0:00:02 > 0:00:07Today's county is associated with this type of hazelnut.
0:00:07 > 0:00:13These were a favourite with the Victorian and Edwardian hoi polloi, served with cheese and port.
0:00:13 > 0:00:19Where am I? Well, find out in an appetising Escape To The Country.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42'Today, we're attempting to find a new home for a bride and groom.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45'It's got to be something old, not new.'
0:00:45 > 0:00:48This isn't what you want. I don't think so.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51'Heart strings will be tugged in all directions.'
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Really making this difficult.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56'And there won't be a dry eye in the house.'
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Are you OK? Yes. It's beautiful.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Today, I'm in Kent, home of the Kentish cobnut.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Until the early 20th century, there were over 7,000 acres
0:01:09 > 0:01:13of cobnut plantations, or plats, throughout the UK.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Most of those were here in Kent.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Sadly, after the First World War, the industry went into decline.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23But the cobnut is having a comeback.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27In the last five years, nearly 200 acres have been replanted.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32These are far from the only things grown in the county.
0:01:32 > 0:01:38'For centuries, Kent has been a rural playground for city folk,
0:01:38 > 0:01:44'bordering London to the west, and to the east, 350 miles of coastline.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49'Kent became known as the "garden of England" during Tudor times.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53'Apple orchards were planted here in the 16th and 17th centuries.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59'Kent resident Charles Dickens gave a nod to the county in The Pickwick Papers.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03'Apples, cherries and hops all made an appearance.
0:02:03 > 0:02:09'Oast houses that were once used to dry hops are a familiar sight.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'Many of these old industrial Victorian buildings
0:02:13 > 0:02:17'have been converted into exclusive attractive homes.'
0:02:21 > 0:02:25But what are today's buyers after? Let's find out.
0:02:25 > 0:02:32Meet recently retired Major General Malcolm and fiancee Catalina, who works in green technology.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36Catalina lives in this two-bed terrace in a busy Surrey town.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Malcolm's house is an hour's drive away in Hampshire.
0:02:40 > 0:02:47With a wedding planned in months, the key thing missing from the wedding list is the marital home.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Catalina often works from home. I have commitments all over the place.
0:02:51 > 0:02:58We don't spending much time together so as soon as we can get our own place, make it ours,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01get together all the time, the better.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04And it's hard to find something for someone this tall!
0:03:04 > 0:03:09'At six feet six inches tall, space is a priority for Malcolm
0:03:09 > 0:03:11'when they cross the threshold.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16'And they have specific ideas about their preferred style of home.'
0:03:16 > 0:03:21We're looking for a very large hall space with beautiful oak-beam ribs,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24very high ceilings, a lot of history.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27It doesn't have to be in a perfect state.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30It can be an older barn that's yet to be made into this.
0:03:30 > 0:03:37I've been collecting tapestries and old master paintings for 20 years.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40This is a Flemish piece I'm looking at restoring.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44I can't hang it up properly, or the others.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46So it is a bit of a crisis,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49'Catalina has a passion for historic treasures.
0:03:49 > 0:03:56'Her current home is a 17th-century listed building. How does she feel about other styles?'
0:03:56 > 0:04:01Big no-nos for me would be modern. My skin would crawl. Really.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03Georgian is a bit too pompous,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07a bit too much for us - although I love it.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08It isn't where I want to live.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11'What about the outside space?'
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Now I've got a big piece of grass to cut, uphill.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20You're spending all the effort working, as opposed to enjoying it.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25So, if possible, I'd like to have, perhaps, a bit more wild of an area,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28not high-maintenance, but natural.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32And some sort of water, maybe a pond or lake? With ducks?
0:04:32 > 0:04:37'They've decided to relocate to Kent but, aside from its countryside,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40'why have they chosen this county?'
0:04:40 > 0:04:42I've got family ties in Hampshire.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48I've got three daughters in their 20s, two of whom live in London. Don't want to be far away from them.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52'Both of their properties are on the market.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57'What's the budget these nearly newly-weds have for their first home together?'
0:04:57 > 0:05:00?600,000, maybe to ?630,000.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Catalina is after something specific -
0:05:07 > 0:05:12a timber-framed historic building with a large open-plan living space.
0:05:12 > 0:05:19Whilst ?630,000 isn't to be sniffed at, these properties are in high demand.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23The good news is that we seem to be looking in the right area.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Traditionally, agriculture in Kent is done on a small scale
0:05:27 > 0:05:30and throws up a wealth of timber-framed barns.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35Hopefully, we should have plenty to look at.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39'Having to make trips into London for business and to visit family,
0:05:39 > 0:05:44'Malcolm and Catalina want to be within a reasonable commute.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47'Our search will take us around Maidstone.
0:05:47 > 0:05:53'We'll see some incredible properties, including a development opportunity,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57'but I won't reveal the price straightaway.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01'Finally, the mystery house promises to unearth
0:06:01 > 0:06:03'more than they'd bargained for.'
0:06:05 > 0:06:06This is a start of a new chapter.
0:06:06 > 0:06:12You're living in separate houses and are both coming together. Exactly.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18The budget was 630. Is that still the case? I'd hoped for that.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22To keep something in reserve for the project or daughters.
0:06:22 > 0:06:28But I realise we've had to push up a bit. 650, 670, if we're realistic.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33We've got properties to look at. Are you excited? Yes. Let's go. Thank you.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38'For a top budget of ?670,000,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42'Malcolm and Catalina haven't given us an extensive wish list,
0:06:42 > 0:06:44'but it is precise.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48'A detached historic property, preferably a barn,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51'with exposed timbers...
0:07:03 > 0:07:08'With that in mind, we're kicking off not far from Paddock Wood,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10'a popular bolt hole for commuters
0:07:10 > 0:07:15'situated eight miles southwest of Maidstone.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18'Our first property is situated close to a town,
0:07:18 > 0:07:24'is in easy reach of amenities and benefits from a great rural setting.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26'Let's see what our buyers think.'
0:07:26 > 0:07:31What do you think, Catalina? I don't want to speak before I get inside.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Let's get inside and find out some more, shall we?
0:07:35 > 0:07:39'Malcolm and Catalina are reserving judgment
0:07:39 > 0:07:43'on this beautiful two-storey 18th-century barn.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47'It was converted 20 years ago and has an unconventional layout
0:07:47 > 0:07:52'that places the open-plan living area on the first floor.'
0:07:52 > 0:07:55So what are we thinking?
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Very nice beams, as requested. There's some heritage there.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Got character.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Is it tall enough?
0:08:04 > 0:08:08That is still a potential Malcolm headache.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Yes. Probably.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13But I'd get used to one.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18It's if I was having to bob up and down. It's got a lot of light.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21There's a good sense of space.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27I'm looking forward to seeing the rest, to understand a bit better what could be done.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30'The vaulted ceiling and walls feature a wealth
0:08:30 > 0:08:35'of original beams that have been dated to the early 1700s.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39'The top floor is also home to the master bedroom
0:08:39 > 0:08:43'with exposed woodwork and an en suite shower room.'
0:08:43 > 0:08:46What do we think? Is it big enough?
0:08:46 > 0:08:49It's big enough. You've gone very quiet, Catalina.
0:08:49 > 0:08:56I kind of wanted something all on one level, like a big traditional barn with the height.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Then we could maybe add something on later or develop it slowly
0:09:00 > 0:09:05with other period barns, if we needed to. This is interesting.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09So many people like to go up or down a set of stairs to bed.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12This isn't what you want. I don't think so.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16'It's apparent that their vision for their dream property
0:09:16 > 0:09:19'is even more specific than we'd thought.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23'Let's get down to the ground floor to the kitchen.'
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Fabulous! Good and open.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30We like open. Mm. I like your reactions, then.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Catalina has a lovely long table which deserves to be used.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39In terms of visions, I saw this long table and everyone around it.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43So there's no room for that table here? We'd struggle.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46'To the opposite end of the ground floor
0:09:46 > 0:09:49'is the family bathroom and two bedrooms.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52'One is a single being used as an office.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55'The other is a double room with storage.'
0:09:55 > 0:10:01We've now see every room in the house. What do we think?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03It's a family home.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06It's been designed into little compartments.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11We were thinking maybe we could open up a bit more. Yes, exactly.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14'This is an historic and homely family property,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18'but it's clear that it's not delivering the right vibe.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20'Perhaps the beautiful garden
0:10:20 > 0:10:22'will be more to their liking.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25'There's a double garage with storage space.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30'The grounds are in terraced areas, with patios and water features,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32'which should be to Catalina's liking.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37This was a real surprise to me, the whole style of this garden.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42It's gorgeous. You like it? Yeah. It's lovely. Catalina likes water.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45A little piece of water flowing through it gently.
0:10:45 > 0:10:51How much do you think this house is on the market for? I'll say 620.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Higher or lower? Probably lower.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Probably lower? You're right.
0:10:57 > 0:11:03This house is on the market for offers around ?585,000. Gosh.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06'Very comfortably under budget at...
0:11:21 > 0:11:23'Dating back to the 18th century,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26'our first house delivers on period features,
0:11:26 > 0:11:31'but will it match their very particular requirements?'
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Shall we move on? Mm-hm. Good.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46'A crop that swept to popularity in the 19th century was a wild hazelnut
0:11:46 > 0:11:51'called the cobnut, cultivated in Kent as it could be easily transported to London.
0:11:51 > 0:11:57'By the mid 20th century, the Kentish cob was eclipsed by more exotic imported varieties.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00'Cobnuts grow in clusters
0:12:00 > 0:12:03'and are harvested by hand, as each nut
0:12:03 > 0:12:05'is individually inspected for quality.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'Product manager Catherine Robinson showed me the ropes.'
0:12:08 > 0:12:13It's pretty simple, really. You just shake the tree.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17What? As simple as that? You'll hear the nuts come.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19NUTS PATTER
0:12:19 > 0:12:22There they go. They're camouflaged!
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Yeah... Look. There's loads of them.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Why are people starting to eat the cobnut now?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32People are looking for locally sourced food.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36They're the only type of nut to be commercially grown in the UK.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40If people want local produce, nuts, they're looking at cobnuts.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44'But nutcracking is a very seasonal trend,
0:12:44 > 0:12:51'so this farm has diversified by tapping into a market where cobnuts can be savoured all year round.'
0:12:51 > 0:12:53We designed a machine
0:12:53 > 0:12:57to crack the shells, to get the kernel out,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01then once we have nut kernels, we roast them and press them for oil.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03These have been pressed for oil. OK.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06So, may I?
0:13:06 > 0:13:09See what you think of the taste. Lovely colour.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11It is a lovely golden colour.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Mm, that's... That would rival any olive oil I've had.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22It's very tasty. Mm. Very good for your skin.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25It's full of vitamin E, B vitamins and no cholesterol.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29'No wonder that demand outweighed supply this year.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33'The future looks bright for a successful revival
0:13:33 > 0:13:36'of this tasty Kentish treat.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44'It's back to the house hunt to see if I can unearth their perfect property.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47'They may be unfazed by a bit of work,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51'but how will they feel about starting from scratch?
0:13:51 > 0:13:54'We'll find out at our second destination,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58'the village of Bredgar, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01'Surrounded by hills and woodland,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05'Bredgar has a 13th-century Norman flint church and a farm shop
0:14:05 > 0:14:07'with a post office.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11'We're upping the space stakes with our next property
0:14:11 > 0:14:16'in the centre of the village, but it's not much to look at - yet.'
0:14:20 > 0:14:24So... The lady wanted a barn. CATALINA GIGGLES
0:14:24 > 0:14:29Is this barn big enough? It's incredible. I can't believe it!
0:14:29 > 0:14:34That's the size. It's about 2,500 square foot inside.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36It is massive.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38This is very tempting. Let's look.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Come over this way.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Our boundary... comes to this corner.
0:14:43 > 0:14:49You're on the corner of your plot. Everything that way is yours.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Does it have planning to become residential?
0:14:51 > 0:14:57Or is that a question mark? No. That's a full stop. It has planning. Wow.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Happy? Yes.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03It's probably a ruin inside and his face will drop.
0:15:03 > 0:15:09Suddenly, it's a longer term project, not a walk-in and live-in. Let's do one thing at a time.
0:15:09 > 0:15:15'They're both more animated outside this historic agricultural barn
0:15:15 > 0:15:20'than at our first property, and I'm certain Malcolm's height won't be an issue.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24'But has it got the potential to fit Catalina's vision?'
0:15:24 > 0:15:29CATALINA LAUGHS Wow! What do you think?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Big enough?
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Speechless?
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Tears. Are you OK? Yeah.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37MALCOLM LAUGHS
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Are you OK? Yes. It's beautiful.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44So...how old is this?
0:15:44 > 0:15:50It's mid 16th century. It's a real piece of Kent history.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55All the beams are from then. Yeah. This was a threshing barn.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58The more you look at it, hopefully,
0:15:58 > 0:16:04the more you can see the useable space, the very rare opportunity
0:16:04 > 0:16:07to get an untouched barn with that big space.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11It's a little bit intimidating as to where you would...
0:16:11 > 0:16:13start!
0:16:13 > 0:16:16It does look in very warm condition.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Honestly, this is not as rotted as you might have expected.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25I see some tidying and things that have been done, but done well.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28The barn is listed. Mm-hm.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32So you can't cut a beam to put a window in. Don't want to. Good.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35So you've got long slatted windows.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40'Catalina's full of great ideas of what to do here.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45'I can almost hear the cogs turning as she mentally creates a home.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49'It covers an enormous footprint which, I suspect
0:16:49 > 0:16:52'is a daunting prospect for Malcolm.
0:16:52 > 0:16:58'I've brought architect's plans, which should help them configure the massive interior.'
0:16:58 > 0:17:01This is the proposed layout. Just proposed.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Look at these words! "Open-plan living space"!
0:17:04 > 0:17:07I saw that straightaway!
0:17:07 > 0:17:11They've got it open plan at one end.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Then your three bedrooms at the other end.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18You should be able to change this.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21It should give you an idea
0:17:21 > 0:17:24of what you might want to put where.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29One thing the planners might stipulate on keeping is the porch.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32All glass. Of course. There's a doorway here.
0:17:32 > 0:17:38So...2,500 square foot of useable living space
0:17:38 > 0:17:41all wrapped up in a lovely-looking barn.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45You know what's coming, don't you? Guess the price.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Let's have a look at it.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52I always have to go first, don't I? I have no idea, really.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56300? 350?
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Let's say 350. 350,000.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01OK. Higher or lower?
0:18:01 > 0:18:05That's all you have to say. Maybe a bit higher. I don't know.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Well... It's in very nice condition. It is.
0:18:08 > 0:18:14Though there's a lot of work, hundreds of thousands of pounds to make that suitable.
0:18:14 > 0:18:20But, Malcolm, I take my hat off. It's on the market for ?350,000.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25That's a pretty good guess! It was a guess, though.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Trust me.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32'For ?350,000, our second offering is substantially under budget.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37'But at the same time, it needs a huge amount of money, time and TLC
0:18:37 > 0:18:39'to turn it into their dream home...
0:18:52 > 0:18:57'With a basic refit estimated at about ?150,000.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02'The prospect of the work is enough to reduce most people to tears.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05'Fortunately for our buyers, theirs are tears of joy.'
0:19:05 > 0:19:10All done in here? Yes. All inspired? All planned out?
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Thinking it through. Lots to think about.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16It's almost the end of the day. Let's find somewhere to warm up. OK.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24'With the sun setting
0:19:24 > 0:19:28'on a day of high emotion, excitement and apprehension,
0:19:28 > 0:19:33'the first day of our property quest comes to an end.'
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Yesterday was a roller coaster, but I think it ended on a high.
0:19:37 > 0:19:43Today, we show them the mystery house, which often surprises our buyers.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47I hope they're not expecting another barn conversion.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49'Time we challenged their preconceptions
0:19:49 > 0:19:52'about an alternative architectural period,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56'just under a mile from the village of Cooling.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01'Surrounded by traditional farmland, Cooling has a public house,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03'a 14th-century castle
0:20:03 > 0:20:08'and a 13th-century church believed to be the setting of Pip's encounter
0:20:08 > 0:20:12'with Magwitch in Dickens' Great Expectations.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15'The house is a Grade II-listed farmhouse
0:20:15 > 0:20:17'built during the reign of William and Mary.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20'This early Georgian neoclassical style
0:20:20 > 0:20:23'is the type of property our buyers described as pompous.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28'It's full of gems that I hope will deliver an historic authenticity
0:20:28 > 0:20:30'that they'll both appreciate.'
0:20:30 > 0:20:36This property was built around 1700, so we've got a lot of history.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Always been a farmhouse. Excellent.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Let's take a look. OK. OK.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45'Intrigued by its 300-year-old pedigree,
0:20:45 > 0:20:49'let's find out whether what lies beyond the facade excites them,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53'starting in the first of two elegant reception rooms.'
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Let's talk dining tables. BOTH LAUGH
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Yes, it could fit! You've got space, you've got beams.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04It's tall, isn't it? It's a good height. You're right.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09This has almost been modernised a bit too far for your tastes.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Would you say that's fair? Yeah.
0:21:12 > 0:21:18Could you bring this back? The history's there, isn't it?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Is it one layer underneath or a bit deeper?
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Is it listed? It is. Grade II. Only II.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27There might be bits and bobs you can do internally.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31'Across the hallway, the second reception room is presented
0:21:31 > 0:21:34'as a sitting room with a fireplace.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36'What do they make of the kitchen?'
0:21:36 > 0:21:39That is absolutely original.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Look at that. It's lovely.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45I would put the table in here. Great.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50What they've done is to retain this more as a reception room.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53They've got the nuts and bolts of the kitchen next door.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57You'd at least keep it as a working utility.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Get all your white goods out there, non-period items.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06Keep this pretty much as it is. It's a lovely room.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09This is a beautiful view, too.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12'Catalina and Malcolm are starting to appreciate
0:22:12 > 0:22:14'the character of this house.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17'We head through to the hallway to the first floor,
0:22:17 > 0:22:22'where the family bathroom serves four bedrooms.
0:22:22 > 0:22:28'At the back are two double bedrooms with fireplaces and sash windows.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30'The smallest bedroom sits at the front
0:22:30 > 0:22:34'and is another double with dark timber floorboards,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37'which are also a feature in the largest bedroom.'
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Ah!
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I thought you'd like the floorboards. Original floorboards.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Painted dark chocolate but that's not a problem.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52'Catalina and Malcolm are warming to the mystery house.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56'But I've got a surprise that should turn up the heat another notch.'
0:22:56 > 0:23:01You don't mind getting on your hands and knees? Let's have a look.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05Look at this staircase. Oh, my gosh! It's untouched.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10Come in. Mind your heads, especially you, Malcolm.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14CATALINA GIGGLES Oh, my gosh!
0:23:14 > 0:23:17If you were a fan of timbers... LAUGHTER
0:23:17 > 0:23:19It's phenomenal. A lot of new work.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23How many fireplaces? Two. That's incredible.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27You've both got quite wry smiles.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Haven't you? Looking at this!
0:23:29 > 0:23:34Cos we're going to have to give joined-up views in a minute. Yeah.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37'The untouched open plan second floor
0:23:37 > 0:23:40'is full of possibilities, subject to planning,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43'and has given them food for thought.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47'We weave our way down the two sets of stairs to check out the garden
0:23:47 > 0:23:50'or - dare I say? - grounds.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55'The land is mainly laid to lawn with a pond bordered by flower beds
0:23:55 > 0:23:57'and a weeping willow.'
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I can't believe I'm apologising for the amount of land.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03One and a half acres. Oh, gosh!
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Cos I said my lawn-mowing days were behind me? Yes.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09What do we think of the house?
0:24:09 > 0:24:13It definitely deserves restoring. It's stunning.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17It's got a lot of heart, some beautiful features. OK.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21So, tough question but I've got to ask it.
0:24:21 > 0:24:22How much is it on the market for?
0:24:22 > 0:24:25I'm going to say ?680,000.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29OK. 680. A bit more, I think. A bit more? Mm.
0:24:29 > 0:24:36Then you'll both be pleasantly surprised. Oh! It's on the market for ?625,000. What?
0:24:38 > 0:24:42It's a beautiful property. A lot to think about.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47'At ?625,000, this extensive period mystery property
0:24:47 > 0:24:50'is again well under budget.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54'Stately yet simple, the house is full of historic charm...
0:25:06 > 0:25:11'You get a lot for your money with a little left over for remodelling.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16'Would they take on a classical property rather than a Tudor barn?'
0:25:16 > 0:25:18So, that's three properties.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23Let's find somewhere for you to have a sit down and a chat.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34After three properties, I clearly got the best reactions from the barn conversion project,
0:25:34 > 0:25:39but I do think the mystery house gave them something to think about.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Let's find out what they want to do next.
0:25:45 > 0:25:51I thought I'd bring you to one of the county's most famous buildings, Leeds Castle.
0:25:51 > 0:25:58It started off fairly challenging. A barn conversion already converted.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00On reflection, not for you guys.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Loved the garden. Nice family home.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06The way the space was used
0:26:06 > 0:26:10probably means we're unlikely to follow up on that one.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14The second property certainly gave you an open-plan layout!
0:26:14 > 0:26:17But that's all it gave you!
0:26:17 > 0:26:20I can't believe you got the depth and width.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Beautiful beams. Really left as is.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Hopefully, we can look very carefully at that detail
0:26:27 > 0:26:31and try to enhance it rather than ruin it.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33I'm being the practical one.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37I'm, as I said before, both excited and daunted in equal measure.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42That was a great end to a day. This morning, the mystery house
0:26:42 > 0:26:45gave you something very different.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49There were some beautiful heritage pieces, honest to God.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Someone will fall madly in love and treasure that.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56The favourite is the barn project.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00What do you want to do about that? We want to follow up on it.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03You showed us some interesting plans but that's one version.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06There's enormous potential there.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09It's such an exciting project.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12You look like you can't wait to get your hands on it. I can't.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17Very few people protect the fabric and integrity of a building.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22And it's small enough for us to get our arms around it and keep going.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24It has a lot of benefit.
0:27:24 > 0:27:30It could be falling into the right hands. Let us know how you get on. I wish you the best of luck.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Thank you for looking after us so splendidly.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40Quite a fitting location after spending time
0:27:40 > 0:27:45with a couple who are passionate about England's historic buildings.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48By choosing the barn-conversion project,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52they could well be putting their money where their mouth is.
0:27:52 > 0:27:57We wish them both the very best of luck. We'll see you next time.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00'Malcolm and Catalina went back for another viewing
0:28:00 > 0:28:05'and are currently in consultation with the agents.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08'If you'd like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland, Wales,
0:28:08 > 0:28:13'Scotland or England, and need our help, please apply online at:'
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