Home Aylton, near LedburyThis 16th-century barn has been resurrected as a £385,000 home with a double garage and office in an acre of gardens. It’s in a glorious setting, four miles from the market town of Ledbury and close to the Malvern hills. Original cruck beams crown the living room, which, although large, has slanting walls that will preclude tall furniture. It's upstairs along with the smallest of the four bedrooms which means it’s an annoying commute to the loo. The conversion was done in the 1980s and those with modern tastes may want to fast forward the décor and fittings into the 21st century.
Knight Frank, 01432 273 087 Photograph: Knight Frank
Home Duffus, by Elgin, Moray All the work has been done for you on this former barn, two previous owners having converted and extended it into a four-bedroom home with three receptions and a study. But you can put your own stamp on an adjoining outbuilding which has potential for conversion, provided the planners agree. The finest of the features here is the view across fields to Duffus castle, but inside are extra visual joys in the form of ceiling beams, open fires, galleries and wooden floors. The £395,000 asking price includes nearly an acre of land.
CKD Galbraith, 01343 546 362 Photograph: KD Galbraith
Home Great Leigh, near Exeter, Devon Oak beams, exposed stone walls and oak flooring meld with chic mod cons in this £500,000 barn conversion. It sits on green slopes in billowing countryside with 6.7 acres of its own land and perfect potential for equestrian pursuits. Three bathrooms serve the three bedrooms, the large kitchen opens into a family room next to a capacious drawing room and the unconverted lower ground floor would adapt well to a self-contained flat. Be aware that, although the site is gloriously remote, there are other barn dwellers close by on this farm development.
Strutt & Parker, 01392 215631 Photograph: Strutt & Parker
Home Bowsden, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Its dainty looking exterior hides capacious accommodation, including five double bedrooms, three bathrooms, two staircases and a large open-plan living and dining area. It could be a help or a hindrance that the bedrooms are accessed by two separate staircases and therefore not all readily reachable in a nighttime emergency. The only small thing about this £250,000 portion of a recent farm conversion is the courtyard garden. But the surrounding scenery is compensation, being close to the sandy beaches of Holy Island and walks in the Cheviot hills.
Smiths Gore, 01289 333030 Photograph: Smith Gore
Away Near Bonneville, Dordogne, France This is two homes in one going for €499,790 with an eco-friendly barn conversion supplying three bedrooms, and a separate cottage offering another three and potential for more, plus a garage and outbuildings. Living space in the barn is a dramatic affair with soaring beams and trusses in the full-height living room and the bedrooms, a large fireplace, exposed stone walls and wooden panelling. The pretty rustic setting can be admired from most of the windows and the hamlet is 25 minutes from Bergerac airport.
Leggett, 08700 115151 Photograph: Leggett
