Dean Barn in Wilmslow is one such property, converted last year by developers Mac-Taylor. Awarded with a coveted ‘A’ EPC rating, the property features a full spectrum of contemporary eco features, including solar panels, an air source heat pump, rain water recycling and a grass roof on the attached annexe, all of which translate into considerable savings for the homeowner. The property has been meticulously converted from a dilapidated barn, and fuses traditional red brickwork with oak cladding and large double glazed windows, which ensure bright and airy accommodation. An open plan living space with double sided log burner forms the centrepiece, while three double bedrooms are positioned at the opposite end of the barn.

Dean Barn is neatly located on the edge of Wilmslow town, which boasts many restaurants, shops and bars as well as fast links into Manchester, while the picturesque village of Alderley Edge is little over three miles away, forming part of Cheshire’s prestigious ‘Golden Triangle’. The property is on the market for £945,000 with our Wilmslow office, for more information, click here.

Anthony House in Ivybridge, Devon also has excellent eco credentials. Built in the Scandinavian style, the property mixes architectural excellence and interior design combined perfectly with quality materials. The property has been built specifically with ease of maintenance and high thermal value in mind, including triple glazed windows and solar panels. The property is on the market for £625,000 with our Exeter office, for more information please click here.

Jackson-Stops & Staff have also recently sold a plot with planning permission for The Bower, a detached five bedroom eco home in Upper Basildon, Reading, with the emphasis for the plans focusing on a cost efficient property to build with low outgoings. If you would like more information about any of our land development opportunities, please click here.

Jackson-Stops & Staff York are instructed on Bowes Hall, an eight bedroom Grade II listed mansion, built on the site of a roman fort around four miles outside of Barnard Castle. Steeped in history, Bowes Hall was built during the reign of Elizabeth I and was once one of the infamous ‘Yorkshire Schools’ – known for their notoriously strict regimes and the inspiration for Charles Dickens’ novel, Nicholas Nickleby. Historical touches remain, including a two flight stone cantilever staircase with arched Venetian window, stone floors and an impressive fireplace in the morning room. Bowes Hall sits within extensive gardens and grounds, surrounded by rolling countryside which, according to The Times, inspired much of acclaimed landscape artist, Joseph Mallord William Turner’s work. The property is on the market for £795,000, for more information, please click here.

Marazion in Cornwall was also listed in The Times guide, and described as a ‘dreamy strip of white sand that is popular with children and windsurfers’. The Truro office of Jackson-Stops & Staff is selling Netherleigh in Marazion for £525,000, a village house with a glimpse of the sea, perched on the beautifully sandy sweep of Mount’s Bay. For more information, please click here.

Popular with those who commute to Norwich and housing a fine collection of Georgian and Victorian properties, Bungay on the Norfolk-Suffolk border also earned a place on the coveted list. Tranquil and historic, with excellent walking, cycling and fishing, the town is also in close proximity to The Norfolk Broads, perfect for day trips on sunny weekends. Jackson-Stops & Staff Norwich is selling Brome Lodge, a refurbished country house set in a leafy parkland setting just outside of Bungay. For more information, please click here.

Nigel Stubbs, director at Jackson-Stops & Staff Truro and a resident of Mylor, said: “Mylor’s celebrity connections provide the icing on the cake for this friendly village that has always been a popular choice for buyers, both with those looking to relocate permanently and those in the market for a holiday home.”

Big name acts are not the only thing that Mylor has to offer; the village, which lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is home to charming pubs, restaurants and bars, while Mylor Harbour provides a natural backdrop for a range of water sports. The towns of Falmouth and Truro are also within easy reach, with notable attractions including Pendennis Castle and the National Maritime Museum slightly further afield.

Jackson-Stops & Staff Truro have a number of properties for sale in Mylor, including Rivers Edge, which as the name suggests, is a contemporary property situated just 30 metres from the head of the creek.Timber clad in the ‘New England’ style, the house has a full width veranda and balcony, which affords splendid views across the creek and village itself. Internally, the styling is clean and contemporary, with three well proportioned bedrooms, one with a Juliet balcony. The property is situated on Trevellan Road, widely regarded as one of Mylor’s most sought after residential addresses with several south-facing waterside properties. The property is on the market for £595,000, for more information, click here.

New to the market, Mill Leat is a highly individual family home dating from 1960 which has been extended and tastefully updated over the past few years. Like Rivers Edge, Mill Leat enjoys a veranda porch as well as a decked roof terrace on the above the garage which offers clear creek views. Internally, the property is spacious and bright thanks to large windows, also benefiting from solar water heating and recent double glazing throughout. The property is on the market for £650,000, for more information, click here.

Of note, the office have also recently sold 11 Lemon Hill Gardens, an attractive cottage with views over the village and to the countryside beyond, as well as Trevavon House, a spacious five bedroom property with direct river frontage.

If you would like to find out more about Mylor, please call Nigel Stubbs at the Truro office on 01872 261160.

Situated in the heart of Helston in Cornwall, 10 Cross Street is a historical and architecturally interesting Grade II Listed property with many original features and piles of charm. The four bedroom property, dating back to the 1700s, has rooms of grand proportions set out over a series of different levels. Helston is a market town with a range of amenities within close proximity to a number of local beaches and beauty spots. The house is on the market at £450,000 with our Truro office, for more information, click here.

Enjoying unspoiled rural views, Cholloways in Chittlehamholt, Devon is an attractive thatched cottage that comes complete with outbuildings, paddocks and stabling.  Situated at the end of a long private driveway, the property enjoys a high degree of privacy in a tranquil location.  The area is renowned for its unspoilt rolling countryside and was made famous in Henry Willamson’s book ‘Tarka the Otter’. Within easy reach is the spectacular North Devon coast, with its sandy surf beaches, while the National Parks of Exmoor and Dartmoor provide ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits. The property is on the market for £595,000 with our Exeter office, for more information, click here.

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Formerly part of the Portman Estate, Tuckerton Farm in Somerset is a period farmhouse with a wildlife pond, parcel of land and outbuildings – perfect for those who wish to keep livestock.  The property has a range of character features including an inglenook fireplace with wood burning stove, as well as exposed beams throughout. The hamlet of Tuckerton itself is conveniently placed just six miles from Taunton, which offers a range of well regarded independent and state schools, including Taunton School, King’s and Queen’s Colleges, Kings Hall Preparatory School and Richard Huish Sixth Form College. The property is on the market at £650,000 through our Taunton office, for more information, click here.

*Telegraph March 2013

Dawn Carritt, director of national estate agents Jackson-Stops & Staff, backed the announcement for mortgage guarantees.

She said: “The announcement to continue with the guaranteed mortgage scheme will help support not only first time buyers and those looking to obtain a mortgage with limited funds for a deposit, it will help support the housing market, enabling not just new owners but existing owners and go towards freeing up the market and support the signs of recovery in the housing market which are just starting to emerge in some areas of the country.”

Tim Dansie, director of the Jackson-Stops & Staff Ipswich, also comments on Wednesday’s budget:

“Any stimulus to the property market is not only of direct assistance, but it also engenders confidence all round in the property market. It is good news if the government are prepared to put their weight behind the housing market, as then confidence will rise with the economy as a whole.

“We now just need a bit of activity to get going in the country and an increase in the volume of transactions. Prices seem to have held up, but the volume of transactions has been down.”

Ben Babington, director of residential development at Jackson-Stops & Staff, welcomed the news but suggested there were other areas that needed to be looked at:

“The Chancellor’s announcement to get planning processes moving more quickly is welcome news; but what the country really needs is an entire reform of its planning system, if we are to deliver the million new homes needed by 2015.

“More sites need to be released for redevelopment and it is only the local planning authority’s ability and willingness to release this supply that can change this. Without a clear set of guidelines to reduce the number of appeals that have to be made, all it does is clog up the development pipeline of suitable land.

“On the funding side, the government really has to do whatever they can to encourage the traditional bank to start lending to experienced developers again. We have so many clients that have been successful developers for over 25 years, yet the traditional lending routes are largely unavailable to them. The traditional high street lender has to be encouraged to lend and support these experienced firms with a good track record.

“The First Buy scheme has proven to be incredibly successful with a number of our developers, so it is great to see that this has been extended. Not only is it a great way of getting those at the bottom of the chain on the ladder, but it will continue to have a positive affect on getting the rest of the market moving.”

Situated in the village of Old Minster, Lovell Cottage is a pretty period cottage, constructed of Cotswold stone and enjoying unspoiled views over adjoining fields to the rear. Tastefully refurbished by the current owner, the interior of the property has a number of period features including exposed beams and mellow stonework.  Regarded as one of the most attractive West Oxfordshire villages, Old Minster is a small hamlet, situated in the Windrush valley amongst unspoilt countryside – noted for its many paths and bridleways. The property is on the market for £700,000 with our Burford office, for more information click here.

Recently renovated and refurbished to a high standard, Michaelmas Cottage occupies a convenient position just minutes away from Chipping Campden high street. This spacious two bedroom property has generously proportioned rooms and a striking oak extension that houses an open plan dining / garden room, flooded with natural light throughout the day. A self contained one bedroom annexe in the rear garden could also provide additional income.  Chipping Campden is one of the most historic market towns in the Cotswolds, well known for its architecture, much of which dates to medieval times. The property is on the market for £555,000 through our Chipping Campden office, for more information click here.

Serving as an example of all that is best about Cotswold architecture, The Manor House, Frampton Mansell, enjoys an enviable position, tucked into the hillside with open views down the valley. Believed to date back to the 15^th century but principally constructed in the 17^th century, the L shaped property offers spacious accommodation full of character. The garden is of particular note, with numerous lawned areas, raised terraces, a stone built summer house and well stocked borders which flourish during the spring and summer months. Frampton Mansell is a quaint village that blends the best of picturesque surroundings with the convenience of being a short distance from Cirencester.  The property is on the market for £1,200,000 with our Cirencester office, for more information click here.

With over 6000 sq ft and with direct frontage onto Bosham Channel, Quay House in Bosham, West Sussex, serves as the perfect example of contemporary waterfront living. Built in the 1960s, the property has undergone extensive renovation and now includes a conservatory with unspoiled views and a stunning original 60s staircase, integral boat store as well as mooring rights. Situated in the heart of this picturesque village, Quay House is within walking distance of the Bosham Sailing Club. The property is on the market with our Chichester office for £3,750,000, for more information click here.

The reasonably sheltered yet challenging waters of Chichester Harbour are within convenient travelling distance of London, making this a favoured location for weekend and holiday sailors.  The Bosham and Itchenor sailing clubs are both highly regarded amongst the sailing fraternity and regularly attracting large fleets of classic day boats and well as frequently hosting the national championships for several of the keelboat classes.

Coming to market for the first time since 1960, Harbour Lights, also in Bosham, comes complete with a private jetty, tennis court and around 230ft of direct water frontage. This spacious family home was extended in 1990 and sits within three acres of attractive grounds, enjoying views stretching from Bosham Hoe to Itchenor Sailing Club – one of the most popular sailing destinations within convenient travelling distance of London. The property is on the market with our Chichester office for £2.950,000, for more information click here.

Meanwhile, situated on one side of the Noss Creek valley, White Cottage in Newton Ferrers enjoys an elevated position with views across the River Yealm, a thriving yacht haven in the warmer months. Internally, the property is spacious and enjoys large amounts of natural light thanks to the panoramic bay windows in the living room and main bedrooms.  The twin villages of Noss Creek and Newton Ferrers provide a range of local amenities and are both renowned for their close knit community atmospheres, as well as the nearby Yealm Yacht Club, which provides a busy calendar of both sailing and social events for its members. The property is on the market with our Exeter office for £1,800,000, for more information, click here.

Thought to have been constructed in the 14^th century as one of a number of thatched cottages in the area, Grade II listed Manor Cottage has withstood the test of time and has undergone extensive renovation and refurbishment, with care being taken to ensure its period features were retained.  Situated on Water Bag Bank, named after the ponies that carried bags of water from the river to the town, the cottage enjoys an enviable position with unspoiled views of the magnificent stone railway viaduct that passes over the river. The attractive town of Knaresborough is set around the central market square and offers a range of boutique shops and eateries, as well as various tourist attractions including the famous Mother Shipton’s Cave. The property is on the market with our York office for £550,000, for more information click here.

Jackson-Stops & Staff also have a number of other historical thatched properties on the market, including Dalleys Cottage in Chilton, Devon. Grade II listed and dating to the 19^th century, the property began life as two separate cottages, before being combined to form this spacious four bedroom family home. Situated in the heart of rolling farmland, Dalleys Cottage enjoys seclusion and privacy, yet is within easy reach of nearby Tiverton and Exeter. The property is on the market through our Exeter office for £585,000, for more information click here.

Aptly named, The Thatch is an 18^th century cottage that enjoys uninterrupted views of the nearby water meadows of Longparish, Hampshire. Constructed of attractive white wash brick, the property is spacious and has recently been rethatched. The village of Longparish lies in the Test valley and offers a range of amenities as well as the renowned ‘Test Way’, ideal for walking and cycling. The property is on the market with our Winchester office for £585,000, for more information click here.

Manor Gate Cottage in Plush, Dorset is the quintessential winter cottage. Situated on a no through road in the heart of the Dorset countryside, the two bedroom cottage offers character and charm, combined with peace and privacy. The nearby village of Plush remains in keeping with the romantic archetype; the Brace of Pheasants pub offering home cooked meals and real ales, while the pretty church of St John the Baptist  plays host to a series of highly regarded classical music events. The property is on the market with our Dorchester office, for more information click here.

Thought to date to 1750 and extensively renovated over recent years, Chance Cottage is a picturesque cottage in a quiet location with secluded grounds and a large swimming pool.  Constructed mainly of Cotswold Stone with a natural Cotswold Slate roof, the property provides substantial family accommodation, complete with a small studio/office room above the double garage outside. Four miles from Chance Cottage is the idyllic town of Burford, cited as ‘The Gateway to the Cotswolds’ and home to a range of historic public houses and inns, independent shops and galleries as well as breathtaking scenery. The property is on the market with our Burford office, for more information click here.

For those who fancy a ‘storybook’ romantic hideaway, few properties can top 10 Holme Eden Hall.  Built in 1833, in a Tudor style by renowned architect John Dobson, this magnificent country house has been split up into number of apartments, all boasting far reaching views across the Upper Eden Valley. Although situated in a picturesque rural position, the property is within short distance of some of the most famous areas in the north of England, such as the ancient city of Carlisle and the World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall – perfect for those brisk romantic strolls. The property is on the market with our York office, for more information click here.

The Chapel in Mayfield, East Sussex is designed by the renowned Victorian architect Edward Pugin. This Grade II listed building was part of what was Mayfield College, a boarding school run by monks of the Xavarian Brotherhood.  The subsequent conversion and restoration has been sympathetic to the original style and the chapel still features the stained glass windows, gilded gold ceiling and ornate stone carvings. The property has a state of the art kitchen and high quality fittings throughout. The property is on the market with our Tunbridge Wells office, for more information click here.

Perhaps not as bold as The Chapel in Mayfield, The Chapel House in Henley, Dorset still oozes character and charm. This three bedroom former Baptist chapel was converted into a family home around 20 years ago and has been extensively updated and improved. The master bedroom is of particular note, incorporating a bath and shower and coming complete with a timber clad ceiling that has been meticulously refinished to a high standard. The property is situated in Henley, which forms part of the larger village of Buckland Newton which has a range of local amenities and lies 10 miles north of the county town of Dorchester. The property is on the market with our Dorchester office, for more information click here.

Deceptively spacious, The Old Chapel in Bethersden, Kent is an imaginatively converted former Methodist Chapel with a most attractive symmetrical arched front entrance. Internally, the property has been meticulously crafted and refinished, creating a contemporary living space that is ideal for entertaining. High vaulted ceilings add to the sense of space, while exposed timber beams maintain the traditional character. The Old Chapel is set in the popular village of Bethersden, with easy access to further facilities and transport links in picturesque Ashford. The property is on the market with our Cranbrook office, for more information click here.

One of the largest and most renowned coastlines in Britain is the Jurassic Coast, a strip of coastline in South-West England that spans almost 96 miles and over 180 million years of geological history.  

Franklyns Farm near Honiton, Devon is just a short drive away from Lyme Regis, on the Jurassic Coast, providing numerous walks along the coast and in the surrounding Blackdown Hills. The property is a stunning design, constructed of green oak and a fusion of classic and contemporary materials, with full height windows that offer an almost 360 degree view.  Outside, the property enjoys well stocked gardens with natural ponds and a gently south facing pasture, around 12 acres in total. The property is on the market through our Taunton office, for more information, click here.

Rockhaven in St Minver, Cornwall also offers a range of coastal walks all within a short distance. The beautifully finished four bedroom home is contemporary in style and sits just a few minutes drive away from Rock on the North Cornish Coast, a favoured residential and holiday village. The circular walk, from Rock to St Minver, is a particularly popular choice and suits both novice and more experienced walkers alike, conveniently passing three pubs and a brewery along the way should you require refreshment. The property is on the market with our Truro office, for more information, click here.

Moving to North Wales, 1 Victoria Terrace is situated near the water’s edge at Beaumaris, one of the most popular seaside towns on the Island of Anglesey. Reputedly the only Grade I listed townhouse in Wales, the property forms part of the Victoria Terrace building, built in the early 1830s as a fashionable centrepiece to the port. The property offers unspoiled ocean views and is well placed to take advantage of the superb walking routes around Anglesey’s coastal path and in the Snowdonia National Park. The property is available through our Chester office, for more information, click here.

Widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful stretches along the Thames, separating the Oxfordshire village of Goring on the north bank and the Berkshire village of Streatley across the river, the two villages span the commonly called ‘Goring Gap’ which lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is home to a wealth of outstanding traditional properties.

The new office will be working in close partnership with the Newbury Office and will augment the existing network of over 30 regional and eight central London offices, further adding to Jackson-Stops & Staff’s unparalleled expertise and experience within the industry.

 The office will be opening on 1^st February, for further information please contact Tim Sherston on: 01491 871 111 or email:  tim.sherston@jackson-stops.co.uk

A home gym can often provide a more practical, private solution.  Jackson-Stops & Staff has a number of properties on the market with exceptional gyms that can keep your resolutions on track.

Offering a breathtaking indoor swimming pool and leisure complex, Tall Trees in Prestbury, Cheshire, is a striking five bedroom property that combines bold architecture and technology to provide the ultimate modern family living space. The swimming pool and gymnasium are on display through the full height glazing in the hall. A dedicated media room provides the ideal space to relax and unwind. The property is on the market with Jackson-Stops & Staff’s Wilmslow office, for more information, click here.

For thse who prefer to complete their workout while admiring the views, Old Park Hall in Axminster, Devon, offers an unspoiled panorama over the surrounding rolling countryside. Originally built on the site of the deer park for Newenham Abbey, the property was bought by Dame Emma Cullock in 1866 and has since undergone a number of extensions, creating a spacious four bedroom family home as well as a self contained two bedroom flat with rental income. The town of Axminster  is within walking distance and has an excellent range of day to day amenities and has been highlighted in recent years due to Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall’s ‘River Cottage Canteen and Deli. Old Park Hall is on the market through Jackson-Stops & Staff’s Taunton office, for more information click here.

With a combination of royal blue, gold and rich reds used in the lavish decor, the dining room at Holly Tree House in Chelford, Cheshire epitomises country house elegance. The room enjoys plenty of natural light, with large windows on three sides overlooking the grounds and a wealth of space – perfect for entertaining and dining during the Christmas period. The property is on the market with the Wilmslow office. For more information on Holly Tree House, click here.

The dining room at Holly Tree House

The dining room at Temple House in Horton offers a slightly less ‘traditional’ Christmas dining experience – although is equally opulent in its own right. Flagged stone floors, wicker chairs and stone figureheads create a Rococo themed environment;  a style that was popular in Paris during the mid-ate 1700s – characterised by lightness, elegance, the exuberant use of curving and stone ornamentation. The property is on the market at £875,000 with the Northampton office, for more information, see here.

The dining hall at The Temple House

For those who fancy a slightly more contemporary dining affair, the recently converted Cooperage in Ilmington could provide the perfect solution. Not so much a dining room as a dining hall, the spacious 41 ft long hall is airy and flooded with natural light during the day. Complete with six bedrooms and an open plan layout throughout, The Cooperage not only caters for the Christmas dinner but also post drinks and obligatory rounds of Pictionary. The Cooperage is on the market at £1,595,000 with the Chipping Campden office. For more information, please see here.

The dining room at The Cooperage

The scene-setter in most homes at Christmas will be the spruce tree; standing proud and decorated lavishly, its arrival signifies that the festive season is well and truly upon us – with the scent of pine needles wafting through the house.

The buyer of North Ford Farmhouse in Rivenhall, Essex, will be spoilt for choice, thanks to the quarter acre plantation of Norway Spruce at the rear of the property. With almost 300 trees, December provides a perfect additional income opportunity, as owner Paul Goodchild has demonstrated – selling the trees by word of mouth in the local community for anumber of years.

Outside of the festive season, the property also offers another income opportunity – thanks to the cricket bat willows that fill the remaining 10 acres of land,  which Paul sells to JS Wright & Sons, the world’s largest supplier of English cricket bats.

North Ford Farmhouse – offers spacious four bedroom family accommodation with elegant, neutral decor. Situated in the tranquil village of Rivenhall, the property is perfect for those who work in the surrounding area or commute to central London, with road and rail links providing fast, convenient transport. The house is on the market at offers in excess of £800,000 – for more information, please call our Chelmsford office on 01245 467468.

Christmas also provides a good time to celebrate with family and friends, and Jackson-Stops & Staff Truro has the perfect property to entertain guests. Situated in North Tamerton, Ogbeare Barn is a stunning barn conversion that comes complete with a three bedroom cottage. The property has been converted to a high standard, with contemporary fixtures complementing the period exposed timber beams. The open plan accommodation has the latest programmable lighting and media fittings; making this the ideal property for entertaining. The house is on the market at £1,000,000 – for more information, please see here.

A Christmas round up wouldn’t be complete without at least one festive sounding property, which this year comes in the form of Holly Cottage in Northamptonshire. The five bedroom property offers unspoiled rural views and has been sympathetically refurbished and remodelled by its current owners, now forming a practical family home with versatile accommodation. The surrounding village of Haselbech offers a range of amenities, while the town of Kettering offers more expansive facilities and travel connections. Holly Cottage is on the market at £615,000, for more information please see here.

For owner William Heller, a long time railway enthusiast, Amberwynd provided the perfect opportunity to fulfil his ultimate railway dream.  “As I grew up, so did the size of the railways I owned, from a simple circle of track in the lounge, to a baseboard in the loft and, finally, out into the garden.”

On running days, Amberwynd’s platform comes to life. Trains run to a strict schedule, while a station master and signalman control the proceedings – setting the scene for sheer railway nostalgia. 

On the market with Jackson-Stops & Staff Exeter, not only does the property provide spacious gardens and grounds – it also boasts a spacious, contemporary designed interior, with five bedrooms, a living room, kitchen/breakfast room, study, as well as balcony that overlooks the grounds.

Amberwynd isn’t the only railway themed property that Jackson-Stops & Staff currently has on the market. Woodside in Pocklington, available through Jackson-Stops & Staff’s York office, also gives buyers the chance to own a small piece of railway history.

Once home to the crossing keeper for Burnby Lane on the Beverley to York line, this piece of railway history was built in 1855 and still proudly displays its distinctive railway chimneys and stone plinths. The line was eventually shut down and the cottage sold by the railways in 1968.

50 years after the last train rattled over its crossing, today the black and white cottage caters perfectly for family living, offering a good size kitchen/family room, sitting room, study, music room/ dining room, five bedrooms and two bath and shower rooms.

For further information on Amberwynd – currently on sale for £875,000 – please see here. For £150,000 on top of this guide price, the property can come with the miniature railway included.

For further information on Woodside – currently on sale for £475,000 – please see here.

It is a style that embraces a significant part of this country’s built heritage from terraces of town houses, most often created by skilled local builders, to some of the of the most iconic houses created by architects that have now become household names.  A great deal of the uniformity across the country came about as a result of the publication of pattern books which enabled a client to select a drawing of a staircase or architectural detail and have it reproduced more or less to order.  Amongst the most influential pattern books were ‘A Sure Guide to Builders’ by Batty Langley and ‘Works in Architecture’ by Robert and James Adam.

What makes a Georgian building so appealing to buyers today is the relatively restrained architectural style when compared to that of the ornate baroque period and the heavier style so enjoyed by the Victorians.  Furthermore, the simple yet elegant panelled rooms of a Georgian house work just as well when furnished with period furniture and fabrics as they do when a given in a modern minimalist look.  The layout also lends itself to 21st Century living.  The principal rooms are almost always well proportion.  The secondary accommodation or staff quarters readily convert to a boot room, utility room, flower room, gym or games room whilst the small anti-rooms, frequently found adjoining the principal bedrooms, make ideal bath or shower rooms.

The success of the Georgian style was not down purely to luck or indeed a plethora of fine architects.  Events such as the Great Fire of London in 1666 resulted in the 1667 Building Act which set out the basic requirements for buildings in London and could well be regarded as the forerunner of what today are more commonly known as building regulations.  Further Acts were to follow in 1707 and 1774, the latter defining the four categories or ‘rates’ of houses in London, ‘first rate’ not surprisingly being the standard applied to the building of the finest properties.  What happened in the capital almost inevitably had an impact on buildings across the country.

200 years on and Georgian architecture continues to please the eye and remains the style most frequently requested.  This in turn means that a buyer is likely to have to pay more per square foot for a Georgian house than, say, a Tudor or Victorian house and as yet there are no signs of this trend faltering.

Here are a selection of Jackson-Stops & Staff’s finest Georgian properties:

Coates Castle, Coates, Fittleworth, West Sussex – A well proportioned apartment within a fine Georgian country mansion surrounded by open parkland. The adjoining residence is also available as a whole or in two lots. The apartment costs £525,000.

For more information, click here.

Goodmans House, Membury, Devon – A rustic, unpretentious Georgian country house featuring five bedrooms and cottages, a luxurious pool, paddocks, and an intimate carriage drive. This simple yet sophisticated house is priced at £1.75m.

For more information, click here.

24 Princelet Street, Spitalfields, London – This surprisingly spacious Georgian townhouse, priced at £2.5m, has benefited from the fusion of period architectural detail and modern design to make it well suited to 21^st century living.

For more information, click here.

It was pure Laurie Lee: a little stone cottage on the crest of a hill at the end of an unmade track, looking down on a twinkling stream at the bottom of the valley and then across to ancient woodland. Oh, the joyful walks in the late evening sunshine, the frolics in the stream, the hide and seek in the woods, the gay jaunts to the sweetie shop in the nearby village that we… would have had if we hadn’t been too terrified to venture past the garden gate.

My sister and I were seven and four when my parents bought ‘Long Orchard’ in the long, hot summer of 1976. In early June, we loaded up the old Mercedes and headed down for the duration.

On the first morning my sister and I woke at dawn, ran downstairs and out into the lane, bursting to begin our rural adventure. And that was when we saw our first horse.

Or possibly pony. They run wild in the New Forest, you know. It’s lunacy, sheer lunacy. Some of them are as much as four feet high and survive mostly on a diet of terrified urban children who have only ever seen a horse on television and assumed they were weird mythical creatures that didn’t really exist, like dragons and hobbits and Floella Benjamin.

We turned and ran. Which was when we saw our first cow. Huge. Wide-eyed. So still and quiet it can only have been planning murder. We screamed and screamed and screamed. And those screams woke the local sheep dog, long-fanged and drooling, which despite its great old age, arthritis and the name “Flopsy”, haunted our nightmares for a decade afterwards.

We ran home, and as we flew through the garden gate got very slightly slimed by a cobweb. “Aaaargh! Spiders!” We screamed. But our mother, who was standing on a chair with her skirt-tails in her hands, shrieking at a tiny mouse on the floor, was no use at all.

“Run and play in the stream while I deal with this,” said my dad. And so off we toddled to build a dam and play a little “Pooh-sticks”, which was when we saw our first…

…well, I still don’t know what it was. Possibly a minnow, possibly just a leafy stick. But if you called my sister today and asked her, she would still tell you it was a shark.

 Aaaanyway, the hunt for a country house is going well. I’m over my fears of the countryside now, and have no problem at all with the idea of spending time out of town. We’re thinking of perhaps going as far afield as Hampstead. Or even Highgate.

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Giles Coren is The Times restaurant critic. His new book, How To Eat Out, is published by Hodder and is out now.

This feature appears in the latest edition of Jackson-Stops & Staff’s Market Review.

Current owner, Mark de Mallet Morgan has had a longstanding interest in the restoration and preservation of barns dating back to the 1970s. When Blackdon Farm came to the market in 1983, Morgan was quick to seize the opportunity to purchase the land and soon secured planning permission. Using reclaimed materials from a number of old barns, Morgan, working with three master craftsmen, meticulously reconstructed the original barn and built a new adjoining wing.

Blackdon Farm is now an exquisite three bedroom home occupying 4,983, sq ft, providing spacious accommodation with reclaimed exposed timber beams, oak panelled walls and original Kent peg clay tiles. The property also has three open fronted bay barns and an old dairy parlour/stable block, with planning permission to be converted into a three bed holiday cottage.  Outside, the property enjoys open landscaped grounds, including a lawn tennis court, orchard and vegetable garden.

For more information, see here

Jackson Stops & Staff also has a number of other stunning barn conversions on the market:

New Barn, Egdean - A stunning property that was built in the 19^th century and believed to have been converted 30 years ago. Situated at the end of a country lane in the sought after hamlet of Egdean, the property offers bright and spacious accommodation as well as outbuildings and a feature garden complete with stream and pond.

For more information, see here

The Paddocks, Piewell – An exceptional stone barn conversion offering a wealth of space and boasting a large garden, paddock and exceptional rural views across unspoiled countryside. The Paddocks is one of two beautiful stone barn conversions, comprising an entrance hall, study, large sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, five bedrooms (four en-suite), large bathroom, gravelled courtyard and a large paddock and garden to the rear.

 For more information, see here

Katie Etheridge, Lettings Manager for the Tunbridge Wells office, has the following expert guidance for anyone considering letting as an option:

 ■ Finance

Establish the level of rental income their home will generate in order to compare it with their current mortgage payments and associated costs to establish the feasibility of letting.

 ■ Suitability

Home owners need to ensure that their property will have rental appeal.  For example, is it within a recognised commuting area or in the catchment area for good schools?

 ■Responsibilities

Home owners with mortgages need to inform their lender that they intend to let their home, as lenders may apply a different interest rate and fees for the change of use. Owners should also inform their home and contents insurer that they are letting the property, and consider landlords insurance to protect rental income in the event of tenant default. This will almost certainly mean additional cost and should be factored in to financial feasibility. It is very much in the home owners’ interest to find suitable and reliable tenants and to obtain ID and credit references as well as employer references. Tenants’ deposits must also be put into an officially recognised scheme and legally approved tenancy agreements must be drawn up to protect both parties.

 Whilst there are many benefits of renting out private homes, there are also a number of pitfalls and considerations that must be taken into account before going ahead. Jackson-Stops & Staff have considerable experience in assessing and valuing rental properties and can provide a range of services to make the process easier, such as offering professional tenant finding and vetting services, drawing up tenancy agreements and deposit schemes, as well as a full property management service.

 For more details, call one of our offices – who will be more than happy to provide, guidance, assistance and support.

 Here are a couple of the best properties to rent through Jackson-Stops & Staff currently:

 1 – Holtye, East Sussex. £3,600pm

This stunning five bedroom chalet style property offers spacious accommodation in a charming, private location. Situated near the popular Holtye Golf Course, the property is just under eight miles from Tunbridge Wells, sitting within the catchment area of a range of top performing schools including The Skinners’ School, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School and Beechwood Sacred Heart School.

Fore more information, click here 

2 – Tankards, Quarry Road, Oxted. £3,750pm

 Situated on one of Oxted’s most sought after private roads, Tankards is spacious family property that lies within walking distance of the town centre and train station, making it ideal for those who commute into London. Trains to London Victoria take around 40 minutes, while the M25 Orbital Motorway gives easy access to Gatwick, Heathrow, City and Stansted airports. The property also benefits from a gym, paved terrace and around one acre of grounds.

For more information, click here

 3 – Grosvenor Hill, Wimbledon. £8,000pm

Boasting seven bedrooms and situated in the heart of Wimbledon, this property on Grosvenor Hill offers bright and airy accommodation and off street parking, all within walking distance of a range of outstanding amenities and facilities. Transport links are good, with Wimbledon station nearby, while the stunning Wimbledon Common sits a short distance away, offering a leafy green space that is ideal for leisure activities such as golf and cricket, or just relaxing and taking a break from the city.

For more information, click here