Country Life's best property stories of 2021
We take a look back on the most popular property stories of the year from the Country Life website.

The ‘most remote house in England’ up for sale, accessible only via 4×4 or hours of hiking
A real gem arrived in the Country Life office in September: details of a simply incredible property in Cumbria which truly justified the use of the phrase 'middle of nowhere'. Astonishing.
An incredibly rare chance to buy your own Iron Age hillfort with ‘significant archaeological, conservational and ecological value’
Unusually it's a property that doesn't even include a house that takes second spot on our list this year: the chance to own a true piece of history clearly proved hugely alluring to readers this year. Even if — and perhaps particularly because — it really wasn't entirely clear what a buyer would have to gain, beyond the ability to safeguard a beautiful and unique place.
One of Britain’s grandest — and certainly one of the largest — country houses is up for sale
In July, the truly extraordinary — and absolutely massive — Trafalgar Park went on the market, and Penny Churchill filed a piece telling its fascinating tale: that of 'the Flying Dutchman of the property world, endlessly seeking an owner and being sold on while the fabric slowly decayed.'
Inside Britain’s privately owned villages
Surprising as it may sound, there are still privately owned villages scattered throughout the UK. Back in March, Alec Marsh took a look at them and wondered what it's really like to be at the helm of a community.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
A 15th century Scottish castle for sale at just £650,000 that’s been in the same family for over 470 years
Was it the intriguing history which grabbed the attention in this piece? The thought that a family could successfully hang on to anything other than their name over the course of half a millennium? Or the promise of a romantic, crumbling pile at suburban money?
An entire village beside a lake, for sale at just £125,000 — but you’ll have to share it with the local ghost
On the banks of Loch Tay, the Old Village of Lawers came up for sale in June with an eye-catching price — and a hair-raising history.
A country house in Kent once battered by storms and neglected by rock-and-roll royalty, now restored and on the market
In one of the most charming corners of Kent lies Heronden Hall, a once-neglected house that has been brilliantly returned to life — particularly in the games room, with billiard table and suit of armour which make it look like a set from a classic whodunnit.
An utterly enchanting Georgian home in the Borders, with both a pool house and a hen house, with a price tag of £750,000
It was just last month that this one came in: Tanlaw House is an idyllic family home that's close to the lovely town of Kelso and commutable distance to Edinburgh. Not that you'd want to leave home that often, from the looks of the place.
A very pretty Cotswolds stone cottage in the heart of a sought-after village, with an exciting opportunity in the garden
A simply perfect Cotswold home with huge garden and a pool would have been enticing enough on its own, but this place also came with a full-height double garage and two-storey stone stable crying out for new lease of life.
A hidden delight in the North Yorkshire National Park that has easy access to the seaside town of Whitby and the Yorkshire Moors
With the escape to the country – or the race for space, if you prefer — dominating the property market this year, it was no surprise to see this fabulous slice of Yorkshire strike a chord, especially considering that it has moorland views yet is just 10 minutes from the beach.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
'The watch is Head Boy of men’s accessorising': Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin's Summer Season style secrets
When it comes to dressing for the Season, accessories will transform an outfit. Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin, both stylish summer-party veterans, offer some sage advice.
By Country Life Published
-
Lewis Hamilton, Claude Monet and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 29, 2025
Tuesday's Quiz of the Day looks back at Lewis Hamilton's first win and ponders on the meaning of greige.
By Toby Keel Published
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealed
New research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of England
Come for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River Tay
Carnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive street
Winnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated