0:00:02 > 0:00:05This tiny medieval church stands in an eerie landscape that has been
0:00:05 > 0:00:07nicknamed the "Fifth Continent",
0:00:07 > 0:00:11but where would you find this mysterious waterlogged place?
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Well, stick around and I will enlighten you shortly.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36Today, a young international family are on the hunt for a country
0:00:36 > 0:00:38retreat away from England's capital.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Things get off to a positive start...
0:00:43 > 0:00:44- Ahhh.- Ooh.- Whoa!
0:00:44 > 0:00:46These are the noises we want to hear.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47- Yes.- That's lovely.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51But there's discord when it comes to the size of the estate.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53There's space for chickens.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Sure, but probably not a herd of cattle.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- Right.- Yes!
0:00:58 > 0:00:59THEY LAUGH
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Today, I'm in Kent on Romney Marsh
0:01:05 > 0:01:07and this is Thomas a Becket Church in
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Fairfield, one of 14 similar churches in the neighbourhood
0:01:10 > 0:01:13which weren't always used just for worship.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Because we're just a couple of metres above sea-level here,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19back in the 18th century, smugglers -
0:01:19 > 0:01:21or "owlers" as they were called
0:01:21 > 0:01:23because of their nocturnal activities -
0:01:23 > 0:01:26used to hide their contraband in the churches.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31The wetlands here at Romney are also home to a native breed of sheep,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33who I'll be meeting later in the show,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37but let's take a look at some of the other wonders in the county of Kent.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Sitting below the Thames Estuary,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Kent shares its inland border with Greater London
0:01:44 > 0:01:46and meets the English Channel to the east.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49The unique landscape of Romney Marsh
0:01:49 > 0:01:52is the largest coastal wetland in the south of England.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Reclaimed from the sea, it was dubbed the "Fifth Continent"
0:01:56 > 0:01:59by 19th-century writer and cleric Richard Harris Barham.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Kent is also known as the Garden of England,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06due to its wealth of orchards and crops.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08A third of the county falls within two
0:02:08 > 0:02:12Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that stretch the coast.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18In the High Weald lies the handsome village of Goudhurst,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21whose 14th century church tower overlooks
0:02:21 > 0:02:24the whitewashed timber-clad buildings that line
0:02:24 > 0:02:26its attractive high street,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30which played host to the Tour de France in 2007.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Nearby is Kent's historic spa town Royal Tunbridge Wells,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39named over four centuries ago after a natural mineral spring.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43It later became Queen Victoria's holiday destination of choice.
0:02:43 > 0:02:49At its centre, the Pantiles form a colonnaded Regency promenade,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52now home to an array of shops and eateries.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56So it's true to say that with its diverse and rural backdrop
0:02:56 > 0:02:58and striking architectural hallmarks,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Kent combines country life with commuting possibilities.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08With this beautiful wide-open landscape,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12it's hard to believe that you could commute into London.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15But with towns like Tunbridge Wells only 40 miles from the centre of the
0:03:15 > 0:03:18capital, and less than an hour on the train,
0:03:18 > 0:03:19that's exactly what you could do,
0:03:19 > 0:03:23although you'd pay a hefty premium for the privilege.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28The average price for a detached house here in Kent is £468,000,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32which is 41% above the national figure.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35You could understand why young families wanting to leave the capital are
0:03:35 > 0:03:37keen to buy in this county,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and that's exactly why our buyers today have chosen Kent.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47Full-time mum Christina and her city worker husband Anthony have had a
0:03:47 > 0:03:50pretty international relationship so far.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Their paths first crossed in Christina's home country, Germany,
0:03:54 > 0:04:00- eight years ago.- We met in Munich, back in 2000 and...
0:04:01 > 0:04:02- Nine, darling.- Nine.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04We met at a beer festival,
0:04:04 > 0:04:08don't massively recollect a huge amount of our first encounter.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Their romance played out across the world when Anthony was transferred
0:04:12 > 0:04:15to Brazil, and they married three years ago.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20The pair finally settled together in Battersea, south London, last year,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24but now it's time to move on from Anthony's second-floor former bachelor pad.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27We've got a little daughter, Amelia.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29She's almost one and a half years old now.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31She's obviously one of the main reasons why we want to move,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34because it's nice living here,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37but what we're really longing for is a garden.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41With Amelia getting older, and hopefully number two at some point soon,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43we need more space,
0:04:43 > 0:04:48and although we both want a garden, we want different sized gardens.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51I'd quite like to have something maybe a bit bigger and Christina,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54I think, is looking for something about that big.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56The size of the garden isn't the only thing
0:04:56 > 0:04:59this couple don't see eye to eye on.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02So Anthony and I disagree on almost everything in life,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07like big things, like where to move to, just as well as very small things,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10as in do you like left or right,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12I would say left and Anthony would say right.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18But they have agreed that Kent's where they want to put down roots.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Unfortunately, I've got another 30 plus years of working to do,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25so I need to be within close proximity to London.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27What I know of Kent,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30we've been there for a few weekends and it's a beautiful county,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32with lots of sort of open spaces,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34whilst still having those connections to London.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37And hopefully we can find something that we both like.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39After living in a busy metropolis,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Christina and Anthony are keen to get stuck into local life,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45free up more time and enjoy their hobbies.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49I would definitely like to move somewhere where there is a sort of
0:05:49 > 0:05:51village-y feel and that sense of community,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55a local sports team or getting a pint glass behind the bar or something.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57That sounds pretty cool to me.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Anthony is a fantastic cook.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02I enjoy cooking as well, although Anthony doesn't like my cooking,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05but I love baking.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09I really like things like sewing, I like decorating things.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12I would quite like to, I don't know, join a choir maybe,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16or something like that, where I could really meet people and build up,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18yeah, long-term friendships.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Although Anthony is a city boy,
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Christina's hankering after the lifestyle she knew growing up.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27All throughout our relationship,
0:06:27 > 0:06:32Anthony has made fun of me for being a girl from the country and having
0:06:32 > 0:06:36grown up in the countryside in the middle of nowhere.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40We would love for Amelia to have the same experience.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Anthony may like teasing Christina but he's just as excited as she is
0:06:44 > 0:06:46about their new country life.
0:06:46 > 0:06:52Being able to, sort of, when you hit that train on Friday night and escaping...
0:06:53 > 0:06:58..the big smoke and getting out into the countryside is something that
0:06:58 > 0:07:02I'm fairly certain I would look forward to massively.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11Our house-hunt will take into account Anthony's need to commute to London for work.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13But before we get off the starting blocks,
0:07:13 > 0:07:18I'm meeting up with them both in the county to understand better what they
0:07:18 > 0:07:20would like from their new family home.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24So I've heard on the wire that you two never agree about anything,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28so I'd better ask both of you, what are you looking for,
0:07:28 > 0:07:29in terms of the style of the house?
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Hopefully something that is four maybe five bedrooms.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36I think we would like something that has some character.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Yeah, well, I do agree on the number of bedrooms.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41I would like a garden that's manageable.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Anthony would really like land.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Ah, how much land are you talking about?
0:07:47 > 0:07:50I did start off, I think, at five acres, and I think it's been sort of...
0:07:51 > 0:07:54..squashed to a more manageable perhaps one.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56And what about the style of the house?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59What I would like is something that is a bit open,
0:07:59 > 0:08:03so that children can run around and I don't need to open every door to
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- find them. - Any other major disagreements?
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- Location, what about location? - Location wise, yes.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12So Anthony would be quite happy just in a forest on his own,
0:08:12 > 0:08:13nobody around.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18- With my land.- While I'd be happier if I had at least some neighbours,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22could maybe walk or at least cycle to a nursery, primary school.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23Let's talk about your commute.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- You're obviously going to be in and out of London every day.- Yep.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Ideally I'd like to be able to cycle to the station.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33If I could do door-to-door in sort of an hour 15-ish, that would be great.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35If it's a wonderful place, maybe slightly longer,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38but definitely no longer than an hour and a half door-to-door.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Remind us what your budget is.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Yes, so our budget would be a maximum of a million.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48£1 million is an enormous budget, but sadly in Kent,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52especially an hour away from London, it gets eaten up quite quickly.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Well, it's a beautiful area, it really is,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56and some great houses we've got lined up for you.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58The only thing is, you have to fall in love with them.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01No pressure! But no time like the present,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03so let's get in the car and go see them.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- Brilliant.- Come with me. - Looking forward to it!
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Christina and Anthony have a budget of £1 million
0:09:10 > 0:09:13to spend on a character property
0:09:13 > 0:09:16with bright open living spaces and 4-5 bedrooms.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Outside, they'd like a child-friendly garden
0:09:20 > 0:09:21and a plot of land.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24They don't want to be remote and need to be close to a station,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26so Anthony can commute into London for work.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32We've cherry picked a great range of properties for Christina and Anthony
0:09:32 > 0:09:36to view, and after their tour of each I'll reveal the price,
0:09:36 > 0:09:37once they've had a guess.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Finally, the Mystery House will require a head for compromise,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45and if they are happy to veer slightly off piste,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48they'll be greeted with a rather splendid package.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Our house-hunt around Kent begins in the village of Shipbourne.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00The centre of this pretty village is in a conservation area
0:10:00 > 0:10:04and St Giles' Church hosts a weekly farmers' market.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Nearby, the award-winning local dining pub lays claim to some rather
0:10:08 > 0:10:09famous former residents...
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are said to have been regulars.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Just over a mile and a half away in a rural setting,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21we arrive at this red brick and tile property.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- House number one.- Wow, OK.
0:10:25 > 0:10:26What do you think?
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- It looks big. Doesn't it? - Yeah, it does actually, yeah.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31It is big because it's not all of it.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- OK.- Right. - It is a semidetached property.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Right, OK.- For all sorts of reasons, not least the location,
0:10:37 > 0:10:41because we are a 20 minute cycle ride from Tonbridge station.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- Right.- So you could get to work in about an hour.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46What are your first impressions?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48It's nice, I like the style.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50It's definitely got some character to it.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Yes.- I'd have to get my head around the semidetached thing,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56but I'm interested to see what it looks like inside.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59I like the windows up there as well, that looks nice.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- Let's have a look inside. - Let's do it.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07This attractive house dates back to the beginning of the 1900s
0:11:07 > 0:11:09and started life as workers cottages.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Inside, those humble origins have disappeared,
0:11:13 > 0:11:19as it was extended and completely renovated to a high standard three years ago.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23We're starting our tour at the end of the long hallway in an extended
0:11:23 > 0:11:25L-shaped kitchen.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Ah!- Ooh.- Whoa!
0:11:27 > 0:11:28Those are the noises we want to hear.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- Yes.- That's lovely.- I would not have expected that from the outside.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34And you wanted a big open-plan family room.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- Yeah.- Here we go.- I've rarely seen one as lovely as this.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40Oh, God, this is nice.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- Very nice.- And up there you've got a boot room and a downstairs toilet,
0:11:43 > 0:11:45so when you come in from your big walks...
0:11:45 > 0:11:49OK. It's very bright, I mean, with the windows, the big doors,
0:11:49 > 0:11:53and at the same time it's very cosy, which I find amazing.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Anthony, you're very quiet, is that a good sign or a bad sign?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59No, no, absolutely a good sign.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03It is, I mean I do a lot of the cooking, in fact most of the cooking.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06That's pretty much a perfect kitchen, actually.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Well, things couldn't have got off to a better start.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14I hope the positive vibes continue as we had across the hall
0:12:14 > 0:12:15to the sitting room.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Well, someone is certainly singing its praises...
0:12:18 > 0:12:19BIRD WHISTLES
0:12:22 > 0:12:24This is the original dimensions of the cottages,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26so this would have been the main sitting room.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- Nice and cosy, actually, I mean, it's...- It is, yeah.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Even to sit and read a nice book, it's really, really nice.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36The fact that the kitchen has that shape and size...
0:12:36 > 0:12:40..takes away the need for having a massive sitting room.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43It's still big enough to have people in here, as well.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44- Yeah.- When we have guests.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Also on the ground floor, back across the hallway, there's a study,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53but we're continuing our tour upstairs,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56where the three double bedrooms off a central landing make use of a
0:12:56 > 0:12:57stylish bathroom.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01There are two bedrooms at the front of the house,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04one with a decorative fireplace.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07But we're heading to the largest of the three bedrooms on this floor.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13This is what they're using as the master, because it has an en-suite.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Oh, lovely. Nice.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- Lovely.- Yes.- So you also have these French doors that go out onto a flat
0:13:18 > 0:13:20roof, which they've put some Astroturf on,
0:13:20 > 0:13:24but you could also put railings around and have it as a beautiful balcony.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27It's very bright, again, just like downstairs, actually.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29So, I know that the bedroom's got to be German sized,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31did this kind of fit the bill?
0:13:31 > 0:13:32It does, it definitely does.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34No, it's big, it's a great size.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Yeah, I think is, this kind of size is perfect, actually.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Up in the loft space, there's a generous fourth bedroom,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46complete with its own seating area and en suite shower room.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Now to the outside, which comes in at two thirds of an acre.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54The garden is big enough for little Amelia to run around and includes
0:13:54 > 0:13:58various seating areas and interesting features.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02There's also a garage and a cabin, currently used as a music room,
0:14:02 > 0:14:04but it could be an office or a sewing room.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Come on out into your land, Anthony, into your land.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10- Yes.- My land.- Yes.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- OK.- You're right in the middle of the forest,
0:14:13 > 0:14:14which is kind of what you wanted.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- Pretty much, yep.- But also you've got this fantastic outside area,
0:14:18 > 0:14:22the fitted sinks and a bar and a washer.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Amazing. Is that a hot tub here?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- Hot tub.- Amazing!
0:14:26 > 0:14:30The key question here, at this point, I always ask, house prices,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33whether you could afford it. How much is this?
0:14:33 > 0:14:38I think it is under our budget, because it's a semidetached.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41I would go...940?
0:14:41 > 0:14:44I'm going to go a little lower actually, I'm going to go 925.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48OK. So, this house
0:14:48 > 0:14:53is on the market for £950,000.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- I win, good.- Why don't you go in and have another look around,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59because we whizzed around and I will meet you at the front.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00Thank you.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06This beautifully appointed early 20th-century property
0:15:06 > 0:15:09is priced £50,000 under budget.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11It has got a huge kitchen-diner,
0:15:11 > 0:15:16four bedrooms and a generous garden with impressive entertaining areas.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19And it's just an hour's commute to London.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22Wow! Look at that.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23It's huge.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Massive up here. - That's very cool actually,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- isn't it?- It's a very cosy space.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33I really like this house, I think it's very nice and airy,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35it's got a very open feel to it.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37We spend a lot of time during the day in the kitchen,
0:15:37 > 0:15:42and the dining room and this house has a lovely kitchen-diner.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I think it's nice, it is a lovely house,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46they have done it very nicely inside,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49I love the fact that it's very close to Tonbridge,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52the commute from here would be perfect.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54I think I'm struggling to get rid of the semidetached piece.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Are you all done?
0:15:57 > 0:15:58Yes, we are. Thank you.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00It's a good first house.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- Very good.- Let's put that out of your mind,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- because we are going to see the second one.- OK.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Given Anthony's aspirations to cultivate his own land,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Kent is a great choice.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Its diverse and fertile terrain is home to ancient forests,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22grasslands and meadows,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26meaning an abundance of flora and fauna is to be found here.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29With a wealth of wild food growing in these landscapes,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31it is a seasoned forager's dream.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35But novices definitely need guidance on knowing where to find it.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Phil Brown has been making the most of his Kentish surroundings since he
0:16:40 > 0:16:46was a small child and has foraged the land for the past 25 years.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47He runs courses in bushcraft,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50wild food and survival skills near Ashford
0:16:50 > 0:16:54and our food enthusiasts have come to meet him in the 1000 acres
0:16:54 > 0:16:58of Kentish woodland he teaches from to find out more.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03We love food, but we know absolutely nothing about foraging.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- Right.- Can you tell us a little bit more about it?
0:17:05 > 0:17:09I think the easiest way is to start off by learning the easy to identify
0:17:09 > 0:17:11species, especially things like nettle,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13that is a really good starting point.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- Food with nettles?- Absolutely food with nettles.
0:17:16 > 0:17:17It's a real superfood.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Packed full of vitamins and minerals and very, very good for you.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23But always remember with foraging wild foods,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26if you are in any doubt about your identification, then to leave it out.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29If you know what you're looking for,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32there is a plentiful supply of edible plants, flowers,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35nuts and fungi growing in Britain's woodlands,
0:17:35 > 0:17:36hedgerows and coastal plains,
0:17:36 > 0:17:41each with a different taste and reputed health benefits.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Kent's woodlands offer rich pickings as the canopies are copist,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48allowing sunlight in which encourages plant growth.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51You know, what I've got here in with the nettles,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53I've got this little flower.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- Oh, how nice! Pretty. - This is called lady's smock.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59This is kind of like the English wasabi.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01What I tend to do is eat the flowers.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03OK.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04- Wow.- Yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- What do you think?- Yeah, I get the wasabi, definitely.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09So is there a particularly good season
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- for finding ingredients in the wood? - Yeah, absolutely.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14In the springtime, and in the autumntime as well,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16they are the two best times of the year.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20What is one of your favourite things to prepare from stuff
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- you have found foraging? - So, my favourite meal,
0:18:22 > 0:18:25funnily enough, is what we are going to be cooking today.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27We're going to make a wild garlic pesto
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and make it into a wild garlic tagliatelle.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36In the springtime, vibrant and pungent wild garlic from the allium
0:18:36 > 0:18:38family is one of the most prevalent wild foods.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42As a relative of the chive,
0:18:42 > 0:18:48its broad triangular leaves are found in woodland with moist soil.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51There is so much around here!
0:18:51 > 0:18:54How do you know what is actually good and what is bad?
0:18:54 > 0:18:57It's about getting in there and having a really close look.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01And also making sure that when we collect the wild garlic,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03that we don't get any rogue species in amongst that.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06There can be very similar looking leaves that can really be quite nasty.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11One of the best ways of identifying wild garlic apart from its appearance
0:19:11 > 0:19:13is by its smell.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Rubbing the leaves between your fingers releases the unmistakable aroma.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Yeah, you get a really strong garlic smell.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Just to show you here, guys, if you take a look at this leaf here,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28growing in amongst this, you can see the veins running off,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30this one is Arum maculatum.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32And that is really quite poisonous, OK?
0:19:32 > 0:19:36And these two grow in very, very close proximity to one another,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39so that is why we are going to be very, very careful when we gather.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46With the wild garlic collected, it is time to sample nature's harvest.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Across in the woodland camp, preparations are underway.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Well done, well done.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58What we are going to be using with the wild garlic,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02some sunflower seeds and some smoked sea salt,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06with an extra virgin olive oil and then we can add it to our tagliatelle
0:20:06 > 0:20:07in a moment. OK?
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Sounds good. So what else can you use the wild garlic for?
0:20:11 > 0:20:16It can be chopped fine and put into bread and baked, it can be used for
0:20:16 > 0:20:19flavouring stews, but it is quite a pungent flavour.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Next, sunflower seeds are added...
0:20:23 > 0:20:27..and the wild garlic pesto is ready to be added to the pasta.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- Who's hungry, then?- I am!
0:20:29 > 0:20:32I'm starving right now!
0:20:32 > 0:20:33- Quite a lot.- There's loads.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- Look at that. Wonderful. - Yeah, that looks so good.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40And after all that hard work...
0:20:40 > 0:20:41Guten appetit.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Bon appetit.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- Looking good.- Hmm, that's lovely.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- Lovely garlic. - Wow! That's exceptional.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- Yay to foraging.- So, will you be foraging that again?
0:20:54 > 0:20:55I'd definitely do that again.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Thank you so much for spending the time with us today, this food is amazing.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Maybe you can hook us up with a few more recipes.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- My pleasure.- That would be great.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04Having sampled the rich pickings of
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Kent's wild places, it is time to return to our house-hunt.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Next, we are travelling to the village of Leeds.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Set on a hillside,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21locals benefit from a handful of amenities including a charming
0:21:21 > 0:21:2317th-century pub,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25a village hall and St Nicholas' Church
0:21:25 > 0:21:30which has the second-largest Norman tower in England.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34The local station is just two miles away from our second house.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35Here we are!
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Yeah!
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- Oh, brilliant.- This is a property and a half.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41It's a great location.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Your commute would be, it's about an hour on the train.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50- OK.- But, look what you get for that little bit longer on the train!
0:21:50 > 0:21:51It's much, much bigger
0:21:51 > 0:21:54than the last one. There is a lot more land.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- You're hitting the right notes. - That sounds good, yes.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01So, it's a space that you can grow into.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Yeah.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06This charming converted barn is steeped in history.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08It dates back to around the mid-16th century
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and once belonged to nearby Leeds Castle.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Not only that, but bricks from local monasteries
0:22:14 > 0:22:16demolished by Henry VIII were used to
0:22:16 > 0:22:19build the barn and are over 600 years old.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23We are going straight into the heart of the home where this huge
0:22:23 > 0:22:26sitting-room is enough to make spirits soar.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- And here we are.- Oh, wow!
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Oh, my God! - Into the barn.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Wow, that's high.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- I didn't expect that.- It feels like a church.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- It's huge.- It was just one open space.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45But all these rooms downstairs have been turned into bedrooms.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- Wow.- Could you imagine turning this
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- into a great big warm family living space?- Yeah.- Yeah, easily.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55It's easier to think how you would put your imprint on a room like this
0:22:55 > 0:22:59rather than something that was finished to a certain extent.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02That is true, yeah. It's beautiful.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06You could actually really just live on the ground floor and then as you
0:23:06 > 0:23:10had more and more children, Anthony, you could just fill them up.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Yeah, that's true.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16On the ground floor, all of the rooms fan out from the central living space
0:23:16 > 0:23:19and just off to the right is a beautifully bright kitchen-diner.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25It's a much more foursquare kitchen, good size.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27When you work here on that lovely kitchen island
0:23:27 > 0:23:32and I love the kitchen island, you can see into that massive room.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33I think it is a good base level
0:23:33 > 0:23:35that you could probably do quite a lot with.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37You've also got a utility room there.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Ah, nice.- I think it is a great space, actually.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Yeah. And for now, we could move in and everything is there, everything works,
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- there is nothing that we would need to do.- Exactly. Absolutely.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53On the ground floor, there is also a separate bathroom and two of six
0:23:53 > 0:23:54bedrooms on offer - both doubles.
0:23:55 > 0:24:01One is currently set out as a twin, with its own en suite shower room,
0:24:01 > 0:24:03but we are exploring the larger one.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05Come in.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09It's unusual not having to climb stairs to show you a bedroom.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- Good size.- En suite behind me here, but look.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- Look at the view.- Oh, wow!
0:24:15 > 0:24:19- Little river.- It is a stream, almost inside the house.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20It's a lovely thing to wake up to.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24That is true, yeah. This bedroom would definitely work.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27From what we have seen so far, it's probably what we wanted,
0:24:27 > 0:24:28almost a blank canvas.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Can you imagine living here?
0:24:30 > 0:24:31Does it feel homely?
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I think it could. I think it very much could feel homely.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Well, there is plenty of space here as above us,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42off the first floor landing, there are a further three bedrooms,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46all with beautiful original beams and rafters AND views.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54Two of the rooms have ensuites and there is an additional family bathroom.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57What is more, there is a dedicated study room for Anthony.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03Above this on the second floor off a stunning landing is the sixth bedroom
0:25:03 > 0:25:05at one end and a storeroom at the other.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Now we've got a handle on the acres of living space inside,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13let's survey what Anthony could enjoy outside.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19You spotted the stream from the bedroom.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- Yes, indeed.- The lovely feature runs down the side
0:25:21 > 0:25:23but it's got this lovely safe fencing.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- That's good.- Amelia-proof. - Yes, that's good.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28And then you have this garden.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Which is, you know, good size, again a blank canvas,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32you could do pretty much whatever you like,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35but this is only a fraction of your land.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39- Oh, my God!- It actually is all this land up here.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44- Wow!- So, it's a great 3.5 acre plot.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Which I guarantee you won't know what to do with.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50I'll will give you a chance to go and look at it.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54But what do you think this whole package costs?
0:25:54 > 0:26:00- 995.- Yeah, I agree, I think it would be high up in our budget.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03- I would say it's a million. - SHE CHUCKLES
0:26:03 > 0:26:04- Keep it simple.- Yes!
0:26:04 > 0:26:06You're both wrong.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09This is on the market for exactly the same price as the last property,
0:26:09 > 0:26:11£950,000.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- OK, right!- Why don't you go and have a look at your land,
0:26:14 > 0:26:18take as much time as you need to survey your estate and I'll be waiting
0:26:18 > 0:26:21here to take you onwards and upwards.
0:26:21 > 0:26:22So, see you tomorrow evening!
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Yes, indeed, don't get lost!
0:26:27 > 0:26:30This beautiful character barn would leave
0:26:30 > 0:26:32£50,000 change from their budget.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Whilst offering a more than generous living space,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38a large kitchen-diner and six bedrooms.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Outside, there is a sizeable safe garden for Amelia
0:26:42 > 0:26:44and it's wrapped up in
0:26:44 > 0:26:46around three and a half acres of land for Anthony.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52It's massive!
0:26:52 > 0:26:55- It's not that big! - So what do you actually want to do with this, sorry,
0:26:55 > 0:26:56or do you just want to own it?
0:26:56 > 0:26:59I just want to own it. I can stand in the middle and say I own it!
0:27:01 > 0:27:03This place is amazing.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08It's so big, there's so much space, so much to discover in here.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10What I really like about it are the beams,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12which make everything look very cosy.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14I really, really like that.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18I love the open space, that is something that we could play with and use,
0:27:18 > 0:27:20it does give us lots of options further down the track.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Well, I'm very impressed that you made it back from your safari trek
0:27:25 > 0:27:26across your land before sundown.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Yeah, just.- Master of all I survey.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Well, that's your lot for this property, so today's finished,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35we'll take some time out, get ready for tomorrow.
0:27:35 > 0:27:36OK.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50Dawn has broken on the second day
0:27:50 > 0:27:53of our country property adventure in Kent.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Finding a home for Christina and Anthony from south London
0:27:56 > 0:27:57and their young daughter Amelia.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01They've got a healthy budget of £1 million
0:28:01 > 0:28:04and for that they want something magnificent.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Still to come, there's our show-stopping Mystery House.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11But there's a lovely, lovely fact.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14It held four elephants.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16- What?! - SHE LAUGHS
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Yes, I would have said that.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22And I'll be meeting an adorable new arrival.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Oh, my God, it's the cutest thing ever!
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Oh, it's a lovely spring day here on our second day house-hunting in Kent
0:28:30 > 0:28:33with the equally lovely Christina and Anthony.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Now yesterday we had two good properties, lots of thoughts about those,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38but I think the Mystery House may well stir things up
0:28:38 > 0:28:40as it's designed to do.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43It's a great period property, good commuting links into London,
0:28:43 > 0:28:47it's not quite in Kent and there is one catch.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50But will it be a catch too far for our house-hunters?
0:28:54 > 0:28:57To the matter at hand, the Mystery House.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59What do you think we are taking you to see?
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Well, by following the path of the sun,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03I think we're going in a different direction.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Ah, well spotted!
0:29:05 > 0:29:07You think that is the mystery?
0:29:07 > 0:29:09We're taking you to a different county? LAUGHTER
0:29:09 > 0:29:10Maybe it's only got two bedrooms.
0:29:12 > 0:29:13And the rest is yet to be built.
0:29:13 > 0:29:14And a mobile home in the garden.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18- Yes.- Any fears of what we might be showing you?
0:29:20 > 0:29:23I think Anthony would be more scared of a new build.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24Yes. Probably.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Our mystery property takes us just outside the village of Smallfield.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33This time crossing Kent's western border into Surrey.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Christina would get the amenities she is after, including a post office,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41a doctor 's surgery, and a primary school,
0:29:41 > 0:29:43plus a small array of independent shops.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47For Anthony, the nearest station is only four miles away,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51with journey times from here taking less than an hour to get into London.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56At the end of a lane, we find our hotly anticipated final offering.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Down your little private drive.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- Yes. Nice.- Into this cluster of houses.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Which one is the Mystery House?
0:30:05 > 0:30:07It's this one!
0:30:07 > 0:30:08- Wow.- OK, wow!
0:30:08 > 0:30:13So, obviously we have come across the border. We're no longer in Kent.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17The catch is, Anthony, it does not have much land.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20OK.
0:30:20 > 0:30:21Space for chickens.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25For sure. But probably not a herd of cattle.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26- Right.- Yes!
0:30:28 > 0:30:30No, but it looks like something from a fairy tale.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32The only fly in the ointment might be your lack of land.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- OK.- But I am bracing you for that,
0:30:34 > 0:30:37because I think everything else you see
0:30:37 > 0:30:39is going to charm your pants off.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- Very nice.- I hope.
0:30:41 > 0:30:42Yeah.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50Our mystery property was once a hay barn, and dating back to the mid-1500,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53it's now Grade II listed.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57We're entering straight into the altogether breathtaking and super-sized
0:30:57 > 0:31:01sitting room, with its imposing vaulted and beamed ceiling.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04- Oh!- Whoa!
0:31:06 > 0:31:08That's beautiful.
0:31:08 > 0:31:09It is quite a space, isn't it?
0:31:09 > 0:31:14- Yeah.- But there's a lovely, lovely fact about this barn.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Which I think must make you buy it.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21Which is, 40 years from the turn of the last century until about 1941,
0:31:21 > 0:31:26it was the barn that held four elephants.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28What?!
0:31:28 > 0:31:31- A local circus...- Yes, I would have said that, in just a minute.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33A local circus kept four elephants in this barn.
0:31:33 > 0:31:34- No way.- Yeah.
0:31:35 > 0:31:36That is wonderful.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39So, let's talk about the space. It's a great big space.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- It is.- This is zoned, so you've got the dining room opposite the kitchen,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44a study area and then a sitting area,
0:31:44 > 0:31:47a big opening where the carts would have come in.
0:31:47 > 0:31:48Well, it looks gorgeous.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51It has been done to an amazing standard, actually.
0:31:51 > 0:31:52Let's look at the kitchen.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00It's a slightly smaller kitchen.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02Oh, but it's lovely.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- It's nice.- It's big enough, definitely.
0:32:05 > 0:32:11Lovely sort of much more open utility room with all the kind of white goods put behind cupboards.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12- OK. Lovely.- So the chef approves?
0:32:12 > 0:32:15The chef approves, yeah. No, that looks lovely.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17I like pretty much as is, actually.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- Yeah.- Yeah, definitely. - It's very nice.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24As well as this impressive bespoke kitchen,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27also on this floor and beyond the living area
0:32:27 > 0:32:30there's a study and three double bedrooms,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32all with inlaid wall beams.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34There is one with an en suite bathroom,
0:32:34 > 0:32:36and two with en suite shower rooms.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Then, moving upstairs to a mezzanine level,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45there's an informal galleried sitting room,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48and behind is the fourth and largest bedroom.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49Mind your heads.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51That is lovely.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Oh, wow!
0:32:53 > 0:32:54With a great en suite.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Oh, wonderful.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57- Bathtub.- Yeah.
0:32:57 > 0:32:58- I like that.- Very nice.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00- Look at these beams.- Yeah.
0:33:00 > 0:33:01Can imagine waking up to this.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- Beams aplenty.- Yes.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06I like it a lot, actually.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07Good. Thumbs up for inside.
0:33:07 > 0:33:13- Absolutely.- Let's go outside and see if we can get over our land issues.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19I do hope we can,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22because this mystery barn does come with three garden areas -
0:33:22 > 0:33:26one to the front, one to the side and one at the back.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27It may not be acres and acres,
0:33:27 > 0:33:29but there's plenty of room for a young family.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35There's also a double garage with an office space above it.
0:33:35 > 0:33:36Perhaps useful for Anthony.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40But he's got to take a view on the lack of land.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42You weren't joking when you...
0:33:42 > 0:33:44The land being slightly smaller.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Bearing in mind the house is beautiful is something that...
0:33:49 > 0:33:51..I think we would have to think about.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54So, what do you think the price tag for this is?
0:33:55 > 0:33:56It can't be cheap.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59I am going to say...
0:33:59 > 0:34:00995.
0:34:02 > 0:34:03I'm going to go a little lower.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06I am going to say the same as the last two, 950.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09In this case, you should have listened to your wife,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- because she's spot on.- Ah-ha!
0:34:11 > 0:34:13£995,000.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14Why don't you go back inside
0:34:14 > 0:34:18- and we can meet up once you have racked your brains?- Sounds good.
0:34:18 > 0:34:19Let's go.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28Our stunning mystery barn conversion beautifully combines old and new to
0:34:28 > 0:34:33create a unique family setting and still leaves £5,000 in the kitty.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37It's got a huge open-plan living space of four bedrooms,
0:34:37 > 0:34:39and although it doesn't come with land,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42there are options for entertaining.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Plus the commute to London totals under an hour and a half.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51I think it is a beautiful house, without a shadow of a doubt.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54Character going back hundreds and hundreds of years.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58It has been refurbished to an unbelievable standard.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01This house presents us with a huge dilemma.
0:35:01 > 0:35:07It really does. Because the inside is just so beautiful, breathtaking,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09everything I could wish for in a barn conversion, really.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16OK. I know it's a big dilemma, this one.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19- It is.- But let's put it to one side for the moment,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23- because we are going to go find a place to gather our thoughts about all the houses.- OK.- OK.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30Looking out over the
0:35:30 > 0:35:32English Channel, along Kent's southern coastline,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35is Romney Marsh, an area of flat,
0:35:35 > 0:35:41low-lying land where indigenous Romney sheep have grazed since the 13th century.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45The Marsh is well-known for the qualities of its pastures,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48and the Romney breed for the quality of its fleece.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53It was recognised as a pedigree in 1896.
0:35:53 > 0:35:54During the Second World War,
0:35:54 > 0:35:58half of the area's 200,000 sheep were sent to Yorkshire,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01and arable farming took over in the region.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04But now wool from this pocket of Kent is making a comeback.
0:36:05 > 0:36:06This is thanks, in part,
0:36:06 > 0:36:10to sixth generation sheep farmer Paul Boulden and his wife Kristina,
0:36:10 > 0:36:14who produce woollen products from their flock on their farm near Hythe,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17which looks out towards Dungeness.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Paul, this is a fantastic view of Romney marshes.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- It is.- It's like picture perfect.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24So, what is special about the Romney sheep?
0:36:24 > 0:36:25Well, it is a dual purpose sheep.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Lamb production and the wool that it produces.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30How big is your flock? How many have you got?
0:36:30 > 0:36:31Roundabout 1000 ewes.
0:36:31 > 0:36:32It's lambing season now.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- It is.- So you've got 1000 ewes...
0:36:34 > 0:36:36- Yes.- How many lambs are you expecting, then?
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Probably 13-1400.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Wow!
0:36:41 > 0:36:43The Marsh has been drained over the years,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47and the deep soil and fertile ground make it perfect for grazing sheep.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52The Romney breed has specific characteristics associated
0:36:52 > 0:36:55with the area's geography and climate.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58They have black hooves, resistant to foot rot.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01The ewes have excellent mothering abilities,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04and their fleece is able to withstand harsh weather conditions.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Paul's Danish-born wife Kristina is taking me to meet another breed of
0:37:09 > 0:37:11sheep they rear here.
0:37:11 > 0:37:16As well as the Romneys, Paul and Kristina also have 60 Merino sheep,
0:37:16 > 0:37:20whose excellent quality fleece is also used in their woollen goods.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23The breed originates from Spain, and at the end of the 18th century,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26was introduced to Australia.
0:37:26 > 0:37:27And this is Snowy.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29She's only a week old.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31You're welcome to do the feeding.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Oh, my God, it's the cutest thing ever!
0:37:33 > 0:37:35- I know.- So, she's a Merino lamb?
0:37:35 > 0:37:37She is. Yes.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- So not a Romney.- No.- The Romneys look after their own, right?
0:37:40 > 0:37:42- They do, yes.- And the Merinos are not so good at being mums?
0:37:42 > 0:37:44I don't know, it is just in their nature.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45They're not quite as maternal...
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- You are a hungry lamb! - ..as what the Romneys are.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52They are world-renowned for having the finest wool out of all the breeds in the world.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55So if you think of your own human hair being about the 100
0:37:55 > 0:37:59microns, most British breeds sit in the early 40s microns,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02so the Romneys sit around early 30s,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05so they are considered one of the finer breeds,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08but these little fellows here they would actually be right down to
0:38:08 > 0:38:1318 microns, so that is more than five times finer than human hair.
0:38:13 > 0:38:14- Wow!- It's wonderful.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18The warmer climes of the south have led Merino sheep
0:38:18 > 0:38:21to develop their extra fine wool.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Whereas most of our British sheep in the north have
0:38:24 > 0:38:27coarser fleeces to cope with harsher environments.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31But the Romneys' home on the south coast mean they too have developed
0:38:31 > 0:38:33beautifully soft fine wool.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38Kristina and Paul use their flocks' annual fleece haul to produce
0:38:38 > 0:38:41a variety of products, including cushions,
0:38:41 > 0:38:45and throws and some using lanolin extracted from the wool.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48This is Romney?
0:38:48 > 0:38:49This is a Romney fleece,
0:38:49 > 0:38:53so the Romneys have got this really nice long staple.
0:38:53 > 0:38:54Which is the length of the fleece.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58- OK.- And this is ideal for the conditions that they are actually in.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00This is what gets sent off to the mills?
0:39:00 > 0:39:04Yes. So we produce between five and six tonnes of wool a year.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08And we will take those raw fleeces to traditional weavers
0:39:08 > 0:39:11all around the UK, and so this would be how it comes back,
0:39:11 > 0:39:13actually on big rolls,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16and this is our cutting table which has specifically been made,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19and then we will put them on here
0:39:19 > 0:39:22and we will actually cut each blanket,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25because they are purled, and you need to just divide that.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28So I will show you and then you can have a little go.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30So you just cut through...
0:39:30 > 0:39:31if you want to have a go.
0:39:33 > 0:39:34A little...
0:39:35 > 0:39:36..blanket making.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41You made it look much easier.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46You are doing very well!
0:39:46 > 0:39:48SHE LAUGHS
0:39:48 > 0:39:49Can I get it to the other side?
0:39:49 > 0:39:51I would be surprised if you can.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54- I'll have to get up onto the table. - Yeah.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56So this is actually a large throw.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00That is nice. It is very fine, isn't it?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Much, much softer.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04And I think that's where we play an important part as
0:40:04 > 0:40:08farmers, actually, in showcasing that.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12And hopefully just getting people to fall in love with wool again.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16It's wonderful that it takes a Danish woman to come and teach us that.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17So, thank you.
0:40:17 > 0:40:18Thank you.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24We pulled out all the stops with that Mystery House,
0:40:24 > 0:40:31but I'm not sure whether it's quite enough to win Christina and Anthony over. Just that garden.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32Let's find out.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Righty-ho, we got to the end of the week.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Where is your heart at the moment?
0:40:43 > 0:40:47My heart is definitely with the last house that we saw, the Mystery House.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52I didn't only like the house but also really liked the location.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54The last place was, was fantastic.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56I think...
0:40:56 > 0:41:01The challenge that I am not sure we can get our head around
0:41:01 > 0:41:03is the size of the garden.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07I think not only is it not the acres that I was after,
0:41:07 > 0:41:10but also I think it's probably a little on the small side
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- for what you had in mind as well. - Yeah, even for me.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- Even for you.- Because the garden is quite important to us.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17I mean, we do like spending time outside.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19We love having barbecues.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22We would like Amelia to be outside as much as possible.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- Yeah.- So none of our houses really cut the mustard.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27That's painful. But...
0:41:27 > 0:41:28What did we learn from the week?
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Because I'm sure some things came into focus.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32- Yes.- I think the commuting thing
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- has come into even more perspective for me.- Yeah.
0:41:35 > 0:41:41It is again something that we, or I would be doing for quite a foreseeable future.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46I would probably have to relax my land and go more for perhaps a larger
0:41:46 > 0:41:50garden than the acres that I was previously thinking about.
0:41:50 > 0:41:51So, what's the next step?
0:41:52 > 0:41:55Probably go back and then look at some of the areas.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59I mean, you showed us a place here in sort of the Surrey-Sussex border
0:41:59 > 0:42:01that it's not an area that we've considered before.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02Hadn't looked at, yeah.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05It's a lovely area with good commuting links.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08So that opens up a new sort of corridor that we need to take a look at.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Well, I really do hope you find somewhere,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12because it is a tough wish list, but, you know,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14there are properties out there, I'm sure.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17And I hope that our week together has sort of in some way kind of speeded the process.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- It definitely has, yeah. - All the best.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- Thank you very much. - Thank you very much.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23- It's been really, really nice. - Likewise.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32It seems like the days are long gone when £1 million - £1 million -
0:42:32 > 0:42:36couldn't buy you the pick of the crop here in the Garden of England.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40But it seems that Kent has not come up trumps for Anthony and Christina,
0:42:40 > 0:42:44and their £1 million isn't quite enough to get them that beautiful house
0:42:44 > 0:42:48with the four bedrooms, the good commute and that all-important land.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50But it doesn't mean that it's not out there,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52just that they have to be a little more patient.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54And it doesn't mean that you should give up on our house-hunting
0:42:54 > 0:42:58shenanigans, but tune in next time for more Escape To The Country.
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