Old and new

Historic home: North Ayrshire. Woodside Castle is a grade A-listed mansion dating back to 1551. The castle was originally a square tower, which is still visible, but additions were made up to 1890. It has everything you would expect: 10 bedrooms, four receptions and a cellar, plus a dungeon for troublesome guests. It has been repaired and refurbished and has ornate plasterwork, wood panels and marble fireplaces throughout. It is set in 60 acres of stunning woodland (including arboretum), formal lawns, open grazing and paddocks. Glasgow is 20 miles away. Cost: £1.95m.
CKD Galbraith, 01292 268181
Photograph: CKD Galbraith

Historic home: Gloucestershire. This Tudor Cotswold stone house has been in the same family for 50 years. It was bought for £800 by Diana Lodge, a former Tiller Girl and artist (who married a member of the Bloomsbury group and modelled for Duncan Grant and Eric Gill) and is now owned by her grandaughter. It sits at the head of the Slad valley – think Cider with Rosie – and remains unmodernised and remote. It is accessed by its own dirt track – the nearest neighbour (across the valley) is Cath Kidston – and has four bedrooms, three receptions, one bathroom and a summer house and orchard in 1.92 acres of land. Cost: £1.2m.
Call 01453 767676 for more information
Photograph: Quidos

New build: Brighton. This eco-friendly three-bedder is six weeks from completion and is one of two left in a development of eight. It has a shower room, family bathroom and en suite bathroom, oak flooring and a rear garden. Pankhurst Avenue is just off Queens Park Road, close to trendy Kemp Town. The home, which comes with a 10-year NHBC certificate, is on the market for £299,950.
Cubitt & West, 0843 3635 470
Photograph: Cubitt & West

New build: South Ayrshire. Although Coodham house is nearly 200 years old, the interior has been newly constructed around the existing windows to create nine townhouses, apartments and duplexes. These range from the two-bed East apartment to the four-bed chapel, and in price from £330,000 to £750,000. All the apartments have white oak flooring and the doors are made from African Idigbo. And if you're worried by the idea of mowing those endless lawns, the grounds will be professionally managed with service charges ranging from £2,051 to £2,883. Be aware that consent has been given for 44 executive homes within the 90-acre estate.
CKD Galbraith, 01292 268181
Photograph: CKD Galbraith