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 …

Reddish House, in the Wiltshire countryside, was bought by Beaton for £10,000 in the 1940s

On the market for those seeking the most authentic of English country house experiences is Manston House, the eight-bedroom manor first built in the 17th century and today of the Grade II listing.

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

Knight Frank - Country Houses Department present this 7 bedroom detached house in Chapel Lane, Westhumble, DORKING, Surrey, RH5.

This Queen Anne house in the Cotswolds is home to Emily Todhunter and her husband Manoli Olympitis and their family. Both the interiors, gardens and architecture are full of English country house charm, taste and style.

Penny Churchill casts her eye on a fine old rectory which has been beautifully restored — and shows exactly how the housing market has moved in the last three decades.

Clive Aslet's Old Homes, New Life: The Resurgence of the British Country House gives a behind-the-scenes account of the family of Lucy Chenevix-Trench at Madresfield Court, Worcestershire.