East Sussex Escape to the Country

We are in a county that has one set of sand dunes, and I'm standing on them.

And they are getting bigger every year.

The wind deposits 7,500 cubic metres of sand.

That's the equivalent of three Olympic-sized swimming pools-worth.

Where am I? Find out in just a moment.

On today's show I'm taking an artist, accompanied by her good friend,

to find a home with a difference in the countryside.

We more than deliver on character, plus amazing views at one property.

I've got a horrible feeling I can't afford this.

But as ever, the mystery house could be the one that trumps them all.

My goodness. I'm... I'm flabbergasted.

Today we're in East Sussex. This is Camber Sands,

whose entire existence is largely due to this chap,

Marram Grass.

Its roots are very deep and they catch the wind-blown sand.

Interestingly, marine biologists point out

that this grass has only been here for 300 years.

So, where did it come from?

Local legend has it that it was caused

by a shipwrecked cargo of Dutch grass seed

which landed here in the 17th century.

Hm, not so convinced by that. But one thing is certain,

it's a beautiful spot and a beautiful county.

Lying in the south of England,

the county of East Sussex is bordered by neighbouring West Sussex,

Surrey and Kent.

Its coastal town of Rye has been a port since Norman times.

The wealth of beautifully preserved streets

from the Medieval Tudor and Georgian periods

provide a glimpse of the town's long and often chequered maritime history,

even including smuggling, which back in the 18th century was rife here.

Along the coast, one of England's oldest fishing ports, Hastings,

is home to Europe's largest beach-launched fishing fleet.

Every morning their catch is wheeled to the town's fish market,

as it has been since the 1800s.

Moving inland you'll find the South Downs,

the UK's newest national park.

The South Downs Way criss-crosses the entire length of the park

and offers spectacular walks.

And the 100-mile trail has an unusual focal point

in the Long Man of Wilmington,

a mysterious 235-foot-tall figure cut into the turf on Windover Hill.

East Sussex is not cheap.

The average detached house here clocks in at just under £315,000,

which is 20 percent above the national average.

And if you're looking inland, the usual things pertain.

If you're close to a station up to London on the west side, that's more expensive.

You can get a better bargain if you look at the villages in the east.

However, if you want a bit of East Sussex with a sea view, like here,

you can add a whopping 25 to 30 percent onto the price tag.

But as you're about to discover,

there are lots of architectural delights to lure you here.

Throughout the county, you'll find many fine examples

of traditional white-weather or clapboarded homes.

Originally named after the Dutch word "klappen",

these wooden-clad properties

date back to the 17th and 18th century.

A three-bedroom family home can typically cost in the region of £300,000.

The town of Rye itself has many wonderful examples of Tudor architecture,

dating back to the 1500s.

Prices for a character home in this style

could cost in the region of £360,000 for a three-bedroom terrace.

In the 18th and early 19th century,

clay tiles were a fashionable building material,

used in the southern counties as an alternative to brickwork.

Called mathematical tiles, they were first introduced

to make weather-tight old timber-framed buildings.

For a two-bedroom house in the Lewes area,

you can typically expect to pay around £330,000.

It's a beautiful county.

Can it compete with one of the most happening parts of London, which is where today's buyer lives?

Let's find out.

Jewellery designer and artist Carol

is often out and about with Jan, her friend of 30 years,

and has lived in her stylish canal-side flat

in the north London borough of Camden for almost 12 years.

It's a place that holds many fond memories.

I think it was when I was being very creative

that I came to live in Camden.

I was doing a lot of work. I was doing some sculpture, as well,

so I had a good body of work on me.

It helped, being in Camden, the vibrancy and what have you...

Camden Market is such an eye-opener -

the colour, the vibrant shop fronts, shopkeepers...

There's so much going on.

But since being successfully treated for a tumour on her lung in 2011,

Carol's attitude to the big city has significantly altered.

I really think it's time for a change,

to exchange London and the hurly-burly of London.

I can't remember who said it, but somebody said

"If you're tired of London, you're tired of life",

but I don't think that's completely true.

I think I've still got a lot of life left.

I think it would be quite nice to spend it in a little more peaceful surroundings.

The more peaceful surroundings that Carol has chosen are those of East Sussex,

a place where good friend Jan lives.

She's pinpointed a number of ideal locations there.

Funnily enough, moving here by the canal

is a very nice place to be.

I've always wanted to live by the sea and never have,

so when I first started looking, I was immediately drawn down to the south coast.

The area I'd really like to move on to

is, erm, around East Sussex.

It's on the borders of Kent. It's Rye and Camber.

Camber Beach is fantastic,

and there is a row of houses that are actually on the beach there.

I think they are absolutely fantastic. I'd love to live there.

These two friends are looking ahead to playing a much larger role in each other's lives

once Carol makes the move.

My husband and I are looking forward to her moving closer

so that we can see more of her

and be invited to her nice new house, wherever it is!

It'll be very exciting, won't it?

When Carol finally does move to East Sussex,

it'll be great if she can have an exhibition of her art down there.

I'd be very happy to help with that.

Carol's current home is a very striking, architecturally-designed property

so her new house will have a tough act to follow.

In terms of architecture,

something contemporary, like this house, would be great,

but that's not the sort of thing you get down there, is it?

-This is a one-off, really, isn't it?

-Yes.

You wouldn't find anything like it, but you might find something contemporary.

One final thing, and that's the topic of money...

The budget for this move is £800,000.

Carol would like a property with a sea view, if she can afford it.

Her preferred area of East Sussex is the east coast,

close to towns such as Camber and Rye.

I caught up with her and Jan in the county

to discovery the finer details of what she's looking for in her new rural home.

-Welcome to East Sussex.

-Thank you!

-A beautiful sunny day(!)

You're from East Sussex, Jan, you should've brought some sun.

It's probably sunny in Burwash right now, but not here. Sorry about that.

-Carol, do you know the area?

-I do know the area quite well.

I know the area stretching from Rye to Camber and that sort of thing,

-and towards Telscombe, as well.

-Beautiful.

But Rye especially has got my number.

-It's really pretty.

-Very artistic, as well,

-because that's something you're looking for.

-The artistic community would be good.

I'd like you to tell me what you're looking for

in terms of the property, rooms and...

Three to four bedrooms

because, hopefully, my family's growing,

and a garden suitable for dogs, but not too large.

-You don't have dogs at the moment?

-I don't, but I'm looking forward to getting them.

-Excellent.

-Yes. Looking forward to that.

What else? Cosy farmhouse-look or very contemporary, which is where I am now.

Those are the physical parameters, but you want something for your artist sensibility.

Yes. Some sort of studio would be good.

It doesn't have to be north-facing, just with plenty of light,

but somewhere I can potter around and leave my stuff everywhere,

because I'm the sort of artist

who needs inspiration from little bits and pieces all over the place!

I don't constantly want to be putting things away.

-So, big...

-Well, not too big, but somewhere I can have as messy as I like.

-Shut the door afterwards.

-Yes.

-Jan, do you think she'll settle in to the countryside?

-Oh, perfectly!

-Is she going to get itchy feet?

-It's always commutable, anyway, isn't it?

It's a good distance from here to get to London if you need to.

-Good. Well, the rain's slightly setting in.

-Yes.

-We need to get you in the car and off to see the first property.

-Lovely! Thank you!

For her generous budget of £800,000,

Carol is looking for a property with character and a sea view,

a large kitchen / diner, space for an art studio,

a minimum of three bedrooms

and a large garden, as she hopes to get two dogs.

We've got three fabulous properties for Carol and Jan to view.

After each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price tag.

One of them will, of course, be our mystery house,

which I can guarantee has more than just the seaside beside it.

We've made the journey six miles west of Rye,

which is close to the leafy village of Broad Oak.

Rye itself has good rail connections to Ashford,

where Carol can hop on the high-speed train into London for her trips to the art galleries.

Broad Oak is set in pretty countryside

and has an array of amenities such as a bakery,

a general store and off licence and a local pub.

Our first house is a twin roundel oast and granary conversion,

once used for drying hops.

It comes with fantastic views over the Tillingham Valley.

So follow me.

-Here we have...

-Wow, an oast house!

-..an oast house.

-I used to live in an oast house.

-Did you?

-I did.

-So did I!

-Really?

-We've both lived in oast houses!

-I love oast houses!

-Adore them!

-Very good.

So two roundels. You've got the working cowl that moves with the wind.

-Yes.

-Beautiful.

-In terms of the location?

-Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

-Shall we look inside?

-Yes, please! Thank you.

As they've both lived in oast houses before,

they'll be accustomed to the characterful mix

of round and square rooms this property offers.

But there's more to this one than meets the eye.

-Come on in.

-Thank you.

Through the hall, straight into the kitchen...

-We'll go in here first.

-Oh, look, a roundel kitchen, Jan!

-Look at that!

-Oh, it's lovely!

-The two of you must be terribly familiar with trying to fit things into circular rooms.

-Yes.

-We're thinking that you'll probably want to put your mark upon it.

-Oh, definitely, yes.

I would like to contemporise this kitchen.

Those tiles aren't very me, and what have you.

But I'm not dismissing it because of that.

I do like it. The shape is fantastic.

People square it off quite a lot.

This is why this is so nicely fitted.

I'm pleased they're impressed with the design of this lovely round kitchen.

Just off it, there's a utility room, which is adjacent to a shower room.

One the other side of the kitchen is the dining room.

But we're heading to the main reception.

So back to a square room in this instance.

-Nice fire.

-That's a very nice room.

-It's got a nice feel about it.

-It has, hasn't it?

If you strip all the furniture out,

you've just got the beams, the plaster and the brickwork.

Absolutely.

Then there's this space out here,

which might work in terms of a studio.

-It might.

-There are lots of options.

-You've got the skylight down here.

-Yes.

-You could also box it all the way down to the kitchen.

-Mm.

That's a really good idea, yes.

There's lots you could do here. But there is also something else. Follow me...

In here is where this house delivers its big surprise.

-Ta-da!

-Oh, my heavens! Look, isn't that wonderful?!

-My favourite thing!

-Is it?

-Absolutely!

-I love swimming!

-Do you?

-So, you'd keep it, would you?

-I would. Oh, definitely.

Look at the reflection of the garden in the end of the pool.

-It's beautiful!

-We did that specially for you!

It could've gone either way, but it seems Carol is delighted to have a pool.

With that treat delivered, it's time to head upstairs

where there are three double bedrooms,

two of which are located in the roundel part of the house.

One of them also has an ensuite.

But I'm going to show Carol where she could be sleeping.

-Come in on.

-Thank you.

This is the master bedroom, based on the same size as the sitting room.

-Yes. Very good size.

-It is.

-With a nice ensuite.

-And what is the view like?

-Very nice.

-Again, down the valley.

-Perfect. Look, Jan.

-Beautiful view!

-Yes.

-Well, that's the lot inside. Shall we pop outside?

-Yes, please!

-And the price, of course...

-Oh, gosh!

The grounds outside cover 1.5 acres, mostly made up of lawn

with mature shrubs and trees, as well as a pond.

It also offers a double garage and a patio area for some al fresco entertaining.

How much do you think

this double roundel oast house comes in at?

The pool is a bonus, as far as I'm concerned,

but to some people it wouldn't be,

-so I'm going to say about 700.

-700. Jan, what does the local think?

Well, I've just had the figure of 750 in my mind,

but perhaps taking into consideration that it's dated,

maybe 725.

Well, you should've listened to your local voice

because it is on the market for 750!

Go and have a look around because there's bits you haven't seen,

especially the outside, there's a huge garage.

-I'll see you out the front.

-OK. Thank you.

-Thank you.

At £750,000,

this characterful oast house leaves Carol a good sum of money for any updating.

It offers a large and round kitchen, a generous amount of living space,

a light sunroom, which could be turned into an art studio,

a swimming pool, three bedrooms

and over an acre-and-a-half of grounds.

I thought it looked very cosy, actually.

Because I previously lived in an oast,

I thought this one looked very compact and neat.

And it is. Absolutely lovely. Very good start. Very good indeed.

The only thing that worries me is that it is quite isolated.

But as far as the actual house is concerned,

I think it would suit her admirably.

The weather's clearing up. You can actually see a view now. You can see things.

-On a clear day, you can see the windmills over Romney Marshes.

-Wow.

-No time to dawdle, though, because we've got another house to visit.

-Okey-dokey!

Awarded National Park status in 2009,

the South Downs is also home to a multitude of vibrant, working communities

steeped in history,

such as the lively market town of Lewes.

Dominated by the remains of its 11th-century castle,

the town has made a name for itself as a cultural hub,

due to its many bookshops and art galleries.

Just a few miles from Lewes is Charleston House,

which, in the early 20th century, became the country retreat

of the artistic intellectuals and bohemians known as the Bloomsbury Group.

Novelist Virginia Woolf and economist John Maynard Keynes were among the visitors here.

As Carol is a keen artist herself,

we arranged for her and Jan to visit the house for an artistic experience of their own.

-Hello!

-Hello!

They were welcomed by director Colin McKenzie and artist Sophie Coryndon.

Welcome to the house that was the home of the Bloomsbury Group from 1916.

It was the artist Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell's,

and it was their home from 1916 till the ends of their lives.

With a breath-taking disregard for the fact that it was rented, it was never owned by them,

from the moment they arrived they started painting every surface

-with their own designs and patterns, as you'll see.

-Yes!

-Come and be inspired.

-Yes, please!

-Let's start in the studio.

It was Virginia Woolf, who lived in nearby Asham House,

who originally found this property for her elder sister Vanessa Bell.

It's now home to the world's only surviving decorated Bloomsbury-style interior.

Every fixture in every room is painted in the bold and distinctive style,

from linen and coal boxes

to fireplaces and underneath the window ledges,

turning the whole place into one big work of art.

And now Sophie, who runs painting workshops here,

is going to help Carol and Jan get creative.

-Are you suitably inspired by the house?

-I am.

Yes. I don't know that we can keep up the standard!

-I'm sure you can.

-Apparently there isn't a standard, is there?

-Exactly. Duncan Grant said, "There's no such thing as bad art."

-Excellent!

You've got free rein! We've got some lovely colours here.

-I see you've brought something from home with you.

-Yes. I've got a wooden wine box.

Hopefully, we can give you a little bit of Charleston to take to your new home.

Carol and Jan start off their own works of art with a base coat of paint.

The Bloomsbury style is all about using geometric shapes,

basic patterns and strong colours with a real sense of vibrancy and enthusiasm.

Jan is aiming to replicate the pattern of a table she's seen in a house,

while Carol has her own design in mind for her wine box - a grape motif.

I thought I'd try and be very arty

and do them in three colours.

You're doing a fantastic job. You're straight in there. That's what I like to see.

If this takes your fancy, all you need are brushes, water-based emulsion paints,

some sandpaper to get that distressed effect,

and a wax, such as beeswax, to seal and protect your design.

When they're completely dry,

a really light sand with a very light sandpaper...

So just literally wiping that over the surface

and you'll see instantly what that does.

-It softens your painting.

-Does it?

That's certainly got Carol all inspired for her new property.

Let's head back to our house search and try and find her that dream home.

We've travelled around nine miles southwest of Rye

to the peaceful village of Pett,

which is surrounded by beautiful countryside and farmland.

Most of the main amenities can be found in nearby towns such as Rye and Hastings.

But it does offer a post office and a pub with a restaurant.

At the east end of Pett Village is Pett Level,

a small seaside community that's a haven for wildfowl.

It's also home to property number two,

a 1920s half-timbered cottage, complete with thatched roof.

Oh, my goodness!

Look at that!

-Goodness gracious me.

-Fabulous!

-How lovely is that?

Beautiful building. Lots of interesting history.

It's sort of a celebration of Arts and Crafts-style inside,

but the surroundings are amazing.

I want to have a look inside because I want to make sure it's as nice inside, really.

I can't imagine!

-Let's walk on up.

-OK.

We're off to an excellent start with the very striking and unusual exterior to this house.

Wow! Isn't that fabulous! Look at that door!

-And the herringbone twill.

-Yes!

I'm sure Carol and Jan are going to be very taken with the inside, too.

-So beautiful panelling...

-Lovely. Very, very charming.

-It goes through here. It's a slightly unusual layout.

-Yes.

And it's not massive, but it's very charming.

Oh, isn't that lovely?

Oh, that is very nice.

Yes, you see, they've linked together the contemporary with the old

and also with the Arts and Crafts. Brilliant.

And the leaded windows, which often make it a bit dark,

-don't in this house...

-No, no.

-..because there are so many of them.

-Wow.

-Lots of "wows" and "oohs" and "ahhs"!

-Gasping!

-Still a bit speechless.

-Gorgeous.

-I can see you in here.

Jan seems convinced by this property,

and we've only seen the sitting room so far.

On the opposite side of the triangular entrance hall sits a dining room,

which boasts a feature fireplace and more of those leaded windows.

Let's see if the kitchen will have equal appeal for Carol and Jan.

-Come on in.

-Oh, my goodness gracious me!

-Look!

-Yes!

-Look at that.

-It's got a range.

-Isn't that fabulous?

-Just what you wanted!

-Oh, golly.

-It's not a massive kitchen.

-No.

-Is it going to be big enough for you? I

-think so, yes.

-Moving on...!

-That's it! No, absolutely.

-It's a lovely, sunny space.

-I just need an area to chop and cook and that's it.

I think you'll use this space a lot more.

Oh, wow, yes. Yes. This is lovely.

We were thinking this might be a space where you could do your art.

-Yes. It seems a shame...

-To mess it up!

It is, in many ways, absolutely perfect

because it's so light and... Yes.

Actually, I think I'd like to move so you can't have it!

-I think I want to live here.

-Hands off!

-Can I have first dibs on this?

-It's Carol's house.

-It's amazing. Amazing.

-It's so absolutely lovely.

It looks like Carol's got some competition for this fabulous house.

Upstairs, there are three good-sized bedrooms,

all with those very characterful leaded windows.

Some have a feature fireplace, too.

They all share the very smart bathroom.

Next door to the master is a sunroom,

which could be an alternative choice for Carol's art studio.

But I'm going to show her the master bedroom,

which is where she could be resting her head.

-How neat!

-Lovely window seat, as well.

You could put cushions there and read your poetry at night(!)

-As I'm sure you do on a regular basis!

-I do! Of course I do!

-This is lovely.

-Beautiful. Yes, it's a lovely room.

So far, I haven't stopped grinning, I don't think!

Another aspect of this house that would surely make them smile

is in the modern extension at the rear -

a gigantic home cinema.

Very luxurious.

Time to show them the grounds.

Outside, there's about an acre of land,

with immaculate lawns and plenty of shady trees.

It also has a rather grand summerhouse on a brick plinth

that rotates to catch the sun all day.

But even that isn't the highlight of the garden.

-Oh!

-So...

-Any idea where we are?

-Right by the sea!

-Yes! We are indeed.

-I'm hoping it's going to be...

-Lookie there.

-Oh, wow!

-..Carol's heart's desire there.

-Oh, that is wonderful.

-There is the sea.

-Oh, my goodness!

-Lovely!

-You have a path down to a viewing platform.

-You can't actually climb all the way down to the beach.

-You can't.

But there's a path outside of your property.

Absolutely wow! Magnificent.

It's mind-blowing, actually! It's absolutely fantastic.

I've got a horrible feeling I can't afford this.

-I know I can't!

-A-ha! Let's spin around...

..and take a look at the house.

What do you think this little 1920s slice of loveliness is worth?

Oh, golly, golly, golly...

Well, it's, I would say, yes,

towards a million.

-I haven't got that much, so how about 900?

-Mm-hm.

-Jan?

-Mm...

I'm going to say 825.

-825.

-Am I being daft?

This is actually on the market at 795.

-You're joking?

-You could buy it.

-I could buy it!

That's almost unbelievable.

-Have a look around, explore.

-Thank you.

-I'll see you a bit later.

-Right.

Towards the top end of Carol's budget, at £795,000,

this stunning property delivers on all her demands

and gives her a few extras.

It has a large kitchen,

a choice of rooms to use as an art studio,

a home cinema, three bedrooms, grounds large enough for two dogs

and a sea view from the end of the garden.

Well, property two is absolutely magical.

It's really quite sumptuous. I can see myself here.

The house is just lovely. It's very small and neat,

but very contained and cosy and sweet and very, very nice.

Carol's bowled over with this property

and I think it's amazing myself.

I don't know whether she's found her dream house to escape to the country or not,

but she would find it hard to find anything nicer than this. It's beautiful.

These are amazing, these roses. There's probably about £5,000 worth of roses just in this circle!

-Hello, ladies.

-Hello!

-I'm going to have to take you away from Wonderland, I'm afraid.

-This is a great shame.

-You like it here.

-I'd like to stay.

-I think she'll be back!

-You can come back.

-Good.

-If you pay...!

-We will return.

So as dusk falls over the magnificent East Sussex countryside,

it marks the end of a very promising first day of house-hunting.

After a recent health scare,

jewellery designer and artist Carol is looking to make the move from the busy London borough of Camden

to the tranquillity of East Sussex.

Her friend Jan has come along to help her find the property of her dreams.

So far, they've been impressed with what they've seen.

An oast house with a pool put smiles on their faces,

and a 1920s Arts and Craft property with a sea view

had them in raptures.

But coming up, the mystery house could just blow the other two out of the water.

I'm not that easily pleased, really,

but this has been quite exceptional, this whole trip. This is amazing.

And I go kite-flying in a buggy on the sands at Camber.

Day two in East Sussex and yesterday,

with the thatched house, was a triumph.

But we did think that maybe that property, beautiful as it is,

secluded up on top of a cliff,

might be a little too remote for Carol,

bearing in mind she's recovering from a big illness

and also that she loved the hustle and bustle of Camden.

So we found her the mystery house.

We've travelled around five miles west of Hastings

to the coastal resort of Bexhill-on-Sea.

Its wide promenade and award-winning beach

are overlooked by the famous De La Warr Pavilion,

an entertainment and artistic hub.

I'm taking Carol and Jan to meet Sally Ann Lycett

to take a peek at their latest sculptural exhibit on the roof.

-Oh, wow!

-HE LAUGHS

That's amazing!

It's by the celebrated sculptor Richard Wilson

and is inspired by the very famous final scene of the film The Italian Job.

What about volunteers? Is there a way that Carol can get involved?

-Absolutely!

-I have done some volunteering for the Roundhouse.

Oh, right! There's plenty of opportunities to get involved, become a member.

Because I don't know anybody in this area, in fact, I don't know Bexhill at all well,

so it would be nice as a way of meeting people.

Yes. I think we find that a lot of our volunteers

-use the pavilion for that purpose.

-Yes, the social context.

And we run courses, as well.

I know that you're interested in art. We run art courses...

-SHE LAUGHS

-..art appreciation courses,

artist critique groups, so that kind of thing you could get involved in.

-It's getting better all the time!

-It is, isn't it?

A mere stone's throw from the pavilion is our mystery house,

a grade II listed Edwardian seafront property.

It's got a sea view to die for, as Carol requested.

However, it isn't detached, being part of a terrace.

We'll have to see if the striking architecture can overcome that hurdle.

-Come on in!

-Thank you.

-This is the mystery house we've selected for you.

-Oh, wow!

-My goodness. I'm flabbergasted.

-That is gorgeous.

That is so different to any of the other two!

-It doesn't look that contemporary.

-No, it's turn of the century.

-Do you see these little Indian-themed chimney stacks?

-Yes.

The rumour was that it was built for the Maharaja of Cooch Behar...

-Right!

-..at the turn of the century.

-Did you make that up?

And as you see, a terrace of beach houses.

Yes, it's lovely. It couldn't be much nearer to the beach.

This is very nice. Very tropical!

-Let's go down the garden path and see the house.

-Lovely.

First impressions seem to be very favourable indeed.

The unusual south-facing garden, with its architectural-style plants,

leads us past a deep deck to a set of French doors.

And these, in turn, take us into the lower level of this stunning property.

Come in from the blinding beach light into this...

-Oh! Wow.

-This is lovely and light.

-Very contemporary.

-Very contemporary! This is for you!

-Yes.

The old building was split in two, so it would've been two rooms.

The room has been completely remodelled by the present owners.

Oh, I see, yes. Very nice!

Exceptional, really. Absolutely.

The layout's quite simple, because you've got a shower room and a guest bedroom

and through here, the kitchen.

The kitchen's on the street side of the house

so it's a little bit darker.

-But very contemporary.

-Yes.

There's lovely sparkly tiles on the floor and bright red granite.

-It's gorgeous!

-That's lovely.

-It's nice, isn't it?

And a lovely big double range and a lovely big utility room.

-With room for dog.

-Yes.

I'm not that easily pleased, really,

but this has been quite exceptional, this whole trip.

-This is amazing.

-Well, we do try.

-Yes! And succeed.

I'm delighted that Carol is so thrilled with this house.

I reckon that the best is yet to come on the upper level.

This is where you'd enter the house from the front door,

through a vestibule, into a huge hall space.

-You'd come up...

-Oh, my heavens!

-Well, you'd come in here. This is the front door.

Oh! That's the front door!

You come into this enormous hallway,

-with this very lovely curved wall.

-SHE GASPS

Through here there's a study, which looks out over the hustle and bustle of the seafront.

So you can feel like you're part of the town

-and then you go downstairs and it's gone.

-Yes!

-It just gets better.

-It's absolutely lovely.

As well as the study, there's a bathroom on this floor.

But the highlight must be the bedrooms,

which share a balcony overlooking the beach.

We're taking a look at the ensuite room that could be Carol's.

Oh! I'm not even buying the house and that's an amazing view!

Isn't that just stunning? HE SIGHS HAPPILY

-It's absolutely lovely.

-That is beautiful.

Look at the sea today. It's unreal.

Ah, that is so lovely.

-If you were trying to sell a house, you couldn't get a better day, could you?

-No.

And out here is where we could really seal the deal.

Ohh! To be honest, this is what sells it to me.

Oh, yes!

Well, how much do you think this little slice of...

..English Channel paradise costs?

I would be surprised... Well, it's got to be top of my budget. I will say 800.

-Jan?

-Erm...

..790?

This property is on the market for 695.

Really?!

-That is lovely.

-You can afford that!

-I could do that.

I'm going to let you explore a bit because there are a few more rooms.

-I'm going to sit in the sun.

-Good. See you later.

-In you go!

At £695,000, this beautiful beachfront property

leaves Carol with £105,000 to play with.

It offers a characterful and contemporary living space,

a large kitchen with utility room,

three bedrooms,

a study, which could be used as a art room,

and a balcony and garden with sea views.

This is not a detached house,

which is what Carol wanted.

She wanted peace and quiet, which this has got,

but it's also got people around it and I think that will suit her so well.

What was really pleasing about it was the fact that it was so contemporary.

I literally do not have to do a thing.

It is in such good condition

I could move everything in straight away and it would all fit. It would be lovely.

See, look, and then you step out...

-..straight into the sea front.

-Absolutely!

-There's the pavilion.

-The De La Warr Pavilion?

-Yes.

-With a bus on top of it.

-With a bus on top of it!

It reminds me of Camden, but I still like the bus.

That won't always be there.

-Let's go and take some refreshment and think about the houses.

-Okey-doke.

Stretching from the East Sussex-Kent border to the River Rother

is the seven-mile-long beach of Camber Sands.

Its coastal dune system, topped by Marram Grass,

makes it a site of special scientific interest.

It's been a popular seaside destination since the 1920s

with up to 25,000 people crowding onto it

on a busy summers day.

This naturally-formed landscape is one of the most perfect locations in the country

for kite-surfing and kite-buggying.

I've come to meet Rupert Cawte from the local kite-surf centre

to try my hand at one of these emerging sports.

Obviously, you've got very good, firm sand,

but what other things are good for kite-buggying?

The wind coming up the Channel.

Most of the time, we have our prevailing winds.

The one we get most of the time here is a south-westerly wind.

As it funnels up the Channel, it gets stronger and stronger.

For buggying, this is absolutely perfect.

What sort of people do it? Is it young, groovy people?!

You would expect that,

-but the average people down here are probably about 40, that kind of thing.

-Really?

-So like myself?

-Exactly! It's a middle-aged sport

rather than the young sporty people that you expect.

Good. That makes me feel slightly more comfortable.

-What's next?

-We're going to get you flying a kite.

We're going to get you comfortable with a kite,

and pretty much flying a kite without having to think about it.

We're going to teach you a few techniques,

and then get onto the buggies and put those techniques into practice.

As with every sport, there are safety measures.

When flying a power kite, you need to be able to let go if the wind gets too strong

so there's an easy-release safety leash

that is attached to one hand.

Step backwards as you go. Give it a bit of a tug.

Then left.

-Quite a lot more powering...

-Whoaa!

You're controlling it like a bicycle, pivoting on this end to point,

just turning one way and just turning back,

just getting used to those motions.

The basic moves are to gently turn the bar first one way and then back the other way,

making a figure-of-eight in the sky.

That's good. Nice.

A two-hour beginner's lesson costs around £50.

Once the kite-flying has been mastered,

it's onto the even more fun part - the buggy.

OK, this is where you'll be sitting.

You'll be controlling it from here, your feet on that.

-Steer with your feet as we go.

-So, I'm steering with my hands and my feet?

The more we steer the buggy towards the kite, the faster we go.

-If you want to slow down, steer away from the kite.

-Yes.

-That's acting as a brake.

-Yes.

Before I get into the buggy, Rupert is going to show me how it's done.

Put a bit of movement into it and then a nice big dive of the kite.

Kite-buggying is similar to land-yachting,

but uses a power kite rather than a sail.

It's thought to have been invented in China around the 13th century.

But kite-buggying first became available commercially in the US and the UK

in the late '70s.

He's making that look very easy. I'm not convinced!

As speeds of up to 70 miles an hour can be reached by a skilled driver,

it's important to wear a safety helmet.

-OK.

-There you go. Sit down.

Ooh!

-12?

-Turn it left a little bit, up towards 12.

Yes. Come on.

Left a bit. Yes. OK.

Wait, wait, wait, wait! Wait!

Steer the buggy left a bit.

Also know as parakarting,

the sport is governed by the Parakart Association, formed in 1993,

and is now the regulating body for kite-buggy racing in England and Wales.

It's a bit like driving. You concentrate on turning

and then you do your feet with the pedals.

It's the other way round. You're turning with your feet and pedalling with this bit.

I've just got time for one more go before we fly back

to find out the results of our property search.

Well, it seems like - I don't want to prejudge your decision -

but it seems like the centre of gravity may have moved to the coast,

so why not discuss by the coast?

-I'd like to get your opinions on all the houses we've seen...

-OK.

-..spinning back to the oast house.

-The oast house was lovely,

very cosy, lovely sizes of rooms,

but the swimming pool was a real bonus. That was lovely!

Jan, what did you think about the oast house in retrospect?

I really liked it.

-The views were wonderful.

-Oh, yes!

I liked the size of the rooms. A lot I liked about that house.

And whereas I don't mind being on my own, it was a little isolated.

What about the second house? This seemed to really wow you.

Oh, it was... it still is fantastic. Absolutely.

The wooden panelling was just amazing.

It had you both enchanted. You were like,

"Nothing can beat that!" and we showed you the mystery house!

-I know!

-Fickle, aren't we?

-Isn't that funny?

-Was it the sea that won it over?

-I think it's the sea that won it.

Mind you, it is a very picturesque and well-put-together little house.

It's got absolutely everything that I would need, and even a studio.

When did you suddenly think, "This is the one?"

I think it was Jan saying, actually,

I didn't go out looking for a terrace,

I wanted something which was actually standing own its own,

but, as Jan says, you can be as lonely in a terrace

as you can in an isolated spot, so give it a chance.

The whole of the place is growing on me.

-I think you won't be isolated here.

-No.

I think that's a really big thing.

You didn't think it mattered until you saw something

-that was with more neighbours and more going on.

-Yes.

I think you see this and realise that you would've been a bit isolated

-in either of the other two houses.

-Yes. That's absolutely true.

-It's a winner.

-It is.

What happens next? What's the plan?

Well, I think make an offer. THEY LAUGH

-Yay!

-Result!

Great! That will be absolutely wonderful.

-I think so.

-I have to say,

I did love the thatched house very much, I could see you there,

-but I can see you much more here.

-Yes. Yes.

-See you by the sea soon.

-Yes!

Absolutely. Come and visit. Come and have a cup of tea.

That was a fun show -

buggying on the sands at Camber, looking at art at the pavilion

and, most importantly,

turning Carol's dream of a country residence into reality.

But not out in the hills of East Sussex

but right here, on the beach.

That's good work.

Join us for more of that next time on Escape to the Country.

The good news is, Carol put in an offer on the mystery house.

The bad news is, she was beaten to it by another buyer.

But she has since had an offer accepted

on another seafront property in Camber.

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