Cornwall is, without question, is one of the prettiest parts of Britain. The coastline is breathtaking and has so many different nooks and crannies of private beaches and coves which seem inexhaustable, while authors like Daphne du Maurier helped to cement places like Frenchman’s Creek as romantic, idyllic places to summer.
So many families visit Cornwall every year, whether they head for the foody havens of Padstow, the galleries and sweet shops of St Ives, or to the north coast for surfing and seafood, there is so much to see and do in this west coast favourite.
Some families spend so much time there they end up buying a holiday home in Cornwall: popular places to buy include the south coast around St Austell and Falmouth, or in the north near Newquay for a surfers paradise. Prices, too, are very reasonable for buyers coming west from the home counties. Unless you are buying right on the beach, of course, in which case you’ll still be paying in the millions for a lovely old country house.
Devon is just that little bit closer to London than Cornwall, but still offers outstanding beaches, wonderful seafood, bracing walks and some very attractive property for sale.
From small thatched cottages down little lanes to large estates and equestrian properties, Devon has a diverse portfolio for those looking to buy a holiday home or a country house as a primary residence.
South coast hotspots like Dartmouth and Salcombe can have million pound properties if they are located by the water; property in Devon is cheaper on the north coast, but still highly desirable: Ilfracombe and Bideford are much-frequented by surfers and those looking for a fantastic quality of life and a beautiful place to live.
The beautiful county of Dorset is a draw for people keen to move outside of London into real countryside. Its rolling hills and Thomas Hardy-esque villages could almost make you believe you’ve gone back in time, and the coastline includes some of the most iconic views in England: The Jurassic Coast is a huge draw and there are lots of little towns and villages within easy reach of this stunning landscape, from Lulworth to Bridport.
Inland is a large area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and towns like Cerne Abbas and Beaminster sit in this very pretty setting, characterised by rolling hills and flowing rivers. You’re also not too far from London; Dorset is still commutable a couple of times a week: Dorchester, Weymouth and Bournemouth all have direct trains to London.
Mamhead House has been an evangelical holiday-and-conference centre in the 1950s, a special school in the 1980s, an events venue and, finally, the offices of the Forestry Commission. The current owner restored it to a family home and hopes for a new owner with cash, courage and extraordinary vision to restore Mamhead to its full potential.
Penberth Valley just outside Penzance is an idyllic location for those looking to escape to the West Country. Penberth House, with its seven bedrooms and incredible views, is sure to calm even the most-frazzled mind.
Curlew Point is a rare beast: a home in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that offers total privacy for those looking for real rural retreat.
Furlong House is a dreamily elegant country house in Devon, immaculately finished with a pool, stables and a dozen acres of land.
Lincombe Keep was designed to blend into its unique surroundings, in turn designed to make the most of the spectacular views over the Torquay coastline.
Foxcote Manor is the perfect country house – large without being unmanageable, with plenty of grounds and good transport links to the word beyond its walls.
The magnificent Athelhampton House in Dorset is a manor with spectacular Tudor interiors, 19th-century formal gardens and a fascinating history.
A huge investment of time and money is needed to restore this pair of houses on Lansdown Crescent to their former glory – but the rewards for the buyer could be enormous, as Penny Churchill explains.
If you're looking to move closer to the water, there can be no better place to aim for than Cornwall. With estuaries aplenty and a large number of beautiful beaches, the property found in this quiet corner of our country is sure to be stunningly set and within easy reach of an excellent fishing village or two.
Cavendish Crescent was one of the last to be built in Bath's golden age of Georgian architecture, and a rare opportunity has arisen to buy a complete house in this grand location.
A beautifully-preserved Georgian home in one of Bath's most unspoilt residential squares has come to the market. Penny Churchill reports.
This home, built in the 17th century history, has history which stretches back even further in this quaint village in Somerset, yet the latest owners have brought it up to date with everything from a dining kitchen to a heated swimming pool.
Our property correspondent Penny Churchill comes across a lot of properties, yet she's still clearly entranced by this beautiful family home in Frampton.
Once part of a large estate, The Old Rectory in Nether Compton was built in the early 1820s, with Victorian additions added in the later part of the century and a garden room installed by the current owners during their tenure of over thirty years.
The Old Manor House survived the decline of Radipole since Roman times to become a beautifully atmospheric family home, complete with over an acre of landscaped gardens.
Amid steams and waterfalls, Rose Cottage boasts a stunning tea garden perfect for hosting a few friends – or 185 neighbours.
Surviving a World War II bombing that destroyed half of its crescent, indiscriminate postwar ‘redevelopment’ and 45 years of neglect, Lansdown Place has retained all of its charm and many of its original features. Penny Churchill reports.
The delightfully pretty Woolmersdon House has all sorts of treasures within, including a library, orangery, secret garden – and a rounded music room with extraordinary acoustics.
No voice cried out more loudly than that of the late Major Anthony Crombie when Bath's historic city centre was threatened by the wrecking ball. Maj Crombie's own home has now come to the market, a place that holds true to the ideals he held dear.
