The number of second homes in the UK is expected to increase to more than 250,000 this year as the fashion for taking holidays in the UK grows, believes Knight Frank.
According to figures from the agency's research department, the number of second homes rose by 2.6 per cent in 2009, following a slight decline of 0.4 per cent in 2008. They estimate a further 2 per cent rise this year, taking the total number of UK second homes above a quarter of a million.
Head of research Liam Bailey says increased demand for self-catering accommodation throughout the year has enabled buyers to look on a second home as an investment rather than a luxury.
-
50 years ago, the English country house seemed headed for extinction. Instead it was the start of a new golden ageRather than perceiving the mid 20th century as a troubled period in the history of the country house, John Martin Robinson argues that it was perhaps one of the most interesting, unexpected and enterprising. All photography from the Country Life Image Archive, by June Buck, Paul Barker, Val Corbett, Will Pryce and Paul Highnam.
-
'Meat, ale and guns — what else do you need, bar glorious scenery?': William Sitwell on the Brendon Hills, West SomersetWilliam Sitwell chooses the Brendon Hills as his piece of heaven in Britain.
