Suffolk Escape to the Country


Suffolk

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The county I'm in is famed for its big skies

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which were the inspiration for one of the nation's best-loved

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night-time nursery rhymes.

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But which sparkly children's song am I referring to? And where am I?

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Find out in just a few moments.

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On today's show, we're helping a couple of busy Londoners

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find a home, a business and a slower pace of life.

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-Our properties appeal to both their interests...

-I like that.

-Wow.

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-I love cooking. And he likes eating.

-I like eating.

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THEY LAUGH

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..but another leaves them tight-lipped.

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I'm not going to say anything because I already really like it

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and I don't want to give the game away.

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Today I'm in Suffolk in the historic town of Lavenham.

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Now, this beautiful building behind me is Shilling Grange,

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home to the aspiring young poet Jane Taylor

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who apparently penned the nursery rhyme

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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

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from her bedroom back in 1806.

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Now, she'd find it hard to imagine how popular this poem would become

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when it was added to an earlier melody of a French lullaby.

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And it's amazing to think that this small poem, written here in Lavenham

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back at the start of the 19th century,

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has gone on to have such enduring appeal

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and is still translated into languages all over the world.

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But, as you're about to see,

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poetry isn't all that this beautiful county

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has to offer.

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The East Anglian county of Suffolk

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is bordered by Norfolk to the north,

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Essex to the south and Cambridgeshire to the west.

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Situated on the east coast,

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the low-lying county has few hills and is largely agricultural.

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There are no cities in Suffolk

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but a scattering of beautiful market towns and villages, such as Kersey,

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which prospered in the medieval period thanks to the wool trade.

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Many of the historic buildings, some around 500 years old,

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are painted in the traditional Suffolk pink,

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a style first adopted by the local dyers.

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On the coast, the attractive seaside town of Southwold

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is popular with the rich and famous and, as such,

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house prices command a premium.

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Even a beach hut can set you back £70,000.

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With trains running to London Liverpool Street

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and journey times around 1 hour ¼ from Ipswich

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and two hours from Bury St Edmunds,

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Suffolk is well connected to the capital.

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A vibrant arts and music scene,

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including the world-famous Aldeburgh Festival,

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makes it a popular destination

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for those seeking an escape from the busier South East.

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The average price for a detached house here in Suffolk

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is just over £251,000,

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which is around 16,000 below the national figure.

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So, generally speaking,

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this county offers pretty good value for money,

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especially for those seeking an historic property

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as there are over 12,500 listed buildings in Suffolk.

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But what are today's buyers looking for?

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Let's meet them and find out.

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Gil, who's originally from Brazil,

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and Phil have been a couple for two years.

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Home is currently Phil's two-bedroomed flat in Shoreditch,

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a trendy but very busy part of London.

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This is an old artist's studio. We designed it all.

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It's a bit Gothic.

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We like a bit of Victoriana.

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We've got Hoxton Market just outside our window

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which has its upsides

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because, if we want a bunch of flowers or some jellied eels,

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it's the East End after all.

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We can get them whenever we want. Um...

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There's a very good vibe as well.

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It's very noisy

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and there are times when it, you know,

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it just feels a little bit much.

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Phil has recently given up a job as a deputy head teacher

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and now runs an educational consultancy business from home.

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Gil works in finance in the City Of London

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and will continue commuting to the capital.

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He first caught the country bug when he moved to Britain

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19 years ago.

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Well, when I first came to the UK, I went to visit to the Cotswolds

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and I absolutely fell in love with the place.

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But then Philip persuaded me to Suffolk.

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The quality of life there, it does appeal to me.

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I've done a lot in London and I think this is the time to move on.

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And they've already dipped their toes into rural living.

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We've got a little cottage in Suffolk

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and we've been going there every weekend.

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Lots of holidays.

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We go on a Friday night, we hit the motorway,

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we light the fire and that's it, you know.

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It's a romantic getaway.

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Swapping their weekend retreat for a permanent Suffolk home

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will offer Phil the chance to relive his childhood.

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When I was little,

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I suppose I wanted to be a zoologist, or a vet,

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or a jockey, or a show-jumper.

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I've always been horse mad

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and I used to participate in a sport called eventing.

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About 15 years ago I sort of gave it up to focus on my career.

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And I really want to go back and have another horse.

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Nothing will make me happier than getting up in the morning,

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going to feed my horse and going out riding.

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Whilst Phil's saddling up, Gil will be down at the local court.

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Being naturally Brazilian, you either play football or volleyball,

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and I chose volleyball.

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And volleyball has been my passion since I was a little kid.

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And when I came to London, I joined a club.

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We've been playing all over Europe, been national champion in the UK,

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in Europe.

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Something that keeps you fit but, as well, it's very...

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give you a sense of community and I love it.

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Absolutely love it.

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As well as running his own consultancy business,

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Phil also has plans to run a bed and breakfast,

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a complete change of life for the busy Londoners.

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For me, it's a life make over.

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I want to make jam...

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-GIL LAUGHS

-..I want to look after horses,

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I want to look after our bed and breakfast guests and...

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Excuse me, what about me?

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-Yeah, I know...

-You should say, "I'm going to look after you too."

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Well, you can say nothing now.

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Our Suffolk property search

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will be somewhat dictated by Gil's commuting time to London.

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Ideally, he wants to be no more than two hours away from his desk

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in the City, so we'll be looking within

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reasonable distance of towns like Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich.

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I'm meeting up with them on Suffolk soil

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to discuss the finer details of their big move.

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-It's stunning here, isn't it?

-Hmm.

-It is. Amazing.

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What is it you like about it so much, Gil?

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I love it. I just love the peaceful...

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the fields, the horses and, you know, having the animals around us.

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Well, you'll need to like horses cos Philip here...

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It's a huge passion of yours, isn't it, Philip?

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-Yeah, I've always been horse mad.

-Yeah.

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As soon as I could, I learned to ride

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and, ever since then, horses have been an obsession really.

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So, that obsession is being bolted on to this new home, isn't it?

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-Absolutely.

-Now, talk me through that a bit.

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Yeah, well, our objective is to buy a place that has the potential

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to be an equestrian bed and breakfast.

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Right. OK. So we're looking for a house with some land.

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-You know, land with some outbuildings or...

-Uh-huh.

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-Yeah.

-..space to build outbuildings?

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Ideally, we'd like to have them ready-made but, certainly,

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if we can get planning permission relatively easy,

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we don't have a problem with that.

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We're kind of open minded, put it that way.

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You've got a consultancy business.

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Yes, yes. I'm an education improvement consultant.

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And that's based at home?

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It's based at home.

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-You're quite different, aren't you, Gil?

-I am, yeah.

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-You work in the City.

-Yes.

-Right in London, don't you?

-Yes.

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I will continue initially the planning...commute to London.

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So, let's talk about the house itself.

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What, Gil, in your mind's eye does this look like?

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Um, very rural.

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We don't really like modern,

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no bungalow whatsoever.

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-Don't say the word B.

-Oh!

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How many bedrooms do you think you need?

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Um, four minimum.

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Talk to me about the budget.

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Well, our budget is the bottom end of 750

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but we can go up to 850

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provided we don't have to spend too much on it.

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-That's a really healthy budget, guys.

-Hmm.

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But we're looking for a lot. You know what I'm going to say?

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We'll have to maybe look at compromises along the way.

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-Yes.

-No pain, no gain.

-No pain, no gain!

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Yes. It sounds like it's going to be my pain and your gain, Gil.

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-I'd love that!

-That's the way...

-THEY LAUGH

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Let's look at the first one and see what you think. This way.

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Thank you.

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For a generous top budget of £850,000,

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Gil and Phil are after a property with character in a rural location,

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ideally with three acres of land and outbuildings

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to run an equestrian bed and breakfast business

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in the future.

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They'd like a minimum of four bedrooms

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and need to be close to a train link

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into London for Gil's job.

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We've lined up three lovely Suffolk properties to tempt our buyers

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but I won't be revealing the price of each until the end of the tour.

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Our mystery house will give Phil and Gil plenty of property

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but not necessarily in the right places.

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Our first house is located in the village of Somersham,

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seven miles from Ipswich railway station,

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with a journey time of 1 hour ¼ to London by train.

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The closest town is Hadleigh,

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one of a series of attractive East Anglian settlements

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that derived its wealth from the wool trade

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and, as such, has a range of preserve,

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timber and brick listed buildings as well as a leisure centre

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with hard court areas for volleyball fanatic Gil.

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The property can be found on a quiet country lane

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just outside the village of Somersham.

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First impressions, gentlemen?

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-I like the look of it.

-Yeah.

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-Good.

-Good size.

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Yeah, no, it's a really lovely house actually.

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What a lovely setting.

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-A good place for the setting but...I'm keeping cool.

-Hmm.

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It's hard to place it

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because it's been completely refurbished,

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and to a very good standard.

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Parts of the house, the far side of it,

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date back as far as 1580.

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Now, when you get inside suddenly that history comes alive.

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-All right.

-Great.

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So far, so good. I can't wait to see inside.

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-I want to see more.

-This is where we find out.

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You said you wanted character. We'll find out how much you really like it.

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-Follow me.

-All right.

-Let's go.

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Our first property is a grade two-listed

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Tudor Suffolk farmhouse

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and is built to the classic stout oak frame.

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So the first thing you'll see, lovely little snug area.

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-That's cosy.

-That stove works. Solid fuel burner.

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Now,

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what do you think of this?

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-Wow.

-There is a bit of wow factor.

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I hoped for something like this standing outside.

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The first thing I think it's like Christmas time.

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That's a beautiful room for... Very Christmas.

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-Love those beams as well.

-Can imagine being here.

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The kitchen is a magnificent room. Look at this.

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Oh, yeah. Wow, that is lovely.

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-I like that.

-Wow.

-I love cooking.

-Do you?

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I do. I love it.

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-And he likes eating.

-I like eating.

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THEY LAUGH

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That's the perfect combination.

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And I guess it's quite easy if you are entertaining

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and having a dinner party,

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it's just, you know...

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Yeah, you get the best of both worlds

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because you're not separated.

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-It's still an entertaining space.

-Hmm.

-Hmm, yeah, it's good.

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Let's take a look quick peek at the living room through here.

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As well as the snug, dining room and kitchen,

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there's a utility room to house the white goods

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and an oak-framed sunroom which is adjacent to the main living room.

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-Just mind your step coming down here.

-Thank you.

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Hmm.

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What's your thoughts?

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Um, it's a...living room.

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Yeah, I guess you've got a small window there.

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-If you left that open, you've got dual aspect.

-Mm-hm.

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-Cosy.

-Yeah.

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I like the floor a lot.

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Cosy sounds like you were expecting maybe a bit bigger.

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-Don't...

-We like cosy but

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maybe I was for the living area. I was a little bit...

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I've always been partial to sort of slightly claustrophobic places.

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THEY LAUGH

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Upstairs certainly isn't claustrophobic

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as there are four decent-sized bedrooms

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and a family bathroom with roll top bath.

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One of the doubles offers some space above it in the eaves,

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and another leads to a further bedroom beyond that.

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Finally, there's a room that might suit Gil and Phil.

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The master suite kind of starts from here, so you've got an en-suite...

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..and then you've got a big duck.

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This is your master bedroom.

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Yeah, no, I like that. Definitely.

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I love the chimney breast.

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Cos that'd be warm when the house is warm when the fire's on.

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-Good size.

-Yes.

-And I love that.

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I'm not sure in the dark how it's going to be

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but I love that. HE LAUGHS

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This is your home first.

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I know you've got ideas of having a B&B business in the future.

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I think this house could adapt to be your B&B business,

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-if you like.

-Mm-hm.

-Mm-hm.

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My plan for the equine bed and breakfast business

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would be to turn the two adjacent double bedrooms

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into a self-contained suite

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with the furthest room becoming an en-suite bathroom.

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Outside, the garden is spread out to the rear of the property

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and there's a large three-acre paddock

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offering plenty of room for a horse or two

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as well as a couple of outbuildings.

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Now, let's talk about everything we've got here.

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As you can see, remember when we came in, there was a brick building?

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-Yeah.

-You've also got this building here.

-Yes.

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That's a good size building with a brand-new roof

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with power and water. OK?

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Now, going to your business idea, you'd initially think stables.

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I actually think if you put stables elsewhere,

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-that would be great accommodation for guests...

-It would.

