0:00:02 > 0:00:05I'm at the highest point above sea level in the South East of England.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Higher even than the Shard. And if I look east,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11the next highest point will be the Ural Mountains in Russia.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14And this extraordinary elevation is due to the obsession of an
0:00:14 > 0:00:19English country gentleman who wanted to turn his hill into a mountain.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Find out more in just a moment.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43Today's couple searching for a new family home are American expats
0:00:43 > 0:00:46looking for a true slice of British country living.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48- It's cute!- It oozes charm.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Just the kind of house we like.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54And our house hunt leaves our home buyers lost for words.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57I'm speechless. How is that possible?
0:00:57 > 0:00:59I'm definitely in trouble now.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Today we're in the Surrey Hills and this is Leith Hill Tower.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Now, back in the Georgian period,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10a mountain was defined as something over 1,000 feet.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Now, while Leith Hill is very high, it's only 965 feet,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17so frustratingly short of the mark.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Now, back in 1765, the hill's owner, Richard Hull,
0:01:20 > 0:01:22decided that was not good enough.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25And so in order to bring it up to mountain category,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28he built this impressive 65-foot tall tower.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31It still is one of the best viewing points in the South East
0:01:31 > 0:01:34and it's said on a clear day that you can see 13 counties
0:01:34 > 0:01:39and the English Channel, but there's more to Surrey than just views.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42One of the Home Counties surrounding London,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Surrey, to the capital's south, is bordered by Berkshire to the west,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Kent to the east and West Sussex to the south.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Despite its proximity to London,
0:01:51 > 0:01:5484% of the county is classed as countryside,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57offering a magnificent collage of fields and hills
0:01:57 > 0:02:00in contrasting shades of brilliant green.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Traversing the region from east to west,
0:02:03 > 0:02:08the Surrey Hills are home to over 150 miles of walking paths which are
0:02:08 > 0:02:10a welcome attraction for visitors, who are greeted by
0:02:10 > 0:02:12spectacular views at every turn.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Throughout Surrey, classic English villages
0:02:15 > 0:02:19display the intricate architecture the area's famous for.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Tudor beams stand proud on whitewashed buildings,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25tall chimneys peer out of steep, pitched roofs
0:02:25 > 0:02:29and you can see beautiful examples of tile hanging,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32where the decorative clay tiles are laid vertically.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35So with its superb scenery
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and excellent train links to the capital,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40there's no denying this diverse county
0:02:40 > 0:02:42makes for a very desirable address.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49There's no getting away from it, Surrey is extremely expensive.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50In fact, after London, there is
0:02:50 > 0:02:53a no more expensive place to buy property in the UK.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58The average price for a detached house here is, wait for it, £575,00,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02which is more than twice the national average.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04To put that into perspective,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06if you crossed the border into neighbouring West Sussex
0:03:06 > 0:03:10and bought exactly the same sort of house, you could save £200,000.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14So I'm hoping that today's buyers have deep, deep pockets.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Let's meet them.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18American childhood sweethearts
0:03:18 > 0:03:23Matt and his wife Catherine have lived in the UK since 2004.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25We met when we were both in high school.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29We reconnected in New York about eight years later.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30Yep.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32And the rest is history.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35And then moved to London shortly after that.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39They've been in this two-bedroomed flat in North London for three years
0:03:39 > 0:03:43with their two sons, Harry, aged five, and Hatcher, one.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45But they've decided it's time to up sticks
0:03:45 > 0:03:48and experience a more rural British life.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Peace and quiet is a big deal for us
0:03:50 > 0:03:54and where our flat is now, it is right along a major road,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57so we do hear the noise and the cars and the sirens.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00So it would be nice to be away from all the traffic
0:04:00 > 0:04:02in the countryside.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Matt and Catherine are expecting their third son in four months.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09The full-time mum is already looking to a greener future
0:04:09 > 0:04:11as their family grows.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13I just think it's time. We've done the city.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16We've enjoyed it, we've taken advantage of it
0:04:16 > 0:04:18and now we're ready to be adults
0:04:18 > 0:04:20and move on to the next stage of our lives.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24But Matt isn't quite sure he's ready to let go of city life.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28I could probably do a couple more years in London.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Um...but I do see the benefits of living in the country.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34More space, more space for the kids.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39Just a more manageable lifestyle.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43But a move is on the cards and it's Surrey they've got their eye on.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46It'll give them country living within arm's reach of the city,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49as lawyer Matt wants to be less than an hour
0:04:49 > 0:04:51from his job in central London.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Ideally, I would like my commute to be
0:04:53 > 0:04:56between 40 and 50 minutes door-to-door.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01We need the house to be somewhat close to rail links
0:05:01 > 0:05:03because I don't drive.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06I don't have my UK driver's licence.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09I can drive, but not in the UK legally.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13With their flat under offer and their new arrival imminent,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Matt and Catherine are ready to begin the search
0:05:16 > 0:05:18for the quintessentially British country home.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23What I love about British countryside are the rolling hills.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27I love the idea of walking along the paths and just looking
0:05:27 > 0:05:32at the greenery, and the sunsets and the whole idea of being outside.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35We don't know too much about the area
0:05:35 > 0:05:38but we have friends who have moved out there from London
0:05:38 > 0:05:42and it seems like an interesting place to bring our family.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Our buyers are happy to consider anywhere in Surrey,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50as long as there are good rail links nearby
0:05:50 > 0:05:53to get Matt back to the city for work.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55We are concentrating our search in the south of the county
0:05:55 > 0:05:59which will give Catherine the more rural setting she is after.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02So, before we start looking for a typically British pad
0:06:02 > 0:06:04for our American buyers,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I want to find out a little bit more about their plans.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- Welcome to Surrey, guys!- Thanks.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- We are all very excited about the third addition.- Thank you.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Would you like to be in the new place before we get...?
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- Ideally, if it's possible. That would be perfect.- So, the pressure's on?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- The pressure is on, yes.- Tell us again how much you have to spend?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Ideally, no more than £1 million.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28I like to think we could stretch it if we had to.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31I would like to think we could go lower if we had to!
0:06:31 > 0:06:34£1 million? We like having £1 million to spend,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37although Surrey is one of the most expensive counties in the UK.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39That's what we've heard.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Tell me about the house and what you're actually looking for.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44For the country, I think we're looking at a period property.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Some nice features inside.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52Outside space, proximity to schools, just a few things.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54I think the outside is more important to me
0:06:54 > 0:06:57than the inside, so if the outside matches the original character
0:06:57 > 0:07:00of the time period, then the inside could be updated.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Are you looking for something different?
0:07:02 > 0:07:05You could say I am hesitantly enthusiastic
0:07:05 > 0:07:07about moving to the country.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I like the country, I like visiting the country,
0:07:09 > 0:07:11but we live in central London.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14My commute is very simple right now.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17All our friends are in London and we have the conveniences
0:07:17 > 0:07:22of living in the city, so I'm a bit more torn than Catherine,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26who is ready to get on her riding pants and move out to the country.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30I think we're looking for a minimum of four bedrooms.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35I would like to keep my commute to around 45 or 50 minutes
0:07:35 > 0:07:36door-to-door.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38That might be quite a squeeze,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40so are you willing to be a little flexible on that?
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- I'm always a little flexible. - Very good.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46We've got three lovely houses, one of which is the mystery house,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48so let's go and have a look.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Sounds good, thank you.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55There's no denying Matt and Catherine
0:07:55 > 0:07:57have a very healthy budget.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59They are looking for a character property with ample space
0:07:59 > 0:08:03to accommodate their soon-to-be family of five.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06And a big garden for their energetic boys to run around in.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Matt is the chef of the family
0:08:08 > 0:08:10so he is hoping for a good-sized kitchen,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12and with his job based in London,
0:08:12 > 0:08:16he is willing to consider a commute into work of up to 90 minutes.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19We've chosen some really stunning properties
0:08:19 > 0:08:22which all have the centuries-old facade they love,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25but each exterior hides a variety of characteristics inside
0:08:25 > 0:08:30and they'll only discover the price tag once they've toured the house.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33The final trip will be to the mystery house, which might not be
0:08:33 > 0:08:35quite what they have asked for but will offer them
0:08:35 > 0:08:38qualities above and beyond their wish list.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- What do you think of Surrey so far?- I love it.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50I love the open fields and the houses along the road, they are very pretty.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52I'm very impressed.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Matt, it feels like I'm going to have to work on you,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58on your country skills and your country enthusiasm?
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Maybe a bit, we'll see. I'm trying to keep an open mind.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10We're kicking off our house hunt towards the south of Surrey
0:09:10 > 0:09:12in the village of Cranleigh, 20 minutes' drive
0:09:12 > 0:09:14from the county town of Guildford.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19Cranleigh is the self-proclaimed largest village in England.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Its name is said to be derived from the crane breeding grounds
0:09:22 > 0:09:24which were historically found in the area.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28The elegant bird is celebrated around the village.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31The locality offers residents a good selection of shops
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and eateries, as well as an attractive cricket green.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Just a mile south of the village,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41our first property is an interesting mix of eras
0:09:41 > 0:09:44with a colourful story to tell.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45Come on in.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- Yes, that's gorgeous. I love it. - This is your country house.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53This could be it, Alistair! I'm excited. I love the view.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56This is a very interesting, historic property you wanted.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58This is as period as they come.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00You can see it's in two halves.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05- This half with the black and white dates back to around 1670.- Wow!
0:10:05 > 0:10:09This part is a bit later in the 19th century.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- It was, until quite recently, the '90s, a pub.- Oh!
0:10:13 > 0:10:18Called The Boy and Donkey. Actually, lots of locals remember coming here.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20So where exactly are we right now?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22We're quite south into Surrey, so to get this countryside,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24you need to head to the south of the county.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29It's a 45-minute train journey from Farnham back into London.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32OK, and how far is the house from the train station?
0:10:32 > 0:10:33We're 13 miles from Farnham.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Realistically, it's not going to be 45 minutes door-to-door.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40This magnificent property couldn't be further removed from city life
0:10:40 > 0:10:44and although the commute is longer than Matt would like ideally,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46at one hour, 20 minutes from door to door,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48it is less than the maximum journey time
0:10:48 > 0:10:50of 90 minutes he is willing to travel.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52We're heading straight for the kitchen,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56the most important room in the house for keen cook, Matt.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Step in these lovely concertina doors.- Gorgeous!
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Exposed beams over there are very nice.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06It is more modern than I would have thought from the outside.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09But modern is good, some nice appliances,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- I could do some pretty good work in here.- It's a good size, too.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16This is a later addition but you can see here, this would have been
0:11:16 > 0:11:19the outside wall of the original 17th-century building.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22This house is a veritable warren of rooms, both big and small,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26and on the other side of the beamed wall is an imposing dining room.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- So here we are into the more historic part of the house.- Oh!
0:11:32 > 0:11:37The masterpiece of the room seems to be this inglenook fireplace.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39It's also got very high ceilings,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42which is unusual for these period properties,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- which I love.- And double windows.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Through another old doorway, the sitting room is revealed
0:11:48 > 0:11:51and with it, another handsome focal point.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- I think this inglenook might be better.- I love it!
0:11:55 > 0:11:57That is incredible.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00This was the 19th-century part, so this was the pub.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04We're in the snug bit, there would be a public sitting room next door.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06And a proper inglenook.
0:12:06 > 0:12:07A proper inglenook.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Do you know the definition of a proper inglenook?
0:12:09 > 0:12:11It has the benches.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- Indeed. - And it's a working fireplace as well?
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- Yes, this is an open hearth so you can burn wood here.- That's lovely.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23On the ground floor, there's also a large master bedroom
0:12:23 > 0:12:25in what would have been the main room of the former pub.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28There is also a utility-room-cum-shower-room,
0:12:28 > 0:12:33as well as a family room and study. You seem to be very positive?
0:12:33 > 0:12:36I think this is the style that we like.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Certainly the exterior and interior,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42this is what we are looking for as far as a period property.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44So far, so good.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47So, a pleasing start.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Moving upstairs are the rest of the bedrooms and the family bathroom.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54We're starting off in the middle sized room, overlooking fields
0:12:54 > 0:12:56opposite the house.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57A beautiful view from this room.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Oh, yeah, this is gorgeous.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01There are four rooms up here.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04A smaller room over there and then there's a room
0:13:04 > 0:13:08connected to another small room that has a back staircase.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Again, higgledy-piggledy.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13There's a bathroom upstairs and the new bathroom downstairs.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Great, it's plenty of space.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Plenty of room for the kids and guests as well,
0:13:18 > 0:13:20so that ticks the box there.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22So, the inside of this property,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25which has grown over the centuries, gives Matt and Catherine
0:13:25 > 0:13:30and their growing brood more than the four bedrooms they've asked for.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33I think they will be just as happy when we step outside.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35You have an outbuilding there and a shed.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Some space for chickens.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41The house itself is incredible.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45I think you have nailed our style exactly, what we are looking for.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- Views are amazing.- And it's safe.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51I think the kids could safely play out here
0:13:51 > 0:13:53and not worry about the road.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56So there's a quirk in the freehold that I need to tell you about
0:13:56 > 0:14:00that actually this line of trees here is actually your boundary.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05Historically, this area is rented off a farmer for a peppercorn rent.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- OK.- It's a weird thing that sometimes happens in the countryside.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12So basically, you pay £1 a year to the farmer
0:14:12 > 0:14:14to rent this space, but it's not uncommon.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16OK. That's good to know.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:14:18 > 0:14:20That a good question. I'm not very good at this,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- I'll let Catherine go first. - I knew you would say that!
0:14:23 > 0:14:25I'm going to say 925.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27I was going to say a little bit higher than that,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29so I will go with 955.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32The house has been on the market for five months
0:14:32 > 0:14:34and it hasn't dropped from its original price,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37which was, brace yourselves...
0:14:37 > 0:14:40£980,000.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44So there's lots more to explore inside and also in the outhouse
0:14:44 > 0:14:47and I will see you around the front.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48Perfect.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54At £20,000 below their generous £1 million budget,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56this converted pub goes all out
0:14:56 > 0:14:59to give Matt and Catherine everything they're looking for
0:14:59 > 0:15:00in their new abode.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03It's bursting with centuries-old charm and period features
0:15:03 > 0:15:06and has more than enough rooms for their two sons
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and soon-to-be new addition,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10as well as visiting family and friends.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14With a journey time into work for Matt of one hour, 20 minutes,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16it would make commuting from this charming home
0:15:16 > 0:15:19with its stunning views a real possibility.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22I love the character.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24I love the beam work on the outside.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29I love the old and new, even though the new is 19th-century.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31My two main concerns about the house
0:15:31 > 0:15:36is the proximity to the train station and the overall commute.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I think the second bit is the road right here in the garden.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44It does tend to be a bit noisy and that is very noticeable.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- Wow!- Nice little extra space. - Yeah.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51A playroom for the kids or for me!
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Overall, top marks for the house, top marks for the views
0:15:57 > 0:15:58and the outdoor space.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03It's really just those two issues that give me a bit of concern.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06This spring weather is really selling this property to me,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- is it selling it to you?- Yes.- Good.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Don't get sold too soon because we have another one lined up.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Are you ready?- Let's go.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21In the far west of Surrey lies the market town of Farnham,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24known for its fine examples of Georgian architecture.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27The area is also historically recognised
0:16:27 > 0:16:30for its pottery production, due to its rich supply of clay,
0:16:30 > 0:16:35a fine grain soil and the raw ingredients of ceramics.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37When Catherine was a student, she studied pottery
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and it's something she's planning to take up again
0:16:40 > 0:16:41in her new country life.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45So, she and Matt have come to meet Guy Haynes at Farnham Pottery,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48a local landmark he took over three years ago to learn
0:16:48 > 0:16:52a little about the art form being produced here in Surrey.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Let me tell you a little bit about the pottery.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56It's from the late 19th century
0:16:56 > 0:16:58and it was what is called a country pottery.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Five generations were based here, just one family, the Harris family.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- Why is the pottery in this location? - Just the clay.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09If you dig down here, it is like cutting chocolate,
0:17:09 > 0:17:15it is literally very wet clay and it is superb for making pots.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17At their peak, the potteries would have employed up to 30 people,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20each producing around 1000 items a week.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22Up until 14 years ago,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26these old red brick buildings were in a state of disrepair.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Slowly, Guy is renovating them
0:17:28 > 0:17:32to be used as a centre for crafts for the local community.
0:17:32 > 0:17:33It's been a labour of love
0:17:33 > 0:17:35to restore the pottery to its former glory
0:17:35 > 0:17:38and in just three months, the work will be complete.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41We are now in the glaze room where they applied glazes
0:17:41 > 0:17:44to the more decorative pieces that they made.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Do these represent the spectrum of colours that they would use?
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Yes, I think if you were coming here
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and wanting to tile maybe some of your kitchen area,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56you would literally be able to walk up to this wall
0:17:56 > 0:17:58and this represented the samples
0:17:58 > 0:18:00of the colours they could produce for you.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04That was then but today professional ceramicist Ashley Howard
0:18:04 > 0:18:08rents the studio from Guy and he's going to show Matt and Catherine
0:18:08 > 0:18:11the ancient art of printing on clay tiles.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14The tiles are made from red terracotta and the slips,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16the coloured paints they'll be using,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19are made from stained liquid clay.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22They don't always reflect the colour that you are working with.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26For example, this actually turns blue when it comes out of the kiln.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30The designs are painted onto strips of cloth and are applied in layers,
0:18:30 > 0:18:34allowing each colour to dry slightly before the next pattern is added.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35I love how, when you put it in the kiln,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37you don't know what's coming out.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40I haven't done it in a very long time, this is a big treat for me.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42How are you getting on down there, Matt?
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I think I have a masterpiece here!
0:18:44 > 0:18:47The finished designs are left to dry for 10 to 15 minutes
0:18:47 > 0:18:50before Ashley applies white slip, which will become
0:18:50 > 0:18:53the background colour when they are transferred to the tiles.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58This, we shall lay in position and apply a little bit of pressure.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Then, as we peel the cloth back, all will be revealed.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09There is your finished tile. Now, Matt, the masterpiece!
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Fantastic!
0:19:10 > 0:19:13The tiles will take a week to dry before being fired in the kiln
0:19:13 > 0:19:16to set and then again to glaze.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20It's not an instant process, but it has beautiful results.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24It will be worth it because when your work is fired and finished,
0:19:24 > 0:19:25it will last for ever.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Thank you so much.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30It has been an absolute pleasure, good luck with your house hunt.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Thank you, Ashley, so nice to meet you.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37For our second property, we are heading to the east of the county,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39to the village of Okewood Hill,
0:19:39 > 0:19:4210 miles south of the market town of Dorking.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Just two miles away from Okewood Hill is the larger village of Ockley
0:19:46 > 0:19:50offering Matt all the conveniences he likes at his fingertips,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53but in a beautiful English countryside setting.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55There are welcoming pubs,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58a farm shop selling freshly picked local produce,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02and that all-important train link straight back into the city.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06A five-minute drive takes us back to Okewood Hill for a bite to eat.
0:20:06 > 0:20:12- There you go, your first Surrey pub lunch. Is it good?- Delicious.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Is this the sort of community feeling you're looking for,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- in terms of the area?- A nice pub nearby is definitely important.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Would you like to live near this pub?- Where are you going with this?
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- Would you like to live next door? - That would be very convenient!
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- Then, let's go and look at it. - What! Wow!
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Our second property is a five bedroom, double fronted period house
0:20:35 > 0:20:37dating back to the late 18th century.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- What do you think?- It oozes charm.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- This is great, just the kind of house we like.- Is it?- It is.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45You said that about the last one, is this any different?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- I think it is very similar. - Nice character, period house.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54Interestingly, this was two cottages and it's now joined together as one.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- OK.- It's a very typical Surrey style with these two gables
0:20:58 > 0:21:01and the lovely wooden turned work above the porch.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Actually, the owner here works in the city and it takes him
0:21:05 > 0:21:08exactly 90 minutes door-to-door to his desk.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Can you imagine this being your home?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- Certainly, the house from the outside, yes.- Let's go in.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18If they lived in this delightful character property,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Matt would have a slightly longer commute than he would like
0:21:21 > 0:21:23to his office of one hour, 40 minutes,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27but their dream setting is found in the south of the county,
0:21:27 > 0:21:29which is further from the city.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Nevertheless, things have started well and long may that continue.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Come on in! Straight into the sitting room.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42You can see this is where the two houses were knocked together.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44That side used to be the kitchen of one house
0:21:44 > 0:21:48and this has been knocked together as one big, long sitting room.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50It's a nice space, very big.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I like it, it feels newer than the other house.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56They have completely renovated it.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59There was something more charming about the other one.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02So there is a nice, sunny study at the end of the room, there.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- But it's the next room that I think you might like.- OK.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- Oh, this is lovely.- This is huge.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14We thought this was a bit more what you had in mind
0:22:14 > 0:22:16in terms of the big kitchen, dining space.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Absolutely, and it's much bigger. It's very nice.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23I like the wood countertops and the old-school feel.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28I like the butler sink, that is where I spend a lot of my time!
0:22:28 > 0:22:29OK, very good.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33This is, I think, a really lovely space, a big family breakfast room,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and it is heated, which is quite nice for a conservatory.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- That is nice.- I'm getting a slightly dampened vibe.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41I don't know if it's too narrow.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43I don't know if it is because the rooms are very rectangular,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46that that feeling is turning me off.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49But I think this room is very appealing.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51I like the way it connects to the old house.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- I've always wanted a conservatory. - It's quite a property.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58It continues, because we have another house to explore
0:22:58 > 0:23:00in the dining room here.
0:23:04 > 0:23:10This was the second half of the house. This is the dining room.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11It's a very elegant room.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Through there is what they call the snug,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16which was the sitting room of the original house.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19The layout is perhaps more logical than the last house,
0:23:19 > 0:23:20which was topsy-turvy.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24We don't need logical, though, we're not very logical ourselves.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27The kitchen may be a playground for cook Matt,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30but Catherine has admitted there is something missing from this house,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32but she's keeping an open mind.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Moving upstairs, there are two bathrooms, a single bedroom
0:23:35 > 0:23:39and four bright doubles of roughly the same size.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42We've come to one at the front of the house.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48It's a little small, I don't really feel like a master bedroom,
0:23:48 > 0:23:52but it's very quaint and very charming
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and it does have high ceilings.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- It is a bit small, that's for sure. - Is the upstairs growing on you?
0:23:58 > 0:24:00I like the upstairs better.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02I think it's maybe the square feel to the rooms
0:24:02 > 0:24:05that I like and the higher ceilings.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06It's definitely nice
0:24:06 > 0:24:11but I think it lacks a bit of the quirkiness of the first property.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15I can see why you would have chosen it for us, certainly,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19- but it doesn't pull me in.- It's not twanging on your heartstrings?
0:24:19 > 0:24:23- It's not. It's not there. - I don't think so.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27It's clear Matt and Catherine are looking for something unique
0:24:27 > 0:24:29in their country home
0:24:29 > 0:24:32and although they were excited by this house's exterior,
0:24:32 > 0:24:34the inside doesn't seem to match up for them.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Outside once again, I am hoping the garden
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and the views might make them change their mind.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42It's equally pretty from the back as it is from the front.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46The garden, they haven't done much and you could do all sorts here.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49There's another little plot here which used to be the veggie patch
0:24:49 > 0:24:52but right in the corner, you get a fantastic view and you can see
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Leith Tower which is, as I know, the highest point in the South East.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00- You are a wealth of information, Alistair.- I am.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I also know how much this house is on the market for,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06so, what do you think the figure is?
0:25:06 > 0:25:11- I'm going to go with 990.- OK.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15I'm going to stick with 955.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- So the same as last time? - Same as last time.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22- Actually, this is on the market at 995.- Five!
0:25:22 > 0:25:24So I think that's one each.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28- But there's still more for you to explore. You know the drill.- We do.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- Look around, I'll see you around the front.- OK.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36'Coming in at just £5,000 under budget,
0:25:36 > 0:25:40'this period property gives Matt and Catherine all the space
0:25:40 > 0:25:42'they need for their expanding family.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45'The house is conveniently located just ten minutes' drive from
0:25:45 > 0:25:47'a direct train link to London,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50'but the trade-in for the beautiful rural location would be
0:25:50 > 0:25:54'Matt's door-to-door commute of an hour and 40 minutes.'
0:25:54 > 0:25:55I think it's a very pretty house.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00I think it has a lot of charm and character, but I think for me,
0:26:00 > 0:26:05when I go inside, it just feels a little, erm, maybe too modernised.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09It was surprising to see the inside after seeing the outside.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12I'm not sure it's the type of house on the inside
0:26:12 > 0:26:14that would get me out to the country.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16It's been a while since I've been in Surrey
0:26:16 > 0:26:18and it's incredibly rich in birds.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20The birdsong is amazing. Have you heard the lovely...
0:26:20 > 0:26:22BIRDS SING
0:26:22 > 0:26:24- It's hard not to.- ..birdsong? - Yeah.- Very nice.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- So we're all done for today, no more houses.- OK.- OK.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Time to rest up, but I do hear there's a good pub next door.
0:26:30 > 0:26:31Oh, let's go.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43'It's the second day of our property search in Surrey with US expats
0:26:43 > 0:26:45'Matt and Catherine from London,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47'who have a very healthy budget of £1 million
0:26:47 > 0:26:51'and are ready to trade in the buzz of city life for a real taste
0:26:51 > 0:26:55'of this green and pleasant land they now call home.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58'They've still got the surprise of the mystery house to come...'
0:26:58 > 0:27:02This is too much! We, this is too much, we can't afford this.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03This is incredible.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08'..and I'll be buckling up with Surrey's splendid motoring history.'
0:27:08 > 0:27:09Ya-hey!
0:27:12 > 0:27:15'On our Surrey house hunt, we've already seen two period properties
0:27:15 > 0:27:18'full of the charm Matt and Catherine want
0:27:18 > 0:27:20'in their English country home.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22'But in our third property, the mystery house,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26'we're offering them something really quite spectacular,
0:27:26 > 0:27:28'but asking them to move further south.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29'Crossing borders into West Sussex,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33'not only will their pounds stretch further, but Matt would have
0:27:33 > 0:27:37'a travel time into work of only an hour and five minutes.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40'Our final visit is to the tiny hamlet of Old Holbrook,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43'four miles from the market town of Horsham.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47'Horsham is a handsome town with smart stone buildings steeped
0:27:47 > 0:27:51'in history, and it'll give Matt and Catherine all the facilities
0:27:51 > 0:27:54'they're used to, including plenty of shops and restaurants.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58'A ten-minute drive takes us to our last house,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01'and I'm convinced the property's attractive features
0:28:01 > 0:28:04'will more than make up for its southerly location.'
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- Look at that.- It's exciting. - Very exciting.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to the mystery house.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16Wow!
0:28:16 > 0:28:18- This is a lovely cottage. - Very impressive.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- Cottage?- House. House.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23But it has the charm, it has the charm is what I meant.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25So we've moved you even further south,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27across the border into West Sussex.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Further away from London, but...
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- The commute.- It's shorter. - Wow.- Is it?
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Because Littlehaven is a village, it's a three-minute drive,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40and the trains go every half-hour straight into London Bridge.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43So actually this is the best commute.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- Alistair, you're a genius! - Thanks, Alistair.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49And that's just the commute, we haven't even started on the house,
0:28:49 > 0:28:51which is I think a bit of a masterpiece.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53It was a small farmhouse cottage,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57and the present owner has completely transformed it.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00I'm in trouble, I can feel it, I'm in trouble.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03- I'm excited to go inside. - Let's have a look.- OK.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07'Catherine admitted to me that exterior character is a must,
0:29:07 > 0:29:09'but doesn't have to follow through inside.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13'So I'm sure she'll be impressed by this four-bedroom extended cottage,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15'which has been modernised throughout
0:29:15 > 0:29:17'to an immaculate standard,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19'making it a perfect blend of old meets new.'
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Actually, rather unusually,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24- I'm going to ask you to stop in the hall.- OK.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28Because this is quite an architectural feature.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31- Yeah, this is a surprising contrast to the outside of the house.- Yeah.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33But you can see this is a taste of what's to come
0:29:33 > 0:29:35- because the owner has...- It's grand.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39..yeah, exactly, made something grand from what was quite a modest
0:29:39 > 0:29:43farmhouse by going right up to the very top of the attic in one space.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46But it's open and airy and well done.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48It looks very high quality.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52'It seems Catherine's falling for the striking detail
0:29:52 > 0:29:53'in this 20th-century house.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56'But I think Matt is still quietly struggling with
0:29:56 > 0:29:59'the thought of leaving the big smoke behind him.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02'Maybe the kitchen will help him say goodbye to city life.'
0:30:02 > 0:30:05This is nice. It's got the sitting area we were looking for,
0:30:05 > 0:30:09plenty of counter space, plenty of storage space,
0:30:09 > 0:30:12and, er, a really nice finish.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13Very nice finish,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- and the sliding doors that open right out into the garden.- Yeah.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- Amazing, amazing.- I'm definitely in trouble on this one.- It's gorgeous.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- Why do you keep on saying you're in trouble?- It's gorgeous.- It's...
0:30:23 > 0:30:25He's scared of himself. He doesn't want to like it.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Scared of your own desire. Let it go, release the desire!
0:30:28 > 0:30:33'Off the kitchen is a utility room leading to a car port and a garage.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36'Moving into the middle of the house is a sizeable sitting room.'
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- Oh, wow. - Yeah, this is a wild room too.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40This is a wild room.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42That's a very interesting wood burner.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Beautiful oak floors throughout, real oak.
0:30:45 > 0:30:46Yeah, that's a good sized room.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50- And it flows very nicely into the kitchen...- Mm-hm.- ..very comfortably.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55Can you imagine yourself, after a hard day in the city, coming back?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Yeah, it would certainly be a nice place to come back to.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Are you getting the vibe, too?
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Oh, my gosh. Right away.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03There's no doubt. This is... This is it.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07'The house seems to be selling itself.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10'Catherine's hooked and, although he may not be admitting it,
0:31:10 > 0:31:11'I don't think Matt's far behind
0:31:11 > 0:31:15'as we move to the dining room at the front of the house.'
0:31:15 > 0:31:17This is a lovely room, too. Mm!
0:31:17 > 0:31:20- Wow.- Yeah, this is nice. A great dining area.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23What a lovely formal place if you had some friends round.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25It's perfect.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27'As we move upstairs, there's
0:31:27 > 0:31:30'a clever use of space with a mezzanine study above the landing.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34'There's a family bathroom, three double bedrooms, one with
0:31:34 > 0:31:37'an en-suite and one with its own mezzanine level in the eaves,
0:31:37 > 0:31:42'and the master, with views over the garden and surrounding fields.'
0:31:43 > 0:31:49- Beautiful. With a balcony off of it! - With a balcony, yeah.- And the doors.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53- I can woo you from the garden. - You can serenade me, yes.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56But, again, you can concertina those doors open so you could sit
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- here in the evenings, because you get the evening sun.- Yes.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04It's beautiful. Gosh, I mean, this whole house is so immaculate.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- It is just incredible.- Is this what you were thinking about as a master?
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Yes. This is exactly what I pictured the master to be.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13'But Catherine ain't seen nothing yet.'
0:32:13 > 0:32:16- I have to say, I've seen some en suites...- There's more?
0:32:16 > 0:32:17This is an en-suite.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- A bit of a walk-in wardrobe, dressing room.- Oh, my gosh.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Oh, my gosh.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31- And welcome to the en-suite. - You are kidding me.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- I'm definitely in trouble now. - This is too much. This is too much.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37We can't afford this. This is incredible.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41This is just... This is a beautiful living space.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46- You could live here.- I mean, I could. I could, Matt. I could.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51- OK, well, we can talk about that.- OK. It's, like, my dream.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55No pressure here, right? No pressure.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Matt's face is like, "Oh, God."
0:32:57 > 0:32:59You can have the balcony off the master
0:32:59 > 0:33:01and I can have the walk-in closet.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Isn't there a highway around here or something? Something to help me out?
0:33:04 > 0:33:08- So we are getting the thumbs-up even from you?- Yeah, thumbs up.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- Let's go into the garden... - OK.- ..and talk money.
0:33:12 > 0:33:13Money, money, money.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20'The house sits in a third of an acre of land
0:33:20 > 0:33:23'and, leading out from the kitchen, a stone patio overlooks
0:33:23 > 0:33:26'a manicured lawn and endless country views.'
0:33:26 > 0:33:27This is the garden.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31You can see the boundary there with the hedge. So it's not...
0:33:31 > 0:33:33not "massive" massive.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35It's very maintainable, which is all that I care about.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Let's get a full view of the house.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40- It's quite a property.- It is.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43- What do you think it's on the market for?- Why don't you go first?
0:33:43 > 0:33:45I'll go first. I am going to say...
0:33:45 > 0:33:48I'm going to say 1,035,000.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52OK, that's a bit of over-budget.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Let's go with 1,050,000.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58I'm afraid Catherine wins. 2-1.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02- This is actually the cheapest property we're showing you.- Oh.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07- What? - It's on the market for £965,000.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11- That's very surprising. - Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- I'm definitely in trouble now. - I'm speechless. How is that possible?
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- Well, because we left Surrey. - We left Surrey.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- That's amazing.- The only thing is that he has an offer on the table.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26- Oh.- So there's pressure.- OK, well,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29we have to discuss.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32I think this is going to be a one-sided discussion.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- So, get inside, explore...- OK. - ..and I'll see you out the front.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36Great.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42'This beautifully renovated home gives Matt and Catherine everything
0:34:42 > 0:34:48'they've asked for and comes in a surprising £35,000 under budget.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50'We've crossed counties to get here but,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53'with an hour-and-five-minute commute for Matt,
0:34:53 > 0:34:55'it's an easy journey into the city.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59'But, with an offer already on the table, they need to act quickly
0:34:59 > 0:35:02'if they want to get the keys to this impressive house.'
0:35:02 > 0:35:05I think it is a very well put together home and I put
0:35:05 > 0:35:10emphasis on "home" because I think it's very liveable, very comfortable.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14And the only thing I'm imagining is my three boys destroying it.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16It will never look this good.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21It's great, you know. Outside it's, again, what we're looking for.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25On the inside, not necessarily what we were expecting.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28It's a bit of a modern twist but it still has the character
0:35:28 > 0:35:31and the quirkiness we're looking for.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34I could not have asked to see anything better.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36So it's exciting.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41What a pleasing house. Everything about it is pleasing.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Even the porch. Even the wood stack is pleasing.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Did you find anything you didn't like about it?
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Not a thing for me.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53- Not yet. Nothing.- Nothing.- I looked hard, too. I looked very hard.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55You did. You were looking hard.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57OK, let's go and get away from the magic house and see
0:35:57 > 0:35:59if we can get some clarity.
0:35:59 > 0:36:00Perfect.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Surrey isn't just home to rolling hills and winding paths.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13At the turn of last century, 360 acres of farm
0:36:13 > 0:36:16and woodland in Weybridge, a town to the north of the county,
0:36:16 > 0:36:21became Brooklands, the birthplace of British motor sport.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22I've come to meet Allan Winn,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26director of the Brooklands Museum on the very site it all started.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32I have to 'fess up that I'm not a big petrol head, Allan,
0:36:32 > 0:36:35but actually the smell of oil in here is very evocative.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37This is where it really happened
0:36:37 > 0:36:41and you can still get the real spirit of what Brooklands was like.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Brooklands stands in the estate that, in the early 1900s,
0:36:45 > 0:36:47belonged to local landowner Hugh Locke King.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50He had a passion for motor racing,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52something that was all the rage in Europe.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54But, with our strict rules of the road,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56it was struggling to make its mark in Britain.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Motoring was still really at its infancy in this country.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03We'd really moved forward from a 4mph speed limit
0:37:03 > 0:37:04to a 20mph speed limit.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- 20mph?- I know.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10And no opportunity to go racing on public roads in this country.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14That was really the impetus behind Hugh Locke King
0:37:14 > 0:37:16building this amazing track.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20'It was on a visit to a motor racing event in Italy in 1906
0:37:20 > 0:37:22'that Hugh Locke King was shocked to discover
0:37:22 > 0:37:24'there were no British competitors.'
0:37:24 > 0:37:28There was nowhere in this country where you could legally drive
0:37:28 > 0:37:30and, therefore, develop a fast racing car.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33'The very same year it took 2,000 men nine months to build
0:37:33 > 0:37:35'Locke King's vision,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38'the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit.'
0:37:38 > 0:37:40- This is the track? - This is the track.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42It was two-and-three-quarter miles round,
0:37:42 > 0:37:45100-foot wide concrete all the way.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49This was the biggest concrete structure in the world at the time it was built
0:37:49 > 0:37:51and it was laid out
0:37:51 > 0:37:55very much on the lines of a horse racing circuit.
0:37:55 > 0:38:01'Between 1907 and 1939, over 1,200 races were held at Brooklands,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05'including the first British Grand Prix, staged here in 1926.'
0:38:05 > 0:38:07When did it close down as a track?
0:38:07 > 0:38:10It closed with the outbreak of war in 1939,
0:38:10 > 0:38:14so the last race was on the 6th August 1939.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17I can see all the cars, are you going to give me a tour of them?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Yeah, yeah, by all means.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22'The track never reopened and the aircraft industry,
0:38:22 > 0:38:26'which was already on site during the war, took over the land.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30'All was not lost and a remaining 32 acres now form the museum,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32'which preserves the memory of Brooklands
0:38:32 > 0:38:35'and its stretch of surviving track.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38'Today around 40 magnificent motor specimens
0:38:38 > 0:38:41'are proudly displayed in the museum.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44'The majority from the heady days when Brooklands was alive
0:38:44 > 0:38:46'with the sound of revving engines.'
0:38:46 > 0:38:49This is the fastest car, ever, around the Brooklands track,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52the Napier-Railton Special, built in 1933.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57Eventually lapped here at an average of 143.4mph.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59An average? What was its top speed?
0:38:59 > 0:39:01The fastest it would have gone on the track here,
0:39:01 > 0:39:04down the main straight, about 160/165.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Can we see the track? Can we see what's left of the track?
0:39:06 > 0:39:10Yeah, we should take you up there and let you see it.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12This is Edwardian concrete.
0:39:12 > 0:39:17The bulk of this concrete is the stuff that was laid in 1906/1907.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20- Is this your car? - Yeah, this is my car, a 1929 Bentley,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22absolutely ideal for driving on the Brooklands track.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Why don't you step aboard and come for a ride?
0:39:30 > 0:39:32It's amazing how ambitious they were,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34because they could have just done a flat circuit.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38And it would have been a lot slower and it wouldn't have had
0:39:38 > 0:39:42the enormous, iconic impact on the world of motor racing.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46We'll just nip up here a bit so you can get a feel for what it's like.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49My God! We're going really high!
0:39:50 > 0:39:54So, in period, they'd be racing along here at
0:39:54 > 0:39:57120-odd mile an hour at this bend.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09I could do that all day, what a very pleasant experience.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Thank you so much, it's been a real joy.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15'Driving around this track I can just imagine how exhilarating
0:40:15 > 0:40:18'racing here must have been 100 years ago.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21'In the coming months, Allan has plans to clear and restore
0:40:21 > 0:40:23'even more of the surviving track,
0:40:23 > 0:40:25'freeing up another quarter of a mile
0:40:25 > 0:40:28'to hold motoring events, bringing life back here
0:40:28 > 0:40:29'to the Brooklands circuit.'
0:40:32 > 0:40:36By the end of all the property viewings, I think it was pretty clear to all of us
0:40:36 > 0:40:39which of the three houses that Catherine and Matt liked the most.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42What we have to do now is pin them down to their plan of action
0:40:42 > 0:40:44and find out what happens next.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the first two houses
0:40:53 > 0:40:56are really being blown out of the water by the last.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- Is that correct?- That is correct.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00I would agree.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02What's going to happen next?
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- I mean, they're keen to move, you're keen to move.- Yeah.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07That's a good question, we love the house
0:41:07 > 0:41:10but we'd like to understand a bit more about where we are
0:41:10 > 0:41:12and amenities and schools.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14And, Catherine, are you feeling equally excited?
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Yes, I am very enthusiastic.
0:41:17 > 0:41:18I just, yeah...
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Just like Matt, want to take a drive around the area,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23figure out what the amenities are
0:41:23 > 0:41:28- and then, hopefully, we will put an offer in.- Oh...
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- Wouldn't that be exciting? - It would be very exciting for us.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Matt, you had doubts about this move. Are you convinced?
0:41:36 > 0:41:39I think we could be there. I don't want to say anything definitely,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- but...- You don't want to jinx it.- Yeah, exactly.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43It was a good property.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46Finally, we did go out of your search area.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48We are actually in West Sussex now.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50I think it's positive that the commute is shorter
0:41:50 > 0:41:52than the other two commutes.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55That, for me, was my main concern, the commute
0:41:55 > 0:41:58and, erm, if it's shorter in West Sussex,
0:41:58 > 0:41:59that's even better.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- And cheaper.- And cheaper.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04I genuinely hope that you two do buy that house and move here
0:42:04 > 0:42:08- because I do think you looked very happy there.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12- Well, best of luck, I hope it goes well. Thanks for taking part. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17I know I should be level-headed and impartial,
0:42:17 > 0:42:21but I really, really want Catherine and Matt to buy that house.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24It wasn't in Surrey, it was in West Sussex
0:42:24 > 0:42:28but I think it will be a lovely place for the three brothers to grow up.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I really hope that you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37'Matt and Catherine were ready to make their offer on our final house
0:42:37 > 0:42:39'but, after researching the area, they decided
0:42:39 > 0:42:42'that a proposed nearby development was something
0:42:42 > 0:42:44'they didn't want to live close to.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46'And, after continuing their house search around Horsham,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49'they found nothing that matched up to the mystery house
0:42:49 > 0:42:51'and, with their baby on the way,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54'they've decided to put an offer on a house in London
0:42:54 > 0:42:58'and will enjoy city life for a few more years.'
0:42:58 > 0:43:00If you'd like to Escape To The Country,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland,
0:43:02 > 0:43:04and would like our help,
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