Property spotlight: Tudor houses

36 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DY

Today, we’re having a look at some of the Tudor houses that are currently advertised as for sale. Not ‘mock Tudor’, ‘Tudor style’ or ‘Tudor revival’ but the real McCoy.

Tudor architecture, generally considered to be built between 1485 and 1603 (the start of the reign of Henry VII to the end of the reign of Elisabeth I), has a number of tell-tale visual features. The most well-known one – and the most visible – of these is probably the ‘criss-cross’ black wooden decoration – rightly referred to as half-timbering.

Wings Place (the third in our list below), also known as Anne of Cleves House is one of the most wonderful properties we have ever laid eyes on; it’s handsome on the outside, tastefully decorated and has an interesting history. We’d snap it up in an instant if we had two and a quarter million to spare!

Tudor Cottage, Lydbury North, Shropshire SY7 8AU

Tudor Cottage, Lydbury North, Shropshire SY7 8AU

Tudor Cottage, Lydbury North, Shropshire SY7 8AU

£329,950 – Tudor Cottage, Lydbury North, Shropshire SY7 8AU

Tudor Cottage is the very essence of a picture postcard English country cottage. A Grade II listed building which oozes charm throughout, from its wealth of ceiling beams and herringbone wall timbers, its carved and arched internal door frames, to its delightful inglenook fireplace and the three Tudor painted wall panels.

• A quintessential country cottage
• In an idyllic village setting
• Characterful semi-detached home
• 3 bedrooms, bathroom & WC
• Living room, kitchen/diner and utility
• Fabulous mature gardens and parking
• Historic Grade II listed building

36 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DY

36 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DY

36 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DY

£750,000 – 36 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DY

A charming three bedroom detached cottage situated on one of Hitchin’s most sought after roads on the edge of the town centre… this beautiful Grade II listed home is bursting with character with exposed beams and floorboards and offers versatile and well-balanced accommodation arranged over two floors.

• A detached period cottage
• Full of character and charm
• Situated in one of Hitchin’s most iconic streets
• Town centre location
• Catchment area for Hitchin Girls and Hitchin Boys Schools
• 1.1 mile, 22 mins walk to Hitchin train station

Wings Place, 24 West Street, Ditchling, Hassocks, Sussex BN6 8TS

Wings Place, 24 West Street, Ditchling, Hassocks, Sussex BN6 8TS

Wings Place, 24 West Street, Ditchling, Hassocks, Sussex BN6 8TS

Wings Place, 24 West Street, Ditchling, Hassocks, Sussex BN6 8TS

Wings Place, 24 West Street, Ditchling, Hassocks, Sussex BN6 8TS

£2,250,000 – Wings Place, 24 West Street, Ditchling, Hassocks, Sussex BN6 8TS

Wings Place, sometimes referred to as ‘Anne of Cleves House’, is one of the very few Grade I listed houses in private ownership in Sussex. The property is steeped in history and has been described as one of the best timber framed Tudor houses in the county. The property stands on a site which has been inhabited for almost a thousand years.

Wings Place is an incredible example of Tudor architecture, with an exemplary range of original features both on its exterior and interior. The timber-framed structure is defined by a distinctive gable at the northern end, which overhangs the first floor, along with intricate ornamental bargeboards. Inside, 16th-century inglenooks, tall brick chimneys, mullioned and lead windows, and two magnificent oak staircases are a testament to the history of the building.

Property spotlight: Homes with outbuildings

Tithe Barn, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7LD

If you’re lucky enough to have a property with a bit of land and outbuildings, you can make good use of these spaces in so many ways.

Once the structure is made watertight, it can be utilised as a storage area for the overflow of stuff that we all manage to accumulate. Add in plumbing, heating and electricity it can become your art or craft studio, gym, office, games room or cinema. Recently, many homeowners have taken to converting outbuildings into self-catering accommodation.

For us, if we had any outbuildings, we’d use part of it for the storage of our shop stock. We’d erect shelving units for our scores of banana boxes filled with vintage homewares. In another area, we’d assemble a photography station with lights, camera tripod and backdrop. Elsewhere, we’d set up a packaging post with work table, scales, tape measure, cardboard boxes, packaging tape and address labels. It would make our day-to-day working life so much smoother!

If you had the good fortune of acquiring one or some outbuildings, what use would you find for them?

19b Achmore, Isle Of Lewis HS2 9DU

19b Achmore, Isle Of Lewis HS2 9DU

19b Achmore, Isle Of Lewis HS2 9DU

19b Achmore, Isle Of Lewis HS2 9DU

£100,000 – 19b Achmore, Isle Of Lewis HS2 9DU

The property further benefits from an attached spacious barn suitable for multiple uses including storage, workshop or potential to be developed further subject to relevant planning permission.

• 2-3 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Detached
• Rural location

Hazeldene, Thrigby Road, Filby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 3HJ

Hazeldene, Thrigby Road, Filby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 3HJ

Hazeldene, Thrigby Road, Filby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 3HJ

Hazeldene, Thrigby Road, Filby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 3HJ

£305,000 – Hazeldene, Thrigby Road, Filby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 3HJ

To the rear is a low maintenance shingled garden area with raised decked seating area, outside tap, widening into a charming further garden area laid mainly to lawn with established flower and shrub borders, feature pond, raised deck seating area, shed, wood store, open storage shed, summerhouse measuring 6′ 10″ x 5′ 3″ and workshop/studio measuring 13′ 8″ x 6′ 8″.

• Semi-detached cottage
• Sought after village location
• Two bedrooms
• Bathroom & shower room
• Ample parking
• Established gardens with outbuildings
• Character features

Tithe Barn, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7LD

Tithe Barn, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7LD

Tithe Barn, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7LD

Tithe Barn, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7LD

£895,000 – Tithe Barn, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7LD

• 5 bedrooms
• 5 bathrooms
• 3 reception rooms

Externally you will find an outbuilding, cleverly and stylishly converted by the current owners into a double garage on the ground floor and a delightful holiday rental on the upper floor. The holiday rental features an open bedroom with an abundance of further space for seating and a dining table. Beyond a shrewdly disguised wall you will find an attractively fitted kitchen and to the other side, a shower room. Stylishly presented throughout and in excellent order.

Property spotlight: Penthouses

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

When I think about penthouses, I envisage sprawling, modern, city apartments (they won’t be referred to as ‘flats’) at the very top of skyscrapers. They’d have balconies and roof gardens that have panoramic, far-reaching, 360º views over the urban sprawl below. They’d be eye-wateringly expensive located somewhere like NYC, Hong Kong or Abu Dhabi.

But we do have penthouses here in the UK – and not all of them require you to be a millionaire. Saying that, I absolutely adore The Old Brewery and the way it has been sympathetically restored so far. But you get an awful lot of real estate for your one and a quarter million pounds.

Pavilion Court, Stimpson Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN1 4ND

Pavilion Court, Stimpson Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN1 4ND

Pavilion Court, Stimpson Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN1 4ND

£220,000 – Pavilion Court, Stimpson Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN1 4ND

The apartment is situated over the top two floors and is a great example of a stunning duplex apartment with a magnificent lounge area with wood flooring and French doors opening onto a Juliet balcony.

• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Reception rooms: 1

W3 Building, 51 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5EA

W3 Building, 51 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5EA

W3 Building, 51 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5EA

£420,000 – W3 Building, 51 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5EA

A fantastic duplex penthouse in the prestigious W3 Building. The apartment situated across the eighth and ninth floor comprises of a large open plan living, kitchen and sitting room and a WC to the lower level. Further, there is a full-length balcony offering outstanding views of city centre Manchester from the living space.

• En suite
• Fully furnished
• Shops and amenities nearby
• Balcony
• Concierge
• Stunning views
• Full length balcony
• Underground parking

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

£1,250,000 – The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The imposing octagonal water tower that has been converted to the master bedroom with en-suite provides access out onto a roof terraced garden with panoramic views across the Culm Valley and its stunning countryside.

• Beautifully presented penthouse apartment
• Roof terrace garden with 360 degree views
• Rare opportunity to purchase a mixed development over several floors
• Planning permission granted for conversion of grade ii listed property
• Ample off-road parking
• Only 2.5 miles from m5 and a38
• Tiverton Parkway Station located 5 miles away
• Renown secondary academy, primary and nursery schools located nearby

Property spotlight: Homes in the hills

79 Ballagh Road, Newcastle BT33 0LA

It was Justin’s idea to highlight homes in the hills this week. Almost every place we’ve ever lived together, it’s been up a hill, on a steep incline or at the bottom of a steep-sided valley – hills all around! Even when we go on holiday, it’s often to a hilly part of the country; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

We’ve decided to feature one property in each of the four nations of the UK. It was a close run thing with the cottage in the Cairngorms, but our favourite is the house in Northern Ireland. At the front, you have uninterrupted views of the Irish Sea; at the rear are open views of the magnificent Mourne Mountains. The bungalow property has beautiful, mature gardens with lots of trees and lawned areas, and the interior would really suit mid-century modern décor.

Hen Llwyngell, Rhiwbryfdir, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llwyngell, LL41 3HS

Hen Llwyngell, Rhiwbryfdir, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llwyngell, LL41 3HS

£140,000 – Hen Llwyngell, Rhiwbryfdir, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llwyngell, LL41 3HS

This pretty mid-terrace cottage is set on the outskirts of the popular town of Blaenau Ffestiniog in the heart of Snowdonia. The property enjoys dramatic views of the hills and mountains opposite.

• 2 bedrooms
• Study
• Lounge with log burner
• Rear garden

Top Cottage, Auchnahannet, Grantown on Spey PH26 3PL

Top Cottage, Auchnahannet, Grantown on Spey PH26 3PL

Top Cottage, Auchnahannet, Grantown on Spey PH26 3PL

Offers over £295,000 – Top Cottage, Auchnahannet, Grantown on Spey PH26 3PL

Constructed from stone with a pitched slate roof, this one-and-a-half storey property is situated in an elevated position, enjoying panoramic and stunning views of its diverse surroundings. Nestled amid woodland to the east, a gently babbling burn to the south, and open moorland to the west and north, every angle from this home offers a unique vista to enjoy… The sitting room, accessible from the hall, is graced by large windows that frame breathtaking views of the Cairngorm peaks.

• A beautiful cottage with charming character
• Two bedrooms
• Cosy feature sitting room with multi-fuel stove
• Well-equipped kitchen diner, with an additional multi-fuel stove
• Modern, stylish bathroom
• Breathtaking views of the Cairngorms

79 Ballagh Road, Newcastle BT33 0LA

79 Ballagh Road, Newcastle BT33 0LA

79 Ballagh Road, Newcastle BT33 0LA

79 Ballagh Road, Newcastle BT33 0LA

£395,000 – 79 Ballagh Road, Newcastle BT33 0LA

Nestled off the beaten track… this striking detached cottage is surrounded by private and well-matured gardens, providing a tranquil home with spectacular sea views. Situated between the heights of The Mourne Mountains and the dramatic Bloody Bridge coastline…

• Sitting room, kitchen/dining/lounge area
• Freestanding pedestal wood burning stove
• 4 bedrooms
• Bathroom and separate shower room
• Mature gardens and ponds
• Views to the sea and the mountains
• PVC facia and soffit, wood and PVC double glazing
• Oil fired heating
• Detached store room

The Bield, Little Langdale, The Lake District, Cumbria LA22 9PD

The Bield, Little Langdale, The Lake District, Cumbria LA22 9PD

The Bield, Little Langdale, The Lake District, Cumbria LA22 9PD

The Bield, Little Langdale, The Lake District, Cumbria LA22 9PD

£2,000,000 – The Bield, Little Langdale, The Lake District, Cumbria LA22 9PD

The Bield enjoys a gently elevated position nestling against the lower slopes of Lingmoor with idyllic south facing views out towards Wetherlam, the most northerly of the Coniston Fells, Black Fell and Holme Fell.

• Charismatic and atmospheric Lakeland former farmhouse
• Oozes history, character and charm with fascinating artistic connections
• South facing views
• Immense potential for upgrading and remodelling
• Utterly romantic in appearance
• Two reception rooms
• Utility room & pantry
• Natural and informal gardens surround the house, providing circa one acre
• Single garage
• Parking with space for several cars