0:00:02 > 0:00:04Behind me is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and below me
0:00:04 > 0:00:07the world's busiest passenger port.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Where am I? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28'Today we're helping new parents Canadian Kristi
0:00:28 > 0:00:31'and Italian-born Francesco find a family home where
0:00:31 > 0:00:35'they can experience country life in the UK for the first time.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37'There's wonderment...
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Oh, my goodness!
0:00:39 > 0:00:40'Astonishment...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Wow!
0:00:42 > 0:00:43'And disbelief.'
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- Oh, my goodness!- Oh, really?
0:00:46 > 0:00:47Really?
0:00:48 > 0:00:50On today's show I'm in Kent
0:00:50 > 0:00:53and right now I'm stood on top of the white cliffs of Dover.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57This particular stretch of water separating
0:00:57 > 0:00:59England from mainland Europe, is called the Dover Strait
0:00:59 > 0:01:04and is used by over 400 commercial vessels every day,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07many of which are carrying the 16 million or so passengers
0:01:07 > 0:01:10to and from Dover port, just down there.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12I must say, for those arriving here,
0:01:12 > 0:01:17it's a great county to start exploring this great country.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21'One of the English Home Counties,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25'Kent is bordered by Greater London, East Sussex and Surrey.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28'Its 350 miles of remarkable coastline
0:01:28 > 0:01:33'encompasses 11 blue flag beaches, towering white chalk cliffs
0:01:33 > 0:01:36'and appealing seaside towns including medieval Sandwich,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40'which was a major port until its estuary silted up
0:01:40 > 0:01:42'during the 17th century.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45'This atmospheric settlement has the highest density of listed
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'buildings of any town in England.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52'Away from the coast there are swathes of rolling farmland
0:01:52 > 0:01:54'where a diverse range of crops are grown,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57'including more than 40% of the entire country's fruit.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03'The county's undeniable appeal has inspired countless artists,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06'including the famous landscape painter, JMW Turner,
0:02:06 > 0:02:10'who portrayed the area in more than 100 works
0:02:10 > 0:02:12'and described its skies as the loveliest in Europe.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17'And its appeal endures today as people continue to be
0:02:17 > 0:02:19'draw by the beauty of this unspoilt county.'
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Despite being a rural idyll, Kent is, in fact, a home county with
0:02:29 > 0:02:32excellent connections back into our capital, especially road and rail,
0:02:32 > 0:02:38which means, of course, you will pay handsomely above £257,000,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41which is the national average for a detached house in this country.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Here in Kent, you'll pay £318,000 for that
0:02:45 > 0:02:48but if you don't need such access to road and rail,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52then you can head east towards the likes of Canterbury and Maidstone
0:02:52 > 0:02:56where your budget should stretch just that little bit further.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59So where in this county are today's buyers looking to head?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05'Canadian born Kristi and her Italian husband, Francesco,
0:03:05 > 0:03:09'currently live in a two-bedroomed flat in London's Muswell Hill.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12'They had always fancied moving to the countryside but it was
0:03:12 > 0:03:14'the birth of their daughter, Cora, that gave them
0:03:14 > 0:03:17'the final impetus to leave city life behind.'
0:03:17 > 0:03:20We do have a 21-month-old daughter
0:03:20 > 0:03:23and we just want to give her the best experience that she can have.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27She can have lots of outdoor space, a bigger home for her to play in.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29When I was a kid I grew up in the country.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33For me, it is like my heritage and background.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38I would like to have the same kind of opportunity for my daughter.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41'Having moved to the UK fairly recently,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43'they are not hugely familiar with the country which is
0:03:43 > 0:03:46'one of the reasons why they have called for our help.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48'They have, however, visited Kent
0:03:48 > 0:03:50'and part of its appeal are its handy transport links
0:03:50 > 0:03:53'for Francesco's job in business development.'
0:03:53 > 0:03:57We've chosen Kent because of its proximity to London
0:03:57 > 0:03:59so Francesco will occasionally need to commute in.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03I think it's probably one of the most beautiful counties here in UK
0:04:03 > 0:04:08and also the quality of education that we can find down there with the grammar schools,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11I think the best schooling options for us are down there.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14'Francesco and Kristi are hoping their move to the country will
0:04:14 > 0:04:18'allow them to embrace some of their pastimes more fully.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Mine has always been an interest in doing sport, and endurance sport,
0:04:22 > 0:04:23plus I do triathlon, as well.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26I need to try and find a place where I can do cycling,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- swimming and running. - All in one day.- All in one day.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33I think Kent will give me this opportunity.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Things that I would like to do is really just spending
0:04:37 > 0:04:39a lot of quality time with Cora.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43We don't have a back yard space so any time we want to go outside
0:04:43 > 0:04:46we have schlep off to a playground.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50But having the back yard, we just open the door and off she goes,
0:04:50 > 0:04:54she's ready to play. She's got her swings, she's got her sandpit.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59'Kristi and Francesco met in Canada when they were both working on the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02'Not long after that they relocated to the UK.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05'In the three years they've lived here, they've moved three times.'
0:05:06 > 0:05:10We're hoping that this move to the country is our last move and
0:05:10 > 0:05:14we finally settle in and we establish our lives there and hopefully...
0:05:14 > 0:05:16It is important to find the right property
0:05:16 > 0:05:20because we don't want to move in another couple of years.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- It's becoming quite stressful.- Yeah.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- We want to find...- We want to be permanent...
