The 16th-century Old Manor in Norfolk is a hotchpotch of architectural styles. The Grade II listed property is full of history, but beset by damp, woodworm and death watch beetle. It is an overwhelming project to take on and yet new owners, Polly and Erich, are determined to turn this crumbling property into their dream home. As work gets under way, expensive and unforeseen structural problems are uncovered. Meanwhile, the historical and architectural investigations start to yield results. A leading expert thinks he has identified the original church location of the stained glass windows which firmly dates them to Henry VIII's Reformation. As Polly and Erich think they have sorted out the major problems, disaster strikes again. The Old Manor is broken into and badly vandalised.