0:00:02 > 0:00:04This country house was once home to a pioneering 19th-century
0:00:04 > 0:00:09social reformer whose face now lines our 21st-century purses and wallets.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Find out who she was and where I am in just a few moments.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Today, our house-hunting couple is taking early retirement
0:00:31 > 0:00:34so they can live out their rural idyll.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37I can't believe this. It's huge.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40And our properties never fail to deliver.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45It's not like a bathroom that we've seen before, is it?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- And a view out the window as well. - It's a room with a bath, it's lovely.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Today, I'm in Norfolk and behind me is Earlham Hall,
0:00:55 > 0:00:57childhood home to Elizabeth Fry
0:00:57 > 0:01:00whose face may look strangely familiar.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Born to a Quaker family back in 1780,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06she was a social reformist and philanthropist
0:01:06 > 0:01:10and her face now appears on the back of our £5 notes.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Fry dedicated her life to helping those in need, and though
0:01:13 > 0:01:16she's probably best remembered for improving the lives of women
0:01:16 > 0:01:20and children in prisons, she also campaigned for mental asylum reform,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23enhanced nursing standards as well as better housing for the poor.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Her legacy continues to echo today
0:01:26 > 0:01:30and many of her reforms underpin 21st-century society.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34A truly influential woman and one of this wonderful county's most famous
0:01:34 > 0:01:35and determined daughters.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Norfolk sits on England's east coast and is bordered by the North Sea
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and The Wash along its shoreline
0:01:43 > 0:01:47and Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk inland.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The county's known for its arresting flat countryside
0:01:50 > 0:01:53with crop-rich fields overlooked by tall church towers
0:01:53 > 0:01:57and endless views often scattered with vibrant red poppies.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00And the winding waterways of the Norfolk broads
0:02:00 > 0:02:03flanked by lush green reeds and open plains,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07have been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11The region is home to a variety of pretty seaside towns like Cromer
0:02:11 > 0:02:14and has a wealth of beautiful sandy beaches
0:02:14 > 0:02:17overlooked by rugged coastlines.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Hunstanton on Norfolk's northwest coast
0:02:19 > 0:02:22not only proudly displays its red and white chalk cliffs
0:02:22 > 0:02:24and oystercatchers pecking at the sand,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28but it's also one of the few places on England's east coast
0:02:28 > 0:02:32where the sun can be seen setting over the sea as the town faces west.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35All of these charming characteristics
0:02:35 > 0:02:39see an estimated 30 million tourists flocking to Norfolk each year
0:02:39 > 0:02:41but it also holds an alluring appeal
0:02:41 > 0:02:43to those wanting to call this county home.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50With such beautiful landscapes and vistas, it may surprise some to hear
0:02:50 > 0:02:53that the value of property in Norfolk is equally appealing.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56The average price of a detached house here
0:02:56 > 0:02:59comes in at just over £222,000.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03That's around £47,000 below the national figure.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Now, couple that with the fact that Norfolk is not only
0:03:05 > 0:03:07the fifth largest county in the UK
0:03:07 > 0:03:11but it also has the eighth lowest population density,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13making it an ideal choice for anybody looking
0:03:13 > 0:03:16for a slower, more rural pace of life.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19So let's find out from today's buyers what's inspiring them
0:03:19 > 0:03:23to make Norfolk the base for their future move.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Aerospace engineer Mark and his wife Steve
0:03:25 > 0:03:28have lived in this detached house in Luton in Bedfordshire
0:03:28 > 0:03:32for 29 years. They met at a party when they were just 17.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- I fell over you, I think, didn't I? - You did and I fell over you.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Apparently I fell over on the floor. I'd had slightly too much to drink.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Then I don't know if you said or I said we should stick together
0:03:41 > 0:03:44in case we break something.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47And then it was love!
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- It's our 40th this year.- It is.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Don't ask me the date! - We've been married nearly 40 years.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- So we got married in 1974. - Four, yeah.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59And we'd known each other since 1970.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03And with Mark taking early retirement in just two months' time,
0:04:03 > 0:04:05they've decided to up sticks and move to Norfolk,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08somewhere very close to their hearts.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11We're moving away because I want to move off estate,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13I want somewhere in the country.
0:04:13 > 0:04:19We've done phases of our life and this is a new phase in retiring
0:04:19 > 0:04:23and it gives us a new challenge and something to look forward to.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27We like the area that we want to buy a house in
0:04:27 > 0:04:30and we've spent lots of holidays and lots of time there
0:04:30 > 0:04:35so it was a natural progression to move from here to there.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38And Mark isn't expecting to rest on his laurels
0:04:38 > 0:04:40during his retirement in Norfolk.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42And of course it's got the steam railway.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44I think that's the main attraction,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47is the steam railway for a certain person in my life to go and work
0:04:47 > 0:04:52as a volunteer, working in the engine shed tinkering with nuts and bolts.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I don't want to be the train driver, I just want to work on it.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58I just like taking things apart and putting them back together again.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Engineering is in Mark's blood and at home his garage is shelter
0:05:01 > 0:05:05to his pride and joy which will be joining them in their move
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and will also need a new home.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11The car that I've got is, I had one when I was a kid,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13it brings back my youth.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16It needs to go into a garage because it's in extremely good condition.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21It's probably better than when it came out the factory in 1979
0:05:21 > 0:05:24so I need a decent dry garage to keep it in.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Steve and Mark are also passionate about their grandchildren
0:05:27 > 0:05:29whom they're extremely close to.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33We see them pretty regularly, which is going to be the difference
0:05:33 > 0:05:37between moving from here to moving away.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- They ask to come over for sleepovers at the weekends...- Yeah.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42..so that they can come and stay with us.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45So one reason why we need a four-bedroom house when we move
0:05:45 > 0:05:49is so that we can still accommodate them.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Steve makes sure that all the precious moments with her family
0:05:52 > 0:05:55are documented each year, never to be forgotten.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56Photography's my love.
0:05:56 > 0:06:02I do photography a lot, and after, post taking the pictures,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I do an annual photographic diary.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09So this year's one hopefully will show goodbye to the house
0:06:09 > 0:06:12where we lived in and hello to a new one.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15And with funds in the bank and Mark's retirement on the horizon,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17this busy couple are ready to celebrate
0:06:17 > 0:06:20their 40th wedding anniversary in Norfolk.
0:06:20 > 0:06:26Life up until now has always been involved with a work ethos and now
0:06:26 > 0:06:31that door's closing and another door is hopefully opening
0:06:31 > 0:06:37which will give us new adventures and possibilities and is quite exciting.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40It's going to slow me down, that's what I'm looking for,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43just slowing down and relaxing a bit more.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Steve and Mark have lost their hearts to Norfolk
0:06:48 > 0:06:51and are happy to move anywhere in the eastern county,
0:06:51 > 0:06:52if the house is right.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56So far they've spent a year viewing around 60 properties.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59So before we begin our hunt for their new home,
0:06:59 > 0:07:00I'm meeting them in the county
0:07:00 > 0:07:04to get to the bottom of their property desires.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Welcome, both of you, to a... What a simply beautiful Norfolk morning.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10So what's bringing you to this beautiful part of the world?
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Over 30 years ago, we started to come on holiday here
0:07:13 > 0:07:17when our children were small and we fell in love with it.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Now of course you've got children and grandchildren,
0:07:20 > 0:07:21you must see them all the time.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Is moving up here going to be a huge wrench for you?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- Quite possibly.- Yeah. - But it's our time now...- Yes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31..and we want to do something to share our retirement together
0:07:31 > 0:07:36and if we're here and the attraction is sandcastles and bucket and spade,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39I'm sure that they will be boomeranging down here.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Now, of course, we can't ignore the Norfolk coast.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44How far inland would you like to be
0:07:44 > 0:07:46or how far from the coast would you like to be?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48If we fall in love with the house,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52that will determine where we are and how long the drive is.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55What does this house look like in your mind's eye, then?
0:07:55 > 0:07:58We like light, open and airy.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01The house that we have at the moment is light, open and airy.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Style-wise, do you want character?
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Yes, character, anything. I think when you look at it, you'll know.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- How many bedrooms are we looking at? - Four. En-suite if we can.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- Outside space?- For me, as much as I can get, I think.- Yeah.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17If possible, I want to put a workshop on.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18Where do you want this property to be?
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Do you want to have amenities nearby or do you want to be out
0:08:21 > 0:08:23in the countryside, something completely different?
0:08:23 > 0:08:27The house dictates where we will be.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- I'm quite prepared to be quite remote...- Yes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32..but I think somebody else is not quite so prepared...
0:08:32 > 0:08:33- Yeah.- ..to be remote.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Detached, semidetached? What's your thoughts?
0:08:36 > 0:08:37A detached house, please.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- Detached?- Yeah, we've always been detached bar one.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Remind me of how much you're looking to spend?
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- We're looking at somewhere between £400,000 and £450,000.- Yeah.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Well, that's a good budget up here in Norfolk but let's face it,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51you've been looking for a long time and not found anywhere yet.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54What parts of your wish list do you think you'd be prepared
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- to compromise on?- I think most of it's open because...
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- Yeah.- ..we're willing to compromise anywhere.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04At the very, very, very, very least, you will know exactly what you want
0:09:04 > 0:09:07at the end of this process. But what we're going for is,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10hopefully, we'll find you somewhere where you want to live. Yeah?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Brilliant.- Somewhere we're comfortable in.- Yeah.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Somewhere you're comfortable in
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- and your family would love to visit and you can be proud of.- Yeah.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19All right, we've got three properties to show you.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23All I ask from you guys is that you voice your opinions
0:09:23 > 0:09:24so we can maybe learn along the way.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- OK.- All right?- Fabulous.- Right. - Vocal is good.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29I don't think I'm going to get that problem from these two.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31I'm just getting that sense. Listen, let's get started.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33- Come this way.- OK.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Steve and Mark have a healthy budget for this part of the world
0:09:39 > 0:09:42so I'm confident I'm going to be able to find them what they want
0:09:42 > 0:09:46but only they will know if it's got the right feel.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48They'd like a detached house with four bedrooms
0:09:48 > 0:09:51to put up visiting family and friends and a large garden
0:09:51 > 0:09:55so their young grandchildren can enjoy the fresh country air.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Mark would love a workshop and a large garage so he can tinker
0:09:58 > 0:10:01with his classic car and they'd like to be in a rural location
0:10:01 > 0:10:04but not too far from civilisation.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Steve and Mark know Norfolk well but are yet to find their forever home.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13We'll be showing them three very different properties
0:10:13 > 0:10:15and after they've had a good look around
0:10:15 > 0:10:17we'll reveal each one's price.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Their last visit will be to the mystery house.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23We'll be taking a bit of a risk, showing them something quite unusual
0:10:23 > 0:10:25and I just hope it pays off.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36We're starting our property search in the northeast corner of Norfolk
0:10:36 > 0:10:39in the village of East Ruston, three miles from the coast
0:10:39 > 0:10:42and a 30-minute car ride from Norwich.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45East Ruston is a small community with a traditional pub
0:10:45 > 0:10:47and a village hall in its centre.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Shops can be found less than three miles away in the village of Stalham
0:10:50 > 0:10:54and it's just a six-minute drive to the coastal village of Happisburgh
0:10:54 > 0:10:56with its beautiful sandy beaches.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Not only are they perfect for a seaside walk or run,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03the village also boasts the oldest evidence of human occupation
0:11:03 > 0:11:08anywhere in the UK after tools over 800,000 years old were found.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11A journey of just under three miles takes us back to East Ruston
0:11:11 > 0:11:15and our first house, a delightful period cottage.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Oh, wow.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- This is a pretty house, isn't it? - It is.- Yes.- Roses over the door.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- It's got the character.- Yeah.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- What do we think? I mean you said character.- Character.- Yes.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Yeah. It's got the character, yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Parts of this house go back 300 years.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- Good golly.- This used to be thatched. - Ah.- Right.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39Now back in about 1901, they took the thatch off...
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- Oh, really?- ..and then about 25 years ago,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- they went out the back as well with that extension.- Sure.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47This used to be a tiny farmhouse cottage.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49It's got a feel.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- The right feel?- Yes.- I like it. - Let's go inside.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Steve and Mark have said that they'll just know when they
0:11:55 > 0:11:58find their dream home and things are already looking hopeful.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Fingers crossed the good feeling continues inside.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04The front door leads through the hallway to the dining room
0:12:04 > 0:12:07which is also brimming with character.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10It's great, it's got the beams. It's light, there's plenty of light.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- It is light, yes.- And it's roomy.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17That's the old external wall. It would be very shallow, this house.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- Yes.- But thankfully they've managed to push an extension out that way
0:12:20 > 0:12:22which gives us a kitchen.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- Right.- Let me show you.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28It's a cottage kitchen, as far as I can see.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- Is it doable?- It is, yes.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32You've got enough cupboard space down the back.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- And it's light because we've got the...- The skylights.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37..skylights up there.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40'The kitchen is nestled between the dining room and the sitting room
0:12:40 > 0:12:42'which is where we're headed now.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46'It stretches from the front to the back of the house.'
0:12:46 > 0:12:49It's surprising because you see the room the other side, which is
0:12:49 > 0:12:53quite snug, and this one's got the other dimension
0:12:53 > 0:12:56for adding that extra width on, it's brilliant.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57Well, this is triple aspect as well
0:12:57 > 0:13:00so you're getting that nice, light, airy feel, aren't you?
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- And that is beautiful.- You're getting light from all directions.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06'And the period cottage character continues upstairs
0:13:06 > 0:13:10'where there's a family bathroom and three bedrooms.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13'A double to the back, another to the front
0:13:13 > 0:13:17'and the master which runs the width of the house.'
0:13:17 > 0:13:18It's big and it's light.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21It's got two nice windows with a beautiful view
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and a lighthouse over there.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I mean, imagine waking up to that view.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- That is just stunning, isn't it? - Yeah, that's beautiful.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32There's a couple of things you said you would love to have.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- First of all you said you wanted four bedrooms.- Yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38You get three bedrooms and a lovely family bathroom but...
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- Right.- ..three bedrooms, not four. - Right.- You can live with three?
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Now, you did say you wanted an en-suite, as well.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- Tah-dah!- Oh, well, I've got less cupboard space, then.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Great.- Oh, and a shower. - Yeah.- That's brilliant.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55When I first met Steve and Mark,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I wasn't sure if they knew what they wanted in their country home
0:13:58 > 0:14:01but this cottage is coming up trumps on all levels.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Hopefully it'll keep up the good work outside
0:14:03 > 0:14:05in its rather lovely garden
0:14:05 > 0:14:08with stunning views as far as the eye can see.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12This is something else, isn't it?
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- It's beautiful.- Gorgeous, isn't it? - It is, it's lovely.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Now, garage-wise, good size garage with power.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Yeah.- Boarded for storage at the top as well.- OK.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22So the classic car will go in there, that's fine.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Could you live here?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- Could we live here?- Yeah. - Yes, I think we could.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Do you want to live here?
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Probably.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32How much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Golly, I like it so...
0:14:35 > 0:14:37£425,000.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38OK. Mark?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40I was going to say £417,000.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46This place is on the market for offers around £380,000.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47Good golly.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Have you felt like this before in other houses that you've looked at?
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- I was going to have that conversation with Mark and say no.- No.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57So go back around the house
0:14:57 > 0:15:00and then I'll meet you out the front whenever you've finished.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02There's a nice chair in a sunny place out there.
0:15:02 > 0:15:03It's got my name written all over it.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- It's a tough job but I'll struggle through.- OK, thank you. Bye.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Fill your boots. Enjoy yourselves.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15This modernised Victorian cottage comes in at a substantial
0:15:15 > 0:15:19£70,000 under Steve and Mark's budget.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22It may not have the four bedrooms they were after
0:15:22 > 0:15:24but they've fallen in love with its character
0:15:24 > 0:15:26and are happy to compromise.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28It's got a garage for Mark's beloved classic car
0:15:28 > 0:15:32and a pretty garden with stunning views towards the coast.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33I think it works really well.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36It's sort of old but quite modern in its appearance.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I can't believe how light and airy this house looks.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43This house, I really like it, the way it's laid out and the fact
0:15:43 > 0:15:46it's still retained its cottage feel because I want to go into a house
0:15:46 > 0:15:50that I feel comfortable with and I feel really comfortable with this.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54The foliage up the house and its situation,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57how quiet it is here, was beautiful.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Going inside, it was full of surprises as well, basically,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04because I expected it to be dark and it wasn't.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06It's beautiful, I love it.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10My feelings are we could quite comfortably come and live here.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Well, I'd be very happy to come and wait for you for as long
0:16:15 > 0:16:18as you ever needed in that chair, it's absolutely gorgeous out here.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19It's beautiful out here.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- How did you get on inside, all right?- Lovely.- Yeah, great.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- Still great?- Yeah.- So, good start, then?- Very good start.- Yes, it is.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- Excellent. On to the next one.- OK.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36In the 30-plus years that Steve and Mark have been visiting Norfolk,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39they've enjoyed trips on the north Norfolk steam railway
0:16:39 > 0:16:42and are hoping to become volunteers here when they move.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46The railway was built in 1887 to attract tourists to the region
0:16:46 > 0:16:50and ran until 1967 when it closed because of national cuts.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55In the 1970s, a group of enthusiasts got together to resurrect it
0:16:55 > 0:16:58and it now provides a ten-and-a-half-mile round trip
0:16:58 > 0:17:02taking in the beautiful surrounding countryside with sea views.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Steve and Mark have come to meet general manager Trevor Eady
0:17:05 > 0:17:08at the scenic Heritage Railway, which runs from Sheringham to Holt,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10via Weybourne.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14How was the railway funded?
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Last year, we had 158,000 passengers
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and that's where our revenue is coming through
0:17:21 > 0:17:22for running the railway.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25The reason we survive is really because of volunteers.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30We have around 38 staff and just under 400 volunteers at the moment.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32My interest is in the engineering side.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Although I'm an aerospace engineer, I just love Victorian engineering
0:17:35 > 0:17:38because it's over-engineered. It just lasts.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40If you've got skills on the engineering side,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44then they would certainly be made use of if you came here.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- Here we are now here arriving at Holt.- At Holt station.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52There are five steam locomotives in operation at the railway,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56and Steve and Mark are joining Brian Toovey at the maintenance and
0:17:56 > 0:17:59restoration centre where the trains come to be serviced.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Brian volunteers here about 12 days a month.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05This is one of our little engines, Ring Haw.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08it's just come back into service again. It's been running.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12We're going to do some oiling up on it, clean the rods,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15keep it all nice and clean, nice and shiny for the customers
0:18:15 > 0:18:18so they can see that they're nice, presentable engines.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22When you become a volunteer, you start off cleaning the engines
0:18:22 > 0:18:26and this way, you get to learn your way round the engines,
0:18:26 > 0:18:30what all the bits do, how they work within each other.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34If I give you a rag and give you a rag and if I carry on wiping bits
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- and if you just follow behind wiping that part off.- OK.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41So when did you start volunteering?
0:18:41 > 0:18:44I started down here as a volunteer in 1982.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48I started doing exactly this job as a cleaner
0:18:48 > 0:18:52and then I slowly went through the different grades that we've got
0:18:52 > 0:18:54and finished up as a driver.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56The more you come down here,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59the faster you can progress through the ranks.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00Yeah.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Next stop for Steve and Mark is a visit to the heart of
0:19:02 > 0:19:05the whole operation - the Weybourne signal box.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09Most of the railway is single track but here in the middle of the route,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11there's a passing place for two trains.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14The signal box allows trains to safely leave the station,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18ensuring another train isn't coming in the opposite direction.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22Ed is one of our signalmen here
0:19:22 > 0:19:26and will show you how we operate the levers here
0:19:26 > 0:19:31and turn the points over and also the signalling aspect of it as well.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36The levers operate the signals and the points which direct the train
0:19:36 > 0:19:40to the right platform as it approaches the station.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42BELL RINGS
0:19:42 > 0:19:45OK, we've just had the bells through now
0:19:45 > 0:19:48that indicate the train is about to leave Sheringham.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52The train driver carries a token in a holder which confirms
0:19:52 > 0:19:55he has the right of way on that stretch of track.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56Right now, the locomotive's coming
0:19:56 > 0:19:58so what you've now got to do is
0:19:58 > 0:20:02collect the token from the locomotive, so hold your arm out
0:20:02 > 0:20:04and just make a bit more of a fist
0:20:04 > 0:20:08so that it comes on and stays there and let him do the work, all right?
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Oh, my God!- Just make sure you go through the centre.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21I thought that was fabulous, I really enjoyed it.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Thank you so much for letting us come
0:20:23 > 0:20:26and enjoy such a beautiful day here.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- Thank you, Trevor. It was lovely. - Thank you.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39For our second house, we're journeying just over 30 miles west
0:20:39 > 0:20:42to the rural village of Whissonsett, five miles south
0:20:42 > 0:20:46of the market town of Fakenham and 23 miles northwest of Norwich.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51In the village, there's little more than a handsome 14th-century church
0:20:51 > 0:20:53but in nearby Fakenham, there are plenty of
0:20:53 > 0:20:56shops and eateries to choose from.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00A 13-minute drive takes us back to Whissonsett and our second property
0:21:00 > 0:21:04situated in the heart of the village at the end of a stone driveway.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- So, another old house.- Yeah.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Not quite as old as the first one but what are your thoughts?
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Nice brickwork, flint stone on the side.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Yeah. Mark, what do you think? What are your impressions of,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21first of all where we are, right in the middle of this village?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23You're in the middle of the village but it's quiet.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- You come down the lane, it's quiet. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28The only things we've heard is two tractors going up and down.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Well, that's not bad, is it? - No.- No.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34This brick and flint house dates back to around 1800
0:21:34 > 0:21:36with some later additions.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39It's had extensive renovations and we're starting off our tour
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- in the first of two reception rooms. - Oh, wow.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Quite snug, parquet flooring in here and a wood floor in there.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Yeah, this was added later on. The current owners put this in.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53There was an inglenook fireplace in there, which...well, it was almost too big for the room,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56the owners thought, so they put that fireplace in there
0:21:56 > 0:21:57and I think it works perfectly.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00It's light because you've got two windows there
0:22:00 > 0:22:02and the window at the front here.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Behind the two reception rooms at the back of the house is
0:22:06 > 0:22:11a shower room and, across the hallway, a large kitchen-diner.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- It's a cracking ,kitchen isn't it? - It's fantastic, isn't it?
0:22:14 > 0:22:16And there's plenty of cupboard space for you.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17Plenty of work surface.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- A lot bigger than the last house, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23And it's got enough room to socialise in here with
0:22:23 > 0:22:25the table that's in here.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30It's big, it's square, it's light, it's got lots
0:22:30 > 0:22:32and lots of cupboard space.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Let's go upstairs and look at the bedrooms.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40We are heading straight for the largest of four bedrooms
0:22:40 > 0:22:41across a galleried landing.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- So the master bedroom... - Oh, wow.- ..is a very elegant affair.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52It is and really light, unlike the decor. French provincial.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54- Yes.- And it's bigger than the average room as well.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Yeah.- Yeah.- It's a large room.- Yes.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01This spacious bedroom has views to the back and side of the property.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04There's also two decent-sized doubles to the front of the house
0:23:04 > 0:23:08with a smaller room between them and the eye-catching family bathroom
0:23:08 > 0:23:11has a feature bath as its centrepiece.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13So what do you think?
0:23:13 > 0:23:16In comparison with the other house, this is a lot bigger.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- Yes. - And squarer, lighter rooms. Yeah.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23What do you think you prefer at the moment, Mark?
0:23:24 > 0:23:25- I'm tossing up between the two. - Yeah.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- Yeah, it's difficult. - Because they're totally different.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31The other one is a bit smaller
0:23:31 > 0:23:33but it's got a different character to this one.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36And I'm thinking, hmm...
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Causing us a problem.- Yeah.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Well, it's a good problem to have.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47'Well, I must say I'm rather surprised and rather pleased.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51'So far it looks like it's two out of two on our tour of Norfolk houses.'
0:23:51 > 0:23:52- Mind the step.- OK.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57'Steve and Mark seem to have that feeling here too and I think
0:23:57 > 0:23:59'they'll be even more confused when
0:23:59 > 0:24:03'I throw something else into the mix - a beautifully renovated barn.'
0:24:05 > 0:24:08I can't believe this. It's huge.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12You can see through there, you've got another studio room as well.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14We'll have to take in lodgers.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- Wow, this is... - We could put the grandchildren in here. Be a quiet night.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19- We could, we could. - Lock the door.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- There's another log burner in here. - Yeah.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- Now, one of the owners...- Yeah. - ..is a very keen photographer and framer.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Now, I was thinking you said you wanted to get into photography -
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- what a great studio this is. - It would be...
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- Yeah.- It's beautiful. You're right.
0:24:35 > 0:24:40- You've got room to drive a car into that top end.- OK.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43But I don't think you'd need to because you've also got a car port.
0:24:43 > 0:24:44Oh, wow.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48This is a house that just keeps on giving.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Attached to the car port is a workshop
0:24:50 > 0:24:54and the manicured gardens extend to around a third of an acre.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58So you can see, look, you've got a kitchen garden here.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Mark, you said you wanted as much garden as possible.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03It's a good-size garden.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04How do you price this?
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Ask Mark first.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10It's me first.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Well, you're looking at the size of the house and the property
0:25:13 > 0:25:18and the outbuildings and the amount of land you've got with it -
0:25:18 > 0:25:22I reckon it's got to be up the top end of the budget. £450,000.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24OK, 450. What do you say, Steve?
0:25:24 > 0:25:28I would agree with that, it is at the top end of our budget
0:25:28 > 0:25:31so I will say 445.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37Well, this place is on the market with a guide price of £439,000.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- Wow.- There's a lot...
0:25:39 > 0:25:42- For your money. - ..of what both you said you wanted.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- Yeah.- You guys, go and have a look around the rest of the house
0:25:44 > 0:25:47and I'll see you whenever you're finished. Fill your boots.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Coming in at around £11,000 under their top budget,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57this detached house will give Steve and Mark a decent amount of change
0:25:57 > 0:26:00and it has just the number of bedrooms they're after.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03The converted barn will be an ideal space for Steve to indulge in
0:26:03 > 0:26:07her love of photography and the workshop and car port will provide
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Mark with the space and shelter he's after for his classic car.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14The house sits in around a third of an acre, which not only comes
0:26:14 > 0:26:18with a ready-made vegetable garden, but is also a great space for
0:26:18 > 0:26:19the grandchildren to play.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- Ooh, lovely, claw feet bath. - Roll top bath.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- And roll top. - Yeah, it's a nice size as well.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28And two windows again so it's light and bright.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33It's not like a bathroom that we've seen before, is it?
0:26:33 > 0:26:37- And the view out the window as well. - It's a room with a bath. It's lovely.- Yeah.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40We've been a lot quieter with this house, because there's been
0:26:40 > 0:26:45so much more to take in and it fulfils a lot of things that we wished for.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49When you first see the house, it's got the look
0:26:49 > 0:26:54and you come in and it's got that light airiness but it's warm
0:26:54 > 0:26:57and for me, I've got to feel comfortable in a house
0:26:57 > 0:26:59and you are in this place.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01It's a nice cosy house,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04but at the same time it's light and it's bright.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06I have warm feelings about this house.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10I think that we would feel comfortable in here.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13There is enough space for us to entertain
0:27:13 > 0:27:17and for our family to come and visit and I can see
0:27:17 > 0:27:20that my grandchildren will take over the annexe quite happily.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25So how did you enjoy looking around that?
0:27:25 > 0:27:27We loved it and there's so much to see.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28Yeah.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30And there's a lot to think about.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Well, that's hopefully the case because I know you enjoyed this morning but now hopefully
0:27:34 > 0:27:37you've got two houses in the bag to think about tonight.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41We have and there'll be a lot of conversation.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Well, as long as you let Mark get a word in edgeways.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- OK, away you go.- Well done.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55It's day two of our journey through Norfolk,
0:27:55 > 0:27:59searching out the perfect home for Steve and Mark from Luton to retire to.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04They've got a good budget of £450,000 to spend on their country home
0:28:04 > 0:28:06and they both said they'll instinctively know
0:28:06 > 0:28:09when they find the house that's right for them.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Coming up, I'll be revealing our mystery house.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17There's enough for about five of us in the bed they've got there.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20And I'll be sampling a local Norfolk delicacy.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22It's a really nice, thick, tasty meat.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Well, after a cracking day yesterday, I'll be pretty disappointed
0:28:29 > 0:28:32if Steve and Mark don't go back to at least one of the houses
0:28:32 > 0:28:34we showed them for a second viewing.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Now today, as you can see, it's another glorious start
0:28:37 > 0:28:40here in Norfolk and we're off to see the mystery house.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Now, as you know, the mystery house sometimes represents
0:28:42 > 0:28:45a riskier prospect and this one is no exception.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48So far, the one thing I've learnt from Steve and Mark is
0:28:48 > 0:28:52they want a detached property, that is for sure, so guess what?
0:28:52 > 0:28:54We're off to see a semidetached house
0:28:54 > 0:28:58and on top of that, this one has a slightly more unconventional layout
0:28:58 > 0:29:01but if they're prepared to overlook these foibles,
0:29:01 > 0:29:04they could get their hands on the style of property that most people
0:29:04 > 0:29:08dream of buying when they look to make their escape to the country.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Let's see how we go.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Travelling just over 16 miles east
0:29:14 > 0:29:16takes us to our third and final house
0:29:16 > 0:29:18in the small village of Brandiston,
0:29:18 > 0:29:20ten miles northwest of Norwich
0:29:20 > 0:29:23and around a 40-minute drive from the coast.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24The village is pretty rural,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26but around a five-minute drive away
0:29:26 > 0:29:28is the attractive Georgian market town of Reepham,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31which has all the facilities nearby residents might need
0:29:31 > 0:29:33as well as pretty walking paths,
0:29:33 > 0:29:34perfect for a country stroll
0:29:34 > 0:29:37or a run, if Mark's feeling a bit more energetic.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39Just over two miles away
0:29:39 > 0:29:42and we're back in Brandiston at our mystery house.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46It's something a little out of the ordinary - converted cattle barns.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- Beautiful, isn't it?- It is.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Completely different. - We'll get the cars in that space.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Yeah, you've got enough space for your cars,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01- You've got enough space for everything.- Yeah.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03I'll explain to you what we have here.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07You've got a big L-shape so obviously from the garage there...
0:30:07 > 0:30:11- Yeah.- ..right the way around there to, see that upright black pipe...
0:30:11 > 0:30:14- Yeah.- That is the corner of your property.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16- That is the next door neighbour.- OK. - Yeah.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19I would normally take you inside the house, but because this property
0:30:19 > 0:30:22has something that I think you will love, let's start with that first.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24- A shed?- More than a shed.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Somewhere to put it, follow me.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31- Now look at this.- Wow.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34The best viewing point is just from this corner.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35You can see all the way down there.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- Oh, wow.- All the way down there and this is all yours, exclusively.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Wow. Wow.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44There's a lot of ground there.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- Yeah.- And you've got a really good view as well.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- So far you've absolutely loved the outside, haven't you?- Yeah.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- Let me show you the inside at long last.- Great.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56This stunning property sits in almost an acre of land, which
0:30:56 > 0:30:59has clearly impressed Steve and Mark and they don't seem to mind
0:30:59 > 0:31:01the fact that it's semidetached at all.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05We're starting off our tour in the striking kitchen.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09I love the ceiling and I love the kitchen.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Not wanting to pre-empt anything,
0:31:11 > 0:31:14is there another dining room or is that going to be a kitchen-diner?
0:31:14 > 0:31:15I think this is your dining room.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18I think we do spend a lot of time here, that's social
0:31:18 > 0:31:21because you can get out into the garden and you've got lovely views.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23It's lovely.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27- I can't be happier, it's a great size and I like it a lot.- Good.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33This beautifully converted barn is laid out in an inverted L-shape.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35We're moving from the top of the property,
0:31:35 > 0:31:37where the kitchen is located with an adjoining utility room,
0:31:37 > 0:31:40to the side where the sitting room is found,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43sandwiched between the bedrooms and overlooking the courtyard garden.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49It's absolutely beautiful.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52It's more than impressive, it's a wow, isn't it? Vaulted ceiling.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Vaulted ceiling, inglenook fireplace.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. - Yeah. I can go through the list.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01You've come up trumps here, haven't you?
0:32:01 > 0:32:03And there's plenty of light - all those windows there.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Yeah, you couldn't wish for anything more.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09I wasn't sure I could top Steve and Mark's reactions to our first
0:32:09 > 0:32:12two houses, but the mystery house is certainly working hard for
0:32:12 > 0:32:15its place as a serious contender.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19This wing of the barn has a family bathroom, a bedroom-cum-study,
0:32:19 > 0:32:22a double bedroom and past a single bedroom is the master,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25the largest of the four bedrooms.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27We're en-suite here, which has got to be good news.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- So what do you think? - Another vaulted ceiling.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31It's got character.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34There's enough for about five of us in the bed they've got there.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37Now for guests, I mean, let's talk about the grandchildren.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39You've got all the bedrooms you need.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42This is quite a grand offering here now, isn't it?
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- There's a lot there.- Yeah.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49Heading back outside, where there's plenty on offer too,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52with a double car port perfect for Mark's classic car
0:32:52 > 0:32:54sitting in almost an acre of land.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58How are you feeling?
0:32:58 > 0:33:00- Over the moon.- Excited.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Over the moon? Wow.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Well, let's see if we can add to that in guessing the price.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08OK, then, Mark, go ahead.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11It's over our budget so I'd probably say £460,000, £470,000.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14- Which one?- 460.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17OK. Steve, what say you?
0:33:17 > 0:33:22I think it's over budget and if he says £460,000, I'll say £470,000.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25When it first came on the market it was over budget.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27It's now on for offers around £450,000.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- Spot on budget, then. - What do you think, Mark?
0:33:32 > 0:33:34They've just gradually got better.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37The first one was good, really good, good aspects.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41The second one was in a village, had everything we wanted and this one...
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- Has surpassed that. - Yeah, yeah. You've just got better.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47I think you should have a bit of time here on your own.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- To have a look around. - Look around the place, get to know the lie of the land...
0:33:50 > 0:33:52- Yeah.- Quite literally. - Yeah.- Take us long as you need.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- Honestly, all right? - We will.- And I'll see you at the end.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01This superbly designed brick and tile barn conversion is bang
0:34:01 > 0:34:03on Steve and Mark's upper budget
0:34:03 > 0:34:05but they would have to do virtually nothing to it.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08It has just the amount of rooms they're looking for
0:34:08 > 0:34:11to accommodate visiting family and friends and although it's
0:34:11 > 0:34:13semidetached, the next-door neighbour is only attached
0:34:13 > 0:34:17at the far end of the property adjoining the guest bedroom.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Outside is a blank canvas of a garden which Mark
0:34:19 > 0:34:22could make his own and although the location feels rural,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25it's only a couple of miles from local amenities.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28They're using it as a study but we could have this as a bedroom
0:34:28 > 0:34:29so that the kids can stay in here.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31Can put the grandkids in here quite easily.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35When I said at the beginning that we'd know the house
0:34:35 > 0:34:38when we walked into it, this house has done exactly that, that we
0:34:38 > 0:34:42walked inside and I knew this was the house we wanted to live in.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44You can walk in and you feel comfortable.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46There's nothing there that you can see that's out of place
0:34:46 > 0:34:48or you don't like.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53It's, that bit where you think you've got everything
0:34:53 > 0:34:55and there's a bit more, well, this place has got everything
0:34:55 > 0:34:57and it's got that bit more.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04- So - pretty successful morning, I think.- It has been. - Very good.- Hmm.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Well, hopefully we've given you lots to discuss
0:35:07 > 0:35:11- so let's find you somewhere to do just that, shall we?- Yeah.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Half of Norfolk's border runs along beautiful coastline,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24and the seaside town of Cromer on its northeast coast
0:35:24 > 0:35:27is world-famous for its crab.
0:35:27 > 0:35:28I've come to meet Kevin Jonas,
0:35:28 > 0:35:33who has followed in his father's footsteps working in the local crab business.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37So, Kevin, how long have people been potting for crabs here in Cromer?
0:35:37 > 0:35:40I think the first records go back to around about 300 years ago.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- Wow. 300 years?- Yes, yeah.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45What makes Cromer crabs so special, then?
0:35:45 > 0:35:49We generally think that the crabs are smaller around here and
0:35:49 > 0:35:53- they grow more slowly and therefore they are more fully meated...- OK.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55..and they have a much more tender flavour.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Two years ago, the town's largest crab factory shut down,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04leaving a gap in the market for supplying Cromer crab to large supermarkets.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09Kevin stepped in and opened his own site nine months ago.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13He's hoping to process 200 tonnes of crab in his first year,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16keeping his prize catch on shelves countrywide.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Sounds like things are going well. Now I understand,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24is it your nephew that works within the company as well?
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- Yeah, John fishes our own boat, yes. - So he's out at the moment?
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- That's correct, yes. - What sort of time does he go out?
0:36:29 > 0:36:31About first light, about 3:30 this morning.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34I'm going to go over there and meet him. I'll catch up with you later.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- OK. Cheers. Bye. - Thanks very much, Kevin.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40John became a fisherman straight from school and he's been
0:36:40 > 0:36:44potting for crabs for Kevin's factory for the last seven years.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46He takes the family boat out six days a week,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48travelling two to three miles from shore,
0:36:48 > 0:36:53where he has a string of around 12 pots lying on the seabed 20 metres down.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- Good morning, John. How are you? - I'm fine, thank you, and yourself?
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Yeah, pretty good, thanks. How did you get on?
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Nearly three boxes of crab and about six lobsters.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05- Can we have a look? - Yeah, sure, yeah.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08The crabs need to be four and a half inches long
0:37:08 > 0:37:10to be legally taken out of the water.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Any smaller, and they're put straight back in.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16So point out what makes this fella a good crab.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19- When the crab is full of meat... - Yeah.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20..they actually bulge out more.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- Bursting out of its shell...- Yeah.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24- There's loads of meat in there.- Yeah, yeah.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- How old will this fella be, do you think?- I should say nine, ten years.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30And they take seven years to get to legal length.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33I'm going to meet your uncle back on the beach
0:37:33 > 0:37:34so I'll leave him to you, John.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- Thanks very much.- Thank you. - Good luck.- Cheers.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39'The proof of the pudding is in the tasting
0:37:39 > 0:37:43'and I can't wait to sample this local delicacy.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44'I'm heading back over to Kevin
0:37:44 > 0:37:47'to try some of this little crustacean that has put Cromer
0:37:47 > 0:37:50'firmly on Norfolk's culinary map.'
0:37:50 > 0:37:52How long have they been landed?
0:37:52 > 0:37:55They would have been cooked at our factory yesterday.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57- That's fresh, isn't it? - That's fresh, yeah.
0:37:57 > 0:37:58How long do they cook for?
0:37:58 > 0:38:00About 20 minutes for these sort of size crabs.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02This is a fully meated female crab
0:38:02 > 0:38:04but as it's cooked, the meat has expanded
0:38:04 > 0:38:06so it's broken its membrane.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08So this here, this bit has just expanded
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- because of all the meat inside. - That's correct, all the meat inside.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13If I hold up the male crab,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15- you can see it's a much narrower apron.- Yeah.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18'The apron is a triangle of shell on the underside of the crab.'
0:38:18 > 0:38:21And also the male has bigger claws and therefore...
0:38:21 > 0:38:23These are much bigger than those, aren't they?
0:38:23 > 0:38:25- Yeah, and much more white meat. - Is there is a preference?
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Do people say, "Right, can I have a male crab or a female crab?"
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Absolutely, yes, they do.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Some people like, if you like more brown meat,
0:38:32 > 0:38:34- sweeter brown meat, that's the female.- Yeah.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37If you like the white meat, they go for the males.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39- It's easy to open.- Oh, wow.
0:38:39 > 0:38:40Just comes away like that.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- So you can see all that lovely fresh meat in there.- Yeah.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45And then you put your finger under there
0:38:45 > 0:38:49and take out all the digestive part there.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52- OK.- So all that is left in there is then edible, brown meat.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55But what we would then do is we'd take the legs off.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01And take the claws off.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03There's a bit of brown meat in the middle there,
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Goes into the bottom there with the rest of it.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Yeah, and that's how you see it, isn't it?
0:39:08 > 0:39:10That's correct, yes.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12So we pick those parts of white meat out there.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15That is what the Cromer crab is all about. They're smaller
0:39:15 > 0:39:18but they're fully meated and they taste absolutely out of this world.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20So I think I need to try it for myself. Can I?
0:39:20 > 0:39:22- Yeah, absolutely, help yourself. - Right.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Oh, wow, you can tell it's fresh.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30It tastes, it's a really nice thick, tasty meat.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33I'm going to try some of that brown meat as well
0:39:33 > 0:39:35because this is the sweeter stuff, isn't it, the brown meat?
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Absolutely, yeah, that's the female crab
0:39:37 > 0:39:40so that'll be slightly more delicate flavour than the male crab.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- That tastes absolutely gorgeous. - Yeah.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46'It doesn't get much better than this for al fresco dining.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49'Sumptuous locally caught seafood with views of the beautiful
0:39:49 > 0:39:51'Norfolk coastline to boot.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54'Well, my tummy's been satisfied and I'm eager to find out if
0:39:54 > 0:39:58'Steve and Mark are ready to call this wonderful county home.'
0:39:58 > 0:40:00I wish you all the very best of luck.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- Thank you so much.- You're welcome.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11So after looking around three cracking properties,
0:40:11 > 0:40:13I'm pretty confident that from Mark
0:40:13 > 0:40:16and Steve's point of view, the mystery house is coming out on top.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Time to catch up with them to find out their thoughts.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25- Hi.- Hi.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Well, after the reactions I saw this morning,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31I've got a fair idea of what the favourite property may be.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32- Put me out of my misery. - Mystery house.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34- The mystery house.- Mystery house.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Course it is. What do you what to do about it?
0:40:36 > 0:40:39- Get my cheque book out. - Do you? It's that good?
0:40:39 > 0:40:41- Yes.- Yeah, it's that good.- Yes.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45For me, it was always a dream to try and own a converted barn.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Common sense says forget it because you're never going to be able
0:40:47 > 0:40:50to afford it but you've come up trumps with that
0:40:50 > 0:40:53and you've come up trumps with all the other bits we wanted -
0:40:53 > 0:40:55the double garage,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58the en-suite and the land that goes with it is phenomenal.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02I think it's the home for us to retire to, basically
0:41:02 > 0:41:06because it fulfils everything on our wish list.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07- Everything?- Hmm.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11What does it feel like to know that you've found somewhere to retire to?
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- What does it mean to you both? - You're living the dream.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15- Excited.- Are you?
0:41:15 > 0:41:17- Hmm.- What is your next step?
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- Get in touch with the agent... - Yeah.- ..and put a bid in.- Yes.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22- As simple as that.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23I must say that's music to my ears.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26I was worried at the start of the week,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28you said you'd been looking for such a long period of time.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Whoever's designed and built that house,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33I think they almost built it with you in mind, didn't they?
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- They did, they certainly did. - I think they did.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- Where are you going? Are you going to go to the estate agents from here?- Yeah.- Yes.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Well, I wish you both the very best of luck.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44I mean, it does seem completely suited to you
0:41:44 > 0:41:48so whatever happens or hopefully when you secure the deal...
0:41:48 > 0:41:50- let us know, won't you? - Yeah, we'll do that.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52- We will do that. - Let's toast to that.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- Go on, then.- Cheers.- Cheers. - Thanks, Jonnie.- Good luck.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04For most of us, when we look to buy a property,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07our primary focus is understandably on its location,
0:42:07 > 0:42:10but as Mark and Steve have been here to Norfolk
0:42:10 > 0:42:13so many times over the past 30-odd years, they instinctively knew
0:42:13 > 0:42:15if an area worked for them
0:42:15 > 0:42:18and then they were able to focus on a house itself.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20But I must admit I was getting a bit concerned
0:42:20 > 0:42:23when they seemed to be falling in love with everything we showed them.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27That was until they saw the mystery property.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Sure, it had everything they said they were after
0:42:29 > 0:42:33on their shopping list but it also had that one thing that
0:42:33 > 0:42:36you can't quite put your finger on and that's the feeling
0:42:36 > 0:42:39it gives you when you first see it and you walk over the threshold.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42So, hopefully we'll hear some good news later this afternoon
0:42:42 > 0:42:45once they've had a visit to the estate agents.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47I'm looking forward to finding out.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52Steve and Mark had their offer on the mystery house accepted
0:42:52 > 0:42:55the very next day but unfortunately, the sale has since fallen through.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59We wish them the very best of luck as their house search continues.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02If you would like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:43:02 > 0:43:06Scotland, Wales or England and need our help, please apply online: