We looked through the statistics from our social media pages to see which properties were best at grabbing attention during the past year.
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:
A small flat in zone two – or a ten bedroom castle with spectacular beach views in Scotland?
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Saturday, September 1, 2018
In a similar vein was the enticing sale of this Scottish island towards the start of the year.
This 40-acre island including farmhouse, all for £300,000. Wow.
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Saturday, March 10, 2018
Not surprisingly, the island – called ‘Holm of Grimbister’ – sold easily. Not all the properties have, though: take this beautiful Suffolk home:
A house and stables to die for…
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Friday, April 27, 2018
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.
What an opportunity!
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Tuesday, March 13, 2018
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.
This mansion has received an incredible response from all over the globe since it hit the market, but there is a slight catch to owning this piece of British history.
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Saturday, November 24, 2018
We await with interest what they’ll do with the place, for some owners do make rather unusual decisions, as this next place demonstrates:
The inside of this home is… well, let's just say not quite what you might expect…
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Tuesday, June 5, 2018
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:
A place where you'll keep expecting to bump into Bilbo Baggins…
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Friday, May 4, 2018
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:
William the Conqueror's brother lived here.(We're guessing it didn't have the pool back then.)
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Sunday, May 20, 2018
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.
A Georgian Estate that could pay for itself? This seems almost too good to be true…
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Tuesday, March 6, 2018
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:
The rooms have been stripped bare by fire, the walls are unstable and the asking price is only the beginning of the…
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
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:
This man is Cecil Chubb.Poor Cecil. Back in 1915 his wife sent him to an auction to buy some chairs. He ended up…
Posted by Country Life Magazine on Friday, October 26, 2018
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.
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