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NORTH WARNBOROUGH, HANTS

In the village of North Warnborough, Hampshire, £249,500 will buy you a pretty 200-year-old cottage, filled with character details. A raised open fireplace, exposed beams and terracotta floor tiles add to the charm of the sitting room. A slate-floored kitchen fitted with a double oven, timber work tops and butler's sink leads to an attractive breakfast area lit by a glazed vaulted roof. The ground-floor also has a modernised bathroom. Two bedrooms are upstairs with views over the gardens. Trains to London from nearby Hook take 45 minutes.

Through McCarthy Holden (01256 704851).

PENRYN, CORNWALL

Water babies with £295,000 can sail west to Grade II listed Kernick House, Penryn, near Falmouth, Cornwall. Four bedrooms, two ensuite, and a separate shower room are on the first floor. Downstairs has an elegant reception hall, drawing room with French windows, kitchen/breakfast and utility rooms and a study. Outside has communal gardens with camellias, magnolias and three planted courtyards. The trek to London by train takes about four hours 30 minutes.

Through Lillicrap Chilcott (01872 273473).