Last week I got a bit uppity about second homes and holiday lets. And yet, I still find myself being drawn to properties that have "escape to the country" stamped into their original stone fronts.
Such as this one. Three-bedroomed Ivy Cottage in Ingleton, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Downstairs is a large sitting room and kitchen, plus separate loo (best not to look too closely), pantry, and a good-size, integrated workshop.
Upstairs are three decent-size bedrooms and a slice of bathroom. There's a large, walled front garden and small garden space at the back, and the property is tucked away down a quiet lane off Main Street.
On the market through Neil Wright Associates at offers over £220k. Details and lots more pictures here and on Rightmove here.
Rather further afield is this lovely, four-bedroom house on the community-owned Isle of Gigha.
It comes with over two acres of land and a tidy, if dilapidated, set of outbuildings.
Lots of potential; lots of breathing space. You'll see the weather arrive.
Rooms are a decent size and, aside from having a rather institutional feel, already have a lot of the good stuff (heating, double-glazing) in place in many.
Gigha itself is a really interesting - and beautiful - place to live with a strong community ethos. Somewhere to put down roots perhaps, rather than only holiday?
Anyway, the Kinnererach property is on the market through SBS Property at offers over £195k. Details and more pictures here and on Rightmove here.
My third and final pick today could never compete with Kinnererach in terms of space and outlook, but its a cute - and cheap - property in a pretty and much more accessible village location.
The Old Post House is in Millhousebridge, around five miles from Lockerbie. It has three bedrooms (one would make more sense as another reception room or part of an extended kitchen), bathroom, living room and kitchen.
There's a small front garden and the rear leads straight out onto a little residential street, overlooking fields.
At roughly 86sqm, it's "bijou" and the lack of a private garden may be an issue, but the house is in lovely, quiet location with plenty of countryside and walks from the door.
And, as mentioned, at offers over £105k, it's a good price for a first step into second-homing.
On the market through Strutt & Parker, details and more pictures here and on Rightmove here.
