0:00:02 > 0:00:08I'm in a county with this wonderful cathedral, with the only gothic dome of its type in the world.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12That is about 66 metres high. You can see it from miles around.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16This county is also one of the flattest places in the UK.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Any idea where? Join me in a few moments when I'll tell you.
0:00:33 > 0:00:40'Today, we're helping a couple swap the seaside for a slice of country life.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- 'We need acres to horse around in.' - You're hitting the spot.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47'But there will be compromises.'
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- What it doesn't have is an en suite. - Ah.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55'So will any of our properties make it past the post?'
0:00:56 > 0:01:02I'm in Cambridgeshire, in the magnificent surroundings of Ely cathedral.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Its crowning glory is that,
0:01:05 > 0:01:10its magnificent octagon lantern towering 43 metres above me -
0:01:10 > 0:01:14an intoxicating medieval cocktail of stone, lead and glass.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Some 200 tons is up there and, as for the stained glass,
0:01:18 > 0:01:23that's not the only thing that dazzles in this part of the world.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26'Brilliant minds abound in this county,
0:01:26 > 0:01:30'being home to the second oldest university in the UK.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32'As poet Rupert Brooke penned,
0:01:32 > 0:01:37'"Cambridgeshire, of all England, is the shire for men who understand."
0:01:37 > 0:01:40'No surprises he was a Cambridge scholar,
0:01:40 > 0:01:45'but it's hard not to be impressed by the beauty of historic Cambridge.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49'But there's more to this county than rhetoric and learning.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53'Part of East Anglia, Cambridgeshire is landlocked by seven counties,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57'including Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01'Extending over the north are the Fens.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03'This ancient landscape
0:02:03 > 0:02:07'contains some of the richest soil in Britain.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11'From the 17th century, this led to vast swathes being drained,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15'turning the area into a powerhouse of agriculture.
0:02:15 > 0:02:21'For wildlife enthusiasts, it's home to nature reserves and wetlands.'
0:02:23 > 0:02:30The rolling hills of south Cambridgeshire have more of an appeal to many buyers
0:02:30 > 0:02:34than the flatlands of the north, and there's the draw of Cambridge.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37That has an effect on house prices.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Your average detached in the south
0:02:39 > 0:02:45will set you back £119,000 more than if you were buying in the north.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Quite a hole in anybody's budget!
0:02:47 > 0:02:53To give you an idea of what's available right now, take a look at these.
0:02:53 > 0:02:59'You'd be forgiven for thinking you'd swapped the UK for the Med
0:02:59 > 0:03:03'with this Italian style villa on the outskirts of Huntington.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08'It has six reception rooms, six bedrooms and equestrian facilities
0:03:08 > 0:03:10'set in 14 acres of ground.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14'It'll set you back a majestic £1.2 million.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18'For acreage without the million-pound price tag,
0:03:18 > 0:03:23'check out this six-bedroom Victorian grange near March.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27'For £725,000, you get three reception rooms,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29'a large country kitchen
0:03:29 > 0:03:34'and three and a half acres of attractive grounds.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40'Hop into Suffolk and snap up this beautiful Grade II listed cottage.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45'Character features aren't in short supply, with three reception rooms.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49'It comes with a cosy kitchen and four bedrooms,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53'and could be yours for a snip under £400,000.'
0:03:53 > 0:03:59There you have it, proof that there are plenty of properties in Cambridgeshire
0:03:59 > 0:04:03to tempt anybody into making a sea change to life in the countryside.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06That's what today's buyers are trying to do.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11'Teachers Jim and Marian have lived in the same house
0:04:11 > 0:04:14'in Newquay, Cornwall, for 22 years,
0:04:14 > 0:04:19'where they brought up Spencer, Matthew, Gareth and Jessica.'
0:04:19 > 0:04:22When we bought the property in 1988,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24it was a hotel.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28We ran the property for five or six seasons.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Then we went back to teaching
0:04:30 > 0:04:36and the house became, and has been, a lovely house, that's a little bit too big.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39'You can say that again!
0:04:39 > 0:04:42'This eight-bedroom courtyard house is huge.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45'A downsize is on the cards.
0:04:45 > 0:04:52'Jessica and Gareth will be moving, too, but why are they swapping the sea for the countryside?'
0:04:52 > 0:04:56Our two eldest children and our three grandchildren
0:04:56 > 0:04:59live 350 miles away.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01To bring the family back together,
0:05:01 > 0:05:05we thought we'd move closer to them, but not too close.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07'As the boys are in Essex,
0:05:07 > 0:05:12'Jim and Marian are looking at the Cambridge-Suffolk border,
0:05:12 > 0:05:16'and would like to be no further than 90 minutes from Brentwood.'
0:05:16 > 0:05:21We realise that, with the number of boxes we'd like to tick,
0:05:21 > 0:05:26we may have to go a bit further north than we first required.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31'That sounds ominous. Just how big is their wish list?'
0:05:31 > 0:05:35A minimum of four bedrooms is essential in the new house.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40Our kitchen here is really big.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45It's the place where we congregate. A big kitchen is important.
0:05:45 > 0:05:53Something we haven't had, and I'd love to have, is an en suite to our master bedroom.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57As far as renovating or repairing is concerned,
0:05:57 > 0:06:02I can't see any reason why that wouldn't be a possibility.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Then I think we couldn't do without a garden large enough
0:06:06 > 0:06:10first, to have some area for the grandchildren,
0:06:10 > 0:06:15and secondly, to grow sufficient vegetables and flowers for the house.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19'It's not just cucumbers and children that need outside space.'
0:06:19 > 0:06:22This is Baby, one of our three horses.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26She lives here with Jim-Bob. His mum's out on loan at the moment.
0:06:26 > 0:06:32What would be really amazing is to have a paddock at our own house,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35and have all three living there.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40If that weren't possible, then a field a walk away would be OK.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44But absolute preference is that we all live together.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49'Adding acreage to the mix will make this search trickier.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53'Jim and Marian are about to exchange and will be cash buyers,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56'which puts them in an advantageous position.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58'How much do they want to spend?'
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Ideally, as far as price is concerned,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06I think £400,000 would be right.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09If the property were special enough,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12ticking all of the boxes,
0:07:12 > 0:07:16then I guess we could probably go to...440?
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Maybe.
0:07:23 > 0:07:29At long last, after 22 years, Jim and Marian are giving up sea air for a move to the countryside.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34Their house is gorgeous but has clearly become impractical.
0:07:34 > 0:07:41They do have specific needs. Marian needs somewhere for her horses. Jim would like a nice big garden.
0:07:41 > 0:07:47It's underpinned with a fundamental need to be closer to their grandchildren.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51Their budget of £440,000 is not an inconsiderable amount of money.
0:07:51 > 0:07:57Trying to match their aspirations to the market in this part of the UK is going to be tricky.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03As well they know, because they have been looking for a very long time.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06'Jim and Marian don't want to be
0:08:06 > 0:08:11'more than a 90-minute drive from their boys in Brentwood, Essex.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15'To find the property package they're after,
0:08:15 > 0:08:21'we'll start north of Cambridge, where average prices are 50% lower.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24'We found some super country pads to view,
0:08:24 > 0:08:29'but I'll be tight-lipped on the price tags till the end of the tour.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32'And, finally, the mystery house.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36'Will it be their perfect place to roost?'
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- This is an auspicious week for you in more ways than one.- Mm-hm.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- You just completed on the sale of your house.- We have.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- Yesterday, the news came through. - The money's in the bank.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- Is it burning a hole?- Yes. - I could go shopping.
0:08:53 > 0:09:00- That's what I'm doing!- Just spending a little more money than on a Saturday afternoon.- Absolutely.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05A lot of house hunting is all about managing expectations.
0:09:05 > 0:09:11This is quite a challenge, to get land for what you're after in this part of the world.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14This is a very sought-after location.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16440 is a lot of money.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21But what are your hopes? How far do you think we're going to get?
0:09:21 > 0:09:26Ooh, well, I guess, as you say, the land is possibly the problem.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31If it were a four-bedroom house with garden, we'd have more scope.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35It's the conundrum of ticking all the boxes with the time frame
0:09:35 > 0:09:38and within the monetary budget.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41We'll leave that to the professionals like you guys!
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- Welcome to house hunting! - No pressure, Jules.- Come on.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51'So, for a top budget of...'
0:10:10 > 0:10:14'It needs to be in a semi-rural or village location
0:10:14 > 0:10:16'within a 90-minute drive from Brentwood.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19'Talk about cracking the whip!
