0:00:02 > 0:00:04400 years ago, this entire landscape for miles
0:00:04 > 0:00:07and miles to the coastline was absolutely boggy swampland.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10But, this building is part of the story why
0:00:10 > 0:00:13now my toes are completely dry.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Find out where I am in just a moment.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34On today's show, I have my work cut out
0:00:34 > 0:00:37fulfilling our house-hunters' dreams.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38Look at that.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40A friend commented the other day and said,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43"What you're basically looking for is your nan's house."
0:00:43 > 0:00:46But I still manage to serve up some properties that impress.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49That's huge living space.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- That's incredible. - That's extraordinary!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Wow.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Today, we're in Cambridgeshire, and this is Stretham Old Engine,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01a pump-house built in 1832.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04One of 100 examples scattered over the north-east of this county.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06They were originally constructed to take
0:01:06 > 0:01:10the strain off the 800 existing windmills that had been
0:01:10 > 0:01:12pumping water out of the Fenland
0:01:12 > 0:01:16since the 17th century in order to turn it into good arable farmland.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19This is the only existing example still standing
0:01:19 > 0:01:21and it's a wonderful piece of Fenland history
0:01:21 > 0:01:25but it's only the beginning of our tour of this historic county.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30The county of Cambridgeshire is located in East Anglia,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34with eight bordering counties including Lincolnshire to the north,
0:01:34 > 0:01:39Suffolk to the east, Essex to the south and Bedfordshire to the west.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41The county capital is the city of Cambridge,
0:01:41 > 0:01:46whose university founded in 1209 is amongst the very best in the world.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Properties here are sought after
0:01:48 > 0:01:53and pricey at 150% over the national average.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55You don't have to travel far to experience
0:01:55 > 0:01:57a wealth of rural scenery.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Wicken Fen is Britain's oldest nature reserve
0:02:00 > 0:02:03taken on by the National Trust in 1899.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Rising up from the Fenland is Ely Cathedral which
0:02:07 > 0:02:10dates back to the 11th century. Also in the town of Ely,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13is the house of The Lord Protector of England,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Oliver Cromwell, where he lived for ten years.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Houses in this northern Fenland region are much more
0:02:19 > 0:02:22affordable at nearly £100,000 lower than the national average.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26With cultural centres and wide open countryside,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30there's no doubt that Cambridgeshire is an appealing county to escape to.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35There's a marked difference of price here with your money
0:02:35 > 0:02:38going much further in the north and you having to pay a hefty premium
0:02:38 > 0:02:40if you want to be close to Cambridge
0:02:40 > 0:02:42or down in the south of Cambridgeshire.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45That's not just because of good train links down to London
0:02:45 > 0:02:48but also because the villages there regularly top those surveys
0:02:48 > 0:02:51asking where is the best quality of life in the UK.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54So, let's meet our buyers and see whether they're willing to pay
0:02:54 > 0:02:58that premium and stay south or are looking for a bargain in the north.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Today's house-hunters are London-based teachers
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Jacqueline and Alistair who met each other through work.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11We teach English as a foreign language
0:03:11 > 0:03:13and we also train teachers to do that.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15We were sent on a training trip.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18They needed two trainers to go to Peru and our boss,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21we think he was a bit of a matchmaker, he sent us both.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25And the rest is history, as they say.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28They got hitched two and a half years ago and have spent
0:03:28 > 0:03:32a large part of their married life on an incredible journey.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35We've just recently come back from a year overseas.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40We had a sabbatical from work and we went round the world without flying.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43We had 20 days on a container ship going down to Buenos Aires
0:03:43 > 0:03:46and then we went over land on assorted buses
0:03:46 > 0:03:48right the way through to California.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51We took another container ship across to Shanghai and then
0:03:51 > 0:03:56from Shanghai back to London on quite a number of different trains, mostly.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58It's been a great adventure.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02With their travels over, they're now living in Alistair's London flat,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05in a development on the Isle of Dogs.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08It's a property which is a little compact for their needs.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12The flat we live in is actually quite a small one-bedroom flat.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16In our kitchen, we can just about cook together but we do end up
0:04:16 > 0:04:20kind of choreographing around each other because it is a small kitchen.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I would say this current flat has restricted us
0:04:22 > 0:04:24in quite a number of ways.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Partly, we can't actually get all our own things in it
0:04:27 > 0:04:30so unfortunately quite a lot of our stuff is in storage at the moment.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32So, it'd be lovely to be reunited with that.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34An obvious need for living space is
0:04:34 > 0:04:37not the only thing driving this move.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39I dream of escaping to the country.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Something that we've actually been wanting to do for quite a long time.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Pretty much since we started being together
0:04:45 > 0:04:48we realised that we both loved being in the countryside
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and going walking and doing things like that.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54So, once we were together we started talking about
0:04:54 > 0:04:56how we could make that happen.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58And the need to continue teaching
0:04:58 > 0:05:01has played a huge part in where they plan to move.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04We were really looking for a county that would allow us
0:05:04 > 0:05:07to still work and have the variety of work that we enjoy at the moment.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11And Cambridgeshire is perfect because of Cambridge.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14The university as well as all of the schools will give us
0:05:14 > 0:05:18the same sort of variety we hope as we have at the moment in London.
0:05:18 > 0:05:19But it's not all work.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Alistair is keen to develop his love of yoga
0:05:22 > 0:05:24and turn his hand to some new interests.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28I'd like to take up gardening and particularly growing vegetables.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31The idea of growing your own food is hugely appealing to me
0:05:31 > 0:05:33so I'd like to have a go at doing that.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36And I'd also like to try my hand at brewing beer, as well.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38If we've got enough space to do that, it'd be fantastic.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I don't know if I'd be any good at it.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43I just want to have a go and see what I can come up with.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45With the flat already on the market,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47life in the country can't come soon enough.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50We've both lived in London a long time and I know that
0:05:50 > 0:05:53when I've been on a train heading off to the countryside
0:05:53 > 0:05:56for the weekend as soon as we hit the green fields
0:05:56 > 0:05:58it just lifts me and I want that in my life.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02I think the move will be a dramatic change for our lives.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05It will change where we work, where we live and very much
0:06:05 > 0:06:08the sorts of things we do on a daily basis will change as well.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16As Alistair and Jacqueline want a slice of the rural life,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18but will be working every day in central Cambridge,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21we'll be concentrating our search on the villages around
0:06:21 > 0:06:23half an hour from the city centre.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27I'm meeting our house-hunters at the largest house in Cambridgeshire,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Wimpole Hall.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30- Morning, guys.- Morning.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Sadly, Wimpole Hall is a little bit out of your budget.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- Afraid so, yeah.- Slightly.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37But the right part of the countryside.
0:06:37 > 0:06:38So, this is Cambridgeshire.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41You're heading to the south. Why the south?
0:06:41 > 0:06:43North of Cambridge it suddenly becomes very flat
0:06:43 > 0:06:46and Fenlandy, which is beautiful in its own way,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48but in terms of somewhere for us to live we atually prefer
0:06:48 > 0:06:51the more gentle rolling countryside that you get south of Cambridge.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- Quintessentially English.- Yes.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Have you primed yourself for actually living in the country?
0:06:56 > 0:06:57Because you're both town mice.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01We live in London. I wouldn't say we're exactly town mice.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I think we've both had in our heart a long time that we want to
0:07:03 > 0:07:06live in the countryside and it's time to make the move.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10We spend a lot of our weekends going out of London,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12either visiting friends or going walking.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16And we decided quite a while ago that actually we'd like to
0:07:16 > 0:07:21change our lives so that that becomes the norm rather than the exception.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Now, I don't need to tell you that you have chosen the most
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- popular part of Cambridgeshire in terms of property buying.- Yes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30And the most expensive. So what is your top budget?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33£325,000 for the right place.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Obviously, you'd like a bargain
0:07:37 > 0:07:39but that's how far you could stretch if you needed to.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41It might be that there's quite a pressure on that
0:07:41 > 0:07:44because if you want the ideal location and the period property...
0:07:44 > 0:07:47We realise that we're asking quite a lot
0:07:47 > 0:07:49and we might have to make some kind of compromise.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52In terms of the property itself,
0:07:52 > 0:07:54what are you looking for in this house?
0:07:54 > 0:07:56We'd love a period property.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59We'd love a lovely old fireplace with a wood-burning stove or...
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- I think it's very important to have a fireplace.- Yeah, that's essential.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07And other period features, I think, maybe creaky floorboards
0:08:07 > 0:08:10or a little secret staircase in a cupboard off the dining room or
0:08:10 > 0:08:14little windows. Yeah, I need to feel in touch with the past, I think.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16And then two or three bedrooms
0:08:16 > 0:08:19and a slightly bigger kitchen than we have at the moment.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21At the moment, we're having to squeeze round each other.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23And some kind of dining space.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25In terms of your readiness to move,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27what's the situation with the flat in the Isle of Dogs?
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Well, we've got it under offer, it's in the solicitor's hands
0:08:30 > 0:08:32at the moment so fingers crossed the sale will go through.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Wow, you are ready. - Yeah, we are.- Definitely.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- We've got three lovely properties lined up.- Fantastic.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39There's some things that match,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- some things that might have to be compromised on.- Sure.- Tantalising.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- But I'm looking forward to showing them to you.- Lovely.- We can't wait.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47So, let's head off. Follow me.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52For a maximum budget of £325,000,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Alistair and Jacqueline are looking for a period property
0:08:55 > 0:08:58with lots of character, two to three bedrooms,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01a garden to start cultivating a vegetable patch,
0:09:01 > 0:09:02located in a village,
0:09:02 > 0:09:06with a reasonable commute to Cambridge city centre.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09And we have three promising properties to tempt them with.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12And after each house tour, I'll be asking them
0:09:12 > 0:09:14to price the house before I reveal it.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18One, of course, will be our mystery house which gives our house-hunters
0:09:18 > 0:09:20something new to think about.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25You've been all the way round the world,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- and you're coming to little old Cambridgeshire.- Yes.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Are you going to be getting cabin fever here?
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I think probably quite the reverse, actually.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37We're looking forward to not moving on the whole time.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Being in one place and being able to explore it and get to know
0:09:40 > 0:09:43our neighbours and get to know the area much more in depth.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45And in terms of the community,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48as I know that you're quite big real ale fans.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Yes.- Is the pub going to be an important part of all this?
0:09:52 > 0:09:53Absolutely.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Hopefully, the village we end up in will have a pub
0:09:56 > 0:09:59that we can go and visit quite regularly
0:09:59 > 0:10:01and get to know local people through that, as well.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Our first house is in the village of Weston Colville.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Located in the southeastern part of the county,
0:10:09 > 0:10:14it's 14 miles from Cambridge city centre and a half-hour commute.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17It's a small village with a population of less than 500
0:10:17 > 0:10:21and typically English in feel, with a parish church, post office
0:10:21 > 0:10:23and cricket club.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25There's also a Victorian reading room,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28now used for meetings at exercise classes.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30And whilst not in the village itself, there is
0:10:30 > 0:10:32a pub a mile up the road.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35And our first offering is centrally located.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Come in through your own white picket fence.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- Thank you.- Wonderful.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Here's property number one.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Lovely.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46I love it. It's double-fronted, lovely little garden at the front.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- The door with the knocker. - Yeah, it's fantastic.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50It looks lovely.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53It's a terraced building. These were farmers' cottages back in the 1860s.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- Yes.- Lovely period property.- Yes.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58I love the detail above the windows on the ground floor.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Let's look inside.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03The period features on the exterior of this three-bedroom
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Victorian cottage have struck a chord with both Jacqueline
0:11:07 > 0:11:10and Alistair and I think inside won't disappoint either.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Come on into the warm.- Wow.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- It's a lot to take in straight off the road.- It's wonderfully cottagey.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23- It's lovely, isn't it? I love the beams.- Yeah.- And the fireplace.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Is that open?- Yes, it works. - OK.- An open, working fireplace.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29It's a new floor.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32They had some very nice Cambridge white bricks on the floor
0:11:32 > 0:11:33which have been recycled elsewhere.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- Right.- It's good quality, isn't it? - It looks very authentic.- Yeah.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40I love this little door. I love these... Yeah, OK. Tick.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- I was wondering if that's what you like, the nooks and crannies.- Yeah.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Very much so. Yeah.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48And even the little archways and the little windows.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50And the slightly bowed ceiling is rather nice
0:11:50 > 0:11:52as it shows real character.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54And this would be a lovely living space, I think.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Yes, it certainly would.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59If indeed this is the only living space.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- Oh.- Oh.- Come on, then.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04You can just say that and do nothing.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- Should we explore a bit further? - Yes, please.- Yes. Absolutely.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14This house is deceptive, as the current owners have remodelled
0:12:14 > 0:12:18and extended the property to create an unexpected rear space.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- Ta-da!- Oh, my goodness!
0:12:21 > 0:12:22Oh, my word.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24That's huge living space!
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- That's incredible. - This is extraordinary. Wow.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- And there's a range.- Oh, yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- And another living room. - A second living room.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Isn't it great? - Is this somebody else's place?
0:12:35 > 0:12:38This is way bigger than I expected.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40The brickwork there looks really nice
0:12:40 > 0:12:43but is that the brickwork has been taken from the living space?
0:12:43 > 0:12:47So, the white brick is characteristic of Cambridge
0:12:47 > 0:12:49and those were originally on the floor
0:12:49 > 0:12:54and they were recycled here and on the inside of the hearth.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- Where the log bin is. - That's a lovely idea.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- I can't believe we would have this much living space.- No.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02I know, I kind of didn't expect it to be quite as big as this.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04It's got a lovely feel to it, hasn't it?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- Let's have a peek upstairs because you wanted bedrooms.- Yes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Got bedrooms.- There's more?
0:13:12 > 0:13:16It seems the spacious downstairs has taken our house-buyers by surprise.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20The upstairs is smaller but still has room for three bedrooms.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23There are two to the front of the property, a family bathroom,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25and then a master suite.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30You have three lovely bedrooms.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Gosh. Three.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34- Three.- Wow. OK.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38And they're all sort of the same size. None of them are massive.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43This one is being used as the master, because it has an en-suite.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Ah, right. - We're not big en suite fans
0:13:45 > 0:13:46because we'll be living on our own.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48I'm just looking at that thinking
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- whether you could have a bigger bedroom here.- Yes.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52If you sacrificed the en-suite.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54You could have this as the guest room
0:13:54 > 0:13:56and use one of the other rooms as your bedroom.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58What's interesting for me is I'm really thinking about this place
0:13:58 > 0:14:01and would I live here, so it's really making an impression.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02That's what we like.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- Good. Well, there's one more thing to see and that's the garden.- Right.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- OK.- Let's go and see that.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11The house itself has got the character,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15space and cottagey feel they're after and outside the good news
0:14:15 > 0:14:18continues with a garden that caters for all their needs.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21Oh, it's gorgeous.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- It's quite a long garden. - It is. Great.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Vegetable patch.- Yes. I can see it all.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31They put in some raised beds in the corner but you could easily do more.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33What's nice about this, I think,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35is that you do have the variety of a nice sitting area
0:14:35 > 0:14:39and also space to do things, but it's not overwhelming
0:14:39 > 0:14:43so we won't be having to spend our entire free time doing the garden.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- No.- Exactly, yes.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47It would be quite low-maintenance.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50But let's turn back to the house and talk about the price.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- The all-important price.- Yes.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Crunch time.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57So, how much do you think this is on for?
0:14:57 > 0:15:01OK, so, I'm going to be an optimist
0:15:01 > 0:15:04and say £310,000.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I think it might be slightly more than that
0:15:07 > 0:15:08so I'm going to go for £315,000.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- Right.- 315?- Mm.- Fingers crossed.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Well, this is good news for you because this is on the market for...
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- £300,000.- Excellent.- Oh, fantastic. - Great.- OK. That's really good.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22So, you haven't seen the bedrooms upstairs.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24You haven't really had a chance to root around.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Have a little run around and see what you think
0:15:26 > 0:15:28and I'll meet you at the front door.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- OK.- Wonderful.- Thank you.- In you go.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35A pretty good result for the first house.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Lovely garden, lovely space indoors.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Pretty good location, and in budget.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43Pat on our backs.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Well under their top figure of £325,000,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51this characterful Victorian worker's cottage
0:15:51 > 0:15:53has period features throughout for Jacqueline,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57an unexpectedly large amount of living space, and a garden
0:15:57 > 0:16:00which means Alistair can start on his veg-producing plans.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05And all this located a half hour's commute from central Cambridge.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10OK. I think this would work as a double room for us.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Yeah, its a nice sized room, isn't it?
0:16:12 > 0:16:14It's more square and you could get round both sides of the bed
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- whether you put it there or there.- Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20When we arrived at the outside of the property, I thought it was lovely.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22It was just the kind of thing I'd hoped that we might find.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25It's a bit further out than we'd originally been hoping for
0:16:25 > 0:16:29and I think that's going to take a bit of thought to decide whether it's
0:16:29 > 0:16:32just a bit too far for us or whether we could actually live with that.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36I think the highlight is just the amount of living space.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39There's an embarrassment of living space in this cottage.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42We couldn't believe it when we came though from the
0:16:42 > 0:16:45living room at the front to the living space behind,
0:16:45 > 0:16:46at how much there is.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50I'm picking up that one fly in the ointment might be
0:16:50 > 0:16:52the distance from Cambridge. A bit too far?
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Well actually, for the budget,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57this is pretty good distance.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- OK, guys. You all done?- Yep.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05So, pull the door behind because we have got another house to visit.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06- Great.- Wonderful.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18When Alistair and Jacqueline move to Cambridgeshire they plan to
0:17:18 > 0:17:21indulge their passion for ale and start brewing their own beers.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24To pick up some pointers from the professionals,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26we've sent them to the town of Wisbech where the
0:17:26 > 0:17:31brewery of Elgood and Sons has been producing beer for over 130 years.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34They're meeting head brewer Alan Pateman.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- Good morning.- Good morning.- Welcome to Wisbech. It's nice to meet you.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- Thank you.- And welcome to North Brink Brewery.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42The brewery was built in 1795
0:17:42 > 0:17:44and has been brewing beer ever since then.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47And we're in the fifth generation of the family running the business.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- Continuously in one family? - Absolutely.- Wow. Great.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- Let's go and have a look. - Thank you, that's brilliant.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54The craft beer industry is booming with
0:17:54 > 0:18:00over 1,000 breweries in the UK producing over 5,000 unique beers.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Jacqueline and Alistair are getting a peek at the brewery's latest brew.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07It's a traditional Belgian-style sour beer, known as lambic,
0:18:07 > 0:18:12which has a unique process and one few breweries are able to attempt.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15OK, so we're now in the main part of the brewhouse where
0:18:15 > 0:18:17all of our brews start life.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19It's good that you're here today
0:18:19 > 0:18:22because we're brewing our lambic today.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26It's something new to us, this is only the third brew that we've done.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31It uses two raw materials at this stage. Malted barley.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33And unmalted - or raw - wheat.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38So, to start our brew off we begin by grinding all this lot up
0:18:38 > 0:18:40in a mill to produce grist.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42It's that which starts the brew off which
0:18:42 > 0:18:44happens in the vessel behind us, the mash tun.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46So, if I wanted to brew some beer at home
0:18:46 > 0:18:47would I need a mash tun like this?
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Not this big. You'd probably need something much smaller scale,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55and it's all about the scale with any brewing.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57The grist is soaked in hot water
0:18:57 > 0:19:00until a sugary solution called wort is created.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05It's drained out leaving the spent grain to be dug out by hand.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08The solution is pumped to a large copper vessel where
0:19:08 > 0:19:12hops are added and the brew is boiled for two to three hours.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15So far, so similar to the production of most beers.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19It's the next part of the process which sets the lambic brew apart.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23OK, so here we are at the cooling trays
0:19:23 > 0:19:26where the magic of the lambic brewing really takes off
0:19:26 > 0:19:31because this is the crucial element where in a moment we'll cast
0:19:31 > 0:19:36the brew, it will be sprayed on to the trays and left to fill the room
0:19:36 > 0:19:40with steam and in the process of doing that it will then waft
0:19:40 > 0:19:42up into the rafters,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45on to the wooden boards that you see up there, which helps to keep the
0:19:45 > 0:19:49spontaneous wild yeast alive which will then drop
0:19:49 > 0:19:52back down as the wort cools overnight.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55This spontaneous ambient fermentation relies on the
0:19:55 > 0:19:59steam absorbing natural microbes in the immediate environment.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04The rough surface of the oak beams helps cultivate wild yeast.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07So as you can see the wort now spraying on to the trays which
0:20:07 > 0:20:08gradually will fill up,
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- and the whole brew will fill both of those trays.- Wow.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- And you believe me now about the steam in the room.- It's very steamy.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18So the whole lot will just fill with steam as it comes through then
0:20:18 > 0:20:24gradually subside and die down, let it naturally cool down overnight.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- It smells wonderful.- It's a great smell, isn't it?- Fantastic.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Because this brewery kept hold of their traditional open
0:20:32 > 0:20:34cooling trays when many others got rid of theirs,
0:20:34 > 0:20:39they are one of the only breweries able to make lambic beer.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42The brew is then barrelled and left to ferment for several months.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Fortunately, the first ever batch created is now ready to be
0:20:46 > 0:20:47drunk so it's a chance for Alistair
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and Jacqueline to sample this rare tipple.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51We're going to try the lambic beer now.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55Ladies first.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- Cheers.- Cheers.- Good health.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07Quite cidery, in its flavour.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Absolutely gorgeous, I think.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14So, Alistair, how do you feel about home-brewing
0:21:14 > 0:21:16a true artisanal lambic?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18I think it might take quite a while,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20I haven't got the 25 years of experience that you have
0:21:20 > 0:21:23so if I can get anywhere close to this I'll be absolutely delighted.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24Good.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27So, with the bar set high for Alistair's brewing ambitions,
0:21:27 > 0:21:29it's back to the house search.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31To help realise that rural dream.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36For our next property, we're heading to Waresley,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38on the western edge of Cambridgeshire.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42With a commute to the city centre of half an hour.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44It's a charming place, not least because of all the
0:21:44 > 0:21:46thatched properties throughout the village,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49each with their own individual thatched animals.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51The church has a chequered history having been partially
0:21:51 > 0:21:55destroyed twice by storms, first in the 18th century
0:21:55 > 0:21:59and then by the great storm of 1987.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Here's a little preview of the village where you could be living.
0:22:03 > 0:22:04OK.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05We like the pub.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- The pub is very fine and I know that pubs are important to you.- Yeah.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11So, there's also the village hall where they do yoga.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Oh, fantastic.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- And would you like to live near the pub?- It would be handy.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18I'd be more than happy with that.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21That's handy because the house that we're going to show you
0:22:21 > 0:22:23is next door to a pub. Follow me.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Look at that.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28So, what do you think about the location next to the pub?
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- It really is a stagger away, isn't it?- Five-star.- It is fantastic.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34It's better than we could've hoped for, I think.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Well, this is a thatched property, it's a big thatched property.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- And actually it's not all up for sale.- Right.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- It is actually a - semidetached. Right.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51These 200-year-old farm workers' cottages have a decorative porch
0:22:51 > 0:22:55to the front but the entrance is actually round the side.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Come in here first. This is the kitchen and dining room.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07And actually this feels quite modern,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- it doesn't really have the period features of the other parts.- No.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13What do you think about the size of the kitchen,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15because obviously, it's a different layout.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17It's smallish, I would say,
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- but it's not horrendously small. - If we go into the other part
0:23:21 > 0:23:23you'll get to see a bit more of the history of the house.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26That would be good, more of a connection.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29The kitchen may not have the character they're after,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32but I don't think that'll be a problem elsewhere in this cottage.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36So, step back 200 years.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Gosh. This is very different from the kitchen, isn't it?
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Yeah. Totally different feel.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Lovely proportions in this room, aren't there?
0:23:45 > 0:23:48So, is this a bit more in terms of the scale that you're looking for?
0:23:48 > 0:23:53- Yeah.- What I felt about the other place was that the space downstairs
0:23:53 > 0:23:55was overwhelming in a way.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59It was more than we could possibly have hoped for, which is great,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01but we would also be happy with less, I think.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- Is that fair to say?- I think so.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06It is cottagey, it ticks that box. Yeah.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08And then round the corner,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10you've got a big study area and the staircase.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Next to the living room is the other main living space,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16currently used as an office area.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- It's a fantastic study area, isn't it?- It is.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21I could just sit there all day.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23I wouldn't want to commute to Cambridge.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26I'll just get some work from home and not move!
0:24:26 > 0:24:28So even though it's a much smaller property,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- you seem to be more taken by the periodness of it.- Yeah.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32A friend commented the other day and said,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35"What you're basically looking for is your nan's house."
0:24:35 > 0:24:37And there are lots of things about this property that
0:24:37 > 0:24:39although it's a different age,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42there are lots of things like curved wood
0:24:42 > 0:24:45and not rendered walls and things that remind me
0:24:45 > 0:24:47of my nan's house in here.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48Just the general feel of it.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- Let's take a peek upstairs. - Do you want to lead the way?
0:24:52 > 0:24:55The only remaining room on the ground floor is a shower room
0:24:55 > 0:24:57which could be used by guests.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Upstairs, there's a landing connecting a bathroom to
0:25:00 > 0:25:04two double bedrooms. One at the back and one at the front.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06- So this is the master bedroom.- Right.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10- It's small but I guess it's just about big enough.- I think so.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12You can get round both sides of the bed.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15You know, would you even consider taking the door off
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- so that you didn't have that awkward thing?- Yeah, possibly.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- Because it's only us living here.- Yeah.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- You could re-hang it so it opens out the other way.- Yes.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23- You're very wise.- Yes.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Let's go and look outside because that's also slightly quirky.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32I'd say Jacqueline's nostalgia has made her fall in love
0:25:32 > 0:25:34with this property much more than Alistair.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Let's see if the garden can swing things for him.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- So, the outside layout is quite unusual in this property.- Yes.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44You've got the tail-end of this outside building
0:25:44 > 0:25:46and then you have this, which is one of your gardens.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- One.- Gardens.- OK.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50- Gardens.- We like a house with gardens.- We do.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53So, this is the bit that's obviously attached to the house.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55You've got the patio area,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58you've got a little shed there and some terracing at the bottom.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01If you take a long walk through these woodlands,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03you get to your own little quarter acre of
0:26:03 > 0:26:07- what's actually allotment space. - Yeah, a veggie plot.- Fantastic, yes.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11What do you think the price of this puzzling property is?
0:26:11 > 0:26:17I reckon this is probably on the market for 285,000.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21I hope it's under budget, as well - £280,000.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Well, you're in the right ballpark, but perhaps a little optimistic.
0:26:24 > 0:26:30It's actually on the market for five English pounds short of 290,000.
0:26:30 > 0:26:31- OK.- Oh, OK.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- Interesting.- Interesting. A lot of food for thought.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Yeah, absolutely. Yes.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39For £35,000 under their top budget,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43this thatched farm worker's cottage offers two quirky living spaces,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46tonnes of period features -
0:26:46 > 0:26:49which Jacqueline has completely fallen for -
0:26:49 > 0:26:52two compact double bedrooms and a variety of garden spaces
0:26:52 > 0:26:54both near the house and across the village.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58The biggest positive is not something particularly tangible,
0:26:58 > 0:27:04but there's just a general feeling that it's a warm, quirky old house
0:27:04 > 0:27:06that somehow reminds me of my nan's house,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09and that is the big plus for me.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11There's actually a lot of land here,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14but the fact that it's not all in one space
0:27:14 > 0:27:17and the fact that it actually is so much land
0:27:17 > 0:27:20is making me realise that perhaps having a big garden
0:27:20 > 0:27:21isn't so important.
0:27:22 > 0:27:23So, that's this house all done.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26In fact, all our house tours for the day done.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Now it's time to mull it over.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30- Yes, I think we need lots of time for that!- Come with me.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43It's the second day of our house hunt with Alistair and Jacqueline,
0:27:43 > 0:27:47who are trading city life in London for the rural life of Cambridgeshire
0:27:47 > 0:27:48with a budget of £325,000.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Still to come, I've got some impressive features
0:27:51 > 0:27:53for our period property junkie.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57- It's incredible.- It's a fantastic fireplace there, isn't it?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00One of the best I've ever seen. It's gorgeous.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02And I go to meet a farmer who's diversifying
0:28:02 > 0:28:04into the most unusual of livestock.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Are they in here? Oh, gosh, yes, they are.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Day two of our property search here in Cambridgeshire
0:28:11 > 0:28:14and we have hit a slightly unusual dilemma.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Yesterday, it became clear that Jacqueline and Alistair really
0:28:18 > 0:28:22are not that interested in space, which is very unusual on our show.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Jacqueline, particularly, I think would really like
0:28:25 > 0:28:28a small, cosy property, preferably close to Cambridge.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31We had rather been banking on going further away from Cambridge
0:28:31 > 0:28:35and giving them more space, more land, more privacy.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38So, the mystery house might be quite a problem.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41But we love jeopardy on this show!
0:28:44 > 0:28:46In terms of the mystery house,
0:28:46 > 0:28:48as you know, it's always a little bit of a curveball.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52- What do you think we might show you? - We've been speculating about this.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55There are a number of different options we think might be possible.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59One is that it might be quite a lot further away.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Another is that it might be north of Cambridge,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03rather than south of Cambridge.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07You could possibly show us something that is modern but looks old,
0:29:07 > 0:29:08as a real curveball,
0:29:08 > 0:29:11knowing how much of a connection with the past I want.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13But I think my favourite, I'm backing,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15we're going out of the county.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19For our mystery house we are indeed taking
0:29:19 > 0:29:22the house hunt in a completely different direction,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25heading 25 miles north of Cambridge
0:29:25 > 0:29:27to the hamlet of Alconbury Western,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30where the budget will stretch a bit further.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32At the centre of the hamlet is a brook
0:29:32 > 0:29:36and its ford crossing, which is home to a number of water birds.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40With no church or school, the only public amenity is a pub
0:29:40 > 0:29:43which shouldn't be a problem for Alistair and Jacqueline.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47The much sought-after rural walks are literally on the doorstep
0:29:47 > 0:29:49of our mystery house, which is located by the brook.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Come into the mystery house!
0:29:55 > 0:29:59So, you were right in one sense - we are further away from Cambridge.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01But wrong in the sense we haven't left Cambridgeshire.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- We're still here.- OK, right. - We're up by Huntingdon.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10- It's about a 36-minute drive into Cambridge city centre.- Right, OK.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15But, look what you get. This is a detached property.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17- Looks extensive.- It's big, it's old, it's quirky.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- How old is it, in fact? - Goes back to the 1600s.- OK.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Though this extension's only 15 years old.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24I like all the other cottages around and about.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26- And the ford's quite charming, isn't it?- It is.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29It was interesting yesterday that it became apparent that,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32actually, space, usually everyone wants space, space, space,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35but actually, you're not so interested in space - more cosy.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36For me, cosy rooms are lovely,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39but there needs to be just enough space because I'm quite tall,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42so having to stoop for a low ceilings and that sort of thing,
0:30:42 > 0:30:44it's a sort of issue for me, actually,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46I don't want too much of that.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48- Right.- So, it'll be interesting to see what this property offers.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50It will.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52This three-bedroom 17th century house,
0:30:52 > 0:30:54which is currently unfurnished,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57is full of the sort of character Jacqueline is after.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00But there's no getting away from the one period feature
0:31:00 > 0:31:02that could be an issue...
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Er...I'm having to say, "Mind your head."
0:31:05 > 0:31:09I really didn't want to say that, but everything's quite low beams.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- Gosh, it is.- Wow, that's charming. Look at that.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I mean, they're lovely beams, but on the low side, definitely.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- It's incredible.- It's a fantastic fireplace, though, isn't it?
0:31:18 > 0:31:20One of the best I've ever seen. Gorgeous.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23There's some really extraordinary period features.
0:31:23 > 0:31:24This period fireplace is one of them.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26And is that a little kind of bread often?
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- Indeed, little bread oven, too. - Right.- I love these.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31I can see the underside of the floorboards!
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- I've never seen that before. It's incredible.- Amazing, isn't it?
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- Yes, well, it is VERY period. - Indeed.- Thank you!
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Well, there's not period everywhere, so let's continue.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43The 17th-century part of this property houses
0:31:43 > 0:31:45the two large and low ceilinged living rooms,
0:31:45 > 0:31:49but a spacious L-shaped extension
0:31:49 > 0:31:52gives modern day room heights to the rest of the downstairs.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56- Finally you can stand up straight. - Yay!- This is a good size, isn't it?
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- It's a lovely sized kitchen, yeah. - Love the wooden worktops.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04And in terms of the kitchen, this is great, I think,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07because it is a big space. We can move around it quite easily.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10We can quite easily put a table in here or an island or something...
0:32:10 > 0:32:13..without feeling you're inching around. Loads of space, yeah.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15I'd love a kitchen like this.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18As you came in through that hallway, that would be an ideal dining space.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- Yes, yes.- And actually, you're spoilt for choice,
0:32:20 > 0:32:23because you've actually got another three rooms along here.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24Oh, right, OK.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Well, let's go and have a quick peek at these rooms,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- just so you get the layout. - Yeah.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Beyond the large kitchen in the modern extension
0:32:31 > 0:32:33are three further living rooms.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37One is currently used as a bedroom. Another is a potential dining room.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40And finally, there's a bright sitting-room.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44- And then there's this lovely room. - Ah, like a little garden room.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- Yeah.- Gosh, this is nice and bright, isn't it?- Double aspect.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52- Nice, big windows.- French doors. - Yeah.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54So, the unusual thing about this property is that,
0:32:54 > 0:32:56while a bit like the first property, is that upstairs,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58there's really just two bedrooms.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Three rooms in this wing, and then three big rooms in the other.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03We've got wings now!
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Let's look at the ones upstairs, because they're very charming.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14With no bathrooms upstairs, the final rooms on the ground floor
0:33:14 > 0:33:17are a shower room and the property's main bathroom.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20Back in the old part of the house are the stairs
0:33:20 > 0:33:22to the two first-floor bedrooms.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25So it's a little bit wiggly.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29- Oh, wow.- But it's worth the climb, I think.- Wow. What a room.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- Oh, that little window!- Yeah. It's adorable, isn't it?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- It is.- It's charming. - And what does it overlook?
0:33:35 > 0:33:39- It overlooks the river - fantastic. - The ford as well!- The ford, yeah.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41I'd be tempted to put the bed this side
0:33:41 > 0:33:43so you could just lie in bed and watch the ford.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46I love the brickwork of the fireplace, the chimney breast.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49What's great, of course, is then the chimney breast would heat up...
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- Yes.- ..so this would then act as a giant radiator.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54That's really good.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56And you have another room over the other side which you could
0:33:56 > 0:33:58have as your dressing room.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00So, this could be your floor, and guests could stay downstairs.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02- Yeah, yeah.- Fantastic.- Makes sense.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- Let's go into the garden and talk about the price.- Great.- OK, lovely.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08The land for the property is mostly at the front.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12To the side of a large driveway is a picket fence and wooden gate
0:34:12 > 0:34:15to an enclosed garden area just big enough for a vegetable patch.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18It's not a huge garden, but pretty and private.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Yes, lovely tree screening there.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24I love the little kind of gardens over here,
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- behind the sleepers as well.- Yeah.
0:34:26 > 0:34:32- And there's this raised pergola area which actually has a hot tub.- Wow!
0:34:32 > 0:34:34I wouldn't say no to a hot tub!
0:34:34 > 0:34:36You could have a lot of fun in there, couldn't you?
0:34:36 > 0:34:39What is it on the market for, do you think?
0:34:39 > 0:34:43I'm going to go quite low. I'm going to say £275,000.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46I think probably a bit more than that, maybe - it is quite big -
0:34:46 > 0:34:47so maybe 285.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51This is actually on the market for 325.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53- Oh, really?- Way off. - Way off the mark.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- Clearly we don't know this market at all.- We clearly don't, no.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59So, Huntingdonshire, hmm, OK.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Have a little wander around, see what takes your fancy,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04and then we'll head off to make some decisions.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06OK, lovely. Thank you.
0:35:08 > 0:35:09It so interesting, isn't it,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11when they guess the prices so off the mark?
0:35:11 > 0:35:14It says a lot about what the people think about the house.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16For the top end of their budget,
0:35:16 > 0:35:20this 17th-century house has all the old beams and fireplaces
0:35:20 > 0:35:23to satisfy Jacqueline's connection to the past,
0:35:23 > 0:35:27but comes with challenging ceiling heights for Alistair.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31There's ample space with three bedrooms and four living rooms,
0:35:31 > 0:35:34and outside, there's enough room for a veggie patch.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36But located in the more affordable north,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39it is a little further out from Cambridge.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42No question, this inglenook fireplace is absolutely stunning.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45With the seat next to it and the little bread oven,
0:35:45 > 0:35:46this is five-star for me.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48In terms of the downsides,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51I suppose the first one that comes straight to my head is location.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54It's way out of our area of search.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57I don't really know where I am.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59The biggest positive for the mystery property for me
0:35:59 > 0:36:03was probably the lovely old period character part of it.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06The two main and lovely old rooms were, for me,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08almost unusable, I'm afraid to say.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Moving around the main bedroom upstairs
0:36:10 > 0:36:13was quite a challenge for me.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16So, time, I think, to regroup and discuss all the houses.
0:36:16 > 0:36:17- Yes.- Fantastic.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Let's head away from here and get somewhere out of the wind.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28The Cambridge countryside is peppered with
0:36:28 > 0:36:31traditional family-run farms - farms like Johnson's,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34which for the last 100 years has been producing meat
0:36:34 > 0:36:36from cattle, pigs and sheep.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38But this farm, unlike most of the region,
0:36:38 > 0:36:43is diversifying into a highly unusual type of livestock...
0:36:43 > 0:36:44Crocodiles.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47I'm meeting fourth-generation farmer Andrew Johnson to find out more.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51- Morning, Andrew.- Morning.- You've got some beautiful livestock here.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53I did notice some rather exotic buffalo -
0:36:53 > 0:36:55are they buffalo on the way in?
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- That's right, yeah.- But that's not the most exotic thing you've got.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01- You've got crocs?- Yeah, it seems to be one everyone picks up on.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Unsurprisingly! How long ago did the first crocodiles arrive?
0:37:04 > 0:37:08I think ten years today is actually when the first ones turned up.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Presumably, long-term, you want to breed them to sell them as meat?
0:37:11 > 0:37:12Yes, that's what we're hoping.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Crocodile meat is white, it flakes, it's very high-protein,
0:37:16 > 0:37:17and it's got all the value of a fish.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21From an economy point of view, it could turn into a large industry.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23- Can we go and see?- Yeah.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Crocodile meat is high in protein
0:37:25 > 0:37:27and lower in cholesterol and fat than chicken
0:37:27 > 0:37:31and it's believed there are anti-carcinogenic
0:37:31 > 0:37:33and anti-arthritic properties, too.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Keeping crocodiles requires a dangerous wild animal licence
0:37:36 > 0:37:40obtained from the district council, who inspect for animal welfare
0:37:40 > 0:37:41and safety of enclosures,
0:37:41 > 0:37:44As crocodiles can grow up to ten feet long
0:37:44 > 0:37:48and have a bite 100 times more powerful than a large dog,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50it's a long way from farming cattle.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55Are they in here? Oh, gosh, yes, they are. How many are in here?
0:37:55 > 0:37:58There's four adults in here - three females and a male.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- And then the two babies, separate in the corner.- So, how old do they grow?
0:38:01 > 0:38:05They should live in captivity well in excess of 100 years
0:38:05 > 0:38:08because in the wild, when they eventually die is when they run out of teeth.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11They grow about 2,500 teeth in a lifetime.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14In captivity, we're feeding them smaller bits of meat
0:38:14 > 0:38:16so their teeth last much longer.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Are they quite placid?
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Yeah, nine times out of ten they are quite happy to
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- get on with their life. - And that 10th time, what do they do?
0:38:23 > 0:38:27- That's when you go a little bit faster.- I am very impressed.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29I'm particularly impressed
0:38:29 > 0:38:31that you're going to go in there and feed them.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35The crocs are used to Andy being in their enclosure,
0:38:35 > 0:38:39but he still takes a safety board to protect his legs.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Come on.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49These cold-blooded predators can digest pretty much anything,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52making them very cost-effective to feed.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55They can also go for many months without eating.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56Known as brumation,
0:38:56 > 0:38:59they lower their metabolic rate and don't require food -
0:38:59 > 0:39:02perhaps one of the reasons they've survived
0:39:02 > 0:39:06from their prehistoric ancestors over 65 million years ago.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10This is the first time these crocs have been fed in six months.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14Not so hungry. Six months and still no appetite.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19I bet you're quite close to lying, ain't you? Yes, come on.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Learning how to breed these animals has been Andy's focus,
0:39:22 > 0:39:26and in 2011, he became the first British farmer to successfully
0:39:26 > 0:39:30breed crocodiles in captivity, when two hatchlings were born.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34And now's my opportunity to meet one of these unique critters.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37He's making a funny noise. He doesn't like being out.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42- He's calling out for his mum. - He's a bit whippy, isn't he?- Yeah.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44I don't think I'll be holding on to him.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46So, what's the future with these chaps?
0:39:46 > 0:39:48This is going to be the next generation, presumably?
0:39:48 > 0:39:52Yes. This is our proof that we can get them to copulate
0:39:52 > 0:39:54and hatch eggs in our environment.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59And is the idea that we're all going to be eating croc steaks for dinner?
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Yeah. Cod's getting more expensive. Crocodile is very versatile.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05It works very well battered for chip shops.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08So, you've tasted it. What does it actually taste like?
0:40:08 > 0:40:11The nearest thing to say is going to be monkfish.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13So do you think the British public will ever
0:40:13 > 0:40:17overcome their squeamishness about eating crocodile?
0:40:17 > 0:40:20I don't see it being a problem. People aren't afraid of trying anything,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23especially when they find out about the health properties and everything else.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25You're the future, do you know that?
0:40:25 > 0:40:27You're the future... with very sharp teeth.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28Yeah.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31With his proven breeding record, Andy now hopes to import
0:40:31 > 0:40:3350 crocodile babies from Kenya
0:40:33 > 0:40:36to start farming for public consumption.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39His modern farming venture could make Cambridgeshire
0:40:39 > 0:40:42the future croc capital of the UK.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46Well, we may have put Alistair and Jacqueline through the mill this week,
0:40:46 > 0:40:50but I think it was very useful, particularly the last property.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Even though it wasn't in the location they wanted
0:40:52 > 0:40:55it has crystallised their thoughts.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58So, let's find them and see where they are right now.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03- Hello, guys. We've found a bit of shelter from the wind.- Yes.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Now, it's been a great week. Lovely looking around the county with you.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08We've thoroughly enjoyed it, yes.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11I think what's been so interesting was actually the very first one we saw,
0:41:11 > 0:41:13I think we're both quite inspired by that.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15I think one of the things for me
0:41:15 > 0:41:18is there's a winning combination in a property
0:41:18 > 0:41:20that has daytime space with lovely light,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23like the dining room and the extra room at the back,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26and then for the evening, it has some kind of cosy room
0:41:26 > 0:41:29that you can go in and put the lamps on and sit by the fire.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32And that has that combination, and that's perfect for me.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Your flat will hopefully be sold in a couple of months,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37so what's going to happen next? Will you revisit house number one?
0:41:37 > 0:41:39I think we probably will.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44We talked about this and the property itself is really suitable for us.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Our question mark was always about whether it's just a bit too far out
0:41:47 > 0:41:50or what the journey into Cambridge would be like,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53and see how exactly long it would take and what it would feel like.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55That's it - how long it would take.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58So I think maybe even before visiting the property,
0:41:58 > 0:42:02we might just go there, cycle to the nearest train station,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05get the train into Cambridge and cycle to work.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07It seems like you are very enthusiastic about this move.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10And wherever you move up, do let us know,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12because it would be great to see you settled.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- Thank you.- Absolutely, yeah. We'll keep you posted.
0:42:15 > 0:42:16- Well, best of luck.- Thank you.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24It's been lovely looking around Cambridgeshire.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26It's not a county that I've been to very often on the show,
0:42:26 > 0:42:29so thank you to Alistair and Jacqueline for bringing us here.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Also, it's been quite interesting showing them around
0:42:32 > 0:42:34because unlike most contributors on this show,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37they've decided they probably want less space for their money
0:42:37 > 0:42:39instead of more.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41But the UK is very varied,
0:42:41 > 0:42:43as are the property buyers in it, as are you,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45so, I hope you join us next time
0:42:45 > 0:42:48for more adventures on Escape To The Country.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50And there's been good news!
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Jacqueline and Alistair decided the commute from the first property
0:42:53 > 0:42:57wasn't going to be a problem and put in an offer which has been accepted.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59All things being well, they should be out of London
0:42:59 > 0:43:02and living in Cambridgeshire in a matter of weeks.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05If you'd like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:43:05 > 0:43:07Northern Ireland or England,
0:43:07 > 0:43:11and would like our help, you can apply online at...