0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to a lofty start to today's Escape To The Country.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07What do you get if you combine a writer, a politician
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and the remains of an Elizabethan manor?
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Well, quite simply, one of the best gardens in the world.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16But where are we? Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll show you.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48'On today's show, I'll be helping a Canadian couple
0:00:48 > 0:00:51'find a new country home for their young family.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55'And we've got some choice properties which make them beam with excitement.'
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- Love it.- Yeah?- Love it. - Big smiles.- Yeah.- Big smiles.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02'We also find a place where visiting family could feel right at home.'
0:01:02 > 0:01:04They'll think they're at some sort of resort!
0:01:04 > 0:01:07'And in the mystery house, I'm feeling the pressure.'
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- Come on, make our day!- Yeah.
0:01:12 > 0:01:17Well, today I'm in Kent amidst the glorious surroundings of Sissinghurst Castle.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21In 1930, this became home to the writer Vita Sackville-West
0:01:21 > 0:01:24and her husband and politician Harold Nicolson.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26In the decades that followed, they set about creating
0:01:26 > 0:01:30what is now one of the most internationally recognised gardens in Britain.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Later on in the programme, I'll be back here exploring its secrets
0:01:34 > 0:01:38and understanding how the unique collaboration of two very distinct individuals
0:01:38 > 0:01:41has created the garden that we see today.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48'The county of Kent covers some 1,400 square miles
0:01:48 > 0:01:50'and sits southeast of Greater London,
0:01:50 > 0:01:52'bordering East Sussex, Surrey,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55'and includes more than 350 miles of coastline.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58'Celebrated as the garden of England,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02'for centuries Kent's neatly manicured landscape of farmland,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05'hop fields and orchards as well as mesmerising beaches
0:02:05 > 0:02:09'has long provided a quick country escape for Londoners.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11'And for those with longer-term ambitions,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14'it's always been ideally placed as a location to set up home
0:02:14 > 0:02:18'and soothe away the stresses of a hectic working day in the city.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21'Some of the most iconic places to unwind
0:02:21 > 0:02:26'can be found in the many unique oast houses that this region is home to.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28'Once used to dry hops,
0:02:28 > 0:02:33'many of these old industrial buildings have now been converted into fine residential properties
0:02:33 > 0:02:36'that perfectly match the county's rural appeal,
0:02:36 > 0:02:41'and their distinctive white cones are a real feature of the Kent skyline.'
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Well, with glorious countryside and some excellent transport links into London,
0:02:45 > 0:02:51it's no surprise, therefore, that Kent isn't exactly the cheapest county in the country to escape to.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56The average family property here will set you back a cool £314,000,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59that's £56,000 above the national average,
0:02:59 > 0:03:04and that's fuelled by commuter hotspots around Sevenoaks, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07But there is some good news. Head further east to the coast
0:03:07 > 0:03:10around Dover, Folkestone, Broadstairs or Margate
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and you will get a little bit more for your money.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17But wherever you decide to hunt for property down here, one thing you can be assured of,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21some fantastic architecture is right on your doorstep.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24'The small medieval town of Cranbrook
0:03:24 > 0:03:28'is affectionately known as the capital of the Kentish Weald.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32'Overlooked by the Union Windmill built back in 1814,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35'the town features rows of white weatherboarded houses,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39'historically a classic style that the region is known for.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43'Prices for this type of home typically start around £600,000
0:03:43 > 0:03:47'for a detached four-bedroom property with a substantial garden,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51'while for a two-bedroom terraced version with the windmill as a backdrop,
0:03:51 > 0:03:55'you could expect to pay upwards of £300,000.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00'One of the county's most important building materials must be the Kentish ragstone,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04'a bluish-grey limestone quarried close to the Kent Downs.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07'This delightful two-bedroom Victorian cottage in Bonnington
0:04:07 > 0:04:10'is built using ragstone under a Kent peg tile roof
0:04:10 > 0:04:15'and is currently on the market for a fraction under £300,000.'
0:04:18 > 0:04:24So as you can see, Kent's rich history has furnished it with some fabulous architectural styles.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29A good enough reason, if it were needed, for today's buyers to want to move here.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34'Today's mission is very much a family affair.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39'Darcy and Nicole are at the helm and they live together with their two young sons, Spencer and Maxwell,
0:04:39 > 0:04:43'and their dog, Charlie. But the UK hasn't always been the place they've called home.'
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Darcy and I met in 1997
0:04:46 > 0:04:50in Vancouver, British Columbia, and that's on the west coast of Canada.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54And we moved to southeast London in 2008
0:04:54 > 0:04:57where we've been living for the last four and a half years.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59And now we're looking to move out to the country.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02'Their current home is this semi-detached property
0:05:02 > 0:05:04'in a busy Greater London suburb,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07'but recently they've been feeling like they've outgrown it.'
0:05:07 > 0:05:09We're looking to move now specifically
0:05:09 > 0:05:12because we've just had a son, he's five months old,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14we have another son that's six,
0:05:14 > 0:05:18and we haven't exactly decided that that's the end of the family,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22so there is still some negotiations as to whether we add to the brood.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26We have four bedrooms currently but we would like that fifth bedroom
0:05:26 > 0:05:30because we do have a lot of relatives and friends that come stay with us.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33We don't really have the space to house them in right now.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36So possibly an annexe would be nice.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40'Nicole works for a Canadian finance company in the city but is currently on maternity leave,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43'while Darcy is a stay-at-home dad.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47'They've chosen the Kent countryside as their ideal place to set up home,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49'but for self-confessed city-boy Darcy,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51'well, he might need a bit more persuading.'
0:05:51 > 0:05:56I grew up on a farm, so I'm quite used to living out in the country.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00What I'm trying to convince Darcy is that we don't have to be able to walk to a coffee shop.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03So I'm trying to convince him that he can drive to the coffee shop
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- and we can go live in the country. - We're getting there.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12'One thing that's sure to make Darcy and Nicole feel more at home in the country
0:06:12 > 0:06:14'is the chance to enjoy some of their favourite pastimes.'
0:06:14 > 0:06:18I'm an amateur cook now. I've just started taking it up.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21I'm not a professional by any means but I do love cooking now,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24so I like doing that in my spare time.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29I'm an amateur photographer, so I have a camera with a bunch of lenses
0:06:29 > 0:06:31that I've recently picked up,
0:06:31 > 0:06:35so on the weekends, we are quite often out on adventure days.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38'And while our buyers have a shared love of adventure,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42'it seems they're not always in tune when it comes to selecting their perfect property.'
0:06:42 > 0:06:47I'm a little bit more level-headed in thinking, whereas Darcy's a real romantic.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50One of the deal-breakers for me would be low ceilings,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53cos I don't want to duck my head under any doorways
0:06:53 > 0:06:55or ceilings in rooms, things like that.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58'Their house has recently been valued,
0:06:58 > 0:07:03'so now they've got a clear idea of what they can spend on their escape to the country.'
0:07:03 > 0:07:07The budget for our property search will be £650,000.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18'Darcy and Nicole have specified a location near to good local primary schools
0:07:18 > 0:07:21'with close proximity to mainline train stations
0:07:21 > 0:07:23'for Nicole's daily commute into central London.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27'As a result, our house search will stretch throughout the quiet villages
0:07:27 > 0:07:29'between Maidstone and Ashford,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33'as they have direct services into London taking under an hour.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37'So with the location and logistics sorted,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40'it's time to rendezvous and find out a little more about their requirements.'
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Darcy, Nicole, welcome to Kent.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47All the way from Canada!
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- But home now is the UK, work for you is in London.- That's right.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- So this is it for the future. - Yep.- We hope so.- You hope so.- Yep.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58So in terms of English country life, why have you settled on Kent?
0:07:58 > 0:08:02My family originally grew up here, my dad's from London,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05so we're slightly familiar with the area,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08and for Darcy and I, we really enjoy travelling,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11so quick access over to Europe
0:08:11 > 0:08:15and the airports, because we have a lot of family that comes to visit us.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19In terms of the requirements for this home,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22there are a few important factors, aren't there, Darcy?
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- There are. Ideally a five-bedroom property.- Yep.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31A nice open floor plan with the kitchen/living/dining area all in one, because we like to entertain.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- Young and funky?- Nicole? - Yeah.- Oh, definitely. THEY LAUGH
0:08:35 > 0:08:40OK. Now, the outside space... Often people come on this show demanding tens of acres.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- We're not after that, are we? - No. One, two acres, tops.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49But in terms of renovating something to really accommodate you in the way that you envisage,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- are you up for that? - You bet.- I think so.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- We're coming in with an open mind. - Fantastic!
0:08:54 > 0:08:56That's exactly what we want you to do.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01It's the best place to start when looking for any kind of property, believe you me. Let's go! Follow me!
0:09:03 > 0:09:06'Darcy and Nicole haven't given us an extensive wish-list
0:09:06 > 0:09:08'but it is very specific.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11'For a top budget of £650,000,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14'they want a detached and spacious family home
0:09:14 > 0:09:17'that offers open-plan living areas, at least five bedrooms
0:09:17 > 0:09:20'and ideally it also needs a self-contained annexe
0:09:20 > 0:09:23'to accommodate visiting family and friends.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26'Outside, they're after a large garden in which their two boys
0:09:26 > 0:09:29'and their dog can run around safely to their hearts' content.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32'We've got three fantastic country home
0:09:32 > 0:09:35'which will hopefully put a smile on our buyers' faces.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40'And at each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42'The last option is, of course, the mystery house,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45'and when they see it, I'm hoping they'll be beaming.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53'We're kicking off our house search in the village of Westwell,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55'which has a mainline train station nearby
0:09:55 > 0:09:57'offering high-speed access to central London
0:09:57 > 0:10:00'and a choice of well-regarded primary schools.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03'Westwell itself is a sought-after rural location
0:10:03 > 0:10:06'in a conservation area of the North Downs.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10'It features a church believed to be 13th century in origin and a welcoming country pub.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12'And on the edge of the village,
0:10:12 > 0:10:18'boasting some of the most incredible views across the Kent countryside, is our first house.'
0:10:19 > 0:10:21There we are.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- Property number one for you. - Hm.- It's gorgeous.- Impressive.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28It's about 1960s or so,
0:10:28 > 0:10:33but they've sited it to really take advantage of the view that way,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35which just envelopes the whole thing.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- That's stunning.- Mm. Gorgeous. - Yeah?- I like.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- We're off to a good start.- Happy? Awesome.- Great start.- Come on, then.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47'This glorious setting is the best introduction we could have to a property,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51'and there are very high expectations as we step inside.'
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Let's start in here.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57We've teased you with the view.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Ohh. Beautiful. - But as picture windows go,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03I think that's the best I've ever seen, actually.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- Yeah. It's like a postcard. - Gorgeous.- Isn't it?- It is.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11- Your own widescreen view of the Kent countryside.- Yeah.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- Love it.- Yeah? We've also got you this little conservatory,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17which goes out to the garden, as you can see.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- And a working fireplace, so you can cosy up in the winter. - Oh, that's nice.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Yeah.- Yeah.- Like.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28- You like?- Yep.- OK. - Good start.- Good start, right. Let's continue through here.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- So next door to the main living room is this dedicated snug.- Mm-hm.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39I'm thinking of you and Maxwell cosied up watching that.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41I could do that. THEY LAUGH
0:11:41 > 0:11:48We'd probably make this more of like an office, computer, photography, working room.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Ah, well, you don't have to, cos you've got a dedicated study next door.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- Oh!- Which is the same size as this. - All right!
0:11:54 > 0:11:57That's why I think it's worth us stopping off in here,
0:11:57 > 0:12:02because you don't have to double up and it does extend the living space considerably if you work it out.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- That's nice.- But the kitchen I think is where this house really starts to come together.- OK.- Look at this.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Tell me what you think of this.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- Oh, hello!- Excellent!- Yeah!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- That's brought a smile, you see? - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- It's a nice kitchen.- Very nice.- This is a relatively recent extension.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27It's given us this lovely kitchen/diner
0:12:27 > 0:12:32and a very nice master en suite upstairs, which we'll have a look at shortly.
0:12:32 > 0:12:38But I think, in terms of young, funky, busy, family room,
0:12:38 > 0:12:40- this works a treat.- Yep.
0:12:40 > 0:12:46- Utility room through here.- OK.- So all the other white goods, washing machine, et cetera, in there.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- Yep.- They've put in a new decking area out there,
0:12:48 > 0:12:50which again is making use of the view,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52and a bit of al fresco and so on.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56I mean, we don't, of course, have a separate dining room for you.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- No formal dining room. - Does that matter?
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Would that be big enough when everybody's here?
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- Yeah.- I think so. - We could make it work.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08'The ground floor also benefits from a cloakroom just off the reception hall.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12'Upstairs there's a modern family bathroom and four large bedrooms.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16One is a bright and neutral double, useful as a guest room,
0:13:16 > 0:13:21and there are two other doubles perfect for their young children. That just leaves the master.'
0:13:22 > 0:13:26But this is the one that we have in mind for you.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- Oh, that's nice with the balcony outside.- Very nice. Very bright. - Yeah.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Also gives you your en suite.- Yep.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- Very nice. - And walk-in wardrobe over there.- OK.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- Walk-in wardrobe.- Yep.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44But the balcony's quite a nice touch. Again, making use of the views.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49- And it just gives you your little bit of space.- Absolutely.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54'There isn't a fifth bedroom here, which I know is something important to Darcy and Nicole,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57'but this house stands in a large plot that could be further extended,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59'with the right planning permissions, of course.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02'But any building works would depend on the price being right.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05'So let's get outside and figure it all out.'
0:14:05 > 0:14:08In terms of garden size,
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- this is the biggest bit, the kind of play area, I suppose.- OK.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15For the boys and Charlie the dog.
0:14:15 > 0:14:21- But...- This is nice. It's contained so you don't lose sight of kids and dogs.- Very child-proof.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25There is also that little gate, which goes up to a bit of woodland that you also own.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28So, property number one.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33Let's think about your budget of £650,000, Nicole.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Who's going to go first?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- Go on, Darcy, what do you think? - I'm going to take a stab at it.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41I'm going to say 615.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43£615,000.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Nicole?
0:14:45 > 0:14:49I'm going to go... 590.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- 590!- Ooh, optimistic.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Optimistic, yeah. Well, who knows?
0:14:55 > 0:15:00It could be yours for 598.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- Oh!- You see?
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- We have kind of raced through it. - OK.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Go and take your time now, explore it at your leisure,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- and see if you can't figure out how to work with the space that's on offer.- OK. Excellent.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- I'll catch up with you later. - Sounds good.- Off you go. Brilliant.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Well, there we are, property number one. Great start. And I think great view.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26'Comfortably under-budget at £598,000,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30'our first home is a large, detached and extended country house
0:15:30 > 0:15:32'with outstanding panoramic views.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35'The property comes with three reception rooms,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37'a spacious kitchen/diner,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40'four double bedrooms and well-tended gardens
0:15:40 > 0:15:43'in a plot that extends to about half an acre
0:15:43 > 0:15:46'with its own private area of enclosed woodland.'
0:15:46 > 0:15:48House number one for me was a good start.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51It's an absolutely gorgeous property.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56The sitting room had the window, the view, it's absolutely what we're looking for,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59but I started to get a bit worried about the size of the rooms.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02I think that we need something with a little bit more space.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06I enjoyed the house. It gave me a good feeling when I first walked in the door.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08The kitchen in particular I really enjoyed.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12It was very well done. It's fairly open-plan, so you can do a lot of entertaining in there.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Of course, the view. You can't forget about the view. It's stunning here.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- After you, sir.- Thank you very much. - Madam.- Thank you.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25I'd make a really good butler. I spend my life opening and closing doors for people.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28But it's always a pleasure. That was property number one.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- Happy so far?- Yep. Off to a good start.- Very good start.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34All right, then. Two more to come. Let's go this way.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49'Named Cantia by the Romans back in the first century AD,
0:16:49 > 0:16:54'Kent's lush green landscape became known as the garden of England during the Tudor period.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58'But the county's history has also been defined by the sea,
0:16:58 > 0:17:02'with a number of significant ports that have protected the coast since medieval times.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07'As Darcy and Nicole have expressed an interest in adventurous family days out,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10'earlier in the week we sent them for a seafaring experience
0:17:10 > 0:17:12'at the historic dockyard of Chatham.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15'In a prime spot on the banks of the River Medway,
0:17:15 > 0:17:20'this port has played a vital role in supporting the Royal Navy for over 400 years
0:17:20 > 0:17:24'and is also home to one of only two working paddle steamers in the UK.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27'Our buyers met up with Captain John Megoran
0:17:27 > 0:17:31'who has been at the helm of this vintage vessel for more than 30 years.'
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- Hi. Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you, as well.
0:17:34 > 0:17:41Welcome to Kingswear Castle. She's a coal-fired paddle steamer, one of very few left in the world.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46- Well, shall we go for a trip? Would you like to come on board? - Absolutely.- Love to.- This way.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50'The Kingswear Castle was actually built in Devon in 1924
0:17:50 > 0:17:55'for service on the River Dart, but she now runs excursions here in Kent.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00'Historically, this stretch of the Medway was used to ferry holidaymakers to seaside hotspots
0:18:00 > 0:18:03'such as Southend, Clacton and Ramsgate.'
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Here we are in the engine room. We have a nice steam engine on one side
0:18:08 > 0:18:11and we have a lovely coal-fired boiler on the other.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- How is the coal fed into that?- Coal is fed in by people who throw it in.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18People like you, maybe.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20There's a spade there and there's gloves there
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- in this health and safety conscious world.- Yes.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27We've got a shovel over there and we've got a bunker full of two tons of coal.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29So you get a nice shovel full of coal.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36'This beautifully restored paddle steamer
0:18:36 > 0:18:39'was withdrawn from service in 1965
0:18:39 > 0:18:43'but was rescued and renovated by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45'a charity founded in 1959
0:18:45 > 0:18:48to help preserve these iconic pleasure boats.'
0:18:48 > 0:18:50WHISTLE BLOWS
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Steering a ship is just like steering a car.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01The key thing is just lining the mast up with something in the distance.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- So there you are, have a go. - Excellent.- Off you go.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- So steady as she goes. - THEY LAUGH
0:19:08 > 0:19:12'Well, having charted new territory out on the water,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15'let's get back on course and continue with our property hunt.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30'Our next destination is the village of Shadoxhusrt,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34'within easy reach of Ashford's high-speed rail connection into London
0:19:34 > 0:19:36'and close to some good primary schools.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39'A quiet country village on the Kent Weald,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41'Shadoxhurst has a number of buildings of architectural interest,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44'including a 13th century church.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48'Now, our first property, grandiose though it may have been to many,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51'seemed a bit too cosy for Darcy and Nicole.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56'So our next job is to up the ante with an even bigger home for house number two.'
0:19:58 > 0:20:05Now, property number two is a very different package to property number one, as you can see.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08There you are. What do you think?
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- It's beautiful.- Impressive. - There's a lot of it.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16Just to put it in context, what we've got is a lovely Victorian farmhouse, as you can see.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18That has five bedrooms in it.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21It also has, tucked away in this new wing,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25which comprises these three double garages, too,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27a bona fide two-bedroom annexe.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30The only thing I would say to you is that, beautiful as it is,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33it is probably not young and funky.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37OK? So what I want to see from you is what you would do with it
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- if I were to give you the keys tomorrow.- Hm.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43But there is a lot to see.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- OK.- Let's start with the annexe. - Sounds good.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49'As well as more square footage,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53'this period farmhouse could offer our buyers the flexibility they're after.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55'So let's see if it might work for them.'
0:20:59 > 0:21:03So we'll start in here. This is the living room of the annexe.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06As you can see, kitchen running off it.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10One of the double bedrooms in there, they've got a twin set up at the moment,
0:21:10 > 0:21:14but the other one is very similar, and the bathroom that goes with it.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16So would the guests be happy?
0:21:16 > 0:21:20As soon as they walk in, they'll think they're at some sort of resort.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- It's very nice.- It's separate from the main building.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26You're joined with that covered link, which is nice,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29so whatever the weather is doing... Again, it's space and how you use it.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33'One end of the annexe is attached to triple garages
0:21:33 > 0:21:38'which have been converted into useful office space and a games room.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41'The other side of the annexe is linked to the main house via a long hallway
0:21:41 > 0:21:45'accessing a utility room and the kitchen/breakfast room,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47'which is where we've stopped off next.'
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Again, think about it in terms of space.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52- Yeah, it's a good size. - Very good size.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55We'd just have to take it out and start over.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- The other thing is, this also has a separate dining room.- OK. - Which is through here.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03So you could have quite a grand life if you really want to.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06You'll see what I mean. Let's go and check out the living room.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13- I mean, anywhere else, this would be quite a nice living room, but this is just the hallway.- Wow.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16And this is the living room.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Ah!- Wow!- Yeah? - This is...- This is more like it.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Yeah.- This is more like it.- Big.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25The size is what really gets me. Nice and big.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- Yeah?- Yeah. - Double doors out there to the patio
0:22:29 > 0:22:34- at the rear of the property itself. - You could make it your own. - Blank canvas, really.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Well, as I said to you on the outside, space is not an issue here.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41There's also a snug down here. You've got the hallway itself.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- Bags of room.- Big smiles.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48- Big smiles!- Yeah.- They will continue upstairs, I'm sure.- Excellent. - Let's have a look at this.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52'On the first floor, the space continues to impress,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55'with a family bathroom that even has enough room for an armchair.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58'And there are five bedrooms to choose from.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02'The smallest is currently being used as an office, then there are two similar sized doubles,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05'one of which has dual-aspect windows.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08'The fourth is a very light, elegant double.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12'And last but definitely not least is the main bedroom.'
0:23:13 > 0:23:17So, is this a Canadian master?
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- Ooh, yeah! - Yeah. We could fit in here.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Almost as big as the living room! - Isn't it just?
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- Well, it's above the living room, which probably gives it away, but it's a whopper.- Yes.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- It has to be said.- Very nice.- The other thing to say about this room
0:23:28 > 0:23:32is that you have got an en suite, which is just in here.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- Have a look at that.- Good size.
0:23:34 > 0:23:39As I said as we wandered into this property, there is nothing about this which is tiny.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42And I think you'll agree, now we've seen most of it,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- it would accommodate you. - It has the size, for sure, yep.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- Yeah?- We could put our own mark on it.- Yeah. Good.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53'Well, room sizes seem to fit and they're not adverse to renovating,
0:23:53 > 0:23:57'but their enthusiasm seems to have dipped a little.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00'Outside, the majority of the garden is to the front of the property,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02'bordered by shrubs and plants.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06'So let's take in the grounds and see if the price will pique their interest once again.'
0:24:07 > 0:24:12So, as promised, let's have this always slightly challenging conversation
0:24:12 > 0:24:14about the money.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18At the back of the property, we've not seen this bit yet, you can see just how big it is.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22So, Darcy, £650,000 to play with.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Where are we with property number two?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28I'm going to say around 645.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- I'm forever the optimist. - SHE LAUGHS
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- I'm going to go 615. - Ohh! That's very optimistic!
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I'm afraid your husband
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- is nearly right this time. - Yes! Thank you!
0:24:39 > 0:24:42This could be yours for £650,000.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- OK.- Oh.- OK? So it's one-all.- Yep. - Yep.- One-all on the price guesses.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49But, of course, there is one little bit you haven't yet seen.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51- That's the converted office space. Have a look at that.- OK.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55- And I'll catch up with you later. - OK, sounds good.- Somewhere in there.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Undoubtedly, we'll all get lost, cos it's enormous!
0:25:01 > 0:25:05'Bang on budget at £650,000,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08'the second house is practically a property of two halves.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11'The main Victorian residence has three reception rooms,
0:25:11 > 0:25:15'a large kitchen/diner and five spacious double bedrooms.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19'But it's also linked to a self-contained two-bedroom annexe.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22'So the whole package gives them lots of rooms,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25'and more importantly, lots of options.'
0:25:25 > 0:25:29House number two, er, well, size-wise is bang on.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Nice big rooms. And even the bonus of having the two-bedroom annexe
0:25:33 > 0:25:35to the side there, which is a complete bonus.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39House number two, for me, was surprising. I could see a blank canvas.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44Pros, the big rooms, the space, the extra bedrooms.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Cons, I'm not a fan of the front garden.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51It's not really a lawn that you could have the kids playing football in.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54It's more of a gardener's lawn than what we're looking for.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Here you are! Hurrah! I thought you'd actually gotten lost in there.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01I think this has been quite interesting.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- Yeah.- Very.- Surprisingly so.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09- Good!- It just keeps going. - It does, doesn't it? It goes on and on and on.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12- As, indeed...- Do we. - ..do we. Come on.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28'As the sun sets across the Kent meadows,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32'the first day of our property search draws to a close.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39'With a budget of £650,000
0:26:39 > 0:26:42'Canadian-born Darcy and Nicole
0:26:42 > 0:26:44'want to leave their southeast London suburban house
0:26:44 > 0:26:48'to raise their two young sons in the Kent countryside.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52'So far, we've taken them to two incredible family homes.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56'But despite their gargantuan proportions, they didn't quite hit the mark.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00'But could what's coming up in the mystery house completely turn the tide?'
0:27:00 > 0:27:05- I thought I was supposed to be the emotional one.- I know. And now I'm getting all...
0:27:05 > 0:27:08'And I'll be experiencing a pocket of Kent that's blooming marvellous.'
0:27:10 > 0:27:15Well, when we started our house search yesterday morning, I was feeling pretty optimistic,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18but now, if I'm honest, I'm beginning to have my doubts.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21I'm not entirely sure that either Nicole or Darcy
0:27:21 > 0:27:24know exactly what it is they're looking for.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28But two houses in, we've got one more to come, of course. It's mystery house time!
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Hopefully that will do the trick.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37So far, we've shown you a couple of properties
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- which have been, relatively speaking, remote.- Mm.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44So we were wondering if a slice of village life might be appealing.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- What do you think about that? - Yeah, it'd be good.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Maybe we could walk the kids to school
0:27:49 > 0:27:53or be able to pop out and grab your groceries at the end of the day.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59'Your wish is our command, as there's a primary school
0:27:59 > 0:28:03'within walking distance from our mystery house, which is in the village of Marden.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07'There's also a mainline train station for Nicole's commute into London.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09'And in true country style,
0:28:09 > 0:28:14'there's a traditional farm shop in the village, the perfect place to start.'
0:28:15 > 0:28:19How about this, then? A shop full of local produce.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21And this is Bev, who runs it.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25- Tell us, Marden is a nice place to be, isn't it?- It's a wonderful village to live in.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27It's very vibrant. You're very close to so many things.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31You're close to the beach, to France, and especially to London.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35But there's a lot going on. There are lots of clubs, some pubs and restaurants.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37You're just close to everything here.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39- Who's a fan of strawberries? - Absolutely.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Yes? Right, let's have a box of strawberries, Bev.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45And as we're here, let's get a cake,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49- because this may come in useful later on.- Oh, yes.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51When we have a little chat about the future.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55There we are. Let's have a cake and some strawberries. Lovely!
0:28:55 > 0:28:58- Let's hope we've found you some new customers! - THEY LAUGH
0:28:58 > 0:29:02'But before the dessert, let's serve up the main course - our mystery house.'
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- What do you think of that one? - Very cool.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- Yeah?- Very interesting. - Never been in an oast house before.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12We couldn't really come to Kent without showing you one of these. Come on, then, follow me.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15'Believed to date back to 1854,
0:29:15 > 0:29:20'this fascinating oast house was converted into a fabulous family home around 1950.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24'It isn't listed but it does contain many fine period features.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28'And one thing's for sure - the bones of this old industrial building
0:29:28 > 0:29:30'are exposed in all their glory.'
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Wow.- You like?- Very nice. - Let's start in here.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38- This is your formal dining room. - Wow.- Look at the smiles!- Wow!
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- The beams.- The beams! - Love the beams.- I love it.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Arguably, this is the most characterful of the properties we've been able to show you
0:29:44 > 0:29:48in terms of history and heritage, and I'm beginning to think we've missed a trick.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50- Maybe we should've started with history.- I know.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54- Yeah.- The whole young, funky thing threw me a little bit.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Yeah.- Yeah! OK, so this is working?
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- It is working.- Definitely. - Yeah.- Smiles all around.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03You see? History's working. It often does.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Follow me back through here.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11- There we are. More dining space. - Wow.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- If it were needed. - Nice.- Very impressed.- Yeah?
0:30:15 > 0:30:17It's been done very well.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21This is just the dining end. The rest of the kitchen itself is through here.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23- There you are.- Ah!
0:30:23 > 0:30:25- Oh, wow!- It's cute!- Cute?- Yeah.
0:30:25 > 0:30:31- Very nice.- Kind of feels like a real chef's kitchen with the wood blocks and the stove there.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35- Yes, that's a pretty industrial look, isn't it?- Yeah.- It is, yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39But I like that. I think it's quite a bold bit of contemporary
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- in this otherwise quite old building.- OK.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- Yeah.- It'll work.- It'll work!
0:30:45 > 0:30:50- I think this is...- I can see myself spending a lot of time in here.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- Yeah. But you do need somewhere to relax.- Yes.- And that's through here.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00- What about this, Nicole? - Ooh! The beams again.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- Yeah!- Very nice!- That's beautiful.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07- Feels like a family room. - And through here, there is this enormous garden room.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11- I didn't see that.- Yeah. And there's a play area for the children,
0:31:11 > 0:31:16family gatherings, doors out onto the garden, which we'll see later on.
0:31:16 > 0:31:21It just really doubles, effectively, the living room space that the house offers...
0:31:21 > 0:31:25- Yeah.- ..in a really clever way. So, good, I'm really pleased!
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- Yeah!- Yeah.- I'm really pleased. So are you.- Definitely.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- I thought I was supposed to be the emotional one.- I know, and now I'm getting all...
0:31:32 > 0:31:36- This is a good sign, I suspect. - THEY LAUGH
0:31:36 > 0:31:39'What a great reaction to our mystery house.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42'And while more detail almost seems irrelevant,
0:31:42 > 0:31:47'there is also a handy utility room downstairs next to a cloakroom.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49'So, that's the ground floor covered.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53'Upstairs, there are two more levels and four more bedrooms to explore.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58'At the very top, in the oast roof space, is a twin bedroom,
0:31:58 > 0:32:03'and then down a level, the first floor is served by both a large and stylish family bathroom
0:32:03 > 0:32:06'and a shower room - ideal for visiting guests.
0:32:06 > 0:32:12'This floor also has three bedrooms, including a huge double with handy built-in storage
0:32:12 > 0:32:15'and a smaller bedroom, being used as a play room.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17'But now, finally, the master.'
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- This would be for you.- Oh!
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- Good size.- The beams!- Yeah, I know!
0:32:24 > 0:32:28- Very nice.- Yeah.- This is perfect.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32It has enough character that you can almost imagine anything, really,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35but putting your own furniture in it, it would be...
0:32:35 > 0:32:39A bit of a novelty to start, but I can definitely see how you would make it a home.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42We always thought we wanted a finished, contemporary house that was done,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- and now we're... - Open-plan... And now look!
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Now look what you've done to us. - We're stepping back in time almost.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52- It's a proper research trip, isn't it?- Yeah.- Good!
0:32:52 > 0:32:54'Well, what a turn up for the books.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57'And outside has even more potential.'
0:32:57 > 0:33:01- How about it?- Yeah.- It's huge! - Isn't it enormous?- Perfect.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06Now, as we've just seen, the four bedrooms may be of some concern.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10My thought, you've got this lovely garage here behind us,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13plenty of space in it. Depending on how much you need a garage,
0:33:13 > 0:33:17obviously, subject to the right conversation with the local planning authority,
0:33:17 > 0:33:23but you might be able to accommodate a bit more bedroom space, as it were, in there
0:33:23 > 0:33:25as a sort of guest house.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27OK. Absolutely.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30All right, then, let's draw this to a close.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35- So, madam? - I don't think I can be quite as optimistic in my guess this time.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39- No, I don't think so. - No. OK, I'm going to go £685,000.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41685. Darcy?
0:33:41 > 0:33:45I will also slightly go over-budget and I'll say 670.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49- Come on, make our day!- Yeah! THEY LAUGH
0:33:49 > 0:33:52All right. I don't know if this is going to make your day or not.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56Erm, this would be yours for
0:33:56 > 0:34:03- £669,950.- Oh, OK!
0:34:03 > 0:34:05- It's an immaculate house. It's gorgeous.- Yeah.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- Right, then. Off you go.- All right. - I'll catch up with you later.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11Look at that! No stopping them! They're rushing back in there!
0:34:11 > 0:34:13And I don't blame them. It's a wonderful property, this.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17And take it from somebody who's grown up with a real love of history,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20the past is often perfect.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27'Priced just over their budget at just under £670,000,
0:34:27 > 0:34:31'the mystery property is a mid-19th century converted oast house
0:34:31 > 0:34:36'that achieves that fine balance of history and character with a contemporary twist.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39'It has two reception rooms, both brimming with beams,
0:34:39 > 0:34:43'a cool kitchen/breakfast room and four bedrooms.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46'What's more, it's located in the heart of a village
0:34:46 > 0:34:50'within walking distance of all the essential amenities.'
0:34:50 > 0:34:54We thought we wanted a contemporary build, something that's finished,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57but it turns out we love character and we love beams,
0:34:57 > 0:35:02which is great. It's nice to have our minds changed like that, opened up to something new.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05The real sort of older English country feel to the house
0:35:05 > 0:35:08is something I didn't realise that I wanted before.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12On the downside, I'm just not too sure it has the bedroom space we're looking for.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17We really do need five bedrooms, and five big bedrooms at that.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20I tell you, we could do so much with this back garden.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- We could put a hot tub up on that deck. - A nice pool in the middle there.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Hot tubs, pools.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Well, on a day like this, guys, I can't blame you.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30It's a really nice idea.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33But you're going to have to leave it there for the moment. I'm going to drag you away.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38- You've got a lot to think about. - We do.- Yeah, you do. Come on, let's go and get a cold drink somewhere.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56'For me, a tour of Kent wouldn't be complete
0:35:56 > 0:35:59'without a visit to the gardens at Sissinghurst Castle.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03'They were created in the 1930s by the novelist and poet Vita Sackville-West
0:36:03 > 0:36:07'and her politician husband Harold Nicolson.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10'The garden was first opened to the public in 1938
0:36:10 > 0:36:13'and I made my first trip here a decade ago.
0:36:13 > 0:36:20'But I simply couldn't pass up the chance to explore it all over again with head gardener Lexi Datta.'
0:36:20 > 0:36:24Lex, many people will have heard of Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson
0:36:24 > 0:36:28thanks to their work in literature and politics.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31But this garden here was a very private creation, wasn't it?
0:36:31 > 0:36:35It was, yeah. They made it for themselves. It was very much their own home.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38But when they came here, it looked nothing like this.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42All these lovely old medieval and Tudor buildings were completely derelict.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Yeah, the whole place was derelict. It was in terrible condition
0:36:45 > 0:36:52and Harold really was the man for the design and layout, which is incredibly clever,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55- and she was the romantic who planted all the flowers. - Where shall we start?
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- Let's go into the rose garden. - Right, then. After you.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03'Despite its title, Sissinghurst Castle is actually a former Elizabethan manor house,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06'believed to date back to the late 1400s,
0:37:06 > 0:37:10'though only remnants of the original structure are still standing today.'
0:37:10 > 0:37:12What's lovely though, Lex,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15is the way that the remains of the old building just lift the garden, don't they?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Yeah, you look at these beautiful old walls
0:37:18 > 0:37:21and the window, part of the original windows,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24and the doorways, they add so much to it.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Well, this is just looking sensational, Lex.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- We've definitely come at the right time of year.- Yeah.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34What's growing on that lovely curved wall at the back there?
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Oh, yeah, that is clematis Perle d'Azur.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40There's about five or six plants in there and they're just coming into flower now.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Beautiful. But the wall itself, that was a Harold idea.
0:37:43 > 0:37:48It was, yeah. He travelled a lot, both of them travelled a lot in Europe and in the Middle East.
0:37:48 > 0:37:53- But there's definitely a classical undertone here.- Yes.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- He was a classicist. - In the detailing, in the form,
0:37:56 > 0:38:00- in the perspective, in the proportions.- Absolutely.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03To me, that's what makes it really special.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06'Spanning many centuries, monarchs and uses,
0:38:06 > 0:38:11'the property and gardens passed into the hands of the National Trust in the 1960s.
0:38:11 > 0:38:16'But they are undoubtedly best remembered as the family home of Vita and Harold.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20'However, theirs was a somewhat unorthodox marriage, to say the least,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23'and their bohemian lifestyle and private parties,
0:38:23 > 0:38:28'to which these immaculate gardens were the backdrop, only adds to the mystique and romanticism here.'
0:38:28 > 0:38:31One of the features of this garden that I've always admired and loved
0:38:31 > 0:38:36is this idea that all the paths kind of lead you somewhere.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Yes, and there's usually an urn or a vista at the other end of it
0:38:40 > 0:38:42to pique your interest, really.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45- So here we are in the white garden. - This is beautiful.
0:38:45 > 0:38:51I think most people coming here are left with an indelible impression of this garden.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55But what is it in your mind that really sets it above all others?
0:38:55 > 0:38:58In my mind, the buildings and the history
0:38:58 > 0:39:03and the age of the beautiful walls really adds a lot to Sissinghurst.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08When you're here working, do you ever feel that you've got Vita and Harold looking over your shoulder?
0:39:08 > 0:39:13I think about them sometimes, yeah, and I hope that she would be looking over my shoulder
0:39:13 > 0:39:16- and I hope she'd be approving. - I think she would be.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- She'd have to be!- Yeah, thanks. - THEY LAUGH
0:39:26 > 0:39:31Well, from one stately pile to another. This is Finchcocks,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34built in the early 18th century for a local lawyer.
0:39:34 > 0:39:40I thought it was the perfect place for my final conversation with Nicole and Mr Darcy.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45Well, how about this, chaps? We thought we'd set the scene
0:39:45 > 0:39:48with a bit of Pride And Prejudice for you.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Well, I am Mr Darcy, after all, so it's a fine location.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54A fine location. Sadly, not available for sale,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57not even for £650,000.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01But, of course, the burning question is have we managed to find you a property that would suit?
0:40:01 > 0:40:05So just casting your minds back to property number one
0:40:05 > 0:40:08with those, well, staggering views, really.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11What are your thoughts now you've had time to really consider it?
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Erm, beautiful house, very well done.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16The views were stunning, to die for.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18But I think we're looking for a little bit more house.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23We want to be able to grow into the house, and I think that that one was a little bit capped on size for us.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26- Hm.- I think personally, for me, the location of it.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28It felt a bit isolated for myself.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32- I'd like to be closer to a village. - OK.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37Well, space was one of the burning issues throughout this house search.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Property number two had loads of it!
0:40:40 > 0:40:46Seven bedrooms in all, including, of course, the two-bed annexe and kitchen area and all the rest of it.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- What are your thoughts on that one? - Gorgeous house,
0:40:49 > 0:40:53but that was at the top end of our budget and it really needed a lot of work.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Being the non-gardeners that we are,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58I think we wouldn't do that garden justice.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01- But as you say, it would require a makeover...- Yes.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04- ..to make it yours, really.- Yeah.
0:41:04 > 0:41:10But at that stage, I was very much in the mode of you wanting something very, very contemporary
0:41:10 > 0:41:13and quite modern-feeling. I loved the mystery house
0:41:13 > 0:41:15but I was a bit nervous when we went there,
0:41:15 > 0:41:17because I thought, "Is this going to be too old?"
0:41:17 > 0:41:20But I was completely wrong, wasn't I?
0:41:20 > 0:41:23I was surprised when we walked in. It turns out what we wanted
0:41:23 > 0:41:26wasn't quite what we wanted, I don't think.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30We loved the beams, we loved the character of it inside,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and although it was contemporary in some parts,
0:41:33 > 0:41:37it just had the history and it really felt good.
0:41:37 > 0:41:42I had a good feeling when I walked inside, which is what I wanted to have.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45I definitely think we're going to go back and look at that mystery house again,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49have a look at the outside space, see if we can convert that to extra living space,
0:41:49 > 0:41:53have another walk-through, because I think you could tell from the smiles on our faces
0:41:53 > 0:41:59- that there was a real romance when we walked through the door.- You lit up like a pair of Christmas trees!
0:41:59 > 0:42:02But that's very interesting because, as you say,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05you've found what you kind of didn't want.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07It changed our view
0:42:07 > 0:42:12- so, you know, we really didn't think that's what we were looking for. - As a mystery house should.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15I'm really pleased. And much relieved, I have to say,
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- cos I was beginning to wonder if we would eventually get there.- Yeah.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Good. Well, go and have another look at it, let us know how you get on,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- and I really hope it works out for you.- Thank you.- Appreciate it.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28- And in the meantime, remember this cake?- Ah, yes!- Let's get into this!
0:42:35 > 0:42:41Well, I think you'll agree that this week has been pretty revealing for Darcy and for Nicole.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Not only have they figured out that they now want what they thought they didn't want,
0:42:44 > 0:42:48they've also got a pretty good idea of what £650,000 will get them
0:42:48 > 0:42:51here in the glorious Kent countryside.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Just to put that in context, when this little beauty was built back in 1725,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58it cost just £5,000.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01Makes you realise just how times have changed.
0:43:03 > 0:43:08'If you would like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England
0:43:08 > 0:43:15'and would like our help, then please apply online at:'
0:43:15 > 0:43:19Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:19 > 0:43:19.