Kent

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0:00:02 > 0:00:06These oysters have been tickling the nation's taste buds since Roman times,

0:00:06 > 0:00:12placing this seaside town firmly on the map, but where am I? Find out in just a moment.

0:00:40 > 0:00:46'In today's show, I'll be helping a couple beat a retreat from Greater London

0:00:46 > 0:00:49'and enjoy the peace of country life.

0:00:49 > 0:00:52'One of our houses sends their spirits soaring.'

0:00:52 > 0:00:55I'm quite blown away by this.

0:00:55 > 0:00:58'But does it come with the right price tag?'

0:00:58 > 0:01:03- You're looking at me longingly.- Yes. If it's any more, we're in trouble.

0:01:05 > 0:01:09Today, I'm in Kent in the fishing town of Whitstable.

0:01:09 > 0:01:13Now, oysters have been caught here for almost 2,000 years

0:01:13 > 0:01:16and in the industry's heyday during the 19th century,

0:01:16 > 0:01:22more than 80 million oysters were dispatched from here to the fish markets of London every year.

0:01:22 > 0:01:27Today, the tradition is remembered with an annual oyster festival

0:01:27 > 0:01:30and I'll be joining in the fun later in the programme.

0:01:30 > 0:01:35First, let's take a look at what else this beautiful county has to offer.

0:01:39 > 0:01:46Rubbing shoulders with the capital, the south-eastern county of Kent also borders Surrey and East Sussex

0:01:46 > 0:01:48with which it shares a coastline,

0:01:48 > 0:01:53defined by stretches of chalky cliffs, offering vistas over the English Channel.

0:01:53 > 0:01:59Inland, Kent's crop fields, orchards and hop plantations give rise to the county's nickname

0:01:59 > 0:02:01of the Garden of England.

0:02:01 > 0:02:07The legacy from its hop-growing heritage is evident in its architecture

0:02:07 > 0:02:10with many former oast houses converted into dwellings,

0:02:10 > 0:02:15with their conical roofs a defining feature of Kent's rural landscape.

0:02:19 > 0:02:23If you're contemplating escaping to the Kent countryside,

0:02:23 > 0:02:27it's worth remembering that this county is very popular

0:02:27 > 0:02:32with city workers wanting a rural bolthole within easy commuting distance of the capital.

0:02:32 > 0:02:36In fact, with the introduction of the new super-fast rail link,

0:02:36 > 0:02:40it can take as little as 40 minutes to reach London.

0:02:40 > 0:02:45And those city salaries, well, they're keeping house prices buoyant.

0:02:45 > 0:02:50An average detached property here will cost you £61,000 more

0:02:50 > 0:02:52than the national average.

0:02:52 > 0:02:55So let's take a look at what's currently available.

0:02:57 > 0:02:59For offers over £400,000,

0:02:59 > 0:03:04this three-bedroom, Grade 2 listed, thatched cottage near Wingham

0:03:04 > 0:03:06has been tastefully modernised

0:03:06 > 0:03:12and boasts a large inglenook fireplace which harks back to its 17th century origins.

0:03:12 > 0:03:16Outside, the grounds extend to nearly a quarter of an acre.

0:03:16 > 0:03:21Or how about this four-bedroom, 1940s house in Little Chart

0:03:21 > 0:03:26for £599,000 with its charming thatched roof?

0:03:26 > 0:03:32Inside provides four reception rooms in which the original brick fireplaces are a running theme.

0:03:32 > 0:03:37You will need a big budget for this four-bedroom former granary in Hawkhurst,

0:03:37 > 0:03:40priced at £850,000.

0:03:40 > 0:03:46Its living spaces are open-plan with beams and trusses adding a rustic feel.

0:03:46 > 0:03:51Outside, the three-quarters of an acre of grounds include a swimming pool.

0:03:51 > 0:03:56Some cracking Kent properties there with three more to come,

0:03:56 > 0:04:00but first, we need some buyers, so let's meet them.

0:04:00 > 0:04:06Samantha and Miles currently live in their five-bedroom property in the London borough of Bromley.

0:04:06 > 0:04:11Samantha commutes to her job as a primary school headteacher 12 miles away

0:04:11 > 0:04:15and Miles takes the train into the city where he works for a bank.

0:04:15 > 0:04:21But recent events have forced them to take stock and seek out a more relaxed existence.

0:04:21 > 0:04:26We have a very busy lifestyle. We both work long hours in very busy jobs.

0:04:26 > 0:04:32And it would be really nice to actually leave work and come home to a quieter place.

0:04:32 > 0:04:39But what's really pushed us to think about it sooner rather than later wa my diagnosis of cancer 20 months ago

0:04:39 > 0:04:42which I have fully recovered from,

0:04:42 > 0:04:48but it does make you think a bit mor about perhaps getting there sooner rather than putting things off.

0:04:48 > 0:04:53They both have a clear vision of what they want from their new lifestyle.

0:04:53 > 0:04:58I quite like the idea of being part of a smaller community,

0:04:58 > 0:05:00as opposed to living in this area.

0:05:00 > 0:05:06You don't really get to know people because it's quite transient, people moving in and out.

0:05:06 > 0:05:10So I'd like to be part of a smaller community.

0:05:10 > 0:05:15Yeah, that would be lovely. We'd also like a bit more land, a bit more space.

0:05:15 > 0:05:20Not too much, but enough to actually consider getting back into gardening.

0:05:20 > 0:05:26I know they all say it, but growing your own, it would be so nice to have a greenhouse.

0:05:26 > 0:05:32While house-hunting in earnest over the past six weeks, they've drawn up a wish list for their next property.

0:05:32 > 0:05:36I think we're looking for a four-bedroom, detached house,

0:05:36 > 0:05:39hopefully with quite a large kitchen.

0:05:39 > 0:05:42I really do want those period features -

0:05:42 > 0:05:44the open fireplace.

0:05:44 > 0:05:49And I quite like beams, as long as the ceilings aren't too low. Beams are lovely.

0:05:49 > 0:05:52Around an acre of land, I think.

0:05:52 > 0:05:56And with that view, that outlook ove the countryside would be perfect.

0:05:56 > 0:05:59As well as not being overlooked,

0:05:59 > 0:06:01location is also a top priority

0:06:01 > 0:06:06as Sam needs good motorway access to work and Miles needs a train station.

0:06:06 > 0:06:12That's the shopping list for the house taken care of. The money has been finalised too.

0:06:12 > 0:06:15Our budget for the new property is £700,000.

0:06:15 > 0:06:20Ideally, it could be a little bit less than that because of the costs of moving

0:06:20 > 0:06:23and we don't want to increase our mortgage.

0:06:28 > 0:06:32The past 18 months have been challenging for Miles and Sam,

0:06:32 > 0:06:37but it seems Sam's battle with cancer has made them both focus their minds

0:06:37 > 0:06:39on what they really want from life.

0:06:39 > 0:06:42But what do they both want from a house?

0:06:42 > 0:06:46So far, they've viewed 11 properties and haven't found their dream home.

0:06:46 > 0:06:49Hopefully, we're going to change all that.

0:06:51 > 0:06:56'Mindful that we need fast train links into London for Miles

0:06:56 > 0:06:59'and easy access to the motorways for Sam,

0:06:59 > 0:07:04'we'll be focusing our house search in rural pockets around the Ashford area.

0:07:04 > 0:07:08'We've cherry-picked three beautiful country homes for them to see,

0:07:08 > 0:07:13'but they have to guess the price of each before I reveal it to them.

0:07:13 > 0:07:20'The last of these is our mystery house which throws an unexpected way of living into the mix.'

0:07:20 > 0:07:25- So, Miles and Sam, welcome to Kent, the Garden of England.- Yeah.

0:07:25 > 0:07:31So you've had enough of city life and you're ready to be a bit more rural? Would that be true, Miles?

0:07:31 > 0:07:36Where we are is quite suburban and it's getting more and more built up all the time,

0:07:36 > 0:07:39so moving down here is completely different.

0:07:39 > 0:07:45- Before we start looking, remind me of your budget.- 700,000, but it would have to have the wow factor

0:07:45 > 0:07:48- and possibly a few period features. - All right.

0:07:48 > 0:07:52- Ready to get going?- Absolutely. - Come on then. Let's go.

0:07:54 > 0:08:00With their £700,000 budget, Sam and Miles are looking for a detached property

0:08:00 > 0:08:03which gives them loads of character features.

0:08:03 > 0:08:06High on the wish list is a large kitchen/diner,

0:08:06 > 0:08:10four bedrooms, one of which can accommodate a study

0:08:10 > 0:08:13and an acre of garden with countryside views.

0:08:13 > 0:08:18Crucially, the location needs to have good transport links,

0:08:18 > 0:08:22so they can travel to their respective jobs.

0:08:22 > 0:08:27There's also other work they are passionate about continuing once they move.

0:08:27 > 0:08:32You've both set up a charity in the Bromley area. Tell me more about that.

0:08:32 > 0:08:36Yes, it's the South East London Breast Cancer Trust

0:08:36 > 0:08:42which we started up following my diagnosis of breast cancer in October 2009.

0:08:42 > 0:08:47And we have raised since then around £160,000

0:08:47 > 0:08:53and bought a specific piece of equipment for the hospital which has improved treatment for patients.

0:08:53 > 0:08:58Wow! Is this something you'll be involved with, even if you move down to Kent?

0:08:58 > 0:09:03I think we will. I'm Chairman of the Trust and Sam does a lot of the organisation,

0:09:03 > 0:09:07so I think we'll keep going for some time, yeah.

0:09:07 > 0:09:14- So we've got to find you a property that's got enough space, so you can run the charity from that?- Yes.

0:09:14 > 0:09:18The top floor of our house at the moment is charity HQ,

0:09:18 > 0:09:21so we do need a place to stick everything when we move on.

0:09:23 > 0:09:27We'll bear that in mind along with good transport links

0:09:27 > 0:09:33as we get our property search under way close to the village of Charing.

0:09:33 > 0:09:37The train station here gives Miles good access to London via Ashford.

0:09:37 > 0:09:41It lay on the Pilgrims' Way between London and Canterbury

0:09:41 > 0:09:45and these days, many of its traditional timbered buildings

0:09:45 > 0:09:48house a great variety of independent shops and amenities.

0:09:48 > 0:09:52On the outskirts of the village lies this barn conversion.

0:09:52 > 0:09:55Its origins date back to the 19th century.

0:09:57 > 0:10:00What do you think about your first property?

0:10:00 > 0:10:04First impressions, it's really good. Really good, beautiful.

0:10:04 > 0:10:07- Yeah.- Miles, what do you think?

0:10:07 > 0:10:11Yeah, I like it. It has a nice outlook across the fields.

0:10:11 > 0:10:15Yes, this dates back to about 1860. It's not listed.

0:10:15 > 0:10:19It's Flemish bonding style, the main part of the barn.

0:10:19 > 0:10:23- Yeah.- And you've had two extensions with the English bonding style

0:10:23 > 0:10:27which is the bricks and the mortar either side.

0:10:27 > 0:10:31You've got a double garage that goes right back with plenty of storage.

0:10:31 > 0:10:33Yeah, that's really important for us

0:10:33 > 0:10:40And having this large driveway in, off-street parking, plenty of room to park a few cars, very good.

0:10:40 > 0:10:46- And a Kent peg tile roof.- Yes, I like that.- Typical for this area which is always lovely.- Very pretty.

0:10:46 > 0:10:48- Time to step inside?- OK.- Yeah.

0:10:50 > 0:10:53'They've reacted very positively to the exterior

0:10:53 > 0:10:57'and they'll also find the interior has some striking features.'

0:10:57 > 0:11:00Do come on through.

0:11:00 > 0:11:02This is lovely.

0:11:02 > 0:11:05It's an impressive reception room, isn't it?

0:11:05 > 0:11:11It's the light on both sides coming through. That's quite unusual isn't it, to have it like that.

0:11:11 > 0:11:16You don't usually see this much light and so many windows in a barn.

0:11:16 > 0:11:18I love the wooden floors in here.

0:11:18 > 0:11:20It makes it quite rustic.

0:11:20 > 0:11:24- It's just the sense of space you get from that.- Yeah.

0:11:24 > 0:11:28- And it doesn't detract from the main body of the house.- No.

0:11:28 > 0:11:36And the actual living space with the fireplace brings that cosiness in, s you have got the best of both worlds

0:11:36 > 0:11:40- It's been thought through quite well - You've got a downstairs cloakroom.

0:11:40 > 0:11:44And just to the left through that door is a study.

0:11:44 > 0:11:49- It's got an en-suite, so it could be a bedroom.- You could do the two, couldn't you?- Yeah.

0:11:49 > 0:11:54'The huge dimensions and style of this property seem to be winning them over,

0:11:54 > 0:11:59'but will the kitchen with the spacious utility room next door measure up?'

0:12:00 > 0:12:05So up just a couple of stairs leads us into our kitchen.

0:12:07 > 0:12:10Smaller than what I would have wanted

0:12:10 > 0:12:17- and probably I would give it a little bit of an update, but lots of potential here.- Good.

0:12:18 > 0:12:23'I like Sam's use of the P-word and I think upstairs has plenty to offer too.

0:12:23 > 0:12:26'Off the galleried landing are three bedrooms,

0:12:26 > 0:12:30'two of which are doubles, and a modern family bathroom,

0:12:30 > 0:12:33'but we'll take a look at the master.'

0:12:35 > 0:12:40Yeah, I love the beams in here as well, carrying it through. It's lovely.

0:12:40 > 0:12:45- What do you think of the size of the bedroom?- It's a little on the small size.- Yeah.

0:12:45 > 0:12:50In terms of storage, within the bedroom, I think we'd struggle a bit with the size.

0:12:50 > 0:12:52You've got one wardrobe behind me.

0:12:52 > 0:12:58- Yeah.- This bedroom also has an en-suite.- Right.- That's a big plus.

0:12:58 > 0:13:02It's recently been updated, so that wouldn't need anything doing to it.

0:13:02 > 0:13:05Yeah, the en-suite's a real biggie for us.

0:13:05 > 0:13:11'The stepladder leads up to the loft which is used as extra storage space for clothes.

0:13:11 > 0:13:18'With the house covered, it's time to survey the grounds outside which are mainly laid to lawn

0:13:18 > 0:13:24'and offer Sam plenty of scope for growing her vegetables and have those countryside views she wanted.'

0:13:24 > 0:13:29Do you think there's enough garden here for you? Is it manageable?

0:13:29 > 0:13:32Yeah, definitely. We don't need much more than this.

0:13:32 > 0:13:37- I can hear the road.- That's the A20. - Yeah.- That is the A20.

0:13:37 > 0:13:40Just a very little minus there,

0:13:40 > 0:13:43but the outlook is lovely.

0:13:43 > 0:13:46How much is this beautiful barn on the market for?

0:13:46 > 0:13:49I would think about £600,000.

0:13:49 > 0:13:52- OK.- I'm going to be a bit more generous.

0:13:52 > 0:13:57I think 625 would be a reasonable price.

0:13:57 > 0:13:59Right.

0:13:59 > 0:14:03You're both out by quite a large amount.

0:14:03 > 0:14:09- Oh, God!- The current asking price, and it's just gone on the market, it's been on for two weeks now...

0:14:09 > 0:14:12£695,000,

0:14:12 > 0:14:16- so right near the top of your budget.- Yeah.

0:14:16 > 0:14:21Go and have another look around because there is so much you could do with this barn.

0:14:21 > 0:14:26- It's a beautiful building. I'll catch up with you later. - OK.- Off you go.

0:14:28 > 0:14:32Although the price of £695,000 came as a surprise,

0:14:32 > 0:14:36our barn conversion is still under their budget

0:14:36 > 0:14:39and delivers many of the criteria on their wish list.

0:14:39 > 0:14:46It provides them with that wonderful reception area with the character features they were after,

0:14:46 > 0:14:50a kitchen/diner which, in Sam's words, had "potential",

0:14:50 > 0:14:52four possible bedrooms

0:14:52 > 0:14:56and a large garden with uninterrupted views.

0:14:56 > 0:14:58What's more, it's well located

0:14:58 > 0:15:02for them both to travel by road and rail to work.

0:15:02 > 0:15:06When I first came to the house, I thought, "Wow, what a good start,

0:15:06 > 0:15:10"absolutely fantastic, really good kerb appeal,"

0:15:10 > 0:15:16and coming into this first room with the light and the double-aspect barn windows was the wow factor.

0:15:16 > 0:15:18I fell in love with this room.

0:15:18 > 0:15:26The bedrooms, OK, but not sure I could go up and down a ladder to retrieve my clothes every morning

0:15:26 > 0:15:31I think this is a lovely-looking property, beautiful from the outside,

0:15:31 > 0:15:35and I'm quite excited about what you could do with this kitchen.

0:15:35 > 0:15:39If you opened it up into the utility room, it would be a fabulous space.

0:15:39 > 0:15:44I'd probably also want to do something with the outside patio area

0:15:44 > 0:15:49which, when that all comes together, feels like it will cost a fair amount of money.

0:15:50 > 0:15:54- Happy?- Yeah, a very good start, Nicki.- Good.- Thank you.

0:15:54 > 0:15:57- All seen enough?- Yes, thank you.

0:15:57 > 0:16:01- That's just the first one.- I know. - Still got more to come.

0:16:10 > 0:16:15Kent's reputation as the Garden of England flourishes thanks to its mild climate,

0:16:15 > 0:16:17due to its proximity to the sea.

0:16:17 > 0:16:23The rich heritage of many of its coastal towns also endures, a fine example being Faversham.

0:16:23 > 0:16:28Its centre is designated a conservation area

0:16:28 > 0:16:31and includes around 500 listed buildings.

0:16:31 > 0:16:34They chart the town's prosperity as a commercial port

0:16:34 > 0:16:38from the late medieval times to the Georgian era.

0:16:38 > 0:16:43Faversham is also appropriately home to the National Fruit Collection based at Brogdale Farm.

0:16:43 > 0:16:47As Sam and Miles are interested in growing their own,

0:16:47 > 0:16:53earlier in the week, we arranged for them to meet one of the orchard experts, Michael Austin.

0:16:53 > 0:16:57- Mike, is this an important area for fruit-growing generally?- Yeah.

0:16:57 > 0:17:01Kent has always been one of the country's main fruit-growing areas.

0:17:01 > 0:17:08We're close to the sea, so we don't get the very hard frosts in spring that other parts of the country do.

0:17:08 > 0:17:11The first collection was started way back in 1800

0:17:11 > 0:17:17when, even in those days, they were worried that a lot of varieties were disappearing

0:17:17 > 0:17:21and they wanted to preserve them and stop them from dying out.

0:17:21 > 0:17:27All the varieties in the original collections are here, plus others that have come along since then,

0:17:27 > 0:17:31but we can go way back to a Roman apple

0:17:31 > 0:17:35which was supposedly around in about 450 AD.

0:17:35 > 0:17:38That would be our oldest apple, called Decio.

0:17:38 > 0:17:42So how many varieties do you have altogether?

0:17:42 > 0:17:45- Of apples, about 2,300. - SAMANTHA LAUGHS

0:17:45 > 0:17:50There are roughly about 6,000 apple varieties worldwide, so we've got a fair chunk.

0:17:50 > 0:17:56- I'd say a few more than what's in the supermarket then.- Just a few(!) - It's unbelievable.

0:17:56 > 0:18:00The Collection is now owned by DEFRA,

0:18:00 > 0:18:04the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,

0:18:04 > 0:18:10and is part of an international initiative to conserve these plants' genetic diversity for the future.

0:18:10 > 0:18:16The orchards stretch to over 160 acres where 3,500 varieties of fruit thrive,

0:18:16 > 0:18:19including 550 pear varieties,

0:18:19 > 0:18:23320 different crops of cherries,

0:18:23 > 0:18:28and among its vast apple collection are 650 types from this country.

0:18:28 > 0:18:31This one is James Grieve

0:18:31 > 0:18:34which is considered what's called a dual-purpose apple,

0:18:34 > 0:18:38so at this time of the season, it will be an early cooker,

0:18:38 > 0:18:44then if you leave it longer on the tree, it mellows to become quite a nice eater.

0:18:44 > 0:18:47- That will be quite sharp now. - Very sharp.

0:18:47 > 0:18:52- Yes, yes.- And all the trees you've got here, people can take and grow themselves?

0:18:52 > 0:18:57We can propagate every variety in the Collection for people to plant in their gardens.

0:18:57 > 0:19:02- Right.- That's amazing.- So out of 2,300, there's quite a bit to...

0:19:02 > 0:19:04You need a very big garden.

0:19:04 > 0:19:06If you wanted to try them all!

0:19:06 > 0:19:12Given that Kent has lost more than 85% of its orchards over the last 50 years,

0:19:12 > 0:19:16it's good news that more apples are grown here than anywhere else in Britain

0:19:16 > 0:19:22and there's a wider agenda to protect the rich diversity of our natural food resources.

0:19:27 > 0:19:30'Our house search continues in the village of Mersham.

0:19:30 > 0:19:37'Ashford train station is just over four miles away, giving Miles a realistic commute to London.

0:19:37 > 0:19:42'There are two pubs to choose from in the village, along with a handy local shop.

0:19:42 > 0:19:46'And its church still retains some of its Norman origins.

0:19:47 > 0:19:53'Sitting at the end of a sweeping driveway, our second property has an architectural heritage of its own.

0:19:53 > 0:19:58'It's Grade 2 listed and it's in the quiet location they asked for.'

0:19:58 > 0:20:01Welcome to your second property.

0:20:01 > 0:20:05- Oh, this is lovely, Nicki. I really like this.- Do you?

0:20:05 > 0:20:07Good kerb appeal?

0:20:07 > 0:20:13- Yeah. It's just beautiful. - Miles, what do you think? - It's a beautiful-looking house.

0:20:13 > 0:20:18- I wasn't expecting that entrance either. That's really nice. - I don't know what to say.

0:20:18 > 0:20:25- It's very quiet here as well.- It is. - It's perfect, the house you would draw as a child.- It is, yes.- Yeah.

0:20:25 > 0:20:27Step inside.

0:20:27 > 0:20:33'As we enter round the side of the property, there is a fantastic timber-built garage

0:20:33 > 0:20:36'which could serve as a great charity HQ for them.

0:20:36 > 0:20:40'And inside the main house is where the history really comes alive.'

0:20:46 > 0:20:48So, please join me inside.

0:20:48 > 0:20:53- Oh, I do like this. - The flooring is gorgeous. - I know. Absolutely wonderful.

0:20:53 > 0:20:55Flagstone flooring.

0:20:55 > 0:20:58What a beautiful entrance!

0:20:58 > 0:21:03- It's so old, it's beautiful.- It is. Over 300 years. Original beams.

0:21:03 > 0:21:06- It's lovely.- The history of it, that's it for me.

0:21:06 > 0:21:08And wait till you see the kitchen.

0:21:14 > 0:21:16Yeah, really impressive again.

0:21:16 > 0:21:20The kitchen is brand-new. It was only done about four months ago.

0:21:20 > 0:21:24- It's got Spanish tiles on the floor. - It's beautiful.

0:21:24 > 0:21:26I'm quite blown away by this.

0:21:26 > 0:21:31- And you look out over the garden. - The view out there is wonderful.

0:21:31 > 0:21:37- The way the beams are exposed is what makes it, I think.- It's really been thought through properly.

0:21:37 > 0:21:41- And you love period properties. - Hmm.- Miles, how are we doing?

0:21:41 > 0:21:46I think, just cos it's so nicely done, it works for me.

0:21:46 > 0:21:50'And next door carries on that rustic theme.'

0:21:50 > 0:21:54I think a rather intimate dining room.

0:21:54 > 0:22:00Yeah. On the small side compared to what we're used to,

0:22:00 > 0:22:06but it is just off the kitchen, so not too far away in terms of entertaining.

0:22:06 > 0:22:10- You've got access outside as well, so in the summer...- That's a plus.

0:22:10 > 0:22:17- Let's continue.- Yeah. - 'Adjacent to here is one of this property's two living rooms.

0:22:17 > 0:22:22'This cosy snug's open fireplace provides a lovely focal point,

0:22:22 > 0:22:26'but the other reception room gives the a more spacious option.'

0:22:26 > 0:22:31This is somewhat larger than the other one, the snug.

0:22:31 > 0:22:36- Yeah, this works better as a living space.- Yeah.- Definitely.

0:22:36 > 0:22:42- But the features in here are beautiful. That radiator's stunning. - It is beautiful.- So ornate.

0:22:42 > 0:22:47- And again you've got the wood burner.- Two quite big settees here.

0:22:47 > 0:22:52- So there's plenty of space.- Can you imagine yourselves living here?

0:22:52 > 0:22:57- Oh, I could.- Look at both of you, smiling away. That's very good.

0:22:57 > 0:23:02- Do you fancy heading upstairs? - I can't wait.- To the bedrooms.

0:23:03 > 0:23:09'The style and layout of this beautiful home seems to be hitting the right note.

0:23:09 > 0:23:15'Let's see if we can build on that upstairs.' So we've got four bedrooms in total.

0:23:15 > 0:23:19- And this one is the master. - Lovely.- Big enough size.

0:23:19 > 0:23:24Yeah, absolutely. I don't know what to say.

0:23:24 > 0:23:29Which is quite a first for me. I's just beautiful.

0:23:29 > 0:23:34You've got storage there that leads through to the other bedroom.

0:23:34 > 0:23:37You've got plenty of height as well.

0:23:37 > 0:23:41- I'm saying it again. I'm blown away. - Delighted, delighted.

0:23:41 > 0:23:47- And if Miles feels the same, it's the icing on the cake. Pressure's on you, Miles.- I think it is!

0:23:47 > 0:23:49Good. Right.

0:23:49 > 0:23:55'The other three bedrooms include a large, light double with that beautiful sash window

0:23:55 > 0:24:00'and two smaller rooms, one of which they could turn into their study.

0:24:00 > 0:24:04'And the family bathroom features an elegant roll-top bath.

0:24:04 > 0:24:10'With a resounding thumbs up from both of them, it's time to reveal all the spoils outside.'

0:24:12 > 0:24:14So here's all the land.

0:24:14 > 0:24:18It's roughly between two and three acres in total.

0:24:18 > 0:24:22So we've got our friend, the chicken. The pigs behind him.

0:24:22 > 0:24:27We've got a menage at the back and a triple stable block here.

0:24:27 > 0:24:34- We've got dog kennels there. I know you want to go walking, so you'd better get a dog!- That's it!

0:24:34 > 0:24:37We're surrounded by walks. That country way of life.

0:24:37 > 0:24:44A double garage. And then the land goes all the way round there. With a huge mulberry tree behind us.

0:24:44 > 0:24:48- Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. - It's a lovely setting, isn't it?

0:24:48 > 0:24:55- I'd like to have a walk round it. - I would love you to explore, but I won't let you until you tell me

0:24:55 > 0:25:02- how much you think this is on the market for.- This has got to be above our ceiling.- I'll say £700,000.

0:25:02 > 0:25:04I'm going higher.

0:25:04 > 0:25:06£725,000.

0:25:06 > 0:25:10- You're both looking at me longingly! - We are!

0:25:10 > 0:25:13If it's any more, we're in trouble!

0:25:13 > 0:25:15OK.

0:25:15 > 0:25:19Current price for this house. Between...

0:25:19 > 0:25:26- £700,000 and £750,000. - Right. So we're more or less on the money.- Yeah.

0:25:26 > 0:25:32Do have a wander. Go up and look at the stable block and work your way around the property

0:25:32 > 0:25:36- and I'll meet you out the front. Off you go.- Thank you.

0:25:36 > 0:25:43Although it edges over their budget with a guide price of £700,000-£750,000,

0:25:43 > 0:25:47we just had to show them this stunning period home,

0:25:47 > 0:25:50which provides them with a high-spec country kitchen,

0:25:50 > 0:25:55two reception rooms with original fireplaces, four bedrooms

0:25:55 > 0:26:00and well over two acres of grounds with those all-important views.

0:26:00 > 0:26:04I think it's a beautiful house in a lovely setting.

0:26:04 > 0:26:08I think as you come into the house, it just looks beautiful.

0:26:08 > 0:26:15Some of the rooms are quite small, but if they were any bigger the house would be a lot more money.

0:26:15 > 0:26:17It's certainly a contender.

0:26:17 > 0:26:19Character-wise, top of the list.

0:26:19 > 0:26:24Very well done. My one reservation might be

0:26:24 > 0:26:29location in terms of distance down the M20.

0:26:29 > 0:26:34And the cost of travel for Miles might be a little bit of an issue.

0:26:34 > 0:26:39Also we'd have to consider opening up this room with the dining room,

0:26:39 > 0:26:44so that we'd have a bit more living space.

0:26:44 > 0:26:48But 10 out of 10 in any other respect. Absolutely beautiful house.

0:26:51 > 0:26:54That's it. Finished for the day.

0:26:54 > 0:26:57Yes, I know. What a beautiful house.

0:26:57 > 0:27:03- Is it good to end on a high? - I think we have.- Oh, gosh, yeah. What a wonderful day. Thanks, Nicki.

0:27:03 > 0:27:05You can relax now. Come on.

0:27:15 > 0:27:21As evening falls over the Kent coastline, the first day of our house search draws to a close.

0:27:29 > 0:27:34Armed with their £700,000 budget, Sam and Miles are poised

0:27:34 > 0:27:38to break free from the city limits of the London borough of Bromley

0:27:38 > 0:27:42and seek out a more peaceful life in rural Kent.

0:27:42 > 0:27:46Although nailing the perfect location is proving a challenge,

0:27:46 > 0:27:50the period charm of our second property certainly wowed them,

0:27:50 > 0:27:56but, coming up, the character of our mystery house is on an unimaginable scale.

0:27:56 > 0:27:59Oh, my goodness me!

0:27:59 > 0:28:04- How many times have I said stunning? - Say it again!- Stunning!

0:28:04 > 0:28:07'And I can't get enough of Kent's seafood delicacy.'

0:28:07 > 0:28:12- Am I allowed another one? - Yes. Have as many as you like.

0:28:13 > 0:28:20So Miles and Sam are eager to change their London home for a country retreat, but it does have to be

0:28:20 > 0:28:26within easy commuting distance to the city. The first property we showed them, the barn,

0:28:26 > 0:28:30certainly had the kerb appeal they were after,

0:28:30 > 0:28:34but the close proximity to a major road did seem to put them off.

0:28:34 > 0:28:38Our second property, we took them further afield into east Kent

0:28:38 > 0:28:45and that house seemed to have it all. The only negative would be the extended travel time to work.

0:28:45 > 0:28:51So now it's time for our mystery house, but will this accommodation on such a grand scale

0:28:51 > 0:28:54be to their liking?

0:28:55 > 0:28:59Our mystery property sits on the outskirts of Langley village.

0:28:59 > 0:29:03It has good mainline rail links to London from Headcorn or Maidstone

0:29:03 > 0:29:10and easy access to the motorway for Sam. Complete with a couple of pubs and a medieval church,

0:29:10 > 0:29:15historic architecture is a defining feature of this area.

0:29:15 > 0:29:18Our mystery proposition is certainly no exception,

0:29:18 > 0:29:24although it challenges our couple to entertain the idea of having quite a few neighbours,

0:29:24 > 0:29:27something they specifically didn't want.

0:29:27 > 0:29:32Only a few more steps because we are in the heart of Kent

0:29:32 > 0:29:36and I've brought you to your mystery house. Look up.

0:29:36 > 0:29:38SAM LAUGHS

0:29:38 > 0:29:41Do we get all of this?

0:29:41 > 0:29:44Oh, my goodness me!

0:29:44 > 0:29:48That's amazing. It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

0:29:48 > 0:29:52- I presume it's a part of the house. - It IS a part of the house.

0:29:52 > 0:29:57The house dates back to the Elizabethan period, around 1599.

0:29:57 > 0:30:03- Wow.- It's Grade 2 listed. And it's divided up into seven different properties

0:30:03 > 0:30:09- within the manor house. So, Miles, what do you think? - Which bit?- Which bit is yours? OK.

0:30:09 > 0:30:16- You'll be pleased to know it's the largest bit. I think we should step inside.- I think we should.

0:30:17 > 0:30:21'Our mystery offering may be a slice of the whole mansion house,

0:30:21 > 0:30:26'but inside they get grand reception rooms on a huge scale

0:30:26 > 0:30:28'with plenty of historic features.'

0:30:33 > 0:30:34So...

0:30:34 > 0:30:40You come through the main entrance and this is your section of the house.

0:30:40 > 0:30:47- That window is stunning!- Isn't it? It's a lovely view out of there. - Wow. We've gone back in time.

0:30:47 > 0:30:51- We certainly have. And you wanted a real fire.- Yes.

0:30:51 > 0:30:57You've got the original wood panelling all around. Just look at the work.

0:30:57 > 0:31:01I must admit communal living isn't my thing at all,

0:31:01 > 0:31:06- but this building, this room just on its own, is amazing.- Yeah.

0:31:06 > 0:31:10'The drawing room next door is of a similar size.'

0:31:10 > 0:31:17- I feel like a guide in a stately home!- It does feel like we're on a tour, definitely.

0:31:17 > 0:31:19Wow.

0:31:19 > 0:31:23There's quite a bit to take in when you're walking round quickly.

0:31:23 > 0:31:30- Yeah. You've got the windows - all of these in here are leaded. - I love the deep wooden windowsills.

0:31:30 > 0:31:35It's just such an amazing property. I like it cos it's so unusual.

0:31:37 > 0:31:41'After the historic splendour of the reception rooms,

0:31:41 > 0:31:44'we'll take a leap forward in time.'

0:31:44 > 0:31:51So, bit of a contrast when we come through to the kitchen, which is very modern

0:31:51 > 0:31:56- and very different.- I can see the amount of money that's been spent,

0:31:56 > 0:32:00but I'm not quite sure about the decor.

0:32:00 > 0:32:06I think the work surfaces or the floor on their own are OK, but the two together is quite a lot.

0:32:06 > 0:32:13- It's very busy for quite a small kitchen.- It's not large. Could you work in a kitchen this size?- Yeah.

0:32:13 > 0:32:19I think it's doable because there's a lot of space everywhere else. It's not too bad.

0:32:19 > 0:32:22And you can go straight out into the garden.

0:32:22 > 0:32:29'There's a basement, too, which gives loads of storage space and even includes a wine cellar.

0:32:29 > 0:32:36'But we'll head upstairs where there are four bedrooms spread over two floors.

0:32:36 > 0:32:44'Off the first floor landing is an enormous double. It has a really lavish Tudor-esque feel

0:32:44 > 0:32:51'and there's a bright, modern family bathroom opposite. The other three bedrooms certainly won't disappoint

0:32:51 > 0:32:56'on size or character. The two guest doubles are large and light,

0:32:56 > 0:33:00'both with those high vaulted ceilings and exposed beams

0:33:00 > 0:33:04'which are a showstopping feature of the master.'

0:33:04 > 0:33:08So if you fancied being one of Henry VIII's wives,

0:33:08 > 0:33:13you'd probably live in something similar to this.

0:33:14 > 0:33:19- How many times have I said stunning? - Say it again.

0:33:19 > 0:33:21Stunning!

0:33:21 > 0:33:27- Just...beautiful.- You've got your window seat you wanted.

0:33:27 > 0:33:33- It's so beautiful.- It also has a very modern en-suite.- Oh, right.

0:33:33 > 0:33:40'There's no doubt that our mystery house gives them lots of living space and more period features

0:33:40 > 0:33:47'than they could have possibly imagined. Outside, there are 11 acres of grounds to roam around in.

0:33:47 > 0:33:53'Although they wouldn't have to maintain it, they would share it with the other residents.

0:33:53 > 0:33:57'So let's see if our mystery house has changed their preconceptions.'

0:33:57 > 0:34:01- I don't think you'd have considered this.- No.

0:34:01 > 0:34:05- You've challenged us.- Let's see if we've challenged you on price.

0:34:05 > 0:34:10- Oh, no!- Our final house. What's the price?- I'll say 725.- OK.

0:34:10 > 0:34:16I'm going to say... £739,000.

0:34:16 > 0:34:19You're both wrong.

0:34:19 > 0:34:22- Surprise!- You're both over.

0:34:22 > 0:34:25I'm really surprised at that!

0:34:25 > 0:34:29- £695,000. - Oh, on the nose, really.

0:34:29 > 0:34:34- Yeah.- My goodness me.- Is it a slice of history you want to invest in?

0:34:34 > 0:34:39- Don't tell me yet. Go on. Have some fun.- OK.

0:34:39 > 0:34:41See you later.

0:34:41 > 0:34:48Well, the mystery house has worked its magic, but how can it not when it's this impressive?

0:34:48 > 0:34:56Under-budget at £695,000, Sam and Miles can afford to buy the principal part

0:34:56 > 0:34:59of our unique and opulent mystery manor house.

0:34:59 > 0:35:06It provides them with two reception rooms with extraordinary character features,

0:35:06 > 0:35:10four bedrooms, including a master suite, and it's all wrapped up

0:35:10 > 0:35:15in over 11 acres of communal grounds and set in an idyllic location.

0:35:17 > 0:35:19I'm blown away by this house.

0:35:19 > 0:35:24It absolutely oozes period charm, everywhere you look.

0:35:24 > 0:35:28I never thought in a million years we'd look at a property like this.

0:35:28 > 0:35:33I just have one tiny reservation. I feel even wrong saying it.

0:35:33 > 0:35:41Am I ready to actually be in more of a communal environment than I had originally anticipated?

0:35:41 > 0:35:46I think this is an amazing house. You get an awful lot of space for the money.

0:35:46 > 0:35:50If the kitchen was bigger, that would be perfect.

0:35:50 > 0:35:55If that was the only compromise, that's not too much of an issue.

0:35:55 > 0:35:57I think this is a real contender.

0:35:57 > 0:36:01It really is the most spectacular mystery property.

0:36:01 > 0:36:05- Right, you two. Have you seen enough?- We have, I think.- We have.

0:36:05 > 0:36:11- All three are very different. - Very different, indeed.- Hope we haven't confused you too much.

0:36:11 > 0:36:16Utterly confused! You've thrown us a real curveball with this property.

0:36:16 > 0:36:22Well, let's go somewhere quiet. You can gather your thoughts and tell us what you think.

0:36:30 > 0:36:34'I grew up on the north Kent coast so as a local girl

0:36:34 > 0:36:39'I was keen to return to the area and visit Whitstable to sample the local traditions

0:36:39 > 0:36:45'and the seafood delicacy, mainly the oysters, which underpin the town's heritage.

0:36:45 > 0:36:50'I've actually come out of oyster season, which starts on 1st September,

0:36:50 > 0:36:55'but Whitstable's oyster festival is held every year around 25th July,

0:36:55 > 0:37:00'which historically fell within the holiday period for oyster dredgers.

0:37:00 > 0:37:08'I'm meeting the festival organiser Brian Baker to discover more about its past and relevance today.'

0:37:08 > 0:37:12There's been a real resurgence in the love of oysters.

0:37:12 > 0:37:17We can see a lot of children today are building these little shells like domes.

0:37:17 > 0:37:21- What's going on there?- Well, if we go back to the early days here,

0:37:21 > 0:37:28the children at this time of year would be celebrating with their parents who worked in the industry

0:37:28 > 0:37:33and the 25th July was the Feast of St James, patron saint of shellfish.

0:37:33 > 0:37:38The children would build these grotto shells in the alleyways

0:37:38 > 0:37:44and a passer-by would not be allowed to come by unless they paid a penny for the grotto.

0:37:44 > 0:37:48We think of oysters as millionaire food. They're quite expensive.

0:37:48 > 0:37:53- But 100 years ago, they weren't like that.- They were the food of the poor

0:37:53 > 0:37:59and millions and millions of oysters came off these beds and straight up to Billingsgate.

0:37:59 > 0:38:02They fed the poor of London. They were a staple diet.

0:38:02 > 0:38:07'In the 19th century, when oyster stocks were thriving and cheap,

0:38:07 > 0:38:11'they were used to bulk out dishes such as pies, soups and stews.

0:38:11 > 0:38:18'Yet by the 1920s, the industry was almost wiped out by a combination of disease and overfishing.

0:38:18 > 0:38:22'However, the oyster beds were revived in the early 1980s.

0:38:22 > 0:38:29'I'm meeting one of the pioneers, Barry Green, whose family run a successful seafood restaurant.'

0:38:29 > 0:38:34Barry, you run the Whitstable Oyster Company. Can I just say thank you?

0:38:34 > 0:38:37You've provided a very fine spread.

0:38:37 > 0:38:41- I love oysters. So I can eat oysters all the year round?- Yes.

0:38:41 > 0:38:47These are the cultivated ones, native ones, which are farmed in the deeper water.

0:38:47 > 0:38:51- There has to be an R in the month. - Is that true?- Yeah.

0:38:51 > 0:38:55They spawn and breed during the summer months.

0:38:55 > 0:38:59- So it's better to leave them. - Should I cook them or have them raw?

0:38:59 > 0:39:04- You can cook them or have them raw. - What do you prefer?- I prefer both!

0:39:04 > 0:39:06This is wine vinegar with shallots.

0:39:06 > 0:39:13- I would eat it with nothing.- Right. - But if you dip them in that like that...- Yes?

0:39:13 > 0:39:19- ..for somebody who's never eaten one, it's probably more palatable. - Better than the shell to your mouth?

0:39:19 > 0:39:20Yes.

0:39:20 > 0:39:21Mmm.

0:39:21 > 0:39:25Oh, I have to say, with the shallots...

0:39:25 > 0:39:27- It makes a difference.- It does.

0:39:27 > 0:39:31I've had oysters before. I do like oysters, but I really like that.

0:39:31 > 0:39:34- Am I allowed another one?- Yes.

0:39:34 > 0:39:41'As night falls down on the seashore, the children's grottos are lit after a blessing of the sea,

0:39:41 > 0:39:47'which has been performed for 200 years and still seems fitting for a town

0:39:47 > 0:39:49'so in love with its oysters.'

0:39:54 > 0:39:58Well, you can't beat Whitstable on a sunny day.

0:39:58 > 0:40:02And our house hunt here in the garden of England is over,

0:40:02 > 0:40:06but has the search proved fruitful? Time to find out.

0:40:10 > 0:40:14So our search of Kent is now over.

0:40:14 > 0:40:16Did we find you your dream home?

0:40:16 > 0:40:23The first property we saw, just outside the village of Charing, you tell me what you thought.

0:40:23 > 0:40:29From the outside, as soon as we walked up to the barn, it looked beautiful.

0:40:29 > 0:40:31You could tell it had character.

0:40:31 > 0:40:34Plenty of windows, lots of light.

0:40:34 > 0:40:41And if you'd extended the kitchen into the utility room and done something with the patio area...

0:40:41 > 0:40:47That would have been great. And the surrounding area, the outlook was good,

0:40:47 > 0:40:53but to the right was the M20 and to the left the A20. That put me off.

0:40:53 > 0:41:00- House number two. - Yeah. That one just absolutely blew me away

0:41:00 > 0:41:02the chocolate box cottage look.

0:41:02 > 0:41:07Much smaller downstairs than I would have hoped for.

0:41:07 > 0:41:12I feel where this property was was just that bit too far.

0:41:12 > 0:41:18It was past Ashford, Junction 10, which would add a considerable amount of time,

0:41:18 > 0:41:23probably another 20-25 minutes on top of the time I was looking at.

0:41:23 > 0:41:30- Oh, if I could move that house a little bit closer!- There would have been a Sold sign outside!

0:41:30 > 0:41:34- It would be more money. - Yeah, exactly.- Very true.

0:41:34 > 0:41:37And, of course, our third and final house, the mystery.

0:41:37 > 0:41:41A little on the small side for the two of you(?)

0:41:41 > 0:41:45It was huge inside! Absolutely stunning.

0:41:45 > 0:41:51I think the mystery house has really blown everything out of the water for us.

0:41:51 > 0:41:57We talked about how it was positioned. You had your own back door and a large portion

0:41:57 > 0:42:04of that back garden - garden's not the right word! - but it would almost be yours.

0:42:04 > 0:42:10But is that more of an executive lifestyle rather than a country living lifestyle?

0:42:10 > 0:42:12- Yeah.- I don't know.

0:42:12 > 0:42:16- What comes next?- I think we need to do a bit more homework.

0:42:16 > 0:42:21- I don't think the mystery house is out of the equation.- Really?- No.

0:42:21 > 0:42:27- I'm not arguing with that!- No. Perhaps the mystery property is the one for you.

0:42:27 > 0:42:31- I think we've got some more talking to do.- More talking, more thinking.

0:42:31 > 0:42:36- Thank you both so much.- We're really enjoyed it.- It's been delightful.

0:42:36 > 0:42:42- And hopefully you're one step closer to finding that dream home. - Thank you very much, Nicki.

0:42:46 > 0:42:52For Sam and Miles, this move represents not just finding a home in the country,

0:42:52 > 0:42:58but a quality of life they both long for after what's been a very difficult 18 months.

0:42:58 > 0:43:04If ever there was a couple you'd want to find the perfect property for, it's these two.

0:43:04 > 0:43:10Although we didn't quite achieve it, hopefully we've got them just that little bit closer.

0:43:10 > 0:43:12Until next time.

0:43:13 > 0:43:18Sam and Miles loved the mystery house, but after much deliberation

0:43:18 > 0:43:22they decided that communal living wasn't for them.

0:43:22 > 0:43:28If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England,

0:43:28 > 0:43:32and need our help, please apply online:

0:43:51 > 0:43:54Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd