Five Bedroom House, Hadleigh, Suffolk, £795,000
This sensationally lovely 17th-century house in the pretty town of Hadleigh is an exercise in soothing, earthy, muted colours. Timber-framed and pleasingly wonky, this is one for those who dream of the bucolic life in a cottage while still needing to connect easily to London (from nearby Dedham Vale’s Manningtree station, it’s just an hour on the train into Liverpool Street). There is a large garden, an outhouse that is currently used as a workshop, and as much character as one could possibly wish for – all amidst the landscape that famously inspired John Constable. A dream. Explore the details.
Three Bedroom House, Amersham, £795,000
If you’re looking for Georgian elegance within striking distance of the city, then this Grade II-listed former boarding school and council chamber built in 1715, is exceptional. Just set back from the picturesque high street, it is right in the thick of things, on the Metropolitan Line, making commuting cheaper as well as easier, while also being cradled picturesquely in the Chiltern Hills. All grandeur and character, it has a private patio garden as well as extensive communal grounds – ideal for outdoor living with easy upkeep. Explore the details.
Three Bedroom House, Wonersh, Surrey, £550,000
Surrey has long been a popular commuter county, and Wonersh is one of its prettiest villages. At just a five-minute drive to Guildford station, properties here come with the attendant high price tags you’d expect, but this three-bed house comes in at a reasonable £550,000, comparing very favourably with properties of the same price range in London. We love the cottagey proportions and country style interiors – a slice of the rural idyll just a hop and a skip away from the city. Explore the details.
Three Bedroom House, Walton-On-Thames, £700,000
If one of your dreams when it comes to living beyond the city centre is to spend your days messing around in boats, then this handsome 1900s-built house in Walton-On-Thames, north-west Surrey, would fit the bill beautifully. Right on the river, its views are exceptional while, inside, the proportions and character tick every conceivable box too. There is a walled courtyard garden that, with a little vision and a good throng of terracotta potted plants, could be a perfect low maintenance spot for lunches and suppers in the fresh air, while there are some lovely parks within minutes’ reach for wider open space ambles. At well under an hour to commute to London, it is the perfect location for keeping one foot in the city while reaping the rewards of life outside it. Explore the details.
Two-bedroom House, Cambridge, £795,000
Not everyone who leaves the capital wants to quit it for life deep in the countryside. Plenty simply would like to swap the Smoke for a smaller city within easy reach of bucolic delights. And, as small cities go, few can compete with Cambridge for sheer beauty. Its history, architecture, rich cultural life and walks along The Backs are just a few of the reasons to move there, along with the fact it takes under an hour to reach Kings Cross. We love this pretty two-bed house in the popular Kite area, just behind Emmanuel College. Having been remodelled by 5th Studio architects, its design cleverly funnels light into each room, while a beautiful extension at the back opens out onto a spectacularly planted garden. The RIBA called it a ‘seminal piece of architecture’, awarding it a National RIBA Prize and the RIBA East Spirit of Ingenuity Home Award in 2003, and shortlisting it for the Manser Medal. Explore the details.
Five Bedroom House, Oxford, £750,000
Vast and imposing Edwardian houses abound in Oxford, and usually they come with eye-watering price tags. This handsome five-bedroomed behemoth is in east Oxford rather than the rarefied surrounds of north of the city and yet, architecturally, it is hard to distinguish from those houses that come in at four times the price. And, we’d argue, that the eastern enclave may be a little rougher and readier, but it is also thrumming with life as home to some of the city’s best cafes and restaurants, while the lovely Florence Park to ois on the doorstep. The house may need a decorative spruce-up, but it’s otherwise in good condition and offers some 2,000sqft of living space, making it a major bargain. If you want to swap a flat in certain areas of London for room to swing several cats and a lovely garden in an exciting part of this world-famous university town, this could be it. Explore the details.
Three Bedroom House, Winchester, £795,000
Winchester’s cathedral streets must rank as some of the most picturesque in the country. This three-bedroomed house could be ideal for a couple or a family seeking a slice of this historic city – dubbed England’s Christmas capital – that sits at the at the western end of the South Downs Way amidst rolling green countryside. A turn-key property, its Victorian bones have been brought beautifully alive with large living spaces and tranquil patio gardens at front and back. Explore the details.
