Best properties: pretty cottages under £500,000

1. Essex: £312,000

29 Walden Road, Sewards End, Saffron Walden

A Grade II-listed thatched cottage with lovely character features – including exposed beams and wooden-framed windows – off-street parking and a 108ft rear garden with an outbuilding that would make an ideal home office. Main double bed, 1 further single bed, family bath, kitchen, sitting/dining room with fireplace, covered patio, cottage garden, parking for 2 cars, outbuilding/studio.

£312,000; Mullucks (01799-520520)

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2. Lincolnshire: £275,000

Gable Cottage, Horncastle

A pretty Grade II-listed part-thatched house dating back to the late 18th century, in this popular market town. Main suite, guest suite with dressing room/bed 4, 1 further bed, kitchen, breakfast room, 2 further receps, WC, utility, hall, front garden, rear courtyard, workshop, garage.

£275,000; Robert Bell (01507-522222)

3. County Durham: £365,000

The Hill, Middletonin-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

A charming stone-built former farmer’s cottage nestled on the edge of the village green of this picturesque market town, surrounded by open countryside. 2 double beds, shower, kitchen, 2 receps, conservatory, utility, ground-floor shower with WC, boot room, hall, on-street parking, garden, 2 sun terraces, stone-built outbuilding.

£365,000; Finest Properties (01434-622234)

4. Essex: £425,000

22 Church Street, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill

A charming detached period cottage in the heart of this well-served village. 2 beds, family bath, bed 3/study, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, utility, cottage garden, garage, off-road parking.

£425,000; Cheffins (01440-707076)

5. Cumbria: £385,000

Church Gates, Cumwhitton, Brampton

A beautiful sandstone detached cottage on the green next to St Mary’s church in this unspoiled Eden Valley village. Main suite, guest suite, kitchen, 2 receps, WC, hall, integral garage, utility/laundry room, well-maintained gardens, off-road parking, courtyard.

£385,000; Finest Properties (01539-468400)

6. North Yorkshire: £450,000

Lamb Cottage, Hampsthwaite, Harrogate

A lovely period cottage with many character features in the centre of this village, just ten minutes from Harrogate. Main bed, 1 further double bed, family bath, kitchen, walk-in pantry, entrance lobby, recep hall, sitting room with beamed ceiling and stone fireplace, dining room with flagstone floor and underfloor heating, WC/utility, home office/single bed 3, boarded storage loft, store, on-street parking, enclosed cottage garden.

£450,000; Carter Jonas (01423-523423)

7. Worcestershire: £395,000

Friday Cottage, Pebworth. Stratford-upon-Avon

A traditional Grade II cottage, situated in the heart of this village, with a mix of modern and character features, a good-sized garden and off-road parking. Main bed, 1 further bed, contemporary family bath, kitchen, 2 receps with exposed timbers, study/garden room, WC, garden, parking.

£395,000; Hamptons (01386-210184)

8. Warwickshire: OIEO £425,000

The New Inn, Bleachfield Street, Alcester

Sympathetically restored, this charming Grade II-listed property in the heart of this market town has a large garden and parking. The house has an area that could easily be converted into a 1-bed annex. 4 double beds, 2 baths, shower, kitchen, walk-in pantry, sitting room with inglenook fireplace, 1 further recep overlooking courtyard, snug, playroom, utility, rear garden, courtyard area.

OIEO £425,000; Fine & Country (01789-332600)

9. Oxfordshire: £450,000

Freehold Street, Lower Heyford, Bicester

A beautifully decorated thatched cottage with many original period features and views over open countryside, both to the front and rear. 3 beds, ground-floor family bath, WC, modern kitchen, 2 receps, 2 staircases, garden, separate garden room.

£450,000; Hamptons (01869-640018)