0:00:02 > 0:00:07Today, I'm following in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I and 2,000 of her courtiers
0:00:07 > 0:00:13whose lavish stately visit to one of this county's finest Elizabethan homes nearly bankrupted its owner.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18So where am I? Join me in a moment on Escape To The Country to find out.
0:00:30 > 0:00:37'In today's show, I'll be helping a couple head out of town and put down some roots in the country.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41'We'll be throwing some light on their house-hunt quandary.'
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- Very nice. I like that. - Very different.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48'And our mystery house is somewhere they would have never expected.'
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Today, I'm in Suffolk and this is Melford Hall.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00With its dramatic skyline of tall chimney stacks and octagonal turrets,
0:01:00 > 0:01:06it's one of the finest and greatest examples of Elizabethan architecture in the east of England.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Its original owner, Sir William Cordell, was a new man of his age
0:01:10 > 0:01:14and one of the most hospitable country gentlemen in the county.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Although he was a Catholic, he found grace and favour with Elizabeth I
0:01:18 > 0:01:24when he threw a lavish reception for her and 2,000 courtiers on her first visit to this delightful county.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28There's still plenty to entice new visitors to this county today.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Suffolk is one of six counties that make up East Anglia
0:01:32 > 0:01:38and covers 1,500 square miles, but with a sparse population of under 700,000.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41The gloriously remote Suffolk Coast and Heaths
0:01:41 > 0:01:45avoids the hordes of tourists, but as a protected site provides
0:01:45 > 0:01:49a rich wetland habitat for wildlife to thrive.
0:01:49 > 0:01:55Farming has and still continues to shape the Suffolk landscape, giving way to those vast expansive skies
0:01:55 > 0:01:58which inspired our great 18th and 19th century painters -
0:01:58 > 0:02:03Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable, who were both born here.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Suffolk's unspoilt countryside is dotted with medieval market towns
0:02:07 > 0:02:12which prospered from its wool trade and have given way to some enticing historic properties,
0:02:12 > 0:02:17including the Suffolk pink houses characteristic of the county.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22With a truly timeless feel, Suffolk is a perfect place in which to seek out a peaceful lifestyle.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Constable, Gainsborough, Bob Hoskins, Ralph Fiennes
0:02:29 > 0:02:35and the Formula One magnate Bernie Ecclestone are just some of the famous names
0:02:35 > 0:02:38who have come from or lived in Suffolk over the years.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42Recently, the Suffolk Tourist Board had a nice surprise
0:02:42 > 0:02:47when the multi-millionaire entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, who used to live near Ipswich,
0:02:47 > 0:02:51decided to dedicate himself to boosting the local economy.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55With friends like that, Suffolk is on to a very good thing.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58There is plenty to offer potential buyers
0:02:58 > 0:03:01even without a millionaire's spending power.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05For £365,000, this three-bedroomed cottage
0:03:05 > 0:03:08near Boxford has been stylishly renovated
0:03:08 > 0:03:12to offer a cool, simple interior, using natural slate throughout.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16And the garden has uninterrupted views over the Box Valley.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23£585,000 will get you this three-bedroomed, contemporary barn in Crowfield.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29There's a touch of luxury in the large bespoke kitchen and living room
0:03:29 > 0:03:35and there's top-class accommodation for the horses with a stable block and 3.5 acres of land.
0:03:35 > 0:03:41For top dollar country splendour, there's this five-bedroomed former rectory in Fornham St Martin
0:03:41 > 0:03:43at £795,000.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47The reception rooms retain their grand Georgian proportions
0:03:47 > 0:03:53and the stylish kitchen-breakfast room leads out through French doors to the mature 0.75-acre garden.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Well, let's hope today's buyers find the inspiration they need
0:03:57 > 0:04:01to make their escape to the country. Let's meet them.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07Robin, an insurance underwriter, and Frances have lived in their three-bedroomed, detached home
0:04:07 > 0:04:10in Southend, Essex, for 25 years,
0:04:10 > 0:04:16but now their two grown-up children have left home, they're ready for a fresh start in rural Suffolk.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20The lifestyle that we're dreaming of is going back in time
0:04:20 > 0:04:24where your neighbours knew you and you knew them.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28It's just that community spirit that I feel that we've lost,
0:04:28 > 0:04:34so we're looking for a village location that is quiet and neighbourly.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36A nice rural environment, really.
0:04:36 > 0:04:42Having overcome a serious illness, Robin is embracing this chance of a lifestyle change.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45In 1996, I was first diagnosed with leukaemia.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50Following five years of intensive treatment and chemo and then a transplant,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53I've now had eight years of being in remission.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59Having re-evaluated our lives and the challenges it's brought us, the time is right to move on
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and seek a better life with retirement looming.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08- And live life to the full. - The one thing we've learnt - you have to live every day.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11What features do they need in their dream home?
0:05:11 > 0:05:18Ideally, a detached type property, minimum three-bed, something which is open and spacious.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22I would say one of the absolute must-haves is a kitchen-diner.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24It's a room that we use all the time.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- Ideally, south-west backing? - Yes, that's really important.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- And a garden. She loves her garden. - A good-sized garden.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36There are some important extras on their wish list.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40I'd love to move to the countryside, so that I could paint.
0:05:40 > 0:05:46I'd love to have a room of my own. A studio would be brilliant, but I don't know if we could afford that.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48But that's one of my loves.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54One of our favourite rooms has always been the conservatory with the added daylight,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57so it's something we would like if possible.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02They're looking forward to walks in Constable country and are planning to get a dog,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05but they still need links into London.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10I work in the insurance market in London, so I commute every day for an hour each way.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15So I'd like to be within reasonable distance of London
0:06:15 > 0:06:20from the point of view of commuting and we both have children now in London.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25And two years of house searching has brought them no closer to finding their perfect home.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30We haven't found our dream house yet because our expectations are quite high
0:06:30 > 0:06:35and we want it to be for our retirement and somewhere very special.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39I think that's pretty much it, in terms of retirement.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43It's pretty much our last move, so it's all about getting it right.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49They need to know how much they can spend on their move, so a local estate agent will value their home.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53This is a beautifully presented, three-bedroomed, detached house
0:06:53 > 0:06:56in a much sought after location.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Based on local market comparable evidence,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I would suggest an initial marketing price of £330,000.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- We're both of the opinion it seemed a sensible price.- Reasonable, yes.
0:07:09 > 0:07:15The budget for the property we're looking for, assuming it ticks all the boxes, is up to £450,000.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25After 25 years living in the same place, Frances and Robin are ready for a real lifestyle change
0:07:25 > 0:07:29and they want this to be their last move, so we have to get it right.
0:07:29 > 0:07:35Key to their requirements is a light and airy house, a minimum of three bedrooms,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39a good-sized kitchen and lounge and a southwest-facing garden.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42And they want all of that for £450,000.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46I think that is doable, but we'd better get going.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Our house search will be based around Suffolk's county town of Ipswich
0:07:51 > 0:07:55which gives Robin 75 minutes' train commute to London.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59We'll be romping around some fabulous rural retreats in Suffolk,
0:07:59 > 0:08:03but before revealing the price of each, they'll have a guess first.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Finally, there's our mystery house in a very surprising location.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- Hello.- Hiya.- Hi, Robin. Hi, Frances. - Hello.- Nice to meet you.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Thank you for bringing me to a very windy and blustery Suffolk.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19It's not the best day, but it's not raining.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23It's a big move for you - 25 years in the same house!
0:08:23 > 0:08:29- You get to the stage you've just outgrown the house.- We have. - Much as we've loved it there.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- You're now ready for a big lifestyle change?- Yes.
0:08:32 > 0:08:38What is it about your area that you want to get away from? What are you escaping from?
0:08:38 > 0:08:42The rat race that's developed in the area we're in. It's got overgrown.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47It's too busy and we want a little more quietness and peace and tranquillity.
0:08:47 > 0:08:54- You feel as if you're living in a town?- A little bit.- Yes.- That's what you want to escape from?- Absolutely.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- You have been looking for a little while.- Too long. - Probably 12 to 18 months.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04Not always in the one area. We've been looking around various parts of the country -
0:09:04 > 0:09:08south, south-east and the south East Anglia coast.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13But we haven't actually come to a conclusion where best to settle, really.
0:09:13 > 0:09:19Suffolk is a great county and there's a lot here. How much money have we got to play with?
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- 450.- That was the figure.- Bit of room for manoeuvre?- Yeah.- Bit of room.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- There'll always be a compromise. - We'll just have to work longer.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Work longer to enjoy the dream property. Sounds like a fair deal.
0:09:31 > 0:09:37- We have got fantastic houses to show you and the mystery house, so we should get a move on.- Let's do that.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43'So for £450,000 they want their dream home in Suffolk to include:
0:09:56 > 0:09:58'We'd better take to the road.'
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Overall, how are you feeling about this journey?
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- It's a big move.- Yeah. - Are you excited, are you daunted?
0:10:06 > 0:10:12- We are excited.- Very much so. - A little bit daunted by it, but very excited and...- Very optimistic.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- And your expectations? - Maybe a bit high, I don't know.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19But we're trying to moderate them.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- You've got to be realistic though. - I like a healthy dose of realism,
0:10:23 > 0:10:29- but we also want to find you a dream home, so let's see what we can do. - Lovely.- Lovely prospect.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33'Our first property takes us to the village of East Bergholt,
0:10:33 > 0:10:39'just over nine miles from Ipswich, so good access to the train station for Robin's commute to London.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'East Bergholt is your archetypal Suffolk village,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45'complete with its own local post office and shop.
0:10:45 > 0:10:51'Best known as the birthplace of John Constable, the village is surrounded by countryside
0:10:51 > 0:10:54'which would be great dog-walking territory.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57'The house we're viewing is in the heart of the village.'
0:10:57 > 0:11:02- This is the first property we want to show you. First impressions? - Very nice.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05I think it looks promising.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- It's got character.- Yes. - That strikes you straight away.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14It used to be originally just this part, two up, two down. You see the extension.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- When we go in, you'll see that it goes further back. Let's have a look.- Lovely.
0:11:18 > 0:11:24'We're going into the original part of the cottage which dates back to the 1800s
0:11:24 > 0:11:28'and inside there's a surprising amount of space on offer.'
0:11:28 > 0:11:33In we come, out of the howling wind again, and into the hallway which is a great space.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36It's big enough to be a room in its own right.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39It gives you a flavour of the original cottage
0:11:39 > 0:11:43because we're on one side of what was the two up, two down
0:11:43 > 0:11:47and you can tell from the chimney and the fireplace behind you.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51But let's have a look at what they've done over this way.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56So into the extension, as you can see, there's enough room in this property
0:11:56 > 0:12:00for them to have built a study which is not a small one.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04That's not bad at all. I could see myself working in here.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- You work at home a lot?- Yeah, I like a bit of space to work from home
0:12:08 > 0:12:13because Frances is quite keen to have a room for herself for art and design.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- Could you imagine yourself working away in here?- Absolutely.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- Would you see it as more of an office space or art space?- Both.
0:12:21 > 0:12:27- I do have another idea of where you could set yourself up for some art work, but this is an option.- Lovely.
0:12:27 > 0:12:33- There are lots of options here. Let's wander over to the other side. - Smashing.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36'So we'll check out the other living arrangements.'
0:12:36 > 0:12:41- So over to the other side of the original cottage...- Yeah.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43What do you think?
0:12:43 > 0:12:49- It's a bit small for me.- What if I tell you this is just the snug? - I wondered, yeah.
0:12:49 > 0:12:55It's not your living room. I could see your faces going, "OK then, how do we relax in here?"
0:12:55 > 0:13:00This is part of the original cottage. You'd have had this side and the other side.
0:13:00 > 0:13:06We're the other side of the fireplace now. Both rooms we've seen so far are facing the road.
0:13:06 > 0:13:13It is quite quiet. The main living areas are through this way, far away from the road, so let's have a look.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18'On one side of the hallway, there's a utility room with a cloakroom next door,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21'but I think they're going to love what I show them next.'
0:13:21 > 0:13:27- Through here is your actual lounge. - That's much nicer, yes. - Is that more like it?
0:13:27 > 0:13:32- Yes.- I see the smile coming out on Frances's face now. - This is a good size.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- It is.- Undeniably big. - They've done really well, considering it's an extension.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43- They've built this wonderful feature fireplace.- That's nice. - It's in working order,
0:13:43 > 0:13:48- so imagine how cosy it will be as we approach winter. - You can see that as a cosy room.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- Enough room for furniture and I love that bay window. - That's nice.- That sells this room.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- You've got the daylight streaming through.- And have a listen.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Peace.- And quiet.- Mm-hm.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Right, another important room, the kitchen.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- That's one we've got to tick the box for you.- Yes.- Let's have a look.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12'This is a real Tardis of a property with rooms that just keep on going.'
0:14:12 > 0:14:18- I know you wanted a big kitchen. - That's very nice.- Oh, yeah. - This is a nice sized kitchen.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- I think that ticks the box.- It certainly delivers.- In a big way.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25I love all the windows as well.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- This is where I was thinking you could do some of your art work. - That's true.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- You have got all of that light and it's the heart of the home.- It is.
0:14:34 > 0:14:41- It's just nice to have everything at hand. I think that would make such a difference.- I like it.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- Big tick for this room?- Yeah. - We will come back to the garden,
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- but now I want to take you upstairs to check out the bedrooms and the family bathroom.- OK.
0:14:50 > 0:14:56'Frances and Robin seem impressed by the space and number of rooms on offer in this house,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59'so onwards and upwards to look at the upstairs.'
0:14:59 > 0:15:04Up here, another example of how this property keeps throwing extra spaces at you.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09We're in the old cottage. There's the fireplace coming up here.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- We can even see the external window. - It's nice.- It's got unique features.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- It has. A little bonus room.- Yes.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21- But it is just a bit of bonus space and it leads on to one of four bedrooms with this property.- OK.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- This is one of the four.- Uh-huh.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- It's nice and light.- And the light's pouring in.- It's huge.- I like that.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35It is nice and light. That's a definite plus.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Nearly got as many shoes as you! - LAUGHTER
0:15:38 > 0:15:44There's certainly room for storage and it's got the Juliet balcony looking out on to the garden.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48'Leading off the L-shaped landing are the other bedrooms,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52'including a large double and one also big enough to be a double room.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56'The family bathroom has an overhead shower and WC,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00'but I'm going to show Frances and Robin where they would sleep.'
0:16:00 > 0:16:05- So here is your master bedroom. - A-ha! Yeah.- What do you think of it size-wise?
0:16:05 > 0:16:12- This is a nice size, yes. And the two windows, I like that.- It's got daylight streaming through.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- Every room in the house is very light.- And an en-suite. - Yes, go and have a look.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22- This is something you're used to, having an en-suite.- Yeah. - We are. This is nice.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26This one comes with a big stand-up shower and a lot of extra space.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- I like the flooring too. - It's a good size.- Good.- Very nice.
0:16:30 > 0:16:37Through here, there's enough room to put an extra big wardrobe and you've got a built-in cupboard there.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43- Let's look at the garden and talk about how much it would cost you to buy a property like this.- Right.
0:16:43 > 0:16:49'They seem surprised by just how spacious this house is and the outside is deceptive too
0:16:49 > 0:16:55'with room for mature fruit trees, a vegetable patch and even a hot tub, but now it's crunch time.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57'Let's talk money.'
0:16:57 > 0:17:03Here we are. You can see how big this property is from back here. You can see the extension now.
0:17:03 > 0:17:10Now you know how much you get with this property, it begs the question, how much do you think it's worth?
0:17:10 > 0:17:14I think probably the lower end of our budget, 415?
0:17:14 > 0:17:19I would say a little more than that, probably nearer 425, 430?
0:17:19 > 0:17:23The good news is you're the winner, you're absolutely right.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27You've been doing your research. It's on the market at £415,000.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- It was a guess.- That's a surprise.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35Armed with the knowledge of the price, go back inside and have another look round.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- I'll see you later on. - Thank you.- Cheers.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43So for £415,000, that's £35,000 under their budget,
0:17:43 > 0:17:47this extended cottage is a great opening gambit.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57It puts our couple at the heart of the community in a popular village.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02It didn't give me that feeling that I want from my home.
0:18:02 > 0:18:09I'm looking for a larger garden. It didn't quite tick all the boxes, but it's a very nice house.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I like this area. It's nice and light.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16It's the best room in the house. It's got what you want - lots of light.
0:18:16 > 0:18:23It's different. I like a lot of the features. Overall, it's not as big as maybe I would have hoped.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28There you are. It's lovely and snug in there. I'm out here getting windswept!
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- But we've got a lot more to do, so let's keep moving.- OK.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40With their escape to the country, Frances and Robin will be able to explore the rich heritage
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Suffolk's quiet towns have to offer.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47Woodbridge, just eight miles from Ipswich, comes with a distinct architectural legacy
0:18:47 > 0:18:54that still survives today. To find out more, they'll meet Marion Wells who knows all about the town's past.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58We're right here in the very historic centre of the town now
0:18:58 > 0:19:02and a lot of it was created by this man called Thomas Seckford.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08He lived in Elizabethan times and was born locally and was very much an East Suffolk man.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13He trained as a barrister and he was very interested in the legal system
0:19:13 > 0:19:16and that things should be done fairly,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20so he decided that there should be a proper courthouse in Woodbridge.
0:19:20 > 0:19:26He commissioned this Shire Hall here and the sessions were held in the upstairs of the building
0:19:26 > 0:19:32and the downstairs was used as a corn market. This whole square here was also a market.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35It was really the centre of activity right here.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41Thomas Seckford was granted Woodbridge Tide Mill by Queen Elizabeth I in 1564.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46The exported grain milled here underpinned the town's fortunes for centuries,
0:19:46 > 0:19:51as did the shipbuilding trade with everyone from the Saxons to the Tudors making use
0:19:51 > 0:19:56of local forests, as well as the town's strategic position by the River Deben.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00The Saxon burial ship at Sutton Hoo is just up the road.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05As the last working tide mill in the UK, it finally closed in 1957.
0:20:05 > 0:20:11Let's hope Robin and Frances can reap the rewards of a successful house search as we press on.
0:20:17 > 0:20:23'Our next property takes us to the village of Battisford, just over 11 miles from Ipswich,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26'so still within commuting distance to London,
0:20:26 > 0:20:31'but with the peace he's looking for as the village is surrounded by farmland.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35'Needham Market four miles away is a lovely town with a range of shops
0:20:35 > 0:20:39'and a nature reserve for those walks they're after.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43'I think they'll feel at home with the style of our next house.'
0:20:43 > 0:20:49- It's a new build.- Strangely enough, we do like new builds.- Yes. - For whatever reason, we do like it.
0:20:49 > 0:20:55It's quite substantial, it's in a lovely location, surrounded by other detached properties.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57You can get to know your neighbours.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01- It gives you an immediate community around you.- It does.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- Let's have a look inside and see what you get with this property. - Lovely.- Thank you.
0:21:06 > 0:21:13'The new build proposition has piqued their interest, so here's hoping the inside will hook them.'
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- Step on in.- Uh-huh.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21You immediately come into this wonderful hallway from which all doors lead.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- Very nice.- Nice and open.- Look up.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- I like that.- It's got all the light you want.- It has, yes. Very nice.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33We have a study through here and we have a downstairs cloakroom,
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- but the first room I want to take you to is the kitchen.- Brilliant.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41In you come.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- Take a look at this. - Oh, dear.- That's nice.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Nice and light. - That's a nice, spacious kitchen.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Plenty of light. Lovely views.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Great views out into your garden.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- I like that feature. - That's nice to look out on to.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- If you do get that doggie, he can come straight in and out there. - Yeah, true.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07- No work for you here, Robin.- No. - I'm sure I'll find him some.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11I always come back to it. The "new" does limit the need for DIY.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15It also gives you the opportunity to put your mark on a property.
0:22:15 > 0:22:21- It's fresh and new which you'll see even more when we go into the other rooms.- Lovely.- Let's have a look.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25'Across the entrance hall, there's a great option for family meals.'
0:22:25 > 0:22:28In this property you get a separate dining room.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- Very nice.- Not short on size, is it? - No.- Again spacious, isn't it?
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Something we haven't got at the moment.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Right.- Not a separate... - We've got a lounge-diner.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43But it's nice to have that type of detached... Again a real big tick.
0:22:43 > 0:22:49It's a big tick. Nothing for you to do here. Let's have a look at the living room while we're on a roll.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54This is a very large living room, I think.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Oh!- It is, it's nice. - Yes, very pleasant.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- That's a working wood-burning stove. - I like that.- Nice and cosy.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05I like the fact it's at the back of the house.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Yes, you have your privacy. - Total privacy and peace.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13- I like that idea, the garden behind. - Yes, it's nice.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18- This could work for you?- Yes. - Very much. I like this. It's hard to fault.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23- So it's a hit downstairs. - Definitely.- Let's head upstairs and have a look at the bedrooms.
0:23:23 > 0:23:29'The space and features of the downstairs of this new build seem to have won them over.'
0:23:29 > 0:23:33So now we can take a look at this galleried landing up here.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37You can really appreciate it.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Yeah, it's a lovely feature. - Very nice, yes.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44You can see it's pretty much a mirror of what you have downstairs
0:23:44 > 0:23:47because all doors lead off the landing.
0:23:47 > 0:23:53'On this side are two of the four bedrooms - a nice, bright single and a double room.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57'Between them is a modern family bathroom with bath and shower.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00'And the third bedroom has some great extras in store.'
0:24:00 > 0:24:05This is not the master bedroom. It belongs to a young lady at the moment.
0:24:05 > 0:24:11- Yeah.- But this space is full of surprises. I can already see you looking through there.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16- It goes on. There's an en-suite through there and a changing area. - It's quite versatile.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- Maybe it could be where you did your art work.- Exactly.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25- You've got a bathroom through there, lots of space.- It'd be nice. - Lots of opportunity.- Yeah.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30It's not being used as the master bedroom, so let me show you that.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36This way, you have your master with built-in "his and hers" wardrobes.
0:24:36 > 0:24:42There's space for a lovely, big double bed and an en-suite behind you - stand-up shower,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- plenty of room in there. - You can't fault it.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50- Very spacious again. Lovely perspective.- Nice light. I could sit here and paint.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54- You'll be painting in every room! - Given the choice.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- This will be literally a blank canvas for you.- Yes.- I like this.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03Brilliant. I'm feeling very warm about your feelings towards this property.
0:25:03 > 0:25:09I want to turn up the heat a bit more. Let's see how you feel about the outside space,
0:25:09 > 0:25:14- then we've got to work out how much it will cost you to buy it.- OK. - Let's go.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18'This house certainly has oodles of space to satisfy our couple.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23'It's time to head back downstairs now and outside to the back of the house.'
0:25:27 > 0:25:30So back here we have the garden space.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34As with the interior of the house, it's pretty much a blank canvas.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39- It is.- Very clean lines, just laid to lawn. - You could do what you want with it.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44- Exactly.- Pretty much. It goes a long way across, doesn't it?- It does.
0:25:44 > 0:25:51- It wraps around the other side of the property as well.- I like that idea.- It's a good size.- It is.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54'Just beyond the back fence is a quiet footpath -
0:25:54 > 0:25:58'a great access point for walking the dog Frances hopes to get.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03'This property seems to hit the mark on so many fronts, but at what cost?'
0:26:03 > 0:26:07It's a lot of property, but how much would you have to pay for it?
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- I'll start with you, Robin. - Me this time?- Yes, you.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15Difficult. There's a lot of house there. I'd have said around the 450 mark.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Frances, how much do you think it's worth?
0:26:18 > 0:26:23I think probably the first figure that came to mind was 465,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26but, um...maybe 455?
0:26:26 > 0:26:32This property has just come on the market two weeks ago at £440,000.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- Very good.- That is an attractive price.- That's pleasing.
0:26:36 > 0:26:43- "That's pleasing." You're so reserved. Are you jumping for joy inside?- Leaping!- I'm surprised.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46That's a good price for that size of property.
0:26:46 > 0:26:52- Go and have a ramble around and I will catch up with you a little bit later on.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:26:52 > 0:26:58That's a good result. That house gives them all the room that they could want and more
0:26:58 > 0:27:03and it comes in under budget. As a blank canvas, it's everything Frances needs to put her mark on it.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09At £440,000, this extensive new build offers them:
0:27:21 > 0:27:25- What would you do with this area? - Chickens?
0:27:25 > 0:27:30This house I like very much. It's modern, it's clean, it's spacious.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35And it's most of...nearly all of the requirements that we wanted.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38This property definitely suits me.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40I love this area. Look at it.
0:27:40 > 0:27:45- It's just so interesting. It's a room within itself. - You could do a lot with this.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48This house lends itself to what we're looking for.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53If anything, it's got even more size and space than I'd have been asking for.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57I don't think we'll ever get them out. They really liked it.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- Can we help you?- You'd like me to come in, but I am dragging you out.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- We are not finished yet.- Right. - Let's get a move on.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12'As I'm showing our couple some prime Suffolk properties,
0:28:12 > 0:28:17'it's also a chance to get under the skin of one of the county's great historic homes.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21'From the outside, Melford Hall is a stately Tudor mansion,
0:28:21 > 0:28:26'yet its interior tells the full tale of this property through the ages.
0:28:26 > 0:28:32'To hear more about its story, I'm meeting one of the guides, Luke Potter.'
0:28:32 > 0:28:36- Tell me the story of where we are. - Here we're in the Great Hall,
0:28:36 > 0:28:42always the centre of the property right back to when the abbots from Bury St Edmunds lived here.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44But it has changed hugely.
0:28:44 > 0:28:50The panelling here was actually put in in the 1850s in an attempt to make it feel
0:28:50 > 0:28:57more Elizabethan. Elsewhere, lots of changes have taken place, a lot of work in the early 19th century.
0:28:57 > 0:29:03The wing behind me was all burned down in WWII and was completely rebuilt in the late 1940s, 1950s,
0:29:03 > 0:29:09with a very bright, white feel, which gives it a very distinctive charm.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13It's always been a family home with the input of people living here.
0:29:13 > 0:29:20And a big party place in its day. Sir William Cordell was almost bankrupted by Elizabeth I's visit?
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- What was that like? - He had to spend a lot of money.
0:29:24 > 0:29:30Elizabeth came here in 1578 and was met on the county border by about 2,000 people to escort her,
0:29:30 > 0:29:36but she wasn't impressed and sent a courtier back to London for more gold and silver
0:29:36 > 0:29:43- to impress the French ambassador. - I understand we've got a memento from when she was here.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47- It's upstairs?- Yes, head upstairs and we'll take a look at it.
0:29:47 > 0:29:52'Since the late 18th century, this has been the home of the Hyde Parker family,
0:29:52 > 0:29:57'whose commemoration to their royal visitor is appropriate.'
0:29:57 > 0:30:02- Aha! So this is it? - This is the stained glass window we have of Queen Elizabeth.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07It probably only dates from 1800, put in by the Hyde Parker family.
0:30:07 > 0:30:14They had lots of naval connections and so the image used is of the dress worn
0:30:14 > 0:30:20when she celebrated the defeat of the Armada back in 1588, tying into that naval heritage.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- It shows off her jewels very well. - No need to run to London!
0:30:24 > 0:30:29'More recently, Beatrix Potter made frequent family visits here,
0:30:29 > 0:30:34'being the cousin to the grandmother of Sir Richard, the present Baronet.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39'Her paintings give a personal glimpse into life here, but she didn't come alone.'
0:30:39 > 0:30:46The interesting thing is the little turret there. She always travelled with a little menagerie of animals.
0:30:46 > 0:30:52There would be caged with a porcupine or a rabbit and she'd sketch them. When she came, that was their room.
0:30:52 > 0:30:58You can imagine as a youngster with this woman coming to stay who's bringing cages of animals.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00You'd wait to see what came next!
0:31:00 > 0:31:07- Not many people know her connections to Suffolk. You think of her in the Lake District.- It's where she lived
0:31:07 > 0:31:11and she was very involved with the conservation of the Lake District,
0:31:11 > 0:31:17- but with the family connection here it's a bit of an unknown story. - And a wonderful story.
0:31:17 > 0:31:24Well, this is a real architectural gem of a building, woven into key events of Suffolk's own history.
0:31:24 > 0:31:30With a busy day behind them, it's time for our couple to take stock.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- Interesting first day. - Very much. I enjoyed it, actually.
0:31:34 > 0:31:42- The cottage in the village. What did you think?- First impressions were deceptive, I think.
0:31:42 > 0:31:48When you got into it, you didn't realise how far back it went. It was surprisingly large.
0:31:48 > 0:31:54- The lounge was a nice size. - The kitchen was particularly nice. - It was very nice.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59- You could live in that all day. - Good size. What did you think to the location?
0:31:59 > 0:32:04- It probably wasn't quite what we were looking for.- No.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Moving on to now, the new build.
0:32:07 > 0:32:13- What were your thoughts on that one? - I have to say I really did like it. It was spacious, had a lot of light.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17It had all the modern attributes of a new property.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20And it was lovely and warm and cosy.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24All the rooms. They were all of a size, really.
0:32:24 > 0:32:31I particularly liked the bedroom upstairs that led into a lovely area. It was really nice.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- Can you see yourself living there? - Yeah.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38It was certainly, for me, a very nice property.
0:32:38 > 0:32:44- It makes it promising what we'll find tomorrow. - Looking forward to it.- Me, too.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49- Can they better what we've seen? - It's a challenge, isn't it?
0:32:52 > 0:32:58Robin and Frances want to leave Southend in Essex where they've lived for 25 years and settle down
0:32:58 > 0:33:00to a quiet life in Suffolk.
0:33:00 > 0:33:06'Armed with a £450,000 budget, they'd like a three-bedroom home with a large kitchen diner,
0:33:06 > 0:33:10'a study and painting studio, within commuting distance to London.
0:33:10 > 0:33:16'So far, they've seen two properties. Coming up, out with the new, in with the old.'
0:33:16 > 0:33:22- This is something completely different, that I need in my life. - 'And there's our mystery house.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26'But can they see the wood for the trees?'
0:33:26 > 0:33:30The sun's come out today and I'm hoping for brighter prospects.
0:33:30 > 0:33:36Over the years, Robin and Frances have gone for more modern properties as they like that sense of space.
0:33:36 > 0:33:43But now they're making a radical move in their lifestyle and moving to the countryside,
0:33:43 > 0:33:49so I want to show them a more traditional property and let's see if that takes their fancy.
0:33:52 > 0:33:59We're heading to Capel St Mary next, only eight miles from Ipswich for Robin's train commute to London.
0:33:59 > 0:34:05As well as plenty of Suffolk pink properties, the village gives our couple a handful of local shops.
0:34:05 > 0:34:12Our next house would also set them at the heart of village life and comes with its own splash of pink.
0:34:12 > 0:34:18- This is the property. A bit more of a traditional English country cottage.- It's nice.
0:34:18 > 0:34:24- Impressive.- Suffolk pink! - Yes, unusual, isn't it? - The first impression is very nice.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29The property used to be one cottage. That's the original part, the pink.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32It's been extended over the years. You have more space.
0:34:32 > 0:34:38- It's definitely got character. - Sounds like it.- In a great village. Let's have a look inside.
0:34:38 > 0:34:45'Well, they seem revved up to see the inside of this property, so let's dive in and take a look.'
0:34:47 > 0:34:54Right, in we come through the timber frame door. A small hallway, but you see the character of it.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59- The exposed brickwork here, lovely archway door.- Yeah.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- Very nice.- Very different.- Different?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Very different to what I expected.
0:35:05 > 0:35:11Let me give you the lay of the land. To your left, a small downstairs cloakroom.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16This way, in the old part, is the kitchen, which we'll come back to.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19- We'll start through the archway. After me.- We'll follow you.
0:35:19 > 0:35:26Through here again, although this is the extension, you've still got exposed timbers, brickwork.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30A lovely dining area, doors leading to the outside.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Come up here.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38And from back here you can see the lovely quirks of this property.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44The great brickwork fireplace, they've put in double French doors leading out onto the garden.
0:35:44 > 0:35:50- Then this L-shape for the dining area.- I like the L-shape. - You've always liked that.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55'They are used to new builds, but seem quite taken with a character property.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00'Let's hope the kitchen fires up Frances.' More features in here.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04We've got this lovely brickwork, the exposed beams
0:36:04 > 0:36:09and we are in the original cottage so you have more of those features.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13The current owner has done some work and created the space.
0:36:13 > 0:36:21- It's a nice kitchen.- Very nice. - Personally I'd like something bigger.- It does go down this way.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- Sofa, dining table.- Lovely area.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29- And at the back is a little office. - Nice idea, actually.- Yes.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33It just takes a little bit of time to adapt.
0:36:33 > 0:36:39- Very nice.- I'm glad you're liking it. I think you'll like what's through here even more.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46- It actually is a very big space. - Very spacious.- I like this room.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- Ah, a conservatory!- Yes. - One of my favourite rooms.
0:36:49 > 0:36:54I've got a lot of bougainvilleas and need somewhere to put them.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- Shall we have a look? Come on. - Please.
0:36:57 > 0:37:04- Have a look at what could be your space.- Yes.- This would be wonderful for you to do your artwork.
0:37:04 > 0:37:12- Yeah, absolutely.- Lots of light. - Or even outside - it's a lovely little area there, too.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- It all lends itself. - So we've found a place for you
0:37:15 > 0:37:20and you're looking at the garden. We'll come back to that.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24First I'll show you upstairs. Ordinarily you lose space upstairs,
0:37:24 > 0:37:31- but here you get four bedrooms and a family bathroom.- You've done it again! Made good use of it.
0:37:31 > 0:37:37'This is a spacious character cottage and Frances seems seduced by its charm.
0:37:37 > 0:37:43'Fingers crossed that the four bedrooms upstairs also work their magic, starting with their room.'
0:37:44 > 0:37:47So this is the master bedroom.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49- Ah.- Ah.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54- I like the window.- It has a holy feel with the light streaming through!
0:37:54 > 0:37:59- Yes.- You've got that theme throughout. The chapel feeling.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03There's some built-in storage. His and hers or hers and hers.
0:38:03 > 0:38:10- He can have some area! - And cupboards over there. - Oh, right, that's Robin's!
0:38:10 > 0:38:12The recess there. The en suite.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16- Very nice. - We didn't see when we walked in.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- I'm amazed, really.- Amazed?- Yes.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23- Taking it all in.- It takes time. - It's so different.
0:38:23 > 0:38:30'The other bedrooms include a lovely light double and a single, so ample room for when their children stay.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34'There's also an L-shaped family bathroom with bath and shower.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39'At the end of the landing is the fourth bedroom, which we'll peek at.'
0:38:39 > 0:38:45- Another example of a good-sized double bedroom.- Yes. - Yeah. Again, spacious.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50It is. You have built-in wardrobes, which are quite deep. Lots of light.
0:38:50 > 0:38:56- Looking at the sky today, I was thinking it might be another place you could sit and paint.- Yes.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01- It's certainly light enough. - I like it.- Good.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Let's go out to the garden, then tell me what you think.
0:39:04 > 0:39:11'Frances should be pleased with it. It's south-westerly facing and amounts to one-fifth of an acre,
0:39:11 > 0:39:16'with space for evening drinks on the patio.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20'With all that to consider, let's see if our couple are on the money.'
0:39:20 > 0:39:25Right, from back here you can get a good look at the house, the garden,
0:39:25 > 0:39:32and the question, of course, is how much would you pay for a wonderful cottage like this in Suffolk?
0:39:32 > 0:39:39- I'm going to start with Frances. - I think it probably is around the 445 area?
0:39:39 > 0:39:43I still feel there's quite a bit of work to do.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48- I don't know if we could afford that. - I would have thought probably more.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- I'd have said around 465. - 465. How about this?
0:39:52 > 0:39:59- This property came on the market four weeks ago at £410,000. - That's good.
0:39:59 > 0:40:04- That's very good.- That is a big surprise. Big surprise.
0:40:04 > 0:40:10- Looking at all it's giving as a property.- And leaving you money left over.- Definitely.
0:40:10 > 0:40:15- No, that's...- You're reeling! I can see.- Even more appealing.
0:40:15 > 0:40:21Go back in, you start measuring up, you get your calculator out. I'll see you a bit later on.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25Fantastic! This is what I love about this show.
0:40:25 > 0:40:31That's a house they would never have looked at, but it's under budget and gives them everything they want.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Traditional, yes, but something that could be for them.
0:40:34 > 0:40:40Under budget at £410,000, this charming property leaves them a £40,000 pot
0:40:40 > 0:40:44to make it perfect for them. And it includes...
0:40:56 > 0:41:03- You could sit here all afternoon. - Definitely.- And you're not overlooked.- No, privacy.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08- And I liked the front.- 'The question is do you see yourself living here?'
0:41:08 > 0:41:13For all the change, which for me would be quite considerable, I could.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18I thought this house was so intriguing and I really like it.
0:41:18 > 0:41:26I've been used to modern properties, but this is something completely different that I need in my life now.
0:41:26 > 0:41:31- Robin? Frances? Still in there? - Yeah.- I thought you were settling in.- We are!
0:41:31 > 0:41:37Well, don't just yet. The journey isn't over. We've got a little bit more to do.
0:41:40 > 0:41:46'If Frances and Robin escape to Suffolk, they'll move to a county literally embedded with history.
0:41:46 > 0:41:53'Its archaeological jewel has to be Sutton Hoo, an Anglo-Saxon burial site excavated in 1939,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57'at the request of Mrs Edith Pretty, who owned the land.
0:41:57 > 0:42:04'In one of the mounds, a 90-foot-long ship was found, packed full of priceless treasures.
0:42:04 > 0:42:11'They're meeting Nigel Maslin from the Sutton Hoo Society to discover more about this.'
0:42:13 > 0:42:18One of the things Mrs Pretty saw coming out of that ship trench
0:42:18 > 0:42:23was 500 crushed pieces of very boring looking iron.
0:42:23 > 0:42:30But if you analysed them, you can make a reconstruction like this - the Sutton Hoo helmet.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35It's tinned bronze. Very heavy. Even this reconstruction is.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39Just look at it. What a face! If you put that on,
0:42:39 > 0:42:46power is not exactly going to shine out of the eye sockets - they're dark. That's part of the mystery.
0:42:46 > 0:42:53And look at everything surrounding it. Either side of the nose piece, two pairs of dancing warriors.
0:42:53 > 0:42:58You can tell they're dancing. They're wearing horned helmets.
0:42:58 > 0:43:03This is the world of Thor and Odin. This is fantastic stuff.
0:43:03 > 0:43:08And then the other panels show another mounted warrior
0:43:08 > 0:43:11trampling a foe underfoot.
0:43:11 > 0:43:16Just look at the main features on the front - the moustache,
0:43:16 > 0:43:22the nose piece, the eyebrows with these marvellous red garnets,
0:43:22 > 0:43:27make a winged dragon or something like that. A mythical beast.
0:43:27 > 0:43:34So you've really got terrific power there. That beast would have protected the wearer.
0:43:34 > 0:43:41Raedwald, who probably wore the real version, was a pagan. He was baptised a Christian.
0:43:41 > 0:43:46His successors were pagan again before they were Christian.
0:43:46 > 0:43:53So we're just on the cusp of the old pagan politics and traditions from Sweden and Scandinavia
0:43:53 > 0:43:58and the rest of the Germanic lands, and a newly-Christian Europe.
0:43:58 > 0:44:06'This discovery in a quiet Suffolk field is a fascinating window into what rolled out across Europe
0:44:06 > 0:44:08'1,400 years ago.'
0:44:08 > 0:44:14Robin and Frances haven't moved for 25 years. Although they say they want something completely different,
0:44:14 > 0:44:18I'm not convinced they're ready for such a radical move,
0:44:18 > 0:44:24so for the mystery house we're going for big, modern and central.
0:44:25 > 0:44:31Our mystery house takes us, intriguingly, to the outskirts of Ipswich,
0:44:31 > 0:44:36whose street architecture is a real journey through time, with medieval streets,
0:44:36 > 0:44:40ornate Victorian civic buildings in the market square,
0:44:40 > 0:44:43and the newly-developed waterfront.
0:44:43 > 0:44:49We're heading just south of the town through private gates to where our mystery house, in woodland, awaits.
0:44:51 > 0:44:56So this could be your countryside palace in the middle of the town!
0:44:56 > 0:45:02- It's the mystery property. You said you wanted to get away from it all.- That's right.
0:45:02 > 0:45:06And find a quiet place to settle down, somewhere very different,
0:45:06 > 0:45:12- but you've always lived in modern buildings, you have a fairly long commute to do.- True.
0:45:12 > 0:45:17- And you want to be in the heart of the community.- Uh-huh.- Ta-da!
0:45:17 > 0:45:24- Ipswich! The train station is within walking distance.- Yeah. - This is a gated community.
0:45:24 > 0:45:29Only five other properties. Very close-knit and the building is fairly new.
0:45:29 > 0:45:35- With some character.- Quite a size. - Countryside in Ipswich.- Yes! - That is different.
0:45:35 > 0:45:40It's completely different to what I was looking for, but...give it a whirl.
0:45:40 > 0:45:44Open-minded. That's what the mystery house is all about.
0:45:44 > 0:45:49Completely different, but who knows once we get inside?
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Let's go have a look.
0:45:51 > 0:45:56'Robin has definitely grasped what the mystery house is about.
0:45:56 > 0:46:00'This could give them the best of both worlds.'
0:46:02 > 0:46:04Here we go.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08So come on in. It is a modern house.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Nice hallway, lots of doors.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14We've got some big rooms and high ceilings.
0:46:14 > 0:46:19- Interesting.- A hall is always a nice thing to come into like this.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22- Let's start with this room over here.- All right.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28- Nice big lounge.- Yes. I like the bay, particularly.
0:46:28 > 0:46:35- And the windows.- Yeah, good size. - It's more than adequate. - More than reasonable.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39- It's got the modern look, which I do like.- Good!
0:46:39 > 0:46:45Right, things are picking up. Let's look over the other side, and look at the other rooms.
0:46:45 > 0:46:51'At the front of the house on the other side is a large study with a bay window,
0:46:51 > 0:46:55'ideal for Robin. Next door, there's a handy cloakroom.
0:46:55 > 0:47:00'I hope Frances will be hooked by what's coming next.'
0:47:00 > 0:47:03Come through to the kitchen.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06- It's modern...- Yes!
0:47:06 > 0:47:11- Very nice, actually. - Looking out onto the garden.- Yeah.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15- It's too dark for me. - I had a feeling you'd say that.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18- Not enough daylight? - Nowhere near enough.
0:47:18 > 0:47:24- What do you think of the space? - Oh, yes, it's a nice size. - Very nice.
0:47:24 > 0:47:29You could put a round table. Or you could come this way.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32There's more!
0:47:32 > 0:47:34And do this.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37- That's better.- Ah! - Much better.
0:47:37 > 0:47:42- Yes, I prefer that. - It opens out, doesn't it?- It does.
0:47:42 > 0:47:48- It lets in more light.- Very much. - The only thing is it doesn't feel to me like a kitchen.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52- It's a dining area.- But it doesn't feel like the same room for me.
0:47:52 > 0:47:57You could move things around and try to make it your own.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00- There's the capability to do that. - Absolutely.
0:48:00 > 0:48:05- I'm not sure where to start! - That's the challenge!
0:48:05 > 0:48:08While you think, let's head upstairs!
0:48:08 > 0:48:14'Robin's going with the flow, but Frances seems uneasy at being taken out of her comfort zone.
0:48:14 > 0:48:20'We'll head upstairs and see if she warms to it.' You get four bedrooms, all a good size.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24And a good-size family bathroom. One fairly big double here,
0:48:24 > 0:48:28another one there and this is the bathroom.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30I thought we could start over here.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36So...
0:48:36 > 0:48:39I know what you're going to say - it's pink!
0:48:39 > 0:48:46- It clearly is a little girl's room. - Absolutely.- But that aside, what do you think of it as a room?
0:48:46 > 0:48:52- It feels like you're in a turret. - It's the bay windows again. A nice finish.
0:48:52 > 0:48:58- As a space, with blank walls, you get quite a bit of light, you're elevated...- That's what I like.
0:48:58 > 0:49:05- Use it as a fourth bedroom. - Doesn't have to be a bedroom at all. - No.- Exactly right.
0:49:05 > 0:49:11- It could be a lovely workspace. - Very much.- You could do as you wish, including taking away the pink.
0:49:11 > 0:49:17- Although I think you secretly like it!- You do?! - Let's look at the master! Come on!
0:49:20 > 0:49:24- How about this for a master suite? - Mm.- It's big.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27As rooms go, this is huge.
0:49:27 > 0:49:32I agree, it's huge. Nice big bed, lots of space either side.
0:49:32 > 0:49:37- Plenty of wardrobe space. Maybe even a little bit for you.- Yeah.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41- Some space for your shirts. - There's a fighting chance!
0:49:41 > 0:49:45- And the wonderful bay windows. - That opens up all the rooms.
0:49:45 > 0:49:49- Over here is a very impressive en suite.- As well.
0:49:51 > 0:49:56- You get a big en suite with this bedroom.- Yes.- The bath.- And a bath!
0:49:56 > 0:50:03- A bath as well.- Good size. - You wouldn't normally expect a bath and a shower.- You wouldn't.
0:50:03 > 0:50:08And all that extra space. Lovely window looking out to the garden.
0:50:08 > 0:50:15- That is where we should head now. There's a surprise with this house. - Sounds good.- Follow me!
0:50:15 > 0:50:21'Our mystery house has a fabulously spacious interior, which they could adapt very easily,
0:50:21 > 0:50:28'but I don't think Frances can quite visualise it. Perhaps she'll get excited by the garden.'
0:50:30 > 0:50:33Back here is the garden space.
0:50:33 > 0:50:38One of the things you have definitely asked for is land.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41This garden isn't just this area.
0:50:41 > 0:50:46It goes way back there and you get just under an acre of land.
0:50:46 > 0:50:52- Good grief.- 'This mystery house really gives that feeling of being in the country,
0:50:52 > 0:50:57'especially with that tiered wooded garden. Yet Ipswich is just a walk away.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00'But can they guess the price?'
0:51:00 > 0:51:05- We'll start with you, Robin.- I'd put it top side of the budget. 470?
0:51:05 > 0:51:10It's a nice property. I would say 469,995.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14- That's very precise!- I don't know why, but that's what I think.
0:51:14 > 0:51:20You are absolutely right! This is on at £470,000. You were £5 out.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24- That's pretty good going.- Not bad. - All of £5! Not bad, was it?
0:51:24 > 0:51:31It is over budget, but it brings you very close to the train station so it cuts your commute.
0:51:31 > 0:51:35Your close to the shops, yet you get this land.
0:51:36 > 0:51:41Our mystery house is over budget at £470,000, but it's huge,
0:51:41 > 0:51:45there's no work to do and it has some great selling points.
0:51:58 > 0:52:02- I didn't expect to find this up here.- Not quite the land I expected.
0:52:02 > 0:52:09The house itself is very spacious, it's very well decorated and it's very nice.
0:52:09 > 0:52:14Probably 20, 25 years ago it would have suited us, but not now.
0:52:14 > 0:52:20- Look, there's the train! You can see it from here.- Ideal. - Ideal?! Not for me it's not.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23I'd be on the train in 5 minutes.
0:52:23 > 0:52:29Having seen this property, within the environment it's in, close to the town,
0:52:29 > 0:52:37it crystallises what we're looking for, which is more the rural, country kind of environment for us.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Wonder if it's grown on them any?
0:52:40 > 0:52:45- Are you still here?- Yes. - You've seen all of the houses now.
0:52:45 > 0:52:52It's been a bit of a journey, but I'll find you somewhere to sit down and mull it all over.
0:52:58 > 0:53:04We've shown Robin and Frances a real assortment of properties. Now they must think through their options.
0:53:09 > 0:53:15Frances and Robin certainly had a very strong reaction to our modern, urban village mystery house.
0:53:15 > 0:53:22Has it pushed them closer to a more traditional house? Let's find out.
0:53:24 > 0:53:3125 years in the same house, children all grown up and now it's time to concentrate on your lives.
0:53:31 > 0:53:35We started with the white cottage. What did you feel?
0:53:35 > 0:53:39It's deceptively spacious. Once you actually got into it.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43- It went back a long way. - Surprisingly big.
0:53:43 > 0:53:49- There's a lot more to it, but overall it just wasn't probably for us.- It wasn't us.- Not what we want.
0:53:49 > 0:53:55Both the homes you've lived in have been new builds, so we took you to one.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58I fell in love with it pretty early on.
0:53:58 > 0:54:05- You just got that feeling?- Yeah. It's spacious, light, which was what you wanted.- Absolutely.
0:54:05 > 0:54:11- And a nice-sized plot that went right round the house.- Yeah. - Even room for chickens.
0:54:11 > 0:54:18Then we saw something very traditional, the Suffolk pink. How did you feel about it?
0:54:18 > 0:54:21First impressions, I wasn't sure.
0:54:21 > 0:54:26As we walked into the property, I was intrigued all the time.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29You wanted to keep walking into different rooms.
0:54:29 > 0:54:36- So different and so promising. I just really, really liked it. - Immense amount of character.
0:54:36 > 0:54:41- Tremendous.- Nooks and crannies. It had a vestry look about it.
0:54:41 > 0:54:47Finally, we took you to our mystery house, designed to throw a curve ball into the situation.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51It did that! It certainly did that.
0:54:51 > 0:54:58The property was lovely, but really for somebody, a young family. It wasn't for us.
0:54:58 > 0:55:04- The wrong stage in our life. - Definitely. The extra land you had was fantastic for children,
0:55:04 > 0:55:07but not for us really.
0:55:07 > 0:55:12I've got to ask - of all the range of properties we showed you, with those great prices,
0:55:12 > 0:55:15is there anything close to the mark?
0:55:15 > 0:55:21- Two of them, definitely.- Two. - That's a result!- The dilemma is we've got one of each!
0:55:21 > 0:55:24Put us out of our misery. Which two?
0:55:24 > 0:55:29In my case, it's the new build. In Frances' case, the Suffolk pink.
0:55:29 > 0:55:36So we've got a slight dilemma there. We've both got a preference, but we both like each.
0:55:36 > 0:55:41All things being equal, if you find the journey from the new build is not too bad
0:55:41 > 0:55:46and there's not too much work to do at the Suffolk pink, which one?
0:55:46 > 0:55:53- We liked the village. - Particularly the village. - Which village?- Capel St Mary.
0:55:53 > 0:55:57- Therefore, the pink cottage. - And that would be a radical change.
0:55:57 > 0:56:03- Oh, such a change! - Is that what you're looking for? - Yes, definitely.
0:56:03 > 0:56:09You don't actually realise how much of a change you need until you see...
0:56:09 > 0:56:11You set off on that journey.
0:56:11 > 0:56:17- Do let us know how you get on.- Yes. - And I hope it's not too long before you escape to the country.
0:56:17 > 0:56:23- Thank you.- It's been a fabulous experience for us both. - Very much enjoyed it.- Thank you.
0:56:25 > 0:56:31Frances and Robin have reached that moment in life when they really want to shake things up,
0:56:31 > 0:56:37but they have to get out of the comfort zone. Robin is still very tied to a new build,
0:56:37 > 0:56:41but Frances is ready to take that leap to a more traditional home.
0:56:41 > 0:56:48Who's going to win? Well, my money's on Frances! See you next time.
0:56:48 > 0:56:54If you want to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England, and need our help,
0:56:54 > 0:56:59please apply online at:
0:57:09 > 0:57:14Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2011
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