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.
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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.
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The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
By Anna White Published
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Country Life Quiz of the Day, September 16, 2025 gets Brutal(ist)
Divisive architecture is among the themes of today's quiz questions.
By Country Life Published
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The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
By Anna White Published
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A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawn
James Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
By James Fisher Published
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A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 million
Moving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
By Arabella Youens Published
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Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country Life
Our regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
By Toby Keel Published
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A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul Getty
Chestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
By Toby Keel Published
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Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castle
From hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
By Toby Keel Published
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How to buy a house at auction
Buying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
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The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same time
The houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Published