The result is a fascinating collection of everything from remote islands and castles to picture-perfect, commuter-friendly cottages.
The gulf in asking prices across different parts of the country often provoked a reaction. One day, when we all commute to work via super-fast helicopters á la Brave New World, homes like this will not have prices like this:
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In a similar vein was the enticing sale of this Scottish island towards the start of the year.
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Not surprisingly, the island – called 'Holm of Grimbister' – sold easily. Not all the properties have, though: take this beautiful Suffolk home:
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The complications of selling a property which incorporates a stud farm have no doubt made the negotiations over Glebe House complicated. And avoiding complication is one reason why some sellers decide to go to auction, as in the case of the amazing castle below.
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Ribbesford House sold for £800,000 in the end, to a pair of brothers who are planning to make it great again.
And speaking of places which need a bit – read 'lot' – of work doing, this one really stood out: High Head Castle.
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We await with interest what they'll do with the place, for some owners do make rather unusual decisions, as this next place demonstrates:
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While that decorative style might not be the norm for a period house, it certainly appears to have tickled somebody's fancy since the place is no longer on the market.
This equally unusual property is yet to find a buyer, however, despite, charm, history and an attractive price tag:
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We're sure that this thatched home will find a new hobbit – sorry, new owner – before too long. As will this equally-historic place in Kent:
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Sometimes, hard-nosed business sense is more important than aesthetics when it comes to choosing a home. At other times, both go hand in hand.
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Very often, though, the person needed to step forward to save a property will certainly be doing so for altruistic reasons. Parnham's recent arrival on the market is one such case:
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Thankfully, wealthy benefactors have long helped the nation – and not just with their funds, but also with their patience, vision and generosity. Step forward Sir Cecil Chubb:
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A true hero of Britain – we were delighted that Cecil's story resonated with so many of you this year. We'll drink a toast to Cecil on New Year's Eve, and another to unearthing more fine property at countrylife.co.uk in 2019.
Credit: ReMax
Country Life's best property stories of 2018: Castles, cottages and pocket-sized perfection
Every week we feature dozens of the finest and most beautiful properties to come to the market in Britain –
Credit: ©Paul Highnam/Country Life Picture Library
Country Life's best architecture stories of 2018: Destruction, salvation and the Gunpowder Plot
Our roster of architecture writers have brought some astonishing stories of country houses which have survived and now thrive despite
Country Life’s best art stories of 2018: Monet, Andrew Graham-Dixon and Victorian Photoshopping
We've taken a look back through our archives from the year to pick out our top 10 articles of 2018
The most expensive country house of 2018 has just hit the market, complete with its own petting zoo
Aston Hall, just outside Oxford, has everything you ever dreamed of – and quite a few things that probably never
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Britain's brutally-cold winter followed by a scorchingly hot summer have caused all manner of wonders to appear in our gardens,
Credit: Turquoise Holidays
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2018 saw us travel to Mauritius and back, to the finest hotels in the Alps and to some of our
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The factory that once fuelled the Victorians' insatiable appetite for pianos has become a set of gorgeous, characterful apartments
Chappell & Co were a huge name in 19th century music, even working with Beethoven. Today, one of their old factories in Camden has become a series of beautiful apartments.
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