0:00:02 > 0:00:07You might associate this headgear with civil servants or bankers,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11so you may be surprised to learn it was designed for country living
0:00:11 > 0:00:17and originates from one of the UK's most rural counties. But which one? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:46 > 0:00:53On today's show, we're helping a couple find a home full of character in the east of England.
0:00:53 > 0:00:59- At first glance, some of our houses fail to light their fire. - At the moment, it seems rather dark.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03But then the mystery house gets them all hot under the collar.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- Oh, wow. Yeah. - Yeah. Definite winner.
0:01:10 > 0:01:17Today I'm in Norfolk in the village of Holkham, where in 1849 it is said that William Coke became
0:01:17 > 0:01:20the first proud owner of the bowler hat.
0:01:20 > 0:01:27The story goes that Coke asked a London-based hat company for slim-fitting, protective headgear
0:01:27 > 0:01:31that his gamekeepers could wear whilst out shooting on his estate.
0:01:31 > 0:01:38Milliners Thomas and William Bowler came up with this design that was tested when Coke jumped upon it.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42When it remained undamaged, he duly paid 12 shillings for it,
0:01:42 > 0:01:48thus launching an iconic piece of headgear that's graced the head of many a banker and countryman since.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Still looks pretty good today.
0:01:52 > 0:01:58Tucked up on the eastern corner of the country, Norfolk is the fourth-largest county in England
0:01:58 > 0:02:02and shares its borders with Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
0:02:02 > 0:02:08This county boasts one of Britain's largest expanses of unspoilt coastline, spanning over 90 miles,
0:02:08 > 0:02:14which is home to many popular coastal resorts and beautiful golden, sandy beaches.
0:02:14 > 0:02:21If you're looking to view the countryside at amore leisurely pace, the Norfolk Broads are a great way.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27With 63 broads as well as seven rivers, these waterways stretch over 300 kilometres
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and are home to a setting that's full of wildlife.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35The average cost of a detached house here in Norfolk is £215,000.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39That's around £36,000 below the national figure,
0:02:39 > 0:02:46so this country represents relatively good value, especially if you head southwest and inland.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50But head east and the picture does seem to change somewhat.
0:02:50 > 0:02:56Head towards Broads villages and you can expect to pay an extra 15% more
0:02:56 > 0:03:00than the equivalent property in a non-Broads location.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04And staying with that waterside theme, go to the north Norfolk coast
0:03:04 > 0:03:08and prices there are around 40% more than the county average.
0:03:08 > 0:03:15But no matter where you look, there is a huge array of architectural styles to please the eye.
0:03:15 > 0:03:21Norfolk features an array of characteristic country styles, such as attractive thatched properties
0:03:21 > 0:03:27made from local reed. Once known as the poor man's roof, today it's quite the opposite.
0:03:27 > 0:03:34While a detached two-bedroom home is upwards of £230,000, a four-bed can easily be nearer £1 million.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40Since the 11th century, another familiar sight towering above the flat landscape is the windmill.
0:03:40 > 0:03:46There are three types found across England and all of them can be seen in Norfolk.
0:03:46 > 0:03:53Many of these former working mills are open to the public, but if you want one you'll need deep pockets.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58Converted mills can cost in excess of £1.4 million.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05So a wonderful range of architectural styles here,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09but what are today's buyers after? Time to meet them and find out.
0:04:09 > 0:04:16John, a management consultant, and Sally, a retired charity director, married after a whirlwind romance
0:04:16 > 0:04:22and soon set up home near Camberley in Surrey. Seven years on, their changing family circumstances
0:04:22 > 0:04:28- have led them to seek a new way of life.- 'We moved here particularly for the children.'
0:04:28 > 0:04:32They've now flown the nest. One lives in Thailand, one in London,
0:04:32 > 0:04:38so really there's no reason for us to be here anymore. We don't have any roots or ties here.
0:04:38 > 0:04:44And it's pretty nondescript. All the houses from the outside are one of three different styles.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46It's not where we want to be.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52They've decided to move to East Anglia as it's a place that holds many fond memories.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58We want to move to Norfolk because I spent many happy family holidays there,
0:04:58 > 0:05:04John knows it a little bit as well. And there's good value for money
0:05:04 > 0:05:06in the sort of property we want.
0:05:06 > 0:05:12So value for money is high on the agenda, but the same can't be said for one of Norfolk's attractions.
0:05:12 > 0:05:18We don't want to go on the coast because there is coastal erosion and properties disappear into the sea.
0:05:18 > 0:05:26Well, let's hope we can keep our head above water, although that could be easier said than done.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32I've got a very analytical point of view and have my own checklist in my mind.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Sally will have a much more gentler approach to it.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39I just love property.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44I love looking at property. I'm the daughter of an estate agent.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49I will get very excited and probably fall in love with at least one of the properties.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53One last thing to pinpoint and that's the finances.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58Our budget is £425,000, maximum.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02That would really have to include any work that needed to be done.
0:06:07 > 0:06:13John and Sally want us to concentrate our search in the central area around Dereham.
0:06:13 > 0:06:19They hope to get good value for money there and they're far enough from the coast to keep John happy.
0:06:19 > 0:06:26I met them in the beautiful Norfolk countryside to discover more about what they're looking for.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31Welcome both of you to Norfolk. You're a long way from home. Why?
0:06:31 > 0:06:35Norfolk is an area where we've looked previously.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40You look for something you want and we're interested in a property which has got character.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46- You're talking about character property. How big is this property? - It doesn't have to be too big.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50We only really need, I would say, three bedrooms.
0:06:50 > 0:06:57So outside space - are we looking for land or land that may be available at a later date?
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- If it had it, lovely. - That all sounds quite doable.
0:07:01 > 0:07:07- It's a beautiful part of the world and we will see some fantastic houses. So let's start.- OK.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15John and Sally have a maximum of £425,000 to spend on their new home,
0:07:15 > 0:07:21but ideally they'd like to keep some money aside to spruce it up with some brand-new furniture.
0:07:21 > 0:07:27All in all, they want a minimum of three bedrooms, a large kitchen/diner,
0:07:27 > 0:07:33a property full of character and a good-sized garden which is still easy to maintain.
0:07:33 > 0:07:40We've found three great houses to show them, but before I tell them the price, I'll ask them to guess.
0:07:40 > 0:07:46As ever, our final offering is the mystery house, a home they would not normally have looked at,
0:07:46 > 0:07:50but will certainly challenge their desire for character.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02Four our first house, we're heading to the village of Gooderstone, around 40 miles west of Norwich.
0:08:02 > 0:08:08John and Sally have asked for a more rural setting, but not too far from the local community.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10We think this location is perfect.
0:08:10 > 0:08:17The village is surrounded by some stunning scenery which can be enjoyed while sipping a pint.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21But now let's hope we serve up a real treat with the first property,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25a characterful 18th-century Georgian house.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- This is the first property. - Wow. That is beautiful.
0:08:29 > 0:08:35- Isn't it just?- It's lovely. - Like a lot of Georgian properties, they were show-offs,
0:08:35 > 0:08:40the people that owned these places. So beautiful facade. The back is flint.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46- Wonderful slate roof here and the back of the roof is Norfolk knapping which we'll see.- Oh, right.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52- The whole facade of the house is the most impressive sight. Great, isn't it?- Very good.
0:08:52 > 0:08:58- There's a lot of history attached to this property.- Yeah.- You like it? - Very nice from the outside.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03- Want to see what it's like inside. - I think you'll be equally impressed.
0:09:03 > 0:09:10'So excellent reactions to our first property and I think this home will really make an impact on them.'
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Right, in you come.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- Look at this staircase. - Good, isn't it?
0:09:17 > 0:09:22- Yeah, better than a 1970s plank, which we've got!- Yes.
0:09:22 > 0:09:28Well, like true Georgian properties, a very grand entrance. They're showing off, aren't they?
0:09:28 > 0:09:34There's a wonderful music room. Let's have a quick peek into the living room. Original floorboards.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Oh, that's nice, isn't it? This is a good size for us.
0:09:38 > 0:09:44We don't want anything necessarily too big. There's only the two of us.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47This is just nice, nice and cosy.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52Now, obviously, period property. The great thing is plenty of ceiling height.
0:09:52 > 0:09:58- Space-wise and ceiling height, you're fine?- Yeah.- You were ducking your head through that doorway.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03- Quite likely, but whether that's psychological is the question. - Probably habit!
0:10:03 > 0:10:09No problems with that. Slightly taller than traditional eight-foot ceilings.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- Yeah.- Which I like.- Great.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18And it gives you a nice warm, open atmosphere. With a fire in here,
0:10:18 > 0:10:24- it would be intimate, but you won't feel crowded. Very nice indeed.- Great, OK.
0:10:24 > 0:10:30- Can I squeeze past?- Yeah. - Kitchen's up next. 'That's the seal of approval for the living room.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33'Our next room could invigorate them even further.'
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Right then, so look.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- Kitchen - what are we thinking? - It's a nice shape.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44For us, it's important we've got a table.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- It doesn't have to be a big table. - You want to dine in the kitchen?
0:10:48 > 0:10:54We do now. We do a lot of cooking, so it's nice to sit and read the paper and work in the kitchen.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59- But I like the look of it very much. What do you think?- I think
0:10:59 > 0:11:05that it is a little bit tight for what we wanted, as far as space is concerned.
0:11:05 > 0:11:11- When we're doing things in the kitchen, it could get a little bit congested.- That's fair enough.
0:11:11 > 0:11:17Obviously, you've seen the living room with an equal size dining room.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- Then behind you there is another office.- Oh, right.
0:11:21 > 0:11:27So if you really wanted to, you could maybe go across and push it out that way.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- I don't know...- Maybe next door becomes a pantry.- Yeah.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- That's a good idea.- Listen, this is a whistle-stop tour.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- Let's take a look at the master bedroom.- OK.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44'John and Sally's mood has dipped a little in here, which is a shame,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47'however, also on this floor is a large utility and cloak room.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52'Time to check upstairs and see if we can raise their spirits.'
0:11:52 > 0:11:57This is quite grand. Even the landing area has more space.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- Nice and light.- It is very pretty. - Now the master bedroom, this one here,
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- what are your thoughts? - Lovely. Plenty big enough for us.
0:12:07 > 0:12:14I always look for storage because we do have rather a lot of clothes and stuff like that.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Now the second bedroom has got two singles in it.
0:12:18 > 0:12:24- A similar size to this. This is the master because you've got the en suite.- Which is good.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29- Cool.- Lovely. - It's a nice room.- OK.
0:12:29 > 0:12:36- It seems to be going very well. - Yeah.- You can come back into this house in a few moments
0:12:36 > 0:12:42- to have a good look around. Let's go down to the garden and start thinking about price.- OK.- Cool.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45And keep ducking your head!
0:12:45 > 0:12:50There are two more bedrooms on this floor, one currently being used as a dining room.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54There's also a generous-sized bathroom.
0:12:54 > 0:13:00On the outside of the property, there's that front lawn that we saw on the approach to the entrance
0:13:00 > 0:13:07and to the rear is a characterful walled garden. It also contains what could be the icing on the cake.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Just through that small utility into your walled garden, I suppose.
0:13:11 > 0:13:17- Right.- Now then, it's a fairly modest-sized garden, isn't it?- Yes.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21It is, but it's pretty. And it's peaceful.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26This building here. Interesting, isn't it? That side just there
0:13:26 > 0:13:30is where they keep all their coal and fuel. Just there, for the horse.
0:13:30 > 0:13:36- And next door, well, for the trap or the cart.- Yeah.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- But it may be office...- Storage. - A studio.- Yeah.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43It's got some character to it.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49- That's what you asked for. Character.- It's definitely got that. - That's what it gives you.- Indeed.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53So how much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- I would imagine that it is 440. - OK.
0:13:59 > 0:14:05- The figure 415 jumped into my mind and I don't know where from. - Want to stick with it?- Yeah.- OK.
0:14:06 > 0:14:12The house is on the market for offers above £380,000.
0:14:12 > 0:14:19- That is surprising.- Within your budget.- Yeah.- You could get a Georgian property, with change.
0:14:19 > 0:14:26- Go back inside the house. Hopefully, you won't find fault. - Cool.- Help yourselves.- Thanks.
0:14:28 > 0:14:34Cracking start. They tell me they've never looked at a Georgian property before.
0:14:34 > 0:14:40Normally they'd be way out of their price range. This is a modest-sized property for the period,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44but it's a cracker, isn't it?
0:14:44 > 0:14:50This magnificent example of Georgian architecture is on the market for offers over £380,000.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54So it's well within their £425,000 budget.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58With change in their pocket, they could not only furnish the house,
0:14:58 > 0:15:04but expand the kitchen or convert one of the outbuildings. It has a kitchen/diner, cosy sitting room
0:15:04 > 0:15:09with inglenook fireplace, four double bedrooms, one with en suite,
0:15:09 > 0:15:14plenty of character and outbuildings with potential for conversion.
0:15:14 > 0:15:21We'd never considered Georgian properties before. I don't know why now that we've seen the property.
0:15:21 > 0:15:27Lovely, beautiful, very solid and obviously well-built, nice proportions as well.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29I'm very impressed.
0:15:29 > 0:15:35I like the symmetry, but I also like the quirkiness. All the rooms were very good.
0:15:35 > 0:15:41Very nicely decorated. Nice, open, airy, but also a cosy feeling.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45One reservation is the kitchen, which might not quite work for us.
0:15:48 > 0:15:54- All done inside?- Yeah, very happy. - Very elegant, isn't it? - It's a beautiful house, yeah.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- Good. Onward and upward.- OK.
0:16:08 > 0:16:15Norfolk's expansive landscape is dotted with market towns and villages in its rural heritage,
0:16:15 > 0:16:20but even today the region's agricultural industry continues to thrive.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24In the hamlet of Great Ellingham, just outside Dereham, is a farm
0:16:24 > 0:16:32which over the past 23 years has steadily built its reputation producing Norfolk asparagus.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37Andy Ellen is the farm's owner and chairs the Asparagus Owners Association.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43As John and Sally are keen foodies, we arranged for them to visit Andy's farm for a taste of this produce
0:16:43 > 0:16:46during its short, eight-week season.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52Welcome to a cold, wet Norfolk asparagus field! Sorry! I couldn't do anything about it.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56In Norfolk, I can trace people growing asparagus 100 years ago.
0:16:56 > 0:17:02It suits lighter, free-draining soils. This is borderline. This is reasonably light for this area.
0:17:02 > 0:17:09Obviously, the lighter the soil, the quicker it warms up in spring. It's all about temperatures.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Asparagus will only thrive in soil with a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17but if conditions are perfect, it can grow six inches a day.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22The average, though, is one or two inches in 24 hours.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26How long does it take from planting the bulb to actually harvesting it?
0:17:26 > 0:17:33- Three years. We don't cut anything until year three.- How many sticks do you get off each crown, Andy?
0:17:33 > 0:17:39- It would vary, but probably between 10 and 15 spears.- Right. - Off one crown through the season.
0:17:39 > 0:17:47You have to keep cutting it to stimulate the bud growth. That's a bit about the background.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51What we'll do now is go into the middle to find some to cut.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56We're looking for spears that are high enough to cut.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00The knife here has got a mark on it. When you stand it next to the spear,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04it comes up to the mark and you can cut it through like that.
0:18:04 > 0:18:10- So height is important, not thickness?- Yes. Anything the correct height is good enough to cut.
0:18:10 > 0:18:17Andy's farm stretches over 150 acres and produces up to 200 tonnes of asparagus a year,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20making it one of Norfolk's biggest growers.
0:18:20 > 0:18:27There's only one more way for our buyers to experience this asparagus and that's to taste some.
0:18:27 > 0:18:34All they'll need is a kitchen, some water and six minutes later it's done.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38A little butter. Very high in iron, folic acid. One of your five a day.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- There we go. Give it a try.- Lovely. - Eat it with your fingers.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- OK?- That is gorgeous.- Gorgeous.
0:18:51 > 0:18:57Time to leave this fine Norfolk veg behind and get back to spearheading our own property hunt.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05For our second house, we're heading to Beeston, around 8 miles west of Dereham.
0:19:05 > 0:19:13But before we see the property, I want to introduce a resident of the village for the past six years.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17We're just now on the outskirts of the village of Beeston.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22- Been here before?- No, never. - Well, it's got the pub in the village that you were after.
0:19:22 > 0:19:29But you can also do one better. It's also got a micro brewery. We're going to meet the owner.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35- Mark, this is Sally and John. - Hello. Pleased to meet you.- Hi.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38What's the village like? That's what we're here to find out.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44- A lot of good community around the church.- Plenty to get involved in. - A well-established cricket team.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- Does the pub take your beer? - Yeah, of course!
0:19:48 > 0:19:53- So when the pub shuts you out at 11.30...- Crawl up here.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- I think I just found you two new customers.- Thank you.- See you again!
0:19:57 > 0:20:03'A short walk down the road is our second home, a single-storey brick and flint barn conversion.'
0:20:03 > 0:20:09Somewhere I remember quoting that Norfolk was one of the driest places in the UK.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- This is the exception.- Yeah. - But we arrive tidily at property number two.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- Looks good.- Yeah?- Looks good. - Converted barns?
0:20:18 > 0:20:23Barns. Question mark - ceiling height.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- Answer - should be no problem.- OK.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33Do you believe me? Have you thought about living in a converted barn before?
0:20:33 > 0:20:38We've looked at them previously. Some were fantastic with the nice, high ceilings.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43And some of them were so low you felt like going down the mine.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Well, let's see what you think of this one. Let's get out of this wet.
0:20:47 > 0:20:54'So a reserved reaction from John and Sally. As we move inside, let's hope the interior warms them up.'
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Come right in.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- Right then, in we come.- Lovely.
0:21:01 > 0:21:08- It's a good layout, isn't it?- Yes. - Very good layout and a nice size as well.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13- It's got a table in it. - Not a bad size. If you go right round to that corner...
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Ah, right.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20So that must be the lounge, is it? It must be, yes.
0:21:20 > 0:21:26- You're not so keen on that, are you? - No.- John likes a door on his kitchen.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31- OK. Well, reserve judgment. There are options with this house. - OK.- All right?
0:21:31 > 0:21:38'And one of these options couldn't be more separate from the kitchen, as it's on the barn's other side.'
0:21:38 > 0:21:40- So...- Oh, right.- Very nice.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Yes, this is definitely a much bigger room, isn't it?
0:21:44 > 0:21:46And would be perfect for a living room.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50What is great about this room is you've got patio doors...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Yeah.- You've got a small patio heading out into the garden.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- And it's a long way from that stinky curry you've cooked.- Yeah.
0:21:57 > 0:22:03- It's got a nice feel. I love the vie as well.- It surprised me when I first walked round this place.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08I thought, "Where's this next room coming from?" Then you see this big... It's a barn room, really.
0:22:08 > 0:22:15- Yeah.- That room next to the kitchen can be just a casual room.- It puts a totally different reflection on it
0:22:15 > 0:22:20'It seems John and Sally approve of this room, so things are definitely looking up.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24'This spacious barn conversion has a fabulous mix of options.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27'There's an office, two double bedrooms, one with en-suite,
0:22:27 > 0:22:32'while the other double is currently being used as a music room.
0:22:32 > 0:22:38'There's also a handy utility room and a single bedroom, but we'll look at the room that could be theirs.'
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- The master, you've got a dressing room there.- Right.
0:22:42 > 0:22:49- And then a fairly compact bedroom itself.- Yeah.- Yeah. - With an en-suite.- Oh, right.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- Oh, right!- Can we have a look? - Yeah, go on.- That's a nice size.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58But on top of this, next door, you've got a family bathroom.
0:22:58 > 0:22:59Right, OK.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02At the moment, it seems rather dark.
0:23:02 > 0:23:08I'm not getting that nice, airy feel. It's a room you're likely to have the light on all the time.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11It's not got those big, lovely Georgian windows.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16Converted barns have either got massive windows where barn doors were
0:23:16 > 0:23:20or they can be a bit dark because they've got low windows like this.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- My feeling is the room would just be full of bed.- OK.
0:23:23 > 0:23:29- Which... Wherever you've got other storage, I'm still not too keen on that.- All right, fair point.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33'So it's a thumbs-down from our buyers for this master.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38'However, I'm certain that space won't be such a problem as we head into the garden.'
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- It's still spitting, but we'll brave it, shall we?- OK.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48So boundary-wise...
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- It goes from that fence...- Yeah. - ..over to half of that pond.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- Right.- To that fence.- Right, good.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01Yeah, you've got a nice, big garden, haven't you, with beautiful views? That is very good.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Now you know the boundary, you've seen some of the rooms...
0:24:04 > 0:24:11It's quite a big plot of accommodation. Let's have a go at pricing it. Who wants to go first?
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Do you want to go first this time?
0:24:13 > 0:24:19I would say this would sit at the top of our budget - 425.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21What do you think, Sally?
0:24:21 > 0:24:25I'm not quite... I wouldn't go quite as far as that.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28I was going to say 399,950.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- Right, OK.- 399,950.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36Well, he's spot-on. £425,000 they're asking.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Yeah.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42Which, bearing in mind its location and the amount of accommodation you get,
0:24:42 > 0:24:48- I can see why they're asking that. - Yeah.- Very much so.- And it has been really nicely converted.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53But we've got a few little things in our mind about whether it would fit our lifestyle as it is.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57That's what you should do now. Go back into the property.
0:24:57 > 0:25:04- Have a good look around and see if you could make those changes or if it's maybe not for you.- OK.- Cool.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12This lovely barn conversion is bang on budget at £425,000
0:25:12 > 0:25:16and it offers John and Sally many of the items on their wish list.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19It has a light sitting room with patio doors,
0:25:19 > 0:25:23four double bedrooms, including two with en-suite.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26It's full of exposed beams, wooden floors and high ceilings
0:25:26 > 0:25:30and there's an extensive lawned garden with a duck pond.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36Property two, it was only when we started walking around the property that I realised it was in a U-shape,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39that I thought, "Yeah, interesting."
0:25:39 > 0:25:44Once you get inside, you can see it's a very nice property and very nicely converted.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48I thought the kitchen was very nice, nice and bright, nice and modern.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Maybe a bit smaller than we had originally thought, but workable.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56I think it's been beautifully converted, it's very pretty,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59but I'm feeling that it doesn't quite fit our lifestyle.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04Perhaps ten years ago, it would have done when the children were at home.
0:26:04 > 0:26:10- So you've seen everything you need to see now?- Yeah, thank you. That was good. Had a good look round.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15- OK, hopefully, something to think about or compare with the first property.- Definitely.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- That's it for today, so let's go.- Thanks.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31'As the sun settles and the rain clouds fade over Norfolk,
0:26:31 > 0:26:36'our buyers get the chance to reflect on their first day of house-hunting.
0:26:40 > 0:26:46'With a budget of £425,000, John and Sally from Blackwater in Surrey are keen
0:26:46 > 0:26:51'to swap the commuter belt for a home full of character in the Norfolk countryside.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54'So far, we've shown them two fantastic properties.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59'They loved the impressive Georgian home bursting with period features,
0:26:59 > 0:27:04'but our second house, a barn conversion, didn't quite fit their new way of life.'
0:27:04 > 0:27:10- The room would just be full of bed. - 'So can the mystery house deliver?' - The views are spectacular.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14- 'I draw the short straw on a Norfolk roof.'- Stick to your day job, mate.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17I'm doing more harm than good here.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25Both properties yesterday matched up with the outline of John and Sally's search.
0:27:25 > 0:27:30But it's only when you visit the properties with any couple you're working with
0:27:30 > 0:27:35that you find out more about their taste, maybe what they're prepared to compromise on.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Today, we're off to see the mystery house.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43John and Sally would like a property with some land, maybe enough for a Shetland pony or a donkey,
0:27:43 > 0:27:46but they also want to be close to a community
0:27:46 > 0:27:51and, as you know, the mystery house can both giveth and taketh away.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55'As we set off, I grab a quick moment with our buyers
0:27:55 > 0:27:59'to find out what they're hoping for from today's mystery property.'
0:27:59 > 0:28:03So, John, what would you like this property to be?
0:28:03 > 0:28:08The ones we've seen so far haven't had much land, so somewhere with a bit of land would be very nice.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12- Being in the middle of nowhere doesn't frighten you?- No.- No.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Being in the middle of a town? - No.- No.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19- Right... Let's see then, shall we? - Yeah, good.
0:28:19 > 0:28:25'I'm taking John and Sally towards Shipdham, a village located in the heart of Norfolk.
0:28:25 > 0:28:31'This is one of the largest villages in the county, yet still retains a lot of history and tradition.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35'The earliest known reference to Shipdham was in the 11th century
0:28:35 > 0:28:39'soon after William the Conqueror's entry into Britain.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42'Back then, it was known as Thorpe, an old Norse word for "village".
0:28:42 > 0:28:47'It has a range of amenities including a pub and a local shop.
0:28:47 > 0:28:53'John and Sally want a property with a good bit of land and I think the mystery house will deliver,
0:28:53 > 0:28:58'but I'm not quite sure how they will react to its much more rural location.'
0:28:58 > 0:29:04- So, the mystery house, and there's a whole lot of it. - Wow, yeah, there is, isn't there?
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Yeah, very different from the last two.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11This is two farmworkers' cottages converted into one
0:29:11 > 0:29:15and, in my opinion, converted very, very well.
0:29:15 > 0:29:21- It makes sense with this location as well.- Yeah. Do you like what you see?- Yeah, I do like what I see.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24- Good. OK, well, let's go inside.- OK.
0:29:24 > 0:29:30'So far, so good. We haven't always had the best responses to the kitchens previously,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33'but I think this next one is a winner.'
0:29:33 > 0:29:38Right then, let's start in the kitchen which I think you will like.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Oh, wow, yeah!
0:29:40 > 0:29:45- Yeah, definitely a winner. - This is lovely.- Cool. Very good. - That is very nice.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Nice, big table. Nice room.
0:29:47 > 0:29:52- This is the reaction that's been missing all along. - For the kitchen, yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- Positive, you know what you like when you see it.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00- Well, this kitchen keeps coming round. Follow me.- Cool.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08The kitchen is in two stages, as you can see. This is the real working part of the kitchen.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Does it work for you?
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Yeah, it's good for us with the utility room adjoining.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20And we've got a dog, so it's quite nice to have this sort of flooring.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24'This house can give John and Sally everything they want
0:30:24 > 0:30:29'and as we continue our tour, I've got a feeling they'll like more and more of what they see.'
0:30:30 > 0:30:34So your separate living room is a decent size.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39- Very much so.- It is. Just the right size, I think. Not too big and not too cramped.
0:30:39 > 0:30:45Good. So all that's left now is the dining room which you can get to through that door,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- but also through this way as well. - OK.- OK.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Right, a small ante-room.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55- It doesn't have to be an office. - No.- No.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57But then...that's your dining room.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00This is good. Again this is just the right size.
0:31:00 > 0:31:06You want it reasonably large enough to sit half a dozen to a dozen people
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- and you can do it easily in here. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13'I might have to pinch myself. The reactions have been spot-on.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17'On this floor, there's also a cloakroom with a shower
0:31:17 > 0:31:21'and upstairs, there are five bedrooms which are all good sizes
0:31:21 > 0:31:27'and have fabulous views over the East Anglian countryside. There's also a large family bathroom.'
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Let's start with the master bedroom.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I think it's rather nice.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38- This is pretty. Look at the view! - The view's amazing, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Very nice to wake up to.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44The only problem is I don't think it would fit our bed.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- Oh, that bed!- Ah... - That's one thing I can't change.- No.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53- It wouldn't.- It wouldn't definitely. - Unless it overlaps.- That's a shame.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Here's the thing. I'm thinking on my feet here now.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- Yeah.- You have five bedrooms, OK? - Right.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Right. It seems like a shame, a bit of a waste,
0:32:03 > 0:32:06but you box in that alcove there.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09- You could easily for storage.- Yeah.
0:32:09 > 0:32:15You box in this alcove, put storage above it and an occasional cupboard there, then you can put a king.
0:32:15 > 0:32:20And you don't need any other furniture in here because... Open that door.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- The light switch is on the left there.- Oh, wow!- That's cool.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- Right, that's good.- Yeah.
0:32:26 > 0:32:32- With five bedrooms, you've got another dressing room available. - Yes.- You've got loads of space here.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37- And this one is obviously en-suite as well which we'll have a peek at later on.- Cool. Very nice.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- So...- Very positive. - Nice and light and airy.
0:32:40 > 0:32:47I'm dying to show you outside, then perhaps you can come inside and discover the rest of the bedrooms.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50- Cool. Yeah.- Mind your step just down here, John.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56'Maybe there was a slight hiccup due to the size of that bed of theirs,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59'but there are plenty of solutions.
0:32:59 > 0:33:04'And as we head outside, I can't wait to show them the stunning views across the fields.'
0:33:04 > 0:33:09So, a lovely, wide open garden with views beyond.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- Yeah.- That's an amazing view.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14It is. It's beautiful, yeah.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19- Well, all in all, you're sat in around a one-acre plot.- Right.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22So now you've got to price it, haven't you?
0:33:22 > 0:33:24It's a difficult one again.
0:33:25 > 0:33:32How much do you think someone is going to pay for a five-bedroom property set in an acre?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- 405.- 405, OK.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38And I was going to say 439...
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- Not 950?- No, not 950, no.
0:33:42 > 0:33:49- Well, the asking price of this house is offers above £425,000.- Right.
0:33:49 > 0:33:56I've spoken to the owners and they are looking to settle at around 435,000, so you're not far away.
0:33:56 > 0:33:57Yeah.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02Why don't you go back inside the house? There's five bedrooms to have a look at.
0:34:02 > 0:34:08- Have a good look around the place, take as long as you want, and we'll have a chat after.- Thank you.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11I'm a little bit surprised, actually.
0:34:11 > 0:34:17I was thinking, get them to the mystery house, show them the land, the fantastic accommodation inside,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20and then drive them to the estate agent's,
0:34:20 > 0:34:26but oddly enough, maybe I'll be relying on one of the other two houses I showed them.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28We'll have to see.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34On the market for offers above £425,000,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37but with the owners hoping for around the £435,000 mark,
0:34:37 > 0:34:40the mystery house is slightly over budget,
0:34:40 > 0:34:44but it does offer John and Sally much of what they're after.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49It has a separate sitting room with woodburner, a bespoke wooden kitchen/diner,
0:34:49 > 0:34:53five bedrooms, it's full of character including exposed beams,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56and it's located in an acre of land
0:34:56 > 0:35:00with unspoilt views over the Norfolk countryside.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Walking up to the mystery house, very impressive,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07and the ground floor worked very well for us.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11When I first walked up, I was a bit worried how big it might be inside,
0:35:11 > 0:35:17but just the isolation and the countryside around it, it was just very impressive.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22It took a bit longer than normal, five bedrooms to have a look round?
0:35:22 > 0:35:26- And quite a lot to think about. - Indeed. And a lot of information gathered.
0:35:26 > 0:35:31- Right, good. Let's find somewhere else to discuss it all.- Cool.- OK.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43'Here in Norfolk, the local reed found in coastal areas of the county
0:35:43 > 0:35:48'has been used as a building material since Roman times.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53'Most properties were thatched throughout the region until Welsh slate became available
0:35:53 > 0:35:59'with the spread of the railway network in the 19th century. Today, arguably, there's no greater symbol
0:35:59 > 0:36:05'of the English countryside than the thatched cottage and large efforts are made
0:36:05 > 0:36:09'to preserve the wonderful examples of our architectural heritage.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14'I'm meeting master thatcher Richard Horton to find out more about this historic craft.'
0:36:14 > 0:36:18- Good morning, Richard. How are we doing?- Very well, thank you.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22I'm dying to find out a bit more about thatching and thatched roofs.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26- So, Richard, what have we got here? - This is Norfolk reed.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30And this is cut very locally, just up the road.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35- So everything you're using so far... - Is local.- How local? How far has this travelled?
0:36:35 > 0:36:39This has come literally two miles up the road from Somerton.
0:36:39 > 0:36:44- Anything I could have a go at? - Of course you can. Come over and have a look.
0:36:44 > 0:36:50'The thatching technique has changed little over the years and there's a steady call for expert thatchers
0:36:50 > 0:36:53'with over 100 registered throughout England.'
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Right, what's the process then?
0:36:55 > 0:37:01We'll finish this course, so we need to pin another course of reed over the top of this course.
0:37:01 > 0:37:07- What I do with the bunch of reed is hang it down.- Right.- That's it. - Under arm?- Under your arm.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11- Make sure all the ends are at the bottom.- Yeah.
0:37:11 > 0:37:17- Then form it at an angle. - So it's already taking that shape? - It's already taking that shape. OK.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20Pop that on the roof. Yeah, I'd say here.
0:37:20 > 0:37:27And then pin that with two of the thatching hooks just above the string at the side of the bar.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30And then one on the left.
0:37:32 > 0:37:38That will hold the bunch temporary until the temporary sway will come across.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43'Thatch is laid in what's known as staunches which are, in effect, columns of straw.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47'This method ensures that the thickness is consistent
0:37:47 > 0:37:50'and, in general, a new thatch will add 12 inches of cover.'
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Then cut the string...
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and then put your hand on the temporary sway,
0:37:56 > 0:38:00then tap that left to right,
0:38:00 > 0:38:04then the bunch will start to form on the roof.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06- It's taking shape, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:38:06 > 0:38:12If you hold immediately above where you're working and then tap...
