Old and new

New build: Warwickshire. Dickens Heath near Solihull is a purpose built village - a 21st-century village as it calls itself, because of radical concepts such as classical architecture, a village green, independent shops and restaurants, a library and other essentials that should encourage residents to stay put. The first phase of apartments overlook the Stratford-upon-Avon canal and are priced from £225,000 for two bedrooms.
Dickens Heath Village, 0121 200 2220 Photograph: Dickens Heath Village

New build: Cheshire. In its conventional past it was a telephone exchange near Runcorn; now it's a futuristic £600,000 four-bed palace devoted to pleasure. A glass mezzanine with games area is suspended over the pool, gym and bar; the master bedroom up the glass staircase is served by an Egyptian-style bathroom with Jacuzzi. There's also an upstairs sauna. Each room is wired for audio visuals and automated lighting.
Beresford Adams, 01928 732841 Photograph: Beresford Adams

Historic home: Somerset. This four-bedder has sat in the pretty village of East Coker for 500 years, and wooden beams, an inglenook fireplace and stone mullion windows with seats illustrate its antiquity. The 1930s reordered it into three receptions and a study, and modernity has added a triple garage in the half-acre of garden. Cost: £675,000.
Humberts, 01935 477277 Photograph: Humberts

Historic home: Yorkshire. One of England's oldest inhabited buildings, this began life 900 years ago as a church in Fulford. Its ecclesiastical pedigree dominates the open-plan living area in the form of an elaborate gothic window and barrel vaulted ceiling, and above the mezzanine bedroom hangs the original church bell. The acre of garden, once the churchyard, is embellished by a Roman sarcophagus lid and a listed table tomb. Yours for £595,000.
Carter Jonas, 01904 558200 Photograph: Carter Jonas

Dream home: Norfolk. This £495,000 reinvention of a 200-year-old granary has views across the Broads. Wherries used to moor beneath the building here in Stalham Staithe and collect grain; now you can keep your pleasure boat there. The hatch through which the grain poured has been glassed over so you can see to the dock through the living room floor. Inside are painted brick walls, oak beams, four bedrooms and a designer kitchen opening on to a terrace.
Barn Masters, 01603 621177 Photograph: Barn Masters