0:00:02 > 0:00:04I'm standing on the very spot where it's said that William Blake
0:00:04 > 0:00:08200 years ago was inspired to write his most famous poem,
0:00:08 > 0:00:09Jerusalem.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11But where is this "green and pleasant land?"
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Find out in just a minute.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Today, I'm showing a couple of returning expats what
0:00:32 > 0:00:35impressive UK properties they've been missing out on.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Gosh. Incredible.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40It is remarkable. My goodness, what a hallway.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43At times, our courteous couple can be hard to read,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46but can I find them their dream home?
0:00:46 > 0:00:47You like it or you love it?
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Yes. I'm liking it a great deal. - Very cagey.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- THEY LAUGH - So diplomatic, is that
0:00:52 > 0:00:56- what happens when you live...? - I like it a great deal.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Today I'm in West Sussex. And behind me, the beautiful South Down hills.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03And it was here, in 1800, that one of our greatest poets,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06William Blake, came and spent three years of his life.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10In many ways, Blake was one of the original escapees to the country
0:01:10 > 0:01:14because he spent the great majority of his life in the urban hubbub
0:01:14 > 0:01:15of Georgian London.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20But in that brief respite, here in the Sussex countryside, he did write
0:01:20 > 0:01:24one of his longest poems, Milton, and it's the first four standards
0:01:24 > 0:01:28of that epic that became known as Jerusalem, his most famous text.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30And it's nice to think that it was here,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34with this beautiful view just behind his favourite pub, that he was
0:01:34 > 0:01:38inspired to write some of the most iconic lines in English literature.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43West Sussex is situated in the south of England and is bordered by East
0:01:43 > 0:01:48Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, and to the south is the English Channel.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Stretching across the county from east to west is
0:01:51 > 0:01:56the South Downs National Park, which became a protected area in 2011.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59These chalk hills are considered some of the most important
0:01:59 > 0:02:02rural landscape in Southern England.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06At the foot of the downs, lies the imposing Arundel Castle. Originally
0:02:06 > 0:02:11built in 1067, but extended in the 18th and 19th centuries, it became
0:02:11 > 0:02:15one of the first English country houses to have electric lighting.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Situated on a headland above the River Arun,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22today it overlooks the popular market town below.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26The county is peppered with historic monuments such as Cowdray House.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Built in the 16th century, it was destroyed by fire in 1793
0:02:30 > 0:02:33and has remained a romantic ruin ever since.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38With its easy access to both the coast and capital,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42West Sussex is a much sought-after county for those after
0:02:42 > 0:02:44a not-too-remote slice of rural England.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Let's think about property prices in West Sussex. Well,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53unsurprisingly, with excellent train links up to London,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56fantastic coastline, beautiful historic cities like Chichester,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00the county town, and lots of lovely property, it isn't cheap.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04The average price for a detached house here is £382,000,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07which is £100,000 above the national figure.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11So is that a premium that our buyers today are going to be happy to pay?
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Let's meet them, and find out.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Our house-hunters today are Dave and Jan
0:03:16 > 0:03:19who currently live in Wanstead, London.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23They are a couple whose story together goes back a very long way.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27We actually met when we were at school, at the age of five, so um...
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- We go back a long way. - We go back a very, very long way.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33We were good friends then, back at the primary school,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36but then we went our separate ways at 11,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38then we reconnected at 18,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41we got together, we got engaged, and we got married
0:03:41 > 0:03:43when we were 24. Yeah, it's a long way when you look back.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47It was, I believe, meant to be.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50They had a family and were settling into their 40s
0:03:50 > 0:03:53when a life-changing opportunity appeared.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55I'd been working with the same firm, in London,
0:03:55 > 0:04:00since I'd left university, so since 1976, and absolutely
0:04:00 > 0:04:02out of the blue, I was approached to see if I would be interested
0:04:02 > 0:04:07in an overseas secondment. We thought, "Wow, Sydney, New York,"
0:04:07 > 0:04:11didn't really think Beijing, and we went for initially three years.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15We stayed for 16. It just... It was the best thing we ever did.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19But last year, Dave retired from his job and a new chapter began.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22We thought about staying in Asia when we retired,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24because we did enjoy the lifestyle,
0:04:24 > 0:04:28but to be honest, we wanted to come home, we have family here.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31And there are some other things about the UK that they have missed.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36As a family, we absolutely love sport,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40so whatever sport is on or around, we'll go and see.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44We love live sport, in particular football, that is our passion.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46We didn't get very much of that in Asia at all.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50The move back to the UK really marks the next episode in their lives.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54We're looking just for a change, a change of lifestyle.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57I guess we're at that stage where we want a little bit more,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01as you say, peace. A little bit more...just the opportunity to get
0:05:01 > 0:05:06out and walk. It's now time for another adventure, I guess.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10I guess we see moving to the country as the next adventure for us.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12We're excited to be back,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14we just need to find somewhere to live now.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16THEY LAUGH
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Dave and Jan want a slice of traditional Southern rural scenery
0:05:22 > 0:05:25so we are looking at villages in the South Downs National Park as
0:05:25 > 0:05:29well as other Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the county.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33But before we begin, I need to find out a few more details.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- Welcome, to West Sussex. - Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38This must be quite a change from Beijing and Hong Kong.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Very much so it is, isn't it, Dave?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42It is, yeah, and a welcome change, too, yeah.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Well it's a beautiful part of the country you've chosen...
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- Sussex.- Yes. - West Sussex particularly.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50What are you looking for, what should the house be like?
0:05:50 > 0:05:55Well, for me, my ideal home would have a wonderful kitchen.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00I do enjoy cooking, and I also find that a kitchen is
0:06:00 > 0:06:02the focal point to any family.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04We have two boys and...
0:06:04 > 0:06:07They come home, they come with friends. So to have that
0:06:07 > 0:06:09would be number one for me.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Also to have a good living room space, too,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17mainly for the same reasons, to have the family and to entertain.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19So lots of sprawly space downstairs.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- Yes.- What about the garden, are you looking for lots of land?
0:06:22 > 0:06:26No. In China, we had no garden at all,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30no grass, so we're not used to big gardens.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34And guest accommodation? Cos it's just the two of you, isn't it?
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Yes, it is at the moment, but we're looking forward
0:06:37 > 0:06:39to entertaining our friends and our family,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41especially those that we have made overseas, that have
0:06:41 > 0:06:44all promised that they'll come and visit us.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47So to have four bedrooms, four decent-sized bedrooms,
0:06:47 > 0:06:48would be wonderful.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Well you have, in your wisdom, chosen one of the most beautiful,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54but also one of the most expensive counties in the country.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56What is your budget again?
0:06:56 > 0:06:59The budget for the move is £950,000.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03And we chose West Sussex because we just love the county.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06We know it's going to be a bit expensive,
0:07:06 > 0:07:10but we're just looking forward to this great adventure for us.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13And would you look to be in a village, or out in the middle
0:07:13 > 0:07:16of nowhere, or how are you thinking about it as a community?
0:07:16 > 0:07:19We want to be involved in the community because having lived
0:07:19 > 0:07:25overseas for so long, and moving to a new county, we don't know anyone,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28so we'd like to be fairly close to the village if possible.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31And style, are you fussed about the style, or age,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33or condition of the property?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36No, I think we're quite open-minded as to the style and the age.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40It's really just finding something that captures our imagination...
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- Yes.- ..and says, you know, we can live here.- Yes.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46That's what I love to hear. Open-minded and open to inspiration.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- Exactly.- We have three lovely houses lined up, and er...- Wonderful.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- ..I'd be very interested to see what you think.- Yes.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- So no time like the present. Let's go, follow me.- Thank you.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03For a very healthy budget of £950,000, Jan and Dave
0:08:03 > 0:08:06are looking for a large house with a minimum of four
0:08:06 > 0:08:09bedrooms to accommodate visiting friends and family.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Jan would like a generous, sociable kitchen, they need
0:08:12 > 0:08:17a manageable garden, and are after a location close to a village.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21But in a county that's a commuter hot-spot, it is in fact
0:08:21 > 0:08:24a tough call, but we have three great properties, which,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26after 16 years abroad, should at least give Jan
0:08:26 > 0:08:29and Dave a taste of today's property market.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33But I won't reveal the price tags until after each house-tour.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36And, as ever, the mystery house is a wild card which could go
0:08:36 > 0:08:38either way, so let's get on the road
0:08:38 > 0:08:41and see what our house buyers make of it all.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48What are you planning to do, other than just retire and relax?
0:08:48 > 0:08:52A lot of that will depend upon the community that we're in,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55but we do enjoy sport, we've always loved sport.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Our boys love sport, so we'd certainly look at tennis,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and to be honest, fairly simple pursuits.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- Just being out in the country. - Yeah.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Literally doing some country walks, just being able to enjoy
0:09:05 > 0:09:07the countryside, which we haven't had for 16 years.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09And in truth, living in London,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11- we'd didn't have much then either. - No, of course.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16We're kicking off our house hunt in the middle
0:09:16 > 0:09:19of the South Downs National Park, close to Petworth.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Well-known as the location of stately home Petworth House,
0:09:22 > 0:09:27this market town has in recent years developed a reputation as a centre
0:09:27 > 0:09:32for independent boutiques, art establishments and antique shops.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Just over an hour from London and only 30 minutes to the coast,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38it's a much sought-after place to live.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Less than a ten-minute drive out of the town, down a quiet
0:09:42 > 0:09:46country lane and with a backdrop of the South Downs is our first house.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Well, this is our first property.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- Wow.- Wow, OK, right.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- Amazing.- That looks beautiful. - It does look lovely.- Yeah.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58It's a beautiful location cos obviously
0:09:58 > 0:10:00this is the South Downs here, so South Downs hills.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- Yeah, yeah. All we can hear is the birds. Fantastic.- Yeah, yes.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07And the house is interesting itself. It was built around the shell
0:10:07 > 0:10:10of an old Victorian pump house, but it's pretty much a new build.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Well, it certainly doesn't look like a new build,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16it looks like it's a character home. Yeah, so that sounds fantastic.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18So the first impressions are good?
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- Very good indeed. - Yep, they are good, yep.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- Shall we have a peek inside? - Yes, please.- Please do.
0:10:22 > 0:10:28This former pump house was converted in 2008 into a four-bedroom house.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I think the appeal for Jan and Dave will be how it makes
0:10:31 > 0:10:34the most of its incredible South Downs location.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37And inside, the space is quite surprising.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38- Come on in.- Thank you.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- It's a lovely, big spacious... - Oh, yes!- ..entrance hall.- Yeah.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- It is.- It is, it's high, yes.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46It's higher than I was expecting.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Yeah, it's got a great feeling of space coming straight in, it
0:10:49 > 0:10:50doesn't have that sort of...
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Sometimes cottages feel a bit tight. - Yes.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- Well it's certainly not a cottage. - No.- No, absolutely not.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- THEY LAUGH - Let's go look at the kitchen.- Yes.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- So this is a key room for you, so...- Yes.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04What do you think of the kitchen?
0:11:04 > 0:11:06That is really lovely, it's beautiful.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- It's really nice, yeah. - I love the big island in the middle.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- Mmm, it's huge.- It's lovely. - It's a lovely design.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Now, is there anything you're not so keen on?
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Often what we like to do is, Jan will be here cooking
0:11:17 > 0:11:20and I'll kind of be sitting nearby, just chatting.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23It feels like it's a kitchen where you cook,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26rather than where you'd actually spend a lot of family time, yeah.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- That entrance hall is huge, and bright and lovely.- Right.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33With some clever engineering, you could open this space up.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Yes.- OK.- So you'd have it as more of a sort of L-shaped...
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- Yes.- ..kind of kitchen. - That would work, yes.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39OK, that's good, that's good.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- And as a kitchen, it works really well.- It does, it's beautiful.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Really well.- I like it. - Feels positive in the kitchen.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Very positive, yes, very. - That's important.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Let's see if the living space matches.- OK.- OK.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Knocking the kitchen through into the enormous entrance hall
0:11:54 > 0:11:56could offer them a good family space.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59The living-cum-dining room is already a great
0:11:59 > 0:12:00place for entertaining.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- Another big room. - Oh, yes.- Oh lovely.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06It is absolutely lovely.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08You've got double doors out on the terrace.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10On both sides is see, which is great.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Yes, lot of access out to the garden, plus the light, too.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16- I like it so far. - You like it or you love it?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19I'm liking it a great deal.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Very cagey. So diplomatic.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Is that what happens when you live in...?
0:12:22 > 0:12:23I like it a great deal.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Well this is a mostly mono-layered dwelling,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- so most of the bedrooms are on the ground floor.- OK.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- There is upstairs as well. - All right.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33How do you feel about that?
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Yeah, I quite like that, actually. So that's positive.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39One of the things we even said to ourselves as a "would like to have"
0:12:39 > 0:12:42rather than a "must have," would be actually a downstairs bedroom,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45if that was possible, and it sounds like we've got more than one.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- Follow me.- OK.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Well, just as you ordered, this is a downstairs master bedroom suite.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Wow, it's large, too.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01It is, very large. My goodness!
0:13:01 > 0:13:04It goes straight out on to the double doors on to the patio.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- Wow, that is beautiful.- Yeah.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09You've got a dressing area, en-suite,
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- with a very nice wet room.- Uh-huh.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13And a very big almost walk-in wardrobe
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- behind these mirrored doors. - That's lovely to have.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18And also a floor-to-ceiling shoe cupboard,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- depending how many shoes you have. - Really, that's there as well? Wow!
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It's a space where you could do a lot with it,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27in terms of furniture. It's just a nice big space.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Are you mentally unpacking your containers?- Yes.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34'As well as the sizeable master suite, there is another double
0:13:34 > 0:13:37'bedroom with patio access, and a further good-sized downstairs
0:13:37 > 0:13:40'bedroom which shares a family bathroom.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43'Upstairs, is the fourth and final double bedroom
0:13:43 > 0:13:44'with its own en-suite.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47'And out the back is where the house really makes sense.'
0:13:47 > 0:13:49You get a good view of the house from here,
0:13:49 > 0:13:51and all the crazy pitched roofs.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- Yeah, that's right. - Yes, incredible shape.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55There is, there's a lot going on there, yeah.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57And again, that fantastic view behind.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00So this orchard doesn't belong to you, the garden is this
0:14:00 > 0:14:03sort of, this quite unusual triangular shape.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- Yes, probably good for us.- That's probably plenty of space, thank you.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08We're not looking for a big garden.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12There isn't a garage as well, which isn't essential but, you know,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14it can sometimes be useful storage space.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17One thing Jan would like is somewhere to put some gym equipment.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I think one of the great things about this property is
0:14:20 > 0:14:21the potential to pull out the back,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24because you've got this enormous patio space, you might not need
0:14:24 > 0:14:28all of that, but you could easily, have a summer room, or an orange
0:14:28 > 0:14:31room or something, coming out either one or both of the French doors.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- Yeah.- How much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:14:36 > 0:14:42God, that's an interesting question. I would think 850.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46850, yeah. I think I'd go a bit higher than that.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48I'd be closer to 895.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51This is on the market at 775.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52- Oh. Gosh, wow.- Oh, crickey!
0:14:52 > 0:14:55That leaves a lot of money to play with.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56That's what we were thinking,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- you'd have a good chunk of money there to extend if you want...- Yes.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02..to bring the house out and bring a bit more sort of space
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- and square footage.- Yes.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06I mean, even sort of build a space for your gym.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Right, well with that amount of extra money in our budget,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- we can do quite a lot to the house actually, but, yeah.- Yes, we could.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14So why don't you go look inside and check out all the bedrooms,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17see all the space and all the potential, thinking with that
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- extra money what you might be able to do with it.- Right.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21I'll see you out the front
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- and we can go to the next house. - OK.- OK, thank you.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30This house might need some extending or remodelling to make it
0:15:30 > 0:15:35perfect for Dave and Jan, but for well under their £950,000 budget,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37there is plenty of scope for this.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39It has an enormous master suite,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43three good-sized guest bedrooms for visiting family and friends,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46a large kitchen and spacious reception areas,
0:15:46 > 0:15:50and most of all, it's located in a spectacular South Downs location.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55I think it's a beautiful family home. It's really lovely.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57I like the kitchen very much indeed.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I would have liked to have had a table and chairs where we could sit
0:16:01 > 0:16:05down and eat, but I think there's room to change that in some ways.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10Beautiful location, you can't not enjoy the scenery around it.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13It ticks a lot of our boxes. It probably isn't ideal
0:16:13 > 0:16:17perhaps in terms of the space indoors, and I think the thing
0:16:17 > 0:16:20we're going to have to think about is, are we up for a project?
0:16:20 > 0:16:22So it's a bit of a drive to the next property,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25but let's get in the car and head for house number two.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26- Sounds good, thank you.- OK.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Just up the road from our first property
0:16:32 > 0:16:35is the grand stately home of Petworth House.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Administered by the National Trust, it houses an internationally
0:16:39 > 0:16:44renowned art collection and is set in 700 acres of deer park,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47created by the famous 18th century landscaper Capability Brown,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50who designed sweeping, naturalistic grounds
0:16:50 > 0:16:52for many of England's great houses.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56It also enjoys a significant place in the country's tennis heritage
0:16:56 > 0:17:00which might be just the ticket for sports enthusiasts Dave and Jan.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03We're sending them to meet Peter Symonds from the National Trust
0:17:03 > 0:17:07to find out about the house and its sporting connections.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10This is a beautiful place. How did Petworth House come about?
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Petworth House was actually built in the 1300s by the Percy family.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17It didn't really come into its own until the 16th century,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20when the Eighth Earl of Northumberland ended up incarcerated
0:17:20 > 0:17:24at Petworth, on the orders of Elizabeth I, for conspiring
0:17:24 > 0:17:28with Mary Queen of Scots to put her on the throne in Elizabeth's stead.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31And what about its sporting associations?
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Well, the Percy family had a long running interest in real tennis,
0:17:34 > 0:17:40dating back to 1588. By 1795, there were six courts here at Petworth,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43and the courts here were only exceeded by the
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Royal Palace of Hampton Court, so it was pretty significant.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And are the tennis courts still used at Petworth?
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Yes, the Petworth Real Tennis Club is still here. It's a private
0:17:52 > 0:17:56members club, and I'll point you in the direction of one of the pros!
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Thank you very much, lovely. - OK. Thank you.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02Real tennis is the original racquet sport from which
0:18:02 > 0:18:03lawn tennis descends.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06It's an indoor game, played on a unique court,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09of which there are only around 20 in the UK.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Tom Durack is the senior professional
0:18:12 > 0:18:13at Petworth Real Tennis Club.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18So, Tom, when did real tennis come about and where did it start?
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Well, it originated in France.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- A lot of people think it was started in this country.- Right.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27But no, went back to around the 12th-13th century.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30And then it was popularised in this country by Henry VIII.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34What are the differences between real tennis and lawn tennis?
0:18:34 > 0:18:37The scoring is the same, but real tennis is an indoor game.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38You've got four walls,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42you've got a lot of different surfaces you can play the ball off,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45lots of angles, you can use the side wall, the back walls,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- so really, it's more similar to squash than lawn tennis.- Yes, yes.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- You mention the scoring's the same as lawn tennis.- Yeah.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54And I've always wondered, why do we have a scoring
0:18:54 > 0:18:57system of 15-love, 30-love, 40-love? I've never really understood that,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59does that go back to the origins of the game?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Absolutely, yeah. It's thought that when the game was played,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04they used a clock face to keep score, there was
0:19:04 > 0:19:07nothing else probably to hand. So obviously, 15, 30...
0:19:07 > 0:19:09It was 45 but it was abbreviated
0:19:09 > 0:19:12because obviously 40 is a bit shorter,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15you know, to call. And that's how it evolved.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17We've loved hearing about the game of real tennis.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19We'd love to have a go. Can you give us some tips?
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Absolutely, I think we should get on the court.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Why don't you guys go and get changed
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- and I'll meet you on the court. - All right.- Thank you.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29'With its sloping surfaces and yard line markings,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32'the court is highly elaborate.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34'There are several ways points can be scored, including -
0:19:34 > 0:19:37'landing a ball in the back net, known as a dedon,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41'by hitting a target called a grill and a shot in what's known as
0:19:41 > 0:19:45'the winning gallery, where a bell sounds on impact.'
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- OK, so we always serve from this end of the court.- All right.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51To get the ball into play, what we have to do is put the ball up
0:19:51 > 0:19:54onto this slanted roof, and then it has to bounce,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57at least once, between the white line and the join in the
0:19:57 > 0:20:01corner at the other end, and then drop into the white outlined box.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05Lovely. There you go, fantastic. And a very good serve as well.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07- SHE CHEERS - Very impressive.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09All right, pressure's on now.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13The first codification of the rules was published in 1599.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16They are so extensive and complex it takes at least ten hours
0:20:16 > 0:20:19of play for a beginner to understand them all.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23So for first-timers Jan and Dave, having a bit of fun is what counts.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Oh, that's a winning shot! Very nice!
0:20:26 > 0:20:30The Real Tennis World Championships are held every two years, but it
0:20:30 > 0:20:34might take a while for Jan and Dave to reach competition standard.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Oh, that's in, that's a winning shot. Great play!
0:20:36 > 0:20:37OK, well played, guys.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40That was tremendous. I'm exhausted, Tom. Thank you so much.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- It was a pleasure. No problem at all.- That was really good fun.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Thank you very much.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49For our second property, we're travelling east,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53out of the South Downs National Park to the village of Balcombe.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Once a rural farming community, today, due to its great train
0:20:56 > 0:21:00links with London, it's become a popular commuter village.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03There are shops, pubs and plenty of local amenities. And for
0:21:03 > 0:21:07visiting friends abroad, it's just 15 minutes from Gatwick Airport.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10And right in the heart of this desirable village
0:21:10 > 0:21:12is our next property.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- Oh, this is amazing. Very different. - This is different, yeah.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19A very different offering, very different location,
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- you were right down the end of a country lane...- Yes.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Now you're right in the middle of a village.- We are.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- Very much so, which it's what we wanted.- Yes, yeah.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Within walking distance of the village, yeah.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31What do you think of the actual building? It's all of this...
0:21:31 > 0:21:32It's imposing.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- I mean, you've got those enormous barn-style doors there.- Yes.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36It looks very impressive.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- It is one of the big barns of the village.- Right.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- It was built around 1790, so it's a listed property.- OK.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- But the conversion into a dwelling was around 1999.- OK.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49So shall we have a look inside?
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- Yeah, love to. - Yes, yes, thank you.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54'Those were good reactions to the exterior.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57'And as Dave and Jan are keen for their home to be a great
0:21:57 > 0:22:01'entertaining space, I think inside could be a pleasant surprise.'
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- DAVE LAUGHS Gosh! Incredible!- It is remarkable.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06- Amazing amount of space.- Yes.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09And height and... My goodness, what a hallway!
0:22:09 > 0:22:11It's beautiful.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14It's quite unusual to see them all the way to the ceiling,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17and both ends, in one view.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I love the openness of it, I really do.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21Could you imagine living here?
0:22:21 > 0:22:25On entering it, yes. At the moment. Like to see more. Yes.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Like to see more. Yeah, I think that's right, it's...
0:22:28 > 0:22:31First impressions of walking in, absolutely.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Let's go upstairs and you can get a better idea.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36The reception areas on the ground floor
0:22:36 > 0:22:39and mezzanine levels offer over 100 square metres of living space,
0:22:39 > 0:22:43which is flexible and could be adjusted to our buyers' needs.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46They have this as their sitting room.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Oh, right.- OK.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- You ducked when you really don't need to duck.- Don't need to.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52THEY ALL LAUGH
0:22:52 > 0:22:54I realised that when I walked through.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Just the instinct.- You're at least a foot clear.- It is instinct.- Yeah.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02Because three sides are closed in, it actually has a cosy feel to it.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03You do have the one light here,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06so you get the morning sun coming from this side,
0:23:06 > 0:23:07so you get a little bit of light here.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10You can see on the other side, this is sort of the mirror image,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- the same sort of floor space on the other side.- Yes.- Right.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15They've got windows on both sides,
0:23:15 > 0:23:17- so you get light from both sides there.- Right.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19When you want to be quiet, and on your own,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I don't know whether a space needs to be away,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25because even if you're over there, you could still kind of feel
0:23:25 > 0:23:29you're open and accessible. So, I suppose, with the openness
0:23:29 > 0:23:32also comes maybe that lack of your own private space, perhaps.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Well, there may be other spaces that sort of contradict that,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37as we continue our tour, but let's take at the kitchen
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- because I know that's important for you.- OK.- OK, thank you.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45'Back down the oak staircase and located underneath the space
0:23:45 > 0:23:48'currently used as the study, is a country-style kitchen.'
0:23:48 > 0:23:51This is a more enclosed space.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Mmm-hmmm. There's space for an island.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57There is a table and chairs, so that works as well.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59I feel a slight dip in enthusiasm.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02I guess because of the size of the hallway,
0:24:02 > 0:24:07and the rooms upstairs, I think I was expecting it to be bigger.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10That's all. It is still a beautiful kitchen, it really is.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- Now you might be wondering where you sleep.- BOTH: Yes.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- Well there is another wing. - OK, lovely.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19On the opposite side to the main living space is
0:24:19 > 0:24:22the first of two guest bedrooms.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25The other bedrooms are in a wing of converted barn buildings
0:24:25 > 0:24:27to the front and left of the main house.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Here there is a large double bedroom,
0:24:29 > 0:24:33a family bathroom, which all leads down to the impressive main bedroom.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Here is the master suite.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Oh, this is lovely!
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- That's a great size, nice and light. - That's beautiful.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- It's huge, isn't it? Massive. - It is, it really is.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45And a very nice en-suite.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- Wonderful.- There you go.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50The challenge with this property is there are only three bedrooms,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53as it stands, so you'd have to either look at maybe
0:24:53 > 0:24:56converting the garages, which are huge, or maybe making
0:24:56 > 0:24:58a sort of guest bedroom in one of those upstairs spaces.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00In the galleried areas. OK.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03You'd need to think about that in the context of your gym equipment.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- Yes.- That might've been what we would've used a fourth bedroom for,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08so, again, maybe the garage might be an option there.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11The garage would be amazing. I think there is a possibility that
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- you could convert it, and make it actually a very lovely space.- Right.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17So that's pretty much the whole of the downstairs
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- and the various upstairs volumes. - Right.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23- Let's just take a peek, there's a nice feature outside.- OK.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28To the back of the barn are two garden areas,
0:25:28 > 0:25:32a low-maintenance formal garden with gravel and topiary trees
0:25:32 > 0:25:34and a raised deck area.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40This is a rather nice addition, I think.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- This is lovely. - It's like a sun terrace.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Oh and it has a hot tub over there.- Nice!
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Very nice, very secluded, too.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50So let's talk about price.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:25:54 > 0:25:57I would say 895.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I would go a little lower, and I'd say 875.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03875. In this instance, you should listen to your wife,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06because she's spot on, 895 is completely right.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- I always listen to my wife! - THEY LAUGH
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Really?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12I'd like you to look at this building, this is the garage.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14- Think about maybe the gym.- Mm-hmm.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Or maybe even taking the doors off and putting windows in
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- and making it in to some sort of guest room.- OK.- OK.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- Let's do that.- I'll see you out front.- OK, thank you.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30For £55,000 under budget, this 18th-century barn conversion
0:26:30 > 0:26:34offers incredibly spacious and quirky reception rooms,
0:26:34 > 0:26:38a family kitchen-diner, just three of the four bedrooms Dave
0:26:38 > 0:26:41and Jan are after, but a huge garage space ripe for conversion
0:26:41 > 0:26:44with the leftover budget, and it's all located
0:26:44 > 0:26:47in the centre of a sought-after commuter village.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Wow, that's an incredible size!
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Oh, this is huge, yeah.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57You could easily put your gym equipment in here.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59It's a great space. It lends itself to do a lot with it.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02It's in great condition.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It's really impressive when you first walk up.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I loved the scale of it. It's very high, it's very imposing.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13I love the openness of the property, the high ceilings,
0:27:13 > 0:27:19the beams, the colour of the wood, the light is just incredible.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21I would have originally like four bedrooms,
0:27:21 > 0:27:25but the three bedrooms are a very good size.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27The garage is a great space. I think one of the things we need to
0:27:27 > 0:27:30think about is, could we put a fourth bedroom in there?
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Certainly, it would be great for Jan to put her gym equipment in there.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38I mean, that is space we would want to be able to take advantage of.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Hello, guys. All done?
