Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

Wreck of the week: Great Fransham, Norfolk. This brick and flint barn is just that – still a barn. Around £150,000 should make it comfy. The planners are happy for this shell to become a five-bed house with three receptions able to enjoy grand arable views and a half-acre garden. You will need a car to make the trip to the local shop. Yours for £325,000.
Belton Duffey, 01328 855899 Photograph: Belton Duffey/Belton Duffey

In town: Norwich. This two-bedder is on the prettiest street in the city with cobbles rising past ancient buildings. The bedrooms, two receptions and kitchen are startlingly large. Also surprising is the glorious roll-top bath that stands in the master bedroom. Cost: £375,000.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01603 612333 Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff/Jackson-Stops & Staff

In the country: Warwickshire. So ideal are the charms of the Cotswold village of Great Wolford it is now a conservation area. This £485,000 five-bedder with three receptions is on the village green and boasts a large flowery garden and winsome period features. It is a shame about the decor – it might have been deemed fashionable a couple of decades ago.
Hayman Joyce, 01608 651188 Photograph: Hayman Joyce/Hayman Joyce

Dream home: Somerset. Runaway clergy will find concealment in the priests' hole beneath this thatch. It is one of the numerous ancient essentials to have survived the “modernisation” of the house in the 18th century. Weathered beams clad the ceilings and original stone fireplaces still battle winter. It has two large receptions, a study, four bedrooms, and a laundry, larder and store rooms off the kitchen/breakfast room. The charms of West Lambrook lie beyond. Cost: £725,000.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01749 685220 Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff/Jackson-Stops & Staff

Over the sea: Greece. It will take you a while to appreciate how handsomely this old house has been restored and furnished because you'll want to exist exclusively on the three terraces perched high over the town and sea. Cars are banned on the island of Hydra, where boat and donkey are the main transport methods. Below you are cobbled streets, ancient buildings, waterside tavernas and unspoiled beaches, all for £321,400.
Hellenic Realty, 00 30 27570 41840 Photograph: Hellenic Realty/Hellenic Realty