0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today we're in a county which amongst other things is famous for these medieval churches.
0:00:05 > 0:00:11They're also uniquely round towered so why were they built like this and where am I?
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31On today's show, we're in cahoots with a couple wishing to escape
0:00:31 > 0:00:34chaotic town life in Buckinghamshire.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38Not only does it promise to be a real journey of discovery...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40It was very different to anything I've had before.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44..but there'll also be a few firsts along the way.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Never in our lives have we looked at an older property.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51So it's out with the new and in with the old.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- Oh, wow!- We got a "wow!"- Yes. - Oh, yes.- Yes!
0:00:54 > 0:00:56The first "wow" of the week!
0:00:58 > 0:01:05Well, today I'm in Norfolk and this is just one of the 126 round towered churches
0:01:05 > 0:01:08that the region is famous for. But why round?
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Well, if you think about it, if you're going to build square towers,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13you need nice big slabs of stone.
0:01:13 > 0:01:19Norfolk is not famous for its quarries but it is well-known for this stuff, for flint,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21a material that really lends itself
0:01:21 > 0:01:23to creating these great big tubular structures
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and they've gone on to inspire the faithful
0:01:26 > 0:01:29and generations of architectural historians for centuries.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Bordering Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Norfolk is the largest of the counties
0:01:36 > 0:01:39that originally made up the area of East Anglia.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44Stretching out to the north and east are 100 miles of sweeping coast
0:01:44 > 0:01:46with wide expanses of sandy beaches,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50flanked by grassy dunes, much of which have been designated
0:01:50 > 0:01:53as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55There's an old saying that Norfolk people
0:01:55 > 0:01:58have one foot on the land and one in the sea.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Moving inland from its peaceful shores to the heart of the county,
0:02:02 > 0:02:03you'll find the city of Norwich,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07dominated by the 315 foot towering octagonal spire
0:02:07 > 0:02:10of its medieval limestone cathedral.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Beyond the reach of the motorway, much of Norfolk remains an unspoilt,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19tranquil place, and you'll find stunning flint properties
0:02:19 > 0:02:22that characterise the Norfolk landscape.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Now, according to many local agents,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32the recession has done little to dent the property prices up here
0:02:32 > 0:02:35in fashionable north Norfolk, in particular this so-called
0:02:35 > 0:02:39golden triangle that runs between Burnham Market, Fakenham and Holt,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41is running at a record high.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43But step outside of that particular property hotspot
0:02:43 > 0:02:45and the picture is a little bit rosier.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50Your average detached will set you back around about £220,000,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53a cool 45 grand under the national average.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57So as you can see, beautiful houses at affordable prices.
0:02:57 > 0:03:03At £250,000 this brick and flint semi-detached cottage in Sporle
0:03:03 > 0:03:05paints a pretty picture.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10It features three double bedrooms, a smart sitting room, a fully fitted
0:03:10 > 0:03:13country kitchen/breakfast room,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17and the large garden boasts fruit trees as well as a veggie plot.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Or further north in Choseley, £400,000 is the price tag attached
0:03:21 > 0:03:25to this three-bedroom barn conversion.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27It comes with a rustic freestanding kitchen diner.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31And the focus of the sitting room has to be its fireplace,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33complete with wood burner.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38And finally, for £800,000, you'll get a serious amount of house
0:03:38 > 0:03:41in the form of this imposing grade two listed residence
0:03:41 > 0:03:42in the village of Setchey.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45The impressive accommodation includes eight enormous bedrooms,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48a selection of grand reception rooms
0:03:48 > 0:03:52and extensive far-reaching grounds with mature trees and shrubs.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59Well, take it from somebody who grew up in East Anglia,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Norfolk is a wonderful part of the world and will, I hope,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05provide a very welcome home to today's buyers.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Meet David, a self-employed tax consultant
0:04:08 > 0:04:11and his wife Marion, a retired bookkeeper
0:04:11 > 0:04:16who've lived in their 1960s home in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire,
0:04:16 > 0:04:17for the last 15 years.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20But they're now keen to shake off the hustle and bustle
0:04:20 > 0:04:21of their urban surroundings
0:04:21 > 0:04:24in favour of a roomier rural retreat in Norfolk.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28We've only ever lived in or around towns in our life and wanted to move
0:04:28 > 0:04:32to a more country location just so that we'd have something different
0:04:32 > 0:04:34to look forward to in retirement.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38So with less time balancing the books, there'll be more time
0:04:38 > 0:04:40to focus on their work-life balance
0:04:40 > 0:04:43and in particular, the performing arts.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Well, we're looking forward to moving to a smaller community where we can
0:04:46 > 0:04:52integrate with the local people, and we like ballroom dancing.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55David also likes amateur singing.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58But what do they need from the property?
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Definitely want bigger bedrooms. The bedrooms here are very small.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06It's very frustrating not having enough room for your clothes.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Three to four bedrooms,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10large kitchen,
0:05:10 > 0:05:16an en suite to the larger bedroom, a good garden.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Preferably, I'd say, a lounge and a dining room, separate.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Yes. And it would be really nice to have a study.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- It would be nice to have a study. - For your work.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29And a largish garden of the size we've got now which is about 90 foot.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Green-fingered Marion grows a variety of fruit and vegetables
0:05:32 > 0:05:36but she's desperate for more room to cook her crop.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41I really like cooking and I recently went on a four-day cookery course
0:05:41 > 0:05:43and I do cooking all the time
0:05:43 > 0:05:45and of course, when you cook a lot
0:05:45 > 0:05:48you end up with lots of pots and pans so what I would like
0:05:48 > 0:05:54is a bigger kitchen to house all my kitchen equipment.
0:05:54 > 0:05:55But what style of house
0:05:55 > 0:05:59will be filled with the aroma of Marion's freshly-baked treats?
0:05:59 > 0:06:02I certainly wouldn't want particularly
0:06:02 > 0:06:05to live in an open-plan type of house
0:06:05 > 0:06:06where all the rooms are together
0:06:06 > 0:06:10and you haven't got doors on rooms where you can have your own space.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14I'd quite like that though. I wouldn't mind an open-plan kitchen.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17We have looked on television at barn conversions
0:06:17 > 0:06:19and they'd be interesting
0:06:19 > 0:06:22although normally they tend to be open-plan
0:06:22 > 0:06:23so perhaps I'll forget I've said that.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26We shall have to see.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29They may have conflicting views about the layout
0:06:29 > 0:06:31but they're both agreed
0:06:31 > 0:06:33that the location must have good transport links.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35David is partially-sighted
0:06:35 > 0:06:38so I have to drive him everywhere
0:06:38 > 0:06:41so we're sort of joined at the hip really.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Which is why it'd be really nice for me to have much more independence
0:06:44 > 0:06:46and have a bus service that I can use
0:06:46 > 0:06:48so I don't have to keep on saying,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51"Are you ready to take me somewhere?"
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Their house is already on the market for £369,000
0:06:55 > 0:06:58so what's the final figure for David and Marion
0:06:58 > 0:07:02to waltz their way from Wycombe to the Norfolk countryside?
0:07:02 > 0:07:08I think if the property actually ticked all our boxes,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12we would be happy to pay £350,000.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18For urbanites David and Marion, this is a big move.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21It's their first foray into the countryside
0:07:21 > 0:07:24but if we can find a nice big kitchen and a garden
0:07:24 > 0:07:26to keep Marion happy and get her creative,
0:07:26 > 0:07:30and a location good enough to service the sort of amenities David needs access to,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33you never know, we might stand a fair chance
0:07:33 > 0:07:36of finding them their new dream home in the country.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44Good transport links are essential for our buyers, not only to give David more independence
0:07:44 > 0:07:49but so they can visit their two grown-up sons in London, therefore our house search will take us
0:07:49 > 0:07:52to some wonderful country villages which are well connected to Norwich
0:07:52 > 0:07:54for trips into the capital.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Over the next couple of days,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59we'll be taking David and Marion to see some great homes
0:07:59 > 0:08:03but I'll be keeping the prices to myself until the end of each tour.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06And of course, to top it off, we'll be venturing
0:08:06 > 0:08:10into previously unchartered territory with the mystery house.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18Well, David and Marion, welcome to a fairly drizzly Norfolk morning.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19I'm told it's going to get better.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- That's good news.- That is very good news for a house hunt.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25But it is a glorious part of the world, whatever the weather is doing.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Why have you chosen it?
0:08:27 > 0:08:31We have relatives in the area and we've been up to visit many times
0:08:31 > 0:08:35over the years, and we thought it was a nice quiet place to live really.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39And also, the links to London are good for the occasional visits
0:08:39 > 0:08:43because we still like doing things like that
0:08:43 > 0:08:47and so it's very much in the country but very much able to get to town places, if you like.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Just remind me of the budget.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52350.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56If it was a little bit higher, we could probably stretch to 370.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59But it would have to be a "Wow!"
0:08:59 > 0:09:02They're all going to be wows, Marion, come on, you know!
0:09:02 > 0:09:07Course they are. If it was a question of, unless you pay 370 you're not going to get it,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09and we said, "Well, we really want it",
0:09:09 > 0:09:11then we probably could manage that.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13When you see the house you like,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16you'd almost do anything, don't you, to get what you like?
0:09:16 > 0:09:19That's it, you know, I mean beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24Well, guys, I'm pretty optimistic about our chances of finding you something that I hope will prove
0:09:24 > 0:09:29of interest and will be a workable solution to the new life that you're trying to create.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- The weather is supposed to get better.- Good.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- Let's go and see what we can find, shall we? This way, David.- OK.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41So, for a slightly flexible budget of £350,000, David and Marion
0:09:41 > 0:09:44are after a property that has three to four generous bedrooms
0:09:44 > 0:09:48with an en suite to the master, a large kitchen diner,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51two further reception rooms and ideally a separate study.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56Marion wants a decent-sized garden for growing veg and the location
0:09:56 > 0:09:59needs to be on the edge of a village with good transport links for David.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07When was the last time you went house hunting?
0:10:07 > 0:10:0916 years ago, would you believe.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11It's almost exactly.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14So this is the first moment in 16 years.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- Yes.- It is. A whole new experience has opened up to us.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21Wow. But have you looked at anything particularly historic?
0:10:21 > 0:10:23No. Never. Never.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26We've lived in two new houses and one,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29our present house, is 50 years old.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30Well, without hesitation,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34we're taking our buyers straight out of their comfort zone.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Our first house takes us back a few hundred years
0:10:36 > 0:10:39and it's set on the rural outskirts of Elsing.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42With a pretty 14th-century church and a local pub,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Elsing is a quiet rural village
0:10:44 > 0:10:48with a bus route that reaches Norwich in just under half an hour.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50As for the property, we're starting off with
0:10:50 > 0:10:54an attractive former farmhouse dating back to the 17th century.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Now then, Marion, what do you think?
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Looks all right. - It does. I like the frontage.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- Yes.- I do like that frontage. - Well, it's nicely set back.- Yes.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05We're in a very very very quiet lane here.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- It's a lovely property, this.- Right.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- Shall we have a look?- Yes, please. - Come on then, follow me this way.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14It's an impressive approach up to the property, a large gravel drive,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16and once inside the farmhouse,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19it boasts terrific period features throughout.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22But this style is radically different
0:11:22 > 0:11:24to what our buyers are used to.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Right, what do you think?
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- Oh, it's old.- It's very old this.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I never thought I'd have the opportunity to have an old house.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Well, now's your chance, Marion. Now's your chance.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- This is something of a corridor come dining room, as you can see.- Yes.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42But it leads on very nicely into this reception room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49Now then, come on in here, cos if you want cosy cottage...
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Oh, nice.- Oh, yes.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- Come on in, David. - Lovely cosy feel this has to it.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- Yeah.- That's another thing I've never had which is a proper fire.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- Well, I think it's the real thing, as you can see.- Yes.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02And size, compared to what we've got now, it's probably a little smaller.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Yeah. But it's different, isn't it? It's a square shape.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Totally different. It's square-shaped.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Would you be happy in here on a winter's day with a glass of wine?
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Lovely. Yes.- I think so. Definitely.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16With its magnificent inglenook fireplace as the centrepiece,
0:12:16 > 0:12:18the drawing room sits at the back of the property,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21with a lovely stable door that leads to the back garden.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25But we're heading back to the main hallway to see what Marion makes of the kitchen.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Right, Marion, this is all about you, isn't it?
0:12:28 > 0:12:31So we've got to impress you with the kitchen.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- Come on in.- Oh, yes. - Come on in, David.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- Yes.- Yes. A range cooker.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38- Yeah.- Very nice.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41I mean, it's not the biggest kitchen in the world.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- No. No.- But I think, you know, very beautifully appointed.- Yes.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46- It is, isn't it?- You tell me.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49This is a place you're going to want to spend a lot of time in.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Yes. Yes. It's a bit small, really.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Unusually for a property of its age,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58this building isn't listed, so to maximise the space for Marion,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01there could be the potential to extend this area,
0:13:01 > 0:13:02subject of course to planning.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07As it stands, there's no doubt it's a really cosy traditional room.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Downstairs also houses the family bathroom
0:13:10 > 0:13:13with an elegant freestanding roll-top bath taking centre stage.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17That wraps up the ground level so time to take it up
0:13:17 > 0:13:21another level, to the first floor, where there are four bedrooms.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24The smallest one is presented as a snug which could make it
0:13:24 > 0:13:27a good office space with a front-facing aspect.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30And there's also a pretty single room as well as a light, bright double.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37Now then, guys, this would be your master bedroom.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43- Right. We'd probably want to put a larger bed in cos we're big wide bed people.- Yeah.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46A lot of people are, you know, you're in good company.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49Right. Certain you could get that in here, couldn't you?
0:13:49 > 0:13:51This is nice though. A vaulted ceiling.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Like tall ceilings.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Gives a room, even a small room, a feeling of being bigger.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59The one thing you said you did want was an en suite.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- Yes.- And this has one. It's in here.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05- Tucked away behind this door. There you go.- Unexpected.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07And it's got a shower, David.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- Nice big shower too.- Exactly the sort of shower I pictured.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- For what is a modest cottage...- Yes.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- ..this is a very very generous en suite.- Yes.- Absolutely. - No two ways about it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19It's safe to say that the space upstairs seems to have impressed
0:14:19 > 0:14:22but back outside, I've got a surprise in store for them
0:14:22 > 0:14:26which will more than make up for the possible lack of space downstairs
0:14:26 > 0:14:30and unusually, it's actually attached to the neighbouring house.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33Right, come on in to here.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36This is really interesting.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Very unexpected. - Yes.- Totally, yes.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- Yes.- Totally, yes. - It's sort of self-contained.
0:14:41 > 0:14:48We've got a living room, a very generous double bedroom, bathroom, and you know, kitchen area as well.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53- Right, yes.- And my mother, who's nearly 93, can't get upstairs anymore
0:14:53 > 0:14:54so if she comes to stay with us,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57this would be perfect, have her own space.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- I'm thinking of the boys.- Yes.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00They'd love it. They'd love it.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04They'd love it so they didn't have to talk to their parents so much!
0:15:04 > 0:15:06This self-contained annexe
0:15:06 > 0:15:10would make a fantastic pied a terre for visiting family.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14But with its own separate driveway, it could also offer a rental income
0:15:14 > 0:15:16as the current owners use this as a holiday let.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20We'll finish the tour in the back garden which is mostly laid to lawn
0:15:20 > 0:15:23and fenced by mature hedges with a delightful timber summerhouse.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26The garden is a bit of a blank canvas at the moment
0:15:26 > 0:15:27so for our keen gardeners,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30this presents a good opportunity to get creative.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32But in terms of size and space,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34is this the sort of size that you had in mind?
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- How far does it go?- Just to there.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Just to there.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Yeah.- Yes. I mean, we could do something with it.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43It would be big enough. I think it would be big enough.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49We'd have to landscape it in sort of a working area, grass area.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- Vegetable area. - Vegetable area. Exactly.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- And it's got a shed and everything. - What do you think it's worth?
0:15:56 > 0:16:03I would say, because of the annexe, perhaps 360,000.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- Yeah. OK.- I was going to say that.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07You can agree.
0:16:07 > 0:16:13Yes. I would say, perhaps, it might even be 365 or 370 even.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- Yeah.- Yeah.- You're very good.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17The pair of you are very good.
0:16:17 > 0:16:24- Really.- Yeah. This could be yours for £365,000.- Right.- Right.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Go and have another look around upstairs cos we really only sort of touched the surface there.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31And also have a good look at that annexe and see what's on offer.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- And I'll catch up with you a little bit later.- OK.- OK.- After you.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42At £365,000, our first offering is a lovely
0:16:42 > 0:16:46detached 17th century farmhouse that's full of period features.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49It's got four bedrooms, including a master en suite
0:16:49 > 0:16:52and two reception rooms as well as a kitchen breakfast room.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Outside there's a good-sized garden
0:16:55 > 0:16:58and even a separate one-bedroom self-contained annexe.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01But will the quirky historic character here manage to charm
0:17:01 > 0:17:06buyers who are so accustomed to straight late 20th century builds?
0:17:06 > 0:17:08My first impressions were quite good.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11I liked the outside. The kitchen is certainly small
0:17:11 > 0:17:14but perhaps that could be altered with an extension.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- Yes, it's a nice space. - It is, isn't it?
0:17:16 > 0:17:21Nice for lettings and certainly nice for the boys when they come to visit.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24It's strange because I'd never thought about living in a house like this
0:17:24 > 0:17:27with exposed beams, and history going into it,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29but once you sort of get into it
0:17:29 > 0:17:34and get the idea round your head, it's got a nice cosy feel about it.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Marion. David.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Out you come. Did you enjoy that one?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- Very interesting indeed.- Yes.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- Very interesting and very unexpected.- Very unexpected.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- Yes. I didn't have anything like this in mind at one time.- No.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48- You're on Escape To The Country, guys.- Indeed.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52It's always about the unexpected. You should know that by now.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53I should do. I should do.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06Norfolk has over 650 villages, each with its own individual character,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09but the quintessentially English village of Castle Acre near Swaffham
0:18:09 > 0:18:14is unusual, as it was actually founded by French invaders
0:18:14 > 0:18:16back in the 11th century.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Built by one of the William the Conqueror's advisors, William de Warenne,
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Castle Acre showcases a very rare and complete Norman plan settlement.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29During the week, we sent David and Marion to meet local historian,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Helen Patterson, to find out more.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33William de Warenne was given this land
0:18:33 > 0:18:36and he founded his chief estate in Norfolk here,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40and he built a site. Nothing much was known about it.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42It was thought to be a Norman castle, until, in the '70s,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46excavations were carried out and at that time all you could see
0:18:46 > 0:18:49was this curtain wall round the top.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Everything else was buried under a mound of grass and shrubs and trees.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54And what they found was very unusual.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57It started as a fortified manor house,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59probably the only example
0:18:59 > 0:19:04- of that sort of thing happening in England if not in Europe.- Really?
0:19:04 > 0:19:06For his efforts protecting the Norman realm,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09de Warenne was granted numerous plots of land
0:19:09 > 0:19:11but it was at Castle Acre
0:19:11 > 0:19:13that he decided to build his country retreat.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Initially a two-storey country house, it was
0:19:16 > 0:19:21transformed into a typically Norman castle during the civil wars of the 12th century.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24But the de Warennes did more than just build a home.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27They were, in fact, pioneers of Norman town planning
0:19:27 > 0:19:31and gradually the area was shaped into a community.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35The robust twin-towered stone bailey that still stands today
0:19:35 > 0:19:38would have been the north gate to this medieval town.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43But the most impressive architectural feat on this site must be the highly-decorative priory
0:19:43 > 0:19:44which was home to 35 monks
0:19:44 > 0:19:48and inspired by the Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, France.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52We know kings came here and they would give them money
0:19:52 > 0:19:54and jewellery sometimes too because
0:19:54 > 0:19:59it meant that the monks would pray for them then and their souls would go up to heaven more quickly.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Romanesque, which is the Norman way of architecture,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05is shown here, probably better than anywhere else in England on a ruin.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06It's absolutely superb.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09It is. I've never seen anything quite like it, to be honest.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13The Cluniac Order worshipped on a very grand scale
0:20:13 > 0:20:17and their love of decoration is reflected in the extensive ruins.
0:20:17 > 0:20:18But despite its ruined state,
0:20:18 > 0:20:22what's left offers a glimpse of its former glory
0:20:22 > 0:20:26and it's one of the largest and best-preserved monastic sites in England.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30The priory was dissolved in 1537 but today the ruins are open
0:20:30 > 0:20:34to the public, the perfect spot for some quiet contemplation.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43We're travelling 12 miles south for our second property,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46close to the historic market town of Wymondham.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Dotted with Elizabethan and Jacobian buildings,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Wymondham also has a medieval church
0:20:51 > 0:20:56and features a half-timbered 16th century market cross in the centre.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59House number two is three miles away in the village of Wicklewood.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02We're stepping further forward in time to the 1800s
0:21:02 > 0:21:03with our second house,
0:21:03 > 0:21:07this handsome Victorian cottage lying in a quiet country lane.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Here we are, there it is. What do you think?
0:21:10 > 0:21:11- OK.- It looks nice.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13It's fairly substantial by the look of it.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16It's very substantial. There's a lot of it.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Everything within and without is of good proportion, I would say.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22What's interesting about this one for you two,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24is the location.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28- Right.- Wicklewood is a really busy good village.- Right.
0:21:28 > 0:21:29The pub is ten minutes walk away.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34- Right.- The village hall is, you know, pretty much next door
0:21:34 > 0:21:39and they have their own village ballroom dancing classes.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Right. Sold.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42See, I thought you'd like it.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44So location I think is good.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- Right.- Transport links brilliant.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51The only thing that remains to be seen is whether or not you can fall in love with that building.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52Yeah. That's the next step.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Can we go and have a look?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Yeah. Come on then.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Well, the possibility of a quickstep right on the doorstep
0:22:00 > 0:22:03has certainly got David and Marion hotfooting it inside.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Let's see whether the interior will get them moving, starting with the sitting room.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Right.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Marion, what do you think?- Yes.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- Another cosy room. Yeah.- It is.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- I mean, we haven't got the huge inglenook of our earlier property. - No.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Although, in some ways this feels a bit more spacious, I don't know why.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- Yes.- Yes. I know exactly what... I wonder if it's because of the beams.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Possibly. Maybe, you know, less of it's fireplace because you've got that nice breast there.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31That's true, yes.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35With French doors opening out to the front garden, the simple uncluttered
0:22:35 > 0:22:38style of the sitting room seems to be hitting the right notes.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42And right across the hallway, is a similar-sized dining room.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- I think this is rather nice. - Yes. This is a nice room.- Yes.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52Cosy, cottagy, but elegant at the same time. The way it's been furnished I think works a treat.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- The picture's sort of building. - Yes. I'm getting there now.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56Brilliant.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- I think the kitchen might just finish it off down here.- OK.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Come and have a look at this, Marion. Tell me what you think.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05There you go.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06Oh, right, that's the kitchen.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- Yeah. Isn't it? - That's the kitchen.- Yes.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11It's got loads of character, this.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13It's all built in. Hand-finished kitchen.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- You know, classic kind of Belfast sink and so forth.- Yes.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18And then just all this space. This is lovely.
0:23:18 > 0:23:24- Down here, can you see, you've got another lovely fireplace here with a wood burner in it?- Oh, right, yes.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25- Which is great.- Right. Yes.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27This is more my type of kitchen.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- Is it big enough?- Yes.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- Yes. Definitely.- Hurrah.
0:23:31 > 0:23:37Things are definitely looking up with the large kitchen-diner, so time to get upstairs.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42The family bathroom serves a total of four large bedrooms, one of which is set out as a twin.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Then there's another smart double guest bedroom, and the third bedroom
0:23:45 > 0:23:49is kitted out as an office with a built-in desk and study space.
0:23:49 > 0:23:56Then finally, of course, there's the room that David and Marion might call their own, the master bedroom.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59It's got that feeling of space in a bedroom. I'm so unused to it
0:23:59 > 0:24:02that it makes me think it's a nice-sized room.
0:24:02 > 0:24:08I mean, I do appreciate it's going to be quite hard for you to fall in love with a property
0:24:08 > 0:24:13- straightaway, because as you said in the car, this is the first time in what, 15, 16 years...- Yes.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- ..that you've actually looked at a property at all.- Yes.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- So you've hit the ground running with us.- Yes.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21And never in our lives have we looked at an older property.
0:24:21 > 0:24:27It remains to be seen whether we've whetted David and Marion's interest for older properties, but this house
0:24:27 > 0:24:32is doing its very best and I think it could work so well for them, though I'm sure
0:24:32 > 0:24:35they won't need much persuading when it comes to the superb garden.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39On all sides, the house is completely enveloped by its own grounds.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43It even has a little pond, attracting all manner of wildlife.
0:24:43 > 0:24:48But what's more, the plot comes with a huge double-garage block which could be converted into a
0:24:48 > 0:24:55separate study or even make a really useful space for David and Marion to practise their ballroom dancing.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Let's have a think about the money, then.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02You went first last time, David, so, Marion?
0:25:02 > 0:25:06355.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08355. Yeah. David?
0:25:08 > 0:25:10I've got a feeling it's going to be a bit more than that.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12- 380, I would say.- 380.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15That's very interesting. You're very astute, sir.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18This is on the market for £375,000
0:25:18 > 0:25:23so teasing the top end of the budget, obviously.
0:25:23 > 0:25:29- I know you said you would go to that if it was perfect and if it wowed you.- Yes.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Has it wowed you, I wonder?
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- Don't answer that question just yet. - No.- OK.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- Go and have an explore and I'll catch up with you later.- OK.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- Right.- Off you go. Enjoy.
0:25:40 > 0:25:47At £375,000, our second house is a great Victorian cottage that comes
0:25:47 > 0:25:53with four double bedrooms, a separate dining room, alongside a huge kitchen/breakfast room.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Outside, there's a double garage with project potential
0:25:56 > 0:25:59and a large landscaped private garden.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04This may be another historic property but it's a later build than our first house, with spacious
0:26:04 > 0:26:10dimensions and a classic layout, more the type of home our buyers are accustomed to.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15I love the idea of the front and back garden all round the house, and
0:26:15 > 0:26:21the space this house has actually got would in many ways be ideal, especially with four bedrooms.
0:26:21 > 0:26:28My first impression of this house was quite nice, nice square, nice looking. Very elegant looking.
0:26:28 > 0:26:34I can see myself in that kitchen making food and baking cakes and entertaining guests, yes.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- Did you enjoy that one, then? - Yes.- Yes, indeed.- Yes, I did.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Good. Well, it's a very, very nice house in a fantastic spot.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Yes.
0:26:52 > 0:26:58So as the sun sets over the famously flat Norfolk landscape, the first day of our house hunt
0:26:58 > 0:27:00comes to an end.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10With a budget of £350,000, town-based David and Marion want a
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Norfolk home where they can finally experience some country living.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18And so far our search has given them their first taste of historic houses.
0:27:18 > 0:27:24But still to come, we've got the mystery property, another vintage which might be more palatable.
0:27:24 > 0:27:25Look at this.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Look at the smiles!
0:27:28 > 0:27:32And I'll be discovering the secrets of a secret agent.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35So this is the one in which Sean Connery sat?
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- Yes.- Fabulous.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45So having had a chance now to sleep on it, do you think
0:27:45 > 0:27:48your attitude to looking at properties has changed a little bit?
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- Yes, slightly, yes.- It has.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53I think you've kind of opened a new world to us really.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57So the mystery house has a fairly good chance of being received well?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- Yes. Yes.- I think so. I think so. - Good.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04And just in the distance, straight ahead of us, is the small
0:28:04 > 0:28:07village of Beeston, where our mystery house lies.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12Beeston is a peaceful rural place that has recently been voted Norfolk village of the year.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14And our mystery house is a contemporary brick and flint
0:28:14 > 0:28:18open-plan barn, parts of which date back to the 19th century.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20But this type of property is something our buyers
0:28:20 > 0:28:25specifically said they didn't want, so let's see if we can tempt them.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29- Right, chaps, well this is the mystery house.- Right.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30- That's totally different.- Yeah.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- Absolutely. Yes.- Do you like it?
0:28:33 > 0:28:34- Yes.- I do. Can't wait to see inside.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- I mean, it's effectively a barn conversion.- Right.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42OK. The old bit is this bit to our left here with these lovely arched windows in it.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- They're cute.- What's interesting is, that bit over there that contains
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- the second storey and the garage, that's all brand new.- Right.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- It ties in exactly with... - You'd never know.
0:28:51 > 0:28:57No. Of course, it does incorporate some of the features that you'd expect in a building of this style.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- Right. - Old beams and that sort of thing.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- Yes.- But with all mod cons.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03- Are we getting there?- Yes.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Yes. I like what I'm hearing so far.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08- Great. Come on then, let's have a look inside.- Right.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Recently developed, the mystery house is
0:29:11 > 0:29:15a particularly fine example of a barn conversion with a modern twist.
0:29:15 > 0:29:21The layout is open-plan so let's see if they'll be open to our latest proposition.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25Come on in, Marion.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Oh, wow.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29- We got a "wow"!- Yes. - Yes.- Yes.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- We got the first "wow" of the week. - Yes. That's very nice.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- The mental picture of what we've had.- Something like this. Yes.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- This is it, you've achieved it.- The floor, what do you think of that?
0:29:40 > 0:29:41That's beautiful.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- Now then, under-floor heating throughout.- Oh, right, great.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Yeah.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50- It's something else that we talked about.- Look at the smiles!
0:29:50 > 0:29:54OK. Excellent. So I think we've got there, haven't we?
0:29:54 > 0:29:58- Yes.- When can I have my dinner? - Well, as soon as Marion cooks it.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- Absolutely.- Well, come and look at this because it is a kitchen-diner,
0:30:01 > 0:30:05it's obviously lacking the dining table element.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- This property is empty. It's ready for you to move into.- Right.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10But you'd get a very generous dining table in there.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- Yes.- And of course, you've got doors out there to the little patio.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- All right.- Yes. Very nice. That's just what I wanted.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Yeah. So you're cooking, friends are chatting.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21- Yes.- That's right. - Yeah?- Yes.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22Exactly as we'd envisaged.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26- Now, reception rooms you've been challenged by, I think.- Right, yes.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29I think they've all been lovely but hopefully this one is a bit bigger for you.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31- Yes.- That's a lovely size.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33- That is a lovely size. - Yes. Nice fire.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35- I like the fire.- Yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37- And it's a nice size. - I like the general feel...
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- Yes.- It really does look nice.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- We'd get our furniture in here, no trouble.- Yes.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Now, I know that you're not
0:30:44 > 0:30:46traditionally sold on open-plan.
0:30:46 > 0:30:52Normally I'm not. I normally say I don't want open-plan and Marion says, "But I like open-plan."
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Slight argument about it.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- I know that you're loving this.- Yes.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57OK. What do you think, really?
0:30:57 > 0:31:00This is the best compromise that I've ever seen because
0:31:00 > 0:31:05- it's open-plan but it's not open-plan, because it's got this lovely feature here.- Yeah.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08Which, as far as I'm concerned, makes all the difference.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12The use of a full-height exposed brick chimney breast is an attractive and practical solution
0:31:12 > 0:31:17to dividing the space up, designating clear zones for living and dining.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20But at the far end of the single-storey part of the barn, a
0:31:20 > 0:31:25room has been partitioned off which could make a lovely study for David.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- Lovely size. Absolutely perfect size for me, this would be.- Yeah?
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Yeah. I can picture the desk with me sitting at it.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34The thing I like about it is that it's at the end of the building.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- Right.- So once you shut the door on work, that's it.- Finished.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- Yeah.- You haven't got to keep walking through it.- No.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44The study makes up one of the four bedrooms in this property, and
0:31:44 > 0:31:49another ground floor bedroom lies in the newer wing at the opposite end, the dual aspect double room.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52A good-sized utility room and modern family bathroom with
0:31:52 > 0:31:57separate bath and shower cubicle can also be found down here.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00And if the huge open-plan kitchen-diner wasn't enough,
0:32:00 > 0:32:05there's also a separate dining room with double doors out to a patio.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10But next, it's time to take the oak staircase upstairs to explore the top level.
0:32:10 > 0:32:11Now, up here...
0:32:13 > 0:32:16- ..the final two bedrooms and this, your master bedroom.- Oh, gosh.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Right. Yes.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24- Yeah?- Also another little picture in my mind has just come to fruition.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Brilliant. We can't go wrong with this one, can we?
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- It's all good.- Lovely.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30En suite in here, look, there you go.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- Oh, yes. This is nice.- Beautiful.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37- Very nice.- I mean, anywhere else that would be quite a handy, you know, family bathroom.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39- Yes. Yes.- Indeed.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41- It's perfect. - Yeah?- It's perfect for us, yes.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43You couldn't have designed it better yourself!
0:32:43 > 0:32:45But, Marion, come and have a look at this, because
0:32:45 > 0:32:49- what we've got for you here is loads of built-in storage.- Yes. Lovely.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52I don't have to scrabble around to find my clothes any more.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- I might have room for some of mine as well!- Indeed.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59- And you've got a little airing cupboard in there too.- Oh, right.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03The other bedroom up here is also a comfortable double room,
0:33:03 > 0:33:07again featuring generous built-in wardrobes with two skylight windows.
0:33:07 > 0:33:12This property appears to be giving them the element we've been struggling to find on their budget,
0:33:12 > 0:33:14a character home with spacious proportions,
0:33:14 > 0:33:19but as this is the mystery house, there's another twist.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- OK, Marion, come on out. - This is the compromise, isn't it?
0:33:23 > 0:33:26- This is the end bit you've got to think about.- Yes.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28The rest of it, as you have seen, is absolutely lovely.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30- It's beautiful.- All sorted.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34- Given that you are retiring, you're wanting to take life a little easier.- Indeed.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36I can certainly see some lovely raised beds here,
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- alongside the fence there.- Yeah.
0:33:38 > 0:33:45OK. Well, let's get down to the kind of hard bit of it, our final discussion of money over the week.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49Go on, David. You go first this time.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53I'm fearing it could be about...400.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56- I'm hoping it's 370. - You're hoping it's 370?
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Well, it is the mystery house.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00We do like to sort of push you in all sorts of ways.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04I think we've pushed you in terms of the design and style of this building.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07- What we haven't done is push you on the price.- Right.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12- Cos this could be yours for £340,000.- Really?
0:34:12 > 0:34:14- Right.- Wow.- That's good news.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16I think that buys you a courtyard garden.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- That is fantastic.- Yes.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Yes, cos that's the difference, isn't it?
0:34:21 > 0:34:24- You're not paying for that extra bit of land.- It's a wonderful building.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Go and have a good old look around, and I'll catch you later.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- OK.- Go on. Enjoy.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Ah, the mystery house, you've got to love it.
0:34:36 > 0:34:43Surprisingly under budget at £340,000, this beautiful period barn conversion is awash with character,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46without compromising on space inside.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52It has four double bedrooms with a master en suite, a separate dining room and living area, and
0:34:52 > 0:34:53to top it off, we've even found
0:34:53 > 0:34:57the perfect kitchen/breakfast room for Marion, and it's huge.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00But there is a trade-off with the bijou garden.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05So, will they be willing to downsize on their preferred plot of land?
0:35:05 > 0:35:10- On Escape To The Country, every time we see a nice kitchen like this I'm all excited.- Your very words.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- "That's the kitchen I want."- Yes.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Those are the words that you said, isn't it, and now you're standing in it.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Yes. I'm very excited.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19- Absolutely.- I love it.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21I love it. It's beautiful.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22It's everything I want.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26The garden is the only thing that's slightly disappointing, but
0:35:26 > 0:35:28you can't have everything in this life, can you?
0:35:28 > 0:35:31Well, the mystery house is just amazing.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35It's satisfied so many of the criteria that we had, especially the
0:35:35 > 0:35:38kitchen, which I knew Marion would absolutely love and I love as well.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40Out you go, Marion. After you, David.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Thank you.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46Brilliant. I've had to drag you kicking and screaming out of the mystery house.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Didn't think we'd get them out of there!
0:35:55 > 0:36:00Norfolk's level terrain and coastal location have ensured that it's had
0:36:00 > 0:36:03a long and distinguished role in Britain's aviation history.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06And by World War II, there were over 30 air bases
0:36:06 > 0:36:09built here for use by the American Air Force and the RAF.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13One aviation legend who's experience these times first hand
0:36:13 > 0:36:18is Wing Commander Ken Wallis, who took his first flight in 1936.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22I've come to meet him to find out more about his extraordinary life.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27Well, Ken, East Anglia is famous for its flying pedigree, not least for its wartime...
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- Oh, yes.- ..story, which you played a full part in.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35But am I right in saying that you flew 28 combat missions over Germany?
0:36:35 > 0:36:3828 missions over Germany, a particularly bad time, actually.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41The loss rate very high at the time.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44And I flew in 103 Squadron which had the highest loss rate
0:36:44 > 0:36:47of Bomber Command for some reason, I don't know quite why.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- But you fortunately survived. - I survived but only just.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Only just? I mean, I dare say one or two hairy moments in between?
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- Yes, certainly.- But you obviously had a passion for flying.
0:36:57 > 0:37:04- Tell me where that came from.- Well, it started with my father and my uncle, who made an aeroplane in 1910.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08Flying and indeed, inventing, runs in the family.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12In 1964, Ken retired from the RAF to concentrate on developing his very
0:37:12 > 0:37:17own aircraft, of which he has now amassed a private collection of over 30 models.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22By improving the design of a gyroglider to his own specifications, and including an
0:37:22 > 0:37:29engine, the revolutionary autogyro was to steer his career in a whole new direction.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Ken, I'm amazed, I had no idea there were so many of them.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Are they arranged in any kind of order?
0:37:35 > 0:37:37They're more or less in order.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41- Is this the first one? - This is the first of my design.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45But we talk about autogyro as if we all know exactly how it works.
0:37:45 > 0:37:46What's the principle behind it?
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Well, it's just the same as the sycamore seed.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Now, when a sycamore seed falls from the tree, you know it whirls
0:37:52 > 0:37:56- around and takes a lot longer to come down than it otherwise would?- Yeah.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00The autogyro is exactly the same principle as the sycamore seed.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04It's rather like when two seeds join together, they're circling
0:38:04 > 0:38:08around each other but by setting them at an angle and pushing them along,
0:38:08 > 0:38:12- as with a propeller and an engine, they can actually stay up.- So you're pushing yourself into the wind,
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- all the way?- That's right. Yeah.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18Ken designs and develops the autogyros for surveillance
0:38:18 > 0:38:22and for the military, but one of his models was to take him to Hollywood.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26It was featured in the film You Only Live Twice.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31And it was Ken himself who doubled as James Bond for all the aerial stunts.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35- So this is the one in which Sean Connery sat?- Yes.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39- Fabulous.- It was hung up and there was something
0:38:39 > 0:38:43strobing across the light source to give the impression of a rotor blade.
0:38:43 > 0:38:50And a fan ruffling his shirt. And the background scenery being moved.
0:38:50 > 0:38:56A century after their first flight, the Wallis family are still fascinated with flying.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00And even in his 90s, Ken can't resist taking to the skies.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05In fact, he's in training to break his own autogyro world speed record,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08which currently stands at 129 mph.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Well, they do say you can't keep a good man down,
0:39:11 > 0:39:15particularly not a magnificent man in his flying machines.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Well, it's now decision time for Marion and for David.
0:39:21 > 0:39:27I have to say, when we started this house search, it all seemed pretty straightforward but my sense is that
0:39:27 > 0:39:31they've learnt a lot more about themselves and property in general than they ever thought they would.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34So let's go and see what they think now.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38- Hello, Marion.- Hello.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- Hi, David.- Hi, there.- How we doing?
0:39:41 > 0:39:43- Fine.- Pretty good. - Thinking?- Yes.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47- Very hard.- Let's think about the first property that we showed you.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51That lovely little cottage with the holiday lets. What did you make of that one?
0:39:51 > 0:39:57When I first saw the outside, the front especially, I thought, "Great, looks really, really nice."
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Went inside and was quite surprised by the exposed beams
0:40:00 > 0:40:02because I hadn't thought about anything like that.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07The rooms, some of them were a little bit smaller than I'd imagined they might be.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10My worry was the stairs.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11I've already got arthritis.
0:40:11 > 0:40:16I'm a bit sort of unsure on my feet at times and that was really worrying me.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19As you get older, that's going to get worse.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22Well, they're all good practical considerations,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- but not to be daunted, we took you to our second property.- Yeah.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- Lovely Victorian-build surrounded by a very generous garden.- Yes.
0:40:29 > 0:40:35Double garage on the edge of the village, a village complete with...
0:40:35 > 0:40:37- A dancing class. - A dancing class. I mean, come on!
0:40:37 > 0:40:42Yes. That was a real bonus if you'd like to have that sort
0:40:42 > 0:40:45of community village there, which was something we'd very much wanted.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48And the garden was also beautifully set out.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Yes. I liked the garden and I liked the house in many ways, but
0:40:52 > 0:40:55again, there were aspects of it that we would have liked to have changed.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00- I would have liked to have added on another bathroom and perhaps a utility room.- Yes.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04- Yeah.- And that would have cost extra and it was at the top of our budget.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07- But again, the location there was so good.- Yes, it was. Yes.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11That was a big consideration, and that was where I had great difficulty where I
0:41:11 > 0:41:16was sort of, at one point, sitting in the garden, contemplating whether
0:41:16 > 0:41:21I could work the location against the other things.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25And I found it very difficult, to be honest, because I could actually imagine living there.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Let me take you to our final property, the mystery house, which I was very excited about.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33It offered almost everything that you wanted, with the exception of a big garden.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37But the finish, I think, really went to the heart of what you'd imagined.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- Yeah.- Yes. - Tell me what happened when you walked into that kitchen, Marion.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Well, yes, blown away because I loved the kitchen.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- It was the only "wow" of the week. - Yes, it was the only "wow", yes!
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Absolutely.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51The kitchen was definitely a "wow", and so was the whole thing really.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52- Yes.- It was very well done.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55It was well thought out.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57- And I really liked everything.- Yeah.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01And every single room, there was no complaint, I don't think, about any room.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- No. I didn't hear any.- No.- No.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06There weren't at all, even silly things like, we won't have to
0:42:06 > 0:42:09carpet the stairs, we were able to say, and things like that.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11We could virtually move in.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- You could absolutely just move in there.- Yeah.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15- There is nothing you would have to do.- No.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- No.- The only thing you would need to consider
0:42:18 > 0:42:19- is the garden.- Yes.- Yes.
0:42:19 > 0:42:25So are we going to furnish you with our mystery house, I wonder? Cos that's the only contender.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Well, yes, indeed. Yes. Yes. Well, it's
0:42:28 > 0:42:32obviously, as I think you know, there's the problem with our own house.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- If that was sold. - If that went through
0:42:36 > 0:42:42in the near future, I think we'd be driving up there and probably making an offer.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44- Knocking on the door. - I think we would be.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Good. Well, best of luck, and let us know how you get on.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48- We'll certainly do that.- Thank you.
0:42:48 > 0:42:54Well, there's no doubt that this has been an enjoyable and eye-opening journey for David and Marion.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56And the good news is that the Norfolk property market
0:42:56 > 0:43:01seems to have delivered the perfect home for them in the form of our mystery house.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04I'm absolutely delighted.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07If you'd like to Escape To The Country in Northern Ireland, Wales,
0:43:07 > 0:43:12Scotland or England, and would like our help, then please apply online.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:38 > 0:43:41E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk