0:00:01 > 0:00:04On first impressions, this building may appear fairly unassuming,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07but it has grand claims.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10It's the oldest wooden stave-built building in Europe
0:00:10 > 0:00:13and the oldest wooden church in the entire world.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16So ancient, in fact, that the oak trees used to build it
0:00:16 > 0:00:19would have cast shade over the Romans.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22So, which particular part of Britannica am I in today?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Join me and find out.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45Today's couple are hoping to swap a small two-bedroom flat
0:00:45 > 0:00:48for a spacious country home.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Every room in this house is bigger than the biggest
0:00:50 > 0:00:51room in our house, so yes.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54We're impressed. They have quite a list of must-haves.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Starting with land for their horses.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Horses are a huge part of your life,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04and now they're a huge part of your life as well. Whether he likes it or not.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06They'll be moving in with the in-laws,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09but who will get the en suite?
0:01:09 > 0:01:13I thought you wanted an en suite so you didn't have to share with your parents.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17I don't want to share with him! Right, now we're getting to it.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Today I'm in Essex, and this is Greenstead Church,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27hidden away here in the countryside since the 11th century,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30when the trees used to build these walls were felled.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33It may have changed over time, but at its heart is the timber nave.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Now blackened and weathered through age, it's still
0:01:37 > 0:01:41as the original craftsman would have built it some 900 years ago.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Stood here, it's hard to believe we are just 30 miles from London,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47but this part of Essex isn't the only part of the county
0:01:47 > 0:01:50that remains unchanged through modern times.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Sandwiched between Greater London
0:01:56 > 0:02:00and Suffolk in the south-east of England, Essex is a diverse county.
0:02:00 > 0:02:0470% of its land is devoted to agricultural use,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08and heading east, it has a coastline that stretches over 300 miles.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Essex turns into Constable country near the Suffolk border with gentle
0:02:13 > 0:02:17rolling hills, winding country lanes and small market towns, peppered
0:02:17 > 0:02:20with charming period buildings and the capital of Roman
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Britain, Colchester, boasts the largest surviving Norman keep
0:02:24 > 0:02:29in Europe and was the first royal castle to be built outside of London.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33It may be on the doorstep of London,
0:02:33 > 0:02:38but Essex has enough country properties to make the Big Smoke seem like a million miles way,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41and that's just what today's buyers today are hoping for.
0:02:41 > 0:02:42Let's meet them.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Today we are helping Simon, an IT analyst, and girlfriend Mandy,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50a self-confessed workaholic, to swap their hectic north London life
0:02:50 > 0:02:52for a fresh start in pastures new.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56I've been here for about nine years now.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00I've sort of outgrown the flat a bit. Mandy moved in.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Since we've got the dog, the place is not big enough.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08So their dog Charlie needs more space,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10but Mandy always wants her horses close by.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I haven't got a good work/life balance at the moment.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17I think that if the horses were at home, I would be at home more,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I would get to see Simon more and have a nicer quality of life.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22That's what I'm hoping for.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27Mandy own three horses, is a riding instructor and works at a livery.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31The question is, where does she want to be trotting off to?
0:03:31 > 0:03:37We have decided to move to Essex, mainly because of its location.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41It's not too far away, but it still offers a country feel.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45We are still going to commute to work, so Essex was centrally
0:03:45 > 0:03:48suited for my work in Enfield and Mandy's work in Leyton.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54That makes sense, but equestrian properties in Essex don't come cheap,
0:03:54 > 0:03:58so Mandy's parents will be making the move with them.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01That means we will need to find more space inside.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03What style of property are they after?
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Me, personally, I would like the house that
0:04:06 > 0:04:09when you drive up to it, it looks period-looking.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12When you get inside it has a modern feel.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I'm really hoping for more space in the next place.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Because it's too small here. I don't enjoy cooking.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Simon doesn't get a proper meal often enough, and unfortunately,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24microwave meals is often as good as it gets.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30OK, so a character property with a modern interior and a large kitchen.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34What else is on the menu? We really do need a detached house.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40Four bedrooms? Yep. Outside we're looking for two to three acres.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41Some outbuildings.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Stables, and some kind of exercise arena,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46menage, for the horses as well.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51With Simon, Mandy and Mandy's parents putting their properties
0:04:51 > 0:04:56on the market, what sort of budget are we looking at?
0:04:56 > 0:05:04Our maximum budget for this move would be ?575,000.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07According to the British Horse Society, the number of people
0:05:07 > 0:05:10owning a horse has doubled since the turn of the century.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15Now 2.8 million people own a horse. Little wonder then, that equestrian
0:05:15 > 0:05:19properties so close to London now come in relative high demand.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22So if we're going to find anything suitable for Mandy and Simon,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24something has to give.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27If it's not the budget, then maybe the compromise
0:05:27 > 0:05:29has to be the location.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Simon and Mandy need to commute to north London for work.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39So we are focusing our search around Colchester, as it has direct train
0:05:39 > 0:05:41links to London.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44We'll be viewing three properties without telling them the price
0:05:44 > 0:05:47until the end of the tour, the last of which is the mystery house,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50chosen to challenge our house hunters by encouraging them
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Good to be in the countryside? BOTH: Very nice, yes.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02So, horses are a huge, huge part of your life
0:06:02 > 0:06:05and now a huge part of your life, aren't they?
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Whether he likes it or not!
0:06:07 > 0:06:10So, how much land are you looking for for your horses?
0:06:10 > 0:06:18Realistically for my own three, around three acres, four acres, if possible.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21In future we would like to possibly run a business as
0:06:21 > 0:06:27a livery yard, so, then if that came into play, we would want more land.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Right, so budget-wise, how much are we talking about today?
0:06:31 > 0:06:36Anything up to ?575,000 we're looking for,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39but, obviously if you can get cheaper, even better.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44OK. That's a fair budget, but we are looking for quite a lot.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48How far our are you prepared to go from your search area?
0:06:48 > 0:06:51We understand that we might have to go further out.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53OK. The rain is starting to come down.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56The first house is lined up. Let's get there and see what you think.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05With a budget of ?575,000, Simon and Mandy are after a detached
0:07:05 > 0:07:08property with four bedrooms and a large kitchen.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Key to the search is finding acreage for the horses,
0:07:11 > 0:07:16and ideally they would like outbuildings to develop into stables.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Our first property is 11 miles from Colchester,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28near the village of Weeley.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30The impressive Grade II listed red brick church
0:07:30 > 0:07:34dates back to the 16th century and the local pub is said to have
0:07:34 > 0:07:37been a haunt of highwayman Dick Turpin.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40On the outskirts of the village, there are plenty of lanes
0:07:40 > 0:07:42and farmland to explore on horseback
0:07:42 > 0:07:46So the location should suit our enthusiastic equestrian.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Situated off an A road, the first offering is conveniently
0:07:49 > 0:07:54positioned for commuting but also benefits from a rural setting.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56I'm excited to see what you think.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02We decided to go big and hopefully beautiful. What do you guys think?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04I quite like the modern look, actually.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I like the red brick and the dark slate. It's a relatively new house.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Just over ten years old. Let's see what you think of the inside. Excellent.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Because this search needs to accommodate Simon, Mandy
0:08:18 > 0:08:20and her parents, space is key.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22This property has plenty.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27In here, I think you start to
0:08:27 > 0:08:29appreciate the sheer scale of this house.
0:08:29 > 0:08:35Hmm. It's quite big, isn't it? Blimey. It's a good size.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39You have your wood burner there as well. Yeah, really nice.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41So, The lounge is sizeable, and to the rear,
0:08:41 > 0:08:46the kitchen can certainly handle catering for four hungry adults.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Very nice. I'd actually WANT to cook in here.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52You even have an oil-fired range.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Yeah, I noticed that. There's something I'll show you next.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58I'm interested to see what you think of it, what you might do with it.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Now, obviously there is a bit of an anteroom here, office area.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Obviously this is the dining room, isn't it?
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Yes. At the moment, there is an unused annexe upstairs,
0:09:12 > 0:09:14a bit like a first-floor flat.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18You could incorporate this room and the room next door,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21with the upstairs of the annexe and almost have a semidetached house.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26Good. You do have builders on board, don't you? Yep, both dads.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Perfect, it keeps the cost down. Definitely.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33So let's have a look at the bedrooms as they are at the moment. Lead the way, Simon.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39The space keeps coming on this level with a boot room,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42a utility room and a downstairs shower room.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48This room is your master bedroom. We like or don't like? We like.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53Not sure about the wallpaper, but that can change.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58Strange shape. Quite a nice en suite? That is quite nice.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Every room in this house is bigger than the biggest room in our house.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06So, we're impressed. Well, it's a big house, there's lots to see.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Let's keep moving on. OK.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12The other two bedrooms are large doubles,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14and there's a single bedroom on this floor.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Outside, the property's surrounded by mature trees
0:10:17 > 0:10:19and a well-maintained garden.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22This move is all about the land for the horses.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Now I know we're stood in the middle of some land, but at the moment
0:10:27 > 0:10:30this land isn't included with the sale of the house. But from what you
0:10:30 > 0:10:35have seen, how much do you think it is on the market for at the moment?
0:10:35 > 0:10:40I would have said the top of our budget. 575. OK. Simon?
0:10:40 > 0:10:44I'll go a bit more. I reckon 580. Both good guesses.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45You're on the money.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49It started off life a year ago at 595. It's now been reduced to 575.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52OK.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55The reason we're here is because I have had a conversation with
0:10:55 > 0:11:01the owner, who is prepared to negotiate and talk about including some of this land.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05The owner of the house owns around 14 acres here,
0:11:05 > 0:11:10which includes those stable block. Right. Wow. OK.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Plus, you've also got other land there which might be getting
0:11:14 > 0:11:16sold off by a separate owner.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20OK. More than enough land for a livery business. Definitely.
0:11:26 > 0:11:26What's your thoughts?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28At the top of their budget, this house offers four to five
0:11:28 > 0:11:31bedrooms, depending on the configuration.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34There's a sizeable living room, a large farmhouse kitchen
0:11:34 > 0:11:37and a decent-sized garden.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40By separate negotiation, the land and the stables could be
0:11:40 > 0:11:45available for Mandy's horses, so I think we're off to a solid start.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49So, lots of options to consider. Yeah.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Now, to confuse you even more, time for the second property.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07One of the reasons buildings like Colchester Castle and the 12th-century Coggeshall Abbey
0:12:07 > 0:12:10were built using reclaimed Roman bricks
0:12:10 > 0:12:13was because Essex has very little naturally occurring stone.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18Sitting on an area known as the London bed, Essex may not have stone under its rolling hills,
0:12:18 > 0:12:24but it does have clay - the most important ingredient needed to make the humble, yet all-important brick,
0:12:24 > 0:12:28and the region is considered to be the country's historical centre for brick-making.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Bulmer Brickworks claims to be the oldest of its kind in England
0:12:31 > 0:12:36and for over eight decades, Peter Minter's family have been hand-making bricks that have
0:12:36 > 0:12:40helped restore buildings such as Hampton Court and Windsor Castle.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45So, right at the face of it here, now. Right at the face, yes.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47So what makes this clay so special?
0:12:47 > 0:12:50The minerals in there are helpful because they give us a range of
0:12:50 > 0:12:52colour, quite naturally.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55And where does this cut-away clay then go to?
0:12:55 > 0:12:59It's taken up to where we're going to be making, behind the mill,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02where we're preparing the clay for the makers.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06OK. And it's stored over winter. It's allowed to weather, which helps to break the clay down -
0:13:06 > 0:13:10part of the traditional process - and then it's used the following year.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Can we get closer to where it's happening? Of course. Lovely.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22The clay that we've seen dug is soaked with water, put in the
0:13:22 > 0:13:26back of this machine, which mixes it up into what we refer to as a pug.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29A pug? '300,000 bricks are made just like this every year.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'A tough job.'
0:13:32 > 0:13:33What's going on here?
0:13:33 > 0:13:36They're drying. They have to be almost perfectly dry
0:13:36 > 0:13:39before they go in the kiln, and you can't dry them too quickly.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42The whole nature of the process is that they want to be dried steadily.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49The firing of the brick must be perfect, otherwise all the previous processes have been a waste of time.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Peter, this has been absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Shall we let them get on and fill this kiln up?
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I think it'd be a good idea.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Our second property is in Little Clacton.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Two miles from a direct train to London,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08the village is well placed for our commuting couple.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Apart from the stunning 12th-century Norman church,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15the village also has a selection of character properties.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19There are plenty of bridleways and open tracks for Mandy and her horses
0:14:19 > 0:14:24to explore as well as a village shop for life's little conveniences.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27So, all in all, an attractive village, and an ideal
0:14:27 > 0:14:31location for our next house, a timber-framed character property.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Now, for both of you,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38a very different proposition to what you asked for.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43Now, start looking at the house here. Wow!
0:14:43 > 0:14:49First impressions of the house as you see it? Very nice. Yeah. Different.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Much different from the last one. Totally.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54This has hundreds of years on property number one.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57The original parts of the house are 16th century.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01It's got a Victorian extension to the back, much later addition
0:15:01 > 0:15:05being that conservatory, so it is a mishmash of styles.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Who'd like to live in a period property, or would you both like to?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11My mum and dad! Would they? Definitely.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Is this what they'd be imagining?
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Yeah. Yeah. This is it. Good. Let's take a look inside.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22This house may be more appealing to Mandy's parents,
0:15:22 > 0:15:27but unlike the first property, it does come with land for the horses.
0:15:30 > 0:15:36OK. So, very different proportions to the first house we saw this morning.
0:15:36 > 0:15:42Yes. Very different style. You've got all this timber everywhere,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44a nice big open fireplace with the wood burner.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48That's a nice feature, actually. As a size for a living room,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51it's not bad, is it? No, it's not bad.
0:15:51 > 0:15:57It's not that much. Actually, it's quite a bit smaller than my parents'. Yeah.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00It may not be the size they were expecting,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02but there is another reception room on the other
0:16:02 > 0:16:05side of the fireplace and also a small study and third reception room.
0:16:05 > 0:16:11Adding further to the living space downstairs is the conservatory.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16Clearly, a very recent addition to the house, but a welcome addition nonetheless.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18A bright room, yeah.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20I like this. It's nice. It is nice.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Big, isn't it? It is big but it's nice and light, isn't it?
0:16:24 > 0:16:28And it's in keeping with the rest of the house, which is really nice.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Now, there is work to be done in the kitchen. Follow me. Right. OK.
0:16:33 > 0:16:39'I think Simon and Mandy are starting to see the potential now, but they're not giving much away.'
0:16:41 > 0:16:44As it stands, you've got the dining room and a small kitchen there.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Yeah. It's quite small, isn't it?
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Yeah, you could have a couple of stools there and have a kitchen sort of diner.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Like a bar type. Yeah, bar type, yeah. Yeah.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55OK. You've got a door spilling straight out into the back garden.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58We won't go out there yet. OK. Right. Upstairs to the bedrooms. OK.
0:17:01 > 0:17:07'In all, there are a total of five bedrooms for Simon, Mandy and her parents to choose from.'
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Now, this is the biggest of the bedrooms. OK.
0:17:11 > 0:17:17This isn't as small as I thought it was going to be, actually, for this sort of house. No.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20It's quite nice. This is a unique shape, isn't it?
0:17:20 > 0:17:27You have a family bathroom on this floor and then a separate loo on this floor, OK? Right.
0:17:27 > 0:17:33My thoughts are, you might be able to make one of the other rooms into an en suite.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Oh, OK. That's an idea, isn't it? Yeah. OK? Let's keep going on.
0:17:39 > 0:17:45'The other four double bedrooms are all a good size, so Mandy's parents will be well catered for.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49'And outside, there's a triple garage and a two-acre garden.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53'But it's the land for Mandy's horses that's driving the move,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55'so we're going to explore what's on offer.'
0:17:57 > 0:18:02This part of the land measures apparently four acres.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04OK. More than you asked for, yeah?
0:18:04 > 0:18:06More than I asked for, that's good.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10How much do you think this one's on the market for?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13I would say around about 550.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18I'm going to go more. I'm going to go 560.
0:18:18 > 0:18:25Well, this house is on the market for offers around ?575,000. Oh, OK. OK.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29For ?575,000,
0:18:29 > 0:18:34this property comes with five bedrooms and four reception rooms.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Including the garden, there's a total of six acres,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39but will it be enough
0:18:39 > 0:18:42for Mandy's plans to create a livery in the future?
0:18:42 > 0:18:46So, hopefully today has given you plenty to think about. It has, yes. Yes.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51Let's find you somewhere to get your heads together and mull things over, shall we? OK.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03As day turns to night, Mandy and Simon will be considering
0:19:03 > 0:19:06all that they've seen on their first day of house-hunting in Essex.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13At the top of this search, we were told it was all about the land,
0:19:13 > 0:19:17which made yesterday's house tours all the more puzzling, really.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19The first house I got great reactions from,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22but it only had the potential for a couple of acres of land.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26And the second property sat in two acres with an additional
0:19:26 > 0:19:30four acres of land and, at best, the reactions were lukewarm.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33So for today and for the mystery property, we'll focus on
0:19:33 > 0:19:36the house itself, which is a bit of a gamble.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Our mystery house lies just outside the village of Gestingthorpe,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49the home of Captain Laurence Oates,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52one of the ill-fated companions on Scot's Antarctic expedition.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56In terms of architecture, the village has a prime example
0:19:56 > 0:19:58of a red brick church dating to Norman times,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01as well as a collection of typical country cottages.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04The local pub has a good reputation and our mystery house
0:20:04 > 0:20:07is just moments away.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08So, the mystery property.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Here she is. Very nice.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Yep. It is nice, isn't it? Yeah, gorgeous.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Built around 1988, at least most of it was.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20OK. So you like what you see? Yes, I do. Very much so, yeah.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23This property is the mystery house for good reason.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26It's the only house that gives you a genuine annexe. OK!
0:20:26 > 0:20:30A fully self-contained, straightaway you can move into it, or your parents could.
0:20:30 > 0:20:36The other reason why it's the mystery property is there is a compromise with the land.
0:20:36 > 0:20:37OK. All right?
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Let's have a look inside first, and we'll deal with the land after.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47It may lack acreage, but Mandy has said she prefers open-plan living,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50so the interior should be a pleasant surprise.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57Right, then. What do we think of this?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Nice, I like it. Open plan.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Nice kitchen...diner.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04It's very open plan, isn't it? Yeah.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06It's nice. I like that.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Cosy, but spacious at the same time.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13What it gives you is still defined living areas, haven't you?
0:21:13 > 0:21:18You've got this wonderful sitting room there with that wood burner. Nice. Very nice.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22And then you've got a big sweeping flow right through to the utility.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Really nice. A nice set-up, isn't it?
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Let's go over here, have a look at this kitchen.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33It's oak. The kitchen spreads out behind you. You can see where the range is.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34Oh, wow! Wow!
0:21:34 > 0:21:37I mean, this is genuine open-plan living.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39So, is that good, is that bad?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Yeah, it's nice cos obviously, if we're in together,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46I'm in the living room, she's cooking, we're still sort of close to each other.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Yeah, in our current property, we're often at opposite ends of the house almost, aren't we? Yeah.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55Brilliant, OK. Let's take a look next door. That's a really nice feature as well.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00'In the last property, the conservatory impressed, so the next room should be well received.'
0:22:00 > 0:22:02It's a great size.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Yep. You could eat out here as well, dining table...
0:22:04 > 0:22:06There's loads of room, isn't there?
0:22:06 > 0:22:08OK, good. Good reaction so far, hey?
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Yeah, I like it. Good. OK.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Let's take a look upstairs at the bedrooms, shall we? OK.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18'As predicted, the open-plan layout has gone down well.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22'Whilst upstairs, the floor plan is much more traditional.'
0:22:23 > 0:22:25This is the master bedroom.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28It's one of four on this level. OK.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Very nice. It's all right, isn't it?
0:22:30 > 0:22:33It's master because you've got an en suite bathroom...
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Nice. Plus, the other side of this wall, there's a family shower room.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40OK. So, that's mine and that's yours.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Yep. So now... Look how you're dividing it up! I thought you wanted
0:22:43 > 0:22:47an en suite so you didn't have to share with your parents?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I don't want to share with him. Right, now we get to it.
0:22:50 > 0:22:59I want you to look through your parents' eyes next, because we'll go into the annexe.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03'There are two more spacious double bedrooms and a large single in this part of the house.
0:23:03 > 0:23:09'The annexe has a separate entrance, but is also joined to the main house via the kitchen.'
0:23:11 > 0:23:16So, welcome to your parents' living quarters, if you like.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Yep. OK.
0:23:18 > 0:23:24It's ready to go, isn't it? It's split up at the moment into two flats.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29There's a bedsit below us and this forms a one-bedroom flat. Oh, OK.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32A nice little two-bedroom annexe.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Yeah. So, quite excited? Yeah. Good, OK.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43This house comes with planning permission to extend the annexe and that's reflected in the price.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Outside, the gardens are laid out over half an acre,
0:23:46 > 0:23:50and although there's no land for the horses, there are options available.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54There's no additional land at the moment. OK.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Now, there's a land owner that'd be prepared to lease you some land.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03OK. Seven acres in total, within a mile, but -
0:24:03 > 0:24:07there is a bonus there - you can get to the land. There's a bridleway.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10The back of these houses goes straight to the field, really.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14OK. OK? So, how much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:24:14 > 0:24:19You can go first!
0:24:19 > 0:24:25Um... I'm going to say, based on the fact it's planning permission as well, already, 570?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I'm going to go 580.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Split the camp - it's on the market for 575.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Oh, OK!
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Loads, also, to think about, then, not just for you guys but for your parents. Yes.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49Once again, we've found them a property on-budget at ?575,000.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54In the main house, there's an open-plan ground floor and four good-sized bedrooms.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58There's also an annexe and an option of land for the horses -
0:24:58 > 0:25:01a different proposition from our first two properties.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15We've shown Mandy and Simon three properties now, each giving them
0:25:15 > 0:25:19different options as regards to land and living accommodation.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Let's find out what they think.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Let's go through the properties one by one. The first house.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35You seemed to fall in love with it outside the front door, almost, didn't you?
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Yeah. Definitely had that wow factor.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40You looked at it and thought, "I can see myself living there."
0:25:40 > 0:25:44From the outside, inside, it was just big, it was spacious, it was light. It had everything to offer.
0:25:44 > 0:25:50It had the land across the road which was slightly detached but that worked for us, I think.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53The land was the variable, wasn't it?
0:25:53 > 0:25:57Yes. The potential for land with some shrewd negotiating.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02Yes. So, that afternoon we went to the second property,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04a period house.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09Yep. Not everybody's cup of tea and it looked like you had mixed emotions in there. What went on?
0:26:09 > 0:26:15It was a beautiful house, wasn't it? And it was set in a really pretty location, but...
0:26:15 > 0:26:18And even though it had five bedrooms, it just didn't feel big, did it?
0:26:18 > 0:26:22No, it didn't have the wow factor as the first one did.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25It had a nice conservatory. And with the land, because it was four acres,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29but also it was in natural land, with the trees and everything.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34It would have been quite a big job, I think, to uproot some of what needed to be done.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37So, you had a chance to sleep on things, and then it was the mystery house.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Always a little bit out there.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41What do you think about that now?
0:26:41 > 0:26:44That was a beautiful house as well, wasn't it?
0:26:44 > 0:26:49Yes. The fact that it's got an annexe, all ready to move in.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Two-bedroom, and it had got planning permission to extend...
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Yes, and in a nice village, nice setting.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Lots to like.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Obviously, the compromise with the house was the land. Yeah.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02But there's options there, isn't there?
0:27:02 > 0:27:06There's options, and I think we'd just have to do a bit of research ourselves, maybe,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10and see what land was available, and see what we could do with that, because we did like the area.
0:27:10 > 0:27:16So, you've two properties in the running, the first house and the mystery property?
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Yep. Well, look. What's next? Mum and Dad going to come up for a second viewing, are they?
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Yep, I think we'll come up together, arrange another viewing for both properties,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26and get an idea of what they think.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Well, I wish you the very best of luck.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Please let us know how you get on with it. We will.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33We will do. Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39I knew it wasn't going to be easy
0:27:39 > 0:27:44finding Mandy and Simon a property with all of their requirements, especially when you bear in mind
0:27:44 > 0:27:50their fairly limited budget in an expensive part of the world, but, as the sun goes down, I'm feeling
0:27:50 > 0:27:55pretty chuffed, because in making compromises, they found not one but two potential properties.
0:27:55 > 0:28:01So, fingers crossed Mandy's parents like at least one of them and they can settle on a clear winner.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03See you next time.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05If you'd like to escape to the country
0:28:05 > 0:28:07in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
0:28:07 > 0:28:10or England or even to the Continent, and need our help,
0:28:10 > 0:28:11please apply online at:
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:45 > 0:28:47This is Malcolm, who owns Iceland. He's the one
0:28:47 > 0:28:49that's going to present us with the ten grand. When we win it.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52You've just got to make it as bearable