0:00:02 > 0:00:05500 years ago, locals transformed this quiet village church
0:00:05 > 0:00:08into a towering landmark, with cathedral-like proportions.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Find out where it is and where the money to do it came from
0:00:12 > 0:00:13in just a few moments.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Today's house-hunting couple
0:00:31 > 0:00:34are wearing their hearts on their sleeve.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Lovely. It's a me room.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Is it a Ken room, a Ken house, yet?
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Very close.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42And the character of our properties
0:00:42 > 0:00:44brings out ever-more dramatic reactions.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47This is probably something you'd see in the movies.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- I mean, unbelievable.- Wow!
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Today, I'm in Suffolk,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and this is the magnificent church of St Peter and St Paul in Lavenham.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59From the 14th to the 16th century,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03this village was the centre of Suffolk's wool trade.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05At the height of its prosperity,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08local merchants were keen to show off their wealth,
0:01:08 > 0:01:12so they funded the building of this impressive nave and flint tower,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15which rises up to more than 140 feet.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Lavenham's cloth and wool-making status
0:01:18 > 0:01:20crumbled away in the 17th century,
0:01:20 > 0:01:24but preserving its architecture is a cause celebre these days.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28This church, and more than 300 other listed buildings here,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31are an enduring reminder of those boom years.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Located in East Anglia,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Suffolk is bordered by the North Sea to the east
0:01:38 > 0:01:42and shares land borders with Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- The county's Heritage coastline stretches for- 45- miles
0:01:47 > 0:01:50over fine golden sands and pebble beaches.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Seaside towns include Southwold,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56with its rows of iconic, brightly-coloured beach huts
0:01:56 > 0:01:58built in the 1960s.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Several tidal rivers running out to the North Sea
0:02:01 > 0:02:05make for many fascinating places to explore by boat.
0:02:05 > 0:02:06Arthur Ransome, the author
0:02:06 > 0:02:09of the well-known children's series Swallows And Amazons,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11sailed and kept a boat here.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14And he set the books We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea
0:02:14 > 0:02:16and Secret Water in the area.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Inland, the unique, low-lying landscape around Dedham Vale
0:02:21 > 0:02:24inspired one of the country's most famous landscape painters,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28John Constable, to paint some of his most well-known works.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Pretty market towns include Bury St Edmunds.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Originally designed on a grid system
0:02:35 > 0:02:37by monks of the abbey in the 11th century,
0:02:37 > 0:02:42it offers an intriguing combination of medieval architecture,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45elegant Georgian squares and a cathedral.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48So, whether it's coast, countryside
0:02:48 > 0:02:51or ecclesiastical architecture you're after,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Suffolk is a wonderful place to plan an escape to.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01The Suffolk property market offers good value for money
0:03:01 > 0:03:04when you consider that the average cost of a detached home here
0:03:04 > 0:03:11is £275,000, just under £10,000 below the national figure.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14However, there are hot spots to the south of the county,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18such as the well-connected villages of East Bergholt and Nayland.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22In seaside resorts like Southwold and Aldeburgh,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25you could pay double the national average for a coastal property.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Luckily, the picture does become more affordable
0:03:29 > 0:03:32as you head north, towards the Norfolk Borders.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35So, which part of the Suffolk countryside
0:03:35 > 0:03:37do today's buyers want to settle in?
0:03:37 > 0:03:38Let's meet them.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Ken and Debbie, from Leigh-on-Sea in Essex,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44first met as teenagers 36 years ago.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47My friend asked for my opinion
0:03:47 > 0:03:50on a girl that worked in the hairdresser's.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53And he pointed her out and I said, "Yeah, she's a nice-looking girl."
0:03:53 > 0:03:55He kept coming in for a haircut -
0:03:55 > 0:03:57more than when he needed it, really and truly -
0:03:57 > 0:04:01so we got attracted to each other and the rest is history, really.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03It's, like, 31 years.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- Am I right on that one?- Yeah, yeah.
0:04:05 > 0:04:0831 years married, five years courting.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Kids came along, and they soon found the demands of juggling family life,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15as well as Ken's insulation business in Tilbury,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18didn't leave much time for anything else.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Our current lifestyle is very busy.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24You're always looking at the calendar,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27and, before you know it, it's nearly Christmas again.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32I'm sure a year goes quicker when you're running a business.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Now the kids have left and Ken and Debbie are finding their large home
0:04:36 > 0:04:39is just one more demand on their time and budget.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44We've now realised this place is just too big for us.
0:04:44 > 0:04:4850%, maybe 60% of the property we're not using,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52but we have to go round and run it, maintain it and keep on top of it.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Get something that I can do my housework in about one day
0:04:55 > 0:04:57instead of three days.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Something smaller. Get it done and off we go.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03The only way you're going to get time is to make the time,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05and it's to make difficult decisions,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08cos you don't know what's around the corner.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10You've got to live for today, really, sometimes,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- if you can afford to do it, and that's what we want to do.- Yeah.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Added to the demands put on them
0:05:16 > 0:05:18by the size of their current house and mortgage
0:05:18 > 0:05:20are the stresses of living in an area
0:05:20 > 0:05:24popular with commuters and London day-trippers.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28As the summer holidays come along, it gets very busy. Very busy.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31It is really a commuter area.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34You've got lots of people working in the banks and insurance industry
0:05:34 > 0:05:36in the City, who travel from here into London.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Everything seems to be rushed,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41and what I really want is that amount of time
0:05:41 > 0:05:47to do things in my own time, and enjoy them.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48The best way to free themselves up
0:05:48 > 0:05:52is a move to more rural and affordable surroundings.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58We're going to get away from the rat race of living where we are now,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01off-load our mortgage so that we haven't got that worry any more,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04and really start to unwind and start to enjoy life.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06We're looking to move to Suffolk,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10because it's... well, just a nice, pretty county.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14What we've seen so far is the picturesque villages.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16The lifestyle seems a lot slower.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20We'd like to be part of that, and, er...
0:06:20 > 0:06:22and it's not that far away.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26We was always travelling through Suffolk, and we said,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30"Right, this would be about the perfect distance to be."
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- We can visit, and they can visit us.- Yeah.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38They hope a less hectic pace will give them a better quality of life.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I'm really looking forward to the wildlife side of things,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44from taking the dogs for long walks and, all of a sudden,
0:06:44 > 0:06:45you'll stumble upon a little pub
0:06:45 > 0:06:47and it's, "Ooh, let's go and have a drink,"
0:06:47 > 0:06:49or, "Let's have a bit of lunch."
0:06:49 > 0:06:53I'm looking to join a golf club and be playing at least once a week,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57and really look forward to that, and get me handicap down.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00But, most of all, they want to enjoy each other's company.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04We want to spend more time together, and I feel that this move
0:07:04 > 0:07:06is going to give us the option to do that.
0:07:06 > 0:07:12I'd like to think that this is going to give me a lot more time with Deb.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16It's turning a page, and starting another chapter.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- Quite exciting, isn't it? - I find that really exciting.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Ken and Debbie have asked us to concentrate our search
0:07:24 > 0:07:28around the towns of Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30close to road links back to Essex,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32but before we start looking at houses,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35I'm meeting them in the county to get a clearer understanding
0:07:35 > 0:07:39of what they want from their country relocation.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- Welcome to Suffolk.- Hello. - What attracted you to this area?
0:07:42 > 0:07:47The history, the houses and the slower pace of life here.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49We often drive through with the motor home,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51when we're going to holiday in Norfolk,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53and we just really like the county.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56And it's not too far from where you currently are, either, is it?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58No. It's about an hour.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Yeah. We still can nip back to visit family.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I may have two go into work two or three days a week,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06so it's not a major commute.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Tell me about the house that you're looking for.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10What would you like it to look like?
0:08:10 > 0:08:14We're both looking for different houses, I think.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- Mr Renovator!- Ah-ha! DEBBIE LAUGHS
0:08:16 > 0:08:18And Debbie would like it all done.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21I don't mind a little bit of renovating,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25but I obviously mean by that wallpaper and new bits and pieces,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29so I don't really want to start having to build the place again,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31or anything like that.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Kitchen-diner, I'm looking for,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35or a room to put a large kitchen-diner on.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39A nice, sort of... comfortable lounge area
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- for retiring in, in the evening. - Yep.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- Probably three bedrooms would do us. - Yeah. Three bedrooms.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46At least three bedrooms for when the boys,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48or the family, come up to stay.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50We don't want a large garden,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52because we want to be away a lot in the motor home,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55but we do need a large front on the property to put the motor home on.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56We just want a little garden
0:08:56 > 0:08:58that doesn't take us very long to maintain or do.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Shut the back door, lock up the house
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and off we go for the weekend. That's the main thing.
0:09:03 > 0:09:04What about location?
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Where in the county would you like to live?
0:09:06 > 0:09:08I think we're looking at North Suffolk.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13A rural area, and with close access to the A14
0:09:13 > 0:09:16for commuting back to work and visiting.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18And remind me of your budget, then?
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Our budget is 400,000.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24And if we really, really, really fall in love with something
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- and it's just right, maybe we could go...- 425, yeah.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29- Maybe.- OK.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31We've got three great properties lined up.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33So, let's get cracking.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- Great.- Lovely.- Yeah, thank you.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42With a budget of £400,000
0:09:42 > 0:09:45but some room to stretch for the right property,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Ken and Debbie are looking to downsize,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50but still have some important needs from their new country home.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55They want a large kitchen-diner, a good-sized lounge
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and at least three bedrooms.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00They'd like a low-maintenance garden for the dogs,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03and off-road parking for their motor home.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Plus, they want good road access
0:10:05 > 0:10:09back to friends, family and Ken's business.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13We've found three fantastic properties to tempt them with
0:10:13 > 0:10:15and, at each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price
0:10:15 > 0:10:17before I reveal it.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20One, of course, will be our Mystery House,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23which could well put a new design on this search.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27But first on our agenda is house number one.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30So, Debbie, it sounds like you're more ready to slow down than Ken.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- Is that right, Ken?- Yeah.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35It's probably going to be a bit more difficult for me to slow down.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38How different do you want this home to be to the one
0:10:38 > 0:10:40that you are currently living in?
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Um, I would like a smaller back garden...
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Really, a large kitchen-diner I'm looking for,
0:10:47 > 0:10:48cos our kitchen's quite small,
0:10:48 > 0:10:52and we are both really looking at getting into cooking together.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Yeah. That's something we'd like to do, a bit more cooking together.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Mindful of the need to remain within reach of Essex,
0:11:02 > 0:11:04the first house is located in the village of Barking,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06five miles south-east of Stowmarket
0:11:06 > 0:11:09and two miles west of Needham Market.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14As well as amenities including a post office, and pubs,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Needham Market features a flint church
0:11:16 > 0:11:20that dates all the way back to the 15th century
0:11:20 > 0:11:25and a Grade II listed old station building, completed in 1849.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Two miles away, back in Barking, the village hall hosts activities
0:11:30 > 0:11:34including carpet bowls, an art group and the WI,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37after which you could enjoy a drink at the local pub.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40At the centre of the village is the tye -
0:11:40 > 0:11:43a word for a common, only found in parts of West Suffolk
0:11:43 > 0:11:45and adjoining areas of Essex,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49and our first house is located right beside it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52The big thing about this property is what's on your doorstep.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57- They believe it's the largest village Tye in Suffolk.- Really?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59There's enough space here for a motor home, isn't there?
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Yeah, I'm just looking at that.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03We can just about get the motor home in there.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05What do you think about the house itself?
0:12:05 > 0:12:07The character of the house, they've got that.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10And the dormers and the rendering and colour
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- is in keeping in the Suffolk area. It's lovely.- Very characteristic.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Can't wait to get in there and have a good look around, really.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Let's go.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21'This detached house was built just a decade ago,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25'and our buyers' first impressions are positive.'
0:12:25 > 0:12:27So it's a really nice-sized hallway,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30which comes straight into this living room.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- Oh, that's a nice room.- Yeah.
0:12:32 > 0:12:33- Very nice.- Really nice.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I can see meself sitting in here.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- A lot of this is actually done to our taste, as well, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Very pleased. Very pleased.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41It's a perfect balance -
0:12:41 > 0:12:43you've got a lovely view of the common over there,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- and the privacy of the trees and fencing there.- Very private.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Yeah, lovely. Yeah. It's a "me" room.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Is it a Ken room, a Ken house, yet?
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Very close. Very close.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55I'll take very close with the first room.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57I'll show you the kitchen.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I know. Not the kitchen-diner you wanted.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05It is a bit small.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08There's really only space
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- for a little breakfast table, isn't there?- Yeah.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12It's still a nice size.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15I don't know if not having a ready kitchen-diner is a deal breaker?
0:13:15 > 0:13:18I wouldn't class it as a deal breaker.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I'm just wondering whether perhaps we could...
0:13:20 > 0:13:22If there's room to build on, maybe?
0:13:22 > 0:13:24I think you could be close to doubling the size of this
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- with a conservatory-type extension. - That would be nice.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- That might be your answer. - Yeah, that would be nice.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Ken's wasted no time spotting an opportunity
0:13:33 > 0:13:36to put his renovating hat on in this house.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39There's already a separate dining room on this floor,
0:13:39 > 0:13:41as well as a handy downstairs cloakroom.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Stairs take us up to a generous landing
0:13:45 > 0:13:48and two double bedrooms with countryside views -
0:13:48 > 0:13:50the largest to the front
0:13:50 > 0:13:52and another to the rear of the property,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55currently being used as a study.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58These two bedrooms sandwich a family bathroom.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Then, across the landing,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03is a third, good-sized double with its own shower room.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- This is what I want to show you, is the master...- Yeah?
0:14:07 > 0:14:10..because there's an en-suite attached.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And nice sets of wardrobes as well.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16That's a nice-sized room, actually. It's bigger than I thought it'd be.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17It's a lovely room, I like this.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- This is a "me" room! - THEY LAUGH
0:14:19 > 0:14:21That is what you'd wake up to every day.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23It's lovely. Beautiful. Yeah.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26It is a very nice house, and I can see myself living here.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30It's not too big, and it would be easy to maintain, and it's just...
0:14:30 > 0:14:31- It's lovely.- OK.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Well, let's go and see your garden.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- I'm already calling it "YOUR garden"!- Yeah. Yeah.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40With an overwhelming response to the inside of this house,
0:14:40 > 0:14:42let's head outside.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Here, the fenced and gated grounds are private and secure.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47There are pleasant seating areas
0:14:47 > 0:14:50and a variety of mature shrubs and trees.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53What do you think about the size of it?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Yeah, I think that's ideal. I'm not a gardener,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58and I don't want to spend too much time in the garden.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03I think I could stay on top of this garden with a few hours a year.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06The views are lovely, with the decking and the chairs up there.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08The views you've got, that's fantastic.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10I'm really relaxed out here. It's lovely.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13How much is this "lovely" going to cost you?
0:15:13 > 0:15:16I'm going to go for 395.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17OK.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20I reckon 420.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22It's on the market for...
0:15:22 > 0:15:24£400,000.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Ooh. I can understand that.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It's a lovely property in a very nice location.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- Something to ponder on. - Ponder inside -
0:15:32 > 0:15:35have another look around, and I'll meet you at the front.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36- OK.- Thank you.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40I think it's ideal for them.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43And hopefully they can make it work,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45but we, of course, have other properties to see,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47so I shouldn't get too excited.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50Right on budget,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53this detached home has the three bedrooms they've asked for,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56and is idyllically located next to a tye,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59so benefits from scenic, countryside views.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01There's also a low-maintenance garden,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04as well as off-road parking for the motor home.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07And whilst it may not have the kitchen-diner Debbie wants,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11it does have a large living room and separate dining room.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15I think this is a lovely view. You've got the view of the common.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18I could see me out there, walking the dogs.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Very nice. Lots to think about.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I loved the first property from the moment I saw it.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26But I am looking for that large kitchen-diner.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I think, with a little of tweaking, here and there,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32we could perhaps make that into my dream kitchen-diner.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Apart from that, everything else works for me.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36Marks out of ten?
