Country Life's most eyecatching properties of 2018: Wrecks to renovate, castles to care for and islands going for a song
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:
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10156204879037107
In a similar vein was the enticing sale of this Scottish island towards the start of the year.
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10155803739957107
Not surprisingly, the island – called 'Holm of Grimbister' – sold easily. Not all the properties have, though: take this beautiful Suffolk home:
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10155921931712107
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
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.
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10155812194072107
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.
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10156389504822107
We await with interest what they'll do with the place, for some owners do make rather unusual decisions, as this next place demonstrates:
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10156006515942107
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:
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10155938000277107
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:
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10155971456212107
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.
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10155792225492107
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:
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10156320357337107
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:
https://www.facebook.com/CountryLifeMagazine/posts/10156326146712107:0
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
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.
-
Country Life 2 July 2025
Country Life 2 July 2025 celebrates the British seaside lido, the life you'll find in graveyards and the history of picnics.
By Country Life Published
-
‘Whatever do you do up there?’ enquire certain English infidels. The answer? ‘Lady, if ya gotta ask, ya’ll never know’: David Profumo's piece of heaven in Highland Perthshire
David Profumo on the joy and wonder of the Highlands.
By David Profumo Last updated
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the market
The Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Embrace off-grid living on this Scottish island for sale, but you'll have to share it with the local seal population
A dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come up for sale.
By Toby Keel Published
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spots
The Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
By Toby Keel Published
-
826 years of history, painstaking restoration and 'a garden like no other' at this former National Trust house which has come to the market in Kent
A blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames at the prettiest riverside home for sale in London today
Deodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
By James Fisher Published
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country Life
Our look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Save me: A castle on the Isle of Wight designed by James Wyatt is up for sale
Norris Castle Estate also comes with 225 acres of gardens and grounds, and needs a little TLC
By James Fisher Published