0:00:02 > 0:00:05When you think of Leicester Square, you think London, big bright lights.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09But, believe it or not, I'm standing in the middle of it right now.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Confused? Well, you won't be for long,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16because I'll explain everything and where I am in just a few moments.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38Today, I'm with a South London couple who have set their sights
0:00:38 > 0:00:40on moving to the peace of the countryside.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43However, finding a property they both agree on
0:00:43 > 0:00:45proves to be a challenge.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49- I am not sure about the beams. - I love it.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52We could put a little sitting room for you downstairs, if you want.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56Amidst differences of opinion, there are signs of compromise.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Who is going to like this one, I wonder?
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- I think it might be me.- Yeah?
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I might have to put some beams inside, though.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Today, I'm in Kent, in the village of Penshurst,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11and this is the original Leicester Square,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13dating back to the 1500s.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Now, the one in London was named after the 2nd Earl of Leicester,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Robert Sidney, and although this was his main residence here in
0:01:21 > 0:01:26the village, he built a very grand house in 1636 in London,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29where the famous square now sits.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33And that is why there are two Leicester Squares,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37but this one in Kent was definitely here first.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Sitting in the south-east of England,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Kent is bordered by Surrey and East Sussex.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Its only city is Canterbury,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48which is centred on the magnificent cathedral
0:01:48 > 0:01:50founded in the sixth century.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Beside historic towns,
0:01:52 > 0:01:5430% of the county is covered
0:01:54 > 0:01:57by Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59including well preserved villages such as Chilham.
0:02:01 > 0:02:02At its centre lies a square
0:02:02 > 0:02:05of medieval and Jacobean timber buildings,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07many dating from the late 15th century.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Known as the Garden of England,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Kent is celebrated for its fertile ground terrain.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19However, its diverse landscape also includes
0:02:19 > 0:02:21the wetland of Romney Marsh,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24home to the remote church of St Thomas a Becket.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Built to serve a long-vanished farming community,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31its timber frame was encased by brickwork in the 1700s,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34allowing the church to maintain its lonely marshland vigil.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39So, while Kent provides good connections to London,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43it's also a place where rural splendour is never far away.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Charles Dickens wrote in his novel The Pickwick Papers,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52"Everybody knows Kent.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55"Apples, cherries, hops and women."
0:02:55 > 0:02:57And he would have known, having lived here.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01And so would I, after all, I am a woman and I grew up here.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06Now, what's widely known about Kent is that its close proximity
0:03:06 > 0:03:11to London means property price tags are above the national figure.
0:03:11 > 0:03:18A typical detached property here would cost on average £468,000.
0:03:18 > 0:03:25Now, that's well over £135,000 more than the UK as a whole.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28So, is it worth it, I hear you ask?
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Well, of course, I'm going to say yes.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33But so too would today's buyers, who want to move here.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Carl, who works in the building industry, and Debbie,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39a business development manager,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42met over a decade ago in their hometown of Bromley
0:03:42 > 0:03:43in south-east London.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46We used to see each other quite a lot in bars
0:03:46 > 0:03:48and just got to know each other a bit, I think.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51And we probably saw each other every weekend from thereon.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55A month, maybe two until we actually...
0:03:56 > 0:03:57..started dating, I guess.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Carl has three children from a previous relationship
0:04:00 > 0:04:01who are now teenagers.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03And nine months ago,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06they welcomed their baby daughter Jasmine into the family.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10After spending so much of their lives in Bromley,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Debbie and Carl are disillusioned
0:04:12 > 0:04:14with the changes they see in the suburb.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15It's getting really busy.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17They are doing a lot of building work here now.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20There's a big development a two-minute walk from here,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and our road is full of more cars trying to park.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26That is kind of why I want to get out of Bromley.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29For Debbie, Jasmine's arrival has brought into focus
0:04:29 > 0:04:31what she holds most dear in her life.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33I was very career driven.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36I love my job. It has completely changed me,
0:04:36 > 0:04:41so that whole career side of things has taken a back burner for now.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44They want to begin a new life in rural Kent,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47yet remain close enough to family and friends.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51I would like to move sort of south of Sevenoaks and Maidstone,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53purely because I like the area,
0:04:53 > 0:04:54as one of my sisters lives in Maidstone,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56the other lives in Sevenoaks,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58so sort of somewhere in the middle would be perfect.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Jasmine's arrival has meant that
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Debbie and Carl have had to share their sleeping space.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06I'm looking forward to having a fifth bedroom
0:05:06 > 0:05:07so that we get our bedroom back
0:05:07 > 0:05:09and the baby's not waking us up
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- every time she moves or coughs or... - Yeah.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Debbie also needs space to look after two horses,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18which are currently stabled several miles away.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21It would be great to have them right on the doorstep so I don't have to
0:05:21 > 0:05:23drive miles up there,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26miles back just to feed them or just to check on them every day.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30They both agree about the need to move.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34However, that might be the only thing the couple see eye to eye on.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- We disagree...- On everything. - ..on everything.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- Everything, yeah.- On the style of the house.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42I wanted a character house with the beams and...
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- The open fireplace. - ..open fireplace.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47But I don't really like any of that.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50I only discovered this... Well, probably a couple of weeks ago.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51I quite like the modern look.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54I don't mind a farmhouse or an older house,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56but it has to have that modern twist.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Carl and Debbie would ideally like to live
0:06:03 > 0:06:05within 20 miles of Maidstone,
0:06:05 > 0:06:06in the north-west of Kent,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09which will keep them within reach of Carl's children in Bromley
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and also means they are close to Debbie's parents.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15But they do have other needs for their home,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18so I'm meeting up with them to learn more about their property wish list.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Well, Debbie and Carl, welcome to Kent.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25I've got the impression that you two don't always agree.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- Would that be the fair?- I think that is very fair.- Yeah.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- The five bedrooms is the only thing that we agree on.- Yeah.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33And then it all goes wrong, doesn't it, because...
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- Yes.- ..how many acres of land do you actually want?
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Oh, well, there's no acres that are going to be too many,
0:06:39 > 0:06:40so as much as you can find us, for me.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- But for Debbie...- Just a couple. Just for the horses.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- Now, as you've got horses... - Yes.- ..you know what it's like...
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- Absolutely....- ..managing land.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Yes.- Have you any idea at all? - Not a clue.- Oh.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54What else does the house compose of?
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Well, for me, I'd like to be in the middle of nowhere, no neighbours.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Debbie likes the idea of having people nearby
0:07:00 > 0:07:02in case I'm at work and...
0:07:03 > 0:07:05OK. All right. What about the style of the house?
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- Are we going to agree on this one? - No.- No. No.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09THEY LAUGH
0:07:09 > 0:07:12I want a nice character house with the beams and...
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- The open fireplace. - ..open fireplace.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16And I'm not really...
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I don't really like the open fireplaces, the open beams.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22I... The character house, I don't really like that.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27I was thinking of a new show called One Couple, Two Houses. Might work.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31You two have been together a long time, there is hope.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32Who's going to compromise?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Me.- Are you? Are you? LAUGHS
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- Debbie, is that right? - Yeah. I think so.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Are you happy to take on a little bit of a project?
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Absolutely. That's what we done on our current property.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Remind us of your top budget,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52because we know that Kent is a very expensive area.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Yes, this is the trouble. So, we said up to 900,000.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Hopefully below that would be good.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I think we should get started, because we have lined up
0:08:01 > 0:08:03some rather lovely properties to show you.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- Lovely.- Are you looking forward to it?
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- Yes, we are.- Yes. Can't wait. - Absolutely.- Yeah, me too. Come on.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12With a maximum budget of £900,000,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Debbie and Carl are divided on whether their five-bedroom
0:08:15 > 0:08:19country home will have character or be modern.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Carl would be happy to live in a more remote location,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25while Debbie would prefer to be closer to a community.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28They are also looking for land for Debbie's horses,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31and Carl is hoping for a long term renovation project.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35I've got a wide range of beautiful houses to show them.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39I'll be asking them to guess the price of each property
0:08:39 > 0:08:40before I reveal it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43The final offering will be the Mystery House,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47which offers a surprising twist on their requirements and takes their
0:08:47 > 0:08:49search in different directions.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Now, I want to ask you about this land.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00How many acres in total would you like, Carl?
0:09:00 > 0:09:0327.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05THEY LAUGH That's the whole of Kent.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- You could buy the county.- Yeah.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09What about the maintenance of all this land?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Well, that is why we need the animals.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- We get sheep to cut the grass... - Right, OK.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- Alpacas, I think, can keep the bushes...- OK. Yeah.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- Carl is dreaming. Carl is dreaming a little bit.- He is.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Obviously, having the animals on the land
0:09:22 > 0:09:24makes more work, not less, Carl.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Our first house is on the outskirts of the small community of Brenchley.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Nearby is Matfield,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39situated in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42The village centre lies in a conservation area
0:09:42 > 0:09:45and is home to a range of local shops and charming pubs.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Matfield House is an impressive Grade I listed Georgian home,
0:09:50 > 0:09:55built in 1728 for a local yeoman farmer and his heiress wife.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00The war poet Siegfried Sassoon lived in the village and wrote of
0:10:00 > 0:10:03his pleasure at the cricket matches played on the green,
0:10:03 > 0:10:05a tradition that continues to this day.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Two miles from Matfield is a substantial Grade II listed property
0:10:11 > 0:10:14that lies in a charming setting.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- Oh, wow!- That is nice, isn't it? - Look at that!
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- THEY LAUGH - I like it already.- Looks nice.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Yeah. Bit remote, though, isn't it?
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Now, who wanted remote, I wonder?
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Did you expect us to show you something like this
0:10:28 > 0:10:29to start off with?
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- No. Not at all.- The barn itself dates back to the 16th century.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- Oh, it is an oldie.- It is.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Now, you've got another barn next door, but this is detached.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- OK.- Well, I am glad you're liking the look from the outside...
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- It does look nice.- Yeah. - It is impressive, isn't it?
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Yeah. Very.- Let's see if it's just as impressive inside.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52It's an encouraging reaction that I am optimistic will continue
0:10:52 > 0:10:57when Carl and Debbie see the inside, which has an upside-down layout.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00The ground floor is dedicated to the bedrooms,
0:11:00 > 0:11:02but we'll go straight upstairs to explore
0:11:02 > 0:11:05the dual aspect sitting room on the first floor.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- Wow. Look at that.- So many beams. - THEY LAUGH
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- This is good, I like this.- It's not your average sitting room, is it?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- No, it is not.- It's lovely. - Carl, you are in seventh heaven.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- Yes, you are.- Yeah, yeah. - I like this.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- Got to work on Debbie. - I'm not sure about the beams.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- It is a lot of them. - Carl?- I love it.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27We could put a little sitting room downstairs for you, if you want.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- It's a nice big room, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31The way it has been configured,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35you have the most incredible views through all those windows.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39That is amazing. It is a lovely room, but still not a fan of beams.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41This is not a room for me.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- I love it. Yeah. We'll take it. - THEY LAUGH
0:11:44 > 0:11:47You two haven't disappointed me. You know, it's only round one.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51It's round one, let's see what you make of the kitchen.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- OK.- All righty. - It's just through here,
0:11:53 > 0:11:57so you've got a really good sized study area.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Yeah.- Nice office space.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04Toilet through there. And here is the kitchen, complete with...
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- Beams! - THEY LAUGH
0:12:07 > 0:12:09What do you think of the actual space in the kitchen?
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Yeah, I think it's a good space, isn't it? New kitchen, Carl.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16A little bit of a project there for you.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- Yeah. But I mean...- Could you cope with putting in a new kitchen?
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- Oh, yeah. Two minutes. - Oh, look at that!
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Mr Fixit. It is funny, isn't it,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26how certain sort of architectural styles
0:12:26 > 0:12:29can have such a profound effect?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Yeah, yeah, absolutely. - You are warming to it straightaway.
0:12:32 > 0:12:33And I... No, I'm not.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Right, well, I haven't won upstairs, have I?
0:12:36 > 0:12:41At all. Should we head downstairs to see if the bedrooms win you over?
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- Yeah, for sure.- Thank you.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46I can see this is going to be quite a battle.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Perhaps they will find common ground when they see the four existing
0:12:50 > 0:12:52bedrooms on the ground floor.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56Two of them can be found off an inner hallway with plenty of beams,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59which will please Carl.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02One has an adjoining dressing room, currently used as a study.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Another bedroom and family bathroom are on the opposite side of
0:13:07 > 0:13:11the entrance hall, along with a room we have earmarked for our couple.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16So here is the master bedroom. Minimal beams.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Yes. Feels a bit more modern downstairs.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Warming to it?- Mmm... - THEY LAUGH
0:13:22 > 0:13:25OK, won't go that far. Tepid. Not warm, Nicki, just tepid.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Well, this might impress you a little bit.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29You have got a walk-in wardrobe here.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- OK.- And then behind this door, you've actually got an en-suite.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Oh, very nice. - Very nice, yeah, yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- Look at that.- Contemporary. - Yes.- You see?
0:13:38 > 0:13:40So along the hallway, you've got the other bedrooms.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Then right at the end, you can just see there is a door,
0:13:43 > 0:13:44and that's the garage.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- That could be the additional bedroom.- Oh, OK.- A project for you.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- So you're loving the downstairs... - Yeah, I really like downstairs.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Outside, hopefully, is going to cement the deal.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- I'm keeping everything crossed. After you, Carl.- OK, thank you.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Leaving the house from the rear of the entrance hallway,
0:14:01 > 0:14:06we cross an extensive stone patio to take in the half-acre garden
0:14:06 > 0:14:08which commands truly spectacular views.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14So you have this splendid Grade II listed barn with beams.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Yes.- And then you have this magnificent garden.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20However, we can't forget the horses, can we?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Right behind us is just under four acres.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28- OK.- I am going to ask you to guess the price of our barn,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31and then we're going to discuss the field separately,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- if that's all right. - OK. Yeah, yeah.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- So what are you thinking? - About nine.- 885.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- £885,000?- Yeah. - I say probably nine.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- £900,000?- Yeah.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45The asking price is £895,000.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- Oh, we were close.- Yeah, yeah. - OK. So that's a jolly good start.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- Yeah.- You sounded quite interested then.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55If we were going to add...
0:14:56 > 0:15:01..the field at the back, the asking price is £950,000.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- OK.- Obviously there is a premium on that land.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- Yeah.- Do you want to go back inside, reacquaint yourself with the barn?
0:15:07 > 0:15:08And then when you've seen enough,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11do have a look at that all-important field at the back.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- Thanks, guys.- Thank you.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Coming in under budget,
0:15:16 > 0:15:20this Grade II listed barn conversion provides four bedrooms
0:15:20 > 0:15:23with a potential to convert the garage into a fifth,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25subject to planning consent.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29There are plenty of reception areas for the family to spread out in,
0:15:29 > 0:15:35along with the option to buy a four acre paddock for Debbie's horses.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38When I first saw this property from the outside, I thought,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41"It's a barn, there possibly will be some beams."
0:15:41 > 0:15:45I just dislike them. I don't like the exposed dark wood.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48It makes the rooms darker.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49I know Carl loves this place...
0:15:50 > 0:15:54..but I am sure there's other places he will love just as much.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I love the character, I love the size, I love the land.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I am a little bit sad that this is a definite no-no,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04because I can actually see me being here.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09But obviously that would be without Debbie, which won't work.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14How would you feel, waking up to that every single day?
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- That would be lovely.- Yes. - Part of the dream.- Absolutely.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Well, I am going to have to drag you away,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- because I've got more to show you. - Ooh.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Canterbury is known around the world,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36thanks to its religious significance and of course Geoffrey Chaucer's
0:16:36 > 0:16:38celebrated Canterbury Tales.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44Set on the banks of the River Stour, it has existed for 2,000 years.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47A settlement was first recorded in Celtic times,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49but in the first century AD
0:16:49 > 0:16:53it was captured by the Romans and rebuilt.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Today the river offers a unique way to experience
0:16:56 > 0:16:58the city's layers of history.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Keen to discover more about the county they hope to call home,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Debbie and Carl are meeting guide Rob Nye.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05So why is it important for you
0:17:05 > 0:17:08to keep the history of Canterbury alive?
0:17:08 > 0:17:10I believe, personally, that Canterbury
0:17:10 > 0:17:13is the pinnacle of history here in England.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I believe it's well worth preserving our heritage.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18It's a way into the past.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19So, seeing the city by water,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22I guess we're going to get a different feel for it.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24We're going to see different parts, etc.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Absolutely. You can always tell an old city
0:17:26 > 0:17:27if it's got a river running through it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Because they would have used it to carry the heavy materials
0:17:30 > 0:17:31such as stone and things like that,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33they wouldn't have had engines and things like that.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35So you'd have to have used boats.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38The Stour in Canterbury lays claim to being
0:17:38 > 0:17:42one of England's most historically rich rivers.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46In Roman and medieval times, it was a major transport and trading route,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48connecting England with the continent.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53Later it powered water mills that helped generate the city's wealth.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55So this is the first part of the tour.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58No turning back now.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- Welcome to King's Bridge. - King's Bridge. Look at that.- Now...
0:18:03 > 0:18:07King's Bridge allegedly received its name after King Henry II
0:18:07 > 0:18:11passed over it in 1174,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14on his way to offer penance for being responsible for the murder
0:18:14 > 0:18:17of Archbishop Thomas Becket.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20It was expanded this way in 1769 due to the increase
0:18:20 > 0:18:22of horse and carriage traffic.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23And in the mornings,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26when the delivery drivers go over this bridge,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29it becomes the second oldest working road bridge in England.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33The bridge does work, though, as a fantastic portal to another world.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35As we emerge, the sounds of the high street disappeared.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38It's wonderful back here.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42So, here we are. We arrive at the tip of the little Franciscan island.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Who were the Franciscans?
0:18:44 > 0:18:46The Franciscans, followers of
0:18:46 > 0:18:48the patron saint of wildlife and animals,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Francis of Assisi from Italy.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Franciscanos, more commonly known here in England as the Greyfriars -
0:18:54 > 0:18:55due to their vow of poverty,
0:18:55 > 0:18:57they would often wear the cheapest available cloth,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00and friar from the French word for brother, frere.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02These "grey brothers".
0:19:02 > 0:19:05The Franciscans first arrived in 1224,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08when nine missionaries braved the English Channel.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10When the Franciscans came to Canterbury,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12they weren't treated very well.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15In fact, quite a lot of them were mistaken for deserters,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17beggars, these poor men in rags.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20The soldiers here in Canterbury were used to very expensive, rich,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23well-dressed members of the Church.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24These poor, grubby Greyfriars, yeah,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26they weren't treated very well at all.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29So, Rob, what can we see upstream here?
0:19:29 > 0:19:32The little chapel just upstream there, the structure,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35the base of it dates back to about 1269.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38The Franciscans had been in Canterbury for about 50 years or so.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41It was mostly used as a bridge and access to the island.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43They built a small chapel on top of that
0:19:43 > 0:19:45where the Franciscans still worship today.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47And downstairs, there is graffiti on the walls
0:19:47 > 0:19:49from previous prisoners as well.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Canterbury has been a centre of Christian religion
0:19:54 > 0:19:56since the sixth century.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58The buildings that lie on the River Stour
0:19:58 > 0:20:00stand testament to this heritage.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04The Franciscans weren't the only monastic order
0:20:04 > 0:20:06to establish a base here.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09The Dominicans also set down roots in 1236.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Parts of the order were even involved in the Spanish Inquisition,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16and the ones here in Canterbury,
0:20:16 > 0:20:20they were quite famous for hunting witches and heretics as well.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Rather prosperous career, though, hunting witches.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Who would have thought, eh? They would dress in black,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27a much more expensive colour robe,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30and they were known here as the Blackfriars.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Two of their original structures survive.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36What are they used for today?
0:20:36 > 0:20:39The school here, King's School, they use this one as an art department,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42and over here, a secondary assembly hall.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Having journeyed back through nearly
0:20:44 > 0:20:47a millennium of Canterbury's history,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50it's time to spool forward and return to our house-hunt.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Our next stop is again on the edge
0:20:57 > 0:21:00of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03a mile from the village of Horsmondem.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05With a thriving community for Debbie,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08attractive buildings surround a large village green
0:21:08 > 0:21:10known as the Heath.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13It's home to some useful independent shops, and as well as a pub,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17there's a social club open to all local residents.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Set off a quiet lane, we find house number two.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Right, let's see how we get on with our second property.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27I feel much more positive about this property.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Doesn't look like there's too many beams in there, does it?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- It doesn't.- So we have a modern property this time.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Who's going to like this one, I wonder?
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- I think it might be me.- Yeah?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I might have to put some beams inside, though.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42It's only about ten years old, so let's see how we get on this time,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- shall we?- Yeah. Let's.- Come on.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Hopefully, Debbie continues to appreciate the merits
0:21:48 > 0:21:51of this contemporary house when she sees inside.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57So let's start our tour - massive entrance hall.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59You can probably guess it's unfurnished,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01but you can put your own mark on it.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04But I think it's worth really beginning in the kitchen.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- Yeah. Lovely.- Very nice. - Much nicer than the last one.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- Look at the smile!- Put a couple of beams up there, maybe just to...
0:22:11 > 0:22:15No. Yeah, it's lovely. I really like it. Not what I expected, actually.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- It's much more modern. It's nice and big.- Yeah.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Now, I've got to ask you, haven't I, Carl?
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- I hate it!- Oh, no. - No, this is still good.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Does it feel like a family home? - Yeah, absolutely, yes.- It does.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29It actually makes me think I haven't got to do too much anyway,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32so it is... It's still quite nice.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33And then on top of this,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35you've actually got a utility room next door, which is...
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Oh, perfect.- ..pretty large as well.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Got a pantry behind us.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- OK.- And let's see what's through these doors.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Now, big family, very large sitting room.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- Very large.- Good size, yeah.- Yeah.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53From the outside, I thought it would be quite small rooms, but...
0:22:53 > 0:22:58- Yeah.- Yes, it's huge.- You could put in an incredible feature.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- You like a fireplace... - Can't have Carl without a project.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- Yeah. I was going to say.- Yeah.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- I like it.- So, also on this floor, you have good-sized study.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- You could make that into another bedroom.- Mm-hmm.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13A man cave?
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Bedroom. I don't think you heard me on that one, did you?
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- Let's head upstairs and look at the bedrooms.- OK.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23It's wonderful to see how enthusiastic Debbie is
0:23:23 > 0:23:24about this house.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Along with the possible bedroom downstairs,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29upstairs provides another four in total,
0:23:29 > 0:23:33comprising two doubles and a single for the children, who could all make
0:23:33 > 0:23:36use of the stylish family bathroom.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39So, with all the children accounted for,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42it's time to assess where they would sleep.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Let's hope those positive vibes continue with the bedrooms.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- Nice, big room.- Yeah. - This is the master.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54I can't imagine you letting the children have this size.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56- With the en suite, you can see the shower there.- Yes.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59And plenty of wardrobe space.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Yeah, it's nice. Nice and big. Nice and bright.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- The windows aren't very big, but... - True.- It's still bright, yeah.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Are we liking this house? - I am.- I think we might be.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- I am, yeah.- Is it giving you everything you want
0:24:12 > 0:24:15as, you know, a mum, for the family?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18You're going to be here more time than anybody else.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22Yeah, I think so. I like... It's a big, big house, isn't it?
0:24:22 > 0:24:24There's lots of spaces for everyone.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26It is a large property.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31But there's also just that little bit more to show you.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34A stone patio leads to a large lawn
0:24:34 > 0:24:37that gives way to views of the surrounding countryside.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41We have got the huge house for the family, tick.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44And I can deliver on the land.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48In total, you have got about 3.6 acres, total plot itself.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50But you've got a paddock here
0:24:50 > 0:24:53which you could convert into a menage for the horses.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55And then you've got all that land there,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- so plenty for two horses. - Yeah. Lovely.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00And then, additionally, and this is the interesting bit,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I think, is the garage.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Would it be worth looking at planning permission
0:25:05 > 0:25:07and converting that for the family?
0:25:07 > 0:25:08I think it would.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12And then you could make that into further bedrooms,
0:25:12 > 0:25:13or perhaps the man den.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- There we go.- Is this what you had in mind with the move?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21For me, yes, it's quite similar to what I'm thinking.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23But can you afford it?
0:25:23 > 0:25:28I would expect it to be around £825,000.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Interesting. OK.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- I think about 800. - £800,000?
0:25:34 > 0:25:38- Yeah.- Oh... We're miles out, aren't we?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41I don't think you're going to like me on this one.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42The asking price is...
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- ..£950,000.- Wow!- Wow, OK.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Because you've got a five bedroom home, you know,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- you've got just under four acres of land...- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56The good news is the owners are aware of your budget
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- and are happy to have a conversation with you.- OK.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01- Why don't you now mull that over... - Yeah.- OK.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04..and then come and find me when you're ready?
0:26:04 > 0:26:05- Perfect.- OK.- Thank you.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10£50,000 over budget,
0:26:10 > 0:26:11this generous modern property
0:26:11 > 0:26:13benefits from a countryside setting,
0:26:13 > 0:26:15but is also close to a village.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18It has the five bedrooms Carl and Debbie are after,
0:26:18 > 0:26:23as well as an impressive open-plan kitchen and spacious sitting room.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26There are over three acres of land for Debbie's horses.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30I think this could well be the house.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33It's got the land that we want, it's got the bedrooms that we want.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Potential to do a little project for myself.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37And I really think this could be it.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41Debbie loved the property, which makes it a lot easier for me.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Not the sort of property I would have picked,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45but it doesn't mean I don't like it.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Today, I think I have learned that budget we've got in mind
0:26:48 > 0:26:51might need to be pushed up slightly to get exactly what we want.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55This house is a thousand times better than the last house.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56It is much more my style.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59I could really see myself living here.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Look at those happy two smiles, not just one.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05That has gone really well, hasn't it?
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- Yeah. Absolutely.- Are you surprised you both like it?
0:27:08 > 0:27:09A little bit, yeah.
0:27:09 > 0:27:10So am I.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12THEY LAUGH
0:27:22 > 0:27:24We're house-hunting in the Kent countryside
0:27:24 > 0:27:28with parents Debbie and Carl from Bromley in south-east London.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33Their budget of £900,000 needs to house four children and two horses.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37So far, the property style and location has been up for debate.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41However, there are signs of unity and awe
0:27:41 > 0:27:43when they see our Mystery House.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45It is beautiful, isn't it?
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- Unbelievable, look at that. - Even with the beams, it's nice.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49THEY LAUGH
0:27:49 > 0:27:52And it's far from a close shave when I try my hand
0:27:52 > 0:27:55at making English cricket bats.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I'm being very, very careful here, aren't I?
0:27:58 > 0:28:00I can feel I'm slightly holding back.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02- So...- That's how it's meant to be done.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03Look at that.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Now, I always like to start the second day of our property search
0:28:09 > 0:28:11with a house in the bag.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14So today, the Mystery House will have to deliver
0:28:14 > 0:28:17above and beyond that beautiful new build
0:28:17 > 0:28:19we showed Carl and Debbie yesterday,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23in terms of price, space, and, of course, land.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27Now, I believe this is going to offer them a little bit of
0:28:27 > 0:28:31everything that they're both after and maybe even the odd beam or two.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37The Mystery House takes us to the village of Collier Street,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40nine miles south-west of Maidstone.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42With a population of around 500,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Collier Street doesn't have amenities,
0:28:45 > 0:28:47although there is a primary school.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51Facing opposite this is the Victorian St Margaret's Church.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Although the substantial properties here were built in the Tudor era,
0:28:55 > 0:28:56most date from the 19th century.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02The village is in the centre of an important hop-growing area of Kent,
0:29:02 > 0:29:06and many oast houses dot the landscape.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Although our Mystery House reflects this heritage, it is semidetached,
0:29:10 > 0:29:15set across three floors and unconventional in many ways.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19So it might take a while for Debbie and Carl to make sense of it all.
0:29:22 > 0:29:28This, I think, is the perfect spot for you to see the Mystery House.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- Where are we looking, here? - That's it.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32- Oh, wow!- Really? Oh, wow! - That's lovely.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Is it the whole house, though?
0:29:34 > 0:29:35- No.- I thought not.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38And that's why it's the Mystery House.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41As you can see, it's an oast house, built around the 1860s,
0:29:41 > 0:29:43converted last year.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47- OK.- You do have neighbours, but they are not side-to-side with you,
0:29:47 > 0:29:49they are actually back-to-back.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- OK.- Hopefully, you are going to get the best of both worlds.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Debbie, it does have a few beams.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57- OK.- But not too scary.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Carl, it has got the character and the charm and...
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Well, I think it has got a real personality as well.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06- Definitely.- So I'm hoping, no fights.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Could it be your future home?
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Let's see.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13We have been so close with their previous houses,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16and I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed
0:30:16 > 0:30:18that Debbie and Carl will agree on the merits
0:30:18 > 0:30:20of this magnificent conversion.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25The disadvantage of being in the front is I can't see your faces.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27You're hearing me smile, don't worry.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30I like that. Hear you smile!
0:30:31 > 0:30:33What do you think of the kitchen, though, more importantly?
0:30:33 > 0:30:35- It's lovely.- This is good, yeah. - Really nice.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37- Nice and light.- Big space.
0:30:37 > 0:30:38- Yeah.- And the beams aren't...
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- You can live with them. - Not overpowering.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43No, they're not. That's the one. Got that modern twist.
0:30:43 > 0:30:44- Yeah.- Which I like.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Am I right in thinking it's working for both of you?
0:30:47 > 0:30:50- I think so.- OK. OK. OK. On that note...
0:30:50 > 0:30:52I'll take you through to the sitting room.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Downstairs cloakroom.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- Yeah.- Up two steps...
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- Leads us to our sitting-room. - Oh, nice fireplace.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01- Look at that.- Oh, nice, yeah. - You sound slightly surprised.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03I am, I am, I really like it.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05We have one beam in this room, a bressummer beam,
0:31:05 > 0:31:07above the fireplace.
0:31:07 > 0:31:08I did spot that. As I walked in.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11I actually like the fact I haven't got to do anything to it.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13It's all done, which is nice.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15I love the character. And that view.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17You don't need the TV, you just sit there, looking out there.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19That's why you move to the country, isn't it?
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- Absolutely.- Absolutely, yeah.
0:31:21 > 0:31:22We're happy, aren't we?
0:31:22 > 0:31:24We are, let's see what we've got upstairs.
0:31:26 > 0:31:27What a result.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Despite the odd beam,
0:31:29 > 0:31:33our project-free Mystery House seems to be hitting the mark.
0:31:33 > 0:31:34Up on the first floor,
0:31:34 > 0:31:37the corridor leads to two guest bedrooms
0:31:37 > 0:31:39and a stylish family bathroom.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42But that's nothing compared to what lies in wait
0:31:42 > 0:31:45for Carl and Debbie in the master.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48This property is over three floors.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- OK.- We've got to show you the master bedroom.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53It's lovely. Really big.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- Good size, yeah.- Yeah.- Could put the bed just here, couldn't we?
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Yeah. Look out into that every morning.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01But you really need an en-suite, don't you?
0:32:01 > 0:32:02That would be nice.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05Do you just want to take a little look up those stairs?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07I don't think you're going to be disappointed.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- Oh, wow.- Go on, up you go.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- Oh, wow, look at that.- Wow.
0:32:13 > 0:32:14It's so big.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Unbelievable, look at that.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Even with the beams, it's nice.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22I knew you were going to be impressed.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25If I showed someone this bathroom and they didn't like it,
0:32:25 > 0:32:26I don't think I'd talk to them again.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- It's unbelievable. - It is absolutely beautiful.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- It's a winner, isn't it? - I think this is the house.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33- Yeah.- It is a winner. Tremendous. Right.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37I'm going to drag you two away now, we've more to show you.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Now their excitement is building,
0:32:39 > 0:32:42let's keep that momentum going
0:32:42 > 0:32:45and explore the rest of our multilevel mystery property.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46Up on the second floor,
0:32:46 > 0:32:50two more bedrooms make up the five that our couple requested,
0:32:50 > 0:32:51and there's also a shower room.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Outside, there's a small front garden and a garage
0:32:55 > 0:32:57with planning permission
0:32:57 > 0:33:00for conversion to a one or two bedroom annexe.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06The all-important outside space.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08You've got an enclosed garden here,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11that two acre paddock is included with this property.
0:33:11 > 0:33:12- Two acres enough?- Yeah, perfect.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14- Yeah, absolutely.- What's going through your mind?
0:33:14 > 0:33:16What are your thoughts on the Mystery House?
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- I'm really excited about this one. I, um...- Yeah, me too.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21The other two, I feel like, are not in the picture.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25- Forgotten about them. They've gone. - Really?- Yeah, absolutely.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27And even though we've got neighbours, I don't mind.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30We're going to have to try and work out a price.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32935.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34£935,000.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- Right.- I think it's closer to a million.
0:33:37 > 0:33:38I think it's around the nine...
0:33:38 > 0:33:40985.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Oh, £985,000.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46She's got it, hasn't she?
0:33:46 > 0:33:47Asking price is...
0:33:49 > 0:33:51..£910,000.
0:33:51 > 0:33:52Oh, wow, look at that.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56- I won.- You won, but more importantly...
0:33:56 > 0:33:58- It's better than I thought. - It's just a shave over your budget.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Just a shave.
0:34:00 > 0:34:01- Yeah.- And that's without any negotiations.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- Yeah.- You've got some thinking to do, haven't you?
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- Yes.- Check out the garage, with all that potential.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- Yeah.- Yeah.- And then let's have another chat.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- Perfect, thank you. Brilliant. - Thank you.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17On the market for £10,000 over Debbie and Carl's budget,
0:34:17 > 0:34:19this mystery oast house conversion
0:34:19 > 0:34:22has really struck a chord with them both.
0:34:22 > 0:34:23It has five bedrooms,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26including a self-contained master en suite.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Along with generous living areas,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31it provides over two acres for Debbie's horses
0:34:31 > 0:34:34and perhaps a mini project for Carl.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- Good size.- Yeah, this is certainly for you, isn't it, in here?
0:34:37 > 0:34:39If I knock this down, we can get maybe two floors,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41little bedroom up there, little sitting area.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45- Man cave.- Well, this can be yours, I'll have the house.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46Sounds good to me. Let's do it.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I think we both agree on this house.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54It's modern, it's got character,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57it's got some beams, it's got the land.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00It seems to tick both of our boxes perfectly.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03I think, as a family, we'd all be really happy here.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06The top floor can be the kids' own floor,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08just seems to flow really well.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11Yes! We have done it.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14All three houses, you've seen them all.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15- Feeling happy? - Yeah.- Yes, very happy.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- Yeah?- This is...really lovely.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- Yeah.- Really like it.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21I think we might have ended on a high.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23- I think we have.- Let's go.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Kent's rich, varied history is said to include
0:35:32 > 0:35:36the origins of the world's second most popular sport, cricket.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38The game is reputed to have originated
0:35:38 > 0:35:41amongst children in Kent's Weald
0:35:41 > 0:35:43during Saxon or Norman times.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48To find out more, I've come to meet local resident Andrew Kember,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51who established Salix Cricket Bats in 1990.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54The company makes handcrafted bats
0:35:54 > 0:35:57out of the finest traditional materials
0:35:57 > 0:36:00and they're used by many international players.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Andrew, good to meet you.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Now, you might not know this, but I'm actually from Kent.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08And I like to think Kent is the home of cricket.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10I think we're pretty safe saying that.
0:36:10 > 0:36:11So how did you get into this business,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14making some of the best cricket bats in the world?
0:36:14 > 0:36:15Really, a love of the game.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Now, I know it's made from willow, and that's about it.
0:36:18 > 0:36:19Where does the willow come from?
0:36:19 > 0:36:22We tend to use willow from the south-east,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and if we can buy wood from Kent, then perfect.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27This is the starting point for us.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31Our first job now is to plane the face
0:36:31 > 0:36:33and have a look at the quality of the wood,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37and start to be able to assess where we're going to put the handle,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39which end we think should be the driving end,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42what sort of weight we think the bat's going to be
0:36:42 > 0:36:43and what shape we think we should make it.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45So what's the next process?
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Well, the next process is pressing,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- and we can press this piece of wood here.- OK.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Before the face of the willow is pressed
0:36:52 > 0:36:56at a pressure of up to 2,000lbs per square inch,
0:36:56 > 0:37:00it's sprayed with water to keep the fibres of the wood supple.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02So if we start the machine...
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Now, what I would like you to do
0:37:05 > 0:37:08is just feed the bat between the side rollers
0:37:08 > 0:37:10and the face roller.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14The pressing process strengthens the willow,
0:37:14 > 0:37:18and gives it more rebound when struck by the ball.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21The handle is made separately to the bat
0:37:21 > 0:37:24out of cane laminated with strips of rubber.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Both the handle and blade of the bat are cut
0:37:27 > 0:37:30with the same unique splicing saw.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33They are fitted together in a room next door.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38If you're able to glue this handle, both sides and the end,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40and then I'll pop that in.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41I'll let you fit it, though, OK?
0:37:41 > 0:37:43So...
0:37:43 > 0:37:45How thick do you need it?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47That is absolutely perfect.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49Great. OK.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52So when we put the handle in...
0:37:52 > 0:37:55- And then...- I'll get out of the way.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- Is that a good fit? - It's a great fit.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03With the handle attached,
0:38:03 > 0:38:04the bat is left to set overnight
0:38:04 > 0:38:08before the next stage of the process - shaping.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Ah, now, there's a lot of cricket bats in here.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Yes, absolutely.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15So many, right.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17OK, so, this is a draw knife...
0:38:17 > 0:38:21- Yeah.- So we're now going to take the top of the cane off here.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26You're measuring those shavings so precisely.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30How many cricket bats do you think you've produced
0:38:30 > 0:38:32in the 36 years you've been doing this?
0:38:32 > 0:38:34- Oh, tens of thousands.- Yeah.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37If you draw this towards you,
0:38:37 > 0:38:39and then just take a small shaving...
0:38:39 > 0:38:41- Yeah.- That's it.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44I'm being very, very careful here, aren't I?
0:38:44 > 0:38:46I don't want to take too much off,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48but I probably need to put a bit more pressure.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53It's... A draw knife is such a difficult tool to use.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- But actually, you're going really well.- How's that?
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Almost there, but we do need to take a little bit more wood out.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01Do you want me to take that last bit?
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Go on, then. I don't want to ruin it.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07I can feel I'm slightly holding back.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10That's how it's meant to be done, look at that.
0:39:10 > 0:39:15And then... We're just drawing the knife down in towards the toe.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Try and keep the bat looking...
0:39:17 > 0:39:20as fluid lines as we possibly can.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24And is there a signature to your cricket bats?
0:39:24 > 0:39:27I think the amount of hand work that we do
0:39:27 > 0:39:29is probably quite unusual now.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Just looking at the tools that you use, they haven't changed,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34have they, in many a year?
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Some of the tools here are going to be 100 years or more old.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Andrew then uses a plane to take more weight
0:39:40 > 0:39:42from the back of the bat.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45And how do you finish off the bat?
0:39:45 > 0:39:50Well, at this stage, we will coarse-sand, fine-sand the bats,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53they will be polished, we will put binding on the handles.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Once the labels go on, they look like this.
0:39:56 > 0:39:57The finished article.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59I've got to ask, where does Salix come from?
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Is that the family name?
0:40:01 > 0:40:03No, Salix is Latin for willow.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07So basically if we translate the company, it's willow cricket bats.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Do you know what? I'll let you into a little secret,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13this is the first time I've ever held a cricket bat.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- Have a go.- About there?
0:40:16 > 0:40:17Yes, absolutely.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21And then nicely into line, playing nice and straight.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24That feels really good, not too heavy either.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26- Great.- Anyone for cricket?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33So that's it.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36We've shown Carl and Debbie our three houses
0:40:36 > 0:40:39and the good news is they are still standing.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41But are the gloves still on,
0:40:41 > 0:40:44or have they managed to make a joint decision?
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Let's go and find out.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53When we first met the two of you,
0:40:53 > 0:40:56you said that you really don't agree on anything,
0:40:56 > 0:40:58apart from the fact you wanted a new home
0:40:58 > 0:41:01with five bedrooms for your family.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Have we managed to find you that home?
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Absolutely. I like the way the first house,
0:41:07 > 0:41:10you teased me a little bit with the beams and the character.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13And then the second property was ideally for Debbie,
0:41:13 > 0:41:14which I did warm towards.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17And then the Mystery House had it all.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19From the outside, I was still questioning,
0:41:19 > 0:41:24but once we got inside, it was amazing. That modern twist to it.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Yeah, I didn't think about the second house after that.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Yeah, the third house all the way.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31They say you know when you step through a door.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Is that how you felt?
0:41:33 > 0:41:34- It felt like home?- Absolutely.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Yeah. It was a really nice feeling to the house, I thought.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Yeah, as you stepped in, you turned to that kitchen, that was...
0:41:40 > 0:41:43- The sight of it, wasn't it? - Yeah.- Just the kitchen.- Yeah.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46So that leads me on to, what happens next?
0:41:46 > 0:41:48First thing we need to do is get the children down there,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51let them look at it, they've got a decision in there as well,
0:41:51 > 0:41:53it's not just us two.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55If they give us the green light, then an offer will be put in.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59- And you're joint in that decision? - Yes, we are. One thing we agree on.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Yeah, the gloves are off, we're happy.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- Have you surprised yourselves? - Yes.- Agreeing?- Yes.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06We have had such a great time showing you around
0:42:06 > 0:42:08this beautiful part of Kent.
0:42:08 > 0:42:09All the best for the future.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Thank you. Nicki, thank you for taking us to the houses
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- and finding our dream house. - Yeah, it's been great.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22At the beginning of this house-hunt with Carl and Debbie,
0:42:22 > 0:42:23I was worried about...
0:42:23 > 0:42:25Well, all sorts of things.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Would we find them a home with everything that they wanted,
0:42:29 > 0:42:32that they could agree on, for their budget?
0:42:32 > 0:42:33So as you can imagine,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself
0:42:35 > 0:42:38because I truly believe we've done that
0:42:38 > 0:42:43in this gorgeous county that I'm proud to call home.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47Debbie and Carl have returned to the Mystery House
0:42:47 > 0:42:50and their children have given enthusiastic approval.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Once their Bromley house is sold,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55they're hoping it will soon become their new rural home.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58We wish them luck.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00If you would like to Escape To The Country
0:43:00 > 0:43:03in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
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