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 loos of Buckingham Palace: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 23, 2025
Wednesday's Quiz of the Day looks at St George, royal toilets and German alcohol laws.
By Toby Keel Published
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Moore Design
Moore Design is a boutique interior design practice with clients around the UK and overseas.
By Country Life Published
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A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heart
Stokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
By Penny Churchill Published
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Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for sale
The five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
By Lotte Brundle Published
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Is the 'race for space' officially over?
During the lockdowns, many thought the countryside was the place to be. It seems many are now changing their minds.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
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What's a 'wellness village' and will it tempt you back into the office?
The team behind London's first mixed-use ‘wellness village’ says it has the magic formula for tempting workers back into offices.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
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A mini estate in Kent that's so lovely it once featured in Simon Schama's 'History of Britain'
The Paper Mill estate is a picture-postcard in the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
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Hidden excellence in a £7.5 million north London home
Behind the traditional façades of Provost Road, you will find something very special.
By James Fisher Published
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Sip tea and laugh at your neighbours in this seaside Norfolk home with a watchtower
On Cliff Hill in Gorleston, one home is taller than all the others. It could be yours.
By James Fisher Published
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A Grecian masterpiece that might be one of the nation's finest homes comes up for sale in Kent
Grade I-listed Holwood House sits in 40 acres of private parkland just 15 miles from central London. It is spectacular.
By Penny Churchill Published