Wreck of the Week

Seafield House, in the Devon resort of Westward Ho! goes under the hammer tomorrow. You may have already seen some of the press about the 12-bed former B&B. Because, according to the story that did the rounds last month, it's supposed to be haunted. Now, setting aside whether you do/don't believe in ghosts (or, like spotting a big spider on the ceiling, you'd just rather not be in the same room as one), I did try to find out where that 'haunted' tag came from. The story originated in the Western Daily Press , which said neighbours claimed to hear strange noises and see a dead old lady waving at them. Though the story didn't include any quotes from these "neighbours". Which is shame because clearly they'd have to have pretty damn good hearing... By the time the story was copied by the Telegraph and AOL , the neighbours had become "locals" - still un-named and unquoted. The best I could find is that 'Haunted House' ...

Blimey O'Reilly - two weeks with nothing, then two posts in one week?! Have I forgotten that I called this blog "wreck of the week" as in one wreck in every week?? Nope, and I don't care. Because this week, among all the emails I got from you lovely, renovation-hungry readers, were two in particular that in different ways made my day. This post is by way of saying thank-you to the senders of those emails, and to all of you who send me suggestions of properties, kind words about the site, and pictures of your own renovation projects. I really, really do appreciate it. Elizabeth sent me the property featured above and below. It's the home she and husband Tony have lived in since 2007. It's clearly not a wreck (although it was once) but I'm featuring it because it's so unusual. Warren House, at the foot of Wapley Hill Fort, in Herefordshire, is owned by the Forestry Commission. And therein lies the rub. There's just over 11 years left ...

It's been a bit of gap (a two week gap;  I've done worse ) and by way of recompense, I'm showing you three properties today. That's sort of your weekly "wreck" doubled and upgraded. And also because I've spent most of this morning updating my running list, (my secret list that would be..) and have now put property in groups by location, rather than by how interesting, I'm going to give you three in one area. Look away now if North Yorkshire's not your thing. First the house above and below, in Pilmoor , North Yorkshire. It looks ex-RAF or station-master residence to me (it's actually called Station House) and is more tired than wrecked, There are damp issues in some rooms and I'd want that roof checking over. However, it's a big, detached three-bedroom home with good-size, bright rooms, and best of all gorgeous gardens of around a third of an acre in a woodland setting. Plus the kitchen Aga thrown in! On the downsi...