0:00:02 > 0:00:06This could be a scene from the French countryside but, no, I'm not in the Champagne region.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10In fact, I'm standing in England's wine-growing heartland.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14But which county are we going to be raising a glass to today?
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Keep watching to find out.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49On today's show, I help a couple with six dogs
0:00:49 > 0:00:52find a country home that suits all their needs,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54and we dive straight in.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- That is the biggest surprise of the lot.- Yep.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02But later on in our search, there's a daunting prospect to consider.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03Go on, be honest with me.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08- I think you're being polite! - Communal living is a question mark. - Yes.
0:01:10 > 0:01:16Today I'm in West Sussex, home to one of England's largest wine-growing regions.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19A combination of warm climate, limited rainfall
0:01:19 > 0:01:21and the chalky slopes of the South Downs
0:01:21 > 0:01:25make ideal conditions for these vines to thrive,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28so much so, there are over 20 vineyards in West Sussex alone,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31spanning around 500 acres.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36But grapes and vines aren't the only thing this county has going for it.
0:01:37 > 0:01:43West Sussex became a separate administrative county from East Sussex in 1888,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47and within its borders lie some great historic gems.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Along with vibrant market towns,
0:01:49 > 0:01:55the county capital of Chichester is graced by its awe-inspiring Norman cathedral.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Other architectural feats hailing from this period
0:01:58 > 0:02:00include the magnificent Arundel Castle.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04However, West Sussex is also home to a landmark residence
0:02:04 > 0:02:07that dates back to Roman times.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Fishbourne Roman Palace, unearthed in 1960,
0:02:10 > 0:02:15is the largest and best preserved site of its kind in the country.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20Highlights of the natural landscape fall within the South Downs National Park.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Across its chalk uplands,
0:02:22 > 0:02:26the South Downs Way, which extends over 100 miles in total,
0:02:26 > 0:02:31covers some of the most scenic walking terrain in the South East of England.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36The average price of a detached property in West Sussex
0:02:36 > 0:02:40is just over £361,000.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44That's £104,000 more than the national figure.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48This is mainly down to beachside properties in hotspots such as The Witterings,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51where you can easily pay up to £1 million.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55But if you're prepared to live without a sea view,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59you can instantly shave a couple of hundred thousand pounds off that.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00But wherever you choose to live,
0:03:00 > 0:03:05there is a fantastic array of different architectural styles to choose from.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10One distinctive feature, seen throughout the villages and towns of West Sussex, is flint.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14This local stone has been used to decorate many a facade,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18from Saxon churches, period farmhouses and garden walls.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21This two-bedroom terraced cottage in Eartham
0:03:21 > 0:03:25is on the market for £435,000.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Besides chalk, more durable limestone varieties
0:03:29 > 0:03:32form part of the county's natural bedrock
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and have been used as a building material for centuries.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39The prices for these properties range hugely.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41For £250,000,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43you could buy a small two-bedroom cottage.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46But if you want something grander with some land,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49this schoolhouse in the popular village of West Chiltington
0:03:49 > 0:03:53could be yours for £1.1 million.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56A great selection of West Sussex properties there.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59But can we find one to suit today's house-hunters?
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Let's meet them.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03Retired teachers John and Jan
0:04:03 > 0:04:07live in the busy seaport town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10They first met when they were at college.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Jan was in the year above me and,
0:04:12 > 0:04:17er, for a dare, I asked her out
0:04:17 > 0:04:23and, er, actually, the date, from my point of view, was very successful.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27A few months later, Jan graduated and they went their separate ways.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29However, 42 years on,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33a chance meeting brought them back into each other's lives.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37I was cycling past and I said, "Hello, Janet."
0:04:37 > 0:04:41I thought, "Nobody calls me Janet!" so it was a bit strange!
0:04:41 > 0:04:45There was a man with a cycling helmet and a cycle standing at the top...
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- In shorts, in the middle of January! - Yes!
0:04:48 > 0:04:49- I did recognise you, didn't I?- Mm.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53And then, having gone our separate ways for a very long time...
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- 42 years.- 42 years.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00..to meet up again was amazing, really.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04For the last three years, they've been living in Jan's property.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06John still owns a flat, which he needs to sell,
0:05:06 > 0:05:12and they're hoping to start a new chapter of their lives by buying their first home together.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16The idea of two houses is great,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18but there comes a point when one or other of you
0:05:18 > 0:05:23is going to have to move in with the other one, and there are always issues.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26"Is it your house? Is it my house? Are these your things?"
0:05:26 > 0:05:30It just gives us that chance to make a fresh start.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33They have their sights set on the English mainland,
0:05:33 > 0:05:38as all of their children have flown the nest and are dotted throughout the UK.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42They also want to lead a quieter life, as their house is on a busy road.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44It is a bit noisy.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49I think to live somewhere up a little lane or a quieter road
0:05:49 > 0:05:52would be really peaceful and pleasant to live
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and wake up and actually hear birds.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Although owning a home together is uncharted territory,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02they've agreed on a location which they're both familiar with.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I was brought up in that area
0:06:04 > 0:06:10and, also, because we both trained in West Sussex a long time ago
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- and we go there...- Yes.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- ..I think we feel comfortable. - We feel comfortable.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Besides giving our couple enough space,
0:06:18 > 0:06:23their new home must be able to accommodate Jan's award-winning dogs.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27For me, my biggest wish is space outside for my six dogs
0:06:27 > 0:06:30and I'm used to being able to let them go out and gallop.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Finally, they've settled on how much they want to spend.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36The budget for the move is £600,000.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44John and Jan may be keen to break free
0:06:44 > 0:06:47from living in a coastal town on the Isle of Wight
0:06:47 > 0:06:49but they still want to be close to the sea,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53so we're focusing our search in the south of the county.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55I met our buyers by the water's edge
0:06:55 > 0:06:58to find out more about their planned move.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- John and Jan, welcome to West Sussex!- Thank you.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Hopefully, we're not going to get too wet today.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Life, in a way, has gone full circle, hasn't it?
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- This is where you met and hopefully where you'll end up together.- Yes.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- That would be good.- It would be interesting if that happened.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I feel like I've got Cupid's arrow ready for this search!
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- It is the first house you've bought together.- Yes.- That's right.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25With my romantic head, we're going to find a fantastic property for the two of you.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27But it's not just the two of you, is it?
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- It's not just the two of us. - How many dogs, Jan?!
0:07:30 > 0:07:32We have only six!
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- And they're not small, are they? - They're not small.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Are they going to be living in the house with the two of you
0:07:37 > 0:07:41or do they have their own wing, shall we say?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- They do have their own wing.- Yes.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47They're not particularly kennelled. They do like to come in with us, as well.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- They play a huge part of your lives. - A huge part of our lives.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- So we've got to consider their wants, as well.- Absolutely.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56This property that you're looking for together,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58ideally, what's it going to consist of?
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Primarily, it's quite a bit of land that we need, three bedrooms.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- We do like our bathrooms, don't we? - Yes.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- Yep!- We like to have... - As many bathrooms as possible!- Yes!
0:08:08 > 0:08:11That's new! OK, let's see how many we can find you.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16And we have a few children that might come and visit us, so we do need space for family
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- and new baby grandchildren. - Excellent.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22We've got three properties lined up, one is our mystery house,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25which will certainly get you thinking.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- Shall we get started? - Yes, please. Come on, then.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33With a budget of £600,000,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35John and Jan have given us a clear brief
0:08:35 > 0:08:38on what they're after from their country home.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42They'd like a light, airy property, with a minimum of three bedrooms,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44as many bathrooms as possible,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47a separate living area for the dogs
0:08:47 > 0:08:50and around two acres of land.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53We've selected three tempting properties
0:08:53 > 0:08:59and, as usual, I'll be asking them to hazard a guess at the price before I reveal it.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Lastly, there's our mystery house,
0:09:01 > 0:09:06which challenges them to take on a lifestyle overhaul.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15Janet, it would be fair for me to say you're a bit rusty when it comes to house-hunting.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- I am. I've been in my house a very long time.- How many years?
0:09:19 > 0:09:2135 years. NICKI LAUGHS
0:09:21 > 0:09:26I hate to warn you, but the prices are going to have changed just slightly in that time!
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Will you be sad to leave your home or are you ready?
0:09:29 > 0:09:32I'm ready. It will be very sad, I'm not going to say it won't be.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35I've brought the family up in it
0:09:35 > 0:09:38and it's been quite a monument to me,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41but I think I'm ready to move on now.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Mindful of getting them as close to the coast as possible,
0:09:46 > 0:09:50we're starting our house hunt seven miles southwest of Chichester,
0:09:50 > 0:09:54near to the seaside village of East Wittering.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57The area offers wide-open spaces for walking the dogs
0:09:57 > 0:10:00and also provides a range of useful amenities,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03including a butchers and a couple of pubs.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08Three miles inland from East Wittering, in complete rural seclusion,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10is where we find our first property,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14a farmer's cottage, built back in the 19th century.
0:10:14 > 0:10:19Here's your first property in West Sussex.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- What do you think?- It's big.- Big!
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Maybe a bit close to the road.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28We are on a road, but we are still surrounded by the country.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- Yes. I like the idea of the sea not being far away.- Yes.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Shall we get started? - Oh, yes!- Yes, please.- Come on, then.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39'Although their first responses are quite muted,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43'as we move inside the house, I hope they'll warm to the interior.'
0:10:43 > 0:10:45I wanted to bring you straight into the kitchen,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- the heart of the home. - Absolutely. I like it very much.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54- It's very welcoming. Cosy, warm feel to it.- It's bright.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- I like the floor, too. Lovely floor. - All Chinese slate.- Beautiful floor.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Very nice coming in, very friendly and warm.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05To the right, you've got a little utility room fitted out in the same style,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08with access to the garden.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10If you didn't want the dogs to come through the front door,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- you've got a back door there. - Sure.- That is good.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17Right, we will continue. If I can squeeze past you,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20let's go through to the drawing room.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22My word!
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Yep.- Yes. Beams.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Beams are good. - Plenty of beams. A forest of beams.
0:11:27 > 0:11:33I've never had beams before. The beams feel a little bit low and perhaps a little bit dark.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- I have seen beams painted white... - Yes.- Mm.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- ..and it really worked. - Yes. I might have to think about lightening them.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42I'll let you mull that over.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46Let's see if this cottage can work its magic upstairs for you.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51You go through this tiny little door and up the stairs.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54'There's plenty of space for visiting family.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57'Leading off the landing there are five bedrooms,
0:11:57 > 0:11:58'one is set up as a twin
0:11:58 > 0:12:01'and another as a single with a skylight.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06'The third is a small double, whilst the fourth is being used as a study.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09'They're all served by a spacious family bathroom.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13'But we'll explore their generous sleeping accommodation.'
0:12:13 > 0:12:17This is the most important one, with en suite,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20because this is the master.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- Oh, that's delightful, isn't it?- Yes. - Really attractive.
0:12:23 > 0:12:29So, the layout of this cottage and the rooms and the space,
0:12:29 > 0:12:33how does it feel for you? You've got to think of the two of you living together.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- Two of us is fine. - Two of us is fine, yes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Er, six dogs...
0:12:39 > 0:12:43That's the question downstairs, to see where we're going to put them.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49- We haven't shown you everything in the cottage itself so far.- Ahh!
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- So there might be an answer there for you.- Right.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Let's head back downstairs and I'll show you the last bit.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- John, you lead the way.- Thank you.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Set to the side of the main cottage is a one-bedroom annexe,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06which could either be turned into a doggie den
0:13:06 > 0:13:08or used for the family when they come to stay.
0:13:08 > 0:13:14What we haven't shown you is this part of the property.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Oh, my word! I thought we'd run out of rooms.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21It's self-contained. You've got a fantastic sitting room here.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23You've got a kitchenette in here.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- Here's your bedroom and shower room next door.- My word!
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Blowing me away, this is. It's absolutely amazing.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- Great for families and children.- Yes.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- This is your wing.- "Don't come in ours without permission!"
0:13:37 > 0:13:40There is another option for this part of the property.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43It could be the dog area.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Yes.- Mm. Yes.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48They need a kitchenette!
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- They do, actually.- They do!
0:13:50 > 0:13:53'So with that extra accommodation up for grabs,
0:13:53 > 0:13:58'we'll brave the weather outside and see what size of play area the dogs would get.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03'It amounts to three-quarters of an acre of well-maintained gardens.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05'And as if we weren't wet enough,
0:14:05 > 0:14:10'there's one more feature I have up my sleeve to show them.'
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- NICKI LAUGHS - Now, one last thing...
0:14:13 > 0:14:15..I wanted you to see...
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Your own swimming pool!
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- That is the biggest surprise of the lot.- Yep.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- That's a surprise, yes. - Even more than the annexe!
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- Do you need a swimming pool in your lives?- I would love a swimming pool in my life.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32So we are going to need to talk how much it's on the market for.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- Ten minutes from the sea...- Mm.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39I think you've gone over budget. I think 645.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- OK.- 625, I think.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45The asking price...
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- ..is below that.- Ooh!- Right.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- £565,000.- Oh!- OK.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56- That's reasonable, isn't it?- Yes. - I'm quite surprised at that.- Yes.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59At that price, why don't you have another look around,
0:14:59 > 0:15:03see how you can make it work for you and possible kennels for the dogs.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- Thank you.- See you in a minute.- Yes.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Comfortably under their budget at £565,000,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14our first property provides a substantial amount of accommodation
0:15:14 > 0:15:17for family and the dogs.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20It includes a kitchen-diner, a spacious living room,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24five bedrooms in the main house, along with a one-bedroom annexe.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Outside, the garden extends to three-quarters of an acre
0:15:28 > 0:15:31and there's even a heated swimming pool.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I didn't like the beams at all to start with,
0:15:33 > 0:15:37I thought they were a bit dull, something I'd not even considered,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41but the whole place took off when I went upstairs. I thought it was charming.
0:15:41 > 0:15:47The thing that really amazed me was when we came downstairs and then went into the annexe part.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50I didn't even realise that was there. That was fantastic.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54The biggest surprise, of course, was the swimming pool at the end,
0:15:54 > 0:15:56which wasn't in our specification at all.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01But the drawback is the fact that the land is not open.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04The dogs would need the running space
0:16:04 > 0:16:09and, at the moment, I don't see how we could actually run the dogs
0:16:09 > 0:16:12and accommodate them here successfully.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- What do you think? - I'm overwhelmed with the building and the cottage itself.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22It doesn't feel cottagey. It's a house but it's so pretty. It's lovely.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- I can feel a "but"... - The problem is the dogs.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- You've got to have a think about that.- Yes.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- It's been a good start, hasn't it? - It's been a very good start.- Good.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- Come on, let's go.- OK.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Set in Sussex's ancient landscape
0:16:46 > 0:16:49are many historic reminders of invaders from the continent
0:16:49 > 0:16:53who have come and conquered over the past 2,000 years.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56The Romans established the City of Chichester
0:16:56 > 0:16:59as an important fortified settlement
0:16:59 > 0:17:01and set out a formalised street plan of its centre,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04which can still be seen today.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07In fact, just a couple of miles outside Chichester
0:17:07 > 0:17:13lies one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in Britain.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16We sent John and Jan to meet its curator, Rob Symmons
0:17:16 > 0:17:19to discover how such a great display of wealth
0:17:19 > 0:17:21came to be unearthed here.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25When was this site discovered and how?
0:17:25 > 0:17:29It was in 1960. They were digging a water main through the field where the palace was built
0:17:29 > 0:17:31and they started digging up mosaics.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Fortunately, somebody stopped the digger
0:17:34 > 0:17:36and the archaeologists were called
0:17:36 > 0:17:39and, eight years later, this is what was discovered.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Why do you think the Romans chose this particular place
0:17:42 > 0:17:45to put up such a wonderful palace as this?
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Our favourite theory, if you like, is that the palace was built for a local client king
0:17:50 > 0:17:52called Tiberius Claudius Togidubnus.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57He was friendly with the Romans and let them sneakily in through the back door to Britain
0:17:57 > 0:18:00and, as a reward, the Romans built this massive palace
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and sat him in it so that he could rule the area for them as a sort of a puppet king.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09The palace houses the largest collection of in situ mosaic floors in Britain.
0:18:09 > 0:18:15Many of these were laid at the time the palace was constructed, around 75 AD,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18which makes them some of the oldest mosaics in the country.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22The early ones are almost exclusively black and white
0:18:22 > 0:18:25and very geometric in their design.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29The later ones tend to be multi-coloured and more figurative,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32so they've got images of people, animals, plants on them.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37So, Rob, what's happened to all the artefacts found on this site?
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- Do you want to come and have a look? - We'd love to, thank you.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Once an artefact has been excavated from the site
0:18:45 > 0:18:49it's taken to the laboratory, where the archaeologists work on the object
0:18:49 > 0:18:53to stop it from deteriorating any further.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58I've got one of the coins. This was actually found in 1992.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02See that bright green colour? That's bronze disease.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05What we're trying to do is go through all of our coins
0:19:05 > 0:19:08and clean away that bronze disease. It's like rust.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11It's a very laborious, mechanical process,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15very, very gently scraping away
0:19:15 > 0:19:19tiny, tiny particles of rust.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Every item found is labelled, catalogued
0:19:22 > 0:19:25and stored for researchers in the future.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Held within those artefacts is information
0:19:28 > 0:19:31that you or I might not be able to read,
0:19:31 > 0:19:36but there'll be a specialist who's spent their life studying imported Roman pottery
0:19:36 > 0:19:40and they'll be able to look at sometimes tiny pieces
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and they'll be able to work out what the complete pot looked like,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45when it was made, where it was made.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50With a fancy chemical analysis, you might even be able to work out what it was used for.
0:19:50 > 0:19:56There are around 200,000 objects housed in an enormous artefact store
0:19:56 > 0:20:00and each one builds up a picture of life at that time.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- It's a piece of pottery.- Right.
0:20:03 > 0:20:09It's a fragment of one of those enormous amphorae that you get, and they're storage jars.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11We know that this one is from Rhodes.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13This little point on the shoulder tells us that.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17I'm just wondering what part it would be.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19This is a modern replica,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22but you can see...
0:20:22 > 0:20:26..it would've come from the little point on the shoulder.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29But that's part of the handle.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32They're useful things because they tell us about trade.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36They tell us that there was enough wealth here to be able to import something.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40The cost of importing the amphora alone must've been quite expensive.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Thanks very much for showing us your treasures.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- That's my pleasure! - It's been absolutely amazing.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- Good to meet you both. Best of luck with your search. - We've really enjoyed it. Thanks.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55Having enjoyed a behind-the-scenes visit to this unique historic site,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57it's time we fast-forwarded to the present day
0:20:57 > 0:21:00and continued our property search.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06For our second house, we're majoring on outside space
0:21:06 > 0:21:10as we jump over the Hampshire border to Swanmore.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13This rural village gives them a quiet location
0:21:13 > 0:21:16but also useful amenities, such as a local shop,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19a post office and three pubs.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Many of the buildings here date back to Victorian times.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27However, our property, which lies on the edge of the village, is modern,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30although it's built in a period style.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31So, what do you think?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- It's a very imposing house.- Yes.
0:21:33 > 0:21:38This house was only built in 2,000, so it's 12 years old.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- I'm surprised.- But it doesn't look overly modern.- No.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- It's in character. - It is very much in character.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47So the weather is pretty dire.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- Shall we start off inside? - Yes, please.- Come on.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53'It doesn't look like the weather has dampened their spirits
0:21:53 > 0:21:56'as they seem impressed by the exterior.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59'Long may it continue and we explore inside.'
0:22:02 > 0:22:06So come into the dry and the warm.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10We'll start off with the kitchen because I brought you through the back door.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Very different from the kitchen we saw earlier,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16different style, different layout.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- What do you think?- It's small.- Yes. - It hasn't got the dining space,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- but it's a good kitchen. - It's very nice.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- It's a functional kitchen. - It works as a kitchen.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28It depends what else we've got to go with it.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- Good point. Shall we continue? - Yes, please!
0:22:32 > 0:22:35To complement the kitchen,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- you've actually got a separate dining room.- Right.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43Or an extremely large hallway, because there's your front door!
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- Yes.- It's dual-purpose, isn't it?
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Very happy to sit down and eat my meal there.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- You seem more in unison with this property.- BOTH: I think we are.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54It feels more like home in a funny sort of way!
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Perhaps it's more in our zone.- Yes.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- I love it.- Yes? - We're doing well.- Right.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02We'll go through.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05We've got a beautifully presented sitting room.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Oh, that is really lovely. Look at the ceiling.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12The first thing that hits me is the ceiling and the light.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- Multi-fuel burner there. - I love that.- Lovely fireplace.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20The house has character. It doesn't look like it's only 12 years old.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- No, it doesn't.- You've got a massive conservatory, a really good size.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26That was built in 2003.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Now, every time I look at a room, I'm thinking,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- "Is this suitable for the dogs?" - I'm sure you are, yes.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36They would probably love it in there. I would fight them for it
0:23:36 > 0:23:38but it could be perfect for the dogs.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Just a thought.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45- Let's see if we can keep this good mood upstairs!- OK!
0:23:47 > 0:23:49'The clean lines and modern feel of this property
0:23:49 > 0:23:52'have struck a chord with them so far.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55'Upstairs gives them the number of bedrooms they asked for,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57'the largest of which would be theirs.'
0:23:57 > 0:24:02Amazing views from every window.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- Yes.- And here is the master.- Right.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10- I like the, er, arch there. - The little dressing room. - It's like a little dressing area.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15And lots of storage space, which I need!
0:24:15 > 0:24:19- THEY LAUGH - There is a drawer for me!
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- Very nice. - You've got two other bedrooms,
0:24:21 > 0:24:25one which is being used as a study-come-bedroom,
0:24:25 > 0:24:27and a family bathroom.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31- These award-winning dogs haven't even been thought about yet, have they?- No!
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- They haven't got a home.- No. OK.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- The bedroom! - I think we should go outside,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38take a look at the land
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- and what you could possibly do for them.- OK.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46'The house comes with around an acre and a half of grounds,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49'so a perfect area for their six dogs.'
0:24:50 > 0:24:55I think it's time to talk champion doggies.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59We've got to get it right for them, as well as for the two of you.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- As we came in, you probably saw there was a double garage.- Yes.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04There's loads of space above.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Planning permission hasn't been given for that to be converted, but an option.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- And then you have all of this.- Mm.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16- It's an acre and a half. - It's lovely. A delightful property.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21Let's get it over with. Let's talk about how much this house is on the market for.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- I'll have a punt. - Go on, then, you go again.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- 595.- Mm.- OK.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31You have the face of a poker player, can I just tell you that, John?
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- Very good!- Poker-faced.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36I don't think he's far wrong, actually.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I'm going to say 575.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Jan, it's you.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- £575,000.- Really? I'm right! - Well done.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Go and have another look around, please do.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I can see you're very taken with this property.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54And now you know the price, you can work out, potentially,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58- the adjustments that you might make to make it right for you...- Yes.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00..plus those six dogs!
0:26:00 > 0:26:05- Off you go!- Thanks. - See you in a while!
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Under budget at £575,000,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12our buyers have £25,000 left over
0:26:12 > 0:26:15to make any changes to this property.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19It gives them a large main living room with multi-fuel burner,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21a conservatory, three bedrooms
0:26:21 > 0:26:26and a round 1.5 acres of land for their dogs to roam free.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31Very imposing as you come in the beautiful sweeping drive. It's almost like a mansion.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I'm a bit concerned about there's only one bathroom upstairs,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37that we haven't got an en suite in the master.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40I think we need something like that to think about.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Outside is amazing.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47The grounds are well put together, well kept, easy to maintain,
0:26:47 > 0:26:52and the whole house sort of exudes quality and quality of build.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54The problems, if they are problems,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57are going to be how we accommodate the dogs.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00I think we've got ideas there.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Well, that seemed to go rather well.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- Big smiling faces. Happy?- Yes.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- Seen enough?- Yes.- Yes. Seen lots.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14- I think, as it's pouring with rain, we're going to make a move. - I think so.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30As evening falls over the West Sussex countryside,
0:27:30 > 0:27:35our first day of house-hunting draws to a close.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43With a budget of £600,000 and their beloved dogs in tow,
0:27:43 > 0:27:48John and Jan are making strides to leave the busy seaside town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight
0:27:48 > 0:27:53and buy their first house together in the West Sussex countryside.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Our first property scored on location,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59whilst the second won our buyers over with its large amount of land.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03But will the mystery house be a challenge too far?
0:28:03 > 0:28:07- I'll put the dogs up for sale! - Do you mean that?
0:28:07 > 0:28:13And I meet some of the important native-breed residents of the Goodwood Estate.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19For Jan and John, plus the six dogs,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23this move represents an exciting new chapter in their lives.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Now, so far, we've shown them a period property,
0:28:26 > 0:28:31complete with self-contained annexe, a swimming pool and land.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33We then crossed the border to Hampshire,
0:28:33 > 0:28:37where they saw a modern country home with plenty of scope for those dogs.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42Today, we want them to consider perhaps life for the two of them -
0:28:42 > 0:28:44just them together.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Now, I say this as just a suggestion.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52But let's see if the mystery house can convince them of this new way of life.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Our mystery property takes us to the village of East Dean.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03Set in the South Downs, the village pond is surrounded by charming properties
0:29:03 > 0:29:07and in that sense, our mystery house is totally in keeping.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11It's a barn conversion, which forms part of an award-winning development.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Although it lacks immediate outdoor space,
0:29:14 > 0:29:19it does give the dogs the complete run of the South Downs.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23With the mystery house, we do change things slightly
0:29:23 > 0:29:27- and we have a fantastic property to show you.- Right.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Here is your mystery.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Mm...
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- What, all of it? - THEY LAUGH
0:29:34 > 0:29:37I would love to give you the whole development,
0:29:37 > 0:29:40but in actual fact, it's this part of the barn here.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44So the set-up - it's communal living within a village.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47You've got two this side, the same on the other.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49In a way, it's like a horse shoe
0:29:49 > 0:29:52and then there's sort of a paddock in the middle,
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- and then you're surrounded by the Goodwood Estate and the South Downs.- Yes.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59What's going through your minds?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Go on, be honest with me. I think you're being polite!
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- Communal living is a question mark. - Yes.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- Communal dogs...- Communal dogs...
0:30:07 > 0:30:12I'm not sure whether other people would appreciate us with so many.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- That's a good point, yes. - Perhaps one or two.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19It's something we're going to need to discuss as we're walking around.
0:30:19 > 0:30:24- I'm very open-minded. - You're so polite! Come on.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26'Despite that reserved reaction outside,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29'I'm sure the space and high-spec finish inside
0:30:29 > 0:30:31'will lift their mood.'
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Welcome to our mystery house.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40There's a section of old barns, a granary actually,
0:30:40 > 0:30:45and as you can see, it's been done to a really high spec.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- Absolutely lovely.- Amazing light.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52- Everything is light and bright. - And flowing.- Yes.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57- I like it because I like the open aspect, the open plan... - I like the open space, too.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02- I can't wait to get in the kitchen. It looks absolutely amazing. - Come on, then. Let's take a look.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05An island! A big island!
0:31:05 > 0:31:08No shortage of space with this kitchen.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Again, because of the way it's been converted,
0:31:12 > 0:31:14you have so much light.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17What about that open-plan feeling?
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- We like open plan.- Yes. - It's convenient and pleasant
0:31:21 > 0:31:26and you feel more together in some ways.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28- Let's keep going!- Let's keep going.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39- What do you think of this? - My word! That is a bit unusual!
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Is it making you think...
0:31:42 > 0:31:45..about the possibility of how you could live your lives?
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- Yes.- Put the dogs up for sale! - Do you mean that?
0:31:49 > 0:31:54- Do you really mean that? - For a split second, I might!
0:31:54 > 0:31:59- They'd love it here. - They'd love to be in this room. - They'd be very happy here.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03- I'm going to be very practical - easy-to-clean floors.- Yes.
0:32:03 > 0:32:08- You normally say that about children but we can say it for dogs.- Yes.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11And you have your multi-fuel burner there.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15You've got the double-height ceiling with the Victorian truss A-frame.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18I've never seen anything like this before.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23I've been in a few barns but never seen anything like this, not so attractive or well finished.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25- It takes your breath away, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28So on this floor you've got...
0:32:28 > 0:32:30..well, it could be a downstairs bedroom
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- because there's a bathroom next door.- Right.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Or you could make that into your office.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39Shall we head upstairs because there's more to see there.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43'Despite their first impressions,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46'the pristine yet practical layout of our mystery house
0:32:46 > 0:32:50'could lend itself to them living alongside the dogs.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53'We'll change tack now and head upstairs,
0:32:53 > 0:32:57'which gives them their ideal in terms of en suites.'
0:33:00 > 0:33:03We have three bedrooms in total with this barn.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07You've got the one downstairs and then you've got two up here.
0:33:07 > 0:33:12- They're all en suite, all three of them.- BOTH: Oh!
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Gosh, look at these small windows here, are they?
0:33:15 > 0:33:19I think they're either for the dovecote or ventilation.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22It could've been for drying, to let the air go through.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27- Very attractive. - How clever. If you look closely, they've put mirrors round the edge
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- so it reflects all the light. - Even more...
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Let's head back downstairs.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34It's also going to get a little bit grubby.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38- I'm not talking muddy boots. I'm talking money.- Money!- Yes.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40It's not going to be cheap.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44My lips are sealed so far! We're going to follow you, John.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50Outside, apart from having direct access to the South Downs' pathways,
0:33:50 > 0:33:54the immediate shared grounds amount to around two acres.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56This part is the communal land
0:33:56 > 0:34:00and then you've got the whole estate around here of the South Downs.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02It's very beautiful, isn't it?
0:34:02 > 0:34:04And then if we look back,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07you can actually see the whole development.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11- Absolutely wonderful. - It's heaven, isn't it?
0:34:11 > 0:34:14But how much does this slice of heaven cost?
0:34:14 > 0:34:16That is quite a difficult one, isn't it?
0:34:16 > 0:34:19- What do you think? - SHE SIGHS
0:34:19 > 0:34:22£650,000.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Mm...
0:34:24 > 0:34:28I'm going to go slightly lower and go for 595, I think.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33OK. The asking price is £625,000.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37- Not too far off.- No. - I knew it'd be top of our range.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41- Do you fancy having another look around?- Yes, I do.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43- It gives you some fantastic ideas... - So many ideas.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- ..about what you can do with your next property.- Yes.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49- I'll catch up with you when you're ready.- BOTH: Thank you.
0:34:50 > 0:34:56Granted, our mystery property is over budget at £625,000,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59but we couldn't resist tempting them to consider
0:34:59 > 0:35:02whether a different living arrangement with the dogs is possible.
0:35:02 > 0:35:08If so, they would enjoy a stunning and unique first home together.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11They love the flow and features of the contemporary kitchen
0:35:11 > 0:35:13and open-plan living areas.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17It gives them the three bedrooms and the numerous bathrooms they asked for.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Outside, along with two acres of shared grounds,
0:35:20 > 0:35:24the South Downs is right on their doorstep.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27I think the property is absolutely stunning,
0:35:27 > 0:35:28I love it to bits,
0:35:28 > 0:35:32but I think it's just when I saw it and I realised
0:35:32 > 0:35:36that there was nowhere I could have my dogs here.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39And I still think that probably the top of my list
0:35:39 > 0:35:44is not to have neighbours at this point in my life,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46not neighbours quite so close.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49We turned the corner and I saw the barns,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51I was a little bit disappointed.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55However, walking into the building itself,
0:35:55 > 0:36:00I was amazed by the standard of the fit,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02the layout was amazing.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04It's just pure luxury.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- OK, you two? Happy? Seen enough? - BOTH: Yes.
0:36:09 > 0:36:15- Can we take it with us? - Put in your pocket and take it home! - Jack it up and take it away!
0:36:15 > 0:36:18- I'm going to take you two away now. Come on.- All right.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Set in the Sussex Downs, just north of Chichester, is the Goodwood Estate,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36which covers some 12,000 acres
0:36:36 > 0:36:39and is a renowned horse racing and motorsport venue.
0:36:39 > 0:36:44In complete contrast, it's also home to its own ancestral farm,
0:36:44 > 0:36:49which, as well as supplying food to the Dukes of Richmond for the last 300 years,
0:36:49 > 0:36:53is also one of the largest organic farms in the UK
0:36:53 > 0:36:56and includes the country's very first dairy herd
0:36:56 > 0:37:00to be completely organically fed.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04I went along to find out more about their organic farming ethos,
0:37:04 > 0:37:08and the native-breed livestock, from manager Tim Hassell.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- It's a huge set-up, isn't it? - It's a huge farming operation.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15We farm 3,200 acres. Not only do we farm, we add value to what we produce.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Historically, is it right the farm came about
0:37:18 > 0:37:23- because it was producing food for the Duke and Duchess of Richmond?- For the estate, yes.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27- And that goes back, what, 300 years? - Something like that. It's been in the family a long time.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31So we are in West Sussex today. Do you have any native breeds here?
0:37:31 > 0:37:34We do. We have the Southdown sheep and the Sussex beef.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38We rear them as a local breed because they do well on the local grass.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42- How long have you had them here? - The Duke, back in the early 20th century,
0:37:42 > 0:37:46was one of the leading lights of the South Down Society, so they've been here for a long time.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50- Is it possible to see them?- Sure. - Great.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53The Southdown sheep is a breed which thrives here
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and helps maintain the downland pastures.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58These are our pedigree Southdowns.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02We've got 40 pedigree ewes and about five or six males.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05We breed these for going over our commercial flock.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08So we've got over 1,000 ewes, a cross-bred type of mule
0:38:08 > 0:38:13and we use our Southdowns as a terminal sire to cross over all those and that produces our Goodwood lamb.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- So, this is a strong blood line, is it?- That's right.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19We've picked blood lines that we've had around for quite a long time.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22We're trying to perfect the type of animal we're producing.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25The main purpose of the arable land
0:38:25 > 0:38:28is to provide the animals with organically-grown cereals
0:38:28 > 0:38:32to balance home-grown forages, fed during the winter months.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36The rough grasses here are also perfect grazing terrain
0:38:36 > 0:38:39for the traditionally deep red-coloured Sussex cattle,
0:38:39 > 0:38:41which is a hardy, stocky, native breed,
0:38:41 > 0:38:44normally reared for its beef.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46We've got 38 cows with calves-at-foot.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48That means the calves were born in April
0:38:48 > 0:38:52and they're rearing their calves up until Christmas.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56We've also got some maiden heifers. That means they've never had a calf.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00We've got a very attractive black variety here. Why is that?
0:39:00 > 0:39:04She's a first Sussex cross out of a black and white cow.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06With the black gene dominant over red,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10you'll get a black one, even though she's half-Sussex.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Eventually, we'll breed that colour out of her.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14You must have to keep an eye on them 24 hours a day.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Our stockmen work long hours.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20We're always on call, checking calves and cows at night.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24We can be doing 12, 13-hour days for 12 days and then have two days rest.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28- It's a passion. We're farmers. It's a way of life.- Yes.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- Hard-working, as you say, very passionate about what you do. - That's right.
0:39:31 > 0:39:36Tim, thank you for taking the time to give us this tour. It's been fascinating.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40- I could watch your animals for hours.- I'm glad you've enjoyed it.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- You don't have that luxury! You're working hard!- That's right.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- Thanks very much.- Thank you.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54What a fantastic day out on a historic farm!
0:39:54 > 0:39:57But it's time to get back to the properties.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01So after rekindling their romance after 40 years,
0:40:01 > 0:40:06John and Jan feel the time is right to buy their first home together.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08But have we found them and their dogs
0:40:08 > 0:40:11their perfect rural retreat?
0:40:11 > 0:40:12Let's find out.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22John and Janet, I've really enjoyed the last few days,
0:40:22 > 0:40:24apart from getting wet!
0:40:24 > 0:40:27So that first property we took you to see,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31- you expressed an interest in seeing quite modern properties...- Yes.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35..so we started off with an old one! But it was quite well received.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39I didn't think too much of it when I first arrived, from the outside.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Different altogether inside, and it got better and better as we went round.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46It's not often we show someone a property
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- that has a separate annexe...- Yes.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52..a swimming pool, a fair bit of land with the property,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56but wasn't quite right for the dogs, was it?
0:40:56 > 0:41:00The shape of the land and the size, it just wasn't big enough.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03So doing the search, we spread it out a little bit.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06We crossed the border into Hampshire.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11This time, we showed you quite a modern country home, with an acre-and-a-half of land.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14The layout was OK, wasn't it?
0:41:14 > 0:41:17But it would've needed some work, from our point of view,
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- to make it dog-friendly.- Yes.
0:41:21 > 0:41:26I don't think I took to the area as much as I thought I would.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30- We retreated then back to West Sussex...- Yes.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31..for our mystery.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36This time, we decided that it was such an outstanding property,
0:41:36 > 0:41:40but what was different was the way that you would live your lives.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44- Design magazine at its best, wasn't it?- Absolutely stunning.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46- Wouldn't have wanted to change anything.- No.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50Now, set within the Goodwood Estate,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53but you did have neighbours either side of you
0:41:53 > 0:41:57- and more, in a way, didn't you? That was the sticking point.- Yes.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01We both thought that it wasn't quite the right timing for us
0:42:01 > 0:42:06to live in that sort of community, with people so close
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- and not having our own little patch of England.- Mm.
0:42:09 > 0:42:14- It wasn't quite right. We're not ready for that yet, even without the dogs.- Yes.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16But with the dogs, impossible.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19I do think, with a little bit more research,
0:42:19 > 0:42:23looking at a few more properties, you'll get there very soon.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27What's come out of it most for me is the location.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31I do like West Sussex. I've always felt at home in West Sussex.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34The house will come, I think. We've got to keep looking.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38That's fantastic news. We really hope you find that house
0:42:38 > 0:42:40and that you're happy and the dogs are, as well.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- Thanks very much.- BOTH: Thank you.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50We've had a great few days here in West Sussex
0:42:50 > 0:42:54and John and Jan have thoroughly enjoyed exploring this beautiful county
0:42:54 > 0:42:56all over again.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00It's such a shame we couldn't find them their dream home.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04What is apparent, they're happy to compromise on their needs
0:43:04 > 0:43:07but when it comes to the dogs' creature comforts,
0:43:07 > 0:43:09it's got to be just right.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11We wish them all the best with their future together.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14Until next time, bye-bye.
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0:43:17 > 0:43:20Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
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