0:16:36 > 0:16:38I would say I'd give this a nine.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40I really, really like this house.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The lounge area, very inviting.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I could see myself sitting in there, watching the football on the TV.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51And the common opposite the house - that's fantastic.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55And it's not that far, really, from the A14, the A12,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58for commuting to work. Lovely.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02I can't believe how many boxes this has ticked.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04I think it's going to take some beating.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10I'm so pleased that you love this property.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12I love this property!
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Very nice. I had trouble getting her out.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19- A good start.- It is a great start, and we've got more to see.- Lovely.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Ken and Debbie hope their slower-paced Suffolk lifestyle
0:17:27 > 0:17:31will give them more time to spend cooking together in their new home,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33so we've lined up a visit to a farming family,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36where they can get a taste of fresh produce,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38directly from field to table.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Nick Hardingham moved to the county with his wife
0:17:41 > 0:17:44to start a pick-your-own business.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- Hello. Welcome to Alder Carr Farm. - Hi.- Good to meet you.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48What's the history of the farm?
0:17:48 > 0:17:50We came here in 1981.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53We were looking to dump our original jobs.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55We were 30 acres when we came here
0:17:55 > 0:17:58and, over the years, we've expanded up to 50 acres.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00What's in season at the moment?
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Well, we're still picking quite a few different crops,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06but absolutely the best, at the moment, is the sweetcorn.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09This is a family affair, so it's over to Nick's son-in-law, Barry,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12to check out this year's crop of corn.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14This is sweetcorn. You know it's ready
0:18:14 > 0:18:17cos it's got a brown tassel on the top,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19and if I just open this up, I'll let you try some.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- Do you like sweetcorn?- Yeah. I do.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- I've never tasted it, so, this is new for me.- No?
0:18:24 > 0:18:27If you want to try a piece of this and see what you think.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- Straight off the plant. - That's beautiful.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32It'll be very, very sweet. It's absolutely beautiful.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35This is a pick-your-own. So Ken and Debbie do just that.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Just pull that downwards?
0:18:37 > 0:18:38Give it a quick snap downwards.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- PLANT CRUNCHES - That's it. There you are.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Meanwhile, back in the farmhouse kitchen, Nick's wife, Joan,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49is ready to show them how to turn their freshly-picked cobs
0:18:49 > 0:18:51into her version of sweet corn chowder.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Chowder is a kind of thick soup,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57and it's really quick and simple.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00First to get the corn off the cob.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03You sort of have to dig your nail in a bit to grab it.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- It is quite tough, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08You have to give it a bit of a wiggle.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10What we're going to do now is cut these off.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13So I've never done one of these before,
0:19:13 > 0:19:14so anything can happen.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Ken puts chopped onion, celery and some butter into the microwave
0:19:18 > 0:19:20to soften for three minutes.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22This then goes into a pan,
0:19:22 > 0:19:27and Joan add some flour to make a roux-based sauce.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Try and avoid burning it.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33Don't be afraid to take it off if it's getting too hot.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35In a separate pan,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38diced squash and potato is cooked in milk and seasoned with thyme.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40These are then added to the roux base,
0:19:40 > 0:19:42stirring to prevent lumps.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45There we are. See it start looking really creamy?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Smells lovely.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49It's seasoned with half a teaspoon of celery salt.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51So if you can't get that?
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- Could you use...just ordinary salt? - Just ordinary salt, yes.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56And, lastly, in goes the sweetcorn.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Just put that in slowly? - No, just put it in.
0:19:59 > 0:20:00- Put it all in?- Yeah.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Joan likes to stop cooking her chowder
0:20:04 > 0:20:06before the corn loses its crunch.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Right. I think that's done.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12But what will Debbie make
0:20:12 > 0:20:15of her first-ever taste of cooked sweetcorn?
0:20:15 > 0:20:18I like the sweetcorn. I think you've converted me.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19- Good! - THEY CHUCKLE
0:20:19 > 0:20:22So I'll be having some of this when I get home?
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- Yeah. Yeah, you will, actually. - Good.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25And you can cook it!
0:20:25 > 0:20:26THEY LAUGH
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Our second house is located in the village of Wetheringsett,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38eight miles north-east of the town of Stowmarket
0:20:38 > 0:20:42and five miles north-west of the large village of Debenham.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Debenham offers facilities such as a fish and chip shop,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47a butcher's and a pub.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Its church has evidence of Norman and even Saxon work
0:20:50 > 0:20:53on the lower reaches of the bell tower,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57which gives what's considered one of the most mellow rings in the county.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Five miles away, back in Wetheringsett,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03the All Saints Church was almost entirely rebuilt
0:21:03 > 0:21:06in the second half of the 15th century.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09What's believed to be the oldest surviving house in this village
0:21:09 > 0:21:11is a short stroll away.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17So what we're looking at here is house number two.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- Right.- OK.- It's different.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Where am I going to park my motor home?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Can you see the telephone box just there?
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- Yeah.- There is an entrance?- Yeah.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28That leads to a huge double garage,
0:21:28 > 0:21:32and enough space outside of that garage to park your motor home.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Sounds good.- That sounds better.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37The house itself is end-of-terrace.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Right. We'd have to think about that.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41That's something we'd have to think about.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43I know that's something you're not fans of,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45being attached to someone. But are you willing to give it a go?
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.- Wait and see.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- Let's go and see what the inside has to offer.- Right.- OK.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Arranged over three floors, this property
0:21:53 > 0:21:56dates back to the 16th century
0:21:56 > 0:22:00and has retained its historic character and period features,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02whilst offering generous living spaces.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- What do you think?- Wow! Very nice.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It comes across so much older internally
0:22:09 > 0:22:11than it looks from the outside.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Well, come into the living room.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17Have a look at this.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Very characteristic. Very cosy.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Is it listed? - It is. Grade II listed.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24And you've got these little sections.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27The current family use this as a playroom.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Very different to us, isn't it?
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Yeah. Yeah. It's making you think what you could do with it.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35This is open-plan living.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37There's gaps through all the timber work.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39I love the beams.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Not too dark, not too imposing. No, really, really nice.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Now, Debs. One of your big requests was a kitchen-diner.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48That's what I'm going to show you next.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00I think this is what you'd call a proper country kitchen-diner.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01This is...
0:23:01 > 0:23:04This is probably something you'd see in the movies.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- I mean, unbelievable.- Wow!
0:23:06 > 0:23:08You said you both want to do more cooking together.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Is this the kind of kitchen you can imagine doing that in?
0:23:11 > 0:23:13I was just going to say, actually,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15you could do the cooking and I could sit there and watch.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- OK, right!- That's why she wanted a kitchen-diner -
0:23:18 > 0:23:20the diner bit for her, the kitchen bit for you.
0:23:20 > 0:23:21To watch me cook.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23It has got that wow factor.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- This is almost your show kitchen. - Yeah.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27You've got a really nice-sized utility
0:23:27 > 0:23:29that comes with this kitchen,
0:23:29 > 0:23:31with all your washing machine, your fridge.
0:23:31 > 0:23:32Everything is kind of hidden away.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I think, in a way, I feel kind of quite emotional with it, really,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38cos it has really blown me away a little bit, again.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40I think when you take on a house like this,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43you take on the responsibility, the history,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45and you've got to maintain that
0:23:45 > 0:23:48and you've got to keep it within character.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52I know you're a little overwhelmed. Let's go and see the upstairs.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54I'm not sure Ken and Debbie know
0:23:54 > 0:23:57quite what to make of this period property.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00On the ground floor, there are two staircases.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04The first leads to a double bedroom and a family bathroom.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08The layout is such that Ken and Debbie could choose to use this
0:24:08 > 0:24:09as their master suite.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Next to it, more stairs lead to the top floor,
0:24:13 > 0:24:18where the largest bedroom, with its own walk-in wardrobe, is located.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22Alternatively, the second staircase on the ground floor
0:24:22 > 0:24:24leads off the kitchen,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27giving a further option for their master suite.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30All you've got on this side of the house, above the kitchen,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- is this bedroom.- Yeah.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Plus a bathroom, which is almost an en-suite.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36En-suite, yeah.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39So, it's its own private living quarter, really.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Looking at storage, where you'd put clothing and stuff like that,
0:24:43 > 0:24:44is it practical?
0:24:44 > 0:24:48I think this is only practical to put your day-to-day things in,
0:24:48 > 0:24:52just here, on the window seat, if you'd turn that into storage.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Ideal office?
0:24:54 > 0:24:55It could be an office up here.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- Absolutely. It's got a bathroom, so...- Yeah.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00- I think it's quite flexible.- Yeah.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03'It seems our couple love the character here,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05'but are still puzzling over
0:25:05 > 0:25:08'whether the quirky layout would work for them.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10'Outside is more straightforward,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14'with an enclosed, good-sized, rear garden mainly laid to lawn.'
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Very low-maintenance, so Ken can run the lawnmower round it.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21And ideal for the dogs. It's big enough for them to have a run round.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25The question now is, how much will this property set you back?
0:25:25 > 0:25:30I think, because it's semidetached this time, 385?
0:25:30 > 0:25:36- OK.- I'm going to go with a little bit more.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38I'm going to go 395 again.
0:25:38 > 0:25:44- It is currently on the market for £365,000.- Right, right.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46- Something to think about, isn't it? - Mmm.- Yeah.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- Go and have another look around. - Yep.- Will do.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- Lovely.- Thank you.- And I'll see you in a bit.- OK.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54I've really confuse matters, haven't I?
0:25:54 > 0:25:56But it's great to give them options,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59and I'm glad they're having a think about it.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02£35,000 below their budget,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05this listed 16th-century end terrace
0:26:05 > 0:26:09gives Debbie that kitchen-dining space she craves.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13There are three bedrooms, all large enough to be masters, while outside,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16there's parking for the motor home and a dog-friendly garden.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Right. That's a nice garage.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Yeah. Yeah.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25That'd be big enough to park the motor home and keep it there.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28You just about get it up the side of the houses,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30but I think that's fine for parking.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34I'm actually quite speechless with this house, to be honest with you.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37I'm not really 100% sure what to make of it.
0:26:37 > 0:26:38I just find it so enchanting,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41so I am really, really mixed up about this house.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Could I get my head around being semidetached?
0:26:44 > 0:26:46I'm not 100% sure on that.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49So, I'd really have to have a long, hard think.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51But there's so many pluses.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I love the kitchen, the quirkiness of it.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57I wasn't sure what to make the bedrooms,
0:26:57 > 0:26:59because they are kind of all over the house,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02but on the second floor, we could really open that up,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06so there is lots of potential to do here, and lots to think about.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08It is a contender for me.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11I can just imagine this, probably at Christmas time,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14it would be very, very homely.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Some areas of the house I didn't find very practical to live in.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20You're limited in what you can do.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23I think you've got to keep the character of the house.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Storage is limited on what you've got in the bedrooms.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Whether it's for me, maybe for Debbie,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34but it is a lovely, lovely house.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I really have made you think about what you want
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- from a property, haven't I? - Very confused.- Yes.- Makes you think.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42But I have to give you options.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44The good news is I'm not giving you any more today.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46So, we can go and relax.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Husband and wife Ken and Debbie,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02from Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, are downsizing,
0:28:02 > 0:28:07with £400,000 to find a slower pace of life in Suffolk.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10We've shown them two very different houses
0:28:10 > 0:28:13that could give them the new, more rural base they're after.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16But there's still the mystery house to see,
0:28:16 > 0:28:17which may well split opinion.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21That is something I wanted to do at home, and she said, "No!
0:28:21 > 0:28:23"No TV in the bathroom," but I think it's a good idea.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26'And I'm putting my nose to the grindstone
0:28:26 > 0:28:28'at a working tide mill.'
0:28:28 > 0:28:32- So, this is a big start button? - This is the big start button!
0:28:32 > 0:28:33All right. Shall we do it?
0:28:33 > 0:28:35- Oh... I fear you...- Ha!
0:28:35 > 0:28:38- ..might be doing most of the hard work.- I think so!
0:28:40 > 0:28:45Our first two properties were very different in terms of age and style,
0:28:45 > 0:28:47and I think that's helping Debbie and Ken figure out
0:28:47 > 0:28:50what type of house they really want to live in,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52but there's no need to make a decision just yet,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55because, today, we show them the mystery house.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57It's certainly got plenty of style.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01The question is - will its grand design charm them?
0:29:04 > 0:29:06When we started this process,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Ken, you were up for perhaps putting a bit of work in,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14- but I sensed you were going Debbie's way yesterday.- Yes, yes.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16All the houses we've ever had,
0:29:16 > 0:29:20I've, er, developed and refurbished them.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23And then, yesterday, when I walked into the first house
0:29:23 > 0:29:26that everything was done, there was this calmness come over me,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28which I've never had before
0:29:28 > 0:29:32when we've gone into a property, looking at it, and I thought, "Wow!
0:29:32 > 0:29:35"Do you really want to refurbish another property?"
0:29:35 > 0:29:40So, er...it's over my eyes, this, er, two houses.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44What are you both expecting from the mystery house,
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- wanting from the mystery house? - I'm expecting it's going
0:29:47 > 0:29:50to be my biggest nightmare, the renovating job,
0:29:50 > 0:29:53because we haven't really seen anything like that at the moment.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55I don't know, I'm quite excited to find out, really.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04The mystery house is in the village of Woolpit,
0:30:04 > 0:30:0612 miles northwest of Stowmarket,
0:30:06 > 0:30:10and 10½ miles east of Bury St Edmunds.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13With many facilities reflecting its status
0:30:13 > 0:30:16as the main cultural and retail centre of West Suffolk,
0:30:16 > 0:30:20Bury St Edmunds is a pleasant market town.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22The 14th-century gate abbey gate,
0:30:22 > 0:30:24once a secular entrance for servants,
0:30:24 > 0:30:28leads to formal gardens and the cathedral.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Around ten miles away is Woolpit,
0:30:30 > 0:30:34where the village sign harks back to a strange 12th-century legend
0:30:34 > 0:30:38of two local children who, it's said, would eat nothing but beans.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42With a little over 2,000 residents,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45there's an interesting museum, bakery and pub,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48whilst the church features fine flush work,
0:30:48 > 0:30:53part of the perpendicular style of gothic architecture.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57'The mystery house is located on a road leading out of the village,
0:30:57 > 0:30:59'backing onto open countryside.'
0:30:59 > 0:31:01What do you think of the mystery house?
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Wow, completely different to the first two.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- A very modern property, I think you'll agree.- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Yeah, I like the entrance, the modern doors,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- and the coloured window frames. - I did say I would like modern.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Nothing to do. Off we go.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20'This detached home was bought as a chalet-bungalow ten years ago
0:31:20 > 0:31:23'by the current owners, who are interior designers.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27'They completely remodelled outside and in.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31'A small lobby leads straight into a large living room.'
0:31:31 > 0:31:33- Wow.- Wow.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38It feels more spacious in here than it looks from standing outside.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41These are oak floors from the local area.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- Don't miss the fireplace. - No!- Yeah, yeah.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47- Real fire, an open fire.- Wow!
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- I know your eye's drawn towards the kitchen.- I know, I know.
0:31:50 > 0:31:51So let's head that way.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58Oh, that's nice.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- Very nice. Very nice.- That's the kitchen I've been looking for.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04It's a high-spec German kitchen, actually.
0:32:04 > 0:32:05I don't think there's much missing.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07You can eat over there on the breakfast bar,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09or you've got the dining room just here.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11So you've got eating options both sides.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14I like the breakfast bar part of the kitchen.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- Yeah.- Look at those bi-folds. - Yeah, that's lovely.- Lovely.- Yeah.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22Flows in really nicely, from the kitchen into the conservatory area.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Now, that may look like the back of the house, but there's more.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- Oh, right!- Follow me.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32'Running alongside the kitchen is a ground floor bedroom,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35'wet room and a utility space
0:32:35 > 0:32:39'that leads into another very big room which should appeal to Ken.'
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Wow!
0:32:42 > 0:32:45A man cave! And just like my snooker table.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49I used to have my office in my snooker room,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52so walking in here, it just... Yeah, it just takes me back.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- Home from home, then, aren't you? - Yeah!
0:32:54 > 0:32:56It's been done to a very high spec.
0:32:56 > 0:33:02- Tempted?- Yes, I... I'm tempted by all three.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07It's going to take a lot of talking over, I think, this is.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09- Shall we head upstairs?- Yes.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15'So far, this looks like another contender for Ken and Debbie.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19'As we had upstairs, we find contemporary style is
0:33:19 > 0:33:21'taken to a whole new level.'
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Have a look at the bathroom.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25That is fantastic.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Real mother-of-pearl tiles. A TV.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30That is something I wanted to do at home and she said, "No!
0:33:30 > 0:33:34- "No TV in the bathroom."- Really? - But I think it's a good idea.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37'There are two further bedrooms on this floor,
0:33:37 > 0:33:41'a good-sized double and an even more spacious master.'
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Lovely room, lovely-sized room.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47I like the colour of the floor. This works very well, very well.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Very nice, yeah. A lot to think about, a lot to ponder on still.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Well, let's go and take in the garden.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55See the house from the other side, and then we can discuss place.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57- Lovely. Great.- All right.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05'Outside, there's plenty of parking for Ken and Debbie's motor home,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08'whilst a fenced easy-to-keep rear garden
0:34:08 > 0:34:10'offers secluded seating areas.'
0:34:10 > 0:34:12How would this garden work for you?
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Nice size. Not overlooked.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- Not too much lawn to mow, have you?- No.
0:34:18 > 0:34:19Nice patio area.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Room for the dogs.
0:34:21 > 0:34:27Let's discuss money. How much is this design house on the market for?
0:34:27 > 0:34:32I would say it's going to be top end of our budget, so I'd say 425.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34I was going to say almost the same,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37so I think I would go in at 420.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42OK. It is on the market for exactly £425,000,
0:34:42 > 0:34:46so we would need the very, very top of your budget.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49- Right, OK.- Are you reaching for your cheque book?
0:34:49 > 0:34:51I think I might have to sit down
0:34:51 > 0:34:53and have a little discussion with you.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- Have another look around. - OK, thank you.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56- And I'll see you in a bit.- OK.- Bye.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02I'm glad I've surprised them with this house,
0:35:02 > 0:35:08but I have a feeling it might be that little bit TOO modern for them.
0:35:08 > 0:35:09But let's see.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14Although this is £25,000 over budget,
0:35:14 > 0:35:16they have said they could stretch themselves
0:35:16 > 0:35:18for the right property,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20and this detached Uber-modern home
0:35:20 > 0:35:23does deliver on that large kitchen/diner.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25There are three bedrooms
0:35:25 > 0:35:28plus a luxurious wet room and bathroom.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32The fenced garden is private and perfect for the dogs,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35and there's off-road parking for the motor home.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39I really love this house. The kitchen/diner is just me to a T.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41The garden is absolutely wonderful,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45bringing the outside in as well, with the bi-folding doors.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Just absolutely superb.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Although I'm looking for modern, is too modern for me?
0:35:50 > 0:35:54Maybe I feel I could be too old for this house, maybe.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56But we shall see. We'll see.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00The kitchen is a definite plus. The garden is a plus.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Um, the snooker room and bathroom areas, they are a plus.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09The modern design could be a minus for us,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11but for someone else, it would be a plus.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14The interior design is fantastic.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Their taste - what they've set out to do -
0:36:16 > 0:36:18I think they've achieved in this property.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Choices, choices, choices!
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- Ponder, ponder, ponder! - LAUGHTER
0:36:25 > 0:36:28- Tea, tea, tea?- Yes! - Let's go and get a cuppa.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36With its coastline along the North Sea,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Suffolk boasts many tidal rivers.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43As well as providing a picturesque haven for wildlife and sailors,
0:36:43 > 0:36:48their tidal power has been harnessed for milling since medieval times.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51Today, I'm visiting a rare Grade I listed
0:36:51 > 0:36:5318th-century working tide mill,
0:36:53 > 0:36:58located on the banks of the Deben Estuary, where Nigel Barratt, one of
0:36:58 > 0:37:01the volunteers keeping this building alive and open to the public,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04has offered to give me a tour.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06What's so special about this mill?
0:37:06 > 0:37:09There are now only, so far as we're aware,
0:37:09 > 0:37:14three working mills left in Europe and this country.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16- So does this work?- How does it work?
0:37:16 > 0:37:22Well, all tide mills work by storing the water in a reservoir.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24As the tide comes in, it fills the pond,
0:37:24 > 0:37:28then, as the tide goes out, the water's trapped in the pond.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33We open the sluice gates, water pours out at a great pressure
0:37:33 > 0:37:34and that pressure can turn the wheel.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39'The original seven-acre millpond would've worked the mill for
0:37:39 > 0:37:43'four to five hours, producing up to half a tonne of flour each hour.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47'It's now a marina and the new much smaller pond
0:37:47 > 0:37:50'provides just half an hour of action at a time.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54'Luckily, I'm here as the wheels are about to be set in motion.'
0:37:54 > 0:37:56There we go.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00- So this is the big start button, really?- This is a big start button.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- Yes, that's right.- All right. Shall we do it?- Shall we do it?
0:38:03 > 0:38:05- How heavy is this? - It's quite heavy.- OK.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09- I feel you...- Ha!- ..might be doing most of the hard work.- I think so.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12- Dave?- Dave, you may need to help us. - You haven't jammed it, have you?
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- No.- OK.- I think we need to...
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- Oh, gosh! - Maybe I'll move out the way!
0:38:17 > 0:38:19That's it.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20I clearly was no help.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24'I have some way to go to make a miller,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27'but this centuries-old mechanism is as efficient as ever.'
0:38:29 > 0:38:30Oh, my gosh.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34- And we're already getting flour? - We're already getting flour.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37I'm just so impressed at how instantly it came out.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40'It all starts with the waterwheel,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43'which, via cogs, rotates a central shaft.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46'This causes a nut above to turn the millstones,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48'which then grinds the flour.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52'But the waterwheel is also used to power a hoist,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55'taking the wheat grain to the upper levels of the mill,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57'where the flour-making process begins.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00'With the grain being filled,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03'a simple shutter is opened, putting gravity to work...'
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- So I just put that out? - Just pull that out.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10'..as the grain flows down a chute towards the winding mechanism.'
0:39:10 > 0:39:15So we've now charged the hopper with grain and it'll be agitated
0:39:15 > 0:39:19- by the damsel into the eye of the stone.- That's called a damsel?!
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Legend has it that they started calling it a damsel,
0:39:22 > 0:39:26because, when it's operating, it never stops chattering.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28- Sorry about that!- Like all the world's greatest woman.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Sorry about that.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35'After the damsel has done its work controlling the flow of grain
0:39:35 > 0:39:39'and coarseness of grind, it falls to the millstones.
0:39:39 > 0:39:40'Unlike modern roller milling,
0:39:40 > 0:39:42'which can separate the germ from the flour,
0:39:42 > 0:39:45'stone grinding retains the germ and the husk,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49'creating a higher-protein wholegrain product.'
0:39:49 > 0:39:54And this is the finished flour. And doesn't it look mighty fine?
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- Ha-ha!- You've got the bits of bran. You can see it.- You can see, yes!
0:39:57 > 0:40:00This is ideal for baking bread.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01I like them.
0:40:01 > 0:40:06Because this is high in protein, actually you can get a better rise, and it gives a very good result.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Nigel, as it's been brilliant to actually see
0:40:09 > 0:40:11the stone-ground process.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- Yes.- Thank you so much. - Thank you.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Debbie and Ken are in a great position.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24They like all three of our properties
0:40:24 > 0:40:27and each of them has most of the elements they've asked for.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30So now it's just a case of figuring out which one suits them the most.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Let's see if they've been able to make a decision.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41So, what have you decided?
0:40:41 > 0:40:46Because, in a way, you quite liked all three houses, didn't you?
0:40:46 > 0:40:48We did, very much, didn't we?
0:40:48 > 0:40:51It was quite a hard decision that we've come to.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55I think we've more or less decided on house number one.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00I think house number one still ticks most of the boxes that we want.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02Is it the common that sold it to you?
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Because that's such an amazing feature.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08I think so, because it was beautiful views from the front
0:41:08 > 0:41:10and also beautiful views from the back.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13And where it was situated, it was just fantastic, wasn't it?
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Yeah. They kept the house in character with Suffolk.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Showing us three houses, it's shown me that I actually like
0:41:20 > 0:41:22the traditional contemporary style.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25I walked in house number one and I felt relaxed.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28With house number one, will you want to
0:41:28 > 0:41:32put on an extension to the kitchen to turn into a kitchen-diner?
0:41:32 > 0:41:34Is that something you're still looking to do?
0:41:34 > 0:41:37I think it would need an extension on the kitchen
0:41:37 > 0:41:41to get my sought-after kitchen-diner that I've really hankered after,
0:41:41 > 0:41:44so that would be a good plus for us, wouldn't it?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- Yeah, the...- Also, a little bit of renovation for him there,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- so he's getting that out of it. - He's got that fix.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53We're sort of compromising that way, both getting a bit of what we want.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Well, it sounds like you're ready to put an offer in.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Well, we'd like to go back and have a look
0:41:59 > 0:42:01at house number one, definitely.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04It was like a piece of string and we were at two opposite ends,
0:42:04 > 0:42:10and we've come to the middle and we're in agreement on house number one.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14Fingers crossed all goes well and we'll hear some good news soon.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Well, what a lovely, productive couple of days of house-hunting
0:42:24 > 0:42:26in this rather picturesque county.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Debbie and Ken liked all three of our properties,
0:42:29 > 0:42:31even though they're quite different.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35In the end, it's easy to see why they've decided to pursue house number one,
0:42:35 > 0:42:38and we wish them the very best of luck with their plan
0:42:38 > 0:42:42to start a slightly slower pace of life here in Suffolk.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44See you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Ken and Debbie are still interested in the first house we showed them
0:42:49 > 0:42:52and are planning to arrange a second viewing
0:42:52 > 0:42:54as the sale of their own house progresses.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56If you'd like to escape to the country
0:42:56 > 0:43:00in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02please apply online at...