It’s called the Old Forge, but this property has been many things, from engine house to artist’s store, in its long history. Planners now envisage it becoming a three-bedroom cottage and, despite its antiquity, there is no listing to curb your vision. Planning permission was granted in 2013. For £195,000 you will get a derelict shell on a decent plot of land in Great Barton’s prized park. As the agents say, it needs some TLC and owners with imagination.
Bedfords, 01284 769999 Photograph: Bedfords
From a distance it’s a perfect white manor house set in 1.5 acres of woodland. Closer up you’ll see why five bedrooms and four receptions are going for £295,000. Most of the rooms need reflooring and replastering, and the outside needs a thorough whitewash. Cadw, the Welsh government's historic environment service, will be keeping a close eye on any improvements on account of a Grade II listing, but £150,000 or so later you will preside over a glorious country seat on the outskirts of the town.
West Wales Properties, 01834 860900 Photograph: West Wales Properties
Its venerable vintage is part of the charm, but recent years have taken their toll and a modernising hand is needed inside and out. Once part of an estate, this £179,500 cottage is on the market as a privately owned home for the first time since it was built in the 17th century. An inglenook fireplace and a large garden bordered by a stream are among the plus points. The downsides are that the second bedroom leads off the first and the bathroom is off the kitchen.
Chesterton Humberts, 01404 42456 Photograph: Chesterton Humberts
This four-bedroom mid-terraced house formed part of Wallingwells Hall and has a stately gothic facade on its eastern side plus numerous period features within, including an elegant glass atrium, full-length sash windows, original plasterwork and fireplaces. The auctioneers have set a reserve price of £100,000 to £120,000. It’s down three-quarters of a mile of unmade track in rustic seclusion, but Worksop is only six miles away. For auction on 25 March.
Auction House, 01427 616 436 Photograph: Auction House
You can glimpse the Adriatric from this four-bedroom, €175,000 (£144,000) house high on a hillside, and you could attempt to earn a living from the 300 olive trees on its nine acres of land. Once you’ve fully renovated the derelict interior, it will be a glorious perch 2.5 miles from sandy beaches and 22 miles from skiing facilities in the Sibillini mountains. The towns of Padaso and Grottamare are within easy reach.
Casa Travella, 01322 660 988 Photograph: Casa Travella
