0:00:02 > 0:00:06This Norman castle is a relative new-build here in the oldest recorded settlement in Britain.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Find out where I am, and which county we're visiting, in just a moment.
0:00:40 > 0:00:46On today's show, I'm seeking a rural property for a pair of interior design specialists,
0:00:46 > 0:00:50who want to find an impressive country house with a real wow factor.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53The compliments flow at our first two properties...
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- Wow!- Beautiful.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58You can't not say "Wow!" when you come through that gate there.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02But they have to put their professional hats on for our mystery house.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06I am trusting the two of you will be able to whisk up something magical inside.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08We're going to try.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Today we're in Essex, and this is Colchester or Camulodunum,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19as it was known 2,000 years ago when it was the first Roman capital of Britain.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24It also lays claim to being the first British settlement to be mentioned in writing,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28thanks to Pliny the Elder, who wrote about it in 77AD.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Surviving Saxon invasions, European plague and earthquake,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Colchester still flourishes, which is more than we can say for Pliny the Elder,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38who died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43But there is still much to write home about from Essex.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Rooted in the Old English name for the East Saxons,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Essex stretches from the North Sea to the borders of London.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52Neighbouring counties
0:01:52 > 0:01:54include Suffolk, Cambridgeshire
0:01:54 > 0:01:55and Hertfordshire.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59And there are over 1,200 square miles to explore,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02or 800 Essex miles, if you prefer.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05For it's here that the phrase "country mile" originates.
0:02:05 > 0:02:11When an amateur cartographer tried to measure the county in 1651,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13he miscalibrated his equipment,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17meaning his miles were actually closer to a mile and a half.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22By his calculation, that would throw the village of Finchingfield over into Suffolk
0:02:22 > 0:02:26and with its gorgeous architecture, this is certainly a village you'd be loath to lose.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30In the 15th century, it was an official stop for horse-drawn coaches
0:02:30 > 0:02:33journeying from Norwich to London.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35But its main claim to fame these days
0:02:35 > 0:02:38is as the most photographed village in England.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44You can imagine it - close links to London,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46plus beautiful countryside...
0:02:46 > 0:02:49It equals very expensive property here in Essex.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53The average price for a detached house here is £299,000.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57That's £43,000 above the national figure.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01And that's particularly true of the pretty villages around Chelmsford.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04But if you go beyond Colchester to places like Brightlingsea,
0:03:04 > 0:03:05Burnham or Maldon,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08then you can knock 30% off that price tag.
0:03:08 > 0:03:14And wherever you go in Essex, there are some beautiful architectural styles to choose from.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18The historic wool trade has left its mark on the north of the county,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22by the Suffolk border, where many villages display a stunning mix
0:03:22 > 0:03:24of black and white timber-framed houses.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27But they usually come with a high price tag.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30This three-bedroom 15th-century property in the village of Stebbing
0:03:30 > 0:03:33is Grade II listed
0:03:33 > 0:03:35and on the market for just under £500,000.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39The timber-framed buildings from Essex's medieval past
0:03:39 > 0:03:41include a number of barns.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Although many have now been converted for residential use,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48they serve as a reminder of the county's agricultural wealth
0:03:48 > 0:03:50and their price can reflect that.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55This late-14th-century four-bed property in the village of Bocking
0:03:55 > 0:03:56is on the market for £620,000.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Although three-bed conversions can also be found
0:04:00 > 0:04:02for close to the £300,000 mark.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Essex building materials and Essex architectural styles
0:04:11 > 0:04:13make for a great variety of different properties.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17But are any of them going to be good enough for our buyers today? Let's meet them.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Eastender Peter and his South-African-born wife Jackie
0:04:21 > 0:04:23have been together for the past 11 years,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26living in the busy London suburb of Hornchurch,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30where they share a four-bedroom semi-detached house
0:04:30 > 0:04:31with their daughter and pet dog.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36But they've been thinking of a move to the country for the past few years.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Well, Hornchurch today must have nearly 30 restaurants and bars.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43It's quite a hub of the local area.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46It's a little too lively for us nowadays,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48and we're really ready now to make that move
0:04:48 > 0:04:52to somewhere more rural, where we can be a part of the community.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54With their daughter at a pivotal age,
0:04:54 > 0:05:00giving her the same sort of outdoor upbringing that Jackie had is an important consideration.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04It's only a year or so until she goes up into secondary school.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07It's exactly the right time for us now, isn't it?
0:05:07 > 0:05:11It's quite nice to be looking at the countryside now,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13so we'll have the space.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Jackie and Peter both work in interior design.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Peter is co-founder of a decoration and conservation company
0:05:20 > 0:05:22that works on historic buildings
0:05:22 > 0:05:25and was invited to help with the restoration of Windsor Castle
0:05:25 > 0:05:28after the serious fire there in 1992.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33And from that point on, we were granted the Royal Warrant,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36as decorators and gilders to Her Majesty the Queen.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41It's a tremendous honour to be a part of the nation's heritage
0:05:41 > 0:05:44and to restore or reinstate beautiful houses.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47It can be quite spiritual, quite uplifting.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50And it's certainly incredibly rewarding.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52So, while they're not looking for a palace,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55their future house has a great deal to live up to,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57inside and out.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Clearly, the properties and the clientele that I work with,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04we can't emulate that sort of standard.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Very interested in seeing a wreck,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09um, something that was a project.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11We're not afraid to do it.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16They've chosen the area of north Essex, because it's not far from where Peter's eldest daughter lives,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19as well as being an hour from London for work.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Besides exploring the beautiful architecture and countryside,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26there are plenty of other pastimes they want to factor in.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30One of my great hobbies is cooking.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I love to cook any kind of...
0:06:32 > 0:06:35various different styles of cooking.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37I do a little bit of jewellery-making.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Not silver work,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41but it started with beading.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I'd like to get into the silver, you know,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46proper jewellery-making.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48I also write poetry
0:06:48 > 0:06:50and I'm a drummer.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54With their house on the market, they have a ballpark figure for what they want to spend.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59Our budget for the house is £700,000.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08We're confining our search to northern Essex,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11in locations that give Peter an hour's journey time by train
0:07:11 > 0:07:13into London for work.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18I'm meeting up with them to find out more details of what they want in their new rural home.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Welcome to Essex - a slightly more rural bit of Essex.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- Yes, this is really very beautiful, isn't it?- I know. The weather's holding off for us, so that's good.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30So I'd like you to tell me a little bit about the spec you're looking for in the property.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32We're looking for four bedrooms,
0:07:32 > 0:07:33um...
0:07:33 > 0:07:38We would like to have some land around.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41You know, living in suburbia for some time,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45so, you know, to have an acre or so of land, if possible.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Really like some outbuildings.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51We would like a nice-sized kitchen, if possible.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Um, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58cooking, entertaining, you know, having friends over.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03Now, I know you're in the restoration business, so are you prepared to do a bit of work
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- if there was some work necessary on the house? Would that be a possibility?- Absolutely.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09We're not frightened of getting our hands dirty.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13We've found three that I think are going to be really interesting for you.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16But the flexible hat must be on, and maybe the compromise hat as well.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- And the renovation hat?- And the renovation hat too.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Yes, the hard hat!
0:08:20 > 0:08:22We'll look forward to all of that.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Yeah, well, let's go and see them. No time like the present.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29For their budget of £700,000,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Peter and Jackie are hoping to find an impressive character home,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34with a large kitchen,
0:08:34 > 0:08:35a home office for Peter,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37four bedrooms,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39outbuildings,
0:08:39 > 0:08:41and preferably with around an acre of land.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45With their experience of working on the country's finest buildings,
0:08:45 > 0:08:50we've had our work cut out finding three suitably magnificent homes to show them.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51But we've done it,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54and after each tour, we'll be playing guess the price.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57One, of course, is our mystery house,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00which could prove something of a busman's holiday for our buyers.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07We're a bit worried, of course, that you've got rather palatial ambitions.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Are you able to be realistic about what you can afford?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12I think you have to be realistic.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16It's also a huge job to maintain those palatial properties,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18and a large expense.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22What about you, Peter? Are you looking for something as a sort of antidote to all those grand houses?
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I wouldn't say an antidote,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29although, at the same time, I wouldn't be looking to gild all of our ceilings.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Um...
0:09:31 > 0:09:32After all those frescoes,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35just dying for a bit of matt emulsion?
0:09:35 > 0:09:38No, I'd love a fresco or two.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42We're not quite expecting that in Essex, although we may be painting one!
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Our property shopping starts close to Felsted,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50a historic village on the north bank of the River Chelmer.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55Peter's commute would involve a 15-minute drive to Braintree
0:09:55 > 0:09:57for the direct train journey of around an hour to London.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02The community is well catered for by a few restaurants and the local pub,
0:10:02 > 0:10:07as well as a village shop with post office, a bakery, a deli and a tea room.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Our first house is around six miles outside Felsted
0:10:11 > 0:10:13in the hamlet of Willows Green
0:10:13 > 0:10:16and was originally a timber-framed farmhouse,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18built in the 17th century.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It was extended in the Georgian period
0:10:20 > 0:10:21when a peg-tile roof was added.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24Sweeping round the drive...
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Wow!- House number one.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- Wow!- Beautiful.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30It looks really, really nice.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32It's a gorgeous facade, isn't it?
0:10:32 > 0:10:34What are your thoughts?
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- Wow! It's beautifully kept as well, isn't it?- Lovely, grand entrance
0:10:37 > 0:10:39and gravel drive.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42A stunning brick-built house. It's really beautiful.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44And it's a listed building,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- but I'm sure you're used to that. - Yes.- What grade is it?- II.- That's OK.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50That's absolutely fine.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52We're really excited about it, so...
0:10:52 > 0:10:55See, most couples quail slightly at that.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00But you're probably the best qualified to have a listed building.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03We're also interested in preserving the history, so...
0:11:03 > 0:11:05and preserving the house as it is.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- Well, we'd better go and see inside. - Lovely.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12We seem to have struck gold with the period grandeur,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15and with their vast experience with historic properties,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17that's a result.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Although this house has an impressive Georgian front door,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22the entrance is at the back.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28We'll go straight into the Georgian front room.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- Mind the rug there.- Wow!
0:11:31 > 0:11:33This is beautiful.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Yeah.- Magnificent.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Lovely open fireplace there.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39So it's a massive inglenook.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Not really a Georgian feature, typically,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46but this was the Georgian extension, because that was the outside wall
0:11:46 > 0:11:50of the 1700s farmhouse cottage.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51Yeah.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- Fabulous huge floorboards.- Yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59And, of course, the quaint old front door,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01which obviously isn't used any more.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03I mean, the fireplace is a wow factor for me.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08No, I think wow factor can mean so many things,
0:12:08 > 0:12:10and just walking into this house
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and walking from the outside, it does have wow factor.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17When you go through here, you've got a formal dining room, which you can explore a bit later,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19but there's a lovely fireplace there.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21So the next key room is the kitchen.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26With the sitting rooms delivering on the wows,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29I'm hoping they'll also fall in love with the kitchen/breakfast room,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31which is at the rear of this property.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Wow!- Wow! Very nice.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Is it what you're looking for?
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Yes, I think so.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41It's the right amount of space.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It has got quite a lot going for it, I think.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48We do have a very, very posh and voluminous utility room.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52It's the poshest utility room I've ever seen, with a downstairs loo.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- So your white goods are sort of out there.- Yes.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57- It's lovely.- Sweet outlook.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00In the summer, open the doors... I can see, you know...
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I could change quite a lot of things
0:13:03 > 0:13:06if one needed to or one wanted to.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09It's beautiful as it is.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11I'm very pleased with what we've seen so far.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14As this property is Grade II listed,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18our buyers will be well aware that they could make minor internal alterations
0:13:18 > 0:13:20with the correct permissions.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23The next room is this property's newest addition -
0:13:23 > 0:13:25an extension, off the snug.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- So come through here. - Oh, my goodness!
0:13:30 > 0:13:33This is the newest part of the house.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34- Put in by the present owners.- Wow!
0:13:34 > 0:13:37It's a lovely wooden-framed conservatory,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39with a brick base.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41What a lovely, sunny room.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Very pretty.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45And a great little sitting area as well.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- You could almost use this as an office as well.- Absolutely.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50A very nice office.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53But there's this lovely transition between inside and outside.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Of an evening, it'll be beautiful,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58with the garden, and you're almost outside at the same time.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01So far, I'm very impressed with it.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02Me too.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- What about the upstairs? Now, you wanted four bedrooms.- Yes.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Let's see if we've delivered.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13The ground floor has really impressed them.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Let's see if the upstairs can continue that positivity.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19There are three generously sized bedrooms on the first floor.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- My goodness!- This is the one they use as their master.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- Beautiful.- Lovely-sized bedroom, isn't it?
0:14:27 > 0:14:28Nice low ceiling.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- Yeah.- That's lovely.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34And I love the window with the view of the garden.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39And, actually, the three rooms here are... The one on the other side is pretty much the same size.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41The one at the back, they're using as a guest room.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43What we can't offer you here is an en suite.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48- There is a nice, good-sized family bathroom on this landing, though. - OK.- OK.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54What do you think about that? Is that a compromise you're willing to make? I know you'd like an en suite.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56It is possibly a compromise.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59So, I'll let you explore that later, but let's look outside.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06If they needed a bit more space, and a small renovation project,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09they could possibly remodel the second floor,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12which currently offers the basics of a guest room with an en suite.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16But we're heading outside, where the gardens are intricately planted
0:15:16 > 0:15:18and beautifully landscaped.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21The plot amounts to almost three-quarters of an acre,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23and includes a garage
0:15:23 > 0:15:26and an adjoining outbuilding with plenty of potential for conversion.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29It really is a magnificent garden.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33I see quite a lot of gardens on this show, but I think this gets big gold stars.
0:15:33 > 0:15:34It's beautiful.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36So, I think it's a great property,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38but is it a property you can afford?
0:15:38 > 0:15:39Is it in your budget?
0:15:39 > 0:15:41How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:15:42 > 0:15:44685?
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I would have said maybe 675.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Well, this property is on the market
0:15:49 > 0:15:51for 735.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- OK.- So this is what I'm talking about in terms of
0:15:54 > 0:15:57your budget is really under pressure to get what you want...
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- Yeah.- ..this close to London.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01The price doesn't frighten me.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Have a wander around and see whether you think this is your dream house.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- I'd love to.- Wonderful. Thank you.- Go back inside.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Priced at £735,000, this period property is over budget.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17But a sensible offer could bring it within reach.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21It has everything they asked for, including a large kitchen/diner,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25enough reception rooms to turn one into Peter's office,
0:16:25 > 0:16:26four potential bedrooms,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29an outbuilding ripe for conversion,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33all set in almost three-quarters of an acre of landscaped gardens.
0:16:33 > 0:16:39I think, on arriving at this house, it really did conjure up
0:16:39 > 0:16:41the attraction that we've been looking for -
0:16:41 > 0:16:46a country building, quite an interesting driveway,
0:16:46 > 0:16:47a secluded house,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49fields opposite...
0:16:49 > 0:16:52The location just seems perfect.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53When I first walked up to the house,
0:16:53 > 0:16:55I was very impressed with the garden
0:16:55 > 0:16:57and the front of the house.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00The Georgian-style windows, sash windows.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03The kitchen's absolutely beautiful as it is,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06but there is potential to change maybe the tops
0:17:06 > 0:17:07to suit us.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10There's some serious gardening here,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13especially if you haven't got very green fingers.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14How green-fingered are you two?
0:17:14 > 0:17:15Quite green-fingered.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18You'll need to be very green-fingered
0:17:18 > 0:17:19if you take on board this garden!
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- We're willing to start practising, so that'll be great fun.- Good.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- Are you done inside?- I think so. - Lovely, thank you.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28So let's head off to property two.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Although Essex is predominantly a rural landscape,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44a number of towns and villages serve as a reminder
0:17:44 > 0:17:46that, historically, local industry
0:17:46 > 0:17:49was not solely based on farming practices.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52A prime example lies towards the Suffolk border
0:17:52 > 0:17:54in the parish of Bulmer,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56whose location close to the Thames estuary
0:17:56 > 0:17:59has provided a rich source for local building materials.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02The historic Bulmer Brickyard
0:18:02 > 0:18:05has been in operation since the 1840s
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and is now a thriving family business.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Owner Peter Minter took over the works from his father
0:18:11 > 0:18:13and now operates it with his two sons
0:18:13 > 0:18:15and two grandsons,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19along with a workforce of 17 local people.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22As Peter and Jackie have experience of renovating historic properties,
0:18:22 > 0:18:26we arranged for them to take a closer look at the type of bricks
0:18:26 > 0:18:29made here for modern-day restorations.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Why is the factory actually right here?
0:18:32 > 0:18:37Well, any brick-maker relies on his clay, his raw material, and the clay here is particularly good quality.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41And a seam which was from the 1450s was available to people.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43They could get into this clay.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48So it is the clay seam, and we are on the northern end of the Thames Estuary 40 million years ago.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Once the clay has been dug out of the quarry and prepared,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54it's ready to be formed into bricks.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56They can be made in a range of sizes,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58depending on the building project.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03And an experienced brick-maker can produce up to 1,000 of these a day.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Peter and Jackie are going to learn more about the process from Josh Rippingale.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Right, first start by getting enough clay.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13You put it on the board, like that.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14Roll it forwards...
0:19:14 > 0:19:17backwards, and bring the sides round.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21So it makes that kind of shape.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22Pick it up...
0:19:22 > 0:19:24and drop it into the mould.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27Get some sand.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Put it on your board.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30Get your strike.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Take the top off, like so.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Take your excess back on the board.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Get some more clay.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44And roll your next one.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45Then you pick this one up,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47diagonal,
0:19:47 > 0:19:48bring it across...
0:19:49 > 0:19:51..onto your boards.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Give it a little shake.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54And lift off.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Then you put that in there.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Sand all the way round.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04And back on, like so.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- Do you want to have a go?- OK.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10The clay that's used has been put through a machine called a pugmill,
0:20:10 > 0:20:15where water is added to turn it into a dough-like consistency.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Each lump of clay is known as a walp
0:20:17 > 0:20:20and sand is used in the process as a non-sticking agent,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23helping to release the clay from the mould.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25After being left to dry,
0:20:25 > 0:20:30the bricks are then placed in one of seven fire boxes in a down-draught kiln.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34They're fired at temperatures of around 1,000 degrees for three days
0:20:34 > 0:20:37before being left to cool for a further three days.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42The resulting red bricks are being used to restore the likes of Hampton Court Palace.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45My father built this kiln in 1938.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47And it was then quite a modern design,
0:20:47 > 0:20:48in this area particularly.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50It was one of the reasons we survived the war,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54because this could be blacked out and you couldn't see it from the air.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58The whole process takes two weeks, from loading, firing, cooling and unloading.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02And you've turned your brick from your brown-coloured piece of clay
0:21:02 > 0:21:04to something like this,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06which is the fired brick.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09And will last for thousands of years.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Wonderful.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14After some first-hand experience of Essex's building bedrock,
0:21:14 > 0:21:18let's see if we can find some firm foundations for them,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20as our property search continues.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Our second house takes us to the quiet village of Stambourne.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31It would mean Peter has half an hour's drive to Braintree
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and then a train journey into London of just over an hour.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38With a population of just over 300 people,
0:21:38 > 0:21:39this is a rural farming area.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42The church dates back to Norman times
0:21:42 > 0:21:45and the village hall was once a Victorian schoolhouse.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49For their daughter, there are secondary schools within a ten-mile radius.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Our next offering comes in the form of a Victorian folly,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57built for a miller in the style of a thatched cottage.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59It dates back to 1850,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02with an 1880s extension to the side.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06And the thatch is made of straw rather than traditional Norfolk Reed.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Here it is! House number two.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- Look at this!- Wow!
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Look at this. Very bright.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Thatch.- I wouldn't have chosen thatch originally,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21but it is always pretty.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25But I would question the practicality of it.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- What about you, Peter? What do you feel about thatch?- I'm absolutely fine with it. I've never had one,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31but it's beautifully done.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36You've certainly gained the wow here. You can't not say "Wow!" when you come through that gate, can you?
0:22:36 > 0:22:38See if you say "Wow!" when you go through the front door.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43This individual period property has certainly made a very strong first impression
0:22:43 > 0:22:45on our country house connoisseurs.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49I think they'll appreciate the historic features inside too.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Going straight in to the kitchen
0:22:52 > 0:22:55at the back of the house.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57And also the oldest part of the house.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- This is lovely.- It is, isn't it?
0:23:00 > 0:23:02It's really well laid-out.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04This is from the 1850s, the original beams.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Have a look in here, because this was the original pantry or larder
0:23:08 > 0:23:12for the Victorian kitchen. This is where they would have hung their...
0:23:13 > 0:23:16..partridges and grouse and sides of meat.
0:23:16 > 0:23:22And look at this amazing original fired-brick floor.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24They are fantastic, aren't they?
0:23:24 > 0:23:26All the indentations over the years.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- Worn away.- Worn away.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33- No, this is... And this really adds significantly to the kitchen, doesn't it?- Quite.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35The original doors and everything. Lovely.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- Yeah.- So come back in here and we can continue.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Wow, that really is something!
0:23:41 > 0:23:43What do you think, Jackie? This is your domain as well.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45I love it. I love the pantry.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Everything could go in there and this could just be your cooking area.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52It feels like a farmhouse, doesn't it?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Yeah. Exactly.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55Exactly.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56Very pleasing.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Good. Well, let's continue the tour.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03To the other side of the kitchen is a utility room,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06while along the front of the house, there are three reception areas -
0:24:06 > 0:24:10a cosy sitting room which could be used as a study,
0:24:10 > 0:24:15and a formal dining room with exposed timbers, both of which are in the older part of the house.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18But we're going to take a look at the drawing room in the newer part.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25Now, this would have been the miller's grand Victorian, or late Victorian, extension.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Oh, I say, this is very nice, isn't it?
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Yeah, this is quite different from the rest of the building, isn't it?
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Well, you could see why he wanted to add this extension.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Yeah.- Show off his new-found wealth.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Taller ceilings, nice cornice...
0:24:41 > 0:24:46It's quite unusual to have, you know, windows on two sides as well.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50So it's an unusual but historically interesting layout downstairs.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Upstairs, as you'd imagine, is also slightly complicated.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56- Let's follow me up the stairs.- OK.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59The period feel downstairs seems to have hit the mark.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Upstairs, there are a total of four bedrooms.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Three of them are in the older part of the house.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Two are front-facing and generously sized,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11with wooden floors and exposed timbers.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15While at the back, there is a single room which adjoins a library-cum-study,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18which could be a good self-contained area for their daughter.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21There's also a characterful family bathroom.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25But we're going to take a look at the largest bedroom, in the extension.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Ah, now, take a look at this room.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- This is lovely.- Isn't it magical?
0:25:31 > 0:25:33It certainly is, yeah.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36So, you see, this is the analogue of the grand room downstairs.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38They're using it as a dressing room,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41and one of the smaller bedrooms as their sleeping quarters.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43But I think this would be a fantastic master.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Lovely, with the views, especially.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47And in here...
0:25:49 > 0:25:51..a neat little shower room.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Very compact.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58- Very sweet.- And actually, in that room, in that little corner of the cabinet there,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01that's a walk-in wardrobe, but you could actually plumb in a toilet,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04so you'd have toilet and shower in here.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Yeah, it works well as a dressing room,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11and it might be worth considering either, as you say, changing this into a bedroom
0:26:11 > 0:26:14and another one into a dressing room, if you want.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17OK, well, I'll let you explore upstairs a bit later,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- but let's go out into the rather amazing gardens.- OK.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26The well-maintained grounds really offset this spectacular house,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29and are beautifully landscaped in contrasting sections.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32There's just over half an acre in total,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35with outbuildings, including a detached double garage
0:26:35 > 0:26:39and a workshop, which could be useful for Jackie's decorating tools.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42What's more, there's a charming summerhouse,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44which sits alongside a pretty pond.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46And the view over the surrounding countryside
0:26:46 > 0:26:48is to die for.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52So, as you can see, quite an extensive and elaborate garden.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Yes, absolutely.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57So, how much do you think this lovely property and its lovely gardens
0:26:57 > 0:26:59and its lovely setting costs?
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Well...I think maybe 690?
0:27:05 > 0:27:08And I'd hazard a guess about 710.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Actually, this property
0:27:10 > 0:27:13is on the market for 650.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14- Wow!- Wow!
0:27:14 > 0:27:16So...
0:27:16 > 0:27:18it's actually under your budget.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Much cheaper than I thought.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24Why don't you go inside, because there's a lot upstairs that we didn't have a chance to look at,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- and I'll meet you out the front.- OK, that's lovely.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28- OK.- Thank you.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Comfortably under budget at £650,000,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37this individual and well-maintained Victorian property
0:27:37 > 0:27:39gives them a characterful kitchen,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42three reception rooms, so ample scope for Peter's office,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44four bedrooms,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47and over half an acre of landscaped gardens,
0:27:47 > 0:27:48complete with a workshop.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Well, it's a wonderful house from the outside, and from the inside.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Um...when I walked into the entrance hall,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58first of all,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01I thought it was a little bit small for an entrance hall,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04and then you go down into the kitchen
0:28:04 > 0:28:06and the kitchen also appears to be a little bit small,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08but it has a separate pantry
0:28:08 > 0:28:10and a separate scullery,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13and there's potential, you know, to extend out the back.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16The views are absolutely beautiful.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19And the garden's lovely.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23Wow! I mean, arriving at house two was quite...really quite special.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27I mean, taken by complete surprise.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31This timber-farmed cottage with this extension to the right-hand side.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Stunning.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35OK, guys, time to wrap up for the day.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37You must be exhausted - we've seen a lot of property.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42- Time for a rest.- It's great. Thank you very much.
0:28:42 > 0:28:43My pleasure. Come with me.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58As dusk falls over the magnificent Essex countryside,
0:28:58 > 0:29:00it marks the end of a very encouraging day,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03spent viewing two outstanding properties.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15Peter and Jackie both work in interior design and building restoration,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18with Peter's company having gained the Royal seal of approval.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21They're looking to escape from the London suburb of Hornchurch
0:29:21 > 0:29:24and settle in the Essex countryside.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27So far, a well-preserved 17th-century farmhouse
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and a renovated thatched Victorian property
0:29:30 > 0:29:31have both impressed them.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34But coming up, our mystery proposition
0:29:34 > 0:29:37brings the restoration challenge to their front door.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- So, possibilities.- Yes.- Endless. - Endless!
0:29:41 > 0:29:46And I find out exactly what a medlar is at an Essex fruit farm.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50I think we did extremely well yesterday.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Both those houses were pretty near perfect,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55although I was struck by something Peter said,
0:29:55 > 0:30:00and remember that Peter makes his living tearing out interiors, restoring them, redecorating.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04And he said, "The finish on this house is so perfect, I'd feel bad about changing it."
0:30:04 > 0:30:08And also remember that they were both very keen on having an en suite,
0:30:08 > 0:30:10and they really wanted bigger kitchens.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15So, for the mystery house, we're giving them a historical, beautiful period property,
0:30:15 > 0:30:19but one that gives them much more scope for tearing it up and starting again.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28For our mystery property, we're crossing over the Essex border
0:30:28 > 0:30:29into east Hertfordshire,
0:30:29 > 0:30:31close to the village of Widford,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34where Peter could catch the train into London from nearby Harlow.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39The village hall is maintained by volunteers and used for community events
0:30:39 > 0:30:41and it has a family-friendly pub.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44While there is a primary school in the village,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46secondary schools are located around seven miles away.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49Now, we've come over the border for a reason -
0:30:49 > 0:30:52to challenge our restoration professionals
0:30:52 > 0:30:54to take on a project for themselves.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58Our mystery house dates back to the 1700s,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00but was renovated in the Victorian era,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03when all the Gothic arches and windows were added.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06What are your first impressions of this?
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- It's rather interesting.- It's quite a prominent position.
0:31:09 > 0:31:10It's sort of got the appearance
0:31:10 > 0:31:13of an old schoolhouse or vicarage or something.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Well, this house, I have to warn you,
0:31:16 > 0:31:20- is going to be a project. I need you to put on your project manager's hats.- Right.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23- That shouldn't be a problem.- Are you good at visualising?- Yes, I think so.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- And you are as well, I'm assuming? - Absolutely.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31- Yeah.- So I'm trusting the two of you will be able to whisk up something magical inside.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33- We're going to try.- OK.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36They're confident about the prospects so far.
0:31:36 > 0:31:41Let's see if the interior of this Grade II listed property fires their imagination.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44So come in here and we can talk about
0:31:44 > 0:31:46what's happened, what needs to happen.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50So, as you can see, this is not quite finished
0:31:50 > 0:31:52- to the standard of the other houses. - No.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54Really, you've got to think of it as a blank canvas.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57You can see that. The timber beams are exposed.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01There's quite a lot of surface mounting
0:32:01 > 0:32:03and sort of '60s improvements.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06It'd almost certainly be our intention
0:32:06 > 0:32:09to take it back to that Victorian feel, I'm sure.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Because the mirror room of this on the other side
0:32:12 > 0:32:14is almost exactly the same size
0:32:14 > 0:32:17and it has a sort of strange en suite built inside the room.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21So it's a sort of L-shaped room around an en suite shower room.
0:32:21 > 0:32:26- Yeah.- But that's been built so it can be taken out quite easily and reinstated.- Yeah.
0:32:26 > 0:32:27But it is...
0:32:27 > 0:32:29It requires quite a lot of vision.
0:32:29 > 0:32:30- Mmm.- Mmm.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Particularly so in the kitchen. Let's have a look there.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Well, they seem quietly thoughtful,
0:32:36 > 0:32:40and the kitchen is probably the room most in need of their vision and skills.
0:32:41 > 0:32:42Nice and sunny!
0:32:42 > 0:32:45This is rather nice.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50So again, historically, you've got a very typical Victorian kitchen, or scullery.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53So it was where the servants were, tucked at the back.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57- But it's quite unusual to see these nowadays that haven't been developed.- True.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00We would want to change the kitchen completely.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02The kitchen is a bit small, so one would either
0:33:02 > 0:33:05open it out into the front room...
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Yeah, you'd certainly either want to introduce part of this into the first room
0:33:09 > 0:33:14or just simply go side or rear.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16- So, possibilities.- Yeah.- Endless. - Endless!
0:33:16 > 0:33:20That's what I like to hear. Let's have a look upstairs.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22They're certainly not short of ideas for downstairs,
0:33:22 > 0:33:26but now we're taking a look at what the upstairs has to offer
0:33:26 > 0:33:28by way of space and potential.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Again, it's a sort of blank canvas,
0:33:32 > 0:33:33really.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36It gives you an idea of the scale of the upstairs.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38That's a nice-sized bedroom, isn't it?
