0:00:02 > 0:00:05This house behind me was built to show off its owner's possessions,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09rather for than the comfort of the people living in it.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12So which county is home to this unusual building?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14I'll reveal all in just a few moments' time.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34On today's show we're helping a couple
0:00:34 > 0:00:36buy their first shared home together.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39We get warm with one of our properties.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41It's lovely.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43But then things heat up.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- I was going to say, "Put the electric blanket on..."- Oh, Tony!
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Today I'm in Suffolk and this is Ickworth House.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Built in the Italianate style, its two sprawling wings
0:00:57 > 0:01:00and central rotunda were the vision of one Frederick Harvey,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03who was the Bishop of Derry and the Earl of Bristol
0:01:03 > 0:01:05during the 18th century.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Now, Harvey had a lust for travel and was an avid collector
0:01:08 > 0:01:11of paintings by the likes world of Titian and Gainsborough.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Of course, he needed a home for all his treasures,
0:01:14 > 0:01:19and this spectacular neoclassical masterpiece was the result.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22And it's just one of the many historic gems you will find
0:01:22 > 0:01:23within Suffolk's borders.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31As one of the three counties that make up the renowned
0:01:31 > 0:01:32hump of East Anglia,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35low-lying Suffolk holds on to much of its distinct character,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38and is home to varied landscapes.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44The Suffolk coast, 45 miles of fine, golden sand and pebble beaches,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48is dotted with beautiful seaside towns, including Aldeburgh,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50famous for its pastel-painted Victorian villas.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Inland, Suffolk wears its history on its sleeve.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57The town of Clare, for example,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00is one of a cluster of small settlements which rose to prominence
0:02:00 > 0:02:05in the medieval era, thanks to prosperous cloth trade.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08The wealth of the town is reflected in the enormity
0:02:08 > 0:02:12of the 14th century parish church of St Peter and St Paul.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15From coastal heath lands to historic hall towns,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17the county of Suffolk entertains sights
0:02:17 > 0:02:19that will enchant any escapee.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27You would expect all this natural beauty to come at a hefty price
0:02:27 > 0:02:31but the good news is, that's not the case here in Suffolk.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36The average price for a detached property is £242,000.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39That's 12,000 less than the national figure.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43So this county represents real value for money.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Of course, like anywhere, there are hot spots.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Desirable seaside locations such as Southwold
0:02:49 > 0:02:53or the beautiful town of Lavenham, they do command a premium.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57However, if you travel north-west towards the Norfolk border,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00you'll find you get just that little bit more for your money.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04So will our line-up of Suffolk properties please today's buyers?
0:03:04 > 0:03:06It's time to meet them.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Tony and Nicole have been together in Nottingham for five years,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13both coming from previous relationships.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16And a chance to buy their first property together
0:03:16 > 0:03:19is the driving force behind this move to Suffolk.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24It's quite late on in life and we're just looking for somewhere to live
0:03:24 > 0:03:28together, you know, as a combined home, instead of living separately.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32I think it's the right time. It would be lovely to spend...
0:03:32 > 0:03:34the rest of our lives together
0:03:34 > 0:03:36somewhere nice and in the country.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41The couple met each other at the local tennis club.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46I've been playing tennis for about 25 years now, properly.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- I think you've been playing for... - About 12 years now. Bit more.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56And now we just get the chance to play together all the time.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00For recent retiree Tony, the move is a chance to relive his youth.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04Although I spent my childhood in the countryside,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07the majority of my life's been in the city
0:04:07 > 0:04:12- and I really do like the idea of living somewhere...- Peaceful.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Peaceful and quiet. Waking up and not seeing houses.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Tony and Nicole have chosen Suffolk
0:04:19 > 0:04:22because it's midway between their respective families.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26For Nicole, it's an opportunity to settle down at last.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31When I was 21 I moved to Bermuda, so I lived there for six, seven years.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37And then got married and we lived in Stockholm in Sweden.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39And then recently Hong Kong.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44I felt I've never put my roots down anywhere since I was a teenager.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48So it would be absolutely wonderful to be able to move with Tony
0:04:48 > 0:04:53to a corner of England and be together.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Whilst Tony is keen to have a workshop,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Nicole wants to put her gardening skills into practice.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Where I live at the moment, I've got a north-facing garden on tiers,
0:05:01 > 0:05:06which is not only a bit dangerous but it has no sun, really.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11At the moment I'm in the garage,
0:05:11 > 0:05:15and I have to take the car out the garage to do anything at all.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18I would just love an outbuilding
0:05:18 > 0:05:21just away from the house, where I can do whatever I want.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26All that's left is to find out how much they've got to spend
0:05:26 > 0:05:28on the new home.
0:05:28 > 0:05:34The budget for the move would be £375,000 to £425,000.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Tony and Nicole want to avoid the more remote coastal areas
0:05:39 > 0:05:42of Suffolk, so we're concentrating our search area inland,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45around Bury St Edmunds.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47And that's where I've come to meet our buyers,
0:05:47 > 0:05:51to find out what they want from their new home.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Tony and Nicole, here we are in Suffolk.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Quite an interesting journey the way you decided this is
0:05:55 > 0:05:57the county that you want to live in.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59I've got visions of you both with a map and a pin,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01just deciding where it's going to be.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06It wasn't quite like that. Tony's from Nottingham. I'm from London.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09We decided it was going to be compromise
0:06:09 > 0:06:13and halfway between his neck of the woods and mine.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15As you haven't bought a house before,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18what are you both looking for together in this property?
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I tend to want older types.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25You know, Georgian, Victorian-type of house.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27But I'm more contemporary.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32I don't mind the old-looking outside but a new inside's nice.
0:06:32 > 0:06:38Minimum three bedrooms. A nice big kitchen with kitchen/diner.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Definitely a south-facing garden.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43What about location? Near a village, outside a village?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- Outside a village.- Yeah.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49But, you know, not sort of breaking contact with people,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- not too isolated. - A bit of privacy.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55So remind us of your budget for this search.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58375 to 425.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59OK, we've got three properties lined up,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- so shall we start with the first one?- Yeah.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10For a maximum budget of £425,000,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Tony and Nicole want a house with character.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16But they aren't in agreement on how old it should be.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19It should have a minimum of three bedrooms,
0:07:19 > 0:07:20a large kitchen or kitchen/diner,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24and, for Nicole, a garden that gets the sun.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Tony would like a large garage or separate outbuilding for a workshop,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30and they'd like to be close to a village
0:07:30 > 0:07:32but still have some degree of privacy.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36We found three fantastic properties to show them,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39and at each one I'll be revealing the price at the end of the tour.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42The last one will be our mystery house,
0:07:42 > 0:07:45which marries something old with something new.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Are you excited about moving to a fresh county?
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Oh, yeah. It's nice to have a change.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Now all your sort of parental duties are finished,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00it's nice just to get on with your own life, really.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08For our first property we're heading to the village of Hinderclay,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10which is around 14 miles from Bury St Edmunds.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16The closest amenities are found in the larger village of Botesdale,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18about two and a half miles away.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21In earlier times it was a stop-off for horse-drawn carriages
0:08:21 > 0:08:23travelling between Norwich and London.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27And today much of the village is a conservation area.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30The old marketplace is surrounded by a range of shops and pubs.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34There's also a post office painted in the familiar Suffolk Pink,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37and it's just down the road from our first offering.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43So here is your first property in Suffolk.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- Nice.- Lovely. Very pretty cottage.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Can you date it?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50I'd say...
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Victorian? Or is it new? With new bits in it.- 1890?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59I'm impressed with both of you.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Very good. 1973.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08And that is exactly the reaction I wanted to hear,
0:09:08 > 0:09:12because I would never have guessed it.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Certainly got character and charm, but let's see if you think the same.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Let's go.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21'Clearly looks can be deceiving.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24'But the inside of the property is definitely modern.'
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Here is your sitting room.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29- Lovely.- Nice size.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- Very nice, light.- Nice fireplace.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- Oh, yeah. Working fireplace? - Working fireplace.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39What about the ceiling height? Cos you're both quite tall.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- Yeah, no, it's adequate. - That looks fine. Seven foot six.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Is that what it is? Can you work it out?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48That's impressive, Tony, I like that.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- Good first room to see?- Very good.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- Positive reactions?- Yeah, lovely.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- OK, well, we'll continue through. - OK.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Through the double doors.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01At the moment it's being used as a music room.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03This could be a study as well, couldn't it?
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Could easily be a study, couldn't it? Dining room. But then...
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- you have this.- Aw, it's lovely.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- So...- That's nice.- Yeah?
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- Very, very nice.- Really lovely. - And a wood burner there.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Yeah, multi-fuel, so that works all year round.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Coal, wood. You wanted a period property.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25You ideally would have liked a brand-new property.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30- But this is quite...- Good compromise. - This is quite new-ish.- Yeah, it is.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Right, OK. Well, follow me. We're going to head upstairs now.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38'I was hoping the high-spec interior of our first house would appeal
0:10:38 > 0:10:43'to Tony but I'm really happy that Nicole appears taken by it, too.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46'The ground floor also includes this garden room off the kitchen,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48'with doors out onto a patio,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50'a utility room and a downstairs toilet,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53'and at the front of the house a good-sized study.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55'Upstairs there are four bedrooms,
0:10:55 > 0:10:59'one more than they asked for, and a four-piece family bathroom.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01'All of the bedrooms are doubles.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03'Three of them overlook the front of the property
0:11:03 > 0:11:07'and are south-facing, taking full advantage of the sun.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10'But I want to show them the largest of the doubles.'
0:11:10 > 0:11:13So, here is the master bedroom.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- Oh, nice ceiling. Very nice.- Nice and tall.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19As this is the master,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- got an en suite.- Ah, how wonderful. - Do you want to have a look?
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Poke your head round.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Nice.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Aw, it's lovely. Like the tongue-and-groove.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Is there anywhere to put your clothes, though, in here?
0:11:31 > 0:11:34You have a little walk-in wardrobe there.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Fantastic.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Really, really nice. And it overlooks the garden.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- It's pretty.- It is very pretty.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44I know the outside space is really important,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- especially the garden, the amount of sunlight it gets.- Mm-hm.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50I'm hoping you're not going to be disappointed with what
0:11:50 > 0:11:52I'm about to show you.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57The garden surrounds the entire house
0:11:57 > 0:12:00and there are numerous seating areas for entertaining,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04log storage for that wood burner and open fire, as well
0:12:04 > 0:12:07as a vegetable patch and extensive lawns at either end of the house.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- So you've got two gardens here. - Fabulous, fabulous.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- You've also got a double garage. - Yeah, I just notice that.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18A greenhouse - if that doesn't satisfy your gardening needs...
0:12:18 > 0:12:20That's gorgeous.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- This part of the garden will get sun nearly all day.- Delightful.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24It's a great first house, isn't it?
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- Yeah.- Very strong house. But what's the price?
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- Who wants to go first for me?- Me. - OK. Go on, Tony.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- 420.- OK.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40I was going to say round about the same. I'll say 425.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43OK. You're both very close.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46It's actually on the market for £435,000.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- So 10,000 over your budget.- OK.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Has come down quite considerably in price, actually.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54It was a lot more than that and the owners are desperate to move.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56They've found somewhere else,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58so they are happy to have a conversation with you.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00They're aware of your top budget.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03And the one thing I will say with this property is,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- it doesn't need any money spending on it.- No, it doesn't.- Exactly.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09So, it is only the first one.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12I know you're holding back slightly. But I can tell you like it.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Would you like another wander around?
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- There's still some more rooms you can explore.- Yeah, I'd love to.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24On the market for £435,000,
0:13:24 > 0:13:29our first property is slightly over Tony and Nicole's maximum budget.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Built in the 1970s, it's a modern family home
0:13:31 > 0:13:34that's been designed to a high standard.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38It has four double bedrooms, a spacious kitchen/diner,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41and a double garage that could be Tony's workshop.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43The garden gets sun all year round
0:13:43 > 0:13:46and the house is close to a vibrant village.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Wow.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55My workshop.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Yes, a fair size, isn't it?- Yeah. - Bigger than the one you got at home.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Twice the size, yeah.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was modern,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05because it's Nicole that likes the older stuff
0:14:05 > 0:14:10and I like more modern stuff, so it's a very, very good start.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13The upstairs is fine. It's got an en suite, which is a bonus,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17and an extra bedroom as well, you know, plus the workshop.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19And fair size gardens. It's a nice house.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24Very, very nice house and very hard to find any fault with it.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26I love the kitchen, it's very light and spacious.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30It's got a wood burner in it, which is excellent.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It's got a nice room off it, it's just very light
0:14:32 > 0:14:37and I can just feel myself in the kitchen all the time.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40So far I can't see any negatives about the house.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42It just seems exquisite in every way.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Happy, you two?- Yes. - Yeah, very.- Seen enough?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Uh-huh.- Good. How did you feel about our first property?
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- It's a great first house.- Good. More to show you. Right, let's go.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Nicole couldn't have chosen a better county to indulge
0:15:08 > 0:15:10in her passion for gardening.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Its low-lying geography and sunny climate make Suffolk
0:15:14 > 0:15:16an excellent spot for those with green fingers.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21One of the county's most impressive formal gardens is here,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25at Kentwell Hall, a Tudor mansion and family home.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29We sent Nicole and Tony to find out what grows well in Suffolk soil
0:15:29 > 0:15:34from the owner responsible for its extensive grounds, Judith Philips.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39- Hi.- Hello.- Nice to see you. - Nice to meet you.- Welcome, welcome.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42One feature has immediately caught the eye of Nicole - an unusual
0:15:42 > 0:15:47topiary representing the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48What is the hedge? Is it yew?
0:15:48 > 0:15:52It's yew, it's a yew hedge, and yew grows very, very well here.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57Because it's organic, because it's growing all the time, it changes.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02And some years some figures turn their tops that way or that way.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05And we've had one or two who've actually...skirts got so wide
0:16:05 > 0:16:09that they've actually become children around the skirts.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11And then beyond there we've got the wall garden.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15The wall garden is probably an original cattle pound,
0:16:15 > 0:16:19so that when the house was first built, it would have been
0:16:19 > 0:16:23an area where the cattle and sheep would have been brought in.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27It was then redesigned as a pleasure garden
0:16:27 > 0:16:33so that probably was in the late 16th century/early 17th century.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36As one of the property's highlights, the walled garden has been
0:16:36 > 0:16:39extensively restored by Judith and her team at Kentwell.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42And Nicole and Tony are keen to see more.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45We have a variety of different things here.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47It's all based around the ancient espalier trees,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51which were planted in the 16th/17th century.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55And then we have our potager and our herb garden over there.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01And all the lovely wild flowers which we cherish in the springtime.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02So when we move to Suffolk,
0:17:02 > 0:17:07what kind of natural plants would grow in the Suffolk soil?
0:17:07 > 0:17:11We've got a lime soil here. It's basically heavy clay.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15It maintains the moisture, it retains moisture, which is great,
0:17:15 > 0:17:21which is why this green lawn will remain green virtually
0:17:21 > 0:17:22the whole of the summer.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26Roses grow very well, again because you don't have to do all
0:17:26 > 0:17:30the mulching and the watering and so on. The clay will hold them there.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32And things like fuchsias do very well as well.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37On the wilder side, things like the cowslips and the forget-me-nots
0:17:37 > 0:17:40and primroses, pulmonaria.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44So it's always nice to have a part of your garden where you're
0:17:44 > 0:17:47encouraging those naturally-growing flowers.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52With this local insight under their belts, we just need to find Tony
0:17:52 > 0:17:55and Nicole some fertile Suffolk soil of their own.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58With that in mind, it's back to our house search.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05For our second property we're venturing 20 miles south
0:18:05 > 0:18:07to the hamlet of Barking.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11The closest amenities are to be found in the nearby town
0:18:11 > 0:18:16of Needham Market, whose many buildings are Grade II listed.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20It rose to prominence in the early 17th century as a centre
0:18:20 > 0:18:22for wool combing, where they prepared the yarn
0:18:22 > 0:18:24for the local weavers.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27But in the 1660s the town was struck down by the plague
0:18:27 > 0:18:31and its industry was all but abandoned.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Today it's a thriving market town once again,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37and our second house is a five-minute drive away.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42It couldn't be any more different to our first in age at least,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46and I fear I might have my work cut out with Tony.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Gorgeous.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49Suffolk Pink.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Yeah, Suffolk Pink.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Suffolk Pink, you're absolutely right.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56And you're muttering "Gorgeous, gorgeous," as we're walking up
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- the gravel drive.- Beautiful.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04- Absolutely stunning.- It's very nice. I'll wait till I see inside.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06I like the outside, it's beautiful.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Great reactions from you.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11You've loved it straight away, as we walked through the gates.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12Tony, on the other hand,
0:19:12 > 0:19:14I think I've got some convincing to do, haven't I?
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Looking at that, there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19The garage, a workshop.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22I mean, you have always said that you wanted a more modern property
0:19:22 > 0:19:25and, Nicole, you've said you want an old property.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28So I think you can gather which one we're catering for with this house.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- Yes.- OK, you ready for this?
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Parts of the house... date back to 1450.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37The rest of it is 1600. Look at the smile.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Right, and on that note, we're going to step inside. Come on.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Well, the double garage has kept Tony with us for now, at least.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48And I'm sure the historic charms of this Suffolk Pink
0:19:48 > 0:19:51former farmhouse will eventually rub off on him.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Come into our sitting room.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58There's actually two with this property.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- Two sitting rooms. - Two sitting rooms.
0:20:00 > 0:20:06- This is lovely. Quite light, considering there's lots of beams.- High beams as well.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09They are high, aren't they? How do you feel about beams?
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- Was that on the wish list...? - I've got no problem with beams.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15It's just ones I actually bang my head on I don't like!
0:20:15 > 0:20:19The house sort of does a circle around the fireplace, which they often used to.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- So if you follow me through this door...- OK.
0:20:25 > 0:20:31- So your second sitting room cum dining area...as you can see... - Lovely.- ..goes around.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- Oh, yeah.- Oh, yeah.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Two huge fireplaces.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39So is it a building being old that puts you off
0:20:39 > 0:20:42or is it the prospect of having to do some more work on it?
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Possibly doing some more work, the maintaining of it.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- So it's the practicalities?- Yeah. - Oh, I can work on that one, Tony.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- I can definitely work on that. Let's go through to the kitchen.- OK.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- Now, this...this is the oldest part of the property.- Gosh.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00This is the part that dates back to 1450.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Originally, this was a hall house. - OK.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08It's quite small for a kitchen, but, obviously, it's got a lot of character.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12The owners have had planning permission to extend it.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- Now, that permission has lapsed... - Out there?- Yeah. To make it bigger.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20What you've got to bear in mind is this house is Grade II listed.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24But the fact that permission was granted already shows that
0:21:24 > 0:21:27with the right paperwork and working with the local council,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30you know, permission can be granted. Have I won you over yet, Tony?
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- I keep looking at you. - I need to go upstairs, I think.- Oh...
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- Got to check out the en suite.- He's postponing any comments, isn't it?
0:21:37 > 0:21:41'The ground floor also features a small study area to the side
0:21:41 > 0:21:45'of the second sitting room, and a utility room with a toilet.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49'Upstairs, there are five bedrooms in total, across two floors,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52'all serviced by a family bathroom.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55'Three of those bedrooms are found on the first floor,
0:21:55 > 0:21:56'all with exposed timbers.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00'But there's also an attic where you'll find another double bedroom
0:22:00 > 0:22:05'and a large study that could easily be turned into a sleeping area.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07'But by far the largest bedroom in the house
0:22:07 > 0:22:09'is back down on the first floor.'
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- So...- Lovely light room.- It is. - Really nice.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- And a little storage area there as well.- Oh.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23And as you walk in, I find this room really impactful, you know,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- it sort of took my breath away. - Yeah, it is really nice.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30I like the position of the bed there. And the open views.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- Really lovely.- Yeah, love the views.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35So this has got you both thinking, hasn't it?
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Let's go outside, take a look at the garden, and the garage/workshops
0:22:39 > 0:22:44- for Tony, and then of course I'm going to ask you about the price, aren't I?- OK.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48There are lawned gardens at both the front
0:22:48 > 0:22:51and rear of the property, as well as a vegetable patch,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54a greenhouse and a timber-framed former stable,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57which is useful for storage.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59And of course the spacious double garage,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02which should keep Tony happy.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- So, Nicole, I know you love your gardens...- It's a beautiful garden.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09How much is it on the market for?
0:23:11 > 0:23:16I would say little bit more, probably 440.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21Yeah, because it's listed and it's got a lot of history attached...
0:23:21 > 0:23:23I would say...
0:23:23 > 0:23:26I'm not very good at this. ..430.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30You both not bad at this. I've got to be honest - you're not bad.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34And the owners are asking for offers over £400,000.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- Oh, well.- Wow.- OK.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- Does that give you something to think about?- Definitely.- Yeah.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- You're very excited...- Reserved.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Yeah, Tony's quite reserved, but I'm not going to push you, because you'd be very good.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- Why don't you take another look around?- OK.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50I'll see you two in a minute. Off you go, have some fun.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58At offers above £400,000, our second property is a timber-framed
0:23:58 > 0:24:03Grade II listed former farmhouse, parts of which date back the 1450s.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06The accommodation includes two sitting rooms
0:24:06 > 0:24:09and a large kitchen in the oldest part of the house.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Upstairs, there are five bedrooms spread across two floors.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16The gardens include substantial lawn areas
0:24:16 > 0:24:18and a spacious double garage.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22And the house is within striking distance of a bustling market town.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29Oh, gosh! What a lovely... room in the eaves.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- Oh, yeah!- It's amazing.
0:24:32 > 0:24:33It is.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Well, I didn't expect this up here.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39'It just feels incredible.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42'The history. It was a real pleasure to walk around.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46'They kitchen, which was the hall house originally,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48'that's fascinating in itself.'
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I just thought it was amazing.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52It's a fascinating house.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56This house has got so much character, and it's amazing just to be in it.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Whether or not I could actually live in it is totally different.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03- All right, you two?- Fine. - How are you feeling?
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- That's two of our three houses you've now seen.- Amazing.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Two totally different houses.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12They're both amazing houses but in different ways.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- Got you thinking, haven't we? - Yeah, just a little bit! - Fascinating house.
0:25:15 > 0:25:16Let's hit the road.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32It's day two of our property search,
0:25:32 > 0:25:37and on a maximum budget of £425,000, we're helping Nottingham
0:25:37 > 0:25:42tennis partners Tony and Nicole hit their stride in Suffolk.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Coming up, we get consensus at the mystery house.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49- You're taken with this, aren't you? - It's very, very nice.- We are.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53And I weave my way around one of Suffolk's textile industries.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55OK, one, two, three...
0:25:55 > 0:25:56Whoa!
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Yesterday got off to a great start for our sporty couple,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Tony and Nicole.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Two fantastic houses, although I do think it will take some convincing
0:26:07 > 0:26:11for Tony to get over his reservations about period homes.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Today, it's time for our mystery house, and I'm hoping to accommodate
0:26:15 > 0:26:19both Nicole's love of history with Tony's desire for modern living.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24I've got a feeling that the mystery house will really make a splash.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29What are you hoping to see?
0:26:29 > 0:26:35Something really old-looking outside and fantastically new inside, perhaps.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39- Anything you're dreading we're taking you to see? - A bungalow.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Good answer. Tony?
0:26:41 > 0:26:44An even older house!
0:26:44 > 0:26:46THEY LAUGH
0:26:51 > 0:26:55'For our mystery house, we're heading 20 miles north-east,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59'deeper into rural Suffolk, to the hamlet of Wilby.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02'The closest village, Stradbroke, is a mile and a half away,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04'and we're making a quick stop there,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07'as it has facilities more fitting for a small town,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10'including something I think our sporty couple will enjoy.'
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Now, I know you're both itching to see the mystery house,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19but I've stopped off in this village, because it would be the closest village
0:27:19 > 0:27:22to the next house that has amenities.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- And I know that's important for you both.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27As you can probably see, it's beautiful, full of old buildings,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31but most importantly, it has a post office, a local shop,
0:27:31 > 0:27:33it's got some pubs.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35But even though we're in a rural location,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39- this village has got a fitness centre.- Wow!- That's good.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- And what is it you're both obsessed with?- Tennis!
0:27:42 > 0:27:46It's got tennis courts, swimming pool, it's got a gym.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48And, literally, the mystery house is a mile and a half up the road.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52- That's brilliant.- So, have I whetted your appetite enough?- You have.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- You have indeed.- Yeah? Looking forward to this next house?- We are.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I'm going to be keeping my fingers crossed it can do its magic.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59Right, we'll go.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05'Merging Nicole's old with Tony's new was always going to be tricky
0:28:05 > 0:28:09'here in Suffolk. I hope we've done it with our mystery house.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12'And what's more, it may give our tennis-loving couple something
0:28:12 > 0:28:16'they'd never considered having in their own home.'
0:28:16 > 0:28:19The house was built in the sort of mid to late 1980s.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22However, the original cottage that was here dates back
0:28:22 > 0:28:25to the 1700s, so when they demolished it,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28they tried to use as much of the original material as they could.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31So you've got the luxury of a new build,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34but you've still got that character and charm of an old cottage.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36- Sounds good.- Fabulous. - So we want to keep you both happy.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40This is the first house you've bought together. Different demands.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43We're hoping that the mystery house is going to marry both of those up.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47'So our mystery house has the best of both worlds -
0:28:47 > 0:28:50'period features within a modern shell.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52'And now I've set the scene,
0:28:52 > 0:28:56'I'm keen to see if our homely hybrid will hit the mark with our buyers.'
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- Aw...- Straight into our kitchen.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04- Very pretty. - Very nice, very countrified.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07So next door, you've got a downstairs cloakroom.
0:29:07 > 0:29:08You've also got a utility room.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12But yesterday, one of the kitchens, you thought was a little bit small.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- How does this compare?- Yeah, this is perfect for us.- It's fine.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19- Good start?- Aha.- Yeah? OK. Right, let's continue through.- OK.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- Leads straight into your dining room.- Mm-hm.
0:29:23 > 0:29:29- Again, you can see the original beams have been used.- Nice fire. - Yeah. Wood burner.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- Nice-sized dining room. - It's great, isn't it?
0:29:32 > 0:29:34- Yesterday's property...- Yeah.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37..the very old house, you were completely taken by, weren't you?
0:29:37 > 0:29:40- There's elements of it with this one.- Absolutely, yes.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44But, Tony, looking at it again through practical eyes...
0:29:44 > 0:29:46- But without the maintenance.- Yeah.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48- Keen to see more?- Absolutely.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49Listen, I'm happy Tony's happy.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54With contentment in the air,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57let's see what our buyers think of the largest room in the house.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00So come through into your sitting room,
0:30:00 > 0:30:03which is dominated by this magnificent fireplace.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- That's beautiful.- Incredible.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07And have you seen how it's wonky, the bricks on the top
0:30:07 > 0:30:09on the bresma beam?
0:30:09 > 0:30:11- Yeah, why's that? - Well, it's believed that
0:30:11 > 0:30:13when the original cottage was demolished,
0:30:13 > 0:30:15they kept the two fireplaces,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18cos there's another one on the other side with the breast going up.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- And they built the new house around it.- Ah, OK.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23That's what you call a focal point.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24Beautiful, isn't it?
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Yeah, it's very pretty. Very pretty.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- You're united, I think, with this property?- Mm.- Yeah.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32It's drawing you in, isn't it?
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- You couldn't not like it, really, could you?- That's true.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37That's so lovely to hear.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Our buyers may also be cheered by this charming conservatory,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43with views out onto the patio area,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46and just a little hint of what the garden has in store.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49And there's also that all-important garage,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52which is attached to the side of the house.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54There are four bedrooms upstairs.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58One of those is a single, another is currently being used as a study,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00and there's a spacious guest room.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04They're all serviced by a large family bathroom.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06But we're heading to the master,
0:31:06 > 0:31:08which overlooks the back of the house.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11This part of the property has been extended in the last few
0:31:11 > 0:31:13years by the owners.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16So you've got the master bedroom here.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19With an en-suite just behind me.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Could you see yourselves living here? I'm pushing you now, aren't I?
0:31:22 > 0:31:26I was going to say, "Put the electric blanket on."
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Oh, Tony! Music to my ears.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- You're taken with this, aren't you? - Yeah, I am.- It's very, very nice.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- We are.- You've summed it up, "We are."
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Absolutely, Nicole, it's got to be that joint decision, hasn't it?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- Yeah, definitely.- Good.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45Well, let's hope, fingers crossed, that the garden doesn't let us down.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48And I don't think it will disappoint,
0:31:48 > 0:31:52as the garden is the highlight of our mystery house.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54The home occupies around one acre of land
0:31:54 > 0:31:58and this includes an extensive lawn area to the rear, a large pond with
0:31:58 > 0:32:03wooden bridge and paved patio area, with the star of the show -
0:32:03 > 0:32:05a heated open-air swimming pool.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07But what will Nicole think of it?
0:32:08 > 0:32:12I think we need a separate tour, just for the garden - gorgeous.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15You didn't ask for a swimming pool, but being the mystery house...
0:32:15 > 0:32:19Just goes to prove how sunny it is in Suffolk.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22- You like the look of it as well, don't you, Tony?- Fantastic.- It goes on and on.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25It goes on and on and on.
0:32:25 > 0:32:26But guess what?
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Right at the end - beautiful bit of lawn,
0:32:30 > 0:32:34which could be perfect for having your own tennis court.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35It's that big!
0:32:35 > 0:32:37So, do you like what you see?
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- I absolutely love it.- Good.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41What's the catch?
0:32:41 > 0:32:45Well, perhaps this is the catch - we need to talk money.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Oh.- Ooh.- Who wants to go first, cos it is that time?
0:32:48 > 0:32:51How much is this property on the market for?
0:32:51 > 0:32:53I think it's over budget.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55I reckon it's about...
0:32:55 > 0:32:56450.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59OK. Tony.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Took the words completely out...
0:33:01 > 0:33:04My figure as well, so I'd have to go higher - 455.
0:33:04 > 0:33:10It's right on your budget - £425,000.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13That's good.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15- That is good. - How good is good?
0:33:15 > 0:33:17- Fantastically good.- Yeah.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20How much would you need to spend on this house, if you moved in?
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- Absolutely nothing. - Oh, I love your smiles, both of you.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25You look very happy.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Do you want to have a wander around the grounds first, take a second look?
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- Yes, please.- Enjoy. - Thank you very much.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Bang on their maximum budget of £425,000,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41our mystery house is a modern rebuild,
0:33:41 > 0:33:45retaining many of the original features from the older property.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48The accommodation includes a large kitchen and four bedrooms.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51There's a garage for Tony, and for Nicole,
0:33:51 > 0:33:53an extensive garden with a spacious
0:33:53 > 0:33:55lawn and heated swimming pool.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03- Swimming pool. - It's got everything, it's perfect.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Yeah, lovely sunny spot.
0:34:06 > 0:34:07I could see myself here.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Mm, definitely.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14The house is incredible. It's done to such a high standard.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Loads of space, bags of bedrooms,
0:34:18 > 0:34:22and the most amazing thing is the garden outside.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26There's a huge, huge garden which just goes on and on and on and on.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30There is potential to build a tennis court, which would be amazing
0:34:30 > 0:34:33to have a tennis court in the back of your garden.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Tony and I could knock up every morning.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39Absolutely amazing. I don't think I've been in a house like it.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42It needs absolutely nothing doing
0:34:42 > 0:34:46and the refurbishment's just been done to a very high standard.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50It's got a little bit of old for Nicole, a few bricks and bits
0:34:50 > 0:34:54and bobs and beams, yet the rest of it's totally modern.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56The gardens are absolutely splendid.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Oh, you two look very comfortable sitting there in the sun.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05- Oh, it's perfect here. - Yeah, it's lovely.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08I don't want you to leave, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to drag you away.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11Oh, what a shame. I could stay here for ever, actually.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Well, that's a good sign, so let's go somewhere else for a chat
0:35:14 > 0:35:17and you can give me all your thoughts then. How about that?
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- OK.- Okey-dokey.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24It's the end of our property search for Tony and Nicole, but if you've
0:35:24 > 0:35:25got your sights set on Suffolk,
0:35:25 > 0:35:30there are many other homes to choose from, across a range of prices.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32If thatch takes your fancy, then how about this detached
0:35:32 > 0:35:35two-bedroom cottage in the village of Forward Green?
0:35:35 > 0:35:40On the market for offers in excess of £250,000.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43The rooms inside retain many of the original features,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45and include this kitchen and dining room
0:35:45 > 0:35:49and a cosy sitting room with wood burner.
0:35:49 > 0:35:54Further up the price scale at offers around £375,000,
0:35:54 > 0:35:56is this detached red brick Victorian
0:35:56 > 0:36:01cottage in the village of Wattisham, which comes with five bedrooms.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04The accommodation includes a large and light living room
0:36:04 > 0:36:08and a family bathroom with free standing roll top bath.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14Finally, on the market for £600,000, there's this grade two-listed
0:36:14 > 0:36:17five bedroom farmhouse in the village of Earl Stonham.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Set in grounds of three quarters of an acre,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24parts of the house date back to the 16th century and include this
0:36:24 > 0:36:26spacious sitting room with exposed beams
0:36:26 > 0:36:29and a guest bedroom with an en-suite bathroom to the rear.
0:36:35 > 0:36:40Today, Suffolk is best-known as an important agricultural region.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43But for 600 years, the county was a hive of rural industry,
0:36:43 > 0:36:45specialising in textiles.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48During its heyday in the 13th century,
0:36:48 > 0:36:52wool towns such as Lavenham and Clare prospered.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54When demand for wool from Suffolk declined in the 16th century,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56the local weavers turned to
0:36:56 > 0:36:59producing lighter fabrics, including silk.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02The Suffolk silk industry still thrives today
0:37:02 > 0:37:05and is centred on the market town of Sudbury, which is where I've
0:37:05 > 0:37:07come, to the factory headquarters
0:37:07 > 0:37:09of one of its silk weaving companies.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14I'm meeting director, Neil Thomas.
0:37:14 > 0:37:15- Hi, Neil.- Hello, Nicki.
0:37:15 > 0:37:16Great to meet you.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18What a showroom.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22Surrounded by colour. How long has the business been here?
0:37:22 > 0:37:25Gainsborough has been here for about 110 years,
0:37:25 > 0:37:29doing both a mixture of classical and contemporary fabrics.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33So do you have an average client and customer, or is it really varied?
0:37:33 > 0:37:34It varies enormously,
0:37:34 > 0:37:39from the normal house right through to the royal family, which we've
0:37:39 > 0:37:43been working with for many years from Queen Mary's doll's house to...
0:37:43 > 0:37:45- Her doll's house? - Yeah. Yeah.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47- Buckingham Palace. Balmoral. - My goodness.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I've got to ask about the doll's house. What was it for?
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- The curtains inside or something? - It was for curtains and carpets.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- And for Buckingham Palace? - For Buckingham Palace...
0:37:56 > 0:37:58This piece of fabric is an example of something that we've
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- done for the Queen's bed chamber. - This is beautiful.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- A design like this, would this have changed over the years?- No, no.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08This deign is probably an 18th century French design.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12It may have been stylised slightly to suit English tastes over the years.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15- Have the weaving methods changed much over the centuries?- No.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18A weaver from 500 years ago would know exactly where we were
0:38:18 > 0:38:22doing today. We just do it slightly quicker now.
0:38:22 > 0:38:23Every stage of design
0:38:23 > 0:38:26and production is carried out in the Sudbury factory.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30From preparing and dying the yarn, to warping and weaving the silk.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32So this is beautiful coloured yarn,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35but what does silk look like right at the very beginning?
0:38:35 > 0:38:37This is the very earliest stage.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40This is a silk cocoon, all the way from China.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45The cocoon is then steeped in hot water, which loosens the threads.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47They can then all be individually drawn off,
0:38:47 > 0:38:52making hanks of raw silk, which we then process here, dye it,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55and it turns into the yarn that you can see winding in front of you.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58So how many cocoons would be in there?
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Probably, in here, I would think close to 100.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Although the company produces contemporary designs using
0:39:07 > 0:39:09the latest machinery,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13some clients prefer their fabrics to be made using original methods.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18So this is an impressive loom. How old is this piece of machinery?
0:39:18 > 0:39:20The is 90-year-old Jacquard loom,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22still weaving our finest quality fabrics.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24My goodness.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Just by converting the design from the punch cards,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29punch cards run through the Jacquard itself,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32so that we can create the actual design on the fabric.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34And a machine that is 90 years old
0:39:34 > 0:39:37is as good as anything that can be produced today?
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Absolutely. It weaves our finest quality fabrics.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43It's basically a hand loom that's had a motor put on the side of it.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46A lot of the historical reproductions that we work with
0:39:46 > 0:39:48insist on using the older Jacquard looms.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52How important is it for you, Sudbury is known as the capital of the
0:39:52 > 0:39:55silk business, but why have you decided to keep your business here?
0:39:55 > 0:39:58It's essential really, cos there are generations of skills
0:39:58 > 0:40:01in Sudbury which are just not available elsewhere.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04- So it really is the skill of the locals?- Completely.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- Is it possible to see the loom in action?- Absolutely. I'll turn the power on...
0:40:07 > 0:40:11- Yup.- All you need to do is pull the bar across it quickly
0:40:11 > 0:40:13- and the loom will start weaving. - Tell me... Straight away.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- Hard as you can. - OK. One, two, three...
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Wow!
0:40:18 > 0:40:21And that's impressive.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27It's great to see a 200-year-old industry still going
0:40:27 > 0:40:29strong in Suffolk.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32But let's find out if I've weaved my magic and found Tony
0:40:32 > 0:40:35and Nicole a new home in the country.
0:40:37 > 0:40:42So we've shown Tony and Nicole our three properties here in Suffolk,
0:40:42 > 0:40:44and the last - the mystery house -
0:40:44 > 0:40:47that went very well indeed, didn't it?
0:40:47 > 0:40:49But are they convinced enough to put in an offer?
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Let's go and ask them.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58So there we go, we've seen our three properties here in Suffolk,
0:40:58 > 0:41:00we're all still talking so that's a good sign
0:41:00 > 0:41:05and we haven't put you off moving in together, which is even better.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Were you surprised at the ones we picked for you?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Yeah, you gave us a good selection.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11You gave us a modern house which looked old.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15Then you gave us an extremely ancient house...
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Which also looked old.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20And then, of course, we showed you our mystery house.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Yeah. That was a gem.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25It just had everything that we both liked and, of course,
0:41:25 > 0:41:26the garden was fantastic.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28The swimming pool...
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- It was all very well done.- Yeah, and it was...- A good standard.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36And as you walked into that property, did it feel like home?
0:41:36 > 0:41:37It did. It had a lovely feel.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41It had a lovely warm welcoming feel to it.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42I could just imagine us there.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46Yeah. You could tell that somebody had gone to a lot of effort to
0:41:46 > 0:41:49make it how it was. It was good.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51So what happens next?
0:41:53 > 0:41:56I think we've definitely got to go back and see house number three.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Yes.- How quickly? I've got the diary ready for you.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00Very quickly.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Yeah, I would say within a week,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05cos we're going on holiday the week after that, so...
0:42:05 > 0:42:08- I think we need to move pretty quickly.- It's going to get snapped up.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11I think you could both be very happy in that property.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Yeah, I'm sure we would.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15- Yeah.- Thanks very much. - Thanks for a lovely experience.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17I'm glad you enjoyed it, we certainly have.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19And we love Suffolk, don't we?
0:42:19 > 0:42:20We do!
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Well, what a wonderful week here in Suffolk.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31We showed tennis-loving Tony and Nicole a fantastic
0:42:31 > 0:42:34mix of properties, all with their own advantages.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39But in the end, it was game, set and match for our mystery house.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Until next time, bye-bye.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Tony and Nicole went back to our mystery property, but
0:42:45 > 0:42:49although the house was perfect, they felt the location was too remote.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53The search for their first house together continues...
0:42:53 > 0:42:56If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Wales,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59Northern Ireland, Scotland or even further afield to the continent
0:42:59 > 0:43:01and need our help,
0:43:01 > 0:43:05please visit bbc.co.uk/beonashow
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd