Town and country

Country retreat: Cumbria. You'd want this for the views across billowing farmland to the Lake District fells alone. An added joy is the fact it is having a complete refit ready for the new owner. The result: four perfectly groomed bedrooms, three reception rooms and an elongated kitchen standing in lavishly planted gardens in the Cumbrian village of Eskdale. Cost: £395,000.
Tiffen, 01946 591 200 Photograph: Tiffen/Tiffen

Country retreat: Northumberland. The village of Langley was home to Catherine Cookson, and her wild-roaming heroines could have plausibly emerged from this £465,000, four-bedroom stone house perched regally on the hills. Subtle renovations have worked round the stone and wood floors, the crowds of ceiling beams and an ancient hearth. You also get nearly three acres of land and an infinity of views.
George F White, 01434 674244 Photograph: George F. White/George F. White

City pad: Plymouth. The city centre is a couple of minutes away from this one-bed flat in the old chambers of Barclays bank. A wee bit more exertion will bring you watery panoramas from the city's cliff-top park. The living room and bedroom are smart, bright and capacious, while the private courtyard garden is almost as large as the flat. Yours for £150,000.
Marchand Petit, 01752 873311 Photograph: Marchand Petit/Marchand Petit

City pad: London. This is show apartment chic: wooden floors, a bright, open-plan living area and three stylish bedrooms, and it is all afloat. In the evening you can watch the sun go down from the roof terrace of this newly renovated £349,950 houseboat, gaze across to Kew Gardens as you dine in the conservatory-like wheelhouse, or toast yourself before a wood-burning stove. £500 a month pays for the long-lease moorings, plus parking and a lock up.
River Homes, 020 8996 0600 Photograph: River Homes/River Homes

Dream home: Dorset. This two-bedroom Dorset cottage was the centrepiece of the Hampton Court Flower Show and was the prize in the Daily Mail Dream Cottage competition. Coiffed with brand new thatch, it has all the classic ingredients: an inglenook fireplace, a bread oven, a lavishness of ceiling beams, an exuberantly flowered garden and wide rustic views from the terrace. Yours for £300,000.
Hambledon, 01747 824924 Photograph: Hambledon/Hambledon

Bargain of the week: Croydon. A petite portion of Croydon has been reduced to £129,999 with offers considered for a speedy sale; it should be worth nearer £150,000. For that you get a one-bedroom maisonette a walk away from the pleasures of East Croydon. The living room is grandly sized with a bay window and double doors that waft you into the double bedroom. There is a valuable private parking bay at the back.
Townends, 020 8680 8585 Photograph: Townends/Townends