Snooping around – in pictures

In town: Dorset. The three beds, reception and dining-kitchen of this Shaftesbury town house have been lavishly refurbished with oak flooring, sisal carpets, underfloor heating in the stone tiled bathrooms and a garden designed by a Chelsea winner. It’s just a shame the front door lands you straight on to the street. Cost: £285,000.
Jackson-Stops & Staff
Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff

In the country: Cumbria. This £140,000 stone house in Whitehill, near Brampton, is by Hadrian’s Wall and the coast-to-coast path, and has three bedrooms and exposed beams. It shares a courtyard with two other barn conversions, and there's no garden. It also shares a drive with a neighbouring farm.
H&H King
Photograph: H&H King

Wreck of the week: Surrey. This Victorian four-bed semi is worn and weary inside, and might need structural work, but it will still set you back £350,000. It’s in a no-through lane in Woking, which ends in a wooded riverside footpath, and has a pretty 100ft garden, a garage and period features. One of the bedrooms, however, opens off two of the others, and it has a downstairs bathroom.
Townends
Photograph: Townends

Historic home: Devon. The shadow of the church tower across the thatch is the clue that this £695,000 cottage began life in the 16th century as a hall house belonging to the church. It’s the quaintest of the homes in Throwleigh, one of Dartmoor’s prettiest villages, with rafters blackened by medieval smoke. Modernisation has respected the original stone fireplaces, the knotted beams and the bread oven, and left untouched the original exterior staircase. A hidden stone spiral stairway leads up to the day room and three bedrooms, while a timber-clad barn has become a studio, workshop and stores. An orchard and two paddocks make up some of the 3.3 acres.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01392 214222
Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff