Absolutely beautiful character properties for sale at under £400,000

Wild properties in the Highlands, quaint cottages, handsome conversions and beautiful country houses aren't necessarily out of reach even for buyers with average budgets. Here's our pick of some of the best houses under £400,000 for sale today in Britain.

Brighton, East Sussex — £400,000

Even the name is cute-as-the-proverbial button at this flint-knapped terrace in Brighton: Lovers’ Walk Cottages.

This house is a two-bedroom home that’s a classic two-up, two-down, but there are some nice features — fireplace, wooden floor — and a terrace at the back.

The down-side is that it’s close to the railway tracks (though none are travelling fast this close to the station), but for a place with Preston Park on the doorstep this is quite a find, especially at a price which normally only buys a flat in Brighton.

For sale with John Hoole. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Scottish Highlands — £385,000

A few miles north of Pitlochry in the brilliantly-named village of Killiecrankie, you’ll find this very pretty four-bedroom farmhouse. Very pretty in terms of the building and the surrounding land, that is, for inside it essentially needs gutting.

There’s not a huge amount of land — 1.66 acres — but the property does come with the old stone-built steading, which is ripe for development subject to permission.

The rewards of hard work here could be huge: the location and views are wonderful, it’s not far off the main road, and there’s no need to fear isolation: the bustling Highlands hub of Pitlochry is just a few minutes away.

For sale with Bidwells. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Llyn Peninsula, Wales — £325,000

This sort of money can easily buy you five bedrooms elsewhere in Wales, so when you hear that this is a one-bedroom place in need for work you’ll know there is something else at work.

That ‘something else’ is the location, which really is… well, something else.

The house itself is full of character and sits in large grounds, but its the seclusion and the position nestled into a hillside looking out to the south over Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth) and the coastline, with the mountains of Snowdonia beyond, that are the selling point.

For sale with Tudor Estate Agents. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Bramerton, Norfolk — £400,000

In a village just south-east of Norwich not far off the coast road to Great Yarmouth, this beautiful thatched cottage is as picturesque inside as it is out.

From the thatched roof down to the tiled floors, there are character features everywhere, and the place has very evidently been beautifully cared for.

Outside, the gardens are just as delightful, with a large lawn and — in what will be a huge draw for many — a separate thatched, brick-built outhouse with power and plumbing that’s used as a home office. Perfect.

For sale with Starkings and Watson. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Seaton, Devon — £395,000

Five bedrooms — yes, five — in a house just 200 yards from the beach? That alone will have ears pricking up, but this is something a little different to the norm.

This is a hair salon with home above for sale on the high street in Seaton, on a pedestrian-friendly street practically next door to the town library.

Right now the shop is leased so you’d need to make your enquiries, and this opportunity won’t be for everyone, but there’s potential here for those who’ve thought of trading everything in and setting up a lifestyle business — a craft shop, perhaps, or a tea room? Chances like this don’t come along too often.

For sale with John Wood & Co. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Holywell, Wales — £369,995

This converted windmill in north Wales has views all the way out to sea, for sale for the first time in decades after being in the same family for several generations.

The conversion has been handled very well and the place is in extremely good condition — and there are some lovely touches making the most of the architecture, not least in the charming children’s bedroom at the top.

Those views are the main draw, however, while there are also several outbuildings that include a workshop — there’s potential here for much more than just a place to live.

For sale with New Home 4 U. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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— £400,000

Even the name is cute-as-the-proverbial button at this flint-knapped terrace in Brighton: Lovers’ Walk Cottages.

This house is a two-bedroom home that’s a classic two-up, two-down, but there are some nice features — fireplace, wooden floor — and a terrace at the back.

For sale with John Hoole. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Dalehouse, North Yorkshire — £350,000

Your eyes do not deceive you: this is not just a home, but a country pub for sale at the price of a studio flat in East Croydon — a pub known as the Fox & Hounds.

It’s a two-bedroom home as well as the local pub (and it’s still very much at the heart of the community) that’s set within the North Yorks Moors National Park and just a few minutes from the coast at Staithes, half-way between Whitby and Saltburn-by-Sea.

For sale with Simon Blyth. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Leven, Fife — £420,000

Magnificently re-done, as the lovely images show, this converted church a short stroll from the seafront had six bedrooms and a vast open-plan living space.

Many of the original church’s features have been retained — including the timber floors and vaulted ceilings — while there’s parking for six cars and a garden.

For sale with Thorntons. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Trefasser, Pembrokeshire — £425,000

A fabulous opportunity to buy a 10-acre plot and create your own home from scratch, just yards from the spectacular cliffs that plunge into the Irish Sea.

As the picture shows, there is a LOT of work to be done here, but full permission is in place to renovate and extend to turn the stone cottage that still stands into a 3/4 bedroo home that will have stunning views and a huge amount of space.

For sale with JJ Morris. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Tain, Easter Ross, Scotland — £375,000

You can count on your money going that little bit further in Scotland, proven here with this charming five bedroom Georgian house.

The former manse lies on the southern shores of the Dornoch Firth — an area known for its sandy beaches and excellent fishing opportunities.

The property is in immaculate condition, largely due to the face that it has been in the same family for 40 years and thanks to a recent refurbishment.

For sale with Galbraith. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Polperro, Cornwall — £400,000

A true gem, and really quite a rare opportunity to own a property in one of Cornwall’s most sought after (and beautiful) villages (without breaking the bank), comes in the form of this incredibly pretty two bed house, located in Polperro.

The property is made from traditional Mundic block and sits next to a river that flows into the harbour.

If you’re looking for the catch — there really isn’t one, as the interiors are finished to a lovely standard, creating a comfortable home in one of the country’s most beautiful locations. Go go go!

For sale with Scott Parry. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Talygarn, Rhondda, Wales — £395,000

Fancy a mini-castle for less than £400,000? Then head to Talygarn Manor and Country Park, near Pontyclun, in Wales.

Spanning three floors, this crenellated building has a sitting room and kitchen and breakfast room on the ground floor, two bedrooms on the second floor and the master suite and another bedroom on the top floor.

From there, a landing leads to the roof terrace, which takes in superb views of the country park. As well as having its own private patio garden, the property also has access to the development’s communal gardens.

For sale with Hywel Anthony. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.

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Wimborne, Dorset — £400,000

You’ll have to both have a cheeky offer accepted and be prepared to do some work to pick up this house with a £400,000 budget — but it’s been for sale for a few weeks now, so it’s worth a go. And the reward could be truly special, for this is a lovely cottage in a famously charming town.

While the house looks like it’s escaped from a Thomas Hardy novel on the outside, there is a lot of updating to be done within. It’ll be worth it: enough period features (such as stone floors) are in place to suggest what this four-bedroom Georgian home could become.