0:00:02 > 0:00:06From this windmill, I can see miles of flat fields, waterways and dykes,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10and if it was spring, there would be no shortage of tulips.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12So where am I? Have we gone Dutch?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Join me in a moment to find out.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31In today's show, I'll be helping a couple who are in search of pastures new,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34not only for them, but for their 13 horses,
0:00:34 > 0:00:38and it looks like we've got an emotional house search on our hands.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- Oh, I think I'm filling up, actually.- Already?
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- Yeah, I feel all tearful. - We've only just got started, Dawn.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46And our mystery house just makes matters worse.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- It's even bigger than the last one. - Oh, wow.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53No, it's not the Netherlands.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Today I'm in Lincolnshire,
0:00:55 > 0:00:57and this is the Sibsey Trader Mill.
0:00:57 > 0:01:03Built in 1877, it's one of only three six-sail mills left in the country.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05So what is the Dutch connection?
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Well, back in the Middle Ages, this part of the county was called Holland.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11And just like its continental namesake,
0:01:11 > 0:01:15it's mostly made up of fenland, so barely above sea level.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Over the centuries, most of this land has been drained
0:01:18 > 0:01:21to reveal some of the richest arable land in England.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27And Lincolnshire produces more fresh produce than any other county in the UK.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Spanning 2,200 square miles,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Lincolnshire is the second largest county in England after Yorkshire.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37It's an area chiefly defined by its agriculture,
0:01:37 > 0:01:42with food production and farming contributing around £1 billion to the local economy.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46And windmills such as the one at Sibsey are not the county's only towering landmarks.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49What with the magnificent Burghley House near Stamford,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53overlooking gardens laid out by Capability Brown.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58And with a vast rural landscape stretching from the Fens in the south
0:01:58 > 0:02:00to the undulating Wolds in the north,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02it's easy to see why aspiring escapees
0:02:02 > 0:02:05would seek out a rural bolt-hole here.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Like most other parts of the country,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15the Lincolnshire property market has taken a nosedive in recent years,
0:02:15 > 0:02:21and the east of the county has seen the biggest percentage drop in number of house sales during the recession.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Laws of supply and demand mean that prices have been kept at bay here.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28The average detached house costs £178,000,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32and that's £82,000 less than the national average.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33So if you're after a bargain,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36take a look at what's available on the market right now.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Priced at just shy of £295,000,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44this three-bedroom Victorian cottage in Tattershall Thorpe
0:02:44 > 0:02:46has been sympathetically restored,
0:02:46 > 0:02:50with feature fireplaces throughout its stylish kitchen diner and living room.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54And there's plenty of space outside, as the grounds total two acres.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59This handsome four-bedroom, Grade II listed manor house in Halton Holegate
0:02:59 > 0:03:02could be yours for £395,000,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06with high ceilings and large sash windows a running theme
0:03:06 > 0:03:08in its grand reception rooms.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Outside there's a raft of outbuildings and two acres of grounds.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Or what about this four-bedroom barn conversion in Thirlby
0:03:15 > 0:03:18on the market for £500,000?
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Its interior has been impressively modernised,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24with doors leading out to the terrace and lovely gardens beyond.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29A bumper crop of houses to be had here in Lincolnshire.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34But what are today's property shoppers hoping to bag? Let's find out.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Jim works in shipping insurance, and Dawn runs a local radio station.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42They've lived in their four-bedroom house on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent
0:03:42 > 0:03:44with their two children for ten years.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48But now they're saddling up to make the leap to Lincolnshire.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53The main reason we want to move is to get some land for the horses.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55I have 13 horses at the moment.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Most of them are ill or old, so they need supervision,
0:03:59 > 0:04:05and I currently rent nine acres which is a few miles down the road,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09and to actually be able to keep an eye on my horses,
0:04:09 > 0:04:14it would just be so wonderful just to have them on site with us.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And now that Jim has changed jobs
0:04:17 > 0:04:19and he actually works from home,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22that has given me the opportunity to actually say,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24"Well, now is the time to move."
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Because housing the horses is so important,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30they're prepared for the family home to take second place.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33In the new house, there are two main priorities.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37It needs enough land, at least ten acres, but preferably more,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and there needs to be enough space for my office,
0:04:40 > 0:04:45either inside the house or as an outbuilding that I can convert into an office.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Four bedrooms, obviously,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50because moving away, we'd need the spare bedroom for guests.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Yeah, four bedrooms, two bathrooms.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Stables would be a bonus so we didn't have to build them.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59I'd like a large family kitchen
0:04:59 > 0:05:05so that we can all congregate in there to eat our family meals.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09And the property we're living in is quite unique. It has character.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13We'd like something that, um, is completely different,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15whether it be an old farmhouse...
0:05:15 > 0:05:21My dream would be oak beams and open fireplaces, really cosy.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Yeah, farmhouse. Character farmhouse.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25They seem to agree on the wish list,
0:05:25 > 0:05:27but differ on the location.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29I would like to be no near-neighbours
0:05:29 > 0:05:31because I've got the horses,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34they can be quite noisy sometimes,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36early starts in the morning,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40but I think you'd like something a little bit more into a village
0:05:40 > 0:05:44so that you can have a stroll to the village shop and get your paper.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Yeah, and the kids are getting of age
0:05:46 > 0:05:49where I don't want to be a taxi for the next five years.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51And with so many factors at play,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54their property search has so far come up short.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59We've viewed about five houses over the last six months.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- Yeah.- And some of them have had the perfect amount of land
0:06:04 > 0:06:06and the perfect layout with stables,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08but the house has not been right.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11It's been too small or too new.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15And then some of the houses have been beautiful,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18but then the land has been too small.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19We're quite picky.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Jim and Dawn already have their house on the market
0:06:22 > 0:06:24and are hoping to sell for £450,000.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28So with that in mind, how much do they have to spend on this move?
0:06:28 > 0:06:31We've discussed budget,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34and realistically our budget is £500,000.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Half a million, give or take, in this corner of the country,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43is a fantastic budget,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47and if we only had to find a spacious character property,
0:06:47 > 0:06:48then we would be home and dry.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54But it's never that easy, is it? No, we also need ten acres and stabling.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57If you add to the mix two self-confessed picky house-hunters
0:06:57 > 0:07:01who can't even decide whether they want a village or a rural location,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04well, I think we've got an interesting ride ahead.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08We'll be focusing our house search
0:07:08 > 0:07:10in rural locations around Boston in the south,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12and Lincoln further north,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15both with great schools within a 30-minute drive for their children.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19We've lined up three very individual properties to show them,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23but I'm staying tight-lipped on the price until they've had a guess.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25And the finale will be our mystery house,
0:07:25 > 0:07:31which will challenge their criteria, but could give them a property that towers above the rest.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- Oh, it is a gorgeous morning, isn't it?- It is, yes.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39You've come to Lincolnshire where there's an abundance of land,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42and it is a lot cheaper than the rest of the country.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44But still, you are asking for quite a bit.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47So how much money do we have to play with?
0:07:47 > 0:07:51Um, we've talked about this. We'd like to limit at £500,000,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53but if you found the perfect property
0:07:53 > 0:07:57and it was £525,000 or £530,000,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I suspect I would come under some pressure.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02But if there was the right livery there
0:08:02 > 0:08:05and we could make the difference, it's a possibility.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Obviously we'll do our best to get what you need,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10but knowing you're willing to go that bit further
0:08:10 > 0:08:14to get exactly what you need makes my job a little bit easier.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Wonderful.- Shall we go and look at some houses?- Yes, please.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20For a budget of £500,000,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Jim and Dawn are looking for a quirky character property
0:08:23 > 0:08:25with a large, family kitchen diner.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Besides the requisite four bedrooms,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31a must-have for Jim is an office, as he mostly works from home.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35However, it's the outside space which is paramount to this search.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Seven to ten acres, and stabling would be a bonus.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45What about the house? How much do you care what that's like, or is it all about the land?
0:08:45 > 0:08:47We do quite like quirky, don't we?
0:08:47 > 0:08:54We do, yeah. Two up, two down, that's not going to reach the spot, I'm afraid.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56So "quirky" for you means unusual?
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Just unusual, yeah. I don't think there's anything in particular.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03I wouldn't say we particularly want a Georgian house
0:09:03 > 0:09:05or we particularly want a thatched cottage.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09We want something that is slightly out of the ordinary,
0:09:09 > 0:09:15but it doesn't really matter in which way it's out of the ordinary.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Let's see what they make of our first house,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20as we search in the village of Sibsey,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22set in the heart of the Fens,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26and served by a local pub and parish church.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30Its rural heritage is reflected in the many farmhouses dotted about,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33and the trader mill isn't the only one in the village,
0:09:33 > 0:09:38as our first property is a Grade II listed flour mill built in 1823.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- You wanted quirky.- Oh, I love it.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44How's an old windmill for you?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Oh, that's breathtaking, isn't it? - Yeah, I like that.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- That's lovely.- I'm... Oh, I think I'm filling up, actually.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- Already?- Yeah, I feel all tearful.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- We've only just got started, Dawn. - It's lovely.- Really?
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- Mm. Yeah, sorry.- No, don't be sorry.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- No, it's lovely.- What is it? - It's a windmill.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Is that like your wish, your dream?
0:10:04 > 0:10:08It's just absolutely beautiful. I just didn't expect that.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09It's... It's lovely.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12That's an amazing start, that's a great start.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17- What about you?- No, it's nice, isn't it? Yeah, lovely. It's perfect.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20You might not be able to tell,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23but the house which is sitting next to the windmill,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25was only built ten years ago.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Just ten years ago? It's been done perfectly,
0:10:27 > 0:10:32just to fit in, and obviously you can see so much care and attention
0:10:32 > 0:10:35has been taken to get it right.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37You know, just overwhelming, really.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Wow! The character exterior of our windmill conversion
0:10:41 > 0:10:43has a resounding thumbs up.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Let's hope they're equally charmed by the inside.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Come through and have a look at the first reception room.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- What do you think of this? - Isn't it great?
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Oh, look, they've even put beams in, and look at the view, Jim.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57That's really nice.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01See your horses from here while you're having breakfast or dinner.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03What a dream.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Size-wise, I know we're downsizing.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07For a dining room, how does this work?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09This is absolutely perfect.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Let's see if the kitchen further down the hallway
0:11:12 > 0:11:14captures their imagination.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15Right, come on in.
0:11:15 > 0:11:21Recently done in the last couple of years. But what do you think?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Look, a range.- This is nice.- Yes.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27Where are the appliances? Are there any appliances?
0:11:27 > 0:11:29They've got this lovely layout where they're hidden,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32so you do have a fridge and dishwasher,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34but you have a utility room over there,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37which is where your other white goods are.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39This kitchen is the perfect size for the moment
0:11:39 > 0:11:41so it's good, it's all good.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- Do you agree?- Yep, no, I agree.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- I'm counting. I think that's the third perfect.- All ticks.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51They seem to be taking the notion of downsizing seriously, which is great,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55but will the quirky dimensions of the living room work for them?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57So, we're into the windmill now.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Oh, wow.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- Come on through.- Look at this.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03It's a round room.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- It's great, isn't it? - It's got real character, hasn't it?
0:12:06 > 0:12:09So now we've seen the downstairs, pretty much,
0:12:09 > 0:12:11this would be your main living area.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13You wanted two reception rooms.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17You've got a dining room and here. Would that work for your family?
0:12:17 > 0:12:19I think so. I don't see why not.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20This is a nice size.
0:12:20 > 0:12:26- Another reception room would have been good, but size-wise, it's fine, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Hopefully, that positive, pragmatic approach will continue upstairs,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33where there are the four bedrooms that they're after.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Now, this is the master.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37Look at the view, Jim.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Oh, that's incredible.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Yes, look at that. Triple aspect again.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44It's a nice size.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Smaller again. Not that much smaller, though.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48Not that much smaller.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52You do have an en-suite just here. Just poke your head in.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- It's an en-suite shower room. - Oh, that's perfect, yes.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- Good.- Everything we need there.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03You've got your own private bathroom, looking out onto the wonderful views.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- Incredible.- Waking up in the morning, peeping your head out,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09"What are they up to? Oh, OK, then."
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Keep your eye on your horses.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- That is your dream, isn't it? - It is. I'm living the dream now.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- It is the dream, though. It really is.- Definitely, yeah.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24The other three bedrooms include two singles next door to each other,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26with a family bathroom opposite.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29And at the end of the landing, we go round again.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33We are back in the windmill.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- Oh, yes.- Jim, look at this.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37It's your study.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- What do you think of this, then? - Come on up.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42That's nice.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Obviously they've been using this as the study.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49But you have got another level up, and that's a double bedroom up there.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51So that's how they've organised it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Is this big enough for your study?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57It's tight.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01It's tight for my study. It would make a great kids' den, though.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03A sort of TV room for the kids.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06If there was a bedroom upstairs there for guests,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and this is then the kids' den.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12So compromising on their bedroom sizes might not be such an issue
0:14:12 > 0:14:15if they've got their own den, playroom.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17It's something for you to think about.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20What's important now is that we get back outside,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23have a look at that land, and get back to the horses.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Yes, yes, get back to them.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Outside, beyond the immediate garden,
0:14:30 > 0:14:34the yard provides perfect accommodation for Dawn's horses
0:14:34 > 0:14:37in the five stables with an adjoining hay stall.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40What's more, there's an outbuilding currently used as a workshop,
0:14:40 > 0:14:42which Jim could convert into an office.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47So let's survey the land which could be theirs and think about the price.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52Right, eight and a half acres in total, all laid out for paddocks.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Look at this. It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Pretty much everything you can see fenced is yours.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- You've even got an all-weather outdoor arena.- That's marvellous.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03That would be well used.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07So, this is it. We've come to the end of the house tour,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09and you know what happens next.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Yeah, you're taking a big, deep breath.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15We need to work out how much this property would cost you.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19I'm guessing it's close to the top end of the budget.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21OK, well, give me a number, Jim.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23£495,000.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27I would go more than that at £515,000, I would say.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- £515,000.- £515,000, yes.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- I'll put you out of your misery. - Go on.
0:15:31 > 0:15:37This property is on the market for £539,950.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39So it's over your top end of your budget.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Yes, it is.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44What's interesting, it's been on for about three months.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46It's already come down about £30,000.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50But they do want to sell, so I know they're open to offers.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52That's interesting.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53Mm, plenty to think about.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58Why don't you wander off, start scoping out what you'd do if you lived here,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00and tick that over in your minds?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- OK, Denise, thank you. - I'll see you later on.- Cheers.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Priced at just shy of £540,000,
0:16:08 > 0:16:12our listed windmill conversion is open to offers.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Along with historic character,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16it answers many of the demands on their wish list,
0:16:16 > 0:16:21including two reception rooms, a spacious kitchen diner,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24four bedrooms with a circular study upstairs,
0:16:24 > 0:16:28and eight and a half acres of land with equestrian facilities,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30along with an outbuilding for Jim's office.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33The house itself is fantastic.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34I know we want to downsize.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38It's obviously smaller than what we've previously had.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40I think we could probably live with that.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42It is a little bit over budget,
0:16:42 > 0:16:48um, but no money to be spent on stabling or paddocks or fencing.
0:16:48 > 0:16:49That's all there for us.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54So all in all, it has just really blown me away, this property.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56It's absolutely beautiful. I love it.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59I wonder if they still think it's a dream home.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Hello.- Hello.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Time to go, I'm afraid.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04Have you seen enough?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- No, not really.- It's lovely- Yes.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Split decision. We're not finished yet so come on, let's keep going.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24The Lincolnshire Fens constitute some of the flattest
0:17:24 > 0:17:26and most productively-farmed land in Europe,
0:17:26 > 0:17:30which has historically fed into the local market towns.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32In the heart of the South Holland district,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Spalding made good use of the River Welland
0:17:35 > 0:17:37as a conduit for trading corn, seed and wool,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41the wealth of which flowed into its historic buildings.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Much of its centre is now a conservation area,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46and also home to a vibrant market.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50Earlier in the week, Dawn and Jim met local expert Sharon Dabell
0:17:50 > 0:17:53to find out more about its significance.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- Lincolnshire's the food bowl of England.- Really?
0:17:56 > 0:17:58So we do get a lot of local stalls,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00and some coming over from the East Midlands.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05Very, very popular, and it's thriving, which is good news for the town.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10The centre of commerce, the whole district, South Holland, which Spalding is the capital of,
0:18:10 > 0:18:1220 per cent of the country's food
0:18:12 > 0:18:15touches South Holland in some way or other.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18South Holland has literally kept its head above water
0:18:18 > 0:18:21thanks to man's efforts to drain this land,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24which lies only a few metres above sea level.
0:18:24 > 0:18:281660 saw the reclamation of some 17,000 acres,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and with the onset of the industrial age,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34new engineering solutions to drain the land were introduced,
0:18:34 > 0:18:38like the Pinchbeck Pumping Engine, now a local museum piece.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42This amazing machine was built in 1833
0:18:42 > 0:18:46following the invention of steam power in 1820, round about that date.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51Without machines like this, quite simply, this area wouldn't exist.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Machines like this began to be replaced in the 1900s
0:18:54 > 0:18:56as technology advanced,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59so it was replaced by diesel and electric power.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00The amazing thing is that
0:19:00 > 0:19:06the new machines can process 4,800 gallons of water per second.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- Per second?- Per second.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- That's incredible. - That's absolutely incredible.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13And when you see the land out there,
0:19:13 > 0:19:19there are 52,000 acres of fenland that are drained in that way.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23This fertile terrain gives rise to a thriving food-producing industry.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27One man who benefits from this is local farmer David Bowman,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29who, over the past 40 years,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32has become the biggest single grower of pumpkins in Europe,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35harvesting a staggering three million a year.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- What's the name of this particular pumpkin?- This one's Harvest Moon.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43- And that's the most common pumpkin? - The most common in this country.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45So how do you pick them?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Well, mainly with the harvester, which is working down there.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52They go through on the harvester, through the washer.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55And they go in dirty and come out clean.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57It's the only one in the world, that is.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59And you designed it yourself?
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Yeah. Now it's attracting people from all across North America.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07It's impressive that this relatively small corner of the country
0:20:07 > 0:20:10grows around a third of England's outdoor vegetables.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Our house search continues in the quiet village of Linwood,
0:20:21 > 0:20:2414 miles from Lincoln, with its Victorian church,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27and the chance to pick up local produce from neighbours.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30For more amenities, they can pop into the town of Market Rasen,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32less than three miles away.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34With Dawn's horses in mind,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36our second property gives them a rural location
0:20:36 > 0:20:39set on a small, no-through lane.
0:20:39 > 0:20:40This is quaint.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44"Quaint". Another quirky property for you.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- Oh, it is, isn't it? Yes. - I like that.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50This is good. So, getting an expression of like from you, Jim.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55- I like that.- It looks really interesting so I'm excited to find out more about it.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57It's very interesting. It's the old schoolhouse.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01And the old schoolmaster's house, so two houses in one, almost.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03But it's also got a quirky layout inside
0:21:03 > 0:21:08so you'll need your imagination to see how you could re-jig it to fit your lifestyle.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- How do you feel about that? - We're up for a challenge, aren't we?
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- You're so enthusiastic. I love it. Let's have a look.- Excellent.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21This schoolhouse was built in the 1860s from traditional red brick,
0:21:21 > 0:21:25and inside, the schoolroom really makes a statement.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Come on through.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Come on up and have a good look.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- Wow.- Look at that.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- I know, it's a lot to take in, isn't it?- Look at these high ceilings.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Come over here cos I want you to be able to look at this and this.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- Oh, wow.- Oh, wow.- Yes.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- It's a mezzanine, isn't it?- It is.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50So here, the journey begins. I did say, quirky layout.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- So this is my office. - Aha. I thought you might say that.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56What you do have here, obviously, is this amazing room
0:21:56 > 0:21:59with the hugely vaulted ceilings.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03And the current owners kind of at times used it as a holiday let,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05as a space for her, that's why you've got a kitchen.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10Through that door is a little single bedroom and shower room, bathroom.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12So it is a self-contained little bit.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13Sounds amazing.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15This is right.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Even though Dawn absolutely loved the last one.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I think it's got bags and bags of character
0:22:21 > 0:22:24and it's given me a really warm feeling.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28We'll keep the momentum going and explore the other wing,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31where a small study leads through to a breakfast area.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Let's see what they make of the kitchen.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38- OK, we are in the old schoolmaster's part of the house.- Right.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40And this is the kitchen.
0:22:40 > 0:22:41Right.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43This is nice.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Perhaps just a little bit small.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Cupboard space again might be an issue.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50But downsizing, we are again,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52so I need to address that.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Come through here, cos there's more to this part of the house.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Oh, this is all right.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00So you have got this just off the kitchen.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- Patio doors out there.- It would make a nice little dining room.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07It would. It's just calling out dining room.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Kitchen's there, dining room here. Eating, looking out.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14And the dining room flows through
0:23:14 > 0:23:16to another sitting room with wood burner.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21The downstairs layout is quirky, but gives them lots of scope to make their mark.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Hopefully they'll see that same potential
0:23:24 > 0:23:26in the remaining double bedrooms,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29two of the four this property provides.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30Right, come in here.
0:23:30 > 0:23:36This good-sized double is one of two double rooms up here.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- That's a good size. Plenty of storage.- It is a good size, yes.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Deep wardrobes. Double hanging.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45You've got extra storage behind there. Shoes, handbags, whatever.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49And out there you've got another room, which is used as a sewing room.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52It would be a lovely dressing room. And the family bathroom.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56So if you add it all up, there are just two bedrooms up here.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00- Right, OK. Yes. - What do you think about that?
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Children's bedroom next door. Perhaps we could have one of these.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06And we have a spare room.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10The challenge is, it is two, um, properties,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12as you said, for the price of one.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15And it's actually how we're going to make them work together.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17That will be the challenge.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20I reckon it's worth serious consideration,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22given what outside delivers.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27Beyond the paved terrace, there's a storeroom, four stables, and a tack room.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30What's more, the lawned gardens give Jim ample space
0:24:30 > 0:24:33to put down a ready-made office structure.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36And there are two enormous paddocks for Dawn's horses,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39giving them a generous ten acres in total.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40But at what cost?
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- Lots for you to play with.- Yes.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46But it does all come at a price. So we've reached that point.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49How much do you think you'd have to pay for this?
0:24:49 > 0:24:53I would say £495,000.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I was thinking slightly lower at £475,000.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58£475,000?
0:24:58 > 0:25:03- £475,000. Do you think it's that low? With ten acres?- Don't know.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07Dawn's much closer. £499,500.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- OK.- OK? What do you think about that price?
0:25:10 > 0:25:13You are getting a great, quirky property and ten acres,
0:25:13 > 0:25:18so I personally think that's what I would expect to pay for this type of property.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23- The most important thing is your office space. - Yeah, that's going to be an issue.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I think you're swaying towards, the horses can freeze
0:25:26 > 0:25:29while you use the stables for the office. I don't think so.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33While you work that out, why don't you have a wander round the paddocks?
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- I'll see you later on.- Thank you.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Ooh, well. I didn't expect that, actually.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41They really like the property,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44but as we said, it's quirky and will require some imagination.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47It's also going to require some compromise.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Can they decide whether it's the horses or the office? Who knows?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Nudging in under their £500,000 budget,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58this schoolhouse delivers on many fronts.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Besides that stunning living room with timbered ceiling,
0:26:02 > 0:26:03there are four bedrooms,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06and crucially, the property comes with ten acres,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10stabling, and the potential for an outside office for Jim.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Beautiful in its own way.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Um, very quaint, very quirky.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19The house is lovely.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23There's no space inside for the office,
0:26:23 > 0:26:25which means the office outside,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28but that's not a problem, I don't mind that at all.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31You've shown us two amazing properties.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- There you are.- Hey.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37- You've fallen in love with this one as well, haven't you?- We have.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- Ooh.- It's certainly put the cat among the pigeons, Denise.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43- Lots for you to think about. Come on. - It is.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53GEESE HONKING
0:26:56 > 0:26:59As the sun sets over the Lincolnshire Fens,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Armed with their budget of £500,000,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Jim and Dawn, along with their two children,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16are champing at the bit to find a character home in Lincolnshire,
0:27:17 > 0:27:19that has enough land for Dawn's 13 horses.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21So far, she's backing the windmill,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24whereas he's fallen for the schoolhouse.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28But coming up, our mystery property throws everything up in the air.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Oh, you've done it again. Oh no!
0:27:30 > 0:27:34But how will they deal with the bump back down to earth?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I've not sunk so much. You've lifted me back up again.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41It's a lovely morning here in Lincolnshire
0:27:41 > 0:27:43for the final day of our property search.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47And I have to say, yesterday could not have gone any better.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Dawn was bowled over by the windmill,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53and Jim succumbed to the quirky charms of the old schoolhouse.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56And with both, I think we really did strike the balance
0:27:56 > 0:27:58between land and property.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00But today we're hoping to tip the scales
0:28:00 > 0:28:03in favour of the house over the horses.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10Our mystery house takes us close to the village of Scopwick,
0:28:10 > 0:28:1112 miles from Lincoln.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15With a population of just 1,000, it's a peaceful location,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18with the chance to meet the locals at the village pub,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21and the beck provides a hub for the resident wildlife.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Just outside the village, against the backdrop of the Fens,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28our mystery house comes in the form of this rural skyscraper.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30A Grade II listed windmill,
0:28:30 > 0:28:35which, as they'll discover, might prove a squeeze at ground level.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- Here we go.- It's huge.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39- It is huge.- Good view.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- In the countryside.- Oh, no!- Oh!
0:28:42 > 0:28:43I was going to say, what is it?
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Oh, you've done it again. Oh, no!
0:28:47 > 0:28:50It's even bigger than the last one!
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Jim!
0:28:52 > 0:28:54I don't believe it.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57That is just...
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Amazing, isn't it?
0:28:59 > 0:29:02With this mystery house, you get six floors.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Two floors of accommodation there, and another four in the tower.
0:29:06 > 0:29:07It dates back to 1862.
0:29:07 > 0:29:13It was just the windmill when the current owners moved in, and they've done all of this work.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17- Excellent, let's go and have a look. - Let's have a look.- Can't wait.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21Wow. First impressions to our mystery house have their hearts soaring.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25And although we'll be throwing the mystery ingredient into the mix later,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28let's see if inside raises the roof.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- Jaw-dropping. Ta-da!- Yes, isn't it?
0:29:30 > 0:29:32- Oh.- Wow.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33Wow.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35This is incredible.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37- It really is.- A spiral staircase.
0:29:37 > 0:29:42The spiral staircase will take you right the way up the six floors of the tower.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46Obviously, there's still a bit of work to do here, to finish it off.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50But all the structural stuff is done with this property.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Right. We could really put our own print on this.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56The special thing about this property, Jim, for you, is that,
0:29:56 > 0:30:02the way I see it, that tower, particularly the three floors towards the top, could be yours.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- Don't know if I'd get any work done. - It would make a stunning office.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Now for a stunning kitchen. Come this way.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13- Wow.- Big enough for you, Jim?
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- Oh-ho, it's the square kitchen!- Got the big fridge.- It is a big kitchen.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- You've been so good with the other properties.- A table in the middle!
0:30:21 > 0:30:24It just gets better and better, doesn't it?
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- Oh.- This is just awesome, isn't it? - It is.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Behind this kitchen you've got a big utility space.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- And through there, a huge dining room as well. Big table.- Perfect.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Imagine yourselves in here?
0:30:37 > 0:30:42Oh yes. I can just imagine all of us sitting there and chilling out.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- You're here, aren't you? - Yeah.- I can feel it.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Washing up there, looking at that view.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49What about you, Jim?
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Great, isn't it? It's fantastic.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- Are you speechless? - Are you choking up a little?
0:30:54 > 0:30:58No, no, I'm fine. But it's lovely.
0:30:58 > 0:30:59Really lovely.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02They seem totally smitten so far,
0:31:02 > 0:31:06and they won't have any worries about having to downsize in the living room.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08- Oh, Jim.- Living room.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10And for you, Dawn...
0:31:10 > 0:31:13The inglenook fireplace.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15- Jim, look at the fireplace. - Yeah, this is...
0:31:15 > 0:31:18They're reclaimed bricks here, not new.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22These are reclaimed bricks, and you've got the beam across the inglenook.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25I can just imagine this place in the winter.
0:31:25 > 0:31:30- And it's the perfect size, isn't it? - Yeah, it's lovely, isn't it? - It's gorgeous.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34The downstairs living areas offer fantastically spacious rooms,
0:31:34 > 0:31:35with family living in mind,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38and it's all finished to an excellent standard.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43Upstairs, beside the galleried landing, is a ready-made wing for the children,
0:31:43 > 0:31:49with a well-furnished family bathroom and two of the four bedrooms, both good-sized doubles.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53On the other side is another generous double room with en-suite shower,
0:31:53 > 0:31:57but I can't wait to show them the master.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Now, here you've got a huge en-suite bathroom.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05His and hers sinks, big spa bath, and a walk-in shower.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- And then this would be yours. - Wow, what a size!
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- What a size!- That's nice, isn't it?
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Yes, and look at the ceilings, Jim.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15It's just beautiful.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17And when you're lying down,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19your eye line will be just the right level
0:32:19 > 0:32:21for looking out onto those fields.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24To see the fields and what's going on out there.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- Oh, it's beautiful, isn't it? - I could move into this tomorrow.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31This is just... For me, I could live here.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35It looks like our mystery house has them reeling,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38and this staircase unravels four more levels,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41so Jim could have his own office garret,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45offering up a bird's eye view of the surrounding countryside.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48They love the unique character of our mystery windmill,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51and it could be their perfect family home.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54But will the mystery rub outside be a deal breaker for Dawn?
0:32:54 > 0:32:56It is the mystery house.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00I think you've got to agree, the property itself is stunning.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- It's incredible. - But there has to be some compromise.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05So this property comes with two acres.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07- OK.- Right.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08What you can see in front of you.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12However, what you can also see is, there is a lot of land around.
0:33:12 > 0:33:18And in particular, at the back over there, and round the side here,
0:33:18 > 0:33:22a couple of areas of land owned by people who might be amenable to rent.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26In fact, the land over here, four and a half acres in total,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28the owner is amenable to selling.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30She's looked at selling it in the past.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33- So it's an option. - That makes it more interesting.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34Yes, it certainly does.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38I've not sunk so much now. You've lifted me back up again.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42- That is good news. Yes, Denise. - That makes a difference.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44That all brings us to the point of
0:33:44 > 0:33:47how much you'd have to spend to get this fabulous house.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48Mm-hm.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51£550,000.
0:33:51 > 0:33:57I am actually going to go for just bang on budget at £500,000.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02Oh. That's a bit of a reversal. So you're at the lower end this time, £500,000, you're at £550,000.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07- I've been too low all day. - I'm going to stop you there and we'll call it even.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11Because this is on the market at £525,000, that's right.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Oh, wow, £525,000.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16So it's within your extended budget.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20It's come down quite a bit already. It's been on the market for a while.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22The seller is open to offers,
0:34:22 > 0:34:26and I think, so long as you're in the 500 range somewhere...
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Mm, that's interesting.
0:34:28 > 0:34:29There's a chance.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33It's been a great surprise as a mystery house, it really has.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Well, it's a beautiful property, regardless of where we end up,
0:34:37 > 0:34:39and I think you should spend a bit more time
0:34:39 > 0:34:42running up and down that spiral staircase.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Jim can do that. I think I'll just admire from afar.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49You look at the fields where the horses will be, you check out your office.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52- We'll catch up later when you've digested it all.- Thank you, Denise.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57Priced at £525,000 but open to offers,
0:34:57 > 0:34:59our landmark mystery windmill conversion
0:34:59 > 0:35:01gives them a beautiful family home,
0:35:01 > 0:35:04including two large reception rooms,
0:35:04 > 0:35:07an enormous kitchen diner, which Dawn loved,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10four bedrooms with two en-suite,
0:35:10 > 0:35:13and four levels to develop in the tower for Jim's office
0:35:13 > 0:35:14with amazing views.
0:35:14 > 0:35:19But, are the two acres of land for Dawn's horses a stumbling block?
0:35:19 > 0:35:24First impressions of the mystery house was just, "Wow".
0:35:24 > 0:35:29What to do with the windmill side of it is just a fantastic project,
0:35:29 > 0:35:34and that's where, I think, Jim and I would be able to make it ours.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37It's been an education.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Um, we've got to make a decision
0:35:39 > 0:35:41whether we want all the land we want
0:35:41 > 0:35:43and not quite the house we want.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Or whether we want the house we want
0:35:45 > 0:35:48and not necessarily get all the land we want.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51And that's a decision we're going to have to
0:35:51 > 0:35:54sit and decide and choose on.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Right, let's see if we can get them out of the tower,
0:35:57 > 0:36:01and if they're still talking to each other, and to me.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Hello? Hi, are we still friends?
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Mm, just about.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Yeah, the mystery house always throws the cat amongst the pigeons
0:36:09 > 0:36:11and gives you plenty to think about.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16- Let's find somewhere for you to sit and mull it over.- Do I have to leave? - You do.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Lincolnshire is home to the richest amount of Grade 1 soil in England,
0:36:28 > 0:36:33and as a result, is one of the most intensively-farmed regions in the UK.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36But with renewed interest in environmentally-friendly farming,
0:36:36 > 0:36:40for some, the drive for high productivity doesn't sit well.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44One man championing the organic cause in Lincolnshire is Andrew Dennis,
0:36:44 > 0:36:50who, in 1996, decided to convert his 1,700-acre farm to organic status.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52His sustainable farming methods
0:36:52 > 0:36:55last year won him the title Farmer Of The Year.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58I went to meet him in his 50-acre market garden.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- Hello, Andrew, I'm Denise. - Hello, nice to meet you, hi.
0:37:02 > 0:37:07- Is this where I'd normally find you in the morning?- Potentially, yes.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- With the courgettes.- Yes, this is where we grow speciality crops
0:37:10 > 0:37:12for the farmers' markets and the box scheme.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16I can see the smile on your face. You love being here, don't you?
0:37:16 > 0:37:17I do, yeah. I love it.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22It's good energy. I can feel it. But I imagine it is a lot of hard work.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25There is a perception that it costs more to buy organic
0:37:25 > 0:37:26because it's labour intensive.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28What are the biggest challenges
0:37:28 > 0:37:32of moving from conventional or industrial farming to organic farming?
0:37:32 > 0:37:36I think marketing has been quite an interesting, um, challenge,
0:37:36 > 0:37:43um, because when we were farming conventionally, most of our produce went to the supermarkets.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Now it's only 40 per cent,
0:37:45 > 0:37:48and in order to sort of get a balance there,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50we've needed to develop other markets.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53For Andrew, the box scheme is about
0:37:53 > 0:37:56providing organic produce to local people,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58and despite a recessionary dip last year,
0:37:58 > 0:38:00such delivery schemes brought home
0:38:00 > 0:38:04nearly £155 million in sales nationwide.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Economics aside, there's also a personal motivation for him
0:38:08 > 0:38:09that runs deep.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14This is part, not only of the heritage of Lincolnshire, but your heritage.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Your great grandfather was out here growing potatoes.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20He was, yes. I mean, he was a migrant, actually.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24A migrant farm worker, who walked to this area
0:38:24 > 0:38:28from another part of Lincolnshire as a penniless farm labourer,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32and, you know, he developed a very successful business
0:38:32 > 0:38:34based around the potato,
0:38:34 > 0:38:38of which he became a sort of Victorian pioneer, in a sense.
0:38:38 > 0:38:44He developed a system known as "chitting", where seed potatoes are grown in a cool, light place
0:38:44 > 0:38:48so that sturdy shoots grow, before being planted in the ground.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Andrew is a pioneering farmer in his own right,
0:38:51 > 0:38:53as, unusually for Lincolnshire,
0:38:53 > 0:38:54he is a mixed organic farmer,
0:38:54 > 0:38:58raising rare and native breeds of turkeys, Lincoln Red cattle,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00and the curly coated pig.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Why have you decided to bring animals into the farm?
0:39:05 > 0:39:07And particularly, rare breeds?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Well, in terms of why rare breeds,
0:39:09 > 0:39:12because they are part of our heritage,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16and I think it's important that we preserve the gene pool,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19and they should be valued, I think, really.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22With the area of farmed land organically managed
0:39:22 > 0:39:24increasing by nine per cent last year,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27it's an approach that's gaining momentum,
0:39:27 > 0:39:29and as organic farmers like Andrew show,
0:39:29 > 0:39:33a seasoning of entrepreneurial spirit can breed a viable business.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38GRUNTING
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Well, I think we've still got everything to play for here.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Three properties, and they like every one of them.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47So let's find out what they've decided.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57So let's just take a moment to go back through every property.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59We started with that first windmill,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02which set us off on that journey.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07It just completely took my breath away, to be perfectly honest.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11I was very emotional because it was just very overwhelming.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15I just didn't expect that you'd be able to find us a property like that
0:40:15 > 0:40:16really within our budget.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19I just loved the lounge.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22The rest of the house just didn't quite do it for me.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27I loved it. The stables, for me, were the icing on the cake.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30And the eight and a half acres were just immaculate.
0:40:30 > 0:40:35Now, from your emotion with the first property, you got all emotional with the schoolhouse.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37The schoolhouse was fantastic.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41Right from the drive up, I was blown away by the actual school part,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43with the mezzanine floor,
0:40:43 > 0:40:47and yeah, I could see a lot of potential in the whole house.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49I was having difficulty, Denise,
0:40:49 > 0:40:53in trying to sort out how we were going to make the two houses liveable as one.
0:40:53 > 0:40:59The acreage was good. It was a really quaint, charming property.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03- No, I liked that one.- And then we took you to the mystery house.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08- Didn't think we could, but we found a second windmill for you. - You certainly did.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11That house is just amazing. There's just nothing you can...
0:41:11 > 0:41:17The family accommodation in the mystery house is everything we need.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Everything about it was right.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25That spiral staircase. How they got it in there, I will never know.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27A fantastic place to have an office.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31I'm not sure how to get my desk up the stairs. Perhaps I'll build one up there.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Now, the compromise with that gorgeous house was the land.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37How are you feeling about that now?
0:41:37 > 0:41:39We'd made the decision to move here
0:41:39 > 0:41:42to find land to accommodate the horses,
0:41:42 > 0:41:47and not having the land and therefore not getting the security,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50which was the whole reason we were moving,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52is a problem.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55But, I mean, if the other land around it is for sale,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58and we can find a way of doing it,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01then it gives us some security, anyway.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03So we'll have to consider it.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Was the mystery house the one that brought you both together?
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- Are you on the same page with it? - We are.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11I think, yeah. All things being equal,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14if we could get everything within a budget we could afford,
0:42:14 > 0:42:16we would go for the mystery house.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21It's the property that has really blown BOTH of us away,
0:42:21 > 0:42:23and that's what's important.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26That we BOTH feel exactly the same about a property.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It's our home at the end of the day.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33I am so pleased. I know you said at first, it was for the horses,
0:42:33 > 0:42:39but I think it's become clear, it's just as much for the two of you as it is for everyone else.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43- I hope it happens soon.- Thank you very much. It's been a pleasure.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45It's been good fun. Thank you.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51Dawn and Jim started this journey
0:42:51 > 0:42:53looking for acres of land for their horses,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56and a quirky little property for themselves.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00But in the end, our mystery house was the only property they both agreed on
0:43:00 > 0:43:02and that had the least land.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06It just goes to show, sometimes you have to challenge your own criteria
0:43:06 > 0:43:09when you're in search of your dream home.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12I'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.
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0:43:14 > 0:43:18in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:43:18 > 0:43:20please apply online at:
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