0:00:02 > 0:00:04400 years ago, this entire landscape for miles and miles
0:00:04 > 0:00:09to the coastline was absolutely boggy swampland. But this building
0:00:09 > 0:00:13is part of the story why now my toes are completely dry.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Find out where I am in just a moment.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34'On today's show, I have my work cut out
0:00:34 > 0:00:36'fulfilling our house hunters' dreams.'
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Look at that.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40A friend of mine commented the other day, "So, Jacqueline,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43"what you're basically looking for is your nan's house."
0:00:43 > 0:00:46'But I still manage to serve up some properties that impress.'
0:00:46 > 0:00:48That's a huge living space!
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- That's absolutely incredible. - Extraordinary.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Wow.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Today, we're in Cambridgeshire and this is Stretham Old Engine,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00a pump house built in 1832,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04one of 100 examples scattered over the north-east of this county.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08They were originally constructed to take the strain off the 800 existing
0:01:08 > 0:01:12windmills that had been pumping water out of the Fenland
0:01:12 > 0:01:16since the 17th century in order to turn it into good, arable farmland.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19This is the only existing example still standing
0:01:19 > 0:01:21and it's a wonderful piece of Fenland history,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25but it's only the beginning of our tour of this historic county.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30The county of Cambridgeshire is located in East Anglia,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34with eight bordering counties, including Lincolnshire to the north,
0:01:34 > 0:01:39Suffolk to the east, Essex to the south and Bedfordshire to the west.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41The county capital is the city of Cambridge,
0:01:41 > 0:01:46whose university, founded in 1209, is amongst the very best in the world.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Properties here are sought after and pricey
0:01:49 > 0:01:51at 150% over the national average.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57You don't have to travel far to experience a wealth of rural scenery.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Wickham Fen is Britain's oldest nature reserve,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03taken on by the National Trust in 1899.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Houses in this northern Fenland region are much more affordable
0:02:07 > 0:02:11at nearly £100,000 lower than the national average.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14With cultural centres and wide open countryside, there's no doubt
0:02:14 > 0:02:17that Cambridgeshire is an appealing county to escape to.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22So let's meet our buyers and see whether they're willing to pay
0:02:22 > 0:02:26that premium and stay south or are looking for a bargain in the north.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Today's house hunters are London-based teachers
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Jacqueline and Alastair, who met each other through work.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39We teach English as a foreign language
0:02:39 > 0:02:41and we also train teachers to do that.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44What we were sent on a training trip, where they needed two trainers
0:02:44 > 0:02:47to go to Peru and our boss, we think he was a bit of a matchmaker,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49he sent us both.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53And the rest is history, as they say.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56They got hitched two and a half years ago
0:02:56 > 0:02:58and have spent a large part of their married life
0:02:58 > 0:03:00on an incredible journey.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03We've just recently come back from a year overseas.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05We had a sabbatical from work
0:03:05 > 0:03:07and we went round the world without flying.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- It's been a great adventure.- Yeah.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13With their travels over, they're now living in Alastair's London flat
0:03:13 > 0:03:16in a development on the Isle of Dogs.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20It's a property which is a little compact for their needs.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24The flat we live in is actually quite a small one-bedroom flat.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27In our kitchen, we can just about cook together,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30but we do end up kind of choreographing around each other
0:03:30 > 0:03:32because it is a small kitchen.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36An obvious need for living space is not the only thing driving this move.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Our dream of escaping to the country is something we've actually been
0:03:39 > 0:03:42wanting to do for quite a long time,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45pretty much since we actually started being together.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47And the need to continue teaching
0:03:47 > 0:03:51has played a huge part in where they plan to move.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53We were really looking for a county that would allow us
0:03:53 > 0:03:57to still work and have the variety of work that we enjoy at the moment
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and Cambridgeshire is perfect because of Cambridge,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03the university as well as all of the schools.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06I'd like to take up gardening, particularly growing vegetables.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08With the flat already on the market,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10life in the country can't come soon enough.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13We've both lived in London a long time and I know that, when
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I've been, for example, on a train heading off to the countryside
0:04:16 > 0:04:20for the weekend, as soon as we hit the green fields, it just lifts me
0:04:20 > 0:04:21and I want that in my life.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27As Alastair and Jacqueline want a slice of the rural life
0:04:27 > 0:04:30but will be working every day in central Cambridge,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33we'll be concentrating our search on the villages around half an hour
0:04:33 > 0:04:35from the city centre.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38I'm meeting our house hunters at the largest house in Cambridgeshire,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Wimpole Hall.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41- Morning, guys.- Good morning.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Sadly, Wimpole Hall is a little bit out of your budget.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- I'm afraid so, yes.- Slightly.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48But the right part of the countryside.
0:04:48 > 0:04:49So this is Cambridgeshire.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52You're heading to the south, why particularly to the south?
0:04:52 > 0:04:55North of Cambridge, it suddenly becomes very flat and fenland-y,
0:04:55 > 0:04:56which is beautiful in its own way
0:04:56 > 0:04:59but, in terms of actually somewhere for us to live, we actually prefer
0:04:59 > 0:05:02the more gentle rolling countryside that you get south of Cambridge.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- Quintessentially English.- Yes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I don't need to tell you that you have chosen the most popular part of
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Cambridgeshire in terms of property buying and the most expensive.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13So what is your top budget?
0:05:13 > 0:05:17325,000 for the right place.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Obviously, you'd like a bargain,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21but that's how far you could stretch if you needed to.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24It might be that there's quite a pressure on that
0:05:24 > 0:05:27because if you want the sort of ideal location and the period property...
0:05:27 > 0:05:30We realise that we're asking quite a lot and therefore we might have to
0:05:30 > 0:05:32make some kind of compromise.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34In terms of the property itself,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37what are you looking for in this house in Cambridgeshire?
0:05:37 > 0:05:39We'd love a period property.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42We'd love a lovely old fireplace with a wood burning stove or...
0:05:42 > 0:05:44I think that's very important, to have a fireplace.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Yes, that's essential. And other period features, I think,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51maybe creaky floorboards or a little secret staircase
0:05:51 > 0:05:54in a cupboard off the dining room or little windows.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Yeah, I need to feel in touch with the past, I think.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59And then two or three bedrooms
0:05:59 > 0:06:01and then a slightly bigger kitchen than we have at the moment.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04At the moment, we're having to kind of squeeze around each other.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- I've got three lovely properties lined up.- Fantastic.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09And, you know, there's some things that match, some things
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- that might have to be compromised on.- Tantalizing!
0:06:12 > 0:06:14But I'm looking forward to showing them to you.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- Lovely.- We can't wait. - Let's head off.- Wonderful.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21For a maximum budget of £325,000,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Alastair and Jacqueline are looking for a period property
0:06:24 > 0:06:27with lots of character, two to three bedrooms,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30a garden to start cultivating a vegetable patch,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32located in a village,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35with a reasonable commute to Cambridge city centre.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38And we have three promising properties to tempt them with.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40And after each house tour,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43I'll be asking them to price the house before I reveal it.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45One, of course, will be our Mystery House,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49which gives our house hunters something new to think about.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Our first house is in the village of Weston Colville.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Located in the south-eastern part of the county,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03it's 14 miles from Cambridge city centre and a half-hour commute.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07It's a small village with a population of less than 500
0:07:07 > 0:07:09and typically English in feel.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- Come in through your own white picket fence.- Thank you.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- Here's property number one.- Lovely.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I love it, it's double fronted, a lovely little garden at the front.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Yeah, it's fantastic, it looks absolutely lovely, doesn't it?
0:07:22 > 0:07:26It's a terrace building, these were farmers' cottages back in the 1860s.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- Yes.- Lovely period property. - Let's look inside.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32The period features on the exterior
0:07:32 > 0:07:36of this three-bedroom Victorian cottage have struck a chord,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38and I think inside won't disappoint either.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- Come on into the warm.- Wow.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43See if you can take it all in.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- There's a lot to take in straight off the road.- It's wonderfully cottage-y.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51It's lovely, isn't it? I love the beams and the fireplace.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- Is that open?- Yes, it works.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54- It's an open, working fireplace. - Tick!
0:07:54 > 0:07:57It's a new floor, so it would have been... They had some actually
0:07:57 > 0:08:00really nice Cambridge white bricks on the floor,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- which have been resettled elsewhere. - Right. It looks very authentic.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- And this would be a lovely living space.- Yes, it certainly would.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- Definitely.- If, indeed, this is the only living space.- Oh!
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- Ooooh!- Go on, then! - THEY LAUGH
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- Shall we explore a bit further? - Yes, please.- Absolutely.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20This house is deceptive as the current owners have remodelled
0:08:20 > 0:08:25and extended the property to create an unexpected rear space.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26Ta-da!
0:08:26 > 0:08:32- Oh, my goodness!- Oh, my word! - That's a huge living space!
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- That's absolutely incredible. - Extraordinary. Wow.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- And there's a range.- Oh, yeah. - And another living room.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- A second living room!- Isn't it great?- Is it somebody else's place?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44This is way bigger than I expected.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46The brick work there looks really nice,
0:08:46 > 0:08:50but is that the brick work that was taken from the living space?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- So the white brick is quite characteristic of Cambridge.- Yes.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57And those were originally on the floor and they were resettled here
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and also, you see in the inside of the hearth...
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Oh, that's a lovely idea!
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I can't believe we would have this much living space.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08No, I know, I kind of didn't expect it to be quite as big as this.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11And it's got a lovely feel to it, hasn't it?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Let's have a peek upstairs because you wanted bedrooms.- Yes.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15It's got bedrooms.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20It seems the spacious downstairs has taken our house buyers by surprise.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24The upstairs is smaller, but still has room for three bedrooms.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27There are two to the front of the property, a family bathroom
0:09:27 > 0:09:29and then the master suite.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34You have three lovely bedrooms.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Three?- Three.- Wow, OK.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39And they're all sort of the same size, none of them are massive.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- Right.- This one is being used as the master because it has an en-suite.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Ah, right.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49What's interesting for me is I'm really thinking about this place
0:09:49 > 0:09:52and would I live here, so it's really making an impression.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53That's what we like.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Good, well, there's one more thing to see and that's the garden.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Let's go and see that.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01The house itself has got the character,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03space and cottage-y feel they're after.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05And outside, the good news continues
0:10:05 > 0:10:08with a garden that caters for all their needs.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- Oh, it's gorgeous!- It's quite a long garden.- It is.- Wow.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- Great - vegetable patch. - Yes, I can see it all!
0:10:17 > 0:10:20What's nice about this, I think, is that you do have the variety.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24You have a nice sitting area and also a space to do things,
0:10:24 > 0:10:25but it's not overwhelming,
0:10:25 > 0:10:30so we won't be having to spend our entire free time doing the garden.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- No.- Exactly, it's not...- It would be quite low-maintenance.- Yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36But let's turn back to the house and talk about the price,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- the all-important price.- So...
0:10:39 > 0:10:44I'm going to be an optimist and say £310,000.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Actually, I think it might be even slightly more than that,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- so I'm going to go for 315,000. - 315,000.- Oh, fingers crossed!
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Well, this is good news for you cos this is on the market for...
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- £300,000.- Excellent! - Oh, fantastic.- Great.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00That's really good to know.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Well under their top figure of £325,000,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06this characterful Victorian workers' cottage
0:11:06 > 0:11:09has period features throughout for Jacqueline,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13an unexpectedly large amount of living space and a garden,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16which means Alastair can start on his veg-producing plans.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21And all this located a half hour's commute from central Cambridge.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- So pull the door behind.- OK.- Because we have got another house to visit.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Great.- Wonderful.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37The Cambridge countryside is peppered with traditional family-run farms,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40farms like Johnsons which, for the last 100 years,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43has been producing meat from cattle, pigs and sheep.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47But this farm, unlike most of the region,
0:11:47 > 0:11:52is diversifying into a highly unusual type of livestock - crocodiles.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55I'm meeting fourth-generation farmer Andrew Johnson to find out more.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- Morning, Andrew.- Morning.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59You've got some beautiful livestock here
0:11:59 > 0:12:01and I did notice some rather exotic...buffalo?
0:12:01 > 0:12:02Are they buffalo on the way in?
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- Yes.- But that's not the most exotic thing you've got. You've got crocs.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- Yeah, it seems to be one everyone picks up on.- Unsurprisingly!
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Presumably, long-term, you want to breed them to sell them as meat.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14Yes, that's what we're hoping.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Crocodile meat is white, it flakes, it's very high-protein
0:12:17 > 0:12:20and it's got all the value of fish.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23From an economy point of view, it could turn into a large industry.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- Can we go and see?- Yep.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27Crocodile meat is high in protein
0:12:27 > 0:12:30and lower in cholesterol and fat than chicken.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33And it's believed there are anti-carcinogenic
0:12:33 > 0:12:36and anti-arthritic properties, too.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Keeping crocodiles requires a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41obtained from the district council,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44who inspect for animal welfare and safety of enclosures.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Are they in here? Oh, gosh, yes, they are!
0:12:48 > 0:12:49How many are in here?
0:12:49 > 0:12:52There's four adults in here, three females and a male
0:12:52 > 0:12:54and then the two babies separate in the corner.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56So how old do they grow?
0:12:56 > 0:12:59They should live in captivity well in excess of 100 years.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Of course, in the wild, when they're eventually going to die
0:13:01 > 0:13:05is when they run out of teeth. They grow about 2,000-2,500 teeth
0:13:05 > 0:13:08in a lifetime. In captivity, we're feeding them smaller bits of meat,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- so their teeth last much longer. - Are they quite placid?
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Yeah, nine times out of ten,
0:13:13 > 0:13:15they're quite happy to get on with their life.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17And that tenth time, what do they do?
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- That's when you go a little bit faster.- I am very impressed.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22I'm particularly impressed
0:13:22 > 0:13:24that you're going to go in there and feed them.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29The crocs are used to Andy being in their enclosure,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32but he still takes a safety board to protect his legs.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Come on.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42These cold-blooded predators can digest pretty much anything,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45making them very cost-effective to feed.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48They can also go for many months without eating.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Known as brumation, they lower their metabolic rate
0:13:51 > 0:13:55and don't require food - perhaps one of the reasons they have survived
0:13:55 > 0:14:00from their prehistoric ancestors over 65 million years ago.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04This is the first time these crocs have been fed in six months.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05Not so hungry.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Six months and still no appetite.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Learning how to breed these animals has been Andy's focus
0:14:11 > 0:14:15and, in 2011, he became the first British farmer to successfully
0:14:15 > 0:14:19breed crocodiles in captivity when two hatchlings were born.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23And now is my opportunity to meet one of these unique critters.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- BABY CROC CROAKS He's making a funny noise.- Yeah.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- He doesn't like being out? - He's calling out for his mum.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- He's a bit whippy, isn't he?- Yeah.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33I don't think I'll be holding on to him.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35So what's the future with these chaps?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37This is going to be the next generation?
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Yes, this is our proof that we can get them to copulate
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and we can hatch eggs in our environment.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48And is the idea that we're all going to be eating croc steaks for dinner?
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Yeah, cod's getting more expensive, crocodile is very versatile,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54it works very well battered for chip shops.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57So you've tasted it. What does it actually taste like?
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Nearest thing to say is going to be monkfish.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02So do you think the British public will ever overcome
0:15:02 > 0:15:05their sort of squeamishness about eating crocodile?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Yes, I don't see it being a problem. - You're the future, do you know that?
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- You're the future... with very sharp teeth.- Yep.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15With his proven breeding record, Andy now hopes to import
0:15:15 > 0:15:1950 crocodile babies from Kenya to start farming for public consumption.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22His modern farming venture could make Cambridgeshire
0:15:22 > 0:15:25the future croc capital of the UK.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32For our next property, we're heading to the village of Waresley
0:15:32 > 0:15:34on the western edge of Cambridgeshire,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37with a commute to the city centre of half an hour.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38It's a charming place,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41not least because of all the thatched properties throughout the village,
0:15:41 > 0:15:44each with their own individual thatched animals.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Look at that.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50This is a thatched property, it's a big thatched property.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- And actually, it's not all up for sale.- Right.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- It is actually a semidetached property.- Oh, OK, right.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03These 200-year-old farm workers' cottages have a decorative porch
0:16:03 > 0:16:07to the front, but the entrance is actually around the side.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Come in here first. This is the kitchen sort of dining room.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17And actually, this feels quite modern, this doesn't really have
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- the period features of the other parts.- No.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22What do you think about the size of the kitchen?
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Because obviously it's a different layout.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28It's smallish, I would say, but it's not horrendously small.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30If we go into the other part,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- you get to see a bit more of the history of this house.- Yes.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35That would be good, more of a connection there.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38The kitchen may not have the character they're after,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42but I don't think that will be a problem elsewhere in this cottage.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- So step back 200 years.- Yeah.- Gosh!
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- This is very different from the kitchen.- Isn't it!
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Do see what I mean about this... - Totally different feel.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- Lovely proportions in this room, aren't there?- Yeah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56So is this a bit more in terms of the scale that you're looking for?
0:16:56 > 0:17:00What I felt about the other place was that the space downstairs
0:17:00 > 0:17:02was overwhelming, in a way,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06it was more than we could possibly have hoped for, which is great.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09But we would also be happy with less, I think. Is that fair to say?
0:17:09 > 0:17:10I think so, yeah.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Definitely, it is cottage-y, it ticks that box, definitely.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Next to the living room is the other main living space,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19currently used as an office area.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20Oh, I could just sit there all day,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22I wouldn't want to commute to Cambridge.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24I just get some work from home and not move!
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Even though it's a much smaller property,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29you seem to be more sort of taken by the periodness of it.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31A friend of mine commented the other day, "So, Jacqueline,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34"what you're basically looking for is your nan's house."
0:17:34 > 0:17:36And there are lots of things about this property that,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38although it's a different age,
0:17:38 > 0:17:43there are lots of things, like curved wood and not rendered walls
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and things, that remind me of my nan's house in here.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- Just the general feel of it. - Let's take a peek upstairs.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Upstairs, there's a landing connecting a bathroom
0:17:54 > 0:17:57to two double bedrooms - one at the back and one at the front.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- So this is the master bedroom. - Right.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03It's small, but I guess it's just about big enough.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06I think so. You can get round both sides of the bed.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09I'd say Jacqueline's nostalgia has made her fall in love
0:18:09 > 0:18:12with this property much more than Alastair.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Let's see if the garden can swing things for him.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18So the outside layout is quite unusual in this property.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21You've got the tail end of this outside building,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- then you have this, which is one of your gardens.- One?- Gardens?- OK.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- Gardens.- We like a house with gardens.- We do!
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So this is the bit that's obviously attached to the house.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32You've got the patio area.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35If you take a long walk through these woodlands,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37you get to your own little quarter acre of...
0:18:37 > 0:18:42- It's actually allotment space. - Yeah. A veggie plot.- Fantastic. Yes!
0:18:42 > 0:18:46What do you think the price of this puzzling property is?
0:18:46 > 0:18:50I reckon this is probably on the market for 285,000.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55I hope it's under budget as well. £280,000.
0:18:55 > 0:19:01It's actually on the market for five English pounds short of 290,000.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- OK.- OK, interesting.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- Lots of food for thought. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10For £35,000 under their top budget,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14this thatched farm workers' cottage offers two quirky living spaces,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16tonnes of period features -
0:19:16 > 0:19:19which Jacqueline has completely fallen for -
0:19:19 > 0:19:22two compact double bedrooms and a variety of garden spaces,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26both near the house and across the village.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28So that's this household done.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- In fact, all our house tours for the day done.- OK.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Now it's time to mull it all over.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- Yes, I think we need lots of time for that.- Come with me.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Day two of our property search here in Cambridgeshire
0:19:43 > 0:19:46and we have hit a slightly unusual dilemma
0:19:46 > 0:19:49because yesterday it became clear that Jacqueline and Alastair really
0:19:49 > 0:19:53are not that interested in space, which is very unusual on our show.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56And we had rather been banking on going further away
0:19:56 > 0:20:01from Cambridgeshire and giving them more space, more land, more privacy.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04So the Mystery House might be quite a problem.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06But we love jeopardy on the show.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11In terms of the Mystery House,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14as you know, it's always a bit of a curveball.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- What do you think we might show you? - We've been speculating about it.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19So there are a number of different options
0:20:19 > 0:20:21that we think might be possible.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25One is that it might be quite a lot further away.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Another is that it might be north of Cambridge
0:20:27 > 0:20:29rather than south of Cambridge.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31I'm backing...we're going out of the county.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35For our Mystery House, we are indeed taking the house hunt
0:20:35 > 0:20:37in a completely different direction,
0:20:37 > 0:20:43heading 25 miles north of Cambridge to the hamlet of Alconbury Weston,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45where the budget will stretch a bit further.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50At the centre of the hamlet is a brook and its ford crossing,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53which is home to a number of water birds.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Come in to the Mystery House!
0:20:58 > 0:21:02So you were right in one sense, we are further away from Cambridge,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05but wrong in the sense that we haven't left Cambridgeshire.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- We're still here.- OK. - We're up by Huntington.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12It's about a 36-minute drive into Cambridge's city centre.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16But look what you get. This is a detached property.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- It looks extensive. - It's big, it's old, it's quirky.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- How old is it, in fact? - Goes back to the 1600s.- OK.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23And the ford's quite charming, isn't it?
0:21:23 > 0:21:27It was interesting yesterday that it became apparent that, actually,
0:21:27 > 0:21:29usually everyone wants space, space, space.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31But actually, you're not so interested in space, more cosy.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35For me, cosy rooms are lovely, but there needs to be just enough space
0:21:35 > 0:21:38because I'm quite tall, so having to stoop for low ceilings,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41that sort of thing, is a sort of issue for me, actually.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- I don't want too much of that. - Right.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- So it'll be interesting to see what this property offers.- It will.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50This three-bedroom 17th-century house,
0:21:50 > 0:21:52which is currently unfurnished,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55is full of the sort of character Jacqueline is after.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59But there's no getting away from the one period feature
0:21:59 > 0:22:01that could be an issue.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Oh, I'm having to say mind your head, I really don't want to say that.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- It is quite low-beamed, Alastair. - Wow!- Gosh, it is.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- It's charming.- I mean, they're lovely beams, but...
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- on the low side, definitely. - It's incredible.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- It's a fantastic fireplace, though, isn't it?- It's wonderful.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18It's the best I've ever seen. It's gorgeous.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21There's some really extraordinary period features and this fireplace
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- is one of them.- Yeah.- Yes, well, it is very period.- Yes, thank you.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28But it's not period everywhere, so let's continue.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31The 17th-century part of this property houses the two large
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and low-ceilinged living rooms.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37But a spacious L-shaped extension gives modern-day room heights
0:22:37 > 0:22:39to the rest of the downstairs.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- Finally, you can stand up straight. - Yay!
0:22:42 > 0:22:44This is a good size, isn't it?
0:22:44 > 0:22:46It's a lovely sized kitchen.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48I mean, in terms of a kitchen, this is great, I think.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52It is a big space, we can move around it quite easily,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55we could quite easily put a table in here or an island or something.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Without feeling you're inching around, you'd have loads of space.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Yeah, I'd love a kitchen like this.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Beyond the large kitchen in the modern extension
0:23:03 > 0:23:05are three further living rooms.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07One is currently used as a bedroom,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09another is a potential dining room
0:23:09 > 0:23:12and finally there's a bright sitting room.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14So the unusual thing about this property is that, a bit like
0:23:14 > 0:23:18- the first property, upstairs, there's really just two bedrooms. - Right.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Three rooms in this wing and then three big rooms in the other one.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- We've got wings now. - We have got wings.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Let's look at the ones upstairs because they're very charming.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33With no bathrooms upstairs, the final rooms on the ground floor
0:23:33 > 0:23:37are a shower room and the property's main bathroom.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Back in the old part of the house
0:23:39 > 0:23:41are the stairs to the two first-floor bedrooms.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46- So it's a little bit wiggly. - Oh, wow!
0:23:46 > 0:23:48But it's worth the climb, I think.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- Wow, what a room!- A little window. - Yeah.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- It's adorable.- It is charming. - And what does it overlook?
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- It overlooks the river. Fantastic. - The- ford! Yeah.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01I love the brickwork of it, the fireplace, the chimney breast.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- But what's great, of course, is the chimney breast would heat up.- Yes.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- So this would then act as, like, a giant radiator.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- That's really good.- And you have another room over the other side
0:24:11 > 0:24:13which you could have as your dressing room,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15so this could be your floor and guests could stay downstairs.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- Yeah, yeah.- Fantastic.- Make sense.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- Let's go into the garden and talk about price.- OK, great.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24The land for the property is mostly at the front.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27To the side of the large driveway is a picket fence and wooden gate
0:24:27 > 0:24:32to an enclosed garden area, just big enough for a vegetable patch.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34It's not a huge garden, but pretty and private.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Yes, these trees are screening there.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39I love the little kind of gardens over here
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- behind the sleepers as well.- Yeah.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- What is it on the market for, do you think?- I'm going to go quite low.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I'm going to say £275,000.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52I think probably a bit more than that, maybe. It's quite big.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54So maybe 285,000.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- This is actually on the market for £325,000.- Oh, really?
0:24:58 > 0:25:01We were way off. Clearly, we don't know this market at all.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05- We clearly don't, no. - OK, so Huntingdonshire. OK.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09For the top end of their budget, this 17th-century house
0:25:09 > 0:25:12has all the old beams and fireplaces
0:25:12 > 0:25:15to satisfy Jacqueline's connection to the past,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18but comes with challenging ceiling heights for Alastair.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22There's ample space, with three bedrooms and four living rooms,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25and outside there's enough room for a veggie patch.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27But located in the more affordable north,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30it is a little further out from Cambridge.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- So time, I think, to regroup and discuss all the houses.- Yes.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35- Fantastic. - Let's head away from here.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37- Lovely.- Somewhere out of the wind.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Well, we may have put Alastair and Jacqueline through the mill
0:25:43 > 0:25:46this week, but I think it was very useful,
0:25:46 > 0:25:49particularly the last property, even though it wasn't
0:25:49 > 0:25:52in the location they wanted it, it has crystallised their thoughts.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55So let's find them and see where they are right now.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01- Hello, guys. We found a bit of shelter from the wind.- Yes.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Now, it's been a great week. Lovely looking around the county.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09I think what's been so interesting is actually the very first one
0:26:09 > 0:26:11we saw, I think we were both quite inspired by that.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14I think one of the things for me is there's a winning combination in a
0:26:14 > 0:26:19property that has daytime space with lovely light, like the dining room
0:26:19 > 0:26:23and the extra room at the back, and then, for the evening,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26it has some kind of cosy room that you can go in and put the lamps on
0:26:26 > 0:26:27and sit by the fire,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29and that has that combination and that's perfect for me.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Well, your flat will hopefully be sold in a couple of months,
0:26:32 > 0:26:33so what's going to happen next?
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Are you going to revisit house number one?
0:26:35 > 0:26:39I think we probably will. We talked about this and the property itself
0:26:39 > 0:26:42is really suitable for us.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Our question mark was always about whether it's just a bit too far out
0:26:45 > 0:26:47and what the journey into Cambridge would be like
0:26:47 > 0:26:50and to see exactly how long it would take and what it would feel like.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52That's it. How long it will take.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56I think maybe even before visiting the property,
0:26:56 > 0:27:00we might just go there, cycle to the nearest train station,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02get the train into Cambridge and cycle to work.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06- But it seems like you are very enthusiastic about this move.- Yes.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08And wherever you move up, do let us know,
0:27:08 > 0:27:10because it would be great to see you settled in.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Yes, thank you.- Absolutely.
0:27:12 > 0:27:13- Best of luck.- Thank you.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21It's been lovely looking around Cambridgeshire,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23it's not a county that I've been to very often on the show.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26So thank you to Alastair and Jacqueline for bringing us here.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29And also it's been quite interesting showing them around
0:27:29 > 0:27:32because, unlike most contributors on the show,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35they've decided they probably want less space for their money
0:27:35 > 0:27:37instead of more.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41But the UK is very varied, as are the property buyers in it, as are you.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43So I hope that you join us next time for more adventures
0:27:43 > 0:27:46on Escape to the Country.
0:27:46 > 0:27:47And there's been good news.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Jacqueline and Alastair decided the commute from the first property
0:27:50 > 0:27:55wasn't going to be a problem and put in an offer, which has been accepted.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57All things being well, they should be out of London
0:27:57 > 0:28:00and living in Cambridgeshire in a matter of weeks.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02If you would like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Scotland, Wales or England
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and you need our help, why not apply online?