0:10:23 > 0:10:26'We're starting in Wimblington,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30'a tad over a 90-minute drive from Brentwood.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35'I'm hoping this pretty community village will make up for the drive.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40'The population of 2,000 is served by two pubs and a Post Office store.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45'From its Grade II listed church to Georgian manor houses
0:10:45 > 0:10:50'and thatched cottages, there's a plethora of period architecture.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53'We found a character home on the edge of the village.'
0:10:53 > 0:10:58- Let's start with this one. - Ooh! Wow!- What do you think?
0:10:58 > 0:11:02I love it! Looks like it's a characterful house.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- It is.- Certainly substantial.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08It's very substantial and it's Edwardian, 1910.
0:11:08 > 0:11:14- I think "a very handsome property" is the best way to describe it.- Yes.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- That's a good adjective. - It's not just the house.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- There's a bit more to go with it. - Yeah? Is that a promise?
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- It is a promise.- Good. - Let's do the house first.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Those trees!
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- Yeah?- Come on, let's do it.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34'We're off to a flying start.
0:11:34 > 0:11:42'I know they're happy to do some renovating, and this house offers a real opportunity to get creative.'
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Look at this! - Oh, wow!- Lovely hallway!
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Even nicer than ours - in our old house!
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Now it's an old house. You sold it!
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- Come on in, Jim. - Lovely. Lovely size.- Beautiful.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Oh, look at the rose.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02That is gorgeous.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- I wonder what the floor is. - I wonder!
0:12:05 > 0:12:08There are bare boards in other parts.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13It's amazing the difference the floor makes in the out room.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16- Much brighter. - This was put on in '95.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- It does make a big difference. - Very nice.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25- Lovely lounge.- Good. Let's have a look at the dining room.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- Interesting.- It is a dining room.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40There's a serving hatch through there which leads to the kitchen.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45The sizes are really good. Lots of scope for work to be done.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50It's very promising at the moment from the two rooms we've seen.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53'And plenty more to come.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59'The kitchen is next door and this could be one area to put their own mark on.'
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- It's lovely...- Yes.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07- But it's not as big, perhaps, as modern tastes...- Yes.- ..enjoy.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13- If you pushed it back either side of that chimney breast...- Yeah.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15..it would feel a lot lighter.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20Because that's a chimney breast, I could probably have my range there.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- I think you probably could! - The flue being available!
0:13:24 > 0:13:29- We're all thinking along the same lines.- Yes.- I think you would.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- We could certainly move into here. - There's more than enough room.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38The kitchen's lovely. It's got lots of potential.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42'They're really buying into the possibilities.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46'And there's a bit more space to play with -
0:13:46 > 0:13:49'a utility room and a downstairs shower room.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52'There are four bedrooms in all.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57'Two good sized doubles, so Gareth and Jessica are well catered for.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02'There's a single, a family bathroom and, finally, a master.'
0:14:02 > 0:14:08- This is quite big. - This is the biggest of the lot!
0:14:08 > 0:14:14- It's bigger than the one we have at the moment. - Ours is big, but not as big as this.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18The only thing to say about this and the other bedrooms
0:14:18 > 0:14:21is that none of them are en suite.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- Had noticed that.- That was on your wish list wasn't it, dear?
0:14:26 > 0:14:29That may have to be a compromise, I suppose.
0:14:29 > 0:14:37- If we have to compromise on an en suite, is that a deal breaker? - I think we can compromise somewhere.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39'That is good to hear.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43'One area we're not scrimping on is the all-important outside space.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47'At a quarter of an acre, Jim gets his big garden.'
0:14:47 > 0:14:51Look at this! Blossom's out. The sun isn't.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53You can't predict the sun!
0:14:53 > 0:14:58- Lovely.- In terms of space here, Jim, what do you think?
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- It's wide open for you to do what you like.- It's big enough!
0:15:02 > 0:15:06We haven't had one for 22 years so any space is great.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11This is an open canvas. We can do whatever we want.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15'That's Jim sorted. What about Marian and her horses?'
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- How about this, then? - MARIAN CHUCKLES
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- The final piece of the jigsaw. - You might be hitting the spot now.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28Two acres! Right down to the far post-and-rail fence.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31You've got this oblong plot with three stables.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- Would this be big enough? - Yeah.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- Yeah?- Yes, it would. - Happy?- Yes.
0:15:37 > 0:15:43In terms of money. How much do you think this is on the market for?
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Oh, I'd say...we're probably talking the top end of our budget.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Maybe 440?
