Property spotlight: Model village homes

No, we’re not talking about houses in LegoLand or neighbourhoods where Naomi, Linda, Christy, Cindy et al live. Model village refers to those housing developments, popular during Victorian times, that were built, often, by wealthy industrialists for their mill, mine and factory workers.

Some mill and factory owners were largely philanthropic and enlightened, putting their employees’ welfare at the forefront. Often times, that would also mean the enforcement of their religious and lifestyle beliefs on their workforce; temperance and sobriety. Therefore, no ale house was included in their village plans… but often washhouses, a hospital, school, library, art gallery or concert hall and, not forgetting, a chapel for the workers to attend on their day off.

A few of the model villages are very famous; Bournville built by the Quaker owners of Cadbury’s Chocolates, Port Sunlight by the soap producing Lever Brothers and Saltaire by textile magnate, Sir Titus Salt for his Salt’s Mill. King Charles, while still Prince of Wales, developed Poundbury on Duchy of Cornwall land just outside Dorchester in Dorset.

There are around 30 model villages in total, dotted all around the country, but we’ve chosen to highlight homes on the market in the following places (the dates that they were built, are shown in brackets):

New Lanark, Lanarkshire, Scotland (1786)
Tremadog, Caernarfonshire, Wales (1798)
Saltaire, West Yorkshire (1853)
Bromborough Pool (aka “Price’s Village”) (1853)
Bournville, Worcestershire (1879)
Port Sunlight, Cheshire (1888)
Creswell Model Village, Derbyshire (1895)
New Earswick, Yorkshire (1904)
The Garden Village, Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire (1908)
Silver End, Essex (1926)
Poundbury, Dorset (ongoing since 1993)

£95,000 – 175 Model Village, Creswell, Worksop, Nottinghamshire S80 4BT

• Three bedrooms
• Two reception rooms
• Ideal purchase for a first time buyer or investor
• Great for a growing family
• Good commuter links at J29 M1

£160,000 – Manor Place, Bromborough, Wirral CH62 4TU

• Investment opportunity
• Two bedroom mid-terrace property in the heart of Bromborough
• Entrance hall, two reception rooms, kitchen, downstairs wet room & WC
• Two bedrooms, airing cupboard, patio area, rear garden & on street parking
• Located close to the Croft Retail Park and plenty of other amenities
• A great catchment area for primary schools and in easy reach of transport links

£220,000 – Long Row, Lanark ML11 9DD

• Spacious three-bedroom end-terrace property
• Lounge and further living room
• Fully fitted kitchen
• Three, good-sized bedrooms
• Family bathroom with four-piece suite
• Picturesque village of New Lanark

£230,000 – Duke of York Cottages, Port Sunlight, Wirral CH62 5DD

• Double fronted cottage
• Three bedrooms
• 846 Sq ft approx
• Freehold
• Recently renovated and ready to move into
• Sought after area
• Spacious accommodation
• Well presented throughout

£255,000 – Caroline Street, Saltaire, Shipley, West Yorkshire BD18

• Private paved garden
• On-street parking
• Delightful gas fire in the living room
• Recently refurbished
• Wonderful views and surroundings

£270,000 – Chestnut Grove, New Earswick, North Yorkshire YO32

• Grade II Listed
• End terrace house
• 2 bedrooms
• Large rear garden
• Off-street parking
• Overlooking central green
• Subject to estate charge of approx. £380 per annum for upkeep of surrounding area

£310,000 – Market Square, Tremadog, Porthmadog, Gwynedd LL49 9RB

• 3 bedroom end of terrace house
• Master bedroom benefits from an adjoining dressing room with wash hand basin
• Family bathroom
• Shower room
• Lounge
• Breakfast room
• Kitchen
• Utility room
• Full-width attic rooms
• Original timber panelled walls
• Inglenook fireplaces
• Decorative tiled flooring
• Sash windows
• Rear courtyard with gate through to a 21′ stone outbuilding/barn which is arranged over two floors
• Enclosed orchard packed with trees and plants
• Timber constructed garden room
• Gravelled area providing off-road parking

£375,000 – Jedburgh, Beaumont Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1NX

• Conveniently Located End Terraced Period Residence
• Well Presented Throughout
• Interconnecting Reception Rooms and separate Dining Room
• Recently Refurbished (2023) Modern Kitchen with a range of base and wall units and integrated dishwasher, wine cooler, ovens and hob with extractor over
• Three bedrooms
• Elegant, first floor Family Bathroom comprising bath with shower over, wash basin and wc
• Access to a large loft area with potential for conversion (subject to usual permissions)
• Recently renovated (2023) Rear Garden laid to lawn with a large raised patio area
• Side gate with easy access to the rear of the property
• Very well situated for sought after schools to include Bournville Village Primary, St Francis Church of England primary school and nursery and Kings Norton Girls’ and Boys’ Secondary Schools

£399,950 – The Oval, Hull HU8 8PN

Located in the esteemed Garden Village area, The Oval offers a highly sought after address with a sense of community and exclusivity.
• 4-bed semi-detached house
• Four reception rooms
• Front and rear gardens
• Off-street parking

£475,000 – Francis Way, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8

Situated in the garden village of Silver End is this beautiful 1920s detached property which has been extended and renovated to an extremely high standard. This property was originally built for the Industrialist Frank Crittall’s senior staff and was inhabited by his Head Gardener.

• Detached house
• Four bedrooms
• Generous plot
• Kitchen/diner
• En-suite to bedroom one
• Family bathroom
• Freehold
• Numerous off-road parking

£600,000 – Woodlands Crescent, Poundbury DT1 3RQ

• Elegant town house situated in the heart of Poundbury
• A leafy location in much sought after crescent
• Four bedrooms & two bathrooms
• First floor dual aspect sitting room
• Kitchen/dining room
• Attractive enclosed garden
• Double garage with an EV charger fitted

Property spotlight: Round houses

Why are so many properties plain old square or rectangular? Circles are so much more interesting. Perhaps it’s because they’re much easier to construct. Also, angular furniture – especially fixtures such as fitted kitchens – can look odd in a curved interior. Nevertheless, many adventurous architects and homebuilders take the plunge and design round houses.

I especially like the open atriums or courtyards that can often be found at the centre of round houses. They make for quiet, private oases; often incorporating trees, pond or pool and seating areas.

Here are three round houses that we discovered that are currently for sale – one in the North of England, one in the far South of England and the last one which is just outside the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Northern Ireland.

Offers over £314,950: The Round House, 135 Fivemile Straight, Maghera, Northern Ireland BT46 5JP

The Round House offers a special opportunity to acquire an architecturally stunning detached bungalow, tucked away a short drive from the main arterial A6 Glenshane Road and Maghera.

• Shortlisted in the NI House of the Year for BBC in 2011, The Round House extends to c.3,200 sq.ft. and is uniquely designed with a Gaudi theme.
• Exceptional standard of finish throughout including: underfloor heating; recessed lighting; solid wooden beams; solid Oak doors; Gaudi themed joinery and entrance gates; Bangor Blue roof slates etc.
• Fabulous internal accommodation including: master bedroom with en suite and two other bedrooms sharing an additional en suite; large lounge/dining area; spacious and modern kitchen/diner etc.
• Detached double garage block with electronic doors and range of stores.
• Exquisite grounds comprising: manicured lawns; mature trees, shrubs and hedging; wooden gazebo on raised wooden decking; brick paved BBQ area; enclosed private courtyard etc.
• Ample parking facilities with tarmac car parking areas to front and side of dwelling.
• Access via bespoke electronic gates and entrance pillars/walls.
• Recently fitted alarm and CCTV system (installed 2021).

£390,000: The Round House, Northney Marina, Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 0FR

The Round House is an iconic building at the heart of Northney Marina in Hayling Island that began its life as a theatre and later converted to office space. Recently it has been transformed into 21 modern, contemporary apartments with an exceptional interior specification.

• 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, ground floor luxury apartment
• Engineered oak flooring and carpets throughout
• Integrated kitchen appliances
• Silent Gliss blackout blinds
• Sunny westerly facing, decked veranda
• 2 parking spaces
• Leasehold: 197 years remaining

£1,500,000: Broad Lane, Downholland L39 7HX

A true architectural masterpiece, this home will captivate you from the moment you lay eyes on its unique structure. Modern in spirit with architecture rooted in tradition ‘The Round House’ offers what is surely one of West Lancashire’s most striking residential properties. The home is a dramatic addition to the landscape and is positioned on a fabulous, gated plot with a generous 8 acres of land, offering unrivalled privacy and tranquillity.

• True architectural masterpiece
• Four double bedrooms (all with en-suites)
• Circa 5240 square feet
• Breath-taking kitchen/living area
• Beautiful central courtyard
• 8 acres of land
• Extensive forecourt parking
• Attached double garage
• Expansive gated plot

Property spotlight: Arts & Crafts houses

The Arts & Crafts style conjures up thoughts of William Morris in England and Charles Rennie Mackintosh in Scotland. It was inspired by the perceived decline in standards and quality of design created by mass-production and machine making. Perhaps there’s a need again now for a similar movement.

In looking for genuine Arts & Crafts houses currently on the market, I was dismayed to find so many of them so ‘modernised’ that they’ve completely lost their aesthetic identity. The three we’ve chosen below have been sympathetically brought into the 21^st century. In addition, The Old Lodge has the most envy-inducing outdoor kitchen, incorporating an Argentinian Asado grill.

£475,000 – Blythbank, St. Abbs Road, Coldingham, Eyemouth TD14 5NR

A rare opportunity to purchase a magnificent Edwardian Arts and Crafts house, which has stunning period features… This stunning home has been sympathetically upgraded without losing any of its charm…

• Detached Edwardian house
• Stunning Art & Crafts features
• Outbuildings, parking & garage
• Large gardens & summer house
• Coastal village location
• Award-winning beach nearby
• 4 bedrooms, bathroom & WCs
• Breakfast room & kitchen

£600,000 – The Old Lodge, Hamsterley Hall, Hamsterley Mill, Rowlands Gill, County Durham NE39 1NJ

Originally constructed in stone under York stone tiles circa 1900, The Old Lodge is a striking Arts & Crafts home with beautiful mullioned windows, parquet wood ﬂooring and a mix of cast iron and stone inglenook fireplaces.

• Charming period lodge
• Exquisite interior décor
• Fantastic outdoor entertaining areas
• Grade II listed
• Elegant & inviting accommodation
• Gardens & parking
• Beautiful parkland surroundings

£6,500,000 – St Georges Road, Twickenham TW1 1QR

This original Arts and Craft property, built in the late nineteenth century, is believed to be the first house constructed on the road, and it certainly befits that status. There is expansive and elegant accommodation laid out over the ground floor, offering an array of formal and more open plan reception areas. Over the top two floors, there are six bedrooms complimented by three bathrooms.

• 6 bedrooms
• 5 reception rooms
• 3 bathrooms
• 0.35 acres
• Communal garden
• Conservatory
• Detached
• Garden
• Parking
• Patio
• Single garage
• Private parking
• Cellar
• Lake view

Property spotlight: Tudor houses

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!

£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

£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

£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.

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: architecture