0:00:02 > 0:00:03Here, on Escape To The Country,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05we get to visit some remarkable houses all over the UK,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09but none of them are quite as unique as this one,
0:00:09 > 0:00:11because up until 20 years ago,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14this was one of the most secret properties in Britain.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17But why and where? Well, join me in a moment and I will tell you.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36On today's show, we're helping a young couple
0:00:36 > 0:00:39move from the Big Smoke to a country retreat.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Sometimes you can't put your finger on why you like a place.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Sometimes it's nice and sometimes it isn't.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- This is it.- This feels good.- Yeah.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49And a secret shower room sends them head-over-heels.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- Ah!- Stunning. SHE LAUGHS
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Oh, my God.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- Perfect.- And it is for sale. - SHE SQUEALS
0:00:57 > 0:00:58Well, today we are in Essex,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01just outside the small village of Kelvedon Hatch.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05And this pretty average-looking post-war bungalow is, in fact,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09the secret entrance to a Cold War nuclear bunker.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13It was built in 1952 to house some 600 key government
0:01:13 > 0:01:17and military personnel in the event of a nuclear war.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Now, of course, thankfully, it was never put to use.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22But later on in the show, I will be back here finding out
0:01:22 > 0:01:25what life would have been like 100 feet underground.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32Stretching from Harwich in the north to the Thames Estuary in the south,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35the Home County of Essex has over 350 miles of coastline,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39the second longest in England after Cornwall.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42One of the gems of the Essex coast is Frinton-on-Sea.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45With its colourful array of Victorian style beach huts,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47it retains an atmosphere from the 1920s
0:01:47 > 0:01:50when it was a favourite retreat for the aristocracy.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54As the sea breeze comes inland,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56it is harnessed by the vast numbers of windmills
0:01:56 > 0:01:58that are found throughout the countryside.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Indeed, despite its proximity to London,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05three quarters of Essex is rural,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08with rolling wheat fields and ancient woodland.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10The north-east border is Constable country,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13immortalised by the landscape painter
0:02:13 > 0:02:14who fell in love with the area.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18North-west Essex is home to Audley End House,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21one of the finest Jacobean houses in England.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24During the 18th century, the extensive formal gardens
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and parkland surrounding the house were remodelled
0:02:27 > 0:02:30by the landscape architect Capability Brown.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Its palatial rooms are now open to the public,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35providing an insight into the upper echelons
0:02:35 > 0:02:38of the Essex property market.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Although, with its wealth of charming thatches
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and medieval timber-framed homes,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46there is no shortage of stunning period properties in this county.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51If you are thinking about escaping to one of the Home Counties,
0:02:51 > 0:02:56then Essex is well worth a look because it is, by far, the cheapest.
0:02:56 > 0:03:02The average cost of a detached property here is currently £326,000.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Now, to be fair, it is a lot of money,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06but when you compare it to the other Home Counties,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10such as Surrey, Kent, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13it does represent pretty good value for money.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16All worth knowing because today's buyers are determined
0:03:16 > 0:03:18that this part of the world should be their new home.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Michelle and Jamie live in North London
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and have been together for four years.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- We had quite a fun first date, didn't we?- Yeah. It was brilliant.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Seven hours... HE CHUCKLES ..it lasted for.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33And I think at that point,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36I knew that Michelle was going to be the one for a long time.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42We went to the Southbank, which was really nice,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and I was putting my spoon in your food, wasn't I?
0:03:45 > 0:03:50Oh, yes. She put her spoon in my soup and I thought that was quite cute.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52And I think we knew pretty soon that
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- we were on the same wavelength. - Yes, definitely.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Michelle owns a property in West London,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and Jamie owns the one they share in Stamford Hill
0:04:00 > 0:04:01in the north of the capital.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05I have been in this particular property for just under eight years.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10But time ticks on and you get tied to the city because your job is here.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12I am keen to kind of break out of that and go somewhere,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14otherwise I'll be here forever.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18So, they are hoping to move east to Essex,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20where Jamie is originally from.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22We want to move to the countryside
0:04:22 > 0:04:25because we want a better quality of life.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I would describe us as quite spiritual people
0:04:27 > 0:04:29and think that kind of ties in with nature.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33And we both love walking in nature, so being in the great outdoors
0:04:33 > 0:04:37and beautiful scenery and waking up and seeing green fields
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and things like that, that is something I really look forward to.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Michelle is a psychologist and works with young people,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47and Jamie is a psychotherapist who works with adults.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50They are hoping their new house will be more than just a home.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53In the new property, I'd quite like to have a study where I could
0:04:53 > 0:04:58also see clients for a one-to-one basis for therapy sessions.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03And it would be, if possible, it would be a real luxury to have
0:05:03 > 0:05:08some kind of room where people could come for group therapy.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10And coming on the move with them will be Thea.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13She is currently a house cat.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Also one of the reasons we wanted to move
0:05:15 > 0:05:18was so that she could go outside and enjoy the great outdoors as well.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Yeah, we feel somewhat guilty about having her crammed up in the house.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22Deprived, yeah.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27- So, we are going to remedy that with a garden, hopefully.- Yeah.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31As they plan to continue working part-time in London,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33moving out might be challenging.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37I have not ever lived in the countryside before, no.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40I think the worries and concerns about moving to Essex
0:05:40 > 0:05:42is possibly the commute.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Because we haven't had to do that for some time.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49But I think it could be overcome if we lived in the right property
0:05:49 > 0:05:54and we were coming home to beautiful countryside and a beautiful home.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56It would all be worthwhile.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00So, with high hopes and with Jamie's house already on the market,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02there is a lot riding on this relocation.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05This is a highly important move for us
0:06:05 > 0:06:07because I think the property we move to next is going to be
0:06:07 > 0:06:09the one where kind of it really all happens.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13And we will start thinking about the next chapter of our lives,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15which may involve children.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17I had a huge friendship group in London,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19but gradually, as the years have passed on,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22everyone has been getting married and moving away,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25so I think it's our turn now just to leave.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Michelle and Jamie would like us to focus our house-hunt
0:06:31 > 0:06:35in the north of Essex, which can offer them both a rural aspect
0:06:35 > 0:06:39and a realistic commute into London via Liverpool Street station.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42But to discuss the detail of their proposed big move,
0:06:42 > 0:06:43I am off to meet them.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Hello, Michelle.- Hi. - Hi, Jamie.- Hiya.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- Nice to see you.- And you. Pleasure.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Now, normally at this point in the show,
0:06:51 > 0:06:56I like to share with our buyers a beautiful view of the region
0:06:56 > 0:06:58and the county that they have chosen to live in.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03You have to take my word for it, but out there in the gloom is Essex.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05And the reason I know that is because
0:07:05 > 0:07:07I was born about two miles from where we are sitting.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- Wow.- So, take it from me, it is out there somewhere. It is very lovely.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13But why do you want to move here?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Well, Jamie's family is from here, so that is one of the main reasons.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18And also, it is quite close to London.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- Now, you're both self-employed.- Yes.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23You've got some quite interesting jobs. What are you trying to do?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Well, I have sort of put together my profession in a strange way.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29I sort of qualified in three different types of psychotherapy
0:07:29 > 0:07:32and I run workshops in London and one-to-one therapy,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36so I am trying to hopefully take that out to the country
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- so we can do rural retreats, perhaps. - Wow.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40But you're hoping to create a whole new business
0:07:40 > 0:07:42in a place you have never operated before.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- That is quite daunting, isn't it? - A little bit.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46There is somewhat of an experiment involved.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48JULES LAUGHS But we have faith.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49You're quite young.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Are you looking for something modern and groovy, or old and characterful?
0:07:53 > 0:07:57We would love to have a Victorian, Edwardian or Georgian
0:07:57 > 0:08:00character property, but modern inside.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02So, like, kind of newish.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- Renovated?- Yes, that would be the dream.- OK.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08And how much are you planning to spend on all of this, then?
0:08:08 > 0:08:13I think as a maximum budget, we'd be looking to spend £495,000.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Oh, that is very specific. Or less?
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- Yes.- Well, that would be great. - Yeah.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Well, hopefully the weather will clear.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22There is a hint of blue sky up there.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24It's a long time since I've lived in this part of the world,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26although it is where I grew up,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28so for me, it is a bit of a trip down memory lane.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- We can show Essex off to you, these two Essex boys here.- Yeah.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33Hopefully find you a property.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35We have got some great ones to choose from,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37including, of course, our Mystery House,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39so who knows what that is going to be?
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- Shall we go?- Yes.- Come on.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- If we can find the car. - MICHELLE CHUCKLES
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Out there somewhere.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52With their budget of £495,000, Michelle and Jamie are looking for
0:08:52 > 0:08:55a period property with lots of rural charm,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58but they want it fully refurbished inside.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00It must have at least three bedrooms,
0:09:00 > 0:09:04plus a therapy room where Jamie could see clients.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07A garden with rural views is also on the list.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08And, as they will sometimes commute,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10they'd like a maximum journey time
0:09:10 > 0:09:11of an hour and a half
0:09:11 > 0:09:12into central London.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16We have been scouring Essex for the right properties,
0:09:16 > 0:09:17one of which could become
0:09:17 > 0:09:20not only Michelle and Jamie's first joint home,
0:09:20 > 0:09:24but also a beautiful psychotherapy practice.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Only after they have viewed each house will we reveal its price.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30And we will also throw in the Mystery House.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32This property will hopefully give them
0:09:32 > 0:09:34something they didn't even know they wanted.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Our first property is in the village of Gestingthorpe,
0:09:42 > 0:09:47halfway between the towns of Halsted in Essex and Sudbury in Suffolk.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50There is a great pub and restaurant, although no primary school.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52There is also a village hall
0:09:52 > 0:09:55that Jamie could hire out for group therapy sessions.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Our first house is in the heart of the village.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00There we are. What do you think of this one, then?
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- It's beautiful.- Fantastic. - Nice, isn't it?- Yeah, gorgeous.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04It is an old farmhouse.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- It is detached.- Yeah. - So, we have ticked that box.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11That is a big thing for me, yeah. Brilliant.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15Now, since it was first built back in 1780, it has been extended,
0:10:15 > 0:10:16in particular upstairs.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19It has had the sort of wraparound extension put on it,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21which gives you loads and loads of space.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- Are you convinced?- Very much so. First impressions are fantastic.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- Excellent.- Yeah. Can't wait to get inside.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32'With its dolls' house frontage set inside a wraparound garden,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35'I am not surprised this place has made a good first impression.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40'And once inside, you walk straight into a very welcoming living room.'
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- What do you reckon?- Lovely. - I love it.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44- I love the beams. Yeah?- Mm-hm.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48I was worried you were going to say, "Oh, the ceilings are too low."
0:10:48 > 0:10:50He is more about the ceilings.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53But this doesn't feel wrong. HE CHUCKLES
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- There's a nice feel about it.- Yeah.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58That little archway goes through to one of the extensions,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00which gives you another dining room
0:11:00 > 0:11:02and access out to the side of the garden.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- Lovely.- Great.- Your face is really beaming, isn't it?
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- OK. What is going on?- What is going on? I don't know.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10It has got a good feel about it.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Sometimes you can't put your finger on why you like a place.- Yeah.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- Sometimes it is nice and sometimes it isn't, and this feels good.- Yeah.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Look at this. Right, come on. - Yeah, your smile.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24So, this is your kitchen.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Mmm. Yeah, this is fine.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- It's nice.- Fine?
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- Fine. No, as in like... - THEY LAUGH - ..it's workable.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35It is certainly workable.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38You have got loads of preparation space, nice finish.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40You have got the wooden floor.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- That little archway leads through to a utility area.- Great.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- Back door out to the garden as well. - I really like it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52There is also a shelf-lined study on the ground floor and a cloakroom.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58One of the features I love about this property is the landing.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02You have got your four bedrooms that kind of emanate off of it.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05It is dominated by this lovely thing, which is the chimney breast
0:12:05 > 0:12:08coming up from the lovely fireplace down below.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10There is a nice guest room over there, double.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Another double through there.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17Really big family bathroom in there, which I know is important.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21And then another double through there, which could be your study.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- And then last but not least, this is yours.- Wow.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Wow.- Wow. That is lovely. - Yeah?- This is nice.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32They really have made this deliberately the master, obviously.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35They have knocked through, essentially, to create this space.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Loads of room, really light.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41And a little dressing area with walk-in wardrobe, etc.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- Awesome.- Very impressed. Lovely. - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- Smiles are continuing.- Yeah!- It is a good sign.- It's a very good sign!
0:12:49 > 0:12:52All that is left now is to take a look outside.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54There is a pleasant garden with a raised decking area,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57plus there is room for four parked cars.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- Didn't you want some decking?- Yes.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01Come down here, then.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04So, Jamie, how do you feel about this one?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07I mean, you and the therapy, is it going to work here?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Certainly for the one-to-one stuff, probably not for the group.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14But I think maybe that has always been a tall order.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- All right, then. So... - MICHELLE CHUCKLES
0:13:17 > 0:13:20How much is it on the market for, Michelle?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22The all-important question.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27- I am going to hazard a guess at £480,000.- £480,000.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Hmm. I am thinking £450,000.- Are you? Why are you thinking that?
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Just because I know that we're getting closer to Sudbury
0:13:34 > 0:13:38and as you move away from London, you'd think the prices would go down.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- That logic doesn't always match up with reality!- It really doesn't.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- But on this occasion, it does.- Ah! - You are absolutely right, sir.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- It is on the market at £450,000. - Ahh.- Excellent.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53It has only been on for two months or so, just over.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- I think it's had a fair bit of interest, not surprisingly.- Mm.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58People have reacted to it in the way you have.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59- Have another look around.- OK.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- I will catch you later. - OK, lovely.- Thank you.- Off you go.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07A generous £45,000 under budget,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09this four-bedroom property
0:14:09 > 0:14:10has been lovingly extended,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13retaining heaps of period charm.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14There are four bedrooms, a study,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16a separate kitchen, dining room
0:14:16 > 0:14:18and lounge,
0:14:18 > 0:14:19and it is all set within a
0:14:19 > 0:14:21wraparound garden with a large deck.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23What's more, the commute to London
0:14:23 > 0:14:25would be about an hour and a half.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28When I first saw the property, I thought, "Wow."
0:14:28 > 0:14:30It was like a little chocolate box house
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and I really couldn't wait to get inside.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35It's got a really warm feel to the house. It's got really good flow.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38You could really see family coming over here, couldn't you?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Entertaining, Christmas.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- Christmas tree there.- Yep.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46I do feel a little bit remote here, to be honest, because I don't drive.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48But my first thought was,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51"I'm going to have to get my driving lessons and my driving test
0:14:51 > 0:14:54"done soon if I want to move here, because it is a must."
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Yeah, I could see Michelle and I living in this house,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59as long as a few other factors fell into place
0:14:59 > 0:15:02in terms of transport and schools and so forth.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05So, we'd have to explore that concept and get to know the area.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07But the house itself is stunning.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- That was a nice property. - Yeah, I enjoyed that.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Well, I thought you would.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- It is certainly one you should consider.- Definitely.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- But we haven't exhausted all the possibilities.- No.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- Nor have we quite spent all of your budget, have we? - MICHELLE LAUGHS
0:15:22 > 0:15:23Come on.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Throughout British history, Essex has been an affluent area
0:15:32 > 0:15:36due to its prime location close to the continent and the River Thames.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37In the 16th century,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40one of the ways that prosperous residents showed off their wealth
0:15:40 > 0:15:45was by decorating the exterior of their homes with pargetting.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48This is the traditional practice of creating raised designs
0:15:48 > 0:15:50using ornate plaster work.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Over the centuries, it has gone in and out of fashion,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57but has remained popular in Essex and East Anglia.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00So, we have arranged for Jamie and Michelle to meet Bill Sargent,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02a third-generation pargetter.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- Hello.- I'm Michelle.- I'm Bill. - Hello, Bill.- Hello, I'm Jamie.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Hi, Jamie.- Nice to meet you.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- So, is this a typical design?- It is typical to a building of this age.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16We always try and work the design into the age of the building.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19This house was built in the 17th century, late 1600s,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22so the design is of that period as well.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- So, where does the name come from? - The name comes from the French.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28To parge is to throw,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30because years ago they used to throw the plaster on.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Historically, this is an area that the Huguenots come to
0:16:34 > 0:16:37during the persecutions, and they brought the craft with them
0:16:37 > 0:16:40from the Highlands, Holland, Belgium, France.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41And how many pargetters are there?
0:16:41 > 0:16:4420 years ago, I suppose there was four or five of us.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47But now, it is well in excess of 40, I'd say.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- Ah.- It is quite an art form, then?
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Yes, it is, but it's not that hard to pick up really, you know.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53I'm doing the small wall plaque round the corner,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56so maybe I can let you have a go on that,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- or rub it out and do something simple for you?- Yeah.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- And you can have a go, eh? - Awesome.- Come on, then.- Thanks.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Although today Bill is working on a private home,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08he has also worked on the cathedral at Bury St Edmunds
0:17:08 > 0:17:11and even Westminster Abbey.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14This is going to be a permanent feature here. It is a plaque.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17We're going to put the name of the farmhouse in it, maybe tomorrow.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19But today, the owner's asked if I can do him
0:17:19 > 0:17:20a running hare in an old style.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22This whole area is full of hares,
0:17:22 > 0:17:24they're always getting in his garden.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27So, we'll quickly draw one out.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- So, it is not ordinary plaster, then?- No, no, no.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Just a mixture of lime and sand together.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34This is exactly the same mix
0:17:34 > 0:17:37as they would have used 500 or 600 years ago.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39What you have to remember with this kind of work is
0:17:39 > 0:17:41it's following lines, so everything...
0:17:41 > 0:17:44The arch round, up, bring him down.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Slight raise there, bring him up.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50So, you can see how it flows. And the leg does, obviously, like that.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Today, Bill is using a pretty basic mixture on this farmhouse,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57but in the past, other ingredients were often added
0:17:57 > 0:17:59to create a better texture,
0:17:59 > 0:18:04including hair, horse urine, tallow, blood and salt.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Just get a handful of the material,
0:18:06 > 0:18:11hold the trowel at an angle and just start to build him up.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13And then we can work from that.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16So, it is just a matter of...
0:18:16 > 0:18:17building him up.
0:18:19 > 0:18:20And...
0:18:20 > 0:18:25OK, Jamie, I'll pass the small trowel and the glove over to you
0:18:25 > 0:18:28and you can have a go at building it up, eh?
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- Yeah.- Here's the goggles first. - Thank you.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35That's right.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42It's not actually as hard as I thought it was going to be.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Yes, that is looking a bit too good now.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51I don't need any more competition around these ways!
0:18:51 > 0:18:53HE LAUGHS
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Once Jamie's design is dry, it can be painted.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- I think... I think that's me done. - That's the base to start from now.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08We'll leave that for an hour, let it dry in a bit and do some more.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- But that was really good. Well done. - Thanks.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13You've done better than most on their first attempt.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14Thank you so much for that, Bill.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- That's been really interesting. - My pleasure.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- It's been nice to meet you both. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- Hope you find what you're looking for.- Cheers.- Cheers.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25It is the second day of our house-hunt
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and with a budget of just under £500,000,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31psychologist Michelle and psychotherapist Jamie
0:19:31 > 0:19:33are hoping to trade in their London maisonette
0:19:33 > 0:19:37for a serene and spacious rural retreat in north-west Essex.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Still to come are two more houses, including the Mystery House,
0:19:40 > 0:19:44which leaves our buyers speechless, but not in the way I would like.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45What do you reckon?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- It's quite cold in here.- Yeah.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55And I am also having shivers as I explore a secret nuclear bunker.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Now, this is quite chilling, isn't it?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00That was the whole raison d'etre of this bunker.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Well, so far, the Essex countryside does seem to be wooing
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Jamie and Michelle, but I am not entirely convinced
0:20:08 > 0:20:10we have found them a property just yet.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12So, today, it is all to play for.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15We're heading next to the village of Great Horkesley,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18three miles north of Colchester.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20All essential facilities can be found in the village,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24including a shop and post office, as well as some luxuries too
0:20:24 > 0:20:27by way of a great pub and even a wine boutique.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30There are also a good variety of primary schools to choose from
0:20:30 > 0:20:32within a five-mile radius.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Down a lane just off the main road is our next property,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38a picture-perfect cottage.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- Now, what about this, then? - Wow.- Wow.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43- That's amazing.- That is something, isn't it?- Yes.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44- It is like in a fairytale.- Isn't it?
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- Yeah.- The real McCoy.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51It really is the real McCoy. This was built, we think, about 1620.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Classic thatch. Not surprisingly, it is listed, Grade II.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57But that shouldn't concern you because the whole thing
0:20:57 > 0:21:00has been beautifully - and I mean beautifully - renovated.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02- It is fabulous. - We wouldn't want to change it.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05That's what we were looking for - old on the outside, new on the inside.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08In terms of the future, schools - Colchester is awash with them.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11The thatch is something you have to keep an eye on.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14That is just part of the fun of having a listed building.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- OK.- Can't wait.- Can't wait to have a look.- Yeah.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Look at you two. Come on.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22'Something else to be excited about is that this location
0:21:22 > 0:21:23'has the shortest commute into London
0:21:23 > 0:21:26'of all the properties we are showing our buyers.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30'And when they get inside, I don't think they will ever want to leave.'
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- Come on then.- Wow.- Gosh.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Oh, gosh. This is lovely.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40I mean, as period cottages go, to use the local lingo,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- it's pukka. - THEY LAUGH
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- Yes?- Yeah.- Gorgeous. Wood burner over there.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47The oak floors run throughout.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50The bones of the building have been exposed during the renovation,
0:21:50 > 0:21:52- as you can see, these lovely beams.- Yeah.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- Is this you?- Yes.- Yeah. We were so open.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57We just wanted wow factor, didn't we? And this has got it.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- Yeah.- Definitely.- There's a little music room through there, cum study.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- Yeah.- That will become apparent a little bit later on.- Mm-hm.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10But suffice to say, it is all like this. It is lovely throughout.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12The only concern I might have, as far as you're concerned,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15from what you've said before, is the head height.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Oh, it is outdone by charm, though, isn't it? HE CHUCKLES
0:22:18 > 0:22:21It is outdone by charm. Right answer. Come on, let's continue.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- This is the dining room.- Oh, wow.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- Oh, it is lovely.- Stunning. Stunning.- Yeah.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Perfect. Love it.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- JULES LAUGHS - It is gorgeous, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- You've got an open fire there, which is rather nice too.- Yeah.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- Where do I sign?- Oh! Well...
0:22:42 > 0:22:45I know Michelle and Jamie are also going to be smitten
0:22:45 > 0:22:47by the bedrooms here.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49There is an en-suite on this floor,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52and the two bedrooms upstairs are both spacious double aspect
0:22:52 > 0:22:54and each have their own staircase
0:22:54 > 0:22:56and share a bathroom on the ground floor,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59which is next to the heart of the home.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- Here we are, guys. - Oh, my God!- Ah, yes.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Oh, this is amazing. - Amazing. That range.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06- This is so beautiful.- Yeah.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11Classic oil-fired range there. On at the moment, which is rather nice.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14But in the heat of the summer, you can turn that off and use
0:23:14 > 0:23:18the hob that's in the counter over there with the oven underneath.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- JAMIE CHUCKLES - This is so cool. This is my favourite by far.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23What would your friends think of this?
0:23:23 > 0:23:25As long as they're under six foot, they can come.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29I think they'll be quite jealous.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31It is just lovely. Come and have a look down here.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35The whole thing opens up into this conservatory area,
0:23:35 > 0:23:36which they've got as another dining area.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Of course, you've got the dining room next door as well,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41so you could just fill it full of sofas and use it to relax in.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- Yeah.- I quite like it like that, the way they've got it.- I like it.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- Yeah, it's perfect.- The two options. - Still want to buy it?
0:23:47 > 0:23:49- Yeah!- So far, so good. JULES CHUCKLES
0:23:51 > 0:23:56Now, here you have got family bathroom with his-and-hers sinks,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58bath and shower.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- But this...bedroom three, - SHE GASPS
0:24:01 > 0:24:03is what I think would make a brilliant master for you.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Although the current owners use one of the bedrooms upstairs
0:24:05 > 0:24:09as their room, this is the only one with an en-suite.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- Oh!- Wow.- So nice.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Looks... There's a hidden door.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14- No, no, that bathroom there.- Oh.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- No!- Oh?- No, no. This one.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- Wow!- Wow.- Yeah?
0:24:21 > 0:24:25- SHE SQUEALS Stunning.- Oh, my God!
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- This is the most perfect bathroom ever.- Wow.- Wow.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- You wanted a wet room, didn't you? - Yes!- Absolutely.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- Wow.- We definitely wanted a really nice shower
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- and that is amazing.- Yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38And remember that music room and study I talked about
0:24:38 > 0:24:39- on the way in?- Yeah.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41There it is. The whole thing sort of flows round on itself.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43If you didn't want it as a study,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- you could have it as a separate dressing room.- Yeah.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- Perfect.- And it is for sale.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49SHE SQUEALS Which helps.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- JULES LAUGHS - But how much is it for sale for?
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- Oh, well...- Come on.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59'The large garden can be accessed through the kitchen,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02'but we're heading back through the front entrance.'
0:25:02 > 0:25:03Oh, and it's sunny. Look at this!
0:25:05 > 0:25:08'And there is also a terrace, garage and drive for off-street parking.'
0:25:08 > 0:25:10It is quite tempting, isn't it?
0:25:10 > 0:25:13The only other thing to point out, really, is that garage,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15which you might want to think about turning into
0:25:15 > 0:25:17something more useful for you,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- maybe office, garden office, consulting room.- Yeah.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- Maybe.- Totally. - What is it worth, then?
0:25:23 > 0:25:25All right, well...
0:25:25 > 0:25:27I don't think you'd be too evil to give us something
0:25:27 > 0:25:29way over our asking price.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32But I think it is going to have to be slightly.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36So, our maximum was £495,000. I am going to go for £499...
0:25:36 > 0:25:38950.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- £499,950.- Or bang on the nose, £500,000.- OK.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45I am going to go for £495,000, top end of budget.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Right.
0:25:49 > 0:25:55If it were £499,950, could you find the best part of five grand?
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Yeah, there are ways and means, yeah.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02It is on at £499,995.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- Oh, wow! - JULES LAUGHS
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Now, saying that, it has only been on the market for six weeks.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10The owners have got their eye on something else down the road,
0:26:10 > 0:26:16so I suspect, given your 495, there is a conversation to be had.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Well, go back, have another look around.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20In particular, check out those two bedrooms upstairs
0:26:20 > 0:26:22and I'll catch up with you a little bit later.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24- OK.- Thanks, Jules.- Off you go.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Creeping over budget by just under £5,000,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33this three-bedroom property has won our couple over
0:26:33 > 0:26:37with its 17th-century charm and stunning modern restoration.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39There is a stand-out kitchen conservatory
0:26:39 > 0:26:41and a potential home office.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Just four miles from Colchester, its location is perfect too,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47providing our shortest commute to London
0:26:47 > 0:26:49of just an hour and ten minutes.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51As soon as I came in, I was like, "This is where I want to live."
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Yeah. I guess in a way, it was love at first sight.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58This is exactly how we'd have our kitchen if we could choose, right?
0:26:58 > 0:27:00- You wouldn't change anything? - No, I wouldn't.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I love it so much. I really want to move in.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- HE CHUCKLES - Seriously.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06- Come on.- Can't miss out.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10You can see they've already got a small family living here already,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12so that is sort of where we are at our life stage,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15so you could see at least for the next ten years,
0:27:15 > 0:27:16this could be perfect.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21I think we are both very keen, so fingers crossed we can get the house.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- How are we doing, then? - Oh, brilliant.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Could this be the one?- Yes. - Very much so.- I think so.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- It is certainly your favourite of the lot so far?- Definitely.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34- Definitely our favourite. - Hold that thought. Come on.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Well, our Mystery House certainly has a lot to live up to now.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51So, I am taking a gamble. My plan is to offer them a bit of a project.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Our final property has an incredibly historic shell,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57but if they were to get the planning permission needed,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01they could give it a fabulous interior precisely to their tastes.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03To find out if they will embrace this challenge,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06we're heading to the village of Ridgewell,
0:28:06 > 0:28:0814 miles north of Braintree.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10In the centre of Ridgewell is a village green
0:28:10 > 0:28:12surrounded by listed buildings,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15and a large proportion of the village is in a conservation area.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19There are also some pubs and a beautiful 14th-century church.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22The mystery property is in the heart of the village.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Right, chaps, well, here is...
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- ..our Mystery House.- Yep.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31It is the yellow bit.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32You can probably just make out
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- that little carving that says 1585. - Oh, yeah.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38It is the oldest one of the lot we have been able to show you.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43Similar style as well. Timber-frame classic for this part of the world.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45It is technically a semi, as you can see.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- But it's got loads and loads of features in it.- OK.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49So, it is really nice.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- If you like the old, which you did with our last property...- Loved it.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55..this, again, is more of the same, but even older.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58- What do you think?- Nice.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Not so sure about the road, but let's go and have a look inside.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02Keep an open mind. Let's have a look.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07The house is also Grade II listed.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10The front entrance is through an original timber door,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12although today we're using the back entrance
0:29:12 > 0:29:13into the recently renovated kitchen.
0:29:15 > 0:29:16Right.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20I know what you're going to say,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23and your face has already said it, Michelle.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26"It is a bit small, Jules." Yes, it is.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- But this doesn't have to be the kitchen.- OK.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32This might become a utility or a boot room,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35or maybe even a study, if you wanted it to be.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38- Ticthy.- Mm? - SHE SNIGGERS
0:29:38 > 0:29:39Hmm.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44Bear with me. Think about it - 1585, it is oozing with history.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47And a reasonable amount of space. This is currently the living room.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54- OK.- Higher ceilings.- Oh, yeah.- Yeah. - Lots of lovely beams.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57That door there takes you through to the corridor,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59which is the front door. Again, all original.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01- The layout is beautifully original, actually.- Mm-hm.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03You've got that lovely pukka fireplace over there
0:30:03 > 0:30:06with the wood burner and all the rest of it. Classic inglenook.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10In terms of space and feel, what do you reckon?
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Erm...
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Oh. SHE LAUGHS
0:30:16 > 0:30:18- It is quite cold in here.- Yeah.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21It is currently unused, unlived in at the moment.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22So, it has got a slightly damp air
0:30:22 > 0:30:26because it has not been used regularly.
0:30:26 > 0:30:27- Think of this as living room.- Mm-hm.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Think of this room as kitchen. Have a look at this.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34They've got it as a dining area at the moment.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36There's another lovely fireplace in there with a wood burner.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- Again, awash with beams.- Yep.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42How about this as a kitchen, with doors out to the garden?
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Yeah, I could see that working.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47This will give you an opportunity to do something quite exciting.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49The kitchen that's here, let's face it, it is not big enough,
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- it's not going to work for you two. - No.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53But bearing in mind, we all like the kitchen
0:30:53 > 0:30:55to be the heart of our homes these days,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- I think you could have some fun in here.- Mm.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Michelle is so not convinced!
0:31:00 > 0:31:03There is a twist to this one, which is why it is our Mystery House.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05- OK.- That will become apparent.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07'This property has four bedrooms
0:31:07 > 0:31:10'accessed from two different stairways,
0:31:10 > 0:31:12'but we're heading straight to the master.'
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Up you come. Look at these floors. I love it. Elm boards.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Now, this is what we are thinking about for you.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- It is certainly the biggest of the lot.- Mm-hm.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27It does feel a little unloved
0:31:27 > 0:31:30because it is effectively, really, unfurnished, it is unused.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Not a bad size.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35No, it has got the square footage.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37And we're on somewhat of a slope.
0:31:37 > 0:31:38It is often the way.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41These timber-frame buildings do move over time.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43They were built using what was called green oak,
0:31:43 > 0:31:44so freshly cut oak.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46And of course, once it is put together,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49it then shrinks a bit and contracts and it twists and it moves,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52and that is why you get these lovely odd shapes.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55When you're looking at what is essentially an empty shell,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57it is hard to make that work, I think.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59At least in my mind.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01Shall we just get it over and done with and talk about the price?
0:32:01 > 0:32:03- OK.- Come on, then.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05'I do think it is a shame that Michelle and Jamie
0:32:05 > 0:32:08'haven't warmed to this home, because it is unique.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11'In this part of the house is a shower room,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14'as well as stairs up to the second bedroom on the floor above.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17'Bedrooms three and four on the other side of the house
0:32:17 > 0:32:20'are both unfurnished and shared a bathroom.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22Looking at the outside of this building, it's absolutely all there.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24It's in really, really good condition,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- so it is just a cosmetic fix.- Yes.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- It is.- But that in itself could be quite costly.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33I know you'd redo the kitchen, that would cost some money.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37And I'd say if you allowed £15,000 for that, you'd be comfortably off.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- For the kitchen?- Yeah, with a very, very nice kitchen.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44But of course, it is all very well, but it does depend on the price.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- Yes.- So, Michelle...- Yeah. - HE LAUGHS
0:32:47 > 0:32:51- Start with me.- You have got £495,000 to spend.- Yeah.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53What is a Grade II village home worth, then?
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I don't want to, like, offend the owners,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00but I would think about £395,000.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- £395,000. - I would probably say about...
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- I'd go with £400,000. - That would be quite cheap.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10- That would save an awful lot of your £495,000.- Yes. Mm.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13- You said you didn't really want to offend them.- No.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- You haven't.- Oh, good.- You've probably put a smile on their faces,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21because this is on the market at £350,000.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23- Wow!- OK.- OK.- Which is the twist.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26- This is why it is our Mystery House. - That makes sense.
0:33:26 > 0:33:31We thought we would save you the best part of £150,000,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33which means you could do what you like in there.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37- You could cover the whole thing in gold leaf if you wanted to.- Yeah.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- That changes things completely. - I'll bet it does.- Yeah.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Yes. I think you should have a good look around
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- before you say anything else.- Yeah.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46- OK, cool.- And I will come and find you later on.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Well, Michelle and Jamie may seem a bit daunted,
0:33:51 > 0:33:55but a £145,000 under budget, this is
0:33:55 > 0:33:57one well worth thinking about.
0:33:57 > 0:33:58The Grade II listed property
0:33:58 > 0:34:00has four bedrooms
0:34:00 > 0:34:01with a generously-sized
0:34:01 > 0:34:02sitting room and dining room,
0:34:02 > 0:34:04as well as potential to create
0:34:04 > 0:34:05a large kitchen diner.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07And to get back to the capital would
0:34:07 > 0:34:10take about an hour and a half.
0:34:10 > 0:34:11So, what do you think?
0:34:13 > 0:34:15It kind of scares me a bit, if I'm honest.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19- I don't think it is really the project for us, is it?- No.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22I think you have definitely found us a house here in Essex,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25but unfortunately, it is not this house.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26If this property had been done up
0:34:26 > 0:34:29to the style of the thatched property,
0:34:29 > 0:34:32it may have made the decision a bit more difficult.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35However, having said that,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38I actually preferred the location of the earlier property.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- Here we go. - HE CHUCKLES - Still smiling?
0:34:42 > 0:34:43Oh, come on! It's not been that bad.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47- We've shown you some really good properties this week.- You have.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49- Yeah.- Time now to go and think about everything
0:34:49 > 0:34:51we have had the chance to tempt you with.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53- Yeah.- See what the future holds. - Yay!- Come on, then.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02Mainly rural, Essex has its historic capital in Colchester.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Back in the first century AD, Camulodunum, as it was then called,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08was the capital of the whole of Roman Britain.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10But in the 1950s,
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Essex could once again have become a centre of government.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15With tensions between the United States
0:35:15 > 0:35:18and the Soviet Union high post-World War II,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20the Cold War raged
0:35:20 > 0:35:23and the government wanted to be prepared for anything.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26They decided to build a vast secret bunker that could become
0:35:26 > 0:35:30an underground command centre in the event of a nuclear war.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33They chose this farm near the village of Kelvedon Hatch
0:35:33 > 0:35:35because of its proximity to London,
0:35:35 > 0:35:39and bought 25 acres of land from farmer Mike Parish's grandfather.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43- Mike.- Jules, how do you do?
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- Very nice to see you, sir. - Nice to meet you too.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Now, this is going to be a house with a difference.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Well, it is certainly the biggest unsecret secret in the world.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54- Come on, then.- It is different. - Show me around.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57I like that. The biggest unsecret secret.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01The entrance to the secret bunker is though the guardhouse,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04which was designed to look like a post-war bungalow.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09In the 1990s, once tensions between East and West had subsided
0:36:09 > 0:36:12and the Cold War was over, the bunker was no longer needed.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17Mike's family bought it back and turned it into a fascinating museum.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20I am astonished, Mike, that this could have remained a secret,
0:36:20 > 0:36:23given how many people were involved in its construction.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Well, in those days, the village of Kelvedon Hatch
0:36:25 > 0:36:30was only a mere 150-odd souls, not the metropolis that it is now.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34We didn't have radios, Facebook, instant communication,
0:36:34 > 0:36:38so it was much easier to keep something quiet than nowadays.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40But you lived above it, so you knew.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43We knew it was here, correct. Watched it being built.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45So, they basically dug an enormous hole,
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- built a huge concrete bunker and then covered it up again.- That's it.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Ten-foot thick walls, nice, square.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Because thickness is what keeps radiation out.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56People associate it with lead, cos it's dense.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58But of course, you get the same thing
0:36:58 > 0:37:00if you put wodges of concrete and dirt.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02The object of a bunker, obviously, is to keep radiation out,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- which of course is...- Are these Geiger metres?
0:37:05 > 0:37:08These are Geiger counters, yes. They would have detected radiation.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10You can't see it, smell it, feel it, hear it,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13and so you definitely needed something that would tell you
0:37:13 > 0:37:16that it was there, or it would get you if you went outside.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19These are the blast doors.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Once they are shut, the 600-odd people would be in here
0:37:23 > 0:37:25for three months, or until they ran out of food.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30The doors are made of steel, each one weighing about a tonne.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34The bunker is 100-foot deep and set out over three levels,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37covering 35,000 square feet.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41On the middle floor, there was a space for a representative
0:37:41 > 0:37:43from every department of government.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Now, this is quite chilling, isn't it?
0:37:46 > 0:37:49"Availability and allocation of surviving resources."
0:37:49 > 0:37:51You don't tend to think of it like that,
0:37:51 > 0:37:52but that's, I suppose, the dub of it.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55That was the whole raison d'etre of this bunker
0:37:55 > 0:37:57was to be allocating surviving resources
0:37:57 > 0:37:59to those of us that had survived.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03'Down we go to the bottom level,
0:38:03 > 0:38:05'where we're now 100 feet underground.'
0:38:05 > 0:38:07It just goes on and on.
0:38:09 > 0:38:10Well, this is the plotting floor.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13That's where all the information would have been fed
0:38:13 > 0:38:15so that they would know where a bomb had gone off
0:38:15 > 0:38:18and where the radiation was spreading.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20The red ones are the ground bursts.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22They're the worst because they pick up the dust.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24That's what goes in the atmosphere
0:38:24 > 0:38:26and that's what carries the radiation.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28The green ones are air bursts.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30You don't get so much radiation because it produces a triangle,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33but you get far more collateral damage.
0:38:33 > 0:38:34And then the people down here,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37they would have plotted this on here, got the direction of the wind
0:38:37 > 0:38:39and they'd then be trying to move us,
0:38:39 > 0:38:41the population, out of the way of that radiation.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46We are heading back up to the top level
0:38:46 > 0:38:48of this rather amazing construction.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Up here is where the living accommodation would have been,
0:38:51 > 0:38:53including the sickbay.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55This is when you realise how deep 100 foot is.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57JULES LAUGHS
0:38:57 > 0:38:59And you have walked up it more than most.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05It's a very brutal business
0:39:05 > 0:39:08to try and manage the effects of a nuclear attack.
0:39:08 > 0:39:09I think that's right.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12The commissioner here, who would have been a cabinet minister,
0:39:12 > 0:39:14would have had a horrible job.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17You have got to somehow maintain law and order,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20in a limited way, because you are in here, safe,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22without any problems - in inverted commas -
0:39:22 > 0:39:25and they're out there that you have got to try and protect.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Thankfully, we never needed it.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31But do you think it would still work today if it were needed?
0:39:31 > 0:39:32Yes, it would work.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35The filters are still downstairs, we're under positive pressure,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38which keeps the stuff outside rather than it coming in.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42So, I think, yes, it has got a pretty good chance of surviving.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44So, if it does all go wrong, you're the man to come and see.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Absolutely. I've got the keys! JULES LAUGHS
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Well, don't lose those, for goodness' sake.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Well, for our final chat with Jamie and Michelle,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00I thought I'd give them a little bit of a treat.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02I have brought them to one of my favourite spots
0:40:02 > 0:40:04along the border with Essex and Suffolk.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08These are the gorgeous grounds of Castle Hedingham.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11They are over there. I think we have given them plenty of time.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- Hello again.- Hello to you, sir. Hello, madam.- Hello.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24- How are we doing?- Good, thanks. - Very good.- You have been thinking?
0:40:24 > 0:40:25- Mm-hm.- Very good.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29Have you come up with a solution to the conundrum we have given you
0:40:29 > 0:40:32with all of those wonderful houses we were able to show you?
0:40:32 > 0:40:33I think so.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37Some you have clearly loved, some you have not loved quite as much.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40But let's talk about the one that you absolutely seem to adore.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42I don't think it will be any surprise
0:40:42 > 0:40:44to anyone watching this show,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47but our thatched property has rather taken your hearts away.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- It has.- I think it is a bit of a no-brainer with this one.- Yeah.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53I've always said to Michelle that wherever we move to,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55I'm not going to spend that amount of money
0:40:55 > 0:40:58- unless I am excited to go there. And we did feel that.- Yeah.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00It would be a move that
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- we'd feel excited about moving to this house.- Yeah.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05It gave you that contemporary feel
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- in the older building. - Yeah.- Absolutely.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10It's just to our taste. Wouldn't change a thing.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12It is a gorgeous property.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15And in terms of location, it is on the northern side of Colchester.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20It is - what? - ten minutes to the mainline station into Colchester.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23- It is the best part of town to be in.- Yeah.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25And, of course, you have got access northward to Suffolk
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- and all the fun that that offers you as well.- Exactly.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Exactly. That's why it's so good for us, because it's in between both.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Get the best of both worlds.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Did you think you would find something
0:41:35 > 0:41:36when you started this process?
0:41:38 > 0:41:39- We hoped.- Yeah, we had hoped.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43We kept an open mind and I did have faith that we would find something,
0:41:43 > 0:41:47but not quite as amazing as what we did find.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50I'm delighted that our thatched property has stolen your hearts.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52So, what happens next?
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Because I suspect it is not going to be on the market that long.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- Mm.- Yes, well.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59The other thing is, we have got to sell our property first,
0:41:59 > 0:42:04so I think a tentative offer might be the next move
0:42:04 > 0:42:07and then just have to keep ringing my estate agent
0:42:07 > 0:42:10and get him to pull his finger out! THEY BOTH LAUGH
0:42:10 > 0:42:12- Guys, it has been an absolute pleasure.- Thanks.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14- Jamie, thank you very much indeed. - Thank you.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16- Michelle, all the best to you.- Thank you.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- I'm glad you like Essex.- Yes, I do. - It's all right, isn't it?
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Not a bad gaff. THEY ALL LAUGH
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Well, I have had a lot of fun this week
0:42:29 > 0:42:32revisiting the villages and the countryside that I once grew up in.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36As we finish up here, overlooked by the lovely keep at Hedingham,
0:42:36 > 0:42:38I am reminded of that old phrase
0:42:38 > 0:42:41that every Englishman's home is his castle.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46This was Aubrey de Vere II's version of it, which he began back in 1140.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48He certainly knew what he wanted, and now hopefully,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Michelle and Jamie have got what they wanted.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54It may not be a castle, but it is a gorgeous home.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56I will see you next time.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59If you'd like to escape to the country
0:42:59 > 0:43:02in either England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland
0:43:02 > 0:43:05and would like our help, then please apply online at...