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Have a go at that, Jonnie.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21I mean, for me, I don't do it every day, it's quite therapeutic.
0:38:21 > 0:38:26'Originally made with wood and horseshoe nails, this simple device allows the thatcher
0:38:26 > 0:38:32'to create the characteristic angle of thatched roofs that would come to symbolise rural Britain.'
0:38:32 > 0:38:38- The rain will only hit these bits? - Just the first inch and a half and i will only penetrate in half an inch.
0:38:38 > 0:38:44You can see why this works so well as a roofing system because it's perfect drainage.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- It's designed to get rid of the moisture. - You've got great insulation as well.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53- Stick to your day job, mate. - I know. I'm making holes everywhere.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57I'm probably doing more harm than good and putting you back about a day!
0:38:57 > 0:39:01- But it's been really interesting. Thanks very much.- Thank you.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04I'll leave you with your weapon. See you later, Axel.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13I feel more informed to talk about the merits of a thatched house now.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18Time to catch up with our buyers to see if they like any of the three properties we've shown them.
0:39:22 > 0:39:28The first property we went to was a style that you'd never considered, a Georgian property.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33- What were your thoughts when we first walked up, John? - I liked the basic symmetry of it.
0:39:33 > 0:39:39I liked the walled garden and it was a very attractive property to walk up to.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43The only compromise I could see from your point of view, Sally,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46was you were hoping for a slightly larger kitchen.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51- Hoping, ideally, but I think it was a manageable kitchen.- Mm-hm.
0:39:51 > 0:39:57- Just if there was enough storage space.- OK.- And I think that could be worked around.- All right.
0:39:57 > 0:40:03- Pretty good start.- Mm-hm. - In the afternoon, we went to...well, a barn conversion
0:40:03 > 0:40:06which I think you might have had reservations about.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09I was expecting to see a barn conversion
0:40:09 > 0:40:13because there are a lot in Norfolk and we've looked previously at them.
0:40:13 > 0:40:20No, I thought it was beautiful. I di have some reservations. I wasn't sur whether it was two barns
0:40:20 > 0:40:24and we'd be sharing the garden and the courtyard. That was my reservation.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28From the outside, I immediately thought it was a semi-detached barn.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Once we got in, a very nice property inside,
0:40:31 > 0:40:37- but the configuration didn't quite come to what we wanted it to be.- All right.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41The first two properties on day one, both in villages.
0:40:41 > 0:40:46- For the mystery property, we wanted to show you something very different.- Which it was.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51- It wasn't in the middle of nowhere, but the nearest village was three miles away.- Yes.
0:40:51 > 0:40:56- You had pretty good initial reactions.- Yes. It was a lovely, substantial property.
0:40:56 > 0:41:03You couldn't fault the setting in the fields with nothing else around it, apart from countryside.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Yeah, very impressive indeed.
0:41:05 > 0:41:12I remember the first room we walked into, the kitchen, John, you walked in and you said, "Yeah."
0:41:12 > 0:41:16I tend to look at things and think, "Does it tick the boxes for me?"
0:41:16 > 0:41:22And that primarily ticked the boxes we were looking for as far as the kitchen was concerned.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26But upstairs, you seemed to cool somewhat. Is that right?
0:41:26 > 0:41:30I think that we would have to start doing some work in...
0:41:30 > 0:41:36- We would want a bigger bathroom, so we would want to start converting one bedroom to a bathroom.- Right.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41And then it sort of starts not quite to fit exactly what we wanted.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43So what's the next step?
0:41:43 > 0:41:48We're going to have a look in the area which the first property was in
0:41:48 > 0:41:54and generally have a look around some of the villages in Norfolk to get a better feel of the area.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59- So more investigation with an eye on the first place? - We want to walk round the village.
0:41:59 > 0:42:05- Maybe have another viewing as well, but I wish the best of luck in your investigation.- Thank you.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09No matter what you decide on, please let us know what you want to do.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Thank you.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Well, a bit of a damp end to our time here in Norfolk,
0:42:18 > 0:42:23but there could be brighter weather on the horizon for John and Sally.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28That Georgian house, I think Sally was surprised they could even afford a property like that
0:42:28 > 0:42:33within their budget and she fell in love with the place as soon as she set eyes on it,
0:42:33 > 0:42:37but I have a sneaking suspicion John still remains to be convinced,
0:42:37 > 0:42:44so another visit to the area is a fantastic idea, especially if it includes a visit to their local pub
0:42:44 > 0:42:49because that's right at the heart of a community that they want to be involved in.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53I'm sure, like me, you'll wish them the very best of luck. See you next time.
0:42:53 > 0:42:59John and Sally did go back to see the first house and had a good chat with the owners,
0:42:59 > 0:43:01but after careful consideration,
0:43:01 > 0:43:06they decided that the garden was too small and didn't offer enough privacy.
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