All My Net Biz

BARTON HOUSE: Worth, Deal, Kent other pics

BARTON HOUSE: Worth, Deal, Kent (left)

Price: 735,000

Agent: Strutt & Parker

Tel: 01227 451 123

They say: A well-presented family house of classical Georgian proportions which has five bedrooms, a drawing and a dining room as well as a superb kitchen-cum-family room. Outside there is a detached thatched barn and buildings that could be turned into stables for one or two horses.

We say: No need to lift a finger here - everything has been done beautifully. There are lovely gardens and they are surrounded by high walls which add to the feeling of privacy. The barn is empty at the moment but it could be used as extra accommodation or as office space. In Sevenoaks, the same property would cost you well over 1m, so it’s back to that age-old question of space versus location.

THE PENTHOUSE: The Icon, Grosvenor Road, London SW1 (picture 2)

Price: 4.95m

Agent: Knight Frank Riverside

Tel: 020-7590 2450

They say: Designed by Owen Luder, ex-president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, this steel and glass penthouse impresses. It’s on the fifth and sixth floors with double-height ceilings and is flooded with light, with a balcony and terrace.

We say: It’s in the most amazing location and, unusually for a penthouse, it does have size on its side. There are five bedrooms, masses of bathrooms and dressing rooms as well as a large reception. Even the kitchen is big, but then caterers often come in large teams these days.

BETHWIN ROAD: Camberwell, London SE5 (picture 3)

Price: 450,000

Agent: Kinleigh, Folkard & Hayward

Tel: 020-7582 7773

They say: A futuristic timber-clad four- bedroom house which has been constructed in an irregular shape and offers 1,100sq ft of living space arranged over three floors. While the property is innovative and striking externally, inside it is natural and contemporary to complement the bright open-plan living space.

We say: It certainly makes a change from the run-of-the-mill Victorian terraces in this area. The wow factor is all on the outside - inside, it would be easy to stamp your own personality on this house. The catch is that it has no garden, though there are two balconies, and skylight access to a flat roof that could be turned into a terrace.

WASH COTTAGE: Hargrave, Suffolk (picture 4)

Price: 530,000

Agent: Jackson-Stops & Staff

Tel: 01638 622 31

They say: This timber-framed cottage is well maintained and retains an abundance of period features, including exposed timbers and large inglenook fireplace with bread oven and original doors. There are five bedrooms, two reception rooms, large breakfast room, study and hall.

We say: The fifth bedroom is so tiny that you might as well convert it into another bathroom or dressing room. Downstairs there is a lot of space, but all those beams mean it isn’t the lightest house you will ever live in. Outside are a garage block and outbuildings.

NEWLANDS MANOR: Milford on Sea, Hampshire (picture 5)

Price: 1.1m

Agent: Woolley & Wallis

Tel: 01425 472 421

They say: The southwest wing of a large Grade II-listed country house which has nearly two acres of private grounds. There are four bedrooms, all en suite, a baronial dining hall, magnificent drawing room and outbuildings.

We say: Worth buying for the fabulous windows alone, this house is very, very grand with lots of original features.

The smallest bedroom is 20ft by 14ft.

CLARENDON SQUARE: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire (picture 6)

Price: 900,000

Agent: Savills

Tel: 0121-713 4000

They say: This Regency-style town house has six bedrooms, three bathrooms, four receptions, and a courtyard garden. It is arranged over four floors and there is a basement flat available under separate negotiation.

We say: The house is on a very pretty garden square close to the town centre and for another 200,000 you can have the flat below. The downside is the lack of a proper garden - if you’ve got six bedrooms to fill, you might need more outside space.