Snooping around: Homes near nightlife

Property of the week: Bucks Mills, Devon. A stream bounces in a series of waterfalls through the gardens that surround this cottage and its detached, self-contained studio, before tumbling over the cliff edge (there’s a steep path for humans) to a beach with spectacular views. £350,000 only buys you a bedroom, a bathroom, an inglenook and bread oven, but there’s more room in the studio bedsit. Beyond is bluebell-smothered National Trust land.
Stags, 01237 425030 Photograph: Stags/Stags

Wreck of the week: Cellan, Ceredigion. This primitive two-bed barn is yours for £199,950. It has no mains water or electricity, an exhausted septic tank and is in general disrepair. You would want to reconfigure the cramped accommodation so anticipate £70,000 minimum. Owned by a founder member of the UK Vegan Society it draws water from two wells and there are 500 trees in its acre of land and solar and wind energy systems.
Morgan & Davies, 01570 423623 Photograph: Morgan & Davies/Morgan & Davies

Take three: homes near nightlife. This three-bedder sits in the heart of Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town. Not that you’ll want to leave a home as swish as this. The rooms are large, lofty and elaborately skirted, there are polished wood floors and a couple of stylish fireplaces. Your £495,000 buys you a reception, a kitchen, a utility room and two bath/shower rooms. Unfortunately there’s no garden - just tantalising views of other people’s.
DJ Alexander, 0131 652 7313 Photograph: DJ Alexander/DJ Alexander

Take three: homes near nightlife. Seasoned walkers can leg it all over central London from this townhouse in Aylesford Street, London SW1. The river is at one end of this quiet road and Pimlico station at the other. You get an open-plan reception room, two bedrooms and a bathroom, all of which (bar one bedroom) are on the lower ground floor, so light levels are reduced. You also get a patio and permit parking. Cost: £450,000.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 020 7828 4050 Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff/Jackson-Stops & Staff

Take three: homes near nightlife. There are 167 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at the Hub, Piccadilly Place, Manchester. The name says it all - this stone and glass curve rises opposite Piccadilly station in the heart of the city. You’re so close to every available variation of nightspot you could pop down in your slippers. A shared equity scheme and reduced deposit aim to lure first-time buyers. Prices start from £124,500.
Savills, 0161 236 0606 Photograph: Savills/Savills