0:27:40 > 0:27:41- Yes, we are.- Yes, indeed.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- Enough barn for one afternoon? - I think so.- Oh, yes.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Well that's all the houses for today,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48so we can go and rest and get ready for tomorrow.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- Thank you.- OK, thank you.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Today's house hunt is in West Sussex, as our expat house hunters
0:27:59 > 0:28:03return from Asia to look for their forever home with a very
0:28:03 > 0:28:06healthy budget of £950,000.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10Coming up, will the unusual choice of mystery house pay off?
0:28:10 > 0:28:11It was a bit of a gamble bringing you here.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15- It's very different to what we'd thought we were looking for.- Yes.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18And I explore an underground operation that could be
0:28:18 > 0:28:20straight out of a sci-fi movie.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22I feel like a bit like James Bond. Can I go into the vault?
0:28:22 > 0:28:23Of course you can.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Ooh, it's freezing!
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Day two of our property search here in West Sussex.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Slightly damper morning,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33but it hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of Jan and Dave.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36I've just seen them for breakfast and they're
0:28:36 > 0:28:39still very keen to find their dream house here, back in the UK.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40It's interesting,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43looking at their response to the two houses yesterday.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46It was almost like they were being incredibly polite, perhaps a sort
0:28:46 > 0:28:49of Beijing-style diplomacy about the houses because afterwards, it seemed
0:28:49 > 0:28:52that they weren't quite as keen as they seemed as we walked round.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55So for the mystery house, we're going to show them something that is
0:28:55 > 0:28:59very distinctly English, and very old. Let's see what they think.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02For our mystery house, we're travelling to the southern-most
0:29:02 > 0:29:05part of the county, to the village of Donnington,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08which is just outside the city of Chichester.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Chichester centres on its Norman cathedral and is today a hub for
0:29:12 > 0:29:17shops, boutiques and is a generally an interesting and well-kept city.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20A canal links it to the village of Donnington in the south,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23which it passes through, travelling on to Chichester Marina.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Donnington has some amenities, including a pub. And just back from
0:29:27 > 0:29:31the main road, through a protective hedge, is our mystery house.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37Come in to the secret garden of the mystery house.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40- Amazing. - I'm very excited to show you this
0:29:40 > 0:29:43because it's quite a different offering, cos it's an old property.
0:29:43 > 0:29:44Right.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47We're not entirely sure how old it is, cos this is an extra add on.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50We think the original house is definitely pre-1670 because
0:29:50 > 0:29:51it's got blocked up windows,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54and 1670 was when the window tax came in.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58First impression is very different from what we've been looking at,
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- but that's...that's OK. - Yeah, I mean, clearly old.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Looks like a good size.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05The inside is going to be intriguing as well.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- Shall we have a look inside? - Pleased to, yeah.- Yes.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09'The oldest of all three properties,
0:30:09 > 0:30:15'this is a 17th and, in parts, 16th century Grade II listed property.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17'It's effectively two cottages knocked into one to make
0:30:17 > 0:30:23'a six bedroom house, but it's big and it's quirky, and after life
0:30:23 > 0:30:27'in modern Asian cities, will they love or loathe its eccentricity?'
0:30:27 > 0:30:29- Come on in.- Thank you.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32I'm excited to see what you think about this, this is...
0:30:32 > 0:30:36- Yes, I am too. - ..a very lovely historical property.
0:30:36 > 0:30:37And here's the sitting room.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40- Oh, the smell of the real fire. - That's right.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41This is the real heart of the home,
0:30:41 > 0:30:45there's a great big fireplace with those lovely alcoves on either side.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- How cosy is that, yeah.- It is, isn't it, the warmth of the room.
0:30:48 > 0:30:49It really is a lovely cosy feel.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- It's actually a large space. - Right, yeah.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Yes, it is. You can see that. This table is quite large.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56And they use this as the dining room?
0:30:56 > 0:30:58I think it is. The thing is, you've got lots of options
0:30:58 > 0:31:00because through here, that's the kind of second
0:31:00 > 0:31:02cottage, if you were, knocked through into one space.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06- There's another sitting room through there.- That's lovely to have.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08So I suppose it was a bit of a gamble bringing you here, because,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12you know, you didn't say that you wanted an old, character property.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Yeah, it's very different to what we would have thought
0:31:14 > 0:31:16we were looking for.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Yeah, and sometimes you can see something that you think you
0:31:19 > 0:31:22really didn't want, and then it captures your imagination.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- And the possibilities...- Now, I have to ask, is that happening?
0:31:25 > 0:31:27LAUGHING: I like what I've seen so far, so...
0:31:27 > 0:31:29- We need to see some more. - We do, we do need to see more.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31- Let's have a look at the kitchen. - OK.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37The second sitting room, along with a utility-cum-boot room
0:31:37 > 0:31:40and a downstairs bathroom are all in, what was,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42the smaller cottage on the left.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Coming back through the main sitting room takes you to the
0:31:45 > 0:31:47other side of the house, and the kitchen-diner.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52Here's your kitchen.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56Oh, my, it's a real cottage-style kitchen.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58Yeah, pretty much.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00- Farmhouse-style.- Yes.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03So this is more your domain, Jan, what are your thoughts?
0:32:03 > 0:32:07It's different from anything I've seen before, very unusual.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10They do have the lovely table and chairs in the middle,
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- which is quite important.- Yes.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14I can't quite read what you're thinking,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17whether you're being polite and diplomatic, or whether you're...
0:32:17 > 0:32:21Er, I'm just, er, I suppose it's surprised me, really.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23I think there's lots to love.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Is it really what we want? I just don't know at this stage, yeah.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Cos you were a bit disappointed we only had three
0:32:28 > 0:32:31bedrooms in the last house, we have six bedrooms in this one.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- Oh my!- OK, we're not short of space upstairs, clearly.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38There are two upstairs floors in this property,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41and on the first level, are four of the six bedrooms.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45Two are reasonable doubles in what was the additional cottage,
0:32:45 > 0:32:47one is a large double with a dressing room,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49and then there's the master suite.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54So this is anything but a modern en-suite.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56You see, these great big floorboards.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59And this here, I mean, this is used as the master bedroom, but you
0:32:59 > 0:33:02have the pick of all six bedrooms which one you'd have as yours.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04- Yes, lovely bathroom.- It does.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- I love the bathroom, I really do. - I love the wooden features.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08Nice and bright.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11I think probably what you want is that this bedroom is
0:33:11 > 0:33:13served by this en-suite, and then the next bedroom on the other
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- side has a sort of walk-in wardrobe, dressing room.- OK.- Oh, right.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19So you'd probably want to have this whole floor as yours.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- Yes, that would work nicely.- Right. Yep, that sounds appealing.- Mmm.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26'As well as all this sleeping accommodation, there are
0:33:26 > 0:33:28'two further bedrooms up a staircase into the eaves.'
0:33:29 > 0:33:32You come up into the top of the house,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- still got very high ceilings for an old property.- Oh, yes.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37- This is a big room, too. - This is a lovely room.- Yeah.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40With the brickwork, and the features there.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42And then there's a second room round the other side
0:33:42 > 0:33:44which has a little shower, sort of bathroom.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Bowled over actually by the amount of space.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49I mean, there is just so much house.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Yeah, there's nothing conventional about the house.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55You're kind of going round corners and you're finding things.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57It really does make you think, it absolutely does.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00A lot of space inside and actually quite a lot of space outside,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02so let's go and look at your grounds.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04- OK, lovely. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08The house is set in around half an acre of land
0:34:08 > 0:34:12with a lawned area to the rear with mature shrubs and fruit trees.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15If you step back here, you can see the house much more clearly.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17It's very beautiful from the back.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- You can see all the original brick and flint work.- Yes.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23It's a lovely, traditional, English garden.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26OK, let's talk money. How much do you think this property,
0:34:26 > 0:34:28just a few miles from Chichester, costs?
0:34:28 > 0:34:32I would put it near the higher end of our budget, at 940.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36I wouldn't have gone quite as high as 940, I'd be closer to 910.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Hmm, well this is right at the top of your budget,
0:34:39 > 0:34:43- it's a guide price of 950. - OK.- It's um...
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- You're right again. - THEY LAUGH
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- Three-nil.- Well aware of that.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Yeah, it's a big historic property in a very desirable area.
0:34:51 > 0:34:52- I guess.- Yes.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58For bang on their maximum budget, this historic Grade II listed
0:34:58 > 0:35:02property offers a large, quirky home with stacks of character throughout.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05There are two generous reception rooms as well as the much
0:35:05 > 0:35:07requested kitchen-diner.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11With six bedrooms, there's plenty of room for visiting guests
0:35:11 > 0:35:15and gym equipment, all set in a manageable half acre of land.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18I was very surprised as we walked through the gates to see
0:35:18 > 0:35:21the property, probably because of the age.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24I wasn't expecting to see such an old property.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26You know, it's one of those houses that I think if someone
0:35:26 > 0:35:30asked me to describe the house now, I wouldn't get it right, cos there
0:35:30 > 0:35:33are so many different features, there are so many different rooms,
0:35:33 > 0:35:37so many different aspects to it, it's a remarkable house.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42I absolutely loved the gardens, thought it was absolutely beautiful.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46The inside of the property... I think, it's a lot of house.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Something quite as big as this, for just the two of us,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52I think there would be a lot of space we wouldn't use,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55and therefore, I'd wonder if that would make sense.
0:35:55 > 0:35:56Really is a beautiful property.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59I wonder if it is the property for them, that's the question.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02- Hello.- Hello there.- Hey. - All done with the mystery house?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04- Yes, we are.- Tick.- Yes.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07- Right, let's find a place to gather our thoughts.- OK.- OK, great.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Set amidst the rolling South Downs is Wakehurst Place,
0:36:15 > 0:36:21with its historic Elizabethan manor house and 465 acres of ornamental
0:36:21 > 0:36:26gardens and woodland. But this is no stuck-in-the-past country estate.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29The grounds are managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31And it's the site of an ambitious
0:36:31 > 0:36:34and ground-breaking conservation mission.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37I'm meeting the head of Wakehurst, Andy Jackson, to find out more.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40So, Andy, I actually live in Sussex but, to my shame, I've never
0:36:40 > 0:36:42been to Wakehurst, so what have I been missing?
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Well, this can be the start of your love affair of one
0:36:45 > 0:36:49of the world's most incredible collections of trees, but also the
0:36:49 > 0:36:53world's most important conservation facility in the Millennium Seed Bank.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55But what are the highlights of Wakehurst
0:36:55 > 0:36:56in terms of plants and trees?
0:36:56 > 0:37:01It was most famous for two things, rhododendrons and camellias,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04but we've been all around the world collecting new plants.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07We probably have the best collection of trees now assembled
0:37:07 > 0:37:10anywhere in the world, from all over the world.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12I know that you do extraordinary work with seeds here,
0:37:12 > 0:37:13how did that start?
0:37:13 > 0:37:17It started really as a response to the current extinction spasm,
0:37:17 > 0:37:19as it's called, the loss of plants.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23And in the early 1970s, there was the first ever Earth Summit.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26And my colleague here at the time decided that we needed to do
0:37:26 > 0:37:28something really serious,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31so we set about collecting seeds from all around the world.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34So by the time the early 1990s had arrived,
0:37:34 > 0:37:36we'd got 2% of the world's flora.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Can we go and visit?
0:37:38 > 0:37:39It would be my pleasure.
0:37:39 > 0:37:44'The Millennium Seed Bank Project is the largest plant conservation
0:37:44 > 0:37:46'programme of its kind in the world.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49'The focus is on global plant life faced with
0:37:49 > 0:37:52'the threat of extinction in their native habitat.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55'This is something which affects as many as 100,000 species -
0:37:55 > 0:37:58'a quarter of the world's plants.
0:37:58 > 0:37:59'And it all happens in a
0:37:59 > 0:38:01'purpose-built, 21st-century facility.'
0:38:01 > 0:38:04This is a marked change from the Elizabethan mansion,
0:38:04 > 0:38:05what goes on here?
0:38:05 > 0:38:09This is really like the centre of a bicycle wheel.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11This is the hub, and all the spokes going out
0:38:11 > 0:38:15are our partners all around the world, 50 or
0:38:15 > 0:38:18so countries right now collecting seeds to go into this seed bank.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21- So this is international seed HQ? - It is.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23So, in the long term, it's going to benefit us.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Right now it is.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27- So can we go in?- Yeah.- Lead the way.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32The plan is to have amassed 25% of the entire world's wild plant
0:38:32 > 0:38:36species by 2020, and at the helm of the operation is
0:38:36 > 0:38:38seed processing manager Janet Terry.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Ah, so this is the actual vault, Janet.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47Yes, this is our long-term seed store. We are now underground.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49What happens to them when they arrive here?
0:38:49 > 0:38:51A van will turn up with boxes of seeds,
0:38:51 > 0:38:55which will go upstairs into our processing labs and be unpacked,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58checked off, then they'll go into a dry room,
0:38:58 > 0:39:02where the moisture in the seed will be reduced quite slowly,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06at about 15 degrees centigrade and 15% relative humidity.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08And under those conditions,
0:39:08 > 0:39:10we kind of put them into suspended animation,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13so they're not going to germinate but they're not going to die either.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16After that, we'll take a little X-ray sample. And after that,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19they'll come down into this room and be prepared for storage.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- And this is where they end up.- Yes.
0:39:22 > 0:39:23And it's effectively a freezer.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25It is, these are run at minus 20,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28so these are long-term cold stores for seed storage.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31I feel a bit like James Bond. Can I go into the vault?
0:39:31 > 0:39:33Of course you can, but you'll have to put a coat on, I'm afraid.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36That sounds like a very good idea if they're minus 20.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40'At the latest seed count, there were over 34,000 wild plant species
0:39:40 > 0:39:44'held in the bunker, which is almost two billion seeds.'
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Ooof! Gee, it's freezing!
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Wow, it's amazing. It's like a sweet shop!
0:39:48 > 0:39:51- SHE LAUGHS - A very cold sweet shop.- Yes.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53This is the end point of the process.
0:39:53 > 0:39:54This is what you'll end up with,
0:39:54 > 0:39:58with your seed collections in hermetically sealed jars.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00These looks like these are the things you make jam out of,
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- the preserving jars. - They are, they are preserving jars.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06And the reason these give a good seal is because not only have
0:40:06 > 0:40:09you got a rubber seal but you're clamping it as well, and hopefully
0:40:09 > 0:40:13they'll live tens, hundreds, possibly even a thousand years.
0:40:13 > 0:40:14This is like in a library, right?
0:40:14 > 0:40:18Yeah, library archive shelving to make the most use of the space.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21It is like some kind of extraordinary kind of spice rack.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24This room is just about filled now,
0:40:24 > 0:40:27so we'll be moving on to the next room.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Amazing. Well it's a real...
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Actually, it's a really fascinating thing.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34You wouldn't have thought that seeds could be so fascinating.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Well they are, and so important as well.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Well, yeah, it's important.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- And very cold.- And very cold. - So, let's go back into the warm.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- Thank you so much.- Let's go back out. You're very welcome.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48Securely held in case of future emergencies around the globe,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51it's amazing to think all this is stored in the chilled
0:40:51 > 0:40:54depths of the West Sussex countryside.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01Sussex is at its most springy and beautiful, but have
0:41:01 > 0:41:04we found the house that going to bring Jan and Dave to live here?
0:41:10 > 0:41:13It's been lovely showing you around. I have to say, you're both
0:41:13 > 0:41:16so polite and so kind of... You've been living in China, you're
0:41:16 > 0:41:18very good at sort of being kind of being civil. But I was
0:41:18 > 0:41:21wondering, did you actually like any of the three houses?
0:41:21 > 0:41:25I think there's something we liked about all the houses, Alistair.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29I think the variety of houses we were shown was invaluable.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33Well yes, can you say that anything has come into focus?
0:41:33 > 0:41:37What I believe has come into focus is the fact that we know for
0:41:37 > 0:41:41sure that West Sussex is the county that we want to be in. We thought
0:41:41 > 0:41:44that from the beginning, but this has just reinforced that for us.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46What happens next, what is the next step?
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Because you've got lots of stuff in containers needing to find a home.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52The search continues with renewed energy, frankly.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55I mean, as you say, all our stuff's in storage,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58we still need to find a house and we're keen to do that soon.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00This has given us extra momentum
0:42:00 > 0:42:03and I know that we'll find our dream home here.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Well, I really hope you do.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Sorry that we didn't get it for you this week,
0:42:07 > 0:42:08but fingers crossed that you find it!
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Oh, it's been an absolutely brilliant week.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13We've so enjoyed it, we've enjoyed the experience,
0:42:13 > 0:42:15- and it has been so helpful to us. - It really has.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- Thank you.- Thank you so much. It's been terrific- Been a pleasure.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25You've got to admit that Dave and Jan's is a great moving-house story,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28all the way from Hong Kong and Beijing to this,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31the green and very pleasant land of West Sussex.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33And also imagine the shock, after 16 years in China,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36of the house prices in this part of the world.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39But they do have a very substantial budget
0:42:39 > 0:42:41and I'm sure they will find what they want.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Sometimes, unfortunately, we on the show don't quite get it right,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47but that's what makes Escape To The Country so charming.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50So join us next time for more of the same.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54If you would like to escape to the country in Wales,
0:42:54 > 0:42:58Scotland, Northern Ireland, or England and would like our help,
0:42:58 > 0:43:01please apply online at...