0:33:38 > 0:33:42Yes, good size. So there's this one, which is the biggest on this floor,
0:33:42 > 0:33:46and there are two on that side, but they're all divided by what seems to be stud walls,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48so they can be moved around.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50There's a family bathroom on this floor, and then upstairs
0:33:50 > 0:33:53you've got two more sort of attic rooms.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55- OK. Needs a fair bit of work.- Yeah.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00But you know, a huge amount of it is actually more cosmetic than...
0:34:00 > 0:34:02than anything else.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06I think it's probably easiest if I let you run around on your tod, with your thinking caps on.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- Let's go outside, because there's lots to see there.- OK.- OK.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13I'm wondering whether they think renovating our mystery property
0:34:13 > 0:34:17is worth their financial and emotional investment.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21As we head out to the back, they have a chance to mull over that question.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25So, if you come here, you can get... It is a bit of a higgledy-piggledy back.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30Yes, you can see where alterations have been made over the years.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Um...you know, just to suit the owner at the time,
0:34:33 > 0:34:38but I don't think it'd take too much to sort of knock it into shape
0:34:38 > 0:34:39and create a house out of it.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43- It does go out into a lovely garden, which continues... Let's go around, we can see.- Yeah.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47In the half-acre gardens,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50there's a lawn and established vegetable patch,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52as well as some fruit trees and a natural pond
0:34:52 > 0:34:55with a summerhouse sitting alongside it.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58OK, so...of course, you know what's coming.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00The price tag.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- What do you think the price tag...? - I didn't know that was coming at that moment!
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Um...
0:35:06 > 0:35:08I would have thought
0:35:08 > 0:35:10590 to 600.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- Jackie?- I think about 575.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Well, this is on the market for - brace yourselves -
0:35:17 > 0:35:19650.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23The same as the entirely finished one over near Suffolk.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27- Mm-hm.- So it's a kind of testament to how much location costs.
0:35:27 > 0:35:32Well, why don't you have a wander around upstairs? We didn't go up to the very roof.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36And have a pitch around the garden, and I'll see you out the front, see what your final thoughts are.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37- OK, great.- Thank you.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Priced at £650,000,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44our mystery property is £50,000 under budget.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48As it stands, it provides three reception rooms,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51a kitchen which could be extended, subject to planning consent,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53a total of five bedrooms,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56and over half an acre of gardens,
0:35:56 > 0:35:57in a rural location
0:35:57 > 0:35:59which offers good access to London.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02When we arrived inside, um...
0:36:02 > 0:36:06it obviously doesn't have the wow factor, because it needs a lot of work,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08you know, doing to it.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10I think we saw a lot of potential
0:36:10 > 0:36:14to do things to make it a home that we'd like to live in.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15I mean, I love the frontage.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18It's very, very pretty.
0:36:18 > 0:36:19I think...
0:36:19 > 0:36:24the programme and the cost, when weighed up with the value of the properties at the moment,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26will probably push it out of our boundaries.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33So that is all three houses you've seen now.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37- Yeah.- Just time to rest, regroup and think.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38Lovely.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Essex is, for the most part, a rural county,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53nearly three-quarters of which is farmed.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58With its heavy clay soils, and one of the UK's sunnier climates,
0:36:58 > 0:37:00it's ideally suited for cereal crops
0:37:00 > 0:37:03and, most notably, fruit-growing,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05as the cooling effect of the sea in spring
0:37:05 > 0:37:09prevents premature appearance of fruit buds and blossom.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13It's no surprise, then, that one company in the village of Tiptree
0:37:13 > 0:37:16owns 850 acres of dedicated fruit-growing land,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19which they've been farming for over 125 years.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22Alongside the more common fruits, they also grow quinces,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24mulberries
0:37:24 > 0:37:28and medlars, which are showing a resurgence in popularity.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31I went to meet farm director Chris Newenham
0:37:31 > 0:37:33to find out more about the heritage fruit
0:37:33 > 0:37:35used in their jams and jellies.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Tending your mulberry bush?
0:37:37 > 0:37:38If I spotted it correctly.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Well, a little bit of a misnomer.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- Turning out mulberries, but, of course, a tree, not a bush.- Oh, yes.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47This is a mulberry orchard!
0:37:47 > 0:37:48Yes, it is. Yes, it is.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51We think the biggest mulberry orchard in the country.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56It dates from the original planting of fruit on the estate,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58which was 150 years ago,
0:37:58 > 0:38:00so it's served us well over quite a long period of time,
0:38:00 > 0:38:04and hopefully has several years left in it.
0:38:04 > 0:38:05If we...
0:38:07 > 0:38:09- ..pull one off the tree...- They're juicy, aren't they?
0:38:09 > 0:38:13They are incredibly juicy. I've literally just touched that,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16and you can see that I've got this red juice all over my hands.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18So how do you...? Do you pluck them? How are they harvested?
0:38:18 > 0:38:20They're hand-harvested,
0:38:20 > 0:38:22as is everything that we do.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26But the real drama begins when they get into the factory,
0:38:26 > 0:38:29because this tiny stalk that you've got coming out,
0:38:29 > 0:38:32every single berry has to be handled individually,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35and we've got a team of very diligent ladies in the factory,
0:38:35 > 0:38:37cutting them out with scissors.
0:38:37 > 0:38:42Mulberry conserve has been made on this farm since the early 1900s,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46and it's thought that this is the only commercial mulberry orchard in Britain.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48This fruit variety became fashionable
0:38:48 > 0:38:50in Britain in the 17th century.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53King James I was trying to expand the silk industry
0:38:53 > 0:38:57as the white mulberry leaf is the main diet of the silkworm.
0:38:57 > 0:39:02But the fruits from the black mulberry have a much more intense flavour,
0:39:02 > 0:39:04similar to that of the raspberry.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06There was a hey-day, wasn't there? The Victorians.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10I mean, they're not popular fruits, quince, medlar
0:39:10 > 0:39:11and mulberry, are they?
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- But they were Victorian fruits.- No, you're quite right.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16They... I mean, with the exception of mulberry,
0:39:16 > 0:39:18but certainly the medlar
0:39:18 > 0:39:22and the quince, we're dealing with what are culinary fruits.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25And culinary fruits have gone out of fashion
0:39:25 > 0:39:28and I think, really, come back into fashion again.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32- There's a renaissance, isn't there? - We're seeing a revival with quince,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34with medlar, with things like rhubarb,
0:39:34 > 0:39:35and, of course, Bramley apples
0:39:35 > 0:39:37is another good example.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Well, I have to say that I think probably
0:39:39 > 0:39:42the medlar is the most exotic of all of them.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46I mean, most people don't have a medlar tree in their garden.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49So I'm going to have a go with the medlar jelly.
0:39:49 > 0:39:50Please do.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55Originating in Asia Minor, the medlar is an apple-like fruit
0:39:55 > 0:39:56with a pulpy flesh,
0:39:56 > 0:40:00which gains an historic mention in both Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
0:40:00 > 0:40:02and Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet.
0:40:07 > 0:40:08Mmm.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10That's delicious.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14I think the easiest thing to liken it to is cinnamony crab apple.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- Yes, there is a bit of cinnamon.- A very delicate taste,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19but fantastic and unique.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Hmm, might be quite some time before those are ready to eat.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31And time is not what I have, because I have to find how Peter and Jackie
0:40:31 > 0:40:34are thinking about our properties this week.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- This is an amazing spot, isn't it? - Wonderful.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- Really beautiful.- Sadly, we couldn't quite get
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Cressing Temple into your price bracket.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48That's very disappointing!
0:40:48 > 0:40:51But these are the oldest timber-framed barns in the world.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55- Who says that Essex doesn't have some amazing moments?- Yeah.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59Maybe we could go through the houses one by one, so we don't short-change any of them.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01What about the first house in Felsted?
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Perfect. Picture-perfect facade to the house
0:41:05 > 0:41:08and inside was lovely as well.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12Spatially, just arriving at the house was great.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- You loved that drive.- I loved that drive.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17And then there was that chocolate-box, beautiful-looking house.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19It was just wonderful, wasn't it?
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Were there any downsides to that property?
0:41:21 > 0:41:24You know, the en suite, which we will look...
0:41:24 > 0:41:28- to see if we really need.- I didn't think it was a big problem.- No.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32How about house number two? This was a little bit further out, down towards Suffolk,
0:41:32 > 0:41:34but another beautiful property.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Oh, it was really gorgeous, wasn't it?
0:41:36 > 0:41:38Beautiful. Very pretty.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40And quite unusual.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Very unusual layout inside.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Did that work for you, the layout of the rooms?
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Oh, I think it's something you need to get used to if it's an old house.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50It had had some changes.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55Um, I certainly think we can adapt it... You know, adapt to living there.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57What about the mystery house?
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Well, it was certainly a mystery.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00Um...and...
0:42:00 > 0:42:02but also a lovely house.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06You know, needed a substantial amount of work.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Great potential to do something with.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Yeah, it had a lot of potential.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12You know, we could visualise
0:42:12 > 0:42:15doing all sorts of things to it.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18A bit nearer to London than the other two.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Um...and...I feel
0:42:21 > 0:42:24we really want to escape to the country a bit more.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26What are your concluding thoughts?
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Would you proceed on one of them? Would you visit one again?
0:42:30 > 0:42:33I think we'd probably visit the one in Felsted again.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Well, you'd better get your skates on.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38And it would be wonderful if you move on that.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- And do let us know - keep us informed.- We will do, thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49What a lovely week, house-hunting in Essex.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51And I have to say that, despite our apprehension,
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Peter and Jackie were completely flexible about the price,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58about the location - they weren't that fussed about a long commute to London -
0:42:58 > 0:43:00and even about doing big renovations,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02because they have that skill set.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06In the end, it all came down to that old-fashioned truism about buying a house -
0:43:06 > 0:43:09you walk down the drive, and you fall in love.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Or, in Peter's case, he fell in love with the drive he was walking down.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14So I do hope they buy that house,
0:43:14 > 0:43:16and I hope that you join us next time
0:43:16 > 0:43:20for more beautiful properties on Escape To The Country.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Northern Ireland or England and you need our help,
0:43:27 > 0:43:28please apply online at...
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