0:00:02 > 0:00:05"That's she, the only she. Make an honest woman of her, quick."
0:00:05 > 0:00:11That was the reaction of one of England's most famous 19th and 20th century's writers
0:00:11 > 0:00:14on first seeing this stunning Jacobean property.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Who was he, and where am I? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32In today's show, I'll be helping a dynamic couple
0:00:32 > 0:00:36swap city living for a breath of fresh air in the country.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39But it comes with its challenges.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Would you have to do a lot of work here?
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- WOMAN: No, I... MAN:- Yes.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45So we resort to shock tactics.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- What?!- Wow!
0:00:47 > 0:00:49You're joking?
0:00:49 > 0:00:52And the mystery house gets the ultimate reaction.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53Wow.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55And a "wow" from Nick.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Today, I'm in Sussex, and this is Bateman's,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03the former home of Rudyard Kipling.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Now, suffering from a serious case of love at first sight,
0:01:06 > 0:01:13Kipling bought this house in 1902 for the princely sum of £9,300.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Both the house and the grounds became a place
0:01:16 > 0:01:19of inspiration and sanctuary for the world-famous author.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21He spent 34 happy years here,
0:01:21 > 0:01:26surrounded by the beautiful countryside of Sussex.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Neighbouring Kent, Surrey and Hampshire,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Sussex's borders are home to over 600 square miles
0:01:32 > 0:01:36of undulating rural landscape.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41And since April, 2010, the county formally encompasses the South Downs National Park,
0:01:41 > 0:01:45stretching as far as the yawning chalky cliffs at Beachy Head,
0:01:45 > 0:01:46near Eastbourne.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Besides a geological history spanning some 40 million years,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53the date of 1066 is inextricably linked with this county,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57as it was at Hastings, the Normans sealed their victory,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00the architectural remains of their glory years
0:02:00 > 0:02:03surviving to this day in towns such as Lewes.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07There are plenty of period properties that echo the county's rich history,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11from elegant Georgian mansions, built in its naval heyday,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15to the classic red-brick, tile-hung and weather-boarded houses.
0:02:17 > 0:02:24In terms of property, West Sussex is the seventh most expensive county in England,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28with prices an eye-watering 41% higher than the national average.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Now, East Sussex is slightly cheaper, but the closer you are to mainline stations into London,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36the more expensive and desirable the properties become.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39In fact, in Sussex, properties are so desirable at times
0:02:39 > 0:02:42that they are sold within hours of going onto market.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46So, why don't you take a look at some of the properties on offer right now in Sussex,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48because they may not be for long.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53For £750,000, this three-bedroom, traditional Sussex cottage
0:02:53 > 0:02:55on the edge of Lurgashall
0:02:55 > 0:02:57has a wealth of historic features
0:02:57 > 0:02:59throughout its spacious reception rooms,
0:02:59 > 0:03:03all wrapped up in just over three quarters of an acre of gardens.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08This cottage in Bells Yew Green for £500,000
0:03:08 > 0:03:10is full of rustic period features
0:03:10 > 0:03:13that run throughout its comfortable reception areas,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17with its four bedrooms also offset by those exposed beams.
0:03:18 > 0:03:24For a slice of history from the 1800s, what about this four-bedroom converted schoolhouse in Fairlight?
0:03:24 > 0:03:29Priced at £350,000, its high ceilings and arched windows
0:03:29 > 0:03:31are impressive, with clean lines
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and light, bright rooms continuing upstairs.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Some smashing Sussex properties there, and three more coming up.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43But will any of them tempt today's buyers?
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Well, only time will tell, so let's meet them.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49Nick, who runs his own IT company, and Sarah, a fitness instructor -
0:03:49 > 0:03:52along with their two children and dogs -
0:03:52 > 0:03:54have lived in their four-bedroom semi-detached home
0:03:54 > 0:03:58in Wimbledon, south-west London, for the past eight years,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01during which time they have completely renovated their property.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07The first night, I cried and said, "What have we done?" It was hideous, wasn't it? Absolutely horrific.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12And it's taken... Well, it's taken seven years, hasn't it, to sort of get it together?
0:04:12 > 0:04:16And of course, typically for us, as soon as we've finished it, we want to move.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Although Nick's a self-confessed urbanite,
0:04:19 > 0:04:20he's had a change of heart.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I always thought I was a city boy,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26and wanted to stay in the city, but I've come around to the idea
0:04:26 > 0:04:29that it would be fantastic to move out and have a lot more space.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33But his decision has come after a lot of persuasion from Sarah.
0:04:33 > 0:04:39I've spent the last two years getting brochures, and selling it, basically.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41And she has her reasons.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Basically, Gabby's nearly 11, and you know, we live in a nice area,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48but I can't open the front door and the kids can't run out
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and have the freedom that I had when I was a kid.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54I tend to run around like an absolute lunatic around London, as does Nick,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and I think we need that time with the kids to just be a family
0:04:57 > 0:05:01and to spend more time with each other, doing simple things, really.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04At least they can agree on HOW they're going to spend their time.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08I used to cycle quite a lot - a lot of mountain biking when it was first invented.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11So, I'd like to do that again with the kids as they grow up.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I'd like to...kind of relax a bit as well,
0:05:14 > 0:05:18because being in the city, being so connected to work...
0:05:18 > 0:05:21I'll have him working in the garden, because I want a big garden, you see?
0:05:21 > 0:05:24That's my plan. SHE LAUGHS
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Sarah currently has her own gym, but with this move, she wants to go bigger.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33What I want to do is set up fitness boot camps, training camps, in and around Sussex.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35They're united on looking in Sussex villages
0:05:35 > 0:05:38with good train access to London for Nick,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40but can they agree on the house?
0:05:40 > 0:05:43I can't stand twee, or low ceilings.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48- Or, in fact, wobbly houses, so... - I like wobbly houses.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49When we're looking for character,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52I'm not looking for a low-ceiling, beamed house.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53You see, I love that.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56That's because you're short.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Because I'm 5'4", and he's 6'1".
0:05:59 > 0:06:01So I love, and I'm obsessed with all the sort of...
0:06:01 > 0:06:04not mock Tudor, but real Tudor, and real, old character.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09But that's where the big problem is. He absolutely hates it.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12You know, I do know what Nick wants and needs
0:06:12 > 0:06:14for where we're going to live,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16and equally, you know what I want and need, too.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19The next property needs to have four bedrooms,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I guess two reception rooms.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Well, my absolute must-have is a really big garden.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27That's really important to me -
0:06:27 > 0:06:29no less than three quarters of an acre.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33At the moment, they're planning on renting out their current property,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36so how much do they have to spend for their move?
0:06:36 > 0:06:40The budget is £500,000. There's a little bit of flexibility there.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49It's pretty obvious that Sarah is the driving force behind the family's decision to quit city life.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54It has taken her five long years to convince confirmed urbanite, Nick,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56to leave his beloved London behind forever.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00It's also perfectly apparent that after a tearful and shaky start,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04they both now love their house in Wimbledon so much,
0:07:04 > 0:07:06they want to keep it and rent it out.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10But we also know that they've chosen to move to a very expensive part of the country.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14And whilst they're both willing - even eager - to take on a project,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I am extremely worried that their half-a-million-pound budget
0:07:17 > 0:07:20still won't be enough to get them everything they want.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23So, something is going to have to give.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27They've since decided to put their house on the market,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31which now arms them with a generous budget of £750,000.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36So, with that, and their need to have road and rail access to London in mind,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39we're basing Nick and Sarah's property search in East Sussex,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42where they'll get a bit more for their money
0:07:42 > 0:07:45than they would over the border in West Sussex.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48We've found three gorgeous family homes to show them,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50but I won't be revealing the price tag of each
0:07:50 > 0:07:54until they've had a guess first. The last is our mystery house,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58which adds a totally different dimension to their search.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Good morning, guys. Glad to see you've made it to leafy Sussex.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- Only five years it took you to get here.- Yes! - How are you feeling, Nick?
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Really good.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Not too worried about making this big move?- Not at all, no.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15Sussex is commutable to London, but that does make it very popular with ex-city people,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19and therefore one of the more expensive places in the country.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22I also know it's a big step for you and it shows your commitment
0:08:22 > 0:08:26to making this move and changing your family's whole lifestyle.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28It is a bit scary, but we're ready for it.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30You're ready to let go of Wimbledon?
0:08:30 > 0:08:31I think so.
0:08:31 > 0:08:37While you're in that mood, let's not spend any more time talking about it and go and see some properties!
0:08:39 > 0:08:42With a budget of £750,000,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Nick and Sarah are after a detached property,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48with high ceilings for him, but rustic beams for her.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49Also on the wish list
0:08:49 > 0:08:52is a large family kitchen, four bedrooms,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55at least three quarters of an acre garden,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58with the scope for a gym, music room and ideally,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01space for Sarah to realise her boot camp idea.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03And it must be located near schools
0:09:03 > 0:09:05and a mainline train station
0:09:05 > 0:09:07for Nick's commute into London.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15For our first property, we're heading to the village of Pett,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18with an array of attractive period housing stock
0:09:18 > 0:09:19and its own farm shop.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23They can take in the sea air with the beach only half a mile away.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27And among the selection of period properties
0:09:27 > 0:09:31is this Arts and Crafts house, built at the end of the 1920s.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33This is the first property.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Wow, that is big!
0:09:36 > 0:09:37That was a "wow". Nick?
0:09:37 > 0:09:41That's quite funny, it's like the house I used to live in when I was a kid.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- Really?!- It is, isn't it?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Ah!- It looks like it's going to have high ceilings as well, I think.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49You lucky boy!
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I get the feeling you're going to like it here.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- I'm just staring at it now. - Let's see if you like the inside.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00There's no doubt that our property has impressed them at the outset.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Let's hope those high spirits continue inside.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05In we come.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09Very, very big hallway, as you'd expect with a house this size.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11I love big hallways.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- It's fantastic.- So, come through to your formal living room.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18It's lovely, it's lovely.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- It's a good size. - I think it's great.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23It's got a lovely atmosphere about it. I really like it.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24And does it fit your style?
0:10:24 > 0:10:27I know you two spent a lot of time in Wimbledon,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30re-doing it and making it the way you want it.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Would you have to do a lot of work here?
0:10:32 > 0:10:33- No, I...- Yes.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35LAUGHTER
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Love it!
0:10:37 > 0:10:42Wow, what different reactions. While Sarah is fizzing with excitement,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Nick's being more level-headed.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46But maybe there's a project next door
0:10:46 > 0:10:48that they'd both be happy to take on.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Hmm...- It's a bit small.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54That's how I thought you were going to react.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Yeah, it's a bit small.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- What's that out there? - Good question. Let's move forward.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02There's potential, of course there is.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Would we show you a kitchen that was too small without an option?
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Of course not! Here, this little extra section is essentially a utility space.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13However, we've already spoken to the local council and the planners,
0:11:13 > 0:11:18and you wouldn't need planning permission if you went four metres and did a single storey...
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- Really?- ..from here, out.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- Wow, that's quite far.- That would take you to the edge there.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29- That would make it the size that we would want it to be. - There you go.- Well done! Very good.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32So, taking that into consideration...
0:11:32 > 0:11:33It's really big.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38- ..what do you think of this kitchen, or the potential for this kitchen? - I think it's all right, now!
0:11:38 > 0:11:42And they've got more reception areas on the other side of the hallway,
0:11:42 > 0:11:44with a second smart sitting room
0:11:44 > 0:11:47and a third room which Nick could use as his music den.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50The downstairs of this Arts and Crafts property
0:11:50 > 0:11:53has the period elegance and space they're looking for.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56And those generous proportions continue upstairs.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Leading off the spacious landing are the five bedrooms -
0:11:59 > 0:12:02all well-decorated doubles and a very good size.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06What's more, there's a bathroom and separate shower room.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09But they should definitely claim this as their room.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12The reason I say this should be the master suite
0:12:12 > 0:12:16is because not only does it have a little dressing room tucked behind there,
0:12:16 > 0:12:18it also has an en-suite bathroom
0:12:18 > 0:12:20with bath and shower just over there.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22As you can see, they have so many bedrooms,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- they're using this as a boudoir at the moment.- Fantastic.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Do you know what? I've always wanted a dressing room.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30Perhaps!
0:12:30 > 0:12:32So what are you thinking?
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- You'd like to keep this like that? - Oh, yeah!- Sorry, Nick.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38I'm not getting the vibe at the moment.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42I have to see it in its entirety, then I can start planning it all out.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Well, hopefully seeing another master option might change his view.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Now, look at this for a bedroom,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50and...that for a view.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52It's lovely, really lovely.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- Are you feeling any warmer towards the property now?- No.- No?
0:12:56 > 0:12:59There's a sort of heart and there's a head thing going on.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02My heart's not in this one for the moment.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05I think this house is a fantastic opening gambit,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09that gives them the space and period character they asked for.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11And outside might convince Nick,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14as there's three quarters of an acre of tiered gardens,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17so lots of space for the dogs and children to roam in,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20with little secret corners tucked away among its mature trees.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25It's quite a unique setting, but does it work for them?
0:13:26 > 0:13:30We are up into the hills, which is why you get the wonderful views.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32How are you feeling about this type of garden?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Well, I like it. I like the idea of levels
0:13:34 > 0:13:38and little, sort of secret areas to hide in and play around.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40What do you think?
0:13:40 > 0:13:41Well...
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- LAUGHTER - I'm guessing if you say you like it, you've got a different opinion!
0:13:45 > 0:13:47It's, erm...
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Er, you know, it is quite a nice garden.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52It could be a bit flatter, maybe.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54I'm going to sound so picky, aren't I?
0:13:54 > 0:13:56No, but it's about what works for you.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Now you've seen the house and the garden and the views,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02have you made an opinion on how much you think it's worth?
0:14:02 > 0:14:06So, I think it's £695,000.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- OK.- And I think it's £650,000.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12There's a big difference there. Shall I put you out of your misery?
0:14:12 > 0:14:13BOTH: Yes.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15You're right. You win this round.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- That's a surprise. - It is on at £650,000.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- Brilliant.- So, it's a hundred grand under your budget,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25which does mean the changes we talked about in the house are do-able.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- Go and spend some time in the house, and I'll see you later.- We will do.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38Under budget at £650,000, perhaps the £100,000 saving
0:14:38 > 0:14:41will persuade Nick to warm to this Arts and Crafts house.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43It's a great proposition,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45giving them four large reception areas,
0:14:45 > 0:14:47a kitchen ripe for extension
0:14:47 > 0:14:49with the money they have left over,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52five bedrooms with a potential master suite,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54three quarters of an acre of grounds,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56and a spectacular rural location,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58but with a mainline train station
0:14:58 > 0:14:59in nearby Hastings,
0:14:59 > 0:15:00giving Nick only an
0:15:00 > 0:15:03hour and a half's commute to London.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06When I first saw it, I thought, "Wow, that's amazing."
0:15:06 > 0:15:10The location was fantastic, the house looked really impressive.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14In terms of all the things in this house that we've asked for -
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- large hallway...- Yep, that's a tick. - ..nice living room...
0:15:19 > 0:15:26I like the garden, location's good. I'm just... I'm just not feeling it.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- Hello.- Hello.- I've been taking in the view out here.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Have you seen enough in there?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- We have, we have.- Yes. - Let's keep going, then.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Along with the spectacular hinterland of the South Downs National Park,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Sussex also racks up an impressive coastline of 106 miles,
0:15:55 > 0:15:57where throughout its towns,
0:15:57 > 0:16:01the Normans wasted no time in making their architectural mark.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Chichester in West Sussex is home to a prime example.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Work on its imposing cathedral started in 1070,
0:16:08 > 0:16:12although much of what remains today dates back to the 1300s.
0:16:12 > 0:16:18Its medieval spire is reputedly the only one in the UK that can be seen from the sea,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21and is thought to have been used as a navigational aid.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Chichester wears its architectural heritage on its sleeve,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30with over 500 listed buildings - many of them Georgian.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33But in many cases, it's only skin-deep.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Earlier in the week, we sent Nick and Sarah
0:16:36 > 0:16:40to meet local guide, Colin Clark, to find out more.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Are all the houses here Georgian?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Not entirely, because it's rather deceiving.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50We've got Georgian frontages on many of the buildings that are, in fact, medieval.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55They were...sort of upgraded for status, as much as anything,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57during the 18th century.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00And many builders actually reveal timbers and things
0:17:00 > 0:17:03which date back way before the Georgian period.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08The 18th century was a time of commercial prosperity in the city,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10as grain and livestock were traded at market
0:17:10 > 0:17:13and taken to Portsmouth to supply the Naval fleet.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16A few miles from the city centre, Chichester harbour
0:17:16 > 0:17:20is a marine playground for wildlife and boat enthusiasts alike.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24And as Sarah and Nick have never flexed their sea legs before,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26we asked master sailor, Nick Jones,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28to give them a taste of life on the waves,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31although reservations seem to be creeping in.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36Nick does get a little bit seasick. He might not admit that today.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38I don't think he'll get seasick today.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41It's quite flat and there's not too much wind,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44so we should be able to cope with that.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48So, with life jackets donned, it's time to put them through their paces.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53What we're trying to do, Nick, basically, is keep the boat level.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55It goes fastest when it's level.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- I think Nick's pretty much a natural.- He's good, isn't he?
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- Can you, er, crack open a few beers? - I'm just trying to stay alive!
0:18:04 > 0:18:06SHE SCREAMS
0:18:06 > 0:18:09One of the key sailing skills is tacking, where you change direction
0:18:09 > 0:18:13by turning the front - or bow - of the boat up through the wind.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17In three, two, one, tacking now.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23Good work.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29Besides having such bracing activities on their doorstep,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33I'm sure the spoils of Chichester have reassured city lover, Nick,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37that Sussex can serve up the best of town, country and coast.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Our second property lies in the village of Brede,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50within easy reach of Hastings and Rye, for schools and train stations.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55Along with a church and shop, the village serves up a varied mix of character properties,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58including this impressive 1930s house,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01thoughtfully extended in the early 1990s.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05And this is the second property.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- It's lovely.- It's very nice.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Oh, my word!
0:19:09 > 0:19:12It reminds me of something from when I was little.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16It's the sort of thing that you always wanted to live in.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- It does. It looks homely. - Homely, that's good.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22A smile and a positive from Nick. I think we're doing well.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24On that note, let's go inside.
0:19:24 > 0:19:30How exciting that they both think this property makes a statement.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35As there's plenty of parking space, Sarah could think about turning the car port into a mini gym.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Let's hope what they see inside sets their hearts racing.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46Right, straight through here we have another big entrance hallway.
0:19:46 > 0:19:52I thought this was a lounge. I thought we'd go straight into the lounge from the front.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53This is a really great hallway.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- A nice surprise for you, then?- Yeah. - Yeah, it's good. It's big.- Good.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01Voila!
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- Le kitchen, what do you think? - I like it!
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Definitely better than the other one.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09LAUGHTER I love those windows.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12This is all reclaimed brick. I think the windows are lovely,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16and the sun's coming through and they're letting in all that lovely light,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18so it's really brightening up.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20It's got a really nice atmosphere about it.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23And just over there, you've got a utility room,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27so more storage space, a door for the dogs, and a downstairs loo.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29BOTH: Great.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- We said "great" at the same time! - You did!
0:20:32 > 0:20:35I'm hoping that's a good omen and you both really like it,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- so a good start all round. Let's keep going.- Absolutely.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Perfect harmony, at last.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44I hope we can build on that in the main reception room.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48It's nice. It's a really nicely done room, too.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- It's cosy, isn't it?- Do you like it? ..(He likes it.)
0:20:51 > 0:20:55I can't believe it, I know! I don't want to say it out loud.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59I don't want to ask any questions in case you change your mind.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01- Just tell me what you like about it, Nick.- Um...
0:21:01 > 0:21:04It's a good size,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07nice and bright, um...
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- Yep!- Oh, you looked up, then!
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- I was waiting for that. - I knew there'd be something.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15That's it, but it's just the ceiling, so...
0:21:15 > 0:21:22I can see Nick's going to be a tough cookie to please until we get those ceilings right,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25but there is the square footage, with a separate dining room
0:21:25 > 0:21:29giving them a third light living area to adapt as they see fit.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32And the fresh, modern style continues upstairs,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36throughout its six bedrooms, and the first stop is the master.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42This one is the master suite because you do have an en-suite bathroom.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44You've got lovely storage, here.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Lots of space for you, but is it big enough for you, Nick?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51This is a really good size room. No, it's good. I think it's working.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53What do you think, Sarah?
0:21:53 > 0:21:55You know me, Denise, I really like it.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- Silly question - "I love it!" - I think it's lovely.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01You could just move in and not have to do anything.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- I wouldn't do anything.- Amazing. - It's never happened, ever.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09The remaining five bedrooms are just as tastefully furnished,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12and include two lovely, light doubles and two smaller rooms,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16one with built-in cupboards, and an ingenious little single
0:22:16 > 0:22:17with storage and a skylight.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23The Victorian-style family bathroom has a fabulous roll-top bath,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26and there's a separate, sleek shower room.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32I think the contemporary interior has reassured Nick that a country home doesn't have to be twee.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36And they're excited by the fact that they could move straight in.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40Let's head outside and see if the garden scores as highly.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Right, here we are, out in the garden.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Is it flat enough for you, Nick?
0:22:44 > 0:22:47That's a lot flatter. You can play football on this one!
0:22:47 > 0:22:49You can, they're even ready for you!
0:22:49 > 0:22:52What about the size? Does it work for you?
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Yeah, it's a lot better.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- Would you like your garden any bigger than this?- Say yes.- Yes!
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- Good! Because all of that is yours as well.- You're joking? No!
0:23:01 > 0:23:02LAUGHTER
0:23:02 > 0:23:07Now that is... Wow! That is fantastic.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- Are you ready for a little bit more? - How much of that...? ..What?
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- It's not just that little bit there. You see that little woodland there? - Really?!
0:23:14 > 0:23:17And guess what's at the back behind there?
0:23:17 > 0:23:18I don't know!
0:23:18 > 0:23:19A little stream!
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Oh!
0:23:21 > 0:23:22NICK LAUGHS
0:23:22 > 0:23:25SHE SOBS Sorry!
0:23:25 > 0:23:26Don't be sorry!
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Are you all right?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30It's just...perfect.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33It's perfect. I can't believe this.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Sorry, Nick.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39I'm just blown away. Blown away, I can't believe it.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41I don't know if you're ready for any more.
0:23:41 > 0:23:42There's not more?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- There's a little bit more! - You're joking?
0:23:45 > 0:23:48It wraps round a bit, and there's enough space there -
0:23:48 > 0:23:51the current owners have got planning permission -
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- they were going to build a stable block with a tack room.- No?- Wow!
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Mmm. At a cost of about £80,000 to £90,000,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02so it's a substantial plot and building.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05And all in all here, you have three-and-a-half acres.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07- Wow.- What?!
0:24:07 > 0:24:09You're joking!
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Well, I just cannot... I just can't believe it.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- I was thinking about the boot camp. - You're absolutely right.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18To develop that would be absolutely magnificent.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21It's what I've always wanted to do.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25- Nick, is it enough to win you over? - I'm going to have to think hard about this one!
0:24:25 > 0:24:28And now the wife's burst into tears!
0:24:28 > 0:24:31All right, now, you've seen it all,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34but how much do you think you'd have to pay?
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I think it's going to be the full monty. For your dream home...
0:24:37 > 0:24:42- Without a doubt.- £750,000. - If not a bit above our budget.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47- So you're going for £750,000?- Yeah. - I'm going £765,000.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48Put us out of our misery.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Yes, put us out of our misery.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52You win this time.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55It's on at £750,000.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57- Right at at the top of your budget. - Yeah.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Have a think, take it all in,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02maybe explore some of those acres!
0:25:02 > 0:25:04- I'm going to!- Great, let's go. - I'll find you.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Wow! Our 1930s property has blown them away,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11and in Sarah's words, is "perfect".
0:25:11 > 0:25:14It may be priced at the top of their budget,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18but for £750,000, they get a substantial family home
0:25:18 > 0:25:21and they wouldn't have to lift a finger.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24It features three light, airy reception areas,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26a large kitchen-diner,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28six bedrooms with a master en-suite,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30and over three-and-a-half acres
0:25:30 > 0:25:32of garden, woodland and a stream,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34all of which bowled Sarah over,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36and gives her the scope
0:25:36 > 0:25:39to develop her boot camp business.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- There's a lot of potential, isn't there?- It really is, and it's gorgeous as well.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46It's beautiful - the stream, everything. Everything.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49I'm so excited, I just... I just can't believe it, it's perfect.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53The additional bonus that this house is on this land, is quite incredible,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56because if this had been a derelict house on this land,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58I still would have been really tempted.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01But the fact that this house is done beautifully
0:26:01 > 0:26:03just makes it so much easier.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07I know Sarah really, really likes the house, I can tell that.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Um...so I guess that means it's all up to me, doesn't it?
0:26:10 > 0:26:15I'm saying the head's really thinking this one through,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19the heart - I have to say - it isn't the one that I sort of fell in love with straight away.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21I rarely do that, though.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26Right, that's it. I've got to drag you out of there, I'm afraid.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Yeah, you have.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30But that's it for today. Come on.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45As the sun sets over the Sussex countryside,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59It's taken five years, but Sarah has finally convinced Nick to leave the capital
0:26:59 > 0:27:03and head for pastures new in Sussex with their children,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07So far, one of our properties has completely bowled her over...
0:27:07 > 0:27:10It's just...perfect. It's perfect.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14..but can our mystery house turn the tables?
0:27:14 > 0:27:16I'm getting nervous...
0:27:16 > 0:27:19because I'm not used to this.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28It's always been apparent that Nick is much more reticent about this move to Sussex,
0:27:28 > 0:27:32whereas Sarah, she just fell in love with our second house yesterday.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34So, one more to go.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Let's see if the mystery house can provoke some emotion from Nick.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Our mystery property takes us to the village of Mayfield.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Along with great schools in the area,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Nick would have just a ten-minute drive
0:27:48 > 0:27:49to Wadhurst or Stonegate
0:27:49 > 0:27:52with just over an hour's train journey into London.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56Mayfield's streets are spilling over with charming pubs,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59boutiques and independent food retailers.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Our mystery house is a less practical option than they've seen so far,
0:28:03 > 0:28:08with fewer bedrooms, quirky features, and plenty of beams.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11I'll be amazed if Nick goes for it.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12And our mystery house.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15- I like that.- Wow!
0:28:15 > 0:28:18And a "wow" from Nick! Oh, my word!
0:28:18 > 0:28:20It's an oast house, 200 years old,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23and it was only converted 65 years ago.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25I like that. It's cute, isn't it?
0:28:25 > 0:28:27- It makes a statement.- It does.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Good! Let's have a look inside.
0:28:31 > 0:28:37Well, Nick has shown a really strong emotional reaction to the unique character of the oast house,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40built in the early 19th century for drying hops,
0:28:40 > 0:28:42with its conical roofs and circular kilns,
0:28:42 > 0:28:47which are still defining features of its rooms inside.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50So, on this side, you have your kitchen.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Oh, silence!
0:28:53 > 0:28:54It's a very nice kitchen.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57I think it's the height of the ceiling, Denise.
0:28:57 > 0:28:58Ah, of course!
0:28:58 > 0:29:01No, I like the way it's done out, and I like...
0:29:01 > 0:29:02Yeah, no, it's very nice.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06I love the shape of it. I love round rooms - it's just really different.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10And that is not a cupboard door, that is actually the utility space.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14It's a good size and there's a little downstairs toilet in there as well.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- I know that you want a family kitchen.- Yeah.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20There's not an obvious amount of room here for the children.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- Would that bother you? - It's definitely a consideration.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Let's hope our charm offensive on Nick continues in here.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33So, over this side, you get the living room, and as you can see,
0:29:33 > 0:29:35it's open plan into the dining room.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38- Interesting.- Interesting, indeed.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42I would switch this completely and have this as the kitchen-diner
0:29:42 > 0:29:46- and that as the lovely, round lounge. - Just seems obvious, doesn't it?
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Yeah, because this is the space that we want for us all together,
0:29:49 > 0:29:53and that's the relaxing room, so that would work.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57- I think that would work really well. - And it's still a little bit more height than before.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- Yeah.- That's good.- Still happy? - It's got a lot of character, yep.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- I am impressed that you like it so much.- I'm amazed.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07I hadn't really considered an oast house.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- I have tried. - That's why it's the mystery house!
0:30:10 > 0:30:14Come on, let's go through and have a look at the space through here.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Because you come through and then the ceilings lift again.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21So, any reservations so far, Nick?
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Um...no, no.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28I mean, it is obviously smaller than everything we've seen before, so...
0:30:28 > 0:30:31interested in how we solve that problem.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34At the moment, I'm going to sell the children and we'll just live here(!)
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Radical thinking! Sell the children, that is an option,
0:30:39 > 0:30:43but I'm hoping I can find a way that you don't have to do that, Nick.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47- That would be good. - I'm thinking of you, kids. Let's go and look upstairs.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52Nick's clearly loving the fact that our mystery property is a slice of local history.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55And he seems to square the circle to make it work for them.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59Upstairs, along with a well-furnished family bathroom,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02are three bedrooms, which I hope will raise the roof.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- Ooh!- That is a "wow", isn't it?
0:31:07 > 0:31:12- That is a high ceiling! - There you go. I want no complaints from you about ceiling height!
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Could this be the bedroom for the two of you?
0:31:15 > 0:31:17We'd have to find somewhere to put Sarah's clothes.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Because, you know...
0:31:20 > 0:31:24- that might just about do ME.- OK, so great space for the two of you,
0:31:24 > 0:31:28- but still concerned about storage. - Yes, yes.- Yeah, I am, too.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Which, unbelievably...
0:31:30 > 0:31:35- We had a role-reversal!- Yes, I know! That is, it is a concern.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37And also, it's just a family bathroom.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Could be a bit of scrapping over that.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Could be, couldn't there?
0:31:42 > 0:31:44Well, I've been a bit naughty,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46because at the other end of the landing
0:31:46 > 0:31:49is the room which I'm sure will put all their fears to bed.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Come in!
0:31:51 > 0:31:52Come in here.
0:31:52 > 0:31:57Now...how about if you slept on this side of the oast house?
0:31:57 > 0:31:59- I think it's right for us. - I think so.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03Ah, and there's shower. I was worried about that.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05- And enough storage?- Yeah!
0:32:05 > 0:32:08It's got rid of that problem, I think.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10So we're getting rid of problems. I like that.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Come up and have a look at the bedroom.
0:32:13 > 0:32:19I think, of all the properties, you are having a stronger emotional reaction to this one.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23- I am, aren't I?- You kind of like it, you feel at home.- Yeah.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26And I'm feeling a bit cooler from you, Sarah.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Probably because he's feeling a bit warmer.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- You don't make life easy.- No.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Yeah, it's funny.
0:32:35 > 0:32:41I think I'm getting nervous... because I'm not used to this!
0:32:41 > 0:32:43- You can't win, can you? - He actually likes it!
0:32:43 > 0:32:45It's a lovely house, isn't it?
0:32:45 > 0:32:52And don't worry, kids. There IS space for you, in the third bedroom, now set up as a study-cum-library.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Nick is obviously in love with our mystery property,
0:32:55 > 0:32:59while Sarah appears to be stepping into his shoes as the rational one.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03But she'll be pleased that outside, there's lapsed planning permission
0:33:03 > 0:33:06for a two-storey outbuilding with upstairs accommodation.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08And the garden is delightful,
0:33:08 > 0:33:12with gently sloping lawns and established fruit trees.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14So, we'll climb to higher ground
0:33:14 > 0:33:17and really soak up the sight of the surrounding countryside.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Wow, that is some view, isn't it?
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Worth that walk. - It's beautiful, beautiful.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26This plot is just under an acre.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27It's amazing.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30My only worry - she says, being the sensible one now -
0:33:30 > 0:33:35is how much that is, and whether we could afford to do anything.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37- Yeah.- That's my worry.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Well, you pre-empted the question.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- Sorry, Denise! - How much do you think it's worth?
0:33:42 > 0:33:43£750,000.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47I think it's definitely... Must be about £775,000.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51This property is on the market for offers between...
0:33:51 > 0:33:55£695,000 and £735,000.
0:33:55 > 0:33:56- No!- Ooh!
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Yes.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03Well, that's very different. And it's something that I never thought he would ever consider.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Nick, you have been the biggest surprise!
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- I have, haven't I?- It's usually the mystery house that shocks everyone,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12but it's your reaction that I've been so impressed with.
0:34:12 > 0:34:18Before you change your mind, spend some more time in what could be your house and I'll see you later on.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- See you later.- See you later.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23It looks like our mystery oast house conversion
0:34:23 > 0:34:25has thrown everything up in the air.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30With a guide price of £695,000 to £735,000,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32it's comfortably under budget,
0:34:32 > 0:34:35and packed to the rafters with historic features,
0:34:35 > 0:34:36giving them two reception rooms
0:34:36 > 0:34:38with those exposed timber ceilings,
0:34:38 > 0:34:40a quirky, round kitchen,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43three bedrooms with a master en-suite,
0:34:43 > 0:34:45and just under an acre of garden
0:34:45 > 0:34:46with the potential
0:34:46 > 0:34:47for an outbuilding
0:34:47 > 0:34:49to house their gym and music room.
0:34:50 > 0:34:55I think it could work. You know, this location could work, it's...
0:34:56 > 0:34:58..yeah, I think we could be...
0:34:58 > 0:35:00I really do think we could be here.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05I think what was going through my mind about Nick
0:35:05 > 0:35:09was it was the first time that I've seen him actually react to something,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11and I could feel that he was falling in love with it.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14I've never seen that before.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18I was upstairs trying to imagine how I'd feel if we were living here,
0:35:18 > 0:35:21and there's such a feeling of calmness in this house.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25I mean, I really, really... It makes me feel really happy...
0:35:26 > 0:35:30..so I really want to be here.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35- Thoroughly confused now?- Completely.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Don't worry. We'll find you somewhere that you can sit down,
0:35:38 > 0:35:40think about it, and work it all out. Come on.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58Over the years, the Sussex countryside has inspired many of Britain's greatest writers,
0:35:58 > 0:36:02with William Blake describing it as, "England's green and pleasant land,"
0:36:02 > 0:36:06and it's where AA Milne wrote Winnie The Pooh.
0:36:06 > 0:36:07But it was Rudyard Kipling
0:36:07 > 0:36:13who made this magnificent example of Jacobean architecture his home.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15Now looked after by the National Trust,
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Kipling referred to this house - known as Bateman's - as his "good and peaceable place".
0:36:19 > 0:36:22I've come to meet curator, Gary Enstone,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26to find out more about Kipling's own reasons for escaping to the country.
0:36:26 > 0:36:32It really is beautiful! I can see why Kipling moved his family here, and fell in love at first sight.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35He moved here from Rottingdean in 1902.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37He had a lot of problems with...
0:36:37 > 0:36:39basically being a celebrity of the age,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41so he moved out here to the country
0:36:41 > 0:36:45and somewhere a little bit more peaceful and quiet for both him and his family.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49So this was his own escape? He was actually quite a private and family man, wasn't he?
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- This move was for his children. - Very much so.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55People forget that although he was such a famous author,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59and wrote so many well-known books, behind all that,
0:36:59 > 0:37:01he wrote all of that work for his children.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05Over the 34 years that Kipling lived here,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08his estate grew from 13 to 300 acres,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11on which he farmed crops and kept prize-winning cattle.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13But one particular part of the garden
0:37:13 > 0:37:16was very much devoted to his children.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20Well, Denise, this is the rose garden and the pond,
0:37:20 > 0:37:22and basically, what you're looking at here
0:37:22 > 0:37:25- is the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature.- What do you mean?
0:37:25 > 0:37:30Kipling, in 1907, became the first British man to actually win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33He was given £7,700,
0:37:33 > 0:37:37and that money he used to build the rose garden and pond.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Kipling also harnessed the energy of water,
0:37:41 > 0:37:43installing a turbine in the old working mill
0:37:43 > 0:37:46to generate enough light for ten 60-watt bulbs
0:37:46 > 0:37:49for some four hours every evening.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Inside, the rooms remain, as he put it, "Untouched and unfaked,"
0:37:53 > 0:37:58with Kipling's furnishings reflecting his passion for the subcontinent.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02And upstairs is where all his inspiration came together
0:38:02 > 0:38:04for works such as the Just So Stories
0:38:04 > 0:38:06and the famous poem, If.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Oh! It's almost as if he just popped out of the room.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Yeah, this is Kipling's little hideaway from the rest of the world,
0:38:15 > 0:38:19but that doesn't necessarily mean that he wanted to have a solitary life.
0:38:19 > 0:38:25In fact, we've got many, many recorded people visiting here, and he did keep a visitors' book.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- OK.- If you just look at this month here, of 1909,
0:38:29 > 0:38:32you can see just down here in two or three days,
0:38:32 > 0:38:37he had Percival Landon, Henry James... A tremendous amount of people came and visited here.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39There's one more thing I wanted to ask about -
0:38:39 > 0:38:42that bed, did he sleep in there? Was he that immersed in his work?
0:38:42 > 0:38:45He used to work very much in the mornings,
0:38:45 > 0:38:47but he was only really inspired at certain times,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50and they say that he used to get himself into a bit of a mini-daze
0:38:50 > 0:38:54by laying himself out on the bed, waiting for inspiration to strike.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59As soon as it would strike, he'd move straight over and start writing.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02For all of the celebrity that Kipling was caught up in,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06he willingly bequeathed his historic home to the public so that like him,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10future generations could enjoy its awe-inspiring setting.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Yesterday, I thought we had a clear winner,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20but today, as is so often the case,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23the mystery house has turned everything on its head.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26So, have we finally convinced Londoner, Nick,
0:39:26 > 0:39:28to make his escape to the country?
0:39:28 > 0:39:32Sarah's already here, so let's find out.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- Hello, you two.- Hello.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43We've had a good week, haven't we?
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Finally got him out here in Sussex looking for properties.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Finally got a big smile out of you!
0:39:48 > 0:39:52We started with that beautiful Arts and Crafts house.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53What did you think of that?
0:39:53 > 0:39:56In terms of space, a good amount of space,
0:39:56 > 0:39:57and I liked the parquet flooring.
0:39:57 > 0:40:02I...didn't feel that we could stamp our mark on it.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04What did you think of it, Sarah?
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Well, you know me. I liked it. I thought it was very nice.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09The garden, I quite liked, on different levels.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11There was nothing wrong with it.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14It just... I just didn't feel the love!
0:40:14 > 0:40:16It just didn't happen!
0:40:16 > 0:40:19But it did happen when we went to the house
0:40:19 > 0:40:21with the three-and-a-half acres.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25You were certainly feeling something, because we had tears, I hope, of joy.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28I thought it was absolutely magnificent. I loved it.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32It was very nice inside, I thought it was done very well,
0:40:32 > 0:40:37but I think, for me, when I started to look more into it after we'd been there,
0:40:37 > 0:40:41I sort of realised the commute was going to be really quite a big one.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45And I think I was looking at close to two hours to get to the office,
0:40:45 > 0:40:49which is nearly four hours every day. I can't really take that out of my day.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51But it was the perfect house... potentially!
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Because there was, of course, the mystery house!
0:40:54 > 0:40:57So, what did you think of the oast house, Nick?
0:40:57 > 0:41:00The first thing that struck me was the location.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02The setting is absolutely magical.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04I saw a really beautiful house.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Erm, it just looks amazing.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10So, I was really quite taken aback when I first saw it.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13You, when we walked in, became almost silent,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15- which is unusual!- Very!
0:41:15 > 0:41:20I mean, I was really pleasantly surprised, but shocked.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Surprised but shocked?
0:41:22 > 0:41:24It only has three bedrooms.
0:41:24 > 0:41:30Mmm...so, I've been turning that over in my mind, and erm...
0:41:30 > 0:41:35I think the fact that we've potentially got the ability to put something outside,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37I think that can solve all of those problems.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Well, the question has to be, which way have you decided to go?
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- Shall I say?- Yes. - Erm, the third. The mystery.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50This has made me feel warm, cosy, and I can see us all living here.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56- Very happily, actually.- And how committed are you to that decision? What is the next step?
0:41:56 > 0:42:01Erm, well we're going to go back and see it. I'm going to do things like trial the commute.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- How soon would you want to be out here in the countryside?- Next week!
0:42:05 > 0:42:07..Nick?!
0:42:07 > 0:42:12Well, I'm going to be very practical and think, "We've got to think about schools," so...
0:42:12 > 0:42:15But soon.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- I think you're ready to do it. - I think so.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21It's been one of those things that we had to do,
0:42:21 > 0:42:23the experience has been fantastic.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27It's really given him a push to look properly and think about it.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- I think that's made all the difference.- I think so too.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33I hope it's not too long before you're moving to the countryside,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35- and please do let us know how you get on.- Thank you.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43It's funny how things work out.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47You show a couple a property that they would never, ever have looked at,
0:42:47 > 0:42:51and it turns out to be the one that both Sarah and Nick not only agree on,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54but they seem to have fallen in love with.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59So, they're coming back with the kids to have another look, and what happens after that,
0:42:59 > 0:43:02well...we'll have to wait and see. See you next time.
0:43:02 > 0:43:07Sarah and Nick eventually decided they needed more rooms than the oast house offered,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10but it has made them realise that East Sussex
0:43:10 > 0:43:12is definitely the area for them,
0:43:12 > 0:43:16so hopefully it won't be long before they find their perfect property.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18And if you want to escape to the country
0:43:18 > 0:43:22in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England
0:43:22 > 0:43:25and would like our help, please apply online:
0:43:46 > 0:43:49Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:49 > 0:43:52E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk