0:00:02 > 0:00:05These picture-perfect surroundings look much as they did 200 years ago,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07when England's great landscape artist
0:00:07 > 0:00:09immortalised the area in his paintings.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14But which artist am I talking about and what county am I in?
0:00:14 > 0:00:15Find out in just a moment.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35On today's show, we'll be helping a retired couple
0:00:35 > 0:00:37who want to exchange their lifelong town lives
0:00:37 > 0:00:40for a completely new experience in the country.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44And we'll be giving them houses that really touch their hearts.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- That stirs me, that does.- Does it?
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Love it! Absolutely love it!
0:00:52 > 0:00:56I'm in Suffolk and behind me is Flatford Bridge Cottage,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59just one of many spots along the banks of the River Stour
0:00:59 > 0:01:02that inspired 19th-century artist John Constable
0:01:02 > 0:01:05to produce some of the most iconic English landscape paintings.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10Born in 1776, Constable was educated locally
0:01:10 > 0:01:14before heading off to London to pursue his artistic career.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16However, he never forgot the wonderful light
0:01:16 > 0:01:19and beautiful scenery he enjoyed here in his native Suffolk
0:01:19 > 0:01:22and went on to produce such works at the Hay Wain,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25which now holds pride of place in London's National Gallery.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29Indeed, there's much of Suffolk's heritage that's worth highlighting.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Tucked into the far-eastern corner of the country
0:01:33 > 0:01:35and bordered by the three counties
0:01:35 > 0:01:37of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Suffolk is also fringed by over 40 miles of heritage coastline
0:01:40 > 0:01:43looking out across the North Sea.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48The low-lying terrain is home to huge, far-reaching vistas
0:01:48 > 0:01:52and with parts of the county less than 100 feet above sea level,
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Suffolk's coastline constantly fights
0:01:54 > 0:01:55from falling victim to the sea.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00A battle lost by the once-prosperous 13th-century port of Dunwich,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03which disappeared beneath the waves after a catastrophic storm
0:02:03 > 0:02:06raged for three days and three nights.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Where the former fishing community of Dunwich lost out,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Southwold definitely gained.
0:02:13 > 0:02:14And by the 16th century,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17it was the most affluent fishing port in the local area.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Today, it's confined to a small herring and cod fleet,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25but remains popular as a genteel coastal resort
0:02:25 > 0:02:27with a kaleidoscope of beach huts
0:02:27 > 0:02:31that capture the spirit of the English seaside at its prettiest.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40It's Suffolk's perceived remoteness
0:02:40 > 0:02:43that plays into the hands of buyers looking for a rural home here.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46The average price of a detached house in the county
0:02:46 > 0:02:49is just shy of £242,000.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53That's around £13,000 below the national figure.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55That said, coastal properties
0:02:55 > 0:02:57and historic towns like Aldeburgh and Woodbridge
0:02:57 > 0:03:00can command a premium of up to 15%.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04And southern-based walled towns like Sudbury are often expensive
0:03:04 > 0:03:07due to their decent road links and attractive architecture.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10But if you head inland towards more central locations
0:03:10 > 0:03:12like Stowmarket and Needham Market,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15your budget will stretch that little bit further.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18But whereabouts in the county are today's buyers looking?
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25For nearly 40 years, the large coastal town of South Shields
0:03:25 > 0:03:29has been home to retired deputy head Marion and her husband David,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32who spent a long and adventurous career as a master mariner.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35But now their grown-up sons have left home, they, too,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39have decided it's anchors aweigh from urban life in Tyne and Wear.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46We have always encouraged our two boys to fly the nest
0:03:46 > 0:03:49and to look further than this area.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52And our two sons have done exactly that.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54One being in London and one being in Beijing.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59And if they can fly the north-east, maybe we can fly the north-east.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03And they've chosen to land in the South East,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06where they can benefit from the best of coast and countryside.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Having the freedom to move anywhere, one only has to have a look at a map
0:04:11 > 0:04:14to see why I've chosen Suffolk, or why we've chosen Suffolk.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Because if you look at a map,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20you'll see there's so few main roads passing through there.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21It's so very rural.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24And that sort of environment really appeals to us.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28And we're very passionate about wildlife,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31birds and looking at trees even.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33I mean, they're fascinating.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36I love trees. I love giving trees bear hugs.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I'm a tree hugger. I can't help it.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44They both desire a location with a lot more tranquillity
0:04:44 > 0:04:45and are long overdue a change
0:04:45 > 0:04:49after some four decades in their five-bed suburban semi.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53What I dream of is to live in the country,
0:04:53 > 0:04:58where the next neighbour is quite a distance away from me
0:04:58 > 0:05:01and the only sounds we hear are natural sounds.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05And, um...Marion definitely wants a utility room,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09which is one thing we're lacking in this present house.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14And what they're also short on is space for David's research.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18My hobby at the moment is that I'm a local historian.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20I say at the moment, I've been doing it for a lot of years
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and I've written several books about this area.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29And I would like to make a fresh start in a fresh area.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32As for myself, I'm quite a keen gardener.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38And I would like, you know, quite a large garden.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42Because we have dreams of being a bit self-sufficient
0:05:42 > 0:05:45with vegetables and particularly soft fruit.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47My other hobby is calligraphy.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50And I would hope to join a class.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53And in that way, down in Suffolk, you know,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56be part of a group down there.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Sounds like this couple have plenty to keep them occupied
0:05:59 > 0:06:02when they make this southern move to Suffolk.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05And all that's left is to find out their finances.
0:06:05 > 0:06:11The budget for our move is between £400,000 and £500,000.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17David and Marion are hoping this move will help them
0:06:17 > 0:06:20to stay better connected to their son in London.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23So we'll concentrate our house search closest to the capital
0:06:23 > 0:06:26in the beautiful villages surrounding Bury St Edmunds
0:06:26 > 0:06:28in the western portion of the county.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32We're all meeting up in Suffolk to finalise the specifics of this move.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Well, welcome, both of you, to Suffolk.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Tell me, why the big move down here from the north-east?
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Well, it's very rural and we've been brought up
0:06:44 > 0:06:49and lived most of our lives in a suburban conurbation and, er...
0:06:49 > 0:06:52We thought it's time for a change
0:06:52 > 0:06:55and this is a beautiful part of the world.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56I'm a bit of a local historian.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00I've written several books about Tyneside and whatever
0:07:00 > 0:07:04and I've more or less exhausted the subject matter from my point of view,
0:07:04 > 0:07:10so maybe when I move here, it'll give me a new impetus in that way.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Discovering what Suffolk's all about.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14There's plenty to find out about.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Absolutely. Yes.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Now, does your love of history transfer into maybe
0:07:18 > 0:07:20your desires for a new house here?
0:07:20 > 0:07:22I mean, does it need to be an old house?
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Well, we really would like a traditional house.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26It's got to be detached.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31- I would like to have land all around the house.- OK.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- We didn't really want a thatch. - Why is that?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Well, we just think it's like having another child.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- That's what we've heard. - LAUGHTER
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Now, do you have any differences of opinions as regards to location?
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- Can I show you something in the middle of nowhere?- No.- No.- No.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49We don't want to be in the middle of nowhere.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- My idea is the outskirts of a village.- Right.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54The village must have a pub, by the way.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56It's not a village otherwise, is it? Not in my opinion.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Let's start with property number one, then we'll go from there.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- All right?- That's great. - Just this way.- Right.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07For a maximum budget of £500,000,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10our buyers are looking for a detached character property
0:08:10 > 0:08:14that can accommodate visiting family as well as their varied hobbies.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Marion particularly desires a utility room
0:08:17 > 0:08:19and for David, it's a large study.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22But they both want a big, wraparound garden
0:08:22 > 0:08:24in a location on the edge of a village
0:08:24 > 0:08:26but within easy reach of a local pub.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31And we have a superb variety of Suffolk homes to serve up.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33But I'll be keeping the price a guessing game
0:08:33 > 0:08:36until we've had a good look around first.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Then, to finish off our property tour,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41we've got one foot on the pulse and the other in the past
0:08:41 > 0:08:42with our mystery house.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- So, how many miles is it from where you currently live?- Ooo!
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Well over 200, I know that.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Well, it's a five-and-a-half hour drive to get here.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- It's a huge move, isn't it? - It is, it is, yes.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04But I think that's what we want.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06If we're going to move, we want it to be a big move.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15We're starting our search in Hundon, southwest of Bury St Edmunds.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18A pleasant village with a pub and village shop,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Hundon is a peaceful place to set up home.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24And on the outskirts of the village, we find property number one.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- Oh!- Right. Very nice! Yes.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Very different.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- To anything we imagined, yes.- Is it?
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Very, very different to anything we imagined, yes.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41I think we were thinking in terms of stone, brick.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44That's called clapboard, is it, I believe?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Clapboard, weatherboarding.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49And this is lovely, this, er...garden here.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- I like it.- And it's private.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54You said you wanted a mature garden. I think that's it, isn't it?
0:09:54 > 0:09:55Which is important, yes.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59So, all in all, first impressions?
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- Yeah, it's possible.- Good.- Possible.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03But we haven't seen the inside.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- Oh, you want to look inside, do you? - I think so.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Oh, that's awkward. OK. Let's give it a go.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11With a pedigree spanning two centuries,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15this old barn was converted into a family home about 20 years ago
0:10:15 > 0:10:18and so I'm hoping it will give Marion David
0:10:18 > 0:10:20the very best of vintage and modern.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Wow. It's really nice.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26It's lovely.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29It really is. I think this is fantastic.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33We love wood and there's a lot of interesting wood here.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37It has got a lovely feel and a nice atmosphere.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Great start. Let's go into the kitchen.- Right.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Just mind your step on the way down.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47So...
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Love it. Absolutely love it.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52Fabulous.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- Very light, isn't it?- I think we could spend a lot of time in here.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00I love this eating area here and sitting area.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Absolutely lovely.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- We do have a separate living room. - Yes.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- Let's go and have a look at that. Come on.- Right.- Mind your step.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14I'm predicting that you'll like this room as well.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19Certainly. Its floors, it's the same style throughout.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- It's square.- It's square.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Now that was one of the things we hadn't said to you.- Oh.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27That was another demand...
0:11:27 > 0:11:30that we really wanted a square sitting area, and this is it.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34That window looks out onto the garden, is that correct?
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- Next-door neighbour's garden.- Right.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38OK. That's a bit of a...negative, I'm afraid,
0:11:38 > 0:11:43especially from the next-door neighbour's point of view, too.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Yeah. That's fair enough.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49These are the compromises that we're going to have to field,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- then decide whether or not you can overcome them or not.- Yes.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56It was all going so well,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59but we've hit a potential hurdle with the living room outlook.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02So, let's go onwards, and definitely upwards, to the first floor,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06where a mezzanine landing leads to four bedrooms served by
0:12:06 > 0:12:11two family bathrooms - ideal for when family or friends come to stay.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Two of the bedrooms are good-sized doubles with exposed timbers,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16and the smallest one is being used as a study,
0:12:16 > 0:12:20but we're going to check out the master bedroom.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21Right.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24It's a good-sized room.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29So you've got four bedrooms, which means we've got hobby rooms,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31we've got offices.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- You've got options.- Right. Yes.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36I like the size of this room actually.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40It is definitely, very definitely a double bedroom.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Let's go outside now, have another look at the garden,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44but also start to think about
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- how much this house might be on the market for.- Right.- All right?
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Outside there's a matching black weatherboarded double carport
0:12:55 > 0:12:59adjoining a workshop, and the garden has been beautifully maintained,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01which lies to the front of the property,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04with the added benefit of facing south.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Well, you had a first glimpse of the garden when we arrived, didn't you?
0:13:08 > 0:13:09- Yes.- Yes, we did.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Now you know that this is... This is all that you get.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14All in all, apparently the plot size is about a quarter of an acre.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- I like this garden very much. - Well...
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- you've seen it isn't wrapped around with its own land.- Yes.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23You've seen that it's in a lovely little village with a pub
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- just down the road.- Yeah.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28How much do you think this place is on the market for?
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- I'm guessing about £450,000.- OK.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Well...I think I might go a little bit lower than that.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40How about £440,000?
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Well, this place has just recently come on the market.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Offers around £499,950.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49So, that's top end of our budget.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52It is a very nice house. We really did like the house.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Well, I think what's best to do now then is to go back inside the house,
0:13:56 > 0:13:57have a look at the other bedrooms,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59see how the current owners have it all set up.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02But also...go and have a look at the outbuildings.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Go and have a good look around this garden,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07and, whenever you're finished, then we'll go onto the next place.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- All right?- Thank you.- Catch you in a mo'.- All right.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17Just £50 under the top budget at £499,950,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20our first home is a detached barn conversion
0:14:20 > 0:14:21with spacious accommodation
0:14:21 > 0:14:24that lends itself to a kitchen/breakfast room,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27a large square drawing room, four bedrooms
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and a mature private garden.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Loved the atmosphere of the house.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34The house itself really would work for us,
0:14:34 > 0:14:39but I wanted to have a house surrounded by its own grounds,
0:14:39 > 0:14:40so...
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Really, all we've got here is a front garden.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48And, basically, I'm afraid that's a big no-no for me, a big negative.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53When we came in...to the property, I just thought it was wonderful.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54I really did like it.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57And we were particularly impressed with the kitchen,
0:14:57 > 0:15:02you know, the lifestyle that that would make available to us.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07And I am not so negative about the land as David.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12On the whole, I think this is a very good start and a lot to think about.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Now then...
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- enjoy that?- Very much, yes.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17Yes, very interesting.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- OK. Well, that's one down.- Right.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- Let's go and have a look at another one.- OK.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30With David and Marion's respective interests in history and the arts,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33a move to Suffolk should give them plenty of inspiration.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36A good starting point is the market down of Bury St Edmunds,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38named after the martyred King Edmund,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41who once ruled the realm of East Anglia
0:15:41 > 0:15:45and was believed to have been buried in the abbey here around 900AD.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47For centuries, pilgrimage to this shrine
0:15:47 > 0:15:49proved very lucrative for the church
0:15:49 > 0:15:53and by the Middle Ages, Bury St Edmonds had one of the most powerful
0:15:53 > 0:15:56and wealthiest Benedictine monasteries in all of England.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Today, the town's religious buildings are still developing,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02a prime example being St Edmundsbury Cathedral,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05where our buyers met expert Sarah Friswell for an insight
0:16:05 > 0:16:07into the building's fascinating heritage.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Welcome to St Edmundsbury Cathedral. - Thank you.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14You're visiting an ancient building, but a modern one as well
0:16:14 > 0:16:17because we've got an interesting story here.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20We founded as a parish church 1,000 years ago,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23then it has lots of alterations done to it by the Tudors,
0:16:23 > 0:16:27in the Victorian period by a very famous architects - Gilbert Scott -
0:16:27 > 0:16:30and then finally we became a cathedral in 1914.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Over the years, many renowned figures have been associated
0:16:34 > 0:16:38with the development of the cathedral. And in the 1940s,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41it was Stephen Dykes Bower who was appointed architect,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44though due to a lack of funds, his vision for the church wasn't
0:16:44 > 0:16:47completed until after he died.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51But with money from his estate, as well as grants and local
0:16:51 > 0:16:54fundraising, the latest works have seen the addition of a new tower,
0:16:54 > 0:16:58cloisters and the final piece of the jigsaw - a beautiful painted
0:16:58 > 0:17:02and gilded vaulted ceiling, completed in 2010.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07So, what was the inspiration
0:17:07 > 0:17:10behind the design of this ceiling, do you know?
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Stephen Dykes Bower saw this place where we're standing now
0:17:13 > 0:17:15as the focal point of the church,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18and so he wanted everyone's attention, eyesight,
0:17:18 > 0:17:20to be drawn towards the centre point here.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24And, of course, church towers have always been there to lift our hearts
0:17:24 > 0:17:26and our souls up towards heaven,
0:17:26 > 0:17:30so to have this here as the focal point is really important.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Despite the seamless modern additions to the building,
0:17:33 > 0:17:35the cathedral also houses
0:17:35 > 0:17:37the oldest parish church library in the country,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41and assistant librarian Stephen Dart has agreed to let our buyers
0:17:41 > 0:17:44leaf through some of the ancient books.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46There's been a library here since 1595
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and this is one of the first books.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49And if you look inside, you can
0:17:49 > 0:17:52see the name of the man who gave the book - he's Miles Moss.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55He was the preacher and he was here from the 1580s through to the 1590s.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58He thought that it was a good idea to have a library
0:17:58 > 0:18:01so that everybody could have a reference book.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I've got a book here, which I think you might be interested in.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07It's one of the oldest books in the library.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11It was printed in 1499, and it was printed in Paris,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14and it's a book by a man called Balbus.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17At the back, there's something quite surprising.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Of interest to a calligrapher, I think.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25I like particularly these signs here,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27which are the scribbler's marks, a sort of seal,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29and he's deciding which one to have.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31So, he's practising his calligraphy.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35He's practising, deciding what style he's going to use.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Having whetted David and Marion's scholarly appetites
0:18:39 > 0:18:40at the cathedral,
0:18:40 > 0:18:41it's back to the house hunt
0:18:41 > 0:18:45to see if we can find them their very own slice of Suffolk history.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54For our next stop we're heading further north into the county,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57where we're destined for the village of Redgrave.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Essential amenities can be picked up
0:18:59 > 0:19:01just over a mile away in Bottersdale,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04which has a good selection of shops and pubs.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07And at the end of a quiet country lane back in Redgrave,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10we've chosen our delightful-looking second property
0:19:10 > 0:19:12for its generous proportions both inside and out,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15but we're taking a bit of a gamble with the roof.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21This is what we're going to have a look around, just here.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- Right.- A thatch, eh?
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- We knew you'd chosen that.- Did you? - Yeah.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29I'm not being mean to you. I know you said
0:19:29 > 0:19:32you might have a question mark over looking at a thatch.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- A lot of it is fear of the unknown. - It is.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36It looks a beautiful house actually.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38It's quite substantial.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40I like the colour of it.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- So, should we go inside? - Yes, please. Let's go.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49This second options presents a grade two listed Suffolk pink property.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53Originally believed to have started life as a 16th century cottage,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55it's been considerably extended over the years
0:19:55 > 0:19:59and now covers some 3,000 square feet.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01We're starting in the modern wing,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04through a substantial hallway and into an impressive dining
0:20:04 > 0:20:05and kitchen family room.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Now then...
0:20:07 > 0:20:09This is big.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11This is big, yeah.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13It's very different, yes.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14Do you not think...?
0:20:14 > 0:20:17It's not the space and light you'd expect from looking
0:20:17 > 0:20:19at a thatched cottage from the outside, is it?
0:20:19 > 0:20:20No, it isn't. You're right.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23It's got a lot more...
0:20:23 > 0:20:26light coming in here than I would ever have expected
0:20:26 > 0:20:28looking at the exterior.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Well, look, this is 1986.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- Let's go back a couple of centuries. - All right.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Just off the kitchen, there's a pantry
0:20:36 > 0:20:39and separate utility room with a downstairs loo.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42The reception areas all lie in the original part of the property.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Now...
0:20:48 > 0:20:49Right.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54Well, now this is very much to my tastes, this huge fireplace.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- That stirs me, that does. - Does it?- Yeah, it does.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59It does indeed.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01It's got light both sides as well.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Well, the one right at the end is even brighter.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06So, this could be your...
0:21:06 > 0:21:09You could have one as a snug, or one maybe as a hobby room.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11You've got options here, of course you have.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Now, you might have noticed a couple of sets of stairs here.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Right. Yes, we did.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Now, those stairs go up to the first floor, obviously,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24and there you have two bedrooms and a bathroom.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27You, however, get the master suite this way.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Let's go and take a look, shall we?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31At the top of these stairs, above the hallway,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34there's the fourth bedroom that's being used as a study.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37And then, above the kitchen, is the master suite.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42Now, we're back in the 1980s part of the house, but...
0:21:42 > 0:21:43Dear me.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Look at that. What a wonderful view out of the bedroom window, isn't it?
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Yes, that's...magnificent.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52And it's a really nice size, isn't it?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55You've got a couple of...almost walk-in wardrobes.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58You've got your very own beautifully-fitted bathroom
0:21:58 > 0:22:00and another room that could be a bedroom,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02but the owners are currently using
0:22:02 > 0:22:04it as a walk-in wardrobe/dressing room.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- Right.- And you've got a lovely little balcony out there.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11That's... That's a real added bonus.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15I can see me sitting out on that balcony in the evening.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- Well, up to now, we're blown away with it.- Are you?
0:22:19 > 0:22:22It's so...big as well.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- So big. - It just goes on and on and on.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Well, I've got two more cards up my sleeve with this house
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- and I think you're going to love both of them.- Right.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Let's go and have a look.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38There's no doubt the space here is winning over our couple,
0:22:38 > 0:22:40but that's not the lot for this property,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43as we're about to discover, outside in the back garden,
0:22:43 > 0:22:44behind the double garage.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- So... - SHE LAUGHS
0:22:49 > 0:22:52And this comes with the house, too?
0:22:52 > 0:22:53- This studio?- Yeah.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59Well, now this would be a great asset to either of us, wouldn't it?
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Now, look, there's plenty of space inside the house
0:23:02 > 0:23:03for libraries, for hobby rooms.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06We've seen a lot of property. There's more for you to see later.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08But, Marion, I'm dying to show you the garden,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- so come with me now.- Right. OK.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Dying to see it.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17If the large stunning house and the studio weren't enough,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19this property also comes with about a third of an acre
0:23:19 > 0:23:21and a landscaped rear garden,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24it's a green-fingered paradise for any serious gardener.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29So, you've got the main...garden just at the back of the house,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32then it's split into three rooms if you like.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- I can see, yes.- What a good idea.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40So, this is the soft fruit for the jam making, vegetable plot,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43the ornamental fountain...
0:23:43 > 0:23:47and through here, a very special sculpture
0:23:47 > 0:23:50and a summer seat through there, I've noticed.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51Are you selling this to me or to you?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I'm falling in love with this place, the way you describe it.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58You see, the biggest worry is can this possibly be within our budget?
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Well, let's find out. You've got to try and price this now.
0:24:02 > 0:24:08I think, you know, it must be beyond our budget. £550,000.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09All right. David?
0:24:09 > 0:24:15I would guess 520-to-515,000, that's my estimate.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Well, this house,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20it's been on the market for approaching four weeks now,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24is up for sale for offers around £495,000.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28- Right. So, it's exactly on our budget.- Yes.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Right. Well, I'll have to give a lot of thought to that.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33So, go back into the house then, have a good look around.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Look at the areas you haven't yet seen,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38such as the upstairs accommodation for the guests,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40and I'll meet you whenever you're finished.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- Thanks, Johnny.- Enjoy it.- Thank you.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Well, for a couple that were a bit worried
0:24:48 > 0:24:49about looking at a thatched house,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52they seem rather excited to be going back inside
0:24:52 > 0:24:56and that's because it gives them everything they're after,
0:24:56 > 0:24:57but actually this thatch,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00I think it might have tipped them over the edge.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06On the market for £495,000, the second property is
0:25:06 > 0:25:10an exceptional period home bursting with character and space.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14It has an enormous kitchen/diner and family room,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18two further reception rooms as well as the potential for five bedrooms,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22and the superb landscaped gardens cover a third of an acre,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25where there's a separate studio that Marion or David could
0:25:25 > 0:25:28dedicate to their favourite pastimes.
0:25:28 > 0:25:34We walked into this room, and it's so light and it's big as well.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38I did imagine David and I rattling around in it a bit, you know.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40It is very big, but it's beautiful.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41This room is beautiful.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46It's got all three aspects - cooking, eating and relaxing.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49The stairs would be an issue,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51we'd have to get something done about them...
0:25:51 > 0:25:56but the bedrooms were a good size and beautiful.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Bathrooms very, very nice.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Very full of character.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Well, apart from the thatch,
0:26:02 > 0:26:06this house gives me everything I could have possibly wanted
0:26:06 > 0:26:08and I'm really impressed.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12I'm actually amazed that it falls within our budget.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16I could most certainly see myself living in this house.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20It's really got my name written all over it as far as I'm concerned.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I love the house and I love the garden.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Now then, all done inside?
0:26:27 > 0:26:28- Yes.- Thank you very much.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- Did you enjoy it?- Yes. - It was wonderful.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- It's a great house, it is. - It is indeed.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- Well, that's all we're going to do today, so let's go back.- OK.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50The second day of our house search is under way
0:26:50 > 0:26:53and, with a top budget of £500,000,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56town-based Marion and David have set their sights on leaving
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Tyne and Wear and moving down south to Suffolk.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01They've seen two properties so far,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05but still to come, history is right overhead in the mystery house.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10I've never seen a bedroom like this before in my life.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- It's...- Unique?
0:27:12 > 0:27:14And I'll be meeting a Suffolk resident who's keeping
0:27:14 > 0:27:17British aviation in flight.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Well, so far I've noted a slight difference on occasions
0:27:23 > 0:27:25between David and Marion.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28We might see a bit of more of that in today's mystery house.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31The property itself is right in the heart of a lovely little town,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34and David should certainly be impressed with all
0:27:34 > 0:27:36the history attached to the house.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40But, of course, David might have to put up with a few neighbours
0:27:40 > 0:27:43in fairly close proximity. Let's see how we go.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47So, Marion, two properties down...
0:27:47 > 0:27:51What would be a no-no for the mystery property?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54I don't think I would like it to be any bigger
0:27:54 > 0:27:56than the second house that we saw.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59What you've shown us so far is spot on.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Well, you said you didn't want a thatch.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03And we said we didn't want a thatch, that's true.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07And now you're starting to persuade us into thinking, "Actually,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09"maybe it's not a no-no after all."
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Well, maybe I should just be showing you stuff
0:28:12 > 0:28:13that you said you didn't want to see.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15ALL LAUGH
0:28:16 > 0:28:19And that, of course, is the name of the game at the mystery,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22and to get there we're travelling back down south to Clare,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24about 14 miles from Bury St Edmunds.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31An old wool town, Clare boasts many well-preserved traditional
0:28:31 > 0:28:34buildings that once had associations with the cloth industry,
0:28:34 > 0:28:36and today house antique shops, restaurants
0:28:36 > 0:28:39and a wide range of other businesses.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Clare is such a small and attractive town that, in recent years, it was
0:28:43 > 0:28:46awarded the prestigious title of Suffolk Village of the Year,
0:28:46 > 0:28:49and its long and fascinating history is the principle reason
0:28:49 > 0:28:53why we've chosen this location for our mystery property.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57It's right in the heart of town, just 50 yards from the nearest pub.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03Now then...
0:29:03 > 0:29:06I think the best view is right from this spot here,
0:29:06 > 0:29:07so if you come back...
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Take a look at the mystery house from here.
0:29:12 > 0:29:13SHE LAUGHS
0:29:13 > 0:29:16That's a really ancient timbered house, isn't it?
0:29:16 > 0:29:21Dates back, apparently, to around 1450, maybe even earlier.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23I can believe it, yes.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- So, let's see how we get on inside, shall we?- Right.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Set over three floors, the walls of this grade two listed property
0:29:31 > 0:29:34conceal over five centuries of stories,
0:29:34 > 0:29:37and the earliest accounts of the house suggest it was once
0:29:37 > 0:29:39used as a brewery.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43But now it's an enchanting family home with a few characterful quirks,
0:29:43 > 0:29:45and set off by a roomy entrance hall.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52So, a nice little vestibule area, if you like,
0:29:52 > 0:29:54and then into this amazing room.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Amazing is the word. It is really lovely.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- I really like this, yes. - Nice square room.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Plenty of space here.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08- Lovely fireplace.- That's a real open fire as well, isn't it?
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- Working as well.- It's lovely.
0:30:11 > 0:30:12Yes, I'm impressed.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15I thought you'd like this. I mean, what's not to...?
0:30:15 > 0:30:17What's not to like about this?
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- Knowing us as you do now.- Quite.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20But...
0:30:20 > 0:30:23with this come maybe potential compromises in other areas.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26You're about to see the smallest kitchen out of the three properties,
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- so mind this step here.- Right.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Yes.
0:30:32 > 0:30:33Small kitchen.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Very small kitchen.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Hmm-hmm. But I like it.
0:30:37 > 0:30:43I like the kitchen. I like the units, I like the tiles...
0:30:43 > 0:30:45I like the feel of it.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49- David? - It's a...very nice compact kitchen.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Let's keep looking round the rest of the house.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- Upwards to the master bedroom. - Right.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59Up on the first floor, there's a bathroom as well as a compact
0:30:59 > 0:31:02second bedroom that could be ideal as a hobby room or study,
0:31:02 > 0:31:04right opposite the largest bedroom.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10- Now then, this is your master bedroom.- Oh, right.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13This is a fine room, isn't it?
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Very much in keeping with downstairs.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20There's some intriguing little features here of...
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Where that might have been a door.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- It might have been a window, in fact.- A window. Oh, right.- Hmm.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29You could imagine this house
0:31:29 > 0:31:33being a very important part of the town actually.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35Yeah. Well, let's look at it.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Over the years, it's been maltings, it's been...
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Parish council used to meet here.
0:31:40 > 0:31:47It's been a library. It's had a big role in the local area, hasn't it?
0:31:47 > 0:31:51This is... This is a really good-sized bedroom.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- Good.- And very atmospheric and...
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I think I could sleep well here.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Let's go upstairs and see...
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Well, you tell me what you'd like to use it for. All right?
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Altogether there's a sum of three bedrooms here
0:32:06 > 0:32:10and the last one is in the second floor, up in the eves.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16They've got an amazing en suite bathroom through there.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18SHE LAUGHS
0:32:18 > 0:32:21It's not often I have to duck, so I'm quite enjoying this actually.
0:32:21 > 0:32:22Mind your heads.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- This is your guest suite.- Right.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Well, I have got some very small friends...
0:32:29 > 0:32:32- I like the fact that you're ducking. - THEY LAUGH
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Well, I've never seen a bedroom like this before in my life.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- It's...- Unique?- It is unique.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41- Could it be a hobby room? - It could...
0:32:41 > 0:32:46I think it's more possible as a hobby room than, say, a library.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Let's go back down the stairs,
0:32:48 > 0:32:50and the other stairs, into the garden and maybe start
0:32:50 > 0:32:54- thinking about how much this house is on the market for.- Right.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Lead the way.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57David's going to go first.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02The mystery house is the surviving wing of a former larger property
0:33:02 > 0:33:04and it attached across the back,
0:33:04 > 0:33:08so the grounds all lie to the front and are enclosed by hedges
0:33:08 > 0:33:11that gives the garden a very private feel
0:33:11 > 0:33:13despite the property's central location.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18So...the front garden is the only garden with the mystery house.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Right. Rather small, isn't it? And...
0:33:22 > 0:33:25I'm afraid it hasn't got a great deal of character,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28but I suppose that's up to you to introduce some.
0:33:28 > 0:33:29I mean, what I would do...
0:33:29 > 0:33:33I'm not one for cutting trees down, but that tree would go,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36and I think it could be enhanced.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39So, how much do you think the mystery house is on the market for?
0:33:39 > 0:33:41£475,000.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43OK. David?
0:33:43 > 0:33:47I think it might be 520, something of that nature.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50You might be surprised to hear that this house
0:33:50 > 0:33:55- is on the market for offers in the region of £395,000.- Hmm.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57- That is surprising.- Go back into the house,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59enjoy the last few rooms that you haven't yet seen,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02and I'll meet you whenever you're finished, all right?
0:34:02 > 0:34:03- Thank you.- See you in a mo'.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13For offers in the region of £395,000,
0:34:13 > 0:34:18the mystery house is a real vintage gem that date back to 1450
0:34:18 > 0:34:20and is awash with period features.
0:34:20 > 0:34:25Laid out over three floors, it has a large drawing room, three bedrooms
0:34:25 > 0:34:29and a private enclosed garden in the heart of a very desirable town.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33It's a very historical building,
0:34:33 > 0:34:37and it has a very unique and imposing exterior.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39I'm a little bit worried about the maintenance
0:34:39 > 0:34:42and the responsibility of having such a building.
0:34:42 > 0:34:47My heart tells me that this is a great property,
0:34:47 > 0:34:53but my head tells me it's too small for our living purposes.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58Basically, the property is two biggish rooms, one downstairs,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02a lovely, lovely lounge and dining area.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04And upstairs this bedroom,
0:35:04 > 0:35:07which reflects the size of the room downstairs,
0:35:07 > 0:35:12both wonderful rooms, but the rest of the property is quite limited.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- Now then, that was fun, wasn't it? - Yes.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Well, that's the end of the property search for you guys,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23so why don't you go off somewhere and have a bit of a think,
0:35:23 > 0:35:27- and I'll catch up with you later on? All right?- OK.- Good luck.- Bye-bye.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32So, no more houses for David and Marion to look at,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35but here's a selection of other properties on the market
0:35:35 > 0:35:37throughout the county.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43A guide price of £172,000 is the price ticket for this
0:35:43 > 0:35:46whitewashed mid-terraced home in Glemsford.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50The original woodwork is a feature throughout the cosy accommodation
0:35:50 > 0:35:52that covers three floors and has two bedrooms.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59Staying with exposed timbers, £375,000 could buy this listed
0:35:59 > 0:36:02thatch cottage in Cavendish that comes with a kitchen/breakfast room,
0:36:02 > 0:36:06open plan reception rooms and four bedrooms.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Finally, if you fancy an injection of colour
0:36:09 > 0:36:12and have £625,000 to burn,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16this four-bedroom detached Suffolk pink house in Bournemouth
0:36:16 > 0:36:19is currently on the market, just waiting to be snapped up.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27Suffolk's relatively level terrain and easterly coastal location
0:36:27 > 0:36:31has ensured a long and distinguished role in Britain's aviation history.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33And in a rural spot to the south of the county,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37a small team of expert aeronautical enthusiasts are keeping
0:36:37 > 0:36:40an important part of that legacy alive.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seater fighter aircraft
0:36:43 > 0:36:46that played a vital role in the 1940 Battle of Britain,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49and I've come to meet Tony Ditheridge, who's spent the
0:36:49 > 0:36:54last 20 years restoring these iconic aircraft to their former glory.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58- Tony, good morning.- Hi.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00Here we are in the middle of...
0:37:00 > 0:37:02Well, beautiful Suffolk.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05..and we're looking at aviation history right here.
0:37:05 > 0:37:06My grandfather was in the RAF.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08He always used to say that
0:37:08 > 0:37:12they were the most important plane in the Battle of Britain. Why so?
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Well, the reason being that the Spitfire, obviously, was the slightly
0:37:16 > 0:37:17superior plane.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20But at the particular time in the Battle of Britain
0:37:20 > 0:37:21when it was required,
0:37:21 > 0:37:26the Hurricane shot down 65-66% of all of the enemy aircraft.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30So, what was it about the Hurricane that made it so special?
0:37:30 > 0:37:34Well, it had much more forgiving flying characteristics.
0:37:34 > 0:37:35It had a thicker wing section.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40It could fly slower and therefore it could turn quicker.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44So, how many Hurricanes were used or flown throughout the war?
0:37:44 > 0:37:46There was about 13,000 Hurricanes made.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49So, there must be quite a few still around, right?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51There are three Hurricanes in this hangar.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53When they're finished, there will be 14 flying.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Goodness me. Why so few then?
0:37:55 > 0:37:57They're quite complex aeroplanes.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59There's approximately twice as much work in doing
0:37:59 > 0:38:01a Hurricane as there is a Spitfire.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Designed by Sir Sidney Camm using a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine,
0:38:06 > 0:38:09the Hawker Hurricane was introduced in 1937
0:38:09 > 0:38:12and became the first RAF fighter monoplane
0:38:12 > 0:38:16capable of exceeding 300 miles per hour in level flight.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20In the Battle of Britain, Hurricanes scored the highest number
0:38:20 > 0:38:25of RAF victories, far in excess of all other British fighters combined.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29The only Victoria Cross ever awarded to a fighter command pilot
0:38:29 > 0:38:33was won by Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson, a Hawker Hurricane pilot.
0:38:34 > 0:38:40This particular aeroplane was shot down over Dunkirk beach
0:38:40 > 0:38:43and the pilot survived. The bullet went through the windscreen,
0:38:43 > 0:38:44went through his shoulder,
0:38:44 > 0:38:46continued through the aeroplane,
0:38:46 > 0:38:50and when we broke the aeroplane down we found the bullet...
0:38:50 > 0:38:52just there.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Look at that.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55That's amazing. Goodness me.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Well, Tony, we're stood in front of these amazing machines.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02Is there any chance I can have a sit in the cockpit?
0:39:02 > 0:39:03- I guess so.- Brilliant.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Tony's team use a reverse engineering approach
0:39:08 > 0:39:09to restoring the aircraft.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12An assortment of parts from a variety of hurricanes
0:39:12 > 0:39:14are collected in various states of repair,
0:39:14 > 0:39:16and they work backward to figure out
0:39:16 > 0:39:19how they were constructed before building them again.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20It's a real labour of love,
0:39:20 > 0:39:24with each one taking a couple of years to complete.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26I feel extremely privileged to sit in the same seat
0:39:26 > 0:39:29from where our forefathers bravely battled for our freedom.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35- If you would like to pull that all the way back...- Right.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39- And the pilot would be doing this to make the aircraft...?- Yes, he would.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41So, if you want to bank to the left, you would do that.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44If you want to bank to the left and climb, you would do that,
0:39:44 > 0:39:45so now you'd be going...
0:39:45 > 0:39:50- It's very intuitive, this way of flying, isn't it?- Hmm, yeah.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51Well, Tony, it's...
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It's been absolutely fascinating to not only meet you
0:39:54 > 0:39:55and talk through these planes,
0:39:55 > 0:39:59but also to get a real sense and feel of these beautiful aircraft.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- Thank you very, very much. - You're more than welcome.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Well, that's certainly one of my boyhood fantasies come true,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08but it's time to find out if we've found the right house to turn
0:40:08 > 0:40:11the Suffolk country dream into a reality for our buyers.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Well, there seems to be a clear favourite of the three properties
0:40:17 > 0:40:18we've shown David and Marion.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20What I'm keen on finding out now though
0:40:20 > 0:40:22is what they plan to do about it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34So, I've got a fair idea what your favourite property might be...
0:40:35 > 0:40:37..but I can never be 100% sure.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40So...what is the favourite?
0:40:40 > 0:40:45Well, our favourite property definitely was property number two.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49How close a second, I take it, was property number one?
0:40:49 > 0:40:54Well, that would have been the second choice, but pretty far behind
0:40:54 > 0:40:57because there wasn't enough of a garden there at all.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00But the inside of the house was really nice.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03The couple had really put a lot of love and care into it.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Why was property number two your favourite?
0:41:05 > 0:41:08The garden was absolutely perfect.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10The garden was the ideal size.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15It had a wonderful studio there,
0:41:15 > 0:41:18which could be used by either of us for our hobbies.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21The house was very historical.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26And, at the same time, quite modern
0:41:26 > 0:41:28with one section being modern
0:41:28 > 0:41:31and the other section being very traditional 16th century
0:41:31 > 0:41:34with a very historical atmosphere.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Are you both agreed on the second property then?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41We are. We're both agreed on the second property.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- No reservations? - No reservations actually.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46It sounds like it's... It's quite an interesting option to you.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48What's the next step?
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Well, the next step is that we'll probably have another look at it..
0:41:52 > 0:41:57and then we'll go away and give it very serious consideration.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59And then who knows?
0:41:59 > 0:42:03You may well be living in Suffolk in a partly thatched house.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- How does that sound? - It sounds great.- Marvellous.
0:42:06 > 0:42:07Thank you very much, Jonny.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16At the start of this, David and Marion said
0:42:16 > 0:42:18they would be open-minded, didn't they?
0:42:18 > 0:42:19And they're as good as their word.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Let's face it, their favourite property had a thatched roof,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25something they said they weren't particularly keen on.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Now they do need to have that second viewing, but I think David's right.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31What's needed now is a fact-finding mission.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33What's it really like to own a thatched property?
0:42:33 > 0:42:36And then, if all the research goes well,
0:42:36 > 0:42:38then hopefully soon they'll be making their very own
0:42:38 > 0:42:43escape to the country all the way down here to Suffolk.
0:42:43 > 0:42:44I hope so. See you next time.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49David and Marion did go back to the part-thatched
0:42:49 > 0:42:52for a second viewing and are still very keen,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55so we hope everything falls into place and they can make a new
0:42:55 > 0:43:00life there in the beautiful Suffolk countryside very soon.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02If you'd like to escape to the
0:43:02 > 0:43:04country in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England,
0:43:04 > 0:43:08or even further afield to the continent and need our help,
0:43:08 > 0:43:09please apply online at...