Denise Nurse is in Norfolk with a buyer who wants to move closer to her family, and who has her son in tow for support. Plus, Denise meets someone who has taken the idea of mobile homes on wheels to a whole new level.
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00Searching for a home in the country can have its peaks and troughs.
00:05I can feel myself going downhill a little bit, can't you?
00:09You'll need to trust your instincts.
00:11Good vibes, actually. I can't even put my finger on it. Why?
00:16And rely on the support of others to keep you going.
00:19I think it's going to be everything you're looking for.
00:22Delighted to hear you're enthusiastic and I will try to share it.
00:27But it's all worth it when you find a property that's just right.
00:31So far, there's nothing that I'd change.
00:57Today we're in Norfolk, whose famous broads are home to over 25% of the UK's rarest wildlife.
01:05And it's those same natural surroundings attracting the birds and butterflies,
01:10which also brings so many people who come to spread their property wings in this county on the rise.
01:18Norfolk and its neighbours, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, are often referred to as the UK's breadbasket.
01:24And with good reason. East Anglia produces, on average, enough grain per year to make over 5 billion loaves of bread.
01:33Now to put that into context, that's a lot of bread.
01:37Norfolk is famed for its pretty villages, stunning coastline and impressive property stock.
01:44For lovers of the past, the village of Castleacre was once a fortified town,
01:49established after the Norman Conquest and still home to the twin ruins of a castle and a priory dating back to that period.
01:57For those wanting to live more in the moment, the county's famous waterways are now home to the Norfolk Broads Ultra,
02:04a 78-kilometre endurance paddleboarding race starting and ending in the village of Martham.
02:10And certainly not for the faint-hearted.
02:13It's got fantastic opportunities here. It's got lots of leisure activities like the broads, for boating, golf, motorcycling.
02:23If you want walks, if you want nature, it's a wonderful place to be.
02:28It's very vibrant. Lovely beaches, great hotels, restaurants and everyone you speak to is happy to live in Norfolk.
02:36So it's probably the biggest compliment you can give the place, really.
02:41The good news is that Norfolk is gorgeous.
02:44So gorgeous, in fact, that it saw a 52% increase in the number of people moving here last year,
02:50making it the second most popular destination in England.
02:53However, as a result, the property market here is fierce.
02:58And that's the not-so-good news.
03:00But the best news, especially for today's buyer, is that this has escaped the country.
03:05And we've always got our finger on the property pulse.
03:11Hi, I'm Julia. I live in Hove at the moment, on the south coast.
03:17I'm looking forward to going to Norfolk because the city here has become very, very busy.
03:23And I'm looking for a quieter location, a more tranquil lifestyle and closer to nature.
03:31Brighton and Hove-born Julia initially moved away from the city to attend university and begin her career as a physiotherapist,
03:39but returned 14 years ago when she retired to care for her elderly mother.
03:44She's now set her sights on the county of Norfolk.
03:48I've always been very fond of Norfolk.
03:51I actually studied part-time at the University of East Anglia at Norwich for 18 months.
03:57And I just loved the coastline and the little market towns.
04:03Norfolk is ideally positioned for visiting her two adult children, who have both settled in nearby Cambridgeshire.
04:09Julia is hoping the move will allow her to spend more time with grandson Harvey, who is eight.
04:15She'll be supported on her property journey by her son and dad to Harvey, Hugo.
04:21What's the first thing you want to do when grandma moves into her new house?
04:25We will visit her more regularly. That is good, very good.
04:31And we'll spend more time together. Yes, sir.
04:35Great stuff. Thanks, Harve.
04:36All right, mate. Bye.
04:39Hugo's under strict instructions to ensure Harvey has his own room in Julia's new home.
04:44But there's also another reason why Julia has invited him along on the property search.
04:49I've got quite a lot of experience with renovations and viewing a lot of houses.
04:53Hopefully I'll be able to bounce off mum and just tell her my point of view.
04:59And I'll be able to tell you mine. Yeah.
05:02We'll try to agree. We'll try to.
05:07With Hugo's help, Julia is eager to find a character property with a minimum of three bedrooms and a manageable garden, within her budget of £625,000.
05:18She currently enjoys a very active lifestyle, so it's important she lives somewhere with a strong community where she can access amenities and take part in local groups.
05:35Julia is making this move to be closer to family.
05:38And I think it's great that she's got her son coming along, Hugo.
05:42So the voice of Hugo, is that going to be the voice of reason?
05:46Or is he going to be the one pushing her out of her comfort zone?
05:51I'm keen to get better acquainted with this mother-son pairing before the business of house hunting gets underway.
05:59Oh, wow. Isn't this lovely? Isn't it fabulous? Very nice.
06:03To be here with you two. How well do you know this county?
06:06I've had a lot of holidays in Norfolk.
06:09When the children were small, Hugo and his sister.
06:12And more recently, I stayed for a week in a cottage in West Runton, owned by a friend of mine.
06:20Hugo and family came at the weekend, and I thought, I think I can see myself here.
06:26So is that the moment, I'm going to do this?
06:29Yes, I think so. I think it was as simple as that.
06:32That, yeah, now seems to be the moment.
06:35Hugo, what about you?
06:36I think it's going to be great having mum a lot closer.
06:39She's currently down in Hove and Brighton.
06:41It's a bit of a trek to get down there by the motorway.
06:44So it's going to be great having grandma to look after Harvey.
06:47It's going to be a good time.
06:49So lots of added bonuses for you.
06:50There's a real incentive for you to persuade mum that one of the properties we're going to find is the right one.
06:55Let's not waste any more time. Let's get out, see this county, and find your house.
07:01For our first property, we're venturing to the northeast of the county, destined for the village of Barton Turf.
07:09Lying on the northwestern edge of Barton Broad, this peaceful village epitomises what attracts so many to Norfolk's broadlands.
07:17Only marginally busier is the village of Neatishead, one mile away, which offers amenities that include a pub, a state-of-the-art village hall, and a shop.
07:30So here we go, property number one.
07:32Mmm, yes.
07:33What do you think?
07:34Well.
07:35I think it's absolutely charming.
07:37Yeah, yeah, it's a nice charming little house, rural location. Yeah, so far so good.
07:43So if you were looking through the brochures, would you have come to look at this one?
07:47I think I probably would, to be honest. I'm very curious to know what it's like inside.
07:53I am dying to show you the interior. Let's have a look.
07:55Good. Lovely, thank you.
07:58This characterful cottage is filled with period features and is thought to date back to 1795.
08:05It's been sensitively restored by the current owners, who have recently vacated the property.
08:12Come on through.
08:14So you've got the downstairs cloakroom.
08:15Yes.
08:16This is the first room I want to show you.
08:18Mmm.
08:19Come on in.
08:20The fireplace is great.
08:22That's right.
08:23I like it in that bit.
08:24It's an open fireplace. I think I'd put a wood burner in there.
08:27Okay.
08:28So there we are.
08:29Spending money already.
08:30Yes, that's right.
08:32It's light. It's got a door to the garden.
08:35I would say a couple of ticks.
08:38A couple of ticks?
08:39Yes.
08:40I love the light and just, listen.
08:43Birds.
08:44Birds.
08:45Peace.
08:46Quiet. I do not hear a car or anything rumbling by.
08:49Certainly no tourists.
08:51It's got a bit of potential for mum.
08:54Your furniture you have at the moment would work in here.
08:57I think we need to see more of the house, really, to make more of an idea.
09:01I think this is a good start, but I hear you want to see more.
09:04So let's go and see the kitchen.
09:10Gorgeous kitchen. Open plan.
09:13I love this space, but what do you think?
09:16Yes, the kitchen suits this age of the building, I think.
09:20I like the atmosphere in this property.
09:23Good vibes, actually.
09:25I can't even put my finger on it. Why?
09:28But, yes, I just like the way they've opened up the outside wall, for example, here.
09:34Okay, this might be a little bit elderly, this kitchen.
09:37This could be the part of the property that's the project for you, right?
09:41You could do whatever you want. It's not listed.
09:43No, that's right.
09:45What are your thoughts, Hugo?
09:46I'm liking it. It's got a lot of potential.
09:49I think it would be great for halves to come out here.
09:51You could be cooking away, and halves would be outside.
09:54I'm also good at cooking.
09:57This sounds good, and I have a feeling it's going to get even better as we go upstairs,
10:01but let's find out. Follow me.
10:03Thank you very much.
10:07From outside, it's giving off cute country cottage vibes,
10:10but inside, the rooms are actually pretty generous.
10:13Upstairs, the landing is bathed in natural light
10:17and leads to a family bathroom plus a study.
10:20There are also three double bedrooms,
10:23all of which feature original cast-iron fireplaces.
10:29I can feel myself going downhill a little bit, can't you?
10:32I heard you like character.
10:34To me, character means it's a bit of wonkiness.
10:37That's right. That's fine.
10:39It does tell me that it's genuinely a very old cottage.
10:43There is that wonderful view.
10:45Behind is a common. It's owned by its church land.
10:48It's not going to be built on. It's got protected species that are there.
10:52And because it's common land, it is used.
10:55Sounds great.
10:56I was thinking, for Harvey in particular,
10:58being able to access all that extra space.
11:01Maybe this should be Harvey's room.
11:03Oh, no.
11:04Now I understand why you're along. I got it.
11:09He can visit Grandma, but this is going to be Grandma's room.
11:13OK, we'll have a little fight about that later.
11:16A fight I imagine you might lose, Hugo.
11:19Outside, the owners have removed a double garage at the front
11:23to make way for a larger driveway,
11:25where there's also a handy storeroom.
11:28The garden is mostly lawned and features colourful planting
11:32with an attractive paved patio area,
11:35sheltered under a magnolia tree.
11:39What do you think about out here?
11:41It's definitely a great size for Mum.
11:43There's a few little tweaks would be quite good.
11:45Try and open up the common especially,
11:47maybe lower the hedges a little bit.
11:49The fence there, maybe continue the thorn bush.
11:53You've worked it all out.
11:55You were sounding very much like this could be a property.
11:58Yeah, I think it'd be great, yeah.
12:00So the question now is,
12:01how much do you think this property is on the market for?
12:04£575,000.
12:06OK, great guess.
12:08Hugo?
12:09£560,000.
12:11Well, I can reveal this is on the market
12:14and offers over £540,000.
12:18Mm-hmm.
12:19That is attractive.
12:21Bite your hand off.
12:23That is more like it, Julia.
12:25I love that.
12:26So get in there and start measuring up.
12:28You can buy this and make some pretty gorgeous changes
12:31and have a spare change.
12:33Thank you very much.
12:35Sitting comfortably under budget,
12:37this country cottage has space for hosting family
12:40but also retains a cosiness
12:42for those times when it's just Julia.
12:44All the rooms, including the four bedrooms,
12:47are packed full of period features.
12:49And to top it all off,
12:51the property enjoys an ideal position
12:53overlooking the village common.
12:55Now I've heard the price of the property,
12:58I'm encouraged
13:00because I'm starting to think about changes I would want to make.
13:05I would have to perhaps redo the kitchen.
13:09But I just love the layout.
13:11It's very, very nice.
13:13And I can see myself living in a place like this.
13:17I think Mum's got good feelings about this house.
13:20It's her first property she's viewed in Norfolk,
13:23so she's got to get her eye in maybe
13:25with the second house and the mystery house.
13:27But so far on this property,
13:29I think she's got good feelings with it.
13:32So how was that for a start?
13:34Oh, it was excellent.
13:35Really enjoyed seeing that property.
13:37Really enjoyable.
13:38And we've only just begun.
13:39Let's keep going.
13:53Julia is no stranger to coastal living,
13:55having been based in Brighton & Hove for over 14 years.
13:59But to move to Norfolk is a chance to discover
14:0290 miles of brand-new coastline.
14:05So we're sending Julia and Hugo
14:07to explore the seaside town of Wells Next The Sea.
14:11Oh, it's very pleasant.
14:12It is very pleasant.
14:14The last time I saw boats of this size was in Saint-Tropez.
14:18Was it Saint-Tropez?
14:20This is one of the last working seaports on the Norfolk coast
14:24with a proud maritime heritage.
14:26Wells is a very old-fashioned town almost.
14:29It's tiny.
14:30There are about 2,100 people that live permanently in Wells.
14:34This was a very industrial space,
14:36certainly until the mid-20th century,
14:38and the tourism industry has now taken over,
14:40so Wells has a thriving tourist economy.
14:43Many of the 100,000 people who visit each summer
14:47are drawn to the golden sands of Wells Beach,
14:50located one mile away.
14:52But plenty find just as much charm
14:54in the narrow streets of the town itself.
14:56It has many independent stores
14:58and many of the people that live here
15:00have been here for generations,
15:01so there is that real sense of Norfolk authenticity within here,
15:05which is a great attraction.
15:07Another attraction is Wells Maltings,
15:10a multi-purpose events and community space
15:13which opened in 2018.
15:15Julia and Hugo are stopping by this impressive building
15:19to chat with Becca Lynn.
15:20As head of community development,
15:22Becca knows exactly what makes the town so special.
15:28There's all sorts that goes on in the town.
15:31There's the carnival which is happening in a couple of weeks,
15:35which is kind of the big event of the year.
15:38Yeah, we have all sorts of people as well,
15:41from people that have...
15:43Generations have grown up here
15:45and then people who, like yourselves,
15:47thought, this is an amazing place, we want to move here.
15:50So there's a good community spirit, is there?
15:53I would say so, yeah.
15:54In our programme, we do everything from live music
15:59to live stream theatre
16:01and we sort of put on some free community events
16:04like the open mic night, bingo night, things like that.
16:08So it's a nice way to kind of meet local people
16:11and get involved as well.
16:13Julia may be looking for a quiet country location
16:16in which to settle,
16:17but it's encouraging to know that there are lively towns
16:20within the county where she can make social connections
16:23and enjoy a spot of cafe culture.
16:26But for now, it's time to finish those drinks
16:29and return to our search.
16:37We're continuing our property search in Norfolk's Broadlands,
16:40heading to the village of Ludham.
16:42Boasting chocolate box thatched cottages
16:45and a magnificent 14th-century church,
16:48the fortress Ludham provides easy access
16:51to the surrounding waterways.
16:53It's also home to a good range of amenities,
16:56including a pub that cater to the many visitors
16:59who frequent the Broads each day.
17:02But away from the crowds and hidden down a quiet lane
17:06is the second property we're here to see.
17:09Right, so let's take a look at this beauty,
17:14a former farmhouse.
17:16And set in these stunning gardens.
17:20It's a bit bigger than the first.
17:22I'm thinking I'd rattle around in there.
17:25But, you know, I've got an open mind.
17:28I'm happy to be surprised and delighted.
17:31Hugo, what do you think?
17:32The property looks very nice, similar to mine.
17:35Got a lot of character, looks in good condition.
17:38And, yeah, looking forward to going in.
17:40OK, I'm feeling daunted and eager.
17:43But I'm loving your enthusiasm.
17:45Let's see if we can pass some of that around.
17:47Come on. OK.
17:50This semi-detached property was built in the 17th century
17:54and is currently used as a second home.
17:57Much like the first house,
17:58there's a wealth of original features on display here,
18:01which someone seems very eager to see.
18:05Hugo, you're in first.
18:07Are we buying a house for you or your mum?
18:09What's going on?
18:11Are you loving it now we're in here?
18:13My house is very light
18:15and I don't get the feeling that I would want to spend
18:19a huge amount of time in here,
18:21other than perhaps in the depths of winter with the log burner.
18:24I think it's very different, isn't it,
18:26to the first living room we looked at.
18:28So let's strip it back for a minute.
18:30If you were to live here, how would you guys brighten it up?
18:33Any thoughts?
18:34Well, take back the beams, make them lighter,
18:37sandblast them maybe,
18:39and just try and make the room lighter with some brighter paint.
18:43It may work.
18:45I'm just not feeling it.
18:47I hear what you say on first feelings,
18:50but let's see how it evolves.
18:52I'm going to show you through to the kitchen.
18:58So this dining room apparently is the heart of the home.
19:02Lots of laughs here.
19:03Come through to the kitchen.
19:06So step down.
19:08It feels a lot lighter in here to me.
19:10No, this is a good space.
19:12I like it. I do.
19:14It's not in the first flush of youth,
19:17but then it fits the style of the property, I would say,
19:21and I like the wooden tops there.
19:23And you've got a lovely pantry, laundry room there.
19:26Mm-hm. This is good.
19:28This kitchen is a good size for Mum.
19:31I think it will work well straight off into the garden.
19:34That would be great for Harvey.
19:36And then the current dining room,
19:38maybe turn it into some sort of snug.
19:41Your decision.
19:44OK, great.
19:45Do you know what?
19:46Take that energy and those ideas and go and explore yourselves.
19:49Just play. What would you do if it was yours?
19:51OK, I'll be out there enjoying that garden.
19:53OK. See you later.
19:56This property boasts five double bedrooms,
19:59one of which is located on the ground floor
20:01and benefits from an ensuite bathroom.
20:05Bit of an office area, I'd say.
20:07Yes.
20:08Maybe work as, like, Harvey's bedroom
20:11or a little play area for him.
20:14So he could have his own little flat here, couldn't he?
20:17He could have this as a bedroom and this as his sitting room.
20:21Do you think he'd move in?
20:23Rent-free.
20:26Upstairs, a traditionally-styled bathroom featuring a freestanding bath
20:31serves the four remaining bedrooms,
20:33all of which have been well-maintained,
20:35ready for a new owner to put their mark on.
20:38This is different. So what do you think?
20:41Yeah, I don't think this is your cup of tea.
20:44It's a bit kind of claustrophobic.
20:46Yes, that's the right word.
20:48There we go.
20:49That's the right word.
20:50I don't think it's you.
20:51No, I agree. I agree.
20:53This property had to be seen.
20:55You've got so much space.
20:56It's full of family love, family memories.
20:59So to really appreciate what it could be for you,
21:02I think you've got to strip it back
21:04and picture it as the home that you would want to live in.
21:08And for some family, this is going to be perfect.
21:11For Julia, right now, a move on her own, maybe not.
21:15Do you think it's worthwhile seeing a property like this
21:18as a contrast to property number one?
21:20Definitely.
21:21I think you can only then really make your mind up about what suits you.
21:25And I can see the potential in this house for a family.
21:30But for one person, I'd just rattle around, I think.
21:34Yeah.
21:35If the size of the property is a concern,
21:38then perhaps I shouldn't show them the garden.
21:41Occupying a third of an acre, it includes a large lawn at the front,
21:45as well as a secluded side garden with a courtyard area.
21:49There's also a vegetable patch, should Julia fancy growing her own.
21:55How are you feeling now about where you are at the stage in the journey,
21:58checking property in?
21:59I'm certainly not ruling out age.
22:02It's just the size and the positioning of this house isn't right for me.
22:07But certainly, I'm more than happy to look at the modern house.
22:11In contrast, if it has a little bit of character,
22:14you know, I'm quite open-minded.
22:16Now, another important factor, of course, that you don't know yet,
22:20is how much this property is priced at.
22:22Indeed.
22:23So let's bring that in, because that can always change everything.
22:27How much do you think?
22:28Absolutely.
22:29I would say 525.
22:31OK.
22:32Hugo?
22:33I'm going to go a little bit lower, 515,000 pounds.
22:37Interesting.
22:38This one, bigger, grander, 600,000 pounds.
22:43Is it really?
22:45Yes, it really is.
22:46I was a bit wrong.
22:47Yes.
22:49This character property offers five bedrooms, a spacious kitchen,
22:54and two further reception rooms,
22:56all within an idyllic and friendly Broadland village.
23:00It's been on the market for six months,
23:02so for the right buyer, now might be the time for a deal to be done.
23:06I think what's not working for me is the size of the garden,
23:11which is really quite daunting.
23:13The house also, it matches the garden.
23:15It's large.
23:16It's more of a family house, I think,
23:19than it is suitable for a single person.
23:23There's a lot of work that's needed here.
23:25I want less work, not more work at this time in life.
23:29And you wouldn't thank me very much, would you,
23:32for giving you a paintbrush or giving you the lawnmower
23:35when you came to stay?
23:36I did it a couple of times,
23:38and then you'd have to pay me a couple of quid.
23:41Much of Julia's motivation for moving to Norfolk
23:44is to be closer to her family,
23:46and having travelled from their home in Cambridgeshire,
23:49Hugo's wife, Hazel, and 8-year-old son, Harvey,
23:52have come to meet us house hunters.
23:54You all right? Yeah.
23:56Come on, then.
23:57We're rounding off a busy day of property searching
24:00with some downtime by the water.
24:02You did it. That was a good one, Harvey.
24:06I'd like to chat with Harvey.
24:08I skipped one!
24:10He's recently enjoyed a family holiday in Norfolk
24:13and has his own property wish list that I need to consider.
24:16What kind of house do I need to find for Grandma?
24:19Very modern.
24:21Oh, modern!
24:22Like the one that I went to stay with her last time.
24:25In Norfolk? Yeah.
24:26Something like that? Yeah.
24:28OK. Did you have a really fun time?
24:30It had a swinging house.
24:32A swinging chair? Yes, and a barbecue.
24:35And a barbecue?
24:36And I could access outdoors really easily.
24:39So you just opened one single sliding door,
24:42you went into the garden, which has a swinging chair,
24:45then you open another gate and then you're out in the field
24:49and then you're like a helicopter.
24:51That sounds amazing.
24:53Message received, Harvey.
24:55I will do my best.
24:58If you dream of escaping to the Norfolk countryside,
25:02here's what you need to know first.
25:04The average cost of a detached property
25:07has risen 14% in the past year,
25:10and the cost of a detached property
25:12has gone up by over £1 million.
25:15The average cost of a detached property
25:17has gone up by over £1 million.
25:20The average cost of a detached property
25:22has gone up by over £1 million.
25:25The average cost of a detached property
25:27has risen 14% in the past year
25:30and now stands at just over £401,000,
25:34but still more than £40,000 lower than the national average.
25:38The biggest growth was seen in the Broadlands
25:40and the north of the county,
25:42suggesting that access to water and the coast
25:44are motivating factors for many people moving here.
25:50It's been a really wonderful time for the Norfolk market.
25:53But if I had to pick out any specific areas,
25:55I think Cromer is a very exciting town,
25:57a very exciting market.
25:59The High Street there is doing phenomenally well.
26:01There's some exciting youthful businesses coming through.
26:03And Cromer as a town has the most phenomenal architecture
26:06and it's nice to see it being celebrated and appreciated again.
26:10Despite the market's huge growth,
26:12it is still possible to buy well in Norfolk,
26:14and whatever your budget,
26:16a property that suits your needs can be found.
26:19In the village of East Rudham,
26:21a two-bed cottage has been stylishly refurbished
26:23and has the benefit of a large, attractive garden.
26:26It's on the market for £395,000.
26:30For those working with a larger budget,
26:32£800,000 could get you this red brick barn conversion
26:36with a thatched roof.
26:38Located in the village of Slowly,
26:40it has an open-plan kitchen and living area,
26:42four bedrooms,
26:44and a south-facing garden with far-reaching countryside views.
26:48But if Norfolk is just your chosen holiday destination,
26:51how about a log cabin situated within the grounds of Pentley Lakes?
26:55Accommodating up to 10 guests,
26:57the cabin features a log fire, a hot tub,
27:00and lakeside balcony views,
27:02with prices starting at £1,500 for a week's stay.
27:10We got off to a great start yesterday
27:12and I've learnt so much more about what
27:14Julie is really looking for with this property search.
27:17The thing that I'm going to take away though
27:19is that while she seems to want character,
27:21something old and mature on the outside,
27:24I think on the inside,
27:26the convenience and proportions of modern-day living
27:28are going to be more up her street.
27:30And I think their mystery house might give us just that.
27:34The final stop of our property tour
27:36is taking us into the middle of the county,
27:38to the countryside surrounding Hingham.
27:41This handsome market town is steeped in history,
27:44with its sign depicting the exodus of residents
27:47who sailed to the New World in the 1630s,
27:50including Samuel Lincoln,
27:52ancestor of President Abraham Lincoln.
27:55Nowadays though, there are plenty of reasons to stay,
27:58with amenities here including a bakery,
28:01butchers and greengrocers,
28:03as well as a hotel that hosts a community book club.
28:08A plethora of Georgian properties hint at what we've come to see,
28:12but I'm going to keep Julia and Hugo in the dark a little longer,
28:15whilst they take in the town,
28:17and I make the five-minute drive to our final offering.
28:22So this is the mystery house.
28:24It's gorgeous. It's Georgian.
28:26This is everything I think Julia's looking for on the outside.
28:30I'm pretty sure she's going to love the inside too.
28:32Let's have a look.
28:35So yesterday, Julia and Hugo spent a lot of time
28:38talking about how they would change the properties,
28:41bring them up to date, make it more suitable for Julia.
28:44Just look at this. I mean, this house has been recently modernised.
28:47It's open, it's fresh, it's bright.
28:50I don't think she's going to have to do anything in here.
28:52Can't wait to hear what she thinks of it.
28:54All that remains is to welcome mother and son
28:57and for the modern mystery twist of this historic home to be revealed.
29:04Hello! Hi!
29:06I'm so excited about this one.
29:08It's a Georgian property. Very pretty, isn't it?
29:11What do you think, Hugo? Very nice, flinty.
29:13Flinty, that's right. It's a Norfolk flint.
29:15It's got character. Yeah.
29:17I've always been attracted to flint-fronted properties,
29:20so, yeah, very nice.
29:22Now, the reason this is the mystery house,
29:24I think this is more of the modern twist
29:27compared to the properties that we showed you before.
29:29I think it's going to be everything you're looking for, but...
29:32Mm-hm. OK. Yeah?
29:34Well, I'm delighted to hear you're enthusiastic,
29:37and I will try to share it.
29:40You won't have to try, I promise. Come on, let's have a look.
29:45Believed to have been built in 1817,
29:48this attractive detached cottage feels typical
29:51of the brick-and-flint properties
29:53that attract so many homebuyers to Norfolk.
29:56The current owners have recently carried out extensive renovations,
30:00creating a modern open-plan kitchen-diner
30:03that leads to a living area where we're beginning our tour.
30:06For me, this is where I think you're going to spend most of your time.
30:09Yes. Very charming.
30:11Very user-friendly.
30:14Yeah, I'm quite taken aback, actually.
30:16That's why the words are not quite coming out.
30:20Just because it's been so beautifully done.
30:23So I'm enthusiastic, all right? Yeah.
30:25This is me being enthusiastic. I can tell, no.
30:28I can tell. Any changes you'd make, Hugo?
30:31I think this is really good for Mum,
30:33like a nicer version of her current house.
30:36Nice view into the garden as well.
30:38Very good. This is nice! Smile, girl, smile.
30:41I feel almost, like, relief as well.
30:43It's like, oh, yeah! That's right.
30:45So now you want to see more. Show me more.
30:47Yeah, that's the spirit. Show me more. I will indeed.
30:50A three-piece shower room can be accessed via utility
30:54where there's lots of storage.
30:57A separate snug with a study
30:59provides a more cosy space away from the main living area.
31:04This could be your evening space
31:06or just your quiet time when all the family are over.
31:09Right, or even the winter.
31:11The winter lounge. There we go.
31:13Yesterday in the first property,
31:15Hugh talked a lot about the feeling.
31:17What's coming up for you in this house?
31:19Again, good vibes. Good vibes.
31:21Probably even more positive vibes, actually.
31:23Looking at the house so far,
31:26there's nothing that I'd change.
31:29Wow! Nothing that you'd change. Beautiful.
31:31What do you think Harvey would think of it?
31:33I'd love it. This would be a good gaming room.
31:36With Harvey in mind, why don't you go and check out upstairs,
31:39the bedrooms, and I will see you later to hear what you think.
31:43A bright landing on the first floor
31:45gives access to a smart family bathroom
31:48which serves the property's three bedrooms.
31:50And if you'd forgotten you were in a Georgian property,
31:53then the main bedroom with its elegant cornicing
31:56and high ceilings should serve as a little reminder.
32:01Delightful, isn't it?
32:03It's huge. Easily fit your gear all in here.
32:07Yes. Smaller, but perfectly suitable as a spare room.
32:13I'd say with Julia, she's a woman who plays her cards close to her chest,
32:17but in this house, there's definitely more positivity in her words.
32:22The smile is starting to come through.
32:24I think the guard's coming down a bit.
32:26I think this house could be a contender.
32:28Yeah, there would be huge benefit in terms of moving here
32:32just because I could literally unpack all my furniture
32:36and not have to do anything for as long as I wanted to, really.
32:40There's nothing to do with it. It's just out of the box, basically.
32:44It's true. The house needs nothing doing to it.
32:47But should Julia fancy a creative project,
32:50then the adjoining double garage offers a lot of scope.
32:54Ooh, this is a large garage.
32:57Best room in the house, this is.
32:59You know, there is potential
33:01to maybe turn it into a little holiday flat to rent out.
33:07It's a big room, so it could be done.
33:10The garden of this mystery house is the largest of any property
33:14we've seen so far, occupying around half an acre.
33:18You can do your daily exercise.
33:21But, now hear me out,
33:23it's the most straightforward in terms of maintenance,
33:26so I'm hoping its size won't put a dampener
33:29on what has been an incredible mystery house tour so far.
33:34How are you feeling out here, then?
33:36Is this enticing you or making you reconsider your love for the house?
33:40I mean, my first instinct is to say it's a bit of a negative,
33:45but then Hugo's, I know, always got some ideas about...
33:50Come on, Hugo, sell it. ..use of space.
33:52What would you do with this space if Mum buys it?
33:54It's screaming out for a tennis court just there,
33:57maybe a bit more planting, fruit trees even.
34:00Mm-hm. But, yeah, you could make it manageable.
34:03Just needs a little bit of careful thought, shall we say,
34:06cos the house is perfect. The house is perfect.
34:08But... So you can stop, full stop.
34:10The house is perfect!
34:12There is one important question, though.
34:14How much would you have to pay for this to become yours?
34:18I think this property's on the market for £625,000.
34:24OK.
34:25I'll go a little bit more, £630,000.
34:29I'm delighted to share with you that this property is on the market
34:32and offers in excess of £600,000.
34:36Mm. I see. Right. Yes.
34:40Yes. I don't think there's any doubt that the property itself
34:45is what I would want.
34:48I'm being cautious here.
34:50You're not going to give anything away yet.
34:52We are going to have a proper chat.
34:54I'll give you a moment to think about it. Fair enough.
34:56Hugo will go do his magic as well and I'll see you both later on.
34:59All right. Thank you very much.
35:01This turnkey period residence comes with three bedrooms,
35:06a large open-plan living space and a separate snug.
35:10Whilst the overall plot might be large,
35:12the low-maintenance garden and surrounding fields
35:15makes the outside space feel peaceful and secluded.
35:19The house is definitely delivered.
35:21I don't think there's any doubt about that.
35:23I think we're in agreement, aren't we, Hugo?
35:25Yeah, definitely.
35:26I love the wood features.
35:28The kitchen's been done out superbly.
35:32Bit more thought to do, though, with the garden and the garage.
35:35Yeah. I do have some reservations about the garden.
35:40It's about twice the size of the plot that I probably would like.
35:46Having said that, the house is spot on.
35:51The staycation is here to stay.
35:54Well, according to the British public, that is,
35:56with 61% of us planning to holiday at home this year
36:00rather than travel abroad.
36:03But if hotels and holiday lets aren't your thing,
36:06what are the alternatives?
36:08Enter Alan Powley.
36:10He builds and sells hotels and hotels.
36:13He's also the founder and CEO
36:15What are the alternatives?
36:17Enter Alan Powley.
36:19He builds and sells his own unique homes on wheels.
36:23Powered by solar panels with all the mod cons,
36:26Alan's rolling homes provide mobile, off-grid camping
36:29for those keen to escape the crowds and enjoy the great outdoors.
36:34I'm meeting him at his meadow in the village of South Lopham.
36:39Oh, I knew I was coming to see something special.
36:43These homes, they're so gorgeous, so unique.
36:46How did this even come about?
36:48Well, I started making shepherd's huts.
36:51Well, I made the first one just for myself
36:53and then someone came along and liked it, so I sold it.
36:55So I had to make myself another one.
36:57And it just sort of carried on from there,
36:59gradually sort of snowballing, really.
37:01You've got lots of people who love coming out to the countryside.
37:03They really want to immerse themselves in this style.
37:05But for some, it's quite daunting.
37:07And would something like this make the transition easier?
37:10Yeah, absolutely.
37:11It's just a bit more comfortable than just a tent.
37:13It feels a bit more solid than just having a bit of canvas
37:15between you and the wild.
37:17And then you've got a few creature comforts as well.
37:19It is the ultimate glamping, I think.
37:21They look very self-sufficient.
37:23Yeah, this one's completely off-grid.
37:25So it's got its own solar panels, battery bank.
37:28It's got its own water tanks, got composting toilet.
37:31And you can just park that up and, you know, live quite nicely.
37:35They all look gorgeous, but out of all of them,
37:37that one looks like something that could work for me.
37:40Let's have a look.
37:41Absolutely.
37:42Alan can spend up to a year building a single structure
37:46and chooses to work without plans or drawings,
37:49making every single structure completely unique.
37:53His sustainable designs feature work surfaces
37:56made from reclaimed scaffolding boards,
37:58doors made from local oak,
38:00plus door handles and hooks made from hazel branches
38:03recovered from the hedges that surround the meadow.
38:06This looks like the kind of place
38:08I could easily holiday with my family,
38:10with my son, my husband, we come along.
38:13You know, he's thought of everything here, Alan.
38:15It's a proper kitchen, and I'm not looking at it
38:17thinking, where would I put everything?
38:19Lots of storage, pretty and practical, which is important.
38:24All of Alan's homes on wheels are mobile.
38:27The largest weighs up to 3.5 tonnes
38:30and requires a 4x4 to be towed.
38:32But he's also come up with an even more compact design,
38:35perfectly suited to the hitch-and-go camper.
38:40So this is the teardrop, a little bit more cosy, bijou?
38:43Definitely, definitely. This is like an off-road teardrop,
38:46so it's kind of got the bigger wheels,
38:48and it's got a 100-litre water tank,
38:52it's got two big leisure batteries,
38:54so you can kind of go off-grid a bit and do some exploring.
38:59It looks like the Nutty Professor's
39:01got a little bit more experimental here.
39:03What's going on here?
39:05Right, so this is part of the kitchen,
39:08so that comes down, and then that's your tap from the water tank.
39:15That is brilliant!
39:17And then the rest of the kitchen is in here.
39:24Everything thought of again.
39:26It could be fun just to have at the bottom of your garden,
39:29and probably a different kind of audience
39:31than the ones that would buy the big ones.
39:33Yeah, these are cheaper and easier to store,
39:36and just ideal for just going.
39:38When you want to go somewhere, you just chuck your bags in.
39:40You don't have to pack loads of camping equipment.
39:42Just chuck your spare pair of pants in there,
39:45and you're on the road.
39:46Loving all of this.
39:48Mad Hatter's Tea Party.
39:50But really, the only place I want to go right now is in here,
39:53so excuse me, I'm climbing in.
39:56Oh, wow!
39:58This is a full-size double bed,
40:00and then you've managed to fit in a full bureau.
40:03It's a Georgian bureau.
40:05And what is this?
40:07That's a vintage CB.
40:09Hello, Escape to the Country viewers.
40:11This is the ultimate first vacation.
40:13I love it.
40:15This is super comfortable, so comfortable that I think
40:17I need a little break from house hunting.
40:19I'll see you later, everyone. Bye.
40:25Proof that good things come in small packages,
40:28Alan's fun and inventive approach to caravanning
40:31serves as a reminder to holidaymakers
40:33that there are some truly unique staycations
40:36to be had in the UK.
40:43Well, we've given Julia lots to think about,
40:46so let's go and see if she's got any clarity.
40:50We've seen the three properties,
40:52and they are, granted, the first three properties
40:55you've actually looked at in Norfolk.
40:57Where are we now?
40:59I think the third house, the mystery house,
41:02epitomised the kind of property that I would want.
41:06It's got a really good feel to it,
41:08but then the garden was a problem for me.
41:11Plus, because I haven't sold my houses yet,
41:14if I am going to take on a project,
41:17like reconfiguring a garden,
41:19I need to know what money I've got
41:21and whether I can afford it.
41:23So that's where I am with it all.
41:25Does that mean if you come out with enough budget,
41:28you would put an offer in for the mystery house?
41:31Oh, it's an attractive prospect.
41:33I think Hugo would like me to do that.
41:36What would you say you're taking away as your big takeaway?
41:39Is you, Hugo, as an advisor, trusted counsel?
41:44I've been to Norfolk on holidays,
41:46but actually to be drilled down and view these three houses
41:50has been a wonderful experience.
41:52And then trying to convince Mum on property number three,
41:56maybe I need to up my game a little bit more with that.
41:59I certainly believe in a gut response,
42:02and I had that with the third property.
42:05It's just that the rational part of me is saying,
42:10just hold on a moment, you know.
42:13But Denise, thank you so much for everything that you've done for us.
42:17Really appreciate it.
42:18It's been a pleasure.
42:19You've chosen a beautiful county.
42:21I really do hope that it's not that long
42:23before you're making this move.
42:30Well, what a week we've had with Julia and Hugo.
42:33House buying is a process.
42:35She's at the very start of her journey of moving to Norfolk,
42:38seeing her first three properties on this search.
42:40And I think what she's learnt out of this
42:42is that she really needs that perfect blend of character
42:45and modern living to give her the home that she's looking for.
42:49The mystery house, I think, just about gets us there.
42:52So let's hope she makes that sale of her current home
42:54and is moving to Norfolk sooner than we think.
42:57We'll see you next time on Escape to the Country.
43:01If you would like to escape to the country
43:03in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
43:06and need our help, you can apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
43:36.