Six gorgeous thatched cottages for sale across Britain, from under £500,000

Dorset — £695,000

This attractive — and unlisted — five-bedroom cottage is in Bradford Peverell, half a mile from Poundbury, the new town on the outskirts of Dorchester established by The King in 1993. Whitfield Farm Cottage is believed to date from the 18th century. A large kitchen extension was added in the 1990s; this is filled with natural light and has French doors leading onto a secluded, south-facing courtyard.

The garden wraps around the property and is separated from the water meadows along the River Frome by a natural spring (fishing permits are available on application through the Dorchester Fishing Club). ‘I particularly like the way this pretty house reveals itself as you approach it along the drive,’ says selling agent Ashley Rawlings.

For sale via Savills — see more details and pictures.

West Sussex — £950,000

A 16th century cottage that's unusually large for a thatched house, with four bedrooms, four reception rooms and a gorgeous location amid mature trees in a village on the South Downs.

For sale via Winkworth — see more details and pictures.

Somerset — £725,000

The Hermitage in Old Alcombe, just east of the coastal town of Minehead on the edge of Exmoor, dates from the 17th century and was built of cob and rubblestone with a thatched roof. It is set within walled gardens in the heart of the village and was listed Grade II in 1952. The four-bedroom house has plenty of character, including original shutters, fireplaces and a farmhouse-style kitchen with two-oven Aga.

There’s also a self-contained, one-bedroom annexe that extends into the garden, which is particularly attractive and has been well maintained by the current owners with numerous seating areas among colourful borders.

For sale via Fine & Country — see more details and pictures.

Dorset — £995,000

As its name would suggest, two-bedroom Hilltop Cottage offers far-reaching rural views. It’s in the hamlet of Broom Hill, which comprises a handful of mostly thatched houses and a popular pub, a couple of miles north of Wimborne Minster. The property has been fully refurbished in recent years, including the addition of an oak-frame kitchen and dining-room extension with bi-fold doors along two sides overlooking the garden.

There’s also air-source central heating, either underfloor or via period-style radiators. Outside is a paved terrace and a detached garage with a large storeroom or games room.

For sale via Savills — see more details and pictures.

Cornwall — £425,000

Two-bedroom Toy Cottage is in Gunwalloe, a village on the Lizard Peninsula. It was once home to the novelist Sir Compton Mackenzie, author of Whisky Galore and The Monarch of the Glen. The cottage is unlisted, but has plenty of character, including an inglenook fireplace, window seats and exposed beams.

Outside is also a detached annexe, currently used as an extra bedroom with a bathroom and office or utility room, plus a double garage which has potential for conversion. The beach, which stretches from here to Porthleven, and the village pub are only a short stroll away.

For sale via Rohrs & Rowe — see more details and pictures.

Suffolk — £1,000,000

Five bedrooms and 1.3 acres of gardens at this deceptively spacious home in Framsden, not far from Framlingham.

It's a mix of styles and centuries: the oldest parts are 16th century, some elements are 17th century and the unthatched portion is a new, sensitively-designed extension carried out by the current owners in 2007.

For sale via Inigo — see more details and pictures.