0:00:02 > 0:00:05This impressive building behind me was home to a man called Gilbert White.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09He was author of a book, which after the Bible and Shakespeare,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12is thought to be the fourth most published book in the world.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14So, who was he? Where am I?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17And what was so special about the book itself?
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53On today's show I'm trying to find a house for a couple who have
0:00:53 > 0:00:57seen over 40 properties whilst searching for a bottom heavy home.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01And it is an upstairs downsize that proves a bit tricky.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05I know what you're after, you want three bedrooms on the upstairs
0:01:05 > 0:01:07and Buckingham Palace on the ground floor.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11But I pinned my final hope on the mystery house.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Can we look inside now then?
0:01:12 > 0:01:14We can look inside, provided you buy it!
0:01:14 > 0:01:16THEY LAUGH
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Well, today we are in Hampshire and the Wakes, as it's known,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25behind me, Gilbert White's house, was his home during the late
0:01:25 > 0:01:2818th century, when he was one of the country's leading naturalists,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32but what set White apart from many of his peers was that he decided
0:01:32 > 0:01:35to study animals that were living, rather than those that had been
0:01:35 > 0:01:39killed and stuffed, from the comfort of their own studies.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Now, all this sounds obvious enough but, at the time,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43it was pioneering stuff.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45And he drew his thoughts together in this,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Gilbert White's The Natural History of Selbourne.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Not only was it a bestseller, not only did it really
0:01:51 > 0:01:56cement his reputation as the world's first great ecologist
0:01:56 > 0:01:59but, what's more, it's never, ever been out of print.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Hampshire is bordered by five counties, including Dorset,
0:02:05 > 0:02:10Wiltshire and West Sussex, whilst its southern coastline stretches
0:02:10 > 0:02:13for more than 34 miles, with views towards the Isle of Wight.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Throughout the county, there is a network
0:02:17 > 0:02:18of diverse canals and rivers,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22like the River Test. World famous for its superb trout fishing,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25the Test meanders its way through some of the most attractive villages
0:02:25 > 0:02:29in the county, such as Chilbolton, with its thatched houses.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32And there's also the unspoiled beauty of East Meon,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34nestled in the Meon Valley.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38On the 900th anniversary of the Domesday Book,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40East Meon was chosen as the Domesday village as its layout today
0:02:40 > 0:02:43echoes that of Norman times.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45With history and coastline in abundance,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49it's no surprise that Hampshire is a very sought-after location
0:02:49 > 0:02:51for would-be country types.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54Well, as you can see,
0:02:54 > 0:02:58the landscape here in Hampshire is dominated with some wonderful
0:02:58 > 0:03:00buildings but, of course, all of that comes at a price.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03The average four bedroomed family house will set you
0:03:03 > 0:03:06back around about £344,000.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10That's a cool 90,000 above the national average. Why?
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Well, essentially, this is commuter belt.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Those close links to the capital have long held sway over
0:03:15 > 0:03:19prices here but if you want some gorgeous houses with
0:03:19 > 0:03:23lots of character, then Hampshire could well be the place for you.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27This three bedroomed Grade II listed detached cottage in Titchfield
0:03:27 > 0:03:31is on the market for just shy of £300,000.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34It has a showstopper of an inglenook in the sitting room
0:03:34 > 0:03:38and outside, the timbers provide an attractive backdrop
0:03:38 > 0:03:40to the secluded courtyard garden.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Priced at £650,000 is this three-bedroom
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Grade II listed property in Hamble. It comes complete
0:03:47 > 0:03:49with a stunning modern kitchen
0:03:49 > 0:03:52and good-sized bathroom with freestanding bath.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55There is also a spacious open plan living
0:03:55 > 0:03:57and dining area with a feature fireplace.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00And, if you have deep pockets,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02maybe you could stretch to this three-bedroom
0:04:02 > 0:04:05bespoke property in Bashley for £865,000.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Set in two acres of garden and paddocks,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14it features stunning timber vaulted ceilings in the two spacious
0:04:14 > 0:04:17reception rooms and there's a range cooker in the modern kitchen.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Well, if that little selection has whetted your appetite
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and tempted you to move to Hampshire, you're in good company
0:04:23 > 0:04:26because that's exactly what today's buyers want to do too.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Business consultant Alan
0:04:29 > 0:04:31and administrator Julie have been married for over 30 years
0:04:31 > 0:04:36and have lived in a five bedroomed house in Woking, Surrey, since 1995.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39But, since their youngest son Alex started university,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41they've been thinking seriously
0:04:41 > 0:04:44about downsizing with a country move.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48I'd like to move to the country because I like peace and quiet
0:04:48 > 0:04:52and, erm, although it's very quiet here, Woking is very built up
0:04:52 > 0:04:54and very, quite noisy.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58So, access to nice country walks and some good pubs would be nice.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02We've decided that we want to move because, really, it's too big for
0:05:02 > 0:05:06just two of us and although Alex is, is here part of the time while he's
0:05:06 > 0:05:12at university, the other two have gone and we rattle around upstairs.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16So, it's too big upstairs, erm, we like the room downstairs,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18although we don't like the layout.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20They've viewed 45 properties already
0:05:20 > 0:05:23over the past two years with no luck.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Now, the area they have chosen
0:05:26 > 0:05:29is based on their future role as grandparents.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32I think the areas that we would consider to move to
0:05:32 > 0:05:37need to be somewhere that has a good commuter link into south-west London.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42Our daughter lives near Hampton Court and she's expecting her first baby.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47- We don't want to be hours and hours away.- So, near the A3 or the A31.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- Granny!- Granddad! THEY LAUGH
0:05:51 > 0:05:54As well as being kept busy with their grandchild they'll also
0:05:54 > 0:05:56be making time for their favourite activities.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I think the move to the country would mean that we could continue most
0:05:59 > 0:06:05of our hobbies, including walking, cycling, we really like cycling.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10- Golf.- Oh, yeah, golf, and going to local pubs!
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Golf and pubs aside,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15they have a clear vision of the requirements for their future home.
0:06:15 > 0:06:21We only need 2 to 3 bedrooms and, as far as downstairs is concerned,
0:06:21 > 0:06:25if it's small, then we would consider extending.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Yeah, it must have, if it is small,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31it must have the potential to extend it and a decent sized garden.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33And a real, sort of,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36sugar on the top would be a basement with a snooker table.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Not asking for much, then!
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Well, that just leaves the all-important matter of money.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47If we find the right project we'll go to £600,000
0:06:47 > 0:06:52and then spend a bit more getting it to, to meet our criteria.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56If we find somewhere that meets all of our criteria then we'd be
0:06:56 > 0:06:58willing to go to £900,000.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Well, by their own admission,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Alan and Julie have been going around in circles, it seems.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09For the last two years, they've looked at dozens of properties
0:07:09 > 0:07:12but, of course, have yet to find their ideal one.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15They say they need a bit more focus and, well, frankly,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17I'd be inclined to agree. That's because I think
0:07:17 > 0:07:19there are two fundamental contradictions going on.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Julie would be quite happy to take on something of a project,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Alan wants it all done, and they both want a property with a large
0:07:26 > 0:07:30ground floor footprint, but without many bedrooms upstairs.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32And all that suggests that they are looking for a pyramid,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36and there aren't many of those in Hampshire, I can tell you!
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Alan and Julie want us to find their new home within half an hour
0:07:40 > 0:07:43of Hampton Court in south-west London so they can
0:07:43 > 0:07:47visit their first grandchild easily once he or she arrives.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50We've got three stunning properties to tempt them with
0:07:50 > 0:07:52and as ever, they'll have to take a guess at the price
0:07:52 > 0:07:54before I reveal it.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57The final option, of course, is our mystery house which could
0:07:57 > 0:08:01push the demand for downstairs space to the limit.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Now, over this two-year odyssey... - Odyssey!
0:08:06 > 0:08:12- ..let's just be clear how many properties you've looked at.- Gosh!
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- Probably...seriously looked at, 45, something like that.- 45?
0:08:17 > 0:08:23But Hampshire's, you know, sold as far as you're concerned.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25You definitely want to be in this particular county.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- It's a nice county.- It is gorgeous, it is absolutely gorgeous.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Thankfully, you've got a budget to match, which is always helpful!
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Erm, well, hopefully, we can give you a bit of focus.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- Just go with it with eyes wide open.- Yeah, we are.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42And hopefully we can inspire you with one of our three.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Including, of course, the mystery house, which,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46you know, might be a bit different.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- Ooh!- Seven bedrooms and one reception room!
0:08:49 > 0:08:50THEY LAUGH
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Maybe we'll find you a property that you can switch around -
0:08:53 > 0:08:55live upstairs and sleep downstairs?
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Yeah, we'll get an upside down house!
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Yeah, well, I'm pretty optimistic, guys.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- And, who knows, maybe we'll resolve this two-year search.- Let's hope so.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05That'd be good.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10So, with a budget ranging between 600 and £900,000,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13depending on how much work needs doing to the property,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17we're looking for a detached house with more room downstairs than up.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20A maximum of three bedrooms, a decent sized garden
0:09:20 > 0:09:22and great countryside views.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36We've travelled around 25 minutes from Hampton Court
0:09:36 > 0:09:40and close to the Hampshire village of Crookham, which is
0:09:40 > 0:09:43the nearest place to offer amenities such as a post office, local shop
0:09:43 > 0:09:46and tea room, plus that all-important pub for them to socialise in.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51Just half a mile away is the small village of Dogmersfield.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Our first property dates back to 1880 and, once upon a time,
0:09:54 > 0:09:58was the laundry of the local manor house.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00This is it, property number one!
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- Ooh!- Ah!- It's pretty, isn't it? It's beautiful.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06When you get round the back, it really does open up
0:10:06 > 0:10:08but the interesting thing about this one
0:10:08 > 0:10:10is that it's very much, sort of, bottom heavy.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- Yeah.- Lots of room downstairs, not a huge amount upstairs,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15but that's what we're after.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Yep.- Shall we? Come on, let's have a look inside.- Yeah.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21It's a hard task to find a property with more room downstairs
0:10:21 > 0:10:26than up, but I think we might just have cracked it with this one.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Right, in you come. Grab the door, Alan.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31So, lobby, utility room, kind of thing.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- And this is the first bit, this snug.- Oh, this is nice.- Come on in.
0:10:35 > 0:10:36Oh, it's cosy, isn't it?
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- Yeah!- Yeah.- I like the high ceilings.- I love the colour.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- You wouldn't expect this, would you? In here.- No.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- Actually, with the picture rail and so forth.- Yeah, I like this.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- It's unusual.- Hm.- OK.- Yeah. I want to see more now!- Right, kitchen.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Have a look at this! Come in here.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- There, how about this?- Oh, wow!
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Yeah.- Ooh!- Yeah?- BOTH: Yeah. Nice.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- I should imagine they live in here. - You would, wouldn't you, really?
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Yeah, this would be the main focus for it.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Again, coming back to this issue of size
0:11:07 > 0:11:09and you're trying to downsize...
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- Is this too big? Is it too small? - No, it seems a good size.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17It's not too big, it could well be big enough, yeah.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20It looks like this house is delivering exactly what
0:11:20 > 0:11:24they want size wise, but there's plenty more to see downstairs.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30So, here we are, another reception room for you.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Erm, now, they've got a bit of a sort of
0:11:32 > 0:11:35study area going on in the corner there.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39But the focus of the room is very much this working fireplace.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43It's a nice room. I like the way that it's got different sloping ceilings
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- and this is a much lower part. - It is.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49If you think about the three bedroomed houses
0:11:49 > 0:11:53we've looked at, downstairs is much smaller than these rooms.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54Good. That's excellent.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57That's the sort of balance I was hoping we would...
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Yeah, no, it's a good size. - ..achieve.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- Well, you could have a fourth reception room.- Right?- Next door.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- Oh, really?- OK.- But it's currently the master bedroom.- Right, OK.- OK.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12I'm not sure whether a ground floor bedroom is to Alan and Julie's
0:12:12 > 0:12:16liking but I think this next room could be well worth a gamble.
0:12:16 > 0:12:17OK.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- Nice. Very nice.- Oh.- Yeah? - Yeah.- With stairs!
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- Yeah, now, the stairs, you would think go to an ensuite.- Yes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- They go to a huge dressing room. - Oh, brilliant!- Oh.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32THEY LAUGH
0:12:32 > 0:12:33A huge dressing room up there,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36but it's the master because the family bathroom is right next door.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40So, it's not technically ensuite although it's just round the corner.
0:12:40 > 0:12:47- But it could be another reception room if you wanted it to be.- Hm.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- It's nice as a bedroom though, isn't it?- Works as a bedroom, doesn't it?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54I mean, not everybody's into bedrooms on the ground floor
0:12:54 > 0:12:57but that's the kind of compromise you might want to make
0:12:57 > 0:13:00because we've got two bedrooms upstairs, OK?
0:13:00 > 0:13:03So it would mean, effectively, that you would give up
0:13:03 > 0:13:07the bedrooms down here and effectively have only a two bedroomed house.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Hm.- But with four reception rooms. - Yeah.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Well, it's not like we'll be putting it on the market
0:13:13 > 0:13:16and it doesn't matter, does it?
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Well, it sounds like Alan's moved in already,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21and we've still got the upstairs to see.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25There are two more bedrooms in this stunningly stylish property.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28One is currently being used as a music room and the other is
0:13:28 > 0:13:33the room with an ensuite that could work as a master for them.
0:13:33 > 0:13:40- So, come on in. This is the ensuite that the house offers.- Ooh!
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- That's different.- Isn't it?- Yeah!
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Something of a sort of throne, almost...
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- ALAN LAUGHS - ..for your, your master bed!- Wow!
0:13:49 > 0:13:50This is a nice room.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- It's a good layout, actually. Well-designed.- Happy?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- Hm, yeah, I like it. - I can't tell you how relieved I am!
0:13:56 > 0:13:58THEY LAUGH
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Believe you me, I'm very relieved at this point.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Well, I'm delighted that they like this house,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07as I think it could suit them very well.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Outside, they've asked for a decent amount of space
0:14:09 > 0:14:11and this garden certainly delivers.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15As well as having a luxurious hot tub with decking,
0:14:15 > 0:14:17it also has a nicely furnished summerhouse
0:14:17 > 0:14:20with stunning views out onto open fields.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- What are your initial thoughts of property number one?- I like it.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27I think it has a nice feeling to it.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Is it not... I'm a bit concerned that it might be too small.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33I didn't find it small, no. It didn't feel that at all.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37No, I think there is potential to knock it about a bit.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Which we were bound to do anyway!
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Well, how much work you may do to it all, obviously, will have
0:14:43 > 0:14:46some bearing on the price that you eventually have to pay for it.
0:14:46 > 0:14:52- Hm.- We've got a very generous, what, £6-£900,000 to spend.
0:14:52 > 0:14:59- Where do you think this one comes? - About 800,000.- £800,000 yes? Alan?
0:15:01 > 0:15:07- I don't know. 775.- 775.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- You're right!- Really?! - No!- Spot on!- Oh!
0:15:12 > 0:15:16He said, "I don't know," and then he gets it spot on!
0:15:16 > 0:15:17That sounds like a set-up!
0:15:17 > 0:15:21No, £775,000 will get you property number one.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- I think you should have another look around.- Yeah, we will do.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- Off you go. - OK.- OK.- Brilliant!
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Well, there we are, it's not often that a buyer gets it absolutely
0:15:30 > 0:15:32spot on, but Alan managed it, as well he might.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36This is a perfect house for them, but downsizing isn't always easy.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38They've got a few hurdles to overcome,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40but this, they might just do it.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46Falling within their budget at £775,000,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49this property looks very promising indeed.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51It has loads of reception space downstairs,
0:15:51 > 0:15:57four bedrooms, a huge garden and attractive views.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I really like this property. I'm surprised, but I do like it.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04It doesn't feel small.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Sometimes you get a feel, you go,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08"This is a nice house, I could live here."
0:16:08 > 0:16:11It's probably up there in the top five,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14let's say, of the properties we've looked at.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Worthy of serious consideration.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Right...out you come.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Well, how do we feel about downsizing now we've seen
0:16:23 > 0:16:24property number one?
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- Yeah.- Pretty good. Yeah, I like it.- Still happy?
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- Still convinced it's the way to go? - Yes.- OK.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- Well, let's see what you make of house number two.- OK!
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The Hampshire town of Alresford came into existence
0:16:50 > 0:16:53around the 13th century, when a great weir was built to create
0:16:53 > 0:16:56a reservoir known as Old Alresford Pond.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59The pond supplied fish for the Bishop of Winchester's palace,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03as well as a steady flow of water for mills further downstream.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Nine miles north-east
0:17:05 > 0:17:08of New Alresford is the tiny village of Chawton,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11and it was here that the renowned British author Jane Austen lived
0:17:11 > 0:17:15after making her own escape to the country from Southampton.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Earlier in the week, we arranged for Alan
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and Julie to meet guide Anne Channon on a tour of the setting that
0:17:20 > 0:17:23inspired some of Austen's greatest works.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- Welcome to Jane Austen House Museum. - Thank you very much.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28When did she come to live here?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32She moved here in 1809 with her mother, sister and a friend,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34and Jane Austen's brother Edward,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37who had inherited large estates in Kent and Hampshire,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40offered them a home. And they chose to come here to Chawton Cottage.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Jane Austen's House Museum was established in 1947 and is owned
0:17:46 > 0:17:50and run by the Jane Austen Memorial Trust, a registered charity.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52The much loved author spent the last eight years
0:17:52 > 0:17:54of her life in this 17th-century house.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59As well as writing her novels here, she also enjoyed playing the piano
0:17:59 > 0:18:02and helping with the upkeep of the pretty cottage garden.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04This is the dining room where Jane Austen
0:18:04 > 0:18:07would have sat by the window, at that table,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10and written and revised her novels.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14In 1809, when they came here, she got down to writing very quickly.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Revising Sense And Sensibility, which celebrates its 200th year
0:18:18 > 0:18:23of publication this year, then Pride and Prejudice, and then she wrote
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29All at that little table. So, to us, it's very precious.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Her sister Cassandra had taken over the role of housekeeper
0:18:32 > 0:18:36with Martha Lloyd, their friend, which left Jane Austen free to write.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39And without Cassandra Austen doing that,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41we wouldn't have these wonderful books.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Jane and her elder sister had a close bond
0:18:45 > 0:18:47and shared a bedroom together.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Right, this is the bedroom that Jane Austen
0:18:49 > 0:18:51would have shared with her sister Cassandra.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Quite a small bed, was she fairly small?
0:18:54 > 0:18:58She was quite tall for the time, five foot 6 to 7.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01This is a replica bed of the sort of bed they would have had
0:19:01 > 0:19:06and it's got a roped base to hold the mattress.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Hence the saying, "Good night, sleep tight,"
0:19:08 > 0:19:10when the ropes had tightened to keep the base firm.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14In a time when published female novelists were rare,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Sense and Sensibility was officially described as being written by "a lady",
0:19:18 > 0:19:21and her subsequent books were all attributed to
0:19:21 > 0:19:23the author of Sense and Sensibility.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28It wasn't until Jane's death in 1817 that her name actually
0:19:28 > 0:19:30appeared on her own novels,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34when Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were both published posthumously.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38But, for now, it's time for Alan and Julie,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40the heroes of this edition of Escape To The Country,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43to continue with their own story as we get back to the house search.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53We've travelled around 30 miles from Hampton Court
0:19:53 > 0:19:56to the East Hampshire village of Medstead.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00It's a community of around 2,000 people with a Norman church
0:20:00 > 0:20:03and a local convenience store with a post office.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05For those special occasions, there's also an historic pub
0:20:05 > 0:20:07that dates back to the 1800s.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12A fairly modern build, our second property has oak frames
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and was constructed in 1991.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- Well, there we are. House number two.- It's big!- It's big!
0:20:20 > 0:20:24It is big, and I know we're trying to downsize
0:20:24 > 0:20:27but the reason we brought you here is because we know you don't
0:20:27 > 0:20:32want to be completely isolated in the middle of nowhere, hence we've
0:20:32 > 0:20:36got a road, I'm afraid, but I think this is well worth looking at.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39If you've never seen a green oak building, this is a great example.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- Let's have a look.- If you want to build something from scratch,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46you could always build one of these! Come and have a look inside.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Yes, it is a large house but Alan and Julie are definitely after
0:20:51 > 0:20:54a lot of space downstairs at least.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56So, let's see how we get on.
0:20:56 > 0:20:57Right, come on into the kitchen.
0:20:57 > 0:21:04- Let's start in here.- That's nice. - Yeah?- Yeah.- Lovely, isn't it?
0:21:04 > 0:21:05- Yeah, lovely kitchen.- Yeah.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07And dominated by these huge beams,
0:21:07 > 0:21:12which are a feature of the house, as you might, you know, expect.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15It's your classic, sort of, you know,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18country look but without having to be miles in the country.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- Very nice.- Yeah, this is quite nice, isn't it? Come and check this out.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26This is quite a clever little link arrangement.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Oh.- This isn't part of the original build.- OK.- Wow!
0:21:33 > 0:21:36This is only about five years old.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38There used to be a little exterior courtyard here.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41So, the current owners got the original builders back
0:21:41 > 0:21:43and this rather complicated structure
0:21:43 > 0:21:46is what they came up with and I think it works a treat.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48It's very nice, yes.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- So, what, what's under there? - That...- It's not the garage, is it?
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Yeah, that goes into a utility room that's on the ground floor
0:21:55 > 0:21:58of the garage that leads onto the double garage itself
0:21:58 > 0:22:00but the staircase gets us
0:22:00 > 0:22:03up to something of a playroom with one of the five,
0:22:03 > 0:22:09sorry about this, five bedrooms that is on offer, and that is ensuite.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Right.- Well.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15So, you've got a separate, sort of, guest room, if you like.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17So, just thinking about your daughter
0:22:17 > 0:22:19with grandchild, potentially noisy baby...
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Totally separate!
0:22:22 > 0:22:24So, with the future grandchild space sorted out,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28let's find somewhere for Grandma and Grandpa to relax.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32So, back across the hallway, there's a nice little study in there.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37- This is the main reception room. - Oh, it's a good-sized room, isn't it?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Yeah. Goes the full width of the building.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- What about these beams, then? - Yeah, nice.- Solid, aren't they?
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Yeah, that's very different to the other one!
0:22:47 > 0:22:51I don't know, I don't feel quite the same as I did in the other one.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- Really?- Yeah. - Is it because it's too big or...?
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Yeah, actually, I think it is. I think it's too big.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- But we haven't been upstairs yet! - I know, but this is not downsizing.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- This is the same size as we've got now.- I don't feel that.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I think I prefer this one inside. It's nice because it's...
0:23:07 > 0:23:11I like the wood and it's more modern in its way.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13Alan seems to like this place
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and I'm hoping the upstairs might win Julie round.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19There are four more bedrooms at this end of the house.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23One a lovely spacious double with feature timber uprights
0:23:23 > 0:23:26and its own adjoining ensuite shower room.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29There's also another bright double with those oak ceiling beams
0:23:29 > 0:23:32which also feature in the single room.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35All these share the large family bath and shower room
0:23:35 > 0:23:38but we're heading for the biggest of the lot.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42This is the master. Come on into here.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47- It's beautiful.- Yeah?- Yeah. Beautiful bedroom.- Have a look at that.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- Dressing room in there.- Oh, yeah.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- Yeah, walk-in wardrobe, kind of thing. Yeah?- Yeah.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58And, through there, very nice, very funky ensuite bathroom.
0:23:58 > 0:24:05- Just look at the bath.- Oh!- Yeah? - Yeah. Lovely.- Ha-ha-ha-ha!
0:24:05 > 0:24:07So, that's the sort of style we've got up here.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12- I like the way the ceilings go into the loft.- Yeah.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16- Really opens it up, doesn't it? - But is it floating your boat, Alan?
0:24:16 > 0:24:18That's what worries me!
0:24:18 > 0:24:22It is mine, I don't... I'm not sure it is Julie's, though.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26No, it's not doing it for me, is it? It's a beautiful house, but it's...
0:24:26 > 0:24:31It's, it's a big house and that is what we have at the moment.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33This is the problem, though, isn't it?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35THEY LAUGH
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I know what you're after.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39You want three bedrooms on the upstairs
0:24:39 > 0:24:44and Buckingham Palace on the ground floor.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46THEY LAUGH
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Aargh! I don't know what we're going to do!
0:24:49 > 0:24:53- Can't we just forget there are five bedrooms?- Just close them off!
0:24:53 > 0:24:56It is a beautiful house. Very well put together.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59With opinions still split on this property,
0:24:59 > 0:25:03the only part left to see is the garden, which certainly meets
0:25:03 > 0:25:06the requirements of a decent size, to say the least.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10The price on this one is clearly going to have a bearing, as ever.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14- Mm-hmm.- Now, you were right on our last one.- He was.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16So, I'm going to let you go first on this one.
0:25:18 > 0:25:25I'd actually go, probably over budget. So, let's say 915.
0:25:25 > 0:25:31£915,000, yeah? Just over your top spend.
0:25:31 > 0:25:38- I think it's less than that. I think... 875.- 875.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43OK, you're both wrong.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Here's the good news, this is on the market for 795.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49- Good grief!- OK.
0:25:49 > 0:25:55- Do you think that is cheap?- I do. - For the amount of house, yes.- Yeah.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Go on, work your magic! Take her off!
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- THEY LAUGH - Twist her arm!
0:26:00 > 0:26:05At £795,000, this stunning and spacious property
0:26:05 > 0:26:09is well within their budget and offers a great deal.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11It has a lovely social reception space
0:26:11 > 0:26:14and four bedrooms in the main house.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16There's also an annexe area for when their family
0:26:16 > 0:26:21and future grandchild comes to stay and outside has a good-sized garden.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25I think that this property is not downsizing,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27it's as big as the house we've got now.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31I think that the room sizes downstairs are really good.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I'd like them in a slightly different configuration
0:26:34 > 0:26:37so that they could flow into one another more.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40For me it's perfect in terms of construct
0:26:40 > 0:26:41and the fact that it's modern,
0:26:41 > 0:26:45but in the main house there are four bedrooms
0:26:45 > 0:26:47and we probably only need two.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50So, upstairs is too large at the moment,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52unless we found a different use for it.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Out you go. There.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00Now then, the big question is, did you manage to persuade Julie?
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- I'm not going to tell you! - THEY LAUGH
0:27:16 > 0:27:20So, as the sun sets on Hampshire's scenic countryside,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Alan and Julie are looking to downsize
0:27:35 > 0:27:37from their five bedroom house
0:27:37 > 0:27:41in Woking, Surrey, to head for the Hampshire countryside.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43The big but in this plan is that they want
0:27:43 > 0:27:45to keep a large amount of space downstairs,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47while reducing the space upstairs.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50So far, they have agreed on one house
0:27:50 > 0:27:52and disagreed on another, but coming up,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55our mystery property gives them all the downstairs they could imagine.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00- There you go!- Which one? - The whole lot.- Wow!- Good grief!
0:28:00 > 0:28:02And it's all aboard a very special
0:28:02 > 0:28:05train to the watercress capital of the UK.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Well, as you can see, it's a glorious start
0:28:13 > 0:28:17to our final day of househunting here with Alan and with Julie.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19A couple who have looked at, well, dozens of properties over
0:28:19 > 0:28:23the last two years, but have yet to find one they like.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24To call them picky, well, frankly,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27that's something of an understatement!
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Now, when we started,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31we suggested that they might need something like a pyramid.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34So, our mystery house is anything but.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Well, our mystery house is the final offering.
0:28:39 > 0:28:45- What do you think we've got in mind? - I think it'll be a complete wreck.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48I was thinking a barn or something like that, maybe.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50A barn? A wreck of a barn?
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- Yeah, it could be a wreck of a barn! - Maybe a bit of both, yeah.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57- Maybe a bit of both?- A barn with no roof!- Let's see what you think.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08We are travelling to the Surrey village of Pirbright
0:29:08 > 0:29:10and its outlying communities.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13With most of the houses based around a large village green,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17its church was rebuilt late in the 18th century in true Georgian
0:29:17 > 0:29:21style and it offers amenities such as a parish shop and a cosy pub.
0:29:21 > 0:29:26For our mystery house, we've taken the biggest demand on the wish list
0:29:26 > 0:29:28and really run with it. They wanted a spacious downstairs -
0:29:28 > 0:29:30well, they'll find this property
0:29:30 > 0:29:32is ALL downstairs,
0:29:32 > 0:29:36being a Grade II listed barn conversion that's on one level.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- Another nice day!- It's a lovely day.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43The perfect day for our mystery house! There it is.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45You got it right, you said barn, it's a barn.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- Alan, a barn.- Yeah. There you go. - Which one?- The whole lot.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53- Wow!- Good grief!- Yeah. It's really interesting, this one.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57It's all what we'd call single-storey living, as it were.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- Can we look inside now then?- We can look inside, provided you buy it!
0:30:00 > 0:30:02THEY LAUGH
0:30:02 > 0:30:04I'm pinning my hopes on this property.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08Alan and Julie seem impressed with the frontage and grounds
0:30:08 > 0:30:10and I've got a feeling they may be equally taken with
0:30:10 > 0:30:12what's behind the front door.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13Come on in.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18- Oh, lovely room!- I mean, there are barns and barns.- Oh, wow.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Erm, and this is what this one is all about.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24These timbers here are originals. These lovely shoulders you can see.
0:30:24 > 0:30:29But, for all the listing, actually, most of it is, essentially,
0:30:29 > 0:30:30a brand-new house.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- It is, it's beautiful.- Alan, what are your thoughts?- Yeah, very spacious.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40The sort of thing we're looking for from a living area point of view.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45Let me just - sorry, it's the sort of thing we're looking for?
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- I've not heard that this week! - THEY LAUGH
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Excellent, good.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54OK, well, let's see if the rest of it is what you are looking for.
0:30:54 > 0:30:55Yeah.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00This is the, the kind of link between the two barns,
0:31:00 > 0:31:05this L-shape, but it leads us into one of the four bedrooms here.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07There we are.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11I apologise now, we've got you one more than you wanted,
0:31:11 > 0:31:14but here's the thought, one of them, they're using as a study,
0:31:14 > 0:31:16- so you've only got three! - OK, right, good.- OK.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18So, three bedrooms but, yeah,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20it's got a lovely ensuite as well, round the corner.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24- OK. Nice size.- Well, this isn't the master, this is just a guest room.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28- OK.- Alan's nodding sagely but I'm still not sure what's going on.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- No, I like it!- Not giving anything away!- I like the ceilings again.
0:31:32 > 0:31:33Nice high ceiling.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37So, the space and character of this place are both going down well,
0:31:37 > 0:31:38but can we keep it up in the kitchen?
0:31:40 > 0:31:44There we go. Again, lovely high ceilings in here.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49- I really like the kitchen. - Again, great size.- Yeah.
0:31:49 > 0:31:55- And the sort of size we are looking for, so that all works for me.- Yeah.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59It would be nice to put doors along here and open up a lighter bit.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01- Out onto the patio. - Yeah, you're right.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- We said that in the first one as well.- Hmm.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- I think we're just going to do that wherever we go.- Put the doors in!
0:32:07 > 0:32:10You're just desperate to knock something around, aren't you?
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- It's so beautifully finished, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Notwithstanding the fact we've got one bedroom on this side.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20This is a sort of kitchen wing, utility room, bathroom and so on.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24The other side of the living room is the kind of bedroom end of it.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- Come and have a look at that.- OK.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33So, again, the link between the two barns is here.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Back to the living room.
0:32:36 > 0:32:37Moving through here leads us
0:32:37 > 0:32:39to the three other bedrooms in this gorgeous conversion.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42There's a bright, good-sized double that could suit their son
0:32:42 > 0:32:43when he visits from university
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and a single with plenty of storage,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48which is currently being used as a study.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51But we're heading for the largest bedroom of all.
0:32:51 > 0:32:52This would be your master.
0:32:54 > 0:32:59- Good size.- Oh, lovely, yeah.- Light. Nice ceilings again!
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Well, I'm delighted you've picked up on the ceilings
0:33:01 > 0:33:03because it does make it, rather.
0:33:03 > 0:33:08Now, we've got an ensuite there, and this, you're going to love this.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12How about that? Huge walk-in wardrobe and dressing area.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15It's good. I don't know where Alan is going to put his clothes on!
0:33:15 > 0:33:21Well, yeah, here's the thing! So, in terms of, you know, one level,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- how do we feel about that? Now we've seen the whole thing?- I like it.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25I think it's a nice property.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Yeah, I mean, I'm not hung up
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- about having an upstairs or any of that sort of thing.- Yeah.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Would you have come to see this one in particular
0:33:33 > 0:33:36if you had just seen it on the internet?
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- Yes, because of the view.- Ah, OK.- Hm.
0:33:39 > 0:33:45Well, it's the best view we've had for you, to be honest. Erm, OK.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49- Well, let's go out and enjoy it! - Yeah!- It is fab.- Yeah, follow me.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55This property offers a quarter of an acre of very sociable garden.
0:33:55 > 0:33:56So, plenty of room to relax
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and enjoy those fantastic views of this part of the North Downs,
0:33:59 > 0:34:03also known as the Hog's Back.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Well, there we are, that is rather nice, actually, it has to be said.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- Stunning view.- Well, the view, of course, comes at a price.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- Particularly in Surrey. So, £6-£900,000 you have.- Yes?
0:34:14 > 0:34:19- Go on then, Julie, what's this one worth?- Well, I think it's top end.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23- So, I'm going to go 900,000. - £900,000, yeah? Alan?
0:34:24 > 0:34:30- I'll go 920, I think. - £920,000. Well...
0:34:30 > 0:34:33This was on the market for one million but they've
0:34:33 > 0:34:38knocked off 100,000, so this could be yours for 899,950.
0:34:38 > 0:34:44- 50 quid out!- Let's face it, at 900,000, who cares about 50 quid!
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Yeah, it's an interesting one.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49It's in a different part of the world
0:34:49 > 0:34:52than we've been searching so far. Is it still of interest?
0:34:52 > 0:34:55- Yeah. Can we go and have another look?- You know the drill.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56- OK.- Off you go.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01A whisker under their top budget of £900,000,
0:35:01 > 0:35:04there's all the downstairs space they could possibly want
0:35:04 > 0:35:07in this single-storey barn conversion.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10It has lovely sociable reception rooms, four bedrooms,
0:35:10 > 0:35:14spacious grounds and lovely views.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17First impression was, was really good because
0:35:17 > 0:35:20I just saw the view straight away.
0:35:20 > 0:35:25It's been converted beautifully and it's just spectacular inside.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29All being on one level takes a little bit of getting used to
0:35:29 > 0:35:31because you've got a fair old walk from one end to the other,
0:35:31 > 0:35:35but, erm, good. I'm impressed.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40Well, that's it! Mystery house is done. House tours are now over.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44- We've done, what? 48 now! - Yes!- Well, you have.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47We've only had to do three of them, thank goodness!
0:35:47 > 0:35:51- Erm, yeah, lots to think about? - Yeah, lots to think about.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Well, you've been thinking for the last two years,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56so let's go and add on a few more hours. Come on.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Now, Hampshire is the watercress capital of the UK
0:36:08 > 0:36:12and the town of Alresford in the north-east of the county
0:36:12 > 0:36:14is home to this, the Watercress Line.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18It was opened in 1865 to aid in the speedy transportation
0:36:18 > 0:36:21of the perishable watercress to London.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Today, the line offers nostalgic trips on its steam trains,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27which run up and down the 10 miles of heritage track
0:36:27 > 0:36:30from Alresford to Alton.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Well, the railway, like Hampshire's watercress farms, is still
0:36:33 > 0:36:37booming, so I'm off to meet a man who's dedicated the last 30 years
0:36:37 > 0:36:42of his life to studying this rather simple yet tasty looking leaf.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Dr Steve Rothwell is the technical director of production
0:36:46 > 0:36:49here at Fobdown Farm, where watercress has been produced
0:36:49 > 0:36:52every week of the year for over a century.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55How big an area are you, well, farming, I suppose?
0:36:55 > 0:37:00Well, our total watercress area is about, in old units, 58 acres.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04This farm is about 7.5 acres. So, it's sizeable for watercress.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- We're going across here?- Balancing across what we call a carrier,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09where water is moving from one block to another.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Right, OK. Well, this is interesting, yeah.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15It's not too deep if you fall in! THEY LAUGH
0:37:15 > 0:37:20Hey, look at this! It's very... it's very idyllic, isn't it?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23It is a beautiful setting. I mean, we're fortunate that
0:37:23 > 0:37:25all watercress farms tend to be in the bottom
0:37:25 > 0:37:28of very pretty chalk valleys.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29That's where the pure water rises.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- It's beautifully clear, isn't it? - It's so clear
0:37:32 > 0:37:34because it's so pure. It's filtered through the chalk.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Rain falling on the chalk hillside takes
0:37:37 > 0:37:41anything from 50 to 100 years to migrate through the chalk
0:37:41 > 0:37:43and then push up as springs in the valley bottom.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44Not only does the water provide
0:37:44 > 0:37:47the watercress with the minerals to grow, the fertiliser
0:37:47 > 0:37:51if you like, but also, because it's coming from quite deep in the chalk,
0:37:51 > 0:37:55it's a constant 10 centigrade, which in the winter, warms the crop
0:37:55 > 0:37:57against frost and in the summer,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59cools it. So it's that constancy of temperature.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03There are 40 watercress beds here on the farm and approximately
0:38:03 > 0:38:0710,000 gallons of water per hour are pumped for each one.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- Here's a crop just about to be harvested.- Right, let's have a look.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Can I just grab a handful?
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Yeah, it's fit to eat straight from the bed.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20I mean, you know, clean water, clean product.
0:38:20 > 0:38:26Mmm, that's delicious! It's got a very peppery aftertaste, hasn't it?
0:38:26 > 0:38:30The pepperiness is something called phenethyl isothiocyanate,
0:38:30 > 0:38:34which can be abbreviated, thankfully, to PEITC.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36And that compound has been shown
0:38:36 > 0:38:39to have very powerful anti-cancer properties.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43But, that aside, what else does it contain that makes it worthwhile?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Well, it has more vitamin C than oranges,
0:38:45 > 0:38:47more folic acid than bananas.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50Got more B vitamins in it than blackcurrants, it's a good source
0:38:50 > 0:38:53of magnesium, it's rich in copper and zinc.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56I'll just keep eating it if that's all right?
0:38:56 > 0:38:57You just keep telling me how good it is!
0:38:57 > 0:39:01In Victorian times, watercress was known as poor man's bread.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Eaten in a sandwich by workers for breakfast
0:39:04 > 0:39:07and even without the bread if they couldn't afford it.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10It was a cheap alternative to the orange as a source
0:39:10 > 0:39:13of vitamin C and protection against scurvy.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16And it wasn't just the Victorians that loved it,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19apparently the Romans did too.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21The Romans were great advocates
0:39:21 > 0:39:24of watercress helping them make bold decisions
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- and soothing a troubled mind. - And what's this?
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Well, this is white wine vinegar. - Oh, yeah?
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Which, apparently, in Roman days, was restricted just to the nobles,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34you know, the upper classes.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36We're not going to drink this, are we?!
0:39:36 > 0:39:39No, if you take a little bit of watercress
0:39:39 > 0:39:42- and then just dip it in the vinegar and then just eat it.- Hmm.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47You get a really bite of the vinegar and the mustard of the watercress.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- That, actually, is really nice. - We're emulating the sort of
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Caesars of the past.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55I mean, this was a... to them, a real brain tonic.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57They made those bold decisions, they would take watercress
0:39:57 > 0:40:00and vinegar before going into battle, for instance!
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Amazing. Do you know what?
0:40:02 > 0:40:06If it was good enough the Romans, Steve, it's good enough for me!
0:40:06 > 0:40:08THEY LAUGH
0:40:08 > 0:40:11So, after that tangy taste of history, it's time to get
0:40:11 > 0:40:15back to the present and the outcome of Alan and Julie's house search.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Well, we've now reached that point in the show
0:40:20 > 0:40:24when we get to find out if we have indeed managed to find
0:40:24 > 0:40:26Alan and Julie the house of their dreams.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30Now, given that they have now looked at 48 houses...
0:40:30 > 0:40:32you'd have to hope so.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40Well, Julie, Alan. When we sat down like this a couple of days ago
0:40:40 > 0:40:42we were talking about the 45 properties
0:40:42 > 0:40:44that you had seen and not liked.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47We wondered what we would do over the course of three properties
0:40:47 > 0:40:49and whether we would find you one.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52I think there's one that has our attention.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56Well, that's interesting. You kept that one quiet because I have no idea which one it is.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59OK. Let's just think about the properties that we had a chance to show you.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02That lovely old laundry, the red brick building.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Say what are your thoughts on that now.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08Yeah, really liked that one. It gave us the potential to do something
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- that would be our stamp on it. - OK. All right. Alan?
0:41:11 > 0:41:15- A lot of it is downstairs so you could...- Use it all.- ..use it all.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18- Yeah.- Interesting. So property number two then.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20A new green-oak structure.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Too big. Yeah, definitely. Beautiful house inside.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27I mean, the decoration and the wood was just superb.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31And certainly, of the three, that one had the best interior.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34OK, well let's have a think about the mystery house then.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Really lovely. And I liked the house,
0:41:37 > 0:41:42but it was the noise of the road that I could hear that put me off.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45OK, well, you suggested that there was one that was a contender.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark
0:41:47 > 0:41:49based on what you've just said.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51- Number one.- Mm.- Mm.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Because it's really captured your imagination
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- in terms of what you'd do with it. - Yeah. And it's a bit quirky.
0:41:56 > 0:41:57It's got some interesting bits.
0:41:57 > 0:42:03- That house didn't feel claustrophobic or small in any way.- OK.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07- Well, I'm delighted. I mean, I wait for the phone call... - THEY LAUGH
0:42:07 > 0:42:09..to hear that you've finally bought one,
0:42:09 > 0:42:13but maybe house number 46 is the one that may be your future home.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15- Lucky number. - It could be your lucky number.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18It's certainly mine now, if you buy it. It's been a real pleasure.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Thank you very much, we've had a great time.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- As ever, let us know how you get on. - Yeah.- Will do.- Brilliant.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Well, I have to confess that when I first met Alan and Julie,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36the alarm bells were ringing very loudly indeed in my ears.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Let's face it, any couple that have looked at so many properties
0:42:40 > 0:42:44yet failed to find any one of them that's going to move them enough to want to buy it...
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Well, there clearly is something else going on.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50We only had three more properties to show them,
0:42:50 > 0:42:53but we've managed to do it and I'm beginning to wonder why.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Maybe it's what Julie said. She said that, actually,
0:42:56 > 0:42:58a small property doesn't have to feel small,
0:42:58 > 0:43:01and of course these two are definitely trying to downsize.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Many people come on this show wanting to do just that,
0:43:04 > 0:43:06few can really take on the challenge.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09So, with any luck, they have got the smaller property they're after
0:43:09 > 0:43:13in Hampshire with a pub next door. That's rather nice, I think.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16But, after some deliberation,
0:43:16 > 0:43:20Alan and Julie decided not to go back to see our first property.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22They're now considering whether to stay put
0:43:22 > 0:43:24and make improvements to their current house.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
0:43:28 > 0:43:32or England and would like our help, then please apply online at...
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