Recent violence in the Middle East had some of Dubai’s wealthy British expats rushing to bunkers, but in the longer term they might be seeking shelter in a famous Italian city.

Milan is becoming the preferred destination for the wealthy who are “abandoning” Dubai because of tensions and violence in the Gulf region, said British Asian newspaper Eastern Eye.

Restlessness and reinvention

Italy’s flat-tax regime means that foreign residents can pay €300,000 (£259,620) a year on all overseas income, which is “small change for the world’s wealthiest”, said The Guardian. Even prior to the fighting in Iran, interest in Italy took off after Britain scrapped its non-dom status and Portugal tightened its own rules.

But “tax policy alone does not explain the surge”, said the Economic Times. Italy’s “strong legal framework, EU membership, and relatively stable economy” make it a “compelling choice” for the privileged.

As wealthy families move to “safer European bases”, Milan is enjoying “historic spikes” in luxury real estate sales, from its “renovated palazzi to modern high-end apartments”. Property prices in Milan have risen by 38% over five years.

“Unlike more poetic cities like Rome or Venice”, Milan “actually works” and doesn’t have an issue with “overtourism”, said The Times. Its “strategic location” offers “easy access to the lakes, mountains and coast” and there’s a “restlessness” and an “obsession” with “reinvention”, meaning there’s “always something new to see or do”. It is home to the Borsa Italiana stock exchange, leading banks and global fashion houses.

A new “superfast” railway links the city centre and Linate airport, you can “whizz around the city quicker than ever” on the “tap-in tap-out” metro, and there are new hotels, restaurants, bars and private members’ clubs, which are “cranking up the standards of hospitality” from “perfectly good” to something closer to those of London or New York.

Tax dumping

Can Milan really dethrone Dubai in the affections of the “global elite”? That “remains to be seen”, said The Guardian. Armand Arton, who helps multimillionaire and billionaire families to relocate through investment citizenship schemes, said he’s “positive” that Dubai will “rebound from the current question of doubt around security”.

There are “still questions” about “how far Italy can push its advantage”, said the broadsheet, and the former French prime minister François Bayrou accused Italy of “tax dumping”, an allegation that Giorgia Meloni dismissed as “utterly baseless”.

Italy is not fully replacing Dubai, said Eastern Eye, but it has become a “strategic second home for global elites”. Experts believe the Italian city “offers a compelling alternative for those prioritising European stability”.

Devon: Middle Stoke House, Holne, Newton Abbot

A Victorian family house set in just over four acres within the Dartmoor National Park, with wonderful views over the River Dart. 5 beds, family bath, shower room, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, gardens, paddocks, parking. £1.25 million; Knight Frank.

North Yorkshire: Hollins Farm, Richmond

Superb 18th century house with grounds of approx. 1 acre. 3 suites, 2 further beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, study, garden, outbuilding. OIEO £695,000; GSC Grays.

Cornwall: Pengarrock Farm, Porthallow Cove

An elegant Georgian farmhouse with approx. 1.5 acres. 4 beds, 3 baths, 6 receps, kitchen, 3 holiday cottages, music room with annexe potential, barns. £1.55 million; Rohrs and Rowe.

Somerset: Luccombe, Minehead

A beautiful former rectory within the Exmoor National Park, with gardens extending to 3.2 acres. 7 beds, 6 baths, 7 receps, 2 kitchens, cellars, 2 letting cottages. £1.95m; Savills.

West Sussex: Slipe, Twineham Lane, Haywards Heath

Fine Grade II* 15th century house. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, study, gardens; 1.5 acres. £1.85 million; John D. Wood & Co.

Dorset: Gillyflower, Kington Magna

A pretty mid- 18th century cottage on the edge of the village, abutting fields and giving lovely views to the east and north. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen, recep, garden, parking. £475,000; Symonds & Sampson.

Suffolk: The Sparrows Nest, Ousden

This charming Grade II cottage, believed to date back to the late 17th century, has a garden that wraps around the house overlooking the neighbouring field. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps. £550,000; Bedfords.

Devon: Hill House Farm, Yarcombe

A stylish flint farmhouse with glorious views, set in approx 6.18 acres of grounds and woodland. 7 beds (2 en suite), family bath, kitchen/dining room, 3 receps, study, stables, outbuildings, garage. £1.75 million; Jackson-Stops.

Cornwall: Hustyn Gate, St Breock

Picturesque country residence, set within approx. 2.3 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds. Main suite, 4 further beds, 3 baths, kitchen/diner, 3 receps, utility, 2-bed detached annexe; 2.3 acres. £1.3 million; Rohrs and Rowe.

Yorkshire: Cliff Street, Whitby

A coastal cottage with commanding views of Whitby Harbour and Abbey, as well as the 199 Steps. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep, terrace. £399,950; Hope & Braim.

Northumberland: Belford Hall, Belford

Ground-floor flat in a Grade I Georgian house, in 28 acres of shared gardens. 2 beds, 2 baths, study, kitchen, 2 receps, parking. £325,000; Fine & Country.

Yorkshire: Sycarham House, Cloughton

A Grade II early 18th century farmhouse with superb sea views down the North Yorkshire coast, taking in Scarborough Castle and Filey Brigg. 5 beds (1 en suite), family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, 1-bed cottage, workshop, garage. £995,000; Cundalls.

Yorkshire: Church Street, Whitby

An elegant contemporary townhouse overlooking the harbour. 4 beds (2 en suite), family bath, kitchen/living room, garage. £550,000; Hope & Braim.

Yorkshire: Primrose Cottage, Robin Hood’s Bay

A Grade II cottage built in 1668 and located in one of the most photographed villages on the Yorkshire coast. Period features include exposed stonework and beamed ceilings. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep, terrace. £425,000; Hope & Braim.

Northumberland: The Friars, Bamburgh

This fine Grade II Georgian house is located on the edge of a village within walking distance of the beach. The property, named after the 13th century Dominican friary which once stood here, has been sensitively restored. 5 suites, kitchen, 5 receps, 3-bed cottage, garden, paddock, parking. £2.95 million; Knight Frank.

Yorkshire: Roxby Cottage, Staithes

Delightful (pale blue) cottage in a superb setting on the harbourside of this old fishing village, just yards from the beach. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen, open-plan living/dining room. £369,950; Hope & Braim.

Yorkshire: Eight Bells, Staithes

A charming 19th century Grade II cottage tucked away at the top of Barras Square. 2 beds, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living room. £175,000; Hope & Braim.

Yorkshire: Ackworth House, Filey

Second-floor beachside flat in a former Victorian spa. 3 beds (2 en suite), family bath, kitchen/diner, recep, parking. OIEO £795,000; Hunters.

Worcestershire: Apple Cross, Stoke Bliss

A handsome period farmhouse set in approx. 34 acres. Main suite, 6 further beds, 2 baths, 2 kitchen/breakfast rooms, 2 receps, 1-bed flat, brick stables, foaling box, barns, riding arena, garden, garage. OIEO £1.65m; Fox Grant.

Hampshire: Shirley House, Bransgore

Fine Grade II farmhouse dating back to the 14th century with an original chapel, set within 2.5 acres. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, 3-bed cottage, stables, grazing paddocks, riding arena, garden, garage. £1.8m; Spencers.

Cornwall: Gwynne Moor, Wadebridge

Delightful period cottage set in approx. 9 acres of countryside. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, stables, outbuildings, garden, parking. £695,000; John Bray Estates.

Somerset: Brook House, Stoney Stratton.

A splendid Grade II 17th century house boasting plenty of period features. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, paddocks, stables, garden, parking. £740,000; Lodestone.

Cambridgeshire: The Old Rectory, Snailwell

Handsome Grade II* Georgian residence. 9 beds, 5 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, 4-bed cottage, 2-bed coach house, stables, paddocks, approx. 7.68 acres, parking. £2.5m; Savills.

Wiltshire: Roundway Farm House, Devizes

An impressive Grade II farmhouse dating back to the 16th century with commanding views over the Wiltshire Downs. 6 beds, 2 baths, 3 receps, kitchen/breakfast room, study, 2 cottages, stables, paddocks, tennis court, approx. 9.5 acres of land, garden, parking. £2.5m; Savills.

Lincolnshire: Smith’s Farm, Gedney Dyke

Traditional farmhouse in a tranquil setting of more than 4 acres. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, brick stables, Olympic-size arena, barns, garden, parking. £675,000; Fine & Country.

Scottish Borders: Nether Horsburgh Farmhouse, Innerleithen

Charming B-listed country house set in approx. 5 acres in the heart of the Tweed Valley. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, outbuilding, paddock, garden. OIEO £795,000; Rettie.

Suffolk: St Mary’s Square, Bury St Edmunds

A charming red- brick, Grade II former regency chapel built in 1811. The property has a well-maintained walled courtyard garden and is situated on a historic square, close to St Edmundsbury Cathedral and the Abbey Gardens. Main suite, 4 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, utility, garden, parking. £1.15 million; Bedfords.

Cornwall: Cosawes Barton Cottage, Ponsanooth

Impressive mini estate set in 12 acres between the cathedral city of Truro and Falmouth. Main suite, 3 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, utility, 3 “5-Star Gold Award”-rated 3-bed letting cottages, 2-bed cottage, garden, outbuildings, parking. £2.65 million; Rohrs and Rowe.

Shropshire: The Ridge, Moston

A handsome former Methodist chapel, built in 1885 and beautifully converted into a house. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, study/bed 5, utility, garden, garage. £775,000; Strutt & Parker.

Berkshire: Burnham Abbey, Taplow

A historic Grade I 13th century abbey (suitable for a range of uses, subject to consents). 3-bed cottage, 4-bed cottage, Grade II timber-framed barn, land and gardens of approx. 2.8 acres, parking. £2.5 million; Knight Frank.

Kent: The Old Rectory, Luddenham

A delightful Grade II, timber-framed 16th century former rectory, set in approx. 2 acres of natural gardens. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, self-contained 1-bed flat, 1-bed cottage, triple garage, workshop, garden. £1.5 million; Strutt & Parker.

Buckinghamshire: The Old Rectory, Sherington

This fine Grade II Jacobean former rectory is nestled in more than 2 acres of mature gardens, with views of the village church. 7 beds, 4 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, study, garden, outbuildings, garage. £2 million; Michael Graham.

West Sussex: The Chapel, Haywards Heath

An impressive townhouse (formerly the chapel of a Victorian convent), meticulously restored and reimagined. Main suite, 5/6 further beds, 4 baths, kitchen/dining room, 3 receps, garden, garage. £2 million; By Design.

Kent: Archbishop’s Palace, Charing

A magnificent Grade I nexus of buildings dating back to the 13th century. Currently owned and preserved by The Spitalfields Trust, the property – rich in period details – is ready to be restored into a private residence or event space. £950,000; Inigo.

Paddington: Hyde Park Gardens Mews W2

An elegant and secluded house in arguably the most sought-after mews on the Hyde Park estate, only a short walk to the Royal Park. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, parking. £3.25 million; Savills.

Notting Hill: Pembridge Mews W11

A pretty house in a tranquil cobbled mews close to Notting Hill and Westbourne Grove. Currently two of the rooms in the property are inter-connected, being used as a large principal suite, with French doors that open onto a wide roof terrace. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps. £1.9 million; Winkworth.

South Kensington: Stanhope Mews East SW7

This striking “upside-down” house has bifold doors from the living room onto a generous terrace. Main suite, 2 further beds, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living room. £1.4 million; Hamptons.

Paddington: Bathurst Mews W2

This delightful house – with French doors opening onto the cobbled mews – is in an enviable location. 2 beds, 2 baths, open-plan kitchen/living room. £1.7 million; Lurot Brand.

Notting Hill: Ruston Mews W11

An attractive contemporary house set within a quiet gated enclave in the heart of Notting Hill. The property features bi-folding doors opening onto a decked terrace. Main suite, 2 further beds, shower, office, open-plan kitchen/ living room. £1.45 million; Knight Frank.

Notting Hill: St Luke’s Mews W11

A beautifully designed house with luxurious interiors, ideal for entertaining. Main suite with terrace, 2 further beds, 2 showers, utility, kitchen/living room, garage, parking. £2.15 million; Knight Frank.

Kensington: Queen’s Gate Mews SW7

A charming house (it also occupies some of the mansion block to the rear) close to Kensington Gardens, the Royal Albert Hall and the V&A Museum. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, recep. £1.75 million; Lurot Brand.

Tottenham: Tamarind Mews N18

A striking house designed by the architects Stolon Studio, with a private walled garden close to the River Lea footpath. 3 beds, 2 baths, open-plan kitchen/living room, garden. £500,000; The Modern House.

Salisbury: The Close

An elegant Grade II townhouse within Cathedral Close and overlooking this medieval early gothic masterpiece. At 80 acres, this is the largest cathedral close in the country, described by Pevsner as “the most beautiful of England’s closes”; it is locked at night and has private security. Main suite, 3 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, parking. £1.7m; Myddelton & Major.

Leeds: Victoria House, The Headrow

A second-floor flat in an attractive Victorian building overlooking Leeds Art Gallery and the Town Hall. Main suite, 1 further bed, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living/ dining room. OIEO £185,000; Martin & Co.

York: The Bonding Warehouse, Terry Avenue

A delightful penthouse on the banks of the River Ouse, located within the city walls. 2 beds, 2 baths, open-plan kitchen/living/ dining room, balcony, parking. £665,000; Savills.

Bristol: Christmas Street, St Bartholomews Court

Characterful flat within one of Bristol’s most historic buildings (with a student tenancy ending June 2026). 2 beds, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living room, study. £350,000; Bristol Property Centre.

Birmingham: Heaton Courtyard, Camden Street

Georgian gem in the heart of the historic Jewellery Quarter, built in 1823 and meticulously restored in a project that received the 2023 Master Builder Award. Main suite, 4 further beds (1 en suite), family bath, shower, utility, kitchen, 2 receps, private terrace, double garage. £1.25m; Fine & Country.

Bath: Brock Street

An impressive Grade II* Georgian townhouse situated between The Royal Crescent and The Circus. The property boasts many period features including a grand staircase, Venetian window and a beautifully landscaped walled garden. Main suite, 4 further beds, 2 showers, kitchen/ breakfast room, 4 receps, garden. £3.5m; Knight Frank.

London: Redhill Street, Regent’s Park NW1

This stylish flat is close to Regent’s Park and Marylebone High Street. Main suite, 1 further bed, family bath, open-plan kitchen/dining room/recep, balcony, courtyard. £950,000; Savills.

Liverpool: Water Street

A handsome flat in the Grade II* Tower Building, designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas. One of the earliest steel-framed buildings in England, the striking facade is clad in grey granite, and faced with white glazed terracotta made by Doulton. 1 bed, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living/ dining room. £160,000; Mistoria.

London: Thornhill Road, Islington N1

This charming building with a Victorian shopfront has been converted by architects into a house with a private roof terrace. 2 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, recep, study. £1.95 million; Savills.

Devon: The Oyster House, Newton Ferrers

A handsome property with fine rooftop views. 4 beds, 3 baths, open-plan kitchen/ living/dining room, study, workshop, garage. £1.25 million; Luscombe Maye.

London: Hilary Mews, London Bridge SE1

Modern townhouse with a private roof terrace that offers farreaching views over the City of London skyline. The property is in an exceptional location close to Borough Market and the South Bank. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, recep, study. £1.7 million; Dexters.

London: Fransfield Grove, Sydenham SE26

Striking former warehouse, built in the 1870s, that has been converted into a distinctive modern residence with a large private roof terrace. 2 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, recep. £675,000; Stanfords.

London: Pattern House, Clerkenwell EC1

Duplex in a converted 1920s warehouse, with a communal rooftop boasting 360-degree views that stretch as far as St Paul’s Cathedral. 3 beds, 2 baths, open-plan kitchen/living/dining room, lift, parking. £1.8 million; The Modern House.

Cumbria: Linethwaite Hall, St Bees

Commanding country house dating back to 1720, with the benefit of a paved rooftop garden. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/dining room, 3 receps, 2-bed self-contained wing, garden, parking. £1.2 million; Finest Properties.

Devon: Flete House, Ermington

An elegant first-floor flat (for over 55s only), with a private roof garden, in a Grade I mansion. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, grand communal spaces, 12 acres, parking. £450,000; Luscombe Maye.

Perthshire: The Control Tower, Clathymore

This converted Second World War control tower is set in approx. 1.5 acres. 4 beds, 4 baths, open-plan kitchen/living/dining room, recep, sun room, garden, gym, garage, outbuilding. OIEO £1.65 million; Savills.

West Sussex: Stone Cottage, Greatham

This enchanting 500-year-old Grade II cottage is set in 12 acres of mature gardens and land – including paddocks, a kitchen garden, and access with frontage on the River Arun (including fishing rights), ideal for kayaking and other water pursuits. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ dining room, 3 receps, garden, workshop, office, garage. £1.195m; Savills.

Dorset: Littlebrook Farm, Belchalwell

This handsome Grade II 17th century farmhouse is situated in an idyllic rural location with far-reaching views to Blackmore Vale. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, gardens and land (approx. 7.65 acres), stables, paddocks, garage. £995,000; Savills.

Suffolk: Pound Farm Cottage, Milden

An attractive Grade II timber-frame cottage nestled in mature gardens of approx. 0.40 of an acre, with an ornamental pond. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, garden, workshop, parking. OIRO £425,000; Jackson-Stops.

Wiltshire: Totney House, Kingsdown

Exceptional Arts & Crafts house in a tranquil, elevated setting with views across the countryside towards Bath. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 4 receps, garden, outbuildings, garage. £1.4m; Knight Frank.

Dorset: Fosters Farm, Boys Hill

A stone and thatch country house, set in 9 acres of gardens and land (with a private lake) in the heart of the Blackmore Vale. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2 receps, garden, stables, paddock, workshop, garage. £1.25m; GTH.

Norfolk: Poachers Cottage, Hempnall

A charming and sensitively renovated Grade II cottage set in mature gardens. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, garden, garage. £625,000; Sowerbys.

Cornwall: Spring Cottage, St Keverne

Elegant house in a pastoral setting on the Lizard Peninsula. 3 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, garden, outbuildings, garage. £695,000; Savills.

Hampshire: Breesha Cottage, Ashford Hill

A chocolate-box, oak-framed cottage, tucked away in 4.5 acres of lovely mature gardens. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, office, garden, garage. OIEO £1m; Hamptons.

Wiltshire: The Manor, Chitterne

This characterful Grade II Jacobean house with far-reaching views over Salisbury Plain is set in 9 acres of mature gardens and woodland. Period features include stone mullion windows, some with historic glass etchings. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, garden, barn, paddocks, parking. £1.895 million; Strutt & Parker.

Isle of Wight: Cliff Dene, Bonchurch

Part of a charming Victorian villa (the ground floor and part of the first floor), the house is surrounded by mature gardens and enjoys an elevated position with panoramic sea views. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, parking. £650,000; Spence Willard.

Wiltshire: Dial House, West Lavington

An elegant William & Mary Grade II country house with lovely formal gardens. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, swimming pool, tennis court, outbuildings, garden, parking. £1.85 million; Savills.

Highland: Tulach Ard, Loch Alsh

An 18th century farmhouse in a spectacular setting with approx. 5 acres of land. 6 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, recep, 1-bed annexe, sauna, garden, outbuildings, parking. OIEO £825,000; Inigo.

Norfolk: Uphall, Hillington

A fine Grade II Georgian house close to the royal Sandringham Estate. The house is nestled within approx. 5 acres of gardens and woodland. 11 beds, 5 baths, 6 receps, kitchen/breakfast room, tennis court, swimming pond, coach house, outbuildings, garage. £2.25 million; Sowerbys.

Dorset: My Ladys Cottage, Fifehead Magdalen

Delightful Grade II thatched house which has been sympathetically extended. Includes a well-stocked mature garden and an ornamental pond. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, parking. £650,000; Hamptons.

West Sussex: New Place Manor, Pulborough

An enchanting Grade II* manor house with a stone archway built for Queen Elizabeth I’s visit in 1591. 7 beds, 5 baths, 5 receps, garden, 2-bed annexe, outbuildings, parking. £2.5 million; Knight Frank.

Clackmannanshire: Cowden House, Dollar

A handsome 1960s house, boasting a turreted folly, in a glorious rural setting on the former Cowden Castle estate. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, parking. OIEO £1.195 million; Savills.

Isle of Wight: Padmore House, Whippingham

Fine 17th century house with an elegant Queen Anne facade, set in 15 acres close to the Isle of Wight Coastal Path. 7 beds, 4 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, garden, parking. £2.5m; Spence Willard

Argyll and Bute: Achnaba Town House, Achnaba

A duplex townhouse in a delightful position on Scotland’s west coast, by Loch Fyne and overlooking Eilean Glas. 5 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, recep, communal garden and grounds, parking. £425,000; Galbraith

Northumberland: The Byre, Fenham

This handsome stone house is set against the majestic backdrop of Lindisfarne Bay, with views across the tidal causeway to Holy Island and the Farne Islands. 3 suites, kitchen, 2 receps, outbuildings, garden, parking. £700,000; Finest Properties

Devon: Hope Cottage, Dartmouth

A charming waterside cottage with views over the River Dart and out to sea. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garage (by separate negotiation). £925,000; Knight Frank

Devon: The Beacon, Exmouth

A duplex penthouse (red brick building) with views out to sea and along the seafront. Exmouth offers walks along the Jurassic Coast. Main suite, 2 further beds, shower, open-plan kitchen/dining room, recep, balcony, communal gardens. £625,000; Knight Frank

Cornwall: Flanders House, Crackington Haven

Characterful house dating back to the 1600s on Cornwall’s north coast. Set in mature gardens, including an orchard, and close to the beach. 4 beds, 2 baths, 4 receps, garden, workshop, garage. £975,000; Strutt & Parker

Kent: St Elmo, Deal

An impressive Grade II Georgian townhouse on the seafront, with views across the Channel to France. 4 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, outbuilding. £975,000; Bright & Bright

Pembrokeshire: The Hall, Angle

Splendid manor house with approx. ten acres of gardens and woodland running down to the coast. The scenic route from the pier is known locally as the Hall Walk. 7 beds, 5 baths, kitchen, 7 receps. £1.5m; Country Living

Dorset: Apple Tree Cottage, Tarrant Monkton

A fine Grade II cottage in a tranquil setting. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, study, self- contained 3-bed annexe, outbuildings, garden, parking. Was £850,000, now £800,000; Symonds & Sampson.

Cornwall: The Cottage, Trebetherick

Moments from Daymer Bay Beach and the Southwest Coast Path, this handsome house offers panoramic sea and estuary views. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, garage. Was £2.25 million, now OIEO £1.85 million; John Bray Estates.

Kent: Prestbury House, Smarden

This picturesque, early 19th century Grade II house is set in mature, well- established gardens. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 4 receps, paddock, Victorian-style greenhouse, workshop/ studio, garage. Was £1.25 million, now £1.195 million; Savills.

East Sussex: Bodle Street Green, Hailsham

This charming 16th century, Grade II house is set in 2.5 acres. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, workshop, garage. Was £1.95 million, now £1.895 million; Knight Frank.

Kent: Hall House, Boughton Monchelsea

A remarkable Grade II house dating back to the 1500s and set in approx. 9 acres including an orchard, woodland and kitchen garden. 5 beds, 5 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, 2-bed cottage, tennis court, garage. Was £2 million, now £1.75 million; Knight Frank.

Norfolk: The Rookery, Fundenhall

This elegant Georgian Grade II house is set in approx. 8.3 acres of grounds, approached by a sweeping gravelled driveway. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 3 receps, studio, 5 stables, garden, garage. Was £1.1 million, now £995,000; Sowerbys.

Somerset: The Old Rectory, Hinton Blewett

A delightful Georgian Grade II country house overlooking the Chew Valley. 6 beds, 5 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, self-contained 2-bed flat, indoor swimming pool, gym, garden, parking. Was £2.5 million, now £1.995 million; Lodestone.

Argyll and Bute: Caolas, Isle of Coll

A modern house in a spectacular coastal setting overlooking the Treshnish Islands and Mull, with direct beach access. 6 beds, 3 baths, open-plan kitchen/dining room, recep, garden, parking. OIEO £595,000; Knight Frank.

Angus: Old Manse, Kirkton of Kingoldrum

An attractive B-listed former manse dating to 1792; situated at the foot of Glenisla, close to the Cairngorms National Park. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, studio, garden, parking. OIEO £480,000; Savills.

Perth and Kinross: Tigh An Tuir, Strathtay

A stately Victorian villa set in mature gardens and woodland of more than six acres. 6 beds, 4 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, 6-bed annexe, 1-bed stone cottage, studio, tennis court, garden, parking. OIEO £2.2m; Galbraith.

Perth and Kinross: Blackwood Lodge, Rannoch

This secluded house, on the south shore of Loch Rannoch, has ten metres of loch frontage and riparian rights. 4 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep, 1-bed bothy, stables, paddocks, garden, parking. OIEO £650,000; Savills.

Highland: The Lookout, Kishorn

An impressive property in a magnificent setting overlooking Loch Kishorn and the Applecross peninsula. 3 beds, 3 baths, open-plan kitchen/ living/dining room, garden, parking. OIEO £535,000; Strutt & Parker.

Highland: Broomhill House, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown-on-Spey

A fine Arts and Crafts house set in approx. six acres of mature gardens, with views of the Cairngorms mountains. 8 beds, 4 baths, 5 receps, 3-bed annexe, parking. OIEO £1.9m; Fine & Country.

Highland: Croftmaquien, Nethy Bridge

Traditional 18th century stone cottage and steading within the Cairngorms National Park. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, recep, bothy, parking garden. OIEO £745,000; Knight Frank.

Dumfries and Galloway: Waterside House, Dalton, Lockerbie

A charming country residence on the River Annan. Built in 1863, it has river frontage, fishing rights and over ten acres of grounds. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, 2-bed lodge, stable, barn, garden, parking. OIEO £1.6m; Fine & Country.

A higher proportion of homes in London were sold at a loss last year than in any other region in England and Wales as the capital’s property market continues to slump.

Owners of flats have reported losses of up to 34%, with hundreds of thousands of pounds “wiped from the value” of their properties, said This Is Money.

What did the commentators say?

The problems include “affordability pressures from higher house prices, greater supply, higher stamp duty costs since April 2025” and “speculation about the autumn Budget”, said London’s The Standard.

The capital has become a two-speed market because in “more affordable areas”, demand “tends to be strongest”, said City A.M. For instance, in the boroughs of Havering, Waltham Forest and Lewisham, the average house price reached an all-time high last autumn. But many of the capital’s most expensive boroughs “registered a contraction”.

Also, new-build properties are “increasingly unloved by buyers”, said The Telegraph. The building of new homes in London “ground to a halt” last year because of “everything from onerous red tape” to Sadiq Khan’s “mandate that over a third of new housing be sold at a discount”. The reality is “almost nobody” is buying a new-build home in London.

It is “no secret” that new-builds are “often sold at a premium to similar homes on the second-hand market”, said This Is Money. So it will “take longer for these properties to increase in value. Anyone selling a new build in the first few years can typically expect a loss.”

This is “going to become a serious political issue”, said Will Dunn in The New Statesman, as the crash in prices “brings together two groups of people”. On one side are those renting, “who are furious they have been excluded from the market”. On the other are the owners “who are furious that the market has failed to reward them as they were led to believe it would”.

What next?

The “tide is beginning to turn”, Marc von Grundherr, director of estate agents Benham and Reeves, told The Standard, because there have been fewer price reductions since the beginning of the year.

Forecasters are divided over what comes next. A study by Rightmove predicted that London house prices will rise by just over 1% next year, compared with a 2–3% increase in prices on average in the UK.

While that might not sound like a crash, said Dunn, “prices are all relative to the price of everything else” and the price of everything else in society has risen more quickly than that. Nominal house prices across the UK have roughly doubled since 2003, “a fact that is often cited when talking about the affordability crisis”. But because “£1 today has lost almost half of its purchasing power relative to 2003, the real value of the average UK property is basically the same as it was then”.

France: Manigod, Haute-Savoie

Tranquil chalet in a breath-taking setting, close to Annecy, Geneva and year-round ski resorts. 4 beds, 3 baths, large terrace, garden with forest, stream and river access. €942,000; Leggett Immobilier

France: Morzine, Haute-Savoie

A luxurious lodge with a pool and a small apartment to renovate. 5 beds, 6 baths, kitchen, open-plan recep, relaxation suite with pool, steam room and treatment rooms, outside hot tub and sauna. €950,000; Leggett Immobilier

France: Les Houches, Haute-Savoie

An excellent 3-bed chalet with an adjoining 2-room flat. 4 beds, 3 baths, terrace, garden, cellar, private parking. €1.8m; Knight Frank SNC

Austria: The View Chalet, Zell am See

A terraced chalet with mountain and lake views. 2 beds, family bath, 2 large terraces, garden, private ski locker, fully furnished. €699,990; Alpine Property

France: Les Houches, Haute-Savoie

This charming chalet (with views of the Mont Blanc massif) was designed by Alain Mazza, a Chamonix-based architect known for traditional log-construction houses. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, bar, terraces, recep. €1.54m; Knight Frank SNC

Austria: Ache Chalet, Fieberbrunn

This detached chalet is set alongside a stream and is a short stroll from the village. 4 beds, 3 baths, open-plan recep, terrace, garden, sauna, party room with bar, garage and covered storage for skis and sports equipment. €1.25m; Alpine Property.

France: Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Saint-Marcel

A standalone chalet with panoramic views and a beautiful garden. 4 beds, 3 baths, open-plan recep, sauna, garage. €1.395m; Leggett Immobilier

Austria: Lofer House, Leogang

Detached family home in a peaceful village surrounded by open countryside. 4 beds (1 en suite), open-plan recep, wooden terrace, private garden. €998,000; Alpine Property

Essex: Otten Hall, Belchamp Otten

An impressive Georgian house in a dreamy setting of elegant landscaped gardens, within a conservation area. Main suite, 4 further beds (1 en suite), family bath, kitchen, 3 receps, snug, artist’s studio, duck pond, outbuildings, garden, parking. £1.6m; David Burr.

Northumberland: Lemmington Lodge, Lemmington

A fine, castellated timber lodge. 3 beds (2 en suite), family baths, kitchen, recep, parking, garden. OIEO £495,000; Sanderson Young.

Gloucestershire: Chantry Cottage, Syde

This charming Grade II Cotswolds cottage is in an idyllic setting. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, garden, parking. £1.7m; Savills.

Sutherland: Stoer View, Lairg

An attractive contemporary bungalow in a magical location, the property has a split-level wraparound decked terrace with stunning views over Badcall Bay. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, kitchen/living/ dining room, conservatory, garden, parking. OIEO £495,000; Strutt & Parker.

Anglesey: Morawelon, Llanfaethlu

A handsome house, set in nearly six acres, with panoramic views and private access to the beach. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, recep, outbuildings, garden, parking. OIEO £1.25m; Jackson-Stops.

Devon: Jays Farm, St Giles on the Heath

A Grade II, 19th century house surrounded by 18 acres of private grounds close to the Cornwall-Devon border. 5 beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, 3 receps, outbuildings, garden, parking. £1.3m; Inigo.

West Sussex: Plum House, Henley, Haslemere

This beautifully refurbished country house offers uninterrupted views over the surrounding countryside. 3 suites, kitchen, utility, 2 receps, garden, parking. £1.75 million; Knight Frank.

Cumbria: Whicham Mill & Swallow Barn

Cottage and detached stone barn in the Lake District National Park, beside Whitecombe Beck (with a private footbridge), and with uninterrupted views of the fells. 4 beds, 3 baths, 4 receps, garden, parking. £725,000; Finest Properties.

Pembrokeshire: Caldey View, Tenby

Impressive Grade II townhouse (cream house) with access to South Beach. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, office, 3 receps. Still available. £900,000; Country Living Group

Somerset: The Old Rectory, Cricket Malherbie

A fine 18th century house in a glorious setting. 5 beds, 5 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, 2-bed annexe. Still available. £1.6 million; Symonds & Sampson

Scottish Borders: Flat A, Broughton Place, Broughton

An elegant apartment in a Scottish baronial-inspired tower house built in 1938. 3 beds (1 en suite), 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, communal gardens, parking. Sold, price ITRO £485,000; Rettie

Cumbria: Hewthwaite Hall, Setmurthy

A fabulous 16th century Grade II* manor house set in approx. 8 acres within the Lake District National Park. Period features include a Tudor staircase and panelled oak door. 3 beds, 2 baths, 3 receps, kitchen/dining room, garden, barn, parking. Still available. £800,000; Finest Properties

Surrey: Magna Carta Lane, Runnymede

Magnificent and historic Grade II house set in nearly 4 acres on a private island on the River Thames. The property houses the charter room where the Magna Carta is believed to have been signed. 6 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 6 receps, garden, outbuilding. Still available. £4.5 million; Dexters/Waterview

Worcestershire: The Court House, Wolverley

This atmospheric Grade II* property was built in 1829 and boasts period features including a full-height gothic portico. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep, parking. Still available. £550,000; Morgan Aps

Highlands: Doune Bay Lodge, Knoydart, Mallaig

A superb off-grid lodge nestled in its own cove with a beach, which enjoys panoramic views over the Sound of Sleat to the Isle of Skye and the Cuillin mountain range. 5 suites, kitchen, open-plan living/dining room, boathouse, garden, parking. Currently under offer. OIEO £395,000; Savills

Essex: Redshank, St Osyth

Designed by Lisa Shell Architects to resemble both Maunsell Forts and redshanks (a wading bird), this unique home hovers above salty marshland. 1 bed, shower, kitchen/living room, balcony. Sold, price ITRO £400,000; The Modern House

Mexico: Villa Escondida, Huatulco

A spectacular, fully furnished property on La Bocana beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 4 suites, kitchen, 3 receps, terraces, rooftop bar, beach bar, staff quarters, swimming pool, garden, parking. $2.195 million; Jason Waller, Christie’s

Grenada: Maison Rocksteady, St Louis, Carriacou

Striking oceanside house set in mature gardens. 2 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, swimming pool, 1-bed guesthouse. $1.7 million; Savills

Costa Rica: Casa de Estrellas, Pacific Heights

A fabulous finca with ocean views, in a lush setting. 4 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, swimming pool, garden. $1.349 million; Christie’s

Morocco: Villa Neya, Marrakech

This charming villa, with views of the Atlas Mountains, is set in secluded landscaped gardens of more than a hectare. 4 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, clay tennis court, swimming pool, garden. €1.35 million; Kensington Luxury Properties

Morocco: Road to Fez, Marrakech

A delightful villa set in approx. 1.2 acres in a prestigious complex close to Hivernage. 6 beds, 6 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, terraces, hammam, massage room, gym, swimming pool, pool house, garden, parking. €1.45 million; Knight Frank

South Africa: Villa Bizweni, Somerset West

This impressive 25-hectare estate in the Cape Winelands enjoys breathtaking views and offers sustainable off-grid living. 4 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, swimming pool, self-contained guest cottage, garden, parking. Approx. £1.702 million; Savills

South Africa: Hout Bay, Hillcrest

Handsome thatched house with views over the bay, and the Karbonkelberg mountains. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, swimming pool, garden, parking. Approx. £707,000; Knight Frank

Malta: Siggiewi

Characterful property in a sought-after village that combines Maltese craftsmanship with the comforts of contemporary living. 5 beds, 4 baths, courtyard garden, swimming pool, games room, parking. $2.039 million; Christie’s

North Yorkshire: The Grange, West Burton

An impressive 18th century Grade II house in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 9 beds, 7 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, 2 self-contained 2-bed flats, 1 self-contained 2-bed cottage, outbuildings, garden, parking. £1.895m; Savills

Derbyshire: Elm Tree Farm, Peak Forest

A farmhouse set in approx. 4.29 acres in the Peak District National Park. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, outbuilding. £850,000; Fine & Country

West Sussex: Michaelmas Cottage, Houghton

This characterful timber-framed cottage dates back to c.1662, with period features such as Elizabethan inglenook fireplaces. The property is located at the foot of the South Downs National Park. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, garage. £850,000; Batcheller Monkhouse

Cumbria: Foldgate Farm, Corney

Lovely farmhouse set between the coastline and Corney Fell in the Lake District National Park. Two suites, 3 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, recep, 6-bed converted barn, stables, paddock, approx. 3.7 acres of land, parking. £1.175m; David & Robertson

Devon: The Beacon, Lynmouth

A fine Edwardian house, in a spectacular setting of approx. 10.2 acres, overlooking the sea within Exmoor National Park. 7 beds, 5 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, 1-bed self- contained detached annexe, garden, garage. £2.5m; Jackson-Stops

Devon: Higher Stiniel, Chagford

A delightful house set in more than 10 acres in Dartmoor National Park. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, outbuildings, garden. OIEO £1.35m; Knight Frank

West Sussex: Tye Hill, Stedham

Charming 17th century house in the South Downs National Park. 3 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, bothy, garden. £1.695m; Strutt & Parker

Somerset: The Glebe, Winsford

An enchanting 1920s house set in approx. 17.5 acres of mature gardens and woodland within Exmoor National Park. 5 beds, attic room, 3 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, office. £895,000; Knight Frank

Scottish Borders: Kirklands House, Melrose

A charming B-listed country house, in a secluded and elevated setting with more than five acres of mature gardens and woodland. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, study, stables, workshop, garden, parking. OIEO £1.1m; Savills

Northumberland: Greystead Rectory, Tarset

Handsome Grade II rectory set above the river North Tyne in Northumberland National Park. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 2 receps. £1m; Finest Properties

Bristol: Cornwallis Crescent, Clifton

A basement courtyard flat in a stylish and characterful building. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, patio, communal garden of 1.5 acres. £550,000; Knight Frank

Kent: Oak Hall, Hythe

A charming townhouse with many period features. Main suite, 4 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 3 receps, cellar, walled garden, garage. £1.15m; Savills

Norfolk: Ivy Cottage, Burnham Market

This is a delightful cottage that overlooks the village green. It was a finalist in the Homebuilding Magazine Competition for its interior architectural redesign. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, garden. £895,000; Sowerbys

Somerset: Vineyards, Bath

An eye-catching townhouse (corner building on left) in the city centre just off The Paragon. The property boasts plenty of period features, including original fireplaces. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, utility, 3 receps, courtyard garden. £1.25m; Knight Frank

Swansea: The Old Rectory, Ilston

A fine Georgian house in the heart of the Gower Peninsula, set in approx. ten acres. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/diner, 3 receps, garden, stables. £1.399m; Dawsons

London: Priory Grove, Lambeth SW8

Elegant Grade II house adjoining Larkhall Park. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, walled garden, parking. OIEO £2.75m; Hamptons

London: Stanmore Hill, Stanmore HA7

An impressive Grade II double- fronted house with a terraced and elegantly landscaped rear garden. The property has been sensitively restored. Main suite, 4 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2 receps, cinema room, garden, parking. OIEO £2.5m; Hamptons

Norfolk: King’s Staithe Square, King’s Lynn

Historic 18th century converted mill with views of the River Great Ouse. Walking distance to King’s Lynn station, with direct links to Cambridge and London. Main suite, 2 further beds (1 en suite) kitchen/dining room, recep, garage. OIRO £325,000; Sowerbys

East Sussex: Croft Road, Hastings

A Georgian townhouse moments from the sea. Trains to London Bridge take less than 90 minutes. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen/ dining room, 2 receps, studio, garden. £450,000; Inigo

Somerset: The Old School House, Kingweston

Built in the 1700s from local blue lias stone; Castle Cary station is 17 minutes away. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden. OIRO £1.15m; Lodestone

Wiltshire: Milkhouse Water Farm, Pewsey

Wiltshire: Milkhouse Water Farm, Pewsey. A charming 17th century thatched cottage. Trains from Pewsey to Paddington take 65 minutes. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, stables; approx. 6 acres. £1.6m; Hamptons

Essex: Riverside Walk, Colchester

This delightful 17th century cottage overlooks the River Colne, near Colchester North station. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps. £280,000; Palmer & Partners

London: Pond Cottages, Dulwich SE21

A Grade II 18th century cottage just ten minutes’ walk from West Dulwich station. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, garden. £775,000; Inigo

West Sussex: Rhiw, Amberley

This picturesque house is set within the South Downs National Park. The mainline station is about one mile away, with commuter services to Victoria and London Bridge stations. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/ dining room, 5 receps, garden, parking. OIRO £1.595m; Hamptons

Tuscany: Torrita di Siena

An enchanting Liberty-style villa. Currently split into two flats, it can easily revert to being a whole house. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, parking. €540,000; Sotheby’s.

Umbria: Monteleone d’Orvieto

Charming farmhouse set in mature gardens with an olive grove. 5 beds, 7 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, open-plan living/dining room, annexe, swimming pool, garden. €1.14 million; Hamptons.

Tuscany: Lucca

A handsome farmhouse perched on the southern Lucca hills, with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The property comes with approx. 3.71 acres of land and olive groves. 3 beds, 2 baths, open-plan kitchen/recep, swimming pool, garden, parking. €850,000; Knight Frank.

Tuscany: Via di Montalbano

An impressive villa with far-reaching views, located between Florence and Pisa. 7 beds, 6 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, approx. 8.4 acres of land, parking. €950,000; Savills.

Tuscany: Scansano

Part of a converted farmhouse in the Maremma hinterland, 40km from the Argentario coast. 2 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, communal swimming pool, garden. €465,000; Sotheby’s.

Apulia: Ceglie Messapica

Picturesque 17th-century trulli complex nestled among ancient olive groves in the Valle d’Itria. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, swimming pool, garden, parking. €600,000; Sotheby’s.

Tuscany: Sarteano

A delightful farmhouse with wonderful views of the Val di Chiana. Set in approx. 5 acres of land, including olive groves. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, parking. €920,000; Knight Frank.

Pisa: Piazza San Martino

An elegant, frescoed first-floor flat in an 18th-century noble residence, located in the historic heart of the city. 3 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, lift, self-contained 1-bed annexe, courtyard, garage. €845,000; Sotheby’s.

Lombardy: Piazza Nazario Sauro, Gargnano

A generous first-floor flat on Lake Garda that requires complete renovation. The support of a specialist renovation company is available. 2 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, recep, cellar. €410,000; Sotheby’s.

Norfolk: Wittles, Stocks Green, Castle Acre

This elegant 18th century property combines a first-floor flat with a thriving 26-seat café, and a retail shop with a passive income of £6,000 per annum. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, walled garden, roof terrace, shop, café, outbuildings, garage. £785,000; Savills

Wiltshire: The Old Forge, All Cannings

An attractive, thatched timber-frame house, believed to date from the 1650s and set in mature gardens. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, garden, outbuildings, parking. £775,000; Knight Frank

Cumbria: The Ridding, Millom

A charming house with fine views, on the edge of the Lake District. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 3 receps, garden. £599,500; Fine & Country

Surrey: Pollard House, Lingfield

Beautifully restored Grade I pre-Tudor hall house with a wealth of period features. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, garage. £750,000; Jackson-Stops

Kent: King Street, Fordwich

This cosy end-of-terrace house dates back to 1580, features in Pevsner, and is located in the heart of England’s smallest town. 4 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, study, garden, garage/barn. £450,000; Miles & Barr

Cornwall: The Carriage House, Port Isaac

A delightful cottage close to the harbour. 3 beds, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living room, car port. £575,000; John Bray Estates

Bedfordshire: Three Horseshoes, Swineshead

This picturesque Grade II house is set in a 0.75-acre plot. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 3 receps, outbuildings, garden. £700,000; Fitzjohn Estates

Carmarthenshire: Dyffryn Cottage, Llanfynydd

A handsome cottage in a spectacular valley setting on the outskirts of Llanfynydd. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/dining room, 3 receps, garden, garage. OIRO £550,000; Luxury Welsh Homes

Somerset: The Old Rectory, Cricket Malherbie

This picturesque 18th century property (pictured above) is set in mature grounds. 5 beds, 5 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, 2-bed self-contained annexe, outbuildings, garden, parking. £1.6 million; Symonds and Sampson

East Lothian: The McLaren Wing, Tyninghame House, Dunbar

A wing of this handsome A-listed property with direct access to Tyninghame Beach. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, study, communal gardens and parkland, parking. OIEO £950,000; Rettie

Aberdeenshire: Rubislaw House, Aberdeen

This eye-catching 19th century, A-listed house in the heart of the city’s West End was built by the architects John Pirie and Arthur Clyne. The building is a superb example of Aberdeen granite carving, displaying a bold fusion of gothic and art nouveau, and featuring an oversized angle turret and oriel windows with stained glass. Main suite, 5 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 4 receps, 2-bed annexe, garden, parking. OIEO £1.5 million; Savills

Merseyside: North Lodge, Thornton Hough

Built in 1894, this charming Grade II property forms part of the Thornton Hall estate. The house is surrounded by rolling countryside with impressive views. 3 beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, 2 receps, gym, garden, parking. £825,000; Inigo

Devon: Tawstock Castle, Barnstaple

A magnificent Grade II castle set on a hilltop and surrounded by 8 acres of private grounds. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, recep, garden, parking. £1.35 million; Knight Frank

Gloucestershire: Asphodel Cottage, Tarlton

Enchanting thatched Cotswold cottage dating back to 1624. 1 bed, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living/dining room, garden. £495,000; Butler Sherborn

Northamptonshire: Tower Court, Overstone Park

An elegant house within a converted Victorian stable block. The building’s limestone facade and clock tower are decorated with ashlar dressings. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, parking. £775,000; Jackson-Stops

Cumbria: Hewthwaite Hall, Setmurthy

A fine Grade II* manor house set in approx. 8 acres within the Lake District National Park. 3 beds, 2 baths, 3 receps, kitchen/diner, garden, a substantial detached barn, parking. £800,000; Finest Properties

Cheshire: Smithy Corner, Tarporley

A characterful Grade II, 17th century country cottage. Period features include exposed beams and some original panelling. 1 bed, dressing room, family bath, kitchen, 5 receps, garden. £275,000; Strutt & Parker

Worcestershire: The Court House, Wolverley

This atmospheric Grade II* property was built in 1829 and enjoys plenty of period features, including a full- height gothic portico with octagonal turrets, and a front balcony set between tall arched pillars overlooking the courtyard. 2 beds with period windows, dressing room/bed 3, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep, courtyard parking and driveway. £575,000; Morgan Aps

Wiltshire: Old St John’s, Ford

A fine church conversion with pre-Raphaelite connections, with a Grade II* stained-glass window with a panel by the Victorian artist Edward Burne- Jones. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, shower, kitchen/dining room, recep, gym, study, garden. £900,000; Inigo

London: Watermen’s Square, Penge SE20

A Grade II former almshouse cottage. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, communal garden. OIEO £400,000; Grafton

East Sussex: Undercliffe House, Lewes

Impressive neo-gothic house with great views, set in over 2 acres. 5 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, swimming pool, garden, parking. £2.25 million; Inigo

Gloucestershire: The Old Church, Jacks Green

Recently renovated, this converted church sits in a charming Cotswolds village. 3 beds, 2 baths, study, open-plan kitchen/dining/recep, garden, parking. £725,000; Hamptons

Surrey: Magna Carta Lane, Runnymede

Historic Grade II house set in nearly 4 acres on a private island on the River Thames. 6 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 6 receps, garden, outbuilding. £4.5 million; Waterview

Cumbria: Millwood Manor, Barrow-in-Furness

A fine Grade II house with plenty of period features, including a grand entrance hall (left). 4 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 3 receps. £685,000; Finest Properties

Kent: Gothic House, Walmer

Elegant Pugin-esque house with period features. 4 beds, 3 baths, 3 receps, kitchen/breakfast room, garden, garage. £895,000; Bright & Bright

Buckinghamshire: North Park Lodge, Butlers Cross

Formerly part of the Chequers estate, this striking Grade II Victorian lodge was built by renowned gothic architect E.B. Lamb. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, parking. £1.25 million; Brown & Merry

Devon: The Meeting House, Ashburton

A former merchant’s house with late medieval origins and an impressive Georgian facade. Located on the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park. Main suite, 4 further beds (one en suite), family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 5 receps, garden. £850,000; Jackson-Stops.

Norfolk: Newmarket Road, Norwich

This delightful Victorian house sits in mature gardens of more than half an acre. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, garden, parking. £995,000; Savills.

Monmouthshire: Penyard House, Grosmont

A fine 17th century former rectory with views over the countryside. Main suite, 4 further beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, snug, annexe, garden, garage/workshop. £890,000; Roscoe Rogers & Knight.

Norfolk: Martyrs Cottage, East Bilney

A distinguished 15th century house with plenty of period features. 4 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, 2-bed self-contained annexe, garden, parking. OIRO £800,000; Sowerbys.

Hampshire: The Clockhouse, Liphook

Characterful cottage designed by Philip Webb with 360-degree views from the belfry. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, recep, garage, gardens. £475,000; Henry Adams.

Wiltshire: Yew Tree Cottage, Potterne

A delightful 17th century cottage with views to the foothills of Bath. 3 beds, attic, family bath, shower, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, garden, garage. £650,000; Fine & Country.

Devon: West Poynings, Uffculme

A charming and substantial Victorian house set in mature gardens. The property is located on the edge of a village. 4 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep, garden room, garden, parking. £650,000; Stags.

Cornwall: May House, Port Isaac

A handsome 19th century house perched above the harbour, with sea views from the first floor. 2 beds (both en suite), kitchen/dining room, recep, wraparound terrace with hot tub. £950,000; JB Estates.

Wiltshire: Stoford House, Stoford, Salisbury

An elegant Georgian house nestled in the picturesque Wylye Valley. Main suite, 3 further beds, shower, kitchen, 3 receps, study, outbuilding, garden, parking. £895,000; Myddelton & Major.

Hampshire: Wheatley House, Kingsley

An attractive Grade II, 16th century property surrounded by 4.4 acres of landscaped gardens and grounds within the South Downs National Park. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, games room, self-contained 2-bed cottage, garden, stone stable, outbuildings, parking. £2m; Hamptons

Carmarthenshire: Pantgwyn Farm, Whitemill

Characterful 18th century property, with an option to purchase two self-contained 2-bed flats that work as holiday lets, as well as a farmyard of barns and pasture paddocks. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, garden, parking. £550,000; Savills

Cornwall: Higher Poldown Farmhouse, Porthleven

This superbly situated property close to the south coast boasts fine rural views, an orangery and 2 acres of landscaped gardens. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 3 receps, garden, parking. £1.17m; Rohrs and Rowe

Yorkshire: Dowgill Farm, Summerbridge

Striking Grade II house with Elizabethan origins, set in 12 acres. 5 beds, 5 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, study, 3-bed annexe, outbuildings, parking. £1.895m; Savills

Devon: Burrow Farmhouse, Drewsteignton

A delightful 16th century farmhouse set in 14 acres on the edge of Dartmoor National Park (a further 30 acres available by separate negotiation). 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, 2-bed cottage, outbuildings, garden, parking. £1.85m; Jackson-Stops

Shropshire: Poughnhill, Caynham

This handsome farmhouse includes equestrian facilities, river frontage, woodland and an orchard. 6 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, 14 acres of productive pasture, outbuildings, garden, parking. £750,000; Savills

Northumberland: Fairneycleugh, Elsdon

An elegant and secluded Georgian farmhouse close to the Northumberland National Park, and with far-reaching views. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, paddock, parking. £775,000; Finest Properties

Devon: Southdown Barns, Brixham

A picturesque 17th century farmhouse with breathtaking views of the sea and direct access to Man Sands beach. 5/6 beds, 4 baths, kitchen/dining room, recep, outbuildings, parking. £1.2m; Inigo

Norfolk: Old Hall, South Burlingham

A remarkable Grade II* Tudor manor house – partially restored by the late poet Peter Scupham and his wife Margaret Steward – with a wealth of period features. 6 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, 3-bed self-contained annexe, outbuildings, garden, parking. £1 million; Inigo.

Dorset: Bridge Cottage, Lower Bockhampton

A charming Grade II cottage in the heart of Thomas Hardy country, and reputed to have featured in several of his works, including Under the Greenwood Tree. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, parking. £600,000; Symonds & Sampson.

Cornwall: April Cottage, St Ives

An enchanting Arts and Crafts house built in the 1920s and set within the grounds of Talland House, the summer residence of the Stephen family and their children Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, swimming pool, garden, parking. £1.375 million; Stags.

Wiltshire: Heytesbury Park, Heytesbury

A penthouse flat in an impressive Grade II* Georgian house once the home of Siegfried Sassoon. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, recep. £850,000; Strutt & Parker.

Carmarthenshire: Cliff House, Laugharne

A handsome house perched above the Taf Estuary. Kingsley Amis wrote The Old Devils here and the property overlooks Dylan Thomas’s boathouse and writing shed. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, self-contained flat, garden, parking. £1.25 million; Country Living.

Cumbria: Thackwood Nook, Raughton Head

A distinguished Grade II Georgian house once home to the poet Susanna Blamire, “the Muse of Cumberland”, whose works were set to music by Haydn. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, gardens and grounds of more than 4 acres, parking. OIEO £1 million; Finest Properties.

Somerset: Broomfield Hall, Bridgwater

Part of a grand Georgian house where Andrew Crosse’s experiments with electricity were said to have inspired Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. 6 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, recep, garden. £750,000; Inigo.

Scottish Borders: Maxwell Place, Kelso

An elegant neo-classical Georgian villa with links to Sir Walter Scott, who frequently stayed next door as a child. 8 beds, 4 baths, 2 kitchens, 3 receps, 2 snugs, office, studio, garden. OIEO £795,000; Hastings.

Cumbria: Kemlyn, Caldbeck, Wigton

This pretty cottage is nestled in an idyllic location within the Lake District National Park. Main suite, 3 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, parking. £435,000; Finest Properties

County Durham: Blagraves, Barnard Castle

Characterful 15th century Grade I house in the antiques district with a wealth of period features. The building is currently designated as mixed use, with the possibility of a retail space or art studio with its own entrance below. 4 beds, family bath, loft, kitchen, 3 receps, cellar, garden. £450,000; Inigo

Isle of Wight: Gaggerhill Cottage, Brighstone

A quaint Grade II 17th century cottage. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, garden. £465,000; Spence Willard

Gloucestershire: Tythebarn Cottage, Ebrington

A delightful thatched stone cottage in a picturesque Cotswold village. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, recep, garden. £375,000; Jackson-Stops

Suffolk: Beaumont Cottage, Rickinghall

This striking Grade II cottage in the heart of the village dates from the 1600s. Main suite, 2 further beds, family bath, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, garage. £450,000; Jackson-Stops

Surrey: Laleham Reach, Chertsey

A beautiful plot on a scenic stretch of the River Thames with over 50ft of residential mooring. Studio/cabin with bath, workshop, summer house, garden. £320,000; Dexters/Waterview

Somerset: Church View, Easton

An attractive country cottage in a rural village with beautifully landscaped gardens. 2 beds, family bath, 2 receps, kitchen, garden, parking. £350,000; Lodestone

Cornwall: Toy Cottage, Gunwalloe

A chocolate-box cottage just 600 yards from the beach. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, annexe, garage. £425,000; Rohrs & Rowe

London: Glebe Cottages, Twickenham TW13

Charming Victorian house close to the town centre. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, garden. £450,000; Dexters

Mallorca: Sóller

A rustic finca within easy reach of Mallorca’s historic centre. Set in mature gardens planted with orange and lemon trees. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, recep, garden, parking. €1.2m; Savills

Valencia: Altea, Alicante

This Mediterranean villa on the Costa Blanca is located between the bluffs of the Serra de Bèrnia and the sea in an area that benefits from a mild microclimate. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, swimming pool, terrace, garden, parking. €895,000; Kyero

Málaga: Estepona

An eye-catching house in a tranquil setting overlooking the mountains. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, recep, terrace, garden, parking. €799,000; Hamptons

Málaga: Casarabonela

A handsome hilltop finca with long views over the surrounding countryside. Mature gardens include olive groves and a fruit orchard. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, swimming pool, parking, garage. €995,000; Villas & Fincas

Murcia: Bolnuevo

Bolnuevo. An impressive Ibizan-style villa close to golden-sand beaches. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, open-plan living/dining room, swimming pool, terrace, garden, solarium, parking. €525,000; Think Spain

Málaga: Marbella

A modern villa in a spectacular setting surrounded by olive trees and boasting breathtaking views. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, terrace, sauna, swimming pool, garden, parking. €795,000; Kyero

Asturias: Aller

This magnificent 19th century rectory is nestled within the mountains of Asturias. 5 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, cellar, outbuildings, garden, parking. €575,000; Noelia Alonso

Málaga: Coín

Characterful 16th century mill converted into a finca. 3 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, media room, 1-bed guest house, swimming pool, garden, parking. €990,000; Knight Frank

This elegant villa was built in 1799 and is located in a historic village on the banks of the Tagus River. 6 beds, 6 baths, kitchen, open-plan living/dining room, terrace, swimming pool, garden, parking. €800,000; Sotheby’s

Cumbria: Nibthwaite Mills, Nibthwaite

A substantial Grade II*, 18th century former iron furnace and bobbin mill, within the Lake District National Park. The property boasts 150 metres of river frontage on the River Crake, a mill pond, and a decked terrace. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, garage. £695,000; Fine & Country

Cumbria: The Mill House, Sebergham

A beautifully restored former corn mill in an idyllic rural setting. Period features include the original mill machinery, and the property is set in well-tended mature gardens and land of approx. 4.65 acres. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, outbuildings, garden, parking. £950,000; Finest Properties

Somerset: West Mill, Luckwell Bridge, Wheddon Cross

This former mill is full of character and charm and lies in the heart of Exmoor National Park. 2 suites, 2 further beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, utility, stables, paddocks, outbuildings, garden, parking. £625,000; Stags

Essex: Pointwell Mill, Coggeshall

A charming riverside property set in approx. 5.7 acres including an orchard. 4 beds (1 en suite), shower, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, 1-bed self-contained annexe, summer house/office, swimming pool, pool house, tennis court, garden, parking. £1.1m; Strutt & Parker

Lincolnshire: Mill House, Market Deeping

A fine Grade II Georgian mill house on the banks of the River Welland. The property is set in 15 acres (STMS) of pastureland and woodland. 7 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, swimming pool, outbuildings, parking. £2m; Fine & Country

Nottinghamshire: The Paper Mill, Lowdham

Handsome Grade II former paper mill in a bucolic setting by the Dover Beck; includes mature gardens and a mill pond. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, two-storey coach house/garage. £595,000; Savills

Essex: Barnes Mill and Barnes House, Chelmsford

Grade II water mill and mill house, set in mature gardens of approx. 4 acres. 7 beds (3 en suite), 2 baths, 2 kitchen/breakfast rooms, 5 receps, garden, parking. £2.5m; Savills

Nottinghamshire: Kirklington Mill, Kirklington

This striking Grade II converted flour mill dates back to 1840. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, gym, garden, garage. £750,000; Fine & Country

Berkshire: Gallery House, Hungerford

An opportunity to convert an attractive Grade II property, formerly retail premises believed to date back to the 17th century (with later additions), into a modernised residential dwelling. 6 beds, 4 receps, 3 attic rooms, WC, large garden, detached outbuilding. £450,000; Strutt & Parker

London: The Cubitt Arms, Tower Hamlets

Dating to the 1860s, this former public house has been transformed into a striking loft-style residence. Main suite, 2 further beds (1 ensuite), shower room, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, garden, garage, gym. £1.2m; Knight Frank

London: Caledonian Road, Islington

A charming apartment set in a beautifully restored former bakery and positioned by a walkway leading to Edward Square. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, recep. £525,000; Dexters

Suffolk: 29 St John’s Place, Bury St Edmunds

A stylish contemporary townhouse in a building that dates back to the 1920s and has previously served as commercial premises for many decades. 2 beds, shower room, open-plan living area, recep, study, covered courtyard. £750,000; Bedfords

Buckinghamshire: Thatch End, Shalstone

Grade II 17th century cottage, formerly the Post Office and village shop, with a west-facing garden and a barn with open bays for entertaining. Main suite, 4 further beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, outbuildings, garden, off- street parking. £800,000; Michael Graham

Norfolk: Stocks Green, King’s Lynn

A handsome 18th century property, part of the historic fabric of Castle Acre, which also hosts the owner’s apartment, restaurant/café and shop. A full handover will be provided. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep, conservatory, 2 roof terraces, walled garden, outbuildings. £785,000; Savills

Buckinghamshire: Beam House, Great Missenden

This lovely Grade II village house dates back in part to the 15th century, and was used as a shop from the 18th century. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, kitchen, 3 receps, basement, garden, sun terrace. £1.25m; Knight Frank

Southampton, New York

Landscaped with dogwood and cherry trees, perennial flower gardens, and evergreens, this restored 1907 cedar-shingled home in the Hamptons includes stained glass, crown molding, wood panels, and built-ins, plus a high-end country kitchen with an eat-in butcher-block island.

A large, screened porch faces a patio, pool, and pool house. Dining and beaches are a five-minute drive. $7,950,000. Dawn Petrillo and Pat Petrillo, Sotheby’s International Realty—Southampton Brokerage, (631) 278-9578.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

This five-bedroom Cape Cod–style home on the summer-destination island features a fenced garden with raised veggie and herb beds, a potting shed, mature trees, and hydrangeas. The living room of the updated 1992 home has a vaulted ceiling and wide-plank pegged wood floors, and downstairs are a theater, bar, and gym.

A pergola-topped deck looks over the 3-plus-acre estate, which includes a pool and fountain. $4,940,000. Cynthia Lenhart, William Raveis Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, (508) 325-1648.

Winnetka, Illinois

Designed by architect Edwin Clark and built in 1927, this English manor in the Chicago suburbs features a landscaped garden with a rose ring, a greenhouse, and undulating flower beds adjacent to bent grass lawns and a tennis court. Inside the six-bedroom are a grand curved staircase, arched doorways, formal sitting rooms, a sunroom, and a screened porch.

A two-tier bluestone terrace overlooks the nearly 2-acre grounds, and there is a three-car garage topped by a two-bedroom apartment. $4,599,000. Paige Dooley, Compass, (847) 609-0963.

Dixon, New Mexico

Along the Rio Embudo about 40 minutes from Taos, this compound has 13 raised garden beds, a greenhouse, and peach, nectarine, cherry, and old-growth apple and pear trees. The adobe two-bedroom includes a chef’s kitchen with a kiva fireplace and a primary bedroom with a screened balcony.

Spread across nearly 4 acres are a casita, garden house, dining pavilion, art studio, and 400 feet of river frontage. $2,300,000. Jolie Jones, Jones West, (575) 741-0603.

Denver, Colorado

The backyard of this 1900 Denver Square–style home in the Capitol Hill neighborhood has an 8-foot wood fence, raised garden beds, perimeter beds, a water feature, a deck, and a dining area. The four-bedroom’s restored details include a wood staircase, exposed brick, and leaded glass, and among its modern updates are a new kitchen with quartz counters and a primary bath with a deep tub.

Parks and museums are nearby. $1,400,000. Mckinze Casey, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty, (720) 539-4547.

Royal Oak, Michigan

On a tree-lined street about 20 minutes from downtown Detroit, this 1928 brick Tudor has a backyard with mature trees, perennial plantings, a fire pit, and a pergola. Inside the four-bedroom are wood floors, leaded and stained-glass windows, arched doorways, and a lower-level family room, laundry, bath, and wet bar.

The kitchen opens to the garden, and a two-level gazebo sits atop the garage. $480,000. Linda Novak, Max Broock Birmingham/Luxury Portfolio International, (248) 408-7811.

Oxfordshire: Mill House, Abingdon

An enchanting Grade II listed Georgian country house, built in 1741, in around 17 acres consisting of gardens, grounds, extensive River Thames frontage and three islands. 3 suites, 5 further beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, library, study, summerhouse, gardens, mill pond. £4.5m; Savills.

London: Lion House, Hampton TW12

This Grade II house, on historic Thames Street, has the River Thames, Hampton Court Palace and Bushy Park all within easy reach. The attractive property combines beautiful period features and modern design. 5 beds, 2 showers, 2 receps, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, conservatory, garden, parking. £1.3m; Dexters.

London: St Mary’s Wandsworth Pier, Battersea SW11

This striking Belgian Spitz barge, originally constructed to transport grain, offers panoramic river views. 4 suites, family bath, 2 receps, decked garden. £1.549m; River Homes.

London: Church Street, Old Isleworth TW7

A handsome property on a historic street within yards of the River Thames and Syon Park. 4 beds, 2 baths, 2 receps, garden. £1.9m; Knight Frank.

Berkshire: The Boathouse, Cookham Dean

This charming house (third from left) is widely believed to have inspired Kenneth Grahame’s "Wind in the Willows". It has its own private jetty with two moorings. 1 bed, family bath, kitchen, recep, mezzanine, terrace, parking. £1.25m; Knight Frank.

Berkshire: St. Patrick’s Lodge, Charvil

A fabulous house set in grounds of 1.3 acres with more than 400ft of river frontage. Principal bed with dressing room, 2 further beds, 2 baths, 5 receps, terrace, summerhouse, boat house. £2.8m; Savills.

London: Globe Wharf, Rotherhithe SE16

A stylish third-floor warehouse flat, offering stunning river views and top-tier amenities, including a communal swimming pool and gym. 2 suites, 1 further bed, open-plan kitchen/living area, balcony. OIEO £800,000; Fine & Country.

London: Bermondsey Wall East, Southwark SE16

Offering incredible views of the River Thames, this detached Grade II, period house is in excellent condition and boasts a private courtyard, parking, ample storage and has potential for development. Main bed, family bath, kitchen, recep, balcony. £675,000; Dexters.

Surrey: Snowdenham Hall, Bramley, Guildford

Duplex flat in a fine Grade II mansion house set in 20 acres of parkland. Designed in 1886 by the architect Ralph Neville, the property features a minstrel gallery overlooking the central reception hall decorated by John Bentley, the architect for Westminster Cathedral. 3 suites, 1 further bed, snug, kitchen, 2 receps, roof terrace, communal tennis court, garden, parking. £895,000; Savills.

Somerset: Battlefields House, Lansdown

A first-floor flat in a delightful crenellated villa built by the architect Charles Harcourt Masters in 1802. Set in gardens with views over the Severn Estuary and the Brecon Beacons. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, recep, communal gardens, parking. £435,000; Fine & Country.

Ayrshire: The East Wing, Sundrum Castle, Ayr

A major part of a 14th century castle, which is set in 2 acres with views of the Water of Coyle. 2 suites, 3 further beds, family bath, kitchen/diner, 4 receps, garden, parking. OIEO £800,000; Savills.

Northumberland: Yew Tree, Belford Hall

Ground-floor flat in an elegant Grade I Palladian-style building dating back to 1756. 2 beds, family bath, recep, kitchen/breakfast room, communal gardens, parking. £325,000; Finest Properties.

East Lothian: Tyninghame House, Dunbar

The Butler’s wing is a unique home within this A-listed mansion house set in 38 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland. 2 beds, family bath, shower, kitchen/dining room, recep, communal gardens, parking. OIEO £375,000; Savills.

Gloucestershire: The Old Hall, Sandywell Park, Whittington

A house within a Jacobean estate. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, gym, communal gardens with heated swimming pool and tennis court, parking. £985,000; Savills.

Staffordshire: Biddulph Grange, Biddulph

A top- floor flat in a magnificent Grade II Victorian mansion with a grand lobby entrance featuring a pre-Raphaelite stained glass window. Main suite, 2 further beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, lift, communal gardens, parking. £450,000; Jackson-Stops.

Norfolk: The Victorian Wing, Hunstanton Hall

A substantial part of a historic Grade I country house with Elizabethan origins. 6 beds, 4 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, billiards room, gym, garden, parking. £2.2m; Bedfords.

Shropshire: Roving Bridge Farm, Whixall

A charming canal-side former toll house built by William Jessop in the 1780s. The property includes a self-contained annexe, which functions as a holiday let. Main suite, 1 further bed, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, stables, Dutch barn, outbuildings, parking. £985,000; Savills.

Herefordshire: Dairy Farm, Weobley

This characterful house dates back to 1440 and includes a 1-bed annexe, which is currently run as a b&b. 3 beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, 2 receps, outbuildings, garden, parking. £750,000; Country & Classic.

Somerset: Dundas, Monkton Combe

This 19th century lock keeper’s cottage enjoys income from a 1-bed flat and a canal business. 4 beds, 2 baths, shower, kitchen, office, 2 receps, garden, parking. £1.25 million; Fine & Country.

Stirlingshire: Altskeith, Kinlochard

Built in 1898 in a spectacular location on the edge of Loch Ard, this versatile property functions as a successful wedding venue. 8 suites, 2 further beds, shower, 2 kitchens, 4 receps. 1-bed bothy, beach, garden, parking. OIEO £2.15 million; Savills.

Herefordshire: Pant Hall, Willey

This colourful country house set in 6 acres of landscaped grounds has a 2-bed self- contained annexe, a yoga platform and a shepherd’s hut. 4 beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, garden room. £900,000; Country & Classic.

Somerset: Avenue House, Wells

An immaculate Regency house on the high street. The current vendors use the ground floor to run a specialist music business. 7 beds, 2 baths, shower, kitchen/ breakfast room, gym, 6 receps (including photography studio, workshop, showroom), garden, parking. OIEO £1.5 million; Lodestone.

Somerset: Upper Manor Farm, Dunkerton

An elegant 18th century farmhouse with the potential to convert the outbuilding (STPP). 3 suites, 2 further beds, family bath, kitchen, 3 receps, parking. £1.595 million; Savills.

Argyll: The Pier House & Cottage, Kames

Architect-designed house in a spectacular setting with a bothy, which is currently run as a successful holiday let. 2 beds, study, family bath, shower, open-plan kitchen/living room, snug, decking, garden, parking. OIEO £525,000; Savills.

Oxfordshire: Church Farm House, Northmoor

A magnificent Georgian residence in over 9 acres with a 1-bed annexe. 3 suites, 2 further beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, paddocks, garden. £3 million; Chartwell Noble.

The Right to Buy scheme has cost UK taxpayers almost £200 billion, caused massive shortages in social housing and increased inequality, said the Common Wealth think tank.

The property project, introduced by Margaret Thatcher, will be 45 years old in October, said Melissa York in The Times, and its "effects still reverberate through the housing market".

'Stark divide'

Right to Buy allowed council-house tenants to buy the homes they lived in and forced local authorities to sell the properties on request at a discount. It transformed the way Britain "viewed housing", from "a right under the social contract between citizen and state to a commodity to be coveted and traded".

The scheme allowed many baby boomers a "foothold" on the property ladder because they were able to own their own properties, and in addition "free to make home improvements" that could increase the value of that home.

Now, the over-60s control more than half of the UK's housing wealth and the over-75s control almost a quarter, and there's a "stark wealth divide" between the children of people who were able to "jump on to the property ladder" in the 1980s and the "less-fortunate offspring" of those who "missed the boat".

Between 1980 and 2021, 1.8 million households in England purchased a home from their local authority using Right to Buy. The plan "achieved its goal of getting more people on the housing ladder in its former years" said Rachel Mortimer in The Telegraph, but its "popularity has waned since".

Substantial decline

The programme has "dramatically depleted" Britain's affordable housing stock, said Richard Partington in The Guardian, because the homes sold through Right to Buy were not replaced. And after "rising for decades", home ownership rates have dropped since 2004, and "collapsed" among young adults.

Right to Buy was not a bad idea overall, but the "underlying ideology" has "led to the problems we're in now", said Paul McNamee in the Big Issue. It's resulted in a "lack of suitable housing stock" with councils increasingly spending their "dwindling income" on helping people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.

Thatcher used the policy to "deplete" the country's social housing because she did not "replace the houses sold at a discount", said The Canary. There's been a "substantial decline" in the number of social houses since 1980 and the Labour Party is "doing little to fix the issue".

Kent: Mermaid Cottage, St Margaret’s Bay

This elegant art deco house (first property on the left) enjoys a spectacular setting, by the sea wall at the foot of the White Cliffs. The property boasts sea views, and a garden designed by an RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold- medal winner. Main suite, 2 further beds with jack and jill shower, kitchen, 4 receps, balcony, parking. £1.75 million; Strutt & Parker

Argyll & Bute: An Cnocan Dubh, Coillabus, Isle of Islay

An architect-designed, turf-roofed, stone-clad lodge set in a wonderfully unspoilt location on the Oa peninsula, with views across the sea towards Kintyre. 2 suites, sauna, kitchen, open- plan living/dining room, parking. OIEO £375,000; Savills

Kent: North Pole Road, Barming

An impressive water tower conversion with panoramic views to the North Downs. 5 beds (3 en suite), family bath, open-plan kitchen/ dining room, 2 receps, 2 studies, gym, balcony, garden, hot tub, garage, parking. £1.425 million; Savills

Denbighshire: Plas Yn Llan, Llangynhafal

This 16th century house sits in an idyllic 1.3- acre, semi-rural setting. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, parking. £1.15 million; Fisher German

Essex: Redshank, St Osyth

Designed by Lisa Shell Architects to resemble both Maunsell forts and redshanks (a wading bird), this unique home hovers above salty marshland, which floods at high tide. 1 bed, shower, kitchen/living room, balcony. £400,000; The Modern House

Kent: The Tower, Hadlow Castle

A historic Grade I property (the world’s tallest Victorian gothic tower) with breathtaking 360° views. 4 beds (3 en suite), kitchen/breakfast room, 4 receps, roof terrace, lift, garden. £2.78 million; Fine & Country

Somerset: Birdcombe Court, Wraxall

A magnificent Grade II* medieval manor house set in almost two acres. Pevsner records the house as an "astonishing survival", with the hall dating back to the 13th century. 3 suites, 3 further beds, family bath, 2 studies, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, chapel, coach house, stables. £2.85 million; Inigo

East Sussex: Tin Tabernacle, Barcombe

Award-winning chapel conversion, featuring an impressive 28ft living room with a vaulted ceiling. 4 beds, family bath, shower, open-plan kitchen/living/dining room, garden, parking. £995,000; Strutt & Parker

Bristol: Dowry Square, Hotwells

An elegant flat in a Georgian building on one of Bristol’s oldest squares, close to the university. The property – which dates back to 1721 – boasts large sash windows and overlooks a garden square tended by the residents’ association. 1 bed, family bath, kitchen, living/dining room. £325,000; Boardwalk Property.

St Andrews: Abbey Street

In the heart of St Andrews, and minutes from the town centre and the university, this immaculately presented second- floor flat is a short walk from the Old Course, the harbour and East Sands Beach. 2 beds, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living/ dining room, balcony, shared courtyard, parking. OIEO £475,000; Rettie.

Exeter: Regents Park

Characterful Georgian townhouse (yellow building), with a self-contained garden flat, close to the city centre and the university. 5 beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, 3 receps, 2-bed flat, garden, garage. OIEO £1m; Savills.

Newcastle: King Street

A spacious flat in the city centre (pictured centre left), ten minutes from the university. It has impressive views down to the River Tyne. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, recep/dining. £235,000; Bridgfords.

London: Cosmo Place, Bloomsbury WC1

This handsome flat is on a picturesque pedestrianised street just a short stroll from the UCL campus, Russell Square and Lamb’s Conduit Street. Main suite, open-plan kitchen/living/dining room, balcony. £525,000; Dexters.

Cambridge: Eden Street

Charming Grade II Georgian cottage in a Conservation Area less than half a mile from the city centre. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, living/dining room, garden, driveway parking. £635,000; Redmayne Arnold & Harris.

Plymouth: The Hoe, Lockyer Street

An impressive house (pictured to the left of the yellow building) overlooking Plymouth Sound and within walking distance of the university. 5 beds (1 en suite), family bath, shower, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, 1-bed annexe, garden, garage. £975,000; Marchand Petit.

Bath: Sydney Place

Beautifully refurbished second-floor flat in a Grade I building designed by the architect John Pinch The Elder. It’s a short bus or cycle ride to Bath University campus. Main suite, 1 further bed, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep. £1.1m; Savills.

Suffolk: Briar Cottage, Horringer

A secluded cottage with no near neighbours. The property offers far-reaching views and easy access to 1,800 acres of National Trust parkland at the Ickworth Estate. Main suite, 4 further beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, garage. £1.195m; Bedfords

Cumbria: Cubben House, Irton, Holmrook

An enchanting 16th century cottage set in 1.75 acres, and boasting impressive views over the Lake District National Park. It is perched on the edge of the Miterdale Forest close to Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. 3 beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, garage. £650,000; Fine & Country

Hampshire: Shirley House, Shirley

A splendid Grade II house with 14th century origins, on the edge of the New Forest National Park. 7 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, garden, equestrian facilities. £2.1m; John D. Wood

Perth and Kinross: Parks of Aldie, Kinross

A 19th century house set in approx. 3.5 acres with views to the Cleish Hills. The house has equestrian facilities, including stables and a riding arena. Main suite, 4 further beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, garden, parking. OIEO £750,000; Savills

Suffolk: High House, Otley

A magnificent Grade II* house dating back to 1500 and set in 5.5 acres. Main suite, 6 further beds, family bath, 2 showers, kitchen, 4 receps, indoor pool, tennis court, garden, parking. £1.6m; Knight Frank

Suffolk: Depden Hall, Depden

A Grade II 17th century moated country house with approx. 25 acres of gardens. 8 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, tennis court, boat house, outbuildings, parking. OIEO £2.85m; John D. Wood

Herefordshire: Lane Gate Cottage, Bircher

Charming Arts & Crafts thatched cottage nestled on the edge of Bircher Common. 3 beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, parking. OIRO £675,000; Samuel Wood

Brighton: Percival Terrace, Kemptown

A grand first-floor flat in a Regency building on Brighton’s seafront. The property enjoys far-reaching views over Brighton Pier, and out towards the English Channel. 2 beds, dressing room, shower, kitchen, recep. OIEO £600,000; Hamptons.

London: Holland Park W11

A lower-ground-floor flat in a white stucco-fronted villa close to the park, the shops and amenities of Notting Hill, and within easy reach of Kensington High Street and Kensington Gardens. 2 beds, family bath, open-plan kitchen/living/ dining room. £1.15 million; Dexters.

London: Anchor Brewhouse, Shad Thames, Bermondsey SE1

Fourth-floor flat with impressive views to Tower Bridge. Main suite, 2 further beds, shower, family bath, kitchen, recep, terrace. £1.695 million; Anderson Rose.

Manchester: Langley Building, Dale Street

A first-floor investment flat in this striking former warehouse. The property is tenanted until the end of this month. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen/ living/dining room. £225,000; Bridgfords.

Leeds: Park Square North

Handsome duplex flat in a Georgian building dating back to 1788 (seen here in the middle with pillared entrance overlooking Park Square). Main suite, 1 further bed, family bath, kitchen, recep, private outdoor terrace. OIEO £390,000; Preston Baker.

York: Victor Street

This characterful flat is located within the city walls in a converted Victorian chapel built in 1865. The property is set within the historic Bishophill area of York. 2 beds, shower, kitchen, recep. £280,000; William H. Brown.

Edinburgh: 13 Royal Circus

Sat in the heart of the sought-after Unesco World Heritage-listed New Town, this elegant flat is situated on the first floor of a distinguished Georgian townhouse, boasting plenty of period features, as well as access to Circus Gardens, for an annual subscription. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2 receps, study, communal garden, permit parking. OIEO £595,000; Rettie.

Cardiff: Cathedral Gardens

Stylish second-floor flat set within two converted and restored Victorian villas. Close to Pontcanna’s parks and vibrant city life. 1 bed, 1 bath, open-plan kitchen/living/dining room. £250,000; Allen & Harris.

Gwynedd: Tan y Ffridd, Llangower

A handsome Georgian-inspired house built in 1939, set in mature gardens and located near the Berwyn Mountains, Cader Idris and Snowdonia. 4 beds, family bath, shower, kitchen, 3 receps, office, conservatory, self-contained 2-bed annexe, garden, ornamental pond, outbuilding, parking. £600,000; Jackson-Stops

Pembrokeshire: Lancych Mansion, Boncath

This Grade II* mansion house is a fine example of the "picturesque cottage" architectural style. It dates back to the 1830s, and is set in more than 14 acres of pasture fields on the banks of the River Cych. 7 beds (all en suite), kitchen, 4 receps, 2-bed self- contained cottage, garden, parking. £1.5m; Savills

Powys: Castell y Gwynt, Llandyssil

A substantial farmhouse with equestrian facilities and approx. 5.76 acres of grounds. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2 receps, garden, paddocks, stables, parking. OIEO £1.2m; Savills

Ceredigion: Felin Brithdir, Rhydlewis

A delightful collection of rustic dwellings. 2 beds, family bath, 2-bed converted mill, converted smithy, garden, boathouse, 2 Dutch barns, parking. £975,000; Inigo

Powys: Ty Hedfan, Pontfaen

An impressive modern house in the Brecon Beacons, delicately perched over the River Ysgir. Designed by acclaimed architects Featherstone Young. 4 beds (3 en suite) family bath, open- plan kitchen/dining room, recep, garden, parking. £1m; The Modern House

Anglesey: Cartref, Beaumaris

This characterful house overlooks Snowdonia and the Menai Strait and has direct access to a beach. 5 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, tennis court, swimming pool, garden, parking. £2.65m; Strutt & Parker

Pembrokeshire: The Manse, Caerfarchell, Solva

This Georgian-style stone manse was built in the 1870s and featured in Pevsner. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, kitchen, 3 receps, walled garden, parking. £525,000; West Wales Properties

Gwynedd: Cefn Castell, Criccieth

Secluded modernist villa overlooking Cardigan Bay. Winner of a Riba award, the house featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs. 3 suites, open- plan kitchen/living/dining room, garden, parking. £1m; Strutt & Parker

Scottish Borders: Flat A, Broughton Place, Broughton

An elegant apartment in a Scottish baronial-inspired tower house built in 1938. 3 beds (1 en suite) 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps. OIEO £485,000; Rettie

West Sussex: Hammonds Place, Burgess Hill

A remarkable Elizabethan Grade II house with abundant period details. 7 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, annexe, garden, garage. £1.5m; Fine & Country

Wiltshire: Cutteridge House, North Bradley

This charming Grade II Cotswold- stone house dates back to the 1700s, is within easy distance of Bath and is set in more than 4 acres. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ dining room, 2 receps, 2-bed self-contained cottage, stables, paddock, garden, outbuildings, garage. £1.65m; Fox Grant

Devon: Wykeleigh, Wyke

Handsome Edwardian house overlooking the East Devon National Landscape AONB, and set in more than 37 acres. 5 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, playroom, garden, shepherd's hut, outbuildings, garage. £1.95m; Symonds & Sampson

East Sussex: Swiftsden House, Etchingham

An imposing Arts and Crafts house perched on top of a hill, and surrounded by 29.6 acres of landscaped gardens. 8 beds, 6 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 5 receps, orangery, annexe, garden, outbuildings, garage. £3.5m; Blue Book

South Lanarkshire: Edmonston House, Biggar

A characterful 19th century B-listed property with plenty of period features, set in approx. 27 acres of gardens. 7 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, 3-bed lodge, garden, outbuildings, garage. OIEO £1.21m; Rettie

Moray: Broomhill House, Grantown-on-Spey

Eye-catching Arts and Crafts B-listed house overlooking the Cairngorm Mountains. 8 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, 3-bed annexe, garden, 20 acres of woodland by separate negotiation. OIEO £1.9m; Fine & Country

Angus: Gallery, Montrose

One of the earliest and finest Renaissance houses in Scotland, dating back to 1677 and set on a substantial 82-acre estate. 8 beds, 5 baths, 2 showers, kitchen, 5 receps, garden, coach house, farm buildings. OIEO £1.85m; Strutt & Parker

Wiltshire: Rose Bower, Broad Chalke, Salisbury

A 17th century country retreat in the heart of the Chalke Valley. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, garage, summer house. £650,000; Myddelton & Major

London: Godfrey Street, Chelsea SW3

An attractive yellow house with an open-plan entertaining area. 3 beds (1 en suite), roof terrace, WC, kitchen, recep/dining room. £2.25m; John D. Wood & Co

Norfolk: Thatch Cottage, Great Fransham

Charming Grade II property with approx. 0.4 acres of landscaped grounds, paddock views to the rear and a newly installed thatched roof. 3 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, snug, triple garage/workshop, gardens. £525,000; Sowerbys

Somerset: Little Court, Ash Priors

Priors. Grade II former coach house believed to date back to 1808. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, office/garden room, gardens. £650,000; Stags

Essex: Crawley House, Elmdon, Saffron Walden

A Grade II house in the heart of the village, with beautiful grounds of approx. 0.5 acres. 5 beds (1 en suite), 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, outbuildings. £1.15m; Cheffins

Cornwall: Toads Place, Fowey

Fowey. A landmark Georgian house, enjoying panoramic southerly views of the harbour and Pont Pill. 6 beds (1 en suite), family bath, shower, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, music room, studio, terraced garden. OIEO £1.85m; Rohrs & Rowe

Gloucestershire: Kennel Farm, Coleford

An old farmhouse dating back to the 18th century, set within four acres. 5 beds (4 en suite), shower, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 receps, gym, 2-bed barn conversion, paddock, summer house, gardens. £1.6m; Fine & Country

Norfolk: Willow House, Holme Lane

A striking country house with attractively landscaped gardens and an impressive lake, set within grounds of approx. 10 acres. Main suite, 4 further beds (1 en suite), shower room, kitchen, 3 receps, study, garden room, cart lodge, outbuildings, double garage. OIRO £1.75m; Sowerbys.

Suffolk: The West Front, Bury St Edmunds

An impressive Grade I property within the remains of the Abbey of St Edmund, constructed during the 12th century. 4 beds (1 en suite), family bath, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2 receps, communal garden and courtyard. £825,000; Bedfords.

Norfolk: The Paddocks, Little Dunham

An attractive Georgian house with two cottages and outbuildings in grounds of 5 acres. It is on the market for the first time since 1970. 5 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, 1-bed annexe, 1-bed cottage, garages, stables, workshop, gardens, natural pond. £995,000; Bedfords.

Cambridgeshire: The Emplins, Sandy

This enchanting Grade II* former hall house has been restored to preserve its architectural heritage. 5 beds (2 en suite), 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, gardens. £699,950; Knight Frank.

Norfolk: Brandiston Hall, Norwich

Grade II country house with 17th century origins. 6 beds (1 en suite), 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, 8 acres of gardens and grounds, outbuildings, double garage. £1.7m; Savills.

Essex: Watts Folly, Arkesden

An enchanting Grade II cottage in a prominent position within a sought-after village. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, laundry room, garage, landscaped garden, greenhouse. £750,000; Cheffins.

Norfolk: The Clock Tower, Old Hunstanton

Grand Victorian coach house within the historic grounds of Old Hunstanton Hall, in approx. 2.4 acres. 5 beds, 4 baths, 4 receps, kitchen/dining room, outbuildings, gardens, moat. £1.7m; Sowerbys.

Norfolk: Chapel House, Botesdale

Originally founded as a grammar school, the property is steeped in history, character and charm. 7 beds (1 en suite), 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, cellar, 1-bed annexe, gardens. £1.25m; Sowerbys.

Cumbria: Hoff Lodge, Hoff

An Arts & Crafts house set in approx. 5.5 acres between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, garden, coach house, garage. OIEO £950,000; Fine & Country.

Northumberland: High Mote, Elsdon

A traditional stone farmhouse with fine rural views. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, gardens of approx. 3.37 acres, parking. £800,000; Finest Properties.

Devon: Valley View, Churchill

Handsome house with impressive views located in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, gardens of approx. 1.5 acres, outbuilding, garage. £795,000; Symonds & Sampson.

Isle of Wight: Wydcombe Manor West, Whitwell

A 17th century house with Victorian alterations set in rolling parkland. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden. £750,000; Spence Willard.

Lincolnshire: Commandant’s House, Sutton Bridge

Once part of RAF Sutton, this elegant property was built in the 1930s in a tranquil rural setting. Main suite, 5 further beds, family bath, 2 showers, kitchen/ living/dining room, 2 receps, study, garden, garage. £700,000; Fine & Country.

Suffolk: Tawny’s, Aspall Green

A Grade II Elizabethan farmhouse set in approx. 3.2 acres. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 2 receps, selfcontained annexe, tennis court, large Elizabethan “party” barn, garden, parking. £975,000; Bedfords.

Cornwall: Wooda, Warleggan

A striking Grade II former farmhouse overlooking an unspoilt wooded valley on the edge of Bodmin Moor. 4 beds (1 en suite), family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, garden, paddocks, garage. OIRO £975,000; Lillicrap Chilcott.

Wiltshire: Medbourne House, Liddington

This late 17th century Grade II farmhouse is set in mature gardens, which include a vegetable garden and lily pond. 4 beds, family bath, kitchen, 3 receps, study, garden, garages. £950,000; Carter Jonas.

House prices are beyond the reach of many people but there's an increasingly popular low-cost way to win yourself a place on the property ladder: the raffle.

For as little as £2 a ticket, you can get a chance to win a house from a seller taking this "non-traditional sales route" that allows them to swerve estate agents and viewings and "laborious" conveyancing paperwork, said The i Paper.

Small stakes, big money

There are even sites set up to host house raffles. The UK platform Raffall allows sellers to set a minimum threshold for ticket sales, which must be met for their property to be won. If ticket sales don't meet the threshold, the sellers can give 50% of the ticket revenue to the winner instead, and keep 40% for themselves, with 10% going to Raffall. Or they can give the house away anyway and keep more of the ticket-sale proceeds.

Ticket prices may be small but the stakes are high, and there's big money to be made. Since it was launched 10 years ago, Raffall has, it claims, hosted more than 46,000 raffles, distributing more than 130,000 prizes and bringing in nearly £50 million in revenue for home sellers.

The property raffle industry is "largely unregulated" in the UK, said The Guardian, because most raffles are classed as free draws or prize competitions, which means they don't have to abide by the strict licensing conditions laid down by the Gambling Act 2005.

Stress and sleeplessnes 

Although all a house hunter has to do is buy a ticket and cross their fingers, for the seller, a raffle can be rather more work than it might first seem. Imelda Collins put her two-bed cottage near Sligo, Ireland, up for raffle for £5 a ticket and found the process "a lot more complicated and a lot more time-consuming" than she'd imagined, she told The i Paper.

It became "like a second job" as, for seven months, she spent every evening at her laptop, "constantly trying to get the word out" and "thinking of ideas" to promote her contest. It was "quite stressful at times".

The winner was Kathleen Spangler, an American, who had bought three raffle tickets "on a whim", said The New York Times. She'd then forgotten all about it – until she got a text from a friend five months later, asking: "By chance, did you win a cottage in Ireland?" Once she'd got over the surprise, she lost no time moving to Ireland with her husband and three children.

When Natalie Rowcroft decided to raffle her Salford house, everybody thought she "had lost the plot", she told The Guardian. Soon, she was staying up into the early hours, responding to questions from entrants from around the world, and posting so many details of her life on social media to promote the raffle that people started recognising her in the local supermarket.

She "didn't sleep" for the 45 days of the contest and "lost so much weight – it was the hardest time of my life". When the competition closed, the high was "like giving birth". She'd met her ticket threshold, found a winner and, after paying off her mortgage and some fees, she and her husband walked away with about £90,000.

Gloucestershire: Lock House, Framilode

A picturesque Grade II house built in 1776 in an idyllic setting on the banks of the Severn. 4 suites, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, garden, garage. OIRO £900,000; Hamptons

Norfolk: Grange Farm, Honingham

Handsome farmhouse in about 4.5 acres. 5 beds (2 en suite), family bath, 2-bed annexe, tennis court, garden, outbuildings, parking. £1.45m; Sowerbys

Norfolk: The Old Rectory, Framlingham Earl

Charming former rectory set in about 1.5 acres of grounds with spectacular views and a Grade I Saxo-Norman church to the rear. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ dining room, 2 receps, study, garden, outbuildings, garage. £1.35m; Sowerbys

Suffolk: Linden House, Pakenham

A delightful Grade II house in a desirable and scenic village. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, garden, garage. £975,000; Bedfords

Worcestershire: Severnbank House, Shrawley

Impressive Grade II Georgian house set in 12 acres of parkland and mature gardens. Main suite, 7 further beds (2 en suite), 2 baths, kitchen/ breakfast room, 4 receps, swimming pool, outbuildings, garden, garage. £2.25m; Morgan Aps

Kent: Great Walton, Eastry

A classic Grade II Georgian house set in mature gardens of about 4.6 acres. 7 beds (2 en suite), family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, swimming pool, tennis court, outbuildings, parking. OIEO £2.25m; Strutt & Parker

Stirlingshire: Quarter Estate, Denny

This attractive B-listed Georgian house dates back to 1776 and sits in 60 acres of parkland and woodland. 6 beds (3 en suite), family bath, kitchen/ breakfast room, 3 receps, garden, parking. OIEO £1.25m; Galbraith

Gwynedd: Tan Yr Allt, Llwyngwril

Llwyngwril. An ideal house for experienced surfers, by a beach within Snowdonia National Park. 5 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, garden, garage. OIRO £695,000; Fine & Country

Cornwall: Pentui, Feock

An elegant Georgian house set in 2.85 acres of grounds including a mature orchard. 5 beds, kitchen, 3 receps, 3-bed annexe, 1-bed annexe. £1.35m; Finest Properties

Caithness: Holborn Head Lighthouse, Scrabster

A striking B-listed lighthouse and tower overlooking the Pentland Firth. The property was built in 1862, and has been sensitively restored. 3 beds (1 en suite), family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, studio, garden, garage. OIEO £450,000; Galbraith

Devon: Rock Cottage, Cockwood

Characterful Grade II beachside house set in approx. 1.2 acres. 7 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, 1-bed annexe, garden, garage. £1.95m; Strutt & Parker

Pembrokeshire: Caldey View, Tenby

Superb Grade II Georgian townhouse (cream house, centre) with direct access to South Beach. The large rear terrace (ideal for entertaining) offers fantastic sea views. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, office, 3 receps. OIEO £1m; Country Living Group

Anglesey: Morawelon, Llanfaethlu

An attractive house set in approx. 5.8 acres, with captivating views of Trefadog Beach and Carmel Head. Main suite, 3 further beds, family bath, shower, kitchen/dining room, recep, garden, workshop, garage. £1.25m; Jackson-Stops

Cornwall: Toads Place, Fowey

An eye-catching Georgian coastal house with panoramic views of Pont Pill and Polruan. 6 beds (all with harbour views), 3 baths, kitchen/dining room, 3 receps, terrace, studio, garden, parking. OIEO £1.85m; Rohrs and Rowe

Fife: Seven Gables, Elie

Charming 17th century house (pale-blue front) overlooking the Firth of Forth, with access to the beach. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 2 receps, garden, garage. OIEO £1.2m; Savills

Essex: Pollards Cross, Hempstead

Fine 17th-century house with landscaped gardens. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, 3-bed coach house, tennis court, heated pool, summer house, parking. £1.995m; Savills

County Durham: Derwent Hill, Ebchester

An elegant Georgian house set in 2.85 acres of grounds including a mature orchard. 5 beds, kitchen, 3 receps, 3-bed annexe, 1-bed annexe. £1.35m; Finest Properties

Argyll: Inverlussa House, Achnamara

A commanding Georgian villa overlooking Loch Sween with gardens of approx. 3.35 acres including a well-stocked orchard. 6 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, study, greenhouse, paddock, outbuildings, parking. OIEO £895,000; Savills

Hertfordshire: Westfield Green, Little Hadham

Characterful Grade II* Tudor hall house with period features. Grounds of 2.9 acres boast a topiary garden and an established orchard. 6 beds (2 en suite), family bath, kitchen/breakfast room, 3 receps, pond, outbuildings. £1.85m; Savills

Rutland: Orchard House, Hambleton

This handsome 17th-century house on Rutland Water is set within beautifully landscaped grounds of 7.5 acres, including a fruit orchard. 4 beds (1 en suite), 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, 3 receps, 2-bed cottage, outbuildings, garden. OIEO £2.5m; Savills

Kent: Standen Oast, Benenden

A converted oast house nestled in approx. 1.7 acres of gardens, including an apple orchard that yields an abundance of both eating and cooking apples. 3 suites, 1 further bed, kitchen/breakfast room, study, recep, utility, garage, garden. £1.6m; Jackson-Stops

Wiltshire: The Ivy, Chippenham

The principal part of this glorious Grade I manor house, built in 1728. The gardens by the award-winning Julian and Isabel Bannerman include an orchard within box hedging. Master suite, 3 further beds, 2 baths, 2 kitchens, 3 receps, cellar, gardens, pool, parking. £1.8m; Inigo

Derbyshire: Townend House, Hopton

A charming 17th-century farmhouse close to the Peak District. Surrounded by approx. 2.5 acres of grounds, including an orchard and vegetable garden. 6 beds, family bath, kitchen, 2 receps, paddocks, outbuildings. £750,000; Inigo