Some homes pull off the trick of offering the best of both worlds. Take as an example Champions Farm, an ancient home that’s been carefully brought up to modern spec while retaining its charm. Then there’s the location: it sits in splendid isolation in the middle of its 111 acres of rolling fields, with magnificent …

Elibank House was built in 1705, designed by English architect Sir John Vanburgh, who was most renowned for designing Blenheim Palace.

Dating from 1896, Ravensbourne in Houghton-le-Spring is a reassuringly traditional Victorian villa featuring a tiled storm porch and four handsomely proportioned reception rooms with bay windows and original fireplaces. It has a large (albeit dated) kitchen, utility room, five bedrooms and a third of an acre of grounds, with secret garden “rooms” accessed via a wrought-iron gateway. Houghton-le-Spring is a town 15 minutes’ drive from Durham. bradleyhall.co.uk

The brief was to transform a dark five-bedroom Edwardian detached house into a colourful, light free-flowing family home.

Last updated on November 20, 2024 Uncover the delightful quirks and sleek designs of modern British houses, where tradition cheekily shakes hands with innovation. You ... Read more

As developers move into country villages, the best bets for buyers are often in National Parks and AONBs.