49:04 > 0:49:08- The whole house is incredibly well thought out.- Isn't it just?
0:49:08 > 0:49:11- Dinky, isn't it?- Very dinky.
0:49:11 > 0:49:17- So you've seen the whole property inside.- Yes.- Follow me into the garden.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25'The garden might not be as grand as the walled garden at West Dean,
0:49:25 > 0:49:28'but there's enough room for Catherine to get started.'
0:49:28 > 0:49:33- Lovely patio area.- No, it's great. Good for entertaining.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35And nice little garden pots.
0:49:35 > 0:49:41A lovely little pond as well. What I love is the architect's used reflective glass
0:49:41 > 0:49:45- to give that impression of extra space.- More theatre techniques.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48It's again a very theatrical trick.
0:49:48 > 0:49:52- This is your lawn mower store. - Excellent.- OK.- Motorised?
0:49:52 > 0:49:55I don't think so, darling.
0:49:55 > 0:50:00'Even better, at the bottom of the garden is a brick outbuilding with water and electricity
0:50:00 > 0:50:04'and a broadband connection already in place. That's the office sorted.'
0:50:06 > 0:50:10So have a look at your church from back here.
0:50:10 > 0:50:17- It's actually almost nicer from the back. It's just lovely. - What's it on the market for?
0:50:18 > 0:50:22- Oh, this is going to be so difficult.- It's beautifully-made.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26I'll go for my 550 mark again. I'm sticking to my 550.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28595.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31595. Guess what.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35- What? Oh, no, not wrong again? - Bang in the middle.
0:50:35 > 0:50:41- Oh, no.- Is it?- 575. Offers from £575,000.- Right.
0:50:41 > 0:50:47But it's brilliantly finished for 575. You could just move in and wouldn't want to do a thing.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51- As always, I'll meet you by the front door.- See you in a minute.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56I don't know who's more excited - me, Catherine or Matthew.
0:50:56 > 0:51:02This is a phenomenal property. So much care, love and attention has been spent on it
0:51:02 > 0:51:09to make it the property it is. Is it their dream home? They keep those cards close to their chest.
0:51:09 > 0:51:14I can't read them. We'll find out soon, though.
0:51:14 > 0:51:18With a price tag of £575,000, this five-bedroom house comes in
0:51:18 > 0:51:22at just £5,000 under Matthew and Catherine's budget.
0:51:22 > 0:51:26For that money, they'd be getting a totally unique home,
0:51:26 > 0:51:30stunning Gothic features like the living room vaulted ceiling
0:51:30 > 0:51:37and it comes with all the space that they've asked for, including that office.
0:51:37 > 0:51:42- It's big, it's light, it's airy. - Yeah.- It's unique. I just love these ceilings.
0:51:42 > 0:51:48- I love the windows at the end. - Yeah.- I really do. They open out the room.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50They make the most of it.
0:51:50 > 0:51:56The standard of finish is superb. Can't fault it, but the fact that everything surrounding it
0:51:56 > 0:52:01is normal village-y accommodation, and then you've got this themed house in the middle,
0:52:01 > 0:52:04it's great fun, but I'm not sure it works.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08It's very well laid out and it's a very well-designed house.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12It's got a character all of its own. Everything is themed.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15You've got to go with that theme to want to live here.
0:52:15 > 0:52:20'But will that kind of themed living suit them? I'll find out later.'
0:52:27 > 0:52:33Matthew and Catherine have now seen all of our houses and their property tour is at an end.
0:52:33 > 0:52:39They've liked aspects of all the houses, so time for them to weigh up the pros and cons.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43All through the search, I found them quite difficult to read.
0:52:43 > 0:52:49What have they made of the properties I've shown them? Well, now they have to tell me.
0:52:56 > 0:53:02It's been quite difficult to gauge what your thoughts have been on all of the properties.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05You've been smiling a lot.
0:53:05 > 0:53:10- Let's start with the cottage in Ashdown Forest. - I was really excited by it.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13It had so much potential. I liked the location,
0:53:13 > 0:53:17the actual character of the cottage, what you could do with it.
0:53:17 > 0:53:23- There wasn't much, if anything, that I didn't like.- You particularly liked the kitchen/diner.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26I thought it had great potential.
0:53:26 > 0:53:31I could see it would be quite a major project to get your teeth into
0:53:31 > 0:53:37but I think if you're prepared to go down that route, ultimately it would be very worthwhile.
0:53:37 > 0:53:43- You didn't want to take on a major project.- That changed in 30 seconds! - It did!- The realisation dawned.
0:53:43 > 0:53:49- Needless to say we can't agree which bit we want to renovate! - Never!- Which may come as a shock.
0:53:49 > 0:53:53So we have agreed that you would want to renovate it.
0:53:53 > 0:53:59It's a question of which part and which way you would renovate it.
0:53:59 > 0:54:05- How about the cottage on the road? - Nice family house. It had all the space, a lovely kitchen/diner.
0:54:05 > 0:54:11They'd really put their stamp on it and made a very nice family home.
0:54:11 > 0:54:16Possibly it had too much space for us. Upstairs, the number of bedrooms,
0:54:16 > 0:54:23the way it was proportioned, it came over, it had the feel of a family home,
0:54:23 > 0:54:27as opposed to the two of us in the home entertaining guests.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30And the busy road didn't help, even though that's moving.
0:54:30 > 0:54:36- What about the cottage a mile outside Battle? - I thought it was pretty outside.
0:54:36 > 0:54:42Then as you got into it, you suddenly saw how that layout worked, and what came after it
0:54:42 > 0:54:47with the land and the garden and the fields, it kept giving more.
0:54:47 > 0:54:52So I liked it an awful lot. If I'm looking for a negative,
0:54:52 > 0:54:58it would be the maintenance, upkeep, you had that much land, that much garden.
0:54:58 > 0:55:04We'd have to know exactly what we were doing with it to keep it as we would want to keep it.
0:55:04 > 0:55:09And it was top end of the budget. But it's my dream to have that sort of land and garden.
0:55:09 > 0:55:16- The land might look after itself. - Yeah, it could. That's probably why we need a second look at it.
0:55:16 > 0:55:21That's probably made up my mind. I would go back for a second look.
0:55:21 > 0:55:26- Let's talk about the chapel. - That was a marvellous house. A real labour of love.
0:55:26 > 0:55:30I really liked it. I'm not sure it was the property for us.
0:55:30 > 0:55:37- Why's that?- It's been built in such a way that you could never change anything about it.
0:55:37 > 0:55:43Part of us moving out and what we would be looking for is to try to make a stamp on.
0:55:43 > 0:55:49- Maybe we'd want to change this bit or build out.- It wasn't to start with. This comes from being here.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53No, it wasn't. And I think it's such a beautifully built house,
0:55:53 > 0:55:58you just could not bring yourself to change anything about it.
0:55:58 > 0:56:03But it was really fun. I'm really pleased we saw it.
0:56:03 > 0:56:07- I loved the office under the stairs. - It blew my mind.
0:56:07 > 0:56:12- So are you going to go back and see any of the properties?- Yes. We'll see Ashdown Forest again.
0:56:12 > 0:56:20- Definitely. And I think we'll see Battle.- The house on the hill with the land.- I hope you find
0:56:20 > 0:56:23that "together home" here in East Sussex.
0:56:26 > 0:56:31If I was a betting man, I'd say there were good odds to be had
0:56:31 > 0:56:34on Matthew and Catherine setting up home here in East Sussex.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38Will it be one of our properties? I'm still none the wiser,
0:56:38 > 0:56:44but I hope I've gone some way to showing them that the perfect house isn't always in the perfect location
0:56:44 > 0:56:51and buying that first together home is all about give and take. Until next time, goodbye.
0:56:51 > 0:56:55And if you'd like to escape to the country and would like our help
0:56:55 > 0:56:58please apply online at:
0:57:14 > 0:57:16Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd