0:00:00 > 0:00:02There are 3,000 of these beautiful,
0:00:02 > 0:00:05ornate village signposts across England.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07But which county do they originate in, and when?
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Find out in just a moment.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43On today's show, I'll be helping a very diplomatic couple who want
0:00:43 > 0:00:45to head east in search of the good life
0:00:45 > 0:00:48and the great outdoors.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51But it's the bathing facilities in one property which leave them
0:00:51 > 0:00:52less than impressed.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Is it the only bathroom?
0:00:54 > 0:00:55- It is the only bathroom.- Ohhh!
0:00:56 > 0:01:00And then the mystery house has them struggling for words.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- Ooh!- Ooh!- Ooh!
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Oh!
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Today we are in Norfolk, and it was here that these beautiful
0:01:10 > 0:01:14wooden, and sometimes cast iron village signs were born.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19And not hundreds of years ago, but actually in the early 20th century.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22It was King Edward VII, a keen motoring enthusiast,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25who thought it would be jolly nice to have these painted signs
0:01:25 > 0:01:28in the villages on his Sandringham estate,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32to lure in passing tourists in their new-fangled cars.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Nowadays, there are more than 500 in the county,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36but it's not the only thing
0:01:36 > 0:01:39worth looking at in Norfolk.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41The most easterly county in the British Isles, Norfolk is
0:01:41 > 0:01:45bordered by Suffolk to the south, Lincolnshire to the North,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47and Cambridgeshire to the west.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The fourth largest county in England, Norfolk is extremely flat,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54with huge swathes of the region given over to
0:01:54 > 0:01:57some of the country's biggest arable farms.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01It's perhaps surprising that the city of Norwich is in fact
0:02:01 > 0:02:03one of the hilliest in the country.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06And it is also one of the best preserved,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08with over 1,500 listed buildings,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10many dating back to the medieval period.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14The Norfolk Broads have been a popular boating destination
0:02:14 > 0:02:18since the 1880s when entrepreneurial boat builder, John Loynes,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22started the first yacht-hire business from the village of Wroxham.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26And today, over 2 million tourists visit the Broads'
0:02:26 > 0:02:29120 miles of waterways each year.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Let's talk Norfolk property prices.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Just to give you a rough idea,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43the average price for a detached house in the county is £212,000,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46which is £40,000 less than the national average.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49That's great news, considering that house buyers are putting
0:02:49 > 0:02:53in offers 5% under the asking price and still getting it.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58However, if you want to live out by the coast, the news is not so good.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Around the very fashionable Burnham Market,
0:03:00 > 0:03:05and Wells, you could pay double the national average.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11Norfolk offers a wide range of architectural housing styles.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Brick and flint-built cottages are a feature of the villages
0:03:14 > 0:03:17on the North Norfolk coastline.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Originally used to house local farmworkers,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23a two-bedroom property typically
0:03:23 > 0:03:26costs around the £250,000 mark, but
0:03:26 > 0:03:29highly sought after four-bedroom homes
0:03:29 > 0:03:31can be in excess of £800,000.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Moving inland you'll find an array of medieval thatched cottages,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38made with Norfolk reed, which has been used as a roofing
0:03:38 > 0:03:42material in this region since before Roman times.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Owning a piece of this wonderful Norfolk history will set you back
0:03:45 > 0:03:49around £400,000 for a three-bedroom house.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52And many of the county's towns and villages also have fine
0:03:52 > 0:03:56examples of stunning, symmetrical, Georgian architecture.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00These can range in price from around £200,000 for a two-bedroom cottage,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03to a grand house in the million pound bracket.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09There are some beautiful properties in Norfolk, not to mention
0:04:09 > 0:04:12some interesting architectural styles, but are any of them going
0:04:12 > 0:04:14to be to the taste of our couple today?
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Let's meet them and find out.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Globetrotting couple, Richard and Ceinwen have lived all over
0:04:21 > 0:04:24the world, having worked for the Foreign Office.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Their most recent move was six years ago
0:04:26 > 0:04:28from London to their four-bedroom
0:04:28 > 0:04:30house in Milton Keynes.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Now it seems, they have fallen out of love with the place.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Milton Keynes is evolving, and where we used to walk in open fields
0:04:37 > 0:04:39there are now housing estates.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- It's a car city. We have to use the car the whole time.- Yeah.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46This well-travelled twosome met in the line of duty and have been
0:04:46 > 0:04:48married for eight years,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52but they are both very different characters.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Richard eats meat, he is a real carnivore,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57whereas I tend to like more vegetarian food,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59and also Richard likes spicy food
0:04:59 > 0:05:00and I like Mediterranean,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03so Richard has got his cupboard with his spices
0:05:03 > 0:05:06and I've got my cupboard with my Mediterranean spices.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Which some people might find rather strange, because we're both
0:05:09 > 0:05:12cooking at the same time, but they're completely different meals.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14So he cooks on the left-hand side,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16and I cook on the right hand side.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19So it seems a good-sized kitchen is definitely on the wish list
0:05:19 > 0:05:22for their new home, and there is plenty more on the cards.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The property we are looking for
0:05:25 > 0:05:28needs to have at least three bedrooms.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30We'll want to invite people to stay so we need a spare room.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32I want some outside space
0:05:32 > 0:05:36so I can increase the size of my vegetable patch.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Richard needs storage for his bicycles.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Yes, I need secure storage for the bikes.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43So it is a garage.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46And it is East Anglia where they hope to find just the property
0:05:46 > 0:05:47they are looking for.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49We're looking to move to Norfolk.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51It has got some fantastic properties,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54some fantastic opportunities there,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57but I don't think by moving there we would have to slow our life down.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59I still think we'll find we can pursue the hobbies
0:05:59 > 0:06:02we have here, but without so much
0:06:02 > 0:06:04of the feel of a commuter city.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Richard and Ceinwen love to keep fit, and enjoy exploration.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12They manage to combine both passions through their choice of hobbies.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Cycling is a passion of mine. I have been cycling for a couple of years.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19This is my Bianchi, we've taken her over the Pyrenees.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21I've taken up Nordic walking
0:06:21 > 0:06:23since I've been here.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25That's because of a neighbour
0:06:25 > 0:06:27who introduced me to it,
0:06:27 > 0:06:28and it's fantastic here,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30going out on the redways and the paths
0:06:30 > 0:06:32and down by the river.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Absolutely lovely, I go out at weekends,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36and I don't care about the funny looks,
0:06:36 > 0:06:37and people shouting,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40"You've lost your skis!"
0:06:40 > 0:06:43And it seems this pair are always ready to live life to the full.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44We dress up.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47We go to things like the Whitby Goth Festival,
0:06:47 > 0:06:48which a lot of people would say,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50"Oh, gosh, that's got to be weird,"
0:06:50 > 0:06:53but it's not, there are to 5,000 people dressed up,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55from children to 80-year-olds,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57all wearing Victorian costume.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Well, we may even be able to find this fun-loving couple
0:07:00 > 0:07:02a Victorian property to match,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05but that all depends on how much they have to spend.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07The budget for our move
0:07:07 > 0:07:10is up to £285,000 for the right property.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Our last two houses have really been what
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I've articulated we should have,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20so it is really her turn to say,
0:07:20 > 0:07:22"This is the house for us."
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Richard and Ceinwen would like us
0:07:32 > 0:07:34to concentrate our search
0:07:34 > 0:07:36in the North of Norfolk, within
0:07:36 > 0:07:38reasonable distance of Norwich,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40but not too far from the coast.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43I met up with them on local soil to discover more about what
0:07:43 > 0:07:45they are looking for in their new property.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Welcome, you two, to Norfolk.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49So, what are your top three qualities for this property?
0:07:49 > 0:07:52It's a big move, for you, isn't it?
0:07:52 > 0:07:53Yes, it is.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Yes, I mean, we moved to Milton Keynes initially,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59because it was a quieter place than London, where we previously lived.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02But it's getting busier, and so you find Norfolk,
0:08:02 > 0:08:03because it's out of the way,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06it is that quietness that we are seeking.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I would like to be on the edge of a village, I think,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11and I would like the community of a village.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I'd quite like a house with some character this time,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18we love our modern house that we have in Milton Keynes,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21but it would be nice to have something with character.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24And in terms of budget, how much have you got to spend?
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Well, about £285,000.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34We might be able to push it a little bit
0:08:34 > 0:08:35for the right property.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36OK. Fine, great.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Let's go and find you a house.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44For their budget of £285,000,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Richard and Ceinwen have a small
0:08:46 > 0:08:49but definite list of demands.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50They'd like a kitchen/diner
0:08:50 > 0:08:53they can cook in at the same time,
0:08:53 > 0:08:54three bedrooms,
0:08:54 > 0:08:55a large enough garden
0:08:55 > 0:08:56for growing vegetables,
0:08:56 > 0:08:58and a secure garage
0:08:58 > 0:09:00for Richard's road bikes.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02We found three fantastic properties for them
0:09:02 > 0:09:04to have a look at,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06but I won't reveal the price of each
0:09:06 > 0:09:08until they've had a guess, first.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10The last house is, as ever, the mystery house,
0:09:10 > 0:09:12which will offer them the quietest of neighbours.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Time to get this property hunt on the road.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24So you are quite keen to be in a community, not to be too remote.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Yeah, we don't want to be too remote,
0:09:26 > 0:09:27we'd like a village hall
0:09:27 > 0:09:29and a local pub with local beers,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32the community shop.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36A real community spirit is something that I grew up with,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39so it would be quite nice to get back to that.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Our first property is in North Elmham,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46a village which dates back to Anglo-Saxon times,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48and is set in a conservation area,
0:09:48 > 0:09:5020 miles from the Norfolk coast.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53You'll find every amenity here,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56from a doctor's surgery and a pub with a carvery for that
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Sunday lunch, to a post office
0:09:58 > 0:10:00and a local store for shopping.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02House number one is a traditional flint
0:10:02 > 0:10:06and brick cottage which I think will surprise our buyers.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08How old do you think it is?
0:10:09 > 0:10:11I think it's quite modern,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13it's not an old traditional one.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15It's actually only seven years old.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18The lovely story is, that it was bought,
0:10:18 > 0:10:22there was an old cottage there, and the owner redid all the foundations
0:10:22 > 0:10:26and then built-up, using the same materials, a new property.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27That's clever.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30So all the flint is recycled.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31That looks really good.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- And it's inviting.- Yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36The house combines period detail with modern elements
0:10:36 > 0:10:39of their current home as they will discover
0:10:39 > 0:10:40when we go inside. Come in.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46To a possible Norfolk nest for you both.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47Ooh!
0:10:48 > 0:10:50So lovely oak floors throughout.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Let me take you straight through into the sitting-room.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Oh, what a lovely staircase.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57Oh, that's a nice size.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59This is nice.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00It's a very simple layout, this house.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04It's basically sitting room, kitchen/diner.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06But nice big rooms,
0:11:06 > 0:11:07lovely oak beams.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08Oh, wow.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- You won't bang your head on that. - No, you won't.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Tell me what you think, come on. Unpack your thoughts.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17Well, I have to say I'm not a fan of wood burners.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- I'd rather have an open fire.- Right.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20I don't really get those.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22But, I love the fireplace.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- And it's the way, they have also made it uneven.- Yeah.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27And a chimney breast,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29somewhere to put your books,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31we could put bookshelves in there.
0:11:31 > 0:11:32You can paint it jazzy orange.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33Jazzy orange?
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Are you going to paint something jazzy orange?
0:11:36 > 0:11:39So, they are painting this place already, always a good sign.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42And I've got a good feeling the kitchen/diner could be just
0:11:42 > 0:11:45what Richard and Ceinwen are looking for.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Oh, I'm in love.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Really? I like that.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Why do you say that?
0:11:51 > 0:11:56Well, when we were asked what sort of kitchen we wanted, I think there was
0:11:56 > 0:11:58an idea that we wanted a big kitchen because we both cook,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00but what we need is a practical kitchen
0:12:00 > 0:12:03where there is for both of us to be moving around.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Our current kitchen has an island in the middle,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07and it's just a bit of a nuisance.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10This is just so lovely and open.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12You are very contrary.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13You say, "I don't like log burners."
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Everyone on this show says, "I really want a log burner."
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- Everyone on this show says, "I want an island." And you don't!- No.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22We'll stop off in the little kitchen, here,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24because it has some features.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27It's fantastic, it's absolutely brilliant.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29We're getting all sorts of good vibes off the two of you.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30Absolutely!
0:12:30 > 0:12:31Any drawbacks, so far?
0:12:31 > 0:12:35There's no cat-flap, but we can sort that out.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37If that's your only problem, we're doing all right.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Let's peek upstairs.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45You've got three bedrooms,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48two doubles which you can have a peek at, there.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50They're being used as kids' rooms.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Then you've got a very nice family bathroom,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56nicely lit.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58That's quirky, I like that.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59And then this would be your room.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01This is the master. Oh, with an en-suite, oh well...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Dual aspect and lots of storage.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06It's quite a deceptive house.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10I think I was expecting the main bedroom
0:13:10 > 0:13:13to be smaller than this.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16It's a really good size, and again you've got
0:13:16 > 0:13:20the detailing in the ceiling,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22it's not just all flat and straight.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25But it's the way it runs through the house, it's very clever.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28With the interior of this property going down a storm,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31the pressure is on for the outside space.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35And while there is a lawn, a patio with seating,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38and a storage area which might just be suitable for Richard's bikes,
0:13:38 > 0:13:43there's not a great deal of room for the desired vegetable plot.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46That is quite a major drawback, that is quite disappointing.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49But, in the village, there are allotments.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51I thought you might say that.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52There's one free at the moment.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53Ah!
0:13:53 > 0:13:57With a very, very cheap rent every year, so that might be
0:13:57 > 0:14:00an option, obviously, that's not ideal.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03I think, whilst I can see that bikes are kept in the shed here,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06I think keeping my road bikes out
0:14:06 > 0:14:09in somewhere like that,
0:14:09 > 0:14:11certainly as insecure as that would be a bit of a concern for me.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Yeah.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18So you really want a secure lock-up garage?
0:14:18 > 0:14:19Yeah, I think so.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Actually, there are garages next door which belong to the owner of
0:14:22 > 0:14:25this one, I don't know if he's planning to sell it,
0:14:25 > 0:14:26you could negotiate.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Yeah, he might be prepared to rent one to us.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32I suppose you need to think whether the garden is a deal-breaker,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34and also whether you can afford it.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36How much do you think it costs?
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Well, I think it's a lovely house,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42and I've fallen for it so I think it's probably top of the budget.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Good psychology. OK.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Ever the optimist,
0:14:47 > 0:14:49I'm going to say...
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- 275.- 275.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Well, if you split the difference you'd be on the money cos
0:14:55 > 0:14:59it's just £500 short of 280.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Really?
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Has that made it more difficult for you now?
0:15:03 > 0:15:04That it's still in budget.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Yeah, it does, because the garden space does let it down but it's
0:15:08 > 0:15:10so homely,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12it feels like a home, already.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Have a look around, inside and out, and see what you think.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17OK, thank you.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22This character meets modern home is
0:15:22 > 0:15:26on the market at just under £280,000.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28It offers a great deal of what they want,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30it has a spacious kitchen/ diner
0:15:30 > 0:15:33with room for them both cook at once,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35three bedrooms,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37storage space for Richard's bikes
0:15:37 > 0:15:39and a small garden, but there is potential
0:15:39 > 0:15:41to rent an allotment just down the road
0:15:41 > 0:15:44so they can grow their veg.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46It's a beautiful house, I really love it,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49I feel really at home.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Good size rooms, I love the kitchen.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56I think the only issue that we have, and we both agree on this,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59is that the garden is just little bit too small.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Ceinwen does like doing her gardening.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06I think it is a brilliant location and it is in exactly the area
0:16:06 > 0:16:08we'd have been looking,
0:16:08 > 0:16:09up towards the Norfolk coast,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11but not too close.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13So, yes, an absolutely brilliant start,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15I'm very impressed.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30As well as its famously flat landscape
0:16:30 > 0:16:32and expansive skyline,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Norfolk's coast is beautifully unspoilt
0:16:35 > 0:16:38and dotted with historic towns
0:16:38 > 0:16:40with a rich maritime history,
0:16:40 > 0:16:42such as Wells-next-the-Sea.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46This town has been a port for around 700 years,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48and over that time not only has it been
0:16:48 > 0:16:50a thriving centre for shipping,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53it has also been a haven for 18th-century smugglers.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Known locally just as Wells,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59the town provides access to Holkham beach, a half-hour walk away
0:16:59 > 0:17:03which is one of the largest nature reserves in the country.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07It forms part of the North Norfolk Coast Path
0:17:07 > 0:17:09which covers 93 miles,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11and would certainly provide great walking
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and cycling territory for our buyers.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Close by is the spectacular Palladian style mansion,
0:17:16 > 0:17:17Holkham Hall,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19which has been home to the Cook family
0:17:19 > 0:17:22for almost 400 years.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23As keen history lovers,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26earlier in the week we arranged for Richard and Ceinwen to
0:17:26 > 0:17:29meet up with the estate's director,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31David Horton-Fawkes, for a tour.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34The estate you see today was really
0:17:34 > 0:17:36developed and built by Thomas William Cook,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40who is perhaps best known to your children and mine
0:17:40 > 0:17:42through something called the four course rotation.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Holkham was at the centre
0:17:46 > 0:17:48of the agricultural revolution.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Oh, yes.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53So the four course rotation refers to a particular way of cropping,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56and he worked out that the way you could get the highest
0:17:56 > 0:17:59yields from the land was to rotate your crops, so the four course
0:17:59 > 0:18:01rotation really enabled the country to feed itself.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04And it's one of the reasons why we are particularly proud to
0:18:04 > 0:18:05work at Holkham,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09because it was an estate that was founded on such a noble principle.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14Completed in 1764, the hall is built from buff-coloured brick,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17which was produced by the estate's own brickworks.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19It is referred to it by many as the
0:18:19 > 0:18:23finest example of a Palladian house in England.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24What is Palladian?
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Palladian is named after an Italian architect, Palladio,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and it refers to the particular style which
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I think is dominated
0:18:32 > 0:18:33by those pillars.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37And the current family live here, don't they?
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Yes, the family live in about a quarter of what is a massive house,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44and the rest of it is open to the public.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Doesn't the estate own the beach.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49The estate owns the beach, it's the best-known part of Holkham.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52It has been the location for many famous films,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54including Shakespeare In Love,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57and almost more famously for The Duchess,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00which was filmed inside the Marble Hall.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03The Marble Hall, with its lofty vaulted space rising the full height
0:19:03 > 0:19:07of the house, was once described by an 18th-century visitor
0:19:07 > 0:19:10as the grandest thing of the sort in England.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13The European-inspired columns that run around it are all
0:19:13 > 0:19:16made from pink Derbyshire alabaster.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17They are not solid,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19that have load-bearing wooden cores
0:19:19 > 0:19:21under the outer alabaster sheath.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Holkham is very much the product
0:19:23 > 0:19:24of something called the Grand Tour
0:19:24 > 0:19:28which Thomas William Cook undertook
0:19:28 > 0:19:30when he was a young man.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Therefore, the statuary, the style
0:19:33 > 0:19:35was all built to look after
0:19:35 > 0:19:37this amazing collection that he
0:19:37 > 0:19:39accumulated on his Grand Tour.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43The vast old kitchen was refurbished in the 1850s
0:19:43 > 0:19:45when the massive range was installed
0:19:45 > 0:19:48and it continued in operation right up to the outbreak
0:19:48 > 0:19:50of the Second World War.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54The Hall's most famous visitor was Queen Victoria,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57who stayed here in 1835 as a 16-year-old princess,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Sleeping in this very grand bed,
0:20:00 > 0:20:02in the Green State Bedroom.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06But for now, it's time to return to our hunt to find somewhere very
0:20:06 > 0:20:10special for Richard and Ceinwen to lay their heads.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21We have travelled nearly 28 miles north-west of Norwich
0:20:21 > 0:20:24to Whissonsett, an ancient village which appears in the Domesday book.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29It has a wealth of attractive brick properties,
0:20:29 > 0:20:30a very grand Norman church,
0:20:30 > 0:20:31a local butcher,
0:20:31 > 0:20:32a post office,
0:20:32 > 0:20:35and a village hall for community entertainment.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Our second property is a very different
0:20:38 > 0:20:40proposition from our first house,
0:20:40 > 0:20:42as here you get three mid-19th
0:20:42 > 0:20:46century agricultural workers cottages all for the price of one.
0:20:47 > 0:20:48Is it all of it?
0:20:48 > 0:20:49All of it.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50- Oh!- Is it?
0:20:50 > 0:20:52You can see with the three doors
0:20:52 > 0:20:54that it was originally three properties.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56So it might be quite quirky inside?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Quirky, is that a good thing,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00I have to check if that's a good or a bad thing with you,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02because you're topsy-turvy with what you like and don't like.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05I like interesting, yeah...
0:21:05 > 0:21:08So it's a fine line between quirky and interesting.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11The other one you can move straight in, but you didn't get the garden.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Here, I think you'd probably want to do a bit work inside.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16OK.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18How do you feel about projects?
0:21:18 > 0:21:19Erm...
0:21:19 > 0:21:21You both took early retirement.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Well, we know a man who could probably do it for us.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Yeah, we'll get somebody in to do it.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- That sort of project.- Yes, that.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Let's have a look, let's see what you think.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Well, a project may not be what they are after,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38but let's see if the interior can win them over.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Come on in.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47The thing about this house as we go round is that
0:21:47 > 0:21:50I think you'll probably want to think about the flow of it all,
0:21:50 > 0:21:52because it is three cottages, one after another.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Let's start in the kitchen.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Into the kitchen.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02- Hmmm.- Right.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06It's got the island, we've already got an island.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08This is not an island, actually, I checked.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10When I came in, I checked.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11It moves. They will take that with them.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- OK.- Right, yeah.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16So it will just be a kitchen.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Those sinks which I know are so trendy.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20You don't like those, either?
0:22:20 > 0:22:21I grew up in an old Victorian house.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23You are so perverse,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26all the things that all the people on this show adore.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29If you drop a plate it just smashes.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32So you want a rubber sink.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- No island.- Or bouncy plates.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37No log burners. No traditional ranges.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38I'm so awkward, aren't I?
0:22:38 > 0:22:41So far this property's bringing back bad memories for Ceinwen.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Here's hoping our next room is more to her taste.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48This is the extension, so this was added on in the 90s.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49OK.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50So you've got more headroom.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Much more headroom, yes.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55That's great, I love the wood up there, and the window.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Yeah, but it is quite narrow,
0:22:57 > 0:22:59it feels quite tight.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01It is definitely, a house,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03where you have to strip all the furniture out
0:23:03 > 0:23:06and think about actually what you've got.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10You don't look at all convinced.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Oh well, you can't win them all.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Fingers crossed the next room
0:23:14 > 0:23:17wont prove a further disadvantage.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Now I am hoping that this is not going to
0:23:19 > 0:23:22swing it to you too far the other way,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24but there is a downstairs bathroom.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Right, is it the only bathroom?
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- It is the only bathroom.- Eek!
0:23:28 > 0:23:32So a downstairs bathroom is not Ceinwen's cup of tea, either.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Can the living room save us?
0:23:34 > 0:23:36OK.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37It is a nice big fireplace.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Actually, I quite like that wood burner.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Because you see the flames.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45You can see the flames, yeah.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46What do you think about the room?
0:23:46 > 0:23:47Erm, I'm not sure.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50I am finding it difficult to see past
0:23:50 > 0:23:53the amount of furniture, I think.
0:23:53 > 0:23:54I think the other thing for us is
0:23:54 > 0:23:56that we'd have to go
0:23:56 > 0:23:58and have a look at our furniture all over again.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00- So, our corner sofa might just get in here.- Yeah.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02But have got a big step cabinet
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and there isn't a big enough wall to put that against.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08So we would have to think where all of that would go.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Upstairs, there's a quirky double room, with painted,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14exposed timbers and floorboards.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16And they've used the same effect with a bolder colour
0:24:16 > 0:24:20scheme in this single bedroom.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Also, up here, is a third bedroom with space for a double bed.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27But we're heading for where Richard and Ceinwen might sleep.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Come on in, this is, well, they are using this as the master bedroom.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33This is a nice room.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35And you have got ceiling height in here.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Again there are some lovely features, but it is...
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Big furniture.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44It is very much,
0:24:44 > 0:24:46as well, a country cottage.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47Is it a bit too historical?
0:24:47 > 0:24:51I think I would enjoy coming here for a holiday,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54or visiting friends here,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56and I would find it quite fascinating.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58But I think I would find it difficult to live in
0:24:58 > 0:25:02something that is as interesting as this.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06With the interesting interior proving a bit of a challenge,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09can the garden be a game changer in this property?
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Well, there is a spacious lawn with seating,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15which offers plenty of room for vegetable plots and pottering.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19And the big plus is a secure garage for Richard's bikes.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22In terms of garden space, is this what you're looking for?
0:25:22 > 0:25:23Is this enough space?
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Yeah, it is.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27It's more than we've got at the moment.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29It's bigger than we've got and more adaptable,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31I think, for doing different things in.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Yes, a lot of potential.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35I can see you have some question marks about the property inside.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37What do you think it is worth,
0:25:37 > 0:25:41what do you think the price of this whole package is?
0:25:41 > 0:25:42It is really hard,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45I am just a bit torn about
0:25:45 > 0:25:48whether it would be more than the last property or less.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52But I am going to go for 269.
0:25:52 > 0:25:53So less.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56269?
0:25:56 > 0:25:59I am going to go on budget at 285.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02- 285?- Yeah, because of the amount of land.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- It is actually on at 280. So it is still on budget.- Oh?- Right.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08But why don't you look inside, because we did rush around
0:26:08 > 0:26:09and it's a confusing layout.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Look upstairs to see if there's anything
0:26:11 > 0:26:13you could modify to make it work for you,
0:26:13 > 0:26:14and I'll see you out front.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15OK. Thanks.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24So, much better response to the garden, a tick for the garden.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25A big question mark about the house.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Kind of the reverse of this morning, where we had a big tick
0:26:28 > 0:26:31for the house, question mark about the garden.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33House-buying! It is so frustrating.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40This unique and charming cottage is under budget at £280,000.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44It gives them a great deal of what they are after.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47It has a large kitchen with room for two chefs,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49four bedrooms,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52loads of growing space in the garden for their vegetable plot
0:26:52 > 0:26:56and a secure garage for Richard's bikes.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59When we first walked up, it is very different from the first
0:26:59 > 0:27:02property in its age.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06I always thought that I would be after a house that was a little
0:27:06 > 0:27:10more in the country style, but I think it has helped me
0:27:10 > 0:27:14galvanise my views on quite what we are looking for in that
0:27:14 > 0:27:17three cottages into one
0:27:17 > 0:27:19isn't really working for us.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Nice size garden, absolutely great,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23that would work really well for the
0:27:23 > 0:27:27vegetable growing and an ornamental garden, absolutely perfect,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31but unfortunately the house wouldn't work for us.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35This cottage literally has roses around the door.
0:27:37 > 0:27:38- Hello.- Hello.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- Are you all done?- Yes, thank you.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43So, two properties down.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Yup. Time for a rest.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57As dusk falls over the Norfolk countryside, it marks the end
0:27:57 > 0:28:00of a day with a few highs,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02and a few lows in our property search.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Today's globetrotting couple, Richard and Ceinwen,
0:28:11 > 0:28:15want to bid farewell to their home in Milton Keynes
0:28:15 > 0:28:18and head for an active, but quieter life in Norfolk.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22So far, they have fallen in love with some flint and brick,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25but have been underwhelmed by a traditional cottage.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27However, coming up, there is all the peace
0:28:27 > 0:28:29they could ask for in our mystery house.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Oh, it's going to be nice and quite next door, isn't it!
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Dead quiet.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37And I visit a goat farm to meet one of their latest arrivals.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Hello, little sunshine.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44It's a lovely misty morning in Norfolk and day two
0:28:44 > 0:28:46of our property search, and I think we have decided,
0:28:46 > 0:28:50after the last property, that Richard and Ceinwen
0:28:50 > 0:28:54don't really want a historical, higgledy-piggledy home.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58So, in that slightly contrary mystery house way that we have
0:28:58 > 0:29:00we're going to show them a Grade 2 listed,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03attached, very rural cottage.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06None of which was on their wish list but you know what,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08I think they might love it.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13What do you think the mystery house is going to be?
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Probably a thatch with a wood burner,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20a country range cooker
0:29:20 > 0:29:22and a butler sink.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Yeah, and three islands.
0:29:26 > 0:29:27And a downstairs bathroom.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32We have travelled 12 miles north-west of Norwich,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35close to the market town of Reepham.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39It is full of pretty, characterful cottages and quaint road names.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44Its past claim to fame is that up to the 16th century it had three
0:29:44 > 0:29:47operating churches sharing the same graveyard.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48These days, only two remain.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52Our mystery house is located just a mile away,
0:29:52 > 0:29:56and is set in the secluded and very rural village of Great Witchingham.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Three, two, one open your eyes.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02- Ooh!- Oh!
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Ooh!
0:30:04 > 0:30:05Oh, what is it?
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Nameless grunting, that's the surprise.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10That's excellent.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14I want to get inside and have a look.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16I just don't know what it is.
0:30:16 > 0:30:17I think I like it.
0:30:17 > 0:30:18I like the windows.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20We brought you outside the back
0:30:20 > 0:30:23because there is this to your right,
0:30:23 > 0:30:27which we thought might fit in with your Gothic predilections.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29- Absolutely.- What a lovely tree.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31It's going to be nice and quiet next-door, isn't it?
0:30:31 > 0:30:33Dead quiet!
0:30:33 > 0:30:35- And lots of garden. - And lots of garden.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38Any thoughts about the house, although we haven't been inside?
0:30:38 > 0:30:42Erm, is it semi-detached?
0:30:42 > 0:30:44It might be, just little bit.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Just along one wall.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Otherwise it would just be almost too perfect.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Well, it's rural, I have to say, it is rural.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56And it is attached.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57Right.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59- And it is listed.- Ah.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Oh, no, the L-word. Listed.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05And it was all going so well.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08But after the issue of too much furniture in the last property,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12they may well appreciate the fact that this one is empty.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16- Come on in, straight into the kitchen.- Ooh!
0:31:16 > 0:31:18- An island.- And an island!
0:31:20 > 0:31:24Well, it is brand-new. And empty.
0:31:24 > 0:31:25It is brand-new,
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and no furniture so you're going to have to use your imagination.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30But as you can see, very modern,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32walnut tops on all the surfaces
0:31:32 > 0:31:37and you've got space here for an American-style fridge/freezer.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40I like it when we can look around something without too much
0:31:40 > 0:31:42stuff in it, so we can start
0:31:42 > 0:31:44imagining where we would put our things
0:31:44 > 0:31:47without too much effort, so it is nice to see a house like this.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Well, I am fascinated.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52I can't wait to see the rest of it.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53That is a great start.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56I hope they like the rest of the house as much as the kitchen.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58On the ground floor, there is also a snug,
0:31:58 > 0:32:03or dining room and a sitting room with patio doors, into the garden.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Again, a very simple layout, like the first house.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08It's the kitchen and the sitting-room.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10It just feels a bit small.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Yeah, we talked about whether, when we look at the size of houses
0:32:14 > 0:32:16whether we want to change all the furniture.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Is it something that we're prepared to do?
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Are we prepared to dump everything we've got and start again?
0:32:21 > 0:32:23As we know others have done.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26We're not sure whether we're ready to do that just yet, so we
0:32:26 > 0:32:29are looking for a place with an eye to getting our current furniture in.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- And it is quite large.- Sure.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33Well, this is the biggest room,
0:32:33 > 0:32:35and very high ceilings for a period property.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38The other room, is a bit more snug, hence the name.
0:32:41 > 0:32:42Mind your head.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44Actually, you might not have to mind your head,
0:32:44 > 0:32:46only I have to mind my head.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48No, even in my heels, I don't.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50There is a log burner.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52It is a log burner.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54It's only you that doesn't like them,
0:32:54 > 0:32:55every country house has to have one.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Oh, it is a great room, I love it.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59It is charming, isn't it?
0:32:59 > 0:33:00It is, yeah.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02I think, sitting on a sofa,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05lower down, you're looking up, you can see the trees, this kind of view.
0:33:05 > 0:33:10- I like this. Yes.- I like this.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13So, the cosy snug appears to have warmed their hearts,
0:33:13 > 0:33:15let's head upstairs and see what this house
0:33:15 > 0:33:18has two offer on the first floor.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Each of the three bedrooms in this property has its own en-suite
0:33:21 > 0:33:24bathroom, which is very unusual for a period building.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27You could take your pick which one is the master,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30but this has views of the church, and it's very sunny.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33I think the windows are a great height if you are in bed
0:33:33 > 0:33:37and looking out, but as you stand here,
0:33:37 > 0:33:40your eye line is at the wall, and it's above the window,
0:33:40 > 0:33:41so you find yourself...
0:33:41 > 0:33:42Drawn to the gravestones?
0:33:42 > 0:33:45You're looking onto gravestones,
0:33:45 > 0:33:46which is different.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- Erm...- You are Goths.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50At the weekend.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52You dance around graves.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55It is a nice room, I like the room
0:33:55 > 0:33:58and seeing that it has a little en-suite,
0:33:58 > 0:33:59I like that.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02They have all got en-suites, all three rooms.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04So it would be a great place
0:34:04 > 0:34:06for having family to stay.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09The upstairs has passed the test with flying colours,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11now for the all-important grounds.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14We have seen the garden, but we need to set Richard's
0:34:14 > 0:34:15mind at rest about storage
0:34:15 > 0:34:19for his road bikes.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22This is a great building because this used to be the washhouse.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28If you look inside, you can still see the original wash copper...
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Oh, wow!
0:34:30 > 0:34:31..and the fire.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33And the perfect place for the bikes.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Is there space to do a bit of maintenance?
0:34:35 > 0:34:36Yeah, absolutely.
0:34:36 > 0:34:37I mean that is perfect.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40How much do you think this is on the market for?
0:34:40 > 0:34:41I think this one is going to be over budget,
0:34:41 > 0:34:46because it is near perfect
0:34:46 > 0:34:49for what we wanted.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53I am going to go with 295.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Yeah, I agree with Ceinwen.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57It's got everything, the size of the land
0:34:57 > 0:35:00and the quality of the refurb, I would go for about 300,000.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03In this case, Ceinwen was spot-on,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06it is on the market at 295.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11You know, with the leeway of sensible offers,
0:35:11 > 0:35:14it has only been on the market for two months.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16It draws you.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Well, let it draw you in and I will meet you at the front once
0:35:19 > 0:35:21you have had a little look around.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22OK, thanks
0:35:23 > 0:35:26On the market at £295,000,
0:35:26 > 0:35:30this house is £10,000 over their budget.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34But, as properties are selling at around 5% lower,
0:35:34 > 0:35:36it could fall within range.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39And it has everything they asked us to find.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41A beautifully fitted, spacious, kitchen/diner,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44three good-sized bedrooms, all with en-suites,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46a large garden with
0:35:46 > 0:35:48potential for veg growing
0:35:48 > 0:35:51and a brick outbuilding for bike storage.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I think it is fantastic. I think it is a lovely place. It is very quiet.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58It is quite secluded, but I came to this area without having any
0:35:58 > 0:36:00idea about what we were going to see,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04and I was really pleasantly surprised by what you brought us to.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06I love the garden,
0:36:06 > 0:36:11and I am very impressed with how the house has been renovated.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14It has a lovely feeling to it,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17I can imagine being very at home here.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Unfortunately, it is just a bit too small.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22Time to gather the troops.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Guys? Where are you?
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Oh, in the snug. Very good. Are you all done?
0:36:27 > 0:36:30So if you head down to the car,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33time to gather our thoughts.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45When you think of farming in Norfolk,
0:36:45 > 0:36:50it's most likely the huge arable super farms which spring to mind.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53And the vast majority of Norfolk farmers are indeed crop growers.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56But, there is a new, emerging face of agriculture here.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59And it is the only one of its kind in the county.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02I got up at the crack of dawn to find out more.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Six o'clock in the morning on Escape, that usually means we're
0:37:05 > 0:37:09going to see some cows being milked, but, look!
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Baaah! They're goats.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19Goats are one of the oldest domesticated species.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21I am meeting Sam Steggles, who has been running his business
0:37:21 > 0:37:24since 2009, producing goats' milk which he uses to make cheese,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27and more recently, soap.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29- Morning, Sam.- Morning.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32He now has a herd of over 100.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37So, goats milk, what is the benefit of goats' milk?
0:37:37 > 0:37:41People who have intolerances to cows' milk seem to get on quite well
0:37:41 > 0:37:43with goats' milk.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46The fat globules in goats' milk are more easily digestible
0:37:46 > 0:37:48than that of cows' milk.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51Basically, what we have to do,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53is put the goats' teats in there.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Just go for it.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57Oh, hello.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01So, how often go they get milked a day?
0:38:01 > 0:38:02Twice a day.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05These ones have already kidded, so that's when we get the milk.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08We are big into the local thing,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11from where our goats are housed,
0:38:11 > 0:38:15milked, and where the cheese is made it's only 20 metres,
0:38:15 > 0:38:18so we're not traipsing milk half way across the country.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Sam sells his products through local farm shops,
0:38:21 > 0:38:23and farmers markets,
0:38:23 > 0:38:25as well as supplying delis and restaurants in the area.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28On average, a good-quality dairy goat
0:38:28 > 0:38:31will provide almost 3 litres of milk per day.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33As for baby goats,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36a pregnant female's gestation period lasts for about 150 days.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40The most common result being twins.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42I think there is a kid coming.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43There is a kid coming.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47And as luck would have it,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50I have got the chance to witness a live birth.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55I'm coming in.
0:38:58 > 0:38:59I'm going in. Live birth.
0:39:04 > 0:39:05Ooh.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Oh, hello little sunshine.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Oh!
0:39:24 > 0:39:25Hello!
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Hello!
0:39:29 > 0:39:33We'll let her clean it up and then she will have another one, I think.
0:39:35 > 0:39:36That was so beautiful. Cute.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Welcome. Welcome to the world.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52They stand up at such a little age.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59Animals are amazing, they?
0:39:59 > 0:40:03They get born, and it's barely a few minutes
0:40:03 > 0:40:05and then she's taken a few steps.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06Yes, absolutely.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11This latest addition to Sam's farm is an Alpine goat.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14However, most of the herd are British Saanen goats,
0:40:14 > 0:40:18like this little fellow, as both breeds are known to be good milkers.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20So this chap is only a few days old?
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Yes, this one was born, today is Friday,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26he was born yesterday morning.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Mmmm. Big and strong, big and strong,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31you are going to be big and strong.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34So, with these adorable new additions to the farm,
0:40:34 > 0:40:38let's find out if Norfolk could soon be adding to its human
0:40:38 > 0:40:40population in the form of Richard and Ceinwen.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45This is the bit where you give me
0:40:45 > 0:40:47your feedback on the houses you've seen.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50The first one, was in a smallish village,
0:40:50 > 0:40:51although probably the biggest of all
0:40:51 > 0:40:53the villages we showed you,
0:40:53 > 0:40:56what were your thoughts about that?
0:40:56 > 0:40:58I liked the village, you could feel a sense of community.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01And what about the property?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Yeah, the property was so right, in so many ways.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Yes, I like that house a lot.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10The kitchen was great, absolutely spot on.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13It would have given both of us
0:41:13 > 0:41:15room to be in there together.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Just the garden was a deal-breaker?
0:41:17 > 0:41:19It was a disappointment with the garden, yeah.
0:41:19 > 0:41:20How about the second house?
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Lots of different responses!
0:41:22 > 0:41:25A different reaction, wasn't it!
0:41:25 > 0:41:26Yeah, we're not ready for that.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30It was a little too small on the room size,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and there would be some work we would have to do
0:41:33 > 0:41:36and I don't really think well, well it's not for me.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40But outside, perfect sized garden for everything that we'd want to do.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43How about the mystery house?
0:41:43 > 0:41:46It was probably rather more rural we had been thinking of.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50But such a pretty house.
0:41:50 > 0:41:56Lots of character retained within the house, but modernised.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59And the garden, that garden was to die for.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Absolutely love that garden.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- It was a great location, but it was quite rural.- Yeah.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06I get the impression that you're probably not going to
0:42:06 > 0:42:09proceed on any of those, or am I wrong?
0:42:09 > 0:42:11We know this is the area we want to be in.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14And what we have done over the last couple of days has confirmed that.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18But I think we're going to need to continue the search.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20But I think it has helped to clarify what
0:42:20 > 0:42:23we are looking for in a huge way.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25The cottage idea, and the mod cons, and the size,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28the garden is important, all those are key.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Yes, but also what we can get for our money.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33And I think we might go back to the first village
0:42:33 > 0:42:35and have a look at what else was on offer.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38I think we'll go back there, there were a few houses for sale.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40I'm really glad that we've ignited your enthusiasm
0:42:40 > 0:42:43for Norfolk and maybe it will happen,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46- because it is a fairly new project for you to move out here.- Yes.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49- Well, I wish you all the best. - Thank you.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Norfolk really came up trumps for us this week.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59I think, for the budget we found Richard and Ceinwen
0:42:59 > 0:43:01some really stunning properties.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04And, the thing is they've only just started looking.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Their house hunt is pretty fresh.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09So, I think even though we didn't quite get them what they want,
0:43:09 > 0:43:12it went a long way to focusing their mind on the elements
0:43:12 > 0:43:15of their house hunt that are most important to them.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17So, I hope you have enjoyed it too,
0:43:17 > 0:43:19and that you will join us
0:43:19 > 0:43:22for more beautiful properties on Escape To The Country.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25If you would like to escape to the country in Scotland,
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Wales, Northern Ireland or England
0:43:27 > 0:43:30and need our help, please apply online at:
0:43:38 > 0:43:42Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd.