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
Across Britain, bizarre fruits have appeared – thanks to the freezing snows and blast-furnace heat of 2018
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
Country Life’s best travel stories of 2018: Honeymoons fit for royalty, domestic paradises and top tips for ski trips
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 Everatti Pagoda: An electric wolf in classic combustion clothingWhat do John Lennon, Audrey Hepburn, Charlton Heston, Kate Moss and Harry Styles have in common? They all owned an SL Pagoda. But they won't have owned one as nice as this.
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'Dartmoor is the ultimate one-billion star hotel; furnished with all the trappings of the cosmos': Why wild camping mattersLewis Winks makes the case as to why the right to wild camp on Dartmoor is vital for us all.
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'This is the most money you'll spend on anything ever': The things that really matter when buying your first home in LondonIt’s easy to dream of what the ideal first-home in London might be, but when the cost of living in the capital is this expensive, being near a Gail's isn't as important as you think it is.
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Get lost in the whispers of a running stream at a one-bedroom Cornish cottageFormerly the studio and retreat of renowned artist Lamorna Birch, this small home near Lamorna Cove is a delight in every single way.
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How the high street can change for the betterThe high street might not be dying, but it's definitely changing and in some places, it's changing for the better. So, what can the centre of town in the 21st century look like?
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A 17th century country house estate for sale in Yorkshire that's not too big and not too smallTake a look inside one of the finest private houses in the north of England that's perfectly manageable as a family house.
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Two-thirds of us buy a house and immediately set about refurbishing itWe spend more buying our houses than on anything else in our lives — yet the first thing we do on moving in is set about changing the place. Annabel Dixon takes a look at what we do and why.
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Dawn Chorus: Audrey Hepburn’s Swiss villa hits the market for £17 million and research reveals that looking at art can, quite literally, help you live longerEverything you need to know today: The Swiss home that Audrey Hepburn lived in for 30 years prior to her death is for sale, those who regularly engage with art have a 31% lower risk of dying early and an iconic Palm Beach hotel teams up with interior designer Ashley Hicks.
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Five beautiful homes for sale around Britain, as seen in Country Life -
On Devon's Saunton Sands, the future is FerndownThis modern masterpiece, for sale with Savills, boasts 12,000sq ft of luxury contemporary living with beach views.
