Only a mile from the show village of Broadway, on the Gloucestershire/ Worcestershire border, picture-postcard Willersey has everything a proper village should have: houses of mellow Cotswold stone, a village green, a duck pond, a parish church, a post office, several pubs, a primary school and a garage.

With mainline stations at nearby Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh, and the M5, M40 and M42 all within easy reach, Willersey is a prime habitat for commuters to Birmingham, Cheltenham and London.

In the past two years, a terraced period cottage in Willersey has cost,

on average, £239,000, with detached four-bedroom houses averaging between £350,000 and £450,000.

One of the best houses in the village?historic, Grade II-listed Pool Farm?is currently for sale through Knight Frank (01789 297735) at a guide price of £1.5m.

This exquisite 17th-century house is said to have been given to a former owner by Charles II. It stands in 1.6 acres of gardens overlooking the village green and duck pond, and has four reception rooms, 5/6 bedrooms and two bathrooms.