It’s easy enough to make your home unique on the inside, but it’s not quite so easy to find something that little bit unusual on the outside. However, we have found a selection of some fascinating properties currently on the market throughout the UK. We’re sure you’ll find these as remarkable as we do.

The Old Rectory
Bedrooms: 8, Bathrooms: 4, Garden: 3.6 acres, Location: Compton Pauncefoot, Somerset, Price: £3,000,000

It is easy to see why the BBC selected The Old Rectory as the parsonage for the 1983 dramatisation of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. Justifiably Listed Grade II of architectural or historical importance, it is unsurprising that the eminent architectural historian, Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, mentions The Old Rectory in his series ‘The Buildings of England’. The classic Georgian cut stone façade dates from the mid eighteenth century whilst the rear portion of the house is from the Tudor period. The accommodation is both extensive and well proportioned with wide and deep sash windows in the major reception rooms, ornate cornicing and ceiling roses, wide original floorboards, superb joinery, and open fireplaces all combining to create an elegance reminiscent of a bygone age and so typical of this most pleasing of architectural styles.

The present owners have carefully maintained the property whilst creating fabulous gardens. Situated on the fringe of the village adjoining, and with views of, open countryside, the position is superb, with little or no passing traffic along this quiet lane. It is immediately clear that The Old Rectory is a house of the very highest quality but it is the combination of the stunning facade, extensive and flexible accommodation, pretty situation and superb gardens which result in a property which is one of the very finest examples of the English country house.

Set behind stone walls, gates open to the gravel driveway leading to the front of the house. A secondary entrance leads to the coach house and garaging, continuing round to the stables.

The gardens and grounds are a particular feature of the property and have been beautifully maintained. Mostly walled and containing some magnificent mature trees, they are completely private. French doors open to flagstone terraces which lead to the manicured lawns. Throughout the gardens a profusion of plants and shrubs flourish, in particular a great number of rose varieties. The kitchen garden has some beautiful espalier fruit trees, vegetable and asparagus beds. There are two timber glass houses and two potting sheds/garden stores.

To the rear is an Open Barn and Stable Block with five loose boxes and a tack room and a further hay barn/loose box, and two adjoining paddocks.

To the south of the house is a further flagstone terrace and beyond this, the Swimming Pool. The grass tennis court lies behind a yew hedge with some beautiful shrub roses on its banks.
For more details contact Jackson Stops & Staff, 01935 810141 www.jackson-stops.co.uk


House Boat
Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 2, Garden: Deck with open river views, Location: Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London, Price: £470,000

A stunning 2 bedroom houseboat on a secure residential mooring in Chelsea. Refurbished to an excellent standard throughout, the reception opens to a sunny deck enjoying great views of the River Thames. Further comprises: dining area, large integrated kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, second bedroom, shower room, cloakroom, study area and small room/storage room/dressing room currently used as a nursery. Benefits include wood veneer flooring, under floor heating, CCTV and a night watchman. Well located at Cheyne Walk, the Kings Road and Battersea Park being a short walk away. Mooring & maintenance fees: £6000 per year and 21 year licence. For more details contact Riverhomes.co.uk, 020 8788 6000 www.riverhomes.co.uk


The Old Lighthouse
Bedrooms: 4 in the main house and 3 in the apartment, Bathrooms: 4 ensuite bathrooms in the main house and 2 ensuite in the apartment, Garden: Double garage with parking for up to 10 vehicles, Location: An old lighthouse situated in Britain’s only Coastal National Park in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, Price: £1,250,000.00

High on the cliff tops at the entrance to the giant harbour of Milford Haven, this extraordinary property at St Ann's Head occupies one of the most stunning locations on the entire Pembrokeshire Coast. The Old Lighthouse tower has been run as a luxury B&B exclusively for two, with the addition of a self-catering apartment in the former coastguard buildings. As an extraordinary property that has been refurbished to the highest contemporary standards, it was awarded the highest ‘Five Dragon’ accreditation by the Welsh Tourist Board.

An incredible property perched right on the ocean’s edge, the Old Lighthouse could be purchased either for private use or to be run as a successful lighthouse retreat. Step inside and you will find a well-designed contemporary interior, a refreshing contrast to its historical character.

On the third floor of the lighthouse tower there is a double bedroom, with a private winding staircase up to the Observation Lounge. Needless to say, the views are simply breathtaking. The former coastguard buildings at the foot of the 17th Century lighthouse tower have been thoughtfully converted into a stylish apartment with its own private access. There is a spacious lounge/diner, a kitchen, two bedrooms with ensuites, a third bedroom (that currently has bunk beds) and a patio, as well as a swimming pool and sauna.

For more details contact Unique Home Stays, 01637 881942 www.uniquehomestays.com

See more in Homes issue 16.