Escape To The Country Season 26 Episode 12 heads to the beautiful Kent countryside, famously known as the Garden of England. Nicki Chapman helps a young family from Greater London search for a spacious rural home offering fresh air, peaceful surroundings, and the perfect environment to raise their two children.
From charming countryside properties to an epic medieval mystery house full of character and wow factor, this episode showcases the best of Kent living. Nicki also visits a local flower farmer, adding vibrant colour and inspiration to the journey through one of England’s most picturesque regions. Discover why Kent remains a top destination for families seeking a country lifestyle.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Kent #CountryLiving #FamilyHome #GardenOfEngland
From charming countryside properties to an epic medieval mystery house full of character and wow factor, this episode showcases the best of Kent living. Nicki also visits a local flower farmer, adding vibrant colour and inspiration to the journey through one of England’s most picturesque regions. Discover why Kent remains a top destination for families seeking a country lifestyle.
#EscapeToTheCountry #Kent #CountryLiving #FamilyHome #GardenOfEngland
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00:01Sometimes on Escape to the Country, our fab properties can throw our house hunters.
00:06My heart's saying I love it, my head's saying how much.
00:10It's going to cost. Correct.
00:12But it's not just about the appearance of the homes.
00:15Can you see the mirror? It goes up and down so you can do your make-up.
00:19I should look at both people when I'm saying that, shouldn't I?
00:21All your hair is there more than me.
00:24I'm at my happiest in a garden paradise.
00:27I'm like a kid in a candy shop.
00:31And from a candy shop to a former post office.
00:34Does it get your stamp of approval?
00:36Let's go upstairs and see if it delivers.
00:38Hey!
01:01As one of the sunniest counties in the UK, Kent is known as the Garden of England.
01:07So much grows here, including 90% of England's cherries and a certain TV presenter.
01:16They say you can take a girl out of Kent, but you can't take Kent out of the girl.
01:22And let me tell you, they would be 110% right, because this is where I grew up.
01:30And every time I come back, I'm reminded why I love this beautiful and delicious county so much.
01:42Kent is situated on England's southeast coast and might be Britain's tastiest county.
01:49You have loads of farms with your asparagus, your raspberries, your fruit, all that.
01:54And then you've got your ciders, your apples, your vineyards, which a lot of people from Champaign are coming over
01:58now to buy land.
01:59And you've also got fish harbour, rye.
02:03It's coast is lined with popular resorts like Broadstairs that's been attracting young families for hundreds of years now.
02:10And offering activities like paddle boarding and sandcastle competitions.
02:15But if you prefer your castles a little older, that's covered here too.
02:21Historic sites like Hever Castle host a broad range of events, including music, jousting and triathlons.
02:30There's so many things to do here as well.
02:32You remember our cycling trips with your little bicycle cycling up the hills.
02:36The friends I've met, the people, it's been great.
02:38And it's such a community feel in the village.
02:41I mean, you go down to the pub, you know everyone, so it's amazing.
02:49Growing up here in Kent, I can honestly say, hand on heart, that it is an ideal location to bring
02:55up a young family.
02:56And that's exactly what today's couple want to do here with theirs.
03:05Hi, I'm Daniel. This is Noah, Neve and Cheryl.
03:09We're currently in Orpington, but we're looking forward to moving out to the countryside.
03:15Daniel works in sport technology and grew up in Cyprus, where he met Cheryl on a night out.
03:22And I tried to sell him a ticket for a club and yeah, the rest is history, I guess.
03:28Cheryl is now a support officer and they live in Greater London, but are outgrowing their home.
03:34As you can see, the front room is more like a toy room and in the kitchen we are doubling
03:40up as an office.
03:42And Daniel's bike is always in the kitchen for his training for triathlon, which I really do not like.
03:48And when not cycling in the kitchen, they all prefer being out in nature.
03:53My childhood was spent outdoors and I'd love to be able to give the kids a similar upbringing and giving
04:00them that freedom.
04:01While they enjoy day trips out to the Kent countryside, they're after more green spaces right on their doorstep.
04:08We tend to go to ball stairs a fair bit for our beach stays out.
04:12And I'm sure that there are lots of areas within Kent that we haven't uncovered yet.
04:16It's still close enough to work, to family. It wouldn't be a long commute.
04:21For their maximum budget of £900,000, Daniel and Cheryl would prefer a detached house with a minimum of four
04:29bedrooms, which would give space to work from home.
04:32They'd like some kind of outbuilding that could house a gym, a larger garden for the children to play in
04:38with even more outdoor opportunities close to hand.
04:49Cheryl and Daniel are really passionate about trying to give their young children, Neve and Noah, the best start in
04:59life.
05:00And being such an outdoor family, really, Kent has everything that they need and it is on their doorstep.
05:08They can still get to work, they can still pursue their careers, but for the children and as a family
05:13as a whole,
05:14I think what they're going to have is a much more sort of rewarding, outdoory experience here without having to
05:22spend loads of money.
05:27While this part of the world is known as the Garden of England, today's weather makes it feel more like
05:33Provence.
05:34So we're fuelling up with a croissant before heading out.
05:39Well Cheryl and Daniel, welcome to beautiful Kent on the most amazing summer's day.
05:45Are you excited about the next few days?
05:47We are, absolutely.
05:49So you've got to be mindful of schools?
05:51Yes.
05:51Yeah.
05:52And I'm guessing community?
05:54Yes.
05:54Yeah, that's really important.
05:55Are you keen to really make new friends?
05:58Yeah.
05:58Absolutely.
05:58When we do venture out into the Kent countryside, we always find that people are so much more approachable.
06:03Do you?
06:04Yes.
06:04Yeah, absolutely.
06:05And everyone mentions a community feel around these small villages and that's something that we really want to be a
06:11part of as well.
06:12Yeah.
06:13And what about the property?
06:14Are you prepared to do any work or ideally just move in?
06:18I'm not very DIY-y.
06:19Yeah.
06:19So, you know, something that we can see the potential in and doesn't require too much work doing to it.
06:25But I think it's more around the location and, you know, getting that real country feel to the property that
06:31we're looking forward to.
06:33Yeah.
06:33So, I think we'll have a quick bite of these beautiful croissants, finish our coffees and then hit the road.
06:38How does that sound?
06:39Amazing.
06:42We're kicking off our search to the north-west of the county in the village of Burling.
06:48The peaceful streets wind between historic buildings, including the old forge.
06:55The village has a Montessori school for children under five, while neighbouring Ryash offers a primary rated outstanding for behaviour
07:03and personal development.
07:05Just over a mile from it is the house we're here to see.
07:10Let me introduce our first property to you.
07:15Wow.
07:15That's beautiful.
07:16Yeah.
07:17Love the front.
07:17The windows.
07:19The little barbecue area.
07:20That would be my forte in the front, for sure.
07:23Down to the main.
07:24What do we think?
07:25Very characterful?
07:26Absolutely.
07:27Really nice.
07:28Any idea when it was built?
07:30Oof.
07:321800s, I would assume.
07:33Okay.
07:34I think it's Noah.
07:35I don't know when, but Noah.
07:36Try 1640.
07:38Oh, wow.
07:38Wow.
07:39Yes.
07:40Amazing.
07:40No, it's not listed.
07:42Okay.
07:42Yeah, that's good.
07:43And as you probably guessed, it has been beautifully modernised.
07:46Yes.
07:46What's going through your minds?
07:48For me, like you say, the character, but it has been modernised.
07:52Modernised.
07:52Yeah.
07:53Which we want.
07:54Absolutely.
07:55And the little outdoor features as well.
07:56I really like the hot tub and just the outdoor space where it's low maintenance as
08:01well.
08:01It's great.
08:02We're not that green fingered.
08:04Yeah.
08:04But also, it's really quiet here.
08:07I can't wait to see inside.
08:08Yes.
08:08Would you like to see a little bit more?
08:10Would you like to?
08:12This double-fronted, Kentish, hung-tiled property is thought to be the oldest of its
08:17kind in the village, and has been completely renovated to a high standard by the current
08:22owners.
08:26So, I always like to start off with a kitchen, because when they look like this, it's definitely
08:32worth it.
08:33Yeah.
08:33I love the beams.
08:35Now, the beams are really interesting, because the current owners, as you can see, have done
08:39an awful lot of work in this property.
08:41And when they were upgrading the kitchen and moving it around, they'd been covered up,
08:46so they've exposed them.
08:47Oh, wow.
08:47So, it does.
08:47Okay.
08:48It brings back the period of the property.
08:50It really does.
08:50Yeah, it's lovely.
08:51And it works really well, the modern and the original.
08:55Yeah, there's a lot of light coming in.
08:55They've done it really well.
08:56So, you've got sort of informal dining there for the kids, which will be lovely.
09:00So, while you're cooking, both of you, you can keep an eye on the children.
09:03Yeah.
09:04But also, behind you, believe it or not, that's their play area.
09:08And those cupboards are full of toys.
09:10Right.
09:11Loads and loads of storage.
09:12A lot of toys.
09:13Yeah, we need that.
09:14Absolutely.
09:15Keep them close if you wanted to.
09:17Keep an eye on them, but they've still got their own little space.
09:20Yeah, it's really nice.
09:21Yeah.
09:21It's certainly a great start.
09:22Yeah.
09:23Good.
09:23Okay.
09:24Well, let's see what you make of next door.
09:28So, across the hallway, there's a very small utility room there actually.
09:32And then you've actually got two reception rooms here.
09:34You can divide it off or you can keep it open, whichever you prefer.
09:37I love that.
09:38I love that you can shut it off if you wanted to.
09:39Yeah.
09:40The fireplace under the TV.
09:42Yeah, that's amazing.
09:43Yeah.
09:43You've still got retaining light throughout as well.
09:46This is a 17th century house, but it's got that new build appeal.
09:50Absolutely.
09:51Yeah.
09:51Because it doesn't need any work, do it?
09:52Yeah.
09:53I don't want to do a lot, so something like this would be good.
09:55And then it leads through to that beautiful conservatory.
09:57Yeah.
09:58Yeah.
09:58Which the current owners use all year round.
10:01It's just the layout.
10:01I'm not sure on the layout at the minute.
10:03Right.
10:03I want the kitchen to be open to the garden as well, so we do like to entertain a lot.
10:08And in the summer I want...
10:09Right.
10:10Yeah.
10:11Like bifold doors or something.
10:12Correct.
10:13Something like that.
10:14I feel like it's quite shut off.
10:16Yeah.
10:17Yeah.
10:17Agreed.
10:20Upstairs there are two good sized bedrooms for the children, plus a smaller guest room,
10:25then the largest one is an en suite.
10:28Good size.
10:29Yeah.
10:30It is.
10:30I like all the built in cupboards as well.
10:32Yeah.
10:33So you know, because you know sometimes you can't get a feel for the size, but you've
10:38already got that all built in, so...
10:40Yeah.
10:40And more behind you as well.
10:42Yeah.
10:43Yeah.
10:43Yeah, it's a really nice space.
10:44It's a lovely touch.
10:46Can you see the mirror?
10:47Oh, yeah.
10:47On the window seat?
10:49And it's electric.
10:49It goes up and down, so you can do your makeup from there.
10:54Oh, wow.
11:11It's a very pleasant surprise, I'd say.
11:13Yeah.
11:14And again, even the finish in here, you can see it's, oh, it's back as well.
11:17The garden wraps around three sides of the house, giving plenty of room for the kids,
11:22as well as a dining and entertaining area for the grown-ups.
11:26So there's just one important question left.
11:30What do we think this house is on the market for?
11:33Oh.
11:34I'm gonna go at 895.
11:38Interesting.
11:40915.
11:41Asking price is...
11:44950,000 pounds.
11:46Okay.
11:47Yeah.
11:47I can see why.
11:48Yeah.
11:49In terms of the house itself, I think it's beautifully done.
11:52Yeah.
11:52Yeah.
11:52And when we've chatted to you beforehand, you said there's a little bit of wiggle room.
11:55Yeah.
11:55So we thought, because of the spec and how it's so beautifully done, you wouldn't have
12:00to spend a penny on it.
12:01Yeah.
12:01It was worth taking you just over your budget.
12:03Yeah, absolutely.
12:04It's a consideration.
12:06This 17th century home has been renovated to a high specification and comes with four bedrooms,
12:14four reception rooms, a garage, a wraparound garden and an asking price of 950,000 pounds.
12:23The rooms are really good sizes.
12:25The bonus on the back, the double garage and the study as well is a huge benefit for us.
12:30I mean, the finish is to my taste, certainly, and I think Cheryl's as well.
12:35And it is such high spec.
12:37I did love the kitchen.
12:38The kitchen is amazing, but I think I want something that just leads out into the garden.
12:44And that's just the bit that lets me down, but it is stunning.
12:48So pleased to show you this property, but it is only the first, so shall we make tracks?
12:54Let's do it.
12:54Thanks.
13:06Daniel and Cheryl are already familiar with pockets of Kent, so we're sending them to
13:11the market town of Tenterton, where it's currently actually ten past three, to explore by themselves.
13:20The church is lovely.
13:22It is, actually.
13:23I wonder how old it is.
13:25Most of it dates back around seven to eight hundred years.
13:28Tenterton Club.
13:30I wonder what they're doing there.
13:32Fitness classes, wedding receptions, and more.
13:35I should have gone with them, really.
13:37But, as it's a friendly place, they're bound to find people to give them a steal.
13:42I think it's quite rich and lavish in culture.
13:45And also, I mean, just so charming.
13:47I mean, look at the town, right?
13:49You just walk through here and it's like a postcard.
13:50In seven days, you could go to seven different restaurants to have seven different countries'
13:58food.
13:58Lots of local pubs, very nice food as well.
14:02I brought my children up here.
14:04It's very safe and there's lots to do for them.
14:06And wonderful schools.
14:08Everybody supports everybody here.
14:10The local residents support the town and I think that's really evident if you look at
14:14the thriving businesses that are along the high street.
14:19Alongside the essential amenities, there are special treats to uncover too.
14:24This independent shop sells handmade goods by local artists, including Martin Bayliss, and
14:31he runs the shop with his wife, Beth, after they escaped here from London in 2016.
14:37So what are the big changes that you guys have seen moving out of the city into the countryside?
14:42One of the main reasons that we moved down here was for a spot more legroom.
14:46I'm a furniture maker, so I had chainsaws and chainsaw boots and tools everywhere in the
14:53flat where we lived.
14:54And coming down here, I've got my own workshop and, you know, we've got a bit of garden.
14:58Also, I think there's lots of stuff to do for free down in Kent.
15:02So lovely walks, you go up the beach, all that kind of stuff.
15:04So a little bit of a cheaper option than the city.
15:06You know, you've got so much outside space that you can just go and explore.
15:11So, for example, I go to a place called Bedbury Forest quite regularly to cycle.
15:15And then if we fancy a big ride, there's a reservoir quite near it called Buell,
15:19so we'll do the big round there.
15:20So that would be perfect for you with your training.
15:22You have stuff like, there's a place called Pet Level, and if the kids are into the history,
15:27there are dinosaur footprints in the rocks.
15:30It's really cool.
15:32Super cool.
15:33Yeah.
15:33You could be there in half an hour from here as well, so in theory you could go after school,
15:36after work, yeah, and take them for a bit of a seaside treat.
15:39The kids would love that.
15:40Yeah.
15:40Yeah, for sure.
15:42With so much to do, I'm not sure Daniel's going to have time left to cycle,
15:46but for now, I need them both back in the saddle on our house hunt trail.
15:57We're heading to the south-east of the county for our next property,
16:01destined for the village of Shaddockshurst.
16:04It's surrounded by ancient woodland and known as the Woodland Gateway to the countryside.
16:09There's a traditional country pub offering food five days a week,
16:13plus a village hall that can be hired for children's parties or other events,
16:17and offers youth organisations such as Cubs and Beavers.
16:21Trains to central London in under 40 minutes run from nearby Ashford,
16:26where there are also outstanding primary and secondary schools.
16:30In a conservation area on a quiet cul-de-sac is our next offering.
16:37So through your little gate.
16:40Huge front garden.
16:42Mm-hm.
16:43And here is your property, your next potential home.
16:46Nice.
16:47Very nice.
16:48Wow.
16:49Like the five-folding doors.
16:51Yeah.
16:52They come out to the front.
16:53Yeah, it looks lovely.
16:55Mm-hm.
16:55Yeah.
16:56Nice front of the house.
16:57Absolutely.
16:58And this used to be the old post office.
17:00Oh, wow.
17:01OK.
17:01Yeah.
17:02So I'm not sure if that's why the front door's red.
17:04It could be, could it?
17:05Yeah.
17:06A pillar box red.
17:07Yeah.
17:07It's not listed.
17:09Nearly every house around us that we can see here is,
17:11but this one is not listed.
17:12OK.
17:13I'm just intrigued to see inside, actually.
17:15Yeah.
17:15On the outside.
17:15I feel like with the age will come character, hopefully.
17:19But yeah, a nice front garden as well.
17:22Good, good space out the front.
17:23Right.
17:24Well, should we start looking around the property?
17:26Yeah.
17:26Let's do it.
17:29This pretty property was built in 1890 as the village store and post office.
17:34It has been extended by a previous owner and also recently renovated.
17:39So, in actual fact, I brought you to the back of the property because this is how the owners
17:44go in and out the house because you can park your cars there.
17:47OK.
17:47We've got this lovely courtyard and garden leading us in to the kitchen from here.
17:53Yeah.
17:53Absolutely.
17:54Nice.
17:54So much light coming in with those skylights as well.
17:59That flows through nice in the bifold doors.
18:01Yeah.
18:02You like a bifold door?
18:03I just like having people in the garden but still entertaining, not coming in and leaving
18:09them.
18:10I like to be able to still talk to them while I'm doing bits in the kitchen, which is what
18:14we've currently got, but a lot smaller.
18:16So bifold doors here.
18:18Yep.
18:18Bifold doors there.
18:20Yeah.
18:20And also, you've got that fantastic garden to look at when you're sitting in that part
18:24of the sitting room.
18:25It does look obviously much better from the inside than the front of the house, I think.
18:30Yeah.
18:31But it definitely works with the flow of the house from back to front.
18:35So you're doing quite a lot of work selling me the house, telling me this.
18:40Someone next to me is quite quiet.
18:42I'm not sure.
18:43Come on.
18:44Talk to me.
18:44I don't know.
18:45I'm just not.
18:46I don't know.
18:46I like it.
18:47I think for me as well, it's having the front garden more as a back garden.
18:51I think it's just getting my head around that as well.
18:53It feels a bit strange for me.
18:55I don't know.
18:56You're looking at it as the current owners are using it.
18:59If I said to you, take up all that paving and landscape all of that, you might have
19:06a different impression.
19:07Yeah.
19:08Yeah, that is true.
19:09It's just where most people out in the country coming through the side door, it's getting
19:13used to them little things as well, I think.
19:15Yeah, absolutely.
19:16But yeah, I'm not sure.
19:19I can tell you're being polite.
19:21I love this house, but then that's one of the reasons we chose it to show you, to show
19:24you what you can buy in different parts of the county.
19:27Yeah.
19:28Let's see if other rooms make any difference.
19:36So that's very much open plan.
19:38You've got a dining room, living area and the kitchen.
19:40Mm-hm.
19:41Bring you in here, and you've got more of a traditional reception room.
19:45Yeah.
19:45I see.
19:46I really like this room.
19:47Yeah, it's a beautiful room.
19:48Mm-hm.
19:49I feel like you could maybe have the kids back there.
19:51Yeah, you could have their section there in the corner.
19:54We could have our set up here, and you've also got the other sort of-
19:58Louncy part there as well.
19:59Louncy part there as well.
19:59Yeah, it's big, isn't it?
20:01Yeah.
20:01It is.
20:02Yeah.
20:02So you're enjoying this part of the house, aren't you?
20:05Yeah.
20:05Yeah.
20:05I like this.
20:06Does it get your stamp of approval?
20:08Let's go upstairs and see if it delivers.
20:10Hey!
20:10Yay!
20:12This could be the start of a double act, but before we get carried away, on the ground
20:18floor in the extension is a double bedroom with an en suite.
20:21Okay.
20:23Okay, this is a nice space.
20:25Yep.
20:25Really good size.
20:27That's a big old bed they've got in there.
20:29Mm-hm.
20:29You want to go through to the bathroom and have a look?
20:34Oh.
20:35Very nice.
20:36Three times this way.
20:37Nice walking shower.
20:39Yep.
20:40Really big for an en suite.
20:41That is big, yeah.
20:42Mm-hm.
20:43Huge plant there as well.
20:45Yeah.
20:46Upstairs, the family bathroom is triffid free.
20:49Next to it is a box room, then an en suite bedroom, with the largest two situated at the
20:55front of the house.
20:59Nice.
20:59Nice.
21:00Big.
21:00Nice use of the garden.
21:02Yep.
21:03There's a hundred foot garden to the front with raised beds and a greenhouse, and another
21:0860 foot lies at the rear, with a workshop for Daniel's bike training, which surely beats
21:14the kitchen.
21:15So you've seen the house.
21:16Mm-hm.
21:17You love the village.
21:18You've had a little scoot around.
21:19What are we thinking when it comes to guess the price?
21:23I'm going to say 8,25.
21:26Lower than I thought you'd go.
21:27I'm going to go similar to my last guess, actually.
21:30So I'm going to go 8,75.
21:32OK.
21:33You're actually the closest.
21:35Again?
21:35OK.
21:36The owners are looking for offers in excess of £790,000.
21:41Oh, wow.
21:42OK.
21:42OK.
21:43That is interesting.
21:44Yeah.
21:45That's way under your budget.
21:47Yeah.
21:47Loads of wiggle room.
21:48Mm-hm.
21:49Unfortunately, I think it's lovely.
21:51I love the area, but it's just not quite what I imagined.
21:55Offers in excess of £790,000 means lots left over in the budget for putting their own stamp
22:02on this former post office.
22:05There are five bedrooms, plus the open-plan living space stretching from front to back,
22:10with all-important bifolds and two large gardens as well as a workshop.
22:16So I really like the area that the house is in.
22:19It feels very village-y.
22:20Yeah.
22:21I like that it's on a cul-de-sac.
22:22And also, it's just another location that we haven't heard of.
22:25Mm-hm.
22:25Another great little village that we've uncovered.
22:27The size worked.
22:28I think, again, it was the layout, which was a little bit unique to this property.
22:33And I think they've made it work for them, but I think, for us,
22:37Mm-hm.
22:38Maybe not what we could see working for us.
22:41Yeah.
22:41For us.
22:41I couldn't really imagine us living here.
22:45Yeah.
22:51We've been lucky with the weather, and having finished our search for today,
22:55we're going to call off and unwind at one of the county's attractive pubs.
23:02So it's been a really interesting day.
23:04How do you feel it's gone?
23:06It's gone pretty well, because we've been to some places
23:08that we wouldn't have thought to go to.
23:10And I think we are learning things that we do want and don't want.
23:16I think, for me, I do want, like, that traditional walking in the front door,
23:22going through the house to the back garden where we would entertain,
23:26whereas, obviously, the couple we've seen are a bit back, not back to front,
23:31but your front garden is your back garden, and I think I don't want that.
23:35The layout's been a bit of a stumbling block.
23:38Yeah.
23:39It's just something that we've not been used to.
23:41True.
23:42And maybe we're going to have to wrap our head around it, but, again,
23:44we're just through that discovery phase, but it's been a really good learning day
23:48and discovery day in terms of locations as well.
23:51Yeah.
23:52Well, I still have one more card up my sleeve, don't I?
23:55Yes.
23:56The mystery house.
23:57Any ideas what we might be showing you?
24:00No idea.
24:01That side.
24:02Yeah, it really is.
24:04Yeah.
24:05Dan thinks it's going to be the one.
24:07Yeah.
24:07I've said from the outset I feel like it could be the one.
24:10Cheryl, what do you think?
24:10I'm not sure.
24:11Maybe.
24:13It remains a mystery.
24:14Ooh.
24:15Do you like the face?
24:16Yes.
24:16Not giving anything away.
24:18Let's see how we get on tomorrow.
24:19Yep.
24:20Can't wait.
24:34Being near the coast and within a short commute of the capital
24:37makes Kent an expensive county for properties.
24:41The average price of a detached house here is around £610,000,
24:46nearly 40% higher than the UK figure of £438,000.
24:52But within the county there can be an even bigger disparity.
24:56Property in Sevenoaks, for example, is over 80% more expensive than Folkestone.
25:02With around 700,000 homes across the county, there are many gems, including this two-bedroom terraced house in a
25:11former Edwardian school.
25:13It's bursting with character plus original features like a hardwood parquet floor and is on the market for £325,000.
25:24Or for £550,000, you get an extra 300 years of history, as well as a third bedroom, plus an
25:33outbuilding and cellar, all situated in a peaceful village.
25:41On the rental market, this end of terrace property offers three reception rooms, as well as three bedrooms in a
25:48village location, and is available for £1,450 a month.
25:59Today, I'm going to introduce Cheryl and Daniel to more of this beautiful rural Kent countryside,
26:06but also show them a mystery property that has both its feet planted firmly in the past.
26:12The question is, could it be the house of their future?
26:17For our mystery house, we're heading to the village of Charing in the centre of the county.
26:22Despite its size, there's a good selection of independent shops and businesses.
26:27And it's possible to reach the capital by train in under an hour.
26:31This well-connected location means that although it appears to be a typical old English village,
26:37it also has a significant historic palace, which I can't wait to show Daniel and Cheryl.
26:45If you just look in front of you, that is the royal palace.
26:49Because Charing, its situation, it's really close to Canterbury and very close to London.
26:55So the pilgrims and the dignitaries used to come through here to get to Canterbury and then onto the coast.
26:59And so the royal family, the king of the time, decided they were going to build a royal palace here,
27:04as you can see.
27:05And it brought great wealth and all these beautiful properties that were sort of surrounded by in the 18th and
27:1119th century were built.
27:12And that's your history lesson for today.
27:14Have you ever explored this area at all?
27:17Because I know you go out on your bike, don't you?
27:18Yeah, this is normally part of my cycle route, but I've never actually stopped off to enjoy the high street.
27:24But I've always thought it looked actually beautiful and I've been through it.
27:26So when you buy here, see I'm keeping everything crossed, very positive today, you could retrace some of the pilgrims'
27:32way, couldn't you?
27:32Absolutely, yeah.
27:33Shall I leave you to wander, have a meander, enjoy the area, get chatting to some locals, go and grab
27:39a coffee, and then I'll make sure the house is ready for your arrival.
27:43Brilliant. Thank you.
27:44Come on, then we'll go over here.
27:48Our mystery house might not match the palace for prestige, but it can give it a run for its money
27:54when it comes to age.
27:56So, there are mystery houses, and there are mystery houses, there are barns, and then you've got this.
28:05Welcome to our mystery medieval barn.
28:10Like the village, this property has a surprise or two up its sleeve.
28:15Have you ever seen anything like this?
28:18This barn is extraordinary.
28:20It's so old we haven't got a precise date, but it is enormous.
28:25It feels like you're walking onto a film set, but there's two parts to this property.
28:31I'm going to have to convey this to our lovely couple.
28:33You've got this incredible building here, but next door, you've got a beautiful family home.
28:39Daniel and Cheryl will be pleased that this home is entered at the front, but I wonder what else they
28:44will make of this grade two star listed barn conversion.
28:48Let me present to you the mystery house.
28:51Yeah.
28:52Impressive from outside.
28:53Absolutely.
28:54My heart's saying I love it.
28:56My head's saying how much work is going to be needed.
29:01And how much it's going to cost.
29:02Oh yeah, there's that as well.
29:04Yeah.
29:04Yeah.
29:05But lots of intrigue at the moment.
29:06Yes.
29:07You'll be pleased to know it's not the whole building.
29:10So when you're looking at the property, from here through where the buttress is along, that is all of yours.
29:17Wow.
29:18Okay.
29:19That's interesting.
29:19If it was the whole thing, you'd have to have the whole family.
29:21My God, yeah.
29:22Absolutely.
29:23Yeah, they'd never leave.
29:24I love the look of the outside.
29:26I'm just a bit wary that it's listed.
29:28You can do work on them.
29:29You just have to make sure everything has been agreed and rubber stamped.
29:32Okay.
29:33Yeah.
29:33I would say there's two sides to this property.
29:36Okay.
29:37Two definite sides.
29:38Shall we start our final tour?
29:41Yes.
29:41Let's do it.
29:43Daniel wants space for his cycling, and the vaulted entrance hall could give room to take
29:48up mountaineering, which might help with changing the light bulbs.
29:52So let's step inside.
29:55A little bit of history.
29:56Oh, wow.
29:57Wow.
29:58This is insane.
30:01Hmm.
30:02I've never seen anything like it.
30:04No.
30:05Neither have I.
30:06This is crazy, yeah.
30:07It's such an incredible space.
30:09Yeah.
30:09So think of the house that you currently live in, and then think of this one.
30:13Is there any comparison?
30:14It's about the size of this room.
30:17Yeah.
30:18Is it slightly frightening you?
30:20It's daunting, yeah.
30:21Yeah.
30:21That's a much better word.
30:23It is daunting, yeah.
30:24Let's go with daunting, shall we, rather than frightening.
30:26I was talking to the owner, and I said, how do you use this room?
30:29She said, we just use it when we have friends and family around.
30:32Right.
30:32We use it like a party room or a reception room.
30:34Sure.
30:35Because as I mentioned outside, there are two sides to this property.
30:39Yeah.
30:39You do have the more traditional house next door.
30:42I see.
30:43Okay.
30:43So you can relax now.
30:45I can see you dusting, cleaning.
30:48I'm going to need a cleaner.
30:49Yeah.
30:49Yeah.
30:50So shall we keep going?
30:51Yes.
30:52Yes, please.
30:52Let's see what you're making next door.
30:56Like many barn conversions, there's a lot of space on offer, and this one boasts almost
31:023,000 square feet.
31:04So we're now stepping into the more cottagey side of the property.
31:09Okay.
31:10So you've got your dining area here, then you've got your living area, with the doors not quite
31:14bifolding.
31:16Didn't have them in the 15th century, but the next best thing, access to your garden.
31:21Okay.
31:22Okay.
31:23Great.
31:27You don't know what to say, do you?
31:28No.
31:29I don't know if it's too...
31:33I don't know if old's the right word for me.
31:35And knowing that you can't do a lot of changes.
31:37Right.
31:38Potentially you could...
31:39Too much of a period piece.
31:40Yeah.
31:41Maybe for me.
31:42Okay.
31:42But we'll see the rest of the house.
31:45Okay.
31:45Let's see what you're making next door then.
31:47Mm-hmm.
31:48So leading off the reception room, you've got this little area here, and then here's our
31:54kitchen, and you can just see utility at the end.
31:56Mm-hmm.
31:58I mean, we really are pushing you with this house.
32:00It does have so much potential.
32:03Mm-hmm.
32:04A little change, maybe.
32:05Yeah.
32:06Just trying to think how we could configure a space to get more storage and get more out
32:11of this kitchen area, potentially, I'm not sure.
32:13I think it is maybe a bit too much for us to take on, given the lifestyle that we've
32:20currently got with the kids and work and that.
32:22Mm-hmm.
32:23But, yeah.
32:25It would be an ongoing project, wouldn't it?
32:27Yeah.
32:27I think so.
32:28Yeah.
32:29Absolutely.
32:30Would you like to see more, though?
32:31Oh, for sure.
32:32Definitely.
32:32It's such an intriguing house.
32:35Why don't you head back out there, up the stairs, and have a look at the bedrooms?
32:38Okay.
32:39We will.
32:42With busy jobs and a young family, the scale of this house has clearly daunted Daniel
32:47and Cheryl, and they've still got two more floors to see.
32:51The middle one offers a family bathroom, plus four bedrooms, the largest of which is an
32:57en suite.
32:58A huge en suite.
33:00Oh, well, yeah.
33:02Yeah.
33:02But, yeah, I'd love the beams and the low ceiling.
33:05And there's a fifth bedroom on the top floor.
33:09It's quite narrow.
33:11Yeah.
33:11But, obviously, very long.
33:13Some of the years as well.
33:15Yeah.
33:16I don't know.
33:16I'd maybe change it and not have it in the bedroom.
33:18Or would you have it as?
33:20The office.
33:20The office.
33:21Would you?
33:21Yeah.
33:22I don't know.
33:24Above the garage is another study, but let's not overwhelm them further, especially
33:29when there's still a huge garden full of mature trees.
33:38So, we've seen the house, we know the location.
33:40You have, I think, just over an acre here.
33:43It is quite an immense space.
33:45But we've got to try and put a price now on this unique property.
33:49Right.
33:50What are we thinking?
33:51Daniel, shall we start with you because your track record isn't...
33:54No, it's not strong.
33:55It's not strong.
33:55I need to try and redeem myself with this one.
33:57I feel you might be quite competitive.
33:59Yes.
33:59You could, yes.
34:01Cheryl's going, yes, yes.
34:02I'm going to go dead on 850, I'm going to say.
34:07What are you thinking, Cheryl?
34:09I'm going to go 975.
34:12Well, Daniel is closest.
34:14OK.
34:15That's good.
34:16Bryce has come down in actual fact.
34:17The asking price is 895,000 pounds.
34:21OK.
34:22OK.
34:23You're getting a lot for your money.
34:25You are getting a lot for your money.
34:26I mean, the garden is huge.
34:28But even the inside space is ample.
34:32Ample might be an understatement.
34:35This Grade II star-listed medieval barn conversion offers a lot of history and a lot of living space.
34:42With a triple-storey vaulted entrance hall, as well as cosier family accommodation, along with five bedrooms and an acre
34:50of land priced at 895,000 pounds.
34:54It is nice, but it's a bit too period, I think, for me.
34:59It would be a huge project to take on and...
35:03And the garden is scary.
35:05Yeah.
35:07Very impressive, but just a bit too much for us to take on.
35:21How many kinds of sweet flowers grow in an English country garden?
35:26Well, in this one, on the outskirts of the village of Chillum, it's blooming loads.
35:35Anna Evans runs a homegrown flower business with an emphasis on zero air miles and seasonality.
35:42And I'm helping her to pick some for an arrangement.
35:46Anna, I'm like a kid in a candy shop.
35:50I have never stood around so many different varieties of beautiful flowers.
35:54It's like a rainbow.
35:56Yeah.
35:56And it changes through the season.
35:58This time of year, there's all of these lovely late summer flowers that are just as beautiful as all of
36:06the other early summer and spring.
36:08So sniff that one, Nicky.
36:10What's this?
36:11That is Minardia.
36:13Oh, that's beautiful.
36:14So that's bergamot scent.
36:16Yeah.
36:17So it smells like Earl Grey tea.
36:18So why is it when we get bouquets, most beautiful flowers, there is no fragrance whatsoever?
36:24Well, a lot of them are grown very fast with the view that they haven't got some of the lovely
36:32old fashioned fragrances.
36:33They're grown particularly for the colour and for the shelf life.
36:36And the varieties that have got the fragrance tend to be the more delicate ones that don't necessarily last so
36:43long.
36:43That aren't so easy for florists to be able to just buy from a wholesalers.
36:49While Anna takes a different approach to cultivation, her flowers certainly don't lack any beauty.
36:55And they're also doing a great job of attracting all important pollinators.
37:01Different species out in the field, like Dorcas, aka wild carrot, have other benefits.
37:09This is predominantly for the orchards.
37:11We're assuming this is a beneficial predator source.
37:15So they're going to come in and they'll land on these and then this will feed, hopefully, to take out
37:20some of the bugs that are in the orchards.
37:22I like that.
37:23Beneficial predators.
37:24Yes.
37:24You can see there's an odd hoverfly.
37:28There's some insects on there.
37:30So many insects.
37:31Yes.
37:32So we've been planting this which has a succession of different flowers coming through as it's gone from spring into
37:38summer and then into autumn we'll get different bits.
37:40And then hopefully it will set seed and then we'll get some more again next year.
37:44And this is all to help the crop behind us.
37:47It is.
37:47We're trying to put in more natural pest control rather than doing chemicals.
37:53We are learning aren't we?
37:54We are definitely.
37:55We're going back in generations because previous generations would have had all of this naturally around the farm.
38:01Having filled our buckets we're transforming them into bouquets.
38:06Anna's going to show me how to make a hand tied arrangement with the help of these clever willow spheres
38:11for spacing that are also grown and made on site.
38:17Are you right handed?
38:19I am yes.
38:19Place it on top of your left hand.
38:21Yep.
38:22And then we're going to grab some greenery first as a base and then we're going to put the flowers
38:26in between it.
38:27A little bit of this.
38:28Now mine's quite long.
38:29Should I trim it?
38:31We can trim it afterwards.
38:32I think it will be alright.
38:34So if you put in now a bit of eucalyptus.
38:37So pop a bit of that in.
38:39And when it comes to looking after the flowers are there any secrets to it?
38:44Having clean vases is essential.
38:47Changing the water regularly.
38:49Ideally, especially when it's hot, I would say every couple of days.
38:52Would you?
38:53Yes.
38:54See I've seen this by the side of the road.
38:56Oh look you see I've got a little friend in there.
38:57And I didn't know that it was called wild carrot.
39:00Yep.
39:01So along here.
39:02Yeah.
39:04The other thing you need to bear in mind when you're making an arrangement is where you're going to put
39:08it.
39:09So if you're going to have it on the middle of a table, you're obviously going to want flowers all
39:13the way around.
39:14Yeah.
39:14Whereas if you're going to have it back to a wall, you're probably not wanting flowers at the back.
39:18You just want front facing.
39:21Oh.
39:22Do you know what I'm really getting?
39:23The smell.
39:24Good.
39:25Yeah.
39:25Natural fragrance.
39:26So from where we're standing, all of these flowers have been probably not even a quarter of a mile.
39:32No.
39:33Literally from the field to here.
39:34Yes.
39:35Footsteps.
39:35And it was footsteps as well, wasn't it?
39:37No distance.
39:39Definitely no air miles.
39:40Isn't that lovely?
39:41Put the string over your little finger, top of your hand, release your little finger and then put it through.
39:52That's doing jolly well.
39:54Look at that.
39:55Wow.
39:57Well done.
39:58Do you know what?
39:58That has to be one of the most enjoyable few hours I have ever spent.
40:03I have loved every single minute of it.
40:06And the fact everything there is local from Kent.
40:10Absolutely.
40:11Has to be the highlight.
40:12Anna, you're a genius.
40:13Thank you so much.
40:14Pleasure.
40:15It's been an absolute pleasure.
40:17All the best things come from Kent.
40:19But I would say that, wouldn't I?
40:21I just hope we've helped Cheryl and Daniel get a step closer to bringing up their family here.
40:32Oh, I wonder, have we got close to finding Cheryl and Daniel?
40:36Their perfect home in the most beautiful of settings?
40:40Shall we go and find out?
40:44Well, another beautiful and very warm day.
40:48I think we've had the best of the weather down here.
40:50So how do you feel, first of all?
40:52How has it gone?
40:54I think really good.
40:55We've found some new little villages that we wouldn't have maybe found before.
41:00Yeah.
41:00And the houses that we've seen have been so different and they've had their different characteristics
41:04that we may not have considered before going into these new houses.
41:09So it's been an amazing experience for sure.
41:11Yeah.
41:11I wonder, have we got close to finding you a property?
41:16I don't think in the properties that you guys have shown us, but you've certainly opened our eyes up to
41:22a lot that we hadn't potentially considered before.
41:27Yeah.
41:27Definitely.
41:28If I was going to put a couple of pence on a bet, I would have thought the first house
41:32was the closest to what you're after.
41:35Would I be right?
41:35Yeah.
41:36Yeah.
41:36You'd be, yeah, absolutely.
41:38I mean, the finish on that house was just absolutely spectacular.
41:41How close did we get with that first house?
41:43For me personally, very close.
41:45I think it was just maybe the outside space and the kitchen maybe being more open to the outside.
41:53Yeah.
41:53Well, we wish you the very best.
41:55We've loved showing you around, Kent.
41:57And thank you from me because it has really opened my eyes as to what's here.
42:01I thought I knew it.
42:02I realise I don't.
42:03You don't know always what's on your doorstep.
42:05That's very true.
42:06It takes going out there with an open mind and exploring, not just for the two of you and the
42:10children, but also for me as well.
42:12So I've finished this week on a high and I hope you have as well.
42:16We have.
42:17Thank you so much.
42:18And let us know how you get on.
42:20We will.
42:20That family home, won't you?
42:22We will.
42:27I'm going to call this week a success because Kent as a county has delivered on all fronts.
42:34And although we didn't quite achieve a house sale, what it has shown for Cheryl and Daniel is they can
42:40have the best of all worlds.
42:42A beautiful house in a first class country location and all within their budget.
42:48I can't wait to hear what they do next.
42:51So that's it from me and I'll see you again soon.
42:55If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales and need our help,
43:02why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:07We'll see you then.
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