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..subject to obtaining the planning consents.

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Yeah, it would.

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-And behind those trees in a way would be good for the stables.

-Yeah.

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It'd be perfect, wouldn't it?

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-Hmm.

-How much do think it's on the market for?

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775.

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I'm going around 750.

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Good guess. It's on the market for £750,000.

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Even at the asking price, it gives you that float of £100,000

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-to muck around with it.

-Hmm.

-Yeah.

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Without me, why don't you go around the house on your own,

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-but then go and explore all these outbuildings.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

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Concentrate on it being a home first.

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This business idea of yours, that's something for the future.

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-Right, yeah.

-Help yourselves and we'll catch up

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-when you're finished.

-Thank you.

-Thanks.

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£100,000 below their maximum budget,

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our first property gives Gil and Phil

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a sizeable character home full of original features,

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including a large kitchen to cook breakfast for paying guests,

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four good-sized bedrooms plus plenty of space and outbuildings

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to develop the equine holiday business.

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And it's reasonably situated

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for the mainline railway station.

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I loved the...the space.

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The outside space. The look of it, the situation.

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The kitchen is amazing.

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The living room - a little bit underwhelming.

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The more I look at it and take into account the outbuildings,

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which I've kind of fallen in love with, it's growing on me.

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The living area, I was kind of not quite there

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but, saying that, it's something that we could work on it.

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Overall, good start.

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Do I love the house?

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Not sure yet.

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We'll see what comes next.

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But I like it. Good start.

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Now, then, Philip,

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you're spoilt for choice, I figure, for where to put your stables.

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Did you find anywhere to put a volleyball court?

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HE LAUGHS Well, there's space. That's for sure.

0:15:460:15:49

Nice. Nice space there.

0:15:490:15:51

Walking around the house Philip was like,

0:15:510:15:52

"Oh, I can see a horse from here. I can see a horse from that angle."

0:15:520:15:56

So I was thinking, where is the volleyball court going?

0:15:560:15:58

Sounds like we need to go away from here.

0:15:580:16:01

Remember all you liked and all you had question marks over.

0:16:010:16:04

-We're going to go to the next property, so follow me.

-OK.

-Cheers.

0:16:040:16:07

Suffolk's low-lying, flat terrain suits arable farming.

0:16:140:16:18

For centuries, a common feature in the rural landscape

0:16:180:16:21

was the Suffolk punch,

0:16:210:16:22

a heavy draught horse that was bred to pull the plough

0:16:220:16:25

and carry the wheat.

0:16:250:16:27

First bred in the 16th century,

0:16:270:16:29

it's the oldest kind of heavy horse in Britain.

0:16:290:16:31

A century ago, there were several hundred thousand Suffolks

0:16:320:16:36

but, today, there are approximately 400 breeding animals left.

0:16:360:16:39

In order to protect the breed, a charity, the Suffolk Punch Trust,

0:16:400:16:44

was set up in 2002 on 180 acres of farmland near Hollesley.

0:16:440:16:49

As Phil is passionately interested in horses, we sent him and Gil

0:16:500:16:53

to meet the trust's head groom, Jemma Martin,

0:16:530:16:56

to find out why the Suffolk punch is on the critical list.

0:16:560:16:59

Is it true that the breed is more rare than the giant panda?

0:16:590:17:03

Yes, it is. There's about 2,000 giant pandas

0:17:030:17:06

compared to just over the 400 mark of the Suffolk punches.

0:17:060:17:10

They're actually critical on the endangered list,

0:17:100:17:12

so it's quite vulnerable at the moment.

0:17:120:17:14

And what made the breed so ideal for working?

0:17:140:17:17

They're very short and compact with a lot of power,

0:17:170:17:19

so they're pulling power is about 2½ times their own weight.

0:17:190:17:23

Why are they such an endangered species now?

0:17:230:17:27

Obviously, when mechanisation came around with your big tractors

0:17:270:17:30

and things, which can do things so much quicker than your horses,

0:17:300:17:33

unfortunately, loads of these horses were sold on from farms

0:17:330:17:36

and, at that point, weren't bred anymore

0:17:360:17:38

cos there was just not the demand for them,

0:17:380:17:40

so the numbers dwindled immensely.

0:17:400:17:42

So, Jemma, what does the Trust do to protect the horses?

0:17:420:17:45

Well, we've got an active breeding system

0:17:450:17:47

where we try and put all of our mares in foal every year

0:17:470:17:50

to up the numbers.

0:17:500:17:51

Also, finding them jobs to do in today's world,

0:17:510:17:53

so they're trained in logging and sorts of things like that.

0:17:530:17:56

And we've recently started riding one of our mares as well.

0:17:560:17:59

As well as being used for farm work,

0:17:590:18:01

the breed also pulled heavy artillery

0:18:010:18:03

during the First World War.

0:18:030:18:05

To prevent the Suffolk punch from dying out,

0:18:050:18:07

the Trust has developed a unique programme to encourage

0:18:070:18:10

its recreational use,

0:18:100:18:12

turning it from a workhorse to a riding companion.

0:18:120:18:15

This involves breaking them to saddle,

0:18:150:18:17

a process also known as backing.

0:18:170:18:19

This five-year-old mare is called Colony Vee.

0:18:190:18:22

Jemma, how long has she been backed?

0:18:230:18:25

About five months ago now.

0:18:250:18:28

But, prior to that, as a two-year-old,

0:18:280:18:30

she's done some harness training, so she's done a bit beforehand.

0:18:300:18:33

-So do you think she's ready for another rider?

-I think so.

0:18:330:18:37

-Shall I go and get changed?

-I think that's a great idea.

0:18:370:18:40

Colony Vee is aiming for her first county show

0:18:400:18:42

in a couple of months' time.

0:18:420:18:44

Phil is an experienced rider

0:18:440:18:45

but he's never ridden a Suffolk punch before

0:18:450:18:48

and they're both a little nervous.

0:18:480:18:50

Is there anything I need to be aware of when riding her?

0:18:500:18:52

Just that, although she's five,

0:18:520:18:54

she's still quite green in herself, so she hasn't done a lot.

0:18:540:18:57

-Be nice and gentle with her mouth as well.

-OK.

0:18:570:18:59

-So no contact really, just light contact.

-Just a slight one, yeah.

0:18:590:19:03

-OK. I'll get on then, yeah?

-Yeah.

0:19:030:19:04

A mature Suffolk generally stands at between 16 and 17 hands

0:19:080:19:11

and can weigh up to 1,000 kilos, the same as a small car.

0:19:110:19:15

And they are always chestnut in colour.

0:19:150:19:18

In fact, you're quite a good size on her.

0:19:200:19:21

-I think we'll steal you back to ride her in shows.

-Yeah, I'd love to ride her.

0:19:210:19:24

So, how did it go?

0:19:320:19:33

Yeah, lovely.

0:19:330:19:35

Are we buying one then?

0:19:350:19:36

The Trust relies heavily on the help of volunteers,

0:19:380:19:41

so, even if they don't buy a Suffolk punch,

0:19:410:19:43

there'll be plenty of chances to help out at the stables

0:19:430:19:46

and visitor centre.

0:19:460:19:48

But, first, we need to return to the business

0:19:480:19:50

of finding our buyers a home.

0:19:500:19:51

For our second offering, we're heading east,

0:19:550:19:57

deeper into the Suffolk countryside and to the hamlet of Sternfield.

0:19:570:20:01

The closest market town, Saxmundham, is two miles away

0:20:020:20:05

and offers a wide range of amenities and a train station.

0:20:050:20:09

It's a 40-minute rail journey to Ipswich,

0:20:090:20:11

where you have to change for the London train.

0:20:110:20:14

The famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall is nearby,

0:20:140:20:17

which attracts visitors from around the world

0:20:170:20:19

and is one of the venues for the famous Aldeburgh Festival,

0:20:190:20:22

so a good spot for a potential bed and breakfast business.

0:20:220:20:26

Sternfield itself is a peaceful village

0:20:260:20:28

and our second house is situated on its fringes on a quiet lane.

0:20:280:20:32

So, in order to mix things up a bit,

0:20:320:20:34

we thought we'd show you a Georgian farmhouse.

0:20:340:20:37

This is it.

0:20:370:20:39

-I like it already.

-Gorgeous, isn't it?

-I absolutely like it.

0:20:390:20:43

Wow.

0:20:430:20:44

-Yeah. No...I...yeah.

-THEY LAUGH

0:20:440:20:46

-You can see the big smile on his face.

-Yeah.

-Definitely like it.

0:20:460:20:49

There is a compromise. There always is,

0:20:490:20:51

especially when you're looking for period properties with land.

0:20:510:20:54

-And that's where we are.

-Do we need to...

0:20:540:20:56

-I'm stretching your commute, I'm afraid.

-OK.

0:20:560:20:59

Saxmundham

0:20:590:21:02

is only a couple of miles down the road

0:21:020:21:03

and it has a train station there.

0:21:030:21:06

-You'd be better driving to Ipswich...

-Mm-hm.

0:21:060:21:09

-..40-odd minutes and then getting a train there.

-Hmm.

-OK.

0:21:090:21:12

Sorry.

0:21:120:21:14

Yeah, you will be. Only joking!

0:21:140:21:16

Anyway, I always said, you know, if the location or the house

0:21:170:21:21

is the house of our dreams,

0:21:210:21:23

I'll be willing to compromise I would say.

0:21:230:21:26

But I have already a good feeling and I just hope this flow...

0:21:260:21:31

-Will continue through it.

-..will continue when we go inside.

0:21:310:21:34

Let's have a look. Come on. Follow me.

0:21:340:21:37

'Well, Gil seems open to the idea of a longer commute.'

0:21:370:21:40

In we come. 'So, that's the major stumbling block out of the way.'

0:21:410:21:45

We're heading to the back of the grade two-listed farmhouse

0:21:450:21:47

which has been recently extended.

0:21:470:21:49

So, in we come to...

0:21:520:21:53

-..the newest part of the house actually.

-Uh-huh.

0:21:540:21:57

Look at you, you're comfortable already.

0:22:000:22:02

You can see my smile continues there.

0:22:020:22:05

I like it.

0:22:050:22:06

I'm not going to say anything

0:22:070:22:09

because I already really like it and I don't want to give the game away.

0:22:090:22:13

Come on, man! That's what we're here for.

0:22:130:22:17

-So far, I could see us here having our friends and family...

-Yeah.

0:22:170:22:22

-Two fingers up, in a good way.

-Two thumbs up. Good.

0:22:220:22:25

So, do you like what they've done with it cos it's modern...

0:22:250:22:29

Much more modern than we've seen so far, but does it work?

0:22:290:22:33

-It's gorgeous.

-It works. Even the part with the little window there.

0:22:330:22:37

-It's quite quirky. I like it.

-Do you want to see more?

0:22:370:22:39

Well, I'll tell you what we'll do - you can do a complete circuit,

0:22:390:22:42

if you like, of the ground floor before we go upstairs.

0:22:420:22:44

-Let's do just that.

-Sounds good to me.

0:22:440:22:46

The kitchen leads on to a stunning dining room

0:22:470:22:50

with glass doors along one side and fantastic views out onto the garden.

0:22:500:22:54

Adjacent to the dining room is a cosy snug with wood-burning stove.

0:22:540:22:58

Now you've got a much bigger reception room here.

0:23:020:23:05

That's more like it.

0:23:050:23:06

I like it. Lovely fireplace. As you say, you kind of go around the house.

0:23:080:23:12

Yeah. Well, this would have been...

0:23:120:23:14

It might've felt a bit long and thin before

0:23:140:23:15

but because you got that extension...

0:23:150:23:17

-Look, there's the old external wall.

-Yeah.

0:23:170:23:19

Cos you have that extension, in the short term,

0:23:190:23:21

you've got a snug and a living room.

0:23:210:23:23

In the long-term, talking about maybe having guests to stay,

0:23:230:23:27

you've got a sanctuary there, haven't you?

0:23:270:23:29

Well, that's their living room, isn't it?

0:23:290:23:32

Cos you can have that for the guests.

0:23:320:23:34

Fair enough.

0:23:340:23:35

Either way, keeping the bed and breakfast business in mind,

0:23:350:23:38

there are plenty of reception rooms without compromising their privacy.

0:23:380:23:41

Upstairs, the spacious theme continues,

0:23:430:23:45

as there are five bedrooms spread across two floors.

0:23:450:23:49

So, let's start with the master bedroom.

0:23:490:23:52

-It's a good size.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, it's lovely.

0:23:540:23:57

To give you an idea which got - you've got an a en-suite here,

0:23:570:24:00

an en-suite bath with a Jacuzzi in it with shower. And you've got...

0:24:000:24:04

a bedroom in the middle and a bedroom right at the end.

0:24:040:24:08

Beyond that bedroom is an en-suite,

0:24:080:24:09

-but it's the size of another family bathroom.

-Right.

0:24:090:24:12

So, the middle bedroom will have to come through one of these bedrooms

0:24:120:24:15

-to use this en-suite so maybe that becomes an office or an...

-OK.

0:24:150:24:18

..or study or whatever.

0:24:180:24:20

But upstairs, you've got two other bedrooms that share a bathroom.

0:24:200:24:26

-Wow, OK.

-So, you got all the bedrooms you asked for.

0:24:260:24:28

I can't add those up. How many does that make?

0:24:280:24:30

You've got five bedrooms

0:24:300:24:32

but I think essentially you've kind of got four

0:24:320:24:35

if you're starting to think about guests

0:24:350:24:37

and walking through other people's bedrooms and stuff.

0:24:370:24:40

-Mm.

-So you've we got all the bedrooms up here.

0:24:400:24:42

Let me take you back outside, if I may.

0:24:420:24:44

-Start thinking about price, as well, guys.

-Yeah.

-Hm.

0:24:440:24:46

To the side of the house, there's a large timber-framed outbuilding

0:24:500:24:53

that could be converted into stables.

0:24:530:24:55

The outside space includes a south-facing patio

0:24:550:24:58

and the rear garden is mainly lawn with a footbridge

0:24:580:25:00

across a small river to a further garden and meadow.

0:25:000:25:04

There are three acres of land in total.

0:25:050:25:07

But, there's also an option to rent a paddock

0:25:070:25:09

at the back of the property for Phil's longed for horse.

0:25:090:25:12

-Look at it.

-Yes, it's idyllic.

-You can see the volleyball court here.

0:25:140:25:19

I suppose now...

0:25:190:25:21

They've almost given you a volleyball net there, haven't they?

0:25:210:25:24

-No, no, no.

-Look at that.

-That would spoil it, actually.

0:25:240:25:27

If you said to someone, you know, "Show me a meadow"...

0:25:270:25:29

This would be it, wouldn't it?

0:25:290:25:31

It's just... You'd be so proud to live here, wouldn't you?

0:25:310:25:33

So how much do you think this spectacular Georgian property

0:25:330:25:38

with its three acres is on the market for?

0:25:380:25:40

I'm going to say £785,000.

0:25:400:25:42

I'm going to go a bit higher, actually. £825,000.

0:25:420:25:47

This house is on the market for offers around £795,000.

0:25:470:25:50

-Oh, wow.

-Hmm.

0:25:500:25:53

-That surprised me, actually.

-Yes.

0:25:530:25:55

-You need to go back into this house.

-Yeah.

0:25:550:25:58

Think about whether you guys could live here

0:25:580:26:01

and commute to and from here, as well, most importantly, Gil.

0:26:010:26:04

-All right?

-Absolutely.

-All right.

0:26:040:26:06

The house is that way, but don't forget to walk around, as well.

0:26:060:26:09

-All right, then.

-Thank you.

-Let's go that way.

0:26:090:26:12

-Do whatever you want.

-Cheers.

0:26:120:26:13

£55,000 below their maximum budget,

0:26:150:26:18

our second property, a Grade II listed Georgian farmhouse

0:26:180:26:21

gives Gil and Phil the character they asked for in a rural location.

0:26:210:26:26

It features five bedrooms, a large kitchen,

0:26:260:26:29

and land and outbuildings for an equine holiday business,

0:26:290:26:32

but it is a longer commute for Gil, just over two hours door-to-door.

0:26:320:26:36

Walking in, architecturally, the kitchen is a wonderful space

0:26:360:26:41

flooded with light.

0:26:410:26:43

Definitely somewhere where I could imagine pottering around,

0:26:430:26:46

spending time.

0:26:460:26:48

We're spoilt for choice were to stay

0:26:480:26:49

because we could probably live in the third floor,

0:26:490:26:53

but I can imagine just wanting to sleep in each room

0:26:530:26:56

a different night of the week

0:26:560:26:58

because I'd like all of them to be my bedroom.

0:26:580:27:01

Walking around the house, it feels really well. The layout worked.

0:27:010:27:05

You're kind of going around and wherever you looked at

0:27:050:27:09

was just nice and bright. It just worked.

0:27:090:27:13

It's like being on holiday, actually,

0:27:130:27:14

just looking around and those bridges.

0:27:140:27:17

A romantic getaway, really. I'm speechless for that. Love it.

0:27:170:27:22

-So, look at that. Is that a contented smile there, Philip?

-Yes.

0:27:250:27:29

But are you both happy?

0:27:290:27:31

-Yes, we are.

-Yes? Something to think about tonight?

-Absolutely.

0:27:320:27:35

-Yeah, definitely.

-Good news. Let's go back.

0:27:350:27:38

It's the second day of our property search

0:27:470:27:49

and on a generous budget of £850,000,

0:27:490:27:52

we're helping Gil an Phil from London

0:27:520:27:55

escape the bustle of the capital for the serenity of Suffolk.

0:27:550:27:59

Coming up, we go off-piste with the mystery house.

0:27:590:28:01

It's like a ski lodge.

0:28:010:28:04

Yeah, you know what? It's a good point, actually.

0:28:040:28:06

I get that. Yeah.

0:28:060:28:08

And I head back to the Stone Age.

0:28:080:28:10

Well, we looked around two fantastic properties yesterday, didn't we?

0:28:130:28:16

Although I don't think it takes a genius to work out

0:28:160:28:19

which of the two houses is coming out on top.

0:28:190:28:21

Now with that in mind, I think we can afford

0:28:210:28:23

to take a bit of a risk today. And let's face it,

0:28:230:28:25

that's what the mystery property is all about, isn't it?

0:28:250:28:28

Now, with this house itself,

0:28:280:28:29

there are a couple of issues, first of all.

0:28:290:28:32

Now, for Philip, there's not a great deal of land for his horses,

0:28:320:28:35

although there is an opportunity to get hold of some on a later date.

0:28:350:28:38

And then, for Gil, he seems to have an acute dislike for bungalows.

0:28:380:28:42

And let's face it, this house is built all on the same level.

0:28:420:28:45

But, if they're able to get over these issues,

0:28:450:28:47

they could get their hands on a character property

0:28:470:28:50

with so much space.

0:28:500:28:51

It'll offer them fantastic potential for their business.

0:28:510:28:55

Let's see how we go.

0:28:550:28:56

You want something quite different.

0:29:020:29:04

You want land around you and da-da-da.

0:29:040:29:05

You know there's going to be compromises, don't you?

0:29:050:29:08

-Yeah.

-Oh, right. OK.

-We're fully aware of that.

0:29:080:29:10

So, are you hinting at a project?

0:29:100:29:13

I'm hinting at a compromise.

0:29:130:29:16

We're not showing you this house because we think it's unsuitable.

0:29:160:29:19

We are just approaching it from a slightly different angle.

0:29:190:29:22

Yeah, I know. We like that.

0:29:220:29:23

I did say to you at the very beginning that we are open minded.

0:29:230:29:27

Well, let's see how far they're willing to go.

0:29:280:29:31

For our mystery house, we're heading northwest

0:29:310:29:33

to the village of Laxfield,

0:29:330:29:35

a 30-minute drive to the nearest train station.

0:29:350:29:38

Nearby Dennington has a vibrant community

0:29:380:29:40

which is reflected in the number of activities and societies on offer,

0:29:400:29:44

including a sports club for Gil.

0:29:440:29:46

Our final offering is situated a mile south from Laxfield village

0:29:460:29:50

in open countryside.

0:29:500:29:51

So the mystery house...

0:29:540:29:57

is this.

0:29:570:29:58

Well, almost looks like a collection of barns, doesn't it?

0:29:580:30:01

-I know.

-It does.

-First impressions?

0:30:010:30:03

Erm, I like it. I mean, is it a bungalow?

0:30:030:30:09

-Well, funny you should say that. It's a converted barn.

-Yes.

0:30:090:30:12

OK? Which those words seem to get people jumping for joy

0:30:120:30:17

a lot of the time, but, yeah, you're quite right.

0:30:170:30:20

It is all on one level, so it's a bungalow in its truest sense.

0:30:200:30:25

These are two very different men that I saw yesterday, aren't they?

0:30:260:30:30

You're not jumping for joy at the moment, are you?

0:30:300:30:32

I'm looking forward to seeing the stables

0:30:320:30:34

and the equestrian centre that's behind it.

0:30:340:30:36

Yeah, me too.

0:30:360:30:37

Well, this is the mystery house, and yes, the land could be an issue.

0:30:390:30:44

On the plus side, the actual property is huge -

0:30:440:30:47

over 4,000 square feet,

0:30:470:30:49

and so offers lots of potential to accommodate guests,

0:30:490:30:52

either friends from London, or income-generating holiday-makers.

0:30:520:30:56

-Right, so the hub of the house when you first walk in.

-Mm-hm.

0:30:560:31:00

First impressions?

0:31:000:31:01

Yeah, it's a spacious entrance, but the ceiling feels a bit low.

0:31:020:31:07

That's because there's a gallery above it.

0:31:070:31:09

There's a mezzanine level, if you like.

0:31:090:31:11

Just through that door you've got a utility.

0:31:110:31:13

A good size utility with deepfreeze

0:31:130:31:15

and a ground floor shower room and loo.

0:31:150:31:17

Just through those doors there, there's a snug.

0:31:170:31:19

We'll have a quick peek at that later.

0:31:190:31:21

Let me take you to the separate living room first.

0:31:210:31:23

The accommodation is arranged around a central courtyard

0:31:260:31:29

with the bedroom quarters on one side,

0:31:290:31:32

and on the day-to-day living areas on the other.

0:31:320:31:34

The main living room is accessed via a formal dining area.

0:31:340:31:38

Right, then.

0:31:400:31:41

This is the furthest part from the kitchen, if you like.

0:31:430:31:46

-OK. I like this better.

-Yeah, this is nice. It's like a ski lodge.

0:31:460:31:51

Yeah, you know what? It's a good point, actually. I get that.

0:31:520:31:56

One of the reasons why we brought you here

0:31:560:31:58

is cos we thought this might give you a really good opportunity

0:31:580:32:01

of an up and running B&B

0:32:010:32:03

-or some form of hospitality-based business.

-OK.

0:32:030:32:05

We've not really centred on that a great deal.

0:32:050:32:07

But we think this is your dedicated living room

0:32:070:32:11

away from your paying customers.

0:32:110:32:13

-This is just you guys.

-OK.

-OK.

0:32:130:32:16

-Yeah, we'll bear that in mind.

-All right. So, let's see more.

0:32:160:32:19

There's probably 3,500 square feet still to come, isn't there?

0:32:190:32:23

Good maths! I think you're about right.

0:32:230:32:25

Let's go have a look at some of it.

0:32:250:32:27

Despite its size, the third property

0:32:280:32:31

doesn't appear to have captured the hearts of our buyers just yet.

0:32:310:32:34

The kitchen is quite different.

0:32:340:32:38

-It's massive, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:32:400:32:43

Now for you guys, looking at your home/business,

0:32:430:32:47

you've got your sanctuary away from people at the far end

0:32:470:32:50

with that living room we've just been to.

0:32:500:32:52

You got a snug here looking out to the garden.

0:32:520:32:55

And then your standard dining/kitchen here.

0:32:560:32:59

-Yeah.

-Put the Georgian house from yesterday to the back of your mind.

0:32:590:33:02

Let's try to see this as it is, all right?

0:33:020:33:06

-This is the sort of kitchen you could see yourselves in?

-Oh, yeah.

0:33:060:33:09

I mean, this is a fab kitchen, isn't it? What's not to like.

0:33:090:33:13

All right, let's go and have a look at the bedroom stock

0:33:130:33:16

because there's quite a bit to see. Follow me.

0:33:160:33:18

There are six bedrooms in total and not surprisingly,

0:33:200:33:23

they're all a good size.

0:33:230:33:25

Three of those bedrooms are found in a self-contained wing

0:33:250:33:28

of the property which also features a living room

0:33:280:33:31

with kitchenette and bathroom.

0:33:310:33:33

This section could be entirely reserved for guests,

0:33:330:33:36

leaving the three remaining bedrooms and family bathroom

0:33:360:33:38

for Gil and Phil.

0:33:380:33:39

-Now as it stands, it's the master bedroom.

-OK.

0:33:440:33:47

It's the biggest and it's en-suite

0:33:470:33:49

with a sunken bath in there, actually.

0:33:490:33:52

Sounds good.

0:33:520:33:53

-I like the exposure of the beams and all that. It's cute.

-Yeah.

0:33:530:33:58

What's been your feeling when you've been walking around?

0:33:580:34:00

I haven't got to grips with the geography of the house yet.

0:34:000:34:03

-It feels very sprawling.

-Yeah, it's labyrinthian almost.

0:34:030:34:06

Because it's also all in one level, it's spread out quite a lot.

0:34:060:34:12

But when you consider that you could probably

0:34:120:34:14

shut bits of the property off as when guests come to stay,

0:34:140:34:18

either paying or non-paying, it could work quite well.

0:34:180:34:20

In terms of land,

0:34:220:34:23

this property is the smallest we've seen at around 1.25 acres.

0:34:230:34:27

The gardens are mainly laid to lawn and bordered by an open meadow.

0:34:270:34:31

There is a garage but no immediate space and shelter for a horse,

0:34:310:34:35

however there are rentable options nearby.

0:34:350:34:37

What are your thoughts on this house?

0:34:390:34:41

Well, I mean, fair dues, it's a good attempt.

0:34:410:34:43

I feel like I'm being home-schooled now.

0:34:440:34:47

This is the teacher in you coming out, isn't it?

0:34:470:34:49

Do I get a cross or a tick at the moment?

0:34:490:34:51

-A little smiley face.

-Right, OK.

0:34:510:34:53

But not a big beaming smile. Just a little half.

0:34:530:34:56

Yeah, all right.

0:34:560:34:59

How would you price this house?

0:34:590:35:00

I mean, you both been very good in the pricing so far.

0:35:000:35:03

How much do you think this place is on the market for?

0:35:030:35:06

-I think £725,000.

-OK. Philip?

0:35:060:35:09

£695,000.

0:35:090:35:12

Very good guesses.

0:35:120:35:13

It's on the market for a guide price of £725,000.

0:35:130:35:18

Why don't you go back into the house? You've seen the land.

0:35:180:35:20

Why don't you go back into the house

0:35:200:35:22

and look at some of the areas we haven't seen like the bedrooms,

0:35:220:35:24

and I'll meet you back outside whenever you're finished, all right?

0:35:240:35:27

-All right.

-OK. Thanks.

0:35:270:35:29

Substantially below budget by 125,000,

0:35:300:35:33

our one-level barn conversion

0:35:330:35:35

gives a Gil and Phil a 4,000 square feet of accommodation to play with,

0:35:350:35:40

including six bedrooms and a separate wing for guests,

0:35:400:35:43

but comes with only 1.25 acres of land.

0:35:430:35:46

Location wise, it did look good.

0:35:460:35:49

But then we realised it was only one level...

0:35:490:35:54

It was a challenge.

0:35:540:35:56

The feel of the house for me...

0:35:560:35:58

It's a great family home, potential B&B...

0:35:580:36:02

I have to say from my heart, I didn't get the feeling

0:36:020:36:05

that it's the home that I would dream of.

0:36:050:36:08

-Well then, gentlemen, enjoyed your tour around on your own?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:36:100:36:14

You know, it's a beautiful house.

0:36:140:36:17

-It just didn't work for us, but huge potential there.

-OK.

0:36:170:36:21

Well, there's something else praying on your minds, I shouldn't wonder.

0:36:210:36:24

Sounds like there's a big decision looming.

0:36:240:36:26

Let's find you somewhere to have a bit of a think

0:36:260:36:28

and then we'll get together and have a discussion.

0:36:280:36:31

-Good.

-Sounds good.

0:36:310:36:32

In 2005, the cliffs overlooking Suffolk's North Sea coast

0:36:410:36:45

at Pakefield hit the headlines.

0:36:450:36:47

Two amateur archaeologists stumbled on a remarkable discovery

0:36:480:36:52

that would rewrite history.

0:36:520:36:55

A collection of stone tools similar to these and made from local flint,

0:36:550:36:58

show that humans were living in Britain

0:36:580:37:01

700,000 years ago, far earlier than previously thought.

0:37:010:37:06

The process of shaping, or knapping, flint continues today

0:37:060:37:09

and the stone is often used as a building material in the county.

0:37:090:37:13

I've come to Bury St Edmunds to meet master flint knapper,

0:37:130:37:16

Will Lord, who runs workshops in prehistory

0:37:160:37:19

to find out how Stone Age man would have made these tools.

0:37:190:37:23

This is amazing. Let's talk about this environment.

0:37:230:37:26

Stone Age, we're talking about up to...

0:37:260:37:28

What, to one million years ago, goodness me.

0:37:280:37:31

It's mind-boggling, isn't it?

0:37:310:37:33

What was it like around here? What was the environment like?

0:37:330:37:36

It was a lush savanna,

0:37:360:37:38

but the problem was, is the animal kingdom was far different.

0:37:380:37:42

What sort of animals were roaming here then, Will?

0:37:420:37:44

You had mammoths, woolly rhino, you've got hyenas, you've got bears,

0:37:440:37:48

you've got lions...

0:37:480:37:49

Now, of course we are talking about, Stone Age man and woman, here.

0:37:490:37:53

At the heart of this process is stone

0:37:530:37:55

and here in Suffolk we have bountiful supplies of flint.

0:37:550:37:58

-Now you do something here called flint knapping.

-Well, yes.

0:37:580:38:01

We've got the flint knapping over there

0:38:010:38:03

and if we approach a stone well,

0:38:030:38:06

within five minutes time we can be holding in our hands

0:38:060:38:09

something called a hand axe,

0:38:090:38:11

which sounds like it's used for chopping trees down,

0:38:110:38:14

but basically it was used as a butchery tool

0:38:140:38:17

for cutting up things like a great big mammoth.

0:38:170:38:19

-Can I have a go at this?

-You can have a go at this, too.

0:38:190:38:21

-Let's go. Come on.

-Let's go.

0:38:210:38:24

Flint is a fine-grained form of the mineral quartz,

0:38:240:38:27

usually found as lumps in chalk.

0:38:270:38:29

It's one of the hardest natural materials there is,

0:38:290:38:31

making it the perfect stone from which to craft a tool.

0:38:310:38:35

The first step of knapping involves breaking open

0:38:350:38:38

a piece of parent material called a core.

0:38:380:38:40

-How old is this?

-100 million years old.

0:38:410:38:44

100 million years old?!

0:38:440:38:46

That's amazing.

0:38:460:38:47

OK, so, you've got your raw material.

0:38:470:38:51

We need to bust it open

0:38:510:38:52

-and look at the geometry of how to break it apart.

-OK.

0:38:520:38:55

So with that in mind, let's put that down and make your hammers,

0:38:550:38:58

-cos they're quite interesting.

-All right.

0:38:580:39:00

First of all, it's quartzite. It's the oldest stone on the planet.

0:39:010:39:05

-Quartzite.

-Quartzite.

0:39:050:39:07

It is very, very, very hard.

0:39:070:39:10

Will is going to start me off, but not before I get kitted out

0:39:110:39:14

as flint can shatter and spark when struck.

0:39:140:39:17

What I'm going to ask you to do now -

0:39:220:39:23

I want you to hold this on your leg as I held it on mine.

0:39:230:39:26

So, about there?

0:39:260:39:27

-Yeah, that looks great. Then hold on to this.

-Right.

0:39:270:39:30

I'm going to use my finger as a pen to mark where to hit it.

0:39:300:39:34

You're going to hit it there.

0:39:340:39:35

Now hit it hard.

0:39:360:39:38

That was the one!

0:39:380:39:40

Lovely job.

0:39:400:39:41

'The next step is to strike flakes off the core

0:39:410:39:44

'and then to shape those flakes into the intended tool.'

0:39:440:39:47

That, Will, looks...

0:39:470:39:50

That looks terrifying! Look at the edges!

0:39:500:39:54

You don't want to run your finger across the tip of that.

0:39:540:39:56

No way! Look at that.

0:39:560:39:57

'All this work has made me hungry, so what better way to test out

0:40:000:40:03

'our prehistoric carving knives than on a leg of fire cooked venison?'

0:40:030:40:07

-Goodness me, that's sharp.

-It's just falling apart, isn't it?

0:40:100:40:13

Wow! That is absolutely amazing.

0:40:130:40:17

Thank you so much.

0:40:180:40:20

Normally I'd say, "Look, I wish you the very best of luck.

0:40:200:40:22

"I'll see you again." But I'm going nowhere.

0:40:220:40:24

-Should we do some more carving?

-Let's get into it, shall we?

0:40:240:40:27

Well, after looking around three stunning properties,

0:40:320:40:34

I think it's fair to assume that there is still one clear favourite.

0:40:340:40:38

Let's find out what Philip and Gil want to do about it.

0:40:380:40:41

I'm pretty sure that your favourite house is house number two

0:40:470:40:50

that we saw yesterday afternoon.

0:40:500:40:53

What I want to know is, what do you want to do about it?

0:40:530:40:55

Well, we are still mulling it over.

0:40:550:40:58

It is a lovely house

0:40:580:41:00

and I knew from the moment that I saw it that you were presenting us

0:41:000:41:03

with a real dilemma which was why

0:41:030:41:05

I was kind of nervous going around the house,

0:41:050:41:07

because I didn't want to love it as much as I did.

0:41:070:41:10

But the payoff of the two hour commute is such a big consideration.

0:41:100:41:16

What I would love to do is actually to try to commute

0:41:160:41:21

and see how long it actually would take.

0:41:210:41:26

We started out a couple of days ago and we were looking for a house

0:41:260:41:29

with this potential to become a business in a few years' time

0:41:290:41:32

and in a lot of ways I think that...

0:41:320:41:35

That took the focus away from what we should've been looking at.

0:41:350:41:38

I've seen this journey go from this potential business to,

0:41:380:41:41

no, actually what we want is a home, first and foremost.

0:41:410:41:45

It's that home part of house number two

0:41:450:41:48

that you both seemed to really fall for.

0:41:480:41:50

Probably the deciding factor

0:41:500:41:51

is always going to be emotionally based.

0:41:510:41:54

That's what this process is about, though. It's a journey, isn't it?

0:41:540:41:57

And got us into bungalow.

0:41:570:41:59

Yes! I forgot about that. The big surprise. I totally forgot about it.

0:41:590:42:03

Well, look, I wish you both the very best the very best

0:42:030:42:06

with that second viewing.

0:42:060:42:07

Whatever you decide to do, please let us know, won't you?

0:42:070:42:10

-We will.

-It'll be on a sunny day. That's for sure. It'll help.

0:42:100:42:12

Don't do it in the wet. Please don't do it in the wet.

0:42:120:42:15

Perhaps that's what you should do then. Look, good luck.

0:42:150:42:17

-All right, thank you very much.

-Thank you.

0:42:170:42:19

Admittedly, it was a bit of a gamble showing Gil and Philip

0:42:230:42:26

the second property bearing in mind

0:42:260:42:28

the commute time back into London for Gil.

0:42:280:42:31

But I'm glad we took that risk.

0:42:310:42:32

I certainly think it was worth it

0:42:320:42:34

because in showing them that house,

0:42:340:42:36

it's got both of them to refocus on what's important to them -

0:42:360:42:39

and that's the house or business

0:42:390:42:42

needs to be a home for them both first.

0:42:420:42:44

And what a home that Georgian property would make.

0:42:440:42:47

And in going back for a second viewing,

0:42:470:42:49

doing a dummy run on that commute,

0:42:490:42:51

if Gil is able to put up with an extra 10 or 15 minutes on a train,

0:42:510:42:55

you never know, we may well have found them a new home.

0:42:550:42:58

I sure hope so. See you next time.

0:42:580:43:00

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0:43:010:43:03

in Wales, England, Northern Ireland, or Scotland

0:43:030:43:06

and would like our help, then you can apply online at:

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