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- We want to be permanent in a place and fingers crossed.- Mmm.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32'So what do they have to spend on a home for keeps in Kent?'
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Our budget for the move is around £650,000.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42'Because Francesco and Kristi aren't fully acquainted with Kent,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46'they're open to looking at properties from anywhere within its borders.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49'Before we kick off our countywide search,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52'I'm meeting up with them to learn more about their move.'
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- Good morning, how are you?- Morning, very good.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Welcome to a fairly rainy Kent.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01I hope it'll get drier later. I've got a list of properties here...
0:06:01 > 0:06:06- Great!- ..that you've looked at on the internet and in person.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- Yeah.- There's some beautiful houses here.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11What was wrong with them?
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Some of them were beautiful in the picture
0:06:14 > 0:06:18but when we arrived there, I mean, what we saw wasn't what we expected.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22My only thought here is that you've looked at a lot of the stock.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25There isn't a great deal on the market and there hasn't been a whole
0:06:25 > 0:06:28tranche of stuff come on the market since you've looked.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- You will need to remain fairly open-minded.- Yeah, we are.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32We are definitely open-minded.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Let's focus on the property itself.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Now what does it look like inside?
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- Do you want lots of little rooms, or is it modern?- BOTH: No.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43THEY LAUGH
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- No...- We really like open-plan.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47Yeah, open space.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51We like character but with modern furniture inside.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54We like beams and we really like big fireplaces.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Yeah.- And, erm...
0:06:56 > 0:07:00We are open, also, to... We like unusual shapes for the houses.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04It sounds like you want a property that's been refurbed
0:07:04 > 0:07:06and changed by someone.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10- Yes.- What about doing those works yourself? How much work...
0:07:10 > 0:07:11We thought about this.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- The issue is we're not very... - We're not handy.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16We're not handy at all.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20But we know people who could possibly help us with this.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- OK, how many bedrooms? - We think four is the minimum.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- Minimum four?- Mmm.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Well, I think four...
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Yes, only because there is the possibility that Francesco
0:07:31 > 0:07:35can do some work from home and he has a massive book collection,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39so one room dedicated to him for his library/study.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Really, it could be three bedrooms and that one for him.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44OK, all right.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46How much outside space are you after?
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Well, we would like to have a garden that is manageable
0:07:49 > 0:07:52but also, you know, we plan to have a dog
0:07:52 > 0:07:57so we had big spaces before when we lived abroad.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59We're thinking max an acre. Max.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- Max.- That's not a garden, you need a tractor for that!
0:08:02 > 0:08:04And cows!
0:08:04 > 0:08:06All for how much?
0:08:06 > 0:08:11The max budget we have at the moment is £650,000.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14OK, and you're looking to move as soon as possible?
0:08:14 > 0:08:17As soon as possible, our house is already on the market.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19There is quite a bit of interest in it.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21We think it could go fairly quickly.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Let's get going, shall we? Just this way.- Let's go.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30'With a budget of £650,000 Francesco and Kristi are looking
0:08:30 > 0:08:34'for a period home with a contemporary open-plan interior
0:08:34 > 0:08:37'and they're looking for four bedrooms,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39'one of which will be used as an office for Francesco.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42'Outside they'd like a minimum of half an acre
0:08:42 > 0:08:45'and they're hoping to be within easy reach of transport links
0:08:45 > 0:08:48'for Francesco and a good school for Cora.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51'We've found a great selection of Kentish homes
0:08:51 > 0:08:52'to show Francesco and Kristi
0:08:52 > 0:08:54'but I'll keep them guessing about the price
0:08:54 > 0:08:57'until we've had a good look around.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59'We'll finish off with the mystery house where the layout
0:08:59 > 0:09:02'could leave them hot or cold.'
0:09:08 > 0:09:10So are you looking forward to this big move?
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I mean, you're living in the metropolis that is London...
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- Yes.- ..to rural Kent.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20Yeah, but you know what? I don't really think we're city folk to begin with.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24I was born on a small island,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27the West Coast of Canada called Saltspring
0:09:27 > 0:09:31and, at that point, I think there were not even 7,000 people
0:09:31 > 0:09:32- living there.- Goodness me!
0:09:32 > 0:09:36By the sounds of it living in London has been a bit of a blip,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40you're both country people and hopefully this Kent move
0:09:40 > 0:09:41- is going to be the last move. - I hope so.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45In my life I've never lived more than four years in the same place
0:09:45 > 0:09:46since I was 16.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Perhaps I should just find you a house with wheels on the bottom of it!- I hope so. I really hope so.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52THEY CHUCKLE
0:09:52 > 0:09:55'Our search begins in the village of Hunton,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58'five miles south of Maidstone, Kent's county town.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01'Three-and-a-half miles away is the village of Marden
0:10:01 > 0:10:05'where there are handy train links to London for Francesco's commute
0:10:05 > 0:10:08'and some useful amenities, including a library,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10'which Kristi will be pleased to know
0:10:10 > 0:10:13'has weekly story circle sessions for toddlers.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17'Just down the road, set on a quiet country lane, is our first house.'
0:10:18 > 0:10:23- So, property number one is a barn conversion.- Beautiful.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- It's beautiful. - This is a good reaction.- Yeah.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28It's a very good reaction.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30We were hoping for a barn conversion
0:10:30 > 0:10:33and that window in the front is awesome
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- Just to let you know what we're getting... This is shared access. - OK.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40The barn itself starts at the end of this return.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- That is what we're looking at.- OK.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45You've got all the land from that first hedge in.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- OK.- Yes.- Like it?
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Yes.- It's got something.- Let's go.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54'I'm very happy with their initial reactions.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57'The barn has been converted in the last ten years and its huge
0:10:57 > 0:11:01'floor-to-ceiling windows were originally the wagon doorways.'
0:11:01 > 0:11:04So this is the formal entrance, if you like.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07I love it. I love it.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- It's beautiful.- It's beautiful. It's very warm and inviting.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14That window, I love the woodwork.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17It is a good contrast between modernity and character.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Yeah, the floors are beautiful.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Whilst we've walked in this way, I think,
0:11:22 > 0:11:24just like with a lot of country properties,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- you come in via the back door. - Yeah.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- Let's go to the kitchen where that is.- OK, perfect, thank you.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- So...- I like the kitchen.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Yeah, it's a good size for us.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Yeah, no, this is great. I love the window by the sink.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41The working area is pretty big.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43There's lots of counter space for you.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Lots of counter space for YOU?
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- Because Francesco is the chef. - I'm the chef.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50And the day care.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- You don't want to keep an Italian man out of the kitchen, do you?- No.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56I'm definitely patient for cooking, I really like it.
0:11:56 > 0:11:57I think, on an everyday basis,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00because you park your car around the side of the house,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03you unload the children and what have you and through this door here.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Also, which is really handy, you've got a utility
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- and a downstairs loo as well.- OK.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11So if you're mucking around in the garden, you don't have to traipse through the house.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- It's set up for country living a bit more, isn't it?- Yes.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- So, so far so good.- Yeah.- Living room next, just through here.- Yes.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28- Mind your head there. So, living room.- I like it.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Yeah, it's a good size, I think, yeah.- Yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- You've had great reactions.- Yeah.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37You said you wanted open-plan, it's... I would say, semi-open.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Semi-open, yeah, but it's fine.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41This would be a good definition of open for us.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45The only thing that I see that is missing is a fireplace.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- It's probably lacking a central feature, isn't it?- Yes.- For focus.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- A little bit dark, maybe. - Yeah, some more windows.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54Some more windows,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57but the good thing is it opens into the garden, so we could
0:12:57 > 0:13:01have the baby, you know, playing outside without being worried.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Yeah, I feel she's safe out there. - She is safe there, yeah.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- Let's go up the stairs and take a look at the bedroom stock.- OK.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12'Well, the living room hasn't completely wowed them,
0:13:12 > 0:13:14'so let's hope the rest of the place makes up for it.'
0:13:16 > 0:13:20So, up the stairs, mind your head on that, Francesco.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- This is the master bedroom. - Oh, I like it too.- It's a good size.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27It is definitely a good size, this bed is bigger than ours, so...
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Yeah, it's better, it's bigger.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Through that door there, that's the en suite, and it's got a lovely spa bath.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Sitting in the bath, you can look out over the land beyond
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- which is pretty special.- Nice!
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Now, I do need to tell you that this house is three bedrooms.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43The owner... When they bought it, it was two bedrooms.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46They split that one bedroom at the far end into two.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48There is a shower room
0:13:48 > 0:13:52and a loo just the other side of that doorway that those would use.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56I personally think, in the long run, you might look at encroaching
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- onto that sort of galleried landing area...- Mm.- Yeah.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Take 50% of that up and make it a proper family bathroom,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- cos you've already got the plumbing there anyway.- OK.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06That's a job for the future to make it more of a family home.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- Probably makes more sense, yeah.- OK.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11All right, so it's three beds, something to think about.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14You know, you're looking for your fourth, aren't you?
0:14:14 > 0:14:17So we might have to think about where you might have a home office.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Let's go outside and have a look at the gardens
0:14:19 > 0:14:20cos that was important to you.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23I know you've got this idea of cows and sheep grazing.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- Some space. Ducks.- Oh, you want ducks now as well? Oh, good.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30'They don't seem too fazed by the number of bedrooms.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34'Outside there's definitely no compromise on space, where there's
0:14:34 > 0:14:38'almost an acre of land for Cora and their future dog to play in.'
0:14:39 > 0:14:44So, outside space. We've got this garden here...
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Yeah.- And the other side of that post and rail...
0:14:47 > 0:14:48- OK.- That's yours as well.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51The reason the post and rail fence is there is because
0:14:51 > 0:14:53there's a footpath that just runs along it.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- They've got some separation. - All right, OK.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58So, enough outside space?
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Definitely, this is a good size, manageable garden.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04More than probably what we said this morning.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Yeah, good, I'm glad you said that.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08You know you said you wanted maybe a fourth bedroom
0:15:08 > 0:15:11for some home office working? We've got this double garage...
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- Yes.- Mm.- Maybe you put it there.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16So, knowing all of this,
0:15:16 > 0:15:20how much do you think this property is on the market for?
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- I'm going to take a guess at £625,000?- OK.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30I think probably slightly higher than that.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- I will go for 645.- OK.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39- Well, Kristi, you're good. - Am I?- £625,000.- Wow!
0:15:40 > 0:15:42But, you know, that's a small victory.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44- We are looking for a home here. - Yeah.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Now, you can go back into the house, have a look at it and think about
0:15:47 > 0:15:50how you might want to adapt it, and I'll meet you whenever you're done.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- OK, thanks.- Enjoy it.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01'Below budget at £625,000, this stylish barn conversion features
0:16:01 > 0:16:05'a dining room that flows through to a good sized reception room.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08'Upstairs there are just three bedrooms, but there is that
0:16:08 > 0:16:12'garage which could be converted into an office for Francesco.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14'The house is set in almost an acre of land,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17'and has open countryside views.'
0:16:17 > 0:16:21When we arrived and we first saw the house, we thought,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25"Oh, wow, this is a great place." The open space, the light.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29When we explore a little bit better the house I personally thought,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33"Maybe not as big as I wanted."
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Going through the house, I thought,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38"Yeah, you know, this could really work." We liked the kitchen, we liked
0:16:38 > 0:16:42the fact that it was Eden, there was a dining room just adjacent.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45It does require a bit of work to make it the way we like it,
0:16:45 > 0:16:47but possibly it's not quite right for us
0:16:47 > 0:16:50in the fact that it is just a little bit too small.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- So, happy with everything? Seen enough?- Yes, thank you.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- Thanks, we've seen it all. - OK, onto the next house then?- Great.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06'The chalky North Downs Ridge
0:17:06 > 0:17:08'that stretches across the Kent countryside
0:17:08 > 0:17:12'has been used as grazing ground by farmers for hundreds of years.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15'Fairseat, a village on top of the Downs,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17'was once a resting stop for farmers who watered their herds
0:17:17 > 0:17:21'at the village ponds as they wended their way to market.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25'Just outside the village is Winterdale Farm, owned by a family
0:17:25 > 0:17:29'who have worked the Kentish Downs for the past five centuries.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32'The latest generation has embarked on an environmentally
0:17:32 > 0:17:35'friendly cheese-making enterprise that they hope will sustain
0:17:35 > 0:17:38'the family dairy farm for many more years to come.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Kristi and keen cook Francesco
0:17:40 > 0:17:43have an interest in locally-produced food
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and they are here to meet Robin Betts, one of the two brothers
0:17:46 > 0:17:50who are beginning a new chapter in their family's farming heritage.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The great thing about our own family farm is my brother
0:17:53 > 0:17:56milks in the morning and we utilise that milk straightway,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58so it's lovely warm, fresh milk.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01That means it's enabled us to become carbon neutral.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Because that milk is coming in warm we don't need to use any heat
0:18:03 > 0:18:06to heat it up to start cheesemaking.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09To create their traditional cheese, the fresh-from-the-cow milk
0:18:09 > 0:18:13goes into a vat, where it changes from milk into curd.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15The curd is cut into fine pieces,
0:18:15 > 0:18:20then the whey is drained off and the process known as cheddaring begins.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23This involves cutting, stacking and repeatedly turning
0:18:23 > 0:18:27the curd in order to drain away as much moisture as possible.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30The curd is then pressed in cheese moulds and, after three days,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33it's unpacked from the press and is ready to be wrapped in
0:18:33 > 0:18:36cotton muslin to protect it whilst it matures.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41Robin has a couple of able assistants to help with the task.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44In essence, what we've got here is a medieval way of vac-packing.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- That's the best analogy, I guess. Are you up for this?- Yes.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Right, let me grab a cheese for you. One each.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55The cloth is dipped in molten lard, which makes it pliable
0:18:55 > 0:18:57and helps seal it to the cheese.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Unlike modern vacuum packs, the muslin allows the cheese to breathe
0:19:01 > 0:19:05and the cloth is biodegradable, so is kinder to the environment.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- Oh, it is heavy! - Yeah, it is. It's 10 to 11 kilos.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Approximately 1,200 litres of milk go into the vat each day,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17yielding 10 to 12 rounds of home-made cheese.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Well, that's not bad. Not bad at all, actually. For a first time.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23That's brilliant.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Once they are wrapped, the rounds of cheese, known as truckles,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30are ready to go into the cellar, which is carved out
0:19:30 > 0:19:32under the entire length of the barn.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Because it's dug into the chalky North Downs,
0:19:34 > 0:19:38that chalkiness and what you can smell down here, does impart
0:19:38 > 0:19:41into the cheese, gives it just that added bit of characteristic.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43And that's not the only benefit.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48The cave-like cellar maintains the stable 12 degree temperature
0:19:48 > 0:19:50essential for maturing the cheese,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54so no energy-hungry temperature control units are necessary.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- Would you like to try some? - That would be good.- Definitely!
0:19:58 > 0:20:03so, I push in quite hard and I slowly turn the cheese iron, like so...
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- And then I pull that... cheese out.- Oh, wow.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- It looks fabulous.- We are looking at the colour of the cheese.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11The colour of it.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15The texture, and then on the back of the iron,
0:20:15 > 0:20:16how much fat content there is.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18That's all looking really good.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22So what we do is, we just slide it to the end,
0:20:22 > 0:20:24then you break off a little bit of cheese...
0:20:26 > 0:20:28And then ultimately, we taste it.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33- Oh, it's delicious.- Yeah, it's fantastic. It's a stronger taste...
0:20:33 > 0:20:38It's got, like, a little bit of a tang to it. Very strong taste.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42This is, like, the ultimate end to the whole scenario, really.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- Eating it.- The best part of it! - Yeah, exactly.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49The best part of the cheesemaking experience might be over, but our
0:20:49 > 0:20:53property search has really only just begun, so it's time to make a move.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Our search continues an hour's drive east, to the pretty village
0:21:00 > 0:21:04of St Nicholas-at-Wade, less than three miles from the Thanet Coast.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08The village's positioned on the inland portion of the 32-mile
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Viking Coastal cycle trail,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13which will be perfect for Francesco's triathlon training.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Before we see our second house,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I'm stopping off in the village with Francesco and Kristi to
0:21:18 > 0:21:22point out some other features that should be of interest to them.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Now, facilities-wise, you've got two pubs, a post office.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29You've also got a train station in a neighbouring village
0:21:29 > 0:21:31called Birchington, about three miles away.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32- OK.- Manageable, yeah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Most importantly, there is a school.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36The local primary school in this village
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- is rated as outstanding by Ofsted. - That's fantastic.- That's great.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Now, you do have to be in a two mile catchment
0:21:42 > 0:21:45for your children to go to the school.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- OK. - You are within a two minute walk.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- Oh! That's great.- Good news? - Yeah.- Very good news.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- Let's look at the house. - Perfect, thank you.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Our second offering is right in the heart of the village.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- Now then, I know you like barn conversions.- Yes, we do.- Yes.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- And this is a beautiful one. - They call it the Long Barn.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10I've got no idea why(!)
0:22:10 > 0:22:12THEY LAUGH
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- The garden seems to be a little bit small.- That...
0:22:16 > 0:22:19is the only issue you're going to find with this house.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I've only shown you one property, so I don't know everything
0:22:22 > 0:22:25about you, but I think you're going to love this house, I really do.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29At the moment...a balancing act - the garden brings us down here.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Prepare to be catapulted like a trebuchet once you get inside.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- Great!- OK, let's go.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39The property, which was converted around five years ago,
0:22:39 > 0:22:44was originally a threshing barn and dates back to the 16th century.
0:22:45 > 0:22:46So...
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- Open-plan. It's very much open-plan. - Yeah, beautiful.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- Yeah, really beautiful. - Yeah, I really like it.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56This is probably what we wanted in terms of open space.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- It's like a loft, right?- Yeah. - Look at the kitchen, though.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- Let's take a closer look. - Yes.- It's a good size, isn't it?
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- Yeah, it's a great size. - Great size.- Yeah, beautiful.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- I like the island in the middle as well.- There's lots of storage there.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12This is a chef's kitchen, isn't it?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15All your other white goods are all hidden
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- because you've got a utility there. - Oh, OK.- OK.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21And just next door you've also got a downstairs loo and
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- a lovely walk-in shower as well. - Oh, wow.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26So, this is where I want you to tell me
0:23:26 > 0:23:28how you're going to start configuring this house, because
0:23:28 > 0:23:31they've laid this out as a dining area, initially, there.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34But the current owner said, "Well, they've got a living room there,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37"another dining room next door, and in the next bay
0:23:37 > 0:23:39"they've got like a home office."
0:23:39 > 0:23:41And that's before we've even got to the living room!
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- So...- Yeah, probably we would change the layout. We don't need so many...
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- I don't think I would dine there. No.- No.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Well, let's keep looking at the house
0:23:50 > 0:23:54and we'll discuss the more macro rationale later on, shall we?
0:23:54 > 0:23:57- Living room, the far end. - Perfect.- Great.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01This is the dedicated living room.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04The double doors open - it still feels open-plan,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07but you can shut them and have a bit more privacy in here.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09I like it.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11I think it's probably bigger than what
0:24:11 > 0:24:13we thought at the beginning, right?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- Yeah.- Even from outside it doesn't look like so big.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20At the end we've got one set of stairs going up.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22You've got a double bedroom, which could also be an office,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26if you didn't have enough space down here, which is also en suite.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It's a great place for guests to stay.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- We'll go up the main stairs to the main bedrooms, OK?- OK.- OK.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Also on the ground floor, there is a separate room that could be
0:24:37 > 0:24:42used as Francesco's office or perhaps a play room for Cora.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46There's over 4,000 square feet of internal space, featuring
0:24:46 > 0:24:49an impressive vaulted ceiling that makes use of many of the original
0:24:49 > 0:24:53timbers and has reinforced glass balustrades to maximise the light.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Upstairs there is a large and stylish family bathroom
0:24:56 > 0:24:58and five double bedrooms,
0:24:58 > 0:25:03including the one accessed by the spiral staircase we saw earlier.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07We are going to take a look at the impressive master suite.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- So...loads of space up here, as you can see.- Yeah, it's very light.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15- Enough space for a sofa!- Wow. - Check out this master suite.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- Wow!- This is fantastic. Wow!- Wow!
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- Yeah!- This is the size of our apartment right now.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Wow.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28- It's enormous!- Wow!- It's beautiful. Yeah, it's fantastic.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- You've got an en suite, of course. - That's beautiful.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33More than what we expected.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- We need to understand how to manage all of this property.- Mm-hm.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41- If we can afford it.- Yeah, if it's in the budget..
0:25:41 > 0:25:43That is a question you have to ask yourselves.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- So, let's go back outside and do just that right now.- OK.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46OK, perfect.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I did feel pretty confident they'd love the inside of this place.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56It's just the question of whether the outside offers them enough room.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58There is plenty of parking space, though,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02and a decent-sized garage that can be accessed from the kitchen.
0:26:02 > 0:26:08- So, back from where we started, let's revisit this garden.- OK.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13You've got that little bit round the gable end, if you like.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- What do you think?- You know what? It's growing on me.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19It's not so bad after all.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21I think we can compromise.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26- After viewing that house, yeah, garden, not so much.- Funny, isn't it?
0:26:26 > 0:26:30So, how much do you think this property is on the market for?
0:26:30 > 0:26:34I think it's well beyond the budget,
0:26:34 > 0:26:39and I'm thinking it's...£735,000?
0:26:39 > 0:26:43- OK.- Yes, I think it's over budget at probably...
0:26:43 > 0:26:49- maybe less than Kristi said. 710?- Right.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54Well...this house is on the market for offers of around £625,000.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59- Oh, my God!- Wow! Oh, really?- Really?
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- Yup.- You're not joking?- Nope.- Wow!
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- And it hasn't been grabbed yet? - Not yet.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07It had a sale and fell through at the last minute,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- but it's for sale, it's here to be bought.- Oh, my gosh.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- That's something we need to think about.- Definitely.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17I think what you need to do is go back into the house,
0:27:17 > 0:27:19have a good look around all the rooms you haven't yet seen,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22there are a number of them. But enjoy it.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- Thank you.- See you later. - See you later.
0:27:25 > 0:27:30I was initially just a little bit worried about initial perceptions of this garden,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33but I knew inside they would love it, and they do.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35And with what they're about to see,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38I think they'll fall in love with it even more.
0:27:39 > 0:27:45This attractive barn conversion is below budget at £625,000
0:27:45 > 0:27:47and it's open-plan ground floor
0:27:47 > 0:27:49offers plenty of flexible living space.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53Upstairs there are five bedrooms including a spacious master suite.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Outside there is an enclosed garden.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59And just a two-minute walk away is a highly sought after primary school.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03I think Kristi's really excited about this property.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08Probably this summarises her dream of a home.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12I think the property is more than we expected, much more spaces,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15there's five bedrooms, we were thinking about four.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Initially I thought this house was well over our budget
0:28:19 > 0:28:24because it is so massive and it's been done in such high standards,
0:28:24 > 0:28:29but fortunately for us it's not, it's actually under budget,
0:28:29 > 0:28:34so I think this is definitely a property that Francesco and I will consider.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Despite the garden outside,
0:28:36 > 0:28:41I can easily see us living here in 20 years from now.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43It's a very exciting property,
0:28:43 > 0:28:48so I don't have any problems to see this as our home for years to come.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52I think this house is a really strong contender for us.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54It's got everything that we're looking for,
0:28:54 > 0:28:58it's just a beautiful home and certainly I think this is a home that
0:28:58 > 0:29:00we should be placing an offer on.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04So, lot of it, isn't there?
0:29:04 > 0:29:06It's a huge house, it's a beautiful house.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09- Is it too big? - No, it is not.- No.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11- I think it's just the right size. - I knew that.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13You don't know this area particularly well,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17so I suggest on the way back we go around some of the villages
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- just to get to know the area. - Yes, definitely.- Thank you.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31It's the second day of our house hunt,
0:29:31 > 0:29:35and with a budget of £650,000 we're helping Kristi
0:29:35 > 0:29:38and Francesco leave their two-bedroom flat in London
0:29:38 > 0:29:42to find their first family home in the Kent countryside.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46Still to come - the Mystery House prompts the kind of response we like to hear.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Wow. This is a beautiful room.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53And I take to the cliffs to learn the art of traffic control
0:29:53 > 0:29:56on a very busy stretch of water.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59It looks like a giant-sized game of Battleship.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05I really hope that Francesco and Kristi gave the second property
0:30:05 > 0:30:08some serious thought last night.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Sure, there was a slight compromise with the size of the garden,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14but I rarely get to see such wonderful reactions.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Now today, if the weather holds out,
0:30:16 > 0:30:20we're off to see another fantastic property - the Mystery House.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Now, of course there's going to be compromises,
0:30:22 > 0:30:25but before we get to those, let's face it,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28it's got the big ticks - size of the house? Yes.
0:30:28 > 0:30:29Size of the garden? Yes.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33But the lay out? Well, it's not exactly open-plan.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39The final stop on our search is 45 miles west to the village of Higham
0:30:39 > 0:30:41which borders the Hoo Peninsula.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44The village was once home to Charles Dickens who bought a house here
0:30:44 > 0:30:48in 1856 where he died 14 years later.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Today, the village offers a post office, a greengrocers,
0:30:51 > 0:30:53two good schools and a station
0:30:53 > 0:30:56where there are direct fast trains to London.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00The Mystery House is just moments from the centre of the village.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02Our couple did say they were partial to conversions,
0:31:02 > 0:31:07so we've found them another, this time a converted oast house.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12So, the Mystery House, do you like it?
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Yeah, I really like it. I love the brick, I love the windows.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- It's very spacious outside, very green.- The garden is wonderful.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Let's see what you think of it, shall we?
0:31:24 > 0:31:25- Great.- Thank you.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28This home dates back to the early 1900s
0:31:28 > 0:31:33and up until 12 years ago it was still a fully functioning oast house.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Let's start off with Francesco's room.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41FRANCESCO LAUGHS Yeah, the kitchen.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- Very nice kitchen.- I like it. - Very big.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47There's a utility room just through there,
0:31:47 > 0:31:49so a lot of the white goods out of the way.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- But it's a decent-sized dining kitchen.- Yes, it is.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55If we compare this with the second property yesterday afternoon,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I was going "wows" everywhere.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01I think the only issue with this kitchen is that it does seem
0:32:01 > 0:32:03a little bit of isolation, right?
0:32:03 > 0:32:06- From the rest of the house? - Yes.- Absolutely.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09The reason we've chosen this is it looks a bit different,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13but it isn't that open-plan that you said you wanted.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16But whilst we also thought that you might be challenged at that end,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18the rooms were of a decent size anyway.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- So, it's something to get your head around.- Yeah.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- Let's go and have a look around the reception rooms.- Perfect.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29Not an overwhelming response to the inside of the property so far.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Let's see what they make of the rest.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34As well as the kitchen, the ground floor includes a family room
0:32:34 > 0:32:36that is being used as a home cinema.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40There's also a cloakroom and making use of the rather wide hall,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43the current owners have created a compact office space.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46The end of the hall leads into two large reception rooms,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48one is a dining room and the other is a living room.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53It's a good size. It's got lots of light.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57We are now in the oast house, those tall structures.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00It's not the open space we were thinking of,
0:33:00 > 0:33:02but there are some compromise.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Every house you look at, it might not be for you,
0:33:04 > 0:33:09but it will help you make your mind up about a couple of things that you see.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- It is true.- Let's go upstairs and have a look at some of the bedrooms.
0:33:12 > 0:33:13OK.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18It's clear that the lay out of the properties they saw yesterday
0:33:18 > 0:33:20is much more to their style.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Upstairs there are two bathrooms, one with a shower
0:33:23 > 0:33:25and one with a bath.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28There are also five bedrooms, two of those are singles
0:33:28 > 0:33:31and two good size doubles.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34The fifth bedroom is a master suite.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Aw, it's very pretty.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39I really love the flooring. Wow.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42This is a beautiful room.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44It's a huge room.
0:33:44 > 0:33:45It's a big house.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47You've got this big double room,
0:33:47 > 0:33:51then you've got a dressing area going into an en suite bath.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55- You've got a walk-in wardrobe behind this mirror as well.- Wow.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59- I think it's better upstairs than downstairs.- Loads of space here.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03This is your suite if you like, but you're moving here with Cora,
0:34:03 > 0:34:07so let's have a look at her bedroom. I've decorated it for her.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19Come up these steps, we're going to the top of those oast houses.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- You see the shape now, can't you? - Yeah, I like this shape.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24I love the ceiling height
0:34:24 > 0:34:27and this is a really sweet little room for a girl.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30It's a bigger house than we thought.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- Let's go outside and have a look at that land.- OK.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40This house might not have open-plan appeal, but it does have space.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44Outside, there's almost an acre of land that includes a
0:34:44 > 0:34:46double garage with extra parking
0:34:46 > 0:34:49and a summer house that could be used as an office for Francesco.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Plus, there's even a playground for Cora.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59You get a good parcel of land with this house, don't you?
0:34:59 > 0:35:00Yeah, it's a great size.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03And you're very own walnut tree, apparently.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05- OK.- Yeah.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09How much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:35:09 > 0:35:16I think it's pretty much right on budget. I'm going to say £649,995.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18OK.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20I think I'm going a little bit higher than that.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Probably 660.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Well, in a way you're both right.
0:35:27 > 0:35:34You're probably nearest because the asking price is offers above £650,000.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35So, you're both in the ball park.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39This, hopefully, at the very least gives you something to
0:35:39 > 0:35:43compare yesterday afternoon's property, property number two,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46so why don't you go back into the house, have a look in there
0:35:46 > 0:35:48and I'll catch up with you whenever you're done.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52- Thanks.- Thank you.- I'm off to pick some walnuts.- See you later.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59On budget at £650,000,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02this recently converted oast house has plenty of space.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05There are three reception rooms, two bathrooms
0:36:05 > 0:36:08and five bedrooms including a master suite.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10It's set in almost an acre of land
0:36:10 > 0:36:12that comes with a converted summer house
0:36:12 > 0:36:16and the location has excellent transport links to London.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21The Mystery House certainly gives us the space that we're looking for both inside and out.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24I just don't see us living here as a family,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27it just doesn't have the open lay out that we're looking for.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31I think the Mystery House, from an exterior point of view,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34has character. Magnificent piece of land.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40Inside there is a lot of space. However, it doesn't flow for me.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43It's a great property, just not right for us.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48- So, all done?- All done.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50I can tell you that walnut tree will be bearing fruit well
0:36:50 > 0:36:53this Christmas - there's loads of them there.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Whether or not you'll be picking them, we'll find out.
0:36:55 > 0:36:56Let's go for a chat.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02For hundreds of years,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Dover's iconic white cliffs served as the front line of defence
0:37:05 > 0:37:08against attack from Continental Europe
0:37:08 > 0:37:11just 21 miles away across the Dover Strait.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15At the turn of the last century, a gun battery was built on land
0:37:15 > 0:37:18and cliff overlooking the eastern arm of Dover Harbour
0:37:18 > 0:37:20to protect the port and the country,
0:37:20 > 0:37:24with its powerful guns seeing action during both world wars.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Today, this historic military site is home to
0:37:27 > 0:37:30the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
0:37:30 > 0:37:33which uses the excellent vantage point here to survey
0:37:33 > 0:37:35the Dover Straight and coastline below.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38The centre's operations manager is Kaimes Beasley
0:37:38 > 0:37:39and I'm here to meet him.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45There were four 9.2 inch guns situated on this site.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47We're stood on one of the emplacements
0:37:47 > 0:37:49where one of the guns was...
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- Just here?- Indeed, with a concrete apron in front of us.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58- What was the range?- Oh, gosh. Easily across the Channel.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00The artillery and war ships may be gone,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03but the Dover Straight still sees a lot of action.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05It's one of the busiest international seaways in
0:38:05 > 0:38:10the world used by more than 400 commercial vessels each day.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Every year over a billion tons of cargo passes through here
0:38:13 > 0:38:16and part of the centre's job is to monitor it all.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Just looking out there now, it's dotted.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21It looks like a giant-sized game of Battleship.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24It must be terribly complicated to keep your eye on
0:38:24 > 0:38:25what's going on there.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27That's part of the function we're performing here.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31We're making sure that vessels are observing what they're suppose to be doing.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35The centre, opened here in 1979, is part of Her Majesty's Coastguard
0:38:35 > 0:38:39and is one of 16 centres dotted around the UK shores.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Its staff provide a 24-hour service to mariners and coast users.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47By employing a combination of radar surveillance systems,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49satellite date and nautical charts,
0:38:49 > 0:38:53the team work to prevent loss of life on the coast or at sea.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56When you see this chart in front of you,
0:38:56 > 0:38:57there's only a small bit of water.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- Are you controlling these ships, telling them where to go?- No.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04We are monitoring the vessel traffic to ensure that they comply with
0:39:04 > 0:39:07the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10It's the rules of the road. It's the rules that the mariners will be
0:39:10 > 0:39:12applying as they are navigating in their ships.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14So, you've got a rogue ship somewhere here
0:39:14 > 0:39:16and you've got all this traffic going to and fro.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17Yes, that's correct.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20We need to make sure all the other vessels that may possibly interact
0:39:20 > 0:39:24with that vessel are aware to expect something out of the ordinary.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28As well as monitoring the huge flow of traffic that passes through the Strait,
0:39:28 > 0:39:33the centre responds to more than 1,500 distress calls a year.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36When the calls come in, watch officers coordinate
0:39:36 > 0:39:39the emergency response by launching the appropriate rescue resources.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43Incidents range from walkers who have slipped from cliff paths
0:39:43 > 0:39:47to broken down merchant vessels and even missing persons at sea.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Kaimes, thanks to you,
0:39:49 > 0:39:52and everybody here at Her Majesty's Coastguard for letting us in.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54I have seen a large pair of binoculars over there which
0:39:54 > 0:39:57I wouldn't mind having a quick look through, would that be all right?
0:39:57 > 0:39:59- By all means.- Thanks again. - Thank you.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02It's certainly been inspiring to witness the vital work this
0:40:02 > 0:40:06dedicated team does to protect the vessels and people around this
0:40:06 > 0:40:10world famous coastline and incredibly busy stretch of water.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Time now to return to Kristi and Francesco to find out if
0:40:13 > 0:40:17they've come to any conclusions about the houses we've shown them.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22The mystery property had one house to beat and that was the second
0:40:22 > 0:40:26house we looked at from yesterday, the amazing barn conversion.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30I'm not sure it has beaten that property, but I'm hoping it's helped
0:40:30 > 0:40:34Francesco and Kristi make their mind up about what they want to do next.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42- No coffee for me, then? - No coffee for you today.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Let's see if I deserved this coffee, then.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47I'm asking almost knowingly, but what is your favourite house?
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- It's number two.- Definitely.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55- Can you put it down to one thing?- We saw it and immediately went, "wow".
0:40:55 > 0:40:57- You did, didn't you?- Yeah.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00You just enter it and it's so grand and it's so spacious
0:41:00 > 0:41:02and it's below budget.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Yeah, that's just the asking price.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06For me it's the dream home.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10- Dream home.- The inside for sure.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13Well, that's the thing, the garden.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17You know what? Not so bad in the end. When you have that house, yeah.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Limited garden space is fine.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23We can compromise with it.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27It is our dream house and then we can make it work outside.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30So, I think we can work with it.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35So, if you can make it work, what's your next step?
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Well, today we're going to see a little bit
0:41:38 > 0:41:40more of the areas around the house.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43- This afternoon?- Yes, right away.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47- Drive by the area, see a couple of the villages.- Great idea.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52We need to sell our house and then if everything goes well,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54we move forward with an offer.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56We're prepared to make that offer on it.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00So, fingers crossed your house in London sells and then let us know...
0:42:02 > 0:42:04..when you move in. I'm going to go with when.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08- Yeah, we will.- Good luck. - Thank you so much.- Thanks a lot.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16When Francesco and Kristi told me just what they wanted for their budget here in Kent
0:42:16 > 0:42:18I knew they'd have to make a compromise.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21But through the process of elimination we found out where
0:42:21 > 0:42:23they were prepared to make it.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27Let's face it, in property number two I don't think they had to try that hard.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31They fell in love with that house as soon as they saw it.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33It seemed to have their names written all over it.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35So much so that it wouldn't surprise me if they
0:42:35 > 0:42:40made a phone call to the estate agent this very afternoon.
0:42:40 > 0:42:41See you next time.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Well, Kristi and Francesco put an offer on house number two
0:42:45 > 0:42:48immediately and I'm delighted to report that
0:42:48 > 0:42:50that offer just been accepted.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Northern Ireland, England or even further afield to the continent
0:42:57 > 0:42:58and need our help,
0:42:58 > 0:43:03please apply online at bbc.co.uk/beonashow