Kent Escape to the Country


Kent

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When you think of Leicester Square, you think London, big bright lights.

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But, believe it or not, I'm standing in the middle of it right now.

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Confused? Well, you won't be for long,

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because I'll explain everything and where I am in just a few moments.

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Today, I'm with a South London couple who have set their sights

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on moving to the peace of the countryside.

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However, finding a property they both agree on

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proves to be a challenge.

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-I am not sure about the beams.

-I love it.

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We could put a little sitting room for you downstairs, if you want.

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Amidst differences of opinion, there are signs of compromise.

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Who is going to like this one, I wonder?

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-I think it might be me.

-Yeah?

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I might have to put some beams inside, though.

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Today, I'm in Kent, in the village of Penshurst,

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and this is the original Leicester Square,

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dating back to the 1500s.

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Now, the one in London was named after the 2nd Earl of Leicester,

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Robert Sidney, and although this was his main residence here in

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the village, he built a very grand house in 1636 in London,

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where the famous square now sits.

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And that is why there are two Leicester Squares,

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but this one in Kent was definitely here first.

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Sitting in the south-east of England,

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Kent is bordered by Surrey and East Sussex.

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Its only city is Canterbury,

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which is centred on the magnificent cathedral

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founded in the sixth century.

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Beside historic towns,

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30% of the county is covered

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by Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

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including well preserved villages such as Chilham.

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At its centre lies a square

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of medieval and Jacobean timber buildings,

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many dating from the late 15th century.

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Known as the Garden of England,

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Kent is celebrated for its fertile ground terrain.

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However, its diverse landscape also includes

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the wetland of Romney Marsh,

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home to the remote church of St Thomas a Becket.

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Built to serve a long-vanished farming community,

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its timber frame was encased by brickwork in the 1700s,

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allowing the church to maintain its lonely marshland vigil.

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So, while Kent provides good connections to London,

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it's also a place where rural splendour is never far away.

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Charles Dickens wrote in his novel The Pickwick Papers,

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"Everybody knows Kent.

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"Apples, cherries, hops and women."

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And he would have known, having lived here.

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And so would I, after all, I am a woman and I grew up here.

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Now, what's widely known about Kent is that its close proximity

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to London means property price tags are above the national figure.

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A typical detached property here would cost on average £468,000.

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Now, that's well over £135,000 more than the UK as a whole.

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So, is it worth it, I hear you ask?

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Well, of course, I'm going to say yes.

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But so too would today's buyers, who want to move here.

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Carl, who works in the building industry, and Debbie,

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a business development manager,

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met over a decade ago in their hometown of Bromley

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in south-east London.

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We used to see each other quite a lot in bars

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and just got to know each other a bit, I think.

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And we probably saw each other every weekend from thereon.

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A month, maybe two until we actually...

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..started dating, I guess.

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Carl has three children from a previous relationship

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who are now teenagers.

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And nine months ago,

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they welcomed their baby daughter Jasmine into the family.

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After spending so much of their lives in Bromley,

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Debbie and Carl are disillusioned

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with the changes they see in the suburb.

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It's getting really busy.

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They are doing a lot of building work here now.

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There's a big development a two-minute walk from here,

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and our road is full of more cars trying to park.

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That is kind of why I want to get out of Bromley.

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For Debbie, Jasmine's arrival has brought into focus

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what she holds most dear in her life.

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I was very career driven.

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I love my job. It has completely changed me,

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so that whole career side of things has taken a back burner for now.

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They want to begin a new life in rural Kent,

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yet remain close enough to family and friends.

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I would like to move sort of south of Sevenoaks and Maidstone,

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purely because I like the area,

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as one of my sisters lives in Maidstone,

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the other lives in Sevenoaks,

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so sort of somewhere in the middle would be perfect.

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Jasmine's arrival has meant that

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Debbie and Carl have had to share their sleeping space.

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I'm looking forward to having a fifth bedroom

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so that we get our bedroom back

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and the baby's not waking us up

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-every time she moves or coughs or...

-Yeah.

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Debbie also needs space to look after two horses,

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which are currently stabled several miles away.

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It would be great to have them right on the doorstep so I don't have to

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drive miles up there,

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miles back just to feed them or just to check on them every day.

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They both agree about the need to move.

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However, that might be the only thing the couple see eye to eye on.

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-We disagree...

-On everything.

-..on everything.

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-Everything, yeah.

-On the style of the house.

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I wanted a character house with the beams and...

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-The open fireplace.

-..open fireplace.

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But I don't really like any of that.

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I only discovered this... Well, probably a couple of weeks ago.

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I quite like the modern look.

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I don't mind a farmhouse or an older house,

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but it has to have that modern twist.

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Carl and Debbie would ideally like to live

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within 20 miles of Maidstone,

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in the north-west of Kent,

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which will keep them within reach of Carl's children in Bromley

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and also means they are close to Debbie's parents.

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But they do have other needs for their home,

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so I'm meeting up with them to learn more about their property wish list.

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Well, Debbie and Carl, welcome to Kent.

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I've got the impression that you two don't always agree.

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-Would that be the fair?

-I think that is very fair.

-Yeah.

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-The five bedrooms is the only thing that we agree on.

-Yeah.

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And then it all goes wrong, doesn't it, because...

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-Yes.

-..how many acres of land do you actually want?

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Oh, well, there's no acres that are going to be too many,

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so as much as you can find us, for me.

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-But for Debbie...

-Just a couple. Just for the horses.

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-Now, as you've got horses...

-Yes.

-..you know what it's like...

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-Absolutely....

-..managing land.

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-Yes.

-Have you any idea at all?

-Not a clue.

-Oh.

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What else does the house compose of?

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Well, for me, I'd like to be in the middle of nowhere, no neighbours.

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Debbie likes the idea of having people nearby

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in case I'm at work and...

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OK. All right. What about the style of the house?

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-Are we going to agree on this one?

-No.

-No. No.

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THEY LAUGH

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I want a nice character house with the beams and...

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-The open fireplace.

-..open fireplace.

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And I'm not really...

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I don't really like the open fireplaces, the open beams.

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I... The character house, I don't really like that.

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I was thinking of a new show called One Couple, Two Houses. Might work.

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You two have been together a long time, there is hope.

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Who's going to compromise?

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-Me.

-Are you? Are you? LAUGHS

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-Debbie, is that right?

-Yeah. I think so.

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Are you happy to take on a little bit of a project?

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Absolutely. That's what we done on our current property.

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Remind us of your top budget,

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because we know that Kent is a very expensive area.

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Yes, this is the trouble. So, we said up to 900,000.

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Hopefully below that would be good.

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I think we should get started, because we have lined up

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some rather lovely properties to show you.

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-Lovely.

-Are you looking forward to it?

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-Yes, we are.

-Yes. Can't wait.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah, me too. Come on.

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With a maximum budget of £900,000,

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Debbie and Carl are divided on whether their five-bedroom

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country home will have character or be modern.

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Carl would be happy to live in a more remote location,

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while Debbie would prefer to be closer to a community.

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They are also looking for land for Debbie's horses,

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and Carl is hoping for a long term renovation project.

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I've got a wide range of beautiful houses to show them.

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I'll be asking them to guess the price of each property

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before I reveal it.

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The final offering will be the Mystery House,

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which offers a surprising twist on their requirements and takes their

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search in different directions.

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Now, I want to ask you about this land.

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How many acres in total would you like, Carl?

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27.

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THEY LAUGH That's the whole of Kent.

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-You could buy the county.

-Yeah.

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What about the maintenance of all this land?

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Well, that is why we need the animals.

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-We get sheep to cut the grass...

-Right, OK.

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-Alpacas, I think, can keep the bushes...

-OK. Yeah.

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-Carl is dreaming. Carl is dreaming a little bit.

-He is.

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Obviously, having the animals on the land

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makes more work, not less, Carl.

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Our first house is on the outskirts of the small community of Brenchley.

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Nearby is Matfield,

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situated in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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The village centre lies in a conservation area

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and is home to a range of local shops and charming pubs.

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Matfield House is an impressive Grade I listed Georgian home,

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built in 1728 for a local yeoman farmer and his heiress wife.

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The war poet Siegfried Sassoon lived in the village and wrote of

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his pleasure at the cricket matches played on the green,

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a tradition that continues to this day.

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Two miles from Matfield is a substantial Grade II listed property

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that lies in a charming setting.

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-Oh, wow!

-That is nice, isn't it?

-Look at that!

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-THEY LAUGH

-I like it already.

-Looks nice.

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Yeah. Bit remote, though, isn't it?

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Now, who wanted remote, I wonder?

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Did you expect us to show you something like this

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to start off with?

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-No. Not at all.

-The barn itself dates back to the 16th century.

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-Oh, it is an oldie.

-It is.

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Now, you've got another barn next door, but this is detached.

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-OK.

-Well, I am glad you're liking the look from the outside...

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-It does look nice.

-Yeah.

-It is impressive, isn't it?

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-Yeah. Very.

-Let's see if it's just as impressive inside.

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It's an encouraging reaction that I am optimistic will continue

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when Carl and Debbie see the inside, which has an upside-down layout.

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The ground floor is dedicated to the bedrooms,

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but we'll go straight upstairs to explore

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the dual aspect sitting room on the first floor.

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-Wow. Look at that.

-So many beams.

-THEY LAUGH

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-This is good, I like this.

-It's not your average sitting room, is it?

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-No, it is not.

-It's lovely.

-Carl, you are in seventh heaven.

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-Yes, you are.

-Yeah, yeah.

-I like this.

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-Got to work on Debbie.

-I'm not sure about the beams.

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-It is a lot of them.

-Carl?

-I love it.

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We could put a little sitting room downstairs for you, if you want.

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-It's a nice big room, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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The way it has been configured,

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you have the most incredible views through all those windows.

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That is amazing. It is a lovely room, but still not a fan of beams.

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This is not a room for me.

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-I love it. Yeah. We'll take it.

-THEY LAUGH

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You two haven't disappointed me. You know, it's only round one.

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It's round one, let's see what you make of the kitchen.

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-OK.

-All righty.

-It's just through here,

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so you've got a really good sized study area.

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-Yeah.

-Nice office space.

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Toilet through there. And here is the kitchen, complete with...

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-Beams!

-THEY LAUGH

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What do you think of the actual space in the kitchen?

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Yeah, I think it's a good space, isn't it? New kitchen, Carl.

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A little bit of a project there for you.

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-Yeah. But I mean...

-Could you cope with putting in a new kitchen?

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-Oh, yeah. Two minutes.

-Oh, look at that!

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Mr Fixit. It is funny, isn't it,

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how certain sort of architectural styles

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can have such a profound effect?

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-Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

-You are warming to it straightaway.

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And I... No, I'm not.

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Right, well, I haven't won upstairs, have I?

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At all. Should we head downstairs to see if the bedrooms win you over?

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-Yeah, for sure.

-Thank you.

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I can see this is going to be quite a battle.

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Perhaps they will find common ground when they see the four existing

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bedrooms on the ground floor.

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Two of them can be found off an inner hallway with plenty of beams,

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which will please Carl.

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One has an adjoining dressing room, currently used as a study.

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Another bedroom and family bathroom are on the opposite side of

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the entrance hall, along with a room we have earmarked for our couple.

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So here is the master bedroom. Minimal beams.

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Yes. Feels a bit more modern downstairs.

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-Warming to it?

-Mmm...

-THEY LAUGH

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OK, won't go that far. Tepid. Not warm, Nicki, just tepid.

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Well, this might impress you a little bit.

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You have got a walk-in wardrobe here.

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-OK.

-And then behind this door, you've actually got an en-suite.

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-Oh, very nice.

-Very nice, yeah, yeah.

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-Look at that.

-Contemporary.

-Yes.

-You see?

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So along the hallway, you've got the other bedrooms.

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Then right at the end, you can just see there is a door,

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and that's the garage.

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-That could be the additional bedroom.

-Oh, OK.

-A project for you.

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-So you're loving the downstairs...

-Yeah, I really like downstairs.

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Outside, hopefully, is going to cement the deal.

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-I'm keeping everything crossed. After you, Carl.

-OK, thank you.

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Leaving the house from the rear of the entrance hallway,

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we cross an extensive stone patio to take in the half-acre garden

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which commands truly spectacular views.

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So you have this splendid Grade II listed barn with beams.

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-Yes.

-And then you have this magnificent garden.

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However, we can't forget the horses, can we?

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Right behind us is just under four acres.

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-OK.

-I am going to ask you to guess the price of our barn,

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and then we're going to discuss the field separately,

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-if that's all right.

-OK. Yeah, yeah.

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-So what are you thinking?

-About nine.

-885.

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-£885,000?

-Yeah.

-I say probably nine.

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-£900,000?

-Yeah.

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The asking price is £895,000.

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-Oh, we were close.

-Yeah, yeah.

-OK. So that's a jolly good start.

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-Yeah.

-You sounded quite interested then.

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If we were going to add...

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..the field at the back, the asking price is £950,000.

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-OK.

-Obviously there is a premium on that land.

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-Yeah.

-Do you want to go back inside, reacquaint yourself with the barn?

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And then when you've seen enough,

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do have a look at that all-important field at the back.

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-Thanks, guys.

-Thank you.

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Coming in under budget,

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this Grade II listed barn conversion provides four bedrooms

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with a potential to convert the garage into a fifth,

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subject to planning consent.

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There are plenty of reception areas for the family to spread out in,

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along with the option to buy a four acre paddock for Debbie's horses.

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When I first saw this property from the outside, I thought,

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"It's a barn, there possibly will be some beams."

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I just dislike them. I don't like the exposed dark wood.

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It makes the rooms darker.

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I know Carl loves this place...

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..but I am sure there's other places he will love just as much.

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I love the character, I love the size, I love the land.

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I am a little bit sad that this is a definite no-no,

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because I can actually see me being here.

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But obviously that would be without Debbie, which won't work.

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How would you feel, waking up to that every single day?

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-That would be lovely.

-Yes.

-Part of the dream.

-Absolutely.

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Well, I am going to have to drag you away,

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-because I've got more to show you.

-Ooh.

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Canterbury is known around the world,

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thanks to its religious significance and of course Geoffrey Chaucer's

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celebrated Canterbury Tales.

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Set on the banks of the River Stour, it has existed for 2,000 years.

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A settlement was first recorded in Celtic times,

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but in the first century AD

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it was captured by the Romans and rebuilt.

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Today the river offers a unique way to experience

0:16:530:16:56

the city's layers of history.

0:16:560:16:58

Keen to discover more about the county they hope to call home,

0:16:580:17:01

Debbie and Carl are meeting guide Rob Nye.

0:17:010:17:04

So why is it important for you

0:17:040:17:05

to keep the history of Canterbury alive?

0:17:050:17:08

I believe, personally, that Canterbury

0:17:080:17:10

is the pinnacle of history here in England.

0:17:100:17:13

I believe it's well worth preserving our heritage.

0:17:130:17:15

It's a way into the past.

0:17:150:17:18

So, seeing the city by water,

0:17:180:17:19

I guess we're going to get a different feel for it.

0:17:190:17:22

We're going to see different parts, etc.

0:17:220:17:24

Absolutely. You can always tell an old city

0:17:240:17:26

if it's got a river running through it.

0:17:260:17:27

Because they would have used it to carry the heavy materials

0:17:270:17:30

such as stone and things like that,

0:17:300:17:31

they wouldn't have had engines and things like that.

0:17:310:17:33

So you'd have to have used boats.

0:17:330:17:35

The Stour in Canterbury lays claim to being

0:17:350:17:38

one of England's most historically rich rivers.

0:17:380:17:42

In Roman and medieval times, it was a major transport and trading route,

0:17:420:17:46

connecting England with the continent.

0:17:460:17:48

Later it powered water mills that helped generate the city's wealth.

0:17:480:17:53

So this is the first part of the tour.

0:17:530:17:55

No turning back now.

0:17:550:17:58

-Welcome to King's Bridge.

-King's Bridge. Look at that.

-Now...

0:17:590:18:03

King's Bridge allegedly received its name after King Henry II

0:18:030:18:07

passed over it in 1174,

0:18:070:18:11

on his way to offer penance for being responsible for the murder

0:18:110:18:14

of Archbishop Thomas Becket.

0:18:140:18:17

It was expanded this way in 1769 due to the increase

0:18:170:18:20

of horse and carriage traffic.

0:18:200:18:22

And in the mornings,

0:18:220:18:23

when the delivery drivers go over this bridge,

0:18:230:18:26

it becomes the second oldest working road bridge in England.

0:18:260:18:29

The bridge does work, though, as a fantastic portal to another world.

0:18:290:18:33

As we emerge, the sounds of the high street disappeared.

0:18:330:18:35

It's wonderful back here.

0:18:350:18:38

So, here we are. We arrive at the tip of the little Franciscan island.

0:18:380:18:42

Who were the Franciscans?

0:18:420:18:44

The Franciscans, followers of

0:18:440:18:46

the patron saint of wildlife and animals,

0:18:460:18:48

Francis of Assisi from Italy.

0:18:480:18:50

Franciscanos, more commonly known here in England as the Greyfriars -

0:18:500:18:54

due to their vow of poverty,

0:18:540:18:55

they would often wear the cheapest available cloth,

0:18:550:18:57

and friar from the French word for brother, frere.

0:18:570:19:00

These "grey brothers".

0:19:000:19:02

The Franciscans first arrived in 1224,

0:19:020:19:05

when nine missionaries braved the English Channel.

0:19:050:19:08

When the Franciscans came to Canterbury,

0:19:080:19:10

they weren't treated very well.

0:19:100:19:12

In fact, quite a lot of them were mistaken for deserters,

0:19:120:19:15

beggars, these poor men in rags.

0:19:150:19:17

The soldiers here in Canterbury were used to very expensive, rich,

0:19:170:19:20

well-dressed members of the Church.

0:19:200:19:23

These poor, grubby Greyfriars, yeah,

0:19:230:19:24

they weren't treated very well at all.

0:19:240:19:26

So, Rob, what can we see upstream here?

0:19:260:19:29

The little chapel just upstream there, the structure,

0:19:290:19:32

the base of it dates back to about 1269.

0:19:320:19:35

The Franciscans had been in Canterbury for about 50 years or so.

0:19:350:19:38

It was mostly used as a bridge and access to the island.

0:19:380:19:41

They built a small chapel on top of that

0:19:410:19:43

where the Franciscans still worship today.

0:19:430:19:45

And downstairs, there is graffiti on the walls

0:19:450:19:47

from previous prisoners as well.

0:19:470:19:49

Canterbury has been a centre of Christian religion

0:19:510:19:54

since the sixth century.

0:19:540:19:56

The buildings that lie on the River Stour

0:19:560:19:58

stand testament to this heritage.

0:19:580:20:00

The Franciscans weren't the only monastic order

0:20:010:20:04

to establish a base here.

0:20:040:20:06

The Dominicans also set down roots in 1236.

0:20:060:20:09

Parts of the order were even involved in the Spanish Inquisition,

0:20:110:20:14

and the ones here in Canterbury,

0:20:140:20:16

they were quite famous for hunting witches and heretics as well.

0:20:160:20:20

Rather prosperous career, though, hunting witches.

0:20:200:20:23

Who would have thought, eh? They would dress in black,

0:20:230:20:25

a much more expensive colour robe,

0:20:250:20:27

and they were known here as the Blackfriars.

0:20:270:20:30

Two of their original structures survive.

0:20:300:20:34

What are they used for today?

0:20:340:20:36

The school here, King's School, they use this one as an art department,

0:20:360:20:39

and over here, a secondary assembly hall.

0:20:390:20:42

Having journeyed back through nearly

0:20:420:20:44

a millennium of Canterbury's history,

0:20:440:20:47

it's time to spool forward and return to our house-hunt.

0:20:470:20:50

Our next stop is again on the edge

0:20:550:20:57

of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

0:20:570:21:00

a mile from the village of Horsmondem.

0:21:000:21:03

With a thriving community for Debbie,

0:21:030:21:05

attractive buildings surround a large village green

0:21:050:21:08

known as the Heath.

0:21:080:21:10

It's home to some useful independent shops, and as well as a pub,

0:21:100:21:13

there's a social club open to all local residents.

0:21:130:21:17

Set off a quiet lane, we find house number two.

0:21:170:21:20

Right, let's see how we get on with our second property.

0:21:210:21:24

I feel much more positive about this property.

0:21:240:21:27

Doesn't look like there's too many beams in there, does it?

0:21:270:21:29

-It doesn't.

-So we have a modern property this time.

0:21:290:21:32

Who's going to like this one, I wonder?

0:21:320:21:33

-I think it might be me.

-Yeah?

0:21:330:21:36

I might have to put some beams inside, though.

0:21:360:21:38

It's only about ten years old, so let's see how we get on this time,

0:21:380:21:42

-shall we?

-Yeah. Let's.

-Come on.

0:21:420:21:44

Hopefully, Debbie continues to appreciate the merits

0:21:460:21:48

of this contemporary house when she sees inside.

0:21:480:21:51

So let's start our tour - massive entrance hall.

0:21:530:21:57

You can probably guess it's unfurnished,

0:21:570:21:59

but you can put your own mark on it.

0:21:590:22:01

But I think it's worth really beginning in the kitchen.

0:22:010:22:04

-Yeah. Lovely.

-Very nice.

-Much nicer than the last one.

0:22:040:22:08

-Look at the smile!

-Put a couple of beams up there, maybe just to...

0:22:080:22:11

No. Yeah, it's lovely. I really like it. Not what I expected, actually.

0:22:110:22:15

-It's much more modern. It's nice and big.

-Yeah.

0:22:150:22:18

Now, I've got to ask you, haven't I, Carl?

0:22:180:22:21

-I hate it!

-Oh, no.

-No, this is still good.

0:22:210:22:23

-Does it feel like a family home?

-Yeah, absolutely, yes.

-It does.

0:22:230:22:26

It actually makes me think I haven't got to do too much anyway,

0:22:260:22:29

so it is... It's still quite nice.

0:22:290:22:32

And then on top of this,

0:22:320:22:33

you've actually got a utility room next door, which is...

0:22:330:22:35

-Oh, perfect.

-..pretty large as well.

0:22:350:22:38

Got a pantry behind us.

0:22:380:22:40

-OK.

-And let's see what's through these doors.

0:22:400:22:43

Now, big family, very large sitting room.

0:22:460:22:49

-Very large.

-Good size, yeah.

-Yeah.

0:22:490:22:51

From the outside, I thought it would be quite small rooms, but...

0:22:510:22:53

-Yeah.

-Yes, it's huge.

-You could put in an incredible feature.

0:22:530:22:58

-You like a fireplace...

-Can't have Carl without a project.

0:22:580:23:02

-Yeah. I was going to say.

-Yeah.

0:23:020:23:04

-I like it.

-So, also on this floor, you have good-sized study.

0:23:040:23:08

-You could make that into another bedroom.

-Mm-hmm.

0:23:080:23:10

A man cave?

0:23:100:23:13

Bedroom. I don't think you heard me on that one, did you?

0:23:130:23:16

-Let's head upstairs and look at the bedrooms.

-OK.

0:23:160:23:20

It's wonderful to see how enthusiastic Debbie is

0:23:200:23:23

about this house.

0:23:230:23:24

Along with the possible bedroom downstairs,

0:23:240:23:27

upstairs provides another four in total,

0:23:270:23:29

comprising two doubles and a single for the children, who could all make

0:23:290:23:33

use of the stylish family bathroom.

0:23:330:23:36

So, with all the children accounted for,

0:23:370:23:39

it's time to assess where they would sleep.

0:23:390:23:42

Let's hope those positive vibes continue with the bedrooms.

0:23:430:23:47

-Nice, big room.

-Yeah.

-This is the master.

0:23:470:23:50

I can't imagine you letting the children have this size.

0:23:500:23:54

-With the en suite, you can see the shower there.

-Yes.

0:23:540:23:56

And plenty of wardrobe space.

0:23:560:23:59

Yeah, it's nice. Nice and big. Nice and bright.

0:23:590:24:01

-The windows aren't very big, but...

-True.

-It's still bright, yeah.

0:24:010:24:05

-Are we liking this house?

-I am.

-I think we might be.

0:24:050:24:08

-I am, yeah.

-Is it giving you everything you want

0:24:080:24:12

as, you know, a mum, for the family?

0:24:120:24:15

You're going to be here more time than anybody else.

0:24:150:24:18

Yeah, I think so. I like... It's a big, big house, isn't it?

0:24:180:24:22

There's lots of spaces for everyone.

0:24:220:24:24

It is a large property.

0:24:240:24:26

But there's also just that little bit more to show you.

0:24:260:24:31

A stone patio leads to a large lawn

0:24:310:24:34

that gives way to views of the surrounding countryside.

0:24:340:24:37

We have got the huge house for the family, tick.

0:24:370:24:41

And I can deliver on the land.

0:24:410:24:44

In total, you have got about 3.6 acres, total plot itself.

0:24:440:24:48

But you've got a paddock here

0:24:480:24:50

which you could convert into a menage for the horses.

0:24:500:24:53

And then you've got all that land there,

0:24:530:24:55

-so plenty for two horses.

-Yeah. Lovely.

0:24:550:24:58

And then, additionally, and this is the interesting bit,

0:24:580:25:00

I think, is the garage.

0:25:000:25:03

Would it be worth looking at planning permission

0:25:030:25:05

and converting that for the family?

0:25:050:25:07

I think it would.

0:25:070:25:08

And then you could make that into further bedrooms,

0:25:080:25:12

or perhaps the man den.

0:25:120:25:13

-There we go.

-Is this what you had in mind with the move?

0:25:130:25:16

For me, yes, it's quite similar to what I'm thinking.

0:25:180:25:21

But can you afford it?

0:25:210:25:23

I would expect it to be around £825,000.

0:25:230:25:28

Interesting. OK.

0:25:280:25:31

-I think about 800.

-£800,000?

0:25:310:25:34

-Yeah.

-Oh... We're miles out, aren't we?

0:25:340:25:38

I don't think you're going to like me on this one.

0:25:380:25:41

The asking price is...

0:25:410:25:42

-..£950,000.

-Wow!

-Wow, OK.

0:25:440:25:47

Because you've got a five bedroom home, you know,

0:25:470:25:51

-you've got just under four acres of land...

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

0:25:510:25:53

The good news is the owners are aware of your budget

0:25:530:25:56

-and are happy to have a conversation with you.

-OK.

0:25:560:26:00

-Why don't you now mull that over...

-Yeah.

-OK.

0:26:000:26:01

..and then come and find me when you're ready?

0:26:010:26:04

-Perfect.

-OK.

-Thank you.

0:26:040:26:05

£50,000 over budget,

0:26:070:26:10

this generous modern property

0:26:100:26:11

benefits from a countryside setting,

0:26:110:26:13

but is also close to a village.

0:26:130:26:15

It has the five bedrooms Carl and Debbie are after,

0:26:150:26:18

as well as an impressive open-plan kitchen and spacious sitting room.

0:26:180:26:23

There are over three acres of land for Debbie's horses.

0:26:230:26:26

I think this could well be the house.

0:26:280:26:30

It's got the land that we want, it's got the bedrooms that we want.

0:26:300:26:33

Potential to do a little project for myself.

0:26:330:26:35

And I really think this could be it.

0:26:350:26:37

Debbie loved the property, which makes it a lot easier for me.

0:26:370:26:41

Not the sort of property I would have picked,

0:26:410:26:43

but it doesn't mean I don't like it.

0:26:430:26:45

Today, I think I have learned that budget we've got in mind

0:26:450:26:48

might need to be pushed up slightly to get exactly what we want.

0:26:480:26:51

This house is a thousand times better than the last house.

0:26:510:26:55

It is much more my style.

0:26:550:26:56

I could really see myself living here.

0:26:560:26:59

Look at those happy two smiles, not just one.

0:26:590:27:03

That has gone really well, hasn't it?

0:27:030:27:05

-Yeah. Absolutely.

-Are you surprised you both like it?

0:27:050:27:08

A little bit, yeah.

0:27:080:27:09

So am I.

0:27:090:27:10

THEY LAUGH

0:27:100:27:12

We're house-hunting in the Kent countryside

0:27:220:27:24

with parents Debbie and Carl from Bromley in south-east London.

0:27:240:27:28

Their budget of £900,000 needs to house four children and two horses.

0:27:280:27:33

So far, the property style and location has been up for debate.

0:27:330:27:37

However, there are signs of unity and awe

0:27:370:27:41

when they see our Mystery House.

0:27:410:27:43

It is beautiful, isn't it?

0:27:430:27:45

-Unbelievable, look at that.

-Even with the beams, it's nice.

0:27:450:27:48

THEY LAUGH

0:27:480:27:49

And it's far from a close shave when I try my hand

0:27:490:27:52

at making English cricket bats.

0:27:520:27:55

I'm being very, very careful here, aren't I?

0:27:550:27:58

I can feel I'm slightly holding back.

0:27:580:28:00

-So...

-That's how it's meant to be done.

0:28:000:28:02

Look at that.

0:28:020:28:03

Now, I always like to start the second day of our property search

0:28:060:28:09

with a house in the bag.

0:28:090:28:11

So today, the Mystery House will have to deliver

0:28:110:28:14

above and beyond that beautiful new build

0:28:140:28:17

we showed Carl and Debbie yesterday,

0:28:170:28:19

in terms of price, space, and, of course, land.

0:28:190:28:23

Now, I believe this is going to offer them a little bit of

0:28:230:28:27

everything that they're both after and maybe even the odd beam or two.

0:28:270:28:31

The Mystery House takes us to the village of Collier Street,

0:28:340:28:37

nine miles south-west of Maidstone.

0:28:370:28:40

With a population of around 500,

0:28:400:28:42

Collier Street doesn't have amenities,

0:28:420:28:45

although there is a primary school.

0:28:450:28:47

Facing opposite this is the Victorian St Margaret's Church.

0:28:470:28:51

Although the substantial properties here were built in the Tudor era,

0:28:510:28:55

most date from the 19th century.

0:28:550:28:56

The village is in the centre of an important hop-growing area of Kent,

0:28:580:29:02

and many oast houses dot the landscape.

0:29:020:29:06

Although our Mystery House reflects this heritage, it is semidetached,

0:29:060:29:10

set across three floors and unconventional in many ways.

0:29:100:29:15

So it might take a while for Debbie and Carl to make sense of it all.

0:29:150:29:19

This, I think, is the perfect spot for you to see the Mystery House.

0:29:220:29:28

-Where are we looking, here?

-That's it.

0:29:280:29:30

-Oh, wow!

-Really? Oh, wow!

-That's lovely.

0:29:300:29:32

Is it the whole house, though?

0:29:320:29:34

-No.

-I thought not.

0:29:340:29:35

And that's why it's the Mystery House.

0:29:350:29:38

As you can see, it's an oast house, built around the 1860s,

0:29:380:29:41

converted last year.

0:29:410:29:43

-OK.

-You do have neighbours, but they are not side-to-side with you,

0:29:430:29:47

they are actually back-to-back.

0:29:470:29:49

-OK.

-Hopefully, you are going to get the best of both worlds.

0:29:490:29:52

Debbie, it does have a few beams.

0:29:520:29:55

-OK.

-But not too scary.

0:29:550:29:57

Carl, it has got the character and the charm and...

0:29:570:30:00

Well, I think it has got a real personality as well.

0:30:000:30:02

-Definitely.

-So I'm hoping, no fights.

0:30:020:30:06

Could it be your future home?

0:30:060:30:08

Let's see.

0:30:080:30:10

We have been so close with their previous houses,

0:30:100:30:13

and I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed

0:30:130:30:16

that Debbie and Carl will agree on the merits

0:30:160:30:18

of this magnificent conversion.

0:30:180:30:20

The disadvantage of being in the front is I can't see your faces.

0:30:220:30:25

You're hearing me smile, don't worry.

0:30:250:30:27

I like that. Hear you smile!

0:30:270:30:30

What do you think of the kitchen, though, more importantly?

0:30:310:30:33

-It's lovely.

-This is good, yeah.

-Really nice.

0:30:330:30:35

-Nice and light.

-Big space.

0:30:350:30:37

-Yeah.

-And the beams aren't...

0:30:370:30:38

-You can live with them.

-Not overpowering.

0:30:380:30:41

No, they're not. That's the one. Got that modern twist.

0:30:410:30:43

-Yeah.

-Which I like.

0:30:430:30:44

Am I right in thinking it's working for both of you?

0:30:440:30:47

-I think so.

-OK. OK. OK. On that note...

0:30:470:30:50

I'll take you through to the sitting room.

0:30:500:30:52

Downstairs cloakroom.

0:30:520:30:53

-Yeah.

-Up two steps...

0:30:530:30:56

-Leads us to our sitting-room.

-Oh, nice fireplace.

0:30:560:30:59

-Look at that.

-Oh, nice, yeah.

-You sound slightly surprised.

0:30:590:31:01

I am, I am, I really like it.

0:31:010:31:03

We have one beam in this room, a bressummer beam,

0:31:030:31:05

above the fireplace.

0:31:050:31:07

I did spot that. As I walked in.

0:31:070:31:08

I actually like the fact I haven't got to do anything to it.

0:31:080:31:11

It's all done, which is nice.

0:31:110:31:13

I love the character. And that view.

0:31:130:31:15

You don't need the TV, you just sit there, looking out there.

0:31:150:31:17

That's why you move to the country, isn't it?

0:31:170:31:19

-Absolutely.

-Absolutely, yeah.

0:31:190:31:21

We're happy, aren't we?

0:31:210:31:22

We are, let's see what we've got upstairs.

0:31:220:31:24

What a result.

0:31:260:31:27

Despite the odd beam,

0:31:270:31:29

our project-free Mystery House seems to be hitting the mark.

0:31:290:31:33

Up on the first floor,

0:31:330:31:34

the corridor leads to two guest bedrooms

0:31:340:31:37

and a stylish family bathroom.

0:31:370:31:39

But that's nothing compared to what lies in wait

0:31:390:31:42

for Carl and Debbie in the master.

0:31:420:31:45

This property is over three floors.

0:31:450:31:48

-OK.

-We've got to show you the master bedroom.

0:31:480:31:52

It's lovely. Really big.

0:31:520:31:53

-Good size, yeah.

-Yeah.

-Could put the bed just here, couldn't we?

0:31:530:31:56

Yeah. Look out into that every morning.

0:31:560:31:59

But you really need an en-suite, don't you?

0:31:590:32:01

That would be nice.

0:32:010:32:02

Do you just want to take a little look up those stairs?

0:32:020:32:05

I don't think you're going to be disappointed.

0:32:050:32:07

-Oh, wow.

-Go on, up you go.

0:32:070:32:09

-Oh, wow, look at that.

-Wow.

0:32:100:32:13

It's so big.

0:32:130:32:14

It's beautiful, isn't it?

0:32:140:32:16

Unbelievable, look at that.

0:32:160:32:18

Even with the beams, it's nice.

0:32:180:32:20

I knew you were going to be impressed.

0:32:200:32:22

If I showed someone this bathroom and they didn't like it,

0:32:220:32:25

I don't think I'd talk to them again.

0:32:250:32:26

-It's unbelievable.

-It is absolutely beautiful.

0:32:260:32:29

-It's a winner, isn't it?

-I think this is the house.

0:32:290:32:31

-Yeah.

-It is a winner. Tremendous. Right.

0:32:310:32:33

I'm going to drag you two away now, we've more to show you.

0:32:330:32:37

Now their excitement is building,

0:32:370:32:39

let's keep that momentum going

0:32:390:32:42

and explore the rest of our multilevel mystery property.

0:32:420:32:45

Up on the second floor,

0:32:450:32:46

two more bedrooms make up the five that our couple requested,

0:32:460:32:50

and there's also a shower room.

0:32:500:32:51

Outside, there's a small front garden and a garage

0:32:530:32:55

with planning permission

0:32:550:32:57

for conversion to a one or two bedroom annexe.

0:32:570:33:00

The all-important outside space.

0:33:030:33:06

You've got an enclosed garden here,

0:33:060:33:08

that two acre paddock is included with this property.

0:33:080:33:11

-Two acres enough?

-Yeah, perfect.

0:33:110:33:12

-Yeah, absolutely.

-What's going through your mind?

0:33:120:33:14

What are your thoughts on the Mystery House?

0:33:140:33:16

-I'm really excited about this one. I, um...

-Yeah, me too.

0:33:160:33:19

The other two, I feel like, are not in the picture.

0:33:190:33:21

-Forgotten about them. They've gone.

-Really?

-Yeah, absolutely.

0:33:210:33:25

And even though we've got neighbours, I don't mind.

0:33:250:33:27

We're going to have to try and work out a price.

0:33:270:33:30

935.

0:33:300:33:32

£935,000.

0:33:320:33:34

-Right.

-I think it's closer to a million.

0:33:340:33:37

I think it's around the nine...

0:33:370:33:38

985.

0:33:380:33:40

Oh, £985,000.

0:33:400:33:43

She's got it, hasn't she?

0:33:430:33:46

Asking price is...

0:33:460:33:47

..£910,000.

0:33:490:33:51

Oh, wow, look at that.

0:33:510:33:52

-I won.

-You won, but more importantly...

0:33:520:33:56

-It's better than I thought.

-It's just a shave over your budget.

0:33:560:33:58

Just a shave.

0:33:580:34:00

-Yeah.

-And that's without any negotiations.

0:34:000:34:01

-Yeah.

-You've got some thinking to do, haven't you?

0:34:010:34:04

-Yes.

-Check out the garage, with all that potential.

0:34:040:34:06

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-And then let's have another chat.

0:34:060:34:09

-Perfect, thank you. Brilliant.

-Thank you.

0:34:090:34:11

On the market for £10,000 over Debbie and Carl's budget,

0:34:140:34:17

this mystery oast house conversion

0:34:170:34:19

has really struck a chord with them both.

0:34:190:34:22

It has five bedrooms,

0:34:220:34:23

including a self-contained master en suite.

0:34:230:34:26

Along with generous living areas,

0:34:260:34:29

it provides over two acres for Debbie's horses

0:34:290:34:31

and perhaps a mini project for Carl.

0:34:310:34:34

-Good size.

-Yeah, this is certainly for you, isn't it, in here?

0:34:340:34:37

If I knock this down, we can get maybe two floors,

0:34:370:34:39

little bedroom up there, little sitting area.

0:34:390:34:41

-Man cave.

-Well, this can be yours, I'll have the house.

0:34:410:34:45

Sounds good to me. Let's do it.

0:34:450:34:46

I think we both agree on this house.

0:34:480:34:51

It's modern, it's got character,

0:34:510:34:54

it's got some beams, it's got the land.

0:34:540:34:57

It seems to tick both of our boxes perfectly.

0:34:570:35:00

I think, as a family, we'd all be really happy here.

0:35:000:35:03

The top floor can be the kids' own floor,

0:35:030:35:06

just seems to flow really well.

0:35:060:35:08

Yes! We have done it.

0:35:080:35:11

All three houses, you've seen them all.

0:35:110:35:14

-Feeling happy?

-Yeah.

-Yes, very happy.

0:35:140:35:15

-Yeah?

-This is...really lovely.

0:35:150:35:18

-Yeah.

-Really like it.

0:35:180:35:20

I think we might have ended on a high.

0:35:200:35:21

-I think we have.

-Let's go.

0:35:210:35:23

Kent's rich, varied history is said to include

0:35:290:35:32

the origins of the world's second most popular sport, cricket.

0:35:320:35:36

The game is reputed to have originated

0:35:360:35:38

amongst children in Kent's Weald

0:35:380:35:41

during Saxon or Norman times.

0:35:410:35:43

To find out more, I've come to meet local resident Andrew Kember,

0:35:430:35:48

who established Salix Cricket Bats in 1990.

0:35:480:35:51

The company makes handcrafted bats

0:35:510:35:54

out of the finest traditional materials

0:35:540:35:57

and they're used by many international players.

0:35:570:36:00

Andrew, good to meet you.

0:36:000:36:02

Now, you might not know this, but I'm actually from Kent.

0:36:020:36:05

And I like to think Kent is the home of cricket.

0:36:050:36:08

I think we're pretty safe saying that.

0:36:080:36:10

So how did you get into this business,

0:36:100:36:11

making some of the best cricket bats in the world?

0:36:110:36:14

Really, a love of the game.

0:36:140:36:15

Now, I know it's made from willow, and that's about it.

0:36:150:36:18

Where does the willow come from?

0:36:180:36:19

We tend to use willow from the south-east,

0:36:190:36:22

and if we can buy wood from Kent, then perfect.

0:36:220:36:25

This is the starting point for us.

0:36:250:36:27

Our first job now is to plane the face

0:36:270:36:31

and have a look at the quality of the wood,

0:36:310:36:33

and start to be able to assess where we're going to put the handle,

0:36:330:36:37

which end we think should be the driving end,

0:36:370:36:39

what sort of weight we think the bat's going to be

0:36:390:36:42

and what shape we think we should make it.

0:36:420:36:43

So what's the next process?

0:36:430:36:45

Well, the next process is pressing,

0:36:450:36:47

-and we can press this piece of wood here.

-OK.

0:36:470:36:50

Before the face of the willow is pressed

0:36:500:36:52

at a pressure of up to 2,000lbs per square inch,

0:36:520:36:56

it's sprayed with water to keep the fibres of the wood supple.

0:36:560:37:00

So if we start the machine...

0:37:000:37:02

Now, what I would like you to do

0:37:020:37:05

is just feed the bat between the side rollers

0:37:050:37:08

and the face roller.

0:37:080:37:10

The pressing process strengthens the willow,

0:37:120:37:14

and gives it more rebound when struck by the ball.

0:37:140:37:18

The handle is made separately to the bat

0:37:180:37:21

out of cane laminated with strips of rubber.

0:37:210:37:24

Both the handle and blade of the bat are cut

0:37:240:37:27

with the same unique splicing saw.

0:37:270:37:30

They are fitted together in a room next door.

0:37:300:37:33

If you're able to glue this handle, both sides and the end,

0:37:330:37:38

and then I'll pop that in.

0:37:380:37:40

I'll let you fit it, though, OK?

0:37:400:37:41

So...

0:37:410:37:43

How thick do you need it?

0:37:430:37:45

That is absolutely perfect.

0:37:450:37:47

Great. OK.

0:37:470:37:49

So when we put the handle in...

0:37:490:37:52

-And then...

-I'll get out of the way.

0:37:520:37:55

-Is that a good fit?

-It's a great fit.

0:37:580:38:01

With the handle attached,

0:38:010:38:03

the bat is left to set overnight

0:38:030:38:04

before the next stage of the process - shaping.

0:38:040:38:08

Ah, now, there's a lot of cricket bats in here.

0:38:080:38:11

Yes, absolutely.

0:38:110:38:13

So many, right.

0:38:130:38:15

OK, so, this is a draw knife...

0:38:150:38:17

-Yeah.

-So we're now going to take the top of the cane off here.

0:38:170:38:21

You're measuring those shavings so precisely.

0:38:230:38:26

How many cricket bats do you think you've produced

0:38:260:38:30

in the 36 years you've been doing this?

0:38:300:38:32

-Oh, tens of thousands.

-Yeah.

0:38:320:38:34

If you draw this towards you,

0:38:340:38:37

and then just take a small shaving...

0:38:370:38:39

-Yeah.

-That's it.

0:38:390:38:41

I'm being very, very careful here, aren't I?

0:38:410:38:44

I don't want to take too much off,

0:38:440:38:46

but I probably need to put a bit more pressure.

0:38:460:38:48

It's... A draw knife is such a difficult tool to use.

0:38:480:38:53

-But actually, you're going really well.

-How's that?

0:38:530:38:56

Almost there, but we do need to take a little bit more wood out.

0:38:560:38:59

Do you want me to take that last bit?

0:38:590:39:01

Go on, then. I don't want to ruin it.

0:39:010:39:04

I can feel I'm slightly holding back.

0:39:040:39:07

That's how it's meant to be done, look at that.

0:39:070:39:10

And then... We're just drawing the knife down in towards the toe.

0:39:100:39:15

Try and keep the bat looking...

0:39:150:39:17

as fluid lines as we possibly can.

0:39:170:39:20

And is there a signature to your cricket bats?

0:39:200:39:24

I think the amount of hand work that we do

0:39:240:39:27

is probably quite unusual now.

0:39:270:39:29

Just looking at the tools that you use, they haven't changed,

0:39:290:39:32

have they, in many a year?

0:39:320:39:34

Some of the tools here are going to be 100 years or more old.

0:39:340:39:37

Andrew then uses a plane to take more weight

0:39:370:39:40

from the back of the bat.

0:39:400:39:42

And how do you finish off the bat?

0:39:420:39:45

Well, at this stage, we will coarse-sand, fine-sand the bats,

0:39:450:39:50

they will be polished, we will put binding on the handles.

0:39:500:39:53

Once the labels go on, they look like this.

0:39:530:39:56

The finished article.

0:39:560:39:57

I've got to ask, where does Salix come from?

0:39:570:39:59

Is that the family name?

0:39:590:40:01

No, Salix is Latin for willow.

0:40:010:40:03

So basically if we translate the company, it's willow cricket bats.

0:40:030:40:07

Do you know what? I'll let you into a little secret,

0:40:070:40:10

this is the first time I've ever held a cricket bat.

0:40:100:40:13

-Have a go.

-About there?

0:40:130:40:16

Yes, absolutely.

0:40:160:40:17

And then nicely into line, playing nice and straight.

0:40:170:40:21

That feels really good, not too heavy either.

0:40:210:40:24

-Great.

-Anyone for cricket?

0:40:240:40:26

So that's it.

0:40:310:40:33

We've shown Carl and Debbie our three houses

0:40:330:40:36

and the good news is they are still standing.

0:40:360:40:39

But are the gloves still on,

0:40:390:40:41

or have they managed to make a joint decision?

0:40:410:40:44

Let's go and find out.

0:40:440:40:46

When we first met the two of you,

0:40:510:40:53

you said that you really don't agree on anything,

0:40:530:40:56

apart from the fact you wanted a new home

0:40:560:40:58

with five bedrooms for your family.

0:40:580:41:01

Have we managed to find you that home?

0:41:010:41:05

Absolutely. I like the way the first house,

0:41:050:41:07

you teased me a little bit with the beams and the character.

0:41:070:41:10

And then the second property was ideally for Debbie,

0:41:100:41:13

which I did warm towards.

0:41:130:41:14

And then the Mystery House had it all.

0:41:140:41:17

From the outside, I was still questioning,

0:41:170:41:19

but once we got inside, it was amazing. That modern twist to it.

0:41:190:41:24

Yeah, I didn't think about the second house after that.

0:41:240:41:27

Yeah, the third house all the way.

0:41:270:41:29

They say you know when you step through a door.

0:41:290:41:31

Is that how you felt?

0:41:310:41:33

-It felt like home?

-Absolutely.

0:41:330:41:34

Yeah. It was a really nice feeling to the house, I thought.

0:41:340:41:37

Yeah, as you stepped in, you turned to that kitchen, that was...

0:41:370:41:40

-The sight of it, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-Just the kitchen.

-Yeah.

0:41:400:41:43

So that leads me on to, what happens next?

0:41:430:41:46

First thing we need to do is get the children down there,

0:41:460:41:48

let them look at it, they've got a decision in there as well,

0:41:480:41:51

it's not just us two.

0:41:510:41:53

If they give us the green light, then an offer will be put in.

0:41:530:41:55

-And you're joint in that decision?

-Yes, we are. One thing we agree on.

0:41:550:41:59

Yeah, the gloves are off, we're happy.

0:41:590:42:01

-Have you surprised yourselves?

-Yes.

-Agreeing?

-Yes.

0:42:010:42:03

We have had such a great time showing you around

0:42:030:42:06

this beautiful part of Kent.

0:42:060:42:08

All the best for the future.

0:42:080:42:09

Thank you. Nicki, thank you for taking us to the houses

0:42:090:42:12

-and finding our dream house.

-Yeah, it's been great.

0:42:120:42:15

At the beginning of this house-hunt with Carl and Debbie,

0:42:180:42:22

I was worried about...

0:42:220:42:23

Well, all sorts of things.

0:42:230:42:25

Would we find them a home with everything that they wanted,

0:42:250:42:29

that they could agree on, for their budget?

0:42:290:42:32

So as you can imagine,

0:42:320:42:33

I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself

0:42:330:42:35

because I truly believe we've done that

0:42:350:42:38

in this gorgeous county that I'm proud to call home.

0:42:380:42:43

Debbie and Carl have returned to the Mystery House

0:42:430:42:47

and their children have given enthusiastic approval.

0:42:470:42:50

Once their Bromley house is sold,

0:42:500:42:52

they're hoping it will soon become their new rural home.

0:42:520:42:55

We wish them luck.

0:42:550:42:58

If you would like to Escape To The Country

0:42:580:43:00

in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

0:43:000:43:03

and would like our help, you can apply online at...

0:43:030:43:06

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