Annunicata Elwes argues the case for nanny flats that are practically perfect in every way, and finds three beautiful homes which show off how things can be.
Property
5 of the best country houses for sale in Yorkshire
From a set of impossibly-grand Georgian stables ripe for conversion to a wonderful 17th century home with woodland and a lake, we look at some of the finest homes for sale…
The ‘magical’ sheep shed that was lovingly turned into the perfect anniversary present: A weekend hideaway
Christopher Howe urged his client not to overpay for the dank sheep shed he saw in pictures. When he visited it in person, he declared it to be magical and…
A house for sale previously owned by one of the great crusaders who saved Bath’s world-famous architecture
No voice cried out more loudly than that of the late Major Anthony Crombie when Bath's historic city centre was threatened by the wrecking ball. Maj Crombie's own home has…
Best country houses for sale this week
Catch up on the best country houses for sale this week that have come to the market via Country Life.
A chance to live on an island of your own, with a rent-free farmhouse – and get paid for the privilege
The tiny island of Lihou – a speck on the map just off the coast of Guernsey – is on the lookout for a new resident warden.
A home that mixes Georgian appeal with modern touches, on the market for the second time in a quarter of a millennium
The church owned this property in the Somerset village of Northend for hundreds of years; now, after a huge refurbishment project, it's on the lookout for a new owner.
Nine utterly astonishing Caribbean properties, from under £500,000 to over £65 million
Buyers looking for a second home in the Caribbean have a great choice of top quality places at all budgets, with the region enjoying a boom. Holly Kirkwood takes a…
Five delightful character homes inside the M25, and all under £725,000
Sometimes it can become easy to despair of finding a beautiful house with charm and outdoor space at an affordable price, yet still within striking distance of London. These five…
A home with fine architecture, delightful gardens and spectacular views of St Catherine’s Valley
Just a few minutes from Bath yet with its toes also in the Cotswolds, this Grade II*-listed home is the archetype of the liveable country house.
A picture-perfect rectory just outside Bath where sense and sensibility have held sway
This fine country rectory just outside Bath has had half a million pounds trimmed from its asking price – a realistic sign of the times, as Penny Churchill reports.
A superb Marlborough townhouse which shows the incredible patience needed to save a fine old home
The restoration of a glorious townhouse in Marlborough has required extraordinary attention to detail – something which, thankfully, the owner had in spades.
Retirement living and how an individual can make smart investment decisions
Promotional feature: How the U.K care and retirement property sectors could provide diversity of income.
Six of the finest and most liveable cathedral cities and towns in Britain
Britain’s cathedral towns and cities are beautiful to look at, great to live in and well worthy of investment. Eleanor Doughty and Toby Keel pick out some of the best.…
A Gloucestershire home with character, land and enormous potential
Priors Court includes everything from an original tiled hallway to a two-storey granary – but this quirky Gloucestershire home needs a bit of TLC.
A superb grand hall dating back to medieval times that’s on the market for the first time in 60 years
Ripple Hall near Upton-upon-Severn is a huge, striking house with 600 years of history. Penny Churchill investigates.
Four stunning homes in the delightful Teme Valley, with grand architecture, pools and stables
The area in and around the Teme Valley is full of spectacular views and beautiful homes, as the lovely places on this page demonstrate.
A superb Georgian home that is ‘one of Falmouth’s most impressive houses’, and the mystery of why it remains unlisted
With a walled garden, an arboretum, a water garden and a vegetable garden, its no surprise that White House and its environs provided inspiration for Spring's creative genius.
The charming Cornish childhood home where four-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie first learnt to sail
Delta Cottage, high on the banks of Restronguet Creek, was the perfect setting for a sailing superstar to learn his craft. The beautiful family home now looks for a new…
A delightful country house that will almost pay for itself, thanks to a unique holiday let in the garden
It's over 50 years since Dr Beeching's cuts brought the closure of this pretty Victorian station – today, it's found a new lease of life as a home with a…