0:00:02 > 0:00:04This sheltered oasis is home to a warm and humid microclimate,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08ideal for growing exotic plants that otherwise would not
0:00:08 > 0:00:11prosper in this part of the world. Find out where I am
0:00:11 > 0:00:14and how this incredible garden was made in just a moment.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35On our house hunt today, gardens become a bit of an issue.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It's a lot smaller than we would like.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42But there are other important considerations too.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Any down sides, any worries?
0:00:44 > 0:00:46It's not quite close enough to the pub.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- It's a two minute walk instead of one.- It's at least 50 paces.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Today we're in Northumberland and these are the amazing
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Quarry Gardens of Belsay Hall, which was built back in the beginning
0:01:00 > 0:01:04of the 19th century by Sir Charles Monk, who basically dug up the
0:01:04 > 0:01:07stone for it from his own garden and had it excavated so it looked like
0:01:07 > 0:01:11a romantic ravine with ornamental ponds and this amazing arch.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14It was inspired by Monk's two-year grand tour of Europe.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Particularly by the ancient Quarry Gardens of Sicily
0:01:17 > 0:01:21and as you can see, it still provides an ideal climate
0:01:21 > 0:01:25for these exotic plants that don't usually flourish this far north.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31Northumberland is the most northern English county, bordering
0:01:31 > 0:01:35Scotland to the north, Cumbria to the west and Durham to the south.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38The county's landscape is rich and appealing - offering large swathes
0:01:38 > 0:01:41of farmland and forest, well-preserved villages
0:01:41 > 0:01:44and a beautiful coastline with rocky shores,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47wide sandy beaches and rolling dunes.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Heading south and inland lies the attractive market town of Morpeth.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Nestled in the Wansbeck Valley, it is the administrative centre
0:01:56 > 0:01:59of the county and offers a history stretching back 1,000
0:01:59 > 0:02:02years to the Norman conquest.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05One of Morpeth's most famous landmarks is its beautiful
0:02:05 > 0:02:07clock tower.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11To the south of the county and towards the popular Tyne Valley
0:02:11 > 0:02:15lies a constant reminder of its stormy past - Hadrian's Wall.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Built in the 2nd century AD on the orders of Emperor Hadrian,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22it marked the northwest limit of the Roman Empire.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Heavily garrisoned, it was designed to control the movements of
0:02:26 > 0:02:28people and goods across the border.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Today, it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Northumberland is full of surprises and such beautiful landscapes,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40it's hard not to see the attraction of this unspoilt region.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48Northumberland's a great mix of rural countryside and history,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51but it's also good value when it comes to property shopping.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54The average price for a detached house here is £220,000,
0:02:54 > 0:02:58which is £48,000 less than the national figure,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00although there are regional differences.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03If you want a well-connected market town with a good
0:03:03 > 0:03:06catchment area for schools, then you might pay a third more
0:03:06 > 0:03:10than in some of the small mining villages in the area.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13So, what is it that's attracted our buyers here today?
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Today's buyers are Michelle and Steve.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Michelle is from the town of South Shields in the Northeast,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24but yearns to live somewhere more rural.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28She works as a lecturer in marine studies, while Steve is a
0:03:28 > 0:03:30marine engineer.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32They're keen to buy their first house together in the
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Northumberland countryside and have just started renting locally.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39But as they've both been overseas on business for the past month,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43they haven't spent much time together so far.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Michelle and I met on a passenger ship some years ago.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49I was working as an engineer in the engine room
0:03:49 > 0:03:52and Michelle was a deck officer on the bridge
0:03:52 > 0:03:55and we ended up on the same watch routine together.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- So that's how we met.- Yeah. We became friends, didn't we, yeah?
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- Yeah, we were friends first.- Yeah.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05It's exciting times for them as they are soon to tie the knot.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06Me and Steve are getting married.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09We've got a month to go now, so countdown's on.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14Steve is originally from London and has recently made the move north.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17The appeal of Northumberland for me
0:04:17 > 0:04:21is you have the countryside on your doorstep.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22The people are really friendly.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Just the way of life is very relaxed.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Although they've just moved in together, they are more used
0:04:28 > 0:04:29to living apart.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32It's going to be an interesting challenge for both of us at first.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- Yeah.- I think I've lived on my own for a very long time, so to then
0:04:36 > 0:04:39have to live with somebody it's going to be very different.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40An imposter. Yeah.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42No, we'll be all right.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45As long as he helps with the housework it'll be fine.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- Yeah. - HE LAUGHS
0:04:48 > 0:04:51In their spare time Michelle and Steve have many interests,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55but perhaps their biggest passion is astronomy.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00The interest in stargazing came from Michelle actually because she,
0:05:00 > 0:05:04being a deck officer, she knew a little bit about it to start with.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08So, I bought Michelle a telescope one Christmas a few years ago
0:05:08 > 0:05:12and we've been sort of learning more and more ever since then.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15They both seem to know what they want from the new house.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18What we're looking for in the new property is a minimum of three
0:05:18 > 0:05:23bedrooms and a nice garden and also plenty of storage, I think.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Yeah, we've got quite a bit of, quite a bit of stuff, I think, yeah.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Getting married and moving into their own home is really
0:05:29 > 0:05:31going to make a difference.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34I think the move will change our lives for the better,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36because we'll actually have a normal relationship.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Because for six years we've never properly lived together.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42We've either been working on a ship and then when we've both come
0:05:42 > 0:05:45to work ashore, I'm in the Northeast and Steve's been in London.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47So we've had to travel every weekend.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50So for us, just things like coming home from work
0:05:50 > 0:05:53and cooking dinner together or even just watching TV together,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56it's something that we haven't really been able to do properly.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59So, just to try and get normal and settled.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02A big improvement for both of us, I think.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Even if I pick up the Northeast accent.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07You can do quite a good impression though.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Our buyers are flexible on the property's location, although they
0:06:12 > 0:06:16do need to be within fairly easy reach of South Shields and Newcastle
0:06:16 > 0:06:21respectively for work, and they would prefer a village location.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Before we begin our search, I'm meeting them to dig a little
0:06:24 > 0:06:26bit deeper into what they're after.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- Welcome to Northumberland, you two. - Hi, Alistair.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- Sort of a home from home for you? - Just a bit, yeah.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32But a new home for you,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34because you've sort of just moved up here to work here.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Yeah, very recently. Yeah, moved up from London.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40It's very different to London, of course, but I really enjoy it.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- This will be the first house you've bought together?- Mmm.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Yeah, yeah. We're getting married and so actually it's going to be the
0:06:46 > 0:06:48first time we've lived together properly,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- so it should be interesting. - Yeah. Hmm.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52THEY LAUGH
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Good. And how much longer have you got in the rented accommodation?
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Just a couple of months left now.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58A couple of months, so the pressure's on yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- So the clock's ticking?- Yeah.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Oh, right, OK, we'd better get cracking.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05What exactly are you looking for? Tell me about your dream home.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Dream home.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Well, we want something hopefully that is a property with character.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Maybe something slightly older,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- but doesn't necessarily need to be too old.- OK.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18We'd like a detached if possible, but semidetached, possibly yeah.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- That would work too?- Yeah. - Yeah, that's it.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23And not so crowded, you know, to the neighbours.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26It seems like everybody's on top of each other.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28We want a bit of space and a nice garden as well.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- Yeah. A garage, of course. - A garage.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33We've got quite a long list. And a nice kitchen.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36I'd love somewhere with a real fire or the potential for a log burner
0:07:36 > 0:07:39or something like that. We'd like the house to have some storage.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Yeah, yeah. You know, we do need a bit of storage.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44What sort of stuff are you storing?
0:07:44 > 0:07:45Don't say shoes. THEY LAUGH
0:07:45 > 0:07:48I've just got rid of loads of clothes and shoes,
0:07:48 > 0:07:49so you can't say it's all for my stuff.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52No, it's just we've got some hobbies that we want to start
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- and get involved in and things, so we'll just...- Stargazing?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Yeah, we love that, so we're hopefully somewhere where
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- there's not too many street lights. - And remind me again of your budget.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Budget - £300,000.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Well, I mean, your budget is really healthy.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06There's lots of property out there.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08We'd better get cracking then. The car's this way.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Michelle and Steve have £300,000 to spend.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17They'd like a village house with a generous kitchen to satisfy
0:08:17 > 0:08:19their interest in cooking.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22They're after at least three bedrooms and would like a
0:08:22 > 0:08:23good sized garden.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27We have three impressive properties to show them, but I won't be
0:08:27 > 0:08:30revealing the price tag until we've completed each tour.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33The last will be the mystery house, which is chosen to challenge
0:08:33 > 0:08:35what they think they want in a home.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41So, do you feel kind of that you will be agreeing or can you
0:08:41 > 0:08:43already see points of contention?
0:08:43 > 0:08:46I think we're kind of along a similar line, aren't we?
0:08:46 > 0:08:47Yeah, I think we're in agreement now.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50I think we both know what we want and I think there might be
0:08:50 > 0:08:53some things that I'm more bothered about than Steve.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55So, what are you more bothered about then, Steve?
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Mostly the storage actually, funnily enough, yeah.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- He's more for storage and stuff. - So, you want a man cave?
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Yeah, yeah, definitely.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I want a woman's cave as well.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- His and her caves.- Yeah.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Our first house is in the hamlet of North Togston, which is just
0:09:15 > 0:09:17outside the coastal town of Amble.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22Amble is a busy town which lies at the mouth of the River Coquet.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Today it's a fishing centre and has many leisure boats and a boat club.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30It's just over a mile away from our first property in North Togston,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34which is built of stone and set in a beautiful location.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37Here we are. House number one.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Oh, it looks good. Yeah, it looks lovely.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- It's cute, yeah. - As you can see, it's not detached.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Part of a little community. But we thought you'd like it here
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- because there is absolutely no light pollution whatsoever.- Yeah.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- You can see the Milky Way from your garden.- Yeah, wow.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Steve, if you just spin around a bit, over here...
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- Yes.- Yes.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59And do you know how many of those belong to you?
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- At least one.- Two.- Two.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- Excellent.- His and her garages.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Initial first impression is nice. I like the little front garden.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09It's quite low-maintenance as well, isn't it?
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Yeah, just excited to see inside.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- Do you want to peek inside? - Yeah, let's.- Yes, please, yeah.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18The house was built 14 years ago, but it has lots of character,
0:10:18 > 0:10:20so I hope it will appeal to them.
0:10:22 > 0:10:23Straight into the kitchen.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- Oh, yeah.- Oh, it's nice.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29Is it nice?
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- It's a little bit smaller than I would have liked.- Yeah.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33But I like the cooker. It's lovely.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37I like the units. You could just move in, couldn't you?
0:10:37 > 0:10:39And you've got quite a nice sort of utility room,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- boot room through there.- Oh, yeah.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43So, it doesn't feel so cramped though, does it?
0:10:43 > 0:10:46No, it's nice. I like it, yeah.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49So, good. So, marks out of ten for the kitchen?
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- 6.5.- Yeah. I was going to say between six and seven.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Yeah, I'm the same.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57- So not top, but OK.- Yeah.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Let's move through to the sitting room. Straight across.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05This is where all the room is.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- Yeah.- Oh, that's lovely. Nice and bright, isn't it, yeah.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11It's got a nice fireplace there as well. What kind of fire?
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Yes, it's a multi-fuel burner, so you can put coal or wood.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17I could imagine being quite cosy when it's on.
0:11:17 > 0:11:18It's a good size.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21They've divided it with a sort of dining room at this end,
0:11:21 > 0:11:22cos it's nearer the kitchen,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25and then you've got the French doors going out into the gardens.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27You could just move in. It's immaculate.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28Yeah, it's lovely.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31You've got a downstairs bathroom and an upstairs bathroom as well
0:11:31 > 0:11:35and you've got three bedrooms, but two are upstairs and one downstairs.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- OK.- So we can explore those.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41The third bedroom is along the hallway.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44It's a good size and being used as a second sitting room.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49This is what they use as the master.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Oh, lovely.- It's the biggest by far. - Oh, wow.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54The first thing I noticed was just the view. Wow, yeah.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- It's a light house. - It's a lovely sized one, isn't it?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Yeah, it's the sort of size we're looking for.- Yeah.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- I mean, for a bedroom, yeah. - There's more inside than I thought.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Just obviously from outside it looked relatively
0:12:04 > 0:12:06small from the outside.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09But actually, the rooms are a lovely size when we've came in.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Yeah, yeah. So, is it creeping up from 6.5?
0:12:12 > 0:12:15It is, yeah. Yeah, overall, good vibes.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Excellent. Let's look outside, because the garden's not huge,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19but it's very pretty.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27So, it's a little jewel of a garden.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29It's very pretty.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32But it's not huge.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38It's a lot smaller than I would, than I think we would like.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Is that a deal-breaker do you think?
0:12:40 > 0:12:43I think it would probably be a deal-breaker for me personally,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45I think. I don't know about you.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Yeah, I'd have to agree. Yeah, it is very small.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51So, what do you think it's on the market for?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54I'm going to say I think £280,000.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- Steve.- I'd go a bit higher, I think. About £285,000.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59Well, that's a very accurate guess.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Steve, in fact, you are completely correct.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04It is on at £285,000.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06So it's a little slice of Northumberland,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- but maybe too little.- Yeah, unfortunately yes, a bit too small.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Head back in there and I'll meet you at the front.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13OK, thank you.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17The first house is on the market
0:13:17 > 0:13:19for £15,000 less than their budget
0:13:19 > 0:13:21and would offer them
0:13:21 > 0:13:23a pretty stone cottage.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25The small kitchen is compensated for
0:13:25 > 0:13:27by a huge lounge/dining room.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28There are three bedrooms,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30two bathrooms
0:13:30 > 0:13:32and a small paved back garden.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33It's fairly well placed
0:13:33 > 0:13:34for their commute,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36being 30 miles from South Shields
0:13:36 > 0:13:37and 26 from Newcastle.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Oh, it's fantastic. I mean, you could get all of your stuff in.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Up the top, you could put your...
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- Yeah, there's plenty of room for the bikes.- Yeah.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50What I particularly liked about the property was, let's say,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53the look of the house from the outside.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55It's a very pretty, quaint-looking property.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59I also like the views, the surrounding area.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02It's very quiet, but it looks very beautiful as well.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05The property itself, it's immaculate inside.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07You could just move in. I liked all of that.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11In particular, I liked the double garage that comes with
0:14:11 > 0:14:13the house and also the living room.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16There's plenty of space for what we would need.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21Lots of storage, of course, and I think we could make it our own.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24At first I could see myself living in the house.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28When you come inside it's lovely and bright, lovely and airy.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Unfortunately, the outside is a bit of a deal-breaker for me personally.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39- OK, guys, first house done. - Yes.- Yes.- Don't despair.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47Up the coast in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:14:47 > 0:14:50lies the attractive fishing port of Seahouses.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53The large village is credited with being the birthplace of
0:14:53 > 0:14:56modern-day kippers or smoked herrings.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Our buyers enjoy cooking together, so we've arranged for them to
0:14:59 > 0:15:02get a flavour of Northumberland by meeting ex-fisherman
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Patrick Wilkin, whose business uses time-honoured techniques to smoke
0:15:06 > 0:15:09this local delicacy.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13So, how important would you say the kipper is to Northumberland?
0:15:13 > 0:15:17They say the kipper was invented in Seahouses in 1843 by a man
0:15:17 > 0:15:20called John Woodger. It was all done by accident.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24He had some sheds with his herring in and they went on fire one night.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26While trying to salvage the fish out,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30they liked to smoky taste, so it was all really done by accident really.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Like, trial and error.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34So, whereabouts do you actually smoke the fish?
0:15:34 > 0:15:37One of our smokehouses is just at the top of the hill there,
0:15:37 > 0:15:38which is just a five-minute walk.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43The stocks of local herring are now a fraction of what they used
0:15:43 > 0:15:47to be years ago, so Patrick has to get his fish from Norway and
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Iceland, where supply is plentiful.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Patrick and his wife's business operates out of the original
0:15:53 > 0:15:56smokehouses which have existed on this site since the 1800s
0:15:56 > 0:16:00and which remain faithful to the traditional methods of that time.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05This is one of our biggest smokehouses.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08They say they've been smoking here since about 1843.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10So, why do they actually smoke the fish?
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Well, I've heard of salting fish before to preserve it.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Yeah, it was all to do with preserving, the curing
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and a different taste really was in the smoking.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21When they first started doing the kippers,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25the fisher lasses used to gut and prepare the fish on the street.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Now we've got machines that split the herring.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32So, after they've been split, the herring go in a brine,
0:16:32 > 0:16:34which is like salt and water, for curing purposes.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Then they get drip dried then put straight in the smokehouse.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41There are two types of smoking.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Hot smoking cooks the food and cold smoking just flavours it.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47So it has to be cooked separately.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Patrick cold smokes his herrings.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55They lay piles of oak-wood shavings, which burn and provide heat,
0:16:55 > 0:17:00and they top this with oak sawdust, which smoulders to flavour the fish.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Two or three fires are needed to finish the process.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06The herring are hung on hooks about seven feet above.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11We use oak sawdust because it's the way that they've done it
0:17:11 > 0:17:15right from the very start and it's a nice flavour.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20The kippers are in for about 12-15 hours before they start coming out.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Oh, wow.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Once the herring is cold smoked,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27it becomes a kipper and needs to be cooked.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Patrick's wife Karen likes to cook kippers by immersing them in
0:17:31 > 0:17:35boiling water, the old-fashioned way, which is known as jugging.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Basically, the kipper was originally jugged
0:17:37 > 0:17:41and it's a very simple method. It cooks it. It preserves the oils.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Everything is really juicy and lovely about it.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Right, so if you want to pick a kipper, pop it in a jug, a vase,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49anything that you think will not crack if you put boiling water in.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50- Like that?- Yeah.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53And then just pour the water in up to the bottom of the tail.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54Just pour it in there.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Absolutely perfect.- OK.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Any old plate that's lying around, just pop it on the top
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and literally that is jugging a kipper.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04Leave it for four to six minutes.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08That's basically the old-fashioned way of cooking a kipper.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10So, are there any other ways you can cook the fish?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Jugging is the traditional method, but you can grill it,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16barbecue it, put it in the oven, microwave it.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Literally, it's a versatile fish.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21So yeah, don't be frightened to try it any other way.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- Right, OK, this looks ready to eat. - Oh, yes.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26If you bring it out slowly, you can see how it's curled around,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29how the skin's nearly off, it's come away from the bone,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and then you just use your fingers to eat it.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34So, literally tuck in.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Here goes, thank you.- Thanks.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37Enjoy.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- Oh, wow.- It tastes good? - Oh, it's lovely.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44It's really a deep smoky flavour. That's amazing.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47I've only had them grilled before, but that's got much more texture.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- Moisture as well.- It's lovely. - Good.- It's really sweet.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Thank you very much for showing us around.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- It's been a great experience. - Thanks. We really enjoyed it.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Thank you very much.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04House number two is in the village of Hedley-on-the-Hill,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06which is three miles from Stocksfield.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10Stocksfield is a commuter village, with a station offering a
0:19:10 > 0:19:13half hour journey to Newcastle and then on to South Shields by metro.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17There are several shops here, which are useful to those living in
0:19:17 > 0:19:18Hedley-on-the-Hill.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22The house we're showing them is brick built and in a good
0:19:22 > 0:19:24location near a pub and with stunning views.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- House number two.- Wow.- Wow.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Love that, yeah.- Wow. Yeah.- Love it.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35That's just what I've been looking for, from the outside.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- Really?- Yeah, I love it.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Well, that's a result.- Yeah, definitely. Really, really nice.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- What about you, Steve? - Yeah, very positive feelings.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- Yeah. Uh-huh.- This is a wonderful property. It's detached.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- Yeah.- It's all yours. It's beautifully built.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51How old do you think this property is?
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- Less than 100 years old. - Oh, I was going to say 50.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- That is such a, you know... - I've got no idea. 50.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59It was built 19 years ago.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01OK. 19?
0:20:01 > 0:20:03I would have thought it was older than that, yeah.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Any down sides, any worries?
0:20:06 > 0:20:08It's not quite close enough to the pub.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- It's a two-minute walk instead of a one.- It's at least 50 paces, yeah.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15You've got this lovely little front garden and it's got, I think,
0:20:15 > 0:20:17lots and lots that will recommend it to you.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- OK. I'm excited, yeah.- Yeah.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- Yeah, I can't wait to get in and have a look.- Let's get in then.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Excellent.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28This house is bigger than the first property and offers plenty of
0:20:28 > 0:20:31storage, which I know Steve is after.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36This is the killer thing.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- Oh, wow, it looks lovely. - Maybe you'll like it.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- Yeah. Look at that.- Wow.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43That is some view, isn't it?
0:20:43 > 0:20:46You didn't ask for a view, but we've given you one.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48It's an amazing view and you've got a lovely
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- kind of conservatory to take the best of it.- Yeah.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54But also a very nice sitting room. You've got a dining area there.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55- It's lovely, isn't it, yeah?- Yeah.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58It's nice and bright. It's a lovely nice sized room.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00And it's a nice room as well, yeah.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02I like the fire and you can imagine it being nice
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- and cosy in the wintertime.- Yeah.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06So, what are your thoughts now you're inside?
0:21:06 > 0:21:10First impression, I still really like it, yeah.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Yeah, this is a really nice feeling.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15It's a really comfortable room actually, this is.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18So, this is the living area. Let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19I'll just lead on.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24It's an important room for you.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25OK.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Does it pass the test?
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- Yes. It's a nice size, isn't it, yeah?- Yes.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- Of course, the range.- Yeah.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32That's what I want, yeah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34This is obviously a bit bigger,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37because you've got a space for a four-chair table there.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Good. We've got a small table at home, so it'll be nice just to
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- sit in the kitchen with it and have a cup of tea.- Yeah.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- It's really a good size. There's plenty of room.- Yeah. Uh-huh.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Through there you've got a utility room, a downstairs loo
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- and the door out to the garage.- So you've got your utility as well.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Yeah, that'll be good.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56The garage is single, but it's a good size, with plenty of
0:21:56 > 0:21:58space for bikes and bits and bobs.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03On the first floor, at the top of the stairs, is the family
0:22:03 > 0:22:06bathroom, which is surrounded by four bedrooms.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09All of them are light and well-proportioned rooms.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12And those to the rear of the property enjoy far-reaching
0:22:12 > 0:22:17views across the open countryside. One of which is the master bedroom.
0:22:17 > 0:22:18It's a nice size.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21They've got quite a big wardrobe in here as well.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- Yeah, plenty of room.- So, all the bedrooms are this sort of size?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26These two on this side are slightly bigger
0:22:26 > 0:22:28and the ones on that side are sort of small.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29But all four are doubles.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32I could get my nice dressing table there I've already got.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- Oh, she's moving in. - I'm claiming that, yeah.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35- It's a good sign.- Yeah. It's lovely.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Who wouldn't want to see that every morning?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- So, there you go.- Yeah. - It's passed the test?- Yeah.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- Oh, yeah.- All you've got to do is see the garden.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46The garden at the back of the house is lawned with a patio area
0:22:46 > 0:22:48and has amazing views over the Cheviot Hills.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Ah, that is a glorious view.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Wow.- That could be yours every morning.
0:22:57 > 0:22:58Yeah, it's fantastic.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02So, you've got all of that and then the garden.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Is it big enough?- It's bigger than the last garden, yeah.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07It's bigger than the last garden, which is not difficult.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Yeah, I think you know, we've got to think maintenance-wise.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13We're both quite busy, so I think it's a nice size.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15But I think the conservatory as well, you know, you can
0:23:15 > 0:23:18just sit out there. That'll just be lovely.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I mean, I can't say this for definite, but the owners have
0:23:21 > 0:23:24said that this field behind, there's the chance that you could buy
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- a portion of it and extend back to where that hedge is.- OK.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Like I say, this is a good size.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32This would fit in with our lives, wouldn't it?
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Because it wouldn't take too long to look after.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37But it's a very pretty garden as well.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Well, the big question is can you afford it?
0:23:39 > 0:23:41What's it on the market for? What do you think?
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Straightaway, I'm going to say top end of budget, if not slightly over.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48I'm going to say £300,000.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51I'm going to say our budget, because it's four bedrooms.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52You've got that.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55You've got a nice location as well, I think.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Are you going to say top, full budget?
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Yeah, all things considered.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Four bedrooms, conservatory and that view.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05£315,000 I think.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06Well, you're both wrong,
0:24:06 > 0:24:11because the house is actually on the market for £1 less than your budget.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14OK, I was quite close.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19You were both very close. It is £299,999.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20OK.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22And I should tell you this.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25There is another person interested in this house who made an offer.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- Yeah.- But because they're not in a position to proceed,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30the owners have kept it on the market.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33So, I'm just letting that sit with you,
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- because you are in a position to proceed.- Yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38So, it's something to kind of add to the mix.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Definitely, yeah. It's a beautiful house.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43I really, really like the house.
0:24:43 > 0:24:44I can see you two here.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Yeah, I could see myself. Well, I can see Steve there as well.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49- You can, yeah. - Can you see yourself there?
0:24:49 > 0:24:53I can, actually, even with the garden. It's less to mow.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54SHE LAUGHS
0:24:54 > 0:24:57He's thinking less work. That's his motive.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59More time in the pub, OK.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Well, have a little sniff inside and, you know, have a
0:25:01 > 0:25:04nose round in the garage and stuff. And I'll see you out the front.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05- OK.- Thank you.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07In through the lovely conservatory.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Oh, yes. That's more like it.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11It is fantastic.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13That's the sort of response we want.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Particularly for a house like this
0:25:15 > 0:25:17which is absolutely beautiful and perfect for those two.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19They should put in an offer.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23£1 under their top budget,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25this detached stone house offers
0:25:25 > 0:25:27beautiful views.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29There's a kitchen/breakfast room,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31conservatory and four bedrooms,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33as well as small gardens
0:25:33 > 0:25:34back and front.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36The house is around 33 miles from
0:25:36 > 0:25:39South Shields and 19 from Newcastle.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41But there is the added bonus
0:25:41 > 0:25:42of a station nearby.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45This is another good sized room, isn't it?
0:25:45 > 0:25:46Yeah, it's really good.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48It's deceiving from the outside, isn't it?
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Yeah, I wasn't expecting this.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54- All the rooms have double beds and you've got loads of space.- Yeah.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59The emotion I felt when I first saw the house was one of excitement,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01very warm feelings.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03You know, wow, you know, look at this place.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07And those feelings just got more positive as we walked
0:26:07 > 0:26:08around the house.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11I'm really impressed with the house. I really like it.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12It's a really, really nice house
0:26:12 > 0:26:14and it's one that I could see as a family home as well.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Initially, when I first saw the size of the garden
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I did think it was a little small.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23But actually, the view just overtakes that, to be honest,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26and I think it's a sensible sized garden.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Also, the amount of storage that's available
0:26:29 > 0:26:32is very much on my wish list.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34This house is a serious contender.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36I could see myself living here.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40- So that was a good end to the day? - It certainly was, yes.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Ah, there you are. Two down, we've got one to do tomorrow.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44Let's sleep on this one.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57It's the second day of our property search in Northumberland with
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Michelle from South Shields and Steve from London.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03They're about to get married and are house hunting on a budget of
0:27:03 > 0:27:05£300,000.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Coming up, our mystery house offers some inspiration.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12- It is a beautiful spot.- You could imagine just sitting out here
0:27:12 > 0:27:14- on a morning or an evening, yeah. - Oh, yeah, this is perfect.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18And I discover how a house in rural Northumberland was at the
0:27:18 > 0:27:22forefront of technological progress in the 19th century.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25He used to sit on a glass-legged stool in there,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28because the 110V DC was a little volatile
0:27:28 > 0:27:31and there would have been a fair chance of electrocution.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35It's going to be hard to improve on the house that we showed Steve
0:27:35 > 0:27:37and Michelle yesterday,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39because that, I think, would be their perfect marital home.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41But the mystery house has to be shown
0:27:41 > 0:27:44so we thought we'd give them something different.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Well, it does give them a much bigger garden,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48but also a very different layout.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49Let's hope they like it.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56Our mystery house is in the village of Warkworth, a mile from the
0:27:56 > 0:27:58coast and the town of Amble.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Warkworth is a big village with a well-preserved medieval castle.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Situated on the River Coquet, it's popular with visitors because
0:28:07 > 0:28:09of its history and location.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14The house is an impressive converted country hall, which has been
0:28:14 > 0:28:17sympathetically divided into individual homes.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- The mystery house.- OK.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24- Well, this is actually the oldest property we've shown you.- Right.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28This dates back to 1855. It's had a chequered history.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30It was burnt to the ground and rebuilt.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33It's been an old people's home, it's been a caravan park
0:28:33 > 0:28:39- and now it is six separate dwellings, all freehold.- OK.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44And yours is this central one, with the most historic arch.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46OK. That's a very nice story, isn't it?
0:28:46 > 0:28:48It's definitely a fantastic entrance.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- It's very different, its character. - Yeah, it's very impressive.- Uh-huh.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54But we were thinking this would be a very good spot for the...
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- Yeah. Telescope, yeah. - Yeah, I was thinking that too.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- Stargazing Central here. - Very promising.- Yeah.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Because you've got no lights whatsoever.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03- Yeah, I imagine it's very dark here. - Nice and dark, yeah.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- And I'm not going to show you inside straight away...- OK.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Because one of the things that has been
0:29:08 > 0:29:11- floating around is your desire for a garden.- OK.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12So let's look at the garden first.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21It's a big, expansive garden. By far the biggest we've shown you.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24The three houses here have all three strips.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- It's a beautiful garden though. No, it's lovely.- It's nice, yeah.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32But me personally, I'm not too sure how I feel with a shared garden.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35I'm not really one for like a communal garden.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38I don't how comfortable I would feel coming and sitting out here.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41I feel quite exposed. There's people... I don't know.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44It's just me personally. I don't feel very private.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46It's you personally buying the house. That's quite important.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Yeah. Uh-huh. Yeah. It feels just really open
0:29:49 > 0:29:52and I don't feel that I could really relax.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54- I feel quite exposed sitting here. - I feel similar.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Yeah, I'd probably feel more comfortable with a clearer boundary.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- Yeah.- So a sort of a question mark over the garden.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- Well, let's see if the house will sway you.- OK.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Well, that didn't go down well.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07But I think this house could work for them.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12It was converted only 15 years ago and is in beautiful condition.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Come in.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17So come into the back and then you can see the full
0:30:17 > 0:30:21extent of this much more open-plan offering.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24But it's sort of all done up in a very modern way.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Yeah, the kitchen's very modern as well, isn't it?
0:30:27 > 0:30:28It looks pretty new.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32I didn't expect an open-plan living room/kitchen actually.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34And dining room as well, yeah.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37I think, for me, there's a lot going on in one space.
0:30:37 > 0:30:42I'm not really... Me personally, I'm not really a big fan of open-plan.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45I don't mind your lounge and dining together,
0:30:45 > 0:30:49but to have the kitchen as well, unfortunately it's not for me.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52If I'm sitting trying to relax, I don't want to, you know, and
0:30:52 > 0:30:55- someone's cooking...Steve's cooking away in the kitchen...- Someone?
0:30:55 > 0:30:59- Making smoked kippers.- Yeah, if Steve's cooking away or something
0:30:59 > 0:31:02like that, I would like a separate relaxing space or dining space.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Well, so the garden's a bit of a no, no.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08The kitchen is a bit of a no, no.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Maybe the upstairs bedrooms will blow you away.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12- We'll have a look, yeah. - Yeah, that's right.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14We can always hope.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Upstairs there are three double bedrooms.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22A real plus for visiting guests.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25There's also a family bathroom with a corner bath.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31This is the master. It's very nice and bright upstairs.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34All the bedrooms have big high skylights.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35Lets in lots of light.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39And, of course, this one has these amazing windows and an en-suite.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Yeah, it's a lovely room. Really nice.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44But, you see, that's fantastic out there. A lovely view.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47But it does have this. Come and look at this.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Oh, this is brilliant, yeah.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54- This really is a great addition to any house, I think.- Oh, wow, yeah.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55- Oh, yeah. - A bit of a breakfast balcony.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Yeah, definitely. Yeah, it's lovely. What a view.- Morning coffee.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00- Yeah, beautiful. - It is a beautiful spot.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Yeah, a lovely view of the gardens as well.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06You can imagine just sitting out here on either a morning or an evening.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Oh, yeah. This is perfect.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10I imagine it could be great sort of star spotting from here?
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Oh, yeah, you could leave the telescope as well here.
0:32:13 > 0:32:14- Oh, yeah.- Set that up.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Because it seems like this is the only feature of the house
0:32:16 > 0:32:20- that you've really liked.- Yeah. Yeah, I do like this. Yeah, I do.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23I do like it, yeah. It's good to see something different,
0:32:23 > 0:32:25because it does make you think a little bit.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28But I think it ticks more of the no boxes than it does the yes,
0:32:28 > 0:32:30- I'm afraid.- Un-ticks boxes.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Un-ticks boxes, yeah. That's what I was trying to say.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36But let's just go and talk about price.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Oh, dear. I've never un-ticked boxes before.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Right, let's talk about price tag.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52What do you think the price is on this one?
0:32:52 > 0:32:57It's an older house, it's got obviously nice character to it.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Lovely sized bedrooms, but I'm going to say £290,000.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04Steve. I think it's slight more. 291.
0:33:04 > 0:33:05But actually you're closer,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09because this is actually right at the top of your budget.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- It's on at £299,000.- OK.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13But, you know, it's perfect for somebody
0:33:13 > 0:33:15but maybe not perfect for you.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19- Yeah, it's a beautiful home but it's not for us, I'm afraid.- OK.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23The mystery house comes in £1,000 under their budget
0:33:23 > 0:33:26and would offer them an old character property.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30It has a large open-plan living area, three bedrooms, a
0:33:30 > 0:33:34master with an en-suite and balcony with a beautiful view.
0:33:34 > 0:33:39The house is 33 miles from South Shields and 29 miles from Newcastle.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- This is a nice room, isn't it? - Yeah, it's really bright.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Isn't it? Yeah, really bright. A nice big skylight there.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47A big skylight. There's plenty of space here. It's nice.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Yeah, it's a lovely size. Yeah, really nice.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53When we pulled up, you know, a very nice traditional character entrance.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55So it really looked nice from the outside.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59The views around surrounding the houses and the gardens,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02the fields, we were really impressed when we first arrived at the house.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05What I particularly did like about the house was
0:34:05 > 0:34:07the balcony on the master bedroom.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10The views from there were stunning
0:34:10 > 0:34:13and I thought it would be a really good spot for coffee in the morning.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16We could definitely put the telescope out there
0:34:16 > 0:34:17and enjoy the night sky from there.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20It would be lovely and dark and, you know, you've got a great view.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24Some of the things about the house that weren't quite to my taste were
0:34:24 > 0:34:30the open-plan style of the living room, dining room and the kitchen.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34It's not really something I would consider buying.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37The garden was a bit of an issue for me.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39It was absolutely beautiful, a lovely size.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41You know, I can't really fault it in that sense.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45It's just away from the house and it wasn't as private as I would like.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49Look at me waiting for them outside a church door.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Look, guys, this is going to be you in three weeks.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54- Don't say that. - I feel like I should have confetti.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56He'll probably run off. THEY LAUGH
0:34:56 > 0:34:58Oh, having a flash forward.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00We've seen all three houses.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Time to sort of regroup, have a cup of tea and talk them over.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- That sounds good.- Come with me.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Northumberland might be known for its majestic countryside, but
0:35:15 > 0:35:19it also has a technological claim to fame, as it's where
0:35:19 > 0:35:24hydroelectricity was first established in the late-1800s.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28It was developed by the engineer William Armstrong at Cragside -
0:35:28 > 0:35:30his country estate near Rothbury.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34Armstrong was a maverick inventor and where better to test his
0:35:34 > 0:35:37gadgets than in his own home.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40He came up with the idea of generating electricity using
0:35:40 > 0:35:44the power of water by building lakes in the grounds.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47This was hydroelectric power as we know it today.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50The house is now in the hands of the National Trust and I have
0:35:50 > 0:35:53come to meet steward Catherine Foggen to find out more
0:35:53 > 0:35:56about William Armstrong's achievements.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59This was the first house in the world lit by hydroelectricity.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02Is that true? So, it was a super hi-tech house.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04It was. It was 'the palace of the modern magician',
0:36:04 > 0:36:06as it was called in those days.
0:36:06 > 0:36:07And is there still evidence of that inside?
0:36:07 > 0:36:09- There is, yes.- Great, can I look?
0:36:09 > 0:36:11You can, yes.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19The house was given to the Trust in 1977 and opened to the public
0:36:19 > 0:36:23two years later, to show the genius of Armstrong's inventions.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Uh-huh. Then there was light.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29These are the original lamps that were lit
0:36:29 > 0:36:33by the hydroelectricity with Joseph Swan's incandescent light bulb.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35The lights are cloisonne lamps.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37They were originally oil lights,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41but they were converted for the hydroelectricity.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43So, how they worked was, they sat...
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- there was a pool of mercury at the bottom...- Mercury?
0:36:46 > 0:36:48And the wire came up the centre
0:36:48 > 0:36:51and the metal outside acted as a conductor outside.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- So, you couldn't touch the vase? - You couldn't touch them.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Would the whole house have been lit by electricity
0:36:56 > 0:36:57or just this one room?
0:36:57 > 0:36:58Just several rooms.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01You could only have one room at a time lit,
0:37:01 > 0:37:03so he'd ring down to the powerhouse.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06- "We're moving through to the dining room."- Yeah, exactly.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08"Oh, we'd like the lights on in the drawing room.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11"We're going to move up there." So that's how the system worked.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13And this was...
0:37:13 > 0:37:15what date are we talking about the first electric light bulbs?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18The 1870s in this room, yeah.
0:37:18 > 0:37:19Did it catch on quickly?
0:37:19 > 0:37:21I mean, did it have people come and wonder at the miracle?
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Yeah, people came.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26The word was out of the 'palace of the modern magician.'
0:37:26 > 0:37:30The house also had central heating, hot and cold running water.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Cragside was a trailblazer.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37No other house at that time contained this kind of technology.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40The equipment that Armstrong developed for the electricity
0:37:40 > 0:37:42is still intact today.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45I'm meeting Robin Wright at the powerhouse, to find out more
0:37:45 > 0:37:47about how the system operated.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Oh, Robin, this is another one of these amazing
0:37:51 > 0:37:54bits of Victorian genius.
0:37:54 > 0:37:55Yes, indeed it is.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57What exactly is going on here?
0:37:57 > 0:38:02We have a turbine and a generator and those are the two main
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- ingredients for producing electricity for the house.- Wow.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07So the water comes down the hill.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Yeah, water comes down through the pipe in the corner there.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11The blue one there?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Yeah. Into that turbine with basically a waterwheel inside.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19The turbine is turned by the moving water and the shaft from the
0:38:19 > 0:38:23turbine goes into a generator which produces the electricity.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Power lines connected to the generator carried the
0:38:26 > 0:38:30electricity to the house, but it was not as straightforward as that.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33We had a chap down here called John Maven.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- And was he responsible for turning the lights on in the house?- Yes.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38The butler would ring down and say they wanted more power
0:38:38 > 0:38:41and he would provide the electricity.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44And he used to sit on a glass-legged stool in there,
0:38:44 > 0:38:47because the 110V DC was a little volatile
0:38:47 > 0:38:50and there would have been a fair chance of electrocution.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52He had a phenomenal brain, Armstrong.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56This was basically his playhouse at Cragside.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Although today Armstrong's system has been decommissioned, the
0:38:59 > 0:39:03tradition of renewable energy here at Cragside continues with a
0:39:03 > 0:39:06new type of water power that has recently been installed in
0:39:06 > 0:39:08the grounds.
0:39:09 > 0:39:14An Archimedes' screw generates 12 kilowatts of electricity per year,
0:39:14 > 0:39:16which is sent to the house.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Basically what we're doing here is pouring
0:39:19 > 0:39:23water into the top of the screw. The screw starts to turn
0:39:23 > 0:39:26and then we have a generator sitting on the top of the screw
0:39:26 > 0:39:29which provides enough power to light the lights in the house.
0:39:29 > 0:39:30Well done.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- That celebrates this area's very clever engineering minds.- Yeah.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37We're trying to get visitors and certainly young children onto
0:39:37 > 0:39:41the estate because we're that short of engineers around the UK and
0:39:41 > 0:39:45it would be nice to think that we stimulate engineers of the future.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46It's brilliant. Here's to water power.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Thank you very much.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53It's time for me to find out how Michelle and Steve are feeling
0:39:53 > 0:39:54about the last few days.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58It's been quite a busy week, hasn't it?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00We've been driving up and down Northumberland looking at houses.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04- How are you feeling now it's all over?- Yeah, good, isn't it?
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Yeah, I think...well, for me, it's been a great experience.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10We've learned a few interesting things, haven't we, yeah?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13It's kind of, I need to open my mind up a little bit more.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16I think with some things I'm being a bit too particular about.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Yeah, I've learnt to be a bit more open-minded
0:40:19 > 0:40:21in a property search, I think.
0:40:21 > 0:40:26Also, I was adamant about having a large garden pretty much
0:40:26 > 0:40:30and I think, you know, over the last few days I've learnt that
0:40:30 > 0:40:32that's not really so essential.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36We've kind of analysed our wish list in a bit more detail
0:40:36 > 0:40:38and we can now see what's more important to us.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40I would agree with the garden, I think
0:40:40 > 0:40:42now it's being a bit more realistic.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Well, the clock is ticking. You get married in three weeks.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Sorry to bring it up, but it's true and you have to move in two months.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- Yeah.- So, what are you going to do next?
0:40:50 > 0:40:51I mean, are any of them contenders?
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Are you going to follow up on any of them?
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I think house number two is still a contender.
0:40:57 > 0:40:58- Yeah, definitely.- Brilliant.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02We really liked that style of house
0:41:02 > 0:41:04and we like the area that it was in as well.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07So we're going to look into that a bit more.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Just research the area a bit, I think, as well.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Maybe do a test drive for the commute.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14Even though it's the time, it's just obviously the roads
0:41:14 > 0:41:17and we have the winter to think about as well, because it's
0:41:17 > 0:41:20lovely in the summer but it's going to be a bit more impractical.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23So we need to find out a bit more about that as well.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26But, yeah, we both really liked house number two,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- so we'd like to find out more and take it from there.- Yay.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Yeah, it had a lovely feel to it and the area.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35There was quite a lot of positives with that house, yeah.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- I'm happy. - Brilliant. I mean, I'm so pleased.
0:41:38 > 0:41:39It's been really lovely showing you around
0:41:39 > 0:41:42and it's obviously great that you're actually in a position to move
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- and it's got to happen soon adds a little...- Excitement, yeah.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- All the best. Good luck with your wedding.- Thank you very much.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50- Enjoy you honeymoon.- Thanks. - Hopefully we'll see you in
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- Northumberland as home-owners very soon.- I hope so, yeah.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54Thank you very much for your help, yeah.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- Thanks. It's been a really good week.- Good.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06What a lovely county and what a lovely couple.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Of course, the romantic in me is a little bit frustrated that we
0:42:09 > 0:42:12didn't get them to exchange on house number two, so that they came
0:42:12 > 0:42:15back from their honeymoon with the keys in their hands.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17But, you know, property is not always so romantic
0:42:17 > 0:42:19and definitely not always fairytale.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22But I think we did do a fair job on convincing them on a few things.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Not least, the benefits of a smaller garden.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28So I'm hoping that when they are married they'll have many
0:42:28 > 0:42:31more hours together and less mowing the lawn.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35And I hope that you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Michelle and Steve got married a few weeks later.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43They went back to explore the area around house number two and
0:42:43 > 0:42:46fell in love with the cottage opposite, which they are now
0:42:46 > 0:42:48buying and hope to move into soon.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51If you'd like to escape to the country in either England,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and would like our help,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57please apply online at...