0:00:02 > 0:00:04This 18th-century flint building
0:00:04 > 0:00:06may look to you like a classic country church,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08but there is another side to it
0:00:08 > 0:00:12that proves it to be something quite different.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Find out more in just a moment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35On today's show, I help a jet-set couple put down roots in the country.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Oh, it is just like something out of a magazine. It's beautiful!
0:00:39 > 0:00:42But there is an issue they struggle to get their head around.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45I can see Mike bumping his head a bit.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48I can see crash helmet wearing becoming a...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Today we're in Suffolk in the village of Tattingstone
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and this, as you can see, is not the parish church
0:00:54 > 0:00:58but in fact a folly, known locally as the Tattingstone Wonder.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01It was the brainchild of a local eccentric landowner
0:01:01 > 0:01:04called Thomas White who lived nearby and didn't like the look
0:01:04 > 0:01:07of the farm workers' cottages he could see from his house
0:01:07 > 0:01:12and so had them topped off by a false three-sided church tower.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15However, it is not the only wonder in Suffolk.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21The East Anglian county of Suffolk shares its border
0:01:21 > 0:01:24with Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Through the Middle Ages, the county enriched its fortunes
0:01:27 > 0:01:30on the back of a thriving wool and textile industry.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Evidence of that prosperity lives on today through
0:01:33 > 0:01:38the immaculate Tudor and mediaeval architecture of its wool towns.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40One of the best preserved is Lavenham,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43which is home to more than 300 listed buildings.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51To the west of the county lies Newmarket, home of horseracing.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55It was King James I who brought the sport to the town
0:01:55 > 0:01:58after discovering the surrounding chalk heathland
0:01:58 > 0:02:03offered the ideal terrain for one of his favourite equestrian pastimes.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Forming the border between Suffolk and Essex is the Stour Valley,
0:02:06 > 0:02:10birthplace of famed British artist John Constable.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14In his paintings, he loved to depict this special pastoral landscape,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17whose appeal continues to enchant many to this day.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Let's talk property prices here in Suffolk.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Despite only being a 90-minute train journey back into London
0:02:24 > 0:02:28and with stunning countryside - although not always with poppies -
0:02:28 > 0:02:30prices are pretty competitive here.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34The average price for a detached house is £242,000,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38which is 5% less than the national figure.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40There are, of course, expensive spots -
0:02:40 > 0:02:44along the coast, naturally, but also those beautiful mediaeval wool towns
0:02:44 > 0:02:47like Lavenham and Long Melford.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49The smart money is heading inland.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52There's hotspots around Saxmundham and Leiston
0:02:52 > 0:02:54which offer good value for money.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55But what about our couple this week?
0:02:55 > 0:02:59Where are they looking to buy in Suffolk? Let's find out.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Now they've stopped jetting around the world,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04music teacher Jenny and her husband, Mike,
0:03:04 > 0:03:09find themselves permanently living in Theydon Bois, Essex.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Conveniently close to London airports,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13their house has served as a great base
0:03:13 > 0:03:17during Mike's 30-year career in international health development.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20But it's not somewhere they want to be tied to now.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22We want to move now
0:03:22 > 0:03:24because I've had a very long career as a teacher
0:03:24 > 0:03:28and we've worked abroad and had a wonderful life,
0:03:28 > 0:03:29but now we're retired
0:03:29 > 0:03:33we feel that we would like to get more into the countryside
0:03:33 > 0:03:38where we can pursue our interests of cycling and bird watching.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41This house has been useful for my work and to live in it
0:03:41 > 0:03:44does give us access to the countryside,
0:03:44 > 0:03:48but we've decided now that we would rather be IN the countryside
0:03:48 > 0:03:50rather than on the fringes of it.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53And they want to reduce the size of their current family home,
0:03:53 > 0:03:57which is a substantial 1950s property.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58We're not getting any younger.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03We feel that this house is just uneconomical to run for us.
0:04:03 > 0:04:04It is much too large.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08We have five bedrooms and we don't need them any more
0:04:08 > 0:04:11because all our family have flown the nest.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14The plan may be to downsize the home,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18but they are taking with them a super-sized 7m-long motorhome.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20The house would be our home and our base,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24but it has got to have space to accommodate the vehicle
0:04:24 > 0:04:27in a way that doesn't offend the neighbours.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31We like our motorhome and we've had it for the last five years
0:04:31 > 0:04:33and we've travelled all over Europe.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36This is because we lived in Africa for some many years
0:04:36 > 0:04:39and we hardly visited Europe.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41With their children settled and the chapter closed
0:04:41 > 0:04:44on their rather nomadic international lives,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46the new plan takes on a more rural focus
0:04:46 > 0:04:49in the East Anglian countryside.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51I think the countryside there is beautiful.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54We would like to have views.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58That's our major, major concern that we don't have here.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02We would like to be able to look out of our windows and see countryside
0:05:02 > 0:05:07and possibly have a dawn chorus to wake us up in the mornings.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Binoculars at the ready, but when it comes to birds,
0:05:10 > 0:05:14both Jenny and Mike have their ears pinned back and their eyes peeled.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Birds just fascinate me. One - they're beautiful.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21Two - they're incredible creatures.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23A thing that you can put in your hand
0:05:23 > 0:05:25and that you wouldn't feel the weight of
0:05:25 > 0:05:28can navigate from Cape Town to a barn in Epping.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31I'm looking forward to having more opportunities
0:05:31 > 0:05:36and more close opportunities to indulge in this activity.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39But before we can take flight with the property search,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43we need to find out about the finances for the move.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Our budget for this move is £400,000.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Our buyers are keen to keep connected to their children and grandchildren,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55so we are concentrating our property search
0:05:55 > 0:05:58on the attractive countryside surrounding Bury St Edmunds,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01which has good road links out of the county.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Time for us all to step into Suffolk
0:06:03 > 0:06:06to find out more about this planned move.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Welcome to Suffolk.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11It is a slightly overcast day but that's not going to hinder us, is it?
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- Course not.- Not at all. - Now, why Suffolk?
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Because you've travelled all round the world - Africa, Caribbean.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19What drew you to Suffolk?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23I think it is near enough for our family to be able to visit us
0:06:23 > 0:06:29and we like the idea of being in the countryside.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33It is much more of a county for beautiful, agricultural
0:06:33 > 0:06:35and natural scenery,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38so we would prefer that to where we're living at the moment.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Tell me a little bit more about the actual specifications of the house.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43What does the house need to be like?
0:06:43 > 0:06:48For me, I want to have it nice and light and airy,
0:06:48 > 0:06:53possibly two bedrooms, three bedrooms, no more.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57I think we would like to still have a study and in the study,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01I'll have my electric piano and I think we...
0:07:01 > 0:07:04I would like to keep that as my music room as well,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07so a room big enough for that would be fine.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I don't have a problem with quirkiness.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12I quite like houses with a bit of quirkiness about them.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Something that is a bit different and unusual.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18We would like a fairly moderate-sized garden,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20not too big we don't want.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23We're not very keen gardeners and not very good gardeners either.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25We've got some lovely houses lined up.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I think they're really interesting. Tell me again your budget.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31£400,000.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34And is that sort of absolute top limit
0:07:34 > 0:07:36or does it have any flexibility?
0:07:36 > 0:07:38I think it could have flexibility.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- I think there could be some wriggle room, yes.- Yeah.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41Well, no time like the present.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Let's go and look at some of these wonderful houses we've lined up.
0:07:44 > 0:07:45- Follow me.- Thank you.- Come with me.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50With a budget of £400,000 or thereabouts,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Mike and Jenny plan to downsize
0:07:52 > 0:07:55and are seeking a quirky, characterful property
0:07:55 > 0:07:59with two to three bedrooms, a study-cum-music room
0:07:59 > 0:08:01and a low maintenance garden.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06A key requirement on their wish list is space to park their 7m motorhome.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10We found some lovely Suffolk homes that will take our buyers
0:08:10 > 0:08:14on a tour through a variety of property styles and ages,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17but I won't be revealing the prices straightaway.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19And finally, we present our mystery house,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22which comes with a cashback guarantee.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26So, without further ado, we're hitting the road.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31So, I understand that you are very outward bound
0:08:31 > 0:08:33with cycling and motor homes.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Is that going to be part of your lifestyle here?
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Oh, definitely. We always are going to do that, I'm sure.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42So, when you say go for a ride, how far do you go, Mike?
0:08:42 > 0:08:467, 8 miles is a good day for me.
0:08:46 > 0:08:53I have done 20 or even 50, but normally between 4 and 10.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57So, Suffolk is good cycling country because it is quite flat.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- Yes.- Well, that is of course another of the major advantages.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03But for the time being,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06the highlight for our buyers is being shown the houses
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and we're kicking off proceedings in the village of Stansfield,
0:09:09 > 0:09:1212 miles from Bury St Edmunds.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14There are a couple of hundred residents in Stansfield
0:09:14 > 0:09:20who are served by a country pub and surrounded by unspoiled countryside.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23And in this village lies a charming, newly-thatched cottage,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26which we have chosen as our first home.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31I'm excited to show you this one. This is house number one.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- Wow, this is amazing.- Good gracious.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- It's impressive, isn't it? - Isn't it incredible?
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- It is picture postcard, isn't it? - It is certainly striking.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44It is a 17th-century property, but at the back there's a modern extension
0:09:44 > 0:09:45which we can explore later on.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Wow. And the double garage.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49The current owner is a musician,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52so it is actually a totally rigged-out music studio.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- SHE CHUCKLES So, it is your music room.- Designer.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Let's take a look inside.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01The gravel driveway that fronts the property
0:10:01 > 0:10:03has plenty of room to park a motorhome.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06We are starting the tour in the extension of the main house.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Come on in. Straight into the kitchen here.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17And this is the new extension, so this was put on in 2008,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19completely new-build at the back of the cottage.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21As you can see, very contemporary.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Oh, it is just like something out of a magazine. It's beautiful.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28I think it is a really nice space, nice liveable space.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- So, a good vibe so far? - Very good vibe.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Yeah. Can you imagine having breakfast here?- Oh!
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- Yes, certainly can.- Absolutely.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41It'll certainly be big enough for me looking after the grandchildren.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42- Exactly.- Perfect.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44The next part of the house is much older,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47so it's a bit fairytale for the grandchildren.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49With no main hallway to speak of,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52the property flows from one room to another
0:10:52 > 0:10:55and we're making our way past a shower room and utility
0:10:55 > 0:10:59to the main sitting room, which is a step back in time.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01So, you come through a little corridor into this,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04like through a time machine, time tunnel.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05SHE CHUCKLES
0:11:05 > 0:11:09To this bit of 17th-century cottagery.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11My word.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- Aha.- This is just... - Just crazy. You're on tip-toes there.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16No, I'm not, no.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17Is that a wood-burning stove?
0:11:17 > 0:11:20This is a wood-burning stove in a proper inglenook
0:11:20 > 0:11:22with a bread oven in the corner.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- So, you really do have the... - That works?
0:11:24 > 0:11:25I don't know if it works
0:11:25 > 0:11:27but it certainly that's what it was used for originally.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31You've got Suffolk clay tiles throughout this part of the house
0:11:31 > 0:11:33and these are the original beams.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36What are your thoughts about this sort of period property?
0:11:36 > 0:11:39I can see Mike bumping his head a bit.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I can see crash helmet wearing becoming a...
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- But I do think it is very, very beautiful.- Yes, I do too.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Yeah, it's lovely.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52I think it really is the kind of room, once you've been...
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- You're going to remember this.- Yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59A large formal dining room lies behind the fireplace,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01which in turn leads to a good-sized study.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Then upstairs, the main family bathroom
0:12:05 > 0:12:09sits alongside two double bedrooms in the older part of the property,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12which all feature exposed timbers.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14The largest bedroom is the master,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16which is in the extended part above the kitchen,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19with access via a spiral staircase.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23So, after all those low beams,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26you come into this room with a big high ceiling.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Wow! This is a very light room, isn't it?
0:12:29 > 0:12:31You were talking about waking up to the sound of birds,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34but here you could wake up and actually see the birds.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36And the sun shining in.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39It worries me getting a tray of tea up to this room.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- Not getting any younger.- I'm certainly not getting any younger.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44At the moment, I'm pretty nimble
0:12:44 > 0:12:47and could cope with everything this house could throw at me,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49but I'm thinking 10 years on.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52So, it's throwing up lots of thoughts, which is good. SHE LAUGHS
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Let's step outside because I know that the views and the outside space
0:12:55 > 0:12:58is important and then we can also talk about the price.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- Ah. Aha.- Follow me.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Both Jenny and Mike are clearly enjoying
0:13:04 > 0:13:07the historic character of this property,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09but they raise a good point about the navigation.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12So perhaps a simpler layout might be more practical.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16However, the south-facing gardens are a more straightforward option,
0:13:16 > 0:13:20with a paved terrace, level lawns, as well as a summer house,
0:13:20 > 0:13:25which could be ideal for bird watching out over open farmland.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Look at these beautiful fields. Very well-manicured farmer's fields.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Well done. This is beautiful.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- This is the garden you don't need to maintain.- Yes.- Yes.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Someone else does it for you. SHE CHUCKLES
0:13:37 > 0:13:40This is the garden that you do. Is this about the right size?
0:13:40 > 0:13:42I think this is well within our competence.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Yes, we can cope with this. Mostly grass. Wonderful.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49This gives you everything that you want
0:13:49 > 0:13:52in terms of views and birds and a quirky property.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- Very quirky.- So, how much do you think it is on the market for?
0:13:56 > 0:14:00I don't know. About £395,000 possibly?
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I think maybe a bit lower. Maybe £375,000.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06ALISTAIR INTAKES BREATH SHARPLY Split the difference and you'll be spot on
0:14:06 > 0:14:08because it is on the market for £385,000.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10So, the two of you sort of hovered around the price.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- Not too bad.- Very good.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14So, it's in your budget but we haven't really seen everything,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17so it would be quite nice if you wander around, have a look inside
0:14:17 > 0:14:21and then I will meet you out the front and we can take it from there.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22Thank you.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Kicking off with a property under budget
0:14:24 > 0:14:27with a guide price of £385,000,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30the first house is a characterful thatched cottage
0:14:30 > 0:14:36featuring a kitchen/breakfast room, three receptions and three bedrooms.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39What's more, it already has a detached music room
0:14:39 > 0:14:41and space to park their motorhome.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Well, I just thought it was everybody's dream cottage.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48It is very, very pretty and picturesque.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50When I first stepped into the house,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53I was somewhat concerned about the quirkiness,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55the lowness of the ceilings.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58In fact, I grazed my head more than once.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00The outside space is tremendous.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I mean, we like the fact that it's laid to lawn,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06it has got some well-established shrubs.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07I think we could cope with it.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11The views to the front and the back are just absolutely
0:15:11 > 0:15:15more than I think either of us had hoped for, certainly me.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19I could actually feel that I could live in a house like this.
0:15:20 > 0:15:21It is a beautiful spot.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24All I can hear is skylarks in that field opposite.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Hello.- Hello.- Are you all done with your exploration?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- Yes, thank you very much.- Yes. - Very good.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Well, that is house one finished. Time for house two. Follow me.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- Excellent.- OK.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42The Gipping Valley in the middle of the county is home to Needham Lake.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Back in the 1970s, it was an empty gravel pit.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Now it is a thriving nature reserve,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52providing habitats for a wide variety of flora and fauna.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57Another local haven for wildlife is the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Since 2001, this charity has championed
0:15:59 > 0:16:04the care and conservation of owls along with other birds of prey.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Over 20 different species are bred here in the centre's aviaries,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11including ferruginous buzzards, Harris hawks,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14red kites and tawny owls.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Mindful of Jenny and Mike's passion for birds,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20we have arranged for them to meet Andy Hume, the general manager,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22and Spirit the barn owl.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28How easy is it to get the birds to breed in captivity?
0:16:28 > 0:16:30It is all about them being compatible.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34It's the same in the wild. They've got to like each other.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Spirit here was bred not more than 20m away.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Her mum and dad are in the aviary.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The wild birds that come to us tend to be for the hospital
0:16:43 > 0:16:47and, sadly, most of them are road traffic accidents.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51That makes up the biggest majority of injured birds.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55But we do all we can to get the birds back into the wild
0:16:55 > 0:16:57through rehabilitation.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Birds like Spirit, who perform regular flying demonstrations,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04need daily weigh-ins to monitor their flying weight.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07This ensures they have plenty of energy to fly
0:17:07 > 0:17:10but are still just peckish enough to return to their handlers
0:17:10 > 0:17:11for morsels of food.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16And with Spirit's weight spot on, she is ready to spread her wings.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Well, this is where we exercise all of our birds
0:17:19 > 0:17:23and you guys are going to fly Spirit this morning with us.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27In the bag is the glove. I'm going to ask you to put the glove on.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- They are left-handed. Mike, if you put that one on.- Thank you.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- Jenny, yours.- Thank you.
0:17:31 > 0:17:32Now, in the bag here,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36I've got the little titbits of meat that she will fly to.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37As she comes towards you,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40all we'll ask you to do is if you put your arm out straight,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44she will fly and land on here and get the titbit of food, OK?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47So, if you want to drop your arm and I'm going to go that direction
0:17:47 > 0:17:50and we'll get her ready for her first flight.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55- OWL CROWS - OK, Jenny.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Put your arm up and whistle at her.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01JENNY WHISTLES
0:18:03 > 0:18:04That was perfect.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08MIKE WHISTLES
0:18:12 > 0:18:15This beautiful, isn't it? Are you going to take her home?
0:18:15 > 0:18:18I certainly am, if they'll let me.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Before Mike and Jenny get too attached
0:18:20 > 0:18:21to their new feathered friend,
0:18:21 > 0:18:25we better return to our search for a nest they can call their own.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29For our next property, we're travelling north-east,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32making for the village of Finningham.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34The neighbouring village of Gislingham
0:18:34 > 0:18:39has a Suffolk pink public house, as well as a convenience store.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42And in Finningham itself there is another pub,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44which is two minutes walk from our second house.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47A very different offering for house number two,
0:18:47 > 0:18:48but I'm quite excited to show you.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50This is a barn conversion.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53Ah! Nice big drive too.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- Big drive, plenty of space for the...- Motorhome.- ..motorhome.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00It doesn't look like a lot of barn conversions I've seen.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Well, actually this was the barn
0:19:02 > 0:19:05and it was extended to have a cattle shed at the back,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07which was actually then extended again.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10You can see the sort of history of the structure of the barn
0:19:10 > 0:19:12from the inside, so shall we go inside?
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Oh, yes. Lovely.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19Converted in 1999, at first glance this sprawling barn conversion
0:19:19 > 0:19:22may not seem like a downsize.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25But this property will give Jenny and Mike options,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27which I'll reveal later on.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33So, into the kitchen at the back of the house.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Oh. This is very different.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- Yeah.- Isn't it? Very spacious.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- Very high.- Yes.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42You're not going to bang your head on these beams.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44JENNY AND MIKE LAUGH
0:19:44 > 0:19:49This is not traditional but it is unusual.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- There is still a quaintness about it.- Yes.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53That's the kitchen.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55But next door is the main sitting room
0:19:55 > 0:19:58and there you can see the bones of the house very clearly.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Right.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Step inside here.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- Oh, wow!- And take a spin upstairs.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Oh, my word! This is amazing.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- It's a big space, isn't it? - I like this. Good for singing.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Yes? Want to give it a spin?
0:20:23 > 0:20:25SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- No. - Aw, I was getting excited there.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Mike, what do you think?
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Well, I just think it's a lovely room. And very different.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Quirky?
0:20:35 > 0:20:39A bit of the quirkiness again, yes. You know I'm up for that.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44- Less of the concussion. - Less need for a crash helmet.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46The upstairs is like a mezzanine.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51It is a floor with three bedrooms and a family bathroom and not much else.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52Mm-hm.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Downstairs, as we're about to see,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56there is all your living quarters that you need.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- So, you could effectively just live downstairs.- I see.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02So, no stairs up and down, which is something you were considering.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Put the relatives upstairs.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06And then upstairs you could just leave as a sort of guest suite
0:21:06 > 0:21:08which you use when you need it.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Wonderful.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Well, I think the layout of the house will make more sense
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- when you've seen the master bedroom, so let's have a peek.- Thank you.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Back of the main hallway, there's also a downstairs shower room,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23as well as two more reception rooms.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25So with either the dining room or the study,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28there are possibilities for Jenny's music room.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33And up a small flight of steps, we come to the last room downstairs.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37This is the master bedroom because it is on the ground floor,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39so it's all on one level.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42You've got an ensuite bathroom through there
0:21:42 > 0:21:44and loads of hanging space.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Wonderful. Actually, this is a very nice room, isn't it?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51The stairs in the last property would never be, you know,
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- an easy thing to surmount.- No.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57So I was wondering whether the idea of living all on one floor
0:21:57 > 0:21:58would be appealing to you?
0:21:58 > 0:22:01It does make sense. It does make sense to us.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06But with all those bedrooms upstairs and three bathrooms,
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- it is difficult to imagine this is downsizing for us.- Hmm.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Well, I take that point, but let's have a look in the garden
0:22:14 > 0:22:17and see whether that piece of the puzzle adds up
0:22:17 > 0:22:19and then we can make some decisions.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20Fine, thank you.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Despite the choices here,
0:22:23 > 0:22:27I fear they may not be fully on board with the space this barn provides.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30But outside, the low-maintenance garden
0:22:30 > 0:22:32would suit the not-so-green fingered
0:22:32 > 0:22:34and is framed by a lovely vine-covered walkway
0:22:34 > 0:22:36backing onto the river.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41At the bottom of the garden...
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- ..is a river.- Wow.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Not any old river either.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48The River Dove, which flows into a town called Eye.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50And then this lovely sort of wooden pergola walkway
0:22:50 > 0:22:53with wisteria this end, grapevine at that end,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55clematis over the front and roses.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Yes. Beautiful. That is lovely.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00But a very manageable garden.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- Absolutely, yeah. - The right size for us.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- This is the right size? - Yes, definitely.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Very easy. Bit of lawn to mow, few beds to water.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Places to sit out.- Yeah.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Looking at the garden itself, if this is about the right size,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15the house you are thinking might be a bit big.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16You haven't explored all of it.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19But before I let you inside to have a look around,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22how much do you think this big Suffolk barn conversion costs?
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Well, I think it is a very large property,
0:23:27 > 0:23:32so I think it will be over £400,000 I would think, possibly £440,000.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I would agree with over £400,000 but not quite so much.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- I would go for £420,000.- £420,000.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41So, this is on the market for £400,000.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46- Ah.- It's been on the market for a while so they might accept an offer.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48I think it might be a good idea to explore inside
0:23:48 > 0:23:51and think whether this sort of two-level living might work.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53So you have one sort of day-to-day level,
0:23:53 > 0:23:54which is all on the ground floor,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57and then the upstairs is for special occasions and guests.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- Good thinking.- Have a look. Go and explore.- Thank you.
0:24:00 > 0:24:01Give me a holler if you get lost.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03- SHE LAUGHS - Fine.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08So, a very different offering, very different house.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Yes, maybe it's a bit too big. Time will tell.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Right on budget with a guide price of £400,000,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21this fascinating converted barn is a generous offering
0:24:21 > 0:24:23chock-full of character.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27The versatile accommodation lends itself to two separate living zones,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30but as a whole offers three reception areas,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33an impressive kitchen/breakfast room, four bedrooms
0:24:33 > 0:24:35and comes with the all-important
0:24:35 > 0:24:37off-road parking for the motorhome.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42The living space downstairs is an interesting option
0:24:42 > 0:24:46but there's still a large house to maintain.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48You can just forget about the rest of the house.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Ooh, very nice-sized room.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56It would be good to have living space just on one floor,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59but I think it's almost equivalent to the size house
0:24:59 > 0:25:01that we have at the moment.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06This is not meeting our requirement for downsizing.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08So many rooms. What's up here?
0:25:09 > 0:25:13It is a lovely house. There's a lot of very good things about it.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17But I thought that probably it was not what we're looking for
0:25:17 > 0:25:19in terms of size.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I think, sadly, we have to say that this house
0:25:22 > 0:25:26doesn't score as highly as the first one.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- All done?- All done.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- Not left anything behind?- Nope.- Nope.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36So, let's have a little rest.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Armed with a budget of £400,000,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50housebuyers Jenny and Mike want to leave the London suburbs behind
0:25:50 > 0:25:55and find a country home in Suffolk in which to enjoy their retirement.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Coming up, our mystery house has some definite pluses...
0:25:59 > 0:26:04That is truly a big surprise, those numbers.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07And I get to the root of what's growing on a local estate.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Look at the colour!
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Slightly overcast here in Suffolk on day two of our property shopping
0:26:15 > 0:26:17for Mike and Jenny and I have to say,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20I am slightly anxious about showing them the mystery house
0:26:20 > 0:26:23on the basis of what they said about house number two
0:26:23 > 0:26:26being too big to represent a downsize.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29The mystery house is... Well, it's not small.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32But it is bright green.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37Our mystery property takes us to the village of Elmsett.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Amenities here include a general store and post office,
0:26:40 > 0:26:45a traditional pub, along with an accessible network of cycle routes.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47But before we reveal the house itself,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50we're taking a pit stop here so that Mike and Jenny
0:26:50 > 0:26:53can familiarise themselves with the location.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55So, do you know this part of Suffolk?
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- No, we don't. - It's the heart of Suffolk.
0:26:57 > 0:27:03It's very rural, which is what you want, and pretty well-connected.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06You can get to London in 90 minutes. Elmsett is an interesting village.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07It's a typical Suffolk central village
0:27:07 > 0:27:09with these lovely thatched cottages.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12- Yes.- That is not the mystery house. Don't worry, it's not that big.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15But I wanted to talk a bit about some of the things that you can do here,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18because I know that you're very interested in music.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21The village has a brass band, always looking for new players.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23I thought you could maybe take up the tuba, Mike.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25BOTH LAUGH I can see you playing that.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28- Yes, hmm. Hmm. - It's not that difficult.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30But in the village next door, Hadleigh,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33they've got a very fine community choir.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Oh, that sounds interesting.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Would it be something you'd be interested in joining?
0:27:37 > 0:27:38Oh, I would, yes.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Also, this is on a very famous cycle path
0:27:41 > 0:27:44that goes pretty much all the way up into Norfolk.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Ahh.- So, this is a really well-connected cycle route.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49That would be very interesting for us.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53And most importantly, it is where the mystery house is. So follow me.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57And our colourful final offering
0:27:57 > 0:27:59is a modern and mysterious one-of-a-kind build
0:27:59 > 0:28:02that lies right in the heart of the village.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08- This is the mystery house.- Wow.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- It is a beautiful construction, isn't it?- Do you like it?
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Yes. It is new, isn't it?
0:28:13 > 0:28:17- It is 15 years old.- And it's lovely.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21- It looks fairly sort of low-key from the outside.- Yes?
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Nothing shouts out, because the mystery about this house
0:28:25 > 0:28:27will be revealed when we go round the back.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30- OK.- So, I'm not going to say anything more
0:28:30 > 0:28:32but I'm going to ask you to come with me.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Come round the back.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41I'm going to do a brief detour into the garden. Lovely garden.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44- Wow.- Beautiful planting. - Lovely garden.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Come onto this little terrace here.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51- Ha!- And take a look what's on top of the house.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Oh, my word.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57This house is a green house.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00One of the things you were worried about about your big house
0:29:00 > 0:29:03and the big house that we saw yesterday it is the running costs.
0:29:03 > 0:29:04- Absolutely.- Mm-hm.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07This house makes you money.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12Last year, the owners spent £800 on their electricity bills
0:29:12 > 0:29:16but they made £1,800 selling back electricity to the grid.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- Aha. - SHE CHUCKLES
0:29:18 > 0:29:23So, they made almost £1,000. And then if you take out the water bills.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25Now, they only get the water in
0:29:25 > 0:29:27because they have a reed drainage system in the garden,
0:29:27 > 0:29:31so they don't pay for any water flowing out.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35That is truly a big surprise, those numbers.
0:29:36 > 0:29:37No question.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39- Let's take a tour of the house. - Right.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44Dating back to 1998, the aim of the architect who designed this property
0:29:44 > 0:29:48was to save energy and, as a consequence, save money too.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Inside, the unconventional layout
0:29:50 > 0:29:53should appeal to Mike's wish for quirky
0:29:53 > 0:29:55and wraps itself around a generous hallway.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Come into the main room.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- Oh, wow.- Talk about light.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07So, you can see now some of the features of the house.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11From the inside you can see how thick the walls are.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- Ahh, yes.- Amazing concrete build.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17So, the walls are all concrete,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20the floor is almost 0.5m of concrete with insulation.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26So, what happens is that the sun comes from these giant windows,
0:30:26 > 0:30:28heats up the concrete and then the concrete,
0:30:28 > 0:30:32the heat in the concrete is retained pretty much all through the day
0:30:32 > 0:30:33and through the night.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35You've also got triple glazing.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39The secret of the house really is that no heat leaves.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- It's clever, huh?- Very clever.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45I mean, it is a bit of a shock and you're right to call it a mystery
0:30:45 > 0:30:51because compared to the other houses we've seen, this is...
0:30:52 > 0:30:54..you know, very, very, very different.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56So, this is the heart of the home.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59It is also the heating generator because of these big windows.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02But obviously, there are other rooms, including the kitchen.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Ah-ha-ha, the kitchen.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- Come in here.- Oh, wow!
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I'm loving all these 'wows'. That's great.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19- This is the sort of size kitchen that I love!- Really?
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Oh, it's beautiful.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25OK, so this is downstairs. It's pretty much a simple layout.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29You've got an amazing washroom with all the white goods.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Let's look upstairs because that is interesting too.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35The combination of light and space in this unique home
0:31:35 > 0:31:38appears to be winning over both our buyers.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41And the brilliance continues upstairs,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44where a four-piece family bathroom serves four bedrooms.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Two are spacious double rooms,
0:31:46 > 0:31:50and a single is being used as a study.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53That just leaves the one earmarked for Jenny and Mike,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56which also benefits from both the views and daylight
0:31:56 > 0:32:00coming in from the huge double-height glazing in the sitting room.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03This is an interesting room.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05- Yes.- Wow.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07It is the mezzanine above the living space.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12It is very, very good for a bedroom. It's got plenty of space.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16Have you ever seen a bedroom like this before?
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Nope. But I could definitely do something with it, I feel.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21I'm confident about that.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23Or the alternative is that you use this as the study
0:32:23 > 0:32:25and don't have it as a bedroom.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27- Oh, that's a possibility. That would be lovely.- Yeah.
0:32:27 > 0:32:28- Good idea.- And music room.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31- It's true. This would be a lovely music room.- Yes, it would too.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- Echoing round the house.- Yes.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36I'll let you explore the other rooms upstairs,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39but I want to show you the rest of the garden.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41- Oh, right.- Come with me.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44That concludes the internal tour of our super-efficient mystery house,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47so we're heading back down to the kitchen/diner,
0:32:47 > 0:32:51passed a sunny paved patio and into the south-facing rear garden.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55- It's got paths.- Oh, my word.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57It's been immaculately landscaped
0:32:57 > 0:33:00and has a small lawn with hidden walkways
0:33:00 > 0:33:04that wind themselves through a variety of beds and borders.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07So, as you can see, it is a garden of paths.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09There's decking pathway throughout,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12the raised decking so you don't get your feet dirty,
0:33:12 > 0:33:15in the midst of all these bushes and shrubs and trees,
0:33:15 > 0:33:18which, of course, are bird paradise.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19I can imagine.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22It's the sort of garden I've never even thought about
0:33:22 > 0:33:24that I might have.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27It is very, very unusual.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30So, how much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32I'd go for £440,000.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37And I think about the same - £440,000.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- You're both wrong.- Oh.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42This house is on the market for £425,000.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Wow.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47And with the bit of give-and-take that the market allows,
0:33:47 > 0:33:49you might even get it in your budget.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- Wow.- So...
0:33:52 > 0:33:56- Well, that is a real surprise. - Strike me down.
0:33:56 > 0:33:57And indeed, a mystery.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Ah, that's why it's called the mystery house, Mike.
0:34:00 > 0:34:01I suspected as much.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Why don't you two go and look upstairs,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05cos we didn't finish the tour upstairs,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07- and I'll see you out the front? - OK.- OK.
0:34:11 > 0:34:17Surprisingly closer to budget than expected, on the market for £425,000,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20the mystery property is a modern, one-off, detached eco house
0:34:20 > 0:34:23with a range of energy-efficient features
0:34:23 > 0:34:25that make it cost-effective to run.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28The accommodation features a double-height sitting room,
0:34:28 > 0:34:30kitchen/diner and four bedrooms
0:34:30 > 0:34:33with an enchanting landscaped garden.
0:34:33 > 0:34:41It's a most beautifully built house. Very sturdy and good to look at.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46I absolutely adore the kitchen. I think it's just perfect.
0:34:46 > 0:34:47I think it's lovely.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51I think it would be very easy for us to maintain.
0:34:51 > 0:34:56I think the sort of mezzanine bedroom is really quite quirky.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01- I think this one has the nicest feel about it, don't you?- Yeah.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03I don't think the open balcony
0:35:03 > 0:35:07would be a good choice for a bedroom for us.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11When I saw the solar panels and the water heating system,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13I was really quite amazed
0:35:13 > 0:35:17because it does have some great economic advantages.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21The only thing is it doesn't really have a view.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25I know the garden is simply beautiful,
0:35:25 > 0:35:29but it doesn't have views over rolling countryside,
0:35:29 > 0:35:35which is something I imagine will be part of what we were selecting.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Ooh, did you notice how snugly fitted that door is?
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- Absolutely.- No draughts.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45- Oh, and no letterbox.- No.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Indeed, the letterbox is in the garage
0:35:47 > 0:35:49for exactly the same reason - no draughts.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Good house, huh? Follow me.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01With its vast areas of low-lying arable land,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05farming is a major part of rural life in Suffolk.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08A county speciality is the growing of root vegetables,
0:36:08 > 0:36:10thanks to the light, sandy soil
0:36:10 > 0:36:14which is perfect for producing smooth, straight tap roots.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16I'm visiting the Elveden Estate,
0:36:16 > 0:36:19which has a long history of large-scale root vegetable farming.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22However, in recent years they have been cultivating
0:36:22 > 0:36:25a more localised artisan approach with their Kitchen Garden project
0:36:25 > 0:36:29that focuses on more unusual heirloom varieties.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Farm manager Andrew Francis is going to tell me more.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34What's the idea behind the Kitchen Garden?
0:36:34 > 0:36:37We have a passion here for local, seasonal food,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39so we looked at how we could bring
0:36:39 > 0:36:41different colours of vegetables and salads,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44different shapes of vegetables and salads.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Your reputation lasts a day in what we do with this fresh produce
0:36:47 > 0:36:50because it is literally pick it, wash it, chill it,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53deliver it to the kitchens and it's straight on the plate that day
0:36:53 > 0:36:55or the next day.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58So, what sort of thing are we growing here? Is this fancy carrots, or...?
0:36:58 > 0:37:01Yeah, we'll have different coloured carrots in here.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03So, we have purple,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06a slightly purple haze one as well as a deep purple, different shapes.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11It's like a rock'n'roll canteen of carrots - Purple Haze, Deep Purple.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15- Yeah.- Can we pull any? Any of them ready to pull?
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Yeah, we can go into that section over there and pull some out.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Lead the way.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Growing and selling food locally offers a host of advantages.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Reducing the financial and environmental costs
0:37:25 > 0:37:29of transporting it means both farmers and the local economy
0:37:29 > 0:37:31reap the benefits more directly.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37- Whoa! Look at the colour.- Yeah. So, these are the Purple Haze carrots.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40The colour gradually bleeds away as you go down the root.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42So, that is the speciality of the Kitchen Garden,
0:37:42 > 0:37:45that actually we pull it out of the earth,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47you wash it on site and then you serve it on site.
0:37:47 > 0:37:48Absolutely, yes.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50And who have you got involved in the serving?
0:37:50 > 0:37:53We have Peter McBurney, who's our development chef.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57He's very involved in menu creation and looking at new dishes.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00He sounds like a man who is going to give me some food.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02- He is a very clever man, very talented.- Can I go and find him?
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- You can indeed.- Very nice to meet you. Thanks very much.- OK.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Purple may seem an unusual colour for a carrot,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11but for centuries it was the norm.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14The orange carrot, as we know it today,
0:38:14 > 0:38:16only appeared in the 17th century,
0:38:16 > 0:38:21when Dutch growers cultivated it as a tribute to William of Orange,
0:38:21 > 0:38:24who led the struggle for Dutch independence.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- Hey, Peter.- Hi.- Very nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28Ah, I see. You have some of those.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Andrew was plucking some out of the ground.
0:38:30 > 0:38:31Some of Andrew's vegetables.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33There's a fantastic array of vegetables, really.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37Everything from the three-coloured carrots to the different beetroots.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40I mean, amazing what you can do with them for the colours.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42- That's beetroot, is it? - Yeah, globe beetroot.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Coloured like a carrot.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- Wow!- It's like a kid in a playground when you've got produce like this.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52So basically, you've got this lovely setup where you have all these
0:38:52 > 0:38:55extraordinary heritage vegetables growing in a field next door.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57What is it, less than half a mile travelling?
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Exactly, so there's no carbon footprint.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02It's all local, all comes straight to us.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04I think one of the reasons we're so popular
0:39:04 > 0:39:06is because people know that a lot of the food has come locally.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09And what do you do with it? I know you're famous for making chutneys.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12One of the ones that we do do is a thing called 'Elvedenilli'
0:39:12 > 0:39:14using our main crop vegetables,
0:39:14 > 0:39:18which are parsnips, carrots and onions are our main crops.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20- Elvedenilli, that's a take on piccalilli, is it?- Exactly.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Have you got some I can taste?
0:39:22 > 0:39:24It just happens I've got a nice little platter.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26We actually call this the 'mmm' chutney
0:39:26 > 0:39:28because people taste it and just go, "Mmm".
0:39:28 > 0:39:30It's a beautiful colour as well.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- Mmm.- Mmm. - BOTH LAUGH
0:39:34 > 0:39:37It's great that you're kind of championing this fresh use of food.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- And you're obviously having fun as well.- No, I love it.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42- You're beaming.- Yeah, I love it.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45It's a dream job for me and as long as we're getting the results...
0:39:45 > 0:39:47ALISTAIR MUMBLES
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- As long as people are happy. - BOTH CHUCKLE
0:39:50 > 0:39:53Tempted as I am to stay and sample more of the local produce,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56it is time to get back to our buyers and find out
0:39:56 > 0:39:58if any of our properties have tempted them.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03OK, I don't have to be a mind reader to know that
0:40:03 > 0:40:06you didn't really like the second house yesterday.
0:40:06 > 0:40:11So, I am still not sure in my mind which of the houses you prefer.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15The mystery house on the one hand or that lovely romantic first house?
0:40:17 > 0:40:19I think the romantic first house
0:40:19 > 0:40:22was just something anybody would dream of
0:40:22 > 0:40:27and the views were what we really, really like.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31It did have a little problem with the height of the ceiling.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32Yes, Mike, your poor head.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34Have you got bruises?
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Yeah, I had a little bit of difficulty
0:40:36 > 0:40:38- combing my scalp this morning. - ALL CHUCKLE
0:40:38 > 0:40:43- The mystery house was probably sensible.- Ah, it was.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48And it was beautiful and perhaps right in the sense that, you know,
0:40:48 > 0:40:52we would be doing the kind of things that people should be trying to do,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55which is live a more green life.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Sensible, however, does come with the sort of...
0:40:58 > 0:40:59HE TUTS "Well, it's sensible."
0:40:59 > 0:41:04Does your heart really kind of warm to the mystery house?
0:41:04 > 0:41:10I thought that it was so well built but it didn't have the view.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13That's not quite perfect for us.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14OK, so what happens next?
0:41:14 > 0:41:18I mean, are you thinking of revisiting any of the properties?
0:41:18 > 0:41:22I think we should investigate that mystery house more
0:41:22 > 0:41:25to see how economical it really is.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27So, yes, we would probably go back
0:41:27 > 0:41:29and discover a bit more about that area,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32which we know absolutely nothing about.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35So, what has this show done for you in terms of the whole process?
0:41:35 > 0:41:40It has really opened my eyes to what it is like
0:41:40 > 0:41:43to live out in the country.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46This is a very, very lovely part of the world.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50And it has shown what vast contracts there can be
0:41:50 > 0:41:52within our own price range.
0:41:52 > 0:41:58All three were vastly different properties at or around our budget.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01So, finally, do you think that it's that fact
0:42:01 > 0:42:03about what you get for your budget has given you hope
0:42:03 > 0:42:06that you actually can get what you want for your budget?
0:42:06 > 0:42:08- Oh, yes.- I definitely think so. - Yeah.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Well, I really hope that you do proceed on one of our houses.
0:42:12 > 0:42:13That would be wonderful.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15But that you get to Suffolk very soon
0:42:15 > 0:42:17cos it's been a great pleasure showing you around.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25I think we set the wheels of moving in motion for Jenny and Mike.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27I think they're going to visit the mystery house
0:42:27 > 0:42:28or maybe the first house,
0:42:28 > 0:42:32do some cycling and Suffolk will work its magic
0:42:32 > 0:42:36and they will be packing up their belongings and moving here very soon.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39My money is on the mystery house, but we'll have to wait and see.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Meanwhile, I hope you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48After considering all their options,
0:42:48 > 0:42:52Mike and Jenny decided not to proceed on any of the houses and instead
0:42:52 > 0:42:55have put their house search on hold for the time being.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57If you'd like to escape to the country
0:42:57 > 0:43:00in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland,
0:43:00 > 0:43:04or even further afield to the continent and need our help,
0:43:04 > 0:43:10please apply online at bbc.co.uk/beonashow