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- 445?- 415?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- 415?- Wow!- Cheeky.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03- Very cheeky!- It is not 415, I'm afraid to say.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06And it is a little bit over your budget.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09But only by £10,000.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13I say "only" for two very good reasons.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18I know that it is open to sensible offers, and you are cash buyers.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- Those put this property within your reach. Worth seeing?- Absolutely.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Definitely worth seeing.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Good. Go and weigh it up.
0:16:27 > 0:16:33- The thinking.- Yeah. Go and explore. - We will.- Try not to get lost!
0:16:35 > 0:16:39'I think we're off to a cracking start...
0:16:56 > 0:17:01'It doesn't have Marian's massive kitchen or Jim's en suite,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04'but there is potential to put their own stamp on it.'
0:17:04 > 0:17:08That's my cardigan, cheeky. You cheeky chappy.
0:17:08 > 0:17:15It would be so lovely to have ours in here, just at the bottom of the garden.
0:17:15 > 0:17:21- Two acres!- Stunning location. A lovely house. I love it. Yeah.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25I can't think of another word other than "stunning".
0:17:29 > 0:17:32I found you at last, loitering in there!
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- It's terrific.- It is. I'm impressed.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39For what you're after, it should be on the list.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- You're definitely right. - But two more to come.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- What else have we got you? - Oh, my goodness!
0:17:56 > 0:18:00'Cambridgeshire might be one of the flattest counties,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03'but there must be something in the water.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08'These lands have given birth to some of Britain's greatest minds.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10'Samuel Pepys, Oliver Cromwell,
0:18:10 > 0:18:14'Richard Attenborough and Stephen Hawking all hail from these parts.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17'And eminent thinkers are made here.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21'Home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world,
0:18:21 > 0:18:26'Cambridge has been a site of learning since the Middle Ages.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31'We thought Jim and Marian would like a lesson on the county capital.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36'We sent them to meet up with Richard Butler, a final year student
0:18:36 > 0:18:39'studying architectural history.'
0:18:39 > 0:18:44Cambridge goes back to Roman times. It was a military and trading post.
0:18:44 > 0:18:51The town got its charter in 1201 AD and, a few years later, students arrived after a schism at Oxford.
0:18:51 > 0:18:57The story is that students headed in the direction of Reading and were never heard of again!
0:18:57 > 0:19:03Those that came here founded the university and 80 years later Peterhouse college was founded.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09'The university was, and still is, made up of many colleges,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12'each with its own property, income and staff.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16'By the 16th century, there were already 16,
0:19:16 > 0:19:21'founded and funded by the important literati and glitterati of the day.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24'The most wealthy was Trinity College
0:19:24 > 0:19:27'founded by Henry VIII in 1546.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31'It's now home to 600 undergraduates, 300 graduates
0:19:31 > 0:19:35'and over 160 fellows - that's some seat of learning!'
0:19:37 > 0:19:43By legend, it's possible to walk from here to Oxford on land purely owned by Trinity.
0:19:43 > 0:19:49Another wealthy college was King's College, founded by Henry VI in the 1460s.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53It wasn't finished until the time of Henry VIII.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58It's one of the most impressive buildings in Cambridge.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01It certainly is.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05'You can submerge yourself in history and tradition here.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09'If you're not careful, one tradition linked with the university
0:20:09 > 0:20:13'might just have you completely submerged.'
0:20:13 > 0:20:18In terms of going anywhere and getting the direction right,
0:20:18 > 0:20:23it's important to put the pole down right beside the punt the whole way.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26So it's touching the punt.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29If it's out, the punt will start turning around.
0:20:29 > 0:20:35It's quite hard to get, but once you've got the knack, it seems natural.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39'Punting has been part of Cambridgeshire for centuries.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43'These flat-bottom vessels were ideal for navigating the Fens
0:20:43 > 0:20:46'and used by fishermen, hunters and tradesmen.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49'The going was slow but economical.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54'A punter could push over a ton along with no more fuel
0:20:54 > 0:20:56'than a cheese sandwich and a pint.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01'Nowadays, it's undergrads and tourists soaking up the scenery.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08'It's a nice way to travel, but we'll stick to the car.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13'We're heading to the hamlet of Ramsay Heights,
0:21:13 > 0:21:18'which falls in the 90-minute drive radius from the grandchildren.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22'It's a rural setting with a handful of properties and farms.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28'For supplies, Marian and Jim can head to the nearby town of Ramsay,
0:21:28 > 0:21:32'which has all the amenities you'd expect in a country town.'
0:21:32 > 0:21:34This is our second one.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Very different to look at. The first one was very Edwardian.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45- Believe it or not, at its core, this is the same age.- That's surprising!
0:21:45 > 0:21:51Not Edwardian in style, but a couple of farm cottages built 1911.
0:21:51 > 0:21:57They've been knocked together radically to produce a very big
0:21:57 > 0:22:03- and practically brand new family home.- Right. OK.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05I'm not feeling the love.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10- It hasn't got that something. - It hasn't got the same wow factor.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14But you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16'Never a truer word spoken, Jim.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20'This property offers more space and less work so it's worth a look.'
0:22:20 > 0:22:22In you come.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- Come on, Jim.- Goodness me! This is lovely!
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- It's not what you expect.- No. - Follow me through here.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Now then, Marian...
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- Come on in. Don't be shy. - Wow! I like this.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- Yeah?- That's the size.- Yeah.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50Coming back to this idea of a family space that you can all enjoy.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- When you're all here en masse.- Yes.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56How many in total, when you're all in one place?
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- We're 11 at the moment.- 11.
0:22:59 > 0:23:05- Well, you would get 11 people eating in here.- Yeah, you would.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- Certainly would.- And share the experience of you cooking.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14- They could share the cooking even! - I'll do the washing-up.
0:23:14 > 0:23:20Look there, Jim. They've got a garden room attached on the side.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23This is a splendid garden room.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28I love the way the kitchen space, dining space and garden space
0:23:28 > 0:23:30all can be rolled into one.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34I'm thinking grown-ups in here, grandchildren playing in here.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- Everybody can keep an eye on everybody else.- Ideal.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41'I think that's a thumbs-up to the living space.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45'There are also practical rooms, including a utility,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49'a shower room, a gym - equipment not included - and a study.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54'Plenty of space to play with. Let's turn our attention upstairs.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58'There are four bedrooms, just what they wanted.'
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Come on in.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05This is currently the master.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07- Uh-huh.- OK.- It's nice.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10A couple of built-in units.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Pretty big. Loads of light.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- It doesn't have an en suite.- Ah.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- Not doing very well on en suites. - No.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- The box keeps getting unticked. - I'm really sorry, Jim.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28It doesn't have an en suite but it does have that.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- Is that a balcony? - Yes. Kind of an en suite!
0:24:32 > 0:24:37- Stand in the rain, I suppose! - With a hose.- Thank you, darling!
0:24:38 > 0:24:44- There.- There you go, Jim. Hosepipe. Hosepipe out here.
0:24:44 > 0:24:50This gives you a good chance to get a sense of what you get land wise.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53The last one had two acres.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58- This one has three.- Right.- Crumbs. - Which is effectively that.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03- Another big oblong plot of land. - That's good.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08- Really good.- And there is the rest of the county!
0:25:08 > 0:25:10- Spread out before you.- Ideal.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- Growing on you?- Yeah.- It is.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- Yes.- It's a slow burn, this one, but it's getting there.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- Maybe?- Yes, it is getting there.
0:25:19 > 0:25:26'Back inside, the other three bedrooms consist of one good sized double
0:25:26 > 0:25:30'and two singles, so Jessica and Gareth may need to draw straws!
0:25:30 > 0:25:34'They all share a modern family bathroom.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38'So, how about accommodation for the horses?
0:25:38 > 0:25:43'Outside, there's ample stabling and, with three acres of paddock,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47'plenty of space to keep them happy.'
0:25:47 > 0:25:52- We're bang in the middle of three acres.- Nice.- Not bad.- No.
0:25:52 > 0:25:58All this land is criss-crossed with a network of hacks.
0:25:58 > 0:26:04So you've got loads of opportunity to get out there riding,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08- literally on your doorstep. - Yeah. Ideal.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13The question is, how much do you love it? Jim, make me an offer.
0:26:13 > 0:26:19- I think it's got to be at least 435. - 435. Marian?
0:26:19 > 0:26:24- I was going to say that!- You can. - Am I allowed?- Yes.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28You have, presumably, agreed on some things in 38 years!
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- Yeah.- Every now and again.- We have.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33I had 435 in my mind all the way through.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36I'll let you agree because you're not far off.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40It's a direct comparison with our first one.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43This is on the market also for £450,000.
0:26:43 > 0:26:49- All right.- You get a newer build but you do get an extra acre.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- It's a lot to take on board. Go and imprint it on your mind.- Will do.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55- We'll catch up later.- Thank you.
0:26:55 > 0:27:01'Again, on the market at £45,000, this is £10,000 over budget.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04'As Jim and Marian are cash buyers,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07'they are in a strong negotiating position.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26'They've warmed up to it, but will first impressions last?'
0:27:26 > 0:27:28First impressions weren't good.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33When you went in, something just happened. I like it.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35I love the downstairs.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40I love the fluid way it flows from one room to the next.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Upstairs is a bit of a concern.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Not a great deal of opportunity to change a great deal.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49There's lots and lots to like.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54- What are we not liking? The size of the bedrooms? - Probably, that's about it.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59So, are the bedrooms big enough after all?
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- Well, yeah...- Probably, just about.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Ooh, yeah, maybe.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09- Look, we have given you lots to think about.- You have.
0:28:09 > 0:28:15In terms of satisfying the horse requirement, the thing that's driven this search, made it tricky,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19- we've got there on that score. - Absolutely.- Yes.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21- You can argue over the house.- Yes.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37'With the sun setting over the countryside, we're two houses down
0:28:37 > 0:28:42'and have given Marian and Jim plenty to consider.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50'Coming up next, it's mystery house time.'
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- The old school.- The old school. - Oh, right.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Great. I like it.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02'Will it pass with flying colours or go to the bottom of the class?'
0:29:04 > 0:29:08We have one more day of house hunting to go.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13Whilst yesterday went pretty well, Jim and Marian are celebrating.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18We haven't even got to the mystery house, so what's going on?
0:29:21 > 0:29:24'All will be revealed soon.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29We're heading south to the Suffolk-Essex border, Alphamstone,
0:29:29 > 0:29:33'just over an hour's drive from the grandchildren.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37'There is no shortage of colourful and characterful period homes.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39'Community spirit is thriving.
0:29:39 > 0:29:45'However, you get a lot less property to the pound than in north Cambridgeshire,
0:29:45 > 0:29:49'so there will be compromises to overcome.'
0:29:49 > 0:29:51This is a momentous day.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56Not because it's the mystery house, but it's your wedding anniversary.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58- It is.- Yes, it is.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03We've brought you much further south than yesterday.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08- Back to where it all started.- Yeah. A couple of miles down the road!
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- The mystery house is in front of you.- The old school?
0:30:12 > 0:30:14- The old school.- Right.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- LAUGHING:- Great. I like it.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20It's the mystery house!
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- Home-from-home. - It's Victorian. 1876.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26It finished being a school in 1934.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31I'm going to be up-front. It's not sat within loads of acres.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36- So horses will have to be accommodated elsewhere.- OK.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41In terms of giving you a very pretty, lovely family home
0:30:41 > 0:30:44in the heart of an interesting community...
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- Could be good.- Come on.- OK.
0:30:46 > 0:30:52'There is a livery five miles away, so that's the compromise.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56'This property is much closer to the grandchildren, at an hour's drive.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01'So is it going to get top marks from our teachers?'
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Come on into the old school.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08Grab the latch on the door, Jim. Look at this!
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- My goodness!- Wow!
0:31:11 > 0:31:16- That's seen some use. Hasn't it? - Lots of period features.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18They go on in here.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22- One of the reception rooms on offer. - Like the fireplace.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- That's working.- Super.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Lovely sash windows looking out onto the green.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33- You can see all village life. - Yeah. Nice.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38How about this?
0:31:38 > 0:31:43That's a bit unexpected! This is kind of open.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- I was expecting... Oh, that's lovely.- It has been opened.
0:31:46 > 0:31:52- Can you see this? It's been pushed that way in the last decade.- Ideal.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56It's lovely, isn't it? It's expansive.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00It goes on. A choice of sinks. Stainless steel one there.
0:32:00 > 0:32:06Belfast sink there. Then you've got this bay window arrangement.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11Then this garden room. We haven't got a separate dining room.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14- OK.- This is the most recent addition.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19You could go for a dining table in here.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22- Nice.- Yeah? "Nice"(!)- Yes.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24- How nice is nice?- OK.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28No, I like it. I do like this. I like this very much.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33- Jim?- It's got lots of possibilities. It's growing on me.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35'That's what I like to hear.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40'Also on this floor is a really spacious Victorian style bathroom.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42'Time to look upstairs.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46'We're delivering above requirements with five bedrooms.
0:32:46 > 0:32:53'On the first floor, two doubles, and there's a family shower room.'
0:32:53 > 0:32:57I'm going to suggest that this would be a guest room.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59It's one of the bigger ones on this floor.
0:32:59 > 0:33:04- It also has this lovely original... - Fabulous view.- ..sash.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06With original glass in it.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- Beautiful.- It does pack in a lot.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13- Yeah.- There's a lot to it.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18There's even more in the loft, because that is our master bedroom.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20- Ooh.- Follow me!
0:33:20 > 0:33:22Come and look at this!
0:33:28 > 0:33:30As you can see,
0:33:30 > 0:33:35they really have pushed the floor space out in every direction.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38- Oh, yes!- Oh, crumbs! - Not least up here.
0:33:38 > 0:33:39My goodness!
0:33:39 > 0:33:44- Interesting, isn't it?- Yeah. - Right in the roof line.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48- I think it kind of works. - Yeah, it does. It's lovely.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51It is a very clever use of space. Great floor.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54We haven't yet found an en suite.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59- I knew this was where it would be. - It's got half an en suite.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- Half an en suite?- A loo and a basin.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06It's closer than the rest.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- Not what you expected? - No, it wasn't.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14'That's it for the inside. Let's head outdoors.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19'We're not delivering on acreage in any way, shape or form.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22'So is this a compromise they can live with?'
0:34:24 > 0:34:27What you see is what you get.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- A little on the small side. - We have got chickens.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Fresh eggs.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37- So, that's our mystery house. - Lots of food for thought.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Well, the price is going to be an interesting one.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44This is a difficult one.
0:34:44 > 0:34:494... 450, like the others.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52450. Mm-hm.
0:34:52 > 0:34:58- I'm going to be optimistic and go a fraction lower.- 435 again.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00435.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- You are right?- Me?
0:35:02 > 0:35:06Absolutely spot-on. It's £450,000, just like all the others.
0:35:06 > 0:35:12We've really opened it up to give you a clear and direct comparison.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17- Absolutely.- What you get for your money and where you want to be.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Go back to school. I'll catch up with you later.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27'So the old schoolhouse is also on the market at...'
0:35:43 > 0:35:48'..For Jim's veg, the current owner pays £5 a year for an allotment.
0:35:48 > 0:35:54'Is this going to be an A-plus or a D-minus?'
0:35:54 > 0:35:58- It's lovely.- It's quite good. - I was surprised when I walked in.
0:35:58 > 0:36:04- I thought was a bit...- Enclosed? - Yeah. But this is really...
0:36:04 > 0:36:10- Lovely granite.- And a wonderful breakfast area at the end.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14I'm glad they chose three identical prices. It makes comparison easier.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19I guess it was something that we knew but it's been shown to us.
0:36:19 > 0:36:24- The further south, the less land we get.- Gosh! What are we going to do?
0:36:24 > 0:36:27BELL RINGS
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Come on!
0:36:30 > 0:36:34- Play time's over! - Is that the end of school?- It is.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- It's the end of term. - Great. School's out.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43- Come on down, Jim. You've been great sports.- It's been great fun.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47That's it. Three properties. Lots to think about.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Let's get you somewhere to think.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- At least we've got something to celebrate today.- Yes, we do.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Have we sold a house, I wonder?
0:37:08 > 0:37:12'North Cambridgeshire's flat expansive landscape
0:37:12 > 0:37:15'might not be to everybody's taste.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18'With the Fens producing 37% of the veg grown in England,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22'there's no denying their importance.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24'Just above sea level,
0:37:24 > 0:37:28'the wetlands of the Fens sit atop nutrient-rich peat
0:37:28 > 0:37:31'which, 400 years ago, led to them being drained
0:37:31 > 0:37:34'to shape the modern landscape.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38'As a result of drainage and intensive farming,
0:37:38 > 0:37:42'99% of traditional Fenland has been lost,
0:37:42 > 0:37:45'with just three major fragments remaining.
0:37:45 > 0:37:51'I met up with Louise Rackham of the Great Fen Project at Holme Fen,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54'the lowest point in the UK.'
0:37:54 > 0:37:59Why have you brought me to this iron post on the edge of this dyke?
0:37:59 > 0:38:02This isn't just an iron post, Jules.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07This depicts the whole story that the Fens is a changing landscape.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10This was put in by the landowner William Wells.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- He owned the Holmewood estate.- When?
0:38:13 > 0:38:15He put that in in the 1850s.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19He'd seen what happened to the rest of the Fens when drained,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22the shrinkage of the peat.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27He decided to put this post in the ground. Look at the top of that.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31That would have been on ground level.
0:38:31 > 0:38:37- So we've lost 15 feet or so? - Yeah, say four and a half metres.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41You would have been walking up there.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45Simply pulling that plug and draining the Fens
0:38:45 > 0:38:48caused that peat to shrink and oxidise and disappear.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53'Vanishing land means many wildlife species have disappeared.
0:38:53 > 0:38:59'It's part of one of the biggest conservation projects of recent years,
0:38:59 > 0:39:03'to restore and protect these natural habitats
0:39:03 > 0:39:08'by reclaiming farmland and joining the three Fenlands of Holme Fen,
0:39:08 > 0:39:10'Woodwalton Fen and Whittlesey Mere.'
0:39:10 > 0:39:17We're hoping to recreate 9,000 acres, 14 square miles,
0:39:17 > 0:39:19of a mosaic of wetland habitat.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24We own about 60% of the land. I want to bring it all alive.
0:39:24 > 0:39:30I want to show people that this is a fantastic area for wildlife, for people and for stories.
0:39:30 > 0:39:36- I want them to visit the Fens and see how amazing it is. - You're doing a great job!
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Thank you.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44At long last, it is decision time.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Jim and Marian started married life here in Suffolk.
0:39:47 > 0:39:55Where better to hear what they'll do with the rest of their lives than the glorious Kentwell Hall?
0:39:55 > 0:40:00One of the finest Elizabethan buildings of its kind in the country.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04As it's their anniversary, I thought we'd celebrate.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16Oh, no! Don't waste the champagne!
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- There we are! One for you. - Thank you.- One for you, Jim.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- Thank you, sir. - What I love about it
0:40:24 > 0:40:29is that we've been able to coincide our tours with your anniversary.
0:40:29 > 0:40:35- We've ended up back where it all started. - Yes, indeed we have.- In Suffolk.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40Now, question I'm dying to know is have we sold you one?
0:40:40 > 0:40:46We started up north with that double-fronted Edwardian villa.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Very impressed. Imposing, handsome, beautiful.
0:40:49 > 0:40:55Everything that we required on our wish list was probably there.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- The ground floor was fantastic. - You could just move in there.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04- And move the horses in straightaway. - Yeah. Absolutely. I liked that one.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08Then we took you to a property of a similar age but very different.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12Two old farm workers' cottages knocked together.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17It didn't appear to have character, but it opened up, didn't it?
0:41:17 > 0:41:22- Didn't it?- I loved the ground floor. The upstairs...?
0:41:22 > 0:41:29- You weren't sure about.- No. I felt the bedrooms were on the small side.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34But you got an extra acre. Plenty of space for the horses and stables.
0:41:34 > 0:41:39Lots of room outside. Lots of tack rooms and store sheds.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43- The mystery house. - I loved the location.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46It was the village green. Loved it.
0:41:46 > 0:41:53The space opened up - the kitchen, the breakfast room, the sun room.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56That was the most dynamic, as far as space was concerned.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00- The search goes on, I suspect. - I think so.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04Yes, I think so. I think so. I think...
0:42:04 > 0:42:09If I were to say I might make an offer on something,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12I'd be most leaning towards the Edwardian.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14The first one.
0:42:14 > 0:42:19We still have minor reservations about whether that is the property
0:42:19 > 0:42:22that gives the wow, buzz.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26But are you still convinced that the right property exists for you?
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- It's out there somewhere.- Yeah.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32It needs a little bit more looking for.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- The truth is out there!- Absolutely.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38It's been an absolute pleasure.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40Here's to you. Cheers.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42GLASSES CLINK
0:42:45 > 0:42:49I've left Jim and Marian finishing the champagne,
0:42:49 > 0:42:55contemplating the 39th year of married life that stretches out before them.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59We haven't managed to find them their ideal home.
0:42:59 > 0:43:05We gave them three interesting properties, all the same price, but very well spread.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10When it comes to location, you really do get what you pay for.
0:43:10 > 0:43:16Where's their dream home? I think it's further away than they thought.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18See you next time.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22'If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:22 > 0:43:28'Northern Ireland or England, then please apply online at:'
0:43:51 > 0:43:54Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd