Norfolk

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04530 years ago, the King and Queen of England

0:00:04 > 0:00:06crossed the moat of this magnificent

0:00:06 > 0:00:08Tudor mansion to stay with its owners.

0:00:08 > 0:00:12The family that welcomed them then still live here today.

0:00:12 > 0:00:14Find out where I am, in just a moment.

0:00:32 > 0:00:36It's a nautical passion drawing today's house-buyers from a busy life in a

0:00:36 > 0:00:41town towards a stunning pocket of rural England,

0:00:41 > 0:00:44and we do well to fulfil the property shopping list.

0:00:44 > 0:00:46So if I've got you the double garage and the log burner,

0:00:46 > 0:00:49- you're moving in, right? - Almost.- You're not doing bad!

0:00:51 > 0:00:54And the smiles continue as things get better and better.

0:00:55 > 0:00:57This is the kitchen we imagined.

0:00:57 > 0:01:01- You wouldn't want to do anything to it, would you?- When can we move in?

0:01:05 > 0:01:09Today, we're in Norfolk, and this is the impressive Oxburgh Hall.

0:01:09 > 0:01:12Although it's now managed by the National Trust,

0:01:12 > 0:01:16the Bedingfeld family have lived here for some 600 years.

0:01:16 > 0:01:20Now, back in Tudor times, brick was an expensive option,

0:01:20 > 0:01:24so this was a clear sign of their status within the royal circle.

0:01:24 > 0:01:28In fact, the family became guardians of the exiled Catherine of Aragon

0:01:28 > 0:01:31and then to the future Elizabeth I.

0:01:31 > 0:01:35Royal connections aside, there are plenty of other rural gems

0:01:35 > 0:01:38to celebrate here in this historic county.

0:01:40 > 0:01:45Norfolk sits to the east of England, sharing a border with the North Sea.

0:01:45 > 0:01:47Known for its expansive, flat landscapes,

0:01:47 > 0:01:50huge skies and majestic windmills,

0:01:50 > 0:01:53the county's footprint is mainly agricultural,

0:01:53 > 0:01:57with crops such as wheat and sugar beet a familiar sight.

0:01:58 > 0:02:02The architectural mark of the region is its many striking buildings and

0:02:02 > 0:02:05cottages built from brick and local Norfolk flint.

0:02:05 > 0:02:09These include those proudly on display in many towns and villages,

0:02:09 > 0:02:13such as the Georgian market town of Holt in the north-east of the county

0:02:13 > 0:02:16or the coastal village of Blakeney in the north,

0:02:16 > 0:02:20which is a protected environment renowned for its wildlife and beauty.

0:02:22 > 0:02:26The Blakeney National Nature Reserve is one of the largest areas of

0:02:26 > 0:02:29undeveloped coastal habitat of its type in Europe.

0:02:31 > 0:02:35Inland, the scenic Norfolk Broads is a network of man-made rivers and

0:02:35 > 0:02:39lakes, featuring more than 125 miles of navigable waterways,

0:02:39 > 0:02:43which are home to a quarter of the UK's rarest species.

0:02:44 > 0:02:48So whether just visiting Norfolk, like 30 million tourists a year,

0:02:48 > 0:02:51or choosing it as a place to lay down roots,

0:02:51 > 0:02:54the county offers not only architectural delights

0:02:54 > 0:02:56but outstanding natural beauty, too.

0:02:58 > 0:03:00At £294,000,

0:03:00 > 0:03:05the average cost of a detached home here in Norfolk is around £30,000

0:03:05 > 0:03:09less than the national figure, which is pretty good value for money.

0:03:09 > 0:03:14But in the last year alone, property prices here have soared by 10%,

0:03:14 > 0:03:18largely fuelled by second-home-owners and retirees.

0:03:18 > 0:03:23In fact, it's estimated a tenth of all property on the county's north

0:03:23 > 0:03:25coast are used as holiday homes.

0:03:25 > 0:03:29Now, today's buyers want to make this county their permanent home,

0:03:29 > 0:03:33so they have everyday access to those scenic attractions that draw

0:03:33 > 0:03:35scores of visitors every year.

0:03:37 > 0:03:40Paths first crossed for company director Paul and his

0:03:40 > 0:03:42administrator wife Victoria six years ago.

0:03:42 > 0:03:46They met when she became the office manager at the security company Paul

0:03:46 > 0:03:50- used to work for.- We got on really well, good friends,

0:03:50 > 0:03:52had a really good relationship at work.

0:03:52 > 0:03:53It just sort of went from there, didn't it?

0:03:53 > 0:03:55Within a month, you'd moved in with me.

0:03:55 > 0:03:59- I moved in, yeah.- Within six months, we'd bought this house.

0:03:59 > 0:04:01- Bought a house.- Before that, we got engaged.

0:04:01 > 0:04:04- Engaged.- And then, just after a year of being together, we got married.

0:04:04 > 0:04:06Six months later, we got married.

0:04:06 > 0:04:08The pair live in Rayleigh in Essex,

0:04:08 > 0:04:11but after visiting friends in the Norfolk countryside three years ago,

0:04:11 > 0:04:15they've had their eyes opened to a different way of life.

0:04:15 > 0:04:17Our friends, they've got a boat on the Broads.

0:04:17 > 0:04:20They kept asking us, "Come down, come and see the boat,"

0:04:20 > 0:04:21and neither of us were really sure.

0:04:21 > 0:04:23We went down there, absolutely loved it.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26We left that weekend, sort of come away and it was,

0:04:26 > 0:04:28"Right, when are we getting a boat?"

0:04:28 > 0:04:31So after falling in love with all Norfolk has to offer,

0:04:31 > 0:04:36Victoria and Paul are looking forward to laying down roots in the county.

0:04:36 > 0:04:39Why put it off? You know, we both sort of looked at each other and said,

0:04:39 > 0:04:40"Shall we? Yeah, OK."

0:04:40 > 0:04:42- "Let's do it."- "Let's do it." And that was it!

0:04:44 > 0:04:47The couple will continue to work in their current jobs and don't want

0:04:47 > 0:04:49more than a two-hour commute,

0:04:49 > 0:04:51but they're pretty flexible on where in Norfolk they live.

0:04:53 > 0:04:56I think it's the house that will dictate where we end up.

0:04:56 > 0:05:01It's not a specific area as such, other than being Norfolk.

0:05:01 > 0:05:03If it could be within an hour or so of the Norfolk Broads,

0:05:03 > 0:05:06where we've got the boat, that'd be great.

0:05:06 > 0:05:08And when they've found their dream home,

0:05:08 > 0:05:11the boat lovers are also looking forward to indulging in some other

0:05:11 > 0:05:13pursuits on dry land.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17Just got too many hobbies and not enough time at the moment.

0:05:17 > 0:05:20Motorcycling, just got back into that again after a brief period off,

0:05:20 > 0:05:26so we've got some nice, lovely rides, sort of Norfolk area, some open fields,

0:05:26 > 0:05:29some nice country lanes, some nice places to go and visit,

0:05:29 > 0:05:34- so that would be great.- I do sewing. Actual machine sewing.

0:05:34 > 0:05:37And then cross stitching as well. And some bits of knitting.

0:05:37 > 0:05:39I'd like to carry that on

0:05:39 > 0:05:42and probably do a lot more of that, I'd like to think, having more time.

0:05:43 > 0:05:46So, with their house on the market and their boat waiting for them on

0:05:46 > 0:05:50the Broads, Paul and Victoria are ready to begin the search for their

0:05:50 > 0:05:53next big purchase. And it should be a pleasurable experience,

0:05:53 > 0:05:56as shopping is one of their favourite hobbies.

0:05:56 > 0:05:59We're extremely impulsive buyers. We're very good at that.

0:05:59 > 0:06:03We'll go out to look at something and have no intention of buying or

0:06:03 > 0:06:06spending any money, see something, think, "We want that,

0:06:06 > 0:06:09- "let's buy it. Shall we buy it? Yeah, let's buy it."- We bought several cars like that.

0:06:09 > 0:06:11- Yeah, cars, boats...- And a few boats.

0:06:11 > 0:06:14Yeah, you never know, maybe houses as well, but...

0:06:19 > 0:06:23Victoria and Paul would like to live within an hour's drive of their

0:06:23 > 0:06:26boat on the Broads and are willing to take on a two-hour commute to their jobs

0:06:26 > 0:06:31in Essex and Kent, so we've taken that into account in our search.

0:06:31 > 0:06:33And before we embark on our tour of Norfolk,

0:06:33 > 0:06:36we're catching up to go over exactly what they're looking for

0:06:36 > 0:06:38in their new home.

0:06:40 > 0:06:41Well, Paul and Victoria, I'd say

0:06:41 > 0:06:43this is a beautiful day for house-hunting

0:06:43 > 0:06:46in Norfolk. And I hear this is all about a boat.

0:06:48 > 0:06:49- Mainly!- It is, yeah.

0:06:50 > 0:06:54Yeah, we bought a boat a couple of years ago, started coming up here,

0:06:54 > 0:06:57fell in love with the area and decided it's where we wanted to move

0:06:57 > 0:07:00- to, really.- Let's talk about the house itself.

0:07:00 > 0:07:01- OK.- Double garage!

0:07:01 > 0:07:04Yeah, that's the most important thing for him.

0:07:04 > 0:07:07Or room to build and budget to build one.

0:07:07 > 0:07:10Yeah, minimum of three bedrooms, with a study, or four bedrooms,

0:07:10 > 0:07:13to use as the study. I'd like a kitchen/diner, open-plan.

0:07:13 > 0:07:17- Mmm.- And quite a lot of nice, open living space.

0:07:17 > 0:07:20- Yeah.- Log burner.- We'd love a log burner.- We'd really like a log burner.

0:07:20 > 0:07:24- Very country and rural, isn't it? - Yeah.- We like the idea of that.

0:07:24 > 0:07:26Yeah. Nice enough garden for the dog.

0:07:26 > 0:07:29Apart from that, I think we're quite easy!

0:07:29 > 0:07:31Is there anything you won't compromise on?

0:07:31 > 0:07:34- I need to know these things.- Oh, yes.- Yes!- Don't want a thatched roof,

0:07:34 > 0:07:37- because they scare the life out of me.- OK.- Grade II listed.

0:07:37 > 0:07:41- Grade II listed. And loads... - You DON'T want Grade II listed?

0:07:41 > 0:07:45- No.- OK.- No.- Don't want a house that needs total renovation.

0:07:45 > 0:07:49We want something that we can pretty much move into,

0:07:49 > 0:07:51with a little bit of decorating.

0:07:52 > 0:07:56And low ceilings. I don't want to walk around like that all the time.

0:07:56 > 0:07:59- And not near a main road. - No.- And remind me of your budget.

0:07:59 > 0:08:02The top end of our budget is about 440,000.

0:08:02 > 0:08:07- OK.- If that's the right location, the right house, that's the top.

0:08:07 > 0:08:09So anything, really, up to that.

0:08:09 > 0:08:13Fantastic. Well, we have some lovely properties to show you, so,

0:08:13 > 0:08:16if you're ready, it's going to be a busy couple of days. Let's go.

0:08:18 > 0:08:22For their budget of £440,000, Victoria and Paul would like

0:08:22 > 0:08:25a detached property with a kitchen/diner,

0:08:25 > 0:08:28open-plan living and a log burner.

0:08:28 > 0:08:31They want three bedrooms and a separate study,

0:08:31 > 0:08:34a pleasant, manageable garden that's suitable for dog Maxi

0:08:34 > 0:08:37and a double garage for Paul.

0:08:37 > 0:08:39Location-wise, they'd be happy in a rural setting

0:08:39 > 0:08:43but need to be able to get to their boat and their jobs.

0:08:43 > 0:08:46We've assembled a wonderful assortment of properties to present

0:08:46 > 0:08:50to Victoria and Paul, and after they've completed a tour of each,

0:08:50 > 0:08:52I'll reveal its price.

0:08:52 > 0:08:55The final visit to the Mystery House is bound to turn things on their

0:08:55 > 0:08:59head but could provide just the ticket to country living.

0:09:03 > 0:09:07What's great about your move is that you're not waiting until you're

0:09:07 > 0:09:11retiring to live this kind of life that you want to live.

0:09:11 > 0:09:13I think the problem is you can...

0:09:13 > 0:09:16..keep putting it off, you can keep going, wait until we're older...

0:09:16 > 0:09:18..until we stop working.

0:09:18 > 0:09:21No, let's do it now, let's, you know,

0:09:21 > 0:09:26try and bring a bit of tranquillity into the mayhem, as it were, now,

0:09:26 > 0:09:29and then it's the beginning.

0:09:33 > 0:09:36We're travelling to the village of Cranworth in Mid Norfolk.

0:09:37 > 0:09:40Ten minutes away is the larger village of Hingham,

0:09:40 > 0:09:42once the property of William the Conqueror.

0:09:43 > 0:09:45It's said that a fire destroyed many

0:09:45 > 0:09:48of the town's buildings in the 18th century,

0:09:48 > 0:09:51which led to the construction of many of the handsome Georgian houses

0:09:51 > 0:09:56on display today. A journey of just over three miles takes us to this

0:09:56 > 0:09:58attractive character cottage.

0:09:58 > 0:10:00We are an hour from your boat here...

0:10:00 > 0:10:05- OK.- ..under a couple of hours back to Essex.

0:10:05 > 0:10:09- Good, good.- Paul, you are taken care of, because the house comes with...

0:10:09 > 0:10:13- ..a double garage! - Yes, it does!- So you're happy.

0:10:13 > 0:10:15Yeah, that looks good. That's a good start.

0:10:15 > 0:10:17What do you think of the cottage itself?

0:10:17 > 0:10:20- I like it.- Yeah. Looks good so far.

0:10:20 > 0:10:23I like the windows - sounds funny, but... It's got character.

0:10:23 > 0:10:26- Yeah, it's got character, yeah. - Shall we go inside and see if you like the

0:10:26 > 0:10:29- inside?- Yeah!- Yeah.- Look forward to that.

0:10:29 > 0:10:33This rendered detached cottage is built from brick and flint and dates

0:10:33 > 0:10:35back to 1890,

0:10:35 > 0:10:39and the welcome double garage has a former life as a blacksmith's.

0:10:40 > 0:10:44As we're about to see, the home has been beautifully decorated throughout.

0:10:44 > 0:10:46We're heading in through the front door,

0:10:46 > 0:10:49which takes us via the porch to the main body of the house,

0:10:49 > 0:10:51where we're beginning our tour.

0:10:53 > 0:10:55If I bring you into the sitting room first...

0:10:56 > 0:10:59..because of what you've just seen! VICTORIA LAUGHS

0:10:59 > 0:11:00- Log burner!- A log burner.

0:11:00 > 0:11:03Nice. It's not a bad size, is it?

0:11:03 > 0:11:06- I like the size.- So, if I've got you the double garage and the log burner,

0:11:06 > 0:11:09- I mean, you're moving in, right? - Almost.- You're not doing bad!

0:11:10 > 0:11:13- I like it.- Yeah, it's quite nice. I like it, actually.- Yeah.

0:11:13 > 0:11:15Still keeps the sort of little bit of the country...

0:11:15 > 0:11:17- Yeah.- ..but modern as well.

0:11:17 > 0:11:20So you can imagine sitting here, relaxing?

0:11:20 > 0:11:24- Yeah.- Yeah. Log burner on. Little nap on the settee, perfect.

0:11:24 > 0:11:27The smiles are getting wider. I'm liking this!

0:11:27 > 0:11:30OK, let's see what happens next. Follow me.

0:11:35 > 0:11:38So, it's not the kitchen/diner that you wanted,

0:11:38 > 0:11:41but it's a very modern country kitchen,

0:11:41 > 0:11:43which leads straight through to a summer room.

0:11:47 > 0:11:51Nice. Yeah, it is nice. Yeah, I like that.

0:11:51 > 0:11:55So, you've got two sitting/living areas, really.

0:11:55 > 0:11:59- Yeah.- Which would sort of compensate for not being the kitchen/diner.

0:11:59 > 0:12:03You've still got the social bit with the dining room.

0:12:03 > 0:12:06- But you've got beautiful views from here.- Not overlooked at all.

0:12:06 > 0:12:09- No.- And you can keep an eye on Paul in the garage!- That's very true.

0:12:09 > 0:12:11THEY LAUGH

0:12:11 > 0:12:12I can sit there and look out at you.

0:12:12 > 0:12:14We could move straight in, put furniture in.

0:12:14 > 0:12:16We wouldn't have to do any work!

0:12:16 > 0:12:18- No.- It's getting better all the time!

0:12:18 > 0:12:20You've also got a shower room downstairs.

0:12:20 > 0:12:23- Oh, OK!- OK.- Shall we head on upstairs?- Shall we?

0:12:25 > 0:12:29On the first floor of this charming cottage, a pretty family bathroom,

0:12:29 > 0:12:33complete with roll-top bath, serves three bedrooms.

0:12:33 > 0:12:37There's a beautifully bright double overlooking the front of the house,

0:12:37 > 0:12:39with a smaller room at the back.

0:12:40 > 0:12:42And we're headed to the largest of the three,

0:12:42 > 0:12:46a dual-aspect double which I've earmarked for Victoria and Paul.

0:12:48 > 0:12:50- It's quite a nice-sized room. - Yeah. I like it.

0:12:50 > 0:12:55- Very light.- Yeah, it's not bad. I'm not sure it's big enough, but, yeah...

0:12:55 > 0:12:57- Do you have a super-king?- Yes, we do, yeah.

0:12:57 > 0:12:59Just going to make the room slightly smaller.

0:12:59 > 0:13:02- But it is a nice-sized room. - Yes.- Is it somewhere you could live?

0:13:02 > 0:13:05- I think so.- Yeah, I think it's ticking a lot of the boxes.

0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Yeah.- I sense hesitation, though.

0:13:07 > 0:13:09- Not sure it ticks them all.- No, not quite.

0:13:09 > 0:13:11I haven't seen anywhere for your office yet.

0:13:11 > 0:13:14- But overall, I think it's a lovely house.- Yeah, no, it is. Yeah.

0:13:14 > 0:13:19OK. Shall we head back outside and talk about the price?

0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Yeah, lovely.- Lead the way. - Thank you.

0:13:25 > 0:13:28The gardens are set to the front and side of the property.

0:13:28 > 0:13:33There's a well-kept lawn, a patio, a pond with a water feature

0:13:33 > 0:13:38and a wood store, and it's all surrounded by mature trees and shrubs.

0:13:41 > 0:13:44- The possibility of doing something outside...- Mmm.- Same as a study,

0:13:44 > 0:13:48may be able to extend above the garage and put that there, possibly.

0:13:48 > 0:13:52- You've also got this wood store, so...- Yeah, convert those, so...

0:13:52 > 0:13:56- Possibilities.- Well, let's see how much of a possibility it might be.

0:13:56 > 0:13:59How much do you think this cottage is on the market for?

0:14:00 > 0:14:02I think about 395.

0:14:02 > 0:14:06- That's my guess.- I'd like to hope maybe it's a little bit less,

0:14:06 > 0:14:09so that then there's the options for us to do things, so I'll go 390.

0:14:12 > 0:14:13I love that look!

0:14:15 > 0:14:16You're both a little off.

0:14:17 > 0:14:19But Paul is a little closer.

0:14:19 > 0:14:23It's on the market for £425,000.

0:14:23 > 0:14:26- OK.- Do you want to have a good look around, with the price in mind?

0:14:26 > 0:14:29- Yeah.- Yeah.- And then I'll be out here when you're ready.

0:14:29 > 0:14:31OK. Lovely, thank you.

0:14:33 > 0:14:39This well-maintained 19th-century cottage has come in £15,000 under

0:14:39 > 0:14:43budget. It's got that all-important log burner and a fabulous

0:14:43 > 0:14:47summer room-cum-dining room offering additional living space.

0:14:47 > 0:14:50It has three bedrooms, and outside there's a private,

0:14:50 > 0:14:52manageable garden with a double garage for Paul.

0:14:52 > 0:14:55Amenities are just a short drive away.

0:14:57 > 0:15:00First impressions, really liked it, nice from outside.

0:15:00 > 0:15:02Nice little garden. The best part, I think,

0:15:02 > 0:15:07really, is probably the kitchen through to the summer room, and the lounge

0:15:07 > 0:15:08is really nice. It flows really well.

0:15:08 > 0:15:11The first impressions of the house, loved it.

0:15:11 > 0:15:14The windows, a lovely feature.

0:15:14 > 0:15:18It was just walking in, a real country feel, and obviously

0:15:18 > 0:15:20the log burner just really finished it

0:15:20 > 0:15:24off. Still having the modern features, having the best of both worlds, really.

0:15:24 > 0:15:29The upstairs is not quite big enough and we've got no study or

0:15:29 > 0:15:34spare room, which I would need as an office, so that's the biggest downside

0:15:34 > 0:15:37with this property, but really nice other than that.

0:15:39 > 0:15:42- All done?- Yes, I think so.

0:15:42 > 0:15:46- Lovely.- And the good news is we've got plenty more to see.- Perfect. - Great.

0:15:53 > 0:15:57The stunning Broads that Norfolk is famous for have earned the moniker

0:15:57 > 0:15:59the Venice of the East.

0:15:59 > 0:16:03Surprisingly, there are actually more miles of waterway here than those

0:16:03 > 0:16:06that ebb and flow around the Italian city.

0:16:07 > 0:16:12Experiencing more of the Broads is the major pull for Victoria and

0:16:12 > 0:16:17Paul's move to the area. We've arranged for them to visit Norfolk's largest lake,

0:16:17 > 0:16:21Hickling Broad, to learn about the ongoing conservation project here.

0:16:21 > 0:16:25They're meeting Andrea Kelly, senior ecologist of the Broads Authority.

0:16:26 > 0:16:30So, the Broads, they're a wetland, and over the years,

0:16:30 > 0:16:36that wetland has deteriorated in terms of the water quality in particular,

0:16:36 > 0:16:41and it's really important that we restore the quality of the water so

0:16:41 > 0:16:44it's benefiting wildlife and it's benefiting people.

0:16:44 > 0:16:46What's changed in the water quality in the Broads?

0:16:46 > 0:16:49Well, what it was like about 50 or 60 years ago is

0:16:49 > 0:16:54we had clear water and we had lots and lots of water plants, and that

0:16:54 > 0:16:58attracted a huge amount of wildlife, and over the years,

0:16:58 > 0:17:03gradually we've had waste water go in, and all that extra nutrient that's

0:17:03 > 0:17:09come has resulted in algae causing very green water, shading out the

0:17:09 > 0:17:14water plants, and the water plants are the foundation of the ecosystem.

0:17:16 > 0:17:17Andrea and her team members,

0:17:17 > 0:17:20along with other organisations, including the Wildlife Trust,

0:17:20 > 0:17:24are working hard to clean up the Broads.

0:17:24 > 0:17:26Doing things like removing sediment.

0:17:26 > 0:17:31We remove equivalent to the Wembley Stadium of sediment per year.

0:17:31 > 0:17:34Also looking at the amount of water that we have,

0:17:34 > 0:17:36working with people to conserve water.

0:17:36 > 0:17:40Reducing home use of water benefits the environment.

0:17:40 > 0:17:43The Broads attract an abundance of wildlife.

0:17:43 > 0:17:49Around 230 nationally important invertebrates or minibeasts can be

0:17:49 > 0:17:54found here. These include Britain's largest butterfly, the swallowtail,

0:17:54 > 0:17:57and the rare Norfolk hawker dragonfly.

0:17:57 > 0:18:01There are also eight species of fish that swim in the waters, including

0:18:01 > 0:18:05the European eel. Some of Andrea's team members are on the water,

0:18:05 > 0:18:07raking the bed of the lake.

0:18:07 > 0:18:10They're collecting water samples and plants.

0:18:10 > 0:18:13Well, this is a particularly common plant.

0:18:13 > 0:18:17We were hoping to find some of the rare plants, but where they were

0:18:17 > 0:18:22water sampling they just didn't happen to find a patch of those rare plants.

0:18:22 > 0:18:26So, this is called spiked water milfoil.

0:18:26 > 0:18:29Have a little bit of it. It's quite characteristic,

0:18:29 > 0:18:33it's got stems and then whirls that come out at points on the stem.

0:18:33 > 0:18:35How long can this grow up to?

0:18:35 > 0:18:39Well, it can grow almost to the surface here in Hickling Broad. So, Hickling

0:18:39 > 0:18:41is a shallow broad.

0:18:41 > 0:18:45It grows at the bottom and towers up through the water, and it's great to

0:18:45 > 0:18:48see them. They're great food for wildfowl.

0:18:49 > 0:18:53This spiked water milfoil is an important water plant.

0:18:53 > 0:18:57Conservationists want to rid the water of algae so that such plants,

0:18:57 > 0:19:01which, crucially, provide food for wildlife, are able to flourish.

0:19:01 > 0:19:03So, what changes have you noticed?

0:19:03 > 0:19:08There's been a real improvement in water quality, and with that water

0:19:08 > 0:19:10quality improvement, we're seeing more of these plants,

0:19:10 > 0:19:13which is great news for our wildlife.

0:19:13 > 0:19:15I think we're seeing a general recovery.

0:19:15 > 0:19:19There's still more to do, but it's a good-news story.

0:19:19 > 0:19:21What can the everyday visitor do to protect the Broads?

0:19:21 > 0:19:24We've got a boat, so what can we do to help?

0:19:24 > 0:19:28I think something really easy for people to do is to join the local

0:19:28 > 0:19:29Wildlife Trust,

0:19:29 > 0:19:32just to give some support to people who are managing the areas.

0:19:32 > 0:19:35Also, if you have got a boat,

0:19:35 > 0:19:39you've got to recognise that some of your waste water from the sinks and

0:19:39 > 0:19:41so on flushes straight out,

0:19:41 > 0:19:46so look for phosphate-free detergents and chemicals that you use that are

0:19:46 > 0:19:48environmentally friendly.

0:19:48 > 0:19:52- That can help.- Armed with some valuable knowledge for their next

0:19:52 > 0:19:55boat trip, it's time for Victoria and Paul to get back to their house-hunt.

0:19:59 > 0:20:03We're on our way to Necton, towards the west of the county.

0:20:04 > 0:20:08The village is home to many buildings built from brick and local flint

0:20:08 > 0:20:11and has a friendly community feel.

0:20:11 > 0:20:13There's a welcoming pub and a handful of shops.

0:20:13 > 0:20:17The beautiful All Saints Church in the centre of the village is

0:20:17 > 0:20:22Grade I listed, with one wall dating back as far as Norman times.

0:20:22 > 0:20:26Just over an hour away from the pretty village is Victoria and Paul's boat,

0:20:26 > 0:20:28and it's less than two hours back to Essex.

0:20:30 > 0:20:31A mile from the centre of the village,

0:20:31 > 0:20:36we find this impressive former 18th-century chapel.

0:20:36 > 0:20:38- Wow!- Nice.

0:20:38 > 0:20:40- Wasn't expecting that. - No!

0:20:40 > 0:20:44No, that's very country-style, isn't it, with the shutters?

0:20:44 > 0:20:48- Very different, yeah.- A big driveway for all your vehicles.- Yep.

0:20:48 > 0:20:50VICTORIA CHUCKLES And you've got a long...

0:20:51 > 0:20:55- ..driveway up there as well.- Yeah, I saw that. Leading to a garage?

0:20:55 > 0:20:57No, not yet.

0:20:57 > 0:21:01- Right.- It looks quite grand, doesn't it?- It looks a bit posh!

0:21:03 > 0:21:04No, it's really nice.

0:21:04 > 0:21:06- I want to get inside.- Let's get inside, then.

0:21:09 > 0:21:13This striking property has had more than one former life.

0:21:13 > 0:21:17Originally built from brick and flint in 1785,

0:21:17 > 0:21:21it became a family home 14 years ago, but before that,

0:21:21 > 0:21:24it's been used as a chapel, a school and a barn.

0:21:25 > 0:21:29The front door takes us into a beautiful entrance hall, where you can just

0:21:29 > 0:21:32imagine the home in its former guise as a place of worship.

0:21:34 > 0:21:37That is superb. Walk in, that's superb.

0:21:37 > 0:21:41- He looks happier. - No, I really like that.

0:21:41 > 0:21:43It is a wow factor when you walk in.

0:21:43 > 0:21:46A big box ticked.

0:21:46 > 0:21:49- Let's see more.- Let's go and see if there's a kitchen/diner for you!

0:21:55 > 0:21:58- It's the kitchen/diner!- It's the kitchen/diner.

0:21:58 > 0:22:00It's lovely. The country-style.

0:22:00 > 0:22:02- Perfection.- Yeah.- This is what you had in mind.

0:22:02 > 0:22:04- Exactly what we had in mind, yeah. - This is it.

0:22:04 > 0:22:07- You wouldn't want to do anything to it, would you?- When can we move in?

0:22:09 > 0:22:12It's lovely, isn't it? This is the kitchen we imagined.

0:22:12 > 0:22:14I haven't seen you smile this wide, Paul.

0:22:14 > 0:22:18- Yeah, I know.- Let's go and see more, then. Follow me.

0:22:19 > 0:22:23Back across the stunning hallway is the dual-aspect sitting room.

0:22:24 > 0:22:27- Nice. And with a log burner again. - Yeah, I like that.

0:22:27 > 0:22:29So, that is a gas burner.

0:22:29 > 0:22:33- OK.- But, of course, you can just get a log burner put in.

0:22:33 > 0:22:37And this connects nicely to the sun room.

0:22:37 > 0:22:40Brilliant. That's really nice.

0:22:40 > 0:22:42Yeah, it is, yeah, really nice.

0:22:42 > 0:22:46And on top of all of that, there's an office downstairs.

0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Brilliant, now you're talking.- We just passed it in the hallway.

0:22:49 > 0:22:52- That's superb, that is.- So, you like the downstairs?

0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Yes.- So far. - Let's go see if upstairs suits.

0:22:59 > 0:23:06The sweeping staircase leads to a galleried landing on the first floor. And...

0:23:06 > 0:23:10- And- ..a sewing nook.- I was just about to say that.- Oh, look at that!

0:23:11 > 0:23:13- Unbelievable!- Oh, it's brilliant.

0:23:13 > 0:23:16I could think of worse views to do sewing to.

0:23:16 > 0:23:19It would be perfect. And, no, you're not having it for your office!

0:23:19 > 0:23:21It would make a nice view, sat there looking out there.

0:23:21 > 0:23:24- It would be a lovely office. - It would, it would.

0:23:24 > 0:23:25I'll let you fight it out.

0:23:27 > 0:23:32Also on this floor is a smart family bathroom and two good-sized double

0:23:32 > 0:23:35bedrooms, along with a smaller room in use as a study.

0:23:37 > 0:23:41That just leaves the bright and spacious master, which might just

0:23:41 > 0:23:44accommodate Victoria and Paul's super-sized bed.

0:23:45 > 0:23:49I really like the exposed brickwork. Two nice windows, a lovely view.

0:23:49 > 0:23:51We could squeeze our bed in somehow, do you think?

0:23:51 > 0:23:54- Yeah.- I think this is big enough for your super-king.

0:23:54 > 0:23:57- Definitely.- And the fourth bedroom could just become a dressing room.

0:23:58 > 0:24:02- Nice idea! - Really nice...- I like it.

0:24:02 > 0:24:04- ..to wake up to them views.- Nice space. I really like it.

0:24:04 > 0:24:06And there's an en-suite bathroom.

0:24:06 > 0:24:09- Oh, even better.- Right, let's go back outside,

0:24:09 > 0:24:11see if there's enough space for your garage

0:24:11 > 0:24:15- and work out how much this house is going to cost you.- Ohhh...!

0:24:18 > 0:24:22The garden here extends to around a third of an acre.

0:24:22 > 0:24:26It's extremely well-kept and divided by manicured hedges into various

0:24:26 > 0:24:29areas from which to drink in the views.

0:24:29 > 0:24:33There's a garden shed, too, and only one thing that's missing.

0:24:35 > 0:24:37It's lovely. Really nice.

0:24:37 > 0:24:40It ticks every box but one at the moment.

0:24:40 > 0:24:44Other than the garage, it's ticking them all. A small, manageable garden...

0:24:44 > 0:24:48Yeah, everything about it, nice. Drive, space, it's got it all.

0:24:48 > 0:24:50But even with the garage,

0:24:50 > 0:24:53you could move in and store your motorbike in the shed.

0:24:53 > 0:24:57- Yeah, there is some storage. - There's so much space for the cars.

0:24:57 > 0:24:59Yeah, that's true.

0:24:59 > 0:25:02How much are you going to have to spend to live here?

0:25:02 > 0:25:05And I feel like in your heads you've moved in already.

0:25:05 > 0:25:10I reckon it's got to be at the top end of our budget, 440.

0:25:11 > 0:25:14I possibly think more. 445.

0:25:15 > 0:25:18But I'd like to hope that you're going to surprise us and be nice!

0:25:21 > 0:25:25It's on the market for £450,000.

0:25:26 > 0:25:30And apart from the garage, it really does have everything.

0:25:30 > 0:25:34- It does, yeah.- I think, have a good look around,

0:25:34 > 0:25:38- discuss it between you two, have a think.- Yes, perfect.- Will do.

0:25:38 > 0:25:42- And I'll come and find you. Or you come and find me!- Lovely, thank you.

0:25:46 > 0:25:50This 18th-century restored chapel has a prize tag £10,000 above

0:25:50 > 0:25:52budget but it offers Victoria

0:25:52 > 0:25:55and Paul just about everything they want.

0:25:55 > 0:25:58It has a spacious kitchen/diner and a study.

0:25:59 > 0:26:03There are four bedrooms and a well-looked-after large garden.

0:26:03 > 0:26:04Location-wise, it's in a rural

0:26:04 > 0:26:07position but not too far from amenities.

0:26:08 > 0:26:11First walking up, it was just amazing.

0:26:11 > 0:26:14It was just really full of character.

0:26:14 > 0:26:18It wasn't a square, it was all the shaping of it and everything.

0:26:18 > 0:26:21And then the entrance really representing the old chapel,

0:26:21 > 0:26:25- it was lovely.- Yeah, loved it. Really good kerb appeal for me.

0:26:25 > 0:26:29A bit different, a bit of character. Really nice, yeah.

0:26:29 > 0:26:31The house has got some great features.

0:26:31 > 0:26:33Really nice. I really like it.

0:26:33 > 0:26:35I think we definitely could live here.

0:26:35 > 0:26:40It just has everything that we want within a house and so much more.

0:26:42 > 0:26:44Beaming smiles all round.

0:26:44 > 0:26:48- Yes.- A great house, yeah, I could see us living there. Yeah.

0:26:48 > 0:26:51Really? I love ending the day on a high!

0:27:04 > 0:27:08It's the second day of our trip around Norfolk on the hunt for a

0:27:08 > 0:27:11country home for Victoria and Paul from Rayleigh in Essex.

0:27:11 > 0:27:16They've got a budget of £440,000 to find a home that will allow them to

0:27:16 > 0:27:20spend more time on their beloved boat, which is moored on the

0:27:20 > 0:27:22county's beautiful Broads.

0:27:22 > 0:27:26Still to come, things could go topsy-turvy when we reveal our Mystery House.

0:27:26 > 0:27:30You wouldn't necessarily ever think of doing that.

0:27:30 > 0:27:34- No.- But now that it's there, doesn't it look beautiful?

0:27:34 > 0:27:35The mystery has done its job, really.

0:27:35 > 0:27:40And I'll be learning how bovine waste can create energy used to make

0:27:40 > 0:27:42one of my favourite delicacies.

0:27:42 > 0:27:44So it's put back into the system,

0:27:44 > 0:27:47- so everything goes full circle here on this farm?- Yes.

0:27:48 > 0:27:53It's day two of our property search and time to reveal our final home.

0:27:53 > 0:27:57It does offer Paul and Victoria a style they're familiar with, but it's the

0:27:57 > 0:27:59Mystery Property, so we're flipping things around.

0:28:01 > 0:28:05Our last stop, to the Mystery House, takes us to Geldeston near Norfolk's

0:28:05 > 0:28:09border with Suffolk. Villagers can enjoy the delicacies available in

0:28:09 > 0:28:14the local farm shop or sample the food and refreshments on offer in

0:28:14 > 0:28:18the nearby pub, which is close to pleasant country walks.

0:28:18 > 0:28:21The rural setting also boasts the pretty River Waveney,

0:28:21 > 0:28:25which can be appreciated in all its glory by taking a boat trip along

0:28:25 > 0:28:31the waters. In the heart of the village is where we find our final offering.

0:28:31 > 0:28:35- Welcome to the Mystery House. - It's quite big.- It does look big.

0:28:35 > 0:28:38- It's different to what we've seen, that's for sure.- Completely different.- Yeah.

0:28:38 > 0:28:42- It's nice, though.- A nice shape? - Yeah.- Can you guess the mystery?

0:28:42 > 0:28:48- That is a mystery I can't see.- The mystery can only be seen from inside.

0:28:48 > 0:28:52- Ooh!- And I'll give you a clue, it's something to do with layout.

0:28:52 > 0:28:54- Follow me.- Intrigued.

0:28:56 > 0:29:00This redbrick house was built in the '80s and had a makeover just a few

0:29:00 > 0:29:05years ago. And the mystery will reveal itself as soon as we enter and head

0:29:05 > 0:29:09straight UPSTAIRS to the kitchen and family room.

0:29:12 > 0:29:14- Ooh! - VICTORIA LAUGHS

0:29:14 > 0:29:15Ah! Upside down!

0:29:15 > 0:29:20Upside down. I've brought you upstairs because it's an upside-down house.

0:29:20 > 0:29:22Not looked at an upside-down house at all.

0:29:22 > 0:29:26- No.- The reason they've done this is because of the views. And you've got

0:29:26 > 0:29:29- balconies - a balcony here and in the sitting room.- Oh, right.

0:29:29 > 0:29:32So obviously you can see a very open living space.

0:29:32 > 0:29:36- Yes.- But there's also a separate dining room.- I do love this idea.

0:29:36 > 0:29:41I think it just brings a different quirkiness to it. I like it.

0:29:41 > 0:29:45Fortunately, Victoria and Paul don't seem to be fazed by this alternative

0:29:45 > 0:29:47house arrangement.

0:29:47 > 0:29:48As well as the open-plan elements,

0:29:48 > 0:29:53it has a beautiful separate sitting room, which runs from the front to

0:29:53 > 0:29:56the back of the house, with rural views from both ends.

0:29:56 > 0:30:00The sitting room also has a log burner as well as the dining room,

0:30:00 > 0:30:04so, actually, you have your choice of where to have your sitting room.

0:30:04 > 0:30:07This is quite a nice sitting room, actually.

0:30:07 > 0:30:09It's a comfortable-feeling room.

0:30:10 > 0:30:13- Cosy.- Yeah, I think it's better than cosy.

0:30:13 > 0:30:15It's bigger than cosy, isn't it?

0:30:15 > 0:30:17It's cosy but actually still light and airy.

0:30:17 > 0:30:21You have that beautiful little nook, so I was thinking about your sewing.

0:30:21 > 0:30:24- Nice light for that.- Draw the curtains behind you and not know you're there!

0:30:24 > 0:30:27Could you see yourself in a place like this?

0:30:27 > 0:30:31- Oh, definitely. - Definitely, with what we've seen.

0:30:31 > 0:30:33- I like the open-plan flow.- Yeah.

0:30:33 > 0:30:36Yeah. Looking good. It's more modern but it doesn't feel it.

0:30:36 > 0:30:39Well, I'm glad you like the living space.

0:30:39 > 0:30:42Now time to head downstairs to the bedrooms.

0:30:45 > 0:30:49Moving down to the ground floor of our upside-down Mystery House,

0:30:49 > 0:30:51the rooms all fan off from a central hallway.

0:30:52 > 0:30:56There's a well-equipped utility room and a smart family bathroom for two

0:30:56 > 0:30:59of the three bedrooms.

0:30:59 > 0:31:02There are two snug doubles, and we're going to the largest of the three.

0:31:04 > 0:31:08- The master.- Ooh!- It's quite big. - I wasn't quite expecting that.

0:31:08 > 0:31:11- And you've got a lovely garden room. - Off the bedroom!

0:31:11 > 0:31:14- Off the bedroom.- Really strange, but it makes it a really big space.

0:31:14 > 0:31:18- Doesn't it?- You wouldn't necessarily ever think of doing that.

0:31:18 > 0:31:23- No.- But now that it's there, doesn't it look beautiful?

0:31:23 > 0:31:26- Yeah.- Yeah.- You can bring me tea in the morning.- Lets so much light in.

0:31:26 > 0:31:29Well, exactly, you've got your own breakfast room there.

0:31:29 > 0:31:33- And there's an en-suite bathroom. - Oh, lovely.- Even better.- Yeah!

0:31:33 > 0:31:35- It's all looking good.- Really like it.

0:31:35 > 0:31:37The mystery has done its job, really.

0:31:37 > 0:31:41- Well, shall we go through the garden room into the garden?- Perfect.

0:31:45 > 0:31:49The landscaped gardens surround the house and are mainly laid to lawn

0:31:49 > 0:31:54front and back, bordered by pretty flowerbeds, shrubs and trees.

0:31:54 > 0:31:58There's a terrace, a shed and an integrated double garage.

0:32:01 > 0:32:02- Yeah, lovely garden.- It is really nice.

0:32:02 > 0:32:05- Pretty. Very pretty.- And it goes all the way around, which is quite nice,

0:32:05 > 0:32:09which is why you have those lovely views from all sides of the house.

0:32:09 > 0:32:14Yeah, I think it's really a strong contender.

0:32:14 > 0:32:18- Is it a strong contender, in your opinion?- It could be, yes.

0:32:18 > 0:32:20- Depending on the price. - Depending on the price.

0:32:20 > 0:32:23Well, we might as well discuss that.

0:32:23 > 0:32:26I reckon it's on for about 440.

0:32:26 > 0:32:30- OK. Bang on your top budget? - Yeah.

0:32:30 > 0:32:32I'm going to go for less...

0:32:34 > 0:32:38..considerably. I'm hoping for about 410.

0:32:38 > 0:32:40Well, because you keep hoping and guessing...

0:32:41 > 0:32:43..Paul is right again.

0:32:43 > 0:32:48The guide price says £440,000 to £460,000.

0:32:48 > 0:32:53We've spoken to the vendors and they will accept £440,000.

0:32:53 > 0:32:55- OK.- Yeah.- I think it's worth that all day long.

0:32:55 > 0:32:57All the right things in all the right places.

0:32:57 > 0:33:00Well, there's a lot of living space to see, so why don't you have another

0:33:00 > 0:33:05- look around, with the price in mind, and come and find me?- Will do. - Thank you.

0:33:08 > 0:33:12Our quirky upside-down Mystery House has rung in on the nose of the

0:33:12 > 0:33:16top budget. It has a large kitchen-cum-family room,

0:33:16 > 0:33:19two further reception rooms and three bedrooms,

0:33:19 > 0:33:22including a master suite with an unexpected garden room.

0:33:24 > 0:33:27This charming house also comes with an integrated double garage,

0:33:27 > 0:33:29perfect for Paul.

0:33:31 > 0:33:34Ah, that's it, a proper garage.

0:33:34 > 0:33:38That'll do. See? Bench, car, bike, job done!

0:33:38 > 0:33:40VICTORIA LAUGHS

0:33:40 > 0:33:42I think it's really quirky.

0:33:42 > 0:33:45When we first walked in, I thought, "Ooh, an upside-down house!"

0:33:45 > 0:33:48It was really strange. We've not looked at one, not been in one.

0:33:48 > 0:33:52But really liked it. Open-plan... It looked good, didn't it?

0:33:52 > 0:33:56Yeah. And the views front and back really sort of made it different

0:33:56 > 0:33:59and made it work upside down.

0:33:59 > 0:34:03- What I like most is the way it flows.- It does flow really well.

0:34:03 > 0:34:08All the rooms seem connected, it's really open-plan living...

0:34:08 > 0:34:11- ..which... I think, my favourite bit.- Yeah.

0:34:15 > 0:34:20- So, upside-down living might be for you?- It could be.- Yeah, could be.

0:34:20 > 0:34:23Well, the weather's not great, so let's go somewhere warm and grab a cup of tea.

0:34:31 > 0:34:36The nation is always looking for ways to save on energy costs and

0:34:36 > 0:34:38create affordable energy,

0:34:38 > 0:34:42and on one pioneering dairy farm in Wighton, in the north of Norfolk,

0:34:42 > 0:34:46renewable energy is being created from a variety of waste.

0:34:46 > 0:34:51Energy is harnessed from food and cow manure using a machine called an

0:34:51 > 0:34:53anaerobic digester.

0:34:53 > 0:34:58The 500-acre farm is owned and run by Stephen Temple and his wife

0:34:58 > 0:35:03Catherine. Their herd of brown Swiss cows produces not only waste but

0:35:03 > 0:35:06award-winning dairy produce, too.

0:35:06 > 0:35:08Stephen, thank you very much for having me on the farm today.

0:35:08 > 0:35:12- You're very welcome.- Tell me more about it.- It's a family farm.

0:35:12 > 0:35:17My great-grandfather started the business in 1912

0:35:17 > 0:35:20and my grandfather and my father built it up from then on.

0:35:20 > 0:35:25I ran away to Africa to work for 22 years and my father said, "Well,

0:35:25 > 0:35:27"I'm getting older, can you come and help me?"

0:35:27 > 0:35:31So I came back and did a little bit on the farm and we've been keeping

0:35:31 > 0:35:36- the dairy herd going here ever since.- The big difference with this farm

0:35:36 > 0:35:39- is the digester.- I originally got the interest in Africa.

0:35:39 > 0:35:44I've had an interest in anaerobic digestion from the late '70s.

0:35:45 > 0:35:49Anaerobic digestion is a process where microorganisms break down

0:35:49 > 0:35:53biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen.

0:35:53 > 0:35:59This creates a gas which can be used to produce what's essentially free energy.

0:35:59 > 0:36:03It's a group of bugs that grow in a digester which are very similar to

0:36:03 > 0:36:06- the bugs that grow in a cow's stomach.- OK.- So effectively,

0:36:06 > 0:36:10an anaerobic digester is a giant cow's stomach on life support.

0:36:10 > 0:36:12- OK!- But in the digester,

0:36:12 > 0:36:16another group of bugs called archaea then digest the fatty acids and turn

0:36:16 > 0:36:20- them into methane.- And with the digester, you use that methane,

0:36:20 > 0:36:23- you turn that into energy? - Yes, yes.- Wow.

0:36:25 > 0:36:28Well, it all sounds very clever and very scientific.

0:36:28 > 0:36:32Stephen is going to let me get up close so I can see how it works for myself.

0:36:34 > 0:36:38It holds about 720 tonnes of slurry.

0:36:38 > 0:36:44- Wow.- We put the cow manure into the big hopper behind you here...

0:36:44 > 0:36:48..and that gets fed into the digester with liquid.

0:36:48 > 0:36:53We also put maize silage, and in the winter, we put beet in there as well.

0:36:53 > 0:36:58The cows get the choice pick of the maize and the lower-quality stuff

0:36:58 > 0:37:01gets fed to the digester, which is not quite so fussy.

0:37:01 > 0:37:04Around 2.5 tonnes of gas is produced a day,

0:37:04 > 0:37:08which is passed into the big, spherical gas holder.

0:37:08 > 0:37:12It's then sent to the generator to create electricity and heat.

0:37:14 > 0:37:16How many other farms have a system like this?

0:37:16 > 0:37:19When we started, there were very few.

0:37:19 > 0:37:21Now there's getting on for about 250.

0:37:21 > 0:37:27And so the energy, you sell some of the energy, the rest feeds the farm

0:37:27 > 0:37:31- and heats the farm?- Yes, and, of course, producing heat for making the cheese.

0:37:31 > 0:37:34For making the cheese, another one of your exports.

0:37:34 > 0:37:37- That's right.- Like the electricity. - Yes.

0:37:37 > 0:37:42The farm churns out over 30 tonnes of celebrated cheese a year.

0:37:42 > 0:37:43It's Stephen's wife Catherine

0:37:43 > 0:37:48who's in charge of this area, and she has 16 years' experience.

0:37:48 > 0:37:50Today, she's working on the Binham Blue.

0:37:51 > 0:37:54- Hi, Catherine.- Hi! Welcome to our cheese room.

0:37:54 > 0:37:58- Thank you.- Making cheese is quite a lengthy process. So, on day one

0:37:58 > 0:38:01we turn the milk into cheese, and on day two

0:38:01 > 0:38:03we put the salt on the cheese.

0:38:03 > 0:38:05It looks like I'm putting rather a

0:38:05 > 0:38:08lot on, but when we're making cheese,

0:38:08 > 0:38:12we're essentially drying milk out to preserve it.

0:38:12 > 0:38:14From every ten litres of milk,

0:38:14 > 0:38:19we get one kilo of cheese and nine litres of whey,

0:38:19 > 0:38:22which is actually quite a rich

0:38:22 > 0:38:25substance with protein and sugar in it.

0:38:25 > 0:38:27But it doesn't go to waste.

0:38:27 > 0:38:31We send it down to the digester and it's a fuel for making electricity.

0:38:31 > 0:38:34So it's put back into the system,

0:38:34 > 0:38:36so everything goes full circle here on this farm?

0:38:36 > 0:38:39Yes, well, we try to use our assets to our best advantage and to the

0:38:39 > 0:38:41planet's best advantage.

0:38:42 > 0:38:45When Catherine's finished salting the cheese,

0:38:45 > 0:38:49it'll go into the store room for five weeks to grow blue veins and

0:38:49 > 0:38:52develop its distinctive taste.

0:38:52 > 0:38:54It's just one of seven varieties

0:38:54 > 0:38:58of cheese made here, which is mainly sold locally.

0:38:58 > 0:39:00So, this is all my favourite cheeses on a plate.

0:39:00 > 0:39:05- Which would you like to try first? - I'm a hard-cheese and a feta fan.

0:39:05 > 0:39:07Our hard cheese is called Walsingham,

0:39:07 > 0:39:10after a neighbouring pilgrim village.

0:39:13 > 0:39:16- Mm!- That one's a year old.

0:39:16 > 0:39:18Cheddar is better the older it is.

0:39:18 > 0:39:22But this one is just gorgeous with things like raspberries.

0:39:22 > 0:39:26- Oh, really?- Mm.- See, I do feta and watermelon. That's a good tip.

0:39:30 > 0:39:34Mm, lovely. Thank you so much, Catherine. I'm not going anywhere!

0:39:34 > 0:39:35SONALI LAUGHS

0:39:35 > 0:39:38We'll find some Norfolk apple juice to go with it.

0:39:39 > 0:39:43It's been an inspiring visit to this farm, where a passionate focus on

0:39:43 > 0:39:46sustainability has led to a successful,

0:39:46 > 0:39:51efficient and environmentally friendly cheesemaking enterprise.

0:39:51 > 0:39:55For now, it's time to put our energy into finding out if our house-hunt

0:39:55 > 0:39:57has been a success.

0:40:01 > 0:40:05Well, it seems Paul and Victoria are keen on two houses that are very

0:40:05 > 0:40:08different in terms of age and style,

0:40:08 > 0:40:10so which one will edge it? Time to find out.

0:40:18 > 0:40:22I'd say it's been a successful week of house-hunting, because by my

0:40:22 > 0:40:26reckoning there are two houses that pretty much fit the bill.

0:40:26 > 0:40:30- Am I right?- I think so.- Yeah, that's about right, fair to say.

0:40:31 > 0:40:36Let's talk about the chapel first. Do you still love it as much?

0:40:36 > 0:40:41- Yeah.- Yeah, without doubt.- I think it's slightly above the Mystery.

0:40:41 > 0:40:43- Is it?- Yeah.- Yeah.

0:40:43 > 0:40:47But they are two very different houses, and I think that's half the

0:40:47 > 0:40:48problem. For us,

0:40:48 > 0:40:52I think it's possibly a case of going back and looking at them both again.

0:40:52 > 0:40:54I sense you each have a favourite.

0:40:55 > 0:41:00- Mine initially, probably after the viewings, was the Mystery.- Mm.

0:41:00 > 0:41:05- But coming away from it, I think I'm edging back towards the chapel.- OK.

0:41:06 > 0:41:11Mine's the chapel. It's nearly perfect, house-wise, for me.

0:41:11 > 0:41:16- In terms of nothing to do once you move in?- The layout's superb,

0:41:16 > 0:41:19the space is superb and the wow factor when I walk in the door,

0:41:19 > 0:41:25- no doubts with that one.- Yeah, you seem very sure, don't you?- Yeah, he is, isn't he?

0:41:25 > 0:41:28I think there's a possibility after looking at it a second time we may

0:41:28 > 0:41:29well then put an offer in.

0:41:29 > 0:41:32Are you quite keen to move this forward quickly?

0:41:32 > 0:41:35We're going to aim to come back within the next three or four days to look

0:41:35 > 0:41:40at the chapel again and take it from there.

0:41:40 > 0:41:42Well, I hope it works out, because you both seem really,

0:41:42 > 0:41:48really keen on the chapel, in a kind of relaxed way.

0:41:48 > 0:41:50I feel I want to urge you along a little bit!

0:41:50 > 0:41:54I wish you luck, and I can't wait to hear that you've moved in.

0:41:54 > 0:41:57- Yeah!- Come for tea.- You can come for tea, yeah.

0:41:57 > 0:42:00I'll take the invite with both hands!

0:42:00 > 0:42:02- But good luck. Honestly, and let me know.- Thank you.- Will do. Thank you.

0:42:09 > 0:42:11Before our house-hunt here in Norfolk,

0:42:11 > 0:42:15Paul and Victoria were fairly easy-going about location and style

0:42:15 > 0:42:19of property, but they knew exactly which amenities they wanted from

0:42:19 > 0:42:23their home, which is why I'm so pleased that two of our houses suited their needs.

0:42:23 > 0:42:28It was lovely to see their faces light up as they walked around

0:42:28 > 0:42:32the chapel. As Paul said, sometimes it's the house that picks you.

0:42:32 > 0:42:36They looked very much at home there and I hope it becomes exactly that

0:42:36 > 0:42:39for them. Thank you for joining us here in Norfolk.

0:42:39 > 0:42:41See you next time on Escape To The Country.

0:42:42 > 0:42:46Victoria and Paul were planning to put an offer in on the former chapel,

0:42:46 > 0:42:47but, sadly for them,

0:42:47 > 0:42:52another buyer pipped them at the post and had their offer accepted first.

0:42:52 > 0:42:54Now their house-hunt continues, and

0:42:54 > 0:42:57we wish them the very best of luck with their search.

0:42:57 > 0:43:01If you'd like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland, Scotland,

0:43:01 > 0:43:05Wales or England, and need our help, you can apply online...