0:00:02 > 0:00:06This castle behind me may look familiar. But don't be fooled.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Due to its visual resemblance to Berkshire's Windsor Castle,
0:00:09 > 0:00:14it's been its film and television stand-in on many occasions.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17So where am I? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38'On today's show, I'm helping a retired couple
0:00:38 > 0:00:40'to ditch their nation-hopping lifestyle
0:00:40 > 0:00:44'to consolidate their lives in the wide open spaces of the countryside.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- 'They know what they like...' - I think it needs redesigning
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- for what we would want. - Yeah, we would have it differently.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53'..and they like what they see.'
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Shall I tell you something? I'd love to have this house.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05I'm in West Sussex and this is Arundel Castle,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09one of the longest inhabited country houses in England.
0:01:09 > 0:01:15It was built by one of William the Conqueror's most loyal barons, Roger de Montgomery.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Now, he was awarded no less than a third of Sussex
0:01:19 > 0:01:22on the provision that he built a castle by the River Arun
0:01:22 > 0:01:24to help defend the county's borders.
0:01:24 > 0:01:31And this spot is a great place to take in the stunning scenery of the South Downs National Park,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34something today's buyers are hoping to see a lot more of.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39'West Sussex is located in the south of England
0:01:39 > 0:01:43'between Hampshire to the west and East Sussex to the east.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45'All three counties have one thing in common.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'The South Downs National Park.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'The county capital is Chichester in the southwest
0:01:51 > 0:01:54'which boasts a stunning 12th century cathedral.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58'Further east is Arundel, a picture-perfect town
0:01:58 > 0:02:00'with its castle sitting high upon the hill
0:02:00 > 0:02:04'looking down on the glorious River Arun.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06'If it's a beach you're after,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09'head south to an impressive 40-mile stretch of shoreline
0:02:09 > 0:02:14'where you can enjoy the quiet expanses of the West Sussex coast.'
0:02:14 > 0:02:19So what is it about this county that so appeals to today's buyers?
0:02:21 > 0:02:25'Barry and Bart have spent the last 12 years dividing their time
0:02:25 > 0:02:28'between a home in the town of Richmond-upon-Thames in south-west London
0:02:28 > 0:02:32'and their sunny bolthole on the Mediterranean island of Majorca.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36'But now they feel the time is right for a move to the British countryside.'
0:02:36 > 0:02:41- It's a lovely lifestyle but it's a divided lifestyle.- Yeah.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44So you live part of the time in Majorca, part of the time here,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46and that's lovely for a while,
0:02:46 > 0:02:51but there comes a time when you just want to settle and concentrate your energies in one place.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53'Now both retired,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56'80-year-old Barry and 58-year-old Bart
0:02:56 > 0:03:01'are looking to consolidate their lives in the South Downs area of West Sussex.'
0:03:01 > 0:03:03We love the area there and we're familiar with it,
0:03:03 > 0:03:08so we'd like to find out more about it and actually be situated there.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11'They've been together for over 30 years
0:03:11 > 0:03:16'and when the opportunity arose, they formally cemented their relationship.'
0:03:16 > 0:03:21We became civil partnered in 2005,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24which was the big year, on 21st December,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27which was the first day in the United Kingdom that was possible.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31And that was quite a big day, because it felt very important to us.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Same day as David Furnish and Elton John.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- It was the same, yes. That's our claim to fame. - Very important.- Very important.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42'A shared passion has been the added catalyst to moving.'
0:03:42 > 0:03:44I am an extreme dog lover
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and I really want to have another dog.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- My last dog died... When did Henry die? About 12 years ago.- Mm.
0:03:51 > 0:03:57I have a broken leg, it's healing, and I really need to exercise it.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00If we had dogs then I would be encouraged to go out,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02cos I can be terribly lazy, you see.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07And if I don't have to go out, I don't go out now. It would be a good thing.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12'And a move from an apartment would allow them the space
0:04:12 > 0:04:15'to reinvigorate their love of art and antiques.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19'So what would they like to trade in their dual-property lifestyle for?'
0:04:19 > 0:04:23The ideal property would be a house that's not too big,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26that has some character to it,
0:04:26 > 0:04:31that has some interesting features, with about three or four bedrooms,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33a large kitchen/diner would be good.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36I think Bart's missed out the most important factor.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39We're looking for something that's got some style.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- Yeah. But I think you put that into it, as well.- Yeah.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Well, no, I'd like to see style there before I moved in.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Cos he's a lazy so-and-so. BARRY LAUGHS
0:04:47 > 0:04:51'And vital to this rural move is the financial detail.'
0:04:51 > 0:04:55The budget would be £800,000.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58For absolutely the right place
0:04:58 > 0:05:00we could stretch, perhaps, to about 900.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07'Barry and Bart would like us to concentrate our search
0:05:07 > 0:05:11'in the area around Chichester in the south-west of the county,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14'to be within striking distance of the South Downs.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16'I met up with them on local soil
0:05:16 > 0:05:19'to find out what sets their hearts racing.'
0:05:19 > 0:05:22So what is it exactly that you're looking for with this next move?
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Something fairly simple
0:05:27 > 0:05:30but very attractive,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32a garden but not too big.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35And something that will have a wow factor.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40And a downstairs bedroom or a room which we could convert into a downstairs bedroom,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44because of Barry's leg, he broke his leg two years ago.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49And we'd like a good-size kitchen. A small kitchen would be a no-no for us.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- Are you going to know when you walk through the door?- Yes.- Yes.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- And are you generally in agreement? - We always agree as long as I have my own way.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Right. We've got three properties lined up.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01One, of course, is our mystery house.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04So I think we should finish our tea and get going.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Brilliant. Let's do that.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10'For a top budget of £900,000,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14'Barry and Bart are looking for three to four bedrooms, one en suite,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17'a large kitchen or kitchen/diner,
0:06:17 > 0:06:21'a downstairs bedroom or a room with an option to convert,
0:06:21 > 0:06:23'a large, dog-friendly garden,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26'and all within striking distance of the South Downs.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30'We have a variety of properties to show them
0:06:30 > 0:06:34'and at each one I'll be asking them to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38'One is a mystery house that will hopefully pull at the heart strings.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42'But before all that, first on the list is house number one.'
0:06:44 > 0:06:47'We begin our property search in the south-west of the county,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49'close to the coastal village of Pagham,
0:06:49 > 0:06:54'around six miles south of Chichester and four miles from Bognor Regis on the south coast.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59'All the essential amenities can be found nearby
0:06:59 > 0:07:02'in the 13th century village of Pagham.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06'Close by in the hamlet of Lagness is our first house,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09'a Grade II listed farmhouse that comes with an added extra surprise,
0:07:09 > 0:07:11'all surrounded by open farmland.'
0:07:13 > 0:07:18So, gentlemen, for our first property, I've brought you to the south of the county.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- And here is the first house we're going to show you.- Ah! It looks interesting.- Yes, looks good.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25There's a barn straight in front of us.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- That comes with the property, as well.- Oh, interesting.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- So shall we start?- Yeah. Let's go.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38'It's an encouraging start, but we're taking a bit of a gamble with our first offering.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43'It has plenty of space, but will the layout be right for Barry and Bart?'
0:07:44 > 0:07:47And we're going to start off with the kitchen.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Hm.- Good size? How do you feel?
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- It needs... - It needs to be a bit bigger for me. - It needs work doing to it.
0:07:55 > 0:08:02- It's got a lot of character in many ways.- This, to me, is lovely perhaps for the house,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- but I think it needs redesigning for what we would want. - Yeah, we would have it differently.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The one thing you have to be mindful of is it's listed.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Built around 1742. It's Grade II listed.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- We'd like a large kitchen/diner, really.- Yeah.- Space.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- OK. Well, there's an option through here.- Right.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- Because you've got a dining room next door.- Yes, absolutely.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29But it would, I think, be better incorporated into the kitchen.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32But again, if it's Grade II listed, that could be a problem.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- You would definitely need to look into it. - Yeah. That's a question mark.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39OK, well, let's continue on your tour.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Oh, wow, that's lovely. That really is very, very nice.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Nice, isn't it? I love the open fire. - Very, very charming.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Yes, that's very, very nice.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00I've got a different reaction totally with this half of the house.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- Yes.- Yeah, this is lovely. This is very nice.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- Shall we continue, head upstairs? - Please.- Yes, let's do that.- Love to.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11'The utility room, storage area and cloakroom
0:09:11 > 0:09:13'make up the remainder of the ground floor.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16'So after that mixed reaction to the downstairs,
0:09:16 > 0:09:20'we're hoping for more positives from the four good-size bedrooms upstairs.'
0:09:20 > 0:09:22So here is the master bedroom.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- Yes.- You've got four bedrooms in total.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29So you've got three about this size
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and then you've got a single which is currently being used as a study.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- Is there an en suite with this? - There isn't. There's a family bathroom.- Ah.- Right.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- Which all the bedrooms share.- Right.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- As rooms go, it's a nice room. - It's lovely.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- A lot of charm. - I love the built-in cupboards.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48If you said to me that there was an en suite through two of those doors,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50that would make a big difference, I think.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52You'll remember when we first arrived,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- I said there was a barn.- Yeah.- I do remember.- I'm intrigued about this.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00- Let's head outside and take a look at that and see what you think there.- Excellent.- Great.
0:10:01 > 0:10:07'Sadly, it seems the house isn't quite delivering the desired size in the right places.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09'But before we write it off completely,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12'I have a surprise up my sleeve.'
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- So, this is the annexe I mentioned earlier.- Yes.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- Nicely done, isn't it, Bart?- Yes.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Stylishly done, I think. - Yes, it is, actually.- It's nice.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- Self-contained, so you've got the kitchen area here. - Everything you need.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30And it's got two double bedrooms.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32You've been very honest as we've gone around.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36But we haven't seen the land, we haven't talked about the outside that much,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- which will lead us onto money.- Yes.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'The property sits within partially walled grounds,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46'including an enclosed terrace and landscaped garden
0:10:46 > 0:10:51'with the option of an additional five acres of paddock available separately.'
0:10:52 > 0:10:55So you've seen everything. How much is it on the market for?
0:10:55 > 0:11:00I would say, all in all, probably about 650.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02OK. Bart?
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- 670.- Interesting.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09You're both out by quite a lot of money.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- I thought you were going to say that. - HE LAUGHS
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Asking price is £795,000.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- Really?- Mm-hm.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24'This Grade II listed farmhouse comes in under budget
0:11:24 > 0:11:28'with four bedrooms, a large sitting room, a stylish barn annexe,
0:11:28 > 0:11:32'all set in rural countryside close to the south coast.'
0:11:35 > 0:11:39So that's it. You've seen our first property, the farmhouse with the annexe.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- Are you ready to see property number two?- Absolutely.- We certainly are.
0:11:51 > 0:11:57'The West Sussex countryside may be a good location for those seeking a rural retreat,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00'but it's also a haven for some of the world's rarest wildfowl.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05'Arundel is home to one of the UK's nine Wildfowl and Wetlands Centres,
0:12:05 > 0:12:10'the charity founded in 1946 by conservationist Sir Peter Scott.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14'To find out more, I've come to meet grounds manager Paul Stevens.'
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- Paul, lovely to meet you. - Lovely to meet you.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Thank you for inviting us here today.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22No problem, and very exciting today that you've come today,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25cos we've got some young nene that hatched out at the end of last week.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- Oh!- We've got four goslings down there.- They're so cute!
0:12:29 > 0:12:31I've never heard of a nene.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34It can be called a Hawaiian goose, that's another name for it.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37'Close to extinction in 1952,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40'with about 20 pairs left in Hawaii,
0:12:40 > 0:12:45'the nene was one of the first birds Sir Peter Scott introduced into the breeding programme.'
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- So you all must have a real soft spot for the nene, all of you that work here?- Oh, yeah, definitely.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56- There's some other species that I think you need to see. One in particular.- Let's go.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04'Over 70 percent of the birds here at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust are considered endangered,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06'making the work that takes place here vital.'
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Point out the crowd-pleaser.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12There he is, with his mate over there, the male harlequin.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- He is a beauty. - He is stunning, isn't he? - So is this a breeding pair?
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Yeah, this is a breeding pair. And they bred for the first time last year.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- Did they?- And it was a real success.
0:13:23 > 0:13:30- And they all survived?- Er, yes, and the three we can see down at the other end of the reserve today.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34'So what makes Arundel the ideal breeding ground for Harlequin ducks?'
0:13:36 > 0:13:40We are very lucky here at Arundel, we've got some very good water quality,
0:13:40 > 0:13:45basically all filtered through the chalk on the surrounding Downs here.
0:13:45 > 0:13:51Do you think that's why the centre here in West Sussex has had success where other centres haven't?
0:13:51 > 0:13:58Definitely. Yeah. Last year we were the only breeders in the UK to breed them,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02one of two in Europe, and one of three in the whole world.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07'It's reassuring to know that thanks to Paul and his colleagues,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10'the endangered species that find a home here continue to
0:14:10 > 0:14:12flourish in this corner of West Sussex.'
0:14:24 > 0:14:27'Our next offering lies at the eastern side of West Sussex,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29'close to the village of Storrington,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31'six miles from the town of Pulborough,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35'right on the edge of the South Downs National Park.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40'The attractive village of Storrington, recorded in 1086 in the Doomsday Book
0:14:40 > 0:14:44'as Estorchestone, the place well-known for storks,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47'is more recently known as a flourishing marketplace.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50'Our second house is around two miles east of the village,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53'set in a private development
0:14:53 > 0:14:55'right on the doorstep of the Downs.'
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- So, gentlemen...- Yes?- Here we are just outside Storrington.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Now, you said this search was all about the wow factor.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- How are we doing so far? - Fantastic.- This is scoring pretty high.- Fantastic.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10The house itself, built in 2000.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- Wow, you wouldn't think that.- No.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16You have a house that has that character, as we've all agreed on,
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- but you have the convenience of a new build.- Yep.- Yeah. Stunning.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- Now let's see the kitchen/diner. - Itching to get in? Oh, the kitchen/diner, right.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27We'll start off there, then. Follow me, boys.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31'After such a wonderful start to the tour,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34'I can't wait for Barry and Bart to see the interior,
0:15:34 > 0:15:39'as I'm confident this property offers the space they're looking for.'
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- So, Barry, I said we'd start with the kitchen/diner.- Mm.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- Knowing how important this room is. - Nice!- That's much more like it. - Character.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- That's beautiful.- Beautifully done.
0:15:51 > 0:15:52Oak throughout.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55So you've got a wonderful dining area there
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- as well as in the kitchen/diner. - Yes.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01So let's have a look at the kitchen in a little bit more detail.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04So, from here, you've got everything you could want.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- It's even got two fridges.- Mm-hm.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09And through the glass door is a utility room,
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- again, with access to the garden. - And I can see there's a place for the doggies.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- Yes.- This is the sort of place we would've been looking for.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Is it?- Yeah, this is very close to the bullseye,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23from what we've seen so far, definitely.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- Oh! I take that as a huge compliment.- Oh, it is!
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- That's what we try and achieve. - Mm. Yeah. I'm quite amazed.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- Do you wish to continue? - We'd love to.- Good.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42So, here we have a study.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- Very nice.- And a lovely study, too. Two sets of windows.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47Very light.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49There is a second option for this room.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- I know. - HE LAUGHS - What do we think?
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- Another bedroom.- Do you think we could fit a bed in here?- Yes.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59How about if I took a step backwards and opened that door?
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Oh, for goodness sake!- Ahh! Ahh!
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- Ta-da!- Magic!- For goodness sake!
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- That is incredible.- Isn't that clever?- Now, that is very good.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Good. And I haven't even finished with the ground floor.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17So, what's your first impression of the sitting room?
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Stunning. Very, very nice. - Yes, beautiful.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Cosy, charming, warm, light.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26And then you've got your conservatory next door.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32'The ground floor has exceeded expectations
0:17:32 > 0:17:34'and seems to offer everything they're after.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37'So if the four bedrooms upstairs meet with approval,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39'we could be on to a winner.'
0:17:39 > 0:17:43So we've got a his and his little dressing room area here.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- Lovely.- And then the master bedroom. - Very lovely.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- Nice, nice room.- Very lovely.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- En suite or not? - It is. En suite is just in here.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Take a look in there.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Oh, wow!
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- Oh, fantastic, Barry. Look.- It's great, isn't it?- Look at the shower.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- It's lovely, isn't it? - Very, very impressed with it.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10So you do have three bedrooms upstairs,
0:18:10 > 0:18:14- three good-size bedrooms, one en suite.- And I can't wait to see the garden, cos that's important.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17And on that note, your wish is my command.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- Barry, would you like to lead the way?- Thank you very much.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23'The house is delivering on all levels
0:18:23 > 0:18:26'and as we head outside to cast an eye over the garden,
0:18:26 > 0:18:31'dare I say it, we may have found them their textbook country home.'
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- I know the garden's important, and surrounding area.- It's lovely.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37It's beautiful, the way it wraps round the whole house.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- You liked it as soon as you walked through the door.- Yeah. It's amazing. Every room you look out of,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43you see this garden with fantastic views.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- So it's all going very, very positively...- Until...
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- We've got smiles on our faces. - Until...
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Until... money.- The painful moment.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- The painful moment. - I dread to think.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58It's going to be right at the top end of our budget, right at the top end.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02I'm going to go for 880.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04OK.
0:19:04 > 0:19:10- I was going to say something like that. Round about the 900 region, I'd have thought.- Yeah.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- I'm being optimistic here, I think. - Are you hoping?- Yeah.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18£895,000.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- Oh, almost spot on! - Yes! You're very close!
0:19:22 > 0:19:27- Very close. And just under your top budget.- Yes.- Wow.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34'This modern character property sneaks in under their top budget
0:19:34 > 0:19:39'and offers Barry and Bart just about everything they asked for from a home in the country,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42'with a large kitchen/diner for entertaining,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46'three bedrooms including a good-size master bedroom with en suite,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50'a study with options for converting into a downstairs bedroom,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54'a utility room for the dogs and close to the South Downs.'
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- Are you OK, boys? Have you seen enough?- Perfect.- Yeah?
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- So that's it for today. I think we've ended it on a high.- Yes.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- I'm so pleased!- Yes, hard to leave. With the sun out, can't believe it.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- What a perfect end to a day. - Yes.- Come on.- Thank you.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34'For our mystery house, we're stepping over the border into Hampshire,
0:20:34 > 0:20:39'to the village of Finchdean, right at the heart of the South Downs National Park.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41'Close by is the village of Rowland's Castle,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44'right on the Portsmouth to London Railway,
0:20:44 > 0:20:48'and a popular jump-off point for walkers and cyclists heading for the Downs.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52'Just over a mile away from the village lies our mystery house,
0:20:52 > 0:20:58'a 17th-century, three-bedroom cottage set against woodland right on the South Downs.'
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Gentleman, I've brought you to see your mystery house. You may open your eyes on three.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07One. Two. Three.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Built in 1643.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- Wow!- Although they think it was actually modernised in 1643.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19There could well have been a property here before that, much more of a basic house.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22It's chocolate box, isn't it, really, in many ways.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- It's very impressive. - Yeah, it's lovely.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- It is, indeed.- But let's see if it could be your future home.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- Are you ready to start? - We are.- Let the tour begin.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37'This stunning cottage certainly delivers on the outside.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41'However, it remains to be seen whether the period charms of its interior
0:21:41 > 0:21:44'can serve their practical needs.'
0:21:47 > 0:21:51So, I really feel we're stepping back in history.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Amazing character.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Wonderful, isn't it?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59And I imagine it's listed, as well.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00- It's not, surprisingly.- What?- No.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- You're joking?- It's not listed. And how is that for a fireplace?
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Amazing. - Stunning. Yeah, that's fantastic.
0:22:05 > 0:22:11- Some of these original beams have been dated back to the 13th century.- Is that right?- Yes.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- Wow!- Keen to see more?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- Very keen. Can't wait. - OK. Follow me.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- So here is your drawing room. - Super. It's warm in here, too.- Wow.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Can you imagine yourself sitting here on a winter's evening?
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- Gosh, yes, it's... - Wonderful. I haven't seen anything like it before.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36There's a little bit more to see on the ground floor
0:22:36 > 0:22:39but what there isn't is a downstairs bedroom.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- Yeah, I thought not. - So you have a downstairs toilet,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45a small study.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50This would be the side that you'd need to convert into a bedroom if you wanted to.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- I wouldn't want to convert this. - It would be a shame.
0:22:54 > 0:23:00'We hit our first stumbling block with no realistic area downstairs to accommodate a bedroom.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05'But can we redress the balance with another key room high on their agenda?'
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- Ye olde kitchen.- Oh, my goodness me! - Come on in.- Really, really nice.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Really nice. Very well done.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16- Isn't that lovely? - Shall I tell you something? I'd love to have this house.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19- Would you? - It certainly is very enchanting.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23But I'm not sure I could live in it. Almost, almost, I can't find the right words.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30'Emotions are running high as we head to the three bedrooms upstairs.'
0:23:33 > 0:23:37So, the master bedroom isn't full of all mod cons.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- But we can allow that, can't we? - Very, very stunning.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Because it's fabulous.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47- So it doesn't have an en suite, but we don't mind, do we?- No.
0:23:47 > 0:23:53- We've got the family bathroom just down the way and two more bedrooms, so three in total.- OK.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56One could be quite emotional about a place like this,
0:23:56 > 0:24:00- because it is mind-blowing. - Yeah.- Mm.- It is mind-blowing.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05- And I'm very grateful that you showed it to us.- Yes.- Good.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09- Let's head outside and we can admire it from the garden.- Right.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18'The impracticality of the almost perfect character features of our mystery house
0:24:18 > 0:24:21'was always going to be a risk.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26'All that's left to see before I ask an overwhelmed Barry and Bart to guess the price are the grounds.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32'Over an acre of land including a paddock, stables and a double car port.'
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- Who wants to go first to guess the price?- I'll have a go.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41It's a very, very difficult one, but I would say about 875.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43- 875.- OK.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49I would pitch it lower than that, I'd pitch it at about 800.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52The asking price is £900,000.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- Ah, really? I was very close. - You were.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03'The 17th century mystery property has bags of the character and style they wanted,
0:25:03 > 0:25:07'along with three large bedrooms, a dining room and large reception room,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10'all located within the South Downs National Park,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13'ideal for walking the dogs.'
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Well, that's it, chaps, we've shown you our three properties.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22The question is, have we found you your next home?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- We'll let you know.- Well, let's have a good think about it.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Well, that's it for our house hunt here in West Sussex.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38Three properties which evoked three very different emotions.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42So have we found Barry and Bart that perfect escape to the country?
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Shall we go and ask them?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Well, Barry and Bart, we've had a great few days,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- but how do you feel it's gone? - Excellent.- Yes.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59In fact, you have found for us
0:25:59 > 0:26:02something that we think is everything we could've wished for.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Well, shall we just cut to the chase and talk about this house? Put us out of our misery.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Out of the three, I think I'm safe in saying it wasn't house number one.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15- No.- No.- Am I safe to say it's house number two?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- For all the oohs and aahs? - You are quite right.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21- Fantastic.- Yeah, absolutely right.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25You always said from the very beginning that you would know as soon as you saw it.
0:26:25 > 0:26:26Yeah, and we did know that.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29It had everything we could possibly have wanted,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32it had the possibility of a bedroom downstairs,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34beautifully designed house,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36it had character, it had charm,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38it's what we'd hoped for.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41What you hoped for, how wonderful.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Because I did wonder
0:26:43 > 0:26:47whether our mystery house might give it a run for its money.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52My heart was very much with the wonderful third house.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54- But my head wasn't.- No.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58- Where do we go from here? - We are definitely going to pursue the second house.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00- Yes.- Because we loved it.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Well, Barry and Bart, we think of you with character and style,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07that's what we're going to take away from our search in West Sussex.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12- And please, please, tell us how you got on.- We most certainly will.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14- I so hope you get that house. - We hope so, too.
0:27:19 > 0:27:25Well, it's been a great week here, and what a truly brilliant couple Barry and Bart are.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Now, at the beginning of this search, I was worried.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31We kept talking about style, it's so subjective,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to meet their expectations,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37but I'm pleased to say, I think we may have got there.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42Because here in West Sussex, we saw a number of characterful properties.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47And I think we may be introducing another two characters into the fold.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Until next time, bye-bye.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55'I'm happy to report that Barry and Bart returned to Storrington for a second viewing on house number two
0:27:55 > 0:27:58'and have put in an offer that has been accepted.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02'If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland
0:28:02 > 0:28:04'or even further afield to the continent,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07'and need our help please apply online at...'
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd